Chapter 2: Conflicting Emotions

Princess Sango

Riza tossed and turned in her sleep, and she thought of the look Roy had given when he saw their child. Riza had dreams where he found out immediately, and then he hated her forever or something along those alternate universe lines. Maes ended up waking her up later then she usually was and she didn't say much as she ran into the bathroom for a quick shower and then a mini prayer that her uniform fit.

She felt better when they did fit her, but only by so much. She'd have to work the weight off, not that it should be a problem. Walking back out, Maes gave her a small smile of reassurance, "I guess I'm your excuse for coming late, huh, Hawkeye?"

Riza smiled and hugged him, blinking back tears, "Yes, you made me very late for work, Maes."

Maes laughed and looked down at her, "I know you're nervous, but it'll all be okay."

Riza nodded and they both walked out and into her car. She started it up and started driving towards headquarters. Most of the drive was pretty quiet, except for the occasional questions by Riza, and Maes assuring her every time. By the time they got to the office, Maes jumped out but Riza stayed awhile longer, lingering in the car. Maes walked around and opened the door, "You can't hide forever."

Riza sighed and got out, taking his extended hand. She composed herself, trying to act normal. As soon as she walked into the office, all the current officers fled the office and ran to do something else, giving Riza and Maes a quick nod or salute.

Before she opened the door Maes told her he would wait here for awhile. Riza sighed and walked past him, and opened the door, "Roy…" She breathed his name lightly, taking his name as a relief, but she said it with so much more emotion. She heard footsteps and then felt arms envelope her, "Riza! Where were you? I never got the decency not even to hear your voice, I missed you so much."

Riza hugged him back and forced a smile, "I love you, but I was taking personal time for myself… How's Hayate?"

At the sound of his name, Hayate came up and came up against her leg. She knelt down and pet him gently, kissing the top of his soft black head. Then a baby cry shrieked through the air, and Riza stayed still, even though every instinct in her body told her to go hush young Rachel to sleep.

Roy sighed and went around the desk and picked up a small bundle carefully, "She's sometimes quiet, but I have no clue how to care for her. I plan to keep her though, because it might be someone I know who gave her to me. Even though I wouldn't imagine who, I know only a few women who are actually bothered to talk to me anymore."

Riza shrugged, and the baby still cried, "Any names are you even going to bother getting her to be quiet?"

"The letter said her name was Rachel, and yeah, hold on…" He went around the desk and picked up the small bundle in his arms and started to rock her gently. Rachel quieted immediately and he sighed, "She's on and off, but mostly she's quiet. It's difficult, but I'll keep at it. I told the people around here that it's a baby I found on the side of the road, more convincing…"

Riza nodded, "So, how did you really come upon her?"

"I just found her at my door when I was about to fall asleep. She slept through the night, but woke me up around seven thirty… I think it'll be fine."

Hayate nudged Riza's leg, telling her he needed to go out. Riza blushed and looked up at Roy, "Would you like to go for a walk? Just a small one, I bet I have a lot of work to do."

Roy shook his head, "Someone took over your work while you were gone. It's all done, but I hope you're back to stay?"

Riza smiled softly, "Yes, I'm back to stay. Shall we have that walk now?"

Roy nodded and when they exited, Maes wasn't there. Sneaking out, the two went for a small walk; it wasn't until twenty minutes later, in their return, was when Maes show up. "Roy, I'm back!"

Roy's eye twitched as he looked at the person in his chair, sitting there casually was Maes. Roy sighed, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, you know, figured I would check on you. Oh, is that a baby? Where would you get this beautiful baby from?" Maes asked, getting up and strolling over to Roy as Riza sat down at her desk. Hayate sat obediently beside her, and she patted his head. Rachel was placed gently in the basket, and Maes examined her in interest, "Cute kid, but not as cute as my Elysia!"

Roy smirked, "So how are you?"

"I'm fine, just decided to stop by and say hi. See what's new in your world. Making sure you are working hard!" Maes clapped him on the back, "Looks like your doing fine."

"Yeah, I'm doing fine, I just happened to find this little girl. I'll be taking care of her from now on, so I guess I'm a father too? Yeah…"

Maes clapped a hand on Roy's shoulder, "Welcome to: The Fatherhood."

Roy laughed and looked up at Maes, "Thanks. So how long are you staying?"

"Just for today, Gracia wants me back home before tomorrow."

Roy nodded and told Maes to get out of his chair, "I have work to do, and I need to get some sleep tonight. As far as I know, Rachel is a quiet one, but she might wake me up from time to time." He shuffled papers and signed some papers every now and then, "I can't bring her to a bar, so why don't we have just some time to talk? Unless Riza wants to watch her, can you Riza?"

Riza turned to Roy with a sharp eye thinking, Is he going to be this way every time he wants to go drinking? I knew he had some alcohol problems, but really, won't he change for Rachel? Then Riza opened her mouth, "I just got back sir, and I can't do that. I still have to check over everything that was signed, and unpack. I'm sorry sir, maybe at a better time."

Roy's face was quizzical and then he sighed, "I guess she's right. Well, Maes, we'll just have to hang out, mind?"

Maes smirked, "Not at all, unlike you I don't have a big alcohol streak, and since you decided to take her in, you need to start learning to give it up. If you don't you'll never learn how to deal with being a father, I think that was why Riza said no, partly. Am I right Riza?"

Riza bit her lip, and darted her eyes back and forth between the two of them, "That is part of the reason, yes, but I mostly have other things to do."

Roy nodded and looked over at Rachel, and sighed, "Then we're just hanging out here now."

Maes nodded and smiled, "You have to give some things up if you're going to be a father too."

Later that day…

Riza's POV

I sighed as I closed the door to my apartment. Hayate immediately jumped on my unmade bed, and laid there. I set down Hayate's food and bowls in their usual place by the corner and then joined my companion. Maes had gone home with Roy, not saying much to me but a short goodbye.

Kicking off my shoes, I allowed them to fall somewhere unknown to me, and stretched out on my bed. Hayate's head found my lap and he seemed to look up to me with those questioning eyes. I tried to ignore them, before breaking down and explaining to him why I was gone.

After I had done that, I felt insanely better and a little bit more insane because I was talking to him, an animal that wouldn't talk back to me. Yet, I did enjoy that I wasn't questioned, and I wasn't told I was wrong or anything. I kissed the top of Hayate's head lightly and then got up and changed into pajamas. Those fit perfectly, because I had a thing for loose pajamas when I wasn't with Roy.

It was nearly eight and I was exhausted. I had looked over all the papers, but I still needed to unpack in case Roy wanted to be with me, but who was I kidding? He had our daughter now; he had no time to be with me. We couldn't have sex now that Roy was busy pampering Rachel, helping her grow into someone who would be smart and strong.

Isn't that why she decided against letting him go drink with Maes? Didn't she tell him that he was to be her father, and he better take care of it? But he had no choice in the matter, you put this upon him. A small voice nagged at me and I tried to push that thought aside.

She should've thought this out a whole lot more. Yet, now she had to live with the way things are now, or confess everything. The second choice seemed enticing but, you know, it would be illegal if the word went out. The whole military would consider them a laughing stock, like the last couple to fall for each other.

Covering my face with my hands I cried, again, I had a daughter and a boyfriend, but now I still had them, only they were farther from me. Hayate then was near my face and I pet it lightly, before I knew it, I let myself into a black sleep, dreaming of the horrible alternate universes and his arms there to comfort me.

With Roy and Maes…

Maes put together the crib in an efficient manner and helped Roy through setting up the inside of it. When they were done, they placed the tiny and sleeping form into the crib. Roy thanked Maes and he smiled, "No problem, look let me call Gracia and tell her I'm staying for two more days. She'll hopefully understand." After he was done calling her, he came and sat on the couch next to Roy, "So, what's been going on?"

"You mean the agony of waiting for Riza and not hearing anything from her? When she finally comes back, I can't even do anything with her because Rachel's in the way. I can't welcome her back the way a secret boyfriend does," Roy answered, his voice tightening up.

"Roy, you don't always have to have sex with her every time you see her. There is more to a relationship then sex take her out to eat, you could do that. Say it's business to anyone who tries to say it's some thing else. Also Roy, she might just want to be held, reassured that you still like her," Maes answered; trying to play two sides was really wearing him down. Stifling a yawn he sighed, "Just give Riza time."

"She looked like she was terrified of me? Why would she? I love her more than anything in the world," Roy asserted.

Maes sighed, what more was there to say to him? It was easier comforting Riza then Roy, and he only knew Riza for a little while compared to Roy. "She was gone for awhile; she is probably scared that you hate her for leaving."

Roy looked at him and sighed, "I better get some sleep now Maes, but I have a question for you."

"Yeah, what is it?" he asked, feeling that he might as the question of the coincidence of how he knew she was okay, how all three of them showed up the same day.

"Can you watch Rachel while I'm at work?" Roy asked him.

Maes gave a sigh of relief, "Of course I'll do it."

Roy smiled and got off the couch and walked into his bedroom, "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

Maes gave a nod confirming that and when Roy was gone, and when he was sure he was asleep, Maes walked inside Roy's room and looked into Rachel's crib. He studied her soft face and smiled, "This is all for you."

TBC…