Riza Hawkeye stood by the window, watching as the weather became even worse. Rain was belted against the building mercilessly as though it was demanding attention. Her expression was the same as always, that of a soldier. Her mouth drawn in a tight line and her trained eyes looking for movement out in the damp city.

"Brother..." The soft pleading voice behind her broke her concentration as she turned back. Her face softened some as Alphonse was kneeling on the floor next to the couch with his hand placed on his older brother's hand. Knox sat across the way, reading a book and showing no interest in what was going on around him. If it wasn't a medical need, it was none of his concern. Unfortunately the younger Elric brother couldn't be so callous in this situation. He wanted to have the ability to cry, to show his concern in any human way possible. His memories were now a burden as they came to mind. Not just this past trip, although he was now more then ever blaming himself for not standing up to Ed.

He remembered their mother. How they had found her collapsed on the floor in their house, one day long gone. He remembered how he and his brother would hold her hand just like he was now. Remembered the false sense of hope he'd felt that everything would be okay, that she was just sick but would get better. And here he was again, the same unrelenting feeling weighing down on him.

'Don't be like mom, Ed. Please don't be like mom. I don't think I could take it. You have to pull through this, please.'

Forcing himself to think of something else, he couldn't help but wonder where the Colonel had gone and if he had a plan. His crimson eyes drifted up to where Riza was. She still had that sympathetic look on her face but still managed a slight grin. It almost came across as she knew something he didn't. That her confidence in the Colonel was something to cling to right now. Alphonse turned back to his brother, his leather fingers curling even more around his hand. Aside from the Colonel, Al wanted to believe that Ed could make it through this, just like every other obstacle he'd made it through. His brother had always given off this air of invincibility even if that seemed impossible to see right now.

'But you're not invincible though. You can get hurt, Brother. But you're stronger then this, you've gotta make it. I know you can.'

Al's train of thought was not helping him feel any better about this and as best he could he just couldn't help but worry. His other hand landed on Edward's head. Although it was a vague memory to him now, the armored boy remembered his brother doing something like this when they were little and he was sick. Of course he couldn't feel Ed's hand or hair or tell how shallow his breathing had become in his current state.

'We're not finished yet, there's still a lot to do...so you have to wake up.'

Something outside caught Riza's eye. As she looked to see better through the downpour, her eyes went wide. The surprised look on her face was replaced by a smile and a faint laugh that managed to escape her mouth. Even in the rain, even in such miserable weather, the Flame alchemist moved at a steady pace towards the office. As though running would be out of character or make him not so feared. Even so, she had to catch herself before she laughed any more.

"What's wrong?" Al had noticed the change in her behavior and she immediately straightened up. Clearing her throat, she headed for the door.

"Nothing's wrong, the Colonel is back." Al remained where he was however the small spark of hope had become brighter. Mustang hurried into the room, bringing Knox's attention up from his book.

"Any changes yet?" He struggled out of his coat and Hawkeye quickly hung it up. Dr. Knox stood to his feet and cracked his neck.

"There's been no improvement if that's what you mean." Roy's mouth pulled to the side as he gave his friend a look. Knox was never known though for being an optimist. Trying to get his wet hair out of his face, Mustang ran his hand through the mess, only for it to fall back in place. He leaned over the back of the couch, to get a better look at Ed. The Fullmetal Alchemist seemed to be taking longer to inhale between breaths and he was definitely paler. Carefully, Roy reached down and lifted his automail arm to get a better look at it.

"What are you looking for?" Al's soulful eyes watched his every move. It was more out of curiosity then anything else. If it was someone other then Roy, Alphonse would have been more apprehensive.

"I went to speak with Ferguson," he looked under the metal limb, looking at the back side of it, "This whole thing is his fault. Now if I could just find what I need..." He grit his teeth, not seeing anything out of the ordinary. Not that he had ever gotten a good look at the attachment so finding anything off about it wasn't that easy. Ed's mechanic would be better at this than anyone else but getting her here was not an option right now. Once he was done looking over the back, he checked the front side.

"Sir, what are you looking for?" Riza couldn't help but wonder as his actions didn't make sense to any of the others present. He let out a frustrated noise as he brushed his bangs out of his face again, causing several drops of water to land on Ed's face.

"He said I would know when I see it." He moved down to the wrist and finally to the back of the hand. Nothing seemed off, all the parts appeared to be correct. No screws missing, no connecting joints out of place, the metal flawless. The automail for lack of a better word was perfect. Miss Rockbell was definitely a master of her trait. He turned Ed's hand over, palm up to find the same thing, nothing. Letting out an annoyed huff, his eyes wondered up to Al's face. The younger Elric was still looking at him as though he was expecting him to do something. Roy's eyes said otherwise and he brought his head back down, feeling defeated. "I'm sorry Alphonse, I don't know what else to tell you." An agonizing sound echoed through the helmet that would break any one's heart that heard it. It was the only way Al could express his hurt.