Note: This chapter is a lot longer than the last, as many were saying that the last one was too short. nudge review! nudge Wow, an update of A Surprising Proposal and this story in less than 24 hours--we're on a roll here! Enjoy:

Chapter 2

"So, are you ready for this?" asked Kira concernedly, his hands resting casually on the steering wheel of the shiny black Volvo with tinted windows speeding down the highway.

Cagalli leaned against the backseat. "Yeah, I think so." She paused, contemplating. "I mean, we've pretty much secured this mission so thoroughly, it's not like as if anything can still go wrong, right? And I'll be going by my real name, so there's not a chance of me forgetting to respond or reacting by natural instinct to give us away."

"All the same," replied Kira, "call me by your private cell as soon as you get settled in alright?" Lacus reached over from her passenger seat and handed Cagalli a shiny silver key.

"What's this for?" Cagalli asked curiously.

"It's the key to your new apartment. 11th floor. There's only two apartments on that level; one belongs to you, the other, a penthouse, to the head of Servitude Inc." Lacus explained.

Cagalli breathed out. "Wow, thanks. But I can't believe you guys still don't know who's heading the company. This doesn't exactly help my apprehension, you know?"

"They're making a public release in two weeks, but we can't wait that long. We must move now. The amount of Natural slaves that could be traded during that time…"

Cagalli nodded, "I understand."

Lacus reached over again and handed her a tracking device and ear piece with a mini mike attachable to a shirt collar. "In case of emergencies, it's better to be prepared."

Expertly Kira drove into the parking lot of the airport and found a vacant lot. "Let's go."

Cagalli swallowed nervously. Too late to back out now, it was time.

The flight attendant leaned over Cagalli's seat and said, "Miss, please fasten your seat belt, the plane will be landing shortly."

Her heart beat faster, and her palms felt clammy. Why had she agreed to this? Was she starting to doubt herself now? Of all times, when she had already arrived at ZAFT? Wasn't it a bit late now? Calm down she tried to tell herself. True enough, the plane landed smoothly a little while later.

Time seemed to speed up for the nervous blonde. She was already here. Her dread only increased as she stepped out of the flight terminal. Not only that, she was now lost, alone in a foreign colony.

Luckily, her fears were soon quenched, as two burly security guys dressed in black appeared at her side. "Miss Yula Athha?" one of them asked. "I'm Joe, security department of Servitude Inc. Welcome to Zaft, Mr. Zala has ordered us to pick you up and escort you to Servitude Inc. immediately upon your arrival." Seeing Cagalli about to protest, Joe quickly continued, "Don't worry, we'll drop you off at your apartment shortly afterwards."

Cagalli nodded, feeling sick to her stomach. She let Joe and his partner, Roan, lead her to a black sedan with a chauffeur inside who began driving as soon as his passengers had buckled their seatbelts. Cagalli took a deep breath, trying to remember to breath. She looked down at her hands; they were shaking. Quickly she stuck them between the legs of her suit before either Joe or Roan could notice.

As it turned out, Servitude Inc was located in a skyscraper of a building, 22 floors with 3 levels of basement. Amazing. She looked up at the glass building in awe, but was quickly ushered inside by Roan. "We must hurry, Miss Yula Athha—Mr. Zala is not a patient man."

Cagalli nodded weakly as they stepped into the elavator. It started with a lurch and continued up so smoothly that it was quite a contrast to the starting movement. Forcefully the two burly gentlemen led her to a door and knocked. "Mr. Zala, Miss Cagalli Yula Athha is here."

Cagalli was puzzled. Since when did such a big important figure have time to meet separately with all new employees? Although she supposed that personal assistants were a bit of an exception.

"Come in," a musical voice called. Cagalli was shocked. How could such a nice voice possibly belong to such a horrible person? This was preposterous. Joe opened the door and nudged her inside, shutting it behind them as he and Roan entered, flanking the nervous sweating blonde.

Mr. Zala turned from his roost at the window and approached the threesome. He glanced Cagalli up and down and said to Joe, "She'll do."

Cagalli felt anger flare up inside her. He was addressing her as though she were merely an object, as though she weren't even in the room. Then she looked at him closely. He had a perfectly built physique, deep emerald eyes, and gorgeous blue hair. Embarassedly, she found herself blushing and her heart fluttering, though she didn't want it to.

The man in question stuck out a hand towards her. "Athrun Zala, at your service. Welcome to the company, Cagalli."

She shook hands with him. "Thank you, Mr. Zala."

"Please, just call me Athrun."

Note: How was that? As it turns out, the head honcho is... you guessed it: Athrun. Comments, concrit etc. welcome, but no flaming.