Summary: =Let's just go to the story=
Main Paring: Dearka X Miriallia.
Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny.
Chapter 17
"Ladies and Gentlemen, photographers and the medias, and foreign guests", the announcer greeted. The guest diverts their attention to the stage as the announcer continues, "Please welcome your host and the star of tonight's event, the rising star in the World of Photography, Ms. Miriallia Haw".
Applause was everywhere when Miriallia walk up to the stage. She stood in the middle of the stage dressed in a simple white, frilly tube dress with a black ribbon as her belt. She was also garnished with a simple design chocker around her neck.
"Firstly, I wanted to thank everyone here for attending tonight's pre-opening celebration of my photo collections. Well, I'm not good with speeches so I'll just cut this short. I hope you have a wonderful evening and", she look at her manager, who nodded upon their eye contact, and continue, "LET PARTY!"
The guests were shocked at first then laughter and applause were heard. Even cheers were heard among the guests.
Everyone began to mingle around and enjoying the cocktail session of the Exhibition Pre-opening Party. Guest from the upper and lower class attended and also her office colleagues were they're as well. Foreign guests that know about Miriallia's photography work came especially to meet her in person. Everyone was enjoying themselves as they chats with whomever they come across.
Kristy took this chance and didn't waste anytime in getting Miriallia involved with the people and she was being dragged around the floor like a ragged doll. While she was being dragged around like a ragged doll, the brunette realized that one of her colleague was not anywhere within her field of vision.
"Kristy, do you know where is Pedro?" Miriallia asked. "I can't seem to find him among the crowd".
"Pedro? I'm sure he's somewhere around here. Some of his friend might have called him out or something", Kristy answered. Miriallia nodded. She had wanted to take this change to get away when her manager caught her. "Not until you meet everyone that I have listed for tonight", Kristy said before her star could get away.
With that said, Miriallia was dragged away from her spot once more. "At least let me have my drink first", Miriallia cried.
Miriallia was, once again, being introduced to guests and photographers for the next half an hour. In her mind, she was hoping Dearka or Yzak would be able to get her free from her captor but the two of them were nowhere near her field of vision.
Why is it that you were not around when I need you the most? DEARKA! Miriallia's inner self screamed
Dearka was smiling when he saw the troubled look on the brunette's face. He was watching Miriallia's movement since the brunette came down from her short speech and smiled sadly while watching the brunette being dragged around the ballroom, being introduced to people they rarely sees.
Yzak, on the other hand, was getting annoyed at how his friend was treating him while he kept on trying to start a conversation with him. The silver hair commander somehow snapped and began to have an evil smirk on his face. "Why don't you just go to her rescues? She seems to be waiting for her hero", Yzak's question startled his blond hair friend. "You have already fallen for her, haven't you?"
"What are you talking about Yzak? There's no way I could have fallen… for her", Dearka blushed as he continues, "Considering I already have someone dear to me". Yzak gave him a doubting look. "That I have yet to remember", he added lastly.
"And what is it that you have yet to remember?" Dearka and Yzak turned to the source of the voice.
It was Cagalli, followed by Lacus, Athrun and Kira. "So, what did we miss?" Cagalli asked. She has an evil smirked on her face, intending to know what's going on.
"No-Nothing special, Cagalli!" Dearka said, not wanting to reveal anything.
"It is something Dearka", Yzak added, which made Dearka twitch. Yzak smirked evilly and placed his arm around the blond hair coordinator's shoulder. "It seems that our prince here has fallen for the famous photographer, M.H.".
"Yzak, what the hell-".
"And it seems that he could not approached her because of the cloudy image of his past dearie", Yzak said he had a wicked smile on his face. "Am I right Dearka Elsman?"
Dearka blushed ten shades as Cagalli and Lacus looked at him, waiting for his answer. While Athrun and Kira, knows of Yzak's intention, were trying their best to not laugh.
Yzak smiled grew wider, seeing his best friend reaction. "That's why I gave him an advice on forgetting about his past dearie and move on to the current one".
Dearka gave Yzak a 'what-the-hell' look.
Yzak gave him the 'you-deserve-it' smile and continues, "You might never know the result", he said. "Heck, she might even fall for you if you propose to her now. Besides it would heal your broken heart faster by forgetting about that rich-snob princess".
Dearka was about to explode when he heard what Yzak said and was confused. "Rich-snob princess?" Dreaka asked. He looks at Yzak with a puzzled look. "You are not referring to Mimi Volkenstein, are you?"
Kira and Cagalli looked at them with a puzzled look when they heard the name.
"Mimi Volkenstein?" Cagalli asked, looking at Kira for an answer.
"If I'm not mistaken, the Volkenstein family is one of them that own one of the major transporting company in the PLANTs right?" Kira asked. "What's the daughter of the company's CEO got to with Dearka?"
Athrun looked at Dearka who sighs in defeat. Dearka scratches the back of his head and revealed, "I sorta dated her in the past".
The brunette coordinator looked surprised while Cagalli gave the 'astounding' whistle. Athrun, on the other hand, was trying his best to suppress his laughter.
"Dearka was quite the playboy while we were still in the academy and dated quite a few ladies for their looks", Athrun explained in between his laughs. "And Mimi Volkenstein was his last 'dearie' before the first Bloody Valentine War".
Kira and Cagalli nodded, understanding the whole situation.
"Of all people, why would you drag Mimi into this?" Dearka asked, as he shook off Yzak's arm. "To begin with, I never once mention Mimi in this conversation".
"Then who are you talking about when you mention "someone dear to" you?" Yzak asked.
Dearka places his hand on the back on his head. "If I could remember, I wouldn't be having a headache right now", he said.
THROB!
Dearka grimace as he felt that pain stabbing feeling. SHIT! I shouldn't have mention about the headache, he thought.
"Are you having a headache again?" Athrun asked. He's the first to notice Dearka's grimace expression. Dearka gave him a smile showing that he's all right.
"Do you have your painkillers with you?" Yzak asked. Dearka could feel that Yzak was worried about his condition.
Dearka smiled and said, "I'm fine, it's just a slight attack. I'll be fine, really".
Then he notices Miriallia's tired look as she followed her manager around the party hall. I guess I better give her a little helping hand before she collapse from fatigue, he thought with a smile. "Give me a minute guys. I'll be back in a few minutes", he said and left his friend.
His friends understand what he means and let him off without asking any further.
This party was actually a small pre-opening party for Miriallia Haw's photo exhibition the following days. And since it's a pre-opening party, it's supposed to an 'Invitation Only' party. But for some reason, Miriallia's manager got her into agreeing with the guests list that she had prepared before hand. And no one would have foreseen the number of people attention would be this overwhelming.
I guess this would teach Ms. Miriallia to check the guest's list when she is given the chance to, Dearka thought. He was trying his best to avoid colliding with the people while making his way through to his princess. His… Princess?
THROB! THROB!
Dearka felt a striking pain at the back of his skull as he was just about a few meters away from her and this time it was not one of his subtly attack. He presses the side of his head, trying his best to endure the pain that he was currently going through.
Of all times, why now?
THROB!
"Argh!" Dearka fell onto his knees as he place both his hand on his temples.
He began to see flashbacks of his missing memories. A certain brunette kept on appearing from now and then. The images that he's seeing were somehow being scrambles all together at the same time. Dearka was panting, as he tried to endures and stop the pain.
THROB! THROB!
He was seeing different expression of the brunette and from time to time hearing her voice, very faintly. The pain he's feeling is excruciating and the images that are flashing through his eyes were driving him insane.
'Hah… hah…' Dearka panted heavily and his face was glistered with sweats. He was about to pass out when he heard her voice again, but this time quite clearly.
"-rka, Dea-, ka-"
Dearka's vision was blurry as looks up and faintly saw a brunette dressed in white and she was having a worried look on her face. He tried his best to focus his eyes from seeing multiple images. "Miria-"
THROB! THROB!
Dearka stop when the pain strikes him again. "Argh!" This time it feels like someone was driving a nail into his skull. He was ready to pass out when he felt someone pull him up onto his feet, placed his arm around their shoulders and guided him away from the crowds of people. The last thing he remembers was seeing a guy with silver hair on his right and a guy with navy blue hair on his left.
"Thanks… guys!" he said before passing out.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The first thing that Dearka feel was the lightness in his body. It almost felt like he was back in space where the Earth's gravity could not touch him. Even though he felt light, he also felt that his head was as heavy as a rock. It almost felt wrong when he felt like his head was on the ground and his feet were up in the air.
That's got to be nonsense, he thought with a smile.
Dearka tried to open his eyes but his body willed them shut as if telling him not to open them. I must wake up or else she will get worried. I don't want to make her feel worried anymore then I already did, he thought.
But then again, who is 'she' that he was so concern about.
She is …, he could not figure out her name even thought it was at the tip of his tongue. She is…, she is…-
"WHY IS HE STILL ALIVE WHEN TOLLE'S ALREADY GONE!"
Dearka's eyes shot opened when he heard the angry voice. Then he saw her again. Although her image is still blurry and her voice is still unclear but he could tell that she is the one that he's so desperately wanted to remember.
"OF ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAS DIED IN THE WAR, WHY DOES HE STILL GET TO LIVE?" Tears were streaming down as she struggled from he friend's hold, with a surgeon knife in her hand.
"… Calm down! Don't let your emotion gets to you", her friend said.
Then the image change and he was now sitting inside the mobile suit, and he was talking to her thought the communication network.
"Wish me luck…", he said. He has a smile on his face.
"I don't really care even if you die", she said. She has a monotone and a poker face on when she turn off the network. Dearka was about to cry at her action. Then the network comes back to life and she said, "I was only joking idiot".
Dearka laughed before he launched into battle.
The image change again and this time the two of them were quietly standing by the viewing deck of the end of the war. The two of them were really close but yet he feels far away from her.
"Must you really go?" she asked.
He nodded. "I can't always stay here and be protected by the princess all the time. Please understand… I need to face the consequences for deserting my country at these times", he said.
"Then what about Athrun. Isn't he doing the same thing? Why can't you too? Cagalli has offered to help the both of you", she said, when she's close to tears.
"Athrun and I, we are in a different position. I have my family living there but Athrun's… he's different", he said. "Please understand… I promise you, once I got everything cleared out there I'll come and find you".
Dearka felt a pang of guilt in his chest. Cause he knows that he has failed his promise. I'm sorry! I'm sorry! His thought kept on repeating with apology.
That's when the images began to go topsy-turvy. It's like his memories is being washed in the washing machine and he's forced to look at it. Dearka began to felt the pain in his head, as in someone was driving a nail into his skull again. He began to hold and pressed his head, trying to stop the spinning the pain all the same time. Tears were streaming down as he tries his best to stop the pain.
He had wanted to scream out but his was muted. No matter ho hard he screams of pain, he isn't making any noise at all.
When Dearka was about to be lost in his sea of memories, a pair of warm hands covers his eyes and the pain began to subside. He began to felt calm and relief when he felt the warmness from the hand.
His breathing began to calms down
"You will find out in time Dearka. But now is not the time for you to see her yet", the man said. "Can you hear them calling?"
"Dear- rka- Dearka! arka-"
"It's time for you to wake up my boy", he said.
He then gave Dearka a push at his back and everything went black.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"Dearka!" "Dearka!" "Wake up you idiot!"
A pair of purple orbs began to open. Silhouette was the first this that he saw when he opens his eyes.
"He is waking up".
He knows those voices but he could not make it out who is who. His vision was a blur at first but he they were getting clearer as time move on.
"Who?" he croaked.
"It's us you dolt!" the man with silver hair said.
"Yzak!?" Dearka croaked. Then he quickly looks around and saw all his friends were around him, all with a worried look and a smile on their face. "What? Why are you guys?" He then looks around and found out that they were not in at the Party hall anymore.
"Where are-"
His sentence was cut short the moment he tried to sit up. He felt the world was spinning around him. Someone caught hold of him before he toppled down again. Dearka looks up and saw Athrun.
"Try to take it easy for now", he said. He gave Dearka a helping hand as he steadies the blond man into a sitting position. Yzak wanted to say something but Athrun gave him a 'hold-on' look. "Is your head still hurting Dearka?"
"My world is still slightly spinning but no, the pain is gone", he said. Dearka shook his head, thinking that would shake his dizziness away. Cagalli walk over with a glass of water in her hand and some pills. "And these are?"
"Painkillers. You haven't been properly taking your medication have you Elsman?" Yzak said, crossing his arms.
Dearka smiled and said, "I guess I have been found out". He took the pills and water and said a "Thank you", before gulping the pills in one mouthful. He then gave a 'yuck' expression when he was done. He then begins to look around for someone in particular.
"Cheh, if you are looking for your photographer then she's not here", Yzak said angrily.
Kira smiled and continue for his silver hair friend, "Miriallia just went back to the Party Hall. She was really worried when you suddenly has a migraine attack like that Dearka".
Dearka felt sorry and look at the floor. "I see. I guess I have better apologized later in the evening then", he said, finishing the water in his glass.
"You can do that after you are feeling better", Athrun said. "Is there a reason why you stop your painkillers Dearka?" he asked.
Dearka flinched but he gave them a smile and answer, "What makes you think about that Athrun? I just felt that I have had enough of the medication and wanted to stop. I might not look like it but I really hate taking pills", he said and shivers to show his point. "Those things gross me out".
"Really? Then who was it that you were mumbling about the while you were unconscious?" Yzak asked.
Dearka was shocked. "Hav-have I been mumbling i-in my sleep?" he said, looking at his blue hair friend. "Who? Who is it?" Dearka got up and was ready to pounce on Yzak when his nausea stops him on his track.
The blond man quickly covers his mouth while Athrun began to stroke his back to make him feels better. "You really should take it easy Dearka".
"What was the name that I have mumbled? What is the name, Yzak? Tell me", Dearka stated.
"You did not said anything while you were out cold", Athrun said. The blond man gave him a confused look. "Yzak was only trying to stir you up. To see if you have any reasons to stop your medication".
"And I was right. You're hiding something from us, aren't you Dearka?" Yzak said angrily.
He went up to Dearka and looks into his eyes. Dearka was the first to broke the eyes contact and looks away. He felt like Yzak could see through him, his aim for doing this. He quickly diverts his look, which really made Yzak snap.
Then everything happens in a flash. Dearka drop the glass when Yzak grabs him by his shirt's collar and hauled him up. Athrun sprang up from his seat and place his arm in the middle of the two men while Kira stops the girls to keep them from coming forwards.
"Yzak, stop this!" Athrun said, trying his best to break his friend's hold.
But Yzak could not hear him and would not care. He just wanted Dearka to tell him the truth and Dearka could see it in his blue orbs. "What are you hiding Elsman". Dearka could not look at Yzak in his eyes. Yzak angrily push him back onto his seat and walk away.
"Yzak! Wait, Yzak!" Athrun called.
Yzak stood at the door with his back facing his friends. "I guess we are not trustworthy enough for you to consult us, right Dearka?"
Dearka flinch upon hearing Yzak speech. He look up and saw his friend's back, slightly trembling. He had wanted to say, "You are wrong", or, "That's not the case". But he could not utter one word because he does not know how to say it.
"I'm sorry", was all he could say for now.
Yzak gritted his teeth, stopping himself for snapping. "I see", was all he muttered before he left the room.
"Oi! Yzak!" Athrun looks at Kira and the girls. Kira nodded, understanding what Athrun must do. "Give me a minute. I need to calm that stubborn mule down". Then he ran after Yzak who just walk out of the room. "Yzak, hold up!"
After hearing the door close behind them, Dearka gritted and slammed him fist on his knee. "DAMN IT! You know that not the case Joule", he snapped and broke into tears. "That's not the case here". He placed his hand on his temples as tears began to rolled down from his cheeks.
Kira went and sat next to his blond friend and comfort him as he sob silently. Kira and the girls were by his side, silently watching over their friend as he slowly calms down with his tears.
"Are you feeling better now Dearka?" Kira asked. Dearka nodded as he wipes his last tears. "That's good. I thought you would never stop". He was having an embarrassed look on his face and was done with his crying. Dearka could not fight back because if Kira and the girls were not there, he might have cried till he falls asleep.
He looks up with a dazed look but he was happy with letting his emotion out. How long has it been since I have cried like this? He thought
"I believe this was not the first time you have cried like this right Dearka?" The blond man was surprise when he saw Kira and the girls has a grin on his face.
"Wh-what make you guys have that thought?" he asked. Trying his best to hide his embarrassment.
"It's just something I heard from Athrun. When was it again that you have cried like that", Kira said, while looking at Dearka's expression.
Dearka was sure he had a 'horrid' look on his. Athrun you-
Kira has a sadist smile on his face and said, "Unless of course you would like the enlighten us with your problems then buddy?"
"I'm not sure if I could", he reluctantly replied.
"I think it was when you-"
"Ahhh! Kira, please!" Kira was cut short when Dearka quickly clam his mouth shut with his hand. "Just spare the embarrassment ok? I'll talk, like you want, alright?" he said. Kira smiled and nodded. Dearka sigh in relief at Kira's answer and he let him go.
You are going to pay for this Zala, he cursed in his head.
"Are you really hiding something important from us Dearka?" Kira asked, determined to get something out from his blond hair friend. Dearka look at him, not sure where he should start and begins to hesitate about his decision. "Are we really that untrustworthy that you could not let us share your burden with you?"
"NO!" Dearka answered without a second thought. Kira and the girls look at him, surprised at his words. "That's not the case. That's… It's just that, I don't know where I should start", he said, desperately trying to correct the misunderstanding between them. "I'm afraid that I might have been wrong with seeing these images, that it might all be just my imagination. So I want to get everything straight before confronting you guys. I just never thought that everyone, especially Yzak, would take it the wrong way".
Dearka look up the moment he heard the door click open and Yzak and Athrun were standing by the door. "Yzak, Athrun."
Athrun place his hand on his silver hair friend's shoulder and said, "You heard what he just said right Yzak?" Yzak nodded. "Can we join in the conversation?" he asked. Before waiting for the group to answer, he pushes Yzak into the room, even though Yzak was complaining. "It would be better then waiting for him to repeat himself isn't it? There are times when Dearka would forget what he says".
"That's true", Yzak said.
"You were not supposed to agree with him Yzak", Dearka said frantically. "At least back me up a little here budd.
"Like I would care, you idiot", Yzak barked back.
The group began to laugh at their dogfight. Dearka and Yzak look at them and laugh with them, even though Yzak was pouting the whole time. The tension in the room has finally cooled down as Dearka begins his side of the story.
"It was about a week ago when I began to start see these images," he started. "I'm guessing that it was either my past memories or the more recent ones. But I felt that it is something that I have to remember no matter what. And these images, or memories, has some connection with the woman that I still could not remember". He took a deep breath and continue, "I could not recall it clearly but I was sure that I was in some place dark and I was looking for something, or was it that I was running from something? Anyway, the scene sort of change from there and I found a baggage and opened it. I was surprise by the contents but I could not recall what it was. The scene changes from here to I rushing out with a few people in front of me as I hop onto my machine. I guess I was in space since I was wearing my spacesuit".
Dearka stop for a moment when he heard Kira was snickering. "Laugh if you want but I wasn't sure where I was until then ok." Kira cleared his throat and nodded. "Then everything fast forwards with battle and shouts about leaving the scene or save yourselves. I'm not too sure here cause the next thing I know I was either woke up from my sleep or, like in the party, a massive headache would knock me out black".
Athrun and Kira were surprised at his words. Even Yzak was as well. All three of them look at one another, probably having the same thought, before one of them spoke up.
"So you are saying that this images you are seeing links to this woman that you are trying to remember", Athrun said, trying to confirm one thing.
Dearka shook his head. "I'm not too sure myself. But I'm sure it was something that I have to remember, I must remember", he had a determined look on his face as he continues, "Those images makes me felt like I was running out of time and I have to remembers them before… before something bad happens. That's why I stop my medication. I was hoping that I could hold myself up longer in finding out what these images means".
"And does it works?" Yzak asked, obviously knowing how his friend is going to answer.
Dearka looks at him for a while then answered, "I guess it backfired till I really black out", and laughed.
Yzak vain popped and he snapped. "Should you be laughing at this matter Major Dearka Elsman?" he asked, with a superior's tone.
Dearka automatically stood up and saluted. "No sir", he replies. "I though it would help me remember faster".
"And hurt yourself in the process? What do you think would have happen if you were having these attack while you were working in Morgenroete?" Yzak shouted. He looks at Athrun, who was trying his best to calm him down. "You are at fault as well Athrun. You, as his superior, should have known his action sooner then any of us here?"
"I would if I could. But you know how well Dearka could hide them if he wants to Yzak. And for the last time, STOP SHOUTING", this time it was Athrun's turn who snapped and shouted for the first time.
Dearka was surprise as well in the process. I guess he could snap when he was being pushed to the limit huh.
Throb!
Dearka rubbed his temples when everyone's attention was on the blue hair coordinator. And the pain is back!
Athrun heaves a breath and sat back down. He blushed a bit and cool down. "So, do you have any idea what those images was with your last migraine?"
"Not really", Dearka answered, quickly putting his hand down, "The images were still very mixed up. All I could tell was that I was desperate in protection the content in the bag before everything went black." I was more focus on a certain someone this time. Best not to let them know for now, he thought
"Then how about the bag and the content?" Lacus said, suddenly. "If Dearka could see the bag or something similar he might remember something?"
"Thanks for the help Ms. Lacus. I tried but it was useless. It did trigger my memories but it was not the ones that I'm looking for", Dearka said.
"I see". Lacus look depressed but she masks it with her smile.
Everyone was thinking of a way to help Dearka to remember. No matter how silly the idea was they still mention it. The Blond princess even suggested of hitting Dearka in his head. Although most of the plans were idiotic, they still get a good laugh out of it. Dearka was really happy that he had such good friends by his side. But no matter how they help him with this problem, it was still his problem to solve.
Throb!
And the current problem he's having now is to stop the pain he is feeling again. Dearka grimace as he rubs the bridge of his nose when he felt his vision got blurred. Fatigue is worse than my headache, he thought.
Dearka saw that Kira was looking at him and that's when he knows that someone has found him out again. He smiled and nodded at Kira's unspoken question.
"I guess we will leave the thinking for another time guys", Kira said. The others look at him with a surprised look. "It's the best we let Dearka rest up for the night and we need our rest as well in order to attend tomorrows exhibition. There's no point in stressing ourselves out in figuring out a way," he said looking at Athrun.
Athrun could read Kira's intention. He smiled and answer, "I guess Kira has a point. Let's call it the night shall we?"
Everyone nodded.
Athrun and Kira have concluded everyone's return route with the numbers of car they have with them currently. Athrun will be the chauffeur to both Cagalli and Dearka since he will be passing through the city to reach the Cagalli's Manor while Kira and Lacus will be taking Yzak since they are staying at the same hotel.
Just before leaving, Lacus and Cagalli informed Miriallia about their early departure from the Party as they make their way to get retrieve their vehicle from the Valet. After saying their goodbyes and goodnights, they went their separate way for the night.
Athrun drop Dearka off by the front entrance to Miriallia condominium building. Dearka waited until Athrun's car disappeared into the darkness before he made his way into the building and onto the escalator.
The blond hair coordinator opens the door into his room and turns on the light of both his room and the bathroom.
"A good hot shower is always the best bedtime remedy". His mother had always said it when he was young.
Dearka opened his closet intending to get a change of clothes. When he looks down and found the cardboard box that Liam has given up upon his last visits with the Junkies.
"Thank you for the night out guys", Miriallia said. She and Dearka got off the seven-seater Highlander that the Junkies had rented. "Although there's going to be a big hole in your wallet Lowe but tonight was really fun".
"Don't mention it Miri", Lowe said from the driver's seat. Tears were streaming down from his cheek. The others were laughing at Lowe's pathetic looks as he protested about the final drink.
"Suck it up Lowe. You Junkies will be able to earn back as much in your line of jobs", Dearka snickers.
"My wallet", Lowe sobs.
Miriallia gave Dearka a worried look and Dearka look at Liam for answer.
"He will be find in a while so don't worry too much about it. There's something I need to gave to you Dearka, it nearly slipped my mind", Liam got off and heads to the back of the Highlander. He opens the trunk and took out a medium size cardboard box. "Here are the things that you have left in ReHOME Dearka".
Dearka gave him a confused look. "There's got to be a misunderstanding Liam. I've cleared everything I had on the ship", he said.
Lowe smiled and replies, "These are the things that were with you when we rescue you in space. The content inside this box should help you with your lost memories, especially the content in the black bag. You can open the bag when you think you are ready".
The blond Coordinator looks surprise as he accept the box. "The things inside is…"
"Remember this Dearka", Liam gave the both of them a serious look as he continues, "the content inside that bag might help you trigger your final memories that you had lost. So make your decision wisely before opening that final lock in here", he pointed at Dearka's forehead then his heart, "and here".
Dearka smiled and nodded as his answer. "I will!"
"And finally, always remembers to keep 'that' on yourself all times alright", Liam added last.
Dearka blinked twice then cracked into laughter. Miriallia was giving him a confused look while Liam was slightly blushing. "I'm sorry, I'm really sorry Liam but I didn't know you were this worried. I'm really sorry", he said. "Don't worry too much man. 'That' has always been on me since you gave it to me".
Dearka took the box out from the closet and sets it on his bed as he opened the cardboard box. He took the content out from the box and laid them on his bed. Just like what Liam said, there was a black bag inside and some few other things like part of the interior of the cockpit and a two half burnt photos.
He sat down and looks at the pictures. One of the photos was his parent while the other one was unrecognizable since the face of the person was half-burnt away. Though Dearka could not recognize her face, the woman in the picture was wearing the pink Earth Alliance uniform.
Wait! The pink Earth Alliance uniform? Dearka thought. "Could she be the one?" he asked. And on the queue, Dearka could felt a slight sting of pain coming. "Just when I felt like I could remember".
His pain subsided when he divert his attention to the cockpits part that lay beside him. He laughed slightly and said, "I guess I'm not ready yet". Dearka pick up the joystick and touches it. He began remembering the times he's seating in his black Gunner ZAKU Warrior. The ZAKU that he himself has customize and pay for it's final production, his one buddy that has stay with him since the second Bloody Valentine War and the final buddy that protection his life in the most dreaded moment.
And right on the spot, he remembered how angry Yzak was when he first brought in the machine onto the Voltaire. The silver hair commander nearly pops a vain when he saw it but still allowed it onboard.
"I wonder will Yzak allows another one on his ship?" Dearka thought. He sweatdrop when he remembers the look Yzak has given him on that day. "I guess I better not find out", he said. "I would definitely miss it", he put the joystick back down.
He was ready to move on to his shower when a certain burnt box catches his eyes. "What is this?" he asked, picking up the box. He played with it a little but could not open it. "I wonder what's this box?" he asked again. After the box, the black bag was the next thing that catches his eyes. "This bag".
"Remember this Dearka", Liam gave the both of them a serious look as he continues, "the content inside that bag might help you trigger your final memories that you had lost. So make your decision wisely before opening that final lock in here", he pointed at Dearka's forehead then his heart, "and here".
He remembers what Liam said that night. Dearka was nervous and his heart was pumping when looking at the bag. He stretches out his hand to grab it. Dearka shut his eyes when he opened the bag and slowly opened them again to look at the content. He blinks twice when he pulled out a half-charred spacesuit.
"My spacesuit?" he asked. Dearka was really confused now. What's his half-charred spacesuit got to do with his memories? The more he thinks the more confused he gets. In the end, Dearka just hang his suit on the coat rack while he put the box back into his wardrobe before having his shower.
After drying his hair, Dearka got on his bed and quickly falls asleep the moment his head hit is rested on the pillow. As quickly as he falls asleep, he was also quickly awoken by his alarm clock that he had set to wake him up for his morning shift the following morning. After his morning shower, Dearka went into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and simple breakfast for two. He had expected Miriallia to be back late in the night and would not be awake till noon because of her Exhibition show today.
Once Dearka has covered the brunette's breakfast. He quickly grabbed his bag in his room and heads down to meet with his blue hair superior that was waiting for him.
"Do you have your painkillers with you?" Athrun asked.
"Yes! I have my painkillers with me and no, I haven't eaten it yet not until I have my breakfast", he reply. Dearka begins again before Athrun could say anything, "Will you stop being a mother for a minute Athrun?"
"I was only going to ask you to strap on your seatbelt man", Athrun laughed.
Athrun stepped on the gas and turned out onto the expressway heading towards the Morgenroete. His blue hair superior has offered him a ride to Miriallia's exhibition today since he and Cagalli will be going as well. But Dearka declined his offer because he could borrow a car from the Morgenroete's factory since he's on mechanic duty. Dearka and Athrun were working on different building so he was the first to got off when they reached Morgenroete.
The first thing the blond Coordinator did was ran towards the rental office and places his name on the black sedan. He was in luck since the black sedan was in the hanger with the rest of the available rental vehicles. He quickly ran into the office and put his name down for his black beauty.
Dearka felt great since he has gotten his sedan approved by the office. But it seems that his good lucks were only really brief the moment he walks into the factory. He had assumed that there would not be a lot to do since there was no request from the academy. But he was wrong. On his desk were piles and piles of documents that needed his immediate attention.
Dearka quickly sat down and begins going through the documents without putting on a fight. While he was going through the documents, he felt that he had forgotten something important that he needed to do. It was something important but he push the thought aside and continue with his duties at hand.
"There's no use stressing myself out since I could not remember them. I need to get this cleared out so I could leave early today. There goes my lunch time then", he cried.
Dearka did not realize the time while he was working on his documents. He was shocked when he realized that he only had an hours left before the opening of the photo exhibition. He quickly finished the last file, sign out for the day and went to the office to grab his car keys and hop into sedan and drove out of the hanger.
Dearka was practically speeding along the express way since he was pressing for time and by the time he reached home, he had about forty minutes left for him to get ready and be at the exhibition. He ran into his room, open his wardrobe and got a pair jeans and a nice shirt and ran into the bathroom to change. By the time he was ready to leave, he realized he had left his wallet and driving license in his working bag. He went into his room and to the coat rack where his bag was hangs and quickly took his wallet out. Dearka accidentally pulled on his bag's strap and causes the whole rack to come topple down.
He cursed his clumsiness in silent while he put the coat rack back up and hang his half-charred spacesuit back on. While he was doing so, he felt something hidden within his spacesuit. He found a side pockets and stuck his hand into them. He felt something and pulled them out to see what they were. It was a scrunched up paper ball and a scrunched up photo. He put the photo aside and opened the paper ball first.
"Traitor to be eliminated: Kira Yamato, Athrun Zala, Lacus Clyne, Cagalli Yula Attha, Yzak Joule, Dearka Elsman,…"
To his horror, it was a list of people that is to be killed and it was all the people that he knows of. His name was also written in the list but it was slash off with a red pen.
THROB!
"Argh!" Dearka rubbed his temples upon feeling the pain. "This list… I have seen it before. It has something to do with… my last mission".
THROB! THROB!
He held his temples harder. "It was stuck on a black suit case in… the Mendel Colony when… the Council sent us off… to investigate"
THROB!
"Argh!" He pressed on his temples. The pain was getting excruciating. "On the wall… 'pant' there was pictures… 'pant' with holes in them".
THROB! THROB!
"Aaarrgghh!" he fell on his knees and hit his head on the carpeted floor. "Argh!" Dearka look up and saw his bag. "My… painkillers". He tried to get on his feet so he could at least reach into the side pockets of his bag. But his migraine was keeping him on his knees.
THROB! THROB!
"AAARRGGHH!" he screamed. The pain was too much, too much and tears began to form. The pain was also making him unable to breath and he fell onto his side and knock the side of his bed. Then something came rolling down and slowly opened up.
THROB! THROB!
Dearka slowly look up as he felt the pain was slowly subsiding but his breathing was still heavy. But what he sees next was really something he did not expected.
The person in the picture was Miriallia with the word "DIE" written in red.
Ah! I finally remember you, Miriallia, he thought before everything went black.
== Continue in chapter 18 ==
A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter. Suspense is building up and the ending is close. I hope you will continue reading till then end of this story.