I can only say sorry for how long it too me to write out this chapter and I could make up some excuse but really it's because I'm very lazy. Still, I very determined to finish this whole story and write some one-offs fanfiction too.

Enjoy anyway. :-)

The moment Roy stepped into the office, he could already feel his wallet getting lighter.

"Would someone be so kind as to explain what the Hell is going on?"

Breda (who was the first to react) turned to the newcomer. With some amusement to Roy his eyes widen to the extent that they could pop right out of his head and lost his balance for a moment or so.

"S-sir!" He snapped into a salute but all seem worthless and rather silly as he was standing on top of his own desk.

Fuery and Falman were missing, though one of them had left their military jacket draped across the back of their chair. And finally Havoc, who thankfully was standing on the floor like Roy himself just smiled. His trademark unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth. He's Probably the ringleader Roy thought to himself and strolled towards his own desk. Both Havoc and Breda's eyes watched his every moment from when he removed his coat to when he had finally sat down in his seat.

Really, it just made the two men look more guilty if anything.

"I believe I asked both of you a question." Roy said "and I would like to hear an answer before the day ends please."

Breda chuckled sheepishly and scratched the back of his neck. "It's nothing really Sir."

Roy raised a eyebrow "Nothing my wallet couldn't handle?"

"No, no of course not!"

"Relax Chief," Havoc said and stepped forward, that smile was still stuck on his face. "Like Breda said it's nothing."

"Well then, if it's nothing then it really shouldn't be a problem to tell me." Roy snapped back.

Havoc shrugged and looked up to the ceiling, just to the point where Breda's head was bobbing under. Roy did the same as well and after a moment or so he spotted the cause. "Is that a spider?"

"Was a spider, now I'm not so sure." Havoc said.

"I'll just get rid of it now Sir." Breda used the tissue in his hand to wipe up the reminds of the poor spider and jumped off the table with a thud. Roy swore he felt the ground vibrate.

"And before you ask Chief, Fuery's not here because of that little spider." Havoc laughed "when he saw it crawling across the ceiling the poor kid ran out of the room. Falman went looking for him."

"I didn't know Fuery had a fear of spiders." Roy said.

"You learn something new everyday."

"Indeed, now how about we do some work today? Hawkeye left us with enough paperwork to make up the time she won't be here."

The two men groaned and Roy could sympathise. There was no way he was looking forward to doing the paperwork as well but the threat hung above all of them. Riza had no patience for them putting off their work. It was best to just do it and get it over with.

Riza spotted the already finish paperwork sitting neatly on Hughes' desk.

It was still morning and the paperwork was already finish?! Perhaps she should start working for him instead of Roy. Work related, it would definitely make her life easier.

She was alone for time being, Hughes had gone out for hot drinks and left her in his office. She had said she would go with him but he wouldn't hear a word of it. He had left before she could even point a gun to him, not that she would of course but still. As he ran out of Riza's eye view, she couldn't help but be a little offended by Hughes' actions. She certainly hoped when the others knew she was pregnant they wouldn't act the same. Walk around her as if she was made out of glass and could shatter at any moment.

Of course she wasn't stupid, Riza knew that after a few months when she would start showing and it would be impossible for her to go on the front line. Who ever hear of a pregnant woman running into battle? It was unheard of. And there was no doubt she have to take leave in the finally stages before she actually gave birth. Riza was fine about that but that still didn't stop her from worrying about the others, especially Roy.

Wasn't she meant to protect him after all?

Still, when the time came she would deal with it. Right now she should just enjoy the fact that she could still work and protect the man she loved. Look on the bight side, Riza thought, it can all go back to normal a few months after the child's born.

So with her thoughts settled for the time being, Riza turned back to the office to find something to pass the time until Hughes returned with the hot drinks.

She spotted a shelf of books and gave in to the idea of reading them whatever genre they were. That was until she discovered that all of them were photo albums of Hughes and his family. It wasn't surprising that the man could get through fourteen albums, why he had gone into the military instead of photography was a question that many people had pondered.

Eventually Riza did find a book that wasn't filled with photos. However she took much more interest of the files the book was hidden under. The three files were all labeled 'Alchemy research'.

Riza never had a true passion for the subject, her father had eliminated any chances of her studying alchemy when he tattooed the flame array on her back but throughout the years of watching Roy using flame alchemy and seeing new kinds and types by different alchemists had bought up an interest to study it. She never took it as serious as her target practice or work but whenever she had any spare time she would scan one of Roy's old alchemy books he kept lying about her apartment.

And who knew when her knowledge could be useful someday? It could actually save lives, not that Riza ever hoped to ever use it. After all, she only studied it to pass the time.

Sitting down at Hughes' desk, she opened up the first file. The basic stuff. She read over the information she already knew, glancing over the words she was able to finish the file very quickly.

Taking an object with one element and changing it into an different object of the same element... other objects with the properties of water can be transmuted into something different with the same properties of water... equivalent exchange... cannot gain anything without giving up something of equal value...

"Hawkeye?"

She almost threw the file across the room, suddenly feeling like she was a child caught red handed with their hand in a sweet jar. Her head snapped up to the man closing the door with his foot, his hands carrying two mugs of what Riza could guess was tea and a file under his right armpit. She slammed the file shut and watched Hughes carefully as he walked over to the desk and placed the mugs on the table next to his finish paperwork.

He spotted the file she was holding and Riza wondered what Hughes would look like when he was angry, she really haven't seen him show that kind of emotion before. "Oh, I didn't know you have interest in alchemy, Hawkeye."

Riza didn't expected Hughes to say that, but than again a lot of things had happened this week that Riza haven't expected to happen.

"Yes, I've worked with other alchemists along with the Colonel." She still couldn't get use to saying his first name around other people. "Over time I gained some knowledge and actually became interested in the subject."

Hughes nodded, "makes sense. Now drink your tea before it gets cold, I have the paperwork from Roy you wanted to look at." He handed over the file and moved to sit in the nearest chair. Riza started to move so he could sit in his chair behind his desk but Hughes beat her to it and raised a hand. Obviously she could stay seated. So taking a sip of her tea, she opened the file and started to check over it.

"Have you thought of a name for the baby yet?"

For the second time of the day, Riza choked on what she was drinking.

"Sir! I don't think we should be discussing that in this building!"

The man made a face, "come on Hawkeye. You can't tell me you haven't thought about it. You must have at least one name."

"I'm trying to think how to explain this to Must-, the father of the child." Almost slipped up there for a moment, "maybe when that's out of the way I'll start thinking about names."

"So how are you going to tell the lucky man?" Hughes asked, "I say treat him to a nice dinner and just blurt it out." Riza gave him a look. "Okay, maybe not." He scratched the top of his head.

"In all honesty I don't how to tell him." Riza said with a sigh, "he has a goal to reach for, remember? I'm meant to watch his back, how am I going to do that while watching the front of myself as well?"

"It will all work out." Hughes said.

"No it won't." She hissed, "I can't let this be a burden to him. I just can't!"

Hughes smiled sadly and took off his glasses to wipe them clean. "You're just letting your emotions get ahead you." He then chuckled, "never thought I would say that to you of all people." He stopped to watch the small smile slowly creep up on her face. "Whatever happens will happen. Besides, I've never known Riza Hawkeye to lose control of a situation."

Riza couldn't help it, she started to laugh. Trust Hughes to reassure her about everything. "Perhaps you're right."

"I am right." Hughes answered. "Spend the rest of the week here and then head home. You'll find a way to tell him, trust me."

"Or maybe get you to do it." Riza joked and they both laughed. "Thank you Hughes."

"It's nothing, now let's get back to our first subject. Have you thought of a name?"

It was a joke of course but her smile disappeared and Riza just rolled her eyes. "What do you think?"

"I think if it's a boy, you should call it Maes Jr but hey! It's your baby."

"Baby?"

Both Riza and Hughes froze. Not only because someone had walked into the office without them even noticing. Or because the two of them were discussing the pregnancy. Both of them slowly looked up to the newcomer, hoping that they were just hearing things and that there wasn't actually anyone there.

Unfortunately it failed to work and the two soldiers stared up at the face that belong to General Hakuro.

How the hell did he enter the room so quietly?

He stood in-between the doorway, his fingers tapping lightly against the wooden boarder he was leaning on. However Riza's eyes were locked on the smile- no, the smirk on his face. It sent chills down her spine and she couldn't help but grip her mug a little tightly.

Hughes was the first to speak. "General Hakuro." They both stood up to salute. "I didn't expect you to return to Central so soon."

"Well I didn't want to linger around in East headquarters for too long." He scratched the bridge of his noise "though I would like to return what you said before. First Lieutenant Hawkeye, You're with child?"

Should I denied it? She wondered. She didn't want Hakuro to know, who knew what he do with the information? Besides, Riza didn't trust that smirk, it still lingered on his face and his narrowed eyes stared right back at her. However, lying wouldn't help her now and would only make her and Hughes look stupid.

"Yes Sir. Only by a few weeks."

"Really? And who's the father?" He asked. That meant he haven't been standing there for long to Riza's relief.

"Someone you wouldn't know." Riza said.

"I don't know him myself Sir." Hughes chipped in. Perhaps it would be more convincing.

Hakuro nodded and moved away from the door. "Well, you have my congratulations First Lieutenant."

"Thank you Sir." Riza said. They waited for the man by the door to say something else but he just nodded to Hughes, who nodded back and watched the General leave. Slowly closing the door behind him.

Five minutes was spent in silence before one of them said anything.

It was Hughes. "That was close."

"Too close." Riza muttered, she wiped away the small amount of sweat forming on her forehead. "Do you think he bought it?"

"I think so. I didn't hear a hint of sarcasm in his voice."

"I'm not sure..."

"Don't worry about it. He won't know." He stood up and stretched his arms before changing the subject. "Want to head to the house? You have the file to read and I'm sure Gracia can wipe us up something to eat."

"Sure." Riza stood up as well, grabbing the file. "Are you going to going to finish your drink?"

"Oh yeah." He raised his drink to his lips to take a gulp and then spat it back. "Bloody thing's cold now."

Riza lifted her now empty mug up, "should of drank it quicker."

"Damn it!"

After the spider indecent, the morning went back to what could be called normal. Fuery and Falman returned an hour later with no questions asked. Roy liked the young man and spared him the embarrassment of asking why he fled the room when he saw a little spider. Lunch came and went with Breda grabbing the last sandwich from the small cafe across the street and Havoc stealing it from him when his back was turned. It wasn't until later in the afternoon that Roy came across something very interesting.

The file was hidden under a pile of paperwork which Roy slowly worked his way through. When he opened it, his attention was caught and he didn't even look up when Havoc and Breda started arguing over a missing box of cigarettes.

'Sir?" Fuery asked, he was the first to noticed Roy's behavior. The argument died down quickly and everyone's attention was on Roy.

"Major Dylan has been murdered." He muttered.

"Major Dylan? The Ice alchemist?" Falman said. "Was it another one by Scar?"

"Scar's back? I haven't heard anything from him for a while." Havoc said. The man was right, for the last couple of months it seem Scar had gone into hiding.

Roy shook his head. "No, it's not him. The man was shot in the head, it isn't scar's style. They don't know who it is."

"Well it can't be just any murderer," Falman pondered. "Major Dylan is a-"

"Was, Falman. It's past tense now." Breda corrective.

Falman rolled his eyes. "Major Dylan was a master of hand to hand combat and a sharpshooter. Even the First Lieutenant trained with him."

"Even so he's still been murdered." Roy said and stood up from his seat. "We don't know if it's a personal matter of just another Scar on our hands. Havoc. Go to the records room and look for Dylan's file. See if you can find anything related to the case."

"Sure Chief." Havoc said and walked out of the room.

"Breda, you and Falman head over to the crime scene." Breda stepped forward and reached for the directions Roy gave him. "Ask the other officers if they know anything and then help them find any more evidence. I'll join you both in an hour after I pick something up from my apartment." Not really. He needed to check up on Black Hayate but didn't want to embarrass himself.

"Sir!" Both men said and repeated Havoc's moments and left the room as well.

"Finally Fuery."

"Yes Sir?" Asked Fuery, he suddenly seem very enthusiastic and smiled.

"Stay here and finish any paperwork, also take any calls."

The smile dropped and Roy received an unenthusiastic answer. "Yes Sir." He moved back to his desk as Roy collected his coat and walked out of the room.

As Roy started his departure to his car. The thought of this new murder was fresh in his mind. He found it bizarre that he had a new case on his hands, even with Scar going into hiding no one had any idea when or even if he would return. What State Alchemist he would kill next if he did return. (because it really was only a matter of time before he went after another State Alchemist) Or God knows some poor citizen who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.

But this new murder. It was bizarre. It was the only word Roy could think of to describe it.

Still, bizarre or not it was a case and Roy would find this murderer.

And perhaps he was thinking over his head, perhaps it was just a one off murder that could be easily solved. The murderer could even be an idiot and leave enough evidence behind.

Perhaps he thinking too much about and should just go home.

Roy reached his car and climbed into the military-issued vehicle. He didn't have Riza to drive him home and in the short period she had been in Central he did miss her. Again he was just fussing over nothing but still he missed the light chit chat they shared. Going from what they should eat for dinner to... well, less light hearted things. The smirk made it's way onto Roy's face before disappearing after realising that Riza wouldn't be there.

The journey home was faster than Roy expected. There was hardly any traffic on the road and Roy was thankful for it. He got home in record time and was quick to reach the apartment door to open it.

He was welcomed by a little dog who barked happily at his return and Roy couldn't blame him. The poor mutt had been locked up in the apartment for most of the day and he remember Riza once telling him that he can get lonely very easily. Roy smiled. While he could only stay for a little while he was more than glad to keep Hayate company.

He fed the dog and headed to the couch but before he could even sit down the phone started to ring. The high pitch ringing made Roy winch at the sudden sound and he couldn't help but sigh. Couldn't he get at least get a minute's rest? It was probably Havoc or Falman with any updates with the murder. He threw himself on the couch and reach over to the phone on the table next to it.

"Hello?" He realise his mistake. This was Riza's apartment and not his own, anyone would call him being there very suspicious. He curse and hoped to God he could get himself out of trouble.

"Roy? Are you there? I know you're there." A very familiar voice said and Roy lifted his head up from where he had buried it in his arms.

"Maes? Is that you?"

"Oh no, you can't answer my question with one of your own." Maes chuckled.

"Maes..." Roy clench his fist.

"You're so easy to wind up you know. Just a couple of words and you're ready punch the nearest person."

"Maes, what do you want?" Then he remembered this was Riza's apartment. "Why are you calling this phone?"

"Oh, Hawkeye said you would be at her home. Feeding Hayate."

"Right." Roy said he leaned back to relax.

"Among other things of course." Another chuckle from the other side of the line. Then he heard what sounded like someone shouting Maes' name. But of course that was the last thing Roy was thinking about. What did his friend mean by that last sentence? "But that's not the reason why I called."

"Maes, what did you mean by-"

"The reason I'm calling is because I want to take some stress off Riza as she's all-"

"Riza?!" When had Maes called Riza by her first name? "What the hell is going on?!"

"That's what I'm trying to tell you, if you just calm down."

"Fine!" Roy almost shouted by the phone. He could imagine one of Hughes' eyebrow raised. "I'll be calm."

The couple moments of silence told Roy that his friend was deciding whether or not he was calm. Though frankly Roy just wanted to know what the Hell was going on and why had his quiet hour at home had been ruined. All he wanted was a peaceful hour reading the paper or maybe a quick nap in the bedroom. Unfortunately a call from Maes had destroyed any chance of that happening.

But he couldn't be truly mad at Hughes, it wasn't as if he planned the whole thing just to keep Roy from having a nap.

Right?

Eventually Hughes spoke in a serious tone. "Roy, I need you to travel to Central."

"Why? Is there something wrong?"

"No, there's nothing wrong but you still need to come to Central."

"Fine I will but tell me Maes," he pause for what could have been a dramatic effect. "What does this have to do with Hawkeye."

Again, there was silence for moment or so and Roy could hear mumbles in the background. "She's going to kill me for telling you... Roy?"

"Yes?"

"Have you looked at the rubbish you and Riza have put in the bin lately?"

"Why on earth would I do that?" Still Roy rose from the couch and walked to where the bin was. He noticed the spilled items lying on the ground and really couldn't see anything out of usual. There were empty egg boxes, scraps of food, three used pregnancy tests.

Wait... pregnancy tests?

Roy slowly bent down, picked up one of the pregnancy tests and held it up to eye level. As the colour left his face, Hayate strolled into the room watched the man shake a little.

Perhaps the little dog wondered if he would be told off for knocking over the bin.

So Roy finally knows. I put it off long enough anyway.

Thank you for reading and for any reviews. :-)