He had just helped Lacus up onto the Akatsuki's mechanical hand. Kira had turned to help Lacus's dopple-ganger, Meer, up too. A shot had ran out, and blood flied into the air. Everyone had watched helplessly as Meer died. Knowing that the bullet had been meant for Lacus, had him running cold.

Much later, after things had calmed down, Kira came into the room he shared with Lacus in the Archangel. She sat on the edge of the bed. Her features showed the exhaustion, despite her new determination not to let Chairman Durandal do as he pleased anymore. Lacus was once again clutching Meer's disk. Kneeling before her, Kira felt much like her knight. After all, she was his princess. Taking her hands in his, Kira looked into her sad face.

"Lacus."

"Kira."

Lacus looked up and into his lavender eyes. He too, was now showing his exhaustion. Kira pulled her up and into his tight embrace.

"We've had a lot of close calls."

Lacus nodded her head. There was first the attempt on her life back in Orb, then when Lacus and Captain Waltfeld decided to join the Eternal crew, when the Freedom exploded, and Lacus felt her heart explode hearing that news. Then there was when the Eternal came under fire, and Lacus hadn't planned a survival. Now finally, the trap that awaited them when they met with Meer. It had cost them a life. A life Lacus had promised not to forget.

"Kira."

Kira held onto her tighter.

"When I saw Meer-san take that bullet for you..."

Kira's voice broke and he couldn't finish.

"I can't loose you!"

His arms shaked with fear, and Lacus wrapped hers around him. She let him get out what he needed to.

"I just keep thinking, what if it had been you? What would I do if the bullet had robbed you of your life in my hands? It was too horrible to keep seeing you instead."

"Kira."

Lacus held onto him tighter.

"I'm here. Although we lost someone who can not come back, nor replaced in our hearts and memories, I'm still here with you. Isn't this proof of that, Kira?"

Kira looked down at her. She smiled gently at him, and he returned it. Placing his forehead lightly against hers, they stayed that way for a while. There was nothing that could rob them of the peace that they felt together; that they created together.

"Lacus, it's going to be tough from now on."

"Yes, but this time, we won't run away."

"Yeah."

"Kira, don't worry. We'll be together. Even when apart, we'll be together."

Kira gave her a look before smiling in understanding.

"Ah."

Kira and Lacus stayed in their embrace with Lacus resting her head on his shoulder.

"We'll be together."