Hello readers. I decided to do an Athrun/Cagalli story because they're one of my favorite couples. As for the setting of this story, I was thinking along the lines of when Athrun leaves Cagalli to go to the PLANTs at the beginning of Destiny. Nothing is exact though, so please don't get picky if everything isn't perfect. Just go with it. Athrun left her. Cagalli is depressed because she's been manipulated into a marriage with Yuna and she's alone. So I'm kind of going off of that. I'm tired of nit-picky reviews that aren't very nice on a few of my stories. So… if you don't like the story or don't have anything nice to say, then just go read something else. Thanks!

This story is named after Ellie Goulding's song 'Only You'. I love her and her music.

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny

Chapter 1: Hanging On

"Athrun… how could you leave me like this?" Cagalli Yula Athha whispered with watering eyes as she looked down at the ring he had given her.

It was all that she had of him at the moment and she squeezed it tightly in her palm. The blonde natural's chest ached and she bit her lip as tears threatened to fall. She was engaged to Yuna Roma Seiran and there was nothing she could do about it. She had been against the marriage, but Yuna ended up manipulating her into it as well as agreeing to an alliance with the Atlantic Federation.

The princess of Orb sat in an unfamiliar room that was part of the Seiran estate. She stared gloomily out her window and a lone tear ran down her cheek. Cagalli was struggling not to break. She was a strong willed individual, but she was at her limit. Yuna had his servants forcing her to take lessons on proper manners and etiquette. The natural girl felt like an empty shell. The most important person to her had left her, and her brother was gone as well. It was impossible to contact Athrun or Kira due to her location. The Seiran's were keeping a vigilant watch on her.

Cagalli let out a sigh. She missed being with her friends and she desperately missed her brother. The blonde haired girl rolled the ring she was holding between her fingers. She knew that Athrun had a good reason to leave for the PLANTs. He was going for a meeting with Chairman Durandal, but wasn't he going to come back? Wasn't he going to at least contact her to check on her? Did he care? Or was the kiss and ring he left her with a hoax?

…..

"I wanted to invite Athrun and Cagalli on this trip with us!" Lacus Clyne said to Kira Yamato with a sweet smile.

The brown haired coordinator looked at her with gentle eyes, "Do you think they would come? Cagalli is very busy with her role as Chief Representative of Orb."

"But everyone needs a break…" Lacus trailed off as she sipped on her tea.

They sat in a small café that was located on a busy street in Orb. They had left Reverend Malchio's orphanage earlier that day to go shopping in the city.

"I guess you're right…" Kira trailed off as he pulled out his phone.

"What are you doing?" Lacus questioned as he held the mobile device to his ear.

"I'm calling Cagalli," he whispered as the other line rang.

Kira knitted his eyebrows when there was a click and a robotic voice stating, "The line you are trying to reach has been disconnected, please try again."

"What is that about?" Kira wondered as he started to feel slightly worried.

"Did she answer?"

"Her number has been disconnected," Kira commented with a frown.

"Why don't you try contacting Athrun? He's always with her since he's her bodyguard," Lacus suggested.

Kira nodded, "Alright, I will."

He dialed his best friend's personal number and waited as the other line rang. Lacus watched the boy in front of her fidget anxiously and couldn't help but admire how protective of a brother he was.

"Athrun!" Kira exclaimed and Lacus jumped at his outburst.

The pink haired coordinator watched the boy in front of her inquisitively.

"Can I talk with Cagalli?" Kira questioned.

Athrun faltered on the other end of the line, "Kira… I'm not with Cagalli right now."

Kira's eyebrows shot up, "What do you mean?"

"I'm in the PLANTs. I have been for a few weeks."

Lacus frowned as she saw worry show up on Kira's face. He swallowed dryly and his eyes were troubled.

"Athrun… her phone has been disconnected. I can't reach her."

"Disconnected? That's impossible."

Kira shook his head, "I'm getting really worried. Have you checked up on her since you left?"

There was a pause and then Athrun hesitantly answered, "No."

"That's no good then…" Kira said as he knitted his eyebrows, "I've got to go Athrun."

"Kira, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to find her. Something could have happened," Kira answered.

"I'll return to Orb," Athrun stated.

"No. I don't know why you're in the PLANTs, but I can take care of this," Kira spoke clearly.

Athrun's voice changed on the other end of the line, "I feel like this is my fault. I left her, and I haven't talked with her even once."

"Don't worry about it, I'll let you know what happens."

Kira placed his phone down on the table with a frown.

"Are you alright?" Lacus asked him sincerely.

"I'm worried about Cagalli," Kira replied instantly.

He tried to prevent himself from imagining all of the worst case scenarios. Was she kidnapped? Was she being held hostage somewhere? Was she hurt?

"Maybe her phone is acting up and everything is okay," Lacus tried to console him.

Kira shook his head, his eyes becoming somber, "I have a gut feeling that things are far from alright."

Lacus stood and walked to the other side of the table where the brown haired coordinator sat. She wrapped her arms around him and rested her chin on his shoulder.

"You're twins, so I know you share a deep connection. Let's find her as quickly as we can."

Athrun stared at his phone with disbelief. He immediately dialed Cagalli's number and waited anxiously before the robotic voice gave him the same message it had previously given Kira. The dark haired coordinator clenched the mobile device in his hand.

"What's going on?" he whispered harshly with narrowed emerald eyes.

A flashback of giving Cagalli the ring played through his mind. She had been in his arms, and he had been able to kiss her. Now she was out of his reach and he felt useless. What if she was in trouble and needed him? He had sworn to protect her and remain by her side, but was now thousands of miles away.

Athrun glanced up at the door of his hotel room and sighed. There was no way he could leave. He had already met with Chairman Durandal several times, but there was still much to discuss. Athrun wanted to do all that he could to avert another war so that he could return to Cagalli in Orb for a peaceful life. If he left now, the world could be plunged into the second Bloody Valentine War where countless lives would be lost.

Athrun grabbed at his hair and clenched his teeth. He knew he needed to keep a clear head, but his heart was clouding his mind at the moment. The former chairman's son stood up with a grimace. He threw his phone onto the bed and entered the bathroom where he turned on the shower. In seconds, he was standing under ice cold running water. His body shuddered at the temperature and the dark haired coordinator squeezed his eyes shut tightly.

"Cagalli, please be safe."

"Slow down Kira! It's going to be okay!" Lacus called out to the brown haired coordinator as he marched up to the gate of the Athha estate.

"I'm here to see Cagalli," Kira said into the intercom.

"Your name? Do you have an appointment?"

Kira narrowed his violet eyes, "My name is Kira Yamato, and I'm her brother so I don't need an appointment!"

"Oh my…" Lacus trailed off with a small smile.

"Mr. Yamato… I'm sorry but Cagalli is not in right now, can I take a message?"

Kira looked at Lacus with a frown and then turned back to the intercom, "Do you know where she is? It's really important that I see her."

There was a long pause and Kira clenched his fists, "Please tell me!"

"I do not know her exact location. The last person that she was seen with was Mr. Yuna Roma Seiran."

Kira's features instantly darkened, "Thank you."

"Kira?"

"That guy has been trying to get on Cagalli's good side for years. We're going to the Seiran's," Kira told the pink haired songstress as he opened the car door for her.

He started the car engine and continued as they started to drive, "The last time I talked with Athrun he seemed touchy about that guy. I'm wondering if Yuna has been pressuring Cagalli to do something."

Lacus frowned, "Well, let us hope that Miss Cagalli isn't being forced to do something by him."

Kira nodded, "Maybe he waited for Athrun to leave so he could get to her more easily."

Lacus watched as Kira's hands tightened on the steering wheel. She reached over and placed one of her hands on top of his. His expression softened and he looked at the girl next to him.

"It will all be okay Kira, we will find her."

Cagalli numbly walked down the hall as she was guided by one of the Seiran's maids. She was ushered into a large ballroom where her instructor was waiting on her. The woman wore a nasty scowl and eyed the blonde natural with a look of disgust.

"Quit slouching and hold your head up."

Cagalli slowly lifted her chin but kept her eyes cast downward. The past couple of weeks had consisted of teachers, like this one, barking orders at Cagalli. They yanked on her hair, pulled at her clothes, would jerk her to change her posture, and yelled at her every opportunity they received. The first few days Cagalli had fought back with fire in her eyes, but as the days passed she grew weary.

"You look dreadful. There are dark circles under your eyes and your complexion is sickly," her instructor told her.

"Sorry…" Cagalli mumbled.

The middle aged woman grabbed her blonde hair, causing Cagalli to release a yelp.

"You will speak clearly with proper manners. Is that understood? No princess should talk that way."

Cagalli wanted to shout at the idiot woman and give her a hard right hook to the jaw. The princess of Orb squeezed her fists and inhaled deeply in an attempt to control herself.

"What's this?" her instructor questioned with narrowed eyes and grabbed the natural's hand.

Cagalli's amber eyes widened in horror as she realized she had forgotten to remove Athrun's ring before leaving her room.

"I don't recall hearing about young Mr. Seiran giving you an engagement ring… so what is this?"

Cagalli swallowed dryly, "He didn't. This ring is from a friend."

"A boy, I assume?"

The blonde natural opened her mouth to retort, but was slapped roughly across the cheek before she could speak.

"Quit behaving like some kind of heathen! You're engaged to Mr. Seiran and wearing a ring from another man? Give it to me," the instructor reached for the band around her finger.

"No!" Cagalli shouted as she pulled herself out of the woman's grasp.

That ring was the only thing she had left of Athrun and if it was taken from her she'd lose all hope. She squeezed her eyes shut tightly and held her hand to her chest.

Two servants entered the room after hearing her scream and looked around hesitantly.

"Take this stupid girl back to her room. She's to receive no dinner this evening and make sure you take that ring from her before you leave."

The two servants, one male and one female, gruffly grabbed the princess. She had one holding each arm as she struggled against them down the hall.

"Let go of me!" she screeched.

"Quit struggling, you're only making this more difficult on yourself," the dark haired male servant said to her.

"You should be thrilled to be engaged to Master Yuna. He will give you everything you need and you'll live a life of luxury!" the woman holding her other arm said.

"I don't love him!" Cagalli growled, "I don't care about luxury or power!"

The blonde princess was tossed into her room where she stumbled before turning around with wide eyes.

"Please hand us that ring."

"Never!" Cagalli hissed venomously.

"Miss Cagalli, please," the woman asked again.

Cagalli's lip trembled and she bit it in an attempt to stop the tears welling up in her eyes. She watched as the two servants closed in on her. The dark haired man stepped around her swiftly and grabbed her arms from behind. Cagalli struggled against him and tears fell down her cheeks as she felt him pulling at her ring finger. He was successful and released the blonde haired princess with a huff.

"You should learn to behave a little more like a lady," he remarked as the female servant opened the door for him.

Cagalli watched them leave and winced as the door locked loudly. She stared down at her bare hand and touched the finger where Athrun's ring had been moments ago. The princess sat down on her bed and curled up into a ball as sobs began to wrack her body. She couldn't control it anymore. She felt completely broken and hopeless.

"Athrun…" she hiccupped as she continued to cry.

A/N: Okay, there's the first chapter. I've been writing this story in 1 document, and am now going back to split up what I have into chapters… it's hard work! Reviews are nice, flames are not.