Happy October!

Thank you to everyone who has read/reviewed and enjoyed the story!

Chapter 21

She knew she should not have been out this late, but she was craving chocolate so badly. Besides this wasn't her first time walking alone at night. Still, something felt amiss. Straining her ears she didn't hear anything out of the ordinary. Shrugging it off as nighttime jitters she continued on her way, until she heard a menacingly familiar voice.

"I've got you Cagalli! Now come along like a good little girl."

Stellar gasped and felt numb with fear as she saw the man she'd bump into at the grocery store approach her—a baseball bat was in his clutches, poised to strike her.

"No!" Stellar screamed and turned to run.

Seeing her start to run the man picked up his paced, easily gaining ground and tackled her to the sidewalk.

"No!" Stellar cried as she hit the ground, her knees scrapped against the concrete as she fought to stand up "Somebody! Help me!" she screamed.

"No talking" the man said grabbing her arm and pulling it back painfully.

Stellar screamed again. Quickly the man flipped her harshly onto her back and sat painfully on her stomach. Wiggling her arms free, Stellar blindly tried to fight back but end up scratching the man. A sickening grin was on his face. Pulling back he let his fist fly and connect with Stellar's cheek. Momentarily stunned Stellar fell back, and to her fortune she had a flashback.

Seeing her stop moving the man reached for her neck and began to squeeze. Quickly Stellar began to knee his back, lifting her hips she kneed his again and jolted him forward. As he flew forward Stellar curled and crawled out from in between his legs. Rushing to her feet Stellar ran for her life. Her legs took her straight into the forest.

'There should be a road by the park at the end of this forest' Stellar thought, wincing as branches scrapped her flesh.

"Please" she prayed, glancing at the sky, "please, don't let me die."

There was something very wrong with Lacus, Kira thought as he drove home. That spark of mischief was missing in her eyes. Didn't she miss him? He wondered. Sure she might not admit it but unbeknownst to her, he could read her like a book. Hell, he expected a little sparring match as usually as soon as she saw him. But instead he was greeted by, well, nothing.

"Maybe she really is tired" Kira mumbled noticing a red light and eased up on the accelerator. Looking out the window he was comforted by a warm breeze, "At least it's a nice night" he sighed gloomily.

Stuck in his own world for a moment Kira felt himself resurface from his thoughts when he heard a terrified scream.

"What," he whipped his head to the direction where he assumed the sound came from.

Listening closely Kira heard soft cries coming from the other side of the park. Quickly he drove up to the parking lot beside the park just as the cries and whimpers got louder and a figure emerged from the bushes.

The president of Archangel felt his heart stopped when he saw who it was and what condition she was in "Stellar!"

The sound of a voice made Stellar near slip on a rock as she slowed her pace "Kira Yamato?"

From the forest another voice rang out "Don't think you can run!"

"Quickly get in the car!" Kira ordered, reaching over and opening the passenger door. Nodding Stellar dashed to the vehicle and collapsed in the seat. Throwing the car into drive Kira hit the accelerator and the car flew forward.

Not caring about the speed limit Kira gunned it until he felt that they were at a safe enough distance.

Glancing over at the girl he felt the medical professional in him surface, "What happened?" he asked taking in the bruises and cuts to her skin.

"I don't know!" she sobbed and winced "I was leaving the grocery store and some man just started hitting me. I fought—oh god I fought—and he hit me and threw me onto the ground."

Kira nodded calmly, "On a scale of one to ten, ten being a lot, how much pain are you in?"

"I don't know, it hurts to breath" the blonde wheezed.

Kira looked over at the frightened girl "Stellar" he said quietly reaching behind his seat to grab his jacket, wrapping it around her shivering figure he continued "You're safe. No one will get you."

She looked up at him with childlike eyes.

Kira smiled and continued speaking slowly "Yes, you're safe. Right now what's going to happen is that I'm going to take you to the hospital and I'll call Shinn and the others and tell them to meet us there. You'll be okay" he said.

On the outside the brunet was calm and collected but inside his mind tumbled continuously as he rushed the blonde to the emergency ward.

'Lady Law is here to lay down the law!' Cagalli thought angrily as she marched up the steps to Infinite Productions. Breezing past reception she made her way to a certain CEO's office.

Knocking as if she had a court summons to deliver she waited a moment before opening the door and entering the office of Athrun Zala.

It was suffice to say that with all the words known to man, no single word would do justice to describe the look on his face.

"C-Cagalli!" he jumped from his desk.

"Damn straight asshole! Oops! I meant Athrun!" she smirked, in her mind she cheered at her quip.

Athrun glared at her petty snub, "What's your deal?"

Cagalli glared back "I should be asking you the same thing."

"What do you—"

"Don't "what do you mean?" me Mister! You've been ignoring my calls and acting as if you've gone into some witness protection program or something! What's your angle? One minute you're okay and actually acting like my boyfriend and the next it's as if you're my enemy," placing her hands on her hips, Cagalli stood up tall and proudly staring down the man seated in front of her, "So now, Mr. Zala, we're going to talk, and you had better be able to provide a satisfactory explanation for all of this!"

Athrun's eyes dulled as he focused on the painting behind Cagalli "There's nothing to talk about, you should have gotten the message by now" he said coldly.

Cagalli's eyes widened "But-I-I'm not playing around Athrun, what are you saying?"

Athrun swallowed, and tried to force himself to speak "Oh I think you know exactly what I mean."

He couldn't do it, his brain couldn't form the words and his heart kept stabbing him for even considering this. Bowing his head and averting his eyes from her piercing gaze Athrun muttered "There are somethings that even I cannot dismiss."

Lady Law frowned "What are you talking about?"

Just as Athrun was about to speak another person barged into his office "Mission accomplish—what! What are you doing here?" the person cried.

Cagalli whirled around and saw Flay, a shocked and angry expression was etched on her face.

"I could ask you the same thing" the blonde snorted, then looking from Athrun to Flay she rolled her eyes, "Well I can clearly see what's going on and need no further explanation" turning to Athrun she saw a pained and conflicted expression on his face "Get bent Zala. And as for you,"

Cagalli walked over and stood in front of Flay, her voice dropped to a menacing tone "if you so much as look at my brother I will have you tied up in so much litigation you descendants are going to need lawyers."

Flay's eyes widened and she took a step to the side to create a path for Cagalli to leave. She should be used to the blonde's anger but something about the way her whiskey eyes flashed just then sent a serenade of seriousness and consequences down her spine.

Making her way out of the office, Cagalli's phone pinged, the tone signalled that it was either from Kira or Shinn. Puzzled she pulled out her phone, opening the text she froze.

"Oh no!" Cagalli paled as she read Kira's message "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!" she shook her head.

Athrun, who had made his way to where the blonde stood, looked apprehensive "Cagalli?" he placed a hand on her shoulder.

She looked as if a ghost was staring her down, her lips were trembling as she repeated her mantra of "oh no." Athrun knew it had to be bad if Cagalli lost her composure.

Her phone started to ring and that seemed to snap the girl out of her trance, shaking his hand off the blonde answered her phone, "Kira!" Cagalli cried as she sped walked out the door.

Shaking his head, Athrun acted impulsively and deemed that she was not stable to be left alone, so he did what any person who didn't think would do—he ran after her.

"Hey wait Cagalli!"

Another high pitched voice made the CEO pause "Athrun!"

"Not now Flay," he glanced back at her and ran out the door.

Catching her just as she was about to take the hallway to the elevator, Athrun grabbed her arm and tried to stop her "Hey wait! Cagalli!"

"Not now. I have no time for this" Cagalli said as she struggled to get her arm back.

Athrun felt cold, something was very wrong "Cagalli, tell me what's the matter. I can't leave you alone like this right now."

"Too late for that asshole, I said leave me, alone!" Cagalli cried smashing her elbow into his nose, successfully breaking it. Letting go instantaneously Athrun grabbed his face and let out a chorus of curses. Lifting his head all he could see was the one who caused him too much pain and joy run away.

And he had a feeling that it was all his fault.

Lacus wanted to scream.

Why was he still calling her?

It was bad enough that she had just seen him and now…

Lacus pouted, she felt silly for overreacting—or rather not knowing how to react, and all she wanted to do was chide and console herself in silence, but would he even give that to her?

'No' she rolled her eyes as the phone rang again 'Take my heart why don't you? Go ahead, confuse my mind and emotions, not like I have a need for this extra stress!' she thought burying her face in the closest pillow on her bed.

After the third time the call had been followed by a text.

Lacus raised her head from the pillow. A strange feeling of dread crept up on her, what if he was hurt and needed her assistance?

Scrambling over to her night stand Lacus almost fell of the bed.

Unlocking her phone she subconsciously braced herself as she opened his text "Huh what's this? 'Emergency. Stellar's been hurt.' What!" losing her balance Lacus toppled off of her bed with a loud 'thud'.

Ignoring the spikes of pain that shot through her body, Lacus pushed herself up and raced to get a sweater and her keys.

It took all of Shinn's resolve to not barge in the room where Kira was currently helping the nurses bandaging up Stellar.

Auel had called him and told him to come to the hospital but didn't say much. It wasn't until Shinn had finally arrived did he see Lacus and Cagalli sitting outside a room with varying expression that didn't sit well with him.

Lacus looked like a dazed porcelain doll, her arms were limply by her side as she stared blankly at the door opposite her. He noticed she was wearing pink pyjama bottoms and a huge sweater and her hair was a mess.

Cagalli was seated beside the CEO of Terminal, her head was in her hands with the heels of her palms pressed into her cheeks. Sorrow and anger surrounded the two girls, and that had Shinn's heart beat and pace pick up as he anxiously wondered what was going on.

Lacus was first to snap out of her trance when she heard footsteps approaching. Turning to see who it was her face reflected more anguish and sorrow, "Shinn" she breathed quietly.

"What is it? What's wrong? Who got hurt?" Shinn asked directing his questions to Lacus, glancing over at Cagalli, Shinn paled "It's not Kira is it? Oh god don't tell me he's hurt!"

Lacus looked down "It's not Kira," she whispered, and then took in a deep breath "it's Stellar. She's been attacked and seriously injured."

Shinn's heart stopped. Next thing he knew his fist had connected to the wall and a painful cry escaped his lips.

Lacus gasped "Shinn!"

The sound of his fist drew Cagalli from her thoughts. Standing up, she walked over to Shinn and pulled him into a hug.

Feeling his knees go weak, Shinn held on to Cagalli and was vaguely aware of them sinking to the ground, both sobbing.

"I was supposed to protect her, how could I have failed?" Shinn choked out, thoughts of his parents accident came crashing into his mind and he felt numb all over. He felt just as powerless as before, nothing changed he was still a boy crying.

He felt a hand pat his head and a warm voice followed "Shinn, you haven't failed anyone."

Looking up Shinn saw Lacus smile up at him, and he noticed the tears building up in her eyes, "If you were there, I'm sure the outcome would have been very different. But right now we have to deal with the situation as is. Stellar is strong, she will be fine" Lacus assured him.

"She's right" Cagalli sniffled, standing up she sighed "It's going to be a long night" she said wearily, "Auel should be coming back shortly and he's going to need something to help him stay sane tonight with us, who wants some coffee?"

"…I want her placed under close observation for tonight, I don't exactly like that hit to her skull and until I get back the results of the CT scan" Kira instructed to the nurse assigned to Stellar.

"Dr. Yamato! I have the results from the x-ray" another nurse ran in and handed him a folder.

"Ah, thank you" Kira said flipping through the results. It was as he suspected she had taken damage to her ribs but thankfully none of her organs were hit or affected.

With a nod Kira paused and glanced over at the blonde who was passed out. He had done his best and was able to bandage up her external injuries, it was only her internal had him concerned.

"Don't worry Dr. Yamato, we'll keep a close eye on her" the nurse smiled.

"Please do" Kira nodded. Moving to the wall he placed her charts and decided it would be a good time to brief the others on what had happened.

"Oh boy" he blew a tired breath and stepped out of Stellar's room. To his surprise only Shinn and Cagalli were seated outside. Cagalli and Shinn stood up apprehensively and waited for him to speak. A part of him secretly felt disappointed that Lacus was nowhere to be seen. Did she really hate him that much that she would ignore all his calls and text?

Masking his thoughts he sent his family a tired look "She's fine, just a few scraps and bruises and a fractured rib—give her six to eight weeks and she'll make a fully recovery."

Looking at his twin Kira frowned, there was a murderous look on her face. Walking up to her he placed a hand on her shoulder "Cagalli."

Breaking her glare Lady Law shot him a hopeless look "Kira" she cried "How could something like this happen? Why to Stellar?" she said softly, sinking into her chair.

Shinn just cradled his fist in his other hand, "Who did this to her Kira? What happened?" he questioned.

Taking a seat in the hard plastic chair beside Cagalli, Kira sighed again. He rubbed the back of his neck and collected his thoughts.

Cagalli leaned towards her twin and waited on baited breath for him to speak, it looks as if she had yet another law suit on her hands.

"Not again!" Lacus growled, directing all her annoyance at her computer screen "This really is getting quite old and childish now. And what kind of titles are these? 'Who Will the Conqueror Choose? The Pink Princess or the Red Heiress?', 'Decision Time for the Conqueror'."

One article had said that he frequented both Lacus and Flays apartment now that Flays back this could be trouble. Another article cited that Flay Allster commented 'it's war' and that she would 'fight till the end.'

"Take him!" Lacus groaned, angrily closing the articles.

An unsteady silence encapsulated the front desk. Lacus sighed and closed her eyes willing herself to calm down. Cagalli was coming in late today and Shinn was still with Stellar in the hospital so that left her alone at Terminal to watch over reception.

Feeling her irritation rise Lacus copied the links and forwarded them to Cagalli. Checking the time, she sighed and got up to prepare for her meeting in fifteen minutes.

"…Lacus Clyne, please leave a message…"

"Lacus-I" Kira realized he'd gone to voice mail. "Damn it!" he cursed. She wasn't talking to him. Even that night, she talked to the plushy and not him.

This was bad.

"Durandal" he muttered darkly. Looks like they still had some unfinished business.

But first he had to call Cagalli, before he could even utter a 'hello' his sister's voice broke through.

"You're in so much trouble."

Kira rolled his eyes "What did I do now?"

"I take it that you haven't read the highly educational and accurate 'Enquirer'?"

The brunet deadpanned "That's what I was calling you about. It wasn't me! Durandal's up to mischief again and Lacus is being unreasonable and ignoring my calls" he pouted.

"Is it really unreasonable?"

Kira made an unintelligible sound. Cagalli huffed and told him something that really caught his attention.

"She's on the phone with Seiran, apparently he's interested in Terminal and—"

The CEO of Archangel sat up straight "But why?" he questioned, not liking this one bit.

"How should I know? That—"

"How do you not know?"

"Would you let me freaking talk? Stop interrupting!"

Kira became silent. He had warned that brat to stay away!

"That's why I'm hurrying to the office and check out what's going on. She's the only one there and I don't feel comfortable with that. Geez ever since you left, she and you have been acting strangely" Cagalli commented.

"I'm going to ignore that" Kira replied and hung up.

Cradling his head in his hands he took in a few deep breaths and left his office, "Murrue! I'm going to be gone for a bit!"

"I'm just going to see if she's okay" Kira breathed as he rode the elevator up to Lacus' office. He felt anxious and it was starting to show, he noted as he caught himself multiple times unable to stand still without fidgeting.

Just as he stepped into her reception area he heard a noise.

"Security!" Lacus yelled. Not thinking Kira ran to the meeting room and threw open the door.

"Lacus!" he gasped, as he took in the sight in front of him. Yunna had one hand gripped onto the girl's collar and another one on her wrist which held a pen.

"Kira!" Lacus cried. What was he doing here? At this moment she didn't particularly, relief flooded her seeing that he was here, but after looking at the menacing look in his eyes she knew there would be trouble.

"Seiran!" Kira thundered, marching over to him and pushed the predator off of Lacus "Seriously man, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Back off Yamato, she's going to be a part of this deal" Yunna said going into a mediocre fighting stance and throwing up his arms.

Had this been a different situation the brunet might have been amused at this idiot's attempt to fight him. Kira glared are him "What, you seriously think you have a chance against me?"

While Kira was dealing with Seiran, Lacus ran to the phone at the table and hit the button for security. Now that the authorities would be on their way she just had to keep Kira from committing an assault—or worse, murder.

As she turned to assess what was going on, Yunna let out a cry and launched himself at the CEO of Archangel.

Kira held frowned, grabbing his attacker's arm and sidestepping the attack. Twisting himself out of Kira's grip Yunna moved to throw another punch at the other man.

"Stop this right now!" Lacus commanded. Kira only shot her a glance before locking his jaws together. Lacus could see a few things: first, he was really mad, second, he was trying to hold back and third, this was utter chaos.

Blocking another one of Yunna's attack, Kira twisted Seiran's arm and put him in a lock, making him immobile.

"Bastard!" Yunna growled "You're just a coward, you were playing keep away the whole time."

Kira laughed humourlessly "You freaking moron! You're not worth going to jail over!"

Hearing loud hurried steps Kira quickly let go and pushed Seiran towards the door.

"Miss. Clyne" one of the men in blue uniform spoke up "What is the emergency?"

"Thank you for coming. I need you to escort this man out of my office and put a security bulletin for our building that he is never allowed on or near Terminal grounds" Lacus ordered.

"And this man?" the other security guard asked nodding to Kira who stiffened slightly.

"He's fine."

"Understood ma'am" with another nod the two guards hoisted Yunna by his elbows and dragged him out of the conference room.

When the guards had left the gladiator games begun.

"Hey I'm back with lunch—what's going on!" Cagalli shouted but her voice was drowned out by the two combatants in each other's faces.

"Lacus! I told you not to go near him!"

"I had everything under control! I don't see what's wrong. He wanted to talk business that's all! How's that different then when you first came in here and tried to mess with me?"

Kira balked "Me? You're comparing me to that Neanderthal? I at least didn't try to assault you like him! And Little Miss-So Tough, you had things far from 'under control'. Why would you even meet with him?"

"He scheduled the meeting with Stellar! And speaking of Stellar" Lacus sent him a look "Do you or do you not know who Stellar F is?"

"Uh oh" Cagalli frowned, Lacus was going to rail on him, it seems that whatever happened had just killed the last bit of patience in the CEO and now she was going to really give it to Kira should he not tread carefully.

'Should I help him?' Lady Law contemplated but decided against it, he was a big boy, let him deal with the consequences.

"What?" Kira exclaimed at her abrupt change of topic, "We're talking about Seiran here!"

The pink haired girl crossed her arms over her chest "Answer the question Mr. Yamato."

"You're being absurd!"

Lacus' glare didn't waver.

Kira's gaze flew up to the ceiling as he took in a deep breath "Yes" he gritted out.

"Yes?"

"Yes I know who Stellar F is. It's—"

"Flay Allster?" Lacus interjected.

The man gaped "What?"

"Don't be so surprised" Lacus smiled ruefully "Though I may seem like it, I am not as airheaded as some perceive me to be" it stung her to think that he thought she was stupid.

Kira paled "Lacus—"

"When were you planning on telling me or my investigative team?" she shot him a serious look "Better yet, were you even going to tell me?"

"Lacus I—"

"She's your girlfriend, I know. But aren't we at least friends? Why didn't you mention this to Cagalli? Or Shinn? Out of malice she's trying to get me—you, yourself saved me that night when those thugs hired by her tried to assault me, and yet you hid this from me? You couldn't have even email or text me this?" With a huff Lacus turned and walked out.

"Lacus" Kira moved to grab her.

Lacus brought her arm is close and twisted her body out of his reach, with an ice cold glare she eyed him up "Do not follow me," she thundered.

Cagalli shivered at Lacus' command a bit thankful that the pink haired CEO's ire was not aimed at her.

Kira let out a string of curses then sat down heavily in the office chair beside him.

"Mind telling me what happened?" Cagalli said taking a seat.

"It's a long story" Kira groaned cradling his head in his hands.

"Well," Cagalli started reaching for an unused mug "there's a fresh pot of coffee here and I've got lunch and time. Start talking" she instructed handing Kira a cup.

Finally an update! I know I've been away for quite some time but, I do have a valid reason! I was studying for this big law admissions exam and could simply not find time between school and studying for the exam! I'm really sorry but since that is complete I have more time to write! (Yay!) Until midterms (Boo!) Next chapter is almost complete! (Spoiler: Cagalli shows Athrun that even the devil bows in fear before her!)

See you all soon!

~Lacus Yamato