January 11, 1917
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Present Day
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"You're looking awfully happy today, Lieutenant," said Fuery, blinking in surprise as she walked past on her way to the Colonel's office.
"I suppose I am," said Riza and she stopped and turned in the hallway to talk to Fuery.
"Did something happen yesterday? I mean, the Colonel was saying not to disturb you since you'd be upset…"
"Not this year," said Riza, smiling a little. "This year was different."
"Is it about… your daughter, Lieutenant?"
Fuery watched carefully a flicker of surprise passed over her face but she nodded, "did R-Mustang tell you about her?"
"Only a little," said Fuery.
"Well, yes," said Riza and she was smiling again, "I met up with her this year- she was… everything I'd hoped."
"Is she going to be living with you, then?"
Riza shook her head, "no… she has a father now, she doesn't need me anymore- but I'll visit. I promised I'd visit."
"Are you okay with that?"
"I'm fine, Fuery- thank you for asking. Now, I should really get these to the Colonel-"
"Oh, he's not in today," said Fuery.
"Huh? Why not?"
"I dunno- he didn't tell me what was up, only that he couldn't make it in," said Fuery, shrugging. "He also said for me to tell you not to dare do any of his work for him- that he'd do it when he got back. He suggested that you take a day off."
"I took yesterday off," said Riza.
"That's just what he said."
"But then why would he-?"
"Sorry, Lieutenant, but that's all I know. Very well, Fuery- thank you for passing that on." She turned, then, and continued on to the Colonel's office.
"You'd better not be thinking of doing that work for him, Lieutenant," Fuery called after her, "he'll blame me for letting you!"
"I'll take full responsibility," Riza called back, "and we'll see if he dares challenge me!"
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Roy returned around three in the afternoon looking very pleased with himself, but he baulked when he say Riza sitting at his desk, doing his work. "Lieutenant!"
"Good afternoon, sir," said Riza, standing up and saluting. "You're almost done."
"What about you?"
Riza glanced over at her own desk with her own pile of paperwork, "I couldn't finish it without your reports from the other day, sir, so I thought I'd start on your work, so –uh- you could get around to finishing them faster."
"Did Fuery tell you that you could talk the day off?" asked Roy, shaking his head.
"He did, but I ignored him," said Riza unblinkingly.
"Go home now."
"But, sir-!"
"That was an order, Lieutenant- the reports won't be finished until tomorrow anyway."
"At least let me help you," Riza protested.
"Riza," Roy growled and she sighed.
"Fine," she said picking up her black overcoat from the back of her chair and shrugging it on over her military uniform, "but if I may, sir, why were you out today?"
"I had some preparations to make for the holidays."
"What holidays?" asked Riza, shaking her head.
"The school holidays, of course," said Roy and he was grinning. "Just talking to General Grumman and Mr Waters is all…" He watched in amusement as her eyes took on a slightly brighter gleam.
"Sir?"
"And your brother, of course- someone has to teach little Maro how to ride, because God knows you can't."
Riza walked over and tapped him on the head with her pen sharply, "you're going to stay here until you finish that paperwork, sir."
Roy rubbed his forehead, then nodded meekly as he glanced over at the pile of yet unfinished work on his desk. He sat down and Riza moved to stand behind him. "Aren't you going, Lieutenant?"
"I was, but I changed my mind," said Riza monotonously. Then she smiled, "I'll wait- it's the least I can do to thank you."