Chapter 4

"Hello this is Athrun speaking."

I froze hearing the voice of the ZAFT soldier who had been talking to Kira. I took a deep breath, "is this Athrun Zala? The friend of Kira Yamito? From ZAFT?"

"Um…yes. Who is this I am speaking to?" He had no clue as to why this anonymous person who knew Kira was talking to him.

I thought quickly on what to say. This would not be an easy conversation. "I'm a friend of Kira's," I took a deep breath and prayed I wouldn't regret this, "I'm calling in regards to a girl named Christine Zala who went missing 13 years ago."

"What!" Athrun was shocked. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He took a deep breath to regain his composure, "what about her?"

"I'm not sure but I think I know who and where she is," I couldn't believe I was doing this, "I could arrange for you to meet in person and you could do a blood test to check if you would like?"

"Yes of course!" Athrun smiled his excitement rising, "How do you know her? What is she like? Is she there now? Can I talk to her?"

I smiled a bit in spite of myself at his enthusiasm, "No she's busy right now, and she's a friend of mine from the Earth Forces."

Athrun's heart shrunk, "she's on the Earth Forces?"

I swallowed hoping that it wouldn't be a problem, "yes, she is." I hope this works out, "Where would you like to meet?"

"She could come over to the Vesalius. I'll make sure no harm comes to her. As long as she isn't wearing her uniform there shouldn't be a problem," Athrun crossed his fingers hoping she would agree.

I frowned this could be a big mistake. I hope I know what I'm getting myself into, "um…..yah that should be fine I'll get Kira to fly her over to your ship in 20 minutes if that's ok?"

Athrun grinned, "Yah I'll be in the Aegis but Kira should know that. Bye,"

"Bye," I hung up the phone and sunk down onto my bed. What am I doing? I have got to be out of my mind! I stood and push myself out of my room into the hallway. I found Kira at his usual place, sitting along in his room in front of his computer. "Hey Kira!" I went over to his bed and sat down, "I talked to Athrun."

"Well," Kira looked up from his computer, "How did it go?"

"Better then expected," I grinned at him and walked over to stand behind him, "Hey Kira, could I ask you for a favour?"

He stood and turned to face me "Sure what is it you need Dakota. If I can do it I will."

"Could you give me a ride in the Strike to meet Athrun in the Aegis?" I leaned in closer to him so our noses were almost touching, "please Kira it would mean so much to me."

He frowned and shook his head, "you know I can't do that Dakota. That would mean putting your life in danger and I would never do that to a friend."

I wrapped my arms around his neck and gave him a small hug, resting my head on his shoulder. I could feel him blushing, "Please Kira. He told me he would protect me while I was there and that as long as I don't wear my uniform I will be safe," I pulled my head back to look him in the eyes.

He frowned, "that's not fair! When you do that, I can't say no. Fine, I will go get changed out of your uniform and meet me in the launching bay."

I grinned and squeezed him tighter then gave him a small kiss on the cheek, "Thank you Kira!"

I ran out of the room crashing into Lieutenant La Flaga. He wrapped his arms around my waist and stopped me from pulling away, "Hey there Kid. What's the rush?"

"Nothing I just am getting something from my room that's all," I looked up, daring him to challenge me.

He frowned, "You're probably lying to me but if I try to stop you'll pull out your favourite trump card, your father." He let go and stepped away from me, "Have fun with whatever you're doing."

"Thanks Mu," I turned and sprinted to my room.

Athrun paced around his room watching the clock. Come on, come on. Hurry up clock.

"What are you doing Athrun? You've been walking around in circles for the last 10 minutes. What's going on?" Yzak rolled over on his bed to look at Athrun, "and why do you look so happy?"

Athrun glared over at him, "What's it to you Yzak? It's none of your business," he turned and walked out of the room to the Aegis and climbed into the cockpit. He opened communications with the control desk. And waited until he saw his Commander Rau Le Creuset's face pop up on the screen. "Commander, I request permission to launch and pick up a guest to bring back to the ship."

Commander Le Creuset frowned as a thoughtful look set to his features, "you know I can't do that Athrun. Might I ask who this guest is?"

"It's someone who might be my missing sister," Athrun looked away expecting a no.

"Very well. I'll allow it. Good luck Athrun" the screen went blank and Athrun saw the launch doors open. Athrun turned on his machine and launched.

The launch doors slid open thanks to Miriallia Haw, a friend of mine and Kira's. I stood behind Kira as he prepped his machine to launch. Kira looked over at me, "are you ready?"

I nodded and braced myself for the launch. The ship sped forward with a jerk, as we sped forward into open space.

Not far from the Archangel our alarms announced a ship approaching. It was heading towards us fast. "Kira it that the Aegis?"

Kira leaned forward and read the monitor, "Yah don't worry it is," he slowed the Strike down to a stop in front of the Aegis, "Is this Athrun Zala?"

The Aegis slowed to a stop as well, "Yes it is Kira. Do you have her with you?"

Kira opened the video comm. and nodded, "yah Athrun she is."

I leaned forward so I was displayed and waved. I had removed my hair dye so my hair was navy blue. I ad also removed the coloured contacts I usually wore so my eyes would be blue instead of my natural colour, green.

Athrun's breath caught in his throat. She looks so much like my mother! He opened his cockpit and waited for Kira to do the same.

"Are you sure you want to do this Dakota? You know you don't have to. I could always take to back to the ship now instead of letting you risk your life over something like this." He turned to face me, "I don't want you to get hurt."

I put on my helmet and gave Kira a hug, "don't worry about me Kira. I'll be fine. I have to do this. I want to know the truth," I let go and opened the cockpit then pushed myself across to the Aegis. Athrun reached out to help pull me in. I took his hand and let him pull me against him, and into the cockpit of his ship. "Hi, my name is Dakota. You must be Athrun. it's a pleasure to meet you."

Athrun smiled at me excitedly, "same here. It's wonderful to finally meet you in person"

I smiled back as he closed the cockpit doors. After saying good bye to Kira and thanking him, Athrun turn the Aegis around and flew back towards the Vesalius.