Title/theme: PARTING
Approx time line: Between GS and GSD
Characters: Dearka and Miriallia
Summary: "What could she say to make him stay?"

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"I'm leaving."

Those words dug into her like a knife.

"What?" she spun around, looking at him oddly. "Why?

He sighed. "You know why. The PLANTs are my home."

She lowered her head. "Yes. Yes I know that, but…" she couldn't find the right words to say.

"I'm sorry Miriallia."

She refused to meet his violet eyes. "Fine. Just, go."

But he didn't move.

"I'm sorry. It's just that, I'm still obligated to protect my home."

"Even though the war is over?" she protested.

He looked down. "Yes. Because I'm still a soldier of ZAFT."

"But you—"

Miriallia wanted to say that he wasn't considered a soldier anymore because he defected in the last war, but quickly bit her tongue.

"I know." He seemed to know what she'd wanted to say. "Under normal circumstances, I would've been executed for deserting. But the Chairman has chosen to make an exception for Athrun and me, and me especially. That's why," he looked at her, hoping that she would understand, "That's why I'm indebted to serve them."

She was silent. She wasn't sure what to say. What could she say to make him stay?

"You don't have to go Dearka. The war's over. You don't need to be a soldier anymore," she reasoned. "And you're only 17. You've got your whole life ahead of you! You're too young to give your life to the military."

He laughed mirthlessly. "Look Miriallia, we're not kids anymore. We've throw again all claims of being children when we decided to put on our uniforms."

"But—"

She considered what he said, and realized that it was true. But still… She never considered that when she decided to enlist. Perhaps it was spur-of-the-moment, perhaps it was because her friends were all enlisting, or perhaps it was because the ship needed crew at the time. But even though she had decided to become part of the military and part of the fighting, she'd never really thought of herself as a "soldier". That word still seemed foreign when applied to her. She supposed that it was different for him, having gone through formal training and all. But the thought of him returning to the military now bothered her. Wasn't bringing peace so that no one would have to fight again the whole point of ending the war?

"So you're going to stay a soldier all your life?" she asked quietly

He was taken aback by her question. "Uh, I haven't thought that far into the future, but for now…It's what I can do, so I might as well do it."

But she was still not satisfied.

"I know you think it's stupid and unreasonable," he sighed, resting a hand on her shoulder, "But we've got to have someone to help maintain this peace. And besides," his hand slid off her shoulder, "I can't let Yzak do that alone."

She was silent. Maybe she was beginning to understand him a bit better. Maybe the reason she wanted him to stay was a selfish one after all.

"I mean," he continued when she didn't reply, "I can't let him get all the glory now can I?" he grinned in his goofy way.

"Fine," she finally answered, crossing her arms. "Do what you want. It's your life."

He laughed and picked up his suitcase. "All right, if you say so."

"Just," she dropped her arms to her sides and said in a small voice, "Just don't die on me, okay?"

He grinned "Really? Even though you tried to kill me once upon a time?"

He thanked his Coordinator reflexes as he barely managed to dodge the foot aimed at his legs.

"Sorry, sorry, I was just kidding!" he explained, laughing nervously.

Then suddenly, he straightened up and saluted her. "Don't worry Miriallia, I won't die on you."

He started to turn, but suddenly paused as if remembering something.

"Would you like to come with me, to the PLANTs?" he asked, almost as an afterthought.

"Eh?" she stared back at him, surprised. She had never considered that before. "I, I…" The idea of traveling to an unfamiliar place with unfamiliar people didn't sit too well with her.

Before she could formulate a proper answer, Dearka chuckled and sighed.

"Ah how silly of me to ask. You have your own family and friends, and your own dreams to pursue here, so of course you wouldn't want to leave."

He smiled at her. "Well then, I guess I'd better be off now. You take care too, 'kay." With a wink, he turned towards the shuttle.

As he walked away from her, Miriallia felt a slight stinging of tears at her eyes. It was ironic how their relationship had started and progressed. Fate was mean that way, just when she thought she was starting to think that he was a good guy…

She sighed and turned to the direction of her home, hoping that the red string of Fate would bring them back together again someday.