Reviewer Responses:
ZGMF X-19A Infinite Justice – Thank you for the review. About the chapter being detailed, it was a priority of mine to make it that way to answer any past questions. And Mir gaining custody of Ami, well I just made you ask more questions didn't I.
chibiNeko192 – Thanks, I know.
tha lil' angel - Thank you for the review. I was thinking of doing more
Dearka and Mir stories I just need to think of some. About the length of the pregnancy, your damn right about letting it slip because I have no idea about how long it takes.
Angel Of Dreams – Thank you for the review. It's great to see that you have figured it out and thank you for the compliment of it being well arranged.
AXCandDXM – Thank you for the review.
DearkaKiksBigBum – Thank you for both reviews. Thank you for the compliment about my ability to make the characters more real, it was a goal in the AU fic to make them more human and not war machines.
jenniferseedlover – Thank you for the review.
kari480 – Thank you for the review. Yzak having all the girls going after him was a fun decision because it was just fun to have his mother want him to have a girlfriend and settle down and him just not wanting to.
0chibi-chan0 – Thank you for the review.
Raisurinu – Thanks for the review.
sweet-but-evil – Thank you for the review.
blu-shadows – Thank you for the review. It's great that I no longer confuse you.NagoyaX – Thank you for the review. I would love to write faster but I've realized that the story turn out better if I push it to the edge with all this information.
Life Or Something Like It
Into The Storm
Shiho sat stunned at the end of Dearka's long winded story of his past with the love of his life. It was all hard to stomach. When Shiho had first met the little girl named Ami two years previous with Yzak she had know idea she was the daughter of a movie star, especially the most popular movie star to date Miriallia Haww. "Wow," was all she could manage.
"Sure is, isn't it," Dearka spoke while he rubbed his temples.
"I honestly don't know what to say," Shiho spoke sitting there just staring ahead.
"Well you could say what you think now that you know," Dearka offered.
"Well how's this, I now know why you never wanted to date," Shiho laughed.
"It's great to know that someone in your marriage has brains to know that," Dearka laughed back.
"Hey that's low," Shiho said pretending to be serious.
"It's the truth and you know it," Dearka answered.
"I know but I love him for it,"
"I know you do, but now I think its time for us to go back to work," Dearka ordered.
"Whatever Dearka," Shiho said standing up.
After Shiho left Dearka stood up and walked towards his desk. As he sat behind the desk trying to think of a present for his daughter's birthday he pulled out a picture of both Mir and himself he thought to himself, 'I know what I want to give her, but life just isn't that fun,'
In the club…
"Hey Shiho what's wrong?" Luna questioned the older girl.
"I know why Dearka's so bitchy around Ami's birthday now," Shiho answered.
"So, the big idiot caved and tolled you everything," Shinn said walking up to the two.
"Ya he did," Shiho replied.
"It's a shame he just doesn't want to move on huh," Luna spoke.
"Sure is, sadly it isn't our decision on how he should live his life now is it," Shinn spoke now tiring of the conversation.
"You're right, it's not our decision, it's Dearka's and his alone," Shiho spoke sadly.
"Anyway what are we going to do for Ami's birthday party?" Luna questioned.
"Don't know, I think Dearka wants it to be a small party with just us and Kian and Nina," Shiho answered.
"Well what ever we do I have only one question," Shinn said, as he was getting ready to go back to work.
"And what would that be sweetie?" Luna questioned.
"What the hell do you buy a six year old girl," Shinn answered with a look of wondering.
'Men,' Was the only thing running through the minds of Luna and Shiho.
Later at the Joule's…
"So you convinced Dearka into telling you why he's alone," Yzak said angrily.
"Well…" Shiho started.
"Well's not good enough!" Yzak yelled, "I was telling it to you because you asked me to first,"
"O shut up already!" Shiho yelled back. Remarkably Yzak did shut up. Shiho never raised her voice to him, and that in truth was the thing that made him shut up, "I asked Dearka what happened because he would get to the point of the damn question!" Shiho did this while jabbing her finger into his chest.
"But still you asked me first so I think I should of finished it!" Yzak barked back.
"That's it you're sleeping on the couch!" Shiho screamed and stormed to their room.
"WHAT!" Yzak's voice screeched. He tried to argue his way back into their bed but twenty minutes later he was trying to get comfortable on the couch.
Meanwhile…
"Listen you must get your daughter back Miriallia," Tolle spoke over the phone, "Tomorrow you'll go to his apartment and get your daughter back,"
"I know but…" Mir started.
"You have nothing to worry about, I'll make sure everything is in order," Tolle told her as calm as he could, 'Don't worry my revenge will be complete,' he added as an after thought.
The next day…
"Daddy!" Ami screamed at her now six year old lungs.
"I'm awake," Dearka said shooting up in bed, "What's wrong?" he was still half a sleep as he wiped spit from the side of his face.
"No," Ami answered sheepishly.
"What did you do?"
"Nothing, it's just…"
"Just…"
"It's my birthday!" Ami screamed the rest and tackled Dearka who let out "Oof!"
"So what'd you buy me?" Ami asked as sweetly as she could.
"You'll know as soon as everyone else gets here," Dearka answered trying not to cave to her.
"Ah nuts," Ami spoke as she stuck her bottom lip in a pout.
"The pout won't work today," Dearka said as he fought really hard not to.
"Ok," Ami said and walked out the room.
"She's definitely my kid," Dearka said to himself as he laughed.
'It's been six years since not only the worst day of my life but also the best day in my life happened,' Dearka thought, 'And if anybody ever wondered if I regretted my decision's in life, ha ha, they'd be wrong,'
During Ami's party…
"I can't believe Athrun gave her Haro," Dearka said with a sigh.
"Hey where are Yzak and Luna?" Shinn questioned.
"Oops, I forgot, he's still at work," Shiho answered, "He couldn't get today off,"
"Ok so where's Luna?" Shinn asked again.
"She said she had some errands to run," Meryin answered as she played with Ami, Nina, and Kian.
(RING)(RING) "Yo, Dearka your phones ringing!" Heine screamed as he ducked a flying Haro.
(A/N: Phone conversation) "Hello, Elsman Residence, Dearka Elsman speaking," Dearka said speaking into the phone.
"Dearka where's Shiho?" spoke the panicked voice of Yzak's mother.
"Calm down Mrs. Joule," Dearka said trying to calm Mrs. Joule down.
"Please Dearka tell me where Shiho is," Mrs. Joule replied now getting angry.
"All right hang on," He said. Dearka then walked over to Shiho and whispered to her, "Yzak's mom is on the phone and she sounds upset,"
Shiho then nodded her head and took the phone from Dearka. She could be heard saying, "Oh my God," and the phone was returned it to Dearka who hung it up.
"What happened?" Dearka questioned.
"Yzak's in the Hospital, there was a robbery at a store," Shiho answered before breaking down and crying.
"You don't think that Luna was there do you Heine?" Meryin whispered to Heine.
"I have know idea, but I'm hoping she isn't there," Heine whispered back.
"Let's go to the Hospital," Kira suggested.
"All right everybody pack up were going to the Hospital," Dearka spoke as he turned towards everyone.
"But daddy it's my birthday," Ami said as she started to cry.
"Ami there is something you have to understand, sometimes you have give up those happy things that you care about for someone else's happiness," Dearka said in his fatherly voice, "You have to be a good girl for daddy and come with me so we can visit Uncle Yzak in the Hospital,"
"Is Uncle Yzak sick?" Ami questioned.
It was at that question that Shiho, though still crying, decided to help Dearka, "We don't know just yet Ami but we are going to find out ok,"
"Ok," Ami said in a soft voice.
"Ok then lets get going," Dearka said as he picked up Ami and prepared to walk out the door.
The group was had already had there shoes and jackets on when Dearka, Ami, and Shiho got to the door. "Ok, is everyone ready to go?" Athrun questioned.
Though the mood was quite low the group was trying to lift each other's spirits. As they were heading towards the door it was Heine who opened the door and shocked everyone. "Holy $#!" Heine yelled. Though the end was muffled by Meryin's hand everyone older than 6 knew what he was screaming because they all had that same sentence going through their minds, especially Dearka.
"Miriallia," Lacus said in shock.
Athrun and Kira both had to restrain Cagalli. Even though her son, niece, and the daughter of a friend were present, she really really wanted to bop Miriallia across the face.
"Miriallia, what are you doing here?" Dearka questioned in utter shock. Here in front of him was the love of his life and Ami's mother. 'Guess this day's not as bad as I initially thought,' he thought as he stood there.
"Daddy whose that?" Ami questioned tugging Dearka's ear before he stopped her. He really didn't want to answer that, he couldn't express how he didn't want to answer that question.
"Uh, Dearka we really need to get going now," Kira spoke over the uncomfortable silence.
"I'm sorry but I need to talk with Dearka," Miriallia said coolly towards Kira. That of course made not only Cagalli what to punch Miriallia but also Lacus.
"You know I think it might be a little safer if Ami if she came with us," Heine said as he took Ami from Dearka.
"How would you think that?" Meryin questioned.
"Easy, it's safer in a Hospital because the way things look from here Dearka will be there in a few minutes as fast as they can get him there," Heine answered. The others were already out the door. Shiho decided that husband in the Hospital was more important than friend with love problems. While Kira ad Athrun got there families out before there children say just how powerful there mothers really were.
"What does that mean Uncle Heine?" Ami questioned.
"It means Uncle Heine said something stupid," Meryin answered as she pushed Heine out the door. Leaving Dearka in the room with a very pissed off looking Miriallia.
"How have you been Miriallia?" Dearka questioned while making sure nothing particularly sharp was around.
But before Miriallia could answer his question, the two heard the toilet flush and saw Shinn walk out. "Oh, hello," Shinn said as he rubbed the back of his head.
"Hey Shinn," Dearka replied thankful for the break.
"Um, where is everyone?" Shinn asked.
"Hospital," Dearka answered.
"Damn, you go to the bathroom and you miss everything," Shinn said out loud to himself, "Everybody's probably gone by now,"
"Here take my car," Dearka said looking at Shinn as he handed his keys to him. It was during this that Shinn finally remembered Miriallia was in the room. He mumbled a thank you to Dearka, glared at Miriallia, and walked out the apartment.
'Where were we?' Dearka thought.
"I'm fine Dearka," Miriallia answered his question from before.
'Oh ya that's where we were,' Dearka thought.
"And how may I help you?" Dearka questioned.
"You lied to me," Miriallia said nit answering Dearka.
"Well I have my reasons," Dearka spoke.
"You still lied to me Dearka!" Miriallia yelled.
'Yup, definitely pissed at me,' He thought.
"You were to give her up for adoption like you promised!"
"I couldn't do that to her!" Dearka yelled back. He was getting mad, this wasn't supposed to happen. Miriallia wasn't ever supposed to find out about him keeping Ami.
"Why Dearka?"
"Why you want to know why,"
"Yes, Why?"
"Because I wasn't going to let her grow up in a foster family, have them tell her she wasn't loved by her original parents, and have her wonder for the rest of her life why her real parents didn't love her!"
It was now quiet because of Dearka's rather loud outburst. He actually flinched when he yelled. "I want her Dearka,"
"Come again?"
"I want custody Dearka,"
'Why the hell would she want custody after wanting to give her up,' Dearka thought. Miriallia handed him a folder and turned to leave.
"My lawyer will call to tell you the date," She said coldly and then left.
"I so can't deal with this right now," Dearka said out loud. Since Shinn had taken his car he had called a cab and was now on his way to the Hospital.
At the Hospital…
The others had been at the Hospital for ten minutes trying to find Yzak's room. The nurse said that they had brought him in at least two hours before. It was during this Ami decided to ask again who the woman at her house who had scared her dad.
"Aunt Meryin?" Ami asked.
"What is it sweetie?" Meryin answered as she looked down at the girl Heine was holding.
"Who was that lady that was at my house?" she asked sweetly.
"Well…" Meryin started. She didn't want to tell Ami that it was the woman who gave birth to her and then abandoned her.
"It's an old old friend of your dad's," Heine answered after seeing Meryin trying to think of one, "You see it was a lady that knew your dad really well and hasn't seen him in awhile,"
"O ok," Ami said now content with her answer.
"Meryin had mouthed a small, "Thank you," to Heine when Shinn came running up to them.
"Hey what's wrong?" Shinn questioned.
"You mean you don't know?" Athrun questioned Shinn.
"No I was in the bathroom, I came out and Dearka told me to come here," Shinn answered.
"Yzak's mom called, she told Shiho that he's here after being injured in a robbery," Kira told Shinn finally.
"Hey isn't that Yzak's mom just down there," Cagalli said to everyone.
At this Shiho glanced up ahead of them and saw Yzak's mother and had taken off. Everyone of course didn't blame her, if they were told that there loved one was in a robbery and was hurt they would be just as worried.
When the others had gotten to the room they saw a crying Shiho latched on to a pissed off looking Yzak at the neck. "Why's everyone crying?" Yzak questioned. After everyone finally looked Yzak in the eyes or eye rather they noticed how banged up he looked. Half his face was wrapped up covering what everyone hoped wouldn't hurt his life too much. When they looked over the rest he was wrapped up around the chest and shoulders.
When Yzak realized what they were staring at he laughed, "It's not as bad as it looks,"
"What your face is bandaged up along with your body!" Shiho hollered.
"The Doctors say I'll be fine, all I'll have is a scar across my face and a few on my body," Yzak said as if it happened everyday, "You should go visit Luna she's a worse,"
"What happened to Luna?" Meryin questioned.
"You mean nobody called you," Yzak stated calmly, "Oh man,"
"What happened Yzak?" Shinn questioned. He actually sounded as if he was threatening Yzak.
"She was there, at the robbery," Yzak answered hotly, "She took a bullet to the back trying to shove me out of the way,"
It was then that Shinn had collapsed and Meryin started to cry. "Listen she's all right, just head down the hall, to room 105, she's there," Yzak told them. After that Heine had passed Ami to Lacus who was holding Nina and held Meryin to his side as he led her to the room with Shinn who was supported by Athrun and slowly followed Heine down the hall.
It was then that Dearka finally showed up. "What the heck happened to you?"
"Fine you want to know so bad, I'll tell you," Yzak answered, "We got a call saying there was a robbery in progress, we showed up and turns out it was some low class punk, I went after one and he pulled a knife and slashed me across the face which made this," Yzak said point to his bandaged face, "As it happens there was a few others there that we didn't see, I heard someone yell look out, turned around and caught a few bullets in the shoulders and chest before my partner put him down,"
"What about Luna though?" Lacus asked.
"Well some how we missed butt head number 3," Yzak stated angrily, "He was coming up behind me I guess and drew a gun, as luck would have it Luna was there and decided to play hero and bashed me out of the way when he fired and got hit in the back like I said for her trouble,"
"What happened after that?" Cagalli questioned now really into the story.
"I…," Yzak started and then paused as if he didn't want to continue, "Could you take the kids out first,"
"Sure, come on guys," Dearka answered obliging Yzak's request. So he lead out everyone who was carrying a kid and took Ami out into the hall and down to Luna's room to see her. The only ones left were Kira, Athrun, and Shiho.
"Well?" Shiho asked nudging Yzak a little.
"I shot him while I was still conscious," Yzak answered softly looking down at his hands.
"As in…" Athrun started.
"Dead," Yzak replied with one word that scared everyone.
"It'll be ok, everything will be ok," Shiho whispered as she hugged Yzak tightly.
Athrun and Kira decided to leave and let the two have privacy and head down to Luna's room to check on her. It was there that they saw Meryin crying and Shinn looking distant. "So what's wrong?" Kira whispered to Heine.
"It seems that the bullet that Luna took as paralyzed from the waist down," Heine whispered, "They said there's a slight chance she could walk again,"
"Well that's good news isn't it," Athrun stated.
"Doubt it, it's supposed to be a few operations and a painful recovery," Heine said still whispering.
It was then that Athrun decided to handle another issue that had sparked his interest. This issue was what had progressed between Dearka and Miriallia. So he decided to be direct about getting his attention by simply reaching over grabbing his collar and yanked him out of the room followed by Kira and a curious Heine. Luckily Dearka had enough time to pass Ami to Lacus before the yank took place.
"All right spill what happened?" Athrun questioned.
"Eh?" Dearka responded.
"What happened after we left between you and Miriallia?" Heine asked in a slow drawl as if he was speaking to a slightly deaf person.
"Well…" Dearka started but didn't want to finish.
"Just say it Dearka!" Kira urged.
"Fine, Miriallia is fighting for custody of a child she didn't want six years ago," Dearka said trying not to raise his voice.
"What!" The three men yelled.
"Why would she do something like that?" Athrun pondered out loud.
"When you figure it out tell me," Dearka said annoyed with the whole idea.
"You do know you might lose Ami right," Kira pointed out.
"What do you mean?" Dearka asked.
"He means she's famous, your well you," Heine answered.
Of course Dearka was still slightly confused. "Dearka he means that with Miriallia's standing in society you might lose," Kira said trying to help him figure it out.
"Eh?" Dearka responded.
'Man when Dearka doesn't care he really doesn't understand anything,' Athrun thought.
"It means famous rich person will beat you hands down no problem," A voice from behind spoke. When they turned around it appeared to be Yzak supported by Shiho who spoke.
"Oh," Dearka replied finally understanding.
"I told you the day you made this decision that it would haunt you, that it was a stupid idea but nooo, know body believes what I said," Yzak said while moaning a little under his breath afterwards saying how he was right.
"You know I can't deal with this right now," Dearka barked, "It's late Ami has school and the last thing I need to worry about is this," and with that he walked back into Luna's room picked up Ami and wished Luna luck in recovery and left.
He didn't get far before Ami screamed, "Bye Uncle Yzak hope you get better!"
Yzak turned to his friends and wife with a look of confusion before Shiho told him, "She was worried about you," Yzak just nodded his head and waved goodbye. All while thinking to himself, 'you're wrong Dearka, you should worry about this custody battle, even though I complain and say it was a bad idea to keep Ami I know for a fact that she keeps you alive and the only reason you haven't given up yet is because of her, if you loose her I fear for what you will do,' Yzak finished his thought and with the support of his wife headed into Luna's room to talk to her and see how she was.
TBC…
Please read and review. I know I ask that every time but hey you never know.
Later Days…