Denika's singing woke me up, as had become habit. I sat up to look at the calendar, and realized that I had been living with Denika for five weeks, and six hours. As I was getting dressed, I reflected on how quickly Denika and I had established a routine.

Denika would wake about an hour before I would. She would then start getting ready for the day, and would begin making breakfast. As soon as breakfast was ready to be eaten, she would start singing. Usually, by the first chorus, I was awake, and I would get dressed. I would then join Denika for breakfast.

During our first cups of coffee (black being my preference, with Denika preferring milk and sugar in her coffee), we would converse in Drachmaen, as a refresher of what I had learned the previous day, and days prior.

We'd then eat breakfast, and continue to converse, sometimes in Drachmaen, sometimes in Amestrian, when I didn't know the right vocabulary. Denika would jot down the words I was having trouble with, and would start planning what I would be learning for the day.

After breakfast was over, Denika and I would clear the table, and then I'd start on dishes. Meanwhile Denika ironed and pressed both of our uniform jackets, as well as one of her skirts. After she finished, she'd hang my jacket up on the clothes rack, and would go to her bedroom to change out of her pajamas and into her uniform.

As I'd be up the dishtowel after finishing the dishes, Denika would emerge, fully dressed, glasses in place, and hair pulled back into the bun she favored for work. I had learned from Arseny that her hairstyle was actually a traditional Drachmaen style for women, and that Denika didn't wear her hair in a braid very often, even though it would have been regulation. The reason she didn't wear her hair down was because Pytor, Vladmir, and Lieutenant Colonel Demmis were notorious for pulling her hair.

---

As I sorted through the paperwork that I had to file for the day, Zahkar passed me an envelope addressed to me. As I caught sight of the return address, I noticed everyone else had left on coffee break. I carefully opened the envelope, and withdrew Jean's letter.

"Dear Vato,

How're things with you? Still

avoiding becoming a popsicle?

Things here in Central are quiet,

but I'm not complaining. Do you

remember meeting someone named

Sciezka? She and I are becoming

really good friends. She's usually

over at Gracia's, and Elysia adores

her 'bookworm.' But enough about

Central…How are things at Northern

HQ? How are you and Denika getting

along? Have you had the chance to

have some 'alone time' yet? Just kidding!

Seriously though, the way you talk about

her, maybe you should take her out to

dinner sometime…Hey, do you think you

could send some of that beer I asked about?

Or how about something stronger?

I've gotta go…Jim's gonna kick my ass

in therapy tomorrow…

-Jean"

I chuckled a little at Jean's letter, and then grabbed a pencil to start writing my reply.

"Dear Jean,

Aren't you a little old for bedtime stories?

I kid. I'm very happy for both of you.

Also, shame on you for suggesting that

I take advantage of my landlady. As I

write this, I have been living with Denika

for five weeks, 11 hours, and 23 minutes.

A couple of weekends ago, Pytor, Arseny,

Zahkar and Denika dragged me along with

them for some drinks, and some fun. Denika

drank the four of us under the table. I believe

she could out-drink Breda, but don't tell him

I said that! Speaking of drinks, I believe

Vodka would be your best bet…the beer

here isn't any better or worse than the beer

in Central. When do you want the Vodka by?

I'm not sure if I'll be able to visit, but if I do,

I'll make sure to bring more Vodka. Before I

forget, how is Colonel Mustang doing?

Write back when you have the chance.

-Vato"

---

As I was walking down the hall to join Zahkar for lunch, Pytor caught up with me to inform me of a phone call from Western HQ. Curious, I followed him back to the main office area to answer the phone.

---

"Falman!" Breda sounded glad to hear me, "How're things up north?" I thought about my response before I answered him.

"Things are fine here. How is life out west treating you, Breda?" I could almost hear him grinning.

"Things are great! Without the Colonel around, it's like heaven!" I couldn't help but chuckle at that.

"Sounds like you're doing alright…what are your co-workers like, I wonder?"

"They're a pretty average bunch…I kinda miss the old group though…what about you? What're your co-workers like? Any cute girls?" I smiled a little at that question.

"Well, I do work with a fairly normal group, but there is a young lady who works in the library most of the day…she's also my landlady…" I could hear Breda chuckle a little on the other end.

"Hey, before I forget…how's Havoc doing?"

"From his letters, he seems to be doing alright…he's living with Mrs. Hughes and her daughter…and he mentioned that he's been going to therapy regularly, so I hope it means that he's staying in Central for awhile…"

"That's good to know…Hey, I've got an idea…Lemme get into contact with Fuery, and then we'll talk to you about it…"

"What sort of idea?" As Breda described his plan, Denika walked, or rather, wobbled, into the office, a dazed look on her face. I frowned a bit, and interrupted Breda. "Breda, I'm sorry to interrupt…but something urgent has just arrived at the office…Fill me in on the plan when you get the chance…" With that, I hung up on Breda, and hurried over to Denika, just as she lost the battle with gravity, and started to pitch forward.

I caught her, and noticed that her forehead was very warm, almost hot. As I considered this, I noticed that her eyes were closed, and that she was very pale. "She shouldn't be here…" I carefully picked her up and carried her to the long couch that was near the south window. As I was opening the window enough that some cool air would reach Denika, Lieutenant Colonel Demmis returned from his lunch break.

"Warrant Officer Falman, what is going on here?" I frowned a little, putting a hand on Denika's forehead.

"She's got a fever, and when I tried to ask her if she felt alright, she fainted. I do not think it would be wise for her to remain here for the time being…" Lieutenant Colonel Demmis frowned a little, considering his options. While he was doing that, Denika opened her eyes a little to look at us.

"Is…fine…I am only little warm…I am not sick…" As she tried to sit up, Vladmir, Pytor, Arseny, and Zahkar all returned from lunch break. I noticed that Vladmir had a thermometer with him and when he realized I had noticed, he handed it to me.

"We'll let the thermometer be the judge of that, Sergeant Bruzgul."

---

After five minutes had passed, Lieutenant Colonel Demmis removed the thermometer from Denika's mouth.

"Hmm…according to the thermometer, you've got a fever of 102. You're going home, now…" Denika shook her head.

"I have much paperwork to finish…Is nothing to worry about…just…" As she stood, she nearly fell to the floor again, landing in my arms. Zahkar shook his head a little.

"Denika, please. You are not helping anyone at the moment by staying…" Denika managed a weak glare at her cousin, before she sighed a little. Lieutenant Colonel Demmis frowned.

"Denika, don't make me pull rank on you…Falman?"

"Sir?" He turned to face me.

"I won't dock your pay at all, and I'll make sure you get a few extra vacation days if you take her home right now, and make sure she stays there until she's well enough to return…" I nodded, and as I was about to start packing my filing up for the day, Vladmir, Arseny, and Zahkar all snatched the paperwork out of my hands.

"We will worry about papers. You take Denika home, and take care of her."

---

I'm sure that Denika and I gathered quite a few stares as we made our way home, Denika on my back because she got dizzy whenever she tried to walk on her own, but at that moment, I didn't really care.

"How embarrassing…" Denika muttered into my collar, "I am 26…I shouldn't have to be carried like young child…" I sighed a little.

"Yes, I know, but at the moment, this is really the best way to get you home…you keep falling whenever you are set upon your feet…" I frowned at the front door as I opened it. After some clever maneuvering, both Denika and I were inside the house without incident. I then carried Denika to her bedroom, and carefully set her down on the bed.

"Do you think you can manage to change into something a bit more manageable?" Denika nodded, reaching for her pajamas, which were neatly folded on the edge of the bed. I took that as my cue to leave, and went to call the doctor.

---

"Well, it's not anything major to worry about…She's just got a bit of a fever, due to stress…I'm surprised you haven't had to call me sooner…Every year, I get at least one call from the guys at HQ concerning Denika…" The doctor, an older gentleman, said with a chuckle, "Just make sure she rests, and that she drinks plenty of water and juice, and she'll be fine in a few days."

"Doctor…If I may ask, why do you get a call every year concerning her?" The doctor smiled a little.

"Every year, around this time, everyone at HQ gets their performance evaluations. Denika's always afraid that she'll get a bad evaluation, and be fired. Since she's got limited skills, there's really very little work for her here…and since she doesn't like being too far away from her family, in case something happens, having to leave North City would be very hard on her. But, I believe she really doesn't have anything to fear…she's too valuable as a translator for the state to just let her go…I'd better get going…I've got other patients to see, and Alice would think I've got a girlfriend…" With that, the doctor left, giving me something to think about.