She was violently shaken from a nice, deep sleep with a shove, and Riza's eyes flew open, startled and scrambling until she saw the culprit.

"Rebecca? What the hell?" She frowned and pulled the comforter towards her head, ready to fall back to dreamland.

"You were so sound asleep I thought you were dead. I was running out of ideas." She gestured to a pitcher of water on Riza's nightstand. "Mustang's outside and he won't stop throwing rocks at my house."

As if to punctuate the statement, she heard a small ping against the glass at the opposite end of the room they were sharing, much closer to Becca's twin bed than her own.

"What?" Roy was in Central, hours away. She reluctantly reached for a robe and slippers, shivering and groggy. When she looked out over the backyard, there was Roy with a handful of pebbles, with Havoc beside him.

"Your boyfriend's down there too."

"Yeah but it's yours with the rocks."

She opened the window and Roy's face lit up at the sight of her, in turn making her heart flip-as it did whenever they locked eyes. She held up a finger, telling him to wait a minute via a raised eyebrow and turned to Rebecca...who was already getting dressed. Riza watched her, and having a feeling this was one of their 'adventures', did the same. She looked longingly at her still-warm bed but at the same time she'd been dying to see him and couldn't find her shoes fast enough.

Roy had dropped the pebbles by the time Riza opened the backdoor. As soon as she stepped outside he immediately wrapped his arms around her, giving her a quick spin and taking a deep breath, inhaling her lavender shampoo.

"Roy, what are you doing here?" She had her arms around him as well, head against his chest. Instead of answering he tilted her chin up and kissed her. Riza had to catch her breath when he broke the kiss, her face flushed from the intensity.

"I missed you." He leaned towards her again and she stopped him, albeit reluctantly.

"I missed you too, how did you get here though? There aren't any trains running this late. Also, how did you get out of Christmas dinner with your family?"

"Havoc actually drove all the way to Central to pick up something for Catalina. I tagged along on his return journey." He paused, wondering if he'd messed up his friend's plans by saying that. "And we did lunch instead of dinner, so by the time Havoc got there I was more than ready. And Madame Christmas was eager to get rid of me I think. She says I've been moping." Which, he absolutely had been.

The mention of a gift got Rebecca's attention and Jean shot Roy the glare to end them all. He did indeed seem to have messed up. "What'd you get me!?"

"You'll see." It was going to be nearly impossible to hold her off for more than a few days and he was regretting being nice enough to bring Roy with him. Though the joy on his adopted kid sister's face was nearly worth it.

"Come on." Jean had to practically drag Rebecca with him as they left the backyard, having announced she wasn't going anywhere until she got her gift. Roy helped nudge them along and the girls found a car idling on the other side of the fence. Roy and Riza followed at a more leisurely pace.

"You were saying before we all left that you were excited to see stars again. Well, I wanted to see them too, with you." It was almost impossible to get a good look at the sky in the middle of the city, Roy had tried many times, but the middle of nowhere was a completely different story.

Riza hummed in acknowledgement, having a feeling it had less to do with stars and more the amount of time they'd been apart. They'd be back on campus soon but the thought of returning a little early may or may not have crossed her mind. "You're such a hopeless romantic."

"You knew that already, come on." They picked up the pace and loaded into Jean's parent's car, driving down dark, winding roads until they reached a small hill. The guys spread out a blanket and got comfortable, glad it wasn't as cold as the other nights had been recently. Riza cuddled up close to Roy anyway, her head on his shoulder. Rebecca had her knees pulled up to her chest, chin resting on them contentedly and an opposite of Havoc, who just kind of fell into a comfortable-looking, sprawling position, his long legs hanging off the blanket.

"You really don't get anything like this in Central." Roy tilted his head back, mesmerized. He was hardly ever in a place where he could see that many, and so bright. No wonder the girls and Havoc had been looking forward to it.

Riza laid down and started pointing out constellations to Roy. Becca was much better at it though, and even if they didn't realize it she and Mustang were having a civil, even friendly conversation. Jean and Riza looked at each other across them and both took the cue from the other. This was a good chance for an olive branch.

Jean slid a little further down the blanket so he could rest his head on the fabric and not the grass, closing his eyes and dramatically tossing a leg over Becca's. After a moment or two of shifting and one large yawn he went completely still. Rebecca looked down at him with a soft smile. Out like a light. Granted, he could pretty much sleep anytime, anywhere, so this wasn't really all that out of character for him.

"Ok, but that one over there, why's it all by itself?"

Now that his head was behind both Roy and Becca's backs, it was Riza's turn. She yawned as well, complaining that it was contagious but she closed her eyes anyway. The hope was that if she and Jean checked out, maybe Roy and Rebecca would have some time to bond, or at least get along. Roy felt her shift and looked down, a mirror of how Rebecca had smiled at Havoc. Unlike Jean, she was not one to easily fall into dreamland, but it was the middle of the night and based on Catalina's face he had definitely woken them up.

Even with Roy's hand resting against her thigh he didn't pull his attention away from Rebecca's descriptions of constellations. Riza cracked one eye open and smiled, Jean kept his shut but he had a huge grin on his face. It might not have been the plan but if Roy and Becks were going to get along...Jean and Riza's lives became so much less dramatic. He caught Riza's eye and winked, a cue that not only were things going well but they probably shouldn't interfere. And she agreed wholeheartedly, returning the look before closing her eyes again. When their significant others went quiet, they were both getting ready to 'wake up' until they heard Rebecca.

"You know, you're pretty stupid."

"Mmm. Agreed." Rebecca was surprised at how matter of fact he was; not coming back with a quip or snark was rare when he felt/was called out.

"Well, that was easier than I thought."

"Well, it's true." Roy leaned back a little, brushing a strand of Riza's hair carefully out from under where he'd been about to put his hand. He let it linger there, tracing the line of her jaw.

"It's all because of Riza right?"

"What is?"

"This whole New-Mustang thing, where you're not an ass all the time and I only want to kill you occasionally." She took his silence as petulance and kept going. "It's like someone matters more to you than you finally."

"Damn Catalina, what do you really think?" He scowled but didn't argue. All things being equal, she wasn't far off. Riza had been the spark that had set off him working on being a better person.

"That you're an ass who got us expelled from school and tried to turn Jean into a cocky jerk just like you. You know Mustang, you have a way of drawing people towards you. I didn't think that was a good thing...still not sure actually. That's how cults and shit start. But when Riza drew you in instead, you started to change. "

Rebecca was looking at him curiously, while Roy stared out across the valley below them. "I wasn't going out of my way to be a ass. You could've talked to me instead of hating me."

"Nah, it was more satisfying that way. Besides, before Rize came along I was pretty set on hating you for life. It's not like you didn't give me enough reason." That was debatable, no one else was holding a grudge over the expulsion that he was aware of.

"And now?"

"Hatred downgraded to annoyance, as long as you're good to her and take care of her. She acts like she doesn't but she needs it." Their completely independent Riza, consistently avoiding asking even her doting boyfriend for help on anything. The start of the thought had Riza thrilled; the end of it was very unwelcome.

Roy sat completely up again, wanting to look as attentive as he was. He'd been desperate to have this talk with someone, and only Catalina would have the answers. "I know, but I don't know how to ask if she does or not." Rebecca let out a long breath indicating she felt the same.

"I didn't tell you this," Riza forced herself to remain relaxed and not tense up. She wasn't sure she wanted to know what was about to happen and she could feel Jean's eyes on her. "But I figured out one thing. There's a spot on her back that hurts her during certain weather. Like, a lot. She fell asleep one time promising it was fine but even then she was in obvious pain. I put a warm compress on it, seemed to give her some relief. At least, she stayed asleep for a few hours."

Riza continued to will herself to stay still and not respond. She didn't need help, she could more than handle a few aches and made a mental note to be less obvious. She knew Jean was still looking at her and she squeezed her eyes closed tightly, waiting for the conversation to end.

Roy took a quick glance around before speaking up again. Jean was taking up half the blanket and half of Rebecca as well. Riza seemed sound asleep as well; she had a habit of drifting off. Rebecca mentioning her back added a piece to the puzzle. Even though he'd gotten an answer, he still felt like he was missing something.

Asleep for a few hours? Her tone made it seem like that was a rarity and that didn't make sense.

"Does Rize, I don't know, sleep?" Rebecca blinked. Riza was with him about half the time to begin with and would know as well, if not better, than she would.

"Um, not much from what I can tell?" He looked so concerned she took him seriously and thought more. "She might fall asleep after I do at like 3 but she's always awake when I go to bed and when I wake up, so.." Rebecca shrugged and paused. Some people could run on just a few hours rest though, maybe Riza was one of them. She eyed him, waiting for the reason he asked but he was silent. "Once she said she wasn't a fan and if she didn't have to would much rather not sleep. I didn't really know her then, figured it was about being able to study. But... I'm pretty sure she has nightmares." That wasn't exactly true. Rebecca knew she had nightmares, the things she screamed and the terror in her voice scared the shit out of her but had no idea what to tell Mustang... somehow this was a surprise for him.

Roy paled. He hadn't seen any of that. She'd fall asleep quickly and stay still by his side; hell he caught her smiling in her sleep sometimes. Occasionally there would be what seemed like a bad dream but she always brushed them off, rolling over and slipping right back to sleep with him following after. She never gave him the chance to question what happened when she woke up that way. She'd give him a small smile and tell him it was fine, using his grogginess to her advantage.

"So I shouldn't take her dozing off while we're watching a movie or driving as an insult?"

He definitely hadn't heard the things she sometimes yelled if he was asking that. She had a bad feeling there was more to Riza's history she wasn't ever going to share. "I'd say it's the opposite. She probably feels safe enough to sleep, whether it's conscious or not, I don't know."

"Safe?" When was she not safe?

"She didn't get to grow up with Madame Christmas, Mustang. We only know what we've seen and what she's willing to say. So yes, if she's passing out all over the place when you're together, she's probably letting her guard down, knowing nothing will happen to her. Or at least, that's my theory."

Please, please stop. Riza begged but only Jean saw the pain deeply etched across her face.

Havoc made a show of sitting up and stretching, wrapping his arms around Rebecca and letting his chin fall heavily onto her shoulder. "What'd I miss?" He wasn't about to let the conversation get any farther along. Even if they didn't know it they were causing Riza some serious hurt.

"Well, Catalina doesn't hate me…"

"For the moment."

"Must've slept through something juicy. Riza's out too?" Jean leaned behind Roy and Rebecca's backs and tapped Riza's forehead lightly before they answered; it wasn't like he wasn't aware. She made a face at him but rolled onto her back.

"Slept through the stars." She said sadly, greeted only by clouds. The formerly sparkling sky seemed much more ominous than the last time she checked. Riza started as she felt something fall into her eye. Slowly but surely the flakes appeared, and became steadier until they agreed it was past time to head back. There hadn't been any word of a storm; and the guys would know, it would have dashed their gallant plans. As it was, they barely made it back to the Catalina household before it was too dangerous to drive. Jean looked nervous as they fled to the warmth of the living room, the rest of the house silent but looking for something.

"Relax, it's not like you're going to get in trouble, we're not 15 anymore." Rebecca had been holding her cocoa with both hands but reached out to squeeze her boyfriend's. "You and Mustang can crash in the guest room if you're worried." He thought about it for a moment and shook his head with a grin. "That's what I thought."

Roy finished building a fire, a task he'd taken on without knowing exactly how difficult it would be. Havoc had been mocking him for the first 10 minutes and when the spark caught he spun around, snapping his fingers triumphantly to get his friend's attention. The nod he received in return meant he had some work to do but dammit, he never built the things that caught on fire.

Riza was curled up against a corner of the large couch and he took a spot next to her, gratefully accepting his own mug of hot chocolate. It had taken her a minute to find what she needed in the kitchen but it had been a good break from trying to process what Rebecca had told Roy. She tried to push it all to the back of her mind but her words kept ringing in her ears. "She needs help."

They sat together, Rebecca and Havoc in an oversized armchair and Roy and Riza curled on the couch, the quartet watching the escalating snowfall and the crackling fire. Riza felt a bump against her shoulder within a few minutes and from the corner of her eye she could see Roy, completely asleep.

I'm the one always dozing off, am I? If she was in the habit of teasing this would certainly warrant it. Instead she took a look and saw Rebecca and Havoc had also passed out. Riza leaned against Roy, who, even in his sleep, pulled her against him protectively, and soon she joined the others.

Roy had charmed himself into an invitation to stay with the Havocs until their planned departure and the extra day was exactly what they needed, snowed in though they were. It was pure luck for Roy and Riza, she'd missed him the moment they left and another day would be torture.

The 27th came and went without much of the snow melting, but the group made it back to Central the day after. It pushed their plans back with Christmas and Riza felt like she'd already made a bad impression. Rebecca did everything they could to make her less nervous, and it worked right up until she was faced with the bar.

The confidence Riza had worked so hard to build up wavered in that moment. She wasn't charismatic like Roy and while she'd fit into his world at school, home was very different. Agreeing to meet is foster mother was easy, actually doing it was a different story.

Roy stopped before entering and squeezed her hand. "My sisters are a bit much, if they get too out of control just tell them. They're excited to meet you and don't have much of a concept of personal space." He'd told her that before and somehow, it didn't make the trip less daunting.

It was dark by the time they arrived, and bustling, but Madame Christmas abandoned her spot at the bar to approach her son. "Long time no see, Roy boy. Forget the address?"

He smiled and kissed her cheek. He had been there a few days before but she loved nothing more than to give him a hard time. She commented on how much older he looked and then turned her attention to Riza.

"So you're the girl who's made an honest man out of my boy? It's an honor to finally meet you, Miss Hawkeye.."

Riza blinked, hesitating before shaking her hand. "Riza, please. Thank you, Madame, but-"

"Christmas or Chris will do just fine." The poor girl looked so uncomfortable. "I cleared the corner booth for you and Roy. When things die down, I'll join you for a minute." Riza nodded, biting back another formal 'Madame' or 'ma'am'.

They slid into the booth and Roy wrapped his arm around her shoulders. He'd held out a little on information in the hope that he could use it to distract her. He hadn't known if it would be busy or not, and even though his foster mother was a pro at getting people to feel comfortable he wanted to ensure he'd be able to do it himself.

"So this isn't a brothel." He leaned over, lips brushing against her ear as he whispered. It was hard to pay attention to what he was saying when he did things like that. "That guy at the table by the door works for one of the top Generals in Amestris. One glass too many and...actually, look." It seemed like he didn't have to tell, just show. The man was red in the face, gesturing to a beautiful girl looking at him with rapt attention. She nodded and smiled, seeming to tell him to keep going. He was becoming more animated, and the woman leaning in closer. "By the time he leaves, Ava will have piles of either gossip or intelligence. My mother's regular customers are as dangerous to Amestris as Drachma"

They covertly watched them, the woman putting her hand on the man's arm to steady him as she steered him towards the door with a goodnight and a 'see you again soon.' She ordered a drink from Madame Christmas, her only reaction a single eyebrow before beginning to mix the requested cocktail.

"So by my mother's face, I'd say intelligence."

"So she's a spy?" She whispered back, and then had to repeat the question. They found similar things distracting.

"Sort of." He explained her network to the best of his ability; not even he knew how far her influence reached.

"Explains a lot." Riza leaned her head against his shoulder, Roy kissing her hair like a reflex.

"About what?"

"You. Politics. Wanting to take over, make the world better."

"I'd say the same, but I tried to steer him clear." Christmas was sitting across from them, startling the hell out of Riza but Roy seemed fine. Like this was how she always moved, which for someone her size seemed fairly impossible. "As you might've noticed, Roy doesn't listen to reason. Or much at all."

He had been fine, excited for his foster mother to meet Riza, but now…..

"This is going to get embarrassing for me very quickly, isn't it."

"That was never in question, my boy."

Her family history was quickly glossed over, Riza trying to answer Madame Christmas' questions without saying too much. Roy had wanted, but couldn't bring himself, to talk to his mother about her scars and knew Hughes wouldn't cross that line. Christmas was mad enough at the information she'd gathered on the late Berthold Hawkeye as it was...Riza's secrets would stay exactly that.

She socialized for as long as she could, but there was business to do and intel to collect so she excused herself, letting them know there was food in the kitchen and she'd join them after closing. The idea of Riza had piqued her interest, but meeting her made her even more invested in getting to know this quiet girl with sadness in her eyes and her boy at her feet.

They lingered around the bar mostly, finding that people watching was practically a sport and keeping them busy until the last drunk was rolled out the door and the lights were off. As soon as darkness took over a corner of the room Riza yawned, clapping her hand over her mouth. Would Christmas think that was rude?

"Ready to turn in? You dodged a sister-shaped bullet, I don't want to press our luck." Plus, she looked exhausted. Riza agreed and Roy held out his hand. "My room's up on the second floor, should've given you the grand tour...but we can do that when we wake up." His plans were interrupted, loudly, before he could get any farther.

"You! You promised to be a gentleman. I should've known better." Madame Christmas took him by the ear and Riza bit her lip to keep from laughing at the scene. "Riza, please take the guest suite on the third floor." She let go of Roy's ear and he rubbed it like a petulant child. "Go to your room, Roy boy, she'll see you in the morning." She took Riza's elbow and started with her up the stairs to help get her set up for the night.

Riza cast a glance over her shoulder as she was whisked away and smiled, the twinkle in Roy's eye a sure sign she wasn't going to have to wait until the morning to see him.

Madame Christmas had already had the room made up and Riza's things unpacked while the kids were downstairs. She hadn't expected that and twisted an earring, a nervous tic she found she'd developed soon after Roy had given them to her. It almost never failed to help but this was one of the exceptions.

"You really didn't have to go to all this trouble." She was so visibly uncomfortable Christmas didn't know what to do with her.

"Come, sit down." She led Riza over to a set of chairs by a bookshelf in the corner. The room was warm and inviting but the girl seemed to be waiting for that to change.

Riza followed and took the chair across from Madame Christmas. She did her best not to eye her warily, but most likely failed. "I apologize, I don't mean to seem ungrateful."

"Don't concern yourself with that, I believe I understand, at least to an extent. But once you met Roy, I assume you noticed you gained quite the family at university, and that extends beyond them." Christmas looked at her kindly and she thought she could see through Riza's facade, just for a moment.

"Yes, it's been an adjustment." She acknowledged, meeting and holding Christmas' look. It cemented another one of her assumptions. Yes, Riza was reserved, but there was fire in this girl. It was quiet, and it was strong. Christmas knew exactly why her boy had fallen so hard. She stood and patted her shoulder, wondering how long it had taken Roy to get her to open up. These kinds of hard-to-read people fascinated Christmas to no end, but didn't want to badger her. With the way Roy spoke about her, there would be plenty of time.

"Knowing that group, yes, it certainly must be. Please, though, anytime you need someone to talk to, or somewhere to go, come here. If you need me and don't reach out, I'll know." Even if they weren't related Roy had inherited the sparkle in her eye. "And he'll be none the wiser if need be, secrets are my specialty after all."

She couldn't help the small smile that blossomed for a half second. It wasn't an offer presented to her regularly and she agreed that if she had to get away, that she'd come to the bar. For the first time in a long time, Riza actually had somewhere to go and Christmas could see it overwhelming her.

"I'll let you get to bed, breakfast should be done around 10...if Roy's sisters don't wake you up first." They'd promised to behave but were all a bit too excited at the prospect of their little brother in love and wanted to meet her more than anything. Christmas was going to have to be more stern, Riza was not the type who would deal with piles of giggling girls well.

Thank you again, Mada...Christmas." She nodded approvingly, earning another smile from Riza.

"No need, but you're welcome all the same." Christmas made sure to point out where everything was if she needed it and left her to sleep, wondering how long it would take her boy to break her rules.

Riza had finished changing into her pajamas and was brushing her hair when she heard a creak. "You don't waste any time."

"I wasted easily 5 minutes." Roy's retort was a whisper as he closed her door as quietly as he could.

Riza ran her hand idly up and down Roy's bare arm and looked across him at the time. "Are you sure the others don't mind?"

"What, that we didn't go straight to the party?" He pulled her a little closer, Riza adjusting accordingly.

"Well, yeah…" Roy was so much more social than she was. He was fine not going at all but both wanted to see their newly reunited team so they'd compromised on going over to Breda and Havoc's after midnight. They've have their own New Year's celebration before, as Roy wanted to do something special for their first New Year's Eve. So many 'firsts' and he had a scheme for each one. Though his plans had been….derailed somewhat.

"No, I doubt they mind. And if you still want to, we can go over in a little. Though.." he tapped her bare foot with his own under the blankets playfully. "...I would not say no to staying here."

"I don't doubt that." She agreed. "But we promised, and you wanted to get in one last hurrah before next semester, if I remember correctly."

"Riza Hawkeye... or a party... or Riza Hawkeye AT a party. How am I lucky enough to get everything I want?"

She didn't need to look to see his cocky grin and responded with a shake of her head. "If we could bottle your...confidence we'd make a million cenz and end the world at the same time." He faked a dramatic sigh but moved to let her get up as he did the same.

"Nah, there's not nearly enough of you to keep so many of me in check." He winked and it was Riza's turn to sigh.

"I love you, but that is very true."

She didn't register what she said at first, focused on flipping through shirts in her closet. After a second she processed what she'd told him and turned a shade of red that hadn't existed previously.

No, it's ok, this is Roy. I know he loves me too. I know I'm right.

Still blushing like she'd been lit on fire, Riza stole a glance at Roy. He was halfway through getting dressed, and only black slacks was a very good look. Her amusement didn't last, though.

Roy was frozen, shirt in his hands and terror in his eyes. She might've been beet red but he was white as a ghost.

I was... was I wrong?

And… we're halfway through the year!

I promise the next chapter is nearly done! Plus, PurpleMaple will make sure of it…as always, thanks for reading and I hope you're enjoying my AU!

A.H.