Thank you for the lovely reviews, YourFavouitePlushie, Dragonridingattorney43, words without, Sophie and Dailenna. It's been a wonderful month, posting these babies and hearing your thoughts. I truly wish I were more of a Royai fan so we could do it again.

This is the final 'chapter', and I hope you'll forgive the back-and-forth between timelines.

DISCLAIMER: See profile
WORDCOUNT: 712
RATING: PG-13.
SUMMARY: Twelfth of TWELVE FICLETS. death: The one where Maes asks a question (The Second).
A.N.: Written to the prompts from 12_fics (LJ Comm).
FEEDBACK: It's like chocolate, except better. And if you mentioned the ficlet you liked best, I'd love to hear it!

Written for cornerofmadness, at the Christmas Requests.

WARNING LABELS
12/12 - death
by Leni

"Why don't you just tell her, Roy?"

The floor is the recipient of the briefest look of surprise in history, and then, slowly, Roy turns toward his best friend with a calm expression. "Tell who what?"

Hughes gives him a long look, but thankfully doesn't push the issue.

ooo

He had never let the fire run so unchecked. Not even in Ishval.

But she was on the ground, and she wasn't waking up, and the world tasted of ashes long before the wild flames touched it.

ooo

"The doctors say she'll recover completely."

He takes the cup of hospital coffee, and suddenly has a craving for herbal tea. With two spoonfuls of sugar. He gulps down the bitter brew before his thoughts can linger there. "They always say that at first."

"Not to you." Hughes swirls the plastic cup in his hands. "Nobody dares lie to the Flame Alchemist."

Roy huffs at the hyperbole; but he hopes that his friend is right.

ooo

It was over in a minute, and he hadn't even looked over the charred ruins before he was barking at Havoc to help him carry her body into their transport.

She still wouldn't wake up.

ooo

"That shot was meant for me."

Hughes sighs, as if he knew it was coming. "It isn't your f---" Then he remembers whom he is talking to. "You'll get the chance to return the favor," he says instead.

Roy, who'd been rising to his feet to protest, settles deeper into the plastic chair and nods.

There's a look of determination in his friend's eyes. Hughes knows only too well what it means. "Not that you should look for that chance," he tries.

But Roy pretends he isn't listening anymore.

ooo

Havoc and Falman had rushed her through the hospital doors, knowing better than to wait for the medics to come to them.

Roy had stayed in his seat for what had seemed an eternity, curling and uncurling his hands. The gloves moved stiffly, bled from any moisture that cotton always carried. He watched the tear marks that ran from his knuckles to his wrist; they seemed to protest the overuse in that short minute.

"Sir?" Fuery, still dutifully at the wheel, was waiting for his orders.

None of his men had commented on the inferno that had turned half a town into smoke and ash, or all those deaths left behind. None would. "Take me to the quarters."

Fuery nodded and started the engine. If he noticed his superior looking back at the hospital through the rear way mirror, the smaller man didn't comment.

ooo

"She is awake."

He closes his eyes in relief. "Thanks, Maes."

"Just tell her." A small smile. "I promise, it's not as daunting as it seems."

Says the happily married man. But he isn't Hughes, and Riza certainly is not Gracia.

Roy stands up and starts towards her room.

ooo

She'd have never believed how quickly he could clear the paperwork when he was compelled to. Barely half an hour after he'd stepped in his office, the report was finished, signed and he left Fuery under strict instructions to see it arrived at its destination promptly.

He paused before the doors to the emergency ward, taking a deep breath.

"Roy!" It was Hughes. How he'd found out so quickly was a testament to his efficiency at work. The other man put a hand on Roy's forearm, guiding him subtly through the doors.

"How…?" He didn't continue, afraid of how shaken he might sound.

Hughes tried to smile, but failed for the first time in his life. "I'll take you to the doctor on her case."

Which meant that she was still alive.

Roy nodded, straightened. If Riza was alive, then she'd never forgive him for crumbling down so publicly. "Thank you, Maes," and miraculously, his voice sounded normal even to him.

ooo

"Lieutenant."

She looks incredibly small on a bed built to hold burly military men. Her eyes are open, and for the first time, Roy takes a moment to notice their color.

"Hello, sir."

The formal address has a familiar tone now; he wonders why he didn't notice before. "We'll miss you at the office."

That gets him a smile. "The paperwork will; that's for sure." She knows him too well.

He smiles back.

The End
31/12/08

Wow. Am I gonna miss posting this series! Hope you enjoyed it!

K&S
Leni