Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of "Full Metal Alchemist" and I never plan to. I wish I did, but I don't. Also, I make no money from this story, and do not purposefully take other people's ideas, techniques, traits, ect.

Warning: Well, no warnings really, except this one: Stealing my story is not a good idea. All it will bring you is pain, misery, and suffering. Now, take those words, and make them an acronym.

Authors note: This chapter will bring about a few new characters to my storyline, and it will help you get a better understanding of Roy and Riza. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it for you, my fans.

They walked up smiling, and they expected everything to be fine around here. When they arrived, it was nothing like that at all. Edward Elric and his brother Alphonse were at each other's throats. Winry was able to do nothing but watch, and Mrs. Rockbell was ordering them to not fight. Edward and Alphonse almost never defied Pinako Rockbell. She was a scary and strong woman. As soon as Roy saw this, he got angry.

"Edward Elric! Stand down, now!" Roy yelled.

"Yes, sir," Edward said snarling.

"Alphonse, you stand down as well. Both of you stand at attention," Riza ordered.

"Yes ma'am," Alphonse said, while saluting Hawkeye.

"What brings you two out here?" Winry asked, and tried to add a smile.

"Your name is Mustang, is it not?" Pinako asked Roy.

"Yes, it is. We came here to-," Roy started

"I remember telling you to stay away from my house, "Dog of the military." If not for Mr. Armstrong, I would have you leave at this moment."

The "Mr. Armstrong" she referred to was none other than Alex Luis Armstrong, who carried the rank of major in the military. He had come around these parts once, and proved to be quite helpful to Mrs. Rockbell. Since that day, Mrs. Rockbell has not thought badly of all state alchemists.

"It's about time you two started going out," Edward said casually.

Roy had an astonished look on his face, and wondered how Edward knew. He thought back to what Maes said, and wondered how he knew Ed knew. Roy took Ed into the house, and had him explain how he found out, especially since he was out here in the country-side. Edward told him that he heard it through the lines. He also informed Mustang that he and Winry were a couple, too.

Riza took this time to talk to Winry, alone. She took this opportunity to speak to Winry, about pretty much anything. She was hoping to get closer to Winry, and tell her about Roy and herself being together, even though she was sure Ed had already told her. Winry informed Riza that she was coupled with Ed, and that Ed had asked her out. Riza had a surprised look on her face. She went over all the details of how Ed asked her out. Riza just listened, and smiled. Edward had asked Winry out almost the same way Roy asked her out. Really, the only difference was that Roy had done it at a fancy luncheon, and Ed had done it while having a picnic with Winry.

"Well, Ms. Hawkeye, I've answered all your questions. Do you mind answering a few of mine?" Winry asked Hawkeye.

"No, of course I don't mind. Ask anything," Hawkeye replied.

"Well, I'm pretty sure you and Roy aren't supposed to date, according to the rules of the military. But yet, you're dating anyway. Why's that?"

"That's a good question, and I am glad you asked. Roy has always been one to break rules, and we love each other. The military cannot restrict our love, and no matter what, Roy Mustang and I will love each other. We don't care what other people think, or who knows, as long as we're together."

"You have a good point there. But, if you're discovered, the military will have you discharged, won't they? Why not just quit?"

"Winry, you might not understand what I am about to tell you, but we'll just have to wait and see. The military, I would quit it, but there's someone I must protect. Obviously, I am referring to Roy Mustang. I'd give my life for that man, and I can't do that very well unless I am by his side. I don't fight for honor, dignity, pride, or anything like that. I fight for Roy, and I always will fight for Roy."

"You must really love him then, don't you?"

"Yes, I do, and I always will. In fact, I always have. He's the reason life is worth living, and he's the only reason I can justify taking my next breath. If not for Roy Mustang, you and I would most likely not be speaking today."

"Ed's the reason life around this place isn't boring all the time. He brought excitement to my life, but I can't imagine him not being there. It would hurt too much for him not to be here. Something I couldn't deal with. You know what I mean? I'd be making auto mail twenty-four hours a day, forever. I don't think I'd have any reason to live on. Maybe to help my grandma, but that's about it."

"You're a lucky girl, Winry. You have a family. A family that consists of more than you and your grandmother, and that family, it includes Alphonse.

Meanwhile, back at the house, Roy and Edward were talking about what's been going on in Central. That topic was dead in a matter of seconds. Edward moved on to how he asked Winry out, and started to tell Roy it was on a picnic, in the middle of a field, away from everything. Winry, who had a crush on Ed ever since he left for Central, said yes very quickly, yet shyly. Ed described how she was cute, especially when blushing.

Normally, Roy and Edward would never have a conversation anything like this. They'd almost always be at each others throat, and Roy would be taunting Edward. But finally, they had both found a subject they could agree on. Love is that subject. Roy and Edward both had someone they loved, someone they'd fight for, and someone they needed to be with. Roy and Ed respected each other on this subject, and it was a nice change. Roy had said nothing of Ed's height, and Ed had not said anything about Roy's personality. All was fine, and all was well. While talking about this subject, Edward called Roy by his name, not "Mustang" or "Colonel." He called him "Roy," and for once, they were like friends, not military personnel. While they were here, they were equals, they were the same.

Riza and Winry had gone everywhere. They had walked through the field where Ed had asked Winry out, and they had commented about how it was the perfect place, and about how Ed was so sweet to Winry. Riza told Winry how Roy asked her out, and about how he was sweet to her. They agreed they had found the perfect match for themselves, and about how they were happy, for once in their lives, to be with someone they loved.

While they were out, Edward and Roy came up with an idea. Why not cook dinner for their girlfriends? It could make a good impression, and then Roy and Ed would clean up after. It was decided. Edward and Roy were going to give the girls a night off. They were going to show they could be useful in the kitchen. And, most importantly, they were going to have fun doing it. Ed bet Roy he could cook a better meal. Roy and Edward had a ten dollar bet going on this meal.

Soon after the bet was made, Winry and Riza walked in. They went to start cooking, only to find Roy and Ed working in the kitchen already. Both Riza and Winry looked at each other, and smiled. They walked out, and Riza was sure to say "Have fun, boys," before leaving the kitchen.

Roy and Ed, even though being rivals in their meal cooking, were still quite courteous to each other. Ed asked Roy for a spatula, and Roy gladly handed it to Ed. Roy asked Ed for a stick of butter, and Ed grabbed it for him. For a contest, the two were getting along well. Too well, it seemed, when Pinako and Alphonse walked into the house.

Al had his hands full with bags. In the bags, there was food. Food, it seemed, came from a restaurant, and was meant for that night's dinner. Pinako walked into the kitchen, and stared at Roy and Ed. She then slowly backed into the other room, and told Al to leave them alone. After that, she said that it seemed Edward and Roy were cooking for everyone, and that they would just put the other food in the fridge.

Pinako, Alphonse, Riza, and Winry went into the dining room, and had idle conversation, while Roy and Ed cooked. As they cooked, Roy and Ed started to get tired, too. But, in the end, it was worth it. They had cooked a three course meal, and they were proud of themselves. They were ready to serve the meal.

To be continued...

Authors note: I'd love a review. I don't know, yet, how many chapters this story will contain. I'll keep it going until you guys find it no longer exciting, or that it has lost it's appeal. At that time, I'll start on a new story, the "Unsafe, unclean" version. The storyline will be the exact same for the first two chapters, but from there, it takes a completely different turn. I hope you enjoy both this story, and the other one, when it premiers. - Zack Finley "Zackislord"