DISCLAIMER: 'Mr. and Mrs. Jule' is a story based on characters and situations from Kidou Senshi Gundam Seed which is a property of Sotsu Agency, Bandai Studios and TV Asashi. This work is non profited and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended. Unless specified, all materials in the web is work done by HERMIT JUNCTION. Please do not use without permission any text or artwork.

WARNING: Text and all related materials are rated PG13/T and may mild strong language and suggestive adult themes unless otherwise stated. Please do not read if you are underage or maybe offended by such material. Spoilers for Gundam Seed.

NOTE: This fanfiction disregards the plotline of the original series' sequel Gundam Seed Destiny.

GSEED Singles Series
Mr. and Mrs. Jule
a hermit junction project

Chapter 6: From First Base...

You fell in love with me when you shouldn't have
You left me behind to think about you day and night

4 years later / C.E. 76 / December 4

'Well, we're here.' He turned and took her hand. 'Shiho?'

She stared down at her hand, stared down at her fourth finger where a ring used to sit. The hand that was now wrapped around hers, however, was not a familiar hand.

'Shiho? Are you okay?'

Blinking, Shiho turned and stared into light brown eyes. For a moment, she asked herself who he was. 'I'm sorry Sassi, I dazed out a little.'

Smiling, Sassi squeezed her hand. 'We don't have to do it if you don't want to, I mean, we have only, after all, been going out for two weeks and – '

Snatching her hand away from his, Shiho grabbed his chin and turned him to face her. 'You talk to much Sassi.'

A few moments later, they stumbled into the dark apartment, trying to get each other's clothes off as they felt their way to Shiho's bedroom.

'That's not my room!' Shiho giggled when they hit a door.

'You have a roommate?' Sassi said breathlessly against her neck as he reached down and undid her pants.

'Yeah.' Shiho arched her body towards him when he dug his hands into her panties.

'Wouldn't she hear?' Sassi murmured.

'You really do talk too much.' Reaching for the doorknob of her room, Shiho pushed the door open and they stumbled into the room, barely closing the door behind them.

She was unbelievably horny right now, she needed sex, she just needed sex…

Falling onto the bed completely stripped, Shiho pulled Sassi close to her body and wrapped one leg around his waist, sliding it down his thigh encouragingly. She couldn't help but lean her head back and gasp when he cupped her warmth. Feeling him trail kisses down her body and past her navel, Shiho closed her eyes, concentrating on the erotic flicking over her most sensitive spot. Reaching down her hands, she dug them into his hair.

Something was wrong. He had curly hair. He was supposed to have straight hair, straight silky shoulder length hair.

'You're beautiful.'

Opening her eyes, Shiho found herself staring into light brown eyes. Something was wrong, didn't he have sharp cobalt blue eyes?

Widening her eyes, she suddenly felt nauseous as something hard brushed past her. Something was wrong, everything was wrong.

Gulping, Shiho made a grab for his shoulders before he had a chance to enter and pushed him away so hard he almost fell off the bed.

'What the – ' Before his mind could process what happened, Sassi saw Shiho make a grab for her robe on her coat tree.

'I'm sorry.' Was all he could hear before Shiho slammed the door shut. Realizing that he had got himself seriously turned on, Sassi cursed and fell onto the bed.

Outside in the living room, Shiho tried to catch her breath as she put on her robe, tightening the strap around her waist. Her legs trembling, she made her way to the living room and sat down. She stared up at the ceiling for a while before burying her face into her knees. Hearing the door of her room click open, she jerked slightly but refused to look up.

'I guess… it's over then isn't it?' Sassi asked quietly as he picked up his shirt that had been discarded on the way.

Looking up, Shiho bit her lip. 'I'm so sorry, it's just – '

'It's not that I didn't see it coming Shiho.' Sassi murmured, shrugging on the wrinkled shirt. 'There's someone else?'

Shiho stared at him for a while before shaking her head. 'I'm sorry.'

'Don't me.' Sassi said softly. 'You're a great girl, with the exception of turning me on and pushing me away.'

Shiho looked down. 'If it's any consolation, you're not the only one.'

Sassi laughed shortly. 'In a weird way, that is a consolation.' Buttoning the last button, he shrugged on his jacket and looked down at Shiho. 'I guess this is the part where we say goodbye then.'

Shiho nodded. 'Goodbye Sassi.'

Sassi smirked back at her. 'Goodbye Shiho.'

As the door closed behind Sassi quietly, Shiho sighed heavily, more of relief than guilt. Leaning back, she stared at the ceiling again, her hands lying on either side of her thigh. Closing her eyes, she shook her head.

'You did it again?'

Opening her eyes, Shiho turned her head and saw her roommate and friend Vena Poisa standing there with her arms crossed. She had on a seriously oversized white tank top and black silk boxers on and her curly blonde hair was all over her head in a mess.

Shiho was about to open her mouth when the lights to the living room suddenly flicked on. Squinting her eyes, she sat straight. 'Jeez, a little heads up would be nice.'

'Who's penis did you break this time?' A male voice asked.

Rolling her eyes, Vena turned and glared at her boyfriend. 'Shut up.'

Shrugging, Nix Loweia strolled to the open kitchen and poured himself a glass of water. 'Hey, it's not the first time, quoting you.'

Gripping her straight fringes, Shiho groaned into her lap. 'One of these days I'm just going to kick his sorry ass out of this door!'

'Yeah, right Major, I wonder who's apartment this is.' Nix sneered.

'Hey, I pay rent!' Shiho protested, looking up.

Vena rolled her eyes. 'How you two managed to survive the war as a team is beyond me.' Walking up to Shiho, she sighed and sat down beside her.

'I just…' Shiho grinded her teeth.

'Don't take it to hard on yourself Shiho.' Vena said quietly.

'I just need some sex.' Shiho muttered, slapping her forehead. 'I just need some sex, is it so much to ask?'

'Hey, you got the opportunities, you're just letting them slip away.' Nix said before Vena had a chance to open her mouth. Plopping down on the single sofa, he took a sip of his water. 'Dude, how hard is it? You want sex, you know how it works and you have the guy, first base, second base, third base and then home, how hard can it be?'

'Nix!' Vena exclaimed.

'I just want someone to fuck me!' Shiho suddenly yelled pulling at her hair. Reaching out one hand, he grabbed Nix by his T-shirt. 'Fuck me!'

'No matter how much you beg, I'm not going to fuck you Major.' Nix said promptly, prying her fingers away from his T-shirt. Walking around the sofa, he pulled Vena back and planted a kiss behind her ear. 'Besides, Vena beats you sky high Major.'

Reaching out one hand, Vena gave Nix a playful squeeze on the nose. 'Shut up honey.'

'Yes Ma'am.' Tilting her chin, he gave her a solid kiss on the lips before leaving. Before he shut the door to Vena's room, he snickered at Shiho. 'Just for the record, I don't want you to break my penis, so I'm off limits.'

'That was not my fault! He had a tumor in his spinal cord!' Shiho shouted, throwing a cushion at him.

'Whatever.' Nix managed to stick his tongue out before slamming the door shut, blocking the cushion.

'He is unbelievable!' Shiho declared, turning to Vena. 'I should have just let him die on the battlefield or something, I should have pulled some cords from his Ginn!'

'Yes, yes.' Vena patted on her shoulder absently and sat back with her hands behind her head.

'I'm pathetic!' Shiho cried, throwing her hands up, springing up from her seat. 'I am just so pathetic, I'm on the verge of begging your boyfriend to give me sex!'

Vena sighed. 'Well, if you really are that desperate, I'll think about borrowing Nix, he's good.'

Shiho gave her a brief stare before rolling her eyes. 'You're just saying it because you know I will never actually sleep with your boyfriend unless I'm on aphrodisiac and he's the only guy in a hundred mile radius.'

Vena raised her eyebrows. 'Maybe you should just try aphrodisiac, that way you'll definitely make it to home base.'

Gripping the ends of her hair, Shiho jumped up in frustration and screamed. 'Damn it!'

Shaking her head Vena patted the seat beside her. 'Shush, you're going to wake the whole neighbourhood. Sit and calm down, you want me to get you something? Water, milk, juice, a six pack of beer?'

Shiho sighed and threw herself on the couch again. 'The last one is pretty tempting.'

Vena smirked. 'Well, you're going to have to drink it by yourself, Nix doesn't like me drunk in bed unless he's the one who got me drunk.'

'Weirdo.' Shiho muttered. They both sat there in silence and after a few moments, they both sighed together. 'I'm pathetic aren't I?' Shiho whispered.

'No you're not.' Vena said quietly. 'You just want to move on, you're trying to move on.'

'For four years.' Shiho muttered. Closing her eyes, she dropped her head on Vena's shoulder.

She had tried to move on for four years but the past got in the way every time. Who said time would make the past go away? It didn't work for her.

She still remembered the morning she left the Jule Manor four years ago. She had prepared the divorce papers before when Yzak told her that Gazelle Wyleed was pregnant. That night, she dropped by the Manor with the papers, feeling numb when Niolava told her that Yzak wasn't home. What did she expect anyways? Yzak to stay back and weep?

She had wanted to sign the papers with him, but decided against it, knowing that it would be complete mental torture for her. Signing the papers and leaving them on the dressing table, she had picked up the ring and put it in the red velvet box that had come with it. Not looking back though her heart screamed for her to, she stepped out of the room, the house she called home for three months and left, not only the Jule Manor, but Aprillius One.

Declaring veteran status with ZAFT, Shiho was granted student status under ZAFT grant and was accepted to one of the Universities in December 4, the education hub of PLANT. There, she met up with Vena and she had offered to share an apartment with her, saying that it would cost less but really trying to make sure that she was okay.

Vena was right because Shiho wasn't okay for the first few months. Having to adjust to a whole new lifestyle should have been easy for her since she was in military, but the added stress from her divorce made it almost impossible for her to get back up immediately. Sure, she'd go to classes, ace her courses, but other than school, she'd stay home, lying on her bed, doing nothing.

After a few months of her mopping, Vena was fed up and dragged her out of her bed one night.

'You have to get a life Shiho.' Vena had declared.

'I have a life.' Shiho had protested. 'I go to school, I get an education, what more do you want me to do?'

'To get a life.' Vena repeated. 'You are going to go to a nightclub, hook up with a guy and forget about Yzak Jule.'

'I don't want to – '

'You don't have a choice!' Vena had cried. 'Now get your ass out of this bed. Move!'

Vena had really dragged her to a bar, but after two dance on the sweaty, noisy and upbeat dance floor, she had felt nauseous and fainted right in the middle. Apart from being told never to go back to the nightclub, she was sent to hospital, had a surgery, lost her baby, stayed in bed for two weeks and after all that, her life went back to normal.

Seeing Shiho reach one hand to her abdomen, Vena sighed and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. 'Come on, it's not the end of the world, you're still young, you've got plenty of opportunities.'

Shiho could only sigh and let her hand drop. 'I guess.'

'Anything else I need to be worried about?' Vena asked, ruffling her head.

'I am a little worried about my internship application.' Shiho said, looking up.

'Are you going to be relocated or something?' Vena asked, crossing her legs.

Shiho shrugged. 'I hope not, but technically I'm still in ZAFT and there's a chance I might be stuck into one of those military hospitals.'

Vena shot a glance at Shiho. 'Well, you are doing a psych internship, why am I not surprised.'

Shiho exhaled loudly and threw both hands over her face. 'Why did I choose psychology in the first place?'

Vena shrugged. 'Because you want to know what another person's thinking?'

Shiho nodded, opening her eyes slightly. 'Yeah, maybe…'

'Well, I'm going to go to bed, you're going to be okay?' Vena asked, standing up.

Shiho waved her hand. 'I'm not a baby. Besides, it's not the first time, I'm going to be fine, just wanted to complain a bit.'

'If you say so.' Vena shrugged. 'Good night.'

'Happy humping.' Shiho called, smirking when Vena looked over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out before slamming the door shut.

A silence suddenly washed over the living room as Shiho stared at the closed door. Wishing she could do what Vena was doing inside, Shiho shook her head and sprang up, patting her cheeks.

'Pull yourself together girl, it's just sex, you can survive without it.' Whirling around, she charged back to her room and closed the door. Taking her robe off, she tossed it on the floor and walked across her room naked until she reached her bathroom. Closing the door, she flicked on the lights and turned on the hot water of her bath tube. Leaning against the wall, she watched as steam started to build up.

In the past, steam would clear her mind, but now, it fogged it.

Looking up, Shiho stared at her naked form. She hadn't changed much over the four years, still had long straight brunette hair, a slim strong soldier's physic she owed to her ZAFT training, still the fair skin and amethyst eyes that used to be very sharp, bright and innocent.

Innocence was gone, it was long gone.

Reaching up, Shiho touched the hickie on her neck. She used to finger them with a giddy smile, hopelessly thinking of the hot and sweaty moments she had with him on the bed just outside the bathroom, and think what would come the following night.

Now, she just found them disgusting.

Turning away from the mirror abruptly, she grabbed a sponge and stepped into the shower. Holding her arm up to her nose, she frowned at the cologne smell. Squeezing a generous amount of fruity bath gel onto the sponge, she started rubbing her skin forcefully until her skin started to turn red.

She needed to get the smell off her, she needed to get all that smell off her…


His eyebrows furrowed at the faint beep. Opening his eyes, he stared at the dull white ceiling in front of him, his mind trying to comprehend his surroundings. This wasn't his ceiling, his ceiling was off white.

Reaching out one hand, he stared at his watch, watching as it flashed and beeped. It read eight fifteen. He usually woke up at eight fifteen when he had to work, but today, he was off, he was on vacation.

Sitting up, he stared at the dull white door before him through strands of silver hair. He couldn't help but squint his eyes as the sun suddenly shone through the Venetian blinds beside him. Cursing, he fell back onto the soft bed and reached over his head, feeling for his pack of cigarettes and lighter on the shelf. Taking a cigarette out of the pack, he lighted it and took a puff, staring up at the ceiling again where stripes of light hit the surface.

'Yzak! Are you awake?' A knock rang from his door. Sitting up, Yzak took another quick puff before taking a tissue out from the tissue box and grinding the cigarette into it.

'Yeah, I'm up.' Yzak called.

'Come have breakfast then, it'll be ready in ten minutes.'

'Yeah.' Yzak said lazily. Hearing the footsteps fade away, he climbed off the bed, kicking the sheets away which have managed to twirl around his ankles. Changing into a stripped salmon colored shirt and black trousers, he slipped his shoes on.

Fishing his pocket while opening the door, something bumped into him.

'You stink Yzak!' a little boy wrinkled his nose.

'Yeah.' Yzak muttered, taking out a pack of gum. 'Word of advice, don't smoke.'

'Smoking is not good, smoking is not healthy, that's what Aunt Ezzy tells us!' The little boy said, looking up at Yzak with his round blue eyes.

Yzak raised his eyebrows. 'Aunt Ezzy?'

'Your Mama!' The little boy said. 'Don't you know who your Mama is? Doesn't she tell you not to smoke?'

'Ah, yeah.' Yzak nodded. 'Unfortunately, you're Aunt Ezzy wasn't around so she didn't tell me.'

'So… should Aunt Ezzy tell you now?' The little boy asked as they walked down the stairs of the huge cottage that was actually a orphanage in the suburbs of Januarius 4.

'No, I'm too old for your Aunt Ezzy to tell me that.' Yzak said.

'Then who should tell you that?' The little boy's eyes suddenly lit up. 'I know, girls called wives tell boys like you to stop smoking, that's what we see on TV, they sit on the bed and kiss!'

Yzak looked down at him meaningfully. 'Yeah?'

The little boy nodded eagerly and tugged at his sleeve. 'Do you have wife?'

Yzak looked down at him for a while before shaking his head. 'I used to, but I don't anymore.'

The little boy frowned. 'Why? Is it because you didn't listen to her and continued smoking?'

Yzak wanted to laugh. 'No, it's not that, I didn't smoke when I was married, or, at least I didn't smoke regularly.'

'Really?' The boy blinked.

'I think that's enough questions Otoniel, you're asking my son hard questions you know?' Ezaria Jule had her arms crossed and was standing at the entrance of the dining room. 'We need to start breakfast or the other kids are going to starve.'

'Yes Aunt Ezzy, come on Yzak!' Otoniel pulled at Yzak's arm.

'Didn't know you were good with kids?' Ezaria said as they walked past her.

'Likewise Mother.' Yzak smirked back.

Breakfast at St. Joan's Orphanage was as usual, filled with excited kids, Pastor Evans and Ezaria Jule, former senior council member, representative of Martius and exile.

When the plates on the long table were almost empty, the kids started rushing outside into the sunlight one by one, leaving Felicity, an older orphan who was sixteen to clean up with Ezaria.

'Well, what do you know, the young Master Yzak does dishes and cleans the table.' Ezaria teased.

'Neither did I expect to see the Lady Ezaria cook for twenty kids.' Yzak snorted back, tossing the plastic cups into the sink.

'I can do the dishes if you like Aunt Ezaria.' Felicity offered, blushing slightly when Yzak looked at her.

'Are you sure?' Ezaria smiled.

Felicity nodded. 'I know Mr. Jule is leaving tonight, you must have a lot to catch up.'

Ezaria turned to Yzak. 'Care to take a walk with your Mother?'

Yzak shrugged. 'I don't see why not.'

'Go ahead.' Pastor Evans said, entering the kitchen with the remaining dishes. 'We can wrap things up here.'

'Let's go.' Ezaria said, bowing her head slightly at Pastor Evans before exiting the cottage through the back doors.

'This is a really quiet place.' Yzak commented quietly as they strolled down the pathway that overlooked part of the rural areas of Januarius.

'Nothing compared to Aprillius One.' Ezaria smiled.

'The busy Aprillius One, the political capital of PLANT, the hell.' Yzak muttered, smirking to himself.

Ezaria turned to Yzak. 'Fed up with it already? You're only twenty two, you've got your whole future ahead of you.'

Yzak shrugged and was about to open his mouth when two girls walked up to Ezaria.

'Hello Mrs. Jule, how are you today?' One of them asked.

Ezaria smiled. 'I'm fine, thank you. Have you met my son? Yzak?'

They looked up at Yzak and blushed. 'No, but I've seen you in some magazines, you look better in person.'

'Thanks.' Yzak muttered.

'When will you have some time to come and do some knitting?' Ezaria asked.

'Actually, we're going now and were hoping you would be there.' The brunette asked. If you asked Yzak, someone else's hair was much better, silkier, shinier…

'I'll be back in a bit, my son's leaving today and I was hoping to catch things up with her.' Ezaria said, noting that Yzak had suddenly spaced out.

'See you then!' The blonde said quickly, pulling at the brunette. 'Nice meeting you Yzak.'

'Nice meeting you too.' Yzak replied absently.

'They're students from the local high school.' Ezaria said when Yzak looked at her. 'They knit voluntarily at the orphanage, part of some program.'

'You, knitting?' Yzak paused and stared down at his Mother. 'You are a changed woman, never would I thought you would knit.'

Ezaria smiled at up his son. 'Do you want me to knit you something dear?'

Yzak felt a shiver shoot up his spine. 'No thank you, I better save my quota for someone who really needs it.'

'So tell me Yzak,' Ezaria stared as they stepped into a deserted park where there was a playground. 'What have you been up to son?'

'The usual.' Yzak said absently, plopping himself down on one of the swings. 'Work, ZAFT, going from base to base. Life has been better since I quit the council.'

Ezaria stared down at Yzak for a while before leaning against the pole. 'How's Azuiles doing?'

Yzak shot a glance at her briefly. 'You never asked about him.'

'I'm a changed woman.' Ezaria countered. 'You said so yourself.'

'Yet you still have your touch.' Yzak smirked. 'He's doing good, he got into medical school four years ago, never thought he'd make it, but there you go. He's starting an internship this March in Aprillius One, one of the top internship programs of the city.'

'Is Lois still…'

'Oh yeah,' Yzak nodded, swing himself back and fourth slowly. 'Last I heard, he wanted to propose.'

'Did he?' Ezaria asked.

Yzak shrugged. 'I don't know. I don't see him a lot, ever since I sold the house.'

'Right.' Ezaria said quietly. 'How's the household?'

'NIolava and Vuit retired and went back to Martius 3, some of the others went back to school and stuff, I don't know the details though.'

'Dearka?' Ezaria studied Yzak's face.

'He's still around, got transferred half a year ago, he's no longer my subordinate, they promoted him.' Yzak said absently. 'I heard he's going to be relocated to Carpentaria.'

Ezaria raised her eyebrows. 'Earth?'

Yzak nodded and reached for his back pocket, taking out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. 'He applied for it.'

Ezaria watched as Yzak stuck a cigarette into his mouth. 'So do you have someone telling you to quit smoking now?'

Yzak's hands paused in midair. Turning, he took the unlit cigarette out of his mouth. 'This is the main topic isn't it? You want to ask about her? Or you just want to know what's going on with my current personal life?'

Ezaria looked into Yzak's cobalt blue eyes. 'I've never seen you happy Yzak, have you ever been happy?'

'No.' Yzka said bluntly. Sticking the cigarette back into his mouth, he lit it. 'Happiness is not a thing for me.'

'I thought it was too.' Ezaria said quietly. 'But it's there, everyone has it, it's a thing for everyone.'

'I doubt it.' Was Yzak's curt response as he took a drag.

'Did she tell you too quit smoking?' Ezaria asked.

Pausing, Yzak looked up at his Mother. 'Do we have to do this?' Ezaria just stared down at him with raised eyebrows. Sighing, Yzak took a deep breath and tossed the cigarette onto the floor, grinding it with his foot while shaking his head. 'I didn't smoke when she was around, at least not regularly.'

'What made you smoke now?' Ezaria asked.

'I don't know.' Yzak muttered. 'Juvenile delinquency?'

Ezaria rolled her eyes. 'You're twenty-two Yzak.'

'So?'

Sighing, Ezaria crossed her arms. 'What's she like?'

'Mother!' Yzak snapped, turning his head sharply.

'I've never got to meet the girl.' Ezaria said quietly. 'At least let me know what my three month daughter-in-law was like.'

'You went to the wedding.' Yzak murmured.

'Yzak.' Ezaria lowered her voice.

Grunting, Yzak crossed his legs. 'What is there to tell about her? She was just my subordinate who was assigned to my team during Jakin Due. She's responsible, tactful, brave.'

Ezaria took a deep breath. 'Not like that, not like your subordinate, not like a person who works for you. She was your wife, you two lived together, you two – '

'Don't go into that Mother.' Yzak interrupted. 'You're disturbing me.'

Ezaria just looked at her son. 'You two did live as a married couple right?'

Yzak sighed heavily and racked one hand through his hair. 'Yes, we did, but I never got to know her, never got the chance to.'

'Never?'

Yzak stared at his Mother for a while before gritting his teeth. 'Fine, I never wanted to get to know her until she left.'

Sighing, Ezaria shook her head. 'You never treasure things until they're no longer yours.'

'It's been four years Mother.' Yzak muttered, kicking the cigarette butt lying on the floor. 'It's long been over, we never really started anyways.'

'And yet somehow, you two had sex.' Ezaria smirked.

'Okay, seriously!' Yzak jumped up from the swing and took a few steps back. 'Mother, not comfortable talking about my, personal life with you.'

'Fine.' Ezaria rolled her eyes. 'It's been a long time since I've been – '

'Mother!' Yzak interrupted sharply. 'Seriously!'

'Okay!' Ezaria rolled her eyes. 'Not that I don't want to actually get to know her.'

'Who?' Yzak muttered, sticking his hands into his pockets.

'Shiho Hahnenfuss, your ex-wife.' Ezaria said flatly.

'Why would you want to see her?' Yzak murmured, eyeing his Mother with skeptical eyes.

'Nothing special.' Ezaria shrugged. 'I just wanted to see who she was like since you obviously have no idea. She did do you a great favor, you could have been eaten alive by Lamar Wyleed during those three months.'

Yzak rolled his eyes while kicking the dirt on the ground. 'Don't remind me.'

Ezaria nodded. 'It was hell, fair enough.'

'Mother.' Yzak opened his mouth after a few moments of silence. 'Will you…'

Ezaria looked at Yzak in the eye and shook her head. 'No, I won't.'

'I didn't even finish my question.' Yzak mused.

Ezaria frowned. 'I know what you want to ask me, you want to ask me if I will ever return to Aprillius One.'

'Will you?' Yzak tried.

Ezaria sighed heavily. 'No. I'm a changed person. Ten years of politics is as long as I can take. I know I used to be this competitive and radical politician who was almost partly responsible for destroying Earth, but now, I just want to retire, I want to rest.'

'Are you…' Yzak's voice trailed.

'Become a nun?' Ezaria asked warily.

Yzak shrugged. 'It's a possibility, I mean, you have been spending your time in this Christian orphanage for so long.'

'Even if I wanted to, I still have a long way to go.' Ezaria said. 'But I'll make sure you're the first one to know if I do decide to become one.'

'You're call.' Yzak said absently, turning around.

'Son.' Ezaria called softly.

'Yeah?' Yzak looked over his shoulder briefly.

'Are you sure, that you've never been happy?' Ezaria asked. 'Even during those three months of marriage?' She stared at her son's back for a while before he looked over his shoulder again. Before he could open his mouth, his cell phone rang.

Sighing, Yzak raised his hand up apologetically and answered the phone, taking a few steps away from his Mother. Crossing her arms, Ezaria leaned against the pole again, watching as Yzak engaged in a pretty impatient conversation.

'Your girlfriend?' Ezaria asked when Yzak hung up.

'You really are interested in my private life.' Yzak said, raising his eyebrows.

Smiling, Ezaria stepped forward and gave him a pat on the shoulder. 'I'm your Mother and you are my only son. Well… only birth son.'

'Well Mother,' Yzak put his arm around her shoulders, 'do you have any suggestions on how we should spend the next few hours before I leave for my flight?'

The next few hours flew by quickly and before he knew, Yzak was already at the front doors of the orphanage with a white cab waiting for him.

'Take care son.' Ezaria said as she kissed him on the cheek. 'I don't expect a call from you when you get back to Aprillius One, but I'm sure you're still able to take care of yourself.'

'Still?' Yzak frowned. 'I've always been able to take care of myself.'

'Are you sure?' Ezaria asked with her eyebrows raised.

'Yzak's being laughed at by Aunt Ezzy!' A kid laughed.

'Yzak can't take care of himself!'

'You little imps.' Yzak muttered, looking around him.

Otoniel tugged at his sleeve. 'If you can't take care of yourself, find a wife, that's what they do in soap operas.'

Ezaria couldn't help but laugh while Pastor Evans shook his head.

'Dude, you watch too much TV, restrain him Mother.' Yzak said dryly.

'Take care.' Pastor Evans held out his hand for Yzak to shake.

'Take care of my Mother.' Yzak responded. 'She needs it too.'

'Hey!' Ezaria protested when Yzak stepped into the cab.

'I'll see you some other time Mother.' Yzak said dryly, slamming the door shut. 'Space port please.'

'He's… different.' Pastor Evans commented as they watched the cab disappear into sight.

'He's troubled.' Ezaria said quietly, shaking her head. 'I do hope he does what Otoniel suggests.'

'Get a wife?' Otoniel cried, taking Ezaria's hand.

Ezaria looked down at him. 'Yeah, get a wife, build a family and just be the Yzak, the Yzak…'

An hour later, Yzak narrowed his eyes as the cab pulled in front of the JA 4 International Space Port. Fishing into his pockets, he took out a few bills and paid the driver. Stepping out of the cab with his black duffle bag that read ZAFT in dark red, he leaned against the glass panels of the entrance to the terminal and reached for his cigarettes unconsciously. He was about to light it when he caught his own reflection in the tinted windows of a limo parked right before him.

He looked like shit, worse than his brother in his pot days and yet he was just smoking.

Looking down at his lighter, Yzak rolled his eyes and lit the cigarette quickly. Taking one puff, he grinded it into the ash tray mounted on the wall and stepped into the terminal.

'Here is your boarding pass sir, your flight takes off in one hour and you are required to be at the gate ten minutes prior departure.'

'Thank you.' Yzak muttered, eyeing the lady who was batting her eyelashes at him. Giving her a small smile, he turned and couldn't help but roll his eyes. He rarely traveled as a civilian and he hated how tedious the procedures were, not to mention the women who'd stare at him as if he were the last man in the world.

About one and a half hours later, Yzak found himself seated comfortably first class with a glass of red wine in his hand. Looking out the window at the starry sky, he watched as the shuttle flew past the other PLANTs. He still found the view amazing.

'Mr. Jule, would you like to indulge in some more red wine?' A steward asked.

'No thank you.' Yzak murmured, setting the glass soundlessly on the silver tray he had in hand. Leaning back, he turned off the light shining above his seat and stared.

Though knowing where his Mother was all this time after her house arrest was released, Yzak had never attempted to visit her. He never really made an effort to find the time and if it weren't for his superiors forcing him to take an apparently much needed holiday, he wouldn't have thought of coming to Januarius 4 where his Mother had settled down and chose to live with a bunch of kids in a Christian orphanage.

His Mother has changed, never would he had thought Ezaria Jule, the woman who barely put attention on her own family back in the height of her career, would be willing to sit in front of a TV all day with kids surrounding her, knitting needles in her hands. He was glad that she had given him that call after two years and told him to come see her or he would have never had the chance to see his Mother being a housewife.

Housewife? He used to have one, or rather, he used to have a wife.

'Mr. Jule.'

Opening his eyes, Yzak blinked and turned his head slightly. 'We're here?'

'Yes.' The steward bowed his head slightly.

Pulling his chair upright, Yzak stood up and stretched, realizing that all the other passengers in the cabin had already left.

'Take your time.' The steward said, stepping back.

'Not much to wrap up anyways.' Yzak muttered, shrugging on his coat.

'I see that, on business?' The steward asked.

'No.' Yzak replied absently. 'I take a battleship when I'm on business.'

'Ah, a military man.' The steward nodded. 'I hope you had a nice flight.'

'Definitely.' Yzak murmured, stepping out of the shuttle. When he stepped out of the tunnel, he couldn't help squint his eyes at the sun. Looking up at the huge screen on the terminal wall while fishing for his shades, he found that it was only twelve noon because of the time difference.

Before he had a chance to cross the road, a fire red convertible stopped right in front of him.

'Care for a ride Mr. Jule?'

Looking down, Yzak watched as the driver pulled her shades up and winked at him.

'What are you doing here Nia?' Yzak asked frowning. 'I thought I told you not to come.'

Tossing her black hair over her bare shoulders, Nia Siers shrugged. 'Well, someone had to give you a ride, we can't have the famous Commander Jule riding the transit back home.' Leaning over, she opened the door to the passenger seat of her two seater. 'So, care for a ride Commander Jule?'

Rolling his eyes, Yzak stepped in, slamming the door shut while tossing his black duffle onto the floor. 'Okay, let me get this straight, I thought we were – '

'Off?' Nia suggested, pulling her shades back down. 'I know, but I was thinking when we'd get back on again.'

Sighing heavily, Yzak slid down his seat. 'Nia, I'm not in the mood for this shit.'

'I know, you're the one who started it, I'm just being nice and giving you a ride.' Nia pointed out.

'We're off right?' Yzak muttered.

Nia paused before nodding. 'Yeah, whatever you say Commander.'

'Don't call me Commander.' Yzak said in a low voice. 'I'm not your Commander and you aren't my subordinate.'

Rolling her eyes, Nia pouted her lips. 'Picky.' Sighing at Yzak's silence, Nia pursed her lips. 'You can light up if you want, I brought my convertible for a reason.'

'What do you think I am, a chimney?' Yzak growled.

'A chimney?' Nia raised her eyebrows. 'That would give you too much credit and gives me a harder time to ask you to quit.'

'I'm not in the mood.' Yzak muttered.

'Isn't that exactly why people smoke?' Nia muttered.

'Nia, just…' Yzak shook his head and looked out.

'Shut?' Nia suggested. When Yzak shot a glare at her, Nia held one hand up. 'Okay, fine, I'll be quiet. Jeez.'

'Mr. Jule.' A bell boy came out of the Hotel Dionarva and bowed his head.

'Tell room service to prepare some lunch.' Yzak said, handing his duffle bag to him.

'Aren't you going to invite me to your room?' Nia asked, stepping out of her convertible.

'Miss Siers.' The bell boy greeted.

'We're off remember.' Yzak pointed out.

'Sucks.' Nia muttered. Reaching into the back pocket her white tight fitting jeans, she handed him a cream colored envelop. 'Here, there was another reason I came.'

'What the hell is this?' Yzak asked, snatching the envelop from her.

'An invitation from my cousin.' Nia smirked, leaning against her car with her arms crossed.

Shooting her a glance, Yzak opened it and raised his eyebrows. 'What did I ever do to get and invitation to Alden Tayne's wedding?'

'And guest.' Nia said, pointing her finger. 'You get and invitation with guest.'

'Cool, I'll make sure my gift's there.' Yzak muttered, sticking the card back into the matching envelop.

Giving him a brief look, Nia stepped forward and pulled him down, giving him a solid kiss on the lips. 'Think about it Yzak, it was fun when we were on right?'

'But now, we are still off.' Yzak said quietly, pushing her away gently. 'See you later Miss Reed.'

Crossing her arms, Nia smirked and watched as Yzak stepped into the private foyer of the penthouse tenants of Hotel Dionarva. 'We're going to be on soon Commander, believe me.'

'Welcome back Mr. Jule.' The receptionist smiled and bowed her head. 'You're order will be at your door shortly.

'Thank you.' Yzak said as he stepped into the elevator. When the doors closed, he sighed and leaned against the mirrored wall, watching as the numbers on the display panel rose. When the doors opened again, Yzak stepped into the quiet hallway that led to his penthouse at the very end. Slipping in his card, he opened the double doors and stood inside the foyer of his hotel apartment. Grabbing the remote that was on the wall, he pressed a few buttons and the curtains opened, revealing a magnificent view of Aprillius One.

Tossing the remote onto the coffee table, Yzak threw himself into the sofa and sighed, stretching his arms out as he looked around. Four years ago, he sold the Jule Manor at a very lucrative price and had wanted to find a place to stay downtown Aprillius One. He never thought of buying a penthouse but a brochure had come to his door the day before he moved out. He still remembered the envelope addressing 'Mr. and Mrs. Jule.'

He would be lying if he said he hadn't thought about her at all for the past four years, hadn't gone to bed thinking of the few nights they shared, hadn't pictured her face when he was fooling around with other women.

Closing his eyes, he leaned his head back and almost fell asleep when the phone rang. Gritting his teeth, he leaned over and reached for it.

'Yzak Jule.'

'Hey Jule, got my invitation all right?'

Clenching his teeth, Yzak stood up. 'What do you want Tayne?'

'I want you to come to my wedding.' Alden said shortly.

'You do know that we're not really friends and your wedding is at Sextilius 9.' Yzak muttered.

'I know, all expenses paid.' Alden said. 'Come on, you just need to get your lazy ass on a shuttle.'

'I have to work Tayne.' Yzak said.

'Shut up Jule.' Alden sneered. 'You've got like a half a year's worth of holidays, I just need you to come for a weekend.'

'Why so insistent Tayne?' Yzak asked in a low voice.

Alden paused before opening his mouth again. 'Because.'

'Oh, that's not vague at all.' Yzak sneered.

'You're going to regret it if you don't come, trust me. Plus, my cousin really wants you to come, not that you can bring her as a guest.'

'Should I bring a guest then?' Yzak asked dryly.

'Your call Jule.' Alden replied. 'See you in two weeks.'

Staring down at the phone, Yzak sighed and tossed it on the couch. Looking around his quiet penthouse, he suddenly turned and faced his widescreen television. 'TV on.'

Turning away as the television turned on, he went into his bedroom, wanting to take a shower as the news rang from the living room. He was about to unbutton his shirt when something on his beside table caught his eye. Sitting on the king size mahogany bed, he reached out one hand and lifted up the two dolls that were sewn together. Looking down, he caressed the veil on the girl doll.

Yeah, he had definitely been thinking about her for the past four years.


End of Chapter 6
Next Update: 14th July, 2006

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews, if you're interested, there's ten chapters. It's going to get pretty rough in the next chapter, be prepared. Oh, and if you haven't noticed, the opening sentences of the second half of this story is from Yzak's point of view, if interested. Enjoy.