Fever

Disclaimer: That's right! I still don't own FMA or any of the character…yeah, don't rub it in.

Author's note: I'm sorry for what's coming. I know that I'm pretty much the only person on the planet that still listens to Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and James Darren, but it is supposed to be the 20's…and the music is just so fun. Seriously, if you ever have the opportunity to get any of the songs/CDs for these people, you should. They may surprise you. Also, "Paper Moon" (song) doesn't belong to me. Some parts of the song were left out…cause they were silly. : p

Chapter 7 – Barnum & Bailey World

The audience applauded wildly as the lights flashed out for a moment. The spotlight came back on and standing in the manager's former place was someone Roy could only describe as 'one hell of a knockout'. "Damn." He said under his breath. "Blonde bombshell is an understatement!"

The music began to play and woman took the microphone from the stand. The music was light and swinging jazz. The woman smiled out into the crowd as she started to sing.

"Say, its only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me."

Riza really enjoyed this song. It was a lot of fun to sing…and she really felt that the song fit her situation. She knew that "The Lady in Red" wasn't really real. She knew that after tonight she'd have to go back to her military life, but for a little while these people—this audience, believed that she was "The Lady in Red", and for tonight she was.

"Yes, it's only a canvas sky
Hanging over a muslin tree
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me"

Roy couldn't take his eyes off her, she looked amazing…beautiful. 'Who is she?' He wondered. He felt like he knew her somehow…'but that's impossible. If I knew her, I'd know!' she smiled as if she heard his thought. 'I have to meet her.'

"It's a Barnum and Bailey world
Just as phony as it can be
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me"

"Say, its only a paper moon
Sailing over a cardboard sea
But it wouldn't be make-believe
If you believed in me."

She ended the song with a smile. The lights shown on her brightly and it was hard to see anyone in the audience. The only people she could make out in the crowd were the people at the tables closest to the stage. She smiled as she noticed Hughes and his family right up front.

When the audience had finished clapping and the room was quiet again the woman spoke out in a voice all too familiar to Roy. "All right everyone, I'm going to bring things down a notch or two before dinner with a song that's close to my heart." 'Hawkeye!' Roy thought wildly. He squinted at the stage…'No!...it couldn't be…there's no way my first Lieutenant is actually on stage, singing to a crowd of people!' But the more he looked at her the more she looked like Riza…a more relaxed Riza…a Riza that he'd like to get to know more closely. 'She was right about one thing' he thought. 'It is a Barnum and Bailey world. Just as phony as it can be!'

I've also got this song on my comp if anyone would like to hear it. Just email me.