Crossing A Fine Line

Summary: When Riza's mission leads to her disappearance, what will Roy do to get her back? Will he even make it in time?

Chapter Seven: That Dang Luggage. Part One.


Well, I decided to update right now. I woke up at 1:30 this afternoon and it's only 9:37p.m. right now, so I figured that I'll be awake for the next few hours.


Disclaimer: I don't own Full Metal Alchemist or any of its characters.


The sun beat down on Roy and Riza as they were nearing their third hour of searching.

"Maybe we should rest," Riza suggested. She had been following close behind Roy this whole time, "It's hot…and I'm hungry," she said as she rubbed her stomach.

Roy wasn't wearing his uniform jacket, it was swung over his shoulder, and the sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up.

"Alright," he sighed, though he wasn't too happy about giving in, "We'll go get something to eat," he assured her, causing her to smile a little. He pointed to the closest restaurant, "We'll go there, it looks pretty good," he said as he took a quick look over his shoulder.

Riza nodded, "Anything sounds good right now, Sir," she replied, feeling very relieved.

There was silence for a few moments as they made their way to the restaurant. There had been something Roy wanted to ask since he found Riza and he figured now was as good a time as ever.

"How did you escape?" he asked, not looking at the young Lieutenant.

Riza sighed, she was hoping he wouldn't ask. She was a little embarrassed because she had to wait for a moment of weakness before attacking those guys.

"I took advantage of their weak moment, Sir," she replied simply, though apparent in her tone that she didn't want too.

Roy laughed a bit, "A weak moment?" he asked in disbelief, as he stopped and looked at her, "You didn't just beat them up?" he asked, laughing a little this time.

Riza stopped when she was standing next to him, "No Sir, I couldn't," she replied irritably as she crossed her arms.

Roy laughed a little more, "Ok, ok, I have to ask…why?" he said as he tried to stop his laughter.

Riza couldn't tell him why. What would she say? I couldn't beat them because you're my strength and without you…I'm lost.

Her eyes narrowed on her colonel, "I want to go eat now. Either you come with me, or you can stand in the road and get hit with a car. Choice is yours," she said bitterly before pushing the young colonel in the street and walked away.

A car squealed to a stop so it wouldn't hit him, "Get out of the road!" the angry driver yelled as he waved a fist at Roy.

Roy ran out of the street and turned to see where Riza went, "Not funny, Lieutenant!" he called after her before following her into the restaurant.


Armstrong and Amy can be seen walking the streets of the city. They were closing in on their forth hour of searching. There was silence between the two of them, but than again, there always seemed to be.

"Lieutenant," Armstrong said in his normal tone, not turning to look at the woman behind him.

Amy slowly looked up from the ground at her major, "S-Sir?" she stuttered.

"Do you like working for me?" Armstrong asked curiously, still not looking at her.

Amy's eyes widened with surprise…and fear. She was afraid of this. The major would ask her if she liked working for him…then fire her.

"Why Sir?" she asked, her voice a little shaky. She stopped in her tracks and looked up at him, "Y-you're n-n-not firing m-m-me are you?" she asked, fear filling her completely.

Armstrong stopped and turned around. He looked down at her and smiled a little, but quickly let it fade.

"Of course not. I could never fire the best assistant I've ever had," he assured her, his voice calm.

This seemed to sooth Amy a bit, "Sorry Sir," she said shamefully before looking back at the ground, "I just don't want to lose you," she said quietly, tears filling her eyes. Armstrong gently put his hand on her shoulder, causing her to look at him. He gently smiled at her, but didn't say a word. Amy returned the smile, but her seemed a bit nervous. It quickly faded when she realized what she had said, "I'm sorry Sir, I should have never said that," she apologized as she shook her head, "It was wrong of me."

"Hmm," Armstrong said in his normal tone, "I don't want to lose you either," he assured her, causing her smile to slowly reappear. "Now, let's go find the colonel," he ordered before letting go of her shoulder and continuing on his way.

Amy slowly followed behind him, her smile still strewn across her face.

"Yes Sir," she said, breaking the few moments of silence.

Armstrong stopped and waited for her to catch up before walking again, "Hmm?" he asked confused, not understanding what she meant.

"I do like working for you," Amy said, not looking up at her boss.

Armstrong nodded, "Why is that?" he asked as he looked forward, noticing that she was calmer than he's ever seen her.

"Because you're patient, understanding, kind, though, you're awfully quiet," Amy answered, only looking up at him for a few seconds.

"Quiet?" Armstrong asked as he gave her a quick look as well.

"Yes, Sir," Amy replied, "I often sit in the office with you and you say nothing. You just sit at your desk and do paperwork. Or you go off and do, who knows what, with Havoc and Hughes…" she began, but stopped when she realized what she had said, "I'm so sorry, Sir," she said quietly as she looked down at the ground.

Armstrong turned his head away from Amy, he didn't want her too see his upset expression, "It's been almost a year since Hughes past away," he said quietly, causing Amy to look at him once again, "And we all talk as if he is still around."

Amy blinked before looking to the ground, "That's a good thing," she replied, causing Armstrong to snap his head in her direction, "It means that we never let go. We all know that he will live on through us, no matter what," she replied, looking up at Armstrong.

Her blue eyes stared deep into his, "I never thought of it that way," he said, wondering where she would come up with such a thing, but knowing that she was right. Amy nodded and looked forward once more. "So, quiet?" Armstrong said once more before looking forward, he knew this was an awkward moment for Amy, so he changed the subject.

"Yes, Sir," Amy nodded, "I often wonder what you think about while you're sitting there," she said, knowing he was changing the subject and happy to do so as well.

Armstrong smiled as she said that. It was Amy he was thinking of. He sits in the office and stares across the room at her. If only she knew that the only time he looked at the paperwork was when she looked up at him and he didn't want her catch him staring.

"Hmm," he replied simply, not saying another word.


"Sorry about what happened out there," Roy apologized as he looked across the table at Riza. The two had been sitting in silence as they enjoyed their meals. The restaurant was a little crowded, but not very loud. Roy waited for her to reply, but she didn't say a word, "I take it you're pretty mad at me," he said tilting his head slightly, "What the heck did I do!" he yelled impatiently, seeing how Riza didn't seem to want to answer.

Riza looked at him, her eyes narrowed, "You were being a man," she replied simply before going back to her eating.

Roy shook his head, "I'm sorry that that is such an problem for you. Please, allow me to get a sex change," he said bitterly as he slammed his napkin down on the table.

"That's not what I meant, Sir," Riza retaliated, "Just, never mind," she said as she place her napkin on the table and got up to leave the restaurant.

Roy shrugged before pulling money from his pocket and placing it on the table. He ran for the door and followed Riza out of it.

He ran to catch up with her, "What is wrong with you lately?" he asked as he walked beside her, "You don't seem yourself."

Riza shrugged, "I've got a lot on my mind, that's all," she said, not looking at the colonel. "I felt so weak around them. It wasn't easy for me to get kidnapped and you aren't making things better," she sighed before walking a few steps ahead of him.

Roy stopped as he watched her walk away, "Sorry," he said as little unsure.


Well, that's the first half of this chapter. Hopefully it will hold you over until tommorow. Bye for now.

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