Chapter 4
Riza woke up to the noise of someone banging on the door of her hotel room. She tried to sit up but something was holding her down. Her mind felt foggy with sleep as she tried to process what she was seeing, it was an arm draped across her chest. Why was there an arm draped across her?
There was a soft moan next to Riza and the arm across her moved. Then she saw the blonde man next to her sit up, and rub sleep from his eyes. "Hold you horses!" Edward shouted grumpily to the person banging on the door.
"Boss, it's 1145, the train leaves in one hour." Havoc shouted through the door.
Riza sat straight up next to Edward and covered her mouth as she gasped. "Oh no."
"Give us thirty minutes, Havoc." Edward said as he stretched his arms, one flesh and one automail.
"Okay but the Colonel's not going to be happy." Havoc shouted, then there was the sound of his retreating footsteps.
Riza climbed out of the bed and practically ran into the bathroom. "I'm getting in the shower." Riza said as she closed the door.
Edward frowned, he'd wanted to talk to Riza this morning but there wasn't going to be time now that they had overslept. He got out of bed and grabbed his suitcase off the floor. He set it on the bed, pulling out his civilian clothes and quickly dressed. Edward threw all of his things in his suitcase and zipped it closed.
Ed heard a soft whimper and turned to see Black Hayate sitting by the bathroom door. "What's wrong, Black Hayate?" The little dog seem to notice that Edward was there for the first time and he bound across the room. Black Hayate skid to a halt in front of Edward and sat down, cocking his head to one side as he looked at Edward. "Are you hungry?" Edward asked with a smile. Black Hayate barked once and wagged his tail. "Okay, let's get you some food." Edward said as he picked up Riza's duffel bag off the floor and unzipped it. Just as Edward had suspected, it had everything Black Hayate needed. "Just a minute and I'll feed you." Edward pulled out a package of food and Black Hayate's bowl. He opened the package and dumped the contents in the bowl before placing it on the floor. "There you go." Edward said as he looked at the little dog. Black Hayate stared at the bowl but did not move. "Umm… I thought you were hungry." Edward said confused.
"You have to give him the command."
Edward turned towards her voice and found Riza standing in the doorway to the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel. Edward tried not to stare but it was hard to turn away from her porcelain skin, her long, muscular legs, and her soft, blonde hair hanging around her shoulders.
"Edward, you're staring." Riza said as she crossed her arms across her chest.
Edward blushed and looked at the floor. "I'm sorry."
"Black Hayate, eat." Riza commanded and the little dog began to eat vigorously. Riza quickly crossed the room and opened her suitcase. She quickly pulled out clothes and returned to the bathroom. "You can stop staring at the floor now," Riza said as she closed the bathroom door.
Edward looked up and sighed at the sight of the closed door. He didn't know what had just come over him, suddenly he was very aware of how beautiful Riza was. She had always seem to fade into the background before but now she stood out. What had changed? Edward wondered.
Shaking his head to clear out those thoughts Edward sat down on the end of the bed and pulled on his boots over his flesh and automail feet. He glanced around the hotel room, checking to make sure none of his things were going to be left. He spotted his pocket watch sitting on the chair by the table. Ed picked it up and quickly put it in his pocket and sat back down on the bed.
Just then Riza came out of the bathroom holding her uniform in her arms. She wore a simple knee-length, black skirt, a lovely purple blouse, and a pair of plain black heels. Riza had left her hair down and Edward would describe her nothing short of beautiful. "Almost ready?" Riza asked as she made her way to the bed.
'I'm ready." Edward said as he stood and took his suitcase to the door.
"Give me a minute and I'll be ready too." Riza said as she placed her clothes in her suitcase and zipped it closed. She quickly packed Hayate's bag and picked up the two bags. She put on Black Hayate's leash and then said, "let's go."
Edward opened the door and held it. "After you," Edward said as he smiled at Riza.
They arrived at their platform by 1215 to see the unit waiting for them in a crowd of people. Roy approached the two and pulled them down to the end of the platform, away from the people.
"You're late!" He said in an angry whisper.
"I apologize, sir, and I will take any punishment you deem appropriate." Riza said softly.
"No punishment this time but you missed the briefing so I'll give it to you now." Roy said as he glanced around, making sure no civilian was in ear shot. "We are riding on a passenger train to Pendleton, here are your tickets." Roy said pulling two tickets from the pocket of his blue, button up shirt. Ed took the tickets from his hand as Roy continued. "We are going to attempt to be seated in the same passenger car but no guarantee. Also, avoid talking with any of the other people on the train. Act like civilians but no associating with each other unless there's an emergency."
"Why can't we talk to anyone?" Edward asked confused.
"That's orders." Roy said annoyed. "The following orders are also direct from the General. We are supposed to be immigrants from the west escaping military oppression in the east." Roy was talking quickly, not giving the two a chance to interrupt. "We arrive in Pendleton at three o'clock then we will all meet on the north side of town at four o'clock where trucks will be waiting to transport us. Any questions?" Roy asked looking between the two soldiers.
"Is alchemy allowed?" Edward asked softly.
"You can still use alchemy but only as a last resort and use transmutation circles." Roy said looking at Fullmetal.
"So keep to ourselves and meet up with the group by four." Riza said repeating the orders simply.
"You got it." Roy said turning away from the two and heading back towards Hughes who stood next to a young woman and her two children, making friendly conversation.
"Looks like the group has spread out and isn't talking to anyone but their partner, except Hughes, he's always talking to someone and probably bragging about his daughter." Edward said as he glanced at Riza.
"Well we're undercover now so that makes sense not to speak with anyone." Riza said as she started leading Black Hayate back down the platform towards the crowd of people. Edward nodded and followed her.
The two stood a couple of feet away from the crowd and set their bags in a pile. Riza had Black Hayate lay down next to her as she stood facing Edward. She was positioned so she could see the crowd and so Ed could see the approaching train.
Edward was silent a long time, playing with the train tickets in his hand, before he spoke. "Are you going to tell me about the nightmare you had last night?" Ed asked softly.
Riza was taken aback as she meet Edward's eyes. "I didn't have a nightmare."
"You were trashing around in the bed then woke up screaming, sounds like a nightmare to me." Edward said as he raised one eyebrow.
"I didn't have a nightmare." Riza insisted.
"You woke up crying and had me hold you until you fell asleep again." Edward looked into Riza's eyes trying to figure out why she would lie to him.
"I didn't have a nightmare." Riza said as she looked away from Edward. "Now, drop it."
Ed went silent as they stood waiting. At 1230 the train pulled into the station and the conductor began to usher people onto the train. "I'll get the bags, here take the tickets." Edward said putting the tickets into Riza's hand then picking up the two suitcase and the duffel bag. Ed took the lead towards the train with Riza and Black Hayate following to join the line boarding the train. They two got in line behind Havoc and Sheska who were quietly arguing about who would get the window seat.
The line moved quickly and before they knew it, Riza and Ed were following Havoc and Sheska onto the train. The train car was already crowded with passengers and was noisy with so many people talking at once. Ed and Riza sat in the last booth in the car and stowed their bags in the rack above their head. Edward seated himself by the window and Riza took the aisle seat, placing Black Hayate on her lap. Across from them sat the woman and two children that Hughes had talked to on the platform.
Once the last of the passengers were boarded and seated the conductor made his way down the aisle checking tickets. Riza handed the two tickets to him silently as he passed and he simply nodded before moving on. At 1245 the train whistle sounded and the train pulled out of the station.
A couple of hours later the train pulled into the Pendleton train station, it had been a smooth train ride with no problems. The passengers disembarked onto the platform and made their own way into town. Riza lead Black Hayate away from the crowd carrying her suitcase with Edward in tow, carrying her duffel bag and his suitcase.
"We need to make our way to the North side of town." Edward said as Riza sat down on a bench and began looking through her purse.
"We will, but give it a couple of minutes." Riza said eyeing the large crowd at the station. "Wait for the crowd to die down."
"Why?" Edward said watching Vato Falman, Alex Louis Armstrong, and Kain Fuery leave the train station.
"We're suppose to avoid suspicion." Riza said with a sigh as she pulled a pair of glasses out from in her purse. "If everyone leaves at the same time and heads in the same direction it will do just that, cause suspicion."
"Okay," Edward said as he watched Olivier Armstrong and Major Miles leave the train station. Ed was pretty sure that they were holding hands but he couldn't be sure at this distance. He shook his head and turned towards Riza, "Why are you wearing glasses?"
"Part of my undercover." Riza said with a shrug then she closed her purse and stood up. "Ready to go?"
Edward nodded as he looked around the station to see soldiers still on the platform. "How do you know it's our turn to leave?"
"I've been on lots of missions with the Colonel." Riza said softly as she took the stairs off the platform. "Anything you need before we get to the trucks?" Riza asked as the two made their way down Main Street.
"Food would be great." Ed said putting his hand on his grumbling stomach. "We did miss breakfast and lunch."
Riza smiled as she looked around. "How about sandwiches?" She said pointing at a small café placed back off the road.
"Sounds good."
The two sat down on the patio of the café for a quick lunch and ordered their meals. Their meal was brought to them swiftly and they started to eat.
"What do you think this little village is going to be like?" Edward asked as he shoved half a sandwich in his mouth.
"Well its been abandoned so I imagine that its covered in dust." Riza said before taking a bite of her sandwich.
Ed laughed, "I hope not."
"I just hope there's going to be furniture and food in these houses." Riza said as she looked for the waiter. She spotted him and motioned for him to come to the table.
"Yes ma'am?" The waiter asked pausing at the table.
"Can we get the check, please?"
"Of course, ma'am."
The waiter retreated then Riza went back to the rest of her meal. She finished her soup and then her sandwich while Edward shoved the remains of his third sandwich in his mouth.
"What time is it, Edward?"
"Umm…" Edward said looking around for a clock.
"Don't you have your pocket watch?"
"Oh, yeah." Ed said pulling out his watch and opened it,"345."
The waiter returned and sat the check down the check with a slight bow. "Anything else I can get you?"
"No thank you." Ed said putting his watch away and standing. He looked at the bill then tossed the money on the table. "Ready?"
"Yes." Riza said standing and picking up Black Hayate's leash.
Edward grabbed the duffel bag and two suitcases then the two soldiers and the little dog walked out onto Main Street. They walked east for a couple blocks then picked a small side street to head north.
Just before four the two made it to the very edge of town to see the rest of the group loading into trucks.
"Hawkeye, Fullmetal!" Roy yelled when he spotted them. "What took you two so long? You were third to leave the station!"
"Chill, Colonel." Ed said rolling his eyes. "We stopped for a quick lunch."
"Stopped for lunch?" Roy said with a frown. "You could have jeopardized our mission."
"Sir, we were told to be here by four and we were. You did not give us orders to come straight here without stops." Riza said as she calmly addressed the Flame Alchemist.
Roy frowned then shook his head. "Fine, just get in the trucks."
"Yes, sir." Riza said with a smile then leaned down and scooped up her little dog.
"Luggage in this truck," Roy said pointing to the truck on the left. "And put yourselves in the other."
"Got it." Edward said taking the bags over to luggage truck and putting the bag in and then following Riza into the other truck. Riza climbed into the back of the truck and sat down next to Havoc while Ed took the only seat left across from her, next to Breda.
"We were starting to think you guys went MIA." Breda said as he clapped a hand on Edward's back.
"We got lunch." Ed said trying to move away from Breda.
"You guys didn't get enough alone time in the hotel room so you went for a lunch date." Havoc said with a wink as he pulled out his pack of cigarettes.
Riza shook her head silently, ignoring the group, as the trucks began to move.
"We weren't on a lunch date and we just over slept this morning." Ed said gruffly, crossing his arms.
"Someone was up late last night." Breda said suggestively as he elbowed Edward playfully.
"Nothing happened." Edward insisted.
"Did you to share a bed, chief?" Havoc asked as he lit his cigarette.
"Edward," Riza said reaching across to him to place her hand on the knee of his flesh leg. "Our business, is not theirs." She let her hand linger for a long moment before removing it as she sat back.
There was a chorus of 'oooos' in the background from the men in the truck as Ed turned red and looked away from the group.
"Boss, is turning into a lady's man." Havoc said with a smirk.
"Leave him alone." Maria said from her seat next to Denny and Rebecca.
The group quieted and sat back in silence to enjoy the ride.
The two trucks drove for an hour up into a mountain range as the sun began to set. The trucks pulled off the small two lane road and onto a rough dirt path, following it for another twenty minutes before the woods thinned out and they saw a group of less than a dozen buildings clustered together. At the edge of the little village the trucks halted so the occupants could unload.
"This is where we're staying?" Denny asked looking at the meager excuse of a town.
"You got it, Sergeant." General Armstrong said as she looked at Denny with a smirk.
Roy scowled at the village. "Alright, soldiers, we made it so now it's time to settle in."
"There's orders waiting for you in the command building." Olivier said as she pointed to the only three-story building in the town. On either side of it were two-story buildings and the rest of the buildings were single story.
"Figures there would be a command center here." Roy muttered as he trooped toward the tallest building. "Major Armstrong, Lieutenant Havoc, Sergeant Brosh, Fullmetal, Lieutenant Breda, and Major Miles unload the supplies."
"Yes, sir," chorused the group of soldiers.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye and General Armstrong please accompany me." Mustang said as he walked in front of the first two-story building. The two women followed and the group stopped in front of the large three-story building. "I'm assuming that you have the keys, General Armstrong."
Olivier nodded and pulled out a single key from the pocket of her pants. "The rest of the keys should be inside."
Mustang took the key and quickly opened the door to the dark command center. The three walked inside to see a large open room. A set of stairs that lead to the next two floors ran along the back wall. A huge table with enough chairs for the whole unit took up a large portion of the right side of the room and along the left wall was a miniature kitchen.
"I figured this would be offices." Roy said as he looked around for a light switch by the door. After a long moment he was successful and the space was illuminated with a bright yellow light.
"You're office and the communication room are on the top floor." Olivier said as she took a seat at the end of the table. "My office and Lieutenant Colonel Hughes' office are on the second floor."
"Where is the file room?" Hawkeye asked as she inspected the kitchen area to find it surprisingly clean.
"It's the same room as communications." Olivier said as he leaned back in her chair and placed her boots on the table.
"Where is this file I need to read?" Roy asked as he started at General Armstrong.
"Here." Olivier said picking a file up from the seat next to her.
Roy took the file from her hand and opened it to read. He was silent as he read the file. "There's a general store, a library, an inn, and seven houses. Houses are to be shared by battle buddies." Mustang summarized as he looked up at Hawkeye. "There's a map of the town and we've been assigned houses."
"Its getting late so you better hurry and give out orders." Olivier said as she glanced out the window to see the sun was setting.
"I'm going to but I need the keys to pass out." Roy said irritated.
Olivier picked up a small fabric bag from the chair next to her and gave it a small shake, the soft jingle of keys was heard.
Roy took it from her hand and opened it. "Do you have your house key, yet?"
"No, you haven't given it to me." Olivier said as she took her feet off the table.
Mustang nodded and consulted the map. "You've been assigned house number eight." Roy pulled a handful of keys out of the bag to see each had a number printed on it. He took the key with an eight printed on it and shoved it into Olivier's hand. "One key for you and Major Miles to share."
"Thanks, Colonel." Olivier said as she stood and walked out of the command office. "Don't forget to lock up command when you're done and you are responsible for the key as commanding officer."
Roy stared out the door, annoyed with Olivier, everything she said sounded condescending.
"Sir, can I have my house key, please?" Riza said interrupting the silence.
Mustang looked down out the map. "You and Fullmetal are assigned to house eleven." Roy handed her the key with a small eleven engraved up it.
"Thank you, sir." Riza said taking the key and slipping it in the pocket on her skirt.
"Can I have you give out keys, Hawkeye." Roy said as he turned and looked at the stairs. "I want to inspect the offices." He pushed the file and bag of keys into Riza's hand.
"Yes, sir." Riza said with a salute.
Roy nodded as he ascended the stairs and disappeared to the next floor.
Riza left the command center and walked back over to the group of soldiers still waiting by the trucks for their house assignments. "I'm going to be giving out the orders for the Colonel."
"We just got here and the Colonel is already slacking off." Havoc said with a grin as he dropped his cigarette butt on the ground, stomping on it.
"He's inspecting the command center." Riza said as she pulled a key out of the bag. "Havoc and Sheska, house nine." Hawkeye said as she put the key into Havoc's hands before he could get his pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.
"We have to share a house here too?" Sheska asked shocked.
"Yes, battle buddies will be sharing a house." Riza said as she pulled out another key. "Denny and Maria, house four." Hawkeye said putting the key into Maria's hands.
"Do I have to share a house with him?" Maria asked with a sigh.
"That's orders." Riza said simply. "House six is for Rebecca and Breda." Hawkeye said taking out another key which Breda took.
"That leaves us." Falman said putting out his hand to accept the last key.
"House seven." Riza said with a smile.
The group broke apart and made their way to their separate homes. Edward and Riza walked down the path between the two rows of house to the end.
"Well home sweet home." Edward said with a sigh.
"I hope were not here more than a month." Riza said as she looked around at the two rows of houses facing each other.
"Don't want to be stuck with me longer than you have too?" Edward asked with a frown, trying to hide his smile.
"I didn't mean it that way." Riza said with a slight panic to her voice. "I do enjoy your company, it's just not ideal to be stationed here."
"Relax, I was just messing with you." Edward said as his face broke out in a smile.
Riza frowned and shock her head. "Let's take a look inside." She put the key in the lock and opened the door.
It was dark inside, when Riza stepped into what looked to be the living room, she thought it looked like a couch against the right wall. She reached out and felt the wall next to the door, looking for the light switch.
Edward stepped inside beside her and set down the bags so he could check the other side of the door for the light switch. Ed was successful and light illuminated the living room of the house.
It was a small living room, painted a light tan color, decorated with a blue couch and chair. There was an empty bookcase positioned next to the couch and a simple oak coffee table in front of the couch.
"Well it isn't dusty." Edward said with a small smirk, looking sideways at Riza.
"That's about the only good thing about it." Riza said as she leaned down and unleashed Black Hayate so the little dog could explore.
"It looks just like the apartment I have in Central." Edward said picking up the luggage and moving it onto the couch, the whole time avoiding Riza's eyes.
"I'm sure your apartment looks better." Riza said softly as she closed the door.
Edward turned to look at Riza, sadness in his eyes. "My apartment looks just like this, expect there's a huge stack of boxes in the corner and a pile of research on the coffee table, but the bookcase is still empty and it looks unlived in."
Riza didn't know how to respond so she stood silent, staring over Ed's shoulder.
Ed spoke to break the silence, "let's look around the rest of the house. Maybe it's an exact replica of my apartment." Edward said with a dry laugh.
"I'm going to look at the kitchen." Riza said with turning to walk through an arch doorway into the dining room. The dining room had a small round table with four matching chairs and a short buffet under the single window that looked out onto the road in front of the house. "Is this just like your apartment?"
Edward smiled as he glanced around. "I can't say I have this much decorating sense."
"What do you mean?" Riza asked turning around to look at Ed.
"The furniture is mismatched in my apartment." Ed said with a small laugh. "My landlord gave it to me, it's left over furniture from previous tenants."
"That makes me feel better." Riza said with a small smile. "My dining room table and chairs don't match either."
"Really? I would imagine that you would be very particular about your furniture matching."
"I use to be but the unit use to get together and play cards at my apartment. We quit after most of my original dining room furniture got broken."
"So you really can't keep control of the unit?" Edward said laughing.
"I can in the office but give them any amount of alcohol and they're completely uncontrollable." Riza said laughing.
Edward nodded then went silent as he looked around the room.
"Shall we look at the kitchen?" Riza asked softly pulling Edward into eye contact with her.
"Lead the way." Edward said motioning for Riza to walk through the arch doorway into the kitchen.
The two went into the kitchen to find it clean, boring, but stacked with food.
"So glad there's food!" Edward said as he looked into the open fridge.
"I'm glad we have food to but how about we check out the bedrooms now." Riza said reaching over Ed's shoulder to close the door to the fridge.
The two walked out of the kitchen, through the dining room, and back into the living room. There was a single door opposite the front door, Ed crossed the living room and opened it.
"There's only one bedroom." Ed said looking over his shoulder.
"Of course." Riza said with a frown.
"I guess I sleep on the couch then." Edward said turning to face Riza.
"I'm capable of sleeping on the couch." Riza said crossing her arms over her chest.
"I know that." Edward said gently. "I was just trying to be polite."
Riza broke eye contact with Ed and looked at the floor. "I'm sorry, I thought you were saying that as a woman I should sleep in the bed."
"I wasn't." Ed said softly as he reached out to touch her arm, to reassure her of his sincerity, but then he thought better of it and dropped his hand. "I would have offered it to anyone that I was sharing this house with."
"Let's be fair and flip a coin." Riza said looking up at Edward.
"Do you have a coin?" Ed asked raising one eyebrow and crossing his arms across his chest.
"I'm sure I can find one in my purse if you give me a minute." Riza said turning to the couch where her purse sat. She grabbed her purse and opened it. After a couple of moments of digging in her bag, she found one at the bottom, and pulled it out. "Heads or tails?" She asked with a smile.
"Throw it then I'll call it." Edward said as he leaned against the door frame. Riza tossed the coin into the air and looked at Ed. "Heads." Edward said as he watched it fall.
It hit the floor and Riza bent down to look at it. "Tails." She picked up the coin then stood to look at Ed. "I guess that means I'm sleeping in the bed after all."
"Guess so." Edward said pushing past her and grabbing her suitcase and duffel bag off the couch. "I'll take your luggage into the room for you."
Riza nodded, "Thank you."
Ed took the luggage into the bedroom then called out to Riza. "The bathroom is in here too."
Riza walked into the bedroom to look around. A large bed was centered on one wall, it was flanked by bedside tables on each side. A large dresser set across from the bed next to the door of the bathroom.
"You mind if I take a shower?" Edward asked as he pulled Riza's attention away from the room and on to him.
"Go ahead, I'm going to lay in bed and read." Riza said as she sat down on the end of the bed.
Edward nodded as he walked out of the bedroom. He returned a few moments later with an armful of clothes. He crossed the room and went into the bathroom without a word.
Riza heard the shower start as she leaned forward to take off her shoes. She tossed them on the floor in front of her with a sigh. Riza looked up to see Ed standing in front of her, she was so surprised that she couldn't help but jump in her seat.
She sat frozen in her seat as Edward leaned forward and reached both hands towards her face. "What are you doing?" She asked her voice trembled slightly with uncertainty.
Edward's hands closed around the glasses on her face and he slipped them off. He folded them up and placed them on the bed next to Riza. "You look so much prettier without those ugly glasses on." Edward said with a slight blush.
Riza was so taken aback that she couldn't speak as Edward retreated to the bathroom.