A/N: Okay thanks to the plot bunnies here's chapter 2! First thanks to FullMetal-Flames for reviewing. I'm glad it sounded interesting and you wanted to read it. Also FMAlcheholic. Thanks bro I'm glad you like it (Yes it was a nice touch. XD). And to overcome reality. Good to hear it was funny and thanks for reviewing!
Edit: Hey guys I'm just as confused as you are about why it uploaded Chapter One again but I fixed it. Sorry about that I have no idea what happened! -_-"
Disclaimer: I don't own FMA. I own General Richardson but you all can have him. He's a douche. Just saying.
Riza moved away from the window knowing Richardson would be back but not knowing why.
-5 Months Later-
"You've been what?" Havoc, Fuery, Breda, Falman, and Hawkeye screeched. Roy sighed. "Don't make me say it again please." He looked tired.
"But sir," Havoc began. "That doesn't make sense. You've been transferred?" Roy nodded. "Back to the East." He told his men.
"Well that's not so bad. It's a minor set back but when we get there," Fuery began but Roy cut him off. "You all aren't coming." Everyone's eyes got wide as the stared at their commander.
"WHAT?" They all screamed again. Roy sighed and stood. He stared out the window sending the message he was as upset as they were.
"But Chief how?" Breda asked. Everyone nodded. "You need us. We're a team." Falman added. Roy put a hand to his temple. This was giving him a headache.
"It's not as weird as it seems. I was transferred and you all weren't." He replied simply. They all stared at Roy's back not believing it.
"None of us?" Fuery asked.
"None of you." Roy confirmed.
"Even Hawkeye?" Breda asked.
Roy hesitated. "Even Hawkeye." Everyone's jaw fell. They had thought for sure Hawkeye would at least go with him. Those two were a team no matter what. They were lost without each other. Especially Roy.
"Are they stupid?" Havoc demanded. "You'll be dead by the end of the month!" Roy turned at that. "Hey I resent that! I'm the Flame Alchemist after all!" He shouted. Havoc turned to Riza.
"How many times did he almost burn down the office?" He asked.
"84." She replied.
"How many times did you put it out?" Havoc asked.
"84." Riza said again.
"How many times has he almost died?" Havoc asked. Roy glared at him.
"53." She answered promptly.
"How many times did you save his ass?" He asked even though everyone knew the answer.
"53."
Havoc turned back to Roy. "What else can I say Chief?" Roy continued to glare at him. Havoc held his hands up. "I'm just saying. We don't want anything to happen to you." He told Mustang. Roy pulled his hand out of his pocket and snapped. A large burst of flames went right over Havoc hair and blew up the fly that had been flying around the room.
Havoc turned back to him. "Point taken but that fly wasn't trying to kill you." He told Roy. Roy was ready to blow Havoc's head off when Hawkeye stepped up.
"Alright both of you grow up." She said before turning to Mustang. "So if you won't be here who's our knew commander?" Roy shrugged. "Don't know yet. You're still stuck with me for another week." Riza nodded. "I assume you'll inform us when you know who's taking over in your place." She said.
"Of course." Roy said. He looked over her head to the wall clock. "Anyway it's time for lunch. You're dismissed." Everyone nodded and began cleaning up their stations for lunch break. Hawkeye was the last to leave and before she could get out the door Roy called out to her.
"Lieutenant." She turned back at the sound of his voice. "Yes, sir?" She had no idea what he wanted. "Come back in here for a moment. There's something I should tell you." He said. She furrowed her brow but re-entered the room and closed the door. She walked up and stood in front of his desk. He set his papers down to look at her.
"Lieutenant, I lied to you." He said flatly. Riza stared at him. He had lied? About what? He fidgeted slightly at the look she gave him. "I do know who will be here in my place and I thought I would…warn you." Now she was really confused. If anyone knew Riza could handle herself it was Roy. So why would Roy need to warn her?
"Okay." She said. "Are you going to tell me who it is and why I need to be warned Colonel?" Roy looked her in the eye. "You're really not going to like it. I did try to get someone else when I found out I was definitely leaving and I had to leave you." Riza understood all that. They all knew he had tried.
"Sir, please just tell me if you plan to." She said, getting tired of him delaying telling her. Roy exhaled heavily. "It's Liam Richardson." He said. Riza straightened at the sound of his name.
"I said I should warn you because I know you didn't particularly like him." Roy explained.
"Sir permission to speak freely?" Riza asked. Roy nodded. "That is one hell of an understatement." Roy stared at her. That definitely wasn't the reply he'd expected. Then again he never did know what to expect around his esteemed lieutenant. "What do you mean?" He asked.
"With all due respect I looked into General Richardson's file and found that he is an awful person." Riza stated, official as ever. Roy signaled to her to continue. "He has no respect for his fellow officers and was charged with physically abusing one of them. Being a higher up officer he got out of it." She informed the Colonel. Roy leaned forward and rested his chin in his hands.
"You looked through the file of a Superior Officer, Lieutenant?" He smirked at her. "You can be court marshaled for that you know?" Riza nodded formally. "Of course I do Colonel, but I knew there was something wrong about that guy and I was going to need to know to protect you. Also like the men said; you're dead without me." Roy lowered his head.
"Only if it rains…" He mumbled. Riza had to fight the urge to laugh. Roy really could be a child sometimes. He did pull himself together and turned his attention back to Hawkeye.
"Thank you for informing me. Be sure to watch him while he's here. I'll only be gone for a few months. Six at the most but I should be back after only four. I trust you to hold this place together and to continue to follow me when I return." He stated. Riza saluted.
"Of course sir. Even to hell." Was her automatic response. Roy nodded. "Glad to know I can always rely on you Hawkeye. Now go on your lunch break." Riza nodded and collected some things before turning to leave. She stopped in the doorway though and turned back to her commander.
"Colonel?" He looked up at her. "Do you have any…bad feelings? About this?" He thought about her question for a moment before responding. "I'm worried what might happen without you beside me. You've been there and I've been able to rely on you for years so that's got me concerned but I wouldn't say I have bad feelings about this." He told her. Riza nodded and looked at the floor. Roy stood up and walked up to her. He placed a gloved hand on her shoulder.
"You've got a bad feeling about the General don't you?" He asked. Riza looked the Colonel. "It's not that." She said. "I don't trust him and I don't particularly like how he treats his fellow officers." She stated.
"Female officers." Roy said. Riza looked at him confused. "He's never been, rude to a male officer. Only females." He explained. Riza stood straighter and pushed Roy's hand away. If there was one thing she hated it was sexism. After all she had worked hard to become a great sniper to watch Roy's back. And harder to make him get to where he was. She didn't see what men did to be so great. Granted women didn't really either but they fought for rights. Men had everything handed to them.
"I know that." She stated. "And I find it sick." Roy put his hand back on her shoulder. "I agree with you." His hand slide down to her back. Specifically where the burn scar was that he had made. "I don't know how he can live with himself knowing he's done something like that to someone." Riza bit her lip knowing he was thinking about her father and the array on her back. The array she asked him to burn off.
"Riza." The use of her first name surprised Riza and she looked up at Roy again. He met her gaze and held it steadily. "I know you can take care of yourself but please, if something happens don't be tough about it. Tell Havoc, Breda, Falman, or Fuery. Call me if you need to. Hell call Edward or Winry. Bring Rebecca down here, I don't care just stay safe." He squeezed her shoulder. "Don't do anything that could get you hurt."
"Colonel, I meant it when I said I can-." But Roy cut her off. "Consider that an order Lieutenant. If something happens to you I need someone to know when, where, who, why, and how so when I get back I can flame the son of a bitch." He stated.
Riza couldn't help but smile at that. Of course she knew Roy was completely serious but she should've known he wanted know what happened so he could get revenge. No one messes with Roy Mustang's team or the people he cares about without paying for it. Another way him and Edward were alike.
"Yes, Sir. I will inform someone if anything of that nature happens to me." She told him. And she meant it. Even if she didn't want to it was an order. Riza always obeyed orders from her commander.
Roy seemed to visibly relax as she agreed. "Thank you Lieutenant. Now is there anything else?" He asked. Riza thought momentarily. "If you do anything stupid, I'll shoot you." She said seriously. Roy couldn't help it-he laughed. He knew she wouldn't really shoot him unless he went totally insane and forgot all his goals and principles but she was still a force to be reckoned with.
Riza was glaring at him for laughing but he just smiled at her. "In that case," Before Riza knew what he was doing she was wrapped up in his arms as he hugged her.
She was about to protest when something stopped her. Riza wasn't sure what but she found herself hugging him back. He pulled her close and she did the same. Roy knew he wouldn't be back for a few months and when he did they had to be professional like always so he'd take this one moment if it were all he'd get. And he was happy with it.
"Go to lunch." He whispered in her ear before releasing her. They met each other's eyes before turning away from each other. Riza walked down to the cafeteria and Roy reentered his office.
-Later That Day-
Riza went our to file the paperwork and get the next load for the men. Roy had called them all into his office while she was out.
"What's up Chief?" Havoc asked wasting no time. "Yeah Boss, you waited until Hawkeye left. What's going on?" Breda pointed out. Roy looked up at his team. He let his gaze meet each of them in turn before speaking.
"I'm going to trust you all with something." Roy stood up. "No matter what, unless I say otherwise, you cannot tell Lieutenant Hawkeye about this." They all seemed surprised at that. Since when did Mustang and Hawkeye keep things from each other?
Roy came around and stood in front of his desk. "Earlier today I lied to you about something." They all seemed even more surprised, if possible. "I know who will be taking over for me while I'm gone but I didn't tell you because I need to tell Hawkeye first. I apologize." Roy informed them.
"Who is it Colonel?" Fuery asked.
"Brigadier General Richardson." Roy stated. The men all gave him question mark looks. "Surely you all know who that is." Falman spoke up there. "Yes of course sir, we just don't see why that would be so important to Lieutenant Hawkeye." Roy sighed.
"Lieutenant Hawkeye doesn't trust him. If you look into his files you'll find out he has a long history of mistreating fellow officers." They all nodded as that sunk in. Roy continued. "Or should I say mistreating female officers. Our Lieutenant has a bad feeling about him. As you are all well aware, Hawkeye is rarely wrong."
His men looked at each other and nodded. Riza was smart, and the day she was wrong would be the day they all died.
"Oh. I remember now. Isn't General Richardson the one who came to see Ed and Winry about 5 months ago?" Fuery asked. Roy nodded. "That's correct Fuery. Hawkeye met him then and got a bad feeling, which is why when I found out he'd be my replacement I decided to inform her first and without you all here."
"I have ordered Hawkeye to tell one of you if anything happens." Roy continued. "I told her to go to one of you, Rebecca, Fullmetal and Winry, or to call me personally."
"Hold up there a second boss." Breda jumped in. "You told her to go to Fullmetal? Why?" Roy sighed. "I meant she should go to Edward to contact Winry. You do know they're friends right?" They all shook their heads and looked a little surprised at the thought of Winry and Riza just hanging out and being girls.
Roy shrugged it off. "Anyway we know Hawkeye will obey orders but we also know she prefers to take care of herself so she might not say anything until it's to late. Do you understand what I'm saying?" He asked.
"You mean she'll plan to tell us but wait around until later so she can try to handle it herself first but it doesn't work out that way." Fuery supplied. Roy nodded. "Correct again Master Sergeant. So here's what I want you all to do," His men all stood up straight as Roy explained their mission.
"I want you to keep a close eye on her over the next few months. Don't watch her like a hawk. Considering she's the Hawk's Eye she'd find out so just observe her. We've been working with her for years so I assume you'll be able to notice any differences in her behavior. If you do, report them back to me immediately. Understood?" He explained.
They all nodded and saluted. "Yes, sir!"
Roy smiled. "Good. Do any of you have any questions?" He felt he needed to make sure everything was in check.
"I do sir." Fuery spoke up again. "Do you know when or if you'll be coming back?" Roy thought momentarily. He thought he'd told them. Maybe he'd just told Riza. "I'll be back in 3-4 months. This is only temporary." He informed them. They all smiled. Roy would be leaving nut at least it wasn't permanent. The only real problem was Richardson and only if he tried to pick a fight with the Lieutenant.
"Alright, now I have to go to a meeting and then I have to start clearing my things out of the office so if everything's clear I'd better go." Roy said. His men nodded so he turned and left the room.
A minute or two after the door shut Havoc turned to the rest of the men. "Bet you all he's hospitalized by the end of the first month."
"More than we can say about you." Breda told the others. "I heard that!" Havoc shouted.
"C'mon guys. I'm sure he'll be fine. Besides we weren't assigned to worry about the Colonel. We were assigned to worry about the Lieutenant." Fuery reminded them. Havoc waved his hand. "That's not for another week. Plus who said we were worried about him?"
"Don't act so tough Havoc." Falman told him. "We all know we wouldn't be laughing if something happened to Mustang. Especially if he got killed." They all got quiet at that. Falman was right. Sure they'd joke but if something did happen…people would die. Simple as that. Roy's men stayed together no matter what. They put their faith and lives in his hands and he never let them down so neither would they.
"Yeah…" Havoc said breaking the silence. "Although I don't see what Mustang's so worried about. I mean if anyone can hold their own against someone it's Hawkeye." He pointed out. The men nodded. "Actually," Falman began. "If you think about it, it makes sense." Everyone turned to him. "You'll have to elaborate there Falman. Not all of us are as smart as you."
"Simple, has Lieutenant Hawkeye ever gone against an order or talked back to a superior besides the Colonel?" He asked. They all thought before shaking their heads. "Never." Fuery said. Breda scoffed. "No wonder people call her the perfect soldier."
"So that's why Roy's worried. He thinks that no matter what Hawkeye would never go against a superior." Havoc stated. Falman nodded. "Correct. See you all can be smart." They all ignored Falman's comment though.
"You know it makes you wonder though." Fuery said. "Makes you wonder what Master Sergeant?" Havoc asked him. "I was just thinking; Hawkeye would never do anything against a superior except in the case of Colonel Mustang. Why?" It was a good question but unfortunately the best questions are usually the ones without answers.
"Maybe they've known each other longer than we thought." Havoc said. As far as they knew Roy and Riza met in Ishval. Maybe there was more to their story.
Whatever it was they would just have to wait and see.
A/N: Well there's Chapter 2! Honestly I wrote this chapter pretty fast but kinda got stumped at the end. I don't really like it; I think I could've done better but there were some good points in there.
Roy: Good points? What like that I'm incompetent?
Chameleon52: They said that in the beginning.
Riza: But then there was Havoc's comment at the end.
Chameleon52: Quiet Riza. Besides I love Havoc. He's hilarious. Especially when he's drunk.
Roy: How much time do you spend on Fanfiction?
Chameleon52: Probably too much but hey! It's my drug of choice! :D
Riza: Okay then…Hey are they ever gonna figure out what else happened before Ishval?
Chameleon52: I don't know. Plus I'm not giving spoilers.
Roy: So you're not gonna tell us if Riza dies?
Chameleon52: That's probably not gonna happen considering I'm completely against character death. Unless it's someone like Tucker the Fucker, Hohenhiem, or Rose.
Riza: Probably?
Chameleon52: Well that's all for us! I hope you enjoyed and don't forget to review! I love reading your feedback and predictions! Oh and here's how everything's doing:
M.T.C.T.L. Chapter 7- 70% Complete
Dumb Blondes Chapter 3- 20% Complete
FMA T Or D Chapter 7- 30% Complete
Gallagher Fic- 35% Complete
Chameleon52: That's all for now everyone!
~Chameleon52
