There wasn't a call, but Mustang was too busy to worry until the next check up. The same group walked up the path, exactly one year later. Mustang knocked, but Aaron opened the door.

"Hello Mustang."

"Aaron."

"Come in."

They walked in the house just in time to see Reina running up the stairs.

"Reina." Riza got her attention. "Aren't you going to come say hello?"

"She really should be getting to her room. Wouldn't want her under foot." Aaron pointed out.

"Nonsense. Come on, sweetie." Riza beckoned Reina back down. When she was back in the light, her bruised face was easy to see. Riza ran up to her and examined the black eye. "What happened?!"

Reina glanced at her father, then back at Riza. "I tripped down the stairs."

"She's awful clumsy." Aaron sighed. "Might have to keep her in a padded cell soon."

"That bruise is not from falling down the stairs!" Riza looked it over. "It looks like she has been hit."

"I would never lay a hand on my own daughter!"

"Reina, has your dad ever hit you?"

"No." She mumbled quietly.

"Are you sure?"

"…Yes?" It sounded like a question, aimed at her father. That's when Mustang noticed she was wearing a long-sleeved turtle neck and long pants, even though it was summer.

"Hawkeye…" Mustang sighed. "Please look at her arms and neck."

"Can I roll up your sleeves?" Riza asked gently.

Reina looked between her dad and Hawkeye, deciding what to do. Finally she nodded.

"This is ridiculous!" Aaron yelled. "She's a clumsy girl, always falling into things! I wouldn't be surprised if she had a few bruises!"

Riza ignored him and carefully rolled up the girl's sleeves. Purple bruises covered her forearms, no doubt defensive wounds.

"Do you have any more of these?" Riza wondered. Reina shook her head quickly. "I can't help you unless you tell me the truth."

Keeping her eyes on her father, Reina pulled down her collar, but Mustang couldn't see.

"Havoc…" Riza mumbled. "Cuff him."

Havoc was happy to oblige. He cuffed Aaron's hands behind his back and led him to the police car with Breda. Mustang knelt down with Hawkeye to look at the girl. There were dark rings around her throat.

"Hey Reina. Remember me?"

She nodded.

"I need to know, does your dad ever hit you?"

Reina looked out the door.

"I promise he can't hurt you anymore, but I need you to trust me. Has he ever hit you?"

"Yes." She spoke quietly. "But he said I deserved it… And he took your phone number, so I couldn't call."

"What do you mean, you deserved it?"

"He wanted a son, not a daughter. He always says I'm a disappointment, so I need to be punished…"

Mustang sighed. "Where's your mom?"

"I don't know."

"What do you mean? Was she sick?"

She shrugged. "I always lived with my dad. But you can't tell!"

"I won't."

"You have to promise! You have to pinky promise!"

Mustang couldn't help but smile a little. "I pinkie promise." They locked their pinkies together and shook. "Now, why don't you and Riza go pack a bag?"

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to Central City. That's where we live."

"What's gonna happen to me?"

Mustang thought about it. "I don't know yet, but I promise everything will work out."

Reina nodded in understanding and led Hawkeye upstairs. Mustang went outside. Aaron was standing next to the car, with Havoc on one side, and Breda on the other.

"What'd she tell you and how much did you believe?" Aaron asked.

"I know you aren't exactly father of the year," Mustang growled. "But hitting a seven year old girl is unacceptable. Telling her she deserves it because of how big a disappointment she is, that's even worse."

"I don't think you understand. I needed a son for my plan to work. I was going to tear down Central, one brick at a time. I was going to train my son to be the best alchemist in the world, after all, that is why I chose Anne to be my wife. Her family had amazing alchemists, as did mine. Our child would have been undefeatable! And what do I get after years of work? A daughter. I had to let her know why she is worthless, why she is a disappointment, and why I hate her."

"You're going to spend the rest of your life in a prison cell." Mustang told him. "Take him to the local police station, and send a car for us."

Havoc and Breda agreed, and drove off.