Disclaimer: I still don't own anything…

Quite a bit of Havolina in this one with the Royai.

Part Four: Losing Control

Rebecca felt a bit of bitch considering Riza got so upset. It would all be worth it once those two idiots got their shit together. She sat in a nice comfy armchair with a much needed glass of red wine when she heard a loud pounding at the door. She jumped up from her seat and reached for the gun she always kept in the drawer in the chest in her living room.

"Open the door, Rebecca."

Recognising Jean's voice, she sighed in relief and put the gun on the table. She pressed down the door handle, "Jeez Jean, could you try not to break down my door."

She smiled a little at Jean's hand in mid air and he slowly lowered it. "What the fuck happened, Rebecca?"

"Just come in, I don't want all my neighbours knowing my business." He walked in the door and slammed it behind him.

"Hey!"

Jean wasn't even listening to her. "You try and help a guy and he pays you back by trying to steal your girl," he said. "Bastard!"

Rebecca rolled her eyes, the idiot was jealous. "I thought I told you already you've nothing to worry about."

"I trust you, it's him I don't trust."

'Oh Jean." She bit her lip. She was hoping she would be able to avoid this conversation. "I was the one that kissed him." She lowered her gaze to the floor. "He sat there like a statue and then stared at me like I had lost my mind."

"You what?"

She took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye, "It was the only way I could think of to ensure that they didn't see each other or us. They're smart, they could figure out what we are up to. And besides, we managed the impossible and made Riza jealous."

Jean balled his fists, "I can't believe you would do that!"

"Jean!" He turned his back to her and she walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around his waist. "Baby, you're the only man I'm interested in." She kissed his neck and nestled her face into his shoulder. ' Honestly, I didn't know what else to do."

He turned around to face her but leaned away from her, "And he really just stared at you?"

"Uh huh."

She used his distraction to lean in and trail kisses across his jaw and down his neck. She was expecting some appreciative sighs if not some knee trembling kisses, but Jean wasn't even paying attention to her attempt to seduce him. "What the hell, Jean?"

"What's wrong with him?" he asked. "You're fucking gorgeous!"

Rebecca froze and pulled back from him. "Jean, hold up." She smacked him on the chest. "First you're angry because you thought he made a play for me and now you're angry because he didn't."

Riza stared at the ceiling of her bedroom. Despite her tired and sore eyes, sleep would not come. Hayate had sensed her uneasy mind and had settled down on the bed next to her. She couldn't bring herself to tell him off especially when it gave her a little comfort. She was used to sleeping and waking alone. Just because she was used to it, didn't mean she didn't get lonely sometimes though.
She was not the woman made of ice that so many of her colleagues believed she was. What is wrong with me? Why am I freaking out?

The image of the General and the woman had been scorched into her eyelids. Whether her eyes were closed or open, the image was unavoidable. She couldn't make out the woman's features, but she imagined her to be everything she wasn't – dark, feminine and flirty. Those were the type of the women he usually dated.

But then he was never serious about a woman? He was a serial dater after all.

Maybe I'm over reacting?
It wasn't like he had been careful not to keep his many conquests secret. She had been surprised how much it hurt. Somehow since the Promised Day, she had started to believe that there was a chance of being with him and since the abolition of the fraternisations laws the idea had crossed her mind more than once even though she squashed it down.
It was stupid. This a clear example of what a bad idea it would be to entangle herself romantically with her superior officer. Even if Roy could possibly feel the same way, they couldn't go there. Sh e wasn't thinking straight, she was angry. How was she supposed to protect him like this?
What was he doing right on a date before meeting them anyway?
She had no right to be angry, she knew that. Still, she was angry and hurt. She sighed and sat up on her bed resting the back of her head against the headboard.
"What am I going to do. Hayate?"
The dog responded by moving closer to her and nuzzled his head against her arm.

Roy arrived into the office the following morning with a banging head ache. He really hated hangovers but could never bring himself to care when he was plying himself with alcohol and indulging in self pity. He had gone to visit Madam Christmas at her new establishment after dinner had ended. Dinner had been awkward with Havoc, both men having been uncharacteristically mono syllabic. At first, Roy had tried to engage his subordinate in conversation, but gave up quickly as Catalina's suspicions were playing on loop in his mind. She had known Riza a long time and was her closest friend. If she thought there was a chance that the two were involved or that there was a possibility that this could happen, then maybe he was wrong. Havoc was a good guy, but he was nowhere near good enough for Riza. No man would ever be good enough for Riza as far as he was concerned. His aunt and the girls plied him with alcohol and sympathy. Now he was more than paying for it.
Roy walked into the office, bleary eyed. He was rarely the first one into the office; Riza had that record, but he was a close second. Today, however, the whole team were there before him.
"Good morning," Fuery said.
Roy grunted, "Is it?" He plopped into his chair. "I need coffee."
When nobody offered to fetch him some coffee, Roy looked up pathetically from the desk.
Taking pity on him, Fuery stood up, "I'll get it for you, sir."
"Get him water," Riza looked up from her paper laden desk, "If he's hungover it will do him more good."
She turned to Roy, "There are pain killers in your top drawer, sir."
"Thank you, Lieutenant." Roy sat up straight and reached into the drawer. "I hope you are feeling better today."
Riza returned to her paperwork, "I'm fine, sir."
"I am glad to hear it."
The other members of the team exchanged furtive looks amongst themselves. Roy glanced at Riza again and could see the tension in her shoulders. There was something clearly bothering his Lieutenant.
Maybe, she had a fight with Havoc, he thought hopefully. Fuery coughed and broke the awkward silence. "Anything else you would like, sir?"
Roy shook his head, "No thank you, Fuery."
He looked at the pile of papers on his right and sighed. "I guess I better get started if I want to leave some time today."
He fingered the first page. Taxes.. blah, blah, blah..money. He could feel his eyelids drooping already. He glanced again at Riza over the top of the papers. She scribbled furiously on her own forms. Watching her seemed like a much more interesting way to spend the day that reading about taxes. He reluctantly returned to the monotony of his paperwork.

The door to the office burst open and a woman rushed in bearing an enormous bouquet of flowers. The woman could barely see over the lilies and daisies. Fuery came trailing after her with Roy's glass of water. Roy recognised the woman as one of the secretaries in the front reception, but couldn't remember her name.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye, these are for you," what's her name said.
All five heads in the room raised with this announcement. Riza didn't get flowers; she didn't even have a vase. The last time Roy had offered her flowers she had objected with that very reason. He stared at her, his paperwork long forgotten.
Riza looked just as shocked as he felt, her mouth moved but made no noise.
"These are gorgeous," the nameless secretary gushed as she pressed them into Riza's hands. "You're one lucky woman."
"Are you sure there hasn't been a mistake?"
The woman smiled, "Look!" She pointed at the little envelope. "Your name's printed on it."
She took the bouquet from the secretary and opened the envelope with the message on it. She blushed a little as she read the card and shoved it into her pocket.
"Pity, you don't own a vase," Roy said with a forced smile.
"Maybe it's time I bought one?"
Roy's face fell. Shit!
'Who are they from, Lieutenant?"
"With respect sir that's none of your business," she said. "I'll have to be sure to thank him when I see him."

In the mess, Fuery, Falman, Havoc and Breda sat with their heads close together. Their food was neglected in favour of gossiping about the day's events. Fuery shook his head, "It's not right."
"What are you moaning about now?" Breda mumbled through his mouthful of sandwiches.
'It's not working. They are barely talking to one another."
Falman nodded, "I know they often bitch and moan at one another, but I've never seen them this angry at one another."
Fuery folded his arms on the table and dropped his head on them, "It's like watching your parent's fight; it's just weird."
Havoc chuckled, "My folks fight all the time."
"I don't like it." "Jean Havoc!"

Jean started guiltily as Rebecca rushed towards them, her tray in hand. He watched through wide eyes as she approached.

She sat down next to him, "So, you'll buy a fake girlfriend a beautiful bunch of flowers and you wouldn't think of giving me any."

"I want to double my stake on Rebecca shooting Havoc," Jean heard Fuery whisper to Falman. Bastard.

"I know you're not the type to be bought," Jean tried to appease his glowering girl.

"And Riza is?"

"No," he said quickly. Shit. He was making things worse. "I promise I'll buy you flowers later."

She snorted and stood up again, "Don't bother, Jean!"

Jean stared helplessly as he watched her walk away. "I'll never understand women."

To be continued

Next time: Jean tries make up with Rebecca. Madam Christmas makes an appearance.