Chapter 20

(A/N: Okay now this is something I've been almost dying to write for a while. I had prewritten it in tablets and on my iPod and such and such, I strangely don't find inspiration at home anymore. I'm still iffy about some things I tried. Enjoy readers!)

Tarin's P.O.V.

"Thank God!" We walked into Roy's home soaking wet. My clothes were drenched to the point my underclothes were wet; and the fact that I wore a skirt and a white shirt tonight made things worse. "Why is it so cold in here? You're supposed to be the Flame Alchemist."

"Don't use puns." He replied with a light glare. I stuck my tongue out at him. Walking across his living room, he tried turning on his lamp but it didn't work. "The lightning must have cut the power", he mumbled.

Shivering was all I could do as he walked along the dark room. Out of nowhere a big flash of light entered through the window and went away as quickly as it came. I didn't see much but enough to see some of the room's interior design and the Colonel's figure. Soon a small flame was in the room. Roy was holding a candle and had on one of his gloves.

"Is this better?" He asked as he walked over to me. All I could do was nod as he handed me the candle. "It's not much but it's at least some light. You can sit anywhere you like; I'm going to go look for more candles and find something to keep us warm." He then walked through a hallway into the darkness.

Sitting in the closest chair I could find I thought on what all just happened. The fact that I'm in Roy's home due to this terrible weather seems to be too far of a reach for Taylor to try. She and Cathelynn were the ones who got me the singing gig at that pub; can't complain much since it was good cash. But it's mostly the fact that I met up with him that is weird. Wasn't he supposed to be on a date or something?

Looking around the room, only seeing as far as the flame light would let me, I decided to see what was in the room. All I could see was two other chairs, the coffee table that was right in front of me, and a radio that sat on a small stand. The design of the room looked simple with mostly the color of the dark wood furniture and the eggshell white walls.

"I wonder…" I whispered to myself as I stood. I walked along the room until I came to the door way that led into the kitchen. The kitchen was small but still nice. Continuing my snooping I felt something against my foot. "Huh.. What's this?" I put down the candle and crotch down to see that it was just a mug. "It's better than there being food or something messy. Guess not all guys live as mess as others I've known. Or maybe East City guys are just cleaner." I laughed at the thought of how some of my guy friends back at home lived. I placed the mug on a counter and scrolled out of the kitchen. Back in the living room I could see light coming out of the hall where I think Roy went. "Roy?" I didn't get an answer back. "Hey, if you're trying to joke around I'm not in the- AHH!"

"What?" Speaking of the devil, said man popped out of nowhere in front of me holding another lit candle.

"Why'd you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Scare me." I yelled at him. I then started to notice the smirk on his lips. "What are you making that face for?"

"Because I scared you." He then turned and walked down the hall. I felt my face heat up in anger and embarrassment as I followed close behind. As we walked farther we stopped in front of a door and he turned to me. "This is my room." I gave him a look.

"I don't care how romantic lit candles are. I'm not going in there." He looked at me dumbfounded before laughing in a fit.

"No, no." He tried his best to stop. "I wouldn't make a move on you that quick." I just glared at him. "I came back here earlier and picked out some clothes for you. I know you were hoping to get out of those wet clothes soon."

"Uh… Thanks." I said a little confused. He just looked at me. "You know you didn't have to do that. I mean, my clothes will eventually dry and…" I trailed off not knowing what else to say.

"It's ok. I'm doing this out of consideration. You're my guest and you will get sick in these soaked things." He pulled lightly on my shirt.

I knew I couldn't fight back so I sucked up my pride and went in the room to change. After the door closed behind me I let out a deep breath. 'I'm not sure why, but I have a weird feeling about this.'

-x-

"Roy?" I said when I walked down the hall, now with warmer clothes on. I saw him in his living room sitting on his couch with a paper in his hand; I hid a little behind the corner. He looked up at me and motioned me closer. I sighed as I came from my hiding spot. To wear Roy had given me a button-up shirt, which fit me like a short nightgown, and a pair of pants, that were baggy. I sat beside him but kept a distance. "What?" I could feel his eyes on me. He just shook his head. When I look to him he was looking at the paper. "You were looking at me."

"And now you're looking at me." He smirked. I didn't let him get to me and kept a straight face. My eyes then went to the paper he had. I began reading its contents. "And you decide to look at other peoples things. What if was something you'd regret looking at?" He moved the paper out of my eye sight. "It could be from one of my admirers."

All I did was make a little huffing noise and scooted farther away from him. That paper was my source of attention but I had to find something else. The flame of the candle was the first thing to come into my sights so I settled on that. I felt myself become amazing and slightly hypnotized by the dancing flame. I was very into it but was snapped out by a touch my shoulder that pushed me. I realized it was Mustangs arm that pulled me to him. He still had his eyes on the paper like before except he had it lower that it was in my eye sight.

'What in the…' I didn't know if to argue back or to be okay with it. All I knew is that I had this feeling; this feeling felt familiar but I couldn't point out from where. Looking up at the Colonel, his eyes were still concentrated on the paper. "Mustang-"

"Tarin…" He said not realizing he interrupted me and I let that go. "I'm sorry." With his black orbs still fixated on the paper I doubt he could see the expression of confusion on my face and continued to speak. "I deeply apologize for the way I acted awhile back. I know you had apologized back then but still… I overreacted because I wasn't used to someone saying something like that. I realized that I attacked you without fully understanding your situation first. I should have listened to everything you told me that night instead of getting angry like a child." He then turned to me. "Tarin, I may not know all you might have went through in your life and I know I can't change anything from your past or how you feel about things but if I could at least do as little as making sure you don't have to go through any of that again— help you grow to trust some of us around you, make you feel comfortable around us and let us get to know you. Tarin… I-"

"Stop!" Reacting without knowing, I had pushed him to where he had fallen out of the chair. I don't know what had come over me but hearing him saying these things was weird. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" I helped him up back on the couch.

"It's okay Rin." He rubbed the back of his head. Looking at me I noticed his eyes softened a little. "But anyways, Tarin, I would really want you to forgive me for how I acted. Please?"

I couldn't say anything. In my mind I wanted to either tell this wasn't the time for this or just walk out of the room but my stupid body wouldn't listen. I didn't know what to do or what to say or how to even feel right now. Everything was all confusing. I then realized his ungloved hand was on my cheek.

"No!" I jumped away from him and stood up.

"What?" He sounded baffled. "Tarin I'm sorry if-"

"Don't come near me!" He was starting to inch closer to me and stopped. I look at him as I felt the warmth on my cheek from where his hand was. I couldn't shake the weird feeling I had just then; his touch made me sort of snap.

"What's wrong? Tell me."

"Why is it that you need to know so badly?" I shouted at him. "Why is it that you are trying so hard to understand me? Why do you want to know anything about me? I have nothing special to say that you make me more valuable to you in any way."

"I want to know about you because you're on my team." He stood in front of me but I didn't back down.

"And that gives you a right to know everything there is to know about me? I don't care if you're over me, I don't care if I'm on your team, I wouldn't even give a damn if you were older than me; I do not have to tell you anything about my life or who the hell I am. Other than being my superior you are nothing to me!" The next thing happened too fast I couldn't react in time.

Roy grabbed me by both of my wrists and put me down onto the couch. I laid there pinned as he hovered over me. He straddled me so I was just about completely unable to move. I tried struggling to escape but that was easier said than done.

"Get the hell off of me! I told you not to even come near me. You're such a fucking hot-head, stubborn-"

"Shut up," Was all he said before his lips came crashing onto mine.

Everything suddenly went blank for a moment. All I could remember right now was that night we first started arguing and he kissed me like this before walking out. All I was aware of around me was Roy and myself; I forgot about everything around me, like everything was centered on this moment. I neither moved at all nor could even think of anything to say, just like that night. The emotions that went through me that night started to become more anticipated. I didn't want to see that look he gave me. I didn't want to feel that hateful gaze. I want to break down into tears again. I didn't want that cold feeling I had. I didn't want that feeling of loneliness. I don't want to lose this warm.

I then felt his tongue lick my lip, asking nonverbal permission to enter. I couldn't do a thing, not even resist, so he took complete control. Feeling his wet tongue explore my mouth sent chills and shivers down my body; I couldn't think straight. Didn't know if this was what I wanted or not but I let it all happen anyway. He deepens the kiss more and more and out of instinct I reciprocate.

He soon departed our lips and looked down at me. I knew I looked completely flustered and helpless. His facial express was blank, not counting his partially opened mouth for breathing.

All that buzzed through my head was, 'Please don't be like last time. Please don't be like last time…'

"Tarin…" His hand let go of my wrist and went to my cheek. It made me tremble a little and I shut my eyes. "Tarin Slivers… I don't know what it is about you. May it be that you're headstrong, a lone-wolf, or that you're just so stubborn, I don't know. It's just… I can't keep you out of my mind… I think I'm falling for you."

My eyes shot open. I looked directly into his eyes and saw the seriousness in them. "What?"

"I can't put it together completely but I find myself thinking about you. Today when I was with someone else I couldn't help but think about you. I would think about one subject and it somehow goes to thinking about you. Ever since that night we were together I couldn't forget that look on you face and all what you told me. From all of this I came to realize that I can't be without you. Even though we fuss and fight at work, you help me get through the day. No other woman I've known has been like you. You just being you makes me want to know more about you. I want to know you Tarin." He looked at and rubbed his thumb against the side of my face. I hadn't noticed that tears were rolling down my face. There was a lump n my throat so I could barely talk. All I did was let out a few sobs and he wrapped his arms around my waist. I started to mumble a few words. "What was that?"

"C-can…" The words were getting caught in my throat. "Can you promise… me something?"

"Anything." He looked at me.

"Promise not to… hurt me. Promise me that you'll treat me differently than how I was in the past. Promise me that I won't be like those other girls you once knew." I sniffled a bit. "Please promise me at least that much."

He smiled and kissed my forehead. "I promise: I won't let you go through any more pain. I'll love and protect you from all of that."

I tightened my grip on him and more tears flowed. 'Please love me… Love me for real… Love me differently than they did…' I then felt myself relax and feel at ease.