A/N: Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed the last chapter!

Chapter 11

"Okay, I sort of understand why I'm here." Edward Elric stated, his hands folded behind his head as he spoke. Alphonse sighed heavily. His brother knew exactly why they had to be here. This conversation was getting them nowhere.

"And I understand why Al has to be here." Ed continued, "But what I don't understand is why you have to be here Winry." Winry glared at Edward, her eyes turning dark in an instant. Edward shrunk back in his chair slightly at the look he received.

"Well that's simple shortmetal. It was in case you got damaged on the way to headquarters." Mustang stated, walking in to the room with First Lieutenant Hawkeye in tow.

"WHAT!" Edward screamed, jumping out of his chair. Before he could say anything further, Winry smacked him over the head with a wrench, effectively silencing him and causing him to fall back in to his chair.

"And that's also a bonus." Roy remarked as the rest of his subordinates and Maes joined them in the office.

"What's with the early morning meeting chief?" Havoc asked, stifling a yawn as he spoke. Roy strode over to his desk, sitting down in his chair and surveying the group.

"After our investigations concerning the serial killer last week, it seems that we finally have a lead on the case. All three victims were not only regular customers to the sugar bowl but were also in some way or form, threats to it." Roy stated.

"So obviously we are looking for someone who has connections to the sugar bowl." Edward interrupted in a bored tone. Roy glared at him but made no comment.

"The owner?" Havoc questioned, acting as if he hadn't heard Ed's statement. Roy shook his head.

"He has a strong alibi for all three incidents, not to mention that he was out of the country at the time that the women were killed. There's no way it was him."

"What about an employee?" Fuery questioned hesitantly. Again Roy shook his head.

"By the way those men were killed; there was no way a woman could have done it. One of the three men killed was a body builder, well muscled. I doubt even Hawkeye would have been able to hack him to pieces." Roy stated send a smirk in Riza' direction. Hawkeye frowned at the comment, but stayed silent.

"It was definitely a guy." Edward stated, causing all eyes to turn to him, "I could tell by the build." Roy nodded in confirmation.

"So it looks like we're back to square one." Havoc stated with a sigh that abruptly turned into a yawn.

"Oh I wouldn't say that." Hughes stated. Everyone turned their attention to the Lieutenant Colonel. Maes looked straight at Roy.

"There were bouncers on the door. Huge guys. I'm sure they were more than capable of causing the damage we saw on the victims." Roy grinned back up at his friend.

"Of course!" He exclaimed. He wheeled around and stared at his subordinates.

"Havoc, Falman, Fuery and Breda, I need you to find out the names of all the bouncers employed there, and I need it today." The four men stood up and saluted before leaving the room to begin their task.

"Hughes, do you think that contact of your might be able to help us?" Roy asked, turning to his best friend.

"Wouldn't hurt to ask." Hughes stated with a shrug. Roy turned to Hawkeye.

"Do you think you can get us any inside information?" He questioned. Riza nodded.

"I'll see what I can do. I may not be able to get it until tomorrow though." She replied. Roy nodded, but before he could say anything else a voice interrupted

"And what am I meant to do?" Edward asked scathingly. Roy swivelled in his chair and stared at Edward for a moment, as if contemplating an answer.

"Stay out of trouble." Roy replied bluntly. The Fullmetal alchemist opened his mouth to retort when there was a knock at the door and Havoc's head came into view.

"Hey Hawkeye there's a guy on the phone for you. He says it's urgent." Riza frowned but quickly turned and saluted Mustang before following Havoc into the outer office. Roy just stared dumbfounded at her retreating back. Edward sniggered.

"Something you should be worrying about?" He jeered.

"Shut up Ed, what would you know about relationships?" Winry stated before once again smacking him over the head with a wrench.

Riza took the phone that Havoc offered to her.

"Hello, Lieutenant Hawkeye speaking."

"Lieutenant? It's Adrian here. We have a bit of a problem." Riza paled slightly at this as, panic seeping through her mind. What could have happened to black Hayate? He had been fine when she dropped him off at the kennels that morning!

"Do you think you could come down here?" Adrian asked.

"Yes, of course, I'll be there as soon as I can." Riza stated. She placed the receiver back on the cradle, her hand shaking slightly as she did so. Havoc frowned at her.

"Hawkeye, you okay?" he asked. Riza simply marched past him towards her superior's office and knocked at the door. Hearing the Colonel's affirmative reply, Riza walked through the door. Roy and Ed were glaring daggers at each other, while Alphonse and Winry simply looked awkward at being caught in the middle of a familiar dispute. As soon as Riza stepped through the doorway, Roy's attention was immediately drawn to her. He frowned slightly at her appearance. Although to a casual observer she looked calm and composed, tension was radiating through her body while a worried look gleamed in her eyes. The phone call had obviously not brought pleasant news.

"Sir, may I have permission to take my break now? There is somewhere I need to be." Riza asked, with an almost desperate edge to her voice. A look passed swiftly across Roy's face, gone almost as soon as it has appeared. But Riza had caught it and found herself fuming at what she had seen. It was jealous, tinged with fear. Riza couldn't believe this. They had already had this conversation, why as he so paranoid! Did he really not trust her? However, now was not the time to discuss this.

"There's something wrong with Hayate Sir, they want me to go down there." She stated before Roy could question her further. A guilty look passed across Roy's face as soon of the words were out of her mouth.

"Yes, of course Lieutenant, take as long as you need." He stated his voice soft and apologetic. Riza allowed him to glimpse a small reassuring smile before leaving the room.

"I hope black Hayate's alright." Winry said in a small voice. Roy sighed then picked up a file.

"I'm sure he will be Miss Rockbell, he's a tough dog." He replied. However, his thoughts were more concerned for the dog's master than anything else.

"Are you sure everything's fine now?" Riza asked, as she stroked a sleeping Black Hayate's form. Adrian and Jessica both nodded simultaneously.

"Yes. We were worried when we called you, he just couldn't seem to keep anything down. It didn't make sense; I mean we fed him exactly what he normally has right?" Adrian stated, turning to look at Jessica. The red head nodded vigorously.

"Yes, of course. It was about half an hour later I noticed he was looking rather sluggish. By the time we got him in here he took a turn for the worst." Adrian sighed and rubbed his temples.

"I just don't understand it. He got sick so quickly, then recovered just as fast. It makes no sense at all." He sighed and looked up at Riza apologetically.

"Sorry to have dragged you out of work in the middle of the day." Riza smiled in return.

"Its fine, I'm glad you did." She replied, scratching Hayate behind the ears. The dog twitched and whimpered happily, but didn't awaken. Riza smiled at the sleeping animal. In some strange manner 

it remained her of Roy when he slept. There was almost nothing that could wake him up. She turned and faced Adrian once more.

"Actually, since I'm here, I need to fill out the financial forms for next month." She stated. Adrian nodded and turned to Jessica who smiled.

"Of course, let's go." She stated, making her way towards the door.

"I'll monitor him closely for the rest of the day." Adrian called after her. Riza thanked him and made her way towards reception where Jessica was pulling out the forms.

"Here you go." She stated, stifling a yawn. She smiled sheepishly as she handed the forms over.

"Sorry." Riza grinned, picking up a pen.

"Long night?" she asked. Jessica groaned.

"My night job is killing me. I'm going to have to cut down on my hours." Riza frowned and looked up at her.

"You're working two jobs?" she questioned before returning to the forms. Jessica sighed.

"Yes, unfortunately. I've picked up some rather... err... expensive spending habits." She stated with a laugh, "But hopefully it's only for a little while longer. Then I won't need it anymore." Riza smiled and handed the completed forms to Jessica, who thanked her. Suddenly the receptionist frowned at the window.

"Hey, isn't that your Colonel?" she asked. Riza was about to comment that Roy was not 'her Colonel' when the exact meaning of the words took effect. Riza spun around just in time to see Roy walking through the door. Catching sight of her, Roy was instantly by her side, pulling her into his arms. He drew back slightly and stared down at her.

"Everything alright?" he asked softly. Riza smiled back up at him and nodded.

"Yes, he's going to be fine. It wasn't as bad as they thought." She replied. Roy smiled in return.

"Good. I was worried." And with that, he lowered his lips to her, kissing her gently.

"You guys are so damn cute!" Riza broke the kiss in an instant, her cheeks turning pink. She had completely forgotten they were in public. Roy seemed to have that effect on her. Whenever she stared into his eyes she forgot that anyone else existed. While she usually enjoyed the feeling, she was almost damning it now. Jessica grinned at the two of them before turning and looking at Riza.

"You know how lucky you are right?" she questioned. Riza nodded slightly before straightening up and breaking out of Roy's embrace. While their relationship was perfectly legal, it wasn't proper to flaunt it in public, especially as they were both on duty.

"I'll be back at five." She stated. Jessica nodded and bid the two farewell as Roy and Riza walked back into the street. Roy peered at her closely as they made their way back to headquarters.

"You sure you're okay?" He asked, concern evident in his voice. Riza smiled at him.

"Yes. I'm just relieved everything was alright. You really didn't need to come down here though." She replied.

"I was worried." Riza grinned

"About me or the dog?" she asked.

"The dog of course, why would I care about you!" Roy exclaimed, causing Riza to laugh. That is until Roy grabbed hold of her arm and slowly turned her to face him.

"Seriously though. I was worried." He muttered, tracing the side of her face with his gloved hands. Riza smiled, took his hand in hers and kissed it.

"You're sweet. But there is no need to be." she replied honestly. Roy smiled and took his hand that was still enclosed in hers as they continued to walk down the street. Riza turned and looked at Roy.

"Has there been any further information on the case?" she enquired. Roy sighed heavily.

"That's something we need to discuss when we get back." he stated, his tone now completely serious, "It seems we have a problem."

A/N: sorry it's a shorter than normal chapter, but it's the appropriate place to stop. I'm hoping to get the next one up sooner than usual as well.

As ever, please review.