Riza nearly hyperventilated in the car after talking with Trisha Elric. It had been an awkward conversation to start, especially for Riza. She decided to start with praising Alphonse and Edwards academics and personalities. Over tea Riza shared her own experience with loosing her parents and asking as politely as possible if Trisha needed any help. Trisha disclosed that her treatments had failed and that recently she had been given a terminal diagnosis. Riza offered to take the children to school and back, Trisha agreed. They continued into contingency plans. Riza agreed to not disclose any of the conversation with Alphonse or Edward. Riza did not agree but Trisha was firm in her decision.

The Elrics had one other family member. An aunt across the country you had a young child and ran her own business. She had already disclosed that she would only be able to take one of the boys. Trisha did not want to separate them but was concerned that it may come to that. Riza teased the idea of fostering the boys should it be needed. Trisha was apprehensive but said she would consider it. When Riza asked how long Trisha was given, she was hesitant to reply. "Not long" was the only response that was offered.

Riza was thankful that she had discussed the situation with Grumman prior to this. He had given her the remainder of the day off but warned that there may be repercussions for what she had done. Riza agreed and thanked him for the half day. In the car Riza broke down, tears welled and slid down her face. When her breathing returned to comfortable, she wiped her eyes and checked her phone. There were multiple messages from Roy.

YOU CALLED HIS MOM! (12:58)

She sighed and sat back in her seat. She should have spoke with him before doing any of this.

What were you thinking?! (12:58)

She sighed and slumped, letting her forehead rest against the steering wheel.

I know it wasn't my brightest idea (15:30)

She responded, shaking her head waiting for a reply.

Riza its 3? Where are you? (15:30)

She huffed.

Avoiding the inevitable tongue lashing from Grumman. (15:31)

Ha. You worried me. Now I know how you felt last week (15:31)

She chuckled to herself.

Im heading back to school rn (15:32)

See ya soon (15:32)

After a quick look of herself in her car mirror, she hurried into the school to look for Roy. The instructor's lounge was empty and the main office was closed. She sighed; Grumman was gone for the day. She smiled when she saw that Roy's room was open. She skidded to a stop when she realized that Roy was playing chess against Edward, Grumman seated next to him.

"Good, you found the party." Roy jested without looking up from the board. Grumman was equally interested in the game, she relaxed.

"Have you been crying?" Ed asked. She stiffened. Roy and Grumman looked up to her. Her eyes were puffy and any make up that she had worn was wiped from her face.

Roy waved her over. "Come on, you can be on my team." She nodded and joined his side. Roy shuffled in his seat and patted the cushion. He raised an eyebrow and cocked his head, inviting her to share his seat. She rolled her eyes but sat down.

"That's hardly fair." Grumman huffed. Ed glanced to Grumman "She is as brilliant as she is beautiful." Grumman explained, Ed's face twisted. Ed turned to Roy and Riza. Roy was smiling to her with his chin in his hand, but Riza chose to focus on the board. "You see I have a beautiful, very single granddaughter and our dear Mr. Mustang refuses to court her." Neither Roy nor Riza seemed effected by this. Ed grew uncomfortable and shifted in his seat. "Refuses to even go on a date with her."

"Where is Alphonse right now?" Riza asked Ed, trying to relief his displeasure. She smiled to Ed.

Ed chose a piece and with an approving nod from Grumman placed it. "He is in art club until 4:30 sometimes 5." Ed looked quickly to Roy "he knows to come here when it is over."

Riza nodded, Roy went to make his move, his fingers hesitating over the bishop. "No use your queen." Riza hissed to Roy. Roy moved the piece he wanted to "Roy" she whined. Ed studied the two, they were seated very close he noticed.

"Its his first game. If he's going to learn about mistakes, might as well learn from mine too." She sighed and looked to Roy's fresh coffee. He handed it to her and she sipped without second thought. Ed was now studying the pair more than the game.

Grumman tapped his shoulder "use the pawn in A6". Ed nodded and moved it forward.

Riza whispered into Roy's ear. He laughed and made his move. "Roy" she hissed her shoulders slumping. Roy smiled in response, making Edward smile. Edward made a move to set up to take the piece he moved. She sat back and allowed Roy to make a couple of his own moves. Riza leaned into him and whispered a move in his ear. Roy teased what piece he would move. Ed smirked waiting for him to go against her advice.

Riza lightly smacked his hand from choosing the wrong piece. "This is not teamwork." Roy chuckled.

"Teamwork is working together; you keep ignoring me." She continued sipping his coffee, her eyes on the board.

"Why don't you just relax, I'll let you play the next one." Roy offered.

"Are they always like this?" Ed whispered to Grumman before making his own move.

He chuckled. "they have always been like this." Ed made his move with a smirk.

Roy and Riza shared a side glance. Alphonse entered the room with bewilderment. "Oh, hey Al" Ed greeted looking up from the board.

Al smiled "Hi, art club finished up." Al was the probably the most confused when he realized that Mr. Mustang and Ms. Hawkeye were sharing a chair.

"Hi Al, how was art club?" Riza asked turning away from the game. Roy took the opportunity to make a move without her scrutiny.

"Very good we've been designing a mural to put on the gym wall. It's been fun to design what we're going to put up and how were going to do it."

Riza nodded "Very cool Alphonse, have they decided on the background yet? I know Fuery wasn't sure last time I spoke with him."

"Well, we are between lightning bolts or make it look like the panther is tearing out of the wall."

"Very neat. You can take a seat we will be finished pretty soon here." She gave Roy a glare.

"Its his first game" Roy gestured to the board in his own defense. "He is picking it up pretty fast." Roy ran a hand through his hair, realizing how close the game was to ending.

It took Ed 7 moves to lock Roy in check mate. Edward grinned "That's it Mustang." Riza giggled beside him into his coffee cup.

Roy sighed and sat back. He took his mug from Riza and she gave him a I told you so grin. "Good game kid. You did well."

They shook hands and Edward stood with a look to Al. "Ready to head out?" Al nodded and followed suit.

Riza stood as well, Roy gave her a questioning glance. "All right, I've seen enough. Shall we boys?" Ed and Al nodded as they followed her out.

Riza drove them home in silence. She was thankful that neither asked why she was driving them. They thanked her as they got out. She watched them walk up to the front door. Ed stopped and looked out to her and gave a smile. She drove to her own home in silence. After she locked her door behind her she slid to the ground and stroked Hayate.

A text pinged on her phone.

Youre a taxi driver now? (17:28)

She rolled her eyes and decided against responding.

You okay? You wanna talk? (17:29)

She sighed but responded.

Yea I do. Long day. (17:30)

All right then. See you in 10 (17:30)

She panicked. She didn't want to talk to Roy, not now, not in person. Not after the day she had had. She quickly cleaned her kitchen and did her dishes before tiding the living room.