A/N: Before we begin anything, I must pay my respects to George Carlin. May 12th, 1937-June 22nd, 2008. A true genius has fallen. You will be missed.
June 12th, 1779, Greer Plantation, Virginia
James Greer sat on the sofa in his parlor, flanked by his two friends, Alexander Hawthorne and Theodore Woodrow. They made ready to go to a certain party in the area, an important one at that.
"So James, ready to go and take her?" Alexander grinned.
"I am." He replied with his typical confidence.
"There's no way she'll say no to you." Theodore said as he finished putting on his suit.
James got up. "I believe we best get going. It will be a little ways to get there."
His two friends nodded and followed him out. The Virginia summer made the night hot, but at least it was not humid. The weather didn't deter the trio at all. They would make the journey if they had to go through hell. That was how determined James was.
"You don't look too happy at being elected governor."(1) Relena said to her uncle, who was sitting down with a far-away look on his face even in the midst of the party to celebrate the feat.
"That's because I'm not."
"Then why did you accept?"
"Because it would be wrong to decline."
"Well, I think it's about time you've done something!" Relena huffed. "Ever since you wrote the declaration of our independence and returned here, you've only been working on your own home!"(2)
He gave her a light smile. "Relena, sometimes I think you're too independent for your own good."
She smiled. "Maybe I am."
"I'll do my best, that's all I can do. Your spirits are high, we need that. What with all the bad news that's been going around."(3)
"I suppose so."
The guests then turned toward the entrance of the parlor, apparently looking at some new arrivals to the party. Emerging from the crowd was James Greer, walking with his characteristic swagger, with his two friends Alexander and Theodore at his side, practically singing his praises.
"Looks like your dear friend James has arrived." He said sarcastically to Relena.
Before Relena could react James was right in front of her, startling her greatly.
"Mister Jefferson, congratulations on your election as governor."
"Thank you Mister Greer. Your well-wishes are appreciated." He said in a manner as to placate the brash and wealthy young man.
"Relena, a word please?" He smiled as he picked up a glass of wine.
Relena glanced at her uncle with a 'help me' look, he in turn replied with a look of sympathy. Relena inwardly sighed as she followed James.
"Looks like Greer has designated his cronies to distract our new governor." Anne pointed out to Lucrezia, the two watching in the distance as Alexander and Theodore made congratulatory talk to Jefferson.
"Let's go rescue Relena." She said as she put down her wine, Anne following behind her.
"What is it James?" Relena asked at a relatively secluded portion of the parlor.
"Well Relena, how much longer do you intend to stay a maiden?"
Relena nearly spat her wine out. After a tough swallow, she stammered out. "E-excuse me?"
James smiled. "I wanted to ask you to marry me, Relena."
Relena's eyes were as wide as saucers, blinking rapidly in her disbelief.
James' smile continued to grow. "I see you're speechless. Good! I think we should schedule a speedy wedding. You'll make me a fine wife."
Relena's shock quickly turned into anger. "I'll make you a fine wife?!"
James' smile turned into a frown quickly. "Yes, you will."
"Did it ever dawn on you that I might be involved with someone else?" She tried to keep the conversation from getting out of control in this crowded place.
"Who?" Suddenly, memories of the previous year came back to him. "You mean Major Yuy?"
"Yes." She said with as much calmness as she could muster.
"Well, I didn't know you two were so seriously involved." He said in a condescending tone.
"For your information, we are."
James ran a hand through his fiery hair, his eyes barely containing their anger. His pride was noticeably hurt.
"I see." He said through clenched teeth.
Relena took the opportunity to deliver the coup de grace. "And even if I wasn't involved with anyone, I wouldn't marry you if you were the last thing in this world!" Relena felt quite relieved that after all these years she had finally told James how she really felt about him.
"Is that so?" He asked just as Lucrezia and Anne finally joined Relena.
"Yes, I'm afraid it is. You are the most rude and arrogant person that I have ever met. Please leave me alone James."
James made hand motions to Alexander and Theodore to signify their leaving.
"You'll regret this Relena." He said before he turned to walk away.
Relena's eyes widened.
"Are you threatening her?" Lucrezia asked in a voice of warning.
"I might be." He smirked, causing Anne and Lucrezia to stand in front of her in a guarding stance.
James walked out with Alexander and Theodore, who made motions as if to magnify James' words.
"WHAT was that about?" Lucrezia asked bewildered.
Relena began to relay the story to them as the party continued forward.
James Greer rode in anger back to his plantation.
"How the hell did she say no?" Theodore asked.
"I DON'T KNOW!" He grabbed him by the throat, then promptly released him. "All I do know is, that bitch is going to pay. Humiliating me, in front of all those people…in front of the new governor!" He seethed more to himself than to his friends.
"Who just happens to be her uncle." Alexander added.
"And what is your point?!"
"Relax James. We're on your side here…" He trailed. "We'll get that bitch back; we just need to think…"
"So Mister Greer, I see you've been humiliated by those so-called 'patriots.'" A lone rider said from his horse at a crossroads. The carriage carrying the three friends halted.
"Well, if it isn't Old Man Quinze! Why are you here? Last time I checked you were wasting away in Suffolk."
The man in question laughed. "When the British came in May(4), I was freed."
"And what business do you have with James?" Theodore asked suspiciously.
"I was at that party, I was watching the way that Peacecraft girl and her family treated you. I have a proposition I thought you might be interested in. Would you allow me entry into your home to discuss it?"
James' cocky smile returned. "Well…I suppose business propositions never hurt."
"What do you think this guy wants?" Alexander whispered into his friend's ear.
"I don't know, but we'll find out."
"So Quinze." James used the man's first name as a statement of his authority. "What is this all about?"
"You saw how those so-called patriots treated you in there." He said, helping himself to the whiskey that James had offered him. "What if I said that I could help you get back at them?"
"I don't need your help." He answered threateningly.
"I never said you did. Only that I could and would be glad to."
Alexander and Theodore looked at James, showing the interest on their faces.
"How?"
"The true patriots of this land are those that remain loyal to our King and Mother Country. Those so-called patriots are nothing more than self-righteous bastards."
"What does any of this have to do with my dishonor?!" James asked angrily, going so far as to smack the glass of whiskey out of Quinze's hand. He quickly motioned for the nearest slave to clean up the broken shards of glass and liquid that stained the carpet.
"The British have already taken Savannah.(5) It's only a matter of time before they move further north. It's now time for those who are loyal to our King and Mother Country fight for our rights! I speak to you as the representative of the White Fang Revolutionaries. We will fight the false congress and state governments for King and Country! You would be a powerful ally…"
James cut him off. "I don't give a damn about this war." He said coldly. "Whoever wins, my life changes little. I'll still own my property, all my niggers, all of my money. I have no interest in joining either side. Let them kill each other I say. There's more property for me to suck up when it ends."
"Think about it, Mister Greer. The British will be coming up here. They were here not two months ago. No one will stop them. Washington is still obsessed with recapturing New York, which in my opinion makes him a madman. He won't come down here. But the Crown Soldiers will come up. Those who side with the Crown, their fortunes will increase once the thing is over."
"Intriguing. Continue."
Quinze was smiling now. "Like I said, you will be a powerful ally to have. We would be glad to have you and your friends join."
"The White Fang rises up in Virginia, and helps the British to topple the government." He began to mutter to himself. "With the White Fang's resources I'll make Relena's life a living hell."
Alexander and Theodore snickered.
"When it's all over she'll have no choice but to bow to my will! She's mine! She's mine and I will make her see!" He continued to rant.
"And I promise you that we will protect your property from confiscation. I'll make sure that the government doesn't do to you what it did to me."
"You make a lot of sense Quinze. If you can guarantee the safety of my property, we'll join you and your White Fang comrades."
"Done."
James and Quinze shook hands, while Alexander and Theodore snickered behind them.
June 28th 1779, Sanc Manor, Virginia
"Mail for you Miss Peacecraft." The chief overseer of the manor, Adam Kane said to her as he walked in the parlor.
Relena took the letter, hoping it was from Heero. It wasn't. In fact, it didn't have any contact information at all. Curious, she peeled away the envelope and opened the letter, only to find a single sentence.
"You disobeyed me, now I am going to show you just what I'm capable of."
Relena's eyes widened at pondering who could have sent her the letter.
That night, one of the Virginia militia's stockpiles of arms was raided. Seven militiamen were killed and twenty wounded in the short skirmish. All of the arms and powder in storage was stolen from the armory.
July 2nd, 1779, Sanc Manor, Virginia
Relena sat under one of the large trees on the periphery of the manor in the comfortable shade reading the latest newspaper for her area. She was looking for news coming from the Continental Army in the north. So far, there was nothing, it seemed that nothing had been going on all year with the war except for the expenses. She sighed. At this time last year, it seemed like the war would be ending soon. Now it seemed anything but. Of course the big news was the attack on the arsenal a few days back.
The group behind the raid had left a note that identified itself as the White Fang. Other than that however, nothing was mentioned. No one had any idea what people comprised the White Fang, or what its purpose was.
This news had everyone who had heard about it on edge. What would happen next? With the economic news already bad, surely this would only make it worse. Relena was so engrossed in the news that she did not hear the footsteps behind her.
"So what's in the news Relena?"
Relena yelped and stood up as soon as the voice whispered in her ear. After taking a few steps back and her eyes widened even further.
"We meet again Relena." James Greer grinned.
"What are you doing on my property?!" She shouted angrily.
"When was there a law against visiting your neighbor?" He asked with a cocky smirk.
"What do you want?!"
James grabbed her wrist and held her firmly against the tree. Relena gasped and squealed, but could not break free from James' grasp. He held his hand over her mouth as her eyes pleaded with him.
"I came here to tell you that I am not responsible for what is about to happen to this state. The pain and suffering that is about to transpire is your fault for the disrespect you have shown me."
Relena struggled to break free and tried to scream, though her voice only escaped as a muffling against James' hand. His eyes conveyed an almost trance-like state. He slowly ran his hand through her soft honey-gold hair. Relena's eyes began to scan the premises for help of any kind.
"No one can save you from me Relena. I always get what I want."
Relena continued to squeal and struggle when he finally let her go. She stumbled away and ran as fast as she could back to the house. James smirked and made a quick getaway, galloping back toward the nearest White Fang safe house.
Relena cowered in her bedroom, still in shock of what had just happened. She needed to clear her head. And what were those cryptic statements about transpiring pain and suffering? What was her fault?
She had no idea what was going on, but what she knew for sure was that she was definitely afraid of what James had just done. What would he do next? Relena realized that she would now have to live looking over her shoulder. She bowed her head and whimpered.
1. Jefferson was elected governor in June 1779.
2. Patriots in Virginia wondered at Jefferson's idleness and his seeming lack of care for the Patriot cause, as he for the past two years only seemed to care about the renovations to his Monticello home.
3. The American economy took a downturn in 1779, with the people wondering when and if the war would ever end.
4. In May, the British landed a force of 1,800 men and burned the town of Suffolk, freeing slaves and loyalists.
5. In the last days of 1778, the British captured Savannah.