Sorry about reloading this and all but i realize i forgot to say that I, WickedGreen, have the extreme misfortune of NOT owning FullMetal Alchemist, or its characters. *sigh* maybe some day...

Chapter Two: Two Different Kinds of Hostage

In Central

It had been two days, and although he still had bandages on his head and ribs, Roy was in his office. He was supposed to be in charge of bringing order back to the east, but all he could concentrate on was Riza.

If she was injured, they would have found her by now, having checked everywhere in the possible range for her to have gone, besides the lieutenant was smart and would have contacted him by now.

That left only two possibilities, she was either a prisoner of some kind or, he could only pray he was wrong at this prospect, dead somewhere and unaccounted for.

There was always the chance of her using the skirmish at the border as cover and deserting them all, but he knew in his heart that that was not the case. I KNOW this woman…she couldn't go and die on me. She's still alive. I know it.

Roy slammed his hand down on the desk making everyone in the room jump.

Fuery looked at him and said "C-Colonel sir?"

Colonel Roy Mustang was standing behind his desk with both hands on it. His ebony colored hair cast a shadow across his eyes and they could all see he was trembling. Havoc dropped the unlit cigarette he'd been holding between his teeth and stared.

It was a second before anyone moved and Roy's shaking voice finally shattered the silence with "Starting now. Your main mission, all of you, is to find my lieutenant. Bring her back, unharmed."

Breda and Havoc glanced at each other with a small smile then they all instantaneously snapped to attention and affirmed with an enthusiastic "YES SIR!" Before they left the room Roy caught their attention and said "oh, and no one is to know about this." They nodded and left.

Unknown Location…

"Oh Riii-zaaaa" a sickeningly sweet voice cooed in her ear. "Wake up sleepy bear!" Riza managed to force her eyes open to see the same "Nurse" that had been guarding her for two days. She groaned and closed them again, despondent.

The "nurse" snapped out of her facade and growled "Oh come on! How are you supposed to lure Mr. Mustang here if you have starved to death? EAT SOMETHING!" Riza slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to glare at her captor and simply whispered "No."

The nurse composed herself as quickly as she had snapped and sighed, "its just as well, either way you're going to die. And even if you do die do you think we're going to tell him? It will just break his shriveled up little heart that he came all this way to die...and you weren't even there to save. "

She giggled as she set the food down by Riza and left the room. Riza sighed as she sat up and began to eat slowly.

After all, the woman was right in saying she would die if she didn't eat, and there was no way she could protect herself and the colonel if she was starved. Riza thought of the last week she was with the colonel.

Flashback

"Lieutenant! I need to ask you something!" her heart leaped and she scolded herself mentally and said "Yes Colonel?" She looked up into his unreadable eyes "I've been assigned to lead the guard on the Eastern border. They seem to be preparing for attack, but we aren't sure. Will you join me? I could use your eyes."

Smiling gently she answered, "Colonel, you should know by now that you don't have to ask."

He smiled and said "that's what I hoped you'd say. You may go. I have preparations to make."

She turned and left, still with the same sad smile. She had actually thought he was going to say what was always on her mind, but that was ridiculous. They both knew it was against the law but she couldn't help but hope.

End Flashback

Her head snapped up and the resolve in her eyes sharpened as she made the decision to get out, alive.

Central

Roy lay in bed wide awake. Just as he had done for the last three nights.

He hadn't slept more than 6 uneasy hours in the time his lieutenant had been gone. He was fairly sure she could take care of herself but this wasn't right. Not for her. The colonel got up and dressed then without bothering to write a note, disappeared into the night.

Still in central, in the office

Havoc, Breda, Fuery, and Falman were sitting at their respective desks, watching the door and waiting.

Havoc stood and stretched "Well, I guess we should just...do paperwork?" Breda laughed and said, "Why start now?" They continued talking and laughing until Fuery spoke up "Um...guys? Aren't any of you worried at all?"

The mood sobered instantly as they all wondered just where the colonel was.

"Now that I think about it, I haven't heard a word from anyone." Falman stood and said "I don't know about you guys, but I can't just sit here and wait. I'm going to help." All the others simply nodded in agreement and began making preparations.

Somewhere near the Eastern border

Roy Mustang was getting close to where they were, where the heat of the battle had been. He was positive that He had found the point where he had lost consciousness.

When he looked close he could see where his lieutenant had knelt, shooting for their lives, and he could just barely see a set of footprints, unusually deep for normal boots. They started from an area a little bit away, and there was an identical set heading back in the same direction.

Roy rose to his feet and followed to footprints until they ended abruptly into what was obviously the impression of a vehicle's tires. Although it was not clear what had happened he had a lead. And that made him smile.

Well that was it! please review :3 love you all!

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