Chapter 2- Night

Riza arrived at the State Alchemist building. She didn't bother using her car. It was a short walk from her apartment. She lay her umbrella on the umbrella stand that stood in front of the door. The umbrella then began to dry. Weather was worse than that afternoon. Thunder roared, accompanied with lightning that struck across the heavens. Rain showered the whole city as a raging wind blew. Riza looked up surprised.

Most of the windows of the building lights were turned off and the whole place was empty looking. Her eyes narrowed. Is this some kind of joke? It wasn't 9:00 yet so how could they have gone home this early?

'Taisa's probably setting up a surprise.' Riza thought as she entered. 'He better … I need to hear a 'sorry' from him, one-night stand or not…'

The inside was just as the same as the view from outside. Not a single military personnel was inside. Riza turned on some of the lights. She headed for the upstairs until she reached Mustang's office. But as it was somehow expected, even he wasn't there. She was irritated on how all of them could have left that early. As she walked off, something caught her attention. It was a filed report on Havoc's desk. She picked it up and began reading it. It's not because it was there, but because her name was on it.

Case Type #789

Found murder on Central Avenue of Eastern Headquarters regarding a deceased military officer. Victim was found dead, apparently as if it was a paralysis. A demand was then written on the wall beside the still corpse, demanding for the surrender of First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye.

'A murder?' Riza thought as she reread the whole case file again.

'Why is the murderer after me?' she thought as she strode off towards the exit. Taisa or Hughes was an even more of a heavier target than she was.

'It couldn't be Scar then…' she added. What would Scar want with her anyway? Well… besides the fact that she was part of the military officers who attacked and massacred Ishbalans.

Rain wasn't improving. Even Riza's umbrella was already being blown off by the wind. Riza stopped by the alleyway. There was more shelter there for the rain but it was also a longer route to her apartment than the one she always took but it was better than nothing.

Riza shivered a bit. The air was so cold even though her coat was on. She tugged it even closer and pulled the zipper on. But still, she still carried the strange cold feeling. As if… As if… she was being followed…

Riza slid her hand on her pocket, slowly withdrawing her gun and placed it close. She continued walking, as she felt that someone was still following her… stalking her…

And she heard it. She could here footsteps. Riza walked in a fast pace from the alleyway to the next.

More footsteps were heard

Riza walked even faster in response.

Walking even faster

Riza suddenly found herself running away from the footsteps, which dictated the same rhythm. What was she afraid of? She could have defended herself with her guns but what drove her to this fear?

Suddenly, she bumped into someone. Riza made a small scream as she pointed her gun at that person. That someone was actually her superior. Roy stood there, surprised. What even surprised him the most was that Riza actually screamed in fright.

"Riza, are you okay! You look… pale…" Roy said, coming towards her to lower down her gun. Indeed, Riza was pale, very pale. She panted for breath in a somehow steady manner. She straightened up, seeing that her colonel was right before her. Roy looked at her nervously as he wished himself good luck.

"Riza, I-"

"You don't have to say it when you don't mean it, Colonel." Riza partly read his mind as she checked her gun magazine.

"But still… I'm sorry." Said Colonel apologized. Instantly, out of instinct, he grabbed Riza and gave her a passionate kiss. Riza didn't even fight back surprisingly. Rather, she deepened it further. Their lips eventually parted, the two military officers catching breath.

"But it still means you cheated on me." Riza said, giving a small frown.

"This is different." Roy said as he began explaining what really happened. Riza heard every word.

"But you always were a one-night stand, Taisa." Riza mentioned.

"I wouldn't trade you for any woman in the world." Roy said sincerely. Riza smiled.

"I hope you mean that, Taisa." Riza gave another smile. "But promise me one thing."

"Anything." Roy whispered.

"That if you don't have it on with any other woman for the next 12 months… I'll forgive you." Riza smiled. The Colonel can't say yes to that unless he truly cared.

"Anything for you, sweetheart." Roy gave his trademark smirk. He loved a challenge.

"But Riza… I have to ask you something…" Roy said.

"Hm?"

"Why were you looking scared?" the colonel asked. Riza frowned. Should she tell him about the mysterious footsteps? The sense of being followed? But part of her didn't want to tell the colonel. She hated being worried on and most especially, being a burden to others.

It was nothing… I ran away from a chimera…" Riza lied. She couldn't believe she thought about that. Shou Tucker was already arrested. Who'd believe in a story of stray chimeras in the streets when hardly, people know how to create them unless they are from the State Alchemy? The Colonel was smart. He would never believe that. It was true. The Colonel sensed the dishonesty in her but chose to ignore it.

"Come on… I'll walk you home." Roy pulled Riza close to his arms.

"Taisa!"

"What? I have to protect my sweetheart safe from run away chimeras!" Roy laughed as he gave Riza a small kiss. The couple walked off, laughing and chatting.

But the couple didn't notice that a figure that was watching them from beneath the darkest shadows knocked down the trashcan bin in fury at the sight of the couple. Most especially his jealousy towards a certain colonel…