Chapter 2

And the fateful day arrives

My day didn't start at all very well since the Colonel left me working on some papers till 3 am in the morning and falsely promised to pick me up when I finished.

Blabbering, he never came back

It was November the 3rd, and the freezing chill was felt everywhere during winter. Just my daily routine started like every other day but those dreams kept haunting me like he does now 6 years later.

Usual days like this, when my mind used to fly out somewhere due to my exhaustion, I just dreamt common things like everyone but I had never been of those people who could atone the past mistakes and so, I remembered Ishval. Corpses lying around, the smell of death everywhere. All vanished in one second. People who were just innocent for what ever crime their nomad civilization had ''made''. The stupidity and most grand error we humans made…kill. Kill one of our brothers, our comrades, our friends, and our same specie. I surely didn't want to analyze the reason I was there for, now serving as military for the ''good'' of people and our nation.

My dad had died few years ago while teaching the Colonel the alchemy he had been perfecting all his life. I was left alone in the world at a young age. Certainly I didn't have any friends I could rely on and even if it's painful to say, I had always isolated myself from people. Girls criticized my way of being, my ruthless military teaching and moreover, my tomboy attitude. I never cared for them really because their minds were only filled with dresses, makeup and boys. In reality they were as shallow as they seemed to be. And boys, well boys were a similar story.

'Who would like to have a tomboy as a girlfriend?' They thought as I passed to buy something in the supermarket. I got used to ignore their commentaries that one or more times had hurt myself but I knew that if I didn't show composure against them, no respect could I gain.

Father never knew about this or either my intentions of entering the military because naming him I was interested in signing, was naming his own death sentence. He kept most of his lifetime in the library inside our house and at nights we used to eat together before we went to sleep. Nothing special, a few words or commentaries, we cached up with our daily life. He told me about a new boy attending to our house for the summer. He had convinced father of training him in order to be a flame alchemist. I didn't disagree I was just uncomfortable of hiding all of the commentaries that guy should say about me.

And the day did come, and I had to wait for him outside in the garden to greet him. I was just reading Pride&Prejudice to keep me entertained before he came.



Before I had realized it, there was a tall man standing in front of the yard and putting aside the book I went to his side.

''Excuse me miss, is this the house of Sensei Hawkeye?'' -The onyx eyes rolled through the tiny paper he had in his hands to confirm the possibility.

''Yes it is…Mr. Mustang, is it?''- I asked because I didn't remember well his name.

''Oh sorry for being late I just had some business unresolved and,'' – My eyes met his and he passed his hand through his hair.

'Just anxious'

''Don't worry sir, pass on to the house and meet my father who is waiting in the library'' – I turned on and organizing the chair I had rested in, with the keys I opened the house that was divided into a large living room and at the left side the corridor that led to the library. – ''There,''- I explained – ''through the corridor walk until you see a big brown door standing at your right.''

''Thank you so much and sorry for bothering you Ms. Hawkeye'' – He Smiled for a moment and let go of his suitcase.

''Mmm...Mr. Mustang you want me to take care of this suitcase for you?'' I asked.

''Don't worry just leave it there, if I need it I'll come back for it, thank you.''

Strange…he did not make any type of ugly face to me. More to it, he was not rude in any way

''Just my imagination.'' – A gentle breeze passed through her taking with it all, the leaves autumn were in charge to change in color. New seasons, drastic changes winter was to come. The smell of tooth paste was felt all over the house.

'Wait. Toothpaste?'

''Shit,'' her eyes went wide open. ''This is what I referred to when I said normal dreams.'' with her body a little bit shaky she now realized she had been standing outside the shower all the time. 'What time is it?'

She looked to the outside of the bathroom up on the clock that stood beside her bed. It read 8:30 pm. – ''8:30 pm!'' -

Like after drinking three red bulls at once the woman went into the bath and thundered into the closet 5 minutes later, searching for her military clothes who where nowhere to be seen. Some detail she had left behind…oh that was the laundry. The laundry that was not open until 10 o'clock in the morning. Thus, she had to wear something else less appropriate for her to go to work and what was less appropriate was less appropriate for everyone who saw her. She was just uncomfortable for what people would misjudge from her.



At first, she considered the tentative idea of waiting until late in the morning and excusing this day from work, since she could use some rest, but her sense of responsibility, she really wanted some times to throw up, didn't leave her alone.

''Whatever.'' she said to her insides while rolling her eyes. Something, she thought was going really backwards, or was it just the lack of temper that made her feel like that?

Anyways, Riza got dressed as quickly as she could. Since all of her pants were as well, in that god damned hell of a laundry, the only alternative she had was a blue skirt that went to her knees and white shirt, which matched perfectly with her blue high heels.

Looking at the mirror for some mere seconds she sighted with disappointed face. Then saw the clock once more and while cashing out the puppy she got some crackers that had been in the table since last night and the dog's bowl. There was no way of going back now to bed… 'Though I need it.'

Through the halls of the building it was heard at a distance, the swift movement of the shoes on the stairs. It was not still noon and her eyes looked sleepy and her head was in another place, she still could not recall.

'Damn daydreaming'

Her dog seemed to sense something wrong and when she got the keys from a pocket in her skirt, he stopped in front of the car loyally shaking his tail to cheer her up. She opened the door in the back seat and made Black go in, then gave another sight and started the car but there was a rough sound coming from the engine, and it resigned to continue its work.

''What now?'' she grumbled furiously.

What a mood to be in! Her foot pressed hard the accelerator but a sudden cloud of smoke appeared. She coughed. 'Great News, her car was now a crap of shit.' Again, she had to stand up and while she dazzled of thinking about the papers she had to be filling at the headquarters, Hawkeye discovered the hood and looked down to examine the motor. Apparently, there was nothing wrong and she tried to start the car with no success. Due to her bad temper, she hit the engine with all her mighty force and hid her head in the other hand to restrain the pain.

'Fuck my hand.'

''Calm down. Even blaming the car or your hand for your disgrace has no courage'' She repeated until her nerves were settled down- ''now what should I use as bandage?''–Hayate barked in the car and she struggled to smile. – ''Well it's not that bad is it? Let's go now'' - Now seated once more, Riza finally got to steam up the car and went out to the Office.



Of course, struggle along the way was always waiting for her on days like these and a huge traffic way, caused by a car crash endured her pain for almost 1 hour. All that was left was to open the window and refresh her mind a little bit.

She was exhausted from all the hard work these days, the excessive amount of coffee on her organism and no sleep. Because the year was almost over, headquarters used to hand the final papers to settle everything before New Year. And before New Year, Riza had little patience inside her and was mostly seen sleeping on breaks…silently.

10:30 pm. She had now successfully arrived to work and while putting some of her spirits up, Hayate came happily out the back door and now walked alongside her. After doing a 180 degrees turn she heard some strange sound but tried to give it no importance. To her disgrace, this day seemed to be one of those Friday 13th and when she twirled to see what had happened her skirt had been ripped in the left side of her legs just seconds ago when she came out of the car.

''That's It.'' she affirmed when her knuckles pressed hard in her hand. Hayate went back when she saw the lieutenant stop drastically and saw her now walking faster than ever. She was indeed pissed.

The doors went open and most of the women and men that were walking or standing around the big hall went to a sudden stop in their actions to watch the women who came right in, in this time of the morning. She was a huge difference in normal clothes, though she kept that impersonal aura around her. Her blonde hair flowing freely through the wind felt like something not common had happened to her. She did walk faster now and her skirt was torn until the half of her left thigh. Her eyes focused on the floor and her dog did too.

Men of course, gossiped how invisible she seemed to be around the militia but gave a second thought of how her good looking image change had resulted. There were two or more women a bit jealous to those comments and stared at Riza as if she was some alien but the woman did pay little attention to details…she was used to it.

She knew she was on the door of her office but didn't want to stare at anyone because her eyes were now black brown with fury. Hawkeye had this special ability of expressing her emotions by the colors of her eyes and if glances could kill she would surely do it in an instant.

Good grief! Now after crossing the doors to the Colonel's office Havoc, Breda, Fuery and Falman had become aware of her every movement. When did she become the headquarters attraction?

''Well good morning my dear lieutenant Riza!'' greeted the cheerful Breda while putting some paper's aside.

''What brings you so late? '' said Havoc taking out a cigarette from his pocket.

''Guys she may have her own business so don't bother her. At least Riza has the need to come late once in the year '' talked Fuery excusing Riza.



''But what's with the outfit? She has something hidden,'' whispered Breda. '' Well maybe some date?'' –He continued – ''that's a horse of a different color not to mention th-'' admitted Havoc but was interrupted by Riza's hard tone of voice.

''Where's the Colonel?'' she asked.

''he has gone out for something.'' explained Falman while calmly handing some paper's to Fuery

'I'll kick his ass soon enough if he doesn't return in the next 10 minutes' whispered Hawkeye in her mind. – ''Hmmm'' – her talking was now reduced to zero and her hands looked frenetically for some papers she had checked yesterday night – ''with the papers?'' - She questioned again while pointing the empty space left in her desk were the papers resided before.

''With the papers what Riza?'' – said Falman not understanding what she just had asked.

''Did…did he go with the papers? ''–

''Not that I remember.'' –

''Hmmm''-

''You know Riza that 'Hmm' noise is getting quite annoying why don't you just scream when your angry…it makes you feel more, human.'' Talked the cigarette guy resting at one of the chairs. She just ignored the commentary by sitting on the chair and looking strait at his eyes as if though preventing some mass murder.

''Shit! I lost the papers'' said a familiar voice when entering the office.

''I know Lieutenant Hawkeye is going to kill me but I can swear to god I had them just 30 minutes ago.''

A tall man entered the office while shaking his head in discomfort. His hand passed through his black hair and the office went silently when the last word he had said, still resounded within it.

'Fuck you did it again Roy'

''maybe that Alexa girl I talked before can have some clue about it.'' Roy now standing in front of the guys noticed that all of them except Havoc popped their eyes up to him as if trying to say something.

''What? I' m serious I may have some problems in remembering after I see a –''

''Sir, good to see you back. Can you recall telling me where the papers are?'' pronounced Riza in a defiant voice.

'Good she now knows everything now.'

''Can… I…can you guys please go outside for a moment?'' stuttered Roy with impatience

''Why? I'm not disturbing your chat.' argued Havoc

''Doesn't matter there is a word I call privacy and that's what I want to have with Hawkeye.''

''Ok boss'' – replied Havoc with a mocking face but seem to care less. The rest went quietly outside and Breda peeked over the shoulder one last time before closing the door.

The silence became more evident when the sound of the door broke all signs of conversation. Riza continued revising her work on the desk as if there was no one else on the room expect her, while Roy stood in front and tried to coordinate the next two phrases.



''I'm…I don't…I did lose them but…find them'' Were the only words that Mustang's mouth could pronunciate.

''You have them or you don't have them Sir. Is easy as that.'' Her eyes now crossed his for a moment until she picked up a paper that accidentally fell on the floor.

Roy went rapidly to her side and knelt down to pick the paper that fell but the woman just took it in her hand. She knew he was just trying to flatter her soon.

''Lieutenant'' - He was so close to her that her perfume was able to be inhaled. So familiar, so

pure, so lovely – ''you are late.''

Ok, that did cut all the magic

''Sir'' she said breathing heavily- ''I know I'm late but you don't have to use that as a scapegoat,'' – and gave him a cold look – ''I've been killing myself all these days so you can loose those papers?'' – Her rage now took control of her body – ''and Sir is telling me that I'm late?? You should be more considerate to those around you, since I'm breaking my back!''

''I didn't mean that. You know it's also been hard for me and I-I hope. No.'' he shook his head – ''I'll try to find them. At least I have one more hour before handing them in.''

''To be more exact sir 30 minutes'' –

''Whatever 30 minutes 40, 50 doesn't matter.'' he was now short of temper.

'Let me guess. You lost them while chasing that Alexa girl – Thought furiously Riza.

– ''and where did you last ''have'' them?'' a sarcastic tone escaped her mouth.

''Ok that's great now you don't even believe me'' one of his eyebrows was now curved.

''What does sir believe?'' her hands pressed the paper hardly.

''what does sir, sir, sir,'' he repeated in haughty tone. ''Hawkeye haven't I told you to have more confidence in me?''

'Shit that confidence. I'm fed up'

''Ok then Roy Mustang, do I have to repeat your name 500 times in a row so you can tell me where to start looking for the papers?'' she looked at the clock placed in the wall ''it's getting late you know?''

''Shit that minute thing!'' Both of them now looked irritated and lifted their heads- ''you know what?''

''What?''

''Make that 1,000 times'' his lips curved up with a mischievous grin.

''What are you talking about Roy Mustang?'' She was now angrier. 'Danm smile, damn him!' – ''were worrying about the papers not your name!'' Both stood up but without taking their eyes off. ''I'm bored of your egocentric…egocentric…being…you. Agh!'' she began to stammer out the words and a bigger grin showed up in Roy's lips.

''You don't know what your saying Riza.''



''Yes I do''

''Oh, so sure of yourself as always,'' – his feet slowly advanced towards her – ''You know I can really be egocentric sometimes,''- Mustang's voice softened and Riza moved back while raising one eyebrow in suspicion – ''and sometimes I might be really, really, selfish,'' – Both of his arms now trapped Riza's and she tried to get rid of them but the struggle faded out soon and anxiousness arose in her body.

''Stop it now.''

''Why?'' – Said Roy while pulling her closer.

''Because I say so.'' the confidence shattered. If he came closer he could win easily.

Both of their eyes soothed down and Riza's eyes became hazel. She admitted he was the only tranquilizer that functioned perfectly in her body but she rushed her breathing after a physical touch occurred between both of their skins. Her hands were down, quitting every attempt to stop that moment and his hands clutched her in a soft way but retaining within themselves the struggle. The silence reigned for a short period of time before Roy raised his eyebrow saying – ''because you say so?'' she didn't respond and waited – ''you want me to make you talk?'' – She still didn't answer – ''so you really do want it.'' his voice sounded tenderer.

You stupid Blackmailing guy

He drew his head closer and he was now, once more, able to smell the so familiar perfume that impregnated her body. The blonde hair, to his surprise had been lying smoothly on her shouldersand her eyes didn't look away even if she knew what was to come. She could call it curse but he could call it…he could call it.

''Colonel Mustang!'' shouted the girl loudly while supporting her body with her hands on her legs – ''there's a woman out there waiting for you'' – She had come all the way from the entrance running – ''I tried to look for Lieutenant Hawkeye but she was nowhere to be seen and-'' the woman lifted her head and looked with her eyes for the Colonel who was giving his back.

Both Roy and Riza, who stood up just a few centimeters from each other, restrained themselves immediately when they heard the voice coming closer and as if nothing never happened, the man released his hands and gave an instant turn to attend the girl who called his name persistently. For a second she though she had lost something.

''Has anything strange happened?'' asked Roy with a distracted face

''Well Colonel I don't know but if you want to talk a little bit more with lieutenant Hawkeye I'll tell her to-'' she was interrupted by Hawkeye's stern look

''Oh don't worry I'm going now. Excuse me sir'' she bowed and walked to the door now leaving them alone.

Her breathing rate had dramatically increased when she closed the door. Her head brought back memories, moments and names back to her, all drifting inside and making a headache flourish with 

astonishing speed. ''What the hell just happened?'' - She whispered while her hands clutched her head tightly. She was sweating and her hands now trembled as she walked with no evident direction. Well at least neither of them got the whole idea but every hope got crushed as the woman repeated in her head the '' there's a woman out there waiting for you'' phrase.

She stopped for a mere second and felt bad. Her hand trembled more and her heart pondered. She had forgotten the injury the motor made on the knuckles and the bleeding gave way now to an irritating pain. First she had to get the papers next stop, the infirmary.

'so you really do want it' playboy! Her head started to daze off once more as she waited in Alexa's desk and she looked for the papers. Her hands crossed now hiding the injury in her hand. Sure he had said that same phrase to every women he dated before the climax part but why her? The humor had gone once they started fighting about the damn papers but she knew now that by this time the mysterious woman should be embraced at his arms kissing him passionately. She would surely bet on it. And not that it was a problem with him dating; it was the only reason he had to play his dirty tricks on her that got her upset.

– ''Here it is,'' replied the black haired girl with a sweet voice. ''How could Colonel forget this'' she giggles and plays with her hair. ''Sometimes he is so absent minded!'' her cheeks blushed.

'See!! That's what I mean!' – Her mindscreamed – 'It's clearly written all over her face that the affair and flirt takes part here everyday behind my back!' – She sighted –

''Is something wrong Lieutenant?'' questioned the blue eyed girl as she tried to read the woman's face.

''It's nothing special'' she responded while clutching in her hands the head again. ''Oh well thanks Alexa''

''It's no problem I'll do everything I can for Colonel Mustang'' her face was illuminated by a bright smile.

''My, my, my, Riza what happened this morning on your hand? I might get quite serious if you don't have it treated you know?''

''Adele don't over exceed'' she sighted and a weak smile curved her lips.

'' I'm not over exceeding! '' Adele laughs and places a bandage around her hand. ''now ready to go my girl.'' her Chubby hand pats Riza's shoulders.

Then, some strange noises are heard outside the door. Several screams and some laughter distinguish their owners.

''It seems both Armstrong and the Elric brothers are here'' states Hawkeye while looking straight to the door.



Three figures appear before the two women now laughing to their insides seeing how the comic situation evolved. Armstrong refused to stop hugging Edward while he struggled to get out of his tight hug. – ''Please stop it Armstrong'' a pleading voice is heard from a metallic amour behind them.

''Oh Lieutenant you're here'' says Louis now being aware of the persons around them and breaking the emotional demonstration before the nurse and Riza. ''What has happened are you okay? '' Interrogates with concern.

''Oh this?'' points with her finger at the bandages. ''It was just a little accident this morning, nothing to be concerned about.''

''That's good I though someone did this to you. If that happens-'' his shirt breaks showing his muscle with incredible art and some stars show around his face. ''I'm here to protect you!''

''Well thank you.'' her head tilts to see the two guys standing patiently beside him. ''How are you guys?''

Both of them scratch their heads with embarrassment. ''Well we were just passing.'' the amour moves his head to the side and looks at the braid blond guy. ''We were not passing by remember? You forgot to do the state alchemist exams and we had to rush into central!''

''Hey! I make mistakes too you know?''

''Anyways Riza, it's good to see you once again'' said Alphonse ignoring his brother complaints.

'' I say so too '' her lips curved even more.

''By any chance is he here?'' Edward eyes rolled.

''No he is not. He's attending some other affairs right now'' Riza answered knowing what the short guy was referring to.

The infirmary telephone rang and everybody made silence obediently as the nurse moved her hand to shut them up and pick the telephone. She responding with ''yes'' and ''no'' until her eyes gave a direct look to the amber ones.

''Something has gone wrong.'' murmured the fatty woman with a serious tone.