Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy this.

Chapter Four

Riza sat in the passenger seat, Hayate in her arms. Roy was still refusing to tell her where he was taking her. She rolled down the window. Her temple was still throbbing, a faint pain compared to earlier. She watched the green fields as Roy navigated the twisty country roads. Her stomach rumbled and she rubbed it. At least she wasn't queasy and they would get to eat soon. They had made sandwiches and put bottles of soda and water into a picnic basket. She tapped her fingers on the armrest.

How much longer?

"Are you alright there, Lieutenant?" Roy asked.

"I'm fine," she turned to look at him, "just curious about where you are taking me."

A lazy smile on his face, he said, "Patience is a virtue, Hawkeye."

She snorted. "You're one to talk."

"Well, you know as well as I that I'm still patiently waiting to become Fuhrer. You, on the other hand, freak out if my paperwork has not been filled a day early."

She rolled her eyes. "Your paperwork has never been a day early, no matter how hard I try. It's always the last minute."

"And doesn't that prove my point? I am very patient."

"You're incorrigible." She patted Hayate's head. "At least, there's one man I can rely on."

Seeing a cyclist on the road, Roy went to change gear, his hand accidentally brushed off her thigh. Two things happened at once: Riza pressed her legs closer together and the car swerved slightly. Roy quickly got the car back under control and overtook the nervous looking cyclist.

Roy coughed. "Sorry about that uh Lieutenant." He didn't look at her, keeping his eyes straight ahead on the road.

"It's a rather small car."

"Yes."

His voice was strained and she wondered if he was regretting the decision to spend the day together in such an unprofessional setting. If they were seen, it would certainly raise eyebrows although as long as they didn't behave improperly, they would be able to explain it away.

Wanting to break the uncomfortable silence, something that was in unusual for them, she asked, "Are we nearly there yet?"

No sooner were the words out of her mouth, she winced.

How childish that sounded.

Roy chuckled from the driver's seat. "Ah well, Little Riza, I knew this was a good idea."

She punched him in the arm only causing him to smirk at her. She shook her head, relieved that the tense silence had been broken.

"Aha - look! " At Roy's direction, she looked out the window. They passed by a small sign indicating they were approaching a village. "Ah, we're nearly there."

As Roy drove into the village, he could see the place was thronged with people. He glanced over at Riza, who had her head out the window like a curious child.

"What's going on here?"

"A town carnival, Lieutenant, just like when we were kids."

She turned to look at him, her head tilted slightly. "I haven't been to one of these since I left home."

"I know or at least I suspected."

"Thank you, sir. This was a wonderful idea." She shook her head, a gleam of mischief in her eyes. "I suppose if we're going back in time, we should probably address each other by our first names."

"Of course," he winked, "a very important part of our mission."

She threw her head back and laughed. His heart swelled. He loved to hear her laugh. He swore there and then to try and make her laugh every day just to hear the sound.

The streets were full and he was finding it difficult to secure a place to park even in a small village with a scarcity of motor cars with market stalls and carts parked everywhere. Riza didn't seem to mind. She was taking in all the surroundings, her eyes wide and letting out a soft sigh every now and then. He was rather enjoying Riza being on the back foot for once. Although he was also enjoying the close proximity to his Lieutenant, every accidental brush against her was distracting. She had jumped when he brushed her leg and he had very nearly driven them into a ditch. It was ridiculous. He spent most days with the Lieutenant, without this pregnant air of sexual tension. Since he had admitted his feelings to himself, he could feel three little words form in his mouth. Every time he swallowed that dangerous confession. They had made a vow, they had a mission to complete before they could let any personal feeling complicate matters. Besides he couldn't be sure how Riza really felt, now that she was sober. Still spending a day together, free from all the expectations of work and their circle of friends was something he could not resist.

"There! Take that spot!"

His eyes followed to where she was pointing between two trees. The car would just about squeeze in there.

"Do you want me to park it for you?"

He glared at her. "Why do you always insinuate that I can't drive. I got us here fine didn't I?"

"You almost drove us off the road."

There was almost a playful tone to her voice. Two could play that game.

He looked her in the eye."Someone distracted me."

She opened her mouth but seemed to think better of it and closed it again.

Roy reversed into the parking space. The two got out of the car and he took the picnic basket from the boot.

He gave Riza his arm. "We're supposed to be a couple on a date. We might as well pay the part."

He wasn't really expecting her to take his arm but after she put Hayate on a leash she took his arm.

She winked. "Lead the way, darling."

His heart hammered his chest and his throat went dry. Was she flirting with him? He turned his head on the pretext of looking around so that she wouldn't see the big goofy grin on his face.

"Where to, my lady?"

"Why don't we find somewhere to sit and have that picnic? I'm starving." She nudged him. "Look they even have a Ferris Wheel!"

"Fantastic, why don't we go for a ride?" He pulled her in the direction of the Ferris Wheel.

She pulled back. "Hey, aren't we supposed to have our picnic first?"

"Oh, yeah." Brow furrowed, he looked her in the eyes. "It's not just the picnic, you're nervous about going on the wheel."

"No, I am not."

"Yes - you are. Ah, that's adorable, Lieut- Riza. Considering your profession, I wouldn't think you would be afraid of heights"

I am not afraid of heights!"

He arched an eyebrow.

She sighed loudly and dipped her head. "However, I somewhat less than enthusiastic about sitting in that thing. I trust being able to climb myself a lot more than being on a Ferris Wheel."

"Alright then." He stuck his lip out. "Even if I get my paperwork done a day early for the next week?"

She shoved him lightly. "I will go on the wheel with you for one ride. But if we get stuck up there, it's all your fault."

He forgot himself for a moment and hugged her. When he pulled away her cheeks were flushed.

Lips twitching, she said, "Maybe I should agree to be more reckless in the future on the condition that you do your paperwork."

He laughed but he didn't take her arm again, not quite trusting himself. She gestured towards a less crowded area that was ideal for putting down a blanket and having their picnic. It was near a lake and it would be romantic if there weren't so many children running about and skipping stones off the water.

"Do you remember when we used to do that?" Roy laid back on his arms stretched out on the blanket.

"Yeah, I taught you how to do that. You were terrible."

"Yeah," he said, "but what did you expect from a city boy?"

"You know I thought you were awful at first."

He grimaced, "I know."

"Then I got to know you and realised you were worse."

He turned his head and glowered. "Hey!"

He was tempted to tickle her like he used to do when they were kids. He could reach right over and just… No, it wasn't tickling he had on his mind. The shrieking children brought him back to himself.

She looked out at the children with what he thought was a wistful look. "Do you ever wonder what would have happened if you didn't sign up?"

"Sometimes, but I try not to dwell on it too much."

That was a lie. He often imagined coming back for Riza and marrying her instead of both of them joining the military. Maybe then she would have said yes and they could have children by now. They could be living a normal life with the only burdens being providing food and love for their brood. He would never forget the disappointed and betrayed look on her face when they had met again in Ishval. Her father was a horrible man but he had been right in his measure of Roy and the military. Secrets he was determined would die with him.

Roy felt his hand being squeezed. He opened his eyes and looked over at their joined hands. Something wet hit his face and a furry muzzle came into view.

"Hey, Hayate."

Riza let go of his hand, and bereft of the contact, he rubbed Hayate instead.

"Sorry, for bringing down the mood," she said. "Just looking at all those families got me thinking about how different life could have been if we made different choices."

His heart fluttered in his chest. Did she mean about having a life or a family with him?

"We're doing to right thing considering what we've done."

"Yeah." She forced a smile. "Come on, let's eat."

Once their picnic was finished. Roy took back the blanket and picnic basket to the car. He let his mind wander as he walked. He tried not to think how beautiful she looked today with her hair down and resolved to get some control of himself. He didn't have the excuse of being drunk. When Roy returned Hayate was lapping at the lake. She smiled at him and he knew he didn't have a chance. The way the sun shone down on her made her look like an angel if he believed in that sort of thing which he didn't.

"Roy?"

"Uh - sorry. What did you say?"

"I thought I saw one of those darts stalls." Riza grinned. "Do you dare take me on?"

"You know I'll lose."

Lifting an eyebrow, she leaned closer. "Are you afraid of losing?"

"Alright." He wiped his palms on his trousers. "You've twisted my arm as long as you don't start lecturing me on my technique."

They walked over to the stall. Riza had taken his arm again. He wasn't sure what was going on in her head. Was she taking advantage of their "covert operation" or was she completely oblivious to the effect she had on him? It felt so natural to walk arm in arm with her. It was a bittersweet feeling though because he knew this couldn't last.

When they arrived at the stall, Roy handed over the money over to the stall owner. He handed them the darts and they both prepared to throw. "Best of three."

Predictably Riza hit the bullseye clean in the middle. Roy hit his bullseye too although not as cleanly. She smirked at him and his throat felt dry. Damn, he wanted to kiss that smirk off her face. He shook his head and coughed. His second shot was slightly off target but Riza hit hers.

"You shouldn't let anything or anyone distract you from your target," the stall owner said.

Roy glared at him and lined up his third and final shot which was on target. "See, Riza, I might be rusty but I'm not that rusty."

"I can do it with my eyes closed."

Alarmed the man behind the counter moved out the way. "Hang on now."

"Relax! Riza is the best shot I know." Roy put his hand on his shoulder. "She's only kidding but even if she wasn't. She would hit the target no problem."

She rolled her eyes and, just as he predicted, she hit the target easily.

The man wiped his brow. "So, what will it be, Miss?"

"How about the teddy bear. We'll give it to Elicia."

"Good idea!" Roy smiled. "She would love that."

Riza turned back to the other man. "Sir, would you mind keeping it for us? We'll come back for us soon."

He inclined his head. "Just don't forget it."

Expressing their thanks, they left and went to explore the rest of the fair. There were livestock for sale as well as fresh food and fruits.

Roy grabbed Riza's hand as they entered the crowded market area. The sound of music playing, the smell of popcorn, burning cashew nuts and candy floss, it all brought their childhood back.

"How would you like some candy floss?" he suggested.

Riza had a fierce sweet tooth, which was something she liked to keep under wraps. It was one of her few bad habits.

Her eyes lit up. "Yeah."

As they walked towards the candy floss stand, they passed by a group of people dancing.

"Forget the candy floss, dance with me." Her eyes were full of mirth.

His mouth fell open and she arched an eyebrow.

He cleared his throat. "Oh, seeing as you never got that dance last night?"

She looked a little unsure of herself. "Forgive me, that was a little forward."

He shook his head and took her other hand. "I would love to dance with you. After all, we have to keep up the cover, right?"

She bit her lip. "Just for today."

"Yeah, just for today." After all, it was a square dance. It wasn't like they would be slow dancing together. "Do you remember how it goes?"

"I think so. How about we sit the next one out and watch."

"Good idea."

To be continued ...