Guilt and Love of a Father

"Where is she?" Havoc asked as he walked down the hallway in a bit of a hurry with Fuery.

"She's in the Colonel's office," Fuery replied nervously. "We tried to stop her, but you know how she is."

"I understand," Havoc nodded as they entered the Colonel's office. "I should have taken her with me."

They walked over to the Colonel's desk and looked down at the sleeping girl. Her arms were crossed over Mustang's desk. She was resting on them, snoozing peacefully. Havoc smiled affectionally at the sleeping girl. She was just too cute and he hated to wake her up, but knew he had to. He placed his hand on her shoulder and lightly shook her. "Hey, Kouri. Kouri, wake up. Come on. The Colonel's gonna kill us if he finds out you worked yourself to sleep again."

"You let my baby do what?" Havoc jumped as Mustang's cold, accusing voice appeared behind him.

"C-Colonel, back already?" Havoc laughed nervously as he turned and faced his judge and possible executioner.

Mustang just sighed and walked around his desk. He looked down at the sleeping girl wearing a military uniform she some how talked him into getting her. He knew all too well how she was. He could easily tell she didn't want to be a burden on anyone. She remembered how Mustang took her in as his own child, how he was so protective of her and did anything for her. So she always was helping out, running errands for anyone who needs it, pitching in anywhere and everywhere to the point she worn herself out, even as a child. She was now a teenager who looked around the age of fourteen, most of the time. On occasion her appearance did change to a younger age or an older one. Luckily these changes happen in split seconds so no one outside of Mustang's most trusted allies knew about her age changes or her abilities with controlling and creating ice.

"I did it again," Mustang whispered guiltily as he reached up and, her hair was pulled back in a loose braid, took a lock of bans in his fingers. Kouri sensed his presence and instinctively took ahold of his finger. Mustang smiled affectionally at her reaction. She always did this when she was sleeping and he was this close to her. "Kouri, time to wake up, baby."

"Hm," Kouri stirred in her sleep before opening her eyes. "Daddy?"

"Yeah," Mustang nodded.

Kouri sat up and stretched. "What's up?"

"I should be asking that. I see you worked yourself to sleep again," Mustang put his hands on his hips.

"Oh," Kouri blushed lightly then smiled. "I don't mind! I enjoy helping out!"

Mustang just stared at her, as did his subordinates. None of them really knew if she was truly alright with working like an officer in the military, she held the honorary title of Lieutenant Colonel that Mustang's subordinates gave her and pretty much everyone calls her that either out of respect or fear that Mustang will fry them, or if she wanted to be with others her own age and living a normal teenage life. Mustang frown slightly. "Have you eaten lunch?"

Before she could answer her stomach growled. "Uh…I guess I forgot. I was busy working and well..."

"Kouri, how many times have we told you not to skip meals?" Hawkeye asked with a bit of aggravation in her voice.

"Sorry," Kouri just chuckled and gave her innocent smile she always gave when she was in a bit of trouble. Hawkeye sighed. That particular smile caused everyone she gave it to to cave immediately to her. Kouri was just to innocent and sweet for her own good. This was proven time and time again when Mustang gets on one of his miniskirt kicks. Kouri doesn't get what he's talking at all. She just gives a curious smile and asks what he means. At that point Hawkeye usually hustles her along telling her to pay no mind to Mustang and Havoc or, if she's not around, Havoc hugs her and tells her she's too innocent to know or Mustang blushes, clears his throat and tells her not to worry about it.

"You should eat right now," Mustang says as he checks his watch. He has a meeting in a few minute. "Darn. There's no time to…"

"How about I take her out for lunch?" Havoc says. Mustang looks at him as Havoc steps close to him. He whispers the last part of his idea. "I haven't eaten yet either so it's perfect. Besides, it'll get her out of the office for a while and she can relax."

"Very well," Mustang nodded.

"Besides, it's always an honor to be Kouri's date," Havoc pointedly saying the word date and Mustang's eye brow twitched. Havoc loved to push Mustang's fatherly instincts to protect his baby from young boys who wanted to date her. They all were highly aware that Kouri was popular with boys even though she didn't attend public school or even hung out with anyone of her own age, some of the military personnel's teenage boys have meet her wants to date her. She was a lot like Mustang that way.

Of course she never went on a date with any of her admirers mostly because of the fact that she was the Flame Alchemist daughter and he constantly threats any boy who takes a slightest interest in his daughter, but also because she just didn't want too. So of course Havoc used this to bug Mustang and to tease him, sometimes mercilessly, that one day she will find an interest in boys.

Mustang was highly aware that Havoc and Kouri have a closer relationship with each other than she did with Hughes, Falman, Breda or Fuery. When Kouri got into mischief Havoc was always right by her side or during one of their 'Catch Me if You Can' games that Havoc has yet to win. And, of course, she was closest to Mustang because she's his daughter and close to Hawkeye for she served as a mother figure for Kouri when she needed a woman to talk to.

"Yeah!" Kouri exclaimed as she happily grabbed onto Havoc's arm. Havoc laughed as he escorted his young date out of the office. Mustang fumed, but stood his ground. He knew that Kouri was really fond of Havoc to the point that she does get jealous when he gives his attention to another woman when she's around and has a habit of making him feel a bit guilty when he goes on a real date, but he always makes up for it in some way.

Of course Mustang would never hurt the man in her presence, but when she wasn't around Mustang would at least knock Havoc on the head for taking his baby on a date or for harmless flirting with her. It was really done in good fun. Mustang knew Havoc was just as protective of her as he was and would never hurt her or touch her inappropriately. Soon his fury died down and guilt covered his face once again.

"What's wrong now?" Hughes asked even though he already knew what was on the Colonel's mind.

Mustang sighed and sat down in his chair. "She's just a child. She shouldn't be working like this. She should be out having fun, shopping, girl talking and all the other stuff teenage girls do."

"But with who? It's not like she can just be friends with anyone considering everything," Fuery says. "Besides, she likes working here and being close to you and all of us. "

"While that maybe true she still needs to be around people her own age," Hawkeye says.

"That would be easier if we knew what her age really was," Falman said.

"Or knew someone that would keep her secret if they figure it out," Breda added thoughtfully. The room went quiet as they thought on that.

"Actually…there is someone," Hughes said. They all looked at him. "Two people in fact."

"Who are you…" Mustang pondered then it hit him. "Oh no! No way am I let my baby hang out with that immature little shrimp!"

"So, what would you like for lunch?" Havoc asked.

"Mmmm," Kouri thought for a minute then smiled up at the man. "Fish?"

"That sounds good," Havoc nodded then looked up to see Bradley walking towards them. They stopped and he saluted the Fuhrer. "Sir."

"Going out?" Fuhrer asked. He looked down and smiled at Kouri. "Hello, Kouri. I see you're still wearing that uniform. It suits you for some reason. I suppose it's because you're Mustang's daughter. Though I must say that I hope you don't follow in your father's footsteps. You're too sweet and innocent to be in the military."

"Y-Yes, sir. We're going out for lunch," Kouri's voice remained calm and respectful to the man in front of her, but her hold on Havoc's arm told him she was scared. "And while I do love working close to daddy, I do not know if the military life will be mine as well."

"I'm glad to hear you are open to other options," Fuhrer Bradley continued to smile and nodded. "Well, I won't keep you any longer. Have a good lunch."

"Thank you, sir," Havoc said as Bradley walked past them.

"I don't like that man," Kouri said once Bradley was out of hearing range.

"Huh?" Havoc looked down at her. He knew she had good instincts and she was truly scared of Fuhrer Bradley.

"Let's eat!" Kouri's smile returned as she looked up at Havoc.

"Right," Havoc smiled as well and the two continued on to their lunch date.

The two settled into their favor fish restaurant. The waitress walked over and greeted them. "Good afternoon. It's been a while since you two have been here. Would you like to see a menu or would you like your usual order?"

"Hi, Rina! Usual please!" Kouri smiled brightly at the familiar waitress with short brown hair.

"I guess it has been a while," Havoc chuckled. "I'll take my usual as well."

"Alright! I'll get this right in and bring your drinks right back," Rina nodded and left leaving the two to their typical chatting. Well, Kouri did most of the talking. Havoc just nodded and smiled with the occasionally voicing of a reply.

"Here you go. Enjoy!" Rina said cheerfully as she placed their plates down on the table. "Let me know if you want anything else."

"Thanks, Rina!" Havoc and Kouri said then dug in. While eating, Havoc's eyes couldn't help but wonder up to Kouri's right hand. His mind wondered back to year ago back in the hospital. At the time Kouri was so young and she was afraid of being in the hospital unless he, Mustang or Hawkeye was there. She responded mostly to Mustang and would work really had on trying to learn to use her right hand over her left with his encouragement. She regained more use in her left hand than the doctor first expected. While she can pick up and hold things in her left hand, she can't hold anything for long periods of time and she can't use any kind of utensils at all for eating because they're too small for her to hold. Her arm and hand also hurts when the weather would change to cold, snowy or rainy.

"Jean? Jean?!"

"Huh?" Havoc snapped out of his reminiscing and looked up at the girl across from him.

"You were a million miles away from me," Kouri said with a pout. "Are you alright?"

"Sorry. I'm fine," Havoc smiled. "I was just thinking about how far you have come in learning how to use your right hand."

"Oh?" Kouri looked at her hand. "I suppose I have. It still feels unnatural, but it's more comfortable using it now than it was a few years ago."

"I'm glad," Havoc said and the two finished up their meal and left. Not wanting to get her back to the office too soon, Havoc detoured her to an ice cream stand near the park. As the two chat and ate their ice cream one of Havoc's former girlfriends appeared.

"Jean?" Jean looked up to a tall, slender, long blonde haired woman with deep green eyes. "I thought that was you."

"Sami!" Havoc stood up. "It's been a while. What are you doing in Central?"

"I moved here a few months ago. I found a wonderful job," Sami replied. Kouri frown and glared at this woman. "Huh? Who's this beautiful young lady? Jean, you haven't started going after young girls, now have you?"

"No, no. This is Kouri," Havoc chuckled knowing she was kidding.

"This is little Kouri?" Sami nodded recalling the times Havoc talked about the girl. Kouri popped the last bit of her cone in her mouth as Havoc and Sami continued chatting. "Well, I'm glad I ran into you. Maybe we can go on a date some time?"

"Maybe," Havoc waved good bye to the woman then turned to Kouri who was glaring at him. "Uh…sorry."

"You are hopeless, Havoc," Kouri huffed at him, stood up and started to walk away. She always used his late name when she was upset with him. Havoc scratched the back of his head with a sigh. He thing smiled and approached her. With a quit move he grabbed her in a light head lock and started tickling her. "H-Havoc! S-Stop it!"

"No way!" Havoc replied as he continued his assault. "You must forgive me for me to stop."

"Not. Gonna. H-Happen!" Kouri laughed. She struggled to get free and when she did she started running. She called back over her shoulder. "Catch me if you can!"

Havoc laughed and proceeded with their little game. He followed her into the park where she seem to have disappeared. "Where did she go?"

Sitting up in a tree, Kouri waited for the right moment to jump down and land on him. Since she was light enough, all she did was wrap her arms around his neck and hung there. "I win!"

"One of these days I will catch you," Havoc said as he reached back and hooked his arms under her knees.

"You've been saying that for years," Kouri teased. "You're too old and slow. And that smoking you do is taking its toll."

"Hey! I've cut back on the smoking thank you! And I'm not that old!" Havoc said in mock hurt tone. Which was true. He did cut back on smoking with Kouri around. With her on his back he started walking back to the office at a slow pace.

"Hey, Jean?"

"Yeah?" Havoc look over his shoulder at her when she wrapped her arms around his neck and snuggled close to him. "Huh?"

"I'm sorry," Kouri whispered. "You have every right to date who you want too. I don't mean to get jealous. I just…I just don't want to loose you. Ever."

"Kouri…You will never loose me. And you know that I would never get serious about a woman that you are uncomfortable with," Havoc replied softly. He reached back and tapped her on the nose. "You are, by far, the most important woman in my life. Do you understand me?"

"Yes. I do," Kouri replied as she hugged him.