"You don't go visit Syria no more?" Asks Palestine on the road thinking back when Jordan would go around the map just to don't see Israel.

"Hm, do you?" Asks Jordan immediately making Palestine a bit upset.

"It's not an easy task for me, and you know it!" He answers sighing loudly. He can sense Jordan smiling with a mocking look.

"That's a pity, anyway, she's a bit more shut down than before. It's not wise to go see her, especially on Israel's watch."

One addition of all the things Israel hates. Syria. Palestine never quite understood what made her so grudge about Syria, it almost competed with how much she seemed to hate him, if not even worst. Israel reached the point of taking parts of Syria's territory and call it hers as a pure provocation, she would not hold her wicked tongue when the target was Syria, and no way she could speak with Syria face to face, plus, she had no shame in attacking her at her weakest moments. It did not just effect Syria, Israel was also quite vengeful if she noticed someone was getting too close to her, so Jordan's advice was no joke.

That reality did made Palestine feel even sadder, because he always fancied Syria, even thought right now he too feared to get too close to her. Syria was a gorgeous woman, lovely in her modest way, a great cooker and extremely protective of her own. She always spoiled him with care and attention, fighting and helping in everything she could, even beating up Jordan when he got mad at him and wanted to kick him out of his house – a old story he didn't feel like remember in detail right now.

They finally arrive. Coming back was making Palestine feel stressful, he didn't know what to do or say when he meets up with Israel again. He wished to never see her was a real option, but in truth, it wasn't. Not just because of work, but for every need, could be water, food, international mail, or funds, he needed to always go check on her first, additionally, that God damn checkpoints he hated so much!

Palestine had a feeling she would still be around the construction area, after all she never leaves without checking that everything was going just fine as planned.

He too had a plan on his mind or tried to form one on the way. No way he would allow her to shout at him, call him an idiot or whatsoever. He had no regrets and surely wouldn't apologize for going against her cruelty on his people. If she wanted to beat him, fine, he would win a reason to beat her too… or maybe use Jordan as a witness to screw up even more her reputation?

"Are you scared?" Asks Jordan and Palestine looks at him questioning why he was asking something so foolish. "Open the door." Says Jordan right after, leaving him more confused. Looking straight, he gets shocked by seeing a door right there! He must have been dreaming awake all the way till here!

He looks down feeling the old shake on his hands. He didn't know what it was causing that. Fear? No. Anticipation? He didn't think so. Rage? Probably.

He knocks too hard making Jordan even jump with the noise and before Jordan could open his mouth, or Israel manifest inside, he opens the door getting right in.

Israel was there as expected. Feet on top of the desk while laid down comfortably on her chair and a fan erasing all the heat coming from outside. She did not seem surprised when he got in aggressively, although she had a brow curiously lifted when he walked closer to her. Jordan's feet are barely heard walking in, he was not even getting any attention from any of them. They just stood there, quietly, for far too long on his opinion.

Israel was quiet, serious, and cautiously waiting for him to say anything, meanwhile Palestine was giving back the same look, although, he was in truth struggling to remember what he wanted to say to her.

"I'm back." He says regretting right after for sounding so stupid. Like he owned her any explanation…

"I see." She says, relaxing her facial expressions, but not too much. "Where have you been?"

Palestine bites his own lip to don't answer. She didn't deserve such answer!

"He was with me." Answers Jordan making Palestine look at him furiously.

"Jordan, what a lovely visit." Israel gives him a weak smile. "It's not every time I get to see you here, is there any special reason?"

"Just making Palestine some company, and make sure he is well treated." Israel's smile gets bigger and Palestine can see she didn't like what Jordan was indirectly saying.

"Did Palestine accuse me of anything?" She asks turning her eyes to him.

"I didn't say he reported any incident against you, I'm just making sure he stays well here." Answers Jordan in the most serene tone he could possibly give.

"I have been treating Palestine very well, he has no reasons to fear me." She says back, making Palestine grudge for her respond. Jordan also fakes a smile with such declaration.

"That's good to hear, I hope you don't show us otherwise."

"Jordan, do you intend to get anything else from me?" She asks starting to show she was getting annoyed with their conversation.

"No! He's leaving right now!" Shouts Palestine surprising Jordan before pushing him out of the room.

"Palestine?" Asks Jordan feeling himself almost fell for how hard Palestine was pushing him out.

"The dishes won't clean themselves alone!" He shouts at the door, ready to close it.

"What the hell bud'?" Palestine leans near him before closing the door.

"Don't piss her off anymore, it's better I stay alone with her now." He whispers finally closing the door on him, saying a silent sorry for being so rude, but Israel was - not visually – getting very angry with Jordan's tone and words.

He sighs feeling a little more relieved Jordan was out of sight, although Israel's presence on the back was not letting him comfortable enough.

The tension rises again, and Palestine sees himself frozen to turn back to her. They needed a talk, at least make it obvious if he was fired or not, and maybe shout at each other before he went back to his piece of land and stay there as much as he could before – for any reason – he would need to piss her off again.

The sound of Israel getting up from her chair leaves him more anxious but hoping she would take the action first. Slowly, he turns around and sees her walking closer to him. Her stare more calm and honest concern.

"You missed your morning shift." She says stopping two meters away from him.

"Yeah…" He whispers not seeing any point in explaining the obvious. She knew where he had been now and what made him run away from her.

"What was that dish comment all about?" Palestine gets angry with the question, sensing she was again just making way into other's business, as always.

"It was a joke between him and me, none that concerns you!" He speaks too harsh and Israel doesn't hide her dislike for his tone.

"Is that so? Well, then I won't bother anymore. Let's talk about business, shall we?" She says resting her hands on her hips making him feel sure trouble was coming. "You skipped your shift without a proper excuse, and you didn't even warn me. Do you have any idea the troubles you made me throw?"

"I don't and I don't care." She gets more startled with his answer.

"You're a selfish prick, you know?! I saved your ass from a detention for assaulting me, and I tried to keep you your job, and this is how you thank me?!"

Palestine frowns but doesn't let himself be surprised for an accusation of 'assault'; he saw others get detained for very less than what he did.

"For a little push?" He asks anyway, curious with how much horrific the soldiers might have described the scene.

"Three of the soldiers yesterday didn't describe it that way… other two and me defended your ass. Since it was a tied misinformation and not fully serious, they saw no reason for a detention, but was a hell of three hours waste of my life!"

"Why would you defend me on that?" He was not sure he wanted the answer, but he still sickly hoped for a change. Israel smiles while crossing her arms.

"I'm pretty territorial, you know? If you're getting fucked it will be only by me."

Sure… change. What was he thinking?

"Why am I not surprised to hear that from a psycho bitch as you?" She just shrugs her shoulders in respond. He sighs, annoyed by her slight happiness in being able to torture him this way, but he also felt relieve to have to stand her and not other soldiers on a detention room. Israel was mean, but not the meanest Israeli... "About the job?"

"Yeah… I saved you on that even after you decided to run away as a coward would. You lucky I enjoy seeing you work for me." He copies her smile feeling the provocation hitting his good senses, although the sound of her money also was a good excuse to be happy for.

"So that's the real reason you didn't screw me up? You rather see me burn in the sun than stay in a fresh cell for a couple of days?"

"I wouldn't be able to see you die with boredom in a cell, that's why."

"You're disgusting." He mumbles but her only respond it's to put her tongue out and turn around.

"I couldn't care less for what ever you think or say of me, just don't give any more trouble." She stops and turns around immediately with a threating stare. "Unless you want to get seriously hurt."

"Oh, I'm so scared." He mocks rolling out his eyes, seeing her smile from the corner before walking her way back into her chair.

"Anyway, in case you're curious about that family…"

"Family?" He asks getting near her desk.

"Yes, the family you helped me kick out of the old house." The memory made him furious and expecting the worst coming out from her mouth. "I moved them to one of our nearest settlers."

"You moved them?! What makes you think you have the right to do that?!"

"I offered a home; I didn't force them to leave if that's what you fear." She says louder getting irritated with Palestine's imminent high pitch. Palestine sighs giving her and himself some time. Shout at each other was never a good plan, although very tempting. Israel continues after seeing him getting calmer. "I talked with the woman, she seemed more reasonable. I had a free house with small businesses near for her to get a more suitable job to feed her father and her children. She was a bit reluctant at first, but as a woman in charge she knew she couldn't be selfish and let her family starve for her pride." She ends, eyes on him studying his reaction.

"Was I supposed to get happy and cheer for your gracious generosity?" Asks Palestine not avoiding a cynical tone. "You moved them out from their neighbourhood, you took their house, you provoked their misfortune. Why you think what you did deserves any praise?" Israel opens a smile again, an angry smile.

"I took their old house, yes. That old pile of bricks highly damaged from conflicts, counting the days to finally fall on them and shut their voices forever. Then, I offered a brand-new house, in a safe neighbour with shops and schools near by and far away from the mess our borders have become. Tell me again how awful I am." Palestine grits his teeth silently, he had a response, but that would make their argue only grew more and more.

"You the one who bombed the houses." He whispers not wanting to start a war again. He did not want to, he knew it was worthless, but his tongue could never be shut.

"You the one who started those conflicts." She answers also under control of her own rage.

"You the one who invaded my lands."

"You the one who didn't want to make peace with me from the start!" She shouts getting up and slapping the desk.

"You the one who came out of nowhere thinking you deserved what was always mine!" He shouts equally higher also slapping the desk between them.

"You were never a country to ever say you owned this land, and you never will be!" She shouts surprisingly higher. Although Palestine felt he should be upset and reply, Israel's hateful expression left him speechless as much as her last words.

"Now you're speaking from the heart..." He says quietly while Israel struggled to control her breath over her rage.

"I hate you… Palestine." He smiles, joyful for finally seeing her face - her true face - and it was disgusting as the same time pleasing to him.

"What a coincidence… I hate you too."