Authors Note: This one kind of exploded on me. It is about three times longer than any of the other chapters and hit me just like BAM! Brainwave. Here is Theme 62: A Reason To Quarrel.

Disclaimer: Nothing has changed as I still own nothing.

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All of Mustangs men were huddled around a newspaper, reading the most recent article about the East's most notorious serial killer. He only attacked women and killed any companions they may have had with them at the time. They were all found butchered in their own homes.

The men heard the creak of an opening door and bolted back to their seats. When Roy entered the room, they were all whistling innocently and filling out paperwork. Riza entered after the colonel, giving all the others a suspicious glare.

"Men," Roy addressed the group, "We have a case. I am sure that you all know of the recent murders in the area. The case has been put under our jurisdiction and we will put a stop to them. Havoc and Breda, go visit the scenes of the past crimes. Falman, we need the file for every victim. Fuery, see if you can dig up anything on our serial killer from when he was killing in central.

"Hai." All of the men nodded ad set about their tasks. They all left except for Havoc, who was looking up the locations of the murders, Roy, and Riza.

"Hawkeye." Roy got her attention.

"Yes?"

"I want you to stay out of this investigation."

Riza's eyes widened and Havoc turned from his file flipping to watch his superior officers.

'What?" Riza asked, confusion written all over her face.

"I mean it," Roy responded, "I don't like this situation. It would be to easy for you to end up a target if you get involved."

"But sir," Riza protested, "That could only help us catch this killer. I can take care of myself."

"Ahem," Havoc had to put his two cents in, "I agree with the chief. Some of the people this guy has killed have been in the military."

Roy nodded, "Thank you Havoc. It is final. Hawkeye, for this investigation you will run things from the office. You will manage the paperwork and inform General Grumman that I will not be able to meet with him until the case is closed. Don't make me pull rank on you about this."

Riza's glare suddenly faded into an icy emotionless state. "Yes sir."

Riza saluted and went to sit down at her desk. She sifted through a few papers before picking up a stack and storming out of the office. Roy watched her go with a slight frown on his face.

He sighed, "Am I doing the right thing Havoc?"

"Yeah."

Roy continued to talk, as if to convince himself, "After all, she is better off angry than dead."

Havoc finished gathering addresses and went to meet Breda at the car.

The investigation went nowhere for the day. Nothing new was found out and there were no substantial incidents. That night, Roy was asleep when his phone rang.

"Hello?" He said groggily.

"Hey there Roy," the voice was a lot more awake than he was, "this is Elizabeth, sorry to call so late but I just wanted to hear your voice!"

"That's all right. How are you?"

"Pretty good. I was trying to sleep but I heard some raccoons in the yard. They scared me so I couldn't go back to sleep."

"Oh really? Are the raccoons gone now?" Roy's voice sounded as if he was smirking, but his eyes were full of worry.

"I don't think so, but they stopped making noise so its ok." BANG! "I'm tired of this. I am going to go get a broom and teach those raccoons a lesson!"

"Wait, Elizabeth." There was silence, "Elizabeth! Damn it, she hung up."

Roy quickly dialed another number, "Havoc! Get up!"

"Wha…"

"Get together the troops and go to Hawkeye's place. She has an intruder."

"Ok. I'm going…"

"Good." Roy hung up the phone and slid on his white alchemy gloves before jumping into his car.

All the way on the drive to Riza's apartment he prayed that he would not be too late. When he arrived, the door to her apartment was ajar and a few of the neighbors were milling around it. Roy shoved past them and walked slowly into the apartment with his right hand ready to snap. He ended up hand to pistol that was held in a shaking hand.

Roy was relieved as Riza immediately pulled her gun back and reset the safety. There may have been blood dripping steadily from her left arm and a large bruise on her face, but she was alive.

"Are you hurt?" Roy asked.

"Just my pride." She chuckled weakly before coughing roughly. When she pulled her hand away from her lips there was blood on it.

"Even so," Roy said, "I am going to call and ambulance. Where is your phone?"

Riza pointed, and Roy quickly called an ambulance to come to their location. The two of them settled on the couch to wait for it.

It suddenly occurred to Roy that he was missing something here. "What happened to the intruder?"

"Dead," Riza responded, "It was that serial killer you were looking for."

"You were right," Roy looked at his hands, "You are strong enough to take care of yourself. I guess I am just paranoid."

"Its all right," Riza grinned weakly and winced slightly, "He mentioned me being connected to you being the reason for attacking me."

"So I suppose we didn't really have a reason to quarrel, did we?"

"No, I guess not."

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End note: I know there isn't really a conclusion, but it fits the theme. And its so much longer than it should have been.