Disclaimer: Bandai owns all of Gundam Seed. I own nothing!

Athrun should have known. He lambasted himself for allowing such a thing to happen. After all, he thought he knew her pretty well. When she assured him things would be fine, he stupidly believed her.

Guess what? Things weren't okay. This was the fourth time she was doing this. It doesn't get any better after each time.

And he should have definitely known.

Athrun sighed and paced anxiously in the hallway. They wouldn't let him in, let him see her, sit next to her. It didn't matter that he was possibly the closest person to her, at least other than Kira. It didn't matter if he was Cagalli's significant other. It didn't matter if he was a ranking official. It didn't matter if he threatened to bust his way in with a GUNDAM either. None of that mattered.

Cagalli was on her own. Again.

Damn.

He slammed his right first against the wall in frustration.

Dumb, Athrun, dumb.

Never again will he leave her alone after this. It's not that he didn't trust her. It's more like he'd die of the stress caused by wondering how she was doing. He'd stick to her hip if that were necessary. But never again will this situation ever happen again. This has to be the last time.

The doors in the hallway swung open and a tall, tired man came through and walked toward him.

"Athrun Zala?"

"Yes?" Athrun uneasily replied.

"It's over now. You may see her."

Athrun didn't wait and just rushed past the man and through the doors. He traversed the hall briskly toward another set of doors, wondering at the same time how'd he react or what kind of face should he have when he sees her. Should he be obvious with his concern? Should he be happy or angry with her?

Should he put on the 'I'm a pilot and war veteran, I can handle anything' face?

When he reached the room, she was against the wall, exhausted it seemed. Athrun walked right up to her and grasped her hands in his. "Well?"

Cagalli had an unreadable expression on her face as she looked up at him. Athrun wondered if this would be like the last time. Another disappointment. Another heartbreak. Another reason to try again.

Suddenly, she beamed and leapt into his arms. " Athrun, it was great! I did it! I finally did it! You should be so proud of me!"

Athrun's eyes widened as his arms tightened around her. Things were okay. No need to try again. No more anxiously pacing or stressing for him. She was successful.

"So…" Cagalli grinned as she kissed his chin playfully. "Does this mean I can tackle cooking next time?"

Athrun cocked an eyebrow. "Cagalli, you just got your driver's license after many difficult attempts. I'm surprised that you managed to finally go through this without almost running someone over. Now you want to consider taking cooking lessons too?"

"Is there anything wrong with that?" she growled slightly.

Athrun hated it when her voice started growling. It could mean bad things for him tonight. Worse, it could be a week. He swallowed. "Er, nothing at all."

"Okay then! Starting next week!"

"Do me a favor though?" Athrun nervously asked.

Cagalli, pleased that Athrun agreed, had her 'I'm happy' voice back again. "Sure!"

"Promise me that you'll have Kira try your cooking first."

Athrun drove home with a slightly bruised head and an angry Cagalli after all.

-End