Chapter 9: The Breakup

Shinn never saw it coming.

Every date, every moment spent together has been happy, sweet, perfect.

His friends were waving and calling out to him but he could not care. Alix's words kept playing over and over in his mind.

"I'm leaving for Helipolis for three years."

Leave.

He never thought this word would come between them.

Never.

But he should have guessed something was wrong when Alix started acting weird around him. She seemed to cling on every moment with him, started to look preoccupied most of the time, in which the only answer he got from her was a shake of her head.

Then, she paid a surprise visit to his school, something un-Alix in his opinion – for her to pop by without informing earlier.

He was in the midst of his hockey practice in the school field when he caught her on the audience bench. Her violet tresses danced playfully on her shoulders when the breeze passed by, making her looking all the more beautiful in her pale pink dress. She smiled and waved to him the moment his head was turned at her.

Feeling delighted yet suspicious at the same time, he excused himself from his gawking teammates and jogged over to her.

"Hey, I thought we are only meeting tomorrow?"

"I just wanted to see you."

He smiled, obviously satisfied with her answer. "Do you want a dr-"

The sudden movement of Alix's hand brushing across his hair distracted him. Or rather, it disturbed him. He caught her hand and looked straight into her jade eyes. "What's wrong, Alix?"

Her wistful gaze dropped to his feet.

He squeezed her hand and nudged her chin up. "What is worrying you?"

Alix slid her hand off his and turned to glance at his friends, who were pushing and elbowing each other while inching their way nearer to them as they speak. "Can we have a moment?"

He followed her gaze and rolled his eyes at his insensitive friends. With a grunt of exasperation at them, he took her under one of the trees rooted at the corner of the field.

There, was where everything ended.

"I'm leaving for Helipolis." Alix stated, not meeting his worried gaze.

He nodded. He remembered Alix mentioning her three month internship to the ORB colony before.

"I won't be back for a short while."

Then he thought he knew what was weighing on her mind. "The internship was extended? How long? Six months? Is that wh-"

"Not months." Alix interjected. There was a pause. "It's three years… or perhaps more.. I.. I don't know."

His words all but died within him. It took him a moment to register what Alix was trying to tell him. "Three.. Three years…?"

"There was a change of plans!" Alix quickly explained. "I'm… I'm transferring there instead."

Alix bit her lips tentatively when Shinn did not answer. "I'm leaving for Helipolis for three years."

Still, Shinn kept to his own. He turned away when Alix tried to reach him. He felt awful. He felt abandoned!

Tears brimmed at the corners of her eyes when Alix looked away from Shinn. The way he was reacting to her announcement and the resentment in his eyes affected her more than she had expected it to. She felt awful. She felt abandoned!

Heavy silence hung in the air between them until Alix saw Roy beckoning her in the distance.

It was time to go.

"I gotta go."

The whispered words hit Shinn like a bee sting. He grabbed her wrist when she passed him. "No…"

Alix gently pulled away his grasp.

Then, she was gone.

+ Destiny Child +

"Can you take me to Onogoro High?"

Without a word but a simple nod of his head, Roy started the car.

Throughout the journey, he cast occasional glances at Alix from the rearview mirror. Her eyes were misty and he knew she was trying very hard to keep the tears within her eyes. Her heart was broken alright.

No.

Shattered was the better word.

Since the moment she came out from the study room that day, everything was black and white to her. She cried every night. He knew she did. Because her eyes were always red and swollen the morning after. Conversations were rare, even to Samantha. Though her sister let up on her, she was nevertheless outraged on Alix's behalf. But after a huge harsh exchange with their mother, the matters stayed the same nonetheless.

Somehow, it affected him too. He was feeling rather blue and prickly most of the time these days.

Shinn Asuka was the only one who managed to lift Alix's spirits up a little. Her smiles would only appear around him, though not as carefree as before.

But it was still a telltale sign. Yet the fool went through their remaining time together ignorant of what was going on in Alix's mind. – until today.

He remembered feeling justified when he saw the look on Asuka's face after he surmised Alix had told him her plans. 'Good riddance' was the first thing that popped into his mind.

Then, he saw Alix's look. It was devastating. He rather be the one suffering what she was suffering now. But she should have known. She should have known her mother would intervene and end all of this for her.

Gladys had a 'little talk' with him that day. Of course, he was 'reprimanded' over his responsibility over Alix, that he should have reported to her the moment Alix got 'sidetracked by some attractive boulders along the way'.

"Think big, Roy. Think big." Was what Gladys told him then.

Having her precious daughters to end up with some ordinary citizens in the streets was crap in her mind and over her dead body would she allow that to happen. She even went on questioning on how long he planned to keep this affair from her had not her coincidental call to Professor Stone to ask for Alix, and the level of credibility she should bestow to him now that things has gone this far.

But all that was insignificant to what she said last. It was still etched freshly in his mind.

"I guess I have to bring forward the plan for Alix."

"What plan?" He asked then.

Other than planning to use Alix for her lifetime for her talent in science and engineering, Roy never knew Gladys have other plans for her.

"Wedding plans."

He was certainly caught off guard by the announcement. Alix was like… thirteen? Turning only fourteen this summer? His usual stolid facade must have revealed stupefaction then, for Gladys quickly added, "Of course, I know they're still too young for it. But at least an engagement would ease my worries."

He guessed he should have read between the lines of "Think big."

And he bet that Alix was still oblivious that she was to be married off to some spoiled rich brat in PLANT when she reached the age.

At first thought, Roy thought it was a haste decision made on Gladys' part. But after she elaborated the details, he decided it was not a haste decision after all.

It was a well thought-out plan that was merely brought forward due to the unforeseen circumstances. A well thought-out plan to gain more power, a firm strong foothold over the three most powerful governments in the world.

In her plan, she involved her daughters – Samantha and Alix.

While she remained eminence grise in ORB, Samantha was to be married off to one of the higher-ups in Earth whereas Alix to one of the noble Coordinators in PLANT. All that would take place once they reached the age of twenty one, or perhaps earlier at the age of eighteen, depending on the prevailing circumstances.

A pretty ambitious mother at the expense of her daughters, in Roy's opinion.

For a moment, he wondered about Samantha's reaction, since she was the feistier of the two and would most likely defy against the plan. Wondered about the man who could tame her defiant spine.

His thoughts were snapped when he heard the sound of sniffing.

He glanced at Alix from the rearview mirror once more.

Alix dabbed away her tears with the back of her hands. The conversation with her mother in the study room kept intruding in her mind, crushing her very ounce of hope she managed to build up at the back of her mind.

"There was a change of plans, Alix." Gladys announced then. "I cancelled your internship."

Her momentary relief was crushed with the next announcement.

"I'm moving us there instead."

"What? Why?"

"Though the project is coming to an end, there are lots of loose ends to tie. I figured one moth is insufficient. As our projects are based there, I thought it would be more convenient. Saves a lot of traveling tim-"

"I don't mind!"

"Well, I do. Besides, the Science Academy in Helipolis would serve you better. Their flexibility is what you need. You have been neglecting your responsibility in SA these days, isn't it? I was told you couldn't be found most of the time. I know it was not because of the project. "

She couldn't come up with a denial fast enough to refute her mother. Her work as the chairwoman of the well-known eleemosynary organization has indeed slackened, for she used the time to spend it with Shinn.

"I though you are the sensible daughter, Alix. I thought you are the other daughter who knows her priorities and needs no worries on my side. But it seems that I thought wrong."

Her heart sank at that. She has always strived to meet up with her mother's expectations, strived to be the daughter she wanted her to be, and hearing that coming from her mother somehow crushed her efforts she has been putting for her role so far.

While she kept to her own, her mother tossed a file in front of her from the table drawers and spat, "Shinn Asuka."

Her eyes widened at the mention of the name. Her eyes darted on the file and stayed there. Without asking, she knew the contents of the file. Inside most probably housed the details of Shinn that she did not even know herself.

"You thought I wouldn't know."

"I-"

She was interrupted by her mother's hand. "I understand you and Sam have reached that age already, and I can't help worrying for you more. Though Sam has boys hanging around her side too, she knows when to draw the line. You don't. You get absorbed with anyone who plays their cards right."

"Shinn is not that kind of boy!"

"How would you know? How long have you known him?"

"I know! I… just do. Time is not the problem."

"Well, he has not convinced me! As far as I know, you have neglected your responsibilities and even resorted to lying ever since you've known him. You really think I didn't know all that?"

So, she was caught red-handed. She has lied not once, but a couple of times to the Professors in school that she was needed by her mother and vice versa to her mother and the Lab Assistants that she was needed at the SA – all that because she wanted to spend more time with Shinn.

And judging from the way her mother was confronting her regarding this issue, it seemed that she would not get things her way.

"I'll strike a balance between work and play, I promise." She pleaded instead.

Her mother shook her head. "I wonder how you're going to strike that balance when you allow it to be tipped in the first place!"

"Is that why you're moving us?" She asked bluntly with a hint of defiance.

Her mother must be shocked at her show of insolence, for she faltered a step with a gasp. "I'm YOUR MOTHER! I have every reason to worry about the people you hang out with. You have a bright future, Alix. Don't ruin it for some boy who will leave you someday!"

"Shinn is not that kind of boy!"

"Why don't we let time prove it?"

"We're there."

Roy's voice snapped her thoughts back to reality. She looked out from the car window and saw Onogoro High standing impressively spectacular in the sunlight. She stepped out of the car when Roy called out to her.

"The meeting with the SA council is at one." Roy reminded.

Alix nodded. "I know. I won't take long."

She took another step when Roy called out to her again.

"Do you… want me to accompany you?"

Alix shook her head with a glad yet weary smile. "I wanted to be alone. I'll be at the gardens."

+ Destiny Child +

It was a cloudy afternoon.

Alix could see cliques of students everywhere. Under the trees, along the pathways, on the benches, everywhere was filled with the liveness of the future generation of ORB. She chatted with some of her classmates along the way, waved gleefully to some others in the distance, and exchanged smiles with acquainted seniors.

She even made a discovery.

She actually had a fan club.

Two juniors, a boy and a girl, approached her coyly and introduced themselves as the president and vice-president of her club. They wished her all the best in their future endeavours and even gave her a little farewell gift – a jar of hand-made colour paper lucky stars, with each star representing each of the fan members' wishes to her.

Alix was touched by the show of appreciation, though the two juniors admitted they couldn't come up with ideas as big as Samantha's club, which left Alix wondering why she didn't hear Samantha mentioning about the clubs before. Her sociable sister should have known the existence of these clubs. Anyhow, she guessed she would only have to ask her later, together with what she got from her club.

At the sound of the bell signaling the end of their recess, the students started swarming their way to their classes. Within minutes, Alix was left alone in their school.. would-be ex-school gardens.

She glanced around and rubbed her arms a bit.

Gosh. She was going to miss all of these here.

And she was going to miss him the most.

Tears crept up at the corners of her eyes at the thought of him. She shook her head and turned her attention to the azure sky. She simply refused to cry.. not now, not anymore.

She focused on more pressing matters. Like one of the operating systems of the project needing her modifications. Like the shortage of rations that SA was facing, the growing numbers of orphans and homeless caused by the ongoing war, the rising resistances in the number of countries that SA, as ORB ambassador, was helping.

Like she wanted to believe in Shinn.

She shook her head the moment Shinn intruded her thoughts. She was supposed to make use of the time alone to clear her head, not to make it foggier than it already was.

She averted her attention to the jar of stars in her hands and gave it a little shake. She smiled at the thought that people loved her. But almost immediately, it also reminded her of the times that she sneaked out of the house late at night to go star-gazing with Shinn.

With a heavy sigh, she walked over to one of the trees and sat under it, determined to cast Shinn aside and come up with solutions for problems that SA was facing.

+ Destiny Child +

Roy watched her from a distance far enough to grant her privacy yet close enough for her protection.

Then, a figure caught his eyes. It was sprinting towards Alix's direction. He almost pulled up his gun when his brows instinctively furrowed at the realization of who it was.

+ Destiny Child +

Alix was deep in her thoughts when a shadow suddenly towered over her. She squinted her eyes against the silhouette and stared in absolute surprise at the panting figure once she realized who it was. "Shinn…?"

The sudden movement of Shinn dropping to his knees and embracing her rendered her speechless. Rather, his appearance here rendered her speechless.

"I'm glad I made it in time." Shinn whispered breathlessly against her ears. He held her tighter at that.

Alix pulled back and studied Shinn. She resisted the urge to wipe away the sheen of perspiration on his face. "How do you know I'm here?"

"This is where we first met." Shinn answered as a matter of fact with a frown.

The words hit Alix like a splash of water. She had not realized why she chose to seek solace here until Shinn said it. A breeze passed by that moment, swaying their hair and the leaves around them.

For a moment, the world belonged to them.

Shinn was the first to snap out of their world. He pinched Alix on the cheeks.

Alix grimaced at the pain. "It hurts!"

"I hurt more!" Shinn retorted. "Who do you think you are, deciding matters on your own?"

"I-"

"You should have talked to me instead of keeping it everything inside you! We could have worked it out together! Do you know how worried I was for your recent behavior?" He paused and grabbed her hand. "Do you think I was joking when I said I'll never let go of my hand?"

Alix's gaze went down to the grass between them, making Shinn wonder whether he sounded too harsh with her. He gulped, thinking of the right words to amend the atmosphere between them.

"Ali-"

He was stopped short by Alix's embrace.

Alix was not sure whether it was the words or the act of him coming to her as if his life depended on it that brought a smile to her face. Shinn smiled too, glad that it was never her intention to want to leave him in the first place. When he pulled back and looked into the pair of jade eyes in front of him, he couldn't resist the urge to lean over…

+ Destiny Child +

"Ro-"

Roy held up a hand to interrupt his fellow partner sent by Gladys to 'assist' him on the job. Though he had not said anything regarding the situation of their charge, the look on him was intimidating enough to make Sean, his 'partner' not to probe further.

"Gladys-sama doesn't have to know." Roy said at last.

It was not what he said but how he said the words that made Sean signaled to others to let up.

+ Destiny Child +

Rusty, Nichol, Yzak, Dearka and Athrun sat awed by the information gathered from one of ZAFT reconnaissance teams.

"The damned Naturals actually came up with something like that?" Yzak spat, interrupting Miguel, who was in the midst of presenting the decoded data.

"Calm down, Yzak." Rau ordered. "Let Miguel finish."

Yzak folded his arms but nonetheless shut his gap.

Miguel smirked, looking at Yzak. "As a matter of fact, I share your sentiments. This is simply an act of war if we let them get any further. From what our spy gathered, they are selling it to EAF, all five of them." Miguel paused for a snort. "So much for a neutral country."

"So our mission now is to stop this major transaction?" Dearka questioned in his usual drawl.

"And tramp the toys." Yzak added with a smirk.

"That's a nice way to put across our primary intention, Yzak." Rau commented with a smirk.

His six subordinates turned to look at him at that, each with different expressions. Dearka simply looked bored while Nicol and Rusty looked ready for instructions. Miguel and Yzak looked anticipatory whilst Athrun remained pokerfaced.

"Well." Rau started, standing up to face all of them. "I guess it's more interesting to see their new toys rather than check on some lump piece of metal in space."

"But we can't just stop our investigation of the EAF satellite at Lagrange Point 3 halfway." Rusty reasoned.

"I'm sure all of you know that the information we received regarding the satellite is faulty, which is the reason for our retreat in the first place." Rau answered as a matter of fact. "We just have to leave the rest of the investigation to the Nimitz team, who are nearer to the area."

Rusty nodded, convinced.

"Creuset Squad!"

The six of them immediately pulled themselves to feet and stood in attention stances.

"Get ready for this mission briefing in 1330 hours. For now, you're dismissed!"

"YES SIR!"