Sally had her back to the door and her attention was wholly taken up by screen on her desk. Une stood leaning on the doorframe undecided as to whether she should wait the doctor's attention, interrupt or return at another time, when she recognized the voice on the vid-phone,

"So he just came waltzing in with the flag around his neck?" came Agent Fire's voice tinny and strained as it bounced from satellite to satellite all the way from mars to earth.

"Well waltzing isn't the right word, more like limping assertively." Sally chuckled, absently twirling one of her pigtails around her finger time and again. It was no wonder they had been trained to stay in such tight coils.

"What does the man do that isn't assertive…or any of them for that matter?" Noin's reply was flippant, but Une had read enough of agent Fire's reports to realize she was missing her charismatic partner to ease the workload.

"Yes, They certainly know how to get the job done with style." Sally nodded.

"Panache," -fzzzt—rest of noin's comment was lost due to static, interference from a solar flare no doubt. It made real-time communications with Mars chancy at best.

Sally tried to readjust the signal but it only got worse. "I'm loosing you Lu."

"—derstod, Sal' –atr thanks—bye." Noin's voice stuttered over the airwaves.

"Later" Sally echoed before closing the connection.

"So you really think they are doing all right?" Une asked entering the office and closing the door behind her.

"The Mars team?" Sally asked raising an eyebrow.

Une shook her head, "The boys." she corrected settling into the chair opposite the healer's desk. "I know you've noticed the…changes; Are they…is this some sort of warning sign? I thought they were doing all right but…What is your professional opinion?"

"You are concerned." Sally observed.

The director nodded, eyes downcast, long earth-toned hair falling in her face. Anne swept it aside with one hand deftly tucking the strands behind her ear but made no move to restrain the fall further.

"I understand." Sally nodded. "Just because your…issues…manifest themselves in conjunction with changes in your physical appearance does not mean this is the case for everyone. Heero, Quatre WuFei and Zechs have changed their hair in a conscious attempt at self-expression not as a symptom of impending psychosis."

"You are sure?" Anne Une looked pensive, manicured fingernails picking at her lower lip.

"Quite sure. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Duo and Trowa were to follow suit. Duo won't cut his hair I'm sure, but as soon as he sees those bat-shaped barrettes they have by the register at the commissary he's going to want them. Trowa is a mystery. I can't say I know him well enough to judge what he will do."

"Barton won't change," Une sounded confident, so much so Sally cocked her head in such a way as to urge her to continue. Ann was only too happy to oblige, "He likes the way the circus lions groom him."

"What?!" The doctor's eyes widened. "How do you know…"

"Agent Sky's reports are very thorough." Une smiled, "and he has a rather broad definition of 'mission related details."

"Why am I not surprised?" Sally scoffed, "Any other good gossip you'd like to share?"

"Why doctor, I'm sure you know all about employer/employee confidentially. I protect my agents…and their reputations."

"I'm sure you do Director. One question though, Do you mother all your agents with the same dedication?"

"Only the ones I've tried to have killed on multiple occasions. I worry for them…even that scoundrel Zechs I suppose. We never did get on…before…I suppose I was too jealous of the attention Mister Treize paid him."

"Hm" Sally made a noncommittal sound, now twisting the pigtail on the opposite side around her finger-- Around and around till the coiled spring hung just so.

"You know." Anne said thoughtfully, "I don't really mind Ms Catalonia… um… Jacking my style… as Maxwell put it. "I don't need the 'Scary Une Buns' any more. I think I am much more content as I am. I hope it is the same for the boys."

"I couldn't have said it better my self." Sally smiled. "Speaking of Dorothy, she and Relena should be just about finished meeting with the colonial delegates… What say we join them for lunch?"

"You just want to be the one to tell the vice foreign minister her brother got stuck up a tree." Une smirked.

"Per-haps," Sally drew the two syllables out playfully …still twirling her pigtail.

Une smiled.

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Authors note: Well I'm afraid this is it for this little drabble series. I can't think of any more to write. Une was reluctant to participate and Sally was convinced there was nothing to say about her style but after much persuasion, well, you've read for yourself. I appreciate all the reviews and encouragement this little exercise has received. It certainly turned out more than the one shot I thought it to be. It has been fun, I wasn't sure I could manage to keep each chapter under 1,000 words but I did. It was a good exercise. I've got plenty of other (much longer – more involved) projects in the works. I'm not quite ready to start posting any of them just yet but check out my profile page of you want to learn more; and as always review, or PM me with any questions, comments ideas etc…. Thanks ~wraith