Chapter 12: Peace

Aiden was walking down the hallway in the early dawn, watching the sunrise absently out of the windows he passed. He was tired and ragged, still wearing the same clothes he had been in the night before, only more rumpled from vain attempts to sleep.

Aiden sighed and leaned against a window frame, looking out and thinking to himself. Was this the best plan of action? Was it wisest? He sighed again and ran a hand through his hair, tugging a few tangles free. He needed to sleep before he did anything, but he wasn't sure if he would be able to rest very well with this all on his mind. Aiden closed his eyes and rearranged his plans a little. He would go at night and sleep today. Surely Sally could give him something to knock him out for a few hours . . .

Someone cleared their throat behind Aiden and he turned.

"I'm sorry," Ryo told him, looking nervous, "about what happened. To your sister, that is. I'm sorry."

Aiden eyed him wearily. His first instinct was to distrust the man, but on further inspection, Aiden had to be honest that there was nothing for Ryo to gain by doing this, and that the sympathetic look in those green eyes was genuine.

"I have two little sisters at home, and it would kill me if anything happened to them," Ryo swallowed, his eyes darted to the side before struggling back to Aiden, as if he didn't want to look at him, and he forced out, "I know I was a jerk before, and I wanted to apologize for that too. I mean, it was uncalled-for." Ryo rubbed his jaw and gave a small smile. "My dentist even agreed about that." He sobered. "I guess I was just upset about having you around. She told me how she used to feel about you, and it really made me nervous. I love Relena, and I don't want to lose her."

Aiden took his gaze from the blonde man and glanced out the window thoughtfully. "She's a good girl," he agreed, ignoring the twinge at "used to feel about you."

"So . . ." Ryo trailed off and finally stuck his hand awkwardly toward Aiden. It hung suspended there for a moment as Aiden looked at Ryo. Clean cut, proper, probably rich, a jerk when upset, but all-in-all a fairly decent fellow. Aiden took the proffered hand. "Hurt her and I'll kill you." With a vague smile at Ryo's startled face, Aiden turned soundly and walked off down the hall.