A/N I wont bore you with a long description. this chapter deals with Archangel's subsequent run to Artemis and Ryan's return to the Archangel. Thanks to EmperorDraco7 for beta reading.

Disclaimers: Standard disclaimers apply.

Chapter Four:

Silent Run

Archangel:

Kira brought Flay to the mess hall where their frieds were eating. Flay ran over to Sai and said, "Hey there Sai, I am fine as you can see." Sai was shocked to see Flay and said, "I am glad your okay, but why are you here?" Kira said, "She was on board the lifepod I brought aboard because it was damaged." Sai nodded and said, "Oh well I am glad you brought it on board then." Kira nodded. His other friends were talking so he decided to go for a walk. He left the mess hall.

Kira walked through the halls and thought 'I killed a man. Why did he have to die? Why did this war have to come to our front yard.' Kira frowned as he clenched his fist and his hands started shaking as he became a little depressed at the thought and the fact that it was a friend of Athrun's made it worse. "Athrun will never forgive me," he said sadly. A tear fell down his cheek. 'This whole thing is messed up. Why did we have to get involved and now Heliopolis is gone.' The young coordinator frowned as he kept wandering the halls, when he ran into Roxy and watched what she was doing. Roxy was wearing a pair of shorts and a tank top. She was stretching her muscles. She stopped and set off into a series of pirouettes and turns as she danced around the observation deck listening to her favorite slow music. The nineteen year old natural wished she had a partner, but knew no one would join her. She continued to dance and spin gracefully as Kira watched her in amazement that someone could move this graceful. He forgot about his depression and got lost in watching her.

The sweat was glistening off Roxy as she continued dancing and she began to smile as her eyes were closed. She forgot all about where she was as she began to do jumps and moves she learned in ballet. The young man couldn't help, but watch as she danced. He forgot about the war by watching her dance. Kira smiled as he sat down quietly. Roxy stopped, turned her music off, and took out the earbuds. Kira clapped and said, "That was amazing Roxanne." She turned and "Eep" was the sound she made as she shrunk against the wall. "I...I...I di..di..didn't...s..s..se..y..y..you.. . You..scared me Kira." Kira said, "Sorry Roxanne. You are really good." Her breathing heavily labored and her hand on her heart she stammered, "I..Its ok..ay. This room was empty so I figured I could dance here. As the workout room is small." Kira nodded and said, "Its okay, I am sorry to have disturbed you." The young green eyed woman said, "It's okay I was done." With that she tore out of the room and ran to her quarters, with her face bright red. Kira shook his head, "She is shy," he said to himself.

Roxy's Quarters:

The young woman went into the bathroom and climbed in the shower and let the warm relaxing water run over her muscles. She smiled and said, "Ah that is better. Why did he have to see me, when I was doing that? The room was empty. I didn't want anyone to see me move like that." She sighed as thought's of the day came back to her. She thought, 'First that mercenary compliments me and makes me look weak in front of Aunt Natarle. Oh no noe can that she is my aunt, not yet at least. What was that mercenaries problem? Does he think he can get any woman and why would he compliment her and then later tell her not to read into. Why do I even care what that jack ass thinks? He will be leaving soon. So I wont have to deal with him for long. James probably isn't even coming back to the Archangel now.' She washed her hair and body and got out. She dried and dressed in her uniform for her shift. Ms. Smythe left for the bridge. Roxanne got into her seat and relieved Miriallia of her combat coordinator duties for the evening so she could eat and sleep.

Shuttle to the Archangel:

Ryan sat there, "Miguel we will be there in fifteen minutes." The younger coordinator nodded and said, "Okay." The two men sat there in their seat and stared out there windows. "So when we get to the Archangel I need you to talk to the pilot of the Strike and explain to him, that you bear him no ill will," Ryan said. "Miguel laughed and said, "That will be easy as I don't bear him any ill will, he was following orders. Ryan why did you select me?" Ryan knew this was coming and said, "I will tell you soon, but now is not the time." Miguel nodded and said, "Okay."

The Archangel came into view and they hailed the ship. "Archangel come in. I repeat Archangel come in," Ryan said. Roxy Smythe said, "This is the Archangel. Identify yourself." Ford said, "Tell Murrue, The ShadowWolf is returning." Roxanne had a confused look on her face and thought, 'Why is he refering to himself as a person who I know to be dead? They talked about him all the time at the academy. He made himself a hero and an ace in his first battle where he was killed', "Captain the ShadowWolf is returning." Murrue gave her a puzzled look as she heard that, "Who is the ShadowWolf?" Mu jumped up and gentlytook the radio from Smythe and said, "Ryan welcome back, your early. We didn't expect you until after we engaged ZAFT with our ambush." Roxanne's eyes widened as she heard the name of the man she thought of as a dead hero. Ryan thought, 'Interesting I would have done the same thing.' Murrue looked at Mu and said, "It's Ryan? Why didn't he just say that?"

Mu shook his head and said, "Think about it Murrue. Ryan Ford was supposedly killed at Carpenteria, why would he use a nickname instead. Most people who intercept this transmission and will think it a code word meaning something like a big ace is returning from recon or something. Then almost a year later you turn up and return from the dead? Who isn't going to be suspicious. The only reason I am not is because I have known him since he left the academy. His voice and facial features areengraved in my mind. I have stared at pictures of him and his father for the past several months. Ryan from what I remembered was deadly loyal to his friends and those he cared about and was a very honorable man who always took responsibility for his actions. He was young, but one of the most naturally gifted pilot's I have ever seen. He shot down six DINNs in that first battle of his at Carpenteria before the EA shot him down with that missile. John Ford was a great man and didn't deserve the death he got." Mu had an angry look on his face.

Roxy snapped, "Where is the proof that the EA killed him and if he was such a great pilot how did he get shot down by a DINN,Mu? He was supposed to be the best pilot the EA had and was a sure person to end this war. He failed and let himself get killed. Why would the EA shoot him down?" Tears rolled down her cheek and she didn't know why. Mu snapped and said, "You want proof? Proof? I will give you proof in fifteen minutes when he gets here. As to letting himself get killed. He had no way of getting away from the missile. Why would he want to die. He wanted nothing more than to end this war. Why would they want to kill him, one reason. Ryan is a coordinator. Don't talk as if you knew him. You didn't princess." Adding that last line with venom in his voice. "Ryan Ford is a true hero and one of the most trustworthy people I know." Roxy cringed in fear as Mu raised his voice her. She had fear in her eyes and guilt as well as she knew he was right. She had no right to judging the man she considered a hero secretly. Mu stormed out and went to the hangar. 'Man what is that girls problem. bad mouthing a true hero like that. Doesn't she realize the true hero's leave it all on the battlefield? Sometimes even laying their lives down to protect those he loves and cares about.'

Hangar:

The shuttle boarded the Archangel and the Shadow and Custom Orange GINN were put into the catapults. Ryan walked into the hangar and saw Mu walk in. "Hey Mu it's good to see you again." Mu smiled and replied as the two men shook head and said, "Yes it is good to see you too, Ry... er James." Ryan shook his head and said, "James Black was killed at Heliopolis and Ryan Ford was reborn from the Ashes and screams of those that died." To signify ths he took the contacts out and threw them away. Ryan wet his hair and the black temporary hair dye came out of it as well as his beard. He smiled and said, "Ah that's better." Mu laughed and said, "Well welcome back to the land of the living ShadowWolf." Ryan laughed and said, "Thanks. Oh Mu this is Miguel Aiman. He is the reason I didn't return to the Archangel right away." Mu shook his hand and said, "Can you count on him." Miguel said, "He can, you can, and this ship can, I will allow no harm to come to this ship. I will also fight ZAFT to protect this ship." Mu smiled and said, "I like him. Come on take Miguel to his quarters and come to the bridge." Ryan nodded. Miguel sighed, "Why am I being left out." Ryan said, "because as the leader of this mission it is my job to tell you what planswe have come up with." Miguel nodded, "Okay Ryan I trust you." Ryan smiled. Mu said, "Oh look out for Roxy. She just went at it with me."

Five minutes later:

Ryan walked onto the bridge and everyone turned to them. Murrue said, "Ryan Ford?" Roxy looked up and gasped, "Mu was telling the truth, that can't be. Y-y-your d-d-dead." Ford shook his head and said, "Are you going to stutter everytime I talk to you. Yes Mu was telling the truth and maybe more than he should have if he told you what really 'killed' me." Roxy just stared at him in shock. She couldn't this man was the one she had admired since she heard his story, Roxanne said, "But why didn't you tell your side of the story?" Ryan snorted and said, "What and call the EA liars? The truth will come out and sooner than they think. I began working for Serpent's Tail shortly after that battle and was hired by Morgenroete to watch over the construction of the G-Weapons. I used that cover to help me steal the Shadow as repayment for this scar," pulled his shirt off, points to the scar on his right shoulder and his left shoulder blade," These scars and the attempt on my life. if you have a problem with it, keep it to yourself." He put his shirt back on and rolled the sleeves back up past his elbows.

Roxy gasped at the damage caused to his body. "Where did they come from. What part of the accident?" Ryan turned to her and said, "When my body was tossed across the top of the ocean dislocating my shoulder then shattering it in five places and breaking my arm in two. I also shattered my left shoulder blade from the force of that impact. Shattered the visor on my helmetcausing this damage. If it wasn't for Gai Murakamo I would have died. Thats why I decided to stay with Serpent's Tail." She nodded then got back to work. "Oh Murrue I know the plan. Let's set the trap and ambush them." Murrue nodded and said, "Prepare the ship for anti mobile suit combat." Then she turned the comm on. "All hands report to level one battlestations Repeat all hands report to level one battlestations," She said. Ryan and Mu left to get Miguel and get to the hangar.

Hangar:

Ryan and miguel walked in to the hangar in their pilot suits. Ryan in his all black pilot suit said, "Miguel aid Kira with the defense of the Archangel. Imgoing out with my Sniper pack when Mu launches." Miguel nodded and said, "Yes sir." Mu said, "Kira be smart use Miguel from what I gathered from Ryan he is a great pilot and you will need his help." Kira nodded and the four broke away from each other and climbed in their machines. Ryan started the Shadow and had it moved to the catapult. "Roxanne, sorry Roxy please equip the Shadow with the LRAP please." Her face appeared on the screen, "but why would I do that? Shouldn't you be defending the ship with the MAP?" Ryan sighed, "Roxy it is a sniping pack that utilizes Mirage colloid, Why not use it? I can protect the ship from a distance. I need to talk to you when I get back." The only sound he heard at first was, "Eep," then she said, "Did I do something wrong?" He looked into her eyes and said, "Dont worry about that now. Just focus on your job please." She sighed and said, "yes, si.. Yes Ryan."

Mu was put on the opposite catapult as Ryan and prepped for launch. "Roxy's said, "Mu you are clear for launch." Mu nodded and said, "Mu La Flage, Zero, launching." Roxy then returned to mounting the LRAP on the Shadow and said, "Ford you are clear for launch." Ryan nodded and said, "Ryan Ford, Shadow Gundam, ShadowWolf heading out on the hunt." With that the Moebius Zero and the Shadow were launched into space. Mu took off for the Vesalius as Ryan drifted into the debris not wanting to use Mirage Colloid yet.

A/N Sorry I didn't get to the battle yet, but I had extra muse for this chapter while I was in the middle of writing. Next Chapter we will get to the battle here and the incident and subsequent battle at Artemis. Why did Roxy argue with Mu and what areher true reasons for being angry with Ryan and what is she hiding from the crew?(I left a big mention og it in the chapter. I hope someone spots it.) Why does Ryan want to talk to Roxy? find out in the next chapter. Please leave a review and help me grow as a writer.