Ally: Well, this takes place after the end of the 4th manga, which is the last one I have. I haven't seen these episodes, so I'm just going with what it seems like would happen. It's my story, and it's for all those DxM fans, so be happy!

Kira: Ally doesn't own GS, so don't sue her. Please R&R!

"Why are you two fighting?" Cagalli asked, trying to keep from crying on the shoulders of Kira and Athrun. "You two are best friends!"

Mu grinned and scratched his head. "Maybe things will finally be looking up," he said, glancing at Murrue, who blushed slightly and looked down.

Col. Kisaka, who had followed Cagalli at a slower pace, addressed the crew of the Archangel. "Well, it seems out Princess Cagalli has taken to you. Why don't we all find a place to talk and figure out what we're going to do?"

Miriallia entered the mess hall of the Archangel, and was mildly surprised to find the room completely empty.

"Well, I guess it makes sense," she thought aloud. "All the officers have been called for a meeting, along with the two former ZAFT pilots." She sighed and got her food.

She sat by herself for a while, quietly eating her food, and mulling over the events of the past days.

"I wonder…" she sighed.

"Wonder what?" asked someone behind her.

She whirled around and blue-green eyes met amethyst ones. "Dearka!"

"Hey Miriallia. Sorry if I scared you. Do you mind if I sit here?" He smiled shyly.

"Oh, no problem. Sure." What is it about him that makes me so flustered?

He sat down and they ate in silence until Miriallia finished her food. She put away her tray, and turned to leave. But at the look on his face, she turned and sat down across from him.

He stopped and looked at her. His thoughts whirled as he tried to figure out what to say. You look beautiful today…What were you wondering… What were you doing before I came in…

Miriallia interrupted his thoughts. "What have you been doing?" She asked.

"Oh…uh…oh, yeah. They called me in to ask me some things."

"Like what?" she asked.

Dearka studied his tray. "First just the basics. My name, and things about my family. Why I joined ZAFT and then…" The color rose is his cheeks, ever so slightly. "…and why I joined the fight on the side of the Archangel."

Miriallia studied the blonde-haired man across from her. "What were those reasons? If you don't mind me asking."

Dearka looked up at Miriallia, who blushed and turned away. "I guess… before… I didn't really have a reason to fight. But… I found something I wanted to protect more than anything." When Miriallia said nothing, the words just began flowing out of Dearka. "I guess I just joined ZAFT because my family had a history with them, and it was the thing to do if you could make it. It was honorable, and somehow it became a duty expected of most Coordinators. I was really just a machine, doing what I was told, and fighting with all my might." He studied his tray. "Then the Buster was shot down. I surrendered because I really had no other choice. It was the first time I really feared for my life. Then I was taken onboard and I was afraid that something else would happen to be, but I soon found myself tied up in the infirmary. That's when you came in." he looked up and their eyes met. "I was prepared to die, when that Fllay girl tried to shoot me. For the third time ever, I feared for my life, and all in the same day. Then you saved me, and I realized, I didn't want to die." He smiled, a somewhat sad smile, it seemed to Miriallia. "I began to realize that I wanted to protect, but it never really began to form into those words until you came to visit me in my cell. And when you came to free me, I realized that I wanted to protect you. I own you my life. So Miriallia," he took her hands in his. "Thank you, for saving me and letting me protect you."

He pulled her a little closer, and placed a hand on the side of her face.

"Dearka…" she whispered. "I…" Her heart was racing.

"Shhh…" he placed a finger over her lips. He realized his heart was pounding. He could have sworn she could hear it too. "I don't want to scare you anymore."

Miriallia smiled. "It's okay. And Dearka?"

"Yes?"

She leaned forward and whispered, "You're welcome." Then gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and ran out of the mess hall.

Dearka sat there in a stunned silence for a moment before touching the spot where her lips had been.

"Miriallia…" he whispered, then put away his tray and headed for his room.

Miriallia sat in her room, hugging her knees.

"What am I doing?" she thought aloud. "Why…why…why?" She couldn't seem to find the words to express how she felt.

Then came a knock at her door.

"Miriallia?" Sai called. "Can I come in?"

She took a deep breath to calm herself and called, "Yes."

"Milly? Are you okay?" he asked after catching sight of her.

"I…I…don't know…what to think, or say, or feel," she admitted. "I'm so confused, Sai!" She cried into her hands.

Sai sat next to her and put a comforting arm around her shoulders. "I can't say I really understand, but you really just have to trust yourself. Tolle wouldn't want you to mourn forever. All someone ever wants for one of their loved ones is for them to be happy. Tolle would want you to move on, and be happy and loved, even if it wasn't with him. And you're my best friend, Milly. I want you to be happy, too. I can see there's something there, you just have to trust your heart. Take time to mourn," he advised, "but don't ever forget to live."

Milly continued to cry, but her sobs were replaced by quiet tears. She hugged her friend. "Thank you, Sai. You're always a voice of reason for me. Thank you." Suddenly she burst into tears again, as memories of Tolle filled her mind.

"Just cry, Milly. Just cry. It's okay to cry," Sai whispered, as her tears fell on his shoulder.

Ally: Yeah, I know… a little sappy, but really, it's true. Milly has to get over Tolle, and move on, before anything serious can really happen. And Sai was the best one to comfort her. Don't take this as any kind of MillyxSai thing! He's just being a good best friend.

Sai: Yep!

Kira: Well, we hope you enjoyed it. So now, please R&R!

All: Thanks!