DISCLAIMERI do not own Full Metal Alchemist or any of the related titles!

A/N: Hey there folks! I apologize for making you wait so very very very long for this final chapter. As I've said for my other stories I've updated in the past couple of days, I've been dealing with the hectic-ness that surrounds applying for colleges, and juggling shows, school, work, and a new very important person in my love. -hearts- Hehe. So ANYWAY. Here is the last chapter of MIDNIGHT CONVERSATIONS. Thank you all for sticking with the story, and I love you all! Please enjoy!

Chapter 25: Epilogue

The smoke rose gently from the end of Havoc's burning cigarette. His eyes had not left the weary-looking Colonel sitting behind his desk, flipping absently through a few new reports he'd received from the Führer. Both he and the First Lieutenant had remained silent for the time being, wondering how long it would take Roy to ditch his work, lean back in his chair, and save it for later.

But lean back, he did not. Instead, he picked up the nearest pen and began writing feverishly. Havoc was not the only one surprised by these actions, for Riza stepped forward almost immediately, her eyes wide with shock.

"Sir-"

"Settle down, chief..." Havoc said calmly, not removing the cigarette from his mouth as he spoke. "You're going to burn a hole through the paper, and this time without the help of your gloves."

Roy lifted a hand to show that he wasn't wearing his gloves, still writing with the other. Havoc shook his head. He hadn't meant it literally, he was merely trying to make a point.

"He's right, sir..." Riza spoke up, standing in front of his desk. "You're tired and stressed. You're not up for this right now. I think it's best you leave it. The Führer will understand."

Roy shook his head, as though he was ignoring her, though both knew it was impossible for him to do so. "It would not make a good impression on the others if I were to return to work seeking sympathy, Lieutenant..." he answered, his eyes still locked on the paper in front of him. "I think it's best I return to my work as if I had been here all along."

"If you had been here all along," Havoc said, rising to his feet. "These papers would not need to be done, for Lieutenant Hawkeye would have already finished them, and you would be out on some new exploratory mission that involved some innocent young woman in a flower shop..." His eyes had flashed accusingly in memory of his own dear Grace, who had fallen victim to the irresistible charms of Roy Mustang.

Roy glanced up at him halfheartedly for less than a second before glancing over to his First Lieutenant and then back at the paper. His hand had twitched for a moment, as though he was annoyed with his company, and the though of procrastination was eating at the back of his mind.

"Is it the kid?" Havoc asked, pulling his cigarette away for a moment to exhale a long breath of smoke that seemed to linger in the air around them.

Riza waved a hand at the smoke, answering before the Colonel could. "Why would Edward have anything to do with the Colonel wanting to do his work?" She paused for a moment, her eyes falling onto Roy. "It is a bit odd actually. Good point, Havoc. Does this have anything to do with Edward, sir?"

Roy gripped his pen. "Why would this have anything to do with him?"

Havoc shrugged, sitting on the edge of Roy's desk. "I know he came to speak with you alone recently. Didn't know if he said something that got to you..."

"Got to me?" Roy looked up at him. "How the hell would he get to me?"

"Well, it certainly seems like he's getting to you-" Havoc continued, a small smirk appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Lieutenant," Riza spoke up, her eyes flashing dangerously. "I think it's best you leave the Colonel to his work for now..."

"No, no..." Roy rose to his feet, his eyes not leaving Havoc. "He can stay. Do you honestly think that I can't handle the kid, Havoc? Do you really think he'd be able to say anything to me that would have that kind of affect on-"

"With all due respect, Colonel, I believe that Lieutenant Havoc should be excused. You have a lot of work to do and I think it would be best if-"

Before Havoc could turn to leave, Roy raised a hand, as well as his voice. "I have not ordered for him to leave, yet. I want him to-"

"But I am ordering him to do so," Riza stared at him angrily. "You have work to do and I will not stand around listening to the two of you bickering."

Roy opened his mouth to speak. In any other situation, a First Lieutenant would not have been allowed to speak to their Colonel in such a manner, however, after all Riza had done for him, Roy could not say "No" to her. Sighing deeply, he looked down at his papers, shuffling them, clearly quite irritated.

"You're dismissed, Havoc..." Roy said quietly, a tone of bitterness in his voice made it quite clear that their conversation was not over.

He nodded shortly and turned away, leaving his usual trail of smoke behind him. Riza was not worried about Havoc, for she was certain he understood the position she was coming from. When the door had closed behind him, Roy finally spoke up.

"I wish you wouldn't embarrass me in front of my officers in such a way, Lieutenant."

"You were doing a good job of it yourself, sir..." she replied sternly. "You were acting like a child. Havoc was merely asking you a question..."

"It was out of line..." Roy said shortly.

"Out of line to be concerned?" Riza asked, moving closer to him.

Roy didn't speak, finally flopping back down in his seat. As he lifted his pen, Riza reached her hand out to press it firmly upon the pile of papers before him.

"I think you need a break, sir..." she said softly.

Roy looked up, sighing again. "I think you're right, Lieutenant..."

Without another word, he rose to his feet and crossed the room to a small bookshelf. Riza watched him curiously, waiting for him to speak before she had to. When it was clear he wasn't going to say anything, she finally spoke up.

"What is it Edward wanted with you?" she asked.

Roy froze, the book in his hands shaking slightly. "It was nothing..."

Riza raised an eyebrow, not believing him. "Sir..."

"What's with this 'Sir' business again?" Roy asked, snapping the book shut and turning to face her. "I thought I told you to call me 'Roy'?"

Riza shrugged, moving toward his chair, her hands sliding along the files stacked on his desk. "I thought I told you to quit calling me 'Lieutenant'," she replied coolly.

The two stood in silence for what seemed like ages, their eyes focused solely on the other's as though they were in some heated staring contest. Roy was the first to crack as he tossed the book aside and moved swiftly to her side, taking her face in his hands and kissing her deeply.

Riza gasped lightly as Roy lifted her off the ground to sit her atop the desk in front of them. Several files went flying, scattering across the floor. Riza pulled away quickly, looking at them concernedly.

"Roy-!" she breathed. "Roy, we should-the files-!"

Roy didn't seem to be paying attention, his focus solely on her neck, and the front of her uniform which he seemed to be undoing with remarkable skill. "Ignore them," he whispered, sucking lightly on the bared skin. "I'll get it later..."

"But, Roy-" Riza protested, her eyes locked on the door she knew for certain was unlocked.

"Riza, please-" He was starting to get a bit annoyed with her worries. How could she be thinking about a bunch of papers at a time like this?

There was a small 'click' and Roy found himself facing the barrel of a small pistol. Riza's gaze had tore away from the door and was now once again locked onto Roy's, a familiar dangerous flame burning beneath the soft golden hues.

"If you're not up for work, sir..." she said, a small smirk appearing across her lips. "Then you certainly aren't up for this. Perhaps you should finish your work first. It's a bit less strenuous..."

"Now why would I do something like that?" Roy asked, leaning in once again to try and capture her lips in his own, only to have the end of the gun pressed further into his shoulder.

"Sir," she said more insistently. "I really think you should finish your work first. What if someone were to come in and find you...slacking off?" she added the last bit, finding it impossible to find a better was to describe it.

It had finally been brought to Roy's attention that Havoc had only just left through the office door, and that it had been left quite unlocked, and if they had continued their little rendezvous, it was very possible that another officer could have made their way in.

Even Edward!

Shaking his head, Roy pulled away, suddenly feeling his animosity subside. Riza couldn't help but laugh as he hurriedly began to pick up the discarded files, very much resembling a puppy who'd done something wrong. Still chuckling to herself, she knelt down beside him to help clean up the mess, closing her hand over the small pile in his hands.

"And once your work is finished," she added quietly. "I'm certain I could have a small reward for you..."

Roy eyed the pistol, now sitting upon her hip once again, nervously. She smirked and shook her head.

"I won't interrupt you this time," she reassured him. "I promise..."

Roy didn't look entirely convinced, but he certainly couldn't lie and say that the sound of a 'reward', especially one from Riza herself, didn't sound appealing to him. Hurrying to his feet, he pulled the files from Riza's hands and settled himself behind his desk once more. She watched for a few minutes as his pen continued to fly across the paper, a scribbled form of "Cl. Roy Mustang" appearing in all the correct spots, whether it was legible or not.

He hadn't quite made it through all the files when another officer had knocked on the door, requesting entrance. Riza, who had made herself comfortable by the bookshelf, looked up.

"Come in..." Roy was much too busy to answer for himself.

"I'm sorry to bother you, Colonel Mustang," a young man said, looking a bit nervous to be standing before the Flame Alchemist himself. "And you, Lieutenant Hawkeye," he nodded toward Riza who returned the gesture. "But the Führer would like to know if you'd be willing to attend a banquet this evening in honor of your return..."

Roy looked up at the officer, an odd expression crossing his face. "If it's a banquet in my honor, I'd assume it'd be required of me to attend, wouldn't it?"

"Well, yes...one would assume," the officer seemed to be fighting for the right words. "But he asked me...wasn't sure if you had...plans...or if you'd be up for it, after all, you've been...well...you know..."

Roy held up a hand to stop the poor officer before he had a heart attack. "It's fine, officer, alert the Führer that I'll be up for it. And thank him, for inviting me..." he couldn't help but smirk a little at the irony of that statement.

"But sir, don't you feel as though you should-" the officer piped up.

"I'm fine," Roy insisted. He was a bit tired of everyone insisting that he was in some terrible condition. He'd just spent a good month or so living with Riza, he wasn't exactly complaining.

The officer still looked concerned, but turned his gaze toward Riza. "You're also invited Ms. Hawkeye, the Führer would love to have you join them."

Riza nodded politely, trying her best to keep a straight face. She would have attended whether she was invited or not. Roy was not to leave her sight. Everyone knew that. Especially now. "Thank you..." she answered quickly.

The officer nodded, and turned to leave before snapping himself back into position, his hand held in salute as he stared at Roy. It was quite clear that this was a new officer and it made Roy laugh even more.

"At ease, soldier..." he chuckled. "You're excused."

When the door had closed behind him, Roy burst into uncontrollable laughter, while Riza continued to smile politely. She had met the officer before, and learned that the young boy had considered Roy quite the idol. It was natural that he'd be nervous in the Colonel's presence.

"Poor kid," Riza said, glancing at the shut door. "I think you scared him, dear..."

"Did I?" Roy asked, still laughing. "Is that the kind of soldier the military's been recruiting since I've been gone? I should've known something was up when they wanted Ed..."

Riza shook her head, trying to hide the large smile that had finally broken through. Roy was officially back to his normal self and she couldn't figure out how she'd gone all the time she had without him in the office, even if he'd been waiting for her at home.

"Ah, well..." Roy cleared his throat, looking back down at the last of the files. "Shame the banquet had to be tonight, really. I was planning on moving what was left of my things back to my apartment. Should be getting it back now, I think someone said they were working on it-"

"You're...You're moving back?" Riza asked, looking up. The smile had suddenly disappeared from her face.

Roy glanced up at her, the laughter dying from his face as well. "That...was the plan," he said slowly. "Why...did you..." he cleared his throat again. "Did you...uh..."

"Well..." Riza avoided his gaze. "I didn't think they'd get it back so quickly. I figured you'd be around for a little while longer..."

"Do you..." Roy started hesitantly. "Do you...want me to stay?"

"Well," Riza cursed her face for growing hot. She couldn't let her emotions take hold of her like this. "If you wanted to...I mean, you don't have to if you don't want-"

"Of course I don't want to leave!" he answered hastily, catching himself as Riza's head whipped around to face him. "I mean, well...I'm sure they'll need more time to get all my things back...and there might be some papers I have to sign for the apartment and...stuff..."

Riza was certain she had never seen Roy Mustang so silent in her life. Smiling faintly, she moved over to where he was trying to busy himself with the papers, still muttering absently to himself. Her hand stroked the side of his face, catching his attention, as well as his gaze.

"Stay as long as you wish..." she told him, the flame in her eyes changing just a bit to create a soft glow.

"Forever?" he looked like a hopeful child on Christmas.

Riza smiled, kissing him tenderly. "Well, maybe not forever..."

His arms locked around her waist, holding her greedily. "Forever?" he repeated, kissing her a bit longer than the first time.

Riza laughed and shook her head. "Do you think I'd be able to stand you forever?"

Roy nodded, nuzzling the side of her neck, trailing a line of kisses along her jaw line, finally reaching her mouth once more. Before she could possibly retort again, he kissed her deeper, bending her backward a little as though to get his point across.

Finally pulling away, he smiled at her as she caught her breath. Smiling back, she patted his chest a couple times and leaned in toward his ear, her voice still quite breathy from his intense display of affection. His heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice so very close to him.

"You'd better hurry up and finish those papers, sir..."

A/N: And thus a conclusion. Thank you all once more, you've been incredibly faithful readers/reviews and I couldn't possibly be more grateful for that. I really hope that you'll all keep your eyes peeled for updates on my other stories and future stories that I'll be posting.

Thank You and Much Love,

M.C.