Hi all. Some concern has been raised on behalf of Yzak. Well, I can tell you that little will be found out in this chapter. Yzak's moment comes in chapter 4, so don't worry. I, personally, feel kindabad for using Dearka as a scapegoat, but then again, this isn't his story. Hope you all enjoy, and more from me later.

"Whatever we do, we will need to talk to the Chairman again." Lacus provided.

We all agreed, and got ready for the return trip to the council building. This time Dearka came with us, eager to find out what was going on. Kira told our driver, again, where to go. I remember a distinct sigh coming from the front of our limo afterwards. I decided to sit in the back row and watch for now. It might be best to let Dearka take the fall and lead us to our former companions.

Again, Rodney greeted us at the door, though he seemed more annoyed the more he saw of Kira. I guess it was my brother's fault for mocking him at every turn. I found it amusing though. We followed Rodney again to the large, steel door. Again, he walked through the door, and came back out allowing us in.

"I was not expecting to see you two again. Kira, Lacus, Cagalli, and Dearka, I presume?" De Lin still bothered with formalities. Dearka nodded in acknowledgement of his name.

"De Lin-sama, I was wondering if you could help us." Lacus began.

"Well, Clyne-sama, I don't believe that I am too willing to help, considering your attitude earlier today." Deceitful demon!

"Excuse me, Ray, my associate's former action should have no effect on the current affairs at hand." Thank God for diplomatic training. I was on the edge of running into a long stream of curses. I'm also thankful that Kira took over the conversation. I did like returning the earlier insult though.

"We're looking for some friends of ours," Kira walked over and slammed his fist on the Chairman's desk. "Silver-haired hothead with a long scar across his face, and a blue-haired boy who could take your life as soon as look at you, Care to tell us where they are?" Whoa! Kira usually wasn't this forward, nor had I ever heard him describe Athrun like that. He sounded dangerous.

De Lin, however, looked no worse for wear. What was more disturbing was that he actually seemed to expect it, and remained calm. Then, a slight grin spread on his face. "My apologies, I've not seen your friends." Bull! He has to seem them. I knew it! It was written all over his face! Can't anyone else see it?

"Thank you, De Lin-sama." Lacus said as she stood. The others followed her out. I can't believe that they're just going to walk out! Not me. I was getting some answers!

Once everyone else was out, it was my turn to do some questioning. "Ray, tell me where they are!"

"Cagalli, my dear girl, I don't know who you're talking about."

"BULL! YOU KNOW WHERE THEY ARE, AND D, YOU WILL TAKE ME TO THEM! IS THAT CLEAR!"

"Now, there's no need to yell. Let's make deal, you and I." He winked.

"DEAL? Here's a deal for you: you give me back Athrun, or I'll punch your face in!"

"Athrun is it? Well, well, we can't have him around now, can we?"

"What are you talking about?"

He was eyeing me, and I knew it. What was he trying to do? "Cagalli, if I may be so bold, you are one beautiful woman."

WHAT!

"Please, listen to me. Of all the people that have come through those doors, none were more captivating than you, Princess."

"Of all the people?" Maybe I could get my answers yet. I could play his game. I let my face cave a little. The move didn't go unnoticed.

"How about we re-talk that deal of ours?" he leaned across his desk in what I guess he thought was a seductive pose. I was about to hurl.

"Okay, first." I sat in the chair closest to his desk. "Why don't you tell me where my friends are?" Getting sick!

"What will it profit me to tell you?" I knew he had them.

"We can discuss that afterward." Selling my most promising smile was never harder. It's all for Athrun! It's all for Athrun!

"Whatever I ask?"

"Afterward." Oh God, I hope I know what I'm doing.

"Deal."

"Deal." I answered. Thank goodness that was over.

"Here's the key." He reached into his desk drawer and tossed me a small hunk of metal.

"Where's the door?" I asked quizzically.

"Oh come on Princess, you didn't think I'd make it that easy, did you?" A devilish grin filled his face. This was all I was going to get.

"I guess not." I smiled and got up.

"You'll know everything in the end, I promise, my sweet Princess."

Lacus was waiting for me outside to steel door. She quickly shut it behind me. I felt like I could scream. What had I just done?

"Cagalli," she started.

"I'd rather not talk about it." I hung my head in shame and she helped me to the limo. It was growing dark. Kira was about to reach over and talk to the driver; I stopped him by placing my hand on his arm. "Kira, I . . . uh. Got a lead?" I pulled the key out of my pocket and showed it to my present company.

Kira almost leapt up. "How'd you get that! Where does it go? Where are they!"

"I don't know where they are, but De Lin gave me this key."

"How'd you get it?" his look grew concerned.

"I'd rather not say." I turned my head to look away while Dearka began to cheer. I let them have their fun. I'd worry about my payment later, once we'd found Athrun. Oh, and Yzak. For the moment, we should all be glad that we were one step closer to finding our friends.

Kira told the driver to take us to a building that wasn't too far from the council building. Once we arrived, we all piled out, and Kira tipped the driver as his shift was over. If we had to go anywhere else, we'd be walking. "So, where are we anyway, Kira?" I asked.

Dearka recognized the place immediately. He answered for Kira. "You brought us to the ZAFT military PRISON!" The soldier fell to his knees in denial.

Lacus helped him up from his hysterics and he gradually regained his composure. He explained an incident from when he was in military training and was brought to the prison as part scare tactic punishment. We all tried to help him back to his normal self. Once we were ready, Dearka volunteered to lead us to the warden's office, while Kira told us that we were here because of the shape of the key screamed "military".

Dearka knocked on the office door. "Dearka Elsmen."

Only a moment's pause passed until a booming voice crashed the silence. "Elsmen!"

"That means: come in." Dearka whispered and he quickly opened the door for us. Quietly, we all piled into the office and lined the back wall.

"What do you want Elsmen?" the warden snapped from behind a pile of paperwork so high that it blocked my view.

"My friends and I were hoping to find Zala and Joule here, sir!" Dearka shouted in a typical military voice.

"Your friends aren't here Elsmen." The man behind the papers said coldly.

"Thank you, sir!" Dearka opened the door so we could leave.

"They were taken this morning." The warden said almost under his breath.

Dearka re-shut the door. "Taken where, sir?" Dearka asked, much quieter.

"The Chairman had them sent to the lab. I signed the papers last night, and they were taken out this morning." He supplied, still in a low voice. He sounded almost scared to look at us. He began reading off a list of people, all presumably former ZAFT soldiers that had been taken to the lab. Among those on the list, were the names: Joule and Zala.

"Sir, can you tell me why the were here, or why they were taken?"

"That I cannot. I would tell you if I knew, but these orders came directly from the Chairman, himself. Its over my head." He sounded distressed and worried. As if to get us out of his office in a hurry, he quickly dismissed Dearka, and we all left.

Once we were safely outside, Kira asked Dearka about "the lab". Our soldier described a terrifying place of coordinator birth. "This is the place where babies are taken from their mothers and forgotten in test tubes until a new drug or technique needed testing. You can hear the cries of children even as soon as you enter. They make no move to hide what they do. It used to be a place where people only tried to advance the race, now it's a glorified torture chamber." The images he gave were so sad and vile. I couldn't imagine what they were doing to Athrun.

The image of the little boy crying at his mother's death came back to me. A poor little blue haired boy, to afraid to even cry, but brave enough to fight back. Losing everything. I would not let it happen again! "Let's go!"

"Cagalli, they're not open at this hour." Dearka argued.

"We don't know what they're doing in there. Athrun could be dead by now as far as we know!" I felt one tear fall down my cheek, as I realized what I just said. Dead? No, he can't be dead. He can't! I turned away and began fiddling with the ring I wore.

"Cagalli," Kira came up behind me and walked me around the corner. I sat down on the sidewalk, trying my hardest not to cry. "Cagalli, I told you that we'd talk. Now, let's talk." He sat down in front of me.

"Kira!" I broke. I flung my arms around my brother and cried until I thought I had no tears left.

He stroked my back and told me that it would be alright. He told me that Athrun was alive and he was well. He said that we'd get him and go home and forget that this ever happened. All the while I cried, but I believed him. I didn't want to, but I did. I knew he couldn't be alive, but I believed he was.

"Cagalli," I looked up, "why do you wear that ring?" Kira asked. I knew he would.

"I-." I began. I wanted to answer. I wanted to say that "I wear it because I love him", but I couldn't.

I saw Lacus creep around the corner. I wiped my eyes immediately. Kira looked up to see Lacus as well. "Kira, Dearka said we could stay with him until the morning."

Kira nodded in thanks and helped me back to my feet. Lacus and Dearka started walk while I stopped Kira for a moment. "This never happened."

Kira nodded, grabbed my hand and we ran to catch up with the party ahead of us. "Come on, slow poke!" Kira called to me. Oh, that did it. I ran harder and faster. I would not be beaten by my little brother. Not today!

Dearka's apartment was closer than I thought, but I was not about to welcome sleep. Not while Athrun was in danger. Dearka and Kira went out like lights, the blonde in his room and the brunette by the door in the living room. Lacus stayed up with me.

"He would want you to rest." Lacus placed her arm around my shoulder as I sat on the couch and looked out the window.

"Lacus, I just want him to be safe." I lowered my head onto the armrest.

"Everything will be fine."

"Lacus, I wish you all would stop saying that."

"But you know it's true." She hugged me a little.

"No, it's not. He's in danger and you all expect me to sleep like baby. By morning he might be dead. What would I do then? We should be there now, breaking in and saving the day. We shouldn't be here sleeping. You heard how Dearka described that place. They're going to kill them!"

"You're really worried about him, aren't you?" That was a stupid question. Of course I'm worried. She glanced down and picked up my hand. "This is a beautiful ring. He really does love you. That's why I know that he's in trouble." She looked back to the sleeping coordinator who was sprawled out in front of the door. For a moment, I saw her smile. "He would have come home. He would never let anything hurt you, and he'd never break your heart."

I didn't know what she was thinking, but a tear fell from her eye. "Lacus," I began. I didn't know what to say, but I wanted to help. In anyway I could, I just wanted to help.

"You can't stop them, you know. Once they get their mind set on something, they do it." She sat with me and watched out the window, for a while, saying nothing. What was wrong with her? She glanced back one last time at Kira. "He sleeps fairly soundly. You do to. You should get some rest."

"Lacus, I can't sleep now."

"No." she said with a little force. "No, you need your rest." Sometimes, when Lacus talks like that, she reminds me of an older sister. Though I don't have one, if I did, I'd want it to be her. She knows me better than I do sometimes. Maybe it's just part of being a coordinator. Coordinator? Athrun. Key. Lab.

"Lacus, do you think they will be there tomorrow?"

"I know they will." Lacus smiled. "Dream of him if it makes you feel better." She stood, walked over and laid down next to Kira. "Good night."

I don't know if she was talking to Kira or me, but I re-paid the formality and laid down on the couch. Athrun, if you can hear my thoughts, I'm worried about you. I know you're not alright, and I can't believe I'm laying here doing nothing. I know you would want me to rest, but I can't, not without you. Athrun, come back. I rolled over on to my side, and cried myself to sleep.

I just think it's fitting to end when the main character goes to sleep. Late in the chapter there is more random circular logic. Lacus is quite possibly the hardest character for me to write for. If anyone could give me a pointer or two, that would be helpful (please). Any comments, guesses, or concerns are welcome on the review board.