Woo! Another Chapter:D

(Age 15)

It was very awkward at first, the meeting, the conversation, the jokes, small talk, and most of all, having Fuery listen in on all of it. But soon enough, Fuery took the hint and sat down at the bar. I eyed him as he sat down dramatically, with a great flourish of his arms to show that he'd gotten our drift and that he was out of our hair, but still close by. I wasn't sure if he was still in hearing range, but I didn't take Fuery to be an eavesdropper, or at least not a blabber mouth.

"So?" Havoc asked quietly. I turned and saw his nonchalant posture, leaned back in the chair lazily. He didn't fool me, though. I don't know what his real job is, but I know he's not as unaware as he seems to be right now. If I had to guess, I'd say he could tell me where anyone in this pub was, in or out of his range of sight. "What do you want to know, Beth?" He smiled a bit, almost smugly, "I'm sure you're bubbling with questions."

I opened my mouth to speak, but hesitated. Was he really going to answer any questions? I continued after a second, "What's with Mustang and Scar?" I half-blurted. I'd meant to ask, but not so generally or so loud.

Havoc nodded absent mindedly, "I should have known you'd fire the tough one right away," He scoffed, "Mustang has known about Scar since the beginning of his killings, about six or seven months ago. Everyone has. It's not that often you hear of a state alchemist being bested and killed." A waitress walked by our table and he halted his explanation.

"Hello," she chirped sweetly, with a hint of a southern-bell accent, "The bar has just opened, would you like a drink?" She was a very pretty girl, with an auburn colored hair and stark green eyes. Freckles splattered across her nose and cheekbones, giving her an innocent and sweet look.

I once again thought of how I looked. Blonde hair in a straight braid and plain bangs, nearly identical to Ed's, and mellow golden eyes that attract only historians' interest. My attire wasn't very feminine or pretty either, with my military blue and white jacket and a plain black shirt underneath, one of Ed's tank tops, actually. My hands might have been feminine, if I had both of them and didn't keep my thick white gloves on. The only thing remotely girly I wore was the military skirt, which had opaque black leggings under it. Despite the leggings, my automail was still fairly visible, as the shape was seen. My shoes weren't even girly, and I've heard many girls on the streets talk about their shoes. Mine were an old pair of Ed's. He'd outgrown them but they fit me. I insisted on not throwing away a good pair of boots, but the vibrant red soles

stuck out like a sore thumb.

In my thoughts I hadn't noticed the waitress leave, or heard Havoc's response. Only when he cleared his throat did I emerge from my thoughts to rejoin him in the real world.

"Beth?" He chimed, clearly amused, "You with me, Beth?"

I huffed angrily at my lack of attention and replied sourly, "I told you, it's Elizabeth." I folded my arms for good measure, pouting horribly.

He smiled genuinely, "And I told you, I like being the only one to call you Beth." My arms loosened considerably and fell to my lap. I mumbled an inaudible retort in vain, my face flushing at his... his... annoyance.

I took a deep, calming breath and replied coherently, "Fine. But I swear if anyone else starts to call me Beth..." I threatened, knowing there was nothing I could really say. To many people, like Ed, Al, and any enemy, I could be and was very threatening. But Havoc? My threats and anger just rolled off of his back like rain.

"They won't. Only I get to, Kiddo." He laughed goodheartedly, leaning over to ruffle my head. I let him, but it felt really weird and I didn't like it one bit. I forced a smile anyway, and laughed along with him.

I sighed as Fuery and I walked out. The awkward feeling when we were being watched by Fuery had soon returned after he treated me like a child. I still don't understand why I let him, though. Do I think of him like a father-figure? How would I even know what that felt like? Ugh, I'm so confused!

Havoc remained in the pub, sitting at the table where we spoke. As soon as I turned away to get the door handle, I could hear the waitress' voice from before, speaking to him very kindly in her southern accent. I really hate the south, just the thought of it made me grit my teeth.

"Liz?" Fuery asked tentatively, "What did Jean tell you, exactly?" For quiet little Fuery, he was pretty curious. My surprise was clearly painted on my face as he quickly rephrased, "From what I heard you didn't get everything you wanted to know. We work together so I know most of the-the details and such of the cases and assignments-" He took a deep breath before realizing he was rambling, and stopped.

The sight of him made me giggle and instantly lightened my mood. He looked worried and worn out, with a slight tint to his face, either from embarrassment of his rambling or the lack of oxygen. I noticed for the first time he came without his signature radio, to be honest it surprised me a bit. His black hair only just fell to his eyebrows and was a bit shaggy looking, but very neat at the same time. For being older than me, Fuery sure didn't act like it. In fact, he acted like I was older than him most of the time. It felt odd, not being automatically assumed the little sister for once. I realized too late that I'd been staring at him and he, just a few inches taller than I, realized it before me.

"Elizabeth?" He asked quietly, having calmed down considerably. "Are you okay?"

I blinked at him, still staring but not really hearing him. I heard what he said and all, but it was like I was just noticing him for the first time since I got here. I'd been fixated on the stone, figuring out Havoc, helping Ed and Al, and other things, but never Kain Fuery. Before I could stop myself, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my face into his shoulder, crying without tears. "No." I mumbled, not caring if he heard or not, "No, I'm not."

On the porch of the Inn, probably blocking the door the the pub again, I stood with a very shocked Fuery, hugging him. I don't know how I would have gotten past the surprise-hug had he not finally hugged me back. His hands awkwardly found their way around my waist, patting me softly on the back. He didn't ask any more questions, he didn't try to make me calm down, he just let me have his shoulder, silently.

(3rd Person:3)

Havoc was enjoying the attention from Melanie, the waitress here at the Inn's pub, but he still felt a bit uneasy about Beth's reaction to his words. He'd heard Mustang call her a kid before, and the result was disastrous. Why he'd done it, he still could decipher, not that it mattered anymore. What was done was done, no changing that. The only thing on his mind besides Melanie was Beth's lack of reaction. He shook it off regardless, and began chatting with Melanie.

"So," She asked sweetly, "What time?" He liked the accent, the south was a very unique place with a very distinct vocal difference that made the women much more innocent and sweet sounding.

"Meet me here at-" Havoc began to say six or seven, whenever she got off work, but a woman at a nearby table interrupted him with what she was gossiping about.

"Oh look at those two sweethearts! Melanie, dear, wouldn't you like a beau who would do something like that when you're down?" An elderly regular to the pub cried cheerfully, watching a young couple right outside the door.

Melanie giggled and replied, "Yes I would," she glanced at Havoc, noting his similar hair color to the girl. It dawned on her that the girl was just here with Jean. "Your sister sure is lucky to have a sweet man like him." She chirped.

Confusion painted him, "Sister? I don't have a sister here." He replied slowly. Melanie rolled her eyes at him.

"The girl you were sitting with earlier? She's not your sister?"

"No," Havoc chuckled, "Of course not." Realization crossed his face as he spun around in his chair to find Beth's arms around Fuery and Fuery holding her right back.

"Oh..." Melanie replied quietly, slowly slinking back into the kitchen. She sensed an awkward situation brewing and had no intention of staying around for it.

Having been in the way of the door for a few minutes, the two finally broke apart, oblivious to the fact that they were being watched. As they began to walk back to headquarters, Havoc watched Fuery lean towards her, obviously saying something. Elizabeth's head turned to respond to him, the words not reaching Jean.

Elizabeth leaned on Fuery, and his arm rested around her shoulders. When did that happen? Jean wondered.

Whenever it happened, it didn't sit well with him. It made him feel even more uneasy than Beth's reaction, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. Without so much s a goodbye to his waitress friend, he silently followed them, keeping a safe distance. They'd never know he was there.