Author's note : I know Yzak*Flay does not enjoy much of a fandom so I don't expect many reviews. But thanks to those who have taken the time to read this. I can only hope you enjoyed it.

She inhaled sharply. Keep calm she told herself. She had prepared herself for this. But she had not expected to see Yzak Joule in the white uniform of a ZAFT commander. Memories of Rau Le Crueset came flooding back, and with them, all the anxieties, fears, repulsion and disillusionment.

Yzak looked directly at her as he walked up to her. He didn't look too pleased to be here. But then, he never had.

"Flay Allster", he said, in a tone that implied he was merely stating a fact rather than confirming her identity. There was no need for him to confirm her identity; he'd seen her often enough, on board the Vesallius, hunched back and scared. He had been annoyed that he had no idea why she had not been treated as a prisoner, annoyed that she had been the first natural he had ever really had any contact with (he was a child of The PLANTS after all) and annoyed that her mere presence had given a human face to the enemy.

"Yzak Joule" she replied, in as clear a voice as she could muster. He gestured her to sit down, she complied obediently. For a minute or two, neither said a word; Yzak somewhat suspicious and uncertain about the meeting, Flay, anxious, hesitant and a little fearful, both clearly uneasy about the situation. You can do this Flay, she told herself. After all, you've seen everyone else and he's the last one on the list. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and was about to say the words she had been rehearsing all morning when she heard Yzak's voice, crisp and clear.

"So what do you REALLY want to see me about?"

Despite the advice given to be cautious, Yzak feeling merely irritable got straight to the point.

A little taken back by his bluntness, Flay took a moment to regain her composure. Still feeling a little intimidated by his penetrating gaze, she looked up at his face, focused her eyes on his nose and said "What do you mean? Didn't they tell you?"

"Of course they did. But I want to know the real reason. And don't give me some I want to thank you for saving my life crap".

"Well, that IS the reason I am here" replied Flay, feeling annoyed. "Why is that so hard to believe?"

"Humph, a former prisoner of war returns to her enemy to say thank you? Don't you think that's a little hard to believe?"

"If you see it that way I suppose then, yes, it is. But I haven't come back to thank my captor, I've come back to thank my saviour", Flay replied with more confidence than she felt at that moment. And it seemed to have worked. It shut Yzak up. After a few seconds, he leaned back in his chair, crossed his arms and looked at her. Flay continued with her well rehearsed little speech.

"I am grateful for your action during the Second Battle of Jachin Due. I understand you are a very busy man and I appreciate your coming here this morning to see me. I have been trying to see you for a while now and I hope you will accept my sincerest thanks and appreciation".

She stopped. There she'd said it. She felt relieved. She looked at the table now, waiting for a reply. One minute, two...now if only he would say something, this would be over and done with.

Three minutes, four... just say something, anything and stop making me feel so uncomfortable was all she could think of.

"Finished with your little speech?"

Was there a hint of contempt she detected? Or was it amusement?

She looked up. His features looked just a little more relaxed than before; his eyes looked just a little less tense. This must be a good sign surely, she thought.

With a small smile, she nodded her head in agreement. Suddenly, she remembered something.

"Will you tell me something?"

"What?" his face looked tense again.

"Why … why did you do it?"

She did not have to spell it out. He understood perfectly well what she meant. Why indeed. He looked away for a moment.

"It was an act of impulse I guess. Your shuttle was unarmed, defenceless. The shot the Providence Gundam aimed at you was unnecessary. I was close by and..." he shrugged.

Flay waited for him to continue.

He didn't.

After a couple of minutes, as if she had taken time to absorb the meaning of his words, she simply said "Thank you."

Yzak turned to look at her, paused momentarily and said

"You're welcome".

There was just a hint of warmth enough in his voice to give Flay the confidence she had needed. If she could meet Yzak face to face and talk to him, then she could embark on her mission.

"Why did you leave the Earth Forces?" Yzak asked, straightening himself and facing her again, the crisp tone back in his voice.

"Well, I was never really a soldier to begin with..." Flay began.

"I always thought as much" he said, his voice somewhat triumphant.

Somewhat miffed - although she knew she shouldn't be - she felt she needed to defend herself and clarify her position during the war.

"I was a student in Heliopolis, when the colony was attacked by ZAFT. My escape pod was rescued by The Archangel. While onboard, I decided to volunteer for the Earth Forces. My duties there revolved more around housekeeping". If he didn't think much of her before, he would think even less of her now. He was a Commander, one of ZAFT's elite Reds, a Mobile suit pilot who fought battles. He probably thought nothing of those who did housekeeping or repair and maintenance of ships or other such lowly professions.

"You volunteered because you felt grateful to the Archangel ?" his voice sounded somewhat incredulous now.

"No", she was beginning to get irritated now." I joined because...because..." Her voiced trailed off. She didn't want to discuss that now. She was not here to discuss her personal life.

"I joined because I wanted to help with the war effort. I didn't know what I could do, I just wanted the war to end," she said looking away.

Yzak looked at her face, as though he was trying to read her thoughts. Whether because he was unsuccessful in doing so, or maybe because he was just curious, he continued with his questioning.

"Why weren't you with The Archangel in Alaska?"

"I was being transferred when Commander La Cruset found me," she replied without turning her face. She was thankful he did not press her any further. Maybe he had sensed her discomfort.

"So what do you do now that you are no longer with the Earth Forces?" he enquired.

She turned her head to face him and replied "After the war, I decided to go back to College. I'll start my final year in a couple of week's time" She paused for a moment before continuing. "Actually, I came here with a couple of Professors. While they meet their counterparts at Aprilius University, I will be meeting with some of the students and other interested parties here. I am hoping to start a cultural exchange programme between the Atlantic Federation and the PLANTS. "

Upon seeing Yzak's slightly raised eyebrows, she gave a small smile. "I believe that if coordinators and naturals from these two nations had more contact, were engaged in some sort of dialogue, then there would be less ignorance and hatred on either side. We may not have to fight again. Once I graduate, that's what I hope to focus on. Hopefully, I'll be able to find like-minded people here during my stay".

"Do you think it's that easy? People will forget the past, the last war and want to be friends?" Yzak asked, his tone indicating the skeptic expression his face wore.

An image of her father's ship being blasted flashed before her eyes. Her expression changed, just slightly, but enough for Yzak to see the pain.

"No, but if we are to move forward, we have to move beyond the hatred. Ignorance and fear lead to hatred and hatred leads to pain" her eyes narrowed as she remembered her time on the Archangel. Clearing her face, she said "Besides, if someone like me can be involved in such a programme, why not others?"

"Maintaining peace between nations is the job of politicians and the military. What good would a bunch of civilians singing and dancing or whatever this cultural exchange programme entails do to establish peace?"

"You are wrong", replied Flay, shaking her head. She plunged into history and cited various examples of how people had come together which had lead in establishing better relations between countries. When she finished, he merely said, "hmmm".

With a sigh, Flay said ""Look, my cab will be here shortly so, I should go. Once again, thank you for seeing me." Seeing her get up Yzak, being the gentleman, got up and followed her to the door. She stopped for a second, opened her bag and taking something out said "Here's my card. If you are ever on Earth, anywhere, and want someone to show you around, give me a call." She gave him a small smile before getting in the car.

"Crazy girl", he thought. He said so as much to Dearka, joining him where the latter had been seated , hiding behind a newspaper, a witness to the conversation that had taken place just moments ago. Yzak's table had been bugged; ZAFT did not want to take any risks with a former EA soldier, even if the request had been an innocent one.

"But definitely beautiful. I only met her once and yeah, I thought she was crazy back then but she seems to have overcome her hatred of co-coordinators".

"You didn't think the other girl was crazy when she tried to stab you with a knife" Yzak almost sneered. He regretted it straightaway; Dearka was his best friend and he was still not over the brief liaison with Miriallia Haw. Luckily Dearka, the ever jolly friend of his, overlooked the comment.

" So what's your verdict?" Dearka asked.

"The girl doesn't need to see me, she needs to see a psychiatrist!"

Seeing Dearka raising his eyebrows in a questioning manner, Yzak continued " I mean, she gets captured as a prisoner of war, then is thrown out in the midst of battle, in a helpless life pod. And despite having undergone all of that, two years later, she turns up to say thank you for saving my life. Unbelievable! "

"Maybe she's just well mannered?"suggested Dearka in his usual carefree manner.

Upon seeing Yzak's annoyed look, Deaka continued " Well, I didn't think she meant you any harm. Did you?"

After a pause, Yzak replied, "No, I suppose not. Although at times I felt like there was something more to what she said. "

"Maybe she just has personal issues," Dearka suggested.

"Maybe" came the reply, as Yzak handed the transmitter he had removed from his table to Dearka.

"You didn't really answer her question did you? About why you saved her shuttle "queried Dearka.

"What was I supposed to tell her? In the midst of battle, I was confused? I was fed up with all the killing? "Yzak snapped.

"No, I suppose you couldn't tell her you were kind of switching sides," Dearka quipped.

Yzak just glared at him. After a minutes' silence, leaning back in his chair, he said " You know, I never would have guessed that Flay Allster would one day come all the way to The PLANTS just to see me. She used to be scared of her own shadow when she was on the Vesallius! Guess she's changed".

"Yup, war does that to people". Pausing momentarily, Dearka finished his coffee and said " So, what's going to be in your report?"

Frowning slightly at him, Yzak replied " Suspect harmless."