DISCLAIMER: -spokesperson clears his throat- M.C.E.Black is currently resting, but would like to remind you that she does not own Full Metal Alchemist or any of it's characters. She would like to give all credit to Hiromu Arakawa.
A/N: Hey everyone! So sorry for the lack of update! I have been working a LOT lately and barely have any time for anything else. I am only working a few hours a couple days this week so I will update as soon as I can. Just bear with me here! (And I'm also starting to work more on my other fic now that someone seems somewhat interested in it.) Anyways, this chapter is a bit long...oh and it switches back and forth from Riza's POV to Roy's later on and back and forth. You'll know when that happens though. Anyways, enjoy.
Chapter 9: Jealous Actions. RH.
Research, research, and more research. It seemed like I had done nothing but scour every book in the library for three days straight! And where was the Colonel during all this?
Only God knew.
"Falman, shouldn't you know something about this?" Breda asked, looking at Falman desperately.
Falman sighed. "All I know is what I've already told you."
The boys were gathered in the middle of the room. I hung back in a corner. I had managed to find a book entirely on taboo Alchemy. It was very complicated and from the sounds of it, very dangerous.
Why was Roy so affected by this? It was almost as if he...
My eyes grew wide as I realized what had been going on. Roy had attempted a taboo! If he hadn't, then he had certainly thought about it. Something like this would certainly stick with you for years. I wondered if anyone knew about it. If he couldn't me, then who could he tell?
Hughes...
I tore from the room toward the nearest phone. Hughes had gone back to Central to work on another case.
"Hello?" his voice sounded on the other end.
"Lieutenant Colonel Hughes," I said quickly. "This is Lieutenant Hawkeye."
"Lieutenant Hawkeye!" he said cheerfully. "What can I do for you?"
"Hughes," I said, dropping my voice. "I need to ask you some questions about the Colonel."
Hughes laughed. "And what is that, Lieutenant?"
I was serious. This had nothing to do with Roy and I and our relationship...or lack thereof.
"What do you know about taboos?"
The other end went silent. I wondered for a moment if our connection had been severed, but then he spoke, barely above a whisper.
"It's not safe to talk about this here," he said. "We need to get together somehow. Face to face. I'll come out there as soon as I can."
I didn't see that as necessary, but before I could protest, he had hung up the phone and the line went dead.
Frowning, I went back to the room. It had been obvious they weren't doing anything. As I walked in, they snatched up the books nearest them and began to pretend to read what was on the pages. Fuery was actually staring at an upside down atlas.
"Isn't this the Colonel's case?" Breda spoke up. "Why isn't he helping us?"
"Because he's the Colonel..." Havoc replied, not bothering to make it look like he was busy.
"I would watch what you say..." I said warningly. I turned so my gun was quite visible. They shut up rather quickly, but Havoc smirked.
"He's probably getting read for that top secret date tonight..." he said slowly.
My head snapped in Havoc's direction. "Date?" I asked.
"Yeah, the one he couldn't tell us about," he continued. "Or rather, wouldn't tell us about. Do you know anything about this date, Hawkeye?"
I felt like my heart had just fallen past my toes and through the floor. I didn't know anything about this date of his. Clearly, the others thought I was somehow involved. They couldn't have been more wrong.
Unless...
Unless he was going to surprise me! Maybe the others did know something and were just trying to give me a hint. That would certainly be wonderful...but so unlike Roy. I looked away from Havoc and crossed the room.
"I don't know anything about it," I told them honestly.
I could see Havoc's reflection in the window. He looked stunned. Frowning, he puffed on his cigarette and turned back to the book in front of him.
They didn't know anything. Something told me I wasn't going to be able to focus much more on research. Standing before the window, I stared out across the headquarters. For some reason, I couldn't seem to get that stupid Colonel out of my head.
XXXXX
"Thank you for meeting with me, Lieutenant," I said quietly and Hughes as we entered a small empty conference room.
Leaning against a table, he crossed his arms and stared at me. "So, why are you so interested in taboos?"
I breathed deeply and made sure the door was closed firmly behind us. "Has Roy ever attempted one?"
He didn't answer me quickly. When I turned around, he was frowning, but there was a strange glint in his eyes. It was as if he was torn between two different emotions.
"No..." he said finally.
"Has he ever been involved in one?" I asked. "Has he ever even thought about doing one?"
His eyes narrowed as he continued to stare at me. I was starting to wonder if he was going to be completely honest when he answered.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye," he sighed. "I think there's something you should know about Roy. He..." he paused and stared at the ground. "He's a lot more sensitive than he looks and it was a hard war..."
I remained silent, waiting for him to continue. He fell quiet and I knew he was trying to figure out how to word what he was going to say.
"He's got all these idealistic plans," he said. "I mean, you've heard him. He thinks he can change the world and he needs reminding that he's only human."
"You don't think he'll ever become Führer?" I asked curiously.
"Of course I do," he answered quickly. "He'd do anything to get there. We both know that. He's just not very rational when it comes down to it."
I nodded. I couldn't help but agree that many of the Colonel's quick decisions were rather rash and dangerous.
"He thought he could bring them back..." Hughes said. "He thought he could change everything. Take back everything he ever did..."
I had heard Roy speak of the war on several occasions, but it was only in small segments. A lot of people died, several at his hand and the thought of them was always nagging at the back of his mind. Sometimes in the office, when conversation had completely died, he would bring them up and I would just listen. I assumed it was nice to get some things off his chest.
"The only way he could do that was a-" Hughes started.
"Taboo," I finished.
He nodded. "He insisted he never actually did it and I believe him. He was a complete wreck when I first confronted him about the taboo." Hughes looked up at me seriously. "Did he ever tell you that he tried to kill himself?"
I felt my knees go weak. Roy had done...WHAT! I had heard a lot and seen a lot, but nothing had ever made my heart beat as fast as it was at that moment. If he had only...If he hadn't changed his mind, he...he wouldn't be...
Hughes must have noticed that I was deeply bothered by what he had said, because he stood up and took my arm.
"I wouldn't mention it to him if I were you..." he whispered. "But I thought it was something you ought to know..."
I nodded, still staring at the table leg. It took me a few moments to realize that Hughes had left. Finding it difficult to move, I slid down into the nearest chair. It felt like my throat had closed up and a minute later, tears began to stream down my face.
It wasn't until later that afternoon that I actually left the office. I made sure no one was around when I headed toward the bathroom. All traces of sadness needed to be erased before I returned to work.
XXXXX
Why I returned to the restaurant that night was beyond me, but I didn't feel much like staying home. I took Black Hayate for a walk and then headed right out. Though I didn't drink, I sat at the bar with the older men. As they talked about their own heartaches, I felt like I could fit right in.
"...but she never called me back..." a graying old man said.
I nodded slowly and the bartender brought me over a glass of a brownish liquid.
"It's on the house, Miss..." he said gruffly.
"Thanks..." I murmured.
I had definitely hit an all time low. I downed the drink and gasped for breath. It was terrible, but it cleared my mind, at least for a short period of time.
Without warning, I heard someone giggle loudly behind me. I refused to turn around, but that didn't stop me from listening in.
"Oh Colonel!" a young woman giggled. "You are so adorable!"
I know that voice...where have I heard that voice before...
"Why do you wear these silly looking gloves?" she asked. "And what is this funny little symbol for?"
"Oh, it's a family crest..." a man's voice answered.
I froze. I definitely knew that voice. Unable to help myself, I swirled around on the stool and scanned the room for the source of the voice. I noticed the pair sitting in the exact spot Roy and I had sat at during our dinner.
Roy Mustang sat at the table accompanied by none other than that Regina woman from the magic shop. That hot surge of jealousy swept over me again as she leaned over the table and caressed his hand. He was smiling, which made me even angrier. When he took a drink, she adjusted her skirt so more of her leg was exposed.
Who the Hell did she think she was?
I knew my gun was hidden in my purse, but I couldn't shoot her. (If I could, I would have in a heartbeat.) Despite how much I wanted to, I couldn't force myself to look away.
------------------------RM
"What's it like being in the military?" Regina asked, batting her eyelashes again. It was starting to get on my nerves. "I mean, I've never really been interested in it before now, but if there are people like you, it must be really fascinating..."
I forced a smile and nodded, reminding myself that I was only doing this because she helped us out.
"How many Alchemists do you know?" she continued. "I don't really know much about Alchemy. That's my grandmother's area of expertise. I don't really care for it that much. I just...you know, run the counter and stuff..."
"Yeah..." I said absently.
Is she ever going to shut up?
I glanced around the room, wondering how much longer it would be until I could take her home and have this whole thing be over with. My mind kept wandering too...
I scanned the bar for the man who had been in there before. He might have been a regular, but then again, he might have been kicked out since the last incident. I was actually surprised they let me back in.
I froze. No, it couldn't be. Staring back at me, were the brown eyes that had penetrated so many of my dreams lately. But I wouldn't believe. She couldn't be here.
Not right now!
"Is something wrong?" Regina asked, looking at me curiously.
I focused back on her quickly and shook my head. "No. Nothing. I just thought I saw-"
Before I could finish my sentence, she had turned around to look in the direction I had. She didn't turn back around for a while. When she did, she looked confused.
"Who did you see?"
"No one. I thought it was a friend of mine. He comes here often," I lied. "But it wasn't him."
------------------------RH
Oh no! He didn't see me, did he?
I panicked and tried to focus on something across the restaurant. I would keep my cool as best as I could. I wasn't going to let something like this get to me. I couldn't!
"Oh Colonel, come dance with me..." I heard Regina say.
I rolled my eyes. How could he stand someone like that? She was completely wrong for him! (Not to mention she was probably 10 years younger than him...)
"Can I get you anything, Miss?" the bartender asked, appearing in front of me. "You sure look like you could use a pick-me-up..."
I shook my head and waved my hand. "No thanks..."
He nodded and headed back toward the old men at the end.
"No, please, Regina," Roy said. "I really don't know how..."
"But please!" she whined.
"No, I'd rather not..." he insisted.
I couldn't help but smile. He didn't like her, did he? I heard them argue for a while, but finally he gave in and I watched them out of the corner of my eye as they moved toward the dance floor. Regina immediately threw her arms around him, pulling him as close to her as possible. They began to dance slowly and I had decided that I'd had enough.
Fine. If that's the way it's going to be, then two can play at that game!
I slid off the barstool carefully and moved a few seats down, sitting next to a young man with long brown hair. It was pulled back into a very loose ponytail and some of it hung around his face. A strange tattoo was drawn on his shoulder, but I couldn't see it well from where I was sitting.
"Can I get you something, Sir?" the bartender asked the man next to me.
"Scotch, please..." he answered. His voice was smooth and had a dangerous edge. This could turn out better than I had thought.
The bartender nodded and returned with a small glass. Before he could return to his usual spot, I spoke up.
"I'll have the same!"
The bartender brought me over an identical glass and the man next to me stared. I glanced at him, slowly bringing the glass to my lips.
"What?" I asked, not drinking from it.
"You don't look like the type that would drink Scotch," he answered.
I shrugged and downed the glass. Coughing, I tried to regain my breath, though it felt like my throat was on fire. The man laughed at me.
"Can we get a glass of water?" he said, calling to the bartender.
He pushed the glass of water toward me when it arrived and I sipped from it gratefully. When I could finally breathe again, I turned to him.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
"You're welcome," he replied. "I'm Striker, by the way..." He held out his hand.
I shook it. "Riza," I said simply. "Nice to meet you."
"Likewise..." he said, not bothering to drink from his own glass.
"Striker, eh?" I began. "How'd you get a name like that?"
He chuckled lightly and looked down at the counter. "Ah, well...it's a long story," he said. "In short, it's my nickname. A couple of my buddies gave it to me. It's kind of embarrassing..."
I laughed, "No. It's fine. It's a nice nickname."
"Is Riza short for anything?" he asked interestedly. "Or is it some sort of neat nickname like mine?"
"Elizabeth," I answered, nodding shortly. "My Father used to call me Riza. It sort of stuck."
------------------------RM
I was glad that we didn't dance very long, but by the time I sat back down, I noticed that Riza had moved. She was now sitting over by another man and she seemed to be having a great time, which was more than I could say. Frowning a bit, I wondered if she had moved on.
Regina began talking again, but I wasn't paying any attention this time. I was focusing on Riza's back over Regina's left shoulder. She kept laughing and I wondered what she and her little friend were talking about. For all I knew, she might have been making fun of me. I would probably deserve it.
"Do you want to get out of here?" Regina's voice interrupted my train of thought.
"What?" I asked.
"I asked if you wanted to get out of here," she repeated. "You know, go somewhere. Maybe go for a walk in the park or something..."
I didn't want to leave. I wanted to stay and see what was going on with the mystery man, but the sooner I left, the sooner I'd be rid of Regina. I was torn between the two.
Finally, I nodded. "Sure."
I could always talk to Hawkeye in the morning if I needed to.
There, I'm calling her Hawkeye again. First it was Riza and now I'm back to Hawkeye. What is going on with me?
We stood and she nearly dragged me out of the restaurant. As we passed Hawkeye, I was certain I saw her look up at me, but before I could get a better look, I was swept out the door.
We began to walk down the street, but it didn't seem like Regina had even thought about not talking. Her mouth was still going a mile a minute and I had to shove my hand in my pocket to stop me from zapping her. My other hand, unfortunately, was grasped tightly in hers.
"Regina," I said slowly. "I think I'm going to take you home."
"What?" she looked insulted.
"I have a busy day tomorrow, and I've been up for several nights now..." I explained. I wasn't even lying. I couldn't remember the last time I had gotten a good night's sleep.
She frowned, but nodded. "All right then..."
As she swung our hands in a bored kind of fashion, I could have sworn I saw something tattooed on her wrist.
------------------------RH
"It's getting late," I said, after we had talked for a couple minutes. "I-I should probably head home. I have a dog waiting for me and he's probably torn the place apart."
"Married, eh?" Striker said, smiling widely.
I laughed and shook my head. "No! Definitely not."
"Well, maybe I should walk you home then," he offered. "I'm thinking of getting out of here as well. Why don't I take you?"
I shifted uncomfortably. I had only intended to talk to this man until Roy had left and Roy had left several minutes ago. I didn't see any harm in letting him walk me home though. Besides, I was armed.
"All right," I said.
We left together, still talking about everything that came to mind. I couldn't seem to stop laughing. He was truly a genuine kind man. You didn't meet many like him, especially at a bar.
"Here, go this way," he said, pointing down an alley. "I know a short cut..."
Not thinking, I headed down the alley. It became eerily quiet and our footsteps seemed to echo off the walls. I started to get goose bumps.
"It's just right this way, First Lieutenant Hawkeye," he said.
His voice sounded distant and I stopped suddenly. Something didn't seem right. He was no longer standing next to me, but that wasn't what was bothering me.
"I don't believe I told you my last name..." I said slowly, turning around to face him. "Or that I work for the-"
Before I had turned completely around, I felt his hand close around my wrist and I was shoved against the wall, smacking my head against the hard brick.
------------------------RM
"What's that?" I asked abruptly.
"What's what?" she asked, confused.
I let go of her hand, but caught her by the wrist instead. I felt her squirm as I looked at the tattoo on the underside of her hand. It was a small twisted snake. My grip on her tightened angrily.
"Did you think I was going to be that stupid?" I asked, pulling my other hang out of my pocket. "Did you think I was actually going to fall for your little act? You knew too much for your own good!"
I was never short with women, but when someone pissed me off and was threatening my life, I had the option to use force.
"What are you talking about?" she asked, horrified. "Let go of me!"
"You and Julia and all the others. You were all in it together!" I continued. "Was I next? Was all of this set up so you could kill me next? Well I've got news for you-"
"COLONEL!" she yelled. "I don't know what you're talking about! It's just a tattoo!"
Her eyes welled up with tears and I felt myself let go of her. She stumbled back at me and stared at me in terror. I had the sudden feeling that I had been completely wrong.
The tattoo on Julia's ankle had been different. It wasn't like the one on Regina's hand at all. I had been too quick to jump to conclusions, but I had definitely seen Julia's tattoo somewhere else that night. I just couldn't place where...
Riza's laugh echoed through my mind and I thought my heart had stopped. Without bothering to say anything more to Regina, I took off in the other direction, searching desperately down every alleyway and street I could find.
I only hoped I wasn't too late...
------------------------RH
He pinned me against the wall, grinning broadly. It felt like the circulation was being cut off in my hands. I felt them go numb. My purse fell to the ground. Thinking quickly, I kneed him in the stomach, causing him to keel over.
I dodged under his arm and reached for my purse, but he kicked it well out of my reach. Now only on my hands and knees I tried to crawl over to get it. I could hear him advancing on me.
"Don't even try to get away Lieutenant," he said. "I've got special orders to do away with you."
He grabbed my side, causing me to turn over. I closed my eyes and kicked. I heard him groan loudly and he staggered backward. I didn't have the time to look back at him as I scrambled forward, groping around for the handle to my purse. My eyesight was impaired from being thrown against the wall.
I felt the strap and pulled it closer to me. Striker was regaining his strength and was moving toward me. I could hear him. I dragged my purse under me and dug through it for my gun. I felt the cold metal in my hand and didn't bother to think twice.
Lying on my back, I pulled the trigger over and over, showing no signs of letting up. The gunshots seemed to be so faraway, as my hand grew limp and everything faded to black.
A/N: Dun dun dun-aaaaaaaaa! -suspense- Lol. Anyways, like I said. I'll update AQAP! (As Quick As Possible!) But it's going to get even harder for me. So, please do your part and be patient and REVIEW! I absolutely love hearing from all of you. I do read EVERY SINGLE ONE of my reviews! So it's never looked over or cast aside. If I don't write back to you, just know that I was probably too busy at the moment and I will try to get to you as soon as I can. Thanks again! And please keep reading!
