Disclaimer: I don't own Fullmetal sigh

Riza ran down the halls, knowing them like the back of her hand. She hugged Elysia close to herself, whispering calming words to her while bloodying her own jacket. She huffed, pressing forward. Since when were the hallways so damn long?! She didn't know if they were chasing her or if they were alone again, all she cared about was getting the small, crying girl in her arms to safety. She would be oh so thankful when she reached the office so she could bandage her wound. That is, if she made it that far without her legs caving in on her. Pulling Elysia away from her chest, just enough to see her puffy eyes, she spoke a bit louder.

"Elysia, it alright. We're almost there, then Uncle Roy can protect you." she panted.

"But what about you! Who's gonna protect you?" she cried. "What about your hand!"

"We'll think about that later, just let me get there first."

Roy and the others sat at the desks, playing cards. This time, for once, Havoc wasn't winning, yet Fuery was still crying over his lost money. A collection of sighs went up as they started to tire of the game, but then realized, if they weren't playing cards, they'd be doing paperwork. In a few moments more cash was lost, cards had been thrown up in agony and laughs were heard.

"Jeez, we have to have that kid here more often, she keeps Hawkeye from shooting at us." Havoc joked.

"True, I haven't seen her even lay a finger on her gun." Fuery added in.

"I just hope she doesn't go soft on us, we already have Armstrong for that." Breda laughed.

"I'm telling him you said that." Havoc smirked.

"Now, now ladies," Roy said, grabbing another bill from Fuery. "Lets quit arguing over ho-" The door banged opened to reveal a panting First Lieutenant holding a rather startled little girl. "Riza? Elysia? What are you two doing he-" A drop of blood hit the floor. "Fuery, get the first aid kit immediately."

"How the hell did this happen?" Roy asked while trying to calm Elysia down.

"We were in the library, as I said, and something came at us and cut my hand. I took out my gun, but when turned there was nothing. I grabbed Elysia and left as quickly as possible." Hawkeye told him as Fuery wrapped up her hand, the bleeding having slowed to a stop.

"Thank God it only grazed your hand." Fuery commented.

"Thank God it was only my left hand." she mumbled dryly. "If it were my right, I wouldn't be able to shoot."

"What was it that hit you? A bullet? A shuriken? A dagger?" Falman asked, naming off things that could've cut her. (I think thats the only second time he's spoken in this entire thing so far...)

"No, there was no weapon left were it hit. I believe I have seen the mark it did leave before though." she said. "That woman, Lust, has been known to make slashes like that. I believe that theres a homunculus in our building."

Everyone's breath hitched in their throats.

"Damni-" Roy started, but was interrupted by Hawkeye.

"Sir, again, no profanity." she insisted for the third time.

"Fine, darnit. I guess we'll have to take precautions. No one goes anywhere unarmed or alone. I want at least two people with Elysia at all times. Everyone from this point on must be armed and alert. If anything happens, make some sort of loud noise and any one who hears it must get someone else before rushing in." he ordered, snapping on his ignition gloves while everyone else pulled out their own weapons.

"Sir, what will we do if something happens to one of the groups and none of its men can make any signal?" Falman asked.

"Then I'll go find them on my own. I wont have anyone else endangered." he said, ending all conversation.

No one else asked any questions, the room grew quieter. Havoc, Breda, Falman and Fuery went back to their game, though they weren't really too enthusiastic about it. Roy turned his chair to pear out the frosted window as he held the silently crying child to his chest. He didn't notice when Hawkeye came to pull up another chair and sit beside him. Only when a hand reached out to one of the windows did he turn to see her resting her head on one hand as she drew a tiny picture with her nail.

"You want to go take them on alone, don't you sir?" she asked in a quiet voice, reading him like a book without a glance.

"I said no formal names." he mumbled, avoiding her question.

"If you go, I'm coming with you." she said, her tone having a stubborn edge to it.

"I don't want you getting hurt. No." he said flatly.

"I swore I'd protect you to the day I die, I don't run off on my promises, sir."

"Its Roy." he insisted.

"Sir." she sighed.

"Your too stubborn, you know that?" he told her, giving a half a laugh.

"Yes, sir. You've made it apparent many times."

A/N: Yay, lots of reviews! For so many reviews, I give you a chapter earlier then I was going to put it up. yay. It seems people find that last bit creepy? well, its gonna get worse. especially towards the end.

Thanks to:

OTP (I want a Roy doll!)

Kay12693

Lady Lola Laflaunda (yes homunculi! yes!)

Automailjunkie44 (yes, a very fat cat)

jacksparrow589

Kyorma

Drex

IdiotsApprentice

Ryopon

windxalchemist (maybe cliche at the beginning, totally different at the ending.)

sugar coated bullets

and again, anyone else.

Whoever can tell me what chapter in the manga Grumman gives Roy that chess set will get a...a, uh...a Black Hayate doll! -holds up doll- BOW DOWN BEFORE ITS CUTENESS!

Luffs ♥

-LM