The End of the Road
No matter how many times she tried to make sense of it, it didn't seemed like she was going to find an answer she was going to convince herself. How is it possible that they were able to finish a weeks worth of paperwork in a day, and cant seemed to finish a days worth! She thought in her mind.
The place was called "The End of the Road", it was their usual bar they would all or individually hang out and have a drink. The place was owned by a retired soldier named Chris. He already knew Roy's Platoon very well and always welcomed their company. Of course, out of everyone, he specially loved it when the person who least walked thru his doors out of the platoon would give him the special "honor" to pay him a visit.
"Hey Chris! I hope you reserved our table today because today we brought you a treat!" Roy said slamming thru the doors.
"Oh, and why is that Colonel?"
"Hello Chris, its been a while." Riza said as she appeared behind Roy and came in with the rest of the gang.
"Now this is certainly a treat. Its been more than a month since I last saw you sweetie." He walked up to Roy and shook his hand and gave Riza a light hug. He always treated them very well and the whole group was very fond of him." I can almost say the same about you Roy, but not the rest of you guys. You guys were here last week."
"Hey Cmon Chris! Is that how you treat your loyal customers who helps keep the place going?" Havoc replied.
"Yeah sure, when it comes to you Havoc, I seemed to spend more time changing your ash tray more than I serve drinks for you. Right this way folks."
Chris walked them over to a corner round table not too far away from the bar.
"So...what can I get you guys?"
"Give me two shot's of whiskey please." said Roy.
"Two shots already sir? Aren't you starting slow? We just got here." said Riza a little bothered.
"Yes I know, one is for you. Sorry lieutenant but I ordered for you."
"Oh I see. That's very kind of you sir to assume you know what I like to drink."
"I know you don't like drinking lieutenant, that is why I ordered for you."
Riza just stared at Roy in the eyes. She knew he was enjoying this very moment. Its been a while since she really had a drink with someone, a drink with him.
"A promise is a promise lieutenant. Enjoy, tonight your drinks are on me."
"Wow, now that's very generous of you Colonel! How about your faithful subordinates?" Havoc said with a slight hope to see if he was able to escape the tab today.
"In your dreams Havoc, but tell you what. Get yourself a girlfriend that will last two weeks and ill gladly bring you here to celebrate and take care of the tab for you."
"Ouch." Fuery said.
"Hey! What do you mean "Ouch"? What? You think I cant keep a girlfriend for two weeks?!"
"I don't think you can find a girlfriend period." said Breda in a low voice but loud enough for everyone to hear.
Except Riza, everyone including Chris laughed. Riza just rolled her eyes and sighted.
"So, the usual? three beers for you guys?" asked Chris.
"Make it five, those shots aren't enough for a toast." said Havoc.
"Coming right up."
"So lieutenant, what else do we have to finish up before preparing for the trip we have coming up?" asked Havoc.
"There's nothing much left to do now, just pack up I guess and get plenty of rest. I wish I can tell you guys what to expect going to central but im as clueless as the rest of you."
"Wow so if the lieutenant doesn't have an idea what this is about I guess well have to find out when we get there." said Fuery
"Who cares what this is about!" said Roy with a cocky attitude."As for me ill take it as a vacation!."
"You mean you plan on slacking off and avoiding work and push everything onto us whatever it is isn't?" Breda said with a bad premonition.
Before anybody could say anything Chris came back with everyone's drink and placed it in front of them. Roy grabbed his beer and raised it up.
"A toast! to completing today's mission that almost took our lives!" Roy sarcastically shouted
"Hear Hear!" everyone but Riza shouted in unison.
Everyone sipped a drink including Riza. She cringed at the taste that ran from her mouth to her throat. Roy couldn't help but notice and smile and Riza's gesture. She really didn't have a taste for alcohol.
"I really cant see to find a reason what would make you drink such a horrible drink." Riza said
"Its not really for the taste or anything lieutenant. The taste its something you just need to get used to or don't mind. The reason lies in its contents and what it does to people!" said Havoc taking a big drink of his beer.
Not understanding or convinced Riza simply looked at havoc with a confused look. Roy chuckled and placed a soft hand on the shoulder of his lieutenant."It helps people relax and sometimes release pressure . I guess it also makes you temporarily forget about some things too."
"Is that why people drink Colonel? People want to forget?...Is there something you want to forget about?" she asked. Roy's respond felt there was a hint of honesty, perhaps stating his own reason for drinking.
"Cmon lieutenant, we are here to relax and spend time together. Not get serious or depressed. After you worked us like slaves today I believe we deserve this no matter the reason."
"You can say that again!" cried Breda.
"So whats the story about the Queen of the North? Asked Fuery.
"From what I heard, They are one hell of a platoon commanded by Alex Lois Armstrong sister! To sum it up, Shes the very image of our lieutenant in command." Said Havoc.
"And what is that suppose to mean Havoc?" She asked with a raised eyebrow and a deathly look.
"Nothing bad of course lieutenant! It just means I heard that shes very strict and skillful and takes her role very serious. She has unwavering loyalty from her subordinates and shes a blond beauty goddess with a full figure that holds her family name and reputation above all else." Havoc said hoping it came out as a compliment like he intended it to.
"Oh I see. Shes beautiful, blond, serious, strict, deadly and commands her subordinates under her thumb with an iron fist." said Fuery connecting the resemblance to their lieutenant.
"Ha! Indeed too much of a resemblance. Are you sure she's not your sister or related to you instead lieutenant?
Riza was an expert already when it came to keeping her calm with her group. She knew how much they loved teasing her when the opportunity presented itself. It wasn't everyday they were able to tease the lieutenant about her in general. The lieutenant, even among her own close team she never gave a hint or talked about her personal life. The only thing they had on her was the person they knew today so when the opportunity came up, they never missed it.
"All I can say gentlemen is that it would be a real sad tragedy for you guys to find yourself going home early injured tonight after just getting here if you don't stop talking nonsense quick."
Everyone but Roy gave a nervous laugh.
"Enough of work already! Were here to get drunk! So lets get drunk! Cried Havoc
"Cheer's lieutenant." and with that, Roy picked up his shot of whiskey and held it up in the air waiting for Riza to grab hers.
Riza sighted but picked up her shot as well. "Cheer's Colonel." Riza gulped down the shot of whiskey and covered her mouth with her hand to show the taste was more stronger than she anticipated. The warm but hot fluid burned her throat as it went down and left a dry sensation in her mouth. "Ugh! You really have bad taste Colonel."
"like I said lieutenant, its an acquired taste."
The night was rather an enjoyable one much to Riza's surprise. Everyone was an enjoyable company and they were actually decent drinkers. The four of them were really an interesting group together. Riza and Roy were mostly quiet thru out the conversations but were very entertained by them. Riza noticed how Roy would just take in the moment with a small smile on his face, knowing that these moments were priceless, for these were the moments that you never knew when would be a last memory together. She also felt the same way about it. As timed pass by and everyone was more on their fifth round or more, they took off their uniforms left them on their table and decided to explore the area to find people to socialize with. Breda and Fuery took their leave together to scoop out the scene. Havoc decided to go outside and smoke and to see if he found a female kindred spirit. Falman seemed like his tired body and with the help of the alcohol was giving out and was falling asleep. With that Roy got up and decided to go sit at the bar instead. Of course without a word Riza got up and followed him. He sat down and Riza sat next to him.
"What can I get you guys?" asked Chris
"Two more beers please and a shot of whiskey." said Roy
Riza looked at Chris with a pleading eye to start to slowly cut off Roy.
"Its okay Missy. I always don't let him drive and call a cab for him. One of my men will take his car home for him, he lives around the same block."
"Thanks Chris." She remembered why everyone loved this man. He genuinely did care about them or his customers. He was someone she knew she can depend on to keep an eye on her subordinates and Roy if they ever came to drink here.
"Trying to kill my buzz lieutenant?
"Just doing my job in keeping you safe sir."
"Relax lieutenant, we been off the clock for some time now."
"Does that bother you sir?"
"Isn't that tiring for you lieutenant?"
"What do you mean sir?" Riza knew that Roy's drink were getting to him already. He wasn't aggressive about it or had any hint of annoyance in his voice but she knew that he was asking sincerely.
"Don't you ever think or wonder about it lieutenant? Ever since we been in the military, the things we had to do...now the life you live. Are you okay with that?
"I don't have the right to complain sir. No matter what happened in the past, the things I did even if they were orders they were my choice to make.
As soon as Chris brought their drinks Roy took the shot of whiskey and gulped it down. There was a small moment of silence between them. They quietly drank their beer.
"It doesn't have to be that way Riza." Roy finally spoke. "Your still so young. You can live your life, normally, away from all this. Live the life that was taken from you , the life you deserve."
"That's the thing Roy, I don't deserve that kind of life..."
"Yes you do!" As Roy said this he turned to face Riza and looked her deeply in her eyes to show her how serious and sincere he was. He moved closer to her and leaned his face closer to speak in a low voice so only they would hear what they were talking about. Despite having their drinks they were aware of their surroundings and more aware of each other. Indeed, the affect of alcohol were an amazing thing. For the price of your normal senses to be thrown off and confused, your physical desire, sense and mental honesty came out on top and quicker.
"Riza I know nobody can blame anyone else for their decision's they make in their life's but also having poor people to influence you in your life if one factor in those decision."
"What are you trying to say Roy?" It was more unconsciously and instinct more than anything, she grabbed Roy's right wrist and held it as she waited for his respond.
" I know that the two men who greatly influenced your life up to this point were nothing but a bad experience thru out your life and bad influence to you. I know you would never say it Riza but I have a really good idea why you joined the army. You wont lie to me. Me and your father ruined your life."
"How can you say that?!" Indeed the alcohol is one of human finest creation. Even to the tough Riza Hawkeye couldn't contained her emotion quickly rising and blood flowing as she quickly got up and pressed her body against Roy. A move badly calculated from her. With her head spinning in circles and holding to Roy's hand for balance, she calculated the distance that seemed farther away than it really was and found herself merely inches away from his face against hers. But of course, either of them paid any attention to it.
"Roy, I know there are a lot of things I probably regret in my life. I know I probably have more regrets then I can say I have things I'm proud of in my life. But don't you dare think I regret my father or meeting you in my life and being here this very moment."
"I don't know if I can say the same thing Riza..."
"What the hell do you mean..?" Riza couldn't believe the words that just left Roy's mouth.
There was a small moment of silence along with awkwardness but before the matter was pushed any further the moment was destroyed by three eyes staring at them and approaching.
"Uh...hei guys we didn't mean to interrupt you guys or anything its just that we were getting ready to head out and just wanted to say goodnight." Fuery treated very lightly at the situation and atmosphere. It was a very difficult one to read. The three of them couldn't tell if they were fighting or having a deep conversation. The first one seemed to be more of the best guest or obvious choice from anyone watching from afar that didn't know the Colonel and the Lieutenant. But Breda, Fuery and Havoc did. For the longest time they all wanted to know and wondered what really was there between the Colonel and the Lieutenant. All of them were in the Ishval War and with that had a connection and past they could really relate and understand each other. It seemed that was their ground connection for them, but they could tell not between the Colonel and the Lieutenant. Thru out the years they been together they have caught glimpse of them that connected them way beyond that. Not to mention they always wondered why the Colonel picked the lieutenant out of everyone to stay by his side and entrust his life to her. A mystery that made them topic thru out the who military.
Riza quickly let go of Roy's hand and stepped back. "Oh I see"
"Everyone is to meet in Centrals Train Station at 2 pm this Saturday. Everyone rest well and ill see you then." said Roy snapping back to reality and to their commanding officer.
"Is everything okay guys?" asked Havoc with a concern look on his face not really knowing how to read the situation.
"Of course Havoc why wouldn't we be?" replied Roy confidently.
"Goodnight guys, don't forget to take Falman with you." Riza said and gave a small smile to them.
"Oh..right. Breda and Fuery hurry up and go pick up Falman, ill call the cab." said Havoc in a tone of a command then a request. He had a lingering feeling that perhaps he should stay with them a while longer but then gave up on the idea almost as soon as it came to him. He remembered the reason why it was hard for Roy and Riza to spend time with them, why he found himself hanging out with Fuery and Breda most of the time. They had their own world. Riza and Roy would not show any personal feeling or history when it came to socializing or being with people. Roy would put up a facade and follow his reputation as a womanizer. Riza would just always be Riza. Like the special moments he caught between the two thru out the years together in the office, this was the only time they ever showed their true self, their true emotions and history. Only with each other. Anybody else was an outsider, a third wheel and something that didn't belong in their world. Havoc decided best not to be the third wheel this moment but for reasons he couldn't understand he started feeling frustrated and a bad feeling in his stomach. He felt unsettled. "Take care guys. Be sure to get home safe."
"You too Havoc, Its okay ill take the Colonel home myself." Said Riza.
"Yeah...okay." for some reason at that time, that didn't sound good to Havoc ears coming out from Riza's lips. But with that he turned around and left outside to grab a cab stationed outside the bar. When Riza turned around she saw Roy back at the bar finishing his drink. More aware thanks to her subordinates about her action's, she sat next to him and ordered a glass of water. They sat quietly next to each other really not knowing how to even continue the topic they were on.