Fullmetal Alchemist-----RxR

Ch.9(NEW STYLE)—DILEMMA

SPOILERS FROM MANGA and ANIME !!!

RIZA/ROY Side:

Riza:

The line of work I'm engaged in demands a lot: determination, endurance, vigilance, decisiveness, aggression, strength and patience.

Being an officer in the army was not my best choice in life. I was suppose to finish university like I promised father and him and go off to work as a desk clerk or other non-life threatening profession.

Yet, stupid and brilliant enough, I chose to be with him. Maybe it was all because of the insecurity of not having a single living relative in life, or something else. Something I managed to avoid for a long time, though recently I find myself harder and harder to control that"something".

The night with him after Hughs' death flashes through my mind every time I look at him.

Maybe I should tell him.

No, I can't. He has a goal. He chose a road that is treacherous, and any mistake can cost his life. I can't divert his attention right now. He has an important future, and it cannot be lost after so much is sacrificed.

After all, there are better women for him, those who can actually cook and clean instead of firing firearms and killing people. He deserves someone worthier of his love.

If that's how I think, then why does my heart ache so when I overheard that?

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Personally, I enjoy rain.

He doesn't.

I like the sound of water drops falling on the glass window, often weak yet persistent.

I like rainy days a lot, because then I will watch him work like a frustrate child in his spacious office.

Today, I lost him behind this wall of water under the grey sky.

Scar is still running in the city and Hughs' killer is somewhere out there.

A wave of worry washes over me: I have to find him.

I'm sure that he ran off to one of those bars this morning when it was sunny. He always does that when I'm not careful. I guess I'm simply a detested enforcer to him by always preventing him from having fun.

But it doesn't matter; I need to find him soon.

I have already assigned soldiers all over the city looking for him, yet I feel like I know exactly where he is.

My boots splashed in the water loudly as I hurried along the deserted street. My legs are shivering because of the wetness coming from my pant legs, who knew fall would be so cold…I jogged faster into the rain…

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Roy:

It's raining endlessly from the grey sky.

I hate it. It's just one of those times when I feel vulnerable and useless…but then again…I used to love the rain, back in Ishbal.

It's the only time I won't be deployed to commence massacre.

I turned the vodka glass in front of me. The ice clinked. I watch it float up and down, hitting the rim of the glass constantly.

I felt the fire ignition gloves in my pocket: looks like I will be here for a while.

The rain mercilessly slams onto the window to my right. I looked through, and saw nothing. Well, what do I expect to see?

The door chimed behind me, must be another one of those depressed customers come to have a drink on a gloomy Wednesday afternoon.

"Colonel! Long time no see!"

The surprised call is followed by a series of giggles. I was wrong.

I turned my head to look at the source of the young and enthusiastic female voice: "Eliza, Alice and…" I hesitated. I don't think I've ever seen her. Eliza is the flower shop girl while Alice worked at the local grocery; the third looks unfamiliar.

"Linda, it's Linda." The quiet girl in the back spoke lightly, more giggles followed.

"Linda, sorry about that!" I smiled a little at the threesome as Eliza and Alice took the liberty of sitting at my table. I guess it wouldn't hurt to have some company while I'm stuck here.

"Have I met you before?" I pointed at the empty seat to my left to notion for the new girl to sit down. Rules of engagement: make casual conversation with the quietest of the bunch.

She brushed away the blond flocks of hair from her eyes and sat down rigidly: "I just got to Central, and now I'm working as a waitress."

I examined her more carefully. Somehow she reminds me of the lieutenant. She has long blond hair and fair skin with a hint of tan. Her eyes are brown, with a shade of redness, somewhat like the lieutenant. She also has an air of formality surrounding her, singling her out from the two flirtatious girls.

"I see…" I turned my head. She doesn't like to talk unless asked to, like someone I know well.

"So Colonel, any set plans for the future yet?" Eliza edged a little towards me as I took a sip from my glass.

Before I replied, Alice budged in:" Of course the Colonel's got someone in mind, more than one too! They are gorgeous I presume?" She winked to me.

I smiled politely. So this is my image in their mind? I guess it's not half bad; I've got a lot of choices.

"Tell us! Do you have anyone in particular right now?" Eliza pushed for reply. The girl leaned over the table to look at me directly in the eye.

But what about her?

My grip tightened around my glass. Can she accept me? The cruel Flame Alchemist? The person who dragged her into a guilt-filled life? Does she hate me for causing her father's death? Maybe she thinks of me as family? Maybe she thinks of me as a stranger?...

A flash of blue went by the window. I blinked. Could it be her?

No, no way. She couldn't have found me. It's probably just my guilty conscious.

What am I guilty of then?

"Well…" I chuckled a little, then taking a sip of vodka. The alcohol burned on my tongue, licked my lips.

The door chimed behind me, the rushing wind made my collar wave a little. The squeaking of boots approach my table, I smiled broadly with my mind made up.

Let the world hear it then.

"I already have someone in mind, someone I love."

Something dropped behind me. A wet flop and a little splash, the boots stopped right behind me.

I turned around.

There stood the lieutenant. Her hair and uniform was dripping water. The army issued umbrella lay on the floor beside her feet. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.

I'll never forget her eyes. They were filled with shock, and hurt.

To be Continued!!!

Any comments on the new style?? I'm wondering if I should go with third person…I'm actually not particularly good with first person.