Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist… though that would be really awesome…. It belongs to our lovable Sensei –bows- thank you. This fic plotline, however, is mine. (haha, forgot this last time…. ;;;;;)

Writer's note at the bottom

((heh, funny story. At the beginning of this chapter I was wondering what clothes to put Roy in… so I asked my brother and two of my friends…. Their responses: a coconut bikini, a matrix outfit like neo and snowman(snowman… lol XD the movie). Lol XDDDDD haha, oh, n' special thanx to SugarSorceress09 for the review –huggles- I lub u! -w- Al face)))

Riza sighed softly, placing the last of her paperwork on the outgoing pile. It was nearly six-o-clock and the sun created red streaks across the sky as it set. She turned in her chair to look at the sky, it was crimson now and she couldn't help thinking how similar it was to the sky in Ishvar. Once again, the sky looked as if it was dying.

"Lieutenant Hawkeye."

She turned around to see Falman at the door.

"Yes?"

"We're leaving now." He informed her.

"Could you lock up?" Fuery looked into the room from behind Falman.

Riza half smiled. "Alright. Good night."

Falman saluted and shut the door. Riza could hear them in the hallway discussing something as they walked away. She sat there for a few minutes longer, breathing in the smell of wet ink and leather. Finally, she stood and walked to the door. She turned off the lights then locked the door and began down the hall.

Riza passed through the halls until she reached the main doors. By then, the sun had fallen further from the sky and the red had dissipated. She pushed the doors opened after a moment and started her long walk home.

Upon reaching the house, Riza paused on the curb, sighing softly before walking up the door. She pulled forth her key and pushed it into the keyhole, unlocking the door and pushing it opened. Instantly, the smell of cooking food filled her lungs. Hayate came running to the door, his tail wagging contently. Riza pet him and started into the kitchen finding Roy standing over the stove.

He wore blue slacks and a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up halfway to his elbows. Riza wasn't certain of what he was attempting to cook but by the smell she could tell that he was burning it. She walked up behind him, peering into the pot to find chicken soup -left over from a few days before. Sighing softly, she reached around him, turning the heat off on the stove and placing her hand over his, stirring the substance. Roy turned to face her, slightly surprised by her sudden presence. He smiled, moving out of the way.

"Really, Roy. You're so useless." She spoke softly, smiling at him as she stirred.

Roy frowned at her, "You know I hate that word…"

Riza only laughed at him and turned to face the stove, turning the heat on low. Roy stared at her for a minute then moved closer to her, bringing his arms around her waist. She leaned back into him, ignoring the kisses that he placed on her neck as she stirred.

Finally, Riza turned off the stove once more and turned around in his arms to face him. Roy smirked -having gotten over her comment concerning his 'uselessness'- and kissed her. She gave him a weak smile and returned his kiss, leaning into him. Roy frowned slightly, moving his hands up to her mid back and pulling her into a full hug- he'd noticed. Riza brought her arms around him as well, pressing her head into his chest.

"This is about the meeting this morning, isn't it?" Roy asked softly. Riza was silent, he'd come to know her too well; he could always tell she was hiding something.

When she didn't speak, Roy continued. "Your grandfather called."

Riza sighed against his chest. So that's what he meant by 'checking up' on me. She moved away from him to look into his eyes. "So, you know?"

"Yeah. It does seem strange…"

She looked at him questioningly, a look similar to the ones she used to give him when he lied about finishing his paperwork. He gave her a half smile and a shrug at this and the look vanished. There were a few minutes filled with nothing but silence. Roy's hands settled on her lower back; Riza rested her hands on his arms, leaning back against the stove. She was first to speak, looking away from him as she did.

"…Have you decided what you're going to do?"

Roy sighed, she's so complicated when she's upset. "Not yet." He spoke honestly, pulling her into his arms again. There were few times when Riza needed to be comforted and it had taken Roy a long time to figure out exactly when they were. Even now, he wasn't sure how much she needed or wanted him to do.

"Riza." He spoke her name in a soft tone and brought this right hand up under her chin, gaining her attention. His glaze met hers and he found one of the rarest emotions ever felt by her: doubt.

"I was hoping that…" She started softly then gained the confidence that seemed to always grace her personality. "That for once we could have peace. I tired of being chased. I'm tired of being afraid of losing you."

She ran her fingers across his eye-patch gently, reliving those final horrible moments when she'd thought she had lost him. She never wanted to relive that moment again and feel that awful pain. Even when he had been gone to the north, she would lye in bed at night and plead with God for his safe return. Roy placed his hand on her wrist. How much pain had he caused her over the past two years? How much since they had met? Surely, it was more than he would ever know. His other hand found her waist and pulled her into a soft and tender kiss. She gave into him, letting her guard collapse around her as she brought her other hand up to run though his hair.

They broke away moments later. Roy pressed his forehead against hers. "It'll be alright." He promised, giving her a soft smile.

She sighed softly in response, but smiled a moment later as he was pulled back –quite literally- by Hayate. The pup was hungry and through with waiting for his mommy and daddy to stop standing around.

Roy nearly tripped over a chair that jetted out from under the kitchen chair and produced a very strange howling noise before Riza grabbed his wrist and ordered Hayate to release him. The pup eagerly obeyed, releasing his hold on Roy's pant leg to get his bowl and sit in front of Riza.

Roy mumbled something along the lines of 'That damn dog' as Riza filled his bowl and placed it down of the kitchen floor. Hayate ate happily and returned to ignoring them for the time being. Riza took bowls and spoons out for the two of them, placing them on the table before looking over at Roy who hadn't moved an inch. She took a deep breath and walked over to him, taking his hands.

"Roy," She started softly, Hayate had given her a bit of time to gather her thoughts. "I know you're right… And I want you to be happy. I'll stand behind you in whatever you choose to do, has I always have."

She smiled again, placing one of her hands on his cheek. He smiled back and moved in to kiss her, but she dodged. "Now, come and eat. You've had you're fun."

Roy give her a sad puppy-dog look and swore he saw her grin as she turned and took the pot off the stove.

They ate in silence, Riza gave Roy the time to think out all his options. As Roy finished his second bowl, he looked up at her and sighed. To this, Riza gave him a questioning look.

"Tomorrow morning… I want to go visit Maes. Would you come with me?" He asked, sounding distant, sad.

"Of course." Riza said softly, taking his bowl and her own and placing them in the sink, she'd deal with them later. She moved silently around the table, draping her arms over Roy's shoulders.

"Please don't worry yourself too much over this." She said and kissed her neck lightly. "I'm going to take a shower." She then removed herself from his shoulders, pausing in the doorway.

"Alright." He spoke, still distant, sounding deep in thought. A very different reaction from when she first moved in, when he would ask to join her, hoping it was one of those rare times she said 'yes'.

Riza continued out of the room and into their bedroom, getting towels and something to wear to bed. She couldn't help worrying about him, but tried to brush off her worries for the time being. Moving into the bathroom, she stripped off her uniform and stepped into the shower. She let the warm water rush over her, hoping to rinse the day away and down the drain.

Roy listened to the shower water run as he stood up and moved into the living room. He sat down on the couch and was imminently joined by Black Hayate who laid his head on Roy's lap. Roy sighed, petting the dog's head absentmindedly. He sighed, looking around him, considering his options. He wasn't aware of the passing time or absence of running water. It wasn't until Riza called him that he awoke from his trance.

"Roy." Riza opened the bedroom door partly; she was wearing a pair of light blue cotton pants and one of his shirts. "Are you coming to bed?"

Her voice was soft, concerned. Roy looked over at her, taking in the image of her in the doorway. It was then that he realized what he wanted, the choice that had more to offer him than any of the others.

"Yeah." He smiled at her, moving to stand. Hayate followed him to the bedroom door, pushing past them as Roy stopped in front of Riza. She looked at him for a moment with worry in her eyes. It quickly faded though as she found reassurance in Roy's. He followed her into the room, finding Hayate already asleep on the floor.

"Goofy Dog." Roy said, yawning. Riza yawned as well, as if the action was contagious. She got into bed, pulling the covers up over her shoulder. It was normal of her to read at night, but not tonight, the day had been far to tiring. Roy began removing his clothes, starting with his shirt. He lazily tossed it aside and moved to his shoes, then his pants. Riza looked up at him as he tossed them aside and stood in his boxers, and rolled her eyes. He looked at her with a smirk then gave an over animated sigh before getting into bed. Yeah, he's back to his old self. Riza laughed silently. She felt her arms snake around her back, pulling her to him. She didn't protest, meeting him under the covers. He kissed her and smiled sweetly.

"I love you, Riza." He said, smiling softly. They were the three words he had never said to any other women; they were words saved only for her.

She smiled back at him. "I love you too, Roy."

And they kissed again before Roy pulled her protectively to his chest. Riza pressed her hands against his chest, getting comfortable on his side of the bed. She was unsure if he would tell her his decision before the ceremony tomorrow, yet she didn't worry about it. He seemed to be happy with whatever choice he made, and that was enough. She trusted him with her life, and she trusted him with this.

((Ok, it felt like it took a LIFETIME to write this chapter! I had the worst writer's block ever like halfway through this chapter so I was writing like a sentence each week. It was really bad, and then today I just started writing and wrote like 2 and a half pages to finish the chapter. This wouldn't happen again, I promise I won't just stop for like 4 months. SORRY! I love you guys!

There's probably only 2 or 3 chapters left, depending on how I write it, then an epilogue. Just for fun. Hope you enjoy the rest. I promise I'll work hard.

Major Ren-chan of RR (Fullmetal Philosopher)))