She began to rise-slowly-but steadily. Intense and unyielding pain seeped up from all sides. It gnarled at her stomach and it sent hammering fists to descend upon her head. Riza was being washed over in this sickening agony. All she had to be grateful for now was that she was away from William, she knew who she was, and most importantly, she knew exactly what she had to do.

Riza removed herself from the blanket and she let her feet drop to the cold ceramic floor. She felt as though standing would only lead to her to tumble over but she also knew that lying in bed would do nothing for her or Roy or Hannah.

"Riza, what are you doing? You need to stay in bed."

Riza looked at her friend, droplets of sweat collected near her forehead. The drug was taking its toll on her body.

"If I'm not there the General will end up doing something reckless."

What Riza meant was that Roy would undoubtedly lash out at William and in a fit of rage he would kill him. Hannah was in the house and it was sure to end in a complete disaster. Rebecca understood this and yet she continued to insist that her friend remain in bed.

Still Riza remained defiant and as stubborn as always.

"Rebecca, I'm leaving whether you help me or not."

Rebecca sighed with irritation. There was no arguing with her. The moment someone tried to get her to do what was best for her, was the moment that Riza wouldn't become painfully stubborn and do what wanted. Rebecca had no choice but to along with her friend's desire.

When Mustang arrived at the Canter home, it was pitch black. Not a single light was showing through the windows.

He went to knock on the door but it was already open. William was expecting him.

Roy was prepared for anything. He adjusted his ignition gloves as he entered the house. He turned on the lights in the living room as he looked about cautiously. Where was that bastard?

"We're in here, General." Called an all too calm voice from the dinning room.

Mustang followed the voice into the dinning room; his guard still up.

As he entered he saw William, sitting in a chair, wearing a blank expression. In front of him stood a bruised and battered Hannah. William's hand was rested heavily upon her trembling shoulders. This sight before him only caused Roy's anger to escalate. It seemed that William was expecting that. First he had almost killed his Captain and then he beat a defenseless child; it seemed that Shou Tucker had a competitor when it came to depravity.

"Let Hannah go." Roy ordered.

"Where is Riza?" he asked genuinely unaware.

"In the hospital; thanks' to you."

He smirked and then shook his head with judgment "All she had to do was stay at home and behave as a proper wife. We would have everything we wanted. Hannah would have a mother, I would have a wife, and your Captain would have had a family."

"You're the reason why you no longer have a wife. You were the one who murdered her."

William sighed with longing "Ah! Margot. That was not murder that was an accident. I really did love her and for a time she loved me. Then Fuhrer Bradley died and then Fuhrer Grumman stepped forward and he changed the drug laws in this country. It then became more lucrative for pharmacists to sell drugs that were no longer available to the general public."

Mustang was quickly catching on as to what had happened "Like Dilexinal?"

"Yes, Exactly. When Margot found out she started making threats to leave me." He scoffed before continuing "As if she could live without me to support her. She was always so weak. She went upstairs telling she was going to go pack. We argued and I pushed her… a little. She tumbled down and snapped her neck. A complete accident."

Mustang gazed down at the frightened child. "And now your daughter knows…"

"No, apparently this brat has known from the beginning. It would have been helpful if she'd assisted me with Margot's body. Have you ever tried to bury someone by yourself? It's quite a work out."

William's muscles stiffened as he remembered having to drag his wife's body out to the backyard and how no matter how many times he stuck his shovel into the earth, it was never deep enough.

Mustang struggled to keep his cool; his fists were clenched and he was ready to snap his fingers at any given moment.

"Then one day, by sheer luck, I found Riza. At first I thought I was seeing things; she looked so much like Margot. I thought it was a sign. The possibility was in front of me, so I took it. I began following her, learning her schedule, and when I found that she had no true connections to family or friends, I stuck her down."

Roy had to hold on; he had to wait for back up to arrive. William would be arrested, tried and sentenced, and then he would rot in prison for the rest of his life. That's the way it had to be. He mustn't burn him; he mustn't kill him.

Oh! But it was so tempting...

"There's one thing I don't understand..." Began Mustang "How did you know that Hawkeye would lose her memories?"

"I didn't. Call me impulsive if you'd like my I've always been a risk taker. Don't act so high and mighty, General. You've done horrible things to Riza, yourself."

"What do you mean?" He had a feeling that he already knew the answer.

"You were the one who burnt her back by using the same Alchemy that was tattooed onto her back. I don't know much of Alchemy but even I can recognize a transmutation circle when I see one. You have that same circle on your gloves. Tell me, who was it that first defaced that gorgeous skin of hers?"

He wanted to kill that man; his hands were trembling with suppressed rage. William smiled.

"Which makes you angrier? Knowing that I saw her tattoo or knowing that I saw your beautiful Colonel shirtless?"

That was it!

Roy raised his hands into a praying position and said "I don't know if you are aware of what Alchemy's greatest taboo is but I have committed such a taboo and I have scene the truth. It's enhanced my Flame Alchemy, so you should feel honored to die by it!"

Mustang was capable of doing pinpoint aiming and was therefore certain that he could perform such a feat without hurting Hannah but just as he about to snap his fingers, a bullet went whizzing by him.

It struck William in the kneecap and as it hit, he released Hannah from his grasp. Roy turned around, already aware as to who it was, yet surprised just the same.

Behind him he saw Riza, still wearing Margot's clothing and wielding a gun that was not her own. It was undoubtedly Rebecca's. Her balance was still of and she had to prop herself up against the wall. It was obvious that she was still in a great deal of pain.

"Sir, the backup has arrived."

"Colonel...what are you doing here?" Even now in this state she was still guarding him. To Hell and back.

Hannah saw Riza and ran towards her with outstretched arms, "You came back! You really came back!"

She latched on tightly to Riza. Riza rubbed her back affectionately and she smiled at Roy; silently saying that she was glad to be back.

When Roy saw that Riza had her earrings on, it all clicked together in his mind and a cocky grin was planted on his face.

Epilogue…

William was arrested, tried, and sentenced to 25 years in Central Prison for manslaughter, kidnapping, endangering the welfare of a child, and for illegally selling prescription medication.

Margot Canter's body was later found under an oak tree in the backyard. It was dug up and then properly buried in a cemetery.

Her parents were very upset to find that their daughter was gone but they would be given custody of their granddaughter, Hannah. Because Hannah had grown so attached to Riza, they have agreed to visit each other when they can.

As for Riza, she was begrudgingly forced to return to the hospital where she stayed for the next week and half, eager to return to work. When she did return she was absolutely floored to find that all the paperwork had been done and that the office had been kept up to date.

And Roy? He was just grateful to have his wonderful Colonel back at work, doing his paperwork. Everything was as it should be.

THE END.