Changing Fate

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything pertaining to the Gundam franchise.

Chapter 6: Peace

DOMINION, BRIDGE

Natarle looked at the members of her crew, 'I expected some of the crew, but all of them. I would have never expected them to feel so strongly to prevent another war from happening.' A majority of the crew also informed her that they will be going to Orb after the peace talks in two days. The rest were going back home. 'Home, sounds good about now but what will I tell my parents. Telling them I went AWOL will be a big discussion killer.' Natarle stared at the ground she knew her family would probably disown her for her actions. 'The price we pay for peace.'

Arnold stood next to her chair; he had been congratulated many times already by the crew, for his promotion and for his future plans. 'Am I that obvious?' He noticed Natarle had been silent for a few minutes. "What's wrong?"

"Just thinking about my parents. Wondering how they are going to respond when I tell them that I went against orders and went AWOL." Natarle looked at Arnold, eyes watering. Arnold, unlike Natarle, had lost his parents before the Archangel first flew. His dad had died in a battle against ZAFT and his mother was killed when the N-Jammers were deployed on Earth. He didn't have anyone to judge what he had done. "I am sure that they will understand. That man was going to have you crew killed and was attempting to kill an entire race. I think that they will be happy that you disobeyed orders and helped provide a swift end to this war. When was the last time that you saw them anyway?"

Natarle had to think about it, 'Has it really been that long?' "I saw them before I was assigned to the Archangel. Since then I haven't had any downtime to go and see them. After JOSH-A, I was assigned on the Zenobia and then I was given the Dominion," Natarle said, remembering the time when she still believed in the Alliance. "How about we contact your family in your office? You can see for yourself that your parents are happy that you are still alive." The couple left the bridge and headed towards the captain's quarters. After waiting for the connection, the young couple was watching Natarle's parents on the screen.

Her mother gasped when she saw her daughter, until now she believed that her baby had been killed for treason. "Natarle," her mother said, her voice breaking as tears started to fall. Natarle focused on her father, who looked angry, 'Well this may not go as smoothly as I thought,' Arnold thought. "The Alliance told us that you went AWOL, is it true," the older man said frowning. "My orders for my crew was to leave the battleship. I gave that order so that I could stop Murata Azrael. If you preferred me to let that man continue to-"

"Azrael! Blue Cosmos's Azrael?" The older man's anger intensified at the name of that bastard. "Yes, he pulled a gun on a member of my crew, someone that I promised to protect. Why are you asking?"

"That monster was the one that helped sneak a nuke onto the Roosevelt. He was the monster that started this war. I am glad that someone put that man in his place, but I am pleased that my daughter would be the one to do it." Natarle's eyes watered, her parents were happy because of what she had done. Natarle spoke with her parents telling them about the battle and after half an hour the family said their goodbyes.

Natarle turned to Arnold, "Thank you," was all she could get out. Arnold went around the desk to embrace the raven haired woman. "My pleasure. I would love to meet your parents, they both seem wonderful." Natarle just nodded her head, unable to say anything else in fear of crying more. "Arnold would you stay here tonight," Arnold's answer came in the form of helping her up and leading her towards the bed.

THE NEXT DAY

Natarle woke up in the arms of the man that had stolen her heart nearly eight months ago. He was still asleep and looked extremely peaceful. 'I wonder if this is how Murrue feels with Mu.' Natarle had known that the two had feelings for each other. Both of them oozed the love that they shared. 'What would it be like if we spent our lives together?' Natarle then noticed that the man had awaken, 'Morning,' he said groggily.

Arnold looked at the woman, the bandages around her shoulder were visible in her gown and the feel of the cast on her leg were the only reminders of the battle that he could see and touch. As she turned to her side, she winced as the stitches pulled slightly. 'Has it really been five days since she had been shot,' Arnold thought as he watched the woman. She refused to be on the painkillers that the doctors had suggested, so that she could think clearly. She was tough, but Arnold still feared for the psychological damage that she hadn't shown, yet.

"So what is on the agenda today," Natarle asked as they both got dressed for the long day ahead. "Azrael will be dumped off at the war tribunal today, the ship will be finished with repairs, and did I say that we are dumping Azrael's sorry ass off today," Arnold said, happy to finally be rid of the monster that was responsible for the near destruction of the PLANTS and for wounding the woman he fell in love with. Natarle laughed at how happy Arnold was. She hadn't seen anyone that happy in a long time. Natarle limped over towards the crutches, "Well let's go a get rid of the bastard."

AN: This chapter is kinda short and I am hoping to post the final chapter sometime tomorrow. I will try to make it longer. I had to add a part with Natarle's parents, it just adds a little bit of drama. Please review.