I scrunched the sheets in my hands and rolled over to make my head more comfortable on my pillow. Sleep resisted to take over once again and I opened my eyes accepting that. Looking around the room, it occurred to me that this wasn't my room, I had never been here before. I shot up from my spot on the bed to investigate what random man I was kidnapped by. No one was in the room but I could smell something sweet coming from the door.

I looked around frantically searching for anything that would spark some memory or help me understand how I came to be in this bed. Who did I sleep with? When did I get drunk? I don't remember being here.

I pulled the sheets up to cover myself and ravaged through the drawers for some clothes, since I couldn't find mine. What did we do with my clothes?! I checked but the drawers were filled with boring clothes. Some, I guess, were a little cute, but everything was super modest. I wasn't used to wearing such plain clothing.

Once I found something a little nicer to wear, I opened the door and welcomed the wide and spacious halls, greeting me. That wasn't the only thing greeting me. I welcomed the smell of Belgian waffles from, I would assume, the kitchen. I hurriedly made my way down the stairs to see two children sitting at a very large dining table. It was Lizzy and Chase from the wedding party. Those were Athrun's children… What is going on?

"Good morning, Mommy!" The children both cheered.

M-omm-y?

I turned the corner and saw the cupboard close revealing... Athrun?!

"Did you sleep well?" Athrun asked with a genuine smile on his face and then he leaned in and gave me a quick kiss. "I thought I would let you sleep in."

I felt my face heat up several degrees. Athrun… just… k-issed m-e…?! Athrun kissed me?! Am I dreaming?! If this is a dream, nobody wake me!

"Are you alright?" Athrun mused at my frozen expression.

I shook my face to regain my head. "I'm f-ine."

"Okay." He returned to the waffles on the table. "Come and eat, before it gets cold."

The children took the food from the serving dish and placed it on their plates, dousing them in maple syrup.

"Let's pray. Do you want to do the honors?" Athrun locked eyes with me.

"Thank you, for everything couldn't be more perfect." I spoke up to someone.

Athrun smiled at me. "It has been awhile since I have seen you this happy. I'm pleased."

I was happy. Everything was finally going my way. Athrun was here. I fiddled with the ring on my important finger that matched his. Athrun was mine! I am a Zala!

"I have to go to the shop, but I will drop the kids off at school. I will see if I can be back in the afternoon for a bit, but I can't promise that." Athrun spread the butter on his own waffle.

I wasn't really much of a cook, so this was really nice to have. I usually had take out for dining. 'Home cooked' really sounds good. Sure enough, with a few bites, I felt like I was slipping into heaven. "These are delicious!" I praised.

Athrun acknowledged my compliment with a smile. "It is your recipe."

"I knew that." I felt a bit sheepish.

We finished eating and Athrun herded the children to the door. "Don't forget your backpacks and lunches."

"Got it! I won't!" Lizzy bent over. "Chase, do you need me to tie your shoes?"

Chase nodded shyly.

Lizzy got down on her knees and tied them for him, while explaining how she did it.

"You ready to go, squirt?" Athrun held his backpack out to him.

"Yes, daddy." Chase took his backpack and Athrun helped him put it over his shoulders.

"Bye, Mommy!" The children called, before leaving the house to the car.

"I will see you later." Athrun gave me another kiss that made me melt.

"I'll be here." I smiled tenderly back at him. I followed them till I got to the front window and then I watched Athrun get into the fancy black convertible, with the children fastened in the backseat.

Once they were gone, I ran around rejoicing like an idiot and jumping up and down, screaming for joy on the bed. I played the music through the house and noticed a very large theater room. I have all the time in the world to do whatever I want! I have Athrun here too! I don't know about kids… That was an adventure that I wasn't interested in, but I can tolerate it if that means I have Athrun.

I saw a woman in a maid uniform enter the house. I thought it was a burglar, but I see now that she is in our employ. She got around to the tidying. I wasn't much of a housewife, so that was a relief to have someone to clean up after us.

I went to the fridge and found ice cream. Tiger, huh? I have never tried that flavor, but it is ice cream. I pulled out a spoon and sat infront of the TV, enjoying my new freedoms and luxuries. If this is what Cagalli has, I was right to be jealous. After watching something from the collection, I made my way outside to be greeted by the warm sun on my skin. It was perfect for sunbathing.

I got into the swim suit that took forever to find and lay out on the balcony, just far enough to have the sun soak up into my skin. I almost fell asleep from the sensations tickling at my arms and legs. I removed the straps from my skin for an even tan.

"What are you doing out here?" I heard the voice I so desperately longed to hear.

"Athrun?" I rolled back over to meet his face.

"It was such a nice day, I didn't want to waste it." I answered in my zen.

He gave me a suspicious look, but then dropped it. "You have been hanging around Lacus too much."

"No." I defended weakly. It was true that I hadn't seen her in years, but we did grow up together.

"Right." He sat down on the chair next to me. I could tell in his voice that he didn't believe me.

"How was work?" I changed the subject quickly to avoid any suspicions, not realizing there would be any, except for that it was all new to me.

"Things are much different from when Kira was around. I could always count on him and now he is not there. I will have to pick up the slack."

"Kira is gone on his honeymoon, he'll be back." Why is he making such a big deal about them having a holiday?

"I thought I had mentioned to you that I got him another job. Instead of fixing computers, he will be building them."

"Oh… Then can't you just replace him?"

"Replace Kira?" Athrun had a very shocked expression. "You aren't being serious?"

"He's good, but you can always find someone better." I answered.

"He wasn't just my general manager, he is my best friend. There won't be anyone I could trust as much as Kira."

"Most businesses don't have the luxury of working hand and hand with friends. There will be times that you have to choose to trust someone else." I would know. I find myself having to choose to trust people with everything.

"I will keep that in mind." Athrun looked at his watch and released a sigh. "Looks like my break is almost over. Too bad."

"You just got here." I complained. "Aren't you the boss?" I figured from the conversation, I gathered he was the employer.

"True. But I don't have someone like Kira to keep things under control."

"Alright." I sighed. "I will just have to see you later."

"Yeah." Athrun stood up and turned towards the house.

"Wait! Athrun!" I jumped up from the deck chair and met him in a gentle embrace. I leaned in for a kiss and he took the cue.

He pulled away. "Sorry, but I really have to go now."

"Okay. Bye, Athrun." He had left and all I could think about now, was getting new shoes, more clothes that would show off my feminine charms, and drive around in a car that I saw was left in the driveway, probably with my name on it. I found a bunch of keys at the door. I took them and locked up the house and made a mental note of the street address of the house.

I got into the car and started her up. I had never driven before, but now was a good chance to start. The gps turned on and I was overcome with relief, knowing that I would be able to find my way around.

As I drove, I had found myself veering towards the oncoming traffic. I had nearly got away from several potential accidents. As far as the rules of the road, which I had never studied before, seemed to be part of my common knowledge. Who knew I was a natural? Even so, I was freaked out from the several collisions I skipped just barely.

I went to many stores, but I didn't know the pin for any of my cards, so I needed to limit myself to the tap option, which I quickly discovered had a restriction on it. I got some new footwear and found a restaurant that sold Athrun's favorite food. Tomorrow, I was going to find where he works and bring him lunch.

I came home, not knowing when to expect Athrun home. It makes me so giddy every time I say that! Eeeeee! I got in the door and put my shoes in the closet starting the beginning stages of my makeover.

The door opened and the children ran upstairs.

I ran to the door, expecting that Athrun dropped off the kids, but instead I found a person that I recognized at the wedding, the night before.

"Oh good. I was so worried when I got a call from the principal, saying that the children hadn't been picked up. I was worried that something bad happened." The woman gave me a hug. Something sparked realization in her disposition. She pulled away. "Wait. You don't usually forget the kids at school. What's going on?"

"Oh… something had come up and I asked someone else to pick them up." I answered quickly so there wouldn't be any suspicion. I didn't realize that it was my job to get the kids. I don't even know what school they attend. "I guess there was a misunderstanding."

"If that is all it is. I will see you later." She smiled. If only I knew her name, but I couldn't just ask her. She had shoulder length, brownish blond hair and blue eyes. I have a feeling I am going to see her again.

"See you then. Thank you for doing that."

"It is no problem, this time." She left the house and I realized that my life was going on and I needed to find out what I was doing, before they believed that I was going insane.

The children were playing around and getting into the fridge. "Can I have juice, Mommy?" Liz smiled cheerfully.

"Y-es..." I guess I am going to learn how to be a parent, whether I like it or not. I searched the cupboards for the glasses, but Lizzy pulled out two tumblers from the cupboard towards the floor. "Looking for this?" She smiled proudly.

"Thank you." I took the two cups and filled them with chocolate milk, figuring that would get them off my case.

"Mommy…? Chase is lac-tose intolernt." Lizzy informed me.

"Oh..." Seriously? He can't be more than four years old.

She looked at me curiously, while she was hiding the rest of her body behind the counter, peeking over, playfully. Then it was like a light bulb went off in her head and she rushed to the TV. She started to watch Family Channel.

Chase took the remote and then the two children started fighting over it. "I wanna watch!"

"You can watch, but you don't need the remote!"

"I wanna watch Tree house!" He wrenched on the clicker.

"I want to watch Totally Spies!" Lizzy protested.

"I want Dora the Explororer!"

"You can't even say it right! You aren't watching those! Dad said you have to do your homework!"

"No… I don't have any homeworks. You're supposed to!" Chase squealed so loudly that I could hear it down the halls.

"Daddy and Mommy don't want you to watch TV! You aren't old enough!" Lizzy argued.

"MOMMY!" Chase lost the grip on the remote and fell off the couch.

Arggghhh… Can't I get a moment of peace? I rushed into the room. "What are you two arguing about?"

"M-omm, n' she won-et me..." Chase cried hysterically. "Tree House… I wanna Tree house!"

"Maybe your daddy can build you one." I tried to calm him down.

Lizzy burst into laughter and rolled around on the floor. "No, Mommy! Hehehehehe… He wants to WATCH Treehouse."

I suspected they were talking about TV. "Okay..." I took the remote from Lizzy and tried to find the right channel.

"Mommy? I want to watch my show!" Lizzy whined. "I want to watch Totally Spies!"

"Alright." I grazed through the channels until I saw Totally Spies. "There."

"AAAAhhhhhhh!" Chase cried. "I wanna watch Treehouse! I wanna watch Tr-ouse!"

"You both take turns!" I gave the remote to the six year old and left them to the TV.

Lizzy made herself comfortable on the couch, while Chase went to get his toys from upstairs. He came back with his dinosaur and held it up on the TV, as if the dinosaur was trying to eat Clover.

"Chase! Leave! If you won't let me watch my show, then get out of here!" Lizzy roared.

Will these two ever give me any peace?! I entered the room again. "Chase! Leave your sister alone!"

Chase's tears resurfaced. "Why does Lizzy getta watch TV?"

"You can both watch TV, if you can promise to do it quietly." I commanded, with authority.

"Okay." Lizzy smiled widely.

I left as Lizzy giggled happily.

Chase looked up to her in confusion. "What's funny?"

"Mommy is an alien." Lizzy giggled harder.

"She is?" Chase clutched his toys tightly.

"If you're a bad boy, she might take you back to her planet." Lizzy continued.

"I DON'T WANNA GO TO ANY PLANET!"

Lizzy burst into even more laughter at her brother. "You're too late."

"NOOOOoooooooo…." Chase whined.

"What is it now?!" I couldn't take it anymore. "Do you want to play outside with your friends?"

The two children looked at each other. "Do we have to?"

"Yes!" I demanded.

Lizzy had a big smirk on her face. "Okay." She took her brother's arm and led him to the door. Before I knew it, there was silence again.

I heard the ring from a phone. I followed the sound, looking for where it was. I finally found it, but the ringing stopped. A cell phone? I turned it on, trying to find out who called, but there was a password on it. I already noticed that there weren't any landlines. That means this is my only form of communication. Great! I tossed the phone into my pocket.

It had been so quiet, it was nice. Maybe I am a natural mother. I asked the maid to make supper and she stared blankly at me. "That isn't part of my job description."

"Now it is, dear." I turned to the TV and turned on something that would interest me.

I overheard some muttering in the other room. "If it wasn't for Athrun… What has gotten into that woman...?"

It is a maid. I am not concerned about impressing her.

"Ma'am! Don't you think it is a bit too quiet in here?" The maid asked.

"Is it that weird?" I asked indifferently.

"When the kids are home, it is." The maid updated.

"THE KIDS!" I had almost forgotten, considering it was so peaceful. I ran outside and couldn't see them anywhere. Where do their friends live? I figured that they would be home now! I never checked the time. Is it that late already?! "Lizzy! Chase! No, no, no. I can't lose them! Athrun will be so mad..." I tensed. I approach a woman getting out of her car. "Have you seen Lizzy and Chase?"

"I'm sorry… Who?" She put her groceries down.

"A six year old girl and a four year old boy."

"You let them out in this neighborhood alone?" The woman panicked.

I had a knot form in my throat. This couldn't be good… What if I have lost them? Don't panic! "They must have gone to their friends' house."

"I sure hope so. Oh dear. My husband is a police officer. If you don't find them at their houses, then you come find me, okay?" She insisted.

Police?! It can't really be that serious! Could it?! Athrun will kill me if I don't find them!

I rushed back to the house and looked through everything in the desk and tried the computer, only to discover more password locks. I didn't have any phone numbers and I didn't have any information about their friends in the neighborhood. I was running out of options.

The maid came back to me. "Have you found them?"

"They are at their friends' house." I assured her, as well as myself.

"What friends? You just moved in about a month ago." The woman pressed.

My eyes went wide in realization. They are new to this neighborhood?! I mean, we? I am the worst mother in existence!

I rushed to the woman's house and took up the offer after aimlessly wandering the neighborhood, with no sign that they had even been there.

"This is my husband, Officer La Flagga. This young mother has lost her children." The woman introduced me impatiently.

"Where did you last see them?" Officer La Flagga interrogated.

"Hours ago at my house. Please don't tell my husband. He would be so upset to learn that I-" I felt like I might choke.

"We may not have a choice, Ma'am. If we don't find them soon, then he will need to assist the search. You just moved into the large house on the corner?" He pressed.

"That's right." I gulped.

"Alright. Describe your children for me."

I didn't pay that much attention. I was just trying to get them out of my hair. "Six year old girl and a four year old boy."

"Hair color?"

"Boy is blonde and the girl is light purple."

"What were they wearing?"

I don't know! "Uniforms." They had to be. They just got home from school, right? Schools have uniforms.

"Which school?"

"Closest." I hope I was right. I didn't know what school they attended!

"I see. They go to ZAFT elementary?"

"Right." What am I going to do if I don't find them?

I continued looking everywhere. Those children need to turn up. I searched and they assisted, saying that an official search party wouldn't be formed until the children were missing for over 24 hours.

I chose to go home after all of this time and sat on the front porch. I heard the sound of someone in the house and it couldn't have been the maid. It couldn't be Athrun. His car was still missing from the driveway.

I entered the house to see that the two kids were at home infront of the TV, eating Pizza.

"Where were you?!" I demanded, as I stormed into the living room to give these brats a piece of my mind.

"You told us to go, Mommy." Lizzy defended. "We don't have any friends, but Auntie Lacus and Uncle Kira live down the block, so we went there."

"And I got candy!" Chase cheered, lifting up his empty wrappers.

"How did you even get in?!" I couldn't believe they were at my sister's place! They didn't even tell me they were going there! "Why didn't you call?!"

"I did call, Mommy. But you didn't answer." Lizzy plunked herself down on the couch.

"Where did you get the pizza?" I tried to relax, but I was still so aggravated that I spent the entire evening chasing after these two.

"Papa Joe's!" Chase smiled cheerfully, as he helped himself to another slice.

"How did you pay for that?"

"My card from school! I earned it for being smart!" Lizzy boasted.

"I see..." I came over and flopped on the chair.

"What are you both still doing up?" I heard a voice from behind me.

"Mommy said we could watch TV." Lizzy ratted me out.

"Mommy?" Athrun sought me out. He released a sigh. "Kids, get ready for bed. I will be up in a minute."

"Yes, Daddy." The two children ran upstairs and left the remains of their pizza.

Now Athrun and I were alone. He turned around and put down his briefcase. "I thought we decided that the kids shouldn't be watching TV with the exception of weekends. We talked about this."

I didn't know that…

"Did they at least get their homework done? Why are you home so early?" Athrun took off his black leather jacket and placed it on the hook, next to the end table where he deposited his keys.

"It has been a long day… I don't really want to talk about it..." I really didn't. My mind was spinning. Besides, where else would I be? I am a mother of two children.

"Please talk to me. What happened?" His voice filled with concern, as he took the seat next to me. "I can't help you if you don't tell me."

What was I going to say? Think… "Can't you be happy that I'm here?"

Athrun folded his arms and leaned back sternly. "As long as you aren't throwing your life's work away."

Life's work? Wait… do I have a job?! But I am a mother! That is my job! Isn't it?! "I have been thinking… It isn't fair to the kids, if we both work." Maybe he will buy that. I sure hope so.

Athrun locked eyes with me. "Then… maybe I should hire someone to run things at the shop in my place. If you think that would be best. I know how hard you have worked to get where you are. I couldn't possibly ask you to give that up. The store can run without me being there all the time."

"No. You shouldn't have to do that. I-" I am scared to find out what I do for a living… I will be expected to excel and I don't even think I will know how to do it!

"Don't even think about it. They need you at the hospital. My shop can run without me. I just need to make a few adjustments in the schedules." Athrun insisted.

He won't take no for an answer. Why is he so adamant that I should-WAIT! DID HE SAY HOSPITAL?! I'm a… I'm a nurse! Why a nurse?! I faint at the sight of blood! This cannot be happening! "I don't really know if I can keep it up. We have to work such long hours."

"You never complained about it before. It was what you always wanted."

I have not dreamt of being a nurse EVER!

"Why don't I drop you off at the hospital and you give it some time to think it over." Athrun suggested.

I was going to have to go through with it, wasn't I?

After the children were tucked into bed, Athrun and I went to the hospital. I panicked as we drew closer to the place. Athrun accompanied me into the main lobby.

"Everything will be fine. We can talk about this later. If you really want to do this, then we can figure something out." Athrun took my hand in his and I could feel myself drifting into a bliss as he gave me a warm embrace. "Have a good shift."

"There you are, Doctor Zala!" The brunette girl that I had seen earlier, was wearing scrubs and drew closer in haste. "You are late!"

Athrun slightly bowed in respect. "I apologize for the inconvenience, Miriallia. It was my fault. It won't happen again."

"Nevermind that. I need you in room 214. We have to go to surgery now!" Miriallia handed me the scrubs and I was so overtaken by shock.

"You'll be great as always." Athrun turned to leave the hospital.

I can't be a DOCTOR! SURGERY?! WHY DON'T YOU JUST KILL THE PATIENT RIGHT NOW! PUT HIM OUT OF HIS MISERY!

When I entered the room with Miriallia, things were going so quickly. They expected me to take the tools and prepare to open a heart valve in a small nine year old child. I can't do this!

Miriallia stood next to me and reassured me, but I didn't find it that reassuring. I racked my brain for any possible ideas for what to do. I took a deep breath and as I opened up the chest, I felt myself get dizzy. The blood was making me wince.

A child's life is depending on me! Get it together! I can't afford to faint!

I held the scalpel and navigated the small pieces in between the ribs. This is what it looks like inside a human! The biology textbooks didn't lie. I did whatever came to mind. The valve that looked to me like it was shut, I managed to open. After all was said and done, I sealed him up.

I took a breather. I did it! I can't believe I actually did it! I don't know how, but it seemed like I had prior knowledge of the correct procedures. That must be it. I didn't know anything about surgeries in my other life.

I sat in the staff room of the hospital to calm down after the episode.

"Good job, as usual." Miriallia sat next to me at the staff table. "Now are you going to tell me why you are so late?"

"I guess you deserve an explanation." I felt queasy from the sight of all that blood, but somehow I was managing to hold it together.

Miriallia sat anxiously infront of me.

"Lizzy and Chase went missing..." That sounded like a good excuse to me. "Please don't tell Athrun. I wouldn't want him to worry."

"No… that is awful. You found them though… right?" I could hear genuine concern in her voice.

"Yes. Right before I came here. I am so tired from all the searching and desperation of today's events. I'm exhausted."

"I wish I could tell you to take the night off, but I don't have the authority. I doubt that Doctor Hibiki will give you the time of day. He will probably lecture you for being late."

I doubt Athrun would be too happy if I got fired. This is really my decision.

"Well, I don't think we can afford to stay away from room 237 much longer. That man will take another dose of antihistamine before he goes willingly to any of his appointments." Miriallia helped me back to my feet. "I'll help you in any way I can. You hang in there."

"Right..." This was going to be a long night.