Dearka & Miriallia
Author's Note: Now what will Dearka do since Yzak wasn't able to catch Cadey? And you still have your chance to vote: do you want Annabella to get a sibling or do you want Annabella to remain an only child? (You could just imagine how much that would tick Cadey off) Let me know and once the votes are tallied, I will work whichever way it goes into my outlines. 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 14
Reasons
5:30 AM, Control Room…
Dearka awaited the results of the mission.
"Please be a success. Not a single weapon that can destroy the PLANTs can get by us," Dearka thought.
Within moments of his thoughts the report came in.
"Sir, the mission was successful. The teams are heading back. Unfortunately, we suffered a few minor casualties," a soldier reported.
Dearka hung his head at the report. He had hoped there would be none, as unrealistic as it seemed.
"Find out who we lost and notify the appropriate divisions," Dearka ordered.
"Yes sir," the soldier replied.
"I guess that's it then. My job is done here. Now I just have to find my daughter and figure out a way to stay with Miriallia," Dearka thought.
He walked toward the exit and down the hall back to the elevator he had become so accustomed to.
"I hope Mir is all right. I left her in the room alone for so long," Dearka thought.
As he stepped off the elevator, he ran into the last person he wanted to see.
"I just can't get rid of this guy," Dearka thought.
Ian just looked at him for a moment before speaking.
"So, the mission is over and you are officially on leave now, right?" he asked.
"Yeah, so what of it?" Dearka asked.
Ian laughed to himself.
"Guess you're not my Commander anymore then. So, I don't have to follow your orders. I stayed away from Miriallia because you were still in charge. But now, you don't really have a say over what I do, do you?" Ian asked.
Dearka just shook his head.
"She would never fall for a guy like you. You're just wasting your time," Dearka answered as he started to walk toward his room.
Ian began to follow. He was upset at Dearka's response.
"Why not? She fell for you, didn't she?" Ian asked.
Dearka was starting to get annoyed with him again but kept calm.
"What does it even matter, Mir and I are closer than ever. You don't have a chance in hell of breaking us up," Dearka thought.
"You seem pretty smug still. Who are you going to choose? I mean on one hand, you have Miriallia and your daughter. And, on the other hand, you have Cadey and family obligation. I find it hard to believe that you never had any feelings for Cadey. After two years she must mean something to you. I realize she doesn't mean as much as Miriallia does, but are you really willing to break her heart?" Ian asked.
Dearka twisted around to face Ian.
"You know, you are really becoming a pest! I don't need you to remind me of the situation I'm in. I am well aware of all the facts," Dearka yelled.
"Then how come you have yet to answer the one question we would all like to know?" Ian asked.
"And what question would that be?" Dearka asked.
Miriallia heard the commotion coming from outside and lifted her head from the pillow.
"What's going on out there?" she thought.
She stood up from the bed and threw her clothes back on before peaking her head out of the room. She walked out in the hallway and didn't see any one. She realized the voices were just around the corner from her.
"Who are you really going to choose? Or are you just going to use both girls and string them along because you can't make up your mind?" Ian yelled.
Miriallia had stepped out of the room quietly just in time to hear Dearka's response.
"I don't know!" Dearka yelled back.
Miriallia's eyes widened in shock, she couldn't believe she just heard those words come from Dearka's mouth. Before she knew it, tears were running down her face again. She didn't want them to fall and tried to stop them with everything she had.
"You have to choose!" Ian yelled.
"What is your problem? Why are you constantly in my face about this?" Dearka asked.
"Because Cadey is my friend and I really like Miriallia," Ian cried.
"You don't even know Miriallia that well! You just met her earlier today," Dearka replied with agitation.
"So what? Just because I only met her briefly doesn't mean I don't care what happens to her. I don't want her to get hurt and I don't want Cadey hurt either!" Ian stated.
"Look, whatever I do, someone gets hurt. I know I am the one to blame. I should have never agreed to that stupid engagement. I shouldn't have broken my word to Miriallia, but I did and I can't change that. All I can do is figure out where to go from here. Right now, I don't know where I want to be. If I stay with Cadey, my life on the PLANTs will be easy and perfect, but I won't be happy. If I stay with Miriallia, I will be disowned and left to fend for myself, but everything I have ever wanted will be with me," Dearka answered honestly.
For the first time, Ian could see the true face of Dearka. He wasn't manipulative or selfish; he was just lost and confused. But Ian didn't want to lose his chance with Miriallia either.
"You have to tell her about Cadey," Ian replied pushing Dearka yet another time.
"I can't," Dearka replied.
"You have to, or I will," Ian replied.
Miriallia had heard enough and moved around the corner.
"Dearka," Miriallia called to him.
Dearka turned cautiously. He knew if she heard the conversation he was going to be in some trouble with her.
"How long were you there for?" Dearka asked before she could speak again.
"It doesn't matter. What can't you tell me?" Miriallia asked.
"He doesn't want to tell you that…" Ian started.
"I'm not asking you Ian, I'm asking Dearka," she cut Ian off.
Ian quickly shut his mouth and took a step back. Miriallia walked closer to Dearka.
"I want to know what you are hiding and you had better tell me quickly," Miriallia replied.
Dearka hesitated for a moment. He wasn't sure how she would take the fact that he hid the truth from her the entire night.
"Dearka?" she asked again.
"Cadey is still missing. Ian wasn't able to stop her at the shuttle port and I knew about it before we ever…" Dearka trailed off.
Miriallia's eyes widened and Ian tilted his head. He wasn't quite sure what happened that Dearka's words would fail him for.
"When did you know that she got away?" Miriallia asked through gritted teeth.
Dearka looked away from her for a moment before answering her.
"Ian had returned before I picked you up at the Research room and before that he called in when we were still in the Control Room," Dearka answered honestly.
Tears began to fall down Miriallia's face again.
"He lied to me! I can't believe after all this time; he would lie to me again! He saw where it led us the last time. Then why do it again?" she thought.
Her eyes filled with enlightenment after thinking that thought.
"Of course Miriallia, don't be so stupid! He only wanted to sleep with you again!" she thought.
She closed her eyes again hoping the tears would stop falling. She felt Dearka's presence moving in on her.
"Stay back Dearka," she cried.
Dearka stopped in his tracks and Ian took a few steps forward. Miriallia's eyes shot open and she glared at Ian.
"You need to stay back also," she warned Ian.
"But," Ian disputed.
Dearka looked at Ian with a smirk on his face. Ian then rolled his eyes at Dearka's childishness.
"To think, this guys a father!" Ian thought.
"I am so furious at both of you right now, I don't know where to start!" Miriallia yelled.
Now both boys had clueless looks on their faces.
"You used me again Dearka! You knew I would be too distraught to focus on you if you told me about Annabella. How selfish can you be? And you Ian, you keep trying to act like you have a say in what is best for me! Well, I have news for you, I am a big girl and I can decide what I have to hear myself! I don't need you threatening the father of my child to tell me something he isn't ready to tell! This is our child and our problem, stay the hell out of it! And, we still have things to talk about Dearka so you had better be ready to talk!" Miriallia screamed before storming back into Dearka's room.
"Wow!" Dearka exclaimed.
"Is she always like that?" Ian asked.
"Only when she's really upset," Dearka answered before heading toward his room.
"She told you to stay away from her," Ian reminded.
"Yeah, but she told you to stay out of our business and that she and I still have to talk," Dearka replied with a smirk.
"You really are immature," Ian stated.
"Maybe, but I'm the one who gets to walk through that door," Dearka declared.
Ian was irate at the situation and walked off determined to get Miriallia's attention no matter what it took.
"There's only one way she will ever give me the time of day. I have to find Annabella for her," he vowed.
Dearka entered the room and saw Miriallia sitting on the bed with a picture frame in her hand. Dearka walked over to her recognizing the frame.
"Did you enjoy going through my stuff while I was gone?" Dearka asked.
Miriallia looked up at him.
"Is that why you didn't tell me? Because you wanted to sleep with me again?" she asked.
"No Mir, that's not why," he answered softly.
"Then why? I don't understand your reasons," Miriallia admitted.
"I know you're really upset right now. I get that. But I told you before that I was still confused. I love you, but a part of me has feelings for Cadey too. You said you understood that and that you knew it would take time," Dearka stated.
"I know what I said. I just wish you could be decisive. You told me that you chose me earlier tonight. Why say it, if you didn't mean it?" she asked.
"I meant it Mir, but I told you there were still things I need to work out," Dearka replied.
"Things meaning your feelings," Miriallia realized.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what else to say to make you less upset," Dearka said.
Miriallia handed the frame to Dearka.
"She's beautiful, but I'm sure you know that," Miriallia said.
"Mir…" Dearka started.
"I'm okay. I'm still extremely mad at you, but I'll be okay on one condition," Miriallia requested.
"Anything," Dearka answered.
"Tell me about her. Tell me about the two of you. I deserve to know everything from the past two years. It's only fair," Miriallia replied.
"You want to know about Cadey?" Dearka reiterated her request.
"Is that so strange? The father of my child has been missing from my life for two years when he promised to come back to me. I don't think it is too much to ask of you. It's only right that you tell me where you've been and what you've been doing after you left me alone," Miriallia answered.
"I didn't mean it like that Mir. Of course I'll tell you, but you have to promise me that you won't be upset," Dearka said.
"I don't think there is anything else you can do right now that will make me any more furious than I already am," Miriallia said with a forced smile.
"Just promise me, all right," Dearka replied.
"Fine, I promise," Miriallia agreed.
Dearka put the picture on the side table and turned to face her. He sat beside her on the bed before lying down pulling her down with him.
"What are you doing?" Miriallia asked frantically.
"What? It's not like we've never slept together before," Dearka mocked her with her own words from earlier that night.
Miriallia hit him in the chest for being such a smart ass.
"Look, I'm just tired still. I figured you wouldn't mind. I need to lie down before I collapse," Dearka replied to her strike.
Miriallia closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder.
"Fine, but don't think you're off the hook yet," Miriallia scolded him.
"I would be disappointed in you if you let me off that easily," Dearka laughed at her.
She opened her eyes and looked up at him again.
"So, will you tell me about Cadey?" she asked.
"Sure. If you want to know about Cadey then I should start at the beginning," Dearka answered.
Dearka told Miriallia about how the engagement was arranged and explained how he felt at the moment he was forced into it.
"The first time she and I had to go out somewhere, I was miserable. I was so childish; I'm surprised my father didn't beat me when we returned home from the event. I ignored her and when she would speak, I would yawn or walk away. I hated her for what I was going through. Before long I realized she was in the same boat as I was, but she was at least making an effort. I didn't think she knew how I felt, but the truth was she was going through exactly the same thing I was," Dearka remembered.
Two years prior…
Dearka had been forced to go to the White's residence tonight. All he wanted to do was stay locked up in his room and pretend the entire world didn't exist. It had only been two months of this engagement, and he had had enough. He couldn't stand the way Cadey continually tried to act so sweet. She was always trying to impress him. All he wanted was for her to disappear.
"Dearka?" Cadey asked.
"Yeah what?" Dearka asked her with irritation over being disturbed.
"I was wondering if you wanted to go for a walk or something around the grounds," she asked.
"No, not really," he said without looking at her.
The two had just finished dinner with their families and were now alone in the library.
"Oh, okay," she said softly.
They sat there in silence for a long time before she spoke again.
"Umm, Dearka?" she asked.
"What now?" he said with a huff.
"Is there anything you would like to do? Anywhere you would like to go?" she asked.
"Is home an option?" he asked sarcastically.
Just then, a noise came from the outside. Cadey stood up and began to walk toward the window. Dearka noticed Cadey becoming pale. He stood up to see what was wrong.
"Honestly, this girl is a pain in the ass," Dearka thought.
When he reached the spot where Cadey was standing he saw a young man outside the manor. He had been throwing pebbles at the library window to get Cadey's attention. Dearka was actually impressed this guy made it so far onto the property.
"So, who's that?" Dearka asked.
Cadey shook her head as she walked away from the window. She pressed the button of the communication box on the desk.
"Yes my lady," came the voice of an attendant.
"Tyler is on the property again. Could you have him removed before father finds out," Cadey said with tears in her eyes.
Dearka tilted his head to catch the look on Cadey's face.
"If my father catches him again, I don't know what he will do to him. I don't want him to be hurt anymore than he already has been," Cadey answered Dearka's look.
"Now it makes sense," Dearka thought.
"So, he was your boyfriend before all this happened, huh?" Dearka asked.
"What? Did you think you were the only one who had to give up someone they loved?" she asked sarcastically now.
The sweet innocent girl had changed before his eyes to a hurt and frustrated one.
"At least, I'm making an effort," she finished.
Dearka closed his eyes for a moment. For the first time he felt bad about his behavior and how he had treated her. She was feeling exactly how he was.
In the present…
"I guess that was the moment I decided I had to accept the hand life had dealt me. I had to try the way she was trying. It wasn't fair to treat her so horribly just because I was hurting. That's where it started for the two of us and before we knew it, we were growing closer," Dearka said.
"Makes sense, you were both feeling the exact same way. That type of situation usually brings people closer," Miriallia answered.
"Still, not as close as the whole prisoner, jailer relationship can bring people," Dearka teased.
Miriallia laughed to herself at his remark.
"It is strange how we ended up together, isn't it?" she remembered.
"I fell in love with you the first moment I laid eyes on you," Dearka answered.
"You could have fooled me. If I remember correctly you made fun of me for crying and said you should be the one crying," Miriallia recalled.
"Yeah, no one said I wasn't a jerk back then," Dearka stated.
"There's an understatement if I ever heard one," Miriallia teased.
"Did you want to hear more about Cadey or should I just stop there?" he asked hoping she wouldn't ask anymore about her.
"Is it hard to think of her now that she ran away with our daughter?" Miriallia asked seriously.
"The sweet girl I told you I was sick of that night, the act I thought she was putting on, wasn't really an act. Before she met me, she really was that kind and considerate. I guess I corrupted her a little. Don't get me wrong, she was always devious and could get her way just by batting her eyes, but she was really a sweet person inside. She loved to help people less fortunate than she was and loved to volunteer at any of the fundraisers for children. She really was a good person. I don't know what really happened to make her change so drastically. Maybe, it's been going on for a while now and I just didn't see it. If you had asked me yesterday if I ever thought Cadey was capable of doing something so cruel and heartless, I would have said you were crazy. For all the schemes she's pulled, this one has to be the worst one I've ever been witness to. So if you want to know if it's hard, then my answer would be yes. Not only because our daughter is gone before I even had a chance to bond with her, but because the Cadey I knew has completely vanished," Dearka answered.
Miriallia lowered her eyes. She could hear how hurt Dearka was over this girl.
"I guess you two really were close," Miriallia said.
"Miriallia…" he started.
"It's okay Dearka. I understand that it was only natural for you two to cling to each other. But, I really need to know that you are going to commit to me this time. That I'm not fighting for you without a chance of winning your heart back. I don't want to be hurt this time around," she replied.
"I'm committed to you, but I don't know if I can tell you that I will ignore the pain Cadey is in. I can't just leave her in this state," Dearka stated.
"I know, but if you don't do something about her, I'll have to. I can't let her get away with what she has done to Annabella and me. I don't blame the two of you for your relationship together, but I do blame her for putting our daughter in danger," Miriallia said.
"She's the daughter of a Supreme Council Member of the PLANTs, you can't just take matters into your own hands Mir," Dearka reasoned.
"I don't care who's daughter she is Dearka, I won't let her get away with kidnapping our little girl. I know I wasn't the best mother, but I never put our daughter in danger. She was always safe from harm," Miriallia said.
"Except when you took her on that dangerous assignment yesterday," Dearka reminded.
"Fine, I know I didn't use the best judgment in that case, but I really thought we would just get the pictures and return home without incident," Miriallia said.
"Well, the without incident didn't happen. So, before you decide to let your claws out on Cadey, you should think about what you've done in the last two years," Dearka suggested.
Miriallia looked up at Dearka. She was a little upset that he was defending the woman that stole their child.
"You two must have had more than just a platonic relationship," Miriallia huffed.
"Where did that come from?" Dearka asked eyeing her wearily.
"The way you are defending her, makes it obvious. Plus, when we were in bed, you were different, more experienced than I remember," Miriallia said closing her eyes.
"I really don't want to discuss this part of my life with you. I just want you to promise you will let me handle Cadey," Dearka pleaded.
"That part of your life?" Miriallia inquired.
"You know what I mean," Dearka said.
"If you are telling me that the topic of your intimacy with Cadey is off limits to me, then yes, I know what you mean," Miriallia said agitated.
"Mir," Dearka said condescendingly.
"What?" she sniped as she sat up from the bed.
"You promised you weren't going to get mad if I told you about Cadey," Dearka mentioned.
"Right, and you only made me promise that because you knew I would be upset when you told me that you two had been together," Miriallia stated coldly.
"Did you really think we wouldn't have…" Dearka started.
Miriallia raised her hand to him as if begging him to stop.
"I don't want to hear anymore about it. I just didn't want to think of you with someone else after me," she replied.
Dearka's eyes fell. He knew she was hurt by the admission. But, he had lied to her enough and didn't want to keep anything else from her.
"Would you like me to pretend it never happened or lied to you about what happened between Cadey and I?" Dearka asked.
"No, I just wish you hadn't been with her, that's all," Miriallia whined slightly.
"You know you are unbelievable sometimes. I guess I was supposed to remain sexually abstinent," Dearka laughed at her while putting his arms behind his head.
"Hey, I did!" she yelled at him.
"You promised," Dearka said again.
"I promised not to get mad at you about your relationship with Cadey, but not that I wouldn't get mad at you for your idiotic beliefs or judgment calls," Miriallia snapped.
"What do you want me to say to you? It happened and I can't change it Mir. Just like I can't change the fact that we were together and have a daughter," Dearka stated.
Miriallia just rolled her eyes at him and threw herself back down on the bed next to Dearka, no longer using his shoulder for a pillow.
End
Author's Preview: Miriallia's anger is starting to build with Dearka again. But, after all this being revealed to her, how will she handle the news of Yzak missing Cadey at the PLANTs as well. And what is Ian going to do now? He is convinced that if he can find Annabella, Miriallia will give him a chance. As mentioned in the Author's Note, I'm still taking votes: do you want Annabella to get a sibling or do you want Annabella to remain an only child? Let me know and once the votes are tallied, I will work whichever way it goes into my outlines. Please read and review for me so I can continue on my happy way. Current tally is 7 yes's for a sibling and 2 no's for no sibling. The poll is still open. Hugs to everyone!
Reviewer Response: Hello to all my wonderful reviewers. Thank you so much for all your support and reviews on all my chapters thus far. I love you all so much! 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.