Walking in Shadows, Seeing the Light

Author's Note: Kinda having a hard time writing today… can't even talk… knocks on head much less think… so yeah… last chapter was cool… get set for the 26th installment of Walking in Shadows, Seeing the Light…

Disclaimer: Don't own it, get over it damn it…

Summary: Past meets present the clash of a haunting past lingers overhead as the Elric brothers attempt to find peace. Can an angel who guards the gate help them discover the secrets of her past as well as theirs? EdxOC and AlxOC

…maybe someday we can all live in peace and harmony… or… maybe not…"

BT Julian

Chapter: To Answer Why

Court marshal. That's what the letter screamed in every tongue that Roy could think of. Court marshal. After all that work… he was under review for a court marshal. Brigadier down the drain. Closest to the Fuehrer the Flame Alchemist had been for almost two years. And again, he was back in the same boat. First for sealing away the homunculus that was pretending to be the fuehrer and now for a reason that only the Senator's knew. But he could figure it out very easily. There could be no other reason other than…

"General Mustang?" Riza's voice cut the bitter silence. He looked up. "Are you planning on opening the letter or are you just going to stare at it all day hoping that it will disappear. It may not be a summons for a court marshal. Maybe it's just a simple letter."

"Thank you Colonel Hawkeye. You just made me feel even worse." Riza's face sunk slightly. Roy laughed at her. "Don't worry about it." He smiled. It was the same smile again, that same boyish smile that practically knocked her over. He ripped open the letter and pulled the paper out, his eyes scanning it for any sign of what he thought.

"Well?"

"It's a… congratulations…" His head hit his desk and Hawkeye laughed at him. Mustang's head lifted up and glared daggers at her.

"What are you glaring at me for? I'm not the one who sent it." She laughed. Roy's ebony eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Don't tick me off today."

"Alright hothead. I think it's you who's getting the mood swings here." Riza looked at him pointedly. The Flame Alchemist's index finger and thumb came precariously close together. His hands itched, for once he wished his conscience would let him snap.

"Riza." His voice was warning, the same voice that he used with lieutenant Havoc when he didn't do what he was supposed to do.

"Don't use that troop commander tone with me. Might I remind you who I am and what services I happen to include." His hand fell limp. Even if he did snap he wouldn't be fast enough to avoid her gun. Unfortunately his once subordinate officer came with a very deadly trigger and even deadlier aim. Which was one reason she came in handy. She, along with his other soldiers would give their very lives for his, and would follow him to the death. They were known as the most loyal in the military, although very mismatched. He smiled, after eleven years you become quite attached to your friends and fellow officers. Even after the incident at the Central base every single man that was under his command faithfully awaited his return to power.

"How long has it been now Lieutenant?" He used the more familiar term. Before she was always two ranks below. Now she was only a rank. Meaning that the term lieutenant was no long in service.

"Colonel… and 12 years… I'm actually glad you're not fuehrer." She looked out the window, knowing this would rouse a tirade from her commanding officer.

"What?" His eye twitched. The markswoman simply smiled. His look of annoyance grew. "What are you rambling about now?"

"What I mean is… if you were fuehrer I would be wearing a mini-skirt right now." Roy watched the gun slinger's back for a few minutes. In his mind he dressed the woman in a miniskirt. He heard a click and felt a cold metal barrel pressed against his temple and his eyes traveled to the gun.

"Why exactly do you have a gun up to my head."

"Because I know exactly what you were thinking about and I wish that you would stop before I get to blow your brains out." Hawkeye put the gun back in its holster. Roy sighed.

"I wish you wouldn't scare me like that." She scoffed as he spoke. 'Now who's having mood swings?' The Alchemist eyed her for a second and scanned for any signs of her pregnancy. So far at six months she wasn't showing too much. Not so much that couldn't be hidden by some loosening of her uniform pants and military jacket. As it was she wasn't showing very much anyways. Roy reached over and rested his hand gently on her navel. She jumped slightly and her back straightened.

"General, don't be so open." Her voice shook slightly. Roy's eyes narrowed.

"Hawkeye you are planning on marrying me aren't you?" He asked softly. She spun around to face him.

"What?" Her honey amber eyes glistened, "Why?" Roy laughed at her, covering his mouth as the colonel looked stunned.

"You should know the answer to that Riza." The Alchemist put his hand over hers and looked her in the eye, "Will you marry me?" Mustang's sable eyes darkened slightly. "Now that the rules against us have been lifted we can have the life we've always dreamt of. Please say yes." The general's eyes bored into hers. Her mind rushed, trying to wrap around this subject. Maybe he was right, maybe they finally could have a normal life and not hide in the shadows anymore.

"Yes." A look of utter shock came across his face. Was she serious?

"You're serious?"

"Yes." She felt herself being wrapped up into another tight embrace.

THAT WAS FUN FUN FUN!

Ringo Izzybelle