Disclaimer: I do not own FMA, but Reine and Eric I do own.

A/N: Hello readers! I apologize for not updating. I'm having some difficulty paying attention to writing because I'm writing my OWN story….so yeah I've been busy with stuff. I apologize again!

This story will be Rated M AFTER I POST THE NEXT CHAPTER because the blood amount. That's what I think, at least. Don't worry to people who don't like Lemons, there won't be any in this story.

…Unless I put up an Outtake. Ha Ha. ENJOY!

It was nearing dawn and Riza was fast asleep on her old bed. Her arm was bandaged; a bit of red seeping through the gauze, and her head was still wrapped up.

Downstairs, Roy and Hughes were talking quietly.

"She was nearly killed Hughes! I should've gone with her!" Roy growled, gritting his teeth as he paced around the living place.

"But she didn't," Hughes sighed, rubbing his eyes. "Look Roy, we're both tired and you haven't drunken in two days; we'll probably be slaphappy in a few minutes so calm down."

Roy pursed his lips and stopped his pacing, abruptly sitting down on the leather couch.

Hughes continued. "Riza has been through a lot lately, so try to lighten up. She's had experience fighting and she survived."

"Barely," Roy grumbled.

Hughes sighed. "This is going no where." He looked at Roy unhappily. "Look, just…Talk to her, clear things up. This mission is already stressing us so it's best to take care of…other situations."

Riza winced at the light coming through the blinds of her window. The room was spinning so she shut her eyes tightly again. The pain medication she had taken was wearing off slowly, making her feel more nauseous. Her arm stung, crackling up to her head.

She didn't hear anything, but then she felt a cool hand caressing her cheek. "Riza…" She felt the cushions move, signaling that he was sitting next to her on the bed.

The lieutenant cracked her eyes open slowly, trying to orient herself. Luckily, the room wasn't spinning. She gazed over to her Colonel, taking in the red eyes that held some pent up emotion. Not sure what to say to his concerned face, she merely said. "Good morning sir, did something happen while I was asleep?"

Roy grimaced. "No, nothing happened. I...need to talk to you."

Riza blinked and nodded. "Oh yes, I forgot. I apologize Colonel, I couldn't see who the suspect was; it was too dark. I won't fail next time sir…" She trailed off, seeing him shake his head and a look of frustration glued onto his face.

"That's not what we have to talk about."

She tried to avoid it. "I don't understand sir, you and I made it perfectly clear. I will do my best not to get in your way yet I have and sidetracked us."

Roy groaned, slapping his face.

"Is it my blood then, sir?" Riza slowly sat up, shrugging her long hair away from her neck. "You should drink sir, you w-."

Roy held up a hand stopping her mid sentence. "I didn't mean to say that yesterday Riza, it came out all wrong." He waited for her to say something.

She didn't, simply waiting for him to continue.

"You see…I wasn't completely lying when I said you were in the way of the mission," He saw her eyes tighten but continued. "When I said that, I meant that I didn't want you to become a big part of this. Do you understand?"

Silence…

Roy's shoulders sagged. "I don't know how to say this…" He said awkwardly. The colonel took the blonde's hand in his, making her eyes widen slightly, and closed his eyes, concentrating. "You're precious to me Riza, I can't loose you. That monster is out to get you and could –will- kill you when he has the chance. I can't afford to have you killed in the arms of that man, you're important to me. You've been with my for years and always had my back and stayed with me even when I killed thousands of people. You're the only one –besides Hughes- that understands what I go through, and I can't possible loose you like this. I want to protect you with my life." He shakily inhaled and opened his eyes. "What I'm saying is that I'm in lo-."

Riza stopped him, placing her hand firmly onto his mouth. He looked at her in confusion.

She didn't say anything for a moment, before sadly looking at him. "Don't. Please don't, Roy."

Roy didn't say anything for a moment before he grew frustrated with the silence. "What do you mean 'Don't'? I have to tell you; otherwise it'll be too late!"

"There is nothing to say," She said in a monotone voice. "I cannot allow your feelings to get in the way of your path to ending this mission. It will only distract you."

He gritted his teeth in anger. "What the hell are you talking about?!"

She didn't look at him as she spoke slowly in the same monotone voice. "I know what you're saying Roy, but I can't accept your feelings."

Silence enveloped the two. Roy sat on the bedside chair staring pensively at the young blonde with emotions raging behind his eyes, and Riza sat on the bed with a blank expression on. Eventually, Roy moved. Exhaling through his nostrils, he closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them. Smiling wryly, he spoke in his commander tone. "I understand R – Hawkeye. I apologize for bothering you with this conversation."

The lieutenant didn't respond.

"Forget I said anything, and like you said," He chuckled darkly, the smile not reaching his eyes. "My feelings would distract me. Although, I do want you to be safe lieutenant, so I trust you to back me up. Is that alright with you?"

Riza nodded. "Of course it's alright with me, it's my job. I apologize for not feeling the same way…Colonel."

He waved it off by gesturing his hand. "It's nothing." He then stood. "Well, I should get back downstairs so you can rest. Feel better lieutenant."

"Wait, Colonel, you have to drink." Of course he does…

He cursed under his breathe but still sat next to her on the bed. Brushing her long hair back, he leaned in to her neck. Disgusting, I'm downright filthy. He punctured her skin and began drinking, gulping down the red river.

Once; her blood was sweet, it felt like silk, seeping down his throat,

Twice; he hated doing this

Three times; he was draining the blood of the woman he loved – the woman that didn't return his feelings.

Roy pulled away slowly, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. The red in his eyes were gone, replaced with his ebony eye color.

The lieutenant swayed slightly out of exhaustion. Gently, Roy pushed her down onto the bed and covered her up. "Get some rest Hawkeye, you'll need it."

The fireplace in the lounge crackled loudly as small specks of coal fluttered around. At the coffee table, Hughes swirled the whiskey in his glass goblet nervously. He heard no shouting, so they couldn't have possibly messed up, right?

How wrong he was.

Sensing someone in the room, he snapped his head behind him. Roy was at the bottom of the stairs with an emotionless expression on his face. Hughes jumped up from his chair and quickly strode to the Colonel. Stopping in front of him he placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Roy? How'd it go, buddy?"

Staggering a bit, Roy looked at his friend in the eye. Immediately, Hughes saw grief, sorrow, and guilt. "Oh no…Roy, I'm so sorry. I didn't think this would happen." He said, talking just above whispering.

Mustang shook his head. "It's fine Hughes." Abruptly, he grinned, yet it was forced. "Forget about this Maes, didn't you say that you would show me some new pictures of your daughter?"

Hughes grimaced but put on a small, wry smile. "Sorry, I left them back at home." He patted Roy on the back. "C'mon, I'll bring out some more whiskey. Just make sure not to get yourself drunk.

Hughes silently cringed as Riza thanked the waitress for bringing them their tea. It was far too tense.

After making sure the blonde was feeling well enough to go out, the three had arrived at the café quietly for lunch in casual clothing. The two officers acted as if nothing had happened, occasionally talking only about the mission. Each having a stoic expression plastered on, Hughes grimaced at the failure. He just couldn't understand what went wrong.

"What can't you understand, Lieutenant Colonel?"

Hughes started, blinking at Riza. "Huh?"

"You asked what went wrong."

"Oh…did I say that out loud?" He tittered. "Um, forget I said anything."

Riza measured him for a moment before brushing it off.

Roy cleared his throat. "Going back to the subject," He frowned. "Did you happen to notice anything about the attacker, lieutenant?"

Hughes internally grimaced at the sternness of his voice. It was like nothing had happened…

Riza pursed her lips. "It was a man, I could tell after-." she hesitated. "After I kneed him." She watched as the two wince and shift uncomfortably. "That's all I noted about him."

Roy groaned and rubbed his hand onto his face. "So we've reached an impasse. That's just great. We don't know who the attacker was since it couldn't have been Reine – he would've killed her right then- or why Eric was murdered."

"What do we do now?" Hughes asked.

"It's difficult to say. I doubt it's safe to go back to the butchers shop, the attacker will probably be more cautious since they know we're now here. Too dangerous."

The three lapsed into silence. Roy rubbed his temples tiredly. So far, all they knew is that Reine was here, there was a murder –namely Eric-, there was an attacker in the butcher's shop that's somehow related to Eric and probably his murder. Really, the attacker could just be a coincidence; maybe just a mugger. But that had too many questions. What the hell would a mugger be doing in the basement of a butcher's shop?

"Roy!"

The Colonel snapped his head up and frowned at his buddy. "What?"

"Go get a newspaper from outside; some people passing by us just now were talking about another case. The newspapers probably have something about it; go buy one for us."

"Why can't you get it?"

"Since last night my legs are still jittery from running so hard when we were coming back to the house." Hughes sighed. "It's hard to run after a vampire whose speed isn't anything like a human's Roy."

Roy stared at him with an incredulous expression before grumbling and stalking out of the café.

The spectacled father exhaled heavily before looking at Riza who had a pensive look on her face.

"Look, Riza –"

"I don't want to talk about it, Lieutenant Colonel."

"You don't even know what I want to say!"

She huffed and glared at him with an irritated expression. Glancing at the window of the café, she pointed with her chin to the black haired colonel who was digging through his pocket for his wallet. Hughes groaned. "C'mon Hawkeye, I need to know why-"

The café door ringed interrupting him mid-sentence. Glancing behind his shoulder, they both saw Roy coming with a newspaper tucked under his arms. "Later." Riza hissed.

Hughes nodded. "Later." He repeated.

Roy sat down with a worried face. "There's been three disappearances; a middle-aged couple, last seen on Arkwood Street. They've been missing since last night." Flipping the newspaper open, he pointed to wanted signs. "The other victim was Steve the Butcher."

The blonde's eyes widened. "Steve? That's…bothersome."

"I agree, Steve, the owner of the shop, Eric, who worked at the shop, and the couple who were near the shop. It all seems connected," Hughes groaned. "That means we have to go back to the butcher's shop. It's so creepy there! Dead stuff is stored there! Have you seen those pigs?"

Dead…dead stuff.

Missing bodies…also known to be dead…corpses.

Riza gasped. "Of course! What else to put in a butcher's shop! Dead bodies, corpses, people!"

Roy slapped his forehead and groaned. "Why didn't we realize this sooner?!"

"So what's our plan?" Hughes asked.

"We'll lay low for today and stay at the house. Tomorrow, we're going back to the butcher's shop and scrounge around."

It was the middle of the afternoon and Riza and Hughes were having dinner in the kitchen of the Hawkeye Mansion. Roy was sweeping the town in case there was another attack.

Hughes watched as Riza calmly ate her meal. "Is it later yet?"

The blonde twitched and harshly stabbed a piece of corn. "Yes, it is. I was wondering when you would start."

Hughes leaned back in his chair folded his arms across his chest. "What happened last night? No editing answers."

"Simple, Roy was about to tell me that he loved me but I said that I couldn't accept them."

Hughes' jaw dropped as he stared incredulously at the blonde. "You don't feel the same way?"

She didn't say anything, merely playing with her food. Hughes groaned and slammed his head onto the table. "You're kidding me! This was the perfect time for you two to get together as a COUPLE, yet you just push him away?!"

Riza pursed her lips. "If I were to tell him my feelings, it would get in the way of the mission. Reine would use our relationship for his advantage, and who knows what Roy will do. He might even kill himself. Neither of us wants that."

"Idiots! Complete idiots I tell you! The both of you – idiots!" Hughes wailed.

Riza grimaced and set her utensils down. Standing up, she sighed. "I wouldn't be surprised if he already gave up, Hughes. It won't matter." Turning, she headed for the stairs. "I'll see you in the morning."

When she had disappeared, the front door creaked open and Roy slipped inside. Raindrops glistened into the blackness of his hair. He looked up and his expression turned wary as he saw Hughes' disappointed face. "Did something happen while I was out?"

Hughes sighed sadly and shook his head. "Nothing happened, nothing at all."

"Oh…well it looked like something was bothering you."

"You'll probably find out later. Much later." Hughes rubbed his neck slowly before lazily picking his food. "Find anything?"

"No, it was quiet in town. I smelled no blood."

The lieutenant colonel flicked his food to the other side of his plate before curiosity kicked in. "Hey, Roy?"

Roy paused as he was hanging up his coat. "What is it?"

Hughes hesitated before asking a different question. "Can you eat human food, or will you upchuck it once it touches your tongue?"

Roy frowned disgustedly. "Not sure, but real food disgusts me right now, and I don't really want to know if I will vomit if I touch it." Taking off his boots, he looked back to the spectacled father. "What's your real question?"

He didn't say anything for a moment. "Have you given up?"

Roy stopped in the middle of the kitchen. "No. Not yet."

Hughes immediately lit up. "Really? That's great!"

"Maybe. Even though she doesn't return my feelings, it won't change how I feel about her." He stopped suddenly. His head began pulsing, his throat became dry, and shudders were ripping themselves out from his body. Kneeling over, he gasped continuously and clutched his neck. His blood was pounding in his heart loudly, maybe loud enough for Hughes to hear. Suddenly, he felt sharp, stabbing pricks in his joints, making him double over in pain.

"Roy? ROY!" Hughes toppled his chair over as he rushed to the Colonel's side, trying to get his attention." Roy, what's wrong?! What's happening to you?!"

Roy gasped again and coughed. "I-I don't know." His head snapped up suddenly, his eyes black. "Someone's here." He quickly looked at the stairs. "Upstairs!"

And then there was a crash.

"Oh no…Riza!"

Meanwhile: A few moments ago upstairs:

Riza calmly made her way upstairs, knowing that Hughes was still watching her go. Once she reached her room, she sat down at her vanity. Looking at the mirror that resided on the desk, she exhaled shakily.

"I wouldn't be surprised if he already gave up, Hughes. It won't matter."

She pinched the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. Would it really not matter if he didn't love her anymore? Would she be able to accept that? But if he did still love her, what would she do about it once the mission is over? Maybe confess her undying love for him, and hope that he will accept with open arms?

She snorted.

Again, who knows what he'll do.

Groaning, she quietly hit her head against the desk. "Dammit, Roy, why did you have to make things so complicated?"

"So sad. The two love-birds are too stubborn to confess their love to each other. But, it's a nice turnout for Reine."

Riza snapped her head up and through the mirror; she saw a black figure that looked oddly familiar. Only this time, the man had red, glowing eyes. Whipping around, she fingered the gun that was fastened to her thigh, under her skirt. "Who-"

She didn't get to speak, as she fell into consuming darkness with a sharp pain at her head. However, before she collapsed into the stranger's arm, she heard the window of her bedroom crashing.

The man smirked and flew out of the window with the young blonde in his arms. Pausing momentarily, he flicked an envelope onto the bed and moved on.

Ooooh CLIFFHANGER!

Since you guys don't know why Roy collapsed suddenly –and not because another person was in the house- I'll explain in the next chapter.

Reminder! When the next chapter is posted, this story will be M Rated for the blood amount. Well, I think it should be M rated cause of the blood….but I don't really know. Help?

READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!

O³