Disclaimer: Kidou Senshi (Mobile Suit) Gundam SEED and its characters are copyright 2000-2004 Sotsu Agency, Sunrise, and MBS. English language adaptation produced under license by Bandai Entertainment.

In other words, I don't own the original intellectual property.

A/N

I am working on a second part now, but I intend to take my time with it. Until then, enjoy this slighly less error ridden version of chapter 1.

A/N End

"Kira! Now where did he get to?"

It was several weeks after Jachine Diue, after the Bloody Valentine War. The SEEDs had flown and they had saved all mankind from itself. The Treaty of Junius had been signed above the ruins of Junius 7. The Orb Union was officially an independent sovereign nation again. The Earth Alliance and the PLANT Sponsored Nations had ceased all hostilities. And their friends had all gone home.

Athrun was serving as Cagalli's bodyguard. Yzak and Dearka were probably back in ZAFT. Sai and Miriallia were with their families in Orb. Murrue and Andrew had disappeared, which was actually a good idea now that they were fugitives.

And here she was, Lacus Clyne. The pink-haired princess, as Mu la Flagga once called her. The songstress. Pop idol to hundreds of millions of PLANT citizens. The little girl who shattered the pop music sales record that had stood for over a hundred years. She was here on a nearly deserted island with someone very special. And he kept on disappearing.

"Kira!" She shook her head. "I'm never going to find him this time."

She had decided to stay with Reverend Malchio at his orphanage in the Marshall Islands. Lacus didn't really feel safe in the PLANTs after her father's assassination, which would be any normal person's reaction to such an event. Besides, she wanted to help take care of the war orphans. Especially that cute little boy who lost his parents in the ZAFT occupation of Carpenteria.

She was more than a little surprised that Kira had decided to stay with her. Truthfully, she was shocked. He was so quiet and timid at times, but then he had a lot on his mind. The war had scared him. It scared everyone.

"There you are." She had wandered the grounds for nearly an hour only to find him on the beach. Lacus neatly took the end of her dress and folded it to minimize her contact with the sand. She sat on her knees at his side. "Next time, I'll look here first."

Kira smiled as he looked into her beautiful blue eyes. She could always make him smile. There was just something about her. Something he couldn't get enough of. "Sorry. I just wanted to find a quiet place."

He often said that. Sometimes the kids were too much for him. Of course, Kira loved them dearly and played with them often. But then there were times like these when he just wanted to think a while in silence.

"May I join you?" she asked.

"Sure." He sat on his knees also, staring out over the ocean.

Lacus's smile faded as she watched his eyes glaze over again. He was so sad, even in this paradise. And all she could do is wait for him.

How long? She didn't know the answer to that.

All she knew was that she loved him. She hadn't been able to stop thinking about him since he rescued her above the ruins of Junius 7. And she fell for him when Rev. Malchio brought him to the PLANTs.

What was the name of the syndrome? The one where a nurse falls for the patient?

It didn't matter. She loved him. And he was so kind and gentle the whole time. His world had crumbled. His home destroyed. His parents were strangers, his birth a horrible science experiment. In trying to save lives, he had endangered them. A shuttle full of refugees Kira had rescued were butchered by one wayward ZAFT soldier.

There was Athrun, Kira's best friend. They fought, tried to kill each other. And for what?

And then there was Ms. Flay. Lacus wasn't sure of his relationship with the red-headed girl, but she knew that it was something very important to him.

She was dead now, but Lacus knew in the pit of her stomach that Kira was thinking about her all the time. Sometimes she wondered if Kira saw Flay whenever he looked at her.

There were several outward similarities between the two. One had red hair, the other pink. They were of similar height and figure. One had gray eyes, the other blue. If seen from a distance, they may have been mistaken for the same person. Or at least sisters. Their personalities couldn't have been more different, however. Flay was everything Lacus was not, and vice versa.

It took another half-hour before Kira began blinking again. "Sorry," he whispered.

"There is no need to apologize to me, Kira. I understand."

"Do you?" It seemed so odd that someone would understand how he felt. There was once a girl who said she understood, but she didn't really until much later. Until it was too late. Oh, Flay. Why did you have to die?

"Yes, Kira. I understand how you feel." Lacus reached out to touch his cheek with the palm of her hand. "At least, I think I do. I want to. You can talk to me about it if you'd like."

"Someday. I promise." He placed his hand over hers, keeping it from retreating from his cheek.

"I know that there is nothing I can say to make you feel better, so I will not try. But I will be here for you."

"Thank you, Lacus. That means a lot to me." He placed his hand over his heart where he still wore a chain necklace. It carried the ring she gave him before his last battle.

It just so happens that those were the exact words he had said when she gave the ring to him. All she wanted to hear was, I love you and I'll come back to you.

Kira was in time to catch a single tear sliding down her cheek. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, Kira. You didn't say anything wrong." Lacus put on her best smile. She was used to it. Years of smiling because she had to. Because everyone expected her to. She had a lot of practice at it. Grueling concert tours, months away from her fiancée, the complete lack of close friends due to her lifestyle and her father's political position.

"Come on. We'd better get back before we're missed." Kira helped her up and held her hand as they walked back to the orphanage.

"May I speak with you a moment, Kira?"

"Of course, Reverend." Kira often had talks with Rev. Malchio. And they all concerned the young man's state of mind.

"How are you feeling today?"

"I am well. And you, sir?" Kira placed the blind Reverend's hand on his forearm to lead him out into his prayer garden. It was the Reverend's favorite place to have these private discussions.

"I am troubled, but that is not unusual." The kind clergyman could sense when others were lying to him. His sightless eyes could see such things. "Tell me the truth, Kira."

"Sorry, sir. I feel . . . I'm not sure how to describe how I feel."

"You know, Lacus worries about you. She never says anything, but I can hear it in her voice whenever we speak of you."

"Where is she now?"

"She is playing with the children. They love those Haros and all the trouble they seem to cause," the Reverend laughed. "You may speak freely, Kira. Whatever is said here will stay between us and God."

"I feel guilty, sir. About a lot of things. About how I let people down, about how I killed. About Lacus."

"Why do you feel troubled over Lacus? You haven't done anything wrong have you?"

"Yes sir. Well, no. I'm not sure. I'm so confused." Kira leaned forward and hid his face in his hands.

"Tell me about it, Kira." Rev. Malchio placed a hand on the young man's back to comfort him.

"I just lost someone very close to me. Every time I see Lacus smiling at me, I can't help but think of someone else. And Lacus deserves so much better than that."

"You are hurting. You are not ready to fall in love again. Is that it?"

"Yes sir."

"I wouldn't worry about it, my boy. She knows that."

"I care for her very much, but I'm just not ready."

"I think she'll wait until you are, Kira."

"Kira!" Not again.

She found him out by the beach, but this time a friend followed her.

"Haro is fine and so are you!" It was the precocious Mr. Pink.

Kira didn't see it coming and Lacus couldn't stop it from knocking him in the back of his head.

"I'm so sorry, Kira." Lacus cringed as he turned to face her.

"It's alright. Come. Sit with me."

She did, taking the same position as she had the other day.

And again, his eyes glazed over as he watched the waves undulating. In and out. In and out. Ebb and flow.

"Kira?" Lacus blushed when she realized that his hand had found hers.

"Sorry," he tried to take it away.

"It's alright, Kira." Lacus took his hand back with both of hers. "It's alright."

"Do you still sing?"

"Yes. I sing for the children all the time. You're usually out here watching the stars while I put them to bed, so you miss it."

"I'm sorry. If I had the opportunity to live in the PLANTs, I'm sure I would have been a big fan."

Lacus smiled. It was a genuine smile, not the fake one she often wore to put people at ease. "Would you like me to sing for you?"

"I'd like that." It was Kira who had a bit of a blush this time.

She sang. And as she sang, he wept.

"Kira-san." It was a little Japanese girl tugging at his arm. "Kira-san, I think Lacus-san is crying."

"I'll go check on her, alright?" Kira watched as the little girl nodded. He had only seen Lacus really cry once in the entire time he had known her. The time she told him that her father had been killed.

He had a talk with Andrew and DaCosta about it. It appears that she didn't even cry when they told her that her father had been murdered. She waited until she was in Kira's arms to cry. And that was several days after the fact.

"Lacus?" Kira knocked, but there was no answer. He knocked again.

Still, no answer.

"Lacus?"

This time she answered. Of course, she needed those last few moments to disguise what she had been doing. "Sorry, Kira. Is there something I can help you with?"

"I . . ." Oh dear. What do I say? "I um, just wanted to talk for a minute." Oh God, what do I talk about? Okay, don't panic.

"Sure. Come in," Lacus offered him a seat in her room. There were Haros everywhere but she had turned them all off. If she cried in their presence, they may have told everyone about it. She put on her best smile again. "What is it you wanted to speak to me about?"

PANIC! "Um, I just wanted to . . . talk to you about the other day," he lied.

"Of course." Lacus took a seat on her bed. I wonder if he knows this is a fake smile. I wonder if he knows anything. About how I feel, or how he feels . . .

"I know . . . Or at least I hope I know how you feel about me. I just need time."

"I'm aware of that, Kira."

"I miss her. And I feel so guilty because . . ."

"I understand, Kira." Lacus had to work up the courage to ask this next question, but it was a matter of her own sanity. She had to know the answer. "Did you love her?"

"Yes, I did. Though I'm sure it would never have worked in the long-run, I cared for her a lot. I had the biggest crush on her back . . . Oh, I'm so sorry."

"It's alright, Kira." To be honest, she was a little relieved. If Flay was someone important, then that means that he was avoiding her for a reason. Lacus had to believe that something big was keeping her and Kira apart. Otherwise, her love would always be unrequited.

"I . . . I need some time. I'm sorry, so please don't cry."

Lacus just smiled as he reached out to touch her cheek before leaving.

"I thought I might find you here." She took her position in the sand and watched his lifeless violet eyes. His chestnut brown hair fluttered in the breeze. If he could see her, he would be mesmerized by the way the wind off the ocean played with her hair. Forgive me for loving him, Ms. Flay. But I do love him. I wonder what he is thinking.

Lacus had plenty of time to ponder this in the many times they spent together on the beach. She had done so for several days. Seventeen days, to be exact. This makes eighteen. Tomorrow will be nineteen . . .

How I wish you were asking her forgiveness, too. How I wish you were asking her if it was alright to love me now. That's why Lacus had cried that one evening. That's why she felt like crying right now.

Every evening since then, Kira spent a little time with her. He would read the children bedtime stories, but he was reading to her as much as to them. He would play chess or checkers with her. Puzzles, board games, anything to spend some time with her and make sure that she wasn't crying.

"You know . . ."

She was so lost in thought that he startled her. "Excuse me?"

"I was just saying how beautiful your eyes are." Kira reached out to claim the single tear she had just shed for him. "And that it's a shame that they always seem so sad."

"If you tell me you will be alright, then I will believe you Kira."

"I'll be just fine. So will you. Isn't that what Mr. Pink is always telling us?"

Lacus let out a weak giggle. "So it is."

"We were out here a while. I'm sorry. It's so easy to lose track of time." Kira had come out here in the middle of the afternoon. Now the sun was setting in the west. A person standing at the top of the beach would see the sun sinking right between Kira and Lacus.

Symbolic, as there was something between them. Something, or rather, someone with red hair. As flaming red as the setting sun.

Kira helped her stand as he had done so many times before. But this time she lost her footing and fell into his arms.

Blushing, she slowly raised her head to look into his deep violet eyes. "Kira?"

The two inched forward a bit, as if simultaneously checking to see if it would be alright. It was so synchronized that they even paused at the same instant. Then they inched forward more until their noses touched and that brought them back to reality.

They were that close to their first kiss.

"Always, someday for sure," Lacus promised. It was a line from one of her songs. One of Kira's favorites.

"For sure," Kira reiterated.

They stood like that for several moments. About to kiss, but also afraid to. In the end, Lacus lowered her head to rest it on Kira's chest. "Are you happy here?"

"That's a good question." Kira took in a deep breath, letting the salt air saturate his lungs. "You know, the only time in the past five years when I've been truly happy is when we are together."

"I'm glad. May I ask what happened five ago?"

"Athrun and I moved away from each other. I knew deep down that I was losing my best friend for good. He gave me Birdy, he said we'd always be the best of friends. It's a shame that sometimes we can't keep those promises."

"He still considers you a close friend," Lacus reminded him.

"I feel the same. I wish he was still my best friend. But the war . . . It'll take a long time to heal that wound."

"I believe that things will be just fine. All we need is time." Lacus held on to him for a few more seconds, glad to get this time in his arms.

"Rev. Malchio?" Kira felt like he was intruding.

"Come and sit with me, Kira." The clergyman patted the space next to him on the bench. "I've been told that this is a beautiful prayer garden."

"It is," Kira admitted.

"I believe you. And do you know why?"

"No sir, I don't."

"Because I trust you. You have no reason to lie and tell me that it is beautiful when it is not."

"That is true," Kira smiled.

"Trust can be a powerful thing, but once betrayed it can rarely be won again. If I lied to you and you found out, you would not be so quick to believe me the second time now would you?"

"Of course not, Reverend."

"It is the same with our friendships. They are stronger when we are honest with each other." The Reverend paused for a moment. "Do you know why I am telling you this?"

"Because I needed to hear it."

"That's right. I may be blind, but I can still see some things. I can see that you care for Lacus, but you do not quite love her yet. I can also see that you are becoming very close to her and would tell her almost anything to make her feel better. Be very careful with her feelings, Kira. She is strong in many ways, but her heart is very fragile." The reverend sighed, "Then again, all our hearts are fragile."

She no longer had to look for him. He only came to one place these days. Two months of this and he would be here, rain or shine. On the beach, staring out over the ocean. She often wondered why it seemed that he was staring at one spot. But then, it didn't matter which spot he stared at. He wouldn't have seen it anyway.

Another thing she no longer bothered to do was call his name. He never heard it. When it rained and she brought him an umbrella, he didn't notice that either. It's like he was dead to the world in times like these.

She came out here just the same. As he had a reason for coming, she had a reason for being here. He came to get away from the living nightmare that his life had been over the past year or so. She came because she loved him, and because he was beginning to love her.

She knew of that talk he had with Rev. Malchio several weeks ago. The one about not saying things that were not true, even when we expected them to come true in the near future. Kira had taken the advice to heart. He hadn't told her that he loved her, but his eyes said that he was beginning to. Slowly, gradually.

That is, when his eyes showed signs of life.

She would wait for him and be content to do so. She had just turned seventeen. Kira and Cagalli maybe a month or two earlier. They had all their lives ahead of them. She could wait.

And like so many times over the past several weeks, she was lost in thought when he began to come out of his trance. She was often startled to find his hand in hers.

But today, he really shocked her.

"I wish we could go on a date," he whispered.

"Oh my." Lacus blushed like Kira had never seen before. Her cheeks almost matched the pink of her hair.

Kira thought it beautiful, just like everything else about her. "Don't you want to?"

"Yes Kira. I would like that very much. Perhaps you would allow me to make a dinner for two," she suggested.

Kira shook his head, "The kids would get jealous, I believe. Maybe we can just have a picnic together."

"That is a wonderful idea."

They had their picnic the very next day. It went well, despite the interruptions by Mr. Pink. He refused to be left out of this and Lacus didn't have the heart to keep him turned off all the time.

Another intruder was Birdy, who Kira hadn't really seen a lot of since coming to the island. He often was in the company of Rev. Malchio or the children. There were even times when he flew off on his own to explore the island and meet real birds.

But this moment was all that they could have hoped for. Mr. Pink bounced back and forth between Kira's lap and Lacus's. From a distance it would have appeared that they were playing catch with a pink rubber ball. Birdy would flit from the shoulder of one to the other.

Neither Kira nor Lacus took much notice. In their minds they were here alone.

She leaned against him as they watched the sunset together on the picnic blanket.

"Lacus, I . . ."

"Yes?"

As if replaying the last time they did this, the two of them inched forward at the same time. But unlike the last go round, they really did kiss. It was fleeting, like the picture on a greeting card of two children posing because adults with cameras had asked them to. "I love you, Lacus Clyne."

She let him lie in her lap, just like that time he cried his heart out on the Eternal. The stars peeked through giving Lacus enough light to see that Kira's violet eyes were once again sightless. He seemed to be staring up at her face, but she knew in her heart-of-hearts that he saw nothing. "Oh, Kira."

A single tear slid down her cheek and fell onto his. Not even that could stir him when he was like this.

Will it always be like this? Will I always watch him suffer? Can there be no hope for our happiness together? Lacus didn't know the answers to these questions. All she knew was that there was no place she would rather be, no one else she would rather be with. If she left, where would she go? What would she do? Even though they were both sad, this is where she felt needed and that's what she wanted at this time in her life. To be needed.

"Lacus? Why are you crying?" Again, Kira found himself as she was still lost in thought.

Am I beginning to experience what he is? Is he just thinking about things like I am? "It isn't important, Kira." Lacus put on her best smile for him. It was a mask she was so accustomed to wearing anyway.

"It is important to me." Kira sat up and held her in his arms. "Do not weep for me, Lacus."

"Kira . . ."

"Please. I'm not worth it."

"How can you say that? You are everything to me, Kira Yamato." Oh, no. I let it slip. Lacus hid her face from his piercing gaze. She was frightened of what he might think of her. She was ashamed to have revealed so much of her heart to him. She would have run away crying if he still didn't have her in his arms.

"Don't cry. Please don't cry." Kira's own heart was breaking now. He held her close, pressing her head against his chest. "I'm sorry, Lacus. About everything. I'm sorry."

In apology, Kira brought her breakfast in bed the next morning. She always got up very early and cooked for everyone, but this time Kira felt confident that he could beat her to it. It was still very dark outside. No one was up but him.

And Rev. Malchio. "How did your date go?"

"It was about as awkward and disappointing as any first date I've ever been on," Kira chuckled. "But I had fun."

The reverend smiled, "That is good. Did Lacus have fun as well?"

"I hope so, sir. I kind of made her cry, though I'm not sure what I did."

"Is that why you're up so early making breakfast?"

"Yes sir. I wanted to do this for some time, but now seems like the perfect opportunity."

"You know, Kira. I think she was crying because she thinks that she cannot help you."

"She's been a lot of help, reverend."

"Maybe you should tell her that when you bring her breakfast."

"Thank you, sir. I'll do that." Kira smiled. Rev. Malchio always knew the right things to say and the right time to say them. Kira couldn't help but wonder if the clergyman was playing matchmaker, pushing the two of them together.

Kira knocked gently on her door, simultaneously hoping she was awake and hoping that she was not. He was scared to death of intruding. And he was just as scared of being invited in.

"Come in," Lacus yawned. "Oh my!"

"I just wanted to apologize for last night. I want you to know that you've been a lot of help to me, so I wanted to do this for you. I know it isn't much . . ."

She had to stop his little prepared speech by placing a hand over his mouth. "Thank you very much, Kira. It was very thoughtful of you." She rewarded him with a kiss on his cheek.

"I'm glad," Kira breathed a sigh of relief. "Now, I'd better go fix some for the children."

Lacus smiled. She would have preferred it if he stayed a few minutes, but she didn't want to see him uncomfortable either. And he hadn't stopped blushing since she answered the door in her pajamas.

"Kira-san!" It was that little Japanese girl again.

"What can I do for you, Kaname-chan?" Kira often picked up the little girl as a reward for finding him. She was often the first to volunteer her services in looking for Kira whenever he disappeared. That is, when Lacus didn't already know where to look. Lacus never did send anyone to find him when he was out doing some thinking, knowing it would be an intrusion.

"Cagalli-sama has come to see you," the little girl grinned.

"Oh, I see. And did she bring you a present?"

"Hai, in a big red box with a golden bow. But she said I couldn't open it until I came to find you," the little girl put on a pout face.

"That sounds like something she would do. I'll have a talk with her about that later, alright?" Kira couldn't help but laugh. Kaname's feeling weren't hurt, but she loved to pretend just to get Kira's attention.

"Hey Kira!" Cagalli shouted and waved at her 'younger' twin brother. Cagalli always did know how to make a scene.

Kira let Kaname down so she could tear into that present. Cagalli always brought the kids gifts when she visited, though this time she was a little more extravagant. "It's been a few months," Kira reached out to hug her.

"Yeah. I've been extra busy these days." Cagalli took him by the arm and went for a stroll on the beach. This is what she often did when she was troubled about something but didn't want to come right out and say it.

"How have things been?"

"As good as one could expect."

"And with Athrun?" Kira had a feeling that was the reason for most of her troubles. Fighting a war is hard. Leading your troops into battle is harder. Running a country is a nightmare. But all of these pale in comparison to the difficulties we face in our personal relationships.

"He makes an excellent bodyguard."

Kira could tell she was avoiding it. "But a terrible boyfriend?"

"Why you . . ." She was angry, but it subsided just as quickly as it came. "Yeah, we haven't been able to spend a lot of time together away from work. We've just been too busy, I guess."

"You know, it's hard even when you have nothing to do."

"When did you become a relationship adviser?" Cagalli knew there was a wellspring of useful information hidden behind those violet eyes, if only he'd open up and share the knowledge.

"I'm not qualified for that. What little I know I had to learn the hard way." Kira's mind went over every detail of his past relationships. There was really only one: Flay Allster.

"Do you have any advice for your older sister?"

"Don't rush it." He and Flay had rushed. Well, Flay had seduced him. That was more accurate.

"Anything more relevant to my situation?" Cagalli lifted an eyebrow inquisitively at her brother.

"Yeah. Be open and honest with each other about everything. Don't say things you don't mean or you'll only build barriers between the two of you. You have to be able to trust each other for it to work out in the long-run." As an afterthought, Kira added "And make sure you tell each other how much you appreciate their just being there."

Cagalli's jaw dropped.

"Did I say something wrong?" Kira scratched his head, puzzled.

"It's just that I never thought you had it in you to actually . . . give really good advice."

"Well, I hope it helps."

They were sharing tea together. Alone. It was nice to get a little time alone.

"Cagalli told me about your conversation the other day." Lacus sat down the fine china cup on its appointed saucer. "It was good advice."

"It was Rev. Malchio's advice. I must have neglected to tell her that," Kira smiled.

Lacus giggled. "I see. So you will have a hard time of it when Cagalli begins to ask for more advice."

"Or if she starts renting my services out to all her friends. I can see it now, Kira's Relationship Management Services." Kira made a motion with his hand, like he was picturing a large neon sign hanging over his head.

"You must have taken his advice to heart to have been able to deliver it so well."

"Yes. As you said, it was very good advice."

"Then there is something I wish to tell you, Kira." Lacus's smile faded for a brief moment. It was as if something cracked the serene porcelain face of an antique doll.

"You can tell me anything."

"I love you, Kira. Very much. I've wanted to say that for a long time, but it's been hard finding the right moment."

"There are no right moments when it comes to that," Kira admitted. "And I know I've only made things harder."

"Have you nothing more to say?"

Kira added hastily, "I love you, too. Very much."

Lacus's smile returned. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."

Kira felt the intense desire to say more. But what could he say? "I'd like to tell you so much, but I can't find the words to express how I feel."

"Perhaps your emotions cannot be put into words." She held her breath; waiting, hoping.

"I guess not." Kira leaned across the small table that separated them.

Their eyes closed as their lips pressed against each other in a tender kiss. They held that pose for several seconds before finally releasing. Then Kira came to sit next to her. Staring into each others eyes, their foreheads touched as delicately as their kiss.

"Sometimes actions will have to do," Kira said.

Christmas can be a wonderful time of year. Unless of course you're looking for that perfect gift for the one you love. It's usually not so bad for the girls, or even some guys after they get a chance to learn their girlfriend's tastes in things. But Kira, as usual, was clueless as to finding a starting point.

He couldn't come right out and ask, though in hindsight that would have been better than this. Now he was all alone walking the streets of Onogoro. Jewelers suggested rings and necklaces and bracelets. Kira couldn't choose. His limited budget eliminated the items he thought would look most fitting on Lacus anyway.

Kira didn't know much about shoe sizes or women's fashion. He decided against going that route anyway.

He looked at little trinkets. Music boxes, figurines, snow globes. There really wasn't much that he felt sure that she would like.

Cagalli and Athrun had given him a few words of encouragement before leaving that morning. Put some thought into it. Think about what she likes and it'll come to you. Don't over analyze or you'll never be able to make a decision.

He had been at this for hours. Kira was almost to the point where he thought his head would explode.

The first question his sister asked was, How serious are you two?

Should that make a difference? According to Cagalli it made a big difference. The gift should symbolize where you are in your relationship, as well as where you'd like it to go. If it's a thoughtful gift, she should warm up to you. If it's a bad gift, then kiss her goodbye because she's going to split.

"What am I going to do?" Kira moaned.

"Kira?" It was Murrue, of all people. "How are you?"

"I'm about as miserable as I could be," he admitted. "I'm trying to find the perfect gift for the perfect girl. Only, I'm not sure if we're in a relationship yet or at what level. Cagalli's filled my head with all sorts of do's and don't's about these things and I only have one hour left to look."

"Sounds like you need a little help," Murrue laughed.

Kira shook his head, "I need a miracle."

"Can I assume the girl in question is Lacus?"

"Yes," Kira blushed.

"Hmm," Murrue thought about it a minute. "I can't think of many things right off hand that would suit her. She never wore flashy jewelry. All her clothes seem to be of similar style, but it's best not to go there. Have you tried . . ."

She found him on the beach Christmas morning, still in the same clothes he wore the day before. It was fairly obvious that he sat here all night. Lacus sat down next to him, as she was so used to doing now. They had been on this island for nearly a year. Their relationship was creeping along, but that was alright. She was patient.

His lifeless eyes were still staring at that same spot. But this morning something was a little different. He seemed less sad. Only slightly, but it was an improvement nonetheless.

It was midmorning before he began blinking again.

"Kira? Is there anything I can do?"

He shook his head. "I had a lot of trouble finding you a present. It's not much, and I don't think you'll like it."

Lacus smiled. Not one of her fake ones, but a real one. "Shouldn't I be the judge of that?"

"Yeah. Sorry." Kira handed her a small box.

The note attached read, Thank you for everything. Inside was a gold rope necklace with a heart-shaped locket dangling from it.

"Lacus?" He was a little surprised to find that his gift was so bad that it made her cry. Murrue suggested something simple but with a sense of elegance to it. Kira thought this fit the description, but could Murrue's advice have really been that bad?

"Kira," she sobbed. "Thank you so much. It's perfect. Absolutely perfect." She leaned forward into his arms for a hug.

"I'm sorry," was all he could think to say.

Lacus pulled back to show him a wider smile than the one before it. "Really, Kira. I'm crying because I'm so happy."

"I don't understand."

"This means that you really love me."

"Of course I love you." Kira held onto her, trying to comfort her. Trying to stop the flow of tears. Helping her get the necklace on seemed to help a bit.

"I have something for you as well, Kira." Lacus pulled out a box of her own. "Please accept this."

Kira opened it to find something truly wonderful. It was an engraved picture frame. The picture was of Lacus hugging Kira's neck from behind, with her looking over his shoulder into the camera. Cherry blossoms were falling about them like pink snow. The inscription read Always, someday for sure.

"I'll treasure this," Kira whispered. "A precious gift and a precious memory." He bent down to kiss her. Really kiss her. By the time it was over, he was wearing more of her pink lip gloss than she.

"I love you," she said after a moment to catch her breath.

"Same here. Merry Christmas."

A/N

For the picture, what I had in mind was a scene similar to the one in the later SEED openings (the one where Lacus takes a flying leap into Kira's arms). The line "Always, someday for sure" really is from one of Lacus's songs (Mizu no Akashi). So I didn't really have a certain black and white wallpaper in mind when I was thinking that Christmas gift up, though now that I've seen it I must admit that it would be quite appropriate.

If you'd like to see the wallpaper in question, please go to the fabulously wonderful Lacus shrine at the Clyne Faction website. I'd post the URL, but for some reason this design mode won't let me. Do a Google search, or something

End A/N