Chapter 2

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Riza was busy sorting the morning's paperwork when the office door opened. Sergeant Fuery entered the room as he removed his coat and hung it on the rack by the window. "Good morning Lieutenant!" He was cheerful and respectful as always.

"Good morning." Riza's reply was short but not rude she seemed to be a little lost in thought.

Fuery sat down at his desk as he surveyed the empty room. "Where is everyone this morning?"

"Falman is helping Scieszka move some stuff around in the records room today." Riza paused to take a sip from her glass of tea. "Havoc and Breda have the day off."

"That seems odd that they both have the day off today." Fuery couldn't hide the extremely puzzled look on his face.

"They had some place to go today." Riza tried not to put too much thought into it as she spoke. Maybe that was what tipped Fuery off there was more to the situation than she let on.

"Is it some kind of mission? I wonder what is up." Fuery didn't drop the matter.

"No." Riza figured she mind as well get it over with. "It's personal. They have gone to see the Colonel at the Northern Outpost." Riza never told any of them about Roy's demotion.

"The Colonel? How come you didn't go with them Lieutenant?" Fuery's question seemed innocent enough.

"They didn't ask me to accompany them." Riza's voice almost sounded sad in her reply. "They thought I wouldn't want to go given the circumstances. It's silly really… they thought I didn't know what they were up to. I know everything that goes on in this office." Her voice shifted to a slightly annoyed tone.

"Given the circumstances?" Fuery had another puzzled look on his face. "Is something wrong?"

"No." Riza sighed. "It's just because I served under Roy for a very long time. Only a fool would think it was an easy adjustment for me when he left. I guess they thought it would be hard for me to see him again."

Without realizing it Riza had actually called Roy by name. By the time she noticed it was too late to do anything about it. She wondered if Fuery even heard her.

"I guess I hadn't thought of that. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to trouble you." Fuery seemed all too eager to apologize about even bringing it up.

"It's ok, don't worry about it. I'm fine. That was a long time ago, it's over now." Riza smiled as she waved him off. She picked up her next piece of paper and started to write.

Riza was lost in her musings as she walked along the sidewalk that led to her apartment. In some ways she wished that Havoc and Breda had asked her to come along on their journey. On the other hand she was relived that she hadn't been presented with the choice. She hadn't seen Roy in so long she wasn't even sure what she would do. Even more so, she was worried how he would react. Several times she had been temped to run after him. But the thought of driving him further away was always at the back of her mind. That was the last thing she wanted to do. Especially since she knew he was hurting. But it hurt her even more that all she could do was sit and wait. So wait she did and wait she always would. The walk was now over as she entered the hall of her apartment building that led to her home of the past three years. Upon entering the door she was happily greeted by the only loved one she had left in her life, Black Hayate.

Roy sat in the dimly lit cottage by the cold and barren Northern boarder of Amestris. The fire raging in the fire place was the only source of light as he pondered what his next move would be.

There was trouble brewing in Amestris and Roy had a hunch that Fullmetal and the gate were both connected to the situation. Al was already on the move, his phone call to the Rockbell residence had turned up little information.

It was time. Roy readied himself for the journey back to Central. Although he was physically ready for his return he was unsure of his mental preparations. Even now the sins of the past still plagued his mind. Those phantoms were only overshadowed by his memories of his lover.

Her face haunted his dreams and he could often feel the heat of her soft flesh under his touch. He could taste her sweet lips with every kiss. He felt the rhythm of her heart beat with every caress. Then he would wake up.

It had been about two years since he had felt her touch or heard her voice. Two long years and yet he could see every curve of her body as if she were right there in front of him.

He doubted he could ever live without her. He had resolved to push her away for her own good. But after all this time he hadn't brought himself to move on himself. He highly doubted she had moved on either.

If she was still waiting for him upon his return he would not push her away again. He vowed that no matter what happened from now on they would be happy. They had lived through enough suffering. It was time to let the healing be complete. If they were together he believed they could overcome anything.

Roy Mustang closed the door of the small cottage and entered the barren snow covered wasteland. He pulled the collar of his coat closer to his face then shoved his hands deep into his pockets as he made his way to the train station.

"Wait for me." Roy's voice echoed out into the void. A statement he knew she could not hear but somehow felt she would know in her heart.

Author's Notes: Well, there it is another short chapter. Sorry it took so long I didn't have things ready ahead of time and I got busy with all the anime cons I attend.

I apologize that this chapter seems a little shallow. I haven't really thought of anything that could really improve it though. Maybe if more people would review I could find what it is that I am lacking…

Reviews really are appreciated as well as constructive suggestions. Thank you to those who have reviewed in the past. Please continue to do so. Just two more chapters to go!