Standing just outside the doorway of his first lieutenant's home, Mustang froze. More than anything he wished to push through the wooden barrier, but his body refused to comply. From inside he could hear her stifled sobs, but what had made him stop in his tracks was a different sound, an all-too-familiar 'click' coaxing Mustang to finally emerge from behind the door. Roy could never forget the sounds of a gun, not since he met Hawkeye on the battlefield.

Flinging the door wide open the famed dog of the military saw the love of his life as if for the first time. She was kneeling on the floor of the dining area in her apartment clutching a pistol in her hands. There was never a sight more beautiful, nor was there one more sad. Tears sparkled catching the light as they slid down her cheek and into her lap. Her lips, usually soft and smiling, were pulled back into a thin, grievous smile that was partially blocked by her hair, unpinned and shining in the light. To him, Riza looked like a fallen angel struck down from heaven by rays of sorrow.

"Roy… I-" Riza muttered in surprise. He was almost in tears just looking at her and she could tell. He needed to be her pillar of strength now; he wouldn't cry, not yet.

"Put down the gun." Mustang said as sternly as he could despite his fear. Riza, however, refused to comply. "That's an order, lieutenant." Through her sobs, the soldier mumbled a reply.

"Now you come." Roy inched closer to Riza, gently lifting her chin up so she could look him in the eye and drew her into a long and passionate kiss. For more than a minute they stayed that way, feeling each other's warmth and sharing a heartbeat. Roy pulled at the weapon that rested in the hands of the Hawk's Eye until she let it free. As he broke the embrace Mustang struck Riza across the face.

"Don't you ever do anything like that again." Roy stood allowing his own tears to fall. "I- I love you. If you died… I don't know what I'd do without you." Riza peered up at the broken man before her like a child who was just scolded for eating too many sweets. Without a word, Roy scooped her up in his arms and carried her to his car. He laid her down gently in the back seat, carefully buckling her seatbelt so it would not get in the way.

"Where are we going?" Riza muttered, weak and dizzy from dehydration.

"I don't want you to spend the night by yourself." Was all Mustang would say.

Riza awoke the next morning in a daze. Where was she? Had she really attempted suicide the night before? It was all a blur to her. As she lay, Riza became aware of someone beside her, a man sitting with his legs draped over the side of the bed.

"Roy?" Riza called quietly.

"I'm sorry…" Mustang muttered as he stood and turned to leave.

"Wait. Please don't leave," Riza whispered, reaching up from under the covers to pull feebly at the back of Roy's shirt. "I don't want… I don't want to be alone."

"All right then," he said as he climbed back into bed and snaked his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her neck. "How's this?"

"What took you so long?" She murmured snuggling closer. After she fell back into her slumber, Roy made his way into his study where he unfolded the message he had given Riza the morning before. While at her apartment, he discovered the envelope, seal unbroken, on the dining room table and pocketed it before leaving. What good was it to her now? As he reread his words, a single tear fell from his eyes. She was now his and nothing could change that.

Dear Riza,

I have been thinking recently about how much I rely on you. I trust you to guard my back no matter what the circumstance and I depend on you to remind me to do my work. I need you more than I would a first lieutenant, Riza. I cherish every moment that our arms brush each other when we step to close in line, every glare you give me, every sigh you give when I make a decision you know that I will regret. I love you. I love you more than I could even imagine loving anything else. I know that I am not worthy of your love, but please, please give me a chance. You make me feel the fire that lies in my soul, and nothing can compare to your beauty. Please respond soon.

- Roy Mustang

It ended with a note…