Author's note: Finally, much more about Athrun. And oh my god, the things I put Kira through… I think I might be a sadist…

Chapter 4:

"Here."

Athrun received the cup with both hands and took a sip gratefully. He was going to need the caffeine to keep him going if he was to stay awake all night.

Lacus took her seat beside him, both hands cradling her own mug. They were in the dining room of the Clyne Mansion, huddled around the marble table. Siegel Clyne was sitting at the end of the table and he smiled apologetically at Athrun. "So sorry to keep you here, Athrun," He said.

The blue-haired detective merely shook his head. "Don't be, Siegel," he shrugged, "I was fetching Lacus home when I got the call. Doesn't make a difference even if I was sleeping at home. I'll still come down anyway." He paused, and gestured at the metal suitcase resting in the middle of the marble table. "What's important is that they didn't get the target."

"Anyway," he went on, "I should apologize. I didn't know they would break in again so soon." He brought his fist down hard on the table, "I should have got the preparations ready sooner." He downed his coffee in one large, furious gulp.

Lacus frowned. "You mean they've broken in before?"

"Yes, this is the third time those bastards have made an attempt at infiltrating the corporation." Athrun growled. "I swore I would get them this time!" He ran a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Why didn't you tell me this before?" Lacus turned her grey eyes onto Athrun but Siegel Clyne put a gentle hand over hers. "You were studying overseas, Lacus. I didn't want to worry you. I made Athrun promise not to tell you."

Lacus' fingers found the clasp of the metal suitcase and she undid it. The case sprung open to reveal the vial of liquid. "So this is what they're after?" She ran a finger lightly over the glass. "Why do they want it so bad? What's in it, Father?"

Siegel Clyne let out a sigh. "This is a new drug for the company. It's not finished yet, but already, there are people all over the market eyeing it." He paused and raised his eyes, "We can't let it get into the wrong hands because there is so much that could go wrong. Someone could alter the formula and you get another virus, or another antidote or who knows what. The formula is still unstable. More research and alterations need to be made. Until we stabilize it, we can't let it out of our sight."

Silence swept over the room. It was Lacus who broke it first. "Do you know who might be the one trying to get his hands on this?"

"We have a pretty good idea," Athrun said, "Rival companies have implied that they're interested in it. And that includes your all-time rival, Rau Le Creuset whose been suspected of releasing illegal drugs. But until proven, we can't nap him-"

"And that's why this vial can't fall into his hands." Siegel Clyne finished. Then he sighed and ran a hand over his face tiredly. "But I sense, this is merely the start of our problems. We've got a lot more trouble coming our way."

A single slap reverberated through the entire room. The distinct rapport of skin connecting with skin.

Kira barely flinched even as the barrel of a Glock 17L stared him in the face. A trickle of blood slipped down the side of his chin from the backhanded blow he had received across his cheek. The face behind the pistol was flushed crimson from fury and the shaking fingers clutching the pistol deactivated the safety lever. The barrel of the Glock was jammed against his brow, digging hard into his skull.

"17 bullets," The man spat, "I don't think there's a big chance of me missing you, Kira." The man was of average build, the blonde hair that cascaded down his shoulders was disheveled and damp from sweat. The only discerning feature about him was the silver mask that he wore, covering eyes that must have been livid and furious.

He glared down at Kira hard, his hands quivering from a frightening rage. "You and your team of failures almost got yourselves killed, or worst still, captured. You were just that tiny bit away from exposing me," His husky voice hissed as he shoved the gun barrel against Kira's forehead repeatedly. "As if that wasn't bad enough, you failed to obtain the object. So in the end, all this mission did was to warn Clyne to raise his guard. Tell me, should I just pull the trigger and blow you to bits, Kira?"

Kira remained silent, staring steadily at him, his dark amethyst eyes betraying no emotion. There was the sound of footsteps behind him and Stellar's voice rang out. "Clyne already knew of the mission. He had more guards on surveillance tonight. We fell into a trap, Rau-"

The gun barrel shifted away from Kira's face to point somewhere over his right shoulder. "Do you want to take his place, Stellar?" The man snapped. There was shocked silence, followed by a nearly inaudible "No, sir".

"Then get back in line, before I shoot all four of you."

There was a tentative shuffle as Stellar moved back to her position. The Glock returned to pointing at Kira. "I could fire all 17 bullets. As soon as the first one hits you, you'll be dead. The last sixteen will just be for me to relieve my anger." He smirked and took a step closer to Kira, pushing the barrel into the side of his head. He stared down at Kira who met his eyes without cringing.

It wasn't a silent battle of wits. Neither was it an outright declaration of hostilities or defiance of any sort. It was simply the resignation of a man who could glare down the barrel of a Glock 17L pistol without feeling a tinge of fear because he didn't care if he died. In fact, it was almost a familiar feeling, Kira mused to himself. The pressure of a gun barrel pressed against his temple, the smell of sweat and fury, the tide of hatred, loathing and contempt that blossomed deep in his stomach and threatened to surge through him. Kira almost laughed at the uncanny familiarity.

And then the pressure at his brow eased and the Glock was removed. Rau's expression softened with sly mirth. "But I won't kill you." He laughed, exposing perfect white teeth. "I invested so much in you. Though you seem to have turned out as failures, I'm not going to toss all my money into the drain. You'll have one more chance to set things right..." He activated the safety catch on the pistol and tossed it onto the desk behind him, before he walked around it and fell into the large plush chair. He swung both legs onto the desk and leaned back, watching Kira. "You have one more chance," He repeated, grinning, "to clear up this shit. In about two weeks' time." He paused and settled back comfortably into his chair, hands behind his head. "In the mean time, I want you to keep a low profile until your next mission comes up."

Kira nodded curtly.

A sharp knock at the door broke the deathly silence. Rau eyed the shut door scornfully. "What?" He barked.

The door opened a slit and a man in a white lab coat put his head around the door. "Shani's team just reported to the base, sir. The mission was a success. Would you like to meet them, sir?"

Rau gave a hoot of laughter and applauded. "Well, at least this night didn't turn out to be all that bad," He said, nodding to himself smugly. "I won't meet them, Barkley," The silver mask hid his eyes but there was no hiding the grin that tugged at the corner of his lips. "I'll send Kira."

Kira's head snapped up.

"You can go and meet them for me, Kira. Entertain them," His boss shrugged, "Provide them with a way to release all that adrenalin pumping through their veins."

There was silence. He was watching Kira carefully, a challenging smirk of his face. Kira clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. How he longed to sink his fist into that grinning bastard's face and wipe that smile off him. "Yes, sir," He ground out. Rau merely laughed and gestured towards the scientist at the door. The scientist nodded and beckoned to Kira, swinging open the door to reveal an empty, dimly lit corridor. Kira turned abruptly, tearing his gaze away from the still snickering Rau. He could feel the burning gazes of his team mates but he ignored them and moved steadily out of the door.

"Wait."

He paused in the doorway with the scientist close behind him. "Sir?" The scientist said politely. Kira didn't bother turning around. "Tell them to keep the broken bones and sprains to the minimal. Kira's still got a mission in two week's time."

"Yes, sir."

The guard closed the door behind them. The sound rang out like a gunshot in the silent corridor.

Author's note: Well, that's done. Please do not hate me. Although I am pretty much hating myself now for what I subjected Kira to… :(