Riza woke up to find it was raining. She frowned. Shooting practice would have to wait until tomorrow, weather permitting. Her eyes grew heavy as she fought back a yawn. If it was raining, the least she could do was enjoy her lazy morning before heading into town to meet Roy's friends.

Riza instantly sat up in her bed, now wide awake. She had completely forgotten that she had agreed to accompany Roy on his trip into town. A trip as friends, she reminded herself, before frowning. But was it? From what she could remember, Roy had never specified. It was perfectly reasonable, given she consumed almost three glasses of wine, to assume she had misinterpreted his invitation.

Internally, Riza cursed. Why was she wasting her time trying to decipher what Roy had meant when asking for her company today? She was practically engaged, damn it! Riza hadn't lied to Rebecca when she said that Roy had never said or done anything to suggest he looked at Riza as anything other than a friend. Reading between the lines of their interactions- a habit Riza had never had before- would not do. She was to be married in the spring and wasting her time with silly little thoughts would only come back to bite her.

She climbed out of bed and reached for her dressing gown, tying it closed around her waist. She quietly left her room and headed to the kitchen. It was too early for breakfast to be served, but there was a chance Morgan, the Hawkeye's cook, had the percolator on the stove. The strong aroma in the air answered her question and Riza helped herself to a cup of coffee with sugar.

"Good morning, Lady Hawkeye," Morgan said cheerfully as he entered the room, firewood in hand. "There are fresh biscuits in the oven if you'd like something to enjoy with your coffee." He motioned to the oven built into the corner of the room as he threw some firewood in the stove.

"No thank you," Riza replied with a smile. "I can wait until breakfast. How much of the carrot cake is left?"

"Oh, about half," Morgan answered. He placed a pan on the stove and began bringing it to temperature. "There would be more, but the Lieutenant-Colonel helped himself to a late night snack."

Riza giggled. "You would have thought the two pieces at dinner were enough."

"I have never understood how that boy is not fat with eating habits like his," Morgan shook his head. He began to crack a few eggs into the pan. "Would you like a piece of cake with your coffee, Lady Hawkeye?"

"Oh, no," Riza said. "But do you think you could have a few generous slices wrapped up and ready to go by noon? I'm accompanying Mister Mustang into town today to meet some of his acquaintances and I'd prefer to not show up empty handed."

"Of course," Morgan answered, his eyes focused on his task before him. "Visiting anyone in particular?"

"No." Riza sipped on her coffee, enjoying the warmth. "Some of his war buddies, I believe."

"Sounds like a wonderful way to spend the afternoon. The Lieutenant-Colonel is a good man and I'm sure the company he keeps reflects this."

"Mmm," Riza hummed in agreement, her coffee cup against her lips. "Morgan, you've worked for my father since before he was married. Can I ask you a question?"

"Lady Hawkeye, you know you can ask me for anything. I'd help you bury a body if you needed me too."

Riza smiled, knowing his words were true. Morgan had been with the Hawkeye family since her father was a teenager. He had taught her how to cook, never once losing his temper when she had filled his kitchen with smoke. Even now that her father had deemed baking an unsuitable hobby for a woman of her stature, Morgan would sneak her into the kitchen whenever her father was away, excusing himself to errands elsewhere so she could enjoy the kitchen in its entirety. He had served her her first glass of wine, late at night after she had creeped into the kitchen at fifteen still crying over an argument with her father, and had offered her his ear. Although Riza knew her father would never part with his oldest servant, Riza would have asked him to join her at the Bradley estate in a heartbeat.

"Why do you think my mother eloped despite knowing how much grandfather wanted her to marry Lord Bradley? The truth. I've never been given a straight answer."

"Ah," Morgan said knowingly. He quickly finished scrambling the eggs before removing the pan from the heat and turning to give Riza his full attention. "I wondered when these questions would come up."

After her mother's untimely death when Riza was five, her father refused to discuss her. Riza's knowledge of her mother was almost entirely made of her vague, early memories and the stories told to her by her grandfather and the select staff that had been around long enough to know Elizabeth Hawkeye.

"You have to understand; your father was a completely different person around your mother. He was loving, kind, romantic… everything a woman could want. He had started courting her before Bradley had expressed an interest and for a good few months your grandfather had almost given him permission to marry her. But then Bradley came around. Even before Lord Bradley created his business empire, the Bradley's had more money, land and status than Lord Hawkeye could compete with." He paused and brought his hand to his face, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "But Lord Bradley looked at your mother like a possession while your father looked at her as the most precious person in the world."

"I know grandfather was furious."

"Furious is an understatement," Morgan said with a laugh. "Your grandfather was livid. He found out about the elopement after your parents had consummated their marriage so there was no going back, even if Grumman could have pulled the strings necessary for a divorce. He didn't speak to your mother again. Your parents were shunned from East City's society, but I don't think they minded. It was only after her untimely death that your grandfather started to make amends with your father and it was only so he did not lose his chance at a relationship with you."

Riza frowned. She knew all of this from bits and pieces of various stories told to her over the years.

"I know my mother's marriage to Bradley was arranged and that she chose love instead. I guess what I'm really asking is how do you think they were able to justify it? Their elopement went against everything they were taught. My father may not be the man he was when my mother was alive, but I can't imagine him ignoring all rules of society."

"Love does funny things to a person, Lady Hawkeye. My deepest wish for you is that you get to experience it at least once in your life." Morgan's smile to Riza was kind and tender, closer to a grandfather's affection than that of a servant.

Nevertheless, Riza rolled her eyes and scoffed. "Yes, maybe in twenty years when Bradley dies of old age and I'm free to choose my second husband."

"That's still more than most women of your status can hope for."

Riza bit her lip, ignoring Morgan's comment and returned her attention to her coffee instead.

/-/-/

The Hawkeye Estate was located in the far outskirts of East City. As expected, Berthold had retreated into his office immediately after breakfast, neither noticing nor caring about Riza's plans for the day.

The half hour carriage ride passed by uneventfully. Roy fell asleep instantly, leaning against the carriage door. He looked exhausted, dark circles surrounding his eyes once again. Not wanting to disturb him, Riza quietly read her book.

Roy was startled awake as the carriage entered the city- the cobblestone street provided a bumpier ride than the dirt roads leading to the Hawkeye Manor.

"Have a nice nap?" Riza asked without looking up from her book.

Roy yawned in reply as he stretched his arms above his head. He rubbed his eyes. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"I came prepared." Riza motioned to her book before marking the page she was on and placing it on the seat beside her. "You look exhausted. Is your bed back at the manor up to your standard?"

"It's perfect," Roy half-heartedly assured her. "My injury makes it hard to rest for extended periods of time. That's all."

"If there's anything we can do, please let me know. You look like you haven't slept well in weeks."

He hadn't, Roy thought to himself, but these were his troubles and his alone. He decided to change the subject instead.

"I'm sure you will like Hughes and his wife, Gracia. They've been married close to six months, so I must warn you they can be a little… well, they can be a lot."

"Still in the honeymoon phase?"

"That's an understatement," Roy laughed. "She was the only thing he would talk about in Ishval aside from the war. They were married within a month of our return. Hughes has been ready to settle down and start a family since his first day at the academy."

"Does Mr. Hughes work in your unit?"

"God no." Roy smiled at her question and Riza's heart swelled from the warm look he gave her. "We would kill each other. I love the man like a brother and he annoys me like a brother."

"That's understandable," Riza said.

"Indeed. Ah- it looks like we are here."

The carriage had pulled up to a row of townhouses. Roy climbed out of the carriage first before offering his arm to Riza. Using his forearm for balance, she climbed out of the carriage, clutching the carrot cake Morgan had carefully wrapped in wax paper in one hand.

"Please pick us up at seven," Roy said to the carriage driver.

"Yes, sir," the driver said before commanding the horses to move, leaving the two of them standing on the cobblestone.

Riza followed Roy as he walked up the small group of stairs and knocked on the townhouse door.

"I should mention before we go in, neither Gracia or Hughes come from status. Hughes' job allows them a good living, but if they fuss over you… Hughes wouldn't admit it, but when I let him know you were accompanying me, I could tell Gracia was going to worry over being the perfect hostess."

"I don't care about those things," Riza said honestly.

"Oh, I know, and I'm sure when they meet you they will too-" Roy's sentence was cut short as the door opened and a bespectacled man came barreling towards him for a hug.

"Roy!" Hughes said as he gave Mustang a hug that was not fully reciprocated. "I'm glad you made it! Your timing is perfect. Gracia just made a pot of tea." His attention turned to Riza. "And you must be Lady Hawkeye."

"Please-" Riza put her hand out to stop him from bowing. "Riza. Call me Riza." She looked Roy in the eye, silently relaying that her request applied to him as well. "I prefer we drop the formalities for today."

Hughes' shoulders relaxed at her words and Riza became aware of just how stiff he had been addressing her. "Riza then, it's great to finally meet you. I've heard so much about you. Maes Hughes."

"Oh you have?" A playful smile crossed Riza's face.

"I've told Hughes many stories about my apprenticeship," Roy said, attempting to come across as casual. He moved to enter the house before Hughes could escort them in. "It's cold out, I hope you have a fire going."

Stepping ahead of Roy, Hughes took the lead down the hallway and into the townhome's parlor room. It was cozy and well decorated, with bright floral wallpaper, eye catching rugs and inviting furniture. Clearly Gracia had taken great care to decorate the space for her new family.

"How come I wasn't told we were bringing dates?!" A blonde man sitting on the couch asked, hands in the air with exasperation.

"Would you even have someone to bring?" Roy asked, not skipping a beat. "Besides, Miss Hawk- Riza is not my date. She's Lord Hawkeye's daughter and she's been kind enough to accompany me into town today." Roy turned to Riza, who was quietly standing behind him. "Riza, this is Havoc, one of my subordinates." He motioned to the man sitting beside Havoc who was occupied with a plate of cookies sitting on the coffee table. "And this is Breda. He works for me as well."

"It's nice to meet you," Riza smiled, holding out her hand to the pair. Roy moved to sit down across from Havoc and Breda as Riza turned to Hughes. "It's not much, but I brought some of the carrot cake I baked yesterday." She held out the package of wax paper.

"Gracia will be thrilled," Hughes offered her a large smile. "She's in the kitchen finishing up some last minute things. Our housemaid has been sick all week so Gracia cooked lunch all by herself." He sighed dreamily. "Isn't she just wonderful?" He took the cake from Riza's hands.

"Do you think she would like some help?" Riza offered. "I like to think I'm a decent cook."

"You're our guest, I couldn't ask you to-"

"I insist. I quite like cooking but father doesn't think it's an appropriate hobby, so I'm only allowed in the kitchen when he's out on business. If anything, you would be doing me a favor."

Hughes nodded. "If you'll follow me, I can show you to the kitchen."

Riza and Hughes left the room. As soon as they were out of earshot, Havoc let out a whistle.

"Don't even think about it, Havoc," Roy warned, his eyes narrow.

"You said she wasn't your date!" Havoc exclaimed. "And have you seen her?"

"You're an idiot sometimes," Breda said from beside Havoc. "Mustang takes women from you, not the other way around."

"She's not my woman," Roy said firmly.

"Oh yeah, sure." The three men sitting on the couch turned to see Hughes entering the room alone. He walked over to the small bar cart in the corner. "Whiskey anyone?" All three men nodded.

"I've known Riza since she was eleven. There has never been anything between us other than friendship."

"Which explains why you used to talk about her all the time," Hughes said with a smirk as he handed Breda his drink.

"It wasn't all the time," Roy scoffed.

"Yeah, yeah," Hughes rolled his eyes. "You've talked about women you've actually slept with less."

Roy snatched the glass of whiskey out of Hughes' outstretched hands and took a generous sip. "Hughes, please stop. She's spoken for."

"All I'm saying is her engagement hasn't been announced. King Bradley has plenty of time to change his mind."

"King Bradley!" Havoc said, surprised. He turned to look at Roy, eyes wide with alarm. "Do you have a death wish? Why the hell are you messing around with King Bradley's next wife?"

"We're not messing around," Roy growled, his voice stern.

"But you wish you were," Breda teased. "Or you wouldn't be so heated right now."

"Drop it and don't bring it up again. Particularly in front of Riza. Her pending marriage is a… sore spot." Roy had reached his limits with his men's teasing. "I'm serious. If you don't drop it right now, I will make sure all of you are on inventory duty for the next year."

"I'd like to see you try. You're still on leave."

"General Grumman is Riza's grandfather. I'm sure he would grant me a favor for defending his granddaughter's reputation." It was Roy's turn to smirk.

"There's no way we can win this conversation," Breda said as he patted Havoc on the shoulder, feigning sympathy. "The man's in denial. But speaking of Grumman, how did you manage to convince him to give you the entire winter off?"

Roy frowned. Only Hughes and the General knew the specifics surrounding his leave.

Hughes must have read his mind and interjected on Roy's behalf. "He's still recovering from his injury."

"I broke my leg in the same accident and they only gave me six weeks before desk duty! Chief got twelve!"

"Pays to be a commanding officer," Roy smirked, secretly hoping Havoc would stop asking questions.

"Pays to be Grumman's pet, more like."

"Oh, shut up Hughes."

The parlor door opened and Gracia walked in, Riza right behind her.

"Whose hungry?" Gracia asked.

The group shuffled into the Hughes dining room. Gracia had outdone herself. On the table was a small feast, including a ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, roasted vegetables and fresh made bread.

"Wow, thanks Gracia," Breda said as he eagerly took a seat.

"This is only the second time we've had company since Maes returned from the war so I may have been over excited," Gracia answered sweetly. "Save room for dessert. I baked a few apple pies for dessert and Riza was kind enough to bring some of her homemade carrot cake."

Roy took a seat next to Riza. "Gracia's pies may give your baking a run for your money."

"Oh, I'm sure," Riza laughed lightly. "She showed me a few tricks while I was assisting her."

"Riza's a great cook, I simply gave her some advice," Gracia said.

Beside her, Hughes grabbed his wife's hand, kissing it. "If only everyone here had a wife as wonderful as you, my dear. I can't wait until we have kids. Everyone in Amestris will be jealous of our beautiful children."

Gracia blushed and the two continued to hold hands while eating.

"Kids already? You've only been married for what- five months?" Havoc asked.

"No not yet, but soon," Hughes replied. "There's rumors going around that I may be transferring to Central in the next year. We are waiting to see how that plays out first. Moving cities with a newborn would be a nightmare."

"If you don't work under Mis- Roy- what is it that you do Maes?" Riza asked.

"I work in Investigations," Hughes said proudly. "I'm more involved with the military police and less with the threats to our country than these guys"- he motioned to Havoc, Breda and Roy- "but I enjoy it. Not every military position needs to be so combat focused."

"So you're the one with all the secrets?"

Beside her, Roy snorted, encouraging a glare from Hughes across the table.

"I know enough," he smiled. "If General Grumman's sources are correct, Colonel Ellingsworth is planning to retire by this time next year and I'm one of the front runners to replace them."

"My grandfather is an extremely nosy person," Riza said lightly. "I'm sure his information is true."

"So how is it having the General as your grandfather?" Breda asked.

"Aside from constantly entertaining higher ups from Central, he never speaks to me about the military."

"He probably can't," Roy said. "The higher you are, the more confidential information you're privy too."

"Oh I'm sure," Riza said before turning to Breda and Havoc. "So how did you two get assigned to work for Roy?"

"He asked," Havoc shrugged. "And frankly anyone would have been better than my last boss. Besides, the Chief's future plans are admirable."

"What plans?" Riza asked innocently.

Immediately, Roy glared at Havoc. Everyone, Gracia included, was attempting to avoid eye contact with either Roy or Riza. Riza frowned. Clearly she was the only one unaware of this secret.

"What plans, Roy?" She asked again, her voice firm.

"It's nothing. Just plans within the military."

"So if I were to ask my grandfather…?" Riza's voice trailed off.

"I like her, boss," Breda said with a laugh. "She knows how to put you in your place."

"Fine," Roy sighed, defeated. "But you understand this is something that no one outside of this room knows. It's too dangerous." He waited for Riza to nod in response. "I intend to become Fuhrer, preferably before I'm 40."

Across the table, Maes nodded in solidarity with Roy's statement.

"Why?" Riza blinked.

"Did you know Amestris has been at war, with one country or another, for the past fifty years?" Roy asked her. She shook her head. "It's true. The war in Ishval may be over, but there's still skirmishes up at the northern border with Drachma and the border war with Creta."

"Only Roy and I were in Ishval," Maes cut in. "But you have to understand it was a living hell. Not knowing if you were going to live or die, following orders that never truly made sense, and having to fight a civil war against your own people. The people we killed were Amestrians just as much as we were."

Riza frowned softly. It had never occurred to her that Roy had killed someone, let alone many people. Sure, she understood that was an unavoidable part of war, but the explicit idea of Roy in combat was not something she had pictured. She looked at Hughes, who was still holding hands with Gracia across the table, and struggled to picture him holding a gun, let alone firing it.

"The Ishvalan Extermination wasn't limited to just their makeshift army," Roy continued. "It included families, women, children- everyone. I decided that there was no way I could be complacent. I intend to take over the military and work to ensure that nothing like Ishval happens again."

"When I said you were an ambitious man; I would have never had guessed the extent of your dreams."

"If anyone could do it, it would be the chief here," Havoc said.

"Oh, I agree," Riza corrected.

"I'm an ambitious man."

"Now then," Gracia said as the conversation was fading into silence. "Would anyone like dessert?"

/-/-/

After lunch, the group had taken to the parlor room and were quickly consumed with a card game. The group laughed and played merrily, barely noticing the time until the sun began to set.

"I should be heading out," Havoc said after their final round of cards. "I promised Ma I'd be home for dinner and I couldn't possibly impose on Gracia for another meal."

"I'll walk with you," Breda said, standing up.

The two men gave their goodbyes and gratitudes before heading out the door. Once they were gone, Roy looked at the time. "We have about fifteen minutes before our ride returns as well."

"Care to join me in the study until then?" Hughes asked. "I know you're not currently working, but there's a case I'd like you to look at. I can't help but think I'm missing something and a new perspective may be the answer."

The two shuffled out of the room, leaving Gracia and Riza to pick up the collection of glassware littered throughout the room.

"Was Roy serious about becoming Fuhrer?" The question had been burning Riza's tongue since his admittance. She liked Gracia and believed the woman would tell her the truth.

"Oh yes," Gracia said. "I'm not sure how much he has told you- Maes has kept more from me than I could even begin to imagine- but I've never seen someone look as haunted as Roy did when I went to pick him and Maes up from the train when they returned home from Ishval."

"He actually has never said anything," Riza admitted.

"That's surprising. From both today and the way he's spoken about you I assumed-"

"It's truly not like that."

"Oh," Gracia said softly. "I apologize. I figured Roy's insistence was due to your expected courtship and his desire to keep your reputation wholesome. With his own reputation and all, I didn't question. And he's never brought a woman he's been seeing to meet us, let alone someone he's spoken so highly of. It was wrong for me to assume, but you must understand my reasoning."

Before Riza could ask exactly what Gracia meant, the man in question entered the room, Hughes at his heels.

"Ready to go?" He asked. "Our carriage should be outside." He turned to Hughes and Gracia in the doorway. "I'll see you Friday, Hughes. Grumman is having me come to headquarters to welcome General Raven to East City. Gracia, everything was exquisite as always."

"Yes thank you so much for the hospitality," Riza said to the pair. "It was wonderful to meet you."

"It was great to finally meet you too," Hughes said. "Have a safe ride home."

"Sorry about all of that," Roy said sheepishly once they were in the privacy of the Hawkeye's carriage. "They can be a bit much."

"Oh they were all lovely. Thank you for bringing me along. Truly."

"I'm glad."

"Although…" Riza allowed her voice to trail off as Roy turned to look at her. "Gracia didn't believe we are just friends, even with your insistence."

Roy shrugged, trying to play it off. "In Ishval, it was easier to remember the past then try to look forward to the future. It was certainly easier than looking at the present. Aside from the academy, I had spent the past few years working under your father. I'm afraid I've spoken about your family frequently. The memories of better times helped get me through the war."

"That would make more sense."

"Even with their predetermined opinions on us, I'm surprised Havoc didn't try and make a move on you. He has quite a reputation for wanting to be a ladies man, but the ladies don't exactly like him."

"Speaking of reputations…apparently you deny our relationship to save my own. What have you possibly done where your friends don't fully believe you even when you're telling the truth and assume such a thing?" Riza said teasing him.

Roy flushed bright red, clearly embarrassed. He coughed. "Umm, yes well. You know how men are. Military men, in particular."

"I don't follow." Riza's statement was innocent enough that Roy internally cursed her.

"I've had… a lot of... fun… in my time and just…" His cheeks deepened in color.

"Mister Mustang!" Riza laughed out loud at his embarrassment. "I don't think I've ever seen you so flustered."

"Well…" Roy found he could not meet her eyes. "I respect you, Riza. A lady doesn't need to be hearing about this."

"Not unless it is a lady willing to be in your bed?" Riza laughed. She made no effort to hide her joy at his discomfort.

"There's more to it than that. Protecting reputations goes both ways," Roy said defensively.

"Oh really, how?"

"I'm rather popular with General Grumman. It wouldn't do you well if he heard we were on a date- even if it was a misunderstanding. It wouldn't benefit my goals if everyone thought I was getting ahead because I was sleeping with his only granddaughter."

Now it was Riza's turn to flush bright pink. She caught Roy's eyes for a brief moment before suddenly becoming preoccupied with the bindings of the book she had left in the carriage hours ago.

"Regardless," she said after a while. "Thank you for today. It was pleasant."

"It was, wasn't it?"

"I wish you didn't have to leave in the spring. Your company makes living with father bearable."

Roy could see the honesty in Riza's eyes. The mood in the carriage grew tense. He audibly swallowed. "I wish I didn't have to leave either."

"You could resign," Riza said softly. "Stay with us. Work for my father."

"You learned my end goal today, Riza. You know I could never. Besides, you'll be married within the year."

She frowned. "It's not fair. You and Rebecca are the only friends I have. I don't want to lose you. Either of you."

"Riza, I will always be your friend."

She got up from her seat across from him and despite the rest of the carriage being empty, sat down directly beside him. She leaned her head onto his shoulder and Roy paused for a moment before wrapping his arm around her waist. The two sat there enjoying the silence and the warmth of each other before Roy broke their contact.

Riza jerked towards him as he pulled away from their embrace. Her amber eyes were wide, asking him a question he was afraid to answer. She slowly raised her hand, tucking a single strand of his hair behind his ear. She looked at him expectantly.

It would be so easy, he thought. He could kiss her now, in the confines of the carriage and no one would ever be wiser. She was staring at his mouth, clearly afraid to make the first move herself.

Instead, he cleared his throat, the reasons behind why they were just friends flooding his mind.

"We are here, Miss Hawkeye," he said, his voice shaking.

The carriage pulled to a stop and Riza seemed to snap back into reality herself. Falling back into formalities, she moved away from Roy, her eyes no longer boring into his own. "Thank you again, Mister Mustang. Have a good night."

She exited the carriage before he could move, leaving Roy to watch her figure walk away into the night.

A/N: Making Bradley the Fuhrer of this world did not fit what I have in mind for him later. Anyway, thanks for reading! I have through chapter 10 written, so it is a matter of editing and uploading, but my birthday was this week so I've been busy. Next chapter has much fluff and finally some actual romance.