Chapter Fourteen: Welcome Home Hawkeye

Two weeks passed from the incident at Western Command and things around the office had settled down enough that no one was mad and shot bullets at everyone. All was well until the Furher called both herself and Mustang down to his office.

"It seems there's a problem with you two." He said motioning them to sit in the chairs opposite him.

"Sir?" Hawkeye questioned. It hadn't even been a month since she'd been back. Things had changed, but there didn't seem to be a problem between them.

"There's no more yelling or gun shoots to be heard. As I can fondly recall I saw you two at each other's throats not even six months ago. Why is there a change now?" He asked.

"I don't know what you are trying to say sir." Mustang cut in.

"Are you two making up for lost time or not?"

Roy looked over at Riza who'd also looked up at the same time as he had. Their body language seemed to spell out the change. She was changing as they spoke. Becoming fuller in a way they hadn't seen since Hughes and Gracia had married.

"I fear a change soon Colonel Sir." She whispered across the trinity they formed.

"There's nothing that's going to change." He answered. The usual strain having left his voice he sounded more mature and less likely to blow your head off.

"There's nothing going to change. Yes, we know this, but something already has changed. There's a connection between you two that's got the rest of the military upset and what are you planning to do about the Brigadier General's death?" Furher Bradley asked.

"Brigadier General Basque Grand's death is being investigated sir, but there have been no other leads concerning his death at this time." Mustang answered.

"Then why are you wasting your time on all the things that have nothing to do with it?"

"King Bradley sir, the investigations department is doing everything they can to find out what happened." Mustang said.

"Fine, but you still have not answered my earlier question."

"Sir, we are not making up for any lost time." Lieutenant Hawkeye finally answered.

"Why are you not making up for the time you lost?"

"Yelling at each other and shooting at one another seems too childish for army personnel." Mustang answered.

"Your answer only incriminates you more Colonel Mustang. You and the Lieutenant continue working together. I will be watching you to make sure there is no special treatment just because you have feelings for her. The same goes for you Lieutenant. Not writing his reports for him just because you're in love with him. I have eyes that have seen the things that have happened between you. Watch your step Colonel Mustang. You are both dismissed." The two stood and saluted their chief before turning from him and walking out the door.

Back in Mustang's newly refurbished office the others were plotting against the two. There was going to be a welcome home party for the Lieutenant since they had been rather busy since they'd rescued her from the evil clutches of Grant. Hushed whispers were heard on the other side of the doorway when Hawkeye and Mustang arrived at the threshold.

"Colonel Sir they are plotting something."

"Yes, it seems as if they are." He looked down at her with a smile. The Furher had been quick to notice their new found trust in one another.

"He knows." She whispered looking at him.

"I know, but there's no way that we can change now."

"No, there's not." She answered averting her gaze to the ground. There were things that she wanted to tell him that she had yet to tell anyone. Not even Hayate.

"Is there something the matter Lieutenant?" He asked putting two fingers under her chin to raise her face so she could look at him and so that he could see what her emotions expressed.

"There's nothing wrong Colonel Sir." She now looked up at him with a look that said she wanted to tell him everything that was on her mind and yet nothing of what was there.

"You mean nothing Lieutenant, but truly it is everything." The words barely left his mouth before the door behind them opened.

"Boy am I glad I caught you before one of the Furher's cronies caught you!" A rather ruffled Havoc said as he came out of the office puffing on a cigarette.

"Would you be so kind as to put that out?" Hawkeye asked indicating the cigarette.

"Sorry about that Miss Hawkeye." He stubbed it out in the ashtray located conveniently next to the door.

"That's quite alright, but in the future please don't light up in the office." She said walking past him and Mustang. There was a sudden frenzy to put things away as she walked in and she decided now would be a good time to change how nice she'd been lately. Mustang and Havoc stood outside the office while she whipped out her gun and proceeded to pop off a shot. Mustang smiled at Havoc.

"She's back to her old self." He said.

"All right! What's this all about?" She asked.

"Nothing Miss Hawkeye." She fired off another shot and watched them cringe.

"That'll do then, but I want work to be done!" She cried settling into her seat. Mustang walked in with Havoc and they took their seats.

"We've lost her again." Breada whispered to Havoc.

"What was that?" Hawkeye asked.

"I said I've lost my pencil again Miss Hawkeye."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "That better be exactly what you said." She growled.

"Yes, Miss Hawkeye." Breda said raiding Havoc's desk drawer for a pencil.

"Lieutenant may I see you at my desk please." Mustang had a few papers now spread on his desk, a picture of Hughes and his family, as well as a new novel he'd decided to pick up. Maybe it would give him some tips as to what he should do about himself and Hawkeye. She rose from her desk and went to stand in front of his.

"Yes, sir?"

"I…come closer." He ordered.

She leaned in a little closer to where she was leaning on the desk and eye level with him.

"What did you need sir?"

"I wanted to know if you'd like to go for drinks later on tonight. The boys wanted to go and asked if I'd invite you along as well. They missed you while you were gone."

"That means I have to let you all off early tonight. Is there anything else in it for me?"

"You can spend the evening with me and I'll take you to dinner tomorrow night."

"Do you promise?" She asked.

"Yes Miss Hawkeye. I promise."

"Then I guess I'll go." She moved to straighten back up, but was stopped by the arm on her hand.

"Be sure to just wear you military blues."

"Why?"

"I don't want anyone else having the opportunity to stare at you in anything, but your military blues."

She smiled. Good. He was thinking of her after all. She leaned in closer to talk in his ear. "At least you are enough to say something Colonel Mustang Sir." She leaned back from her current position to look him in the eye.

"I'm only here to protect and serve. It's my job Miss Hawkeye."

"No. It's a duty. Not your job Colonel Sir. You are doing something for me. I thank you."

"You're welcome Lieutenant." He stood up to her level and she stepped further back. Havoc looked up at his commanding officer. "See Havoc, that wasn't so hard."

"I see that now sir."

"Next time you can ask her if you want to know whether she'll go with us or not."

"The first rounds on me then."

"It's appreciated." Hawkeye said sitting back at her desk. The hours passed and then a few more. Periodically Hawkeye would look over at Mustang to see if he was doing any of his work. He wasn't. Before they knew it closing time had come and the officers got up to go to their vehicles.

"Lieutenant!" Mustang called as he ran to catch up with her. She turned to look at him.

"Yes Colonel Sir?"

"Would you like me to drive you?" He asked.

"Why not? That doesn't sound like it's too friendly. After all giving rides is fine to the military." She answered. He walked her to his car and opened the door for her. "Where are we going exactly?" She asked.

"We're going to a local bar." He answered. They rode in silence until they arrived at the pub Havoc had specified.

"This is a dance club. We're going to be of place in our military blues you know that Colonel."

"No, we won't. You're forgetting something. These jackets come off." She laughed at the arrogance of the situation.

"That may be, but there is still no way we can go in there."

"The military blues will get us a discount Miss Hawkeye." She laughed rolling her heavenward playfully. "Shall we Miss Hawkeye?"

"Certainly Mr. Mustang Sir." They walked into the club arm and arm looking for Havoc and the others. They found them in a cloud of smoke in the corner.

"Gentlemen." Hawkeye took a seat next to Breada and was soon followed by the Colonel.

"Lieutenant." They nodded at her. She looked around at that point noticing that Havoc was not among them.

"Where's Havoc run off to?"

"Went to buy the first round." Mustang said.

All around them the music suddenly stopped as a man came over the speaker.

"As a special request made by military personnel we are welcoming a certain Lieutenant home."

"YOU SO DID NOT?" Hawkeye cried.

"Now this little lady suffered a great deal in her transfer and was saved by none other than the FLAME ALCHEMSIT! So ladies and gentlemen we welcome Miss Riza Hawkeye home and congratulate Colonel Roy Mustang on a job well done."

"This is not fair." Riza hissed at Mustang though there was not a frown on her face.

"First round courtesy of Havoc!" He said as he came up with seven beers.

"I should kill you, but thanks boys." She said taking her beer and drinking about half before Mustang drug her out of the bench to dance to a funk song.