Between Friends and Lovers
By Kurama-sweethart (Moe Shmoe)
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Mystery, Romance
Warnings: Alternate Mangaverse, spoilers for the manga and anime, language and yuri.
Words: 1324

When the two women arrived in West City, the sun was just beginning to set under the range of mountains casting a spectrum of color across the sky. It was noticeably smaller than Central, West City: surrounded instead, not by town and residencies, but by long patterns of field that stretched northward until the border of Creata, the Briggs Mountains painted heavily on the horizon.

"You can see the blockade from here," Lieutenant Hawkeye mused, frowning from where she stood at the platform. Maria slung her bag over her shoulder and followed suit, standing along the railing to peer out over the valley that was to be their new home.

"It's funny," She replied, pointing to the sloping peaks and rolling foothills; "the geography. Cliffs one minute and then fertile and flat farmland the next."

Riza nodded in agreement, squinting into the evening sun. "It is strange."

"Well, we'd better get moving so we can get settled in before dark." Ross yawned, clicking her tongue at Hayate who had been sniffing around the grass. "Come on, boy."

Hawkeye chuckled at how taken her new partner was with the dog and followed, noting the way he trotted cheerfully at Maria's heels.

The flat was positioned awkwardly on the last floor of a lease building, obviously the roomiest apartment in the complex. Riza pushed through the door boldly, instantly inhaling a thick cloud of mold and the smell of vacancy.

"At least Colonel Mustang wasn't bluffing," Maria said thoughtfully, motioning to their belongings that had been neatly stacked in boxes against the wall.

"That's a surprise," Hawkeye mumbled, opening a window to the crisp evening. "I half expected him to leave them in his office the whole time."

Maria giggled and set about exploring the perimeter of their new home. "Two bedrooms." She called back into the kitchen where Riza was still attempting to make the air breathable.

The rest of the evening rolled along domestically, with both women attempting to prepare a makeshift dinner of dumplings and a frozen chicken. Maria hadn't expected the lieutenant to be as good a cook as she was; but even years of living alone weren't quite enough experience for either of them.

"Danny and I live in the dorms, so we usually just eat in the cafeteria." Maria spat defensively after being accused of burning all the food in their icebox. "I haven't cooked anything since I was fifteen, I don't think."

Riza chuckled and grabbed for her coat. "Why don't we go out? It can't be too hard to find a decent restaurant out here." She suggested, glancing at their trashcan, which was overflowing with food that was blackened and burnt beyond recognition.

Maria grumbled and yawned, but couldn't suppress a grin. "I guess."

West City was rather slow at the late hour, at least compared to Centrals' bustling nightlife of partygoers and dancers alike. Hawkeye and Ross both found that they rather enjoyed the calm, serene atmosphere and the way that the stars glowed bright. From an untrained eye, it appeared to be a rather nice town- secured by military bases, quiet and more behind-the-scenes.

A place that everyone knew about but really never cared to see.

"Funny how there aren't any industries here," Maria muttered under her breath, looking around curiously at the flourishing restaurants and homes. "It looks just like a cozy rural city to me."

Riza frowned, glancing at a few rather burly men smoking outside a lifeless bar. "And to everyone else."

"Do you know what exactly is going on here?" The brunette prodded curiously, ridiculously soft on the deserted cobblestone street.

Hawkeye frowned, motioning to a small deli that appeared empty. "That looks good. We can pick up some sandwiches for dinner." She seemed to be making a point to ignore Maria's question.

"Sounds good." Ross replied nonchalantly, still puzzled by Riza's blatant move at ignorance.

The two ordered wordlessly, both women glaring at a trio of men sitting in the corner who were tossing muffled catcalls from across the deli. "Don't see two lovelies like that here in West City, huh, Frank?"

"Nope," The man named Frank answered, running a hand over his balding head. "Not wearing stuff like that, you don't." He motioned to the two women's 'casual' attire, which consisted of a silk and velvet.

Maria raised her eyebrows and glanced at Hawkeye, fingering the barrel of the gun on her waist.

"Excuse me," Riza interrupted, pulling her pistol from a holster strapped to her thigh, "But unless you want me to arrest you for harassment, I'd suggest you piss off."

Needless to say, the three left the restaurant rather quickly.

"Impressive," Came a voice from behind them, and both ladies spun around, pistol still held in the palm of Riza's hand. "You two wouldn't happen to be Lieutenants Hawkeye and Ross, would you?"

The man speaking to them was tall and clean, hair graying at the temples and his cheekbones jutting out from under his deeply set, sparkling blue eyes. He too was clad in casual attire, which consisted of slacks and a button-up.

"Who's asking?" Maria replied, clutching their sandwiches in her hands.

"I-" The man began, bowing deeply at the waist, "am General Steven Robertson, at your service."

"Sir!" Both women said in unison, saluting.

The General smiled. "At ease! When did your train arrive?"

"This morning," Riza answered, crossing her ankles. "But I was told we don't start duty until Monday."

Robertson nodded elegantly, and stretched his arms out to his side. "That's right! Get to know the city a little. And if you ever need an escort," he paused to wink at the two. "give a call to my office."

After they had bid their farewells, Riza and Maria made their way back to their apartment. "That was… strange," Ross finally said after three blocks of silence.

"To say the least," Hawkeye replied, carrying their dinner on her hip.

Maria blinked at her, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. "He was charming."

"I don't know," Riza frowned, raising her eyebrows. "He seemed a little… off to me."

"Really?" Ross asked, genuinely surprised. "Well, maybe because you're used to men flirting with you." There was definitely an edge of wistfulness in her voice.

Riza couldn't stifle a loud, appreciative laugh. "I think you're mistaken."

"No, really!" Maria insisted, smiling. "I mean, you're beautiful! There are hardly any women in the military, let alone women who look like you and are still single."

This time, it was Hawkeye who was surprised. "You can't be serious."

"Well, I mean, I'm not really someone anyone takes a second glance at," Ross went on, gaze locked on the dark sidewalk. "So I guess I get a little excited at the attention."

"Huh," Riza replied lightly, smiling, and as she said it, her eyes darted to Maria's bust line. "I don't understand what you're talking about. That man was looking at you just as much as he was me,"

"Well, at any rate," Ross continued, a bit uncomfortable at the idea that a man was looking at her, and yet flattered that Hawkeye had noticed her bosom. She decided to let the issue drop. "I felt something off with that General, too. Something…"

"Superficial," Riza finished, biting the side of her lip. "I didn't like the way he greeted us, like putting an impression on us was important. I mean, if he's got such a high rank, he shouldn't be worried about what some lieutenant's think of him."

Maria shrugged. "You don't think he's just friendly?"

"Could be," Hawkeye replied, suddenly fishing for the keys in her handbag as their apartment came into view. "But I think we should be careful, for at least a little while."

Ross nodded, "I agree. For a little while."

TBC.

Riza's dialogue hates me.