Author's Note: Hi all; it's been SUCH a long time since I've posted anything up. Although I have realized, that no matter how busy my life has been, creative writing has always been dear to me. Now this first chapter may be a cause for joy (which I share gladly); unfortunately, I cannot guarantee that I am able to update this ficlet in a very timely manner.

As proof, I have been working on the first few chapters of this new fic for close to two years now (this piece was born January 10, 2012), even managing to upload the chapters and story outline onto Doc Manager but barely missing it's mark to be posted. So before it gets wiped out (again), I'm going to post it and add to it whenever I can instead. I thank you for your current and future patience and apologize for the inaccuracies of this new piece of work. Please be warned that this is a way for me to get creative, and the characters in this story may have been bent in whatever which way in order for my storyline to work out.

I apologize for the length of this note. Now onto the fic.

Sincerely, Candide Avedo

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Disclaimer: I, Candide Avedo do not own anything that has to do with Gundam Seed or any other franchise I fail to mention.

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Baby Steps

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Typically Mondays were stressful enough, with the piles of work that greet your arrival on your desk that accumulated from the weekend. The only sanctuary to be had was the scheduled break times, particularly a lengthy lunch hour. A place to unwind, recollect thoughts, away from trivial office matters. And though such is to be expected, unpleasant encounters generally outweigh the favourable.

''Did you see that guy over there?'' My face was in the news so often recently...

''Isn't that Yzak Jule who was covered by the press weeks ago?'' Another idiot that stated the obvious.

''The guy Shiho Hahnenfuss was accused with-'' I've heard this so many times...

''-involved with that Fadein Vogel?'' She was not involved the way people'd imagine.

''Didn't Shiho and Yzak have a secret office relationship?'' Yep that's absolutely correct, I had an office relationship that even I didn't know about.

''-heard Jule only got off with a week-long probation.'' Because technically we saved the operation, you ungrateful little-

''No way! I thought he'd get more!'' Two words for you... STUFF IT.

''Nah-uh, not for that guy. I thought ZAFT was above playing favourites.''

''Favourites my ass.'' The figure grumbled to himself, having heard of his name discussed amongst a group of new ZAFT recruits. ''Lunch times are meant to be a break from work matters, not to gossip like a bunch of babbling girls.'' Yzak glared at the group a few tables away; he felt their eyes staring at him when he wasn't looking. Annoyed, Yzak eyed the laughing blond opposite him. Whole-heartedly enjoying his somewhat discomfiture. ''I sure as heck don't appreciate being laughed at by a friend Dearka. If it's so funny why don't you go sit with them?''

-hic- ''Sorry-'' -hic- ''Yzak, but I thought you'd be used to it by now.'' Dearka chuckled. He suppressed another impulse to laugh at his sour-faced companion- as if Yzak ate a slice of unripe grapefruit. ''Safe to say you're not partial to popularity at all.'' He cocked an eyebrow, causing Yzak to sputter in indignance.

''Being taken seriously at work is nice.'' Yzak grumbled to himself. He felt slightly guilty for Dearka having to witness his mood. Incredibly, he could again feel various eyes studying him from afar that caused his ears to heat up. ''THAT'S IT!'' bellowed Yzak, roughly standing up, lunch forgotten. The curious spectators jumped at his outburst. Dearka sighed beside him, following suit as Yzak swiftly got up, leaving the food tray in a hasty retreat.

Whispers followed the two as they exited the cafeteria. Even with leaving the scene, the feeling of something nagging at him remained. Something not caused by the environment he was forced in.

''People do- I meant referring to what you just said last.'' answered Dearka, struggling to keep up with Yzak's brisk stride. ''What if you stop the seriousness, open up a little and answer some of their questions then? That'll get people to stop whispering behind your back for sure.'' He realized they were entering an abandoned military weapons hangar, now used as an extra storage space. His willingness to find some peace had dragged Dearka and himself to there. ''This just adds fuel to the flame, Yzak.'' The door swung heavily shut. The lack of people fuelled Dearka's stern tone, inspite Yzak being his senior. ''Being so secretive, rarely voluntarily social- you've been so distracted the past few weeks.''

Yzak half-listened, unwilling to bite at the comments none too pleasing to the ears. ''Nothing else to say, the media's got it covered. Vogel's been killed, Jenette Bains imprisoned for a good ten years, and there was only one casualty to note from the hostages.'' In his opinion, a good number of criminals involved was let off too easy.

''The press really has spoken for you that time, but there IS a matter that hasn't been covered and has got everyone talking.'' grinned Dearka, clapping Yzak on the shoulder. Yzak agreed that the press did listen to him in a private interview, and then opted to fill-in a few blanks with witness encounters once they realized that Yzak was going to be one tough nut to crack for information. That the young Jule was steadfast had the media wary; yet such knowledge didn't stop them from straying too far from the truth... or snooping around for information. Pity Bernadette Leroux, a member of PLANTs official press organization couldn't stifle them.

''Three guesses what.'' rolled Yzak's eyes, replying sarcastically. ''Enthusiasts really enjoy blowing stories out of proportion.'' His back rested against the wall, feeling unecessarily heavy. Generally he thrived in popularity for the work he contributed, not for some gossip.

Dearka waved an impatient hand. ''Soldiers say they saw you holding onto Shiho after the explosion. Then more witnesses say you didn't let Shiho out of your sight until she was seen by the medic-''

''If I didn't explain Shiho's innocence, she may have been sent back to jai-''

''Reporters keeping surveillance on Shiho's home said they spotted you visiting her home days after the incident.'' continued Dearka. ''AND,'' he continued, talking over Yzak's annoyed exclamation. ''You told me about your visit anyway, that you two talked it over and then happened kiss- why are you going to deny it from everyone else when a handful of people already know?''

That had Yzak speechless. After the initial intimate contact he himself initiated, Yzak noted how awkward he suddenly felt before the elder Hahnenfuss descended from the stairs like an angry vulture, demanding to know the reason why his daughter suddenly went as flushed as a tomato. The latter question ultimately ending his visit and promptly dismissed from the house without so much as parting words to follow that kiss. If Shiho's father had completely understood what had transpired, he'd bet all his life savings that he'd be made to suffer.

Confiding in Dearka (who was gleeful about Yzak's courage) came a day later, since he had no idea what to do next or what was even possible... Before then Yzak found himself WONDERING about how he got his moxie, the consequences of that action, and- may he curse himself to kingdom-come... (never would anyone know that he was concerned) Did Shiho even LIKED the kiss?

However, that all aside:

Once Shiho placed her hands on him, it was as though it were a sign of approval. Albeit deadly, since Yzak couldn't control himself once she did- it spurred him on. That phenomena of voluntarily placing his hands on someone scared him. A sudden loss of control that he prided himself in having. That ''Auto Pilot'' mode made him feel as though he were having an out-of-body experience; an instinct-driven function kept intact even after years of genetic alteration. He was thrusted into a realm of unknown- the complicated matter of human physical interaction. Being abruptly (with a jolt) aware of what he was doing prompted him to end the contact, with (unbelievably) difficulty. He stopped it before he fully scared himself, and in case she started to fear him, too. Since that day Yzak wondered what would happen once he saw Shiho again- how will he start talking to her? He half-expected her to say something, but she herself stayed silent these past few weeks. Yzak didn't blame her. What could he say? Dearka told him that he had to face her sometime, since she would be returning to PLANTs sometime soon to discuss her work in the future.

Funny, why would something like the prospect of talking to someone unsettle him so much? He'd have to expect this after all that happened. The amusing bottom line: He did not regret kissing her at all. Which took him long enough to admit.

''Would be nice if you didn't give me that look of death so much Yzak.'' sighed Dearka, rubbing his temples. ''As your friend, I think I deserve a holiday from time to time. Or gain another level of appreciation from you.'' he eyed Yzak again, studying him closely. ''You just look so bothered. I say you should swallow the bitter medicine and face the music. Experience something for a change.''

Yzak sent him a swift smile, something that came so much easier these days. The last sentence hit home, right on target. ''I probably need to sometime.'' Pulling himself away from the wall, Yzak stretched his stiff muscles. The uniform he wore was depressingly wrinkled today, graced with a little coffee stain that landed on him this morning. A reflection of how negligent he felt today. ''You're right, I do need to...something... change.'' Truthfully Yzak wondered as well what their interaction would be, now that there was no case, no Vogel, just the two of them.

Dearka stared at him mockingly. ''So you can't do anything about the death glares, but you WILL agree with me on stepping out of the box?'' He incredulously followed Yzak, as he headed out of the empty hangar, stepping into the brightly-lit halls that led back to the dining room.

''That's right. Might as well enjoy youth, as you say.'' replied Yzak a few moments later. ''Afraid I can't do anything about the glares. Someone needs to keep you in line.'' He gave respectful salutes to a few passing officers senior to him. He noticed the curious glances in his direction again. Whatever they were thinking about, Yzak couldn't stop to care now.

Dearka followed his actions, and all too soon they were once again walking in a quiet stretch of hallway. In a manner that looked as if Dearka remembered something all of a sudden, Yzak gave him a questioning look. ''Speaking of trying new things, DaCosta said hello to me the other day.'' Dearka said in a nonchalant tone.

''Should I care?'' said Yzak, a little bored, unconcerned about the name mentioned. ''I don't recall working with a DaCosta.''

Shaking his head, Dearka appeared thoughtful. ''Naw, he used to be positioned on the Eternal with Lacus Clyne. Right-hand man of Andrew Waltfeld?'' Yzak shrugged at that, still wondering what was Dearka's point. Dearka heartily continued. ''Martin DaCosta was recently promoted to Commander himself, just months back.'' Another sideways glance at Yzak. ''That guy's gotten to the age point where he's probably thinking about his future- DaCosta pretty much demanded information as to when Shiho will come back.''

At this Yzak stopped in his tracks, crossing his arms. ''So you're telling me, that all of a sudden DaCosta's got an interest in Shiho?'' his voice rose an octave on it's own. Yzak was far from convinced. It was clear that Dearka wanted to stir things up. Or did he? ''He's the type to latch onto someone when they've become more popular?'' he said sarcastically.

Dearka pondered this and shook his head and coming to stand beside him. ''DaCosta's actually not like that, as hard as it is to believe. Not really a bad guy either.''

Yzak gritted his teeth. With Dearka knowing how he felt about Shiho, he hated the fact that his own friend was waving the notion that someone else has expressed 'interest' in her. Was Dearka TRYING to make him look like a fool in front of peers by forcing him to act out from jealousy? Get himself to play a love-interest in a love-triangle like in those mushy gushy soap operas?

''I'm not trying to piss you off Yzak.'' said Dearka from out of the blue, watching in light amusement as a lower-ranked soldier passed them, spotted Yzak, then ran quickly by, quailing under his stern gaze. ''Shiho's gotten popularity, you should expect guys to somehow gravitate toward her. As your concerned friend, I, am warning you. I'm merely hinting at the teeny-tiniest possibility that ONE DAY, someone with enough determination, charm, and other impressive qualities may in fact steal and pluck that flower from under your very nose.''

Despite being indignant and in disbelief, Yzak was aware that Dearka may be right. This new chance of 'experiencing something new' was now in danger of being taken away from him. He now had to (Yzak chuckled inside his head humourlessly) be a man (oh, god), summon up his courage (getting ready for a battle against the EA was so much more preferable to this) and make his move on Shiho (the damn concept sounded ridiculous). How interesting that in cases like these Dearka was made the expert, and he, the novice. ''Okay, you proved your point. Now what?''

''Baby steps, Yzak. Shiho's got her full attention on you right now.'' smiled Dearka in a soothing voice before he snorted in laughter. ''You're finally growing up... in regards to relationships.''

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Author's Note: [April 10th, 2015] I can't get enough of these two. I apologize for the OOCness of it all, and thank you for your patience.