DISCLAIMER: 'Rebound' is a story based on characters and situations from Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed which is a property of Sotsu Agency, Bandai Studios and TV Asashi. This work is non profited and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Unless specified, all materials in the web is work done by HERMIT JUNCTION. Please do not use without permission any text or artwork.

WARNING: Text and all related materials are rated PG13/T and may mild strong language, violence and suggestive adult themes unless otherwise stated. Please do not read if you are underage or maybe offended by such material. Spoilers for Gundam Seed.

NOTE: This fanfiction disregards the plotline of the original series' sequel Gundam Seed Destiny. Please see author's page for the site hosting of this fanfiction.

Gseed Aftermath Trilogy I:
REBOUND
a hermit junction project

Chapter 6

'Wake up!' Miriallia cried, bouncing herself on the bed, giving the man sleeping on her bed a rough shove.

'What the hell…' Dearka turned to his side, covering the side of his head with one arm, trying to block the sunlight shining into the room.

'Get up!' Miriallia commanded, rolling him onto his back again.

'What?' Dearka opened his eyes slightly and glanced at the clock on the wall. 'Oh for God's sake Miriallia, it's eight in the morning. I haven't been exactly sleeping last night, mind you.'

Miriallia rolled her eyes. 'Come on, we have plans today.'

'Plans?' Dearka sat up slowly and watched with sleepy eyes as Miriallia threw on her robe. 'What plans?'

'I didn't tell you?' Miriallia looked at him weirdly, blinking her eyes.

'I don't think so.' Dearka said dryly, rubbing his eyes with one hand while gathering the sheets at his waist with the other. 'What plans? It's got to be big to make you this excited.'

'I look excited?' Miriallia touched her cheeks with both hands. 'No I'm not.'

'Yeah.' Dearka snorted, kneeling on the bed. 'What is it?'

'Well.' Miriallia walked towards the kitchen counter barefoot and picked up two tickets.

Dearka's eyebrows furrowed. 'What in God's name are those?'

'Tickets to Lagoon Park!' Miriallia cried, jumping on the bed, waving the two tickets in the air.

'Lagoon Park?' Dearka repeated blankly, staring at the tickets. 'An amusement park?'

Miriallia nodded. 'I got the tickets free from my editor. Apparently, my publisher is doing a big spread for Lagoon Park, a spread in one of the other magazines of course, and they got a stack of free tickets and I asked for two!' She grinned, looking down at the two tickets.

'Gee, you're still a little kid inside aren't you?' Dearka said in a feigned gentle voice, kissing her on the forehead.

'Hey!' Miriallia made a face. 'I'm only eighteen and you're no older than me. This amusement park was a part of the rebuilding project of Orb and it suppose to be really fun. I mean, come on, I've never been to an amusement park before, have you?'

'No.' Dearka muttered, trying to smooth his unruly locks out with two hands. 'I don't have the time nor the money, tickets are expensive you know.'

'Well, they're free this time.' Miriallia argued. 'Are you going or not?' When she saw him staring at her, she pursed her lips and got off the bed. 'Fine, if you really don't want to go, I'll ask Ssigh or Kuzzey, I bet they're dying to take a break from school.'

'Hey!' Dearka almost jumped off the bed. 'I didn't say anything!'

Miriallia turned with lowered eyes. 'So, does that mean you're going? Don't force yourself if you really don't want to or think you'll puke on the rides.'

'Please.' Dearka rolled his eyes. 'When are we leaving?'

'I don't know.' Miriallia shrugged and headed for the bathroom. 'Whenever we're ready I guess, you want to use the bathroom first?'

'Nah, you go first.' Dearka said, lying back down.

'If I see you lying there like a dead man when I come out, I'll have you.' Miriallia warned.

Dearka looked down and smirked. 'I wouldn't say "no" to that now, would I?'

Miriallia blushed, realizing that her words didn't come out the way they should have. Holding her head up to cover her embarrassment, she marched into the bathroom and slammed the door behind her. 'Get your ass out of the bed now!'

Laughing, Dearka shook his head and crawled out of the bed, stretching as he faced the morning sun. Yawning, he pulled on his boxers and slacks. He was perched on a stool and examining the tickets with a glass of water in his hands when Miriallia came out of the bathroom, refreshed.

'Your turn.' Miriallia said absently, opening the doors to her wardrobe.

'Yeah.' Dearka murmured, drowning down the rest of the water.

'What should I wear…' She paused and waited for the door to shut. Sighing in relief, she took off her robe and rummaged through one of her drawers, pulling out a white tank top with graffiti words on it. She then took out a pair of comfortable khakis and socks.

'You might want to wear a white bra instead.'

Miriallia's hand paused in mid air, a gray bra dangling from her fingers. Turning around, she saw Dearka standing beside the door frame of the bathroom with his legs crossed at his ankles, staring at her with raised eyebrows.

'You peep!' Miriallia scowled, turning around, feeling her face heat up.

'Me?' Dearka smirked and walked towards her. Setting his smooth chin on her bare shoulders, he pressed his chest against her back. 'I can be more than just a peep, just say the magic words and you'll "have me"'.

'It – it's already eight thirty.' Miriallia stammered, very aware of Dearka's minty fresh breath behind her ear. She felt herself freeze in place as Dearka wrapped one arm around her waist.

'It's only eight thirty.' Dearka whispered, his lips brushing against the side of her ear. 'We've got plenty of time…'

Pursing her lips, Miriallia took a deep breath and turned around. Caught by surprise, Dearka let her grab the side of his head and pull him down, planting her lips on his. He let the both of them sink into the kiss, aware that Miriallia was pushing him backwards and up against the wall, their feet almost tripping over the discarded robe.

'What do you think?' Dearka asked in his husky voice as their lips parted, rubbing the side of her slim waist.

'I think…' Miriallia twirled a lock of blonde hair between her fingers, leaning against his bare chest. She looked up and gave him a big smile. 'I want to go to the park.'

'Really?' Dearka asked weakly, watching Miriallia step out of his embrace. 'What's so good about an amusement park.'

Miriallia shrugged. 'I want to relive the teenager within me.' She looked over her shoulder and grinned. 'And so should you.'

Rolling his eyes, Dearka walked past her and plopped himself on the bed, crossing his legs. He raised his eyebrows when Miriallia stared at him. 'Go ahead.'

Huffing, Miriallia turned around and started to put on her clothes, biting her lip the whole time. It was no big deal, he'd seen her naked, touched her, slept with her for crying out loud!

Pulling her khakis on, she shrugged on her T-shirt and ripped a shirt from the wardrobe, tossing it to Dearka.

Shrugging, Dearka smirked at and put it on, leaving the top two buttons undone. 'You driving or me?'

'I guess you.' Miriallia sighed, pulling on her socks. 'I'm not really that good at this driving deal, except for maybe from my place to my Mom's or to my publisher. They gave me the car, I really didn't need it, but here we are.'

'Where is this place, Lagoon Park.' Dearka asked.

'There's a map behind the ticket.' Miriallia said absently, putting on her watch. Reaching for her brush on her dresser, she brushed her light hair with strong stokes and wrapped a headscarf around her head, trying to smooth out the stubborn ends.

'It's not a very explicit map.' Dearka said dryly, looking up. 'You really have no skirts.'

'Huh?' Miriallia looked at him blankly. 'Skirts? Why skirts?'

Dearka sighed and shook his head. 'Never mind.'

Ten minutes later, they stepped out of the elevator and bumped into the guard, Ports.

'You two are quite early.' The old guard said cheerfully, setting his mug down. 'I see you two have got plans.'

'We're going to Lagoon Park.' Miriallia said, smiling. 'It suppose to be great, I got free tickets from my publisher.'

'Really?' Ports nodded. 'I went last Sunday with my five year old grandson and granddaughter, they loved it.'

'You sure?' Dearka asked uncertainly. 'She's already eighteen.'

Miriallia turned and stuck her tongue out.

'You two kids have fun.' Ports said as Dearka grabbed Miriallia's hand and pulled her towards the lobby doors.

'See you later!' Miriallia called before the door closed behind them. 'You've got a map?'

'I think I do.' Dearka said as he unlocked the car. 'There's bound to be a simple one, they usually provide maps if it's a rented car.' He gunned the engine. 'Could you check the dashboard for me?'

'Sure.' Miriallia said, opening the compartment. 'Here we are.'

'Let's see.' Dearka opened the huge map while Miriallia slammed the door shut. 'I guess we should take highway six and then take the seventh exit… it shouldn't be that hard.' He turned to Miriallia who was trying to tuck some of her hair into the head wrap. 'You got the tickets?'

'Uh…' Miriallia reached into her bag and nodded.

'Let's go then.' Releasing the breaks, Dearka reversed and glided out of the car park.

The ride was quiet. Dearka didn't turn on the air conditioner and had opened all the windows letting fresh air in. He had rented a white Sedan, not too big and not too small.

'You mind if I turn on the radio?' Miriallia asked softly, turning to Dearka.

'Sure.'

'The latest information obtained from the authorities of Orb regarding the assassination attempt six days ago…'

Miriallia froze while Dearka tightened his grip on the steering wheel.

'The suspect caught had committed suicide at three hours this morning. Reports say…'

'He killed himself?' Miriallia's eyebrows furrowed. 'The one I shot?'

'You didn't kill him, the bullet just hit his shoulder, there's no way that could have killed him.' Dearka said flatly.

'I guess so.' Miriallia said softly, looking at the window.

Sighing, Dearka reached out one hand and brushed some of Miriallia's light hair away from her eyes. 'Take a nap, it's going to be a while.'

Turning her head, she looked at him briefly before nodding. Seeing her eyes close, Dearka turned on the air conditioner and closed the windows. Turning the radio down, he exhaled loudly as the car hit the highway. It was going to be a long ride.

'This place is huge!' Miriallia exclaimed, looking around with her arms stretched out.

'Yeah.' Dearka agreed, crossing his arms, following Miriallia down the boulevard. They arrived an hour later and the entrance was already filled with families and tourists who were waiting in line. 'Did you know our tickets were VIP?'

Miriallia shook her head. 'I had no idea.' She looked down at the paper bracelet on her wrist. 'Apparently we don't need to pay for anything in here.'

'I say we abuse this.' Dearka said, grinning evilly. 'What do you want to do first?' he waved the park map in front of her.

Miriallia shrugged, looking over his shoulder. 'You have a preference?'

'I don't want to get wet, that's all I'm asking for.' Dearka said, rolling his eyes.

'Then we better start with Wild Beast.' Miriallia pointed at the far corner of the map. 'I read about this ride, it's made of wood.'

'Wood?' Dearka raised his eyebrows. 'Now are you sure you want to do this? I don't want a situation where you'll get stuck up there.'

Miriallia waved her hands. 'Please, nothing is worse than a beat up Archangel floating around the universe, bring it on.'

Ten minutes later, Dearka couldn't contain the laugher anymore, watching Miriallia's knees buckle as she got off the ride.

'Don't even say it.' Miriallia screeched, glaring at him.

Dearka looked at her innocently. 'What? I didn't say anything! You're the one talking!'

Miriallia made a face. 'You should be glad that I didn't throw up.'

'Come on, we should do something… less wild.' Dearka suggested, holding out his arm in a gentleman like manner.

Looking at his arm briefly, Miriallia pursed her lips and circled hers around his. 'What do you have in mind?'

The day passed by quickly, much quicker than Miriallia expected. They toured the whole park, from the haunted house and the mini kingdom to the culture villages and the souvenir shopping area. The Lagoon Park was huge and very exquisite. Miriallia really felt like she was reliving her youth, especially when kids surrounded the mascots, begging to take pictures. There was also a parade and the families cheered on.

At the stalls, Dearka won a lot of prizes mainly because most of the stalls had to do with shooting and it was a piece of cake for Dearka, a long range shooter. It wasn't until nine did they decided to leave, carrying three huge stuffed animals and a bag of little ones.

'It's nice being a VIP.' Dearka commented dryly, opening the trunk of his rented car.

'Well, it's good to have a VIP who shoots well with me so I can get so many prizes.' Miriallia said, stuffing two huge animals into the trunk.

'Who said they were for you?' Dearka sneered, looking at her.

'What?' Miriallia cried. 'But – '

'Seriously, all three?' Dearka asked, slamming the trunk shut.

Miriallia pursed her lips. 'I was thinking of giving the other two to my sister and the orphanage.'

Dearka nodded, climbing into the driver's seat. 'I'll think about it then.'

'Hey!' Miriallia slammed the door shut. 'We totally forgot about our dinner!'

'Really, you want dinner?' Dearka crossed his arms and looked at her with a smirk plastered on his face. 'You sure you're not going to throw up?'

'No, I'm not going to.' Miriallia said through clutched teeth, raising her fist.

Dearka shrugged, laughing. 'Your call, where do you want to eat? There's no way in hell I'm going to cook!' he added sternly. 'It's already nine!'

'Maybe we can buy take-away?' Miriallia suggested, pulling at her safety belt.

'Sounds good.' Dearka reversed out of the car park. 'Anything in mind?'

'Uh…' Miriallia thought for a while before her eyes lit up. 'My editor told me there's this great place that makes the best fish and chips. It's not far from here.'

'Fish and chips huh?' Dearka smirked. 'You're going to get really fat.'

'Shut up.'

Dearka later parked the car at one of the abandoned docks at the outskirts of Orb and they both climbed onto the hood of the sedan, their food spread out.

'It's really quiet here.' Dearka commented, sipping from his coke, his legs spread out before him.

Miriallia nodded, munching on another fish finger. 'Not a bad choice if you want to get away from the city. This use to be a cargo port but half of it was wrecked during the war. I did some photo taking here a year ago.'

'You've been to a lot of places.' Dearka said absently, reaching for the onion rings, lying his head on the wind screen with his arms behind his head.

'That's my job.' Miriallia said dryly, picking up her soda.

Dearka snorted. 'Better than my job, which, by the way, is to get my ass kicked by my Captain and commander?'

'Poor you.' Miriallia smirked, pulling her legs to her chest. She reached out one hand and grabbed the huge stuffed dolphin.

'You've decided on that one?' Dearka asked, looking at her sideways.

Miriallia nodded. 'Monkeys give me the creeps and I don't like Koala bears.' She pulled at the fin of the dolphin, making faces down at it.

Dearka shook his head. 'I don't get you girls.'

'Hey! They're good companions!' Miriallia argued.

'I don't see any in your apartment!' Dearka shot back.

Miriallia shrugged. 'You don't shop for stuff like this, when you see the one you like you buy it, you can't go looking for one.' She stuck her tongue at Dearka. 'I use to have a lot at home when we still lived on Heliopolis.'

Dearka looked at her briefly before he stared up at the sky. 'Right.'

They both went silent as they gazed up at the starry night. A horn could be heard at a distance, breaking the silence.

'I wish I had my camera.' Miriallia muttered. 'But then again, I wouldn't be able to capture the stars.'

'You need a special lens right?' Dearka asked, looking up at her.

Miriallia nodded. 'And patience.'

'What doesn't need patience?' Dearka muttered, sitting up. Miriallia looked at him strangely while Dearka gave her a quick smile. 'I've got a question.'

'Shoot.' Miriallia turned her head, feeling her heart beat in her ears.

'You mentioned taking pictures of sunset and sunrise.' Dearka said. 'What's so special.'

Miriallia looked at him for a moment before she shrugged. 'Just a symbolism thing. When I was in Archangel, I was too stupid. I thought we'd get out alive no matter what, but I was wrong. It got harder and harder and the thought of never seeing sunrise again started to scare me. After the war, it hit me that I should never take anything for granted, so I record everything I think are meaningful to me visibly.'

'Right.' Dearka said softly, looking straight ahead. The city was faintly visible and they could see the big Ferris Wheel they rode on a few hours ago, blinking with lights. He thought the decorations tacky when he was right under it, but at a distance, the feeling was totally different.

Turning his head slightly, Dearka watched Miriallia shiver at the shore breeze. Without second thought, he took off his jacket and dropped it onto her shoulders.

Miriallia looked at him, a little startled and shifted towards him when he motioned for her with his arm, wrapping it around her shoulders, his hand touching the side of her head. She turned her head sharply when the image of Tolle flashed through her head and looked up at him.

'What?' Dearka blinked down at her, noticing that her bright blue orbs were trembling.

Miriallia shook her head and dropped her head onto his shoulder, exhaling loudly. Closing her eyes, she let herself relax. 'Dearka.'

'Hmm?'

'Don't do this to me, I don't deserve it in any way.'

'I'm so sorry!' Miriallia cried, flying out of the elevator that was barely open.

'You're late.' The receptionist said sternly, raising her eyebrows. 'She's going to kill you.'

'I know.' Miriallia said breathlessly, leaning against the counter for breath. 'She still in the same office?'

'Oh yeah.' The receptionist replied, clicking on her mouse. 'She's already pissed off as it is.'

Miriallia cocked her head, standing straight. 'Why?'

'You know, the usual.' The receptionist smirked. 'Now get your ass in there before she kills me.'

Miriallia winked. 'Got it.'

Running her hands through her messy hair, Miriallia walked through the busy office of Terrenus while people were hutched over their desk or shouting into telephones. The photocopiers were beeping and people were running around, making their last desperate try to meet deadlines.

When she pushed open the door of her editor's office, she heard the phone slam down hard.

'You really are pissed off.' Miriallia said carefully, closing the door behind her.

'You bet I am.' Suet Loo grumbled, taking her glasses off as she faced the photographer she loved and hated at the very same time. 'You're late.' She accused as Miriallia sat down.

'Sorry, I uh, had something to do.' Miriallia said absently, crossing her legs. She shifted in her seat uncomfortably as Suet stared at her with narrowed eyes. 'What?'

'You had sex last night.' Suet said, leaning back with a smug face.

Miriallia's mouth dropped open. 'I did not!'

'Oh, so, how do you explain those hickies on her neck?' Suet asked, pointing her pencil at her. 'A bird bit you?'

Miriallia's hands flew to her neck. 'Damn it.'

'So…' Suet leaned her elbows on her desk. 'This has got to be big! I've known you for two years and all I've heard were rejections from our hot guys.'

Miriallia glared at her. 'Get off my case!'

Suet laughed. 'Okay, I get it, we'll just have to wait and see who this secret lover of yours is.' She reached for a file and put her glasses back on, eyeing her. 'By the way, you look like shit.'

Miriallia pursed her lips and cursed under her breath, deciding to blame everything on Dearka. It had suddenly rained last night and they had made a mad dash for the car, getting wet. Everything was fine until Dearka suggested that they take their clothes off or they'd catch a cold. They had started kissing all of a sudden and everything kind of spun out of control. When she gained conscious again it was already ten o'clock and they were still lying at the backseat of Dearka's car stark naked.

She still remembered that lazy smirk Dearka gave her when she jumped up screaming that she was late for an appointment. He had drove her back to her apartment because she had left her documents at home and didn't even bother to change. Her clothes had dried but were horribly wrinkled and her hair was all messy. She had caught a glimpse of herself in the elevator and she had to admit that she looked like she just crawled out of bed from a man's arms.

'You got everything right?' Suet asked, jumping back to business.

'Uh, almost.' Miriallia said. 'But you know, I'm still doubtful about the last two topics.'

Suet looked at her meaningfully. 'Let's here it out then.'

Miriallia spent the next two and a half hours in Suet's office going through the first draft of her photo collection. Suet had been her editor ever since she got the job and it was actually her idea to publish a collection. They hit it off right away and had become good friends even though she was out of Orb for most of the year. Editor Loo was a professional and would bug her to no end until she got everything done before the deadline. She had her to thank, if it weren't for Suet Loo, she wouldn't have had such a successful career at such a young age.

'Well.' Suet stretched, ripping her glasses off when they were done. 'I guess this will do the trick. I'll send you the amendment list once everything's edited.' She yawned and reached for her mug.

'Still a coffee addict?' Miriallia eyed her editor, crossing her arms.

Suet shook her head. 'I can't live without caffeine, I really can't.'

Miriallia smiled. 'You should get out of the office and get some fresh air.'

Suet laughed. 'Like I have the time. I'm telling you, I practically work twenty four seven, I don't even have time to sleep, let alone take a break.'

'And that's why you still don't have a boyfriend at the age twenty-nine.' Miriallia finished for her, standing up.

'Hey!' Suet screeched, jumping up. 'I have plenty of choices, I'm still looking!'

'Right.' Miriallia said, nodding her head.

'Anyway.' Suet say back down and flipped through her scheduler. 'If we meet our deadline, you're going to start your book tour… latest in two months.' She looked up. 'Any problem.'

Miriallia shook her head and threw her bag over her shoulder. 'I won't start traveling until the whole book tour is finished. I'm treating it as a holiday.'

'Do not even say that word in my face.' Suet warned.

'Whatever.' Miriallia laughed and stepped out of Suet's office, closing the door behind her. The office was quieter than before since it was still lunch hour. As she walked out of the building, her cell rang and it turned out Ssigh had been finding her.

'I just dialed your apartment.' Ssigh said. 'No one came so I figured I'd better call you on your cell.'

Miriallia sighed in relief, not really wanting people to find out about her current living arrangements. 'What's up?'

'Nothing, just wondering if you'd like to grab some lunch with me.' Ssigh said. 'It's been a while since we've, you know, talked. You free now? My treat.'

'Uh…' Miriallia thought for a while. 'Yeah, I guess so. I just had a two and a half hour meeting with my editor and I'm starved so you better have enough money.' She joked.

Ssigh laughed on the other line. 'I'll make sure of that. What do you say Howie Café?'

'Sounds great, I'll meet you there.' Miriallia said, then cut the line. When she got to Howie Café, Ssigh was already seated at the far back of the café, chatting with one of the waitresses.

'Miriallia!' Ssigh waved at the sight of her.

'You come here often?' Miriallia asked breathlessly, seating herself down.

'Sometimes.' Ssigh smiled, handing her the menu. 'You know, when I have deadlines to meet and Kuzzey's snoring away in the dorm, I usually come here and work.'

'Don't tell me you're a coffee addict too.' Miriallia muttered.

Ssigh shrugged. 'A cup once in a while. I usually drink tea.'

'Better than coffee.' Miriallia concluded absently, scanning the menu. 'Have you ordered yet?'

Ssigh shrugged. 'Nope, waiting for you. Were you lost or something?'

Miriallia nodded her head sheepishly. 'I had to ask a few people on the way. I haven't been around this area for a long time, mind you.'

'Well, if you came back more often then you might not get yourself lost in the city.' Ssigh smirked. After placing their orders, the both sat down comfortably with their coffee steaming away in huge mugs. 'So how's it with you, I haven't had a chance to sit down and have a good chat with you ever since the ball a week ago.'

Miriallia shrugged. 'Nothing big, except I almost got shot in the head by a bullet.'

'Athrun's working on it, don't be so worried.' Ssigh comforted.

Miriallia looked out the window. 'I know, it's not like I have a choice anyway. Life goes on.'

Ssigh looked at her profile for a while before exhaling loudly, leaning forward. 'You've changed Miriallia.'

Miriallia turned and blinked at him. 'What do you mean, I've changed?'

Ssigh smiled, resting his chin on his palm. 'You've become a confident and independent woman. I've always thought you'd grow up to be dependent on someone.' He paused, his smile fading. 'Dependant on Tolle.'

Miriallia looked at him for a while before sighing. 'I had the same feeling too, before everything started from Heliopolis.' She looked down at her reflection in her coffee.

'You've moved on, right?' Ssigh asked meaningfully.

Miriallia shook her head. 'I don't know. What do you mean by moving on anyway? Taking on a new job, meeting new friends, starting a new life? I've done all of that…'

'But you still feel like something's missing.' Ssigh finished for her, smiling when Miriallia looked up at him, awed. 'Please, I've been your best friend, someone who knows you a little better can feel that there's a void inside you Miriallia. It's because of Tolle, right?'

Miriallia took a deep breath and looked away. 'I don't know.'

'Maybe that's the problem.' Ssigh said. 'Maybe it's because you don't know what you want, or is it because you still can't stop thinking about Tolle?' When he got no response, Ssigh reached across the table and place one hand over hers. 'It's been two years; you know what you have to do. You have to move on, really move on and start a new life.'

'I do have – '

'And not this roving life.' Ssigh said sternly. 'The only reason you're traveling around the world is because you don't want to give yourself time to think.'

'You read me like a piece of paper.' Miriallia smiled. 'Anything other words of wisdom?'

'Move on.' Ssigh said seriously. 'Treasure what you have now and don't let go. If you do, you'll regret it for life.'

Miriallia widened her eyes. 'You…'

Ssigh leaned back with a smirk. 'You and Dearka Elthman.'

'How did you…' Miriallia turned away, blushing.

Ssigh rolled his eyes. 'Please, Elthman looked like a love sick idiot whenever your name was mentioned. The hanger had a bet on when Elthman would make a move. Murdock lost a lot of money.'

'You guys…' Miriallia narrowed her eyes at him.

Ssigh shrugged. 'You know, he's not that bad. I was actually surprised at how he reacted at the ball. He was one angry man if you asked me. Kuzzey felt the same too.'

Miriallia was speechless.

'Come on Milly.' Ssigh reached out one hand and patted her head. 'It's about time. It's hard to find someone who really knows you and cares about you. To what I see, Elthman may just be the one, if you'd just give him a chance.'

'Maybe…' Miriallia's voice trailed.

They stayed at Howie's for about two hours, catching up on the events of the past year. It was a nice chat. She had Ssigh to thanks during the time right after Tolle's death. Ssigh was the one who knocked some sense into her and told her to pull herself together. She had completely broken down after Tolle's death and if it weren't for Ssigh's encouragement and comfort, she might have never survived the war with Archangel.

When she looked at her watch again, it was already three thirty. Picking up her car, she decided to leave the city center before it started to pack. She hated rush hours and the endless traffic jams that made you lose complete patience.

She was out of luck and was eventually caught in a minor traffic jam on Highway 2 and it took her an hour and half instead of the usual half hour to get back to her apartment. It was already five when she unlocked her door. Stretching, she threw her bag onto her bed, yawning.

Opening one eye, she caught sight of Dearka's clothes scattered across the bed. He may be a good cook but he was one messy ass. Shaking her head, she picked up his clothes and folded them, noticing that his boxers were among the discarded garments. Turning her head, she stared at the door of her bathroom. Pursing her lips, she put the folded clothes on the stool and walked towards the bathroom. Opening the door, she frowned at the steam rushing out into the cold air.

'Dearka?' Miriallia said softly, stepping on the tiled floor. When the steam faded a bit, she saw that he was lying in the Jacuzzi tub, the still water up to his chest. He had his arms draped on either side of the tub and his head was laid back on a wet towel, his eyes closed.

Closing the bathroom door, Miriallia walked towards him and knelt down at the side of the tub, staring at his face.

'Treasure what you have now and don't let go. You'll regret it for life.'

'Can I do this? Can I put everything behind me?' Miriallia whispered to herself, brushing some of Dearka's hair back. 'Tell me what to do, Tolle.'

End of Chapter 6
Next update: 03/07/2005