Dearka & Miriallia

Author's Note: I like this chapter. Ezalia is so funny and you may want to strangle Cadey. I'm taking the day off tomorrow, so there will probably be no update. I should get back together by Monday or Tuesday depending on how I feel. (smiling) 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 32

Trapped

"Hey guys," Shiho called with Annabella in her arms giggling happily.

"And Shiho makes it three against one," Ian thought.

"Where were you?" Yzak asked impatiently waiting for his answer.

Shiho looked at him confused.

"You did want me to keep her away from your mother, didn't you?" she asked.

Dearka looked up at Yzak when he heard Shiho say this.

"What do you mean Shiho was keeping Belle away from your mother?" Dearka asked angrily.

"It wasn't my fault. This idiot over here tried to get my attention and my mother saw her in his arms. They're your damn genes," Yzak snapped.

"What? You were grateful before your mother's keen eyesight noticed the resemblance," Ian yelled at Yzak.

The group began bickering amongst themselves when Dearka noticed something on Annabella's face.

"What did you give her Shiho?" he asked curiously.

"What? Oh, it was just a little bit of my chocolate ice cream I had when I was hiding from the wicked witch of the west," Shiho replied.

"You gave my daughter chocolate? She's only one and a half," he yelled.

"What do you mean wicked witch of the west?" Yzak yelled simultaneously.

Shiho backed away from both boys anger.

"It's not that big a deal and she is wicked. Plus, if it wasn't for me, your mother may have figured it out," Shiho replied to both boys at once.

Ian was now snickering in his spot behind them all.

"Don't think you're out of trouble! You're the one that made Ezalia suspicious in the first place and if she does suspect something, I don't think no matter how good of an actress you are that she bought whatever line you fed her," Dearka warned him while scolding Shiho.

Yzak was absolutely furious with Shiho now.

"She's not wicked and you are a coward. The way you ran away was embarrassing," he snipped.

"What's so embarrassing? It was good luck, I told her Belle was mine and that I was going to meet my husband Brett," Shiho said proud of her rescue.

Dearka rolled his eyes.

"Hi Brett," Ian said patting Dearka on the back.

Dearka smacked his hand away, reaching in his uniform pocket for a handkerchief to wipe Annabella's face with. A small piece of paper fell to the ground when he pulled it out. He began to clean her face while she stayed in Shiho's arms.

"Hey, what's this?" Ian asked picking up the paper.

"What?" Dearka asked turning to see what he had.

Dearka saw the folded note in his hand and then ripping it from Ian's grasp.

"If it came from my pocket, then it belongs to me," he scolded.

"Yeah, but what is it?" Yzak asked.

"I don't know, can you vultures just hang on a minute," Dearka said irritably.

He finished cleaning Annabella's face and shoved the handkerchief back in his pocket. He opened the note feeling everyone's eyes on him. As he began to read it, Yzak started looking over the top.

"Do you mind?" Dearka asked.

"Well, what is it?" Yzak asked.

"I won't know until I get the opportunity to read it," he replied bitterly.

Dearka's eyes grew wider and he began to pale.

My dearest Dearka,

Although what I have to say is a little frightening,

I am truly happy this time around!

Since I'm afraid I'll lose the words to tell you,

I am writing this in a note,

We're having another baby and

I love you & Annabella with all my heart!

-Mir

"Dearka? What is it?" Shiho asked watching his hand shaking.

"I…" he started.

Yzak walked around his friend and began to read the note to himself. Shiho watched the look on Yzak's face go from curiousness to shock as well.

"Whoa," Yzak said not knowing what else to say.

A small smile crept up on to Dearka's face as he re-read the note over and over again.

"I'm not imagining that am I?" he asked Yzak.

"Only if I am too," Yzak replied.

An onslaught of emotions came over Dearka in an instant. He was feeling blissful, angry, nervous and terrified all at once.

"Well, what does it say?" Shiho asked frustrated.

Yzak walked over to her in order to calm her down.

"Dearka?" Ian asked.

"It's personal and I think I have to sit down for a minute," Dearka replied still feeling the butterflies floating in his stomach and feeling weak.

"I have to find you Mir. I can't miss out on this experience with you again!" he thought furiously at himself.

He was extremely grateful that Yzak had kept his mouth shut. He didn't have the ability to look away from the note when he had moved behind him to get a better look at what his friend had become so pale over.

Aprilius 1 Perimeter…

Miriallia and Sting headed toward the oncoming ships.

"Stay with me Miriallia," Sting ordered.

"I'll be fine on my own," she replied to him as she had in the hanger earlier.

"Suit yourself, just make sure you alert me if you get yourself into trouble," Sting gave in.

"I won't need to," she said with a cocky attitude.

They moved in to the radar sights of the ships and got ready for the assault they were about to invoke when they came nearer.

"Shin, look alive," Rey called out when their sensors both rang out.

Shin's eyes opened from his boredom of waiting for something to happen.

"They're not getting by me," he screamed as he took off toward Miriallia and Sting.

The battle between the mobile suits began and Miriallia focused her attacks on the Zaku Phantom. Sting had refused her the chance to go after the other mobile suit by piloting himself in her path. Frustrated she put up a barrage of attacks against the Zaku.

Rey readjusted his position, avoiding her shots.

"This pilot isn't like the rest," he thought.

"Damn you," she screamed trying to hit the Zaku again.

Sting and Shin went head to head. They had fought plenty of times before and were beginning to pick up on each other's techniques. Shin continued to fight effortlessly while Sting started to become desperate.

Miriallia's eyes focused in on Rey again and she continued her assault. Finally she got one good hit in, making the Zaku fall toward the Minerva.

"Minerva, I'm coming in. I've been hit and I can't get enough thruster power," Rey reported.

"All right, prepare to receive Rey's suit," Talia ordered the crew.

"Yes Ma'am!" a soldier replied.

"One down, one to go," Miriallia thought moving in on Sting and Shin.

"Miriallia, stay back. I know this guy. He's not one to take lightly and we have a score to settle," Sting called over the communicator.

"I can handle it," she insisted.

"Neo wants you on that PLANT, so get going while I hold him off. You should have no trouble making it through those surrounding ships," Sting ordered.

"Fine," she said heatedly.

She took off toward the PLANT hitting a few random gunners from the battleships and taking out the miscellaneous soldiers that had dared to get in her way.

"Amateurs," she thought with instant kills.

On Aprilius 1…

"Hey, why don't we go find Cadey," Ian suggested.

"If only we were lucky enough to lose her," Shiho said barely audible.

Dearka glared at her.

"What? You can't deny you weren't thinking it too," she said with a small smile.

Yzak shook his head and pushed her along. She still had Annabella in her arms.

"Do you want to hand over my daughter Shiho?" Dearka asked following the two of them.

Ian walked a little distance behind, but close enough to hear the conversation. He was getting tired of the ceremony and found it all a bit boring.

"Why do we have these things anyway?" he thought.

Yzak saw Athrun up ahead and turned Shiho to the left.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" she asked.

"I'd rather not see Zala again," he replied cringing.

"You are such a baby," she said irritably.

She felt him smack her on the back lightly and chose to ignore it, for now at least. Dearka ran in front to stop them from moving and grabbed Annabella from Shiho.

"You know, I'm not going to hurt her. It was just a little ice cream," she stated.

"She's a year and a half Shiho. Sugar is the last thing she needs," Dearka reprimanded.

"Fine, but don't blame me when you get caught by your parents with Belle in your arms," Shiho said snidely.

Yzak looked up and realized what she was talking about.

"Oh God!" he said grabbing Annabella from Dearka.

"What the…" Dearka started.

"Turn around. Ian," Yzak called as he handed Annabella off to him and shooed him away.

"Mom, Dad," Dearka said surprised when he flipped around.

Ian was now running in the opposite direction holding Annabella close to him so she couldn't peek over his shoulder at them.

"Good job Cadey, real swift. I don't remember this being part of the plan," he thought angrily as he bumped into people while trying to push through them.

"Hello son," Dearka's father said pulling him in for a hug.

Dearka could see Cadey smiling behind his father.

"Why you little…" he thought slightly impressed.

"Sorry, I saw them while I was walking around and they asked me to help them find you. We've been searching for a while," Cadey said looking around.

"That's great," Dearka said pretending to be enthusiastic about seeing his parents.

He pulled away from his father and walked over to his mother to say hello as well.

"So, how have you been?" she asked her son sweetly.

She brushed some of his curly bangs back into place on top of his head while looking him over.

"Are you feeling okay? You seem a little pale," his mother continued.

"I'm fine mom," he lied.

"Perfect timing Cadey. I just find out Mir is pregnant again, the second biggest shock of my life behind learning of Belle's existence and you somehow manage to lead my parents straight to me. But so help me God, you better not open your mouth. We have a deal," Dearka thought almost ready to pound her.

"Are you sure?" she asked again.

Dearka was becoming annoyed at his mother for fawning over him and pushed her away gently.

"At least it's only Yzak and Shiho who are here. If Ian was around, I'd never live this down," Dearka thought.

"He's not causing any trouble on that ship of yours is he Yzak," Councilman Elsman asked the young Commander.

"Uh, no Sir. He is still the perfect soldier," Yzak mocked.

"It's good to know some of your old habits haven't followed you," Tad said to his son jokingly.

"What can I say, I had to grow up sometime," Dearka stated.

"If only they knew how much," Shiho thought.

"I'm going to find Ian," Shiho said moving away from the group.

Yzak was about to follow her in hopes of escaping, but was silently ordered to stay behind with the look Shiho gave him.

"I guess she is right, Cadey must be up to something. I should stay behind to make sure nothing goes wrong for Dearka," Yzak thought.

Yzak watched the scene playing out before him and made special note of how Cadey was acting in all of it.

"What are you up to Cadey?" Yzak thought angrily.

"So, Cadey found you in the crowd, huh?" Dearka asked trying to start a conversation that they wouldn't fight about.

"Actually, I spotted her," Mrs. Elsman said proudly.

"Just my luck," Dearka said under his breath.

Cadey glared at him when she overheard his comment.

"What was that, sweetheart?" his mother asked.

"Oh, I said what luck, because we were searching for her earlier. We were separated in the crowd," Dearka replied quickly.

Cadey huffed and rolled her eyes at him. She felt Councilman Elsman put his arm around her and her eyes widened a bit.

"How could you lose such a pretty girl. You should make sure she never leaves your sight," he father said.

"Yeah, you're right. I should keep my eye on her at all times," Dearka replied indicating more to her that he didn't trust her.

Cadey moved out of Councilman Elsman's embrace and moved over to Dearka wrapping her arms around his waist.

"It was my fault. I snuck away when I saw one of my close friends," she said pulling him tighter and smiling.

Yzak laughed at Dearka knowing he didn't have the ability to make any kind of threatening face at him with his parents so close.

"Keep laughing Yzak, I'll get you back later," Dearka thought irritably.

Ian kept running with Annabella until he heard Shiho's voice calling him from behind.

"Ian, wait up," Shiho cried dodging people.

"What do you want?" he asked.

"I'm just coming to help you," she said.

"I don't need your help, I'll keep her away from the Elsman's myself," he yelled.

"Why would you be keeping her away from the Elsman's?" came a voice that made both of them shudder.

Their eyes widened as they turned their heads to see Councilwoman Joule standing behind them with her husband not far behind. Ezalia walked around the two and looked at Annabella closer. Annabella began to giggle and went in to grab Ezalia's hair. To her, it looked like as much fun as Yzak's was. Shiho gave a nervous laugh when she saw Ezalia analyzing Annabella.

"Oh boy, we're in trouble," she said loud enough for Ian to hear.

"I'd say so," he replied.

"It does amaze me how much this little girl looks like an Elsman. And now that I hear you two are trying to keep her cute little face away from them, makes me wonder even more," Ezalia said.

Her husband stood watching as she went into action in order to get the truth from the young kids.

"So, Shiho, isn't it?" she asked.

"Uh, yes ma'am," Shiho replied.

"You said this is your daughter?" Ezalia restated from their last meeting.

"Yes, she is," Shiho lied.

"It's remarkable how little she looks like you," she replied.

"Well, she looks a lot like her father," Shiho answered.

Ian rolled his eyes in disbelief at her stupidity.

"I can't believe she said that," Ian thought.

"Oh no, what did I just say?" she thought simultaneously.

"She's not yours is she?" Ezalia pressed.

"Ezalia. Enough is enough. Let the kids be," Mr. Joule stepped in seeing how nervous they were getting.

"May I?" Ezalia asked holding her hands out for Annabella.

"Uh, yeah," Ian said handing her over.

Shiho kicked him with her boot getting the satisfaction of a yelp from Ian. Mr. Joule walked closer to his wife and looked the child over as well.

"I must say, you have a point. She certainly looks like she could be an Elsman, but I highly doubt it. We've seen Orson's daughter quite a few times in the past two and a half years and she's never looked pregnant," Mr. Joule reasoned.

"Right, unless Cadey isn't the mother," Ezalia said giving a cold look at Shiho.

Shiho's eyes widened again when she realized what was being suggested.

"You think Dearka and I… Oh no, no way," she replied desperately.

"That's right, she's been with Yzak since the last wa…" Ian started.

The sheer look of terror came across his face when he become conscious of the words that had just spilled from his lips. Shiho turned to look at him, death floating in her eyes.

"I mean…" Ian tried again.

Ezalia eyed Shiho carefully while bouncing Annabella in her arms.

"I figured you and my son may be a couple," she replied with a knowing smirk.

"Then why?" Shiho started to ask.

"Why what? You ran away before Yzak had found the nerve to say it out loud," she answered.

"Oh," Shiho shied away.

"But, that still doesn't answer the question about this little girl," Ezalia said still bouncing her.

Annabella began to babble more and giggled when Ezalia nuzzled her nose.

"Wow, she isn't as bad as I thought she was earlier," Shiho thought.

Ian gave up. He didn't want to stay on the run anymore and really didn't care what happened to Dearka to be quite honest.

"This is probably for the best. Besides, no one said Ezalia would say anything to the Elsman's until Dearka had the chance," Ian thought.

"Here name is Annabella, but we all call her Belle. You are right Councilwoman Joule, she is an Elsman. Dearka fathered her with someone he fell in love with during the last war," Ian replied honestly.

Shiho kicked him again, but harder and more noticeable this time. Mr. Joule cringed when he saw her connect with Ian.

"Cut it out," Ian threatened her.

Ezalia looked closer at Annabella again.

"I knew it. I could just tell. She looks exactly like Dearka did when he was this young," Ezalia said proudly.

"All right Ezalia, you were correct in your assumption. But I have a feeling Tad and his wife don't know anything about her if these two are hiding this cute angel from them," Mr. Joule replied.

Ezalia handed Annabella back to Ian.

"Well, someone needs to tell them," Ezalia stated.

"No, please," Ian and Shiho said in unison.

"Not yet, Dearka is going to tell them about Belle. We swear and Cadey knows all about her too. But now, at the ceremony, isn't a good time to bring this up. So, please don't say anything. Let Dearka do it himself. It's something he has to do," Ian begged.

Ezalia looked upon Ian with respect.

"All right, but he had better do it soon. I expect to hear about this from Tad when we speak before the next Council meeting or I will do it for him," Ezalia ordered.

"Yes ma'am. I'll tell Dearka he has to tell them before then," Ian answered holding Annabella tightly.

"Off you go," she said gesturing for them to leave.

They obeyed and quickly scurried off.

"I can't believe you. Yzak and Dearka are both going to have your head," Shiho scolded.

"Yeah, but at least you know she doesn't hate you though," Ian reminded.

Shiho smiled at that remark before speaking again.

"I'm just glad I'm not you right now. Good luck telling Dearka he has an ultimatum hanging over his head," Shiho smirked.

"You won't really interfere in this, will you Ezalia?" Mr. Joule asked his wife.

"Only if Dearka doesn't act like a man and take responsibility for his actions," Ezalia stated.

"You aren't his mother," he replied.

"I know I'm not biologically, but he and Yzak have been close since they were kids. He really is like another son to me and it's not fair for Tad and his wife to not know they have a granddaughter," Ezalia answered.

Mr. Joule shook his head.

"Well then, I hope that young man can get the message to Dearka so you won't have to be involved. I don't think either Dearka or Yzak will forgive you for that," Mr. Joule replied walking away.

End

Author's Preview: Miriallia will be interrupting the ceremony, Shiho has to tell Dearka what happened with Ezalia and Yzak just can't get away from Athrun and his new higher position. 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 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.