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 11

Lain sat at her working desk, staring at the screen. She had found a data disc taped to the door this morning with the initials 'M.P.' on it. Knowing that it was from Madge, she ripped it off the door and went straight down to her workshop, popping it into her computer.

'Why did you have to do this?' Lain whispered, glaring at the data before her. 'I don't need you to risk your life like this.'

She had said the exact same words before Madge died in her arms yesterday. After Rusty's tear-bomb, he had speeded them through the forest. Knowing that they didn't come after them after twenty minutes, Lain had told him to stop because Madge was dying. Stopping the car, he had helped her carry Madge out of the car and lied her down on the ground. She knew she was going to die soon, die right in front of her. Just like her Mother.

'Lain.' Madge had whispered, looking up at her through tired eyes, her face still bleeding. Her clothes were torn and blood was oozing through her the cloth. They had used a wipe, a typical weapon for betrayers.

'Yeah.' Lain gave her a little smile while holding onto her hand. Rusty was leaning against his car with his arms crossed while Miriallia sat there, tears welling up.

'I'm going to die, aren't I?' Madge asked in a coarse voice, barely returning the smile.

'Don't worry, we're here, I'm here.' Lain said quietly, squeezing her bloody hand.

Madge stared up at her. 'In a way, you're so much like Lacia.'

Before, Lain would snap at that comment, but she didn't have the strength nor the will to do so now.

Madge sighed softly and looked away. 'She's independent, strong willed and knows what she's doing, except for probably in bed. She doesn't need anyone's help, doesn't want anyone's help, that's why she lived such a lonely life.' She looked back at Lain. 'You're just like her.'

'Maybe.' Lain whispered.

Reaching out one hand, Madge touched Lain's face. 'For once, let someone help you, even if it's a wuss like me.'

Lain's eyebrows furrowed. 'What did you do Madge?'

Madge shook her head. 'Just let me help you.'

'I don't need you to risk your life for me.' Lain said quietly. 'I don't.'

Madge just smiled, tears streaming down the side of her face. 'Rusty.'

Rusty looked up, surprised that she used his real name. He smiled. 'Yeah?'

'Take care of her for me.' Madge said weakly.

Rusty looked away. 'I'll try.'

'Lain.' Madge motioned for her to lean down. 'Let him help you Lain.' She whispered into her ear. 'He will help you, he wants to. You know he loves you, right?'

Lain nodded, biting her lower lip. 'I know.'

Madge closed her eyes, a smile on her lips. 'I know you do. I know…'

It was still dark and the only light came from the headlights of Rusty's car. Lowering her eyes slightly, Lain watched as Madge's hand slide away from hers and dropped onto the floor, leaving nothing but a blood stain on her palm. She died, right before her eyes, yet she didn't cry, couldn't even drop a tear.

She had a vague idea what she had done and her predictions proved to be right when she found the disc taped to the door this morning.

'You're not a wuss Madge.' Lain whispered, smiling down at the picture of her aunt and Marni. 'You helped me, you really did.'

Taking a deep breath, she put the photo face down onto her working table. Turning to her computer screen again, she started to set up barrier codes around the data. When she was finished, she entered a new data disc and copied the information. When it popped out again, she stuck a label onto it. Reaching for a pen, she hesitated before writing the words 'pipkins' on it.

She sat there for a few moments before flipping off the computer. Sitting up, she pressed her hand against the wound and walked out of the workshop, turning off the lights on her way. Giving it one more look, she closed the door and walked out. Pushing open the door to the master bedroom, she walked to the bed and sat down, picking up her discarded white jeans.

Pulling them on, she caught sight of the gun Rusty had given her yesterday, lying on the floor beside her feet. Picking it up, she stood and walked across the room, sticking the gun into her pants. Opening the closet, she took out a black tank top and bra. She looked down absently as she took off the oversized T-shirt she was wearing and put on the clothes. Turning around, she leaned against the opened closet and stared at the bed.

Rusty was still sleeping soundly on the bed, leaning onto his side, the sheets sliding down dangerously below his waist. He wasn't just handsome, he was gorgeous, dangerously gorgeous. No wonder Novita loved him so much.

Walking towards the bed, she sat on the edge and looked closer at Rusty's sleeping form. For a man, he had fair skin thought not as white as hers. She remembered holding him in her arms whenever he had dreams, sweat sliding down the side of his face. He would hold on to her unconsciously and relax. She would just look down at him for hours until the sun rose, wondering when all this would end, wondering what she had done in the past that deserved such a wonderful man.

He was wonderful, to die for. She knew it and was almost clear of the fact that she didn't deserve him. No, she had a past and a background, he wouldn't want to be dragged into it. He ended up doing so, and that changed everything.

Trailing her fingertips across his face, Lain's eyes landed on his thin lips. She touched them briefly before trailing them down his neck, touching the chain around. She widened her eyes slightly when his left hand suddenly flew up and grabbed her hand. She could feel the coldness from the wedding ring around his fourth finger. Reaching up, she fingered her own ring dangling from the silver chain.

Realizing that he was still asleep, Lain gently removed her hand from his. Leaning down, she placed a kiss on his forehead softly before standing up again. Stirring, Rusty rolled over face down, the sheets sliding over his butt.

Giving herself a smile, she took her white jacket off the rack and shrugged it on, wincing slightly at the wound on her arm, noting the blood stain on the left sleeve. Giving Rusty's sleeping form one more look, she stepped out and closed the door behind her soundlessly. Pulling on her white boots, she walked out of the apartment and took the steps, not wanting to wait for the lift.

'Good afternoon Miss.' The guard greeted her.

Lain gave him a small smile. 'Good afternoon.'

'It's been a long time since I've seen you and your husband come back home together.' He commented, raising his mug to his lips.

'Sure, I think I've never seen the two of you come home together. Isn't that strange?'

Lain nodded meaningly, exhaling loudly. 'It is strange.'

'Where are you heading off to?'

Lain raised the brown envelope up. 'I'm going to the post office.'

'Oh, well, have a good day.'

Bowing her head, Lain walked out of the building. Crossing the road, she decided to walk through the park. Kids were running around, chasing after each other. They were so innocent, so pure.

'What is it with you? Can't you feel the joy? Huh? It's family time!'

'I don't want to be affected by this joy.'

'Why? You know, you're nothing but silent shit, I get bored living with you, you know.'

'I don't believe in joy, only pain.'

'Come on, no childhood memories?'

'I don't have a family.'

'I thought you had a sister.'

'It's family history. As I said, the less you know, the better, so shut up.'

They hadn't exactly gotten along well when they first met. She had kept kicking herself for even thinking of saving him and he had been frustrated with being blind and having to live with a boring person like her. Even after the first night they slept together after the walk in the park, their relationship hadn't improved that much, but there was an understanding between them.

There had always been an understanding, and a high degree of tolerance between them. Till now, she still didn't know why she could tolerate Rusty sleeping with another woman, her sister no less. Madge had nagged her about it for two years straight.

She knew one thing, it hurt. It really did. Thought hurting, she didn't have the courage nor the energy to fight with that crazy 'sister' of hers. She also thought he had the freedom to have any affair he wanted since they're marriage was based on anything but love. Ironically, it wasn't till now did she realize that their marriage started with nothing but love, it just didn't continue on like it should have, or like they both wanted it to have.

'I'm sorry.' Lain looked up when a ball hit her feet. Looking down, she saw a little boy rushing towards her. Leaning down, she picked up the ball and handed it to him.

'Here you go.' Lain said, giving him a small smile.

'Are you hurt?' The little boy asked, looking at her arm.

'Yeah, so you be careful when you play.' She ruffled the boy's hair a bit before he ran off again, shouting thank you over his shoulder. She couldn't help but feel bitter for herself when he ran back to his Mother and Father, the Mother with a baby girl in her arms.

'I really have no childhood.' Lain muttered to herself, smiling bitterly. Continuing her way, she was standing in front of the post office fifteen minutes later. Exhaling loudly, she walked in the air conditioned room and went to the counter.

'May I help you?' The man asked.

'I want to send this out.' Lain said, sliding the brown envelope across the counter. 'Courier express. I need it to be sent in by six this evening.'

'Which zone Miss?'

'Aprilius One ring 1.' Lain replied.

'No problem, please fill this out and stick it on the envelope.' The man weighted the envelope and told her the cost.

Thanking him, Lain walked to the self serving area and wrote out the information, including the recipient's name and the address. Sealing the envelope, she stuck the stamps on and handed it back the counter.

'ZAFT quarters?' The man looked up at her. 'It's my duty to tell you that all parcels sent to ZAFT related buildings will be screened through, as of security reasons, is that a problem?'

Lain shook her head. 'No.'

'If yes, please sign this sheet.' The man slide the form across the counter and Lain signed it.

'Thank you.' Lain said, handing the pen back to him.

'You're welcome, have a nice day.'

Stepping out of the post office, Lain raised one hand out to shade her eyes from the strong sunlight. She couldn't help but give herself another bitter smile.

When had she ever had a nice day?

He wanted to kill someone. Never in his life had he had such strong desire to kill someone, actually kill someone.

Sitting on the edge of the bed with only his boxers on, Rusty stared down at his cell phone, the green message alert light beeping. He had heard the message from Novtia and was on the verge of bolting. He just wanted to grab the nearest gun and go kill someone, anyone, better yet Novita van Ness.

Pressing the button again, Rusty held the phone to his ear.

'If you want to see your wife again, meet me at my warehouse at midnight, no earlier, no later. Love you honey.'

Gritting his teeth, Rusty fought the urge to ram the cell phone into the wall. What was Lain thinking and where the hell did she go?

Shooting up, Rusty marched out of the room and went down to Lain's workshop, frowning at the dark room, he flipped open the lights. Looking around, he wasn't that surprised to find her working desk scattered with printed materials and data discs. Walking forward, he picked up a disc that had the label 'M.P.' on it. Pausing for just a second, he quickly sat down and flipped open the computer. Popping the data disc in, he quickly broke the codes. Sitting back with crossed arms, he stared at the data before him.

'She wouldn't…' Rusty looked sideways. She wouldn't have sent this information to her… would she?

Rusty's eyebrows furrowed as he caught sight of a lose piece of paper slipped under the glass of water. Picking it up, he felt his heart skip a beat at the address and name printed on it.

'Damn it!' Rusty cursed out loud.

Was she crazy? No wonder Novita took her away. He had no doubt that Novita already knew what Lain had done and with that said, he had absolutely no idea what Novita would do to her within the next seven or so hours.

Standing up, Rusty started pacing the room. He had to do something before midnight, something…

He suddenly looked up and shot a glance at his cell phone. Sitting back down on the chair, he started typing away, using Lain's connections to hack into PLANT's communication systems. His eyes kept scanning the data rolling before his eyes until he caught sight of the one he wanted.

Grabbing his cell, he keyed in the number blinking on the screen, sitting on the desk with one foot on the chair, he waited patiently until a nostalgic voice answered it.

'Yzak Jule.'

Rusty narrowed his eyes slightly, not saying anything.

'Who the hell is this?' the person on the other line suddenly shouted impatiently. Rusty winced at his age old temper. Some things never change.

'How's the shot? It didn't put you in a coma did it?' Rusty asked after taking a deep breath.

The other line went deathly quiet.

'Rusty?' Yzak asked in a shaky voice.

'Yeah.' Rusty smirked, digging one hand into his hair.

'Wh – why?' Was all Yzak could say.

'Why am I calling?' Rusty tried, raising his eyebrows. 'Or why did I shoot you? Or maybe how did I get your number?'

'All.' Yzak grunted.

'I don't have time here.' Rusty said shortly.

'You don't, but I do.' Yzak snapped back. 'You owe us a lot of explanations Rusty MacKenzie.'

'I do.' Rusty admitted. 'And before I explain everything, which I'm willing to do so from this point onwards, I want your help.'

'What help?' Yzak asked in a skeptical tone.

'My wife sent out something.' Rusty said.

'So?'

'She sent out something highly confidential to your most trusted subordinate.' Rusty said flatly.

The other line went silent again.

'Are you sure?' Yzak asked uncertainly. 'Is that even possible?'

'Trust me.' Rusty hopped off the table. 'It's possible. I think you're still ignorant of the relationship between her and my wife.'

'That's crazy.' Yzak snarled. 'There's no way – '

'Yzak!' Rusty snapped. 'Hear me out.'

'You're the one talking.' Yzak muttered.

'I need your help.' Rusty said quietly.

'Yeah, you call me out of the blue after three fucking years when we all thought you were dead, shooting the hell out of me, almost ripping down the headquarters and now you're asking me a favor? You should be smarter than this MacKenzie, the least you can do is – '

'Please.' Rusty interrupted in an almost pleading tone. 'I don't have time.'

Rusty heard Yzak sigh loudly. 'Fine, but you owe me a god damn – '

'Explanation.' Rusty finished for him. 'I'll work that out.'

Racing downhill at a hundred and thirty kilometers per hour, Rusty could only squint his eyes at the wind, his headlights being his only guide in the pitch black road. Stopping his car at the entrance of an old warehouse that belonged to Nessar illegally, he pulled the breaks and stared up at it for a while before opening the car door, stepping out.

Digging his hands into the pockets of his deep blue trench coat, he wasn't at all surprised when the door opened before he even knocked.

'Mr. Enzia, Miss Novita is waiting.' Vail bowed his head slightly, a lit cigarette in his mouth.

Shooting him a glance, Rusty stepped into the warehouse, watching form the corner of his eyes as Vail closed the door with a loud bang. There was a moment of darkness before the hall lit up with candles. He waited for his heartbeat to calm down from the sudden darkness before proceeding with Vail leading the way. Though old and dingy on the outside, the inside was exquisitely decorated, a personal style of Novita van Ness.

'This way please.' Vail said when he saw Rusty stop in his tracks. Nodding, he followed him until they reached the double doors at the end of the hall. Smirking, Vail pushed open the doors and motioned for Rusty to enter.

Pausing, Rusty stepped into a warehouse that was filled with stock wrapped in plastic. The boxes were all moved aside, forming a large area in the middle. Steel stairs led the way up to the tiers where doors could be seen locked.

In the large middle area, candles were lit everywhere, producing a faint lavender scent. A long glass table was set in the middle with two filled wine glasses on either side. Novita was sitting at one end facing Rusty, wearing her usual low cut halter top and low waist leather pants, leaving her midriff bare. A little different from usual, she had a jacket draped across her shoulders and Rusty could faintly see a gun sticking in the inside pocket of it.

'Sit sweetie.' Novita smiled at him with her legs crossed. 'It's been a long time hasn't it?'

'You've made that complaint to me before Novita.' Rusty said in a joking tone, sitting down. Bowing his head slightly, Vail retreated, closing the door behind him quietly.

'Have some wine, it's nice.' Novita said, raising the glass to his lips. 'Don't worry, I didn't put anything in it.'

Rusty shrugged. 'Either way, you're going to make me drink it.'

'To be honest, I'm a little disappointed Russ.' Novita said quietly, setting the glass down.

'Why?' Rusty asked, eyeing her, crossing his legs.

'Because I needed to use Lain to make you come see me.' Novita pouted.

Rusty just stared at her, the rim of the glass touching his lips.

'To tell you the truth,' Novita leaned forward slightly, 'I'm jealous of her.'

Rusty's lips curved into a smirk. 'What does she have that makes you so jealous Novita?'

Novita dropped her smile. 'You.'

'I didn't know I was that influential.' Rusty murmured, looking at her straight in the eye.

Novita traced the rim of her glass with her index finger. 'Quasim asked me why I'm so crazy about you. I asked myself the same question and listed everything I could that was good about you. The list just goes on and on… what have you done to me Russ?'

'I'm flattered.' Rusty smiled. 'But I don't deserve it.'

'You deserve it.' Novita said promptly, standing up. 'You deserve so much more than Lain. You deserve me. What Lain has done will put Nessar through hell and with your connection to her, Father will kill you, he really will.'

'What did she do?' Rusty asked innocently.

Novita narrowed her eyes. 'Something that may end Nessar.'

'End Nessar?' Rusty repeated.

'Leave with me.' Novita said in a low voice, walking up to him. Sitting down on the table in front of him, she fingered the collar of his trench coat absently. 'Don't ruin your career because of her.'

'I thought you said Nessar was going to end because of what she did.' Rusty said in feign confusion.

Novita snorted. 'My Father's not that stupid, he's got his plans, he's going to make it like a piece of cake.' She leaned forward. 'I know you don't want to work for my Father, I know you don't want to be an assassin. Leave with me, I'll guarantee a comfortable life for you, a life without killing, without Nessar. I can give you so much more Russ, start a new life with me.' Novita's lips were inches before his. 'You know I've fallen in love with you.'

'I know.' Rusty whispered back, narrowing his eyes. 'But I haven't.'

Clenching her teeth, Novita reached into her jacket and whipped out her pistol, pointing it at Rusty's forehead. 'Why? I've given you the chance! Why aren't you taking it!'

Rusty watched while standing up as she backed away, her gun trained on his head. 'Why? You're asking me why? You should know the answer Novita, you knew the answer when you took Lain away from me!'

'I don't know!' Novita cried. 'All I want is you! Only you! I can do anything for you, anything! I'm even willing to give up everything I have just for you! Can Lain do it? Can she give up everything for you? She can't even fulfill the duty of a wife! If she had, you wouldn't have come to me in the first place!'

Rusty narrowed his eyes at Novita. 'You're pathetic Novita, you have a serious security issue.'

'I don't!' Novita screamed, the jacket sliding off her shoulders. 'I have everything Lain has! I'm better than Lain in so many ways! Why can't you accept me? Why are you giving me false hope and pushing me away like this now? I trusted you, I didn't believe what Quasim told me! I knew that you'd come back to me and now what? You're pushing me away! Do you know how much I've have done for you? You can't do this to me!'

'I love her.' Rusty said quietly, watching as Novita widened her eyes. 'I'm sorry if I've given you false hope, I'm sorry if I've given you the wrong impression, but I don't feel anything towards you Novita. I love my wife and I've always had, right from the very beginning, even before you came along. To tell you the truth, I think about her when I'm sleeping with you, she's the only person who can – '

'Stop it!' Novita shouted, pulling the trigger. Rusty kept his eyes trained on her, a bullet hole in the wall behind him. 'Don't insult me Russ Enzia, she's nothing compared to me. You're mine! Mine! If I can't have you, if I can't make your heart mine, no one can! Not even that fucking sister of mine!'

Reaching into her pocket, she took out the chain that had Lain's wedding dangling from it. Rusty eyes turned into a dangerous shade of gray at the blood stain on it. Throwing it down onto the floor, she grinded her heel into the wedding band until it broke it half, glaring at Rusty with tears in her eyes.

Turning around, she pointed her gun at a hidden camera at the corner.

'Kill her.'

Never in her life has she been this unfocused. She tried to focus, but couldn't and blamed it on the unbearable pain that was shooting through her body after so much whipping. Her wrist had already gone numb from the hours of being hung in mid air, the coarse rope burning into her skin, blood staining the knot.

Surprisingly, even such brutal pain did not make her teary, let alone cry. She felt sorry for Novita though, having to vent her frustration on someone else, just because she couldn't get what she wanted.

After being gagged and dragged into a black van, Lain had fainted and when she woke up again, she was already hung in midair with Novita glaring up at her with a wipe in her hand. Lain had a very good idea of what she wanted to do, but somehow, no sense of fear got her.

Novita didn't say anything, just whipped her, trying to make her scream her lungs out, trying to make her beg. She didn't, even when the whip hit her neck and almost got her face. That blow, however, did rip her ring necklace off. Having very sharp eyes, Novita immediately stepped forward and picked up the ring. Without another word, she spun on her heel and left, ordering Anja and another of her sidekicks to watch over her.

Novita didn't do anything for just personal reasons, Lain wouldn't be surprised that she already knew what she had sent out and whom she sent it to. Lain knew Nessar wouldn't fall that easily, but it would be a huge blow to the foundation of it. It was really the least she could do, revenge or not.

She felt breathless now and could barely feel her body at all. The only thing she could feel was the blood that seemed to be oozing from every part of her body and sliding down, dripping onto the cold steel floor. Faintly, she could hear voices shouting from the speaker, but she couldn't make anything out of it. She must have been dreaming when she thought she heard Rusty's voice.

I'm dreaming. She thought, biting her lower lip. I'm just dreaming…

'Kill her.' A very sharp voice suddenly rang from the speaker. When Lain managed to open her eyes slightly and focus, she found herself staring down the barrel of a gun.

'Sorry Miss Lain.' Anja said expressionlessly. 'Orders from Miss Novita.'

'Don't say sorry.' Lain said in a bare whisper. 'There's nothing you are sorry for.'

Swallowing down a lump, Anja was about to pulled the trigger when at the same time, another gunshot was heard from behind him. Lain squeezed her eyes shut as the bullet brushed across her right calve and hit a box behind her. Lain could hear the stack of boxes collapse. When she opened her eyes again, Anja was already lying on the floor, groaning in pain, his right hand and both knees bleeding from the bullet shots.

Trying to take in a deep breath, Lain squinted her eyes slightly as a figure stepped from the shadows near the door, behind the computer desk.

'There's a time for me to save your ass after all.'

'And there's a time for you to be sarcastic too, Shiho.' Lain murmured.

Shiho Hahnenfuss stared up at her, the gun in her hand still steaming with smoke.

'Are you here to save me or to mock me.' Lain asked in a whisper, looking down at the brunette.

Shiho raised her eyebrows. 'I'm here to return a favor.' Turning, she aimed the gun at the switch that held the rope in place. Lain almost cried out loud at the sudden drop before Shiho grabbed hold of her.

'I didn't do this to you four years ago.' Lain muttered.

'You got a better plan?' Shiho grunted while untying her.

Lain held her hand up, stopping Shiho from moving. 'Let me just stay for a bit, I can't move.' When she finally found her breath again, she looked at Shiho sideways. 'Why are you here?'

'I got your data.' Shiho replied, holding up her cell phone. 'Pipkins?'

Lain frowned. 'I didn't tell you to come looking for me.'

'You didn't, but intelligence did.' Shiho said quietly. 'MacKenzie's here.'

Lain just looked at her.

'Can you stand?' Shiho asked.

'Yeah, I think.' Lain winced in pain as Shiho held her up to her feet. 'Are you here just to return a favor?'

Shiho shrugged. 'I'm here to return a lot of favors.'

'What did you do to him?' Lain asked as they walked past Anja.

'He's not going to die, if that's what you're asking about.' Shiho muttered. 'Though I did want to kill him.'

'Where's Rusty?' Lain suddenly asked, grabbing Shiho by the arm.

Shiho looked down at her for a moment, pausing. 'We have to leave this place from the back.'

'Where's Rusty?' Lain repeated, tightening her grip on Shiho's arm, blood staining her light colored jacket.

Before Shiho could answer, another gunshot rang from the other side of the steel walls, a voice dying from the static speakers on the table.

'If you don't love me, then I'll make you love me in your death.'

End of Chapter 11

A/N: For those who wanted Eneta from 'Rebound' to be a controlling psycho, here's Novita van Ness for you. For those who are dying to know who's the female lead in GSA III, you can make a pretty good guess in this chapter. For those who want me to post the last chapter, review. Enjoy.