Chapter Two

"So, what was your problem today? Hawkeye was right. If we had stumbled across any Drachmaian rebels, you'd have been killed. Your head was in the clouds," Hughes said, sitting on his barracks bed, rubbing his feet to warm them.

"My problem is having to share a room with you," Roy groaned, desperately not wanting to talk about this.

Maes pushed his glasses up. " You should be thankful I'm here. No one else wants to bunk with a freak."

"Majors should have their own rooms," Roy grumbled, pointedly ignoring the slight.

"Did you sit on a pine cone out there or something, Flame? Or is it that you don't want to admit you were thinking about a girl?" A sly smile cut across the teenager's face.

Roy glared, and his friend thought he was pretty lucky Roy couldn't make sparks just by thinking about it. "It's not what you think, Hughes."

"Oh, right. Do I need to remind you, Major Mustang, that she's only a cadet and not simply your teacher's daughter?"

"No, you don't, Lieutenant Hughes," Roy growled, flopping back on his bed after fumbling with the radiator controls, futilely trying to eek out some warmth.

"Like hell. You've been part of Hawkeye's life for years. And you and boundaries aren't very good mixes." Maes tugged on his thick socks, deciding they'd be needed if he didn't want icy feet keeping him up all night.

"Well, she was forbidden fruit then, too. It's not what you think," Roy insisted, getting up and starting to undress.

"Right, because you're immune to a fine form," Maes scoffed, turning down his bed before collapsing back on it.

Roy sighed, realizing there was no avoiding Maes tonight. "What are you frothing at the mouth about now, Hughes?"

"Come on, I've seen Hawkeye without her jacket on." Maes mimed squeezing sizable breasts or maybe he was shopping for melons. Either way, Roy just rolled his eyes.

"Yeah...I swear those are new. I'm pretty sure she was flat chested the last time I saw her," Roy said in a tone that suggested he was trying to convince himself that he wasn't so blind as to miss her lovely body.

"Maybe you need my glasses." Maes plucked them off his nose, offering them to Roy.

"Maybe she's a late bloomer," Roy protested, his cheeks going pink.

"Well, she blossomed just fine," Maes leered.

"Quit looking at her!" A high color flamed up Roy's face.

"I thought it wasn't what I was thinking." Maes grinned. "So why do you care?"

Roy's lips pulled into a thin line. "Explain to me why I'm friends with you?"

"You need someone like me to lighten you up. You're so sour, I'm surprised you don't sweat vinegar." Maes' grin broadened then died in a flash as something far more sober took its place. "Seriously, Roy, it's not like you to be so distracted in a dangerous situation. What's wrong?"

"Just thinking about Hawkeye's death," Roy said, exchanging his uniform shirt for his flannel PJ top. "My teacher, Riza's father. She's from up here you know, here in Portsmouth. She went to the Renna...something or other academy."

"You mean Rennsalaer?" Maes tucked his feet under the covers and Roy nodded. "I've heard of that academy, a rich girl school. Why in the world would she trade that for combat boots?"

"I asked and she said that she had things to protect. There are other reasons...like she wanted more than to be a wife to some rich jerk but that could be me extrapolating." Roy grimaced. It wasn't, of course. He knew that much and that the Hawkeye family fortune was gone but he didn't feel comfortable sharing that with anyone.

"Sounds like you did put some thought into it." Maes blinked owlishly behind his lenses.

"I did live here. I know the family well. The only relative she has in the area is an uncle who...well, stinks." Roy made a face. "I don't think she would like me talking about this." Roy finished changing and dove under the covers. "But I wasn't thinking about her like you're thinking I was. I was contemplating the funeral."

Maes shifted on his narrow bed. "Well, that would make you absent in the head. What brought that up?"

Roy shrugged, pulling up the covers tight. "Just being here."

"You miss your teacher?"

"No, I don't," Roy said too quickly. He sighed. "He was my teacher. I respected him but I didn't...like him."

Maes' brow knit as an intent look washed over his face. Roy winced. He should have known better than to give Hughes a tidbit like that. His friend had such an active, inquisitive mind and a vast capacity for storing minutiae. He'd make a great alchemist if only he had an interest in it.

"What did he do to you?" Maes' voice was low with suspicion.

"Nothing. It was more...he held things back from me. He only taught me the basics, things I really could have done on my own and then got squirrelly when it came to revealing his great work. I think..." Roy stopped. It would help him to finally talk about Teacher with someone impartial but Riza might not appreciate it if he told people he thought her father was insane. "Never mind, it's nothing."

He could tell from the expression on Maes' face his friend wasn't convinced. Roy just hoped the look in his own eyes said not to press matters. He rolled over to face the radiator, hoping that might warm him up. "We ought to get some sleep. Damn, it's cold."

"Maybe you should put a little meat on your bones. You wouldn't feel the cold as much," Maes said, putting his glasses on the night stand.

"I'm fine as is," Roy grumbled. Leave it to Maes to get in a parting shot.

"Yeah, maybe Hawkeye likes men as big around as a pipe cleaner." Maes laughed.

Roy made an obscene gesture then tucked up to get warm. "This cold sucks."

"Whine all you want, I'm not coming over there to warm you up," Maes called brightly.

"Great, now I'll be up all night worrying about that contingency," Roy groaned.

A knock on the door cut into anything Hughes might have to say. The young officers looked at each other in surprise. Maes scooped up his glasses and opened the door. A non-commissioned teen stood there. He saluted.

"Sorry, sirs, I know it's late but General Householder wants to see you both in his office," the young man said, shifting nervously.

"Do you know about what?" Hughes asked, looking annoyed.

"No, sir."

"Tell him we'll be right there. We're out of uniform," Roy said, flipping the covers back.

The non-comm nodded and skittered off. Hughes and Mustang shared puzzled looks as they changed back into their uniforms. Roy tossed his pajamas over the radiator. Hughes did the same then they headed down to Householder's office. Roy was surprised to see Hawkeye there. Had she reported him for being derelict in his duties? He couldn't believe that. She seemed to be as confused as he and Maes were. Householder smiled at them, toying with the ends of his waxed moustache as they came in. He indicated for them to sit.

"Sorry for the late hour, boys but I just got the notice myself," householder said. "Mrs. Rozamond Mock just left. Cadet Hawkeye, I believe you know her."

Riza nodded. "She's the headmistress of Rennsalaer, or at least she was when I was in attendance, sir."

"She still is. Rennsalaer is having its Winter Ball and she would like some of my young officers to escort a few of the girls. There are two that have no escorts, a Miss Malca Gardyner and Miss Petronela Nedved, and their families would very much like them to be escorted. The military wants to strengthen its ties to this community so I selected you two, Major Mustang, Lieutenant Hughes, to be the lucky gentlemen." Householder grinned at them more like a wolf standing over fresh kill than in any friendly sense of the word.

Roy and Maes exchanged nervous glances. "Of...course, sir. We'd be delighted." Roy tried to force a smile.

"What about our assignment looking for the Drachmaian insurgents, sir?" Hughes asked.

"You'll still be expected to do that, Hughes. It's only one night and besides, the Rennsalaer girls might want the added reassurance that they have a military guard." Householder templed his hands in front of him. "Yes, this will be very good for us. Dress uniforms for you two, make sure you have them."

"Yes, sir," Hughes and Mustang chorused.

"And Hawkeye, Mrs. Mock would like you to attend as well as a go-between. Unfortunately, you'll be unescorted unless you have someone from the community you'd like to ask," Householder said, turning his kindly grandfather look on Riza who wilted. "You'll be expected to wear a dress. I'm sure you'll be able to find something appropriate. You'll be allowed to return back to your Uncle's estate as necessary for the duration of this mission. I believe you still have some of your belongings there."

Riza nodded without any enthusiasm. "Yes, sir."

"Well, I've kept you from your beds long enough. I hope to know more tomorrow. Smile, my young officers. Most soldiers would love to be assigned to a party." Householder laughed, slapping a hand on his desk.

With another chorus of yes sirs, they escaped out into the hallway, none of them looking as happy as Householder seemed to think they should.

"I hope my new girl doesn't hear about this," Maes grumbled.

"Riza, tell me about the two who don't have dates. In what way are they defective?" Roy groaned.

"Glad you automatically assume there's something wrong with them, Roy." Riza's voice was razor sharp. "It could be they just didn't want a date." She looked at him as if she thought he was the shallowest man alive.

"So, why force us on them?" Roy persisted, figuring he was already in the dog house so he might as well get comfortable.

"Because...you're not wrong. Petra has all the social graces of, well...she has none and I can't even say she's got a good heart since I've never seen it." Riza shook her head. "You've met Malca, Roy, she's the one who could drink your dad's winery dry."

"Dibs on the alcoholic." Roy slapped Maes' back and his friend made a face. Riza shot him a disgusted look.

"Oh, thanks," Maes sighed. "Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"

"Because we all do," Riza said. "That school...have Roy tell you about it. I have very few good memories of it and I doubt he has any. This will not be our first Winter Ball at Rennsalaer."

Hughes scowled. "Come on, Mustang. I'm dead on my feet. You can fill me in, in between moaning about it being cold."

"He's always cold." Riza smiled.

"He's a hothouse flower." Maes nodded sagely.

Roy just glared at them both and stomped off down the hall. He tried to pretend they weren't laughing at him.