DISCLAIMER: I don't own fma or any of the characters.

The Worst Day of the Year

The one day of the year that Riza hated. She hated it because it gave everyone the reason to be open about their affection to their loved one, whether they were in the military or not.

Over the years Riza had built up a dislike for the day and almost every year on that day she would take the day off. Not to be with that certain someone but to lie in bed and wait for the next day.

She just couldn't STAND the way other women received presents of chocolate and the occasional stuffed animal. In her home she could be by herself and ignorant to the outside world. That was the only day out of the entire year she let herself take the day off.

Just by looking at the lovely first lieutenant you wouldn't believe that she didn't have a boy friend, but then if you didn't you couldn't have known Riza Hawkeye.

Riza Hawkeye was a determined young woman. All who knew her said she was. What no one knew was that she was still stuck in her teenage depression. She never got over the stress and sadness she had been harboring since she was a teen. When maturity hit Riza, it did it's work obviously seeing as if she wasn't a hard core 'worker' at work she'd have men many coming up to her asking her out. The only thing was when maturity swept through her it left her pain, agony and horrible memories of depression behind.

Audibly, Riza Hawkeye sighed as she stretched out on the couch in her confined dorm. She was currently watching a sappy romance movie, the one thing she reserved for this day alone. Riza began to feel clear liquid fill her eyes up. The need to squint and keep the heartbreaking sorrow of the movie in was overpowering. Her eyes glued to the screen in front of her.

Riza wasn't normally one to like love stories but this one movie made her feel as if there was Mr. Right out there somewhere but she just hadn't found him yet. A Walk to Remember rolled on the TV set as she popped bits of popcorn into her mouth. She lowly chewed and almost choked when it came to the saddest part of the movie, at least in her opinion. The girl named Jamie told Landon that she had leukemia and that all treatment had stopped working on her. When he was driving to his father's house (his parents were divorced and he didn't get along too well with his father) to get him to help cure her. On the way back from banging on his father's door, he cried. It made Riza bawl as well. Not for the same reason as Landon, but still sobbing none the less. Her purpose for crying was of what his crying represented; his love for another. His love transformed him into a 'better person' you could say. It was really heart wrenching to see how much love Landon had for Jamie. That's how she wanted to be loved. She wanted her Landon to come find her.

Riza didn't know how she fell asleep but she did sometime after the movie ended. She woke up to a knock at her door. Drowsily, Riza swung her legs out of bed not bothering to pull a bigger piece of clothing over her mid thigh shorts and tight tank top. Pulling the door open she didn't see anyone standing there. Without thinking she drooped her head to the ground. Riza didn't understand why in some movies the people didn't look at the floor to make sure there wasn't anything there.

She tilted her head in confusion. Who would send me anything let alone a present? Especially on Valentine's day. Probably just a joke from one of the guys Riza thought. Not wanting to spoil their fun (I mean someone's gotta have funny if it can't be her), she picked up the light blue card that had been gently placed upon the white wrapped box. Carefully she slid the card out. It was a simple yet elegant card small loopy writing on the front exclaiming it was Valentine's day but subtly. Opening the card to the inside it read:

Although you may think that this day means

Nothing to you, I beg to differ,

Only on this day will I let myself think about you,

Only now will I let myself buy ridiculous for you,

Such as the object in the attached white box.

You may sit in your room curled up in soft, warm sheets,

As you watch your favorite movie on the Valentine's day,

But remember I am here watching over you,

Everyday and every night I assure myself that you

Are safe and well.

As I leave you this note I hope the rest of your night

Is to your liking.

Love forever

The letter really struck Riza awkwardly. This was no apparent joke. If it were then the letter would have said so. There was only another option, there was someone operating on their own. If this person was following her around was this a bad thing? It sounded as if he stalked her or he knew her well enough. She looked at the chicken scratch hand writing on the inside covers. It looked familiar but she just couldn't place it. Riza picked up the beautifully wrapped snowy gift. Shuffling back into her room, she shut the door behind her. Sitting on the couch she perched the small package on her lap. Cautiously she pecked the paper off. Now only a milky colored box remained. Using the pocketknife that she stashed in her table drawer, Riza sliced the packaging tape and peered inside the box. She gasped quietly as she reached into the parcel.

Withdrawing her hand, she found a necklace. Not just any necklace though. Although plain from far away, up close the pendent from which it hung from a skinny silver chain, was an emblem of a flame. It was so grand that she literally had her mouth hanging open. The silver shown brightly despite the lack of light in the room, not to mention the flame glowed a deep reddish color.

The medallion gave away who sent it to her. She was surprised that he gave her such a gorgeous piece of jewelry.

"Thank you Roy Mustang, for something so beautiful." Riza announced to no one in particular. She knew where ever he was, Roy could hear her.

Rizahawkeye21

A/N: Well yet another rambling. This is a Valentine's Day present to everyone who reads this. I hope your v-day is happier than mine is. In any case I hope you like this piece. Until next time…