Heads up! This chapter will be in the POV of Havoc! ;D

VIII

It had been a long day. By the time I was heading home, they were still pulling bodies out of the tunnels. I wasn't expecting Emily to be waiting at my door though. Then again, I was supposed to meet her over an hour ago. I had to take a shower, to get rid of the stench. Emily was waiting patiently for me to be done, but I was enjoying the shower too much. Plus, I just didn't want to face her. She probably knows I'm pulling away. We had just started dating a week ago, and I really like her. I really do, but...

My mind started wondering towards her. It's always her. She looked so weak today. It's obvious that she's never really had to deal with death. I've heard the Colonel mention it before, but I didn't actually consider her breaking down like that. It's true that she never got put in a situation that involved such a scene, but she was soldier. She had to be ready for things like this, and not shut down.

I could faintly hear in the distance someone knocking on my front door. I turned the shower off so I could hear a bit better. Emily was definitely talking to someone, but I couldn't make out who. I should check it out. I wrapped a towel around my waist and stepped out of the bathroom. Emily was just shutting the door again when I walked out into the living room.

"Who was at the door?" There was a slight blush to Emily's cheeks. It was always cute when she turned shy. It's not like she hasn't seen me naked before, but the fact that she still seemed innocent just made her more endearing.

"I'm not too sure. She said that she was a fellow soldier who worked with you. She ran down the hall before I could get her name. She seemed upset..."

"She?"

"Yah. She said she wanted to apologize to you for getting you in trouble. She seemed pretty upset. I think she was crying?" I stared blankly at Emily before making up my mind. I walked back into my bedroom and started to change in my civilian clothes. It's not like her to just show up out of nowhere and leave crying. Something was up.

"Is everything alright? I thought we were staying in tonight?" There was concern in Emily's voice.

"Sorry Emily, but this is important. I'll walk you home and explain everything. I'll be sure to see you tomorrow." My words seemed to have stung.

"It's okay, I can walk myself home." She smiled at me, but there was hurt in that smile.

"No, it's getting dark-"

"You said it was important right? I only live a few blocks away." I grabbed the first shirt I saw and pulled it on.

"Which is why it won't take too long to walk you home." I grabbed her hand and squeezed it. Some of the hurt went away. I already told her that my work would have to come first, her second. As far as we both knew, this was work related.

I had been searching for a while now, getting close to 2 hours. The sky was dark, and the streets were lit. Of course, I started at Mustang's and of course, she wasn't there. All that did was get Mustang worried. There was only one place I haven't checked yet, and it should've been the second one. I stood outside the bar we always go to. The bar that Earl works at. I'm gonna be really annoyed if she's here. I opened the door to briefly be relieved that I didn't see her at the bar, but she was somewhere in here. I could hear her. There were quite a few people in the bar tonight. I couldn't pinpoint where she was. I walked over to the bar; Earl immediately noticed me. He didn't seem too pleased to see me.

"Well, I wasn't expecting for you to show up."

"Where is she?" He starred at me for a few moments before nudging his head to the side, indicating her location. I glanced over where there was a decent size group of people. I still couldn't see her. I had to walk over to the group before I saw her, practically in some guy's lap, flirting. She could barely keep her head straight. She was completely gone and the sleaze ball she was sitting so close to was trying to take advantage of her. My body felt hot with rage.

"Abby!" My voice boomed across the bar, even with all the noise and people in it. She didn't look at me, but she seemed scared hearing my voice. Everyone else was looking right at me. Probably trying to figure out who I was. After a moment, she finally met my eyes. I couldn't tell what she was thinking. She still looked scared. I squeezed my way between two people and grabbed her arm tightly. I knew she would try to escape. "Come on, I'm taking you home."

"No. I'm waiting for Earl to get off. I'm going home with him." I no longer had the patience. I pulled her arm up, but the other guy didn't want the flirting to end. He grabbed the same arm I had and was trying to force it back down. I glared at the guy, who just glared right back.

"You really don't want to do this."

"She said no. She wants to stay." She didn't do anything. She just sat there and took it. She wasn't being herself. I grabbed the guy's hand and twisted almost to the point of breaking. When he let go from the pain I lifted her up as quickly as I could, getting her away from him. Now I had to try to figure out how to fight this guy and keep her from falling over. The guy stood shaking his wrist, thinking doing so would help the pain. Three of his friends stood by him. This wasn't going to be easy.

"Alright, alright." Earl was able to squeeze his way past the crowd that formed around us. He stood by me, helping Abby stay on her feet better. "Nathan, you and your goons sit back down. Whoever throws the first punch is banned for life." The guy named Nathan and his goons didn't seem too pleased, but they backed off.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. She would hate me if I let those guys beat you up." I felt slightly offended by his comment. We started moving towards the front door, trying our best to get through the crowd with Abby's swaying and legs giving out.

"You think they could beat me up?"

"No, but I think she would still hate me if I allowed them to try." We made it to the door with little table bumping as possible. There was a good nip in the outside air. I was going to have to carry Abby all the back to Mustang's. Earl let go of her, making me lose control of her body for a moment. "Here, help me get her on." He knelt down in front of her. What?

"Why?"

"I'm gonna carry her home. Unless you think dragging her is a better way."

"Don't you have to get back to work?"

"I told my boss I was taking my lunch break. As long as I'm back in a half hour, it'll be fine. Get her on my back before you both fall over."

"I'm not going- I have her. She's not going to fall over." I tried my best to guide her down on his back. Her arms just hung off his shoulders. Why was he doing this? He didn't need to take her home since I was here. As he stood up, he shifted her on his back and started to walk.

"Which way is her home?" Really? What was he going to do if I wasn't here? Ask her for the directions?

"It's just a couple of blocks this way." I started walking with him.

"I don't...I don't feel, so good." It was almost impossible to understand what she was saying. Her breathing was a bit abnormal. It was very likely she would throw up.

"No throwing up now. I just bought this jacket."

"How many drinks did you give her?"

"Well, all the ones she ordered, and then all the ones Nathan, that guy who almost kicked your ass, ordered for her." Why did I feel so irritated by his answer? Why did I feel so angry every time he adjusted her on his back, repositioning his hands on her? "So, I guess the grand total would be 6."

"Six?" I practically shouted the number.

"I wasn't going to cut her off tonight. She claimed she has a broken heart. I don't know about you, but I drowned myself in alcohol a few nights after just getting my heart broken."

"Broken heart?" Earl went silent, as if he regretted opening his mouth. I felt my stomach sink a bit. Was it me? Emily mentioned she had sprinted away after leaving my apartment.

"She said it was some guy that she works with. I can't remember the name though. Said he was some fellow soldier that talks to her from time to time." Oh. Couldn't be me. Guess that time at the bonfire really was all in my head. Just wishful thinking.

"I didn't realize she liked someone."

"Really? She makes it so obvious."

"Huh? So, you know who it is? When did you meet him?"

"Well...I could just tell. She always had a glow to her when she came into the bar. The kind of glow only a man could give her." Earl was pretty observant. I don't think I've ever seen her glow. "And since I wasn't the one giving her the glow, I knew it was someone else." My mind wouldn't stop running through all the faces in headquarters. At least all the ones that I knew Abby has talked to every once in a while. She normally didn't venture outside the team.

"So, when did you realize?"

"Huh?" His question cut me off guard and I had no idea what he was asking.

"When did you realize you have feelings for her?" There was smirk on Earl's face. As if he was mocking me.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about." I tried to play it off, but my heart was racing from becoming nervous all of a sudden.

"You don't have to hide it! You're more obvious than her."

"I don't have feelings for her! She's my teammate. Nothing more." Earl let out a loud sigh. It sounded disappointed.

"Here." Earl's stopped and faced his back at me.

"Whoa, wait!" He started dropping Abby and I had to scoop her up in my arms before she fell over. "What are you doing?"

"I figured we're getting close. I'll let you drop her off." Actually, we were pretty much in front of the house. He seemed nervous. Abby made a moan as I shifted her in my arms. I couldn't tell if she was passed out or not. Wouldn't be surprised if she was.

"Why all of a sudden?"

"Well...she lives with that Colonel guy you guys are always talking about right?"

"Yah?"

"He sounds... like I really don't want to meet him yet, especially dropping her off like this." He has a good point. Colonel is definitely not going to be pleased. "Guess I'll see you guys later." Earl started to walk quickly back the way we came. Talk about having no guts, but I guess I understand. The Colonel did have quite a name in this country.

"Havoc..." She just barely mumbled. I looked right down at her. She seemed like she was sleeping. Her cheeks were so rosy. Probably from all the alcohol she had, and maybe the cold air. "You always smell like cigarettes...it's gross." Well, that was a good punch in the stomach. "But...I like it." She snuggled up closer to me. I swear my heart skipped a beat. I had to get her home. It was only a few feet away anyways. The Colonel must have seen me standing outside. By the time I reached the gate he was already outside waiting by the door.

"What happened? Is she alright?" I walked up the path and placed her in his arms.

"She's fine. Just...wasted." I was waiting for it. That cold glare that he's mastered.

"She's been doing that a lot lately." There was no glare. He just looked concerned. I couldn't blame him, I was too.

"I'm sure everything's fine. I think she's just trying to flirt with the bartender." My own joke stung a little because I had a feeling it was partially true. "Well, I better get back home. Have a good night Colonel." I started making my way back to the gate.

"Havoc." His tone was serious. I cautiously turned back not knowing what to expect. "I like to consider myself an observant man, and something that I've been observing lately, I hope you can clear it up." His eyes finally broke away from her and landed on me. There it was. That cold glare. I didn't say anything. Just waited for him to ask his question. "Do you have feelings for Abby?" It was so unexpected. I think my brain turned off for a few moments. He just kept staring at me, with that coldness, waiting for my answer. I finally gave a little chuckle and turned back around. I had to play this off.

"What gave you that idea?" He didn't say anything. I could still feel his gaze. "No. She's just a comrade and a friend." I didn't wait for a response because I didn't want one. I closed the gate and started walking home, forcing myself to not look back. ~

END OF CHAPTER 8

Thanks for reading! :D

Gah, guys I'm so sorry it took forever for me to update. Works been beyond crazy and I've been having such bad writer's block! Hopefully I won't have such problems from here! Also, sorry for such a short chapter...I might do some tweaking with this chapter. Let me know what you think!