A/N: This is the first part of the Tying the knots Chronicles, featuring Athrun and Cagalli. A short opening of the 5-part Chronicles, hope you would like this new story.

Summary: Athrun had left Meyrin and the PLANTS. He had decided to tell Cagalli how he truly felt about her. But on his return, he was involved in a car accident and is badly injured. Would Athrun be able to tell Cagalli how he felt? Would he survive this accident? And who is the one that set this all in motion?

Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam Seed or Seed Destiny.

Main pairing: Athrun x Cagalli

Chapter 1

Athrun's POV

It was raining cats and dogs that night. The sound of the droplets was ringing in my ears as I was badly injured from a car accident and was bleeding none stop. I do not how long I have been sitting here next to the wreckage of my rented car and how long I've left to live. I have never felt fear when it comes to dying because of my past. But the fear of never being able to see her again was overwhelming.

I was afraid how she was going to react when she sees me like this. But I want to see her, I want to her voice so badly that I began to weep.

But do I really was to inflict more pain on her? I questioned myself.

After the crashed I thought my time was up and I was to die on the spot. But I was alive, barely alive. I crawled out of the wreckage and moved to a safer spot so I could tend to my injuries. I have lost everything that was in my car but ironically; my mobile was still safe in my pocket. The battery was low when I took it out and I was only able to make one call and that's it.

Should I call for help or should I call her?

I know that when help arrives I would be long dead. So I chose the later choice. At least I would be able hear her voice before I go. The phone begins to connect and after a few ring, she picked up.

"Hello, Cagalli here speaking", she answered. Just by hearing her voice made me smile. I know that she was still save just by hearing her tone. "Hello? Is there anyone there? Hello?"

I took a deep breath and answer, "Hello, Cagalli. It's me, Athrun!"

"Athrun? What is it? Why are you calling me at this late of the hours?" Cagalli asked in an annoyed tone.

I smiled knowing that she was angry. "Nothing special… I guess… I just want to know… how you are doing", I said in between my breath. I hope she would not notice my breathing.

"I'm doing fine here. How about you? Are you feeling all right? You voice seems… different tonight", she asked.

Oh shit! She did noticed. I better come up with an excuse fast. "I'm … fine. I'm out… camping… with the guys and… we just came back… from a long walk… around… the forest. Guess I was… just tired". Yes, I'm really tired and I really want to sleep. But you must never know about this Cagalli or it will tear you apart. "So, what are you… doing now? Still going through… your paperwork?"

"What else would I be doing? I need to get this paper works done for tomorrow's meeting with the Councilor", she said. I could picture her angry face and I laughed. "What's so funny about that Zala?"

"I'm sorry! You better… not stayed up… too late. It's not good… for you if you… push yourself… too much. There are people… that care about… you deeply". So am I. But I could no longer do that, can I?

"What about you?" her questioned took me by surprised. "Are you one of those people?"

Yes Cagalli! Yes I am, I screamed in my mind yet I could say it out loud.

Cagalli sighed and said, "It was your fault that I'm straining myself like this"

"I was, wasn't I? I'm sorry… Cagalli" I said, tears began to fall from my eyes again. I could hear a beep from my phone signaling that it's going to die soon. "The guys… are calling… I'll have speak with you… another time… alright Cagalli?" I really hope there is another time Cagalli.

"Athrun… Will I ever… see you again?" her voice was trembling when she said those words.

I smiled. I do not know what to say. I do not know if I would be able to pull through this alive. "Maybe or maybe not… Maybe I would… change my mind… and come back… to be your… bodyguard… No one really… knows what would… happen tomorrow". I certainly don't know about mine.

"I guess you are right Athrun. Well goodbye and good night", she said.

"Goodnight Cagalli", I answered. She was the first to cut the line. I pull my cell away from my ear and I was glad. My cell phone is dying before me. "I guess this is really goodbye Cagalli", I said.

My body becomes limp and I dropped my hand onto my laps. My other hand was still holding onto my wound but it starts to feel numb. I guess my time is coming is up. "At least I was able to speak to her".

Who am I joking to? There are still a lot of people that I would like to speak to, to apologize to, and to thank them for taking care of me for all those years. I want to congratulate Kira and Lacus for their engagement, I want to apologize to Meyrin because we weren't meant to be, I want to teach Shinn to move forwards and forget about his past. There are still a lot of things I wanted to do before I go. But most of all, I want to thank Kira for being such a good friend after all the things I had done to hurt him in the past.

After finishing that thought my cell phone began to vibrate. I look at the display and was shocked to see that it was Kira that was calling. I muster my remaining strength and press on the answer button.

"Hello! Athrun are you there? Athrun?" Kira asked. He seems worried from his tone of speaking. I wanted to shout to Kira for help, I want to tell him my goodbyes. But I could no longer feel my arm or any parts of my body. "Athrun this is not funny. Please answer me if you are there, Athrun"

"I'm sorry… Kira. Please… take care… of Cagalli… for me." those were my last words before everything turned black.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I have finally made up my mind. I'm going back to Orb and I'm going to propose to her. I have told Meyrin that we were not meant to be together and about my move back to Orb. It did hurt her but I wholeheartedly wished that she could fine someone better.

Before I knew it, I have arrived at Orb's International Spaceport. The guard had wanted to salute when I show them my passport but I quickly dismissed them. I wanted this return to be a surprised for her.

The only one that knows of my return is my childhood best friend, Kira Yamato. I had asked him to prepare a ride for me and had told him to keep my return a secret. "Don't even think of telling Lacus about this alright?"

"Alright Athrun! Your secret is safe with me. Anyway, the car rental is close to the spaceport. All you have to do is give them your name. I have rented a car under your name and I have paid for it as well", Kira said on the other side of the line.

"Thank you Kira! You really help me big time", I said.

"Of course I did. You are my best friend and is going to be my brother-in-law soon. If Cagalli agree to your proposal", he joked. "Lacus is coming here. I have to go, good luck on your proposal pal!"

Kira really helped me a lot. I have to give him a big present on Him and Lacus's wedding day, I thought with a smile.

I pay the cab driver upon arriving at the car rental and went in to meet with the manager. He directed me to a very familiar car. I guess this was the one that I have sold away when I was still living in Orb. I thank the manager and drove away.

The first place I visit was the Michael Gem and Diamond shop. This shop is the most popular shop in Orb and they provide you with vast selection of jewelleries. I have specially booked a proposal ring before I left the PLANTs and I am here to pick it up.

The manager came with the ring. "Here you are sir!" he said and shows me the ring. It's a white gold ring with diamonds surrounding the gem holder. The gem holder's shaped is in a pear. This has to be the most perfect and beautiful right I have ever seen. The only thing that's missing is the pear shape red ruby. I took out a little back from my coat pocket and gave it to the manager.

"Here's the center piece. When can it be finished?" I asked.

"By this evening sir", the manager said and took the ruby for a close up inspection. "This is such a fine Ruby you have here sir. Should I resize it to fit the ring or should I just enlarge the gem hole?"

"I want the right to be perfect", I said. The manager knows what I'm talking about. He nodded and took the ring and the ruby away. He returned with a piece of paper and told me to give this paper to the staff upon collections.

I thank the manager and left the shop. Next I went to the florist and select a large bouquet of flower. The florist had mixes and matches for me and I was very happy with her selection. I paid for the flower and went back to my car. It was still early when I saw the time so I decided to have a little drive along the coastal highway and feel the sea at the beach.

I had to make sure that I was nowhere near where Mwu and Murrue were staying. Like I said, I want to make my return a surprised. After a few hours or so, I decided to drive back to the Michael Gem and Diamond shop to pick up the ring. Who would have thought that this would be my last drive?

I was driving fast but I had not drive past the speed limit on the coastal highway. When I saw the sign of a sharp turn ahead, I step on the brake to slow down the car. I wonder how Cagalli would react when I propose to her. I step on the brakes again. Would she start to cry or would she just call me stupid again? I step on the braked again but this time I know something was wrong.

I was shocked when I found out the breaks were not functioning. My car was picking up speed as it get closer to the turn. I try to give it my best shot and did a swift. It goes well at first but then it went wrong. There was an oil puddle after the turning and my car tires slipped upon touching the oil.

The next thing I remember was the crash and the scent of petrol oil. I quickly dragged myself out before it exploded. The last thing I remember before I blacked out was being thrown from the blast of the explosion.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"…run… Ath…!" a very familiar voice called my name. Who? I was too tired to think or to open my eyes to see who it is. "Athrun, pull yourself together. Please open your eyes, Athrun".

I was feeling annoyed at who was disturbing my sleep. Then I remember whom that voice belongs to. I mustered all the energy that I had and slowly opened my eyes. "Ki…ra!" my voice sounded so wrong.

"Thank god that you're alive", Kira said worried. "Come one, I'll take you to the hospital. Please stay awake, it will only take a minute", he said and he helps me up.

I was totally drained and was leaning onto Kira's body all the way to car. Once he was sure that I was seated down, he shut the door and went to the driver's seat. "What are… you doing here? Cam… camping?" I asked sarcastically.

"I felt worried when my second call did not connect. I know something wasn't right", he said and drove pass the speed limit. Kira was actually speeding. "What happened? Why did your car exploded? The Athrun I know would not have that bad skills in driving"

"I didn't… commit suicidal… if that's what… you mean. Someone had tampered… with the brakes… in my car and… laid a puddle of… oil to make sure that… I crashed into… the sea. But I… managed to… steer through… and hit a trees… instead", I replied while gasping for air. The pain on my wound was unbearable.

"Someone is trying to kill you? But who?" Kira asked. I could sense confusion in his tone.

"Kira, could we… talk later? I'm… really tired and… I really wanted… to rest", I said tiredly. I was already drifting in and out of my consciousness.

"Athrun, stay with me. We are nearly at the hospital. Don't close your eyes, please!" Kira said. He was really distorted, I could tell even without looking at his face right now. "Cagalli! What about Cagalli? I thought you were going to propose to her? I'm going to kill you if you make her cry again, you heard me Athrun Zala"

When Kira had mention about Cagalli, somehow my body was filled with strength again. I opened my eyes and tears began to flow down. "I want… to see her! I… want to… speak with… her again! I want…" I chocked in between my sobs and I wasn't able to continue. My strength began to slip away.

"You will be able to see her. Just stay with me all right. Don't ever give up. Don't fall asleep, Cagalli, my sister is waiting for you to propose to her", Kira nearly screamed.

I know that Kira was only saying those to keep me awake. And I did until we reach the hospital. I saw him got out of the car and return with a few paramedics and something that looks like a stretcher. Then everything was a blur.

All I know is that I a brightly lit room and I heard the sound of curtains closing. Someone with a mask came close and asked, "Do you know who you are sir?"

"Ath…run Za…la!" I said.

I could not hear properly what the masked man was saying. I was able to make out something about where I am, and what happen. I shook my head to show that I don't know what to answer. The next thing I remember was that everything around turning and sound could no longer reach me.

I guess my time was up. I'm going to die without telling the one I love how I actually felt for her.

I'm sorry Cagalli. I love you!

== Continue in Chapter 2 ==

A/N: Grammar and spelling mistakes has been amended. Hope you like this story. Please review and flames are allowed. Your reviews would really make my day brighter.