Ok, this is my first time writing a fic, so please comment on it and give some tips. I apologize for any grammar mistakes, since English is not my first language  This story takes place 6 months after the events of GSD. Features pairings like AxM(mostly) ; AxC ; KxL and maybe some more. No Meyrin or MxA bashing and flaming. If you want to flame someone flame me about their pairing, since I don't give a damn. Constructive criticism welcomed. Rating T for events that will follow in next chapters.

DISCLAIMER : I don't own anything from GS/GSD

Follow your heart

Athrun was sitting on a soft chair with a cup of tea in his hands. He hadn't touched it in a while, he was just staring in the cup, his thoughts wandering elsewhere. Cagali looked at him with concern in her eyes. "Are you ok, Athrun ?" she asked while trying to catch his gaze with her eyes.

"M … ?" Athrun rose his head and looked at her with empty eyes and blank expression on his face.

Cagali looked at him and started to laugh. It looked like her laughter brought him back to the reality. She stopped laughing and looked him with a look on her face that showed that she is quite displeased with him. "have you been listening to what I have been saying for the past 30 minutes ?" she asked with calm and displease in her voice, because she already knew the answer.

Athrun sighed "I'm sorry Cagali, I'm afraid haven't". It was Cagali's turn to sigh.

She stood up and went to her desk and placed her empty cup on it, while observing Athrun at the same time. "I was telling you about how things are going in the government but it seems you don't care much".

Athrun nodded his head and leaned back in the chair "sorry, but lately almost anyone I try to talk to starts telling me about some official stuff – when I called Lacus she started to tell me about her council meetings. And Kira said he's too busy helping Lacus to prepare for some meeting to talk right now.

Yzak started to tell me about things like ZAFT's fleet status and some data about its restoration, and when I come to see you, Cagali, you start to tell me about….." he stopped and took a quick look at Cagali and sighed again "sorry, I'm just tired of politics and all that. Isn't there anything else we can talk about ?"

Cagali smiled a sad smile and sat on a chair besides Athrun and placed her hand on his. "Yes, I also wanted to talk about something else, but…" she turned her head to side trying not to look in Athrun's eyes.

Athrun took a deep breath and prepared himself for another not so pleasant topic. "Its about us, is it ?" he asked slowly, while observing her expression. Cagali rose her head and looked Athrun in the eyes. Those green eyes she was so fond of. The eyes that once used to look at her with warmth and love. Now she saw none of that in them. She felt sad. Sad because she wanted to see those feelings in his eyes again.

'Athrun' she said with her voice trembling a bit. Athrun found this very unusual with her, but decided to let it slip his mind. "can you ever truly forgive me ?" She asked with her eyes watering up. "I'm sorry that I acted the way I did back then without even talking to you.. without even trying to contact you…. I can only imagine how it must have felt to find out that the woman you proposed to is marrying someone else from some stranger, but i.."

she stopped because Athrun had placed a finger on her lips. "Athrun ?" she asked with surprise when she saw the sad look on her loved one's face.

Athrun removed his finger from her lips "Cagali, we have talked about this a lot of times. I'm also to blame for the events that happened between us. Please, lets not talk about that. I said I don't know how I feel about you at the moment."

Cagali felt tears gathering in her eyes. "why do you always try to avoid this conversation? She yelled at him, her hands in knuckles and quivering. Why do you always say you don't know ? well then how am I supposed to know? How am I supposed to know what to do?" A tear fell down her cheek on to the floor leaving a small mark at the spot. "How the hell am I supposed to know what to do to make you forgive me?"

She dropped down from the chair on her knees and started to cry. She didn't care about anything at this moment, besides the man near her. How could she make him understand ? How could she make him forgive her…. She felt two arms wrap around her and looked up with surprised expression on her face, as Athrun pulled her in a hug. After holding her for a few seconds he let go of her and wiped the tears from her face.

"Cagali, please don't cry. I have forgiven you long ago" he said as he helped her up from the floor and back on the chair. After that he went to the desk to place his still untouched cup there and looked at her. She looked confused. He went back to his chair and sat down, taking her arm in his.

"I don't blame you for anything, so don't be so hard on yourself" Athrun said while holding Cagali's hand. She looked at Athrun's face with great deal of confusion in her eyes. Then a smile slowly crept on her face and she started to feel happy. Its been a long time since she had felt happy, although she never showed it on the outside. Does it mean he still….likes….me? ….Maybe he still…wants to be…with me ?

Her trail of thoughts were interrupted with Athrun's next words. "I have to go now, sorry. I'll see you later" He was about to stand up when Cagali grabbed his hand. "Cagali ?" he looked down on her with surprise on his face.

"Why… why are you leaving ?" he couldn't see her face, since her head was bowed down , but he could hear sadness in her voice. "Please, don't go…stay with me". Athrun sighed, then slowly removed her arm from his. Cagali felt like crying again. "W….why ?" was all she could make herself say, despite the fact that her hearth was full with emotions and things she wanted to say, this one word was all she could make her mouth to say.

"Because I have a meeting with someone, and it would be rude to make that person to wait" Athrun calmly explained , then turned around and started to walk towards the door. But Cagali was not about to give up yet.

"Its that Meyrin, isn't it ? Your going to meet her, aren't you ?" anger was easily heard in her voice. Athrun sighed again. Looks like it was becoming a habit of his when talking to her.

"Cagali, please stop. Why would I have a scheduled meeting with her when I can talk to her anytime I want? We are staying in the same house after all." Not that I talk much to her … although I sure would like to talk more to her … I just don't know what to say… no, I know what I want to tell her...ask her, but..

he brushed that thought aside, when he saw Cagali crying again. He thought for a moment if it was wise of him to remind her that Meyrin and he was living in the same house, but he really didn't have time now, he didn't want to be late for the meeting.

"Sorry, I have to go. We will talk other time" with those words he left the room, closing the heavy wooden door behind him and started to walk towards the exit. He walked out of Athha mansion and looked at his watch. Realizing he would be late, he quickly jumped in his car and throttled down the mountain road at a dangerous speed and headed towards the city. He felt bad that he had to leave Cagali in the state he did but he really didn't want to be late for this meeting.

A young woman sat by a table in a restaurant and was looking towards the entrance. She took a sip from the glass she was holding and looked at the clock that was attached to wall in front of her.

"he's late." She quietly said as she placed the glass back on the table and leaned back in the chair. It was unlike him to be late. He had called her yesterday and told her that he wanted to talk about something. He sounded nervous , and that also was unlike him. She continued her trail of thoughts as she heard a voice right behind her, that made her jump a bit because it was so sudden.

"I'm sorry I'm late, its good to see you again". He watched as the girl with wine colored hair turned her head and looked at him with small smile on her face. 'I'm sorry, did i startle you, Luna ?'

Luna watched as Athrun stood there looking uncomfortable. Looks like he thought she might be angry at him for startling her or being late, although he was late only 5 minutes. She smiled at him with her charming smile, although it seemed not so bright as he used to remember it.

"You are forgiven form being late and for startling me, if that is what keeps you so uneasy, Athrun" she said while watching Athrun loosen up a bit after hearing her words and voice that really showed that she didn't mind at all.

Athrun felt relieved and took a seat on the opposite side of the small table and smiled at her. "You sure have not changed, Luna" She looked and acted just like he remembered her from 6 months ago.

Luna smiled back "you haven't also, Athrun. I'm sure you want to talk about something important, but before that I must tell you one thing". She looked very serious while saying that. Athrun had no idea what was the important thing, and he sure as hell couldn't guess it either, so he just decided to ask her.

"What's that?" His tone also sounded serious. Luna looked at his serious face and let out a small giggle, which seemed to confuse him. "I'm hungry". She said with her cheeks slightly blushing. "Do you mind if we order some food before starting our conversation ?"

Athrun looked like he was stunned for a couple of seconds and then stared to laugh. He had forgotten how fun it could be just talking with Luna, he shouldn't have expected her to bring up any really serious matters. Luna didn't understand what to make of his laughter and pouted. Athrun stopped laughing

"Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you if that is what you are thinking, I'm just happy to be able to talk to you, its always fun" It seemed to him that he was apologizing a lot lately, but didn't let it bother him.

Luna dropped the act that she was angry and smiled one of her charming smiles – "So can we get something to eat and get this show on the road ?" Athrun nodded. They ordered a dinner and started to eat it in silence, both focusing on their thoughts. After they were almost finished Athrun spoke up. "Um…so, Luna, How are you doing since you left ZAFT and decided to live here, in ORB ?"

Lunamaria rose her head and snapped back to reality from land of her thoughts. "Oh, thanks for asking. I found a job in a company and now I'm a manager" she grinned. Athrun was surprised

"wow, congratulations Luna, you sure made it fast to such a high position… but given your nature and determination I'm not that surprised. Must be good working there". Luna shrugged

"Its kinda boring, but it pays well, so I'm not complaining, and the job is not too hard. And how are you doing ?"

Athrun felt a little embarrassed "Well…i….um… just been lying around and thinking .. I haven't been doing anything" Its not like he had to – money he had was more than he could spend in his lifetime, and a lot of his friends were wondering why he was living in a small house instead of a castle or something.

"Anyway, how are things going with Shinn?" he asked but realized this probably is something he shouldn't have done, seeing how Luna got sad suddenly. "Sorry… I didn't mean to.." Luna just smiled a sad smile and shook her head

"Don't be Athrun. Shinn broke up with me 2 months ago. I'm kinda over it now" From the look on her face he figured she was not over it , but it did seem she wanted to talk about it so he decided to ask.

"What happened? Off course you don't need to answer if you don't want to" he quickly added. Luna just smiled her sad smile at him

"No, its ok, Athrun. I guess I would feel better if I would talk about it to someone, just I really didn't have anyone to talk to until now." She took another sip from the glass of wine and continued "He told me that he couldn't get his mind of some girl that died in the war that he loved….

He said he can't love yet, and he doesn't want to hurt me so we shouldn't be together"….. she sighed… "well it ended up hurting me anyway, but I guess it was useless to go on if he doesn't feel like he can. He wouldn't tell me about that girl, but I often saw him crying … I guess he really did love her very much."

Athrun knew what Shinn was talking about. That girl who died … Stellar. Athrun was Shinn's friend, but they hadn't talked for about 3 months, that day Shinn had told him about what he felt about Stellar, and that he doesn't know what to do with his life… especially with Luna.

Flashback

"I don't know Athrun." The red eyed boy said while sitting on a couch near Athrun with his head bowed down. "I cant forget her … the last words she said to me before she…before she…" tears started to flow down Shinn's cheeks. The war and all his loses had left him truly broken.

Athrun could see that, he just didn't know of any way to help his friend. 'I failed to protect her' Shinn sobbed "I failed to protect her… I promised to protect her … but I failed her. I…I even failed to avenge her. I'm such a miserable person. Maybe…maybe I should just die."

"SHINN" Athrun yelled at him, making Shinn snap out of his trance.

"Sorry, Athrun…its just that… lately I can't get rid of such thoughts. I miss her so much" he quietly said before wiping the tears from his face. Athrun was shocked. From all people he never thought he would see Shinn completely broken, saying such words.

"But I thought you are dating Luna now?" He was trying to cheer Shinn up, but this was a rather poor attempt.

"I am Athrun…I just don't know what to do… each night I dream of her … whenever I'm not busy with something I think of her… of her dying in my arms…saying she loved me…" His eyes were watering again but he pulled himself together "I'm not sure what I feel about Luna…

Maybe I could love her, but as things are now, I can't. I have realized I have never loved her, I just found someone who was willing to comfort me… I'm so miserable. Athrun … what should I do? What should I do with Luna and my life?"

He looked up at Athrun with hope in his eyes that his friend would have some advice for him. Athrun always had acted like a mentor to Shinn, he had always known what to say. But this time he wasn't sure. Athrun looked at Shinn's eyes filled with sadness. He had to say something. But what could he say ? Shinn himself was the only one who could clear up his feelings.

"Shinn." Athrun slowly said while placing a hand on his friends shoulder. "Just follow your hearth."

End of flashback

"Yes, he did…" Athrun slowly said while remembering his conversation with Shinn. He noticed that Luna was staring at him with puzzled look on her face and snapped out of it. "Sorry, never mind me" he smiled. Luna sighed and then asked Athrun a question he didn't want to discuss.

"And how are you doing with Cagali ?" Her eyes continued to stare at him, which made him feel uneasy. "I hear you are living in one house with my little sis. Does that mean… ?" She couldn't continue as Athrun quickly spoke up with his cheeks gaining a slight color of red

"It doesn't mean anything, Luna, she just had no place to go so I invited her to stay at my place"

Luna grinned at him. He might be saying that there was nothing, but color of his cheeks told her otherwise. And the excuse was kinda lame. But since Athrun didn't ask her about Shinn more than she wanted to tell, she decided to stop teasing him. If Athrun wants, he will tell her. Luna decided to change the subject.

"So" She leaned back in the chair while moving the glass closer to her lips "what's the thing you wanted to talk to me about?" Athrun took a deep breath and looked Luna in the eyes.

'I want to ask you few things about Meyrin' Luna almost choked on the wine she was drinking. So much for changing subject. Ok, lets see what he wants to know. Athrun saw a grin on Luna's face. He knew she was probably going to tease him about this. To his surprise she only asked

"Hm, I wonder what is the thing you want to ask me about my little sis that you couldn't find out during the 5 months you two have spent living in the same house" Athrun blushed a little, before speaking up

"I want to know what kind of flowers she likes … " Before he could continue Luna started laughing. He knew she was going to laugh at him. Probably thinking he cant make himself to ask Meyrin what flowers she like. But it wasn't that, there was more reason to it.

When Luna was done laughing she looked at Athrun with amused look and asked "Why didn't you just ask her ? I'm pretty sure she doesn't bite" Luna chuckled at her little joke and started at Athrun for his response. Athrun sighed.

"Its not that I'm afraid to ask if that's what you are thinking, Luna. I just want it to be a surprise to her."

Luna was sitting at the edge of her seat. "You are going to confess to her ?" She had a mischievous look at her face. She expected Athrun to blush again but much to her surprise he didn't.

Athrun sighed again and looked Luna in the eyes. "Luna , stop saying that, its just that …" He couldn't finish before Luna quickly spoke up

"Oh, come on, stop denying it, what else could it be ?" Athrun glared at Luna with semi-angry look in his eyes and said

"Her birthday is in 4 days and I just wanted to get her some flowers she likes" Luna dropped her glass spilling it on the table with a shocked look in her face. She looked at Athrun with that shock in her eyes and then, much to Athrun's surprise, started to cry, covering her face with palms and placing it on the table.

Athrun looked as much surprised as Luna did a few moments ago. He knew for sure that he had no idea what the hell just happened and why Luna is crying. It certainly didn't help that other people in the restaurant were starting to look their way. Athrun stood up, went over to Luna and kneeled by her side, placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Luna, I'm sorry if I sounded angry, I wasn't I just…. um… sorry … i …umm…. Didn't mean to…"

He stopped when he saw Luna shake her head. She removed her hands from her face and looked Athrun in the eyes.

"I'm such a horrible sister" She said with voice filled with guilt and sadness. Now Athrun was really confused.

"Wha… Luna, what are you talking about?" Luna wiped away some tears

"I … I …I had totally forgotten about Meyrin's birthday. What kind of sister am I ?" She started to cry again.

"Luna. Luna!" Luna lifted her head, but avoided looking Athrun in the eyes. "What are you talking about Luna, her birthday is two days away, its not like you are late or anything, is it ?" Athrun said trying to calm her down.

"Athrun… you… you don't think I'm a terrible sister ?" He knew that the relationship between the two Hawke sisters was not the best, but sure as hell wasn't going to tell her that.

"Why would I say that ? Stop being hard on yourself, Luna. You have done nothing wrong, its not like you missed her birthday." He stood up and went to sit on his chair. At least no one was watching them anymore.

"Thank you, Athrun" She wiped away her tears and said almost happily "yes, I haven't missed it yet, because you reminded me. Thank you" Before Athrun could reply she quickly added "now, about that flower issue". Athrun dropped whatever it was he was going to say, not to let this important piece of information slip his ears.

"As I remember, she was always very fond lilies and red roses. She always said that those roses look like her hair" Luna smiled a bit "I guess that is why she likes red roses". Athrun nodded

"Thank you, Luna. Could I ask another thing ?" Luna shrugged "off course, that's why I'm here, right ?"

Athrun was glad Luna was starting to look happy again, so he just continued with his next question.

"And I was wondering… what would she like for a present ?" Luna thought about it, then finally answered.

"Honestly ? I have no idea" Athrun looked surprised

"well…. Then maybe I could get her something she doesn't have … any ideas ?" He looked at Luna in hope that she would suggest something, but Luna just shrugged, and said something that left Athrun confused

"you should ask what does she have, that would be easier to answer"

"what…do you mean ? I have no idea what kind of things she has in her house in PLANT, nor do I know what she likes and would need, so I really don't know what to get her" Luna smiled at him sadly "She has never told you, has she ?"

Athrun looked even more confused "about what ?". Luna looked in his eyes and said with pained expression on her face

"We don't have a home in PLANT.. We lived in Junius 7, along with all our relatives and parents… Meyrin and me were visiting some friends on Aprilius, when… when Junius was destroyed … that is the reason we joined ZAFT .. we didn't have anywhere to go" Athrun turned his eyes away from Luna, expression of sadness and pain covering his face.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know that… "

Luna shook her head. "Please don't tell Meyrin I told you … it was very hard for her to get over this, I don't want to remind her." Athrun nodded

"I wont" Before he could say anything else Luna stood up

"Ok, lets get going".

Athrun raised and eyebrow "to where?"

Luna smiled at him "I'll help you to find her a present, its obvious I cant leave it to you, or else you will decide you have to get her a whole house or something" she left out a giggle. Actually, a thought of getting her a house after the things he just learned had come across his mind

"why not ? is that a bad idea ?" Luna's jaw dropped "You can't be serious ?"

"well…" He started but Luna interrupted him again

"You sure are dumb, Athrun. Think for a second, how do you think she would feel about something like that? She would probably die from embarrassment"

Athrun had to agree to that, after giving that a little thought. How the hell did I come up with that anyway ? I better just let Luna help me, or I would end up getting something inappropriate. He stood up, placed some money on the table and nodded to Luna, walked to the door and held it open waiting for Luna to go outside, then followed.

They stopped by a flower saloon, the biggest one in ORB. Luna shook her head "you know, you should probably get the flowers the day you are supposed to give them , not keep them around for 4 days."

Athrun just smiled at her "I'm not buying the flowers yet. I simply want to take care of something. Luna just shrugged and followed Athrun inside the saloon. The place was filled with flowers and plants of all kind, giving Luna the feeling she was walking trough an alley in paradise. Athrun obviously couldn't care less. They found the salesman and Athrun explained his wishes to him.

When he was done Luna asked him "you sure you are not overdoing it ?" Athrun looked at her with confused gaze

"you think she wont like it ?" Luna giggled

"I think she is going to faint" Athrun laughed a bit , with a smile on his face. Then he turned back to salesman who summarized Athrun's request and gave him his bill. Luna felt like she would be the one to faint.

"what kind of money is that ? I never thought flowers could be so expensive. Are you really going to spend that much on this ?" She turned her sight from bill to Athrun. Athrun just smiled sadly and looked away

"They say you can't buy happiness for money. But you said that Meyrin would love this. If she will, then every bit of the money will be more than well spent". Luna raised an eyebrow

"I never knew you had a poetic side to you, Athrun Zala". Athrun felt heat rising in his cheeks. After settling things in the flower shop they went to shopping centre, to find a present.

After looking for a while they stopped at a thing that was so cute in Luna's opinion that she couldn't help but let out a 'squeee' sound.

"Athrun, this is perfect. She is absolutely going to love it." Athrun had no idea why Luna was getting so emotional about this thing. Its not like it was anything grand.

" it's nothing much, Luna. Why do you think she will like it ?" Luna couldn't help but let out a loud sigh and look at Athrun with tired eyes.

"You might be the best pilot of ZAFT and a great soldier, Athrun, but you are clueless when it comes to women, aren't you ?" This comment made heat gather up in Athrun's face again. Looked pleased with the result Luna started to laugh.

After getting the thing purchased and buying an undersized hearth-shaped pillow on which Luna insisted they finally got out of the centre. It was already late and Athrun offered Luna a ride to her house, which she gladly accepted.

While driving Athrun spoke up "Thank you, Luna. I don't know what would have I gotten without you." Luna couldn't help but laugh

"Lets try not to imagine that, ok ?" Athrun couldn't help but agree on that, which made Luna with satisfied look on her face. "By the way, Athrun, how did you find about Meyrin's birthday ? I bet you didn't ask her."

Athrun just shrugged – I found it out in ZAFT files, I checked it up. Luna looked surprised. "how did you manage to do that ? I mean, you are not a part of ZAFT anymore."

Athrun just grinned "you would be surprised how much more secret information gets thrown at you when your ex fiancée is the current chairman, your best friend her right hand man and one of your friends the supreme commander of ZAFT forces" Luna nodded

"true, I forgot about that" … The car drove further in the town towards Luna's house.

Cagali was about to sit down for supper. She thought about today's events with Athrun. She was mad at him for leaving her just like that. But then again, it was Athrun, and she very well knew that if he had decided on something he will get that done, no matter what.

This meeting must have been something important to him, so she had no rights to complain. They were becoming close again, and he said that they will talk about it, so she decided to cut him some slack – after all she can't just demand him to spend all time with her.

Happy with that thought she sat down to table when suddenly the door bell of her mansion rang. Since she had already sent all the maids home she just had to answer it herself. Wondering who could it be at this hour, she proceeded to door and opened it.

Her eyes widened and the look on her face could have made anyone burst out in laughter. She stood like stupefied for few seconds, then finally started to speak "you…how… what are you doing here ?"

A/N

End of chapter 1. Please R&R, criticism and any tips welcomed, seeing how this is my first time writing a fic, hope its not too horrible :D Will update in a couple of days, since I unexpectedly have a large amount of spare time at my hands. More of the cast will appear in the next chapter. Hope you will enjoy it.