Reunited
"You should have let him kiss you," Lina whined as Kouri, wearing Mustang's shirt and gloves, sat staring out the window.
"What for?"
"To make Alphonse jealous. Of course."
"No."
"Come on. It's actually fun to make a boy jealous."
"I'm not going to do that to Al!" Kouri narrowed her eyebrows at Lina.
"Kouri."
"Look, I understand that you're just trying to help, but you've got to understand I would never play Al like that. He's sweet. I just couldn't do that to him. Besides, we're just friends and he's always traveling with his brother and lives quite aways from me anyway."
"You are so in denial," Lina replied as Havoc raised an eyebrow.
"I am not!" Kouri said as red creeped upon her cheeks.
"Then why are you blushing?" Lina practically sang as she poked Kouri on the cheek.
"I am not!" Kouri shouted only to blush harder. Havoc snickered at his young charge obvious discomfort. "What are you laughing at?!"
"Nothing!" Havoc waved his hands then coughed. "Nothing at all."
"Coward," Lina quipped at the man as she stomped her foot for him easily caving to Kouri. Now it was Havoc's turn to blush. Lina let out an exaggerated sigh. "You two are hopeless."
"Sure," Kouri mumbled as she stared off into nothing. Her clenched her hands onto her shirt as Havoc caught a familiar worry in her eyes.
"Uh, Lina, it's getting late. Shouldn't you been getting home soon?" Havoc asked.
"Yeah. I'll see you later. Bye Kouri," Lina grabbed her bag. She paused to look at Kouri, who returned her gaze out the window, sighed then left.
"Kouri?" Havoc asked once he moved over to her.
"Daddy's hurting," Kouri whispered. "He's hurting so much. It's pure hatred. I can feel his hate. Why would he? What would cause him to become like this?"
"Hughes," Havoc said. "That's the only thing I can think of."
"Do you think he found Maes's murderer?"
"It's possible since you can feel his anger all the way out here," Havoc said then placed his hand on her shoulder. She finally looked at him. "Please, try not to worry. Hawkeye is with him. She won't let him do anything stupid."
"Jean," Kouri curled up on his lap and cried. Her body shifting into her child form. Havoc put his arms around her. He wasn't only trying to convince her, but also himself. Kouri stayed, in child form, on Havoc's lap until she feel asleep. He then took and put her into her bed. She transformed back into her teenager self as he pulled the covers over her. While she slept he reached up and took ahold of her bands. She raised her hand and touched her fingers to his hand. Her lips curved into a frown and her hand lowered back down.
"Sorry I'm not your dad. I promise you'll be with him soon," Havoc whispered.
….
Kouri sat staring out the window. Her blank stare was interrupted by the phone ringing. "Havoc General Store."
Kouri turned to look at Havoc then back out the window. A few minutes later her stare was broken again by Havoc placing his hand on her shoulder. He smiled at her. "Jean?"
"We're going back," Havoc said. Kouri's eyes widened.
The next day the two caught the first train they could and headed back to Central. They were met by a couple soldiers who escorted them to the hospital. Kouri got out of the car and stared at the building before her. Havoc took her hand and she looked at him. "Go ahead."
"Thank you," Kouri kissed his cheek then bolted for the front door. She didn't bother stopping at the front desk as the nurse called for her to do as she made her way to Mustang's room. She flung bother doors open with a loud bang.
"Kouri?" Mustang asked as he turned his blind eyes to the door. Everyone else just smile. "D-Daddy," Tears poured out of her eyes as she bolted forward. "Daddy!"
"Kouri," Mustang held out his hands as she dove into his open arms and buried her face into his chest. He tightened his arms around her as tightly as he could. "My baby. I'm here."
"Daddy," She shrunk down to a kid again. She pulled away from him and placed a hand on his face. "Your eyes. You're hurt."
"I'm alright, baby. Dr. Marcoh here is going to fix my eyes as soon as he heals Havoc," Mustang said as nodded his head to the doctor.
"Havoc's going to walk again?" Kouri asked as she looked at the unfamiliar man.
"That's right. I can heal him. It's nice to meet you, young lady. I can see you are an interesting one," Marcoh smiled. Kouri leaned into Mustang again and stared unsure of the man before her.
"It's ok, baby," Mustang rubbed her back. "Marcoh is a good friend. He won't reveal your secret to anyone."
Kouri settled into Mustang's embrace as he returned to learning all he can about Ishval. It took a couple weeks for him to recover enough to leave the hospital. She stayed by his side and refused to leave, much to the dismay of some of the hospital staff. Mustang, of course, found the situation amusing like Havoc did before. The only time she would willingly leave Mustang is to shower or check on Havoc.
"Hm," Kouri sighed. She was sitting on a swing in the park. The heels of her shoes were on the ground and she was lightly pushing the swing back and forth. It's been weeks. Should I just go see him? He did promise to come see me. But that doesn't mean I can't go see him, right? Oh, geez! What's the matter with me?! It's just Alphonse. He's the same. Only with his body. Then why can't I go? Why am I so nervous?
Kouri's heart fluttered so hard it made her light headed. She stopped pushing the swing as her confidence grew. This is ridiculous! I'm going to go see him! Kouri rushed up in such a hurry she didn't noticed a person in front of her until she bumped into them and knocked them down. She stumbled back, but was able to keep her footing. "Oh gosh! I am so sorry!"
"It's alright. I've been hit harder."
"Huh?" Kouri started down at the person she bumped into. His blonder hair and eyes were very familiar. "That voice…"
"H-Hey, K-Kouri," The boy smiled shyly at her as his eyes bounced to and from her form. Kouri stared dumbfounded at the boy. Her heart was racing and tears stung her eyes as her knees buckled under her. She dropped down in front of him, took a hold of his face in her hand and pressed her lips to his. "Hm?"
Kouri's eyes popped open when she realized what she did. She fell back away from Al and blushed furiously. "I am so sorry! I didn't mean…Well, I did mean…I uh…"
"I-It's ok," Al, blushing furiously too, stuttered. "I-It wasn't what I was expecting, but it's fine. I-I don't mind."
The two teens stared down at the ground.
"What the? How dare he kiss my baby?!" Mustang fumed as he, Havoc and Ed watched Al and Kouri from a distance.
"Kouri kissed Al you brain dead Colonel!" Ed snapped as he held Mustang back from storming over to the two embarrassed teens. "Here I thought Marcoh fixed your eyes."
"I think it's sweet that she kissed him," Jean said as he shifted on his crutches.
"Will you think it's so sweet if she marries him and leaves?!" Mustang hissed. Havoc coughed then followed Mustang's ranting and flailing as Ed held them both back.
"They're going to hear you!" Ed shouted.
"I don't care! He can't take away our Kouri!" Havoc screamed.
"She's my baby! I'm not ready to let go!" Mustang added.
"Grow up you idiots!" Ed shouted again then whacked both the men with a tree limb. He gave a frustrating growl as they laid on the ground with bumps on their heads. "You're going to ruin everything."
"Y-You know we're being watched, right?" Al asked while stealing a glance at Kouri.
"Yeah. Daddy hasn't let me out of his sight since we returned to Central," Kouri replied as she pulled a couple blades of grass out of the ground. A few minutes of silence feel between the two again. "I guess you and Ed are going back home now?"
"Tomorrow. We're going to stay one more night and leave early in the morning," Al replied.
"I see," Kouri said with sadness in her voice that Al easily picked up on, but he remained quiet. "I guess we should get going then. The sun's starting to set."
"You're right," Al said and moved to stand up. He looked up when Kouri appeared beside him and put her arm around him.
"Well, I did knock you down," Kouri smiled. "Sorry about that."
"It's alright. Thanks, Kouri," Al said and allowed her to help him up. Once up right the two came face to face with each other, both blushing again.
"H-Here. Let me get your crutch," Kouri tucked a strand of hair behind her ear then leaned down. While leaning down Al's arm crossed in front of her shoulders. He pulled her back up right and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, her body stiffening. "A-Alphonse?"
"You still own me a hug," Al whispered. He smiled when he felt her body relaxing in his embrace. She raised her arms to his waist and gave him his promise hug.
…
"Well, Colonel," Ed said as he, Al, Kouri, Mustang, Havoc and Hawkeye stood at the train station. "Can't say what we've been through was fun, but I'm glad we went through it together."
"The feelings mutual, Fullmetal," Mustang said as he shook Ed's hand.
"Still calling me Fullmetal," Ed chuckled.
"You'll always be Fullmetal, Edward," Hawkeye said.
"That's true," Havoc added with a nod.
"It's going to be quiet around here without you boys," Kouri said.
"We'll come visit. That's a fact," Al replied. Kouri smiled at him. Al's cheeks turned pink as he stared at her and noted silently that this was the first time he's ever seen her in a skirt. She was wearing a navy blue tank top with a black mini skirt. "That outfit looks good on you."
"Thanks," Kouri blushed as she twisted the toe of her shoe on the ground. Al shrunk down, nervously rubbing the back of his head, when Havoc and Mustang slide over behind him with protective fury emanating all around them.
Those idiots. Ed grumbled to himself as Hawkeye sighed. An idea struck Ed and he grinning evilly. He jumped and shouted while pointing off into the crowd. "Oh my gosh! There goes Scar!"
"Scar?" Havoc asked.
"Where?!" Mustang added as they jumped to search for the man.
"He went this way!" Ed said as he lead them away from Kouri and Al.
"What? Scar's not here. Why did he do that?" Kouri asked as she watched the three men disappear into the crowd.
"Kouri, we're going to have to have a little talk about this later," Hawkeye grinned at the young lady then walked away.
"Huh?" Kouri asked again. "What did she mean by that?"
"You are just too innocent," Al chuckled as he placed his fingers under her chin and turned her towards him, capturing her lips with his. Kouri blinked and blush before putting her arms around him and kissing him back. He moved his hand to her back and held her close. Breaking the kiss he pressed his forehead to hers. "I'll call as soon as we get home so you'll know we're safe."
Kouri nodded.
Soon Ed and Al were on the train waving goodbye to their friends. When the train began to move Kouri's body moved with it as she followed it to the end of the platform. She waved to them until she couldn't see them anymore. Kouri instinctively leaned back against Mustang. "It won't be long. We'll see each other again."
"Of course you will, baby," Mustang said as he put his arms around her.
Ah! They kissed!