Note: Can't believe it's been a whole nine months since the last update; first off, terribly sorry about the super-long wait. I've been super-busy, and to put it frankly, some events have been going crappily recently.

This chapter's longer than any of the previous ones, so hopefully that makes up for it a little bit. There have been numerous times where I've sat down to start this chapter, to continue this story, but just couldn't do it. I don't know if there are even any readers left for this story. dodges all the rotten fruit being thrown I have had some other projects going on recently, some other short drabbles and such.

More importantly, a huge thanks to everyone who's supported this story thus far (in no particular order): cagallirockz, CagalliRules, junon2, Canadain-Girl, dadadadad, cherimai, o.O, NightMidst, Hades.Throne.Heiress, cagalliyulathha, FirstxKiss, anonyme, choclate-coated-strawberries, gseedlover, kimborliee, akidarchangelprincess, 3fi-pina3, xMusicLuverx, rebagu, Kitkat23316, denden-chan, sushi-alphonse, kenkao7rocks5forever, Mini-MoonStar, Mizu.Snow, bloody-pudding, daisukiasu'n'caga, GSEEDcya7, digi-gal-rox. You guys are amazing, thank you so much for the reviews and comments, the encouragement and suggestions.

As well, those who've either favourited or added this story to their alerts, who haven't yet been mentioned: HaroTaro, Mage666, ReyZaBurrel-ess, SolidDreamer, chibi'sapphire, coldi85, colorlessblood, darkzlord, kookith, otaku4lyfe, regn, steffehxws, xMoonlightShadowx, xsilvertwilightstarx, GirlWonder2005, MBF-Strikerouge, SoranoHikari, aquajerry,candyapplez. Thank you guys. :) (I also apologise if I've missed anyone.)

The song used is Bad Day by Daniel Powter; beautiful song, great video. But needless to point out, I don't own it, nor do I own GS/D. It was beyond bizarre to write snowy scenes when it's so nice and sunny outside. Ahh, spring.

Just turned sweet sixteen years old recently; consider this a bit of a reverse birthday present as thanks for all the support. Since it's been such a long time, do you think my writing style has changed much over the last couple of months, improved any, deproved, etc.? Feedback is greatly appreciated, and again, sorry for the long wait. Without further ado, enjoy: 15/05/2008.

Meyrin bobbed her head along to the music, jolts of inspiration flooding her synapses in time with the melodic chords of Bad D

Meyrin bobbed her head along to the music, jolts of inspiration flooding her synapses in time with the melodic chords of Bad Day filtering through her car's stereo. She felt much better now, after having visited her sister and having a little heart-to-heart conversation. Although tinted with undertones of envy, Meyrin was happy for Lunamaria; she was obviously beyond happy in her relationship with Shinn. Seeing them at their country house only confirmed that.

Meyrin sighed. Why can't I have that too? she wondered, a little sadly, as she cruised down the pretty much deserted high way, beautiful scenery flickering by on either side. She tapped the steering wheel, taking in a large gulp of air. The newly risen sun, the snow encased foliage glittering in the light like fresh diamonds… the beauty of life was a little overwhelming.

She felt calm, serene. Happy, she marvelled to herself in surprise.

Even so, surrounded by such peace, it couldn't completely penetrate to the deepest corners of her heart; those were still, from habit, reserved for Athrun. Seconds passed, the music filling the early morning silence. Meyrin breathed out deeply, her pigtails swinging a little from the gentle movement of her head.

Closing her eyes for the briefest second to rest them, but no longer than absolutely necessary to avoid any road accidents, Meyrin hummed along with the song. Maybe it would all work it. Maybe it was all going to be okay. Maybe… maybe she really could get by without Athrun?

No.

There was no way.

The car's engine sputtered noisily, and muttering a quick, "oh shit," Meyrin managed to get the car off the road just in time before it abruptly died. She fiddled with her keys in the ignition, but to no avail. "Damn, now what?" She glanced around outside; the road was still beyond deserted.

She glanced at her watch; a pink and silver Guess watch: it had been a birthday present form Athrun last year. It read a quarter past nine.

Meyrin sucked in a deep breath through her teeth, contemplating, pausing, hesitating for one uncertain moment whilst all balanced precariously on the third strand of fate. Then she reached determinedly for her cell phone.

Cagalli blew out a breath, watching with interest as the little white cloudesque puff of air danced and frolicked momentarily before drifting off and melting into the sky. She tucked her hands into her coat pockets, feeling the slight February chill.

She tried to immerse herself in the lyrics coming from her iPod, trying to avoid thinking about the current, the now, the things that were about to happen. The person she was about to see.

You're faking a smile with the coffee to go

You tell me your life's been way off line

You're falling to pieces, every time.

Cagalli paused outside the door to the quaint little coffee shop, a little unsure. She still wasn't sure what had prompted her to make this suggestion, this proposal that they meet for coffee.

However, the one that she did know was that she could not keep going this way. She needed some closure, at the very least. As did Athrun—she owed him at least this much. She couldn't leave it hanging like this any farther; leave them both wondering at what could have been. At what they could have had. It was too much to handle.

Cagalli was so deeply turned in due to her contemplations and her music that she was oblivious to the approach of another warm body until she felt a slight tingling on her cheek due to a warm stream of breath hitting it.

She glanced up quickly, and found herself drowning in the deep emerald pools of Athrun's eyes. Their eye contact stayed, and Athrun felt a faint glimmer of hope, rising up despite his best efforts to keep it contained.

Cagalli turned her head slightly, breaking the connection, and Athrun deflated a little.

Where is the moment we need the most?

You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost.

They tell me your blue skies fad to grey,

They tell me your passion's gone away…

"Um," Cagalli began nervously, unsure of what to say. "Should we… should we go in, then?"

Athrun nodded. "After you," he said gallantly, opening the door for her, a magic twinkling issuing from the bell hanging in the alcove above the door.

Awkwardly, Cagalli entered the coffee shop, closing her eyes momentarily, desperately hoping that Athrun couldn't see, couldn't tell, how her heart was cracking right now, beating right now, frequent palpitations at sensing that today could change her life forever.

They settled into a nice little round table by a window, white and red checked gingham curtains adorning the view of the beautiful snow encased city outside.

Athrun couldn't help but look at the blonde sitting across the small mahogany table from him, the way her eyes glowed, crisp and clear; the way her nose and cheeks were lightly dusted with a healthy pink glow from the early morning chill; the way that the few flakes of snow that clung to her bright striped scarf melted gently.

The way that she didn't meet his glance.

She wanted to—so badly—to look at Athrun, but she couldn't trust herself to do so. Surreptitiously, she slid out her earphones and turned off her iPod.

"Cagalli—"

"Athrun—"

Silence resumed, each wondering how to fill it, how to voice what they were feeling. Fortunately, they were saved from having to solve the dilemma by the approach to the waitress.

"Welcome to Flicker," she greeted warmly. "What can I get you?"

"I'll have a hot chocolate, extra marshmallows, and a blueberry jelly donut, please," rattled off Cagalli, grateful for the interruption.

"Coffee with a two sugar cubes and milk, and a bagel, thanks," said Athrun.

The waitress left to get their orders, and the two found themselves left alone again.

The setting seemed all wrong, so ironic, too early in the morning to have this sort of discussion. It was too serious, and too deep, too full to get all the emotions out. A strangled sort of sound emitted from Athrun's throat before he could stop himself, and flushing slightly, he cleared his throat.

Before he could phrase his thoughts, Cagalli murmured, "I'm sorry. For everything."

"I'm sorry for—"

"With the war and everything, the timing… the … stuff that happened. It changed us—and then afterwards, with the duties as Head Representative and everything…" She struggled to exaplain.

"You wanted a break from it all. Perfectly understandable." Athrun paused, breathing deeply, the warm scent of breakfast lilting around them. "I shouldn't have…"

The waitress returned with their orders, set them down as unobtrusively as she could, sensing the tension, and left.

Cagalli stirred her hot chocolate, watching the marshmallows swirl around, floating so carefree, so fancy-free.

She laughed hollowly. "It was a hard time."

"It was."

Another pause dominated the conversation, each lost in their own memories of the time. "All that happened… it just… I felt so alone, and now… there's like this sort of guilt…"

Cagalli laid a hand comfortingly on Athrun's hand. It was all that was needed to show that she understood, that she could emphasize.

"You say you don't know; you tell me 'don't lie'; you work at a smile and you go for a ride; you had a bad day; the camera don't lie…"

"Sorry," Athrun muttered, scrambling for his cell phone.

"It's alright," Cagalli reassured him, but withdrew her hand nonetheless. Both felt the chill it left behind, the lack of contact with another being.

"Hello?" Athrun said, then listened to what sounded like a frantic voice on the other side of the line. "Meyrin? Whoa, hold on, slow down a little. What happened?" He paused, listening. "Your car broke down? Okay, okay, can you call the nearest garage or something?" Another pause. "You're …where?" Hearing her reply, Athrun sighed loudly, and glanced briefly at Cagalli before regretfully answering, "Alright, just hold tight for a bit, okay? I'll be there soon."

He snapped his cell phone shut and looked at Cagalli, his voice hollow. "That was Meyrin; some sort of emergency—"

Cagalli smiled at him a little sadly. "It's okay. Go do your thing, you are her saviour, after all."

"No, Cagalli, it's not—"

"Really, Athrun, it's okay. I need to get going anyway. We'll reschedule, take a rain check. Okay?"

Unwillingly, Athrun agreed, and both left the coffee shop with heavy hearts, and with one brief hug that went on just a second longer than necessary, they parted ways.

Sometimes the system goes on the blink and the whole thing turns out wrong. You know that could be, well, oh that strong, and I'm not wrong. Where is the passion when you need it the most? Oh you and I, you kick up the leaves and the magic is lost.