Jean was to stay in the hospital for a few more days before he could be discharged, but he wasn't entirely upset about it. Liseli had always been a comfort in his life, ever since she came into it. His last day in the hospital, Jean thought back on how he had met Liseli- nearly fifteen years ago.

Jean had been thirteen years of age when Liseli was found on the side of the road just outside of his hometown of Tillmeer, in eastern Amestris. The fact that Liseli was Ishvalan didn't matter to the people of Tillmeer, and she was taken to the local clinic where she was treated and bedridden for nearly a week- recovering from malnutrition, wounds, and severe dehydration. When she regained consciousness, she was asked about where she came from, what her name was, really anything at all that she could remember.

As it turned out, the initial assumption was proven correct as Liseli informed the doctor treating her that her village was attacked shortly after the start of the Ishvalan Civil War and her parents had been killed trying to escape. Liseli only managed to survive because her mother had distracted the Amestrian soldiers by leading them away from Liseli's hiding place. Her mother had told her to run and keeping running, without looking back, and Liseli did just that. The sounds of explosions and screams echoed throughout the wilds surrounding her village, the stench of smoke, blood, and charred flesh heavy in the air as she fled west- forcing herself to keep moving forward until she could no longer bear it.

Having nowhere else to go or no one else to turn to, Liseli feared that because she was an Ishvalan in an Amestrian town she would be kicked out, shunned, outcasted. She was surprised, and ever so grateful, to find that the people of Tillmeer were kind and accepting- many of them offering her food, shelter, clothing, and work. Liseli asked that she repay the people who found her by working for them and was welcomed with open arms once she was discharged from the clinic.

From that day forward, Liseli Ula'ree began a new life in Tillmeer. Working for the Havoc family was more than she could have hoped for and she did everything she could to repay them for saving her life. As the years went by, she felt more and more like she was apart of the family and she was grateful to have someone like Jean to look after her.

Jean had always treated Liseli like a little sister, looking after her and helping her cope with her new life. He would sit with her at night when nightmares of the events that cost her everything plagued her, trying to comfort her as best as he could. He felt like it was his duty to protect her since she had no one else and he was happy to do so.

As Jean thought back on the past, Liseli was busy packing his things together since he was set to be discharged. She noticed that he was lost in thought and watched him a moment before asking, "What are you thinking about?"

Jean was pulled from his thoughts and looked at her. "Hmm?"

Liseli smiled. "It isn't often that I see you so lost in thought like that." She set down the last of his things and came to his side, taking a seat next to him on the edge of his bed. "What's on your mind?"

"I was just remembering the day we met."

"Wow, that's quite the trip down memory lane. What brought this on?"

"You're always so helpful and kind to us, Lissie. I forget just how much you've changed all of our lives."

Liseli knew that he spoke of not just himself and his family, but also Roy Mustang and the other soldiers she knew through Jean. "You all have changed mine just as much, Jeanie."

Jean watched her a moment, sensing something was on her mind. "What is it?"

"Are..." Liseli hesitated. "Are you sure about this...? About leaving the military?"

Jean sighed and tried to offer her a reassuring smile. "I'm no good to the colonel like this; I would just be in the way. This is what's best."

"I just worry about you, Jeanie. The military has always meant a lot to you and giving it up like this is no different than losing your ability to walk."

"I'll be fine, Lissie, I promise."

Liseli watched him, searching his eyes. Finally, she sighed and gave in, returning his smile and squeezing his hand. "Alright, then you have my full support." She leaned forward, pressing her forehead to his. "No matter what happens, I'm here for you. Through it all." She kissed his cheek before excusing herself to check in with his doctor.

Jean was surprised, Liseli having never shown that level of affection toward him before. He found himself blushing and he reached up to touch the warm spot where her soft and gentle lips had just been.

'Why would that make me feel like this? She's like a sister to me.' Jean wondered, but then the more he thought about it, the more he began to question himself. 'Right..?'

Jean was discharged a few hours later and Liseli wheeled him out of the hospital where he was greeted by his former comrades as they wished to send him off with style.

Liseli was happy to see that those who could come say goodbye before they boarded the train were able to and she hoped that they knew what that must have meant to Jean. Once they boarded the train, however, and pulled out of the station heading east, she did notice that Jean was already acting a bit homesick- as though the reality of his situation was just then beginning to really sink in. She moved to sit next to him and reached over to hold his hand, trying to reassure and comfort him as best as she could.

"We'll be home soon."

"Are you excited to see your parents?"

"It has been quite some time, so ya."

Liseli smiled. "Good, because they're going to be happy to see you."