Roy slowly opened his eyes, his head throbbing. Riza was sitting next to him.

"About time you woke up." She exclaimed. She looked happy to see him awake, but also had worry written all over her face.

"What happened?"

"You hit your head pretty hard, but you were also shot in the hip. That's when you passed out the second time."

"Oh yeah. I remember now… Reina! Where's Reina?!" He sat up quickly, not a good idea. Hawkeye helped him lay back down as a wave of nausea hit him.

"Why don't you focus on healing for now?"

"Is she okay?" Roy was really worried about his little girl.

"…I wouldn't use the word okay, but she will live."

"Riza… Tell me what happened to her."

"As you know, she helped save a baby, but ended up pinned under the train. That completely crushed the bones in her leg. Then, when she was about to go into the ambulance, four shots were fired from a henchman that we hadn't noticed. That's when you were shot. Reina acted on impulse, grabbing one of my guns and shooting him before he could hurt anyone else. She hit him in the forehead, killing him instantly."

"That's what we trained her to do, but you still haven't told me what else is wrong with her. She broke her leg, but is that all?"

"Two of the shots hit her in the arm, about half an inch apart. When the doctor looked at her, he said there was no way either of her injuries would heal on their own, as the bones were destroyed."

"…Please just tell me what has to be done, because you are obviously avoiding any straight forward answers."

"She's awake. Why don't you come see for yourself?"

Hawkeye helped him stand up. They slowly made their way down the hospital hallway, into another room. Armstrong, Hughes, and Havoc were fussing over Reina, who was attempting to stand up with a crutch. Her left leg had been amputated just above the knee, and her left arm just above the elbow. She rocked a little unsteady, but had a look of determination on her face. She had to lean a little to stay balanced, but managed to take a few steps without any help. When Roy saw her, his heart broke. She had worked so hard to get into the military, and now…

"Roy! You're awake!" She noticed him, but wobbled a little. As soon as she seemed unbalanced, Hughes was there to catch her if she fell.

"Yeah… I'm awake. How are you feeling?"

"Um…" She looked down. "Though I've been better, I'm actually not too bad."

"Good. Could I have a minute to talk to her alone?"

Everyone else left the room, and Reina sat down on the bed.

"What's up?" She asked with her usual cheeriness.

"…I'm so sorry Reina." He sat next to her.

"About? This wasn't your fault."

"But I asked you to come on the mission."

"Because it's my job."

"You worked so hard to get into the military! You haven't even been in it for two years, and now…"

"And now what? I'm still in the military, Roy. I've already thought this through, and talked to Fuhrer Bradley about it. Since it happened while I was working on a military assignment, the state will pay for me to get auto mail. Everything will be fine in a few months."

He hadn't thought about auto mail.

"How do you do that?" He asked.

"Do what?"

"Always stay so positive and determined. No matter how life trips you up, you grab a pair of crutches and stand. I don't see how you can do it."

"…Because I made a promise to always do my best. I won't be doing my best if I quit when the going gets tough."

Roy smiled. "I guess I am raising you right after all."

Mustang had to stay at the hospital for a week. He was extremely bored, finding pleasure only in watching Reina hobble around. She refused help most of the time, and no matter how often she fell, she stood right back up and tried again. Roy had talked to one of the best auto mail mechanics in Amestris, and close friend. He was intrigued by Reina, and agreed to make her an arm and a leg.

"Reina," Roy knocked on her door. "Barry Wilson is here to meet you."

Reina crutched out into the main room at the hospital. She fell on her way out, but got back up as if nothing had happened.

"You weren't kidding about her, Roy." Barry laughed.

"No I wasn't. Reina, this is Barry Wilson. He's a good friend of mine, and one of the best auto mail mechanics in Amestris. Barry, this is Reina Sage, the Armed Element Alchemist."

Reina shook his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you Mr. Wilson."

"Please, call me Barry. And I couldn't have said no to this particular job, as I enjoy a challenge. I have a design drawn up, but need some measurements. Should have it all ready in less than a month."

"Great!" Reina sat down as Barry measured her limbs and made notes.

"Okay, that should do it." Barry stood back up. "But I'll need you to stay at my shop while I'm working on it, so if I need any more measurements, they will be available."

"Alright."

That afternoon, Hawkeye drove Reina and Roy to Barry's auto mail shop. It was a nice place, and set up for guests.

"You have your books?" Roy asked.

"Yes." Reina reassured him.

"And your notebook?"

"Check."

"And you know my number? Home and work?"

"I know them both." Reina laughed. "And Hughes's and Riza's. I'm fine."

"…Okay. I'll be back tomorrow afternoon."

"Got it. See you then."

Roy left with a lot of hesitation. When he was finally gone, Reina opened up one of her alchemy books and started reading.

For the next two weeks, Reina spent most of her day in the front yard with a book or her notebook. When she grew tired of drawing transmutation circles, she started sketching on the last page. She had a good view of the fields surrounding Central City in her room, so she drew them.