Gundam Seed Destiny Fan Fiction / Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Eternal Destiny ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

"Eternal Destiny"

a Gundam Seed Fanfiction

Chapter Eight

Started: September 2007 - January 2008

Words: 13,050

****

Things That Matter

[82CE May - Aboard the Archangel somewhere in the Pacific]

She shifted irritably and fussed with the sheet wishing sleep would hurry up and take her so she could stop thinking. Unfortunately, sleep was proving uncooperative. She twisted again, turning away from the unappealing visage of the ceiling and dearly wishing there was a viewport from her bedroom. Too restless to relax, she gave up on sleep, tossing the sheet aside and easing into an upright position. Her hands moved automatically to her rounded belly and she froze, trapped by her thoughts and worries again.

Twins. It had been a big enough adjustment just thinking about one baby, but two... She touch her tummy wonderingly, marveling at the possibility that two tiny human beings could possibly exist inside her, growing and thriving. Depending on her for their very survival.

She sank weak-kneed back onto the bed.

It had been unexpected, and it scared her, but she also felt excited. That bubbling bubble of fear and excitement rolled around inside her, sending her emotions on a wild rollercoaster trip of soaring highs and gut-wrenching lows, and she wondered—had her mother felt the same? Her birth mother, Via Hibiki, had been a scientist like her birth father. They had studied coordinators and the whole process of gene-manipulation. They had harvested baby after baby in the pursuit of the perfect coordinator…

How had they felt when they discovered Via was pregnant with a Natural child, practically an insult to their life's work? It was Kira they had wanted, they had planned for. Her entire conception was just a mistake, something that happened unplanned. Why had Via even bothered to continue with the pregnancy, Cagalli wondered. Was it possible Via had felt the same things Cagalli felt when she discovered she was pregnant?

It hadn't been planned, but it was no less a miracle. A miracle that was growing inside her, Cagalli thought as her hands continued to caress her belly. She remembered Athrun's face when she'd told him; how happy and excited he was. It didn't matter that it was completely unplanned for. It didn't matter how much disruption a baby would create in their lives.

Cagalli hadn't thought she could ever love another person as much as she loved her husband and brother. With a heart-shattered wrench, she realized she'd been wrong. She loved these two little lives growing inside her desperately. Had the woman who gave her life felt the same desperate love for her? Had Via, although unplanned, loved and wanted her, too?

What would have happened if that colony had never been attacked, if Via Hibiki had lived? What would have happened to Kira and herself, she wondered. How would their lives have been different, knowing from birth they had a sibling?

Not alone.

The words flitting into her consciousness, and she felt a pulse of fierceness rise with the knowledge her children would know. They would grow up with a mother and father who love them both desperately. They would never have to be alone.

The door alert sounded, startling her. Mentally chastising herself, she leaned over to the bedside console to answer.

“Cagalli?” Kira's voice came through. “I wasn't sure if you'd still be up,” he began apologetically.

“I'm up,” she cut him off, releasing the door lock. “Come on in.”

The door slid silent shut behind him as she came from the bedroom to meet him. “What's up?” she asked casually, thoughts from moments before resurfacing as she looked at him.

“I just thought I'd check in on you, make sure everything was all right,” he offered. “I wasn't sure if you'd be asleep already or not.”

“No, as you can see. Too much on my mind really to sleep. You?”

“The same,” he admitted, joining her on the lounge. “Cagalli, I have too much to live for now to be careless with my life. That's why I have body guards, even if I don't much like it. It's a necessary precaution."

Annoyance overflowed her original sense of worry and concern, and she stilled beside him. "If you're about to get on me about those two recruits--"

"I wasn't,” he quickly protested, “but now that you've brought it up..."

"I stand by what I said. They disobeyed an order during battle--"

"I know. I understand, Cagalli. They understand, too,” he reassured her. “They wouldn't be any good at their jobs if they didn't."

"Then what--"

"It was a good move to pair them up with the Zaft pilot. I would have suggested it myself, but it actually works out better this way. Bruster will be more open with a couple of rookies who've been assigned to her as a punishment than she would've been with any one else we might have assigned to her,” he reasoned. “We might be able to find out something about what's going on in Zaft right now."

"We'll be seeing Yzak in another day,” she pointed out. “We could just ask him, then."

"You know there are things he can't tell us."

"Yes."

"I want to know what Zaft is doing, and so far our Intelligence hasn't been able to tell us anything new."

"You think they're preparing for another war."

"It's possible,” he hedged. “Why else would Chairman Janlynn send Yzak specifically down in his warship?"

"Why else indeed," she asked sourly lapsing into thoughtful silence.

“Do you hurt?” he asked.

She blinked at him in confusion before finally asking, “What?”

“Your stomach,” he explained, nodding in gesture. “You keep rubbing it.”

Mild embarrassment colored her cheeks as she realized what he meant, and she had to clear her throat twice before she could speak. “No, it doesn't hurt. You can't really see too well in this outfit but…”

She hesitated only a moment before reaching over, taking his hand, and placing it over the swell hidden beneath one the layered-gauzy numbers she'd left the island in possession of. Watching his face expectantly, reading his reaction, a small thrill coursed through her when his eyes widened in delighted surprise.

“You're bigger than—I mean,” he blundered, and she giggled before she could stifle the natural reaction into a more mature laugh.

“Well, there are two in there,” she reasoned before staring off. In this room, at least, there was a view port she could look out from. “I'm twenty weeks today,” she confessed, her hand over his over her children.

“Halfway point.”

She started, surprised again. “It is, isn't it?” she realized with wonder, and all her anxieties from earlier welled upon anew. “You know, before you came I was thinking. Athrun and I, we didn't plan this, but… I'm really happy.”

“I know. I'm happy, too. I'm happy for you.”

“And,” she continued, her throat tightening, “I keep wondering, you know, about her. How did she feel when she found out? I mean, it was unplanned, just like now, but… Dr. Crisner said Via was unhappy about being pregnant with me,” she whispered, and that ball of shame pushed right up her throat and leaked frustratingly from her eyes. “They didn't want me. I was just a mistake, a nuisance.”

“No,” he denied, practically panicky trying to shush and reassure her. “No.”

“Yes. It was you they wanted. I was just an unexpected hinderance. I guess… I guess that's a good thing about being a coordinator, huh? You never had to question whether you were wanted or not."

Kira didn't say anything immediately, didn't deny it, and that ball of shame twisted and colored with tints of anger and maybe even a little hate inside her before she could think about it. Horrified with herself, Cagalli scrubbed at her eyes and cheeks .

"`Why did you do this to me?'” Kira asked softly, and Cagalli frowned. “'Why did you make me like this? Why can't I be normal like everyone else?'" He looked up, unable to look at her just yet. “That's what I used to think.”

"But... if you weren't you, you'd never been able to help end the war,” she protested.

"If it wasn't for me and my abilities,” he countered, “Heliopolis might never have been destroyed. My friends, Athrun's friends, many people -- soldiers, faces I don't know-- might still be alive today. If I wasn't a coordinator."

"I would be dead. Lacus, too, probably. Your friends, Athrun's, Orb... You can't know how things might have happened, but, Kira.” She took his hand in hers and squeezed. “I'm glad you're here."

"I'm glad, too,” he replied, squeezing her hand back. “No matter what has happened or what will happen, I'm glad I've had this chance to live life. We can't change the circumstances of our conception or birth, but regardless of what they may have been, aren't you glad you've had this chance at life?"

"Yes, I am," she answered resolutely.

"And my niece and nephew are glad, too. They wouldn't be here without you, you know.”

****

Rendezvous

[82CE May - Meeting aboard the Vanguard somewhere in the Pacific]

Cagalli hadn't even stepped clear of the portal before it started.

"You've lost weight," Yzak said critically by way of greeting.

She rolled her eyes. "It's either your imagination or your memory's going,” she retorted, resisting the urge to smooth down her missing uniform. “I've already gained four kilos, and I have it on good authority that I'll probably gain another ten, at least, before it's all over."

"You look as sexy as ever," Deakka inserted with a wolfish grin, stepping forward with extended hands. "When are you going to leave that loser of a husband you've got and come to the arms of a real man?"

Cagalli snorted but took his hands in greeting and accepted his welcoming embrace. Pointedly ignoring the extra little squeeze he threw in. "It's good to see you both. I'm sorry I missed you in space last month."

"It couldn't be helped. Crazy schedules and all that, right?” Deakka shrugged off theoretically. “But now we're all together again. And I've been slaving over a hot stove all day, so I hope you like dinner."

"If you cooked it, I'm not eating," Cagalli announced flatly. "I have a rule never to intentionally ingest poison."

"I'll have you know I've gotten a lot better since then."

"Well, it would have been difficult to become worse," Yzak pointed out blandly gesturing her, Kira, and their two captains forward. They chatted aimlessly about families and friends until the reached the security of Yzak's entertaining quarters.

“I find it interesting that in the course of my journeying to an important meeting in Nippon, we should come across a supposedly neutral Orb vessel engaged in battle with an Alliance ship.”

“First, I must ask you. Have you ever seen any of these mobile suits before?” Kira interrupted, holding out a compu-card.

Yzak scowled but took the card and plugged it into the ship's display unit. He watched tight-lipped as the different suit schematics scrolled across the screen.

“That one,” Deakka spoke up first, tapping a finger against one design. “That's the one from the other day, isn't it?” He looked back over his shoulder briefly, as if for confirmation, but was just as quickly looking back at the screen in front of him. He whistled impressively as schematics continued to run.

“That suit there is possibly the one attacking in the Nippon region,” Yzak added, pointing out another. “Why do you have this?”

"Those suits are of Morgenroete design,” Cagalli announced.

“I thought Morgenroete was under deconstruction?” Deakka frowned.

“No. Or, rather, they're supposed to be focusing on reconstruction,” Cagalli amended. “These designs were among the last produced by Morgenroete engineers before the reconstruction mandate was put into effect. They're why the mandate was created in the first place.”

“How did the Federation got a hold of them?”

“I don't know. Athrun's looking into it, but I don't know how much we'll be able to find out."

"It doesn't matter now, does it?” Yzak growled. “Regardless of how other governments got those plans, the fact of the matter is they have them now, and they've used them. Do we know how many of these new suits are out there?"

"It matters if we want to prevent more plans from escaping control," Cagalli snapped back.

"Those plans shouldn't even be in existence."

"Neither should computer viruses, but despite the Urban Wars, there are people who still persist in writing virus programs," Kira calmly interjected, hoping to diffuse one or both of them.

"Like you?" Yzak accused.

"I've written one or two,” he replied. “As a school project, of course."

"Of course," Deakka quipped, stepping up.

"Why they exist isn't the issue here," Captain Ramius reasoned.

"No,” Yzak barked. “The fact that they exist at all is our problem. It figures that the Naturals are building more weapons of war again."

"It's not just the Naturals, though, is it?" Cagalli accused. "That's not just a supped up old-style suit your pilot is flying."

"No, it's not,” the commander allowed. “But that suit is a defense unit."

"And you don't think the Federation will use the same excuse to explain their new mobile suit's presence?" Cagalli scoffed.

"And are you going to question them on it?"

"How can we,” she scowled, “without bringing into light the fact we've engaged in combat with such a unit?"

"It will be problematic if it gets out that Orb's been fighting," Captain Flagga mused.

"It was self-defense,” Captain Ramius defended. “We have it on record."

"Doesn't matter if the media gets wind of it."

"Orb fought with another country during what is supposedly peace-time,” Cagalli mumbled tiredly. “I'd rather that not get plastered over the vidscreens, which means we can't just go making accusations in public."

"I would prefer our participation was left out of any reports as well," Yzak joined.

"Of course. Zaft has its own agenda,” she huffed, holding up a hand to stop him when he would say more. “No, I know better than to ask, but I will remind you that our agreement still stands, and I will ask that you continue to choose carefully when and if you engage in other conflicts. I fear this battle won't be won with another war."

"Nothing good can come about if people are too busy trying to kill and destroy each other instead of create," Kira expressed sadly.

"Rest assured,” Yzak declared. “Zaft and Plant do not desire another war. Our wishes on this matter are in agreement with yours."

"You're here to push for a revival of the United Nations then," Murrue observed questioningly."

"That is our main goal primarily, yes,” the Zaft commander allowed. “Initially, I'm here to hopefully remind the dunderheads who live terra-side that war is not the solution to our current situation. Nor will it serve as a means to a solution. Ideally, however, yes, I am hoping to push for the rebirth of the United Nations."

"You have Orb's cooperation," Cagalli pronounced.

"Thank you."

"I don't plan for Orb's voice to be lost among the cacophony of larger countries any more than Plant does. Our voice will be heard."

****

A Yzak-Deakka Interlude

The door alert sounded, but he ignored it, just as his late night visitor was ignoring the "Privacy Requested" signal he'd left on his door. Not that he'd expected the other man to honor his wish to be left alone for one night. He didn't look up from the report he was reading as his privacy setting was overridden and the door slid open.

Deakka strolled into the commander's quarters as if he belonged there--and yet the man would never be caught doing anything that would allow him the privilege to actually own his own white coat, Yzak thought with a mental snarl of disgust. No ambition, that was Deakka's problem.

“Normally, when a person's door is locked it means that person wishes to be left alone.”

“Yeah, but that sort of thing doesn't exist between buds,” Deakka returned carelessly tossing his uniform jacket over the back of a second chair. “Besides, if you'd really not wanted me to get in here you would have layered the code a couple o' more times. So what's eating your mind, captain of mine?”

“I am trying to get some work accomplished here, as foreign as the concept may be for your mind to comprehend.”

“Those the suit specs Blondie handed over?” the blond asked, sidling up behind Yzak and peering over the commander's shoulder.

“Along with the data retrieved from the Zadkiel,” Yzak confirmed as battle scenes and mobile suit schematics overlapped, theory and application being analyzed.

“Jeri-kun held up pretty good to this thing.”

“Because it was this one,” Yzak informed his first sourly. “If she had been up against this one,” he added, calling forth another mobile suit design, “it would have been a much different story.”

The two mobile suit designs sat side-by-side on the display screen. There was a sleekness, a sheer deadly possibility to the designs that stated these two suits were cousins, brought to this stage of development by the same creative minds if not the same singular person. They had no way of knowing if that second suit had made it into being like the first.

“There's more that's bothering you,” Deakka finally claimed.

Yzak's lips pressed together in a tight, nearly invisible line. “They attacked first,” he growled, glaring at the screen before him. “I might not be fond of that government, but we are still under peace time treaties. That they would open hostilities on any vessel, let alone one in international waters, one that was not threatening them in any way… Yes. It bothers me a great deal.”

“You talked to Commander Shiho? What she have to say on the subject?” Deakka asked casually although he watched his friend closely.

Yzak shot the other man a bitter look. “She harbors no more love for the Atlantic Federation than I do, but even she says the move makes no sense. There is little more they could have done to declare open war upon Orb. If it was a rogue ship then why announce themselves as part of the Federation Fleet. No, it makes no sense at all.”

“Pirates,” Deakka suggested. “It's not completely unheard of,” he rushed to defend, “no matter how unlikely.”

“No.”

“Then dissenters who are hoping to cause trouble among the nations?”

“That's what Shiho suggested,” he admitted reluctantly. “One I'm more ready to believe. The Atlantic Federation has lost much due to their associations with Blue Cosmos and Legeos. It's difficult to believe they would be so willing to follow similar mandates so soon.”

“Yeah, but you gotta remember, most of their leaders were either a part of Blue Cosmos or secret members of that Legeos. And they were elected leaders, chosen by the people—much like in PLANT.”

“I'm shocked that you're even aware of how most our officials are chosen.”

“Hey! I vote!” Yzak snorted but he didn't comment further. Deakka slid his body along side Yzak's back, leaning over so he could rest his face next to Yzak's. “That's not all that's bothering you.”

“No. I've already filed a preliminary report with Supreme Commander Karkus. We are to continue on with our originally proposed agenda. We are here to hopefully prevent all-out war, and if that fails, then we're to support the Neo EuroAsian Federation in their attempt to secede from the Atlantic Federation.

“Repress,” Yzak confirmed, “not repel. His exact words.”

The commander sighed, his body slumping minuscule. If Deakka hadn't been pressed against him, he doubted he would have even noticed.

“If it's true that the Atlantic Federation did get their hands on those other schematics of Orb's, then that's what it will come to: war.”

“Yzak.”

“How many times will we have to fight a war over the same issues?”

“You've been at it for a while now,” Deakka tried gently. “Maybe it's time to take a break, Commander. Relax, catch a couple of zeds. You'll be better for it.”

“Why did you come back?” Yzak asked suddenly.

Deakka blinked, jerking back as if physically attacked. “What?”

“Why didn't you stay with that woman? Why did you return to PLANT? To Zaft?” Left unsaid, the words seemed to hang in the air between them, `To me'.

Deakka sank back onto his heels, and proceeded to flop down onto his backside. “Well, I could say it was because I was madly in love with you and couldn't stand to be away from your studdly physique any longer.”

“And I could have you laid up in the medical bay with several gunshot wounds,” Yzak offered.

“Jeesh. Way to spoil a man's fun.”

“Let there be truth between us. Why did you return to Zaft?”

“Absolute truth is a dangerous thing,” Deakka said lowly. Then he exhaled loudly and fell all the way back, stretching out along the floor. “For truth? Fine. I came back `cause it's home, the only home I know. My mom and Dad have lived in PLANT for longer than I've been alive. It's where I grew up; it's what I am.”

“What you are?”

“Yeah. A coordinator.”

“Is that why you didn't stay with that woman? Because she wasn't?” Yzak wanted to know.

“Who said it was me who left?” Deakka almost snapped.

“You're the one who returned to PLANT,” Yzak pointed out.

“It wasn't cause I left first,” Deakka mumbled. “I didn't. I would've stayed; I tried, dammit! She's the one who left. She left me, not the other way around. I'd rented an apartment, just outside the main city. Even got myself a bit of a job so I wouldn't be skimming off my folks. You know,” he added with a jerky shrug. “Her parents were settling in fine in their nice, new little cookie-cutter house. She stayed with them for a bit, but then she was also shaking up with me after a while.

“It wasn't like utopia or anything,” Deakka continued when Yzak said nothing. “We fought more often then not. She was a mess cause of what happened with her boyfriend—killed in action by the Aegis, you know. I was much better, comparatively. I mean, I had a lot of shit to figure out, had to figure things out for myself, about myself. I mean, I'm a coordinator; I'm a Zaft soldier, but in that last battle… I was drawing on other Zaftees, on my cousins. It was really messed up. I mean, I was real messed up, but I was sure I'd done what was right. Right for me and right for PLANT. You did it, too. You chose to defend the Eternal, even against other Zaftees.”

“I know why I did what I did,” Yzak said softly. “What I don't know is why you did it.”

“I don't know what you want me to say, Yzak. Milli and I—we had a thing going, and that thing didn't work out so well, and I ended up coming home.”

“Why didn't it work out?”

“Dammit, Yzak! When'd you get so blasted noisy? If you must know, I suggested marriage, and she blew up at me, said I was cramping her style. Then she bailed.”

“You asked her to marry you?” Yzak asked, clearly surprised.

“Yeah. It seemed like a good idea, shacking up on a more permanent level.”

“You suggested to a woman who was still mourning her previous KIA lover that you should marry. At eighteen.”

“What's wrong with that? You got married yourself after the second war.”

“I got married to the woman I'd been promised to marry since I was eight. There is a vast difference. I knew there was a woman out there who I would one day marry."

"So did I. I just didn't know her name yet."

"You are... beyond description."

"Thank you."

"That wasn't a compliment."

"Matter of opinion, isn't it? Besides, why you wanna know about all this old news now? It never bothered you before."

"The woman you profess to love was on that ship today, and you didn't try to see or talk to her."

"Used to love," Deakka corrected negligently. "And it's not like you've cared so much about my love life before. Seriously, what's up?"

"Shiho wants to gestate," Yzak announced.

"What?” Deakka barked, pushing up off the floor. “Like, have kids? Really? Hey, that's great. Imagine--both you and Athrun are going to be daddies. Congratulations, man," he added with a light shoulder tap.

"It hasn't happened yet. I told her no."

"What? Why? Don't you want kids?"

"In the eventual scheme of things, yes,” Yzak answered cautiously. “But now is not an appropriate time for children. Both our careers are still developing, and now there is this mess." He gestured towards the screen still displaying mobile suit schematics.

"Is that it really?" Deakka asked cautiously.

"Isn't that enough?"

"Well, no. I don't think so. I mean, Life's short enough without borrowing trouble. The world will never be a completely safe place, but that doesn't mean you stop living in it. Besides, being a dad might loosen you up some; remind you that duty isn't everything."

"It's just another responsibility. I don't have time to deal with it now."

"You know, I kinda envy Athrun."

"What ever for?"

"They weren't even trying, and they got it, you know?"

"No, I don't know."

"Well, he met Cagalli, they fell in love, and sure, I guess you can say they had their problems and all, but they made it. And now he's a married man and they're gonna have a kid, just like that."

"You want children."

"Well, yeah. I guess I do. Doesn't everyone?"

"No. If that's what you really want than I suggest you start looking more seriously for a possible mother. Enroll in the E-harmony program and have done with it."

"Nah, you don't understand. I don't want to hook up with a girl just because she's my best genetic match. I want more chemistry than that."

"Chemistry?" Yzak scoffed. "What an antiquated concept."

"Yeah, a real traditionalist, that's me. I just... I want a girl I can actually enjoy spending the rest of my life with, not just cohabitate and procreate with. I want what Athrun has with Cagalli, what Kira has with Lacus."

"Your parents were a love match, weren't they?" Yzak demanded suspiciously.

"Dad said he knew she was the one from the first. Mom wasn't so easy to convince, but he eventually won her over. I always figured I'd be much of the same: I'd just know."

"You'd what? See some random person and that's it? You'd know she was the woman you would want to spend the rest of your life with?"

"Yeah."

"That has to be one of the most ridiculous things I have ever had to listen to you say."

Deakka grinned and shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a guy of great instincts. I just know these things. I knew with you, didn't I? I knew with her, too."

Yzak was still frowning. "You are still in love with that woman, then, even though, as you said, she left you."

"I know the most important people n my life when I meet them."

"Most important?"

"Yeah. But I'm a generous guy. There's room in me to love some more people. Kids, when you decide to have 'em; when Milli decides she's ready to stop running and settle down."

"You're just going to keep waiting for her, wasting your time."

"I don't consider it a waste. I like working with you, but, yeah, I'll wait until she's ready. I pushed her too fast once already. I know that now."

"You pushed too fast."

"Yeah. Like you said, we were both pretty young, she'd lost her boyfriend pretty violently, and I wasn't thinking too clearly, so I rushed. Said we should get married, find an apartment back in the Cities, or not. I could've found a steadier job in Orb, I guess. It's a pretty okay country. Or I could've put in a request for transfer to Carpentaria. Then I'd still be Zaft, if I wanted."

"If you wanted."

"Yeah, well, other than Milli, I wasn't too sure about what I wanted back than. Not like you, huh? You always know exactly what you want."

"I set goals for myself. You should try it."

"Yeah? Well, here's a goal for you," Deakka told him, grinning as he dragged his shirt off over his head and tossed it away before laying back, propped up along the bed.

"Sex?" Yzak queried, unconvinced.

"Unless you've got something better to do between now and 0700?"

"You know, there are other things to do in life than sex and work," Yzak informed him.

"Yeah, like sleep and eat, but you wouldn't know it. I can see it on your face. You're worrying about stupid shit again, shit you can't control. Just let it go for a while, Yzak. This matter's stressed you out; having to come down here's stressed you out, and you don't focus well like that. Relax for a bit, and things'll look clearer for it. I promise."

Yzak scoffed, but he shut his unit screen and stood. "Are you solicitation your commanding officer?"

"Would I do a thing like that?" Deakka quipped back, sliding a hand down his naked torso to the low-riding waistband of his slacks.

****

News Feed

"... Casualties increase as hostilities between former Earth Alliance members rise to new heights. Cory Bolick is live in Nippon with more."

"Thank you, Yasmine. I'm standing here in the middle of what was yesterday a bustling business center. As you can see, this former center of commerce is now demolished, destroyed in an early-morning bomb raid that came just after four am this morning.

"It was shortly before four when Nippon Defense Forces noticed ten Atlantic mobile carriers crossing the International dateline. Despite requests and warnings, the mobile-armor carriers did not turn away. Nippon Defense suits scrambled to meet the attackers but difference in military technologies left the Nippon forces at a disadvantage. All too soon, Atlantic forces were sweeping through this island nation, targeting seemingly irrational locations like this nursery school."

"'It was a demon!' one eye-witness told me. `I've never seen a suit move like that before.' Another stated that the amour didn't move like a mobile suit at all, but like a `second skin. Like it was some complicated exoskeleton.'

Hirofumi, the manager of this local convinence store you can see behind me had this to say: `It was like something out of a science fiction film, but horrible 'cause it was really right there in front of you.'"

"We were able to obtain visual of this demon suit. Warning: the following video feed may not be suitable for young children or viewers suffering from medical conditions."

The angry burnt orange of the suit stood out against the night as it sliced through several buildings with a beam saber and before jetting off. The scene changed, but the images were similar. This time the hidden camera had managed to catch sight of the suit approaching before it demolished several buildings and flew off again, leaving destruction in its wake.

****

Homecoming

To a casual observer, Athrun was sure he appeared composed and collected as he waited in the covered hanger. He was early, but then he'd been unable to concentrate on anything this morning, and as a result, he'd called the day hopeless and taken up to wait here for the Archangel to arrive. Now that the ship was finally being fastened and secured, it was all he could do not to run down and meet the extending gangway.

He did step forward when the first person to appear in the portal was the one person he was hoping to see most. She stood there, surveying all those who stood at attention for her appraisal before finally meeting his gaze. She smiled and stepped away from the ship. Sheer willpower prevented him from going to her, meeting her strong and steady stride halfway up the gangplank. Instead, he stood rooted, eyes feasting on the site of her as she confidently closed the distance between them.

He wanted more than anything to reach out to her, to touch her in any small manner, but years of secrecy helped control the need until finally she stood before him, scant meters away.

“Welcome home.”

She reached for him, and he was there to meet her. Around them, maintenance and military personnel erupted into cheers as they embraced for the first time in many long weeks.

“I'm home,” Cagalli whispered against his shoulder, holding to him.

"Thank you,” he murmured, squeezing her one last time before reluctantly releasing her. "I know you must be tired from your travels, but there are some matters to be seen to before we can retire to Athha Estate."

"I know,” she sighed, releasing all but his hand as she proceeded towards the lift. She was acutely aware of the many curious eyes following their progress, of hers and Athrun's detail falling into step beside and behind them. “I'll call Toshihiro from the car for an update, but perhaps you could brief me on the way there?"

The lift doors slid open, and Cagalli and Athrun quickly stepped inside while Kira somehow managed to intercede and block their would be bodyguards from following. The lift doors slid shut again, leaving Athrun and Cagalli alone as the shuttle zipped away to where their ground transportation waited.

She turned slightly towards him.

He turned slightly towards her.

Their eyes met.

And then they lunged, smashing together with a desperation born of forced separation, worry, frustration, but utmost of love and passion.

Athrun pulled back almost immediately, his eyes burning with a wealth of emotions.

"Athrun..."

"There's... You're..." he reached for her again, his lips pressing to hers as he skimmed a hand tentatively down over her curving figure.

Athrun laid his palms reverently against the thickening bump swelling out from Cagalli's midriff and had to fight off the urge to breath out a 'wow'. Instead he kissed her again, saying with lips and tongue what he couldn't quite manage to articulate with words.

"Kira said you know?" Cagalli hesitated.

"Yes,” he breathed, beaming wondrously. “We found, I mean... gods, Cagalli, you're okay? You're really okay?"

"Yes. I'm really okay. We're really okay," she corrected, placing a hand over his where it rested against her stomach.

"I missed you."

"I know. Missed you, too."

"Don't go running off again."

"I'll make sure all future kidnappers run it by for your approval first," she told him, joining his relieved laughter with watery eyes and kissing smiles.

"I have half a mind to just take you straight home and lock you up."

"I don't make a very good captive," she warned him.

"No, you don't,” he conceded as the lift began to decelerate. “C'mon. We've got appointments to meet before I can get you home. And Lacus and the kids and Caridad-san are at the house, too, so it'll be even longer before we can have another moment to ourselves--"

"So we'd best hurry up and get it done, huh?" She grinned at him. "If Kira wasn't out there waiting with a good portion of my security detail, I'd say screw it and let's run away."

"No, you wouldn't, but it's a tempting image anyway. You just got home, Athha-sama. Are you so eager to leave again?" he teased.

"Leave? No, but if it meant having more time with my husband, I'd be sorely tempted, Zala-sama. C'mon, we'd better get out of here before we create a scandal."

"You mean more of a scandal than getting married on the sly and not telling anyone for the last three years has caused?"

"I thought the pregnancy bit was more scandalous, really. How's that going anyway? From what I could catch of the news, it looks like both Orb and PLANT are well enough."

"The new Euro-Asian Federation has sent supportive statements our way, as well. I've spoken with the Supreme Chairman twice since I've been back, and the Treaty there is still in good condition, but I'm concerned what will happen if war does break out between the former Alliance."

"The revised proposal you drafted should offer us enough leeway to avoid anything but a direct offense."

"Which, considering what you told me happened with the Triton, isn't all that reassuring anymore."

"The Atlantic Federation still hasn't issued a statement about that."

"Neither have we," he reminded her.

"What has our Intelligence been able to tell us?"

"That we've been lax, too lax perhaps. We didn't know the Alliance was building those suits. We didn't know they'd even gotten those schematics.”

"And no indication yet of where our mole is?"

"We suspect it might be someone who works directly in your office. Gracia is clean, but it's possible any one of the aids. Yours or the Prime Ministers'."

"That's still a lot of people," Cagalli sighed.

"We'll keep searching until the hole is found and plugged,” Athrun promised, giving her hand a little squeeze. “We've also identified one to three persons suspected of selling those suits' schematics. We should have a better idea in another day or two."

"Well, that's something, I guess."

"Meanwhile, we've been trying to track down what we could about any other suits the Alliance might have built.

"And?"

"There's a report on your home desk, and you have a briefing with the council set for tomorrow. You probably already know as much as we do, but the rundown is we've located four possible suits that match the missing schematics."

Cagalli exhaled. "Four. Four unaccounted for gundams out there." She closed her eyes and leaned back against the wall. "Please tell me we have some good news?" She asked, straightening as the lift doors hisses open. They stepped out to the waiting security detail.

"There is. Initial reports indicate our revised proposal to the EuraAsian Fed was received moderately well. We expect to hear from their Ambassador by Tuesday. In addition, you'll be happy to hear that the majority of Orb's businesses have risen comparatively well in the market. Enough to recover from the drop we took several months ago," he added. "Oh, and Rumi is pushing for another press conference as soon as possible, with both of us in attendance this time, so I'd be prepared if I were you. And the next full Parliament meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday. The junior councilors were never informed of your adventure."

"We're not heading there now?"

"No. It may have escaped your notice, but you've just returned from an unscheduled voyage. Protocol dictates that you must meet with your health physician for a thorough check."

"What? I'm not going to the hospital, Athrun."

"No," he agreed, grinning. "We're going to a private clinic," he added, pressing her into the waiting car ahead of him. Kira climbed in behind them, one of their security detail peeling off to slide into the front passenger seat while the others magically dissolved away. "Both of you, of course."

"Of course," Kira agreed with minor amusement. "I assume all is as well as can be expected?"

"As can be expected. When I left this morning your mom and Lacus were planning a bit of a party for your return."

Kira smiled while Cagalli groaned.

"I'm sure we'll enjoy it," Athrun proclaimed with complete faith as he relaxed back into the seat cushions, and the car pulled away. A moment later Cagalli relaxed against him, feeling more at ease than she had in months. Fingers brushed and she turned her hand over and threaded her fingers through Athrun's solidly, surely, smiling as she leaned back into the bench seat and closed her eyes.

His hand squeezed hers, once, before resting comfortably.

Home. She was home.

****

Check-up

Tenshibune was an exclusive clinic on the outskirts of the main city, located half way between the Parliament House and other governmental buildings and the private estates owned by the aristocratic. Its position was no accident. Cagalli had been tended to by the doctors and nurses of the Tenshibune since she'd first arrived in the island country.

Dr. Lena Spoto wasn't the same grandfather-like physician who had wrapped up her broken limbs or sewn her skin back together, but she was a familiar face who greeted them at the private entrance.

"Dr. Spoto."

"Athha-sama," the woman returned in efficient tones. "It's reassuring to see that you at least look healthy. If you would follow me? The assistants have already prepared the necessary equipment for us."

"Necessary equipment? For what?" she asked suspiciously. "What's this about?"

"Zala-sama has saw fit to inform me of some of the more delicate conditions concerning your pregnancy, and since you decided to be so conveniently out of town during our last scheduled appointment, your husband gracious made special arrangements for today. If you don't mind, Athha-sama, we are both busy women. We don't need to be wasting time standing in a hallway, do we?"

"No, we don't. By all means, Dr. Spoto, lead on," Cagalli replied, shooting a narrow-eyed look towards Athrun.

"Zala-sama is, of course, permitted to join you, and any others you wish," the doctor added, turning on heel and clipping down the hallway to a waiting examination room.

Cagalli looked over her shoulder to see Kira sliding back towards the luxurious waiting room and Athrun hovering rather nervously nearby. "Are you coming?" she growled.

Kira paused. "No. You and Athrun go ahead. This is your moment, after all. I'll have one of the nurses run a quick physical for me while you're doing that."

"Kira," she started, but Athrun's hand in hers had her swallowing the words back. "Okay. See you in a bit."

He nodded and then disappeared.

"Do I get to be informed of these delicate conditions?" she asked, shooting another annoyed look at her husband as they started down the corridor.

"Cagalli, I didn't intend to keep secrets from you," he sighed, squeezing her hand again. "Not in this. I'm sorry."

"What secrets are you keeping now?"

"None that you don't already know, I don't think," he answered with a shy smile.

"That's not really a pillar of reassurance," she grumbled, and he lifted their clasped hands up to kiss her knuckles.

"I'm sorry. I just sent certain key medical details about the Genesis Project to Dr. Spoto, along with the contact information for Dr. Crisner."

"Why do I get the crazy feeling that you're nervous?" His palm was moist where it pressed against hers; his lips, too.

"I love you."

"And suddenly I'm the one who's nervous," she mumbled as they entered the examination room together.

"Okay," Dr. Spoto called out eagerly. "Let's get you stripped and then take a look inside, shall we?"

****

A Quiet Evening Home

She was falling asleep where she sat on the sofa curled up next to Athrun. His arm around her shoulders was a warm, comfortable weight, and the friendly, peaceful atmosphere of the evening was lulling.

"I think Cagalli has fallen asleep on you," Lacus noted with affectionate amusement.

"Not yet," she mumbled, snuggling closer into Athrun's side. His chest wasn't the best of pillows, but it suited her just fine.

He shifted against her, a hand running up her arm.

"It's late anyway," Kira spoke up. "We should all probably head to bed."

"Don't wanna move. Comfortable," she protested. Athrun didn't force her to move, just kept rubbing her arm, but she could hear movement from the other sofa as Lacus and Kira stood.

"Goodnight," the pair echoed with promises to see each other again the next day. Cagalli thought she managed a rather decent response and just basked in the lassitude of having the room to Athrun and herself.

"You'll be more comfortable in bed," Athrun said conversationally just as she was on the brink of falling over the edge into unconsciousness. "Would you like me to carry you?"

"Don'wanna move," she repeated with a mew of protest.

"Come on, Cagalli," he cajoled, finally shifting out from beside her and grabbing her wrist to pull her up. "I'll help you, but let's get to bed."

He pulled her against him when she would have slipped back down onto the sofa. He finally convinced her to wrap her arms around his neck and shoulders and picked her up. She murmured protesting against his throat even as she snuggled closer. He kept up a stream of nonsensical chatter as he navigated the stairs and hallways of the estate until they reached her bedchambers--their bedchambers, he reminded himself.

He hadn't slept here since his last visit home during the New Year's holiday. It hadn't seemed right to sleep in this room without her. He'd been waiting, waiting for her to come home to him. And now she had.

They stumbled onto the bed, Athrun having over-balanced when he tried to set her down and she'd refused to relinquish her hold on him.

"Want you," she slurred, trying to pull him down against her as he fought to maintain that small distance from crushing into her. "Missed you."

"Cagalli," he breathed, giving her his mouth and easing down beside her.

She rolled him, pressing him back into the mattress as she ate at his mouth, as if she could take all of him inside her. Cool hands slid under his shirt, stroking the flame higher, faster, and all he knew for a blinding moment was the intense need to be inside her, to be joined with her.

He reached for the hem of the day dress he suspected Lacus having supplied his wife with, dragging the cool material up and around her waist, leaving her bare legs free to wrap around him unhindered. She writhed against him, pressing their groins together. Even through his pants, her pants, the heat of her was scorching. He wanted to bathe in that heat. Wanted to feel her hot and tight and wet, fitting around him as they moved together.

She tugged impatiently at his belt, reminding him it wasn't just him who wanted, needed. He fumbled blindly with his belt and pants until she could push the material away. Cagalli continue to wiggle and worm against him until their lower bodies pressed together again, and Athrun realized there had been another purpose in his wife's squirming other than to excite him.

Her soft thighs pressed around his hips, drawing him up against her. She slid against him, over him, teasing him with her heat and scent and breathy moans. She would have rushed it, rushed him; he knew his wife, knew her commands and demands, knew she would take him hard and fast and burn brightly in the fire.

He grabbed her hands when she would have grabbed him, and rolled her over, sliding against her core, back and forth again and again until the point of him slid closer and closer to her opening.

"Athrun," she cried, pleaded beneath him before hissing out a long and drawn, "Yes," as he slowly pressed into her.

The soft folds of her body were scalding as they enfolded him. He fought for control, for the slow and steady rhythm that shattered to hell when her nails sliced into his back. She stole his control from him and left him with only the heat and passion to consume her, to surround himself completely in her.

They kissed and coupled brashly, racing and chasing each other higher and higher until they were left wasted, drained, and yet incredibly fulfilled.

Athrun broke the heavy air pressing against them with a strangled laugh.

"Hmm?" Cagalli mumbled, snuggling closer as her body continued to float on that lazy haze between post-coital bliss and sleep.

"I'd planned a romantic reunion in my mind," he admitted, cradling her against him. "A bath, a massage, slow lovemaking."

"And instead," Cagalli grinned, "we ravished each other without even properly undressing first," she concluded, rubbing her face against his shirt that was only half buttoned. "I like my way better, but I'm willing to give your idea a proper chance.”

“Tomorrow," she added on a yawn while he struggled to swallow his relieved chuckles.

****

A Kira-Lacus Interlude

They shared a look as they left Athrun and Cagalli. It was good to be home, Kira thought as Lacus's hand fit into his. She brushed against him as they strolled back to their room, enjoying the peaceful stillness of the estate. It was good to be home, to know that Cagalli was safe and sound, back where she belonged, yes. But it was better to be back where he belonged, beside his wife. He squeezed her hand as they approached their room and then released it to hold the door open for her. She smiled pleasantly as she slipped inside ahead of him and went to begin the process of preparing for bed.

Kira loved her smile. Out of all the many things he loved about his wife, Lacus's smile was probably the best. He loved how she could smile for almost any occasion. And until just now, he hadn't realized just how much he had been missing her smile in recent weeks.

He caught her as she was crossing the room and pulled her back against him, holding her tight.

"Kira?" she made his name a question as she laid her arms gentle over his and leaned back into him. "What is it?"

"I missed you," he explained. "I'm glad you were safe, here, but I still missed you. Love you," he mumbled at last.

"And I you. So much, my heart," she returned, relaxing more and allowing him to soak up the feel of her in his arms. After so long, though, she patted his arm and stepped away. "Let's finish getting ready for bed," she suggested with a more saucy smile, "and then perhaps I can show you just how much?"

He let her go, not because he wanted to, though. Right now he felt as if he would be content to hold her forever and never let go.

"Cagalli looks well," Lacus's voice carried out from the bathroom.

"Yes. The doctor said she was doing great."

"I'm glad."

"I guess the forced time away was at least a little beneficial. Although I don't think it was very stress-free."

"No," Lacus agreed returning in her negligee and robe. "It wasn't stress free, but it was at least a change of routine, and that can sometimes be enough to be beneficial."

"A change," Kira agreed thoughtfully, slowly stripping for bed. "Lacus, I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Crisner while I was on the island. You know she heralded the GENESIS Project; she's studied situations like ours before."

"You mean problems like mine," she snapped suddenly furious.

"Like ours," Kira answered calmly. "Her research and specialty is reproduction and procreation, and, I think, maybe, she might be able to help us. Lacus, you want a baby, and I do to, too. I don't think I realize how much I wanted a baby with you until today, watching Athrun and Cagalli together, knowing they're having a baby--it really made me think about what I wanted, for us. I told you before, it didn't matter to me, but it does. It does matter to me, Lacus. I do want to make a baby with you. But ultimately, whatever happens, I want you with me. More than I want to have a baby. That's why I said it didn't matter.”

He dropped his twisted and abused shirt over the valet and finally sat at the delicate-looking writing desk, turned to face where she sat on the bed but not looking at her.

“At first, I talked to her for Athrun, and for myself, but then I realized some of the things she's been working on over the years... she might be able to help us.” Kira looked at her now, studying Lacus's face earnestly. “She's been studying for a long time--longer than we've been alive. This is her specialty; it's what she does.

"And if she could help us... It's what you wanted, right? A baby? Yours and mine, our baby. I'd really like that, Lacus. I'd really like to have a baby with you, but not at the cost of losing you. You are the most important person in my life, Lacus. I don't want to lose you, but if it could be done... wouldn't you want to try?"

Lacus sat in quiet thought for a seemingly endless time. And then, finally, she asked, "Can this woman be trusted?"

"You can meet her for yourself and decide."

"Kira, I'm afraid."

He stood and crossed the room to join her. "Of what?"

"I want a baby so badly,” she confessed. “What if she says she can't help us?"

He turned her face towards him so he could look directly into her eyes. "Then we find another way, together. Okay?" His hand fell to her lap and took hers in his.

"Together," she agreed, squeezing his hand.

****

Reality Check

A good hot shower sandwiched between the promised slow lovemaking and a second bout of fast and frenzied was a really nice way to start her morning Cagalli thought.

So was this, she added as she settled behind her desk in the home office. It had been three weeks since she'd last sat behind this desk and been able to do her job. Last night had been nice--she'd allowed the other to conspire to keeping her away from this room, mostly because she'd missed them, too. She'd had a moment or two when she'd feared she'd might not see one or any of them again. But she was back now, and it was time to get cracking.

First thing was first, and she put in a call to her secretary to review her schedule for the day and remainder of the week. She was just winding down with a review of the daily reports Gracia sent her when Athrun entered with a service cart.

"What's all this?" Cagalli asked, eyeing the cart distrustfully.

"This is breakfast," he told her in all seriousness. "Eventually, one day, it's my goal for us to enjoy one of these in bed, nice and leisurely. But until that day comes, a nice leisurely working breakfast will just have to do."

"Athrun, I can't eat all this," she protested as he started setting out various dishes on the table.

"Eat what you can," he told her. "And this, too," he added, plucking a bottle from somewhere and handing it to her.

She stared at it for a moment, as if in disbelief at seeing the evil, vile medical bottle in her home--it looked remarkably similar to the nutrient drinks Dr. Crisner had foisted on her.

"It's a common supplement drink," Athrun confirmed when she continued to start at the bottle. "Many women take them on a regular basis. Dr. Spoto recommended this one specifically for multiple pregnancy."

He studied the bottle in his hand a moment before twisting of the cap and sniffing it experimentally.

"It tastes like bitter-sour candy," she informed him, snatching the bottle away from him before he could try and taste the stuff for himself. "How long am I supposed to drink these things?" she coughed after gulping the liquid down as quickly as possible.

"This dose for another month, and then she said to switch to a different mixture for the third trimester."

"Oh my god," she breathed, shutting her eyes as her skin went cool and clammy.

"Cagalli? What is it?"

"I'm pregnant," she answered shallowly. And then she looked up at him, saw him hovering over her, worry radiating off him. "I'm five months pregnant," she told him.

He smiled. "Yes, you are," he agreed.

"I'm going to be a mother, responsible for not one but two tiny, helpless babies." She retreated to her desk, not sitting, but standing behind the familiar wooden piece as if it could buffer her from the reality of the situation.

"Yes. We both will be. A boy and a girl. What do you think: my eyes, your hair? Though your eyes are really great. We're going to have to start thinking about names and planning out a space for them, too."

"Athrun, I can't do this. I can't be someone's mother! I'm barely any good as a sister or wife!"

"I know for a fact that Kira thinks you're a pretty great sister, and I happen to like my wife very much," he told her, coming around the desk to take her hands in his. "Cagalli, you're going to be a great mom. I know you. You always do great at whatever you set out to do. We didn't set out to get pregnant, but I'm not unhappy that it's happened. This opportunity to make a real family with you... it's a gift."

"I can't, Athrun. I can't."

"What's wrong? You seemed really happy about it before. What's changed?"

"There's two of them, Athrun! Two! One baby I could deal with. I mean, we knew it would force us to make a lot of changes, but most of those changes we'd planned on doing anyway. But two babies..."

Athrun cupped her face and forced her to look at him. When he was sure he had her attention he leaned forward slowly and pressed his warm lips to hers. Slowly, he continued to press tiny, fluttering kisses across her face until her panic began to slip way, leaving her trembling.

"Better now?" he asked.

She nodded but continued to cling to him.

"Are you really that unhappy that there are two babies instead of one?" he asked carefully.

"It is a lot more work, Athrun," she told him nervously.

"We can make it work, though. You and me, we can do it, Cagalli. Maybe it won't be easy, but nothing really worth having comes easily. Didn't we already prove that?"

"I'm older."

"What?"

"I'm older," she repeated, leaning back against her chair but not releasing his hands. "I'm older than Kira. I was born first."

"So you've always said."

"No, I mean, really. Dr. Crisner, she... she actually delivered me. I was born first." And everything Cagalli had learned about her biological parents and her conception poured out in a tumbled narrative while Athrun listened and comforted her.

****

Mind Trip - Reflections

When he was young and living in the lunar colonies, his family would always visit PLANT twice a year--winter and summer. December and June. He remembers the two different cities where his grandparents lived: December City where his paternal grandfather lived, and Junius City where his maternal grandparents were.

He remembers his summers best, out in the fields and pastures, traveling with his grandfather or grandmother to inspect this or that. His mother always assigned him his own special project to work on and investigate. He almost always had something interesting to report in his bi-daily messages to his best friend.

Winter was different. During winter break he always had extra homework to do--more than just what his teachers assigned. His grandfather always quizzed him over the dinner table, just like his father did whenever he ate dinner with his mom and him. Grandfather thought his teachers weren't teaching him proper--he never had enough correct answers to satisfy his grandfather. Winter wasn't a bad time--it just wasn't very much fun.

Still, if asked, Athrun would honestly say he had an enjoyable childhood. His parents were good to him, if often busy with their careers, he knew they loved and cared for him. They were proud of him and his achievements. But he realized a large chunk of his childhood memories didn't involve his parents directly at all. No, the majority revolved around his best friend and the crazy antics Kira would often drag him into.

When he'd been told of his father's decision to move back to PLANT permanently, he'd been devastated as only a boy who'd had to leave his best friend behind permanently could be. They sometimes exchanged messages, but after months and then years, their lives had spiraled so far apart that neither bothered to keep in touch anymore. They were childhood best friends, and childhood was over. They were still friends. That's what made the war so hard.

The war that his father had advocated.

Patrick Zala had not been an unkind man. He'd been disciplined, yes, and strict. He had rules and expectations to be met, but Athrun didn't think they'd been unreasonable. At least not now looking back on it. When he'd been seven, a seven o'clock bed time had seemed the height of unreasonable.

His parents had not been overly affectionate towards each other, or to him--not like Kira's mom and dad. In fact, Athrun hadn't really believed they'd loved each other at all, despite having been married for years and having a child together. It wasn't an uncommon practice even back then-- coordinators cohabitating in arranged marriages.

No, Athrun hadn't realized just how much his father had loved his mother until after the attack on Junius07, until after she'd been murdered. He was away at the academy, dealing with his own grief and loss, so he didn't notice it. Still, he slightly blamed himself for not noticing it; for not noticing that his father had gone insane with his grief. Sometimes he wonders if he had noticed it, would it have still been too late?

Would the war have escalated as far as it had if someone other than Patrick Zala had been leading PLANT at that time?

Athrun sighed and leaned back in his office chair contemplating the curio console that held various mementos of his past. A tumbled rock he'd found and polished when he was six with his grandfather's help. A picture of his mother, grandparents, and him posing in one of the agricultural domes. Another picture, this one of his parents bracketing him in his crisp new school uniform after the entrance ceremony. His father looking rigid but proud, his mother smiling, eyes shining.

They were good parents, he thought. If things had been different… but they weren't. He'd had a good childhood. His teen years were understandably conflicted, but he thought he'd turned out well enough despite the wars and conflicts. Maybe he became a better person than he would have been. It was possible.

That was all the past now. His childhood, his chaotic teen years. He was a man now. A husband and soon-to-be father. Cagalli was worried about what kind of mother she'd be, but he wasn't. He knew she was going to be a great mother. She was too obstinate to be anything but great. He just hoped he could do nearly as good a job at parenting as he knew she would.

The one thing he was sure of was that he was going to do his damnedest to raise his children, to make sure they knew just how much he loved them and loved their mother. He would take them on trips around the globe and up into space. Teach them how to tumble a rock until it shined and how to string a fishing line and body surf. There was a world full of opportunities and wonders that he wanted to show them. He and Cagalli would do it together.

****

An Attempt at Understanding

[past]

"We'll be leaving soon," Kira announced, standing in the doorway to the den.

"Are you sure you want to do that" Dana returned.

"Positive,” he responded with a small tug at his lips. He paused, considered, and then continued. “There won't be any legal actions taken at this time, but, in the future, if you wish to speak with Cagalli, I'd suggest you go about it in the normal fashion and make an appointment."

Dana's lips twitched in response even as she returned, "But where would the fun and challenge be in that?"

"I don't understand you," Kira said plainly, studying her.

"Are you trying to?'

"A bit. Yes."

"Why?” she demanded, turning on him. “Because we share similar DNA codes? Because we were created in the same procedure?"

"No. That all may be true, but I don't consider you a part of my family."

"Should I feel insulted, Kira Yamato?"

"Family is more than blood and genetics."

"And yet dear, sweet Cagalli is still your sister."

"Yes, she is,” Kira nodded. “Cagalli would still be my sister even if we weren't related biologically. Just as I consider Athrun my brother, and Caridad and Haruma Yamato my parents. Ulen and Via Hibiki are names on a file, faces in pictures that have little to do with who I am."

"Do you really believe that?" Dana growled. "Hibiki played god with our very existence. He made us, designed us like we were some fucking computer program, and when we didn't perform to his specifications and standards, he tried to delete us! Throw us away like yesterday's garbage. We're people--babies. We had consciousness, life. We didn't ask to be born, to be made into an experiment, but we're living with the consequences anyway. What right did he have to play god with our lives?"

"I don't know,” Kira said softly peering out the window at the tropical paradise beyond. “For a long time it troubled me--finding out the basis of my life was built upon a fabrication. But eventually I just stopped questioning it. I can't change what happened to me, how I was made--it's beyond my control. But what I choose to do with my life, how I live it--that I can control. I make my own decisions, and ultimately, I'm the one who has to live with those decisions. That's all any of us can do."

"Yes."

"You're made your own decisions, too,” he continued, turning back to her. “Chastity. It's an interesting name for a model. Especially one who's the daughter of the French Providence."

She smiled and straightened, composing herself again. "It was a bit of a rebellious act at first, I confess. And then, well it was fun."

"And espionage? A secret agent for the European government--you live quite the adventurous and glamorous life."

"Do I? I don't recall ever saying such a thing, General Yamato, but you're right, it certainly sounds exciting."

Kira swallowed a laugh. "You must be very good. Have you infiltrated Orb before this?"

"And I would tell you because?"

"It wouldn't leave the family."

"My family doesn't know to begin with, so you're correct in that statement. You see, General Yamato, I have my fingers in many different pies. Modeling, espionage are just two." She picked up a disc from the desk. "The list of others who were part of the Ultimate Coordinator Project. As you will see, they made their choices, too, Kira Yamato. I trust you will respect those decisions."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that, yes."

"Why did you do all this, Dana? Why take Cagalli out of Orb? Why bring her here?"

"Why not you, you mean?"

"No--yes, maybe. Why did you take her and not me?"

"Because I could. Because I wanted to. And because I was curious. When you look at that, you'll see that only a few others made similar choices to ours. I wanted to know how we compared, to each other, to the rest of the world."

"And what did you discover?"

"That we are all just normal human beings. Despite everything that was done to us. That the only thing special about us at all is that we were created in a lab instead of a womb, and even that isn't so special a thing anymore, is it? All that fancy work done to our genetic code, and we're capable of dying just as easily as anyone else. We're really not all that special at all then, wouldn't you agree?"

"I think being special isn't something we can decide about ourselves. It's the people in our lives who make us special."

"Well said, Kira Yamato, well said."

"Will we be seeing you again, Dana Rothwell?"

"I sincerely doubt it. Dana Rothwell is horribly bored by politics, don't you know. Her poor father despairs that she'll ever amount to something worthwhile. But Chastity just might have a photo shoot in Orb one day. I'm told it's a very beautiful country, despite its rather pitiful size."

"Good things often come in small packages."

"Yes, often they do. This is goodbye for now and fare-thee-well, Kira. It was... quite illuminating, talking with you like this."

"And you." He lifted the disc in mild salute and left.

****

Back to work

Cagalli had stepped from her vehicle and onto the steps leading into the Parliament Building with a fierce sense of satisfaction that morning. Now, less than an hour later, that sense of glow was still with her as she made her way toward the meeting hall.

"Prime Minister,” she called in greeting, seeing the other politician. “It's good to see you again."

Koji Toshiyori turned with a brightened grin plastered across his distinguished face. "Athha-sama, good morning. You're looking healthy and well this morning."

"Thank you. My husband is of the opinion pregnancy agrees with me."

"I can see why. You look radiant."

"It's hormones, and according to what my doctor has informed me to expect in the future, will undoubtedly prove more trouble than it's worth."

"My wife said very much the same thing when she had our children. Although it was quite troublesome, she assured me that the honestly difficult part came after the babes were born."

"I hope that wasn't meant to be reassuring, because it wasn't."

Toshihiro laughed. "You'll do good, Cagalli. Never doubt it. You and Athrun, you'll make good parents. Just look at how well you've done with the country."

"One doesn't always allow itself to the other."

"No, that's true. Which reminds me, I heard from Rumi this morning."

"I doubt it ever slipped your mind, but continue. What did our dear public relations' secretary have to say?"

"Public opinion remains mostly supportive of you, Athrun, and the pregnancy, but it's starting to drop. You and Athrun will have to make and keep several appearances, and soon, if you want to keep the people's support strong."

Cagalli sighed. "I know. We discussed much the same thing this morning. Athrun said he'd make the arrangements sometime today or tomorrow, but I don't have to like it."

"There are many things that we still must do despite our personal opinions."

"I'm not a child anymore; I'm well aware of it."

"No, you definitely aren't a child. If I haven't said so before, you've grown into a very fine woman, Cagalli-sama. You're father would be very proud to see you this day. As I am to be able to serve with you."

"Representative Athha, Prime Minister?” an aide greeted as they approached. She opened the door for them. “The council members are all assembled and ready for you."

"Good. Then let's get started."

"So much enthusiasm to sit and listen to committee reports and council members bellyache and engage in pissing contests?" Toshiyori teased.

"Funnily enough, I actually got to missing it all while I was away," Cagalli confessed with an amused grin.

=Six Hours Later=

"I can't believe I ever missed that," Cagalli groaned as she sank back into the car seat. In the driver's seat, Athrun grinned.

"How wrong is it of me that I'm immensely glad and grateful you returned in time to go today instead of me?"

"Hideously, deviously, evil and vilely wrong of you," Cagalli bemoaned, lips twitching as the wind whipped her hair around her.

"So, it went well?"

"About as expected, I'd say. The joys and tribulations of running a country, I suppose. Still, we've come a long way from bellyaching and complaining about funds for emergency shelters and war recovery."

"That's certainly true. And that education bill?” he asked with honest interested as he turned off the through fare. “Did that come up today?"

"No, not yet. Probably tomorrow. Who knows, we have plenty more to get through. Athrun? Where are we going?"

"Hmm?” he responded with false innocence. “Oh, I thought we could have dinner out on the beach tonight and watch the stars come out." He pulled off the shore road and parked near the rounded boulders of the lower cliffs that hid the beach from immediate view.

"Oh."

"Think you can make it down to the drifts on your own?" he teased with a grin.

"I'm pregnant, not helpless," she scoffed, and if to prove it, started carefully climbing over and around the large boulders that enclosed the shoreline while he grabbed an overly large picnic basket and a blanket from the trunk.

****

The Price of Publicity

Athrun was at the breakfast table--a plate of toast, a steaming cup of strong black tea, and scrolling morning reports. It was a familiar sight, and one that helped maintain the small golden ball glowing in her gut, telling her all was right and good with the world.

"Good morning," Cagalli murmured, pouring herself a cup of coffee from the service bar.

"Sleep well?" he returned, sitting back as she came up behind him.

"Fine. Anything dire happen to the country in the last twelve hours?" she countered, sipping from her cup.

"I can safely report that you are the proud leader of a happy and healthy country."

"Always good news to hear,” she murmured past another sip when one of the headlines caught her attention. “What's that?'

"What's what?" he returned, continuing his skimming.

"Don't you dare scroll forward! Go back. What's-- how the hell-- dammit, Athrun, did you know about this?" she demanded, glaring down accusingly at the digital image that expanded with the full story. An image of her and Athrun sitting out on the rocks, cuddling as they watched the shore.

"I knew it was a possibility," he sighed resignedly as he took the data pad and placed it away on the table. "They're only going to become more of a problem if we don't make ourselves more readily available to them, Cagalli. You know that."

"You planned it," she accused snatching up the data pad.

"I planned to have dinner with my wife," he returned, watching her read through the article. "I did not plan to have that time intruded upon by the overly eager paparazzi."

"Dammit," she sighed and turned the data pad over. Scowling, she went to her own seat. "Weren't you and Rumi planning something to take care of this?"

"Yes, we were and are.” Since she was still frowning as she angrily filled a plate with food, he continued. “In fact, we have a date with the public in two days, but I doubt that will help matters very much now at this point. The only thing that will help us is to stop hiding--and Rumi agrees. So there are several charity functions coming up that we'll be good and attend, openly together, and in the meantime we'll make ourselves available to the media for various photo shots until they calm down some."

"I don't like this," she grumbled.

"Oh, I don't know. It's not that bad of a picture," Athrun offered, nudging the data pad. "It's not like we were doing anything scandalous."

"Athrun, doesn't this make you mad?” she asked, and in her voice he could hear the hurt mixed in with her anger. “Angry that they would invade our privacy like that?"

He sighed and then answered calmly, "Yes. It does, but what can I do about it, Cagalli? What can either of us do about it?" He tugged on her hand and then lifted it for a quick kiss pressed against her knuckles. "I knew what I was getting into when I fell in love with you. I knew when we decided to keep our relationship a secret that things like this would eventually happen. It's because you're a good leader. Your people love you, Cagalli, and they want to know everything about you. We denied them a very big part of your life for several years, and now they're even more interested in you, in us. You could fight this; we could fight this, but it'll only make things worse."

Thoughts and emotions played over her fact, but her lips remained shut, the food on her plate untouched.

"C'mon. You have a big day ahead of you, Representative Athha. You should try and eat something more than coffee."

She stood in a huff, tossing her napkin down. "I was hungry, before this."

"Mmm?" He followed her and, finding he couldn't resist the curve of her chin, began nibbling kisses along the line of her jaw. She squirmed when he reached her neck and continued down the column of her throat.

"Athrun," she protested, hands resting against his shoulders. His arms squeezed around her waist, pulling her closer.

"I know what I'm hungry for."

"What's gotten into you?" she demanded with a laugh when he pressed his face between her breasts and nuzzled.

He looked up so she could only see his green eyes peering up at her from between the frame of his dark hair and the emerald line of her blouse. The sight made various points inside her tighten.

"You said yourself," she said, swallowing, "I have a busy day today. I need to--"

His hands dropped to her ass and squeezed as his mouth opened and closed over her breast, through the material of her blouse.

"Athrun!"

"I know," he sighed as he released her. "We both have work to do today." But they were both grinning as she slipped back into her chair and began to eat.

****

TBC