Hawkeye House 33

Don't Want To Need You Part 1

It had gone on long enough. He was sick of it. Each day he watched as she seemed to fade further away. Roy knew something was going on . . . And part of him didn't want to know what it was. Scenarios played over and over in his mind, each a little worse than the last.

Perhaps the war had damaged her beyond her breaking point. Yet, it had been a year and a half since they took their final steps away from the battlefield. Was it him? Would she not wait for him? But she had already waited years, what would a few more hurt? Could she be sick? Was someone blackmailing her? Was she depressed, suicidal?

It drove him nuts. Even though he only saw her in the office now, she seemed to be everywhere like a constant nagging at the back of his mind. Well, more so than usual.

Where was she going when she cut out early? Why did she never seem to have any sleep? Why wouldn't she talk to him? Or even to Lieutenant Havoc?

Roy sighed, at least he had the authority to ask her as her actions, whatever they may be, had begun to affect her work. "Lieutenant Hawkeye, I need to see you in my office."

"Ooooh Hawkeye's in trouble!" Havoc called, perhaps as an effort to get a rise out of her, or perhaps it was simply his strange ability to annoy the Colonel and make him want to laugh at the same time.

Riza ignored him as she followed Roy into his office. At least that hasn't changed, Roy thought for more than one reason. Not like he really thought the blonde boy was much of a threat or anything…but still…Focus, Roy!

She took a seat in front of his desk and he sat across from her. He was shocked by how nervous. He had never had to deal with his subordinates like this, especially not her. "Do you know why I called you in here?"

Obviously fighting an urge to shrug, she mumbled, "No, sir."

Roy doubted it, but cleared his throat and began his best attempt at explaining. "Well, it has uh…come to my attention that as of late - or lately I mean - you haven't been yourself-"

"What does that have anything to do work, Roy." Riza snapped, "I thought we decided to keep our personal life separate."

"We did, but not when that personal life has begun to affect your work!" Roy snapped right back. In all honesty, he was terrified of what her reaction might be. Would she get pissed…or worse, cry?

Riza fixed her eyes on the corner. She paused, carefully choosing her words. "I'm sorry, I'll try harder." Her voice had a hollow, empty ring to it.

Roy's eyes softened. "Maybe you're trying too hard," he offered. "If you could explain things, it would make this a lot easier."

He wished he could read her mind as he saw her face harden, walling him off. Riza took a deep breath.

"I took a second job."

Roy blinked, visibly surprised. He couldn't stop himself from asking, "why?"

She shot him a glare. "Not everyone lives off of the paycheck of a State Alchemist."

Roy grew hot. He did the math quickly in his head. "Yeah…but I know you make enough to support yourself and have a little money left over."

"Are you telling me that after all the years you lived in our home, you never realized all of father's I.O.U's?" She looked him straight in the eye with a dead gaze. "When he died, bill collectors didn't leave me alone until I went to the academy. Now that I'm through with school, they've been after me again."

"Is that all? I can help pay that, he was my Master after all." Roy almost laughed, he was glad it was something so simple.

Yet…the look on her face showed him that she would not let it be that simple. Riza stood up from her chair, raising her voice. "And maybe I should just wear a frilly little apron and be your docile little house-wife too!" She spat, as if their were venom in her words.

Roy's eyes widened, his heart beating fast. "Uh, Riza just calm down I don't get where your going with this." His honesty seemed to tick her off even more, he found to his dismay as she stormed out of his office.

He sighed, she was more confusing than the most difficult alchemy.

A/N: Happy belated V-Day! I skipped an update for a while due to three one-shots for the holiday (2 FMA).

Also I have a poll on my profile that I would really like to get your input on, honestly, please go check it out.

Thanks for reading, reviewing, etc. Seriously. You guys make my day.