Cagalli's POV

I hated the constant travelling or the over revealing outfits that made me spend most of my time making up for lack of material with my arms. Of course, when the whole world was watching I had to get over that. The cariography and the slutty poses I was expected to take, made me shudder inside. Like I was selling my body on the cover of every screen and poster. And photoshoots and rehearsals… I didn't want to be seen and here I was finding it harder to believe there was anyone who didn't see me.

And then there was my boyfriend/lover/manager, Clotho Buer. I refused to sleep with him of course. I would only have Athrun take me. However, he organized everything. He told me what I was to do at every turn so I didn't have to figure it out.

Clotho entered my room on one of my only days off. "There is a nightclub in town hosting your kick off tour. I expect you to show up and blow their minds with your new hit single."

Lucky for me, I had bodyguards or I would never step foot inside a nightclub. They always had a record signing, buffet, drooling fans and a dance party. I would sing my new hit single and then everyone would crowd around me for the next five hours, while I stood in high heels and a very slutty dress. Several would try their best to get a picture with me.

I was really missing the long hours in the hospital. At least I was doing something worthy of honour and respect. "I will leave you to sort out the details as always." (This is just Cagalli's view on things)

"Okay…" Clotho pressed the button on the stereo and pulled me up from the couch I was lounging on. "You aren't happy and that is unacceptable." He started to dance with me. Somehow my body remembered the motions. He pulled me up against his body.

"What number is this supposed to be?" It was likely a dance for a song I was meant to sing.

Clotho burst into laughter. "This is not for a concert, it is for you to relax."

"I am as relaxed as I am going to get. This isn't helping."

Clotho stopped. "How would you like to spend your evening?"

I actually have a choice? "I want to do normal things… like eat at Taco Bell and walk around the sea wall… see some of the historic sights. Check out a museum or go to a fair."

"There you will be cornered by all your adoring fans." Clotho speculated. "Are you sure?"

If I look back on this day, I will be glad to know I at least saw the world during this world tour. "I'm sure and I have a good idea how to avoid attention from my fans."

"You mean disguises, don't you? You have tried that before… but I'm afraid that hair is impossible to hide."

"Then I will dye it another color."

"You can't!"

"It isn't permanent."

"It doesn't matter. You are not just famous for your voice, you are famous for your hair."

I flopped backwards on my bed. This is hopeless.

"I will see what I can do." Clotho turned to leave.

"Thank you, Clotho… I could really use a distraction."

Clotho returned with very simple clothes and a plain hoodie.

I looked at it like it was treasure. I launched from the bed and quickly changed my clothes into the drab that I cherished.

Clotho didn't turn around, so he saw my underwear, while my back was turned.

I hugged myself tightly. "I missed you."

"Remember, the hoodie stays up and hair stays restrained to the back. If one person sees it, you will be overrun."

"Got it." Finally I was going to do something for myself.

Clotho had a regular taxi brought to the hotel and I quickly got inside like a schoolgirl. Clotho sat next to me in street attire and we made stops all over. First the museum and then the castle park.

We got a street dog and it was deliciously simple. We walked down the sea wall and I could hear the gulls singing and the waves crashing against the rocks.

To sit there, soaking in the sun and feeling the soft sand at the beach side. To simply hear the children play. I thought about how much Lizzy and Chase would love it here.

After that, we went sightseeing and we passed large monuments or climbed to the top to look out over the city. The wind was so freeing. I felt like my heart would float away. I walked inside a cathedral, which was breathtaking. I felt so tiny standing beneath these giant pillars. The murals spoke of love and loyalty, and their sovereign creator. The pigeons took flight as we left towards the large fountain. There were painters and couples posing for pictures.

Clotho took pictures everywhere we went. I was finally relaxing.

We went to a fast food place and got take-out. We casually ate in the car as we drove to our next stop.

"Where to next?" Clotho spoke chivalrously.

I thought about being in a place without people. Just nature and me. "Is there a nice open countryside somewhere?"

"There is… it isn't anything special."

"Sounds perfect." I felt like it was a dream oasis from the spotlight.

"Since when did you become so adventurous?"

"I am tired and desperately need a break. Do I need a reason?"

"What happened to days at the spa, shopping at the most prestigious malls and gourmet cooking?" Clotho raised an eyebrow.

"I do that everyday. Today, I needed a change of pace."

"You have seemed different lately. If I made you upset, please tell me."

"What do you mean?" I didn't know what to do. I didn't know anything about Meer. Maybe I wasn't doing a very good job pretending to be her.

"I used to be annoyed by your clinginess but now I miss it. We don't hold hands or cuddle anymore. And the sex! I mean, how long are you going to torture me?"

Clotho had been such a gentleman, I didn't think it bothered him. All those sexy dresses and those terrible poses. I was driving him crazy. Meer must have slept with him all the time to keep him focussed.

But I am not Meer. I have Athrun and the kids to think about. "I'm sorry…"

Clotho looked at me with hope. He placed his hand on my inner thigh. "Please… Meer you are killing me."

What would it mean to have sex with another man if it wasn't my body? I had to consider what Athrun would think. That is what mattered to me. If I could remember Athrun's touch and the joy that I had from being locked in with his body… any relations with Clotho would stick with me too. No, I was going to stay loyal to my husband. "You are right… things between us have changed. We have become too serious and our relationship could be a liability." I made up a bunch of stuff that sounded right.

Clotho gripped my thigh. "You mean… you love me?"

"I didn't say that."

"No, you are just worried that your fans will be severely jealous."

"And... it is not legal for a manager to make sexual advances on his client."

Clotho stopped the car. "What?! Sex was all your idea!"

Wait a second… doesn't the music business often have men take advantage of amateur singers before they make them famous? "What makes you think that I wanted to sleep around? You just assumed."

Clotho locked eyes with me angrily. "Before I met you, you had any man you wanted by the balls. You didn't need any help getting there."

I glared back at him and then remembered he was talking to Meer.

Clotho clenched his jaw and then breathed out slowly. "Your former agent… he raped you, didn't he?"

I was shocked. Was that true? Did Meer get raped by her own hire?

"Shani was the best in the industry…" He clenched his hands tight on the steering wheel. "... I should have known there would be a good reason you fired him."

Clotho was so protective of Meer he actually sounded like he might just kill him. As for me, I was struggling with the realization that Meer may have been raped.

"He made me famous…" I started to clue in. "... He thought he deserved his cut."

Clotho relaxed and locked eyes with me. "You figured that I wanted the same thing."

I nodded.

Clotho turned off the car. "Never… I don't just want your body, Meer. Like Shani I could screw any girl… but I don't. Sex with you is the best kind there is. No other girl is good enough for me."

It was Clotho's way of saying he loved her. It was sweet… kind of. "I don't know what to say…"

"You could stop having sex on the side with the dangerous boys and choose to rock me alone."

I felt flushed. How many guys does Meer take to bed? And he knows she is a slut and he still loves her? I know what Meer's answer should be, but I couldn't say it. It would be betraying Athrun.

"What's it going to take, Meer? Would you rather I abused you like the other guys do? That I didn't care about you? That seems to be what you respond to."

"Of course not! Clotho, you are the most gracious person I have ever met. Please don't change."

"Then…?" Clotho slid his hand up my shirt, requesting to be allowed to go further.

I hated this… I was hurting him by refusing but it wasn't me he wanted to make love to. I certainly didn't want to with him. "Stop."

Clotho was a gentleman and put both hands on the steering wheel.

I should be grateful he was honouring my decision, but I could see it was getting difficult for him to resist.

He returned to the road and continued down to the countryside. We arrived and he followed me out.

I could really breathe out here. I hoped Clotho could just let it go for now, but I knew it would be on his mind.

As we walked, I locked my arms through his and tried to be a little more clingy. As we walked together we saw horses and cows… a fox and a few bunnies. The trees were few and far between, but there was a treeline up ahead. I wanted to get lost in there but I knew I would never see Athrun and the kids again.

Something happened that pulled me from my dreaming. I heard gunshots and a man was running down the side of the hill. Clotho tried to keep me back and even retreat, but as I watched the man fall to his knees, my body took charge of my actions. He rolled down the hill, I had to act. I was a doctor. I could save his life.

"We have to help him!" I fought against Clotho's grip.

"There is nothing we can do for him. Let's get you to safety."

I refused and stomped on Clotho's foot. Being released I rushed to the man and checked to see that he was bleeding from his chest badly. I racked my brain for procedures and nothing came. I couldn't remember any medical terms or even what to do when someone is bleeding out. Why can't I remember?! Should I pull out the bullet? Should I try to stop the bleeding?

Clotho called out. "Meer!"

Another gunshot went off and I saw blood gushing down my arm with intense pain.

"Shite!" Clotho grabbed my arms and rushed me away.

Not only was I useless at saving his life, I put both of our own lives in danger. I looked up to see my attacker and he shot several more rounds. I suspect we saw too much and now he was trying to kill us.

As I ran, my hoodie fell off my head and fear filled my mind. The attacker now knew who I was.

It wasn't long before several other men with guns showed up.

We jumped into the car and Clotho drove without concern for the street laws.

We swerved around and sped as fast as the car could go.

Police lights filled the cab and we pulled over.

I felt myself get heavier as I clutched my arm tightly.

Clotho rolled down the window. "Please help me! She might die!"

The police rushed to our doors and pointed the gun at us, making sure we weren't making it up.

Clotho was getting desperate. "She may bleed out and the shooter could be here to kill her!"

The one officer noticed my pale expression and saw the blood collected on my hoodie.

He turned to his man. "We will escort them to the hospital immediately. Hang in there, Meer."

I nodded. Clotho did say once they saw the hair they would know who I was.

Two cop cars showed up to complete the escort.

Clotho brought me to a hospital and I had my arm bandaged thoroughly after the bullet was removed. "What were you thinking?"

I was stunned. "I only wanted to help…"

"You may have gotten us both killed, not to mention our careers."

I shot up to lock eyes with him. "Who would do something like that? Is this common?"

"There are major drug gangs and war mangerors here. They will kill anyone that double crosses them and witnesses."

"Are they powerful?" I couldn't believe I asked that. "Of course they are…"

"We will need to hire more bodyguards and increase security."

"You think we should go out in public while there is a vengeful killer targeting us?"

"If you lose this record deal, you and I can forget having another concert."

"That means… I can't go back to Orb…" Athrun… Lizzy… Chase… what were they doing now? Athrun would be devastated to find that I can no longer return. "Can't I fly through other channels?"

Clotho rubbed the back of his head and sat down. "Orb is not an allied nation. You can't just go there when you want to. You must be requested or receive permission to go there."

"Mee-I went to the wedding."

"You had an invitation and we got permission from some very powerful people who have no reason to consider your request now."

"There must be a way. I am an Orb citizen."

"Meer… just forget it. You aren't an Orb citizen. You never were."

"I was born in Tassiney. My mother-"

"No. Don't deny it. You were a refugee from the cold wars. Both you and your sister."

"How do you know that?"

"Before signing any contract we do thorough background checks. You are from a country that was destroyed years ago."

Poor Meer… did she know? Does Lacus?

"So that's it…"

"We get you back on stage and do what you do best."

This was all too much to take in. I rolled over on my bed, not wanting to see Clotho for the next few hours.

The police entered to my dismay and started their questioning.

Meer's POV

The next morning, I woke up with Athrun's arms around my belly and I had my back up against his chest. I smiled warmly. I could get used to this. I pulled gently on his one hand, slid it down to my vagina, stuck his fingers in me, and rubbed myself hoping he would awaken and take the cue.

He did just as I expected and the thrusting began. I moaned and turned my head slightly to kiss him.

"Good morning." Athrun smiled.

I giggled slightly, as pleasure poured into me. "Morning…"

Athrun then rolled on top of me. It was shorter than last night, but the pleasure was still incredible as it built up quickly. I wanted him to stay inside of me all day. His thrust pushed up high into me as the pleasure became nearly unbearable. He exploded into me and I was overcome with ecstacy.

Athrun was really good at sex, more than any man I had met before. Mabye marriage gives him that experience, unlike me, who has had sex with so many men, that I don't even remember their names. Some of them never even told me.

I leaned back as Athrun sat at the edge of the bed. "The kids will be up soon."

I was in a lovemaking bliss staring hopelessly at the ceiling with a goofy smile on my face.

"Uhm… Cagalli? Are you alright?" Athrun placed his hand on my bare chest. "We had sex before… What are you doing?" He was slightly amused however.

Then it hit me… CAGALLI?! There had always been that slight fear that was the case, but I really hoped it wasn't. I chose to believe it wasn't.

I sat up with a slightly panicked expression. I observed my hair slide down my shoulder. It was blonde, not pink and now I knew why. It wasn't long like mine either. I didn't want to believe I was Cagalli this whole time. Because if I convinced myself that this was all for me, I didn't have to feel guilty about it.

It was too late to take back what I had heard. He doesn't love me, he loves Cagalli… All these things are meant for her! His love… that was meant for her! The sex! I shuddered. Now it all makes sense… I am living her life. If I am here, then where is she? Is she me? Can I really allow myself to believe that she just suddenly vanished with the stars. Why not? That could happen, right? Perhaps I am Cagalli now and that is that. Yeah… this is my wish that was granted. I shouldn't feel bad for it. So what if I am now Cagalli? Athrun will love me for me and not for her. All we need to do is spend lots of time together. Sex… it already happened so what matters if we share it again and again. It isn't like I could turn back time and take it back. Cagalli is just a name. I am still me. He chose to have sex with me not her. I am just as good for him as Cagalli was. Even better than her.

I convinced myself that this was perfectly fine. Yes. This was my wish and I was going to enjoy every minute of it.

"Cagalli…?" Athrun leaned into me.

I needed to quickly divert this conversation. What is bugging Cagalli? "I just remembered… I don't have to work today."

Athrun looked down at the covers. "You are going to get your job back. It will be alright."

"What will I do if I don't?"

"You shouldn't worry about that. You are the best surgeon they have. Just remember that."

A surgeon that would carelessly leave surgical tools in the patient. Not going to happen… unless I want to have a lawsuit. "Thanks for believing in me." I smiled back at him. Why should I be upset anyways? It wasn't my career choice and I didn't put in any effort to achieve it. I don't enjoy running around all day with sick people either.

Athrun and I were interrupted by the sound of screaming and cries from the children running excitedly down the halls.

Athrun dressed and turned to me. "Please don't stay in bed too long. Would you take the kids to school today?"

"Sure."

He left the room.

I rolled back into the blankets that still held some of the heat from our love making. If I was Cagalli, at the very least, I was going to give her a makeover. This is my life now and Athrun is my husband. I think it is time we got to know each other more. The real us.

I slid from the bed and searched Cagalli's drawers for clothes more my style. I had bought them from the mall and now was as good as any time to wear them.

I did my hair up to look amazing and used a small compact that was hidden deep in the dresser. Lacus must have given it to her.

After applying some make up, I came down the stairs to see that the kids were standing by the door with their backpacks. "Mommy, we are going to be late for school."

I couldn't see Athrun around, so I had to assume he left for work. Beauty takes time. Maybe a little too much.

The kids' mouths gaped open with shock when they saw what I was wearing. I almost look like a movie star… a humble one, if there was such a thing.

"Let's get you to school." I ushered the kids outside and into my car. Not as luxurious as Athrun's convertible, but it was brand new.

"Good morning…" The cop's wife next door stopped watering her flowers when she saw me.

I didn't have time to respond so I just ignored her.

"People these days…" She muttered to herself.

We were in the car and speeding down the road. The kids held on tightly to their belts.

I cut off a couple people, but how did I know I didn't have the right of way? My couffers have taken me everywhere since my career started.

We made it to the school just as the morning bell chimed.

The children pried themselves out of the car trembling. The supervisor gave me a dirty look like I didn't even deserve to have kids. Who gives her the right to judge me?

I made my way to several more stores and got sweet treats and glittery goodness. New sunglasses and anything else that could make me shine.

Walking through the mall, I saw many men gawking at me and a whistle or two. I was back. Everyone liked me again. It wasn't like my fan base but attention is attention.

I was ready to get my mani-pedi and full body massage and then I heard a gasp.

"Cagalli?!"

I wiped around to hear the girly excited shrieks. It was Meyrin and some other girl that had hair slightly more pink than red… maybe borderline fuschia. They were wearing cute short shorts and tank tops too. I knew we could really enjoy shopping together.

"It's me." I flipped up my movie star glasses.

"Never in a million years… I didn't think it was possible to get you to a mall, let alone…" The girl's friend looked me up and down. "Dressed like that. You look great." She pulled out her phone, dragged us both in for a selfie and we all smiled. "I had to make sure I got a picture in case you try to deny it."

I could tell that Meyrin's friend was more bold than she was. I refrained from asking who she was because it seemed pretty obvious that she knew me.

"What changed your mind?" Meyrin asked. "Lacus and I have been inviting you to go shopping with us for years."

"I felt like a change." I sloughed it off. It made sense with the job situation.

"Good for you."

"Is this because of yesterday?" Meyrin hesitated out of concern.

"Maybe I had it in me all along." I argued.

"What happened yesterday?" The friend enquired.

"Nothing." I groaned. How many times did I have to talk about this before I can move on?

"Don't you think Athrun is going to suspect something if you dive out of your norm like this?" Meyrin played cautious.

The friend grew suspicious. "Isn't that the point? You want him to notice."

Meyrin stopped her friend. "Actually…"

I released a sigh. "I lost my job. It is no big deal."

Somehow my reaction worried Meyrin more. "It is a big deal… Don't pretend you didn't spend the last ten years getting to your position."

Ten years… No way…

"I don't believe it. You aren't Dr. Zala anymore?" The friend was stunned. "You aren't telling Athrun?!"

"I already told him… just not the reason why…" I half admitted, but also true.

"Mey, you are okay with this?"

Meyrin shook her head. "It isn't my decision to make. If Athrun should hear about it, it should come from his wife."

"Yeah… but still."

"I don't want to talk about it anymore, so if we are shopping, let's go shopping." I insisted.

The two girls nodded and they joined in the mani-pedi too. We had a girl's day. It was actually a blast. Meyrin made anything look cute. And her sister, which I eventually learned was rocking her style of cute punk.

A few guys came over and started flirting with us. I hid my wedding ring in my pocket. It was just for fun.

"You girls are locals, have you been to the nightclub?" The one with light green hair smiled charmingly. "If you are up for a bit of fun, we could go tonight. There's dancing and music, lights… What do you say?"

That sounds like so much fun.

"I don't think we should." Meyrin refused. "There are shady people that go there and alcoholics."

"You can go to a nightclub and not drink." I spoke up.

"There's the spirit." The one with longer bluish platinum hair chimed.

"Absolutely not." Meyrin squealed at me. "You are married. People only go there to hook up."

"If she was married, wouldn't she have a ring?" The bluish platinum gentlemen sounded so slick.

"She doe-s…" Meyrin instantly checked my ring finger.

What was her deal? I know how nightclubs work and I certainly know how to avoid a pick-up.

"Married women can still have fun."

Meyrin had to blink a couple times and then she stood up and grabbed my arm. She dragged me away from the table and her sister joined us, after excusing herself. "I don't know what you are doing, but it has to stop."

"What am I doing?" Since when do people care so much about what I do. It's my life… it is now, anyway.

"This self abandonment... I read about it once in a psychology magazine. Why don't you just admit that you are angry about losing your career?" Meyrin pressed.

I couldn't continue this any longer. Meyrin was obviously closer than a personal babysitter. I don't think she will let it go. "Alright… you win." Sooner or later, I want to be myself again. I can't be Cagalli forever. I spouted a couple of things back to her to confirm her suspicions and accept her consoling.

We returned to the men.

"Sorry boys, looks like I'm out." I spoke through gritted teeth.

Then one of them approached me. "I thought you liked living dangerously."

"Auel, if the ladies don't want to come, they don't have to."

"Only good girls go home to their domesticated lives. We need to find some girls who live on the edge. Sting, let's go." The Bluish haired boy that must be Auel walked away from us.

The other two men followed behind him.

"I can't believe you. Those guys were looking for trouble and you just played right into their hands." The sister was really enjoying it too.

"Luna… we should go before those guys come back." Meyrin insisted. "They are trouble."

True but that was kind of alluring. I have been running around after sick people and dealing with grumpy children, it would be nice to have some fun and celebrate my freedom.

I returned home after picking up the children from school. I was starting to get the hang of this mother thing.

I had a special surprise for Lizzy and I couldn't wait to show her. I pulled a bag from the trunk and there was a gift inside. I brought it in to show her. "Lizzy, look what I got for you." I opened the box and showed her the karaoke with the microphone and several tracks of CD's of modern music… some being mine. It was really weird buying my own album but still exciting.

"Karokie machine!" Lizzy ran over and took it with excitement.

Chase came running over. "What'd I get? What'd I get?"

I backed up slightly. "Uhhh… nothing."

Chase started to cry and flopped on the ground. "Why did Lizzy get sompning and not me?"

Oh boy… I don't know what to do right now. I know! "Do you want ice cream?"

"Does Lizzy get some too?"

"Yes. We will all have ice cream." I thought that was the right answer but I was so wrong.

Chase cried even louder.

"Next time, I will get you something too."

"I want something now."

"We don't always get what we want." I gave up and left him to cry by himself.

Lizzy plugged it in and then the karaoke player started to play background tracts at the push of a button. Lizzy changed the song every two seconds.

"Lizzy, just choose a song!"

"I don't know these songs." Lizzy complained.

I have to do everything. I pulled the guide from the box. "These are the song tracts and those are the lyrics." I showed her but she was quickly overwhelmed by its complexity and pushed it aside.

Chase came over and took the karaoke machine with whatever strength he had. "I want it."

"Fine." I didn't care anymore.

Lizzy jumped up from her other toys. "That's mine! You can't play with it!"

Chase started to scream as he tugged against Lizzy's grasp.

"Lizzy, you didn't want it, so give it to your brother."

"I want it. You bought it for me." Lizzy whined.

That's it. Do these children ever stop fussing? I grabbed the karaoke machine and stored it away. "Now both of you can find something else to play with." I turned around and put my CD into the boombox and started the stereo. I heard my own voice come through the speakers.

To be singing in the crowds and have all those people fan over me and I traded it for this.

I looked back at a picture on the mantle of Athrun and Cagalli at their wedding. "I bet you didn't think they would be so much trouble when you had them, did you?" Cagalli… My anger faded when my eyes locked onto Athrun… this was all going to be worth it some day, but these weren't really my kids. It was like babysitting that never ends.

The car pulled up in the driveway. It must be Athrun! Thank goodness. He will settle the children down.

Athrun entered and put his case down by the door. He put down all his stuff and hung up his coat.

I rushed over to greet him, thinking my day would turn around. I gave him a hug and kiss.

He pulled away with shock dominating his features. He pulled me into the other room. "What are you wearing? You look like a slut." He could see my breasts through the low cut of my green halter top and my navi mini skirt just barely covered my butt.

I felt my heart get struck when he said that. These were clothes I was comfortable wearing, clothes I always wore.

"Please don't tell me you left the house like this." Athrun freaked out.

"Then I won't." I growled. This is me. These are the things I feel comfortable in. He doesn't like that then… does that mean he doesn't like me? I tried to get away.

Athrun stopped me from leaving the conversation. "Am I not satisfying you enough? Talk to me!"

"Athrun… I love you." My eyes watered.

"If you really loved me, you wouldn't be wearing this. You are just asking to get mugged… and worse."

"I am not fragile. I can-"

"Is this Lacus's influence? Or maybe Meyrin and Lunamaria's?"

I just kept quiet. I realized now that I could only be Cagalli. He didn't want anyone else.

"I didn't think you even liked shopping."

"I'll wear something else…"

Athrun calmed down. "I don't want you getting hurt… I don't want to lose you."

Tears filled my eyes. "I am going to make dinner now." I retreated.

He didn't want to lose me…? No… I didn't want to lose him… and that meant forgetting who I was and becoming Cagalli.

I changed into something more modest, but still not boring. Hopefully he wouldn't object to me wearing these. Matching pants and a tank top. It was the only thing Cagalli had in her wardrobe that wasn't completely plain.

Athrun calmed the children while I was upstairs and things continued as they had before except for my job. I set the table and put out the food that I assembled from instructions in a recipe book.

Athrun brought the children to the table and they sat down. I joined them.

"This looks delicious." Athrun smiled, but then a frown appeared on his face as I took a more depressed posture.

I poked at the food that I had been waiting to present to Athrun since I bought the book.

"They didn't take you back… did they?" Athrun clenched his hand tight around his fork.

"No..."

Athrun clenched his jaw. "Fine, then I am sure you can get a job at the clinic. They would be idiots not to hire you."

I just continued to poke at my food. "Just forget it."

"How can I? I can't believe you aren't even willing to fight for this." Athrun continued. "Don't try to hide it from me. It isn't working anyway."

I felt the hurt and anger building up. Why over clothes… clothes are one of the only things I could still have from my old life. That and maybe nightclubs… "Because Athrun!" Don't say it… He doesn't need to know.

"Because why?" Athrun glared at her strongly.

The children shut their ears after I shouted at Athrun.

"Because…"

Athrun's glare intensified.

"Because I lost my certification as a doctor! That's why!" And it came out… Great… I tried to ring in my emotions another time.

Athrun's eyes widened and shock took over. "What do you mean? For being late? Please, I have to know."

"Kids… go play." I ordered them and they did exactly what they were told.

Athrun took his seat next to me and took my hand in his.

"It was an accident… I left a surgical tool inside the patient. I was so careless." No… that wasn't what bothered me, but I couldn't let him know the truth. "The patient was going to sue if I didn't resign from the hospital."

Tears of compassion filled Athrun's eyes. He took me in his arms. "We are going to get through this. Please don't carry this all by yourself."

I had to carry this by myself. There was no one who could know about this. I cried, even if he didn't know why I was really crying, he made me feel better with his comforting embrace.