Hello everyone! I'm back! Mum was running that program again for about 2 days straight, so I haven't been able to even touch the computer. Though I must say I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my mail box this morning and found 9 reviews waiting to be read.

Disclaimer: NOT MINE!

I've had over 2,000 hits! Yay! does happy dance And I've had 59 reviews so far! does another happy dance

I'm sooooo happeh!

Thanks to my reviewers! You know who you are! There are getting to be so many of you that it takes about 5 or 10 minutes just to type out all of your names. But I will anyway!

Thanks: Dailenna, lilangelzdevil, theslayerslayer, Simply Crisis, bohemianwriterredroses, words without, MishyFishy and Fesma, Steff7, Anicka, Fullmetalfan, FruitsBasketFreak44 andloyalsoul.

If I've left you off the list and you know you've reviewed, it's because you've only reviewed once on an earlier chapter and you haven't reviewed since.

All reviewers: Sweets for all!

Now, I've got a few responses to reviews for the last chapter.

lilangelzdevil: Of course there are gonna be more chapters. I wouldn't be cruel and end it there... or would I...?

theslayerslayer: Here ya go! gives a Royai sign

Simply Crisis: I'm glad you wanted a Royai sign. Um, please don't throw the boulder. It's not my fault I can't update quickly. School starts again tomorrow and Mum keeps running that damn program. Don't hurt me! If you do you'll never find out what happens! cowers in fear

bohemianwriterredroses: Ack! Take it easy on them! They go in soon! I promise!

words without: I realise that that line is OOC now, but please note that any OOCness can probably be blamed on the fact that it's usually very late at night when I write. It's the only time I've got any real spare time to sit (or lay) down and write. Also, please keep in mind that she's lost a lot of blood, is in extreme pain, has a concussion, isn't thinking properly and she's probably thinking that in a competition between an alchemist and a butcher, that the alchemist (especially Flame) would win. And also, would you wanna be left there hanging by your wrists in a freezer,with a man you know could kill you at any given moment in the next room over?

Steff7: Don't worry, he will.

Anicka: I take you've had a knife through your arm before?

Chapter 10

A Disturbing Package

"It's been confirmed, Roy," Maes said from his position on one of the couches in Roy's office "Barry the Chopper has escaped. He was officially listed as an escaped criminal 20 minutes ago."

"Dammit," Roy cursed from his seat at his desk. He looked at the meat cleaver sitting on his desk. He carefully picked it up and looked at the side with Hawkeye's crossed out name on it. He turned it so the Maes could see it "What do you make of this?"

"Nothing good," he replied honestly.

Maes opened his mouth to keep speaking but was interrupted by a knock on the door.

"Enter," Roy called.

The door opened and a woman with greyish-black hair that was pulled back in a small bun entered. She had bright blue eyes. She wore the female (skirt) uniform and bore no rank on her shoulders. She was carrying a small package.

"Yes, Private?" Roy said.

"Um, a woman in a green dress with brown hair came into the building and asked if I could deliver this to you, sir. She handed it to me and walked off before I could ask her anything about it," she said.

"And you brought it here! It could be dangerous!" Roy yelled.

"But, it's soft, sir. It feels like cloth," she said timidly.

"Wha…? Bring it here."

The young woman walked over to Roy's desk with her eyes downcast. She handed the package to him with shaky hands.

"There's no need to be frightened. I didn't mean to yell… I'm just on edge," he sighed and looked the young woman in the eyes "Please have a seat, Private."

She seemed to calm at his words, nodded and took a seat.

Maes and the woman watched as Roy untied the string that held the package shut. Once the string was off he peeled the paper away.

"Maes? Private?" the two stood up and walked up to Roy's desk and looked at the contents of the package. "Does this look like the jacket we're all wearing to you?"

"It does," the Private answered.

Roy picked the blue fabric up. As it tumbled open, two items fell out. None of them noticed. They were too busy staring at the colour of most of the jacket.

"It's only half of the jacket," Maes said. It was true. It was only the left half of the jacket.

"Why are these parts purple?" the woman wondered as she reached forward and touched the sleeve near the hole that was in it. When she felt something wet, she pulled her hand away quickly. Everyone looked at her fingers. "Red?" she looked at the two men "Blood?" she looked at the desk "Hey, what're those?"

The two men looked down at the desk as well.

Roy dropped the jacket-half onto the desk. He picked up the two items. A holster and a piece of blond hair with a rubber band tied around it.

"Maes, these are Hawkeye's. All of these are Hawkeye's!"

Maes grabbed the holster and looked at it. The initials 'RH' were written on it. He dropped the holster and grabbed the jacket, being careful to avoid the purple patches which they now knew were blood. He looked at the shoulder. There was a split in the fabric between the epaulette and the collar. He looked to the epaulette. It showed the rank of Second Lieutenant. He dropped the jacket back onto the desk. He looked at the tuft of hair in his friend's hand. There was no doubt that this stuff belonged to Lieutenant Hawkeye.

Roy dropped the hair and buried his face in his hands.

"Dammit!" he growled.

"Uh, Private?" Maes said. He led the woman across the room to stand next to the door. "What's your name?"

"Lita Cortez, sir," she replied.

"Ok, Private Cortez. I need you to go get six people for me."

"Yes, sir," she pulled out a pen and notebook "Who?"

Maes listed the names to the woman and sent her on her way with instructions to come back with them.

"Roy?" Maes sighed "Roy?" he walked towards Roy's desk. "Are you okay?"

"Do I look okay, Maes?" Roy replied and laughed sardonically as he looked at Maes. His eyes were red, bloodshot and watery.

"Roy? I--"

"No, Maes, let me talk."

Maes nodded and sat down on the couch again.

"She's important to me. I don't think I could keep going without her. She's been by my side for so long. I've known her even longer. I think she's the only reason I'm even alive right now. I've made so many stupid mistakes that should've killed me, but she saved me. Heck, she's even stopped me from killing myself or drinking myself to death. I won't be able to survive very long without her." Roy's head dipped down and a few tears escaped.

Maes sighed. "Hey, Roy?"

"What?" he replied without looking up.

"Look on the brightside--," he was cut off before he could finish.

"'Brightside'! What brightside!" Roy yelled jumping to his feet, tears of pain and anger streaming from his eyes.

Maes stayed seated, but looked into Roy's eyes with a seriousness that was rarely ever there.

"The blood was fresh. That means she's still alive. Also, everything is cold, or it was. That means that she's being kept somewhere really cold. Probably a meat freezer."

Before Roy could reply, the door to his office opened and revealed seven people. At the lead was the white-haired, red-eyed Corporal, Tari Tarot. Behind her was Sergeant Green, Sergeant Major Halaway, Edward and Alphonse Elric, Second Lieutenant Havoc and Private Cortez.

"You called for us?" Tari said.

Um, please don't hurt me?

Anyway, next chapter goes back to check on Riza after her first night captive.

Next Chapter: hasn't got a title yet. o.O Still need to make one up.

Preview:

Barry - Did you sleep well?

Riza - I would've slept better if I wasn't chained up, hanging from a meat hook in a meat freezer with a huge hole in my arm, a sliced open shoulder, a headache the size of the military wearing nothing but pants, boots, a T-shirt and half a jacket.

R&R!

'Till next time!

Sincerely,

E.T.