Hi!

Thank you to my four reviewers! I appreciate it a lot.

As I said, this story will be short (it only is four chapters) but it was certainly fun to write. Thanks again! I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny

The Luck of the Draw

Chapter #2: Escalation

He didn't know how much he had drunk, but he felt sick. The beer was coarse and raw and Athrun wasn't a drinker at the best of times. His hands were shaking as he dealt the cards. Athrun knew that the alcohol was affecting him; he hadn't eaten in several hours and he was feeling remarkably tipsy already.

Picking up his hand, Athrun drew in a deep breath before looking at them. They were good – much better than he could have hoped for. Athrun felt his spirits lift slightly. If he could win this hand, then Nicol was safe. After that, it didn't matter. Athrun hoped that before that, Mr. Miru would have alerted the nearby authorities and something would happen to save them. He couldn't imagine what…but the military academy wasn't far…if alerted, surely they would come to their aid… wouldn't they?

Turning his attention back to the cards, Athrun schooled his face to neutrality. He could feel the beer filtering through his system and it was a sensation that he didn't like. His fingers fumbled the pasteboard as he sorted the cards and he almost dropped one. Athrun drew in a deep breath, but it didn't help; he still felt drunk.

Sitting by the bar, Nicol felt his heart drop into his boots. Athrun was clearly being overwhelmed by the amount of alcohol he had been forced to drink and Nicol knew that hope was fading fast. He hoped Mr. Miru would bring help, but he wasn't sure exactly what could be done against four armed men with two hostages. He kept his gaze fixed on Athrun, as though that would somehow lend his friend the necessary strength to carry on.


"The Hawke brothers?" Rau echoed. He glanced at Miguel and Rusy in disbelief. "They're in the bar on Fraildale dr.?"

"I told you," Mr. Miru panted. "They have Nicol and Athrun and they're making Athrun play cards. If he loses, they're going to kill Nicol. Probably will kill Athrun as well."

Another worried glance passed between the Commander and his two recruits. The Hawkes were known as notorious criminals and incredibly skilled with a gun. Both Rau and Miguel were more than average with a gun but it would be a close call. If it came down to a shoot out, then there was a fair chance that both the hostages would die.

Rau shuddered. If Athrun Zala died as a result of him authorizing his 24 pass into town, he would be held accountable for the boy's death. He'd be the one who would have to confront Patrick Zala and explain to him the circumstances of his only child's death. He wasn't a fool. He knew the consequences and the likely punishment that awaited him should that come to be.

"Rusty, get Dearka and Yzak," Rau ordered soberly. "One way or another, we're going need him." He drew himself up and checked his gun. "Let's go," he suggested and he and Miguel quietly left the office, their faces grim.


The game went on and Athrun found it harder and harder to concentrate. He blinked, bringing his cards back into focus. He had bet all his money and signed another IOU. Lou was eyeing him, trying to decide if Athrun had a good hand or not. He was holding a full house. It seemed unlikely that the young man sitting opposite him had a better hand than that.

Grinning slightly in anticipation, Lou spread his cards on the table. "Full house," he declared and reached for the pot.

He was astounded when Athrun reached out and stopped him. "Don't you want to see my hand?" Athrun enquired, his words slurring ever so slightly. He laid the cards down. "Royal flush." Athrun couldn't keep the triumph from his voice. He had never had a Royal flush in his life before. A small grin spread over Athrun's face at the look of outrage on the outlaw's face. "I believe that belongs to me," he added, dragging the money towards him.

The crash of Lou Hawke's hand hitting the table made them all jump. Lou was on his feet, looming over Athrun and Li had his hand entwined in Athrun's thick, dark hair, the knife at his throat. "You think you're so clever, don't you, soldier boy," Lou growled.

"Let Nicol go," Athrun replied. His head was pulled back at a painful angle and he was still reeling from the sudden movement. How he wished that folklore was true – that a sudden shock would sober a man. If anything, he felt drunker than he had a few minutes ago. "I won, let Nicol go," he added, gathering his drifting thoughts.

"You forget – we're playing by my rules," Lou corrected Athrun. "I'll say when he gets to go."

"That's not fair!" Athrun protested, his anger fuelled by the drink. "You promised he could go!" Athrun knew he shouldn't be shouting at this man who held all their lives in his hands, but he couldn't seem to control himself. Furious, Athrun smashed his elbow back into Li's midriff and as the man let go of his hair with a surprised grunt, Athrun lunged for Lou.

For an instant, Athrun had the advantage as Lou was unprepared for the attack, but the older man soon rallied. He threw Athrun off and scrambled to his feet, evading Athrun's next lunge with a quick sidestep and both fists crashing down on Athrun's back. Athrun went down and then Li was there, too. Athrun tried to break free, but he had no chance.

Suddenly, there was a shot and Lou straightened. Athrun pushed uselessly at Li's hand, which was slowly throttling the life out of him. "Nobody move!" ordered Rau Le Creuset's voice. "You there, leave that boy alone!"

Darkness was eating at the edges of Athrun's vision as the pressure on his throat increased. Why wasn't anyone doing anything? he wondered. Then the pressure disappeared and Athrun felt himself being dragged to his feet. He gulped in air and blinked, trying to focus.

Standing by the entrance to the bar were Rau le Creuset and Miguel Aiman. Both of them had their guns drawn and aimed at Athrun and the Hawkes. Nicol was crumpled in a heap by the bar, but his eyes were open and he appeared to be unhurt. The other two Hawke brothers were nowhere in sight.

"Looks like we've got us a situation, Commander," Lou commented as Li eased his knife under Athrun's ear. His other arm was wrapped around Athrun's neck. It was then he noticed that the other two Hawke brothers were being held at gunpoint by a couple other soldiers who had come along with the commander. "You want us to let this boy go and I want you to let my brothers go. Who do you think is going to win this stand off?"

That was a question that Rau didn't have an answer to. He knew that if he turned the Hawkes lose, Athrun would die. But if he didn't turn them loose, Athrun would die. He had no idea what to do and he knew that any outcome that involved the death of Patrick Zala's son would be simply unacceptable. "That's up to you," Rau replied, as steadily as he could. "We will not allow you to walk out of here with Athrun Zala."

"Athrun? Zala's boy?" Lou repeated. "Is that your name, kid? I never asked. Doesn't matter to me anyway." He laughed. "I tell you what's going to happen here, Commander. You're going to let my brothers go, or Li will start carving pieces off Athrun. We'll start with a finger… or perhaps a knuckle, shall we?" Lou grabbed Athrun's left hand and held it by the wrist. Li moved the knife down to Athrun's hand, grinning. Athrun began to struggle anew, terrified.

There was no more time to think; Rau had to act. He fired at Lou, catching the oldest Hawke brother high in the chest. For an instant, Lou stood there looking surprised and then he crumpled soundlessly to the floor.

"Lou?" Li gasped. He sounded lost. "Lou?" He swung his head around and glared at Rau. "You killed my brother!" he cried and changed his grip on the still-struggling Athrun. "This kid is going to pay for that!" The knife sliced across Athrun's palm before digging sharply into his throat.

The pain was intense and Athrun gasped. Blood dripped from his hand onto the floor. He knew he was going to die there in the bar. He continued to struggle as hard as he could, but the alcohol was racing through his bloodstream and he was finding it increasingly difficult to coordinate his efforts.

"Do something!" Nicol shouted, distracting Li for a second.

In that second, Miguel acted, shooting at Li, hoping against hope that he wouldn't hit Athrun. In the same instant, Rau fired. Li sensed their movements and stabbed Athrun in the chest as he threw him down, and went for his gun.

He didn't have a chance. Miguel's aim was true and the bullet knocked Li from his feet. Rau wasn't as lucky. His bullet bit into Athrun's left shoulder and knocked him over. Athrun went down and was still. Li crashed over the table where Athrun and Lou had been playing cards and he lay in a heap, groaning.

For another long second, they all were frozen in place, shaken by the sudden violence. Then Nicol moved, scrambling across the floor to kneel by Athrun, horrified by all the blood. As Rau and Miguel moved to take charge of their prisoners, Nicol lifted his head. "Someone get a doctor!" he shouted.


"I think I might call it an early night," Dearka mumbled and yawned once more.

"It certainly sounds as though you need it," Yzak remarked. "I thought Athrun and Nicol would be back by now."

"Same," Dearka agreed. He smothered another yawn. "Maybe they actually managed to find some hot chicks."

"Heaven forbid!" Yzak exclaimed, holding his hands out in front of him as though fending the suggestion off. "Do you honestly think either of them know anything about girls? I bet they don't know the first thing about showing a girl a good time." He grinned at Dearka, who grinned back.

"We'll have to remedy that," Dearka suggested, a sly smirk gradually making its way onto his face. "Next time we get a 24 hour pass I say we pick up some things for them from the 'special' shop."

Yzak nodded. "What did you have in mind?"

"It doesn't really matter," Dearka replied. "They wouldn't know what any of it was for anyway."

"That's true," Yzak smiled. "Well, good night. Try not to snore ok?"

"I don' think I'll have a problem doing that," Dearka replied. "I could sleep for a week." He kicked off his shoes and watched as Yzak flopped onto the bed across from him.

They were both startled when there was a knock at the door. Yzak sat back up and exchanged a glance with Dearka, who rose to answer it. He was only half way across the floor when the knock was repeated again. Frowning, he sped up his pace to answer it.

It was Rusty.

"Guys, Commander Le Crueset sent me to bring you in to town!" His breathing was heavy, indicating that he had just completed a frantic sprint across the military compound.

"What's wrong?" Dearka asked.

"Athrun and Nicol are in the bar with the Hawke brothers," he panted, relishing the chance to pass along the news. It was only when Dearka's face blanched that he realized that this wasn't the way to tell him the bad news. They all knew about the Hawkes and they all knew what that most likely meant – big trouble.

"Come on, Yzak!" Dearka cried, snatching his shoes and jacket. "Commander's orders!" He paused only long enough to ask if Rusty was coming. The red head nodded and within minutes the three of them were sprinting down towards town.

TBC

Nobody panic! Just wait and read on… I shall try to update again by the end of the weekend. Thanks again for taking the time to read this and please review – it's always nice to hear what people have to say.

Until next time,

Kristina