Coming Undone

Sunday saw Riza having a late breakfast with Rebecca. Their regular meet ups had grinded to a halt after the incident with the General. Any calls or invitations from Rebecca had been politely declined however, it was time to move on and get back to familiar ground. Rebecca's chatter and infectious laughter were exactly what she needed. Riza would have readily accepted her friend's invitation this time. She had wasted too many weekends shut away in her apartment. In the end, whatever her decision may have been, wouldn't have mattered. Rather than calling, Rebecca had decided to show up at Riza's door instead, full of smiles and unwilling to accept defeat.

Now, they were seated at their usual café – a place not too from her apartment. Rebecca had happily made the journey from East City to Central for her and Riza found herself feeling guilty for having kept her friend at arm's length for as long as she had. But then again, Rebecca was the wrong person to confide in about such issues. While true, she was caring and had Riza's best interests at heart, she did tend to get carried away at times.

'Can you believe there are no men in East City!' Rebecca moaned, jabbing at her eggs with her fork. 'I'm depressingly single. And bored.'

'I highly doubt that.' Riza replied, dryly, hiding a smile. 'What happened to your team and the rest of the staff? Did they just up and leave?'

'You know what I mean.' Rebecca gave her a half-hearted glare. 'They're just boys! I need a man. You're so lucky, Riza. You have all the good ones here!'

'It's true!' Rebecca insisted, when Riza laughed. 'You have Colonel Mustang for a start. I know he's got a reputation as being a ladies' man but think about the lucky girl who can finally lock him down!'

Riza watched as the dreamy expression on her friend's face suddenly become more calculating. 'You should definitely try and get in there, Riza. If anyone's got a shot, it's you.'

'Need I remind you that the Colonel is my commanding officer?' Riza replied, perhaps sounding a tad sharper than she had intended. 'You're aware of the fraternization laws, Rebecca.'

'Still,' Rebecca replied, stubbornly. 'Maybe a secret torrid love affair with your commanding officer is exactly what you need. A little excitement in the office. What have you been doing besides working and sleeping, anyway? Any guys on the front?'

'No, I don't have anybody in mind.' Riza picked up her cup and took a sip, using the time to think of a way to draw Rebecca away from this topic. They were in dangerous territory. 'Do you have your dress for the Military Ball yet?'

Shopping for dresses wasn't something that filled her with excitement but she was willing to discuss this over the alternative.

'I'd almost forgotten about the ball! I'll be sure to meet someone there.' Rebecca beamed, before lowering her voice to a whisper. 'Maybe I can even snare a General.'

Riza found herself sighing softly. Sometimes, Rebecca seemed to have a one-track mind.

'Your choices are pretty limited.' Riza grudgingly went along. 'Most of the generals are either married or much too old for you.'

'Maybe I should try for a Colonel then …' Rebecca paused, looking at her closely. 'If you don't mind?'

Riza knew exactly whom her friend was referring to. She felt torn between amusement and sympathy. To say the Colonel wasn't keen on the loud and bubbly Rebecca would have been an understatement. But still, better this than having Rebecca suddenly latch on to the prospect of trying to win General Kaiser over – who happened to be both younger and unmarried, unlike the rest of the Generals. Besides, she had full confidence that the Colonel would have more class than to let Rebecca down any way other than kindly.

'Be my guest.' Riza sighed.

Monday morning – the sky was still dark out and Roy Mustang was making his way through the building of Central Command. It was stupidly early, even by his Lieutenant's standards. Despite his line of work, he had never been a morning person. That was Riza – the habitually early riser, even during their childhood. But even so, he knew it would be well over an hour before he would see her today.

They were due to put their plan into action. They needed to capture this Decker in the act of selling or attempting to sell stolen weapons on Wednesday, as per Fuery's intel. They couldn't afford further setbacks and so, there was still a lot to do before then. The location of the bar needed to be checked out as well as the bar itself, along with all entries and exit points and possible sniper advantages. A lot to do, in little time but he was confident that they could do this and do it right – thus putting an end to any doubt the higher ups may have had. Eager to put on a pot of coffee and get started with his workload, he quickened his pace.

Roy hadn't spotted a uniformed officer yet, high ranking or otherwise. Aside from the couple of men from the maintenance crew he had passed – idly polishing a window or pushing a supply cart – the hallways had been deserted. And so, he was taken by surprise when he saw her.

An attractive young woman, dressed in military uniform. However, her attire differed to that of female soldiers. Rather than pants and boots, she was wearing a skirt and heels. A permanent desk job, then. Perhaps, an administrative or secretarial position. She had just emerged from an adjoining corridor, clutching an armful of files – and even at this early hour, her pretty features were pinched with distress.

She stopped short upon seeing him, appearing more anguished than surprised.

'Good morning.' He greeted her politely.

She gave him a nod, her long brown hair falling into her eyes. When she replied, her voice was soft, a slight tremor just beneath the surface. 'Good morning, Colonel Mustang.'

The quiver beneath her words hasn't escaped his attention. He studied her carefully. She seemed familiar and yet … He couldn't quite place her. She'd only met his gaze briefly; her emerald eyes were now trained on the floor at his feet.

'Didn't think I'd be seeing anyone here so early.' Roy mused, glancing out of the window. The Eastern sky was finally beginning to grow lighter, the sun which had been hidden behind the wall of clouds, slowly swallowing the darkness.

'The workload this month is heavier than usual.' Her arms tightened around her files. 'General Kaiser likes me to start as early as possible.'

And there it was.

Roy suddenly realized why she had seemed so familiar. He had sat around listening to Havoc and Breda describe and drool over Kaiser's new secretary. They had shamelessly discussed her assets, perhaps, a little more often than he cared to admit. So far neither of them had been successful in getting to know her beyond a professional capacity. He glanced at her legs and sure enough, they were exactly as Breda had described.

An idea slowly crept into his mind.

'Can't fault your work ethic.' This time his voice was warmer, his natural charisma shining through as he deftly plucked the files from her arms and flashed her a smile. 'Allow me to carry these for you.'

While she did seem surprised, he could see that his change in demeanour had affected hers as well. She didn't seem quite so perturbed now, appearing a little more at ease around him. She offered him a shy smile in return. 'Thank you, sir. But really, there's no need.'

'I insist.' He replied smoothly, beginning to walk towards Kaiser's office. It was on the way to his own so no harm done. She quietly walked beside him, unsure of what to do with her hands now that her files had been taken away. She was delightful to watch and he couldn't help but tease her.

'If you were one of mine, I guess I would be guilty of keeping you in my office with me as much as possible.'

He watched as she blushed, ducking her head away from him and he found himself smirking. Sometimes it was just too easy. However, his little game only lasted so long. As they stopped outside the office door, he couldn't help but notice the way she reverted to her former self. Her green eyes darkening with what he could only describe as apprehension. When he handed her the files, she took them at once, instinctively holding them against her chest as though in preparation for shielding herself against whatever lay waiting for her beyond the door.

'Thank you for walking me to the office, Colonel Mustang.' Her words were practically a whisper. She tried to smile at him.

'My pleasure.' He stepped closer to her – just for a moment, and murmured. 'Just remember, I'm here if you need me.'

He gave her a meaningful look, allowing her to interpret his words any way she desired. Whatever interpretation she had made, caused her to blush at him once more, before hurriedly nodding and stepping into the office.

Roy was left in the empty hallway to ponder.

… What was her name again?

No matter, he would find out.

She was a vital thread. One he couldn't afford to let go.

It was late into Tuesday evening when Riza finally looked up from her desk. The other men had retired for the night, leaving her alone with the Colonel. Quietly, she put away her work, before standing up to stretch. It wasn't something she would have done in the presence of others. Her professionalism won over discomfort every time. But they were alone and the Colonel's chair was facing the other way. He sat, staring out of the window, deep in thought.

The two days before they were due to execute their plan had been productive. If this was going to work, every angle needed to be covered. There could be no room for setbacks, no blind spots. Each variable had its own contingency plan. And Riza was confident that it would run smoothly. A fresh wave of determination came over her at the thought. She would ensure it would all go to plan – for the Colonel's sake, if nothing else. Whatever happened, any mistakes or victories would fall on his shoulders first. It was her job to protect him.

On Monday night, Havoc had jumped at the chance to take a date to Pure Magnolia to check out the establishment. Breda had followed at a distance to survey the surrounding area, pinpointing places where they can discreetly station themselves to keep watch on the night. The bar was tucked away in a maze of back streets on the far side of Central.

Falman had traced all possible routes from the main road to the front door. The streets where too narrow and encumbered with dumpsters and boxes for a vehicle to travel down and so, the only way to get to the bar was either to walk the entire way (which was doubtful, given that Decker would be travelling all the way from the warehouse on the outskirts) or to take a taxi and then walk the short distance from the main road to the bar itself.

Shaking away her thoughts, Riza softly approached the Colonel's chair. It had been a while since they had been alone together. But even now, while the building was quiet and practically deserted, she knew better than to let down her guard. She was just about to wish him goodnight, when he sensed her presence and swivelled his chair to face her.

His appearance wasn't quite up to military standards. Riza wasn't surprised, nor was it something she could ever chastise him for. It was late, he had worked tirelessly, ensuring no detail had been overlooked. He'd briefed his men and ironed out any remaining kinks in their plan. And on top of that, she had nagged him to complete the unexpected load of paperwork that had fallen on to their desks that afternoon.

The trials of the last couple of weeks had taken their toll. The collar of his now rumpled military jacket was slumped down and crooked, the top few buttons of the dress shirt he wore underneath had been unfastened, exposing his throat. He seemed fatigued, his hair mussed up from having run his fingers impatiently through it. Despite all that, his smile was genuine. His dark eyes, still held their warmth as they drank her in.

Riza found herself smiling tenderly at him. He looked so vulnerable, almost boyish like this. She wanted to scoop him up in her arms and tell him he had done everything he possibly could to make this work. That he didn't need to worry because everything would go accordingly tomorrow night and that she would be there, by his side to see to it that it did. But most importantly, she wanted to take him home with her, tuck him up beside her in bed and kiss him sweetly, ensuring he got the rest he deserved.

But of course, she didn't voice any of this. It was inappropriate – along with the sudden urge to casually brush the hair away from his eyes. His gaze was gentle upon her, but even still, she couldn't bring herself to move either toward or away from him.

Roy leaned forward slowly, taking her hand in his. Although his grip was firm, his thumb was gentle as it stroked the back of her hand. When he spoke, his voice was soft, intimate. And once again, there was more than one meaning behind his words.

'Are you with me, Lieutenant?'

And she hoped, he would pick up the meaning behinds hers as well. She meant it in every single way possible.

'I'll always be with you, sir.'

Roy Mustang had frequented more than his fair share of dubious establishments in the past – whether that had been due to a covert operation or times when he'd willingly lowered himself into the gutter, in a pathetic attempt to quell the pain in his own traitorous heart. Three something in the morning, when even his fill of sex from some faceless, nameless woman wasn't enough to satiate his craving.

He would drag himself down to the darker parts of Central, places where the booze and women were aplenty. He would drink into the early hours, his eyes lingering on their dresses and curves. He didn't want them, not really. However, he couldn't have the only woman he did want and so, he drank and watched without truly seeing – his mind preoccupied with a certain blonde, dressed in military attire. His empty stare wouldn't go unnoticed and his handsome good looks would draw the women in, their words dripping with honey.

But despite their best efforts to engage him, it didn't make a difference. Because in those moments, he wasn't Colonel Roy Mustang, notorious womaniser. He was a boy again, back in that crumbing old house from his childhood, wondering how he could get the pretty alchemist's daughter to accept him. And in those moments, back in that dreary bar, he didn't exist for himself – his heart beat only for her.

However, it was different this time around. They were sitting in a plush, shadowy booth and he had his arm casually slung around the shoulders of the blonde beauty of his dreams. His face was buried in her neck, his lips and tongue busily working her into submission.

Despite its name, Pure Magnolia was the epitome of debauchery. Havoc had warned him multiple times, but he had still been surprised when they had walked in. His 'date' had been positively shocked. The emotion had only fleetingly crossed her pretty face, but he had caught it nonetheless. He had simply smirked at her in response.

Although it was nowhere near its maximum occupancy limit, there was still a good size crowd. The music pulsated though the building. Aside from the long bar, and the scantily clad women – dancing, flirting, serving drinks, eagerly chatting to customers and draping themselves over their arms – there were a row of booths along the back wall.

They were deeply concave, the opening narrow. Each booth was upholstered in red and dark purple velvet, complete with a small table. They were private booths, designed for couples. The lighting was kept dim above them and it was impossible to tell what its occupants were doing unless one walked right up and stood at the opening of the booth to peer down.

He hadn't hesitated in pulling her into one.

They had to wait until they were given the signal to act. He figured they may as well make themselves comfortable and have a little fun. Although they both had very different ideas on what that actually meant …

'Shame on you, Roy Mustang. Bringing a lady to a place like this.' She pushed him back a little, giving him a playfully disapproving look. 'I don't think I like where your intentions are at.'

'I can assure you, my intentions are entirely honourable.' He smirked down at her, letting his hand slip in through the slit of her dress, before slowly travelling up her bare thigh. 'My hands, however, have a mind of their own …' His fingers brushed the inside of her thigh, tracing intimate patterns on her soft skin. 'I'm sure you can forgive them. You're so beautiful, after all. What else can they do?'

She was absolutely stunning in her scarlet, figure hugging dress. The slits on either side were generous, practically mid- thigh and he knew she'd chosen this style because it would enable her to move easily and give chase, if needed. It would also give her easy access to the pistol he knew was snugly holstered to her right leg. Understandably, the dress was high in the back, covering her tattoo and scars.

But the front … Although the neckline was tastefully cut and not too revealing, it did still manage to draw his eye to her ample cleavage. Her hair was put up in a more elaborate style, with silky tendrils snaking down the sides and back of her neck, here and there – giving her a softer look. Her polished nails and berry-stained lips matched the shade of her dress perfectly.

'You're such a flatterer.' She giggled, moving in to give him a kiss on his cheek. She placed her hand over his and gently removed it from her thigh, entwining their fingers together.

The giggle wasn't hers, of course. She was playing the part of Elizabeth. At first, she had been hesitant to cross the line, to let him touch and kiss her so publicly, but after a while, she had given in. Nobody from the military would dare show their faces in a place like this. And if they were spotted by any chance, they could hide behind the fact that they were merely playing their parts. Besides, it would have seemed strange and suspicious not to sit in such a place without so much as a kiss or a touch. The majority of the men were pawing shamelessly at their female counterparts – why stand out from the crowd?

It was all too convenient for Roy, who had been pleased by the fact that he could show his affection for her so freely. They had spent enough time behind closed doors and although, Pure Magnolia wasn't a place he would have ever taken Riza on an actual date, it felt good to sit in a bar with his arm around her shoulders and kiss her whenever he damn well pleased. Speaking of which …

He leaned forward to give her another kiss on the lips, deep enough to taste the strawberry daiquiri she had been sipping on.

'I wonder if the rest of you tastes like strawberries as well …' He murmured to her, lowering his gaze suggestively down her body before smirking up at her.

He knew he was treading a thin line.

'Maybe you'll find out.' She purred at him, plucking the sliced strawberry that had been used as a garnish, from her glass and holding it to his lips.

He accepted the fruit, ensuring his tongue skimmed teasingly against her fingertips before his lips closed around the berry.

He was delighted with her flirtatious behaviour. He knew she was only playing her part but it still thrilled him to know that behind Elizabeth, it was still Riza calling the shots. After what had happened to her in the office with that bastard, he knew he shouldn't push her boundaries. He couldn't help but think back to her internal battle and his own frantic attempts to keep himself in check during those three nights he had spent with her. He shouldn't be using this operation to touch her as he pleased but he couldn't help himself. Not tonight, not here.

And surprisingly enough, she didn't seem uncomfortable nor fazed by the contact. On the contrary, she seemed to thrive on it. She had welcomed him – teasing him, her fingertips dancing on the inside of his wrist, playing with his hair at the nape of his neck and resting gently against his cheek as she gazed at him. Edging closer to him to whisper into his ear and then shyly pulling away when his own desire made him growl softly and tighten his arms around her. He knew the sentiment came from somewhere deep within the real Riza.

Elizabeth just amplified it.

He didn't think his usually reserved Lieutenant would ever whisper such provocative things to him. Even away from work, when she was just Riza, the words would cause her to blush. It was Elizabeth's persona that did it, along with the strawberry daiquiris, of course.

He watched in amusement as she snapped open her evening bag, picking out her lipstick and a small compact mirror. Carefully reapplying it, she slipped it back inside her bag. He had just managed to glimpse another pistol nestled among her make-up and keys.

'I like a dangerous woman.' He whispered, slipping his arm around her and drawing her close once more to claim her lips. But she avoided him this time, not wanting him to mess up the fresh coat of colour she had just applied.

'And I like a dangerous man.' She purred, smiling sweetly at him. 'But right now, you don't fit that bill.'

He must have looked stupidly confused because she laughed, a throaty, sexy sound spilling from her lips. She reached out and touched his face, her fingers gently rubbing away the lipstick smudges from his mouth and chin. She held out her berry-stained fingertips for him to see.

'Come here.' He pulled her close, his arms tightening around her slim frame as he glared at her in mock annoyance. She gazed up at him, all innocence and sweetness. He fought to keep from laughing and instead found himself grinning wolfishly at his pretty blonde, before he leaned in to kiss her – thoroughly – deliberately messing up her lipstick once more.

Sometimes he really couldn't help himself.