A Little Help From My Friends

"Just how do you keep getting into my house anyway?"

Meyrin held up a tarnished old key, which was now firmly attached to her key chain. "That potted plant on the back doorstep. The dead one. Looks like they used to be geraniums."

"I see." Athrun hated geraniums, unlike his mother. Though he always kept one their since she died, he had stopped caring about things like that after Lacus. He had stopped caring about a lot of things. He didn't even place flowers on his parents' grave site on their wedding anniversary this year. November 9th; the day came and went without him even knowing.

"Don't tell me you're surprised to see me." Meyrin put her hands to her hips, standing over him as he lay in the bed.

"Not really. You've all but moved in," he gave up. There was no keeping her away. She had been with him nearly every free moment for the past few weeks. She stayed over on the weekends and even a few weeknights sleeping in one of the spare bedrooms.

"That's what I'd like to talk to you about." Her expression turned suddenly serious.

Athrun was dreading this. "It's not like I could keep you out now that you have a key. But don't expect too much from me."

Meyrin relaxed. "Good. Because I've already brought a bunch of my stuff." Sighing she continued, "And I don't expect any thing. We're just friends, right?" She placed a gentle hand on his chest.

"Yeah." Athrun let out a relieved exhale, glad to have that issue cleared up.

"What do you say we go out for the day? You know, do something fun." Meyrin laughed, "Who knows? Maybe you'll meet an interesting girl and I'll meet an interesting guy."

"Maybe so." He had severe doubts about that.

"Come on," she took his hands and pulled him out of bed. "I've got just the thing."

Girls have some strange ideas of fun. At least, that's how Athrun viewed the situation. Fun can mean dancing, quiet walks in the park, watching romantic films, theater, etc. But deep down he knew exactly what Meyrin had in mind. It was something Lacus liked to do whenever she was feeling down.

Shopping.

Athrun ended up holding a few bags, but Meyrin was kind enough to let him browse through more guy-friendly stores at his leisure. Sporting goods, electronics, music, books and other such things.

She asked, "Are you going to get that? You've been eying for quite a while."

"No, I don't need another golf club. My set is fine. Besides, I don't play that often." He replaced the driving iron in its appointed display and resumed walking around the massive mall with his companion.

"Where to now?"

"Don't tell me you've run out of stores already," Athrun chuckled.

"No, but it's getting late and there's only so much a girl can afford on my salary. So, any ideas?"

"Yeah," his smile receded a bit. "I do have one."

"Good evening, Mr. Zala. Your usual table?" The host was dressed in a well-tailored tuxedo, complete with tails.

"That'll be fine, Herbert." Athrun wasn't exactly on a first name basis with the gentleman, but his name was on a plaque at the podium. It always had been. And Athrun was once quite a regular.

Meyrin was a little taken aback by the exchange. And the place itself. Sliding into a spacious booth across from Athrun she whispered,"I've never heard of this place. It's got to be outrageously expensive."

"It's not that bad. And it's a well-kept secret, so don't go blabbing about this place to Shinn and Luna."

"Of course." Meyrin didn't have to be told that this place was special. Athrun must have come here often with Lacus. Meyrin was also quite glad that Athrun insisted on changing into something more presentable. Most here were in suits and nice dresses.

"Hmm," Athrun examined the wine list carefully. It was unnecessary as he had memorized it long ago.

"Are you sure this is alright?" she asked above the soft music playing in the background. The lights were dim, serving to add to the romantic atmosphere.

"It's fine, so don't worry." He mistakenly thought she was concerned about the expense.

An elderly gentleman came to take their order. "What shall I get for you and the lady, sir?" Having secured their palate's desires, a crisp turn preceded his march to the kitchen.

Meyrin noticed that a lot of people were staring. "Um, Athrun."

He answered curtly, "Ignore them. They're not used to me being here with someone else."

Actually, Meyrin had become increasingly aware of how others were taking a keen interest in her presence with Athrun. Not so much at work, but whenever they went somewhere together it's like she felt she was intruding. Like she was taking up sacred space once occupied by someone far more important. "You'd think no one ever saw a guy and girl just be friends before."

"One would think," Athrun muttered.

Then Meyrin saw something that turned her white as a sheet.

"Something wrong?" He was about to turn his head . . .

"Athrun, don't look toward the bar." There was a sense of urgency in her voice. "Please."

He didn't obey. It was her. Without a word, he got up and left Meyrin.

"Athrun!" She tried to yell silently. It came out more like a desperate hiss.

He didn't hear. Taking a seat next to her he ordered, "Scotch and soda. Didn't know you were back in town," he stated to the lady.

"Athrun?" Lacus hardly recognized him. "You do not look well."

"Thanks. I could say the same about you." But he knew it wasn't true. She looked stunning, though her face was slightly more careworn than he remembered from their last encounter.

"How are you feeling? Is there anything I can do?" She placed a gentle hand on his wrist, preventing him from drinking the newly arrived beverage.

"Nope. I'm just fine. You?" He placed his free hand over hers. Their fingers laced together as if it was the most natural thing to do.

"I'm a little tired. Trying to keep busy." The care and sincerity in her eyes indicated what she would say next, "You know, I . . ."

"Don't say it," he cut her off. "Let's not talk about it."

"You're right. It'll only make things worse." She finished her wine and tried to pay the tab but Athrun got his money out first. Placing that same gentle hand on his cheek, she bade him farewell. "Take care of yourself, Athrun."

Her touch was so soft and warm. Her scent lingered in the air about him long after she was gone. Sitting next to her made all the feelings come back; a wellspring of love and joy opened deep within him. But now it was being slowly replaced with an unforgiving hatred. After a while, all these raging emotions would be replaced with a void. It took another scotch and soda before he remembered that he didn't come here alone.

Meyrin asked upon his return, "Everything alright?" Though quite peeved, she wasn't entirely unsympathetic.

"Yeah. Sorry." Athrun realized she must have sat here alone for at least a quarter hour.

"It's fine. The food just arrived." It took a lot of courage for her to ask this next question. "How do you feel?"

"How should a person feel when they lose a lover and their best friend in the same instant? She was the only person I ever confided in, the only person I was ever really close to."

"There must be times when you just want to forget." She would be shocked by his response.

"Never. If I forgot her, then I'd only be forgetting a large part of what makes me who I am."

"You know, there's a lot more to you than that." Meyrin showed him the kindest smile she could muster under the circumstances. "And I know you'll do alright for yourself once you get back on your feet."

Athrun had a little too much. Not that Meyrin didn't partake herself, but she knew she'd have to hold back or there would be nobody to drive Athrun's car home. And she wouldn't feel right just leaving it at the restaurant and taking a cab.

Athrun, of course, couldn't drive. He wasn't very steady on his feet either, so Meyrin took charge of that too once they got home. She had taken charge over so much of his life already that this seemed no extra burden for her to carry.

"Watch where you put that hand," Meyrin warned.

"Sorry," he slurred. He balled up his fist to keep the fingers from swaying inappropriately.

She had his arm draped over her shoulder so he could lean on him as they trudged up the stairs side by side. This naturally left his fingers near a forbidden area. Knowing he didn't intend the offensive movements only helped her disposition somewhat. There was nothing she hated more than a drunk making a pass.

"Don't worry about it," Meyrin sighed. "Here we go." Gently, she let him slump on the bed. The only help she felt comfortable offering now was the removal of his coat and tie. The rest he would have to manage for himself.

"Goodnight, Meyrin."

"See you in the morning." Flicking off his light, she made her way to her room. My, my. I've been through some bad breakups, but I've never seen anything like this. Poor guy.

Now in her own bed, dressed in warm flannel pajamas, she had time to think.

Athrun's been a good friend to me. Perhaps the best I ever had. I wish I could be that for him now, but will he think I'm just trying to replace Lacus? Will he look for something more than friendship from me? Can I give that? He is rather attractive . . . That startled her. She had never thought of him in that way before.

Meyrin shook those thoughts from her mind. Must be the alcohol talking. There's no point in dwelling on these things. Sure he's a great guy, but that's not what I want right now. And it's definitely not what he needs.

She lay there for an hour, her mind racing. Giving it up, she decided to go check on her ailing friend. He was asleep, still in his dress shirt and pants. Athrun moaned in his nightmares. Meyrin knew exactly what he was dreaming about. Unable to think of a way to comfort him, she left and sought sleep of her own.

Eventually consciousness slipped away and Meyrin was forced to struggle through her own unpleasant dreams.

"Sorry about last night."

"You don't have to apologize, Athrun." Meyrin smiled across the small breakfast table at her roommate.

"You've been a big help and I don't want to offend you." That was about as much as he had opened up to anyone in the past several months. Hey was trying to say that she was the one friend he didn't want to run off.

"Really, Athrun. It's fine. No harm done." She wasn't sure if he was apologizing for leaving her alone at the restaurant or for inadvertently feeling her up. Not that it mattered much now.

"I'm glad." Slowly but surely, he was beginning to warm up to his semipermanent house guest.

Something for which Meyrin was quite glad. "How are you? Really?"

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "I try not to think about it."

I get by with a little help from my friends . . .