I am so sorry this took so long! I got caught up writing a few new one-shots (sadly, one died) and I had this amazing inspired moment that led me to write a chapter for later while I was "in the zone". Sorry!

Thanks to everyone who has reviewed thus far! That's cyclonealchemist, KTRose, winglessfairy25, kklegolas06, lili, hmmingbird, Lady Kanameko, Rhyssa Fireheart, OTP, icarus enjoyed the view, MoonStarDuchess, aqua-eyed mystery520, and stephy the great!

Now, on with the chapter! (There's a lot of background in here, but it will come in handy later. Please bear with me.)

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As Grumman left the house Roy and Riza sat in the breakfast room, eating their breakfasts in silence. When Riza finished her meal she spoke up.

"I'm going to wash my dishes. Come on out to the kitchen when you're done." She waited until he nodded before going into the kitchen. As she finished washing her dishes, he entered the kitchen. Roy cursed Grumman's timing as he washed the dishes. Riza had pulled back into her office personality, aloof and brisk. He just hoped she wouldn't stay that way. Riza led him out through the breakfast room and back into the hallway. They paused long enough for her to point out her grandfather's study again and a small bathroom before they reached the front hall.

"The party will be out here. They will open the doors to the parlor on the left and the ballroom off to the right. What you will be really interested in is through here." She indicated a door built into the side of the staircase, disguised as a part of the staircase's support. Riza opened the door carefully, revealing a small landing at the top of a narrow staircase. As he followed Riza down the stairs, he noticed how well she was managing the steep stairs. Either she had been up all night practicing, or the salve the doctor had given her. With Riza, he actually wondered for a minute which one it was. As he dwelled on this train of thought he almost ran into Riza at the bottom of the stairs.

The stairway had left them at the end of a dimly lit hallway. The hallway took a sharp turn and ended abruptly with two doors. Riza turned to Roy to explain. "The wine cellar, icehouse, and servant's quarters used to be down here. Since there are no full time servants anymore, and they don't need an icehouse, those sections were converted. The wine cellar is mostly intact. That's this door." She gestured to the door on the right before opening the left door.

Roy was surprised. He'd known that the Grummans were a big military family, wealthy, and the Lieutenant General was a bit of an eccentric, but this was a bit extreme, even for him. He could see a small shooting range through the first doorway on the left, and beyond were closed doors with signs on them Roy began reading them as Riza poked her head into the shooting range. Cassidy, Wolfe, Cohler, Andars. He read the words along the right wall, realizing that these must be the rooms that Grumman's men used. There were more names along the left wall, but he didn't have time to read them before a gunshot rang out, startling him into following Riza.

"Wolfe!" Rizacalled out, signaling to the gunner. Roy followed her into the shooting range as the woman in the room came over. "Roy, this is Lyn Wolfe. Lyn, this is Roy Mustang." She introduced them quickly.

"Nice to meet you." The young redhead piped. Roy nodded.

"Lyn is a sniper too. She's been under my grandfather's command for about two years." Riza explained. Roy's brow wrinkled at the mention of the young woman's specialty. Riza noticed his expression and hastened to put his confusion to rest. "She's too young to have been in Ishbal. Remember, I was pulled out of the Academy to go, no one younger than me would have been there." She reassured him.

"Yeah, I'm just 23. Young enough not to have been shipped out, old enough to have been compared to Riza in every marksmanship class. Though come to think of it, the instructors are probably still singing her praises." The girl joked before turning back to Riza. "James, Andars, Cohler, and I go on duty in about half an hour. I'll go get them." She hurried off to fetch the men.

"So," Roy glanced over at Riza. "Do you have competitor in her? I don't want to be known as the officer with the second best sniper in the army under his command." He joked, trying to help her relax a little.

"She doesn't have my experience. Someday she may be better than I am, but last time I was here she was new and a bit cocky." She shrugged, ready to leave it at that.

"You don't mean she challenged you in a contest?!?" He laughed incredulously.

Describing her as "cocky" was being generous, Roy thought. Cocky and stupid might suit that choice better. But the young woman seemed bright enough, and though he had only been in the house for a little while, he was already starting to sense a certain unusual unity in the house. It reminded him distinctly of his own office.

"She did. I think she was just trying to impress the guys. So we did have the contest…" Riza trailed off, shaking her head at the younger sniper's foolhardiness.

"And you taught me a lesson I will never forget." Finished the redhead as she reentered, this time followed by three men.

"Hawkeye, it's good to see you again. Maybe you can give Lyn here some more pointers, we all know she needs them." A slight man joked, coming forward to shake Riza's hand. The other two men nodded to her before laughing at the other man's joke.

"Hey! James, I'm not bad, just not as good as Hawkeye!" Yelped the sniper in question, smacking him laughingly. "And you are being rude. You haven't let Riza introduce the guest." She reprimanded him, still joking.

"Roy, this is James Cassidy. Cassidy, this is Roy Mustang. Cassidy is the C.O. of my grandfather's security" Riza introduced the two, seeing Cassidy's eyes widen at the Colonel's name. Riza knew that James was a soldier in Ishbal, she had met him there and introduced him to her Grandfather. He knew Roy by reputation.

"Hawkeye, we heard you were attacked. Are they after everyone who was there?" Cassidy asked offhandedly as he led them back into the hall. Riza shook her head, entering a common room down the hall from the range, behind him.

"No, Cassidy. It seems like they are just after the snipers for whatever reason. And now Roy because he had to get himself involved" She reassured him, a hint of reproach threading its way into the end of the comment.

"Riza, we have been over this. You know what would have happened if I hadn't come when I did." Roy shot back warningly. Cassidy coughed lightly to remind them of his presence. The two looked over at him, recalled from their argument long enough to sit down.

"But you both got out of there ok. And now you're with us, so you know nothing can happen to you." The man smiled at them reassuringly. "So, what's the damage? I heard there was someone else there too." He asked, looking his companions over for injuries. Riza began to speak, but Roy cut her off.

"Riza ripped up her knees on some shattered glass. She's got some other scratches beyond that." He explained, knowing Riza wouldn't tell the whole truth. Riza tried to pull the hem of her skirt down even further over her injured knees and bandages when Cassidy looked over at her.

"Do you remember Carol Warren? She was the sniper I used to bring to our mess sometime." Riza reminded her old comrade, a small expression of worry coming over her features.

"Yeah, I remember her. Nice girl. Oh no. Don't tell me she was the other person… Where is she?" He asked, as the truth slowly came over him.

"She's still in the hospital. The doctors wouldn't let her leave; the surgery didn't go well. She caught a bullet in the side. Grandfather ordered a guard for her." Riza explained, her frown growing deeper. As they sat there contemplating Carol's condition there was a sudden burst of talk in the hallway.

"Oh, sounds like the night guys are back. I've gotta go. Anything else you needed?" The man looked over at them as he stood to leave.

"Yes, would you mind taking care of Black Hayate?" Riza asked, glancing down at the ball of fluff sleeping near her feet. "I can't take him outside since I'm a target. Grandfather's orders." She explained.

"No problem. I'll tell the night guys we have a new recruit on the way out. See you later." Cassidy called as he headed out of the room. Roy turned to Riza as she rose from her seat.

"Was he…" Roy began, trailing off when he was sure Riza understood.

"Yes, he was part of the infantry. He was removed from the Crimson Alchemist's men three weeks before he turned on his men. James came and apologized to me for his C.O. without his knowledge when he singled me out once." Riza winced at the memories that came back at the mention of the alchemist. His kind was the reason alchemists were so frequently blamed for Ishbal.

She changed the subject quickly. "Come on, I'll introduce you to the night guard and then we can go back upstairs." Roy followed her out of the room, making a mental note to avoid the topic of the other alchemist in the future.

"Hawkeye! How are you?" A man a bit older than Roy called down the hall to Riza as she stepped out of the common room. "Ceras, Rawlant, the hawk is back! Carlis, get out here, the boss's granddaughter's here." He called to the other members of his watch as he walked down the hall. "Carlis is new since you were here last." He explained, pulling a cigarette out of his pocket. "Speaking of new, who's this guy?" Riza looked at Roy's taken aback expression and smiled.

"Roy, this is Tanner Velta. Velta, this is Roy Mustang." The men briefly greeted each other as the three other men filtered into the hallway. "Tanner grew up in the same town as Havoc." Riza explained. Roy had known Velta had reminded him of someone.

"Ceras, Rawlant, you know Hawkeye. And this is her colonel. You know, the one Havoc complains about so much." Velta introduced them, as Riza shook her head at his lack of tact. "Carlis, this is First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye. She's the chief's granddaughter and can outshoot anyone. She comes around every now and then. And this is Colonel Roy Mustang, he's one of the best alchemists around." The young man saluted, his smile not reaching his dark eyes.

"Velta, we are going back upstairs. Havoc should come with our paperwork in about half an hour if you'd like to speak to him." Riza acknowledged the other men one last time before heading to the door. Roy followed quickly after her.

"What are you going to do until Havoc brings our work?" He asked as they ascended the stairs to the front hall.

"I thought I might read. If grandfather were here I'd play chess but as he's not-" She shrugged, waiting for a response before continuing on to her room.

"I'll play you." He answered, walking to the stairs. When he saw her slightly amused expression he laughed. "I need some way to redeem myself!" The poor man had no way of knowing how hard that would be.

"Fine, but I won't go easy on you. What's your record with my grandfather, eight losses?" She threw back at him as she carefully climbed the stairs. She was obviously trying not to put too much strain on her injuries. Roy sighed, for someone so down to earth and practical, Hawkeye had an amazing knack for be impractical about her own circumstances.

"Riza, have you considered just staying on one floor until tomorrow night so you'll feel better at the party?" He suggested the solution as they reached the top of the stairs. To his chagrin, Riza merely shook her head and ushered him into her rooms.

Once they were inside, Roy shut the door and Riza drew a small, folded chess set out from underneath her desk. She gently placed it on the table between the two armchairs in the room and opened the case. Roy took a seat to help her set the board.

"When did you start playing chess?" Tired of the silence, Roy tried to strike up a conversation.

"After Ishbal I received a letter from Central Headquarters. It was from my grandfather. He had seen my name on a list of soldiers and recognized it. He'd had Intelligence do some research and confirm that I was his granddaughter before contacting me. One of the first things he did as we got to know each other was teach me to play chess." She responded, moving one of her pale pawns.

"I learned from your father. Apparently he played chess with your grandfather before he took up alchemy and they stopped speaking." He moved a piece on the board and waited for Riza's next move.

They played in silence for a few minutes, the only sounds were the chessmen moving from place to place on the board. Roy removed one of his opponent's bishops as she spoke again.

"I'm sorry my grandfather has been pestering you." Riza cautiously broached the subject that had lingered around them all morning. She moved one of her pieces, not looking up at her opponent.

"Not at all. It's actually how I found out that you two were related. I had to trick Maes into finding information on the Lieutenant General's family. He was surprised when he found out who the granddaughter was." Riza laughed at the comment.

"Not nearly as surprised as I was, I can assure you. Why did you have to trick him?" Riza watched Roy's move with apprehension as he went to take one of her knights.

"Imagine if I told him that your grandfather had offered me his granddaughter. Maes would never have let it go. Aren't you glad I was that prudent?" He smirked, envisioning his lieutenant's response to hearing gossip about the proposed match. "He's spoken to you too, then? " He asked, more to ward off yet another long silence than anything else.

"Yes, I am thankful for your prudence and yes, he has spoken to me." Riza responded, still avoiding his gaze as she took one of his chessmen from the board. "He likes you, and he knows that my father approved of you at least enough to train you." Upon placing the piece to the side, Riza looked up at her companion.

"At least." Roy agreed, continuing the game and eliciting a questioning glance from the woman opposite him. "Nothing, just something your father said before he died." He tried to dismiss it, but Riza stopped him.

"What did he say? When I heard you call I heard him apologize for not being around, but that's all." Roy sat back, looking intently at her, not making the slightest motion to put the queen in his hand down.

"I won't tell your grandfather if you don't want me to, but your father said something about you to me before he died. I remembered it last night." Roy paused, trying to decide whether or not to tell her.

"Roy, please. I want to know." Riza's voice shook with the unusual traces of strain. Roy was taken aback for a moment before answering.

"He told me 'Roy, I'll leave my daughter to you.' Those were his exact words." Roy almost regretted telling her at the look of shock that came over her face. Riza lapsed into a pensive silence for a moment before allowing herself to speak.

"Thank you for telling me." She said, her voice a little tight with surprise and emotion. "But you're right. We'd never get a moment's peace if my grandfather were to hear that. Particularly my father's exact words." Roy put the queen down where he wanted it gently.

"Are you ok?" His tone was full of concern, but all Riza could do was nod certainly before they heard they heard someone calling them.

"Colonel? Lieutenant?" Havoc's raspy tones rang though the front hall, barely reaching them, ensconced as they were in Riza's rooms. Riza began to rise, but Roy gestured firmly to her to keep her seat. He stood, accidentally bumping into the table so a few chessmen fell, before hastening to the door.

As he left, Riza brushed quickly at her eyes, trying to compose herself. Sighing, she surveyed the ruined game. She hadn't thought she would be so affected. After all, she had barely spoken to her father around the time of his death.

Roy hurried down the stairs to get the papers from Havoc and Furey. Furey handed him the papers as Havoc spoke. "Chief, where's Hawkeye?" He inquired, anxious to garner some information for the bet.

"Riza's upstairs. I am insisting that she relax for a while so she can heal." He responded, tiredly regarding the paperwork. "All of this is for us?"

"Yes, sir." Furey quipped, not noticing the man coming from behind his superior officer. Havoc, on the other hand did.

"Hey Tanner. How's it going?" He asked cheerily, struck by a sudden inspiration.

"I'm going upstairs to get working on this before Riza comes out here with a gun." Roy excused himself as the two old friends began conversing. As he climbed the stairs, he was oblivious to the conversation going on below him. Havoc and Furey were eagerly explaining their bet to Velta and asking for his help with surveillance. Roy did however, hear the man's response as he stooped to pick up a dropped piece of paper.

"Sure I'll keep an eye on them. But I think I'm with Furey on this one. There's definitely something going on. Cassidy said they were bickering like an old, married couple earlier. Four days seems like plenty of time."

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Ah, that's long. I hope you were able to put up with the movement and conversation, I know it's a little awkward. Major bonus points for anyone who can tell me where I came up with the name "Velta". hint: He's in the manga and mentioned only once, in a flashback.