It was a cloudy day and the sky was moody; it looked like it was going to rain soon. Under a particularly golden plum tree in front of a wedding gown store sat a limo. Normally, a limo was unseen in this little town in which the limo was in right now- some people had never even seen one before! - but inside the limo, sat the representitive and princess of Orb- Cagalli Yuula Athaa

Cagalli was nervous: today was going to be the day when she finally sees Athrun. She had always liked the blue haired coordinator with green eyes, but they haven't seen each other for almost two years! She wanted to see him so much, to talk to him, but on the other hand, she didn't want to seem too desperate; it just wasn't her personality and would no sooner suit her than having her jump off a building because she was bored. Thankfully, however, Athrun called and would like to meet up with her, so Cagalli took time from her busy schedule (cough, every government representative was busy!) to have lunch with him.

She looked out her window. The pavement was lined with snow that had long since frozen during the first weeks of winter. The light fresh snow that had fallen the day before lined the edge of the roof of a building. Beyond that she saw a wedding gown store with an exquisite white dress in the display. Cagalli blushed; how she would love to wear that dress…

Cagalli had always liked Athrun, ever since she got stranded with him on that island. During that time, the forces of Earth and Zaft were at the climax of their conflict, but even so, Athrun didn't kill her, even though she had shot him twice…

I'm so stupid…

They had spent the night in a cave and Athrun had shared his rations with her even though she was his enemy and a stranger.

Just shows how nice he is…

Much later, on the Archangel (episode 48), Athrun was worried about her going in the Strike Rouge and ended up kissing her. He vowed that he would protect her after she told him that she wouldn't let him die.

Cagalli was blushing madly now; she and Athrun had shared some good "blush-able" moments, so…what had happened over the past two years? They weren't in contact at all, unless you count that e-mail he sent requesting to meet her today. What about all those times after the war when assassins had tried to kill her, how come he wasn't at her rescue?

She frowned a little. It wasn't that she wanted someone to rescue her; she didn't need rescuing. It was just that she wanted Athrun to acknowledge the fact that she exists and mean something to him. She sighed. It would be nice to have something romantic happen to her. All the work and trouble she's been getting was really getting to her nerves. They've even requested her to go to a formal dinner party on the weekend!

Cagalli frowned even more. She would have to bring a date there and …oh my god…wear a dress! (lol, wearing a dress seems to be more problems for her than getting a date….)

She despised getting dressed up. Why couldn't the rest of the world live with the fact that she like wearing cargo pants? Why couldn't they accept her, for who she was instead of the dress wearing, fancy hair style, perfumed, pretty high heels Cagalli?

Cagalli sighed again. The head of a country couldn't afford to be loose with their own appearance. If only—

"Hello Cagalli."

Cut off from her thought, Cagalli looked out the window and saw Athrun Zala staring back at her with a pair of serene, yet shy, eyes. She blushed and turned away to conceal it.

"Hi," was all she managed out as she got out of the limo. Why am I blushing? It's just Athrun!

After getting out, she stood there facing him. She stared at him, looking for any changes in him.

His hair was still the same length, but his jaw looked harder, had he'd been through hardships? Plus, he grew taller and stronger looking, which made him more mature. He was wearing a red shirt with a brown jacket over it. On top of all this, a white hand-knitted scarf was wrapped around his neck. Cagalli was sure though, despite all these changes, underneath all this, he was still the friendly, kinda stupid coordinator that was a bit on the quiet side she knew.

Suddenly, realizing that she was staring, she smiled and turned away looking down the street, hoping to conceal her grin.

"So Athrun, long time no see. Where do you wanna go?"

Why was she just staring at me? thought Athrun privately. Is she mad at me for being a minute late? And why is she asking me where to go? I haven't been her before! Stupid Dearka and Yzak…

"Err…Actually, I haven't been here before, so I dunno," said Athrun tentively. He didn't want to piss Cagalli off now, especially in front of a – he looked up at the store beside them for the first time – gown store? Damn!...if she gets pissed…she had a fiery temper…especially since he had come all this way from the Plant's just to see her…

After the war, Athrun had went back to the Plant's to take care of some business in the military, problems caused by his father's death because his rank was so high. That, alone, took him ten months to sort out…stupid complications…the military's slow system. Anyways, after, he went to his home before the war had started. He stayed there for a month, clearing the house and such, but then he started missing Cagalli more and more each day.

Athrun kept remembering the kiss they had shared while aboard the Archangel and wanted more. He wanted to tell her that he like her a lot – maybe even love her, but after matching the news and seeing a stressed Cagalli ("…Princess of Orb is dealing with several agencies and complaints of the war…") on his television screen, he decided that he shouldn't bother her with his feelings right now. After all, a nation's need of Cagalli was greater than his.

But still, Athrun often argued with himself, he wanted her so much! In attempt to escape from his confusion, he went to stay at Dearka's place. Dearka lived in an spacious apartment alone and had a sense of humour, the kind of sense of humour which Athrun hoped would help him forget about Cagalli.

Ever since arriving at Dearka's place, Dearka had always taken him to parties and dance clubs, the reason being to pick up girls. Dearka would always flirt scandalously with pretty girls, but for some reason, he never actually got serious with one – could it be that blue-eyed, carrot-headed Natural?

Flashback:

One day a month ago, Yzak came and visited them. All three of them were in the living room talking, though Athrun talked little – he was staring out the window reminiscently at the sunshine, which reminded him strangely of Cagalli. ...Probably the hair…he muttered silently under his breath.

As he broke out of his dream-like daze, Athrun realized both Dearka and Yzak were staring at him.

"Uh…hey guys, what's with the staring?"

" 'Probably the hair' ?" said Yzak in that demanding tone of voice. "Athrun, we know there's something wrong with you! That's why Dearka asked me to come!"

"Dearka –" Athrun turned towards Dearka hoping for an explanation but found him with the same solemn look as Yzak.

"It's true. Over the past few months you seemed out of it. At first I thought you were just getting over the war, but it's been too long."

"Spill the beans Athrun," said Yzak as he narrowed his eyes onto Athrun's face. "What's wrong with you?"

"There's nothing wrong with me! What's the matter with you guys?" assured Athrun.

"Athrun! We know there's something wrong with you! Did those Naturals do something to you were aboard their ship?" yelled Yzak.

Athrun was about to argue back when Dearka held his hand up to silence them.

"Yzak, calm down," said Dearka with a huge grin. "I think I know what's going on. Get ready for this – our dear Athrun Zala is – lovesick!"

"Huh? Wait! You guys --" but Athrun's voice was drowned out by Yzak's laughter.

"HAHA!...Oh my god, is that what it is? The great Athrun who used to pilot mobile suits brought down by a girl? Hahaha…"

Ahturn was annoyed by this. Was it wrong to like someone?

"Haha…do you know who it is, Dearka?" asked Yzak as he wiped a tear away from his eyes.

"Hmm…let's think," said Dearka, rubbing his chin, pretending to think. "Oh! I know! Jeez, how many golden-haired, pretty smile, big breasted, sexy-looking Natural – "Dearka stood up now and raised his voice to be dramatic " – who is also the princess of Orb do we know?"

"Cagalli Yuula Atha," announced Yzak slowly wearing a smug expression.

Athrun was stunned. How did they figure out? Had he been that obvious? But maybe he was...he'd been thinking of her everyday, wanting nothing more than to embrace her and tell her that he needed her. Everything he tried to do in order to forget Cagalli had failed; even when he ate a meal, he would always wonder what it'll be like to share a meal with her…when they were living together…

He shook out of his daze (yet again) and looked up into his friends' face; there was no fooling them anymore because it had looked like they had made up their mind to whole-heartedly believe that Athrun loved Cagalli.

Athrun sighed. "Alright fine, I like her, happy?"

"No you don't just like her Athrun," said Dearka while chuckling, "you lo---ve her. Be a man and say you l---ove her."

Athrun ignore this and looked at Yzak, expecting a taunt from him also, but instead, surprisingly, Yzak looked serious.

"Athrun, how could you fall in love with a Natural?" demanded Yzak, for he was still a little prejudiced against Naturals after serving in the war for so long. "They're stupid, ugly, and have fewer capabilities than we do!"

"Lay off him Yzak," said Dearka. "If he loves her he loves her. Besides, haven't you seen that Cagalli girl before? She's not bad looking for a Natural. In fact, Athrun, if you don't want her after what Yzak had just said, I'll take her. I'll taker to my room and –"

Dearka froze and trailed off after seeing the death glare Athrun shot him. Dearka raised both his hands up and said: "Hehheh…Just kidding man! I know she's yours!"

"But Athrun, if you love her so much, how come you're not with her? For that matter actually, how come I've never seen you phoning her or even mailing her?"

Yzak raised his eyebrows at Athrun too. "If you're in with her, you've got to contact her in so me way, I mean, she's not gonna take you seriously otherwise!"

"Man," joined in Dearka, "never thought you'd lose a girl, I mean, Yzak's another story, but – "

"Shut up! Don't you think I know I need to contact her if I wanna see her again? Don't you think I want to talk to her? But she's the princess of Orb! She's way too busy with her duties to worry about my feelings! She's doesn't have time to deal with me! I don't matter to her!"

Athrun had shouted all this out and was regretting it a minute after, but all the self-control he had in the last few months his feelings had snapped. All that he had shouted was fueled by his longing and desire to be next to Cagalli, but the truth was, she was on another planet.

"Athrun, we –"

"I – I'm sorry," said Athrun as he turned away from his fellow coordinators. He was ashamed of himself; his comrades were just trying to help him.

"Ah, that's okay Athrun," said Dearka cheerfully as he swung one of his arms around Athrun's neck, attempting to give him a noogie. "But to be fair, I think you owe us a pop."

"No way am I buying you a pop," said Athrun, smiling.

"Well, anyways, Yzak, how 'bout we give Athrun a hand with his girl friend troubles? Cause you have to admit, he really needs it."

"I agree," stated Yzak. Although he didn't like helping Athrun if he could help it, nothing gave him more pleasure than to feel superior to Athrun in something.

"I don't need help you guys!" said Athrun quickly; afraid of what Dearka had in mind would totally destroy his life. They never saw the last person Dearka tried to help ever again, so it was advised to never receive his help or ask his advice unless you have a death wish.

"Yes you do, you're hopeless, and you're not gonna get anywhere with Cagalli if you keep going the speed you're going now. By the time you guys finally sleep together, I'll be gay. Now….let's see…"

Dearka wondered around the living room and got a paper and pen with a smug expression. "The best way, I think, is to write a letter…yes, a romantic letter."

"Wait just a –" yelled Athrun as he stood up and lunged forward for the paper and pen, but was stopped and grabbed on the arm by Yzak.

"Yzak, restrain Athrun while I write this 'kay?"

"No problem," said Yzak with a smirk. He was very happy as he sat on Athrun's back, holding his legs together. Watching Athrun struggle against his weight was doing him good; he could do this all day if it annoyed Athrun so much.

"—lemm---g---o! Don't---end---the letter! M---back—urts!"

"Okay, now to start..hm….Dearest Cagalli, I miss you a lot as the sun rises and sets everyday. I often wonder about your well being and hope that you're not working too hard. It is often said that one misses one when they're suddenly not around, and that is what happening with me. I miss your soft tender lips for they remind me of the beauty left in the world after the war. I hope you're well and healthy and that the war hasn't affected you too much; I'm still getting over it, but I'm sure seeing you would make things much easier for me. The pain I have to endure of killing so much people will be gone once I see your beauty and angelic figure. I have so much I want to say to you, and so please, let's meet, hopefully somewhere under the sunset of the horizon, as they remind me of your hair. Let's meet on……" and with this, Dearka trailed off, musing with himself.

"Yzak – et off me! – Argh! Dearka! – n't send – beg—you!"

"No…I think this is fine…now…to send it…"

"--noo!---I'll never forgiv —earka!" yelled Athrun's muffled voice, due to the fact that Yzak stuck his foot in his mouth.

"Dearka! Hurry up and send it! I can't hold him much longer!"

Dearka ran to the door and sped down the hall to the mail box on their floor. Athrun and Yzak then heard a "Bang" and the sound of Dearka running back.

"YES! I just sent it! Athrun my man, you're gonna thank me some day, just invite me to your wedding eh?"

At that moment, Athrun was glaring at Dearka, thinking about the best way for Dearka to die, but then, he slumped down on the couch and sighed.

"Great, now what am I going to do?" asked Athrun hopelessly. "My love life just got ruined by the great Dearka Elsmen. Joy…"

"Well, you could go along with Dearka's letter and go meet her," stated Yzak as-a-matter-of-factly.

"How can I after that ridiculously stupid letter?" said Athrun through gritted teeth, glaring at Dearka again.

"Hey! That letter was awesome and romantic! Besides, I didn't really write it the way I read it, that was just to make fun of you. I wrote a sensible letter without any details of giving her any ideas that you like her. Anyways, you should just go see her, you want to!"

" 'Without any details of giving her any ideas that you like her' ? Dearka! I kissed her on board their ship! Now she's gonna think I don't like her!"

Both Dearka and Yzak's mouth hung open.

"You kissed her? Already? While on their ship?" said a bewildered Yzak.

"Way to go man," grinned Dearka.

"Thanks– wait!" Athrun spluttered quickly, shaking his head, "—that's not the point!"

"Ahh yes, then what is the point?" mused Dearka. "That's like asking the meaning of life. Just go to her!"

"I have to agree with Dearka for once Athrun," said Yzak, nodding, though getting a little annoyed that his blue-haired friend couldn't see the way from point one to two – to just go see Cagalli with no hesitation, but thought to refrain his anger for once, after all, it was Athrun's love life. (holy, this is Yzak doing something nice!)

"But…"

"Just go to her, I'll even buy the ticket for you! Now, the date and place I wrote to where you'll be meeting her is…."

Everything was a blur after that, and somehow, Dearka had managed to convince him to come, though, it was after Yzak's conventional outburst that Athrun came. He sighed; they were really good friends.

Now though, Cagalli was in front of him and smiling at him, and had just asked him where they should go. Damn that Dearka for picking a place he never been to before!

"Hey Athrun!"

"Huh?" said Athrun, having been just snapped out of his thinking. "Oh yea…"

Cagalli frowned slightly. "You don't look like you want to be here…if you were made to come, go back now."

Athrun finally really woke up. How da hell did she know what he was thinking of? Was it one of those "powers" women was said to have over men? This was freaky. And it wasn't as if though he didn't want to be here with her, hell, he wanted to be here, and had wanted for a long time! He would not blow his chance to be Cagalli, especially their reunion after so long. He shook his head and said "Sorry Cagalli, I was just admiring the scenery. It's beautiful here."

Cagalli scoffed. "Yea, sure, whatever."

"Don't believe me?"

"Hard to. Well anyways, if you don't know where to go, then let's just go have lunch. I'm starving!"

"Err…actually, I already ate…." said Athrun, scratching his head.

"You asked to see me and you already ate? Stupid…"

"Well, about the letter, actually…I didn't…" but before he could finish, Cagalli grabbed his right hand and dragged him down the street.

"Come on, I passed a nice looking little place on my way here."

Athrun was surprised by her forwarded ness by grabbing his hand, but didn't protest. He secretly liked Cagalli bossing him around a bit.

"Here!" announced Cagalli, directing her free hand towards a little ramen place.

Athrun went --… "The princess of Orb likes eating at a little, poor looking restaurant? Man Cagalli, work on your image a bit will ya?"

"What's wrong with liking ramen? Besides, I don't like those food I usually get served; it feels weird eating them, but eating things like ramen makes me feel more natural."

"Fine, but I don't feel like eating."

"Whatever."

With that, they entered the little noodle place and sat down in a table by the window. Cagalli ordered something big, some kind of deluxe meal or something while Athrun stared out at the window, savoring every moment with Cagalli right now.

He was so close to her, and he could feel that. He wanted to just stare at her, but she would notice and probably take the message a wrong way. Besides, if he kept staring at her, he would eventually let his view wander to where her breasts are…Cagalli would beat the crap out of him if that ever happened. But what if she didn't beat the crap out of him? What if she actually liked that he was staring at her?

Athrun shook his head and sighed. That could never happen.

"Athrun, what's wrong?" asked Cagalli with a concerned look on her face, having just heard Athrun's sigh when she was slurping madly with her noodles.

"Huh? Oh, nothing much."

"You're so out of it! I know you're hungry! Why won't you eat? It's delicious! Wait, I know, here, have some of mine, this bowl's too much for me anyway."

Cagalli pushed her bowl to the middle of the table and handed him a pair of chopsticks.

"Cagalli, I'm really not hungry!" assured Athrun, as he pushed the bowl back in front of her.

"Right, and I sing as good as Lacus Clyne. Come on, just try it. You'll like –" but before Cagalli could finish her sentence, but Athrun suddenly stood up and pushed Cagalli down.

"Athrun what are you --"

"Get down! There's a gu –"

A shot fired and the bullet went through Athrun's shoulder, barely missing Cagalli's head. Everyone in the restaurant screamed.

"What happening!"

"Where's –"

"Everyone calm down!" yelled the chef, as he came bursting out of the kitchen, but his command had little effect. Customers all left their seat and ran out of the ramen place except for Athrun and Cagalli, who were both still crouching under their table.

"Athrun! Are you all right!" asked Cagalli worriedly.

"The shot scraped my shoulder at the top, but I'm okay. What about you? You didn't get hurt right?" replied Athrun through a pant, still in disbelief that Cagalli almost got murdered. "How come you didn't bring any bodyguards with you?"

"Nobody knows I'm here! It's been arranged that an impersonator will take my place today as Cagalli Yuula Atha."

"But then how –"

"That's not important right now. Look at your shoulder, you're bleeding! Here," said Cagalli as she took out a white handkerchief and dapped the wound with it gently.

"Thanks," said Athrun through a wince.

"Let me call for help," said Cagalli as she took out a cell phone and phoned her men.

"Hello? This is Cagalli Yuula Atha, representative of Orb. I request assistance –"

Everything to Athrun after that was a complete blur. Apparently the wound was worse than he thought. He passed out as he heard Cagalli calling his name.

Athrun woke up staring at the white ceiling. There were bits of crack and black spots on the tiles, but other than the ceiling, the room was very elegant and comfortable-looking.

He sat up but immediately fell down upon the bed, but the covers fell off him. He realized that he wasn't wearing anything on the top, but had bandages wrapped around his left shoulder. His head was unfocused and a little dizzy, but otherwise fine.

"Athrun!" called Cagalli as she came into the room with a tray complying of bandages, water, and tissues.

"Stupid, did you try sitting up? No wonder your covers fell off. Well, you've got to sit up now, I need to change your bandages," said Cagalli as she set the tray down on the bedside table.

"Where am I?" akset Athrun, sitting up slowly while staring at Cagalli's concerned face. She was worried about him, so that meant that she cared about him.

"You're at an Orb base, the nearest one to the place we were at. I had to get you here because you passed out, and if we went to the hospital, the matters would attract too much attention," she explained, while leaning forward to Athrun, about to remove his bandages.

"It's okay, I'll do it myself," said Athrun, brushing Cagalli's hands away.

"Come, let me do it, it's my fault you're hurt anyway. The assassins were aiming for me."

"Assassins?" said Athrun with a surprised look.

"Yeah, but we have no idea of their whereabouts or where they're sent from," said Cagalli as she removed the bandages slowly and carefully, as to not hurt Athrun anymore.

Athrun said nothing more as she removed the bandages. Her every touch from her smooth beautiful hands was making him shiver. After Cagalli removed the bandages, she got a damp cloth to clean the wound. Athrun winced a bit, but was secretly enjoying being this close and getting treated by Cagalli. Suddenly, he realized that he wasn't wearing much, which made him want blush.

Athrun thought about what it would be like to be closer to Cagalli, relationship wise. Would she love him as much as he loved her? He wasn't too sure yet, because after all, it has been two years. Before he knew it, Cagalli was done.

"There, all done. I didn't hurt you too much did I?" said Cagalli as she set down the roll of bandages.

"No," smiled Athrun warmly.

Cagalli felt like blushing, but she held it in and said "No problem." She wanted so much for them to kiss, just as they had done on the Archangel, but that…would make matters bad for them and cause problems….She recently heard that the advisors thought of her to marry Yuuna, some guy important, as a stepping stone for Orb. If she were to date someone…well, the media would go nuts, basically.

Cagalli simply smiled back too, right at the guy she would trade in the whole world to. She sometimes thought of resigning as a representative of Orb just so she could be a normal girl her age, and date normally without having to think about the consequences first.

Seeing Athrun's smile then just made her remember how much she was going without unlike the normal girls her age. Cagalli buried all those feelings deep within her heart and told herself to stop thinking about it.

Here's the first chapter, R&R!