Chapter 35
While the last few days on the Minerva had been quite tough.
The atmosphere down on the Archangel was totally different. Everything was just so nice and peaceful, which needless to say was something the entire crew enjoyed greatly.
One of them that particularly liked being so far down in the ocean, was a certain pink haired teenage. Who at this very moment, was taking in the truly lovely view of all the life, that was going on just outside of the ship.
She especially loved looking at the more colourful, not to talk about bizarre fish out there, that was calmly swimming around the Archangel.
None of them realizing that their where being watched. They where simply far to busy searching the area for their next meal, to noticed the pink haired teen, who was trying hard to figure out, just where exactly a small stream of cute orange fish was going.
"I wonder what's it is like being out there? It truly does look incredibly peaceful" Lacus quietly said to herself, with a generally happy smile on her face.
Just as she slowly turned her curious gaze away from the many orange fish, and over at a stingray, which was calm making it's way past the bridge, with not one care in the world.
It truly was an impressive animal to look at.
And it was at times like these, that the young woman wished that she knew how to scuba dive. So she could actually try and swim around out there, together with the many interesting creatures.
Perhaps once the war was over and they got back home to Orb. She should consider asking Kira if he wanted to take diving training with her, that certainly could be a very entertaining thing for both of them to learn.
It would just be so utterly romantic, if they where able to be out there together with all of those beautiful fish surrounding them.
And the whole idea about experience something so absolutely wonderful, with the one she loved with all of her being, was pretty much all that was needed to make a deep far away expression, appear on her happy face.
Yet as she continued standing there daydreaming about all the things, she and her husband could see out there.
She did not notice the door to the bridge fly open.
And that the very person who was playing a huge part in her dreams was now making his way over towards her. And it was only when she felt two strong arms being gently wrapped around her slender body, that she finally realized that she wasn't alone up there any longer.
Yet even true his sudden presence surprised her slightly. It did not take long before she leaned back against him, truly enjoy the feeling of her husband holding her so close. It always made her feel so safe and relaxed.
"You do know, that I have been searching for you all over the ship, this was actually the last place I expect to find you" Kira whispered softly in to her ear, while taking in the lovely scent of her long pink hair.
But even true he could not deny, that he was greatly enjoying the fragrant of the strawberry scent shampoo she liked so much. There was a small part of him that was seriously wondering what was going on with her, this was far from the first time she had gone of somewhere on the ship to be on her own. And he knew that she only did that, when she had something on her mind.
And the whole thing with her obviously having a tough time telling him anything about what was bothering her. Had really served to make Kira worry about what was going what was going on. Which was actually one of the reason why, he had been wandering around all over the Archangel the last hour, searching for her.
So as much as he truly hated to ruin the romantic atmosphere between the two of them.
He just had to know what it was, that had been bothering her so much the last few days. If there really was something she was sad about, he wanted to do absolutely everything possible to help her out.
And with that in mind, he slowly moved his attention away from her soft hair and out at the view in front of them.
"Lacus what's going on? For some reason you have been so distance recently. I'm actually starting to worry that you are mad about something" he softly told her.
Just as he slowly turned his gaze away, from the almost breathtaking view, and down the gorgeous woman he was holding in his arms. Truly wondering what she had been thinking so hard about, when he had entered the room.
Hearing him say that, Lacus lift her head and looked back at him, where she could easily tell from his expression, that her weird behaving the last couple of days was bothering him quite a bit.
And seeing as she was far from angry at him. She slowly turned around in the secure embrace, and moved both of her arms up around his neck, now looking directly in to his deep purple eyes.
"I'm no mad at you Kira, or anybody else for that matter. I have just been having a lot of things on my mind that I needed a little peace and quiet to think about. Yet I truly am sorry, that I worried you so much" she said, with a deep caring smile on her face.
Before she leaned in and rest her head up against his shoulder sincerely loving being in his arms like this.
She did however not get long to really enjoy it. Before her husband once more brought the romantic mood to an end. By asking her what exactly it was, that she had been thinking so much about recently.
Feeling somewhat disappointed that their little moment couldn't last. Lacus snuggled a bit closer to him, where she let out a slightly displeased sigh, as she opened her mouth and began explaining to him what her distance behavior had been about.
"Well you see Kira. As much as I like being down here with you and everybody else, we will never be able to figure out what exactly the Chairman and Zaft are planing while we are hiding out down here. So I was thinking about going back out in to space" She said in a somewhat far away tone.
Just before taking a brief glance up in to his eyes, where she immediately notice the deep thoughtful look in them, which made it pretty clear that he was thinking quite hard, about what she had just said to him.
Yet once he moved his gaze away from the ceiling, and their eyes meet each other again. She slowly opened her mouth, and continued on with the explanation.
"Maybe by joining up with the Eternal. We can dig up some vital information about that man and what he is truly up to!" She said, while using a few short moments to go over some of the Chairman's and her impostor's speeches.
But even true they where quite different, every time they heard a new one.
It surely couldn't be denied, that all each had one certain thing in common. Which was always something about how much Zaft wanted to end the war and once more bring peace back to the would.
And as lovely as that truly did sounded. She was begin to doubt the Chairman's words more and more, every single time she heard him speak.
Yet as things where developing right now. She had very little to go on that could actually prove, what that the Chairman was really up to. Which was the reason why it had now become necessary for her, to return back to outer space.
Once back on board the Eternal, and so much closer to the Plants. It should at the very least be a little bit easier, finding some information about what Durandal's true intentions was with all of this.
She did however not get a whole lot of time to think about all the things she needed to do, once she and commander Waltfeld joined up with the Eternal again.
When she suddenly felt Kira tighten his grip on around her waist. And before she had anytime to react he once more pressed his face in to her pink hair, which meant that she could now feel his somewhat calm breath against her neck.
"Lacus, I would most definitely be lying to you, if I went and told you, that I thought it was a good idea for you to head back out there on your own. But if that's what you really want to do, I wouldn't try to stop you. But please promise me that you will be careful out there, if anything was to happen to you Lacus, I don't know what I would do!" He mumbled in to her ear, still holding on to her as tightly as before.
Hearing him say that to her. Lacus slowly shut her eyes, and snuggled just a bit closer to him.
"It's not like I'm going out there all on my own Kira, commander Waltfeld will be coming along too" The female Yamato said, while taking a few seconds to play and mess around with the hair at the back of her husband's neck.
She did however not do that for long. Before she once more began talking to him in the same calm tone as before.
"And it's not like we are actually going to try and sneak in to Aprilius. But with everything that's happening around the world. It's becoming more and more necessary for us to be near the Plants, and all of the places where Chairman Durandal use to work in the past" she explained.
Before moving her hands a bit higher. So she could better feel his thick brown hair, between her fingers.
Not really needing a whole lot of time, to think about her words.
Kira gave her neck a light peck, while he began telling the pink haired goddess his opinion about everything she had just said.
"I truly do understand what you are saying Lacus. But that does not mean I'm not concerned about this. Yet I know better then most people, that when you first make up your mind about something. There is nothing that can change it. So I'll do everything possible to make sure, that you get safely up there" he promised her, in a deeply determined tone.
Smiling slightly at those words. Lacus gave his neck a small kiss back.
"I'm so glad that you are always there to protect me Kira. It's always makes me feel so special when we are together" She told him in a soft voice, while enjoying the feeling of his hands moving slowly up and down her back.
Yet when his hand travel through her pink hair. She slowly open her eyes, and once more looked back at him, where she saw him smiling gently at her.
"Of course I'll protect you Lacus. Even if the two of us are so far apart, you can be absolutely certain, that I'm not going to waste anytime in rushing out there to save you. If you ever find yourself in any kind of danger!" He said, while the young couple rest their foreheads against each other's.
And it was only shortly after that, when Lacus whispered out a small thank you, and that she loved him.
"I love you too Lacus, I love you too" he mumbled back to her in low tone.
After that nothing else was said between them. As they stood there holding each other for a very long time.
000000
At the same time a very intensive battle was playing out down in the hangar, between four people that was glaring at each other every time they had the opportunity to do so.
Yet once the only girl in the party throw down her cards and yelled out royal straight flush.
The three males in the small group, immediately growled out a few displeased sounds, which made it pretty clear that they where far from happy about the resolute of this game.
"Damn, whoever taught you to play cards like this girl, should be thrown of a cleft somewhere!" The Desert Tiger said.
Slightly annoyed that a teenage girl, had such an easy time beating him and the rest of them in cards. Especially because it had taken him such a long time, to get really good at the game.
Yet whenever he, or anybody else for that matter was playing against Miriallia. She would always find some ingenious way, to fool them in to doing something totally stupid, and then win the game right after.
Which was to say it lightly irritating as hell.
If there was one thing he could honestly say that he didn't understand in this world. Then it was how such a nice girl as Miriallia, could be such a bad ass when it came to playing poker. He was almost completely sure that if she ever made the decision to pay a small visit to a casino somewhere, she would undoubtedly leave the place with a large sum of money.
Smiling slightly at the one eyed man.
Miriallia calmly started mixing up all the gather cards again, making absolutely certain that her almost perfect poker face didn't wither at all. Which of course served to make it extremely difficult to figure out just what exactly she was thinking about.
"I do believe that my father would be quite upset, should he ever hear that his life was in danger for teaching his lovely daughter how to play poker" the brown haired woman said.
Just as she reached down and picked up her own cards. After that she again smiled a bit a the Desert Tiger, while telling him in a friendly tone that it was now his turn to make a move.
Yet while Andrew Waltfeld was trying to make up his mind about what to do next.
Dearka Elsman was facing another problem entirely, whenever he saw his beautiful girlfriend in poker mood as he had named it. He just couldn't help but find her incredibly attractive and sexy.
Which was actually one of the reason why. He couldn't really concentrate on the game.
He was simply far to busy watching her instead of his cards, and that of course had resulted in that he had lost more then a few games. Not that he cared much about that, he truly did love seeing her act this way, it was always so damn entertaining.
Yet as he sat there admiring her.
The fourth person there, suddenly interrupted his thoughts about the woman he was in-love with. By loudly telling him, that it was now his turn to make a move in their little game.
And while Murdoch's interruption did honestly bother Dearka slightly. He still tore his gazes away from Miriallia. and downwards at his cards. Where he immediately noticed, that he had quite a nice hand.
Which meant that there was a small chance, that he could pull of a victory this time around.
So after looking his cards over for a few more seconds. He took a hold on one of the cards and throw it on the crate they where sitting on, then took another card in exchange. And when he saw that he now had three queens and two nines, he had a tough time hiding his grin.
If it was in anyway possible for him to win this time around.
He was going to do it no matter what it took. And with that in mind Dearka slowly lift his gaze away from the cards, and looked over at the chief engineer. Where he gave the large man a small nod, to show that he was done.
After that he once more turned his attention back, towards the five pieces of heavy paper in his hands.
Yet as he sat there dreaming about his tiny victory to come. He did not realize that Miriallia was watching him, and had already figured out that he had quite a good hand at the moment.
Which was most definitely something she was planing to use to her own advantage. She might love the sweet fool with all of her heart. But that did not mean, that she was going to permit him to win this game.
But as she was sitting there trying to come up with the best strategy, to beat her handsome boyfriend and the two other men. Mayu's loud voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
"Hey guys look what me and mom just made!" The eleven-year-old child shouted loudly. While showing of a nice looking chocolate cake, covered by thick layer of white glaze.
But even true it definitely couldn't be denied, that it truly did look extremely yummy. They all knew just how well Mayu function in a kitchen, and neither of them where really all that keen on getting food poison, at the moment.
So after taking a few uncertain glances around at each other.
They once more looked at the happy girl, who of course hadn't realized just how nervous they all where about tasting that thing. And it was only when she asked who of them wanted the first piece.
That Dearka finally asked the one question they all wanted answers to. "Emm...no offence Mayu...but...who exactly made that thing?" He asked, with a great deal of hesitation in his' voice.
And still with both of his' eyes turned towards the large brown cake.
He wanted to be completely sure. That there was nothing in it, that would give him and everybody else down there, the worlds biggest stomach ache or maybe even put them in an early grave.
Blinking a few times at that, Mayu slowly tilted her head a bit to the side. She frankly didn't understand why he was asking her that. And why everybody else she had meet on her way down here had ran off as quickly as possible.
But before she could start yelling at Dearka, she noticed that the three other people, was just as interested in getting a reply to the question, as the former Buster pilot was.
And even true she had little trouble recalling just how many times she had given them something that made them sick or throw up. She was still greatly displeased that they didn't trust her enough to at least try it out.
And a part of her, was actually a bit tempted to hurl the cake directly in to big brother Dearka's face. Seeing as he was the one who had made her angry in the first place, by asking that stupid question.
Yet just as she lift her hand and was about to follow through with the idea. Her mother's kind voice brought her to a hold, before the chocolate cake could leave her grasp.
"You guys don't have to worry! I made extra sure that she did everything like she was suppose to, so it should taste great. I for one do look forward to get a nice big piece of it!" The brown haired woman told them. As she slowly made her way over to them, also holding on to a cake of some kind. Yet even true none of them was able to tell, what kind of cake it was. It truly did look quite delicious.
But even after being told that the chocolate cake was completely safe to eat. Each of them where still a bit on edgy about accepting a piece.
They all knew from past experience, that even with Murrue keeping an eye on things. There was still a very high possibility, that Mayu had made some kind of critical error in the recipe, that could properly annihilate a minor army.
And it was only when Miriallia took notice of the slightly heart broken look Mayu had in each of her eyes. That she just could not keep herself from letting out a long reluctant sigh.
She knew pretty well, that Mayu didn't make food for them, because she actually wanted to make them sick. It was just her way of showing that she cared about all of them. And seriously not wanting to hurt Mayu's feelings anymore then they already had.
Miriallia slowly reach out and took a hold on the cutting knife that was laying beside the cake.
"I'll take a big piece too Mayu. And I'm certain that Dearka would also like very much to taste your cake" she said in a kind tone, while sending her boyfriend a small hard glare, that was more then enough to tell him, that it would be a wise move for him to try out the cake too.
So even true it was still somewhat unwillingly.
The former Zaft pilot told the small girl that he too would be having a piece of her cake. But since it hadn't been all that long since he had breakfast, he didn't want as big a piece as the captain and his girlfriend.
And it wasn't that long after that, before Dearka slowly moved a spoonful of cake up to his mouth. Yet since he had mentally prepared himself, the last few seconds to taste something truly bad.
He was pleasantly surprise that it actually was eatable and taste good on top of that.
"Hmm this is kinda tasty, not what I expected at all!" He said in loud tone.
While taking yet another bite of the brown cake, chewing it slowly to really enjoy and take in the taste of the delicious food. And even as he was doing that, he was already considering asking Mayu for another piece of her cake, when he was done with this one.
Just hearing him say that, was more then enough to make Mayu smile widely with pride.
As she slowly turned her head and took a look over at Miriallia. Where she immediately notice the other girl eating her piece with a large appetite. And with a slightly pleasant look in her eyes, as she continued taking one spoonful of the food after another.
Yet as she sat there watching her big sister figure eat her cake. She suddenly started thinking about the words big brother Dearka had said, only a few short seconds ago.
And knowing now that her big sister figure liked her cake, she once more turned her attention back towards Dearka, that by now was busy shoveling the food in to his mouth.
"What exactly did you mean about my cake not being what you expected big bro?" She asked in loud demanding voice. While making certain to give the Murasame pilot a highly displeased glare.
Slightly taken back at that question. Dearka quickly swallowed the last spoonful of cake, he had put in his mouth.
"Well I seriously think it's best we don't talk to much about that Mayu. You know as well as the rest of us, what happened the last time you baked a cake" he said in a quiet tone, while thinking briefly about the entire dish washing incident, and how nauseous and sick that had made him.
Yet not wanting to ruin his appetite now. He hastily shook those unpleasant thoughts away from his mind, and took yet another big bite of the cake, chewing it slowly to really saver it's chocolate like taste.
Hearing his reason for not wanting a piece of her cake at first. Mayu narrow her eyes a bit, in a somewhat angry manner. She couldn't even remember just how many times she had apologized for that little accident back then.
She did however not get the chance to tell him, how big a jerk he was, when her mother cut her off. "Please try and calm down Mayu, this was after all your little idea for us all to spend some time together. So please don't ruin that with an argument" she told her daughter in a caring voice, as she reached over and softly rubbed her hair, in a small attempt to get her to relax.
And once Murrue saw the girl send Dearka one last angry glare. Mayu quickly took the offer plate of strawberry cake from her mother's hand.
Then went over and sat down next to Miriallia, where she immediately took a large spoonful of the cake her mother had made for them. While she had been working so hard on her own cake.
Yet as they where all sitting there enjoying both the cake and each others company. Mayu noticed that there was somebody missing, which did kinda disappoint her a bit. She wanted all of them to be there together.
"By the way where is my two other big sisters and big brother Kira?" She asked a bit curious.
Just before she turned her head and took a small glance over at the Freedom to see if Kira was up there actually working on his' machine, while they where all having such a good time.
It was however pretty clear even from where they where sitting now, that there was nobody anywhere near the powerful mobile suit. Truth be told it actually seemed a tiny bit lonely standing over there, all by itself.
But even true Mayu did feel kinda sorry for the gundam.
It did not take much time, before she once more turned her attention back towards the people sitting around her. Still waiting somewhat impatiently for one of them to give her some sort reply.
Fortunately she did not have to wait long for that.
"Well I have no idea where Cagalli is. She has been acting a bit strange recently" the Desert Tiger said, from his procession on the metal crate. Truly wondering what had been bothering the blond haired girl, the last few days.
Yet while he was doing that. None of them noticed the quick look Miriallia and Dearka shared, they both of course had their suspicion, about what was going on with Cagalli.
But as concerned as they knew, the others was about Cagalli. It wasn't really their place to tell, what was really going on.
If the blond haired girl wanted the others to know about what was happening. She would most likely tell them herself, which she apparently didn't seem to be ready to do just yet.
And once both the Murasame pilot and Miriallia knew for sure, that none of them was going to say anything about Cagalli. They each continued eating their cake like they knew nothing about, what had been wrong with Cagalli the last couple of days.
Fortunately much to the young couple's relief. It did not take very long before the subject was turned away from Cagalli, and over at the two other people Mayu had asked about.
"But as for the whereabouts of our sweet little married couple. I do believe that they are of somewhere, having a serious discussion about what our next move should be!" Andy said, in a slightly far away tone.
As he once more tried to think of the best and most safe way, for him and Lacus to get back out in to space, and rendezvous with the Eternal and her crew.
He already had a bit of an idea. But it was kinda far out, not to mention extremely dangerous.
"Lacus did mention to me a few days ago, that we wouldn't ever be able to get any new information about Chairman Durandal, and what he is planing. As long as we stay hidden away down here" Andrew said quietly. Just as he took a big sip of his home-made coffee. Which lead him to discover, that there should have been just a few more coffee beans in this.
A mistake he was determined to straighten out, once he got back to his room.
Not having the slightest idea about what exactly the Desert Tiger was planing, was all that was need to make Murrue more then a bit worried. Ever since she had first met the man, she knew that he had the tendency to be quite reckless at times.
But with everybody else and especially Lacus safety involved. She was almost sure that he wouldn't do anything to stupid.
He had after all told her once in the past. Just shortly after they had all moved in together, that he had promised Lacus' father that he would look after and protect her and Kira with his life.
And with everything he had done for them. Murrue knew without a doubt, that the man was determined to keep that promise no matter the cost.
But that certainly did not mean, that she could just shake away her concerns and pretend that everything was going to be all right. At least not without being told what precisely it was he was planing.
Yet before she could ask him about it. The other former Zaft soldier down there cut her off.
"Well seeing as it's no easy task, hiding who Lacus really is, how the heck are you going to get her of the planet, and back out in to space? With the war going on, you can be damn sure, that Zaft and the Earth Forces, are going to keep a close eye on every single spaceport on the planet!" Dearka said. Knowing that smuggling the pink haired girl off earth, could be an extremely hard task to accomplish.
She was after all quite easy to recognize, especially with the fake one running around stirring up all of her all fans. Which was in Dearka's eyes, yet another reason to dislike that damn copycat.
Smiling somewhat wickedly at that question. Andrew slowly poured the rest of coffee in to his mouth.
"Yeah that's something I have been thinking about, the last few days Elsman. Yet when I was watching the news yesterday, I realized that Durandal has given us the perfect opportunity to get Lacus and I back to the Eternal. Let just say that if the fake one, can so easily post as the real one. Then I'm sure that our Lacus wouldn't have that many problems, standing in for the fake!" He said, as the grin on his face grew just a little bigger.
Yet before any of the people down there, had the necessary time to come up with a comment or two about everything he had just told them. He once more continued talking in the same smart ass tone as before.
"So what we are going to do is actually quite simple, we are just going to borrow the fake once's shuttle when she is getting ready to leave. I seriously do believe that's the least she can do, for all the trouble she has cost us!" He said, while slowly leaning back against the larger crate behind him.
Not having that made problems, seeing the deeper logic in what the Desert Tiger had just said. Murrue reached up and rubbed her chin in a thoughtful manner.
"Well it does make a lot of sense Andy. But are you completely certain that's the only way you and Lacus can reach the Eternal, there is bound to be a lot of security around that fake Lacus!" Murrue said, while thinking about how many Zaft soldiers was actually going to be present when the fake Lacus was suppose to go back to the Plants. She was after all quite popular so there was bound to be a lot of people that wanted to see her off.
And while still trying to come up with a more safe way to get Lacus and Andrew Waltfeld of the planet.
The brown haired woman slowly moved her thoughtful gaze away from the floor, and back over at the Desert Tiger.
"Which is actually what really worries me, about this entire plan. If the two of you ends up getting caught while trying to steal a Zaft shuttle. Each of your life could be in serious danger" the brown haired woman said, while thinking briefly about the last assassination attempt on the pink haired woman.
That definitely had been, one of the more horrifying experience in her life. Especially because so many of the people she loved and cared about, had almost gotten kill in that attack.
And with her thoughts still somewhat occupied, with the attack that had made both herself and her little family homeless. She slowly opened her mouth and continued telling the man her concerns about this.
"Each and everyone of us here knows, just how utterly determined the Chairman is to get rid of Lacus. He has definitely shown all of us, that he is just about willing to do everything to accomplish that task. And I truly don't want anything to happen to either of you!" Murrue told the overly confident man.
Making absolute sure not to move her piercing gaze away from him, even for a second. She want to be completely certain, that he knew just how serious she was taking this entire affair.
It was after all Lacus and his life that was on the line.
Yet much to Murrue's annoyance that big grin on his face didn't decrease at all, as the one eyed man sat up straight again.
"I have already given that quite some thought captain Ramius, which is actually the reason why, I have made the decision to ask our two brave pilots to go along with us in their mobile suit's. If those two are close to the base, they can always come in there and bail us out!" The man said in a tone, which made it pretty obvious for all of them, that he had given this a lot of thoughts.
Still not totally happy with the Desert Tiger's plan. Murrue let out a light breath, there was just so many things that could go wrong with this idea. But after hearing just how much thought the former Zaft commander had put in to this idea.
She had little doubt, that there was any other way. That Lacus and him could get off earth, and meet up with all of their old comrades on board the Eternal.
And even true she could not deny that she really wanted to do something to help the two of them out. She knew that both of her hands was pretty much tied up at the moment.
It wasn't like they had the option to actually take the Archangel up there, and attack the base as a diversion. To make certain, that both Lacus and Andrew got safely away from the earth.
Yet as the brown haired woman was thinking about that. The former pilot of the Buster gundam suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
"Well if you ask me! I kinda doubt that Kira would just have stay down here, while Lacus is walking around inside an enemy base. And there is just no way in hell I'm sitting this one out. I would actually like to show Zaft a thing or two about what I think about them right now!" The blond haired man said.
Before he slowly reach over, and wrapped his right arm around Miriallia. Holding her as close as possible.
Hearing the boy say that. Andrew smile a bit at him. "I'm really grateful for the assistance Dearka, and I'm sure Lacus is too. But please do try and remember that our objective there isn't to fight Zaft, the only thing you and Kira needs to do is to cover us while we leave earth. After that it would properly be best that you guys retreat from the area" Andy said in a serious tone, that he knew the boy would listen to.
Not overly satisfied with Waltfeld telling him that. Dearka let out a small unhappy growl sound. "Ahh man! And here I was looking forward, to play kick the can with those mobile suits station at that space port. But like usual things never goes the way I want them!" The blond teenage complained. Actually making it sound a bit like the whole world was against him.
Giggling slightly at his childish behavior. Miriallia slowly moved up and gave his cheek a gentle kiss.
"You do realize, that you sound a lot like a little kid. When you are whining like that?" The girl asked him in a small teasing tone, while looking directly in to his purple eyes, waiting to see his reaction to what she had just told him.
And it did not take long before a fake gloomy expression appeared on his face. "And here I thought that was one of those things, you truly loved about me" he said. Now sounding like he wasn't all that far away from crying.
Unfortunately for him, the few people gather down there, knew him well enough not to fall for a trick like that.
And before he could come up with another method, to gain a little sympathy from the others.
His lovely girlfriend moved even closer to him, and gave the tip of his nose a light peck. "You don't have to worry about that. Of course I love you Dearka, no matter how crazy you are!" She told him softly. Before she snuggled a bit deeper in to their secure embrace, truly enjoying the feeling of his two strong arms, being wrapped around her waist.
The romantic moment did however not last for long, before Mayu brought it to an end.
"I too think that it's very important that big sister Lacus, and grandpa Waltfeld gets out in space safely. But this really is a depressing subject, so could we please talk about something else now?" The girl asked, while totally ignoring the slightly displeased glare the Desert Tiger was sending her.
It wasn't really a big secret around the Archangel. That both Andrew Waltfeld and Murdoch disliked it a lot, when she call them that.
Neither of them truly felt like they where old enough to be call grandpa just yet. They did however both realize that it was pretty much pointless, trying to convince her to stop calling them that.
When the girl had made the decision to give somebody one of her nicknames. It would most likely take a very cruel action to actually lose it again.
And as much as they truly disliked the whole grandpa title. Neither the engineer or the former Zaft commander wanted to hurt Mayu's feelings that badly, that it would make her sad and depressed enough to stop with the whole grandpa thing. And even true they had never actually talked with each other about it, both men thoroughly agreed on, to never do something that mean to the girl.
They did after all both care a great deal about her. It would just be nice, if she could find something else to call them, other then grandpa. But they apparently just had to live with that irritating title.
Yet while the two men was trying to get use to the thought, of being call grandpa for the rest of their lives.
Murrue found herself smiling slightly at the expression on her daughter's face. It was pretty obvious that she was still somewhat displeased with the subject, they had been discoursing almost the entire time, since they got down there.
"So sweetie what exactly would you like to talk about instead?" She asked in a caring tone, while she slowly reach over and gently brush away a few bangs of brown hair, that was hanging down in front of Mayu's eyes.
Only thinking briefly about a reply. The little girl hurried leaned backwards, to avoid her mother's hand.
Before it yet again could brush through her short uncombed hair, for some reason she had always found it somewhat annoying whenever her mother, would try to get her hair to sit just right.
"I really don't know what else we could talk about mom, just something that has nothing to do with the stupid war. Why don't you tell us a couple of jokes big brother Dearka? It's been awhile since you have last done that!" She said, with a large amount of hope and expectation, in her young voice.
Hearing her ask that.
Dearka narrowed both of his eyes a bit, as he got a light thoughtful expression on his face. "Well unfortunately I haven't been able to go anywhere recently to pick up some new jokes. But I did hear a few yesterday you might like!" He said in a kind voice. Just before he began telling her some of the jokes he had gotten from a few of the ship's mechanics.
But even as he was doing that. He made sure not to tell her any of the more naughty jokes he had.
If he did that, he was pretty certain, that both his lovely girlfriend and the captain would get extremely angry at him.
And the thought of having those two women mad at him, was more then enough to make a long cold shiver run down his spine. Which made him realize that he never wanted to experience something like that.
He could quite honestly say, that he did not feel like sleeping out in the Archangel's halls, the rest of the time they where down there.
So he was slightly cautious about the contents of whatever joke he told, the eleven-year-old girl.
There was no way he wanted to say something totally foolish. That would properly resolute in most of the women on board the Archangel, giving him a cold shoulder for an unknown length of time.
With him and Miriallia finally together again, after being apart for such a long time. There was just no way he could live with her not talking to him, for who knew how long.
So he just had to choose between his many jokes carefully, and not make anybody down there mad.
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At the same time elsewhere on the Archangel.
Cagalli was sitting all by herself, in the nice hot water down in the ship's hotspring.
But as relaxed and contented as she seemed right now. If anybody where to take a real good look at her, they would most likely instantly be able to tell, that she was having a lot of things on her mind at the moment.
She especially seemed to have a lot of thoughts about, what was going on down in her stomach. Which she had been rubbing gently, ever since she had first gotten in there.
It had been quite some time now, since she had first started feeling sick.
And even true a part of her, had kinda hoped that it would just disappear again after a short while. There was simply no way she could deny, that she was still feeling just as badly, as she had been the last couple of days.
But as much as her suspicious kept on growing. She still hadn't been able to convince herself to go down and get the doctor to run a check on her.
Simply put no matter what she did and how hard she tried. There was no way she could shake away her deep fear, about what he was going to tell her.
And if this truly was what all signs was pointing towards. She had no idea about what she was suppose to do with herself, as much as she hate to admit it. She simply wasn't ready to be a mother yet.
They where after all in the middle of a war, and she was only eighteen years old. Which in her eyes was far to young a age to be having a child, and with Athrun gone she kinda felt like she was all by herself in the world.
And that was properly the main reason why, she had kept her distance from the doctor's office. Ever since she had first started vomiting on daily base, the whole idea about being alone right now, was just to much for her to bear.
"Athrun you fool! I thought you where always going to be here to protect me" she mumbled sadly, while she slowly pulled her legs up, and wrapped both of her arms around them. Now resting her forehead against her knees.
Still thinking hard about the man she loved, and what she was going to tell him, if she really was pregnant. One thing was certain, he was definitely getting a nice round bump on his head once she saw him again.
It was after all always the men's fault, when something like this happened. That much she knew for sure from watching TV and reading books.
And it quite seriously didn't help much, that he wasn't there to support at a time like this, when she felt like she really needed it. That just served to piss her even more off about the whole thing.
"The two of us are definitely going to have a nice long talk, when I see you again Athrun!" She growled out.
Just before she slowly lower herself a bit farther down in to the steaming hot water, still holding on to her legs in a tight grip. As she continued trying to figure out what kind of greeting she should give her fiancée, the next time she saw him.
Yet as she was sitting there trying to make up her mind about that. Her stomach suddenly let out an extremely loud growling sound, that kinda made it obvious to her that she was yet again hungry.
"Damn it all! What the heck is it with this enormous appetite I have been having recently? It's only been an hour since I ate last. If I keep on stuffing my face like this, I'm surely going to get fat!" She complained loudly.
Not even realizing that if she really was pregnant there was just no way for her to avoid gaining a little weight. But like most other women, Cagalli was kinda sensitive about that subject.
But even as she kept on bitching about her increase appetite, and how nauseous she had been feeling the last few days. She still stood up in the hot water and began making her way over to the door, completely determined to get out of there as quickly as possible. So she could go get something to eat.
Preferably a nice big bowl of ice cream, for some reason she had been craving that quite a bit recently.
And it truly didn't matter all that much to her, that the chef told her just yesterday that they where running kind a low on that stuff.
She wanted ice cream, and if anybody tried to stop her, they where definitely going to get hurt in some manner. Especially if the individual happened to be of the male gender.
It might be a bit difficult to explain. But for some unknown reason a minor part of her, kinda felt like ripping an arm off some guy, and then beat him half to death with it right after.
But maybe that was just what she needed to cheer up a bit. She just hoped that whoever she decided to take her anger out on, wouldn't be missed to badly.
It wasn't like she wanted to hurt her fellow female kind in the process.
And with that in mind, she hurried kneel down and pick up her nice thick fluffy towel, which she immediately started using to dry away all of the water, covering most of her naked body.
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It was about ten minutes later when Cagalli arrived at the mess hall.
Where the first thing she saw was her brother and his wife playing chess with each other. But even as focused as each of them seemed to be on the game. She notice that they both had a difficult time keeping their eyes away from each other.
It was kinda like both of them where trying their hardest to get the image of one another as far in to their minds as they could.
And even true Cagalli could not deny, that she normally thought that the two of them where an adorable couple.
Yet this time around, the sight of them behaving like this kinda pissed her off even more then she already was.
It was just so completely unfair. That they had each other to be all cute and lovey-dovey with, while she had to handle this whole pregnancy mess on her own. And if it wasn't because she didn't want to make one of her best friends mad. She was slightly tempt to give her moron of a brother a good beating.
But as long as he hadn't done anything to really deserve it. She knew that Lacus would properly be on his side in this.
And that was definitely not something she could allow to happen.
It was after all only the male population in the world she was angry at right now. So she had to wait until he did something that would give her the opportunity to went out some of her anger on him.
Unfortunately with their attention turned towards the chess game and each other. There wasn't really many chances for her to catch her brother, in making some kind of mistake, that could be used as an excuse to hit him a few time.
He didn't even do anything, that would allow her to punch him even once. So after watching them a bit longer, her stomach again let out a growling sound.
"Damn it all! Why the heck can't I catch a break? I can't even find excuse to hit my own brother, when I really needed. I guess I'm just that unfortunate!" She mutter loudly.
Not realizing that both of them, could actually hear what she was saying. Not that she cared all that much about that anyway, the only thing that had her attention right now, was getting some ice cream and beating up some kind of guy that truly deserved it.
Yet as she stormed full speed past the married couple and over towards the kitchen door. She didn't notice that both Kira and Lacus was looking after her, until she disappeared from their sight.
"I wonder what pissed her off this time" Kira said, while looking back at his wife and scratching his hair a bit in a confused manner.
He honestly didn't understand what could have happened to make his sister this cranky, and why exactly he was the one who had to pay for it. He hadn't even talk to her once, the entire day. So to put it lightly he was quite a bit puzzled about what was going on.
Slightly surprise at hearing him say that. Lacus slowly turned her gaze away from the direction her sister-in-law had gone in, and back over at the one, she loved with all of her heart.
"That's a silly thing to say Kira, you should already have an idea about why she is acting like this. It's not really that unnatural for most pregnant women to be having a few mood swings!" Lacus said, while smiling gently at her husband, who was clearly thinking quite hard about what she had just told him.
Yet before he had the chance to get his mouth open and say something back. Cagalli's loud voice could clearly be heard from the kitchen.
"If Kira is doing something silly Lacus. I would be more then happy to help you put him in his places!" The blond girl offer loudly. Obviously hoping that she now had an opportunity to vent out some of her deep anger on the male gender.
But much to her big disappointment, and Kira's big relief. The pink haired woman of course declined the offer.
"I'm sorry Cagalli, but if my husband is doing something silly. It is properly best that I deal with it on my own!" Lacus called back to her sister-in-law.
Deeply hoping that the blond haired woman wouldn't do anything bad to Kira, when she and Mr Waltfeld left for the Eternal. She really did want her husband back in one piece, and not totally beaten up when she saw him again.
She did however not get much time to worry about that.
Before Cagalli once more stepped back out of the kitchen, and hurried made her way over to them, where she immediately dropped down beside Lacus, and took a huge spoonful of the ice cream she had found not long ago.
"Hmm that really hit the spot, I hope the cake I found is just as good!" She sigh happily with both of her eyes closed.
But even while doing that, she slowly reach over and picked up the delicious looking piece of chocolate cake. She had found only shortly before discovering the ice cream she so desperately wanted, hidden away at the very back of the freezer.
Apparently the head chef, had thought that the ice cream would be safe from her all the way back there. But she had definitely proven him wrong, it was actually a bit of a shame that he wasn't there, so she could rub it in his face.
But that was just something she had to do later, and with that decision made. She once more turned her attention back towards the married couple.
"Well if there ever comes a time, you need my help to teach Kira a lesson, Lacus. You just say my name and I'll be right there" she promised, while giving him a small wicked glare. As she made a light cracking sound with her right fist, which made it clear for both of them that she was actually quite serious about her little promise to Lacus.
It especially made Kira worried, the way she kept on glaring at him.
"You do know sis. I haven't really done anything, that justify you hitting me" he said, in a small attempt to defend himself, from the truly evil creature sitting just across from him. It did however not do him all that much good.
She just tilted her head a bit to the side. And gave him a sweet yet devilish smile, that was properly enough to make just about everybody, shiver all over.
"I know that little bro. But with Athrun gone, there isn't really all that many people around. I feel like I can kick around as I please!" She said. Actually succeeding in making it sound like it was perfectly normal, to beat up innocent people who had done nothing wrong.
And knowing how short temper his sister was under normal circumstance. Kira had very little doubt about the sincerity in her words.
And one single look at her grumpy face, was all he need to know, that she was more then ready to beat up both him and everybody else. That found someway to get on her nerves.
Fortunately for him, he had never been nearly as good at stepping on her toes as Dearka was, or Mu had been.
Yet now that he was actually giving it some thought. He seriously hoped that the former pilot of the Buster gundam wouldn't be crazy enough to begin calling her chubby, once the pregnancy really started to show.
He frankly didn't want to be at the receiving end of her fist. If Dearka really did do something that foolish and suicidal. It would most definitely be an extremely painful way to leave this world.
And the idea about what she would do, actually made a few drops of sweat run down his forehead, as he thoroughly wonder just what kind of child it would be, with Cagalli and Athrun raising it.
But just as he opened his mouth was about to mutter out poor kid. His loving wife gave him a hard kick underneath the table, which immediately made him realize just what kind of mistake he had been about to make.
If he actually did say something like that, he was pretty certain that not even Lacus, would be able to save him from his sister's wrath. She was after all in a bad mood already.
Which kinda made him hope she wouldn't be this cranky, at just about every single male in the world until the baby was born.
If she actually was going to behaving in this manner thought the whole pregnancy.
She was going to be impossible to be near, without having to fear saying something or doing something, that would result in getting once's ass kicked in some totally inhuman fashion. That would most likely having one wish for an early death, instead of the torture his sister would put one through.
"Ahhh man this really is going to be terrible, maybe I should just go out in to space with Lacus" he whispered quietly to himself, while taking a small glance over at his gorgeous wife. That much to his relief was busy explaining to Cagalli what exactly their next move was going to be.
Which meant that Cagalli didn't have the time to keep glaring at him, with all of her attention turned fully towards Lacus, and all of the things she was telling her.
"Athrun wherever you are, I really wish you knew, what kind of gruesome nightmare, you are going to put all of us through" he mumbled a tiny bit louder, then he had originally intent.
As he once more looked over at the now even more short fused woman, while wondering slightly what his best friend was doing at this exact moment in time.
He did however not get a whole lot of time to wonder about that. Before his overly cheerful sister, interrupted his thoughts. "What was that about Athrun, Kira? You do realize, that I have been missing him a lot, these last few days!" She asked loudly.
Making absolute sure, not to take her almost thoroughly piercing gaze away from her brother. Now again hoping that he would say something stupid.
But unfortunately, she did not get an opportunity to hit him this time either.
And it was starting to become more and more obvious to her, that he was being somewhat careful about everything he said to her, which did actually annoy her a bit.
"I know that you miss him sis, believe me we all do. I just hope, that we can find someway to convince him, to come back to all of us. Before anything can happen to him, I would be lying if I said, that I'm not a bit concerned about him working for the Chairman" he said in a caring tone. As he slowly reached over and wrapped his fingers around Cagalli's hand, which he immediately gave a small gentle squeeze.
Feeling him do that, and thinking about his words. Some of the deep anger did leave, the blond haired woman.
"Yeah that's something. I have been thinking a lot about too, bro. But maybe if we are lucky he will listen to reason, the next time we meet up with him" she said. Just before she started daydreaming about the man she was so deeply in-love with.
Seeing her so far away in her own thoughts. Both Lacus and Kira smiled a bit, as they slowly turned their gaze away from the now happy looking blond girl, and over at each other.
"So what now dear? Do you want to continued with our game, or do you want to do something else instead?" Kira asked, as he carefully pull his hand away from his sister's tight grasp, doing his best not to disturb her while she was so busy thinking and dreaming about Athrun.
Hearing him ask that. Lacus took another glance over at her sister-in-law.
Where she almost immediately realized, that she was now softly humming her favorite song, and knowing that she was finally happy again. Made the smile Lacus had on her face grew a little bigger.
"I think we should just keep on playing Kira, it would be pretty mean of us if we just leave without her realizing it. She truly does seem, to have a lot on her mind right now" Lacus said. Then reached out and moved one of her rooks a few fields up on the chess board, after that she once more got eye contact with Kira, where she gave him a small yet daring look.
Nodding a few times in agreement to her words and seeing the look she had in her eyes.
Kira hurried reach out and made his move, which of course meant that it did not take long, before the young couple's small battle continued on the chess board.
To be continued.