For the Better

A/N: There are a few spoilers for Full Metal Panic!: The Second Raid; however, I am going to change the story a bit. This fic will be AU-ish. I suggest if you would not like some details from The Second Raid to be ruined for you, turn back now.

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Disclaimer: I do not own Full Metal Panic! in any way shape or form. I am borrowing the characters for my own enjoyment.

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Tessa knew that pulling Sousuke away from Kaname was a risky move.

She had carefully thought over each and every scenario, but the truth of the matter was there was no need for the Sergeant to be there anymore.

Kaname was safe.

There were no organizations plotting to abduct the young Whispered, there were no indications that any activity involving Whispered's was presently taking place, and finally, Gauron was no more.

Tessa reasoned that with the relatively low risk to Kaname Sousuke was free to come back to the base.

Not to mention, she wanted Sousuke back on the base, back with her.

She didn't want him to be traipsing around Tokyo with Kaname by his side, and she especially didn't want Kaname to be the one that was there for him when he fell ill or needed a little TLC.

Kaname was supposed to be his mission.

She was after all the mission objective, but somewhere along the line the mission and emotions blurred.

It was a very evident fact that hurt Tessa to the very core.

Tessa had witnessed it on the TDD-1 several months ago when the other Whispered girl had visited. The way Sousuke had conducted himself around the young woman spoke volumes to her, and it was just intolerable.

Sousuke was supposed to be her crush.

She was the one, after all, who had known him longer and was well-versed in the art of war. He was supposed to like her, not Kaname.

Beneath her sweet and innocent exterior was a twisted and scheming woman.

She was a strategist through and through.

The doubt Kaname had pushed into her heart was hard to ignore, and since Sousuke and Kaname spent oh so much time together in Tokyo unmonitored, doing God knows what, Tessa felt it was in the best interest of one Sousuke Sagara to return to base lest Kaname distract him from his first and top priority.

Tessa not was stupid. She had thought out every possible scenario that could possibly arise. Maybe it was her Whispered abilities or just a sixth sense, but she had a strong feeling the orders were going to be meet with some complications.

No matter how well any solider follows orders, he or she does not like to be taken away from the people he or she loves.

Tessa came to an abrupt stop. Her thoughts derailed by a mere four letter word.

Love

Was it possible that Sousuke Sagara had actually grown to love the blue-haired Whispered girl? The one he had saved twice so gallantly from Gauron's clutches? The one he had risked his life for time and time again?

Tessa didn't want to associate the word with the pair, but if it wasn't love, it was a strong sense of like.

Kaname had managed to tame the recruit. She had mellowed him out even if it was just ever so slightly, so Tessa had made sure Wraith knew what measures were to be taken with the young man.

Wraith would follow the orders to a tee. The young captain had no intention of letting Kaname get hurt, but Tessa knew that neither Kaname or Sousuke would take the orders lightly, but what did Tessa really care? In a couple of hours, Sousuke would be back at base. Tessa could then slowly weed any thoughts of the other Whispered girl from his mind, and then all would be right with the world.

At least, that is what Tessa hoped for. All she could do was sit quietly in the confines of her office and wait.