Author's Note: Hello! Sorry I haven't updated ages! It's been pretty busy, and I haven't had any motivation to write, but, I finally got to sit down and write this. And now its school holidays! So I'll definitely finish now! :)

Enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 21

It was the morning after Roy had been attacked by Alban, Riza's uncle, and now he and Riza were waiting till it was time to get discharged.

9 o'clock…. Two more hours

10 o'clock…. 0ne more hour.

The hours, minutes, seconds ticked by agonisingly slowly, but soon enough, Roy and Riza were collecting their possessions and getting ready to leave the hospital.

Finally.

Riza was glad to be finally going home. She had been stuck at the hospital far too long. She was looking forward to seeing the guys from work, those trouble making men who were like her brothers. She couldn't wait to see Black Hayate again. Even going back to her home was something she was excited about.

"Are you ready to go?" Roy asked, waking Riza from her thoughts.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, I am," she replied, still slightly dazed.

He shouldered their bag, and held her hand with his free one. She opened the door slowly. Riza didn't admit her slight disappointment to see no-one was waiting for them. But, of course, Roy noticed.

"Don't worry," he said with a smile.

"What?" she asked.

"You'll see," Roy answered with a cheeky grin.

She smiled, and grasped his hand tighter, glad he was there with her.

"Now, come on!" he said, obviously looking forward to getting out of there too.

They walked out of the ward and down the corridor. They had already talked to all the people who had helped them, especially the young nurse who had helped save Riza when the wound had first opened.

Soon enough, they were passing through the gardens in front of the hospital, and were approaching Roy's car, which had been there, waiting for them, for almost two weeks.

Roy insisted that he drove, even though there was still a painful throbbing in his shoulder.

The drive to their home was quiet, with both of them rarely talking.

Riza sat quietly in the seat beside Roy, feeling slightly nervous now, about going home. Even though she was looking forward to getting home, the incident that had caused her to be admitted to hospital made her realise that something similar could happen again. Especially when people find out she's living with the Flame Alchemist. He father's work will be more sought after than ever before….

The car stopped, and Riza looked up, wondering what had caused it. Roy was looking right at her, his expression concerned.

"Are you Ok?" he asked quietly.

She hesitated slowly before answering. "…. I … I'm just scared people will attack again…" she whispered. Then, before Roy could reply, "It's stupid, I know, but your life would be in danger too, since you're the Flame Alchemist," she said.

He smiled sympathetically at her. "So, what you're saying is… you're more worried about me getting attacked again…. More than you're worried about yourself getting attacked?" he asked with a smirk.

She nodded, smiling. "Well… it is my job…. Sir," she said.

He shook his head. "You're unbelievable, you know," he said, still smirking.

She laughed. "If I'm unbelievable, then what are you?" she asked.

He shrugged. "What do you mean?"

"Well, considering you thought about doing human transmutation just to save someone's life…." She said. "That's pretty unbelievable,"

He scowled. "Well… I wasn't the person who decided she wanted to die after finding out a homunculus had supposedly killed her superior officer," he shot back.

She raised her hands in defeat. 'Ok, ok," she said. "We're as bad as each other,"

Roy nodded. He smiled at her, and gave her a quick hug, and lightly kissed her forehead. "Now, let's go, or else we'll be late,"

"Late for what?" she asked, presuming it had something to do with what they had briefly discussed in the hospital.

"Don't worry," he said with a mischievous grin.

They were silent for the rest of the drive. Riza felt much more comforted after the conversation with Roy.

The first thing she noticed when they pulled up to the apartment block was the large block of cement that protruded from the ground and reached up to her apartment window that overlooked Central.

Roy quickly explained why it was there, and commented that he was surprised that the military hadn't hired an amateur alchemist to take it back down. He quickly ran to it, clapped his hands together while mentally visualising the chemical breakdown of cement, and put both his hands against the large block, causing it to shrink, then disappear into the ground completely, as if it were never there.

"You're getting better at that," she said with a small smile.

"Wha-? Oh," he said only just realising she was talking about his alchemy. He smiled. "Thank you," he said. "I wouldn't have progressed as far as I have if you hadn't helped me that day. I had no faith in myself after I had lost my eyesight…"

She reached for his hand and clasped it tight. "It's over, now," she said.

He smiled with her, and together they climbed the stairs to Riza's apartment.

Riza opened the door, and suppressed a scream when she noticed all the people standing inside her flat. Instinctively, she let go of Roy's hand. She turned to face him, expecting him to look as confused as she felt, but instead, he was laughing.

"What's this?" she demanded.

"SURPRISE!" the people inside her door yelled in unison.

The people who were standing in the front: Ed, Al, Winry, Mei, Havoc, Fuery, Falman and Breda, all moved aside so Roy and Riza could get inside, also so they could see the big banner that was put up on the back wall. It read in large conspicuous letters: WELCOME HOME FIRST LIEUTENANT RIZA HAWKEYE

Riza smiled broadly as she noticed everyone that had made their way to central just to welcome her home. Most people were locals, but there were some people that had travelled wide distances just to be there that one night. Most people were from the military, but as the night progressed, Gracia and Elicia Hughes came up to her and asked how she was, apologizing that they didn't have the time to visit Riza in the hospital, as Elicia had just started school. Riza couldn't believe Elicia was old enough to be at school. Time had flown past so quickly… especially since she was three years old when her father had been killed….

Roy stayed close to Riza throughout the whole night.

"Thank you," she said quietly when they were alone.

"What for?" he asked.

Riza gave him one of her 'looks'. "You stayed by my bedside the whole time I was in the hospital, and then you organised this. I think that's enough to thank someone for. I don't think I would have been able to get through those weeks without you, so thank you," she smiled shyly at him.

He smiled just as shyly back. Then, he realised, just how formally they were acting. It was almost as though their relationship didn't exist.

She smiled at him. She knew. "Don't worry about it, Sir," she said with a small wink.

He smiled lopsidedly at her. How he loved this woman standing in front of him.

Roy put his arm around her shoulder quickly and rested his head on hers for a moment. Then, he released her and walked into the crowd, motioning for her to follow him. Confused, Riza stayed where she was momentarily, and then, when Roy appeared in between Alex and Olivier Armstrong, with a very impatient look on his face, she decided to follow.

As she approached Roy, half the people who had been invited to Riza's house for the celebration, scooped her up and put her down in the middle of the kitchen. Right next to her superior officer. He gave her a quick, reassuring smile, which also informed her that everyone was waiting impatiently for her to speak to them. She looked around at the crowd of people who had all been crammed into her tiny apartment. Most of the people were from work, as Riza didn't have much time to converse with people outside of work. Roy's military team were standing at the front of the crowd, along with the Elric brothers and their friends, Rebecca, Denny Brosch and Maria. Standing at the back were Alex and Olivier Armstrong, her grandfather, the future fuhrer, Grumman, had also come. Riza was overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. She couldn't believe how many people had come to welcome her home… and now, she really did feel like she was. She had a future, with Mustang. She looked over to him and smiled lightly, and he nodded.
"Thank you, everyone…. Thank you so much for coming. I don't think you realize how much this means to me. Firstly, I want to thank my superior officer, Colonel Roy Mustang, who stayed by me, even when I was unconscious, for the whole time I was in hospital….."
Before Riza could continue, though, Roy did the unthinkable… he kissed her. Right in front of their friends and colleges. But instead of reacting or pulling away….. She kissed him back. It was just like their first kiss: full of longing and love. There was one part of her that was telling her to stop, but it was too late: everyone could see them, so why was no-one reacting? Roy pulled away slowly, and they both turned to face everyone. Instead of having looks of bewilderment and anger on their faces like Riza imagined they would, everyone was smiling. She raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Then, when everyone started cheering at them, she had a feeling it was planned…
"About time, mate!" Havoc called out to Roy.
Perhaps it hadn't been planned. It was very common for Roy to act on impulse, especially when she was involved.
While all the men congratulated Roy, and told him he'd taken his time, Riza took Mei aside to talk to her in private.

"Mei…. I don't know where to begin," she said.

Mei smiled, but let Riza continue. "Firstly, you saved my life on the Promised Day and gave up on the Philosophers Stone to do so. And if that wasn't enough, when that wound reopened, you agreed to try and close it permanently, which was something the doctors couldn't do. I will forever be in your debt, Mei… thank you. If there is anything you need from myself or the military, you know who to ask for," Riza said with a small smile.
"That's alright, Miss Hawkeye…. Or should I be calling you Mrs Mustang?" she said with a cheeky grin, when she was the shock on Riza's face. "I'm just kidding, but you two do suit. And thank you, too. I will be sure to keep in touch…" she said with a small smile.
Riza knelt down to Mei's height and hugged her lightly. "Thank you, Mei. I don't know how many times I'll have to say this, but thank you," she stood up, and found Roy's arm around her shoulder. Ed, Al, Winry, Lin and Lan Fan also approached them.
"Edward, Alphonse…. Thank you. I don't know where Riza and I would be without you lot," Roy said.

Ed shrugged. "That's alright, Colonel, but remember, you owe me big time," he said with a smirk.
Roy smiled too, and clapped hands with him.
"Well, we better be off," Ed said. "We've got a train to catch," he looked Roy in the eye. "But we'll see you soon, especially since Al, Winry and me might be moving to Central soon," he said with a grin.
"Bye, you guys," Roy said.
"Thank you again," Riza added.

After Edward and his friends left, everyone else soon started to leave too. Everyone still couldn't comprehend why it had taken so long for Roy and Riza to realize and admit their feelings for each other, and they agreed.

Grumman was the last person to leave. "That was a risky move, Colonel," he said with a grin on his face. "Kissing my grand-daughter in front of so many military personnel when you know you're not supposed to," his tone turned serious. "Look after her, Mustang. I wasn't there for her, but you have to be. I know you two will find happiness together, but just keep her safe. For me,"

He smiled, tipped his hat to them, and left.

"I will," Roy promised. But it was too late. Grumman had left.

Roy turned to Riza. "I do promise to keep you safe. No matter what," he said.

Riza looked into his eyes, and kissed him lightly on the lips. "This is where I want to be," she said. "With you. I love you Roy," she said. "I have loved you for so long, and even I didn't realize it. I love you so much."
"I love you too Riza, so much more than you probably realize. It just took a near-death incident to make me realize that."
Riza laughed slightly, and Roy noticed she had tears streaming down her face, and he was crying too. He pulled her into him, and hugged her so tightly… he was never going to let her go again. And in his embrace is where she was going to stay.

They were finally safe.

A/N: Yaaaaay! It took me a few months to finally complete this, but it's finished now! :) One more chapter to go though, but please review and tell me what you thought of this one! Because, personally, I thought it was kinda cheesy….. but anyway, thanks to PokemonFreak90, HoshiAkari59, Eternidad1, Tigrette-of-Fire, tonyjr3850, Lalaina Elizabeth Raven and Ema4eva for all reviewing the last chapter! Thanks!