Loyalty

The two blonde women stared at each other, neither speaking. Then the older one sighed.

"I can't persuade you, can I?" Olivier Armstrong sighed.

"I'm afraid not General" Riza Hawkeye replied.

"It's a shame" The General began,"One of the more talented sharpshooters in Central rather than on the boarders but I trust you have your reasons and respect that"

Riza bowed her head slightly,"Thank you General"

"Lieutenant Hawkeye, I'd hate to overstep boundaries but why do you choose to stand by Colonel Mustang?" Those cold blue eyes locked on the younger woman's face.

"I-" Lieutenant Hawkeye paused, thinking,"I made a promise General and I don't intend to go back on it"

General Armstrong frowned. She could see the Lieutenant was carefully choosing her words, not wanting to give something away.

"Let there be no secrets between us Lieutenant, a promise surely isn't enough to hold you back in your career, you are avoiding promotions and recognition from your superiors yet you choose to remain beside him instead"

"I have no interest in promotions, I have priorities that aren't all about self gain" The Lieutenant said stiffly.

The General raised an eyebrow,"So it's for his gain instead?"

The Lieutenant paused,"It's for a better future"

General Armstrong didn't see an experienced soldier sat before her, she saw a woman full of regret. A woman who'd chosen her path and had no intention of straying from it.

"Lieutenant Hawkeye, I respect your decision however should you ever desire a position at Briggs I will ensure your application goes through quickly. A talented soldier like you would be of great use rather thank cooped up here"

Lieutenant Hawkeye nodded, smiling slightly,"Thank you General, I appreciate the offer"

General Armstrong smirked, her lips curved ever so slightly,"Dismissed Lieutenant"

She stood, saluted, then left through the great wooden doors, leaving General Armstrong alone in the room.

"What did she want" Colonel Mustang had been waiting in the corridor the whole time?

Lieutenant Hawkeye rolled her eyes,"She just offered me a position in Briggs sir"

"You didn't accept" He looked panicked as he awaited her response.

"No. I didn't sir" She hid a smile at his protectiveness.

He visibly relaxed,"I'm going to have a word with her, I'll see you in the office"

He purposefully strode to the door, flung it open and entered. The only words she caught was a very aggressive "you fucking thief, thats my subordinate" before the door closed and the words were too muffled to make out.

She shook her head as she headed back to the office. General Armstrong always tried to recruit soldiers she determined to be the best in their field and snipers were hard to come by. It was a compliment really. She opened the door to the office then paused as she heard Bredas voice.

"Yeah I heard Armstrong is trying to recruit Hawkeye again"

"She won't say yes though, the Hawks Eye is here to stay" That was Jeans voice.

Then to her surprise Falman pitched in,"You do know General Armstrong has a history of taking interest in both males and females..."

The was laughter then Jean spoke up,"Looks like our Lieutenant has caught the eye of the Ice Queen"

More laughter.

"She won't leave though? The Lieutenant I mean" Feury's voice said.

"No way, she's way too loyal and besides, she knows we'd be useless without her"

The door was pushed open by a white gloved hand, Colonel Mustang had been stood right behind her and she hadn't even noticed. The team turned to see their superior officer stood behind the Lieutenant, both guilty of eavesdropping.

"Thats right, our Lieutenant is was too loyal to leave us, isn't that right Lieutenant Hawkeye?" Mustangs voice said from behind her.

She didn't turn around or answer, instead she smiled,"Back to work sir, or I may consider her offer"

General Armstrong is not straight and I refuse to believe otherwise that is all.