A.N. Unfortunately, I do not own anything in this story save the plot...

True love never dies

Chapter one: The mission

It had been five years since the war was over, five long years since he had seen her. Hell he missed her. Every day since he left the Archangel, she was never off his mind. True enough, he hadn't known her for that long but had become quite fond of her. In his eyes, she was beautiful, with big ocean-blue compassionate eyes, reddish-brown hair and a smile no man could resist. Why hadn't he contacted her after the war, especially after what happened between them...?

Miriallia, he thought and sighed before being interrupted by his commander, none other than his best friend, Yzak Joule.

"What are you doing Dearka?" Yzak said, rather coldly, which was natural coming from him.

"Just reviewing some paper work... what's up?" he asked absentmindedly.

"Bad news. I've just been informed that a group of rebel Naturals have started an attack on PLANTS. Our team has been asked to go fight them."

"Our team? You do realise that technically that is just you and me right?" Dearka chuckled. However, his somewhat amused face changed almost instantly, seeing as his friend didn't find it funny at all. "But I don't get it... I mean we've been having great relations with the Earth Alliance and the peace treaty has been signed! Besides, they don't possess as much military power as the PLANTs do so they'd stand no chance! Damn! Are naturals really that stupid?" and with that, Dearka shut up, remembering that he had asked the same question to her once... He missed her so much...

"...so we're going. PLANTs has actuelly redesigned our suits. You'll get a redesigned Buster, and I'll get my Duel. But don't worry. We've asked assistance from Orb and Atha assured us she'd sent her best. " finished Yzak to whatever it was he had said earlier; Dearka hadn't heard half of it.

So they had redesigned their suits, great! This will make the job a lot easier than expected , thought Dearka Just like the old days... well kinda.

"We are to leave tomorrow morning at 0500. The pilots from Orb are supposed to arrive in about an hour. Meet me in my office then." and with that, Yzak left as swiftly as he had come in.

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"Where the hell are they?" Yzak was getting really impatient, not that he was patient to begin with. "The ship was supposed to be here one hour ago... Argh! I HATE WAITING!" Oh , he was pissed all right!

"Calm down Yzak. I'm sure there was a delay, there always are." replied Dearka. He really didn't care.

There was a soft knock on the door and a cute petite blonde, Yzak's secretary Hitomi, poked her head in the office, announcing the arrival of an Orb pilot. Yzak told Hitomi to send him in. It was Athrun Zala. Figures, with Cagalli Yula Atha leading Orb.

"Hey guys! Long time no see!", greeted Athrun.

"How've you been?" asked Dearka.

"Good, and you guys?"

"Zala...I would say better now you're here but..." was Yzak's cold response. Athrun was kind of his rival in the battlefield. Needless to say, he wasn't very fond of the man but he had matured through the years. He decided to drop it. "So who else did Orb send? Not that I'm not glad you're here..."

"Well actually... it's just me... for now...", replied Athrun, "We'll be joined by another pilot later."

"You have got to be kidding me!" Yzak was furious now. "How come?"

"Our other pilot is on another mission right now." was Athrun's reply.

"Arg! Dammit! Couldn't you have another pilot than that one come? What about Yamato? "

"Hey, you said nothing but the best. That pilot is one of the best and will be here sometime tomorrow, besides, Kira... he doesn't want anything to do with wars anymore."

"Yzak... calm down, we'll be fine." Dearka assured him.

"Yeah right... Zala, we leave at 0500 tomorrow. Don't be late."

"Yes... sir."

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Elsewhere... on earth

Miriallia Haww was an Orb citizen now. After the war was over, she became a war photographer but had later decided to join the military, despite her previous experiences. She thought of Tolle a lot and his death still had a big impact on her life. She had to let go, no matter how hard it was but she wouldn't let his sacrifice be forgotten. She wanted to make a difference, fight for Tolle as he did for her, so she enrolled. However, somewhere in the back of her mind, she still hoped to see him again someday... Dearka was on her mind a lot lately but since he never attempted to contact her after the war, she figured he didn't care as much as she thought, even after what had happened between them.

She was heading for Cagalli's mansion right now; she had asked her a few days ago to come meet with her and pulled her out of her current mission, something important apparently.

Oh Tolle, where are you right now?... I miss you so much..., she thought.

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