A/N: First off, I would like to apologize for being evil and not updating for a month and a half. I've literally been working on this chapter since before the first one was posted. But now everyone can finally see whether or not Roy and Riza will make up with each other!

So this was originally intended to be only 2 parts, but as I kept writing, I realized that I can add a lot more nonsense into this au (EdWin, anyone?), so there are going to be a couple more chapters after this.

Thank you so much to those who reviewed! Your compliments made my day!

Anyway, I hope everyone likes part 2, and feel free to give me feedback on anything you loved or hated!


Rebecca had been furious. She had almost thrown a glass of wine across Riza's apartment after finding out how the date went. Riza had also been visibly upset; she had been seething the entire way home from her "date" and had felt the need to go to the gun range and blow off some steam.

She had finally met one nice-seeming guy, and it turned out he was some sort of crazy pathological liar. Riza could not usually be found crying over men, but this one was different somehow. Not many men could inspire Riza to actually slap them in the face.

For the day after, thoughts of Roy Mustang crept into her thoughts, and how she had actually begun to fall for him. Their dinner had gone well. Both bantered playfully, and joked around flirtatiously; Roy had even asked her to get dessert, and she had accepted. His attractive appearance had helped as well, though. The way his tousled black hair fell, the way his dark eyes reflected the light, and the way she could still see some muscles under his shirt had definitely all helped.

But one thing that truly puzzled her about Roy Mustang was how genuine he had seemed throughout dinner. He talked about his family, about his adoption and his past. Roy admitted some very personal details to her, and the look in his eyes the entire time made it seem like he cared about Riza. He had managed to fool her into thinking he was a normal, honest person.

Riza tried to push him out of her mind. How could he have been so sweet, yet such a complete asshole to her? Eventually, Riza's anger faded, and she returned to her normal routine.

Roy was almost completely shoved out of Riza's mind, until a week later when Rebecca cancelled the plans she and Riza had made to go out to dinner. Riza was therefore left alone on Friday night with her Shiba.

Hayate was the only man in her life that hadn't somehow screwed up, and Riza loved him; but she was also getting tired of moping around her apartment. That chain of events was what led Riza to put on another dress, and go out to find a bar, so she wouldn't be alone in her house with her dog and a bottle of wine.

Riza had never seen the point in trying to get drunk, but she didn't want to drink alone and possibly risk becoming inebriated.

The wind was biting. Every day kept getting colder, an indicator that winter was right around the corner. As Riza walked, she thought about how last week at this time, she had been on her way to her blind date. She had been happy and excited, rather than angry now. Because of that disaster of a blind date, she had moped around at work and in her apartment, sad and embarrassed at what she had let happen. Riza wound her scarf around her neck again, covering the bottom half of her face with it. She was most likely frowning, and inadvertently glaring at everyone who walked by her. Again, somehow Roy Mustang was messing with her head and she couldn't get him out.

By the time Riza got to her favorite bar, she could practically taste the alcohol. She was glad she decided to come out somewhere, rather than sitting at home with a bottle of wine.

She walked to the front entrance, and pulled on the door handle. She felt resistance, and pulled again. Still nothing. She stepped back, and looked at the window; the open sign wasn't lit, in fact, nothing was. The bar was closed.

"Damn it," Riza muttered to herself, and stepped back onto the sidewalk. She would have to find another bar.

Riza walked around the city for a few blocks, not finding anywhere she felt she could have a nice drink. She considered turning back, or maybe drowning her sorrows in ice cream, until she finally found a decent looking bar. It looked well-lit and not too busy, and Riza was starting to get cold.

She entered, and sat down on one of the high chairs by the counter. She turned around, and looked at the place she had entered. The bar was very well lit, counteracting the effects of the maroon walls and dark wood floor. There were some tables and chairs on the ground, and most people were chatting amiably. There were a few patrons slumped over at their tables or the main counter, but for the most part, it looked like a nice place. She might like it here.

Riza unwound her scarf as she heard a glass clinking and a bartender approaching on the other side of the counter.

"Hello. What can I get you tonight?" Riza's eyes widened as she recognized that voice coming from behind her. Her heart stopped cold as she remembered that same voice a week ago telling her "I own a bar downtown".

No; it couldn't be…

Please, she thought, Anyone but him…

Riza slowly turned around, hoping that she had heard wrong. She was praying that it wasn't who she thought it was; until she came full circle, and was met with a familiar pair of onyx eyes. She had gone out tonight to have a good time and try to get rid of every last thought of Roy Mustang, yet here he was, less than three feet away from her.

She looked at him for a moment, unsure of what to do as the realization set in on his face too. His eyes widened as well, and he almost dropped the glass he was holding, "Riza," he breathed, and blinked, as if he didn't believe what he was seeing. Riza didn't blame him, as she felt waves of the same thing. That, and the fact that she had slapped him and told him to stay away from her. Showing up in his bar would certainly strike most people as odd in those specific circumstances.

How shitty was Riza's luck that she ended up in the bar of the one person in the entire city she had wanted to avoid? Riza looked into Roy's eyes once more, then got up from her chair.

"I didn't realize this was your bar," she spoke coolly, trying to maintain her composure, "I'll be going now," She turned away from Roy, and attempted to walk out as quickly as she could without seeming too rude or crazy. In all honesty, Riza wanted to run out of the bar at full speed, and get away from Roy as fast as she could, but doing so would only cause her to feel further embarrassment. Why was it so hard to control her anger around him? How did he do that to her?

"Wait, Riza!" He called after her, but Riza only quickened her gait. No matter how much he called her name, she tried to refuse to acknowledge him. "Riza!" He called again, followed this time by a crash. Riza, who was halfway out the door, whirled around to see Roy running past the counter, a broken bottle of beer in his wake. He was definitely crazy.

Riza turned back around, and got outside, leaving the door to slam into Roy's face. She heard him curse, but quickly open the door and come outside after her. "Riza, please come back! I'm so sorry! Please let me apologize properly!" Roy called, and ran to catch up with her. This was insane. Roy had had his chance, and Riza was growing increasingly irritated with him. She turned to face him, and put her best glare on her face.

"Please leave me alone, Roy," She replied, taking deeper breaths to keep her voice steady, "It was an accident coming into your bar, and now I'm going. Earlier I told you I didn't want to see you anymore, and that statement still holds true."

Roy's face fell slightly, but he didn't falter completely, "Riza, I know I made a huge mistake-"

"Mistake? You made a mistake? Roy, not only did you lie to me and ruin my evening, but you ruined someone else's, and made my friend worried sick. Mistake doesn't even begin to cover the bullshit you pulled," Riza crossed her arms. Roy's forehead was red where the door had hit him, and he had the most pathetic look in his eyes; like a sad puppy. She glared at him.

"Riza, I know that was a complete idiot that night," Riza opened her mouth to call him something worse, but he kept talking before she had a chance to, "Okay, I was a lot worse than an idiot. I was the biggest asshole in the entire city. But I know that what I did was wrong, and I want to apologize for ruining your night," He looked at her with his sad eyes, but Riza kept her glare as frigid as the winter wind blowing around them.

"At first, yes, I went into the restaurant alone because I couldn't find my friend Hughes's party. I was planning on eating alone, until you came over and mistook me for your blind date. I wanted to say no, but I saw your face, and all coherent thought flew out of my mind and I couldn't piece together a good enough reply," Roy looked down, his cheeks becoming red from either embarrassment or the weather, "By the time you were situated, I didn't want to tell you to leave. And honestly, I didn't really want you to leave. I loved our conversation at dinner, Riza. You're one of the most interesting people I've had the pleasure of meeting, and I wanted to know you even better. That's why I invited you to get dessert with me," Roy was beginning to shiver, but he continued talking,

"I wholeheartedly agree with you that I was wrong, and you were completely justified in slapping me," Riza's face softened slightly, "And I wanted to say that you didn't deserve any of the lies or 'bullshit I pulled'. I want you to know that I am really, truly sorry, and I want to make it up to you. Even if you choose to walk away from me now and never speak to me again, I at least want you to know I wasn't trying to hurt you," Roy let out a breath as the final words left his mouth, and Riza stood before him in silence for a moment.

It was true, she had been furious with Roy before, and she was still mad, but the heartfelt words that had tumbled out of his mouth just now managed to remind Riza why she had liked him in the first place. During their date, he had been laughing and carefree, and every word that came out of his mouth seemed genuine.

And that genuine attitude had shown itself again in his apology. His long speech had managed to convince Riza that he was telling the truth. He definitely screwed up last week at dinner, but he wasn't an awful person or a pathological liar. And even if Riza didn't want anything else to do with him, Roy at least deserved forgiveness. They both deserved that closure.

As Roy looked down at the ground, his forehead red from the door and his teeth almost chattering, not knowing what the woman in front of him would say, Riza stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

Roy's head snapped up and a hopeful look crossed his face before seeing Riza's impassive expression, "I don't regret walking out on you, and I don't regret what I said earlier about your mistake. You screwed up, and nothing you say can take back what happened," Roy opened his mouth to defend himself, but soon closed it again, knowing it was best to hear her out.

"But," Riza began again, "I do regret slapping you. I should have listened to your reasons for lying earlier, and I appreciate your apology," Roy's eyes widened, "At least, if nothing else, I'm saying that I'm willing to forgive you," Riza took a deep breath and looked into Roy's dark eyes.

"Really?" He asked, incredulous.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not completely over what you did," Riza explained again, "But I can clearly see that you're sorry about it, and I can work with that."

"Thank you, Riza," Roy looked at her again, and Riza became unsure of what to do next.

"Well, goodbye, I guess," She said, tightening her scarf around her neck. Riza finally had the closure she didn't know she came out seeking.

"Wait," Roy called out, almost a bit too loudly, "I'll give you a free drink. Anything you want, on the house," He shoved his pale hands into the pockets of his pants, "I still want to give you something to help make up for what I did."

Riza froze, not sure how to respond. Despite her recent shift to not hating Roy Mustang, Riza wasn't sure if she wanted to spend another evening in his company, "I don't know…"

"I'm just offering you a drink. No strings attached," Roy held his hands up and made a cutting motion, "I want to give you something for last week's disaster. You deserve a lot more, but I'll pick up your tab for anything you order tonight as a gesture of gratitude for forgiving me."

Even with gloves and a scarf, the cold wind bit at Riza's cheeks and threatened to seep into her bones. Standing outside in the now abysmal weather was getting old fast, so Riza knew she had to quickly make a decision. She either had to leave and return to Hayate at home, or she had to go inside with Roy and let him buy her a drink.

No strings attached…

There had to be strings; even if he meant it as a kind gesture. Roy would never have come up with such an extravagant apology if he wasn't still interested in Riza. Not that she thought he meant to do her more harm, but it was obvious. Even Black Hayate would be able to tell that Roy still had feelings for her. But Riza didn't know if she still could have feelings for him. She didn't know if she wanted to have feelings for him.

"Please, Riza," Roy's eyes filled with kindness. The red spot on his forehead was fading, quickly being replaced by redness on his nose and cheeks; maybe from the cold, or maybe from something else, "Just let me do something nice for you, for a change."

For a change? All of a sudden, Riza remembered in perfect clarity the banter the two of them had shared, and the way Roy picked up the tab on their restaurant bill. He truly did seem like a nice man when he wasn't stealing dates, and he needed to stop feeling sorry for himself. Riza thought of their conversation at the restaurant, and she wondered if the cold was making her cheeks red as well.

"You're not a bad person, you know that, Roy?" Riza lowered her scarf yet again, "You've already done some nice things for me, and you shouldn't feel the need to pay me back," Riza's own eyes softened.

"I know I don't have to," his words seemed like an echo of those he spoke a week ago, "But I want to. Everyone deserves a treat every now and then," that was when Riza realized that the drink was as much for him as it was for her.

"Alright," she sighed, and watched Roy's face brighten, "I'll let you buy me something, then maybe we could both finally feel better about last week."

"Sounds great," Roy smiled, seemingly calming the harsh wind, "After you," he gestured toward the door and let Riza walk in first.

The two of them re-entered the bar, and Riza took in the scene. Apparently people had been watching the entire exchange outside between her and Roy, because many of them gave her smiles or knowing glances. Riza was glad her face was red from the cold, or else she would be worried about blushing in front of a crowd.

It must have seemed as if she was interested in Roy again, because of his over-the-top actions. "Well," Riza thought, "We're not dating. I'm just going to get that drink I came out here for," Being back on speaking terms with a man didn't mean that she immediately wanted to date him.

A blonde employee was cleaning the floor where Roy had knocked a beer bottle over in his attempt to go after her. Riza began questioning his sanity again briefly, before watching Roy bend down and help get rid of some of the glass in the mess.

Eventually, she sat down in one of the barstools again, and was met by Roy at the other side of the counter, "You're welcome to anything, and as much as you want."

Red menus lay scattered sporadically across the counter, so Riza reached for one and skimmed its contents. She considered ordering a glass of wine, but remembered she had a bottle at home. She was already out, so she may as well try something new.

"Do you want any suggestions?" Roy asked, noticing Riza's creased brow, "I can list off the special drinks we have."

"Sure, thank you, Roy," Riza said, then after a moment of thought, "You know what, just bring me something you think I would like," Riza honestly didn't know what drinks were good here, and she didn't feel like trying to complicate things.

Roy paused for a moment, then walked through a doorway to what was presumably the back storeroom. Riza glanced around, suddenly starting to regret asking him for whatever drink he wanted to make her. She knew he would get her something good, but she was hoping he wouldn't expend too much effort in making it.

Riza's feelings toward Roy at the moment were complicated, and she hoped she wasn't leading him on too much. She knew that she had forgiven him for the disaster of the previous week. He was penitent, and she was kind enough to realize that he had made a stupid mistake. But that stupid mistake had definitely lowered her opinion of the man; she had spent a week hating him. Riza felt differently now, due to his words tonight, but the shadow of their "blind date" still loomed overhead. Riza didn't know if she was ready to completely trust him again, let alone start dating once more.

But never mind that, she thought. She could at least give him a chance tonight. And maybe eventually she may get to the point where she fully trusted Roy again.

This "no strings attached" drink was slowly becoming increasingly string-laden as Riza waited for her bartender to return, thoughts of him invading her mind once more.

So Riza decided that she would see where this night would take her. She didn't know what was going to happen; she didn't know what she wanted to do concerning Roy Mustang and his affections. But she decided to do what she came out to: enjoy herself. And maybe along the way, Roy would end up helping her do so.