A/N: Hello! Here is the next chapter, on the exact date I said! Dang I'm good! Anywho, this part includes a lot of Dearka and Miriallia, so I hope you will like it. (Sorry if I seem really mean to Dearka in this one. I just loved how it played out in my mind) Now, enjoy!

Chapter 3
Knowing Too Much

Miriallia Haww stepped out of the elevator, Dearka Elsman following behind. The auburn haired girl tried some of the doors, checking if people were inside, or if they were just empty. Her acute sense of sight, along with her hearing, had heightened during her years of photography, yet she noticed no one. Her sky blue eyes narrowed, however, when she heard the elevator door ding again.

Dearka yawned, stretching his tan arms above his head. He had finally gotten Miriallia alone, and she was being paranoid about something to do with 'military secrets'. He watched her with his amethyst, curious eyes as she stiffened and turned back towards the way they had come.

"Stop worrying so much, babe. We're alone, aren't we?" asked Dearka, trying to seduce Miriallia into at least a kiss.

"That's not the point. I heard something back there and I think we should check it out," Miriallia eyed him and grinned. "Besides, I know all you want is a kiss, but I'm going to see how long I can make you suffer."

Dearka ran his hand through his blond locks as he put on his best puppy-dog face. Miriallia laughed and decided that she might as well enjoy herself. Pulling him to her, she kissed him deeply until she heard another sound, like heavy footfalls, coming in their direction.

She broke off the kiss and pushed him into the closet, which she had opened only moments before. Dearka, being of perverted mind, thought that this was going along quite well.

"You get any ideas and I swear you'll never have sex again," snapped Miriallia, peaking out the crack she had left in the door. Dearka pouted as he watched his dreams fly out the window.

Someone rushed by them and Miriallia opened the door, stepping out carefully. Dearka followed, and they went in pursuit of the person.

They heard a door slam and the sound of a lock go into place. Miriallia put on her best 'lets-go-check-that-out' face and Dearka pushed her behind him, not wanting her to get hurt.

Dearka noted the only door that was locked and carefully placed his foot on the side, near the handle. With a harsh kick, the door flew open and a scream came from inside. Dearka immediately grabbed the young woman and pulled her out, hand clamped over her mouth.

"Dearka! Let her go! It's Cagalli!" exclaimed Miriallia, taking her friend out of Dearka's arms.

"Thank God, it's you and not that person that threatened…" her eyes grew wide, "Athrun!"

Dearka and Miriallia exchanged a glance, but soon another set of footfalls sounded in the corridor.

"I take it someone's after you," said Dearka, pushing both girls against the wall, where he could keep a good eye on them.

Someone came into view but slowed as they began to approach Dearka. Dearka, eyes narrowed, took in the person's appearance; green shirt, black pants, sunglasses, the only thing that didn't match was his hair. It was a bluey-black, and seemed very familiar.

"Athrun!" said Cagalli, pushing away from the wall and stepping up to the man. He smiled at her and nodded.

"Athrun? You mean Zala is the one you were talking about?" asked Dearka. Then he laughed. "Wow. This is the first time I've ever seen Athrun even talk to a Natural, let alone protect one."

"And I see Dearka is still chasing after woman he can't get."

"Don't go there, dude. That hurts you know," grumbled Dearka. Miriallia giggled.

"Who was he?" Cagalli asked, eyes on Athrun. "I know he was looking for me but who is he? And why did you tell me you wanted me to hide?"

"Miriallia knows who you are, right?" asked Athrun. "And I trust Dearka, even though he can be an ass sometimes."

"Miriallia knows, yes. But I really don't want anyone else to know," replied Cagalli.

"Cagalli, how does he know?" asked Miriallia.

"He was being a freaking Sherlock Holmes and put two and two together."

"Wait…Now I recognize that voice, and the face! Yzak and I went to Orb to talk to you! You're Lord Uzumi's daughter, Cagalli Yula Attha!" exclaimed Dearka.

"Damn you. All Coordinators are Sherlock's, I presume?" inquired Cagalli, crossing her arms, a pout forming on her face.

"Cagalli, someone threatened to kill you," said Athrun, drawing all eyes to him. "They asked if I was keeping the princess of Orb in secret, and then they told me that no one gets in between him and his gun. I think you should leave."

"No!" shouted Cagalli. "I came here for a reason and I will find out what I have to before I leave!"

"Told you, Dearka. It wasn't just a false rumour; ZAFT is hiding something. Something military wise," said Miriallia, eyeing Dearka.

"Was that what those men were after?" Cagalli asked Athrun.

"When?"

"When I saved you. You said you got rid of an item of importance. So, is that the secret ZAFT is hiding?"

Athrun's face turned grave and he saw Dearka's eyes studying Cagalli. I won't have her killed, Dearka, so don't even think about it.

"Athrun, I need to talk to you," said Dearka and he moved away, leaving the girl's alone.

"Why does she know so much?" asked Dearka once they were out of earshot, but not out of eyesight.

"I'm not sure. Surely they don't think that what we've been developing is military wise! That would be murder to us," muttered Athrun.

"That disk has all the information they need, Zala. Yzak will freak once he finds out that the princess of Orb is here and is searching the buildings. Where did you hide it by the way?"

"I never hid it. It's in my pocket."

"Well, destroy that disk. Construction is almost complete, so you don't have to worry if you destroy it."

"And what will we do with our two witnesses; kill them?" inquired Athrun.

Dearka shook his head. "There's no way I can force myself to kill Miriallia. I haven't even slept with her yet!"

"You never change, my friend," laughed Athrun.

"Could you bring yourself to kill the princess?"

"She's Kira's half-sister. I think I would have to go through him before I could get anywhere near her. And besides, she hasn't done anything yet."

"'Yet' being the key word here," muttered Dearka. "But we need to eliminate the problem. Destroy the disk, Zala, and keep her under surveillance." Suddenly, Dearka's face lit up. "I know! We could keep both girls at our houses, therefore they can't get out of site."

"You just want to get her into bed," muttered Athrun.

"Stop ruining my dreams! Man, you're as bad as her!" snapped Dearka. "You know she actually told me that if I got any ideas, I would never have sex again."

"Serves you right." Then Athrun thought about it, and an evil idea came to him. "Maybe that's not such a bad idea. That way, Miriallia can keep you from getting ideas and you'll be half-decent to be around."

Laughing at the look on Dearka's face, Athrun walked back to the two girls.

"You're staying with me now, Miss Attha and Miss Haww will be staying with Dearka. We need to keep you under surveillance. You know too much."

"You can't keep me under surveillance!" shouted Cagalli. "I have to report to Kisaka and Kira is staying with me and –"

Athrun cut her off, "Kira has been charged with keeping Lacus safe. She is recently someone everyone wants to get their hands on. And I won't let you report to anyone!"

"Why not! You can't just tell Kira I'm staying at your place. He'll think the wrong things and–" Suddenly Cagalli stopped once Athrun's face changed. "Dear God, you want him to think that!"

"Better than letting him know that I know your secret!" retorted Athrun, ignoring the blush he knew was on his cheeks.

"Why would Kira care?" asked Cagalli. Miriallia and Dearka were staring at them. "You two seem to know each other quite well, even though he never mentioned you to me."

"He…didn't?" Athrun seemed crestfallen and Cagalli's eyes widened.

"He told me that you two were good friends, but that was all. I didn't want to know; having to deal with too many things at Orb took up my time."

Athrun shook his head and tried to smile at Cagalli. It came out more like a smirk.

"Don't smirk at me, Zala. I'm only doing this because I think I'll be safer at your place," said Cagalli. And I'll be able to make Meer jealous! Oh yes, this is what revenge is all about.

"Come on," said Athrun, grabbing her hand as he led her away. Dearka grinned until they were gone then turned to Miriallia with a scared look in his eyes.

"This is not going to be fun for me is it?" he asked her timidly.

"If you even think of touching me unless I give you permission, you'd wish you were a girl," she said sweetly, before walking away.

Dearka looked absolutely petrified.

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Athrun opened the car door to his Red Lamborghini and held it for her to get it. Cagalli stared at the shining surface of the beautiful car. Kisaka had always wanted a car like this, but he had said that the princess of Orb wouldn't be very disguised if the car was the flashiest thing they saw.

"This is your car?" she whispered, awed.

"The Chairman does get to chose what car he wants, yes," replied Athrun, chuckling. Cagalli glared at him.

She sat down in the car and was staring at it with pure excitement when he started it up. She then had a very interesting thought and turned to him.

"So, Chairman Zala, do you live in a mansion or something?" asked Cagalli, laughing behind her hand.

"First of all, my name is Athrun, not Zala or Chairman Zala. Second of all, I don't live in a mansion, so I'm sorry if you won't be comfortable there," replied Athrun, eyes focused on the road.

"You don't live in a mansion? Now, what are people on Earth to think of the Chairman if they find out he lives in a petite house?" smiled Cagalli.

"You'll see for yourself," replied Athrun.

They drove for twenty minutes before Cagalli began to nod off. She had her hand against the glass and her head resting on her palm. The lights of the city began to fade away as he continued to drive. Cagalli yawned before succumbing to sleep.

Athrun smiled as he watched his princess fall asleep. She almost looked like an angel. He slowed the car and turned into a secluded spot that wouldn't have been seen from the road if not for the reflector pole standing by the drive way.

The house was petite, or in Athrun's eyes it was. A two-story home with at least six bedrooms and a well sized living room. He parked the car, got out and carefully opened the door. Rain splashed down on Cagalli and she woke with a jolt. Staring up at him with bleary eyes, she fumbled with her seat belt, but her fingers were clumsy and useless. Athrun smiled slightly and reached across, unlocking the seat belt and pulling her out of the car. She fell against him, eyes already closed and Athrun had to calm his heart as it went into overdrive at her touch.

"Now, now, wake up," he said, shaking her. She shook her head and murmured an incoherent 'No,' before snuggling against his chest.

Athrun picked her up, bridal style and she sighed as her feet left the ground and grasped a fist full of his shirt in one hand while she nestled against his neck.

Rain poured down in a drizzle on the two as Athrun made his way to the house. A think layer of mist had formed on Cagalli, and she looked to be almost glowing. Athrun carefully cradled her against his body while he fished out his key and opened the door. Closing it, he locked it and trudged up the stairs. Cagalli winced at every step, but was content that he hadn't put her down yet. He smelt like the rain and pine, which was odd, but she enjoyed his scent anyway.

He opened another door and carefully laid her down on the bed. He began to pry her fingers from his shirt, but she was being stubborn. Instead, he saw her lips twitch and she rolled over, bringing him down on the bed. He fell across her and quickly got up, face red as a tomato.

"You know, you're a bad princess. They're supposed to be sweet, and innocent and at least thank the person who got them out of the rain," said Athrun sarcastically.

Cagalli cracked open one golden eye to look at him. "One, I am not a princess in a fairytale, and two, I got wet as well, so I don't see why I should thank you for getting me out of the rain." She yawned broadly. "But I will thank you, Zala, for putting up with me for so long."

She turned over, pulled the pillow closer to her head and fell asleep. Athrun stood by her bed for a long time before he went to sleep himself. Though, when he closed his eyes, all he could see was a certain blonde girl, flustered and beautiful.

To Be Continued...
Next Update:
02/08/05

A/N: And this concludes the next brilliant chapter of "Influence of the Fates." Once again, give me your reviews and your thoughts and I shall update as soon as possible (if work doesn't interfere). I will be updating tomorrow because in a week I'm gone on a holiday so, it will be another two weeks after that. So I will update almost every day till then. Adios!