Cagalli's POV

This kick off at the nightclub happened as Clotho had organised. I sang my one hit single and showed off the incredible choreography with my backup dancers.

Then I stepped down and watched the people who were dancing to the rest of the songs on my tract. Clotho sat me at the back where everyone came for a signature on their CD's or on my picture if they wanted.

Selfies taken and the security kept them moving.

Then an eerie voice came through the group. "I have out done myself. This was the best one yet."

I rolled my eyes. "What are you doing here?"

Clotho stood in front of me and addressed him. "When you signed the contract you gave up all rights to your song. What could possibly bring you here, Yuuna? To gloat?"

Yuuna flashed his smirk. "That was my masterpiece, surely it has great value. Especially if you want more like it in the future. You would regret turning me away."

I knew sooner or later I would have to shut him up and kick that smirk off his face, so I shouldn't push it off. "Clotho, I will deal with him."

Clotho closed up the signings for me while I headed to the back with Yuuna.

"What do you want?" I demanded when we were alone.

Yuuna approached me. "You never gave me payment for these lyrics." He grabbed onto my arm.

"Clotho paid you." I pulled my arm away.

"That is only half the payment. We made a deal, Meer and it is time to pay up." Yuuna slid his hand across my cheek.

I shuddered to think about it. Does Meer pay for everything with her body?

"I'll pay for your work the traditional way from now on." I pulled away.

"Then I will take my work elsewhere. I can get many buyers for my work. It is the top grade."

I swallowed hard. This business was not as simple as I thought. "Fine. Then take your services elsewhere."

Yuuna grabbed on tightly again. "I've had you before. You think you can contain the snake after it has left the den. You are making it a bigger deal than it is."

"My reasons are my own. I have had a change of heart, that is all you need to know."

Yuuna clenched his fists. "You will regret going back on our contract." He left me there and rushed back into the massive nightclub.

I sat down on the curb and looked out at the empty streets.

Clotho came over to make sure I was alright. He glanced back at Yuuna before he entered the building.

A long haired blonde man came out of the building. He looked like he was security. "Is everything alright?"

I nodded and leaned into Clotho's arms. How did Meer get like this? What was her story?

Clotho smiled warmly, kissing my forehead. "You told him it's over?"

I nodded.

The blonde man put a gun to my head, after getting in front of me. "Come with me or I can put a bullet in your head right in front of your fans."

I was alarmed and froze.

Clotho reached for his cellphone, but the man ripped it away.

A black limo came up to the curb and the side door opened. A man with even longer black hair offered. "Come. We have much to discuss?"

My legs refused to move.

"Rey." The black haired man ordered him to push us into the limo.

We were in our seats before we knew it.

Rey kept his gun trained on me.

Clotho tried to stay calm but he was not able to stop his trembling.

"Songstress with the lovely rose locks. It would seem that you have stumbled across my men. Now I can't let you leave."

My voice shook. "I didn't know who they were… w-e were just on a stroll… a-nd saw a man needed help."

"Valiant effort, but you should never have left your bodyguards. Now you will pay the price."

Clotho calmed himself. "We don't know anything."

"You have seen my face. If that were true, it isn't anymore."

I felt my eyes widen in fear. He made sure he had good reason to kill us.

The man put his hand on my knee. "I have a better use for you. What men wouldn't pay for a night with the great songstress of Scandinavia."

I trembled knowing what he meant. I understand now… there were certain things as a singer, boundaries or laws that had to be kept to prevent endangerment. Once famous… always famous. I had to act fast or forever my life would be used for the pleasures of others. I tried to spare Meer's life change and somehow I ruined it anyway.

I looked at Clotho for a long moment, hoping he would try to read my mind. I couldn't say a word or make a gesture or Rey would pull the trigger and we would both be dead. With no time to lose I pulled the door open and threw myself out. Several shots were fired and one even hit me in the shoulder.

I looked up to see that the car kept moving and Clotho didn't make it out. I saw him briefly attacking Rey with brute strength. Several shots went through the roof and many more through the doors.

I could not let Clotho die. I jumped up and ran to the corner store. "Call the police!" I shouted.

I saw the limo take the corner harshly and two bodies dropped from the open door, rolling away.

I saw Clotho was one of them and Rey was the other.

The limo left the scene as sirens could be heard and bright lights spreading their fading light up the buildings.

I had to make sure we survived until they got to us.

Clotho tried to get up, but Rey already stood over him.

"Time to die." Rey reached over to break his neck.

He didn't have his gun! I looked down at the ground to see it had travelled during the fall. I picked it up, aimed and fired. "Clotho!"

Rey fell to the ground. I didn't know if he was dead, but my adrenaline pumped through my veins like electricity.

The orange haired man that I grew fond of was still moving. I was so relieved. I rushed into his arms and cried.

The blue and red filled the area along with sounds of metal pins and stomping of feet.

"Meer Campbell? Just what are you doing in another crime scene?" The man came over and checked the man's pulse. "You are lucky you didn't kill him."

My hand was shaking as the officer pulled away the gun.

He noticed my side was bleeding. "We better get that looked at."

Clotho and I got into another cop car, while Rey was put in a different one.

After being bandaged, we waited in the police station for questioning… again.

Clotho looked at me trying to be calm. "Is this going to be a regular thing?"

"I hope not." I shuddered. I doubt the other man was done with us but I appreciated the safety of the moment.

"Please come with me." An officer guided me to his office. "What happened?"

I explained it the best I could but I still couldn't believe this had happened. It was so surreal.

"Could you identify the man that took you?"

"If I saw him I could."

"Good." He brought me to a room of suspects behind a glass wall.

None of them were even close to being the man who took me. I shook my head.

"Thank you. I will ask you to stay at the station till we can get some files prepared for you."

I rejoined Clotho who drew the man in question. Clotho stood up and joined the officer in his interview.

I was soon brought in to join them in the office.

"This man is very powerful, I'm afraid. Gilbert Durandal. Your accusations are going to do very little on trial against him. However, now we know where to look."

"What do we do?" I knew my career didn't allow for side missions like a trial.

"Lay low for a while, until we catch the bastards. There is no doubt he will come back for you and when he finds you, it will be too late."

Clotho Bouyer stood up. "This is Meer Campbell. She cannot hide under a rock or get a secret identity. If she terminates this contract, she will lose her career."

"It is better than losing her life."

Clotho cursed under his breath. "How is it they are the bad guys and we are the ones being punished?"

"Because life is cruel."

Clotho gritted his teeth. "We will get as many bodyguards as it takes."

"Are you forgetting that these men could have snipers? You would never see it coming."

I just watched the two of them argue my survival strategy like it wasn't my problem to deal with. All of this because I wanted to walk along a peaceful countryside… I ruined Meer's life and Clotho's too… Maybe now was a good time as any for Meer to move back to Orb. "I want to leave Scandinavia."

Clotho's eyes widened realizing what I meant.

"That would certainly be better than continuing performances." The officer agreed.

"Meer isn't able to leave the country. It would terminate her contract!" Clotho grew impatient and angry.

"The contract will be voided. It is inevitable. You must accept that now." He insisted firmly.

"Can I request my destination for relocation?" I asked hopefully.

"You may make your request, but we can't promise to allow it."

"Please send me to Orb."

"Orb…? That will be tough. Orb isn't an allied nation… but that may be the safest. These men would have a very difficult time finding you there." He locked eyes with me. "I will see what I can do."

Finally, a chance that I could return home. I hope so. I will see Arthrun again and the kids… my friends… Please let it be true. "Please."

The officer left to continue his efforts in the investigation.

"You had to bring that up again? What's wrong with you? All you ever wanted to do was be glamorous and famous. You are both and you would so quickly give this all up?"

"Clotho, I appreciate everything you have done. I do. But right now, I need to be in Orb." I offered my hand to him. "Will you come with me?"

Clotho stared at me through a glare and contemplated things. He took his time and then allowed his body to relax. "Of course I will go with you. How would you ever survive in Orb without me." He revealed his cheeky smile.

I smiled back at him. I know he has always seen me as his lover, Meer, but I feel like I have made a strong friendship with this man.

Meer's POV

Lacus and Kira invited Arthrun, the children and I for dinner. They had returned from their honeymoon and clearly still wanted to be.

The children bolted into the house and ran straight to their Auntie Lacus, attacking her with a big hug. "We missed you! Don't go anywhere ever ever ever."

Lacus smiled warmly. "I am not going anywhere for awhile."

"Good. Because I love you Auntie." Liz grinned widely.

Lacus and Kira both froze at seeing me in my new clothing choices. I was wearing a pink miniskirt and red tank that had the collar hold tightly to my neck, no straps, revealing my bare shoulders and bold gold earrings hanging towards my neckline. And to finish my look, I was holding a white Prada bag, movie star glasses and white high heels with straps that clung to my ankles.

Athrun entered behind me and greeted Kira with a manly hug. "Come, let's talk." Athrun guided Kira towards the back porch.

Kira hesitated to follow, still frozen in shock, but recovered shortly after.

Lacus smiled in her surprise. "I love the new look…" She tried not to be awkward about it.

"Thank you. Just felt like doing something different." I smiled with pride. I flipped my hair held in a high ponytail for confidence and effect.

"Tell me everything." Lacus brought me over to the table and offered hot chocolate while she poured herself some tea. That was my favorite tea and I don't really care for hot chocolate. "May I have some tea, actually?"

Lacus sat down, handing me some tea. "What is this all about?"

Athrun gripped the railing on the patio as he stared out to the neighbourhood. "She is driving me crazy… she has made so many changes, it is like she is a completely different person now."

Kira leaned back against the same rails. "She lost her career… she worked so hard to be at that hospital, to be a surgeon… I can understand why she would lose it. She must be devastated."

"I know… I've tried, Kira. She won't let me help her. I don't know what to do."

"All we can do for her is be her support. When she realizes she needs you, she will come to you for help." Kira encouraged.

"I'm sorry… You got married and I am talking about my problems." Athrun cleared his mind and forced a smile. "How was your trip?"

"The city on the water is only slightly more romantic than people let on. Maybe it is because I was with Lacus. I could be biased."

"I think you would have been happy going anywhere as long as it was with her."

"True. But what she loves, I love. She was so happy, how could I not be."

Athrun couldn't help but think about his honeymoon with Cagalli. "Enjoy it as much as you can. Things may change over time. Make the most of it."

Kira locked eyes with Athrun. "Cagalli will come around. Perhaps she needs to feel useful again."

"I've already encouraged her to find a new career, but she won't have it."

"What about hiring her at the shop? She could help with reception."

"I would have to fire Meyrin. I can't do that. She has filled in so much since you were away on vacation. She really stepped up."

"Meyrin? Your babysitter?" Kira was surprised.

"Don't make it weird." Athrun teased.

Kira's eyes widened and his whole body revealed his panic. "You aren't-"

"Of course not!" Athrun snapped. "I would never hurt Cagalli. Meyrin is a good friend. Nothing more."

"Yeah… I know you wouldn't… but I also never believed that Cagalli would lose herself nor her career. I just wanted to make sure you hadn't changed too."

"You can relax, Kira. I am not going to change."

"Good."

There was an awkward silence descending over them.

"Can I expect you back to work tomorrow?" Athrun changed the subject.

"I will be there." Kira leaned his elbow on Athrun's shoulder.

Lacus lowered her gaze to the cup of tea, not being able to take a sip. "That's so awful…" Tears were filling her eyes.

Lacus' compassion always made me feel important to her. She is my sister and I missed her so much, but I couldn't let it on that I did.

Lacus stood up and pulled me into her embrace.

That was all it took and I burst into tears, clutching her tightly.

Kira and Athrun came in to see us crying.

Athrun felt awful for the way he had felt and placed his hand on my shoulder and rested his head against mine.

I broke from the embrace and rushed to the bathroom, leaving everyone in worry.

"Oh dear…" Lacus clutched onto Kira's hand for comfort.

"She has been sick with grief. Sorry about all of this." Athrun turned to them.

"You don't need to apologize. I just wish there was something I could do to help her." Lacus cried.

I returned later to see everyone sitting at the dinner table. Athrun stood up, but I gestured for him to remain seated. "I'm alright." I was really excited about what I learned while spending time in the washroom. There was a warm glow in my features that I could not suppress. I locked eyes with Athrun's unsuspecting eyes.

Lacus read my face easily. "You're pregnant!"

Kira was struck with shock, but he wasn't the only one.

Athrun's jaw dropped. "A-are you?"

"Yes. I am." I was going to have a child! Athrun's child was in my womb! This became the happiest day of my life.

"Yay!" The children chimed.

Lacus celebrated and quickly brought the wine out, but when she saw the look on Athrun's face she realized it. "You didn't know…? I'm sorry, I ruined the surprise."

Kira just watched his friend to see how he felt.

"It's alright."

"I'm going to be a sister!" Lizzy cheered.

"You are a sister. Chase is your brother." Athrun explained.

"I am going to be another sister!" Lizzy corrected.

"Something like that." I gently encouraged and sat down next to Athrun.

Athrun placed his warm hand in mine and smiled warmly. He whispered. "Are you sure you are ready for this?"

"More than ready." I smiled back. These little brats weren't really my kids, but this child was going to be mine for real. I couldn't be happier.

"Shall we eat?" Lacus invited before things got awkward.

"Yes!" Chase chimed.

They all giggled and commenced the eating.

Cagalli's POV

Clotho paced back and forth on the greyish white tiles of the airport. "I'm sorry… Orb wasn't meant to be."

I sat there looking down at my ticket. It read Eurasia and the flight would leave in an hour. I had chosen Eurasia, because it was on the mainland. Hopes that I could cross the border into a country that would have better relations with Orb, was all I could cling to. This route was a risk, but a necessary one. Because of my influence, I was granted a passport and necessary paperwork to travel internationally, but Orb wasn't on the list of connecting airports. It was a lovely island nation that I called home. The peace I had come to take for granted enveloped their islands, but here, there was hurt everywhere I looked. Rumors spoke of the war, and skirmishes that ensued made that reality hit harder every day. Trying to travel under the threat of war, couldn't be done easily. I am just glad that this war is not with Orb.

Clotho sat down next to me. "You are going to owe me big time for all of this you know. You and me alone all weekend. I don't want to hear any protests." He leaned over me. "I am getting lucky. Promise me that."

I couldn't do that. Not to Athrun. "When we get there. You will have your answer then." I had to keep stalling and it pained him. It was torture and I couldn't take that suffering away from him.

"Come on. You have been playing hard to get for far too long." Clotho leaned back in his seat. "What did I do to deserve this?"

"I can't explain it."

"Please. I need to know."

"I am not the same girl you fell in love with."

"You're right. The girl I fell in love with would have sex with me." He pouted.

I felt my face burned at his bluntness in a public area.

"Heavy, heated, dripping wet, passionate sex." Clotho pouted dramatically.

The people in the aisle in front of us gave us weird looks. I was trembling with embarrassment. "He's just kidding."

Clotho gave me a stern look. "Sex is no joke. I need it and I want it now."

"You are acting like a child."

"If that is what it takes to get your attention, so be it." Clotho smirked cheekily. He leaned into my shoulder and uttered the most inappropriate things he wanted to do to me when we got to our destination. I could feel his breath tingling on my neck and it stirred things that I wanted to suppress. I smelt the slightest bit of liquor in his breath. He was drunk?!

"Of all the times you could have done that… did it have to be now?" I whispered in urgency.

"I left my home. But… you would know what that feels like, wouldn't you." He snarked.

I felt anger rising in me so much that I slapped him across the face, glaring at him. "You have no idea what I have been through."

Clotho clutched his cheek and remained frozen by my actions.

Silence filled the void. Everyone was looking to see what I would do next.

"I would if you would tell me." Clotho groaned.

I sat down again. "You wouldn't understand."

"Try me." Clotho insisted.

"I am not… her." If he reacts poorly, he is drunk so I could just tell him he imagined it. "I'm not Meer Campbell."

"And who are you then, huh?" Clotho didn't believe me to be expected. "Martha Stewart? Katy Perry?" He thought about how she didn't want to have sex with him. "Elton John?"

"Of course not." I took a deep breath before speaking again. "My name is Cagalli Yula Zala. I am married to Athrun Zala and have two wonderful children. For some reason, I am in Meer Campbell's body."

"Fine. Don't tell me." Clotho acted like he was being mocked.

"It's true. Every word of it. I swear." I defended.

"You expect me to believe that you have children?"

"It isn't that hard to do when you are married."

"You hate kids." He announced 'as a matter of factly'.

"That's because I am not her."

Clotho studied me for a moment. "I don't believe this… No, you can't be… She can't be… How? It isn't possible. This has to be a dream."

"You would dream that the woman you love is another person?" I snarked slightly.

He shook his head in objection. "No, of course not!"

"Then I am telling you the truth."

"How? There has to be some way of explaining this."

"A shooting star… maybe." Even I wouldn't believe that. What other explanation is there?

"You wished upon a star? Where is she?"

"In Orb. I would assume."

Clotho jumped up to his feet. "Then we are going to Orb."

I felt my heart flutter in relief. I took his side. "Do you love her?"

"Nah, nah. I am not getting into your lady trap. You aren't going to tell your friends anything."

"Like they would listen. The only reason I assume you believe me is because you are drunk."

"I am not drunk."

"I can smell it on you." I growled.

He lifted a bottle out of his bag. "You mean this?"

I took the bottle and the label said 'drunk prank' mouth spray. I glared at him. This was no time to joke around.

"I had to. You wouldn't talk to me."

"So you pretended to be drunk?" I hissed.

"Maybe if we weren't getting on a plane and flying halfway across the world, I would have gotten drunk for real."

"You are unbelievable." I heard the flight attendants calling for their seats. Soon we were on a plan that would 'take us halfway across the world'.