Phase 27: The End Of The War

Everyone in the Archangel, Kusanagi and Eternal's eyes almost popped out of their heads when a massive explosion lit up space. Genesis had blown up, and they knew Athrun and Cagalli went in there to try and stop it from firing on Earth.

Lacus screamed and flew over to the window of the Eternal.

"Cagalli..." Kisaka whispered with a mortified look on his face.

Commander Waltfeld grunted sadly in his seat.

There among all the debris and too far away for anyone to see, was a mobile suit still intact. It was grey as its phase shift had been depleted. The door to the cockpit opened. Out peered a blue haired person, and then out came a blonde to stand next to him. They were holding onto each other's shoulders looking at each other, as Cagalli was still teary from almost losing Athrun. He started tearing up seeing her this way, knowing how much she cared for him and knowing how much he scared her. Then they hugged each other and broke out into loud sobs. They cried because of all the battles they fought in. They cried because they lost their friends and fathers to the war. They cried because they almost lost each other. And they cried out of relief that it was all finally over.

Just then birdy flew passed the Strike Rouge.

"Kira?" Athrun asked as he looked at Birdy.

"Where is he?" Cagalli asked as she looked over at Athrun.

"Let's follow him," Athrun suggested.

Cagalli strapped herself back into the cockpit as Athrun sat across her lap. She followed Birdy in the Strike Rouge with the cockpit door open, until they saw Kira floating through space without the Freedom.

Kira saw a light in the distance through his tear filled eyes, and then saw Birdy flying towards him in front of the light. The light finally became an image, it was Cagalli and Athrun in the Strike Rouge. Athrun and Cagalli had huge smiles and tears of relief escape their eyes, as they found Kira and saw he was okay. Kira did the same when he saw his best friend and twin sister.

Athrun helped Kira into the mobile suit. Cagalli now had both boys crunched up in her cockpit as she flew around looking for the ships. Kira told them how he faced Rau in a long and gruelling battle, and killed him just before the Freedom was destroyed. The three teenagers were just so happy that the war was finally over and it was all thanks to their efforts.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

After everyone had returned to the ships and hugged and cried, they decided to all have a drink in the Archangel cafeteria. As much as they all needed to rest, they first wanted to celebrate. It was a celebration for the end of the war and their hard work and heroic efforts. It was also a tribute for their fallen friends and family such as Mu, Patrick Zala, Lord Uzumi, Nicol, Tol, Ahmed, Aisha, Chairman Clyne and so many more. They all truly deserved to kick back for five minutes and take the edge off. Some changed into civilian clothes and some just loosened a few buttons on their uniforms.

Cagalli changed into her white pants with her usual red top, that this time wasn't hidden by her jacket. Athrun was sitting on Cagalli's bed waiting for her to come out of the bathroom. He was sitting holding his helmet, still in his flight suit as his change of clothes was on the Eternal. Kira had taken a shuttle to the Eternal as soon as they boarded the Kusanagi. Athrun told Kira to go alone, as he wanted to wait for Cagalli; although he wouldn't mention that last part to Kira.

Cagalli finally strolled out of the restroom. Now that Athrun was allowed to admire her physique, he surely did. He normally just had to make sure to look at her from the waist up, as to prevent her white form fitting pants from giving him impure thoughts. But now she was wearing a tight top too… Heaven help me, he thought to himself as he began missing her baggy clothes from the island.

"What's the matter?" Cagalli asked the staring Athrun.

Athrun cleared his throat, "Uh nothing." He tried to get his thoughts back on track. "Can I have a lift to the Eternal? I still need to change." Athrun asked sheepishly as she was his ride now that the Justice was destroyed.

"You know, I kinda like you in that," Cagalli admitted shyly. It always reminded her of when they were on the island, and now their first kiss.

"Then I guess we better head to the Archangel," Athrun said with a smirk as he placed his helmet on her bed. He just undid the top of his flight suit so that it wasn't so confining.

Cagalli blushed as she didn't expect his response and then noticed how he got up and walked to the door leaving his helmet on her bed. Is he planning on coming back here?

"Are you coming?" Athrun stood at the door waiting for her.

"Yeah," Cagalli said with a raised eyebrow.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Athrun and Cagalli took a shuttle from the Kusanagi to the Archangel. They walked into the cafeteria to see a few of the Archangel crew there already.

"Finally you made it," Kira said with a smile while he was sitting at one of the tables.

"Well well well," Dearka said clearly already intoxicated. "Not only does my man Athrun move on fast, but he has a type… He likes a woman on top."

"Pig," Miriallia growled next to him.

Athrun was just about to grab Dearka when Cagalli beat him to it.

Kira jumped up from the table in between the hot tempered Cagalli and the loose lipped Dearka. "Oookay, let's go over there," Kira said as he had Cagalli by the shoulders and escorted her to the opposite side of the room.

There was laughter and the clinking of glasses. Things that none of them had heard or done in months. Athrun and Cagalli were each dying to be by the other's side; but were scared of overwhelming each other, as it was still the uncertain beginning part of the relationship. Athrun stood watching the twins have a conversation from across the room. He began thinking of the strong bond he had formed with each of them. He found it strange how he formed it with them individually and before he knew they were siblings. He wondered if it was fate. He wondered if it had something to do with their bloodline. If they had had more siblings, would he feel captivated by them too? People had always described Athrun as "a bit on the quiet side", but he wasn't that way with Kira and Cagalli. He was able to be himself and speak his mind.

"You know that Athrun has been staring at us all night." Kira pointed out to Cagalli.

"What? No he hasn't." Cagalli blushed and pretended to look angry.

"I think my friend likes you," Kira said as he was still looking at Athrun. He then turned his head to see the blushing Cagalli. "I'd say my sister likes him too," he said mockingly. "Is there something going on between you two?" Kira already knew the answer as he'd been watching the pair more closely than they'd realized; and judging by Dearka's statement, anyone with a pair of eyes could see how they felt about each other.

"What? No! Shut up, Kira!"

Kira chuckled, "Don't you think it's weird how he is important to both of us and then you and I end up being twins?"

Cagalli looked at Kira puzzled.

"Well think about; our DNA is identical, so it would make sense for us to have the same friends or friends with similar qualities. It is strange however that he likes both of us, seeing as we have two very different personalities."

"So much for your identical DNA theory," Cagalli said sarcastically as she looked over at Athrun with her arms folded. "Maybe that's because of a different upbringing."

"How are the brother and sister getting along?" Lacus said with a giggle as she walked towards them. "Come and join us at the table. I would love to get to know you more, Cagalli."

Cagalli smiled at the long haired girl; her and Lacus were very different people, but she was starting to warm up to the girl. She was now starting to realise that Lacus wasn't there to be her competition for Athrun's affections. Also that she hadn't treated Athrun badly, they just drifted apart and didn't love each other in the right way.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx