Sarahduh518: Thank you so much! It means a lot to me that this work was able to accompany you in bad times. I was also rereading this on my own when I had a bad day at work (stories have a way of pulling you away from reality and allow you to retreat in a cozy corner of your mind / imagination, doesn't it?) :)

Monkeyheart3: Hahaha, thank you! Don't worry, I didn't have a single draft of 'good bye, sorry' in my Google docs. I had many drafts of how I wanted Chapter 9 to go as a return piece, but I'm glad what I've uploaded too. Happy that you're enjoying it so far :)

Just a Crazy-Man: Good to know! Hope you enjoy this chapter too :)

Chapter 10

"I was expecting a bigger bag since we're spending a few days together."

She turned around to be greeted with a familiar pair of piercing blue eyes. She took a step back to have a better look at the person in front of her, surprised by what she saw. "You cut your hair!"

It was a typical men's haircut* now, neat and doesn't require styling if he doesn't want to or doesn't have the time for it. Somehow, it made Yzak look more grown up and masculine than before. (*If you're wondering what Yzak's new haircut looks like, it's a neater and slightly shorter version of the usual hairstyle that Lucky Blue Smith has always spotted)

Yzak chuckled at her reaction and nodded, "it's easier to manage with all the meetings and traveling going on."

He stepped forward with a hand on the backpack's strap that's on her shoulder, "since you're in partial uniform (the ZAFT jacket boots)", he leaned close to her ear and whispered, "I miss you Shiho… can't wait to hug you after you've changed out of it."

The brunette felt her cheeks burned at his words. She didn't expect him to say these and be upfront about it. Honestly, she was nervous about seeing him again in person and what he was going to say, so this was a surprise.

"I-I…" Shiho found herself lost for words, as he slid the strap off her shoulder and sling it over his while offering her a small smile. "I-It's the same for me too" It was all she could manage as she felt the flames on her cheeks spread throughout her face and down to her neck.

She heard a chuckle slip from Yzak, no doubt about how awkward or red she was. "The car is nearby, let's get out of here." He grabbed her hand in a gentle squeeze before he released it and led the way.

When they reached the car, he quickly placed her backpack into the boot. "A luggage?" Shiho couldn't hide her surprise at she's looking at. They are spending 4 days together, why the need for luggage?

During their time together in the same team, when they had many urgent meetings in his quarter, together with Dearka and the Lead Engineers, she came to know that he isn't a high-maintenance kind of guy. He made do with what shaving kit and toiletries provided by the military.

The platinum blonde nodded towards the car as he closed the boot, a subtle signal that he will share more when they're strapped in and on the way out.

"I may extend my stay on Earth and either join you in Carpenteria Base or in Lagash Base." He revealed calmly after they were a significant distance away from the base.

Shiho was tempted to assume that he's extending to spend more with her but hearing that he may head to Lagash Base, she knew it's likely because of the possible confrontation with Earth Alliance over the occupied territories.

Even if it was true that he's extending to spend more time with her, she would dissuade him out of it. If he's participating in the upcoming election to become a full-time Supreme Council member, such a decision would be detrimental to him.

"Some of the National Defense Committee members…" He paused, looking as though he's trying to phrase his words carefully, "don't think Commander Frigore would execute the strategies as discussed."

Recalling what she's heard from the heated exchange between Commander Frigore and Dahlia, something about him stealing someone else's fiancée, and Shinn sharing that Yzak's ex-fiancée cheated on him, she guessed that her boyfriend was trying to be neutral about her new commanding officer in her presence.

"The strike team has been assembled and their units have arrived." Shiho revealed, silently hoping he doesn't know that she joined her assigned team in several simulations aimed to refresh their memory on fighting within Earth's atmosphere, and likely, with the Extendeds. "It's a complete waste of resources and everyone's time, should he decide against whatever strategies the National Defense Committee has planned."

Regardless of the strategies planned, it was clear to everyone in the team that PLANTS has had enough with Earth Alliance and ZAFT intends to take back the territories in the shortest time possible by sudden and overwhelming force. Shiho doesn't agree with the extent of damage and casualties of such strategies but she, just like everyone in the team, remembers how OMNI Enforcers fired at PLANTS before the diplomatic attempt concluded in the previous war. This time, they are ready.

"I'm not sure if you've heard but the Chairwomen wasn't able to secure another attempt for her diplomatic option. Once the latest diplomatic attempt concludes, ZAFT will intervene and that's what the majority has voted for." Yzak revealed, as his eyes were fixed on the road. "A majority vote doesn't equate to having everyone's agreement, so the people who disagree are likely not to take part at all or will not follow instructions 100%."

Shiho nodded as it came together, "so the National Defense Committee assumes that Commander Frigore will not follow the orders because he's on Lacus' side."

"He's participating in the election, for the position I'm holding…" He shared it as if he's dealing with something as irritating as a housefly buzzing around him. "He doesn't have the public's support and he doesn't have stakes in any of the ammunition companies behind ZAFT's capabilities, so he needs either Lacus' support, aka the late Siegel Clyne's supporters or the other members of the National Defense Committee."

The brunette pursed her lips in realization that Commander Frigore has odds stacked against him, especially when Yzak has a significant chunk of ZAFT's capabilities in his hands now that he's 21 years of age and how Martius City's residents are happy with Yzak representing them in the Supreme Council. She recalled the warm welcome by representatives of Martius City when Yzak took his seat at the Independence Day ceremony.

"So the other members of the National Defense Committee think he's going for Lacus' support by not following the orders and implementing it accordingly. Am I right? That's why you're extending your stay after our time-off, so you can ensure the orders were carried out as planned with or without Commander Frigore." Shiho summarized and Yzak nodded as he breathed an exasperated sigh.

"What about you? Are you going for the position?" As soon as she asked the question, Yzak glanced at her briefly before he directed his attention back to the road in front of him.

She didn't expect him to wrap one of her hands in his and gave it a gentle squeeze (while keeping the other hand on the steering wheel), "I don't know what to do."

He took a deep breath before squeezing her hand held captive in his, "My mum wants me to take over her position as a full-time Supreme Council member but I prefer being full-time in ZAFT only…"

Sensing there was more, Shiho shifted her sight to look at him and from this angle, she could clearly see that he lost weight. His jawline was more prominent and his cheeks weren't as puffy as before - not that he was chubby but it looks… flatter, sunken even.

Even though his eyes had that twinkle when he smiled and chuckled earlier, it was missing the usual sharp alertness that made it scary to look at him straight in the eyes.

There was also a hint of dark circles and telltale signs of eyebags coming up. It was clear to her that he was lacking sleep. All these must have been adjusted by the phone in the video calls they had. These weren't showing when they spoke to each other virtually over the past few days.

A dull stab of guilt went through her for wanting to ask all the questions she had in mind when he's in such a state. He looked more worn out than serving in ZAFT over the past two wars.

Realising he has gone quiet, she casually prompted him to continue. "I may not be of any help but you can share your thoughts with me, you know…"

"I'm sorry, Shiho." Yzak said, looking straight into her eyes and hold her gaze for a couple of seconds before turning his focus back on the road. "You wouldn't be here, on Earth, in a new team and injured too… if it wasn't for me."

The brunette recalled what she heard from Shinn awhile back. The rumours about her deployment to Earth was a means for Lacus to force Yzak to return the Artemis Fortress and Daelus Base to Earth Alliance. It was one of the questions she wanted to clarify with Yzak, to hear from him in person before she jumps to any conclusion. Now that their conversation has arrived at this topic, she might as well get the clarification she wanted.

"I don't want you to blame yourself for any of this…" She wriggled her hand free and held his hand instead. "The injury… Everything happened too fast and I'm glad that both of us are spending time together now."

As she thought through her next words, she couldn't help but to be distracted by how warm his hand was. "Regarding my deployment to Earth, I heard from others that it's an excuse. There's more to it, right?" She decided to keep it vague and see if Yzak will shed some light on it. She didn't mean to test him or doubt him but she wants to hear it from him. She also wants to know if the working relationship between Lacus and him has indeed become strained.

"You've heard some stuff, didn't you?" He replied calmly, as he intertwined their hands together - noticing her hand wrapped around his was not warming up. She was always cold to touch.

She made a small sound of agreement as she nodded, "I want to hear it from you, Yzak. I don't want to buy into whatever others are saying. It could be twisted."

"It's true that Lacus wants me to return the Artemis Fortress and Daelus Base to Earth Alliance. These two bases were placed under my supervision because I took over my mum's position. She was overseeing the entire process of converting them to strengthen ZAFT's presence in space, using Yuri Amalfi's designs…" He frowned and exhaled another sigh, "it's not that I don't want to return but the arrangement holds the person-in-charge liable financially if the two bases were not operational by the deadline given. It's designed to keep the two bases as part of ZAFT. Plus,the National Defense Committee agreed on the deadline too."

Shiho couldn't believe her ears, this arrangement was absurd and Lacus would have known about this and yet… "I don't know much about politics and stuff but looking from a logical perspective, we got hold of the Artemis Fortress because of Nicol. When we arrived at their doorstep, they didn't put up a fight to keep it. We didn't steal it, like how they're taking our territories. Besides, we've invested in making it ours, there's no way we can return it. Same goes for Daelus Base."

"Exactly."

"So… does that mean it's true that Lacus is using me to get you to return the two bases to Earth Alliance?" The brunette wanted this second important yet disturbing point clarified.

"I don't want the two of you to fall out because of this mess." Yzak said quietly, a dilemma evident in his tone. "I want the truth. I'll decide if she's still a friend or not." The brunette asserted firmly.

"I'd confronted her about it but she didn't admit it. She made it clear that she knew my mum had arranged Dahlia to be with you on Earth, so you'll never get to participate in the battle based on medical reasons. She's aware that my mum did it to ensure I focus on being a full-time Supreme Council member, instead of thinking about how to get you back into Space Corps before the battle commences." He shared it in a matter-of-fact manner.

Even though he was worried how this conversation may potentially screw up their time together over the next four days - because they are having it now on Day 1, he's glad that he didn't have to find an opportunity to speak about these with her later on. Especially when she has heard some stuff about all of these and she's driving the conversation now. It means that it has been on her mind.

He didn't want to lie to her or withhold important information, which will affect both of them later on. Neither does he wants to start this relationship with her this way.

Bloody hell, this relationship already got off weird. They didn't start off with dates that progressed into commitment. They started off with fighting for their lives and seeing every ugly and unglamorous side of each other from walking out of the battlefield alive.

And he doubts that the relationship will get easier from here. Take this 4 days off for example. Neither of them wanted to be in public after what had happened during the Independence Day ceremony, so they decided to do a staycation at one of his family vacation homes, which happens to be on Carpenteria.

Even though it was a good getaway within the current circumstances, they cannot go on like this for long. There's going to be a time where he has to step out with Shiho.

Given his positions in the Supreme Council and ZAFT, he's worried how it will affect her and how she's going to take it. There's only so much one hand can do on its own… it takes two hands to clap.

End of Chapter 10

Author's Note:

Ahh! Thank you so much for the warm welcome (TwT) It's good to be back and I'm touched to read that you all are still around :) Had a surge of motivation and TA-DA! Another chapter done!

At first, I was thinking really hard on how Yzak and Shiho would have the conversation regarding Lacus, the two bases and the current situation… should they talk about when they arrived at their staycay location - over a cozy home-cooked meal or in the car etc? I've become a very homely person now (thanks to the pandemic), so I've decided to save the vacation home of Yzak's family for conversation on other topics!

Are you able to recall? There's still a touchy topic of Yzak's previous engagement. Ezalia also suggested Yzak come clean with Shiho about his previous one-night-stands, especially involving Shiho's half sister, Chloe. And one more! Nicol! Yzak sort of guessed that Shiho was Nicol's secret fiancée but she doesn't seem to be aware of it.

I want them to have these tough and/or heart-to-heart conversations during the short trip. Even though it won't address ALL the hurdles (like the ones Yzak was worried about at the end of his chapter), I think the conversations will allow the both of them to understand each other better. Especially for Shiho to open up (even if it's a little) to Yzak.

Like what Ezalia shared with her son, he needs to find a way to get her to trust him and to share more about herself, her background etc. The best step forward is to be open with her. She's not the kind who will be intimidated into giving out information, even with his famous temperament. (Shiho will give him hell in return, that's what amazes Ezalia, right?)

Hope you enjoy the chapter as much as I enjoy writing it :)

Till the next chapter!