Chapter 45: Never Say Never (The Fray)

"What is this for again?"

"I don't know, Sir. I wasn't listening the first seventy-nine times I said it."

A sigh. "And why are we here again?"

"Because we have to be."

Roy rolled his eyes. Much as he was Chris's son, there were certain social events that rubbed him the wrong way, and military balls were up there on the list. There were so extravagant that it was obscene, and the amount of secret deals and ass-kissing that went on had Roy feeling unclean for days. It always worried him that he really would go corrupt one of these days, but at least the worry kept him level-headed.

Riza smoothed her dress out of nervous habit. "Because we have to be," she murmured under her breath, closing her eyes for a moment. At least Roy had grown up with social functions. Though she had the routine down, Riza still preferred to stay to the side and watch as much as she could.

Technically, Roy was the only one required to be here, but keeping an eye on Roy was one of her chief duties, if not one she was paid for. Roy never failed to remind her of that. "If you don't go, Lieutenant, I don't."

She'd always narrow her eyes just a little and mutter, "Blackmailer," but she never failed to accompany him.

Most people didn't really bat an eye by now. Speculation was always going around, but there was never any proof to back it up. Telling stories about drunken generals was far more interesting now. The most Roy and Riza got as of late was a knowing smile and a wink, which was actually more disconcerting. Glares were easily returned, but reciprocating this newest gesture could be problematic.

Well, nobody seemed to care tonight—that was a blessing. However, that made it almost boring. The mood was rather subdued; tensions were high for some reason. Most people stuck to their own groups more than usual.

"I don't like this." Riza was on high alert. "They understated something in the security briefing."

Roy was surprised. "Don't they usually tell you outright if there's anything to watch out for?"

Riza nodded. "It seemed like they were trying to sniff someone out."

"An inside job?" Roy sat up straight. He smiled a little and nervously joked, "They're onto me."

"Please don't say that, Sir. Someone might actually think you're—"

The unmistakable sound of gunfire cut Riza off. She immediately dropped to the floor and hitched up her dress to grab her gun.

"Riza!" Roy yanked her to the side just as a gunshot went off. Roy grabbed Riza's gun and returned fire when she didn't. The assailant dropped his gun, down but not out. "Riza, are you all right?" He had to half-yell over the exchange of gunfire.

"I'll be fine." There was a graze on her cheek from dropping so quickly, but what worried Roy more was Riza's arm, where blood seeped out from between the fingers she had clasped around it.

"All clear!" It was Havoc, who'd been on in-the-wings security. "All assailants have been apprehended."

Roy crawled out from under the table and helped pull Riza out. Someone hurried over with a first aid kit—Riza's wound wasn't that deep, but she was advised to stay seated until she left.

"I'm glad you're alive." Roy said it quietly, but he meant every word.

"I'm glad you're alive, Sir," sighed Riza. "Even though I was just grazed, I was hoping that, if I was somehow killed there, you wouldn't have to watch."

"Riza, I'd stay with you until the very end. Please don't ever hope otherwise."

It wasn't worth the argument, and as much as she probably shouldn't admit it, Riza liked hearing it. "And I'd do the same for you."

Roy put his arm around Riza's shoulders and pulled her closer. In all the confusion, nobody would mind such a thing.

Riza let herself relax and wish, just for a minute, that this momentary peace would never end. Tonight had proven that she might easily never have a chance at this again. What seemed such a comfort was keep her together at the moment. She'd be able to stand on her own two feet again later, but for now, one thought was running through her head: Don't let me go.

And for the moment, she knew Roy wouldn't.

A/N: You wouldn't believe what the conflict was BEFORE I edited this: an alchemist creating a sinkhole and Roy and Riza having to separate to help people.

So, as bad as this might be now, take comfort in the fact that it was a borderline crackfic before in terms of situation. Attempted assassination with a gun just seemed to work better. Don't know who they were aiming at, but it served its purpose. (And actually, before that, I was just going to have them dance. How incredibly boring. :) )

Well, 5 to go until 50! If I really get revved up, I might try for 100. Only time will tell.

Drop me a line!