AN: Yay! So, this is where the first arc of the story ends. The next chapter will be when the Le Creuset Team returns to PLANT. Thank you all for your reviews. I really love hearing from each of you!

Behind Enemy Lines

The 8th Fleet

All the pent up stress of his injury, the Strike, and Athrun Zala seem so far behind him. Yzak looks up above him to see articles of clothing floating around the room. He grins to himself. If George Allster knew a Coordinator just deflowered his dearest daughter, he'd probably die of a heart attack.

A part of him feels bad for Flay. Her entire life has been a sheltered existence of blindly following her father's commands. Her entire way of life has be so radically changed. She must feel like a fish out of the water. He would feel bad for this Sai character if not for the his treatment of Lacus Clyne. If Sai could hear his fiancé an hour ago, he probably regret mourning for her. Yzak supposes it really doesn't matter. It will only be a matter of time before the Strike is destroyed. Without the Strike, the Archangel is sitting duck. Sai will be as good as dead before long.

Yzak looks to Flay's sleeping form. When she'd advanced on him, his initial response was to ignore it. If she'd been any other girl, he'd have left her alone. But, she is the daughter of one of Blue Cosmos' most elite members, and the temptation to humiliate George Allster through his own daughter was too much to turn down.

Flay turns over to face him. Her light blue eyes are looking to him. The girl is fortunate. He's seen Natural women that missed the genetic jackpot. He recalls one of the civilians from the pod. Ah Jade...the pug faced looking thing that constantly throws herself at Dearka. He remembers the sigh of relief Dearka gave when Commander Le Creuset had mentioned Jade would be released once they return to the PLANTs.

Flay won't be so lucky. Her last name makes her valuable. Even if Le Creuset wished to release her, ZAFT would never let a valuable hostage slip through their grasp. Yzak wonders what ZAFTs intentions are with Flay. He imagines they can't be too hard on her. She's a fifteen year old girl, and it isn't as if she's hurt anyone since she's been onboard.

"You're still awake?" her voice is so soft when she speaks to him.

"I have orders," he says. "The Archangel is rendezvousing with an Earth Alliance fleet…"

"You're going into battle…?" Her eyes are dilated as she looks to him.

"It's what I signed up for," Yzak says. "If you're that scared, you can stay here until I get back."

"You'll let me stay here?"

"I don't care," Yzak says. "If someone comes to the door, take your clothes and hide in the closet. I don't want Le Creuset finding out about this."

"He would be mad?" she asks.

"About me sleeping with a civilian?" Yzak says. "Yes, I imagine he will be livid."

"I didn't think it was a big deal…"

"Well, it is," he says. "Look, you can stay here till I get back. Just don't get us both caught."

Actually, he should probably send her back to her room, but he wants to keep her around for when he gets back. His blood will be hot after battle, and he can find comfort in her when he returns.

The door to his room opens. Yzak's gut feels as if it has just done a backflip. Flay guards her naked figure with a sheet as both of them look towards Dearka Elsman. Yzak suddenly regrets giving Dearka the access code to his room.

"You have a girl in here?" Dearka asks. "I get stuck with Jade, and you get Flay. It's not fair."

"You mean Jade Martin?" Flay asks.

"Yes…" Dearka and Yzak groan in unison.

"Ugh, ew!" Flay wrinkles her nose in disgust.

"I didn't think you two were acquainted," Yzak says. "Well, aside from being stuck in that pod for days."

"I went to school with her," Flay says. "She's really annoying. I shared a lot of classes with her. She's a Natural girl from the United States."

"Obviously," Dearka says.

Flay's eyes narrow at Dearka. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"Don't take offense," Yzak says. "Naturals rely on the luck of the draw when it comes to their birth. No parent would choose to have a child with such poor genetics."

"Well, don't tell her that," Flay says. "Her wettest dream is to marry a Coordinator."

"I just wish you had a cuter friend," Dearka says. "It isn't fair…"

"Oh my god, Jade is not even my friend," Flay rolls her eyes. "I'm sorry she's a mega creep, okay. She used to blow up this Coordinator guy's phone all the time. Don't take it so personally. She just really likes Coordinators like a lot."

"I didn't know you had Coordinator friends, Miss Allster," Dearka jests.

Flay glares at Dearka. "For the last time, I'm not part of Blue Cosmos!"

"No, that would be your fiancé," Yzak says.

Dearka bursts out laughing. "Can you imagine the look on his face if he ever finds out about this?"

"Whatever," Flay lays back down on the bed. "I don't want to talk about Sai."

"I'll wait outside while you get ready," Dearka says. "I'll see you in a bit, Yzak."

Yzak waits for Dearka to leave before collecting his clothes that are now floating throughout the room. When he finishes dressing himself, he turns around to see Flay looking to him.

"You can stay here, Flay. Just don't get us caught," he says.

"I promise I won't," Flay says. "Just please come back…"

The girl is so clingy. He supposes he can't really fault her for it. Her father probably didn't raise her with the skills she needs to survive on her own. It's rather sad actually. Blue Cosmos is what started this war, and now, his daughter is caught in the middle of it. Yzak floats towards the door and looks to Flay.

"I'll see you when I get back," he says.

He presses the button to open his door and exits. Dearka is grinning at him. Yzak half smiles back to him.

"Lucky…" Dearka says with a large grin on his face. "It's too bad she doesn't have a cute friend."

The two pilots float inside the locker room. Yzak eyes Athrun. Yzak floats passed Athrun without saying a single word. If Athrun's personal feelings interfere with their mission one more time, Yzak swears he'll shoot down the Aegis and obliterate the Strike himself.

"Yzak…"

Nicol's hand touches his shoulder and Yzak turns to face him. "What do you need?"

"I don't need anything," Nicol smiles to him. "Just be careful. You're still injured."

"I'll be fine," Yzak half smiles and looks to Athrun. "As soon as I see the Strike, I will shoot it down and watch it's remains burn in the Earth's atmosphere."

Athrun's eyes narrow at Athrun. "You sound so sure of yourself, Yzak. You're usually full of shit, but today you're a little bit over zealous. Did Doctor Frazier give you some crazy pills after you relieved Flay from her post?"

Dearka snorts and smiles to Yzak. Yzak smiles back to Dearka as he walks towards his locker. Yzak removes his overcoat and throws it in his locker. He pulls the flight suit over his uniform and zips it shut. He grabs his helmet and shuts the locker behind him. Yzak floats towards Athrun and looks him dead in the eye.

"Stay out of my way Athrun," Yzak says. "I'm about tired of your feelings fucking up our mission."

He floats passed Athrun and joins Dearka. The two pilots float side by side until they reach the hangar. Dearka claps his hand on Yzak's shoulder.

"I'll see you when we get back," Dearka says.

Dearka floats up to Buster, and Yzak floats up to Duel. Yzak floats inside the cockpit. He presses a button to close the hatch. The side screen comes to life, and he sees that annoying blonde green shirt on his screen.

"Yzak, you are first to launch," she says.

Yzak shifts the Duel towards the launchpad. He feels so relaxed. It's as if nothing in the world can stop him. Yzak imagines the Strike exploding into a thousand pieces. He pictures the look on Athrun's face as he watches his traitor friend die.

Yzak launches into from the Vesalius out into space. Buster follows. Blitz is next and Aegis is last to launch. Yzak looks on the main monitor to see The 8th Fleet off in the distance. He eyes the Archangel on his main screen and grins.

The Menelaos moves in front of the Archangel. Yzak aims his beam rifle towards the warship. He waits until the ship is in the crosshairs and fires. He moves towards the Menelaos. The Buster is opening fire upon the Menelaos as the Blitz and Aegis move on the Archangel. Yzak scans for any signs of the Strike. He spots the Archangel's Mobile Armor, but the Strike is nowhere to be seen.

Yzak continues to fire upon the Menelaos. He moves on the cockpit and opens fire. The warship falls into pieces as the remains of the ship fall into the Earth's atmosphere. Yzak moves the Duel backwards and searches for the Strike. Where is he?

The Strike launches from the Archangel. Yzak aims his beam rifle and fires several shots. The Strike manages to dodge all but one. The last beam hits the side of the Strike's arm, sending it backwards. The Aegis charges the Strike with a beam saber. The Strike moves to the side, barely dodging Athrun's attack by a hair.

The Archangel is descending into the Earth's atmosphere. The Strike seems to have gotten too close to the atmosphere. Yzak watches as it struggles to move. It brings a smile to his lips. He would move on it and attack it himself, but the risk of being pulled down to Earth is far too high.

The Vesalius launches four bright signals for each pilot. Yzak looks at the Strike one last time before returning to the ship. The Strike's pilot is likely to die during his descent to Earth. Yzak is disappointed that he wasn't able to take out the Strike himself, but this will suffice.

And, if the Strike pilot still lives, Yzak vows he will find it and destroy it.