Manga-verse, slight chapter 37 spoilers. My first fic, so I really need some feedback. I do not own FMA.


Kain Fuery Gets a Clue

Kain Fuery was used to trusting his coworkers implicitly. Years together meant they functioned as a well-oiled machine, and each member was formidable in his (and particularly HER) own right. Led by Colonel Mustang, whom Kain regarded as an incarnation of the clever (brilliant!), determined (indomitable! fearless!), and generally heroic (principled! badass! stylish!), Kain could not have been happier to be a part of this team.

Which was why his current bafflement was so complete.

The basic outline of the plan made sense: Havoc in the field, Hawkeye sniping, Kain managing communication with Havoc, Colonel Mustang back at headquarters conspicuously in the office, of course. The point that had Kain confused was how they would communicate the progress of the mission to Mustang, over a phone line that they had to assume was tapped. How could they overlook this?

The first time he mentioned it, Mustang waved a dismissive hand and said "I'll be on the phone with Hawkeye" and turned back to map of that part of the city, making a suggestion to Hawkeye as to the best location for her sniper nest. Kain had too much of a vested interest in the current topic (he was going to be in that tower too) to press the communication issue. He knew that Hawkeye was going to be the contact, that wasn't what he had been asking at all.

The second time Kain raised the subject, Hawkeye said "I can focus on more than one thing at a time, Master Sergeant," in the slightly-amused-and-almost-affectionate tone of voice that made chills run down his spine. But this was too important to let potential obliteration via The Hawkeye Raised Eyebrow deter him from pursuing it.

"What I meant was, what sort of code are you going to use to communicate?"

Mustang glanced up, slightly surprised. "You know what the code names are."

"But to actually communicate what is going on, how can you do that if the line really is tapped? The names we use won't matter if you're talking about the mission as it takes place." And what if someone overhears you from the hallway? And what's the point in staying in your office if you have the door closed? And how can you create a code that will cover every eventuality of the mission?

Hawkeye and Havoc had been regarding him with concern; a problem Kain wouldn't let go was one that needed solving. But as he finished explaining himself, he could actually see their interest disappear, as Mustang gave another vague 'ah, whatever' wave.

Ok, a new approach. He cornered Havoc alone.

"Lieutenant, I think there is a problem with the plans for this mission."

Havoc looked alarmed. "Really? Huh. Have you talked to the chief about it?"

"Well, I tried! He just brushed me off!"

"Really? Huh. Where's Hawkeye, no way'n hell he'll –"

"No, no, she brushed me off too!" Hawkeye didn't brush off anyone. Ever. She paid attention and dealt with the problem (i.e. you) as she deemed necessary.

"Really? Huh." Havoc had an extensive vocabulary. "Well, what it is it, anyway?"

Kain was beginning to feel insecure about his own vocabulary, he'd been repeating words so many times recently. Words such as "communication" and "code." He was barely a sentence into his explanation when Havoc casually lit a cigarette saying, "Oh, that again? Nah. It'll be fine."

Kain resigned himself to his fate. It would be too bad to die so young, and his mother might die of the shame of a son executed as a traitor, but really, he'd had a good run, all things considered. He had been looking forward to getting a puppy when he finally made it out of the dorms, though. Ah well.

The night of the mission, he listened to progression of the Colonel's conversation with the First Lieutenant.

Good God. They were disguising their communication via flirting. And Hawkeye was convincing. No, wait. Did they just slip in... actual flirting? And they weren't having any trouble understanding each other at all. Wow. How could they make this stuff up off the cuff? It was like they could read… each other's… minds…

Oh.

Ohhhhh.