Foreword: Ever had that moment when you've returned to a place you never thought you could see again? What would you think looking back at the time when a significant part of your life was shaped by it? Read and find out!

Trip down memory lane

"Tell me why we're doing this again?"

"Come on, dear! It's been so long since we're last here. At least we have to do this just for old times' sake!"

Elliot withheld the urge to sigh as he was pulled by Tatenashi down the hallway, retracing the steps from years past as they passed by rows of doors until they stopped in front of one. One they both knew all too well.

The ornate wood door stood unblemished despite all these years. What had changed was the fancy door lock that required a passcard. The number plate of the room was mounted on top of the frame, still clear and clean like it was years ago.

2012

A deluge of memories rushed back into his consciousness as Elliot stilled, gazing upon the number plate with a sense of deja vu. It felt like only yesterday where he stood in front of this door like the threshold to a new life, wondering just who he'll be sharing rooms with.

Yet now after so many twists and turns, he returned back to this particular room. The annoying roommate of yesterday now became his beloved wife and mother of his children. And now his kids were going to be enrolling into the Academy just like them all those years ago.

Considering just how he had left the Academy, he'd never thought he'll be back here. Funny how fate worked in such convoluted ways.

An elbow nudged him on the side, drawing him out of his recollection. He found himself face to face with his wife who was wearing a knowing smirk.

"Thinking about the past again, dear? Is it about the first time how we've met?"

Elliot huffed, not caring to explain his own thoughts even though she had been right about them. He's still a bit salty about that particular matter she orchestrated behind his back. No way he was going to let that go.

Tatenashi relinquished her hold on his arm and stood beside the door lock. She waved her hand towards the lock, clearly indicating what she wanted him to do.

"Work your magic, dear. Let's see what's changed with our old love nest~"

Elliot rolled his eyes at the ridiculous term. He raised his hand towards the lock and reached out mentally to Hecate.

'Hecate, help me unlock this.'

A small cloud of black mist began forming around his arm, turning into a mass that enveloped his forearm. The mass converged in front of his palm, sprouting a tendril that covered the electronic lock. The lock clicked open seconds later and the nanites dissipated into thin air.

"There. Happy?" Elliot glanced towards his wife.

Tatenashi bounded into the room with a spring to her step, humming happily as she did so. Elliot followed closely behind, closing the door behind him as he entered.

The room still had the lavish furnishing indicative of the ISA's massive budget. Elliot slowly stepped forward, feeling memories of a lifetime flooding back to him as he took in the room.

Looking to the right, his eyes landed on the attached kitchen. A snippet of memory flashed into the forefront of his mind like a scene from a movie.

Tatenashi flitted about the kitchen, busy with cooking lunch for both of them. The girl moved about the kitchen with an ease born from countless hours spent cooking. Not that he doubted her culinary ability.

Watching her busy with cooking, it was making him ill at ease being told to wait. He was never one to sit by twiddling his thumbs while others worked hard for his sake.

"Tatenashi, you sure you don't want me to help?"

The girl stirred the pot with a wooden spoon, the contents boiling audibly on the stove. She then went to the side to cut up some potatoes before returning to the pot.

Elliot sighed, deciding to ignore her previous order. "Come on. Let me help, President."

Tatenashi was not prepared for his sudden involvement. "Eh? But you've always cook for both of us. I want to repay you for this."

Elliot rolled up his sleeves and put on an apron before snatching up a knife and began cutting some onions.

"Doesn't mean I can't play sous chef for once. You just tell me what I need to do and I'll do it."

Before long, the pot of stew was done. That lazy Saturday noon passed by between mouthfuls of delectable stew, witty quips and flirty comebacks and two bottles of boutique soda.

Elliot smirked, running his hand across the clean stovetop. That particular day was possibly memorable for the witty banter and good food. But it was the care Tatenashi showed him that day combined with many other such moments that led to their relationship blooming and eventually, becoming what it was today.

Walking into the main area, the still familiar layout evoked a sense of homecoming from him. Everything was still the same as years ago, as if he just walked out moments ago instead of years.

The familiar two bed sitting a gap away from each other. The desk mounted to the wall opposite of the bed. The privacy barrier tucked into the wall between the two nightstands. The well-known set up gave him a sense of comfort, like coming back to a home he had imagined gone.

'So many memories of this place….and to think it began with a simple room change.'

His wife chose this moment to rejoin him, her gaze sweeping the room taking it in.

"This room hasn't changed much at all…. it's like we've just walked out a few days ago."

Walking up towards the bed closest to the balcony, Tatenashi sat down on bed which she had formerly slept. Elliot joined her and sat at the bed opposite of her, finding himself staring at her face to face.

"This brings back old memories huh, Elliot-kun?" Tatenashi quipped cheekily.

Nostalgia overcame the stoic hybrid. Never did he thought he'll hear that old nickname after all these years. Talk about reliving history.

"I didn't expect to hear that name again… not after all these years of 'Honey' and 'Dear'."

His wife gave a cheeky grin, which would've been endearing had his mood not been soured by their recent dispute. His face was impassive, yet deep down he still savored his wife's smile.

"Does 'that' bring back any fond memories, dear? Think about the times we've spent being all lovey-dovey in here."

Elliot snorted. "Like there is any. Most of the time it was you putting the moves on me and me being suitably unimpressed."

Tatenashi's smile didn't fade, "Oh honey, you forgot how many times I've made you flustered. You look cute when you're all bashful."

Elliot just stared stonily at his wife. "I could say the same for you. You remember about the suit?"

Tatenashi blushed healthily, the faint tinge of red bloomed from her fair cheeks and spread down her neck, stretching beneath the sleeveless white top she wore. His wife's blushing look provoked Elliot's own desire to tease her back, which was a usual reaction when she went a bit far in her teasing.

His own memories of those events surfaced from bringing up the topic at hand. Elliot smirked as he remembered a particular event which he made his wife blushed up a storm.

It was Halloween night. Everyone one looked there were students dressed in unique costumes to celebrate the annual event. Spooky décor can be seen throughout the Academy as its denizens went about their own business.

Both he and Tatenashi were currently putting on their costumes in their room. His roommate had taken the room to change while he occupied the bathroom, but not before giving him a saucy wink and a coy smile with her clothes in hand. The naughty teasing rankled Elliot's mood.

Even at this moment, she chose to annoy him. Elliot swore he'll get her back for this.

He adjusted his fedora, checking himself in the mirror. A very well-dressed gentlemen in a three-piece black suit greeted him, every bit dapper and mysterious with his dour expression.

'Got to admit, the suit really does look good on me. Old man Tanaka really knows what he's doing.'

He called out towards the room, "Tatenashi, are you done now?"

"Yup! I'm ready!"

Getting his cue, he exited the bathroom and his jaw dropped. He blinked his eyes, not believing what he was seeing.

Tatenashi's voluptuous curves were faintly visible through the snow-white kimono she wore, though it was only a pale accessory to her face. A black wig covered her baby blue hair, allowing only bits of her blue bangs to peek through. The fake hair ran down her back in a curtain of black silk, which paired with her pale look gave an ethereal beauty to her.

Elliot couldn't believe just how beautiful Tatenashi looked in that outfit. Annoying roommate or not, she's definitely drop dead gorgeous. Her ruby eyes and contrasting hair color really made the costume come to life, giving people the impression she was the legendary snow woman of folklore.

"Hello? Hello, Elliot-kun~ Earth to Elliot-kun?"

Elliot caught himself staring foolishly at her. Shaking his head, he cleared his throat as he attempted to tamp down his embarrassment. His eyes met Tatenashi's, finding a hint of pink tainting her pale complexion.

"You look…good."

Tatenashi smirked at him, which would've been creepy had it not been the mischievousness shining in her eyes broke her icy persona.

"Hmmm~ You clean up well, big guy. The girls aren't going to leave you alone if you go out like that. What're you dressing us as?"

Elliot checked himself, did a slight twirl as to show off his outfit. The hem of his large black overcoat fluttered slightly as he turned.

"This? I'm dressing up as the American mafia. Must admit, it does look good on me, isn't it?"

Tatenashi smiled, sauntering up to him and brushed her palm on his coat.

"Mmmm…you have good tastes in clothes, Elliot-kun. Absolutely delicious."

Her proximity to him gave him a close up look of her beauty, which was already too much for him. Especially galling was the glint of mischief in her eyes as her eyes roamed across him seductively.

Having enough of her antics, Elliot resorted to his well-known counter: Dry wit.

"I'm not food, Tatenashi."

The girl just laughed heartily, enjoying his dry humor like she always had.

Elliot chuckled as he reminisced that particular time. As much as Tatenashi act unaffected by his appearance, Elliot knew his wife had a weakness for suits especially when he's the one wearing them. He only found that out later when he wore one for a business trip one time and she couldn't get enough of him when he got home.

Judging by the fierce blush on his wife's face, most probably she remembered her state during that time. Tatenashi at that time was ogling him just as much as he was ogling her, and had their relationship been more intimate and less restrained they would've foregone the festivities and gone straight into the next step.

Seeing just how embarrassed his wife was, Elliot decided to tease her back.

"I remember a certain snow woman almost melting with passion for an American mobster. Funny thing that happens, considering just how improbable the two can even meet in the first place."

Tatenashi's blush darkened, forcing her to lower her head as not to show her deep embarrassment. Elliot couldn't resist laughing at her adorable reaction, clutching his belly as he did so.

His wife pouted unhappily, acting coquettishly as she leaned forward, "Mou~ you're so mean, dear. Do you have to bring that up?"

Elliot just shrugged nonchalantly, "Well, you've decided to take a trip down memory lane to make fun of me, so turnabout's fair play."

Having her embarrassing episode brought up, Tatenashi wanted to retort but couldn't. Left without any means to get back at him, the woman resorted to sulking childishly.

The hybrid decided to leave her alone. Letting his gaze wander, he scanned the room again. Wistfulness overcame him as he thought about his own feelings towards returning here.

'This place's got memories, that's for sure…. Just wish I'm not back here this way.'

Elliot's face tightened. Out of all the possible reasons for being back here, Elliot didn't thought his children would be the reason for it. If he had his way, he would've created as much distance as he could between them and the murky, political world of the IS. He knew full well just how pointless the whole affair behind the IS was and he wouldn't wish his children to involve themselves in it, no matter how enticing the rewards such a world could offer them.

"Honey, is something bothering you?"

Tatenashi's husky voice tore him away from his worries. He met her eyes and saw the concern within them, brought on by his brooding silence. His wife knew when he sank into these episodes of morose brooding, a fact which he was grateful for.

"It's nothing. Just….I wish I wasn't back here for this."

Tatenashi frowned, worry leaked out of her gaze. "You worry about the kids? Don't worry, honey. They're smart and capable. I'm sure they'll be alright."

Elliot sighed, "That's not what I'm worried about. You know how shady and murky this world can get at times. I don't want them to get into this mess, but I'm not stopping them if this is what they really wanted."

Tatenashi left her bed and came to sat beside him. Her arms came to wrap around his as she leaned onto his shoulder.

"I know… but you've taught them well. Whatever comes their way, they'll be able to handle it no problem. What problems they can't deal with, they have us to help them. You must have a little faith in them, dear."

Elliot nodded, silently acknowledging the truth Tatenashi pointed out. His right arm sought out his wife's own, their fingers gently intertwined with each other.

"I know. But you know what we've been through here together. There's some good times but it isn't all sunshine and rainbows all the time here. You know how many crises we've almost died in had it not been for luck or teamwork. I just don't want them to experience a fraction of what we've been through."

It wasn't a selfish thought for him forbidding his children to enroll into the Academy. Kira's been eager to follow her mother's footsteps ever since she learned about her past. Nothing wrong considering their daughter's personality and skill.

But Jackie? His son shared the same introversion as him even if not to a large degree. When he found out that his son was IS compatible, Elliot knew full well the fate that awaited the boy. Even though the introduction of male pilots didn't carried the same weight as when Ichika and he were introduced, it's still considered a significant event in the IS community when a new male pilot was found.

Tatenashi hummed thoughtfully in acknowledgement and squeezed his hand, a subtle gesture that reassured him.

"Dear….Elliot, Our kids are well taught by the best. You've prepared them as best as you could and you've already did all you could to make this world a safer place for them. This is not like our generation when danger's all around us and things were a lot more tense between the countries."

Elliot couldn't help but mentally agree with Tatenashi. It's precisely his kids that pushed him to wake up early and lace on his boots to brave harsh weather, risk of combat with hostile IS out in the field just to stop malicious organizations from taking advantage of the IS.

It was for them he faced down politicians and statesmen who'd thought the IS's sole purpose was a strategic weapon, calling for peaceful resolutions of active conflict and monitoring any illegal use of IS in active conflict zones.

Yet, all his efforts were a drop in the bucket. Countries still tried to outdo each other within the confines of the Alaska Treaty, conducting IS research in hopes of securing a strategic advantage on international politics. Female supremacists groups were still around, spewing their poisonous vitriol infecting young girls' minds and inflicting violence on hapless men on the misguided belief that the IS only belonged to women.

The demons of the IS age were still plenty and about, even with all he and his organization had done. Only the threat he posed with his condition and the work done behind the scenes that dissuaded anyone from using the IS as a weapon. But that was only a stopgap measure, not the key to promoting peace.

When the world still haven't found a peaceful use for the Infinite Stratos, conflict and tension will still be around. The only way left was to turn the IS back to its original purpose and break the gender monopoly, removing the restriction that created this twisted world in the first place.

Turning back to his wife, Elliot gazed into her eyes deeply. In those ruby pools, he could see the same worry that every parent had for their children leaving the nest.

Yet he could also see sure confidence from them that revealed her trust towards her own children, that they were ready and willing to face the future with all the eagerness and energy that youth entailed. That they were not the young, unprepared kids that their parents were at their age.

He smirked. While he couldn't help but fret over his kids' future, his wife had already prepared to relinquish that worry and trust their capabilities. That was something he still lacked as a father.

"Yeah…. you're right. You've already taught them how to pilot an IS and I've taught them how to fight and to think. They're more prepared that we were at their age."

Tatenashi said nothing. His wife hummed as her head rested against his shoulder, her hands gently grasped his right hand in a loving squeeze. The two parents silently basked in the cozy, familiar ambience of their old room, letting old memories of their time together wash over them.

Author's note: Here's another side story featuring Tatenashi and Elliot. You guys really do seem to like this pairing, second only to Charlotte x Elliot. I am surprised that a good number of you loved the idea of Charlotte being paired with Elliot, not to mention Madoka's ship. I guess IS fanfics are a bit lacking in terms of works centering on those two characters, much less authors who could pull them off well.

I do want to know what you guys think, what makes you favor one pairing for Elliot over the other and the reason why. This gives me a fair idea what aspects to include in their own stories and what angle I could work with. Please leave your comments and messages so I know.

The main story's still coming along slowly. I can't promise anything except that the first part is almost done. Once the 2nd and 3rd parts are done for the Silver Gospel, they'll be posted. Keep an eye out on my author bio for updates.

Well that's it for today. Hope you all have a wonderful new year and a good day. Stay safe you all. OtherJAckK out.