SO sorry this took forever to get out, and not much really happens in it either, school is getting hectic and work is going to get worse now that there's less staff, but I'll try and update when I can, probably at the weekend. So anyway I hope you guys enjoy this rather uneventful chapter.

Disclaimer: FMA doesn't belong to me

Chapter 11

"Come on, we better get back." They had been sat in the infirmary for hours. Roy pulled Riza up by her arm and wiped her face.

She just looked at him as he did so. "Come on cheer up. Where's the brave Riza I know?" He joked.

"With all due respect sir, that Riza just had a mental breakdown." She went back to normal fairly quickly. "Thanks Roy." He patted her back and encouraged her to keep walking. There was a smile on his face.

They were nearly back at the office when Riza broke the silence. "Roy, can we go out tonight?" She looked at the floor as if she was embarrassed. He nodded with a big grin on his face. Riza suddenly felt lighter and glad that someone else would be helping her, supporting her even if it wasn't directly. Even if she couldn't tell Roy everything, at least he was there.

(-)

Garand let them back in to the office with no questions asked. The guys took one look at Roy and saw the change in expression. The stress was gone; maybe they had resolved their problems.

"Sir, you have a telegram from Emperor Yao." Furey passed the square piece of paper towards Mustang. He read it with interest as he had been expecting to hear from Ling for a while now.

General Mustang,

I've taken into consideration the fragile ties between Amestris and Xing and I too believe an alliance would be beneficial. I've decided to take you up on your offer to build a railway track from Xing to Amestris.

We will need to arrange a meeting to discuss construction and further alliances, contact us and arrange a time, date and location.

-Emperor Ling Yao

Mustang was excited, if he could build alliances with other countries, then there would be less need for a strong military. And eventually the state would more likely turn democratic. He's got the green light from Ling, but the only problem is: he is no longer a General. Therefore he has to run it by Garand and get his approval.

When he did ask Garand he wasn't half surprised of the answer.

"Request denied, Major."

"Why is that sir!" Riza looked up briefly at his flustered appearance. "This could strengthen out ties with Xing and-"

"But in doing so, we waste precious Amestrian resources! And why? Just to help some backward country which has never cared about the affairs of our country."

"That's not true, the emperor-"

"Your opinion is biased Major, you have a Xingese background and therefore your loyalty to this country is doubtable."

Riza wanted to stand up and defend Roy's love of his country. Her hands curled up in anger but she saw Roy's expression. He looked at her briefly and shook his head.

Garand continued. "I refuse to give my approval, Major. Get back to work and pretend like the idea never crossed your mind."

"Yes sir." Roy muttered bitterly and shut the door of his office harder than necessary.

(-)

Roy wrote his message carefully but everyone could see his aggression towards the pen.

Dear Emperor Yao,

I regret to tell you that I am no longer a General therefore do not have the authority to approve the construction. The new commanding officer at Eastern HQ refuses to approve the order, therefore the Railway tracks will not be built. Yet. I am doing everything in my power to regain my position and strengthen ties between both our countries. I will contact you when I'm back at the top.

-Roy Mustang

Still annoyed he sealed the envelope and trudged unwillingly towards the postal bureau. What was Garand's problem? Why couldn't he just approved the request? He shoved the envelope into a box and wandered slowly back towards the office. He was in a procrastinating mood.

Sergeant Jones ran past him in a hurry, nearly bumping his shoulder. He ran backwards as he apologized and saluted.

"Wait Sergeant. What's with the rush?"

"You don't know? I thought you were the commanding officer on this case." Roy looked at him confused.

"It's the Slasher, he's struck again." Roy's eyes widened and his mouth dropped slightly.

"Are you on your way to the scene?" He was already walking towards the sergeant.

"Yes, sir." Sergeant Jones also began moving.

"I'm coming too." Roy over took the sergeant. The sergeant rushed to keep up with his stride.

"Are you on this case sir?"

"No, I was removed from it." His voice was bitter.

"Then you can't be at the crime scene." Jones voice wavered slightly as if he was slightly scared of the major. Despite being demoted several ranks Roy Mustang still gave of the aura of a powerful authority figure. And he still acted like one.

Roy didn't reply just walked faster. "Where is the crime scene?"

"Just outside HQ's resources building."

"What!" He stood abruptly to look at the sergeant.

"Go see yourself sir." The sergeant didn't like watching the Major glare at him so rushed further forward. "But if anyone asks I didn't tell you anything."

When Roy arrived at the scene, several minutes after the Sergeant, the smell of iron was strong and the yellow tape was everywhere. He tried to duck under the tape to get a closer look at the body but was stopped by Colonel Douglas.

"Major, I believe you were under direct orders not to investigate this case. Stay behind the tape."

But Roy had already seen it. The blue military uniform stained with blood, poking out from underneath the white sheet placed over the body.

He called for sergeant Jones straight away and demanded the official report as soon as it was ready. The scared sergeant agreed reluctantly intimidated by the harsh glares.

(-)

It was shortly after lunch when the sergeant rushed into the office with the file. Everyone was loitering around the desks since Garand hadn't returned from lunch yet. The young sergeant was evidently out of breath from running as he sloppily trudged towards the Major.

"I'm sorry sir, this is all I could get. Every officer below the rank of Major is being dismissed. It's getting too high profile."

Mustang muttered his thanks as he looked at the papers in the file and allowed the Sergeant to leave. He read the case file out load.

"Monday 15th October 1917, two victims found in front of the resources building of Eastern Headquarters. Both found in similar circumstances-fully clothed, with a single sword wound through the neck. The weapon approximately 8cm wide.

Cause of death: Loss of blood

First victim- Aria Sparrow, Eastern Command's temporary Librarian, recently transferred Central, aged 29, engaged.

Second victim- Hayley Seagle, Immigrant from Aerugo, recently became a famous reporter, aged 34, married."

The all were thinking the same thing but were afraid to break the silence.

Furey was the one who decided to break it. "Looks like the Slasher's victims have changed from prostitutes then."

"Yeah, he's going after career orientated women now." Breda muttered bitterly.

Havoc noted Mustang's hand holding the papers were trembling. His hand on the desk had curled up into a first.

"Do you notice something about the surnames of the most recent victims?" Mustang said through his teeth, his hair hung over his eyes hiding his expression.

"Sparrow and Seagle?" Havoc looked at him confused.

"They're all names of birds." Mustang forced the words out of his mouth, then bit down on his lip.

Everyone turned towards Hawkeye.

"It could be a coincidence sir." She was still as calm as always.

"No, I can't accept that." He walked over to her. "Move into my apartment."

"Sir, you are overreacting." He placed a hand lightly on her shoulder.

"What if you're next?

"I won't be."

"You can't ignore these similarities. Young career orientated women, with surnames of names of birds."

"It's a coincidence."

"I doubt it. I don't want to argue about this, just move in with me and trust me." He removed his hand and his voice lowered. "I can watch your back better this way." Riza tried to protest as Roy sighed deeply. "Don't make me make this an order."

Hawkeye sighed loudly. "Okay then." They had had enough arguments recently.

(-)

The Major and Lieutenant wandered slowly towards the exit after a mountain stack of paperwork. They were back on speaking terms and even flirted a little. Mustang had a knack at starting conversation from the weirdest things.

"If Furey and Alphonse got into a fight who do you think would win?" Roy grinned and put his hand under his chin, watching Riza's reaction.

"Does it really matter?" She sighed.

"Yes, I know who would win, but I want your opinion as well."

"Alphonse of course, he has alchemy."

"No no, this is an old fashioned fist fight. No alchemy is allowed." He waved his finger in her face. Riza never wanted to snap off his finger more.

"I don't know, and I really don't care."

"But chose someone." He whined at her, desperate to tell her his answer.

"Fine, Alphonse."

"Nah Alphonse couldn't hold a candle to our Furey!" Riza swore he was like a kid sometimes.

"Why?" She decided to humour him.

"Because Furey is part of my elite team of course and that kid is freaking scary when mad. I still remember that time Havoc hid one of his electronic things and he found out. Even Havoc screamed like a little girl." Roy spoke with pride about his youngest subordinate.

"Furey's not the only one that's scary when mad." Her voice was low and she made no eye contact.

Roy stopped walking and looked at her. "It's not the same with me. I'm a big military guy, Furey's a little guy."

Riza face palmed. "You're not that big. You're short compared to Armstrong."

He grabbed her shoulders and stared at her in the eyes serious. "Anyone compared to Armstrong looks short." Riza chuckled and they carried on their walk to the exit. The telephone booth caught Roy's attention and he quickly turned to Riza.

"Can you wait a bit, I need to go and check that Ishval received their builders?" She nodded and Roy rushed over to the phone. Garand slid over from where he was dealing with admin work and approached Hawkeye.

"What does he know?" Garand casually leaned against the wall next to Riza. His voice was low.

"Nothing. He just thinks I'm suicidal." She didn't lift her gaze from Roy. She watched him as he spoke cheerfully into the phone.

"Good, keep it that way." He didn't say anything until Roy began making his way towards them.

He then spoke loudly making sure he heard. "Have a nice evening. I'll see you tomorrow." He patted her shoulder and walked away. "Oh and I'd just thought I'd let you know Major since you have such a huge fascination with the Slasher case. We've apprehended a suspect, he's currently being questioned." He nodded at Mustang as he left. Garand was getting better and better at acting. The bastard.

"You and Garand are chummy all of a sudden. What happened?" He was mildly confused, had Garand's act had fooled him?

"We worked out our differences." Riza muttered avoiding eye contact.

"Oh, Okay." He seemed to buy it, and with that he wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her towards the exit despite her protests.

(-)

The drive home was in a comfortable silence. Riza sat in the passenger seat staring out the window whilst Roy kept eyes on the road. They were on their way to Riza's apartment to pick up some of her belongings before heading to Roy's apartment.

Roy removed his hand from the steering wheel and placed it over Riza's. She turned and looked at him.

"Are you mad at me?" His eyes were still focused on the road but appeared to be staring beyond.

"No, I just feel you are over reacting, but I guess I'll have to trust you." She flipped over his hand and intertwined their fingers.

"Sorry, I know I'm being selfish, but I'll sleep better knowing you are nearby. Even if they have a suspect in custody."

"You're wrong." Roy peeled his eyes off the road to look at her surprised. "You are only selfish when you want to protect people around you despite what they feel, but that desire to protect others is not selfishness. It's concern." She looked down at their hands. "Sure, it gets annoying but we do appreciate it. Me and the rest of the team."

He said nothing but a smile crept onto his face as he turned his attention back onto the road. "Open that will you." He pointed at the compartment in front of her. Inside was a pair of gloves and a small box.

"It's a present for you." She withdrew the small box and opened it. A pair a pearl earrings. Not particularly big but not small either.

"They were my birth mother's. I want you to have them." There was a sad smile on his face as Riza protested.

"Just take them. It's not as if I'll ever wear them." There was a smirk in his voice.

Riza thank him as she replaced the simple purple ones in her ears with the ones she had just been given.