A/N: Heads up, there will be references made towards rape, nothing more at this time.

After another long week of classes and homework, Meyrin and her friends met at the juicenet cafe, to celebrate the coming of the weekend. Aisha brought their favorite drinks and the teens conversed about their weekend plans. As she talked, Meyrin reached for her glass of water , but the glass slid away from her and Kira caught it, just before it could fall into Lacus' lap.

Meyrin was stunned for a moment. "Did I-I… just do that?"

"It wasn't us." Cagalli stated plainly.

"You found your power." Lacus was relieved to see her friend be included in their magical giftings.

Kira thought for a moment. "All your powers involve the manipulation of water. I suppose that makes sense."

"I was starting to think they forgot about me." Meyrin admitted.

"Who's they?" Cagalli retorted.

"I'm not sure."

"Lacus and I plan to go to the moon pool and see what the connection is. Do either of you want to come?" Kira invited.

"I'm in." Meyrin chimed.

"It's alright. I'm actually busy." Cagalli side stepped. Anything involving the ocean wasn't a risk she was willing to take.

"Okay… but you are a mermaid. You will need to embrace it at some point."

"Why should I embrace it? I'm still the same person. Why should I be any different?" Cagalli pushed Meyrin away with her harsh words.

Lacus gestured for Meyrin to leave her alone for now.

Cagalli didn't stop on her way out the door, but the unexpected hit her on the way out. Cagalli investigated the girl that she bumped off her feet. She was a five year old girl with lavender hair in ponytails that brushed her shoulders, but her golden orbs caught Cagalli's attention the most. Lavender hair wasn't exactly a common trait but her eyes were nearly unnatural. Cagalli had to accept it was the sun reflecting off of the case, Cagalli was responsible for knocking this innocent little girl to the ground and she had to make sure she wasn't hurt. "Are you alright? You should watch where you're go-"

"Mommy!" The little girl wrapped her arms tightly around Cagalli. "I don't wanna be alone… don't go away again…" She cried.

"I think you are a little confused, kid. I'm not your mother, I'm only sixteen." Cagalli protested. This girl was really confused.

"My mommy, 'galli…" She refused to let go or accept Cagalli's truth.

Cagalli pried herself away from the child and returned to her friends with the kid that wouldn't let go.

Lacus and the others were drawn to her in amusement. "Who is this?"

"She is a confused little girl." Cagalli justified.

"Auntie Lacus?" Her gold eyes lit up with surprise (not literally, this time). Lacus received her very generous hug too.

Kira looked bewildered. "Do you know this girl?"

Lacus was just as surprised. "No… I've never seen her before."

"Un… cle K-ira?" The little girl continued, but unsure of herself.

"She certainly knows us." Kira observed. "But how?"

"How did you get here?" Lacus asked kindly.

"Timmme traw-vel…" She sounded more like she was repeating something she was told rather than knowing the whole meaning.

"Where are your parents?" Lacus pressed.

"Here." She clutched onto Cagalli's arm. " 'galli is mommy."

Kira and Lacus both saw a mechanic orca in the girl's arms. It was a deep, rich purple with rose pink markings. It was inactive or just plain lifeless, but it looked like it should be capable of movement.

Meyrin asked sweetly. "What is your name?"

"Lizzy, 'member?" She giggled like Meyrin was toying with her as a child's game.

"Why did you come?" Meyrin felt silly playing along.

The memory hit the little girl like a truck, seeing her father lying against the wall with a dagger in his chest. Tears appeared rather suddenly and filled her cheeks. The expression on her face couldn't have been exaggerated. It bore her real pain. "Daddy's gone…. and she said I can have him back." She sobbed.

"Who said that?" Lacus knelt down to her level.

"The bad lady…" Lizzy answered.

They were left in shock. "Who is this bad lady?" Who would hurt this little girl? And what for?!

"O-sinnie…"

"We should take her to the police station. Maybe they can help her." There was something about this girl that was very unsettling to Cagalli. She sounded sincere. Too sincere to be making this up… but was everything she said true then? Was she really Cagalli's daughter? That can't be right… but that hair. It was more familiar than she wanted to admit to herself. It looked almost exactly like Yuuna's hair. But if Yuuna is the father then... That can't be Cagalli's fate! She would never marry him! But… actually, a child can be born with or without marrying someone, which means that maybe he forces himself on her!

"We can't take her to the police. We should find out what Lizzy knows." Meyrin insisted.

"I can't have a child. Do you know how ridiculous this sounds? Time travel? Come on." Cagalli didn't want this fate. She didn't want this child to be hers, because then her fate was sealed and she would have to face that reality. She didn't want to. Ordinarily, she would never have believed the girl, but mermaids are real and they have powers… there is no telling what a world with magic could unleash. No, Cagalli couldn't accept this fate. She wouldn't.

"She's got to be like five years old. Why would she make this up?" Kira insisted.

"That just proves she watches too much TV." Cagalli's desperate convictions were buried deep inside her and that was where she wanted them to stay.

"Then how does she know all of us? None of us know her… and we have only known you for a couple weeks… if that." Meyrin reasoned.

"I-I don't know..." Cagalli pushed the girl away and stormed out of the juicenet cafe. Cagalli was just trying to figure out this whole mermaid thing and now she has a child? And worse yet… if this is true then… her future with Yuuna is certain. How could she be with Yuuna? Does she marry him by choice? Maybe it's blackmail… or her father is never found and Yuuna takes advantage of the arrangement?

The longer Cagalli stayed around, the more this girl would haunt her. She needed air and she needed space. No… more than that. She needed distance.

In the middle of the cafe, Lizzy stood there abandoned by the only mother she knew. So young, there was no way to tell just how this was affecting her. She didn't understand things like the rest of them were. To her, her mother left her and wanted nothing to do with her.

Lacus watched as the child's expression turned to total abandonment. "She just needs a little time. Everything will be okay."

Lizzy hugged her for comfort. "Is daddy okay?"

Lacus locked eyes with Kira, studying his expression that matched hers.

"We don't know…" Kira spoke solemnly.

A text broke the silence and it came from Meyrin's phone. She noticed the time and panicked. "I'm sorry… I gotta go or my sister is going to kill me." She didn't wait for a response and dashed out of the cafe.

Kira and Lacus pondered what to do with Lizzy. Outside of Cagalli, she had no one… except this dad she keeps speaking of. Whoever he was.

Lacus assumed the girl was thirsty so she ordered her a smoothie. There were more questions than answers and something familiar was nagging at her. She wondered if Kira felt it too. "Kira, can I speak with you a moment?"

Kira wondered what she was thinking about and joined her. "We are just going over there to talk. Can you sit here while we do that?"

Lizzy nodded.

Lacus and Kira stepped to the other side as they had said.

Once there was no chance of her hearing their conversation, he let out a sigh. "What are you thinking about all of this?" He knew something was on her mind.

Lacus felt warm tears brim. "She seems so certain. She knew our names… She looks like a girl that has witnessed something very tragic. I don't think she really understands what is going on. If she really went back in time, she still believes everything is still the way it was. That doesn't seem like influence. What happened to her, whatever that was… it's very real."

"Yeah…"

"That killer whale toy… Don't you recognise that handiwork?" Lacus continued.

"Birdy?" The mechanical bird chimed in Kira's shoulder. It had been there the whole time, but it was mostly silent so it was often unnoticed. Kira never went anywhere without it.

"Athrun made it." Kira clued in. "But it doesn't seem to do anything. Maybe it is just a fake?"

"Do you think Athrun could be her father?"

"Theoretically… but does that mean Athrun's fate is to die?"

"Maybe we should just ask her… then we will know for sure."

"Yeah, you're right." Kira led Lacus back to the table but the girl was already being entertained by Andrew Waltfeld. He was making her laugh, which was better than her focusing on her problems.

"Yeah.. Bongo isn't my favorite either." Andrew chimed.

"My favorite is Dory." Lizzy's eyes lightened.

"Dory? From Finding Nemo? Yes. That is everyone's favorite." Andrew chuckled like a child.

Kira and Lacus joined them.

"You haven't introduced me to this little girl." Andrew smiled warmly.

"I'm not little." Lizzy giggled her objection.

"You're littler than me." His goofy face cheered her up.

"This is Lizzy. She's-Lacus' cousin." Kira quickly recovered. Since Lacus had pink hair, it was more likely to believe those crazy genetics ran in the family.

"It's very nice to meet you, Lizzy. Your parents can bring you back anytime." Andrew turned to Kira. "Babysitting?"

Lacus had to stick to Kira's story. "My cousin doesn't trust just anyone."

"And so they shouldn't." Andrew agreed. "There are a lot of disgraceful people who take advantage of situations like that."

Lacus felt even more convicted. They had no idea what they were going to do with her.

"You both enjoy your evening." He left them alone with Lizzy at their table.

Lacus knelt down to Lizzy's level. "Lizzy… Who is daddy? Did he make that for you?" She gestured to the mechanical orca.

"Daddy made it. It plays in the water too." Lizzy held it to show it better.

"Is your daddy… Athrun?" Kira pressed.

"Uh huh." Lizzy didn't hesitate to state that fact either.

Their suspicions were confirmed.

"Auntie? Can we go for a swim?" Lizzy pleaded.

"I can take you, if you'd like." Kira offered.

"You can't go." Lizzy giggled. "You don't have a tail."

Kira looked around to see that no one was listening. That was too close. "You do?"

"Uh huh. Mine is blue, 'member?" Lizzy giggled even more energetically.

"Of course…" Lacus played along. Lizzy knew their secret. She has a tail herself. Any remaining doubts were washing away. This girl couldn't have known about them. No one did. It just happened a week ago. "She really is Cagalli's daughter." Lacus met Kira's eyes.

Kira's doubts had left him too. "We should go." This girl wasn't shy about their secret. If they wanted to talk to her, they needed to do it somewhere more private.

Lacus took Lizzy's hand and guided her with Kira following close behind. They got to their secluded beach and sat on the sand, looking out to the horizon. The sun was at its optimal position for gracing the waters with its sparkling reflection.

"What should we do? She can't stay with me."

"I know… I am not sure how I could explain this to my parents either." Kira admitted.

"That's okay. I'll stay with mommy." Lizzy answered Lacus' question.

It was time to explain the situation to her. She needed to understand what was going on. Lacus made sure she had Lizzy's full attention. "Lizzy, do you know what time travel is?"

"It's going back to Daddy's time." Lizzy's voice was heavy with grief.

"Lizzy… Mommy and Daddy haven't met yet. They don't know each other. They don't know you yet, because you weren't born at this time." Lacus tried to explain.

"They don't…" Tears billowed as she started to grasp what Lacus was trying to say. For a five year old, she was very intelligent for her age.

Kira placed his hand reassuringly on her shoulder. "If we say something… they may never meet. Mommy and Daddy need to meet each other without help. We can't tell anyone they are your parents, alright?"

"Okay…"

"You need to pretend. Okay?"

"I can pretend."

"We won't say anything to Mommy and Daddy either. We will pretend that Daddy is just a friend. Call him Athrun. Can you do that?"

"Uh huh."

"And Mommy. Call her Cagalli."

"Uh huh." Lizzy didn't seem too happy about it but she was willing to obey.

"Can we swim now?" Lizzy asked, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

Lacus stood up and led Lizzy to the water and the two of them jumped in. A few moments later, Lizzy and Lacus both popped tails.

As soon as the orca hit the water it sprung to life, making clicking, squeaky noises and flipping in the water.

"Ecco… find Daddy." Lizzy ordered.

The little mechanic orca darted away into the ocean and disappeared.

"Why did you do that?" Lacus asked.

"Ecco always finds Daddy." Lizzy justified.

Kira still couldn't believe it was all true, but the evidence was undeniable. There could be no other explanation for it. With all the evidence, why did he still want to reject the truth?

Kira sat on the edge and watched the two girls splash water at each other. "I might have an idea… She seems to feel at home in the ocean. Maybe you should stay with her at the moon pool. I'm sure Meyrin can cover for you."

"That will give us one more night to figure things out." Lacus agreed. "How do you feel about spending the night in the moon pool with me, Lizzy?"

"Okay." Lizzy smiled.

The two girls got back to their play. Eventually Ecco returned, with no news to her Daddy's whereabouts. He wasn't near the water. That was the only reason why it wouldn't.

Cagalli never showed up to classes the next day. The thought of being impregnated by Yunna was disturbing and she couldn't see past that. Instead, she spent her day wandering aimlessly through the dense forests, as if trying to outrun her fate. Not being properly prepared for the knowledge of the dangers of the wilderness, she trudged on, until some rocks gave out and she tumbled down a small embankment. It was less than a grateful landing, but that was only the start of her misfortune. There was a hissing sound that made her alerted to the danger. Her being there disturbed a large Death Adder, looking at her as its next victim. She needed to think quickly because the snake wouldn't wait for her. There was only one option. Cagalli used her powers on the snake, frying it to death before it could strike. The initial shock started to fade, but the reality of the danger that dwells here was becoming more alarming. She couldn't press on like this. Could she really outrun fate?

"Father… where are you? I need you…" Cagalli burst into uncontrollable tears. "My life is over… I'm trapped by a horrible fate. And it's all your fault… You left me… I needed you!" Cagalli thought hard about it. She had a tail, right? If she could just learn to conquer her fears, she could leave this country and escape Yuuna. She could disappear. No one would ever find her. Not even a mermaid could. She would be free, she needed to be free. But… she wasn't going to get over her fears getting lost in the rainforest. Whether she wanted to or not, this was a bad plan and she needed to rethink her strategy. Either way, she would have to spend the night in these woods. It was more scary than she had expected.

The weekend was over and the disappointment of having another long week of classes sunk in. The students made their way to their morning classes and Meyrin's first class was science. Meyrin watched Kira take his seat but noticed Cagalli's seat remained empty.

Ms. Gladys entered the classroom with a police officer. They took the attention of the entire class.

Ms. Gladys addressed her students, "Has anyone seen Miss Cagalli Yula Atha? If you have any information, please share it with Officer Trine. She was reported missing after not returning home over the weekend."

Kira's eyes widened. This came as a greater shock to Cagalli than he realized. Maybe she already knew Lizzy was hers. Coming to land for the first time… a new school, new friends, a tail that pops every time she touches water and now a daughter. There was too much for a young girl like her to take.

Meyrin locked eyes with Kira, contemplating sharing what she knew.

Kira shook his head. It was too risky to let the police get involved. They needed to keep their heads down for now. Just hoping she was alright.

After all the classes were over, they made their way to meet up at the cafe, which was becoming routine. They brought Lizzy with them, this time.

When Lacus and Kira saw Meyrin again, thinking about what they learned about Lizzy, they were hit with a serious dilemma. With the knowledge that Meyrin had been crushing on Athrun since elementary school, learning he was Lizzy's father… that Cagalli was going to be with Athrun, it would crush her! How could they tell her their new information? They just couldn't.

"You haven't seen Cagalli, have you?" Meyrin pressed.

"No…" Lacus teared up a little. "I guess this was too much to deal with and she ran away."

"We should have gone after her." Kira beat himself up for neglecting the issue.

"I still wouldn't have listened." A voice came from behind them.

They turned around to see Cagalli standing next to their booth.

Lacus jumped up and gave her a hug. "Thank goodness you are alright."

Kira stood next to her. "What happened to us sticking together?"

"Sorry."

"Maw-galli…" Lizzy jumped up, but Meyrin gently restrained her.

"Not yet, Lizzy." Meyrin whispered.

"We will shoulder this new responsibility together. Okay?" Lacus wanted to make sure that Cagalli knew she wasn't alone and she could trust them.

Cagalli hugged Lacus tightly, crying quiet tears. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left. It was stupid."

Meyrin took out a large paper and a pen. "We need to make a plan for Lizzy. Where she will stay each night and how we are going to feed her. Who will babysit and when…"

The others joined her at the booth.

"Aren't there places for misplaced children?" Cagalli asked.

Meyrin was dumbfounded. "Yeah… but she is your daughter. We can't just…" Why was she still so cold towards her?

Cagalli was still not thinking past herself. A child was a big responsibility and she was nowhere near ready for that.

"Besides… she has a tail." Lacus added in hush tones.

"Oh." Cagalli griped. "Right… Are you sure?" Hoping that she was mistaken. Even more evidence would really counter her denial.

"It's blue." Lacus confirmed.

"I wanna stay with 'galli." Lizzy inserted herself into the conversation.

"You can't stay with me. I'm sorry." Cagalli didn't want to explain why. Who knows what Yuuna would do. And she certainly didn't want him finding out about her being his, EVER.

"That's alright. We will figure something out." Lacus assured.

"Birdy." Birdy flew towards the exit. The room's energy lifted quickly and excitement burst from other customers.

"OH MY GOODNESS! Athrun's back!" The girls in the cafe shrieked.

Kira, Lacus and Meyrin whipped their heads back to see a group of surfers enter.

All the customers shot up and congratulated the young man and his fellow surfing buddies.

The darker toned blonde guy stepped forward. "Come on now. Athrun wasn't the only one who kicked some ass out on the waves."

Cagalli looked over to see what the commotion was. She saw the few guys enter with swagger and charm. She instantly judged them, deciding they were cocky snot nose brats.

They were all a bit wet showing they couldn't resist one last wave before gracing this cafe with their presence.

Birdy landed on the bluenette's shoulder. "Birdy."

He instantly recognized it and looked for Kira. He was different from the others. Attractive, but not gloating. His confidence was kept more internal than shown off for others benefit.

Kira met him halfway. "Athrun, I am so glad you're finally back. How were internationals?"

"We all did our best out there. I am so glad I entered. You know, Kira… I wish you would enter with me. Your skills are evenly matched." Athrun complimented.

"I couldn't enter. You know that I am too busy during the summer." Kira agrued. Athrun was being way too kind.

"You keep saying that, but we both know it is just an excuse. Just admit it. You don't want the attention."

"There's that… too." Kira sheepishly admitted.

"I don't either. I don't think there was any way of avoiding that."

"Yeah. May as well do what you love."

"Did I miss anything important?" Athrun drifted the conversation.

"You could say that." There was so much that Athrun didn't know about and so much for him to discover in time. Athrun was probably meaning school though. Then it hit him... "Have you enrolled in Archangel High?"

"Yeah. I start classes tomorrow."

"I can share with you all my notes."

"Thank you."

"We love you, Athrun!" Some of the girls tried to surround him.

With the guys talking over by the front counter, it was no doubt that Lizzy saw him. Lacus kept Lizzy behind her, but it was clear that Lizzy really wanted to hug him. Lacus got down to her level. "Remember. We need to pretend."

"I don't want to pretend." Lizzy whined quietly.

"You want Daddy and Mommy to love each other, don't you?"

"Yeah."

"Then we can't help them. We can't tell them." Lacus affirmed.

A woman entered the cafe. She was dressed with style and attitude, with long black hair and fuschia eyes. She instantly clung to Athrun like he was her play thing. "Athrun, I thought we were going out. Surely this wasn't the place you had in mind."

Kira's eyes went really wide as fears trickled in. Since when did Athrun allow someone to treat him like that? He always shrugged clingy girls off… wait… what about Cagalli?!

Athrun smiled as they broke apart. "Ocynie, I want you to meet Kira. He is my best friend. We've known each other since we were kids."

Kira quickly recovered from the shock and tried to keep with his manners. "How did you two meet?"

"That's a bit of a story. I'll tell you later." Athrun dodged. "I promised her we would spend some time together before I officially start school."

"Yeah, okay." Kira hesitated.

Lizzy whimpered to Lacus. "It's her. She's the bad lady."

Lacus instantly felt dread creep up inside her. Who was Athrun's new girlfriend and what did she have to do with Lizzy?

"I'm scared… Is she going to take Daddy away?" The girl was trembling and terrified. Whatever their last encounter was like, it was traumatic.

Lacus hugged Lizzy. "We won't let that happen, Lizzy."

Athrun left with Ocynie and the other surfers dispersed in the gathering crowd.

Kira returned to Lacus and noticed how scared Lizzy was.

"Kira…" Lacus' expression filled with terror. "Ocynie is the bad lady."

"You mean…?"

"The one that took Daddy away." Lacus added.

Kira started to fear for his friend. "How is she here? Has she always been here? Athrun..."

Lacus knelt down to Lizzy. "Did the bad lady come with you?"

Lizzy nodded.

Lacus took her hand gently. "Does Ocynie have a tail too?"

Lizzy nodded. "It's black."

There was no way Kira was going to let this woman hurt Athrun! He would see to it that he broke them apart now before they get anymore serious.

"Wait, Kira!" Lacus grabbed his arm, stopping him from doing what he thought he had to. "How will you explain this to Athrun?"

"It doesn't matter if she kills him." Kira resisted.

"Then we will protect him from a distance. We need to know what she is doing and understand why Athrun chose her." Lacus used logic to help Kira regain his nerve.

Lacus turned to Lizzy. "Go back to Mommy." Lacus glanced at Cagalli to see that she was still there.

Lacus and Kira left to follow Athrun, but kept their distance.

Lizzy ran back to the booth but now Cagalli had left with Meyrin and they were going their separate ways. Lizzy ran outside hoping to find them, but they weren't there.

She ran down the street, but it led to a maze of city chaos. The more she pressed on the more she got lost. The towering buildings were closing in on her and the streets stretched farther than the eyes could see. Car after car prevented her from crossing the main streets. She made the mistake of running out in front of one, before quickly retreating. The person pulled over and tried to encourage her to come to him, but he was a stranger and Daddy taught her to run away from strangers.

She was too scared to continue down the streets. She wandered around for a while, avoiding heavy street traffic by any means possible. Her journey took her to the suburbs where the sound of cars were less and less present. These streets lead out of the city at some point and now she was walking along a seemingly deserted road. Not a car in sight nor any streets. The ocean was still present on her left side and became more tempting by the second. Clutching her orca for comfort she started to cry. "Mommy… Daddy… I want Daddy…" Would she be lost forever? What if she never saw them again?

A really nice white convertible pulled over to the side and a woman in her late thirties got out. "What are you doing out here all by yourself?"

Lizzy recognised her from a picture she had seen many times at home before. "Grammy."

"My name is Lenore Zala. What is your name?" Her hair was a rich dark purple and her eyes were just like Daddy's.

"I'm Lizzy. Can I stay with you, Gramma?" Her eyes pleaded.

Lenore offered her hand. "Come with me. I will help you find your parents."

Lizzy hugged her tightly. She was going to be okay now.

Lenore set up a nice room for Lizzy and allowed her to make herself at home.

"Your house is so big, Grammy." Lizzy made herself comfortable on the couch.

"Would you like something to drink?" Lenore asked.

"Mango juice, please." Lizzy didn't hesitate.

Lenore returned with the juice and put a grilled cheese sandwich on her plate. "Lizzy, do you know your last name?"

"Uh huh. It's Zzala." Lizzy giggled.

"You're a Zala too?" Lenore was surprised.

"Uh huh."

Lenore excused herself and called the city police. "... yes, she says her name is Lizzy Zala… can you check the records please?"

Lenore quickly checked on Lizzy to make sure she was alright. "... maybe I can find her records at the hospital… Thank you, I appreciate it… You can reach me on my cell… I'm sure someone is looking for her… Have a nice day."

Lenore returned to Lizzy. "I need to check in at the hospital. Would you like to come?"

Lizzy quickly followed her to the car and they drove away.

Cagalli ran around with Meyrin in a total panic. They checked along the beaches and the local businesses, while Lacus checked the bay and moon pool. Kira checked the island, just to be safe.

"I can't believe she's gone. I lost her." Cagalli griped, while checking around cars and down alleys. "This is all my fault. I'm supposed to be her mother."

"None of us are ready to be parents. You can't be so hard on yourself." Meyrin encouraged.

"She ran away because she thought her mother didn't love her anymore. Can you deny that?"

"No… But you are just a kid."

"She is five. Do you really think that she would understand that?"

"I guess."

"I am going to be a terrible mother." Cagalli panicked. "I spent all this time being upset, when I should have been getting to know her."

"Why didn't you?" Meyrin stopped searching for the girl and started searching for truth.

"Because…" Cagalli tried to avoid the truth. She didn't want anyone knowing about her predicament.

"Because why?" Meyrin refused to drop it. "I know you don't trust us. You have secrets. It's not our job to find you out. As your friends, we just want to help you."

"I was upset because… I think I know who her father is." Cagalli cringed.

"You don't like this guy." Meyrin deducted.

"I hate him. He is so controlling and prideful, looking down on people who are normal. He's spoiled rotten and twice my age."

Meyrin approached her with empathy. "The future isn't set in stone. We have the power to change it. We will all help you escape that fate."

"Even if that means Lizzy will disappear?" Cagalli really didn't want to get attached to a girl she wished would never be born.

"Cagalli, if that happens then it is meant to be. You can't throw your life away."

"Okay…" Cagalli wiped her eyes of any tears. "Thank you."

Meyrin smiled. "Let's find our small fry."

Lenore's office was really tidy, showing she was a neat freak or that she spent very little time here, while at this hospital. "I'm a doctor. I just want to make sure that you are healthy."

"I know. Mommy told me." Lizzy smiled.

Lenore turned to her. "Can you tell me the names of your parents? That would really help."

"I can't tell. I promised."

"Lizzy… your parents must be so worried about you."

"Daddy doesn't know me."

"Well, I will run some tests and then we can help you get home."

"Okay. I've never been to a hospi-al before."

Lenore cringed. This girl was all alone, never once been to a hospital, parents haven't even filed a missing person report and the father doesn't have any relationship with her, maybe he doesn't even know she exists. And if she really is a Zala, she might be a family member too, making this even more personal.

Lenore took a blood test and checked the records for any Zala that could be a match. She wasn't finding anything. There was no reason to believe that the child came from anyone she knew. She thought about Athrun. It couldn't be… he was always such a good kid, never did anything against his morals.

Lenore started to dread the answer. If she checked to see if their blood matched, would she like the results? There would be no going back. The blood relations seemed to hold similar qualities. There was strong reason to believe she came from the same bloodline, but not close enough to pinpoint the father or mother.

There was one way to know for sure. She ran the tests with the results Athrun had on file.

She held her breath as she anticipated the test results. Either way, she would know the truth.

The test was completed and she clicked the link to display the result. The truth glared her in the face. Ninety seven percent chance Athrun was her father.

Lenore started to panic. She filled with emotions. Disappointment, betrayal of trust… Did Athrun know he had a daughter? Did she, whoever she was, keep the truth from him? Or did he know all along and say nothing about it, abandoning all responsibilities. That wasn't the son she raised. At least, she thought she hadn't. The young girl must be at least five years old, that would mean Athrun would have been ten or eleven when she was conceived. That can't be right. There were no girls in his life even now. Was he just easing his curiosity with some random girl? That sounded nothing like Athrun, especially at that age.

Lenore couldn't argue with test results.

She had many different conversations with Athrun in her head. Deciding how she was going to force him to take responsibility. How he would be so traumatized by her punishments, that he would never do a foolish thing like that again.

This was going to ruin her son's life… Everything he wanted, all the hard work he put in to make something of himself… It would all be over.

Compassion and empathy seeped in. He did something very stupid, but right now, she held the power to end his future or give him his chance. She loved her son too much.

Lenore returned to Lizzy in her office. "How would you like to live with me?"

"Yes!" Lizzy rushed over and hugged her tightly.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Please leave reviews. This was a very emotional chapter. Not all of them will feel so intense but there is more to come.