Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or objects; they belong to Fullmetal Alchemist. I do own my idea.

AN: Sorry if there are any mistakes I missed. Enjoy.


"After days of considering and planning your supposed last option, your family decides to speak to you one last time through the window," Riza said. "They don't know that it's the last time, so some of them aren't really sensitive to your situation."

Roy breathed deeper at the sound of her calm, the way her words formed naturally as if she were a natural healer, and never the infamous sniper from Ishval. She continued, "You're ready to turn your back to them and close your eyes, because your family is tired of worrying. They will never stop worrying until it's over…but you sit up before allowing yourself to even yawn. You ask yourself, 'If I sleep, will they end up in this place too?' You nod. 'They will, because they will have spent so many days and nights grieving over my happy spirit that they will wonder if things will ever get better.'"

"So what you're saying is," Rebecca said, gathering her thoughts. "-is that sometimes you have to face the worst, to see the best?"

Roy could almost feel Riza's single, yet firm nod through the air. "It's simple, but extremely difficult to accomplish. You have to find that last bit of strength to help you get out. You have to find your key, which varies from person to person," she said. "In Ishval, I was a monster…and now…after I've seen how my connections to said event made a difference in my life I realized that my key was Roy. I didn't want him fighting the battle alone in the military, so I fought too."

Rebecca gave a soft hum, and Roy finally didn't feel any scrutiny coming from her gaze. "I'm sorry, Riza, and thank you for telling me," Rebecca said. A pair of familiar hands rested on his arms, they were calloused and warm, so it must have been Riza. Then fresh hands gingerly grabbed his other arm: Rebecca. "And Roy, if you can hear me, I hope you can forgive me for…-for what I said earlier."

He tried to squeeze her hand, but his muscles refused to obey his command.

"You know," Rebecca said, pulling her hands away. "I remember when you first told me about Roy's plans about becoming Fuhrer."

Riza gave a light, bitter laugh. "Yes, you called him selfish, back then as well."

"Because I worried that he would actually go through with making the nation democratic, and both of you would face the firing squad for your actions in Ishval. And come to think of it, that would have been the same fate. Suicide."

"That is strange to think about."

The force of Rebecca's eyes returned to Roy. "Maybe Grumman selecting General Armstrong was a much better replacement than Roy, if that's what it meant. God must've been looking out for him."

"No, I think that maybe God wanted him to learn from all this pain," Riza said. "Have you ever noticed how the good ones seem to leave the world first? Like Brigadier General Hughes. Well, maybe it's God taking them away because they've learned everything there is to learn about happiness…or like I said before, 'they found their key.'"

"Hmm, yeah, so Roy has yet to find his." Rebecca's voice burst into a scold. "You had damn well better be there to help him find it!"

Riza laughed. "Of course, I will."

"Good, now let's go get lunch, I'm sure he'll be okay as long as you're not starving."

Roy heard the shuffle of chairs as they lifted themselves and stretched. Riza had helped him understand, and he didn't want her to leave just yet. He had to tell her what had been on his mind his entire career. He had too.

His throat itched and stretched as he took an intake of breath. He wheezed.

"Wait a minute, he's waking up," Rebecca said.

He tried again, his skin burning. "K-key…."

"What?" Riza yelped.

"Riza…is…" Roy breathed. "…my key…"


AN: This story has helped me understand myself better lately, and I feel happier since I started writing this chapter. Thank you all for reading, favoriting (Office says that's not a word, but whatever), following, and reviewing my stories: I see all of them and place them in a special email folder to motivate me when I need it. It's wonderful to know that I have such kind people giving time to read my work.

And to those of you who are struggling with depression, I hope that you stay strong and seek help. A quote from one of my favorite songs: "If things are as bad as they can be
You can be sure there'll be a brighter tomorrow." -Shaggy, Keepin' it Real. Take care, my friends.