There will be just one more chapter after this, guys. Thanks for sticking with me so far. This is the first idea for a fic that I've been excited about in a while. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am.

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General Hakuro was more suspicious and persistent than Riza had anticipated because the very next morning, one of his personal secretaries strode into Mustang's office with a manilla folder under one arm. She was dressed in the miniskirt version of the uniform and Riza was sure the woman had hiked it up slightly higher than normal because the amount of skin showing on her thighs was bordering on inappropriate. Havoc's mouth fell agape as he stared at her, but Roy didn't seem fazed. He took the manilla folder from her, nodding and smiling, thanking her politely. Whether he was oblivious to her blatant flirting or just ignoring it, Riza wasn't sure. One thing she was fairly certain of though was that Hakuro sent this woman to test Roy.

The secretary seemed frustrated at Roy's lack of acknowledging her and her flirting got more serious. Roy looked uncomfortable, like he was trapped and warring with himself about whether he should send her on her way or keep up his playboy persona and flirt back. The latter won out, however, when the woman stepped up her game and straight up asked if he was busy that night. In the face of something so forward, Riza knew he had to pretend to be the womanizer everyone thought he was, lest anyone become suspicious and call him out.

Roy began to flirt back, saying he wasn't busy that night and that he would love to take her out if she was interested. The woman smiled widely, obviously pleased that she finally managed to get through to him. She accepted his date invitation and left the office, moving her hips in an exaggerated fashion as she walked away. Roy didn't give her a second look, sending an apologetic glance to Riza instead.

Even though she knew it was all for show, a way to make himself seem harmless and flaky to the higher ups, and now a way to distract them from his relationship with her, she still didn't like it. Her rational mind didn't help her feel any less heartbroken and jealous of the random woman that got to be seen in public with him.

She didn't hold his gaze for long, going back to work quickly, suddenly feeling sick to her stomach again. The headache pounding at her skull just made everything worse.

Roy left early to get ready for his impromptu date and the rest of the team went home at the usual time, but Riza remained in the office late into the night, trying to distract herself with paperwork. When that didn't seem to be helping, she finally left, walking sluggishly down the dark, strangely empty and eerily silent streets toward her apartment.

Something in the air was making her nervous and she knew it wasn't just her being upset about Roy. The shadows around her seemed to be closing in on her, suffocating her, watching her. Her head throbbed, blood rushing through her ears, and she felt faint again. Breathing became difficult and she paused beneath a streetlamp, slumping against it as she tried to steady herself. She needed Roy, knew that if he were with her she would get through whatever it was that was ailing her, but he would not be there to help her that night.

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Getting up for work the next day was excruciatingly difficult. Riza's headache was still painful, her body ached, and no amount of medicine had helped alleviate her symptoms thus far. Hayate was worried about her, whining, following her around, and rubbing against her every chance he got. She would have much preferred to stay home that day, petting her dog and trying to rest, but she forced herself to don her uniform and get to work. It was already an hour past the time she was supposed to be there. Riza had never been late work in her life, but at that moment, she couldn't seem to make herself care about her record. It was oddly out of character she noted, but the headache screaming at her made everything else seem woefully unimportant.

Roy eyed her when she finally walked into the office, worry clearly lining his face.

"Lieutenant," he spoke. It was just her rank, but the way he said it, the syllables falling husky and deft from his lips, made it sound like he was calling a lover's name. It threw her off and was the first thing that had grabbed her attention since the previous afternoon. "Is everything all right?"

"Yes, sir," she responded automatically. No use worrying him. He had work to do, "I was feeling a little under the weather, but I'm fine now."

Roy nodded and she knew he was not satisfied with that answer, but with the entire team listening and watching them she knew he wouldn't press the subject. He would definitely fret over her after work, but for now, he returned to his paperwork. Riza took her seat, noting that everyone else was also quiet and working. It was another unusual thing added to the ever growing list of unusual things that week and it certainly didn't get past her even with her headache overtaking her senses. Maybe she should be ill more often. Apparently it was what the team needed to actually do their work without complaint.

A couple of blissfully silent hours later, Roy managed to complete a stack of paperwork and he called Riza up to his desk, instructing her to deliver them to the filing office again. She nodded, the tender, anxious look in his eyes filling her with warmth. He cared so much about her it was almost overwhelming. She hurried out of the office to deliver the paperwork before she melted under his gaze.

Much to Riza's utter antipathy, the secretary from the previous day approached Roy in the hall just as she was rounding a corner to return to the office. Roy must have gone out to catch Riza on her way back so he could talk to her alone, but that damnable secretary got in the way.

Riza ducked back behind the wall, peeking out and listening to their conversation. Why she didn't just march up there and stand beside him, she didn't know, but hiding and spying on them was the first thing that came to her mind. Running out there now felt like she might as well throw up a neon sign that said she was in love with Colonel Mustang and women flirting with him was off limits because it pissed her off.

From what Riza could hear, the woman was asking Roy out again. Riza was sure he would accept. What choice did he have? Refusing a date with a pretty woman was completely against the character he had spent his career cultivating. When she heard him politely decline, it threw her off. He refused to see her again? What if she went back to Hakuro and told him? The general was suspicious enough. That could be the final thing that gave them away.

Roy stepped around the corner, catching Riza by surprise, interrupting her thoughts. He must have seen her peeking around the corner because he snickered at her, a teasing glint in his eye.

"I don't know what you find so funny, but this is serious," she whispered sternly, giving him her best scolding glare.

Roy stopped laughing and cleared his throat.

"I had to decline an invitation to go out with a pretty woman again," he said, a little louder than was necessary. His game face was on. "Such a shame, but I'll be too busy tonight."

He was putting on a show for anyone listening, but Riza knew he was trying to reassure her that he had no interest in women that weren't informants.

Riza nodded, playing along. "Yes, sir, maybe another time perhaps? Right now you should be getting back to work."

"Ah, Lieutenant, you're such a slave driver."

"I have to be or you would never get anything done."

Roy laughed and he turned to go back to the office, Riza following right behind him.

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A knock on her apartment door later that night caught Riza off guard. Hayate let out a few warning yaps, until Riza opened the door. When the pup saw who it was, he wagged his tail in excitement and pranced around in greeting.

Standing at her door was Roy with a large bouquet made up of white and red roses, pink carnations, and hyacinth. He offered her the flowers and she took them gently, bringing them to her nose. They were all flowers whose meaning conveyed apology. The roses doubled as both an apology and a symbol of love. How fitting. Riza sighed and stepped back into her apartment, gesturing inside.

"Come in."

Roy followed her inside and shut the door behind him as Riza went to find a tall glass to put the flowers in. She didn't actually own a vase. There had never been a need for one before then.

"I'm sorry," Roy spoke quietly, suddenly closer than Riza had realized. She hadn't heard him move. "How are you feeling? You were late and I noticed you were acting strangely this morning. Is everything okay?

"Yes, sir," Riza replied with a sigh, turning around to face him. He was so close she almost bumped into him. "I've just had a headache for the past couple of days. I'm sure it will go away with a good night's sleep."

She walked past him, out into the living room where Hayate was curled up near the open window sleeping. Roy followed her.

"I could stay with you. Er, I mean, if that's all right with you? I noticed I sleep much better beside you and I just thought you might feel the same and…" Roy rambled on and Riza smiled at him fondly.

"I would like that," she said. Her first instinct was to send him away, but how could she refuse him when he was acting so adorable? And she knew she would be able to sleep better with him there too. The first night he stayed with her after starting this relationship had been one of the best nights of sleep she'd ever had in her life. His presence was a comfort that she was more than eager to feel again.

Roy smiled, obviously relieved she had accepted his offer. He reached up and brushed her hair out of her eyes, his other arm wrapping around her waist to pull her closer. Their lips met in a gentle kiss and she wound her arms around his neck, fingers weaving into his hair. When they pulled apart, Roy rested his forehead against hers and she relished the contact. It felt so natural to be with him.

Out of the corner of her eye, Riza thought she saw a flash of white light, but when she looked out the window, there was nothing but darkness.