SugarCarly: yes another cliffy. Teehee!
Cagallifan: well just read and see what happens!
Fate-star: I couldn't resist! I mean they have been a month apart! XD
Fate Camiswhil: Haha, Heine as thinking like a commanding officer and was disappointed in his performance. Haha, yes I love torturing Athrun. He shouldn't make it so easy!
LadyRinUchiha: Well, teehee!
mILiarika24: Haha, well…they did spend a weekend together and then had to be a month apart. Something was bound to happen!
Phrygianmusic777: Yes very bad Athrun and Cagalli, and well will they caught? Just need to read.
Esp:Haha, I'll try not to make to angsty just a little dramatic maybe.
Lendibends: Awww, why thank you so much! Haha, it's always hard to live up to Not All Pretend but I'm glad that people still enjoy the stories I write.
Baka4Anime: that was a lot of omg! Haha, the whole escape…well it should be coming soon! XD
Living with the Enemy
Disclaimers: I do not own Gundam SEED/Gundam SEED Destiny. This is an AU request fic…Cagalli and Kira are modern day royalty until their kingdom is attacked. Their father's wish was for Cagalli to marry…but before she could she was taken in by the enemy well exactly into the house of Zala.
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Chapter Thirteen
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"I think we need to get you out of this uniform and make you Athrun again," Cagalli said and pulled out of his embrace but grabbed his hand. Athrun looked at her confused; Cagalli didn't mean anything by what she just said. She just wanted him to get out of his soldier mentality. The best way was to get him out of the uniform and into civilian clothes. The two made their way up stairs and into his bedroom. His suitcase forgotten by the front door and they would eventually remember to get it.
Athrun was in a daze as they entered his room and Cagalli closed the door behind them. She then proceeded to lock the door just in case. Athrun was in his hamster brain mode and Cagalli needed to bring him out of it. She undid his belt and tossed it onto his bed and slowly undid his long red jacket. She slipped it over his shoulder and let it fall to the ground. Athrun looked at her and his eyes slowly to become unclouded.
She was trying to help him get out of his haze of thoughts by stripping him of the very thing that was partial cause of his daze. He grabbed her wrists and causing her to look into his eyes. He bent down and kissed her gently. She knew these kisses, these were his kisses. She let herself get lost in this kiss unlike the one downstairs. It wasn't desperate or hurtful…this was his kiss. She savored it and began pulling his blue undershirt out of his pants. She pushed him towards the bed as their kisses slowly building more passion behind them.
Athrun sat on the edge of his bed as Cagalli straddled him. Athrun's hands were clutching her sides as they continued to kiss. She pulled his blue shirt up and he let her pull it off of him. Athrun then started unbuttoning Cagalli's red button up shirt. He wanted her out of it now; she started a fire in him. Athrun did not know why she distracting him from his thoughts but he was grateful as clothes were becoming disregarded. Clearly the two forgetting they were in his parents' house as she was under him free of any garments as was he on his bed.
Their lips locked in passion, as Athrun was drowning in her and forgetting his conversation with Heine earlier. Their tongues tasting each other and their hands making sure they touched every section on each other's body. He had been teasing her with his movements, taking her slowly and not giving her an opportunity to retaliate his dominance. However they would be brought back down from their passionate cloud when they heard a voice, "Athrun? Are you up there?"
"Lenore, he might be in the shower…"
"But it's not like him to leave his suit case down here."
"He's going to be twenty tomorrow, dear. You don't need to keep track of him."
"Patrick, he is still my son."
Athrun cursed but Cagalli had a firm grip around his body with her legs. She kissed him and moved her hips against him. She apparently wanted to finish what they started. He complied making his thrusts quicker to bring them to their climax before they were caught completely in the act. Their lips tightly locked with each other to not make a sound as they reached their climax. Cagalli's hands griping his shoulders and Athrun griping the blankets under them. Moans of pleasure and released lost in each other's lips. Reality would crash once again as there was a knock on his door.
"Athrun?"
The two froze completely as they heard the door knob turn. They stared at each other as if asking the other what they should do. Athrun rolled off of her and quickly grabbed his robe. Cagalli sat up as panic took over her body. After tying his robe together he gathered Cagalli up into his arms, she looked at him confused.
"Athrun?"
His mother's voice calling to him again, he knew his mother knew he was in his room. He carried her towards his bathroom and placed in front of the door. He leaned over to her, "Go in the shower…" Cagalli nodded and Athrun saw their clothes on the floor and quickly picked them up. He placed them into his hamper and made sure he didn't forget anything and opened the door. His mother was at mid-knock and Patrick was looking at him with a questionable look.
"Mother, father," Athrun greeted and tried not to open the door too wide.
"Why are you sweating," Lenore asked and Athrun gulped. How was he going to explain that? "You're not running a fever are you?"
"I'm fine mother," Athrun said as calmly as he could muster considering he had Cagalli in his bathroom.
"Where's Cagalli," Patrick asked. Oh crap, Athrun thought as his father looked at his son. "She isn't in her room or in the backyard."
"I haven't seen her," Athrun somehow managed to say without stuttering. Lenore however spotted something in his room and pushed past Athrun. Athrun tried to stop his mother as she picked up a garment Athrun had forgotten to clear from his room. Athrun made a motion to stop his mother but Patrick placed a hand on his son's shoulder. Athrun saw a strange grin on his father's face and he wished the ground would swallow him up.
"Athrun," Lenore said holding up a mint green bra and daring her son to answer why that piece of clothing was in his room. Patrick chuckled and Athrun just wanted to disappear. Today was not his day, oh boy was it not his day. "You can come out Cagalli…" Lenore called into the room and Cagalli came out of the bathroom dressed in towel. She had a blush on her cheeks and Patrick chuckled as he patted his son on the back. "So how long has this been going on?"
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"Alright, so I'll go meet up with Andy and the others," Mu said looking at the group gathered in Captain's officer.
"I'll be going with you," Kisaka added. "The more familiar faces Cagalli sees the better."
Mu nodded, "That's fine by me. DaCosta and Andy should have our cover ready for us when we get there."
Murrue sighed, "So you are planning to take her the night before the fall festival?"
"Aprilius City will be busy with festivities," Mu said pulling the map of Aprilius City on the screen. "The festival is to be in November and we will only have that small window to get her and leave without causing suspicion."
"Once we've retrieved Cagalli, we will take her to the newly modified Eternal," Kisaka said pointing the harbor. "It should be possible to escape however once the Eternal is detected we will need to make a speedy escape."
Kira had been leaning against the wall with his arms crossed listening on the subject of his sister's rescue. He stood up straight and the members in the room looked at him, "Then I'll be going with you in the Freedom."
"Are you nuts," Mu asked looking at the young prince. "You need to stay here! I'll have Akatsuki with me, so don't worry. And Andy will have his mobile suit, so we'll have plenty of fighting power…"
"It's not just that…Cagalli is my sister," Kira said clenching his fists at his sides. Lacus placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I know you want to see her to make sure she is safe and sound," Kisaka said and smiled. "You will see her once she is here with us. The moment she is aboard the Eternal and we are far enough from the ZAFT border, we will make contact."
"I will go with you to the Eternal," Lacus said and Kira looked at her surprised. "Don't worry, Kira…after all the faction is named after my Father…so it's only right that I go with them."
"But Lacus," Kira said placing his hands on Lacus' shoulders.
Lacus kissed his cheek affectionately, "Kira, I will be alright."
"You will stay here," Murrue said and the young couple looked over at her. "We already have two capable men going and Commander Waltfeld will be there." Murrue stood up and looked over at Mu and Kisaka, "Bring her home, gentlemen. Once she is with us we will only have another small window for us to take back Orb."
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Athrun and Cagalli had taken separate showers and met Athrun's parents down in the living room area. They sat down next to each other as his parents watched them carefully. Cagalli was grateful they weren't caught in the act just were caught in the aftermath. Cagalli had her hands in her lap and Athrun was sitting stiffly next to her. Patrick actually seemed amused by the situation and Lenore was unreadable. It was thanks to Patrick the situation quickly diffused after Lenore asked how long the affair had been going on. He suggested that the two young adults shower and changed into more comfortable clothes to meet them downstairs. The two quickly did so and there they were sitting on the Zala couch.
"So, how long has this been going on," Lenore asked breaking the silence as the two young adults blushed.
"I'm sorry," Athrun said looking at the ground.
Lenore raised her eyebrow, "I didn't ask for an apology Athrun, I just want to know how long you two have been together."
"Huh," Cagalli looked up confused to see a twinkle in Lenore's eyes.
Athrun was equally confused as he looked up at his mother. Patrick chuckled, "Did you two really think that we did suspect that something was going on between the two of you?"
"Oh," Cagalli said blushing.
"So how long have you two been together," Lenore asked taking a sip of the tea she had made for them. She saw how quickly the tension started to melt in Cagalli and Athrun. The two looked at each other and Athrun took her hand into his own. They laced their fingers together and smiled. "Maybe I should just ask Dearka, I'm sure he knows."
Athrun made a face of distaste and took in a deep breath as he looked at his parents. "I don't know exactly when this began between us but I would say the summer festival."
Cagalli blushed at the memory and looked over at Patrick and Lenore. She nodded and turned to see a chuckling Patrick and Lenore beaming with joy. Patrick looked over to his wife, "It would seem, dear, you will get your wish for grandchildren eventually."
Athrun and Cagalli blushed at Patrick's comment. Granted Patrick was being quite playful in the comment and Lenore however took it as great news. She clapped happily and looked over at the blushing couple. "Well, I just hope Athrun you did use protection…I am sure you two aren't ready for children yet."
"Mother!" Athrun gasped looking mortified and Cagalli paled.
Lenore laughed it off, "I know I've raised a responsible son, so I guess I shouldn't worry."
"Lenore, I think you are embarrassing the both of them," Patrick chuckled and stood up. "Well, I'm going to my study and look over some documents for work."
"Dear, it's almost time for dinner," Lenore told him.
"Just call me when dinner's ready, I really need to get the documents done tonight," Patrick told her with a smile. He took his leave and Lenore sighed. She stood up and made her way to the kitchen leaving the two blushing adults alone. They looked over at each other and let out a small laugh. Athrun then leaned over and kissed Cagalli briefly. He smiled warmly and she returned it.
"So…"
"So?"
Cagalli sighed and leaned into his shoulder, "You going to tell me why you were so upset earlier?"
Athrun's shoulders fell and wrapped his arm around her body. "It's nothing, just had a hard time with the mission and the guys were getting to me."
Cagalli nodded in understanding, "Just make sure you come back to me…"
You do realize that Cagalli would be devastated if she lost you. Anyone with a pair of eyes could see that you two have feelings for each other. Let me turn the question around, if your roles were reversed…how would you feel if Cagalli lost her life on the battlefield? Would you want her personal feelings to get in the way? Or would you rather her be the soldier she needed to be so she could come back to you?
Athrun closed his eyes as Heine's words rang into his head. He hugged Cagalli closer to him and Cagalli returned the embrace. He inhaled her scent and imprinting the feel of Cagalli to his memory. He would learn to be a switch, when he was with her … He was Athrun Zala the person and when he was in his uniform he will the ZAFT pilot he needed to be. He needed to find a way to separate the two, he needed to…he wanted to always return to the woman he was holding in his arms. He wanted to always come back to the woman that made him feel human and he would only give her that gift.
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Athrun's birthday had arrived upon them and his parents were taking him out for dinner like they always did when he was home. They were all dressed relatively formal and waiting for Cagalli down in the foyer. Athrun had worn a nice pin stripped suit with a white dress shirt with a black tie. His father was dressed the same but with a plain back suit. His mother was in a lovely cocktail navy blue dress. Athrun however saw his father looking up and his mother had a loving gaze. Athrun turned to look at the top of the stairs and his breath was caught in his throat. There was Cagalli standing there in a beautiful knee length mint green cocktail dress. It was strapless and left her shoulders bare and her hair was done up with some lose curls falling at the sides and the back of her neck. She slowly walked down wearing a pair of heels and her wrists were decorated with some golden bangles and her neck with a delicate gold choker. She even had some make up on her face and once she was in front of him she was a vision to behold.
Sure he had seen her in a dress when they first took her to the council hall but this…oh this was so different. She actually made an effort to look formal, to dress up, and his heart was skipping beats. She had a small blush on her cheeks from his staring and felt him grab her hands. He brought one of her hands and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. The dress she was wearing looked like it was meant for her; it fit her perfectly and showed off her body. He noticed the dress had a small shimmer to it making her seem as if she came right out of a story book. He kissed her cheek gently and Cagalli relished the feeling of his warm soft kiss on her cheek.
"Well if you two are ready," Patrick said as they all walked out of the house. Athrun walked out with Cagalli's hand resting in the crook of his elbow. However she slid her hand to his hand and laced her fingers with his. They walked down the stairs hand in hand towards the limo waiting for them. His parents figured they would do something more extravagant for Athrun's birthday especially since he had a date.
They made their way to one of the more high class restaurants in Aprilius City. The four of them made their way inside and were led to a table where Athrun gasped to see his friends. Heine, Nicol, Dearka, Yzak, and Shiho all sitting at a table waiting for them…Patrick placed a hand on his shoulder, "It was Cagalli's idea."
Athrun turned to look at the blonde at his side and she smiled up at him prettily, "I wanted you to have a birthday you will always remember."
Athrun smiled and kissed her openly only to receive a round of applause from his friend. He chuckled as Dearka was hooting and hollering in delight. They made their way to the table and took the open seats. Dearka was the first to hold up his glass of champagne, "Well, Birthday boy…happy birthday! Not only that, you've got a killer hot date with you!"
"Shut up," Cagalli grumbled and glared at the blonde coordinator.
Heine chuckled, "However, this is a nice change…especially after being in the desert as long as we have been."
"No kidding," Nicol chuckled. "Especially coming back to the cooler weather is just what we needed."
"You boys were acting as if you were going to die," Shiho laughed as all the men at the table looked at her. "You guys were sitting in front of the fans as if—"
"ATHRUN!" Athrun cringed at the sound of the voice that called out to his name. He turned to see Meer coming up to him, "I didn't know you were here! The chairman will be excited to see you!"
"The chairman," Athrun asked as Meer pointed to a table where sure enough Gilbert Durandal was sitting at with several other members of the council and crew from the Minerva.
"I'm sure they all would want to wish you a happy birthday as well," Meer then handed him a wrapped box. "Here you go! You should come sit with us!"
"Uh, thank you but I am here with my family," Athrun said taking the gift from the young pop star.
"Oh come now, the chairman giving you a birthday greeting is a once in a while opportunity," Meer said while pulling on his arm.
Cagalli then leaned over and kissed Athrun on the lips. Meer froze and let Athrun's arm go as he was stunned by the sudden action. Meer's jaw dropped as Cagalli returned back to original position as Dearka whistled, Heine smirked, Nicol smiled, Yzak's jaw nearly hit the table and Shiho giggled. Patrick and Lenore thought nothing of it as they were looking over the menu. Athrun quickly overcame his shock but of course what he didn't know is that Gilbert had seen the display of affection. Athrun cleared his throat and looked over at Meer, "Thank you Meer but I will have to pass." Athrun saw the now fuming Cagalli next to him. He chuckled and Meerwas utterly confused. Athrun then pulled at Cagalli as he stood up and took her to the small dance floor. Cagalli stumbled as the members of his table watched carefully.
He had his hand on the small of her back and held her right hand in his left. She placed her arm on his shoulder as he began to sway with the music playing. Meer was stunned as she watched Athrun dancing with the blonde princess. Gilbert saw the action and spotted them in the crowd of people on the dance floor. The two were looking at each other lovingly now that was after Cagalli's irritation faded from her face and Athrun smiled lovingly at her.
"Well look at that," Dearka said leaning back on his chair smiling.
"They make a good looking couple," Heine said taking another sip of his champagne.
"I think he got his birthday present," Shiho said with a small smile.
"What do you mean," Yzak asked looking at Shiho.
Shiho pointed the couple dancing, "He is in love, what more could he want than to spend time with Cagalli?"
"Smart lady," Heine chuckled. "I'm sure no matter what we got him doesn't compare to what he is feeling right now."
Dearka chugged his drink, "Seeing them together almost makes me want to settle down." Dearka chuckled and saw that they had closed what little distance between them on the dance floor. Cagalli's head was resting under Athrun's chin and their clasped hands were resting on his chest. Cagalli's hand that was on his shoulder was resting on his shoulder blade and Athrun's hand that was on the small of her back was now wrapped around her waist. The scene however was not missed by a certain chairman.
Gilbert watched the couple, it was quite a development. He hadn't expected for them to have become that close but it would seem it would perfect once they got their target out of the way. He smirked as he eyed them carefully dancing the softly playing music. Meer had rejoined him at his table and Talia Gladys was also there with him along with some of the crew of the Minerva. He noticed that the Hawke sisters were gawking at the scene before them.
"No way," Lunamaria gasped. "When…when did he?"
"Oh well," Meyrin sighed and saw how happy Athrun looked. He was holding Cagalli so intimately, more than she had ever seen him with anyone. Athrun was a handsome young man never short of admirers but…the fact he was actually holding the blonde woman so close was a new sight indeed.
"I'm happy for him," Talia said and the crew of her ship looked over at her. "It's good to find someone, wouldn't you agree Gilbert?"
Gilbert nodded, "Indeed, the war takes a toll on everyone and to have someone you can share the burden with is a true gift indeed."
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"Well, look who we have here," Andy said shaking hands with Kisaka and Mu. "I'm assuming you guys have been safe all this time?"
"Yeah," Mu said taking a deep breath. "And it's great to be out in the open instead of being in the Archangel."
"I'm sure," Andy said chuckling. He handed the two men temporary identification cards. "Come on, I'll fill you in on what has been going on." The two men followed him and were given some temporary cloths to wear as their cover. Andy pulled up a satellite image of Aprilius City and pointed to the festival grounds, "This is where a lot of attention is going to be tomorrow night and then of course the day after tomorrow. Pretty much all of the military will be given the two days off to enjoy themselves for the fall festival minus Le Crueset's team."
"That team has the young man Cagalli has been living with," Kisaka asked and Andy nodded.
"They were called up to a space mission using their mobile suits they acquired some months back, Andy responded. "So they won't be back in time, but Cagalli is safe with the Zala family. Patrick and Lenore have been taking good care of her."
"So, this guy…" Mu asked and DaCosta entered the room with a laptop. He quickly began hooking it up to their systems. "What did you bring us DaCosta?"
DaCosta looked at him with a strange expression, "Some of my best men were able to hack into the main frame and found a file called the Orb Princess." DaCosta opened the file and images popped up, "Apparently they have been spying on the princess since the moment she got here to Aprilius City. This team had also been observing mostly her relationship with Athrun Zala."
"Ok, can we skip the naked pictures please," Mu said pointed at the very intimate photos of Cagalli and Athrun. "I think I'm going to be scarred for life now."
"Why is the chairman so focused on their interactions," Kisaka asked looking at the young officer.
"We have reason to believe Chairman Durandal wishes to eliminate the Prime Minister of Orb and then use the princess to control Orb," DaCosta then pointed to a picture taken on Athrun's birthday. "By the means of using the princess' relationship with Athrun Zala, it is no secret the two were publicly seen holding hands and displaying their affections after the twenty-ninth of October."
"When did this kid get sent off to space," Mu asked.
DaCosta typed and pulled up some more files, it was a photograph of Athrun kissing Cagalli goodbye in his uniform. "This was taken last week and their mission is to be for the duration of three weeks."
"Cagalli is not going to like this," Mu sighed and then noticed something on Cagalli's hand in the photo. "What the hell is that?"
Andy and Kisaka looked at where he was pointing. Andy looked over at DaCosta, "What is it DaCosta?"
"As far as we know, Athrun Zala has given the princess a ring…even though it is located on her left ring finger we do not know the significance of the ring." DaCosta answered as he enlarged the image and focused on her left hand, "He gave it to her the day before he was to leave for his mission." The ring was lovely in the shape not like a traditional ring; it had some smaller diamonds that led up to the large red stone on the ring.
"Well, do you think she will come with us after all of this," Mu asked rubbing the back of his head. "I it almost sounds like the chairman wanted them to be in a relationship so that if we did manage to find a way to get our princess…"
"That she would want to stay here with him," Kisaka finished for the blonde male. "Even so, if we need to take her by force we will. She needs to return with us to Orb and if there is still a chance she wants to pursue her relationship with this young man, so be it."
"Well, even so…she's not going to like it," Mu said with raised brows and sighed. "So what we go to the house she's staying at and whisk her away?"
"Patrick Zala is a military man," Andy chuckled. "I doubt he will hand over the girl that he considers like a daughter to us so willingly."
"So this is just getting so messy." Mu sighed, "Alright, I guess we can just observe from afar and these spies that the chairman set up need to be taken out as well."
"Agreed," Kisaka nodded. "The less evidence we have of us actually taking Cagalli the better."
"Yes, well…DaCosta what can you tell us about these little spies that the Chairman has set up," Andy asked.
DaCosta pulled up some of his own imagines, "We were able to find where they are usually situated. They try to keep their distance as far from the couple as possible considering Athrun Zala's military training. They use special long range lenses to take pictures of the princess and Athrun Zala."
"They try to camouflage themselves," Mu said pointing at the spy. "How many are usually on sight?"
"Usually one but no more than two," DaCosta said typing again on his computer. "We have enough members of the Clyne faction to take them out if necessary and set up a small barrier to get the princess out of the house."
"With the festival preparations going on it will be easier to slip in and out of the house without anyone detecting our movements," Andy said taking a sip of his coffee. "We will only have a small window, if by chance Patrick Zala sets off his alarm we are toast."
"So we need to make sure that doesn't happen," Mu said looking at the blue print of the Zala house. "But we don't know how Cagalli is going to react seeing us after all this time."
"She should be expecting you, I delivered a message to her," DaCosta told him.
Andy nodded, "Still we won't know how she reacts until we see her face to face."
"As long as I don't get socked in the face."
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Oh snap! Cagalli going bye bye and Athrun is up in space! What will Lenore and Patrick do? See you next time!