"How was your night, sir?" Roy was engolfed in the material he read.

"Oh, good morning Lieutenant. Sorry about that, I was a bit distracted."

Riza held back her smile. He was always so easily absorbed in his work. No one would believe it, but the man could actually get his work done.

"I asked you how your night was. Did you enjoy yourself?" Riza repeated her question. The two walked down the hallway to the cafeteria. Closing the folder in his hand, he refocused his attention.

"It was great," Roy lit up as he spoke.

"I think Edeline enjoyed the skating. When the cold set in, we headed across the street for a hot drink. We stayed and talked for some time, and than I drove her home," Roy told Riza of the nights events.

She listened contently. It was refreshing to see him so enthralled with one person.

He had aquired a certain reputation for himself. He was what many called a 'ladies man.' It was anything but rare to catch Roy Mustang leaving his favorite pub without a woman in arm.

Riza relished in the idea of the man settling down with another. Yes, and if that other person was Edeline, he couldn't be more lucky.

"Well, if it isn't the cocky Colonel Mustang."

'Well, if it isn't her now," Riza thought to herself, letting a small chuckle slip.

"I wanted to thank you again for the night out, Lieutenant Hawkeye," Edeline spoke, steping in time to keep pace with the elder of the trio.

Riza, momentarily baffled, and almost missing the girls subtle intangable wink, replied,

"Anytime Edeline. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Roy grinned a smug smile. The message was for him.

"We should do it again some time soon, real soon," the girl added before going to stand in the cafeteria line for breakfast.

(Line Break)

Having finished earlier than both Riza and Roy, Edeline stacked her used and empty tray with the others. She left them eating and departed with a simple, "See you in the office."

Riza, taking her last few forkfuls of food, chewed, swollowed, and than spoke up.

"I heard Alphonse is leaving for Resembal soon. Maybe even today." Roy stacked his tray with Riza's, putting them with the rest. They left after clearing their table space, and headed back to the office.

"I don't think I understand your reason for telling me," Roy admitted.

Riza shrugged.

"I'm just making conversation, sir. I doubt with Her brother out of town, Fullmetal shouldn't be too busy. Besides work, that's it really."

"I suppose you're right, Lieutenant. Are you planning on inviting her to go out again?"

Just than, another officer passed them, soluting respectfully. They returned the gesture.

To answer his question, Riza replied:

"The idea crossed my mind. She did enjoy herself the other night. She might have other plans though."

"I think I heard something about a possible dinner guest," Roy offered.

"I see, I couldn't possibly interrupt than," Riza commented.

They exchanged a few more words, and entered the office.

(Line Break)

"Mustang, I'm headed out early today. Alphonses train leaves and I promised to see him off at the very least," Edeline said, standing at Roy's desk.

"I forgot to ask berfore hand. I hope it's alright."

The offices other occupants, with the exception of Riza, looked their way.

"Did you finish the stack of-"

"All filed and finished," Edeline smiled, amused by the man's shocked surprise at this.

"Yep, all done. Can I go? If that's ok." Roy, like Edeline, had dropped their usual banter. Everybody noticed.

"Sure, I don't see why not," Roy seceded. "I wish him a safe travel."

"Thank you sir." But before leaving, and for good measure, she 'mumbled' loud enough to be heard,

"Colonel Bastard."

"I can hear you short stuff," Roy smirked.

The door slammed shut.

"That was something," Havoc whispered to Breda.

"You mean the plesentness, with the exception of 'bastard' 'and short?' Yeah. It was," Breda whispered back.

"What do you think it means?" Havoc voiced his thought.

"Does it have to mean anything? Yeah, it was weird, but the two are allowed to be plesent with each other still," Breda concluded. "You're reading too much into it is all."

Havoc let it drop. He still wasn't convinced, but now wasn't the time.

(Line Break)

"I'm going to miss you sister." Edeline and Alphonse stood at the train station.

"I know, Al. It will be nice to visit Winry and Granny though," Edeline said.

"Are you sure you can't get the time off to go with me?" Alphonse asked, this being the second time.

Edeline explained again the simple fact that she, like anybody else had an alotted time off each month. Their last visit to Rush Valley had used that time promptly.

"I promise, if I could, I really would go with you, Al," his sister reassured.

Alphonse sighed, knowing her words to be the truth.

The train was coming into sight, announcing its arival.

"See you in a week," Edeline hugged her brother loosely. She wasn't one for such affection, but Alphonse was the exception.

"You to," Alphonse returned the gesture, minding his harder exterior for his sister's sake.

Once seeing him off, Edeline headed back to the dorms. The work day was over, and she was ready for a short nap.

Meanwhile, Roy was headed home himself.

"Thanks for helping me, Hawk- Riza," he corrected himself, remembering what his passenger had told him earlier.

"I really don't mind. Besides, I'm happy to help a happy couple," Riza joked.

Roy's face turned serious.

"I'm sorry. I was only joking," Riza quickly added.

"It's not what you said. I've just had something on my mind. Can I ask you your opinion?" the man spoke, very much apprehensive.

Riza nodded.

"Anything Roy."

Taking a deep breath, he started:

"I've been wanting to date Edeline more, openly. I just don't feel like it's a good time to do so at the moment. With me being her commanding officer, and her about to turn eighteen, myself in my early twentys, I'm just don't know." Roy turned the corner, now nearing his house.

"It's correct to assume that you're waiting on equal terms?" Riza asked.

"Waiting, for what?" a befuddled Roy asked back.

"Waiting to tell everyone else, other activities on her own terms." Riza spoke with some empathise on the last few words.

"Oh, of course," he cleared his throat, "I made that clear the moment we began seeing each other. I didn't want Edeline to get the wrong idea."

Riza retained her laughter at the sight of the man's awkwardness. Before she would have never asked such a question, but she felt it appropriete timing.

"I say that if both parties are comfortable with each other, and the circumstances, than let it all happen how it's going to," Riza advised.

Parking the car, and before getting out, Roy thanked the woman sincerely.

"Anytime Roy. Now let's start cooking."