Time (Simi)

[Athrun Knight]

Location: Athrun Knights home

It was the first time that Athrun had been in his basement for weeks. His injury had hurt his body and his pride. He flipped on the light and walked down the stairs. He looked at all the unfinished toys he was making for the kids at the local children's hospital. With Christmas being only a few weeks away he had to get them done. Athrun's phone started to ring. He pulled it out of his pocket and looked at it. Caller ID read "Simi James" He threw it in on the bench, He wasn't in the mood for anymore sympathy form anyone.

Athrun had lost his edge, he was slower and weaker then he used to be. He was worn out, that was the truth and the attack almost killed him, and he knew he would not survive another like it. Athrun had to make a choice, pray he survived the next one, or retire. Not just form hunting, but from the marshals as well.

He sat down on his stool in front of his work bench and started to work. His phone started to ring again, he didn't look at it. He wasn't going to answer. He started to paint a small wooden train when he heard someone come down the stairs. "What do you want Simi" he said without turning around

[Simone Winchester]

The things a girl did for her parent.

Simi had to say she wasn't looking forward to confronting the lion in his den but when Mama had called and asked her to check in on Athrun... really? Had she had any choice? After all, the man had been like a father to her in her growing up years after Dad had disappeared and she had a feeling that her mom was more than right to worry.

Although she didn't know exactly what all had happened at the hospital, the little witch knew it had to have been bad. Athrun had never not answered their phone calls before and he'd been avoiding them like the plague. With business moving at a frantic pace, Lexi herself couldn't get away so it had been left up to Simi to get to the bottom of the mystery.

Hence her presence outside the house like some sort of inept stalker. Athrun was home... She knew that... but he wasn't picking up the phone.. AGAIN. Obviously, drastic measures were needed.

Getting out of her car, the little blond hit the locks and then crossed the street and was up the drive before anyone would have noticed. Slipping around to the back, she found the secret key exactly where he'd left it for her in the past and let herself into the quiet house. A quick snoop around failed ot turn up Knight so she headed for the only other place that she could think of.

His basement work shop.

And she hit pay dirt.

With lights on and noise coming from below, the little witch headed down the steps making no effort to disguise her foot falls. Athrun would know it was her anyways so it wouldn't do any good.

Reaching the bottom, Simi heard the man's terse words and stopped to lean a shoulder against the wall. Her eyes were glued to his back as she pressed the call button and heard her designated ring tone blare out from the cell laying not far away.

"Wow...... You don't write... You don't call... Wheres the love, Papa Knight?? I'm pretty sure that the last time you gave me the silent treatment was when I was 13 and stuck itching powder in your drawers cause I was mad you took me home to mom."

[Athrun Knight]

Athrun smiled and turned around too look at Simone. It was nothing she did. His pride was hurt, and he needed to cope and accept the idea that maybe he did not have the edge that he used to any more.

He got up slowly, His body still hurt all over. He held his side where the deep gash was still healing up. He winced in pain a little bit, and leaned back on the work bench. "I did not mean to hurt you feelings Měilì" He said with a weak smile. He wasn't hiding that he was still in alot of pain. He sat back on his stool, then looked at the saw dust littered the floor, "I just could not take anymore sympathy, you know me cant ask for help to save my life"

He picked up the toy train behind him and looked at it. "guessing your mom told ya what happened?"

[Simone Winchester]

Watching the older man carefully, Simi could tell that he was still in pain but having grown up around hunters, she knew that to show her concern would just invite rejection. Hunters were notorious about their pride and standing on their own two feet so....

Padding into the room, Simi glanced around at all the toys that were in various stages of creation and pretended to look on over. From the corner of her eye, she watched Athrun but made no move to hover over him.

"Well, good thing you aren't wanting sympathy because I'm afraid I'm fresh out. I simply needed something to occupy my time so I figured I might come over here and help out with your pet project. I'm going insane at home with everyone hovering and since Ry's gone on a hunt... I thought I'd bother you for a bit instead."

Setting the toy down, she turned to face him and gave him a level look.

"And you know Mama... She said it was your story to tell and is .. like usual... annoyingly tight lipped about it all. All she said was that you'd been injured and that you were probably having a good mope while she recovered so........ "

Leaning back against a bench, the slender blond titled her head and watched him.

"Are you going to tell me about it or are we going to pretend you don't feel like you've been hit by a mack truck? Lets make a deal.. You tell me whats going on and I won't pat your back and ask if I can kiss your booboo. I'll give you the same treatment you've always given me and we can find a way through this moment....."

[Athrun Knight]

Athrun smiled at Simone and laughed a little, He shook his head "No I would never lie to you, I feel worse then getting hit by a mac truck" He said turning around grabbing two mason jars off the shelf. He emptied them of the nails and screws, then blew into them to clear the dust. He then reached under the bench and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. He filled up each of the jars about half way the replaced the cap on the bottle. He walked over to Simone and handed her one of the jars and then returned to his stool. He sat down and took a sip, and gazed at the saw dust littered floor.

"May 4th 2006, I and 15 other Marines under my command were doing a routine patrol outside Baghdad. We came under attack by Iraqi insurgents. Our hum-v was hit by a roadside bomb turning it over with us in it. I managed to get the door off and climb out, I grabbed Riley and Cameron and got them out. Athrun looked up at Simone "After i got those two to safety they had already taken out the other two hum-v units, I took out 15 of there men before i took two bullets myself. Athrun turned to the picture of Riley Cameron and him up on the wall, "I lost 13 men that day, still managed to carry those two to base camp before passing out"

Athrun had never told Simone how he had earned the metal that she now possessed until now. "I carried two men 5 miles with two bullet holes in my body, and i couldn't even fend off a guy with a sword. Athrun said before downing the rest of his whiskey. "I'm getting to old for this Simone, Years of injury's and abuse are starting to catch up with me" He said in a more up beat tone as he attempted to stretch

[Simone Winchester]

Watching as Athrun grabbed down the jars and then poured whiskey into them, Simi gave him a worried looking over that quickly disappeared when he turned back to face her. Pasting on what she hoped was a serene expression, she listened as the story tumbled from the older man's lips and then worried on her bottom lip. She'd always known that the medal he'd given her was something special but he'd never told her the full story behind it before.

Now, she realized just how important it truly was.

As she contemplated his words, the little witch took a drink of her whiskey and wrinkled her nose impishly. However, hiding her expression behind the jar, she pretended that it didn't burn the back of her throat and gazed at him steadily.

"Nobody is as young as they used to be, Papa Knight... Your not old or useless by any means though. Maybe its time to step back from the street stuff but there is still so much you can offer others. Maybe... instead of brash youth.... You've got wisdom and knowledge now. Knowledge and ideas that could save even more lives if they are given to those who can learn from your experiences....."

Pausing a moment to gather her thoughts, Simi took another sip and grimaced behind the brim. She didn't drink much having grown up around the Cats Meow and Wicked and seeing people make idiots of themselves but she definitely wasn't a stranger to whiskey. She just normally preferred a chaser though.

"Have you ever thought about maybe... Teaching school? Like... at the Academy?? You've been on both sides of the street. You could be a great help to our community. The lord knows theres still a war going on out there whether we like it or not and as the world grows.. there are more and more monsters out there."

[Athrun Knight]

Athrun bobbed his head a little bit and cracked a smile. He had thought about becoming a law teacher. He had been looking into teaching high school and what it would take to obtain his teaching certificate. He got up and walked over to another work bench and pulled the padded drawer where he kept his Marine issued M40 Sniper rifle. He pulled out a envelope and handed it to Simone. "Speaking of being a teacher, well I was planning on asking you and your mom about this one before I got hurt." He said handing it to Simone.

The envelope was a standard D.O.D envelope, with a letter inside. The letter at the top had the USMC logo and gold trim around the edges. The letter read the fallowing....

Dear Gunnery Sergeant Knight

You’re many years of dedication and service to the United States Marine Corps is a career that should go down in history as one of the best. In my own personal opinion your accomplishments and career is warranted of the gratitude of this nation.
I am writing you this letter today to ask for your help. As you know our military must always be ready to defend our great nation. Last month the Secretary of Defense ordered the formation of an elite unit of United States service men and women from every branch of the military. You have been hand selected to return to the military to help in the training of this new unit.
Your compensation for this service would be the promotion to Master Gunnery Sergeant and full retirement benefits after your service.
This service is voluntary; there are no orders behind this offer. Please consider your decision carefully.

Thank you for your time

Carson Rainer
Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps

Athrun sat back and watched for Simone's reaction to the letter. He knew if he did take the offer, he would end up being gone for a long time, something he knew Simone and Alexis would not like.

[Simone Winchester]

Tilting her head sideways as Athrun started to speak again and then held out a letter, Simi took it. Taking another drink and then sitting the mason jar down, she unfolded the paper and began to read. As she did so, her brows began to furrow and her expression grew grim. When she was finished, she slowly and carefully put it back and then finally looked up at him.

"Is that what you really want to do?? It would mean you would be away a lot and we wouldn't get to see you much. It seems a bit tame but if thats what you truly desire......"

Folding her arms over her chest, Simi watched his features of some sign of what she was suppose to say. Part of her wanted to be that little girl he used to know that could put on a pretty pout and demand he not go but that would be unfair. This wasn't just some day at the museum or at the beach.. This was his life they were talking about and the repercussions could be ripple worthy.

"I think you know what Mama would say... That if its somethign that you want to do.. then you should do it...But we would miss you badly.... Your life won't be yours and the military is a demanding mistress. We'll always be here of course and we'll support whatever decision you make..... but if I had to tell you what to do..... My feelings are torn."

[Athrun Knight]

Athrun nodded, as he took the letter back and placed it on the bench. "Normally they don't give you a choice Simone, If they are asking me to return then things must be really bad. Athrun said as he took his seat on the stool. It had been almost 5 years since Athrun retired the Marine Corps. He had always stayed reserve for his last 15 years but when he got command of the New Orleans office he knew that the military was no longer a option for him.

He looked up at Simone and smiled, she had always been like a daughter to him and deep down he knew that leaving was not a option for him at this point, especially with his own son gunning for him. Randy was the reason that he was in the condition he was in now. His own son, that he didn't even know he had till a few days ago. He knew it was only a matter of time until he went after Lexi, Simone or Sebastian. Athrun knew that he would have to face Randy again.
"That letter isn't my biggest problem. The real problem is what am I gonna do with Randy" he said as he started to mix some toy paint.