Disclaimer: Don't own. Ya have to know it by now.
Nobody kill me! I'm real sorry. I know I haven't updated in ages. Been sidetracked. But here's chapter 17, so put down the pitchforks. Oh, and a really big thanks to my reviewers! I love you all.
Chapter 17
She's gone...she left me. That one thought was all that ran through Rau's head on his way to his office. She was gone. Jo was gone. He'd known she wouldn't stay with him, he'd known it. Why had he even dared to hope? Why had she made him hope? Why did she have to say "Onii-chan" and make him trust her? And why did he let her? How did her smile...how did she...why did she...
Jay watched sadly, unseen in the back round. Rau, she has her own path to take. I may have seen her as the one, but this still doesn't stop her from being human. She will come back, and she will do what I know she can. Give her time, she hasn't forsaken you.
Dearka tore down the corridor of the Archangel, heading straight to the bathroom/shower room. Geez, the one time he actually needed the little lady, the girl decided to take a shower. Hopefully, the news he had would stop her killing him.
The door opened smoothly, revealing the purple haired girl and Mirella. Both of them turned to face him, apparently to stunned to move. Something that wouldn't last. He didn't even bother to take in that they were both only have dressed.
'Little Lady, Zala's heading back to PLANTs!' he yelled. The girl snapped out of her shock, pulled her tee-shirt on and ran out onto the corridor, forgetting completely about her shoes and jacket. Her wet hair smacked his face as she pushed past him. He followed her, only after he'd taken a last apologizing look at Mirella. She was blushing.
Athrun had only manged to get away from Cagalli's acusing glare, when he was sent reeling to the side as Jo rammed into him. She glared at him, her dark hair dripping. He sighed. 'Little Lady, I...'
'Am going to be an idiot and get myself killed!' she finished, angrily. 'Athrun, you can't go back to PLANT, not now. If you go back without Freedom, or at least a report, your father and the council aren't going to forgive you. At least think about this!'
Athrun looked away from her. 'Little Lady, I have to do this. I have to speak to my father.' Jo shook her head at him, and pulled Luch from her pocket. He stared, and she pushed it into his hands. 'Remember exactly any series of squeaks it emits and replay them to me when you get back. That's our informant contacting us. Until then, he'll look after you. He's managed to look after me. Luch really is good look.'
He smiled. 'Thank you, Little Lady.'
Dearka showed up behind her, panting. Athrun hadn't managed to convince him to take the Justice, and the Little Lady wouldn't either. Nicol had also refused point blank. Cagalli was still glaring at him. He sighed, at least they'd agreed to let him go.
Dearka watched as the shuttle pulled out of the hanger. The Little Lady turned to him as soon as it was gone. Her hands were on her hips. 'Dearka,' she said, her voice deadly calm. She was upset about Zala leaving, but she was also upset about... he swallowed.
'Dearka, I was only half dressed when you told me. I had been in the shower, I might have been naked. Why did you open the door without knocking?'
That wasn't said in her usual voice, she sounded strained. Nicol was also watching them, noting the change in her voice. 'Little Lady, do you need to talk?' She shook her head, and turned away, her hair flying around in the low gravity like a mini explosion. It was the first time he'd ever seen her hair down, and it was a mess of purple strands. It made her look more her age.
After she'd gone, he turned to Nicol. 'What the hell was that about?' The younger boy shrugged. 'Her onii-chan, maybe?' Dearka's jaw dropped. 'Didn't her brother die before the Bloody Valentine? Why would that affect her now? She hasn't even mentioned it in all the time we've known her. That can't be it.'
Nicol sighed. 'She never told you, did she? She mentioned it to me a few days ago, only in passing. Commander Creuset became her onii-chan. I don't think she meant to tell me, she just said it.' Dearka's jaw hit the ground.
Athrun quickly changed into his uniform. The amulet bounced of his chest, and he closed his hand around it breifly. Then closed his coat and shoved Luch in his pocket. Hopefully the mouse wouldn't squeak in the meeting. Please don't squeak during the meeting.
His father looked angered, and he drew in a quite breath. Where was his father in that cold chairman? Where was the man that had loved Lenore Zala? Where was the man who actually looked at that picture on his desk.
'Where are the Freedom and Justice?' his father barked, and he flinched. This was not going to end well.
Jo slid down the wall of her room. Onii-chan, Onii-chan, please forgive me. Tears slid slowly down her cheek and she broke down. The door slid open slilently, and Milly stepped hesitantly into the room.
'Jo? Jo what's wrong?' She didn't even glance up, just continued to cry into her knees. Milly knelt down in front of her. 'Did you lose someone?' Milly did the only thing she could think of. She pulled the young coordinator into a hug.
'M..my onii-chan. I l...left h..him with..out saying g...good..bye,' Jo choked out, and Milly tightened her embrace. 'Tolle left me without saying goodbye. It does hurt... but you shouldn't put yourself through this,' she whispered. Jo didn't answer, just sobbed.
Athrun curled up on the floor, pain jolting his entire body. His father had shot him? His father had just shot him. The backup his father had called in earlier pulled him to his feet. The man was standing away from him, looking somewhat stunned. Athrun looked away, and let himself be led out of the room.
Lacus hated sneaking around like this, but she hated more that Athrun had deliberately
gone and put himself in danger. Which was why DaCosta had gone on ahead. She sighed, if they made it out of this, and if Jo had made it to the Archangel, maybe she'd see her friend again. She sighed.
"L', you can't be serious! Leave ZAFT, leave my nation? Why? Give me one good reason! " It was amazing that she'd actually agreed. And doubly amazing that she'd managed to convince Jule to turn spy. Jo seemed to have that knack. Which was also why she hadn't needed to become a soldier. She could have used her voice in peace talks. She could've avoided that pain. But...then again, it was the army that had saved Jo's life. If she hadn't been in the army, then she would've died with Junius Seven.
'Miss Lacus, we're here.' That was Waltfeld. She smiled at him. 'Has Athrun and DaCosta arrived yet?' she asked. The man laughed.
'The prince has not yet graced us with his royal presence. But don't worry, DaCosta will bring him. The man doesn't fail to handy.'
As if by some strange cue, a shuttle docked in the hanger. Mere seconds later, DaCosta and Athrun arrived on the bridge. She smiled at them, and Athrun's jaw dropped. The Eternal started picking up speed, but it was not fast enough for the Mobile Suits chasing them. Athrun seemed to switch into soldier mode instantly.
'Waltfeld, are there any Mobile Suits I can use?' he barked. Lacus stared at him, he was in no condition to fly a mobile suit, not with that bullet wound in his shoulder. The boy didn't seem to care. Andy turned around.
'You're outta luck, Prince. This thing was only designed to carry Freedom and Justice, and we don't have either!' Athrun growled. Being helpless was not something he was good at. Lacus sighed.
Freedom came out of nowhere, opening fire on the suits. She blew upwards, ruffling her fringe. Waltfeld docked into the Mendal colonly, alongside the Archangel and another ship. Lacus practically flew of the ship, and past the captain, looking franticly around for any sight of purple hair.
She was standing beside the two other members of the Creuset unit, her hair pulled back in its usual messy bun/plait. Lacus didn't stop to think, but ran up and wrapped in a tight hug. The girl hugged her back, laughing hysterically.
'Jo, I know how you felt after Junius Seven,' she whispered. 'I'm sorry I didn't understand sooner.'
Finito! Booya! I finally updated! Please R&R?
