A/n: Last time Nina and Prayer got in tones of trouble, so this is how it turns out, for the best?


Begin Anew

0650 hrs. Andy's Office

Andy was making the first call. It was to Prayer's parents. Minna and Grey Reeves weren't going to take it so well that their son had been sleeping with (not "sleeping with") a female officer.

"Maybe I'll call Murrue first. She'll be easier to talk to about this," Andy said to himself in the abandoned office.

0652 hrs. The Corridor

Prayer sat outside his "old" quarters with his bag next to him. His eyes were shut tight, as to not let tears escape, and he was brooding.

Mother is going to kill me. But Nina… What is going to happen to her here? With me gone... I'm so worried about her and how she is feeling. Damn it all!

"Prayer, wake up!"

Kira was standing over Prayer, wondering what he was doing there.

"Hello, Kira-san…" Prayer said sadly, but it still sounded formal.

"Ease up, Prayer. I know that you meant this for the best. But, it doesn't always go to plan," Kira placed and hand on Prayer's should and gave him a fatherly smile.

"Yeah," Prayer smiled.

Maybe it is the best that I leave… For now! I plan to see her again… One day

0700 hrs. Nina's Quarters

Nina sat on her bed; her eyes still shining and her face wet with tears. Then suddenly the door opened. Nina looked up, expecting to see Prayer, but no. It was Andy who was there and took a seat on the bed next to Nina.

"I called your mother," he soothed.

That fact didn't make Nina feel better.

"She said that you are to go back to work, and that you should be more careful around guys. You will start work again at 1320 hrs. Be there on time, I suggest you go and eat something."

Andy left hurriedly. Nina couldn't have been gladder he left. She was sure he hadn't called Prayer's family yet, but soon, they would know too…

0710 hrs. The Hall outside Nina's Quarters

Andre was trying to find a way to get to Nina. Not as in annoy, but to get to the real her. And maybe "help" "ease" her feelings.

When Andre first met her, he thought she was gorgeous, but he was a coward, and never said such things.

She even used her power on him and made him crazier for her. But now was a hard time for her, so he decided to help. He had overheard Ellis and Kenny saying that they wouldn't talk to her until she said something to them. And Tolle said he would just leave her alone until she was back to normal.

Andre slipped around a corner, his heart beating wildly.

Nina had just walked out of her room.

0718 hrs. The Cafeteria

Nina walked into the Cafeteria where almost everybody seemed to be. As soon as they all saw her, everyone fell silent.

"Ah! So the resident slut has decided to come to see us all!" Wilkins yelled out. This crude joke caused few people to laugh, some to point and all to begin whispering.

Nina's cheeks flared red.

In shame she hung her head and ran out of the door.

If that is how they are going to treat me, I will never eat in there again!

1043 hrs. The Docking Bay.

Prayer was standing at Yzak's side as they entered the White Grave, which was leaving to the nearest space port to set flight into space.

He gave one last look at the Hendeldorf as he boarded.

Inside many people were standing to attention.

When Yzak let them relax, they began whispering. And, when Yzak had left their presence, a male, who had Yzak's features, yelled out "You're the guy who went all the way with the only girl on the Hendeldorf aren't you? What was her name, Nina La Fllaga?"

Prayer knew that it was going to be a long time before he would live what he did down…

1124 hrs. Nina's Quarters

"Nina-san, may we come in?"

Nina's mumbled something into her pillow and held her head up.

"Yes," she said, trying to stop the tears from flowing before her guests entered.

It was Tolle, Ellis, Kenny and Andre.

"Hi," Nina said slowly, hoping they didn't notice her appearance.

Sadly, Ellis aced human body language.

He sat next to Nina and pulled her into a brotherly embrace.

Nina then proceeded to cry into his shoulder.

After a few minutes Nina had calmed down. They all sat on the floor in a circle and gave Nina some chocolate.

"Aren't you going to see Prayer leave?" Kenny asked, but then he bit his lip.

What if the mention of Prayer sets her off to crying again?

"I can't… It's still too painful," she admitted.

Andre smiled.

"Who needs him? You have us! I'm sure that was just a one night stand type of thing, nothing permanent, don't dwell on it!" Andre smiled.

Tolle flashed a cheesy smile, Ellis looked concernedly at Nina and Kenny glared at Andre.

"You think?" Nina sniffled and looked up from the half eaten chocolate bar in her hands.

"Uh-huh!" Andre said.

"Yeah, you're right," Nina smiled and began to laugh.

Kenny wasn't to sure about this.

What is up with you, Andre?

1200 hrs. Nina's Quarters Again

Tolle, Kenny and Ellis had left, but Andre stayed, to "look after" Nina he had said as his reason.

Nina just sat cross-legged on her bed. Andre sat on the bed too, just looking at her in her weak state.

That was when it all began.

Andre pushed Nina onto the bed and placed a fierce kiss on her lips. Nina struggled to get up, but Andre was stronger.

When he stopped, Nina began to speak.

"Get off of me! This isn't allowed!"

But with the amount of time Andre had been thinking about this, he had the perfect excuse.

"It is only illegal if top ranking officers do this. We are both the same rank. The only reason they got you and Prayer was because he was top ranking and because you are an important person. But since we are the same, it is fine," Andre had smooth talked his way again.

Nina, in her weak state, couldn't define fact from fiction. She couldn't even fight back against Andre.

She nodded solemnly and Andre began his "assault" on the "path to recovery for Nina".

1234 hrs Nina's Quarter's Again

Nina lay, clothe-less, on her bed. Andre, is the same type of outfit, lay, asleep, on top of her. What had just happened had made Nina feel good, but now she remembered the pain again.

A fresh flow of tears began. It was like she opened the wound again.

She stared at the clock and realized he shift was up soon.

"Andre, get up. My shift is in a little under an hour. I need to have a shower!"

Andre draped himself off of Nina.

"Do you feel better?" Andre asked, groggily.

Nina nodded, and Andre smiled a very hentai smile.

"I'll come again tonight if you like."

Nina nodded again, got dressed speedily, and rushed to the showers.

Andre just lay there.

"I bet I can make her love me, so much that when, no, if Prayer gets back, she kills him if I asked!" Andre laughed evilly.

1245 hrs. The Showers

Nina sang a song to herself while she was in the shower.

"Every word," she told herself, "Is about what that user, Prayer, did to me!"

"Falling in love, saying goodbye

With a vow that this is the last heartbreak

Even the cherry tree, swaying in the wind

Will eventually blossom

"The summer rain that started to fall

Gently streaked past my tears

Images that resemble memories

Autumn's drama reruns

"Why have I suffered?

Almost the same blows such countless times?

But even so, I'll probably fight again

That is one of life's mysteries

"Falling in love, giving it everything

With a wish that this is the last heartbreak

Even the cherry tree, swaying through time

Will eventually blossom

"In the revolving seasons

My shoes are wearing out, more and more

"Let go the tension in your shoulders

So you can seal away the past somewhere

From here they're probably not too far

Sceneries you haven't even seen

"I want to overcome the ceaseless pain in my chest

And become closer to you

I have wandered about once and returned

Always grasping for the blue sky

"Falling in love, saying goodbye

With a vow that today's the first good day

Everything, even the cherry tree, swaying in the wind

Softly reaches out toward you

"I love you I love you, it can't be helped

That has nothing to do with this!"

As Nina finished her song, she burst into tears.

Something wasn't right at all.

0124 hrs. Nina's New Post

Nina was early. So she sat there, on the floor, and wrote lyrics to a new song in her head.

0200 hrs. Orb HQ

"They are declaring war, Miss Cagalli!" the men shouted.

"Call all available ship and tell them that war is begging!" Cagalli yelled. She just hoped her babies would be safe.


A/n: There we go. The dreaded farewell scene and a snippet of AndrexNina.

More to come, next time, in What If? Chapter Ten!

Ps: The song is Sakura Drops (the English translation) by Utada Hikaru

TTFN!

TSA