Note: Hey again! Thanks for the reviews from the last chapter! I appreciate it. Well, just as a side note, everyone in this story gets along and are friends…even though I know some are enemies so far in the series…like Shinn and Stellar/Kira. And sorry if people act OCC. Please read and review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam seed/Destiny

Cagalli waited in the main parlor for her friends who where putting their stuff away and getting adjusted. She hadn't felt this happy in ages. After getting hugged by everyone and surprisingly even Rey. He was about to shake her hand formally but Luna shoved her elbow into his gut, gave him a look, which caused him to stiffly hug her and pat her on the back. This made Cagalli giggle. Those two were very interesting. Luna would always be bubbly and hyper while Rey was contemplative and silent. But you could tell that two were very comfortable around each other and got along well. Cagalli knew Rey was very protective of Luna, even if Luna herself didn't know.

Cagalli sighed and took a sip of her drink. What she would give to be so happy and committed with Athrun. She was just too shy to start anything after that day when she told him she wanted to remain friends.

"Cagalli? You in there? You seem spaced out." Athrun's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh! Hi Athrun." Cagalli said smiling up at him.

Athrun sweat dropped. "I've been calling you for the past 5 minutes…"

"Really?" Cagalli said puzzled. "Well, it's not my fault! You probably weren't talking loud enough…" Just wonderful Cagalli…get defensive.

Athrun just smiled knowingly and sat down next to her. Cagalli relaxed and laid back on the couch with her eyes closed. She played with the ring that Athrun gave her. She had a habit of doing this when she was thinking or daydreaming. It reminded her that Athrun cared.

"Your schedule's cleared for today so we can all spend time together." Athrun said while looking at Cagalli's relaxed expression. Once again he was reminded how pretty she was especially when she wasn't yelling or stressed. She still wears the ring I got her…

Athrun was a very patient person. Well, more patient than Cagalli at least. He loved her. It was obvious to everyone too…everyone except the blonde, hot tempered princess. He loved how she could act so childish one moment and then serious and determined the next. Cagalli was a very complex girl. He thought she was adorable in every way, especially when she got angry. Her cheeks would puff up and she would turn red-faced. Sometimes he would deliberately get her angry just to see her reaction.

Athrun wanted a relationship with Cagalli, there was no doubt about it. But he knew that she was very shy when it came to anything romantic. The many times she blushed was enough evidence of that. True, he was hurt when she turned him down that day in the park and suggested that they stayed friends. But he understood that she did care about him. He wasn't sure if it was love, although he hoped it was. There was proof that she cared because she still wore the ring. I guess I'll just have to wait…

His thoughts were interrupted when Shinn and Stellar entered the room. Athrun smiled a bit and motioned for them to sit. He looked at the dark-haired Impulse pilot. During the war, Athrun had made sure to guide and watch over Shinn because heaven knows, he needed it. He had come to terms with his family's death and even realized that Kira and Cagalli weren't at fault. Shinn had matured greatly over the past few years and they had a close friendship. Stellar also helped in his growth as a person. Sure, he was still immature sometimes and liked to bicker a lot, especially with Cagalli. They argued like little kids. Luna would sometimes have to give him a good pinch to get him to stop, but Athrun would say that that part of Shinn's personality made him who he was and he wouldn't change it.

"Hey! Attha! Wake up! We all know you're lazy but you gotta entertain us!" Shinn said jokingly.

"Why you little annoying—" Cagalli stood up.

"You have a lovely house." came Stellar's quiet and serene voice.

Athrun laughed quietly. Stellar had a way of keeping the peace better than anyone he had ever seen. She was great at changing the subject when needed and keeping Shinn in line.

Cagalli stopped and blinked, all anger gone. "Er..Thanks. It was designed with a-"

She was cut off when she heard loud voices approaching. In came a miffed Meyrin who stomped her way into the room and sat down next to Stellar, pouting. Not long after, Luna came in sighing with a stern look on her face with Rey right next to her. Kira and Lacus followed, both laughing nervously and scratching their heads.

"What's the matter?"

"Luna is the matter! Grrr! She's such a big butthead…mumble mumble…can't believe her…mumble mumble..so mean" Meyrin said pouting even more and slouching in her seat.

"Um…ok…" Cagalli replied hesitantly.

"She's acting immature again." Luna said with a sigh. "She wanted to go on a date tonight, but I told her she can't and she knows she can't because we should all spend today together."

"But Luna, I can still spend the day with you guys and go on the date!" Meyrin said looking at Luna with puppy dog eyes, her pig tails adding to the effect.

"You don't want to spend time with us, Meyrin?" Lacus asked smiling sadly her blue eyes shimmering with tears. Eh? Where'd they come from?

"Um...er..of course I do! It's just that…"

"It's ok if you don't…I mean I guess we aren't just important enough." Kira added looking down sadly. Anyone could tell he was trying to hold in his laugher. Anyone but Meyrin who was stuttering and looking panicked. Good acting skills…

Athrun watched the scene trying not to laugh at Meyrin.

"No! I'll stay! I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings! I'll just…cancel." She trailed off looking defeated.

Luna mouthed a thank you and exaggerated it with a bow to Lacus and Kira behind Meyrin's back. They just smiled and Lacus winked.

"Well, there's nothing important planned today but tomorrow is a welcoming banquet for the representative from the nation of Rutherland (AN: I made that up…spur of the moment .). The representative is supposed to stay here for a while as well and maintain relations." Cagalli said and everyone nodded in understanding. After the war, it was very important to keep on good terms with every nation.

"Say…how about you let us girls talk and catch up?" Luna asked the guys smiling. The guys looked at each other and shrugged. They got up and decided to go and do whatever boys do.

"Yeah…I don't think you wanna be present for their girl talk." Shinn whispered to Kira and Rey. Both nodded and quickened their pace out of the room.

Once they were gone, Luna turned around and looked straight at Cagalli with a mischievous grin on her face. I don't like where this is going…

Cagalli laughed nervously and scratched her head.

"So…..hehe…um.."

"How has everyone been?" Lacus said saving Cagalli from Luna.

Meyrin shrugged and said, "I've been ok. Classes are really hard but you know, Kira is always a great help. I mean I understand more than most of my class, but I can't compare to Kira."

Lacus laughed at this. Her melodic voice filled with happiness. "Yes, he's very happy to help you, even if it takes you a while to get some problems."

Meyrin blushed in embarrassment. She knew what Lacus was talking about. There was a time when Meyrin couldn't understand an advanced program, even with her training from Zaft, and she stayed the whole day trying to figure it out. When she finally did, with lots of help from Kira, she was half asleep and very grouchy.

"What about you, Stellar?" Cagalli asked curiously.

Stellar cocked her head to the side and answered, "Well, nothing much has happened. I got to go scuba diving the other day to observe ocean life. I even convinced Shinn to go with me. He said I should have borrowed Auel's Gundam so we wouldn't have to get wet." She giggled at her boyfriend's thinking.

Cagalli laughed. "Geez…Shinn really is lazy."

Well…I'm one to talk. Cagalli thought of all the times she slept in and Athrun had to wake her up by dumping cold water on her. That resulted in her chasing Athrun around the house until she realized she was later than before. At least it keeps me in shape.

Luna laughed. "Well, Miss Lacus!" she said jokingly. "Why don't you tell us about how you and Mr. Yamato are fairing"

"Ohh! Stellar! Have you seen her engagement ring?" Meyrin asked the blonde excitedly while grabbing Lacus's hand.

It was a platinum band with a diamond center and sapphire petals surrounding it. Cagalli looked at her own ring. She felt an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach every time someone mentioned Lacus's engagement ring. It reminded her that her own ring wasn't one.

"I've been doing well. The supporters of the Clyne Faction update me periodically. Everything seems to be ok in the PLANTs. Well, aside from politics and such, the children are growing and always fun to play with. I left Haro with them."

Cagalli gave silent prayer of relief. That annoying pink mechanical ball made her want to bang her head against the wall repeatedly with its annoying voice and bright pinkness. What was Athrun thinking! How can Kira stand it!

"The wedding is going to be in the fall. You'll all be bridesmaids of course."

Cagalli almost gagged at the word bridesmaid. Being a bridesmaid meant wearing a dress and knowing Lacus's taste in clothing, it was bound to be pink and frilly probably each with a matching Haro. Cagalli shuddered at the thought. Ohh man! I'll have to talk to Lacus about that…

"Everyone seems happily!" Luna said cheerfully. "Other than all the studying I have to do for law school, my life's great! Especially since Rey is always there for me…just like how Athrun is always there for you…" Luna trailed off looking expectantly at Cagalli.

"What are you implying" Cagalli asked dryly.

"What's going on with you and Athrun?" Meyrin asked for everyone.

Stellar looked with wide eyes and asked, "Cagalli, is that ring on your finger from him?"

"Eh..yeah.. but um..let's not talk about me!" Cagalli said blushing.

"Oh no you don't Cagalli Yula Attha! We are going to talk about you and Athrun and hopefully you'll actually have some improvement in your relationship because we all know that you want to be with him now fess up and say how you feel!" Luna said all in one breathe.

Cagalli shrank away from her. Geez…no wonder she wants to be a lawyer…they always have to argue back…sheesh…

Cagalli sighed and looked at her ring. "I…I'm tired of pushing him away. This past year I have tried to convince myself that I didn't need a romantic relationship with Athrun to be happy. I thought friendship was enough. But I see everyone around me and I realize that I'm not completely happy."

The others nodded in understanding.

"Cagalli…" Lacus said sympathetically. "How about we help you? I mean we have the whole summer and everyone knows that Athrun likes you."

Cagalli's eyes went wide. She didn't like where this was going. That meant four girls trying to make her do things she didn't want to do.

"That's a great idea!" Meyrin said. "Because we all know that you won't go for him if no one pushes you to."

Cagalli narrowed her eyes. "What's that supposed to mean…"

"Uh…what she means is that everyone needs a small nudge in the right direction." Luna said trying to calm Cagalli's rising annoyance.

"Cagalli, you have a right to be as happy as everyone here. The war is over…and you've made sure Orb as well as the other countries haven't fought or argued. I think you deserve more than anyone to be happy. Let us help you." Stellar said this with sincerity.

Let them help me?

Cagalli thought over their words and decided that getting Athrun back was more important than anything and she was willing to accept the help.

With a small smile she nodded. "I'll let you help me."

…end of Chapter…

Notes: This chapter was mainly for the background of the characters and also Cagalli accepting the help from her friends. Next chapter…see what the girls do to help Cagalli, even if she is extremely reluctant to follow.