Chapter 2: A Walk In The Plaza

Colonel Roy Mustang sat at his desk looking at papers he was supposed to sign. He fidgeted with his pen and thought about all the other things he could be doing. Roy swung his chair around and turned his back on the paperwork that lay on his desk. He rested his head on his hand and looked dreamily out the window.

'I need to get outside. I need some different human interaction.' He looked over at his faithful First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye writing away on some document and told her "Lieutenant, I'm headed out."

"Sir?" she said. She looked at him with surprise.

"That's all Lieutenant. I'll be back in an hour" he explained as he put on his overcoat.

"Sir, there's work to be done!" said Riza half standing from her chair.

Roy just waved her off and walked out the door leaving Hawkeye dumbfounded at how he could just leave his duty undone on the desk.

As Roy sauntered across the plaza he scanned the crowd for a familiar face or at least a pretty one. Sila Wellbrick was walking in the opposite direction and accidentally brushed shoulders with some other soldiers. It was barely noticeable to them, but enough to cause Sila to drop her files and her mocha frappacino on them.

Roy saw the entire thing and walked over to help 'Damsel in distress. This afternoon could be interesting after all.' Roy walked over and saw Sila's face and he assumed those papers were important. Very important. The folder was marked confidential.

Sila couldn't believe it. 'I'm an idiot! What was I thinking? I can't believe I was so careless! The Lieutenant Colonel and the Major entrusted these with me! I'm never going to get anywhere being such a klutz! No where!' Tears began to come to Sila's eyes when she saw the ink running on the coffee stained paper. Her tears popped out and slid down her face adding to the damage done by her frappaccino.

A scruffy voice said "Can I help you Miss? You seem to be having a hard time there."

Sila looked up and met the golden eyes of the Full Metal Alchemist, Edward Elric. He was young, but supposedly very talented. 'How old is this kid? Like, 10?' "Hello" she said wiping her tears away. She was embarrassed 'Soldiers shouldn't cry.' "I've made a real mess of things."

Ed said "Nah, that's not so bad." She looked up at him and he winked. He clapped, placed his gloved hands and the papers, there was a strange flash of light, and he restored her file to its original condition. They were now Frappachino free.

Sila stood up with surprise written all over her face and said "That was amazing!" She inspected the papers and said "Thank you so much! If I can ever repay you—"

Ed waved his bare mechanical hand and said "No no, it's all in a days work of an alchemist."

Edward's brother Alphonse came trudging up causing a racket in his suit of armor. "Brother! I've been looking all over for you!"

The two brothers exchanged words then said goodbye to their new friend, Sila.

Captain Wellbrick watched the boys run off and heard from behind "Remarkable isn't he?"

'I know that voice, I served under him during my last training session' Sila turned around and saw the legendary flame alchemist standing behind her.

Roy said "I would have helped, but Fullmetal was faster."

Sila smiled and said "Oh, it's ok Colonel, I wouldn't want to bother you with something so menial. You must be off to somewhere important." Sila clutched the file to her chest, 'Why is he looking at me like that?'

Roy was interested in this girl. 'Wow, I'm making her nervous. She must be intimidated by my famous reputation.' "At least let me walk you to your destination."

"Oh! Sir! No! Thank you, but.." 'I don't think Mustang and Archer really get along and I don't want to get in the middle of it.' "I'm actually headed home."

"With a confidential file?" asked Roy a little suspicious.

'Dammit.' "I was going to drop this off on the way" 'Shit! He's going to insist. My parents taught me not to turn down those who insist! It's rude and I just can't!'

"Let me accompany you. I insist. You don't need to bump into anyone else on your way, do you?" He smiled at her and Sila couldn't see any polite way out of it so she accepted.

Havoc was walking across the plaza the same time and saw the entire thing. He saw how Sila was bumped into and how a number of men went to help her. 'How come everyone is after my Sila?...Okay, so it's not everyone, just Mustang…and Ed? Even the shrimp is after her?! No, he was just being helpful, but still…I need to get a grip.' His shoulders slumped and he pulled a cigarette out of his pocket. Master Sergeant Fury was with him and yanked the cigarette out of his mouth before he could light it.

"What's wrong with you Havoc? She doesn't like smokers!" said Fuery.

Havoc looked down into the large glasses of his friend and colleague then said "I know, but this is the time that I can really use one."

"Yeah, but if Sila sees you using it then you're never going to be able to take her to the officers ball!"

That was the first phase of the plan: Get Havoc a date to the officer's ball. Not just any date, but Sila. He held a torch for her all throughout boot camp and still to this day. Havoc tried courting the eye of other women, but somehow they always seemed to fall under the spell of Roy Mustang Havoc thought about the situation 'Well, not a lot of other women, just that one, but still! She fell for Roy instead of me! I can't let that happen again.'

Fury put his hand on Havoc's taller shoulder and said "Don't worry friend, I'll help you. So will Breda and so will Falman. I think we could also get Hawkeye in on this too! A woman's touch can't hurt in the realm of love."

Havoc looked worried then slumped his shoulders. "Fine." 'What do I have to lose at this point?' he thought as he watched Roy walk off with Sila.

During the walk, Lieutenant Hawkeye seemed to come out of no where and stopped Roy and Sila. Riza was holding a file full of papers. She said "Sir, these need your signature."

Sila was relieved. "Well, Colonel" she said suddenly "I've got to be off! It was good to see you Lieutenant." Sila saluted and ran off.

Roy tried to say something but Sila was too fast and Hawkeye had an iron clad grip on his arm preventing him from following her. Roy looked at the pile of papers with a defeated look and said "Of course, Lieutenant. Thanks."

Sila made it to Archer's office, smiled to the secretary, and knocked on his door. No answer. The secretary told her that he was gone for the day: he had a special dinner with the other court officers. Sila looked down at the file she was holding and thought it better to keep in her possession than to leave it with the secretary. She thanked the secretary and headed home.