Chapter nine, chapter nine, hey everybody it's chapter nine! Sorry for the wait, guys, the new laptop decided it would stop working for awhile, and by the time I got it working again I was past my update time once more. My most heartfelt apologies! Thanks for the many wonderful reviews (more than 16 within the first 12 hours!)
-0i0-
Beth slept longer and harder than any child Riza had had contact with to date. She generally started getting tired as soon as the sun went down, and was often completely conked out on the couch or in someone's lap by the time her 8 o'clock bedtime came around. In the mornings, Riza would carry her over to Gracia's couch, and the woman said on occasions the girl had been known to sleep as late as nine or ten in the morning before waking up and eating breakfast. On weekends she was generally up by 8 even if they'd had a late evening the night before, but Riza suspected Roy's taking them to the park had something to do with it.
So when Gracia had a routine doctor's appointment one morning and couldn't watch Beth until close to lunch time, Riza had been at a slight loss as to what to do. Cancelling her morning practice with Ross out of necessity, she had shown up a good thirty minutes early with every intention of finding some way to situate the girl on one of the couches before everyone else arrived.
However, when she tried to put the little girl down, having carried her from the car, Beth had actually opened her eyes and pouted.
"Can I stay with you?" she asked, clinging to Riza's neck tightly. "M'tired."
"You can sleep on the couch, here," Riza replied, pulling a blanket around the small body. "I'll be just in the other room…"
"Wanna stay with you!"
Unable to resist the plaintive voice, especially since it was such a rare occurrence, at her desk Riza sat with her uniform jacket hanging on the back of her chair and Beth snuggled into her chest. The little girl's legs were hanging off to either side of Riza's lap, with her hands trapped between them clutching her guardian's shirt.
The Lt. Colonel was actually surprised how much heat the little body on her chest generated as she carefully leaned her chair back just far enough to make Beth comfortable while she could still reach the first of the reports she had to read.
When Roy came in, he did a double take before his mouth curled into a warm smile. "Gracia was busy?" he asked quietly as he came alongside her.
"Doctor's appointment," she replied with a short nod. "She'll be by later to pick her up."
"Good, we have another meeting to attend this afternoon, elected government has decided to make several changes to the laws concerning the Ishabalan populace, and our leader wishes to give them our full support. Do you need anything taken to be filed?"
Riza was a bit surprised, but handed over the reports she had already finished, watching him disappear from view as she expected him to shove it off on the first person he came to. Instead, he actually filed it himself and on his way back to his office told her to call him if she needed anything at all.
It wasn't unpleasant, exactly, the way the small body was completely relaxed into hers and would sometimes shift around a bit as the little girl drifted in and out of her dreams. One hand absently ran through the blonde hair, gently tucking it behind the ears when it got in Beth's face. Really, breathing in time with the girl and hardly moving except to sign each paper as she finished inspecting it, Riza couldn't remember when she had been so relaxed at work, ever. Granted, it felt a little wrong to have her uniform jacket off; it would be considered extremely unprofessional if one of the higher ups were to walk in right then, but when it meant Beth would be more comfortable without it she honestly didn't care.
Riza was just finishing one of her stacks when the little body in her lap stirred, Beth raising her head and wiping her hair back from her eyes as she looked around sleepily.
"How are you feeling?" her guardian asked as she paused in her work, sitting back so she could see the girl's sleep-flushed face.
"Good," she mumbled back. "Thirsty, though."
Riza handed her the cup of water she kept on her desk, helping her drink from it slowly before letting her settle back in place.
"You can draw or something, if you want," she offered, moving to uncover some scrap paper. "Or visit everyone outside; they'd probably enjoy the break." The little girl shook her head, burying herself back in Riza's ample chest as though she never meant to leave it.
Havoc popped his head in around ten, a smile lighting up his face as he found the pair in the exact same position as before. "So that's why you're not patrolling the room," he said with a laugh, rolling over quietly. Beth opened her eyes and blinked at him sleepily before turning away and burying her head back in her living pillow. "Gracia's busy?"
"She'll be by soon," Riza replied as she checked the clock on the wall. "Is everyone behaving themselves?"
"Breda thought you might not have showed up at all when you never came by to file your papers, especially when the Brigadier General came out and took care of it instead. Ross told him you've been here the whole time, he just couldn't think of what would keep you in your seat and was afraid to come and check if you'd brought Hayate with you like you used to."
"No Hayate, just Beth," she replied, feeling a little sleepy herself as the small body wriggled itself into a more comfortable position.
"I'll make sure they stay quiet out there," he said as he left to get back to his work, giving Beth one more warm smile even if she couldn't see it before he rolled out the door.
"Thank you."
"Anytime."
When Riza felt herself yawn for the third time in a row a few minutes later, she knew she was in trouble. While she had been tired at work before, especially after a string of sleepless nights or something equally strenuous, it had never been like this. She didn't feel the physical ache of strained muscles or the brain fog of missed sleep. This was more like being so relaxed and warm she just wanted to close her eyes for a bit and drift off. Roy walked through right about then, offering to take her new stack of completed work to be filed once more when he caught her yawning behind her hand.
"Tired?" he asked, leaning on her desk for a minute.
"No, well yes, but not really," she replied, turning her seat to face him more. "It's difficult to explain…"
"Not really," the Flame Alchemist chuckled quietly. "You aren't actually tired, what you're suffering from is child-napitis."
"Child-napitis?" she replied dourly. "Did you just make that up, sir?"
He flashed a confident grin. "Possibly. You have all the symptoms, though. Yawning, relaxation, and a small person attached and sleeping to your body. There's just something about kids when they fall asleep on you that makes you want to sleep for a bit too. Go ahead and nod off for a bit if you want, I can keep an eye on the boys."
"And lose my reputation when someone glances in unexpectedly?" she replied with a soft snort. "Thank you, but no thank you, sir."
"Have it your way…"
Gracia stuck her head in right then, a bright smile on her face as she did. "Riza? I'm here to…oh, hello Roy. How are you today?"
"I'm fine," he replied, giving her a quick smile. "Here to pick up Beth?"
"Yep. Has she eaten yet?"
"Not yet," Riza replied, shaking the small girl carefully until she opened her eyes. "Beth, look who's here. Gracia's come to take you home for the rest of the day."
"I can't stay?" she asked, sleepily rubbing one eye with a balled up fist.
"No," Riza replied with some regret. "I have to finish my work so I won't have to stay late tonight. Ok?"
"Ok…"
Passing Beth off, Riza watched with a hint of sadness as the pair left and her stomach suddenly felt distinctively less warm. Clearing her throat when she realized the Brigadier General was still there, she stood up and picked up her jacket, quickly buttoning it into place and instantly feeling much more professional. Not better, but certainly more ready to finish her job.
"We'll see her tonight," Roy offered as though trying to console her somehow.
"I know, sir," she replied, straightening her uniform slightly before taking the papers for him in a business like manner. "However sir, there is still work left to be done. Have you finished your requisition forms? They're due by the end of the day."
"No, not quite," he admitted, turning back towards his office with a dry smile. "I think I liked you better with Beth sleeping in your lap."
"I think no work would get done if I were permanently attached to my chair, sir."
"You're probably right, Lt. Colonel," he admitted with a low chuckle. "You're probably right."
-0i0-
Paint.
Noun. 1. A substance composed of solid coloring matter suspended in a liquid medium and applied as a protective or decorative coating to various surfaces, or to canvas or other materials in producing a work of art. 2. An application of this. 3. The dried surface pigment: Don't scuff the paint. 4. The solid coloring matter alone; pigment.
I.E. something that children should typically never get their hands on.
However, that didn't stop Beth and Zeke from begging to help when Riza finally decided to use the weekend to paint their bedrooms as originally promised. The colors had already been chosen, a light blue for Beth and a deep hunter green for Zeke, the paints bought and the trays and brushes prepared, all that was left was the final application of the paint itself. This, as any kid knows, can be a lot of fun.
As any adult knows, it can also be very, very messy.
Of course, when the pair went to Roy with their request for help in getting Riza to let them help, the Flame Alchemist thought it was a wonderful idea and immediately set about persuading Riza to let the kids do just that. When he offered to help, to alchemize a protective covering over everything in the room, and bring some of his own old shirts the kids could wear to protect their clothes most of Riza's past arguments were moot. She wasn't so sure he knew how to paint, but Roy assured he was quite adept with the paintbrush and could always alchemist any mistakes that were made.
So, the kids and Roy were allowed to help.
Does anyone else still see this as being a bad idea?
Saturday came, a rainy and unpleasant day which made everyone glad there had been no plans to go to the park, and while Roy did alchemize a few vents in the walls so no one would get too brain fogged off the paint fumes and did the protective coverings over everything it didn't take long until they were ready to work. Beth and Zeke both wore only an old pair of shorts and the t-shirt the Flame Alchemist had brought for them, while both adults had on old clothes of their own. Long hair was tied back, the paint was stirred up and poured into trays, and everyone was given their particular corner of the room to start in before the first brush was dipped and the painting began.
Beth and Zeke shared a wall, one that happened to be mostly covered by a low bookshelf, the dresser and some pictures most of the time, while Roy and Riza where on either side of them with a wall apiece. They still managed to finish before their younger counterparts, however, and together they managed to also finish the fourth wall and help Zeke and Beth reach the upper portion of their section within a relatively short amount of time.
Surprisingly enough, there were few spills and very little to clean up, and since everyone was still in a rather good mood Roy suggested they move on to Zeke's room.
The hunter green was brought out, the paint stirred and poured in the freshly cleaned trays and brushes rinsed and dried before put into the new color. The sole difference between Beth's room and Zeke's room, though, was that though the rooms were the exact same size, Zeke's was partially vaulted because of the way the roof tilted up at that point to make room for some sort of ventilation thing or other. The point was, there was an area of wall about nine feet at its high point that was difficult to effectively reach even with a roller on a stick.
As such, a chair was rigged with some wood Riza had left from fixing the shed in back with a little alchemy into a ladder of sorts that looked a little wobbly at times. Roy assured her it was perfectly safe, but that didn't mean she let the kids get on it. Instead, it was the Brigadier General who was banished to the top to paint the small area that no one else could reach. Everyone else was making good headway, getting the walls and corners that could be reached, when there was a creak from the ladder and both adults looked down to find a crack splintering up one of the legs.
"Roy," Riza called in warning, but it there was nothing she could do but pull Beth and Zeke out of the way as the ladder slowly began to fall…
Not much else did anyone rightly recall until afterwards, the chair-ladder-creation in a couple of pieces on the floor and paint everywhere. Everywhere, that is, except on Roy.
Zeke had a nice wet stride splattered from the top of his head all the way down his back and left leg. Beth somehow got away with just a few spots on her shirt and face. Riza, however, was covered from the crown of her head to her knees and quickly spreading downwards in the dribbles of dark green paint.
Roy laughed for about thirty seconds.
That was when he realized everyone was glaring at him, especially Riza.
Things didn't seem quite so funny after that.
Needless to say, the poor Alchemist was left to finish and clean up on his own, and after that Riza took care of all the painting on her own. After all, as every adult knows, paint is very hard to get out of one's hair.
-0i0-
Zeke thrived at his school, especially with the alchemy program, and despite the fact that he started the term somewhat behind his peers with the help he received at home in the evenings and the patient tutoring he received within the classroom he was quickly caught up and generally working towards the head of his class. Though not the strongest or the fastest when it came to the physical sports they would play in gym or at recess, he showed an aptitude for the mental side of his education that made him a joy to have in class and gave him an edge in the alchemy program. He memorized the book Pinako had given him, as promised, and with the books he checked out of the school library read up on some of the simpler alchemic theories and the people who'd created them he was well on his way to a solid education.
The teacher of the alchemy program only had basic alchemic talent himself, but this generally sufficed for the level of aptitude his students showed while they were in his care. Much of the time was spent practicing the drawing of arrays until the students could do it blindfolded, after all if they messed up the array the transmutation could backfire and harm the students if they weren't careful. It was only after weeks of focusing on the same array until they had it perfectly were they allowed trying to transmute something. Like water into ice, or vice versa. Simple, basic work that rarely had any potential to be dangerous in the least.
So when a speaker for the class dropped at the last minute, Zeke asked if he could bring a visitor to the class from the military to do some demonstrations for them. Getting permission to do so, he asked Uncle Roy at the dinner table that night and with the Brigadier General certain he could get off early enough to attend the end of the session the date was set.
Three days later, the alchemy program met as usual with an undercurrent of excitement. Of course, Roy wouldn't be there until the last half, so the teacher settled them in and they began to go over the array they had begun studying at the beginning of the week. When the halfway point came, the students were released for a short break to stretch their legs and the teacher pulled Zeke aside.
"Are you sure he's coming, your Uncle Roy?" the man asked, knowing nothing about their visitor other than that particular title and that the man was a licensed State Alchemist. "You said he was to arrive a few minutes ago…"
"Zeke? I'm not late, am I?" Came a familiar voice as a tousled black head stuck itself in the room, several students watching curiously.
The teacher straightened, more than a hint of awe in his voice as he said, "Zeke, is this…?" He eyed the badges and tassels that lined Roy's jacket with obvious admiration.
"This is my Uncle Roy," he announced proudly as the man entered the room fully. "Come on in, you're right on time."
"Ah, good, your aunt tried to keep me for paperwork again. We had a ceremony to attend, dedicating that new building the military has renovated for Ishabalan refugees. She probably won't be happy that I left her with so much to do when I take you home tonight," he replied with a sheepish look, turning towards the teacher. "Hello, I'm Brigadier General Roy Mustang, the Flame Alchemist. Thank you for inviting me to come and speak to your class."
"O-of course, sir," stuttered the teacher as he quickly stood aside, motioning for their guest to take his place. "Please, go right ahead, we look forward to hearing what you have to say."
"I don't have anything prepared," the Alchemist admitted as he moved to the front, nudging Zeke back towards his chair. "However, I understand that several of you are interested in becoming State Alchemists, so I thought a question and answer time might be appropriate."
"Are the State Exams as hard as they say?" asked an older boy in the back, one of the senior students of the class who would likely graduate within the next year or so. "I heard they only accept one or two candidates a year."
"That's true, though this last year three new candidates were accepted, a standard which may become permanent in the years to come," Roy replied quickly. "To receive the title of State Alchemist, you must not only have the talent and the drive but also the creativity to be more original than your opponents."
"How did you receive your title as State Alchemist?" asked another boy towards the front, perhaps a year or two older than Zeke with thick glasses on the bridge of his nose. "A lighter can make a flame."
Roy reached in his pocket, pulling out the right glove and putting it on. "Yes, but a lighter requires fuel. All that I require is a spark." He snapped his fingers, a flame forming in the palm of his hand off the sparks he'd created as he continued to transmute just enough oxygen to keep it alive. "I do not require wood or gas or anything that a normal flame requires, just enough air around me so I can transmute the oxygen to keep the sparks my gloves create alive."
"Yeah, but you'd be useless in the rain," pointed out someone towards the front. "Especially if your gloves got wet."
"Not true." Roy picked up the glass of water the teacher had on the table, getting a nod of approval from the man before he headed towards the door and motioned for them to follow. "Just because I cannot make sparks doesn't mean I lack the ability to make fire." Obediently they followed to the courtyard where he drew a transmutation circle on the pavement and pouring the water in the center. With hands ready, he warned them to stand back before creating a chemical reaction with the hydrogen and oxygen in the water, resulting in a minor explosion. It only scorched the cement beneath it, but he drew another circle and erased the marks the flames had created before standing up once more.
"Any questions?"
"Do you have to be standing next to something to set it on fire?" asked another, Roy immediately putting on a glove and snapping his fingers to make fire appear in midair at the far end of the courtyard.
"Next question?"
"Can you make more than one flame at a time?"
He snapped his fingers again and this time twin fireballs alighted and died beside them, just close enough that the students could feel their heat.
"Brigadier General!" Everyone turned to see the Headmistress marching towards them, a controlled look of politeness on her face. Roy had never met her himself, but the way Riza and Zeke both described her suddenly made sense. "I see you are having a…demonstration of sorts with the students…?"
"One of your students asked me to come and fill in for a speaker for the class," he explained, locking his hands behind his back as he stood tall. "You have many very curious students in your school, ma'am."
"Yes, we do…I would merely request that you keep your…demonstrations to a smaller scale while on school property," she replied as the class let out a collective groan. "Some of the students' parents may not appreciate the large pyrotechnic displays as their children do. And as it is their parents who pay the tuition, it is their parents that I must please."
"Of course," he agreed quickly, face heating slightly with the hidden reprimand in her words. "I understand completely."
"Good. Then, carry on."
"Perhaps it would be best if we took this back indoors," suggested the teacher as the Headmistress took herself away, everyone filing inside as the Brigadier General removed his coat and hat.
"Well," he said as he sat the teacher's desk, the students finding their seats once more. "Anything else you'd like to see? On a small scale?"
The requests were still as avid as before, even if a flame the side of his fist didn't have quite the same splendor as a flame the side of a small car. Zeke's standing in the class rose quite a bit when his Uncle called him up for more than one demonstration ("His guardian won't blame the school if he gets a bit singed," being his primary excuse) besides the fact that he was on first-name basis with a very cool State Alchemist. Class ended on a high note with Roy making a rope of flame twine itself around the room over the student's heads, bobbing and weaving like a Chinese dragon before disappearing altogether.
Everything seemed to go wonderfully, the teacher sincerely asking the Brigadier General to come another time the next term and the alchemist enjoying the way the students' attention stroked his pride enough to agree to do so immediately. Once in Roy's car they discussed some of the theory Zeke had been learning, and all together the alchemist thought it to be a very productive day.
That is, until Riza found a mark on one of Zeke's sleeves.
"Sir, why does Zeke have a burn on his jacket?" she asked as she fingered the charred spot with a dangerous look in her eyes.
Inwardly he cringed as he gave a weak grin and shrug. "Uh…oops?"
"Sir…"
He waved his hands and quickly promised to buy Zeke another jacket as they settled around the kitchen table. Ah, well, if you played with fire you were always going to get burned…
-0i0-
The months passed and the days grew warmer and longer, Riza anticipating nothing changing in her schedule until Zeke came home with a note one day. Considering that she hadn't had any problems with him doing his work or being competent in his classes all year, the request for a meeting the next day during her lunch hour was most disturbing. The boy immediately declared it couldn't be him because he was doing just fine in his classes and always behaved, which she immediately followed with the comment that that better be the case for his sake. She wouldn't hold back if he was lying to her face about it, and she was fairly sure he knew what to expect if that were to occur, too.
A polite note in return was sent, she would be there promptly at 12:15 the next day, which Zeke dutifully bore to the office the next morning. So when her car pulled up in front of the school at 12:14 she was more than a little curious to find the Headmistress outside waiting for her expectantly.
"Thank you for making time for this short meeting," Mistress Hoffenbeck said as she led the way through the front door, turning towards a wing Riza was unfamiliar with rather than the main offices. "This should not take long."
"I appreciate that, though I admit I am confused as to why you require my presence," admitted Hawkeye as they paused before a large set of finely carved double doors in a very elegant foyer. "If this is not about Zeke, why am I here?"
"As I'm sure you're aware as we've invited you in years past," Mistress Hoffenbeck began with a subtle smile. "The Rochester Academy always ends the term with a formal gathering. This is mainly for the teachers, parents and older students of our school, but many notable and wealthy figures always attend as well. The military presence has been lacking these last few years and in a show of support the Fuhrer himself has agreed to attend. However, with his presence comes the matter of security…"
"You want me to attend to keep an eye out for trouble and eliminate it before it occurs," the Lt. Colonel finished, everything suddenly making sense. "I am a logical choice because I teach your seminar every year and now have a student of my own who attends so my presence will not be considered…strange."
"And you are the crack shot of Central. I have no doubt in your ability to arm yourself without detracting from your…formal wear," Mistress Hoffenbeck agreed quickly.
"Our dress uniforms leave plenty of places where one can keep a protective device," Riza replied simply.
"Excellent. The Fuhrer has already assigned one of the upper officers to detailing general security for the event, two men will be undercover among the hired workers, and another will be your date for the evening. There will be others, I understand, on backup in the next building and on the roof next to us should you require extra help. The Fuhrer's presence is being kept quiet until the event itself, only myself and one other in the office know of it, and we're hoping that by doing so we can keep the security to an absolute minimum."
"It seems you have thought of everything without me," Riza mused as the Headmistress moved to open the large double doors. "So, who is it I will be working with?"
"Easy with that, Kants, we don't want…oh, there you are Mistress Hoffenbeck, we were just finishing up here." The confident smirk of her superior officer met her as the doors swung open, Havoc sitting beside him with a notepad in his hands and Fuery, Falman and Breda rushing around checking the various rooms. "Hello, Lt. Colonel, looking forward to being swept around the dance floor for an evening?"
"Please tell me this is a joke," Riza asked the Headmistress flatly as the Brigadier General turned back to their men, all who wore amused expressions that they tried to hide. Except Havoc, he almost chuckled aloud as he worked while watching the pair. "Though, if it is, it is certainly not funny."
"I'm afraid I do not see why you would think this a joking matter," replied Mistress Hoffenbeck with a look of confusion as she went on. "The Fuhrer assured me this would be the best unit at Central to assist you in this mission. Was he mistaken…?"
"No, the Fuhrer just has an odd sense of humor at times," Riza replied a tad dryly. "How are things coming, sir?"
"We have everything organized as agreed," Mustang announced as he turned towards them once more. "Fuery and Falman have been assigned to the company that Mistress Hoffenbeck hires her workers for the evening from, the company had already been contacted and the positions explained. Breda, Brosh and Marshall shall be on backup, Havoc and Kants on the roof next door to keep an eye out for suspicious activity, and Ross was already invited as another Lt. General's out of uniform escort so she will simply be alert should we require any help. The Fuhrer will, of course, have another solider from his private guards with him at all times so we will not be required to have one with him. His wife is not accompanying him to this event. Fuery is setting up a com station now to keep the men on the roof and the ones on backup connected. He will be checking in with them periodically through a third station he will be also setting up. Which of course leaves me," the Brigadier General held a hand out to Riza invitingly, "To be your date."
The Lt. Colonel ignored the hand, turning to the Headmistress with a stiff nod. "It seems everything is under control. I believe that is all you require me for…"
"Not quite," broke in Roy as two other figures materialized at the door, turning out to be Gracia and Maria with wicked smiles on their faces. "You see, you're not going in uniform either, and since Gracia checked your closest and you have nothing to wear for this event you've been given the rest of today off along with Ross to go shopping for your dresses."
The Headmistress watched the dynamics between the two with more than a little interest as Riza went from murderous anger to complete acceptance and all the shades in between within a matter of moments. "You are a very bad man, sir," she informed him with a sigh, giving a proper salute before turning to join the other women. "I will hopefully be back in time for the evening meal."
"Don't worry about dinner, Zeke or Beth," he called after her with a grin as she left the building. "We'll take care of things on that end."
"I was unaware that you knew the Lt. Colonel personally," said the Headmistress as she watched the Brigadier General survey his men. "The Fuhrer made no mention of it, and you did not say which student you were asked into the classroom by…"
"Of course he didn't," Roy replied with chuckle. "Lt. Colonel Hawkeye is my aide and direct subordinate, all of the men here are under both of us in my command. That is what the Fuhrer meant when he said we would be the best unit to work with her."
"I see…have you worked together a long time, then?"
"A very long time," he agreed with a slow nod. "I should thank you, Mistress Hoffenbeck. It is not often we're allowed the privilege of seeing our girl in a dress."
"You would've last year, sir, if you'd been there," pointed out Havoc with a lopsided smile as he rolled up beside him, little Beth seated in his lap. "Is this munchkin staying with me, then?"
"Hi, Uncle Roy," she said softly though she was staring at the Headmistress with her eyes opened wide. "Is Aunt Riza here?"
"She just left, but you'll see her tonight," he promised as he pat her on the head, the little girl beaming up at him. "Now be a good girl and stay with Uncle Jean, ok? He's going to take you back to Headquarters with Uncle Ollie. I have to finish a few things here and then we can play."
"Ok!"
"I was also unaware that you were active in the Lt. Colonel's personal life," the Headmistress added as they both watched the pair roll away towards the doors where Kants was waiting for them. "She has never mentioned a significant male presence in either her own or the children's lives."
"We're a very close-knit unit, ma'am, more like family than comrades," he replied by way of explanation. "And in families you take care of each other."
"So I see."
"Excuse me, sir," said Fuery as he quietly broke into their conversation. "I need your signature on this equipment request…"
"I'll leave you to it, then, Brigadier General, we're both very busy people with a great deal to do," said the Headmistress as she turned to leave as well. "Please inform me if you require anything."
"Of course."
"This should be pretty easy," Fuery comments as Roy signed on the necessary lines with his usual smirk in place. "There's only two ways in, few places to hide, and with the star guest list being kept quiet…it might even be boring it's so easy."
"Plan some distractions for your self," said his superior as his smirk noticeably widened. "I know I am."
-0i0-
Kants wasn't happy.
A month after meeting the lovely Winry Rockabell he'd finally worked up the courage to ask her out. She'd said yes, and they'd had a great time at a nice restaurant he liked the very next night. Since then, he'd been trying to work in more time with just the two of them alone every time she came for a visit. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't, but he had finally gotten a chance where both of their schedules would be free for two nights in a row and he'd had the greatest ideas of where to take her and what to do and then his superior officer had to go and blow it on a stupid dance.
Winry had been planning to stay an extra day, just to make it work, but upon finding out he was required to work guard detail the first night she decided go home at her usual time. That meant both dates were blown completely, and that did not make for a happy Kants. Especially since Winry had finally let him kiss her the last time they'd been together, and he was really hoping to test the waters with her on one of their two evenings out. She had the softest lips he'd ever felt…
What gave Roy Mustang the right to trample over everyone else's plans in his pursuit of Riza Hawkeye? Couldn't he just…kidnap her for a weekend or something and just get it over with? He knew logically something of the sort would never, ever, ever happen and the barest suggestion that it might in the Lt Colonel's presence was asking for a slow and painful death. That still didn't make him feel any better about it.
"Still upset about losing the dates?" asked Havoc as he rolled by the Private's desk, getting a muffled grunt in reply. "Aw, don't sweat it kid, you're still doing better than your superior officers."
"I fail to see how," Kants muttered darkly, unsure of which officers Havoc was referring to.
"Well," Havoc started, shifting the unlit cigarette in his mouth. "Starting from the top you have Mustang, who wants Hawkeye and has for years, and Hawkeye who wants Mustang and has for years as well. They're still not together, they'll probably both put lots of time and energy into this whole thing coming up and swear its just for the sake of appearances and only get as close as dancing on a public floor can get two people who aren't supposed to be 'together'. Me, I'm still trying to get Sheska to come around, have been for a long time, and it sure as hell ain't working. Breda's been trying to get a steady date for the last couple of years, and has failed. Fuery gets dates occasionally because he's so cute and naive and stuff, but nothing serious. Brosh has been trying to get into Ross's pants for as long as he's known her, and Ross is obviously not interested and occasionally goes on dates of her own but supposedly has nothing serious as well.
"Now, you met Winry, what…three? Four months ago?"
"Four and a half," Kants replied automatically, flushing afterwards. "Or so."
"Four and a half," Havoc corrected himself with a smirk. "You forgot Warrant Officer Falman, though."
"Falman doesn't count," the Lieutenant replied with a snort. "But that's besides the point, because he's been pursing that girl for at least the last two years. Now, four and a half months, and Winry's already pretty attached to you. You said she wasn't happy about canceling them, right?"
"Right."
"Then you're doing better than most of us! You've at least got a girl to be upset about having the date canceled in the first place. We don't even have that!"
"Well…I guess you have a point." He suddenly smirked. "Maybe I should give you guys pointers, you might need it."
Havoc whacked him lightly with a stack of papers, "Don't push it kid."
"Alright, alright…"
-0i0-
It was a rare occurrence for Zeke to be alone in the kitchen with a quiet Hayate under his feet as he worked through his math problems. Voices floated from Riza's cracked bedroom door in low murmurs that only occasionally raised themselves high enough for him to catch a few words. Considering how displeased Riza had been when Gracia had forcefully injected herself into the bedroom, he was surprised they weren't raised more often. He had been told with no room for doubt that he could not go into Riza's room until one of them told him otherwise, and from the sound of things it would probably be awhile yet.
With a small smile as something about how many guns Riza would be carrying reached his ears, Zeke put aside his pencil for the moment and once again imagined how cool it would be to protect the Fuhrer undercover at a formal gathering. Where would Riza have her gun? Her purse, probably, but her arm holster would be useless with the dress that he'd only gotten a glimpse of earlier. A leg holster? He'd seen some in her stash of arms that was always locked up, then wondered for a moment how that would work when the doorbell rang.
The creak of the door swinging on its hinges met his ears after he yelled it was open, Hayate sitting up and wagging his tail happily as Uncle Roy rounded the corner in a full set of tails and a top hat. A glance outside showed Private Kants waiting patiently beside the still-running car in a crisp, dark gray valet uniform.
The Flame Alchemist was resplendent in the black tuxedo, the fine material tailored to fit his trim figure with rich, emerald brocade as his vest and his white shirt crisp underneath. His State Alchemist watch sat in his bread pocket, the silver chain draped across his chest, with silver cuff links at his wrists and a perfect bow tie at his throat. Not even his eye patch, a special silk one to match, detracted from his appearance.
"I take it she's not quite ready yet?" he asked as he leaned over the young boy, studying his work with approval. "I wouldn't be allowed back there to check on her, would I?"
Zeke snorted. "Doubt it. They threatened me with bodily harm if I dared to go in…she might actually kill you."
"Ah, valid point."
"Alright, I'm going, I'm going…" Gracia appeared a moment later, looking very pleased with herself as Elysia and Beth were in tow. "She'll be right out, Roy, she just needed a moment to herself. Zeke, she wants to say goodbye to you real quick."
"I'm sure," the alchemist replied with a knowing looking, the mother having the grace to look a little embarrassed as Zeke slipped past her into the bedroom. She probably had been a little strong in her desire to help, but it was for a good cause, after all!
"You look funny," Beth declared as she looked up at him, her nose scrunched slightly.
"You don't like it?" he replied as he held his arms out. She shook her head, and he sighed with a smile. "Well, it's only for tonight, ok?"
"Ok."
"C'mon you three, the roast is in the oven and I need help setting the table," said Gracia as she took the girls' hands. "Say goodbye to Uncle Roy, he's gotta wait for Aunt Riza for tonight."
-0i0-
Zeke was a little apprehensive at first, but the sight of Riza fussing with a pair of earrings as she looked at herself in the mirror was so unusually feminine for her that he had to chuckle softly.
"Do I look that silly?" she sighed as she glanced over, giving him a wry grin. "I told Gracia it was too much…"
"No, it's just strange to see you all dressed up," he replied, glancing towards her open closet where a line of neatly pressed uniforms waited. "Uncle Roy's here…"
"I heard him come in," she replied quietly, giving everything one last check and wondering why she was bothering so much with the details as she picked up her small clutch purse. "Well, I suppose that's everything. You know you're staying with Gracia tonight, right? I'll be home late, don't try and wait up for me."
"We'll be good," he replied with a slight smile as he gave her a hesitant hug around her waist. "Try not to be too hard on Uncle Roy, ok?"
She smiled slightly. "I make no promises."
-0i0-
The look on Roy's face had been very gratifying, and the way Kant's jaw had dropped just plain amusing. Make up was something she wasn't a stranger to, but the extensive application required for such an evening, plus the required undergarments, special shoes and perfect accessories, made her wonder if it was really worth it. One hand absently stroked the sage green fabric of her bodice, a strapless affair with a cream-colored wrap to cover her shoulders.
Ignoring the surreptitious glances her superior was giving her out of the corner of his eye, she checked her hair and makeup one last time before watching the passing building outside. One hand strayed to her throat where a silver pendent rested on a fine chain while the other held the matching purse in her lap daintily. Silver grey shoes peaked from under her hem, silver-bound pearl drops handing from her ears. Her hair was down, hanging freely over her shoulders in a soft gold cascade Roy longed to run his fingers through but her voice snapped him back into the present.
"Where are your gloves, sir?" she asked as she noticed the plain backs of his current pair.
"Here," he said as he pulled them out of his pocket. "They're a bit noticeable, we're not supposedly to be advertising our presence tonight."
"The older students will likely recognize me," she pointed out as Kants pulled up in front of the school. "And some will probably remember you from your alchemy 'demonstration'."
"The point is not to conceal who we are," he replied as he got out, letting Kants get her door though she was on his arm as they turned towards the entrance. "The point is to conceal the fact that we are armed and dangerous. How many guns are currently hidden on your person?"
"Three, plus two knives, an extra pair of your gloves you left in my care and a lighter," she replied simply, a pleasant smile on her face as though they were chatting of inconsequential things. He could tell by the way her eyes remained somewhat lifeless that it was purely a front. "Wolves among lambs, sir?"
He smiled back, his mask also in place for public appearances. "Wolves among lambs."
-0i0-
The Headmistress was very pleased. The decorations, invitations, cleaning, security set up, guest arrival and following entertainment had all gone as smoothly as one could have hoped and even better at times. The Fuhrer's appearance was a pleasant surprise for the parents, and with his apparent support of Mistress Hoffenbeck's institution made several forget any regrets they may have had over the school's tuition payments. The Brigadier General didn't bother to try and blend in, more than a couple of parents looking for a leg up for their promising young alchemist in the family besieging him with questions. At the same time, several of Riza's graduating male students blushingly asked for a dance no matter how protectively Roy tried to loom over her in the background between besiegements.
It wasn't that long before the Fuhrer took his leave, his total visiting time having been just under two hours, with both Roy and Riza shadowing him until he was back in his car with his guards around him once more.
"I suppose our job is done," the Lt Colonel sighed as they headed back inside, moving towards the check-in where Roy's coat was being stored.
"No, you're still on staff as an instructor," Roy replied as he easily led her past the clerk and back into the main room itself. "Besides, we haven't danced yet, and how can you attend an event with such fine music and not dance?"
"You haven't danced," she pointed out dryly. "I have danced as much as I care to for one evening."
"How can that be, if you haven't danced with me yet?" he asked as he swept her onto the floor, pulling her closer than he'd dared in a long time. "Don't tell me those boys were better dances than I."
"No," she replied as her eyes drifted over his shoulder, refusing to meet his gaze. "They stepped on my feet repeatedly, which is why I would have preferred not to dance again."
He just smiled all the wider, twirling her elegantly among the other dancers. "That should make you appreciate being with me all the more." The corner of her mouth curled upwards ever so slightly, but she didn't say anything so he continued to follow the pattern of the music until they moved into a slow waltz. A more attentive follow would be hard to find, he loved the way he could deviate from the normal step and she would never falter just beside him. Bringing her in closer to skirt past another couple that flowed past them, he smiled all the more when she didn't stiffen up or try to regain her space once they were in the clear again.
Over her shoulder, he noticed Falman and Fuery watching from the sidelines with the other servers, giving him a knowing look when their eyes met. What could he say? She was beautiful, and a wonderful dancer, and the fact that she might shove a gun in his gut if he pushed the line just made it that much more appealing for some reason. Turning so his back was to them, he let out a soft laugh when her eyes narrowed predictably at the sight of their subordinates across the room watching.
"You haven't told them they could go home?" she murmured, glancing up at him furtively.
"Falman and Fuery have to stay, its part of their position," he replied with a vague shrug. "Havoc and Kants are probably long gone, they were ordered to pack it up as soon as the Fuhrer left the premises, and to pass the word on to the others as well. Ross is still here, but she can't leave until that older gentleman who's her escort leaves as well. Who is he anyways? I couldn't see his face."
"Lt. General Denton," she replied with a quick glance in the couple's direction. "A friend of her family's who has two grandsons graduating from the academy. He enjoys having pretty women on his arm, and she enjoys dressing up, so the arrangement is one that suits them both."
"Ah, I see." Roy waited until they were at the other end of the dance floor, away from prying eyes, before he said, "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight, Riza?"
"I believe the way you were forced to scrape your jaw off the kitchen floor earlier this evening said it all, sir," she replied dryly, attempting to keep things at a certain level though she could not stop her cheeks from flushing ever so slightly.
"What did you expect when you put on such a stunning display," he replied with such sincerity that her blush deepened ever so slightly. "One might even thing you were working to impress someone…"
"Well, of course," she said with a frankness that surprised him. He was about to gloat happily when she added, "My grandfather was here, you know, I couldn't look any less than my very best for him."
"You didn't even dance with him," Roy argued, feeling a pout coming on as she managed to pull away at the end of the song, taking a drink from one of the passing waiters and effectively putting more distance between them for the moment. "Riza…"
"Sir?"
"Roy," he corrected her with a frustrated sigh. She smiled in quiet satisfaction, and he was very tempted to try and find a way to wipe the look from her face. Unfortunately, he could only come up with two options, and regardless of if he spilled her drink down her front or kissed her soundly he had a feeling it would end with a gun in a very uncomfortable position for him. "No uniform, no more Fuhrer, no longer on duty, no more sir!"
Her lips curled impishly. "Is that an order, sir?"
The man sighed, nearly at his ropes end. "Riza…"
"Yes…Roy."
"Thank you." He paused, watching her gaze over the dance out of the corner of her eye. "Some days I think you live to make my life more difficult."
"No more than you make mine, Roy," she replied dryly, the corner of her mouth tugging upwards once more.
"And how I have I made your life difficult recently?" he shot back, feeling a moment of triumph come on as her past list of reasons suddenly fell through. "I haven't made you threaten me to get work done at the office, I haven't incited a single moment of laziness in the men, I've been exactly fifteen minutes late every day, and made up for it by staying late almost every night. I haven't missed a single evening when I said I would be there with Beth and Zeke, I help with homework, chores…if anything one might say the exact opposite."
"You're Roy Mustang," she replied as though that were the only answer she needed, now and forever. "With you, everything is difficult."
"I'll make it very easy, if you want me to," he replied in a low voice that brought the flush back to her cheeks.
"I have no doubt…"
"You just have to let me."
Their eyes met, and he slowly backed off with a sigh when her eyes suddenly took on a somewhat steely appearance. "My apologies," he said after a few minutes of silence. "That was out of line. Do you want to go home now?"
Her head jerked slightly in ascent as she once more refused to meet his gaze. "Yes, please."
"Then we will go."
His coat was easy to retrieve, and after bidding their hostess goodnight waited for the car to be brought around by the valet. Kants was gone, so Roy held the door open for her and drove them both back to her duplex. Helping her from the car, he then escorted her to the porch and bid her a polite goodnight as she unlocked the front door.
"Roy?" she called suddenly as he turned to leave, her body halfway over the threshold of her home.
"Yes?" he replied, waiting for her to speak a few steps away.
"You looked very nice in your tuxedo," she said with a soft smile as she let her barrier drop for a few seconds. "And thank you for the dance."
"The pleasure was mine."
She disappeared after that, and though he hadn't gotten more than a compliment from her the entire evening, the smile stretching across his face was as wide as it could possibly be. Riza, slowing but surely, was coming around.
-0i0-
Mm, mm, m. I hope that was enough Royai fluff for one chapter, I know it's not a whole lot over all but by the end you'll be gagging on it, trust me. :P Thanks for the many great reviews, here's the replies!
Dennisud : Yeah, I figured she'd be the best person to do it. After all, who'd suspect lil ol' Gracia of being capable of such actions. :) And don't think it'll come about two fast, there is no one more stubborn that those two, especially when it comes to each other. Thanks for the review!
OTP : It is a classic. Thanks for the review, sorry the update took so long!
Blknblupanther1 : Thanks for the review, hope you enjoyed it as always.
Sarah Harrison : Riza wouldn't make a good drunk, but I can see her needing the occasional cup to help her relax with all the stress from the office. Thanks for the review, hope you enjoyed the chapter!
SakuraTearDrop : Of course she's too stubborn to admit it, she wouldn't be Riza Hawkeye if she wasn't. Don't worry about missing chapter reviews, I'm just glad to know you're still enjoying yourself. Hope to hear from you again soon!
Jennlyn78 : Yeah, I loved photo albums too, and Riza struck me as the type of person that would keep them fairly organized, just like everything else in her life. Thanks for the review!
Jacksparrow589 : Oh yes, Gracia Hughes was definitely being evil, but it was so wonderful at the same time! Word twisting is something all people excel at to a certain degree, I think this particular batch of women would be better than most. Roy's adventer in babysitting was based of several personal experiences with kids (I've been sitting for years) though I can't say I've ever had issues with Halloween make up. Play dough and finger paint, yes, but never makeup. Hope you enjoyed the update, can't wait to hear from you again!
-Kai Isolated- : Glad you enjoyed the chapter, especially Riza's Roasting (I think that's become the official title of that section). Thanks for the review, hope to hear from you again!
Winglessfairy25 : Yes, Gruman is the Fuhrer, and Riza may not have known that Roy was the topic of conversation with her grandfather. Roy, obviously, figured it out one way, that doesn't mean Riza ever tried to puzzle it out from the other end. Happy Royai day to you too, thanks for the review!
Bar-Ohki : Lots of fun indeed! Thanks for the review!
SxL : We're always getting closer to Royai. Glad you loved it, thanks for the review, hope to hear from you again soon!
SakuraAyanami : Spoiling you is better than starving you by putting months in between updates, eh? Hope you enjoyed it, thanks for the review!
Bizzy : I think they do know that Riza was hurt, and that's why they're not constantly hounding her about it. But I think they also realize that it's gonna take some persuasion for Riza to open up to their Brigadier General more. Especially after she's been hurt. Thanks for the review!
Crystal Mage : What's a fic without a time skip, right? Glad you enjoyed the highlights, I tried to keep it interesting. Can't wait to hear from you again, and thanks for the review!
Kurissyma san Tybalt : Ah, I hope you don't hurt yourself scrabbling, in my experience hills are evil things indeed. It is cool that your name is original, that takes a lot of creativity to do something like that. Glad you liked the chapter, and yeah, I love the sacred domain of Riza too. Thanks for the review!
Aindel S. Druida : Sorry you were missing the updates! Mine was disabled for awhile too, it's very frustrating. Glad to know you're still enjoying it, and yeah, I keep forgetting about the eye patch too. It's only in the movie, so it's not quite set in with my mental picture of Roy. Thanks for the many praises, hope to hear from you again soon!
Yun Min : Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review!
Momiji-k : I try to entertain for awhile with each chapter. One typo? WHOO! That's, like a record for me or something. And thanks for being honest, I can appreciate that as a writer. The military family is one of my favorite aspects of this story, so I'm using it as often as possible, and I gotta say even though Roy and Riza are my favorite to me it's just not a good story if the others don't play some sort of role in it as well. Ok, about Gruman's blood relation to Riza. It never specifies if it's on her mothers or her father's side. By name, it should be her mother's, but I think that if her father cut ties with the military (he obviously disliked it) it makes sense that he would change his last name. The irony being that the last name he chose would fit his daughter better than himself in the military. Thanks for the three great reviews, in a row, hope you enjoyed the latest update!
Humor Queen Merc : here's your update! Hope you enjoyed it, thanks for the review!
Leigh : Happy Royai day back! Glad you enjoyed the chapter, hope you like the update just as much. Thanks for the review!
Cheeseycraziness : Cackles with evil delight as well Thanks for the review!
GreyBlue Angel : I'm doing my best, I hope it's still up to par. Thanks for the review!
Ruki44 : Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for the review!
FinlandGirl : I hope this wasn't too long between updates. Thanks for the review!
Causmisfire : Your praises were many, and I thank you very much for them. Definitely the kind of review that makes a writer's day! I hope the wait wasn't too long, and I can't wait to hear from you again. Thanks!
FFVII : The romance is gonna keep building. Really, with the tension between those two, the only way to go is up. The nurse outfit is something I invented. Riza took care of Roy at the end in (I think) her house or his. Either way, it was definitely a whole new level of intimacy for them. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, thanks for the review!
That's all for now, folks. Can't wait to hear from you all again, until next time!
CB
'One of these days I really am going to kill you…'
-lots of people