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 16

'Yzak!'

Yzak stopped in his tracks and looked up at the sudden chill that ran up his spine. He stood there, staring up with his eyebrows furrowed with Nia bumping into his back.

'Commander!' Nia rubbed her nose. 'What's wrong?'

Yzak continued to stare at the sky, a deep frown on his face.

'Commander?' Nia cocked her head and shot a glance at Iwen and Monroe, who shrugged.

'Yzak!' Dearka suddenly shouted, making him jump in surprise.

'What?' Yzak snapped, turning around abruptly.

Dearka glared at him. 'You're blocking the way you idiot!.'

'What's wrong with him?' Ohin asked, nudging Monroe in the ribs. 'He never uses that tone in front of us.'

Monroe shrugged while looking down at his board. 'Maybe he pissed him off or something. Who knows?'

Stepping aside, Yzak motioned for the others to go first while glaring at Dearka who busied himself with a file in hand.

'Last truck Commander!' Ceit called, climbing into the drivers' seat of the truck that was labeled 'ZAFT DSC'.

Yzak nodded. 'Let's go.' Climbing into the two seater jeep, he shot a glance at Dearka who got into the driver's seat. He was obviously pissed, and not just because of the sudden operation.

'You're worse than Rusty.' Dearka suddenly seethed, shooting a glare at him.

'What?' Yzak stared at him. 'How am I supposed to be worse than Rusty?'

'I feel betrayed, and not just by you.' Dearka muttered.

'Consider us even then.' Yzak shot back.

Dearka frowned. 'Are you really going to send that report back to Aprillius One?'

Yzak glared at him. 'I thought I told you a few hours ago in my office, I don't like repeating myself Major Elthman.'

Dearka shook his head. 'Maybe my ears were failing me. Yes, they were failing me.'

'Take it your way.' Yzak grumbled, crossing his arms.

'You were serious?' Dearka asked incredulously. 'You've really hooked up with Sh – '

Yzak nudged him in the ribs hard. 'Shut up Elthman.'

Dearka winced in pain, cursing Yzak who had decided to ignore him. In the past four days, he had been more than just distracted, distracted from the fact that Shiho's fate lied in his hands. He could easily control it, but the thought of controlling her life was utterly disturbing. It was his taboo to control other's life and he did not want this to happen between them, even if it was about work and he was the boss.

He couldn't help but notice Shiho's sudden change in attitude. She had been acting weird ever since their relocation yet he didn't have a chance to actually ask her why, not that he didn't want to. She used to be optimistic and energetic, always with a positive attitude and talking things out with him and her own team mates. Her philosophy was everything would work out in time yet she didn't believe that she'd get out of this bizarre shooting incident?

He could see it in her eyes that she didn't want him to help, didn't want to tell him anything and it hurt. It still wasn't the right time? It had been nine months already and they were engaged. He didn't want to force her, but still…

Sighing, Yzak racked his hand through his hair. 'I should talk to her tonight.' He didn't want to have any regrets just because he didn't have the guts to actually ask her instead of waiting for her. He would convince himself that he wasn't forcing her, if that was possible at all.

'To who?' Dearka budged in.

Yzak glared at him sideways. 'You are one nosy ass Dearka.'

Dearka shrugged. 'Since you don't tell me anything, I don't mind being a nosy ass.'

Yzak shook his head while his cell phone rang. Taking it out, he frowned at the display. 'Hello?'

Dearka strained his ears while Yzak's frown deepened. 'What's up?'

Yzak eyed him while snapping his phone shut. 'You are a very nosy person.'

Dearka made a face. 'You're the responsible for this nosiness of mine.'

Yzak sighed. 'It was Reiss.'

Dearka frowned. 'What? What does he want?'

'Wyleeds just arrived Gilberta and wants to see me.' Yzak snorted. 'Says he wants me to have dinner with him and his daughter tonight.'

'What?' Dearka's eyebrows twitched. 'What does that bastard want anyway? Mock you or something?'

Yzak shrugged. 'Who knows?'

'Well, if he does, tell him to go to hell because hey – ' Dearka slammed on the breaks when the truck in front of him made an abrupt stop.

Yzak frowned. 'What the hell's going on?'

'Major!' Ceit opened the door of the truck and motioned for him to look.

'Miriallia?' Dearka jumped out of the jeep and walked towards a panting Miriallia who had her arms spread out, stopping the whole team of trucks. Seeing this, Yzak too stepped out of the jeep with his eyebrows in knots.

'Is that Elthman's girlfriend?' Yzak heard Nia hiss to Lyn, who only shrugged nonchalantly.

'I wonder what she wants.' Ceit muttered, watching as Miriallia grabbed Dearka's arms.

'Shiho… its Shiho…' Miriallia panted with tears in her eyes as she looked at Dearka desperately.

Dearka frowned. 'What is it? Is something wrong with Shiho? Why are you here alone?'

'What happened Miriallia?' Yzak asked as he walked up to them.

Miriallia turned to Yzak and grabbed his arm. 'They took her! Those thugs took her away!'

'What?' Dearka cried.

Yzak narrowed his eyes. 'What do you mean they took her? What are you saying Miriallia?'

'Commander!' Ceit called, holding out Yzak's palm. 'You've got a message!'

Yzak caught it and opened it quickly, scanning the elaborate message. 'Damn it!'

'What is it?' Miriallia demanded.

Looking up, Yzak turned to Dearka. 'Take those thugs back to the headquarters with your team, the others follow me.'

Shiho could feel an awful sting in her back before she gasped in surprise, cold water splashing all over her body, waking her up completely. However, before she could even open her eyes, she was grabbed by the hair and hauled up. Opening her eyes, she found herself staring into dull brown eyes.

'Remember me sweetie?' The man asked, his face inches from hers. Shiho couldn't help but wince at his breath while trying to press her hand on the ground. 'I remember your name though, Shiho isn't it?'

'Who the hell is she Amos?' Another voice rang inside the dark tin hut.

Standing up, Amos gave her a hard tug by the hair and threw her into the dirt. Choking, Shiho pushed herself from the floor and let her eyes focus slowly. Widening her eyes slightly, she found her breath caught in her throat.

'Is she the bitch Chavi talked about, the one who shot her clients?'

'I can't believe you actually believe that liar Arun.' Another voice muttered.

Arun shrugged while liting a cigarette. 'I don't know, possibly true.' He looked over his shoulder at the crowd of girls at the far corner. 'Of all the people, you couldn't have been taken away by those ZAFT fuckers. You really want to be a hooker don't you?'

'Fuck you!'

Shiho bit her lip at the familiar voice and saw the girl from the other night grimacing while holding onto another girl. Everyone in the hut seemed exhausted and filthy, some taking deep drags while others were drinking from beer bottles. She saw that the girls were staring at her with fear, that was when she realized Amos was beside her, looking down at her with nothing but disdain.

She remembered him. He was the pimp who she was sold to shortly after her and her sister's abduction. How could she have forgotten him, he was the one who killed Geherin.

'Has all the fire gone away from you?' Amos asked in a bear whisper, a cigarette clenched between his teeth. 'I remember you were pissed when you saw your dead sister lying there, stripped, raped and torn. You were so pissed you almost straggled me to death.'

Glaring at him, Shiho could barely push herself from the floor as Amos knelt down. She cried out in pain when he suddenly grinded his cigarette on her back where the dart had pierced into her. The girls watching too screamed and cried.

It was a painful déjà vu.

Shiho couldn't help but pant as she fell face down on the ground again. Grabbing her soaked hair, Amos forced her on her knees and without hesitation slapped her in the face. Shiho could feel blood slid down the corner of her mouth while the other two guys raised they're eyebrows.

'What's the grudge Amos?' Arun asked.

'This bitch almost killed me five years ago.' Amos grunted. 'I remember whipping you hard, let's see of the scar's still there shall we?'

Widening her eyes, Shiho summoned all her strength and pushed him away. Knowing she'd do that, Amos grabbed her by the arm and pulled on the back of her collar. The rip of cloth echoed through the stuffy tin house and Shiho fell face down again, the remains of her shredded shirt and bra scattered around her.

Arun whistled. 'Not a bad body Amos, not a bad body at all, but that scar's pretty bad, I have to say.'

Shiho felt numb as Amos took out a whip from behind him. She barely had the strength to scream as he started whipping her, the force forced her to roll on her back.

'Fed up with all this?' Amos taunted, panting slightly as he continued to strike her. 'Come on, make some noise! I still remember how your sister died when I fucked her brains out! You got away five years ago but not now! Now that you've fucked up my business!'

Smirking, Arun looked over his shoulder at the crying girls. 'This is what you get when you fuck with our business, got it Chavi?' He narrowed his eyes at the trembling girl. 'Got it?'

Digging her nails into the girl next to her, Chavi nodded and looked away, burying her face into the girl's shoulders, trying hard not the cry.

'Say something!' Amos suddenly bawled, irritated by Shiho's silence. Slamming her into the wall, he kneaded his knee into her stomach, satisfied by the scream that escaped Shiho's lips. Stepping back, he watched her slide down to the floor, holding her stomach, blood oozing out of her bleeding skin. Her bare upper body was practically breaking from the intense whipping and there was almost nothing left of her jeans, only to reveal her bleeding legs.

Holding her stomach, Shiho could do nothing from the tears streaming down her cheeks. It was too hard, she just couldn't… couldn't…

'She's not fun at all Amos.' Arun sneered, flicking his cigarette.

Amos looked over his shoulder. 'What do you suggest?'

Arun shrugged. 'Fuck her.'

Looking back down at Shiho's battered form, Amos smirked. 'That's not a bad idea at all Arun.'

Arun bowed his head in exaggeration. 'Always.'

Curling her body, Shiho could only close her eyes, her body completely numb. She couldn't feel the thing and could do anything when Amos pushed her down onto the floor and ripped what was remained of her clothing. Turning her head sideway, she bit her lip as she vaguely felt filty hands slide up her thighs.

She wanted to die.

Stradding her while undoing his pants, Amos grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up. 'A little tattered, but not bad, I must say you've got the body to kill.' Squeezing her jaw, his other groping hand almost reached her center when blood suddenly oozed out of his shoulder after a gunshot.

'What the fuck?' Reaching into his pants, Arun pulled out his pistol but it was immediately shot away. The girls could only scream, if possibly, even louder at the gunshots.

'It's here Commander.' Monroe said, gun still pointed at Arun. 'Commander?'

Standing beside him, Yzak lowered his smoking pistol with shaking hands.

'How's is it?' Dearka pushed his way through, only in time to see Yzak walk slowly towards Shiho's torn naked form on the dirty ground. At the sight of this, Dearka couldn't help but widened his eyes in shock, along with the others while Nia gasped and fell to the floor, her hands on her mouth.

Yzak could only swallow down a big lump in his throat while narrow his eyes dangerously at Amos who was holding onto his bleeding shoulder beside Shiho. Unable to contain his fury anymore, Yzak threw his gun onto the floor and leaped forwad, giving him a square punch in the jaw.

'You fucker!' Yzak hollered, giving him another punch, drawing blood. The others watched in awe as Yzak lost complete control, throwing punches at him over and over again while Ceit and Lyn grabbed hold of Arun.

'Yzak!' Dearka rushed forward and grabbed him from behind. 'You're going to kill him!'

'Damn it!' Yzak shouted while Dearka dragged him back. 'You son of a bitch!'

'Shiho!' Nia made her way towards Shiho.

Seeing this, Yzak struggled free from Dearka's grip. 'Get away from her!' Nia stopped in her tracks abruptly while the others stared at Yzak in shock.

Taking a deep breath, Yzak calmed himself down and walked up towards her still form. He took off his uniform belt while kneeling down, feeling his breath caught in his throat as he took off his long white uniform coat. Holding her up slowly, he wrapped the heavy material around her shoulders and hugged her to him tightly. Shiho could only rest her head on his shoulders, her eyes hallow as Yzak held her tightly, whispering her name over and over again.

'Yzak,.' Dearka walked up to him. 'The ambulance is here.'

Taking a deep breath, Yzak nodded and picked her up, his coat wrapped tightly around her. The other ZAFT soldiers made way for him as he walked out of the door, feeling his eye sting, tears threatening to overflow as the numb Shiho could only lean into him, tears streaming down her expressionless face while Yzak's white uniform coat started to stain with blood oozing from between her legs.

'She's going to be okay Miriallia.' Sighing, Dearka walked up to his girlfriend who practically had her face stuck to the window of the Intensive Care Unit of Gilberta's hospital. The curtains were still drawn while the three of them sat in the waiting area. Yzak was sitting on the bench, abnormally calm while Dearka had busied himself with calming Miriallia down.

'They've been checking on her for a long time Dearka!' Miriallia grabbed Dearka by the arm.

'She's going to be alright.' Yzak suddenly said, looking up with pained eyes. 'She's going to pull through.'

At that, the curtains behind the class wall pulled open. Shiho was lying on the bed with the covers to her chest, her hands gripping the sheets. There were bandages on her neck and her hands were covered with clotted blood, cuts and bruises. She looked weak, extremely vulnerable and completely detached. Yzak's heart could only wrench even more than it already had at that thought as the doctor walked up to them.

'How is she doc?' Dearka asked as the doctor took off his mask.

'Good news and bad news.' The doctor said, looking at them solemnly.

'The good news…' Miriallia's voice trailed.

'She wasn't raped, the rapist didn't go all the way, as one may put.' The doctor shook her head. 'So she's fine at that.'

'The bad news?' Dearka raised his eyebrows.

Sighing, the doctor looked through the panel at Shiho's still figure. 'She had a miscarriage.'

'What?' Dearka shrieked before he could stop himself. At that, Miriallia nudged him in the ribs. Behind them, Yzak widened his eyes in complete shock.

'How long was she pregnant?' Miriallia asked carefully.

'My guess is three to four weeks.' The doctor said. 'She's lost a significant amount of blood due to the miscarriage, so she's physically and mentally weak, extremely vulnerable. I suggest you be very careful with her.'

'Thank you Doctor.' Miriallia said.

The doctor bowed her head. 'I'll come check on her later.'

They were silent as the doctor walked out of the door. Dearka wrapped his arms around Miriallia as she started to cry, burying her face into his shoulders.

'I can't believe you blew me off because one of your good for nothing sidekicks had a miscarriage.' Another voice rang from the doorway.

Dearka and Miriallia both turned and glared at the owner of the voice.

Closing his eyes, Yzak turned away from the door. 'What do you want Miss Wyleed?'

Frowning, Gazelle Wyleed looked through the panel in disdain, tapping her heels on the floor while running one hand through her silky blonde hair. 'I wanted to see what was taking you so long Yzak, you're late for three hours, not like you've broken your record yet, but it's annoying sometimes.' She snicked. 'You can let your other sidekick look after her, my Father doesn't have that much time, you should be grateful that he still wants to see you.'

'You really are a bitch.' Dearka sneered, letting go of Miriallia.

'Miss Wyleed.' A skinny man walked up to him with his head bowed. Looking over his shoulder, Yzak gritted his teeth at the familiar face he saw a month ago at the ranch.

Gazelle narrowed her eyes, clutching her tiny purse. 'Is this how you train your subordinates Yzak? No wonder she's lying in bed, screwed and lost a baby. I wonder if you'll ever know who the baby's father is.'

'Why you – ' Miriallia was about to charge forward when someone pushed Gazelle sideways from behind and slapped her in the face hard.

Gazelle could only step back in shock as she found herself staring into bright amber eyes. 'Who the hell are you?'

'Get out.' Lain seethed quietly, glaring at her.

Gazelle widened her eyes in fury and raised her hand. 'Why you bitch – '

Grabbing her wrist, Lain slapped her on the other side and gave her a rough push, sending her into her assistance's arms.

'Get out!' Lain snapped.

'Yzak!' Gazelle shrieked. 'She struck me! You let a nobody strike me?'

Turning around fully, Yzak narrowed his eyes at Gazelle. 'Dearka.'

'Yes?'

'Call security.' Yzak ordered shortly.

'Yes sir!' He couldn't be happier.

'What?' Gazelle cried, holding onto her red face. 'Do you know who I am? I'm Lamar Wyleed's daughter! You should be grateful that I still have a little interest in you Yzak Jule! My Father is the only one who can get you back into the council!'

'Commander?' Five ZAFT soldiers rushed in.

'Throw them out of this base.' Yzak said curtly.

The head of the team saluted. 'Yes sir!'

'Let go of me!' Gazelle cried, struggling from the soldier's grip. 'Do you know who I am?'

'Wait.' Yzak suddenly said. The all looked at Yzak who had his eyes trained on the silent figure behind the glass pane.

'What?' Gazelle demanded.

Turning, Yzak looked at her with cold eyes, casting a glance her secretary too. 'I'm going to say this once only. That sidekick of mine you're talking about is Shiho Hahnenfuss and the baby she lost is mine. I don't care what you say about her or send to the media, but I can tell you that she is my fiancée. To me, you're the nobody Gazelle Wyleed.'

Gazelle widened her eyes in shock. 'You bastard!'

'Throw them out.' Yzak commanded. They all watched in silence as the team hauled a screaming Gazelle out with Rusty graciously holding the door for them outside.

'Why are you guys here?' Dearka asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

Rusty shrugged. 'I don't know, Mrs. MacKenzie dragged me here.'

Taking a deep breath, Yzak pushed the door open and walked up to Shiho. Reaching out one trembling hand, he touched Shiho's hand but she jerked away, her eyes wide in fear. Turning to her side, she curled herself up, staring into nothing but emptiness.

Walking to them, Lain gave Yzak a gentle pat. 'Let me.'

Stepping back, Yzak watched as Lain walked to the other side of the bed and knelt down, taking her hand into hers. Outisde, Miriallia held onto Dearka for support while Rusty leaned against the window pane with his arms crossed.

'It's okay Shiho.' Lain said softly, brushing some of her bangs out of her wide eyes. 'Everything's okay Shiho. Yzak saved you, just like I saved you five years ago. You'll pull through Shiho, trust me, you'll pull through like you did before. Trust me…'

Looking up slightly, Shiho looked at Lain and started to tremble. Sitting herself on the bed, Lain gathered Shiho into her arms and let her sobbed into her shoulder.

'It's okay…' Lain patted her shoulder gently, feeling her eyes sting with tears. 'It's okay Shiho, we're all here, nobody's going to hurt you.' At that, Shiho cried louder, holding onto Lain's shoulder. At that, Lain tightened her grip, unable to stop the tears from streaming down her own cheeks. 'It's okay…'

Turning his head, Dearka let go of Miriallia. 'I have to wrap thing's up for Yzak. Do you want to stay here.'

Miriallia shook her head and held onto Dearka. Nodding, he took her hand and gave Rusty a look, who nodded and motioned for him to go.

When they stepped out of the hospital, they found Lyn and Nia standing there.

'What?' Dearka asked curtly, tightening his grip around Miriallia's hand.

Lyn looked away uncomfortable. 'Uh… how is she?'

Giving Miriallia's hand a gentle tug, he walked past them but stopped when Miriallia squeezed his hand. Stopping, he sighed and looked over his shoulder, his eyes reduced to slits.

'She's not dead, if that's what you're asking, but I suggest that you stay out of their business unless you want Yzak to kill you, and I mean really kill you. He'll do anything if it comes to Shiho now. Trust me on that.'

'You alright there?' Rusty walked up to Yzak who was standing at the window of ZAFT's sleeping quarters, staring out at the runway.

'They really need to do something with that security system.' Yzak muttered, shooting a glance at Rusty.

Rusty raised his eyebrows. 'Are you trying to be sarcastic?'

Yzak turned his head and ignored him.

'You're okay right?' Rusty asked, crossing his arms.

'I'm fine.' Yzak murmured.

'She's going to be okay.' Rusty said quietly.

'I know.' Yzak said in a low voice. 'She'll pull through.'

'Are you worried what I'm worried about?' Rusty asked.

Narrowing his eyes, Yzak turned to Rusty. 'You know what to do, I want him down.'

Rusty shrugged. 'Why can't I just kill him?'

'Because,' Yzak paused and turned back to the window, 'he deserves a painful death.'

Sighing, Rusty shook his head. 'Your wish is my command.' With that, he turned and walked down the quiet hallway, disappearing into the darkness soundlessly.

He stood there in silence for a while before reaching into his pocket, taking out a plastic bag that contained Shiho's engagement ring. They found it on the site and Dearka had given it to him. Taking it out, he fingered it briefly.

'Marry me.'

'You don't ask people to marry you unless – '

'I love you Shiho Hahnenfuss.'

'You better make sure you really want me, because there's no return.'

'You're stuck with me Major, I'm going to stick to you like glue, no way am I going to let go of you so be prepared.'

'You're insane! Crazy and have a big ego!'

'And you – '

'I love you because of all this.'

'Come again?'

'I love you.'

'I love you Shiho.' Yzak whispered. Carassing the diamond one more time, he put it back into the plastic bag and looked up again, one tear sliding down his cheek.

'I love you.'

Three weeks later

'You're crazy Yzak Jule.' Dearka declared, staring at his friend from across his desk.

Putting his file down slowly, Yzak raised his eyebrows. 'How's that Major Elthman?'

'We've been relocated back to PLANT.' Dearka said.

'Yeah?'

Dearka stared at him. 'How did you do it? I mean, I thought Lamar Wyleed would never let you back unless you sided with him.'

Yzak shrugged. 'Yeah? What's your point?'

Dearka frowned. 'You didn't actually take his side did you?'

'No.' Yzak said shortly. 'And never will I.'

Dearka leaned forward. 'What's your secret?'

Yzak smiled and leaned forward. 'You really want to know?'

Dearka nodded eagerly.

Dropping his smile, Yzak hit him in the head with a hard file. 'Get back to work Major, you still have a briefing with the team about the relocation!'

Dearka rubbed his head. 'Fine. Those yahoos are going to be thrilled anyway.' He was about to walk out the door when he turned. 'Have you ever considered running for Chairman?'

Yzak made a face. 'No, so go to hell.'

'Just asking.' With that, he slammed the door shut.

Sighing, Yzak tossed the file onto his desk and stood up stretching. Glancing at the clock on his desk, he decided to call it a day and flipped off his computer. Stepping out of his office, he undid the collar of his uniform and walked down the huge hallway.

'Commander!' Monroe and Lyn stopped to salute Yzak, who returned it.

'The briefing.' Yzak reminded.

'We're going right now!' Monroe said quickly. 'So excited!'

Yzak shrugged. 'What can I say? The headquarters was impressed with our work. We're done here and going home.'

'Thank you Commander!' Lyn said quickly, then pulled Monroe down the hallway.

Watching them turn the corner, Yzak sighed and walked out of the building into the sunlight, shading his eyes from the strong light. Walking down the familiar path, he reached the military hospital in ten minutes.

'How is she doing Dr. Gautier?' Yzak asked in her crips office.

'She's doing fine.' Dr. Gautier replied, looking through Shiho's file. 'She seemed to have recovered from the miscarriage completely and her wounds have more or less healed, yet she may consider removing those scars, but that's not a rush. However…'

Yzak frowned. 'However?'

'She seemed to have calmed down a bit, but I can't guarantee anything on the psychological side of her condition. A person like her needs a lot of care from her loved ones. I've sent a psychiatrist once but she had rejected him completely, not speaking at all. Aside from her friend who had stayed with her for the first week, no one else had visited her, except for probably you.'

Yzak nodded. 'It's complicated.'

Dr. Gautier nodded. 'I'm sure it is.'

'When can she leave?' Yzak asked.

'She can leave whenever she wants now.' Dr. Gautier replied. 'I understand that your team is being relocated and the timing couldn't be more perfect. I will send her case back to Aprillius One for any follow up, okay?'

'Thank you Doctor.' Yzak said.

Dr. Gautier smiled. 'No problem, it's my pleasure. Word of advice though, she's really sensitive now and the psychiatrist suspects a past lingering behind all that silence of hers. Her psychological report will be sent back to Aprillius One too, so don't worry.'

Standing up, Yzak shook Dr. Gautier's hand. 'Thank you.'

Stepping out of the doctor's office, Yzak felt slightly relieved. He had been worried that Shiho would have to stay behind, but to the looks of it, she could leave with the team.

Pushing the door to her private room open, Yzak saw Shiho lying on bed with her eyes closed, seemingly in deep sleep. It had been three weeks yet not once had Yzak seen her awake. The part that annoyed him was whenever Lain was here, Shiho was awake. They hadn't talked in four weeks and it was starting to scare him.

Sitting down beside her bed, Yzak took her hand in his and caressed her fingers, looking at her sleeping face. Reaching out one hand, he brushed some of her brunette hair away from her eyes and touched her cheek. Sighing tiredly, he leaned his head on the side of the bed and closed his eyes, still holding Shiho's hand.

The sun was already starting to set outside when Shiho opened her eyes. Feeling pressure on her hand, she looked down and saw Yzak with his head on her lap in deep sleep, holding her hand tightly. Looking up briefly, she reached out and pressed a button, feeling the head of the bed rise. She stared down Yzak for a while, brushing her fingers over his hair gently for a while before sighly loudly, blinking when she felt Yzak squeeze her hand. For a moment, she thought he'd open his eyes.

Sliding her hand down the side of his face gently, she covered it on top of his hand, touching the engagement ring she found on her finger again the day after she was sent to the hospital.

She missed him, she missed him very much yet she didn't have the courage to face him. She just couldn't.

Squeezing her eyes shut, Shiho turned her head and snatched her hand away from Yzak's grip abruptly. Jerking up at the sudden movement, Yzak looked up and stared at Shiho who was trying hard not to let her tears overflow.

It was hard.

'Shiho?' Yzak sat on the side of the bed and reached out one hand. 'Please, look at me.'

Letting him turn her face, Shiho stared at him with welled up eyes. 'I'm sorry.'

Yzak frowned and thumbed away her tears. 'For what?'

'I had a feeling I was pregnant Yzak, I was late.' Shiho whispered. 'I was almost sure but I didn't do the pregnancy tests. I'm sorry I couldn't protect the baby and I just, I just…'

Softening his eyes, Yzak held her face with both hands. 'Don't say sorry, you don't have to be sorry for anything. I'm just angry that I couldn't have come sooner, couldn't have save you from all this sooner. You don't deserve all this.'

'I do Yzak.' Shiho whispered, looking at him.

Yzak's frown deepened. 'What?'

Feeling a fresh batch of tears overflow, Shiho turned her head. 'I…'

Sighing, Yzak made her look at him again. 'I'm not going to wait anymore Shiho. Tell me. I want to know what happened five years ago.'

Shiho looked at him with trembling eyes. Closing her eyes, she suddenly threw her arms around his neck, much to Yzak's surprise.

'It's okay…' Yzak ran his hand up and down her back. 'I'm here, no one's going to hurt you anymore.'

Shiho could only sob harder. Closing his eyes, Yzak tightened his embrace and waited for Shiho to reveal her appalling past that had been hidden behind a genuine smile for the past five years.

End of Chapter 16
Next Update: 27th Jan, 2006

A/N: No ifs or buts, I promise the next chapter is solely dedicated to Shiho's past, finally. Anyway, I was wondering if you guys could do me a favor. See I've created a lot of original and supporting characters through the three stories but I've failed to keep track of them. I want to use them again in my new series, so can you guys help me search through the three stories and dig them out? I know there are a lot. If I get a significant amount of them, I'll give you guys a present, which is actually a deleted scene from GSA III, a cough lemon cough. There's actually a sub plot that relates a little bit to this chapter, or actually the few chapters back, so... help me out here!