Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed

P.R. no 6: Sorry for the short chapter, everyone! But hope you enjoy it nonetheless, cuz I really enjoyed writing it. And thanks a bunch for the reviews!

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The faint metallic buzz of Kleuze's office door opening stopped them both in their tracks, the only difference being that Yzak turned and Frey didn't. "Captain?"

Kleuze was standing there, with his arm crossed, wearing something that resembled a smirk but not quite. "Yzak, a word with you, if Miss Allster would kindly wait where she is. It will only take a minute."

Yzak turned back to the hostage, who shrugged, and he shrugged back, saying merely, "I'll be back." And followed Kleuze in.

Once they were in the privacy of the office again, Kleuze took a seat at his desk. "I have both good news, and bad news, do take a seat, Yzak."

Yzak tentatively perched on the armchair of the silk couch opposite the desk, if he didn't know any better; he'd say that his commanding officer was a crazy antiques dealer. "I'm listening, Captain."

The blonde man took his time, placing both of his elbows carefully on the desk, as to not disturb the stacks of papers and whatnotlying about. "I dined with Miss Allster, while you were training. I learned some things. I just thought I'd share them with you, as the information might be of some use."

"…I'm listening." Yzak said again, between gritted teeth, because he couldn't think of anything else. In addition to being an absolute bastard, Kleuze just had to talk like a hotshot professor, something he obviously was not. "But you can give me the bad news first."

"…Bad news?" At first, Kleuze seemed perplexed, then all at once the smirk was back, "Oh, yes, I did say I had bad news didn't I?" clearing his throat, "It appears that the legged ship's current movements are getting more suspicious than ever. We have to crush them quick. So I'm tightening the schedule. I expect a full report back on my desk a week from now, and Miss Allster out of the way. Permanently. You understand?"

Yzak's stomach twisted itself into a knot, he gulped a little too loudly. A week? "A week? Captain, but…the hostage is…she's..." A bitch and there was no where in hell...(Or heaven) that anything would...

"Well that's the bad news." Kleuze cut inhis thoughtswith an uncharacteristic briskness, "Which brings me, fortunately, to the good news. During the dinner, despite her calling you an…ah…asshole, it's plain as day to me that Miss Allster rather…is partial to you, shall I say?"

"Is that all?" Yzak snapped. He hoped the answer was yes, because if it wasn't…well, he was going to have to do something drastic…like grab an invisible knife and murdering Kleuze with it. You dragged me in here just to tell me that?

"Yes, it is. You're dismissed." Kleuze nodded, "Yzak, I wish you the best of luck."

You goddamn bastard. But what came out of his mouth was ultimately, "I'd appreciate that, sir." Maybe he wasn't that bad at all the acting business after all, but still…a week. It was ridiculous, insane.

Had the door not been automatic, Yzak would have slammed it, but as it (so unfortunately) was not, he contented himself with stalking out instead. He didn't even bother to salute.

He thought he heard a satisfied chuckle as the door slid closed.

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A hand touched her shoulder, "Sorry to keep you waiting." It was Yzak, "Should we go?"

Her face felt unexpectedly warm, "All right."

He led the way, and Frey followed, but this time, unlike the other times, it was different somehow, she couldn't exactly say what or why. "Yzak-san?"

"Hm?" he stopped in mid-stride, and turned.

"May I ask you a question?"

"Depends on the question." His tone, she noticed, had become so gentle all of the sudden, but still guarded.

"…Why did you…" Frey took a deep breath, determined to spit it out before she completely lost it, "…Why did you kiss me, earlier?"

She braced herself for the chilling glare, and the 'you're a goddamn stupid bitch hostage and should not ask stupid questions or else I'll kill you' lecture that was sure to come. Instead, Yzak didn't even look angry, in fact, he looked…sad? "Would you rather have me not kiss you, instead, Frey?"

Oh. Dear. God. Does that mean…did…did he seriously… Frey was sure her face was going to explode soon. She slid her gaze down to the marble tiles, "…I…I…didn't think it was bad." Was all she could think of to say.

Yzak merely looked at her for a second or two longer, then he squared his shoulders and started walking again.

An image of Kira floated into her mind then, which surprised her, because she hadn't thought of him in a long time, but…

Kira Yamato, caring, passionate, above all naïve. She loved this boy. Everything that he was, everything that he was not.

Yzak Joule, arrogant, passionate (in his own weird way), above all cruel. Why had she blushed so hard? And why, oh why had she expected him to answer… 'Because…I like you?'

He was the guard, a Coordinator.

She was the Natural, a hostage.

That was all there was between them.

…For now, at least, not yet.