Chapter Four, Looking for who?

"Brother? What's going on?", Al was confused with the sight before him.

Ed stood in the middle of a pile of chains, and his face was still red, with embarrasment. He hadn't expected to find a girl to be a major suspect. She walked past Alphonse, heading for the open street. Al was confused. If she was who they were looking for, why wasn't Ed going to stop her?

"Ed, you're just letting her walk away? I thought she was the one we were after?", Al said, staring after the girl.

"What? No I'm not letting her get away!"

"You're just mad because you were beat by a girl. Am I right?", she said, stopping at the entrace to the alley.

"I am not!", Ed yelled at her.

"Right, whatever. I don't have time for this.", she turned and started to walk away again.

Al stepped in front of her, blocking her path. She simply looked at him, and sighed. She hadn't intended on leaving that night, but with them chasing her now, she wanted to get out of Central as soon as possible. She didn't want a fight, but if they kept stalling her, she would have to do something to get away.

"Look, I'm not your killer, and I don't want any more trouble. So just let me pass.", she glared at Alphonse.

"We can't let you leave yet. First of all, why were you sneaking around on military grounds?", Ed had come up behind her after he had calmed down.

"That's my buisiness. I'm looking for someone, and I found out what I needed to know, so now I'm leaving. Does that answer your question?", she turned to look at Ed.

"Not really. There's more to it than that, isn't there?", he grinned.

"It's not your concern. So let me go.", she was getting annoyed with them.

"I'm sorry, but we can't do that.", Al replied.

"We're gonna have to take you with us back to HQ. They'll wanna ask you some questions."

"Not interested. I've got other things to do.", she said, and tried to push past Al.

Al grabbed her arm, refusing to let go. She gave him an angry stare, then twisted her arm out of his grip. She took off running, heading for the outskirts of the city. Ed cursed, and the brothers ran after her. It was turning into a game of cat and mouse, and neither one was about to give up.

--Back at Sarah's house--

Zowy had gone to bed, her new kitten sleeping beside her, which she had named Ren. Zander sat with his elder sister at the kitchen table. Neither of them said a word for the longest time. Sarah had made them both a snack, and was now playing with a strand of her Silvery blue hair. Her mind was lost in deep thought, over everything that happened. What was she supposed to do now? Her parents, even though far away, still provided money for them, and cared for them from a distance. She would have to find a better job now. Her current job was only part time, and wouldn't provide much money for three of them. But something bothered her more than that. It was the thought, of who had killed them. She wanted to know. She wanted to see with her own eyes, who it was that attacked the village her parents were staying in. When those thoughts passed through her mind, Zander spoke up.

"Sarah?"

"Yeah?"

"I can help too you know."

"What do you mean?"

"I wanna help. I can find a job too. You and Zowy won't have to worry.", he looked at his sister, his dark brown eyes full of determination.

"Zander..."

"I want to."

She was proud to hear her brother say it. But even so, they couldn't do it on their own. And if Sarah was going to find out about her parent's death, she was going to have to go out and find the info herself. She decided that she would go, but had to do something about Zowy, and Zander first.

"Listen. I was planning on going away, to find out something about Mom and Dad. So I'm going to ask Aunt Jessie to come and watch over you and Zowy."

"But, sister..."

"I know, its way too soon, but I have to find out. Zander, please take care of her while I'm gone okay.", she looked at him, her soft grey eyes were sad, and hurt.

"Okay. When are you leaving?", he asked.

"I'll call Aunt Jessie tomorrow, first thing. As soon as she gets here, I'll be going.", her answer was calm.

The two said nothing for the rest of the night, and both brother and sister headed off to sleep. She knew it wouldn't be easy, leaving them behind. But she had to know, and wouldn't give up until she found her answer.

--Back on the streets--

The boys had been chasing her for hours, but still hadn't managed to catch her. She was getting very annoyed with their persistancy, and had just about enough of it. Deciding not to run any more, she stopped, and waited for them to catch up. Ed and Al saw her, just ahead of them, standing and looking towards them. Slowing to a stop, Ed tried to catch his breath.

"Geeze! (huff) Would you give it up already?"

"Please. Just stop running and come with us.", Al pleaded. Not wanting to keep up the chase any longer either.

"Why do you think I stopped dummy?"

"Wha?", both brothers looked at each other, then back at the girl.

"I'm sick of running around in circles. If you want me to go with you that bad, then I will. Better to get it over with, than to hide forever from something I didn't do.", she said in a stern voice.

"Then why the hell didn't you just do that earlier!", Ed yelled again.

"I didn't think you'd be so stubborn as to follow me for this long. Apparently I was wrong."

"My brother is pretty stubborn."

"HEY! You're not supposed to agree with her Al!"

"Are we going or not? If not, then I'm leaving.", she snapped.

"We ARE going. Now come on.", Ed snapped back at her.

The boys lead the way, and the girl followed. She figured that if she went with them anyway, maybe she could get a strait answer on the missing records on her grandfather. When they reached headquarters, Roy Mustang was already waiting in his office to see them. He wasn't surprised to see them come back so late. What did surprise him, was the young lady that was with them. Although it didn't stop him from making a comment of the current situation.

"Whats this? Picking up girls now Fullmetal?", he grinned at his own remark.

"NO! For your information Colonel, THIS is your suspect in question!", Ed's face had turned bright red in anger.

"And it took you this long to bring her here?"

"She actually put up quite the resistance. We were chasing her for a while, then she came with us on her own.", Al answered for his brother.

"Hmm. Well I guess we'll have to ask you some questions then Miss."

Roy looked at the girl standing next to Ed and Al. She didn't seem too happy to be there, but she was relativley calm, for someone being brought in for questioning. She simply stared back at him. Her deep emerald eyes, gave no sign as to what she might be thinking. Her expressionless gaze made Roy uncomfortable, and he turned away. He motioned for them all to take a seat. Both Ed and Al sat down, but the girl remained standing.

"Well, lets start with who you are. What's your name Miss?", Mustang said, but didn't look at her face.

"My name, is Eliza.", she answered him.

"Eliza? Anything more to it?"

"Strylen.", she replied, her gaze hardened on Mustang.

Upon hearing this, somthing clicked in the back of Roy's mind. He had heard that name before. It sent chills down his back, but he maintained his composure, and continued with his interrigation.

"All right Miss Strylen. Why exactly were you snooping around Central Headquarters these past few days?"

"Maybe you should ask your supeiriors that.", she snapped

This caught Roy off guard, and his eyes grew wide. It was clear she was looking for information on someone in the military, and Roy thought he knew who.

"I'm not your serial killer. All I wanna know is what happened to Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Strylen, during the rebellion in Ishbal.", she said firmly.

"In Ishbal?", Mustang was beggining to grow tense.

"That's right. You must have noticed the missing files from the records in the library. Or maybe you Military thugs just don't give a damn!", she raised her voice.

"Calm down Miss Strylen. I was informed on the missing files yes."

"Well then why isn't anyone doing anything!", her temper was on edge.

"We already have someone looking into it. It's none of your concern Miss...", he was cut off.

"Like hell its not my concern! Duncan Strylen was my grandfather! A state alchemist as well, working along side someone named Marcoh!"

This caught Ed and Al's attention on the argument. She knew someone who worked with Dr. Marcoh, and he was her grandfather none the less. Mustang couldn't say anything. He remembered the older man in Ishbal, and he knew why she must be so angry. The military hadn't let out any information on what happened to the Lieutenant Colonel, or his work with Dr. Marcoh. Roy could feel her eyes watching him, and the anger that radiated from her.

"Grampa told me, when I was younger, what his research was. He told me what he had to do and where he was going! So you tell me, why! Why doesn't the military care!", she turned on her heels and stormed out of Mustang's office. Several guards tried to stop her, but Mustange warned them not too. Letting out an exausted sigh, he turned to the Elric brothers.

"Edward, could you please go after her?", Roy was rubbing his temple from the oncomming headache.

"Why me?", Ed groaned.

"Because you and Alphonse brought her hear in the first place, and she may listen to you more than me."

"We only brought her because YOU told us too!", Ed snapped.

"Yes thats true Ed. And it's obvious she's not the murdurer. But there are some things I need to confirm with her.", Mustang explained.

"Great. Come on Al. Guess we gotta go chase her down again."

They got up from their seats, and headed out the door after Eliza. Roy let out a sigh of relief, and finally relaxed a bit. What he had seen in the girl's eyes before she stormed out, was anger, and pain. He sat thinking about what he would do next, and what to do about the girl.

Ed and Al had caught up to Eliza. She was aimlessly walking around the halls, trying to clear her head of what just happened. She lost her temper again, and forced herself to cool down. Still walking at a fast pace around the halls, she didn't even notice the boys following her.

"Hey! Would you slow down!", Ed shouted, "HEY!"

She stopped and turned to look at them. Her anger had finally subsided, and the calm expression returned to her face. She stood and waited for them to approche, starring blankly at them.

"So what the heck was all that about?", Ed asked curiously.

"Why'd you follow me?", she avoided his question.

"The Colonel told us to come get you.", Al replied.

"Great. So now I need babysitters here?", she wasn't impressed.

"Look, I don't know what your problem is, but you could at least let the guy say what he needs to.", Ed pounded himself for actually defending Roy.

"(sigh) It's not entirely about my grandfather. More or less his research. I already know he died in Ishbal, and I hate the military for not letting us know."

"So what are you looking for?", Al asked, a tone of concern in his voice.

"I'm looking... never mind, it's not your buisness.", she lowered her eyes, and turned away.

Ed and Al didn't say anything. The three headed back to Mustang's office, and waited. Lieutenant Hawkeye showed them in once again, and this time all three sat down. Eliza stared at the floor this time, she hadn't meant to blow up in anyones face, and she felt bad for doing it. Mustang looked at her again, acknowledging her silent appology.

"I don't blame you for losing your temper Miss Strylen."

"So, what do you want?", she wanted to hurry up and leave.

"I was only wondering what you might have heard, about the serial killings. It's gotten quite out of hand, and we need any information we can get."

"Can't help you there. I'm not interested in any serial killer", her hard glare returning.

"I see. In that case I don't have much choice."

"What?", she looked at Mustang, slightly confused.

"Miss Strylen, from here on you'll be under the military's serveilance. You will have an escort with you at all times, and if anything happens, they are to report back to me imediately.", Roy stood up from behind his desk.

"What! Under servielance, like hell I am!", she was flaring up again, but regained controll quickly.

"Relax, it's only until we can confirm you have nothing to do with the murdurs."

"I thought that was clear already!", she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

"Words often aren't enough. Without proof, I'm afraid this is the alternative.", came Mustang's reply.

"Colonel, is it really necessary? I mean, she hasn't done anything that bad.", Al tried to defend her.

"Sorry, but it's my final decision on the matter."

"So who are you giving this bogus little assignment to?", Ed asked, not that he really cared.

Roy simply raised an eyebrow at him. The grin on his face returned, and it made Ed cringe to see it. Eliza just sat glaring at the Flame Alchemist. She had only known him for maybe twenty minutes, and hated him already. Looking at Ed, then back at Eliza, Roy had already decided who would be assigned to watch her.

"This "bogus little assignment" Fullmetal, is now yours.", Mustang's smirk grew.

"WHAT?", Ed shouted, eyes wide as he jumped from his seat.

"From here on you and Al will be keeping a close eye on Miss Strylen. If you have any objections Fullmetal, get over them.", finalizing his decision.

"Why you! I don't have time to babysit some crazy girl!", Ed yelled, earning himself an angry stare from his new, "assignment".

"Easy Ed, I don't want to have to tell you again. Now I suggest you all get some rest. I'm sending you north tomorrow, to investigate another incident."

"Oh great, so that means I'm getting dragged into this too. This day just got really lowsy.", Eliza flopped her head down.

"You're dismissed Fullmetal."

Lieutenant Haweye led the three out of Mustang's office, and they headed up to the dorms. Edward made a fuss the whole way there. Before they got to Ed and Al's room, Eliza had a though, that made her quite uncomfortable.

"Oh hell no. They don't expect me to stay in the same room!"