Disclaimer: Yesh. I don't own FMA or any associated characters. If I did, Roy and Riza would be happily married. Or at least they'd have a kid already. –cough- Unfortunately, I don't, so anyways. Don't sue. xD

Two Little Bars

CHAPTER THREE

As Riza soon realized, the park was probably one of the worst places she could go to escape from her problems. As it was a lovely, sunny Sunday afternoon, there were more than enough families happily frolicking in the warm autumn sunshine. Her crimson eyes watched them, a mix of anguish and longing in welled up deep inside her red orbs. Her lips turned down into a thin, straight line, the only indication of the waves of jealousy, anger, and remorse that were sweeping over her.

She was jealous of how happy and carefree the families seemed, the children laughing gleefully as they played on the metal playground, the parents with content smiles on their lips. She was especially envious of the mothers-how lucky they were to have families of their own, how they could share the same house, much less bed, of their beloved and not fear the consequences of such simple actions.

Riza's heart ached as she thought about the many whispered conversations she would have with Roy as they lay, curled up in each other's warmth, bodies exhausted but minds alert. They'd whisper about how, someday, they'd get married and have children. Often, Roy would mention that he wanted at least two children-a little boy and a little girl-and Riza would only laugh at him, snuggling deeper into her lover's arms. The two of them both knew that these discussions were filled with little more than sweet nothings, things that both of them needed to say to each other. Things that both of them knew were impossible, but brought a sense of hope to both of their souls, that one day, their illicit affair would be legal.

Someday, Riza, you'll see. Roy had told her once as they lay together, his arms wrapped tightly around the blonde. Everything will be all right.

Well, someday hadn't come yet. Or if it had, Riza wasn't aware of it.

Damn that fraternization law.

Again, an obscenity that she rarely used. However, it was fitting, given her predicament. Besides the welfare/future of her child, Riza wasn't sure what would happen to both her and Roy once their co-workers discovered their "crime". Most likely, she reflected, the two of them would either (a) be separated, (b) be forced to abort their child or give up their child to stay in the military, (c) court-martialed and subsequently demoted, or (d) all of the above.

It honestly didn't matter if Roy was the Fuhrer-the black-haired man had only been on the job for a few months, and he was still vulnerable to attacks, especially as far as his loyalties and character went. His political enemies had exposed his reputation of womanizing (or so they said; Riza honestly doubted that Roy actually slept with all those women) and manipulation once Roy was appointed to Fuhrer, and were always on the lookout for juicy, reputation-damaging, scandalous information. It didn't matter who else was hurt due to their malicious actions as long as Roy suffered a hit, too.

Finding it too painful to watch the happy families in front of her, Riza began to fiddle with her hands. Her crimson eyes looked over her hands, which were calloused and covered with many small scars. She couldn't imagine herself holding a baby with her hands-so rough compared to the feathery down of a baby's skin. Nor could she see herself gently patting her baby's back with her hands, hands used to the acts of wounding and killing, not healing or helping.

A tiny smile crept to her lips as she thought about Roy as a daddy. Why, he'd be a far worse parent than she would ever be. She couldn't imagine the black-haired man feeding their child, much less burping him or her. He'd probably be too lazy to…

Perhaps. But a nagging voice in her head told her otherwise; Roy's persona changed completely when he was around someone he cared. No longer was he a selfish, lazy, somewhat cold, arrogant, manipulative bastard, but instead, a truly kind and gentle person.

And he'd love this child; I know he would.

Or would he? It was no secret that Roy was an ambitious man. Perhaps too ambitious; she still didn't know how her lover would react to her pregnancy. He'd worked so hard, sacrificing part of his sense of humanity in the process to become the Fuhrer, to right the wrongs of the military. And now, here was his chance to regain his sense of humanity again, to rid himself of his blood-stained hands he'd acquired in Ishval, to feel like a human being again.

And their unborn child could deprive him of this chance, this rebirth.

Riza's thoughts drifted back to that promise she'd made him, so long ago. The promise that she'd made when she was younger, an impassioned cry from her lips. She promised that she'd stay by his side always, that'd she would protect him until the end. It was a promise that she'd made out of her love for him, and it was ironic now how her love for him would also cause her to break this promise.

Soon, she'd be of no true use to Roy. Riza knew she couldn't possibly protect Roy with a big belly, not without the risk of harm to her unborn baby. But she knew, too, that she didn't have the heart to abort her baby. Though she was often described as reserved, detached, cold, even indifferent by her co-workers, she was truly, anything but.

She sighed. What to do? She doubted that the military would allow her to take a six-month vacation without getting suspicious. And Roy, of course, would want to know why. He'd weasel the truth out of her one way or another. Sometimes, all it took was one seductive grin on his handsome features, a teasing whisper, a butterfly kiss on her neck when they were alone, and…well…

The blonde would melt, like a chocolate left out on a hot summer day. During those moments, she'd tell him anything he wanted to know, his breath tickling her neck, just like any other woman with her lover…

Suddenly, Riza shuddered. Why's it so cold? She found that she was squinting to focus on the calluses on her hands; it seemed like the sunlight was fading away. She looked up, her thoughts temporarily interrupted. A flickering streetlamp greeted her confused gaze, and silence met her ears. The park was deserted now, now that the sky was quickly darkening, the light blue turning into a murky cobalt.

She'd sat here for the majority of the afternoon, and not realized it. A hot blush came to Riza's cheeks-she'd never been quite so absentminded before. Quickly, she stood up; she hadn't meant to sit there quite so long.

She hadn't cooked dinner yet, and Black Hayate was almost certainly going to be hungry. He always had his dinner at five, and judging from the darkening sky, Riza estimated that it was probably six, maybe even six thirty.

Seeing his mistress get up from her bench, the mutt got up too, tail wagging weakly. He was ready to go home-his tummy growled impatiently and angrily. He was hungry, and not to mention, somewhat grumpy. Although Black Hayate had whimpered weakly right at five, Riza was too engrossed In her thoughts to notice her dog's quiet whimpers. And Black Hayate dared not to whimper any louder-he was still slightly terrified that Riza might whip out her gun and "shoot" him with it, just like she had once when he was a puppy. This time, Black Hayate reasoned, his owner might not miss like she had before.

Feeling a soft tug on his leash, Black Hayate began to trot alongside Riza. His mood lightened considerably when the dog realized that he was no longer pulling his mistress, but instead, his mistress was pulling him. Her gait was brisk and fast again, not slow and sluggish. The dog wagged his tail; maybe, just maybe, his mistress had forgotten about whatever –that- human did.

However, a particular scent made Black Hayate stop in his tracks. The black-and-white dog whipped his head around, planting his paws into the sidewalk. The blonde, noticing resistance from her dog, stopped also.

"Hayate, what's wrong with you today? Don't tell me you're losing your mind, too…" Riza tugged on the leash again. Her brow furrowed; Black Hayate never acted this way. The blonde had almost expected to be dragged by the dog to their small apartment; the dog had always treated dinnertime as a sacred ritual until today.

The dog ignored the tug on his collar.

He could smell him. He'd recognize that scent anywhere; it smelled like his mistress, only muskier. Gunpowder, soap, vanilla, sandalwood…

Black Hayate suddenly growled as a dark shadow rounded the corner, and he came closer. By now, Riza had given up trying to budge her dog from where he stood; the mutt wasn't responding at all. Her crimson eyes narrowed as she, too, spotted the shadowy figure; unconsciously, her free hand trailed down to where her gun was normally kept.

Her fingers felt air, and with a jolt, Riza realized that she hadn't bothered to strap on her gun. Her hand instantly clenched into a fist: how utterly stupid and thoughtless of her. She was Roy's right-hand woman, after all. Any enraged, slightly psychotic dissident would want to kill her, and thus effectively gain Roy's attention (not to mention a death warrant).

The blonde stood, heart pounding.

If she was to die tonight, she wanted to die with honor. She wanted the doctors at Central to know that she had died fighting her assailant, died with glory, died with honor, as any admirable soldier would…that she had died for all the right reasons.

However, that honor was to be denied to her, at least for tonight. As soon as the shadowy figure spoke, walking nearer and nearer towards her, Riza instantly knew who it was, and her fist relaxed.

"Someone's a bit jumpy today."

A deep, smooth drawl, so familiar to her ears. A voice that she knew as well as her own. Deep crimson met unending black, and her eyes lingered for a moment, on the eye patch that obscured his left eye, barely visible in the falling dark. Her gaze then fell upon his lips. Lips from which released both orders and sweet nothings; luscious, soft lips, which had covered her own so many nights; lips that caused her to blush with either pleasure or indignation.

Her lips moved; she was so surprised to see him. He was certainly…unexpected. Her mouth moved, almost soundlessly, her voice catching in her throat as she spoke, her words coming out in barely above a whisper.

"Sir…I mean, Roy."

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Chatte's Notes: My chapters just keep on getting longer and longer, and hopefully better in content and quality. ;

Heh. Enter Roy! xD I'm not sure when I'll have Riza tell him, but don't worry, all ye who be waiting. It's coming soon, as soon as I "feel" his character. ; Yes, I write in bursts of creativity, and Riza's personality has just been easier for me to slip on.

But don't worry. The next installment will probably come in soon.

Keep reviewing. Reviews really do inspire me!

And, no, I haven't forgotten Black Hayate. Ohhohohoho. –grins evilly-

Thank yous and chocolate bars to:

Tsunade-chan, MoonStarDutchess, Celestial Wolfen, Teen Titans Terminator, Shadow Dreamer 27, Tsume-n-carnet, Lady of the Storm, unexpection, and Mizani. You people rawk my sawks. xD

- Chatte