DISCLAIMER: 'Resonance' is a story based on characters and situations from Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed which is a property of Sotsu Agency, SUNRISE and MBS. This work is non profited and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Unless specified, all materials in the web is work done by HERMIT JUNCTION. Please do not use without permission any text or artwork.

WARNING: Text and all related materials are rated R/M and may mild strong language, violence, cruelty, explicit adult content, rape, death and nudity unless otherwise stated. Please do not read if you are underage or maybe offended by such material. Spoilers for Gundam Seed.

NOTE: This fanfiction disregards the plotline of the original series' sequel Gundam Seed Destiny. Please go to gseedaftermath.hermitjunction. net for site hosting of this fic. For Dearka and Miriallia's story, please go to 'GS Aftermath Trilogy I: Rebound'; for Rusty and Lain's story, please go to 'GS Aftermath Trilogy II: Repercussion'.

Gseed Aftermath Trilogy III:
RESONANCE
a hermit junction project

Chapter 4

Two years later, C.E. 73

Shiho jerked up at the sound of her office door clicking open. Yawning, she gave her left eye a rub as she saw through her right eye her Commander entering her office.

'How's she doing?' Shiho asked tiredly, sitting up straight.

'She's okay.' Yzak replied, sitting down on the chair across from her. He had just come back from the hospital after his brief visit with Miriallia Haww. 'She couldn't stop crying though.'

Shiho raised her eyebrows. 'Crying? She cried in front of you? That must have been awkward.'

'It was.' Yzak sighed, crossing his legs. 'It was just me and Athrun. I mean, I've never seen the girl before and I doubt Athrun's anywhere close with her.'

'It's hard for her.' Shiho said quietly, leaning back. 'I guess Dearka didn't have the guts to see her in person.'

Yzak rolled his eyes. 'You think? The guy's a wuss, a total wuss!'

'When's she leaving?' Shiho asked. 'Athrun Zala is going to escort her right?'

'Tomorrow morning.' Yzak said. 'She's going to leave the hospital directly.'

'The sooner the better I guess.' Shiho sighed.

'How's the investigation going?' Yzak asked.

Shiho eyed Yzak. 'For once you're not rushing me.'

'I'm too tired.' Yzak said absently. 'I've got this to worry, I've got that to worry. I'm only one person you know.'

'How long has it been since you had a full day off?' Shiho asked.

Yzak shook his head. 'I don't know and don't even ask. The disarmament program is already a nightmare and since I'm both in ZAFT and the senior council, negotiations aren't going too well and I'm usually stuck in the middle.'

'Give yourself a break Commander.' Shiho said softly. 'You're going to work yourself to death if you don't give yourself a break.'

'You think?' Yzak muttered, crossing his arms.

'Well, surveillance is still doing some investigation.' Shiho said. 'They're going to send me some photos any day now. My estimation is that the sniper was a pro. We did some hypothesis on his or her position and the type of weapon used. Firearms Forensics have already given me their report on the bullet they found at the scene, I'll give you a full report as soon as possible.'

'Good.' Yzak stood up.

'You have a council meeting right?' Shiho asked as she followed him to the door.

Yzak exhaled loudly. 'Yeah, but if they continue torturing me like this, I'm going to fall asleep in the meeting all together.'

'Will you?' Shiho smirked. 'Want me to give you a stuffed teddy bear.'

'That wouldn't be a bad idea Hahnenfuss.' Yzak grinned. 'By the way, you know where Charisma is?'

Shiho raised her eyebrows. 'Club Charisma? I thought you didn't go clubbing.'

Yzak frowned. 'And you do?'

Shiho shrugged. 'Not a lot, just occasionally with my team members. Why?'

'I couldn't find Dearka after we split at the hospital. She's leaving tomorrow and I thought I'd make my last ditch effort in knocking some sense into that idiot's head.' Yzak explained. 'He's probably going to get himself hooked up with the big knockers and fannies there anyway.'

Shiho giggled and gave him the directions.

'Thanks, see you later.' Yzak closed the door.

Slipping the headband out of her dark brown hair, Shiho ran her hand through her locks and threw herself onto the single sofa furnished at the corner of her office room. She poured herself a glass of water and took a sip, wetting her lips.

Two years past since the armistice between PLANT and EA was signed. Shiho had been immediately assigned under Yzak, a special request from Yzak personally. She had been relieved when she found out he accepted the bargain the court offered but was surprised that Yzak wanted her back in his team again.

Though insanely busy, the past two years were fulfilling for her. Her position in ZAFT gave her a meaning in life and knowing that she was working for the peace she helped attained made her happy and was at the same time extremely rewarding.

She still remembered asking why Yzak appointed her as one of his direct subordinates.

'I trust you.' Yzak had replied simply. 'I trust your ability and respect for the job. To be honest, it's been a long time since I found someone I actually liked working with.'

She had raised her eyebrows at that comment while Dearka had snickered in the back. 'Believe him Hahnenfuss, he hasn't had the best co-workers in the past.'

'Shut up Dearka.' Yzak had snarled while Dearka had just brushed off the offensive respond with a shrug.

She was an easy person to get along with and she hit it right off with Dearka as well. The three of them made a very efficient team and the cooperation between the three was good. Of course there were arguments and bickering between them, but they'd come to a decisive conclusion fast and get whatever they had in hand done as quickly as possible. She had made some genuine friends in the past two years and she wouldn't give them up for the world.

When Shiho decided to call it a day, it was already midnight. Yawning, she stood up and stretched, wincing at the cracks ringing from her joints. Pulling at the end of her hair, she grabbed the car keys form her desk and shrugged on her black trench coat.

The building was already dark when she stepped into the halls and she had no choice but to take the back exit where there was an auto security check for the late workers. The halls were quiet, her heels echoing into the sable air. It was raining lightly when she stepped out the building's back door and she had to rush to her car, scrambling inside with her coat pulled close together tightly.

The drive back to her sleeping quarters was a short one since it was in the city. It was an enclosed area consisting of four buildings that facilitated only senior members of ZAFT. It resembled the high class apartments in the city and was a comfortable place to live.

'Working late again Major?' The security guard asked, taking off his hat as a greeting when Shiho stepped into the building she lived in.

'Isn't it always?' Shiho sighed, shaking her head.

'Where's the Commander?' He asked.

'Commander?' Shiho shrugged. 'I don't know.'

'Nothing, it's just sometimes you two come back together.' He said.

Eyeing him suspiciously, Shiho nodded and entered the elevator. She didn't know if it was just mere coincidence, but Yzak and she had been assigned the same building, she living on the seventeenth floor while he lived two floors up. She understood that he couldn't live in his mansion now because his Mother was still under house arrest but she just found the coincidence a bit freaky.

Throwing the keys onto the coffee table, Shiho shrugged off her trench coat tiredly and flopped onto the barcalounger beside it. Leaning back, she closed her eyes while kneading her right shoulder. She almost dozed off when her cellphone vibrated in her uniform pocket. Jerking up, she answered it.

'Hahnenfuss here.' She said tiredly.

'You owe me one Shiho.'

Shiho widened her eyes at Dearka Elthman's curt greeting, if it was a greeting at all. 'Dearka? Where are you? Aren't you with Captain Jule.'

'To hell with Captain Jule.' Dearka scowled through the telephone. 'Do me a favor, you owe me one.'

'Oh, don't make me guiltier than I already am Dearka.' Shiho protested.

'I'm going to if you don't do me this favor.' Dearka snapped. 'Tell Yzak I'm taking a few days off.'

'A few days?' Shiho exclaimed. 'You've got to be kidding me. You can't even afford a few hours off, let alone a few days.'

'No I'm not.' Dearka said. 'You tell him and I don't care what shit he throws at me, I'm taking my leave.'

'Where the hell are you going?' Shiho asked.

'Orb.' Came Dearka's curt response.

Shiho slapped her forehead. 'Damn you Yzak Jule! He talked you into it!'

'Just do it Hahnenfuss or you'll find yourself in deep shit when I come back.' Dearka threatened.

'Fine! I'm in deep shit either way!' Shiho snapped hotly, then cut the connection. Sighing, she dropped herself on the bed again, cursing her bad luck. Why was she always in the middle of Yzak and Dearka's conflicts?

'Please verify.'

'Yzak Jule, I'm here on scheduled time.' Yzak said, looking at the screen of the intercom with his car window rolled down.

'Please enter.' The gates to the Jule Mansion slid open. Cruising down the long path that cut through the huge gardens of the Jule Mansion, Yzak parked his car in one of the garages located at the back.

'Young master!' Niolava greeted, opening the doors for Yzak. 'It's been almost a month!'

'I'm sorry.' Yzak gave the old woman a brief hug. 'Where's Vuit?' He asked quietly.

'Don't worry, he's out doing some errands for your Mother.'

Yzak sighed in relief. 'Where's the Lady?'

'She's in the drawing room, I was just about to give her some tea.' Niolava motioned her head towards the tray on the high table.

'I'll take it to her.' Yzak offered.

'Why thank you young master, aren't you the gentleman.' Niolava said, smiling.

The tray in both hands, Yzak walked down the hallway until he reached the end. Knocking on the door, he pushed it open with his shoulder and walked in quietly, holding the door with his feet before closing it quietly.

'You've got the tea Niolava?' A woman's voice asked from behind the big easy chair. 'Did you add in some tea biscuits?'

'Yes she has Mother.' Yzak said.

Ezaria Jule turned in her easy chair, her face brightening at the sight of her only son. 'Yzak!'

'Mother.' Yzak greeted, setting the tray down. Standing up, Ezaria gave Yzak a hug and kissed him on the cheek.

'It's been almost a month since your last visit Yzak.' Ezaria said. 'Still that busy?'

Yzak nodded, pouring the tea for his Mother. 'The usual.'

Since Ezaria Jule was under house arrest, all conversation here was tapped so Yzak could not say anything confidential nor could his Mother access any confidential information concerning the council and ZAFT, that was the reason why she was under house arrest and for so long.

For a strong and successful woman, Ezaria Jule had gone beserk when the council's decision was to put her under house arrest. For four months straight, she wasn't allowed to see anyone, not even Yzak who had just started his work in the council, settling down cease-fire negotiations with different parties. His double identity as both a ZAFT commander and a member of the highest senior council had generated opposition and even resentment since he had both political and military power, but somehow he had his own supporters and survived till now.

Yzak still remembered seeing his Mother five months after the war. He had come with the news that Ezaria was probably going to put under house arrest for life since she was a firm supporter of Patrick Zala's all-coordinator theory. To the council, she would be a serious threat to the shaky peace established if she was ever granted political power again. At such, she was not only stripped of political rights but also of her right to move freely.

Yzak had hesitated on whether or not to even see his Mother after so long. The council had given him a lot of pressure and he wasn't sure whether it was the right time to see her. He still remembered sitting at the headquarter's coffee shop, looking out the window at the sunset, pondering on whether or not to go see his Mother at the approved time slot. Shiho had bumped into him, wanting to buy a sandwich to go.

'What are you doing here?' Shiho had asked, sitting down on the huge sofa chair across him, waiting for her sandwich.

'Nothing, just having a cup of coffee.' Yzak replied.

Shiho raised her eyebrows. 'Coffee again? You're becoming an addict to this.'

Yzak shrugged. 'It's not like I'm going to die because of it.'

'Is something wrong?' Shiho looked at Yzak. 'You've been like this for the whole day.'

'The council told me I'm allowed to see my Mother tonight.' Yzak said, sighing.

'And you're like this because…' Shiho's voice trailed as she cocked her head.

'Well… it's been a long time, almost five months since that brief meeting at Jakin Due.' Yzak looked out the window, his chiseled features bathing in the evening glow. 'I don't know if it'll make this worse.'

'For you or your Mother?' Shiho asked shortly.

'The both of us.' Yzak snapped. 'She'll already under constant surveillance, hell knows who'll get the tapped conversations. What will I say to my Mother? We use to talk about nothing but politics and military which are just the two things I'm not allowed to talk about in that house!'

'That's sad.' Shiho murmured. 'You sure she's your Mother?'

'What?' Yzak screeched. 'What do you mean by that Hahnenfuss?'

Shiho shrugged. 'I don't know, she sounds more like your Father.'

'My Father died five years ago.' Yzak muttered, glaring at her.

'I know.' Shiho responded promptly. 'Look, there's no way the council's going to let your Mother get her hands on politics ever again. Either way, she's going to have accept the fact that she's just an ordinary woman now and as her son, you should treat her like your mother and not a career advisor.'

Yzak looked at her with pursed lips. 'I so do treat her like a Mother.'

'Yeah.' Shiho rested her chin on her palm. 'Come on, just, find something else to talk about with her, strike up a conversation that does not involve politics. She must have some hobbies.'

It was till then did he realize that he did not really know his Mother at all. At that, Shiho rolled her eyes.

'Okay, if that's the case, you treat her like a stranger, a stranger you want to befriend.' Shiho advised, taking the sandwich from the waitress.

'Hey, where are you going?' Yzak asked, standing up.

'Going home.' Shiho raised her sandwich in the air. 'Thanks to you I've got a bunch of paper work due tomorrow and I left some of the documents at home so I need to get to work during my dinner.'

'I'm not guilty.' Yzak muttered, taking out his wallet.

'When have you ever been.' Shiho muttered. 'What are you doing?'

'I gave you a ride today because your car broke down.' Yzak said, rolling his eyes at her.

'I can take the shuttle bus.' Shiho said as they walked down the hall.

'Come on.' Yzak pushed the doors open.

'You're not doing this because you don't want to go home are you?' Shiho asked.

'Get in.' Yzak unlocked his car with the remote.

'Oh no you don't.' Shiho jumped in front him, swatting his hand away with her hip.

'What?' Yzak's eyebrow furrowed.

'If you're doing this so you'd have an excuse to not see your Mother than forget it, I'd rather walk back.' Shiho declared.

'Please, you're not that important to me Hahnenfuss.' Yzak sneered.

Shiho eyed him suspiciously. 'Really? You'll go?'

'Well, if you don't trust me…' Yzak motioned his head towards the huge shuttle bus at the far end of the car park.

'Oh damn it!' Shiho made a move to chase after it but instead was left to watch it glide out of the car park. 'You did this on purpose Captain!'

Yzak laughed and opened the door. 'Come on, that thing won't come back in like an hour and you've got that deadline to meet.'

Making a face at him, she walked around the car and climbed into it, fastening her seatbelt.

Yzak still remembered Shiho giving him tips on how to strike up a conversation with his Mother. She had refused to go up until she watched him leave the parking lot. He really did have her to thank.

'What are you smiling at Yzak?' Ezaria asked, looking at her son weirdly.

'Nothing.' Yzak shook his head and took a sip from his tea.

Ezaria frowned. 'You were thinking about something.'

'Huh?'

Ezaria crossed her legs. 'Girl trouble?'

Yzak spit his tea back into his white cup. 'What? Mother!'

'Yzak…' Ezaria looked at him sternly. 'You do know there's more to life than just work.'

'Oh you're the one talking Mother.' Yzak sneered. 'I thought you were the one who told me to work as if my life depended on it.'

Ezaria shrugged. 'I'm not denying that work is important, but so is pleasure.'

'Pleasure?' Yzak looked at her confused. 'What do you mean?'

Ezaria sighed. 'You do know you're twenty don't know Yzak.'

'Yeah.' He just turned twenty three days ago. 'So?'

'I'm just worried that with this kind of working attitude, you'll never find a girl and marry.' Ezaria eyed her son. 'Or worse…'

'Don't say gay, do not say gay!' Yzak warned, shooting a glare at his mother.

'I'm just saying.' Ezaria shook her head. 'I'm not denying the possibility son, you have inherited my good looks and you're Father's… well you know.'

'Thanks for your faith in my sexuality.' Yzak muttered.

'By the way.' Ezaria reached behind the easy chair. 'I was clearing out the attic and some storage rooms with Niolava a few days ago – '

'You did the cleaning?' Yzak said incredulously. 'Seriously?'

'Well… no, more like supervising.' Ezaria admitted. 'Anyway, I found some photos you might be interested in.'

'Photos?' Yzak raised his eyebrows and took the box, coughing at the dust. Rummaging through it, he took out a heavy frame. 'Hey, that's Grandpa and Father!'

Ezaria nodded. 'Old photos. I'll have someone polish those frames and find a place to put them.'

'Nice.' Yzak took out a few frames that had photos of his Father when he was young, at school. There was even a photo of Astrof and Ezaria when they were at school.

Yzak was about to throw all the photos back into the box when a dirty photo caught his attention. It was turned upside down and practically camoflouged in the box. Picking it up, he blew at the dust and frowned at how yellow the photo was.

'Is this me Mother?' Yzak asked, holding it up for Ezaria to see.

'Ah, yes, you and Geherin, the daughter of Agrip Hahnenfuss, remember? Your fiancée.' Ezaria said.

'Oh yeah.' Yzak looked down at the photo. It was taken in the yard of what seemed like the Hahnenfuss Manor. 'It's been what? Almost nine years since this photo. I can't say I wasn't shocked when I heard from Vuit that she died when I was still training in the academy. Why did I never get the news?'

'Well…' Ezaria sighed heavily. 'Everyone had been busy then and Astrof didn't really announce his daughter's death until about half a year later and by then you were about to graduate. I didn't want the news to effect you in anyway so I didn't tell you, neither did Astrof or Irasi think it was a good idea.'

'I remember being pretty close with her when we were around, what? Eleven? Twelve?' Yzak shook his head. 'I guess I did have a short period of childhood, that's not bad compared to others right Mother?'

Ezaria nodded. 'Right.'

Yzak's eyebrow furrowed as something at the corner of the photo caught his attention. Holding it closer, he was practically smelling it. Could it be…

'What is it Yzak?' Ezaria asked, reaching for her tea cup.

'Do you remember the second daughter of Astrof Hahnenfuss?' Yzak asked.

'Second daughter?' Ezaria frowned. 'I know they have two daughters but people almost never hear about that second daughter of theirs.'

Yzak nodded and stuffed the photo into the pocket of his jacket. 'You don't mind do you?'

'Oh no, keep it.' Ezaria said. 'Have you ever heard of this second daughter?'

'Well…' Yzak's voice trailed. 'She kind of works for me now.'

Ezaria widened her eyes. 'She works for you?'

Yzak nodded and raised his cup to his lips. 'Yeah, I kind of met her when I was reassigned to Versalius at Jakin Due. She was one of the team leaders before I came along and she was assigned to me along with other two teams. She's now one of my Majors, great person to work with if you ask me.'

Ezaria nodded. 'At least you're not surrounded by an all male team.'

Yzak seethed. 'Mother!'

'It's a concern of mine!' Ezaria shot back. 'Be considerate of the fact that your Mother has nothing to worry about now but you.'

Yzak sighed. 'By the way Mother, I received the council's approval.'

'Approval of what?' Ezaria asked, taking a small bite of a tea biscuit.

'To change this property's name to you.' Yzak said.

Ezaria looked at her son as if he was crazy. 'What?'

'It's for the best Mother.' Yzak said tiredly. 'I have my reasons and it will be sort of like a security for you.'

'But this property's inherited to you.' Ezaria said. 'It wouldn't be…'

'Mother, I want you to have this property and I'm sure Father would have done it too if you weren't so politically involved.' Yzak said. 'It's really time for this mansion to go back to you, besides, I'm hardly here anyway.'

Ezaria sighed. 'If you say so Yzak, I really don't have a choice.'

Yzak shook his head at his mother and almost jumped when his cell phone rang. Standing up, he shot his Mother an apologetic look and walked out of the den. 'Yzak Jule.'

'Uh… Captain?' Shiho's uncertain voice came from the other line.

'Hahnenfuss? What's going on?' Yzak asked curiously. She never called unless it had something to do with work at this time of the day.

'Well… where are you?' Shiho asked.

'Me? At my Mother's.' Yzak frowned. 'What's going on?'

'Well…' Shiho's voice trailed.

'What is it Hahnenfuss?' Yzak demanded sharply. 'You spit it out right now!'

'Dearka's gone again!'

Shiho's eyebrows furrowed as she examined the floor plan of Hotel Divonara, still pondering over how the sniper had got Miriallia. Reports suggested that the sniper had missed the lethal regions but she wasn't so sure herself. She had a bad feeling that this sniper was an extremely professional one and her speculation was almost always true though she still need concrete information to prove this point.

Shiho looked up at a knock on the door.

'Major, the information you wanted.' It was Yzak's secretary.

'Thanks, you can just put the file over there.' Shiho said absently.

'Oh, and Commander Jules told me to give you this.'

Shiho stared down at the envelope curiously. 'Thanks.'

Bowing her head slightly, Yzak's secretary left the room quietly.

Picking up the envelop, Shiho flipped it over, noting that it was not addressed to anyone. Her Commander was rarely this secretive.

'Major Hahnenfuss, Commander Jules line 3.'

'I've got it.' Shiho said. Instinct telling her that she wouldn't want anyone to hear the following conversation, she decided against talking to Yzak on speaker phone and lifted up the receiver. 'Yes sir?'

'How's it going with the assassination report?' Yzak asked directly, not even bother to greet her, typical of him.

'Still working on it sir.' Shiho replied.

'Still working on it? It's been three days already.' Yzak said, frowning. 'Really that tricky?'

'Trust me.' Shiho murmured, turning the blueprint over. 'I still don't get it. Reports say that the sniper missed but I think he did it on purpose. I still can't make a good estimation of the distance, firearms forensics yet have to give me a more update report.'

'Why?'

'They say the sniper rifle is customized.' Shiho replied, sighing. 'That sort of doubles the shit.'

'I know.' Yzak said.

'There's one thing I don't understand though.' Shiho said, biting her nail. 'Why would this sniper shoot Miriallia? I mean, it doesn't really make any sense, unless…'

'Unless what?' Yzak asked curtly. 'Orb?'

'Yes.' Shiho replied. 'Unless it has something to do with the assassination attempt at Orb, Miriallia was the one who shot that assassin down. Do you think there's anyway they'd give us some information?'

'On the firearms forensic report?' Yzak asked flatly. 'Don't even count on it.'

Shiho pouted. 'Fine, I'll see what I can do, there'd probably be something in surveillance, I'll go over the tapes myself.'

'Good luck.' Yzak smirked.

'Anything else sir?' Shiho asked absently, reaching for another file.

'Uh, well, there is one thing.' Yzak said hesitantly.

'Shoot.' Shiho said, flipping through some pages.

'Well, Dearka's back.' Yzak said in a low voice.

'He's back?' Shiho exclaimed. 'Where the hell is he?'

'That's not the point.' Yzak said tiredly.

'What do you mean that's not the point?' Shiho demanded. 'Hey, I covered his ass again and again, he better have a good explanation for his disappearance or at least do some serious mending on that relationship of his.'

'Well…' Yzak's voice trailed. 'He did bring back the girl.'

'He did?' Shiho jumped up in her seat and cheered. 'That should do the trick. So when will he come back to work.'

'I'm not going to call him.' Yzak said firmly.

'What? Why?' Shiho asked. 'Hey, you're not going to give him another leave are you? Enough is enough! You could try giving me a holiday for a change captain.'

'He's busy.' Yzak said uncomfortably. 'He was uh… doing stuff when I last called him.'

'Doing stuff?' Shiho raised her eyebrows and sat back down. They shot up at her realization. 'Damn it! He's having sex?'

'Well, you got that right for a change.' Yzak said dryly.

'Damn him.' Shiho cursed. 'When my patience runs out, I'm going to kill him.'

'Anyway, I'll try to call him later, okay?' Yzak said tiredly. 'I've got more important issues to deal with than that brat.'

'You do that.' Shiho muttered, slamming the file shut. 'I better go, I have a meeting.'

'Wait.' Yzak said quickly. 'About that envelop.'

'Oh right.' Shiho picked it up. 'I've been wondering, what's with the secrecy Commander Jules?'

'It's an invitation.' Yzak said.

'Invitation?' Shiho opened the envelop and found an invitation to the annual charity ball hosted by the councils. 'Why do I have this invitation? I've never been invited.'

'Well, okay, I was wondering if you'd come.' Yzak said.

'Me?' Shiho pointed at herself. 'I've never been to these stupid charity balls.'

'They are pretty stupid.' Yzak muttered. 'Look, just think about it, it's not for another two and a half weeks.'

'Commander, I – '

'Just think about it.' Yzak said. 'See you.'

Shiho stared at the receiver for a few moments before setting it down, shaking her head. Something was going on and she had an initial gut feeling it wasn't going to be good.

'Major.' One of Shiho's most trusted team members Monroe Fonz came in with a white file in hand. 'Most updated files from surveillance.'

Shiho raised her eyebrows and took the file from him. 'What crap have they got now?'

Monroe shrugged and sat down. 'I don't know, I haven't read it yet, they say it's confidential, so…'

Shiho shook her head. 'If it's another of those ridiculously boring back photos I'm going to kill myself.'

'I'm sure they'll get better.' Monroe said, smirking.

'Let's just hope.' Shiho smiled, turning open the file. Monroe leaned forward slightly at Shiho's sudden silence.

'What? Something new?'

Shaking her head slowly, Shiho picked up one photo and turned it slightly, holding it up to the light. Widening her eyes, she put the photo down. 'Get me the tapes, I want to go through them myself.'

Monroe's eyebrows furrowed. 'Really? We've gone through them like a million times.'

'Just do it.' Shiho scowled.

'Your wish is my command Major.'

Shiho frowned at the ten tapes Monroe brought in five minutes later. 'You can go, I can handle it myself.'

'If you wish Major, good luck on it.' Monroe said, then retreated, slamming the door behind him.

Taking the file with her, Shiho popped one of the discs into the player and fast forwarded it. Squinting her eyes, she sighed when the tape was over and popped in another one. After six tapes, she finally managed to locate what she wanted, pressing on the pause button of the remote.

Leaning closer, she looked at the screen then at the photograph. It was unmistakable, the amber eyes.

Sitting up abruptly, Shiho grabbed her keys and rushed out of her office. Changing quickly in the women's locker room, she slammed her locker shut, making sure she had her photo in hand.

'Where you going Major?' Monroe asked as she rushed by.

'I have something to do, if Commander Jules calls, tell him I'm on some emergency business.' Shiho said breathlessly while dialing a number on her cell phone. Unlocking her car, she climbed in quickly and gunned the engine just as the connection came on.

'Code 67443.' Shiho said quickly, steering out of the headquarter's car park. 'Message, Pipkins.'

Wincing at the irritating sunlight when she hit the highway, Shiho fumbled for her shades in the dashboard. Half an hour later, she parked her car at one of the abandoned industrial areas of Aprilius One. Stepping out of her sedan, she gave her shades a push in the middle, frowning at the stuffy air. Locking her car, she walked into the abandoned building, the heels of her boots clicking on the dirty floor. As she walked up the steel stairs, she felt for her gun that was stuck in the back of her slacks.

She wasn't at all surprised to find Lain Van Ness standing on the roof with her back to the door, her long silky black hair flying in the strong wind of the tall building.

'That's a TGE-77 isn't it?' Lain said without even turning around.

Shiho frowned. 'How did you know?'

'You were loading it.' Lain said, turning around slightly.

'You never lose your touch.' Shiho said in a low voice, taking a step forward.

'You're right.' Shrugging, Lain crossed her feet at her ankles. 'I knew you'd find me.'

Taking a deep breath, Shiho reached into her coat and took out the photo. 'This head at the corner is so you. I found you at the press conference when I looked over the videos again, you can't miss those amber eyes of yours.'

'Not my best feature.' Lain murmured.

'Who is this guy?' Shiho demanded, stepping forward, holding out the pistol.

'You really want to know?' Lain asked, raising her eyebrows, staring into the barrel.

Shiho stared at her for a while before stuffing the photo into her pocket. 'I really don't know you that well and somehow, I'm suddenly very interested in who you really are.'

'You won't want to know Shiho.' Lain said. 'Trust me.'

'Then do me a favor and tell me who this is.' Shiho said. 'Just like you've helped me in the past.'

'He's my husband.' Lain said promptly, turning away.

Shiho crossed her arms. 'I really don't know you that well. You're married?'

'Yeah, a year and a half ago.' Lain smirked, brushing her silky hair aside.

'Oh, and you're not even a newly wed.' Shiho said dryly. 'If you're nineteen going on twenty, then that means you married at the age of seventeen…'

'You got a problem Hahnenfuss?' Lain sneered, crossing her arms.

'No, not at all.' Shiho snarled back.

'It's better if, you know, no strings attached.' Lain said quietly. 'I'm here because there's no way I can help you anymore. As from now, I'm your enemy.'

'When have you ever been my ally?' Shiho countered. 'You're just my intelligence center, a very unreliable intelligence center.'

'You're right.' Lain said, looking at her in the eye. 'I'm not a reliable person and you shouldn't trust me.' She paused, fingering the wedding band that was hanging over her chest on a chain. 'My husband's Rusty MacKenzie.'

Shiho widened her eyes at the name, lowering the pistol.

'You should be familiar with the name though you haven't met him before.' Lain said quietly.

Digging into her pocket again, Shiho examined the photo more closely.

'Check ZAFT's database.' Lain continued. 'I'm sure you'll get a list of his information.' Turning on her heel, she walked past Shiho. 'He didn't want to kill Miriallia Haww, it was just a warning.'

Shiho turned and faced Lain's back. 'A warning?'

'A warning.' Lain repeated. 'But I can tell that when he pulls the trigger again, he'll kill his target.'

'Mind doing me one last favor and tell me who this target is?' Shiho asked in a low voice, narrowing her amythest eyes.

'Sorry.' Lain looked over her shoulder with a cold face. 'You'll just have to find out yourself.'

Shiho watched Lain disappear through the roof's exit. Looking down at the photo again, she couldn't help but frown. An hour later, she found herself staring at a screen with Rusty MacKenzie's profile listed under the category 'KIA'.

Shiho didn't know how long she stayed in her office, but when her door clicked open, Monroe was surprised to find her there, still in her civilian clothes.

'You've been here all night major?' Monroe asked, wincing at the pile of tapes on the sofa. 'You went through all of them?'

'No, just a few.' Shiho said shortly, sitting back down. Running her hand through her long brunette locks, she grimaced at the tangles at the end.

'You need to look more like a girl Major.' Monroe commented.

'Are you saying I look like a man?' Shiho demanded.

'No, absolutely not.' Monroe raised his hands. 'But you do act like one.'

'Get out!' Shiho ordered.

Monroe raised his eyebrows. 'What's with the heat?'

'Get me some coffee.' Shiho said tiredly. 'I haven't slept last night.'

'When have you ever had a decent night of sleep before?' Monroe muttered while leaving the room.

Looking down at the few photos in the file again, Shiho exhaled loudly, feeling her head pounding.

Shiho thanked Monroe for her coffee and told him to leave. Giving her mouse a shake, she clicked into ZAFT's top security info boxes and opened one, adding additional codes. Inserting the disc that came with the surveillance report, she transferred the data into the security box. When this was done, she entered ZAFT's surveillance database and located the report materials. Making sure she was using an anonymous line, she deleted the information.

Sighing, she flipped her computer off and sat on her desk, taking a sip from her coffee with lowered eyes. When she drained down the last of her coffee, she tossed the paper cup into the trash bin and turned, staring at the phone on the top left hand corner of her desk.

After a few moments of staring, she picked it up and dialed a familiar number. She drummed her fingers on her desk until an annoyed voice came on.

'Who the hell is this?' Dearka Elthman was definitely not a morning person, especially when the lady was around.

'It's me, Hahnenfuss.' Shiho couldn't help but smirk.

'What are you doing calling me at this time of the day…' Dearka voice trailed.

Shiho's eyebrows furrowed as she heard someone whisper but couldn't make out a word. She rolled her eyes at what suspiciously sounded like kissing.

'Major!' Shiho said sharply. 'Are you listening to me or just cuddling with the missus?'

'Uh, I'm here.' Dearka said absently. 'You were saying?'

'I've got some information on the sniper incident.' Shiho said. 'Open security box 442, I've put some extra codes but you'll be able to break them.'

'Okay.' Dearka responded.

'You're going to look forward to the photos I got from surveillance.' Shiho assured. 'Trust me.'

'We'll see.' Dearka said, then cut the connection.

Putting the phone down quietly, Shiho looked out the window, bright sunlight shining into her office. Hopping off the desk, she tossed the data disc onto the floor and without hesitation, stepped on it, giving it an extra grind with the heel of her boot.

Sitting herself down slowly, she closed her eyes and turned her back against the window.. To the looks of it, she wasn't going to get a holiday for a very long time.


End of Chapter 4
Next Update: 17th November, 2005

A/N: The story's a bit complicated, isn't it? I've opted a jumping back and fourth approach in time, but it should be relatively smoother from now until probably later chapters when issues of the past come out. Plus you'll find a lot of reference to GSA I and GSA II. Enjoy.