Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny. Some other character names are just randomly thought of and have no relevance to real life.

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Secret for Two..

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"You.. you – are.." she can't even utter a word in front of him, she then saw a small smile on his face.

"My.. That's not the proper greeting I was expecting from you, you know.. I missed you so much after all.." he said to her.

"Liar! You.. only cared for yourself..and I'm.. an idiot who still foolishly believe in you.." tears started to fall on her cheeks. She terribly missed the man, even as he arrogantly sits there on the opposite side of the call, she still feels great happiness by just the mere sight of him, and even if, the words he speaks are lies. She then saw him sigh,

"I know, it'll be hard for you to believe me after what I've done.. But what I've said were not lies. It is only to you, whom I can never lie.." she just remained silent while recollecting her composure.

"If that's how you say it.." she then asked him.. "How is the girl?" This time, it's the man's turn to be surprised, then softly answered.

"She's doing fine.. Still young and beautiful in that bed you created, sleeping peacefully. That is something I will never say sorry to you, even if I have to do it again.. Because, it is you who saved them that time.. As of now, the men I asked had already advanced their studies on the success of cell repairs.. With this, we've made a scientific breakthrough along with that cryo freeze capsule.. Once the stem cell research is confirmed successful then we'll release her from the cryo capsule and transfer her to the cell repair capsule.. it shouldn't take long before she wakes up.. then hopefully, things can go back to normal.."

"If you're joking, then that's fine.. If you're trying to patronize me, then forget it! And what going back to normal are you talking about? Did you think that things as they are right now can still be fixed? My goodness! You took something from the other, yet the other can no longer live the way she might have wished.. You imposed your will on her didn't you?" she really can't figure the "happiness" he's been saying since then.

"Come on Anne.. do we have to argue about that till now? Isn't it better that we saved and gave both of them a different path?" he reasoned out.

"Are you sure that you are giving them a different path? How about your precious Victoria.. Is her coming here in a mobile suit, a 'different path' that you talk about?" she saw him froze in disbelief. "Don't tell me, you didn't know. If that's the case, then it's a pity. After all, you almost moved heaven and earth to make her live after that devastating condition." She mocked him before continuing –

"And they all saw her, saw her eyes! I wouldn't be surprised if they've already started the investigation about her background.." it took the man a long time before he answered.

"They wouldn't get anything.. Her background is genuine.." he just said as if it's no big deal.

"Then about the change on her appearance? Do you think they wouldn't suspect her? People seemed to memorize each and every aspect of that girl, even after all these years.. Do you think they wouldn't compare? That they wouldn't notice? They were even here last night.." he did not respond.

"And did you think you can get away from her either? Eventually, people's opinion will get in.. didn't you think that one day she will ask you about why would people insist her to be another..? In either way, you can't escape from it.." she thought, she made him think things over but,

"It's alright if they would think that way.. Anyway, during that time, Victoria had injured eyes and she ought to know it.. I had thought of those possibilities even before.. If worse comes to worst, then Victoria would have to decide on that matter.. I'll be waiting for her verdict, I won't get away from this.. It was something I had imposed upon myself when I took made the decision.."

Anne shakes her head and sighs in frustration. This man is indeed hopeless, must have buried himself in darkness.. but she still doesn't want to give up on him. If anything, then she will accompany his soul wherever life may bring them. That was the promise she had made to him before, even if it meant falling to the abyss with him.

"So, after how many years of I know where you are but I won't find you game of ours, now that you've finally shown your face to me, does that mean that I'll soon have the honor of meeting the most eligible bachelor in the House of Nobles?" she asked sarcastically but he just laughed.

"You bet.. About a month though, I might just catch on both of you there before the summit starts.. Sometimes though, I just wished I never came back to earth and just hidden them together." He must have intended to be just on his mind but she heard it aloud.

"That just goes to show that you cannot change faith.. If her faith is to meet them and know of our sin.. Then so be it.. don't you think?" but the man did not answer.. he just gave his usual smile before he said goodbye.

"We'll see it then when it happens.. Take care and please.. watch over her.. See you Milady.." then the monitor dies out.

"You.. who are always thinking a few steps ahead than most of other people. The most cunning and manipulating person I know. What a terrifying existence you could be.. But you are also the kindest, in times when other people doesn't know what to do, you will have your way for their convenience.. Could it just be your own selfishness..? Or somehow, can I believe that giving people a different path than they previously have will lead them to happiness. Is ignorance a bliss even if it's an unspeakable sin to those who know?.."

xxx

They are currently sitting together in a helicopter which will bring them to Onogoro Island. Athrun thought that it might take a half day for her mobile suit to be repaired but that should be fine. Today he will be touring her around first before leaving her to wander around the premises in Kaguya where she would do her personal scouting. Not that they don't have surveillance cameras, just that they've learned it from experience that people can just sneak inside the facility just like what they did seven years ago hoping to find the Archangel together with Dearka, Nicol, and Yzak. At least, they should be able to secure the facility just before the mass take off of several government heads. Athrun's gaze shifted to her, she just looked so feminine.

"Perhaps, it's because of her long hair.." he thought. Yesterday, he'd been hell bent to know the mystery surrounding this woman who uncannily looked exactly like Cagalli. He had actually made a background check on her and was disappointed by the results. Indeed her pictures when she was young showed a light brown eyes but he learned that her incident with the Requiem required her to undergo an eye transplant so that must have explained her eye color.

"How naive of us.." Actually the three of them who did not get to sleep enough trying to dig out information about this woman were all disappointed. Lacus and specially Kira was very upset.. because, up until now, they are still unable to put up a decent memorial for Cagalli just like her father Uzumi Nara Athha.. That is why.. they are still hoping that Cagalli may have lived somehow, somewhere. He then heard a clearing of a throat and he was startled upon realizing that he had been staring at her this whole time.

"I'm sorry to disturb your line of thoughts Admiral, but I just thought that staring is very rude you know. Somehow, I wonder just how exactly do I look like the princess..? Well, I know for a fact that I kind of look like her before except for my eyes, maybe the transplant had been a mistake and instead, I should have been given blue eyes instead of amber." He blushed profusely at her pointing it out.

"I'm sorry.. Indeed.. you just look like her.. I just can't shake it off my mind.." he said.

"I understand.. I think, I kind of guessed why are you still depressed about it.. It's hard to lose someone you love, isn't it?" She asked him out of the blue that his eyes went big in disbelief.

"Eh..? I – I'm.. Uh.." he tried to find a way to answer. "Had I been wearing my heart too much on my sleeve?"

"It's alright if you don't want to answer, I just thought of it though.. Because, the moment you saw me, it's as if you are about to cry.. You called her name with such devotion and love.. It's very admirable, to be able to love someone that much.. I wonder if somehow, I made Charles feel that way during my months in coma.." she continued.

"You mean, your cousin?" he asked, and she nodded.

"Yes.. He's only two years older, but to me.. Charles is everything in my little world, somehow I wonder if I'll be able to let him be with other ladies.. I don't think, I'll like that though.. I'm very selfish about him right now. He's the only person who has been there with me.. Sometimes, when I'm asleep.. I can still remember his desperate pleading when I was in coma.. that must have gave me the will to live again, not giving up.."

Athrun thought how different her circumstances was with Cagalli.. The only woman he ever love, had loved other people too much that she's willing to sacrifice herself..

"She loves us too.. Cagalli.. just that, she had a very big heart to love others too.. That's why.. she chose other people than her own existence. She did not want to give up hope, that people might somehow appreciate life.. whether they be Coordinators or Naturals, before we went to the outer space, we are so bent on proving Chairman Durandal just how wrong he was in implementing the Destiny plan. People are born, and they ought to live the way they want. If they somehow committed mistakes along the way, then isn't it natural that they cry or be angry then learn something from it? That is why, when she thought that we might somehow need a helping hand rather than focusing on battle, she came to protect us.. It was weird and frustrating, I.. who had promised to protect her with my life, ended up being saved by her once again. She.. who we ought to protect at all cost, ended up losing her who was also thinking of protecting the people at all cost. We lost to her will, and I ended up losing her.. forever.." He did not realize that he had started up talking to her in the most natural way.

"Ahh.. I'm sorry.. I must have talked too much.. That was uncalled for." He apologized to her then looked outside the window.

"What a wonderful princess she must have been.. At that time, before the incident I had.. I have always been selfishly thinking of how to win in the next melee.. I thought.. that life was so bland and it was so cheap, specially for us coordinators." He eyed her questioningly.

"Because, I grew up being told to be good.. to be the best.. otherwise, I'll be replaced. Our parents, thought that we are merely like a very expensive doll that they can just afford to buy anytime. Because.. you see.. we coordinators are basically born on the likes of the people we called parents right. We are the effect of humans' dreams and aspirations. So in my case, they thought of just "buying new" one that will suit their needs. So I never thought much of the other side's possible sentiments.. What could have they been thinking when I killed them? Where they also as bent on doing the best I can to live when they were in coma? Things like that.. So, when Charles said that we'll leave behind the past, I was very happy.. He gave me a new life.. MUCH.. Better than in the past.." Victoria smiled towards the end.

"I'm glad to hear that then.. Somehow, hearing that from someone like you, lessen the burden in my heart.." He said, but averted his eyes from her as he cannot conceal the pain of knowing that the price to be paid for such a person to change is Cagalli's life. Just thinking about it, a part of him wanted to scream at her or other people for that matter, for not having to realize it earlier which could somehow affect other soldiers or other people in general.. Then perhaps,

"She wouldn't have felt the need to sacrifice herself.." Athrun can feel that he's clenching his fists tightly and is gritting his teeth already in suppressed anger. But he reasoned out, that it was what Cagalli desired.

He asked himself if this woman had resented what she did that much.. "Just like Shin.." They are lost souls in a midst of the battle.. They are indeed perfect soldiers.. Someone who follows orders, someone taught to be victorious in war. Yet, they don't even know the reason why they are fighting. They don't even know the extent of the power they are holding. They don't have any idea that killing their opponent will bring sadness to their loved ones who will in turn hate them for doing so.. and so the cycle of hatred will continue. Before he could think of anything more, he's already seeing the landing of Onogoro.

"We're here.. I'll be introducing you to Ian – san, he's the Chief Mechanic." Just then they felt the chopper settling down. Athrun gave way for her to go first and she just jumped out of the chopper. Looking at her, he just couldn't help but compare the similarities.. "Her rashness, reminds me of Cagalli.." He then shakes off his head as he doesn't want unnecessary thoughts.

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Victoria saw how Admiral Zala's face tightened in suppressed anger though he said he was glad. She can somehow understand, basically, she has to be thankful for his loss that she is experiencing happiness of having Charles alive by her side right now. That is why she can never say "thank you for the princess' sacrifice" in front of him as that would only add insult to injury.

"Somehow.. I think I'm currently in a very wrong place.. Just what am I to do here? Wouldn't my presence bring sorrow to these people..? This makes me want to see that woman more.. Just how much do I look like her..?" She then took a mental note to look for Cagalli Yula Athha's photo once she will have a time. The more she heard about her, the more intrigue she felt towards the woman who up until now still lives in the hearts of the people.

"I wonder if I can become like her when I die too.. Certainly, had I died that time.. I'll soon be forgotten among the names of the soldiers who miserably died in battle. My name will just be listed on to some epitaph in Aprilius praising for my heroic death but with no one to visit." She then looked at him when he motioned that they can go down already so she followed his lead and jumped out of the chopper.

The sight she saw is very different from what she imagined. She was thinking that the facility they will be visiting will be like the Armory One, where she can see mobile suits everywhere.. As she appreciatively looked around, some vivid flashes came to her head.. Something like flashbacks prompting that she'd been here before. She tried to look on the other side, to confirm if the flashes are correct and to her outmost surprise, she indeed saw a huge rock just before the shore showing the statue of the sun. She shakes her head to ward off unwanted feeling of familiarity. Since yesterday, she's been having this weird flashes that she didn't know where they came from.. they don't seem to be from movies too. The flashes were trying to overlap with her stable memories, and every time it happens.. She would always feel nauseous and as if her head is going to break into two.. So before she breaks down, her hands automatically looked for the bottle of stabilizing pills that Charles reminded her never to go without.

"Why do I have these attacks in a place like this?" After feeling better, she continued following Athrun's lead. She saw her Nike being unloaded from the carrier that took it from the airport, they are approaching a cave like facility and went in. After several minutes of walking around, she saw a great looking ship.

"Somehow.. It looked familiar.." she did not notice that she had voiced it out loud and Athrun answered.

"That's the Assault Battleship Archangel.. It's under maintenance right now.." her eyes then flashed in delight.

"Really? The legendary legged ship! The Archangel! Oh my! I can't believe I'm seeing such a very famous ship which intervened during the two wars. I've heard that the captain was a lady.. I sure want to meet her if I can.. This place must have been packed with a bunch of heroes isn't it?" Athrun just sighed at her childish antics.

"It's my honor to be regarded as such then.." She heard a woman's voice from behind them so she turned around and saw a beautiful woman in her late twenties smiling while walking towards them and behind her is an older man in his forties. He wore a mechanic's suit.

"It's nice to see you again.. Athrun – kun.. Oh no.. Admiral Zala.. How are you, Kira – kun and Lacus – san doing?" she greeted Athrun first and then looked at her.

"It's nice to see you too Captain Murrue.. Just Athrun is fine.. Lacus, Kira, and I are doing fine.. Ah.. If you can make it.. Please come by the palace this weekend, Lacus said, she wants us to get together." The man beside him answered in a kind and cheerful voice.

"Sure.. I'll tell Mu and the rest.. So, who is this lady with you..?" she continued to smile at her.

"Oh.. I'm sorry.. I should have introduced her first.. She is the envoy sent by the United Kingdom of Scandinavia for the surveillance agreement that we had for the upcoming summit, she's Lady Victoria Stuart.." Athrun motioned to her, looked at her in introducing the woman.

"Lady Stuart.. this is Captain Murrue Ramius, the captain in – charge of the Archangel since its making and the man beside her is the Chief Mecahnic, Ian – san.." Victoria almost cannot contain her excitement but is trying to be formal.

"Hello Captain.. Just call me Victoria, it's a very great honor to meet someone like you.." she extended her hand for a handshake.

"It's my pleasure to meet you too Victoria – san.. What a lovely lady they sent for a work that only men would volunteer to do.. and besides, you're just too attractive to look at.." concern can be heard on her voice and she blushed.

"It's alright, I'm too used of being surrounded by soldiers everyday.. Having them around is of no problem.." Athrun then informed Captain Murrue.

"Don't be fooled by her appearance Captain, she was a ZAFT Red graduate and was a FAITH appointee like me before she left ZAFT five years ago.." The woman said.

"Oh.. I see.."

"So this lady is the owner of that mobile suit in the repair hangar? Nice to meet you young lady.." he also extended his hand which she gratefully accepted.

"The pleasure is mine Sir.. I thank you for taking your time in fixing my machine.." the old man just smiled at her. He then excused himself and asked her to tell him of some relevant details about the mobile suit so she excused herself as well.

"From the looks of it, it must be an upgraded version of the Earth Alliance acquired Gundams from Armory One right?" He just said it matter of factly.

"Yes.. as a matter of fact, Generation Unrestricted Network Drive Assault Module is the operating system that I am using.. And it seems to be highly dependent on Deutrion Beam Energy Transfer.. The engine located on the left foot as well as a part of the balance system was messed up.. They hit me pretty had with that torpedo.. I never expected it though.. I had some of the wires connected, but I suspect that there could be more damage than I had initially assessed. This is newly given to me.. So I don't know so much about it yet.." They are now going inside what seemed like very huge repair shop. Her Nike is being laid down on the floor.

"Then.. this should be a lot easier than the Justice, Freedom and Freedom Akatsuki who are using Unsubdued Nuclear Drive Assault Module. First we'll have this recharged with the Deutrion Beam Energy Transfer System we had, then start the repairs.. You wouldn't mind us touching this fellow?" He asked her and saw a woman who has a short brown hair.

"Not really.. It's not like I'm a part of the military or on a secret mission or anything.. Besides survival comes first and I could guess that this thing could only be just one among your reserves right ..?" she will just accept whatever offer she can get, the man just laughed

"I see then.. You're indeed a soldier who had lived through wars young lady.. But it's surprising though, with that model.. You shouldn't be left out without a mothership to give you replenishment.." he commented.

"Well.. it's actually simple.. Had they asked me to join the military, then.. I wouldn't be here." He just laughed, and then focused his eyes on to the woman who seemed to be giving instructions on the other mechanics and called her attention.

Erica – san.. How are your assessments?" Upon calling the name, Victoria froze on her tracks.. Somehow.. the woman's name sounded familiar and when she looked around, she's no longer seeing the current setting.. but saw herself in a dimly lit place, looking at a gray mobile suit which she hasn't seen before.. And when she thought, she was about to panic.. She's back with the current situation.

"Just.. what on earth was that?" she wiped the sweat forming on her forehead and swallowed hard. She runs to the woman when she heard her call her name. Upon getting a closer look, she can feel cold sweat forming on her forehead and her hands feeling cold as there's a feeling of anxiety when she gazed at the woman's eyes, which also shows great surprise. She did not even realize that the woman took off her glasses and was stunned to see her face, the same with Ian.

"Cagalli.. Is that you..?" she said, and the other mechanics turned towards them only to be surprised.

"Is that Cagalli – sama..?

"What..? Cagalli – sama..?

"Where..?"

"There.. Together with Erica – san.." voices of people whispering but Victoria did not notice.. she just shook her head in disagreement before she found her voice.

"You're wrong.." she started.

"I am.." This time, she can see flashes of herself talking to the woman about something, her head started to ache again. Before she messed up everything, she needs to explain herself. So she struggled and decides to let herself be heard by the people before they get the wrong impression.

"I – I'm not Cagalli Yula Athha.. I am Victoria Stuart of the United Kingdom of Scandinavia, I may just look like her but I am me.. Victoria, I apologize for the commotion my appearance brought.." she said with utmost effort as her head seemed to break into two again while seeing that the people's excited gazes turned to disappointments except Erica whose brows furrowed into thinking deeper.. She asked her where could the restroom be, she needs to take in another pill.

"Come.. Let me show you.." she motioned her hand as she guided her towards the restroom. While on their way, Erica apologized to her.

"I'm sorry for what happened earlier, it can't be helped.. You look just like that child, though a bit taller and older. Victoria – san.. Would you mind if I ask you something?" Victoria shakes her head, then voices her agreement.

"It – It's alright Miss Erica.. what is – it..? she asked almost writhing, it seemed not to pass through Erica's highly observing eyes as she asked her.

"Are you alright Victoria – san? You seemed to be in a lot of pain. Should we just go to the clinic instead of the restroom?" Erica might have seen her already pale form and sweaty forehead.

"It's alright.. I just need to take in one pill and I should be fine.." She took out the bottle out of her pocket but her shaking caused the bottle to slides off her hand and so Erica has to pick it up from the floor.

"Is this your medicine?" she confirmed,

"Yes.. That's it.." she saw Erica observing it before taking some pills and gave one to her. She then gave back the bottle to her when she started to stabilize and just then, Erica asked her a question she did not even see coming.

"Victoria – san.. Are you a Natural or a Coordinator..? Erica asked the question while putting her one hand on the pocket of her crew jacket. Victoria did not mind the question though.

"Thanks for the help Miss Erica.. I'm a Coordinator.. First generation though.. Why do you ask though..?" Instead of answering her question, the woman just smiled.

"Nothing.. It's just that, I never thought that then Kingdom of Scandinavia can hide someone like you.. Are you feeling better now..?" Victoria cannot understand what she does Erica meant with that question, but she just let the topic off.

"Yes.. I'm a lot better now.. Thank you so much for giving me a hand." They are now walking back to the repair hangar.

"You're welcome.. and what a very potent medicine do you have there..Do you always take it?" she referred to her pill.

"Actually no.. Only when I feel severe headache do I need to drink it like earlier. But I never go out without this.. why?" she seemed to be interested on her medicine which awoke her interest, to be honest, the drug is specially made only for her. It can't be bought in the market or any drugstore nor are they distributed by doctors.

"I see then.. That explains the peculiarity of the pills.. Well then, I'll leave you here.. I need to go to my office to work on some things. I'll be back in two hours to check if the repairs are done. You might have to sit on the cockpit for testing.. Take care then." She nodded and waives goodbye to Erica.

"I'll see you later then.."

xxx

"Merely coincident.. huh.. I am yet to see if such a word exist.."

Erica is on her way to her office and took out the 4 pills which she did not return in the bottle, she looked at it closely. These pills aren't being sold on the market. It looked like a specialize drug, just like those for clones. Victoria said that it's for her headache but what would a coordinator like her do something about these highly potent looking drugs which are not even widely prescribed. It rises up suspicion on her part.

"I don't believe in coincidents, Victoria – san.. but only in fate.. Your eyes that showed bewilderment earlier prompted me to take more notice of your subsequent actions. If I cannot prove it by gut feeling, then.. I'll have it proven through my ability." She's now on her office.

Erica closed the door and put the pills on a glass and shoves it inside an oven like machine before reading the data on her computer. Several readings of compound and elements were presented by the scanning on those two pills. Her eyes went wide as realization dawned on her.

"That girl.. Is really taking a pill created only for her.. But why with these substances..? Did she have a very traumatic experience that she needs to suppress? These substances are brain depressant.. Who could have made these pills? How could that girl be in possession of these?" she took out the pills from the scanner and took it to her laboratory so she can formulate of possible findings as to how do the pills exactly work.

She had two of the pills safely kept in a small container while the other two dissolved into a green solution so she can extract them for different samplings later on. She had recognised some substance that can somehow affect human brainwaves. But, from the looks of it.. The young lady does not seem to suffer any amnesia or is she complaining of forgetting something.

"This may take a while but I need to give it a try.. I just need to keep an eye on her and observe any changes on her reactions.. If my theory is correct, then being inside the facility premises will help me with my observation. I don't want to give up on that child yet. I just can't give up.. Not after I saw a new hope upon seeing her. Not when.. I saw a flash of recognition on her eyes..

After that, she scanned through all the data that she had stored.. "This will sure take a while.."

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What do you think about it? Will Erica be able to solve the mystery? Read and please put in your thoughts..^_^