Lily: OMG! I'm actually updating and it hasn't been 3 months! YAY Omg, I swear that I would've updated sooner but we had this MAJOR exam that I have been studying for nonstop and now its over! I GOT 93 BABY! YEAHYEAH!...ahem…anyfway…yeah...now I forgot what I was going to say….oh yeah! Ok, this chapter is another office formality sort of thing but it has some later significance to the story…thank you for reviewing
The remainder of the work day went by all too slow for the four male officers, for all of them seemed to notice the melancholy vibe that seemed to be projecting from the Lt., all day, making her even more standoffish then usual. The three exchanged glances, each wondering if the other had noticed it as well. They all nodded in unison then each caught a side glance at the Lt., who was for the third time that day, avoiding her work and staring at the ground with clouded eyes that were impossible to read. They then looked to the colonel's desk, where the colonel sat, scanning the morning paper. He looked up occasionally, casting side glances at the lt., apparently noticing the change in her behavior as well. He turned his glance momentarily to his three male subordinates, who seemed to be engaged in a game of rock, paper, scissors, silently arguing about something. Roy smirked then looked back down at the paper, only to look back up again to find all three of them looking at him strangely. He returned their gaze, nonchalantly but still with a question in his eyes.
Fuery looked back to Breda and Falman, who both seemed to be silently encouraging him. He then, nodded then looked back to Roy, who was still looking at the three, un-amused, then mouthed something under his breath to Roy. Roy, not understanding a word he had just said, raised an eyebrow. Fuery opened his mouth to start again then shook his head and sighed, looking to Breda for help. Breda rolled his eyes then looked to the colonel, motioning his head to the Lt., almost violently.
Roy raised his brow even higher, still not understanding, until all three of them began to gesture their head violently to the lt. Roy, finally realizing what they were implying, crinkled his brows and shook his head intensely , scooting back in his chair. He knew better then to approach a woman when she had that look in her eyes…especially one with a 98 shooting accuracy. But still, the three men stayed as persistent as hell, silently encouraging him to approach her, until Roy finally cleared his throat, giving in.
"Lieutenant… no floor is that interesting…" All three male subordinates clapped their hands over their faces.
"Smooth…" They mused under their breaths.
With that, the lieutenant's eyes cleared of any emotion that was, or might have been there and looked blankly up at the colonel, as if nothing were wrong.
"I don't know what you mean, sir" She said, almost portentously.
"Well…er… it's more then apparent that you're lacking behind, more then usual anyway." Roy mentally slapped himself. That did not come out the way it sounded in his mind. He longed for the ability to snatch those words back but it was too late.
Riza's eyes flared but she merely replied, all too calmly,
" I don't know what you mean, colonel, but if you insist on pointing out the flaws in others then maybe," She turned he gaze to where the papers from earlier that morning still rested messily atop his desk, untouched. "You can try avoiding the same happening to you, by-"Roy, apparently noticing that he had pinched a hidden nerve, spoke up determined to, for once, keep the upper hand. After all, he was the superior officer.
"Hawkeye, if you so much as mutter another word that even slightly resembles the words 'paper, due date or work' I wont hesitate to-" Riza rose, with eyes focused on the colonel that looked like she was trying with all her strength to shoot laser beam out of them and zap Roy.
"With all due respect, colonel," She started, emphasizing the words 'respect and colonel'. She began to walk towards his desk as the others exchanged frightened glances then scooted back in their seats at a glance of the Kill Bill look in her eyes.
"If I don't remind you of your duties, then who will? And-
"For your information Hawkeye, I am fully capable of dutifully completing my work on my own…and I think that it's about time that you start worrying about your own task…or haven't you noticed the pile of papers on your own desk?" Riza opened her mouth to object, only to be interrupted by Roy once again, his voice raised even higher.
"And furthermore, it's also about time you start obeying the orders of your commanding officer, or haven't you forgotten that's me? Because if you did, you would be home in bed, receiving the proper rest. Now it is apparent that something is bothering you and coming to work isn't going to make it better because your problems are just going to follow you and make me worry about you even more!" the colonel stopped, stunned at himself at what he just said. He cursed himself….some things were better left unsaid….they sound a lot better in his mind.
He looked around, noticing that in the haze of the argument he had rose out of anger. He cleared his throat, and sat back down, avoiding Riza's eyes, suddenly beginning to take great interest in completing his paper work.
"Now then…" he said. "Due to your lack of capability to follow orders…you are suspended from work for a week." He said, handing her a small paper with his signature of suspension. "And during that time, lieutenant, I expect to you to receive the proper rest, do I make myself clear?' he added, with inaudible softness, as she reached for the paper.
"Crystal" She replied coldly, as she snatched it away. Roy blinked as she walked to the coat rack to retrieve her coat, then out of the office door, slamming it behind her.
As soon as the door closed, all three male subordinates breathed a sigh of relief as if the tension that had once filled the room was gone.
'Well, that was scary" Breda spoke up, as Falman and Fuery nodded in agreement.
'What do you suppose was wrong?" Fuery asked
Falman crinkled his brow and rubbed his fingers on his chin as if in deep thought.
"Hmm…I've seen this sort of behavior from my sister-in-law 6 months before she had her baby."
"Are you suggesting that the lieutenant's pregnant?" Fuery asked, his eyes widening.
Falman shrugged. 'Well, it's a possibility." With that they all looked over to the colonel, who returned their gaze innocently. "What? Sure…I suppose it's a possibility…I wouldn't know….nor do I care…what lieutenant Hawkeye does on her own time is her own business." All three of them snickered…
"Whatever you say, chief." Breda said.
'Hey now, what I miss?" said a familiar voice. They all looked to the door to see non-other then Jean havoc.
"2nd lieutenant Havoc, I thought you were on vacation?' Fuery said as Havoc walked to his desk and sat down all too casually.
'Vacation?" he mused. "And miss the normal office chaos? Never." He said, gesturing towards the door. "and speaking of chaos, what up with the ice queen? I saw her fuming down the hallway."
"We don't know, she's been acting strangely all morning. So the colonel sent her home." Breda said.
Havoc smirked. "Aw it's probably nothing more then women hormones taking their course."
The other three looked at him, trying to keep a straight face. 'How would you know, Havoc? You haven't been on a date with a woman since the stone ages. You probably know enough about woman as Fuery does." Fuery laughed at this then frowned barely understanding.
"I haven't?" Havoc smirked. "How pathetic is that? I must be some load of work."
They all looked at him. Did he just insult himself? They studied him as he layed back in his seat, wearing a goofy grin that was so unlike Havoc.
"What's up with him?" Fuery whispered to the others, who all shrugged in unison.
Lily: Whats wrong with what Roy let slip out? And did Hawkeye notice? And what will happen to Roy if Riza isn't there to watch over him? Whay is havoc back so soon? Is he acting strangely as well? Will my headache ever go away? All these question answered next time in…By her Gun! bumbumbum