Hello all! There's probably 2 or so chapters left till part 2. Thanks for readings, review if you can. I got slightly off on which chapters were which, so all of you who were hoping to see Luna and Shinn, I apologize. I added this chapter because I though there was a bug chunk missing, and then I had to rewrite a bunch because the story didn't make sense. Gomen for my spacey brain.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny.


He had not slept at all.

Standing in his room, he was silently buttoning his collar. His hair was pulled back, bound at the base of his neck. Even though he was working on about 2 hours of restless sleep, if even that much, he felt awake. It might have been more or less the nervousness that seemed to consume him.

Why did he do it? Why did he not stop himself in time?

Truthfully, Rey had never kissed a girl before, but kissing girls was not what bothered him. In a half and hour he would have to face her again, and hopefully, he would not die of utter shame. He was embaressed that he had done something to completely unplanned and...out of character.

What was happening to him? He was getting soft. This life that he was beginning to get to attached to was starting to draw him in.Rey liked being on this ship with all these creative, strange people. He liked simplicity.

He liked being near her...

Rey shook his head again, "No." he said outloud.

After a few moments, he looked at himself in the mirror. He looked like a solider again. Taking in a deep breath, he slowly let it out.


Ezekiel stood in the launch bay, he yawned. The yelped slightly, almost toppling over as someone thumped him hard on the back.

"You know kid, night is for sleeping." Ralph said.

"I know." Ezekiel said, "I just...had a lot of work that's all..."

"You know, you're not the only one that can maintain Vana's OS system. Rey, or myself, or Virgil can-"

"No. I have to do it." the young man shook his head, "I know that system in and out. If something were to go wrong, I would have to fix it."

Ralph was smirking evily at him.

"What the hell is that look for?" Reiah walked over to them, her hands on her hips.

"Wittle Ekkie has a crush on-"

"SHUT UP!" Ezekiel bellowed, grabbing his collar, his voice dropped to a whisper, "Do you want her to hear us you dumbass?"

Tess stared at both of them, and sighed.

"Both of you are either clinicly insane or just plain crazy."

"I think it's both." Virgil was suddenly behind her, scratching his head.

She jumped, she never liked that. Virgil was always sneaking up on her.

"Brooks, what have I told you about sneaking up on me?" she glarred.

"Huh?" he gave her a puzzled look, "I keep telling you, I don't sneak up..."

Rey walked into the strange scene in the cargo bay. There were other petty officers and crewmen around, and he spotted the bridgecrew off to the side. He walked slowly over to them.

"Yo, mate." Virgil looked at the blonde pilot, "What's up with you? You look like hell."

"I...didn't sleep well." Rey sighed, "I don't really know why." he lied.

"Well, we're on the mainland. It'll be nice to get a little shoreleave and get home." Tess smiled, "Mama will probably cook me a whole feast."

"I plan on sleeping." Ezekiel said.

"You'd better go home this time." Ralph said, "You're not sneaking back on the ship this time. I am NOT coming to 30 miles from the mainland to bail you out of the brig next time."

"Vana has to be here all by herself. What did you expect?"

"Dude, just admit you like her." Virgil made a face at him.

Ezekiel blushed, "We're just friends..." he said a little too quietly.

Rey watched them bicker and argue. Suddenly, the door opened, and Suzuka and Cedric marched into the launch bay. Everyone instantly was standing at attention. Thankfully, Rey was not standing in the front.

"I have received orders from HQ." Suzuka smiled, "I want everyone to proceed outside. Lord Zala would like a few words with us. But first, I would just like to thank everyone for a wonderful job. I'm honored to be working with all of you, and I know that we have the potential to do even better. Dismissed!"

Everyone scattered around the launchbay, heading outside.

Rey walked towards the exit, following Ralph and the others. As he walked past Suzuka, he was only a foot away from her. She did not even look at him. She was acting like it was any other day. Did it not bother her at all that he was there? Maybe it did not matter.

Unfortunatly, his hopes were let down.

"Mr. Za Burrel." Suzuka turned around, "Please come with me. Commander Helms, will you please go ahead and make sure that everything is coordinated. Mr. Za Burrel and I have to go straight to the palace and meet with Lord Zala."

"Of course." he said, saluting.

As he left, Rey suddenly felt all alone. She lowered her hand, and suddenly turned to face to him.

"This way."

He nodded and followed her. They walked in silence down the hallway towards the exit of the battleship. As he stepped into the open, it was like he felt energized again. Natural, warm, bright sunlight filled his eyes. At first they stung, and then Suzuka took out a pair of sunglasses and handed them to him.

"The sun may seem a little sensitive on your eyes. This is your first time in natural sunlight, your eyes will need a little time to adjust."

He put them on, and climbed into the car with her. They drove down the street, the wind blew threw his hair as they drove down the street. Rey looked at the sea. He could smell the salty air, hear the birds...and he found himself that he was somewhat glad that he was not dead.

"Rey?"

He jumped slightly, her voice bringing him out of his thoughts.

"About last night-"

"It was my fault." he spoke quickly, "I...I shouldn't have done it. I didn't mean to embarress you like I did. I apologize."

There was silence for a while. He could feel the seconds tick by as he waited for her to stay something. She kept her eyes on the road.

Anything. He wanted her to say anything.

"You don't need to apologize for anything, Rey." she was smiling.

He felt his heart skip a beat. What?

She felt like she was babbeling. But, honestly, she did not mind it at all. Rey had kissed her, and she did not care. In fact, she found herself thinking about it a lot. A lot more then she was used to thinking about those sorts of things. After spending the entire night running the whole experience over in her head, she found that she rather liked it.

Because she liked him.

"I..." she was blushing now. She was sure of it. Glancing slightly at him, she said nervously, "...I didn't really mind."

Rey stared at her, his eyes wide, sure that he was gapping at her like an idiot.

Suzuka smiled brightly at him. It was a priceless look on his face, but in a way, she sort of expected it, she then giggled. Rey chuckled, he found the whole situation as hilarious as she did.

They both burst out laughing.

He then felt like a complete, utter moron for worrying so much.


They stopped in front of the Orb palace. It served as an administration building, a military complex, a research center, as well as a residence. Rey stepped out of the jeep, following Suzuka up the stairs towards the large palace. The gaurds saluted to them as they walked up the stairs. She entered through the front entry, and they were greeted by a maid.

"Good after noon, Miss Kiriyuhi. I take it you are here for your meeting with Lord Zala."

"I am." she nodded.

"Alright, this way."

They walked down the velvet, carpeted hallway, and into a large study. Rey took a moment to survey his former commander.

Athrun was sitting at the desk, going through the paperwork. He looked ragged, overworked, and tired. He was older looking, not oldish, but older. The Justice pilot looked up at them and motioned for the doors to close, which they did.

"Captain Kiriyuhi. I am glad that you have returned safely." Athrun stood up, shaking her hand after she saluted him.

"I am glad to be back. It's been a long two years." she smiled, looking at Rey, "May I introduce the newest member of my crew, Rey Za Burrel."

Athrun looked at Rey. Walking over to the young man, Athrun seemed slightly shocked as Rey saluted him. Not in the way the Orb military was taught, but as if they were in ZAFT.

"It's good to see you again, Commander."

Athrun smiled, and nodded, "It's good to see you Rey. I know two people who would be very happy to know that you're alive. I still haven't alerted Shinn and Lunamaria that you would be returning. I thought you might want to surprise them."

Rey smirked, Athrun-san was still his cunning self.

"You both have had a tiring journey back. I need to go have a chat with the Voltaire before I greet your crew." he said, "Rey, Captain..."

He turned to leave with Rey stopped him.

"Athrun-san!"

Athrun looked at him.

"What's going to happen to me?"

"I'm still thinking Rey." Athrun said, "For now, just rest with the Kamaitachi crew. We'll discuss it in the morning."


Yzak lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Shiho had left to get cleaned up. Hearing the door open, Yzak frowned.

"You were always such a sneaky bastard, Zala." he said, "Did you actually inform the gaurds of your visit this time, or did you break the security systems for old time's sake?"

Athrun smiled slightly, "You know me too well."

Athrun walked into the darkened room and sat next to Yzak.

"Yzak."

There was silence a moment, and then Yzak opened his mouth to speak.

"Athrun..." he said. He only called Athrun by his name if he was serious about something, "Dearka...he's dead-"

"Dearka is alive."


Okay, I know this is an early update, but I had a little extra time this weekand to get it done. No big papers, so the next update might be wednesday. Don't hold it too me though. Currently, I have severe eye strain in my right eye, so don't be surprised if it's a little late. Thank you for being patient.

Arigato

Lilith