Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

This chapter's shorter than my other ones, but I wanted to leave it at a cliffhanger. (I'm evil!) I hope you guys like it, and I'll get to work on the next one quick. This is almost finished, by the way!

Please review if read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome.

"It's been almost a month," Armstrong sighed, sitting in Mustang's office looking dejected. "I can't waste any more time looking for her – she's not going to be found unless she wants to be, I'm sure."

"And Havoc is probably with her," Mustang added dryly, leaning back in his chair. "Well, at least the Black Widow is gone too, seemingly. There hasn't been evidence of another killing since the Sergeant Major took off. At least that's one thing off our hands."

"I have to return to the East Division, unfortunately. There are matters that require my attention," the Strong Arm Alchemist said, getting to his feet. "It was good to see you again, Mustang. And if she surfaces again…"

"You'll be the first I'll let know," he promised, shaking hands with his old friend.

"You're going to drive that young man insane, dear," Almetha said with dry amusement, as Kirstin emerged from the shadows once the older woman had gotten rid of Havoc. "He knows you're here – what's the point in hiding?"

"I don't want to face him," Kirstin shrugged, returning to her work.

"You didn't seem like the type to run away from problems," the doctor said shrewdly. "He comes in here one, two times a day wanting to see you. I heard he's gone through three jobs already."

"That's his problem."

"You think you can just hide from everything the rest of your life?" she chuckled, and Kirstin's head shot up. "You're hiding from the military and from that young man. And I have a feeling there's something else, but you don't have to tell me. But as it stands, he's going to be in here for a valid ailment sooner or later and you'll have to treat him."

"He won't be," Kirstin replied absently. "He doesn't get sick. Just drunk."

"Mmm…what?" she mumbled, tossing as someone pulled the covers off from her head. "Almetha…what's wrong?" she asked blearily, glancing out her window and noticing it was still dark out. "What time is it?"

"That young man of yours is in a bar right now causing some trouble," Almetha informed her in a clipped tone.

"He's not 'my young man', and it's not my problem. Go 'way – I want sleep."

"He's completely drunk, and I can't guarantee he won't get himself killed, picking a fight with Borden," the older woman informed her. With this new information Kirstin's brain forced her to wake up, which she did grudgingly.

"Borden?" she repeated. The man was constantly getting into fights at the local taverns and sending people into their office to get stitched up at least four times a week. "He's not that stupid…"

"One of my friends came by and told me," Almetha said, losing patience. "He thought I should know before a body-bag is needed. I came to wake you up because he's your responsibility, like it or not."

"I hate you," Kirstin groaned, rolling out of the mattress on the floor. "Fine, fine, I'm going…" She remained still and realized Almetha was tapping her foot impatiently. "What?"

"I'm not leaving until you do."

"Damn," she muttered, rising slowly and starting to pull on her jeans. When she was finally done she ran her fingers through her hair sleepily and promptly stalked out of the building, followed by a satisfied-looking Almetha.

"I've had enough of this funny-business," she said to herself, standing at the doorway to her practice. "It's got to end, or I'll have to kill them both. I'm an old woman – I can't take much more."

"I'm going to kill him," Kirstin vowed, tugging the sleeve of her black jacket on over her long-sleeved shirt, shivering from the cold. "I'm fucking freezing! And I want to go to bed," she added in annoyance, her boots alerting anyone to her presence. "Idiot…getting into another fight."

Kirstin had to admit to herself that she felt slightly guilty over the entire situation with Havoc, but that didn't mean she was ready to admit it to anyone else. Taking a deep breath when she arrived at the bar she stomped in, pushing her way through the surprisingly-thick crowd toward the counter.

"You're Almetha's girl, right?" a man asked, and she nodded, the cold air having woken her up. She and the woman had created a story of Kirstin being Almetha's niece from the State looking for work, and so far it had held up. "Good, 'cause he's gonna need a doc soon," the man informed her, and gestured to the two men at the bar. Borden was almost seven feet tall and almost as muscular as Armstrong – the resemblance sent shivers up Kirstin's spine whenever she saw him – and the drunken Havoc didn't stand a chance.

"You wanna say that again, you little bastard?" Borden demanded, glaring at Havoc.

"Yer a oversized hog," Havoc slurred, and Kirstin slapped her forehead with her palm. She looked up, instantly alert as the huge man rushed toward Havoc, and sighed heavily. Shadows instantly sprung up around Havoc, creating a barrier that Borden couldn't break through.

"He's an Alchemist!" Borden realized, and Kirstin rolled her eyes at his stupidity as she stepped forward.

"He's so drunk he wouldn't know his own mother," she informed him calmly. "And I'm the Alchemist, you idiot. Now, let me take him away before he opens his big mouth again. A big boy like you can handle an insult or two, I'm sure."

"Who do you think you are?" he growled, taking a step forward as she moved toward Havoc.

"Almetha sent me to get him," she said coolly, draping Havoc's arm around her neck and supporting his weight with some effort. "We didn't feel like patching someone up at two in the morning. Save it for later in the day when we're open."

"I'll teach ya to smart-mouth me, you little bitch!" Borden yelled, lunging at her. Kirstin's eyes narrowed dangerously and in the next instant blackness engulfed the bar. She dragged Havoc out amid the confusion and was well down the street before she released the seal.

"You're just a pain in my ass," she told Havoc crisply, receiving a snore in return. "For the love of…he fell asleep?" Taking a deep breath before she blew her top, Kirstin adjusted the dead weight before continuing to trudge down the street, trying to figure out how she was going to manage to make it to the third floor of the building before deciding to just dump him on the floor.

"Uhh…" Havoc groaned, and tried to shield his eyes when a bright light invaded his head. "Damn," he muttered, realizing his arm wasn't going to respond any time soon.

"Took you long enough," Kirstin said sharply, peering around the corner of the doorframe. Havoc finally registered he was on the floor of the back room in the office, sitting up on several blankets with a few thrown on him and a pillow behind him. "You almost got yourself killed by Borden, and I had to go get you, thanks very much."

"You came and got me?" he repeated blearily, and she eyed him critically.

"You really shouldn't talk yet – let me get you something to eat. And yeah, I had to because Almetha wasn't going to let me get any sleep otherwise."

"Oh," his shoulders dropped, and she snorted when she returned.

"You've got to pull yourself together, Havoc. You were never a drunk before."

He didn't answer and drank from the cup she handed him, and promptly choked. "What the hell is this?" he demanded.

"Something for a hangover," she replied breezily, crouching next to him. "Drink it all or I'll force it down that throat of yours," she said warningly, and he quickly made himself finish the concoction.

"That was horrible," he managed, trying to get the taste out of his mouth.

"It's more effective when it tastes nasty. Wakes people up faster," she informed him, taking the empty dish from him. She began to get to her feet, but he grabbed her arm and held her down with surprising strength for someone with a major hangover. "What now?"

"We can't go on like this," he said calmly. "Neither of us can, and you know it. You can't hide forever, and I can't drink forever. It's got to end eventually."

"Then go back to Central," she said, trying to free herself. "Now, let me go, Havoc. Or I'll give you back to Borden to finish you off."

"Kirstin, why are you so scared to let me fall in love with you?" he asked suddenly, and she stiffened in shock. The entire building was dead silent for a long moment and Havoc began to sweat as the seconds dragged by.

"It's not you I'm scared of," she told him finally, her tone nothing but reluctance. "I'm afraid to let myself love someone. Happy now – is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Why? Because of your sister?" he pressed, and she turned away sharply. "Kirstin, that's two different loves," he said quietly. "And it sounds like she never loved you to begin with. But Kirstin – I gave up my career for you. I gave up my life, damn it! How can you think I don't love you?"

"I know you love me," she choked out, unable to look at his pleading gaze. "And that hurts me more than anything, because I just can't love you back yet. I know I could, but I can't let myself. I don't want to lose anyone else I love."

"So that's why you came here – so there wouldn't be anyone here to hurt," Havoc realized, and she nodded mutely. "Kirstin…stop being like that," he said, pulling her around to face him. His face was blurry through the screen of tears in her face, and when she blinked they overflowed and created shiny streaks on her face. She couldn't do anything but look at him helplessly, and he was suddenly reminded of a lost child needing anyone to help her. "Oh, Kirstin…" he managed, and pulled her to him. She welcomed his rough embrace and sobbed into his chest, powerless to stop her emotions now that the dam was opened. He held her silently as she released her tears and silently vowed not to let her get away from him this time.

"Havoc…please…" she tried to say something, but he silenced her with a gentle kiss.

"Kirstin, I'll always be here for you," he told her, his voice barely above a whisper. "Even if you can't love me yet, I can wait if I know you will some day."

"I will," she promised, nodding awkwardly against his chest. "I will one day, Havoc. But…I'm scared. I don't know when I'll be able to love you like you want me to."

"Unreservedly would be nice," he said teasingly, before returning serious. "I can wait, Kirstin. If I know you can love me, then nothing else really matters to me. I'll stay here until that day comes, whether it's weeks or years from now."

"Havoc…this isn't fair to you," she said, laughing weakly through her tears. "You should go find some girl who can love you, not me."

"But I have found that girl," he assured her calmly. "You just said you could. And besides, who'll keep saving me if I leave?"

"Good point," she agreed with a slight laugh, hugging him tightly. He squeezed her back, content for the time being.

"She loves me…I can wait until she's ready," he promised himself, and kissed the top of her head lightly.

"You're in a good mood today," Almetha commented dryly, as Kirstin rushed around the busy office later that day.

"I am?" she asked blankly, promptly dropping the files she had been holding.

"You're in love," the old woman said wisely. Kirstin opened her mouth to protest but she shook her head knowingly and smiled. "There's no point in denying it – an old woman knows these things, remember. It took you long enough – I was about to beat the two of you like toddlers."

"He knows I need time, but we hashed it out," Kirstin admitted, turning faintly pink. "It's a long story."

"Do I detect a blush?" Almetha asked in mock-shock, and Kirstin glared at her. "I'm sure you two have your reasons, but as long as you came to an understanding. Finally. No more hiding?"

"No more hiding. Or drinking," she added with a grin. "He's going to try to find a job today."

"I'll let my friend know," the other woman said absently. "I'm sure he can set that young man up with something."

"It seems like this whole town is your friend," Kirstin commented, and Almetha shrugged.

"When you're old people tend to respect you a little more. And when you're the only doctor in town, they have to listen to you if they want their treatment."

"You're an evil old woman, you know?" Kirstin giggled, and Almetha looked extremely pleased with herself. "And you're smug, too."

"Yo – anyone here?" Havoc called, knocking at the building Almetha had sent him to later that day. "Hello…I'm here for the job!" he added, trying to peek in the window. It seemed dark inside and he turned to leave with a dismissive shrug, but the door suddenly opened and a young man answered.

"Sorry, I was in the back working," he told Havoc by way of apology, and closed the door behind him. "I'm Ai. You're the guy Almetha sent for the job, right?"

"Yeah," Havoc nodded and followed the other man to the back of the house, where a workshop was set up. "You do woodwork?"

"My dad taught me," Ai nodded. "Furniture, mostly, but some people want custom stuff. Any good with your hands?"

"Sorta, but I'll probably be better doing something else," Havoc admitted, eyeing the saws uneasily.

"No problem – I need someone to deliver and clean up too. Not very glamorous, but it keeps us going," Ai shrugged, and Havoc nodded.

"Sounds good to me."

"You can start today, actually," he said to the blond man. "I've got a customer here, so you can take down what she wants."

"Sure thing," Havoc agreed, and looked around. "Where do you take orders, anyway?"

"Right here, dear," a woman's voice said calmly, and Ai slumped to the floor.

"Damn bitch," Havoc realized, as Sarena approached him from the main room.

"Such a nice young man – too bad he wasn't willing to help me," she added, and eyed Havoc, who got the distinct feeling she was sizing him up like a piece of meet. "Oh well, there's plenty of fish in the sea," she said absently, and Havoc took a step back.

"Exactly? So why don't you leave me alone?" he asked nervously, and she smiled seductively at him.

"Because, dear, you know what I really am. It's a matter of pride that I can't let you live, really," she told him. "And besides – it'll hurt that damn sister of mine, which is an added bonus."

"You're the one who abandoned her," Havoc accused her, and she laughed shortly.

"Maybe I did, but she didn't tell you how I became involved with Lab Five, did she?" she asked, knowing he would shake his head as he did. "I thought so. Well, dear, the little bitch led the military to me and trapped me in that hellhole. And then she had the nerve to volunteer to guard me! She may have been the only one to know how to fight me, but that didn't help her when the lab was shut down after that whole mess," Sarena told him. "She's been trying to get me back for years, knowing it's the only way to save her own skin from the military."

"She won't let you trick her," he said, trying to keep his calm.

"Oh, I think she will," Sarena corrected him. "You see, I have you, dear. And that's all I'll need. Now, to send this young man to tell her where to find us." The Alchemist glanced at the fallen Ai, whom Havoc had thought dead, and with a flick of her wrist he rose to his feet and stared emptily ahead of him. "Now, Ai, go to the doctor's office and let Kirstin know that I'll be waiting with her lover in the forest exactly a mile south of here. Hurry now."

"You're an evil bitch," Havoc growled, and stiffened when she cupped his face with her long fingers.

"That's what men like about me," she whispered in his ear, and laughed coldly.

I hope it's not too mushy, rushed, abrupt, MS-ish or anything like that. Please review!