Lost Memories Chapter 27
"Where are we?" Amarante asked. In the hangar, the lights were off and Amarante was receiving a feeling of familiarity but nothing spectacular. She yawned tiredly before scratching her head. At this moment Amarante would rather be in bed but the thrill of possibility of learning something new was driving her on.
"In a hangar. This was your mobile suit. They repaired it and placed it here so you can pilot it again," Nicol replied. He left her side briefly to turn on the lights but Amarante only followed after him. She didn't want to be alone…even though Pompom was with her. Nicol turned on the lights and Amarante looked at the unit. Shutting his eyes he feared the worst but he didn't hear anything.
"What's that?" Amarante asked. She got nothing…and felt nothing. She looked up at the dog like mobile suit quizzically. All the other mobile suits she saw were two legged humanoids why was this one so different?
"This is the TMF/A802 BuCUE. Do you remember?" Nicol asked. Still after hearing the name…nothing. She felt no connection besides getting a warm and fuzzy feeling. She twirled around quietly before looking at Nicol.
"No," Amarante said with a shake of the head. Nicol placed a hand on her shoulder, before pointing at the cockpit. Amarante followed his arm to look where he was pointing at.
"Do you want to look inside of it?" Nicol asked. Maybe she would remember then. You can go inside it? Amarante thought cocking her head.
"How do you get up there?" Amarante asked. She had forgotten that you could get into a mobile suit. Nicol gulped quietly, he wasn't sure if she could still pilot one. Amarante just continued to stare at it wondering what to do next. Should she go with Nicol or should she remain safely on the ground.
"Come here," Nicol replied taking hold of the line leading up to the cockpit. Amarante was unsure what he meant so she came closer, a little out of arm's length.
"This close?" Amarante asked. Nicol chuckled softly, she was innocent and cute.
"Closer sweet girl," Nicol began. He wrapped a hand around her waist before resting her weight on his hip. Amarante made a slight noise of uneasiness wrapping her arms around Nicol's neck. "We're going to go up, so hold on tight," Nicol told her lovingly. Amarante nodded hiding her head in his shoulder as they went up the line. It was slow and frightening for her. At the top, Nicol opened the hatch allowing her to climb on to it before into the cockpit. He blushed catching a glimpse of her panties. Looking down Nicol tried to hide his blush.
"I'm still getting nothing," Amarante replied. She started the unit and unlocked the O.S. She didn't notice that he was even blushing or why he was blushing.
"How did you know how to do that then?" Nicol asked. He had climbed into the hatch and eventually behind the seat. He watched her as she unknowingly made adjustments to her mobile suit. In reality she thought it would be a fun program, at the moment.
"I have no idea," Amarante replied. She continued to mess with the system but really want to sit on Nicol's lap. She wanted to watch Nicol do this stuff, but it was surprising that she knew this. She smiled lovingly but still, Amarante wasn't too interested in this stuff, anymore. Nicol noticed her disinterested face so it was probably best to leave.
"So do you want to leave?" Nicol asked. Amarante nodded closing all the program files before looking back at him.
"Yeah," Amarante replied, turning off and locking the system. Nicol got out first knowing that the leg brace might make it harder for Amarante to get out. He pulled her out allowing her to go down the line by herself. He wanted to see if she would actually remember how to do everything. She even sent it back up to Nicol. He then joined her at the bottom.
"Wow! You went down without any help!" Nicol applauded. He placed a hand on her shoulder before pulling her into a hug. Amarante hesitantly hugged him back trying to figure out what he was applauding her for.
"Where did I go?" Amarante asked. She had blanked out and couldn't really remember what just happened. Scratching the back of her head Amarante looked left and right before seeing the mobile suit. She gasped at the size of it before blankly smiling at Nicol.
"You were just in the cockpit. Don't you remember?" Nicol asked placing a hand on her shoulder. Amarante just looked around continuing her blank stare.
"What cockpit?" Amarante asked she looked at the machine again not really seeing where you could enter it at. Nicol placed his hands on her shoulders looking deeply in to her eyes. She looked back cocking her head in playful confusion. At that moment Nicol looked away before removing his hand from her shoulder.
Nicol sighed, "Never mind. Let's go." He walked off by himself leaving Amarante to trot after him.
"Did I do something wrong?" Amarante asked following after Nicol. She felt like a puppy…she was always following someone. Amarante was almost never alone. Then again many people didn't leave her alone. Many people would ask her what she remembered and it became really annoying. Sometimes she wanted to slap them across the face but she was a noble soldier. She wouldn't do anything like that.
"It's nothing. Don't worry about it, sweet Amarante," Nicol replied. Amarante took his hand trying to figure out what was wrong. She hated it when someone wouldn't tell her what's wrong. The doctors would do that to her often, especially with medical problems.
"Please Nicol," Amarante begged. He kissed her gently, he wanted to show her that nothing was wrong. If he spoke, he'd become all choked up inside. Amarante didn't follow it, it just gave her more reasons to doubt him.
"It's nothing," Nicol mumbled. He tried to relax but Amarante was making him nervous and more frustrated. She placed a hand on his face causing him to shrink away. Why was he so upset? she thought as she removed the hand away from his face.
"Nicol," Amarante began, "Please don't lie to me. What's wrong? Please tell me what's wrong. I want to help you. Please let me help you." She could see the pent up frustration in him and it was making her uneasy.
"I'm fine. I promise you!" Nicol said in a frustrated manner pulling his hand away from her. Amarante stayed quiet following after Nicol. He didn't notice the tears coming out her eyes. He calmed down some thinking over his actions and how quiet Amarante was behind him.
"Does Nicol dislike me?" Amarante asked. Her wavering voice caused Nicol to turn around seeing the tearful face and weak figure. What have I done? Nicol thought looking at Amarante. He mentally slapped himself in the head before going to her.
"No Amarante! I still love you," Nicol replied embracing Amarante. She hated crying, it made her look like a weak soldier. Nicol kissed her cheeks trying to cheer her up. The whimpering continued. Nicol did really love her! She just didn't understand why he could become so frustrated. Her memory always seemed to flicker. Pompom growled and snapped at Nicol. He didn't mind continuing to try to cheer her up.
"Nicol," she managed to say after a few minutes but he shushed her from saying more. He had been acting like an idiot, and she should feel like a pampered princess right now instead of a mistreated girlfriend. She tried to dry the tears on the back of her hand. Trying to be cute and romantic Nicol tried kissing the tears away. It caused her to giggle and Pompom stopped snapping, but the growl continued.
"I'm going to take you back," Nicol informed her. It was for the best, since Nicol didn't want to snap at her again. He also needed a little time to penalize himself for being an idiot.
"I don't want to go back yet," Amarante replied. She wanted to enjoy the day with Nicol, even if she was still confused and even if he snapped at her. Well that backlashed on him he didn't let out sigh like he wanted to but he thought of another idea. He wouldn't snap at her if Yzak, Dearka and Athrun were around.
"Do you want to meet up with Athrun, Dearka and Yzak then?" Nicol asked. Amarante nodded before thinking it over.
"Sure…" she began, "…Who are they?" Her mind was drawing another blank, she had no idea who they were. She wanted to hit her head but it would only cause a large headache.
"They're friends," Nicol replied in a calm manner. They weren't supposed to hold hands in uniform so Amarante just followed beside Nicol, like always.
"Friends," Amarante mumbled to herself. She tried to connect faces to the names. Still…nothing. This must have been one of her worst days. The names sounded so familiar, but…there was nothing. Nothing at all, why couldn't she remember certain events. Why couldn't she remember the car accident? Why couldn't she remember the BuCUE? WHY WAS EVERYTHING SO FOREIGN NOW? She placed her hands on her head trying to remember anything, she wanted to pull her hair out but Nicol would stop her.
"Hey Athrun!" Nicol called out. Amarante trotted behind Nicol before laying eyes on Athrun. Oh! That guy! She knew that guy!…What was his name again? I see Pompom is still following her around, Athrun thought, with a smile. The dog was still working well and followed her around with so much pride. He was working on his machine the Aegis. At the moment it was gray but Nicol had told her that it changes to red with the phase shift activated.
"Hello Amarante, Nicol. What have you been up to?" Athrun asked. Yet, she seemed distracted Athrun smiled and looked over at Nicol to see him looking at her with a quizzical look.
"Athrun," Amarante mumbled trying to remember the name. Looking over at her, Athrun raised an eyebrow.
Flashback
"Yeah I had to wake up 0330...three days ago? I haven't had much sleep since then," Amarante replied with a laugh. Athrun nodded knowing the feeling. His comrade Yzak would always bark at him if he fell asleep.
"I'd probably be asleep right now," Athrun said with a laugh. Amarante was really enjoying his company now. He was cordial and reminded her of comrades and friends.
"I want to sleep but I know my actions reflect upon my commander," Amarante answered. She yawned again trying to do it discretely but it came out loudly. She blushed but Athrun didn't mind.
"Right. The ground forces uniforms are different correct?" Athrun asked out of the clear blue. Amarante looked back and forth trying to add up his question to what they were talking about.
"At least just the uniform jacket. We roll up the sleeves and it ends just below the waist instead of passing it," Amarante replied. In a quick instant she felt that weird sensation again. Was it that man again?
"It looks like you have made your acquaintance, Athrun," Le….
End Flashback
"Yeah?" Athrun replied. Then she gasped, he was the guy from HQ! She couldn't remember the other person who was talking to her and she decided against bringing it up.
"I remember…Nicol!" Amarante replied pulling on her boyfriend's uniform. Nicol felt like a human rag doll as she placed her hands on his shoulders and shook him. He looked at Athrun who was just as confused as Nicol.
"What do you remember?" Nicol asked taking hold of her excited body. She seemed like such a small child at the moment. Athrun chuckled to himself seeing her so excited.
"Athrun!" Amarante chimed. Athrun raised an eyebrow looking into her excited eyes. She continued to squirm like a small child or an excited dog that's about to get a treat.
"What do you remember about Athrun?" Nicol chuckled before looking over at his friend. Athrun just gave a playful shrug in return. Amarante barely noticed as she stopped her excited bouncing to sit and ponder before opening her mouth.
"I met Athrun at headquarters! And we said how our teammates agree to disagree and DaCosta was there too!" Amarante squealed in a happy manner. Nicol was glad that she was remembering these things. Hopefully she wouldn't forget in the next couple of minutes or days. She would take so many steps forward before taking a couple steps back.
"What's your commander's name?" Athrun asked seeing if her memory went any further than this.
"I don't know," Amarante mumbled, "but he likes coffee!" She felt her happiness radiate throughout the two boys. Nicol laughed lovingly, hugging his girl tightly. Afterwards Amarante released Nicol and hugged Athrun as well. Athrun smiled hugging her in return. Pompom barked lovingly wanting attention from Amarante as well. Releasing Athrun, Amarante picked up her loving pet giving it kisses and hugs.
"We should celebrate!" Nicol cheered. Amarante smiled trying to look serious but it was really hard.
"No. I want to be normal, and I'll celebrate by being normal," Amarante chuckled. Nicol nodded, he looked down at a watch to see that it was time to take Amarante back to her quarters.
"Let me take you home," Nicol said giving a kiss on her forehead. Amarante frowned but went along with the idea. Amarante didn't want to go home yet.
"It is getting a little late Amarante. Say, how come they didn't send you home?" Athrun asked. She probably wasn't the best candidate to stay in the military.
"According to the doctors…my Dad lives in Earth Forces Territory," Amarante replied. The boys became eerily quiet…Was she a spy? Amarante's smile faded…did she say something wrong? She looked at them skeptically before brushing it off and beginning to walk away.
"Are you a…" Athrun began. Nicol nudge him…but Nicol was also curious about Amarante's answer. Amarante cocked her head before chuckling. She wasn't a spy…or at least she didn't believe she was.
"I'm a first generation Coordinator," the girl chimed. The boys relaxed. That was better to hear…but how did she get away with living there for so long? There were so many mysteries erupting from this girl. Nicol wanted to find out more about this girl but he had to contact her family and commander to find out more.