Gundam Seed Destiny Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Eternal Destiny ❯ Chapter 4

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

"Eternal Destiny"

a Gundam Seed Fanfiction

Chapter Four

Started May 12, 2006

Words: 14,620

53 EC, Plant Research Facility, Island-3 Mendel Colony

"It's a pleasure to be working with you, Dr. Hibiki," the young woman greeted formally. "I've read many of your medical articles, and I'm honored to have this opportunity to work with you."

"That's nice," the distracted man murmured, not looking away from the schematics in front of him. "You're Dury, right? The obstruction/pediatrician the Supreme Council said they were sending?"

"Yes, sir," the woman replied. "I received my doctorates from--"

"Good, good," he cut her off, sparing her a quick glance now. "You'll be working primarily with the Genesis Project--that's Crisner's baby, but we'll need you over here, too, once we get started. You've read up on the mission statement for this project, right?"

"Yes, sir. I've--"

"The problem we're having is that the early artificial wombs that were created in the last century were designed only to support a fetus through the first trimester, when the danger of miscarriage had passed," Hibiki continued, frowning down at his papers again. "We plan on using the 'sex bomb' developed by Kuwabara in the early twenty-first century, but we need to up-grade it to sufficiently support the fetus full-term..."

Via Dury fought the urge to reiterate the fact that she had read the mission statement for this project; that she already knew and understood what Hibiki was rambling on about--it was one of the main reasons she'd elected to go up to space and work on this project in the first place. Fresh from Jutendo University, where Dr. Kuwabara had created and researched the mechanical artificial womb affectionately named the "sex bomb," Dury saw this opportunity as a once in a life time chance, and she'd jumped on it.

Sure it had meant leaving her family, leaving the Earth, but how many Naturals could say they've actually lived among the stars? She'd been able to scrap together enough recommendations to present Plant's Councilors with and properly impress them, thus earning her her first real job. And now here she was.

"Why don't you go and find Crisner, now," Hibiki was saying. "You'll be working with her most often. We'll call you when we need you," he added, now trying to compare two different schemas.

Dury swallowed a sigh and made herself promise not to think any derogative thoughts about her new boss. It was too early in the job for that.

***

"So," the dark-skinned woman asked when Dury finally found Dr. Crisner. "What do you think of our renowned Dr. Hibiki?"

"He's a very dedicated and focused man," Dury replied very diplomatically, and the seated woman laughed loudly.

"'Dedicated,' huh?" she asked with amusement, her chocolaty brown eyes dancing merrily. "Yah, and too focused for his own good, if you ask me. It would take a space drill to loosen that man up once he's latched onto something."

Crisner's lilted voice was both strangely familiar yet foreign to Dury, but she found she liked this woman. "Drive and focus are admirable qualities."

"In moderation," Crisner returned. "So, you all settled into your new quarters? Not very big are they?"

"No, it's a good thing I couldn't bring too many things with me," Dury admitted ruefully.

"First time in space, eh?" Crisner guessed accurately, eyeing the other young woman critically. "Don't worry about it. It's not Earth, but space-living has its own appeal, and you get used to it rather quickly. C'mon. I'll show you where the Cantina is and buy you a drink."

"Have you been living in space very long then?" Dury wondered as she followed the woman out of her office.

"A couple years now," Crisner replied. "Like you, I came up right after college. I received my specials in Coordinator pregnancy and genetics, so it made sense to go to where are the Coordinator momma's were going, you know? Never thought much about living in space before, but I can't say I blame them any. You wanna live where you can feel safe, where you feel safe to raise your babies."

"Blue Cosmos," Dury said, sadly.

"He was a good man," Crisner returned, sadly, referring to the recent tragic murder that was on everyone's minds lately. "Got to meet him once. Came to my school for a lecture. Shouldn't've been killed like that. Didn't deserve it," Crisner continued angrily. "I hope they give that boy the death sentence."

"You got to meet George Glenn?" Dury asked, awestruck.

"Mmn. That man is--was-- brilliant," Crisner confirmed. "People are so strange, don't you think? I mean, for years we've been researching and studying, looking for ways to improve ourselves, improve our babies and grandbabies, and now we've found a way, but they don't like it none. They go and call it 'unnatural'."

"People just don't like change," Dury replied. "It's scary, so they fight against it."

"Life is all about change," Crisner returned.

"Yes, but it's still scary. Life is scary," Dury answered. "That's why so many people fight against it. That's why there's so much unhappiness in the world."

"You know, I think I like you, Via," Crisner decided. "You've got a good thinker."

Dury laughed for the first time since saying goodbye to her parents and friends on Earth.

***

"We're losing it!"

"Quick! Try and stabilize the--"

"It's no good!"

"It's weakening~!"

"We're gonna--"

The frantic movement of the gathered scientists and doctors froze as the room filled with the eerie extended bleep. They stood, weary with defeat, unable to look at anyone, just standing there until Dr. Hibiki finally reached over and flipped a switch definitely.

"Dammit!" he grounded out a second later, whirling around and sending his fist colliding with the nearest wall. Several others in the room winced or jumped, Dury among them.

"I want a report on my desk by tomorrow oh-nine-hundred," Hibiki continued angrily, "with details. I want to know what went wrong, exactly--and how the hell we can fix it. In the meantime, get this mess cleaned up," he finished, glaring at the failed experiment before stalking from the room.

She stood indecisively, looking from the now slowly moving engineers as they discussed the failed experiment to the close door. She found herself moving towards the door before she'd consciously made a decision.

"Dr. Dury!" one of the technicians called her back. "What should we do with the fetus?"

She hesitated and then steeled herself, answering without turning back around. "Same as with the others," Dury whispered hoarsely before palming the door open smartly and exiting.

She didn't know where she was going, but she would remember that she wasn't surprised to find Hibiki there on the observation desk, ramming his fist repetitively into the wall and bleeding out his frustration in curses and tears until all that was left was a sobbing man with his head bent low with another failure in an ever growing pile.

It was strange, how numb she felt. This was now the sixth failed attempt. Crisner had been right when she said it gets easier with each failure. Easier not to care about the life that was lost... or, easier to pretend you didn't care. To pretend it didn't matter that an innocent fetus had just died in that cold metal box, without ever knowing its mother's touch. Without... Without even having a chance...

She didn't realize she was crying, too, until she slid to her knees, hunched over, shoulders quaking with the strength of her grief.

Warms, strong arms wrapped around her, and she took the comfort offered, greedily, offering her own comfort in exchanged until they were both exhausted. Then they just sat back against the cool, solid wall, staring out dazedly into space.

"You should find another job," Hibiki said dully. "Get out of here. Find something where you can be happy."

"You, too," she responded, but he shook his head.

"This is my project; I can't leave it. No, I won't leave it until it's done right. It can be done. I know it."

"Then I guess I'll stick around, too," she said with a soft sigh.

"Via."

"Hmm?"

"Nothing," he answered. "Just..."

He tilted his head sideways to look at her, studying her face, the soft brown of her hair, the golden color of her eyes, red-rimmed now. "It's a beautiful name for a beautiful woman."

She turned to look at him, hesitance and uncertainty playing across her expressive face before she finally just asked, "Are you hitting on me, Dr. Hibiki?"

He swallowed nervously. "I don't know. It depends. Do you... do you want me to hit on you?"

Via studied his face-- eyes so blue they reminded her of the blue amethysts earrings her mother had given her one Christmas, were looking back at her questioningly. She didn't answer in words. Instead she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his, chastely. After a second she sat back and watched him.

He licked his lips. "I, uh, take it that was a 'yes'?" he asked, clearing his throat before leaning in and claiming her lips in another kiss.

"Knew you were a smart man," Via replied, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him back.

****

"Surgery complete," Via announced and the technicians relaxed. She tore her gloves off and gratefully dragged on the water bottle one of the others handed her. "Have the surrogate mother moved into recovery and monitor her closely to make sure the fetus settles properly into its new home."

"Yes, Dr. Dury," one of the technicians answered as nurses came in to take over the patient's care.

"Where's Dr. Hibiki?"

"In his office, ma'am," another responded, and Via sighed.

"Good work, people," she told the technicians. "Let's hope this little girl makes it. Go and get some rest. You all deserve it," she added before turning to leave.

As told, she found her lover in his office poring over more schematic reports.

"I don't understand it," he exclaimed when he saw her. "Why isn't it working? What are we doing wrong?"

"A machine can never replace a human, Ulen," she answered, coming up behind him and squeezing his tense shoulders.

"There has to be a way. There's something I'm overlooking," he insisted.

"Thank you," she whispered, leaning over to kiss his temple softly. "Because you let me transfer another fetus before it could die in the Sex Bomb again."

He laced his fingers together and leaned forward, digging his thumbs into his temples. "I'm a creator, Via, not a murderer. I don't want them to die, either. I just--dammit! Why won't it work!"

"Ulen," she began, sitting him back in his chair and turning him to face her. "I'm a creator, too," she said, leaning over him, kissing him lightly. "Let's create something, together," she suggested softly in his ear. "Just you and me. We can take a break from this project---we all need it. We've been working non-stop for over a year--"

"I can't just take a break," he responded, returning her kisses and allowing the stress and frustration that had been building up to slide away.

"Not even to handle midnight feedings and diaper changes?"

He blinked, and she shot him a questioningly amused look.

"Are you...?"

"Not yet, but, if we were to... say, in the next couple of hours...." she suggested.

Ulen kissed her excitedly. "Let's do it," he agreed. "Let's make a baby."

****

"Hey, Mama-to-be," Crisner greeted, coming up behind her friend. "What you doing down here?"

Via gave her friend a smile and then turned back to the Sex Bomb. "Visiting my son," she answered, rubbing her belly. "I can't decide how I feel yet."

"You mean about letting Ulen put your baby in that thing?" Crisner asked, shooting the machine a rather degrading look.

"We agreed," Via informed her friend. "He promised, the minute something goes wrong, we do the transfer. But... "

"But what?" the black woman asked gently. "You're not liking that idea none anymore?"

"I feel so... mixed up, Hel," the young woman confessed. "Like I'm pregnant, but I'm not... almost like..." She shook her head and fought off a hysterical laugh. "Like my body still thinks it's pregnant."

"Well, are you?"

Via blinked. "You know I'm not."

"I know no such thing," Crisner returned, "Or are you saying you and the good doctor haven't been enjoying your marital privileges?"

Via stared unseeingly in front of her, thinking back. "Well, I suppose it is possible, but..."

"Why don't you come up to the Ob labs, and we can take a look?"

Via looked up at her. "Do you really think...?" she began, unable to finish the question.

"There's one easy way to find out," Crisner replied with an arched look.

She hesitated only a moment before nodding and following her friend to the Ob labs. She stared, mistrusting the cup Crisner retrieved from a cupboard, before reaching out and taking it.

"Hey, Via?" the dark-skinned doctored asked when the other woman exited the toilet room. "Which would you rather it be, positive or negative?"

"I..." The doe-haired woman stared down at the cup she was holding. "I don't know. I think... I think I might be disappointed either way," she admitted.

"Disappointed?" Crisner repeated, surprised at the answer, reaching over to take the cup and start the test.

"I...I would really like to be pregnant. I really do want to be a mother," she explained softly as she watched the analysis process carefully. "I want to carry my baby in my body, and feel it growing inside me, but..."

"But...?" Crisner pressed.

"But if I am pregnant, than it's too late to coordinate it." She looked up at her friend. "And that would be...wrong, don't you think? They would be siblings, but different."

"All siblings are different," Crisner retorted dryly. "But...?" she added seeing Via's expression.

"If I'm pregnant, and something goes wrong with the Sex Bomb, what will happen to him, my baby?"

The analysis finished and the computer beeped out its results. Via sank weakly into the nearby visitor's chair, not trusting her legs to support her.

"I'm sorry," Crisner said softly, taking in her friend's devastated face.

"What am I going to tell Ulen?"

***

"They're children, Ulen! Not test rats!" Via Hibiki cried out as others in the room froze.

Dr. Hibiki continued to note his research into his recorder.

A roar of rage erupted from the pale woman before she rushed him, slamming into him with her fists. "How can you be so damn cold, Ulen! We can't keep doing this; it's wrong! Why can't you understand that?"

"Via!" Ulen Hibiki shouted over his wife's screams, grabbing her wrists to restrain her. "If you cannot restrain yourself, I will have no choice but to relieve you of your duties in this project."

"You can't just 'relieve me' of my duties," she screeched at him. "That's my baby! My baby you're playing god with, Ulen. Will you let him die like the others? Give him back, Ulen! Give me back my baby!"

"Someone!" Dr. Hibiki barked. "Remove Dr. Hibiki Via from the laboratories immediately!"

"Ulen, you can't do this!" the woman continued to scream. "You'll kill him, too! Give him back! Give me back my baby!"

A sudden cramping had her doubling over and sliding to her knees, cradling her extended belly.

"Via!" her husband shouted, sliding to his knees with her.

"Dr. Hibiki?" one of the braver technicians asked.

"Get out!" Ulen commanded. "Just... Everyone just get out of here for a bit. We'll continue in two hours!"

The others wasted little time exiting the room, no one comfortable with these spousal arguments between the two doctors that were becoming more and more frequent.

"Via," he repeated, softer now, pulling the sobbing and frightened woman to him. "Please, calm down. You have to stay calm for both your sake's," he said cradling her against his chest, his arms winding around her until she was wrapped up in him, his hands holding hers, holding their child. "It's not good for her if you allow yourself to get so upset like this."

"You promised, Ulen," Via answered weakly, tears still running down her cheeks. "You promised if something happened you would give him back. You promised, Ulen," she repeated, breath hitched.

"Nothing will happen to our son, Via," Ulen told her. "I will keep him alive. He will survive. But you need to take care of yourself and her. She needs you to be strong, Via."

"But if something happens..."

"Via...I think maybe you should take a break," Ulen suggested. "Go down and visit your family for a bit. Just for a month. Two at the most."

"I... I can't leave him, Ulen," Via whispered brokenly. "I can't leave him."

"You won't be," he assured her. "But you need a break, a chance to get away. In three months neither of us will have a chance for a break. We'll be too exhausted from midnight feedings and changing diapers," he predicted.

"Ulen..."

"It will be all right, Via. I promise you. I will do everything to ensure that our son is kept safe and healthy," Ulen vowed. "Just as I know you will do everything to keep our daughter safe and healthy. Including taking a vacation."

She went. She felt horrible, like she was abandoning her other baby, but she went anyway, knowing that if she stayed, she would only make herself sick, make life difficult for everyone else. She worried fanatically about the shuttle ride, even though logically she knew it was safer now than it ever was for expectant mothers to exit and reenter the Earth's atmosphere thanks to modern aerospace engineering and the development of liquidized coolants, her mind still rattled off the statistics and the possible hazards.

At best, it was likely her daughter would grow up to be an adrenaline junkie, Via thought exhaustedly as her shuttle pulled into port.

"Welcome to the Orb Union," the uniformed attendant intoned. "May I see your passport please?"

"Via! Via Dury!" an excited voice called from the sea of people waiting behind the reception desk.

"Yula!" she cried in return, rushing the woman in her quickest waddle, and the two young women laughed gaily, blind to the stares and excited whispers surrounding them.

"Look at you! Oh my god, you're so pregnant!" Via's school-girl friend exclaimed.

"Watch it--I'm barely six months along," Via warned as several security figures closed in around them.

"Yula-sama," one of the smartly dressed men spoke. "If you and your friend are ready, the car is waiting to escort you home."

"'Yula-sama'?" she teased her friend, and the shaggy-haired blonde shot her a put out look. "Come on. I'll explain everything to you in the car. Oh! I'm so glad you could visit! Will you be able to stay long? I'm supposedly getting married next week, if the stupid Parliament would stop dicking around, and I'd love for you to be there. Oh, just wait until you meet my fiancé. You'll love Uzumi, and I just know he'll love you, too!"

***

The shaggy-haired blonde was laughing at someone off-screen as she answered her communicator. "Yula spea--Oh my god, Via! Are you all right?"

"Yula," she rasped, fighting off another cough. "I need help. Please. I didn't know who else I could call. There was attack. I... I think, Blue Cosmos. Ulen, he's dead, Yula. I--"

The woman started crying, her small body shaking.

"Calm down, Via," her friend commanded as another body came into the view screen, Yula's husband, Uzumi.

"Where are you now, Via?" he asked, his voice calm and assuring.

"Heliopolis. It was the only place I could think of, that was safe," she sniffed. "I--I couldn't trust Plant. They would try and take him from me. I won't give them my baby," she said forcibly, and then jumped as there was a wail in the background. "I don't know what to do, Yula. We can't return to the Earth like this, but I can't let Plant find us, either."

"Uzumi," the blonde pleaded softly with her husband, receiving his nod.

"Via," he answered, "Tell us where you are exactly. I'm going to send someone to you."

"Don't let them in unless they give you a safe code!" Yula inserted.

"What safe code?"

"I don't know yet, but you'll know it's from me when you hear it," she assured her friend. "Don't worry, Via. Uzumi will protect you and your children. He won't let anyone hurt them."

"Yula," he admonished his wife gently, but there was a look in his eyes as he watched the pale and fragile looking woman on the screen that said he would do everything in his power to fulfill his wife's belief in him.

Via told them where she was.

It took less than a half an hour before the knock came. It was enough time to feed and change a fussing little girl and double check that her other little one was really okay. She still couldn't believe he was alive, he was safe and healthy and alive, just like Ulen had promised.

Ulen...

It was all she could do not to break out crying again.

How had they found out, she wondered. The Mendel Colony was supposed to be an undisclosed location so that they could do their research in peace, without the threat of terrorists attacks. But somehow... somehow they'd found out. It could only have been Blue Cosmos. Those bastards. They didn't even know what they were talking about, 'for a blue and natural Earth'!

And now... Ulen...

Via cradled her son closer to her breast, delicately so as not to wake him. Ulen had protected him, protected them all, she thought, running a finger along the dark head. She laid him carefully down on the bed next to her daughter, watching them laying there, together, finally, like they were meant to be if scientific research hadn't intervened--until another knock on the door called her back to her surroundings.

"Who is it?" she called though the door.

"Private Kisaka," a young voice responded, and after another moment, when she still wouldn't upon the door, the private continued. "Uh, ma'am, I'm, uh, supposed to tell you, uh.... 'Country boys and girls get down on the farm,'" he whispered through the door.

For a moment Via couldn't move, and then, she reached out and unlocked the door. The boy standing there, looking embarrassed, couldn't even have been out of his teens yet, but he snapped off a smart salute to her, to which she simply nodded in reply, holding the door open a little wider for him to enter through when she saw he was alone.

"Ma'am, I'm supposed to escort you to another location, if you're--"

He broke off at the first beginning cries, eyes widening at the sight of the two tiny babies, and then growing a bright scarlet when Via reached to open her blouse.

"Ma'am, we--"

"Can't go anywhere," she replied dully, reaching for her son. "No where's safe."

"But I was told to bring you--" the private began, turning around to protest--and seeing more than he was comfortable with and having to turn away again. "I'm supposed to escort you to The Grand. Athha-sama himself has ordered it!"

"Uzumi?"

"Yes, ma'am. I heard the commander saying that he and his wife were making an unscheduled trip to Heliopolis."

"Uzumi and Yula? Coming here?"

"Yes, ma'am," the private confirmed.

"Can you take her," she asked, reaching a finger out to soothe along her daughter's cheek as the infant started fussing again. The boy looked terrified at the idea, but squared his shoulders and bravely picked the infant up.

"What about your belongings?" he asked as she gingerly gained her feet, taking care not to disturb the still nursing infant.

"We're holding them," she replied, walking towards the door.

She followed him to the waiting car, trusting him--trusting Uzumi--to protect her and her babies. More men in shiny suits met them at the back entrance to the prestigious hotel, and Via was escorted up to an executive suite where another woman greeted them, eagerly taking her daughter from the nervous private's arms. Via refused to relinquish hold on her son. Not yet. It was still too soon.

The woman--a servant loyal to the Athha family, herded her into the bedroom and forced her into the bed. Via didn't even hear what the woman rattled on about; she was simply too exhausted to care for anything other than the fact that she was safe. Yula had promised. Uzumi would protect them.

"Via?" a soft voice said her name from somewhere nearby, and fingers brushed back her hair from her face.

"Mom?" she tried to say, but her throat was dry and fiery.

"No, Via, it's Yula," her friend responded gently. "We just got here, Via, Uzumi and me, we're both here. It's all right, you're safe now. Promise."

"Kira," she rasped, struggling to sit up. "Where's--"

"Calm down, Via," Yula instructed, pushing her back onto the bed. "The babies are both fine. The doctor's been by and he's pronounced them both strong and healthy. They're... they're beautiful, Via. They're going to be just fine."

Via heard the crack in Yula's voice and realized she knew. "The infection set in a few days ago."

"Why didn't you go to a hospital?" Yula demanded. "A doctor could have--"

She shook her head. "I couldn't. The risk." She shook her head again. "Yula, you have to... promise me. Kira, he's--Ulen did it. It finally worked. Kira's the result. You have to promise me, Yula. Zaft must not find him."

"Via," her friend whispered.

"Via," another voice, more authoritative called her as Uzumi came up behind his wife. "What project are you talking about?"

"The Ultimate Coordinator," Via coughed. "Ulen was working on it; that's how we met. It was commissioned by Zaft, approved by the Supreme Council. To create the ideal coordinator, without the random interference from mother's body, a fetus grown in an artificial womb. But the fetuses, they kept dying. We had to transplant them into surrogate mothers before the end of the second trimester. Kira... Kira is the only one... to have survived to term."

"Then he's not really your baby?"

"He is!" Via protested. "He is. He's my son. We... we didn't know about Cagalli. We..."

"Kira and Cagalli?" Yula asked. "Is that their names?" At Via's tired nod, she leaned over and said, "They're lovely names, Via, for two lovely babies."

"Please, Yula," Via pleaded weakly. "Zaft must not find Kira. Cagalli's natural, but Kira..."

"We'll take care of it, Via," her friend promised. "Just rest now."

Even if she hadn't wanted to, Via could feel unconsciousness swimming up to consume her. She awoke an undeterminable time later to a hushed argument in the other room.

"Try and understand, Yula, we can't take both!"

"She's dying, Uzumi! She's dying and I promised. You promised, too!"

"And if Zaft is looking for the boy, do you really think setting him up as the adoptive son of Orb is--"

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Let me find a young couple, either here or in Orb, someone who's looking to adopt and would be willing to raise a coordinator child," Uzumi answered. "Then he can be safely hidden in plain sight and within the structure of a nurturing family. And we can take the other child ourselves."

"Why not both?" Yula demanded.

"Yula... Even if I could offer him my protection, Orb... Orb isn't ready for a coordinator in line of succession for the throne. One day, it is my hope that we will be a strong enough nation where such a thing as genetics wouldn't matter, but that day isn't here yet. We can't take him, too, Yula."

"You're going to separate them," Via accused, leaning heavily against the door frame for support. Her body was so weak and so very cold. She couldn't stop shivering.

Yula and her husband whirled around, the blonde with alarmed concern to see her out of bed. She tried to usher Via back into the bedroom, but Via wouldn't look away from Uzumi.

"Zaft probably knows you were pregnant, Via," he told her gently. "They'll be looking for twins, and it's even more interesting if one is a coordinator when the other isn't. Separating them gives them both the best chance at a safe and normal life."

"They'll be safe?" she repeated, swallowing with some difficulty. Why was her mouth so dry? "He'll be safe?"

"I'll find a kind couple who will raise him as their own--"

"Then do it," she decided, loosening her grip on the doorframe and allowing Yula to help her back to the bed. "As long as they're safe."

"As safe as any child in this world we live in is," Uzumi promised. "Via," he called before she could fall asleep again. "I'm sorry. I wish I could do more, I do. I wish I could take them both..."

"One day, Uzumi," Via responded, settling into the warm blankets but still too cold, "Orb might not be given the choice of whether their head of state is a coordinator or not."

82 EC, March, Orb Union, Parliament House

"The statement," Cagalli instructed her publicist while her other councilors all but seethed in their seats, "Should follow the lines that both my husband and I are excited by the news and are eagerly looking forward to the development and birth of our first child. Short, simple. No names dropped but my own. Then move on to other business. No questions asked."

"But, Cagalli-sama," Zandus protested, a handful of minutes away from having a nervous breakdown as her mind overloaded with questions. "They're going to want to know who your husband is. Where is he now? Does he know about the baby? When did you marry, and why didn't you tell anyone--"

"Zandus," Kisaka interrupted. "Just offer the simple statement Athha-sama told you, and then, when her husband returns to Earth, I'm sure they'll make time to sit down with you and put together a more detailed report."

Zandus turned to snap off an angered reply...The man was entirely too calm about all this. Granted, he had been dealing with Cagalli-sama since she was a teenager, off running around the globe, but---

And then her eyes widened as they fell across the halo-screen image of Orb's Representative in Plant, and comprehension exploded behind her eyes in the form of one of those blinding headaches. She released a more awe-stricken, "Oh."

The publicist wasn't the only one to have added two and two together.

"A small guest list, was it?" Kesler asked.

"Yes."

"I, for one, would like to hear how our illustrious leader could justify pulling such a shameful scandal upon this noble country."

"Shameful?" Peyton barked incredulously.

"Come now, Perott," Zandus agreed, "that's a little harsh"

"Harsh?" the reedy man sneered. "She off and eloped without telling a single--"

"What's done is done," the Prime Minister spoke, cutting the other man off. "It cannot be undone. Right now, it matters little how we got here so much as where do we go from here. Cagalli-sama, for whatever reasons, chose to keep her marriage secret. As Athrun-kun said earlier, there was protection offered in that secrecy. Protection for their relationship, yes, but also some protection for Orb. That protection will be lost now, and we must decide how to best handle what is to come."

"Cagalli-sama, the bands will have to be unlocked," Slathers began.

"No."

"Not yet," Athrun agreed. "But eventually, yes. We already knew that," he reminded his wife with a look.

"Then do you have a copy of the agreement?" Kesler asked. "Or are we to assume you both married on good faith?"

"You'll understand, it must not be replicated in anyway before its security clearance is released," Cagalli cautioned as she withdrew a data chip and inserted it into the table network. She allowed time for the document to load and her council to begin reading.

"Oh my god..." Slathers breathed, his eyes widening.

"This is... utterly..." Perott sputtered.

"Cagalli-sama," Kesler spoke, her voice hard and disapproving. "How could you agree to such a contract?"

"Easily," Cagalli returned evenly, "as it was worded primarily by myself."

"But this... it gives you nothing--!" Perott exclaimed.

Cagalli shrugged negligently. "I got what I wanted from the contract."

"Cagalli-sama, this contract is quite..." Zandus hedged.

"Astounding," Toshihiro agreed.

"Preposterous!" Perott spewed. "You've destroyed the future of this country! I knew it was a bad idea to allow that boy to remain in our country, and look!" he shouted, gesturing wildly. "Look what he's done! Brainwashed our head of state! Tricked her into signing over her sovereignty!"

Despite their having discussed scenarios and strategies for how this meeting and subsequent meetings would be dealt with, Athrun still had a difficult time remembering to hold his tongue. No more so than Cagalli, however, who was forcibly restraining herself from ripping some throats out. They'd agreed, though, for this first meeting, they would hold their silence and let the council members rant and rave until they had talked themselves hoarse or they thought to ask a direct question.

It didn't take nearly as long as they'd thought it would.

"Cagalli-sama," the prime minister spoke into the tense silence left by Perott's harsh accusations. "Please, explain your reasons for doing this so that we may better understand your sentiments."

"I learned a hard lesson during the second war," she began, tapping her pen against the table top, "And it cost Orb dearly. Many of our people died needlessly, our land ravaged, our citizens terrorized--all because I allowed someone who I didn't complete trust represent me; represent Orb."

She looked at the men and women seated around her. She didn't have to name names, and she wasn't going to. "Everyone in this room understands the responsibility placed upon us by our roles as representatives of our country, and I believe we all want what's best for Orb and her people."

Most nodded their heads in agreement, but others still harbored that harsh, accusing look in their eyes. "I am no different," standing up and walking over to the window to stare out at her country. Aides shifted out of her way, but all watched her eagerly.

"After the war, I realized that, should I marry, my husband would have to be my equal, someone I trusted to uphold and adhere to the code of Orb; someone I could trust to fulfill my obligations to Orb should something prevent me from being here." She turned away from the window and strode back to her chair, not sitting as she look at each council member again. "I would not marry someone who could not do this. I would not let this council or anyone else dictate to me who I should or would marry, either."

Her hands tightened on the soft leather material of her chair before she forced her fingers to relax. "For a long time, I thought I wouldn't marry at all," she confessed. "My duty to Orb would not allow me to marry for love alone, and my own heart insisted I settle for nothing less. It took me long enough, but my answer was already with me," Cagalli said softly, "supporting me, always, from the sideline, from the shadows. The same person I'd already entrusted my life and heart to, I also trusted with my country."

She turned away from her chair and walked towards the front of the room, continuing. "When I realized this I decided there was absolutely nothing to prevent me from doing what I'd wanted to do from the beginning, what I should have done years ago. It was right, it was good--for me and for Orb. The only thing that stood against it was the criticisms of other people."

"But you married him anyway," Kesler stated evenly.

"Obviously," Cagalli turned, one eyebrow raised mockingly, "or we would not be here having this discussion."

"But why?" Zandus demanded. "Why hide it? Did you think we wouldn't trust your decision?"

"Would you be asking me to defend my actions here and now if you did?" Cagalli returned.

"We're not accusing you, Cagalli-sama," Peyton answered. "We're simply trying to understand."

"What you've done is something foolish," Perott snapped, "compounded by your hiding it for so long."

Cagalli held her tongue as she returned to her seat and sat, leaning back casually as he proceeded to hurtle more accusations at her. From the corner of her eye, she could see Athrun's expression growing darker and more ominous.

"You hid your relationship because you knew it was wrong, and if you really had Orb's best interests at heart, you would divorce that man and find a proper husband suitable for--"

"That's enough," Kisaka spoke finally, glaring at the representative.

"Toshihiro," Perott demanded, wheeling to face his contemporary, "how can you sit there and allow--"

"What," the Prime Minister replied coolly, "exactly do you think I should or shouldn't allow, Perott? Over whom at this table do you think I honestly have control over? You forget yourself, Perott. I am the Prime Minister, yes, and as such, it is my sworn duty to support and uphold the principles of Orb, to support and council Orb's Supreme Commander. I do not presume to tell her what she can and cannot do, Perott, and neither should you."

"Think of what this means for Orb! What she's done--!

"Is married a strong and capable young man who is willing to support her as an equal," Toshihiro replied strongly. "Not as a subservient or an upspurrer, but as an equal." He looked around the table, "And I, for one, think we should all consider ourselves fortunate. Although it might cause some difficulties for a while--"

"'Some difficulties'?" Perott shouted, looking around him to see if anyone else was agreeing with this nonsense. "Do you hear yourself, Toshihiro? Think of what will happen when the EA hears of this--"

"I think it is you who needs to hear himself, Perott," the Prime Minister stopped him. "The Earth Alliance does not have say in what we chose to do. We are Orb. We are sovereign. We bow our heads to no one. We do not quake upon the mercy of any country but our own."

"Besides," Kesler added negligently, "the EA has their own governmental problems to worry about right now. Leave them to it, I say. They are no concern of ours."

"Yes, Orb is sovereign, but we are not the only country living on this planet," Peyton put in thoughtfully. "We must consider the backlash this will cause."

"That is true," Zandus agreed, "and not just on a global level, but at a national level, too. Not because you married Zala-san, but because you married at all, without telling anyone. The people might feel cheated that you've kept such a momentous event from them."

"The demographics of Orb are diverse and capable of supporting your choice, Cagalli-sama," Peyton continued. "In fact, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the people wouldn't be honestly happy and content with your decision, Zala-sama being a war hero and a respected celebrity by most of the press. In popularity ratings alone, he is one of the highest rated males in the country, topping even the Prime Minister--"

"Should I be worried about my job then?" Toshihiro asked jovially.

"Not a chance, sir," Athrun replied. "Even if I was interested, the prime minister works just as hard if not harder than Cagalli. I'd never have the opportunity to any spend time with my wife then."

"Yes, well, what I'm suggesting is simple really," Zandus broke back in. "We could try to hide your pregnancy, but there's really no point as it will be evident enough within another month or two. But your marriage... no one else knows about it, and we can assemble everything within two weeks' times---you could be married again and--"

"No."

"But--"

"That would only continue to perpetuate a lie," Athrun explained, shaking his head. "Cagalli and I agreed, when we married we knew we would need to have another wedding ceremony for Orb, but we won't lie to Orb and let them believe the only reason we married is because we're pregnant."

"We will answer their questions honestly," Cagalli agreed.

"What of his connections to Plant?" Slathers ask nervously.

Kesler looked at the pixilated image of the young man in question. "That might actually work in favor for us if it could prevent any future altercations--"

"You are discussing this matter as if you have a choice," Kisaka warned them. "The deed is done. The questions you should be asking are what do we do now? How do we inform the public without alarming or upsetting them?"

"We need to make a statement in response to all these pregnancy rumors," Zandus spoke up immediately. "They will want to know who the father is."

"We'll tell them her husband, then," Kisaka answered, "but as Cagalli-sama said, we'll release no names, at least not until after Athrun-san is back in Orb."

"Which won't be for another two weeks, at least," Athrun reminded them.

"So then, if we set a press conference for then..."

82 EC, April 3rd, Pacific Ocean

She stepped out of the hot shower and into the light-weight robe the hotel offered, belting it sharply before snatching up a towel for her dripping hair. The ruddy tangled man was getting longer than she generally wore her hair, and Milli spared a brief thought for stopping by a barber while she was in town to have it chopped off again. Critically surveying the ends as she padded barefooted into the bed room slash living area, she thought it couldn't hurt.

It had been a long week--one that a long, hot pulsating shower she'd just stepped from had gone a long way to relieve the stress and tensions of. She grabbed up the remote to the screen and automatically called up the World Wide News channel, tossing the remote somewhere on the bed as she pulled her persacon to her and started loading the various image chips she'd filled up while out in field.

"Tensions continue to escalate," the newscaster said importantly, "as Alliance parties attempt to work through this new turn of events peacefully."

Milli snorted. "That's one way to put it," she muttered as images of recent military skirmishes started appearing in thumbnail version on her screen. Pictures that detailed the amassing forces of former allies.

"In a statement this afternoon, Atlantic Federation President Edmund Bernard informed reporters that the four governments of the former Earth Alliance are working hard to preserve the peaceful way of life Earth has enjoyed this last decade."

She scoffed at that---if the Earth had been that peaceful really, she would have been completely out of a job.

"'The Atlantic Federation is dedicated to maintaining a peaceful world,'" President Bernard was quoted saying. "'And we will do everything in our power to preserve our happy way of life.'"

Milli shook her head disgustedly. The former AF president had been a rather good one, but his time had been cut short little more than a year ago when he was elected out of office. It was a shame, she thought. That man had actually meant what he said; or at least, he put an honest attempt into making it seem like he did. This new president, Bernard---he couldn't be trusted. And it looked like the Euro-Asian Federation and the East Asia Union agreed. She didn't blame them one bit for wanting out of a souring deal.

Looking down at her screen covered in tiny thumbnails of gathering military resources and minor skirmishes, she couldn't help but frown disheartedly. She would need to wade through all these pictures and categorize them away with proper file-labeling before she could send them on to Terminal. It would take her most the night. At least.

"In other news, speculation about the secret husband and father of Orb Representative Cagalli Yula Athha's baby continues to abound."

Milli's head jerked up, eyes widening with surprise.

"In a short statement over a week ago, spokespeople for Athha confirmed that the Orb leader is currently three months pregnant, and the father is none other than her husband. This is the fist news of Athha being married or in any serious form of a relationship since her last rather tragic betrothal, almost ten years ago. No other statement has been issued; however, Orb has scheduled a press conference later this week.

"This is WWN News at eleven. Stay tuned for the weekend weather forecast."

Milli paid little attention to the commercials, thinking instead about the news she'd just heard.

Kira's sister was married and pregnant.

She was a little hurt that she hadn't been let in on the secret, but then, she wasn't exactly the closest of friends with Cagalli or Athrun--and it could only be Athrun, the redhead thought as she continued her work. Otherwise, why bother hiding it. And anyone who had spent as much time on the same ship with the two of them as Milli had knew the attraction that radiated between the couple. Even back near the end of the first war that attraction had been evident, Milli thought--she'd noticed it, and she'd been distracted by other matters at the time.

But what a horrid time to be coming out to the world; just when the Earth Alliance was on the brink of civil war. Both sides proclaimed up and down that they didn't want to fight, of course--they didn't want any more casualties or bloodshed they said, but here in front of her eyes was the truth. The truth that unless somebody did something fast to halt the exculpating tensions--another war was inevitable.

She'd been thinking of paying a visit home--check in with her mom and dad, reassure them she was still hale and hearty. Maybe pay a visit to Tolle's grave and stop in on some of her old friends--she hadn't seen Sai's little girl in over a year, she realized. And maybe she could drop by Kira's and offer some congratulations to the expecting couple.

Miriallia Haw stretched and exhaled, shutting her eyes to the sight of encroaching war.

82 EC, April 4th, Orb Union Parliament House

The Prime Minister met Athrun as he entered the Parliament building and matched pace with him as Athrun strode purposefully towards Cagalli's offices. Secretaries and aides stopped in mid-conversation as they approached, some actually remembering to call out morning greetings to the passing officials, but Athrun wasn't paying attention enough to answer them.

"Athrun-sama, Prime Minister," Cagalli's secretary stood up as they entered the outer office. Her eyes were red and swollen, her voice watery.

"Gracia-san, good morning," Athrun greeted, offering what he hoped was an encouraging look. "Have there been any new messages?"

"Nothing, sir," the woman answered, clearing her froggy throat, "but the King of Scandinavia is still waiting for a reply from two days ago."

"It's still in the middle of the night there," Toshihiro frowned, mentally calculating the time difference, "but you'll have to talk with him later, Athrun. Can't put that off much longer."

"I know; I'd hoped to have encouraging news, though," Athrun huffed, grimacing again.

"Athrun."

"Let's get this over with," Athrun cut the prime minister off, striding purposefully forward. "There might be something we've overlooked or missed."

"She's been going home on time this past week. If she wasn't already out the door, Gracia has been kicking her out at six."

"It's a start," Athrun conceded, pushing open the door, half-expecting to find Cagalli sitting there behind her desk pouring over some report or another.

"It's an improvement over ten pm," Toshihiro insisted.

"That doesn't mean she's not taking work home with her," he reminded the older man. The desk was organized into various piles that probably had significance to Cagalli and her secretary. "I found a copy of the proposed treaty in her home office, among other things."

The shadowy images of an ultra-sound photograph swam to mind, and Athrun forcibly pushed the memory away, determined not to think about it until Cagalli was back home and they could discuss it together.

"Are you serious about not agreeing to the treaty?" the Prime Minister asked as he watched Athrun start searching through files and folders on the loaded but organized desk.

"Yes," Athrun answered distractedly. "Are you going to try and dissuade me?"

The older man hefted a sigh and motioned towards one of the attendance chairs. "May I?"

Athrun nodded in offering. "It's not my office. Feel free."

"Perhaps," Toshihiro consented, "But with Cagalli absent..."

The Prime Minister's words cut off as he frowned again. "I've known Cagalli for almost all her life. My own children are only a few years older than yourselves, you know. I already have a grandson in school."

Athrun paused in his search to look warily at the influential man, wondering what exactly it was the Prime Minister wanted to say to him. It was true that given his choice, Athrun would not be here in this building any longer than he had to be. He was not comfortable in the Parliament House, despite then number of hours he'd been inside it, attending to and watching over Cagalli as she worked. Maybe that was why he wasn't comfortable here.

He'd been grateful when Cagalli had hinted at him finding something to occupy his time at the base, and later when Kira had suggested he find one of the engineers at Kaguya. He'd never felt really comfortable with the politicians and their breed. Of course, it wasn't hard to feel uncomfortable when certain people looked at you like you were something that didn't belong.

Toshihiro Koji had never made him feel unwelcome, though. The man had never gone out of his way to include Athrun, but he'd never alienated him, either. Athrun wasn't sure exactly what the senior politician thought or expected of him. What did he want from Athrun?

"She was always a precarious child," the Prime Minister continued, "stubborn and rash, with a strong sense of loyalty and justice that was always leading her into trouble. I can't count how many time Uzumi was called out of a meeting because she'd gotten into another fight or escapade." He huffed a laugh, nodded agreement to some thought or another. "She was constantly giving the media and tabloids reasons to talk."

"But she was never malicious," he stressed, "and that's more than can be said of some other royals. And, even when it was misguided, Cagalli has always had a strong sense of loyalty and responsibility that was built with honest intentions."

The prime minister nodded solemnly while Athrun continued to watch and hold his own counsel.

"Ten years ago," Toshihiro continued confidentially, "we all had our worries about her taking over the role Uzumi had left for her---not because we didn't believe she wasn't capable of fulfilling it, eventually, you understand," he rushed to assure Athrun. "But she was just... so young. I knew she would do her best--she's never given less than her best in matters that are important to her, and Orb was important to her. Maybe more important than some people gave her credit for," he grumbled.

"Of course, it wasn't easy. You know that; you were there, too."

Athrun nodded, because it seemed like the thing to do. He remembered that time, though he'd wished he could forget it. He remembered the pressure the council had put on her to do this or do that. Remembered how hard Cagalli pushed herself to try and be what everyone wanted, what they thought they wanted. Remembered returning to Plant in Cagalli's shadow as made the effort to talk with the chairman on behalf of the other Earth governments and falling headfirst into another world war. Remembered leaving Orb, and everything falling to pieces around him, including what bit of a relationship he and Cagalli could have claimed.

"It was... hard for me to watch her struggle like that," Toshihiro confessed, dragging Athrun's self-depreciating thoughts back from the past. "But I've never been prouder than when she came back, stronger and more assured of herself. I don't know what happened on that ship after she left Orb, but whatever it was, it really helped her."

Athrun nodded, still finding himself unwilling to actually add to the conversation. He knew some of what had happened--bits and pieces from various tidbits Kira or Cagalli herself had let slip over the preceding years.

"Of course, even after she found her pace, we worried," the Prime Minister continued when Athrun didn't. "Especially after you returned to Orb. Oh, we weren't blind or dumb, even back after the first war," the man scoffed, leaning back in his chair almost casually. "Some of us old folks suspected relations between the two you of were less than that of platonic friends, even with her having that betrothal, but then when you stayed on, living in the same house... There was talk, amongst the tabloids, yes, but amongst the councilors, too. Talk of what should be done, if something should be done," Toshihiro told him, watching him carefully.

Athrun fond his voice long enough to ask, "To get rid of me?"

A shoulder lifted in an easy, comfortable half-shrug. "More towards redirecting your attentions. Many of the other councilors saw you as a threat to Orb," the Prime Minister explained. "We've had chance to be subjected to Saran's poisoning prejudice against you, personally, and for a long time, you didn't show us anything to dissuade those old preconceptions."

"Such as?" he asked, morbid curiosity having him wanting to know what exactly the former prime minister and his little weasel of a son had said about him.

"Does it matter anymore?"

Athrun studied the man, but he was nothing if not an expert politician. He couldn't read the man at all. "If I'm to assume everyone's trust and support? Yes," he answered.

"Very well then," Toshihiro returned, nodding, but his face remained neutral. "Such as you having ulterior motives for associating with the princess. Such as segueing the road for Plant to assimilate Orb into its terrestrial territories or accumulate more martial technologies. Those suggestions, at least, were more believable than your secret ambitions to rule your own country."

He wanted to ask--burned with the desire to ask, but he held his tongue. The Prime Minister continued anyway.

"You were a wild card, a mystery. A hero from both wars; directly involved in saving Earth. But then, there was still that business of who your father was and you rejoining Zaft in the second war. When you returned, when you offered to act as Orb's representative to Plant, I wasn't sure what to think. I didn't understand your motives, but I stand by what I said when you resigned--you did a good job. You could do well in politics, but... You're not a politician, Zala-sama."

Toshihiro shook his head empathically. "I wouldn't even say you're a natural leader, but then, neither was Cagalli. Like Cagalli, you have a natural charisma that draws people to you. You're a focal point, someone others can look upon and gain hope and determination from. You're a fighter and a survivor, and those things help you in the political world, but you lack the duplicity necessary to really thrive there.

"I stand by what I said in regards to your marriage, too. What's done is done, and we can't change the past. I might wish you two had chosen a more open route for your relationship, but I'll continue to do my duty as Prime Minister and support you both as you continue to support each other and lead our country."

The prime minister stood then and offered a small but respectful bow. Before taking his leave, the older man added, "Cagalli chose a good person to tie herself to."

82 EC, April 5th, Undisclosed location

Cagalli came awake with the ease and clear-headedness of one who was well and truly rested. For a minute, she simply laid in bed, reveling in the novelty of being awake and not being tired. Then, as her mind drew a blank when she tried to recall her schedule for the day, her eyes snapped open and she sat up, looking around her.

The room itself was no different than hundreds of other posh rooms she'd stayed in over the years--tastefully decorated in shades of greens and ivories and rosewood. Besides the bed, there was a vanity table and wardrobe--open to reveal several outfits--and two doors. Sweet-scented steam wafted out from one of the doors, and shifting around to peek revealed the fanciful tile of the bathing room.

She needed to focus on finding out where she was and how to get back to Orb. She wasn't sure exactly how much time had passed since she'd been abducted, but she knew by now Athrun must have returned. She had to find a way to get out of here and get back home. They were all probably as worried for her and she was.

One way or another, she couldn't stay where she was.

Pushing the thick covers back, Cagalli rolled out of bed and... discovered she was naked. And had no memory of undressing herself. And... the stench of fish still clung to her skin. And she was in desperate need of a bath.

Reluctantly, telling herself she would be quick about it, Cagalli crossed to the bathing room and entered, immediately engulfed in the sweetly sharp scents that seemed to crawl inside her head and tingle awareness through her body. She washed off quickly, making use of the bottles of soap and shampoo until she finally felt clean again. She looked longingly towards the sunken bathing pool, but couldn't justify taking up anymore time she could be using for escaping this place.

Despite the appeasing accommodations, she hadn't asked or wanted to come here. And she had no intention of staying, either.

She snapped up a towel quickly before her resolve could crumble, and started drying off briskly. She fought off a wince as she dried her breasts, tender and aching, and only slowed down when she reached her belly. She found the mirror in the bedroom distracting, and soon she was staring at her naked self wonderingly, posing this way and that way.

It was almost impossible to tell she was pregnant when she was still dressed, but now....

She ran her hands wonderingly over the quickening bulge that was swelling her tummy. There was a definitely roundness taking shape, a protrusion that had nothing to do with a full meal. Her child. Hers and Athrun's. Their baby.

What would Athrun say when he saw her again? He'd been so excited, and now she thought she understood a little more why.

She had to get back to him, back to Orb.

And with that thought remounted afresh in her mind, she turned purposefully away from the mirror and towards the wardrobe. Since she didn't see her own clothes anywhere, she would just have to impose on her 'host' a while longer. It appeared as if her host didn't mind at all; had, in fact, planned for her, as all the outfits in the wardrobe were maternity wear. Flowing, loose fitting garments that could be adjusted to accommodate her changing body. Nothing suitable for stealth, though, she observed, frowning over the selection.

Passing over the skirts as impractical, she shimmied into a pair of leggings before glaring at the selection of upper wear. She would kill for a practical tank top, but her only available choices were loose sheers in the neo-Euro style, which was really just a revitalization of ancient Greek and Roman styles, Cagalli thought irritably as she tugged one of the blouses off the hanger and over her head.

Quickly tying off the high-waist emerald ribbon below her breasts and slipping into one of the offered footwear, Cagalli steeled herself and went out to investigate. If she was lucky, she could leave without anyone noticing her. Or, at the very least she could find out where the hell she was, get to a communicator, and then...

Outside her room was empty. No guards, not servants, not even a security camera she could detect. Just a short corridor that led to a window seat at one end and a corner at the other. Two other doors lined the walls, but Cagalli ignored them both, stealing stealthily towards the corner. Still nothing in sight save for the staircase leading down. Senses alert to anything around her, she cautiously began to descend---and tripped.

Gasping, she grasping the banister in a death grip and glared down at her feet accusingly. It took her extra minutes for added caution, but she made it safely back to lover ground and--

There, right in front of her was a door to the outside. Heart racing excitedly, Cagalli glanced around to make sure no one else was there to stop her and then rushed for the door--

"Oh! You're awake!"

Cagalli almost screamed. The woman on the other side of the door blithely brushed past Cagalli, swinging the door shut behind her as she linked her arms with Cagalli's and forcibly led her into the foyer.

"Finally!" the blonde young woman exclaimed. "I thought you might sleep the entire morning away," the woman confided as she released Cagalli and turned to study her from a three-sixty angle.

"Oh, lovely!" she breathed, clasping her hands together and smiling radiantly. "I'd hoped you would find something more appropriate to wear than that awful, smelly outfit you arrived in, but..." And here she frowned poutingly towards Cagalli's middle. "You're still so small. I thought you were in your fourth month. Shouldn't you be bigger?"

Cagalli had just opened her mouth to retort something along the lines of how she couldn't help her size when another, vaguely familiar voice answered for her.

"Every woman's different, Dana," Helena Crisner said with the same gentle voice one would use to talk to a child. The dark-skinned woman was sans her lab coat, and her dark curls were pulled up into a high ponytail this morning.

"I suppose that's true," the younger woman Dana mused, still pouting. "Still..."

"Don't worry," Crisner said, propping herself against the doorframe with folded arms. "In another month's time, I'm sure she won't even recognize her own body anymore. Come on in, eat; Breakfast is served," the dark-skinned woman instructed, turning back into what apparently was the dining room.

"Yes," Dana agreed, grabbing at Cagalli's hand again and dragging her forward. "You must eat something. Anything you would like."

"What I would like," Cagalli snapped, jerking her hand free and glaring at the blonde, "is to go home. Now,"

"Oh, that won't do," Dana responded, waving a hand airily and taking one of the six chairs surrounding the rectangular table with its many dishes and bowls. "You just got arrived, and we haven't had a chance to enjoy a proper talk yet. It really is a shame it took you so long to get here. I have to leave today, you see, but I'll be back within a week's time. You can wait here in the meantime."

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Cagalli demanded. "You---you---you kidnap me and then assume I'll just sit around and twiddle my thumbs!"

"There's no need to get testy," Dana replied with a small frown. "Sit. You must be hungry. Jacen tells me the only thing you ate yesterday was a bowl of curry. Surely that can't be enough. Now, what would you like to eat? Eggs? Pancakes? Waffles? How about some fresh fruit? Or maybe you'd prefer fish in the morning?"

Cagalli stared, disbelieving.

Then, she turned on heel and stalked out.

"What--where are you going?" Dana cried as she scrambled out of her chair.

"You're on an island!" Crisner called after her calmly. "How far do you think you'll get? Especially on an empty stomach?"

Cagalli paused, hand on the door handle. Then, steeling her shoulders, she wrenched the door open and took her first step towards freedom.

"You can't leave!" Dana objected wildly, flying after her, clutching her arm and attempting to drag her back into the house. "You just got here!"

"I knew you were just as stubborn as your daddy," Crisner muttered, freezing Cagalli more thoroughly than the other woman's tantrum could. "Willing to risk your own babies' safety for your pride."

Shaking with icy anger, Cagalli turned on her. "How dare you speak of my father like that? My father died to uphold the beliefs of my country, and you--"

"I'm not speaking about your papa," Crisner interrupted, stepping into the foyer, arms crossed as she watched the shorter blonde glaring at her. "You're papa was a good man. He must've been to help your mama out and take you in like he did, but your daddy?" The doctor shook her head disgustedly.

Cagalli found herself looking at the older woman reassessing. "You... you mean my... Ulen Hibiki?"

"Your daddy," Crisner nodded. "Your biological father? One of the people who're responsible for you being here? Yes," she concluded, turning back towards the dining room dismissively.

Dana tugged at Cagalli's arm again, and, despite herself, Cagalli found herself being allowed to be led back into the dining room.

"You knew him?" she asked carefully. "Them?"

"Eat something before your ride gets here," Crisner directed, pushing a plate of toast across the table towards Dana, ignoring Cagalli. "I swear you get skinnier and skinnier each time I see you."

"I don't have much time," Dana began to protest, eying Cagalli warily, but Cagalli wasn't looking away from the middle aged woman who'd resumed her seat and was busy buttering toast for herself.

"You have time enough for a piece of toast," Crisner returned, shooting Cagalli a look as well. "You," she called, picking up a bottle next to her plate. "Here, drink this. It's another nutrient drink."

"Where are you leaving for?" Cagalli tried to ask casually as she took the tiny bottle, giving it a distasteful look.

"Don't worry about it none," Crisner told her. "Just drink."

"Work," Dana replied blithely, sliding into one of the chairs again and taking the buttered toast Crisner handed her. "It's a bother, having to travel so much, but what can you do?" she asked dramatically, waving her toast around instead of eating it. And then she perked up. "Oh! They're here!"

"Eat!" Crisner barked at her as the young woman dropped her toast and tried to dart out of the room.

"Yes, yes," she called back. "I'll eat something on the way!"

"Wait a minute!" Cagalli shouted, starting to stand. "You can't just--"

"Oh, don't worry," Dana said, turning at the door and racing back to embracing her. "I haven't forgotten you, my dear, darling Cagalli! Please make yourself comfortable while I'm away. After all, my home is your home. I'll try to finish my business up as soon as possible so we can have that little chat, all right?"

The other woman kissed her cheek and then released her, ducking out the front door and climbing into a waiting helicopter while Cagalli reeled from shock. It was already pulling off the ground when she broke free from her paralysis and ran outside.

"Wait a minute!" Cagalli called after the retreating vehicle. "Where the hell do you think you're going! You can't just keep me here!"

She screamed out her frustration as it flew away.

"Don't get upset. It's bad for the little ones."

Cagalli whirled around, chest heaving, fists clenched at her sides and only years of political training saved her from clawing out the good doctor's throat with her bare hands.

"I was forcibly taken from my home," she began, stalking back towards the house, "drugged into unconsciousness, repetitively. Some... crazy... psycho brat tells me to make myself comfortable in her home while she's off gods-only-know where, doing who-cares what while my husband and country have no idea where I am or if I'm safe, and you're telling me not to get upset?"

She ended on a shout, glowering at the woman.

"And to drink your nutrient drink," Crisner added calmly, dipping her chin towards the bottle Cagalli still somehow was holding. "I understand you want to get home and get back to your busy as all-get-out schedule, but just consider this a little imposed sort of vacation. Really. It makes all our lives much easier if Dana's happy."

Cagalli growled, and then quickly uncapped the nutrient drink and shot it in one swallow, trying not to gag as it went down. Why couldn't they make things that were good for you taste good, too?

"I can't just stay here," she said after several forced breaths. "I need to get back--"

"Yes, yes, I'm sure," the doctor agreed, leading the way back into the dining room. "Just as I'm equally sure that that county of yours won't fall to ruin if you aren't there for a few days."

"No one knows where I am!" she protested.

"So give them a call," Crisner returned negligently. "Tell them you're all right and will be back with them in a week or two."

"A week or two!"

"Didn't I tell you to calm down?"

"I think I'm going to be sick."

"Sit down and try to eat something. I told you last night that supplement isn't a replacement for food. You're body's already under a lot of stress right now. No sense in you adding to it."

"Then let me go," Cagalli asked. "Surely there's a boat or something I can take---I got here somehow."

"The boat's left already," Crisner answered, "and you just saw the helicopter go, so you'll just have to wait. Do you mind if I turn the screen on?" she asked even as she reached for the remote and figured the entertainment center into life.

Whatever Cagalli had been about to reply dissolved when the easy-going voice of her husband sounded, and Cagalli's head whipped around as her eyes greedily drank up the image of Athrun smiling friendly-like at the cameras.

"As one of the few people who were invited to the private ceremony," he was saying, and with shocking realization, Cagalli realized she was watching the press conference they were supposed to have together. Topaz eyes darted down to the bottom of the screen that scrolled across the local date and time.

"Nice dress," Crisner commented when the wedding footage was played, but otherwise, the woman remained quiet as Cagalli ate in the press conference. Only when the coverage broke for intermission did she dare try to talk to the young woman again.

"You know," she offered mildly. "I believe Dana keeps a communications console set up in the library." She stood and stretched. "I'm going to go for a walk along the beach. It's been a while since I've been home. Would you like to come?"

Cagalli blinked at her, mind processing. "No, thank you."

Crisner shrugged. "That's fine. Just make sure you eat something, hmm?" she concluded walking out easily.

A minute later, the front door opened and closed. Cagalli forced herself to remain seating for another full minute, hands fisted on the table as she counted the seconds.

Could she trust the older woman? She hadn't done anything yet to really harm her, but she hadn't exactly helped her either, had she?

Forcing herself to display a calmness she nowhere near felt, Cagalli stood from the table and exited the dining room. There, not even three meters away, was the door to the outside world. To her right, the stairs she'd come down, and to her left, another room. She could leave now and see how far away she could get.... or she could take a chance that there was a fully functional communications console she could use to contact Athrun. She wouldn't be able to tell him where she was, but...

She turned left.

82 EC, April 5, Orb Union Parliament House Press Room

The rustle and murmurings of a large gathering of people penetrated even the thickness of the heavy curtain that blocked his view of the assembly. Which, judging from the green around the gills expression he was currently wearing, was a very good thing. His palms were sweating profusely, his breathing shallow, and his eyes gleamed with that sheen of panic that could only be understood by someone who has had experience with stage fright.

Rumi Zandus was very experienced.

"Here, drink this," she commanded, forcing a water bottle into his clammy hand. "And relax. They won't actually pull a gun and try to shoot you."

"I would prefer it if they did," Athrun breathed. "At least then I would be able to act."

"You remind me of Cagalli-sama when she first started having to address the press like this," Zandus remarked fondly, fussing with the formal High General's uniform they had finally decided on. A much better choice than the Council's royals. The white accented his hair and eyes much better than the eggplant purple did. "She was always nervous until she found her rhythm. You will, too, Athrun-sama. You're already one step ahead--the press likes you. Just keep smiling and talk in that easy-like style you always use when you address them, and they'll lap it up."

"Are you sure we couldn't postpone?" he hedged.

"Don't wimp out on us now," she snapped, tugging on his collar. "How'd you make it through two wars with that kind of attitude anyway?"

His shoulders and expression hardened almost immediately, and she was treated to an up and personal look at the man who had stood at the head of Orb's council for the last two days.

"War is different," he said shortly.

"Not that different," Zandus replied. "It's not enemies that are out there, no, but... More like hostile-friendlies or friendly-hostiles, depending on how you look at it."

He blinked, startling out of his stone-faced stiffness. "I... I've never thought of it like that before," he admitted wonderingly.

"Neither had I," Zandus confessed. "But that's how Cagalli-sama once described it, and it seemed to help her relax. You know, I used to like you. Used to think you were good for Cagalli-sama, someone her own age who she could be friends with, be a young person with without having to constantly think about her duties as head of state."

"You don't like me anymore?" he asked, half-teasing but also serious.

"I don't know," the older woman replied. "I guess that depends on how much of a mess you leave me with after today. Now, you remember the angle we're playing up today?"

"The truth?" he offered with a smile, amused smile.

"Well, of course it's the truth," Zandus snapped, "but make sure you spin it just right. Many of the Press are already secretly for the two of you, so they'll be ready to eat this all up with their bare hands, but a little sugar coating on the spoon doesn't hurt either."

"Zala-sama? Zandus-sama? We're ready to begin," one of the secretaries announced softly.

"Good. Now, are you ready?" Zandus asked, giving Athrun's uniform one last critical check.

"No."

"Too bad. Go out there and have fun!"

"Fun, right," he muttered as he approached the side entrance.

There was a flurry of flashbulbs as Athrun stepped out from concealment and approached the podium; an excited buzz as dozens of voices began muttering into microphones and recorders. He nodded in greeting and smiled, waiting a handful of heartbeats until the majority had settled down again.

"Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," he began his voice even and pleasant. "On behalf of the Orb Union Government and the royal Athha House, I would like to thank you all for attending today's press conference. We will attempt to answer as many questions as best as possible within the allotted time frame.

"First, I regret to inform you that due to unforeseen circumstances, Cagalli Athha herself will not be attending today." Before they could raise an unholy uproar he added, "Instead, her husband has agreed to come forward and answer your questions in her stead."

"Where is she?" one brave reporter managed to fire off first. "Why isn't she here today? Is her absence due to complications with the pregnancy?"

"No," Athrun answered quickly. "I'm unable to disclose her location at this moment; however, I can tell you that at her last health check, she was pronounced healthy and thriving."

"Zala-sama, did you know beforehand that Athha-sama was married?" another reporter managed to ask next and Athrun turned to look at her gratefully.

"As one of the very few people who were invited to the private ceremony," he began, smiling, "yes, I was."

That caused a tidal wave of more questions in the direction he was prepared to answer. "What are your impressions of Athha-sama's husband? When were they married? How would you describe your relationship with Athha-sama's husband? Is there any rivalry between you? What of the rumors of romantic involvement between you and Athha-sama?"

He held up his hands placating, all the while smiling and fighting off a small amused laugh. "Please," he said calmly, "I understand you all have questions, but please allow me time to answer some of them.

"Now, I must say that Cagalli was the loveliest bride I've ever had the pleasure of seeing, and no, she's not paying me to say that." He allowed the tinkling of laughter at the allusion to an old rumor. No one really believed Cagalli paid him for his time and attention anymore. Or, at least he hoped.

"She'll be married for three years come this summer," he continued easily, "and although the ceremony was private, we have managed to procure some video of the union to share with you. If you will all just look this way," he directed as a screen scrolled down from the side wall.

The buzzing of excited voices grew louder as everyone shifted and turned to face the wall. The lights dimmed and the people rustled anxiously, trying to be quiet.

Athrun was anxious as well. Although he had had a talk with his brother-in-law about hidden cameras when he'd learned of the video footage--especially after Lacus had promised to send him the "other" videos later--he was grateful to have something more to remember his wedding day by than memory and one photograph.

Still... This was it, finally. This was the day when he and Cagalli were finally going to stop pretending to the entire world, and---dammit! She should be here for this! He shouldn't have to be doing this by himself!

There was an excited outburst from the group as the video began. There was no sound to the original feed, but someone had taken the liberty of overlaying a bit of classical music over the footage. He recognized the simple stringed tones of Pachabel's Cannon instantly, and couldn't help but think it a fitting piece to accompany a simple yet elegant ceremony.

Although the video wasn't of the highest quality, it was still all too easy to determine the identity of four of the five figures--they were all high-profile persons, even quiet and unassuming Kira. He knew immediately when the first person pinned his role in the ceremony, but he maintained his fixed gaze on the screen. The video ended just as he and Cagalli were leaning in towards their first kiss as husband and wife.

He turned back to the salivating reporters, and didn't even have a chance to say a word before they began firing off frenzied questions. So quickly, he couldn't even understand the raised voices beating against him.

"Please!" he called out again. "I will try to answer your questions, but we must have some order. Please understand I can't or won't answer everyone's' questions, but I will do my best to leave you all somewhat satisfied.

"As I said before, it was my extreme pleasure to be one of the few people invited to the wedding, and you've just seen why."

"Will you confirm the identity of the other attendees?"

Athrun nodded, grateful for an easy first question. "In addition to the local priest who proceeded over the ceremony, the union was witnessed and signed by Special Forces Commander General Yamato and his wife, Lacus Klein." He smiled. "After his rather eventful protest at her last attempted wedding, we both felt it would be prudent to include General Yamato in the actual ceremony."

"How did you propose?"

"Actually, I didn't," he recalled fondly. "She proposed the idea first and after proper time and consideration, I agreed."

"You didn't want to marry her?"

"I have never wanted anything more," he returned. "But there were other matters to be taken into consideration."

"Would you say that your marriage is a love match, then?"

"It most certainly wasn't a political match," he answered, earning a few chuckles. "But yes. Although it took us a while to get here, it most certainly was and is a love match."

"If it really is a love match, why the secrecy? Why did you actively lie to the public about the nature of your relationship? Don't you feel as if you've betrayed the people of Orb by hiding something so grand?"

"Cagalli and I chose to withhold the whole truth from the public for the simple reason that it allowed us more freedom to enjoy each other's company than we would have had had it been known we were also romantically involved.

"While we did maintain a secret, we did not actively lie to the public. Cagalli and I remain as close and personal of friends now as we have ever been in the years preceding our marriage. The fact that she is also my wife does not negate the fact that she is also one of my most trusted friends."

"Now that you've returned from Plant, what role do you plan to play in Orb?"

"I am looking most forward to being a husband and father; however, I will continue to do my best to serve Orb and her people."

"Do you think that the fact that you are the son of former Plant Chairman Patrick Zala, your marriage will cause tension between Orb and the Earth Alliance?"

"The Earth Alliance has other matters to be concerned about right now."

"Zala-sama, where are the rings?"

Athrun started, and then grinned again as he reached into his collar and pulled at the delicate golden chain Cagalli had given him, revealing the platinum wedding band that dangled from it. He released it and let it lay exposed against his chest. "Cagalli wears her rings on a similar chain," he explained.

"Why did you decide to finally reveal the fact that you're married?"

"Despite it being unplanned, we discovered that we're about to become a family, and although immaculate conception was suggested as a possible explanation--especially considering how extended our schedules can be, we both agreed that we wanted to provide as normal a family life for our children as possible."

"Can you confirm than, for a fact, that you're the father of Athha-sama's baby?"

"Yes. Next question?"

"Is the baby the reason you decided to resign your commission as Representative in Plant?"

"Not the reason, but the deciding factor, yes. I had already been making small moves to prepare someone else to step in as Orb's Representative in Plant."

"You accepted the commission to Plant two years ago, after you and Athha-sama had married. Why did you choose to leave your wife and return to space?"

"At the time, relations between Plant and Orb were deteriorating. I accepted the commission in an effort to mend the fences that were falling apart due to careless negligence. As stated in previous interviews, it was never my intention to remain in Plant and away from my wife and home for so long."

"You would call Orb your home, then?"

"Yes."

"As a former Zaft-soldier, is there a conflict of interests for you now that you're married to the Representative of Orb?"

"No. I can not change the past. I cannot change the fact that I was born on Plant, that I was an enlisted member of Zaft. And although I fought with Zaft in both wars, my loyalty remains to my wife and to Orb.

"Plant will always be special to me as the place where my parents lived and are buried, but my home is here in Orb. Orb is where my wife is, and Orb is where we will raise our children."

"What will your marriage mean for future relations between Orb and Plant?"

"I would hope that we can maintain peaceful relations with all our fellow governments, working together for a peaceful future."

"Zala-sama, please tell us the status of the baby. Do you know the sex of the baby yet?"

"Whether a boy or a girl, our main concern is that our child is healthy and happy," he answered.

"Which would you prefer?"

"I haven't decided. I'm told there are both boons and drawbacks to either, so I think I will just enjoy the experience and opportunity to be a father for what it is, regardless of whether we have a daughter or a son."

"How do you think becoming parents will affect your performance as Orb representatives?"

"No more than it should affect any other parent's work status. Our job is to ensure that Orb is safe; now we have even more reason to want to maintain that peace: For our children."

"This will represent the first coordinated pregnancy for any royal family. How do you think this will affect the future of the Orb Union?"

"The Shahaku royal family of Orb was actually the first to choose to have a coordinated pregnancy nearly three decades ago," Athrun corrected. "However, to answer your question, I should hope that ultimately it will not matter. The Orb Union has long maintained the posture of accepting coordinators as what they are--humans. The fact that our genes have been modified does not make a coordinator any less human, any less natural. If it did, then coordinators and naturals would not be able to coexist, and my wife and I are a living example that we can and do."

"Zala-sama, do you really believe--"

"Excuse me, Zala-sama," Zandus broke in. "Time's up. Ladies and gentlemen, if you'll proceed into the adjoining room, the Prime Minister will be available to answer questions in just a few moments..."

Athrun thought he couldn't have been more grateful than when he allowed his new security detail to escort him away. When he returned to the relative privacy of his new office and answered his ringing phone, he realized just how more grateful he could be.

****

Finished May 25, 2006

On to [Chapter Five]