6 years after Cosmic Era – Orb

Cagalli Yula Athha was sitting at her desk in her father's office looking over the newest treaties and documents of her nation. Sitting back in her brown desk chair she sighed aloud. Her amber orbs fell to a picture at the edge of her desk. It was a picture of Kira, Lacus, Athrun and her smiling and happy on a vacation after the first war. Her fingertips caressed the image of Athrun her eyes reflecting a longing for those lost times. A knock at the door draws her attention and a young woman in her late 20's waltzed through the door with more paperwork in hand.

"Lady Cagalli, how are the treaties and documents of residency coming along?" She asked, raising her eyebrow in question toward the fiery princess.

Cagalli muttered a few curses under her breath before replying,"I am working on them Clarimonde! I haven't been slacking off!"

Throwing her hands up, Cagalli pushed her chair out to stand in front of her faithful aide. Her assistant gazed knowingly at the Orb princess and smirked. She was well aware that the princess was at her boiling point. Clarimonde facial expression changed dramatically as she walked to the desk and slammed the paperwork down forcefully.

"Enough, Cagalli!" She snapped, eyes flashing.

She rested her gaze on the princess, her blonde hair falling down her shoulder as she stared at her with her aquamarine orbs. Cagalli sighed and sat back down in her chair,with a huff. She was more than aware that her aide would not falter with her pestering. Clarimonde was patient and understanding, but altogether hardheaded and strong willed. Above all, she was loyal to Cagalli and that was what counted.

Straightening, the blonde aide fixed her fallen hair as she continued to speak to the commander of the Orb nation.

"Now, that you have calmed down and can think clearly, lets finish these documents so we can meet with the council members and Andrus."

Clarimonde bowed, slightly before walking out of the office. Cagalli frowned before replying loud enough for her assistant to hear, "Yes, I know. I will have this done in a few minutes." Sighing she resigned herself to the task at hand and commenced signing the remaining documents.

-PLANTS-

Lacus and Kira Yamato where walking in the hallways of the council building of the Plants heading towards Lacus's office after the meeting of the upcoming annual Peace Keeping Ball.

"So have you call her?" Lacus questioned, looking over her shoulder at her charming husband.

Kira replied with a sigh, "No, I haven't." Lacus stoped abruptly in front of Kira who ended up plowing into his wife.

Spinning around, Lacus addressed him firmly. "Now, we will have none of that. She is your sister, Kira Yamato. She hasn't been able to leave Orb since the end of the war!" She crossed her arms over her chest awaiting his reply. Her spouse smirked at her, more than surprised by her outburst. He hadn't expected her to be this upset with him. As if two head strung princess wasn't enough, he might have another one on his hands soon. His eyes glanced down fondly to Lacus's swollen belly before replying calmly to his pink haired princess.

"I will email her later-" She held up her hand, cutting him off.

"No, you will video chat with her as soon as we get home. We have news to tell her and I will not take any other answers. She deserves to know what's going on and to see her family. She is coming this time whether you bring her or not." She stated in a matter of fact tone.

She opened the door to her office and sat in the pink chair behind her traditional oak desk. Her hand rubbed protectively over her swollen stomach and she smiled back at Kira across the room. Kira nodded his consent, bending down to give the pink princess a kiss along her cheek. Lacus looked at her desk a photo in a silver frame catching her eye.

"I wonder if he will come this year?" she murmured.

Kira nodded, "I hope so too Lacus, I know he loves her and he misses her greatly. I know he did not want to leave her on Orb, but he had business to take care of here." Kira stated looking at his wife hopefully.

-Plants Homeland-

Athrun Zala walked over briskly to his black high powered sport car opening the door and slipping inside. He pulled on his sunglasses and started the car. A bouquet sat in the passenger seat beside him, as well as an invitation addressed to him. He drived down the road a ways before coming to a grave memorial. Slowly, he pulled up to the gate and stopped.

Grabbing the bouquet and he walked down to his mother's resting place. He placed the yellow roses over her grave, a mournful expression etched on his handsome features.

"I am sorry I haven't stopped by in awhile…things have been busy. I hope you are doing okay and know that I love you and miss you…I could really use some of your wisdom now."

He stayed another moment then briskly walked back to his car. As he approached, he noticed another vehicle parked beside his.

"Yo Athrun! Long time no see man!" Dearka shouted, grinning.

"Hey Dearka, it is good to see you."

His friend ran a hand through his unruly blonde hair and smiled.

"So, are you going to the ball this year? Heard it was gonna be awesome and everyone was gonna be there this year."

Athrun looked at his friend with a thoughtful smile. "Yeah…I just got the invite …though mine was more of a summons. Lacus made mine mandatory."

Dearka bursts out laughing clutching his sides. "Well, she is serious this time." He paused laughing and continued. "Are you bringing a date?"

Athrun sighed ruffling his hair with his free hand. "No, I haven't really thought about it…"

"Well, you can always go solo it is not like you aren't one of the most wanted bachelors in the Plants. I am sure you will have no problems getting a few dances from some pretty gals." Dearka chimed.

Dearka facial expression changed as his phone started to ring. He answered it quickly.

"Commander Elsman, yes, I found him, yes he has the invitation…" He nodded, hanging up the phone. "Well, I gotta run! Later man, good seeing you. See you at the ball!" He waved jogging over to his car and leaving quickly.

Athrun stood there for a moment and shook his head, deep in thought. "What are you planning, Lacus?"

-ORB-Later that evening-

Cagalli was seated in the parliament conference room at the head of the table with Clarimonde sitting to her right and to the left was a handsome man with black hair. His sharp purple eyes constantly scanned the room as the last of the delegates were seated in the room.

Andrus stood and began addressing the parliament.

"Welcome, everyone we are here to discuss the upcoming ball in the Plant homeland. As you all know this year Lady Cagalli turns of age for Queenship." He glanced around the room and his piercing gaze landed on the princess who he found fidgeting under the table. He smiled at her as he continued the speech knowing she was uncomfortable. He grinned as he saw Clarimonde kick the princess from under the table.

He continued.

"You all know that the princess has the right to choose whom she marries, but usually she has her suitors chosen by her father. Thus, we as council members, are the next option for taking the place of choosing her suitors. Three have been chosen and she will have one of her own selection."

Cagalli coughed aloud and Andrus sharp gaze fell on her.

She sighed as he continued unphased.

"Each suitor has been chosen from all the races in this world." The ministers whisper about and nod as Andrus continues his speech. "The first marriage candidate is Julian Waterford. He is with the World Alliance Group. He is a natural, 30 years old, red haired, green eyes. He served in the last war as a mobile suit pilot and is currently seated on the World Alliance Group, formally the Earth Alliance, and Atlantic Federation."

Cagalli rolled her eyes and tapped her foot and her aide Clarimonde noticed and placed a hand on the princess leg as she cuts her eyes over at her.

Andrus hides a laugh and continued.

"Next is Susumu Zala he is from the Plants, a Coordinator, 32 years of age, brown hair, teal eyes. He is a distinguished soldier of Zaft and worked as Communication Specialist and Weapons specialist, he also led missions during the war. He is currently in the High Council under Lacus Yamato and is cousin to Athrun Zala."

Cagalli glanced over to Andrus with confusion at his last candidate.

"Lastly," he went on, "We have Alessandro Gray from the World Alliance formerly the Earth Alliance and Atlantic Federation. He is a 33 year old, light blue hair, brown eyes. He was involved in the previous war as a mobile armor pilot, mobile suit pilot, and as a commander. He is now an adviser to our neighboring countries on an independent level. He is a trusted adviser to many smaller states on the Earth."

He looked around the room of ministers as they spoke amongst themselves as all seem in agreement. Johann, an elderly gentleman, stood and began to address the group before him, "As long as the princess agrees with the 3 chosen, we will go along with this and the fourth subject will be of her choosing, but she will have to choose before her 25th birthday."

He sats back in his chair and awaited Cagalli's opinion. The fiery princess slowly stands and smiles faintly at each of the ministers and then at Johann.

"Yes, I will agree to these terms." Andrus nodded and closed the meeting.

With everyone dismissed Cagalli stayed behind to sulk.

"Dammit!" She yelled, slamming her fist down on the conference table. Tears started filling her eyes as she stood alone in the dark room.

Just then the door bursted open and light spilled in as a young teenage girl came humming in.

"Hey Cags!" The petite teen bounced around to where Cagalli was standing, her black hair falling around her face as she pranced around the representative.

"Hey Valda, what are you doing here? Does Andrus know you are skipping studies right now?" Cagalli wiped at her face, drawing the younger girls attention. She stopped skipping around the room.

"Nope, he can't catch me." She giggled and hugged the princess. Cagalli ruffled the teen's hair and grinned in challenge. "So you wanna go to the mobile suit simulation room with me?"

Valda started jumping around beaming at the princess. "Oh man! Yeah, Let's go Cags! I am gonna beat your high score!" She grabbed her hand and pulled the princess down the hallway to the warehouse at Morganrete.

Cagalli smiles at the younger girl's excitement. Andrus sister may have been a handful but she reminded her of her younger self.

Hopefully this peace remains. She thought to herself.

This world had lost so much and her friends and family had worked so hard for this new world. Though right now all she could think about was the possibility of seeing him again…would he still love her? What would he do if she told him she choose him to be her suitor? She had to make a decision soon or she would end up with one of the other three. She had to do what was right for her country and her family, but she also had to tell him the truth that she didn't want to part ways after he left his commission to handle his personal affairs back on the Plants.

They finish walking and Valda jumped in the first simulator. "Are you ready to get beat Princess?" Valda asked sarcastically.

"Don't call me Princess!" She smirked, jumping in the second simulator ready to teach this teen a lesson.

-Until the next Chapter-