Author's note: Finally, the next chapter's up. Sorry for the delay, folks, but I had to work out some kinks in the story plot. Not really good at, or used to, writing suspense / thriller / crime – lots of irregularities in the plot. Hope I've cleared up most of them :D but forgive me if you spot any mistakes! Do point them out if you see any. And now, on with the show!

Chapter 9:

Rau ran a finger over the globe on his desk. The sphere teetered on its axle dangerously. He was staring intently at the report on his desk, the silver mask hiding the emotion in his eyes but failing to hide the grim expression in his lips, which were pressed tight into a fine line.

They had been standing at attention before his desk for half an hour when Auel began fiddling with the hem of his shirt and shifting from one foot to the other. Kira stilled him with a glare that he threw over his shoulder. His young companion gave a small pathetic pout of the lips. Kira softened his gaze - just a little - to let him know that he understood. The endless waiting had made the silence in the room oppressive. Rau was ignoring their presence completely. He hadn't even glanced up when they filed into his room and took up position before him.

The mental clock in Kira's head was ticking. Five minutes. Ten. Twenty. Then thirty, and still Rau remained engrossed in the files on his desk. It was only when forty-five minutes had lapsed that Rau raised his head slightly. The silver mask glinted under the harsh fluorescent lights of his office, effectively hiding any hint of emotion.

"I've received reports that the serum is in the Clyne Mansion." There was a look of annoyance on his face. "In Siegel Clyne's own house, because he's on his guard." An irate glance was tossed in Kira's direction. "There's going to be a homecoming party for his daughter in two days and I want you to get into that house and sneak that serum out of there," A grin crossed Rau's face. "Minimal damage. Won't be a pleasant sight if someone gets hurt during the party."

Then the smile faded as quickly as it had come. "This time, Orga will be in charge." He glared hard at Kira again, a vein pulsing angrily at his neck. "Your team will assist Orga and you will take orders from him. Do I make myself clear?" The wave of disbelief and frustration that came from his team mates behind him was difficult to ignore but there was only one acceptable reply and Kira merely nodded curtly. Crystal clear.

Rau leaned back into his chair, letting his eyes rove over all eight of them. "I want that serum," he growled, "and the eight of you are going to get it for me. Understand?" Without waiting for a reply, he gave a dismissive wave of his hand. End of conversation.

He went back to frowning at the reports on his desk. As though they had never been there, never existed.

They were turning to leave, Orga already halfway through the door when he snapped his fingers. Immediately, they froze where they were and turned their heads. "And Kira?" There was a pregnant pause and Rau's lips twitched dangerously, "don't you fucking screw this up again."

He tapped the rubber end of the pencil against the surface of his table repeatedly. Once, twice, thrice. It was a habit Athrun had, when he was deep in thought. And he was seriously deep in thought. He had a floor-plan of the Clyne Mansion laid out on his table, with penciled circles scattered across the map.

Team #1: the main entrance.

Team #2: the gate at the backyard.

Team #3: Patrolling the ground floor.

Team #4: Patrolling the second floor.

He counted them off on his fingers, and made a mental note to remind Team Four to pay special attention to the windows in case those perpetrators decided to break in. But he highly doubted it. It was too obvious, too attention-seeking. Didn't fit their typical modus operandi. They preferred more subtle ways of infiltrating and were more likely to enter via the front door, mingling with the guests. Or disguising themselves as part of the household personnel, Athrun thought. He made another mental note to double-check the ID of all those working part-time or full-time in the Clyne Mansion and triple-check their background information.

An arrow, drawn with a red marker, drew attention to Siegel Clyne's study, which was located on the second floor. Athrun stared at it, chewing on the end of his pencil thoughtfully, and added a circle around the said room. Team #5: Eyes on the target. Then he thought better and erased the circle. Would be too obvious if he had so many people watching it. That would be like announcing to the whole wide world that the serum was kept inside Siegel's study.

No. Better to put all the big guns in Team Four, so that one team was good enough. He put an asterisk in the penciled circle on the second floor. Then shrugging his shoulders and turning his head from side to side to ease the tension in his shoulders, he folded up the floor-plan and put it aside to join the rapidly increasing pile on his desk.

God, he needed a break. Athrun stood up, laced his fingers together and stretched his arms above his head. His back cracked and he breathed out a sigh. Grabbing the mug at the corner of his desk, he marched out of his office, passed empty cubicles shrouded in darkness and made his way into the pantry where a pot of coffee was still simmering quietly. He poured himself a large cup and took a long swig. Lacus had always had issues with his caffeine intake. But tonight, to hell with it. She didn't need to know and damn, he needed the caffeine more than ever.

He trudged back to his office, cradling his cup in both hands to warm them. As he sank down into his leather chair, he risked a glance at the digital clock on his wall. The pulsing red numerals screamed back at him.

02:16.

He gazed back at the mountain of reports covering his desk. Shinn and Luna had sent in their report. They had taken apart the air vent, one sheet of metal at a time. Nothing. No prints, no hair, no fabrics caught in any of the blots. Nothing. The crime scene lab had found nothing on the scratch. There was no hint of paint. Impossible to tell what tool had been used. Could have been a hammer, a screwdriver, a chisel, maybe even an unknown gadget. Yzak and Dearka had nothing on the rented car. The owner of the rental company couldn't even offer a decent description of this 'Simon Dixon'. The crime scene lab had no leads on the shell cases. Nicol had the video cameras taken apart, analysed and processed but whoever or whatever had caused the malfunction could not be determined. Some computer virus, the technicians had concluded.

That explained so much, Athrun had thought sarcastically.

He let his head fall onto the back of his chair and closed his eyes. Damn, he never thought that he had signed up for such a ride. When both his parents had died and Siegel Clyne had taken him under his wing, the police academy had seemed such an ideal option. He had graduated quickly and easily, his wit and intelligence startling his professors and mentors. He had found himself admitted immediately into law enforcement and rising through the ranks faster than any one had expected, his sense of dedication and responsibility impressing his superiors, until he had found himself the chief of a special unit in the criminal investigation department. That was when the real shit had begun.

Athrun cracked open his eyes and stared up at his ceiling.

But then again, which job didn't have its ups and downs? He smiled to himself. Well, at least, he enjoyed his work. The long long hours, non-existent sleep and danger aside, there was a sense of satisfaction knowing he had protected someone each time he closed a case.

He rummaged through the documents covering his desk, pushing them aside so that he could reach the photo frame tucked away behind a stack of manila files. Nestled in the burnished frame was the torn and tattered picture of a woman with short navy blue hair and bright sparkling eyes. He ran his finger lightly and tenderly over the glass.

"Wish you were here," Athrun whispered softly, the ghost of a smile gracing his lips, "Mum…"

True, Siegel Clyne had given him a home, a family, an education, everything his young, traumatized little mind could have ever hoped for. He regarded Siegel as his father, and Lacus as the sister he had never had. But sometimes, just sometimes, he felt so alone.

He shook himself. Now wasn't a time to be sentimental and nostalgic. He was on a mission, a duty to protect his 'father' and 'sister' and perhaps, the whole country too, if he didn't want some new virus or disease wrecking havoc.

Damn, he had a vial of serum to protect, and he wasn't about to allow some son-of-a -bitch to lay a finger on it.

Author's note: Hmm… I think this was a lousy chapter. It was meant to give a little insight into Athrun's background. Kira's will come later. But this chapter just doesn't seem right... To askani16, evci, shad999 and Amazing, thanks loads for the support, and askani16, I think this chapter addresses Athrun and Lacus' relationship, whether it really is a KxL fic, you're going to have to read on to find out! :D haha, don't forget to review review review!