Hello again!

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to update this story. I've been trying for the last three days but wouldn't let me update!

Anyway, thanks for the wonderful reviews everyone! I lied to you all though. There are actually going to be two more chapters to this story simply because I couldn't squeeze everything I wanted to into two. I probably could have but then one chapter would be about 25 pages and that's no fun to read.

Thanks again and I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed, Gundam Seed Destiny or any references made to either series. All the doctors are mine though.

Abhorrence

Chapter #19: White Ceilings

Everything was black. There was no light, no life, and no figures in motion. Nothing. He lay on what felt like a bed of fluffy clouds. He felt like he was floating, oblivious to the horrors that seemed like nothing more than a distant memory, a nightmare. He couldn't hear but he could tell that his senses were gradually returning as he smelt the thick odor of disinfectant in the heavy air.

"I'm dead," Was the first thought that entered Athrun's mind. "I didn't survive." However, something was wrong. Something was very wrong. As his senses game back in a rush, he flinched, his back arcing off the bed as a flaring pain ignited in his left shoulder and split off, blasting through ever nerve in his body. He opened his mouth to cry out but his voice couldn't seem to get past the lump that had formed in his throat.

"I'm alive…" he thought suddenly, gritting his teeth in a mild attempt to bare the pain. "Where am I?"

A white ceiling.

That was all that Athrun could see when he cracked open a weary, leadened eye. His vision blurred and he blinked a couple times to get everything into focus. Licking his cracked, dry lips he inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled. Gazing numbly at the pasty ceiling, he sighed.

I hate white ceilings…

He had seen too many of them during his time as a soldier and throughout the war.

Memories of the past flooded his mind and he shook his head weakly. He recalled seeing those murderous eyes gazing down upon his prone form. He remembered calling to Cagalli to run and grimily recalled how she didn't. He also remembered the deep sadness that had settled in his heart when he realized that he was about to die. He remembered the horrible helplessness that had washed over him, drowning him as he laid there at Jibril's feet. He had failed. He had failed to protect the most important thing in his life – Cagalli.

With a weak sigh, he closed his eyes and waited a moment before opening them again. This is time, the world seemed clearer and Athrun found that he was staring up at the ceiling again. It was like he was floating and he felt a wave of relief wash over him when he noticed his current position was comforting. Lying on his back, his head was propped up by what he thought to be a pillow and his left arm was lying across his chest while the right remained slack at his side. He seriously doubted he would have been able to move even if he had been uncomfortable. A soft blanket had been pulled up to his shoulders and, much to his embarrassment, he was dressed only in a thin, cotton gown.

The fowl smell of disinfectant and deadening silence brought Athrun to the conclusion that he was in a hospital. Establishing his location, the conclusion initiated a number of new questions that only added to the throbbing of his battered brain. His last recollection, painful as it was, was staring into the barrel of Jibril's gun. He remembered the bullet searing his shoulder, the shock and the pain. The rest was a blur.

What happened afterwards? What had happened to Cagalli? How did he get here? How serious were his injuries? Why did his head ache so?

Athrun closed his eyes once more in a mild attempt to settle his shattered mind. Even the simplest of thoughts made his head feel like it was going to explode and if he hadn't been so tired, he probably would have screamed. Breathing required enough effort already and he couldn't imagine trying to find the energy to move.

Athrun's eyelids fluttered, feeling like blocks of cement over his eyes. His lungs felt like there was a constricting band around them cutting off his air supply. It was strange. He could breathe, yet he felt the desire to choke and cough and get rid of that burning sensation in his throat.

It was unbearable. He coughed weakly and started to clear his lungs of the mucus that had developed in their depths. Only after he had finished did he realize that there was something lying across his lower chest.

A girl

It was Cagalli and a wave of relief rushed through him. From what he could tell, she seemed alright. In fact, she seemed to have fallen asleep on him.

The 17-year-old blushed, and wiggled, trying to get out from underneath her weight. Cagalli wasn't overly heavy, but at this point, any weight on his chest made him feel nauseous, sick and just plain awful. Athrun started to panic when she didn't wake up and wiggled a little harder.

Finally, Cagalli's eyes opened. She looked around, completely bewildered for a while, then looked up into Athrun's eyes. The girl started when she saw the pain in them. Thinking quickly, she lifted herself off him and leaned back into her chair.

"Thank you." He started to speak but she quickly hushed him.

Sheer exhaustion took him over and Athrun sighed, wearily. It didn't take long before he was dozing lightly. He wasn't out again like he had been, just asleep.

It was then that the nurse came in. He awoke the minute that she stood by his bed. It was a reflex he had picked up from the war.

"Athrun?"

"Cagalli?" Athrun asked as he forced his eyelids to reopen. The felt as though they weighed a ton each but he eventually managed and saw the worried faces of the nurse, Dr. Forestin and Cagalli all peering down at him. He tried to smile, which didn't quite come off and sighed deeply. Once more, pain lanced through him but settled to localize in his chest. For a minute, he couldn't remember what had happened to him. "What happened?"

"You were shot," Cagalli responded gently, holding Athrun's hand. "The doctor managed to get the bullet out… you were also shot in the shoulder."

"How long?"

"You had surgery almost three days ago."

Swallowing with difficulty, Athrun whispered, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Cagalli managed and saw Athrun lick his lips. Hastily, she grabbed a glass from the counter across the room and, filling it with water, she helped him drink. Athrun gulped the cool liquid but was tiring rapidly - whatever they had given him must have been pretty potent stuff. "Jibril is gone."

There was no response. Athrun's eyes were closed again and his breathing deepened. Cagalli sat back with a sigh. She was bone tired and still desperately worried about Athrun. He was paper-white from blood loss and Adam just hoped that he had enough strength to withstand any infection that may or may not be coursing through his body. The doctor seemed to feel that that infection, should there be any, wouldn't be that bad but Cagalli couldn't help worrying.

"Why don't you get some sleep?" The Doctor suggested. "I'll watch Athrun throughout the night and you can come back tomorrow."

Cagalli started to protest but the nurse over-rode her. "I think that is a good idea. We need to perform a few tests on Mr. Zala yet and ask him to answer a few questions for us. You can come and visit again tomorrow."

Cagalli straightened. She didn't want to leave Athrun but at the same time, didn't have the strength to argue as the doctor began to gently pull her towards the door. "Come on, Cagalli. Athrun needs to rest."

Reluctantly, Cagalli agreed though she knew it would be a sleepless night for her. She would undoubtedly stay up in Kira and Lacus' hotel room and count the hours until she could go back and see to Athrun's condition.

Just as quickly as Cagalli and Dr. Forestin left, a second doctor strutted in through the door. Under his arm was a clipboard and his bright blue eyes were hidden behind a pair of croaked glasses. He and Dr. Foestin exchanged a concerned glance at one another before Dr. Foestin nodded, motioning over towards the bed-ridden boy.

"Athrun Zala?"

Athrun nodded once, eyeing the doctor warily.

"I'm Doctor Moshi but you may call me Mo if you wish. It's my understanding that you have gone through quit a difficult time. I am a psychiatrist and I'm here to make sure that you didn't suffer any significant psychological injuries during your experience. I want to be your friend." The doctor pulled up a chair along his bedside and sat down.

Athrun wrinkled his nose in distaste. He had just woken up and already they felt that he had let his sanity slip away. This man was using that horrible baby voice that many people used when they wanted to gain his trust. He hated that.

I'm not insane… I'm not! Just leave me alone!

"Now," The doctor leaned forward almost too eagerly in his chair. "Can you tell me your name, age and how you feel?"

Athrun looked over longingly at the door. He wished Cagalli was still with him. Just having her with him would have made this all the easier for him. "My name is Athrun, I'm seventeen years old and I feel …"

The first word that came to his mind was weak so he said it. "I feel weak."

After taking a few notes, Dr. Moshi glanced up at him curiously. "Why is that?"

"Because I'm lying here like an invalid, you moron!" Was what Athrun wanted to say but he knew better. Still somewhat groggy, Athrun yawned and flinched at the pain the simple action caused in his chest and left shoulder as the muscles in it tensed.

"Because I'm sick."

"Very interesting, Athrun," Dr. Moshi smiled, fascinated by the fact that Athrun had chosen the word "sick" over "hurt" or "badly beaten." He made it sound almost natural. As if what he had endured didn't matter at all. "Tell me, do you remember what happened to you?"

Athrun was caught off guard by his question and immediately a rush of images flashed through his mind. The needle, the insults, the abuse, the pain, the threats… he shook his head, willing them away. It was a loosing battle and he knew it as they forced their way back into his consciousness. He shrunk back into his bed and further beneath his blankets to try and escape them.

"I don't want to remember." He mumbled lowly.

"Are you frightened?"

"No." Athrun fired him an angry glare.

"I understand," Dr. Moshi nodded and quickly began to scribble down a few more notes on his pad of paper. He looked up at Athrun and noticed the youth was watching with a wary suspicion. "Can you tell me a little bit about yourself then?"

Athrun didn't look keen as he leaned back against the pillow supporting his head and let out a soft, trembling sigh. Suddenly he felt the urge to scratch his nose and when he tried to raise his left arm to do so, he was shocked to find that he couldn't. Why couldn't he move his left arm? It was wrapped up but even so, it felt strangely disconnected from his body. Choosing to disregard the doctor's question, he decided to answer with a question of his own. "What is wrong with my left arm?" He demanded, his voice just barely audible.

"How does it feel?"

"I… it's stiff," Athrun admitted and turned his head to look at the immobilized joint that lay bandaged up across his chest. "Something is wrong." His green eyes glazed over in a sudden fear as an alarm in the back of his mind went off.

Distressed, Athrun made a move to get out of bed. He tried to sit up but the motion made him nauseous and he dropped back on his back, gasping for breath. Shifting so that he was resting on his right side, he made another attempt but again had little success.

"Please calm down," Dr. Moshi continued to speak soothingly to him which made Athrun even more anxious. "Your arm is bandaged up so you won't try to use it. You will only hurt yourself further if you try to get out of bed and your body is still very weak. Would you please answer my question?"

"What… what is wrong with me?" Athrun's bottom lip trembled as he twisted around again and fought to raise his left arm until it was at eyelevel. Again, he failed. The arm was bandaged but he should have been able lift it. Something was very, very wrong and it scared him. To not be in control of his body terrified him and memories of his capture seemed to come to life before his very eyes. "Why can't I raise me arm?" Athrun's attention turned to the doctor. "What did you do to me?"

"Dr. Forestin saved your life," Dr. Moshi explained. "From his report, it seems as though he suffered severe injuries to your shoulder… it is doubtful that you will regain full use of your left arm or full rotation of your shoulder."

Athrun's eyes widened in unmasked disbelief. His eyes dropped to his arm before they fell on the doctor again. If it was possible, he had become even paler. He had managed to twist and ultimately trap himself in his blanket. Uncomfortable, he struggled to free himself of the sheet that had wrapped itself around his thin frame and his legs. "You're lying… you have to be…"

"I'm sorry, Athrun," Dr. Moshi told him and stood up. He then did something that no psychiatrist would do when dealing with a patient that had just suffered such malicious physical and emotional abuse as Athrun had. In a moment of thoughtlessness, he made a move to help Athrun untangle himself and the youth responded badly. Very badly.

His body reacted out of instinct and seeing the man lunge towards him, he reared back as quickly as he could in the condition he was in. The action was slow but enough to send him tumbling out of bed. He landed on the unforgiving floor on his left side and a wave of pain seared up his shoulder and exploded in his chest.

All mental defenses gone, Athrun screamed.

"Athrun… please, don't move." Dr. Moshi begged, immediately realizing his mistake. The boy was now lying beside his bed, gasping and coughing as if he was struggling to pull air into his lungs. He curled in on himself, clutching at his left arm as he pulled it close. His eyes slammed shut as his face contorted into a look of pain. He wasn't listening as the wave of agony that had flooded his senses refused to pass and lingered, paining him further.

"Dr. Forestin!" Dr. Moshi panicked. "Dr. Forestin!"

In an instant the doors to Athrun's room flew open and in rushed his doctor as well as two others and Cagalli. In their hands were multiple supplies and as the doctors struggled to organize themselves, Cagalli dropped to the ground beside Athrun. He was shaking, his eyes squeezed shut so hard that they were watering as he clutched his left arm in pain, drawing it in even closer to his stomach.

"Athrun," Cagalli hissed desperately as she was carelessly shoved aside by an unfamiliar doctor who was focused on getting Athrun back into bed. The injured Coordinator stumbled as the doctors did their best to pull him off of the floor.

The fresh pain wouldn't go away and Athrun saw lights flash before his eyes as he felt himself being dragged up from the floor and guided back into bed. He could hear voices and cringed when bodies accidentally bumped into him, agitating his injured body further. He felt arms all over him but was too far gone to complain or protest.

As they laid him back down, he tensed, fighting against the urge to scream. Reminding himself to breath, Athrun inhaled and exhaled slowly to lower his heart rate and regain what little composure he had left. ZAFT's once perfect soldier was now, more or less, a perfect mess. It hurt so much. So much that he wished he would just pass out and escape it all.

Sleep… the very thought made Athrun's eyes roll back and he felt his body slump forward from exhaustion. He couldn't move. Every ounce of his strength had been drained, ruthlessly sapped from his body. He could feel his limbs going limp but didn't try to fight it.

Don't fight it… just let the darkness pull you into oblivion…

"Let me see him!"

"Take it easy!"

"Is he asleep?"

"Athrun!"

Withdrawing deeper into himself, Athrun didn't bother responding as he felt invading hands roam over his body. It wasn't until someone took hold of his left arm that he snapped to attention with a shocked yelp. His eyes flew open in pain and he went completely white when he caught sight of a tall man dressed in white analyzing him roughly and paying little mind to the pain he was inflicting upon his patient.

Athrun gasped in sudden alarm and instinctively tried to pull his hand away from the intrusive doctor. He scowled as his body came alive, squirming feebly against the hands that were holding him still. He hated doctors. He hated them to the point of almost fearing them.

"Stop it!" He heard Cagalli's voice and his eyes desperately searched to find her face. "Stop it! You are hurting him!'

The doctor just ignored her pleas and waved her aside as one would a disobedient child. Holding the thin, discolored limb in his grip, the doctor eyed it suspiciously before carefully twisting it ever so slightly to the right. The minor movement brought forth a soft whimper from the patient as Athrun froze, biting back the agony that was surging through him.

"Did that hurt?" the doctor asked carelessly, still refusing to let go of him. He had tended to so many injuries that it became more of a routine for him than a profession. The excitement had quickly drained from his career for he found that his patients weren't very creative when it came to sustaining injuries – they were always the same.

"What do you think!" Athrun growled between gritted teeth as the doctor finally let him go. Biting back another cry, he protectively pulled his arm close, rubbing it tenderly with his good hand. Stupid doctors… who could they just poke prod and pull at wounded limbs and then ask if it hurt? Athrun shook his head in frustration and tensed.

"It is just as I thought," The doctor sighed, clearly unimpressed by Athrun's juvenile behavior. Throwing a glance over to Cagalli and Dr. Forestin, he threw his nose up in the air knowingly. "Mr. Zala has managed to tear open the stitches in his left arm."

No one spoke, urging the doctor to continue.

"Be thankful that the wound itself is still closed," He stated bluntly, shooting Athrun an irritated glare. "It will hurt for a while but it could have been much worse. I'll inject you something to calm you down and then we will have to put the stitches back."

"Is that wise, Dr. Biggs?" Dr. Forestin asked, raising a concerned eyebrow. "We had to limit the drugs we gave him during his surgery because of the high concentration of sedatives in his blood. Putting him under again so soon may not be a good idea. He could still have a reaction."

"He should be fine," Dr. Biggs shrugged off the other doctor's words. "It's been four days and all the tests we've done since his surgery seemed to come up positive."

"Will he be okay?" Cagalli asked hopefully. Everyone was thinking the same thing but no one dare ask twice. "Do you mean he has to go back into surgery?"

Dr. Biggs looked thoughtful for a moment before shrugging as though he could care less. "Yes, but it isn't anything serious."

Athrun didn't hear any of it. Had he, he would have leapt up in relief and thanked the heavens for their generosity. His mind still hadn't registered the doctors' first words…inject him with something? Inject as in…. Athrun gulped, licking his lips nervously. Inject as in a needle! If there was anything he hated more than doctors, it was needles. Athrun's nightmares swirled with past memories and suddenly, the two seemed indistinguishable.

"No." Athrun spoke quickly as beads of nervous sweat trickled down his brow. "I'll be fine." Had he the energy, he would have made a run for it. The door wasn't far. Surely he would have been able to put some distance between himself and the doctor. Needles… he remembered how they made him feel so light-headed and faint. They drained him, made him feel weak and he hated that.

"Athrun you need the shot." Dr. Forestin stated sadly and shot Dr. Moshi and annoyed glare before focusing back on Athrun. When he caught sight of the skittish look in his patient's eyes, he realized that the youth was reliving the past… his time as a prisoner. "Don't worry, everything is going to be okay."

I will be FINE! Why won't people just leave me alone! I don't WANT another needle! I don't WANT another doctor I don't…..

Athrun felt his mind freeze when he looked up to see a lone figure standing quietly at the foot of his bed. A young girl with beautiful golden hair and fiery, auburn eyes was staring directly at him.

His mouth opened to speak but no words found there way out.

"Cagalli…"

"Give me you're hand, Athrun," the doctor instructed and Athrun, now fixated on the girl before him, obediently did so without question. He forgot about how he disliked doctors for his thoughts were focused elsewhere. Cagalli was with him. She was here with him…to provide support at the time when he needed it the most.

"Oh Athrun!" Cagalli cried and Athrun felt his eyes widen as she rushed over and, sitting down beside him, wrapped her arms around him tightly. He felt like a teddy bear and blushed. "It will be ok… you will be fine… I promise…"

"He WILL be fine once he let's me give him this," the impatient doctor held up a small needle containing a clear fluid that glistened under the light. No one had noticed him slip away and get the proper equipment to mend the injured youth. He chuckled as the color drained from Athrun's face and his eyes widened with fright. He loved turning young men into jumpy, juvenile children.

Athrun felt his insides rise as he nervously watched the doctor inch closer towards him, baring the needle like one would a dagger. The sadistic grin of pleasure didn't help secure his confidence or ease his nerves either. Apprehensively, Athrun backed up against the headrest of his bed, every muscle in his body coiled and tense.

Watching, Dr. Forestin sighed. "Come on, Athrun, it's just a shot."

Cagalli's face softened as she felt the young man's body tense up against hers. Smiling gently, she guided his head into her shoulder, forcing him to look away. He didn't resist. She caressed the top of his head softly, in hopes to somehow calm him.

Cagalli watched as the doctor took hold of Athrun's wrist, which was the only part of his arm that wasn't bandaged, found a vein and injected the needle into the sensitive skin. Cagalli's eyes began to water as the liquid exited and made its way into his system.

Athrun moaned faintly as he felt the painful prick and the horrid tingling sensation of having the cool fluid rush through his veins. He shivered, burying his face deeper into Cagalli's shirt. The whole procedure made him feel queasy.

He didn't watch, not trusting his stomach if he should threw a glance over to see what the doctor was doing. Athrun could feel him rubbing another strange substance over his wrist and guessed it was some sort of disinfectant. Drawing into himself, Athrun felt a numbing sensation run up and down his arm.

Cagalli glanced downward at him when she felt his entire weight suddenly lean into her. His eyes had drifted shut again and his body had gone completely limp against her. Her heart ached with guilt and sympathy as she realized just how small and helpless he looked in her arms. Securing her hold around him, she looked up at Dr. Forestin and Dr. Biggs questionably. "What did you do?"

"The anesthetic will keep him out long enough for us to re-stitch his shoulder," Dr. Biggs told her harshly. The doctor spun on his heals and made his way back to the door, calling back to the other two as he left. "Prep him for surgery. Dr. Forestin, I will need your assistance. Hopefully this is the last time that we will have to do this."

Dr. Forestin nodded silently. His brow furrowed ever so slightly as he hurried around to help Cagalli, who was still supporting most of Athrun's weight and keeping him from falling off his bed. Together they carefully guided him back beneath his blankets and placed his head gently on the pillow.

"Why is that doctor so angry?" She demanded. "Why is he so rough with him?" Her eyes fixed on Athrun's pale features. She just couldn't understand.

Dr. Forestin sighed. "Dr. Biggs is one of those people who are good at what at what they do but, nevertheless, in the wrong profession. He doesn't like people and he has a personal vendetta with Coordinators. You need not worry though – he doesn't let that interfere with his work. He's like that with everyone."

Cagalli could only shake her head in disgust.

"I have to get ready," The doctor told her firmly. "Dr. Biggs will need my help. The surgery won't take long. Why don't you get yourself something from the cafeteria down below while you wait?"

A soft smile brightened her tear-stained face. The kind doctor had long since realized that is was futile to try and persuade her to leave. Slowly, he stood up and stepped away from the bed. She left the room but not before taking one last long and hard look at the bed's occupant. "Athrun… she whispered longingly and, with a deep breath, left his room.

The cafeteria wasn't far.

She hurried towards the dining area where she sat in the dark and decided to wait for about half an hour before making her way back to Athrun's room to inquire about his condition. She couldn't help but feel guilty for causing all this. She knew she had promised Kira she wouldn't but still, she did. Not just that but she had been forced into calling an investigation against Athrun! An investigation that she personally knew was unnecessary.

Hunching over, she crossed his arms on the table; her eyes staring right through the tabletop in front of her. Everything was deathly quiet though Cagalli didn't mind. It gave her time to think. Her ears perked at the sound of sudden footsteps coming in her direction. Glancing up, she raised a questioning eyebrow when she saw Dearka gazing down at her. He was dressed in his hospital gown and, in his hand, he held a cup of milk.

"Can I help you?" She asked and winced as the words came out a little more crudely than she would have liked.

"Just came down for a drink," Dearka pointed to his cup to prove his point and took the seat across from her. "I couldn't sleep so I came down here." He admitted. "I guess I'm not the only one."

"I see," Cagalli shrugged, her eyes unwavering as she eyed him strangely. "If you don't mind me saying so it would probably be best if you tried to get some rest. Don't forget that you took a pretty bad bump on the head."

"I suppose so," Dearka shrugged and took a long sip from his glass. "I just felt I needed to go for a walk and clear my banged up brain. There has been so much that has happened it's hard to fathom."

"Indeed," Cagalli agreed and lowered her eyes. "A lot has happened."

Dearka seemed to catch on that there was more to her words and frowned. Leaning forward, he willed her too look up at him. "Hey, I know I'm not the best at this sort of thing but if something is on your mind, you can feel free to use me as a sound board."

"I've done something terrible to Athrun." Cagalli whispered hoarsely. Her body trembled as the heart-felt guilt that had been plaguing her escaped her eyes in the form of tears. She tensed and raised her head to look at Dearka. "I've done something horrible and I don't think he will ever forgive me."

"Hey, none of this is your fault," Dearka was quick to point out. She was crying. He mentally groaned and scratched the back of his head nervously. He'd never been very good at comforting women. "Besides, he loves you. We all know that."

Cagalli shook her head. "Not after this."

"Are we talking about the same thing?"

"I…" Cagalli hesitated for a moment. "I had to call and investigation against Athrun. I didn't have much choice but still… it … it's so wrong!"

"You what?" Dearka straightened, confused. "Why?"

"It's a long story."

"I've got time."

"I'd rather not discuss it."

"Does he know about it?" Dearka's face darkened. Athrun was his friend. Their relationship had been complicated but he had developed a certain amount of respect for his comrade and it burned him to see his friend being dragged through such horrendous abuse and humiliation.

Cagalli shook her head. "No. I can't tell him. Nothing may even come out of the investigation and he's been through so much already… I don't want to make things worse."

"But you have!" Dearka practically shouted at her, causing Cagalli to cringe. "You're doing this behind his back! Don't you think he has a right to know!"

"Not right now he doesn't," Cagalli growled. "I just saw Athrun. He's in a lot of pain and doesn't need this on top of it."

Dearka paused. "He's alright?"

"He's alive," Cagalli corrected. "I think it is going to take a long time before we can say that he is alright. He's afraid. I've never seen him so vulnerable."

Dearka said nothing. Deep down, he knew what she meant. He remembered how Athrun had behaved on their journey back to the hotel where they reunited with Cagalli, Kira and Lacus. He remembered how sick he had been and how he had turned violent when the strange man had tried to attack him.

For a long moment, there was silence between them. Neither really sure what to say.

"You won't tell him will you?" Cagalli asked in a small voice. "About the investigation?"

"No," Dearka grumbled and slumped in his chair. "I won't but he's going to find out sooner or later. How do you think he will feel then?"

"I don't know," Cagalli admitted. "But right now just isn't the time. He's sick, weak, hurting and he needs all the support he can get. Once he's a little better, maybe then I will talk to him about this."

Dearka nodded. "As long as you talk to him about it… do you think they will find anything in this so-called investigation?"

"Representative Saran said they probably wouldn't."

"I just hope you know you know what you are doing, Cagalli." Dearka shook his head, a deep look of concern pasted across his weary face. "For Athrun's sake, I hope you know what you're getting into."

"Me too."

TBC

Well I hope you liked it. Athrun's a little skittish but you can't blame him can you? After everything I put him through it would be silly for him not to be at least a little affected by it all. I'm not entirely happy with this chapter though but I think it's as good as I can make it. If you find grammar mistakes, please let me know ok? I desperately need someone to edit my work because when you read it over and over you just miss mistakes when it's in your own work. Please be kind.

Please review and let me know what you think ok? I love hearing from everybody! Thanks very much to those who reviewed the last chapter.

Until next time, Krilyn.

Kageharu Kaco: It's nice when all your fav. Stories are updated. See? Athrun is ok… sorta…thanks for always being my first reviewer – on both stories.

BlackFeatherz29: I'm glad you liked the hospital scene. This chapter was hard to write too so I hope you liked it.

Cari-Akira : YAy! Another one of my favorite reviewers! U'r reviews are always so long and I love them! Your hunch that something bad will happen is right but that will wait for the sequel. I hope you'll read it too lol. I can't tell you how much i love u'r reviews!

Omi and Genny-Chan: Yes, you are right. The plants could help him… but don't give away the rest of my story before I've written it. smiles

"...": Thanks for the kind words. I hope you will read the sequel when I get around to writing it. Thanks again for your consistent and wonderful reviews.

Slightly Sinister Sinestra: We'll have to flip a coin to decide who to hate more lol. I love dr. Forestin too! He reminds me of my doctor.

daisukiasu'n'caga: See? The operation went well. Yay!

Mel-chan: Your not paranoid. Something bad will happen lol. Thanks for the review!

ladyathena11: Hurray! I am a 9.5! Thanks for the kind words. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's nice that you took the time to read the whole thing through. hehhee

Ardelle: Wow… sorry for the slower than usual update. Hope you liked this chapter.