A/N: I'm so sorry that it took me this long to update. I guess the holiday season has pull me way from my writing. I was able to finally come back and continue this story. I'm so sorry for keeping my readers waiting. I will try my best to complete this next chapter as soon as I can. I hope you like this chapter as much as I have written it. Let's get on with the show.

Summary: Please read the top description.

Main Paring: Dearka X Miriallia.

Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny.

Chapter 13

Three days ago, Mirialia was involved in an accident when her car suddenly exploded in his publishing office parking lot. Miriallia has escaped death with just mild head concussion and some bruises from the explosion's debris. Her doctor suggested her to be admitted into the hospital to make sure she did not suffered any major injuries and promised she could leave once they have confirm she's fine. And today is finally the day where she's able to leave.

Dearka has volunteered to pick Miriallia up from the hospital and took half day off from his work in Morgenroete. The both of them were walking towards the exit when he mentions something obvious.

"Are you sure your doctor really allowed you to leave the hospital today Ms. Miriallia?" Dearka asked while carrying the brunette's luggage. "You sure you are feeling alright?"

Miriallia raised both her arm imitating the movement of lifting dumbbells. "I'm feeling great Dearka and yes, I did get my doctor's approval", she said while showing him her medical slip. "That why he prescribed some medication in case I feel any pain". She breaths out heavily and said, "But I'm really bump for losing my only car. Now it's been reduced to a pile of scrap metal along with my proposal and sample photos".

Dearka chuckled. "You should be grateful that you escaped with light injuries".

The brunette sticks out her tongue to show her disapproval.

Dearka was surprised by her childish act. "It's not like you have lost everything in the explosion. You still have you camera and photography tools at home", he said.

The brunette ignores him totally. He does not know how much time I spent on those proposal and photos, she thought.

Dearka sighs in defeat. "I could give you a helping hand with your work if you want to?" he suggested. "But will you make it to your deadline?"

That's more like it. "Don't worry about it Dearka. I just need to call in some favors and I can get all my work done within the week", she assured him with her smile. Both of them stop when they reach the medication counter. "Can you wait for me while I go and collect my medication?"

Dearka nodded. "Then I'll bring the car over and meet you by the front porch".

"Car?" she asked. She was puzzled by his words. How on earth did Dearka managed to get a car when hers was destroyed? "Dearka, where did you get the car from?" she asked in a teasing manner. "You didn't stole it did you?"

The blond man looks at her surprisingly and waves his hand in front of him. "I did not steal any car Ms. Miriallia. I borrowed the car from Athrun for the day and… and…"

Miriallia laughed at his reaction and he stops and looks at her. "I was only joking Dearka".

Dearka sighs in relief and said, "You will kill me one of these days Ms. Miriallia".

They both shared a laughed before parting. Miriallia walks towards the dispensary and gave her medication slip to the nurse. The nurse in charge told her to wait while she collects her medication. She nodded and took a seat nearby waiting for her name to be called up. After collecting and paying them at the cashier, Miriallia was about to leave when she heard her name being called.

"Miriallia?!" the brunette turned when she heard a familiar voice. She was surprised to see Pedro came running towards her and gave her a hug. "I'm so glad that you are alright".

"Pe-Pedro? What's going on?" Miriallia asked. "What are you doing here?"

The brunette man broke their embrace and examines her. "It seems that you are fine", he said. "Do you know how worried we were when we heard about the explosion? We were worried sick about you". He hugs her again, this time lightly. "We were all so worried about you".

"Thank you Pedro" she said and hugs him back. Wait a minute? Shouldn't this time of the year is where the publishing is filled with heaps of work? "Have you finished with your supposed work yet?" she asked. Pedro flinched and laughed nervously. I guess not. "Thank you for coming here today Pedro, but I think its best for you back to the office and get your work done before Kristy found out you were gone".

Pedro smiled warmly and said, "Thank you for your concern Miriallia. At least let me accompany you home. You need a ride back right?"

Miriallia shook her head and said, "Someone came to pick me up today. He's waiting by the front right now".

"Someone?" he asked. "Is it the young Admiral?"

"No! He is an old friend of mine and also Athrun's friend", she said and smiled. "Maybe I should introduce you to him. Come, he is wanting at the front porch".

Miriallia pulled him along without waiting for his reply. She saw Dearka was waiting in the black sedan when they walk out. She waved at him and he nodded, driving the car over. She saw a flicker of something close to surprised cross Pedro's face, but it was gone when he looks at her.

I must have imagining things, she thought.

Dearka stop in front of them and got out from the car. He greeted Miriallia and turn to look at the person standing beside her. "Ms. Miriallia, this is-"

"This is Pedro Roussier, a colleague of mine at the publishing company I'm working at. Pedro has been taking care of me on my early days as a photographer", Miriallia explained with a smile. "Pedro, this is Dearka Elsman. He's an old friend of mine and he's also a close friend to Athrun".

She saw a flicked of something close to anger cross Dearka's face this time, but it was gone the next moment again. I must be really seeing things now, she thought.

Dearka stepped forwards and extended his arm. "How do you do Mr. Roussier? I'm Dearka".

"Ah! Right. Nice to meet you too Mr. Elsman. Just call me Pedro", he said and accepted Dearka's hand. "Thank you for taking care of Miria while she's in the hospital".

"It's my pleasure Mr. Pedro and please, just called me Dearka", he said. "Ms. Miriallia is a friend after all".

Pedro gave them a puzzled look and asked, "Why are you addressing Miria so formally when you guys are close friend?"

Miriallia gave him a sad smiled and said, "That's because Dearka is suffering from amnesia. He has forgotten most of his past".

"That's terrible", Pedro said in a shocking manner. Miriallia was surprised when she heard Pedro used this time. "Is there something I could help?" he asked, sincerely.

Am I imagining things or did I knock my head too hard from my concussion? She thought. Pedro is acting differently from his usual self.

"It's alright Mr. Pedro. I'm recovering slowly from my amnesia after I began to stay in Orb. Thank you for your concern", he said. Dearka looks at Miriallia and ask, "Should we get going Ms. Miriallia? You still have your deadline to catch, haven't you?"

"Right, I still need to make some calls later", Miriallia exclaimed. She totally forgot about her deadline. "Then I'll see you soon Pedro. Please inform Kristy that I'll see her as soon as the draft photos are done".

Pedro nodded. "I'll inform Kristy for you".

Miriallia got onto the front passenger seats and strapped her seatbelt on and winds the window down. "You had better get back soon before Kristy finds out you are gone Pedro".

"I will, have a save trip home Miriallia, Dearka", he replies.

Dearka nodded and release the handbrake. He steps on the pedal and drove out of the hospital area. He stops at the exit junction and asked, "Were do you want to have lunch Ms. Miriallia?"

"You decided Dearka", she said while looking through her phone's contact list. "I need to make some call for my work".

Dearka sighs and nodded.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Athrun is currently going through Cagalli's schedule and her military routine with Kisaka before she makes her rounds checks at the military base later today. Kisaka took this opportunity to pass him Cagalli's needs documents and it is his responsibility to get her approval and sign. And today is no different from his other days.

"And here are the documents that Cagalli has to look through", Kisaka said and gave him the file. "Here are the ones she requested for her next meeting and here is a document for you Athrun"

"Me?" Athrun said and he took the files. He looks at the one that needed his attention. "Shouldn't you be the one to handle all the important documents Kisaka?" he asked.

"This is something different", Kisaka explained and opens the file. "This ones needs both of our signatures, as admirals, before we could pass on as a notice".

Athrun gave him a puzzled look. "Is it really that important?" he asked and took and read it. He was shocked. "The Earth Alliance wants us to import Metalium Metal from the PLANTs?" he exclaimed. "That's not something we can do without the PLANTs Supreme Council's acknowledgement. This is outrageous".

Kisaka nodded. "That's why I wanted to hear your opinion about this before we hand this in over to Cagalli and Lacus".

"I see!" he replies. "I think it would be the best to discuss this matter with the both of them before we could do anything. It would be a good idea to compare all our opinion and see that Orb will not come in harm if this transaction is approved".

"it seems that you are getting used to your work now Athrun", Kisaka smiled. Athrun gave him a confused look. "Forget what I just said. I'll make some spare copies for our next meeting. Do you know when Kira and Lacus will be coming back?"

"I know that why I want to hear your opinion before we could, he said.

Kisaka smiled and said, "I know you will say that.

Athrun nodded. "He sent me a mail earlier and said that they will be coming the day after next", he said. "He told me to inform Mwu about it as well".

"Well I better get back to my rounds before Cagalli gets here", he said, and began to clear up his thinks. Athrun gave him a helping hand as usual. "Thank you for your time Athrun. I'll be waiting at the main control room later on".

"Understood Admiral Kisaka", Athrun said and salute.

"At ease Admiral", he said and both of them shared a laugh before Kisaka left the room.

Athrun was left alone in his office dealing with his students grades and some other information concerning about the facilities in the academy. He is also filing up some of the documents that the academy has prepared for Cagalli to view. And on his evil side, he has also file up some work for Kira while he was here with Lacus.

That's a good thought but no doubt he will finished them in one night and hand it in the next day, he thought depressed. He really didn't change much since Preparatory School.

Athrun shook his head when he thought about Kira's smile when he hands in his paper work. "I would end up with more work in the end", he sighed.

"Ding Dong, you got a new mail", Athrun turn his attention to his desk PC when he heard the call.

I wonder who could it be, he thought. He enters into his mailbox and found it that it was empty. That's odd? There's no mail in here. He then looks at the icon once more and found out that the call was from his personal account. Athrun access into it quickly and saw the mail from an unnamed sender. He was surprised to see who the sender was.

Athrun,

The Junk Guild will be making a stop at the Morgenroete for a little check up for the ReHOME. I hope you will allow us to enter the water area without a problem. We will be arriving tomorrow at noon and there's something I wish to discuss with you and Kira in private. Something important that concern both Dearka's and Miriallia's life and death situation.

Lowe Gear.

"This is no good. Not good at all", Athrun said, as single sweat fall from his temples to his chin.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dearka was looking through his menu when a certain brunette man with hazel eyes crosses through his thoughts.

Pedro Roussier, that guy seems familiar, he thought. Where I have seen him before? Have I met him before from my past or is it someone that I have just met recently? Man, at times like this I really wish I could my memories back, Dearka thought, while ruffling his hair.

He was glad when the brunette opposite him did not noticed his frustrated look just a moment ago. Mr. Pedro seems like a friendly but somehow, he gave me a weird feeling. It's like he's hiding beneath a mask or something. I better warn Ms. Miriallia about him. My instinct tells me that he might be someone dangerous. He looks up from his menu and saw the brunette was smiling at him. He blushed slightly upon seeing her smile.

"Are you having a fever Dearka? Your face is red", she asked. Miriallia's question took him by surprised and he could only shake his head as his answer. "I see. Well, are you ready to order?"

Dearka smile and put his menu down. "It's alright! Ladies first, like they always says".

Miriallia was surprised by his gesture and nodded. "I would like a B-set meal please", Miriallia said to the waiter who is now taking their order. "What about you Dearka?"

Dearka looks through menu and said, "Then I'll have the D-set meal", he said and gave his menu to the waiter. "Could you pack the Kebabs and chili sauce for me as a take-away?" the waiter nodded as he jotted down their last order. "Thank you!"

"I never knew you like kebabs Dearka?" she asked amusingly.

"The kebabs are not mine Ms. Miriallia", he answered. "They are for the princess when she comes for her regular rounds at the Military base".

"And did you come to know her favorite food then?" Miriallia asked jealously.

The blond coordinator was surprised when he sense jealousy in her tone. "I was ordered to buy them", he said. Miriallia gave him a puzzled look. "Athrun asked me to buy some kebabs back if I wish to borrow his car today. That was the condition he gave me. You don't really think he would let me borrowed it for free, don't you?"

"I never thought Athrun was a calculative person", she said surprisingly.

Dearka laughed and said, "People changes with their surroundings, especially Athrun. He has been through a lot to become what he is today. Or maybe the princess plays a huge role in it".

The brunette laughed. "I guess so. Cagalli does have the ability to change someone", she said. "Are you in a hurry to go back to the Military base later Dearka?"

Dearka check his time before he answers, "I still have before reporting back. I need to be back before the princess made her rounds. Do you need to go somewhere?"

Miriallia nodded. "I was thinking of going back to the Co and Ed and visit the guys while chatting with my manager about my deadline".

"Didn't Mr. Pedro say he would deliver your message to your manager?" he asked.

"I'm afraid Pedro might be too busy to see my manager", Miriallia said and laughed. "I'm sure he's sitting in front of his desk right now, trying his best to finish his pile of work as soon as possible. Pedro is too kind for his own good"

Dearka felt hurt in his chest, like someone was crushing his heart when he hears Miriallia speaks of Pedro in a friendly way. He did not know why he has this kind of feeling but it just did and it hurt really badly.

Should I tell her what I felt about that man? She seems to convince that he's a nice guy. But this is concerning her welfare, her safety as well; Dearka was having a hard time deciding whether to tell or not. He's afraid that Miriallia might think of him as a jerk and he does not what that to happen. I do not care how she thinks of me when it comes to her safety.

"Ms. Miriallia there's something I-"

He stops when he felt someone was looking at them. He looks around his surrounding trying to identify the source of this feeling.

"Is there something wrong Dearka?" she asked, looking really worried. "You seem to look rather pale suddenly. Are you having a headache?"

Dearka was about to answer her when he noticed that someone behind her was aiming at them with a pistol. The next second, he leaps up from his seat and tackled the brunette to the ground. Next the sound of gunshots tore through the air. He quickly pulled her towards the back of the fallen table and pushed her head down.

"Are you alright Miriallia?" Dearka asked the brunette. She nodded and he smiled.

Miriallia wanted to ask something but stop when the café beside them exploded. A missile exploded inside the café. The customers and pedestrians screamed in fear as they ran for cover. Dearka was contemplating the situation when it suddenly quiet down. He could see fear in the brunette's eyes and he assured her with a pat on her head. "Dearka?"

He nodded and decided to peek over the table. He quickly ducked back down to avoid the bullets that are now coming destroying their wooden shield.

"What's going on Dearka?" Miriallia asked, as she clutched closer to the blond man. "Is this a terrorist attack?"

"I don't know. It could just be a riot of some kind", he reply. He look at Miriallia with a concern look and said, "Please stay low and stay behind here for now Ms. Miriallia. I'll get back to you in a minute".

"Dearka!? Wait-"

Dearka jumped out from behind the table, ignoring Miriallia's call and grabbed onto the stray board and sent it flying towards his attackers. He landed on his back and quickly rolled over towards the next table shielding him from the next wave of bullets. The blond coordinator took out his pistol from his shoulder holster, unlocks the trigger and got into position for attack.

Once he saw the right moment, Dearka jumped out from his cover, took aim and fire three times. His shots have gotten three attackers and the remaining began to flee from the scene. He has wanted to go after them but a stinging pain from his leg stop him from doing so. He looks down and saw that one of the bullets had gotten him without him realizing it.

"The instructor is going to give me a scolding if he saw me with this wound now", he chuckled and sat down.

"Dearka", the blond man look up and saw the brunette came running towards him. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine Ms. Miriallia. One of the bullets got me by the leg that's all", he said. He tries to get up but the pain was too much for him to handle and he was forced to sit down once again. "I guess I have to see the doctor for this".

"That's not something to laugh about you idiot", Miriallia's outburst surprised him. Tears were now falling from the brunette's cheek. "Do you know how worried I was when you just rushed out like that? I thought I was going to lose you".

Dearka smiled and wipe her tears away with his hand. "I'm sorry if I worried you that much".

Miriallia saw his warm smile. "You idiot!" she said.

"I know! I guess now we are even eh?" he joked and gave her a cheeky smile.

Miriallia saw his grin and began to hit him for his cruel joke. Dearka was laughing while shielding himself from her attack. Dearka might be in pain but he is filled with joy because he has protected the female he cares about the most and that's what it counts.

I'm going to protect her with my life mother, he thought. I promise I'll bring her back to the PLANTs to see you one day.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

While Dearka and Miriallia were enjoying their little charade down below, the mastermind of this attack was monitoring them closely from the opposite building. He clenched the binocular till his knuckles turned white and threw it onto the ground.

"Those useless fools, they could not even do a simple job", he said as he move back a few step from the edge. "There's no way I can report back to the boss like this. I'm going to be killed for sure".

"You can just forget about this mission like it never happen at all Pedro". He was surprised when he heard a familiar voice. "You can continue on with your plan without reporting to the boss about it".

He turned around and saw a blond woman standing by the door. "You!?" he said furiously. "What are you doing here?"

"Monitoring your progress", she said as she played with her blond hair. She smiled and walked pass him and approached the edge to see the situation below. "I see that you have failed yet again. What do you say? I can help keep a secret".

"And risk you having it against me? I think not", he said and raised his gun at her. "Since you have seen my failure, I could not afford you to live".

The blond female looks at him and laughed amusingly. "You think you can kill me? You have yet succeeded in killing once Pedro", she said. Pedro's trembling finger was at the trigger, ready to fire at any time. "You know I mean you no harm my friend. I am sincerely here to give you a helping hand".

Hesitating at first, then he finally lower his gun and glare at the female. "What is your condition then?"

The female smiled evilly and said, "Your body".

"WHAT?!" he exclaimed

"If you died after your next plan, I will get to claim your dead body for my own use. Of course, if you live then you can keep you body and I will not tell the boss about your failure today. What do you say?" she said extending her hand for a handshake. "You got more benefit in then I do".

Pedro thinks for a while before accepting her hand. "Fine, you have yourself a deal".

The blond female smiled evilly and said, "A pleasure doing business with you Pedro Roussier".

== Continue in chapter 14 ==

A/N: That's then end for this chapter. I can't do any promises but I will try my best to upload the next chapter as soon as I can. Thank you for reading!