Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny or its characters and names. This is a work of fanfiction, not for profit.
A/N: Last chapter!
All's Fair in Love, War, and Journalism
36
Cagalli paused to tilt her head up, basking in the warmth of the sun's rays. The sky above was a brilliant blue, vast and endless. She had been doing it a lot lately, she realised. Pausing to stare up at the sky whenever she could.
"Cagalli?" Just up ahead, her brother had stopped and turned around.
"Sorry." She ran the few steps to catch up to him.
"Is something wrong?" There was a look of worry on Kira's face as he regarded her and she shook her head no.
She knew what Kira was worried about. The first two weeks had been hard. She had wrestled with tremors and nausea as her body shook and screamed for the adrenaline, the surge of power, that kick that only Gamma Glipheptin could satisfy. Kira had fussed and Athrun had fretted. But in the end her withdrawal subsided. She had only been given a few doses while she was in Lodonia, not enough to cause long lasting damage. Though there existed a tiny part of her that still craved it. She didn't think that would ever go away.
Kira gave her a scrutinising look, as if to make sure she really was okay before turning back around again. He still carried with him a weight on his shoulders. The guilt he harboured was there, hidden behind that serene face and those kind eyes as he learned to forgive himself and also accept himself for who he was. Not a killer, but someone who would go to extraordinary lengths to protect someone he loved, whether that be good or bad.
She hoped that this visit would be the start of the healing process they both needed to move on.
They headed towards a double arched gate, a bouquet of flowers in each of their arms. Kira pushed the gate open and entered the cemetery first.
They passed the rows of headstones on their way to their destination, fresh and wilted flowers marked the graves of those who were missed and loved. Halfway there, Cagalli found herself pausing again. Her ribs tightened in her chest and a wave of hesitation stopped her.
When Kira looked back again with an expression of concern, this time Cagalli couldn't tell him that she was alright.
"Kira." Her mouth felt dry as she began to speak, not quite sure what she would say. "I...our parents...when I was down there in the tunnels, Djibril told me something." It had been haunting her ever since. Crawled its way slowly from the back of her mind until now she was consumed with the desire to know the truth. Cagalli swallowed. What Djibril told her was painful, but saying it out loud herself, now, was more painful. "He told me that our parents didn't conceive us out of love. That they had us for the sole purpose of advancing their research. We were nothing more than test subjects."
Kira was solemn as he listened to her, but he did not look surprised.
"Do you think it's true?" She asked.
"I was told the same thing when I joined Blue Cosmos." Kira replied after a while. He looked away briefly, before his eyes rested on hers. There was a quiet conviction behind his amethyst orbs. "Cagalli, I don't know if what Djibril said was the truth or if he was simply playing with our hearts. I can't tell you what the reasons were that our parents decided to have us, or whether they were good people or not. But I can tell you that whatever those reasons might have been, it doesn't matter. I can tell you that I know our parents loved us and that's all that matters. Their love was real, and that's the only truth I need."
Truth. Her entire career had been built on finding the truth, and here was the simplest truth of all. They loved her. She would probably never stop wondering about what Djibril told her, because that was who she was, she would never cease to be curious and she would never stop asking questions. But Kira was right, it didn't matter. She already had her truth.
She didn't know when it started, but tears had stained her face, flowing freely down to her chin. Kira smiled gently at her and extended his hand. "Come on. They're waiting."
She reached for his hand, fingers intertwining together as they walked toward their parents' graves.
When they reached the headstones of Ulen and Via Hibiki, they laid down the fresh flowers before their graves. Kira lowered himself, kneeling down.
"Mum, dad." His voice cracked against the light breeze. "I'm so sorry it's taken us so long to finally come to see you. But we're here now."
Cagalli stood behind her brother, watching his shoulders shake as he tried to hold back his sobbing. Their parents had died 21 years ago. They were both raised by other people. Uzumi Nara Athha, Caridad and Haruna Yamato. People that had shaped them more than Ulen and Via, and people that they considered their real parents. She didn't remember Ulen and Via for the longest time. Her brother remembered more but what little memory she had of them were too ingrained with the horrors of what Djibril did, to them, and to her when he retrieved those memories from the deep recesses of her mind, for them to be fond memories.
Yet the loss still felt so fresh.
If she closed her eyes, she could almost see her mother's smile, almost hear her father's laugh. Almost imagine the life they would have had. All four of them. Together. And that was what hurt the most.
Cagalli, finally, knelt down beside her brother. She took Kira's hand in hers. He turned to her with a faint smile amidst his tears. "Mum, dad." She uttered. The words felt foreign on her lips, yet so right. It brought force a new wave of emotions, staining her cheeks once more.
"We're together." Kira said to the graves, squeezing her hand tightly. "We've found each other. We'll look after each other from now on."
Cagalli squeezed back. "So please rest in peace now."
The bell chimed as Kira pushed open the door to the Sahara Café.
"Morning, Mr Waltfeld!" Kira called out as he moved towards the counter. "Sorry I'm late. Cagalli kept me up all night watching all her favourite movies."
Kids movies actually. His sister had insisted on it as a way to catch up on the childhood they had missed together, but really Kira suspected it was just an excuse to watch cartoons till dawn, to which he couldn't really complain.
Andrew looked up from where he had been grounding coffee beans and smiled. "Ah, good morning, Kira. Can you give Aisha a hand over there?"
Kira promptly grabbed his apron and headed towards the table Aisha was busy clearing. "Morning, Mrs Waltfeld." He greeted as he helped stack four plates together and carry it back to the kitchens.
When he returned to wipe down the tables, Aisha pulled him to the side and took out something from the pocket of her apron. "Before I forget, this arrived for you this morning." She extended a letter in her hands.
He had been diverting his mail to the café ever since he had fled his apartment after Azrael came after him. He was currently staying with Cagalli until he found another place, which had allowed him to keep an eye on her while she was still recovering. But it was only a temporary arrangement and there was no point getting his mail sent to Cagalli's place when he wasn't sure how long he was staying.
Kira wondered what it was as he reached out and took the envelope from Aisha. His eyes immediately landed on the crest of the Copernicus University logo and felt a rush of butterflies in his stomach. With a deep breath he opened the letter.
By then Andrew had walked over, placing a hand over his wife's shoulder. "Well?" He asked.
Kira looked up from reading the letter to find both Andrew and Aisha with barely contained eagerness and curiosity on their faces. His smile broadened. "I got accepted."
The words sounded like a dream to him. He had been enrolled so many times, at so many different colleges, and each time he had been forced to pack up and leave when Blue Cosmos came close to discovering his location. He never finished his classes. Finally, this time he had a chance to finish his degree and get his qualification in engineering. If he failed, it would be because of his own merits, not because he was forced to abandon his studies halfway. And his parents were in Copernicus. He had spoken to them but hadn't gone back to see them since Djibril was brought down. He stayed in Heliopolis because Cagalli needed him, but now that she was better, now that Djibril was arrested, perhaps it was finally time to move on with his own life.
Aisha clapped her hands in delight at the news and leaned in to give Kira a kiss on both cheeks. "Congratulations, Kira! We're so delighted for you."
Andrew clapped him on the back. "I guess this means you'll be handing in your resignation soon?" There was a smile on his face, a true genuine happiness for Kira, but there was also a hint of sadness there too. The kind that came with goodbyes.
Kira's smile reflected Andrew's. In a way this cafe had become like a home, and Andrew and Aisha, a part of his family. He would miss them all, but not yet. "Semester doesn't start for another two months."
Andrew grinned and copped Kira lightly on the head. "Well then, get back to work, kid."
Kira busied himself with cleaning up the tables when the bell chimed once more. A loud crash was heard and Kira looked up to find a woman righting herself from walking into a chair. A few more bumps and stumbles were had before she made it to the back of the café and finally found herself a seat in the corner.
Kira finished clearing up the table he was cleaning before heading to the new customer to get her order.
"Good morning, miss. What can I get you?"
The woman peeked through her dark sunglasses at the menu in front of her and fretted. "Oh my. So much to choose from."
"Would you like to start with a coffee?" He offered helpfully.
A smile started to form on the woman's face as she replied, "A friend of mine did tell me that this place had the best coffee." She lifted her head towards Kira. "A coffee would be wonderful. Thank you, Kira." She read his name from the name tag on his apron, though the way she smiled made it seem like she already knew who he was.
She lowered her sunglasses slightly just as a strand of pink hair escaped the confines of her scarf wrapped around her head. Kira's breath caught in his throat as the bluest of cerulean eyes stared up at him.
He smiled back.
Cagalli rode the elevator up as it took her to the 20th floor. She stretched out her hand and watched as it was held steadily in front of her, not a tremor in sight. The nerves that buzzed inside her was just the ordinary thrill of diving back into the bullpen.
The elevator dinged and the double doors opened up to the newsroom. Cagalli stepped out and was immediately showered with confetti and the blaring noise of poppers going off.
"What the hell?" She sputtered amidst the confusion of cake being shoved into her hand and a horde of fellow journalists suddenly crowding around her yelling 'Surprise!'
"Believe it or not," Miriallia's voice trailed over from somewhere in the crowd. "You were actually missed." Her friend pushed her way through the throng of people. Miriallia came to stand in front of her with a soft smile on her face and was the first to embrace her. "Welcome back, Cagalli."
Cagalli felt the warmth behind Miriallia's words. She buried her face against Miriallia's shoulder, squeezing the brunette back. This was not the first time Cagalli had seen her since her ordeal, Miriallia had stopped by several times at her apartment to check up on her, but this was the first time she had come back into the office, ever since her abduction by Azrael two months ago.
When they pulled apart, Cagalli gave Miriallia a wry smile. "I guess I have you to blame for this? You know I hate surprise parties."
Miriallia shook her head, fervently denying it. "Nope, not me. It was actually Kisaka's idea."
Her eyes landed on her editor-in-chief next. Kisaka's face was as stern as usual, but she recognised the affection behind her mentor's eyes. He was the next person to give her a hug, squeezing her tightly in his large arms.
"I guess I better get out my migraine medication now that you're back." He joked, though the look on his face meant he was also half serious.
"I won't disappoint you." Cagalli smirked then laughed out loud at the groan her editor gave her.
The rest of the crowd followed in welcoming her back, and a chorus of noise exploded around the newsroom as her workmates chatted with her and caught her up with the latest happenings around the office and around the city.
Cagalli's eyes scanned the faces of her coworkers, the reporters, the editors, the proofreaders, designers, even the mailboy that turned up to welcome her back. Although she had Kira, and she had Athrun, this was her family too. She might not know some of them as well as others, some she still had trouble remembering the names of, but they all shared the same passion and dedication to the pursuit of truth.
This was her news family and where she belonged.
At last, when the office seemed to have reached its rowdiest and Cagalli had had her fair share of cake and finger foods, Kisaka decided that there had been enough slacking off and that the news wasn't going to wait for anyone. He barked at them to get back to work in his usual manner, and the workers scattered back to their own corners of the office.
Cagalli finally made her way to her desk. When she got there, she was surprised and humbled to find that every inch of her desk was covered with flowers and balloons and get well cards. She realised that the last time most of them had seen her was when her image was broadcasted on the nightly news with a bomb strapped across her chest, and that the majority of them had no idea what had happened to her afterwards.
It had been two months since then, and two months since she was last at work. It felt like forever since she had been in The Orb building. At the same time, as she took in her surroundings and relished in the buzz of the bullpen, it felt like she had never left.
Although most of the flowers had long wilted by now, Cagalli sat down and read through every card and message left for her.
When she reached for the next bouquet of flowers, she realised there were eight of the same laid out in a row. Each one looked less wilted than the next. Cagalli read through the cards attached to the bouquets and felt her heart being touched by the most unlikely of sources. They were all from Yuna.
He had left a fresh set of flowers at her desk every week since she had been absent. Each card, with exception to the last, had the same message: I hope you're well. She reached for the last bunch of flowers, it was still fresh, a set of deep blue and yellow irises. The last card said: I'm glad you're okay.
Her eyes lifted and she caught Yuna staring at her from across the room. He had been amongst the party of people earlier but he had not approached her. She wondered if he thought she needed some space from him, but the truth was Cagalli had been glad to see even Yuna. She remembered catching his eye that night at Heliopolis Square, how pale and stricken with terror he had looked, and Cagalli finally understood that he had been terrorised for her. That in his own selfish way, Yuna cared about her. She lifted the bouquet to her nose and smelt the musky scent of its fragrance. She smiled at Yuna in a silent thank you. His eyes widened, startled at first by the smile, then nodded at her.
When she had finished cleaning up her desk, clearing it of the dead flowers, and finding a vase for those that were still alive, Miriallia appeared by her side and plunked a large pile of envelopes onto her desk.
"Your mail." The brunette informed. "Sorted from newest to oldest."
"Thanks, Miri."
"So," Miriallia began, as she casually leaned against the partition separating their two desks. "What now? You've landed the biggest story of your career, the story of the decade, how will you ever top this? Maybe it's time to retire while you're still ahead." She goaded teasingly.
Cagalli's story, a series of articles written while she was still recovering at home, submitted to Kisaka via email, and published daily for a week, had exposed Djibril and Blue Cosmos to the world. Though she left out details crucial to the upcoming trial, it had caused a storm and was the talk of every media outlet since its publication. It sparked investigations into Blue Cosmos' activities in other cities where Blue Cosmos might still have contacts in. And hailed the biggest story of the decade.
Cagalli scoffed at Miriallia's suggestion, her eyes shinning with the promise of mischief still to come. "There's always another story."
Her friend laughed at her expected reply before turning away and disappearing behind her desk.
Cagalli turned her attention back the mail. She felt a whirl of curiosity and excitement when she recognised Athrun's handwriting on the top of the pile. Cagalli opened the letter and pulled out a card. A smile beamed across her face.
Try again?
Athrun lifted his eyes from his desk at the sound of a soft knock on his door. A few seconds later, Meyrin opened it and walked in with a cheery bounce in her step.
"The reports you asked for, captain." She placed a stack of folders before him.
Athrun nodded appreciatively at her. "Thank you."
She turned to leave.
"Meyrin," Athrun called out after her. "It's good have you back." The relief in his voice was real. His secretary had returned to work just recently after a long absence of recovering and Athrun had worried she might have a hard time adjusting back to work. But she had walked back into the office with a smile on her face and the same enthusiasm for the job as she always had. It had lifted a weight off of Athrun's shoulders as he had felt partly responsible for her injuries.
With Meyrin back in the office, it finally felt like things were as it should be.
Meyrin paused by the door and smiled back at Athrun. "It's good to be back, captain." She closed the door softly behind her.
It wasn't long before there was another knock on his door. Athrun instinctively knew who it was. The knock was more of a rap, spirited and energetic in its delivery. Sure enough, not a second later, Dearka's head peeked through his doorway.
"Hey capt'n, a few of us are going to the pub after work to celebrate Meyrin's return. Would you care to join us?" Then as an incentive Dearka added, "Shiho's coming, which means Yzak will most likely come, and you know how he gets when he's drunk." A cheeky expression spread across the sergeant's face, almost as if it was his goal to get as many drinks into his lieutenant's hands as possible. "It'll definitely be entertaining."
Athrun couldn't help but be amused at the prospect of seeing a drunk Yzak. The lieutenant had a tendency to talk like an old man when he had too much to drink, usually looping a couple of unsuspecting younger officers around him and preaching to them with stories starting with 'when I was young', despite the fact that he wasn't that much older than them.
Athrun put that thought aside. Seeing Yzak drunk would have to wait for another night. "Thanks for the invite, but I'm afraid I'm busy tonight."
The disappointment on his sergeant's face only lingered for a short moment before it was replaced by a playful wink. "Ah, gotcha."
The door closed behind Dearka. A second later, Athrun could hear his sergeant deliver the bad news to the rest of the office.
"The cap can't make it." There was a collective sound of disappointment from outside.
"He has a hot date tonight." A loud whoop of cheers went up, deafening even behind Athrun's closed door.
Athrun brought his hand up to his forehead, running it slowly down his face. He supposed he would have to get used to it, since it was no secret he was seeing Cagalli now. He wondered if it had ever been a secret.
It was nearing the end of the day and Athrun made his way up the flight of stairs towards the rooftop. Cagalli had told him that she couldn't stop looking at the sky, and it was the same for Athrun. Except Athrun couldn't stop looking at the city.
He pushed open the door and wasn't surprised to find his lieutenant already there, staring out at Heliopolis' skyline. He and Yzak used to come up here all the time in their early days; to wind down after a successful mission, or to gain perspective after an operation gone wrong. There was something about looking out onto a lively bustling city from above that calmed him.
He approached Yzak, finding a spot next to the lieutenant as they looked over the city they fought so hard to protect. The sky turned orange as the sun prepared its descent behind Heliopolis' skyscrapers.
After a while, Yzak suddenly snorted. "Don't you have a hot date to get to?"
"Bloody Elsman." Athrun gritted through his teeth. He decided to turn it back on Yzak. "Don't you?" Athrun turned a curious eye to his lieutenant and noticed the twitch of Yzak's eyebrows. But aside from that, Yzak refused to dignify him with a response.
They stayed in a companionable silence, watching over Heliopolis, until the sun disappeared and the sky turned dim.
"Thank you." Athrun said. He didn't think he said it enough. "I couldn't do this job without you."
His lieutenant had always been by his side and watching his back. He was the person Athrun trusted most in the PD, and Yzak had done a flawless job in his absence. Sometimes, Athrun still thought that Yzak would make a better captain than him, but his thoughts were no longer plagued with doubts about his own abilities, rather awe at the capacity of his lieutenant and friend in front of him.
Yzak staggered, not knowing what to say until a mocking smirk lit up his face. "Just make sure you don't get kidnapped again, Zala. It would be rather embarrassing for the captain of the police force to be kidnapped not once, but a second time."
Athrun chuckled, knowing well enough that Yzak's words masked his concern. "Thank you for always looking out for me, lieutenant."
"Only because you need it, Zala."
Yzak left leaving Athrun alone on the rooftop. He turned his attention back to the view before him. Streetlights started illuminating the streets one by one like a domino chain, windows lit up in a random pattern along the buildings, and in no time the city looked like it was littered by a thousand stars.
Athrun's eyes scanned the cityscape, taking in its glorious sights. The city below always reminded Athrun of what he was fighting for. He never quite considered the lonely one bedroom apartment he occupied as his home. But this, Heliopolis, he had never been more homesick for this city than the three days and four nights he had spent underground in Lodonia.
Athrun closed his eyes, imprinting the city lights into his memory, then turned away heading for the door. Dearka had been right, he did have a date tonight. The thought of seeing Cagalli brought a buzzing to his chest. And he'd be damned if he was late this time.
Cagalli insisted they meet at the restaurant, which left Athrun sitting anxiously at their table, adjusting his tie while he waited for her to arrive. He had gotten here early and Cagalli was running a little late, and all of a sudden Athrun was regretting not picking Cagalli up at her apartment. Though he understood why she wanted to make her own way here.
She didn't want paranoia over what happened the last time they tried this to influence her behaviour. In a way she was proving to herself that the events that had transpired with Azrael and Djibril did not change her. Athrun had chosen the Rosette Restaurant again for the same reason. Azrael might have stopped them from meeting here the first time, but not a second time. Neither of them could live their lives properly if they let their fears rule them.
Athrun finished smoothing down his tie and rested his palms on the table without lifting them in nerves again. Ten minutes later, Cagalli marched into the restaurant in her familiar stride. Athrun didn't need to see her face to know it was her. He recognised immediately the purposeful and stubborn pride in her step. When her gaze met his from across the room, he saw the burning passion in her eyes.
She took his breath away.
Athrun pushed himself up from his seat as she walked towards him. Everyone else in the restaurant was non-existent. It was just the two of them.
After four years of knowing each other, two kidnappings, one bomb scare, two unofficial dates, one attempted date and countless opportunities, they were finally here.
When Cagalli stopped in front of him, achingly beautiful in a brilliant red dress, and quirked her lips at him, Athrun saw his future in front of him. And it was absolutely incredible.
"You're late." Athrun teased. His words came out almost breathless as he took her in. Red dress, red shoes, red lipstick. She burned like a bonfire, drawing him into her light. He leaned in to give her a kiss on the cheek.
Her laughter set a warmth through him. "It was a plan."
Athrun pulled out the chair for her, like the perfect gentleman. He bent over her as she sat down and whispered by her ear. "What plan?" He felt her blushing at his proximity and grinned to himself, before taking his seat opposite her. The candlelit table casted soft shadows on her skin, making her face glow. There was an orchestra playing in the background and he planned on asking her for a dance later.
"So that you won't expect me to be always on time."
Athrun narrowed his eyes at her. "Do you plan on being late for all our dates then?"
"Why Captain Zala," Cagalli feigned as she grinned from across the table, "what makes you so sure there will be other dates?"
"I have a good feeling."
"Are your feelings always right?"
"If I listened to my feelings years ago, this would not be the first date you're late to."
Cagalli's smile now turned sly. He recognised the familiar twinkle in her eyes that meant he had fallen for her trap. "So my plan to lower your expectations has worked already. At least I made it this time."
Athrun reached across the table and took her hand in his. He brought it up to lips and kissed it softly and tenderly. "No." He bore his intense green eyes into her clear golden orbs. "We made it."
Two years later.
Cagalli's footsteps echoed loudly against the white walls as she was escorted down a lengthy hallway. She passed several guards stationed along the way, the jingling of keys rustled on the guard escorting her. Mu La Flaga waited for her at the end of the hall.
"Miss Yula, good to see you again." An ever present smile was on the agent's face.
"Agent La Flaga." She greeted back with a nod.
Mu's hand moved towards the keypad by the door. He pushed a series of pins and the door clicked open behind him. "As promised. You have 15 minutes."
Cagalli stepped inside and the door closed behind her softly, leaving her with the only other occupant of the room.
A hard gaze pinned her from the other side, she could feel it tracking her as she moved closer. Cagalli lifted her eyes and stared at her stalker head on, not backing down from the glare.
Behind a panel of thick clear glass, Djibril glowered at her in a standard prison issued garb. Even behind his cage he still managed to appear menacing, but Cagalli wasn't afraid of him. She could see the grey hairs on his head turning white. The wrinkles along his skin had deepened. And the shadows beneath his eyes, a sign that he hadn't been sleeping peacefully. Here, he was just a harmless ageing man. The thick wall of glass separating them, and the security detail waiting outside seemed almost over the top.
Cagalli stopped in front of the glass. The moment felt surreal. After a long investigation and lengthy trial, Djibril was finally sentenced behind bars where he belonged, serving a life sentence 20 times over. He would never see the outside of his prison walls again. Yet the satisfaction of seeing him here wasn't quite what she expected, but Cagalli would take what she could get. And besides, she didn't come here to gloat. She had a purpose.
"Gabriel Clarke." Cagalli broke the silence, addressing him by his real name, under which he was tried and convicted. It was such an ordinary name. Plain and boring, uninspiring of an ounce of fear. No wonder he changed it. A deliberate smirk curved her lips. "Orange suits you."
Djibril's frown deepened, increasing the wrinkles around the bridge of his nose. "Cagalli Yula Athha." He let out a snort, and started pacing the space of his confinement. "I was wondering when I might see you again. To what do I owe the pleasure?" He abruptly stopped walking and looked straight at her, a sinister and almost knowing smile formed on his harsh face.
Cagalli took a deep breath, not shying from his gaze. There were a million questions she wanted to ask Djibril, and only one that mattered.
"Who killed Uzumi Nara Athha?"
THE END (?)
A/N: That's it guys! I always intended the ending to be an open one, as I wrote this story with a sequel in mind. But in saying that, I don't think I will ever write a sequel. This story had taken up two years of my life, and I am exhausted. I don't think there was a day that went by in the past two years when I wasn't thinking about this story. I can't imagine devoting another two years writing a follow-up to this, even though I have a plot in mind. I hope that everything has been concluded in a way (aside from that last line) that will leave you satisfied.
I'd like to thank everyone who has been following this story to it's last word. Particularly, those who have been kind enough to leave me reviews and support me on this enormous journey. I definitely enjoyed writing this story, but I would not have made it this far without you! So thank you so much, and I mean it sincerely! Never underestimate how much your support means to an author. I'm going to take a break now. And although I doubt I'll ever write the sequel for this, you may see me back with other Gundam Seed/AsuCaga stories in the future (much shorter stories!).
I'd like to hear from you. What did you or didn't you like? Fav characters/scenes? Least favourite? Were there anything that annoyed you? I'd like to grow as a writer so any honest feedback is appreciated.
Finally, I'll leave with a few words on some the decisions I made, and subtle things I've left hints for.
• Although I never planned for it when I first started writing, each of the three main villains became the nemesis for each of the three main characters. Shani was Kira's foe (let's face it, Sutherland did nothing), Azrael Athrun's, and Djibril was Cagalli's. Which was why Athrun didn't really do much in the last arc, because Djibril was meant to be Cagalli's to overcome and defeat.
• Cagalli and Kira subconsciously have been trying to live up to their mother's last words to them. Via told Cagalli to be brave, which she has been trying to be her whole life. She told Kira to protect Cagalli, which Kira did to desperate measures.
• I mentioned in chapter 33 that Cagalli taught Auel how to pick locks. In chapter 13, the assailant Yzak and Athrun caught escaped his locks.
• My biggest regret is probably not writing in enough Auel (and to a lesser extent Stellar and Sting) in the earlier chapters to establish a closer bond between them. I like Auel's character in this a lot, and feel that I probably didn't do him enough justice here.
• Yzak is a great friend to Athrun. So is Dearka. His constant teasing of Athrun in regards to Cagalli, and spreading rumours about them, is actually his way of helping Athrun. While Yzak protects Athrun's professional reputation by warning Athrun away from Cagalli, Dearka is a firm believer that his captain will never be truly happy unless he's with the woman he loves. So he teases Athrun to encourage Athrun. And he spreads rumours to firstly, test the reactions of his fellow officers, and secondly, so his fellow officers can get used to the idea of 'Athrun and Cagalli' so when Athrun finally realises his feelings and actually does something about it, it won't be a shock, and there will be less opposition about it in the police department. Which, well done Dearka, worked like a charm. And I think Athrun secretly knows this, which is why Dearka never seems to get in any trouble when he does it.