A/N: I actually wrote this before watching Episode 37 of Brotherhood. Then, when I did, all I could think was '. . . called it.'

Sins of the Husband

If she hadn't been so distracted by her tension at being summoned to the Führer's residence this late at night, Riza was certain that the level of awkwardness in the room would have worn away at even her usual calm. She was seated across a low coffee table from Mrs. Bradley, each of them holding a delicate cup of tea.

"I apologize if you were dragged away from anything," the older woman said at last, breaking the silence. She smiled. "My husband can be particularly stubborn where work is involved."

"That's all right." Giving a return smile that she didn't feel, Riza took a sip of her tea. "I've had lots of practice with working at odd hours."

"Ah, that's right . . . ." Taking a sip from her own cup, Mrs. Bradley tilted her head to one side in query. "Before, you were the personal adjutant to . . . I believe my husband said Colonel Mustang?" She smiled again, encouragingly this time. "He must have seen something special in you, to transfer you to himself."

Looking down, ostensibly out of modesty, Riza made sure to keep her bitterness out of her voice and expression. "Thank you. I'm flattered you think so." If only you knew that the only things your husband sees in me is a serious threat to his power, and a way to keep Roy in line.

Silence held again for a brief moment before Mrs. Bradley leaned forward, setting her teacup on the low table between them. "You know," she said thoughtfully, "some women might disagree, but I think it's a good thing for my husband to have a female secretary. That other man, Storch . . . he always seemed so . . . shifty."

Riza looked up in mild surprise to find the older woman sitting back, relaxed in her seat, her lips pursed. "I don't mean to talk out of turn," she continued, "but he always looked as though he were up to something. You, on the other hand, you seem quite serious, but otherwise a perfectly nice, polite young woman."

". . . Thank you," was all Riza could think of to say; her mind was busy processing a new realization. Yes, this woman was married to one of the most ruthless and dangerous men in the country, yet she was so clueless about it that she considered everything to be fine. The saying was that 'the sins of the father should not be visited upon the son,' but Riza wondered if they could be held separate from the spouse as well. Especially a spouse who had no knowledge of what her husband really was.

Mrs. Bradley was smiling again. "You must think me terribly nosy, but I can't help but wonder why a pretty girl like you would join something so male-dominated as the military."

Despite herself, Riza gave a genuine smile. "Believe me, ma'am, you're not the first person to wonder about that. The simplest answer I can give you is that I wanted to do my part to keep Amestris as safe as possible. If not for my generation, then perhaps the next one, and the one after, as far along as it will go."

"That's a beautiful dream." The other's eyes went to the fireplace mantle, and the smiling photograph of a young boy in a frame there. "I would love for my son to grow up in a world where there's only peace."

"Wouldn't we all," Riza murmured.

The door on the far side of the room opened, Führer Bradley stepping inside. The smile on his face sent a shiver of apprehension down Riza's spine; she set her cup and saucer on the coffee table so that the rattle wouldn't give her fear away. "Ah, there you are. Sorry to keep you waiting. Did you two have a nice chat?"

Mrs. Bradley beamed. "She's a lovely girl. I think you chose well, dear."

That single green eye turned Riza's way; she forced herself to meet his gaze, suspecting that his wife wouldn't see the intense dislike behind it. "Yes," he said quietly. "I suppose I have."