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

A/N: This is the last chapter of the three part series. I hope everyone who read it and reviewed and those who read and didn't review, enjoyed all three chapters. I tried my best to portray Cagalli and Athrun as best as I could in their original characters. I also tried to incorporate the difficulty for the both of them to posses any "alone" time together, this is being that Cagalli is the leader of Orb and Athrun is known as her bodyguard in Orb. Because of Cagalli's obligations, their relationship was on the verge of a break-up. Okay, I'm sure you all want to kill me now. So on to the story.

"How honoured we are! The Athrun Zala has graced us with his presence!" The emcee gushed excitedly as he ushered a reluctant Athrun beside Cagalli. The emcee rattled on about his Father's accomplishments, but the coordinator didn't pay attention to his words. The couples assembled with them had captured his undivided attention. He wasn't the only one though; Cagalli's mouth was open and no words could be heard as she struggled. Eventually she managed to stutter out the words,

"Miri! Wha-What are you doing here?"

The natural reached a hand behind her to pull a sheepishly smiling Dearka forward. "This, is why I am right here." Her expression held mild annoyance and her cheeks turned a brighter red as she gave the cheering crowd a side glance. "I want to get off this stage right now."

Dearka visibly cringed at her sharp tone and Cagalli chuckled merrily. "The paparazzi are not allowed here Miri… Especially if I'm up here right?" Orange orbs bored into Miri's a brief second before she nodded slowly, resignation in her black eyes. "Then enjoy yourself!" The princess smiled widely as she patted her friend's shoulder blissfully. She seemed unaware of the apparent surprise in her friend's features as she gestured to Dearka. "It's great that you both are finally a couple, all the best ya? Been there and done it before."

Miri cast Athrun a puzzled gaze. "Drunk…" He gestured and mouthed beside Cagalli. "Drunk…"

"I can see that Athrun, I suggest you cease that prattling of yours." Cagalli snapped. "Anyway, congrats again from me."

"Thanks ver-" Dearka choked painfully on his sentence as Miri pinched his waist hidden from the crowd. They were currently listening attentively to the introductions of the first couple, Taila and their Chairmen Dullindal. "Miri…"

"Shut up you goofball, I don't want a word from you. You're the reason why I'm implicated in this sorry excuse of a contest."

"But Miri…"

Cagalli sniggered, an evil twinkle in her eyes as she slipped her hands through Athrun's free hand. The bickering couple before her and the one beside them was indeed a comical scene. Just beside them were Yzak Jule and a girl named Shiho. She definitely didn't know her, but the silver haired freak was yelling so loudly that anyone and everyone knew her name.

Athrun looked on curiously. "Yzak's known Shiho for years, this happens all the time."

"And they're supposed to be kissing?" Cagalli laughed, leaning into Athrun. The crowd suddenly cheered and Cagalli raised her head peering intently at the extreme left of the stage. Now that person looked familiar, she saw her with Athr- Cagalli could feel the warm body behind her tense, it seems they both recognized the woman together. Dang, the soldier beside her looked coerced.

Mia Campbell smiled, and winked at the emcee, whom glowed under her flirtations. Blowing a flying kiss to the raving crowd of politicians and soldiers who had gathered to watch, she smiled victoriously over their cheering. Yes, she'd get back to that slut who's partnered with Athrun.

She had observed them alright, they hadn't kissed a single time when alone. Well, that was if she ruled out the alone time they had in the balcony. She would have loved to peep at them through the velvet curtains, but that obnoxious blond soldier wouldn't have let her through if she tried. They could fool the masses, but they couldn't fool her. The small touches, those smiles full of hints and their constant understanding of each others emotions without communication. Hah! The princess and the bodyguard were in love!

"Mia-sama... I-I'm scared." The pitiful voice broke her train of thought, and she snapped back in an irritated tone.

"Pull yourself together!" Well, just her luck that she got such a pathetic excuse of a man up here with her. He was most likely a new recruit. His inexperience in rejecting her coy advances and pleas spoke volumes. Mia's eyes locked onto Cagalli's one as she threw the blond an evil grin. She'll win this contest alright, and her image to damn. Athrun, he's so going to be mine.

"I don't like that smile." Athrun whispered, tugging at his collar nervously.

Cagalli hissed angrily, her eyes not leaving Mia's. "Because it isn't a smile! Does everything have to look like a smile? That's an evil, scheming, perverse sneer." Athrun craned his neck further to catch a glance, but as if on cue, Mia's grin turned to a sweet smile and she directed it to Athrun.

"Doesn't look like it Cagalli, she's smiling. Erm, too sweetly actually." The Orb princess clenched her fist, and pulled them behind Miri and Dearka.

"That's because you're Athrun Zala, and she adores you prince charming! You're very dense for a bodyguard you know?" The audience clapped then, signalling their turn. "Okay, don't stutter. I'm here, take big calming breaths." Cagalli grabbed his hand then, interlocking them. "Don't squeeze my hand too tightly too. I'll kill you if you do."

The emcee approached them. Her hand was clenched tightly. 'Too tight Athrun!'

"So… This is the Athrun Zala isn't it? And this is…?"

"Cagalli Yula Athha." A few nods and whispers rocked through the crowd as people pointed at them.

"So… Who is she to you Mr. Zala?"

Athrun was silent, his face a picture of extreme serenity. Cagalli grimaced inwardly; this wasn't a question she had expected. The squeeze at her hand got harder; it seemed Athrun wasn't having an easy time too. The emcee raised an eyebrow and Cagalli smiled wider. 'Come on, come on Athrun. Say something, anything!'

"My significant other." The voice was composed, and a polite smile accompanied it. Cat calls were hurled at the couple and a wave of awe followed. His smile faltered a little as he swallowed the pain in his hand. Cagalli's smile was sickly sweet, but her eyes told him everything. 'You will die in the pits of hell later Zala. I'm not going to forget this!" Wonderful.

"Oh my! How sweet you both look indeed! I'm sure you will do well in the contest!" The emcee whirled to Cagalli. "You've been awfully quiet! How about telling us how you feel about the fine young man beside you?"

Athrun didn't have to look at Cagalli to sense her astonishment. Wasn't she supposed to anticipate nosey questions like this? The silence dragged as the murmurings grew in volume; they weren't going to be as considerate as they were to him than to Cagalli. 'I know how you feel about me Cagalli; you don't have to verbalize it in such a contest. '

Cagalli ignored the fervent tugging of her hand as she thought desperately for an answer. 'I think he's cool. No way! I think… he's a wonderful bodyguard. Athrun would never talk to me again if I said that. How about, I love you. NO WAY IN HELL. ARGH WHAT THE HECK!'

"Athrun makes me feel happy." The crowd silenced immediately and they looked expectedly at her expecting more. Uncomfortable with the attention she blurted out the next thought hastily. "He's good husband material too!" No sooner were the words out of her mouth did she receive a wave of applause and a louder round of cat calling.

Athrun was stunned. Cagalli's shy smile and red puffed up cheeks greeted him when the emcee walked off. The contest hadn't started, but he didn't know if he could stand not kissing her now. What in the world was she thinking when she said those words? A whole series of pictures entered his mind as he recalled her sentence. Cagalli sitting before the television awaiting his return, Cagalli cooking dinner, Cagalli giving him massages, Cagalli carrying their children, Cagalli in bed-

"Athun Zala, wipe that dreamy look off your face now! We're still in view!" Cagalli fumed, yanking his wrist hardly. Trust the man's mind to not wander. If he was thinking perverted thoughts about her… Oh, she'll make his night a painful one!

"Ahhh, sorry Cagalli."

Trying her best to ignore Miri and Dearka's amused expressions, she replied. "You better be…"

"Pretty boy's being a retard!"

Athrun scowled, "Shut up Yzak, we'll see who the retard is later!" The silver haired coordinator choked in anger trying his best to think of a comeback.

"I-I'll win!"

'Yeah right' everyone mumbled.

"Nervous? Thrilled?" Cagalli grinned, excitement bubbling in her eyes.

"Can't wait." Athrun muttered sulkily. "You're supposed to be drunk by the way."

"I'm tipsy!"

"Yeah right…" Athrun scoffed.

Cagalli's grin faded to an angry one. "What did you say?"

"Nothing! Nothing!" Athrun smiled apologetically. The sudden sharp blaring of the microphone drowned out Cagalli's retort as the weirdly dressed emcee cleared his throat importantly.

"Ah, sorry about that. We shall now begin the contest!" The crowd cheered, Yzak fidgeted, Chairman Dullindal smiled calmly, Dearka and Miri blushed, Mia shot Cagalli a nasty glare which caused Cagalli to ignore Athrun's attempts at romancing the situation, as she mouthed a vulgar word silently back to Mia earning her a look of suppressed rage.

"You… don't really like Mia do you?" Athrun whispered meekly, curious at her answer but very much afraid of her possible outbursts.

Cagalli raised an eyebrow. "Mia huh… Already on first name basis?"

"No… Ah…"

"Are my time keepers ready?" The emcee nodded at the soldiers stationed before the stage. "Alright, we'll start at my… my…" Cagalli rolled her eyes as the emcee paused, frantically rummaging through his pockets.

"Please tell me he isn't from the academy. Any academy within ZAFT."

Athrun frowned, realizing the disgrace that could have followed if a man like him was ever related to ZAFT. Turning side ways he regarded the crowd. A sea of red faces and goofy grins greeted him happily, some raising their almost empty glasses or wine bottles to acknowledge him. "Almost the entire crowd looks tipsy… I doubt they'd remember anything in the morning."

"Ah… I see."

"Cagalli…" He shook his head, stepping closer.

"Yes! I found it! My blue, polka-dotted whistle that can reach the ears of anyone standing 1500 metres from me. People you are in luck! Right, contestants on your mark…"

Cagalli smirked, tipping her head up towards Athrun. "We'll win this right?"

"3! Come on people count with me!"

Athrun lowered his head, smiling widely. "Have no fear dear princess, that mansion was considered ours to begin with."

"2! Chairman Dullindal! We have not started!"

"Cheesy lines won't help. I need action… prince." Athrun grinned madly in response, snaking his left arm around Cagalli's waist and jerking her towards his body tightly.

"1! The Athrun Zala cannot wait! Look at that people!"

Cagalli smiled sweetly in response, her mouth so close to Athrun's that she could feel the warm puffs of air he was exhaling. "Remind me to punch him later after we win, I don't think I can stand another line from him."

"O! Oh! Look at Mia-sama go!"

Athrun dived in as soon as he heard zero desperate to be able to finally have a long searing kiss with Cagalli. She met him halfway on his descent, her eyes closed and cheeks flushed. He smiled into their kiss and knew she must have felt it as she responded with a fiercer need, deepening the kiss. Euphoria exploded within him as he gently plundered her mouth, tongue sweeping past her trembling lips and slowly within. He barely registered Cagalli's hand that intertwined with his through the course of their intimate moment; it was a gesture that only sought to urge him on.

"Oh my… Chairman Dullindal and Miss Taila seem to have stopped. Oh wait! Mr Yzak and Miss Shiho too! What Mr. Yzak?"

Yzak cracked his knuckles as he began rolling back his shoulder blades. "I said, shut the hell up!"

The emcee squeaked under Yzak's advancing form, eyes darting to Shiho for help. A sigh and a tug from Shiho had him off the stage as he continued to curse loudly at the emcee till he disappeared from the view of the stage. The emcee wiped his forehead nervously. "Well… That was a close one…"

The couples that were left were Dearka and Miri, Mia and Unknown Soldier (who is starting to turn red faced) and Athrun and Cagalli.

Cagalli gasped, her hand tightening instinctively around Athrun's as their kiss increased in pace and heightened in passion. Her heart ached with the knowledge of the scarcity of such an intimate moment, but her need for oxygen now overrode all. As if possessing the power to read her mind, Athrun exhaled the much needed air she craved. Her lungs expanded and relaxed as she stood on stage-one hand clutching onto Athrun' waist, the other interlocked with his shamelessly gulping down the air hungrily. Her heart sped, her pulse was erratic, her face was aflame with ardour and she felt like heaven had descended on her! She couldn't stop kissing Athrun. Besides from the guttural groan he made and the way her supple body were pressed into his firmly, she doubted he wanted to stop too.

But moments like these aren't built to last Cagalli…

Athrun wretched his head away from Cagalli's bruised lips, breathing in deeply. "I can't go any further…" He rasped, turning to address the emcee. However, instead of a rowdy audience, he was faced with gaping expressions and an empty stage devoid of any other couple other than themselves.

"Wha-what?" A confused Cagalli mumbled as she stumbled, clinging onto him tighter.

"Yo-You've won. The lon-longest couple able to stay lock lipped. A mansion you've wo-won. We… App-pplause please, people. To the most passionately in love couple… Applause people. Applause…" The emcee stammered softly into the microphone instead of his usual shouting, igniting a streak of surprise and fear within both Cagalli and Athrun.

Stepping towards the emcee hesitantly, Cagalli and Athrun smiled weakly. They received their prize, a silver key tied with a red ribbon from the tearing emcee and eerily silent crowd.

Walking down the carpeted steps hand in hand they jumped as the emcee's voice blared over the sound system. "LET US LOVE LIKE THESE TWO YOUNGERSTERS MY FELLOW POLITICIANS! A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THESE ZEALOUS COUPLE!" All of a sudden, the room was filled with a thunderous applause. Cagalli frowned, her fists balling. "THEY SHALL BE OUR AMBASSADORS FOR LOVE. THEY SHALL BE A SHINING EXAMPLE OF UNDYING LOVE. THEY SHALL SHARE THEIR LOVE ADMIST THE SILKEN SHEE-MSSHHH!"

"Shut up you corny, demented," Cagalli ignored the mewling the emcee emitted as he clutched his fast becoming swollen cheek. "Perverse, retarded, no sense of humour prick... You…"

"Alright, alright! That's it Cagalli… Enough… Let's go… Come on..."

The crowd was roaring with laughter when Athrun exited the room, closing an exciting night they had behind the loud click of the doors. No words needed to be exchanged as they entered the black limousine, headed towards their mansion and the night.

"Athrun…"

"Hmm?" The sceneries flew past accompanied by the soft whirring of the car engine as he wrapped an arm round her shoulders.

"Thank you…"

He smiled a smile to the darkness surrounding them. "Anytime Cagalli… Anytime…"

A/N:

Thanks to these reviewers:

Cerulean, San, laku, Rurouni-Inu, Flyinangel777, yuugiri, KaguyaEvenstar, jenniferseedlover, animemistress419, animemistress419, gseedlover, Crazy-Destiny, Susan, awerpt, Akirou, asga, kura52.

I've read from somewhere that authors aren't allowed to post replies to reviewers anymore. Can anyone confirm this rumour? For the sake of not getting my story deleted in case it's true, I dared not reply any of the reviews. Again, a lot of thanks and heart felt gratitude to each and every reviewer who took time to read and give my your input. THANK YOU!

Anyway, here's a big wrap to my three part series of a story I tried to write out of whim. I met some bumps on the road, small lessons that teach me to plan for a story no matter how short. I apologise if this chapter was rushed, horrible, lack of emotions, no depth of writing, worth not even a chance reading.

Tell me if you hated it or loved it. Make my day and effort. Spend some time and let me know how my story was in your eyes.

Review (: