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 8: Happy Birthday

You stood there soaking wet
You asked me if you could come in
Should I let you? Do you really want me to?

'Think about it Vena.' Nix grabbed his girlfriend by the arm before she had a chance to open the door.

'No, not yet.' Vena insisted.

'It's just engagement Vena.' Nix muttered. 'I'm not asking you to marry me right now.'

'Are you really that insecure?' Vena asked, crossing her arms. 'I mean, we're only friggin' twenty and we've been going out, for what? Three years? Why so fast? Don't you think it's a little to fast? And you're a guy, you should be afraid of commitment.'

Nix looked at her briefly before sighing and grabbed the key from her. 'When you've experienced near death in war, you'd realize that life is short and there are so many things you want to accomplish before you die.'

'Don't you think that's a little to pessimistic?' Vena asked, watching Nix unlock the door.

Looking over his shoulder, Nix stuck his tongue out. 'I'm a pessimist, don't you know that?'

Rolling her eyes, Vena followed him into her apartment. 'That's why you make Shiho so angry, you step on her tail all the time.'

'Hey, it's not my fault her life is a mess.' Nix muttered, flipping open the lights.

'What the fuck!' A voice groaned from the living room.

'See?' Nix raised his eyebrows. 'She's beyond a mess.'

Vena could only sigh loudly and rub her head. Looking down, she found beer cans all over the place. On the single couch, Shiho's duffle bag was still there, lying open, clothes scattered all over the place, including a white satin dress.

'You okay Shiho?' Vena asked in a worried tone, walking up to her.

Lying on the couch, Shiho had one arm over her eyes and the other still holding onto a beer can. 'Leave me alone.'

'What's going on this time Major?' Nix asked in a flat tone from the open kitchen. 'Had an affair with the groom at the wedding and broke his penis?'

'Nix!' Vena hissed.

Her hands falling to her sides, Shiho eyed Vena briefly before exhaling loudly. Sitting up, she winced at her pounding head. 'I'm not in the mood Loweia, I don't have the energy so throw your insults when I'm still whacked out or I'll hunt you down and kill you before I gain sanity again, better get, I'll cut your balls off.'

'Ooo, so scared.' Nix taunted, leaning against the counter.

'I'm really not in the mood.' Shiho groaned, leaning her head on the sofa.

'What happened?' Vena asked. 'I got worried when you didn't call at all during the weekend.'

'I'm sorry, had a rough weekend despite all the marriage merriment.' Shiho scowled, draining down the rest of her beer.

'You saw him?' Vena asked carefully.

'You think she'd be like that if she didn't see him?' Nix sneered while looking through the mail.

Shiho gave Vena a look before slouching down on the couch. 'I had sex with him.'

At that, both Vena and Nix were completely silent as Shiho stood up.

'You slept with him…' Nix voice trailed as he watched Shiho pace the space between the living room and the open kitchen.

'Oh yeah, I had sex with him.' Shiho nodded with wide eyes. 'Not only did I force him kiss me in the elevator, pushed him onto his bed and stripped right in front him, I threatened to rape him because he kept pushing me away!'

Nix couldn't help but laugh out loud. 'Oh God, you threatened to rape Captain Yzak Jule, the Yzak Jule?'

'Oh yeah.' Shiho laughed bitterly. 'I threatened to rape him, I threatened to rape my ex-husband in what was coincidentally the same room I spent in as part of my pathetic honeymoon four years ago!'

Nix and Vena exchanged glances. 'Ouch.'

Stopping in her tracks, Shiho turned her head and glared at Nix. 'What is wrong with me? Huh? Two days, I see the guy for two days after four years and I threatened rape him, I throw myself at him and he pushes me away! I mean, is there something with me? I fucked the guy four times in two hours after four years and I feel completely empty!'

'The beast has awaken after four years…' Nix shook his head. 'Dude, you're an open drain now, nothing's going to satisfy for the time being.'

Leaning against the back of the couch, Shihio sighed heavily and looked down, choking. 'I'm so pathetic.'

Before Vena could open her mouth, Nix did. 'So you got yourself drunk after the episode?'

'I'm sorry.' Shiho whispered. 'I'll clean up after I take a shower.'

'Don't worry about it.' Vena said softly, giving her hand a soft pat.

'No, I've been a burden, I've a slob, I've a complete mess.' Shiho said, shaking her head. 'Your boyfriend was right, I'm pathetic and hopeless.' Grabbing a plastic bag, she started picking up the cans.

You. Vena mouthed, pointing a finger at Nix who shrugged innocently, mouthing what?

'I'll take this out.' Shiho held the garbage bag up with a small smile.

'Let me.' Nix said, grabbing the bag.

'I'm already pathetic as it is!' Shiho cried, snatching the bag back. 'Just let me do something for God's sake.'

'You are pathetic Major.' Nix said flatly, grabbing the bag from him. Walking to the trash can, he emptied the garbage into the black bag as well. Turning, he cocked his head at her. 'How are you going to help people if you can't help yourself? You're the shrink yet you seem to need a shrink yourself.'

'Way to make people feel better.' Shiho muttered, leaning against the counter.

'Look, the point is, you're still hooked up on him.' Nix said, raising his hand up when Shiho was about to open her mouth. 'Admit it Major, or you wouldn't have had fifteen boyfriends and none of them made it to home run plus you breaking a penis in the process.'

'You just love rubbing that in don't you Nix.' Shiho growled, crossing her arms.

Reaching for the counter, Nix slid two letters across the polished surface in her direction. 'You've got two choices, Aprillius One or Orb's exchange internship, make your choice Major, make a wise one. If you think you haven't tied the loose ends to your past yet, then take this chance to do it.'

Picking up the two envelops, Shiho glanced at them briefly before turning to Vena.

'He's right, loose ties can be a burden and you know it's not just about the divorce.' Vena said with furrowed eyebrows. 'You have a lot of loose ties back in Aprillius One, and after years of running away, this probably is your chance to make a difference, make yourself feel better and actually, really move on.' Standing up, Vena gave Shiho a hug. 'That's what you've been trying to do all these years.'

'After so many wrong decisions, you really think I'm going to make a good choice?' Shiho asked.

'No matter what choice you make, we're going to support you.' Vena said, tucking some of her hair behind her ears. 'Besides, you're going to be the only person who can my maid of honor.'

'Did someone say maid of honor?' Nix asked, coming back into he apartment. 'If you want her to be your maid of honor then you have to say yes to me first.'

'Honey, we've been through this.' Vena sighed, rolling her eyes. 'Don't be pushy!'

'I'm not pushy!' Nix argued. 'I'm just – '

'Insecure, I know.' Vena said warily.

'I am not insecure!' Nix denied.

'Yes honey, I know you're not.' Vena sneered.

'Vena!'

Shaking her head, Shiho watched as the couple bickered their way into Vena's room. Turning, she fell onto the couch again and raised the two envelops up above the air.

A right decision? When has she ever made a right decision?


'Working late again Commander Jules?'

Looking up, Yzak gave his secretary a helpless smile. 'Yeah, just have to wrap up a few things.'

'You sure you don't need help with that?' She asked.

Yzak shook his head. 'No, I don't, so you take off and spend some quality time with your husband.'

'Wow, you're actually telling me to spend quality time with my husband?' She raised her eyebrows. 'Are you coked up or something?'

Rolling his eyes, Yzak waved his hand. 'Get out of here before I change my mind and make you work until two in the morning like I did a month ago.'

Laughing, she waved her hand. 'See you next Monday then Commander, have a good week.'

'Thanks, you too.' Yzak said absently.

'Oh, and Commander,' she poked her head back in, 'get a family of your own.'

Making a face, Yzak made a move to throw his pen at her when she laughed and disappeared out of sight. Shaking his head, he turned back to his paper work but after ten minutes, he gave in to the fact that he couldn't concentrate, he hadn't been concentrating properly since he got back from Sextilius Nine.

Turning in his chair, he stared out at the busy street below him. Shaking his head, he stood up and stretched. There was no use in working if he couldn't concentrate, but then if he didn't work on a Friday night, where would he go? To a clubhouse and try to hook up with some girl? Nia?

Sighing as a brunette flashed through his head, he racked one hand through his silky locks and grabbed his keys lying on his table. Taking his black trench coat off the coat rack, he shrugged it off, staring at the ground absently. As he closed the door behind him, his cell phone rang.

'Yzak Jule.' Yzak answered curtly, making his way down the dimly lit hallway.

'Do you always answer your calls like that?' a familiar voice asked warily.

'Azuiles?' Yzak's eyebrows furrowed. 'What's going on? Don't tell me you got into trouble again.'

Azuiles snorted. 'Dude, I haven't gotten into trouble for the last for fucking years, cut me some slack.'

'Then what is it?' Yzak asked. 'It's not like you'll call me for no reason, we're not that close.'

'Aw, you hurt me bro, you really do.' Azuiles sneered.

'I'm tired and so not in the mood.' Yzak said in a low voice. 'Just spit out whatever you called me for.'

'You want to get a beer together or something?' Azuiles asked.

'Okay.' Yzak stopped in front of his car. 'You're starting to scare me Azuiles.'

'What?' Azuiles exclaimed. 'I'm not that bad, we haven't seen each other for, I would say, more than two years and we got some catching up to do. Besides, you haven't even congratulated me formally for getting into the best surgical internship program on Aprillius One.'

'Give me one reason why I should congratulate you by buying you a drink.' Yzak muttered.

'Give me one good reason why you shouldn't bro.' Azuiles snorted back. 'Unless you have a date…'

'Shut up Azuiles.' Yzak snorted.

'So, it's a yes?' Azuiles asked.

Sighing, Yzak gunned the engine. 'Where do you want me to go?'

'You know Face Off, it's a pub across Mergrate.' Azuiles replied.

'Okay, see you there in fifteen.' Yzak said, then cut the connection and steered out of the parking lot. It was ironic that although the Aprillius One Mergate Hospital was like fifteen minutes away with traffic and was affiliated with ZAFT, he'd never been inside it himself. Not that he'd ever want to.

'ID please.' The bouncer said gruffly when Yzak approached the double glass doors.

Rolling his eyes, Yzak reached into his trench coat and held out his ZAFT ID. 'Do I look like a fucking underage to you?'

'You never know.' The bouncer eyed him briefly before giving him back his ID. 'ZAFT kids can be surprisingly young. I see you're a Commander so you must have started early.'

'I'll take that as a compliment.' Yzak muttered, snatching his ID back. Pushing the heavy doors open, he jumped aside when two girls stumbled their way, giggling and laughing, obviously drunk.

'Hey bro!' Azuiles stood up and waved on the other side of the circular bar counter. 'Over here!'

'What is with this bar?' Yzak asked, looking around as he sat on the stool beside him.

'Hey handsome, what do you want?' The bartender asked, leaning onto the counter.

Yzak eyed her briefly before smiling. 'Scotch on the rocks.'

'No problem.' Winking, she turned and grabbed a glass.

'How's it going?' Azuiles asked, glass in hand.

Yzak shrugged. 'Nothing much, hanging around, doing my job, sometimes I think it's too peaceful around here.'

'That's because you quit politics.' Azuiles muttered.

'I quit for a reason and my reasoning was right.' Yzak sneered. 'I would so not want to be in Wyleed's shoes right now.'

'I'm on board with you on that.' Azuiles smirked.

'Scotch on the rocks.' The bartender slid the glass across the counter. 'You two brothers?'

'Consider I call him bro...' Azuiles raised his eyebrows.

'I presume you two are heart breakers.' The bartender smirked.

'Are we bro?' Azuiles asked, turning to Yzak.

Pausing, Yzak turned to him and shrugged. 'I don't know about you but I know I am.'

'Aren't you honest.' Azuiles scowled. Laughing, the bartender left.

'So, I am just here to have this reunion with you?' Yzak asked, taking another sip from his scotch. 'It's Friday night, aren't you supposed with your girlfriend or something?'

'She's working tonight.' Azuiles said, smiling.

'I'm curious, what does she do for a living?' Yzak asked.

'Lois?' Azuiles shrugged. 'She works in advertising. She's at this internship now.'

'So, you're both interns.' Yzak raised his eyebrows.

'Yup.' Azuiles turned and smirked at him. 'Both interns who are engaged and moving in together.'

Yzak's eyes widened. 'You proposed?'

'Oh yeah.' Azuiles nodded. 'Did last night, thought I'd share the news with you.'

'You fucker.' Yzak raised his hand and punched him in the shoulder. 'Knocked her up?'

'No.' Azuiles scowled. 'I started proposing to her half a year ago. She wouldn't until we had something going on in our life, you know, financially since she didn't want her Father's support. So finally when I got into this internship program, she agreed. I may be at the bottom of the surgical food chain but I do make a decent living.'

'Well, I'm glad I didn't waste my money on your tuition then.' Yzak said.

'You made big bucks on selling the house.' Azuiles said, eyeing him. 'I mean, you make big bucks in ZAFT and it's not like you really need all that money. You only used half the money from the house to buy the penthouse in DIonarva.'

'Well, too bad, if you were going to use the money to buy pot, I'd rather throw it into the ocean.' Yzak said warily.

'Well, I didn't, and I now have a life.' Azuiles said dryly.

'So, getting married.' Yzak sighed. 'When?'

'When I finish my internship and become a resident.' Azuiles replied. 'Which, two years the earliest, you'll still be around right?'

'If you want me to be your best man, you're out of your mind.' Yzak said.

'Not best man.' Azuiles muttered. 'Witness, it's not like your Mom's going to do it.'

Yzak shot a glance at him. 'She's your Mom too.'

'Well.' Azuiles shrugged. 'I never called her Mom before.'

They were silent for a while before Yzak opened his mouth again. 'I saw her a few weeks ago.'

'She came here?' Azuiles asked, his eyebrows furrowing.

'No.' Yzak shook his head. 'I went to Januarius 4.'

'You went on vacation?' Azuiles jaw dropped. 'Serious?'

Yzak shrugged. 'Well, not like on vacation, more like just, you know, checking my Mom out seeing if she was doing well.'

'How's she?' Azuiles asked.

'She's a changed woman.' Yzak said, shooting a glance at Azuiles. 'I mean seriously, she's a housewife now. She volunteers at an orphanage and actually lives there with a Pastor who runs it. I've asked her, she has no intention of coming back to Aprillius One.'

'Serious?' Azuiles shook his head. 'Oh man, and you'd think Ezaria Jule would fly back to Aprillius One the minute her house arrest was lifted.'

Yzak shrugged. 'People change, her exile did her good and I have to say she's content. I guess leaving makes you see things in a different light and she just had a chance to leave and watch things happen from afar.'

'Yeah, I guess.' Azuiles shrugged. 'And that's why Dearka quit ZAFT?'

Yzak turned and stared at him. 'How did you know?'

Azuiles rolled his eyes. 'Dude, I work at Mergrate, half the patients going to Mergrate are friggin' soldiers. Commander Rolden mentioned it to someone else and I just happened to have overheard when I was doing sutures for a young man who got his face punched.'

Rolling his eyes, Yzak raised his glass to his mouth. 'He's been having too much fun down there. Since he wasn't under my supervision anymore, I didn't get the notification officially, just got a message from him saying that he was going to go on this surfing tour.'

'Surfing?' Azuiles raised his eyebrows. 'He's a surfer?'

'Oh yeah.' Yzak shook his head. 'He used to surf a lot before he enlisted. He was restless during our academy days where he didn't have his board. He picked it back right up when the war ended and I assume he's in love with it. I think that's why he transferred to Earth.'

Azuiles nodded. 'He does look like the surfer type.'

Yzak shrugged. 'I guess. The guy's got to do what he wants to do, no use going through life being miserable.'

'Oh you're the on talking.' Azuiles sneered.

Yzak looked at him sideways. 'What do you mean by that?'

Azuiles shrugged. 'What do you think I mean by that?'

'Another round please.' Yzak called, holding his glass up. When it was filled, he turned on his stool and faced Azuiles. 'You know what frustrates me most Azuiles?'

'What?' Azuiles asked after a big gulp of his beer.

'Women.' Yzak said shortly, waving his glass in the air.

At that, Azuiles almost choked on his beer. 'Women? Since when did you have women problems?'

'I don't.' Yzak said curtly. 'They do! I never get what they're thinking, I mean, they're just so fucking hard to get!'

'Okay…' Azuiles' voice trailed as he eyed his brother.

Draining down the rest of his scotch, he slammed his glass down on the counter. 'Just when you start caring, they let go. You wonder why? Is it just fate? I mean, you start caring, you want to start caring and that's when they decide that they're not going to wait anymore, not going to ask you to pick them, choose them, fucking love them.'

Azuiles raised his eyebrows. 'Love?'

'Oh no, it's not just that.' Yzak snarled, waving his hand in the air, ignoring his brother's brief comment. 'They accidentally drop the bomb, leave and you're left hanging in the air.'

Azuiles' eyebrows furrowed. 'What bomb?'

Ignoring him still, Yzak's continued his rant. 'You see them again, after four fucking years and hey decide to strip right in front of you, leave in the morning telling you that it wasn't big deal and not even bothering to explain.'

'Explain what?' Azuiles asked.

'Women!' Yzak finished.

Exhaling loudly, Azuiles rested his head on his palm. 'So you did get to see her at Tayne's wedding?'

'Who? My ex-wife by the name Shiho Hahnenfuss I divorced four years ago?' Yzak snarled, glaring at him.

Azuiles shook his head. 'Such malice.'

Yzak's narrowed his eyes. 'What?'

'So you guys hooked up briefly?' Azuiles asked, ignoring Yzak's question.

'Women.' Yzak muttered.

Azuiles looked at his brother. 'You miss her?'

'More like I want to strangle her.' Yzak sneered.

'Okay, this doesn't make sense.' Azuiles shook his head. 'What exactly happened, I mean, you were the infamous heart breaker and you were set on divorcing her anyways. I mean, shouldn't you have been happy? It was finally over.'

Yzak looked at Azuiles briefly before shaking his head. 'I don't know. Maybe I finally realized that I felt something for her and God found the opportunity to punish me.'

'Did something else happen besides Gazelle Wyleed's pregnancy?' Azuiles rolled his eyes. 'She used like the oldest fucking trick in the book, I was so not impressed, getting someone to knock her up and pretend it was yours.'

'Shut up Azuiles.' Yzak muttered.

'What was it?' Azuiles nudged him in the ribs. 'Come on, it's been four years.'

Yzak looked at him sideways. 'You really want to know?'

Azuiles rolled his eyes. 'Why am I asking?'

Yzak looked down at his empty glass. 'She was pregnant.'

Azuiles almost jumped from his seat. 'What? She was pregnant? Did you get to see your kid?'

Yzak glared at him. 'Was Azuiles. Period.'

Azuiles jaw dropped. 'She got an abortion?'

Yzak shrugged. 'That's my guess. I did a little checking after I saw her again two weeks ago. She's living with a roommate now in December 4 and doesn't have any kids. I also found a surgical billing from a hospital in December 4 dated a month after she left plus the scar I felt on her abdomen? Can you blame me for making that conclusion?'

Azuiles nodded. 'True.'

'How could she do that.' Yzak muttered.

'Okay, say she did get rid of the child, can you blame her? I mean, after all she's been through.' Azuiles asked.

Yzak shot a glance at her. 'I don't know, I guess not.'

Sighing, Azuiles gave Yzak a pat on the shoulder. 'I think it's safe to say that your life sucks right now.'

Yzak glared up at him. 'You think?'

Reaching into his pocket, Azuiles fished out a few dollars and tossed it on the counter. 'My treat.'

'It better be.' Yzak muttered as they made they're way to the door.

'Actually, it shouldn't be my treat.' Azuiles said as he shrugged on his coat. 'I mean, dude, I'm the one engaged, got my fiancée to move in with me and got myself the best surgical internship program around PLANT.'

'Hey, my life sucks right now, cut me some slack.' Yzak muttered as they stepped out of the bar.

'Speaking of slack…' Azuiles motioned his head towards the hospital entrance while sticking his hands into his jean pockets.

Looking up from his cell phone, Yzak narrowed his eyes at the familiar brunette who came out with another man with bright red hair. Snapping his phone shut, Yzak turned to Azuiles. 'You knew about this?'

Azuiles shrugged. 'Maybe.'

Taking a deep breath, Yzak pointed one finger at him. 'If I ever really get my hands on you, you are a dead man Azuiles Jule, you hear me?'

'Hey, aren't you going to say hi or something?' Azuiles asked when Yzak turned the opposite direction.

'Dude, I don't need this right now.' Yzak replied. 'We're worse than not being friends. I don't even know what we are anymore.'

Narrowing his eyes, Azuiles watched as his brother disappeared around the corner. Turning, he was just in time to see Shiho enter a white sedan, laughing. Shaking his head, he made his way towards his own car parked in front of the pub.

'I guess not knowing can be the biggest pain after all.'


'Yo, how's work going for you?'

Looking up from her file, Shiho raised her cup of coffee to her lips. 'It's going.'

'First week of work, you handling it okay?' Azuiles asked, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed.

Closing her file shut, Shiho looked up at Azuiles. 'Hello? I'm a psych intern, not surgical intern, I'm not the people who are on call forty-hours so my job is like heaven compared to you and ZAFT.'

'That is true.' Azuiles nodded. 'I've been drinking so much coffee since I got here, I'm turning into a coffee addict.'

'Well, word of advice, coffee is not good for anyone if you drink it excessively.' Shiho said, standing up from the table. 'Consider decaf.'

Azuiles snorted. 'If it's decaf then it totally butchers the whole of concept of having coffee in the first place.'

Shiho shrugged and washed her mug in the sink. 'It'll do you good Azuiles.'

'What case are you on now?' Azuiles asked, casting a glance at the file on the table.

'Hermaphordite.' Shiho said, turning off the tap.

Azuiles raised his eyebrows. 'Pretty cool.'

'I guess.' Shiho said.

'You okay?' Azuiles asked.

Shiho smiled weakly. 'Yeah, just, a lot to think since I got here.'

'Yeah, you're a shrink, you're bound to see a lot of weird and disturbing cases.' Azuiles muttered.

Shiho shot him a glance. 'Yeah, I guess.'

'Say, what are you doing tonight?' Azuiles asked.

'Nothing.' Shiho said, sitting back down on the table. 'Why?'

Azuiles smirked. 'Well, you see, every time a new intern program starts, the senior interns throw this bash for the rookies and we happen to be this years fresh batch of interns and they're throwing it at Face Off. You have to come.'

Shiho made a face. 'Really?'

'It'll be fun.' Azuiles said. 'Besides, Lois is coming, so you might want to see her.'

Shiho looked down at her watch. 'Well, I'm off duty at nine, so I might be able to drop by after some errands.'

'Cool.' Giving her shoulder a squeeze, Azuiles pushed himself from the counter. 'I'll see you tonight then.'

Watching Azuiles leave the pantry, Shiho shook her head and reached for her pen. Scribbling something, she stood up and left the pantry as well, bumping into her resident in the hallway.

'How's Sam's case going?' Dr. Wass asked, looking down at the file Shiho handed him.

'Pretty well, she doesn't seem that shocked about the news.' Shiho said, sticking her hands into her lab coat. 'Her parent's are taking it harder.'

'Not surprised.' Dr. Wass muttered, handing her the file again. 'Keep an eye on her, we're scheduled for a meeting with her and her parents after her surgery.'

Shiho nodded. 'Will do.'

Making her way to her patience ward, she found Monroe Fonz examining her abdomen.

'How's it going Samya?' Shiho asked, walking up to her.

'Sam.' Samya said, glaring at her.

'Right.' Shiho smiled. 'I forgot, you hated people calling you Samya.'

Taking a deep breath, Samya bit her lip. 'Is it weird that I hate people calling me Samya? Is it because I'm a boy and a girl?'

'Don't beat yourself up about it Sam.' Monoroe pulled her shirt down. 'It's hard.'

Sighing, Samya leaned back. 'I have to thank you Monroe.'

Monroe smiled. 'Why?'

'For making my parents tell me the truth.' Samya said quietly. 'They're, they must be really shocked.'

'Yeah, they are.' Shiho said.

'Okay, your parents are going to come in a bit.' Monroe said. 'I'll be prepping you for surgery soon.'

Shiho smiled and sat on the side of the bed as Monroe left the ward. 'You want to talk?'

Samya looked at her. 'Are you a councilor?'

Shiho raised her eyebrows. 'I'm a psych intern, a shrink in training.'

Samya looked at her. 'You look familiar, where have I seen you?'

Shiho shrugged. 'A lot of people say I look familiar.'

Samya shook her head. 'Whatever.'

'Well, if you want to talk, I'm always around.' Shiho said. 'But right now, just relax and Dr. Paci will take care of everything else.'

'Doctor.' Samya called before Shiho got to the door.

'Hmm?' Shiho leaned against the door frame.

'Do I, do I have to be a boy now?' Samya asked quietly.

Shiho looked at her. 'No, no you don't have to.'

Samya shot a glance at her. 'But can I?'

Shiho nodded. 'Yeah, if you want to.'

Samya shook her head.

'I'll see you later.' Shiho said, then closed the door quietly behind her. Taking a deep breath, she looked down at her feet.

'You okay?' Monroe asked.

Shiho looked up and nodded. 'Yeah.'

'You'll get used to it.' Monroe said. 'Oh, are you coming to the rookie bash tonight at Face Off?'

'Yeah, I'll be there.' Shiho said. 'I am after all a rookie.'

'Great, I'll see you then.' Monroe gave her shoulder a pat before entering Samya's ward.

Looking down at her watch, Shiho sighed. It was already nine in the morning, her call was over. Heading back to her locker room, she almost jumped when her cell phone rang but it went off as soon as she had a chance to answer it. Shrugging, she opened her locker and started to unchanged.

'Off duty?' Another intern asked.

Shiho smiled .'Yeah, I'm off duty.'

'Any plans?' She asked.

Shiho shrugged. 'No, I figured I'd just hang around.'

'You're new here right?' She asked, leaning against the lockers.

Shiho nodded while changing. 'Yeah, I just came here a week ago, well, I did live here before…'

'Yeah, people were saying that you were…'

Closing her locker, Shiho turned and gave her fellow intern a smile. 'I know, people talk about me. Yes, I am Yzak' Jule's ex-wife, the girl, not even the women he dumped because he knocked up another girl.'

She shrugged. 'Well, they did later find out that, you know, it wasn't his kid.'

Shiho shook her head. 'It doesn't matter, there were fundamental problems in that short marriage we had.'

'Right…' She held her hand out. 'I'm Lacia by the way, surgical intern.'

Shiho shook it. 'Shiho, psych intern.'

'Are you, by any chance, finding a place to stay?' Lacia asked, sitting on the bench.

Shiho shook her head. 'Not really.'

'Oh well.' Lacia shrugged. 'I actually have a room spare right now and I could really use a roommate.'

'Hey guys!' Azuiles came in.

'Left something?' Lacia asked.

'Yeah, I think I dropped my flashlight here somewhere.' Azuiles said.

'I'll be off then.' Shiho said quickly.

'Liar!' Azuiles hissed when she passed him. Nudging him in the ribs, Shiho made a face and flounced out of the locker room. Stepping out of the hospital, she located the motorcycle she had bought her first day on Aprillius One and hopped on.

Steering out of the parking lot, she made her way to the motel she was staying in less than fifteen minutes.

Tossing her jacket onto the dingy double bed that was located in the center of the room, Shiho threw herself onto the chair and pulled the blinds open. Staring around the dingy little room, she sighed and poured herself a glass of water.

She did need a room, needed an apartment, she was just too lazy to find one, too lazy to even unpack, too lazy… she didn't want to make Apirllius One home, she didn't want to have any attachments, she just wanted to be done with the 6 month internship and leave.

That's why she didn't go home.

'Then why did you choose this friggin' internship in the first place?' Shiho muttered. She had asked herself a thousand times but her brain refused to process the answer for her. Or rather she refused to let her brain process the answer.

The minute she stepped off that shuttle into the terminal she left from four years ago, she felt nauseous, she felt uncomfortable. Memories crashed into her brain like a wave and at one point she had seriously considered booking the first flight back to December 4.

What was she doing? She was trying to run away when she came here to face the problems that were stopping her from moving on, to tie the lose knots… but were the knots still there to be tied?

Exhaling loudly, she took her cell phone of her jeans and tossed it on the counter. Taking her clothes off, she let them trail behind her until she was only in her underwear and dropped onto the bed. Looking up at the ceiling, she let her heavy eyelids drop.

She had a habit of just falling onto the bed and pass out. When she was little, her Mother would come in and pull the covers for her, when she died, Mrs. Vuit would and if Geherin was lucky enough to catch it, she would and later… there was this one time she fell asleep waiting for Yzak and when she woke up, she found the sheets pulled up her shoulders. He wasn't beside her and when the bathroom door had clicked open, she had quickly closed her eyes again. Thinking that she was still asleep, he had, for the first and only time, kissed her in sleep and it naturally resulted in another round of passion before he finally stepped out of the house for work.

She'd have dreams like these, dreams of the past, dreams of that three month marriage she had… the marriage she had wanted to work on but never had a chance to.

When she opened her eyes again, the sun was already setting. She shivered when the phone suddenly rang. Sitting up, she scratched her head and yawned, trying to get herself awake. Padding across the floor barefoot and stepping on the clothes she had discarded, she picked up her phone just as it stopped ringing. Frowning, she was about to put it down when the message light flashed. Entering the code, she held it up to her ear. At the familiar voice, she suddenly snapped the phone shut and fought the urge to chuck it onto the table.

Swallowing a hard lump down her throat, Shiho took deep breaths and counted to ten. Setting the phone down gently, she turned and hopped into the shower, trying to clean herself up, trying to clear her mind.

After running a few errands, Shiho parked her motorbike in front of Face Off. Thinking the bash was a pretty big deal for rookies, she had stashed a pair of black heels in her back compartment and decided to change into them, marveling at how they matched with her leather pants. She almost turned and changed back into her boots when she took the first step.

'Hey Shiho!' Monroe shouted when she stepped into the club. 'Someone's looking hot!'

Shiho pointed her finger at him. 'Someone's looking hot too!'

'Come over here!' Monroe motioned his head. When she got to the noisiest corner, Monroe put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close to him while holding up a bottle of tequila. 'To Shiho Hahnenfuss! Our only psych intern, the shrink in training!'

'Thank you.' Shiho said warily as the crowd cheered. Accepting the bottle of tequila Monroe handed her, she held it to her lips and took in a few gulps.

'Shots!' The crowd screamed.

'Vodka shots!' Monroe shouted.

'Here we go! Here we go!' Azuiles pointed at the bartender who was holding a huge tray of shot glasses filled with Vodka above his head.

'Lois!' Shiho cried. Stepping down the table, she made her way toward her and Azuiles.

Throwing her arms around Shiho, Lois hugged her. 'It's been a long time! I can't believe you're here!'

'Shiho, get the fuck over here! Vodka shots!' Monroe shouted.

'We are going to party!' Lois shouted over the noise.

Cheering along with the others, she pulled Shiho towards the table. Before she got to the shots, she saw a silver head walk by and disappear into the bathroom. Could it be?

It couldn't.

Feeling the cell phone in her back pocket vibrate, Shiho gritted her teeth and grabbed a shot from Azuiles. 'To all the rookies!'

She had never been a big drinker and rarely did shots, so when she came out throwing up beside a street light at around two in the morning, she wasn't that surprised.

Throwing up one more time, Shiho decided that she needed a break. Leaning her head against the pole, she slid down to the floor and buried her face into her knees. When her phone suddenly rang in the dead of the light, she felt herself snap. Shooting up, she grabbed her phone from the back pocket of her leather pants and made a move to throw it as hard as she could, only to be caught by the wrist.

'Cell phones are an essential, you don't want to destroy that, trust me.'

Shiho had to blink rapidly, wondering if it was alcohol creating hallucinations.

'You are one seriously drunk person.' Yzak muttered as she leaned against the pole.

Reaching out one hand, she pulled at her fringes. 'It really was you I saw. What are you doing here?'

'Azuiles invited me for suspicious reasons.' Yzak said, holding out a handkerchief for her.

Glancing at it, Shiho snatched it from him and wiped her mouth. 'Very suspicious reasons.'

'Where are you going?' Yzak asked as Shiho took a step forward.

'I'm leaving.' Shiho muttered. 'I'm as pathetic as it is, I don't need my ex-husband to witness it.'

Rolling his eyes, Yzak grabbed her arm and stopped her. 'There's no way you're going to drive in this condition, you're going to get killed.'

'I'm not stupid.' Shiho sneered, pulling her arm away from him. 'I have no intentions of dying. I'm taking a cab.'

Sighing, Yzak grabbed her arm again. 'Let me take you home, my car's just up front.'

'I don't need your favors.' Shiho muttered, trying to push him away while fighting the dizziness in her head.

'You don't have a choice.' Yzak said firmly.

'I don't have a home.' Shiho said quietly. They looked at each other briefly before Yzak looked away.

'You must be staying somewhere, don't tell me you live on the streets, I don't buy that crap.' Yzak sneered.

Knowing that Yzak had a stubborn side of his own, Shiho figured she was too tired and too frustrated to argue with him. 'Dawson's Motel.'

Yzak frowned. 'You live in a motel?'

'Yes.' Shiho murmured. 'So if you're going to give me a ride, do it or I'm taking a cab.'

'Let me help you.' Yzak said as he watched Shiho almost trip on her feet. Frowning at her heels, he stepped forward and lifted her up in one big motion, much to Shiho's surprise.

'What the fuck are you doing?' Shiho cried, holding onto his shoulder, feeling more dizziness wash through her brain.

'You can barely walk in those fucking heels.' Yzak retaliated. 'I don't have all night, you'll take forever to get across the fucking car park.'

'If you think it's a waste of time then don't give me a ride!' Shiho cried. 'I don't need your pity and I certainly don't need your favor!'

'Shut up Hahnenfuss!' To Yzak's surprise, Shiho bit back her comment and kept silent. Though it took less than thirty seconds to get to his car, it felt like thirty minutes.

Seating her into the passenger seat, Yzak quickly climbed into the car and started the engine, watching at the corner of his eyes as she pulled her safety belt on.

Staring the engine, Yzak stared at the steering wheel before turning to her. 'Shiho – '

'Shut up Jule.' Came Shiho's whisper as turned her head towards the window and closed her eyes. Sighing, Yzak released the hand break and steered out of the parking lot, watching as the other clubbers were starting to leave as well.

The ride was a short and silent one and when Yzak pulled in front of the dingy two floor motel, Shiho's cell phone rang. Neither of them did anything, neither of them moved until the voice message beep rang.

'Listen to the fucking message for God's sake.' Yzak sneered.

'It's none of your business so fuck off.' Shiho shot back. Reaching for the door, she opened it and stumbled out of the car, almost tripping over her feet.

'When did you start wearing heels?' Yzak asked, climbing out of the car. 'When did you stop being yourself?'

Ignoring him, Shiho took off her heels and climbed up the small flight of stairs. When she reached her door which was coincidentally right in front of where Yzak had parked his car, she fumbled for her keys and cursed when she dropped her heels. Kneeling down, she almost smacked her head into the wooden floor.

'Let me.' Yzak said softly, walking up to her.

'Go away!' Shiho suddenly shouted, pushing his hand away. 'Don't you think I'm pathetic enough? Just go away Yzak Jule! Leave me alone! Leave me be!'

Yzak watched as Shiho fought with the lock and opened her door forcefully. 'Shiho, I'm just trying to help – '

'Help?' Shiho shook her head. 'Don't help me, I'm not worth helping.' Flinging the door open, Shiho waved her hand in the air. 'See how pathetic I am? I'm staying at a fucking motel that doesn't even have a star! I'm calling this fucking room my home!'

'That's ridiculous Shiho,' Yzak whispered, 'you know where your home is.'

'Where?' Shiho asked, widening her bloodshot eyes. 'At the Hahnenfuss Manor? That was never my home, it never felt like home to me, the hospital where sister died felt more like home to me!' Laughing to herself, Shiho stepped forward and poked Yzak in the chest. 'The Jule Manor? It stopped being my home when I knew you wouldn't come home and fuck me after our wedding and you turned around knocked up Gazelle Wyleed for the world to see, leaving me looking like a completely pathetic moron who was the ultimate sacrifice for your fucking political union! Don't tell me I'm ridiculous, don't tell me about home! I don't have a fucking home!'

Yzak could only stand there as Shiho jumped into her room and slammed the door in his face. Looking down, he saw that her pair of black heels were still lying on the red mat in front of the door. Looking up, he fought the urge to knock on her door and turned.

Inside, Shiho held herself together by the door, trying to fight the tears that were threatening to overflow while perking her ears, listening for the sound of Yzak's car leaving. When she opened her door again, she could only see the tail of his car disappear around the corner. Hiccupping, she reached down and picked up her heels, wincing at the sudden nocturnal breeze. When her cell phone beeped again, Shiho exhaled loudly and reached for her back pocket, entering her message box code again while holding it to her ear.

'Miss Shiho, this is Daire, your Father's council secretary. Your Father would like to meet you tomorrow at the parliament building at 2 pm. Please be punctual, he would like to visit the late Mrs. Hahnenfuss.'


'Why, you're new at the parliament building.'

Narrowing her eyes, Shiho watched as Nia Siers walked up to her, her heels clicking on the highly polished floor. She could wear heels, she wore them every day and didn't feel a thing, her feet were probably already senseless by now.

'Hello Miss Siers.' Shiho said in a low voice.

Nia smiled at her. 'Are you here for a trip or something? Do you want me to show you around?'

Eyeing her Shiho crossed her arms. 'I don't believe it's any of your business Miss Siers.'

Nia was slightly taken back by her comment. 'I'm just trying to be hospitable. You don't, after all, live in Aprillius One.'

Shiho didn't miss her obvious emphasis. 'Thank you for your hospitality Miss Siers, but I did use to live here and I believe I still know my bearings.'

'It has been four years.' Nia said. 'Things change over time Miss Hahnenfuss.'

Shiho looked at her in the high briefly before nodding. 'Of course Miss Siers, I'm fully aware of that.'

Smiling, Nia took a step back. 'I'm glad we have an understanding there then.'

'Miss Siers!' A voice echoed from across the lobby. Turning, they saw a crowd of people surrounding Lamar Wyleed and his secretary was the one who called.

Turning, Nia bowed her head slightly. 'Excuse me, I have work to attend.'

'Don't let me get in your way.' Shiho muttered as she watched Nia walk towards the crowd. Looking up, Lamar Wyleed caught her eye and frowned before turning to Nia. When the crowd moved outside, the elevator opened and Agrip Hahnenfuss came out with his secretary Daire. Spotting her, Agrip started his way towards her.

'Shiho, it's – '

'Let's get this over with.' Shiho cut her Father off shortly, pushing herself from the wall.

Sighing, Agrip didn't even try to get a greeting out of her. 'Let's go, the limo's waiting outside.'

She told herself she was there for her Mother only, she didn't want to be too attached, she didn't even want to see her Father in the first place. It was too hard and she knew that sooner or later, she'd leave Aprillius One, she had to leave Aprillius One. She didn't want to make any attachments.

The ride to the cemetery was a long one, but Shiho had no intention of striking a conversation with her Father and as a result, he started talking business with his secretary. Sitting at the corner, Shiho would look out the window or steal glances at him, wondering if he'd at all remembered…

'Mr. Hahnenfuss?' The driver pulled to a stop.

'Yes.' Snapping his file shut, Agrip turned to Shiho. 'We're here.'

Nodding, Shiho stepped out of the car with the driver holding the door for her. Narrowing her eyes, Shiho watched as Daire took a bouquet of flowers out of the trunk and handed it to her.

'This way.' Agrip motioned his head.

'I know where Mother is.' Shiho murmured.

'We won't be long, stay here.' Agrip ordered.

Shiho looked down at the lilies in her hands as they walked down the wide paths where rows and rows of graves ran before them. They arrived Irasie Hahnenfuss' grave after a few minutes of walking. Staring down at the name engraved, Shiho knelt down and set the bouquet of flowers gently on the marble surface.

'It's been so long.' Agrip said softly. 'Sometimes, I can't even remember what she looked like, or was it just because I never really paid attention to her.'

'Why am I not surprised?' Shiho muttered. 'Your marriage was a political union too, that's why you never ceased to do the same with your daughters.' Turning, she narrowed her eyes. 'You weren't even here when she died, you didn't even bother to come to the hospital, you were busy with meetings somewhere else and didn't give a damn about your family.'

Agrip stared down at her silently.

Turning, Shiho looked at the bouquet of flowers. 'That's why I never considered the Hahnenfuss Manor my home, not even when Mother was still alive. She never thought it was a home either.'

'Is that why you left, without even bothering to come to your sister's service?' Agrip asked sharply.

'She wouldn't have wanted me to come, she wouldn't have wanted me to cry for her.' Was Shiho's response.

'That's just an excuse.' Agrip said curtly.

'And what's your excuse?' Shiho asked bluntly, turning to him. 'Do you have an excuse? Your work? Your career? The future of the Hahnenfuss family? There is no family, there's never been one.'

They looked at each other for while before Agrip reached into his suit and took out a black velvet box. 'As bad as a Father I am, I still remember my daughters' birthday.'

Staring at him for a while, Shiho took it with one hand and flipped it open. Inside was a diamond necklace but that wasn't what caught her attention, it was the small note attached to the back of the lid, a grave number.

'She's lonely.' Agrip said. 'Go find her.'

'Find her?' Shiho asked when Agrip walked past her. 'Where? She's dead.' Not responding, Agrip continued his way down the path and left Shiho behind. She stood there, staring down at her Mother's grave, the sun starting to set behind her. Turning, she left, walking down the path as fast as she could. She almost broke into a run when she hit the main street, stopping at a convenient store. She jumped when the automatic doors suddenly opened.

'You might want to come in a buy an umbrella! It's starting to rain!' The cashier cried. 'If you want to get drenched then move further so the door can close!'

Looking up, Shiho realized that it was indeed starting to pour. Slipping inside the store, she shivered slightly at the air condition. Brushing some of the water off her arms, she looked up and stared at the selection of wine behind the cashier.

'Need anything?' The cashier asked.

'Yes.' Shiho said absently, walking forward. 'A bottle of tequila please.'

The cashier raised his eyebrows briefly before turning around to unlock the cupboard. 'ID please.'

Shiho tossed both her ID and credit card on the counter. 'I don't need a bag.'

'If you say so.' The cashier said, glancing at the ID briefly before charging her credit card.

Grabbing the bottle, Shiho didn't even bother to let the cashier put it into a brown paper bag. Turning, she stepped out of the store and into the rain. It was starting to get dark and by the time she reached the cemetery again, it was already night time. With the rain beating down her head and splashing off her shoulders, she continued walking slowly, her eyes trained on the numbers engraved on the corners of the tombstones.

2235…2237…2239… 2241.

Stopping in her tracks, Shiho turned slowly and smiled at the name engraved on the stone. Kneeling down, she popped open the bottle of tequila and poured it over the grave generously before taking a big gulp from the bottle. Setting the bottle aside, she touched the grave softly, the heavy rain splashing before her blurring her eyes.

'Happy birthday sis.'


'Well, yeah, I can't believe you resigned without even dropping me a line.' Yzak muttered as he turned his TV off.

'Well, it was an impulse.' Dearka responded on the other end of the line.

'Yeah, whatever, I don't really care.' Yzak said absently. 'You do what you got to do.'

'Wow, aren't you the bitter one.' Dearka sneered. 'You're just bitter because you don't know what you want to do and are stuck with ZAFT.'

'ZAFT is what I do.' Yzak retorted. 'Military, is what I do.'

'Oh come on, you've never been able to find something remotely satisfying every since the war.' Dearka snarled. 'I, on the other hand, have surfing now.'

'You've always had surfing.' Yzak muttered.

'But now, I get to make a living out of surfing.' Dearka said. 'I'm going on a tour man, a fucking tour!'

'Yeah yeah, congratulations.' Yzak rolled his eyes. 'Anything else?'

'What? You got a date?' Dearka asked.

'No.' Yzak said curtly. 'I have to go buy something.'

'At twelve?' Dearka's voice rose. 'What? Condoms?'

Grabbing his keys, Yzak rolled his eyes. 'Grow up man.'

'Hey, I am talking adult or I would have asked you if you were going to buy a candy bar.' Dearka retorted.

Stopping at the door, Yzak shook his head. 'Why am I friends with you Dearka?'

'Likewise, Yza – '

Cutting the connection, Yzak cursed under his breath and stuck the cell phone into his pocket. Opening the door, he stopped short. Shiho was standing in the deserted hallway, dripping wet with an empty tequila bottle in her hand.

His eyebrows furrowing, Yzak closed the door quietly behind him. 'Shiho, what are you – '

'I don't have a home.' Shiho said in a barely audible voice, water still sliding down her face. Yzak just stared at her wide eye. 'I don't want to be alone tonight.'

'You, don't want to be alone tonight…' Yzak repeated, taking a step forward.

Biting her lip, Shiho let the empty bottle drop onto the carpeted floor. Looking up again, she stared at Yzak in the eye, tears threatening to overflow. 'Yzak, can I stay with you for the night?'

Blinking, Yzak lowered his eyes and looked away briefly before locking eyes with her. 'Do you really want to?'

Shiho just stared at him. Taking a deep breath, he walked slowly up to her and wrapped both arms around her shoulders, pulling her close to him, feeling the dampness of her shirt seep through his own. Pulling away slowly, he looked into her eyes and brushed some tears away. He was about to kiss her on the lips but stopped at her trembling form.

'Please.' Shiho whispered in subtle desperation, she was this close to breaking down.

Closing his eyes, Yzak kissed her on the forehead gently. Feeling the tears finally overflow, Shiho let herself lean against his chest. Moments later, Yzak lifted her up and turned. Feeling all energy drain, Shiho just closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder, letting the tears mix with the raindrops on her cheeks.

It was going to be a quiet night.

End of Chapter 8
Next Update: 25th August, 2006

A/N: I really enjoyed the little moments between Nix and Vena, if you've read 'GSA III Repercussion' you'll probably get the hint that they'd be a couple though I've never actually written anything focusing on them, the little snippets in this story is sort of a tribute and a way to get it out of my system. Hope you guys liked this chapter, it wasn't an easy one to write, probably the hardest actually and took me the longest time to write with annoying writter's block in between to add to my pain.

Two more chapters to go. Oh, if you've been reading 'Breaking Point', I mentioned in my latest author's note that I announced one more story featuring Yzak and Shiho by the title 'When Parallels Meet' along with 'Fools in Love' featuring Miriallia and Dearka. You can always check out my author's page for the most updated synopsis.

Oh, I'm also curious, what do you guys think if I raised the rating of this fic in the last chapter due to... pretty graphic sexual scenes. I'm almost pretty sure I will because there will be no point in making a side story because the plot won't really allow it, but still, I'm just curious.

Enjoy.

Wow, that was a pretty long author's note for me.