Right, so before we start I just want to say I AM SOOOO SORRY! I know I said I would try to upload this chapter soon and that was about half a year ago so I am sorry. Hopefully this chapter will make up for my absence so I hope you enjoy it.


Chapter 4 – The Eternal

"Miriallia! Dearka! You two made it!" Lacus shouts as she floats towards us. We are at the port boarding the hanger. I notice Yzak's grumpy face as we waits for us. Shiho and Kira however are smiling warmly at us. I smile as Lacus grabs my arm to steady herself and then uses the wall to push herself in the same direction as us.

"Sorry Lacus, I couldn't wake Dearka." We laugh as Dearka grunts behind us. "So are we all ready to head out?"

"Yep, here I'll show you your room." We all float through the corridors of the Eternal and one by one we separate to go to our individual rooms. My room is in between Dearka's and Lacus'. I feel slightly relieved to know that Dearka is nearby. My room is small and simple, with a bed, table, wardrobe and desk with a computer and chair. Lacus leaves me and I put my things away.

As I close the wardrobe door I hear the familiar swish of my room door opening. I turn around and find Dearka leaning in the doorway with a small smile playing on his lips.

"You ready?"

"Yeah..." I look down. "Dearka...what are we going to do tonight. My nightmares will return." I hear his footsteps as he walks towards me and places a hand on my shoulder. Even such a small gesture gives me such warmth and comfort and even though it shouldn't, my mind drifts towards Tolle and how he used to reassure me. It was the same, but with Dearka I feel safer than I had ever been with Tolle.

"We will take care of that when it comes to it." I look up to see Dearka's smiling face and I can't help but smile back.

We head out to the bridge and find Lacus sitting in her seat with Kira in the captain's chair. Yzak and Shiho are standing around the plan table. Dearka makes his way over to them as Lacus turns to smile at me and I notice her pointing at an empty seat out front. I moved to sit down and the man next to me holds out his hand.

"Martin DaCosta"

"Miriallia Haww" I reply as I take my seat and get myself organised.

"OK, everyone ready?" Kira asks as we all reply with a timely 'yes, sir'

"Now Eternal, Launch!" Lacus calls as we steadily make our way out of the hanger and into space.

oOo

As we flew through space Dearka, Kira, Shiho and Yzak discussed strategies. Apparently the terrorist group we are to intercept are the ones who dropped Junius Seven which initiated the second war. Slowly, so as not to be noticed, they have be renovating the ruin of Jachin Due to use it as a base. The terrorists believe strongly in Patrick Zala's words and are using that as a reason for planning on murdering every last natural. Everyone, especially me, is slightly on edge because of this. After all it was them who triggered the Second Bloody Valentine War and no one wants a third to take place. Especially after so many people have lost their lives because of war. Even now I find it hard to believe how many people I have met who have died because of war. Tolle, Flay, and Natarle along with many others. I can tell everyone else is thinking of friends and comrades we have lost. Smiling faces we wish to see again. Maybe one day we will but only time will tell.

However, on the bright side Lacus' Haro keeps everyone's spirits up with its endless chatter. After a good twelve hours of flying my eyes began to feel heavy, so me and few other people were told to take a break and head back to our rooms where we were to get some rest before we arrived at Jachin Due tomorrow. As I was heading out Yzak began grumbling at Dearka.

"You better get some rest to. You get pretty grumpy when you haven't had enough sleep." Dearka began to protest but Shiho and Kira agreed with Yzak and he was forced to enter the elevator with me and the others. We all silently made our way to our down the corridor, branching off as the others made it to their rooms until it was only me and Dearka left.

When Dearka reached his he paused and watched me as I stopped at mine. "Do you...want some company?" I let out a small smile.
"Sure." I replied as I entered my room, Dearka trailing behind. As I floated over to the small window looking out into space my eyes begin closing in fatigue. However I am jolted awake when I feel a strong, familiar hand being placed on my lower back. His warm breath tickling the back of my neck as he whispers calmly into my ear.

"Tired?" I nod slowly as I feel my body begin to relax in his arms. "Don't push yourself, remember you are still a natural. You have your limits."

I turn around to face him, my eyes locking onto his. "I'm just scared. Its been awhile since I was last in a situation like this. I guess I just don't want to screw up because I'm scared that if I do, someone will get hurt.."

Dearka's hands move to cup my face. "You won't screw up, I believe in you. We all do. So don't worry about me and the others, we'll be fine. I'll have you know we can take care of ourselves."

"Just like you can take care of the house cleaning." We both laugh as we remember Dearka's limited abilities when it comes to house cleaning. However we both soon sober up and all of a sudden Dearka's expression becomes serious.

"Don't worry I wont leave you. I wont let you go." I am surprised by his sudden words and tears prick my eyes as I recall Tolle saying the same thing the night before he died. Fear begins to rack through me as I turn to face Dearka, holding his face in my palms which have begun to shake. Dearka's eyes widen as his lock with mine and they see the pain shining in them. My tears spill over but I force myself to continue looking at him, to say the words I know I have to.

"Please, don't say that. Just before Tolle died, that's what he told me. So please..., don't say that." My body shakes more violently as I drop to my knees on the floor. Dearka tries to hold me up by my arms but he ends up coming down with me. My tears are streaming down my face as I grip onto his uniform coat, pulling myself closer to him, burying my face into his chest. I faintly hear him stutter over my sobs as he pulls me into a warm embrace, one hand tangled in my hair, the other rubbing up and down my back, comforting me.

As I calm down and pull away from Dearka I feel his hands surrounding my face, thumbs brushing the final tears from my eyes as he forces me to look at him. His eyes are sad and sincere, his lower lip trembling as if he is not sure what to say.
"Mir. I...I'm sorry. I didn't know. I just love you and I need you to know that." I can't help myself but smile at his mutterings. He looks so hopeless, almost like a little puppy you just want to hold and protect. Before I know it my arms are around him and I am laughing lightly.

"I forgive you. I just care so much for you that I can't bare to let you go. I.." my voice cracks as I try to choke out the last two words. However I can't bring myself to say them. Not yet, I just hope he can wait for me.

oOo

What happens next is a bit of a blur. I vaguely remember Dearka carrying me to the bed and then we lie together, bodies entwined. I fall into a deep sleep only to be woken up by the sound of Shiho's voice coming through the speakers in my room.

To all crew members, we are nearing the enemy base at Jachin Due. Assume stand-by position and prepare for engagement.

Dearka and I rush out of bed, fixing our uniforms as we make our way to the bridge. On the way we meet Lacus and Yzak who I presume were resting to. As we enter the bridge I see Jachin Due which really doesn't look any different from the last time I saw it. I sit down in my seat and set to work. DaCosta asks me to handle the first round of launches and I quietly oblige. I feel my hands begin to shake but I mentally tell myself off and continue with my duties.

The first round of mobile suits are just a precaution and once they are done I hear Lacus call my name.

"Miriallia, can you please open up a network connecting us to the terrorist group?"

"Yes ma'am." I reply as I turn back to my computer. "All ready." I shout back once I am done.

"Good" Lacus smiles quickly at me then turns to face Jachin Due, "I am calling out to the group that is hauled up in the ruins of Jachin Due. My name is Lacus Clyne, Mediator between Earth and the Plants. Please come talk with us so that we can understand where you are coming from. I only want us to come to a peaceful solution. No lives need to be lost today."

We all listen carefully to the enemies reply however we are met with a cackle of hatred.

"My dear Lacus Clyne, I apologise for my rude behaviour but your proposal was absolutely ridiculous. There is no way we will talk with you and if lives must be lost then so be it. This is war and we will not stop fighting until every last natural is dead!" I froze at those words and I felt a strong arm placed on my shoulder and I turn to see Dearka, a worried expression on his face. I smile reassuringly back and I see Lacus and Kira smile back at me, encouraging me.

"Its seems we have no choice now. Miss Lacus will you give the orders?" Yzak says sternly.

"Yes I suppose you are right. Alright everyone prepare for combat. Yzak, Dearka, Shiho you will enter the base when we land at port. I want you to clear the way and look for their leader. Do not kill him. Bring him back here to be questioned is that understood."

Yes Ma'am!" The three reply as they head out the door to the armoury room. I have one last chance to see Dearka before we leaves the bridge. My eyes are then drawn to Lacus as her hands clench into fists. I can tell she doesn't want to go through with this but at this point I am afraid that we have no other option.


So what do you guys think? Was it worth the wait? I highly doubt it but hey what the hell at least I got it finished before the summer holidays this year. I am sorry once again for the huge wait. I have had so much on this year and I have had no time to even think about writing. I do a little bit whenever I could so sorry if it is disjointed. Anyway hope you are looking forward to the next chapter and remember to tell me all your thoughts, views and questions.