A/N1: My dear readers. I apologise for only having a single chapter ready for you after such a long wait but last week there was a family emergency and I haven't had the drive to finish the second chapter since. Luckily this one was already finished so I decided that I'd rather put it up instead of it waiting for the next chapter to be finished. I have tried to go through it with a fine tooth comb to fish out the errors but I'm unsure as to whether I was thorough enough as this is going up un beta'd. Hopefully I'll get my inspiration back soon. In happier news, Sunshine02 has kindly volunteered to translate Mou Ichido into French as I lack the grammar and vocabulary to do so myself. Thank you to them!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything but the plot.

Warning: This is a completely different type of chapter...as least I think so :)

Bim ar thoir an comhartha
Scaoileas m'anam saor
Caithfidh mo chroi a bheith glan
Roimh siochan theacht chum
Ni leanfaidh mo Bhrn
Is bim sasta le mo ghra
Guim comhartha chabhreoidh liom
M a chomhlionadh

The first thing that Nicol and Yzak registered after the brunette coordinator took their hands was the feeling of being in free fall. The world around them had blurred as they were transported to their new destination. As they fell they then heard the singing which vaguely resembled chanting. It surrounded them in that place between worlds, the sound both comforting and haunting.

When the scene cleared the two pilots found themselves standing in a field, Kira between them. Further in front of them, they saw the pink haired songstress seated on the grass with her back towards them. Her head was turned to the heavens and her eyes were closed, listening to the music that surrounded them.

Bim ar thoir an comhartha
Scaoileas m'anam saor
Caithfidh mo chroi a bheith glan
Roimh siochan theacht chum
Si an ghaoth do ghuth
Si an bhaisteach do dheora
Grian, do chroi ar las
Do spiorad mo shlanu

Lacus opened her eyes as the last strains of the instrumental faded away. Sensing that she was no longer alone, she turned and her eyes widened at seeing the three standing there.

"Oh dear," she cried "I didn't mean for this to happen."

Nicol released Kira's hand and stepped forward "Good evening Ms Clyne; could you please perhaps explain to us where we are? Kira thought that we needed to hear you sing. Seems he was right; it was wonderful."

Lacus turned her attention to the smaller boy, who was looking around curiously; seemingly not bothered by the fact that they were no longer in the meeting room. "I'm afraid this is my fault," she admitted with a slight giggle "I'd forgotten that there was another person close by who'd be directly influenced when I did this." She motioned for them to take a seat.

"Hello Kira, Mr Joule," Lacus greeted once the other teens had joined her "Kira, I'm sorry for drawing you here; I'd forgotten, to be honest, when I started meditating."

"What happened Lacus, did I do something wrong?" the brown-haired boy asked worriedly "I was with Athrun and then there's a blank before I was here with Nicol and Yzak."

Lacus blushed before giving the slight boy a hug in apology. Kira flinched but didn't move away from her.

"Oh I am so embarrassed," she admitted once she'd released her companion. "You see this is a place where harmonics can come to sing freely without affecting the people around them. The problem is that other harmonics can be drawn in so we're told to only enter the meditation late at night when most people are asleep. It's not so bad to be drawn in from a dream but I'm told it's quite unsettling when one is awake. I've been the only harmonic in the area for a long time however and I've been bending the rules a bit," here Lacus blushed again "I have been practising much earlier than we are told to start. At the time, I didn't realise that Kira would be drawn if I did so and for that I must apologise. Truly I did not mean for this to happen; Athrun must be so worried."

"What song were you singing when we appeared Ms Clyne?" Yzak asked after it seemed like the explanation had finished "It was both warm and chilling."

"It's called Sigma. I wrote it as a song that's meant to calm the soul of its troubles. Usually I sing it before bed to ensure a peaceful night, for myself and for others who might be around, or before practise to clear my mind."

"Others?" Kira asked curiously

Lacus smiled "Oh yes, sometimes I'll meet the other harmonics here if our meditations have happened to coincide. Usually we're far away enough from each other to not be disturbed in our practises but sometimes they'll ask me to sing Sigma to close the meditation sessions and ensure a peaceful rest."

The two mobile suit pilots exchanged baffled glances but took her word for it. The four sat in silence, considering the situation, before Lacus jumped to her feet; pulling a startled Kira up with her. "Come on, we might as well have some fun while we're here."

"We need to be getting back actually," Yzak interjected with a raised brow "we were at a council meeting."

Lacus pouted at the white-haired boy "Please, it won't take very long. And I really want you all to have a chance to play while you're here."

Yzak sighed in exasperation. Under the onslaught of puppy dog eyes and with a feeling that he was going to regret this, he relented.

"Lacus what do you want us to do?" Kira asked as the girl led them down a short path. His hand was still firmly clasped in hers and it didn't seem like the songstress was going to let go any time soon. "Where are we going?"

"There's an area where we'll be able to have some fun without disturbing anyone who's here practising. As to what we're going to do," she stopped and faced the three boys "we're going to make some music, sillies. I know you're all particularly sensitive to music otherwise you'd never have been able to come here. I've never done this before because everyone else is quite a bit older than me so I'm going to take advantage of my mistake."

"But the council…" Yzak started again. Lacus stilled his protests and continued to drag the three boys to the shielded area."

The glade that they stopped at didn't look too different from where they'd arrived but both Lacus and Kira shivered when they stepped onto the grass. The Duel pilot figured that they'd felt the protection, seeing as they were the ones with the ability to project.

"So, since Mr Joule and Mr Amalfi are not harmonics they can't play solos." Lacus looked a bit put out before brightening again "but we can always do duets or group pieces. This is going to be so much fun! Music sounds slightly different here and I've always wanted to try my hand at doing this for something other than practise." Lacus said enthusiastically. Nicol and Kira smiled at her exuberance while Yzak crossed his arms.

"Do you play an instrument Ms Clyne?" Nicol asked politely. He was enjoying spending time with the pink-haired girl, even if her energy at the moment was slightly draining.

"Please, call me Lacus," she replied taking his hand between two of hers "and yes, daddy asked me to learn the saxophone. I don't play it often because I prefer to sing so I keep it in daddy's office; the one that's not too far from the conservatory."

Nicol grinned before giving a sweeping bow "would you do me the honour of performing a duet with me for our friends?"

Lacus laughed before positioning her hands as if holding a saxophone. They watched in wonder as the instrument materialised between them. "The honour is mine," she said cheekily. "Just position yourself as if you are about to play and the instrument will materialise."

While the two musicians were getting prepared, Kira turned to the white-haired pilot beside him; curious about his friend's stoic team mate. "Athrun never mentioned that you played an instrument," the brown-haired boy said shyly.

"Well Zala doesn't know everything about me now does he?" Yzak answered gruffly. Kira flinched at his tone and turned away with a quiet "sorry,"

Yzak shook his head and silently berated himself for scaring the other boy after telling him that he had no reason to be scared of him "hey don't be like that. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to take my annoyance out on you."

Kira nodded slightly but didn't turn back towards his companion. Yzak sighed and drew his knees up, resting his head on them. "The main reason no one knows is because I haven't played in a very long time. Years in fact."

The brunette coordinator turned his head, confusion showing on his face. Yzak held up a hand, stalling his questions. "I stopped when my teacher was murdered. After her funeral, I couldn't bring myself to play my violin…so I left it."

Yzak closed his eyes, not knowing why he'd admitted this to the smaller teen. Truthfully, he was hoping that Lacus didn't insist he play; this close to Carmen's anniversary, he didn't have the strength to even pick up the instrument his teacher had loved so. A touch to his arms drew his attention to his team mate's fiancé. Kira looked at him, face blank but eyes shining with sincerity. "She wouldn't have wanted you to stop because of her." he said simply before turning back to their other friends who'd announced that they were ready.

The white haired pilot also turned his attention back to the two musicians as they introduced the song, Kira's words repeatedly running through his head.

The first song that the two played reminded Yzak of a lullaby, a tale of safety and love eternal, unconditional. Lacus' slender fingers danced across the instrument she played while Nicol's piano accompaniment gently led her through the piece. The two were magnificent together; neither detracting from the other's skill and Yzak knew that his green-haired team mate would want to play with the songstress again.

The second song was more playful but just as beautiful as the last. It reminded Yzak of the song that had played for one of the last dances he had shared with Carmen, at another of his mother's parties where they'd performed together. Even at that young age, Yzak had known how to dance and had led his mentor through an enjoyable Viennese waltz.

Beside him, Kira swayed gently; a small smile gracing his face. Once again, the smaller boy's words came back and deep down, Yzak knew that the woman he had loved like a sister would not have wanted him to stop playing.

Kira clapped as the two bowed; the instruments having disappeared when they had changed position. Lacus bounded over and sat next to the brunette, leaving Nicol to close the circle they found themselves seated in.

"Please sing for us Kira," Lacus asked once they were settled. "You sang so beautifully the last time I heard you."

"Nothing like what he sang this evening with Athrun," Nicol said playfully as their brunette friend blushed furiously "he sang like a true heavy metal rock star; powerful, raw and uncontained"

"You saw that?" Kira asked in quiet horror. "But we'd left the room"

"The commander reconnected the stream when he noticed that the two of you had snuck out." Yzak clarified with a smirk.

Kira blushed again, even as Lacus squealed and turned a pair of pleading eyes his way "I won't sing that song but I'll sing another, it's a favourite of one of my friends from ORB" he relented

Following his pink-haired friend's instructions, Kira was soon cradling an acoustic guitar in his lap. The brunette strummed the strings a few times to test the tuning before starting

In the morning when you wake up

Open your eyes to a new day

Look around at the gifts you've got

You've been so lucky along the way
Time to finish what you've begun

Have the faith, you're the one

Throw your hat high - up to the sun

Now you face your greatest test

Use the lessons that you've learned

Your goal is to be the best

And claim the prize that you've earned
Ever since you were a young man

You've kept your eye on the master plan

To reach for the top - and touch the sky
It's your destiny

To spread your wings and fly

You can do it if you really try

You can do it if you really try

Spread your wings and learn to fly

You can do it if you really, really try

Keep movin' forward to stay alive

Trust your heart and you'll survive

Follow your dreams, never let them die
It's your destiny

To spread your wings and fly

You can do it if you really try (You can do it…)

You can do it if you really try (Spread your wings…)

Spread your wings and learn to fly (Learn to fly…)

You can do it if you really, really try

You can do it if you really try (You've got the power)

You can do it if you really try (Just open your eyes…)

Reach for the top and touch the sky

You can do it

You can do it

Reach for the top and touch the sky

Trust you heart and you'll survive

Spread your wings and learn to fly

Follow your dreams

You can do it

You can do it if you really try

You can do it if you really try

Spread your wings and learn to fly

You can do it if you really, really try

"Yzak, are you alright?" Nicol's worried voice broke through the haze he had fallen into. Lacus and Nicol were looking at him in concern while Kira looked stricken; the guitar having de-materialised once the teen's hands had let go. Feeling something wet on his face; Yzak raised a hand to his cheek, surprised to feel tears.

"I'm fine," the Duel pilot said in what he hoped was a reassuring voice "please do excuse me for a moment."

"I'm sorry," Kira's quiet voice came from behind him "I wouldn't have sung if I knew I was going to upset you."

Yzak turned to look at the petite boy before turning back to staring at the sky "It's not your fault." The white-haired pilot tried to reassure "It's me that has the problem."

Kira moved to sit next to where Yzak lay hesitantly. "Are you really okay?" he asked concerned "I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No, it's just very close; I haven't been myself for a while." Yzak admitted. At Kira's questioning look he elaborated "the anniversary of my teacher's death."

"What was she like?" Kira asked.

Yzak was silent for a while "From what Athrun's told us; she was just like you."

Kira gave him a startled look to which Yzak gave a small laugh "she was gentle and kind with a love for music that I sometimes could not comprehend. She took such good care of me and not just during our lessons. She'd visit often, just to spend time with me and she pushed me into not just playing the violin but 'producing music' as she'd often put it. Truly, I loved her like an older sister." Here Yzak's voice turned bitter "Then her asshole of a boyfriend killed her, in cold blood; and just because she was not yet ready for marriage. That monster took away one of the best people this universe has ever seen because he was impatient. I hate him; especially since he felt no remorse for what he had done. He boasted at his trial that it she deserved it for having the audacity to reject him"

"She wouldn't have wanted you to stop though," Kira repeated, once more placing a hand on Yzak's arm, trying to provide some measure of comfort.

Yzak sighed sadly "I know but like I said, I didn't have the strength to continue without her. Mainly, I didn't want to taint my memories of her and the songs we played with my bitterness. I knew that would be the primary emotion that would lace my music if I ever played again."

"You wouldn't do that," Kira argued "You loved her too much to allow that to happen."

"I didn't want to risk it."

They sat in silence, thoughts heavy. Faint strains of Nicol at the piano followed by Lacus' saxophone gave Kira an idea to try and help his new friend.

"Why don't you play a tribute to her for the anniversary? Something to let her know that you'll never forget her and that you love her." He suggested gently. "Athrun and I sang for Auntie Lenore on Shunbun no Hi"

"It's been so long though," Yzak protested

"Well, this is a place to practise so let's practise!" Kira said happily, glad that his idea hadn't been rejected "we might have to go back to Lacus and Nicol though; I don't think this area is shielded."

Yzak grinned at the younger boy's new enthusiasm and stood, offering a hand up. They made their way to their two friends who looked relieved upon seeing them.

"Thank goodness, I was a bit worried." Lacus said with a small smile. "You guys will probably need to head back soon. We have time for one more song I think."

"Mind if I give it a try?" Yzak asked, cautious.

Nicol looked surprised while Lacus squealed again "Let me show you how it works."

With the violin in his hands, Yzak was having second thoughts. He had asked Kira to accompany him on the piano after finding that he knew Carmen's song; apparently a favourite of one of his female friends. Lacus and Nicol seemed to be bursting in anticipation but he had warned them that he hadn't played in a very long time and not to expect much.

"Nonsense," Lacus said with a grin "It'll be perfect."

Kira turned to look at him, waiting for the indication to begin. Seeing his smile, the same smile he used to see on Carmen when she anticipated playing, erased the doubts and he nodded for the brunette to begin.

The bow felt rigid and foreign in his hand as he slowly bowed in time with the piano. Automatically, he corrected his positioning over the shaft and suddenly it felt like an extension of his being rather than a part of an instrument.

Letting himself relax into the song, he caressed the instrument; fingers drawing pathways on the strings as the song reached a crescendo.

The bow glided smoothly over the strings as they slowly made their way through the piece. Sometimes he'd tangle his fingers, having forgotten some areas of the fingering but he continued playing until the song reached its climax.

Here he gave poured everything he was feeling into the music, remembering how Carmen smiled when they reached this part of the song.

His hair fell into his face as the song drew to a close; obstructing his view. He didn't see his friends' awe-struck faces or the landscape fading away. He was downing in the feeling of the violin, in playing Carmen's song. He let his hands fall away, grateful that Kira had convinced him to pick up the instrument one more time.

It was this feeling that had him scooping up the sleeping teen and carrying him to the chairman's car; a puzzled Athrun following him.

He took the neglected case out once he was back in his room; opening it and running his fingers lightly down the instrument inside. Carefully lifting it from its resting place, Yzak moved to stand in front of his window, bow raised.

As the first notes of the Chopin's Nocturne echoed around the room, one thought ran through the young pilot's mind before he lost himself in the music.

Thank you Kira.

Behind him, he didn't see the door creep close.

A/N 2: Before people start complaining I'd like to explain why everyone was more OOC in this chapter than usual. The song that Lacus sang is called Sigma by Secret Garden and roughly translates as thus:

I search for the sign
That will set my soul free
My heart must be pure
So that I can find peace
My grief cannot last forever
My love will be fulfilled
I pray a sign will help me
Be all that I can be

I search for the sign
That will set my soul free
My soul must be pure
So that I can find peace
The wind is your voice
The rain is your tears
You burning heart
And spirit is my salvation

I mentioned that Lacus uses this to ensure a peaceful rest. This is because I have intended this song to allow one to let go of one's inhibitions; the things that might keep one from being who they truly are or the guilt and worries one might have during the day. Of course it's not perfect; but one is more one's true self after having listened to the song and taken its meaning to heart thus allowing for some peace; hence good night's sleep. This also has the effect of Yzak being more open and less rough/prickly, Kira being less frightened/traumatised and Lacus being more bubbly and excitable. Nicol I unfortunately didn't give much screen time mainly because I just don't have a good grasp on his personality yet.

The songs played/mentioned in order are:

Sigma- Secret Garden; Miracles- Kenny G; Loving You- Kenny G; You can do it- John Loeffller, Giorni Dispari- Ludovico Einaudi and Nocturne in C sharp minor no. 20- Frederic Chopin.

Forgive me as well if my description of playing the saxophone and violin are off. I'm a pianist and have tried to get a feel for the manner of playing these instruments by watching performances on youtube. Also I have never seen the sheet music for these songs apart from the piano sheets for Miracles and Giorni Dispari so I couldn't draw from that either. And if Yzak is too easily convinced to play again then…umm…creative license?

Anyway I hope you enjoyed; normal programming to resume in the next chapter.

P.S. While this is some of Carmen's story it's not all of it. I might leave it here or expand on it in later chapters when developing Yzak further as a character. Yay or Nay?