I was so mad that the end of watching episode 45, I had to write something to make some of us Athrun and Cagalli fans happy. So I thought I would write up something to make me feel better about how this show might end. All I can say is if Cagalli doesn't end up with Athrun I will be pissed beyond belief. Anyway, here is something for all of us to enjoy..

Never Too Late…

Disclaimers: Right now I wish that I did own Gundam Seed Destiny, but I do not. This story will more than likely be AU due to the current events of episode 45. So if you haven't watched the episode yet, it's a major disappointment for Cagalli/Athrun fans.

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Chapter One

Athrun Zala sat on board of the Archangel and looking out of the viewing deck. They had help bring peace once again, but nothing but huge debates would once again occur. The war, it was long and drawn out. He almost went to ZAFT and see how things are working up there in the PLANTs but he wanted to solve some unfinished business with a certain blonde.

He sighed, the last time he saw her in person…he didn't even get some alone time with her. She was no longer wearing his ring that he had given her, at the time he understood but now…he just long to talk to her and ask her why she took off the ring. He had so many questions and all he wanted to do is talk to her. He wanted to hold her and never let her go, there were many things he had to speak about as well…he wasn't too friendly towards her the last time the spoke either.

"Athrun," a voice called from behind. The raven haired boy turned to see his best friend standing in the door way. Kira Yamato smiled as he stood next to his friend as they were approaching Orb's docking port. "What are you thinking about?"

"Just wanted some space, I'm kind of tired of all of the congratulations we have been receiving," Athrun told him with a chuckle.

"It's part of the package, since we helped again to somewhat bring peace to the universe," Kira patted his friend on the back. "However, are you sure a certain Head Representative isn't bothering you?" Athrun looked at Kira with surprise, "Why are you surprised Athrun? I know you a lot better than you think."

Athrun remained silenced as Kira just chuckled, "Athrun, I don't know what is going on in her mind. A lot of the times, I wish I could just smack her once in a while, but she is my sister. Cagalli loves you Athrun, maybe that is why she thought if she gave you up, that you would be happier." Kira paused and look at his friend, "Cagalli probably thought that as a leader of a nation, that you would more than likely feel ignored due to her duties. Or that maybe you liked younger girls, or …"

"I think I get the idea Kira," Athrun told his friend.

"Athrun, maybe you should be bolder about your feelings for her, that is if you still want to be with her," Kira said with a smile and Athrun looked at him in surprise. "Sometimes Cagalli needs an action like that to realize that she needs something or someone."

Athrun shook his head, "She doesn't want me…"

Kira's smile fell and shook his head, "How wrong you are Athrun…it's not that she does not want you, in all reality she needs you."

"I don't know," Athrun said softly as an announcement came over the speakers…

"We have safely docked in the Orb Military Port. The crew of the Archangel is requested to disembark to the dock where Representative Athha and others are waiting to greet us."

"Looks like you can make you chance now known or not," Kira told him as he walked towards the door where Lacus Clyne was waiting for him. Kira kissed her on the cheek as they walked hand in hand out of the deck.

Athrun stood there and then he saw a limo pull up from the distance. He recognized that golden hair anywhere, he decided in the spilt second to take Kira's advice. He ran out of the deck and even passed Kira who was standing next to Lacus. Lacus smiled up at Kira, "Do you think he will make the right choice?"

"I'm more worried about Cagalli, than I am of Athrun," Kira told her as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. They began walking to see people standing against the wall, and the only thing they could think of is that Athrun had gone passed them. Everyone looking at each other on what made the coordinator move so quickly through the hallways, they would find out soon enough.

Athrun was standing by the door, it flew open and he rushed out but more of a power walk. He saw Cagalli standing in the front of everyone and her face expression changed once her eyes landed on him. Athrun saw the expression and knew at the moment, she did hold feelings for him. And he was going to make sure the world knew his, he quickly rushed down the stairs as Murrue Ramius came out first followed by the rest of the crew of the Archangel.

Cagalli's heart was beating through her chest; the look in Athrun's eyes made her wonder what was he thinking. Granted they haven't' spoken at all since their last time in the Med Bay of the Archangel but something told her this was different, much different…it was like the time they were on the Archangel preparing to go into battle, the time he was leaving for the PLANTs.

Colonel Kisaka just smiled; he had actually told Kira about how Cagalli was doing emotionally. He even got the reason why Cagalli took off the ring out of her, and of course no one liked the reason that Cagalli gave, but she would tell Athrun soon enough. Athrun approached the blonde girl with question in his eyes… There was no doubt he held love and admiration for the blonde princess of Orb.

Everyone was watching in anticipation, they had hoped that Cagalli would have stayed with Athrun. They all approved of the couple becoming together, however they knew in the political world they didn't really see it happening but everyone else though it was a good idea. It was sad to say that everyone knew that Cagalli hadn't been happy since the departure of the Archangel.

Maybe it was time to change how things were going for them all right now, sure the war had come to an end. It was sad that the world had even gone into another war, but it did. Now Cagalli will be pushed to be part of the political discussion taking part, but it didn't mean she had to do it alone.

Kisaka grew weary as Cagalli was just staring up at Athrun as the rest of the crew had come down to join them. However the focus was on Cagalli and Athrun, what would he do? Are they going to just stare at each other all day? However Kisaka would not be the first to speak up about the long silence between the two.

"Kiss him!" A female solider shouted from behind. Cagalli and Athrun both looked into the direction in where it had came from. But she would not be the only one, the rest of the military were shouting for the couple to kiss. Athrun blushed as did Cagalli, however the crew of the Archangel shouted in unison with the group that were awaiting them.

Kisaka groaned, "Athrun just kiss the princess so we can get this ceremony moving." Athrun and Cagalli both looked up to him with surprised eyes, but Athrun then grabbed Cagalli by the waist and pulled her towards him.

"Ath...Athrun," Cagalli whispered in shock. "We can't do this…"

"Watch," Athrun said in response. His lips landed solidly on hers and cheering was heard from the crowd. Kisaka then walked over to Murrue and saluted her, "Welcome home."

"It's good to be home," Kisaka shook her hand and she smiled. Neo just stood there with his arms folded as Kira and Lacus looked over to scene the scene of Athrun and Cagalli. Cagalli apparently gave in as she wrapped her arms around Athrun's neck.

"Looks like the first part of our plan is working," Kira said with a smile. "How has she been?"

"For the most part quiet when she is not in meetings, she keeps staring at the ring that she keeps in her pocket," Kisaka told him. "She still loves him, but her sense of duty was clouding all of her judgment."

"Who can really blame her," Lacus said with a small smile. "With her return to Orb, there was order once again. If she were to leave and join us up in space, it would not have been good for her people. So she stayed and gave up her suit so she could stay and rebuild her country once again."

"Still, giving up her personal life is something she didn't need to do," Kira told her. "But it did show how much she did love him…willing to give him up in case he wanted to go up to PLANTs, knowing that was his home and where he might choose to be."

"Cagalli has more heart than she is willing to admit," Murrue added in. "But love came back to her, maybe she and Athrun are meant to be no matter how many times they are parted."

"Well he always seems to go back to her," Lacus said with a laugh. "He rejoined ZAFT and ran away to get to her. He went up with space with us only to return to her…"

"They are just meant to be," Kira said as he held Lacus closer to his body. "Just like you are meant to be at my side as I am to be at yours."

Lacus placed her head on his shoulder, "Some things are meant to be…"

Athrun and Cagalli pulled away from the kiss, but Cagalli was blushing bright red. Athrun held a smile on his lips as he held her close and she just accepted his embrace. Kira and Lacus were happy with the events, but the question is will Cagalli accept it fully this time? No one knew, but only time would tell but Mana came rushing up.

"Mister Athrun, it is not nice to kiss your fiancé in public like that," Mana pointed a finger at him. Athrun had a bewildered expression on his face. Everyone laughed at his expression but he still had Cagalli in his arms. "There is a wedding to plan and this will not due. You need better clothes, that is for sure especially now that you will have to be the prince of Orb."

"But…but…" Athrun tried to protest but then Cagalli arched an eyebrow. When did they say they were getting married? Cagalli looked over to where her brother and Lacus stood. Kisaka also seemed all to cheery all of the sudden with Athrun's arrival. Athrun seemed not to know anything, so she will leave him off the hook for now. And where did Mana start talking about Athrun being the prince of Orb? She hated being called the princess of Orb.

"What is going on Mana," Cagalli asked and Mana turned to look at Cagalli with surprise look.

"Didn't they tell you, when Mister Athrun was to arrive back in Orb," Mana paused. "They didn't tell you?"

"Tell me what," Cagalli asked dangerously.

"What is going on," Athrun asked with curious look in his eyes. He then remembered what Kira told him when they were in the Archangel, he turned his head to his best friend. "Kira?"

"What is it Athrun," Kira asked as Athrun let his hands drop to Cagalli's waist once again. He wasn't letting her out of his grip, "Athrun?"

"What is going on, Kira," Athrun asked as Cagalli looked up to Athrun. His green eyes focused, "I know there is something going on…"

Meyrin Hawke walked up to Athrun with her eyes focused on Cagalli, "She asked me to watch after you when we went up into space. She was going to let you go permanently…that is why she took off the ring, she was thinking you would return to PLANT and to ZAFT when this was all over."

"What," Athrun looked at Cagalli. Cagalli backed away but he wasn't going to let her go. "Is this true? Did you think I wouldn't return to you?"

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Well how was that? Expect some fights in the enxt chapter. I'm so pissed off right now, that Cagalli told Meyrin to watch after Athrun. So I thought I make a little more fun! However, the question remains…why was Athrun shocked to see the ring gone? Does he have feeling for her or not? And then he smiles as she walks away, did he want freedom from her? I'm pissed, it better turn out good for him and her, they better end up together. Anyway see you next chapter!