Ta-da! A chapter that is actually on time for once this story! Yeah! I am celebrating like no other. Not just because of this chapter, but because of this week in which nothing will really get done in my life at all. To be honest, idk if there will be an on time chapter next week seeing as how i have an essay due tomorow, auditions on wensday, dance comittee also on wensday, and convention this weekend (so pray for good weather so i can get there). Which means that i wont have the time to write on the weekend, except maybe in the car as long as all of my homework is done, which will be the focus this week. So as a gift in case i dont post, this is a happy chapter. (sorta). Thanks to my two helpers, Mizu and Masta, you get the fun of this chapter, in which i do a bunch of things i had been wanting to since the begining (I was afterschool for three hours, because i needed a ride and Mizu and Masta had play practice, so i got time to write). Oh, and since those two wanted me to change the catapult to a cannon, i did, becuase i think deep down that bothered me too. but anyway, here ya go! and please remember, GIVE ME A REVIEW! more than two this chapter please! thanks


Mustang stood and turned slowly. Riza Hawkeye's bright hazel eyes met his. She looked like she had when he had last seen her in the battle. She wore her military issue pants and boots with her black turtle neck and her blond hair flipped up out of her way. He smiled at the sight of her again, "Lieutenant, are you okay?"

She slapped him, hard. "Are you dense sir? You just agreed to the one thing forbidden from Alchemists, and your biggest concern is where I am okay?"

He looked at her, the determination in his eyes coming back at the sight of her, "It was my decision."

"Yes," she yelled, "but it affects more than just you! You've brought a lot of innocent people, who only wanted to help you, into this mess!"

"I tried to keep them, everyone, out of this," he retorted.

"But surely you realized that I would be put into this. You weren't that stupid were you?"

"What happened to you was my fault. I…"

Riza hit him again, "Please don't tell me that you still blame yourself for what happened to me. I made the decision that ended my life."

****FLASHBACK****

Hawkeye followed the Colonel, flanking him on his right, out of the tent. They were in a war zone, and she knew it. Something had her on edge, though exactly what was a mystery. It couldn't just be that they were at war; she had grown used to that feeling. She focused on her job, protecting the Flame Alchemist by watching his back.

Once they reached halfway through the camp they stopped. She watched her superior look around and she knew what he was looking for. He wanted to give her a good vantage point to help give them cover as the rest of them infiltrated the enemy lines. It was what was best for her talents, but she really didn't want to have to be separated from the others.

"Lieutenant Hawkeye," Roy Mustang said after a moment. He nodded towards one of the only remaining buildings left in the small town that they were outside of, "Go up there and give us cover."

Hawkeye looked back at him, "Sir, I don't know if the building is the safest place. I am sure that the cadets up there…"

Mustang cut her off, "I never thought that you would worry about your own safety."

Her mind spun in circles. Did she follow orders and go where he told her to, or did she go with her instinct and stay close to her team? No, there was no question; she would do as he told her this time. "It's not my safety, sir" she told him, "I just am thinking about…" she let the thought drop. It didn't matter anyway.

"Go," Mustang said smiling at her, "That's an order." She didn't argue with him. She clicked her heels together and saluted, "Best of luck to you in battle sir."

He saluted her back, "Don't worry, this battle is just wrapping up. Just do me a favor and don't get hurt, and I will do the same." He turned away from her, "And don't forget to watch my back while I try and get close." She watched him walk away, leading Falman, Fuery, Breda and Havoc to the battle.

Hawkeye turned away and sprinted towards the building. She made it to the building and ran up the stairs, passing many young cadets who had stopped to salute her.

Without a word to anyone she set up her position at the top most window. The younger cadets were too afraid to even think about trying to hit anything from up there, but she knew better. As long as you compensated the height when lining up your trajectory, you would hit clear without any problem.

It took her a moment to find the Flame Alchemist. He was still standing on their side of the battle and for that she was grateful. She had hoped that he would wait for her to get into position so that she could help. She lined up and shot one enemy soldier that had recklessly attempted to cross the middle ground. This shot was the signal; Mustang could now tell that she was in position.

For what seemed like too long she sent shot after shot stopping anyone before they could get in the Colonel's way. This should be nerve wracking, but she was calm for some reason. She could tell that the rest of her team was starting to become tired of the continuous struggle for survival in the war.

After a little while longer and good handfuls of successful kills, she watched along the enemy lines. Suddenly shouts from the cadets in the building erupted.

"Lieutenant," one cadet called running up the stairs. Hawkeye fired another shot and kept her eyes on the field, on Mustang.

"Sir, there's an issue," the cadet said urgently. "The enemy is moving what seems to be a cannon."

Hawkeye fired another shot before she took a second to spot what the cadet was talking about. A cannon had been brought towards the front lines of the enemy army. "Lieutenant," the cadet begged, "They have this building in the trajectory path. We need to evacuate!"

Hawkeye located the Colonel and team again, "Then evacuate," she told the cadet. She sighed, her mind moving on to other things. The Colonel's destructive flames had attracted the attention of the enemy and her team was in trouble.

"But sir," the cadet pleaded.

Hawkeye kept her focus on the field when she addressed the subordinate, "You need to leave so you can continue to fight another time."

The cadet was exasperated at the woman, "Lieutenant…"

"If you are going to keep saying that then treat me as your superior," Lieutenant Hawkeye snapped, "Go, that's an order!" She listened as the footsteps of the young cadet faded. Riza didn't stop firing at the enemy, she couldn't. She had to protect Mustang; that was her job.

She was aware of the bomb now being loaded into the cannon, but she was even more aware of her team in need.

She watched as a man on the other line pointed urgently. Even though she couldn't hear him, she could tell the general message. The man was telling another soldier to attack the Flame Alchemist.

She hesitated as time seemed to slow to her. She could leave the building to insure her own safety and pray that Havoc would take over and save Mustang. The other option was to stay put and take control of the situation, knowing that she would not live. But if Mustang died, it wouldn't make any difference, she would die too. And if she died and he lived, it wouldn't matter. He would survive, and his survival meant that he could meet his goals. If he being able to meet his goal meant the end of her, so be it. There really was never a decision, she would save him.

Riza Hawkeye lined up her scope precisely with the assailant. She closed her eyes and pulled the trigger causing the man to drop dead before he could harm the Alchemist. As she felt the trigger release, she heard the whizzing of the cannon firing. The building shook violently upon the impact of the bomb. She knew she was out of time.

Hawkeye put the gun on the floor. She stood and took a step back so that she could still see out the window but no one could see her from the ground. Flames started to cover her surroundings. She looked out the window and flinched. Mustang was sprinting back towards the building at a dead run.

The building creaked, it was ready to collapse. A single tear fell from Riza's eye. "Sorry Roy," she whispered. Just then the sensation of falling filled her body and everything disappeared in a blinding light.

****END FLASH BACK****

Hawkeye looked away from the Colonel. She clenched her fist tightly. "I went because…. it was my job. Please sir," she begged desperately, "Stop blaming yourself."

"No," he argued, "It was my job. 'Protect your subordinates,' is one thing I try to uphold. I didn't protect you." He laughed sadly after a moment, "Look at us Hawkeye. Are we really using these precious moments to argue whose fault this situation is?"

This made her smile, "You're right," she said turning back to face him, "In the end it doesn't matter. You're an idiot for trying human transmutation."

He smiled too, "And you're an idiot for not running when you had the chance." A silence fell between the two. Mustang's mind was spinning with memories and thoughts. He wanted to tell her everything while it would mean something. "Are you aware of what's happening to make the exchange?" he asked softly.

Hawkeye sighed, "Only that I will lose most memory of what we've been though together." Mustang nodded to himself. That's all she needed to know about the exchange. "Will you be okay?" she asked interrupting his thoughts.

"Yes, I will be. I just wish…" he stopped himself.

She looked away, "What are we going to do, sir?"

"We are going to keep going on the road we're on, no matter how long it is. We don't have a choice." Hawkeye's eyes widened at his words. He grabbed her hand gently and held it. "What are you thinking?" he asked.

"I'm just thinking about what memories I'm losing. I won't remember most of my childhood I guess."

She was sad, Mustang could tell. But this was the reality in front of them. He couldn't change it now even if he wanted to. "No," he corrected her after some thought, "You just won't remember after I showed up. Then again, you will remember me being there. Things would probably start changing after your father's death."

"No," Hawkeye thought, "It would be after I first met you."

Mustang was confused, "Why? The Being said that you would know of my apprenticeship with your father."

"Yes, but that was the first time that I…" she stopped, blushing. Riza looked down, "Sir, why are you holding my hand?"

"Oh," he said sheepishly, though he didn't let go. "Sorry."

"Don't be, I like it," Hawkeye admitted looking at him, "It's calming. It reminds me that…I'm not alone in all of this."

"Hey," The Being's voice echoed through the room, coming from everywhere at once. "You've got a minute left. You might want to hurry it up. The tea party's over when I come back."

Terror pushed its way into Hawkeye's eyes. Mustang hated to see her like this; he wanted to help her. He pulled her close, to him and wrapped his arms around her protectively. This felt right; he could've stayed there holding her forever. He knew it was real then, what he had wanted to tell her. He needed to tell her then so that she would know, even if for a minute, what he had wanted to say for a long time.

"Riza," he called her by name, "Can I tell you something before I lose the chance forever?"

She nodded, locking her arms around his. He pulled her as close to him as he could. She turned to face him. He looked at her and sighed, she was beautiful, just as she always had been.

He kissed her. At first she seemed surprised, but then she let him. He pulled away after a few seconds, "Riza, you mean the world to me. I know you're mad about me using Alchemy to bring you back, but I couldn't last without you. I wanted to have the chance to let you know. I'm sorry, but I love you."

This time, she kissed him. They stood there, kissing without either one showing signs of wanting to stop. This was everything; their world, their forever, their hope.

The Gate started to creek open. Hawkeye reluctantly pulled herself away and looked Mustang in the eyes. "Don't be sorry," she said. "I love you too."


Now that was fun wasnt it? She hit him twice and they kissed twice. And they all lived happily ever after..... WRONG!!! its not over. they still have edward to deal with.
And no one answered my questions from last time! I was reading Scarlet Letter, (well...."reading"). common! the Rose was a dead give away! Ugh....! Anyway! reveiw

Really want to hear from you
Even if its just two words
Very nice to get input
Everyone can do it
Its not too much to ask
When will you get the message?

I Just want a REVEIW!