A/N: Ah! This is me trying out Confessions with a different opening. Hopefully this'll be a better opening than my first. ;

Disclaimer: I do not own FMA, unfortunately.

The ring of the phone was a shrill sound, piercing the comfortable silence of the office. 1st Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye glanced up from her papers to the man who sat at the desk in front of the windows, her pen still and poised above her work. He was frowning as he picked up the phone, somewhat slow to reply. Riza waited for his lips and his tongue to start moving, wondering what was making him seem so – almost reluctant – wary to speak.

"Mustang." The bark was his usual mode of answering. He listened, eyes widening as more words translated in his head. "What the hell?" Riza put down her pen. "Havoc, you better not be messing with me." Riza was already standing. "We'll be there in ten minutes. Call the fire department as soon as you finish talking to me." Riza had fastened her coat, and was now standing by the door. She didn't need words to ask the question.

"The south end of Central's been targeted. A whole block in on fire." Roy's voice was colder than ice, his eyes darker than the night, thought he moved with flaming motions. It was at these times that Riza admired his dedication to his role in the military and in the community. "Havoc missed the explosion by about a minute." Roy laughed bitterly. "His being late for a date saved his life."

Riza had taken on board the information bit by bit. Her own eyes were wide as saucers, and she Roy strode past her, she was immobile. "Sir? The south end's been attacked?" Regaining her composure, she hurried after Roy, still trying to take in the news fully. Havoc was almost killed? Her thoughts were begging to run amok in her head, but she kept calm, her mental state as sturdy as her physical.

"That's what I just said, isn't it?" Roy was on edge. Riza overtook him, positioning herself between the car and the Colonel. Roy wasn't the most responsible driver when in a mood. The engine was already humming when he slid into the passenger seat beside her. "I hope you haven't forgotten where or what the south end is. A romantic place. It's a favourite destination for lovers, all so absorbed in each other, all vulnerable, easy targets-" Roy's fingers had curled into fists when Riza interrupted.

"Sir, this is not the time to get angry," She began carefully. "If we come across the culprits, it'll blind your conscience. That won't be a pretty scene." She kept her voice quiet and level; this wasn't the first time she'd experienced facing Colonel's temper. "Also, if Havoc called you right away, it proves he's alright, doesn't it?" She'd touched onto the topic that was preying on Roy's mind the most; the safety of his subordinates, of his friends. Roy flexed his fingers, exhaling.

"You're right," He said, mimicking the tone of her voice. "You're right. If you're asking me though, I think Havoc's just begging for trouble, always ending up in places where things explode and get destroyed. Ha, it's obvious. Trouble matches his name perfectly. Whoever thought taking someone on a date could get you involved in something like this…"

"I think Lieutenant Havoc would have been dragged into the fray whether he was at the scene or not. He'd never forgive us if he wasn't called out to help. Then again, knowing you, sir, you're not the kind of person who'd let Havoc have a quiet evening." In reply to this, Roy chuckled, still sounding a little sour.

"Too true, Hawkeye, too true…"

Glancing out of the window, Roy could see the flare of fire against the darkening evening sky as it rose above the rooftops. Scowling, he extracted a pair of white gloves, the back showing a crimson insignia of an alchemy circle, wriggling his fingers into them. Shooting him a bemused look, Riza speculated on whether Roy was planning on doing anything stupid, like burning the culprits to a crisp.

"With all due respect, sir, I don't think your alchemy is going to be very useful right now. After all, the block of buildings is on fire-"

"Hawkeye, keep your eyes on the road." Roy began to make experimental sparks, clicking his fingers sharply. "I am fiercely aware of the buildings being on fire. Against flesh, fire is a very effective weapon." He looked squarely at Riza, though her gaze remained on the road, just as she'd been instructed, but that didn't stop her from speaking.

"As are guns." It was Riza's defiant way of saying, with much less words, "You're not leaving me behind tonight. I'm helping you all the way through."