Fantastic, I've done 22 chapters consistently over three months! Hope you like it!

-Jack Knights

"So, what do you want out of this arm?" she asked, tapping her foot. She sat him down in the kitchen, sitting across from him, a pad and pencil in her hand.

"I need to be able to actually use it," he said, thinking that was obvious. Trex frowned, leaning forward, giving him a sour look. "Um, alright, you meant specifically," he muttered, when she raised and eyebrow at him. He thought about it, but at the moment his mind was a complete blank.

"Alright, let me ask you this then; what were you able to do before you lost it? What of those every day, simple tasks do you want to be able to do?" she said, pencil pressing into the white paper.

"Well, writing would be one thing," he said, thinking back. "Opening jars and doing buttons, lift heavier, two handed objects."

She wrote this all down and began sketching furiously on the pad. He stopped, curious as what it was she was drawing. She moved her hand in a circular motion, telling him to continue.

"Being able to do that," he said, pointing at her rotating wrist. "You know, the small things like hold a feather or a flower being able to pick up things that are thin, like a thread."

"That's pushing it, kid," she said, shaking her head. "Things like that require more motor-skills than I can give you back at this stage. Things like writing will be difficult, but not impossible. Also, you most likely won't be able to move any of your fingers separately, excluding your index finger, of course. Being able to pick a flower without damaging it would be near impossible with what I've got at my disposal."

He hung his head, feeling slightly crushed and embarrassed that he'd asked so much of her when she was giving away his new hand for free. She put a hand on his, and he looked up; she was smiling bemusedly and he straightened again. So long as I can fight again, and properly, I have no qualms about the finer things.

"Anything else, anything more specific?"

"I want to be able to fight with it again," he said, his left hand closing in a tight fist. "I want to be able to hold off an attack with a shield on my arm and slice at them at the same time. Or take down opponents with a bow from afar."

"Alright, see, that I can do, and easily," she said, sketching away. "Are you right or left handed?"

"Right, but I can fight with either if necessary," he said proudly. "I learned both ways so that I'd remain a balanced fighter without a weaker side."

"Good on you," she said, turning the paper around so he could look at it. "This is what I want to do."

It was a rough but clearly defined image of a mechanic arm. The fingers were sectioned and the wrist was guarded by a plate that covered it almost all the way around. The arm consisted of five oval-shaped plated that went from the wrist to the elbow. Each plate was numbered and named, as was each digit and connection. What troubled him was why it was drawn all the way up to his elbow, instead of just his wrist.

"I can tell from your face that your worried," she said, turning it around. "Unfortunately, the parts I have are from either the shoulder or elbow down. I don't have a separate wrist model, they're much too expensive. Either way, I would have had to cut into your arm somewhere about halfway up."

"Why?"

"Because of the nerve endings. The ones in your wrist are way too complex and diverse for me to connect, properly or not," she explained, and upon seeing Link's confusion continued to. "Think of it like this; each and every single muscle movement, spasm and flex corresponds to a single nerve. Your brain sends signals to and from, making it move. Imagine all that you could do with your right hand and that's as many wires I have to connect, individually and one at a time."

"I admit it's a lot to do, but still, why not?"

"Imagine if I connected one wrong, and say each time you wanted to point with your index finger your hand spasmed instead. Sure, the brain can learn to adapt, but it takes years, which I'm guessing you don't have. So, if I mess up, that means I have to open you up again and start from scratch."

"Oh," Link said, unable to say anything more intelligent.

"Not to mention that with that many cables and wires your arm would look distorted and deformed. And heaven forbid if one of them wraps around an existing muscle or tears. It'd lead to the same result."

"Back to surgery," Link finished for her. She nodded and considered for a minute.

"See, having all the wires already labeled and connected properly beforehand, then just clipping that into a part with such a range of movement as a wrist is much simpler. I would have preferred to go all the way to your shoulder, but the recovery time is much longer, as is the surgery and the risk of infection for such a thing is much higher."

"That's alright," Link said, waving it away as nonchalantly as he could manage. I'd prefer to keep as much of me as I can.

"If I had better installations and more parts, not to mention time..." she muttered, raking her short fingernails through her hair. "Speaking of which, if you come across any half-way decent parts, bring them back here and I'll see what I can do." He stood and thanked her, deciding he was going to spend what time he had in his room, mulling things over. Halfway up the stairs, Trex called out to him.

"I nearly forgot, I'm going to need you awake during the operation, so try and get some sleep for now."

"What? You mean you won't put me to sleep during the procedure?" Link asked, flabbergasted. Wouldn't that hurt? A lot? he thought, panicking.

"That's right," she said, amused. "How else do you expect use to make sure everything's connected right? It's not like your natural born nerve ending are labeled and easy to find."

"Alright then," he stammered, suddenly nervous. I don't think I'm going to get a wink of sleep at all tonight.

"If you need me, I'll be in the shop. You can get there from the second door in the kitchen," she said as her voice grew fainter. A door opened and Link stood at the top of the stairs, more scared than he'd been in a long time. "You've got about two hours, so spend them wisely," she said as the door closed, leaving Link alone in the house.

He spent his time alone, lying on the bed, trying to sleep. Once or twice he heard Sheik pass his room, only to go into another an leave shortly after. Link didn't want to be with other people, although he didn't like being alone much either. He frowned when he realized he should have been better utilizing his time. He sat up and looked at his right arm, which was soon to be replaced. I don't like the idea of losing my arm. But if it means I can finally use my right hand again...

I wonder how long it will take for me to heal? he thought as he clenched his left hand. Will I be able to fight again? He sighed and rubbed his face. I doubt even with my right hand restored I'd be able to take on Ganondorf again. Link felt fear, tight and cold, in his chest. I should have died that day, but someone turned the hands of fate. He stood and went to the window, watching the stars twinkle endlessly.

"Does that mean there's a purpose for me being here yet?" he wondered out loud.

"Isn't living enough?" came a voice from behind him. He jumped, sure he had been alone and came face to face with Jaz. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you or anything."

"It's alright," he said, running his finger through his hair, trying to hide his embarrassment. She stood in the doorway, he arms fold across her chest, looking at him inquiringly.

"You shouldn't mope about like that," she said, scrutinizing him. "Everything will turn out fine. Trex is a good surgeon, nothing's going to go wrong."

"It's not the surgery that worries me," he said, shrugging.

"More a case of what comes after, huh?" she said, shaking her head. "My dad always used to say that if we worried so much about the future, we stop living in the present."

"Smart man," Link said, finding himself smile. She uncrossed her arms and looked away, pain distorting her features briefly.

"Didn't help him live though, did it?" she said bitterly. Link cringed inwardly, wishing he could slap himself. Idiot, you've put your foot in your mouth again.

"I'm sorry," he said, realizing it sounded inadequate. "I know it doesn't mean much coming from me, but I am, really. What he did for my kind was honourable" he added, unsure of how to proceed. She looked him, taken aback and slightly angry. "Ah, Trex told me what happened to your parents."

"I wish I'd died with them," she whispered, closing her eyes. Link thought for certain she was fighting back tears but when she opened them again she met his gaze steadily and unwaveringly. "Did she tell you that I had to watch what they did to them? How that monster tortured them and all I could do was look on, wishing I was already dead?"

"No, she didn't," he said, bowing his head. "If you want to hate me, it's alright," he added after some time while she fumed silently.

"I won't give you even that," she said and he looked at her, seeing her grow sad. "Partly because you don't deserve it, but mostly because I hate that wretched Ganondorf more than I could you."

"Thank you," he eventually muttered, wishing he hadn't brought up the topic of her parents.

"I didn't offer you my grace," she said, turning to leave. "But you're welcome anyway," she added as she left.

When she was gone, Link felt oddly anxious. He began pacing the small space in his bedroom, his head a complete mess. In his turmoil, he didn't see Sheik enter the room and silently watch him mutter to himself.

"You know, that's usually the first sign of madness," he said, startling Link. "Talking to yourself is never a good thing."

"Never you mind," Link said testily, annoyed he'd been interrupted. "What's the matter?"

"She's ready," he said, giving him a look. Link looked at him expectantly, not understanding. "Trex, she's waiting for you."

"Oh," he said, realizing what he meant. "Alright."

Sheik walked out the door ahead of him and Link followed, the tension in his body rising. Macabre and equally grim thoughts found their way into his head and he discarded them immediately, unwilling to process their horrible eventualities. They went into the kitchen, where Sheik opened the door for him, letting Link get his first glimpse of the workshop.

It was cluttered, but organized, was his first assessment. There were mechanical parts and equipment strewn on various table and benches and hanging from the walls. Trex and Jaz had obviously moved most of the thing away, pushing them up against the walls in an effort to free the center of the room of clutter, where two chairs and long flat table waited, cleaned to a shine. Trex herself was washing up in a basin, while Jaz wheeled over a trolley.

"Take your shirt off," she said, holding out her hands. Link stared at her for a second like she was crazy, then he eventually did as she asked, folding them and handing them to her. If she was embarrassed, she didn't look it. Trex turned to face him, he eyebrows raising slightly.

"You've got one helluva body, kid," she said appreciatively. "And quite a few battle scars to boot."

He wanted to crawl into a corner and die.

"He's way too young for you," Sheik said with a smile and Trex sighed, shrugging. Link realized they were having fun at his expense but he was too self conscious to be angered. "Oy, Jaz, mind giving him a gown?" Shiek said rudely. Link expected her to throw something at him, but she merely turned and trust a paper gown into Link's hands. He looked at her, and she stared back dimly; it was as if she wasn't really there.

"What did you do to her? Why is she like this?" he asked, furious as he approached Trex.

"I put her in a trance is all" she said and Link nearly throttled her. "Look, she knows the procedures and she's the only one able to aid me with this. She's so squeamish when it comes to blood. I had to do it."

"Will she be alright afterwards?" he asked, watching her stand almost lifelessly beside the equipment.

"Of course," she said, batting his hand away. "I've done it to her before, and she won't remember a thing about it afterwards. And yes, she has consented to it."

Link didn't look convinced as she waddled her way over to Trex, who helped her get into a medical suit. Link put on the gown and Sheik closed the ties along the back while she watched them with empty eyes. It unnerved him, to see such a lively girl so passive.

"The pants," Sheik muttered in his ear. He looked at him, confused. "Give me your pants, take 'em off. I can't have you dirtying them with blood and stuff. The shorts too."

Link could have sworn he'd just gone ten shades redder than he had been before. Sheik held out his hand in a 'gimme' fashion and Link sighed. He began to lower his undergarments when he caught Jaz watching him unblinkingly. Sheik smacked him upside the head, reminded him she wouldn't remember seeing him partially naked. He quickly stripped the last of his clothes off, handing them to the Sheikah, wishing she had at least turned around.

"I'll take these upstairs," he said, grabbing Link's shirt as he headed for the door.

"You might as well stay up there," Trex called after him. "If the power fails, get the generator started. Oh, and turn away any customers that come to the door."

"Yeah, yeah," he muttered, closing the door with a foot. Link turned to Trex, who had finished preparing and was now clothed completely in a medical officer's clothing. She swept a hand to the table, indicating him to lie down on it.

"Before we begin," she said as he tried to make himself comfortable. "I should warn you, this can be extremely painful."

"I gathered that," he said, his nervousness leaking into his words. She patted him on the shoulder and smiled beneath her mask.

"It's a good thing I'm going to put you in a trance then, isn't it?" she said, smiling beneath her mask. He looked at her incredulously. "I said we couldn't put you to sleep, but there's no need for you to be entirely here either."

"Will I still feel pain?" he asked worriedly.

"Most likely," she said offhandedly. "But the good thing is you won't be able to jerk around or scream."

Fantastic, I'll be a prisoner in my own body, he thought miserably as Trex's muttered an incantation under her breath. His vision swam and blurred and his hearing grew dim, as if he was underwater. Link was suddenly intensely tuned into his body; his chest raising and falling, the echoing of his breath rasping in his head and the pounding of his blood in his ears filled his mind. On the edge of his peripheral, he heard Trex talking to him, her voice slow and muddled.

"One last thing." she said, leaning over his arm with an immaculate knife. He found he could barely nod his head, it took all of his concentration to do so. "You've got a great arse," she said with a small smile as she cut into him.