Gundam SEED Fan Fiction / Gundam Seed Destiny Fan Fiction ❯ Infinite Eternity ❯ The Past and The Future ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Mobile Suit Gundam Seed or Destiny

 

AN: No worries I haven't given up on this story. Nope No way, but I will tell you it took me five times of re-writing this chapter to get it right and back on track. That's a total of 56 pages just incase you wanted to know. Anyways please enjoy and once again if someone wants to Beta this story I'd appreciate it. My E-mail is in my profile, which I have to change someday. I haven't changed it in like six years. Amazing how much we grow in such a short time.

 

Chapter Two: The Past and the Future

 

Athrun was furious. The Minerva had arrived in Gibraltar and Cagalli had immediately been moved to the militaries medical center. Kira was with her but his situation was shaky at best, and it was only by the grace of Chairman Durandal and his diplomatic immunity as Cagalli's brother that allowed him to remain by Cagalli's side. The Chairman had given him leave until Cagalli's condition improved. The Chairman was making all the right moves and saying all the right things, but as he looked on Destiny and Legend and thought about the Chairman's call of arms against Logos, he could feel the lies. There was something just too perfect about how well placed and timed the Chairman's actions all were. More then that, why would the Chairman want to destroy the Archangel and the Freedom when they had fought for nothing more than peace in the Bloody Valentine War? It had been the Freedom that had destroyed that thing in Russia. The Chairman had lied and said it was Shinn in the Impulse. When he had twisted Cagalli's words about power inviting actions he knew that Cagalli and Kira were right, but he still didn't understand anything.

 

*We're all like that! No body understands, and the people who think they do are just kidding themselves. So stop looking so down and…*

 

Startled by the memory he sat back eyeing the sleeping figure on the bed. Her words slowly opened something up inside of him, something he had been running from. It was okay to not understand and it was okay not to know everything, because if you had a purpose than none of that mattered. He didn't have to be the best or have all the answers, it was okay not to. It was okay not to understand what had happened with his father. It was alright, because his father was his father and he was simply Athrun.

 

*What we want to do, what we can do, what we have got to do, it's the same for everyone…*

 

“You knew it all along didn't you Cagalli, even if you didn't understand yourself…” Athrun whispered.

 

*Sure sometimes it seems pointless just going out to fight, but with everything that's going on now we got to.*

 

“Athrun?” Kira asked frowning as he watched his friend.

 

“I'm sorry.” Athrun looked up from her peaceful face and stared at his friend. “I'm so sorry I didn't understand sooner.”

 

“Um… that's okay but what didn't you understand?” Kira asked frowning. “Is this about Cagalli?”

 

“Sort of but not really…” Athrun frowned thoughtfully. “Chairman Durandal is sending us to the PLANTs. He's saying that Cagalli should be in a more controlled environment so that she doesn't relapse or get an infection.”

 

“I'm still mad at you about that and frustrated with Cagalli too!” Kira told him quietly. “I mean how could you have been so stupid!? This is going to be so hard on Cagalli and on you too, and this is not the time…”

 

“I know all that Kira, but there isn't anything any of us can do. We can't turn back time; we can't stop something from happening when it's already happened.” Athrun snapped and gritted his teeth. “No matter how hard we try, no matter how hard we fight. We can't ever bring them back…”

 

“Athrun.” Kira stared at him quietly.

 

“We want to. We want to change everything, but the simple truth is we can't.” Athrun glared at nothing. “It doesn't matter how strong we are or who we are we just can't… but that's okay.”

 

“We don't have to change anything,” Kira agreed. “We just keep moving forward and hope we're making the right decisions. The past is in the past. This is now. This is our present and it's still worth fighting for.”

 

“You both… are such… idiots!” Cagalli muttered weakly from the bed, and eyed them tiredly. “It certainly took you long enough.”

 

“And who was about to marry who!” Kira commented wryly.

 

“That was then Jackass, this is now!” Cagalli snapped. “We're all stupid, and if you tell Kisaka I said that I'll make sure Myrna doesn't make you anymore cookies!”

 

“Cagalli are you alright?” Kira asked before Athrun could say anything.

 

“No I'm not! Idiot! How many times do I have to tell you that?” Cagalli muttered.

 

“Until you give me the honest answer I want.” Kira replied calmly.

 

“You… oh forget it.” Cagalli sighed. “I'm going back to sleep.”

 

“You can't run from it forever.” Athrun whispered.

 

“Oh look who's talking… Alex Dino! I'm not running.” Cagalli glared at him but her eyes trembled. “But… right now isn't the time. I'll deal with it later, just like I did with my father and ORB.”

 

“Don't mind him he's just worried.” Kira reached over and gently ruffled her hair. “Go ahead and sleep, you need to rest to get better. Your on some pretty strong drugs.”

 

“I hate doctors…” Cagalli muttered, closing her eyes and letting herself drift.

 

Right now she couldn't deal with their loss, if she did she would fall apart, and right now the world and ORB needed her. Before when she had lost her father it had been the pressing issues of the war and stopping this continual bloody massacre that the world called war. She had lost so much that day, but this time, this time it went just as deep. She couldn't think about it or let it get at her, not until she could do so without the situation deteriorating further. This wasn't the time and that was all there was to it, but that didn't stop her from still hurting or wanting to cry. She wasn't weak or strong, she was simply doing what she could do. She was Cagalli and she would do what she had to do for now…

 

“How's she doing?”

 

“Captain Gladys!” Athrun half rose staring at her.

 

“It's alright,” Gladys waved her hand toward his seat. “I need to talk to you both… and I would like to know how she's doing.”

 

“Isn't that foolish seeing as she was your enemy?” Kira demanded, eyeing her coldly.

 

“Kira!” Athrun whispered harshly.

 

“No he's right, but before she was my enemy she was someone I came to respect.” Gladys stated pointedly. “It's not easy being only eighteen and running and rebuilding your own nation. On top of that she staid with us when she could have left with the Chairman to the Voltaire at the drop of Junius 7. At the time I thought she was being foolish and reckless, especially with her being in office, but now I think I understand a bit of her decision.”

 

“She wouldn't have abandoned Orb or Athrun like that.” Kira nodded eyeing her carefully.

 

“Yes that's right.” Gladys smiled. “Had it been me in that situation I don't think I could have done less. Representative Athha has a very large burden on her shoulders for one so young. She is only eighteen, and yet for her, she is responsible for all of those who have chosen to live in ORB and follow their ideals. It must have been a tremendous blow when the Cabinet went against her wishes and joined the Alliance.”

 

“It nearly destroyed her…” Kira whispered. “It left her open for manipulation and the Seirans took the opportunity and seized control of ORB. She was so damn mixed up! I hated seeing her like that.”

 

“Is that why she agreed to the marriage in the first place?” Athrun demanded. “How could she be so…”

 

“Don't you dare call her weak Athrun.” Kira stated with absolute calm, his eyes though were dark with anger and pain. “Cagalli's a lot of things, but that isn't one of them, and she's not stupid either. What could she do Athrun? She was being pushed and pulled and told her ideals and thoughts didn't matter and to stop being a child. They mocked her and made a fool of her for standing up for what her father believed in, what did you think would happen. Maybe I should have helped, but by the time I realized Cagalli was suffering those Specials attacked Lacus and I had to fly the Freedom again. Something I had hoped I'd never have to do again. I only realized what was happening with Cagalli because Myrna came to our home and delivered a letter and your ring.”

 

“What?” Athrun blinked.

 

“It had tear stains all over it. Don't think for one moment that that decision was easy for her.” Kira glared at him. “I told you before, if you blame Cagalli and ORB for all of this…”

 

“Well that's a foolish thing to say.” Gladys stated after watching the two argue a bit. “How could one girl and one who was so easily overpowered be the cause of an entire war? ORB did not start this but unfortunately they have become a part of it.”

 

“I agree.” Athrun stated quietly.

 

“I think I understand now, but it doesn't change anything, unfortunately.” Gladys frowned. “There is still so much we just don't understand.”

 

“It's alright; you don't have to understand everything. Cagalli told me once that no one understands and those who think they do are kidding themselves. I didn't understand then but I do now.” Athrun smiled at the quiet pale figure. “If we all understood, then why would we be fighting at all? Why would there be war?”

 

“Representative Athha is a very smart girl, and wise too it would seem.” Gladys gave them a tired smile. “Your transport will be leaving in just under an hour. You will be staying with Ezalia Joule and her son Captain Yzak Joule whom has been given temporary leave as well as his wing Dearka Elsman.”

 

“Yzak and Dearka?” Athrun frowned. “But why them, I still have…”

 

“You do, but as Mr. Yamato has stated both he and Cagalli were once viewed as enemies, and despite her previous place in the last war, Lady Joule is if nothing else, completely loyal to PLANT.” Captain Gladys bowed slightly. “Could you tell Miss Cagalli that it has been an honor knowing her and that… I hope she gets well soon? Her suffering is something I am… familiar with. Good day gentleman and have a safe journey.”

 

“You know, I can see why Cagalli likes her.” Kira stated as he stared at the empty space the woman had stood. “But I can also see why she said she was blind.”

 

“Cagalli said that?” Athrun stared.

 

“Well she knew Natarle too, though not as well as I did. I think Natarle and Gladys are the same in a lot of ways, and Cagalli picked up on it.” Kira sighed. “Once she was able to see things more clearly she started actually being Cagalli again. I was really worried, especially after Crete.”

 

“You said she was crying.” Athrun muttered, looking away.

 

“Yeah, she cried a lot. She didn't want any of this to happen but she couldn't stop it either. I think what was really frustrating for her was the fact that she was in a position where she should have been able to stop it.” Kira glared at nothing. “I know some of what was happening after you left from the times Kisaka managed to contact us, but most of what I know are from the security feeds. There's a lot that went on that Cagalli didn't even know about.”

 

“Kira?”

 

“The betrothal to Yuna was real, but I think Mr. Uzumi abolished it. Mostly the marriage was a ploy to secure their leadership in ORB. They used Cagalli's father against her, and told her that if she kept being foolish then ORB would burn again.” Kira glared and his hands fisted. “They made her appear like this silly little spoiled girl who had no idea what she was doing! Look at everything she accomplished for ORB when she took up position as Chief Representative! Things were getting done and in only two years one and half since she came to office, ORB was rebuilt and stable! That was her doing!”

 

“Excuse me sirs, but it's time to transfer you to the shuttle.” A medic interrupted. “And you should be quieter if you insist on being beside her. Lady Athha may not be in critical condition but she's still very weak and needs rest to heal.”

 

“Yes ma'am.” Athrun nodded and stepped back from the bed.

 

“Too late.” Cagalli growled. “I was almost asleep too.”

 

“Well that's alright, I would have had to wake you up anyhow. Let's get the gentleman out of the room so we can get you dressed and ready. Can't have you going out like this can we?” The medic huffed and gestured for the boys to leave as she helped Cagalli sit up and stand.

 

Cagalli hissed in pain as her wounds stretched against the sutures. “I'll be so glad when this is over.”

 

“A lot of the reason you're so weak right now was because you haven't been taking care of yourself. You've lost weight and been badly stressed, and your weakness now is an expression of that.” The medic scolded. “The hypothermia stressed your body and lowered your immune system but this weakness is because you were a little over nine weeks pregnant and not eating or sleeping properly. Here raise your arms carefully.”

 

“I hate dresses,” Cagalli muttered eyeing the green slip gown with disgust.

 

“Yes well this will be televised world wide so the Chairman had this brought and stated that you were to be made presentable.” The medic replied simply. “Now let me finishing cleaning and changing your bandages. You're not hurt badly but some of these cuts are deep.”

 

“Well I'm just lucky to be alive,” Cagalli muttered. “My cockpit practically exploded on me. I'm still surprised I managed to get to the surface with Kira.”

 

“Do you know what compromised your cockpit so badly?” The medic asked frowning.

 

“No, I know it was an explosion but that's all I know.” Cagalli sighed.

 

“Alright now let's get this dress on you.”

 

“Can't I wear something else?”

 

“No, now up!”

 

Cagalli huffed but reluctantly raised her arms over her head and let the woman tug the silky gown over her head. The medic quickly adjusted the gown and ran a brush through Cagalli's hair before letting the boys back in.

 

“You know it never ceases to surprise me when you dress up like a girl.” Kira teased.

 

“Oh shut up.” Cagalli glared, her body trembling with exhaustion. “I'm not going in that.”

 

“Now Miss Athha…”

 

“No.”

 

“Cagalli…”

 

“No.”

 

“Fine,” Athrun sighed and moved forward and swept her into his arms before anyone could say anything. “Let's go.”

 

“Athrun?” Cagalli blushed and buried her face in his neck.

 

“Well you won't use the chair and we'll miss our launch window if we're late, now let's go.” Athrun stated once again.

 

“You two really do look like a Princess and her Knight.” Kira chuckled, “I wish Mr. Waltfeld was here!”

 

“I don't.” Athrun glared at his friend.

 

The medic chose not to comment and quickly moved to adjust Cagalli's arm and IV. She walked beside him as he carried Cagalli from the room and out to the van that would take them to the Space Port. The ride was mostly silent and the medic was surprised by how much these three could say without saying a word. Representative Cagalli did indeed look like a princess in her knights arms, despite how pale and frail she looked. There was something fierce and strong but so very uncertain in her mannerisms, and both Zala and Yamato where utterly protective of the young woman. The Chairman had asked her to keep an eye on them and asses what they were thinking, but honestly the only thing she could read from them was confusion, pride, and an almost vicious will to protect Representative Athha. All three were utterly loyal to each other.

 

As they stepped out of the van with Athrun holding Cagalli tightly, and Cagalli resting almost peacefully in his arms they were greeted by the Chairman and the many flashes from News Cameras. Kira stood on Athrun's right while the medic held the IVjust behind the protective duo. The picture the news captured and the one that would run through the world and the PLANTs was one of a strong young man, fiercely loyal to the woman in his arms and his friend just as strong and loyal at his side. Cagalli herself was amazing in her soft green slip gown that shimmered and flowed with the afternoon breeze. Her head was resting on Athrun's shoulder with absolute trust and despite the bandages and the brace on her right wrist, there was something strong in how she trusted and let herself be held. All in all it was a stunning presence to behold let alone witness first hand.

 

“Princess Cagalli I would like to offer my deepest condolences for your's and Commander Zala's loss. Nothing can express my sorrow for the pain you both must be suffering right now.” Chairman Durandal bowed deeply before them.

 

“Then do you care to explain why you attacked the Archangel when she was doing nothing to attack? She was running, and trying to return me to ORB. Until you can tell me that with a reasonable explanation then I will accept your Condolences.” Cagalli looked up from Athrun's shoulder, her voice strong and her eyes a fierce gold. “The Archangel was and will always be a ship who fights for peace. She does not a have any single nation, like the Eternal, and her sole purpose is to protect peace and prevent this world from destroying itself. Yes she entered battle again, but she did not simply attack ZAFT or the Alliance forces. She fought against both to stop a stupid battle that would create innocent sacrifices. So tell me why attack her? Why destroy the Freedom when it was the Freedom that stopped the Destroy in Berlin? I accept your concern for my welfare and your desire to see a peaceful world, but I'll not tolerate lies and half truths! Not when that is what has brought all of us to this point!”

 

The Chairman and everyone present stared at Cagalli stunned; even Kira and Athrun were startled. She was calling the Chairman on his actions openly and backing him into a political corner.

 

“Princess Cagalli…” The Chairman began.

 

“I have asked you repeatedly to call me Representative Cagalli. I am a princess, but more than that, I am the Chief Representative of ORB. My nation and my people are my responsibility as the PLANTs are yours.” Cagalli told him carefully. “I may not be with my country right now, or even approve of the moves the Cabinet have made, but that doesn't lessen the fact that the people of ORB are mine to protect and aid however I can. I have lost something dear, and it's a pain I haven't felt since both my father and ORB went down in flames for the ideals of my nation. To lose someone and to see so many die whom you are responsible for is not something you can easily cast aside, if you can do that then you have no place ruling a nation or leading a people. Tell me Chairman do you care anything for those who give their lives for your orders? Or are you worried about public opinion?”

 

“Cagalli…” Athrun whispered.

 

“I will deal with what I've told you and revealed to the public as I have to, but I will stand by what I'm saying. You are a powerful man Chairman Durandal and you play a very ruthless game, but I fear that is all you are doing. The world and the PLANTs are not your pawns and knights. Your campaign against LOGOs is a good one, but where does that leave the world? You have turned the world into chaos and I'm not foolish enough not to see who is leading the world right now. A lot of those people were incredibly influential and I have no doubt that what they did is wrong, but instead of seeking justice from their respective nations you have created riots and chaos and I can see only you gaining power from the ensuing chaos. What I see now is achaos that broke out when Blue Cosmos began the bloody Valentine, and they were nothing but a terrorist group that murdered innocents, but you know I hold you as the same for all of this.” Cagalli gasped and trembled but glared fiercely at the Chairman. “There is a lot you have to answer for Chairman, and call me an Idiot if you want too but I won't trust you or your intentions and condolences until you answer for them. I don't like how you're trying to dictate and delegate the situations around you with only half truths. Maybe it wasn't you who tried to get the real Lacus killed but I don't think anyone else could have ordered or let a group of ZAFT specials slip by to attack her in ORB.”

 

“What?” the Chairman stared at her.

 

“Sirs the Shuttle is ready and we are window is open. We should get the Representative and her escort onboard.” The Captain of the shuttle commented calmly, calmly interrupting the situation.

 

“I see, very well then. I'm sorry you feel that way Princess… I truly hope you get well…” The Chairman bowed again and stepped aside.

 

Cagalli was panting slightly and Athrun could feel her body tremble in his grip, but he knew she had had to say something. He too had wanted to, but his training had interfered and he had still been confused and angry when he was in the hangar with Shinn. They walked onto the shuttle and he laid Cagalli on the cot that had been prepped for her arrival. He sat in the seat beside her while Kira took the other one. The medic left and was replaced by another and then they lifted off. Cagalli was given a sedative to help relieve the strain her confrontation with the Chairman had caused.

 

“I didn't think she would do that.” Kira whispered softly.

 

“…” Athrun sighed. “It was the only way she could have said what she wanted to… we should have known she would do that. She is Cagalli after all.”

 

“Yeah,” Kira frowned. “You're right; she's always been more of act first think about the consequences later.”

 

“She wouldn't be Cagalli anyway else.” Athrun smiled tiredly and rested his head back, closing his eyes and letting this thoughts drift. Cagalli's words would have more consequences then she would know but she was right.

 

A couple hours later the ship docked and they were greeted by a furious Yzak and an angry frustrated Dearka.

 

“You know you all really don't know when to leave well enough alone!” Dearka sighed, running a hand through his hair.

 

“Huh oh...” Kira blinked.

 

“What the HELL was she thinking!?” Yzak snarled.

 

“She was thinking that our children are DEAD!” Athrun snarled softly. “I stand by what she said!”

 

“Damnit, I know that…” Yzak gritted his teeth. “but now it's obvious she doesn't stand by the Chairman's and the PLANTs side.”

 

“Look we're sorry,” Dearka muttered. “She just… how… she just made a mess of things, okay?”

 

“We knew that.” Kira stated tiredly. “Cagalli said what she said because she had to, and what she said was true, and she didn't say anything about not supporting the PLANTs only about the Chairman, someone will point that out eventually.”

 

“Well nothing will get done like this, and she isn't looking so good.” Dearka stated, eyeing the sleeping princess in Athrun's arms.

 

“She's exhausted, and with the confrontation with the Chairman and then the trip up here she really needs rest,” Kira sighed.

 

“Well then lets go, my mother is looking forward to meeting her,” Yzak growled.

 

“I'm not sure that's really a good thing,” Athrun smirked, though his body language said just how tired he was.

 

“Yeah well just be glad she backed him into a political corner where he can't openly lash out at her, and on top of that he can't just send troops into any given country either.” Yzak sneered. “Your princess is one vicious political player.”

 

“Nah, she just says what every one wants to say and doesn't stop until she gets what she wants.” Athrun gave a small grin. “You should have seen her when she first went into office.”

 

“No I really don't think I would.” Yzak growled. “You… We'll take it from here! Hand that IV to Lord Yamato!”

 

The medic practically yelped before doing as told and saluting.

 

“Have something of a reputation I see.” Kira commented as they got into the car.

 

“Oh he does, and it definitely has its advantages.” Dearka agreed.

 

“Shut up idiot!” Yzak snapped.

 

“I'm just sayin.” Dearka held up his hands.

 

“How is your mother Yzak?” Athrun asked frowning. “She's not still…?”

 

“No well…” Yzak focused on driving.

 

“She doesn't want to wipe all Naturals out but she still hates them.” Dearka answered for him. “Yzak is a lot better about all that but she really just can't get around the fact that Naturals aren't inferior.”

 

“Oh this will be pleasant then,” Kira groaned. “Of all things he could do.”

 

“Two bullheaded women with opposite points of view,” Dearka shuddered. “And we're the ones stuck with them.”

 

“Shut up! My mother is not that bad! Besides Athha is a political power,” Yzak snarled. “My mother will probably focus on that.”

 

“Yzak, I don't think that that's much better.” Athrun muttered. “This isn't going to be good.”

 

“And we have to make sure Cagalli rests,” Kira groaned. “She's hard enough to deal with when she was only insisting on seeing the world news!”

 

“She's under a sedative right now right?” Dearka asked as he looked back from the front seat to eye the green clad princess. “I woulda thought she'd be awake and raging against us by now. She's a real spitfire.”

 

“Yeah, they gave her a sedative,” Kira frowned. “I know it was necessary but I still don't like it. She needs to get better.”

 

“According her medical report she was malnourished and sleep deprived for a long time before getting injured.” Yzak commented frowning. “What the hell was she thinking?”

 

“She didn't know she was pregnant, on top of that, carrying a coordinator child requires a greater need for nutrition. So it wasn't entirely her eating habits, but she was under a great deal of…” Kira sighed. “The whole situation with ORB was hard on her, and the fact that she couldn't stop it when she should have been able to… She wasn't eating or sleeping, and after Crete…”

 

“That's another thing I want to know. Why was she so easily overpowered?” Yzak asked almost calmly.

 

“She's only eighteen Yzak,” Dearka reminded him. “A lot of those old bastards have been in office for more years then she's been alive. Plus I always got the impression that Cagalli hated politics. She's a lot like you, more of a do it and deal with the consequences later.”

 

“Elsman!” Yzak growled.

 

“He's right though,” Athrun chuckled, relaxing into the seat. “That's why so much got done after she came into office.”

 

“I heard about that, it seems our little princess really did some radical things!” Dearka grinned. “Other than running off and joining a resistance or piloting a sky grasper.”

 

Kira grinned. “That wasn't hardly anything, we didn't always pay attention to things landside in Heliopolis but she usually made the news about once a month. I'm really shocked I didn't recognize her sooner. Actually Sai and the others and I thought she was a boy.”

 

“You thought that she was what?” Dearka blinked. “Man you all are just idiots.”

 

“I did the same thing,” Athrun told him.

 

“Like I said, idiots.” Dearka shrugged.

 

“Shut up! We're here.” Yzak snapped as he pulled into the gate and entered his pass code.

 

“Cagalli's still out of it, and she's running a bit of a fever.” Athrun told them after double checking to see if she were awake.

 

“Well not the best impression we can make, but it'll have to do.” Dearka commented.

 

“Indeed it will, Dearka Elsman.” Ezalia Joule commented from the stairs leading to the large house. “So this is the Lioness of Orb that the news has been running since you left earth.”

 

“Yes, Lady Joule,” Athrun bowed his head and Kira bowed as well, while being careful with the IV. “This is Kira Yamato, the pilot of the freedom and a childhood friend of mine.”

 

“Yes, I've heard a great deal about you, Mr. Yamato.” Ezalia looked at them coolly. “Welcome to my home. I'm certain all of you are tired, Yzak it's good to have you home.”

 

“Thank you mother,” Yzak let her kiss his cheek before following her inside.

 

“I'll personally show you to your rooms. You all have separate rooms, of course but the room between the Representative Athha's and Yamato's shares a door.”

 

“Huh, thank you,” Kira blinked. “I appreciate it.”

 

“You Athrun have a lot to do to make up for your mistakes and you'll not go near her until you do!”

 

“Huh?” Athrun stared.

 

“But Cagalli…” Kira began.

 

“Cagalli has to deal with this now, before she can deal with what is happening, before the world forces her to deal with it.” Ezalia snapped coldly. “I don't like her, but she isn't a fool. Her announcement has placed the Chairman in an interesting predicament that he's currently trying to write off because of her `despair in loosing her children', but she placed some very hard facts in her little speech and now Nations and the people are questioning him. They will demand her to appear and stand by what she has said, and she must do so with a clear mind, and be able to prove her mind is clear of grief. I may not like Naturals and I certainly don't like Representative Athha but I dislike the Chairman even more.”

 

“Mrs. Joule?” Kira stared at the calm cool woman before him.

 

“I have no power anymore and I'm no longer on the supreme council but that does not mean I have ceased my activities in politics and government. Like you I am very suspicious of that man's actions.” Ezalia Joule took a deep breath. “I was wrong to blindly follow Patrick Zala as I did. I was a fool and I'll not have that from those around me let alone myself! I'll not follow so blindly without question again.”

 

“Yes ma'am.” Athrun bowed. “I'll stay away from Cagalli… your right, and I have my own grief to deal with…”

 

“Grief is something to be shared, Athrun.” Ezalia stated calmly. “I'm not telling you to avoid her, but I am telling you to leave her alone. She'll come to you when she needs you.”

 

“Thank you Lady Joule.” Athrun bowed again.

 

“Huh, Oh yes, Thank you, and thank you too on behalf of my sister Cagalli.” Kira bowed as well.

 

“I'd like to say your welcome, but we'll simply have to see won't we. For now here are your rooms, rest while you can. I'll have your dinners brought to you, and breakfast is at eight our time.” Ezalia stated calmly. “Yzak Dearka I'll see you in the study.”

 

“Yes, ma'am.”

 

Well that's it for now. I am absolutely aware that I'm not following the Destiny timeline to a fault and I honestly don't care. This is fanfiction peoples. This is how I want it to be! MWAHAHAH! Anyways I'm aware that some characters are OOC but honestly look at the situations they are in. How do you think they would deal with it? Real people don't just brush off a situation, they either bury it or run from it or deal with it. The reason Cagalli is asleep through most of this chapter is because I can't have her having a breakdown right now, this isn't the time or place. Next chapter will focus more on Cagalli's and Athrun's grief. I promise. Actually I'll have a warning at the AN at the front of the chapter because it will deal with a lot of touchy subjects. Sorry peoples. Anyways Review please.