Disclaimer: No matter how many letters I write to Santa, I still don't own FMA. How strange.


*One week earlier*

Roy awoke with a start. Looking at the clock on his bedside table, he jumped in the air, nearly falling off his bed, and quickly rushed around his room, grabbing and putting on his military uniform. He was supposed to have picked up Lieutenant Hawkeye a half hour ago to go to a meeting that would start in another half hour. "Shit!" he said aloud, rushing out the door to his car.

He raced to the house of his Lt, nearly getting himself killed as he sped down the street. As he drove up, he noticed that the Lieutenant was standing outside, in full military uniform, gun in her hand. Roy gulped nervously and pulled up to the curb hesitantly. He knew it would only be worse if he sped away. She would shoot him so fast, he wouldn't even be able to snap his fingers.

Riza got into the passenger side of his car with a scowl on her face. "You're late," she said in an irritated tone.

"Sorry, I overslept," Roy replied, driving toward headquarters, "But look on the bright side. At least we won't be arriving too early for this stupid meeting."

This statement did nothing to change the Lt.'s expression and the next few minutes were spent in silence. Roy pulled into an intersection, waiting to turn left. Just then, he heard Riza gasp and right as he turned toward her, a car collided with the passenger side of his car. Then, the world faded to black.

When Roy awoke, he was in a hospital room and Lieutenant Havoc was standing by the door, leaning against its frame. "Havoc?" Roy asked, "What happened?"

Havoc approached Roy's bed and sat in the chair next to it. "A guy ran the light, collided with your car, and then fled the scene," he explained.

Suddenly, the memory of the car colliding with the passenger side of his car hit Roy like a dozen cars combined. Approaching the intersection, waiting for what seemed like an eternity, Riza's sudden gasp and terrified expression; it all came flooding back to him. "Riza!" Roy exclaimed suddenly.

Havoc's face turned grim, "The nurse said she just got out of surgery. With their permission, I was able to get her to be able to be in this room with you. I assumed that's what you'd want," Havoc explained and Roy nodded, "They said her injuries were a lot worse than yours since the car hit her side of the car. And they also said to be prepared if she slips into a coma." Havoc's voice cracked at the mentioning of a coma and Roy's heart fell in his chest. Both men wore matching grim expressions.

"It's all my fault," Roy said quietly, "If I hadn't been late picking her up then maybe…" he trailed off for fear of breaking down and crying in front of his subordinate.

"No, it's not, Colonel," Havoc said, "Upon further investigation of the car that caused the accident, we found a map that had written on it the route you take from your house, to Riza's, then to HQ. They were waiting for you two. We don't know why but we're starting an investigation right away."

Roy was dumbstruck by what his subordinate was telling him. "Good, talk to the Fuehrer and tell him that I will lead this investigation. Understand?" Roy told Havoc.

"Yes sir," Havoc said, saluting his commanding officer.

Just then, a nurse wheeled in another hospital bed that carried a blond woman covered in bandages. The nurse set up machines displaying Riza's vitals and nodded to the two men once she was done. "Just as you requested," she addressed Havoc.

"Thanks Havoc," Roy told the other man as the nurse left the room.

"Of course," he said, "Easier to protect the two of you this way and I knew you would want this. I'm sure Hawkeye would too if your roles were reversed."

They talked and watched Riza for what seemed like an eternity until Havoc stood and told the colonel he better leave before he got kicked out. As the blond man left, Roy noticed him approach Riza and squeeze her hand gently. He turned to Roy and said, "By the way, one of us will be outside for protection at all times." Then, he left.

Roy felt the adrenaline of the day slowly start to ware off and he fell asleep, dreaming about Riza and their experiences together.


AN

So there's the official chapter one. Hope you like it. This explains why Roy blames himself and why Riza is in a coma, hence redemption for Roy. I love Havoc. Besides Riza, he's my favorite subordinate of Roy. In my story I think he looks out for her kinda like a sister and I think he treats the military officers he's close to like family, always looking out for them. He feels close to them, which explains why he rubs his face on Roy's leg in episode 13 of FMA. How sweet and creepy!

I think I may have the next chapter be Riza's POV of the events because I really want her to be in the story but I'm not sure. (It probably won't be, I just feel like tricking you XP) Hope you enjoy!

That button down there… hmmm… I'll give you a strawberry if you press it… a virtual one! Yay for Death Note reference!