AN: Thanks to all who left a review. It is great encouragement when I hear you guys are enjoying it!

To reply to a guest review (Nov 9): You won't see Lieutenant Riza's POV in this story, however I plan to do a one shot/short story from her POV after this is finished. I do anticipate this being quite a long fic though, so it will be a while until that is released.

I hope you enjoy the chapter!

RIZA

Elizabeth led the way back to their room for the night, with Roy walking slower than usual behind her. She stopped in the corridor and turned to face him. If she hadn't put her hand out to lightly grasp his shoulder he would have walked right into her.

"Are you all right, Roy?" she asked. She scanned his face in concern, trying to discern what was wrong. "You began to act strangely when we were talking in the library."

"I'm fine," he replied slowly. "It was just difficult to talk about Hughes again."

"You know the man in your world?"

She watched him take a deep breath before replying. "Yes. I knew him. He was a close friend of mine."

Almost afraid of the answer, Elizabeth replied. "You knew him?"

Roy nodded and met her eyes for the first time. "Yes. My friend was murdered a few years ago."

Elizabeth was speechless for a few moments as she tried to process the information. She couldn't imagine a world without Maes Hughes. She knew the man well and admired his endless energy and lust for life. He was Roy's closest friend, so it makes sense this Roy would know him, she reasoned.

"I am so sorry, Roy." She gave his hand a quick squeeze in comfort. She knew how he was feeling very well.

"Is he married?" he asked abruptly. Elizabeth thought it was an odd question, but didn't comment.

"Yes. He has a little girl." Roy only nodded and smiled sadly. He said nothing more on the subject and continued walking towards their room.

"Roy, do you want to talk about it?" she called to his back. He didn't pause in his walking but shook his head in response. Elizabeth followed behind him to their room. When she arrived he was sitting on the couch in front of the fire. He was still as he stared into the fire, hands clasped on front of him as he rested on his knees. Elizabeth said nothing as she sat beside him. Grasping his hand lightly, she gave it a squeeze in comfort.

"If you do want to discuss anything, I am here for you." When he didn't respond she sighed quietly. She didn't like to see him like this, so reserved and filled with sadness. She had only ever seen Roy truly upset a handful of time. He had always been so happy and full of life. It was one thing she had always admired about him.

"This is just a lot of information for me to take in," Roy explained slowly after a few moments. "Although I am pretty sure this is exactly how you were feeling when you saw me."

"I can imagine it is, yes."

"It still hurts, you know?" He rubbed his face wearily, running a hand through his hair. "It happened about three years ago now, but it doesn't make it any easier."

"I understand." Elizabeth felt Roy stiffen as she laid her head on his shoulder. "You will get to see him again though. Not many people can say they get that chance."

"I suppose you are right."

"Maes was your closest friend here too. I will meet him beforehand and explain the situation. It will be difficult enough for you, I assume, without having to explain."

"I appreciate that Elizabeth. Thank you."

"Would you like to come on patrol with us tomorrow?" Elizabeth returned to sitting upright and turned to face Roy. She hoped changing the subject of conversation would lighten the mood slightly. "We cannot do much more in terms of research until we hear from the College. Once Maes fills us in we can take a step further."

"I would like that."

"Hopefully it will get your mind of things for a while. I will explain the situation to the team in the morning. Like I said, they have a right to know what is going on as well."

"Of course. It would be nice to get out and explore this world."

"All right. We just need to patrol the outer borders of the city, nothing too difficult. I like to gather intel from various sources when we are out, see what has been happening locally. If any problems come up, we deal with them." She saw Roy perk up as she mentioned leaving the castle. She imagined he must be feeling a bit caged. He hadn't left the castle walls since he arrived about a week ago. She knew all too well herself how bad it can get being cooped up in the castle.

"What do you mean by another world?" Havoc asked. His brow was furrowed in confusion as he ate his breakfast.

"So, this Roy is not the one we know? He hasn't returned from the dead?" Breda chipped in.

"No," Elizabeth answered shaking her head. "This Roy is not the one we knew. He is from another world, one parallel to ours. But he knows each and every one of you. You each have your own doppelganger in his world. Apparently we all work on the same team in the military." Breda let out a sigh of relief, whereas Havoc's frown deepened.

"That's a relief. For a moment I thought it was some kind of black magic."

"I don't understand," Havoc stated.

"There's a surprise, genius," Breda muttered. Havoc opened his mouth to reply but Elizabeth quickly stopped him.

"I had initially thought the same Breda," Elizabeth confessed. "But from what he tells me it seems entirely possible there is another world out there."

"How can you be absolutely sure it is not black magic?" Fuery piped up. He shrunk back as Havoc glared at him. "I mean," he squeaked nervously. "His memories could have been altered by magic." When Havoc glared at him further his voice went even higher. "Sorry! I just haven't ever really believed in that kind of stuff!"

"It is quite all right Fuery," Elizabeth soothed. However, the seed of doubt had been placed. Perhaps she had been too quick to trust him? There were multiple forces out there who were widely known to oppose the royal family… She quickly dismissed the thoughts from her mind. No. She had spent enough time with him to know he was genuine. If he hadn't been, she would have known by now. She was sure of it. "I didn't believe in such things either. However, I have spent enough time with him to realise Roy is genuinely telling the truth."

"It has happened in the past," Falman spoke quietly. The group turned to look at him. "There has been cases in the past of people moving between worlds, although very few. In addition, souls pass through worlds all the time. It is not impossible."

"So we have to help him get back to his world?" Havoc asked.

"If you want to help me, yes. If not, I understand."

"Are you kidding? Of course we are in." A murmur went round the table in agreement.

"Thank you. He is coming with us on patrol today. I have no idea of his abilities as a fighter, so ensure he is protected. Havoc, you are in charge of his safety."

"Roger that."

"I know he can manipulate fire and use it to his advantage, but I am unsure of his fighting abilities. This patrol should be simple enough so we shouldn't have much problem either. I would like to meet with Madame Christmas when were are out too. I feel like she will find out about this news soon and I would like to inform her in person that her nephew, is in fact, still alive. Hopefully she will have some information for us as well."

"Will Mustang be going with you to see the Madame?" Fuery asked.

Elizabeth had thought about this already. "No. I will head there with Falman and break the news. The rest of you will remain with Roy and return to the castle early. Falman and I will catch up with you."

The each nodded at their orders. "When do we head out?" Havoc asked.

"Whenever you are ready. I will meet you in front of the main gate."

They each answered with a "yes ma'am!" as Elizabeth left the group to finish eating. She exited the barracks and into the stables which was situated on the opposite side of the small courtyard. The stable hand waved at her and bid her good morning as she approached her horse.

"Would you like your horse prepared My Lady?"

"Yes Stan. Could you also ready a horse for Lord Mustang as well?"

"Of course My Lady. If you don't mind me saying, I am pleased he his home," the man smiled. "You are certainly looking happier now he is back, pardon me for saying so."

"Thank you, Stan." The young man grinned and left her standing in front of her horse. She brushed its nose fondly and it nickered. Did she really look happier? Had she looked that miserable before? She hadn't really noticed.

An hour later Roy joined her in the courtyard. Elizabeth had left him to have breakfast with her parents while she excused herself to get things ready for the patrol that day. Rebecca and the Elric brothers had joined them, so she guessed it would be a while before he could excuse himself to join him. Once her father started a discussion about the Mage College there was rarely a chance to stop him, or get a word in edgeways, until he was satisfied.

"How are you at riding horses?"

He eyed the grey mare slightly nervously. "I'm all right. I rode a lot as a kid, but I haven't done it in years."

Elizabeth nodded. "You should not have too much difficulty. Once you get used to it again it will be easy." She led the mare over him and he attempted mounting. He was slightly off balance, but made it without incident. "See, easy. Would you like any weapons to arm yourself?"

"I think I will stick with my gloves. I wouldn't trust me with a sword. I just might end up stabbing myself."

"Well, we wouldn't want that," she smirked. "Fair enough." She mounted her own horse and nudged it into a walk. She led the way to the courtyard in front of the main gate. Roy followed after her a moment later, still trying to remember what to do. Elizabeth had picked the grey mare because she was easy to ride. She often moved without being told, following those in front of her unless directed otherwise.

"I have asked Havoc to watch over you today for protection," Elizabeth announced as they slowly walked. "I do not know the extent of your abilities with those gloves, or your ability to fight, so we will play it safe for now."

"I don't need protection Elizabeth," Roy protested. "I am skilled with alchemy," he boasted.

"While that may be true, we do not full understand how alchemy works in this world, and I have yet to see you in action. Until I do, you will have extra protection. Like I said before, Roy, I lost you once. I don't want to feel responsible for killing you a second time," she replied, somewhat fiercely. It was misplaced anger towards Roy, but in that moment she couldn't help it. She mentally scolded herself as she let her emotions run away with her again.

"All right," Roy replied cautiously. "Extra protection it is."

Elizabeth sighed loudly and pulled her horse to a stop. "I am sorry. I let my emotions run away with me for a moment. I am not angry at you, more at myself. I would rather not have to worry. Plus," she added. "I am pretty sure your Riza would come through here herself and "kick my ass" if I had gotten you killed," she smiled, hoping the small joke would clear the air between them. She relaxed as Roy laughed in response.

"That she would." The pair began moving again. "I didn't really think about the situation like that, with me needing extra protection. You don't need to worry though. I am not proud of it, but I was dubbed a "war hero" in my own world with how I handled my alchemy," he explained bitterly.

"You fought in a war? Sorry," Elizabeth quickly backpeddled as she realised what she had asked. "Forget I asked."

"I did, yes. Like I said, I'm not proud of it."

"Hey Hawkeye!" Havoc called as they approached. Elizabeth was grateful for the sudden interruption. She had put her foot in it and was grateful to move on. "Hey Chief," he greeted Roy. "Are you both ready to go?"

"Yes, we are ready."

"Lead the way, My Lady," Havoc grinned. He moved aside to Elizabeth could pass by. Roy followed her and moved to her right side, while Havoc moved to his. "How are you feeling today, Chief?" he asked casually.

The gate lifted, creaking and rumbling as it moved. Elizabeth paid less attention to the conversations around her and focussed on the task ahead. They would head west to outskirts of Central and ride for a few hours, moving from village to village. She had contacts scattered throughout who she needed to see. She would ask around about teleportation and crossing between worlds. There were only a few she really trusted with her questions, like Madame Christmas. It wouldn't hurt to ask after all. She would visit the Madame last before returning home. Her bar was in the centre of the city, so it made sense.

"Let's ride!" she called and galloped forward. A thunder of hooves sounded behind her as the rest followed. They passed through the barrier and onto the main road out of the inner city. The cobblestone path gave way to dirt and the sound of their hooves became muffled. After about five minutes or so the outer city came into view and the road became busier. Market stalls lined the roadside and people parted as they rode by. The group had slowed to a walk as they made their way through the crowds to avoid trampling anyone. People called greetings to them as they passed, which Elizabeth returned. It was heart-warming to know people still cared for the royal family. In recent months there had been hushed talks of a rebellion against them, mainly between the underworld factions, such as bandits and merceneries, not much for them to worry about, her father had always said. Still, a threat was a threat and Elizabeth always asked her contacts to look out for such talk.

Their first contact was in the small village of Vri. Elizabeth informed the team to remain outside the village and rest the horses.

"I will head into town myself. A large group entering would draw too much attention. Rest the horses and I will be back soon."

"Yes ma'am."

She could tell Roy didn't seem particularly happy about it, going by the frown on his face, but he said nothing. She left the group and pulled the hood of her cloak around her. It was a short walk to her destination, an inn in the centre of town. When she entered the innkeeper greeted her warmly.

"The usual today, Riza?"

"Yes please, Mark." She had specifically asked her informants and their associates not to use her real name, and call her by her nickname. She didn't particularly want to use the nickname Roy had given her, it brought back too many memories, but it was necessary. Her real name was too well known.

"Not a problem. Annie will be through shortly." He left the bar to exit through a door at the back. She took a seat at a table near the fire. She welcomed the heat from the flames. A chill had set over her once she had stopped riding.

Annie was an elderly woman with a hearty smile. She was unsuspecting, which worked well in her favour, with being in the business to dealing information. She grinned as she shuffled over to Elizabeth. "Riza," she greeted warmly, pulling the younger woman into a hug. "How are you my dear?"

"I am well. How are you?"

"Mark and I are doing well. Just pottering away, day to day. I hear your fiancé has returned to us," she started casually.

"Yes," Elizabeth replied smoothly, not betraying her true feelings. "It is a miracle he is alive."

"It is indeed. Strange circumstances to appear though, especially after so long," Annie commented. She turned a calculated eye towards Elizabeth. Annie was not an unkind woman, she just had an uncanny ability to know when the truth was being withheld from her. Elizabeth wasn't completely sure she couldn't read minds.

"I would rather not talk about it Annie, if you wouldn't mind. We are still adjusting."

Annie said nothing for a moment, then smiled warmly. "Of course my dear. Sorry, old habits die hard."

"I understand. Has anything new happened around here?"

"Not much. Business has been quiet lately. A couple of groups have passed through town, but not much trouble. I haven't seen them before though. Still, sometimes it is nice to see some fresh faces," she added cheerfully.

Elizabeth nodded and sipped the glass of water Mark had brought over to her. Annie didn't have any new information for her and mercenaries have passed through town but caused no trouble. "That's good to know then. Sorry to hear about business though."

"Ah, not to worry," Annie waved off her concerns. "We have been in this town for fifty years now. Nothing is going to drive us away."

"That's good to hear," Elizabeth smiled. "Thank you for your time Annie, but I must get going. I have a few friends waiting for me outside of town."

"Take care of yourself dear." Annie stood shakily and hugged Elizabeth goodbye.

"No new news," Elizabeth informed the team as she returned. She mounted her horse again and began to move onto the next village. "Mercenaries seem to be moving more freely now than before though. That might be something to keep an eye on, Breda."

The man nodded as he rode up beside her. "I will ask my own sources to keep an eye out for such movements. It is strange that they begin to move now," he commented. Breda also had his own network of information. The group relied greatly on it, with Breda being able to move more freely through the kingdom without being recognised than Elizabeth. However, Elizabeth had known her own contacts since before Breda joined the Royal Guard, and they were reliable. She wouldn't have been happy to lose them. "It is indeed strange. I have a feeling this is linked to something though, we just need to figure out what. They would never have moved through small villages like this before, unless gold brought them here."

"You don't think it did?"

Elizabeth shook her head as she thought about what Annie said. "No. Annie informed me they didn't cause much trouble."

"Interesting…" he trailed off as he began to theorise possible reasons for them travelling though the village. Those groups as a whole stuck to lesser known roads and didn't travel near towns and villages as they hoped to avoid the guards. It was strange behaviour indeed they had travelled through Vri. I will need to inform Father when I return, Elizabeth thought to herself. I will see if he has any idea what this odd behaviour could be about.

As they travelled throughout the day, each of Elizabeth's informants had a limited amount of news for her, however one in the most western village of Aire had something interesting to say to her.

"I don't know much, but I have heard whispers of a rebellion against the royal family," Snake whispered quietly. Named so because his features were strikingly similar to the reptile. This inn was definitely shadier than those she usually frequented, but it had close ties with the underworld. Everything that was worth knowing passed through the underworld, so it was a valuable resource. Elizabeth was not stupid either. She had brought Falman and Breda inside with her for backup. They were sat at the bar whereas she and Snake were hidden from the usual patrons in a back room. Snake was trustworthy, despite the name, but the patrons in his inn were not. This was a place where bandits and mercenaries gathered who would take any reason to make some gold and start a fight.

"We have known about this for while Snake," Elizabeth replied. If that was the only news he had to offer, she would leave.

"That is true, My Lady, however it seems there is a master controlling the puppets."

Now Elizabeth was interested. "How so?"

"I have heard there is a group situated in the north east who is controlling the movement of the bandits and such. I haven't heard a name, but it seems these guys are the ones in charge. They call their master "Father". A bit weird if you ask me."

"Interesting." Elizabeth commented. Snake opened his mouth to speak again, but promptly shut it. "What else do you know Snake."

"There is something else, My Lady, but I am not sure you would want to hear it."

"Snake," she warned. This was not the time for games. He was silent for a moment and looked almost apprehensive, as if he was afraid of her reaction. "Snake," Elizabeth barked. "What else?" she was getting impatient. She had finally found some valuable information and Snake was pussyfooting around it.

"Well, these guys were also responsible for the attack on your team a few months back." Elizabeth stared at him in shock. Then, anger replaced shock and her features turned to a glare. She barely noticed him shrink back in his seat as a fire flared in her heart. It made sense, after all. They tried to take her out by using the ones she loved. But that was a big mistake. "My Lady?" Snake stuttered. She turned her attention to him and gave him the coin bag as payment for the information.

"Thank you Snake. Your information has been valuable. Keep an eye out for anything else please." She stood from her seat and stormed out the room. In her anger, she had forgotten Falman and Breda were sat at the bar and left the inn without them.

"Hey! Hawkeye!" she heard Breda call after her. Fuery, Havoc and Roy stood, alert, as she made her way down the path. "What's the rush? What did you find out?" She didn't stop, her anger pressing her to keep moving. "Hawkeye!" Havoc grabbed her shoulder and turned her to face him. "Snap out of it. What's wrong?"

"Snake informed me who attacked us in the East."

"Who?" he urged. Although, he looked almost fearful of the answer.

"The rebellion. The ones who want my family killed and out of power." The group went silent as the information hit home.

"All right," Havoc spoke slowly, still trying to process the new information. "Did he give any names?"

"No." She mounted her horse and the rest followed suit. "But that is something I am going to find out."

"Where are we going now?" Fuery asked.

"Back to the city. I have one stop, but the rest of you need to head back to the castle. Tell my father I have to discuss a few things with him when I return."

The group knew better to argue with her when she was this angry, and complied. She turned towards the city and she rode off at a gallop. Her anger was urging her forwards. It was stupid, but she was angry and upset. So, this group had purposefully killed the man she loved to get to her. It wasn't just an accident, it was a hit. She needed to speak with Madame Christmas. If Snake had heard the news then the Madame had definitely heard it and perhaps had more information for her. She pushed her horse hard, wanting to reach her destination as soon as possible.