Riza hit her alarm to shut it off. She raised her head to see that it was snowing outside. Delicate little flakes made their way downwards outside of her window. She heaved a sigh, and swung her legs over the side of the bed, goosebumps rising as she left the warm covers.

Hayate, being awakened at his master's alarm, was sitting patiently by her bed waiting for his customary morning pat. Riza complied, gently scratching behind his ears. His fur was so black… it reminded her of someone else.

She mentally slapped herself for thinking of him again.

She then got up and went into her bathroom for her morning shower. Once out, a towel wrapped around her, she entered her room, crossed over to her closet and opened it. She took out her military outfit and laid it on the bed. She started to change, contemplating today's schedule.

She would get to work, before any of the men. She would have the Colonel's coffee ready on his desk, almost scalding hot to make up for his sure tardiness. She would make sure the Colonel got done what needed to be done today. She would keep the men on task and their whispers of the ball to a minimu-. She stopped halfway through buttoning up her shirt.

The ball! Today was Friday. That meant the ball was tomorrow.

She finished buttoning up her shirt as she walked over to to her closet and opened it. She grasped her chin in her hand studying the contents of it. She knew the ball was a very formal event. It was a ball after all. She had nothing that came anywhere suitable to wear to an event like this. She groaned, putting her face in her hands. This means I have to go dress shopping today. She walked over to her bed and finished getting dressed. She grimaced.

Oh well, she had made a deal with Rebecca, and she wasn't about to back out on her best friend because of a dress.

On her way out the door, she grabbed her rarely worn winter jacket and put it on, pulling the hood over her head. She said good-bye to Hayate and locked the door, left the building and started walking.

As she was walking, she thought about how lovely the snow really was.

She recalled memories of the first snowstorm when Roy was her father's apprentice… she shook her head.

She couldn't afford time spent reminiscing. She quickened her pace a little, and started softly humming under her breath

Roy was working hard on finishing up the stack of paperwork he had accidentally left there from yesterday. He had been the first one in the office that morning, determined to get all of his work done before work ended, so Hawkeye wouldn't be left finishing it up for him, because he knew that's what she would do. He didn't want her to have to do extra, especially on a Friday.

He was scribbling furiously when he noticed how chilled he had become. He looked up and noticed it was snowing outside.

He sat back for a moment appreciating its beauty.

He pondered for some time, wondering if Riza liked the snow….liked the way it crunched when walked upon….maybe also the way it fell… he shook his head. As much as he enjoyed thinking about her, daydreaming wasn't going to get the paperwork finished.

He needed to get as much done as possible before she got here. He sighed and started writing again, quickly engrossed in the paperwork and silence of the empty office.

He didn't notice the footsteps approaching the door. What he did notice was the quiet singing that reached his ears from the hallway. Roy strained his ears, listening to the song. The singer had a feminine voice, very sweet, and docile but strong…. it sounded like Riz- the Lieutnenant, he reminded himself, as he shook his head. She didn't sing…. did she?

He paused in his writing just as the door opened and in walked Lt. Hawkeye.

Roy noted she was wearing a black winter coat, with the hood pulled over her head. He sucked in his breath and sat up at her walking in, at the same time, noticing the way the hood framed her face, making her seem whimsical almost, a funny word to describe Hawkeye with.

Her cheeks and lips were a rosy red, from the biting cold, and her chocolaty brown eyes sparkled with warmth.

All of these thoughts ran through his head in a matter of a few seconds. By then, Riza was through the door and had stopped her quiet singing.

Riza stopped abruptly, taking in the fact that the Colonel was in the office before herself. She almost grimaced, wondering if he had heard her singing. She managed to reel in her surprise long enough to compose a straight face.

"Good morning Colonel. You're here earlier than usual!" She said.

Roy chuckled as he sat back in his chair, putting his pen down. Early. That's an understatement. She hung up her coat and walked over to her desk as Roy stated, "I decided to show up earlier than normal to get as much paperwork done as possible. It is a Friday, right before the ball too. I didn't want you saddled with my extra work.", he said.

Riza glanced back at him and said "Thank you Colonel. I appreciate it very much." Roy smiled, and said "Your welcome Lieutenant."

He returned to his paperwork and started scribbling again as she started what he presumed was her morning routine before the team arrived.

He was having a hard time concentrating on his work as memories of her singing drifted through his mind over and over. He knew from years as her father's apprentice that Riza sang. The last time he had heard her sing was before he left for the military.

He shook his head, catching himself daydreaming again. He looked over to see if she had noticed. Thankfully, she hadn't. She was busy sorting through a pile of papers the men had left from the previous day.

Roy watched her for a moment, contemplating it. No, he couldn't ask her the day before the ball. Besides, some other man had probably already asked her to accompany him. No, Roy thought to himself sulkily, looking at the mountain of papers on his desk. Instead of accompanying her, Havoc's dragging me there! He looked over at her again. I guess it wouldn't hurt to see if she's going with anyone…

He had just opened his mouth to ask her the question when the door flung open and Havoc and Fuery walked into the office. Roy had been completely oblivious to the time, not noticing that the work shift had officially begun.

He looked up at the Lt., who was scolding the men for the amount of work they had neglected to complete the day before, them cowering before her stern gaze. Well, there goes my chance.

Roy rubbed his face. Today was going to be a long day.

And there we go! The prologue and the chapter! I'll see you guys once I've finished up the story :)

-EE2000

Buenas noches.