Unshown - FullMetal Alchemist

"Sir," Hawkweye said, setting a small stack of reports on the seriel killer that was wandering the streets onto his desk, "Elric is a state alchemist. Perhaps you ought to treat him like one and less like a child. He's grown up quite a bit since he's come here." Unlike Mustang, she did acknowledge the many enemies Edward had faced and beaten and had accepted his mistakes as those anyone could make. After all, she knew a certain flame alchemist who constantly forgot he was absolutely useless in the rain.

Riza had seen it too, but woman's intuition told her not to attempt interpretting it. "Whatever Elric has to say, I'm sure he'll tell you when he feels like it," she replied vaguely. The way he looked at Roy reminded her of the way the other officers looked at her on her first day here, before they realized she had a gun and knew how to use it. Ed had a crush, and it was obvious to all except Roy, apparently.

"But this one's a big problem," she said, gesturing to the murderer's MO. "He targets children, especially those around Edward's age, but isn't picky about looks. So far, he's attacked mostly girls, but his last victim was a boy." She reached over Roy's hand and pulled a photo out of the file. The subject was a dead blond boy, eyes wide, his throat slit. "He takes advantage of them, then slaughters them." She paused to compose herself. "I fear for Edward's safety..."

Riza Hawkeye sighed. "I know what I said, but that was for Edward's benefit. He should be treated as an adult and not as a child. Besides, you're a perfectly capable adult, but you have me and the others as back up in case anything goes wrong. Perhaps you should offer Edward some "back up" for the assignment of finding this serial killer and not a babysitter to keep him away. The wording of orders makes all the difference for Edward, and if you make him believe he's free to do as he wants with someone we trusts' help, he's less likely to run recklessly into a fight."

The thunder drew Riza's attention. "Certainly that person has to be someone other than you, sir." She smiled. "Shall I escort you home and then check on the Elric boys?"

Riza grabbed her own coat and led the way down to the parking lot. She drove Mustang home herself, since she would need the car to go stop by the Elrics. "So, sir, what should I say to Edward, other than you were worrieda bout him?"

Riza sighed and they pulled up to Roy's place. "Don't go after that killer until the rain stops," she warned. "I'll go check on Edward and Alphonse. Good night, colonel."

It didn't take long to reach the Elrics' place. With the rain, nobody was on the streets to get in her way. She got out of the car and made sure it was locked. Without anybody about, it was the perfect kind of day to steal a car.

She walked up the steps, instantly soaked by the rain, but waited patiently at the front door after she'd knocked a few times. Even if Edward was asleep, Alphonse would still be awake.

"I was worried about Edward doing something stupid. The colonel really ruffled his feathers this time. I'm also supposed to pass along a job from Mustang. Is he here?" Riza peered around him and saw Edward. "He's decided to give you a chance to prove you've grown up," she added for his benefit.

"Actually," Hawkeye said, "he wants you to go after the serial killer that's targeting people in this town. He'll give you another state alchemist as back up, but it hasn't been decided who yet."