Time to Heal

Chapter 8: Death

DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything pertaining to the Gundam franchise.

CLARIFICATION: Natarle had seemed a little extreme when she started thinking about destroying the PLANTS. "I think everything will end if we destroy the PLANTS". It may have helped show that Natarle was changing into something she didn't like. That was the only part I didn't like about that episode. Now on with the story.

SEPTEMBER 27, CE 71

"I realized long ago that everything I have done until now has done nothing to help end this war sooner. Because I have followed orders blindly thousands of soldiers have been killed. I keep thinking about when I left at Alaska, you said you were grateful for my help. Now I need to tell you thank you. Thank you for opening my eyes and making me become a caring captain. Because of you I am doing something that I would have never thought of, treason.

Azrael has made me realize that if we continue to fight billions of people will die. I can't live with that on my conscious. I already have the deaths of thousands on my hands and I can't let my crew live with that either. That maniac needs to be stopped and I will be the one that will do it. I will see this as my responsibility to stop him to ensure that the Earth Alliance will seek change within its ranks. It will also be my way to provide the families of the soldiers some closure. I can tell them that their children did not die in vain. I don't know how Azrael will react to a coup but I don't think he will take it well. If I die trying to stop this monster I hope that you will be the one to stop him for me. I am sorry about everything Murrue. You were the best captain that I have had the pleasure to serve under. Thank you."

Natarle stopped the video and headed to the bridge, everything would stop today. The monsters that caused this war to begin would be stopped today.

PRESENT TIME

Murrue looked that the screen, tears streaming down her face. Natarle had felt like it was her duty to stop that bastard and she had a feeling that something bad would happen. Murrue felt like someone had lifted a weight off of her soldiers. Natarle had wanted to make sure that Azrael had died so that he could pay for what he had done. She had taken four bullets to stop him and the Lohengrin blast had done what Natarle needed. It helped clean the blood off Natarle's hands and to make members of the Alliance think about their actions. 'Thank you, Natarle. Two years of no knowing and this is exactly what I needed.'

Murrue looked at the clock, 6:45, and then sent Arnold the video from Natarle. He needed to know that Natarle cared for him; it would help him and help Natarle's family. It would allow them to talk with the man that their little girl grew to love. Murrue lay back on the bed and after a few minutes she fell asleep.

Murrue awoke to her alarm clock going off. It was 8:00; time to meet Natarle's parents for what would probably be the last time in a long time. She had to show them the videos, it was something Natarle had wanted to be done and it was Murrue's job as Natarle's former superior officer. Murrue proceeded to get dressed and drove to the small house. She walked to the door and knocked.

"Murrue, please come in," Elizabeth said, she looked like she slept poorly, Murrue didn't blame her. It wasn't every day that you learned that you daughter had been killed out of retaliation. Murrue came inside and sat on the couch from yesterday. Charles met the two women at the couch and sat. Murrue felt the need to fill the silence, so she started first.

"When I left yesterday I told you about some closure that I had gotten but I didn't get the chance to tell both of you about it. Then last night I finally got some more closure. Natarle had sent about ten videos from her time on the Dominion to the Archangel each came from different dates except the last few. Natarle had made both of you videos to tell you about what was going on during the war," Murrue pulled the videos up. The couple watched their deceased daughter talk about the war and the man that would eventually cost her everything. After the videos, Murrue spoke up, "She also had this sent to the Archangel, it is a video from the bridge of the Dominion and it shows how kind and strong your daughter was." As they watched their daughter stand up against that monster, Murrue could feel them beaming with happiness as their daughter stood up for her beliefs. The video cut off with a blinding light.

"Murrue, you do not know what this means to us. I believed for two years my daughter was killed for no reason. Now, I know that she realized what was being done was wrong and she stood up for what she thought was right. That man was a monster, and I am glad that he died. I can picture my daughter as a hero now. She helped you stop a person who thought peace could only be achieved with mass murder." Elizabeth spoke, her voice breaking up, tears in her eyes. "How about that man Natarle mentioned? Knowing Natarle he does not know how she felt about him. I would love to meet him, any man that would make my daughter happy should be treated like family."

"His name is Arnold Neumann. He was the pilot of the Archangel and they both met each other at Heliopolis…"

AN HOUR LATER

After telling Charles and Elizabeth about Neumann and Natarle, Murrue prepared to leave, stopping at the door. "I need to give this to the both of you," Murrue pulled out a picture. It was a picture taken during the first war on the Archangel. Mu, Natarle, Arnold, Murrue, and other members of the crew were in the picture, Mu pushing Natarle and Murrue closer together. "It was the last picture we took before Alaska. She would want you to have it, she took her copy when she left at Alaska." Murrue proceeded to leave the house, she heard someone call out to her, "Murrue!" Murrue stopped dead in her tracks, Elizabeth ran up towards her and gave her a maternal hug, and Charles came up and joined in.

"Thank you, Murrue. The fact that you came here must have taken a lot of guts but you did it. Natarle told us that you were an honorable woman, I see now that she was correct. Thank you so much," Charles added in before opening the door for Murrue. "Natarle would like you to have this," Charles handed Murrue one of Natarle's caps from her uniform. Murrue knew that something like this would provide comfort; she kept Mu's when she thought he had died.

"Thank you, Charles, Elizabeth. Please if you need anything feel free to contact me. It is the least I could do for your hospitality," Murrue left the couple feeling like a brand new woman. She hadn't felt like this since before the start of the first war. She looked in the rearview mirror; she had to double check what she saw. She saw a ghostly figure of Natarle standing next to her parents, waving Murrue off.

END

AN: Sorry, I missed the deadline I made for myself. The end of my first story. I think I want to rewrite the second battle of Yakin Due. Maybe have some major NxN. So what do you think? Like it? Hate it? Well thanks for the reviews and be on the lookout for the next story. I don't know what the title should be, any ideas are appreciated.