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Chapter 9

I was there for you

Fortunately, the bullet hadn't hurt so much his shoulder. That's what the nurse said as she bandaged it. He looked at Riza who was near him, on the bed next to his. She wasn't conscious yet. The nurse explained him that the shock and the adrenaline were the reason for her sudden faint. She had a perfusion in one of her arms that now were bandaged too. To Roy's relief, the doctors said Riza was going to be alright as soon as she wakes up. Roy had lost the matter of the time long ago. He only knew it was evening when he had reached the building so now maybe it was midnight. In the morning, they were going to take the train and return to Central. One of the soldiers had called the Fuhrer and explained the whole situation to him.

The innocent girl that was laying next to his bed, fast asleep, was the same girl who one hour ago saved his life. As messed up as the situation she had been, she had pulled herself together for him and shot someone. At least, she could rest for now. And he intended to do the same as he rested his head on the pillows and closed his eyes. Only in that moment he realized how tired he was, as the whole day replayed in his mind.

He opened his eyes as soon as he heard Riza's murmurs and whimpers. She was having a nightmare. He stretched his hand to her bed and pressed his palm against hers, holding it. The next moment she was breathing normally again, sleeping deeply.


Riza woke up, but didn't open her eyes. She tried to remember everything that happened and shivered. Roy. Was he okay? She remembered him being shot. She opened her eyes insecure. She breathed in relief as she saw him sleeping peacefully in the bed next to hers. Her eyes widened and her heart started to gun as she noticed his hand holding hers.

It was so easy to say that he cared much for her. After all, he had risked his life only to save her. She rubbed her thumb against his palm. She didn't intend to wake him up, but as soon as she saw him opening his eyes, she brusquely drew back her palm from his, blushing and hugging her knees to her chest.

"Sorry." They both said in the same time and averted their gaze.

"You were having a nightmare and I…" She starred at him. Had he really done that? She could only imagine Rebecca's squeaks when she would tell her about all that happened.

"Don't worry, in fact, thanks for everything. I am happy you are here." She confessed shyly.

"That is only because of you. I don't think I would have resisted that much with those guys that were stabbing you if I were in your place." He said and shook his head disgusted.

"Actually, the whole time I thought about what you would have done if you had been in my place. So I survived." She showed him her sincere smile. He was proud of her. He resisted the urge to wrap her into his arms. She seemed so fragile, but he wanted to touch her, to make sure she was alive, next to him.

Hence, they were both messed up.

Soon after the nurses visited them, they could walk on their feet. Riza's feet were trembling a bit but Roy had assured her that he wasn't going to let her fall. Before they could leave the hospital, she insisted on visiting Caporal Johnson's room. Roy also wanted to see how the soldier was feeling. After Riza apologized for hitting his head so hard, Johnson spoke:

"Don't worry. It was for a noble cause. Yes, boy, I'm referring to you. I haven't ever seen someone so young, yet so smart. You have a big potential."

"I only did what seemed logical, sir. It's not such a great thing." He said as he awkwardly dragged a hand through his hair. They chatted a little more and followed the other soldiers to the station so they could take the train to Central.

Before arriving to the station, they stopped at Riza's home so she could take her luggage. Happily, the gang had done nothing to it. What worried her was how her dad's office looked like. It was clearly that Kimblee had searched for any clues of Flame Alchemy. She promised herself to call her father in Central and explain everything to him.

In the train, Roy and Riza stayed in their own compartment. Riza seemed lost in her thoughts as she was starring outside the window.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes, it's just…I'm thinking about father. Am I doing what's right?" Roy looked at her as she sighed. She was having second thoughts.

"He will understand. After all, you couldn't have spent your holidays alone, could you? You just wanted to see your grandpa after all this time. You're doing what's right." She nodded to herself. His words were making her feel better. She felt the adrenaline again rush through her veins. She couldn't wait to see Central after all those years. And for the first time since her mother died, she couldn't wait for Christmas! She had to take her thoughts away from her father.

"Hey, do you have that gun? The one I used…"

"Sure." He said as he got it out from his jacket. "I want to return it back to the Fuhrer. He gave it to me." Riza took the gun and inspected it. She didn't have the time to do that while shooting Kimblee. She got the bullets out of it and took from her luggage a screwdriver and a napkin and started to disassemble it and clean it.

"I guess I'm never going to forget my first shot bullet." She said while inspecting every piece.

"Well, it's an important moment, mainly for someone so in love with guns as you. Really, I've never seen someone so happy when cleaning a gun. I mean, I haven't seen anybody doing it until I met you, but still…" He said smiling. The girls he knew liked to dance or sing, but Riza was the first one to like guns.

"It's just, fascinating. It's different from my mum's. I think I can assemble it back anyway." He realized she was usually cleaning guns when being stressed. An unusual habit for a young girl, but that's why Roy was considering her interesting and mysterious. While she was focusing on the gun, a question came up in her mind. How come she hadn't asked herself this before?

"How did you know I was kidnapped?"

"Miss Brown called me and said that they had broken into the house and took you." Suddenly, Riza stopped her hands and glanced to Roy.

"I was in the cemetery when they took me away." Roy frowned. He was sure about what Miss Brown had said.

"That's strange…how did she knew they kidnapped you if you haven't been in the house when they broke into it?" She said as she looked over the window "and that means she was at home, which means that she had no reason to know that they kidnapped you."

"Hmm, yes, it seems more like she knew they were after me." Riza shook her head. That option was impossible. How could a nice lady like Miss Brown know some dangerous guys like them. "But that is impossible. She couldn't have been part of this because she called you to come and save me."

Roy shrugged. Riza had a point, but he made a mental note to think later about all the possibilities. Riza assembled back the gun and charged it back. She handed it back to Roy. He was very quiet. And that was something very bizarre as he always enjoyed talking and joking. She could bet he had a lot on his mind. After all Kimblee had revealed to him she wondered if it was a good idea to talk to him about that. He was the one that was usually asking her if she was alright. She didn't know if she'll be good at this kind of discussions. She certainly had to try.

"If you want to talk to someone about what Kimblee told you, you know I'm here."

"It's so evidently that that's what I am thinking about?"

"I only guessed." She said and shrugged. "At least they took him to the Military Headquarters. You've been strong there, in front of everyone. You could have attacked him and-"

"Risked your life. That guy wasn't the reason I came there, nor my family problems. I was there for you. I have to admit I was extremely tempted to shoot him, but then I wouldn't have been better than him. I am not a murderer." He said and looked at the train's floor.

"Of course you're not." She said and then added. "What a dramatic entrance." She had to make him smile. "You, followed by all those soldiers."

Roy cleared his throat and took a prideful posture. "Did it really look as great as it seemed?"

"Yes. I bet you scared the hell out of them."

Riza had managed to obtain a couple of smiles and even chuckles from Roy by the time the train reached Central. She hoped she had improved his mood. In the station, there was a group of Amestrian soldiers waiting specially for them to take them to Fuhrer's house. Riza was very excited about being in Central, Roy could tell that by the gleam in her eyes.

They got into the car. Riza was looking through the window. There were higher buildings than in The East and the people were more lively. After ten minutes, the car stopped in front of a huge mansion surrounded by a big fence.

"This is the Fuhrer President's mansion, Miss. He is currently waiting for you in his office. The guards will take you two to him." Riza nodded.

"Mustang, there's no need for you to come with me. You really did enough. You should go home and rest." She said while playing with a lock of her blonde hair. She was very nervous to see her grandfather.

"I promised to the Fuhrer that I am going to bring you in one piece back to him. Until I don't see you right next to him, I won't leave you alone. What if you fall down the stairs? Then who will be responsible for that?"

The soldiers from the front seats tried to muffle their chuckles while Riza rolled her eyes playfully. "Then, let's go." She said and they both got out of the car. Roy lifted her luggage and two other soldiers opened the gates of the Mansion. Another two showed them the way inside through the well tended garden.

They entered a luxurious living-room and followed the guards on some stairs until they reached a corridor and continued to walk until the guards stopped in front of a door. Riza grasped Roy's forearm and Roy gave her a reassuring glance. She let go of him and the guards knocked at the door. They entered and Roy and Riza followed them in the large office.

As soon as they came in, the Fuhrer got up from his desk and before the guards could say anything he waved to them to leave him alone with Roy and Riza.

"Grandpa…" Riza said and hugged him tightly. Grumman hugged her too. Roy could swear Fuhrer's eyes were teary. They broke apart and Grumman inspected her again.

"When did you grow up so much? You look exactly like your mother, I swear." Riza smiled at the hearing of the comparing.

"Well, you haven't changed at all. You look just like I remember you." She added/

"Unfortunately, I'm getting older. But you can't stop the time, can you?" he said and chuckled. "I really missed you. Do you remember these places?" She shook her head and answered: "Unfortunately I don't remember anything about this house." "Well, you have enough time to inspect it." He cleared his voice and looked at Roy smiling profoundly.

"Thank you, boy. You did really bring her back safely. If you ever need something don't hesitate to ask me. For whatever you wish."

Roy dragged ruffled his hair awkwardly.

"Sir, there's no need for such things. Riza's my friend. It was perfectly normal to save her. Furthermore, she saved my life too." He said as he got the gun out of his jacket and handed it back to the Fuhrer. Grumman saw that Riza bit her bottom lip as she saw the gun and knew not to ask her about what had happened yet.

"You are just being modest." Riza and Grumman said at the same time. "I want to hear everything that happened these days. But for now, you both are tired. Roy, an officer will drive you to Chris' bar."

"Thank you, sir."

Riza followed Roy outside the mansion, to the car. Before he could get in, their eyes locked. The air of the night was cold and it was starting to snow. It was easy for them both to talk through glances so as an answer to a consent, they hugged tightly. They both needed that. They both needed to know that everything was alright. The warmth of the hug made them forget it was December and it was snowing.

Roy caressed her soft hair as she was pressing her hands against his back.

"I'm glad you're alright, Riza. You have no idea how worried I've been." He whispered to her.

"I knew you would come to me. I simply felt it."

For the second time, Riza confirmed to herself that his aftershave scent and his words were reassuring her just as much as disassembling a gun. Or maybe more, because disassembling a gun required only one person.

They broke apart and shivered as they felt the low temperature. Riza's cheeks were bright red and Roy decided to tease her.

"Are you blushing, Hawkeye?"

"What? No! Don't you see how cold it is?" She said gesturing nervously.

"Yes, sure. That's why you should go inside so you won't catch a cold during holydays."

"Yes, right." Roy was about to get in the car when added:

"I'm taking you tomorrow by one o'clock, okay?"

"What? Where?" She asked with an amused face.

"It's a surprise. Furthermore, I want to show you the city." He answered mysteriously and got in the car. She returned inside and found her grandpa in an armchair in the living-room. It amazed her how thoughtfully were making her the discussions with Roy. She sat on the couch and they started to talk.

"I want to write a letter to my father-"

"He called me instantly after he listened to the news. I explained everything to him."

"The news?!"

"Yes. It said that they found some hurt young boys in an abandoned building in East. Your father saw that you don't answer the phone so called me to send some soldiers to you in case of everything. He was extremely shocked to hear that I've already done that."

Her father had called Grumman, one of the people he hated the most, only to tell him to check on her? Maybe she exaggerated a bit when she had yelled at him the fact that he didn't care at all about her.

"I hope you didn't argue."

"Ah, well, maybe a little. You didn't tell me that he was going to leave you alone during holydays. This is unacceptable." Grumman said using a concerned voice.

"Grandpa. You know him, he consecrated his life to alchemy. I suppose it's sometimes hard for him to notice anything aside from it. I am used to loneliness and it's not such a bad thing." She said and shrugged while a maid brought them two cups of hot tea. Riza's cold hands became warmer as she pressed them against the cup.

"Roy seems to be a nice boy. Isn't your father too harsh with him?"

"Fortunately, no. They work a lot with alchemy, but Roy is very ambitious so he has no problems with my father's character."

They chatted a lot that night and around midnight Riza went to her room following the maid. She was astonished to see a large room with a huge bed. She had her own personal bathroom that was also big. She liked the most the balcony from where she could see the whole town.

Everything was feeling alright. Riza sighed relived as she let the cold wind ruffle her hair. The moments she felt everything was okay were very rare.

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