A/N: Wow, two updates within three days of each other--that's a record! Anyways, this chapter is dedicated to everyone who's reviewed so far--thanks! Read the note at the end as well, and Enjoy:

Don't own Gundam Seed/Destiny. 15/03/07.


Chapter Seven - Love Waits for No One

Cagalli sank slowly to her knees, the snow sending a welcome jolt with its coldness. Still, the endless torrent of snow continued to fall. It was almost as if it were trying to bury her. Everything was gone. She had lost her father, she had lost Athrun, and now she had lost her country. Although the last one could be debated—after all, it had been her choice to temporarily appoint a President/Prime Minister in charge of the government while she took some time off until she had been sufficiently prepared to rule a country. It had all just been too much for the blonde to handle. By moving out of the Athha Manor, she had also managed to avoid paparazzi for the most part, but a few still found her from time to time.

Finally, Cagalli closed her eyes, admitting defeat at her staring contest with the sky. She just couldn't win, could she? More liquids cascaded down her cheeks—whether they were tears or melted snow, Cagalli wasn't sure. She stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, but finally when the cold became too much for her knees to handle, she got up and headed towards the door.

She turned back to her car—it was already covered in a thin layer of snow. Sighing, she wandered back into her vehicle and parked in the garage instead.


Athrun was barely able to sit still in his seat as he waited for the traffic light to turn green. "Come on, come on, hurry, please!" he hissed. Deftly, he reached over and turned on the radio, and the car was filled with a rich tenor voice, singing, "Love waits for no one, mmhmm, no one, no one," it trailed off.

"Alright, so that was Last Chance with Love Waits for No-one. Next up we have…" announced the radio VJ. Athrun, however, ceased listening, and just sat there, thoroughly gutted. He had only caught the last few words of the song, but even so, it chilled him through and through.

A honking horn from behind him choked him out of his reverie though. Slowly he glanced up, uncomprehending. Green light. Green, light. What did it mean, though? He could tell that it was something really important, but it was just out of his grasp. What does it mean? Finally, it dawned on him. Oh, right. Green light. Drive! Cagalli!


Cagalli let herself into the house, and tossed her keys onto the kitchen table, then headed towards her bedroom, all without turning on any lights at all. She grabbed a bathrobe and towel, then entered the bathroom and sat on the bath tub rim to turn on the water. Thoughtfully, she selected her favourite bottle of bubble bath. A nice long soak would do her some good, especially tonight.

A piercing sound shattered the still night air, accompanied by skidding tires. Cagalli frowned. "Crazy drivers," she muttered.

The sound seemed very close though, almost as if it had happened on her driveway. She shook her head, reprimanding herself for being so paranoid. That was impossible.


Athrun pulled into Cagalli's driveway like a madman. The words Love waits for no one echoed through his head, unwilling to leave. Time was running out. He rushed up to the door.

Pausing to catch his breath, he glanced at the house for the first time. All the lights were off. This was a bit puzzling. He hoped she wasn't asleep already… but this was important. He looked for the doorbell, but it was taped over, the words "broken" written on it in Cagalli's messy scrawl.

Athrun groaned inwardly, then rapped the door in quick succession with his knuckles, shifting from foot to foot in apprehension.

Suddenly a thought occurred to him. Should he have brought flowers or something? Well, it was too late now—she had to be coming to answer the door soon, right?


Slowly Cagalli peeled off her clothes. Just as she was poised to get into the now full tub, she thought she heard a noise.

Quickly she turned off the faucet, and wrapped herself in a towel, waiting, listening. After a few seconds of silence, she decided that perhaps she had merely imagined it. After all, the bathroom was at the back of the house—it was probably just the neighbours or something.

She got into the pool and felt her tense muscles begin to slowly relax. It was all going to be okay.


Athrun stood there on the porch, but nobody came. He frowned, then realized that her car wasn't in the driveway. He sure hoped that she had gotten home okay…

He went investigate. Where was her car? Then he noticed the car tracks leading under the garage door. Okay, so she was home. Then why wasn't she answering the door? A dreadful thought occurred to him—there was no way that she would be avoiding him, was there?

He set his mouth in a grim line of determination. Well, then he would just have to wait outside her door until she finally came outside to see him. After all, love waits for no one.


Note: Hmm, Athrun's in a bit of an interesting pickle, isn't he? Should he go explore the house (and possibly walk in on Cagalli?) or just wait outside the door all night? Both seem sort of ... stalkerish. Who knows what could happen? Wow, such a speedy update with a longer chapter than usual and it's not really a cliffie either at that. You guys must really love this--you know what that means, right? coughReview!cough Concrits encouraged and appreciated!