Sorry for the late posting. I had a graduation party yesterday and didn't have time to complete this one before I had to go. Well, at least school days are over for me until mid-July. I had originally planned to post the sixth one after this, but it seems I can't, for my famiy in general are nagging at me to stop using the computer and join them in watching Case 39. I apologize for that, too.

Thank you for ssadropout and TheFirstTree for the kind reviews.

Disclaimer: I am sure everyone knows FMA doesn't belong to me?

The Evening After

She thought it was all a dream, but she realized it wasn't when she pinched herself, just to make sure. She knew it was totally out of character to pinch her arm just because she doubted the reality, but she needed to make sure that it wasn't a dream, all that happened today. But all in all, she was glad to know it happened in reality.

Time had flown too quickly for her that day. His inauguration ceremony had in reality taken 4 hours, but she felt like she had only been standing in the ceremony for half an hour. She was too dazed, too happy to really feel the flow of time. She too had received a large promotion, she had ascended seven ranks in total, and was now the Fuhrer's second in command. She had no time to think about her own promotion, though, she had only thought about his and his promotion only, about how he had finally achieved one of the major part of his- no, their dream, she mentally corrected.

She was now standing outside the Fuhrer's Mansion ballroom, on the veranda. The sun was setting and the view was very beautiful. No wonder they made the Fuhrer live here, she thought. She had never seen sunset this beautiful since she left her old home, the one she lived in with her father. In fact, she never thought there would be a place in Central where the sunset would seem so beautiful. She was so distraught in her own thoughts that she did not realize someone was approaching.

"Good evening, Major General. Care to explain why you are not enjoying yourself here?"

Surprised, she turned to see the handsome face of the newly inaugurated Fuhrer. She smiled softly. "I am enjoying myself, Fuhrer, Sir. I am enjoying the beauty of the sunset."

He stood beside her, leaning on the railing. "Indeed, the sunset is beautiful. But do you care to explain why you are here instead of inside? I mean, the celebration is inside, not here."

Riza did not turn to face Roy as she replied his question. "I think I don't enjoy the crowd so much, I'm sorry."

"Too noisy?" he offered.

Riza answered the question with a nod. They stayed silent for a while, until the orchestra played a beautiful, romantic-sounding song inside. Roy stood up straight and tapped Riza's shoulders lightly. "Care to have a dance, my lady?"

"It's been a while since I last danced," Riza declined politely.

"Come on. It wouldn't be right if the Fuhrer doesn't dance in his own party, right?" he tried to persuade her.

Riza thought for a while. It had indeed been a while since she last danced, and she wasn't really sure if she could remember the steps. She was a little bit afraid if she would, step on Roy's foot for example, and ruin the whole dance.

"Aren't there other females? I am sure I am not the only female military personnel here, and this party isn't really military only. Gracia Hughes seems to be a little bit lonely without the Brigadier General," she tried to decline again.

"Come on. You know it wouldn't be right if it isn't you. I mean, you are my second-in-command. The previous Fuhrer had a dance with his secretary, too, in his previous-also-last party," he reasoned.

"But I am not your secretary," she half teased.

"While you are not for the most party, you are also my secretary, in a way. I mean, it is always you who organize my paperwork and all."

Riza smiled. "Then I will. Just… forgive me if I suddenly step on your feet or something like that."

"It will be no problem. I'm sure I've danced with females with worse skills than you."

"Are you saying my skills are bad?" she teased.

"You know I didn't mean it to be like that," he retorted playfully. He stretched out an arm at her. "Well then, shall we?"

She took his arm. "Yes."

It seems Riza had underestimated her dancing skills, because not only she had remembered all the steps, but she had also danced fluently and gracefully. All the couples immediately stopped dancing not long after the Fuhrer and his partner entered the dance floor.

"What a couple!" someone said.

"Yes, it is actually kind of hard to believe that the woman is the Fuhrer's second in command instead of his wife," another one agreed. If Maes Hughes were still alive and heard this comment, he would no doubt jump and started nagging Roy about marriage again.

"They dance beautifully," yet another person joined the conversation. The people in the ballroom were awed. They couldn't alter their gaze from the only couple on the dance floor and when the song was over, they all cheered and clapped.

Roy raised an eyebrow at Riza. "I wasn't aware all the other couples left."

"Me too, Sir."

"It seems we were too absorbed in the dance."

A/n: Sorry this one ended in haste. I was trying to finish this as fast as possible. And about the ending, well, I seemed to think it is rather appropriate to leave it like this. About the rather romantic theme, I just happen to think number 5 is a romantic song.

About the one day posting delay... I will try to catch up on weekdays. It seems there's just no way I can catch up on weekends!

Oh, and last thing... review, please! They are very appreciated and make me a very happy writer.