Disclaimer: I do not own Fullmetal Alchemist or any of the characters.

Summary: An alternative Royai fanfic. This story takes place during the war. Roy and Riza have never met, and to top things off Riza is living with the Ishvarans as their liberater. What will happen when Riza leads a covert mission to capture the famous Flame Alchemist?

On the last Chapter:

What he saw surprised him. He expected to see her angry or even depressed. Instead she was smiling. A very rare thing indeed. "Tell the men not to worry. I know exactly what to do." Riza stood up and walked to the door.

"Miss Hawkeye. What is your plan?" He said having gotten his initial surprise in check.

Riza turned to meet his eye. "We're going to capture the flame alchemist."

Misson One: § Capture the Flame §

The man Riza was talking to seemed to be absorbed in an internal conflict with himself. Maybe what scared him most was not what she said but the way she said it, so casually. Almost as if it were nothing to her. Almost... Something about the way she said it was still uncertain. Barely detectable behind her mask of calm.

He knew Riza well enough though. It had been almost two years since she left the military, and he noticed her wandering aimlessly in the streets of Ishvar. She was lost, not physically but more spiritually. She had lost sight of her purpose in life. So, he gave her one. To defeat the government, and attain justice for the bloodshed, and misery the military had caused the Ishvarans, and she quickly accepted it as her mission.

Riza looked at him questioningly. "What's the matter? Don't you want to defeat them?" She asked in the same eerie tone. "We must seek justice. Isn't that what you told me, Joshua?"

He nodded dumbly. "I-I agree...but first we must run this by the Council." He stuttered. Riza agreed, and together they walked out of the room.

The pair kept walking until they reached a large tent in the center of the camp. It was spacious, and well-made. Riza entered first to be greeted by about 8 Ishvarans. Three of which were seated on the floor. All of them stood up when she entered.

"Gereral Hawkeye." One of them said breaking the unease in the tent. "What is this brilliant plan of yours?" Of course he was making fun of her, and her position. Riza didn't like being called General, but it boosted her 'troop's' morale, so she would tolerate it.

"Yes General." Said one of the people who was earlier seated on the ground. "We need your advice. You've led us this far, and for that we're grateful. Please, tell us how to win this." Riza looked over at him. He was young, and niave. And once Riza recalled him saying to her that he would follow her to death if it would bring about the fall of the military.

"I have a plan, but it will be very dangerous." She said with confidence. She looked down at the boy who was on the ground. "Aiden, are you up to it?" He nodded immediately, and saluted. Riza's eyes softened.

"Just how do you think we're going to capture a state alchemist, General Hawkeye?" Said another older man.

"it's simple, we'll use his weaknesses against him."

Roy Mustang reclined in his chair behind his desk, ignoring his paperwork as usual. His loyal subordinates Heymans Breda, Cain Fury, Alex Armstrong, Jean Havoc, and Vato Falman sat in front of him.

Just then Hughes came in and sat in front of him. "Hey Roy!" He began. "Guess what? I've gotten word of a new very important mission you have been issued. Wanna hear what it is?"

Roy nodded wearily, he was used to his best friend's ramblings. This couldn't be anything too serious.

Hughes looked at his dull expression and frowned. "You know this is a serious matter." Maes walked up to the desk. "Ok fine don't act like this is important, but it is." His face became somber. Roy noticed the change in his face and signaled him to go on.

"Well, according to the report a First Lieutenant from East Headquarters went AWOL after learning some top secret military information. They suspect she was a spy, and was only in the military to get to a report of some kind. Another strange thing is that when she left the Ishvarans became more aware of what was happening in the military. It's no coincidence Roy."

"Who gave you this information?" Roy asked.

"The Fhurer himself. Can you believe it. I'm going with you by the way." Maes's face took on a mischeivous appearance. "Also, I hear the lieutenant's a girl."

Roy's eyes widened. "Interesting." Roy's words sounded serious enough, but his eyes had a certain sparkle that Maes knew all too well.

The other subordinates looked on at the scene in front of them. It seemed both Roy and Maes had completely forgotten they were there.

Havoc cleared his throat. The two men turned toward them. Roy stood up, and walked over to the small group. "I expect you five will come as well." He said in a clear tone.

They saluted. Armstrong was first to speak up. "It is a grand thing to serve one's country Colonel."

Roy nodded, and looked over each person individually. "Fury" He bagan, "I want you to make a supply list. Falman, you are in charge of checking the list, and making sure we have everything. Breda, you are in charge of getting the food we'll need for the trip. Armstrong, Havoc, You two will take the supplies to our transport. Everyone understand what they have to do?"

"Yes Sir." They said as a group.

"Good." Roy turned to Hughes.

"Hey, what about me?" Maes whined.

"I can't give you orders." Roy said dismissively.

"Good point," Maes said briskly. "I'll watch them do all the work."

After finishing with their packing and arranging transportation, Roy turned to Hughes. "Where are we going anyways?" He asked.

"West Headquarters, she was spotted there about a week ago by a retired officer."

Roy nodded. This would be a piece of cake. All he had to do was capture an AWOL officer. No problem there. Also he could stay in a hotel since they were searching a city. But what the best thing was that it got him away from his paperwork. Everything was going his way.

The small band boarded a train to West Headquarters, and even got to travel first class.

Once they arrived in West City, Roy divided the officers into two groups. Roy went with Havoc, and Hughes. The other group was comprised of Falman, Breda, Fury, and Armstrong.

"Well, let's get going!" Maes said merrily. "Whoever finds her first get's a raise."

"Maes, you don't have the authority to give my subordinates raises..." Roy said in an undertone.

"I know but this will make them look faster. I need to get back home." Maes's eyes started to water, and he closes them. "I miss my sweet Elicia!"

When Maes opens his eyes the others werealready moving. "HEY WAIT FOR ME!"

Maes caught up with the others. "Oh I almost forgot." He pulled a picture from his pocket.

"Maes this is not the time to be showing pictures of your daughter." Roy said strictly.

"Oh this isn't my daughter. It's a picture of that first lieutenant we're looking for. Sadly, I left my pictures of Elicia in my suitcase."

Havoc snatched the picture. "Hey she's not bad looking!" He said. Roy's interest in the case just doubled, and he took the picture from Havoc, and looked over it

Roy smirked. "Well she shouldn't be too hard to spot." The picture had Riza in full uniform. She was saluting, and had a businesslike expression.

Havoc glared lightly behind Roy's back. Hughes pulled a report from his pocket as well and began to read it aloud. "35-9 E: We have reason to believe that the person in this picture, First Lieutenant Riza Hawkeye, is in West City. She was spotted in the bazaar south of the main city. blah blah blah..." Maes cut off. "Sounds like she's trying to avoid the eye of the military." He looked back at the report. "The picture is out of date though. When she was spotted she wore light clothes, adapted to desert living. She had her hair down, and was looking at a fruit stand run by Ishvarans."

"Why would we need to know she was looking at fruits?" Havoc questioned.

"It suggests a place to begin our search." Roy responded while looking around.

"I suppose that makes sense..." Havoc said chewing on the end of his cigarette. "We don't have to start now do we? I think after all that distance we traveled we deserve a rest, and-"

"All we did was sit on a train." Roy interrupted.

"Yeah, alright Cheif." Havoc said defeated. "Let's get to work. Where do we go first?"

"First, we should check the fruit stands south of the city. Some of them are run by Ishvarans. I'm surprised the military hasn't relocated them." Roy's eyes were indecipherable, but Hughes and Havoc knew he was thinking back to his days on the front lines. He was moved to a desk job recently, but there was word that the higher ups planned to put him back in the war.

Roy walked in front of the group moving in a steady pace, and watching the faces pass by. All the while searching for the AWOL lieutenant. On their way they passed two girls who giggled and pointed at Roy. He didn't notice, but Havoc did.

After over three hours of walking they had still made no progress whatsoever. Finally Roy stopped and turned to his companions. "Anyone up for a break?" He asked in a false cheery.

Havoc and Hughes raised their hands. "Good." Roy turned and walked up to a bench, and sat down.

"I've got to go find a bathroom Chief. I'll find you when I get back." Havoc said tiredly.

Maes's stomach growled. "Well, that's my cue!" He said, his lively demeanor returning.

"Fine, but meet back here in 20 minutes." Roy sighed.

After the others left Roy slouched down on the bench. He took a deep breath, and gazed at his surroundings. The area he chose wasn't crowded. There was a cool breeze from the South, and he was in the shade. Not too shabby for a spur of the moment descision. Roy smiled to himself.

After about 5 minutes he started to get wrestless, and started to check his watch every half minute. Where were Hughes and Havoc. Surely it didn't take 5 minutes to go to the bathroom and get food. Roy looked around for something interesting to occupy his mind with.

Soon after, Roy's eyes fell apon something unexpected. A woman. Around his age, maybe a few years younger. She was walking a dog. Unfortunately she was walking in the opposite direction, so Roy couldn't see her face. He smirked to himself, and walked up to her. "Excuse me miss." He said as he approached.

The woman turned around to see who called to her, and that's when he saw her face. She was stunning. The woman had blonde hair, and her eyes were a rare, but amazing color of amber. He found everything about her form attractive. She was simply gorgeous in all ways as far as Roy could see.

His smirk faded and he just stared at her. The woman raised an eyebrow. "What do you want?" She asked.

Roy snapped out of his trance. "I was just wondering what you were doing in such a deserted part of the city. A beauty like you has a right to show off." Roy said gaining back his confidence.

The woman looked taken aback at his comment. Almost like she wasn't used to men talking to her like he just did, and considering where they were, she probably wasn't. "I'm sorry, who are you?" She said slowly.

"Lieutenant Colonel Roy Mustang." He said smoothly. "Maybe you've heard of me."

"Oh, right...the hero of the Ishvar Rebellion?" She said coldly.

Now it was Roy's turn to be taked aback. She obviously wasn't a fan of the military. Then, something dawned on him. "Are you Lieutenant Hawkeye?" He asked slowly. She definately fit the description. She was blonde, she wore light clothes suited for desert inhabitance, and she had the same eyes.

"That all depends on who's looking for her.." She replied. Yes this was most definately her.

"Well, Miss Hawkeye." He said making his voice more formal. "I'm afraid I'll have to take you in."

Riza simply glared in return. "Fine," She said after a while. "but first I need to give my dog to my neighbor for safe keeping." Riza started walking before he could even reply.

"I suppose it's alright, as long as you don't try to run off." Roy was annoyed now. He finally found a pretty woman in this God forsaken City, and he had to take her in on charges of conspiracy.

Riza walked into an alley way. "Why are you going in there?" He asked suspiciously.

"It's a shortcut."

Roy followed her into the 'shortcut.' When they reached the middle she stopped. "So," Riza began. "How do you activate those gloves of yours?"

Roy was surprised at her question, but took it as her stalling. "All I have to do is snap." He replied. "Want a demonstration?" He asked, starting to get comfortable with her.

"Of course." She said walking closer.

Roy smirked and lifted his hand, and snapped his finger. A small fire bomb erupted from his hand and landed on a trashcan and lit it on fire.

"Impressive," Riza whispered. "Want to see what happens when I snap my fingers?" Riza asked.

Roy took it as her flirting and grinned at her. Riza stepped back from Roy, and lifted her hand. The second she snapped water came cascading down from the rooftops. Roy gasped in horror as the water soaked him, and his gloves.

Riza looking satisfied with her work, and lifted her hand again. She snapped a second time and Ishvarans dropped from the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. Riza walked up to Roy and pulled a gun out of a clasp on the inside of her jacket. She lifted the gun to meet his eye.

"Now," she said, "Take off the gloves." She said dangerously.

Roy glared at her, but did as he was told. "Aiden!" Riza called.

A teenage boy ran up to Riza and saluted her. "Yes General?"

Roy looked at the boy confused. Did he just call her 'General'?

"Bring me his gloves, and check his pockets." Riza said not taking her eyes off of Roy.

Aiden hurried over to Roy and took his gloves, then he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out two more. Then, he brought them back to Riza. "Good."

Riza looked over him. "One more thing Aiden." She said. Aiden gave her his full attention. "Tie his hands together." Aiden obeyed taking a rope he had hidden in his jacket.

Roy never took his eyes from Riza. "What's this all about Hawkeye?" He spat.

Riza ignored him. "Joshua." she called. Another man, older than Riza, but not by much walked up to her.

"Yes?"

"Take him and follow me." She said ordered.

Joshua walked up to Roy and pointed his gun at him. Only then did Riza lower her own.

Aiden took it apon himself to lead Roy after their leader, while Joshua kept his gun ready. The additional Ishvarans followed behind them.

Roy gave up and went without resisting as they led him through back alleys of the City. They kept going until they reached two grey jeeps on the edge of West City.

They then seperated into two groups. Roy, Riza, the dog, and Aiden took one jeep, and Joshua and two others took the second jeep.

Once they reached the jeeps Roy knew he was going to become a hostage. He looked around desperately for a way out. His frantic eyes spotted a gun in one of the nameless Ishvaran's holster. If only he could take it and keep it aimed at that Aiden kid that Hawkeye was so fond of. Then he could get away.

Unfortunately there were two problems with that plan. One: His hands were tied behind his back, and Two: He didn't know how to aim a gun well. Roy wasn't willing to bet his life on such bad odds.

There really was no way out of here. His gloves were wet so even if he could somehow manage to get ahold of them, he still couldn't use them. All he could do was listen to their orders, and hope they would take pity on him. Roy followed the boy into the jeep and leaned into the corner. Not the most comfortable position. Aiden was sitting next to Roy with a gun resting in his hand.

"Where are you taking me?" He asked after Hawkeye started the jeep.

Aiden looked over at him. He didn't look threatening. The boy couldn't have been over fifteen years old. What was he doing with a gun? "Hostages shouldn't talk." He said matter-of-factly.

Roy was surprised by the way he said it. Almost as if this were a game to him.

Roy pushed that thought from his mind, and looked forward. Riza drove them over the hills of sand. If that wasn't bad enough both Aiden and Riza had goggles to keep the sand from their eyes, and Roy's eyes were bare, and watery. Even the dog had goggles.

After an unbearably long silence, Roy decided to start conversation. One thing had been bothering him since they left West City, so he decided to ask her about it. And he wasn't going to be nice about asking either.

"Did you just leave the military so that you could be a get a higher position, General Hawkeye?"

The jeep stopped abrubtly, causing both Roy and Aiden to fly forward into the back of the seats in front of them. Then Riza's voice came to him in a dangerous calm. "Aiden, would you please excuse the Colonel and me? There's something I just remembered that I need to talk to him about."

You didn't need to ask him twice. Aiden practically jumped out of the jeep with a rushed 'Yes ma'am.' The dog whined and covered his head with his paws in the passenger side.

Riza stood up from her side of the jeep and walked to his. She opened the door, and because he was leaning on said door, he fell to the ground.

Riza pulled her gun out of her jacket, and pointed it directly between his eyes. "Don't you ever call me General again!" She hissed. Her voice still as low and dangerous as it had been moments ago.

Roy should have been scared out of his wits now but for some foolish reason, he wasn't. So he made it clear. "Why is it that you don't care if your flunky does." He said while struggling to get into a sitting position.

Roy did not expect what happened next. Riza's eyes went blank, and she looked away.

"...He's an orphan. He always wanted to be in the military...to be part of something." She looked back at Roy, her eyes still void of emotion.

Roy was more than mildly astonished by her statement. 'Sorry.' was all he could say in return.

Riza snapped out of her daze and kneeled beside him. "here.." Riza grabbed Roy's shoulders and helped him sit up. Roy began a futile attempt to stand himself up.

Riza sighed and let him lean on her for support. "Why are you being so nice?" Roy pried.

"No one deserves to be treated like a criminal for being uninformed." She responded.

"What do you mean?...The military report said that you had some top-secret information. Is that why you left?" Roy demanded.

Riza ignored his question, and helped him back into the jeep. Afterwards she went back to the driver's seat, and turned on the car. "Aiden, it's time to leave."

Aiden came back from where ever he had been. Once he got into his seat he looked at Roy. "What happened?"

Roy ignored him. "Hawkeye, you didn't answer my question." He called.

"And I don't plan to." She countered tossing him a pair of goggles that Aiden helped put on him.

Roy spent the rest of the trip talking to Aiden. Mostly about Roy's life. He decided it was best not to ask about Aiden't past. He didn't want him to get upset.

When they finally reached the camp Aiden helped Roy out of the jeep, and Riza put the a leash on the dog, which Roy earlier learned was named Black Hayate.

They walked into the encampment with Roy trailing behind them. As they progressed people started comming out of their homes. Some of which were tents because the military had burnt down their houses.

The on-lookers scowled at Roy, and some were brave enough to call out names. Roy didn't look at them. A few of the older Ishvarans followed them and watched him closely.

Once they were about halfway to the main building one of the Ishvarans picked up a rock and threw it at Roy. The rock hit him on the temple. Roy flinched, but refused to make a sound. After the first rock, they grew bolder and began tossing more. Some missed Roy, but most hit their mark. Riza saw this and whispered something to Aiden. He responded by slowing down just enough for Roy to be beside him. Riza did the same. The people stopped throwing stones, and reverted back to name calling.

Roy looked at Riza thankfully. She nodded without even looking at him. Not long after they reached a large tent with foreign lettering on it that Roy could not read. This must be the where they make important descions.. Roy thought.

Riza pulled the tent flaps and stepped inside.

Well that's all for today! I'll write more tomarrow. Believe it or not this is the first time I've spent more than one day on a chapter. I spent a total of 3 days on this one! Hope you enjoyed it

Ja na destinysHEART