"Is THIS your idea of a nice, relaxing atmosphere to chew the fat?"

Athrun's incredulous expression almost made Cagalli smile. Almost. Right now, he was being a real pain in the nether regions.

Anyhow, what was wrong with the public swimming pool? It wasn't contaminated with germs or anything!

She crossed her arms indignantly. "Of course it's nice and relaxing! Besides, didn't you read in Reader's Digest that swimming is a form of exercise that is more soothing for the body than most callisthenic activities?"

He rolled his eyes. "I'm not talking about 'chewing the fat' in the literal sense! I'm talking about our little 'chat'! Haven't you heard of English substitution?"

"Save your complaints for someone who cares, buddy! I'm going to untie you now. And when I do, you're going to come with me without putting up a fuss."

He rolled his eyes skyward. Is she crazy or just plain stupid? Who in his right mind wouldn't want to escape as soon as he's let loose from his kidnapper?

Cagalli narrowed her eyes at him, and as if reading his mind, she added, "You also have to promise you won't try to get away."

"And what if I break my promise anyway?" he asked testily.

"Then...I suppose I should warn you in advance that I used to be called the 'Goddess of Track and Field' when I was in high school. I'll run after you, catch you, and then I'll do...something." She emphasized the last word meaningfully.

He snorted. "What kind of threat is that? I bet you don't even know what horrible something you would impart on me should I run off!"

She grinned from ear to ear. He didn't like that grin. "Oh, you'll see. Just remember, I won't be so forgiving when you have to face the consequences of my wrath. Now promise!"

He sighed and lifted up one hand. "I promise that I will not run away." Although that doesn't mean I won't give it a try...

With nimble fingers, Cagalli quickly loosened the rope and freed him. A strong urge to run as fast as his feet could carry him assailed his mobility. But he calmed himself down. He shouldn't take her threats lightly. She was demented and unpredictable and he was still at her mercy.

I'll play along...for now.

XXX

Chapter Four

It was fairly crowded in the public pool. They sat under one of the vacant sunshades when she began her analytical probing.

"Now, tell me about yourself."

"I'm bored, I'm tired, and I want to go home."

Cagalli gave him a lethal glare. "Try again, Zala."

Athrun rolled his eyes. "I'm nineteen, I'm British, I'm an official, I live in Britain, and I find cowgirls most annoying. There, you happy?"

"Excuse me, but there's such a thing called 'in-depth' information. You know...the information that can't be found in some random magazine featuring the great nineteen-year-old British official who hates 'cowgirls'?" she asked with raised eyebrows.

"Well, be specific!"

"All right then." She paused for a moment. "How do you really feel about Lacus Clyne?"

"That's a stupid question. I love her, of course!"

For some reason, hearing him declare his feelings for Lacus...hurt her. It really did. She cleared her throat in an effort to calm herself. "Oh...okay then. Umm, well, tell me about your favorite things. Like your favorite color, your favorite food, your favorite songs...et cetera."

"Well, I have an affinity for black. I enjoy spicy food the best. And I don't think I have a favorite song. Not much time to listen to them, remember?"

She smiled sympathetically. "That's so sad, you know. Songs are music to the ears and it gives the soul serenity and a sense of peace."

He laughed bitterly. "That's funny. Then how come the last time I heard music during my mother's funeral, I didn't feel serene and peaceful at all?"

"How old were you?" she asked before she could bite her tongue.

His eyes took on a faraway expression. "I was five. She died in a tragic car accident. Father was never the same again after that. He buried himself in his work to assuage the pain of her loss. So it was like losing both my parents all at once. And when he passed away, I felt...nothing. Because I knew even if no one else did that he was already dead to the world."

Poor Athrun...he must have had a very lonely childhood. "I empathize. I lost my mother when I was young too. But I feel blessed to have my brother and my father around."

Athrun cocked his head. "Despite your annoying self, I have to admit, I truly do admire that you love your brother to the point that you would kidnap someone and infringe the law."

She colored slightly. "I'm just doing my sisterly duty. I mean, it's a big sister's job to take care of her younger sibling." She fanned herself with a hand. "It's hot, isn't it?"

"Hmm...The day is unusually warm. Perhaps it's because of the change of the earth's equator that's raising the temperature and...W-What are you DOING?" He looked freaked out when Cagalli stood up and began to pull up her shirt. He covered his eyes with one hand and waved his other hand wildly. "Hey, stop! This is a public pool! Don't you know any shame?"

He immediately felt like the world's biggest dumbbell when he peeked through his fingers and saw the red and green striped one-piece swimming suit under her shirt and pants.

"I'm just going for a quick dip. What did you think? That I wanted to do a strip show for you?" she asked, lips twitching.

His cheeks flamed. Bingo!

She rolled her eyes. "Well, flush that perverted thought out of your brain, Zala. If you want a strip dance, then you've picked on the wrong woman. Only my future husband, if there's any decent man left in this world to marry, will ever see me in the nude."

"Well, how was I suppose to know you wear a swimsuit under your clothes wherever you go? Do I look like I have X-ray vision?" he snapped.

"No need to burst a blood vessel over something so trivial, Zala. Besides, for your information, I do not wear a swimsuit wherever I go. But I intended coming here since I like to swim and so I prepared myself beforehand. Now, while I'm in the water, I trust you won't attempt to run away?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

"You have my word," he said solemnly, hiding his crossed fingers behind his back.

"All right," she gave him one last wary look before turning her back on him. Athrun's jaw almost dropped open when he saw her stride to the pool. Who knew the tiny blond had such shapely legs?

Cagalli was right. I AM a pervert. Stop thinking dirty thoughts, Zala. You're an engaged man. Remember Lacus?

As soon as Cagalli stepped into the pool, Athrun slowly stood up.

This was his chance. RUN!

He was about a few feet away when he sensed something was wrong. He glanced backward and saw Cagalli floating facedown on the surface of the water. She was not moving.

"C-Cagalli!" Athrun felt a jolt of alarm hit him. Escape became the last thing on his mind as he backtracked as fast as possible, praying nothing had befallen the blond. Why he was worried for the crazy blond was beyond him. But he would worry about that later.

As soon as he arrived to the edge of the pool, he plunged into the water, clothes and all, and quickly pulled Cagalli out.

What the HECK?

Cagalli's amber eyes snapped open in shock when she felt someone tug her out of the swimming pool and to the side and unceremoniously dumped her on dry land. She sputtered and opened her mouth, about to give whoever that rude individual was a tongue-lashing he would never forget, when his lips descended and met hers.

XXX

Athrun touched his still stinging cheek and sighed.

"You didn't have to slap me so hard, you know."

"After what you DID? I'm surprised I didn't slaughter you on the spot!" Cagalli snapped as she put on her clothes. Her own cheeks were colored with a light red shade.

"Woman, I was trying to SAVE your life!"

"I didn't NEED saving, Sir Lancelot! All I was doing was floating on my front, minding my own business, when you decided to pull your perverted moves and force you lips on mine!"

"I was simply trying to perform CPR!"

"Hah! A likely story!"

"Is this the thanks I get for worrying if you had drowned because of cramps or muscle strains?"

"You can eat my knuckle sandwich as thanks!"

"I'm starting to regret coming back to save you," Athrun muttered under his breath.

"Coming back?" Her tawny eyes widened and then narrowed at the insinuation in his words. "Now I get it. While I was swimming, you were plotting your escape! Your promises are worth less than a cent, Zala! Oh, we're really racking up a list here. A grouch," she raised one finger, "a liar," the second finger, "and a pervert who takes advantage of innocent women! That's THREE black marks against you!" She raised the third finger and waved that hand accusingly in his face.

"For the last time, I am NOT a pervert!" He looked a bit guilty then. "Although I do admit to the grouchy part and I did try to escape...but in the end I'm still here, am I not?"

Cagalli didn't budge an inch. "Now how shall you be punished? Should you be tied to the stake? Forced to walk the plank? Dropped into a lake full of bloodthirsty piranhas?"

He blanched. "You can't be serious!"

"Of course I am. But..." She frowned "...the kidnapee should be returned in good condition, right? So I guess I shall release you from the torture I have planned...for now."

"Nice to know I've been spared from further pain," he said dryly. "So after the swimming pool, what other terrible destinations do you have in your twisted mind?"

"Patience, you'll find out soon enough. Now stand still."

He sighed resignedly and Cagalli quickly threw the rope around him again.

As she led the way out of the open-air pool, she couldn't help but touch her lips in wonder.

Now that she thought about it...

...his kisses deserved one good mark.

She scowled. No kind thoughts about HIM, Cagalli. He's your brother's enemy. The one who's going to steal Kira's beloved and marry her in less than three days! You can't afford to have warm fuzzy feelings for him!

But to give him credit, at least he felt the importance of her well-being was more imperative than his escape. Didn't that imply she meant something to him?

Her eyes softened at the thought.

"Hey, Zala?"

The emerald-eyed man in question shot her an insufferable look. "What is it NOW?"

"Thanks. You know, for trying to save me...even though I didn't need saving."

He raised an eyebrow at the unexpected gratitude, but he smiled nonetheless. This time, it was real smile without the force or the sarcasm in it, and oddly, it made Cagalli's heart go thump-thump-thump. "You're welcome."

Just as I suspected, she mused, his smile truly is beautiful...

XXX

TBC

XXX