Disclaimer- I do not, in any way, shape, or form, own Fullmetal Alchemists. Got it? I'm just borrowing and I'm not making any profit from this so therefore I'm not liable for any backlash. That includes any references to modern or otherwise objects that I obviously do not own. Just covering my tracks, o loyal followers -sweeps the floor with a palm tree leaf-.

Chapter 7- The Battle's Beginning

Riza sat on the sidelines in quiet contemplation as her comrades finished checking and alchemist proofing the area. They had walked about a mile away from any civilian residence to avoid public interference that might result in injury. Sunset was about half an hour away but that couldn't be helped; both alchemists were doggedly set on a duel tonight.

She watched as Fullmetal transmuted a bench out of the sand for his brother to seat himself on. She, herself, was seated comfortably in the sand, though she might be tempted to admit that a bench might sound nice here in a little while. Almost as if she were watching a play unfold, Roy and Edward's eyes met across a twenty-foot span. The air crackled threatening in response.

"Since you can't make a bench for your allies," a grin spread across Edward's face, "I'll be more than happy to do it for you."

A blood vessel in Roy's jaw ticked, "Feel free. But know my subordinates can handle standing on their own two feet, Fullmetal."

Edward's whole face twitched, "Was that a crack?"

"No." Roy said turning away to speak to Fury.

Edward snarled and appearing to be staining to avoid lunging at his superior.

"Nii-san, remember your breathing exercises!" Alphonse yelled from the bench, his voice echoing from inside his metal shell.

Edward fisted and unfisted his hands over and over again, and muttered, "For the last time, Al, I don't need any stupid breathing exercise to stay calm."

Alphonse sighed but didn't prod at Edward any further.

Edward marched over to where Riza sat and extended his right hand out to her to help her up. It wasn't a suggestion on his part that he thought she was weaker because she was a woman. Point in fact; he'd seen her in action during fights before so he knew exactly what she was capable of. It wasn't an action that insinuated anything of the sort. It was simply that Edward, when you got down to the nitty gritty of his character, was a gentleman.

She grabbed his hand, feeling the coolness of the metal beneath his glove seep into her skin as his hand closed firmly onto her's. It was a sign of how flawless his automail was that she barely registered the klink of his metal muscles tightening to help her stand.

Edward might be rather… stout, but not an inch of his height was wasted. He was heavy for his age because of pure muscle mass, not just because of his metal limbs. She was sure many of his previous foes were caught off guard by his speed and flexible agility. One would think that all that metal would slow him down, as it did others in situations similar to his, but no. Edward was a true scientist, through and through, so according to what was most logical he built up his strength and endurance in order to take up the slack of his disability.

His features were some beguiling mix that eerily reminded her of her commander. Like Roy when he'd been younger, his face was still rounded with a youthfulness that didn't seem to fade wit time, though now Edward was leaner than the boy she'd met at the tender age of twelve. His golden eyes were always glimmering with a fiery, unstoppable determination that was in many ways naïve and smug, that it was almost irritating to someone with frontline experience.

But then, she mused, Roy Mustang was in fact naïve.

That was probably why he got so frustrated with Edward. It was like arguing with himself, or trying to make himself see reason. He would never leave behind a comrade or go on without one of his subordinates; that was his naïveté.

Hughes really had known him best. Better and deeper than she ever would, perhaps. He never told Roy what was going on because he knew it would only distract him from his main goal. She considered it now her job to push Roy to the top.

And she would get him there, no matter the personal cost. She owed it to Maes.

She brushed the sand off her civilian clothing and took several steps away without being told to. Before she could turn back around to watch him transmute a something out of nothing, a bright flash of light cast a second dim shadow of herself onto the ground. When she turned, there was a bench where there was once nothing but sand that would accommodate four people easily.

"Thank you, Fullmetal." She said.

"Not a problem, First Lieutenant." He replied with a nod, then turned on his heel and went back to his brother's side. He stood there with his arms folded, looking as impatient as ever.

Roy was still conversing with Fury and Havoc over something she couldn't quite hear.

"Are we going to get started before dark or are you stalling for just that? You do realize that I'll be able to see you like the firefly you are, right?" Edward shouted at Roy who was still twenty feet away.

Riza could see a smile ripple across Roy's feature's before he turned to face Edward. There was no hint of a smile now.

"That sounded suspiciously helpful. Is your paternal side rearing its peculiar head?" He asked, sounding strangely indifferent.

"Hardly." Edward snarled.

"I didn't think so." Roy said softly. Then more audibly, "Shall we begin?"

"About time." Ed said, shifting about like a fidgety, hyper child.

Roy took several steps toward Edward till they were, give or take, fifteen feet apart.

Riza took a seat on the bench Edward had constructed just moments before, and after a moment Farman and Fury took a seat on either side of her. Havoc stood between the two formidable alchemists, looking a little pale to have to be so close to all the action.

For some reason (perhaps it was the look on Roy's face) she began thinking back to just hours before when Roy had gone through a rather traumatic moment.

After ranting, threatening and insinuating; he'd cried.

The only other time she'd seen him cry was not nearly so heart wrenching as this. A single tear had rolled down his cheek then. It was all he'd allowed himself.

But a scant few hours ago he'd grieved like a man who'd just lost his best friend should grieve. After an all too brief amount of time he'd pulled away from her. He'd turned his back toward her and used a cloth from his pocket to wipe his face. Then Fury had come in to check on them and when he'd turned back around his face was almost completely clear of any sign of his betrayal to his darkest emotions. Only a slight rim of red around his eyes was left as evidence.

'Sir, are you alright?' Fury had asked, looking concerned.

'Yes.' Roy had replied, 'A little sand got blown into my eyes, that's all.' Then he'd brushed by the both of them and gone to his room till Havoc had knocked and informed him that they were ready to head out.

"Okay, lady and gents, I'll be supervising this… err…match, so my words is law. Capiche?" Havoc said, glancing at Roy then Edward then back again. They both nodded with a nearly imperceptible tilt of the head.

"I've been wondering when we would get another chance to do this. Was I the only one left thinking that it didn't have a decisive ending?" Edward said, a humorless smile gracing his lips.

The same smile appeared on Mustang's face, "No, you're not the only one. I, too, was not satisfied with how our last scuffle ended."

"Good." Edward removed the glove covering his right hand, revealing his artificial hand to the receding light of the setting sun and rolled up the sleeve of his coat.

Roy reached his hand into his pocket and pulled out a pair of gloves of his own. On the back was the emblem that allowed him to transmute the carbon and oxygen in the air into a controllable fire with a single spark from the before mentioned pyrotex gloves. He slid them on with one well-placed tug.

Riza almost expected Edward to direct a barb at the Brigadier General regarding the fact that he needed his gloves to be apt in battle but the younger alchemist seemed to have left behind all his insults at the proverbial door.

Havoc glanced at each state approved alchemist in turn, assuring himself that they were both ready then raised his hand high above his head.

"Ready? Then go!" He brought his hand down with a whish. Before he even had time to scamper off, a crashing boom sounded and gray smoke engulfed them all.

A/N: I'm so sorry that I didn't stay on top of this. I got distracted and well… you know how incredibly ADD I am at times. I never picked it back up, to say the least. But anyway, how is my latest chapter? Good? Good.

So the results have come in for that question I asked last time, "Should or shouldn't Roy remember kissing Riza?" and I've decided… not to tell you –laughs manically-. I was told recently that I'm somewhat sadistic. I suppose that's true, to a certain extent. I love to put the reader on the edge of their seat, make them jump or cry or holler in joy. But mostly I like to make the reader antagonize over the fate of the characters. It's a very powerful feeling. That's why all your reviews are so important. I don't think you'll ever understand to the extent that they please me.

In other news, I got the fourth FMA manga. And I must say this… zOMG, Scar you are one SEXY beast. Live on, Scar. Live on, you beast you. But goodness, that part with Hughes… makes me sniffle and tear up every time. I can't handle that fact that Envy is such a bastard. I mean seriously! Who would do that to a man and use the image of the woman he loves to kill him? It's horrible. I've almost seen the whole anime series now (I LOVE dubbed Japanese originals) and very very far into the manga future (thanks to certain devoted FMA sites) and I have a much deeper understanding of the character's personalities. I hope I can more accurately portray them now…

Oh, and before I forget thanks to Fireness, sweet-vixen-of-love9, The Air Alchemist, saffiremoon21, Blonde Hurricane, Guardian-Devil-Hawkeye, Apparition7, Raiyne Nagakura, Cashmeritan, Flamara Cat Eyes, MoonStarDutchess, evilteddybear, and wildcat. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it that you took time out of your day to send me your support!