FushionAC: The SEED they were doing that a bit. The hugs, leaning into each other and stuff…Cagalli initiated most of their contact. I think in DESTINY it was more Athrun at least in the beginning. XD Well, yes! Being locked up in a room together I can't imagine Athrun being on his best behavior!

Mage666: as far as the attackers go, I haven't made up my mind yet. We will see XD!

Asga: oh Myrna.

Kitty: Glad you liked!

Sugarcarly: XD

I Never Should Have Left

Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam SEED/Gundam SEED Destiny, because if I did there would be LOTS of changes. This is based off of the ending of the special edition IV and some images I saw. Takes place after the ending as Lacus Clyne and Cagalli Yula Athha going into their meetings.

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Chapter Seven

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Cagalli was reading over documents on her desk. She sighed as it felt like it would never end; it was just another month since her brother had gone back to PLANTs and the month passed quickly. Kira was still trying to dig up information on their biological parents and still came up with nothing. He even went to the colony that their father used to work at and came up empty handed. Most of the computers had been damaged and the one man that knew more about them was dead. Cagalli stopped reviewing the documents and decided to think. She had her hair up in a loose ponytail and Athrun didn't seem to mind her growing it out. Apparently he was a typical male in sexy secretary fantasy but he had mentioned it looked good on her. She even went as far as asking if he preferred girls with long hair and he only replied, "I love the way you are. If you want long hair then fine, if you want short hair…fine…as long as you stay you." Cagalli smiled as her mind had drifted from the threat on her life to her boyfriend. They had been cautious not to be seen affectionate in front of the public eye but it was growing difficult.

Cagalli wanted to announce to the world that he was hers especially after all the women that would flirt with Athrun. Athrun had a growing fan club. She growled she knew Athrun was loyal to their relationship but didn't mean she couldn't feel a little bit of jealousy. The other women would just flaunt themselves over him even some of the politician daughters and she cursed under her breath. She tossed a pen across the room and it wasn't missed by her visitor. Kisaka looked at the fuming Cagalli. He figured he wait in the doorway until she was done with her tantrum. She found other small objects to throw around her office.

Kisaka shook his head as Cagalli was letting her anger out of her system. Then she picked up the small green mint haro and it was about to get interesting, "Oh, Admiral Zala for a coordinator you sure are really stupid! I mean does it matter if they are natural or a coordinator…they are all stupid! Can't you see all those women looking at and checking you out! Ugh, for once can't you look at me like I'm a woman! YOU DRIVE ME INSANE! I swear one of these days I'm going…"

"Going to do what," Athrun asked and Kisaka saw the young admiral standing next to him. Cagalli saw his questioning look on his face. She turned to the clock, they were to have a meeting but not for another hour with the rest of the emirs. She then stared back at him and saw Kisaka also standing there as well. Cagalli threw the haro at Athrun who caught it with ease, "What did I do now?"

"I hate men," Cagalli grumbled and turned away from him. She tried to get back to work and Kisaka closed the door once Athrun had fully entered the room. The guards outside of the door just shrugged it off. It wasn't unusual for the admiral and their head representative to get into lovers' quarrels from time to time. They found it quite amusing, since it only led to Cagalli conceding to Athrun after he found a way to calm her down…mostly to reassure her that his heart solely belonged to her.

Athrun was dodging a few other flying objects as Cagalli refused for him to get closer to her. Athrun easily dodged them and wondered what could be wrong with his girlfriend. "Cagalli…damn it, Cagalli…"

"Don't come near me," Cagalli growled. "What are you doing here? You don't need to be here for another hour!"

"I came to see you like I normally do before a meeting," Athrun caught the next item tossed at him. He didn't know how many more projectiles were going to come his way. "Cagalli!" Athrun pinned her against the wall and her wrists were in his hands above her head. Cagalli struggled against her, "Cagalli…what are you doing…what's the matter with you…"

Cagalli glared at him, "YOU ARE! LET ME HIGH ADMIRAL ATHRUN ZALA!"

Athrun sighed keeping his grip on the woman firm, "What about me has got you so upset?"

"You were flirting with that girl," Cagalli narrowed her eyes and Athrun looked at her surprised.

He began laughing which only made her upset, "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Don't lie to me, I saw you with Representative Collins' daughter!" Cagalli fought against his grip and Athrun stared her down, "You let her get all cheeky with you and you just…ugh you just!"

"Oh so that's what has been bothering you," Athrun closed the distance between their bodies. "If I remembered correctly she was flirting with me and not the other way around, my dear headstrong princess." Athrun let his hands slowly follow her arms and Cagalli felt her heart racing. His arms trailed down her sides until it reached her waist. She felt his hands gather some of her shirt into his hands. Cagalli still hadn't let her hands fall from their position on the wall as she was breathing deeply. "Cagalli…you're one stubborn one."

"You're one to talk…"

Athrun chuckled and kissed her forehead, "Cagalli, the only person I would want touching me is you…but we agreed with Kisaka about keeping our relationship secret from the public. That includes the council as well…if you remembered correctly I pushed her away without seeming too rude."

"I still don't like it," Cagalli pouted and Athrun chuckled. He kissed her sweetly and pulled away at some point she moved her hands that now rested on his shoulders. She felt his chest as he laughed again at her and kissed her temple. "Don't make fun of me, it's not nice!"

"Oh so now we're acting like a spoiled princess," Athrun teased and Cagalli blushed. She let her hands cling to the lapels of his military uniform as she bit her bottom lip. Athrun heard a knock and knew it was Kisaka. Athrun sighed and was about to completely pull away until Cagalli pulled him towards her for a kiss. Athrun's eyes flew open as Kisaka opened the door to see what was going on only to chuckle. He closed the door and stood there waiting for the display to be done. Athrun pulled back from the woman as Kisaka cleared his throat.

"I'm glad to see you two resolved your issue," Kisaka teased. "Now, you two need to get ready for the meeting."

Athrun nodded and fixed his jacket as Cagalli was trying to fix her hair. Kisaka smirked; they were like hormonal teenagers with their feelings but then again being apart from the person you love the most could also do that. From what Myrna was telling him, they slept together in the same room and lucky for her she didn't always find them in a compromising state of dress. The first time she saw them like that she screamed causing Athrun to grab his gun, Kisaka chuckled at the memory. After everyone had gathered in her room she ushered them away. She then proceeded to wink at Athrun only causing the poor man more embarrassment about being caught in Cagalli's bed only the blanket to cover him. There were only a few others times she caught them in bed unclothed but she didn't mind. Most of the people in Cagalli's inner circle considered them already married even though they weren't officially documented as a married couple. They were all wondering when Athrun would propose to her properly at least propose to her again, Kisaka was pretty sure he would wait till they were at least a couple years older or probably for the right moment.

Athrun left her office first and Cagalli sighed deeply, "Ugh…I hate him…"

Kisaka laughed, "Cagalli, you and I both know that is a lie."

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Dearka grumbled as he was going over more reports, Cagalli had been attacked more often than not as of late. Kira had been left alone which bothered him, he was trying to find more information on the twins but he decided it was time to look into their parents' history. He began trying to pull up their records anything to give him a clue why they would be going after Cagalli on a more frequent basis. He started drinking his coffee and also cursed Yzak for dropping this assignment on him. Then again he was glad since this was his main goal to get done sure Shiho helped him out from time to time but Yzak would pull her to help him. He smirked, they thought he didn't know about their relationship but he was well aware of it. He would let them have their fun about keeping it quiet.

Dearka sighed and leaned back in his chair. He hadn't seen Miriallia in a week but then again she had been busy. She was constantly requested for jobs here and there, she had gone from freelance news photographer to most wanted news photographer. He chuckled, he was happy for her but he missed her terribly. It wasn't like they could see each other every day like Yzak and Shiho. Hell, even the leader of PLANTs and Orb both got to see their counterparts on a daily basis. He felt envious of his coordinator friends that got to see their women on a frequent basis. Dearka tried not to worry about when he was working it would keep him busy enough to not think about the time apart from Miriallia…the time they were actually not a couple is what killed him more. He was glad when she wanted to give them another chance and heard his phone ring.

He grabbed his cellphone and smiled, "Hey babe, I was just thinking about you. You're at my place? Why didn't you tell me? No, I'm glad babe…huh? Sure, what did you need me to pick up? Alright, Mir. I'll see you tonight…yeah, I missed you too. Right back at you!" Dearka hung up the phone with a grin on his face. He didn't know when she started saying 'I Love You' but was he glad. Out of the original group their relationship was the newest but at least he didn't feel like a total rookie in his relationship. He had become quite a sentimental fool but he was more than happy to be her sentimental fool.

Shiho came into his office and handed him a file, "Here, you might want to see this."

"What is it," Dearka opened the file.

"Some files that we managed to uncover while at the colony where Professor Hibiki was conducting his research," Shiho replied. "We were able to find some interesting facts about him and his wife."

Dearka froze, "He wasn't only researching on making the ultimate coordinator but clones and bio humans?"

"According to this for a natural, Professor Hibiki and Mrs. Hibiki were extremely healthy naturals, neither of them ever got ill or for that matter their family." Shiho stated and sighed, "You might want to talk to Admiral Zala and see if Lady Cagalli has ever been sick."

"Just because she's got a great immune system doesn't mean anything," Dearka sighed and placed the file down for a moment. "Though, it's probably why coordinators exist in the first place…other people got jealous of the naturally inclined and decided to do something about it."

"Well, when you think about it," Shiho stated tilting her to the side. "From what I've observed, she doesn't seem quite the average natural. I'm sure she had plenty of training and such, but she is still able to pilot a mobile suit without any problems…most naturals have had to have coordinators redo the operating system."

"That may be true but Cagalli has lived in a nation that is populated by both coordinators and naturals for the longest time," Dearka added. "I admit for a natural she does possess some strong genes. We will need to ask Colonel Kisaka for her medical records, but from what I can tell from this you provided…in order to make this kind of ultimate coordinator the person providing their DNA needs to be in outstanding health…not only their personal health but family history…"

"If that being said, does that mean this kind of ultimate coordinator can only be a product of a two natural parents with an exceptional family health record," Shiho asked confused.

"It's starting to look that way," Dearka looked back over his other documents. "High Commander Yamato has not been attacked these past few months, they've only been targeting Head Representative Athha…giving us the reason to believe they after Cagalli's DNA."

"In order to do that, she can't have been sick a day in her life," Shiho protested. "So if she has been ill even once, they wouldn't want her…"

"I doubt they would give up that easily," Dearka looked at Shiho. "She has something they want and that would be her DNA. She is half of her father and half of her mother, but until we can find more information on how Professor Hibiki went about creating Kira…we can only assume at this point their intentions." Dearka slammed his fist down on his desk, "Damn it all…why can't we have a real peace…this will start up another damn war if we're not careful…"

"With Orb?"

Dearka shook his head, "No…between Naturals and Coordinators…you know Orb will stick by their beliefs…but I have a feeling she's being targeted by Coordinators…"

Shiho froze, "You don't think the small group that still supports Admiral Zala's father…do you?"

"Could you tell Yzak, I need to meet with him immediately and tell him to get Athrun on for a video conference; I hope that my assumptions are incorrect…"

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Athrun sighed and gripped his pen tightly; he had just finished a video conference with Yzak and Dearka. He didn't like their findings but it was better than nothing. He would now really have to consider in letting Cagalli carrying a firearm. It was true there had been more attacks on Cagalli but to think that they would try to make first generation coordinators from using Cagalli's DNA made his stomach churn. He closed his eyes as Kisaka looked over at the young Admiral between having to worry about the woman he loved he also had to worry about what the council would think when given this information. There was no point in hiding the fact Cagalli's safety was in jeopardy and keeping it hidden was out of the question now. Kisaka sighed when he had revealed that Cagalli indeed was fit as a fiddle, she had not once gotten sick or even the common cold. Athrun wanted to wait until he received the documents that Dearka had uncovered before moving forward, the last thing he wanted was to cause chaos or a commotion without more firm evidence.

"Athrun…"

Athrun looked at the older man, "Could you make sure Cagalli gets home safe, I think I am going to be here a little longer than normal."

Kisaka nodded, "You know she's probably going to start calling you nonstop when she sees me instead of you to take her home."

"I know," Athrun nodded. "If you take her out of her routine she becomes very upset…"

"Upset is putting it nicely," Kisaka smirked. "However, just make sure you answer the first time she calls you…it will save you the trouble later."

"I will," Athrun nodded. "I know how she can get."

"I'll debrief some of the officers at the manor along with the ones at the parliament building," Kisaka stated. "You really might want to let Cagalli at least have a gun in her room just in case."

"Before that, I would need to take her to the shooting range," Athrun stood up and walked over to door. "I need to make sure her aim is well…not at me…"

"Are you implying she is going to want to shoot you," Kisaka arched his brow.

"The last few times she's had a gun it's been pointed at me, so I rather not take any chances…" Athrun recalling the few times that Cagalli had a gun when they met, she had him at gun point. He sighed and looked at Kisaka, "I'll take her there tomorrow…she doesn't have any meetings and neither do I."

"Well don't be late in getting home, you know how Cagalli gets when you arrive after her," Kisaka warned the young admiral. "I don't feel like being the center of her tantrums."

Athrun chuckled, "Oh, could you tell our guests I send my apologies as well. I know I told Cagalli I had invited Ms. Ramius, Mr. La Flaga and Mr. Watfeld to dinner this evening…"

"You're in a lot of trouble when you get home, you do realize that," Kisaka laughed and left Athrun's office.

"You don't have to tell me twice," Athrun groaned. Still…she and I need to talk about a lot of things…

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Murrue watched as Cagalli kept on fiddling with her ring and looking at the clock. Athrun's message was given to her and she immediately called him to remind him about the dinner they were having with their friends. He told her hadn't forgotten but needed to wait on some papers from the PLANTs. Murrue smiled, the girl had grown up quite nicely. She was letting her hair grow out and it actually gave her a more mature look and feminine appeal. Cagalli was notorious for being the tomboy of the group of friends of their age group. The older woman placed a hand on the younger girl's hand, "Don't worry so much…he will be here soon."

"Who would worry about that idiot," Cagalli blushed.

Mu laughed, "That person being you…you're worried about him." Mu chuckled, "I remember how you were so quick to defend him during the first war. It was quite refreshing to see the princess of Orb be fascinated with a guy…"

"You're one to talk," Cagalli argued back. "All the goo goo eyes you gave Captain Ramius!"

"I don't deny it," Mu shrugged and laughed.

Andy chuckled, "Now, now princess…behave yourself. After all you wouldn't want your knight to see you so flustered!"

"He's an idiot," Cagalli mumbled.

"I'm an idiot now," Cagalli froze to see Athrun standing behind her. Curse him and his timing; he always appeared when she was trying to insult him. "Stupid coordinator and his heighten senses…"

Athrun chuckled and kissed her cheek before he took his seat next to her. His plate had already been put on the table, it was still warm which meant he made it in time. He also saw Cagalli had barely touched her food; he grabbed one of her hands and gave it a soft squeeze. "I'm sorry I'm late, I was waiting on Dearka to fax me down some documents."

"How is Elsman by the way," Andy asked as he drank some of his special made coffee. "I heard they want him and Joule to be part of the council."

Athrun chuckled, "I think Yzak likes his position right now, I'm sure they will get him to sign up…he was temporarily on the council after the first war. If Yzak signs up, Dearka is more than likely to do as well…or vice versa…those two are inseparable…the closest things to brothers."

Andy nodded, "Good to hear. Who better to be on the council then people who have actually seen the battlefield and know what's at stake."

"Yup, just like these two!" Mu pointed at the couple, "Now only if we had gotten lucky in getting some fresh faces for the Earth Alliances then maybe it wouldn't look so grim."

Murrue shook her head, "They are doing the best they can. We should be fortunate enough that the relationship between all three alliances are going very well so far. It's only been five months since the ending of the second war."

"Even so, we can't just relax quite yet," Athrun announced with a smile. "It will still be a long while before the hatred between coordinators and naturals finally fade away but that's what we are trying to achieve that someday we can really live in peace."

Cagalli smiled at Athrun, he was always so composed unlike her 'heart on the sleeve self' attitude. She admired that part of him and realized his hand of still on hers. She let her hand slip away so she could eat her meal. "We can only hope that someday people will share in the beliefs that Orb does…not just the leaders. I love Lacus being the chairwoman of the PLANTs but there are still many that would go against the ideas she holds dear."

"I'm sure Lacus will find a way to have people at least see eye to eye," Athrun looked at her lovingly. Cagalli had a faint blush on her cheeks, "So how have you three been managing…I know we really didn't get to talk at the party."

"We've been good," Andy responded. "Kisaka has been calling us to help out at the base a lot lately since the princess is being the center of lots of attention lately."

"Don't call me that," Cagalli grumbled. "Besides, it's not like its wanted attention."

"Sorry, I forgot the princess only likes getting attention from a certain coordinator," Andy said casually with a teasing undertone causing the eighteen year olds to blush.

"Sh…shut up!" Cagalli began eating her food and Athrun drank some water.

"In any case, I'm sure this wasn't just a dinner to catch up," Andy turned his attention to Athrun. "What news do you got, kid?"

Athrun nodded, "Since you three are closest to us, I figured I fill you in on some details Dearka and the others discovered recently." Athrun paused and looked over at Cagalli, "Cagalli is the only one really being targeted by this group. We have reason to believe they are after her due to her natural ability to fight of sickness and quickness to catch onto things. To put it in more precise terms, they are after her DNA."

"Why is that," Murrue asked. "If they are after the ultimate coordinator and we are assuming that person is Kira…why would they go after Cagalli primarily and not Kira?"

Mu sighed, "Kira is a first generation coordinator meaning his parents were naturals. With that in mind it makes sense why they are after Cagalli, if the ultimate coordinator is a product of two healthy and gifted natural parents…it means that coordinator is already getting the best of both worlds and then just altering their genes to peak performance level."

"So in order to recreate this coordinator is to get copy what Professor Hibiki did, since Kira is living proof that one can be created," Athrun firmly stated. "So who better than to target than the daughter of Professor Hibiki who was born naturally with both his DNA and her mothers."

Andy whistled, "Man that's really messed up. I'm surprised none of this has leaked to the media…I'm glad though, imagine the uproar that the leader of Orb is actually the biological twin sister of the high commander in PLANTs was public knowledge."

"We've tried to keep this information only to those we can trust," Athrun stopped for a moment and looked down at the table. "We have to even suspect that someone is a mole in our own military…to be able to get that close to Cagalli…"

"It means someone has intel on her movements," Andy sighed. "Well, I can talk to a few people and help you out. This won't be easy…"

"So we can assume that this group is a group of coordinators after Cagalli," Mu asked and Athrun shook his head. "I highly doubt this group is a full of naturals."

"We can't be certain either way as of yet," Athrun looked at the blonde male. "For all we know it could be some crazed group of researchers wanting to figure out the mystery of how to create such a being…it could also be loyal followers of my father in creating the new species of coordinators, it's still too far open. All we can acknowledge at this point, their target is Cagalli…"

"To think there are people out there still striving to achieve that goal," Murrue said sadly. "I have nothing against coordinators at all but to go as far as manufacturing a person to be an ultimate weapon…"

"In a way, it's not different from those people in the EAF that weaseled their way in and making bio-humans," Mu recalled his days under his alter ego. "They are no better…"

Athrun nodded sadly but Cagalli spoke up first, "In the end really, it's about jealously isn't it?" Cagalli looked over at Athrun, "Kisaka filled me in a little bit. People get envious because someone already is stronger and healthier than them naturally…so why not find a way to eliminate the negatives. So people began creating coordinators…wanting to make a child according to their specifications…then of course…because coordinators exist and some naturals felt inferior came the bio-humans…"

"You almost wonder when the cycle will end," Murrue said.

"It's a long way from ending," Mu sighed and looked over at Andy who just shook his head. "In either case, we have to make sure we can capture one of those idiots…"

"Kisaka tried questioning one of them but didn't really get far," Athrun shook his head. "They are pretty tight lipped."

"Well, better to know now than later," Andy shrugged and took another sip of this coffee. "Well, I can always go up to the PLANTs and help out, that's of course if it's alright with the princess."

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

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See you next time XD