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?

Author's Note: (Background) Basically something to know about me. I'm a writer for comedy. I usually don't do serious stuff. But I watched the movie "Crash" Which got me thinking about prejudice and it's effect on our daily life. So I made a fanfic that had prejudice all through it. Obviously I couldn't show the full extent of it in a comedy. So that's how I came to write a drama. Also, A warning: There may be a character death in this or the next chapter. Not Riza or Roy.

On the last Chapter:

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.

Misson Two:§ Someone To Protect§

Inside the tent sat a group of people, who Roy assumed to be the Council Riza mentioned. They glared, although not at him, but at Riza. "You captured him successfully." One of the elder men said.

'Yes.' Was Riza's only reply.

They stood in an uncomfortable silence for what seemed like forever. Just then the seemingly youngest of the group stood up and marched imperuously up to Roy. His eyes bored painfully into him. Disdain evident in his gaze. "You are the one who attacked the refugee camp!" When he spoke venom seemed to have laced itself firmly in his words.

All Roy could do was drop his gaze to the floor. This only served to provoke him. In a blind rage he gathered all of his strength and punched Roy directly in the stomach. Roy stumbled backwards into Aiden who helped to support him.

The man lifted his fist to strike again. "Enough!" The man stopped dead. The voice came from someone in the back. He wore air of dignity about him. He stood from his chair and made his way up to the youngest. "You shame us with your quick temper Benjamin!"

The one called Benjamin backed down, though unwillingly. "My name is Mortikai." He said. "I appologize on his behalf." Mortikai looked to be in his late thirtys. He had short dark brown hair. But what attracted Roy's attention most was his kind eyes.

Riza stepped up to him. "Sir." She began. "What do we do with him?" Roy looked at her eyes. They were emotionless. So unlike how they had been when he called her General.

Mortikai looked at her. "Ah, Hawkeye. You were sucessful. Guess I win the bet." One of the men behind him coughed. Riza looked at him questionably. "You see, I bet my life savings that you would pull it off. No one else believed you could so I made about..." He began to count on his fingers.

"Sir.." Riza looked annoyed now.

"Oh, sorry." He cleared his throat. "I think it would be best to keep him in a building. there is still one standing on the outside of camp." He smiled at her.

"Sir...you can't be serious..." Riza looked worried. This didn't sound good for him.

"And why not? There is more than enough space. I believe there is a lock strong enough to keep him in." Mortikai looked thoughtful.

"But..."

"No buts General." He said sternly.

Riza gave in. She bowed her head to him and the other members. Then she turned to Roy and Aiden. "Follow me."

Aiden snickered behind her back. Roy thought to himself what could possibly be so funny as he walked between them. The building was in sight now. it didn't look old like the others in the center of the camp. Aiden opened the door with a key in his pocket. The door didn't creak as it slid back. The inside of the house was equally neat and organized. How was this possible.

Aiden headed to a dark blue couch and plopped down on it. Riza on the other hand led Roy to a room on the second floor. The windows were barred, and the door had an exceptionally large padlock. It wasn't all bad though. It was furnished, and even had a carpet. Pictures also lined the walls around him. Roy had to admit he found it a bit unnerving how they seemed to stare at him.

"You cannot leave this room unless you have permission." Riza said in her usual demanding voice. She turned and was about to close the door.

"Wait!...can I leave this room now...I'm hungry." Roy had lost all sanity now. He wasn't going to be stuck in this room forever, so he would stall for as long as he could. He was too tired and hungry to be serious. Roy wondered idily what had become of his gloves.

Riza stopped and let the door hang open. "Alright." She walked out of the door. Roy stood dumbfounded. He didn't expect her to give in so easily. Maybe she was tired as well.

Riza turned to him. "Aren't you coming?" Roy nodded and went after her.

They walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. Roy immediately headed to the cabinets for food.

Aiden walked into the kitchen, and spoke to Riza. "General. Don't you think it's funny that he made us keep a hostage in your house." Roy promptly choked on the bread he was eating. Aiden seemed to notice his presence for the first time. "Whoops..." Riza glared at him. "Sorry..."

"Your house?" Roy asked. Riza was turned in the opposite direction. But he saw her nod an affermative. "Oh..." I guess it shouldn't be such a strange thing since he was a hostage but still...

Riza was working on a sandwich. "Aiden." He almost looked fearful when she called. "I want you to take him to his room when he's finished with his meal."

Riza finished making her sandwich and turned to leave. Aiden looked appologeticly at her. This explained the laughing at least. After Riza had gone, Aiden and him were the only ones left. Roy made himself a plate and walked into the living room. Aiden followed with his gun at his side.

The two sat on opposite sides of the room. Roy didn't like to be friends with the enemy but Aiden didn't seem like a bad kid. Roy mentally picked a topic. "So, where do you live?"

Aiden looked around. "This is it."

"Here?" Roy almost choked on his sandwich again.

"NO! Not here! Here." He pointed to the couch he was sitting on. "I live in the front room. Riza was nice enough to lend me a place to stay. She's a good person."

Roy released a breath he didn't know he was holding. "Why don't you live with your parents?" The words came out before Roy realized what he was saying. He quickly began reatracting his statement. "Y-you don't have to-"

"I'm an orphan." He said cutting him off.

"How...if you don't mind my asking."

"It's a long story..."

"I've got nothing but time." Roy said softly.

Aiden smiled at him. "It all started when I was only seven when it happened...

§ FLASHBACK §

A young Aiden sat on the street corner with his mother. "Mom." Aiden called.

"Yes?" Her eyes traveled to their surroundings.

"Can I go somewhere?"

"No." She said finally.

"Why not? I won't get lost or anything! I've lived in this town for m-"

A gunshot echoed throughout the area. His mother put her hand up to silence him. His mother seemed to know what was happening. She bent down to her son. "Stay here. I'm going to find somewhere to stay the night." Aiden was about to protest but she had already gone.

He succeeded in staying put for at least five minutes before curiosity got the best of him. Aiden lept up from the street and ran after his mother. He didn't know where she went, but he'd bet she had gone to where the bullet sounded.

After running for a while a second gunshot sounded. Aiden ran faster. He stopped only when he saw a group of people in the street. One of them was tall and wore sunglasses along with a malicious smirk. Another had a deep frown that was in direct contrast to his partner's. He also had a long overcoat with a snake on it. The last was the most indifferent looking. She had a look of pure bordom above all else.

The woman leaned over a body. "Is this all the challenge you people could bring together?"

The man with the insane grin stepped forward and pulled out his gun as well. Aiden stood in shock. He was the only one out in the street. Others were watching from windows and doorways. The man noticed Aiden and pointed the gun in his direction.

Aiden's mind screamed for him to move but his body wouldn't obey.

The man pulled the trigger slowly, as if savoring the moment. Aiden felt a large pressure on his side, and fell to the ground. When his mind finally registered what happened it was too late to do anything.

His mother had run from one of the houses and pushed him out of the way, taking the bullet in his stead. Aiden watched helplessly as she fell to the ground.

The woman walked up to him. "What's wrong?" She said icily as she watched him cry over his mother's body. "Oops...looks like you're an orphan now..." She lifted her gun to his forehead. "Don't worry it won't last long."

Aiden lost the ability to care about his own life. He mearly sat there as the reality of his situation hit him hard.

BANG BANG BANG

Three more shots reverberated along the walls.

Aiden opened his eyes. There in front of him was a soldier of the military. He had shot the three bandits and saved Aiden's life. He walked up to him and bent down to check his mother's pulse.

Aiden waited with baited breath. The soldier turned to him. "I'm sorry..."

Tears streamed from his eyes uncontrolably. The soldier turned from him. He had saved his life, but he failed to save his mother.

§ END FLASHBACK §

"Ever since then I've been wanting to be a soldier...but then the military did this to us." Aiden finished.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that.." Roy whispered sympathetically. Aiden mearly nodded.

"If you don't mind...I'd like to tell you more...I don't usually get to talk about my past."

Roy smiled. "It's fine with me."

"I know that no one likes the government now because of how they treated us but...Riza was different." He began

"...The reason I live here...Riza found me in the streets two years ago.She looked really tired. I realized she was a soldier. She didn't wear the uniform, but she still had her stripes with her rank hanging out of her pocket. I went up to her and asked her if she was, but all she said was 'not anymore'. After I spoke with her for over two hours I asked if she had a place to stay. She didn't so I let her sleep in my alley. I stayed up all night to protect her...I guess I thought of this as repayment for the soldier who saved my life...I know they're not the same person but..."

"You knew it was the right thing to do." Roy finished.

Aiden nodded. "Eventually she was spotted by Joshua. He's not the most virtuous person. he hates soldiers with a passion. When he found out Riza knew something bad about the military, he asked her to join him...He asked her to take revenge on the military for something that happened to him. She accepted...But...I don't think she's changed since I first met her. She won't change for anyone...I think that's what I admire about her." Aiden smiled. "Joshua offered her a house issued by the Council, and she wouldn't agree unless I could stay too."

"You're right. She does sound like a good person...But, why is it that when she entered the tent they all glared at her?"

Aiden's smile faded, and his eyes grew distant. "They have a strong prejudice against soldiers. Just because Riza's not a soldier anymore doesn't mean they'll change their mind."

Roy nodded. "Also, why do you call her Riza when she's not around, but when she is here you call her General?"

"I'm not sure..." Aiden thought for a moment. "I guess because I always wanted to be in the military and I...feel like I'm part of it when I call her General. Kinda strange huh?"

"Not really." Aiden looked at him in surprise. "Everybody has to have dreams. I fact, when I become Fhurer, I will personally make sure you get a good position."

Aiden smiled. "If you get out of here that is."

"...well...yeah there's that..." Roy frowned playfully.

Riza was about to walk down to get something to drink when she heard the two laughing. She was still dressed in her normal clothes, and didn't seem to be ready to sleep. "What are you two still doing up?"

Roy turned around. "Oh...I'm not done eating." He pointed to his plate which was untouched.

Aiden stood at attention. "We were talking. I have my gun with me so he can't attack or anything!"

Riza sighed. "I was hoping you two would be asleep by now."

"And why is that?" Roy smirked.

"I usually read now, but I can't with all of the laughing you're doing."

"Do you want us to go to sleep?" Aiden asked formally.

Riza looked at the book in her hand. "I suppose you can stay up later, but if you stay up too late I'll wake you up early to do chores."

"Yes mother!" Roy joked.

Bang! Bang!

Roy gulped as he stared at the two large bullet holes by his head.

"I trust we understand eachother?" Riza said calmly.

"Y-yes Ma'am!" Roy stammered.

"Good...Aiden?"

Aiden nodded.

Riza left the room and headed back up to her own. Aiden laughed loudly at Roy once he heard her door close.

They laughed together into the night and talked about life, love, and the military.

Hope you liked this chapter. By the way, when I said there would be a character death, i didn't mean in a flashback. Just something to keep in mind. It'll probably be next chapter so bring tissue. I've always wanted to do a dramatic death scene, even though I know it'll kill me wo write it. Well see you all next chappie!

Ja ne destinysHEART