DISCLAIMER: 'Repercussion' is a story based on characters and situations from Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed which is a property of Sotsu Agency, SUNRISE and MBS. 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 R/M and may mild strong language, violence, cruelty, explicit adult content, rape, death and nudity 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 go to gseedaftermath.hermitjunction. net for site hosting of this fic. For Dearka and Miriallia's story, please go to 'GS Aftermath Trilogy I: Rebound'.

Gseed Aftermath Trilogy II:
REPERCUSSION
a hermit junction project

Chapter 6

Two years later / A.C. 73

Athrun Zala almost dropped his cell phone onto the floor, his hands shaking. He looked up when he heard someone unlocking the door to his apartment.

'Athrun? Are you still there?' Dearka asked on the other end.

'I'll call you back, give me the details then.' Athrun said quickly, then cut the connection.

'Athrun?' Cagalli Yula Attha called, taking off her shoes at the door. Hauling the two bags of groceries, she found Athrun sitting at the kitchen counter of his apartment, staring at her with blank eyes. 'Are you okay?'

Athrun blinked, snapping back to reality. 'Yeah, what's going on?'

Cagalli frowned. 'You really okay?' She put the grocery bags onto the clean counter and walked up to him. 'You're not sick are you?' She felt his forehead with one palm.

'I'm fine Cagalli.' Athrun said shakily, taking a deep breath. 'What's with the grocery?'

Cagalli looked at him weirdly. 'I said I'd cook tonight, I thought I told you yesterday.'

'Oh, yeah.' Athrun shook his head. 'I'm sorry.'

'Don't be.' Cagalli gave him a light kiss on the forehead, brushing some of his dark blue locks from his eyes. 'You must be tired from your trip to Aprilius One.'

'You were just looking out for Miriallia and I'm glad you let me go.' Athrun said, smiling up at her. 'At least we're on normal talking terms now.'

'Good.' Cagalli returned the smile and turned to the counter. 'Lacus taught me some cooking the day before when I went to the orphanage. She said I'm a fast learner so I thought I'd try it on you.'

'If Lacus approves your cooking, then I think it's eatable.' Athrun joked, hopping off the stool.

Cagalli threw a smirk over her shoulder. 'Let's just hope. Like I said, you're my experiment.'

'What are you going to make?' Athrun asked, peering into the grocery bags.

'Casserole, that's what Lacus taught me.' Cagalli said absently, washing her hands.

'How're the two happy couples doing?' Athrun asked, pouring himself a glass of water. He let her take a sip before drinking from it.

'You know, the same.' Cagalli replied, taking out the grocery. 'Some of the orphans have been adopted though.'

'Which one?' Athrun asked, leaning against the counter.

'The twins, Aliandra and Belva.' Cagalli said, washing the tomatoes. 'They were adopted by this young couple who had lost their new born baby during the war. They cried so much when they had to leave, you know Kira and Lacus were like their parents.'

'It's for the best.' Athrun said softly. 'They're what? Five? They need a regular family, a normal family so they'd get to grow up innocently, and not like us.'

'Athrun?' Cagalli turned and looked at him.

Athrun shook his head and gave her a weak smile. 'I'm okay. I haven't seen them in a long time though.'

'They asked about you.' Cagalli said. 'The kids miss you too, you want to go down there some time?'

'Yeah.' Athrun looked down at his glass of water. 'Some time.'

'You don't have to watch me cook you know.' Cagalli said. 'I'm not going to burn down your kitchen if I can help it.'

Athrun looked at her with raised eyebrows. 'Are you sure?'

'Yes, now go, take a shower or watch TV.' Cagalli shooed.

Athrun laughed. 'Okay, but you be careful.'

Cagalli rolled her eyes. 'I'm always!'

Athrun stopped at the sliding door that led to his bedroom and looked over his shoulder. 'Cagalli.'

'Hmm?' Cagalli turned, her hands at the small of her back, tying the purple apron on.

'You're like my house wife now.' Athrun smiled.

Feeling heat rise up her face, Cagalli grabbed an apple from the grocery bags and threw it at him. 'Get out!'

Laughing, Athrun caught the apple and took a bite, sliding the door to his bedroom shut. Exhaling loudly, he ran one hand through his soft shoulder length hair and headed for the bathroom, needing a shower. When he stepped out of the bathroom again, he felt slightly refreshed. After throwing on white slacks and a khaki colored crew neck T-shirt, he slipped his bare feet into white towel slippers and walked into the kitchen again.

'Wow, it does smell good.' Athrun commented, his hair still moist from the shower.

'Told you.' Cagalli smirked, taking off the apron. 'I'm a fast learner.' She slapped Athrun's sneaking hand away. 'Uh-uh, no eating yet.'

'Yes honey.' Athrun said slyly, sitting on the stool again. He couldn't help but smile at Cagalli's cute reaction as she walked back and forth, putting the dirty bowls into the sink and wiping the cooking counter. She knew he liked things neat and tidy and had picked up this habit of his during their two years together. Wearing loose jeans and a worn white T-shirt, Cagalli didn't really look like the powerful political figure she usually was during the day. He couldn't help but feel giddy at the fact that he was the only one who'd get to see this side of Cagalli Yula Attha, it was only for Athrun Zala.

'You want anything to drink?' Cagalli asked, opening the fridge.

'Uh, I think I bought cider the other day.' Athrun said, sitting up.

'Here we are.' She took out the bottle of cider and closed the fridge door shut with her hips. Taking out two wine glasses, she poured the sparkling cider in. 'Cheers.'

'Cheers.' Athrun smiled as their glass clinked together.

'So?' Cagalli looked at Athrun nervously as he put a cut up meat loaf into his mouth. Closing his eyes, he chewed on it slowly. 'What do you think?'

'Not bad.' Athrun admitted, taking a sip from his cider. 'Really, not bad, you should learn some more from Lacus and cook more around here.'

Cagalli giggled. 'You know, we had this little cooking lesson with Lacus, you know, me and Miriallia and she just gave up before we even started.'

'She can't cook?' Athrun raised his eyebrows. 'She looks more like a housewife than you Cagalli, she doesn't seem like the type who can't cook.'

'Believe me, she can't.' Cagalli rolled her eyes. 'It was horrible.'

Athrun snorted. 'Let's just hope Dearka can then.'

'How are those two by the way?' Cagalli asked.

Athrun nodded. 'Not bad, I just got a call from Dearka.'

'And?'

Athrun paused. 'Dearka took her back to Aprilius One, I assume they've made things work out after all.'

'That's good news.' Cagalli said in relief. 'I just can't imagine how Miriallia had managed through those three months.'

'She's a tough girl.' Was Athrun's response.

They had their dinner in relative peace, talking about their friends and food Cagalli should cook next time. Athrun was silent when they did the dishes and Cagalli sensed something wrong. Athrun wasn't exactly a talkative person but when something was bothering him, she could sense it easily and it worked both ways.

'Here you go.' Cagalli set down a cup of steaming tea on the coffee table.

'Thanks.' Athun motioned for Cagalli to sit beside him on the low rise sofa. Complying, Cagalli sat down with her tea in both hands, leaning onto Athrun's side while he wrapped one arm around her shoulders. Cagalli looked around while sipping her tea, her legs crossed on the sofa.

Athrun's apartment wasn't small nor big, average size if you asked her. It only had one bedroom but it was pretty big, separated from the kitchen and living room by a sliding door. Athrun had kept the decoration as simple as possible and the colors were either solid dark ones like navy blue and deep green or gray and white. Cagalli liked Athrun's style, she liked spending time in his apartment, just hanging out. Just being with him made all the pressure from work fade away.

'Are you tired Cagalli?' Athrun asked softly, messaging the side of Cagalli's head with one hand, sipping tea from the other.

'I'm okay.' Cagalli replied, resting her head on Athrun's shoulder.

'Did you drive?' Athrun asked in a bare whisper.

Cagalli nodded. Setting his cup down, Athrun turned his head and leaned down, brushing his lips across hers. Pulling her closer to him, he deepened the kiss. Cagalli was practically straddling him when they parted, panting against each other.

'You're okay tonight right?' Athrun asked, his hand slipping beneath the soft material of Cagalli's T-shirt. Seeing her nod, Athrun picked her up and walked into his bedroom, sliding the doors shut with his foot. He gave her an eager kiss as her back hit the thick sheets of Athrun's bed. Peeling off her shirt, he started trailing kisses down her neck and over her chest. Cagalli couldn't help but arch her body up against Athrun's chest as he dug his hands beneath her, surrounding her with his secure and comfortable warmth.

The lights in Athrun's bedroom were off except for the lamp on his working table when Cagalli woke up again. She was lying face down on Athrun's bed and could still smell Athrun's scent. Athrun had pulled the sheets to her shoulders and when she moved, the soft fabric slid down her bare back. She squinted her eyes slightly at Athrun who was sitting at the desk with only his boxers on, looking down at something. He was thinking about something, something was definitely bothering him, she knew it.

Before Cagalli could push herself from the bed, Athrun turned in his chair. 'Did I wake you?'

Cagalli shook her head. Sighing, Athrun walked to the bed and sat down. 'Go to sleep, it's only two in the morning.'

'What's bothering you?' Cagalli asked, sitting up.

'It's that obvious?' Athrun asked dryly, caressing her cheek.

'Has something gone wrong?' Cagalli asked in a worried tone, grabbing his arm.

Athrun sighed. Wrapping one arm around Cagalli's shoulders, he sat himself comfortably on the bed, pulling the sheets up so they won't get cold. The single light shining from the table didn't allow Cagalli a clear look of Athrun's face.

'There is something going on Cagalli.' Athrun admitted, tightening his grip.

'What?' Cagalli asked softly, leaning the side of her face on Athrun's bare chest.

'I got a call from Dearka before you came in tonight.' Athrun said. 'They've got a problem over there.'

'Yeah?'

'They have a clue to who the assassin is.' Athrun said uncertainly.

'They do?' Cagalli pulled away and looked up at Athrun.

Athrun nodded. 'Both.'

'You mean the one at Orb and the one who shot Miriallia are the same?' Cagalli asked carefully. 'What's wrong then?'

Athrun sighed. 'It's still unbelievable, but…' Cagalli waited patiently, squeezing his shoulder gently in support. 'It's one of my comrades from the Heliopolis raid, the one who was confirmed KIA.'

Cagalli's eyebrows furrowed. 'Are you sure?'

'Yzak and Dearka seem to be pretty sure.' Athrun said slowly. 'Apparently, they got a very clear photo of him and it's unmistakable.'

'Is there a chance he's got a twin?' Cagalli asked, her eyebrows raised.

'Even if he did have one, it wouldn't be him.' Athrun said firmly. 'He's a sniper, a professional. Both attacks were done by a sniper and it's really not a surprise that he's the one behind everything if you review the attack a few months ago. I just… it just doesn't seem possible that he's alive…'

Cagalli reached out one hand and touched Athrun's face. 'We both thought Kira died too during the war, nothing's impossible Athrun.'

Athrun exhaled loudly. 'You're right Cagalli.'

'Is there anything you want?' Cagalli asked. 'Dearka must have called you for a reason.'

'They want me there.' Athrun replied. 'But I need a reason Cagalli, would it be okay if – '

Cagalli nodded stopped Athrun with one finger on his lips. 'I'll send you as Orb's representative on the assassination investigation, I'll sort things out for you so don't worry.'

'I'm sorry Cagalli.' Athrun leaned his forehead onto hers.

'Don't be.' Cagalli whispered. 'You'll regret if you don't clear things out for yourself. I understand.'

'Thank you.' Was all Athrun could say as he tightened his grip around her.

'Who's there?'

'It's me.' Lain stepped into the darkness of the suite.

'What are you doing here?' Madge asked, biting on the cigarette.

'To see if you're still alive.' Lain said softly.

'Why won't I be alive?' Madge countered, looking up at her. 'I'm great.'

'It's been three months Madge, I've heard you haven't stepped out of this suite for three damn months. What are you doing to yourself?' Lain sat down on the sofa across from Madge.

'I know you're strong, but not everyone's as strong as you Lain.' Madge sat up and grinded her cigarette into the ashtray. Feeling for the coffee table, she grabbed the box of cigarettes and took out one.

'Snap out of it Madge.' Lain reached over and snatched the cigarette from Madge's mouth before she could light it. 'You've been nothing but shit for the past nine years, no wonder Marni thinks so low of you.'

'Shut up Lain!' Madge snapped, glaring up at her.

'Oh, you think I'm wrong?' Lain crossed her arms. 'Look at you, you're no better than a piece of trash, mulling around this place. I told you it's not worth it Madge, you know you've become this piece of shit for someone who does not deserve it.'

'What do you have against your Mother Lain?' Madge spat. 'Sure she may have been a whore but – '

'We're not talking about her.' Lain cut in, narrowing her eyes. 'I'm talking about you. You're son's dead.'

'He should be ashamed to have such a Mother.' Madge murmured, exhaling loudly. Leaning back, she looked up while tossing the packet of cigarettes on the coffee table again. 'I really am that pathetic, who am I to make judgment and defense on others.'

'Have you even visited Marni's grave?' Lain asked. Madge shook her head. 'I can't help you if you don't help yourself Madge.'

'I don't need your help.' Madge whispered. 'You have better things to do then trying to comfort a wuss like me Lain.'

'Do you know why Marni killed himself in that jail?' Lain asked.

Madge shook her head.

'Probably because he knew it would be it for him. The officials made it clear that he was trying to assassinate some important politician and even the princess, but he said nothing, he didn't give anything away, not even Rusty.'

'His name's Russ.' Madge eyed Lain.

Lain ignored that comment. 'The least you can do is be proud of him now. He's gone, he's really gone.'

'I know.' Madge whispered.

'Rusty shot the girl.' Lain suddenly said.

'Which girl?' Madge looked at Lain.

'The girl who shot Marni down at Orb.' Lain replied. 'He didn't kill her, never intended to anyway.'

'No one knows what's going through that mind of his.' Madge muttered. 'No one.'

'I'm going to take off.' Lain stood up.

'You're not shaken by all this are you?' Madge asked as the door slide open.

Lain looked over her shoulder blankly. 'When you've seen the worst, nothing will get you shaken.'

'And you've seen the worst.' Madge concluded.

Lain smiled bitterly. 'I believe I have, and have done the worst.'

Stepping out of the room, Lain walked down the familiar corridors and found her way out of the Manor effortlessly. She was surprised to find Rusty leaned against the glass doors with his arms crossed.

'What are you doing here?' Lain asked.

'Let's talk in the car.' Rusty said.

Nodding, Lain followed him, realizing it was the first time they left the Manor together.

'What is it?' Lain asked in her monotone as Rusty cruised down the woods.

'I'm losing time here.' Rusty said.

'Why?' Lain asked.

'You know why.' Rusty growled. 'They took my pictures.'

'You let them.' Lain retorted.

'Maybe.' Rusty shrugged. 'But – '

'They closed your file, Yzak Jule's most trusted Major erased the data.' Lain said flatly. 'It's apparent that they don't want to pass anything else, especially to the council until they sort things out with you.' Lain paused. 'They still don't know they're the targets.'

'Maybe I should just do a quick breakout.' Rusty said.

'If you can really suck it up and do it, I don't care.' Lain muttered.

'I can do it.' Rusty said quietly. 'Believe me.'

Lain closed her eyes and leaned back. 'You can do anything Rusty MacKenzie.'

The rest of the ride was in silence until Rusty pulled in the alley. Without a word, Lain stepped out of the car. Rusty paused before following her, locking the car on the way.

'There's basically nothing in the fridge.' Rusty said as they entered the apartment they've been living in together for the past two and a half years, supposedly as husband and wife.

'I'll stock it up later.' Lain said tiredly. Taking off her white jacket, she tossed it onto the kitchen counter and poured herself a glass of water. Rusty too took off his deep blue trench coat and sat down at the table, looking at Lain's back.

'I'm not going to be around tonight.' Rusty said, seating back with his arms crossed.

'Sure.' Lain said casually, her back still to him while she drank from her glass.

Rusty clenched his teeth. 'I want some demolition explosives, prepare them for me. Also, I need the blueprint of the ZAFT headquarters in Aprilius One. Also, put a fake identity into it's database so I can check through.'

'Sure.' Lain repeated the same response.

'Can you give me another response?' Rusty hissed.

'Sure.'

Sitting up abruptly, Rusty picked up his trench coat and left the kitchen. Lain set down the glass on the counter when the door to the master bedroom slammed shut. Putting the glass into the stainless steel basin, Lain picked up her white coat gently from the table. Leaving the kitchen, she crossed the hall and entered the room across the kitchen. She walked past the separator and did the routine that lead her into the workshop she had been mulling in for the past few years.

Taking the cellphone out of the pocket, Lain tossed the jacket onto the counter. Leaning against one of the desk where the parts of a sniper rifle were waiting to be put together, she flipped open the cell phone and entered the message box, opening a message she got two hours ago.

'Code 67443, Pipkins.'

Taking a deep breath, she dropped the phone onto the floor. Looking down at the screen that was starting to blink and go static, she stepped on it, grinding her sharp heel into the screen until it went completely blank.

'You're alone Lain van Ness.' She whispered, kicking the broken phone against the wall. 'You'll always be alone.'

'This is the representative of Orb, Alex Dino, sent by Orb Authorities concerning the investigations of the assassination attempt on Miriallia Haww.'

'Yes, of course Major Elthman.' The receptionist nodded and dialed a number. She smiled up at Athrun until the connection went through. 'Commander Jule, Mr. Alex Dino, the representative of Orb has arrived, should I send him up immediately?'

'Yes please.' Athrun heard Yzak's voice from the intercom.

'Security has cleared Major, you can escort him into the headquarters.' The receptionist said.

Dearka nodded and motioned for Athrun. Following him, Athrun looked around the familiar place through his shades, a sense of déjà vu flowing through his veins.

They were both quiet, knowing better with so many people around. After a few change of lifts, they finally made it to Yzak's office, his secretary stepping out of it.

'His appointment.' Dearka explained when the secretary looked at him.

'Of course, Mr. Dino.' The secretary nodded.

Stepping into Yzak's office, Athrun wasn't at all surprised to find him scribbling away behind his huge desk, files and papers stacked on the floor beside it.

'Wait a minute.' Yzak held his hand up, not even looking up. Dearka could only shrug when Athrun looked at him. Yzak stood up while closing the file. Nodding at the both of them, he pointed towards the door with the file.

'Where are you going Commander?' His secretary asked when he dropped the file onto her desk.

'I'm going to find Hahnenfuss.' Yzak said. 'I'll be back in a while, call me if there's anything urgent.'

'Yes sir.'

'This way.' Yzak motioned for them to follow him. They finally exited the building through the back doors.

'I never knew there was an exit here.' Athrun commented, looking around.

'There's been a renovation around here.' Dearka said absently, leaning against the building.

'We can't say anything in my office.' Yzak muttered, crossing his arms. 'There's no telling to who's tapping the lines.'

'I agree.' Athrun frowned.

'I never thought I'd see you again so soon.' Yzak smirked.

Athrun returned the smirk. 'Too bad.'

Dearka sneered. 'You two aren't exactly friends.'

'Is it true?' Athrun asked, his smirk fading. 'Are you sure it's Rusty?'

'Oh yeah.' Dearka muttered while Yzak took out a photograph from his uniform jacket.

'It is him right?' Yzak asked bitterly.

Athrun nodded slowly. 'Yeah, he can't fool anyone with that hair and smirk. It just makes sense and seems bizarre all at the same time.'

'What the hell is going through that son of a bitch's mind?' Dearka cursed.

'There's got to be an explanation.' Athrun said calmly.

'Like what?' Yzak shrieked. 'It's been, what? Almost three years! If he were alive, ZAFT would welcome him back. Even if ZAFT didn't, he could still live a life more normal than being an assassin! An assassin for Nessar for crying out loud!'

'Calm down Yzak.' Dearka said, frowning.

'Do you have his concrete target?' Athrun asked.

Yzak shook his head. 'No, but we've checked and most terrorist attacks that weren't solved in the past two years were most likely from Nessar, which means…'

'More or less have to do with Rusty.' Dearka concluded.

'Bizarre, absolutely bizarre.' Athrun muttered, pushing his shades up. 'Are you sure it's okay that the three of us talk here?'

'Better than in there.' Dearka muttered.

'If the council gets their hands on this case, there's no saying what this will turn out to be. I mean, an elite trained by ZAFT is launching terrorist attacks out there!' Yzak shook his head. 'Hahnenfuss already deleted everything possible.'

'Aren't they going to suspect anything?' Athrun asked uncertainly.

'Hahnenfuss is a pro, she's done it like there's a bug.' Yzak replied absently.

'Miriallia told me she's seen Rusty.' Dearka added.

'What?' Athrun widened his eyes. 'When?'

'Remember the male nurse who passed us that day at the hospital outside Miriallia's ward?' Dearka sighed when Athrun nodded. 'It was him.'

'Damn it.' Athrun cursed. 'He's a pro at infiltration too.'

'Infiltration…' Yzak tapped his chin with his index finger. 'That's very dangerous. Knowing Rusty, he can shake the whole of ZAFT if he wants.'

'Shiho took Miriallia out today.' Dearka added. 'We can't let her do an official record, it's too dangerous.'

'Agreed.' Athrun nodded. 'The problem now is, what should we do?'

'We could wait.' Dearka suggested bitterly.

'That is a thought.' Yzak snarled. 'Yeah, make a trap and let him fall into it, smart.'

'He's never going to fall into a trap.' Athrun muttered. 'He's the one that sets traps and we're the ones who fall into them, it's never been the other way round.'

'Why do we always have to be in the light?' Yzak groaned.

'I'm more worried about his target Yzak.' Dearka crossed his arms.

'I know.' Yzak waved his hand in the air impatiently. 'The problem is we can't do anything, it's just – ' he stopped when his cellphone rang. 'What?' he answered curtly.

'Still the same old Yzak.' Athrun muttered, shooting a glance at Dearka, who smirked.

'What?' Yzak exclaimed. 'I'll come down there now.'

'What?' Dearka asked.

'Somebody sent in anonymous mail, the bomb disposal unit is working on it now. I've got to get down there now.' Yzak snapped his phone shut.

The three almost reached the ground floor when they heard a small explosion.

'Clear!'

'You thinking what I'm thinking?' Yzak muttered, eyeing Athrun and Dearka.

'It's not a big one.' Dearka said in relief, looking down at the foyer through the glass pane. 'Maybe it's just a warning? What do you think Athrun? Athrun?'

Yzak and Dearka shot each a glance before looking at Athrun's direction. He was looking up at the crowd of ZAFT soldiers looking over the foyer on the opposite side. Among the soldiers was one wearing a red elite uniform. He was looking down at them with a smirk, his spiky red bangs poking into his clear blue eyes that were slowly turning grey.

'For ZAFT…' Athrun read along with his lips as he raised his right hand in a salute.

The three watched as he raised one hand up, a remote with a single red button in his hand.

'It's him, it's him!' Yzak shouted. Taking a step back, he widened his eyes the red button was pressed without hesitation. The building suddenly shook as consecutive explosions could be heard.

'This way!' Dearka yelled over the noise. Pushing through the people who were rushing down the opposite direction, the three stopped in the middle of the hallway, the smoke and dust limiting their vision. Despite the chaotic situation, they could make him out.

Raising one hand, Rusty pointed his gun at the three of them through the smoke, smiling. The smile faded almost immediately and all they could hear was a gunshot before another wave of smoke separated them.

End of Chapter 6
Next Update: 12th September, 2005

A/N: Just as I promised, an update early this week. Hope everyone enjoyed it, especially 'Rebound' fans, I promised this chapter would pick up from where 'Rebound' had ended and now the real fun begins, the last five chapters were just the ground work. Athrun x Cagalli mush too, as I've mentioned earlier, yeah, they look good together and I hope there's going to be a good ending for the two in GSD.

Updates will resume on a weekly basis, so I'll make it every Monday, since, well, today's a Monday, so. I hope I'll still have time because once my course work picks up, I'll be pretty busy because, well, I'm sure all students will be busy if they really study but I'm a Theatre major so I have a lot of extra practical and lab work. Oh well... people are still shouting outside the residence, everyone's up late today because tomorrow, school opens and the day after, lessons will officially start.