A/N: Look I'm still not dead! Looky how long this chappie is!

Fortress

Riza woke up that morning and went through her routine she had been using for her whole military career, taking her shower dressing and eating in a timely manner. She pulled on her pants and black mock turtle neck as though it hadn't been six months since she had donned the Military jacket and lapels. After she had quickly brushed out her hair she pulled it back into her tight bun and looked at her job in the mirror. Something was different though, she had no bangs. Over the months she hadn't the thought to get them trimmed. She sighed trying to stop her rambling thoughts and decided to cut her hair when she got back from the fort.

She went and pulled her guns from their hiding spot under the bed. She put her Browning Hi-Power in her holster and guns in various other places. She was done preparing when she put on her boots. She sat on the bed for a second soaking in the odd but familiar moment.

Her silence was interrupted by a quiet knock on the door. "Riza, may I come in?" it was Geoffrey.

"Yes, Sir," he opened the door and Riza quickly stood up and gave him a sharp salute.

"Good to see you woke up in time," he said smiling surprised at her promptness, "and all ready too. You can go eat breakfast, I still need to shave." He said pointing to the rough stubble on his chin.

"Yes, Sir," She said stoic.

"Right," he said before walking back down the hall.

Riza proceeded to the kitchen and helped herself to a cup of coffee and a slice of toast. She munched on it as she went out to the back porch to call Hayate inside. He yipped happily when he saw her and trotted, wagging his tail, up to her feet looking at her toast.

"You'll get your on food in a second Hayate," she said looking down at him, "and you'll have to break these habits you've gained. We are soldiers remember." He looked at her confused for a second then noticed the familiar scent of his old home on her clothes, which meant seriousness. He also noticed that she wore that outfit that she worked in. Hayate sadly sat down obeying his mistress's unspoken orders. "Glad to see you remember," she said smiling and then turned to walk back inside to feed him "now heel." Hayate obeyed.

Riza walked out into the early morning air solemnly glancing back at the Smith house, she felt like she would never see it the same way. She was knocked out of her trance when Hayate licked her hand comfortingly. She smiled briefly at him and followed Geoffrey down to the car.

"I know that feeling," Geoffrey said noting her quietness, "I feel the same way everyday."

"It's nothing Sir," she said trying to smile.

Geoffrey nodded and got into the car; Riza opened the back seat door for Hayate and then got in the car in the front. After they had left the driveway and started driving west Geoffrey started laughing. Riza looked over at him raising an eyebrow. He saw her look and suppressed his laughter enough to talk, "Sorry I just thought of something funny."

"What was it?" she inquired.

"The other night I heard the boys talking about what to get for you for a Christmas present. Then I told them you probably aren't staying that long. Their faces were so funny."

"Who said that I wouldn't be staying that long," she said seriously.

Warren glanced over at her shocked, "You know Molly said that she would almost do anything to have you stay here, I think the boys wouldn't let you go without a fight. As for me I enjoy a person to talk about politics to."

"That's very kind; I don't think anyone has ever said that about me." She said quietly.

"What do you mean you seem like a very likeable person, maybe quiet, but friendly?"

"Most of the people I know have me as their acquaintance because who I work for and my skills."

"Your skills, do you specialize in something?" he said trying to change the subject.

"Firearms," she said evenly, "but I wouldn't say specializing, but it is a skill that I work very hard to have. Back in Central everyday I would go to the firing ranges," she lowered her voice "but I hope that my rest hasn't made me rusty."

"Maybe you could teach our rookies a thing or two then." He said smiling. "That's right you wanted to be very private while at the fort. I talked to the Lieutenant Colonel about it and he seemed adamant that you reactive the highest of privileges." Riza frowned at Geoffrey, "Don't get Curtis wrong, he isn't a power hungry military officer. It's just that since Parliament took over everything it's been harder for him to control our area. Communications were hard enough as it was but now when we have a problem it has to go to the military headquarters and then through parliament. It's a… a…."

"Mess," she said finishing for Geoffrey.

"Exactly, so if someone in Central's watching out for us it may be easier for him and everyone else in little Eureka," Geoffrey frowned "Everything was so much better before that stupid war in the north" He said ignorantly. If only he knew what it really was, she thought. "Anyway," Geoffrey said returning to his normal carefree tone "I doubt your being in the fort will stay a secret for long."

"Why is that?"

"Well number one the shooting ranges are usually pretty busy, number two if you think female soldiers are rare in Central wait till you see our inventory."

"How many women are there?"

"Four, each of them are very," he paused searching for the correct term, "different."

"How?" she said.

"You'll find out soon," he said grinning. "Look once we turn this corner you'll be able to see the fort."

Riza hadn't noticed that they had been traveling for over 10 minutes now. She looked out the window and saw that they were out of the little valley that Eureka was settled in and were now traveling up the river into foothills. Instead of the soft orchard trees they were now surrounded by firs and pines. Following a well traveled dirt road they rounded along the edge of a step bank. The first thing Riza noticed was the huge clearing and a lake.

"So this is where the river comes from," she said in awe. Gazing across the picturesque lakes surface she saw the fort's reflection before the fort itself. The fort was built at the base of a hill making it an easier target, especially since the hill was on its western side, blocking its view of the boarder. But after viewing the architecture of the fort more closely she saw that the corner towers were taller and thicker than that of a normal fort. Instead of the more common building of stone blockhouse fort, this fort was made out of logs. Outside of the fort was a wall about fifty feet tall Riza guessed built to prevent foot soldiers to get close and to keep enemies out of firing range.

Warren drove the small car to the front entrance and passed through the inner wall. She gazed out across the wide open grass, the only things that were in the inner wall was a large building that reminded Riza of the Central dorms and connected to that building looked like a restaurant or a tavern of some sort.

"To harbor our workers, most people in the town don't like us taking up their land," he said shrugging, "So we built our own home for them." They kept driving strait past the massive dorm into the fort after he gave the guard inside his I.D and told him that Riza was a special "guest". When they entered the fort she was surprised to find it was like its own headquarters. The exterior might've been logs but the interior was completely made of stone. There were several little buildings spread around the large area were the fort was built. Geoffrey pulled up and parked in front of the largest building placed in the center of the fort.

"This is a rather exposed fort for this day and age," Riza frankly commented as they got out of the car. "Most militaries are now using explosives we been building block houses and bunkers. Most of these types of forts are being demolished."

Geoffrey grinned and started walking into the building, "Just wait until you see the whole fort Lieutenant."

"I really don't need to see the Fort I'd rather see your training grounds." Riza was anxious to get back on track.

"You can wait a while Hawkeye, first you have to greet the Lieutenant Colonel. Then you can go shoot targets in the range." He waved to a secretary in the lobby of the building and Riza and he walked into an elevator. "And Riza since I have a lot of work to do I am going to have someone help show you around. I deeply sorry about that," he apologized, "It kind of feels like I'm leaving a family member behind."

"It's okay Geoffrey really."

The ding of the elevator told them they had reached the top floor, "Alright then Lieutenant?" he asked.

"Ready when you are Major." She realized sadly that now whenever they would address each other their name would always be attached to their military title. It would however be interesting to see how Geoffrey handled his job. Was he the harsh superior, silent type or relaxed fun type. Riza suspected it was the latter.

They started down the plain pale blue hallway; there weren't any windows at all except one small window at the end of the hallway. Riza counted four doorways. "This office is mine," Geoffrey said pointing at a door that they passed. Riza saw through the window in the door a sergeant talking on the phone writing down notes. When he saw them pass he put the phone down and ran into the hallway after them.

"Major!" he exclaimed saluting.

"Great," Riza heard Geoffrey mumble then turned around to the sergeant, "Yes, Dobson?"

"We received a call from border patrol saying that there is a wild fire started in our district, they need assistance immediately."

Geoffrey sighed and turned to Riza, "Lieutenant this might take a while."

"It's okay Sir just tell me where the office is and I will introduce myself." Riza said.

"Last door on the left," he said, "You will have an escort waiting in there to show you around," he added.

"I think I can find my way around Sir."

The sergeant butted in impatiently "Sir I have the border patrol on the phone waiting."

"Hawkeye you will have an escort, I don't want you getting in trouble." He turned and went into his office. Dobson lingered for a while, staring at Riza and Hayate with a blank look on his face. "Dobson!" Geoffrey called from his office.

"Coming Sir." He said quickly before running out of the hallway. Riza and Hayate looked at each other and continued down the hallway and turned at the last door. She wondered whether to knock on the door or not. She ended up opening the door a little and then knocked timidly.

"Umm come in?" said a pudgy man at a desk in the small room, he must be the secretary. Riza walked in carefully hoping she was in the right place. She saw that the man was a Captain a rank above her and quickly saluted. "You're Riza Hawkeye right?" the man said smiling and standing up, "The Lieutenant Colonel is waiting for you. Where's Major Smith?" he said looking around "And who is this?" he asked looking at Hayate.

"Black Hayate," she answered plainly.

"Sorry, you must want to get out of here. Since Smith isn't here I'll introduce you." He turned to the other door in the room, knocked once and went in. Riza followed two steps behind him taking in the Lieutenant's office slowly.

There was a window in this room and out it you could see the barracks. It had a warm feeling in it. On one side of the room there was a couch and a book shelf and on the other were his desk and several file ling cabinets. Sitting on the couch was a woman in a uniform who had short curly brown hair kept back out of the way by a plain black headband. Sitting at the desk Riza supposed was the Lieutenant Colonel. Riza stopped where she was and saluted.

The secretary stepped forward and said nonchalantly "Sir let me introduce Riza Hawkeye."

The man stood up, Riza was surprised at how tall he was. He beat Armstrong by at least four inches. He wasn't as filled out as Armstrong though; Riza would even say he was too thin. He smiled warmly "At ease First Lieutenant."

"First Lieutenant?" said the secretary confused. Riza heard the shuffle of the couch and looked to see the girl saluting.

"At ease Marshall," The Lieutenant Colonel said for Riza. "Sorry for my Secretary's informality, he practically useless before ten, right Captain Hock?"

"Yes Sir."

"Get back to work." He told the captain who hurried out of the room. "As for you Lieutenant Hawkeye I would like to welcome you to our fort and let me introduce myself I am Lieutenant Colonel Curtis." He extended his large bony hand. And Riza shook it quickly and took a step back. He had light red hair and a beard.

"Thank you Sir for having me here at this fort, I hope I will not be an inconvenience." She said slightly bowing.

Curtis started laughing and said to the woman "look at how much more formal she is than that Colonel, Marshall."

"She is quite formal sir," said the woman. She had a serene deep voice.

"Colonel Mustang was informal?" Riza said as she straitened up.

"Not informal just very brief and he was living with me!" he said still smiling "but let us deal with the present, I surely doubt he wanted to be here." he gestured to the woman with his hand, "Please let me introduce you to your guide for the day. This is Second Lieutenant Andrea Marshall. I am told that you are interested in training here for our training facility but I'm sure you would like to see the other parts of the fort as well."

"Yes Sir."

"How long are you planning on coming here?" asked Curtis.

"At the moment I'm waiting for orders Sir," she said quietly. "I might be here for weeks or even several months. I don't know specifically. If you ever need me for anything I will follow your orders."

"We are finely equipped here and I doubt we'll need you but if you wish to do fort or boarder watch be sure to tell me. I'm not sure if you'll be paid though since you are not officially assigned here."

"Anything to keep busy, besides I wouldn't like to use your facilities and you not get any thing in return," she said sincerely trying to think that this lieutenant colonel wouldn't abuse her words, still weary of the words Geoffrey said.

Hock popped his head into the room "Sir I have western headquarters on the phone."

"Right," Curtis said nodding to him and then turned back to Marshall and Riza. "Now if you would excuse me." The two saluted and then left the room back into the hall.

"Now First Lieutenant if you would follow me." The Marshall said not waiting. Riza looked at Hayate briefly and followed the Lieutenant.

A/N: That was such a long chapter! And thank you reviewers so much! They made my day so much. When I went to my computer I was like (I had just woke up) after I read them I was like ! And lili that was exactly what I wanted people to think! That was an awesomely awesome review! Your first sentence kind of threw me off though.

Alright Sayonara!