Chapter Twenty Seven: Thanks, I Guess

"I don't want to do this, Pagan. Why is this even happening?"

The elderly gentlemen sighed. He should be retired by now but instead he was still looking after Relena, who somehow managed to grow up without really maturing in all ways he'd hoped. So long as she needed him he'd be there.

"Miss Relena, he saved your life. The least you can do is properly thank Mr Maxwell. You are, after all, a proper lady are you not?"

She huffed and played with her skirt. "If I must."

He walked forward, his cane a little shaky, and stood behind her as she reviewed her appearance in a full length mirror. "You look perfect. Please try to keep your manners perfect as well."

She frowned and looked at him in the reflection. "My manners are always perfect. You have nothing to worry about."

Her heels clicked sharply on marble floors as she left to receive her guest. She didn't look back to Pagan because she already knew which of his disappointed expressions would be etched onto his face. Why the man held a soft spot for Duo Maxwell she'd never understand. The braided fool was an obnoxious teenager and, given the display he put on by shooting her bodyguard without even warning her brother what was going to happen, he very recently proved he was still as brash and juvenile as an adult.

Passing her security detail she whispered "watch him, he's a thief" and plastered a smile on her face before two servants opened double doors for her and she stepped into the smallest receiving hall in her estate. It was also conveniently the closest to the main entrance. Anything to minimize Duo's presence in her home.

She found him rocking back and forth on his heels, hands in his pockets as he whistled a playful tune to himself. To show up to her home in combat boots and a black hoodie was absolutely disrespectful. What Heero saw in this ridiculous and uncouth loudmouth she'd never understand. He didn't even respect her enough to look at her when she entered the room.

Clearing her throat to grab his attention she said dryly "Hello Duo." She cringed inwardly when he pretended to suddenly notice her as though the sound of heavy doors opening and her heels on the floor weren't enough of an announcement. She wasn't stupid. He was a trained killer, there was no way she could sneak up on him.

"Oh hey, Lena. How's it goin? Nice place, by the way. It's very…" he made a circular hand gesture to encompass the room "extra."

She frowned, and like so many times before in her life Relena went through the proper motions and recited the words she'd pre-written and memorized. "I would like to thank you for saving my life. I know we've had our differences but you still came through for me. My brother and Lady Une both reported the security guard hired to kill me was cleared by their investigation and not a person of interest in the threat against me. There's now an inquiry into this mistake."

The way he stared at her blankly was unnerving. He quirked an eyebrow at her.

"That it?" She allowed herself to show a hint of confusion and seeing that he clarified "if that's all this could've been an email."

"Pardon?"

"Why did you force me here? You coulda sent a text for Une to relay. Have your bro send your regards. Pay a skywriter. Send smoke signals. A carrier pigeon. Deliver an assortment of bagels with a note courier of the Preventers. Why go through this formality? Who are you putting on a show for? No one else is here."

She felt a rage that only Duo ever managed to provoke in her. "I'm trying to thank you!"

He smiled easily and removed his hands from his pockets, gesturing as he said "but you haven't. Ya said you'd liketa thank me. Ya said you're tryinta thank me. But ya never actually thanked me."

She gritted her teeth and swallowed, glaring at him for all she was worth. She hoped he wasn't smart enough to catch on but even the worst of the Gundam pilots appeared to be cunning. Doing her best to switch moods and putting on a smile to appear nonplussed she swallowed every last ounce of her pride. "Thank you, Duo."

In response he cracked his knuckles and gave her a smirk she wanted wiped off his face. "No problem, Lena. Any time." He paused and gave her a cheeky look, asking "shall I let myself out now? Or do you need to check my pockets? Your house staff hasn't been watching me too closely and I am, how did you put it? A thief?"

He gave her a wink before taking leave. Relena wasn't sure she hated anyone more than Duo Maxwell.

Pagan followed behind her, the distance between them increasing as she stormed towards her office. He knew once he caught up with Relena he'd see the angry girl she once was. Pacifism didn't equate to being passive and she was well able to throw fits and boil over with rage. After listening to her exchange with Mr Maxwell he was certain he would find her angrily going through papers and organizing an already impeccable desk. He wished she'd take up a sport or something physical as an outlet for her aggression.

Finally at her door he steadied himself with his cane and knocked softly with his free hand. "Miss Relena, may I have a word?" After a pause he heard her clear voice telling him to enter.

She looked thoroughly annoyed, though obviously not with him. As he expected, she was standing at her desk and reorganizing her things. He slowly made his way towards her and when she finally looked up her features softened and she insisted he take a seat. It was nice to have someone always concerned for his well being.

There was a time years ago when he didn't know what old age would bring. A modest apartment somewhere? The Darlians didn't pay enough to retire in style. His entire life was devoted to the Darlian family. He never had time to consider starting a family of his own. There would be no one to look after him if he became ill or disabled over time. Everyone eventually needs someone to care for them, and it looked like he would rely on social services. But after her father died Relena became attached to him, moreso than she was before. At times when he looked at her he felt like he had a daughter or granddaughter. And a few years ago when he suffered a bout of pneumonia she canceled all of her appointments and stayed with him for a full week as her personal physicians tended to him.

Relena was a good girl. She only needed a little more guidance to become great.

She came around from her desk and sat in the chair next to him. She'd done that for a few years now as a gesture that they were equals. "How can I help you, Pagan?"

He considered his words for a moment. "Relena, my dear. I overheard you with Mr Maxwell and I think—" she was frowning. He pivoted. "—that you have improved your temperament." She looked genuinely surprised. "There was a time when you were incapable of speaking with civility to him and though you could have been more gracious I'm proud of how far you've come." The way her eyes widened with happiness warmed his heart. This was a much better approach than scolding her.

"Thank you, Pagan. Heero always gets upset with me for being unfair to him but what else can I possibly do? He's so… crass! So vulgar!"

Pagan fixed her with an intense look, fairly certain her brother picked up on her specific verbiage to describe Duo. "Miss Relena, you've disliked him from the very beginning. Socially he may grate at you, but generally speaking he's only ever helped. From what I heard many years ago it was Mr Maxwell who wanted to save your life from the moment you met, and Mr Yuy who tried to take it from you."

Her face soured. "That's not fair!"

"You're the one who told me the story."

"Well you're missing details!"

Pagan knew he wasn't missing anything, but he humored her. "What details, Miss?"

She was flustered as she spoke with him in a way she would never be seen in public. It only further proved how close they were. "Heero did nothing wrong that day. It was Duo who showed up and shot him without any kind of warning."

He frowned, having heard that line before. "But even Mr Yuy admits he was going to kill you at the time. He said his finger was on the trigger, and it was Mr Maxwell's first shot that stopped him."

"Heero would never shoot me!"

"Not now, Miss Relena. But then?"

"He didn't shoot me."

After all these years watching her cling to the same story she made up he felt pity more than anything. If he only ever heard her account he might believe her. But Pagan knew better. After the wars, when Heero and Relena became friends, he asked the young man what exactly happened that day. As much as he loved Relena, he trusted Heero to be up front. If asked whose recollection he believed truthful, he wouldn't hesitate to say Heero. Relena had a way of mixing fantasy with reality. It served her well when she wanted to turn her political ideals into policy but not so much at other times.

"We both know he didn't shoot you because when he tried to kill you a second time Mr Maxwell shot him again." She didn't respond. She didn't even move.

"It seems if you look at only the facts, Miss Relena, that Mr Maxwell has always acted to protect you. Back then, when you had an intense infatuation with Mr Yuy, you developed a clear resentment towards Mr Maxwell for getting close to him when you could not. Sometimes I wonder if you're holding onto your behaviors from when you were a jealous teenager."

That hit a nerve. "I am far from a jealous teenager!"

"Then why is it so difficult for you to say the words 'thank you' when he's saved your life yet again?"

"I just don't like him!" The words sputtered from her mouth and he knew she was unable to come up with any good reasons for her behavior.

He took a deep breath and reached a wrinkled hand out to pat hers. "For all the people you are friendly with, you don't truly like many people, Miss Relena. But I've never seen you so hostile as with him. I'm glad you're less cruel than you once were. It's been one of the great pleasures of my life to see you grow into the woman you are today. I'm only asking that next time you find yourself wanting to be mean to him, ask yourself why. And maybe try being kind instead."

She was withholding her displeasure. He knew from the way her lips pursed ever so slightly and she shifted in her chair. These were the same tells she had as a little girl when she was unhappy about something, and the familiarity of those gestures warmed his heart. She would find her way, he was as sure of it as he was of anything. But it wouldn't be easy. She'd certainly stumble and mistreat the former Gundam pilot several more times as she figured out how to behave, there was no chance of her righting this ship immediately. But he was confident his words would be taken to heart.

It took him two tries rocking back and forth to raise from his seat and she was up immediately to ensure he kept his balance. Smiling at him, she leaned forward and placed a kiss on his cheek. It was easier than it once was, he'd lost a little height over the years while she wore higher heels.

"I'll do my best, Pagan. For you."

"Thank you, Miss Relena."