Disclaimer: If I owned Gundam I would not be writing fan fiction for it.


"I'm thinking of you, what you would do if you were the one who spending the night? Oh I wish I was looking into you're eyes." - Katy Perry 'Thinking of You'


Shinn ran his fingers through his hair again looking in the mirror. Defeated he narrowed his trademark ruby eyes at his own reflection cursing at his hair. There was literally nothing he could do with it was there? With a final grunt of disapproval but not being able to really do anything he grabbed his jacket and left his apartment. Running down the stairs he glanced at his watch; he picked up speed when he saw the time. Lunamaria was going to be pissed if he was late again. He flew out the door apologizing to a fellow tenant he had almost run over in the process.

He ran full speed catching the subway to the square, he was late; he hoped Luna was late too, for a girl he was surprisingly punctual. At his stop Shinn flew out of the terminal and ran up the stares, he saw the place where they were meeting and calmed down. He couldn't be seen rushing; he calmed his breathing and slowed his pace to a leisurely walk making his way to the fountain in the middle of the square. He looked around a few times and saw no sign of Luna, he breathed, he was in the clear of a lecture. He took a an empty seat on the fountain and waited, he looked around and saw a discarded newspaper. He glanced at the headlines for something interesting to read while he waited.

"Natural born with talent rivaling a Coordinator!" Said the headline and Shinn was interested indeed. He picked up the paper and read the article.

"Noelle Conrad was discovered at age ten of having superb talent of the ballet. After visiting in Russia on a family vacation Mrs. Conrad, Noelle's mother, said an instructor saw her daughter and demanded she dance. Mrs. Conrad insisted her daughter didn't know how but the in structure insisted and soon Noelle's talent was discovered. At age twelve Noelle was offered a full scholarship to study in Paris, where she is now the principle soloist for the Paris Ballet. However, talk says Noelle may be making her way to the plants to put her talent up against the greatest Coordinators for a coveted spot as the Star in the Lunar Theater. Though neither Noelle nor her mother, her manager, have confirmed this rumor they have no denied it either. "Noelle was blessed with a god given talent; it has nothing to do with being a natural or a coordinator." Mrs. Conrad stated to the press when asked if Noelle was really going to go to the plants…"

"Since when do you read the newspaper?"

Blinking Shinn looked up and smiled at the woman dressed in a cute outfit and her violet hair down to her shoulders stood a smiling Luna. He stood up putting the paper down giving her a hug. Luna hugged him back but soon turned her attention to what she had been reading.

"Oh I heard about her." She said pointing. "Meryin says she's incredible."

"I didn't know you went to the ballet." Shinn teased. Luna made a face.

"No, I don't something so girly just isn't for me. But Meryin is enthralled by it, some secret desire to be a ballerina I guess."

Shinn nodded taking his girlfriends hand and walking out of the square as Luna kept talking.

"You know it's impressive though," She continued.

"What is?"

"That girl Noelle, I've never seen her given, but for them to say her talent can rival our…well I mean considering she's a natural its still impressive."

"I think its impressive people even care anymore." Shinn said. "I mean didn't we fight a whole war on Naturals vs. Coordinators, and now their still making a big deal about it."

Luna laughed and Shinn looked at her with a frown.

"Its just fun Shinn, you don't have to take things so serious all the time!" She gave him a playful shove but he caught her pulled her into a surprisingly kiss. When he let her go she was blushing wonderfully and looking around with wide eyes. She started to shove him away again but didn't fight him when he put his arm around her and they continued walking nearly glued at the hip together. Lunamaria had learned never to deny Shinn's affections after they had taken him so long to express.

Three years after the war and six years after seeing his family's remains scattered on the ground Shinn Asuka had finally let it go. After the war and the defeat of Dullindal there was no where to charge his anger. He didn't have his mobile suit to take with him to take down anyone and everything that stood in his way. With no where to put the anger and the sadness, with nothing to motivate his revenge and Orb still standing and becoming a more powerful nation then ever before Shinn felt defeated. Slowly the anger started to fade; slowly the sadness could be interrupted by a cheerful voice and face of a friend. Slowly the pain of so much loss could be bearable and then he could live with it, he did not really forget it, but he learned not to let it control him. Athrun had told him to let it go, he told him he couldn't change what happened and nothing would bring them back. It took time, but eventually Shinn understood what he meant.

He learned to live with the memories he had of his family instead of letting them haunt him. He put Mayu's cell phone a box and hid it at the very top of his closet, and after three years he hadn't taken it out. Not even once. He got out more, he made friends and let his anger go. No one realized how fun Shinn was when he wasn't angry. He never spoke of his life before going to the plants, and aside from Lunamaria no one knew or asked. He was thankful no one ever asked; they all saw him as a war hero along with the rest of the ZAFT who had defeated Dullindal to keep the world at peace.


Miriallia gently pushed down the white paper in the fluid in the dark red room for the tenth time. She patiently waited until she started to see her picture of the three children playing she had taken on her last location. After a few more dips he pulled it out dripping but smiled satisfied with the picture of such happy children. She was on her next picture when the intercom in the dark room went off scaring her half to death.

"Miriallia!" They yelled causing her to jump and drop her tongs in the liquid. She caught her heart and stomped over to the intercom pressing the response button.

"What!" She snapped. "I'm in the darkroom!"

"I know," Said the voice. "That's why I paged the dark room."

'Smart ass.' She thought scowling. "What do want right now?" She asked them.

"I need you to get up here when you can, I have something for you."

"I'll be there in half an hour." She said and then unplugged the intercom to her dark room.

An hour later Miriallia put her developed photos on her desk and then made her way to her bosses office as she had promised to do half an hour ago.

"Nice of you to make it Miriallia." He said not looking up from his work.

"I was busy," She replied taking a seat before him. "So what did you have for me?"

The big bald man before her leaned over handing her an envelope.

"This came for you today, it was addressed to me but it had you're name on it."

"For me?" She asked taking the envelope turning it in her hand. Her eyes caught the formal seal and she gasped.

"You recognize that?" Her boss asked.

"Yeah, its Lacus Clyne!" She said and hurriedly ripped open the letter.

"Lacus Clyne?" Her boss asked but she ignored him she was already reading the letter from her old friend.

"Dearest Miriallia,
How are you doing? I hope you are well as well as everyone else on earth free it live their life in peace. I have missed you, as does Kira, we wish to see you again which is why I am writing. I understand you are very busy with you're new job on earth but I do have a favor to ask of you and you're wonderful talent as a photographer. As you well know, the rebuilding of the plants destroyed is going wonderfully on schedule and we are ready to reopen them come February, that will be such an occasion and I would like you to be there. As our friend, as a fellow sister in arms, and the only person I feel qualified to capture the moment. Please let me know of you're decision, I await you're answer.

Sincerely, with all my love;
Lacus Clyne"

"What does it say?" Her boss asked once she put the letter down.

"I need time off," Miriallia said confidently.

"How much time?"

"At least a month."

"Excuse me?"

"Lacus Clyne has requested me to be the photographer for the reopening of the plants in February."

"She what?" Her boss made a grab for the letter but Miriallia dodged him.

"I'll email you the final dates once I respond to Ms. Clyne."

"W-What?" her boss asked again but Miriallia was already out the door making her way to her office.

She wasted no time getting to the monitor to call Lacus personally, hopefully her busy friend wasn't too busy to take her call.

"Inter-Galactic Communications." Said the operator once Miriallia opened the channel.

"This is Miriallia Haw of Earth requesting to be connected to Plant Council Member Lacus Clyne."

"Identification number please?" Asked the operator.

"MH0258634-211"

"Access Granted, Miriallia Haw of Earth connecting to Plant Council Member Lacus Clyne."

The sound of a phone rang several times before familiar happy baby blue eyes were looking at the Miriallia.

"Miss Miriallia!" Lacus said smiling and Miriallia smiled back. It was amazing how a woman who could be considered the most powerful and influential voice in the galaxy could look that cute.

"Hi Lacus, how are you?"

"I'm doing quite well thank you, how are you?"

"Good, I just got you're letter."

"You did? Oh I'm glad, I was afraid it wouldn't get to you in time or would get lost." Lacus giggled and Miriallia joined her.

"I wanted to tell you yes." Miriallia said getting to the point.

"Really?" Lacus said her face lighting. "Oh that is wonderful news, Kira will be so happy to see you again!"

Miriallia laughed.

"Yeah me too. So when is the actual day?"

"We are scheduled to have the opening ceremony on February Second. So do you think you could be here a few days before then to get settled? I will arrange transportation for you and escorts and you will be given a place in my home to sleep while you are here."

"That would be terrific, how does January twenty ninth, sound?"

"That's perfect!" Lacus smiled and wrote something down just out of view of the screen. "I can get you here courtesy of the council since you are doing us a great favor."

"Oh Lacus, that's not…"

"I insist Miriallia, you are my friend and I want to do this."

"Um, okay." Miriallia said knowing she couldn't argue with the face of Lacus Clyne.

"Wonderful, I will make the arrangements and get the information to you as soon as possible."

"Okay,"

"I'm sorry to cut this short Miriallia but I'm getting another call I must take; have a wonderful day and I look forward to seeing you."

"Like wise Lacus, good bye."

Once Lacus was off the screen Miriallia dialed her boss's extension.

"Miriallia, what is this about time off?" He demanded and Miriallia smiled.

"I'll be leaving to the plants on January twenty ninth, and will probably be there for a few weeks."

"A few weeks! Listen Miriallia you can't just take time off as you please…"

"I've worked here for three years never taking a vacation! I deserve this!" Miriallia fought back and her boss looked upset and bloated.

"Fine, do whatever you want!" Her boss said red in the face and shutting the channel off.

Alone in her office Miriallia smiled to herself. It had been a long time since she had last been to the plants, what should she expect?


Cagalli leaned back in her chair with a deep heavy sigh. She kicked off her shoes under her desk and went for her comfortable slippers she kept hidden in the last bottom drawer. With her throbbing feet relaxing she took off her jacket and letting her shirt loose from being suffocated in her pants. In a much more comfortable sate then she had been in all day she proceeded to go through the day's mail. She sorted it into three piles; business, nation, and personal. The National pile was always the biggest and would often have Cagalli working until the small hours of the morning answering letters and negotiations. Her business pile was smaller, and her personal pile was usually nonexistent. So it was a small surprise to Cagalli to receive an envelop with her name written elegantly on it and Lacus Clyne's seal behind it.

Ignoring her national business Cagalli opened the letter eager to read what her brother's fiancé was writing about. The last time she got a letter was to announce their engagement, of course Cagalli responded by calling Kira and yelling at him for not calling her about the new instead.

"Dearest Cagalli," Lacus wrote in her perfect handwriting. "I am writing to invite you and Athrun to the plants to the celebration of the reopening of the plants that were destroyed by Lord Djibril. The ceremony is scheduled to be held on February 2nd. Please let me know if you can join us in our celebration. Sincerely, will all my love; Lacus Clyne."

Cagalli stood up the instant she read the last word of the short letter and went to her monitor.

"Inter-Galactic Communications." Rang the voice of a female operator once Cagalli had signed on.

"This is Cagalli Yula Athha of ORB requesting to be connected to Plant Council Member Lacus Clyne."

"Identification please?"

"CYA7993724-033."

"Access Granted, Cagalli Yula Athha of ORB connecting to Plant Council Member Lacus Clyne."

Cagalli waited a full minute before her future sister and law came on screen with a familiar cheerful face that always made Cagalli envious. She wished she could be that happy and calm all the time, Lacus really did have a gift.

"Cagalli!" Lacus said with a big smile. "How are you and how is Athrun?"

"We're great Lacus how are you?"

"I'm wonderful thank you."

"Lacus I'm calling because I wanted to confirm you're invitation."

"Oh wonderful!" Lacus seemed to get happier if that was possible. "Athrun will be joining you I assume?"

"Of course, I will arrange for us to leave January thirtieth, I know its cutting it a bit close but I'm afraid that's the earliest I can get away."

"Oh no not at all, that's more then enough time to settle in. I will arrange transportation for you and Athrun when you arrive, just give me you're time of arrival before hand."

Cagalli nodded.

"Of course, can't wait to see you Lacus, oh before I forget how is Kira?"

"He's doing great, he's helping at the school now."

"Really?"

"Yes, he really likes it he teaches physics."

"He never told me that."

"Oh well its fairly recent, and old friend of ours remembered Kira from the war and requested his help since he had such an understanding for it."

"Wow," Cagalli said but made a mental note to again yell at Kira for keeping her in the dark of his life. "Well I'm afraid I have to go Lacus, I still have work to do here."

"Of course, don't let me keep you. Good bye Cagalli and it was wonderful hearing from you again."

"You too Lacus, good bye."

The two women signed off and the screen went dark.

"Kira's a teacher?" Said a voice behind her and Cagalli jumped she turned around and glared at her boyfriend/body guard.

"Don't sneak up on me like that; I hate it when you do that."

"Sorry, I heard you talking to Lacus and couldn't help it. So did she say Kira's a teacher now?"

"Apparently, surprising huh?"

Athrun looked thoughtfully.

"Not really, he's always had an ability to explain things calmly. I think it suits him, so other then Kira what were talking to Lacus about?"

"She invited us to the plants." Cagalli said holding up the paper. Athrun walked over taking it from her reading it quickly.

"Wow, the plants are ready so soon."

"It's impressive, but she did have all of ZAFT and some Earth forces helping."

"True," Athrun handed her the paper back with a smile. "I take it you accepted it with out even consulting me even though my name is mentioned?"

"Well even if you weren't mentioned you'd have to go anyway. You're my body guard." Cagalli smiled a teasing smile getting up to walk back to her desk. Athrun followed her with his eyes watching her intensely.

"If you keep staring at me like that Mr. Zala I will never get any work done." Cagalli said with an obvious playful smirk on her face.

Athrun challenged her by walking over and taking her hands away from the work on her desk. He kissed her neck.

"Its not like you get any work done after seven anyway." He said in a low husky voice by her ear he knew made her shiver. Obviously fighting the shivering, Cagalli turned to protest but her mouth was caught in a famous Athrun kiss that made her body turn to jell-o.


"So then you're coming?" He asked the pretty face in the screen. Her bright magenta eyes sparkled when she gave him a small smile.

"Yeah, we're going, but you can't tell anyone okay."

"Who would I tell?"

"Everyone!" She accused and he laughed. She smiled but her pretty face turned serious again. "Seriously Dearka, you get excited and then you're mouth can go off. Besides once I do show up in the plants and you're their to greet me we wont have to say anything."

"True, but can you blame me for wanting to brag to everyone who my girlfriend is?" Dearka frowned at the girl in the frame who then smiled again.

"Am I still considered you're girlfriend? We haven't been on the same planet for some time, are you sure there isn't some cute girl up in the plants catching your eye?" She teased him and he put his hand to his chest.

"That hurts Noelle; you know I'm a one woman man."

"Yeah one woman at a time once a night."

"Oh stop it, you're not being fair. I could say the same about all the guys who man handle you all day."

"Dancing is not man handling, you are such a pig sometimes Dearka."

"And you are such a priss!" He countered and her pretty face flew up into her cute annoyed look with a sudden pinched nose and pursed lips.

"But enough flattery my love, in all seriousness my lips are sealed. There's been some interesting talk of you in the papers."

"There too?" Her angry face disappeared replaced by what Dearka could only describe as fear.

"Don't pout, it doesn't fit you're pretty face." He said into the screen and she blushed.

"You are such a charmer." She said with a giggle.

"I honestly don't know why it's such a big deal." She said and saw him looking at his fish tank off screen.

"Me either, but it is what it is." He said turning back his attention. "Is you're mother upset?"

"Is you're mom worried?"

"She won't say it but I know she is. And I understand what she means, the war was just three years ago and even though there is peace who's to say there's complete peace. I mean I am a Natural and you all are Coordinators so you know, what if someone doesn't like-"

"Don't talk like that Noelle. You'll be fine; you'll be safe I can promise you that. Things are different here, very different."

"I've just never been to the plants before; I mean I'm just really nervous."

"Understandable, well you can assure her that not only will I protect you but I can get some pretty good ZAFT names to do it too." He said with a smug grin and she laughed.

"Oh Dearka, do you ever get tired of being so smug?"

"Never." He said and moved his hand over his hair with a cheesy grin causing her to laugh again, her magenta eyes sparkling as she swept a strand of blonde hair behind her ears.

"NOELLE!" There was a loud yell from off screen. The pretty girl looked aside quickly and then looked back.

"I better go, by Dearka!" She said and blew a kiss to the screen.

"Noelle, are you on the phone!"

"NO!" Turning away from the screen she turned it off and Dearka was left smiling to himself at the empty monitor.

He looked at his calendar. He scrolled over until February, marking the first in a big red pen. He didn't have to wait long; she would be here soon enough. He was never one for long distant relationships, after his last one with Miriallia he wasn't sure he could handle being dumped so harshly again. But Noelle was different, he knew from the first time he saw her on earth, she was kind and gentle with a soft hard not hardened by war. And maybe that's what he needed, something soft for his hard exterior of spending almost his entire youth in war.

It was almost three months ago. He had accompanied council woman Lacus Clyne and her escort Kira to Earth as an body guard. To show gratitude for their visit the nation they were in had offered the three of them complimentary tickets to the ballet that was in town. Dearka didn't want to go; ballet was not his thing at all. But Lacus wanted to go so he really had no choice in the matter and all but sulked the entire time; at least Kira sulked too, just not as obvious as he did.

He had fallen asleep through most of the performance, though to his defense he couldn't really see what was going on in their box seats so far from the stage and the music was always so soft in a ballet. At least he didn't snore, so really he didn't bother anyone and he was a soldier he would have been alert if he needed to be. After the show they all went out and he escaped to the bathroom with Kira leaving Lacus with some city officials for only a moment. When he came back out Lacus along with Kira and the city officials were talking to a group of people.

It was Lacus who introduced them. Noelle Conrad the star of the ballet, the girl with brilliant wide magenta eyes and perfect sunshine blonde hair. She wore a light pink dress over her figure that only accented her flawless ivory skin to almost glow under the lights. She smiled at him and Dearka felt that familiar feeling all over again. From that first sight, from that first meeting, that first moment she said hello Dearka was struck.

He didn't want a long distant relationship but some how the next few days they were there Miss Noelle happened to be where every they were. He assumed Lacus really liked her because she always invited her with them where ever they went that wasn't business. He never complained she was a pleasure to be around, he liked her; he really liked her. When it was time to leave she gave him her contact number and Dearka didn't wait one minute after he got home to call.


Shinn turned over in bed freeing his arm from Luna's head. She moved in her sleep but then curled over on her side wrapping the sheet tighter around her. Carefully he got out of bed, anything could wake Luna up and then she would be cranky he woke her up. He went to his window over looking the now dead streets of the city. He put his hand on the window feeling the harsh cold nights of early January.

He didn't like too but for some reason after all he had done Shinn couldn't completely let go of her. He let go of his pain of his family, he let go of the tragedy, he stopped feeling angry for something he couldn't fix but he couldn't let go of her.

"Shinn…I love you…"

She died in his arms saying she loved him how could he ever forget?

"Stellar…"

"Shinn?" Luna's sleepy voice was behind him and he quickly turned back around. "What are you doing?" She asked rubbing her eyes wrapped in the sheets.

"I thought I saw something."

"Oh," she yawned and lay back down. "Come back to bed Shinn." She said holding out her arm.

He left the window and smiled at her. He crawled back in embracing her warm body and wonderful smelling scent. Yet still in the back of his mind, even wrapped in the arms of a beautiful and strong woman, was her. Stellar was always there, he would never be able to let her go.


TBC -


AN: Okay I've never written any Gundam Fan Fiction but I LOVE Gundam Seed and I was inspired after finishing Seed and Destiny. So please give it a chance to get into the story I promise its not what you think and the OC is not a mary-sue and the pairings do work out and there is a happy ending!

Also because its my FIRST gundam fic its will be it bit sketchy compared to my Naruto ones. I need time to adjust to the different style and characters, its harder on me then you think but I just couldn't get this out of my head. I'm excited about writing so thanks for reading chapter one, stick around for chapter two and let me know what you think. :)