Chapter 7

The night went significantly better than the first, on the way home Roy made a quick stop and picked up some dinner for them. When they arrived back at his place, two civilian dressed figures were waiting for them. Roy recognized them to be from the Military Police. The female one carried a small suitcase. Roy smiled as he approached them, Riza tagging along behind him and Black Hayate following her, like a procession.

"Colonel Mustang. We brought the items you requested for Lt. Hawkeye" The female spoke, holding out the suitcase in her hand. Roy nodded his thanks and took the item from her.

"Any word on her place yet?" Roy glanced over at Riza who stood calmly at his side, he couldn't tell what she was thinking.

The man shook his head. "Nothing yet. There's been no sign of unusual activity since we arrived. We have 24 hour surveillance of the place so we'll let you know if anything happens." Mustang nodded, when there were no further questions the two figures saluted and took their leave.

Roy led Riza into his place, locking the door behind them. "I'll put your things in my room. Please use it while your staying here" Roy left the room to deposit her things, leaving Riza alone. She wasn't sure what she should be doing. What was her relationship with this man anyways? She couldn't help but think her feelings for him were wrong or at least should be wrong. Roy returned a moment later to find her sitting on the couch again. For just a moment he had a flashback of last night, of Hawkeye distraught and in tears. The sound of his soft footsteps caused her to turn in his direction. "So how about that dinner?" He smiled, pulling out some plates. Riza shook the haunting thoughts out of her mind and returned his smile.

The two spent the rest of the night chatting, he showed amazing patience with her as she inquired about details of her life and the military. He even told her stories of their past, leaving out the more painful details of some. When there was silence it wasn't the awkward type that needed to be filled by something, it was very companionable. The idea that this was somehow normal for them came to mind.

When she left for bed, he waited to hear the door close and the footsteps to cease, leaving only silence to take over. Roy leaned back in his chair and sighed, it didnt really bother him that all his efforts didnt immediately restore anything for her. There was always tomorrow.

When morning came, Riza was wide awake with no difficulties. She made her way quietly down the hall, she didn't hear him moving around. Was he still asleep? Had something happened to him? She turned the light on as she entered the kitchen and glanced around. There just on the edge of where the light touched in the living room she saw a body on the couch. He was sprawled less than gracefully across it, The blanket had slipped off and now lay in a heap on the floor. She noticed he was still in his white dress shirt and uniform pants. Did he sleep in them? Fool. She approached him slowly, being careful to step softly so not to wake up him. He looked so content and peaceful sleeping there, one arm was draped above his head and dangled off the arm of the couch, his other one on his chest, moving slightly up and down with his breathing. A soft smile crossed her face as she watched him, bending down she picked up the blanket from the floor and gingerly draped it over his body. She paused near his face and hesitated for a long moment; slowly she reached out and ran a hand softly through his hair, brushing the few stray strands from his face. The man beneath her touch suddenly sneezed involuntarily, the action made him curse and Hawkeye to jump back in shock.

"Damn... just when it was getting good..." He murmured, opening his eyes from where he laid and looking over at his shocked lieutenant. The woman wasn't sure how to react or what to say. It took her a moment to realize what just happened before she twitched, her eyes narrowed at him.

"You... were... awake? ...This whole time?" Roy let out a nervous laugh and rubbed the back of his head before moving to a sitting position. He was so glad she wasnt armed right now.

"Well... technically not the whole time... just when you came out of the bedroom." Roy believed that made it sound better. Riza now sporting a nice shade of red, turned on her heel and left the room leaving Mustang to continue to amuse himself with his morning antics.

After a few moments of hearing her shuffling around in his room, she heard the door close again and Riza emerged back in the room. Roy was still chuckling over his joke while he finished dressing and lacing up his boots. He stopped in mid-lace when he noticed her. She was fully dressed in her uniform. Her hair pinned in its usual fashion and her expression held the icy glare of Riza, although he figured it was only icy at him currently. He knew better than to think she was going to forgive him so easily.

Black Hayate sat patiently at the door until they were ready. "Shall we go Lieutenant?" He asked with a kind smile, it was best not to aggravate her anymore, one day she'd be armed and with his luck she'll remember this event. Hawkeye nodded and exited the door first, Hayate at her heels. Mustang let out a sigh and followed after.

The drive to work was usually quiet, the dry, awkward kind. Hawkeye was staring out the window feeling angry and embarrassed. How long was he planning on lying there pretending to be asleep? What was the point of it?

"It was stupid of me. I'm sorry." He finally spoke seriously, his gaze locked on the road in front of him. When she didn't reply he sighed. "It was nice though. Are you actually that angry at me?"

She was silent for awhile longer before she spoke. It was almost hesitating to answer. "No, not really." She felt her face flush again, she was glad she had somewhere else to look for the ride.

When the car pulled up to headquarters, the two stepped out and were greeting with a very large, very sparkly obstruction. Before Riza had a chance to react the figure latched himself around the small woman in a tearful embrace (although perhaps a little more crushing)

"OH LIEUTENTANT! I HEARD ABOUT YOUR ORDEAL, I'M SO SORRY!" The man sobbed, sparkles surrounding him as he spoke passionately. "SYMPATHY IS A TRAIT PASSED DOWN FROM THE ARMSTRONG FAMILY!"

Hawkeyes' eyes were wide as she glanced from the man crushing her to Mustang who just stood in silence, trying to decide if he should try and pry the giant off her.

"...BUT DO NOT FEAR, BECAUSE I'M POSITIVE THAT UPON THE SIGHT OF SUCH SHEER MAJESTIC BEAUTY YOUR MEMORIES OF US WILL COME RUSHING BACK TO YOU IMMEDIATELY!"

"Colonel... who is this man?" Riza spoke blandly between breathes. Major Armstrong gasped, instantly loosing much of his sparkly energy as his theory was kicked to the curb. He released the woman and shrunk back a bit in dejection to give her some space as Mustang moved to her side.

"Major Alex Armstrong. He's a friend." He explained as Hawkeye recovered herself. Mustang turned to the large man and gave a questioning look. "How did you find out about her condition?'

"Sgt. Fuery is an especially nervous little fellow when he's trying to keep a secret." He didn't have to explain anymore, Mustang knew his men. Armstrong wouldn't have had to intimidate him much to get poor Fuery to spill.

"I'd prefer to keep this undercover as much as possible for now." It went without saying but he gave voice to it anyways. Major Armstrong nodded and gave a quick salute, promising to keep it secret.

"I have some things to check up on myself. I'll be back later. Take care Lieutenant." He waved to the two before heading into the city.


When the two entered the office, they were more than a little surprised to find the entire group already there and bustling about in a frenzy. Breda almost knocking them over as he made for the door just as they entered. Fuery, Mustang noticed was in his usual position, glued to the radio. Havoc looked over at them in the process of grabbing his coat.

"Taisa! We were just about to come find you. The MP just contacted us, there was strange activity at the storage unit Lt. Hawkeye was held in."

Mustang whirled around on his heel and made for the door again, he didn't need anymore information. "Havoc! Stay here with Hawkeye. Fuery, keep me updated."

"Your not going alone! It's dangerous!" Hawkeye said, following behind him, he had no intention of debating it.

"Hawkeye stay here! I'm more than capable of handling a few creeps."

"You dont know what your up against! You told me yourself it was my job to protect you."

She was stubborn. She was his stubborn lieutenant, and she was right, on both counts and for once he really wished she wasn't. He really wished she would stay behind and be safe. He didn't know what sort of use she could be but hopefully it wouldn't come to that. He wasn't planning on letting them get a chance to try anything. He would end it quickly.

When they exited the building a car was waiting for them. Roy climbed in behind the wheel, when he so desired his driving could be called dangerous. They veered out onto the road and sped down the streets, the urgency of the military vehicle caused other cars to swerve out of his path and onlookers to turn in its direction. On the radio, Fuery relayed information from the MP. Several men had entered the building and were seen carrying in equipment, the contents of which were unknown.

Amongst the onlookers, hidden away from the militarys' notice. A single man stood in the shadows between two buildings. He was leaning casually against the side as he watched Mustang's vehicle whip by.

"General H. The mice are arriving just like planned."


AN: Teeee... I'm a sucker for cliffhangers... .