Awwwright, chapter 8!
This chapter could have been up like a week ago, if it weren't for a small problem. My keyboard decided that, after years of faithful service, it would be funny to break overnight. Do you have any idea how hard it is to type without the entire top row of letters? You're probably at a computer if you're reading this… take a look down at that row of letters and imaging trying to write without them (especially those 4 vowels...)
And more fun news (not). We're doing work on our house in the computer room area, so odds are I will be without Internet for a week, maybe more. I promise to have a new chapter for you all when I'm back online though… sorry in advance for the delays.
Anyways… here is the actual chapter.
I'm not worthy of owning FMA.
Roy sat in the car, tapping his foot impatiently. Getting annoyed with the sound his boot was making, he stopped himself. As soon as he was sitting still he began wringing his hands, drumming his fingers together, and shooting glances at the apartment building outside the car window. He had been waiting for 2 and a half minutes, and the brief time alone had got his anxiety worked into a frenzy. He felt like a wreck.
After dropping Dr. Knox and Ran Fan off, Mustang and Hawkeye immediately began planning their next move. They automatically clicked into their places: superior and subordinate, a force of habit after many years. Despite the disastrous undercover mission and encounter with Gluttony, both soldiers mindlessly slipped into a 'business as usual' mindset. The only problem was their disheveled appearances and complete lack of plan.
Which is why Roy was currently fidgeting in the passenger seat of the car while Hawkeye ran into her apartment to do something about her appearance. Roy's silver pocket watch confirmed that Hawkeye had now been gone for 3 minutes. Snapping the mechanism shut with more effort than necessary, Roy slouched into his chair and tried to calm himself down.
It's only 3 minutes. HQ isn't going anywhere. It only seems like forever because I'm thinking about this too much. I just need to calm down…
With one hand over his damaged side and the resting in his lap, Roy slipped into a meditative calm. An instant after he had finally settled his nerves, the sound of a door closing on itself and heavy footsteps sounded outside the car.
Still pulling one hand into the sleeve of her jacket, Hawkeye almost ran to the car and opened the door, stuck the key in the engine, and tugged experimentally at her holster in one fluid motion.
Her hair is out of the bun still… Roy thought to himself. Being in a rush at Roy's command, Hawkeye had left her jacket open and collar crooked. Her hair was tied back in a long ponytail, which was splayed over her shoulder in a manner that didn't suggest sloppiness, but practicality. Watching her flip her hair off her shoulder in a golden wave with a turn of her head, Roy continued to ponder Riza's hair. I wonder if she wears it down like this often. Maybe around the house? Out on errands?
During this fraction of a moment, Riza started the car, keeping a brake on the humming engine. Roy watched silently.
"To your place then, Sir?"
"Yes."
Her wrist moved the gearshift resolutely, setting the car into first gear as the engine hummed to life.
"After the Homunculus?" She asked evenly, expectantly, as she pushed the car into second then third gear.
"After Bradley." Roy responded, "be he human or monster. I did warn you that it was going to get harder from here on out, didn't I?"
"Yes Sir."
"You sure you're ready, sure you're willing to-"
"You're asking such things now?"
"Heh, sorry. I guess I know the answer already, don't I?" Roy said, trying to sound less concerned than he was. A silence descended on the two.
"Do you remember when we used to have nothing to do?" Riza suddenly asked, taking the car around a corner with a quick spin of the wheel.
"When the only field work was the occasional terrorist attack? Damn, it seems like the Elrics came with more trouble than we bargained for." He said with a laugh.
"Do you… regret going to Edward, Sir?" Hawkeye asked, slowing the car to a halt in front of Roy's place.
Roy sat unmoving from the seat, pondering over the question that his Lieutenant had asked him. "I've never even thought about it before." Roy sat a little further back in his seat as Hawkeye shut the engine off. "Some part of me… wants to believe that ultimately it will all work out. We get to the bottom of all this mystery. We expose all the wrongs of the military. We see to it that everyone's sacrifice and struggle wasn't in vain. Hell, I could even see Fullmetal with a body of flesh and blood," he was smiling to himself now, "But I have no clue what Alphonse would look like. I don't know what to expect besides a suit of armor."
"He'll have a contagious smile," Hawkeye said softly, "that much I know."
"You want to know if I regret bringing the Elrics and our team together? I'd give anything to make it so I won't regret it. With all the losses we've suffered, it's hard to say that I don't regret what started in Resembool all those years ago. I guess… I guess I'll know if I regret it when it's over." Roy said, looking out at the empty streets. "I'm sorry, Lieutenant. That didn't really answer your question, did it?"
"No, don't be sorry." Hawkeye said with her gaze fixed ahead.
"I'll go get changed. I wont be long." Roy said as he unbuckled and opened the door. "Don't you go anywhere, Lieutenant." He said before closing the car door.
"I wouldn't leave you, Sir."
Roy trotted to the waiting car, double-checking his pyrotechnic gloves in his pocket. Opening the door and sitting down, Roy ran a hand through his dark hair with a sigh, "Drive."
Hawkeye started the car and pulled away from the curb, closing the distance to HQ. Roy sat and watched the city roll past outside his window.
"Sir?"
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"Don't regret the choice you made."
Roy turned to Riza, who was focused on the street ahead. "Don't regret bringing justice to this rotting government. Don't regret giving the Elrics a chance to regain what they lost. If Equivalent Exchange governs the world, then I have no doubt you'll be satisfied with the results of your efforts. Besides, I'm sure Hughes doesn't regret his choice, and he wouldn't want you to either."
"I'm glad I have your support, Hawkeye."
"It's my job, Sir."
Roy settled into his seat, feeling strangely at ease. Even though they were discussing Hughes, he wasn't consumed with grief. They had no clue what they were headed for, but as long as they were together, Roy knew he could count on her support and protection. It didn't matter what kind of danger came their way, he would personally keep her safe from any and all threats.
As the walls of HQ came into view, Roy's mind immediately began formulating a strategy. Nodding a greeting to the guards posted at the gate, Roy stepped out of the car and pulled on a pair of plain white gloves.
"First we confirm allies and enemies. We do what we can to gain more support in the ranks. The fact that the Fuhrer may be a Homunculus should have some influence on people's loyalties." He heard Hawkeye checking the safeties on her guns, and turned to see her twist her hair gracefully into the usual bun, snapping the clip into place. No trace of the golden waves that he had been eying all evening remained.
"There's no guarantee that Gluttony has revealed us yet, so we need to be cautious." Straightening his colder and taking a deep breath, Roy turned towards the massive building. "Wait by the car, Lieutenant."
"Sir!" He heard her heels snap into a salute behind him. As he took his first step towards the gate, Roy suddenly felt cold. What am I getting myself into? He tried to attribute his sudden sense of fright to something, realizing that this was the first time he had gone into known enemy territory without Hawkeye trailing close behind him. What if something does happens to me? Who will protect her if I'm gone?
"If something happens," Roy turned and called back, his calm voice covering his fears, "You get away from here alone."
"I don't want to." She replied, her face as stoic as Roy's mask.
"That's an order." Please, Hawkeye.
"I cannot consent to that." She said simply.
"Stubborn, aren't you? Even if you can't stomach the order, you have to swallow it." No. Please don't do this. Not now…
"I like to think that I have resolve in my beliefs." She said, suggesting that she had nothing more to discuss.
"I'm glad I have a subordinate with a strong will like you." Roy consented, feeling his stomach tightening. "I promise, I'll come back, so you wait there." He turned and kept walking.
"I wouldn't leave you, Sir." He stopped in his tracks and thought about turning back, about staying by her side. Instead, he ignored his gut feeling and just waved back, entering HQ alone.
"I wish you luck." He heard her call after him before the gates shut, cutting him off from her presence. With grim determination, Roy walked deeper into HQ with his promise trailing behind him where his Lieutenant was supposed to be.
Ho hum. Done. Clearly I twisted some dialogue in chapter 50. The miracle that is poetic license… or artistic license, whichever it is. Chapter 9 comes whenever it happens… hopefully within 7 days? Don't hold me to that, I have no idea how long they will be working on my poor house. Reviews make me happy. If this story makes you happy, don't you think it's fair to return the favor? Equivalent exchange, baby!