Disclaimer: I claim no profit from writing this story. I own none of the characters. Aye, I only claim credit for my plot.

"Ladies… Please let got of me." Athrun pleaded as he tackled with yet another pair of hands that had somehow wound itself round his arm. The screaming, giggling and winks were overwhelming, when was he this sought after anyway? His patience slipped another notch as perfume from a lady dressed in a nurse outfit engulfed him, cutting his oxygen supply momentarily. He should have brought his sunglasses along, or maybe getting a drink from the bar had been a big mistake.

A feminine voice rang out then, its tone haughty. "Move it ladies, the man needs to breathe."

"Oh no… It's Meer Campbell…" A lady dressed as an elf helper for Santa whispered. "We better leave while we can!"

The ladies abruptly released their hands on Athrun, sending him stumbling back. Within moments, the coast around him was clear and breathing wasn't a difficulty anymore. Turning to thank his rescuer, Athrun stopped and pulled back the hand he was about to extend in gratitude. Before him stood a lady dressed exactly like Lacus, her hair, her features, her dress code. The main difference was that she filled out the clothes much fully than the real Lacus.

This was eerie.

"Lacus?" Shaking his head with a confused expression he corrected himself. "No, Lacus… look-alike?"

The lady laughed a laugh that sent the hair on Athrun's skin standing and his ears ringing with a dull pain. Whoever this was, looked like Lacus, but could never fully emulate her personality. She moved closer, and Athrun out of sheer polite stood still.

"My name is Meer Campbell!" She flicked her pink hair with arrogance and proceeded to interlock her arms coyly around Athrun's. Ignoring the more than coincidental brush of her breasts against his forearm, he started to scan the bustling room for a sign of Dearka.

"You think I looked like Lacus too didn't you? I heard the Athrun Zala was present at this party, and I was so happy!" Athrun ignored her, mouthing 'Help!' as he finally located Dearka. Meer's back was against Dearka, so she didn't see the soldier slowly and steadily bearing down on them. "I heard you use to be engaged to Lacus, well since this is a costume party, let's pretend to be engaged! This would be so fun! After the party, you could drop by my place too, you know what I mean?"

The offer was promoted by several more of her flirty smiles and eyelashes that batted so fast, Athrun wondered if she was even aware of his horrified look. Cringing at the thought of being latched on any longer to her, he slowly and firmly disengaged her vice-like grip on his forearm and smiled gentlemanly at her.

"Miss Leer…" He began.

"Meer!"

Biting his inner cheek painfully to stop his snigger from reaching the ears of the displeased lady in front of him, he began his sentence again. "Miss Meer, I'm attached. And besides, it seems like you're needed elsewhere?" Dearka grinned as he neared them, saluting Meer mockingly.

"The chairman requires your presence Miss Campbell." The lady groaned uncharacteristically before him and stormed off, not before blowing Athrun a kiss. Clapping his friend's back, the relief shown on Athrun's face ignited laughter from Dearka, did the guy really believe his fame had diminished over the years?

"I can't believe people still remember me, I expected some, but those girls were… Do I really look that obvious to be Athrun Zala? I'm wearing an Orb uniform!"

Dearka pointed to Athrun's face. "With that face, you're bound to attract girls like a magnet, Athrun Zala or not." Looking around, Dearka led his friend to the curtains covering a balcony door. "I've fend off close to about ten men from the love of your life, but I'm more afraid of what she's doing inside than the men approaching her. It's quiet; she's not making a single sound."

"Shit! Is it an open balcony?" Athrun's worried frown evolved into shock as he grabbed the edge of the red velvet curtains. "She's alive Athrun!" His blond friend pulled his hands away as he smiled, amused. "We posted guards around the compound too, you've served at ZAFT functions right? Come on, a year and you forget everything?"

"No, it's just-" Muffled laughter escaped the confines of the balcony accompanied by the sounds of glass clinking. Dearka laughed nervously and tugged at his collar under Athrun's puzzled gaze. "Well, I kinda left out the part where she might be finishing the bottle of red wine she brought in." Athrun didn't hesitate a moment longer, wrenching the curtain wide open. Entering the small and chilly space, he took in the unstable condition and dishevelled appearance of Cagalli.

An accusing glare was shot at Dearka before the curtain was wrench back to cover the doors. Athrun loosened his tight grip on the curtains, closing the balcony door next. Now to face the next task at hand. Cagalli was leaning haphazardly over the railings, the bottle of expensive red wine half emptied. Pondering over the numerous ways he could approach her, he nearly missed her fall.

Cagalli wasn't drunk; thank the gods, her ability to punch his chest proved that. With a jerk, Athrun brought her struggling body tighter and closer to his. Her fingers were cold and shivered as his warm fingers brushed past them, deftly removing the bottle of red wine. Her fingers scrambled after his, but he kept it well out of reach. Athrun could sense Cagalli's growing frustration, and with a flick of the wrist he sent the bottle sailing off the balcony.

"What the hell! That's wine!" Cagalli gasped in outrage, surveying the gloomy grass patch underneath. "There could have been passer by's walking, you could've hit them with that!"

Athrun ignored her, shrugging off his white overcoat. "We're leaving." He draped the garment over Cagalli, and with a grim face made a beeline for the opaque doors.

"We're not leaving! Athrun Zala if you've got anything to say to me, do it now. If you don't, I'll be returning to that hell hole out there." Taking in Athrun's tense shoulders, Cagalli awaited her answer. She fingered the overcoat in the process, she could smell Athrun's cologne on it, and it warmed her better than any other material could. She was mad at Athrun, and for some reason or another for which she was oblivious of, he seemed to be mad at her too.

That's too bad then, by hook or by crook, she'd force him to a confrontation right here and right now.

Silence.

"Fine, I'm returning to the hell hole out there, have fun!" With that, Cagalli walked past Athrun her hand outstretched to pull the door open.

Instead, she found herself pushed against the opaque doors, Athrun towering over her. Let's say… His expression really wasn't very amiable either.

"You want to know what's bothering me? I'll let you know what's bothering me alright!" Cagalli swallowed her retort rapidly as Athrun pressed in, eyes narrowing. "You understand how your actions affect others, do you? I leave you just for a moment, and you're doing something that endangers your life."

Cagalli yelled back. "When?"

"Now! Like standing outside an open balcony, you could've been assassinated! And you're half drunk too! I came in, and you were too absorbed in drowning your sorrows or frustrations in that bottle of wine to even notice my existence! It could've been a man with ill intentions towards you; you could have gotten seriously injured!" Athrun paused for breath, allowing his words to sink in. By then, Cagalli was speechless.

"I'm not drunk…" She muttered back weakly, stubbornly refusing to admit all her mistakes.

"Be rational Cagalli! You reek of alcohol, and you can't even walk in a straight line. Yes, perhaps you aren't entirely drunk, but you're half way there. Think…" Athrun breathed in deeply, looking away regretfully. He had said too much, he was only her bodyguard after all. "I got carried away. I shouldn't have raised my voice at you, I'm sorry." He made a move to step back, but a slim arm clasped itself gently round his neck.

"We're both being idiots here. You're not the only one unhappy here Athrun. I know you're worried about my welfare, but I'm not totally defenceless too you know?" Cagalli hiccupped, snuggling deeper into the over coat. "You're unhappy with my disregard to my own safety, I'm mad at you for getting latched on by all those fanatic girls!"

"Those… girls at the bar?" Cagalli mentally slapped herself as she stared into Athrun's befuddled features. Was he really ignorant to how their actions could ignite jealously within her? How in the world did he even manage to court her in the first place? Whatever patience she had gained during the short period of time fled, under his probing questions of uncertainty.

"The Lacus look-alike Athrun! That girl who was constantly smiling at you, and touching you and pressing herself against you! That one! Did you honestly think I was standing waiting for you and would not actually get worried for you and LOOK for YOU?" Cagalli shouted exasperatedly, unconsciously mimicking the actions of the Lacus look-alike; Meer Campbell.

"Cagalli!"

"WHAT?" Unknowingly pressing her chest even closer to his free arm.

"You're… too close for comfort. I mean, not that it's not comfortable." "Athun-" "I mean, I'm not saying I'm trying to take advantage of you." "ATHRUN-"

Stuttering and blushing profusely, he straightened. "Yes!"

"Shut up, and kiss me." Cagalli didn't know where that came from, and judging by Athrun's gaping, he sure as hell didn't too. Maybe it was the alcohol, it drummed in her bloodstream, and it empowered her now. She didn't care if someone from the press might be stalking and snapping away whatever intimate moments she might ever get to have with Athrun. Morning would come and this party would end, there wouldn't be another opportunity like what they had now.

There wasn't going to be another moment like this.

Athrun had begun smiling as if he understood how Cagalli was feeling. Her duty overrode any chance she could have had with him, or perhaps, they won't trying hard enough to change their predicament. Running his hand under his overcoat and up the ZAFT blouse she had on, he stopped at her waist. "One kiss Cagalli, that's all we can afford."

"Yeah… I know." Her soft voice held a tint of sorrow as he moved in slowly and gently. She could feel his warm breath graze past her parted lips and she in return closed her eyes in anticipation.

"ATHRUN!" A harsh whisper filtered through the door as hard knocking accompanied it.

The couple sprung apart, Cagalli flushing in awkwardness and Athrun enraged as a spew of curses escaped his lips.

Dearka shuffled back a few paces as the opaque doors were flung savagely open and the curtains drawn back with equalled ferocity. He craned his neck trying to look behind his silhouette, but Athrun was faster. "This better be of some importance Dearka, or I swear I'm going to wring your neck."

"Whoa! Relax! I just wanted to remind you of the departure time, the shuttle isn't going to wait you know."

The party seemed to have gotten rowdier while they were in the balcony Athrun noticed, he could easily point out a couple of politicians who were currently engaging the services of a company of girls. Their loud cheering and laughter only served to aggravate Athrun who was sure he would have a migraine in the morning. Dearka sniggered remarking.

"Everyone's drunk. Even the chairman is a little tipsy. Yzak's having a hard time keeping the sneaking reporters out of the area." Dearka pointed to the door. "You might want to escort the princess by that way, the press isn't hovering outside. Plus, I have a sense of dread that the emcee is coming up with an item you don't want to be part of."

Athrun nodded wearily, thanking Dearka as his blond friend winked happily, disappearing among the jostling crowd at the dance floor.

Cagalli appeared at the door of the balcony, swaying a little. "Are… we leaving?"

"Yes." Athrun hoisted Cagalli upright with his right arm, wincing as the sudden blare of loud music assaulted his ears. Dragging the both of them a little further from the speakers against the walls, he paused devising a way to safely transport the both of them- especially a fast losing consciousness Cagalli to the door Dearka had pointed out. "Cagalli don't sleep, do it after we're out of here."

"I'm not tired Athrun, but on a side note, maybe I shouldn't drink next… time." Her speech slurred a little, but she still managed a goofy grin. The music in the background blared louder, causing him to cringe. Was there really such a need to blast the music? "Athrun?" Cagalli mumbled, pushing herself straighter against his side.

"Is something wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Cagalli shook her head slowly and peered at the stage strangely, Athrun followed likewise. "I think there's an item coming up; look, the emcee is taking the microphone." As if on cue, the music died down to a complete silence. Several guests in the centre of the dance floor booed loudly, some shouting for the continuation of music.

"Now, now fellow costume charaders!" His voice boomed out, vibrating the delicate glassware beside Cagalli. She groaned clutching her head as the voice died down, but fixed her eyes on the stage captivated. Athrun closed his eyes in defeat, when Cagalli had that look in her eyes; nothing was going to distract her from her object of interest.

They would be missing the shuttle that was for sure.

"Oh sorry about that, can we lower the volume?" The emcee dressed as a French cook patted the microphone experimentally, before resuming his speech. "I know you all are wondering what the heck is going on! HAHA! Let me tell you! Since the party has been such a success, we have decided to hold a small competition!"

The crowed began murmuring; Cagalli's eyes sparkled excitedly whereas Athrun turned to the wall in disgust. He knew all to well what competition it was going to be, definitely 'that'.

"Yes, yes, aren't we all excited? Now before I mention what type of a competition this is, let me remind the countless politicians and important political figures here that this room is paparazzi free!" The speech was spoken with a French slang and his free hand swung towards him and then the crowd repeatedly. "So now… for the competition… We want five couples to volunteer yourself; the longest couple who is still kissing will win themselves…. A mansion on the east side of ZAFT facing the sea! Fully furnished too!"

The crowd cheered, and people could be seen discussing the details with their dates. Athrun rolled his eyes at the spectacle; this was a game that only the new recruits were allowed to play during their enrolment bash. He still recalled Dearka's experience with such a game. Chuckling at the memory he watched in amusement as three hands rose up among the chattering crowd. Cagalli wasn't going to leave anyway; he might as well enjoy it. A hand shot up beside him, and he turned trying to catch the next couple. To his horror it wasn't anyone else…

It was them. Cagalli raised her hand.

"Cagalli! What are you doing! Put your hand down immediately!" Athrun shouted in mortification as he tried desperately to pry her waving and outstretched hand down. Before the emcee could spot them that is.

Too late.

"Yes!" The emcee boomed, pointing to the back of the room at the both of them. Athrun froze, while Cagalli laughed happily nodding enthusiastically. "Can we have that couple over there? The man in the Orb uniform and the lady in the ZAFT pilot uniform!"

Numerous heads turned to locate Athrun and Cagalli as they made their way through the crowd who parted obligingly upon seeing them. "Athrun, come on walk faster!" A tug on their interlocked hands sent him faltering as he bit out a reply. "This isn't funny Cagalli; think about the people who will be watching us!"

"Relax!" The stage loomed in view as the emcee grinned wildly at them, waving them over. "It's a win-win situation for both of us. We need somewhere to stay, and our shuttle's gone. Think of how livid Kisaka would be when he finds out I'm homeless here in PLANT." They had now begun ascending the steps by the stage. "And I want a kiss from you Athrun, we were interrupted earlier, but I don't think we can and would be interrupted on stage. It's all for the fun! Relax alright?"

"I can kiss you anytime after the party Cagalli…" It was an empty promise, he knew it. Cagalli stopped at the last step. Expecting her to yell at him, calling him stupid, and punching him for his lack of intelligence for such an answer, he was taken aback by her soft reply.

"You know that's not going to happen Athrun…" Her tone was laced with remorse and a sad smile flitted across her visage. Before he could apologize and assure her, they were accosted by the emcee and her sad smile was replaced by a bright and sunny one.

Seeing her laugh and blush under the scrutiny of the crowd, Athrun couldn't help loving her more and more. He made a silent vow.

I'll try harder Cagalli, and this time for sure, I'll complete the dance we started but never saw through.

How. Was. It? I know that some things might not make sense, and this might again seem to be rushed. However, I hope people don't hate me for it. It's a 3 part story, so I have to finish this within 3 chapters. I really don't want to go more than that. I hope you all enjoyed the story.

Ritachi- I have a longer story planned out, I shall unveil it in the 3rd part of the story. I hope I didn't try to switch scenes too fast again. I tried to regulate, so tell me how I did?

decisiveconclusion- I'm glad I made you laugh and have a happy time reading my story.

Kori Tenshi- Thank you for taking time to review.

gseedlover- Indeed, Athrun and Cagalli forever. I share the same sentiments.

Akirou- Thank you! I'm really happy I made you laugh by reading my story; it makes me happy when readers enjoy themselves while reading a story!

moi- Sorry for the let down on Yzak/Cagalli interaction. I just couldn't fit it into the story, but this can be brought forward to my next Cagalli/Athrun story. Thank you very much for the idea.

asga- Thank you taking time to review, I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

Pickles21- Here is the next update; I hope I didn't take long. Enjoy!

Crazy-Destiny- It wasn't exactly Lacus, Cagalli will always shine no matter what she wears. I love Cagalli, she's perfect!

awerpt- Thank you very much for your comments. "Land a move on her" from Dearka, meant that he was hinting Athrun to kiss Cagalli during the party. I hope you enjoy this chapter as well.

yuugiri- I missed you. I hope things are working out fine for you; you have my prayers and wished with you. I'm glad you enjoyed my story, Renewal won't update as fast as this fan fiction. I have no inspiration. It's a real bummer.

kura52- Thank you for your reviews, here's the next instalment for your reading pleasure.

Blackcyra- Thank you! I'm very happy you enjoyed yourself too; I hope this chapter is to your liking and you have an enjoyable time too!

Rurouni-inu- Thank you for your help my faithful beta reader (:

Please review and let me know how I fared in this chapter! Feed me, review please (: