Warning- There is strong language and double meanings in this chapter. Sensitive ears should be wary.
CHAPTER 6- The Arrival
Roy stood up from the table and Riza looked at him innocently, "Where are you going, Sir?"
Roy glanced nervously at her, "To my room, Hawkeye."
"But the festivities have barely begun." She said, giving him an angelic smile.
"Festivities? What festivities?" He asked, looking to Havoc and the others.
"I believe that I'm the festivities, Colonel." Said a smug grating voice coming from behind him.
He went stiff, "Fullmetal. I was recently promoted as you probably well know." He said and turned around slowly. He was met with the evil grin of one Edward Elric. His imposing armor covered little brother stood behind him, bags in hand.
"Oh, so sorry, Brigadier General. My mistake." He said, his signature smirk in place. Alphonse shook his head, "Brother, please don't go overboard." He muttered.
Edward didn't appear to hear him, "So shall we get started as it seems you're done with dinner?" He said, still grinning.
Roy whipped around to his subordinates, "Get started with what?" He asked, teeth gritted.
Riza made a weak attempt to hide her delight, "Why, a little after supper exercise, Sir. Consider it part of your therapy."
Roy growled in frustration and turned back to Edward, who shot at him, "What's the matter, Colonel? Afraid I'll beat you this time?"
"That's Brigadier General to you, small fry. And what's this? Can't you come up with something more original than a duel?"
"Who are you calling a runt so small that he needs to take steroids to get as big as a krill!" Was his instant response as the word "small" registered in his mind. He was struggling to lunge at Roy so that he could do serious mental and physical damage. Fortunately Alphonse had dropped their bags and restrained his older brother, stopping him from committing multiple murders.
"I'm going to enjoy this." Edward snarled ominously, breathing heavily as he reigned in his short temper.
Roy's smug grin slipped a notch, "Enough of your omens, Fullmetal. As your superior, I order you to tell me what is going on."
"It's as the First Lieutenant said, Colonel. Just a little stimulating after dinner exercise." Edward said, straightening his jacket, absently.
For a moment, Roy looked as if he'd take the child abuse charges if it meant he'd get to strangle the cocky runt, then his mask fell in place and he smiled jovially. "Well, that sounds like fun, Fullmetal. Why don't you and Alphonse check in, paid by myself of course, and get settled. When you're done I'll be waiting in the lobby."
Edward side stepped around Roy warily, intelligently on guard, as he went to front desk. Alphonse sighed heavily, and picked up their bags, diligently following his older brother.
Roy turned on his heel and glared at Riza, "You. Come with me." He then turned back around and walked outside to the gardens.
Riza glanced at her fellow co-workers. They all seemed to be divided between the tasks of saying a final good-bye to her and taking bets on who would live. She rolled her eyes and got up, following her commander.
She entered into the court yard but Roy was no where in sight. It was a beautiful place though. She wondered how the owners had managed to make sure a dry sandy place so floral and lush.
"What were you thinking by inviting Fullmetal here?" He asked softly from behind her.
She turned around to see Roy leaning against the side of the building, arms folded, eyes hidden by his bangs. Caught off guard, her first instinct was to be vague, "I'm not sure what you mean, Sir."
He looked at her, eyes flashing dangerously, "Don't be coy, Elizabeth. It doesn't suit you."
Her heart skipped a beat and she was speechless for a moment. The last time he'd used her formal first name he'd kissed her shortly after. She took a deep breath and tried to banish the feel of Roy's lips on hers from her memory. It didn't work.
"It's part of the healing process, Sir. You have a lot of pent up aggression that shouldn't be kept bottled in. Fullmetal is the only one of us that is nearly your equal in battle. I could shoot you, but I think that would defy the point of our coming here." She said, appearing calm, hold her hands behind her back.
He advanced on her, daring her to step back and away from him, "Bottled aggression? You know there are other ways to let lose excess violence, Elizabeth." He said softly, head down but his eyes still on her.
This time it was Riza's eye that flashed. She refused to be embarrassed or intimidated. He wasn't thinking straight and she intended to get him off that crooked path, "Don't use my first name if you're going to be barbaric or crude, Roy. You're better than that." She said, switching to his first name. If he was going to make it personal, so would she.
His shoulders shook with a nearly imperceptible tremor, "You think so? Maybe I feel like being "barbaric". Maybe I feel violent. Maybe I feel like I want to take out this so called aggression on someone other than Edward Elric." They stood toe to toe and it became a battle of the wills.
She was silent for a moment. Roy didn't dislike Edward, so that wasn't really the issue here. She was guessing that his presence here had slammed home the fact that he was there because he was losing it. It reminded him of why he was losing it. "I know so. Roy, you know he wouldn't want you to mourn him like this." She said quietly, going straight to the heart of the problem.
His expression was one of silent rage. Anyone other than Riza would have run away. He whole body was shaking now, "How would you know? How do you know he wouldn't curse my name? Hate me? Try to kill me if he could?" She could almost hear his soul cry out in anguish.
"I just do, Roy. He loved you like a brother. Anyone could see that he would have done anything for you. It wasn't your fault. I promise that his death won't be for naught. We will find the bastard that took him from us." Her eyes were sad and sympathetic in the face of his anger.
"Dammit, you don't understand!" He yelled.
His pain was so great, she couldn't stop herself from reaching out to him. She reached out to the man in mourning. The one who stood alone, behind the leader and the ruthless soldier. She wrapped her arms around his waist, "You're probably right, Roy. I probably don't."
The damn broke. He was finally, truly grieving for his closest friend and brother. He could only cling to her as his life line, lest he be swept away by the down pour.
(A/N: Well, I've been told that alcohol can blur things that happened the night before. She at the time he knew what he was doing but unfortunately (-snicker-) Roy has forgotten the memory of his and Riza's encounter. I might have him remember and I might not -. Tell me what you think. Should he or shouldn't he?
-saffiremoon21- Nah, you're not mean. He did deserve it XD. Though it is a little unfair, since he doesn't know that he kissed her and forgot. Maybe I should have her tell him? … Nah. Thanks for reviewing!
-Fireness- I'm so mean to him:3. I just love to play with him. Just a little :3. Thanks for reviewing!
-Camille- Thanks :D. It's great to know that I'm appreciated. I really can't tell you how much all of you reviewing like this means to me. Thank you!
-Apparition7- Nice observation. You were right, as you can see ;). Thanks for reviewing! You've been really loyal.
-az4ever- Sorry about the shortness. Maybe it was a subconscious tribute to Edward? XD. Heh, I love lying to myself. But hey, he is one awfully short bishie, -runs away from flying plates and vegetables, as well as a rampaging Edward-.
-Flamara- Can I call you Flamara? It's not really such a leap to type the rest, but my laziness is rather legendary at my school XD. That sneaking suspicion? It was on the money, and of course you were right to worry. Hmm, I wonder what kind of "exercise" Edward and Riza are planning:3.
-The Air Alchemist- Dang. So many people have me pegged. Maybe I should re write this chapter out of spite and have… Roy's mother (XD) show up. That would be hilarious, but I'd never be able to pull it off. Thanks for the review!
-Duelchick901- Heh, yeah, he really is a big dork, isn't he? So you figured out who was coming too, huh? Join the club -grin-. Thanks for the review!
-Raiyne Nagakura- Hey, don't worry about it. Just knowing you're reading it and enjoying is good enough! Thanks for reviewing.
-Nekea- Thanks you for your encouragement. I intend to keep going as long as people like it. Thank you for taking the time to review.)