Dearka & Miriallia

Author's Notes: Okay, I know a lot of you are extremely depressed at the appearance of Cadey, but it only makes sense that something would stand in Dearka & Miriallia's way. If there weren't some obstacles what would be the point in reading? (Insert evil laugh here) Anyway we are going to explore the Athrun/Miriallia conversation of episode 24 and then hop on to a brand new timeline (due to the fact that I don't think everyone will want to wait until I watch episode 25 this weekend.) :P I also have my Chapter 5 outline notes completed so that one will be done in the next few days. Thanks again for the support everyone!

Disclaimer: It is obvious by now if I'm here that I do not own Gundam SEED, Gundam SEED Destiny or any other Gundam Series. But any characters I create to place in this world are mine (But I don't mind if you guys want to use them too. I have no problem with that. You don't even need to ask me. I enjoy sharing to make other stories the best they can be.)

Chapter 4

A Journey Begins

A few months later…

Miriallia couldn't believe what she had seen that day.

"Was it really Kira in the Freedom?" Miriallia thought.

A battle had raged between the Earth Alliance and ZAFT, specifically the Minerva where Athrun was currently stationed and the Orb Fleet. Orb had recently joined the Alliance in hopes of avoiding another war where their country was sacrificed to preserve their ideals. In order to stop the Orb Fleet from attacking ZAFT and vice versa, Cagalli and Kira went out in the Freedom and Strike Rogue to stop the battle. This came at a huge price to the ZAFT ship. Athrun frantically tried to call to Kira, but the system wouldn't connect and then the thing he feared would happen again, did. Heine, a fellow pilot was killed in action, similar to Nicol's demise two years prior. When the Alliance's stolen mobile suit went berserk and attacked Kira, Heine stood in the way and the sword ripped through his mobile suit instantly slicing the young pilot in half.

Miriallia clicked her camera during the entire battle. Cringing when she saw the ZAFT mobile suit destroyed. As the battle ended and the Archangel departed, she stood from her spot on the grassy knoll. She let out a sigh and looked down at her camera.

"War certainly is a terrible thing," she said to herself before retreating to develop her photos.

She walked along the field and toward the town she was staying in. She hadn't been back to Orb in a while and wondered how both her parents and Annabella were doing.

"I hope my family is all right," she thought walking through the field.

A few hours later…

Miriallia had developed her film and began walking through the marketplace. She was sent looking for someone who had some information for her. As she continued walking she saw a TV screen with posing Lacus Clyne's new rendition of her pop song. Miriallia just shook her head. Miriallia looked much more stylish on this photo shoot than she had previously. Her outfit was set with gray fitted pants and a purple top that showed her slim figure. She wore a half jacket in white and under the cuff was a special item she had become attached to.

She asked a merchant in the market if they knew where her informant might be and she was pointed in the direction a little ways off in the distance. She continued walking into a darkened corner of the marketplace when she heard someone whisper to her.

"Are you looking for something that would go with that hawk's eye?" asked the voice.

"Huh?" she turned around to see who it was.

She noticed a very shady man with features hidden beneath his cloak.

"It may see more from the mountain of San Juko," the person finished.

Realization filled Miriallia's eyes. "Thank you," she said dropping an envelope as she turned to leave.

The man scooped it up behind her retreating form. She continued walking to the main aisle of the marketplace never looking back.

"Beneath San Juko, so that's where this development is located. I guess it makes sense strategically. It is a hidden cove that is only noticeable from the top of the San Juko Mountain. Since it is a restricted area due to the rock slides, your average person wouldn't be up there to see it," she thought distracted.

Miriallia exited the marketplace and headed down the stone stairs. As she stood on the street corner a car zipped by her. She began to run across the street to another deck of stairs when she heard someone call her name.

"Miriallia!" Athrun exclaimed after slamming on his brakes.

She stopped on the second set of stairs and turned with a questioning look at the person calling out to her.

"Miriallia Haw?" Athrun asked standing in his car now to face her.

He removed his sunglasses to allow her a better look at him.

"Athrun Zala," she said with a hint of both confusion and amazement to see him in her voice.

He knew she was the best chance he would have at finding the Archangel now and asked if he could have a moment with her. They stopped at a small café at the docks and began conversing.

"I see… So after the war started, you ended up returning to ZAFT and not Orb?" she reiterated with a question.

"Well, simply put, that's how it is," he replied.

She could tell how unsure he really felt about the situation.

"Oh, I met Dearka up there," Athrun added quickly.

He felt it was something important for her to know. He thought there may have been a bit of curiosity since they had been close nearing the end of the war. Her reaction was not one he expected.

Her face twisted in frustration. "Heh," was all she could say before looking away and huffing at the thought of him.

"What makes him think I care how Dearka is doing?" she thought angrily.

Athrun had not expected this reaction from her.

"Did I say something wrong?" Athrun thought fearing her expression.

Athrun quickly changed the subject, "That aside, about the Archangel…"

Miriallia looked back at him again with a more calm expression.

"I knew that the ship had left Orb, but what in the world are they doing in a place like this?" Athrun asked her.

Miriallia's eyes began to narrow as Athrun continued to talk.

"Thanks to their intrusion, a lot of… umm…" he paused.

"You went through a lot of confusion?" she asked to finish his thought.

Athrun raised his eyes with a wider expression of how much she really understood.

"I know. I was watching it all," she answered as she began digging through her camera bag.

She pulled out pictures she had shot from her bag and slid them across the table toward Athrun. He picked them up and began flipping through them as she watched his reaction. He stopped at the picture where his comrade, Heine, fell in battle. Athrun looked up toward Miriallia again and she looked away from his stare.

"But what do you intend to accomplish by searching for the Archangel?" she asked.

Athrun was again taken off guard.

"Does she think I only want to fight with them?" he thought feeling guilty.

"I want to have a talk. I want to meet them and talk to them. With Kira and Cagalli," he replied in order to ease her concern.

She turned to look at him again with slit eyes, "Even though you're now a part of ZAFT again?"

"That's…!" he raised his head in protest.

For a moment he remembered why she would bring up his return to ZAFT with such animosity.

"Of course she wouldn't trust me. Especially now that I've rejoined ZAFT she has less of a reason to. I was the one who killed someone she was close to. She probably thinks I would resort to repeating past mistakes," he thought as he watched her suspicious face eyeing him.

Athrun was deep in thought before Miriallia spoke up again.

"Fine. It's not like I don't have a way to do it," she said with a bit of irritation in her voice. "I'll connect them to you."

Athrun looked at her again with some confusion this time. He hadn't expected her to be so willing to help him after what she had previously said to him.

"Although I don't know the details myself, since I haven't been back to Orb in a while, nobody wants to be actually doing something like this," she said as she pulled the pictures back and looked at the one of the Freedom.

"Not even Kira," she finished.

Athrun fell silent with those words.

A few hours later…

Miriallia had done as she promised and connected Athrun to the Archangel via an encoded message. Since she had been the previous CIC of the Archangel, she was able to establish a connection to leave the message. Once this had been done, Kira and Cagalli met Miriallia at the designated place and Athrun arrived to meet them.

The four spoke about the events and tried to understand why they chose the path they each had. It seemed they were all at a loss for words at the situation. The attempted murder on Lacus now weighing heavily on Athrun's mind.

It seemed inevitable that the four would have to part. Cagalli couldn't accept the fact Athrun had left her to return to ZAFT. Kira now had to pull her back from him and calm her down. In turn, Athrun felt somewhat betrayed by Cagalli for forming the alliance with the Earth Forces in the first place. The battle with Orb would never have taken place if she hadn't been so reckless.

As they began to walk their separate ways Miriallia looked back at Kira.

"Take care of yourself. I don't want anything to happen to you," she said with concern.

Kira nodded to her indicating he would do just that. She turned again and headed for her car.

"I should probably get back to Orb first before heading out to the development site. My family is probably worried sick about me," she thought as she headed out.

When she reached her car she saw Athrun walk by her toward his.

"Athrun?" she called.

He looked back again at her.

"You be careful too. I don't want anything to happen to you either. Please remember, Kira is your best friend. The mistakes we all made the first time around should never be repeated," she said to him with a trace of wisdom.

He smiled at her.

"Thank you, Miriallia. I will remember what you said," he responded.

He turned back and continued to walk forward. Miriallia now slipped into her own car and made her way to Orb.

Two days later…

It was quite late when Miriallia returned home. She used her spare key and entered the house quietly. As she began to head for her room, her mother opened the door and slipped out of Annabella's room.

"Mom?" Miriallia asked with a hushed voice.

"Oh, Miriallia, you're back," her mother answered.

"What were you doing?" she asked.

"Annabella just fell back asleep. I was on my way back to my room," she said.

"Oh," Miriallia said indifferently.

Miriallia's mom began to walk back to her room when she stopped to turn to her daughter.

"Miriallia?" she asked.

"Yes?" Miriallia replied.

"I need you to do me a favor. Will you be around for a few days?" her mother asked.

Miriallia seemed a little annoyed at the question. The last thing she wanted to do was stick around Orb especially with the photo shoot of a top-secret development site waiting for her. But her mother rarely asked her for favors so she indulged her with her answer.

"Sure I guess. What do you need?" she inquired.

"I need you to watch Annabella for a few days. Your father and I have a trip we are leaving on tomorrow and I almost had to postpone it due to the last minute cancellation of the babysitter. Please honey, I would really appreciate it if you could do this for me," her mother requested.

All Miriallia could do was huff again at this demand.

"Please Miriallia," her mother now begged.

"What a drag. She is the last thing I want to see," she thought irritably.

Although she could never say that out loud to her mother, she just nodded her head still a little irritated.

"Fine," she said.

Her mother rushed over and embraced Miriallia with a comfortable hug.

"Thank you so much dear. I know you won't regret doing this," her mother said with excitement now in her voice.

"Okay, can I go to bed now?" Miriallia asked.

"Of course. I'll leave everything you need to know on the kitchen table before we head out. I will make sure Annabella has breakfast since we won't be leaving until it is time for her nap. Then you can sleep in too and get her when she wakes up from it," her mother said.

"Well that's one bonus for it," she thought feeling hopeful.

Miriallia turned again and headed for her room. As she slipped into bed her mind began to wander on her next move to finish this shoot with Annabella in her way.

"This should be an eventful few days," she thought exasperated.

Back on the Voltaire…

Yzak and Dearka stood on the bridge watching the maps in front of them flash between the sectors. There had been no movement from the opposing forces in some time. A moment later, one of the soldiers' consoles began to beep. Yzak and Dearka both looked over to see what she had to report.

"Commander, an urgent message is being sent to you from the Supreme Council," the young officer stated.

Yzak nodded that he understood.

"Please transfer it to my office," he said as he turned to exit the bridge.

"Elsman, continue to monitor space for any movement. Captain, maintain our current setting," he ordered as he continued to the door.

Both Dearka and the Captain saluted Yzak as the doors swished shut. Dearka continued to watch the displays flip between the sectors again.

"I wonder what that's about?" Dearka thought.

Before too long, Dearka would find out. The young officer turned to him now with another beep from her communication port.

"Sir, the commander requested your presence in his office," she stated.

"Here we go again," Dearka thought.

Dearka began his retreat from the bridge and ordered another crewmember to watch the display in his place receiving the same salute as Yzak had. The doors swished shut on him now and he floated down the hall using the lack of gravity to his advantage. He pulled himself to a stop at the door of Yzak's office and pushed himself back to the ground before entering.

As the doors opened he could see Yzak sitting in the chair behind his desk. Dearka pushed himself into the room to see the uneasy look on Yzak's face.

"So, what's up?" he asked informally.

Yzak looked up at his long time friend.

"I need you to do a favor for me," Yzak stated.

Dearka tilted his head with a look of intrigue.

"Favor?" he asked.

Yzak just continued to stare at Dearka for a moment before filling him in on the call.

"So, let me get this straight. You want me to go to Earth and oversee this operation?" he asked aggravated.

"I can't just send anyone Dearka. I need you to do this," Yzak implored him.

"Great even when you know Earth is the last place I ever want to step foot on again," Dearka said with sarcasm lining his voice.

Yzak knew all to well what mood Dearka was falling back on.

"Look, I know you are only a standard soldier now thanks to Cadey's father, but I know the real you and this mission is just what you need to feel that rush you've been looking for so desperately," Yzak persuaded him.

Dearka looked over at him with arms crossed in front and a look of disgust on his face.

"Nice try Yzak, I'm not that naïve," Dearka replied.

"Fine, just do it because I asked you to Dearka," Yzak said waving his hand at him to just deal with it.

"Seems more like an order to me," Dearka said with a scornful look on his face.

"Only if you make me turn it into one," Yzak said with his usual evil grin.

"Fine, whatever," Dearka muttered before saluting Yzak in order to leave the office.

Dearka began to walk away when he hear Yzak call to him again.

"Don't screw this up Dearka. I'm counting on you to come through for the PLANTs," he said seriously.

"When have I ever failed a mission," Dearka asked mockingly as he continued out the door.

"I can remember one," Yzak mumbled to himself as the door closed.

Yzak then twisted around in his chair and just looked down at the information he had received from the PLANTs.

"Let's hope we can get more information on these new weapons and destroy them before they can be used against us," Yzak thought agitated.

The next day, early afternoon…

Miriallia opened her eyes to a happy voice calling with unformed words.

"Hmm…" she said as she rolled over.

The events of earlier that night replayed in her mind. She sat up to the sound of a crib shaking and rolled her eyes.

"Here we go," she thought pushing up from the bed.

Miriallia slinked out of bed and lethargically thudded down the hall. As she reached Annabella's door, she turned the knob. Inside there was a happy child excited at the prospect of being released from her cell. Annabella kept her hands in the air to signify she wanted up.

"I'm coming," Miriallia said irritably as she bent down to pick up the child.

Annabella just squealed with delight in Miriallia's arms. After a slight hassle, Miriallia had Annabella changed. She moved downstairs and set her up in her playpen.

"What am I supposed to do now? If I don't get these photos of this development site, I'll lose my job for sure," Miriallia thought resting her chin on her hand.

Miriallia contemplated her situation never taking her eyes off of Annabella, although wanting to.

"I could take her with me. Mom wouldn't know. I could just drive up to the ravine and climb the mountain walkway that used to be accessible to the public with her in the baby backpack," she thought scheming a way to get her job done with this new hindrance.

Annabella continued to play as Miriallia smiled at her own brilliance.

"That is a perfect idea. I can get there by shuttle and rent a car there. That way it will only take a day total to get there and back again. San Juko, here we come," she thought happily.

She stood from her spot on the couch and ran over to the phone to make the shuttle and rental reservations. When she finished she made sure Annabella was settled before going upstairs to pack their things. She changed into her outfit and then grabbed a duffel bag and filled it with Annabella's toys, diapers and an alternate outfit. With that all done all she needed was her camera bag, baby backpack, food and the car seat and they could head out. She jumped back down the stairs with a giddy stride.

"Okay Annabella, we're going on a short adventure," she told the toddler.

Annabella just looked at her again before looking back down at her musical toy. Miriallia reached into the playpen and picked her up.

"So, let's see. We have your diapers, wipes, alternate outfit, food, utensils, bibs, toys, my camera, the baby backpack, juice cup and car seat. I think we are all set. And, the best part about it is, mom will never know that I took you out on an assignment," Miriallia said with a grin.

Back on PLANT…

Dearka had just woken up from his alarm. He was scheduled to head down to Earth and oversee a mission about destroying a possible armaments facility. Yzak had practically forced him into it.

"And another day begins," he said weakly as he reached over to hit the alarm.

Dearka sat up from his spot and rubbed his face with both hands in an attempt to wake up. He slowly moved from the bed and made his way into the bathroom. He turned the shower on and waited for it to heat up to a moderately warm temperature. He then moved over to the sink to shave and brush his teeth. When he heard the temperature set indicator in the shower signal him, he moved over to test the water.

"Just right," he thought as he felt the warm water moving over his hand.

He stepped into the shower and let the warm water hit his chest. As he tossed his head down, he leaned his arms in front of him on the shower wall to hold himself up. The water flowed through his wavy blonde hair giving his locks even more length from being drenched. His violet eyes fluttered open from the relaxed sensation he felt from his morning ritual. When he finished, he moved with much more speed to ready himself for the trip to Earth.

"Not much time left," Dearka thought getting ready.

Dearka looked down at his watch and grabbed his duffel bag. It was the same duffel bag he had since he entered the Academy so many years ago. Somehow it was the one thing he owned that survived in one piece from those days. He ran out the door and toward the Space Port. When he arrived, he looked at his watch again.

"Right on time," he said to himself with a hint of pride.

"Commander Elsman," an officer saluted him.

"That's right, I'll have to get used to that for now. I guess I am in command of this mission. No thanks to Yzak of course," Dearka thought irritated.

Dearka saluted the officer in acknowledgement.

"Sir, we will be taking off in a few moments. If you would board the shuttle I'll make the final preparations," the officer continued.

"Very well," Dearka answered.

Dearka moved on to the shuttle and situated himself. As the shuttle prepared to launch he heard a noise from a few rows behind him.

"Huh?" he said curiously.

He moved cautiously through the aisle until he reached the origin of the noise. His eyes widened in shock. Definitely not what he expected to find.

"Cadey," he yelled as he grabbed her by the arm and pulled her up.

"How in the HELL did you get on this shuttle?" he continued to scream.

Cadey flinched at his anger and his grip tightened on her arm in order to get a response.

"Aaahhh, Owww, stop it," she cried.

He stared at her with violet eyes full of fury. She flinched again at the death grip he had on her arm.

"Please, let go Dearka," she pleaded.

As the shuttle began to lift off, Dearka dropped his grip.

"Damn it," he said.

He had been so shocked and angry at her presence that he forgot to stop the shuttle when he realized she was still on it.

"Well, I guess I'll have to send her back when we land on Earth," Dearka thought annoyed.

Dearka stared at her as she rubbed her sore arm.
"That really hurt you know," Cadey yelled.

"It was meant to hurt," Dearka scolded her. "What are you doing here and how did you get on to this shuttle?"

Cadey was about to answer when she was pushed in to the seat directly behind her.

"Hey," she screamed again in annoyance.

"Sit down and buckle up first," Dearka ordered.

"You could have just asked," she snipped back.

Dearka just folded his arms in front of him as he leaned against the back of the seat in front of her.

"Well?" he said again.

She just glared at him for a moment. As he stared angrily back at her, she gave in.

"I overheard my father say that Yzak was sending you on this mission and I was concerned," she replied.

Dearka's expression softened a little, but only a little.

"You know, I'm a big boy and I can take care of myself," he stated.

"I know, I just missed you and I was really worried," she said solemnly.

Dearka just sighed at her. He sat in the adjacent seat and buckled himself in.

"Just so you know, you are going straight back when we reach Earth," he stated.

Cadey's eyes lit up with delight with the realization that she had achieved her goal. She was on her way to Earth with him for his mission.

Dearka leaned over and kissed her forehead before reclining in the seat.

"I still want to know how you got on to the shuttle though," he said with his eyes now closed.

She smirked at him before answering, "I can be pretty persuasive."

Dearka opened one eye to look at her and saw the devilish look on her face.

"That sounds about right," he said as he closed the eye again with a smirk of his own.

"The trip to Earth shouldn't take too long right?" she asked.

"Just a few hours," he answered and continued to drift to sleep.

"Good, that is plenty of time to come up with a way to stay with you until you return to the PLANTs," Cadey thought deviously.

End

Author's Preview: I'm just addicted to typing right now. So Chapter 4 is now completed and believe me I had more planned for it until I saw what page I made it to, so I decided it was just better to put it in the next Chapter. No worries though, I'll have the next chapter done by the weekend at the latest. Sorry, I was also expecting to have Mir and Dearka reunite in this chapter, but some other things needed to happen first for story development in future chapters. Please read and review for me so I can continue on my happy way.

Reviewer Response: Hello to all my wonderful reviewers. Thank you so much for all your support and reviews on the first four chapters. Unfortunately due to possible changes in TOS (which is still unconfirmed) all responses are now located on my personal website. Please click on my profile page to link to the website. Thank you.