Chapter 6: Just A Fight Between Adults

Princess Sango

Riza sighed as she walked through the park; she was about to pass the children's area when a hand clamped over her shoulder, "Well who do we have here?"

Riza turned around and smiled at Maes, "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I decided to come visit Roy and Rachel, they're doing fine. How have you been anyway?" Maes smiled, trying to postpone telling the information.

Riza sighed, "I'm tired, and drained right now. Can you meet me tonight? I'd like to talk to you in private." Riza looked around the park to see Roy standing by the swings pushing Elysia and Rachel every now and then.

"Sure, I don't see why not. I'll stop by your house and we can go out to eat around eight?" Maes asked her.

"That sounds good," Riza answered, "I better get home now though, and I need to sleep before then." Riza gave him a smile before leaving him to head home.

Meanwhile…

Roy smiled as he pushed Rachel and Elysia on the swing. Maes had walked off for a minute, but he was inconspicuously watching him. His eyes widened as he saw him and Riza talking. What's going on here?, he thought to himself.

He watched the two talk casually, but he couldn't hear what they were saying. Then he heard the girls' plea to go faster and higher up on the swing. He pushed them, making sure he complied with their request and by the time he looked up, Maes was heading back towards him and Riza was walking away.

When Maes was face to face with Roy, Roy asked him, "So what were you doing?"

"Oh, I just bumped into a friendly face, nothing more. So, are my girls having fun?" Maes asked, changing the subject quickly. Roy sighed, knowing he would never get anything else out of his daughter-minded friend.

"So, why don't we go out to dinner tonight? How long are you in town?" Roy asked, trying to pry a little further with out trying to give hints or anything.

"Three days, but tonight I already have some work to take care of. So can we do that tomorrow night? Why don't you take the girls out instead?" Maes suggested, feeling a little guilty for lying to his friend.

"Okay, but what kind of business?"

"You know, top secret business," Maes answered.

Roy sighed, "Alright, but tomorrow we'll go to dinner."

Maes smiled, "It's a deal! Hey, let's go see a movie!"

Later…

Riza sighed; she had ended up sleeping most of the day. She knew why, she was tired of hiding. So tired, because of work, and worrying about Roy finding out. Pulling on a collared white shirt and a pair of blue jeans before checking the clock to find out in five minutes it would be the promised time to meet up.

She sat back on her bed then, and sighed before hearing a knock and Hayate's bark to alert her. "Stop Hayate, good boy," she gave him a pat on the head before getting up and opening the door, "You're early."

"Yeah, I know, but Roy was starting to ask all those questions about what I'm doing tonight," Maes explained, "Let's get going."

"Okay just let me get my keys," Riza explained before running inside and grabbing her keys off the kitchen counter and then going to join him. Looking around she spotted a car and looked at Maes who nodded to her. When she was in the car, Riza leaned back in the seat.

"You look tired," Maes said, stating the obvious, "It's been eating you up hasn't it? It's been four years, going on five in a month. I can't believe that both our kids are growing up. Riza, I think you should've been happier by now, why don't you just tell him."

Riza glared at him, "I told you and everyone else, no."

Maes sighed as he pulled into a restaurant that wasn't so busy but just busy enough. Getting out in silence they were promptly seated and ordered drinks and their food. As the waitress left, Maes smiled, "So now, let's talk about what we're here to talk about."

Meanwhile…

Roy sighed as the girl's begged for food. Maes had left at seven thirty and now he had to girls sitting on the couch that was scattered with toys, asking for food. He, on the other hand, was in the kitchen, looking for food and couldn't find anything to eat. Turning to the kids he smiled, "Why don't we go out to eat?"

"Can we go to that place we always go to daddy? I'm sure Elysia would like it!" Rachel asked, pleading for her and Elysia's sake.

"Sure, you girl's get ready, Elysia can you help her?" Roy asked, and at her nod he went into his room and shut the door.

Meanwhile…

Riza's eyes were wide with shock, "No, he seriously thinks it's me? Maes, I don't know what to do! Now this is way past freaking out, I mean…"

Maes put a hand over her shaking one on the table, "Riza, calm down. You'll get through this; you know my family will be there to help you. You know you'll be safe."

Riza blinked back stressed tears, "Thank-you…"

Maes smiled, "Now wipe away those tears, and enjoy the rest of the night okay?"

Riza nodded, but then she heard a voice over her, "So what do we have here?"

Meanwhile…

Roy's POV…

I sighed as I loaded the kids into the car, they were still whining, but soon enough they'd be quiet, right? Starting the car, I headed to the small place that opened up awhile ago. Its Rachel's favorite place, and mine too I'll admit. I haven't gotten the time yet to take Riza here, but maybe one day I will.

I drove for a good ten minutes before getting to the parking lot. I helped the kids out and then we all entered, and that's when something caught my eye. I caught Riza's blonde hair first, and then I heard Maes's voice. Telling the kids to sit down on the waiting couch, I walked over and confronted them, "So what do we have here?" I then noticed the Maes's hand over Riza's pull away.

He smiled, "Nothing much Roy."

I tried to keep stoic, "So what top secret thing is this?"

His smile vanished, "It's personal Roy, and do you mind? What are you doing here anyway?"

"I decided not to cook so Rachel and I decided to take your daughter out here."

Maes sighed, and I noticed Riza look fearful, tired, even older, and older than me. "Look, there's always a rational explanation, this just happens to be between me and Maes okay?" Riza signaled a waiter over, "Can I get that to go?" She motioned to her plate, and the waiter nodded before going to get a container. When he came back, Riza packed it up and looked at Maes, "I've got to go, I'll see you later okay?"

Maes nodded to her as she left head down, and she didn't even bother to look at me. I followed her with my eyes, and watched her say a quick goodbye to Rachel and Elysia before leaving. I turned back towards Maes, "What the hell was that?"

"I was just giving her top secret information, you know Roy, quit thinking like that! You think I would have an affair with your girlfriend when I have a wife and a kid of my own whom I love with all my heart?" Maes asked, standing up and throwing bills on the table and stalking away. I watched him leave, taking Elysia with him, and Rachel came over to me.

"Daddy, is everything okay?" Rachel asked innocently.

I smiled for her, putting a hand on her hair, "Just a fight between adults Rachel, nothing more. Are you still hungry?" At her nod, I took her back to the couch and kept her occupied before we were seated and were soon eating.

Later…

Riza was on her bed crying, she had waited outside for Maes, and he had come to take her home. Elysia was already asleep, passed out on the couch. Maes, was stroking her back, "I'm screwed, I need to get away…"

"No, you need to face this now. I'm sorry, but it seems like we've kept it from him long enough, right?" Maes asked.

Riza shook her head, "He's never going to forgive me, I feel like I've just ruined you're relationship with him. What am I to do thinking like that?"

"Nothing," Maes answered truthfully, "that's why you need to be strong. He loves you, and if he does, he'll forgive you."

"But…what if he doesn't Maes? What if he hates me? I mean, he thought we were having an affair Maes! I have no clue how to face him!" Riza cried out.

Maes sighed and pulled her close, "Well, you can continue to hide forever, let him think what he thinks, or you can move on and tell the truth. The truth is what will set you free, no matter how much it hurts."

Riza sighed, she was too tired to argue, "Maes…I think I'll take tomorrow off. You're more than welcome to stay, but my mind is so numb. I think I'll sle.." With those few words she drifted off, and Maes sighed as he tucked her in, and went and pulled out the sofa for himself, falling asleep also.

Next Evening…

Riza's POV

Maes had pushed me out of the house, no Hayate or house key, just the car key. He told me not to come back until I had went and talked to Roy. I knew where Roy was, but he's angry right now. I don't think he'll listen to me right now, I'm afraid.

Opening the door to my car, I slid in and started the car, and for a good hour, that's how it was. Soon though, I got it moving and I my body was so numb that somehow I was shocked when I came up to Roy's apartment. Rachel had a day care some days, and today was one of those days.

For another well-wasted nerve wracking twenty minutes I was outside the door, parked. Getting out, I walked up to the door and Roy answered it after two minutes. My heart quickened when I saw him standing before me. I was so close to him, I could smell the remnants of alcohol from last night. He seemed fine though, because his eyes weren't glazed, and he was coherent.

"What do you want?"

Those words made me wince, and my insides tighten, part of me wanted to cry, part of me wanted to yell and kick his ass, while the other part wanted to run. I stayed planted and whispered, "I want to talk to you."

TBC…