Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Fullmetal Alchemist characters. But, I do own the copyrights to my original characters.

Chapter 1 - The Remembrance

Colonel Roy Mustang sat up in his bed and looked down at the bandages around his waist. He winced as he touched the bandages upon his arms. "Damn," he whispered to himself as he touched the eye-patch upon his once unharmed features. For, he knew that his good looks had gone to waste.

Riza Hawkeye rolled her eyes as she prepared his meal in the kitchen, "You knew you had it coming." Roy sent her a look that made her cringe. However, Riza continued on, "Look at it this way, at least you didn't lose the other eye."

A small smile crept upon Roy's features as he looked down at his bandages again. "I didn't realize that he would offer himself." Roy stopped, "I could have saved the kid."

Riza prodded on, "There was no other way."

Solemnly, Roy responded, "I was their protector. I was supposed to know about their every move. They never let me in on anything." Roy turned his face away, "And now look where we are ... we've lost Fullmetal."

"It could not have been stopped," Riza placed the food tray beside Roy.

"We lost Hughes," Roy looked away and continued, "and I lost my eye."

"Stop talking," Riza responded as she placed an apple slice into Roy's mouth.

He looked out the window and noticed that Havoc was standing outside the steps. A look of confusion appeared upon his features as he turned towards Riza. He swallowed his apple and replied, "What is Havoc doing here?"

"I don't know," Riza peered out the window and smiled to herself. "It looks as though he's having a conversation."

"With whom?" Roy peered out the window in confusion, "I know I lost one eye. But, my other eye can't be all that bad."

"It's not," Riza assured him. "Havoc is just having a conversation with himself. Is that normal?"

"For him, that is normal." Roy sent Riza a thin smile, "What's he doing out there?"

"I'll check on it," Riza nodded and then saluted Roy as though they were still at work.

Awkwardly, Roy raised up his injured arm and winced as he saluted Riza. "You okay, sir," Riza asked in concern. Quietly, Roy nodded as he looked out the window; an intense look entered his unharmed eye. Riza paused, for, she had seen him in this reflective mood several times since the incident with the Elric brothers. "Are you thinking about the Elric brothers?"

Roy did not respond.

Riza awkwardly paused, "It is okay if I invite Havoc in, isn't it?" Roy nodded quietly as he looked upon the dark clouds. He knew that rain was to come and with that the memories would flood back; haunting him.

"It was raining that night," he whispered to himself.

"Yeah, it rains a lot here." A familiar voice responded as he turned his head towards the bedroom door. Havoc was standing in front of him; his cigarette in his mouth. However, this time he was in off duty clothing with his arm behind his back. "I just got off and I thought I would pay a visit."

The sound of voices echoed through the hallway. "He'll be so happy to see all of you," Roy heard Riza reply.

"Huh," Havoc turned towards the apartment door. "It looks like we all have the day off."

"Then who is at the base," Roy raised his right eyebrow up.

"Who knows," Havoc shrugged, "Sheska?"

"She's kind of here," Roy nodded towards a shy Sheska that was standing against the wall; petrified. Her expression looked as though the Flame Alchemist would blow her up with one snap of his fingers.

Riza opened the door and in came Sergeant Brosh, Sergeant Feury, Lieutenant Ross, and Major Armstrong. Havoc shrugged as soon as the room became crowded and turned towards Roy, "Full house I guess."

Riza stood next to Sheska and asked, "Are you okay?"

Sheska jumped, "I'm fine, sir. I mean, ma'am. I mean, Lieutenant Hawkeye." Sheska nervously smiled as she saluted Riza. Riza smiled at Sheska as she saluted her back. "It seems to me that everyone is over there," Riza nodded towards the center of the room, "while you're over here standing alone."

"Yes," Sheska smiled.

"Why is that?"

Sheska looked down, "My gift isn't as good as the rest of theirs."

"What did you get Colonel Mustang," Riza asked.

"A book." Sheska hid her face behind the book, "He'll hate it. I don't mind if he snaps at it and makes it go up in flames."

The room was silent. All heads turned towards Sheska and finally Roy spoke up, "Sheska, come over here and let me get a look at that wonderful gift. I know I'll be doing plenty of reading while I'm cooped up in here."

Sheska smiled as her face brightened up. She walked towards Roy and replied, "You see, its called The Flame Connection. It's all about how alchemy and fire connect. I thought that you would like it because you're the Flame Alchemist and everything."

Roy smiled, "Thank you."

Roy's eyes diverted towards Havoc. "Nice clothes," Roy looked at Havoc's off duty outfit and shook his head. For, Havoc had a tight muscle shirt on. "Where did you get the shirt? The children's section?"

"Yes. Yes. Laugh all you want. But, this is what women like," Havoc nodded, "Right, Riza?"

Riza took in a deep sigh and did not respond any further. Roy changed the subject, for, he felt that Riza was feeling quite uncomfortable with all the attention upon her. "What are you hiding behind you?" Havoc nervously looked at Riza, however, Riza sent Havoc a triumphant smile, "Yes. What are you hiding behind you?"

Riza walked towards the kitchen and took out a bottle of milk. She poured a glass of milk and then walked towards Roy and sent it down upon his food tray. Roy blushed, for, his comrades saw that he was being nursed upon. "Thank you," Roy sheepishly replied.

Havoc nervously laughed, "Erm. I don't know how to react in these sort of situations."

"Situation," Roy interrogated.

A bead of sweat trickled down Havoc's features, "Well, you see, I got you a little something."

"A little something," Roy echoed Havoc's words.

Havoc took in a nervous breath, "I got you some gifts, okay. I thought you needed some cheering up." Sheepishly, Havoc showed Roy a bouquet of flowers, some candy, and a box of cigars.

"So," Roy tilted his head, "what are you telling me? You want to go out with me or something?"

"The store was limited," Havoc laughed. "It was either this or earrings."

"Thanks." Roy smiled at his friends, "You know, for visiting and everything."

Major Armstrong threw his arms around Roy's neck and gave him a powerful hug as tears streamed down his cheeks, "You're welcome."

Roy's eyes widened, for, Armstrong did not know his own power. With all his bravado and strong features, Armstrong had a soft heart. "Breathe," Roy winced, "can't breathe..."

Armstrong released his grip when he felt it was proper. He looked down at Roy with a kind smile. However, Roy was too busy wincing in pain to muster out a smile.

Sergeant Feury smiled as he kneeled down and began to pet Black Hayate. Riza smiled as she spoke to Feury, "Isn't he adorable?" Riza kneeled down to pet the dog, "Awww."

"Hey," Roy gave out a sharp whistle, "remember me? Wounded and all?"

Riza groaned, "Yes, how could I forget? Do you want some cheese with that whine?"

Roy took in a deep breath and Riza sighed as she picked up the dog. She placed the dog in front of Roy and replied, "How can you resist that face?" Roy smiled at the dog and then looked over at Havoc, "Cigars?"

"Yeah." Havoc sat upon the foot of the bed, "Let's light up those cigars."

"Not in here," Riza's eyes widened. "You shouldn't be smoking cigars. You're not well yet."

"I feel fine." Roy sat up and cringed. He took in a deep breath, "Strict orders."

Riza gritted her teeth into what seemed like a forced smile, "I think I'm going to go out for some air."

"Trouble in paradise already," Brosh chortled.

"Shut up," Roy commanded.

Havoc nodded, "Okay. How about some candy?"

"I'm not really that hungry." Roy muttered as he looked at the clock.

"You know," Lieutenant Cross politely spoke, "we all do worry, Colonel. Take care of yourself."

"Order or request," Roy raised his chin up in his cocksure manner.

"Request," Brosh lazily nodded and then looked around, "right?"

"Request," they all chorused.

Roy groaned, "Okay. Fine."

"It doesn't feel like it should be this early." He stared out the window; transfixed by the rain. If there was something that annoyed Roy Mustang the most, it was rain. A slight drizzle was fine. However, Roy did not understand how there were some girls that loved rain. "She loved the rain," Roy thought to himself.

Havoc quietly replied, "Is something wrong, sir?"

Roy did not reply as he looked out the window. This rain was different. The mist it carried made Roy wonder if spirits of the past had come for him. "But, I am getting better," he assured himself. The heavy rain beat upon the windowpane and he turned towards Havoc. However, Havoc was no longer there. Everyone had gone.

Roy smiled as he noticed that Havoc had put the flowers in a soup can with water and the label still on it. "Tomato soup," Roy looked down. "She loved tomato soup." Roy looked at the clock, "Have I been looking out the window for this long?" This was the rain that brought about memories that he thought had long since been dead.

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