8. "Well?"
"Okay, okay! I'm sorry! You were right, I was wrong! So quit nagging me about it!" Havoc sounded aggravated, but he was smirking at Roy.
"None of you believed a thing I said for a while there," Roy continued, "but it was so obvious that Matthew was the culprit!"
"It's a good thing we cooperated with you, or else Hawkeye would have ended up paying him through the nose," Breda added. "What a loser."
"He was desperate alright," Falman agreed with a laugh.
"Now Hawkeye got her father's research back and everything's been cleared up," Fuery said with a smile. "Everything's going to be back to normal."
Havoc's smirk grew a little wider as he took out his lighter. "Were things ever really normal for this group? This is nothing compared to what we've gone through together before!"
Havoc looked over at the clock. "Man, does the day fly by! We should really get going!"
The group filed out of the building, talking about their latest success all the way. Once in the parking lot, they spotted Riza waiting at the bus stop.
Havoc elbowed Roy. "You know, she's single now."
"Really? I hadn't noticed when I arrested her boyfriend yesterday."
Havoc rolled his eyes. "You guys were going out for a while there. Don't tell me that after all that's happened the past week that some of those old feelings aren't still there! You can't hold onto the old problems of Amestia forever. I know you say you see all crap you've done behind your eye patch or whatever, but the only way to make up for that is to make some good of yourself!"
"Wow, Havoc, I don't think I've ever heard you talk seriously for that long before," Roy laughed.
Havoc groaned. "Come on, man! Go talk to her at least! I think you'd owe anyone that after what happened!"
Roy glanced over at her. "I guess you're right about that at least." He took a deep breath and approached her. She looked up at the sound of his footsteps.
She looked between him and the bus stop. "I don't have a ride now that Matthew…" Her voice trailed off. "Well, you know."
He nodded. "Why don't I give you a ride today?"
She seemed a little unsure, but she smiled and nodded. "Thanks, I'd appreciate that."
They walked over to his car and he held the door open for her. She slipped inside and he walked around to his seat, wondering what he would say once he was inside.
"I'm sorry about everything that's happened this week," he began.
"It's not your fault. I'm not too upset about it. Luckily, I haven't known him for too long, so I wasn't too close to him. I'm a little disappointed, but I'll be alright."
He gripped onto the steering wheel, debating on whether to say what was on his mind or not. "Well…I can't help but wonder if this would have happened if I hadn't left."
She looked up with a jolt, surprised that he was addressing the subject. "You can't be sure of that. It's not that big of a deal, anyway. Like I said, I'm not too upset about Matthew!"
He was still frowning as he pulled up in front of her house. "When I came back after not getting in touch for a week, everything you said about me leaving was true. You were right, Riza."
She seemed shocked at his use of her name. He looked over at her hesitantly. "And I guess I'm sorry."
She wasn't smiling and her eyes still seemed cold. "You keep saying you're fine and that you can stay put, but then you keep leaving. How is this time different than any other? I don't think you can stay put. It's just not your nature. Even now, when everything's over, I don't think you can manage it."
He leaned back in his seat. He could understand where she was coming from. He supposed that if he been in her position, he'd be reacting the same way. But the Elrics were gone and the country was back to normal. This time, he felt like he may be able to 'stay put'.
She sighed, leaping out of the car. He sat up, trying to find something to say before she was gone.
He didn't have to. She turned around and leaned into the window. "Why don't you come in for a little bit and we can talk?"
His smirk wandered back onto his face. "Fine with me," he agreed, hopping out of the car.
Author's notes: Well, thanks to those of you who read this story to the end! It's kind of a hopeful ending, isn't it? Well, please drop me a review and let me know what you think! Thanks again!