She was slightly taken aback. She knew he was serious. But could he protect her from the numbness which replaced the physical pain? How could he protect her when he couldn't stave off the guilt he was so clearly feeling? She could feel his hands, they were like fire.

She knew this was all her fault, she should have been stronger for both of them. Part of her screamed to let go. To crumble to the floor, crying, letting the pent up pain and humiliation out. She looked into his dark eyes, they were soft, gentle.

Before she could stop them, several tears flowed from her eyes.

Roy lead her to the bed, she sat down, wiping away at the offending tears.

Anger welled up inside her at the weakness she was showing.

The tears, they kept coming. She felt him sit down next to her. His arm wrap around her waist, pulling her closer. She buried her head in his neck, her hands grabbing onto the shirt he wore. She couldn't stop the tears.

He wrapped his other arm around her shaking shoulders. He held her while she cried. It killed him to see her like this, because of him. The guilt he'd been carrying for so many weeks forced its way to the surface. He was so intent on just holding her, that he didn't notice a few tears of his own slip down his face.

Dr. Giomar witnessed only part of the scene. It was only the beginning of the road she'd have to take to move past it. It was lucky she had someone to walk it with her. Many women had to bare their recovery alone. Some simply couldn't take it.

He felt himself smile. She'd be alright.

She cried for hours. Roy just held her. Not saying a word. It was late when Roy noticed she'd fallen asleep. He gently laid her down, covering her with the blanket. He wiped away the last remains of her tears softly and got up. He didn't notice the stiffness, nor would he have cared if he did.

He quietly turned out the lights, and left her to sleep. He couldn't do anymore than that.

His face filled her vision. She could smell the sweat on his skin. She felt the chains on her wrist again. She could feel his touch, leaving burning sensations all over her skin. His lips roughly kissing her face and neck. Slamming into her with each thrust. The feeling of him coming inside her. Always inside her. She stopped fighting. Her body could no longer manage it. Her mind screamed in terror, in revulsion. Her mind screamed for death. She would gladly choose death over this.

It was morning, a clear light shone in through the window when Roy arrived. For the first time in weeks, he was in uniform. She was still asleep. By the look on her face, she was seeing something horrible in her dream. Roy placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to wake her.

Her eyes flew open to the feel of someone's hand on her, she bolted upright, her breathing fast and shallow. Her heart rate going a mile a minute.

"Its me" Roy said simply "Its only me"

Riza's breathing steadied. She realized it was morning. She would be going back to work today. There wasn't anymore talk of Riza transferring. They both realized it'd be easier for him to protect her if she was close.

"Good morning Colonel"

Roy smiled, "Good morning Lieutenant"

They walked into the office. Falman, Havoc, Breda and Fury were already there. They smiled at the return on Hawkeye. She looked a lot better than when they'd last seen her. There was a trace of a bruise under her eye, and most of the cuts had healed completely, or were close to. Underneath her uniform, she still wore bandages for her ribs, they hadn't quite healed yet. There were bruises all over her body, but they were becoming yellow with age.

" Its great to have you back ma'am" Greeted Fury "Someone has missed you" he said, looking to the corner of the room.

Riza smiled, has her dog bounded to his feet and jumped into her arms.

"Poor thing's been curled in the corner for almost a month, sad little fur ball" mused Havoc, his customary cigarette hanging from his mouth.

Riza was glad to be back. She wanted to put everything behind her. She wanted to get back to work.

"Has any work gotten done?" She asked, noticing the stacks and stacks of papers on every surface in the room.

"It seems as if the threat of bullets is the only way to get them to work" Said Roy, closing the door to his desk, Absolutely covered in papers and reports.

There was a familiar click of Riza loading her new gun. It was odd to have it. She missed her old one.

She sat at her desk. And began at the mountain of paper work. After a few hours, the words began to bleed together, her mind kept flashing to His face. Her senses filled with the putrid smell of his body.

"Hawkeye?"

At the sound of the voice, Riza snapped back into reality. The office was dark. All the other men had gone home.

"Hawkeye?" asked the voice again.

She looked up to see the Colonel, his coat already on, and her's slung over his arm. Hayate was pushing his nose into her hands, wanting to go home.

"Sorry sir, I guess I was...day dreaming" she apologized.

He smiled kindly and handed her her coat.

"Its late"

Riza had been dreading the moment she'd have to walk home. The more she wished it not to come, the faster it did.

Roy saw the look on her face. A brief glimpse of fear. He didn't blame her.

"Come, I'll walk you home" he said. It much of an offer as it was an order.

"Sir its alright..."

"I insist Lieutenant, actually, no, I order it" He replied as she pulled on the heavy coat.