Hi everyone!

First, thank you for all the wonderful reviews! I really appreciate it. Secondly, I want to apologize for not updating in so long. It's never good to give excuses but I had a hockey injury almost three months ago and pretty much ruined my left leg.

I've been focusing on relearning how to walk and have been quit depressed and lost my inspiration to write. I am sorry for neglecting this story and I hope you all can understand. I am, however, back now and promise to finish this story as soon as I can. I want to thank Aguescar for getting me off my butt to start writing again. Thanks!

Disclaimer: I don't own GS or GSD. I wish I did though.

Warnings: Very angry Patrick Zala

Affronted Affections

Chapter #14: From the Waters

Patrick Zala had seen and felt many things during this lifetime yet no words could describe what he felt the moment he realized that Athrun had fallen into the river. In a state of panic, he had grabbed the nearest security guard and demanded to know the quickest way down to the river. The airport security didn't hesitate and had readily agreed to take him down the river to where the rapids had most likely dragged his son. Several other bystanders had followed them, curious to know the fate of the boy that had so willingly given himself up to rescue the girl.

The convoy had driven for 10 minutes but for Patrick, those minutes seem to last an eternity and he felt as though he had aged several lifetimes before the driver finally slid the car to a gracelessly stop at the side of the riverbank. Forcing the door open, he leapt out of the car and desperately scanned the area, looking for any sign of his precious child.

"There!" The driver called and motioned for Patrick to look over by the rocks.

His heart caught in his throat at what he saw. The young man was pointing at a prone figure lying twisted among the rocks. "Athrun! Oh God, someone call an ambulance!"

People were scrambling, each one seemingly unsure what they should be doing but all feeling the need to do something while Patrick staggered into the shallow waters to retrieve his boy. As he pulled the limp body of his son into his arms, Patrick knew that he had to be very careful moving Athrun. He had no idea how badly injured his was, but they couldn't leave him in the water. Moving with infinite care, Patrick waded slowly to the bank, where the crowd and a shaken Cagalli and Izumi stood.

"Is he…?" Cagalli asked, as Patrick knelt and laid Athrun carefully on the grass.

Patrick just ignored her. He wasn't even aware that the Athhas had followed him down to the river. Stooping down alongside his son, Patrick placed his fingers to Athrun's throat and was relieved to find a weak pulse. Patrick glanced out down the river towards the rapids that hummed in the distance and slowly shook his head.

"Athrun, hang in there, son," he mumbled as he felt along the twisted body finding the broken bones in both legs and left arm. Patrick probed gently along the ribcage and noted the busted ribs as well.

"Is he dead?" Cagalli asked a second time, her words barely a whisper.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" Patrick jerked his head up and fired the young girl a look that could burn through metal. Angry tears threatened to spill from the corners of his eyes as realized that both Cagalli and her father had come with the convoy of curious observers. "Haven't you done enough? Because of you, my son is going to die! Because of you! Get out of my sight before… before… just get out of here!"

Taken back by Patrick's outburst, Cagalli withdrew to her father's side. She felt Izumi's arms wrap around her protectively as she took in sight of Athrun's limp and sodden body lying lifelessly on the ground at her feet. Her fault? No! This wasn't what she wanted! She hadn't meant for any of this to happen!

Before anyone could respond, Athrun's body convulsed and he began to cough weakly. Water sputtered out from between his pale blue lips and Patrick had to carefully help Athrun readjust his position so he could expel the water that he had swallowed from his lungs. He coughed and choked, each motion noticeably causing his ribs to ignite with fiery pain. Only when he the last of the water was gone did Athrun let himself go limp and he collapsed again to the muddy earth. Incoherent moans escaped his tinted lips, causing Patrick to cringe.

A wave of silence swept over the crowd as everyone waited, desperate to hear the verdict, desperate to see what would be the young man's fate.

"Breath, breath," Patrick coaxed his son desperately as Athrun choked, struggling to catch his breath. Apparently not all the water had been expelled from his lungs. Supporting Athrun's trembling form, Patrick looked up at one of the security guards with urgency and fear in his eyes. "Where the hell is that ambulance?!" He hollered, unable to hide the panic in his voice.

"Ambulance… Athrun…" Cagalli's mind could barely register the words. She stood, frozen at her father's side, staring down in disbelief as the groaning and pained figure that had been her world for the past few months. Why? Of all people, why did it have to be him?

Athrun moaned at the strain the coughing had placed on his ribs and went completely limp, leaning against his father for support. The world was fading; slow moving circles of color were all that he could see as his body shook beyond his control. Moaning painfully, Athrun rested his head against Patrick's shoulder.

"Athrun!"

Hearing his name, Athrun opened his bleary eyes and stared blankly at the figure before him. A blur of brown, purple and white was all that he saw. His horrid and incoherent moans made his father cringe in sympathy and pain.

"Athrun, do you know where you are?" Patrick asked when he felt that he had managed to reach his disoriented son. "Athrun?"

"He's talking to me," Athrun's baffled brain managed to process slowly. "He's asking me a question… what question? I don't remember…. Where am I? I don't know! I don't know! What happened? What's going on?!"

"Dun…no…where…" Was all that escaped his trembling lips as another wave of nausea swept over him. He moaned feebly under its wrath.

"Athrun, do you know who we are?" Patrick tried again, wondering when the ambulance would arrive and just how serious Athrun had been injured. His heart ached at the very sight of him. Blinking back tears of sorrow, Patrick fought desperately against the urge to fall to his knees and weep for his beloved son and the unjust fate that had befallen him.

"Hang in there, Athrun, hang in there…"

Struggling, Athrun awkwardly glanced around at the blurry figures surrounding him, blinking as if confused. He knew these people. He was sure of it. However, his aching mind failed to provide him with any sort of answer or response. Pain. Ever iota of his body was screaming in agony, firing signals to his brain that it was damaged.

"Father," He muttered weakly and groaned as a wave of pain flared up along his rib cage. "Hurts… Cagalli…"

It hurt. Everything hurt. Waves of pain and agony washed over him, devoured him. He could hear voices, but they weren't soft but instead sharp and harsh. They rained down on him and pierced his brain like daggers. "Help me!" His mind screamed, pleading for someone to lift him from his tomb of anguish. It was as if demons and all the forces of hell had taken hold of him, attacking him and thrusting nothing but intense pain and misery upon his vulnerable, prone form. He couldn't fight them! He couldn't defend himself against the persistent onslaught of torture!

Patrick bit his bottom lip and stepped back as he heard the sound of people scurrying about behind him. The ambulance had finally arrived. Frantically, the paramedics pushed the crowd aside as they pounced on their patient. Prying Patrick away from his son, they managed to get Athrun on a stretcher and into the ambulance.

When Cagalli made a motion to follow, Patrick spun around on his heels and just the look of fury in his eyes caused her to stop dead in her tracks. "I just want to make sure…"

"Why are you still here?!" Patrick raged. "Stay the hell away from my boy! Do you hear me, you stupid girl?! I don't want you anywhere near him!"

If it was possible, Cagalli went completely white. She felt her father come up alongside of her and pull her close. Tears immediately began to cloud her vision as she watched Patrick hull himself into the back of the ambulance with his son and slam the door shut. "I didn't mean it…" She whispered hoarsely and spun around to bury her face in her father's chest. "Oh God! I'm so sorry!"

"Come on, Cagalli," Izumi sighed. "Let's go back. There is nothing we can do for your friend right now."

She didn't want to leave. She couldn't leave him. Not after what he had did. Yet, Patrick didn't want her around and the little bit of sanity she had left told her that now was not the time to press the issue.

Weakly, she managed a small nod.

It was only a matter of minutes before the ambulance was on its way. Patrick had chosen to remain in the back so that he could keep an eye on Athrun. With as much care as he could muster, he washed away as much dirt and mud from Athrun's face and from the gash on his right arm as was possible. Her heart broke each and every time that the vehicle jarred from hitting a rut and Athrun's cries reached his ears. Patrick took Athrun's hand in his own and whispered soft words of comfort as he stroked his head. When the ambulance's wheel rolled into a deep hole and tossed sideways, Athrun's scream of anguish sent his father into a steady stream of prayers that never once stopped until at last they reached the hospital.

WMWMMWMWMWMMWMWMWMMWMW

The instant the ambulance reached the hospital, Athrun was whisked away from his father. Patrick was left standing alone in the waiting room as the doctors tended to his son. He shuddered, wondering just how good the doctors on earth were.

He wondered about many things as he waited. He wondered what had driven his son to jump after that stupid girl. He wondered what his life would be like without his son. He wondered if his son was in pain even now. Suddenly, everything seemed unimportant and almost trivial.

When the sun began to rise and reach through the waiting room window with its gentle rays, Patrick decided that he had had enough. It had been a long night and he didn't trust the doctors here – not with his son. They were Naturals after all. They had tormented Athrun during his time at the school because he was a Coordinator and a Zala. Why would the hospital be any different? He rose to his feet in disgust and was about to begin making arrangements to transfer Athrun to the PLANTS when he heard someone call his name. It was faint at first but gradually, it became louder.

"Mr. Zala?"

He glanced over his shoulder and raised a disapproving eyebrow when he saw a tall woman with dark hair standing by the entrance to the waiting room. She was dressed in formal attire and although her face was solemn, he doubted that it was entirely sincere.

"Who are you?" He asked gruffly. "Can't you see I'm a little busy."

"I regret all that has happened. I am principal of your son's school," The woman told him and straightened as she spoke. "I'm the one who expelled him from the academy."

"You," Patrick's eyes narrowed as his dark orbs burned with fury. "What do you want? Actually, I don't care. I want nothing to do with you or your kind. Leave me alone."

"It would appear that there has been a misunderstanding."

"What?"

"The student your son was accused of assaulting came forward," She explained, undeterred by the man's anger. "Your son was innocent after all."

As if on cue, Meer, followed closely by Lacus and Kira walked through the door and stood directly behind their principal. She took Meer by the shoulders and gently guided her forward. "This is Meer Cambell," She explained. "During the evening in question, she was being harassed by some other school boys and Athrun came to her assistance. At least, that is how the story goes. Regardless, I have no choice but to withdraw my accusations and punishment. Your son may re-enroll in my school, if he so wishes."

Patrick's eyes widened. "You are lucky you're a woman," He growled. "Otherwise, I would kill you where you stand. Listen to yourself. You don't want to believe the confessions of this girl, do you? You don't want my son attending your school – do you?!"

"I trust the word of my students."

"But you didn't seem to do so when my boy told you that he didn't do anything wrong!"

"With all do respect," The principal gritted her teeth to bite back a sharp reply. "You were not present. Assault is something that is not taken lightly at our institution. There were witnesses who testified to seeing your boy with Meer that night. What else could I have done? I had to expel him."

"Assault should never be taken lightly," Patrick agreed. "But that doesn't justify how you treated my son! Never has Athrun lied about anything and if he says he didn't do anything, it means he didn't! If you had listened to him, he would not be where he is right now!"

"All guilty clients will deny their deeds," The principal spat. "Just because he is your son does not make him special."

"I'm sorry," Meer whispered softly. "I didn't mean for him to get hurt."

"Shut up!" Patrick snapped. "Sorry won't help Athrun will it you stupid, stupid girl!"

"Don't talk to her that way!" The principal retorted. "She's just trying to do the right thing!"

"I've heard enough!" Patrick exploded. Pointing a raging finger at the principal and her three students, he continued to shake it furiously at them, all the while shouting so loudly that the pictures on the wall trembled with fear. "My son and I want nothing to do with your pathetic institution and your dishonest bunch of hooligans! I don't want any of you people anywhere near my child and you can mark my words that when this is all over, you will be hearing from my lawyer!"

To hell with this place He thought bitterly. He was going to have Athrun transferred to a hospital in the PLANTS. At least there he would be safe. With that in mind, he stormed off out of the waiting room.

"Wait just a minute!" She barked out at him and scurried off in pursuit of the ranging politician with Kira, Lacus and Meer close behind.

Only moments after his departure, Izumi and Cagalli burst into the room. Izumi had hoped that Patrick would now be calm and rational enough to understand just how badly his daughter had to ensure Athrun was going to survive. The night had been long and all she had done was continually plead with him about when she could go see Athrun at the hospital.

As they entered, Cagalli's stomach did a flip as the horrid smell of disinfectant filled her nostrils. Unconsciously, she clung tightly to Izumi's arm as they approached the receptionist.

"This is all my fault." She muttered softly.

"Cagalli, stop it," Izumi cut her off. "This wasn't your fault. You had no control over what happened so you have to stop blaming yourself for this."

"What if he doesn't make it!?" Cagalli shot back, and shook her head. "He might die because of me!"

"Cagalli you can't think like that," Izumi bit his lip. It was hard to give encouragement when he didn't even know just how serious Athrun had been hurt.

"It's isn't your fault." Izumi repeated sternly. "You must promise me that whatever we see, or whatever the outcome may be you will not blame yourself for this."

"I… I promise." Cagalli nodded weakly though she really didn't know if she could honor such a bold promise.

"Excuse me," Izumi smiled politely at the receptionist, though it was clear that he was anxious. "We would like to see a Mr. Athrun Zala. He was brought in late yesterday. I know we are early but could you tell me where to find him?"

"Zala?" The receptionist frowned as she quickly ran her fingers across the keyboard. "Oh yes, I see." Suddenly, her expression softened as she leaned forward, reading her computer screen carefully. "Ohhh… yes… I see…"

"See?" Cagalli gasped. Jumping up, she leaned forward, trying to see. "See what? What's wrong with him? Why are you talking like that?"

"Room 267." Was all the receptionist said – suddenly very, very subdued.

"Cagalli, calm down," Izumi hissed as he forced her along the narrow aisle way. "There is no point in getting all riled up."

Picking up the pace, they were stopped by a man in a white lab coat who was sitting on a seat just outside of room the room. He seemed in deep thought as he re-read whatever was in his folder before he looked up at them curiously. "Can I help you?"

"We are here to see Athrun Zala." Izumi explained though he was getting a little tired of saying it.

"Are you his doctor?" Cagalli asked.

The older man looked up at her through his glasses and closed his folder. "His father didn't want him to have any visitors."

"He saved her life," Izumi explained. "My daughter would like to offer her thanks."

Cagalli nodded and watched as the older man stood up. Beads of sweat rolled down her face as the man readjusted his glasses and looked each of them over.

"Very well." He announced before lowering his voice. "I suppose I can't deny you that."

"Can we see him now?" Cagalli asked but immediately regretted it when he saw the look in the doctor's eyes.

"I think you should hear what I have to say first."

Cagalli paled. She knew it. Athrun was dead… or dying and it was because of her. Shaking her head, she clutched tightly to Izumi's coat until her wrists were white. His innocent grin, his soft, alto-pitched voice…. She would never hear it again! Ever!

"He broke his right leg and his left arm." Dr. Isha explained carefully. "It's the ribs, however, that are concerning. His breathing is uneven and I am afraid there may have been some internal damage."

"What… what do you mean?" Izumi demanded, his concern making him harsh. "You can help him, can't you?"

"I'm telling you that he has suffered a great deal of trauma." The doctor shot back with equal intensity. "We gave him some medication for the pain but he's hasn't awoken since he arrived. I wanted to operate but his father would have none of it."

"But does he need surgery?" Izumi asked, feeling Cagalli tense up against him.

The doctor simply nodded. "His breathing is troubling." His voice softened as did his eyes. "His father is arranging to have him transferred to the PLANTS. He believes that they will do a better job caring for him up there."

"What can they do that you can't?!" Izumi cried in disbelief. Then he noticed something in the doctor's eyes and his own expression hardened. "You've already given up on him haven't you?"

"I'm sorry," The doctor whispered. "His father has forbid us to do anything more than we already have."

"No!" Cagalli shook her head in denial. She wasn't hearing this… she was NOT hearing this. "You have got to try to save him! Please! He doesn't deserve this!"

"We've hooked him up to an IV and given him two units of blood." Dr. Isha told them. "He is no longer my patient."

"You are a doctor!" Cagalli exploded, emotions coursing through her. "You must be able to do something!"

"Don't you think I WANT to?!" Dr. Isha snapped, waving an angry finger in the girl's face. "Don't you think I want to save that boy's life? Do you think it is easy for me to stand aside and watch my patient slowly slip away?! His father won't allow us to operate!"

Everyone was silent as the doctor sighed and shook his head in frustration. It was clear he cared… it was clear that he didn't want to see his patient die. Especially not one so young.

"Well…" Izumi stepped forward cautiously and shifted uncomfortably. "You say there may be internal damage. Would he survive a trip to the PLANTS?"

"At this point I do not know." The doctor admitted. "He hasn't improved since he arrived but he hasn't gotten any worse either."

Cagalli listened, absorbing each word slowly. Suddenly she felt disassociated with the world around her. It was as if she was not longer in her body, she felt numb. There was no pain, no happiness… nothing. It was as if she had become void to the world around her.

"You may see him if you want," Dr. Isha told them as he stepped to the side and allowed the group to enter the room. "Just don't expect him to respond to you… I'm afraid he won't."

Cagalli nodded; her hands trembling as she nervously gripped the door handle to the room. Gently pushing it open, she entered and gazed in. Goose bumps formed on her arms as she was welcomed by a room of darkness. It was only dimly lit by a light above, making it difficult to see yet she could still make out a lithe figure lying limp on the soft bed in the center of the room.

Approaching slowly, she held tightly to Izumi as he guided her towards it. Her eyes were wide with dread as she focused on putting one foot in front of the other. Moving closer, she grimaced when she caught sight off all the tubes the covered his body and the machinery surrounding his bed… she could only assume it was keeping him alive.

He was lying on his back, his eyes sealed tightly shut, an expression of pain clearly pasted across his features. His dark hair was greasy, damp from perspiration and several lank strands fell over his pale face. Athrun had one arm resting over his bare chest while the other lay limp and bandaged at his side. Cagalli couldn't help but noticed the large bruise that spread across his face… she figured there had been more damage done than the doctor had let on.

Slowly, she reached down and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

No response. He didn't even know she was there.

Izumi remained quiet as they listened to the heart monitor as it beeped loudly and the shallow breaths that the young man who had saved Cagalli's life.

"Oh Athrun," She whispered softly as she delicately brushed the lank strands of hair from his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Izumi sensed that Cagalli was going to break down and motioned for her to step out of the room. This was just too much for her. As he too turned to leave, a sharp gasp caused him to freeze in the doorway. Throwing a glance over his shoulder, he heard it again.

As his eyes drifted back to the hospital bed, he was shocked to find his gaze meeting that of the emerald-eyed boy. His glassy eyes were dilated and unfocussed but they were fixed on him nonetheless. The boy opened his dry lips a crack and swallowed – clearly he was trying to say something.

Hesitating only for a moment, Izumi moved back to the bed. "Athrun?" He asked gently. "Can you hear me?"

The boy managed a weak nod and swallowed a second time, licking his lips as he prepared to speak. "Pap…er…" He just barely was able to get the word out and Izumi had to lean forward in order to understand.

"Paper?" He frowned. "You want paper?"

"Pen."

Scrambling, Izumi fumbled with his pockets to pull out a pad of post-it paper and his business pen. Kneeling down by the side of Athrun's bed he noticed the boy had raised his undamaged hand about an inch off of his chest. Ever so carefully, he placed the pen in Athrun's wobbly fingers and held out the paper so he could write on it.

The young Coordinator's hand was unsteady as he slowly moved the ink tip across the smooth surface. Izumi could see that the effort of doing so was draining the boy and he could see the perspiration gathering on Athrun's brow.

"Athrun, I don't know if you can hear me," Izumi lowered his gaze, suddenly overwhelmed by guilt. None of this had been Cagalli's fault despite the fact he knew she would keep blaming herself. It was his. He hadn't given him a fair chance. Even though he now knew to what extent Athrun loved his daughter, no one should have to jump off a cliff to prove their devotion. "Athrun, I'm so very sorry. For everything. I should have trusted you and I should have trusted my daughter. I want you to know that… I was wrong about you. I know that now. Please, forgive me."

Athrun finished what he was writing and his hand dropped to the mattress. He gulped down his next breath and groaned at the pain that caused. Somewhere, in his drug-induced state, he could still feel the anguish that had manifested itself in his chest. He turned his head ever so slightly so he could better see Izumi.

"Give…Cagalli…"

Izumi opened his mouth to reply but couldn't. Athrun's glazed eyes drooped shut and his head dropped down further into the pillow supporting it.

At that same moment, Cagalli stepped back into the room, her eyes puffy and wet from tears. "Dad?" She asked weakly. "Is something wrong?"

Inhaling deeply, Izumi lowered his eyes. His fingers tightened around the piece of paper in his hands as he fought to find the words he should say. His gaze slowly lingered back to Athrun who was now, once again, unconscious.

"Dad…" Cagalli's eyes followed her father's gaze. "What is it?"

"He was awake for a second," Izumi told her and his head clinched when he saw the look of desperation in his daughter's eyes. Immediately, she made a move to go to the bed-ridden boy but Izumi stopped her.

"He's asleep again."

"Did… did he say anything?"

Izumi nodded and, taking his daughter's hand, he placed the crinkled piece of paper in it. Slowly, he closed her fingers around it and held Cagalli's hand firmly. "He asked me to give this to you."

"What is…"

"What the hell are you two doing in here!?"

Cagalli literally jumped several feet as Patrick Zala's voice rang loudly through the corridor. Spinning around, her eyes widened as she saw Athrun's father storming towards them. She felt her father grab her by the shoulders and pull her close as the angry Coordinator approached them.

"Have you not caused enough trouble already?" Patrick barked. "I thought I told you to stay away from my son!"

"We just came to give him our best," Izumi told him slowly. "No need to get excited."

"Excited?!" Patrick raged. "Your mindless daughter almost killed my boy!"

"Now hold on a minute," Izumi shook his head. "We didn't mean any harm. The doctor told us you are taking him back to the PLANTS, is this true?"

"That is none of your business," Patrick snapped curtly.

"The doctor thinks Athrun might need surgery," Cagalli dared to speak up. "Something is wrong with his breathing. He could die on the journey back to space. Please, you have to let them operate."

"You expect me trust the Naturals to heal Athrun? After it was your twisted kind that humiliated him, hurt him, betrayed him and almost had him killed?!"

"But there are doctors here who can help and…"

"And I don't trust them," Patrick cut her off. "Now, I want both of you out of here and away from Athrun."

"But…"

"Come, Cagalli," Izumi carefully steered her past Patrick and down the hall. "There is no use in arguing. I'm sure Athrun will be alright."

"But…" Cagalli fumbled over the words as he father escorted back towards the reception desk and towards the parking lot. Her mind was spinning wildly out of control as guilt gnawed at her conscience. This was all because of her. Athrun's suffering was all her fault.

It was then she realized that she was holding the piece of paper Izumi had given her closely to her chest. Opening up the palm of her hand, she let out a heavy sigh. It was just a small piece of notepaper. Yet, when she took a closer look, she noticed that there was a message that had been scribbled on it.

Cagalli stopped in the waiting and stared at it thoughtfully. Her father stopped and looked at her quizzically. She knew she shouldn't read it but something inside her didn't seem to register that as she scanned over the piece of paper.

414 Union Ave.

PLANT LX014237

5TT3 8UI7

Cagalli was in tears before she finished, dropping the paper to the ground in shock. She couldn't take it anymore. The reality of what was happening was too much. She couldn't handle it. Her knees gave out from beneath her and she would have fallen had her father not caught her.

It was Athrun's home address.

Sobbing relentlessly, she cried into his chest, she cried out all her sorrow, all her grief, all her guilt. She cried for Athrun who was in misery because of her, she cried for his family who had been hurt by all of this and… she cried for herself and all the grief that had been set upon her. The tears were pouring from her eyes in small rivers but she didn't stop. She couldn't. She couldn't do anything… anything but cry.

TBC

Well, I hope you liked it. It was really heard writing and I promise the next chapter will be better. And yes, things will start getting better for Athrun soon I promise. I don't like really sad endings. And well, he had to be banged up a bit... i mean, he did fall off a cliff. Oh, and I haven't forgotten about Yuna. I will deal with him. Suggestions? Please let me know ok? I really love getting feedback.

I will try to put more Kira and Lacus in the next chapter ok? I know, I've been neglecting them. Well, it's late and well past my bedtime. Thank you for being patient and understanding that I have been going through a really rough time with my injury. I will try to post again soon. I am sorry about spelling/grammar errors.

Thanks, until next time.

Krilyn