April 30, 1905

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Major Roy Mustang: 19 years old
Captain Maes Hughes: 19 years old
Private Elizabeth Hawkeye: 18 years old
Private Jean Havoc: 18 years old
Private Maria Ross: 17 years old
Corporal Edwin Hawkeye: Died 18 years old, December 1904
Private Maro Otori: Died 17 years old, April 1905
Maro Eleni Hawkeye: 13-14 weeks old

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Riza Hawkeye had never felt more alone than she did that day and though her friends, Maria and Jean tried desperately to convince her that it wasn't her fault, she knew she would never rid her hands of the blood of her friend. She feared her own ruthlessness… she had been so blinded by her desire to protect and to serve that she had killed Maro. Killed Maro… Killed Maro… It seemed that no matter how many times those words crossed her mind, they stopped hurting- in fact, they only got worse.

"Hey, Private Hawkeye! What's wrong?!"

Riza looked up to see the ever-cheery Maes Hughes coming up to her. "I haven't seen you in ages!"

"Actually," said Jean, stepping in front of her protectively, "now's not a good time."

"Huh? What happened?" asked Maes, smile fading.

"One of her friends," said Maria, "through little fault of her own was killed just recently."

"I shot her," said Riza, voice feeble but eyes hard.

"An accident?" said Maes sadly.

"It was late… I didn't recognise her."

"I'm sorry. Setting that aside, are you all doing okay?"

Riza looked up, confused for a moment.

"Setting that aside," Maes repeated and she wondered how he could.

"I-I guess," she replied eventually.

"Good," said Maes firmly, "because that's all over with now and we can't have our top sharpshooter unhappy, can we?"

Riza wanted to protest that she was still unhappy but knew how childish it would seem. "I guess not," she said instead, a small smile gracing her face. Maria beamed and Jean grinned widely. "Can I ask you something, Captain?"

"Anything."

"You're friends with Roy-Major Mustang, aren't you?"

"I am."

"Have…" Riza faltered before sighing and meeting his eyes unblinkingly, "have you told him that I'm here yet?"

Maes shook his head- replying simply, "I thought you'd want to do that yourself."

"Could I ask you to continue keeping that from him?"

"You'll have to tell him some day, you know."

"Yes, I know," said Riza, "but I'd rather not worry him for now."

"I understand."

"CAPTAIN! OVER HERE!"

"I have to go now," said Maes and Riza nodded, saluting.

"Thank you for your time, sir!"

"No problem- take care, Ms Hawkeye."

He left, grinning again and Riza smiled, shaking her head as she turned back to her friends. "That man is always smiling."

"He's thinking of his girlfriend back home," said Jean.

"Oh?"

"Her name's Gracia- he's madly in love with her, of course."

Riza and Maria exchanged amused glances.

"He's too soft-hearted," said Jean, "but that's what we all like about him- a nice contrast to Ms-Gloom-and-Doom-Riza-Hawkeye, right?"

"I am not!" Riza protested, punching him in the arm.

"Are too! And you're so damn focused! Give me shivers, you do!"

"That's it! I think he needs to be punished- huh, Maria?"

"You know what? I think you're right!"