Chapter 9
As the flames spread through the building, more eruptions could be heard as they enveloped the crates which were discovered too late to be carrying explosives trigged by the intense heat of the Flame Alchemists power. The sound was deafening and the smoke choking to everyone in the area. Several of the MP's stationed outside were caught in the explosion while others scattered to safer ground.
It didn't take long before several State Alchemists managed to subdue the flames, the fate the Colonel and Lieutenant dismal as they fought the alchemy induced flames.
A large man dressed in military garb pushed past the small gathering of alchemists and MP's as they finished containing the scene. They made no attempt to stop him, no one would have dared. He pushed his way carefully but with purpose through the wreckage and towards the low stone wall that looked out of place and blacked with soot.
From behind the wall, two bodies lay, one on top of the other. Both were coughing and struggling to breathe.
"-iza…" Mustang tried to speak but gave in to another coughing fit. The female waved her hand slightly signifying she was more or less alright, her head was still bowed to the ground and she coughed.
Just as quickly as the stone wall appeared around them, it fell in a pile of alchemical stone. The garbed man stood over them, his face filled with concern and fear of what he might have found.
"COLONEL! LIEUTENANT! IM SO HAPPY YOU'RE BOTH ALIVE! I WAS AFRAID I WAS GOING TO BE TOO LATE." Major Armstrong exclaimed, his relief evident in his tone. "We found out only moments before what were in the crates!" He explained as he helped the two gently back to their feet being as gentle as he could in case of any injuries. Roy merely nodded, his throat burned violently from the smoke, no doubt Riza suffered the same. With Armstrong's help the three made their way out of the charred debris.
There wasn't much left of the building, any of the wood was burned away and the old stone walls were only partially standing, most had been blown away from the explosions. It was a stupid move on his part. He had walked blindly into the building and for that he almost got them both killed. Their enemy knew him and had banked on him using alchemy- knew that he would have wanted revenge for what they did to Riza and wouldn't hesitate to act. The men were nothing more than scapegoats, never meant to walk away from all this. Luckily for him and the wars he fought in his reflexes were still quick. After dragging Riza to the ground he managed to use his alchemy to control the fire that enveloped around them at bay enough to spare the two, leaving a small pocket of oxygen. The stone wall created by Armstrong most likely saved them, separating the two from the fires intense heat and a large amount of smoke.
"…Roy… I'm sorry I couldn't protect you." Riza managed to choke out between coughs. Armstrong supported her around her waist as they cleared the area and were meet by a medical team that treated their injuries, most minor scrapes and bruises. It was than Riza finally noticed her arm covered in dried, dirty blood from where the bullet grazed her.
Roy grudgingly allowed someone to treat his injuries after insistence from Armstrong. He kept his cool amazing well under the circumstances, his insides were stirring. He hated being toyed with. He hated other people getting hurt because of him. He hated her getting hurt because of him.
"It wasn't your fault. You have nothing to apologize for."
Riza stared down at his gun she still held in her hand and turned it to examine each side with scrutiny and thought. A sweep of the ruins produced no further survivors. The men's charred remains were found inside the building as well as those of several MP's outside. Those that survived were being treated for varying degrees of injuries.
After being released by the medics, Mustang insisted he was well enough to drive. Major Armstrong tried to convince him otherwise but Mustang had lost too many times today and refused to let this go. He felt fine and nothing would stop him from having this one moment of liberty.
Mustang won the argument for once and was allowed to drive Hawkeye and himself home. He knew tomorrow there would be a full investigation taking place and with it, many questions to answer and a headache to follow- but that was tomorrow. He'd deal with that when it came. After showing and cleaning up they were visited by several concerned coworkers. Kain Fuery even had to come by to drop Black Hayate off and give them any update on what they found after they left. Or so that was his excuse for why they can come, Mustang suspected there was other reasons but didn't say anything.
They didn't stay long. When Fuery was satisfied the two were alright and his nerves were eased, he excused himself commenting it was going to be a long day tomorrow and he still had to make a couple of stops before heading home himself.
Roy sat in the quiet room, his elbows on his knees and his head resting on his knuckles. "Riza, I-" Roy started to try and apologize for the events today. His words were cut off as Riza leaned in close; he lifted his head in curiosity and was met with a pair a soft lips pressing up against his. The kiss was warm and passionate, without fully realizing it he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to him, deepening the kiss between them. When they released, much to Roy's disappointment, Riza sat up, pushing back from him in embarrassment, her cheeks flushing red for more than one reason.
"I'm sorry. That was too forward of me, you're my superior after all…" Riza stammered. "I just wanted to say I don't blame you at all for what happened today. You didn't know and if you hadn't acted we probably wouldn't have survived. Please don't beat yourself up about it."
"For now, can we just be Roy and Riza? I'm not your superior at the moment. I'm Roy. Just Roy Mustang." He flashed the kind smile that made Riza weak in the knees, how could she fall for someone that was her commanding officer.
"It's against Military reg-" This time it was Riza's turn to be cut off mid-sentence. Roy placed a finger to her lips to silence her.
"Screw the regulations. I've never been one for following rules." He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her down onto the couch with him in another kiss. If she regretted this when she got her memory back, he could die a happy, happy man.
Riza awoke and at first was confused as to why she could sit up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she glanced about and noticed the cause of it. Roy's arm was draped lazily over her chest and his leg hung over hers securely pinned her to him. He was fast asleep, his breathing tickling the back of her neck. They must have fallen asleep on the couch at some point. Not wanting to wake him she shifted slightly to try and get a look at the time.
"Roy…" She whispered quietly. When he didn't answer she tried again, rubbing his hand gently until he stirred, letting out a disappointed groan.
"Shh, sleep now." He murmured groggily, tightening his grip around her to prevent her from moving.
"Roy… if we don't get up now, we'll be late." She hated being the one to ruin the comfortable peace they were sharing but she also didn't want him to get in trouble for being late, it was bad enough that if they were found there would be severe consequences.
"We'll call in sick. They won't care… sleep…" He urged pathetically. Riza wanted to. Oh how she wanted to! However she couldn't.
Riza chuckled at his lame reason. "You know you can't do that. Not after yesterday."
Roy grumbled something incoherent and shifted again, Riza flinched a bit as a soft voice tickled her ear. It was kind but held a teasing chastising tone to it. "You know, you always have been a joy killer." Riza chuckled and with his allowance she shifted so that she was now facing him.
"Someone has to. Otherwise we would just lie here all day and nothing would ever get done." She gave him a soft kiss before sitting up, leaving the wonderful embrace of his arms and heading off to get ready for work. It pained her as much as it did him no doubt but she could let what they had effect their job. She was slowly coming to terms with what had happened to her and she thought that perhaps she didn't need to remember. Maybe she was better off not knowing, what if when she did remember it would change the way she felt about him? The way he felt about her?
AN: Squee! I totally wanted to make that royai scene longer. So many ideas but alas, another time I suppose!
