Summary: Please read the top description.

Main Paring: Dearka X Miriallia.

Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny.

Chapter 18

Miriallia found her blond friend was sound asleep in him room by the time she reaches home from her party. She decided to leave early from her party to check on Dearka situation after she witnessing Dearka sudden collapsed from his migraine attacks.

Her heart nearly stops when she saw it happens right in front of her eyes and was worried when Yzak and Athrun help him out from the party hall. She did check on him whenever she had the time but he was still unconscious whenever she did.

Miriallia had wanted to go and find him when Yzak and Athrun came to inform her about Dearka waking up, but Athrun stop her from doing that.

"You are the host for tonight's party so you have to stay here to greet your guests", Athrun said. Miriallia wanted to protest but Athrun told her otherwise, "We will take care of him. Don't worry too much. He will be fine".

With that he and Yzak went back while she continue to entertain her guest.

Miriallia turned on her bedroom's light and throw her handbag onto her bed. She went to her dressing table and took out an old photo album from her middle drawer and look at the photos from the time when she and her friend were still on Heliopolis.

She would always feel pain when she saw Tolle's pictures but it has hurt less the past few years since she took up photography. She had love Tolle but he is no longer here to heal her broken heart. Her wound has also begun to heal when she met Dearka again after the wars. But when she found a new love only to have him forgets everything about her and their brief time on the Archangel.

Miriallia did felt hurt at first but understood the situation after hearing his story and learned to get used to having him around her home. Dearka has also proven to be really helpful especially when her deadline draws near. She laughs seeing how flushed he was when she had told him about her deadline but she was also really thankful to have him in her life.

"How I wish you could remember who I am Dearka", she said with a sigh.

She comes across pictures of her first time being an un-named photographer as the brunette flipped through her album. She laughed seeing how bad the photos were taken; some was even blurry beyond recognizable. Some of her photos were taken with the staff at the Co and Ed office and some were taken with Athrun and Cagalli in then Attha Manor. She felt nostalgic as she looks through the old photos.

Miriallia suddenly noticed that there was one stray photo at the end of the album, a strange scenic photo. "Where was this taken?" she asked herself. Miriallia took up the photo.

Awhile later she comes to realize that it was a snapshot taken in the hallway of the Co and Ed Enterprise building. It was from the time she was invited to the CEO's office when being introduced as the youngest photographer to won the best photo of the month in their magazine. Miriallia was seeing the luxury of the hallway and wanted to get some pictures. But Kristy, he current manager, told her no pictures is allowed so she drops her camera while the strap was around her neck. Who would never have thought that would trigger the snapshot function?

She laughed while thinking back the situation. She stops when the dark corridor in this photo. "I don't remember seeing this corridor", she said.

It seems that she has taken a shot of a hidden room at the dark corridor from the elevator. Though she felt strange seeing it but she pushes the feelings behind her. She put the album back into her drawer while that picture remains on her table. Miriallia turn in for the night after her hot shower.

She did not know how long she had slept but the sound of the closing door has woken her up. She looks at the window and saw sunlight were penetrating through her curtains. She wanted to go back to sleep but she goes against the thought cause she was afraid that she would oversleep and get a scolding by her manager.

The brunette brought herself up from her bed and walk into the bathroom for her morning wash. She makes her way into the kitchen and smelled the freshly brewed coffee on the counter and breakfast and sandwich packed as her lunch. She smiled when noticed a note was placed under her coffee cup.

Morning Ms. Miriallia,

I took the liberty in making your breakfast for you. Please take your time to eat it and make sure that you heat them up before eating them and there is also coffee at the counter. I have also prepared some sandwiches so please have them before you leave for the exhibition. I'll try my best to be there early.

Dearka.

Miriallia's smile grew wider then she went and fills herself a cup of coffee and sat down for breakfast. Although it was your ordinary breakfast with bacons and eggs, but to her, it was the best breakfast she ever had. Tears filled her eyes as she continues.

"Am I being too selfish to ask for more?" she asked. She was unable to keep the tears back and allowed them to fall. "Why can't he remember when we were this close together?" She stops when her house phone rang.

The brunette picked up her phone by the counter. "Hello", she answered.

"Morning Miri", Kristy asked from the other side of the line. "Is my star ready for her big event this afternoon?"

"Morning Kristy and no I'm totally not ready", Miriallia asked, wiping her tears away. "You do know what is the time now right?"

"Yes I do Miri. That's why I called early to bring you to your stage for your last check before the opening. I told you about that last night", she said.

Miriallia took her journal, which she has placed next to the phone last night, and check her schedule. And indeed, she wrote it down in red as well. "Yes you did but it's later in the morning isn't it? I just barely got up and I haven't bath yet". She could not tell her that she was half way through her breakfast as well.

"Really?! That means you have yet to have your breakfast right?" Kristy asked, sounding really exciting. "Why don't we have breakfast together before heading out? I found this great new cafe and it's really close by your place. I'll come around in fifteen minutes be ready by then alright?"

"Fifteen?!" Miriallia exclaimed. "At least give me thirty minutes".

"Alright, thirty minutes it is. I'll see you at the outdoor parking lot by the front. Bye!" Kristy cut her line off.

And there goes my morning time, she thought before putting the phone back onto the receiver. She sighs when she saw her half eaten breakfast. "Might as well keep them for later then. Better pack the sandwich in for lunch".

Miriallia bought her packed lunch into her room and stuff it into her bag before going for her morning shower. She dries and combs her hair before heading out to meet her manager. Kristy was already waiting for her when she walks out of the building. They greeted each other before getting into Kristy's car for their breakfast meeting.

Once they have ordered her manager began to bombard her with the things she has to do before the opening ceremony. Kristy finally stops when their drinks orders arrive.

"Can we just stop right here Kristy?" Miriallia asked. "My brain is going to melt if there's more to come".

Kristy pouted when she heard what Miriallia said. "I hope you understand the procedures here Miri. You are the star of today's show so I really hope there is no mishap in this Exhibition", she said with a smile, while she keeps the map. "Nevertheless, you will have your break in between and it's mostly an hour each and your main objective, mingle with the person you saw. So it's quite a free and easy".

Miriallia sigh and said, "And this is just the beginning of my career with you as my manager. Can I start preparing my will now?"

"No you can not and this is my last job with you", she said. Miriallia gave her a confused look and she reply with a laugh. "I guess I forgot to informed you. I'll be transferring to our sister office on Copernicus and I'll promoted to Head Manager", she gave a victory sign then held onto Miriallia's hands, "This is all thanks to you Miriallia. I wouldn't have gotten this promotion if I haven't spotted you and your talents".

"Kristy… I… I really don't know what to say", Miriallia said.

"Well a 'congratulation' would be nice", she reply.

"I know but… I'm really going to miss you", the brunette said.

"I'm going to miss you too Miria", she reply. "But for sure, I'm not going to miss your scheduling. Now I'm really worried about your next manager. I better drop him or her a note before I leave".

A vain appeared on the brunette's temples. "That better be a joke Kristy", she said angrily.

"Of course it is Miriallia". Kristy said, having her hand in front of her showing her defeat. "At least I don't have to worry about your future after this event". Miriallia gave her with a surprised look and smiled and continues, "After today, you will definitely rise as a celebrity photographer. The old days are really nostalgic now".

"I remembered the first day how I was being introduced to my manager. How that manager kept on saying I would be a failure no matter how I try", Miriallia, said, Kristy sweatdrops remembering that day. "But without that manager by my side all this time, I would not have reach to the top and turned out to be who I am today. Thank you Kristy and congratulation on your promotion".

The blond manager blushed and cleared her throat. "It was your own strength and persistence that brought you to the top Miri. Never forget that all right. You have the talent and potential to begin with. I just light you path that's all". She stops when the waiter brought them their orders. "Let's eat while it's hot. I'm sure we won't be eating anything much in the Exhibition".

Miriallia pouted. "Drill sergeant", she said. The both of them laugh as they began to eat their breakfast.

After their breakfast, they heads off once Kristy has settled with the bill. Miriallia was quickly dragged into the stadium, began her inspection with the staff and also to look through how her work was being position. Most of them were right in place and she also lightly briefed the guides the things they have to say for the day.

Once she finished, her manager dragged her into the dressing room for her makeup. Miriallia did not protest about the makeup since Kristy insisted that her star must be on her best today. The only think she was against was the dress she has picked for her today. The manager sighs and agrees that she could choose what she wants to wear as long as it's presentable. With that, the brunette was pushed into the dressing room and hurriedly with her makeup and hair done without any break in between.

The brunette breathes out heavily when she was finally released from her dressing room. Miriallia has initially thought that Kristy would be at the entrance preparing for the ribbon's ceremony. But she was dumbfounded when she could not find her anywhere.

"I was so sure that she would be here looking through the preparation?" she said.

"She was until she has to take an urgent call and ask me to takeover", a familiar voice said behind her.

Miriallia turn around and she saw the face that she has not seen for a while. "Pedro!" she instantly gave him a hug as she jumps with joy.

Pedro was surprised but smiled as he tries to calm the brunette down. "Miri, calm down or you will ruined your look and Kristy will have my head again".

"Ah, you are right. I don't want to see bloodshed today as well". Miriallia said. For a second she thought she saw Pedro have a shocked look before he hit her playfully.

"You're going to kill me off that fast?" he joked. "But it really is nice to see you after a while. How are you doing?"

"As you can see I'm as busy as ever. How about you?" she asked. "It's been a while since I heard from you. Has it really been that busy at the office lately?"

"Slow down with the questions girl. I'll answer them so calm down", he said. "Have you eaten anything?" Miriallia nodded. "I see, the how about a drink before all these?" he suggested, looking at the half done preparation.

"You sure you are allowed to leave these undone?" Miriallia asked.

He took the schedule from the table and look through it briefly. He nodded and said, "Kristy basically done everything. I just need to look up with the final preparation and the setups. Since everything is on their way, I could just leave the rest to the staff and have my breather. What do you think?"

Miriallia nodded and smiled.

The both of them snuck to the back of the hall where the back garden was set-up as the Entertainment area. They took some drinks from the buffet table as they make their way towards the fountains.

Miriallia begins with her questions the moment the both of them sat down. "So, tell me what have you been doing lately?" she asked.

"Right of the bat? Well, let see, for the past two weeks I have been stuck in the office getting the pre-plan for this exhibition down, then communicate with the advertisement and designing team about the layouts of this show, mining the budget of the overall printouts for the publishing department and-"

Miriallia quickly shut him up from continuing. "I guess the office is as busy as every when planning an event like these huh?"

"Busy, these level? Not really" Pedro said it with a smile. The brunette sweatdrops at his responds. "I mean what I said. You have not seen the planning we did for the last Celebrity Meet. That's when you really seen hell".

Miriallia listen as he told about the procedures and planning to prepare for this grand event. The brunette could understand the hardship he and his team the team has to go through to make the event a success. She laughed when he tells her about how the director would abuse his rights to order them around.

Pedro looks at her when he realized hos hard she is laughing. "Is it really that funny Miri?"

Through Pedro's tone, Miriallia could guess that Pedro has really gone through a rough time with that huge of an event. She also laugh when he make an angry face when talking about his acting director at that time.

"Believe me, that guy pissed me off. Whenever things went wrong he would just fine someone to blame it on and…" he stop when he heard Miriallia's laughter.

She shook her head. "I was just thinking about how relax you have been since the last time I saw you".

Pedro was surprised at first then he smiled. "Miri, I know what I'm asking might be a stupid question but why did you choose this "End of war" theme to be your first hit chronicles?"

Miriallia was surprised by his question. She looks up at the clear blue sky and answered, "I guess it's how I see things after what I have been through". She began to think about the time she has been through with the ArchAngel's crew in her War Times. "How one sees things, how one think about this world after and how it all help one to connect to another at those times. I wish to let everyone knows and feels them all. I guess I'm a little naïve when I said that".

She saw a flicker of something closer to anger cross Pedro's face but the next moment it was gone and he looks away "I see. That must be one hell of an experience"

I guess I'm just imagining things, she thought. "Its not all bad, there are some good things to it too," she said. When she turns to her other side and look upwards, she saw Kira was waving at her from the second floor, Athrun and the two princesses were with him as well. She smiled and waved back.

"I see that your guests have arrived?" Pedro said. Miriallia nodded. "Why don't you go and greet them? It's not nice to keep them waiting".

Miriallia was confused why he was angry and why he decided to leave when her friends arrived. She decided to ask him. "Pe-"

"And I better get back to work before Kristy have my neck", he said and stood up. "Miriallia?"

"Ah, right. I can see that happening", Miriallia said and they laugh at their imagination. I guess I'll ask him another time.

They part ways at the corridor. Miriallia went on to greet her friends while Pedro went on with his duties.

The day went on as quickly as the brunette could breath. After her short speech, Miriallia, Cagalli, Lacus and the exhibition hall's manager line themselves up front of the ribbons. Everyone took a pair of scissors as the lady passes them around. Once the ribbons were cut, the guests moved into the hall as Miriallia and her friends step away for a little breather.

Kirsty popped up out of nowhere and dragged her away when she though she could at least chat with her friends. Miriallia was fighting with all her might but she could not win her manager's persuasive attitude and gave in. She saw her friends were looking at her worriedly as she disappeared into the exhibition hall with tears.

"When will I be able to have some break Kristy?" she asked.

"After this 'Greeting' exercise you will be done for the day", Kristy said gave her a sly smile. "Don't worry too much, just greet as many people as you can and I will help divert their attention while you move on to the other people".

"Please spare me the wicked-witch smile", Miriallia cried.

Kristy dragged her star right through the Exhibition hall, while greeting her guests, and into the back garden.

The back garden is a medium size garden with a fountain as its centerpiece. The buffet table has been prepared for the guest upon exiting the exhibition and light snacks and beverages were served as well. Benches were arranged around the fountain so guests could enjoy their food while resting their tired feet. Guests were mingling with each other and some were even exchanging name cards as they get to know one and another.

Miriallia was awed when she saw the amount of people was in the garden and the simple decoration and arrangement done around the garden. The brunette quickly snapped out from her dazed look and grabbed a drink to sooth her parched throat.

Guest she did not know began to greet and comment on her exhibition the moment she walks in. Miriallia was both happy and annoyed at the same time when people start to mingle around her. What have I done to deserve this? The brunette was finally been released from her torment when Kristy came to her rescues with a few guards behind her.

"Thanks for the save Kristy", Miriallia said.

"No problem Miri. You are my star after all", she said. She directed the guards to surround Miriallia as she took out her speaker. "Honorable guests, Ms. Haw really need a break. Please follow this staff to meeting hall if you have any other question concerning about her or her series on this exhibition. We also have free give-away as well".

The staff directs the group of people away from the brunette. Once the crowd has been let away she turn towards Miriallia.

"You are done for the day Miri", she said. "I'll see you in my office tomorrow okay?"

Miriallia nodded and left her manage to do her things. The brunette sighs in relief and sat down on the fountain benches. Someone offer her a drink just when she was about to look up,. "You seem to look like a dried fish here. Do you need a drink?" he asked.

"Thanks Kira", she said and accepted his offer. "What are you doing here? Where are the princesses?"

"They are currently with Yzak entertaining the reporters while Athrun is doing his round with the securities", Kira answered.

"Shouldn't you be helping him out?" she asked. "You are the vice-admiral beside Athrun and Lacus's personal bodyguard, aren't you?"

"Lacus and Cagalli are in good hands when Yzak and Athrun around", he said and looks straightforward. "Beside, the girls are within my field of vision".

Miriallia look at the direction Kira was looking at and nodded. She could see Cagalli, Lacus and Yzak from where they are sitting and Yzak was giving an annoying look as always. She also saw Athrun from behind the princess talking to his men

"You sure know how to pick your location", she said nonchalantly.

Kira smiled and said, "A soldier can never be too careful". Both of them laugh then he continues, "Is this Exhibition a success?"

Miriallia nodded while sipping at her drink. "It's gone way better than plan. I have to thank you and Athrun for re-scheduling Lacus's and Cagalli's scheduled for this little event. I'm sure the both of them are really busy especially in these times".

"Well, planning both their schedule was an easy job. And I'm sure Cagalli will kill her Senates if we didn't arrange a breather for her", Kira said jokingly. The both of them laugh.

Miriallia agrees with him. Though she understands about Cagalli's situation, what does this event has to do with Lacus? "I understand about Cagalli's situation, but what about Lacus? Shouldn't she have a lot to take care of on Earth?"

"Lacus finished her responsibilities these past few days and still have time to spare. So this event is the best time for her to have a little R&R", he answered

Miriallia nodded and sighs in relief. "I guess this event provides the both of them some time to rest then?"

Kira nodded. "Though I would advise you to be ready for Yzak's rambling", he said while thinking about this problem. "From what I have heard, Yzak's planned was quite messed up due to this event and he's really, how do you say it, ready to blow his top? Well, I'm sure he will be fine once he has his fair share of R&R after this".

"I see", Miriallia sighs in relief. At least I don't have to deal with him this time, she thought.

When she starts to relax, she realizes that she could not spot a certain blond man that was supposed to have arrived long ago. She starts to look around the crowd and though she could see a lot of blonds but she could not find him anywhere.

She was about to ask Kira when he places one finger on Miriallia lips before she could say anything, "If you are asking about Dearka's whereabouts, then I can tell you I'm not sure. All I know is that he has already left Morgenroete when we arrive. Athrun's men saw him leave early after his work was over".

"If I'm not mistaken, his shift ends early today right?" she asked, Kira nodded. "So what's taking him so long?"

"I guess he might be preparing something like a surprise?" Kira said, giving her a questionable look.

"I see", Miriallia gave him a doubtful look. She brushes the matter off knowing that her friends must be hiding something from her. Its better if I pretend that I didn't know much about it I guess, she thought.

Just then, she and Pedro's eyes met. Pedro smiled and waved at her to join him. Miriallia smiled and nodded. "Kira, there's someone I need to meet up with so I'll be taking my leave now", she got up and dust the back of her pants. "Help me thank them for their attendance and enjoy the party 'kay? I promise to treat them to something when we have another get-together".

She left to meet with Pedro who was waiting for her by the exit without waiting for Kira's answer.

"Miri". Kira felt an uneasy feeling when he saw whom she was going with. "Better inform Athrun about this", he said and took out his mobile and began dialing.

Meanwhile, Miriallia and Pedro has already left the garden and are now going through the other half of the exhibition and into the back where the parking lot is. The both of them were catching up where they have left behind and start to joke and laugh about their past experiences working with Kristy.

"You don't know what I went through just to please that woman", Pedro said jokingly.

"I understand you pain", she asked as she walks ahead of him. "So have you finished with that you are supposed to do for the day Pedro?"

Pedro looks down as he answers, "Mostly everything". He took out something from behind him as he approached Miriallia from the back.

"What is it th-"

Her arms were restrained behind her back when she tried to turn and face the blond man. Then a cloth was pressed upon her nose and mouth to stop her from screaming. Miriallia was surprised at Pedro's sudden action. She tries to fight back but with her arms being restrained, she could nothing about it.

"I'm sorry Miriallia", Pedro said.

Her vision becomes foggy before feeling weak and falls to the ground. Miriallia was jumping in and out from her consciousness while hearing Pedro talking and a car or something stop in front of them.

Dearka, help me! Then everything goes black.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The first thing he felt was the texture of the floor. He open his violet orbs and realize he was lying on the floor. With his head still tingling from his previous migraine attack, Dearka slowly got up into a sitting position and rub the back of his head.

"Where am I?" he asked, while looking at his surroundings. "Right, I'm staying at Miriallia's place", he began to blush ten shades when he realized what he just said.

Wh-what am I thinking about? It's not like we have done anything that's unheard of right? He thought, feeling uncertain while trying to recall the past events, about his time on ArchAngel, on Voltaire, his last mission with Yzak, the times when he was under the Junkies' care and under Athrun and Miriallia's care.

The moment he thought about the brunette, he began to feel the heat rising to his head. What is wrong with me? Dearka scratches his scalp in frustration of this sudden change of emotion. He stops when he realizes the words he uses. The sudden change of emotion? That's not it. I … I …

And that's when it hits him. "I remember… everything. The time on ArchAngel, on Eternal, on Voltaire and … and my last mission…"

Flashes of his last mission on Mendel Colony began to surface. And he vaguely remembers seeing someone was tailing as well. But who?

= Flashback =

The blond hair captain has come across a floating briefcase when he was about to leave the area. What is that? He grabs and fiddles with the lock until he managed to open the locks. Yes! Thank you enhanced brain.

Dearka open the briefcase and found nothing but a file with some documents inside. He took the documents out for a quick look and was shocked at what he has just discovered. He quickly places the documents back into the briefcase and took it with him as he leaves the area. It's not event counted as documents but a list of names written in bold writing. Some of the names were slashed out with red pen while a few were circle with roughly. The thing that surprised him the most were the titles and the names he saw among the list.

"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.

Dearka laugh as he read through the list again. "I'm sure Yzak will be amused to see this", he said. The blond captain quickly places the documents back into the briefcase and took it with him as he leaves the area.

He felt something. He did a quick turn and point him gun straight at the void space. He looks around some more, double-checking his surroundings before concluding it was just his imagination. Unknowingly, Dearka's movement had secretly been monitored since he and his team had entered the colony.

The blond captain was out in the open speaking with his lieutenant when his transmission device sounded. "Full status report Captain Elsman", Yzak ordered.

Yzak's face appeared in the front monitor of the device. "Everything seems fine, Commander Joule. It seems that someone might have fooled the councilors about this. But check this out. I have found something that you might be interested in", he said and direct the device to the suitcase.

"Good work captain", Dearka could almost see Yzak's smile.

Though he felt the accomplishment but he did not accomplish anything. More so, he could felt something was wrong with this colony. It feels like someone or a lot of someone is here, he thought.

"No evidence of any group gathering?" Yzak asked. Dearka shook his head. "I see. Return back to the ship and-"

An explosion cut off Yzak before he could finish. "TAKE COVER!" Dearka screamed.

Everyone, including himself duck for cover as the explosion's wave hits them. "SCRAMBLED", he screamed once the waved was clear. "GET BACK INTO YOUR UNIT".

Once inside his unit, the blond coordinator quickly strapped up and starts up his machine. From his monitors, he could see three mobile suits had emerged from under the colony.

"Where did they come from?" he asked, but he received no answer. Instead, his enemies greeted him with a shower of attacks. "Right off the bat? Damn it!" Dearka was trying his best to defend the newbies from being annihilated and fighting back at the same time even thought he knows that they could not win this battle. "All unit get in formation and retreat", he ordered.

The blond coordinator was trying to find the best time to launch off but no matter how he tries, he was shot down. "It seems like they are trying to, Arg!" before he could finish, his speculation comes true. His enemies trap grounded Dearka ZAKU Warrior.

"Dearka, what are you still doing there. Get back into the ship, we need to regroup", the commander ordered.

"I seem to be stuck in one of their traps. I can't move my suits right now, its dead stuck", he said, while defending his attacker's attacks.

"What!" Yzak exclaimed in horror.

Dearka's machine is picking up enormous energy source from the core of the Colony. It's not what I think it is, is it?

"Get my suit ready, I have to go and help that idiot out".

"NO!" Dearka shouted, while monitoring the rising number. Shit, this thing is going to blow soon. "Get everyone out of this area now!"

Yzak was shocked to hear what his captain said. "What are you talking about you idiot? I am not about to leave any of my men to die in this wrench place. I'm going to get-"

"Get your butt out of there now Joule unless you want to kill whole team", Dearka was getting impatient. He needs to get his friends away from the colony before it's too late.

"What are you-"

"Damn it Joule! If you are not going to leave then I'll make you leave", he said. With the remaining power his machine has, Dearka's ZAKU Warrior took aim at Voltaire and fires the multiple bullets.

Dearka saw Voltaire and Rousseur turn and left the area. He breathes in relief when he saw both ships were out of the exploding territory. Dearka could see that the enemies' suits were also leaving the area. He could feel Yzak cursing him but this is the best choice.

"I know I did the right thing even though I may be blown to smithereens, isn't it Miriallia", he said, looking at Miriallia's photo. Dearka unbuckled himself, took up the black suitcase up and opened it. "Might as well store this away, who knows that I might live through these".

After pressing a few numbers with the keyboard, a small hidden compartment from his right popped open. He took the content out from the bag and stuffed them into the compartment and shut it close. "With this, the data will be safe. But I better keep these with me", he said. Scrunching the name list into a paper ball and stuffed it into his pilot suit's hidden pocket.

Dearka look again at the numbers and was amazed at the digits that are appearing. "I wonder will I at least be in one piece?" he joked.

"Dea… ka… Do… ead me… You idi… ply… if… do …arka!" The transmission is getting bad due to the energy coming from the colony.

"I read you. What do you still want with me, Joule?" Dearka said.

"You… -ve to… -ect… suit… The… Colony is… explode soon", Yzak said.

"I already know. That's why you have to get the team far away from here now before-"

What Dearka could see next was white.

= End of flashback =

Dearka was sweating when he realizes what he remembered. He looks at his side and saw the scrunched up name list. Then he remembered seeing the safe box within the things that Liam had given him. He quickly scrambled onto his feet and took out the cardboard box in his wardrobe.

His customized safe box was sitting right at on top of his cockpit parts inside the cardboard box. Dearka took the safe box out and look at the corners for a while before finding the hidden button at the bottom right corner.

He smiled and pressed the button. The safe box came to life, the monitor light up and a hologram keyboard appeared in the air. Dearka quickly type in his password and unlocking the safe box finally. Inside were the documents that he found in the Mendel Colony.

"I better let Yzak know about this", he said.

Dearka took the documents and ran into the living room. He was about to grab onto the house phone when he realize that the fax light was blinking and document is being printed. The blond coordinator drops what he was holding upon reading the printed document. His mobile began to vibrate in his pants pocket. He took it out and answers it.

"Dearka, where are you currently?" Athrun, from the other side of the line asked.

"I'm at home… currently", he replied, slightly shaken.

Athrun breathes out in relief. "Do you know how worried we were when you didn't show up at the exhibition today?" he asked. That's right. Today is Miriallia's Photo Chronicles Exhibition. So there's no way… "Anyway, is Miriallia at home now?" he asked.

Thump!

"Eh? No, how could she be home. Miriallia, she's the star for today's exhibition right? How could she be home so early?" he asked. Fear began to envelope him.

"I see!" Athrun reply, slightly agitated. "Anyway, I need you to calm down and listen to me. Miriallia is currently missing".

Thump!

"We could not find her anywhere within the premises of the Exhibition hall".

Thump! Thump!

"We assumed that she has been taken away. There's witness that a blond man had asked her out but nothing more than that". Then his fear sinks in. Miriallia has been kidnapped.

THUMP! THUMP!

"We are currently on our way to your place. Stay where you are-"

Dearka cut off Athrun's call before he could finish. He clenched his mobile tightly till his knuckles turn white. "Like there is anytime to be wasted", he said and dashed out of the unit with the printed document flying off his hand.

"Miriallia Haw is currently in our possession.
If you want her to return safe and unharmed, bring the un-named photo to the abandon warehouse by the coast.
Be ready to pick up her bones if we do not see you by 1730 hours."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

She could hear people talking, more like arguing. She hardly understands what they were talking about in her state of mind. Miriallia also felt the cold floor that's she's lying on. She tried to move but she could not due to her arms being tied up behind her. She opens her eyes and saw two blurry figures before her.

Where am I? Miriallia thought, what happen? She could not remember what has happened since her lunch out with Kira and her other friends. The last thing she remembers was walking to the parking lot with Pedro before everything turns black. Pedro was… what happened again?

The brunette looks up again and focuses her eyes on the blurry figures. She vaguely saw one of them has brown hair. Pedro? She tried to say something but cough instead. The other figures point at her direction saying something before the brunette turns to look at her. He comes forwards and squat down before her and place a white cloth on her nose and mouth. She could smell the similar sweet scent before her vision starts to get blurry.

"I'm sorry, Miriallia", was the last thing she heard before everything turns black.

Miriallia does not know how long she was out but occasionally on one of her wakes, she could hear her abductors conversation. Though not too clear, she could at least make out that it was not a single person's act. The least she knows that these people were working under one organization. She was out cold again before she could make out who was one of them that sounded familiar to her.

Again, she does not know how long she was out cold but this time she felt that she was being bounded in midair with her arms behind her back. Miriallia tried to open her eyes but her eyelids were to heavy to budge. It's like her mind and her bodies were two different entities.

Then she hears gunshots, lots of them. What is going on? What's happening?

"You are insane".

Is that Dearka's voice? What is he doing here? Miriallia thought.

BANG!

She hear the sound loud and clear followed by the sound of crashing and rolling of the heavy metal things.

The familiar laughter was the things that she needed to open her eyes. Her vision was still blurry but she could see two people below her. One of them was a brunette and the other was a blond. But the person that has lying around the metal barrels has dark color skins seems familiar to her "Dearka?" she croaked.

"You are finally grounded Coordinator", the other blond man said. He was making his way to where Dearka was while reloading his pistol. He stops right in front of him and shot his left shoulder.

Miriallia was horrified when she saw blood.

== Continue in chapter 19 ==

A/N: I'm really sorry for the late update. Hope Miriallia's part is not too draggy and I hope you like this chapter.