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Chapter 4

Athrun Zala enters the ballroom his brows furrowed in frustration. Walking over to an empty table by the stage he sits down with a drink in his hand.

"So you pissed her off didn't you?" A familiar female voice questions him.

Athrun turns his gaze to the blonde female before him. He takes in her appearance as she is dressed like Cagalli and seems angered at him as well. Her hands were placed on her hips and her eyebrows were raised as she gave him a questioning look as she awaited his answer.

"Yes, I guess I did." He sighed running a hand through his midnight blue hair.

Clarimonde shrugged slightly taking a seat beside him at the table. "You have to do better with her. She has changed a lot since you left." She gives him a concerned look. "Are you sure you want to be with her?" She stated bluntly shrugging her shoulders as she sits down across from him.

Athrun shook his head slightly. "I know I have to do better. I can't believe I got jealous and lost my temper seeing her with another man. Cagalli means the whole world to me and I love her so much. This whole process is very frustrating." He answers before taking a sip of his drink.

The blonde female smirks looking at the man before her. "Is Athrun Zala afraid of a little competition? Or is it more than that?"

A shocked look plays on Athrun's features and he ponders a response to the blondes comment.

Clarimonde bursts out laughing, clutching at her gut as she giggled. "Well, I must be right if you have no response!"

Athrun clears his throat. "I am not afraid of the competition but rather of her feelings that might have changed for me." He straightens his posture and takes another sip from his drink.

Clarimonde watches him for a moment. "I see. I was just teasing you. Though it seems our Princess is enjoying herself tonight. These suitors are pretty interesting characters. I am looking forward to watch how everything unfolds." She points out to the dance floor where Cagalli and Alessandro start to dance to an upbeat waltz.

"Hm…" Athrun smirks slightly looking at the couple of the dance floor. Alessandro was having difficulty with the dance and was struggling to keep up with the tempo of the music. Cagalli seemed unfazed as she giggled at her companion. Athrun could not hold back his smile as it reached his lips. 'God he loved her.' He thought to himself.

Clarimonde noticed his gaze fixed on the Princess and smirked at him. "I am sorry. I felt like I had to come and talk to you to find out your true feelings, but let me warn you though…" She paused before leaning over across the table a serious look plastered on her face. "If you hurt her again it will be the last time you hurt her." She stared into his emerald eyes her blue eyes burning with the threat she told him. A few seconds later she sighed adjusting her posture before standing up.

"I refuse to see her broken hearted like that ever again." She voiced as she stalked off towards the table Lacus and Kira were sitting at.

Athrun stared at her retreating form from his seat. He knew Clarimonde did not make empty threats and that she was serious. "I have a lot to make up for it seems." He sat there for a moment finishing off his drink before spotting Yzak and Dearka at the opposite side of the dance floor.

Cagalli looked at her excited dance partner who struggled with the upbeat waltz. "Alessandro, you don't dance much too classical music do you?" She mused gripping his shoulder tighter as he pulled her around the dance floor.

"Sorry Lady Cagalli, I haven't had a lot of practice at this." He grinned as he prepared to spin her. "I'm just winging it." He smiled at her softly as he spun her around the dance floor.

"Well, as long as you don't drop me or step on my feet it is fine." She laughed as he spun her once more than a second time before pulling her back into a quick embrace.

"Don't jinx us Lady Cagalli." He winked as they continued to dance to the waltz.

"Alessandro you don't have to be so formal all the time. You can call me Cagalli." She giggled softly as he lost count again and stumbled at bit.

"Okay Cagalli. I will try my best. Oh, isn't Chairwoman Lacus making an announcement after this song?" He questioned as he looked across the dance floor to the stage where Lacus and Kira were approaching for Lacus salutatory speech.

The ending bars of the waltz started to play and Alessandro twirled Cagalli once more before pulling her in close and whispering in her ear. "Thanks for this wonderful dance Cagalli." He smiled before bowing to her and escorting her off the stage where they both spoke to Andrus and Clarimonde before dismissing himself from the group.

"Having fun Princess?" Her aide Clarimonde poked at the blonde princess.

"Yes I am having a lot of fun actually, but stop calling me Princess." She glared at her aide.

At that moment Lacus was making her way to the stage area where she began addressing the crowd. Little did anyone know what was going to happen next.

A male with lavender colored hair walked outside on to the balcony his voice barely above a whisper. "Have you planted the explosives and are the snipers in place?" He questions looking down at the watch radio.

"Yes Sir. Everything is ready for when Lacus walks off the stage." The male on the radio states to his partner.

"Good. Maybe we will take out Lacus and the Orb Princess at the same time!" He laughs evilly his voice barely carrying against the wind outside on the balcony.

Susumu walked briskly around the venue glancing at the security detail in place. He was off duty, but old habits died hard and it gave him a break from being around all the delegates in the ballroom.

An uneasy feeling began to wash over him as he continued scanning the perimeter on his area search. His eyes scanned the second floor balcony as he headed his way back to the ballroom. His gaze reached the edge of the balcony where a man with lavender hair stood an evil look on his face. The man had on a purple mask which was unusual since all the suitors and Lacus and Kira were the only one allowed to wear different colors at this function.

Susumu paused drawing his gun from his holster under his tuxedo jacket. He climbed the stairs slowly and cautiously as he continued pursuing the mysterious character that began looking at his watch while in the man's other hand he held a small explosive trigger.

Lacus was finishing her speech as the crowd began clapping and she thanked them all for coming to the annual Peace Keeping Ball. Cagalli clapped excitedly smiling at her sister in law. Today had been wonderful and she was glad she had been allowed to leave Orb and come to the ball this was a day she would never forget.

As Lacus began her descent down the stairs off the stage things started moving in slow motion for Cagalli. This feeling was familiar or her as it was something she had experienced before during the last war. 'Seed Mode'

"What the HELL!" She stated out loud as her mind began playing tricks on her. Her amber orbs caught the glow of a red dot sight on her aide Clarimonde whom was standing directly beside her. Her hand immediately reached from her glock which was attached to her thigh.

Her gaze then moved to the stage where Lacus was exiting a blinking light under the stairs caught her sight as it began blinking faster. Kira seemed to notice the situation at the same time as their eyes meet. "Kira!" She yelled across the noisy ballroom. She pulled her gun up unsure where all the assailants where.

At that moment she noticed another red dot on Lacus shoulder as Kira ran to his wife side pulling her off stage. Her amber orbs caught the flash of the snipers weapon as she aimed at the top of the ballrooms grand skylight pulling the trigger and successfully shooting the enemy that had pointed his weapon at Lacus.

She took a deep breath to settle her mind that was racing she had to find the other snipers. One had Clarimonde in his sight and now since she shot him the others would be going after her friends.

A wave of unease hit her as she glanced to her left towards the balcony's edge where she saw him. "Yuna!"

Yuna was grinning maliciously as he noticed the time on his watch and saw Susumu approaching him from behind. "IT'S TO LATE!"

All the events started to speed up in that moment as she heard the gunshot from out of Susumu drawn gun as it was pointed directly at Yuna. Everything seemed to crash together at that time as she noticed a red dot above her chest. "Shit! Get DOWN!" She yelled the only thing she could do was brace for the impact as she pushed her aide down onto the ground.

The room engulfed in flames as the explosion went off in the background. The last thing she heard was her name being yelled and 3 more gunshots going off before losing consciousness as she hit the ground.

Athrun practically sprinted across the room to Cagalli as he saw Susumu shot Yuna at the end of the ballroom. His emerald eyes noticed the snipers at the top of the roof as he drew his gun and shot the assailant whom was focused on Cagalli.

Not a moment later the explosion rocked the dancehall and all he could do was cover Cagalli and Clarimonde as their bodies slammed into the marble flooring.

"Cagalli!" He yelled covering her with his own body. "Stay with me!" Cagalli had been shot twice once in her arm and then her chest.

The dust began to settle in the ballroom as Athrun cradled Cagalli to his chest. "Cagalli! Cagalli come on." Athrun cried as he shook her limp body lightly in an attempt to rouse her. Cagalli was bleeding profusely from her wounds and had hit her head as she fell to the ground. Her aide was lying beside her bleeding from her head and was currently unconscious.

"Come on Cagalli. Please don't leave me now." He pleaded his eyes filled with tears as he ripped a nearby table cloth to place firmly on her wounds as an attempt to stop the bleeding.

Sirens were blaring in the background as emergency personnel filled the hall and began triaging the many patients.

"Athrun!" Yzak and Dearka jogged over to their friend who was holding the Orb Princess in his arms.

"Yzak, please help Clarimonde she has a head wound. Dearka, I think Andrus is fine he is just unconscious, but breathing." He pointed to Cagalli's aides as he held the woman he loved tightly in his arms.

Yzak and Dearka nodded jogging to the aides. "Andrus is fine and he is regaining consciousness." Dearka stated as he helped Andrus into a sitting position. Andrus wobbled slightly but Dearka steadied him. "Easy now Andrus."

Athrun continued holding Cagalli, but still scanned the hall. "Has anyone seen Kira and Lacus. She was close to the area of the explosion." Athrun questioned to his friends as they tended to the two aides beside him.

"No, but I saw Kira jump on the stage and carry her off before the explosion occurred." Yzak stated as he finished wrapping Clarimonde head with a make shift bandage.

Athrun nodded looking down at the woman in his arms. She was still unconscious and he was beginning to worry thinking that she might never wake up again.

Cagalli started to stir as her sense came back to her. The first thing that she felt was the strong arms that were tightly hold her. She knew exactly who it was that was holding her carefully. The next sensation that she felt was the pain in her chest and then her arm. She took a deep breath and could almost taste the sulfur and iron in the air as she winced in pain. "What happened?" She questioned her voice barely above a whisper. Her amber orbs taking in the scene around her.

"Cagalli!" Athrun glanced down in his arms as the blonde winced in pain as she tried to move. "Don't move you have been shot twice and you have a head injury." He attempted to smile at her to reassure her.

Cagalli nodded slightly as she tilted her head up to get a good look at him. His eyes were watery and his midnight blue hair had dust coated on it. His clothes were tore and had blood stains on the sleeves of his jacket. She took in the sights around her as he began to reassure about her friends and family.

"Clarimonde has a head injury and Andrus is fine." He looked at her and used his free hand to brush her hair out of her eyes.

"Lacus! Is she safe? Is Kira safe?" She questioned her voice husky from inhaling the dust in the air.

Athrun looked around the room again and shook his head. "I don't know yet. I haven't seen them."

Cagalli sighed, her eyes filling with tears as she remembered the events that happened before she lost consciousness. "Athrun…I saw everything. I saw it in slow motion. Yuna was the one who did this." She sobbed turning her head into his strong chest.

"I know Cagalli. Susumu shot him after the explosion happened." He was not the only culprit." He glanced to his left where his cousin was standing at the balcony entrance directing security and closing off areas for the investigation.

Athrun noticed her gaze on the roof where the snipers were previously located. "I shot the sniper who shot you. Julian shot the one who was aimed at Kira. Though there was a couple more outside that Susumu and the security handled."

She smiled softly reaching her uninjured hand to caress his cheek. "I'm sorry for making you worry Athrun." She could see the panic in his eyes when he thought her life was in danger.

Two EMT's rushed over to the couple carrying a stretcher. Behind them the maroon haired nurse from earlier bounced over. "Lady Cagalli. We have an ambulance ready for you."

The nurse bent down as the EMT's placed the stretcher on the ground beside Cagalli. "Athrun please laid her gently on her back on the stretcher." She reached down placing her hands on Cagalli legs as the EMT's helped move the Princess from the ground to the stretcher with Athrun's help.

"I am going with her." He looked at the Nurse with determination. She smiled not asking any questions.

"Yes, of course Athrun." She nodded before speaking to Yzak. "We will come back for Cagalli's aide next." She motioned for the EMT's to escort them out of the ballroom.

"Have you seen Lacus or Kira?" She questioned the maroon haired nurse as they walked her out towards the ambulance.

The nurse smiled softly as they hustled out to the ambulance. "They are fine. Lacus has some bruises. Kira's arm was grazed by a bullet, but it could have been worse if Alessandro hadn't been there." She mused as they loaded her in the back of the ambulance.

"Great. I am glad they are okay." She sighed closing her eyes as the medics placed the IV's in her arm and gave her pain meds.

Athrun jumped into the back of the ambulance. "They should be at the hospital already." The Nurse smiled as she patted the Princess on the hand before jumping out and shutting the doors to the ambulance.

-At the hospital-

Alessandro was sitting on a gurney in the ER getting his arms bandaged up. Kira Yamato walks in the room a look of the concern on his face. "Alessandro, I wanted to Thank-you for your help tonight." He stated placing a firm hand on Alessandro's shoulder.

Alessandro smiled slightly. "No problem. I just turned a couple of tables over us and covered you both."

"My wife and I thank you. We weren't severely injured because of you and your fast thinking." He sighed softly placing his hands in his pockets as he remembered carrying Lacus of the stage a mere seconds before the explosion occurred and Alessandro jumped over them pulling tables in front of the couple as he covered them

"I am just glad Chairwoman Lacus and your unborn child is safe." He smiled looking down at his arms as the nurse finished wrapping the wounds. "Though I am glad I am a fast healer!" He grinned as he relaxed in his bed.

"Thanks again." He paused a moment. "Oh, I heard they are bringing Cagalli in now. She was hurt pretty bad." He leaned against the door frame as he gave the news to Cagalli's suitor.

Alessandro eyes widened in alarm at the news of Cagalli injuries as Kira began speaking again. "I will come back and check on you and let you know how she was doing so get some rest Alessandro."

Alessandro nodded to the male as he turned to leave his room.

"Damnit, I can't believe I missed those explosives. I hope Lady Cagalli's injuries aren't too bad." Alessandro grimaced as he adjusted himself in the hard hospital bed.

The ambulance carrying Cagalli and Athrun pulled into the loading dock. The EMT's carefully unloaded their patient. Athrun followed closely behind them into the hospital triage room. In the Triage room the doctors and nurses began evaluating the patient getting her ready for an operation.

"Athrun!" Kira yells out to his friend as he jogs over to them. "Dearka called and told me they were bringing Cagalli here." He clasped his friend by the shoulder and looked down at his sister who lied on hospital bed. He smiled sadly at her as he saw the various cut and bruises on her small body as well as the 2 gunshot wounds that has soaked through the bandages on her body.

"Yeah, we just arrived. She is in pretty bad shape. They just gave her some medicine to easy the pain" Athrun sighed sadly running a hand through his hand in frustration. He gently reached down and held her uninjured hand as the blonde slept softly.

He rubbed his thumb gently across her palm. "The doctor came in and told us that they were going to begin prepping her for surgery." Athrun looked over at Kira who was fairly calm as he gave him the information the doctor told him.

"She is strong Athrun everything is going to be fine. I am glad you were with her this whole time." Kira patted Athrun on the back to reassure him.

"I almost didn't make it in time. I barely got off the shot before she was shot a second time. I don't think the sniper knew which one was Cagalli." Athrun continued to caress Cagalli's palm as he mused about the events of tonight.

His thoughts were interrupted as the charge nurse waltz in the room and spoke directly to both men. "Mr. Yamato and Mr. Zala, Lady Cagalli wounds are very serious and we will need to do the surgery right away. We have the OR prepped and the Doctors are ready. We need to extract the bullets and stop the bleeding immediately. I will need Mr. Yamato to sign the release documents so we can begin." She handed the documents over to Kira.

"Okay, how long do the Doctors expect her to be in surgery?" He questioned signing the documents and handing over the signed documents to the Nurse.

"The surgery is approximately 2 hours long and that is if there are no complications." The female nurse took the documents and bowed slightly at the waist before heading out of the room.

The room became busy again as multiple nurse and doctors filled the room to cart Cagalli off to surgery. "We will send someone out frequently to let you both know what is going on." One of the nurses stated to the men.

The men nodded as the staff began to transport her to the OR. Athrun released his hold on Cagalli's hand and placed a tender kiss on her forehead. The nurse smiled and gave the order to transport the patient to the OR.

Athrun and Kira walked out of the triage room behind the staff and rode the elevator to the OR waiting room.

"I'm sorry Kira. I didn't even ask how Lacus and the baby were doing." Athrun looked over at his friend an apologetic look on his face.

"She and the baby are fine she only has a few cuts and bruises." He smiles sitting down in one of the empty waiting room chairs.

"Great. I am glad to hear that." He sighed rubbing his eyes as he plops down in one of the chairs beside Kira. "I hope we got everyone involved in the attack in custody or at least have leads on who did this."

Kira nodded as he placed a hand under his chin remembering the events that took place. "The soldiers told me Susumu captured and eliminated the mastermind behind the attack. They are saying it was Yuna Roma Seiran but I have a feeling he was not the one pulling all the strings." He mused out loud.

"I agree he was not very skilled at combat. I do not think he would be able to mount an attack of that magnitude alone." He looked down at his hands that were still stained with dirt and dried blood. His tuxedo was ripped in places and stained in others. His hands began to tremble as he remembered almost losing Cagalli in the explosion. He could barely contain the emotions that were spinning around him. He did not know whether to cry or get revenge.

Kira thought for a moment before speaking again. "Cagalli has been receiving death threats from an unknown organization. She hasn't really told me how many attacks on her life have happened but we do know that the organization is more than likely the culprits behind this attack."

He sighed glancing over at Athrun whom was looking down at his trembling hands. "These threats have been the main reason why she hasn't left the country in a long time. Lacus feels that the reason why she was targeted was because of the closeness she shares with the Cagalli and that those that were behind the attack knew if they went all out with the explosion that they could get rid of her as well."

"If it weren't for Cagalli's yelling my name and the look of shock on her face as Lacus was walking off the stage I don't think I would have noticed the bomb." Kira leaned back in the hospital chair and closed his eyes.

Athrun smiled sadly before standing up excusing his self. "She was in Seed mode when I saw her drag her weapon and point it at ceiling." He paused he had to wash off before he saw her again. "Kira I will be back in a minute. I am going to get a change of clothes and wash up." He waved a short goodbye to his friend before walking to the nurses station.

-A few hours later-

Cagalli was wheeled out of the OR into a private recovery room. Her blonde hair still layered with dust. Her eyes had dark circles under them and her skin color was pale from the loss of blood. She still had an IV in her arm and was no longer in her elegant ball gown but a hospital gown that was grey in color. There was a couch beside her bed and lounge chair on the opposite side which was both occupied.

Athrun Zala was asleep on the couch beside Cagalli. His legs were curled up so that he could fit on the couch and a small blanket was thrown over him. In the lounge chair Clarimonde was asleep she was wearing green scrubs and her head was wrapped in bandages. The tones of the monitors and the soft breathing of the three occupants in the room were the only sounds in the private hospital room.

Cagalli opened her eyes to new surroundings a small gasp escaping her lips. Her amber orbs fell to her left were Athrun was sleeping. Her eyes began watering as she looked upon him her emotions getting the best of her. Her mind began remembering the time it was him in the hospital after Shinn tried to kill him and Meyrin.

Cagalli tried to hide the small sobs that escape her lips as the tears fall from her eyes.

Athrun stirs on the couch hearing the quiet sobs coming from Cagalli. He sits up from the couch and slowly walks over to the side of her bed. "Cagalli…are you alright? Are you in pain?" He grasps her hand gently and squeezes it in reassurance.

She shakes her head and looks at him. "No…I'm sorry. I'm just remembering things from our past."

Athrun smiles sadly sitting down on the side of her bed before placing a hand on her soft tear stained cheek. "Cagalli, I am glad you are alright. The doctors said if that shot had been any closer it would have nicked your heart." He caressed her cheek with his thumb as her tears continued to fall from her amber eyes.

"The explosion was my entire fault. If I did not come to the ball none of this would have happened." She stated between sobs.

Athrun emerald eyes locked on her amber orbs. "This is not your fault Cagalli. You must not think like that." She nodded attempting to stop her crying.

"Is Lacus and the baby okay? Is Kira okay? Is Clary okay" She asked a concerned look lined her tired face.

"Lacus and the baby are fine only a few cuts and bruises. Kira is doing fine as well. Clarimonde has a small concussion, but she is fine as well." Athrun pointed to the right where Clarimonde was leaned back in the lounge chair asleep.

Athrun removed his hand from her cheek and reached down picking up the room phone dialing a number. "Hey, Kira she is awake." He smiled and placing the phone back on the receiver. "Kira told me to ring him when you woke up. He and Lacus are on their way over."

"Thank you Athrun for staying with me. I am glad you were here with me when I woke up." She attempted to dry her eyes before her family walked in.

"I couldn't ever think of leaving you again." Athrun smiled helping her sit up in the hospital bed. He placed pillows behind her back carefully. A blush began playing on his features as the back to her gown was open showing her flawless bare back against the white cotton sheets.

"Athrun? Are you alright? Do you have a fever?" Cagalli glanced up at him as he leaned her back against the pillows. Her hand reached out to touch his forehead. "You are a little warm." She grinned up at him as he attempted to hide the embarrassment.

"Will you two stop flirting?" Clarimonde exclaimed from across the room a playful look marked on her face.

Athrun and Cagalli looked at her then back at each other with a laugh as Cagalli removed her hand from Athrun's forehead.

A knock at the door jolted their attention. "Cagalli?"

The door opened slowly revealing Kira and Lacus on the other side. "May we come in?" Lacus voiced across the threshold.

"Of course, please come in." Cagalli beckoned them in the private hospital room.

Kira escorted his wife into the small room. Lacus walked over to Cagalli's bed tears filling her eyes. "I am so glad you are alright Cagalli!" The pinked haired Chairwoman stated before flinging her arms around her sister in law gently.

"Thanks Lacus. I'm relieved you and the baby are safe and unharmed." She smiled softly hugging the woman back.

Kira walked over to her bed smiling. "Hey Cag's. How are you feeling?"

Cagalli grinned slightly. Lacus was still sobbing on her shoulder as the blonde rubbed her back gently. "I've felt better." She shrugged as Lacus released her hold and sat up off the bed. "I am sorry for all the trouble that was caused." She sighed looking at her brother.

"You have no reason to apologize Cagalli." He placed a hand on her head ruffling her unruly locks. "We will take care of everything. Don't worry."

Lacus rubbed her eyes, "Yes. We will investigate this incident to the fullest." Lacus had a look of determination lining her face as she spoke to her sister in law. "But first you need to get some rest. We have extra security and extra staff in the hospital right now on guard, and of course Athrun is not leaving your side." She smiled placing a hand on Athrun's shoulder.

Kira bent down and placed a kiss on his sister's forehead. "We will come back in the morning to check on you."

The couple said their goodbyes and left the room.

Clarimonde stood up from her chair and stretched. "I think I am going to check on Andrus. He got us a room at the hotel across the street so we could be close to you." She bowed slightly before excusing herself and winking at Athrun.

Athrun smiled as the blonde walked out of the room leaving the two of them alone to talk.

Cagalli shifted in the bed making room for him. "Athrun…" She blushed pulling the covers back on the bed. "Please sleep beside me." She pleaded to him. Her eyes locked on his masculine face as she awaited him to answer.

His emerald gaze locked on her ever movement as she moved her slender arms making way for him in the bed. All he could think about was her bare back and her bare legs under the covers. His heart began pounding in his chest felling like it could explode at any moment. His breath caught in his throat as he swallowed hard to clear his throat. "Sure." He smiled walking over to the bed taking off his shoes.

He smiled softly getting into the full size hospital bed. She turned over slightly looking into his eyes. "I'm so glad you're here Athrun."

He pulled the covers over them as he settled into the bed. "I'm glad I am too." He smirked as she snuggled up closely to his chest. He cradled her in his arms as she began to fall asleep. Her breathing was quiet as she drifted off to sleep in his arms. Her hand was warm as resting upon his toned chest. He nuzzled his face upon the top of her head as he fell into the most peaceful sleep he had in months.

Thanks for all the reviews! This chapter had a lot going on! I appreciate everyone reading my fan fiction! Please continue to comment and review! Thanks again!