Lieutenant Colonel Mustang, who had been promoted for his role in the war, had much to talk about at his first weekly chess match with Grumman since he had returned from Ishval. Maes had been absolutely right when he said Roy would need many supporters if he was going to make it to the top. Roy had thought of Grumman almost immediately. Having a General on his side would be invaluable, so he spent most of the chess match explaining his plans to the old man.

"And how do you know you can trust me?"

"Madame Christmas trusts you, sir. She's always spoken so highly of you, so I know I can trust you."

Grumman chuckled.

"Well, I can't argue with that." the old man said, putting Roy into checkmate. "Well played my boy."

Roy frowned at the game board. He had yet to win a game against the General, but he was getting closer. Roy sighed and looked at the clock.

"Thank you for the game sir, but I have to get back to work."

"Ah, just a minute, I have some paperwork I need you to bring to the filing office for me, if you would be so kind."

Grumman stood and walked around his desk, opening up the top drawer and pulling out a stack of documents. Roy followed the General and stood next to him. Out of the corner of his eye, he couldn't help but notice a picture of two women on the desk and he had to do a double take. Taking a closer look, he confirmed that he had not been just seeing things. One of the women in the photograph looked like Riza.

"Lovely, aren't they?" Grumman said, as he handed the paperwork to Roy.

"Ah, yes sir." Roy answered, looking up quickly. "I was just surprised. The brunette looks quite a bit like a friend of mine."

"My daughter. The other was my wife."

Roy stared at the old General, stunned and at a loss for words. Grumman went on to explain, seeing that Roy clearly wanted to ask, but didn't know how.

"Many years ago, my daughter ran away and eloped with a man I didn't like. I was angry when she told me she wanted to marry him and I told her it was either him or her family. She chose him and left. I never heard from her again. Though I did find out when she passed away, but only because of the military's interest in her husband, Berthold Hawkeye."

If Roy's eyes grew any wider, Grumman was sure they'd bulge out of their sockets.

"Yes, that's right, my boy. Riza Hawkeye is my granddaughter. I hadn't even known she existed until I saw her application to the academy in Eastern. She is the only person left who could possibly have that last name, so I knew right away." Grumman paused for a moment, then looked sadly at the photograph then back to Roy. "Please, if you speak to her, don't tell her. I would like to be the one to introduce myself, though I'm not sure when I will, if ever. To be honest, I'm afraid of how she might react."

It took Roy a few moments to clear his head and let this new unbelievable information sink in before he could speak again.

"Sir, if I may speak freely?" he asked, and when Grumman nodded, he continued. "I think...I think she would like to know she has another family member out there. I mean, I obviously can't speak for her, but... She may look stern and she may be reserved, but she's very kind. I think you should tell her sooner rather than later. What's the worst that can happen? If she doesn't want anything to do with you, then nothing changes, right?"

Grumman looked thoughtful and nodded slowly at Roy's words.

"You might be right, Mustang. You might be right."

0000000

The shooting range at the Eastern Academy was empty, save for a lone figure practicing at the far end. The Hawk's Eye made shot after shot, perfectly hitting the target with deadly precision with every pull of the trigger despite the slight pain in her back from every recoil. The solitude she found in the shooting range at late hours was often comforting, though lately it made her think too much. With the war having ended only a month prior and her burns still on the mend, having too much time to think wasn't exactly the calming pastime it used to be.

When the chamber of her handgun was empty, she turned to replace it in the holster she left by her bag leaning against the wall behind her, only to be nearly startled by the sight of an old officer, standing several feet away, watching her. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she hadn't noticed anyone enter the range. The man was smiling behind his wide gray mustache, eyes crinkling around the sides of his glasses as he applauded her. Riza noticed the stars signifying his rank on his shoulders and she immediately stood at attention and saluted, cursing herself for not noticing he was a general sooner. Strike two for her tonight. What was wrong with her lately? Thankfully the old man didn't seem to mind and casually waved her off.

"At ease, cadet." Grumman said, stepping closer to her. "You have quite a good eye, my dear. I'm impressed."

"Thank you, sir." Riza replied, relaxing only slightly. She was very curious and a little apprehensive about what a general would be doing addressing her, and at such an hour too.

"Please, don't let me distract you."

"I was finished anyway, sir. It's no trouble."

"Ah, very well. You are Riza Hawkeye, yes?"

Now Riza was even more apprehensive, but her face remained impassive, as usual.

"Yes, General…?"

"Ah! Where are my manners this evening. Grumman, my dear. I am General Grumman."

Grumman extended a hand and Riza took it, shaking it firmly.

"Did you need something from me, General?" Riza asked, her hand returning to her side.

"I suppose you could say that…" Grumman said cryptically. "When do you graduate?"

"Next month, sir."

"Ah, well, if you don't mind, I would like to be there."

Riza blinked at Grumman, furrowing her brow.

"Erm. I would be honored, sir." Riza said, hesitantly. "But, well... Why?"

Grumman chuckled.

"You remind me quite a bit of my late daughter." He said, pausing a minute before adding, "In fact, she had the same beautiful brown eyes."

With that, Grumman nodded at Riza, a twinkle in his eye, and turned to exit the range, leaving her staring after him in stunned silence.

0000000

I am really sorry this is so short and pretty much nothing happens. I just felt like I needed to get something out there since I've been on vacation for two weeks and wasn't able to write anything in that entire time. Also, I wanted to start the next chapter in a specific way so I needed to cut this here. The next chapter will be far more interesting with Riza finally being assigned under Roy. So see you then!