Two weeks later, Aaron Sage was standing in front of the counsel, sentenced to a life in prison. Until her father's trial, Reina had been staying at Central in one of the extra rooms, but she couldn't live there.

"There is the problem with the child." The counsel said. "She has no known family members left. If no one is willing to raise her in their household, she will be sent to the local orphanage." Though most of the people in the room were heart broken about her fate, they just couldn't take her. Without thinking, Mustang stood up.

"Do you have something to add, Mustang?" The counsel asked.

"I'll take her." He volunteered.

Hawkeye looked up at him like he was crazy, but he didn't care. There was something special about this girl, he wanted to figure out what is was.

"You do understand the requirements for raising a young child?"

"Yes, and I am willing to take full responsibility for her."

"…Alright. Custody of Reina Sage granted to Roy Mustang."

As Mustang walked out of the room, he realized the project he had just taken on. Hawkeye grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him to face her.

"What were you thinking?! You just adopted a kid! How are you going to juggle your job and goals with a seven year old girl?!"

"We'll be fine. I have an extra bedroom in my apartment anyway."

"What about work? You work long shifts everyday, and she can't be left alone for that long."

"I'll bring her with me. She already spends most of her day in my office."

"Why, Roy?"

"Because somebody had to. I can't let her go on thinking nobody cares about her."

"There's something else. You see something in her, don't you?"

"…Yes. I don't know what it is yet, but something is special about her. I can handle this."

Hawkeye sighed. "If you really think so, I will support you."

"Thank you."

Mustang went off to find Reina. She was curled up by his desk reading a book. Her bag was packed and sitting next to her.

"Hey Reina." Mustang got her attention.

"Where am I going?" She asked glumly, and Mustang knew he had made the right decision.

"You aren't going anywhere."

"What?"

"Nope. You're coming to live with me."

"With you? But you have a job."

"And you'll come with me. You can help me, read books, all sorts of stuff. Everything will work out. I pinky promise." He held out his pinkie. She smiled and shook. At Mustang's apartment, he showed her what used to be unused guest bedroom.

"This will be your room."

Reina looked around the room. It was a simple bedroom; cream colored walls, beige carpet, dark wood dresser and bed frame, with a white comforter on the bed.

"Think it'll do?"

"Yeah."

"Good. Go ahead and get unpacked, I'll start making dinner."

Mustang took Reina to work with him the next morning. She sat down by his desk in the same spot, reading her book most of the day. He was surprised how long she could entertain herself with reading. His work wasn't interfered with at all, and Hawkeye kept true to her promise, not saying anything about the challenge he had accepted.

The next few weeks were easy for Roy. He adjusted to cooking for two, and just had to give Reina a book and she would be silent until she finished it. When Roy was having a particularly stressful work load, she would help him organize papers and suggest how to write reports. For only seven, she was very smart. After a month of having Reina, Mustang barely noticed the difference in his life. Sure he couldn't bring women back to his place anymore, but he had a bright young lady waiting for him everyday, ready to listen to anything he had to say.

One night, there was a really bad thunderstorm. The electricity went out in the apartment, but it was late anyhow, so Roy had Reina go to bed. The sound of the rain pounding against the window, and loud rolls of thunder kept Roy awake longer than he wanted. He hated thunderstorms. A little before midnight, he heard a light tap on his door. He got out of bed and opened the door. Reina was standing there with a blanket wrapped around her shoulders.

"I can't sleep. The storm is scary." She whimpered. Roy hadn't expected this, so wasn't entirely sure what to do…

"Do you want to sleep with me tonight?" He finally offered. She nodded and climbed under his covers. Roy closed the door and did the same. He closed his eyes.

"I love you Roy." Reina whispered sleepily. Roy looked over at the little girl. He kissed her on the forehead.

"I love you too."