Hi again!

I am soo sad! I have had so much fun writing this story it has almost become an obsession. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter

Thank you to all who reviewed! I really appreciate it! It makes me want to post that much faster!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed, Gundam Seed Destiny or any other references made to it. The doctor is mine though hehe.

Abhorrence

Chapter #18: Aftermath

The trip to the hospital was a blur for Cagalli. When Kira finally got there, he drove the car immediately to the emergency parking lot. One look at the mangled vehicle instantly caught the attention of the parking attendants and it had not taken long for the paramedics to come and whisk Athrun away from her. Still in a state of shock, Cagalli had at first refused to let go of him. She didn't want anyone to hurt him anymore! She wouldn't let anyone hurt him anymore!

The paramedics had to pry him out of her grasp and left her standing out in the cold as they rushed Athrun into the emergency room. Dearka had also been taken away but his injuries had not caused nearly as much commotion Athrun's. Lacus, Yzak and Kira were also left standing outside as their friends vanished behind the doors of the ER. Athrun had been unconscious when he had been taken away and in a very bad way. Like a shell of the person he had been almost one month ago, there was very little that was recognizable about the young Coordinator. So much blood, so much pain… even unconscious, his face was contorted in a look of extreme anguish.

The doctors had urged them to get some rest but all three of them had stubbornly refused to leave the hospital. Not until they got word about Athrun and Dearka. After much persistence, the doctors had finally given up and let them remain in the waiting room. That was where they found themselves now, several hours later.

Kira and Lacus sat together on a bench against the wall across from the secretaries' desk while Yzak stood leaned against the wall beside them. His arms were crossed and his face was creased with discontent and unease. Cagalli sat beside Kira, watching as her brother wrapped an arm around Lacus' shoulder and pulled her close. She continued to stare through puffy eyes as Lacus relaxed against Kira and returned his embrace. Suddenly, she felt very, very alone. She wanted someone to hold her, someone to hold her up when she felt like the ground was falling out from beneath her. She wanted Athrun.

And he was going to die.

"Cagalli!"

Upon hearing that horrid voice, she couldn't help but wonder whether or not some greater being was doing this to punish her. Or using her as a pawn for their own twisted pleasure. Regardless, she stiffened when she heard more than saw Yuna and Unato Saran come bursting through the door.

"Oh Cagalli!" Yuna threw his arms around her and like snakes, they coiled around her waist and squeezed. "I was so worried that something had happened to you! You're safe! Thank god everything is going to be alright!"

"Alright?" She asked, her voice chilled and rapidly rising. "Alright! How the hell can you say that everything is alright? Athrun is dying and you say that everything is alright! Are you that stupid?"

Yuna shook his head though nobody could tell rather or not he was answering her question in the positive or the negative. He stubbornly refused to release her even though he could feel her struggling to pull away from him. "But Cagalli… I love you not Athrun…"

"But I love him!" Cagalli cried and with one harsh and final tug, she freed herself and stormed over to take a seat beside Kira. "Don't you understand that?"

Sensing his sister's discomfort, Kira straightened. He puffed out his chest and fired Yuna an imposing glare, silently warning him to back off.

"But you can't love him," Yuna wrinkled up his nose in disgust. "I love you."

"I think you should leave."

"Nobody asked you, Yamato."

"Nobody had to," Kira retorted and threw his head towards the door. "Cagalli doesn't need this right now."

Yuna seemed to be considering his options when Yzak suddenly turned towards him and fired him a deadly glare. "You know," The ZAFT pilot growled darkly. "If there is one thing I can't stand, it is people who just don't know when to shut up."

The anger barely being contained behind Yzak's wild eyes was enough to humble anyone. Kira had never had an overly intimidating glare but when Yzak's eyes fell upon the purple-haired boy, he was subdued instantly.

Without another word, Yuna scurried off just as quickly as he had come. He and his father exchanged quick glances before Yuna left the waiting room. Unato didn't seem at all impressed as his brow furrowed in something that resembled frustration and disappointment.

After a moment, Cagalli sighed and slumped further into her seat. What was taking so long? Why couldn't she go see Athrun? When would they update her on his condition?

"Why does this keep happening to me?" Cagalli asked to no one in particular. Her stomach did a flip as the horrid smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils – it smelt like death. "It's my fault that Athrun is going to die…. Just like it was my fault that he got captured and… and tortured and shot! He was shot trying to protect me…"

"Cagalli, stop it," Kira cut her off. "This wasn't your fault. Just like it wasn't Athrun's fault or anyone else's. You had no control over what happened so you have to stop blaming yourself for this."

"Do you have any idea how hard it is to accept that the most important person in my life is going to die because of me?" Cagalli shot back, and shook her head. "He has nobody… no family… nothing…oh god, what if he doesn't make it!"

"Cagalli, you can't think like that," Kira bit his lip, lowering his eyes and tightening his grip around Lacus. It was hard to give her encouragement when he didn't even know just how serious Athrun had been hurt.

"It's isn't your fault." Kira repeated sternly and as he raised his head from the tile floor, he gave her a hard look before placing both his hand on her shoulders and forcing her to look at him. "You must promise me that whatever we see, or whatever the outcome may be you will not blame yourself for this."

"I… I promise." Cagalli nodded weakly though she really didn't know if she could honor such a bold promise.

"You need to stop being so selfish."

Everyone turned and stared at Yzak. Bewilderment was sketched across each of their faces as the silver-haired youth shook his head angrily. Straightening and moving away from the wall, he uncrossed his arms and let them fall to his sides. Pacing irately in front of them, his lip curled in disgust. "In case you all have forgotten, it is Athrun and Dearka who are hurting. Athrun is the one who may very well be dead in the next few minutes and all you can think about is who's fault it is!"

"Wha…" Cagalli's mouth dropped but she never had a chance to finish or even start to protest.

"I'm sick of hearing about how much you care about him," Yzak continued. "And just how terrible you feel and how much guilt you are wrestling with. If you really cared about him, you would be asking to see him instead of waiting out here feeling sorry for yourself!"

"Yzak…" Kira warned but the pilot would not be calmed. He was angry. Angry and upset.

"What?" He demanded hotly, spinning on his heels. "Are you going to say I'm being cold-hearted? An unfeeling jerk? Well save your breath. I'm tired of waiting – I'm going to see how Dearka is. If it hadn't been for him, Athrun wouldn't have made it even this far. Or maybe you have forgotten that minor detail?"

As Yzak stormed off down the hall, Kira watched in awe as he completely disregarded the receptionists. One of them leapt up, calling out to him but Yzak paid her little mind. Instead, he just kept right on going down the hall in search of Dearka.

"Sir! Sir! You can't go down that hall! You need to register! Sir? Come back!"

The receptionist's voice faded as she chased Yzak down the hall. Eventually she gave up as the stubborn boy plowed right through a couple doctors and threw open the door to Dearka's room. It was quiet and, much to Yzak's surprise, Dearka was sharing his room with two other patients. Both were elderly and asleep and when Yzak slowly approached his friend's bed, he realized that Dearka was also snoozing softly.

"Hey Dearka," Yzak muttered as he sat down in the chair beside his bed and gave his arm a firm nudge to arouse him. The blond boy had a bandage wrapped securely around his head and combined with the stark white hospital robe, he almost looked like a ghost. "It looks like they're treating you alright here. You'll be back at it in no time."

He didn't receive a response but Yzak never expected one. He found the entire situation extremely awkward. He had never had to consider the strong friendships he had developed over the years with Dearka and Athrun and suddenly, he found himself mourning their potential loss. He needed these people in his life even if he hated to admit it openly. That made it all the more difficult. To pretend that he didn't care even though seeing his friends in pain terrified him.

"The food here stinks."

Yzak glanced down in shock when he saw Dearka slowly open his eyes and look up at him. Smiling weakly, he winced before he spoke a second time. "I woke up maybe two hours ago and someone offered me this mushy brown crap."

Yzak rolled his eyes. "Well, mashed potatoes are usually served at hospital."

"I thought so too," Dearka muttered. "The nurse told me it was a steak."

Yzak snorted, almost laughing through his nose. The blow to the head certainly hadn't affected Dearka's sense of humor. Dearka also chuckled lightly and twisted around to better see his friend. Once the two of them had finished laughing, Dearka's expression stiffened. "Any word on Athrun?"

"Nothing," Yzak replied grimly. "Stupid medical staff won't tell us anything. It's as if it is some big secret or something."

Dearka acknowledged him with a small grin before his gaze shifted towards the ceiling. Sitting up so his head rested against his pillow, he sighed sadly. "Where does the time go eh?" He asked, not really talking to his friend. Smiling despondently, he looked over at the shorter youth and shook his head. "Do you remember the first day Athrun arrived at the ZAFT academy? It was the biggest surprise the colonel had ever experienced."

"It was a surprise," Yzak agreed and shook his head. "For more than just the Colonel."

Dearka chortled as he recalled the first day Athrun Zala had stepped foot in the training academy. "I still remember the look on his face when he got held up by security because he had lost his entry pass. It was priceless when they threatened to drag him away."

"And then the uniform charade?" Yzak snickered. "Supply and order gave him an extra large pair of pants and socks – how he managed to keep those up for the two weeks it took to order the right size, I will never know."

"He was quit the character" Dearka sighed, shaking his head. "Gullible. He was always very gullible and we took advantage of it. I recall an event involving his uniform and a recommended cleaning detergent?"

Yzak had to suck in a deep breath to prevent himself from exploding. "I remember that. We told him it was supposed to remove the stains from his jacket… it took Athrun months to get the blue dye out of clothes."

"And the jello in the showerhead?"

"He looked good with green hair."

"Good times," Dearka beamed before his expression softened. Twisting on the mattress, he faced his friend, forcing him to look at him. "Those were good times. I hope we have the opportunity to have more of them."

There was an uneasy pause before Yzak inhaled deeply and broke the wall of tension that had suddenly formed between them. "Dearka?"

"Yes?"

"Are you scared?"

"I'd be lying if I said no," Dearka admitted and eyed Yzak carefully. "You?"

Yzak only nodded.

Meanwhile, back in the waiting room, Lacus' straightened and stood up. Thinking about what the silver-haired boy had said, she realized that he was right. They were entitled to know how Athrun was fairing. He was their friend.

Kira and Cagalli exchanged confused looks before turning to Lacus. The pink-haired girl had just risen to her feet and had begun moving towards the receptionist desk. Her torn dress and uncombed hair did little for her appearance but she didn't seem to care as she strutted up to the second receptionist and cleared her throat.

"Excuse me," Lacus smiled politely, though it was clear that she was anxious. "My name is Lacus Clyne and these are my friends Kira Yamato and Cagalli Yula Athha.. Our friend Athrun Zala was brought in about 9 hours ago. We were wondering whether or not there was any chance in getting an update on his condition. Please, he's very important to us."

"Zala?" The receptionist frowned as she quickly ran her fingers across the keyboard. "Oh yes, I see." Suddenly, her expression softened as she leaned forward, reading her computer screen carefully. "Ohhh… yes… I see…Dr. Forestin's patient."

"See?" Cagalli gasped. Jumping up, she raced over to the desk and leaned forward, trying to read whatever was on the computer. "See what? What's wrong with him? Why are you talking like that?"

"Room 267." Was all that the receptionist said – suddenly very, very subdued.

"Cagalli, calm down," Kira hissed as he forced her along the narrow aisle way. Lacus followed quickly behind them. "There is no point in getting all riled up."

"Not yet anyway," Lacus sighed sadly but was silenced by a warning look from Kira.

Picking up the pace, they were stopped by a man in a white lab coat who was sitting on a seat just outside of room 267. He seemed to be in deep thought as he read and re-read whatever was in his folder before he looked up at them curiously. "Can I help you?"

"We are here to see Athrun," Lacus explained though she was getting a little tired of saying it. "The receptionist said that we could find him here."

"Are you Dr. Forenstin?" Cagalli asked.

The older man looked up at her through his glasses and closed his folder. "Are you Cagalli?"

Cagalli nodded and watched as the older man stood up. Beads of sweat rolled down her face as the man readjusted his glasses and looked each of them over.

"I was expecting you." He announced before lowering his voice. "I didn't think you would leave until you had an update on your friend."

"Can we see him now?" Kira asked but immediately regretted it when he saw the look in the doctor's eyes.

"I think you should hear what I have to say first."

Cagalli paled. She knew it. Athrun Zala was dead… or dying and it was because of her. Shaking her head, she clutched Kira's coat tightly until her wrists were white. His innocent grin, his soft, alto-pitched voice…. She would never hear it again! Ever!

"He has lost a lot of blood." Dr. Forenstin explained carefully. "I've never seen anyone is such a state. He's extremely weak and his body has undergone a great deal of strain. As you know, he took a shot to the chest. The bullet is lodged against his right lung, making it very difficult to remove. That, however, isn't the problem."

"Then what is it?" Cagalli's voice trembled.

"We did some blood tests – standard procedure as you are probably well aware. There is a dangerously high amount of Secobarbital in his blood. It's a drug used to put down suffering animals… a sedative, in other words. I don't know how, but Athrun has been given several doses of the drug and if we were to put him under for any sort of operation, it would kill him."

"What… what do you mean?" Kira demanded, his concern making him harsh. "Are you telling me you can't help him?"

"I'm telling you that he has suffered a great deal of trauma." The doctor shot back with equal intensity. "The drug slows down almost all body functions… including the heart. If we gave him anything more, like we need to in order to remove the bullet, it would most likely stop his heart. He's hasn't awoken since he arrived… I'm afraid he wouldn't survive the surgery."

"But does he need surgery?" Kira asked, feeling Cagalli tense up against him.

The doctor simply nodded. "The bullet needs to be removed otherwise the lung will collapse." His voice softened as did his eyes. "It's a pretty tough operation and puts a lot of stress on the patient. Your friend is too weak at the moment and that, combined with the high traces of Secobarbital in his blood, would surely kill him."

"But he'll die anyway!" Kira cried in disbelief. Then he noticed something in the doctor's eyes and his own expression hardened. "You've already given up on him haven't you?"

"I'm sorry young man," The doctor whispered. "I don't know much about Coordinators but he's not going to make it."

"No!" Cagalli shook her head in denial. She wasn't hearing this… she was NOT hearing this. "You have got to try to save him! Please! He doesn't deserve this!"

"We've hooked him up to an IV and given him two units of blood." Dr. Forenstin told them. "We've also attached to him to a respirator to keep him breathing but unless we can operate, we are simply prolonging the inevitable. He's even suffered severe ligament damage to his left shoulder so even if we were to operate it is likely he may never regain full use of that arm."

"You are a doctor!" Lacus exploded, emotions coursing through her. No longer could she remain silent. "You must be able to do something!"

"Don't you think I WANT to!" Dr. Forenstin snapped, waving an angry finger in Lacus' face. Stunned, Lacus ducked behind Kira as the doctor lost all composure he may have had. "Don't you think I want to save that boy's life? Do you think it is easy for me to stand aside and watch my patient slowly slip away! His blood pressure is dangerously low, his breathing is erratic and his heart beat is inconsistent. Anything more would kill him instantly!"

Everyone was silent as the doctor sighed and shook his head in frustration. It was clear he cared… it was clear that he didn't want to see his patient die. Especially one so young. Athrun was only 17 years old.

"Well…" Lacus stepped forward cautiously and shifted uncomfortably. "When could he possibly undergo this operation? What needs to change? Will just leaving him improve his condition at all?"

"At this point I do not know." The doctor admitted. "He hasn't improved since he arrived but he hasn't gotten any worse either."

Cagalli listened, absorbing each word slowly. Suddenly she felt disassociated with the world around her. It was as if she was no longer in her body, she felt numb. There was no pain, no happiness… nothing. It was as if she had become detached to the world around her. Nothing mattered anymore.

"You may see him if you want," Dr. Forenstin told them as he stepped to the side and allowed the group to enter the room. "Just don't expect him to respond to you… I'm afraid he won't. That boy is very, very ill."

Cagalli nodded; her hands trembling as she nervously gripped the door handle to the room. Gently pushing it open, she entered and gazed in. Goose bumps formed on her arms as she was welcomed by darkness. It was only dimly lit by a light above, making it difficult to see yet she could still make out a lithe figure lying limp on the soft bed in the center of the room.

Approaching slowly, she held Kira tightly as he guided her towards the bed. Her eyes were wide with dread as she focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Moving closer, she grimaced when she caught sight off all the tubes the covered his body and the machinery surrounding his bed… she could only assume it was keeping him alive… and barely at that.

He was lying on his back, his eyes sealed firmly shut, an expression of pain clearly pasted across his pasty white features. His messy blue hair was greasy, damp from perspiration, and several lank strands fell over his pale face. Athrun had one arm resting over his bare chest while his left lay bandaged and limp at his side. Cagalli couldn't help but notice the large scabs and bruises across his chest and face… she figured there had been more damage done than the doctor had let on. He seemed so frail… like glass.

Slowly, she reached down and placed a gentle hand on his right shoulder.

No response. He didn't even know she was there.

Lacus and Kira remained quiet as they each listened to the heart monitor while it beeped loudly. They could hear the shallow breathes that the young man took with the help of the mask over his mouth. Air was pumping out from the respirator at his side, making it easier for him to draw oxygen into his battered body.

"Oh Athrun," She whispered softly as she delicately brushed the lank strands of hair from his sealed eyes. "Stay with us… you can't leave… not yet."

Kira sensed that Cagalli was going to break down and motioned to Lacus that it was time to leave. As everyone left, the doctor pulled Cagalli aside and whispered quietly so only she could hear.

"Tonight," He told her carefully yet firmly. "Tonight, I'll try the operation. That bullet has to be removed… I'll try."

"Thank you." Cagalli mouthed to him as she gave him a saddened smile before following Kira out of the room. The three of them made their way back to the waiting room in silence. Nobody knew what to say. It was late, everyone was tired and deeply concerned about Athrun – his days seemed to be numbered.

Once they were back in reception, Kira yawned wearily. "Lacus and I are renting a room at the hotel across the way. Cagalli, you should probably also get some rest. There isn't anything else we can do for Athrun."

Cagalli flopped back down in a chair and shook her head. "If it's any consolation, Kira, I think I would like to stay here the night. Just in case there are any changes in his condition. I … should be here." She deliberately kept the doctor's intentions to operate that evening a secret. Knowing her friends, they would also insist on staying and she knew that they desperately needed some sleep.

"Are you sure?" Lacus asked and glanced up at Kira. "We can stay with you…"

"No," Cagalli forced a smile although she knew her eyes were tearing up again. "I just want to sit with him for a while."

Lacus was about to insist that she and Kira stay when Kira took her hand and carefully guided her out of the room. He understood what his sister was trying to tell them. She needed some time with Athrun. "Alright, we'll be back to see you tomorrow morning."

Cagalli waved goodbye to her friends as they made their exit, passing by Unato Saran who was on the only pay phone in the waiting room. Judging by his flushed cheeks and over-exaggerated hand motions, it was pretty clear that he was angry.

"Well it's pretty clear that you botched up your part of the bargain!" The large man barked into the phone, causing Cagalli to stare at him strangely before making her way back to Athrun's hospital room. "I don't care how it happened! What's that? No! I don't care about that either! Forget it. The deal is off – I'll handle this in my own way!"

As Cagalli slowly trudged along back towards Athrun's room, she cringed when she heard Unato slam down the phone angrily. The phone call was obviously over. For a second, she wondered what had gotten the Orb representative so flustered but quickly dismissed the prospect of inquiring further. All she cared about now was Athrun.

Many of the medical staff paused as she walked by but nobody bothered to stop her. One look at her and they knew it was best to leave her alone.

She re-entered the room and pulled up a chair alongside Athrun's bed and brushed his lank, strands of hair from his eyes yet again, careful not to touch the bruises that marred his normally smooth and soft skin. The white hospital gown he wore contrasted sharply with his dark hair, making him seem even paler. She watched the slight rise and fall of his chest as it fell into rhythm with the heart monitor to her right. He was so still, so deathly still. It was as if she was staring into phantom. Already he had been given two quarts of blood and was working on the third through the IV.

The air was thick with the odor of disinfectant. It smelled like death. Athrun was connected to so many different machines that she had lost track of what was what. Almost mechanically now, she stroked his cheek which seemed to be the only untouched flesh on his face. Mesmerized, Cagalli realized with disgust that this was the result of hatred. All of this had been done out of hatred for Coordinators. How could she fight against it? How could she fight an enemy that she couldn't see? That was buried deep in the hearts of so many people?

"This should never have happened," She whispered. "This is exactly the kind of think we are trying to prevent."

Her eyes began to water as she continued, thinking back. "Don't let yourself become another victim. There's so much that I wanted to tell you, so much of my life I wanted to…"

She hesitated, her eyes fixed on Athrun's wane face. She sounded like a woman soon to be widowed. She was afraid to blink, afraid that he would disappear from her life again – this time for good.

Run… don't look back…Get out of here…

His words echoed in her mind, almost hauntingly. Even after all he'd been through, he'd been ready and willing to give up everything for her – even his life. He may very well have done so.

"So much of my life that I wanted to share with you, Athrun Zala," She finished and exhaled loudly. "What we are working so hard for isn't just for a better future for humanity but for us as well. I don't want to see that future alone."

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Cagalli listened as the heart monitor shattered the icy silence. It was so unnerving yet she wasn't sure what frightened her more – having the consistent beeping remind her that Athrun was just barely clinging to life or having the beeping stop... the fight would then be over. They both would have then lost the battle.

"Miss. Cagalli."

Cagalli didn't dare take her eyes off of Athrun's lithe form even as she heard Unato enter the room and approach her from behind. His shadow loomed over her, falling over the hospital bed and its occupant. Cagalli tensed when a heavy hand fell upon her shoulder. "It is getting late. Your friends were right – you should get some rest."

"How could I possibly sleep knowing that Athrun would be here alone?" She asked bitterly. "I want to be here when he wakes up."

Unato gritted his teeth as his eyes bored into the unconscious boy. "I understand. He means a great deal to you… which makes this all the more difficult for me to tell you."

Cagalli stiffened. "Tell me what? Did you hear something about Athrun?"

"No," Unato took a deep breath. "I haven't. Nobody knows anything but if he does wake up…"

"If…" Cagalli raised an eyebrow, her gaze shifting to the heavy man above her. "What are you trying to say?"

"We both know the Blue Cosmos tried to use him to discredit Orb on earth by claiming that we were reluctant to trial war criminals from the PLANTS. As you know, Athrun was involved in the attack on Heliopolis."

"So…"

"The people of Earth are outranged and are demanding justice be dealt to your friend. To protect Orb's reputation, I had no choice but to launch an official inquiry against Mr. Athrun Zala."

"You… you did what!" Cagalli's eyes bulged in shock before quickly clouding over with anger. Instinctively, she tightened her grip around Athrun's cold hand. "Hasn't he been through enough already!"

"If I let this go, our enemies will use it against us," Unato explained though his voice held no remorse. "By calling an inquiry, we will at least quall the anger this incident has caused on Earth. Nothing may come of it but at least then it will appear as if we are doing something. Accusations have been cast against him – it's standard procedure to call for an investigation."

"But we know that Athrun isn't a war criminal!" Cagalli exploded. "This is ridiculous!"

"Like I said," Unato straightened. "It's more of a formality than anything else. If Athrun is innocent and it's proved that he wasn't one of the key players responsible for Heliopolis' destruction then there is nothing to be concerned about."

"What does that involve?" Cagalli sneered. "Rifling through his personal files and background while he lies here bed-ridden and possibly dying! It's disgusting! I won't allow it! Athrun shouldn't have to endure that! Not now!"

"If we don't do this, we will never be able to regain the trust that the people of Earth had in us." Unato turned his back on her and started for the door. Before he could slip out of view, he hesitated as an idea popped into his mind. Glancing over at the bed-ridden Coordinator and the heart-broken Orb princess, he fought back a sly smirk. "I hardly know your friend but I am sure he would rather submit to an investigation and be found innocent than allow Orb's credibility on Earth to be ruined on his account."

"It's degrading." Cagalli gritted out.

"It's necessary."

"I will not authorize it."

"Then you are being selfish."

"I am only doing what I think is right."

"Are you?" Unato demanded. "Because I fail to see how. Our reputation on Earth will be destroyed, negotiations will suffer and Athrun will never be free of the accusations the Blue Cosmos made. How could that possibly be the right thing?"

Cagalli squeezed Athrun's hand, considering what Unato had said. It was the only way. As much as she hated to admit it, it was the only way to undo the damage that had been done. "What if something goes wrong?" She asked.

"You mean what would happen if he were found guilty of war crimes?" Unato corrected.

Cagalli nodded.

"He'd been given a fair trial like any normal person. I doubt it will come to that though. This is more of a political move to keep the Earth happy. You have nothing to worry about."

Unato made his way back over to Cagalli and knelt down beside her. He held out a clipboard containing a slip of paper and a pen. "I will need you to sign this."

Cagalli took the pen between trembling fingers as she red over the document. Her stomach did a painful flop as she absorbed the words.

I herby authorize the formal investigation of Mr. Athrun Zala on the account of possible involvement in activities defined as war crimes against humanity. This investigation, for all intensive purposes, will be done in confidentiality and will remain as such unless substantial evidence demands further action.

Signed,

It was wrong.

Cagalli set the pen on the line on which she was to place her signature. Sweat gathered at her brow and she faltered for a brief second. Looking up at Unato who nodded in encouragement, she then shifted her gaze to Athrun. For along moment, she stared hard at his unconscious form. She had known him for over a year. What would he do if he was in her situation?

"Athrun," She took a deep breath, the weight of the decision heavy on her chest. "You know I don't believe any of this but for the sake of securing a peaceful future for everyone and ourselves, I don't have any other choice."

Realigning the pen on the paper, she scribbled her name on the line thus making the document official.

The deed had been done.

TBC

Phew, tough chapter. If I confused you a bit, I'm sorry and yes the phone call was between Unato and Jibril – sadly he is still alive. Don't be made though! (I need him for the sequel I intend to write).

I personally really enjoyed writing the scene between Yzak and Dearka – I hoe you liked it too.

Please let me know what you think ok? I love hearing from you. Reviews usually mean a faster update though I usually update quickly anyway. Hehhee. Thanks for reading!

Kageharu Kaco: I am glad you liked the last chapter! Yes, I get annoyed at siblings when they distract me too - glad I'm not the only one. Laughed at Jibril? Me too! Thanks for the review

daisukiasu'n'caga See? He's not dead yet

Slightly Sinister Sinestra: I hope this update was soon enough – sorry for the delay – I had trouble with this chapter. I'm glad you liked the car chase – I always wanted to write one… update u'r story soon please?

Cari-Akira: No no no! I love your long reviews! That shows me that you read the story lol. Funny you should mention Maloby, he will be reappearing shortly hehhehee. Again, thanks so much for your reviews – you have no idea how much fun it is reading them!

Nicole: hehehe, energizer – he keeps going and going and going – I like it.

Mel-chan i:Don't worry about Athrun… too much. I'm glad you liked the last chapter. I like Athrun too much to kill him. I don't like death fics.

"…" : There is no such thing as a late review. I appreciate you taking the time to review. I hope you feel better.