Notes: AU - Set in the English countryside just before the war against Napoleon.  Bitchy heiresses, arrogant suitors, sexy servants, betrayal, love, death, and humor.  Pairings of all kinds appear and characters from many animes will be making appearances.  There will of course be some OOCness, but that is expected with an AU fic. R/R appreciated.

Disclaimer:  I do not own Gundam Wing or Samurai Troopers or any other anime contained herein.
 
 

The shadow slipped silently through the garden gate.  Not a leaf rustled as it shimmied up the old oak tree; with a quick look around it leapt off onto a bedroom landing.  Disappearing inside, the figure hesitated in the empty room, a brief flicker of irritation shown in large oddly colored eyes.  Moving across the room, with practiced ease the secret lever was released and the ladies cherry wood wardrobe slid aside to reveal a hidden passage.  Cool slightly stale air drifted out, a fine sheen of dust covered the stone stairway.  This caused another frown to flitter across the ebony cloaked figure’s face; the wardrobe slide closed, cutting off the sunlight.

Unfazed by the complete and utter darkness, sure steps moved swiftly down the stairs and corridor.  Showing the first sign of uncertainty, a black-gloved hand paused before pushing the secret door open.  The paneling moved to reveal a book-lined study.  A few comfortable chairs sat scattered about the room before a large mahogany desk.  The heavy powder blue drapes were pulled across the window allowing only a few sunbeams to slip into the room.  Behind the desk a leather swivel chair pointed toward the window so only the ginger blonde hair of the occupant was visible in the mote filled light.

The figure’s muscles relaxed; with a confident swagger it moved silently across the Persian rug covered floor.

He stood just outside the soft rays; the blue-violet eyes seemed to draw the dim light within their depths.  The black draped figure spoke, “Death has come for you.  Are you ready?”

The ginger crowned head turned to face the intruder; the blue eyes gazed at Death empty of all emotion.

“Relena?”  Asked a worry filled voice, quickly falling out of their old routine.   He could only watch in shock as the cold shell cracked.  A tear glittered briefly in her eye before sliding down a soft cheek.

“Duo,” all her pain and loneliness was clear in that one word.  Leaping out of the chair, she flung herself into his arms and sobbed into his silk clad chest.

Wrapping his arms about her, he just held her close as she cried.

Duo was shaken to his core at Relena’s pain filled tears.  You never cry, Relena.  What happened to hurt your wonderful spirit?  Holding her tightly, he rubbed her back in what he hoped was a soothing manner.  Who did this to you?  Duo felt a tide of anger rise up for the unknown person who caused his best friend so much pain. God, I’m sorry I ever left.  Whatever has happened, you can get through it, and I’ll be here to help you.  I swear.
 

Outside the study door Paygan nodded with satisfaction at the muffled sobs.  Mr. Darlian would not be pleased, but Paygan knew this was what was best for Relena.

His feelings for her had always been much more fatherly than servant.  The day Mr. Darlian escorted the quiet, somber, rain drenched child through the door, he placed his heart in her little hands.  She had looked at him with empty large blue eyes and asked very formally in her three-year-old child voice, “Sir, might I have a towel to dry off with?”  His old heart went out to her and at that moment he made it his duty to watch over her.

For 2 years the household did everything they could think of to make her happy.  No matter their efforts the beautiful child gave nothing more than a polite smile.  Paygan feared that the loss of her entire family had broken something in Relena.  He did not know how to heal the wound.

It was their desperation for something that would raise her spirits that took them to the fair that day.  The juggler she watched with interest, for the puppet show she cracked a smile, she refused to watch the bear tricks, and was unimpressed with the sword eater.  Paygan was buying a pie when he heard a shriek close to his side.  Fear rushed through him as he realized Relena’s little hand was no longer within his own.  When he looked down he saw Relena standing near with a braid tight in her fist and a boy holding his money pouch.

“Let go!” cried the boy.

“No.”

“It’s mine!” The child began jumping about and screaming.  Making a horrible racket.  Relena only held on tighter, giving the occasional tug.

Paygan was reaching down to take back his money when he saw it.  What he had been waiting so long for.  Relena was smiling.

The pouch was dropped and a tug of war began over the braid.

“Gimme!”

“No.”

Relena was determined, but the street brat had a little more strength.  With a final tug she lost her grip and the thief went sprawling in the dust.  Giving Relena a glare, he stood up and dusted of his ragged clothing.

“You’re mean.”

“You’re stupid.”

“Nu’uh you are. mmmmmm,” he said, sticking his tongue out.  Turning, the pickpocket dashed back into the crowd, snagging the purse as he went.

Paygan didn’t give the lost money another thought.  It was more than worth it to see the sparkle in those beautiful eyes.  He had hoped the incident would be the first crack on the way to breaking Relena’s shell. It wasn’t.  She quickly returned to her solitary silent ways, but now, at least, he had hope.
 

They wouldn’t see Duo again for well over a year.  Paygan, along with many others, were helping clean up efforts after “the plague” ran through their town.  Stifling a tired sigh, he turned down an alley only to find two more small bodies.  So many of the victims were children.  It wasn’t fair that their young lives had to suffer because of adult’s mistakes.  A lump lodged in his throat when he saw the smaller one sporting a long brown braid.  As horrible as all the deaths seemed this one was much worse.  Maybe because he had seen the little pickpocket when he was healthy and full of life.

Resignly, checking the handkerchief over his nose and mouth, he went about the business of removing the bodies.  The small thief’s arms were wrapped snuggly around the larger boy.  He had to pry the child loose before picking him up into the cradle of his arms.   So thin, pale and light he was the image of death.  When those large oddly shaded eyes opened, Paygan almost dropped him.

The little arms twitched feebly.  “S...s...so...”

“Shhhhh, little one.  Everything is going to be alright.”

The doctor didn’t offer much hope and there was no hospital, so he took the little tike home.  For two weeks the boy struggled on the edge of death.  Relena was often found sitting in a nearby chair just watching him.  By the end of the third week it became obvious that the thief was on his way to recovery.  Now Relena was his constant companion.

Not knowing his name, the servants had gotten into the habit of calling him pickpocket.  The boy seemed to like it and never made any objections.  That is until Relena put her foot down.  “You will address him as Duo or not at all. I will not tolerate name calling.”  Paygan bowed, trying to hide a smile. “I humbly apologize, Little Lord Duo.”  The imp took Relena under his wing and started teaching her how to have fun.  Paygan called a halt to the lock picking lessons and the cook half-heartedly protested the chicken plucking practice.  Running feet and squeals of laughter rang through the house, and everyone went about their work with a smile.

When Mr. & Mrs. Darlian returned from France two months later, Duo and Relena were inseparable.  Mr. Darlian did not like the fact that a street born thief was living with his daughter, but being a good man he would not throw the boy out.  So he paid a nearby monastery to take Duo in and left on business again, satisfied the problem was taken care of.  But time and space could not stop their friendship.  Paygan would often see a small black figure sneaking through the garden.  He turned a blind eye to the visits, anything to keep Relena smiling.

Relena refused to lie to her parents and openly admitted that Duo came to see her whenever possible.  Mr. Darlian in turn made his disapproval known but took no further action.

Life fell into a happy routine until Relena was about thirteen.  She informed the house that Duo had left the Monastery for good and was on his way toward London to make his fortune.

Paygan never told her, but Duo kept in contact with him.  Always making sure he could get a hold of the boy if Relena ever needed him.

Now after four years of silence, he had returned.

“Paygan! Paygan!”  A young out of breath maid skidded to a halt in front of the butler.  He watched with amusement and no small amount of male appreciation as her chest tried to burst its way out of her uniform while she attempted to catch her breath.  “You won’t believe what I saw in the garden.  I think it was-”

“Yes, Maypia,” he said cutting her off.  “Master Duo has returned.”