Fever

Author's note: You may think it's strange that Riza is allowing the Manager to call her all these nicknames, but she doesn't really say anything to him about it because she knows he has nothing else to call her, and she doesn't want to have to reveal her name. And like I said earlier I don't own this song. Also because I couldn't update the past couple of days I'm rewarding you that waited w/ three chapters today ;)

Outsane: I'm glad you're getting into it. Chapter 11 is my favorite, so stay tuned ;)

Heart of Flame: Oh he will! ;)

Kwala: It's gonna get a lot more awkward believe me! Fading wind: Yay a convert!

Isabel M: (1)Mustang's crew doesn't get enough screen time! They seriously need more love, especially Fuery because he's cuddly! Don't worry, I didn't for get about them totally, they get a little action in an upcoming chapter.
(2)I know you're not crazy about the barman thing, but I needed Sam there to show that when Riza is "The Lady in Red" she's not so closed off. She was at the bar every night that week, I wanted to show that she can open up to someone and actually make friends if she wants. Think about it this way, every night she went there, and every night she practiced. Eventually, she'd take a break, maybe need a cup of water. So I figure she headed over to the bar and Sam being the nice guy he is would chat with her. Like Sam said, "I've seen a lot of broads in my day…in fact I've seen some drop dead gorgeous dames, but I've never seen anyone like her." Naturally he'd want to get to know her, maybe take her out.
(3)As for Roy opening up to him, he really didn't. Roy only said "I've just realized that the most beautiful woman in the world has been in the palm of my hand the whole time" He wasn't expecting Sam to pick up on what he was thinking/saying. I know you didn't exactly want him to chat up with the barkeep, but what did you expect him to do? Stare at his shoelaces until she came back on? Besides, Sam plays a small part later and I wanted to establish him as a character.
(4)I'm not surprised that you can probably predict the ending already. I would be able to too. This fic was really intended to be like a page and a half of pure fluff…and it got out of hand ; . Don't worry so much about the predictability. It might be a little predictable, but along the way I might be able to toss you a few curve balls ;)

Chapter 10 – Fever

Riza was on fire. She felt her skin was boiling from the hot lights. It was much cooler backstage. A stage hand brought her a glass of water. "Thank you" she said to him. He simply bowed and went on about his business. She looked up from her water to see the manager rushing over to her. "They're eating your act up!"
She smiled. "I'm glad."
"Just some friendly advice sweet cheeks, for your next number…I'd like you to move around more."
"But I moved around in my first two—"
"I know, I know, but for 'Fever' I'd really like you to really move. You know, get out into the crowd—really spice things up."
"But we never practiced—"
"Don't worry about practicing, just roll with the punches baby doll." He said reassuring her. She nodded uncertainly, and butterflies appeared in her stomach. "Great," he replied, smiling "You're on in 10. Knock 'em dead gorgeous.'

The lights went out and the crowd cheered loudly in anticipation. Roy took his place at the back of the room. Somewhere in the dark Riza's voice rang out loud and clear, "This next number is for someone really special…you know who you are." Roy's face flushed…could she be talking to him?
At the front of the room Hughes put his arm around his wife and whispered in her ear. "This is for you."
A light came on behind the curtain, creating a silhouette of the woman on stage. The silhouette began to snap her fingers and seductive music started to accompany her. The lights gently faded on and she started to sing.

"Never know how much I love you
Never know how much I care
When you put your arms around me
I get a fever that's so hard to bear"

She was just as stunning the second time. Her voice was seductive, sexy. He felt like she was singing straight to him, and as far as he knew, she was. The whole thing left him breathless.

"You give me fever
When you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever
in the morning
Fever all through the night" Riza could feel her confidence growing, and it showed. The manager had clipped a small cordless microphone to the top of her strapless dress, in place of the large microphone. This way she was free to move around the crowd. She started to move down the side stairs and into the crowd.

"Sun lights up the daytime
Moon lights up the night
I light up when you call my name
and you know I'm gonna treat you right"

'It's true' Mustang realized…everything she was saying was true. She really did light up when he was around. This entire show seemed aimed at him, but how did she even know he was here? He wasn't invited to this little shindig. Suddenly the "truth" dawned on him. 'They planned this all along!' He thought 'Hughes, Riza, Sam—this was all a set up! They wanted me to follow Maes here, they wanted me to see this show! This was all a plan to let her tell me how she feels without actually telling me!' He smiled devilishly, everything suddenly made sense.

"You give me fever
when you kiss me
Fever when you hold me tight
Fever
in the morning
Fever all through the night" She sang as she made her way through the crowd toward Maes, Gracia and Elysia. The crowd loved it. Most of them were snapping their fingers. Riza couldn't help but smile. She felt on top of the world.

"Everybody's got the fever" she sang, as she circled Gracia and Elysia. "That is something you all know" she sang a few words to Hughes and began working her way to the back. "Fever isn't such a new thing
Fever started long ago" she was about halfway to where Roy was standing when she started into the next stanza, "Romeo loved Juliet
Juliet she felt the same" she sang to a young couple. She was barely three feet away from Roy and she didn't even know it. The spotlight had been following her this whole time and it was hard to see anyone that was outside the circle of light. She walked backwards a few steps away from the couple and continued singing. "When he put his arms around her, He said Julie, baby, you're my—" Riza was surprised to have walked backwards into something—well, not something exactly…more like someone. The word "flame" had time to slip out of her mouth as she turned around to face none other than the Flame Alchemist.

I am evil ;)