Ch. 2 When Morning Comes Knocking

Sunlight streamed through the window of the Central Library study onto the bed. The sunlight had steadily heated the room finally waking Mustang up from his peaceful slumber. He hadn't slept that soundly in years, but more importantly he hadn't slept at all since Hughes' death. The much-needed rest felt wonderful. He stretched, opening his eyes to see Ross curled up next to him. His heart jumped at seeing his subordinate in his bed before he remembered the events of the previous night.

He smiled as he watched her sleep. She was even more beautiful when she slept. And he knew she had needed the sleep as well. He was content just to lie here for the moment listening to her shallow breathing. He would have to wake her soon. Sadly they couldn't stay like this all day. His men would be reporting for duty soon whenever soon was. But he would give her a few more minutes of peace.

Ross slowly woke up, unfurled and stretched her sleepy joints.

"Morning," Mustang hummed.

"Mmh. Morning," she mumbled as she rubbed the sleepiness from her eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"Rested, and very relaxed." He gently brushed her hair back with his hand and kissed her forehead. "Thanks to you."

She smiled, "Good to hear." She propped herself up on her elbows and looked around the room and then out the window. The sun was high over the city. "What time is it?"

"I have no idea," Roy mumbled.

Ross was about to lean in and steal a kiss from the colonel when someone banged loudly on the door. They both froze and stared at the door, hearts sprinting.

"Colonel! You alive in there!" a brutal female voice bellowed through the door.

Mustang sprang into action, vaulting over Maria to get out of bed. "Hawkeye! Just a second! Don't come in!" He shouted, now more unsure than ever if he had locked the door the previous night. He quickly threw on his shirt and boxers as Maria pulled on her undershirt. He shoved the rest of their clothes into her hands as he whispered, "Get into the closet." She nodded and quietly hurried to her hiding spot.

"Just a second!" Mustang shouted again as he buttoned his shirt and scanned the room for anything he might have missed. Confident that any evidence of his late night encounter with Lieutenant Ross was gone he walked over to the door, that was in fact locked, and opened it.

"Hawkeye-"

His second in command plowed through the door carrying a tray of food, and some files tucked under her arm. "What was that all about? And what are you wearing, sir?" she added, noting his considerable lack of uniform as she placed the tray and the files on the coffee table.

The colonel scratched the back of his head and replied, "I was, uh, I was sleeping."

"Finally." She turned around to look at him, arms crossed. "But sleeping in until 11:30 is generally frowned upon in the military, even for you, sir. Where is your uniform?"

" 11:30?" He was surprised she hadn't barged in earlier, though she had been leaving him to himself more since he had started reviewing Hughes' files. "Uh, it's in the closet," he answered absent mindedly.

"Good. I'll get it for you," Hawkeye said as she started towards the closet.

"No!" He maneuvered between her and the closet. "I can get it myself, Lieutenant.

"Alright, sir." Giving him a confused look. "Well, get dressed," she added. "You need to eat lunch before your meeting with General Martin at noon."

"Right. Thank you, Hawkeye. Why don't you sit down and tell me the news."

"Yes, sir." She said and sat in the chair facing away from him.

It had been a routine of theirs. Every morning, before the others arrived, Hawkeye would go through the paper and daily report and collect any important information for Mustang. She would then read her notes to him when he arrived. Hawkeye sat down and began her report. She started with military news which was mostly promotions and transfers, important information for someone trying to become Fuhrer, but dry none the less.

Mustang watched Hawkeye closely as he approached the closet making sure her focus was completely on her report. He opened the closet door just enough to see Ross and grab his clothes. She handed him a bundle. And he whispered, "Are these the right ones this time?" It would not do for him to change into her clothes with Hawkeye around. Havoc may not have noticed last night, but Hawkeye definitely would. He could tell she was already on edge.

"Yes, sir," Ross whispered back.

Hawkeye stopped reading her report and asked, "Did you say something, Colonel?"

Mustang slammed the closet door closed and whirled around clothes in hand. "No, I didn't say anything. Please continue, Lieutenant."

She continued informing him about a recent string of fires in the south as he began putting his uniform on. There were rumors of an uprising in the west. A local girl had gone missing. And of course the latest victim of the alchemic murderer known as Scar was on the front page. Hawkeye was wrapping up her report when he sat down on the sofa next to her.

"You should eat, sir."

"Yes, thank you." Mustang took a few bites from the tray. Hawkeye stayed where she was, watching him. He tried to ignore it and took a few more bites but he could feel her stare on him. He put his fork down and asked bluntly "Must you watch me eat?"

"Yes, sir."

"Lieutenant, there's no need to-"

"Eat." She interjected forcefully. He frowned and begrudgingly took another bite.

Mustang had learned to simply accept Hawkeye when she got this way. He knew she was simply doing what was best for him. They hand known each other for years, practically grew up together. He had promised her father on his death bed that he would look after her. But it usually worked the other way around and his blonde brutal First Lieutenant was chasing after him making sure he stayed alive. She was one of the few people he had told about his goal to become Fuhrer and she had vowed to see him there herself.

Hawkeye sat back as a question came to her mind. "Oh, by the way, sir, have you by any chance seen Lieutenant Ross recently?"

Mustang inhaled sharply choking on his food. He coughed a few times to dislodge it from his windpipe. Trying to act casually, he took a sip of water and cleared his throat before responding. "No, I haven't. Why do you ask?"

"Sergeant Brosh said she went to check on you and never returned. Also, the barracks have no log of her returning this morning."

"Interesting." He needed to find an excuse before Hawkeye started suspecting him of something. He needed a reason for Ross to still be in the library. "Yes, she did come by. Then she left. She was very tired. Told me she hadn't been sleeping well. Maybe she fell asleep in the stacks. It's a very big library."

Hawkeye considered this for a second. "Maybe. I'll get Havoc and Fuery on it once we're done here."

And that was the fatal flaw in his excuse. Of course Hawkeye would send a search party. "Let her sleep, Lieutenant. I'm sure she needs it. She'll wake up and find her way out."

"But, sir," Hawkeye insisted, "she could be missing or in trouble for all we know."

Mustang groaned internally. Of course this would be the first time she would care about the well-being of another officer. "I understand your concern. But Lieutenant Ross has a good head on her shoulders. I'm sure she's fine. She'll turn up eventually," he said trying to sooth his second's worries.

"Yes, sir. I still think we should search for her anyway. Just to be safe," she asserted once again.

Mustang gave into the fact that Hawkeye was not going to give this up. But he needed her out of the East Wing if he was to get Ross out of his room without anyone noticing. "Alright," he said, "but start in the South wing. I heard she's quite the history buff."

"Good thinking, sir."

"And join Havoc and Fuery on the search," he added.

"If you think that's best," she said almost as a question.

"I do. And you should start immediately." He stood up.

"But, sir-"

Mustang pulled her out of her chair while saying, "Well, as you said, she could be in danger, or dying, or something terrible." He pushed her toward the door. "You need to find her as soon as possible. Get to it," he added as he shoved her out the door.

"Y-yes, sir. Right away, sir," she stuttered as he closed the door on her.

Mustang promptly locked the door and sighed to himself, "I thought she'd never leave." He leaned against the door and ran a hand through his hair. That had been close. After a moment to make sure Hawkeye was out of earshot, he called, "You can come out now, Ross. I've locked the door."

Ross emerged from the closet. "She's very persistent."

"Yes. That was strange." He motioned to the bundle of clothes she was carrying, "Get dressed. When you're done go to the North Wing and read a book or something."

"And pretend I spent the night there?" she smirked as she began dressing.

"Yeah, wasn't sure how much you could hear in there."

Mustang walked over to his desk and started fidgeting with papers while she was changing out of courtesy. She was pulling her socks on when she asked him, "How did you know I liked history, sir?"

He shrugged, "Lucky guess."

Ross tied her shoes, stood up straight and asked, "How do I look, sir."

He turned around from his desk to look at her. She looked beautiful. It was funny how one night could change one's perspective on a person so entirely.

Before he could say anything she tugged at her jacket and added, "I hope there aren't too many wrinkles. Major Armstrong would have my hide."

Right, she was not fishing for any compliments. He just didn't have a mirror. This was mere formality. He stepped closer and inspected her uniform. Then with a smile he said, "You look fine, Lieutenant, for having spent the night in a library."

"That's the most I can hope for," she nodded. "Then I'll get out of your hair." She took a step towards the door.

Mustang stopped her. "Wait. I'll check to see if there's anyone outside."

"Yes, sir."

He stepped outside his room and looked around. The hallway was empty to the East Wing stacks. He called out to Ross, "You're clear."

Ross rushed out of the room and down the hallway. As she passed by Mustang she muttered, "Thank you, sir," then disappeared behind the first row of stacks.