Author's note: Sorry for the long delay folks, but don't be discouraged because I plan to write this through so hang in there. I'd like to thank all my wonderful reviewers , my awesome beta Sieg and my amazing consultant Hotori.

enjoy

Start of Chapter 4

Everyone stood up and clapped for Commander Homer Katagiri as he took the stage. The more experienced guests got comfortable by asking for more wine as they waited for the Commander to deliver another one of his famous long winding speeches.

Sumeragi had been perfect the whole evening, she hung on Billy's arm and offered fake smiles to everyone who crossed their path. Now it was just pure torture to sit there and listen to the man drone on, especially since she knew that all the military progress against Celestial Being he was feeding this party was bogus. Downing her fourth glass of wine her mind drifted elsewhere as the guests around her tried to fake interest.

Seated a few tables away Lockon was just as bored with Commander Katagiri as anyone else at the gala. He was dressed in an expensive black suit and tie with a green waistbandand dark glasses in place of his eye patch. He was easily the most handsome man there and attracted quite a following.

Many of the trophy wives sneaked him glances every now and then only to be sorely disappointed when he did not return their admiration. Too bad for them he was distracted by a certain red head. Throughout the night he could not take his gaze off of her, Sumeragi was simply stunning in a carefully fitted red dress that complemented all her curves in all the right places.

Interestingly enough he was not the only one who thought so. Men from around the room had all at some point asked her for a dance, and so far all have been politely declined. It had made the night so far pretty amusing and since everyone was focussed on her he had time to scout and identify 6 men as Billy's bodyguards. Now that the night was drawing to a close he geared up for the final phase of his plan.

"Thank you everyone," the Commander finally concluded before adding, "Now I've probably put you all to sleep, so how about a final dance to get your blood moving again"

Everybody laughed politely before cheering him on as he led the dance with his wife.

Billy stood up and bowed to Sumeragi before leading her to the dance floor. The music had an upbeat tempo that had everyone doing the waltz, before long the entire dance floor was packed with slightly drunken elite personnel that were glad the formalities were finally over.

As she glided through the busy dance floor with Billy she felt suffocated. It was all too much, rubbing shoulders with people she despised while all the men she declined stood watch at the edge of the dance floor like hungry wolves. Billy was halfway to being under the table due to the gentle urging of his date, and did not sense her discomfort.

Soon, she thought to herself, soon he'll be in bed and it'll all be over

After an eternity the waltz ended, everybody clapped before the slow dance music started. Couples all around them stepped a little closer and before long were letting the music command their sway across the dance floor. Billy looked expectantly to Sumeragi, it was all she could do to plaster on a fake smile as they started to step closer.

"Excuse me, may I have this dance" a voice behind her addressed Billy. Shivers ran down her spine as she felt the familiarity of that voice, she stood frozen afraid to turn around for fear that she was wrong.

"Uuuuh...sure..."Billy said a bit unsure, still wondering if his father had not put one of his friends up on a dare. Before he knew what was happening a swarm of women took the opportunity to surround and whisk away the commander's son.

Now that they were both alone on the dance floor she slowly took the chance and turned around to thank her rescuer.

"How are you tonight Sumeragi-san?" he asked as he took her hand and led the dance

At that moment she was beyond ecstatic, it was him! The hair, the height and the fact that all the women were now shooting her dirty looks confirmed the existence of her friend. They swayed through the dance floor all the while she stared into his mirrored shades and saw the whites of a bandage peeking out above and below the rim of the right eye.

She had been silent since they began, never taking her eyes off him. He could see a mixed expression of awe, happiness and confusion grace her features as she began to speak.

"Neil?...Is it really you?" she asked still in shock as she put a hand just beside his right eye. He was caught a little off guard with her move and at that moment was glad he wore shades thinking he would never be able to hide the wave of pleasure that hit him the moment her gentle hand met his face.

"The one and only" he replied with a smile. He was happy to note that she called him by his first name, just like they had agreed 2 years ago aboard Ptolemy.

A ghost of a smile appeared on her lips as she brought both her arms around his neck, causing him to pull her closer as they slowed and stood in a warm yet almost intimate hug. The feeling of her in his arms after four long years was the best feeling in the world. He savoured their closeness but remembered where they were and resumed their dance when he noticed Billy's six bodyguards giving him glares from across the floor.

She followed his gaze and led them towards the crowd of couples in the middle.

Now safely surrounded by other couples around them she slowly drew her hands up and reached for his shades wanting to see his Azure eyes again, but he pulled back slightly.

"Not here, they'll remember a man with one eye" he cautioned

She nodded and let her hands rest on his shoulders, they were so close only the two of them could hear each other so he continued, "He didn't hurt you, did he?" he asked referring to the incidentat the AEU elevator earlier today.

"I'm fine...but how?..." she had so many questions about him. She wanted to know how he survived. And what happened the past 4 years as well as earlier today with Setsuna and Lyle but he silenced her by pulling her closer and whispering in her ear.

"I'll explain everything but not here" his breath so near sent tingles down her neck as she tried to listen carefully. "We don't have much time," he added seeing Billy heading in their direction, "but tonight before you leave make sure to lead him up to the penthouse suite."

"Don't think for a second that-" she started, agitated at the thought of what she believed Lockon was asking her to do with Billy.

"Woah, just relax" he countered trying to hold his laughter. "I'm not implying that you do anything, I just need him in that penthouse tonight."

"What for?" she asked curious now.

"You will see" he replied before gently pulling away. "Be ready because he is coming back" Billy was almost within hearing range when they stepped apart.

Billy asked to reclaim his dance and Lockon reluctantly obliged but turned to smile down at Sumeragi before addressing Billy for the last time.

"You are a very lucky man " She was crestfallen at his implications while Billy looked between the two.

Lockon was very amused to note how she turned a bright shade of red right at that moment, he knew he was not getting away with this one. Yet Billy's next comment shattered his playful mood,

"You have no idea" with that he slipped a hand around her waist, probably a bit lower than she was used to around him as she tensed up when he made contact.

It took nerves of steel for Lockon to walk away from the man he now despised with all his heart.

To the happiness of everyone at the party the night finally came to an end. Guests gathered around the doors, trying their best not to appear too eager to get out.

"Ok Kujo, Are you ready to go?" Billy asked as he retrieved his coat from coat check.

"Not yet Billy, there's something I want to show you..." She winked at him in an if-you-know-what-I-mean style before taking his hand. He leaned in to kiss her but she averted and he got her cheek instead, "follow me." She beckoned.

Over the four years that she had spent with Billy she had never seen him as desperate as he was tonight. He took every opportunity at every floor of steps to try and corner her with a caress or an intended kiss but she was too quick for him and each time just managed to dodge his advances. She was not sure if it was the alcohol affecting his self control, or if the prospect of losing her to Lockon on the dance floor somehow wounded his ego. Never the less, she knew that it was unfair for him to keep thinking they had something, so she knew tonight no matter where it lead her she could not go back to Billy.

They reached the penthouse floor and immediately got into the elevator, just when Billy's oppressive nearness was starting to get to her the doors opened into the penthouse. Without wasting time Sumeragi rushed out and reluctantly dragged him by the hand.

Slowed by his drunkenness Billy barely had time to register the swift figure that rushed at him from beside the elevator door. He felt a painful jolt and then the darkness took him.

****

Hours later Billy woke up sprawled across the penthouse bed. His head hurt like hell and his side throbbed.

It was to his surprise neither the assailant nor Sumeragi were in sight. The penthouse was as quiet as any day and after a frantic sweep across the room Billy found a note on the nightstand.

Billy.

I'm sorry. I'm writing this letter, because you refuse to accept the
truth, and I can't lie anymore.
I was in Celestial Being. I participated in those interventions. I tried
to end the distortion of the world. I couldn't sit by and do nothing.

Emilio's death and the AEU's actions that day, I hated it so much and I still
do. I couldn't try pretending it never happened... So I did what I did.

You've been kind to me these past years and all the years before... And
I just can't go on lying to you. We can't be together...you deserve someone
better and I'm sure you'll find her.

Goodbye and sorry, Billy.

-Leesa Kujo

Sumeragi now leaned against the passenger window of a black sportscaras it sped down the deserted highway with Lockon at the wheel. She watched the forestry overshadowed by nightfall whiz by them as her thoughts were centered on Billy, hoping that he would understand.

"I'm sorry we had to resort to that Sumeragi-san, but we wouldn't stand a chance if he sent all six of his guards after us."

"It's alright, I just hope he understands" she replied solemnly. Once her gaze settled on him she smiled before adding

"and Neil...?"

"Yes" he replied, glancing in her direction

"I'm no longer a part of Celestial Being, my name is Leesa Kujo"

"Leesa Kujo..." He tried out with a smile before turning back to his windshield which projected holographic cameras of the right driving lane.

After an uneventful ride they finally reached their destination by midnight. A quiet yet cozy looking cottage with a decent view of the lake hidden by the vast forest met them at the end of a rocky trail.

"Here we are " he announced as he held the door and led her inside.

Comfortable furniture was arranged around a fireplace in the den. The room was also shared with a dining table in the kitchen which contained a large picture window that opened up to a magnificent lake view.

"Safehouse, sweet safehouse." He announced before closing the door.

She stood in the hallway taking in the comfortable surroundings "It's nice, very cozy." Somehow she felt accepted in the modest living quarters; the cottage was not overbearing like Billy's spacious house however it was more fanciful than the technically designed quarters aboard Ptolemy.

"You can change in the bedroom down the hall to your left"

She was halfway there when it dawned on her, "oh, I have nothing to wear" she said a bit shamefully

"Don't underestimate Lockon Stratos. I posed as one of Billy's guards and had his maid bring me your luggage."

Surely enough her suitcase stood at the foot of a large king sized bed. The bed was already adorned with fresh white linens when she entered her room. She took in her surroundings again feeling the acceptance around her like a warm blanket before moving to the closet and hanging up the Jacket Lockon lent her.

Once changed, she came out to the den and found Lockon now wearing a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants kneeling by the fireplace, out of habit to keep his eyes covered his dark sunglasses were still on. Once the fire flared he stood up and took her in she wore a white t-shirt lined with pink and blue sweatpants.

"Hey, take a seat and warm up." He gestured to the couch adding "I'll get us some hot chocolate" before she could remind him that he still wore his sunglasses.

She looked around the fireplace as the strong flame crackled with heat. The cottage was well kept and looked as if a family once occupied it. Pictures lined the fireplace walls and her gaze fell on the one of a smiling little girl. She stood up to inspect the adorable child who looked no more than 3 years old, she wore a cute yellow sundress and was happily playing with the toys scattered around her. Upon further inspection she noticed that the girl resembled Lockon, she had his eyes and hair color.

"That'sAmy" Said Lockon as he put a tray laden with 2 mugs of hot chocolate onto the coffee table "My little sister on her third birthday party on the beach."

She had read his file but had never seen the pictures of the ones he lost; now putting faces to the tragedy made it all the more painful.

"I'm sorry" she said solemnly as she put the picture back

"Don't be, they've been avenged" he said scanning the photos before adding, "they can rest in peace now"

The next picture was one of a smiling pretty woman with green eyes and long brown hair was standing next to a handsome man with blue eyes and short dark hair who she could only guess was Lockon's father.

"That's mom and dad, Michelle and Colin Dylandy" he said following her gaze to the picture of his parents at a gathering.

Sumeragi turned to him with a smile, "she's beautiful, and you look just like him." She said noting that he had his father's eyes.

He nodded at her kind words, while deep down inside he wished his family could have met with the people that mattered most to him now. It was ironic though that none of them would have met had his family not died that day, he pondered on the cruelty of fate as they sat in comfortable silence enjoying their hot chocolate.

The day's events weighed heavily on her mind as she drank. Only hours earlier she had nearly been dragged back to Ptolemy. Sure she was ecstatic to see her meister's alive but the thought of taking on the responsibility of tactical forecaster made her uneasy.

She wished for another glass of wine to take her mind off things. She doubted Lockon had any alcohol for as long as she'd known him he always liked to be alert. She was so relieved to have him back again, yet curious as ever to learn exactly how he'd managed to survive all these years.

After taking their empty cups away he came back with a warm throw over which he put over Sumeragi who gratefully accepted the extra warmth.

"I know you too well to think you're going to sleep tonight, so I thought I'd get you comfortable" he said with a smile as he took a seat next to her.

She remembered all the nights they spent staying up in the cafeteria on Ptolemy. Both unable to sleep due to plaguing nightmares have made it a habit to sit and talk late into the night. He made her laugh and she intrigued him, every now and then they learned something new about each other and it not only strengthened their friendship but their resolve to fight.

Turning to Lockon her curiosity got the better of her as she slowly reached out to take off his sunglasses. This time he did not pull away, her fingers gently graced his cheek as she completely removed the dark mirrors.

His azure eye locked onto hers as she gently traced the right side of his eye, being mindful of the bandage and sealer that still capped it shut. Silently cursing the bastard that took so much away from him.

"Neil how did you survive? Where have you been?" She asked quietly as she withdrew her hand.

Lockon sighed, already missing her touch. He knew she would not rest without an explanation and so he began.

He told her everything about that night, how he woke up when a pipe broke overhead and pierced the bulletproof glass of the pod. He told her how that pipe poured liquid which he now identified as silver nitrate all over his chest and caused his new condition of Argyria.He told her all about Fershette and how they searched through the debris and took him on board.

When he was finished he looked up to Sumeragi whose eyes were slightly glazed over now. He knew she was not one to cry often and would probably find his gestures of comfort unwelcome.

"Lockon that night if we had not left, if we just-" she began

Yet he couldn't stop himself as he took her hand and consoled her.

Within moments of his touch she forced her emotions back under control, yet she still held on to his hand as he spoke fearing if she let go he would vanish. All these years because of her actions her friend had suffered, and now the thought of this new disease was eating her up inside yet she didn't have the heart to ask him to show her the physical effects, knowing the emotional stress alone would be too much for him tonight.

"Hey don't ever blame yourself for that night, it was my fault. I went out there and got hurt that was my mistake and Chris, Lichty and Allelujah paid for it with their lives." It was a hard fact to swallow but he believed that had Dynames been on the battlefield that night events might have turned out differently.

She saw how hard that simple admission affected him yet she knew that none of what happened that night was his blame alone.

"Neil, although I admit what you did was beyond stupid. I just want you to know that there was no guarantee that the GNX would not have broken through and blasted the bridge anyways. Please don't blame yourself for things you had no control over."

He looked to her with guilt written all over his face, yet she simply smiled and rubbed his arm. Both knew they had a lot to talk about, their future with Celestial being, their growing relationship, yet both were too exhausted to care at the moment.

Sumeragi was always strictly casual when it came to her crew and Meisters aboard the Ptolemaios, but tonight she just needed reassurance of his existence. So putting all of her barriers aside she moved the blanket over both of them. He was happy to feel her near as he tiredly accepted a part of the blanket. She was about to lower a hand over his heart yet she remembered his Argyria, sensing her question he looked down to her.

"It's alright you won't cause me pain" he spoke while putting an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm glad you're alive" was the last thing she whispered against his neck before falling into the first dreamless sleep she's had in 4 years.

"And I've been thanking god every day since I heard you were alive" he whispered back before he too nodded off.

AN: Please don't forget to review 