(AN): Thank you to all who reviewed.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Decision

Kira's Mansion

As soon as the morning came the next morning Kira woke up. He woke up a little later than usual as it was to be expected with his body in the condition it was in. As Kira opened his eyes he immediately recalled the events that took place the last night as he looked down to see the sleeping face of Lacus.

Kira noticed she didn't move throughout the night, Kira slightly smiled as he watched her sleep. Kira would have liked to remain like this a little while longer, but he had matters to attend to as they were now on a race against time. Kira knew that it would not be long before they discovered the shuttle, which they would then find out had no one in it, so he had to start preparing their next move.

Kira very gently got out of her hold on him as he slowly slipped off the couch they fell asleep on. Kira got up gently lifting her a little, but he was able to place her back down so she didn't wake up. Kira then placed a blanket over her as he took a last look at her before heading over to his desk.

Kira sat down and immediately brought up the security footage of the entire compound. Kira was pleased that nothing was tripped, no motion sensors were triggered, and no one attempted to activate his system. Kira knew they wouldn't have found the shuttle just yet, but when they did he wanted to be ready.

Kira was satisfied with his entire security system at the moment so he got up and left the room taking his M9 with him, and making sure not to make to much noise, he didn't want to wake her. Kira wanted her to be comfortable and remembered that he didn't get a chance to wash the blood off their clothes so he immediately took care of that, after he placed her clothes in the wash Kira discarded his. His assault clothes were ripped and torn in many places so he discarded them, as he had one more set.

Kira headed over to his master bedroom, and went into one of his drawers and took out his control device. Kira designed a control communicator that would allow him to run all functions in his mansion by this one device. The device was small enough to place in the pocket and could even take voice commands; Kira could control every piece of security equipment with this device. Kira walked over to his security council near the wall, and placed the device in the slot as it would transfer every function over to this device, after a few seconds it was done and Kira removed it.

Kira was satisfied so far, but he had to prepare in case they would have to make a quick escape. Kira knew his supply was low, so he walked over to the main room him and Lacus were in last night and walked over to one of the cabinets, Kira opened one door pressing a hidden switch towards the back, and as soon as he did that three cabinets in the room immediately slid to the side revealing his hidden storage for his weapons.

Kira looked around and was glad he didn't lose any of his main weapons since he had no replacements. Kira walked over to one cabinet and got out his back up assault clothes, that had one extra assault vest, Kira took the pants, shirt and vest, from this one. Kira placed them on a table while walking over to another cabinet. This one was filled with his spare ammunition. Kira looked around and he had one full load for each of his guns, but that was it. He was sent on constant missions recently and had no time to restock. Kira took what he needed placing it in a bag that was also in here. Kira finished with that and placed that on the table before walking over to the third cabinet. This one was filled with his explosives and grenades. These were extremely low as he had only two lethal ones, and five of each of his non lethal, which included smoke, sleep, and gas. Kira sighed as he got what he needed and placed them on his table.

Kira finished in here as he pressed the switch making all cabinets go back into place. Kira gathered up his equipment and walked over to his master bedroom. He placed everything on the bed as he walked over to retrieve his weapons. Kira didn't like leaving them in the open, but if they were to have to make a quick escape he would have to time to gather everything needed. Kira opened the compartments to his weapons and took hold of all four of his main guns, and his two knives as he closed the compartments and placed them on the bed organizing everything.

Kira had everything organized and knew he could leave it alone for the minute. Kira now walked back to the control room to plan their next move, this move was going to be critical, as he now had to find a way to keep Lacus and himself alive. Kira was faced with a dilemma, he could stop Patrick's plan completely, but that would still leave blue cosmos killers out there, he could just go into hiding with Lacus and let it all play out as that would assure Patrick would have his war in which Plant would gain full control over earth, which in time would lead to the destruction of all naturals. Or the third options was to join with what Siegel Clyne, and Uzumi Nara Athha were planning and try to help them achieve their goal of a total peace treaty.

Kira knew that the first two were no goes, but he couldn't seek help from the other two yet as they would be quickly dealt with by Patrick. As Kira walked back into the control room in which Lacus was still sleeping, he slightly smiled as he sat in his chair and looked at her again.

"What path to take I do not know yet, but as for now I will make sure you stay alive, just sitting by and watching it play out wouldn't really work for myself…or you I know that much about you so far," Kira told her sleeping form almost in a whisper.

Kira smiled, "My original goal I still think would be the right path, but not with a man like Zala leading, it is probably terrible for me to still think like that, but it is hard to just stop believing what you were taught your whole life," Kira said almost in shame as he took notice to something about her.

Kira then looked down before looking back at her, "Or I could try it your way Lacus, some say what you and your father try is impossible, but hope is a powerful tool to work with, maybe humanity will learn from it's past mistakes…whatever path you decide I will assist you Lacus…for I am the ultimate coordinator, some say that whoever controls the ultimate coordinator will have control of their own dreams…we will put that theory to test Lacus…as I will help you your goal," Kira decided as he knew she was asleep.

When Kira was first created those words were the basis for what Patrick said would take for someone to have full control over the world and space. It even seemed to be working, just two years of working for Patrick Kira had seemed to make everything he wanted turn to reality, he was the perfect human, the unbeatable soldier, the brutal killer, most intelligent human, he was the ultimate coordinator, and what Patrick once used to help his cause was now going to get a have his worst nightmare. Kira knew that he didn't have every bit of information to Patrick's methods of achieving his goals, he just did what he was ordered and didn't ask questions, but he knew Patrick had something up his sleeve and it would not be good.

Kira remembered those words as it dawned on him, he knew he was born at Mendel, that was where everything started, and that was the place to start looking for their answers.

Kira knew to stop Patrick he had to know what he was planning; he knew they could ask for no help. They just had each other and that was all they would need.

Kira turned around and went to work on the computer, he was gathering up every bit of information on a place he never thought he would hear again.

Lacus slowly sat up as she looked at him slowly, she woke up and heard only the very last part of his words to her, Lacus couldn't believe what she heard, but it all made sense, the rumors about the ultimate coordinator were true. His movements speed, strength, everything about him was perfect, but she didn't care about that, Lacus knew there was much more to him, and she know knew he had to live a very sad and lonely life, only being used to kill for someone's goal. Lacus was not going to use him for that; she would not let anyone use him anymore. Lacus slowly wiped the tear that threatened to go down her cheek as she slowly got up and approached Kira.

Kira was too focused and for once didn't have his guard up, but as he felt arms wrap around his neck and a head placed on his shoulder he knew who it was.

Kira stopped typing for a second as he took her embrace in, "I hope you had a good night, I'm sorry for not waking you," Kira told her as he remembered that they fell asleep on the couch.

Lacus smiled, "It's alright…I didn't mind," Lacus said as she remembered what he said again.

Kira blushed.

Lacus hesitated, but she knew she had to tell him, "It's so sad, I never knew you gone through all that pain……I will not use you like you wanted me to, I will not make you help me Kira," Lacus told him as she didn't want to keep this a secret.

Kira stopped typing as she said that, but what surprised him was that he wasn't that upset, "You were awake?"

Lacus did hold her breath as she didn't know how he would react, "Only for the last part…now I understand…you are not the ultimate coordinator to me…you are only Kira to me…and that is all I want you to be," Lacus said as she held him a little tighter.

Kira's eyes went a little big, no one ever said anything like that to him, "Kira lifted his hands and placed them on hers as he hung his head a little, he didn't know how to act in that situation.

Lacus could tell he was confused, no one ever gave him a choice; no one ever told him seriously that they wanted him just to be himself, sure Athrun and Lenore were close to him, but they didn't know the entire story. Lacus knew what he was and she didn't care, some call him monster or inhuman, but Lacus called him Kira.

Little did Lacus know was that when Kira was talking to her sleeping form he knew that she woke up, Kira decided that he didn't want to keep something like this from her, so he found it easier to say while she pretended to be asleep. Kira wouldn't have blamed her if she wanted nothing more to do with him after that, but she didn't she stayed and she wanted to stay.

Lacus didn't want to place anymore pressure on him at the moment so she quickly changed the subject. "What are you looking at?"

Kira was glad that she did. "I believe that I may find out more to what Zala is planning if we return to where it all began," Kira said as he showed her the colonies picture.

Lacus looked closely at it, "I have never heard of the Mendel Colony before."

Kira slightly smiled, "That is not surprising, Zala made sure that its name and location were erased after the disaster eighteen years ago, from what I was told all data was destroyed, but if we look around I believe we might find something."

Lacus smiled as she bent down and kissed him on the cheek, "Are you sure you want to do this? Like I said I don't want you to feel pressured to fight again," Lacus said as she knew he had been through enough, and if he wanted to go into permanent hiding she would have accepted and probably went with him with no questions or regrets.

Kira smiled as he looked up at her, "I thought you said I could choose my own path, and I choose to aide your cause."

Lacus looked at him, she really didn't want him to fight anymore, but if they were going to attempt to have a future together they would have to fight.

"When do we leave?" Lacus asked as she was hoping it wouldn't be too soon, she liked just being here with him, like two normal people.

Kira smiled, "I have an idea on how to get off, but it will be risky, and we will not be able to leave for a few more days."

Lacus smiled, "I see then, you can tell me the details over breakfast…I take it you haven't eaten yet?" Lacus asked as Kira could tell she liked the idea of a few more days.

"No I haven't eaten yet, I could prepare something for us if you want…" Kira was going to say but Lacus wouldn't let him finish.

Lacus gave Kira her angry look, "You still shouldn't be moving around, I can manage to prepare a meal for us," Lacus said as Kira knew she wasn't going to take no for an answer.

Kira smiled, "Downstairs to the far right," Kira said as Lacus smiled again.

"Wasn't that easier? Now wait here until I'm done," Lacus said as she leaned down closer allowing her to kiss him gently.

Both didn't mention anything about what happened yesterday, neither had regrets and they could tell that they were both starting to feel even more for the other, every passing minute the feelings were becoming stronger.

After about a minute Lacus slowly backed out of their kiss smiling at him as she left the room, Kira as strong as he was, he was always left powerless against her actions, not that he was complaining, she had the effect of making him feel safe, happy, and loved, and it always made his body weaken as he didn't care, this feeling he would not trade for anything in the world.

As Lacus left she took everything that happened into thought. Sure she was loved by a lot of people, sure she was complimented every day, but it was not the same as the feeling she had when she was with Kira. Even without words the two shared an unbreakable bond, it was as if they could even tell what the other was thinking, they could almost feel each others pain, they were bonded together by the feelings they shared. Even so soon, that didn't matter she knew he was the one, the one that would always give her this feeling, the one she could depend on, the one she would love, and the one that would love her.

Zala Plant Patrick's Estate

Patrick slept very little that night, things couldn't have gone more wrong with the last mission, but that wasn't necessary a bad thing, especially with the election days away. Patrick was ready to give his briefing to the council; afterward he would make his public statement to the people declaring Lacus Clyne as a fugitive, thus getting her out of the way.

Patrick was just about ready to go as he was waiting for the arrival of Rau; he needed what Rau had for him to pull this off. Patrick started pacing as the door finally opened revealing Rau.

"It's about time," Patrick said.

Rau smiled, "My apologizes sir."

Patrick looked at him, "Any news on the team on the surface?"

Rau looked at him, "They are currently nearing the shuttle, it landed in a rough spot towards the African desert so we are currently waiting, you should have the news by the end of the meeting."

Patrick smiled, "Good, what's the status of my team?"

"Athrun and Nicol are sending off the Orb leader on the Clyne Plant, and Yzak and Dearka are still on the military base awaiting orders," Rau replied.

"Get them to Aprilious One, I will speak with them later, I know my son will start asking questions, tell him nothing…and make sure my wife doesn't here of this yet either," Patrick said as he was very serious about this.

Rau smiled, "As you wish sir."

"Good, now where is my evidence?" Patrick asked.

Rau handed him several disks, "Everything is here sir, we reconstructed the tape, it shows his face somewhat, the other is the tape from the Washington, they have finally enhanced the image, you could use this."

Patrick smiled, "Yes that will work well, is she in the tape as well?"

"That's right sir, I made sure to show the parts how they were close, nothing Siegel will say will be able to change their minds on the tape," Rau added.

Patrick smiled, "That's good, anything else?"

Rau pointed to another disk, "That depends sir, do you want to release his secret yet?"

Patrick looked at him seriously, "Not yet."

Rau nodded his head, "Well save that one for when you do…the last one will contain voice dialogue as well as false phone and contact between the two, I also enclosed some of his past mission data, this will give the added effect."

Patrick looked at it seriously.

"Don't worry sir, I made sure that the assassination attempt is enclosed as a paper trial between the two, you will have no trouble convincing the council to issue a warrant for that girls arrest, I made sure everything points to Lacus, nothing will get her out of this."

Patrick wasn't to sure at first it was very confusing, but as he started looking at the tapes and what Rau brought he smiled, and now he couldn't wait to present this to the council.

"Good enough lets go," Patrick said as Rau smiled and they walked out, got in a car and drove to the shuttle bay, they boarded the private shuttle as Rau made a call taking care of the Zala squad, and they headed straight for Aprilious One.

Clyne Plant

Siegel wasn't able to sleep at night at all, along with most of the others, all were worried about Lacus. Siegel asked Andrew to start a private search for her and he was hoping to come up with something.

Siegel was required to attend this meeting, and he had to see Uzumi back to the shuttle bay so they could leave back to Orb. Uzumi offered to help with the search and Siegel thanked him, but that might cause problems.

Athrun and Nicol were doing their job as they were waiting to take Cagalli and Uzumi to the shuttle bay for launching. Athrun was still thinking about what happened and he had questions for his father, but that would have to wait.

All were ready and Siegel prepared for his meeting as he was heading straight to Aprilious One once this was finished. They got in the cars and headed straight to the shuttle bay.

Shuttle Bay

All arrived at the shuttle bay and Siegel and the rest got out as they were doing their farewells.

Nicol stayed by the car as Athrun walked Cagalli to the shuttle.

"You are worried about her?" Athrun asked.

Cagalli looked at him, "She wouldn't do this, I know she wouldn't."

Athrun knew that was true but could say nothing, "Only time will tell."

Cagalli noticed he seemed to be distracted, "Are you concerned about something?"

Athrun immediately looked at her, "What are you talking about?"

"You seem different," Cagalli said.

Athrun smiled, "I will be fine…I hope to see you again in the future."

Cagalli blushed, "So do I," Cagalli said as she got in the shuttle, she was still concerned about the events, but all she could do now was wait.

Athrun walked back to the car and sat down, as they got a phone call.

Athrun answered it.

"Le Crueset here," Rau said.

"Yes sir," Athrun replied.

"Your father wants you back, you will take the shuttle with the Chairman and he will give you a briefing," Rau said as he hung up not letting Athrun ask any questions.

Athrun hung up and wondered what exactly was going on but he was still concerned.

Siegel and Uzumi were doing their farewells when Andrew finally caught up with them.

"Sir," Andrew saluted.

Uzumi and Siegel looked at him seriously, "Anything?" Siegel asked almost in desperation.

Andrew looked at him, "I searched everywhere I could sir, they are keeping everything tightly locked and classified, but what I now is that a shuttle was launched and they are attempting to recover it on earth."

"You think it was Lacus?" Siegel asked.

"That is all I can gather sir, or it was that assassin," Andrew said.

Siegel looked at him, "You think she was kidnapped?"

"That is possible sir, but I am still concerned about the events taking place, that assassin just turned like that, I have a feeling something else is going on, and with the massacre at the park, there is to much we don't know, and we have no way of getting answers either," Andrew told him.

Siegel hung his head, "How can this be happening? I am locked out of just about everything."

Andrew looked at him, "Your place in the polls has dropped about triple to Zala, once he goes public he will take over."

"I don't care about that now, I just want to find my daughter," Siegel said.

"I understand sir, you will have to see this so called evidence Zala has, then we will go from there," Andrew said.

Uzumi added in now, "I will contact some of my people from the surface; I will try and get some news from the desert."

"Thank you for the support," Siegel added.

Uzumi smiled, "Your daughter would never try and kill me, or do whatever they are pinning her with, something big is going on behind the scenes."

"I agree, we should keep our eyes and ears open," Siegel responded.

"I will get word to you as soon as I can," Uzumi said as he boarded the shuttle and it launched down to earth.

Siegel and Andrew watched it leave as Athrun and Nicol approached.

"Sir, we will be riding with you today," Athrun said as both saluted.

Siegel looked at them, "You did good work yesterday, take your seats," Siegel added.

"Yes sir," Athrun and Nicol said as they boarded the shuttle headed to Aprilious One.

Andrew watched them enter, "I think we should remain silent on the trip."

Siegel looked at him, "You suspect them?"

"Not at all, but since his father is Patrick Zala, I would suggest we remain quiet about anymore matters on your daughter," Andrew said wanting to be safe.

Siegel understood, "Very well, you will accompany me to the meeting, and we will see what they have planned for her."

Andrew understood and agreed as both boarded the shuttle and it launched heading straight for the headquarters.

Aprilious One

The assigned shuttles carrying the council members had arrived, most of Clyne's supporters had no information on what was going on, they were just as confused as Siegel, the Zala supporters had a feeling that the soon to be leader Patrick had something up his sleeve so they would play along.

Patrick's shuttle was one of the first to arrive and he and Rau walked out getting into a car heading for the military facility. Once they arrived Patrick got out as he saw that the press was already starting to gather as they would be waiting for a statement, most of Plants had no clue what was going on. Patrick waved off any questions until the meeting was over.

Once they neared the room, Rau took his leave, "I will greet the Zala squad when they arrive here sir."

Patrick nodded, "Tell them nothing until I see them."

"Yes sir," Rau replied as he left to await the arrival, he sent for all four members and the shuttle carrying Yzak and Dearka would be delayed.

Patrick walked into the council chamber as he was eagerly waiting to begin.

Siegel's shuttle was one of the last as he and Andrew along with the two from the squad got out, Athrun and Nicol had a driver waiting for them, but they had to wait for Yzak and Dearka to arrive.

Siegel thanked them once again and he and Andrew got in a car that was heading straight for the headquarters.

When they arrived Siegel made sure Andrew would be given access, but he would mostly remain out of sight. They saw the council room and walked in as the soldiers saluted, Andrew stayed towards the back as all members were focused of Siegel. Siegel looked over and saw that Patrick had a very small grin on his face. Siegel took his seat and Patrick began.

Earth African Desert

The ground unit loyal to Patrick had finally arrived at their destination as they saw the shuttle in the distance.

Kira's Mansion

Kira was at his main computer trying to find a way they could get off the Plant without causing too much commotion. He of course new of one way, but that would only be a last option. Kira knew they would have to get out through one of the military docks; he was planning on taking one of the Ginns that were on standby, but that would give them no advantage to escaping as it would easily be tracked. Kira somehow knew it would come down to his last option, it was something he actually had a hand in, and he would have to hijack one of the new military mobile suits that they were manufacturing.

Kira had a hand in their creation as he developed the power source and weapon designs for these new suits, something he did in his free time but Patrick was pleased enough to put them into development…secretly. It was said that there were about eight machines built on some of Kira's theories, but he only new of three that were actually completed. That was fine by him all they needed was one.

Kira knew that was the way to go, and now all they had to do was get in, which wouldn't be to hard for him since the facility's security was mostly set up by his creations. Kira brought up the maps to the facility that even the Chairman didn't know about, Kira knew the place by heart, but he looked at it one more time to be sure. He could easily get in, however he would have to keep Lacus alive at the same time, so he also pulled up the personal for the facility, he wanted to know the number of soldiers, their schedules, and all patrol routes, Kira would be able to find a way to get in.

As Kira was pondering all of this, Lacus did her best to fix them the perfect breakfast, Lacus was impressed that Kira offered to do it for them, but she wanted him to rest, and he did a lot so it was the least she could do. Lacus smiled as she finished preparing, she placed everything on the table that was next to the kitchen in the dinning room. Lacus noticed that Kira never really had a lot of things, the place was very empty, but she knew this sort of place didn't really suit him, she was sure he would have been happy in a much smaller place.

Lacus felt the same way, she had a large home, but it was quite lonely at times. Lacus finished placing everything on the table and she smiled, she put a lot of effort in this meal. Lacus smiled one last time as she went up the stairs to get Kira. She knew he probably didn't leave the control room; she walked up to the control room and went inside.

Lacus walked in, "The food is ready Kira," Lacus said as she walked in and immediately Kira closed down the program he was in, but Lacus could swear she saw something that looked like a mobile suit.

Kira shut the program down and looked at her, "What was that?" Kira asked with a small smile.

Lacus walked up to him and placed one hand on his shoulder, "The meal is ready…I hope you will like it."

Kira smiled and stood up, "I'm sure it will be perfect," Kira said as Lacus blushed.

"What were you looking at?" Lacus asked, as she hoped he wouldn't mind.

Kira looked at her, "Something I designed long ago…however I have found a way for us to leave."

Lacus was interested, "Let us talk about it at the table, the food will get cold."

Kira smiled and they began their walking down the stairs, "It will not be easy."

Lacus looked over at him as they were just enjoying the quiet moment, "I'm sure it will be fine."

Kira looked at her, "We have to head to a secret facility even your father doesn't know about."

That surprised her a little, but nothing could shock her anymore, they walked into the dinning room and Kira's eyes went a little big.

"This looks incredible," Kira said as he looked at everything she made.

Lacus blushed, "Thank you, I just hope you will like it."

Kira and Lacus then sat down, as Kira hadn't had food like this in awhile.

"I'm sure I will, I have been on rations for awhile now," Kira said as he and Lacus began and Lacus was pleased that he liked it, but she was more pleased that she hadn't seen his sad expression. She was hoping that with time she would never see it again, she hoped with time nothing would go back to the ways of the past; she was looking forward to the future.

They sat and ate enjoying small conversation as they were getting to know each other better again, they could always talk for hours. When they were about to finish Kira got a warning.

His small communicator beeped loudly, Kira immediately dropped his fork and looked at it, as Lacus looked on with concern.

Kira saw it and sighed in relief.

"What was that Kira?" Lacus asked.

Kira smiled, "It seems there is a report about to be broadcasted from Aprilious One, I had this set to warn me about these things for information," Kira said as he flipped on the television.

Lacus was relieved as well as they thought they had a guest, both saw the picture come up and it made Kira's blood boil as it was Patrick Zala.

To be continued…

(AN): I hope you liked this chapter, next one will be the council meeting with a few other things, it should be up soon. Bye for now.