034. Telephone

Maintaining independence wasn't too hard for her to handle. Most of her childhood she had taken care of herself. She was used to being alone, even though she had become far too comfortable with the presence of her father's apprentice during a good portion of her childhood and teenage years. When she had entered the academy, she developed acquaintances and a few nice bonds, but for the most part, she was good at getting the job done and going about her day Now, however, she was actually glad she had made a close friend during the academy. Rolling over and staring groggily at her clock, Riza Hawkeye let out a dreaded moan and ran her hand down her face.

2:15 AM.

Nightmares be damned she would never get a good night's sleep. Dreams of Ishbal had been haunting her for months now and she was trying all she could to ignore the haunting images and find sleep. Nothing seemed to work. Swinging her feet over, she adjusted her night shirt and quietly moved to slip out of bed and not wake her dozing roommate.

"Nightmares again?" Just before her feet could touch the ground, a tired voice snapped the blonde's attention. Peering through the dark, she looked in the direction of her roommate and best friend's bed. There was a rustling before a light flicked on and a groggy dark haired woman looked across the room at her. Her wavy dark hair stuck out in strange angles as she looked at Riza was tired expectancy.

"Becky I'm sorry if I woke you." A hand was waved at the blonde absently.

"It's nothing. Tomorrow is Saturday anyway." The female muttered. "I wouldn't be able to sleep either if I just found out I was getting a position under one of the hottest men in the country." At this, Riza rolled her eyes. Rebecca Catalina was her best friend. They had met during the academy as roommates and despite being the same age, Riza had been the only one sent off to war due to her skills. Rebecca had offered her a place to stay until she was able to find a permanent and stable position. The pair had different mindsets but their friendship was unbreakable.

"I'm not too intimidated by the position, Becky. I'm doing what I've been trained to do." She informed as she neatly tucked her feet under herself. "And Roy Mustang is a very respectable military man who has faith in my abilities."

"And awareness of your rack." Riza scowled, her face reddening at the suggestive smile she was now receiving. Laughing, Rebecca crossed her arms under her own breasts and lifted them slightly. "I think if mine were as big as yours I'd have a great position with a hottie too." At that, Riza threw her pillow at the thoughtful female.

"You're impossible!" she growled only to get a laugh in return. Pulling the pillow from her face, Rebecca opened her mouth to argue back only to be cut off by a ringing. Both women went silent, blank expressions crossing their faces as they turned to each other.

"Is that the phone?"

"Yeah… but who could it be at this hour?" Neither moved as three more rings pierced the otherwise silence of the living room beyond the door. It was obvious that whoever was calling had something important they needed to say because a fifth ring sounded. "I suppose I should answer it." Riza muttered with an exasperated sigh.

"Don't answer it! It could be some teens making prank calls!" Rebecca called as Riza slipped on her slippers. Waving a hand over her shoulder in a dismissive manner, Riza shuffled out of the room and yanked up the phone.

"Oh what the hell!" A voice hissed on the other end. Rebecca had followed Riza out of the room and cocked a brow at the conflicted expression that crossed her best friend's face.

"Excuse me, who is this?" Riza finally snapped. The rustling she had heard on the other end immediately came to a stop.

"Oh! I… um, is Riza Hawkeye there?" This voice was far too familiar. She frowned, skeptical on who it could have been. She didn't know any male's in Eastern city that could have had her number, let alone any male who would call her this late.

"Speaking. Who is this?" There was an uneasy pause that caused Riza to glanced uneasily at Rebecca. The female raised an eyebrow questioningly. It was two in the morning and there was some man on the other line looking for Riza. It was creepy enough no one should have her number in the first place. "Hello?"

"It's Roy… I mean, Mustang… Uh, it's Roy Mustang." She would have dropped the phone if it wasn't for the intent look she was receiving from her female companion and the anxious and uncertain tone from the man on the other end.

"Ro- I mean, sir, you do realize what time it is? Is something wrong?" Turning, she faced her back to Rebecca, earning a disgruntled noise as she cradled the phone closer to her. There was a pause and an cough on the other end.

"Ah… um, oh I'm sorry, nothing's wrong… I was just… hey, knock it off!" By this point, Rebecca had inched closer to her friend, leaning towards the phone to hear whatever debate was happening on the other end.

"Sir?" The rustling and hushed whispering on the other end promptly stopped. Pursing her lips slightly, Riza allowed an exasperated sigh to escape. "Sir, have you been drinking?" Rebecca let out a snort while Roy's stammered voice sounded on the phone.

"Not much." He managed.

"Are you alone?" She should have known he wasn't alone.

"Um… I'm with Maes."

"Maybe he should take you home before you get yourself into an awkward situation, sir." There was a pause and the rustling made her assume he was nodding. She held back rolling her eyes. "I'll see you on Monday, sir."

"Um… yeah ok. G'night Hawkeye." At the dial tone, she gently placed the phone down and shook her head in a knowing manner. Old habits seemed to die hard. She remembered when he had gone off to the academy, the first week he had called the house, completely obliterated, going on about how she could come to visit and he would take her out for a night on the town. Bold promises that were never fulfilled. She had been in no place to up and leave to visit him, whether she wanted to or not. She was needed where she was.

"So, who was it? Mustang?" Rebecca asked anxiously.

"Yeah." A squeal escaped the dark haired female, earning a quizzical look from the blonde.

"What did he need? Did he ask you out on a date?" At this, Riza scoffed.

"That's fraternization, Becky." She pointed out, only to receive an outraged look.

"To hell with that. It's a good time!" Laughing, the blonde sniper shook her head and moved past her friend.

"It was a little bit of déjà vu is all." She answered before shuffling back to the bedroom, maybe able to conjure up an amusing dream of a flustered Roy Mustang and prying Maes Hughes, crammed in a telephone booth making drunk calls.