Meisha:

This plot has been floating around in my head for a while, but I was reluctant to post it since there are multiple unfinished stories collecting dust on my computer. Oh well, I gave in and decided to start a new one. It's a little weird drifting away from the typical A/C pairing, but this story fits particularly well with Athrun and Lacus—at least that's what I think. Does anyone even read author's notes or am I just talking to myself? I like being interactive with readers ;)

Character relations will be switched around; bear with me. It won't be too exaggerated.

. /\ . Amaurosis . /\ .

. /\ . Chapter One . /\ .

"Recent intelligence reports warn that the ORB Union may have gained information about the Angelus Project. [1] This is no light matter. Our organization has invested decades of labor intensive research into perfecting this plan and I will not accept interference.

Your task is to infiltrate the central base and confirm these reports. You will not engage any of ORB's forces. Your mission is to extract relevant information. Identify whether they are aware of the Angelus Project and if they have devised a counter plan. Once we know the truth we will reevaluate our own course of action.

Understood?"

Three soldiers saluted simultaneously.

"Anything short of success will not be tolerated." He narrowed his eyes at the three young men. "For this mission you will receive aliases to be used at all times. To avoid suspicion you will work independently. When one of you is infiltrating the base, the other two will remain within ORB as though you are ordinary citizens. Do what you will with your leisure."

The three soldiers remained stoic, eyes fixed on their leader.

"You are dismissed."

o0o ././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\. o0o

The sun's rays radiated over the horizon as the birds gathered on the windowsill to begin their morning song. The melodic tune resonated throughout the house, allowing the girl to drift in her thoughts. It was only when the tea kettle whistled that she was brought back from her day dream. She approached the stove and turned the dial off just as the land line rang.

"Hello?"

"I can't believe you're awake!"

She let out a small laugh. "Flay, I'm quite surprised that you're awake yourself."

"Yeah well, you won't believe what I found out. That is, unless you read the e-mail." Both girls paused for a moment. "O-oh, that was kind of dumb of me."

"No, not at all," she reassured. "But I haven't received any messages, so what's the big news?"

"I found out our high school is sponsoring a trip to ORB's capital! They can only select three students, but I looked at the requirements and I think we meet them."

ORB's capital. She had always dreamed of going there. Everyone who had traveled to the capital shared stories of its beautiful scenery and important political figures. But it was a journey well beyond her reach.

"Lacus?"

She was brought back from her daze. "Oh, sorry, what did you say?"

Flay laughed. "I guess it's safe to assume you're excited since you tuned me out."

Lacus smiled. "This sounds wonderful, Flay. Have you told Cagalli?"

"Don't get me started," she grumbled. "I called her and she freakin' yelled at me. Then she hung up."

Lacus stifled her amusement. Cagalli never was a morning person. "Perhaps we should get together for lunch and talk about it?" she suggested.

"Yeah, that sounds like a good plan." Flay fell silent in thought. "Should I come pick you up?"

"No, it's fine. I will meet you both there."

"'Kay, see you then!"

As she placed the receiver back on the stand, Lacus wondered what she should wear. She turned her attention to the window and could still hear the birds chirping happily. That could only mean the rest of the day would be sunny.

o0o ././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\. o0o

"Director, are these additional security measures absolutely necessary?" A young man asked as he placed his hand upon a scanner, opening a heavy metal door.

The older gentleman glanced at him from the corner of his eye. "I only take action when it is necessary. We have reason to believe that covert information was leaked to a terrorist group."

The young man's eyes widened. "Don't tell me it was—" his question was answered with a solemn nod. "Are they aware that we know? Do they know about our—" he stopped when he was met with a firm gaze.

"We must take every precaution to ensure our home does not become a battleground."

"Will we evacuate the people?" The director shook his head.

"We will act as though nothing has happened. We still do not have evidence that our suspicions are true. There is no reason to worry the public with idle claims. At this time—"

He was cut off when a cell phone rang. The young man looked at the caller ID and apologized before excusing himself.

"Cagalli, I'm at work."

"I know, but this couldn't wait!"

He sighed. "Well what is it?"

"I'm coming to ORB!" She was met with silence. "Oh gee, don't get too excited," she added sarcastically.

"No, that's not it. I'm just… surprised."

"I guess that makes sense, but try to show a little more enthusiasm when I show up, ok?"

"Of course, but how are you getting here?"

"The school's sponsoring a trip and Lacus, Flay and I qualify." She paused. "Yep, you heard me right, Lacus is coming."

He could feel her grin on the other line.

"What's the matter, Kira? Lost your voice?"

"Grow up, Cagalli." Though he managed to sound calm, his tinted cheeks told a different story.

"Anyway, I'll call you later to bore you with the details. Get back to work! Oh, and say hi to dad."

Once the call had ended Kira shifted his attention back to the director, who was eyeing him curiously.

"Cagalli's coming to ORB." A mild look of surprise crossed his face. "Are you going to let your daughter get involved?"

o0o ././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\. o0o

"Cagalli, I don't understand why you torment your brother," Lacus said as Cagalli flipped her phone shut. "It isn't nice to tease him about his kindness."

Cagalli couldn't help but scoff and Flay took the chance to interrupt.

"Lacus, Kira obviously has a crush on you."

"And what makes you so sure?" she challenged softly.

"I mean, everyone knows Kira's a sweetheart, but he wasn't even that nice to me when we were dating," Flay pointed out.

"Yes, Kira is certainly a gentle person," Lacus agreed. "But there are times when… I feel his actions are out of sympathy," she added more quietly.

Flay snapped her head towards Cagalli who seemed momentarily at a loss.

"Okay, enough about Kira. We'll figure out his deal when we get to the capital," Cagalli said with a wave of her hand, dismissing the topic. "But for now, let's just make sure the three of us actually get selected for the program."

"Yeah, it would suck if someone usurped our spots in the end." Flay said with a shake of her head. "But don't worry, just leave it to me," she finished with a wink.

o0o ././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\. o0o

"Man, how do you guys manage to keep a straight face around him!" He swung his arms up in emphasis.

"We're trained soldiers, Dearka," his companion reminded.

"But still! He could show a little emotion, don't you think?"

"Dearka, stop talking. You're giving me a headache." Dearka turned to glare at his other companion.

"Yzak, as a trained soldier I think you should be capable of handling a little idle talk," he reprimanded.

Yzak's jaw tightened. "What did you say?"

"Oh what, you're suffering from hearing loss too?"

Yzak tried to lunge at him, but a firm hand on his shoulder forced him to stop. "Stay out of this, Zala," he growled, jerking his arm away.

"I would gladly mind my own business if the two of you would stop acting like third graders." His comment was enough to quiet the both of them. "We should gather our things; we have a long journey ahead of us." When he received a nod from both of them he turned a corner and disappeared.

"Athrun's changed these path couple of months, hasn't he?" Dearka mused aloud. He was met with an indifferent shrug.

o0o ./././././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\ Next Day /././././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\. o0o

"We're in, we're in!"

"Why can't you wait to call at normal hours of the day, Flay?" It took all of Cagalli's strength to not hit the 'end call' button.

"Aha! I knew you wouldn't hang up if I started off with good news," she exclaimed triumphantly.

"You're talking about the trip, right? What did you do to them?" It was hard to believe that they'd hear back in less than 24 hours, no matter how speedy the school said it was. She let out a yawn.

"Me?" Flay asked innocently. When she didn't get a response she sighed. "Just be happy Cagalli. So I had daddy pull some strings, but honestly, we all know that we deserve this trip. Lacus has wanted to visit ORB's capital for years, you're probably ecstatic to see your family and as for me, well I just want to get out of this small town." When Cagalli still said nothing, Flay bit her lower lip. "There's no reason to be so mad. I would have told Lacus first, but she didn't answer when I called. And you know me, I couldn't just keep it to myself."

It was hard to believe Cagalli was that upset at being woken up. If Flay didn't know any better she would have thought the girl was related to one of those cranky hibernating bears she saw on television.

"Ok, seriously—" She was interrupted by light snoring on the other end of the line. "CAGALLI!"

o0o ././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\. o0o

"Miss Lacus, Miss Lacus!" She turned in the direction of the child's voice.

"Good morning, Stellar, how are you?"

The girl stopped a moment to catch her breath; she had rushed over when she spotted Lacus. "You always know it's Stella," she said in embarrassment.

Lacus smiled in response.

Stellar was a young girl, no older than twelve she assumed; she had never actually asked. They would often meet in the park during the early hours of the morning. It was usual for Lacus to be here to clear her mind and begin the day with a fresh start. Stellar just happened to be passing by one of those days and was curious enough to stay and keep her company. Since then the two of them would often sit side by side, admiring the little things around them.

"Stella heard you are leaving Heliopolis and going to ORB. Is it true?" There was a hint of sadness in the girl's voice, causing a slight frown to form on Lacus's lips. She took a seat by her friend on the park bench.

"It isn't certain, but that's the plan," she said as she placed her hand gently on top of Stellar's head. "But there's nothing to be worried about. The trip is only for a week and I will be back before you know it," she reassured.

A smile graced her features once again when she felt Stellar's mood rise. "Stellar will wait for you so we can play!"

"I look forward to it," Lacus replied with a nod.

As they fell silent enjoying the light breeze surrounding them, Lacus felt the young girl rest her head against her arm.

o0o ././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\.\.\.\./././././.\.\. o0o

Athrun stared at the floor of his room. It wasn't particularly interesting—in fact it was a simple tile floor. But he hadn't been able to bring himself to begin packing. Sighing, he stood up and pulled a bag out from under his bed and swung it onto his desk, inevitably knocking a picture frame to the floor.

He reached for the frame and placed it back on the desk without so much as a glance. He turned his attention to the drawer below and began gathering some necessities. He was about to move onto the next drawer when he stopped. Slowly his eyes shifted towards the photograph; he lifted it to eye level to read the engraved words.

A slight, pain-filled smile crossed his features as he lowered the frame. Just as he was about to place it back onto the stand he paused. With one last look at the picture he placed it in his bag.

'My Beloved'

[1] Angelus Project- A title I borrowed from the Tales of Symphonia Video Game. (It's an awesome RPG)

Meisha:

Thanks for reading. Feedback on what you liked/disliked/thought-in-general is appreciated. Did the story jump around between different groups of people too much? That's how I plan to write the remaining chapters so please let me know if it's a bother.

In case anyone is wondering there will be multiple pairings within this story. Some between the characters that have already been introduced.

One last thing, the story plot is not 100% original- it's based off of a movie I saw. There will be some similarities and differences.