CHAPTER 2

OHEMGEE

Ah, Christmastime. The time of those greatly looked-forward-towards winter holidays had finally arrived, once December 1rst had rolled around. To be honest, Riza Hawkeye wasn't a huge fan of this time of year...Perhaps, she wondered, she might enjoy it more if she had, well, someone to spend the duration of the holidays with. Afterall, her father and mother were more than dead, and her grandfather was stationed out in the East...It wasn't an easy trip to get there, especially with how many people would be planning to ride the trains out to visit fellow family members.

As she sat at her homely desk within the Colonel's office, she couldn't help but let her thoughts fall astray...She was waiting for Roy to arrive for the day, so things could begin to roll on. Paperwork, paperwork, and quite possibly MORE paperwork was awaiting to be signed...Despite how spirit-collapsing it may be. Riza practically snorted out loud, at the thought of paperwork. Her fellow subordinates, and probably even the Colonel, all figured that she must adore any form of paperwork, on account of her constant nagging for them to complete it. They couldn't be more wrong.

Riza Hawkeye actually abhorred paperwork. But, if she acted on those feelings, she knew that only bad things would come from it. Demotions, diminished respect...It was always best, she thought, to follow rules, and do as told. She was the perfect little soldier, after all, wasn't she? Mustang's right-hand woman...The one person he trusted with everything, including his darkest secrets. She followed his each and every command, putting her heart into her work...Who was she fooling? There was no one to impress there.

There was no one, save for him.

He had her all worried and apprehensive over that one little letter that he had received the day before. It was strange, for Roy's family to suddenly contact him, and she knew that it stirred up sour feelings within Roy himself. She knew he wanted nothing to do with them, but barely knew why. She had only met Roy when he was a teenager, and he never once spoke of his past. He buried its secrets in a locked-away chest, and she wished she were special enough to hold the key. But whatever had happened to him...She was sure it wasn't good.

It was sad, to her. A very depressing matter. Part of her wondered why she should worry about someone else's problems, when it surely wasn't any of her business. Frowning to herself, as she sat at the desk, she responded mentally, 'Because he's everything.'

In fact, Riza didn't notice at first when the door to the office opened, and in strode none other than the Colonel himself, cheeks rosy from the Centralian winter chill. Her eyes widened once she realized that his presence was among her own, and she broke into a small smile.

"Sir..."

He turned, just as he was unwinding his scarf from around his neck. "Yes, Hawkeye?"

"Good morning." She lowered her eyes slightly, feeling a tad ashamed at her sad excuse for a greeting. Roy merely relaxed, into a tired, lazy smile, and hung up his outdoor garments on the ever-friendly coat rack.

"Same to you, Lieutenant." He peered over at his desk, hoping to whatever divine force that truly existed that he wouldn't have to labor too much on paperwork that day. Riza watched him curiously, her gaze weighed down by worry.

"Did you call them?"

Roy paused, then turned towards the window, gazing out at the snow-covered streets and grass. "Actually, no. They called me."

"Really..."

"Really."

"So did you talk with them?"

"I did."

"And did you decide what you're doing?"

"Yes."

"..."

"I'm going."

Her eyebrows arched high in surprise. "You are?" She blinked. "I thought you were fully intent on ignoring them, sir."

"Yeah, well...I felt guilty after a while, you know? And besides..." He took in a breath, releasing it in a sigh. "They're family, afterall."

"I'm glad that you came to that realization, sir." Her eyes softened, and she found that he didn't seem happy at the decision.

"Thank you. So, Hawkeye, do you have any plans for the holidays?"

With a rather heavy heart, she shook her head 'no'. He blinked at her.

"Why not?"

"There's simply no one here who is family, sir. Grandfather is out in the east, and you and I both know it's a long trip to get there and back. So, we merely exchange Christmas cards. I don't have anyone else to celebrate with...Other than Black Hayate. I just...spend my holidays alone."

Roy appeared troubled by her explanation, and then his face was submerged into a look of deep thought. "I wish I could do something..."

Riza smiled sadly, forlornly. "Don't, sir. I'm fine, Buraha and I are enough...Still, you should be glad that you have a family to spend the holidays with. It's something you should hold in high esteem...Having a family who cares enough to call you and invite you."

He was silent, lips pressed together into a thin line, before he turned fully towards her. "Why don't you come with me, Riza?" His voice was soft, and she admired the way his voice spoke her name. It made it sound...Beautiful, and magnified in importance.

She merely stared at him, shocked. "Sir...Are you...Inviting me to--"

"Yes. I am."

"But sir! I couldn't...They're YOUR family...I'm fine here..."

"Riza..." He walked closer, gazing into her eyes. "You wish you had a family, right? Well...Why don't I share mine with you, flaws and all?" He attempted to grin reassuringly, to convince her that it was alright, but she looked unassured.

"Roy..." He blinked at her, she rarely used his name. "If...If you would want me to come...Then I'll come."

Roy's lips curled up into a brilliant smile, and he nodded. "Yes, then we'll go together. I'm sure my folks won't mind a woman around...They used to harass me to get married."

Riza smiled slightly, feeling a strange flash of heat within her belly.

Maybe this Christmas wouldn't be so bad afterall, she mused.

xXXx

It was after work, away from Riza, that it hit Roy. His parents and his sisters would probably tease him mercilessly for bringing a woman that was merely his subordinate along...They would prod, and pry, until he successfully revealed his true intentions for bringing her. As he sat on his bed that night, while reading one of the novels that Riza had once reccommended, his mind began to wander...Why was he bringing her?

He snorted. A stupid question. Riza Hawkeye was his best friend in the entire world, now that Maes Hughes had been murdered. He clung to her like a baby Koala to its mother...He never wanted to let go, but feared of smothering her. He just wanted to be near her...To be worthy of breathing the same air she inhaled. Wasn't that what some people would label 'love'?

He was, most likely, in love with Riza Hawkeye. As he repeated the thought in his mind, turning it over and over while meditating over it, a fire was kindled deep within his chest. Those words sent his soul flying, with wings of burning flame...How corny; he snorted again.

His parents would surely find out, if not by words then by actions themselves, that he had deep feelings for his 1rst Lieutenant...They would be able to see it quite clearly, hear it in his voice, feel it with his interaction with her...And if they found out, which they would, they would endlessly tease him, and smother Riza as their 'future daughter-in-law'...It made him nauseous, the thought of them mortifying Riza with such claims. He was sure that Riza would look at him differently, once she knew he loved her. And it wouldn't be a good thing, he thought.

If only there were a way that-- Roy nearly shot out of bed when the plan, ludicrous and ridiculous, formed within his head. If he could convince Riza to act as if she and he were somehow romantically involved...Maybe it would be different. That was, if Riza actually agreed to such a stupid idea. Even Roy himself was unconvinced that it could work.

Still, it would be quite interesting...And perhaps, Riza would feel for herself that he, Roy Mustang, was thoroughly infatuated with her. It could work! He smirked, and seized the phone, dialing those familiar numbers that belonged to her own phone, and waited.

"Riza? Hi. What would you say if I asked you to act as my fiancee at my parent's house?"

xXXx

A/N: Hope it didn't suck too much...and I hope I didn't get into the whole plot thing too early...n-n;; I have a tendency of rushing into things. :P Please review with your own opinion on this chappy...And critique it as well. I can only get better if you send me feedback, you know:O!