Hello!
Thanks so much for your reviews! I really appreciate it.

Where The Babysitter Needs Some Help

Riza sighed when the phone rang yet again. She had tried her best to ignore it since the first time he had called where she had picked up out of habit. But the calls were getting more frequent, and she could already hear the breaks of his car in her head, her mind conjuring up the image of him on her doorstep if she did not answer anytime soon.

She held the receiver to her ear, not needing to greet when his voice came from the other end immediately.

"Finally, I was beginning to think you'd gone to bed," he somewhat panted, seemingly stressed. At least more than before, perhaps having an actual reason to ask for assistance this time.

"How, with the phone ringing non-stop?" she raised an unamused brow. Hayate tilted his head at her sharp tone from where he laid, as sick of the constant noise as she was. She would leave him in East City next time they went to Central, she made a mental note to herself. Fuery would be happy to take care of him.

"My thoughts exactly," the Colonel agreed, either oblivious to her annoyance or ignoring it. "So here's the thing," he said for what felt like the hundredth time that evening. "We've managed to capture the bandits and without any more inconveniences or bloody scenarios," he retold. She wanted to slam her head onto the table alongside the receiver. "But we have a bigger problem now and I mean by far bigger,"

"Sir, I told you playing with children doesn't have to be realistic. If she wants to defeat armed villains with magic while on horseback, just let her," she rubbed her temple. Why had Hughes chosen the Colonel of all people as babysitter? And how in the world had he convinced his wife, seeing as she should be the more reasonable of the two? Then there was the matter of why the Colonel had had to accept, but it was too late to be brooding about that.

"No, Lieutenant, this isn't some silly game, she…" he struggled a little, a crackling telling her how he was awkwardly adjusting the receiver at his ear. "Well, I think she… has to go," he uncomfortably disclosed. Riza closed her eyes, about ready to just drop into bed and bury herself with a pillow over her head. Or unplug the phone – how had she not thought about that sooner?

Knowing full well that she could never do so in case there was an actual emergency, she just sighed again.

"She's old enough to use a potty. Just take her to the bathroom and-"

"But she's a girl,"

"She's a toddler, Sir," she reminded but it did not seem to convince him. "Otherwise wait and change the diaper after," she dryly explained, hanging up when more excuses rushed her way. Exchanging a glance with Hayate, Riza strolled over to where he was. His tail wagged the second she turned to him but her smile faltered when the phone rang again. She ignored it. The hotel was not her greatest fan to begin with since she had brought a dog, but the constant noise was sure to rile up a guest or two.

The ringing stopped. About to give a sigh of relief, Riza quickly stood again from having petted her dog's head. She dialled in the number of the Hughes Residence.

"Alright, looks like you and me are going on a little trip to see your auntie," Roy shrugged when there was no answer once again. Leading the way, he shooed one-year-old Elicia out of the office when the phone rang. That was a surprise. Keeping an eye on the infant, he smiled upon hearing his Lieutenant's voice.

"Don't come here."

"Wha- I wasn't, I mean, why not?" he furrowed his brows. "She just said how much she misses you," he lied.

"She cannot speak yet, Sir," Riza growled, then exhaled sharply. "Stay where you are, I'm on my way," she gave in and he inwardly cheered. Of course, she did not have a car so he waited rather impatiently, practically rushing to the front door when there was a knock not twenty minutes later.

"Lieutenant," he greeted with his trademark smirk, seeing as she was everything but in a good mood, "do come in," he nonchalantly leaned against the doorframe with one arm, gesturing inside with the other.

"Where is she?" Riza courtly asked, unfazed by his attempt at leniency.

"Upstairs," he began but she had already passed him, hurrying.

"You can't just leave her at the top of the stairs – she could have fallen!" she exclaimed. Crouching down at the top of the stairs, she came face to face with Elicia, who had only just reached the railing. He opened his mouth to explain how she had been by the telephone a moment ago, but the Lieutenant's attention had already shifted. That was certainly something he was grateful for, if only this once. "Hey there, Elicia," Riza's voice softened. Elicia gazed up at her with big eyes. Holding on to the railing to keep her balance, she hid behind it, though she thawed quickly when Riza outstretched her arms invitingly. They had only met a day ago since shortly after her birth, but Elicia either remembered or was very trusting – not that he could blame her with that kind smile Riza offered.

Roy forgot to breathe for a moment, almost mesmerised by the sight of his Lieutenant picking up the toddler with such ease, cradling her against her chest. It looked so natural, as if she had already done so a thousand times.

"Now, how about we get you to the bathroom?" she asked the girl, the hand beneath her bottom giving an estimating pat. "Looks like it's too late for that," she shot a look down the stairs. It broke his trance, making him wince. "Poor thing," she muttered in a voice he had never heard her use before, not even with her dog. "Not to worry," she checked the first door, finding the office, heading down the hall, "we'll get you changed right away. You don't happen to know where your diapers are, do you?" she continued, engulfed in her task, cooing approvingly when Elicia made a few sounds of her own.

Almost forgetting to help, Roy had to shake his head to leave his state of enchantment. Taking the stairs two at a time, he caught up to them, guiding his Lieutenant to the bathroom. He showed her where Hughes had shown him the diapers and wipes to be. Then he retreated backwards, glad when she ordered him to find fresh clothes instead of aiding with going on the potty.

Rummaging through the wardrobe, the idea of pyjamas only hit him after a minute. Going over to Elicia's cot, he found a pink romper between an abundance of stuffed animals, pillows and blankets. He took his time with getting back, hoping to be missing most of the disgusting part, carefully prying through the ajar door where he would not be spotted yet.

Riza was bent over the baby change unit, Elicia on her back with her tiny feet up in the air, being lowered down onto a fresh diaper just then. She did not seem to understand much of what the Lieutenant was telling her, but she smiled merrily at the audio guide that accompanied her diaper change.

"… and I'm more than glad I watched your mommy do this yesterday, because otherwise this would not only be crooked, but maybe on your head instead of your bottom," she made a mockingly shocked face that Elicia gasped at, completely immersed.

Stretching her arms, wee fingers grabbed strands of blond hair.

"That's right, your mommy and daddy don't have long hair now, do they?" Riza said, allowing her hair to be grasped and pulled on. "You probably didn't see it before when I had it pinned up," she went on, continuing with fastening the nappy on both sides. "Maybe you'll want to grow yours out, too, when you're older. I'm sure you'll like braiding or tying pigtails," she tapped one side of Elicia's head, "here," the toddler giggled, then again at the second gentle prod to the other side, "and here," Riza smiled widely at the titter.

Roy leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms, a fond smile on his lips. It broadened with every word, every smile and every gesture the Lieutenant directed at Elicia. Taking her feet, Riza let them paddle and Elicia joined in enthusiastically, never letting the blond tresses go. With a chuckle of her own, Riza gave a horse's snort onto the exposed stomach, enticing a delighted shriek and more giggles. The kicks must have hit her chest, but she did not seem to mind, finally able to get up, if only slightly, her hair released for a moment.

Tiny hands reached out again but Roy was faster this time. Gently, he gathered the strands that were falling in front of her shoulders to rest them on her back – and not least to touch them himself.

"If that wasn't something you don't get to see every day," he teased, seeing with regret how her face ironed out again.

"Did you find her clothes?" she asked, and he obediently handed the romper over. He watched her dress Elicia, her monologue having died down and he found that both he and the child were already missing it.

"It suits you," he then noted, his gaze warm against her plain one, "the child." She flashed him a glance, returning her attention to Elicia.

"Too bad that probably won't ever happen," she shrugged but he could read her better than she probably hoped, that hint of remorse, if faint, glinting through. With his own shoulders dropping, he gave a grunt in response. He suppressed a gulp when she met his eyes, most certainly having detected the disappointment.

Picking Elicia up, Riza turned. He knew she was still not too content with having to save him work once again, but she was not as crossed anymore, tiredness overruling the previous irritation.

"Did she eat already?" she asked, the hope of a 'yes' clearly audible. He pulled a face, receiving a look.

"Hughes might have mentioned it…" he sheepishly scratched his nape. "I think so, then again, they did go out to dinner so that would mean-"

"You don't remember," she concluded, and he hissed before dropping the act.

"No," he admitted. She rolled her eyes. Assuming her not to know where the kitchen was, he took the lead, watching her sit Elicia down in the baby-chair.

"Did he say whether they have baby food?" she asked while poking her head into the fridge. He could hardly decide whether he preferred to see her with the child in her arms or bending over while he had such a nice view of her in a black skirt clad rear. Again, one blazing glare was enough to snap his focus back into reality, though a part of him still hoped that she would have to find what she was looking for in the lowest drawer.

"Baby food?" he tilted his head. He did not know the first thing about raising children, but he did remember the countless stories of Hughes chopping and blending regular food into some unappetisingly looking goo.

"Yes, you can buy that now," she informed, and he was not sure whether it was sarcasm or annoyance that dripped from her tone.

"You certainly know a lot about babies," he harped on when she resumed to search on her own. "Why the sudden interest?"

"Baby food can be found next to dog food," she remarked without turning. She opened the next cupboard. Elicia was giving hums of discomfort by now, slapping onto the table attached to her chair that kept her from getting out.

"I see," he started to join the hunt. This time, he did not notice the quizzical glance she directed at him for having sounded so crestfallen. She had such a gift, and the mere thought of a miniature Riza to take care of – for her to take care of, he corrected inwardly – made his heart skip a beat. But the idea of his involvement did not want to make itself scarce, the realisation that with a baby, there had to be a father giving his chest a sting. He did not want to spell it out; not wanting to impose himself onto her, yet the mental image of someone else by her side made his stomach twist.

"This'll have to do," Riza brought him back into the present. With a light thud, she placed down a glass of applesauce, spooning some into a bowl. She found a smaller spoon for Elicia, putting everything down on the baby-chair's table.

A pout was all she got for her efforts.

Elicia refused to eat, luring out a deep sigh from Riza. She brought over a chair, sitting down diagonally opposite. Taking the spoon, she offered a helping. Not getting anywhere, even when trying to coax the child into eating with words. Words Elicia probably did not understand more than half of.

"Maybe she already ate," Roy supplied. He took another chair, its legs scraping across the floor when he pulled it over. Elicia began to cry at the loud noise. He winced, avoiding the death glare from the side at all costs.

Instead, he quickly plucked the spoon from Riza's hovering hand. He had seen Hughes feed her, too, and it was not hard to remember how the devoted father tricked his admittedly patient daughter into eating. Because it was ridiculous, and Roy already cringed on his own behalf, starting to regret inviting – or forcing – his Lieutenant to come over.

Nonetheless, Roy gave it his all when poorly imitating a bird's chirping. Riza blinked at him with something between bewilderment and a held-back snort of laughter. He went on regardless, focusing on making the spoon flap like a bird without losing too much of its content. Elicia stared at it, as if hypnotised. Impressed brows rose next to him, so he kept going, finally arriving at his destination after a handful of artistic detours through the air. Still, the gate would not open for him.

Big eyes flashed from the spoon she had almost opened her mouth for to his face. Then back. Then rested on his face again. Her lower lip began to quiver, her chin following suit, and not a second later, she had broken out into tears again. Roy grimaced. Perhaps he had reminded her a tad too much of Hughes, disappointing with not being her daddy when she had expected him behind the circus act of persuasion.

Riza slumped in her chair, at the end of her wit. He was about to resign as well, opting to convince both of them that Elicia had already eaten as not to feel guilty when putting her to bed now, just when tiny fists slammed down on the table again. Only this time, it was not empty anymore.

His eyes closed on instinct. He took his time with peeling them open when feeling the applesauce where it had splattered onto his face and shirt. Riza uttered something under her breath that could have almost been a cruse. He watched her get up, her own blouse sporting stains. The darn kitchen towel did not hang very low, so he decided wipe off the applesauce from his face instead of longingly surveying her every move.

"This is good," Roy announced, having licked off his finger after wiping his brow. He tugged on his shirt to stretch it, running a finger over the splashes to clean them off. It really did taste great. Plus, it reminded him of the dinner he had failed to eat before coming over. So he grabbed the bowl and spoon anew, this time delightedly shovelling it into his own mouth.

He could hear Riza inhale for a scold, on her way to exasperation. It was cut short when Elicia suddenly stopped crying. Her noises did not stop, however, and she waved her short arms towards Roy. With protests he came to interpret as jealousy, she babbled almost angrily, demanding back what he had taken from her. Not that she had wanted it then.

He grinned.

"In for some applesauce, are we?" he asked. She kept on nagging, that already mastered pout returning. "Well, I can tell you it is delicious," he flicked at the spoon with his tongue, refilling it with more of the golden puree. She was fighting any more whining, trying to reach him but he kept on eating slowly, agonisingly in front of her. "I'd be willing to give it to you on one condition," he bargained. She gave another discontent sound, as if having understood. "You have to eat up," he commanded. "Deal?" Roy held out his free hand, and she gipped it in an effort to pull him closer, wanting to get to the bowl.

Riza was smiling broadly from where she still held the towel, fondly regarding the exchange.

"I'll take that as a yes," he relented, placing the applesauce back on Elicia's table. She had hardly gotten hold of the spoon when the food was already flying her way, quick scooping protecting her meal from any more predators.

Feeling his Lieutenant's eyes, Roy grinned at her. To his surprise – his heart paying the price as it skipped more than just one beat – she kept on smiling. It softened when she met his gaze, and he wanted nothing more than to burn that image into the back of his mind where he would be able to see it every time he closed his eyes.

She handed him the towel. Both waited until Elicia finished. And she finished indeed, hardly leaving a trace behind.

"I'll take care of this mess," he offered, being graced with another smile from his subordinate. A smile and the more than lovely view of her lifting the infant out of the chair, holding her to her chest. "You go on ahead and put her to sleep – I mean tuck her in," he beamed a sheepishly innocent grin. But Riza's smile remained, and her voice was soft when she thanked him, quietly lulling Elicia into going to bed as they made their way upstairs.

Finally, it was his time to sigh. Quietly, Roy cheered to himself, seeing as both his smile as well as sigh originated in content. He had made a proper fool of himself, something that had miraculously earned him his beloved Lieutenant's gentle side. Not to mention the things he had gotten to see that night, lucky as he was. She really was a remarkable woman, something he knew he should have been telling her more often.

With the kitchen wiped down, the bowl rinsed out, the applesauce back in the fridge and his shirt cleaned to the furthest extend a kitchen towel could achieve, Roy snuck up the stairs. Another fit of cries erupted just before he had reached the top of the stairs. Not yet having arrived at Elicia's room, the whining faded out again. Curiously, he spied through the ajar door.

The room was dark, the only light streaking it coming from the hall.

Humming quietly, Riza was rocking up and down with Elicia cradled into her neck. She was holding her with one arm, her other hand trailing mellow strokes down the child's head and back. Not a single sniffle was to be heard, breathing steadying in time with the sweet melody – a melody he recognised instantly, taking him back to that house with the creak in the backyard, its musty curtains and old tomes stacked in every corner. The house where he had met the most important person in his life for the first time – the person he knew he could never live without anymore.

Stepping into the room, cursing at the creaking of the door, Roy was sad to see the Lieutenant turn, interrupting her beautiful voice. So he finished the song for her, however out of tune. Momentary shock melted into softness again, and she joined him for the last phrase, going to carefully lower Elicia into her crib.

"Mission accomplished," he whispered. She chuckled under her breath, gaze glued to the already dozed-off child for another heartbeat.

"Did he say when they would be back?" she asked. A teasing brow following. "That is, if you remember," she added. Scowling playfully, he dared poking her side. Yelping, Riza jumped, clasping a hand over her mouth. Elicia hardly gave a moan in her sleep, tired enough to ignore the commotion. Feeling a scowl coming his way now, Roy returned a boyish grin.

"I guess he expected me to wait up," he shrugged.

"Good thing you're a night owl," she commented. His shoulders fell. Was she not staying? Sure, that had not been the plan to begin with – though he should have known not to be up to babysitting by himself – and he knew that she was an early bird and that they both had to be at the office the following morning.

His mouth was opened halfway in petty protests, words getting stuck before being able to switch to guilt-inflicting coaxing when she cut him off altogether. He was frozen for another second, then thawed with relief and not least that endless appreciation he held for her day in and out.

Having sat down, Riza leaned against the wall next to the crib. He was by her side faster than she could finish yawning. The tiniest of squeaks escaped her throat as she did, and he thought a tiny tear to have sprung to her eyes. His face flushed while his heart began bouncing again. She was too adorable – and no matter what Hughes said, Roy could swear his Lieutenant to be even cuter than little Elicia.

Not knowing what to do with himself and his somewhat bursting worship, Roy challenged his luck. He did not even pretend to casually stretch, going for the kill as he tenderly wound his arm around her waist. Riza's eyes flashed up at him from the side, but not a word of protest ever came. On the contrary.

Giving in to her obvious tiredness – her lids having become heavier and heavier – she let herself be embraced. Her side relaxed against his. He waited, easing his muscles only after another minute, listening to her breathing even out as soon as she allowed her eyes to rest. At some point, her head dropped to his shoulder, sending his already racing heart into a frenzy.

Excitement gave way to exhaustion, the sheer amount of smiles and enchanting scenes he had been presented with that night, paired with the warmth of her body so close to his, the allowance to hold and protect her having drained him in the form of joyful adrenaline.

It was just after midnight when Maes and Gracia returned home, finding the fondly entwined couple sleeping as soundly as their daughter.