Tsume-n-carnet: thank you for the wonderful reviews, I'm glad everyone likes it! and thank you for the suggestion 'icarus enjoyed the view.' I just may have to use it and probably will ;). on to the story we go!

Disclaimer: 'bout time I put another one in. I DO NOT OWN FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST. so don't sue me :).

Settling In

Somewhere at sometime there was a phrase written down by someone.

'A man should face his death with dignity.'

Well, whoever had written that had obviously never been on the recieving end of one very pissed Colonel Roy Mustang.

As Havoc faced the glaring face of said Colonel, he wished desperately that the moron who had written that could be in his shoes at the moment. See if they lasted ten seconds without bolting out the door crying "I'M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!" at the top of their lungs, dignity be damned.

Jean swallowed hard for about the fiftieth time in two minutes. He was clenching his jaw so tight his cigarette was just about split in half and he was farely certain he heard his teeth crack. He had known the chief would be angry about Havoc taking in his sister, but it hadn't really hit home until Roy's sister had arrived at her brother's office after having talked to Jean in the hall.

Havoc had arrived just in time to see Kya exiting the Colonel's office, smirking to her heart's content. Once she was gone, a thunderous roar had ripped through headquarters, signing Havoc's death warrant.

"HAVOC!"

And now Jean stood before his superior officer, who was currently giving him an 'I'm-going-to-kill-you,-immensly-enjoy-it,-then-bring-you-back-and-do-it-again' glare. It was all the lieutenant could do to keep from running out the door screaming like a 3-year-old girl.

"You know why your here, lieutenant?" the Colonel started, deceptively calm, leaving Havoc praying the man would go back to yelling. The quiet was even more unnerving and Jean wished like hell the chief had forgotten his gloves that day. Unfortunately, Roy had them on like he always did. Jean swallowed again.

"I-I hope n-not, sir," he managed to choke out. His attempt at humor died the second it fell from his mouth and Havoc actually flinched as Roy's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

"My sister just informed me that you have... graciously... agreed to take her in for the remainder of her visit," Roy continued. Havoc winced at the sarcastic way the Colonel had spat 'graciously.'

"Uh... y-yes sir," was all he could bring himself to say.

"I don't mind telling you up front, lieutenant, that I am not happy about this." Roy's eyes narrowed again with malicious intent. "However, as my sister pointed out, she is an adult and will do as she pleases and there isn't much I can do."

Jean clenched his hands, trying to hide the fact that they were sweating from the Colonel.

"So... I am going to allow this living arrangement..."

'for now'

The words hung silently between the two as Jean supressed the urge to shudder. After letting the silence drag out for another agonizing minute or so, Roy finally uttered an edgy, 'Dismissed lieutenant.'

Jean let out an involuntary sigh of relief, snapped a shaky salute, and made for a quick exit.

"However, lietenant," Roy's voice cut like ice as he stopped Havoc just inside the door. "Keep this in mind. You so much as look at my sister... your ass is ash."

Jean swallowed hard and bolted from the room. Like he said before, dignity be damned.

---

Riza watched out the window of the car as her grandfather drove her to her 'home' for the next while. A black and white dog sat in her lap, it's tail wagging enthusiastically. Riza glanced at her grandfather, seeing a huge grin on his face, before returning her gaze out the window.

Riza had been relieved when she saw her grandfather for the first time... at least she remembered someone. And she had found it easy to warm up to the pup who had been introduced as Black Hayate, even if she never remembered having a dog... he was a sweety and very well behaved. All in all, Riza had started to feel a little better about getting out of the hospital.

But now, as they neared the Colonel's house, Riza's anxiety began to rise. It wasn't that Roy made her uncomfortable, quiet the opposite acctually, she found his pressence... calming in a way. It was just that there was always a sadness in those dark eyes that Riza knew had to do with her. At times, she felt a little guilty for having forgotten someone who had obviously been a dear friend to her.

That... and Riza was a little nervous about living alone with the Colonel. He was a very handsome man, something she had noticed the second he'd walked into her room. As disheveled as he had seemed, he was still very attractive. Riza felt an underlying tone of mutual attraction when he was arround, but she knew that they had never been more than friends, mainly because she had been his subordinate... or, so she guessed. But the attraction was there, and Riza was a little unnerved by it.

Riza sighed and started stroking Hayate's fur, the pup looking up at her with what Riza could've sworn was a reassuring smile. She smiled back and took a deep breath.

Oh well, everything would work out ok. Besides, Roy may be able to help her get her memories back, if they came back at all.

The car finally stopped in front of a decent sized manor house, and Riza had to swallow back a gasp of shock. The place was... well... huge!

"Ready?" her grandfather asked gently. Riza gave him a shaky smile and nodded. He helped her out of the car and lead her through the wrought iron gates towards the front door. A few soldiers followed with her luggage. Riza took a deep breath as her grandfather rang the bell and patted Hayate's head as he stood next to her.

A few moments later, Roy opened the door, smiling as he met Riza's gaze.

"Afternoon, Colonel," the general started. Roy looked over to him and snapped a salute.

"Afternoon, general," he replied formally. When Roy turned back to Riza, she did her best to smile through her ringing nerves. "Riza, welcome. I trust the ride was tolerable?"

Riza almost laughed at his 'casual conversation.' Something was telling her that he was nervous, and she was relieved that it wasn't just her.

"It was fine, Roy, thank you," she responded, starting to relax. Roy nodded and then looked down at the pup.

"Ah, Hayate," he greeted the young dog. "how have you been boy?"

Hayate wagged his tail and barked once, causing Riza's smile to widen.

"Good, well," Roy looked back to Riza and her grandfather. "I'll show you to your room, if you'd like."

"Sure," Riza resoponded lamely. She smiled again as she followed Roy through his house. He lead her up the stairs and down a long hallway. As they walked, he told her where everything was.

The bathroom was the first thing he pointed out, right across from the stairs, which was next to a closet with towels and such. A few other doors occupied the hall, but Roy said they weren't important. Next he pointed out his room near the end of the hall, and finally, her room.

Roy opened the last door in the hall and stood aside for Riza to enter. Black Hayate immediately went for the large bed, jumping up and creating a nest out of the covers. Riza entered a little more slowly and surveyed what was to be her home for the next while. The room had a rather large closet, a desk, and the large bed beside a dresser. It didn't look like all that much, but she supposed it would take a few weeks before she really had it feeling like 'home'.

"It's wonderful, thank you Roy," she said, placing a bag down by the dresser.

The general looked between his grandaughter and the Colonel for a moment before politely clearing his throat.

"The rest of your things are down stairs, dear," he started. "And even though I hate to leave you... duty calls."

Riza swallowed hard, her nerves returning as she realized her grandfather was going to leave her... alone... with Roy. She smiled a little shakily and went to embrace the general, kissing his cheek lightly when she hugged him.

"I'll visit you soon," the general told her. In a quieter voice, he continued. "Don't worry, dear, the Colonel's a good man. You'll be fine."

He gave her a reassuring squeeze before turning to say goodbye to the Flame Alchemist. Then he dissapeared out the door and down the stairs. Riza and Roy stood in an awkward silence for a long moment, the only sound being Hayate's content snores. Finally, Roy cleared his throat.

"Well, I'll go start getting the rest of your things," he said, turning to the door.

"I'll help you," Riza answered, relieved to have something to do. Roy spun around and held up his hands.

"That's quiet all right, Riza, I can manage it. I'm sure you must be tired. You should get some rest," he told her, trying to cut off any arguments.

Riza blinked for a moment before frowning. His words greatly annoyed her. He didn't have to act like she was going to break or collapse at any moment.

"Thank you, Colonel, but I am perfectly capable of carrying a few bags," she said sternly, her hands on her hips. "I am going to help."

Roy supressed the urge to shudder. It was the use of the title 'colonel' that made him especially grateful Riza didn't currently have a gun on her. Yet... at the same time... he got an insane urge to smile. At that moment, she looked more like the old Riza Hawkeye than she had since waking from the accident. It made him want to laugh and pull her into a hug.

Riza shifted slightly as Roy just stared at her. Had what she said really been that weird? She fidgeted, waiting for Roy to move or say something.

"What?" she asked, a slight tint of pink in her cheeks as he continued to simply look at her. Riza's breath hitched when he let out a gorgeous smile.

"Nothing," he started, slight amusement in his coal eyes. "It just seems some things never change."

He was out the door and down the stairs before Riza could ask what he meant. She cast a confused glance at Hayate, still slumbering on his back, before following out the door to help with her things.

---

Kya looked around the two bed dorm, almost laughing at how much it looked like she had imagined... an absolute mess. Havoc's bed was a mess with rumpled sheets and discarded pajamas. The other bed, aka. her bed, was piled with random newspapers, magazines, a book here or there, and at least a month's worth of clothes. Pizza boxes and take out containers littered the floor and every flat surface had at least one ash tray and a lighter on it.

Kya headed over to her bed and dropped her bag on the floor. She heard Jean enter and take off his coat.

"Sorry about the mess," he said a little sheepishly, his cheeks gaining a red tint. "I haven't had much time to clean lately."

Kya offered him a sweet smile.

"Oh don't worry about it," she said. "I'd be lying if I said i wasn't a bit of a slob myself."

Jean smiled back before moving to clear all of the junk off of her bed, all the while shoving half of it underneath his. Once he had managed to clear it off, the two just stood in an awkward silence, as Jean couldn't think of anything to say. Kya cocked an eyebrow and just went to dig out her nightclothes.

"Bathroom?" she asked, breaking the silence. Jean cleared his throat.

"Oh-uh- just through there," he pointed her towards a slightly open door at the foot of her bed. Kya nodded and went in to change.

Havoc sighed, mentally kicking himself for not being as smooth as he wanted, before stripping out of his shirt and changing into some pajama pants. He was just climbing into bed when Kya came back out. Jean felt his jaw go slack and his mouth go dry.

Apparently Kya's pajamas consisted of a silk, black, nightgown that hugged her form perfectly and reveiled enough leg to put him in danger of a nosebleed. Kya headed over to her bed, well aware of Jean's eyes on her, before she turned around, giving him a pointed look. Havoc snapped his mouth shut and quickly rolled over to face the wall, his face a lovely shade of crimson.

Kya smiled to herself before climbing into bed and reaching over to turn off the light on the night stand.

"Good night, Havoc," she cooed sweetly before settling down. He was just to easy to tease.

"Night," Jean mumbled, vaguely remembering the Flame Alchemists warning in his head.

Havoc groaned slightly and thought for what must have been the thousandth time that evening,

'What have I gotten myself into?'

Tsume-n-carnet: Ok, that's enough for now... so, review please! I request no flames as I generally ignore them anyway. If you have a critique, please phrase it delicately. THANKS! Later y'all!