Best Kept Secret

Author: MoonStarDutchess

Chapter 37: The Follow Through and Mission's End

Disclaimer: I don't own FMA

AN: It was a long wait but I hope you think it was worth it. Hope you enjoy this chapter.

--

The Follow Through and Mission's End

Riza could hear Peak walking behind her and made herself walk a normal pace when what she really wanted to do was run far away from that bastard. She lifted her hand to her side yet again to confirm her gun was still in place. Perhaps she could get the info from Peak before he tried anything on her. It was a given that he would attempt to coerced her into a sexual situation. If that were the case, by god he wouldn't be able to use his man organs ever again. She would make sure they were permanently incapacitated. Peak walked next to her, and took her arm, intertwining it with his.

"Tell me Ava, How long have you and your husband been married?"

"Do you mean legally or emotionally?" Riza questioned. Ava liked to skirt around subjects so she would do so as well.

"Legally of course. In these times, no marriage is emotional. An emotional connection is just something that naïve people make up."

When Riza didn't think that she could possibly despise Peak more than she already did, he managed to make himself more despicable. She really wanted to beat this guy to a pulp. However, she couldn't break character yet. Roy would come back and find her gone and put two and two together. Hopefully she wouldn't have to kill Peak before he did so.

"Legally we've been married for four years. We've been emotionally married for long than that. Much much longer than that." She made sure to point out that she indeed believed in emotional bonding just as much as legalizing it. She would still feel exactly the same about Roy whether they were married or not and Riza was absolutely sure that Ava felt the exact same way toward Tyler. It was a matter than she and Ava agreed wholeheartedly about.

Peak spun her around and pushed her against the wall. Riza gritted her teeth as her hands pressed into the red bricks behind her, the sand from the brick getting on her hand and the slight roughness scratching her skin.

"You don't really believe that emotional bullshit, Do you Ava? You don't think that people honestly experience connections do you? Surely, you see how unlikely things like that are."

Peak stared into her eyes with a possessed look. Instead of looking like they were looking at her, they were unfocused, as if something had possessed his body, making his malicious inner thoughts and intentions evident. She could see the blood shot veins weaving in the white substance of his Sclera and the blood red color of his tear ducts. Her stomach turned as she smelled the scent of his cologne mixed with the smell of his cigar. She didn't' like having no escape and at the moment she was pinned to her circumstances so to speak. Riza wasn't one to be intimidated but as she faced this man before her, she had to use all of her strength not to let the disgust and slight fear she carried for him show in her gaze, speech, and posture.

"Yes I do believe in those connections. I love my husband and I believe that we have a strong emotional bond with each other."

Peak stroked the side of her face with the back of his hand. "I thought you were smarter than that," he said in a gentle yet haunting voice, laced with amusement. He turned his hand so that it cupped the side of her face, and Riza tried her damnest not to tense up. This was the closest any man had gotten to her in years other than Roy, and she obviously didn't like her personal space invaded, especially by a man like Peak.

"You are a beautiful woman Ava, so it bewilders me as to why someone as beautiful as you would tie yourself to a man . . . unless . . . you married him for his money."

"I married him for love," Riza said and moved her head away from Peaks hand. She moved to try to get away from him and, much to her shock, he willingly let her go.

"I never understood that Ava. I have never ever felt that type of connection with anyone."

"Perhaps that is because you are so closed minded to it," she said, in an angrier tone than she wanted to use. She needed to keep her voice level but he was really getting on her nerves.

"Close minded my dear?" he stated in a questioning tone even though he expected no answer from her. "My dear Ava. When you get to be my age and seen the things I've seen you will find out that this connection is futile. I've seen men like your husband. They keep women until they are bored then dump them like a rock, leaving them with nothing. That's exactly what will happen to you because you are smart dear girl and he is not worthy of you."

"You really have no faith in anyone do you," she said, not letting her confusion over his statements exhibit in her appearance or voice.

"I have faith in women like you my dear," he said, stepping closer to her as she took a step back. Riza didn't see the menacing look in his eyes now. She was stunned and a bit freaked out over what she did see; she saw a deep pain. Riza had to remind herself that she wasn't dealing with a normal old man. She was dealing with a murderer, a drug dealer, an embezzler, and a kidnapper. She narrowed her eyes and took another step away from him, earning a laugh from him.

"You don't have to be afraid of me Ava. I won't do anything to you without your permission even though I could change your mind about that husband of yours. I'm many things but I am not a rapist. It's not appealing taking a woman against her will."

"Glad to know," she said.

He stepped closer to her causing her to back against a stone pillar. He leaned in so that his face was a mere inch away from hers. "Eventually though Ava, you will see that I am right about your husband. When that happens, feel free to come here," he said with a grin. "Or feel free to make your decision before you leave."

"As much as I appreciate the offer Mr. Peak," she said, punctuating his formal name significantly with a rough tone. "I don't think my husband is that type of man."

"Males are fickle."

"You are male," she said. "What makes you so different?"

"I've seen…the pain we cause. If I see a woman that could possibly go through that then I say something."

"Ah, I see. So I'm not the first you've given this proposition to. Doesn't this make you just the same as what you are warning me against?"

"You are the first I've made an offer to. I've just given warnings to others."

"What made me so… special?" she said, putting on a very Ava like demeanor. She didn't really want to extend this conversation but figured it would be an Ava-like gesture to ask.

"I don't know," he said. "Your beauty perhaps or maybe your attitude. I see something in you that I don't think that husband of yours sees. That most men look over."

Riza hated the fact that she was actually curious in what Peak saw. She didn't know what was getting into her but knew she needed to nip this conversation in the bud.

"Ava," she heard Roy speak.

"I appreciate your concern Mr. Peak but I assure you that there was no need for it. Thank you," she said.

"Very well. As I said, my offer still stands."

Riza nodded and moved away from him to walk toward her husband's voice. She then turned. "So he wasn't there. You lied." She said.

"I said I wasn't a rapist Ava. I never said I wasn't a liar," he said. "I had some hope that you would listen to me and leave with me."

"People always underestimate me Mr. Peak. It makes things convenient in my line of work." She then walked away from the criminal… very confused.

She stepped back around a corner and Roy was there.

"Where'd you go?"

"Just for a little walk," she said. She didn't want to tell Roy what went down; it would worry him. However, she knew it was one of those things that she would have to tell him and that she would feel guilty if she didn't do so.

"I thought I told you to wait here?" he said.

She heard someone and knew Peak was watching them and decided to make her stance perfectly clear. She walked up to him and with both hands lifted the collars of his shirt. She pressed her body against his very seductively.

"Since when do I have to tell you anything?" she said sensually and slowly brushed her lips against his. She suddenly jumped up and wrapped her legs around his waist, bringing her lips to his ear to whisper. "Peak is watching us, we need to talk privately." She brought her lips to kiss his neck and then kissed it.

Roy didn't let his shock show as he wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her there. What in the hell was Riza thinking going with him. What if he'd done something to her? "Don't be mad," she whispered and kissed behind his ear.

"What are you up to?" he said aloud, deliberately lacing his tone with amusement. In reality, he was angry with her for making such a stupid move.

"Just hoping that you are…up…for some. . ." she kissed him, "activities."

She unwrapped her legs to stand on her own and then pulled out of his embrace. Taking his hand, she grinned. "Let's go back to our room," she said. Roy nodded and wrapped his arm around her shoulder as they walked back to their suite.

---

As soon as they walked back in and closed the door, Roy immediately started to lay into her

"What in the bloody hell were you thinking going with him? I knew you were many things Riza but I never, never, pegged you as such a bloody idiot! You knew what he wanted from you and you went anyway. After he looked at you that way!"

"Roy do…"

"Be quiet Lieutenant Hawkeye. I didn't give you permission to speak!" he snapped in a very authoritative tone.

"But…"

"You heard me Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye," he said. "Don't' speak without permission. Do you understand me?"

"Yes sir," she said, straightening her posture.

"You put yourself in danger and that risks the entire outcome of this mission. You're actions are inexcusable! Until the exchange, you will not leave this apartment; you will have no contact with anyone. Do you understand Lieutenant?"

"Yes sir," she said in a flat cold tone.

"Good," he said then suddenly pulled her into his arms. She could feel him trembling and knew that he was only worried. However, she really didn't want to be around him at the moment. She was angry that he didn't even understand why she went with Peak.

She pulled away from him and saluted. "You said no contact Colonel Mustang sir. I need to follow orders."

"Riza I . . ."

"Permission to leave sir," she questioned.

Roy sighed. Perhaps it would be better if he let her calm down a bit before trying to talk to her again.

"Yes, you can leave."

"Thank you sir," she said, and walked out of the room and into the bedroom. The door shut gently and all was uneasily quite in the room.

"Damn," Roy said.

--

For the remainder of the day Riza did just as Roy ordered. She didn't have contact with anyone at all. The numerous times that Roy tried to talk to her she merely left the room. Roy explained what was going on and Rebecca hadn't taken well to the order Roy gave her, going into a rant about men and sexism. Roy had to order her to keep her mouth shut to which Rebecca reluctantly obeyed.

Roy thought Riza was acting like a scolded child. She knew that he didn't mean not to come in contact with the other members of the team or with him. Finally, he stormed in the room to talk to her before they met Peak for dinner. The others gave him directions for different routes out of town and he had to give one to Riza just in case they were separated. However, when he walked in the room he was so stricken that he couldn't quite form words. Riza was dressed in a white shimmery evening gown that covered her back but dipped low in the front. It clung to her body perfectly until it came to the knees where it split out and flared back to become a train behind her. Her hair was in a twist and a gold and diamond necklace graced her neck.

As he took in her appearance, it seemed as if his body was thinking for itself. He walked behind her, wrapped his arms around her waist, and kissed her shoulder. "You look beautiful," he said.

"Sir, do you really think that is appropriate," she said, her voice's tone the same as the one that she used in the office. "A commanding officer isn't supposed to touch his subordinate like this."

"Riza, you are being unreasonable. We aren't at the office."

She turned to him, her gaze even and her posture straight. "We are on a mission and I will act accordingly...sir." She pulled away from him and walked out of the bedroom in a very formal manner and Roy knew that he royally fucked up again. However, she did have a point and he didn't regret what he said about her conduct earlier that day. She needed scolded like any other officer.

He sighed and went to go take a shower and dress in his tuxedo for dinner. As expected, his team was out in the living room, preparing for the final portion of the mission. He looked forward to getting the hell out of her and going home: even though home meant the office and paperwork.

Rebecca elbowed Riza, who was staring out the window, slightly and leaned in to whisper to her. "When he's all spiffed up I can almost understand why you spread your legs for him."

Riza growled and didn't move to turn around as she heard his shoes click against the marble floor then stop as he walked onto the rug that the couches and coffee table sat on.

"Everything ready?" Roy questioned.

"Yes sir, we have our agents posing as waiters in position, the doormen are our agents as well, and all of us will be lingering in the lobby.

"Very good. Then we should get going with our meeting with Peak. I want all of you to drift slowly into the lobby. Don't' arrive all at once otherwise it might gain suspicion."

"Right, well. Lieutenant Havoc and I will go on down," Rebecca said. Riza's eyes widened as Rebecca actually used his name. This screamed that something strange had happened.

"Yes," Havoc said, standing up and walking to the door. Rebecca turned to Riza.

"Good luck and stay safe," she said.

"I will," Riza said, still quite bewildered over Rebecca's actions toward Havoc. She watched as they left the room then turned to face the others. It was then that she took in Roy's appearance. His looks always made her get a bit weak but by god if Ava didn't pick out the most well tailored tuxedo she'd ever seen.

"Let's get going…Ava," Roy said, walking to the door. She nodded and walked to grab her handbag.

"Be careful," Breda said.

"Will do," Roy replied and let Riza leave the suite before he too made his exit.

--

Riza was already waiting for the elevator when he left the room. He walked over to her and she reached up to slick a piece of hair away from his forehead. She then moved her hands down to straighten his bowtie.

"Thanks," he said.

"Yes sir," she said.

The elevator doors opened and they walked inside. When the doors closed, back with a slight thump Roy took her into his arms and molded his lips to hers passionately. She rested her gloved hands on his shoulders as he kissed her, not responding to the kiss. He pulled away and looked at her with shock.

"We still aren't in Peak's presence yet," she said and pulled away.

"You are still mad?" he questioned.

Riza didn't answer him. However, when the elevator door opened, she fastened herself onto his arm and began acting her part. Roy moved his arm out of her grip and wrapped it around her waist, resting his hand much lower on the hip that publicly proper. However since Ava wouldn't have commented on it, she didn't.

They made their way to the hotel restaurant but didn't spot Peak at any of the tables. A man approached them and smiled. "Mr. and Mrs. Wayne, please come this way. Mr. Peak is expecting you of course."

"All right, thank you," Roy said.

The man escorted them past all the tables to a doorway with gold colored beads hanging in front of it. They walked through the doorway and into a dark read room. Peak was sitting at a round table in the middle. The table had a beautiful gold tablecloth adoring it and on top of the table rested dark red dishes and elegant wine glasses. There was a cart beside him. On it sat a bucket filled with ice, and within that ice was nestled several bottles.

Peak stood and smiled merrily at the two. They walked over to him and Roy begrudgingly unwrapped his arm from around Riza's waist. Peak took Riza's hand, kissed it, and then shook Roy's hand firmly. The waiter attending them pulled out Riza's chair for her and she sat down before Roy took his place beside her and Peak sat down in his chair.

"I heard that you have quite a penchant for wine Ava, so I have several kinds."

"Actually I think you've heard something wrong. I don't care much for wine. I prefer something stronger," she said.

"Really? That's very…intriguing."

Roy was mentally applauding her act. Peak apparently was trying to mix them up.

"What do you say we have dinner before we discuss business?" he questioned.

"That's sounds fine," Roy said.

Throughout the entire dinner both Roy and Riza could tell that Peak was trying to trip them up somehow. Despite never meeting Mr. and Mrs. Wayne, he apparently did his research on the two. What confused them was the fact that he was just now trying to mess them up.

After they finished their dinner and the waiters cleared the table, Peak lifted his briefcase onto the table and opened it. He took out several forms.

"You wanted a newborn baby yes?" he questioned.

"Yes," Riza said.

Peak shut his briefcase and moved it aside. He showed Roy the forms. "This is for a week old little girl. We just got her in."

Riza cringed inwardly at his words. Somewhere, a couple was missing a beautiful newborn baby.

"Will that do love?" he questioned, looking over at Riza.

"Yes, that will be fine but may I inquire something Mr. Peak?"

"Certainly," he said.

"What nationality is she?"

"That matters?" he questioned.

"I have personal preferences so to speak. I don't want a child that doesn't look like she could ours."

"I assure you Ava, she's beautiful. Just like her mother," he said. "She is Amestrian. She comes from one of the small towns in the North," he answered.

"I see," Riza said. "Do you get your children from just Amestris?"

"Forgive my wife's questions Francis. She finds what you do for people so intriguing." Roy said, playing along with Riza and taking his suspicion off her questions. Roy signed the form and slid it over to Riza. Riza took the pen from him and signed her name as well, making a perfect forgery of Ava's signature. Peak took the forms and studied them for a moment before handing them to a man beside him.

"Call Tanner Blake and tell him to bring the child," Peak said.

"Yes sir," he said and left the room.

"Actually Ava, we get children from all over the world. Tanner Blake is a master at attaining them."

"I see, well I respect the deceit. Things like that are amazing."

"Actually Mr. Peak, our bodyguards are looking to adopt a few children. However, they don't want newborns. We were planning on…a purchase for them as a gift. Does Mr. Black specialize in anything other than infants?"

"Yes, in fact he recently acquired two children for my other clients; a boy and girl I do believe. He will arrive here soon and you would be able to ask them if you would be alive then."

Roy heard a gun cock and Peak lifted it so that Roy could see it. Riza's eyes widened. "Really, did you honestly think you could fool me? I know the military is holding Mr. and Mrs. Wayne." Riza started to reach for her gun but stopped when she felt something cold at the back of her neck.

"Don't move," a voice said.

"You certainly know your stuff I must admit. You must be quite the military agents if you could portray the two so perfectly. Tell me, what are your real names? He turned his gaze to Riza. "And ranks."

"I don't know what you are talking about," Riza said. "Is this some kind of fucking joke?"

"I wish it was. I was never expecting a beautiful girl like you to be in the military much less an agent. Imagine my surprise when I did find out. My offer still stands if you want a good time. I would consider not killing you," he said.

Riza moved slight. "Oh really? I am…" she noticed Roy giving her a funny look and knew that he wanted her to distract Peak. "I'm flattered but I really don't know. I mean I do have a job and family back in Amestris who would be disappointed in me if I were to begin a relationship out of the country and with a criminal. Could you possibly make it worth it?"

"LOVE! How could you even consider that," Roy protested.

"Hey, its survival of the fittest and the last time I checked I was fitted to be more appealing to men than—" she didn't get to finish as the table exploded knocking all three of them away. Riza hit on top of the gunman that previously held the pistol to her neck. She straddled him and with one punch, it was lights out for him. She grabbed the gun as Roy snapped engulfing the guards around them into flames.

She saw Peak lift the gun to point at Roy and fired, hitting Roy in the shoulder. Through the smoke Riza fired at Peak, knocking the gun from his hand. Suddenly the rest of Roy's team came bursting in. They could hear people from the other room screaming in horror as the smoke and smell of burning bodies drifted out of the room into the main dining area. The sprinkler system came on and Roy and Riza spotted Peak rushing out of the room.

"He's getting away!" Rebecca yelled. Roy and Riza rushed out of the door and followed Peak as he ran down the hallway and out an emergency exit. She saw the man Peak gave the forms to get in the driver's side of a black car as Peak rushed in the back.

Riza aimed at the rolled down window and shot the man in head, killing him. Roy rushed over to one side of the car, poised to snap. The door opened and Peak gasped, he then rushed back into the car, much to Roy's amusement and attempted to exit through the other side. His eyes literally crossed when he found a silver gun right at the bridge of his nose.

"Shit," he said.

"End of the line," Riza said. Much to her surprise, Peak laughed. "You have quite the aim," he said. "Sniper?"

"Maybe," she said, as the other troops came in. They handcuffed Peak as Roy walked back over to stand beside Riza.

"Mark my words though …what was your name?"

"Hawkeye," she said.

"Ah, Hawkeye. Well I still meant everything I said back in that garden. Someday he will betray you. Only a matter of time," he said.

"Get him out of here," Roy said and the man was lead away from them.

"Probably," Riza muttered. Her gaze drifted to the man lying dead in the front seat of the car, the blood leaking from his head, and cringed. Roy spotted it and started to lay a hand on her shoulder but she moved out of the way. "I'll go see about crowd control. You should see about that shoulder," she said.

"Riza," he said, knowing that she felt horrible for killing the man even if he was the bad guy.

"It's nothing; I'll be fine sir," she said and left him standing alone, among the smoke that was drifting out of the building.

"I wonder," he said.

AN: I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. If so please drop a review my way. They make me tap dance. (Not really but they do make me happy!)