Oh….it's April—no it's May….oops…thank you for your patience and support everyone!
Please Enjoy the long awaited Chapter 25
As it turns out, Lacus was not feeling generous.
"Good night Mr. Yamato!" she called with a wave as she turned and marched to the elevators after watching with much amusement as Kira cursed and ranted, demanding to be let back in.
As much as she played it cool with Kira, there was a turbulent feeling that tumbled within her warning her that something wasn't right. Until she had time later to herself to relax and think about it, she didn't want to speculate too much into his sudden change of tone.
Lacus sighed remembering Kira's glare and stance. His voice was ice cold. He looked too tense. His shoulders looked tense, his jaw was locked in place but it was his eyes which gave Lacus true insight into the depth of his anger. While he appeared to have a passive expression on his face, Kira's amethyst eyes had been coloured with a more violent shade. It was different. It was destructive. And it was deadly. Far from the serene, playful look he had merely an hour ago.
"You had quite a troubling expression on your face" Lacus whispered quietly entering the elevator "I wonder what you were thinking."
'Can I even trust you?' she thought with a frown. She really hated that thought, but she had to confront it. She couldn't discard it or throw it away, and the amount of times the question of whether she trusted the CEO of Archangel came up way too many times for the pink haired girl's liking.
The elevator dinged signaling that she had reached her floor and snapped her from her thoughts.
"What took you so long?" Cagalli asked as Lacus entered the living room.
The pink haired girl looked to the table and noticed that the broken tea cup was gone and the table was clean. Following her gaze Lady Law shrugged "It was the least I could do on behalf of my idiot brother. Speaking of which, where is he?"
"I locked him out" Lacus smiled and glanced at the other occupants of the room. Auel, Luna and Shinn appeared to be in a deep conversation, while Cagalli was lounging on the recliner on her phone.
"Sorry about that everyone" Lacus said and went back to her seat on the sofa, "Now shall we reconvene?" she picked up her notebook and pen and looked to Lunamaria.
"I'm curious, how many times have you entered Terminal's premises and for what reasons?"
Luna paused to think, her pause had sent knots to Lacus' stomach, and she knew nothing good could come from a long pause such as that.
"A few times" Luna answered casually.
Cagalli leaned forward "A few times as in? Give us a number, and we need exact dates and purposes."
Luna sighed "I can't remember the exact number but I have all the text messages in my phone. I do remember going there for recon a few times, and then there was this one time I was sent there to place some sort of certificate in Lacus's office before she arrived."
It was as if Shinn was doused with cold water "What!" he stood up, startling everyone in the room.
"Shinn, sit down" Cagalli commanded, not liking the look of pure rage on the young man's face.
"Calm down? Calm down! How can I do that when I'm sitting face to face with the person who almost ran me over!"
Lacus' eyes widened as she gasped, 'This girl is responsible for that?'
Luna flinched at his tone, but froze when she met his eyes. They were blazing red, and full of anger, "I-I didn't mean too!" she cried out.
"The hell you didn't mean too! You could have almost killed me with your recklessness" Shinn yelled.
Cagalli gritted her teeth not liking the way things were playing out "Auel! Restrain him and take him outside or to the balcony, we can't have Shinn scaring our witness."
At her order, Auel jumped up.
"Don't bother" Shinn snapped shaking off Auel's grip on his shoulder "I'm getting out of here" he announced heading to the door.
Lacus snapped out of her reverie at his voice and nodded. She sent him a silent look telling him to be careful. Glancing at Luna she send a sympathetic look to the frightened woman, "It's all right Miss. Luna. He's just under a lot of pressure at the moment, but that does not excuse him for his outburst. I apologize on his behalf."
Luna nodded but refrained from commenting.
"Alright then," Lacus said with a click of her pen "I think we're done for today—"
"No! Let's continue" Lunamaria insisted.
Lacus eyed the girl as if silently asking if she was certain. Seeing not a trace of hesitance Lacus continued on with her questioning.
"What more has Ms. Allster plan to have you do?"
Luna shifted uncomfortably and recollected her thoughts before carefully speaking "We predicted that you would probably stay away from Mr. Yamato because you and your friends were threatened. It appeared that you were startled by the knife—"
"Ah, yes, that" a chill went down Lacus' spine as she remembered that night.
"And from the looks of it," Luna continued "it really must have left you shaken, especially by your outburst the other day."
Lacus' lips turn into a frown for a second before her expression went back to neutral.
"I did not plant the knife there" the magenta haired girl said earnestly "but you should probably look through you CCTV footage, and if it is not me, Flay or Durandal then most likely Flay has another operative out there and you need to catch them" Luna paused and shot a nervous glance at Lady Law.
Cagalli caught the look "What?" she asked cocking an eyebrow.
"There's more" Luna looked down at her hands.
"Figures" Cagalli blew out a breath "Well?"
"She also planned to have you break up your relation with Zala, by fabricating this story—a story which she got Meyrin—my sister involved in" the magenta haired girl finished bitterly.
Lacus sent a sympathetic look at Luna, "You were acting under duress, it couldn't be helped. Your sister's involvement too was not of her own doing, am I correct?"
"Yes" Luna choked out.
"Thank you all for coming. Miss. Lunamaria we shall be in touch with you shortly but as of now, I suggest you stick close to Auel. I would offer to have you here but you need to be in a secure place and from what I can tell, Cagalli and I are currently targets being watched and I do not want to jeopardize you or your sister's safety."
"What!" Auel jumped up.
Luna opened her mouth to speak—an objection was on the tip of her tongue when Lacus cut her off.
"If there is another operative in the field and we don't know about this person you too could also be a target. Is there any way you can get your sister to take off a couple days of work or perhaps" Lacus looked to Auel "Is there a way we can get her sister a bodyguard?"
The blue haired boy inhaled deeply "I guess it's possible, maybe Miguel could watch out for her. Let me just double check with him" he said adding emphasis on 'double check' as he sent Lacus a sharp look.
Catching his gaze Lacus replied with a sheepish look "Who wants more tea? Auel, would you mind helping me? The tea bags are out of my reach."
"Whatever you say Lacus, since you asked so nicely."
"I'm sorry to impose this on you" Lacus blurted out as soon as they were in the kitchen "But it was the only thing I could think of at the moment!"
Auel smiled "I was just messing with you."
Lacus' eyes lit up and she "Reall—"
"But" Auel interjected causing her eyes to dim a bit, "you have to pay me extra, you're asking me to harbour a speed demon—one whom I feel will try to murder me in my sleep."
"Oh she's not that bad" Lacus chided, swatting him in the arm.
Auel yawned "Alright Lacus, I'll play ball. I'm going to head home now, I'm tired. That princess in there really gave me a tough time chasing her down" he stretched and he pulled Lacus in for a hug "Night Pinky!"
"Auel!" she laughed and hugged him back "You haven't called me that in years—I still don't like that name" she reminisced with a frown.
Cagalli sighed tiredly as she pulled into her driveway, "What a night!" she exclaimed tiredly stepping out of her car.
"Hey there good lookin'" came a lazy voice from her porch steps.
"Hold up!" Cagalli froze "What are you doing here? You know that's creepy right?"
"Can't I visit my girlfriend?"
"Funny," Cagalli snorted "I don't remember agreeing to become your girlfriend" she paused thoughtfully "again."
Athrun laughed "Want me to wake you up at sunset again and confess?"
Cagalli blanched and sighed moving to sit beside him, "That won't be necessary" she said leaning on him and resting her head on his shoulder.
Athrun smiled "You sure? I could probably come up with another cool way to do it" he chuckled twirling a paper airplane in his hand.
Cagalli looked at the paper airplane in his hand and remembered the pile of them still in her backyard. As she was about to tell him he'd better pick them up, Athrun spoke up.
"How about we go out tomorrow?"
"Sure" Cagalli yawned "But this still doesn't mean that I'm your girlfriend."
"No?" Athrun said resting his head on hers, her words said one thing but her actions said another—he was more inclined to believe her actions "So then what does this mean?" he asked.
"Just that I'll answer your calls now."
Athrun looked hopefully at her "Am I forgiven?" he asked.
"No."
"Damn it."
After Lacus had practically locked him out, Kira went home. That night he restlessly laid awake in his bed as counterfactual thoughts invaded his mind. The 'What ifs' that crossed his mind were deadly and didn't let him sleep. The next day he sulked over to Athrun's office before his meeting.
"What's with the face?" Kira asked sulkily as he sat on the couch across from Athrun "Did something good happen?" he asked in a bland tone.
"Yeah, Lacus and I have gone back to our truce" Athrun shrugged "Also, Cagalli finally answered my calls."
"That's nice" Kira murmured distractedly.
Athrun furrowed his eyebrows at his friend's reaction "What's up with you? Messed up business deal?"
"No."
"Your mom grounded you again?"
Kira glared "Fuck you Zala, that was one time."
"Kira," Athrun deadpanned "this was during university—Okay, okay" Athrun raised his hands as a sign of surrender "then, what has you so upset?"
Athrun pondered then froze "You got a girl pregnant?"
The brunet ignored his idiot friend, "I think, I scared Lacus" he said quietly.
The President of Infinite sat up straight "You think Lacus Clyne is scared? Of you? Jesus Christ man! What did you do? What did she do? Are you into any strange things that I should know about?" Athrun paused and blanched "On second thought, don't answer."
"Fuck! Athrun get your fucking mind out of whatever fucked up fuckery your fucking imagination has come up with."
A low whistle left Athrun, Kira used the 'F' word too many times in one sentence "Wow, so you're pissed, seriously, what happened?"
"She overheard me talking to Durandal—I never thought she would follow me out."
There was a pause between the companions, with Athrun the first to break it eloquently.
"Fuck."
"I know" Kira grumbled, pinching the bridge of nose.
Trying to look on the bright side the President only saw one. His tone changed from the light hearted playful one to a more serious one "At least, now we can proceed with the plan."
Kira nodded, that at least gave him some solace.
There was a knock on Athrun's door.
A grim look appeared on the two friend's faces "And looks like now you'll have to put your acting skills to the test again" Athrun said somberly.
"You ready?"
Stellar sighed and rolled her eyes. She glared at her reflection in her bedroom mirror and gathered up her purse and bag "You realize that this is not necessary" she commented exiting her bedroom.
Shinn looked up innocently at Stellar as she emerged from the hall "What do you mean?"
Stellar put her hands on her hip "You know, exactly what I mean."
When he didn't answer she rolled her eyes "Shinn! Why do you insist on dropping me and picking me up? You're not my chauffer! You're my boyfriend, not bodyguard! And as much as I love you, I need my space sometimes!" she concluded throwing her hands up in the air as if it would indicate to him how frustrated she was.
Shinn froze by the door "Stellar."
"What!" she exclaimed irately.
He swept her up in his arms "You love me?" he asked, eyes wide.
Stellar blushed, placing her hands on his chest her tried to push herself away from him "Is that the only thing you heard from my rant?"
"Say it again" Shinn requested, drawing her back to him and leaned in close.
"No, now come on! We'll be late for the meeting" Stellar said, cheekily dropping a kiss on his cheek and ran to the car.
Today was a big meeting where they were going to piece together all the clues to see what their next move should be. Stellar was eager to see what would happen next, but at the same time she was a bit nervous. What if she had to go testify in court!
"Now let's recap to see if we have a concrete case" Lacus said eyeing Stellar who was standing beside a whiteboard with a marker readily in her hand, "I think we do but all we need is confirmation from a pre-trial judge."
"Sorry, I'm late" came a familiar voice.
Lacus frowned "Kira, what are you doing here?"
"I thought, I might be able help provide another point of view" he offered with a shrug.
Cagalli look frostily at her brother "Thank you, but that won't be necessary"
Kira grinned and shook his head, dropping down beside Lady Law he threw an arm around her shoulders "Now, if memory serves me right I also was involved in this conundrum."
Cagalli was silent and then snorted "Conundrum? Of all words."
Cagalli looked squarely at Lacus "Now's the time to reveal everything we know. No secrets, everything must be put on the table."
Kira, glanced curiously between the two girls as they shared a silent stare off.
Lacus smiled "Okay then, let me begin from the start. As far as I can tell this all started when we had made a partnership with Ms. Canaver. Mr. Yamato and Mr. Zala, were understandably upset."
Shinn and Cagalli shot a look at Kira, who looked away and coughed.
"However, I believe that their move to sabotage Terminal is what got this ball rolling."
Stellar nodded as she quickly scratched some notes down, "And then?" she asked.
"After that, it was a few days after when we were first visited by Miss. Allster who demanded answers as to why we did this" Lacus had a thoughtful look as she remembered what had happened. Her expression was not lost on Shinn as he busted out laughing.
Kira swiftly elbowed quickly killing whatever comment Shinn was about to voice.
Lacus bit her lip to stop herself from laughing, she actually had wanted to hear what Shinn was going to say. Leaning back in her seat she eyed the yellow notepad in front of her, to prepare for the meeting she had created a timeline to help her map out events which she remembered.
While it was written down she oh so surreptitiously vocally omitted her first meeting with Kira Yamato.
'No need to open that up again' she thought 'it's not that important.'
Lacus looked up and noticed Kira's gaze was trained on her.
'Oh no.'
It was as if he was reading her mind.
"And then shortly after that, I had a meeting with Lacus" the brunet added.
Cagalli sent him a look "Which I still don't understand, why couldn't you just meet with either Shinn or I or at least tell us about the meeting."
"Shinn's not nearly as beautiful as Lacus" Kira grinned wolfishly, sending a wink at Lacus.
The poor girl, coughed into her fist and tried not to meet his eyes while she tried to hide her blush. This action only served to widen Kira's grin.
This display didn't go unnoticed by Cagalli who narrowed her eyes suspiciously "Kira, focus. Stop harassing Lacus or else I'll call security on you" she threatened.
"Anyways" Lacus tried to get everyone back on track "this meeting then what I assume lead to Mr. Yamato buying nearly fifty percent of our shares" she said coolly.
Kira shrugged trying not to show how uncomfortable he was, "Business, babe, it was just business" he replied loosening his tie a bit.
Lacus gasped, how could he act so rakishly in front of everyone like that?
Cagalli jumped up and nearly lunged at her brother "Why you! Kira—"
"Then a news articles were published and then retracted" Kira spoke hurriedly "That was a very low shot at you, describing you as a loud mouth."
"Oh yeah! Those damned stupid excuses for articles! I seriously can't believe Durandal did that!" Cagalli exclaimed "And then had the nerve to publish that quote about me being an incompetent lawyer and a loud mouth! How dare he!" she ranted.
Shinn snickered watching Kira's face pale as he tried to redirect Lady Law's anger elsewhere.
"That was so lame, you trying to play all cool there Casanova" Shinn whispered to his cousin.
"Shut up Shinn" the brunet sulked.
The group powered on trying to piece together the string of events that had led them to that point.
There was the emergence of 'Stellar F.', the attack on Lacus, the infiltration of Terminal and Shinn's hit and run, Lacus' impersonator—who was just Lunamaria, the incident with the knife.
"Knife?" Kira interjected snapping his head to Lacus. Not sparing him a glance the girl shot up from her chair.
Catching his gaze Lacus replied with a sheepish look "Who wants more tea? Um Auel! Would you mind helping me? The tea bags are out of my reach."
Auel furrowed his eyebrows "Sure?" he agreed unsurely.
"I'm sorry to impose this on you" Lacus blurted out as soon as they were in the kitchen "But it was the only thing I could think of at the moment! Anyways! How's Miss. Lunamaria doing?"
Auel shrugged, trying to figure out why Lacus was acting evasive "Can't complain, she made breakfast for me this morning, however, I still do feel that she will try to murder me in my sleep."
"Auel, have some faith in her" Lacus chided, swatting him in the arm.
"So about that tea?" came a third voice making Lacus jump.
Spinning around Lacus saw Kira leaning against the wall a cool expression on his face.
"Oh Kira" Lacus exclaimed "You startled me" she smiled, and then narrowed her eyes when she saw his expression.
'I wonder why he has such an expression' she thought.
Auel yawned "Keep your tie on Yamato it's coming" he stretched and then shot Kira a sly grin as he pulled Lacus in for a hug "You know Pinky, you should come over for dinner sometime. It seems that you only visit me late at night whenever you need me."
"Auel!" she laughed and hugged him back, the double meaning of his words flew passed her, but hit Kira like a truck. "What did I tell you last night? I don't like that name" she cried, unaware of the aghast look and glower that coloured Kira's face.
As each detail was scrutinized Lacus couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. Her office as well, was also a mess. Pictures and paper scattered everywhere, laptop and phone chargers sticking in every available outlet with the wires splayed around the floor like snakes. And to add to her uneasiness Kira was still there and he kept shooting her weird looks!
'I shouldn't be thinking about this now' she chided herself and sighed.
There was a ding that came from Lacus' computer which signalled that she had received a new email "Pardon me" she said quietly.
"Is this it?" Lacus asked slowly, eyeing the email, "Cagalli" she called out to Lady Law "come here for a second. I think you'll want to see this."
Curiously Cagalli made her way to Lacus' desk and watched the screen, her eyes widened.
"Think you can manage it and get it soon?" Lacus asked looking at her friend, a smile threatening to colour her face.
"Oh yeah!" Cagalli cheered "We got it!"
Lacus looked up excitedly "Please make the necessary arrangements and arraignments as soon as you can."
Kira, Shinn and Auel shared a puzzled look as Cagalli quickly made her way to the door, nearly tripping on one of the cords.
"Hey Cagalli" Kira called out "Where are you going?"
"And what's going on?" Shinn asked.
"It's time to get working boys!" she exclaimed with a wink "Lady Law is preparing to lay down the law!" and with that she disappeared down the hall and straight into her office.
Kira and Shinn then turned to see Lacus as she called out to the blue haired investigator "Auel, I need you to do me a favour."
"What is it?" he asked smirking, Lacus had a victorious look on her face and that grin of hers was infectious. But most of all he liked the look of her eyes. Power and strength radiated from them.
"I want you to obtain a search warrant."
Luna had been bored all day sitting in that annoying man's house. This was basically house arrest! She thought as she ambled through his house waiting for him to come home so she could propose her plan.
As soon as she heard the key turn and the door open she moved, following him quietly into his office.
Auel had a successful but hard day. He had received the warrant and now just had to iron out some details.
'I wonder where that girl is' he thought as he collapsed in his chair. The only good thing about her being here was that he didn't have to make dinner. Apparently, this was her way of showing gratitude and he thoroughly didn't mind coming home to a hot cooked meal.
His office door opened and the object of his thoughts entered. Without sparing her a glance Auel kept his back to her as he booted up his computer.
"What?" he grumbled when she didn't say anything at first.
Straightening her back, Luna spoke "I'm going with you."
"No you're not" The sky haired boy shot her down.
Luna put her hands on her hips "I know what and where to look for things! I'm your biggest asset!"
"Correction, you're the biggest pain in my ass!" Auel said and turned back to his computer.
"Ah, but Lacus said it was fine" the magenta haired girl replied matter-of-factly.
Auel froze, and slowly swivelled in his chair to face her "What?"
Luna looked up smugly "Lacus said it would be a good thing if I came along"
"Women!" they never know what they want!" Auel groaned "Look, my orders were to protect you from Allster, what makes you think I'm stupid enough to believe that it would be smart enough to take you along there? That's like serving you up on a silver platter!"
"It'll be a controlled search! Nothing will happen and I'll be in a disguise. Don't forget, I'm an investigator too" Luna winked, walking out of his office leaving no room for argument.
It took a few days for Auel to get the operation together and gather a team. There was an exciting electrifying air in the van as he and his team made their way to the search location.
"This place is huge!" Auel whistled as he and his impromptu squad approached the Allster mansion. Turning around from his spot in shot gun Auel looked at the other occupants in the car, "Alright, Seal Team only Six, get ready. You all remember the plan?"
"Seal Team only Six? Which genius came up with that name?" Luna crossed her arms as she rolled her eyes. This triggered a few sniggers from the guys.
This squad comprised of six people: Auel, Miguel, Sting, Yzak, Rusty and Luna who was going incognito. She had insisted that she come along to help collect evidence because she would have a better idea of where and what to look for. Auel had rolled her eyes but that woman had been insistent—she even had managed to charm Lacus whom spoke on her behalf to persuade Auel to let her go.
"Me, got a problem with that?" Auel snapped.
"Yes, it's a stupid name."
"Quiet you two! Or do you guys want to be the ones to report to everyone that this was a failure because you two wouldn't stop whining?" Yzak thundered. The van approached the security gate and Yzak flashed his badge and warrant papers, after verifying them the guard let them in with a mix of shock and bewilderment.
"All right guys" Auel called to attention the people in the van "remember our objectives, let's move!" he opened his door and marched to the door of the mansion. Knocking a few times he wasn't surprised that there was no one to answer the door.
"Open up, we have a warrant to search this premise!" Auel roared as he pounded on the door "This is your final warning—"
The door flew open and the butler stepped aside "Security told me that it was legitimate" he said quietly.
"Thank you sir" Yzak nodded as Auel led the way into the house.
"Move, do just as we planned" Auel barked, making sure Luna was with him.
"What! What is this?" Flay shrieked as blue haired man and a few colleagues entered her house. Flay glared, there was something oddly familiar about that blue haired man, after a careful look her glare increase tenfold, he was one of that bitch's lapdogs!
"What are you doing?" she demanded as she was pushed aside "Stop right now! I'm calling the police and my lawyer! Daddy!"
Oh my, Luna has been met with an ire that could rival Poseidon!
In this story I have basically give Auel the power of a police officer, without him being a police officer, for example in the previous chapter I had Auel arrest Lunamaria. Usually Private Investigators do not have this power, in some places, however, private investigators may have the power to conduct a citizen's arrest. To my knowledge private investigators may obtain a search warrant from a Justice of the Peace, if they believe that there is reasonable grounds for believing that a person has done something or is planning on doing something. On a side note, it's ridiculously easy for an officer to obtain a search warrant, it can be done in person by appearing and swearing an oath in front of a Justice of the Peace or judge, or it can be obtained by calling a JOP or judge—there even is a 24 hour place for police officers to obtain search warrants.
Cheers,
~Lacus Yamato!