Disclaimer: Don't own, so nobody sue!

Hiya everyone! Here I am, again! As always, I'm so grateful to all the reviewers! Thanks a lot guys, and please review this chapter to. Here's chapter 9!

Athrun's dead? What the hell was that stupid kid thinking? What was the point of killing himself? 'Hey, you still with us?' Dearka growled, those stupid naturals. They were probably over the moon. They'd managed to get a small victory. "Oh yes, wonderful, we really deserve to be the only human species. We've killed two teenagers, captured one and badly injuried another. Aren't we brillant!"

Nicol stared sadly at the roof of the infirmary. He'd been captured, he was a PoW. An image of his mother crept into his mind. She thought he was dead. He had joined the army to protect her. Instead he'd hurt her. He'd broken her heart. And Athrun. The older boy had been like a brother, but there was no denying that the death of his mother had knocked a screw out of place. What had his "death" done to him? Athrun had a nasty habit of blaming himself. He'd do something stupid, Nicol just knew it.

'Oi, watch where you're pointin' that! Can't you even aim?' That voice sounded so familiar. The mocking edge to it was almost unmistakable. Nicol watched in amazement as Dearka was led into the room. The older teen froze, lilac eyes widening in shock. Nicol merely stared.

Dearka stared at Nicol. He was...alive? But...but the Blitz had exploded for crissake! They had all watched it happen. Athrun had gone crazy because of it, even commited suicide just to take down Strike. Had Athrun died for nothing then?

'Dearka, why are you here? What happened? Is everyone OK?' 'Yes Nicol, everyone is just fine! Jo's half dead, Athrun is dead, and I'm here because I almost got killed! You're meant to be dead. Yzak is probably going to kill someone and Creuset is going to kill him! Everyone is just peachy!'

No sooner had the words left his mouth, he regreted them. Nicol's eyes had suddenly become bright with tears. 'Athrun is...dead? But...but...that idiot!' He sighed. Yes, Athrun had been an idiot. But no matter how many times he had yelled at him, Athrun had still half blamed himself. That stupid EA pilot had hurt everyone on the team, but it had seemed Athrun was hit the hardest. Why, he didn't know.

Jo pried her eyes open and groaned. That stupid pilot, beginner's luck! Oh, how she hated lucky rookies! Glancing around, she caught sight of someone framed in the doorway. Whoever it was was far to tall to be any of her teammates. Then, she recognised that profile. 'Sir?' she asked, struggling to rise. He turned and walked away. Confused, she clambered out of bed to follow him.

'Sir?' she asked again, struggling to catch up with him. He led her out onto the deck and stood with his back to her. 'Sir?' she asked, for the third time. 'I can see why he's fallen in love with you. You're so beautiful and lively. What I can't understand is, why did you fall in love with him?' She stared at him. 'Wh...what? Sir, what are you on about?' 'Did you think I wouldn't notice? The way he looks at you, and the way you blush when you have to stand close together. Your smile is so beautiful, but it's softer when it's directed at him.'

Jo stood where she was, completly stunned. 'S...sir, you're not making sense.What are you talking about? Who are you talking about?' He turned to her, suddenly looking angry. 'You know who I'm talking about! Yzak Jule! I've noticed everything! You always stand next to him at meetings! He was the first one to come to your aid when you got shot down! You smile so tenderly at him! Why Jo? Why did you pick him?'

Suddenly, everything made sense. She even forgot the pain, her whole body was going numb. 'Oh Rau, why did you pick me?' 'Because...because you're innocent, yet you understand! You know loss and pain, yet you still believe! I fell in love with you, because you're you!' She could feel tears building up in her eye. His arms wound around in a tight, yet gentle hug. 'I know you can never return my feelings, but I'll always protect you. I'll protect you 'cause I'll never stop loving you.'

Sobbing, she returned his hug. 'Everyone's gone, aren't they sir? That's why you chose to tell me now.' 'Yzak's still here. Sleeping now, but yes, the others are MIA.' Her sobbing increased. Nearly everyone had left her...again! It surprised her that the one comforting her was Rau le Creuset. He was so kind to her, but she could never love him like that. He was her commander, yet, sometimes he seemed like her father. And, she kinda loved him like one.

Athrun struggled onto the ZAFT sub. His body was still in shock and even walking wore him out. Yzak met him at the door, looking half furious, half relieved. Athrun made an attempt to smile. 'Strike is destroyed, Yzak. It's over.' Yzak nodded. 'How's Jo?' 'She's fine, a little roughed up and exhausted, that's all. You look fairly beat up yourself. Get scared of death half way through?' Athrun made another attempt at a smile. 'Something like that.'

His room looked almost the same. The room of a killer. 'Athrun?' Both boys turned round. Jo was framed in the doorway. 'Jo,' Yzak said, stunned. 'You should still be in bed!' 'I'm fine. Zala, you stupid bastard! How could you scare us like that?' Yzak sighed, pity Dearka wasn't here. He swallowed the lump in his throat. 'Zala, get some rest! Jo, get back to your room and rest!' Jo smiled at him. 'Just promise me something, neither of you die on me! Please.' 'We won't die in our sleep, Little Lady.' Yzak lead her out of the room. Athrun smiled. They did make a cute couple. Pity either of them could die. War really made no time for love...or friendship.

Well, I've just exhausted my plot bunny for now. Any longer and the poor thing'll have a heart attack. Anyway, what do ya think? Back as soon as christmas is over. See ya!