The cockpit always felt cold and harsh as it was the color of the mobile suit. There wasn't really a warm and inviting tone. It would feel like home and comfortable due to time. Hours upon hours of getting familiar with every button, every toggle, every switch, every nook, and cranny. Hours sitting in a chair that should have more comfort. After years in the cockpit, any similar cockpit felt familiar. A nostalgia type of tone. The cold monotone became home. It became a safe haven. Protected away deep inside, surrounded by metal. A place that was lonely but due to the screens, made it feel close to others.

The only odd thing about this cockpit was seeing Ezalia on the screen. Yzak finally got the chance to see his mother once again. She was in her office viewing him on her computer screen. Ezalia was worried how he was doing after being locked up in the mansion with the ability to roam around. She continued to worry over his health from the accident in his mobile suit. She explained about the situation the Cosmic Era was in as she didn't know that Yzak was already informed. Yzak didn't let on that he was informed, thanks to Mikael and Sven. He wanted to know how much his mother was going to say or how much she was allowed to tell him.

"I wish you weren't in this situation," Ezalia expressed. "There are many situations I wish you weren't in, but unfortunately that's how life goes. When you get the chance to leave, are you going to go back as a Commander?"

Yzak never got pulled aside for the investigation but he guessed it was going to be all over soon, hopefully. He believed Ezalia worded it odd due to the secrets that come with the royalty, however her question was about something else.

"If they would still take me back," Yzak didn't know what was all said to ZAFT. The Royal Military stated that they would handle it, but he didn't know what exactly was said to them. Dearka only let out a few things but it sounded like he couldn't really say much either.

"They would take you back," Ezalia comforted him. "You're a bit underestimated like your mother but that's because of the people around us. You are an exceptional person, and an even better ZAFT soldier. ZAFT would be missing an opportunity to not have you back in their ranks. Although, I know ZAFT switched some of the ranks that you're technically a Major to try to be viewed on similar standings as Earth Alliance OMNI's military ranks. I think they should have just let it alone. Why should we compare or match ourselves with people who only wanted to oppress us? In any case, they should be modeling their systems after ours. Anyways, I see you continuously climbing the ZAFT ladder. You were a PLANT representative on the Supreme Council. You command your own team. Weren't you supposed to be granted more duties from Supreme Council Chairwoman Clyne?"

"Yes, but that's for later on," Yzak explained. "We needed to clean up first before I could take on more duties."

"I guess," Ezalia wasn't too thrilled about that answer. She couldn't say much as she was no longer part of ZAFT and the PLANTs, but she definitely had several opinions on how things were traversing. "Your team would be happy for you to come back."

Yzak let out a chuckle. "Dearka would be happy he doesn't have to do as much work. I don't know if he just likes to follow even though he can be a great leader himself, but sometimes its better having someone lead as it takes the pressure off. Shiho is indifferent." Ezalia lit up. She liked hearing him speak familiarly about Shiho. She waited with bated breath to hear more. "If Dearka didn't want to step up, I know she would."

"I hear you even gave her the nickname Housenka," Ezalia tried to entice him to keep talking about her.

"That's because of the beam cannons from the CGUE DEEP Arms. It reminded me of the flower dispersing it seeds," Yzak explained. "It helps that she's similar. She's not one to break down her walls but when she does, its usually by force. She has the attitude of touch-me-not." Yzak had a faint smile reminiscing about it. He felt as if he found a kindred spirit when he met Shiho.

Ezalia could see the softness in his look. "Do you have feelings for her?" Yzak jerked back to reality. He tried to say something. "You can tell your mother, come on."

"It would go against ethics," Yzak tried to pull the excuse of ranks.

Ezalia raised her eyebrows. "ZAFT is volunteer. Unless it continued with following OMNI's rules but that would be something new."

Yzak let out a sigh. He was about to explain until Ezalia turned her head to look at something on her side.

"One second, I have a guest," Ezalia thought she paused the video call but only muted Yzak's microphone. She minimized her screen so only her image in the corner was there. Yzak watched and listened with curiosity as he could still see and hear everything.

Ezalia had heard a slight knock on the door. "Come in."

The door opened up revealing Tad Elsman. He had a few documents in his hand.

"I came to bring over some documents," Tad explained.

"Aren't you supposed to be working in the lab?" Ezalia watched as he walked over to her.

Tad shrugged his shoulders. "It's hard to work in the lab when things have been buzzing about. So, I decided to pick up some other shifts since I am not part of that portion of the lab. Stretch my legs. Think about other things."

Ezalia took the documents while giving him a dead pan look. "You're bored." She figured him out.

Tad smiled. "So, you figured me out. Work two hours, break. Work two hours. Lunch. Work two more hours, another break. Two more hours, go home. If there is any over time, another break!"

Ezalia looked over the documents. "That's how it should actually be with companies. Treat humans like humans. It has been ingrained to us to use all of our time to hustle for the work force on and off the clock. Learn to relax and enjoy life. The Scandinavian lifestyle is to live in the moment, prioritize time with family and friends, and enjoy downtime."

"Oh, I would relax more," Tad explained. "If this looming threat would dissipate and if I can go on a date."

"Your wife busy again?" Ezalia placed down the documents.

"No, just want to do a double date with you," Tad schemed.

Ezalia looked up at him. "And who would be my date, Tad?"

"Who else?" Tad smiled. Ezalia let out sigh.

"Come off of it," Ezalia looked away. "Persuasion is not consent."

"No, it is not," Tad agreed. "However, is it wrong that the rest of us only want your happiness?"

"Is there anything wrong with being a single mother?" Ezalia could not fathom why he would not let it go.

"Is there anything wrong with finding love now that we have gotten a second chance at life?" Tad countered.

"I am continuously understanding why Dearka never went after women as his father shows way too much love and affection," Ezalia countered. "It makes sense, absolute sense. You smothered him."

"Speaking of sons," Tad deflected. "Yzak would want his mother to have love and happiness. And since you never speak about his father, could only assume the worst. Ezalia, you tell us to enjoy our lives, that means you as well. Give him a chance. Give Luka a chance, that's all what we are asking. Even not having a double date with us. Think about it."

There was a silence for a bit as Ezalia mulled it over. Another knock on the door. Ezalia beckoned them to come in. As it was, Luka himself.

"My apologies, Director Joule, am I interrupting?" Luka asked. Internally, he was shocked as he had no idea Tad was in the room with her.

"You're fine. Tad was only handing over some documents," Ezalia looked back to Tad who only nodded. "What do you need?" Tad started to leave the room. He had a slight smirk on his face.

Luka waited as Tad left the room and closed the door. "I have to inform you of the current situation and the plans however, you seem to have been interrupted by Tad." Luka glanced down to the computer, as he knew what was going on there. Ezalia followed his line of sight to see that the video chat was not paused. Her eyes widen in surprise. "I'll come back when you're finished."

Luka left the room and shut the door behind him. Tad was lingering in the area. "Aren't you supposed to be on the lab side?" Luka called out to him.

"I was on my break, and decided to bring down documents to Ezalia," Tad explained.

"That means you actually didn't take a break. Bringing documents counts as work," Luka informed him as the two kept walking away. Tad's jaw dropped. "Take another fifteen minute break. Wait, make it thirty minutes." Tad paused.

He caught back up to Luka. He had an idea. "Speaking of breaks, is there a madam in your life?"

Luka kept looking straight ahead. "What are you getting at?"

Tad beamed. "How do you feel about Director Joule? The two of you get along so well-"

Luka looked over to Tad. "I am glad that you are looking out for your fellow PLANT members but my love life is not up for debate. I would like to keep that private. I do have a wife."

Tad stopped in his tracks. He had no idea. This whole time he had thought Luka was single. This was news to him. His dream of setting up Ezalia and Luka had now plummeted back to reality. Tad caught up to Luka but didn't say a word as the two headed back to the central line.

Ezalia maximized the screen only to see Yzak with a smirk she knew all too well. He waited for the excuse his mother had.

"I-I'm sorry," she started to explain. "You weren't supposed to hear any of that. It was my mistake." He didn't say anything but kept the same look. "Ignore Tad. I almost feel sorry for Dearka that he did not pursue women as his father is such a loyal lover, nothing wrong with that, but can get so overbearing. It makes sense as he didn't want to be head over heels like his father. Anyways." Ezalia looked at him. "What is with that look?"

"Tad is right," Yzak gave his mom a comforting look. "You do deserve happiness. And that would be with anyone who makes you happy. You get to have a second chance. Why not find love too?"

Ezalia had tears forming in her eyes. She swallowed down her emotions. "You're not trying to push going with the High Chancellor?"

Yzak shook his head. "He has a wife that he has been wanting to reconcile with. I don't know if he ever got the chance. I would want the best for both of you, as my mother, and him as my teacher."

Ezalia loved the man he had become. "Since we talked about my love life, I can't be the only one. Now tell me before we got interrupted." Yzak let out a sigh and explained the situation to his mother about Shiho. He knew that he was not going to hear the end of it until he gave her what she wanted.

Back on the PLANTs, Dearka and Shiho were getting the last bit of things before embarking out on the vessels. The two were taking a break sitting on Yzak's couch in his office.

"You've been doing well," Shiho complimented him. "Why don't you ever lead your own team?"

Dearka looked away. "I've thought about it. However, it had more cons than pros about it. Plus, with my history, I don't think ZAFT would be so readily to hand me my own team after surrendering during the First War. Once we get Yzak back, it will be a lot nicer. He's more of a leader, very proud of him though. That's my best friend." His face mirrored his words. He was proud of his best friend. Dearka was also proud about himself, and how far he had come along.

Shiho nodded. "It will be nice once he comes back. The absence of his presence is felt by everyone here, even those who are not within our team. I think Isaac has been the most worried out of all of us."

Dearka looked over to her. "That being said, was there nothing really going on with you two?"

Shiho looked away. She knew that Dearka was going to ask that. Any chance Dearka could, he wanted to know if there was something going on. "There might have been." Dearka perked up. Shiho could tell but didn't look over to him. "I was a member of the ZAFT Ground Corps in the First War. I was stationed at Boaz trying to improve my tactics. That's when I first met the Commander, another red suit pilot. He helped me. He didn't have to, but he saw me struggling. He also gifted me my nickname. I only thought of him as another comrade. I was then assigned to the Le Creuset Team in seventy-one. The Le Creuset team disbanded afterwards. I went back to the research lab that I was working at until ZAFT called me back again. That's where I joined this team.

"All this time, I thought I had liked Yzak, maybe even love him. He's a strong and intelligent pilot. He's a great commander, making sure all of the crew are well taken care of, even before he became a commander," Shiho had a faint smile. "He didn't mock or question why I wore pants with my uniform. He didn't degrade me or put me down since I was a woman. He treated me like another person. He's looked out for us. I could see a future of us together. We're both similar in some aspects. It would have been a quiet and simple love. Well, maybe that is just me wishful thinking. We're both also stubborn and hard headed." She let out a chuckle looking over to Dearka. She could see how invested he was in this conversation. A bit of sadness came over her. "Maybe we would have tons of arguments but I know he would try to work through it." Shiho looked away, trying to keep her emotions in check. "But now I didn't know if it was actually love or just immense admiration for him. I was settling with him, even if it was just a fantasy. Quiet, simple."

"There's nothing wrong with that," Dearka supported her.

"I don't know if Yzak has mutual feelings," Shiho looked over to him. "Sometimes it feels like there was something there when it's just the two of us. Other times there isn't. Maybe it would be better to have simple and quiet. If I only asked, maybe I would have found out truly. One day, I knew, it was actually more of admiration. Maybe if we kissed, there might be something there, but I don't think so. Anyways, who wouldn't fall for our Commander?" She looked away.

"Huh?" Dearka sat up. "What are you talking about?"

Shiho grimaced. "I feel guilty for kissing someone who is taken, and that's all who I can think about now. I should be worried for our Commander, but it only goes so far as a soldier."

"Wait," Dearka was shocked. He forgot that Yzak had let him know that Selena and Mikael were actually the Sebastian and Viola. This was due to Dearka teasing Yzak about that kiss.

"After having that kiss, I don't think of the Commander that way anymore," Shiho looked to Dearka. "Though I wish I could again. I feel so guilty for falling Sebastian. Especially now that he has a baby on the way. I could only keep thinking about that stupid kiss." Her head drooped. "I don't know how to describe it. Up until that time we all found out, my mind kept going back to him. Was it because I don't let anyone in? Was I touched starved? I did actually try to think of Yzak in the same way I was thinking of Sebastian. It just wasn't the same." She was glad she could have Dearka to talk about this but she was so harsh on herself. This wasn't right to her. It was hard enough as it is to have children amongst the generations of Coordinators. She didn't want to wedge herself in between their relationship either.

Shiho would try to work so that her mind would not trace back to those instances where she was with Sebastian. She tried to have no thoughts or to only keep in the present. She tried to fall for Yzak all over again. Especially during the soiree where she saw how great of a dancer he was, but alas her mind kept wishful thinking about a taken man. Shiho started to curse Sebastian as he had played both her and Viola. What kind of man would do that? Again, repeatedly she would try to fall back to Yzak, yet the kiss would always bring her back down.

She had a hard time getting over it as Sebastian made her feel seen in a way. Similar how Yzak did but different. Most of the people around her either become intimidated as she was not one to really show her emotions on her face. Or they would believe her to be rude, as she showed no emotions. She went against the norm and wore pants with her uniform. Lots of women liked wearing skirts, it made it easier to personalize the uniform without going against the rules. Shiho was a woman of rules and standards. Hence why she got along so well with Yzak, but Sebastian was again a bit different. All she could think about was him. And then she started to compare. Shiho needed more time to get over him. She hated how she compared them. They were their own individuals. She didn't have a chance with either. She felt like she was becoming delusional. She was a logical type of person.

Dearka jumped up. He grabbed Shiho by both shoulders. She stared back at him in shock. "He's a fake!"

"Huh?" Shiho was confused.

"I can't tell you who he was actually," Dearka didn't want to muddy anything, especially with the looming battle. "But that Sebastian who kissed you was not actually Sebastian."

"W-what?" Shiho didn't know what she was actually hearing.

"I'm saying there is hope," Dearka let her go to sit back down. "I can't tell you at this time, who that man was, but you can stop feeling guilty about liking a taken man. From what I know, that guy is single. Stop beating yourself up. That guy, he's, well, he's some who could maybe rival Yzak. Once this is all over, I can tell you who he is."

Shiho didn't know how to respond. All her feelings that she tried sort through, and to hear this, now suddenly. Shiho felt numb. She stood up. "I'm going to go back to work."

"Huh?" Dearka watched her leave. He wanted to speak with her more about this but Shiho was the type to sort through her emotions before coming speaking about that subject once again. "Just remember what I said. That wasn't really the real Sebastian who kissed you. Don't keep beating yourself up!"

Shiho kept walking. He watched as she shut the door behind her. Dearka hoped that Shiho would feel a bit better. This all was starting to become a big knot. He felt overwhelmed. Hopefully they can stop this oncoming war with this battle. It was becoming overwhelming.