Dearka & Miriallia

Author's Note: I may work on the next one tonight and get it up, but it depends on how I feel after work and the amount of reviews I get by the time I get home. Lots of Hugs to all of you! 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 33

Devastated

Dearka listened to his parents scold him for not visiting more often and began to phase them out.

"If they knew about Miriallia, Belle and the new baby, they wouldn't want me visiting so much," he thought sadly.

Cadey looked at Dearka a little worried. She had never seen him so depressed before.

"I don't know exactly what I'm going to do yet, but I will make you forget that girl Dearka," she thought devilishly.

"Cadey," a cheery voice called.

Yzak looked behind him when he heard Cadey's name. He eyed the young woman cautiously.

"Any friend of Cadey's is definitely trouble," Yzak thought.

Cadey turned to see who was calling to her.

"Kelley! Please excuse me," she said excitedly letting go of Dearka's waist and running over to her friend.

Dearka was relieved that Cadey had let him go. He was hoping the previous night would have been the last time he would have to endure her wrapped around him.

"Is that who was…" Dearka whispered quickly to Yzak.

"That's what Ian said," Yzak replied when he heard Cadey say the girls' name.

"I should have guessed that myself," Dearka said beating himself up.

"Should have guessed what?" his mother asked.

"Oh, nothing. I just realized something for work and mentioned it to Yzak before I forgot again," Dearka answered politely turning his attention back to his parents.

"So it worked?" Kelley asked Cadey.

"Not really, but I'm getting closer. We were together last night, so there is still hope," Cadey said.

"Wait a minute. You two… But you're not really together?" Kelley asked in confusion.

"It's a long story, but I know he still loves me," she replied.

"It seems like it the way you were wrapped around him just now. Wow, I'm sorry I called you crazy," Kelley stated.

"It's okay, I know how it seemed at the time," Cadey forgave her.

"Hey where's baby Emma?" Kelley asked curiously.

Dearka's parents overheard Kelley's question as she was looking around the group. Both Yzak and Dearka froze in place, faces turning pale with fear.

"Ian's not here either?" Kelley continued looking around.

Cadey laughed nervously and looked back at Dearka and his parents. Yzak didn't look too good either from where she was standing.

"Who's baby Emma?" Dearka's mom asked Cadey moving closer to the girls.

"Oh, yeah that is…" Dearka tried to speak unsuccessfully.

"She's a girl we all know and she acts like a spoiled brat all the time. It's a little nickname we gave her. She was with Ian a little while ago," Cadey covered.

"Dearka!" Mrs. Elsman yelled turning to her son.

"What?" Dearka asked shocked at her reaction.

"I know I raised you better than that!" she continued upset.

"I don't call her that," Dearka defended.

"If you only knew that they were talking about my daughter mom, you would be even more upset than that," he thought annoyed that he was being scolded for something so lame.

"It's not them Mrs. Elsman, really. Kelley and I are the only ones that call her that. I didn't mean to imply they did as well," she said looking in both Dearka and Yzak's direction.

Mrs. Elsman still did not look very pleased.

"I know it's cruel and we agreed we should stop doing that, right Kelley?" she scolded Kelley.

"Uh yeah, sure," Kelley said confused.

"I can't believe Cadey covered that and took the fall for it," Dearka thought.

"I still don't trust you," Yzak thought scowling at her.

Cadey pulled Kelley further away from the group.

"I have to show you something over here," Cadey said.

"Ouch, what are you?" Kelley questioned while being dragged away.

"That was close," Yzak whispered.

"You're telling me," Dearka replied.

"It still makes me nervous how generous Cadey is being to you," Yzak stated softly.

"Yeah, well it creeps me out when I'm reminded she renamed Belle for a while too," Dearka answered.

"What do you think you are doing?" Cadey reprimanded.

"What? I thought you two were okay, so I assumed you had your wish and his daughter would be with you too," Kelley replied.

"But what made you think he has told his parents about Belle yet? And I didn't say we were okay, I said we are getting closer again," she said still angry.

"I'm sorry," Kelley replied.

"Just, don't speak anymore. You're going to ruin everything for me. Ian should be around somewhere with Belle, go bug him for a bit," Cadey ordered.

"Fine, but did I just hear you right? Did you call the little girl Belle?" Kelley asked.

"We'll deal with her name change later, when I have more leverage with Dearka, but for now I have to call her what that damn Natural named her. Don't worry, I'll have everything I want," Cadey replied.

"Maybe I should take that 'you're not crazy' statement back for now until I see how it plays out," Kelley said with a smirk.

"Don't tempt me to tear you to shreds," Cadey threatened.

Kelley put her hands up in a defensive manner.

"Okay, I'm sorry. I was just kidding. I'll go find Ian and stay out of your way, your highness," she said with a mock bow.

Cadey rolled her eyes and walked back over to Yzak and Dearka. Dearka felt her presence and looked over grabbing her hand. Cadey blushed slightly when he did this, but tried to calm herself down.

"He's probably only acting, but soon it will be for real like it used to be," Cadey thought.

"We should get going. Cadey and I will come visit you soon. I promise," Dearka assured his parents.

With those words, the group parted again and Cadey felt Dearka's grip tighten on her. She wouldn't have minded so much if he weren't trying to hurt her.

"Hey, cut it out. Yzak!" she cried begging for help.

Yzak just let Dearka go without interference and shaking his head at her.

"Not my problem," he thought.

"The more you struggle, the harder I'm going to squeeze," he replied as she kept trying to pull herself from his grip.

"You're hurting me!" she cried again.

"I'm trying to," he answered coldly.

"Why? What did I do?" Cadey asked.

"Where should I begin? I know, how about conveniently being found by parents? Or maybe searching me out when you knew Belle would be with us? Oh, wait, even better, having your friend come up asking questions to make my parents suspicious?" Dearka replied.

"I didn't set it up," she defended tears streaming down her face.

He was crushing her hand and the pain was becoming unbearable.

"He's never tried to intentionally hurt me like this before," she thought angrily.

"Why don't I believe you?" he asked mockingly.

"I didn't!" she cried again using her free hand to grab Yzak's uniform.

Yzak was not pleased to be touched in such a way by Cadey.

"Let go of me. Keep your hands or in this case hand to yourself," he said sharply.

Cadey's eyes widened when she realized she was alone and would receive no help from Dearka's wrath. She released Yzak's coat and he walked up ahead giving Dearka a moment with Cadey.

"We had an agreement Cadey. It's starting to look like you weren't planning on keeping your end of the bargain," he said.

"I was. I mean I am," she said hitting him with her free hand.

Dearka grabbed her other hand and put the same pressure on it as he was with the other.

"Stop struggling and it won't hurt as much," he said.

"Go to hell," she replied fighting his grip.

Tears were pouring down her face now from the excruciating pain she felt.

"You know, if there was another, more pleasant way to get through to you, I would. But it seems that if you don't get hurt, you don't learn your lesson. I warned you before that I wasn't going to allow you to backstab me or use Belle in these schemes or allow this sick fascination with me you seem to have to continue," Dearka continued.

"It's not a sick fascination, it's love!" she screamed out at him.

She drew in a breath of shock at what she had blurted out.

"He knows now. He knows I haven't given up. Damn it! That's why he…" she thought.

She felt his grip release from her hands. She was shaking and her hands were red from the pressure he had placed on them.

"I should have known you couldn't let go," Dearka said walking away with lost hope for her.

"Where are you going?" she called out to him.

"I don't care what you do anymore. Tell them, don't tell them. I'll figure out what I'm going to do with my life on my own without help from them if I have to. I won't let you use Belle or my relationship with Miriallia against me. I don't even care if I dishonor my whole family. If it means I can be free of you and your idiotic schemes and lies, it will be well worth it," Dearka said walking away from her.

She stood there in shock unsure of what to do. The only thing she had to her advantage was Dearka's fear of dishonoring his family or looking like the bad guy. But now, he didn't even care anymore. Her advantage had been taken away leaving them on an even playing field.

"Now what do I do?" she thought.

She began to chase after him.

"Dearka, wait," she yelled pushing through the crowd.

"Go away Cadey," Dearka said without turning around.

She grabbed his shoulder and twisted him toward her.

"I know you felt it too. Last night, you felt it. The look in your eyes and the way you were shocked by my reaction when I tried to just leave. I know you still love me. So, why are you doing this?" Cadey pleaded.

Dearka pulled her hand off his shoulder and watched as it fell back to her side.

"I don't know what you saw in my eyes, but it wasn't love," he answered before continuing to catch up with Yzak.

Once again, Cadey was dumbfounded.

"I was sure he was closer to coming back to me. I'll just have to do something drastic," she thought.

She watched Dearka leave still standing in her place.

"Just you wait Dearka, I'm not finished with you yet," she thought.

With that she turned on her heel and walked away to plot her next move.

"Hey Ian," a familiar voice rang through the crowd.

Ian turned when he heard someone calling him.

"Justin? What are you doing here?" Ian asked.

"I could ask you the same question," Justin replied.

Shiho looked on unsure of what she should do or say.

"I'm just helping a friend," he answered.

"Wow, she's cute. Where'd she come from?" Justin asked tickling Annabella.

"This is what I'm helping a friend with," he stated.

"We're babysitting," Shiho butt in.

"She looks familiar," a new voice said.

Ian looked up and saw Lucy standing in front of him.

"Hey, long time no see," Ian said when he saw her.

"Yeah well, I've been busy. I saw Dearka on the San Juko base. I told him we would be here. You haven't seen him have you?" she asked.

"Uh…" Ian started.

"No, we haven't," Shiho answered to the young woman.

"Oh, I'm sorry, we haven't met. My name is Lucy and yours?" Lucy said placing her hand out.

Lucy was always polite when she met a new person or realized someone she didn't know was standing in the group. Shiho took the hand cautiously. She was very much like Yzak when introduced to someone new. Never trusting and a little nerve wracked.

"Shiho," she replied.

"It's nice to meet you. Are you and Ian together?" she asked curiously.

"Uh, no Lucy. She's just an acquaintance," Ian replied before Shiho could insult anyone.

"I'm so sorry. I didn't mean…" Lucy started.

"It's okay. I would have thought the same thing," Shiho said calmly although inside fuming.

"Well then, I can mention this to you now. Renee was wondering when you were coming back to Earth. I'm thinking she has a thing for you," Justin said winking.

Ian rolled his eyes at the mention of Renee's name.

"We're just friends and I'm not interested. I have my mind on someone else right now," Ian replied.

"Suit yourself, but I think you're making a mistake," Lucy said.

"Who's Renee?" Shiho asked intrigued.

"None of your business," Ian snapped.

"Wow, no need to bite my head off, I was just asking," Shiho scoffed.

"Renee is a friend of ours that is finally gaining the courage to move in on Ian. It's too bad he is too brain dead to realize what a nice girl she is," Lucy winked at Shiho.

Shiho began to laugh to herself when Lucy said this. She didn't interact with many people outside the Voltaire and, for a moment, was enjoying herself. Before the military, she kept herself completely isolated in school, feeling most of her peers were beneath her. And when she was in the Military Academy, she tended to keep to herself to focus on her desire to become a top gun. Then, after meeting Yzak and becoming close with him, she had been too busy keeping him in check to worry about making friends of her own. She even only ended up becoming friends with Dearka because he was always around. Ian stared at Shiho for a moment when he heard her laugh.

"What?" she asked innocently.

"I'm just surprised you have the ability to make a noise other than a disapproving growl," he said mocking her.

"Have I mentioned that I don't like you?" she asked again.

"Not in the last ten minutes," he spit back.

"I don't like you," she repeated.

"Dually noted," Ian replied.

Lucy and Justin stood there watching the scene unfold in front of them.

"You sure you two aren't together?" Lucy asked jokingly.

"I'm sure," they both replied in unison for the second time that day.

They looked at each other warily when it happened again.

"Seems great minds think alike," Justin teased.

"Don't start with me. Besides, she's Joule's girl and I'm not interested," Ian scolded.

"No, you're just interested in Elsman's girl," Shiho said under her breath.

Ian glared at her when she said this and shook his head as if he was trying to give himself a reason not to attack her.

"You're just lucky I still have Belle in my arms," Ian thought angrily.

"I thought we would see Elsman with that sweet girl he was with on the base," Lucy said looking around and ignoring the playful banter between Shiho and Ian.

"Sweet girl?" Ian asked.

"Yeah, she had short light brown hair and bright blue eyes. She was the girl we all saved from the EAF at San Juko. Her name was…" Lucy tried to remember from her short conversation a month before.

"Miriallia," Justin finished.

"Right, she's not here," Ian replied sadly clenching Annabella tighter in his arms.

Shiho watched Ian and felt bad for him in some small degree. He had the same look on his face when her name was mentioned as Dearka's did. Although she knew this girl belonged with Dearka, she couldn't help but feel for Ian at this moment.

"Darn, I thought I could speak with her again. I had so many questions about her time on the Archangel. I thought Elsman said he would bring her to the ceremony," Lucy said disappointed.

"Yeah well, something came up," Ian stated.

"You close with her too Ian?" Justin asked.

"Not really. But we've talked and since she's friends with Dearka and Dearka is with Cadey and Cadey is my best friend, well you get the idea," Ian finished.

"Wait a minute. Is she the girl you have a thing for?" Lucy asked in realization.

"No, of course not," Ian lied.

Justin started to laugh when he saw the look on Ian's face. He was never good at bluffing and now was no different.

"Yeah right!" Justin teased.

"We should get going, we have to meet some people," Shiho said trying to save Ian from himself.

"Hey guys, I'll catch up with you some more later," Ian said taking Shiho's cue.

"Fine, but tell Elsman if we don't see him today, we expect to see him and that cute girl soon," Justin winked.

Lucy hit him on the shoulder when he said that.

"You never stop do you?" Lucy asked irritated.

All Justin could do was grin, making Ian grin as well.

"Let's go," Shiho said annoyed and grabbing Ian to pull him away.

"I'm coming. Just hold your horses," Ian said repositioning Annabella in his arms.

Yzak and Dearka continued to walk around looking for Ian and Shiho.

"We really should have brought our communicators to this thing," Yzak said annoyed.

"You're probably right. I can't even count how many times we've lost people today with all the commotion," Dearka agreed.

"Is she still following us?" Yzak asked.

"I think so. She's back there somewhere," Dearka replied.

"Then what are you going to do with…" Yzak started before his eyes narrowed.

He had found a target that he felt the need to destroy and began stomping over.

"What is wrong with you?" Dearka asked trying to catch up to him.

When Dearka looked up he realized what stopped Yzak mid sentence.

"Oh great! Can't you just let it go already?" Dearka asked irritated.

As they got closer sirens began to blare, both Dearka and Yzak looked around to see what was going on. There were faint rumblings above their heads, but so far up that they couldn't make out what was going on. Both Yzak and Dearka ran for Athrun when they noticed something unmistakable to pilots of the military.

"Athrun, what's going on?" Dearka yelled.

Athrun looked up at the two heading toward him while Lunamaria was running in the opposite direction.

"Look, I can't talk right now. I have to suit up; someone just broke through the perimeter. I didn't think anyone would get through Shin and Rey," he admitted to the two.

"Then that's a mobile suit up there," Dearka said in amazement.

Yzak cringed when he heard Athrun reprimanded them for taking up his precious time.

"I'm heading out," Lunamaria said over the communicator to Athrun.

"I'll be there in a second," he answered back.

Yzak and Athrun began yelling at each other about what was happening and Dearka turned around to see mass panic and chaos ensuing among the crowd.

"Belle," he thought moving from Yzak and Athrun.

As he began to search the best he could, he saw Cadey on the ground. It looked as though someone had knocked her over. She was holding her hand to her head and Dearka knew there was something wrong.

"Cadey," he yelled running to her.

There was no doubt in his mind what she said earlier had been true, but he wasn't about to admit it to Cadey or he would never be free. With worry on his mind, he squeezed through the panicked people. When he reached her, he saw her hand covered in blood.

"Seems like I'm having the perfect day, wouldn't you say?" she asked mockingly.

Dearka picked her up in his arms and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I have you now. Don't worry, you're going to be fine," he replied.

"Why is it that you can be so cruel and then so sweet? You really do still care for me, don't you Dearka?" she thought holding on tightly to him.

Miriallia began attacking the units that were in her way as she tried to descend to the ground.

"Miriallia," Neo's voice came over her communicator.

"Yes Neo?" she asked with no emotion.

"How is it going?" he asked softly.

"I'm…fine," she said grunting as she took out another mobile suit high above the crowd.

"I didn't ask how you were. I asked how it was going," he reprimanded.

"Don't you trust me?" she asked annoyed.

"I would be the only one who does," he said to reassure her that she wasn't alone.

"Then shut up and let me do my job!" she yelled taking out another suit.

As Miriallia piloted herself closer to the civilians running for cover, a red Zaku came closer on her radar.

"Get out of my way!" she screamed as she went straight for the Zaku.

Lunamaria avoided the attack and began one of her own, pulling out her gun and shooting at Miriallia's Valor. It seemed as though the shots didn't even phase Valor.

"What the hell?" Lunamaria cried in shock.

"What's going on up there?" Athrun asked with Yzak on his heels.

"I had a direct hit and it was like I never touched the damn thing," Lunamaria explained watching for the units' next move carefully.

"I'm on my way," Athrun said heading toward his mobile suit.

The crowd was rushing around trying to make it to the shelters as the young men hurried along.

"Come on Yzak, you can help too," Athrun said looking behind him.

"Oh thank you for including me," Yzak scoffed still following.

Athrun smirked at him making Yzak wish he had a free moment to knock him out.

Dearka worked his way through people holding Cadey in his arms.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Dearka," she said sounding sincere.

"Now's not the time Cadey," Dearka reprimanded looking around.

"Dearka!" Shiho cried out from a distance.

Dearka spotted Shiho and gave a sigh of relief when he saw Annabella giggling in Ian's arms. She looked as though she was enjoying the people running for their lives. Dearka headed toward the three of them with Cadey holding on tightly.

"What happened to her?" Ian asked.

"She got a little trampled," Dearka replied.

Ian handed Annabella to Shiho and took Cadey out of Dearka's arms.

"You two go to the shelters, I'm going to find Yzak," Dearka said.

"You mean he's not with you?" Shiho asked in a panic.

"We got separated, but he was with Athrun. So I'm heading over to the control tower to see if I can help or get a suit," Dearka answered.

"I'm coming too," Shiho demanded.

"Not with Belle you're not," Dearka ordered.

Shiho cursed to herself and realized there was no way for Ian to handle both Cadey and Belle.

"Fine, but be careful and make sure Yzak is too," Shiho answered angrily.

"I will," Dearka saluted her with a wink and headed off toward the operations tower.

End

Author's Preview: Dearka is heading out to see if he can help. Yzak is following Athrun toward the suit and may borrow one off the premises. Miriallia intends to make a statement when she hears Athrun's voice and it strikes a chord with her (she won't know why). 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.