"I hope you don't mind." Solaris purred, "But I noticed you didn't have any tea cups, so I poured your tea into a coffee mug."

She sounded almost apologetic as she extended the steaming cup towards him. It was a rather unremarkable vessel- made of stark white porcelain and without a single decorative mark. In fact, it could almost pass for one of the mugs often found scattered around the officers' break room. If she'd cared to put thought to the trivial matter, Lust might have entertained the idea that was perhaps precisely where the mug had come from. As things were, however, she was content to play the role of a concerned girlfriend to the oblivious second lieutenant.

"Doh, it's alrighd." Havoc assured with a sniffle, accepting the tea with his free hand. He breathed the fumes in deeply, trying desperately to pick up some scent through his clogged sinuses. "Haaaah." He sighed.

At the very least, the warmth was incredibly pleasant. He almost wished he could curl around the cup, and allow himself to submerge into the soothingly steamy feeling… to let it soak up the aching behind his eyes and just sleep the afternoon away…

Havoc realized the bizarreness in that thought and was quick to pin the blame on his fatigue… And Solaris had said he was running a fever, too, right?

"Yeah, that's probably it…" He decided.

"Jean… is it not to your liking?" Her soft voice broke through his contemplation.

"Hm...? Ah! Doh. It's great." The lieutenant croaked out hurriedly.

He placed the medicine bottle he'd been holding carefully onto the kitchen counter before taking a large swallow from the mug.

Solaris appeared to be looking on worriedly as he coughed and sputtered, "Easy, don't choke yourself with it." She coaxed.

"R-Right." Havoc offered a lopsided grin as he regained his breath. Miraculously, he'd managed not to spill any of the contents of his cup during the fit. He allowed himself a smaller, more modest sip. He sighed appreciatively, closing his eyes in momentary euphoria.

Lust resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She couldn't get over what an idiot this lieutenant was. He was so set on trying not to worry her, that he'd dropped all common sense.

"Such a poor, disgusting fool. He lets his perception of love blind him." She thought inwardly as she watched him slowly downing the warm drink.

She'd been tempted when preparing herself for that day to drug the lieutenant. Ever so tempted. It would have been so simple. A few droplets in his tea and he'd never question it. At length, however, she'd decided she'd much rather have him at least dimly in his right mind whilst interrogating him. She was sure his information would be more coherent that way.

Besides, she decided as she gazed at him through deceptively gentle magenta orbs, he was already rather out of sorts.

When perhaps a third of the mug was left, Havoc swirled the liquid around thoughtfully, if not sleepily. The tea was good, but it was also very relaxing. He almost felt like he could nod off where he stood were it not for Solaris's gaze on him.

He stared down into the remaining tea. It had cooled down enough by this point that he was relatively sure he could avoid his gag reflex whilst swallowing the cold pills… At least, any related to the sheer heat of the liquid… His throat felt surprisingly tamed at this point, but he couldn't be sure how easy swallowing something more solid would treat it. He elected to brace himself for the possibility that it might be considerably less than pleasant.

Lust watched as Jean set his mug on the counter. His weary blue eyes were filled with an odd sort of determination as he picked up the medicine bottle. It was almost amusing.

Just as he was working the lid off the bottle, Havoc froze. His nostrils flared as his features crumpled abruptly. He whined inwardly, "Not now." He pleaded as his lungs sucked in air in short, sudden gasps.

His fingers fumbled slightly; all his attention was drawn into trying to hold back the sneeze.

"EHHHhhh…EHHKT'Chaa! Ehkt'ChAAaa!"

His eyes clamped shut with the explosion, arm flying up automatically to shield Solaris from the spray. He didn't think. He simply reacted, trying feebly to be as much of a gentleman as he possibly could in that moment.

The bottle slipped from his hand and clattered to the floor, happily spilling half of its contents out over the wood before Havoc could so much as recover from the fit.

"Jean!" Solaris gasped.

He responded slowly at first. It was almost as if he didn't quite believe he'd done that. The lieutenant stood there a long moment with his wrist pressed against his nostrils and sniffled deeply.

Or was that a sigh? Lust wondered.

"Sorry." He murmured at last, stooping to pick up the bottle, "Probably should have jusd put id dowd." He mused to himself. It was a simple mess, yet seeing it somehow made him feel mournful. Havoc concluded absently that he really must be tired if a few spilled pills were dampening his spirits.

"Jean." Solaris repeated his name, smoother this time, as she bent down carefully so they were at eye level. "Why don't you take a couple of the pills that are left in the bottle and let me take care of this mess?"

Havoc blinked as he processed her words, his cheeks coloring suddenly, "W-Whad? Doh. It's by fault. You dod't have to clead up by bess." Her concern made him feel woozy… or was that his fatigue? He wasn't quite sure.

"Please." Solaris set a gentle hand on his shoulder, "It's not that big of a deal… and it seems like you could really do with getting that medicine into your system soon."

Jean permitted himself a liquid sniffle, "You sure 'boud that?" He asked at length.

Solaris offered a light smile, "You sound miserable, Jean." She stated, electing not to answer him directly.

Havoc sighed, standing back to his full height with the bottle in hand, "Fide." He was too tired to continue deliberating the matter. He downed a pair of pills before his nasal passages could get the notion to misbehave further.

Lust found a broom and dustpan, making quick work of the small mess.

"So." She spoke casually, "Are you going to get some sleep soon?"

Jean was massaging his temples, "Yeah… probably after you're dud."

"No need to wait on my account." Solaris said gently, "Why don't you go get comfortable?"

"I'll wait." Havoc assured wearily. He pulled out one of the wooden chairs around the small kitchen table and sank into it. He placed his arms on the tabletop, propping his chin up against the heel of one hand lazily.

"Alright." Solaris gave a concerned sigh, "Is there anything else you'll need before I go?"

"Dod't thidk so." Havoc sniffled, "Ugh…"

He was exhausted and knew that he was deteriorating quickly. He could tell due to the fact his symptoms were starting to bother him less, and his thoughts were growing more disjointed. Once the cold medicine hit, the lieutenant seriously doubted he'd retain the ability to resist the notion of sleep any longer… It'd be best if Solaris left before then, he was certain.

"I could clean the house for you, if you want." Solaris was offering. "Or perhaps…"

Jean wondered faintly if he'd zoned out in the middle of her offering various chores. The poor girl was probably growing more concerned than she needed to be because of his darn inner monologue.

"Crap… okay… say something to assure her. Make it believable!" A voice in his head, that he could only assume was his conscience, coached.

Instead, a gaping yawn preceded a slurred, "I'b okay." Jean paused, blinking moist lashes sleepily, "Really… you cad go." He was mildly frustrated with how simple and groggy his own voice sounded.

"Way to make her feel better." Sarcasm dripped from his thoughts. Another yawn and those thoughts seemed more of a whisper. He closed his eyes for an agonizingly long moment. Darn. He was tired… and who knew his kitchen chairs were this comfortable? Solaris stopped talking, or so he assumed, for all had fallen silent.

"Jean." Solaris prodded his shoulder gently.

"Mm?" He responded sluggishly, staring at her with eyes half-mast.

Lust assessed him with a stare. He had the look of a man hovering on the brink of sleep, caught somewhere between coherent thought and dreams. In truth, she'd been stalling. Listing things off as she'd watched his alertness taper off. He was stubborn, she'd give him that, but he seemed rather subdued at this point.

"You didn't finish telling me about your morning." She gave a small, plaintive sigh. Lust was fishing, waiting eagerly to see how he responded.

Jean blinked sleepily and rubbed at his face with a muffled groan. Had he been telling her about his morning? He didn't recall… Was there a chance he'd been babbling mindlessly? Did he even talk in his sleep? Hmmm.

Then again, of the two of them, she was the one with a clear head.

He yawned, "Sorry… I'b just a little tired."

Lust grinned inwardly. He was taking her word as truth. Excellent.

"It's fine. I understand… your boss has been pretty hard on you, hasn't he?" Solaris cooed in a concerned way.

"Bei'g a soldier isd't about havi'g thi'gs easy." Havoc sniffled, managing what he thought was a flirty grin.

"Still," she sighed, sashaying around behind him to massage his shoulders, "It isn't fair for him to work you into the ground."

Weary as he was, the lieutenant could feel the warmth of her breath on the back of his neck and sighed contentedly, "He has his reasods."

Lust's ears were burning for more, "What sort of reasons?" she asked carefully as she worked his shoulders with her petite hands.

"Hell if I doh." Havoc mumbled sleepily, head bobbing forward slightly in relaxation.

She dug her fingernails into his shoulder blades slightly in frustration, causing him to jerk.

"Nngh… easy." He pleaded.

"Sorry." Solaris said sheepishly.

"S'okay." Havoc yawned… This was really rather a nice dream, he decided.

"So… have you gotten to tell your friends about me, or are they all too busy as well?" She asked conversationally.

"…Is id bad if I wadt to keep you to byself?" His voice was sounding drifty again.

"No, of course not." She backpedaled smoothly. "Just inconveniently frustrating."

"I'll buy it for you." Jean said suddenly.

"Hm?" Lust was genuinely curious now. Perhaps he really was more feverish than she'd thought.

"That dress…" He yawned, leaning forward slightly to pillow his head on folded arms, "You said you wadted it… right?... So I'll… buy it… for you."

The homunculus rolled her eyes. "Really? Half- delirious with exhaustion and all you can think about is a little lie I fed you last night? You disappoint me."

Havoc was dozing off, but Lust was exasperated just enough not to care.

"Fine." She decided, brushing a strand of dark hair from her eyes. She would let him sleep for now. She was sure searching his apartment would be much more fruitful than their conversation anyhow.

Lust quietly removed herself from the kitchen and surveyed the small apartment for the second time since she'd arrived. This search should be easy. The lieutenant didn't seem to own much in the way of anything. He was a simple soldier. A country boy.

"In other words… pathetic." Lust concluded blandly as she began her hunt.

Author's Note:

And so here we have chapter four. Ironic how I should write an author's note about updating stories monthly only to skip a month in between updates… Haha. Yeah, I guess I kind of failed. There's been a lot going on between battles with my internet connection, real life, and then a delightful distraction my best friend and fiancé hooked me up with….

Yeah, they've got me playing Animal Crossing: New Leaf. Friggin' super addicting life simulation games. I don't know how simulating real life can be so entertaining, but apparently those gaming companies know their stuff.

Ah, well. I hope all of you can find it in your hearts to forgive me of my negligence.

On a story- related note, sleepy sick Havoc is an adorable Havoc. Not that he's not already a loveable walking chimney. *laughs*

Reviews make me happy and I'll see you all in chapter 5.