Author's note: To those wondering, this IS going to be a tragedy. The thing is, the beginning chapters focus more on the family aspect of the story. There will be tragic scenes laced in, but it isn't till closer to the end when it gets to that level.

The Fuhrer rubbed his head as he let out a long groan. He found himself staring at the reports from Briggs. The relations between Amestris and Drachma were still shaky, and things seemed to be getting worse as the days passed.

"It won't be long before this country sees war again." he muttered, standing up at him desk. "That's the last thing I want us to fall into again." He collected his things and looked out the window to his office, "Hopefully the general can continue to hold down the fort."

He sighed as he walked out of his office. He looked down the hall to find Riza holding the hand of their son. It was a nice sight to him, being able to see the two together. He appreciated the day when Grumman resigned for him, allowing him the power to abolish the anti fraternization laws. He had managed for those years to keep his relationship in tact, as well as in secret with Riza. It was one of the most challenging trials of his life, but he was willing to wait as was she. And now, he never had to worry about her leaving his side.

Maes looked up and saw his father. A wide smile crossed his face as he let go of his mother's hand, darting across the hall to cling to his father with joy. "Daddy, Daddy! Guess what?" he exclaimed, a huge smile on his face as he looked up at his father.

"What is it?" Roy asked with a chuckle.

"Grandpa Grumman taught me how to beat you in chess!" he continued.

Roy chuckled, "Of course he did…the man can never let me win anything."

Riza walked over to the two, smiling. "He spent the day with grandpa. I think he had a lot of fun." She looked up at her husband, "I'm going to take him over to Gracia's and then I'll meet you at home, alright?"

Roy nodded as he watched Maes let go of him, taking his mother's hand once more.

Maes walked along side Riza as she took him out to the car, "Are you excited to go to Aunt Gracia's?"

The boy nodded, getting into the back seat of the vehicle, "I love visiting Aunt Gracia! And Elycia is really nice to me too!"

Riza got into the front seat and started the car. "I know that Elycia loves getting to play with you." she smiled and pulled out into the street.

Maes laughed as he and his mother talked. The enthusiastic boy spoke of his day with his grandpa, how he told them stories of his parents when they were children, how they ate a good lunch, all of the events of the day.

His mother smiled, she was happy to know about how much the child enjoyed his great grandfather's company.

"Mommy…" Maes said suddenly, his voice sounded concerned.

"What is it?" she asked, looking at him in the rear view mirror. He was looking out the window.

"Look out the window." he told her.

"I can't right now, Maes." she replied, "I am driving."

"But mommy…" Maes insisted.

"Maes, I can't." she stated, "I have to pay attention to the road."

"Mommy!" Maes cried out and Riza looked back, her eyes widening. A car was barreling towards them and not slowing down.

"Get in the front seat!" she instructed instantly.

He didn't move however. All Maes did was stare as the car came closer and closer.

Riza's face tensed as she tried to move the car, "Maes! Listen to me!"

The boy was frozen however, he was too afraid to move.

"Maes!" she cried out.

Suddenly time froze for the two. Riza looked back as she watched the side of the car cave in. Everything moved slow as she extended her arms to the back, trying to pull her son into her arms. He was stuck in place as she tried to unhook the seat belt.

Her eyes were wide as she felt the vehicle crumple, suddenly shifting to it's side and toppling over, flipping and rotating as their body's flopped about the car uncontrollably. Riza felt her son close to her, finally pulling him out of the seat and using her own body to protect his.

He cried as he held onto his mother, screaming. Maes didn't know what to do in this situation. He felt as though his life was going to end, and he couldn't control the emotions he was feeling. Tears were running down his cheeks as he continued to cry.

Finally the car had settled on it's side. It had finally stopped rolling. Maes' breaths were heavy as he sobbed, "Mommy!" he cried, looking at his mother with wide eyes.

Riza's body was on top of him. Her arms were wrapped around the small boy as she kept his body close to hers. There was a gash on the side of her skull, blood was dripping out at a quick pace. She didn't respond to her son's cries.

"Mommy!" he cried out again, trying to shake his mother's corpse.

She didn't respond. All he could feel was her heart pounding at a rapid rate but slowly it was vanishing. Her breaths were becoming slow.

"Mommy!" Maes cried once more, tears streaming down his face.

Suddenly he felt someone grab him, pulling his body out of the car. "Mommy!" he cried again, seeing himself growing further away from her.

Suddenly he was put down and a different person, a woman this time, grabbed his shoulders, "Maes! Are you alright?"

It was Maria Ross. Maes' breaths were quick and heavy as he continued to cry, "Aunt Maria!" he sobbed, then looked back over at the car. Denny Brosh was inside the car, pulling Riza's body out. "Mommy!" Maes cried again, seeing the condition of his mother.

"Calm down, Maes." Maria tried to reassure him. "We called an ambulance, they are coming to take your mom to the hospital."

Maes was a wreck. He clung to Ross crying as he watched an ambulance arrive, lifting his mother into the car.

"I'll go with them to the hospital." Maria stated, turning to Denny, "I was you to go and inform the Fuhrer."

Brosh nodded in response, watching as Ross lifted Maes into her arms and stepped into the vehicle with the paramedics.