Disclaimer: Same as all the other chapters... I do not own FMA in anyway... I just own the plot.

A/n: Thank you all you reviewers! Sorry it took me so long to update! I've been getting writers block, school, and being in the pit orchestra for our school play Cinderella (the rogers and hamerstein version). I haven't had much time to work on the next chapter.

I'm feeling in a creative mood, so there is a 70 chance I'll write a second chapter for Collide.

Please read and review!

Mustang and Havoc both sat at the kitchen table, waiting for the woman to come out. The ticking of the kitchen clock echoed through the room; if it continued like that, they would both go crazy. The woman finally came out of the room, closing the door behind her. Both men looked up, and watched as she came in and poured herself a cup of tea.

"Tea gentlemen?" The woman asked, not looking over at them. They glanced at each other, and then back at the woman.

She had coal black hair that was in long dreadlocks coming down slightly past her shoulders. The woman was athletically built, even though she and her husband seemed to run a meat shop. Even scarier was her husband; the enormous man that reminded them of a Major Armstrong.

"No thank you, we're fine," Roy declined for both of them. "Will sh—" Roy started to ask.

"Your friend needs to rest for a few days. Her body is weak, and I can imagine so are yours. I suggest you three stay here till you are all well rested enough to travel once again," the woman said, cutting off Roy. She then turned and sat down at the table with a tray. Setting it down in front of her, she put a glass of water by Havoc and Mustang, and then the mug of tea for herself.

"We can never repay you for what you are doing… is there anyway we could help you Mrs..?" Roy inquired, hoping she would give them more information about herself.

"Izumi Curtis," she stated, taking a sip of her tea. "The man you first met is my husband, Siga…. I think there might be a way you two could earn your keep around here till your friend is better."
"Thank Mrs. Curtis," Roy and Havoc said in unison.

"I'll have my husband set up a guest room for you both… Your friend can stay where she is." Both nodded, and looked down at the table. Roy thought for a bit, and then looked over at Izumi.

"I'm sorry to have barged in on you like this…. And you don't even know our names…. I'm Roy Mustang, and this is Warrant Officer Jean Havoc," Roy apologized.

"Pleased to meet you both… Now, we'll have to get rid of your uniforms. Many people in this town don't exactly like the military," Izumi explained. "We might have some that will fit you both."

The rest of the day went on much like that; a very relaxed, yet working fashion. Roy and Jean went to work in the store, and also did many odd chores for Izumi and Siga. They both flopped down on their beds, glad the day was over. Havoc quickly fell asleep, while Roy stared up at the ceiling in thought. He went out and sat on the back porch, staring up at the stars.

There was a bit of shuffling behind him, and then the door opened with Hawkeye coming out; a blanket draped about her shoulders. Her right arm was in a sling, and she was in faint blue pajamas. Roy looked up, seeing her awake startled him a bit.

"Sergeant, I didn't expect you to be up," he said, standing quickly. She looked somewhat lost and confused, though looked at her superior with concern in her own eyes.

"Sir…. How did we get here?" Riza asked, sitting down next to where he was. Roy looked down at her, and then sat down also. He was wearing a large t-shirt and very long pants that were rolled up at the bottom to fit him.

"Havoc and I carried you here, and Izumi and Siga are giving us shelter till you're better," Roy explained, looking over at Riza. She nodded, though still held a dazed look on her face.

"Thank you sir," she said, looking up at the stars. She could see way more than she could back in the Eastern Headquarters where she was stationed before being sent to the south. Roy nodded, and also looked at the stars.
Izumi and her husband watched Roy and Riza from their bedroom window. They smiled, sensing that there were feelings for the other between the two; but because of the laws of the military, they were forced to keep them quiet. Izumi leaned against her husband, a smile on her face.

"It's a shame they can't tell the other how they feel… They seem like they would make a good couple," Izumi said, sighing.

"They're going to have to keep those feelings hidden, not matter how much they want to confess to the other," Siga answered, putting his arm around his wife. He kissed her on the head, and then went off to bed. Izumi continued watching them for a few minutes more, and then also went off to sleep.

Roy and Havoc both sighed as they carried in boxes of supplies for the meat store. They had been doing that for most of the day, staring early that morning. Siga was instructing them where to place the boxes, and what to do with the items. Riza was running errands with Izumi.
Roy, Jean and Riza were all wearing casual clothes thanks to Izumi and Siga. This way they didn't stick out so much in the town of Dublith. Roy wore tan slacks with a jet black shirt, and his combat boots. Jean was wearing gray slacks with a dark blue shirt. And lastly, Riza wore blue jeans with a white tunic top.

Riza and Izumi were walking through the small market; buying items for dinner and breakfast of the following morning. Izumi noted that Riza was rather quiet, though it could be that she was in surroundings she wasn't all too familiar with.

"Why did you decide to join the military, Riza?" Izumi asked nonchalantly as she examined several vegetables from a vendor in the market. Riza glanced at Izumi, and then at the vegetables.
"To continue my families honor in the military was most of the reason, though my father tried to stop me," she answered, slowly. Izumi nodded slightly, though she could sense there was more to what Riza wanted to say. "I guess I had to experience this myself…"

"I see," Izumi nodded, placing several vegetables into her basket, and then paying the vendor. "And I guess experiencing getting shot wasn't one of the things you wanted to have happen?"

Riza thought for a bit; unsure of whether that was what was really going through her mind. "I guess you could say that," she started to explain, looking down at her arm in the sling. "I remember what my father said to me about his experience in the military, but every kid has to make their own decisions in the end," Riza concluded.
Izumi smiled. "Yes, everyone makes their own decisions, and learns from those mistakes," she said, turning with Riza and heading towards home. "What shall we cook for the boys tonight?" Izumi inquired, smiling at Riza as they walked down the road.
"Doesn't Siga do all the cooking?" Riza asked, remembering seeing Siga cooking that morning.

"He cooks most the time, but when I really feel the need to cook, I normally surprise him. What would your friends like to eat?"

"Probably something better than what we've been living on at the barracks," Riza smiled. "That stuff is horrible. Its like they're feeding us dirt, or something." Both laughed, as they turned into the yard and headed up the front steps. They both went into the kitchen and started cooking up dinner. Roy, Jean and Siga came in later, laughing about some joke.

The instant they entered the door, all three men perked up; Roy and Jean especially since this was their first homemade dinner in several months. Everyone ate plenty, and talked into the night. Siga headed to bed with Izumi, while Jean shuffled off to his bed. Roy and Riza sat up and continued talking about their childhood and school days before joining the war. They laughed at each others stories; learning more and more about the others past.

At long last, they both went off to bed, though not after Roy kissed Riza good night. Her face turned red immediately; Riza quickly went into her room after she and Roy separated, and leaned against the door. Roy—I mean Lieutenant Colonel Mustang and I can't be like this. Its fraternization! Riza thought, looking at the floor. He is a good kisser though… I'll have to tell the girls back at the barracks—I can't do that! Riza interrupted her own thoughts and sighed. She fell asleep after showering, and changing the bandage on her shoulder.

Izumi sat down on the back steps as the sun started to rise. It was her personal ritual to watch the sunrise every morning. The door behind her caught her somewhat off guard since she wasn't really expecting anyone else up for another hour or so. Riza walked out and sat down next to her in silence.

Izumi smiled, glad to have company; and to see that she wasn't the only one that would get up at the hour of 5 AM. "How's your shoulder?" Izumi inquired, watching the horizon as the sun started to come up above the hills; more waves of color started to appear on the clouds and sky above.
"It's much better. Thank you for helping us," Riza said, also still staring straight ahead.

"Have you ever thought of what you would do after you retired from the military? Like, if you'd marry, or have kids?" Izumi said with a grin.

Riza blinked, rather surprised by the question, she carefully chose her words. "I guess I haven't really thought about it. But I guess I'd want to get married. The last letter I got from home, my father was trying to arrange a marriage for me," Riza laughed. "Why do you ask?"
"Siga and I are trying to have children. We both come from somewhat large families, so we both want kids," Izumi beamed. The sun had finally come up high enough over the hills that the rays were now sending lines across their faces. Izumi opened her mouth to say something about Riza and Roy, but stopped herself. She stood up, and stretched in the light. "Well, shall we go get something to eat?"

Riza blinked. She hadn't heard anyone else get up, but nodded in agreement. When they entered the house, Riza saw that Siga was already in there, preparing breakfast. This caused her to smile; it made her feel as if she was back home already. Shaking the thought from her mind, Riza helped Izumi set the table.

"Riza, will you go wake up Roy and Jean? I think they decided to sleep in," Izumi chuckled, taking several items from the refrigerator.

Riza nodded and walked down the hall to the guy's room. She knocked on the door, and waited a bit; hearing some shuffling inside. There was a mumble of something, and then it was silent again. Riza sweatdropped, sensing that the guys had just thought the knock was in their minds. "Lieute—er, Roy, Jean, its time for breakfast," Riza hollered to them through the wood door. This was her first time using her superior's first name instead of using his rank.

"Eh…? Break…fast…?" Roy said, sitting up slightly. Riza sighed, not hearing much from the other side of the door. Jean continued to lie on his bed, mumbling something about one of the girls he obsessed over. Roy flopped back over onto his bed, and turned over.

"Sir… I'm going to have to come in and drag you two out here," Riza threatened, as she reached for the doorknob. Hesitating, Riza finally opened the door. Inside she saw both Roy and Jean in their beds. Jean was clutching a pillow rather close; muttering little somethings to it, much like he would a lover. Roy on the other hand was sprawled across his bed, his lower half covered by the blankets; mean while he was shirtless, much like an alchemist Riza had the misfortune of meeting one day. Riza flushed several shades of red; caught by surprise that neither of her comrades were very well dressed. "Jean, Roy, its time for breakfast," Riza stated again, raising her voice a bit louder.
Jean continued to have a death grip on the pillow; Riza felt sorry for any woman that had to wake up to him in the morning. Roy blinked several times, and then squinted; his eyes suddenly opened wide. He then turned rather red, astonished that his subordinate was seeing him in such a relaxed state.

Seeing him awake, Riza quickly turned on her heel and headed for the door. Roy made his move and grabbed her wrist just as she was about to leave the room.

Thanks for reading! Now please review And join us next time for chapter three!