Disclaimer: Sebastian and the Storm Wolves are mine. "You'll be in My Heart" is Phil Collins.
Song of the Storm Wolf
By Storm Wolf77415
You'll be in My Heart
Kira silently exited the Strike, a single thought passing unbidden through his head, I couldn't save him.
"Hey kid, you…okay?" Murdoch said, but Kira just passed right by him. He was totally oblivious to the world around him, as he returned to his quarters. All he could do was replay the promise he had made to Flay to protect her father, and then the Montgomery's final moments in his head, I couldn't save him.
Sebastian pulled himself out of Predator just as Nicol was doing the same with the Blitz. The two young men floated up to each other and stared blue eyes to brown eyes. They stayed that way for all about six seconds, before embracing in a brotherly hug.
"Come here, you!" Sebastian said, smiling, "It's good to see you, little brother."
"It's good to see you too, big brother", Nicol said.
"Even still, Nick. You realize that with this, you're a…"
"A traitor?" Nicol said, "Yeah, I know. But I recall you always said friends come first. Kyle was about to kill you, and I couldn't let that happen."
"You saved my hide out there, Nicol. For that I'm grateful, but I'm still upset that I couldn't save my uncle."
"Uncle?" Nicol said, "I thought your entire family…"
"Died?" Sebastian scoffed, "I did have one relative on my mom's side, my uncle, George Allster. That ship Evans reduced to atoms? He was on it. So now, all I have left is his daughter, my cousin, Flay. And well, until recently she didn't like Coordinators too much. She was making some progress, but I'm afraid with this, she may relapse."
"So what are you going to do?" Nicol said.
"For right now…stay as far away from her as possible" Sebastian said, "I'm the last person she wants to see."
"Don't say that man, she's still family. I'm certain it all work out" Nicol said.
"That's so you, always looking on the bright side," Sebastian smiled as he pulled Nicol in for a noogie, "Where would I be without that attitude of yours in times like this?"
"Bitter and cynical?" Nicol ventured a grin.
"A little too late for that!" Sebastian laughed, "Come on man, let's get you settled in. I imagine that you don't want to walk around in that flight suit all day."
"Wait a second. I'm aboard an Earth Forces ship now. That means I'm going to have to wear the uniform!" Nicol said.
"Don't worry about it. I'm certain you'll look great in blue." Sebastian said, "We'll stop by my quarters, so you can get changed first, and then we'll speak to Lieutenant Ramius about making you part of the crew. You should also know that Lacus is aboard."
"She is?" Nicol said, having heard Natarle's statement from earlier, "You don't say, how did that happen?"
"Long story", Sebastian sighed as headed out the door.
Man, if Sebastian found out what they were going to do to Lacus, he'd skin them alive…literally!
Archangel, Officer's quarterscorridor
Sebastian waited out in the hallway outside his quarters. The green haired pilot soon emerged now in the same Earth Forces volunteer blue that his friend wore.
"Never thought I would find myself wearing this," Nicol said.
"My exact words when I first put it on" Sebastian replied.
"Do you think that I'll be welcome here?" Nicol asked as they set off for the bridge, "I mean, I am a ZAFT pilot and all."
"On most other Earth Alliance ships, you'd definitely have something to worry about. However, I've gotten to know these people in the last few weeks, and this particular crew, doesn't seem to have the same prejudice that most other Earth Forces members have, and besides you're my best friend, if they tried anything, they'd answer to me."
The two pilots emerged on the bridge, as Sebastian and Nicol walked to Murrue's command chair, they could see Mu was also present.
"Lieutenant Ramius," Sebastian said, saluting, with Nicol following suit, "This is Pilot Nicol Amalfi, pretty much my best friend in the world. I'm hoping that we can add him to the crew. If you'll allow it."
Murrue shifted uncomfortably in her seat, not really paying attention, then she spoke "Commander, there's something that you should be made aware of. Can we discuss this further in my office…alone?"
"Okay," Sebastian said, "Nicol, this should only take a few minutes" and the two exited.
"I hope you're praying for the soul of the person who made that transmission," Nicol said.
"You sure?" Mu said.
"If someone threatens Lacus, they're effectively signing they're own death warrant. Let see, three…two…one", and the door to Murrue's office neared exploding off its hinges and Commander Sebastian Andrew Connor, the Storm Wolf of Jachin Due emerged, a look of pure murderous rage on his face, and his sword in hand.
"Nicol, Lieutenant La Flaga, please excuse me for what's about to happen," Sebastian said in all too calm voice, before he marched to the CIC. A scream and the sound of a punch landed were heard, and he dragged Ensign Natarle Badgiruel out by her hair. She already had a nasty bruise on her cheek, suggesting she had been hit. Sebastian then held her by the throat, staring eye to eye.
"Ensign, let me be blunt. If this had happened and you were in my unit. You'd by dead in this very moment" Sebastian growled, "However, I'm in a giving mood today so I'll spare you…once. Next time you EVER think of using such dishonorable tactics again, you're dead, and I'll make sure they never find the body! But still, here's a going away present!" Sebastian raised his sword and struck Natarle with the flat of the blade, causing her eyes to roll up into her skull, and flew backwards before crashing into the wall.
"If you'll excuse me, Lieutenant, where is my cousin?" Sebastian said, much calmer, but the hostility still present, "I probably should see her."
"She's in the infirmary," Murrue said, "Mr. Argyle took her."
"Thank you," Sebastian said, "now about Nicol."
"If he's you best friend, then he's probably trustworthy" Murrue said just wanting to move on, "Would you agree Lieutenant La Flaga?"
"Sure, if the Storm Wolf says he's good, then he's good. Welcome aboard Pilot Amalfi."
"Thank you, Lieutenant", Nicol said, saluting both Mu and Murrue.
"Uh, ma'am", Kuzzey said, "What about Ensign Badgiruel?"
"Just leave her there," Murrue said, an evil grin on her face, "She'll wake up soon enough. Who are we to bother her?"
Archangel, Infirmary
Sebastian entered to find his cousin lying on a bed, her expression peaceful for the moment, Sai sitting next to it.
"Oh, hey Sebastian", Sai said, moving to leave. But the Storm Wolf stopped him.
"Thank you for staying for by her," Sebastian said.
"It's the least I can do," Sai said, "You should know Sebastian, that I'm engaged to Flay."
"Really, well then, I suppose I should say congrats."
"Nothing's happened yet" Sai said, "It's just an engagement."
"What do you mean?" Sebastian said, cocking his head.
"The marriage was arranged between our parents. We really didn't have any say in it," Sai replied, "But, she's a wonderful girl, and I do care about her."
"Well, as far as arranged marriages go, I'm not crazy about that kind of thing. But I'm not one to complain. You're a good guy, Sai, and I'd be happy to have you as family. I just came to check on her, is she okay?"
"She was near catatonic when I brought her here, but other than that, she seems to be okay."
"Okay, thanks Sai. I'll be in my quarters if you need me." To which he just nodded. If Sebastian had stayed just a little bit longer, then he would have been witness to a chain of events that might have unfolded quite differently.
Flay sat bolt upright, recollecting what had happened, and then coming to realization that it wasn't a dream. Sai reached out to touch her, and she slapped his hand away.
"Get away from me!" she hissed.
"Flay, what are you doing?" Sai spluttered, totally off guard by her behavior.
"Why weren't you out there!" Flay said accusingly, "Why weren't you out there helping Sebastian to protect my father?"
As much as Sai moved his mouth, he couldn't bring himself to form words.
"It's over between us!" Flay said, "WE ARE THROUGH!" And with that she left, leaving her now former fiancé behind.
Archangel, Sebastian's quarters
Sebastian groaned and crashed onto his bed, "Well Barger, I really screwed the pooch this time huh?" He said to the stuffed wolf which had since taken up residence on the computer desk, "I get my family back, and then I lose them all over again. Uncle George is dead, and Flay will probably never want anything to do with me. It's a shame. She had made such progress from being a Blue Cosmos wannabe, now it's all but guaranteed that she'll join them."
The only response that Sebastian got from Barger was the light glinted off his glass button eyes, "You're a big help, you know that?" Sebastian said, and a knock came on the hatch.
"Hold on, I'm coming!" Sebastian said as he opened the door. His eyes widened when he saw Flay standing there, "Flay?" was all he could get out before the redhead threw her arms around his neck in a sisterly hug.
"What are you doing?" Sebastian said when he found his voice.
"Hugging my cousin, is that a crime?" Flay said.
"Flay, do you remember what happened? Your father's dead! I promised to protect him, and I couldn't even do that."
"I tell you what I remember, Sebastian Connor. I remember you fighting with everything you have, you, Kira, and Lieutenant La Flaga" Flay smiled, "That's what I remember."
"I didn't think you'd want anything to do with me or Kira for that matter. I mean, given how you used to feel about Coordinators."
"You're right. I was scared of what I didn't understand. I really didn't know anything. But things changed. Kira saving me at Artemis, and then you revealed we were family, and my father always taught me that family comes first" said Flay, "You're all I have left, Sebastian. I don't want to lose you."
"I can understand how Kira earned your respect, saving a person's life can do that, but you're okay with me, just because we're family? That's it?" Sebastian said.
"Does there have to be anything more to it? Do I have to have some long, drawn out explanation for loving my family?"
"Actually no, I hate long drawn out explanations, let's just leave it at that you're the only surviving family I have left and vice versa. Come here, cuz." and the two embraced once more.
"When we get some time, you have to tell me about your mom. I want to know all about her," Flay smiled, but then her look darkened, "I will ask you this, who was the pilot of that mobile suit that destroyed the Montgomery? Who was it that murdered my father?"
"His name is Kyle Evans, the Grimaldi Hyena. And let me tell you this, he's no friend of mine. We have a long history with each other, and he's the only man I hate more than Rau Le Creuset. Don't worry, Flay. Last time, he got lucky because I lost my temper. I won't give him that luxury again! You should go and see Kira, let him know that there are no hard feelings."
"Okay, see you later!" and Flay left.
Archangel, Kira's quarters
Kira sat in his darkened quarters, in his uniform pants and t-shirt, his jacket discarded on the other bunk.
I couldn't save him, was all Kira could think as he stared at the gun in his hands, I promised Flay I would protect him, but I couldn't. I was just starting to get somewhere with her, and now, she'll hate me more than ever. I never wanted to fight in the first place, anyway. This world will just be better off without me. I'm sorry, Flay. I'll always love you, even if you don't feel that way.
Kira put the barrel of the gun in his mouth, ready to free himself from his pain, Goodbye, Flay, he thought.
At that exact moment the hatch opened and a certain red-haired girl in a pink dress entered, she only stared for a few seconds of the gun in Kira's mouth.
"KIRA! NO!" Flay shrieked, startling the young Coordinator enough for her to wrench the gun out of his hands and toss it out into the corridor. Flay then promptly wound up and slapped Kira as hard as she could.
"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" Flay screamed, "HOW COULD YOU BE SO SELFISH!"
"BECAUSE I WANT THE PAIN TO END! I TRIED TO SAVE HIM! I tried to save him!" Kira said, falling onto his bunk. He curled up into a ball, and broke down, "I wanted to save him. I really did. I wanted to tell him how I felt about you. I wanted to tell him, that I love you."
Flay gasped, and put a hand to her heart, "you, love me?" She was overcome with emotion. Flay couldn't help smiling.
"Don't cry, Kira. You won't be alone anymore" Flay said softly, lying down next to him on the bed, "I'll always stay by your side". She took Kira into her arms, and remembered a song that her mother used to sing to her, a song that always calmed her. And so she began to sing to Kira, her voice wasn't crystal like Lacus', but it was still melodic and beautiful.
Come
stop your crying, It will be all right For one so small, you seem so strong Cause you'll be in my
heart Why can't they
understand the way we feel Cause you'll be in my heart Don't listen to them, cause what do they know When
destiny calls you, you must be strong We'll show
them together cause... You'll be in my heart You'll be here in my heart (You'll be here in my
heart) I'll be there always
Just take my hand, Hold it
tight
I will protect you from all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
My arms
will hold you keep you safe and warm
This bond between us can't be
broken
I will be here don't you cry
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and
forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they
say
You'll be here in my heart
Always
They just don't trust what they can't
explain
I know we're different but deep inside us
We're not
that different at all
Yes,
you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever
more
We need
each other, to have and to hold
They'll see in time, I know
I may not be with you, but
you gotta hold on
They'll see in time, I know
Believe me,
you'll be in my heart
I'll be there from this day on
Now and
forever oh oh
No matter what they say (I'll be with you)
you'll be
here in my heart always
Always...
I'll
be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
Just
look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look
over your shoulder
I'll be there always
Flay smiled and blushed. Kira's even breathing told her that he was asleep, and his expression was peaceful. He would make it through the night but it was clear that she couldn't leave him alone, should he try something like this again. Flay found herself falling for the young Coordinator, all she wanted in that moment was to comfort him, and maybe they could get through their pain together. She removed her hair band, and shook her flaming red locks free, and then removed her dress, leaving her in just a pink tank top and panties. She snuggled back up to Kira.
"Don't worry Kira, I'll protect you," Flay whispered, kissing him right on the lips and pulling the covers around them. Flay then stroked Kira's hair and made soft cooing sounds to him before she drifted off to sleep, wrapping her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest to hide her reddened cheeks, and a sweet smile on her face. The reluctant warrior was at peace for the time being, thanks to the love of his ballerina princess.
Author's Note: Well folks, it's official. Kira and Flay are finally together! From the day I started writing "Storm Wolf" I knew exactly that's how the scene would play out. The song was a later touch that I added. I know that you were expecting more with the Sebastian/Natarle confrontation, but hey, if she dies, then no one will be around to run the CIC. Next chapter, Sebastian and co. conspire to return Lacus to ZAFT hands. So I wish you a good hunt!