Okay! I think I've almost got it! Well, lets see if I could put my readers advice to use in this chapter : ) Is it kind of sad that for the past few days this is basically all I've been doing in my spare time? My legs get all cramped up from sitting so much but, I just can't bare to stop typing... Oh well! I'm having a lot of fun!

– Wait... I just looked at my stats page and this story has over 800 hits. 800 hits and only 12 reviews? Some of you people are really mean, ya know?

Oh, and does anyone have an English translation for the Roy and Riza image song Ame no Hi wa, no Thank You? I love the song but, only have a vague idea of what they are singing...

Disclaimer: Your reading this so, right now I own your eyes but alas... Not FMA...

— Aldeca outskirts, basement of the warehouse—

Envy threw his fist at the wall, choosing a collision point uncomfortably close to Cannon's face. He tilted his head towards Cannon and pushed his fist deeper into the wall. "So?"

Cannon ignored the bits of brick that were crumbling to the floor and cocked an eyebrow at Envy. "So what?" Envy readied his left arm and swung at Cannon. The fist landed a hairs width from Cannon's cheek. The man folded his arms over his chest, still unfazed.

"We've been getting less and less each week. Our little arrangement is based solely on that. And if you can't give me a longer list the I'll have to go pick them myself!"

"Some of the regulars are starting to catch on."

"Then add there names on the list, it's that simple. But, at any rate this town is almost dry so we need to pack up soon. Got it?" Cannon nodded curtly and waved Envy out the door. He pulled out a pen and a piece of paper and scratched down a list of names for their next meeting.

—

Roy stood in the middle of the hotel room and cursed profusely. He had quickly changed back into his disguise only to find that the lieutenant had took off without him. Why the hell had she run off? He hadn't done anything to upset her right? 'Shit! Maybe all the stuff I did last night pissed her off! Damn it! I couldn't-, I was just- Argh! Why am I so confused! I already said that I don't feel that way about her!' -Or at least that's what he had tried to convince himself.

Mustang paced frantically about the room. She had said that she would wait and Hawkeye never ever lied. Roy kicked the night stand and howled in pain. He whipped out his ignition glove and prepared to snap but, spotted the telephone. That was it! The person who had called must had said something really horrendous to have unnerved Riza that badly. Roy's brow knitted and he slipped on both of his gloves. He still had time before he had to be at the warehouse, so Roy was going to make that person pay.

Riza's eyes swallowed in every inch of the area around her. The statue, which was a magnificent rendition of a phoenix rising form the ashes, was at the exact center of town. The buildings created a circle ,with a radius of approximately 25 yards, around the statue. Many alleyways and roads filtered into this place, making it impossible to spot the person just as they were entering. The ground was dusty so when the wind blew it was difficult to see. The only good, yet slightly odd, thing was the lack of bystanders. She was the only soul there at the moment and, if a battle erupted there would be no civilian casualties.

She felt like a complete fool for letting herself be put in such a vulnerble position. It was undeniable, the eyes were still watching her. Nonetheless, Hawkeye swallowed any fear that she could have been harboring and switched the safety off on her gun as approached the statue.

Riza looked at the stone creature that towered above her. Somehow, it reminded he of Roy. He had been beaten down so many times in his short life, only to rise up stronger and more confident each time. She lifted an arm up to touch it but, stopped when she thought she heard a noise to her left.

Riza whipped her body around but was met by a small cloud of dust. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure rush at her from her right. Hawkeye fired several rounds and the thing easily leapt out of harm's way. The thing's fingers extended and it lunged for Riza. She dove to her right side as the thing's razor sharp fingers grazed the flesh on her arm. The thing slowed down after she fire a clip into it. By then, Riza had already realized what the creature was- "...a homunculus,"It gave her a mocking smile. "Going by Edward's description, you must be the one called Lust..."

"Right. I expected the Flame Alchemist's dog to have a keen eye."

"Why have you summoned me here?" Lust took a step towards her and Riza fired a warning shot. Lust shook her head slightly and raised her arm so that it lined up to Riza's head. As fast as a bolt of lightening, Lust extended her index finger to the Lieutenant. Riza could've sworn her heart stopped when the finger poised itself right between her eyes. Her brain screamed at her to fire at the monster but, her arms refused to move. Lust inched her arm out further. Her finger punctured the flesh on Riza's face and drew a trace amount of blood.

Lust twisted her porcelain features into the most horrible, malicious smile Riza had ever seen. "But the dog has weak teeth..." Riza gritted her teeth and took control of her body once more.

"It may be true that I am no match for you ,homunculus, but, as a dog I will continue to live and to fight!" Riza dropped to the ground and rolled to avoid the sweep of Lust's fingers. It was then, that her battle instincts finally decided to kick in. She ran along the edge of a brick building, narrowly avoiding Lust's vicious attacks. Riza twisted her body as she ran and fired another hail of bullets into Lust's chest and head. Each wound however, healed too quickly to buy the Lieutenant any time. Lust was getting tired of this game.

"Enough!" And with that, Lust extended her fingers once more and trapped Riza against a wall. Riza glanced nervously at her sides. Her neck was directly between two of the fingers that were imbedded in the brick wall. It was done. No matter what she did Riza was going to die. "Why is it that you wanted to live so badly again?"

"..."

"...Hm, it really is a pity that you won't get to see him die, I'm thinking of getting rid of him soon if father says it's okay," Riza felt a stabbing sensation in the back of her mind and, silent tears made their way down her face.

"No... Roy... I can't... not yet..." Lust smiled from ear to ear. She had wanted to break this woman for so long.

"You realize now that you were never really strong enough to protect him, don't you," Riza whimpered, unable to speak, so Lust continued, "You have no right to live now. In the end the Flame Alchemist will die and you will have no say in it." Riza clenched her teeth and closed her eyes.

— Meanwhile—

When Roy had begun his search, he had been calm enough. However, when the sound of bullets reached his ears Roy started panicking. Riza only had to shoot one bullet and her target would normally be dead. So far, he had counted way over 12 shots. This was definitely no normal opponent. Mustang did his best to follow the sound of the bullets but, everything was becoming one big blur to him. He felt like a mouse in a maze and, he hoped that he could make it to the prize at the end before it was too late.

—

Riza's voice shook with a seething rage. "I... will not... let you!" She fired at each of Lust's javelin fingers. The bullets made the fingers arch up and Lust cried out in unfathomable pain. Riza didn't like what she did next, it was cowardly. But quite frankly she didn't have a choice so, Riza ran like all hell had broken loose. She didn't even turn back her head to see if the homunculus was in pursuit. Riza's mind was racing. Only one word played across her mind incessantly, Roy. She needed to warn him, to see him, to- Riza collided head on with a certain raven haired man.

Her mind could hardly register what was happening. Riza sat up and tried to run but, Roy took hold of her ankle and dragged her back to the ground. "NO! I have to find Roy!" Roy wrapped his arms around her back and hugged her tightly.

"It's okay Hawkeye. It's just me." Riza stopped struggling and turned to face him. She hiccupped and a few tears streaked down her face. In the many years that he had been with Riza, Roy had never seen her look so anxious and frightened. Roy wiped a stray tear off of her cheek and helped her stand up. "What happened?"

"I was confronted by the homunculus, Lust."

"Was she the person on the phone earlier?"

"...Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me!"

"Lust... um... told me not to..."

"So!" Riza bit her lip and looked down at the ground. Why hadn't she told him? They could've ambushed her easily.

"I'm sorry, sir... If I had assessed the situation better we could've ambushed Lust and, maybe have gotten some useful information..."

"Idiot!" Riza's head snapped up and her eyes locked with Roy's. "That's not what I'm concerned about! Your well being is more important then anything!" Riza's face flushed a bright crimson color as she stared at Roy, unable to break his gaze.

"That's not right, sir. Your top priority is the mission and nothing else." Roy looked at Riza as if a brick had been thrown at him.

"Shit! I completely forgot about the mission! We have to go to the warehouse before my cover is blown!" Roy grabbed Riza's wrist and half guided, half dragged her to the car. He opened the passenger door and practically shoved her in. Before he closed the door, Roy leaned his head close to Riza's. "And for future reference, I always have my priorities in the right order." Riza felt her face become hot again, so she quickly shoved Mustang away from her. Mustang shot her his trademark grin as he hopped in the driver's seat and started up the car.

While driving, Roy racked his brain over the situation. Why had Lust only called for Hawkeye? Did they want to scare him or, was there something else that the homunculus were up to? At any rate, Roy was overjoyed and amazed that his Lieutenant was still alive. He decided that he would ask for full details later. Roy thought about what would have happened if he had arrived in the center of the town and discovered Hawkeye's lifeless body. Roy shook his head . Just thinking about it was almost enough to bring tears to his eyes. 'I won't let those bastards touch her!' Roy gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Riza spotted this out of the corner of her eye and, gently placed her hand over his. Roy's grip relaxed and, he smiled a thank you to Riza for bringing him out of his grim thoughts. She nodded knowingly and, let her hand slip away.

—

They parked a quarter mile away from the warehouse and, Roy adjusted his disguise. About half way to the warehouse, they decided to split up. "Remember Hawkeye, don't allow your position to be-," Riza lifted her hand and stroked Roy's cheek tenderly. Roy felt his pulse quicken as he resisted the urge to pull her closer to him.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," She reluctantly lowered her arm and saluted. ",sir." Roy nodded as he went on his way. When he was far out of Riza's eyesight, Roy placed his hand where the Lieutenant's had been. The feeling received when her skin touched his was unimaginably... warm.

Okay, I'll end the chapter here. Ya know, I've been working on this one for about three days and, it was a whole lot a fun! The battle scene was kinda hard to write but, once I got into it my hands wouldn't stop typing. And I had to rewrite the part where Roy and Riza met up about three times because I didn't like how it turned out at first and then, when I had a good version typed, my mom closed out the window T.T

Anyway, I'd like to thank YourViolentStalker and Fullmetalfan for adding my story to their favorites list. I really appreciate the support!