Hey look! I FINALLY updated! But I had this paper to do... you know, those kinds that's required by the state andcount for half of your freaking grade. Then I had to study for this huge math test because it was supposed to be the hardest one yet, as my teacher says it is, but in acutality, it was really easy, and I could have used my studying time to type this up, but I didn't because I was studying. And then I have a history project due. Oh, yeah, our publications class needed to meet our first deadline, and I'm the Editor. :sigh: so much excuses...I know, I know. But I was really really busy. Anyways, thank you so uber much to my reviewers. You make me happy!

On to the chapter...

Chapter 14

Riza walked down the hallways and into the lobby where her hawk eyes (no pun intended) scanned the room, looking for that ever-familiar mop of black hair and those intense black orbs. She glanced at the lounge chairs. No Roy there. She looked over at the counter. He's not there, either. She looked around the room twice, but she couldn't find Roy. Riza frowned. "He told me he'd be here," she mumbled to herself, looking confused. She glanced at the clock. She hadn't taken a lot of time getting ready, probably 10-15 minutes at the most; that's not a long wait. But then, she knew that Roy could get impatient easily and probably went to find one of those preppy, air headed sluts to flirt with. A surge of anger welled up in her and her amber eyes flared. Humph. If Roy wanted to waste his time on a wannabe prostitute, let him be. But he should know better than to ditch her to do just that. Through her anger and jealousy she mumbled incoherently. "The nerve of him! Leaving me like that!" She stood there fuming until the receptionist behind the counter, whom she had met earlier, called to her.

"Ma'am!"

Riza blinked, confusedly, looking to who had called her. She walked over to her and smiled (although, she had to force herself to do so). "Yes?"

"Is something wrong, dear? You look like you're about to kill someone." She laughed.

"Yeah, I think I might," Riza muttered darkly. Her hand twitched towards her back where her handgun was concealed beneath her jacket.

"What was that, love?"

Riza forced another smile and said, "Oh, nothing. Um, by the way, have you seen Roy Mustang? You know, tall, black hair and dark eyes? The man I was with earlier?"

"Why, yes, of course! I saw him, just sitting there on that chair," she gestured to the seat by the window. "Poor thing looked so lonely, so I asked him what he was doing sitting there. And he smiles and says to me, 'Waiting for somebody special.' I thought my heart just melted right then. Such a simple reply, but it held some precious meaning in it, didn't it? And his eyes… they looked at me with such warmth and love as he said that." She paused and sighed happily. "Well, I guess you're that special somebody he was talking about. You are a lucky woman, dear, to have someone like him love you that much."

"Sure." Riza's mind was reeling. Somebody special? Love? Does that mean that he...? No, Riza! We're 'justfriends' remember? Anyways, if I were that special, he would still be waiting here for me. "So… if you saw him sitting there, you must have seen him leave?"

"Yes I did. About a few minutes after he said that, he suddenly gets up like the seat was on fire, and walks out the door. I'm not sure where he went, but I'm pretty sure I heard him say 'flower shop' as he was walking out. He must've been in a hurry; I saw him, through the window, running as soon as he closed the door."

"The flower shop?" Isn't that where—what's her name? Was it Nancy? No. Mary? No. Jane? Alice? Gloria? No…it was Grace! Grace was the girl who worked at the flower shop…and Roy went there to flirt with her! Riza clenched her fists and silently cursed. She had to use all her willpower to keep from getting her gun out to shoot at anyone or anything. Who the hell does he think he is? That bastard! Am I merely a toy to him? I've protected his back and did all these things for him and this is how he repays me? By leaving me to flirt with some other girl?

Riza's face betrayed no emotion of the rage she felt within her, but her eyes told a different story. They flickered with anger and murder and jealousy burned in her gaze. But a glimmer of sadness, hurt, and desperation could be seen if one looked closely enough. Luckily, the receptionist didn't notice this and went on with her business as she continued talking to Riza.

"Yes, I'm pretty sure that's what he said. You know, I'm so happy that you two are getting together, dear. When the two of you came in this afternoon, I could tell you were destined for each other. I mean the way you look at each other and how you two just fit perfectly… it's a match made in heaven. I remember when I met my husband. It was so romantic…" By this time (actually, before that), Riza had already tuned her out and turned around to head out the door to hunt down Roy. She had no intention of staying with an overly giddy, talkative, and, from what she could gather from the last conversation, a tad bit gossipy woman. And people wonder why she doesn't have many lady friends.

As Riza approached the door, she heard the woman call out to her, "Have fun, dear!" Riza's eye twitched. Those "dear" and "love" pet names were starting to get pretty irritating. Apparently, her anger was not doing her temper good. One more annoying little comment and she was bound to explode. Nevertheless, she looked over her shoulder and gave a weak smile. "Thanks."

Riza reached for the doorknob and opened the door to find a disheveled Roy Mustang in front of her, holding a single red rose in one hand while the other was still outstretched, reaching for the door handle. His head was bent down, his gaze still focused on the previous location of the doorknob before it had been pulled away.

"Huh?" Roy looked up and as soon as he saw what Riza was wearing, he had to use all his might to resist the urge to smirk, but failed desperately. "Well, who knew that the one person who detested my miniskirt plan so avidly, would have a one of her own?" Riza scowled in reply. Roy laughed at this, and then smiled and said, "But you still look beautiful, Riza." It was true. She was wearing a brown sleeveless blouse that hugged her curvy figure. The miniskirt that Roy had been commenting on was black and had reached mid-thigh, showing off her smooth legs. A pair of heeled black boots covered her feet and a white jacket cinched the outfit. After a few moments of staring, Roy suddenly realized that he was doing just that. He gave her the rose he had been holding and watched as her scowl turned into a small smile then into a look of confusion. Roy became worried. "What? You don't like it?"

"No, no. It's lovely. Thank you." She smiled, but Roy could tell she didn't mean half of that smile she wore. He silently cursed. Damn it! I knew I should've gotten the chocolates…I mean all women love chocolate, right? "I…I just never expected this."

"You know, I had to run all the way down to the other block just to get you this. I know it's not much, but I thought that it wouldn't be… gentlemanly without some flowers to start a night out for dinner."

Riza was touched, but she was still somewhat pissed and a little suspicious that he did go and flirt. "Oh… so which flower shop did you go to?" she asked trying to sound nonchalant.

Roy looked thoughtful. "I don't really remember. I just went to the nearest one I could find. Normally, I'd go to Grace's, but it was too far away to run to. Why do you ask?"

Riza flushed, feeling guilty that she had made such a stupid assumption about Roy. "Oh, no reason. This rose is really beautiful. I just wanted to know where you got it." He looked curiously at her.

"Well, okay. Shall we go, then?" He offered his arm, to which Riza smiled at.

She replied with a "yes" and took his arm.

Yeah, I know, it's kind of short and it's not all that interesting, but whatever. Um... based on the reviews, I can tell that a lot of you liked my vision, so I wrote a version of it and posted it in my collection of drabbles,Talking to a Dog, if you want to read it. And another thing... for you Royai lovers out there, there's a Royai forum by luvinaoshi if you guys want to go check it out. Support the Royai love, baby! tee hee.

The next chapter probably won't take as long as I did with this one, so watch out for it. Well, now that you have read, you must now review because that is the law of equivalent exchange.