A Different Story

Chapter 3: The Truth

   It was three days since the encounter with Pride, and Riza had received her auto-mail from Winry. Winry hadn't stayed long, so Edward and Riza had some quiet time together since Alphonse was at Central to take his assessment. Both Riza and Ed had put in a vacation in order to spend time together. They knew they had to take extra precautions because of the Fratznation laws. They had expected Roy to be suspicious that they were taking off at the same time so they had an excuse ready. The excuse was simply: Ed wanted to train with her so her auto-mail arm would get stronger; considering he was the only state Alchemist with mechanical limbs.

    Ed walked towards Riza's work area in order to tell her he had made them lunch, and was shocked at what he saw. "Here Hayate, I'll fix your toy." Riza said softly, as she stroked the dog's head and took the broken bumper from him. She clapped her hands and pressed them to the toy. It started to fix itself, sewing itself together almost. Ed's eyes widened. No transmutation circle? And since when did Riza know alchemy? Ed thought in confusion. He felt a sick feeling in his stomach. No. No it can't. NO! It means... It means she saw the truth! Ed thought in pity. What did she give up? I can't just go over and ask her! What would I say? 'Oh hey Riza, I'm just wondering what you gave in return when you did human transmutation! You know the forbidden alchemy? The one you'd probably be sent to be executed if anyone found out? ' Ed mused.

    Riza turned to look at him and her eyes widened. "Ed! How long have you been there?" She asked nervously, even though she could tell by his shocked look, that he had seen all of it.

"You know alchemy?! And you use it without the transmutation circle!" Ed cried. Riza nodded weakly.

Yes, I do." Riza replied in fear. Ed's gazed softened.

    "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Ed promised. Riza visibly relaxed. "Not even Al." Ed added. Riza shook her head. Ed looked at her in surprise.

"No, you can tell him; since he's seen it too." Riza muttered. God, I hope he doesn't ask about it. I can at least tell him who I tried to bring back can't I? I'd rather not tell him all of it now. Riza thought. Is she talking about the truth? Or is she telling me Al's seen her do alchemy? Ed wondered.

"So you saw it? The truth?" Ed questioned. Riza's hands trembled.

   "Yes, I did. When I tried brining my father back to life. He was all I had." Riza confessed. She could feel the tears forming in the back of her eyes. No; she couldn't let him see her cry. No, not now. Ed shot her a sympathetic look. She felt like she was about to cry. She knew talking about it wasn't a good idea. But she knew he would have found out some other way. She got up and ran into her room. She wouldn't, no; she couldn't let him see her cry. It made her feel weak and useless. She could hear his footsteps then he opened the door. She sobbed into the pillow. She couldn't help it.

     She missed her father so much. He had loved her and treated her like his little princess. He had died, and then shortly after that Roy had left to join the military; leaving her alone. She had missed her father and that's what drove her to bring him back. Ed lay next to he and she held back her tears when she noticed his presence.

"Go on, it's okay to cry." Ed assured her. And with that, Riza let the tears pour from her eyes. He pulled her in to hug her comfortingly. "I know, I do this too." Ed admitted.

"When?" Riza managed to choke out. Ed kissed her cheek.

   "When they told me they had to remove your arm and when my mom died and also when Al gave up is body and I thought I had lost him for good." Ed explained. Riza smiled and stopped crying. He looked at her and noticed she was asleep. He smiled and decided to stay there.

"Goodnight Riza," Ed murmured in her ear drowsily. He was too lazy and comfortable too move so he fell asleep then and there. It felt right, being there with her. It felt as if they were a family.