Disclaimer: Don't own anything… just my weird imagination….

In this story, my version of Atra here has really long hair, same length as Kudelia's but she always keeps it in a bun because she's always cooking. Tekkadan members never saw Atra with her hair down.

To most of the members of Tekkadan, she was the most normal one and better known as their cook, only to discover that she is the long lost granddaughter of McMurdo Barriston the next day.

All I ask

CHAPTER 1

A day before at Teiwaz's ship (night time):

KNOCK! KNOCK! "Sir, Orga Ituska and his associates from Tekkadan are here to see you sir." Said Barriston's secretary. "Oh, let them in." answered McMurdo Barriston, looking away from the window. "Good day sir. We were just dropping by to say our greetings and well… Give you something." Said Orga, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. "Hoho, I knew there's a reason why I like you kid. You sure know how to sweeten a man's day. Well, what is it?" asks McMurdo Barriston. Orga quickly hands over a box filled with cookies. "This is made by our cook. I asked her to make these to say thanks to you. She said its' best eaten with tea." Said Orga, carefully watching McMurdo Barriston open the box of cookies. McMurdo Barriston slowly pried the lid open to see neatly arranged cookies inside with the aroma wafting out. McMurdo Barriston got a cookie and took a bite. He quickly paled and stood up, not noticing that he dropped the box, startling Orga and the others.

"Sir, Sir!" shouts Barriston's secretary, shaken at McMurdo Barriston's actions and his pale face. "Where did you get this? Who made this?!" shouts McMurdo Barriston angrily. "O-our cook sir." Replies Orga nervously. McMurdo Barriston lets out a tired sigh. "I want to see that cook. Bring her to me." "S-sir?" stutters Biscuit. "I want to see your cook. IMMEDIATELY. Go now and inform her that I want to meet her." Said McMurdo Barriston, walking towards Orga quickly. "Bring her to me. I want to see her." "B-but sir, its' really late and usually around this time, our cook is already asleep." Replied Orga, nervously rubbing the back of his head. "Alright, bring her with you tomorrow at 10 am. Go now and let an old man have his peace for the day. There are still some cookies in the box, I will eat them later. Please tell the cook its' delicious." Said McMurdo Barriston, as he sits down and rubs his eyes. "Y-yes Sir. Good night." Said Orga, standing up and quickly ushering the other to leave.

"S-sir? Asks McMurdo Barriston's secretary nervously. "Leave me be. You can go for the night." McMurdo Barriston waves his secretary to go. "Alright sir. Goodnight." McMurdo Barriston's secretary quietly leaves the office and him to his thoughts. Maria… thought McMurdo Barriston as his eyes grew dim in memories.

Tekkadan's Ship (same day that Orga gave McMurdo Barriston the cookies but earlier):

Atra felt her world shatter as she took in the scene from her hiding place. Mikazuki was kissing Kudelia. Tears starts to form in her eyes as she quickly left the scene and raced back to her bunk. As she reached the safety of her bunk, Atra quickly locked the door and slid down against it. Her feelings now bursting, Atra cried her heart out, wrenching sobs coming out so quickly until she thought she couldn't breathe. Spent, Atra slowly lay down on the floor and closed her eyes, tired from the heartache and the crying jag. Just a minute, thought Atra, But I'm so tired… with these thoughts, Atra fell asleep.

KNOCK! KNOCK! The knocks on her door woke Atra. "Atra? Are you in? Are you sick?' asks Biscuit, knocking on the door again. Atra opened the door, her eyes a little red. "I-I'm fine Biscuit! What do you need?" Biscuit peered at her, concerned at seeing her red eyes and disheveled face. "Nothing, I just need to tell you that you will be joining me and Orga tomorrow to meet with McMurdo Barriston, the leader of Teiwaz." "Why do I have to go with you guys? I'm just a cook." Atra asks perplexedly.

"Well, he liked the cookies you made earlier and wanted to meet the person who made it." Answered Biscuit; tugging on his cap. "Okay, may I know what time is the meeting?" asks Atra, who opened the door a bit wider. "Well, McMurdo Barriston said around 10 am tomorrow so we can meet in the kitchen at around 9:30 am?" said Biscuit, a bit nervous meeting with McMurdo Barriston tomorrow. "No problem. I don't need to wear special clothes right?" asks Atra, a little worried since she was going to meet the leader of Teiwaz. "Well, I don't think so, he doesn't look like he's that kind of person." Muttered Biscuit, scratching his chin; "But I think it would be better if you wear nicer clothes, you know? Just to show a good impression." "Got it." Says Atra, noticing that it was really late. "Thanks for the heads up, Biscuit, I will see you tomorrow." Biscuit raised his hand in farewell and left quickly as he has another task to do.

Hmm… what could he possibly want with me? I don't even know or met McMurdo Barriston….. Oh well let's just leave it for tomorrow. Better go to sleep now. As Atra laid down on the bed, a knock was heard on her door. "Atra? Are you in there?" asks Mikazuki. Atra let out a sigh, stood up to open her door to face Mikazuki. "What is it, Mikazuki?" Atra asks; her face and voice carefully neutral, her body leaning against the doorframe "Orga told me you will go with them instead me for tomorrow's meeting?" Asks Mikazuki, his usual poker face on. "Yes, I am going with them tomorrow. Anything else? If not, I need to go to sleep now." said Atra, stepping away from the doorway and preparing to close the door.

"Wait, Atra." Said Mikazuki, his hand on the door, effectively stopping her attempt to close the door with his strength. "You feel weird during dinner. Is something wrong?" "Nothing's wrong Mikazuki. I'm just tired. If you'll excuse me I want to sleep now and prepare for the meeting tomorrow. Goodnight." In a move that surprised Mikazuki, Atra quickly removed his hand from the door and quickly locked it. "Atra?" asks Mikazuki, his hand up to knock again. "Go away Mikazuki. I am going to sleep now." Snaps Atra, feeling irritated for the first time with Mikazuki. Mikazuki blinked at her tone, letting out a huff, he quietly walked away from Atra's bunk. As soon as she heard him walk away, Atra slid down to the floor and began to cry again. As her crying reduced to the occasional sniffles, Atra shakily went to her bed and tried to sleep again, hoping for a better way to deal with Mikazuki tomorrow.

THE NEXT DAY (PRESENT TIME):

McMurdo Barriston was pacing relentlessly in his office when a glint of light caught his eye. He stopped his pacing and went to a cabinet where a photograph was a cleverly hidden amongst the others. McMurdo Barriston reverently took the photograph and traced the face of the person next to him. Soon, Maria, McMurdo Barriston thought, I will meet you soon… After all this time, my child…. We will be together again. He smiled as he put back the photograph to its hiding place.

TO BE CONTINUED….

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