Maybe I'm Amazed

Upon arriving home, Athrun was greeted by Meyrin.

"I think I'll leave you two lovebirds alone," she had laughed on her way out.

Cagalli wasn't downstairs. She wasn't in the room she used when sleeping over either. Instead she was on his bed.

Or rather, in his bed.

"Cagalli?"After receiving no response, Athrun hung up his coat and tie. Sitting by her side, he tried again. "Cagalli?"

She was fast asleep, the smell of coffee and brandy wafting towards him with each exhale.

"Well, at least you don't snore." He went downstairs to make himself a sandwich.

She didn't join him.

Though early, he changed into his pajamas and brushed his teeth for bed.

Cagalli was still asleep when he got back to his room.

Dilema: If you're an all around good guy, do you wake her up? Do you crawl into bed with her and hope she doesn't freak out when she wakes up? Or do you sleep on the couch?

"Couch it is, then."He took his favorite pillow with him. Though there were a few other beds to choose from, Athrun just wouldn't feel right sleeping in them.

It had been a long day, so the fact that it was only 8 o'clock mattered little. Work, then his parents, then Meer.

I'll have to remember to place those calls in the morning. He first had to get in touch with the guy. It shouldn't be too hard to convince him, as Athrun would know if he had a steady girlfriend. Then he had to call Lacus and see what she would be wearing. With their looks being so similar already, it would be bad if Meer showed up wearing the same thing. Girls are weird about that.

Consciousness went by the time he finished his mental to-do list.

A couple of hours later, consciousness was forced back. Slowly and steadily, something pulled him out of a contented sleep . . .

"Cagalli?"

A satisfied 'Mmm' was the response. She was kneeling by the couch, and she had kissed him awake. "Wake up, prince charming."

"You're drunk."

"Kiss me," she demanded.

"But . . ." His protest was cut off by her lips.

"Touch me,"she pleaded.

"But . . ." Lips again. Then she crawled on top of him.

It took some effort on her part. "Athrun," she whined.

"What?"

Sticking out her lips in a pout, she asked, "Why? What's wrong?"

"You're drunk. Do I need to say anything more?"

"Then have a few drinks of your own and lets make out."Pulling off her favorite red t-shirt, she slurred, "Who knows? You might get lucky."

Dilema: Be obedient and take advantage of the situation? Or be chivalrous?

Damn. Chivalry is overrated. "Cagalli, I don't think we should . . ." The problem solved itself.

She was asleep again.

Kissing the top of her head goodnight, he fell back asleep. Those contented dreams became a little more . . . contented.

"What happened?"

Athrun had been awake for some time. If he hadn't been pinned to the couch, he would have aspirin ready. "You had a little too much."

"That's why there's a freight train in my head." Cagalli didn't have to rub her temples.

Athrun was already doing that for her. "Yep. Ready to get up?"

"No." It came out as a whiny moan.

"Okay. Just a little longer." He didn't have long to wait.

"Where is my shirt?"

"Don't know. Want me to find it?"

"Bring some pain killers, too."

Athrun had little difficulty in sliding out from under her.

Once the necessary items had been acquired and brought before her, Cagalli had a difficult decision to make. Well, it shouldn't have been that hard, but she couldn't think. Having a train in one's head can do that to you.

Shirt or aspirin? Which comes first? Cagalli couldn't make up her mind.

Seeing her confusion, Athrun decided to make the decision easier.

He put the shirt on her.

"Drink up." Athrun made her drink the entire glass of water. "Now let's chase that with some breakfast."

"Ugh. Food?"

"Would you rather sleep?"

"I think so." The words were scarcely out of her mouth before Athrun lifted her into the air and carried her to his bed.

"I'll bring you breakfast in bed when you're ready for it." Kissing her forehead, he went downstairs to get on those calls.

The company Christmas party. A lot of people showed up. Under the circumstances, this year's ball wasn't as lavish as the first party Athrun had been to.

It would be unseemly for a company in trouble to blow money like that.

"You look fabulous. Stop fidgeting." Athrun ran his fingers through Cagalli's hair.

Cagalli always had trouble managing her hair. That's why most of the time she didn't try very hard. This time she had."I worked hard on that!"

"You messed it up. I like it like this." His comment earned him a pop in the arm.

"Well, you had damn well better 'cause you're going to be stuck with me all night, Athrun Zala."

"All night?" He grinned mischievously.

And she blushed. "Um . . . okay."

"Good. I wouldn't have it any other way."

They were one of the earliest couples to arrive. Actually, the second. Shiho and Yzak had beaten them by a few minutes.

"Zala," Yzak greeted Athrun.

"Yzak," Athrun initiated the handshake with his friend. Truthfully, Athrun couldn't get a good enough read on Yzak to tell whether or not they were friends, but he decided to give Yzak the benefit of the doubt.

At least Shiho knew how to be friendly. "Everything is ready. People should be arriving any minute."

And arrive hey did. Things went off without a hitch. Lacus came late with Kira and they spent most of the evening dancing or talking alone to the side. They would occasionally come and keep Cagalli company, but not for too long. They used the pretext of not wanting to get in the way of her and Athrun having some quality time.

Not that they could possibly get any time to themselves in an event like this.

In some ways, that first party would be remembered as the best they ever went to. Cagalli had been in trouble. Athrun had saved the day. And they had spent most of the evening alone where they could talk in private.

Now they had to be sociable. Mingling with the crowd could be fun, too. But given the choice, both would have taken quality time over talking shop with company employees.

And the moment Athrun was waiting for finally happened.

Entered an accountant. Small frame, curly sea foam green hair. He looked rather sharp in his tux. In addition to being an old friend, he was also the brains of Lenore Holdings. He managed all of Athrun's accounts and investments.

"Nicol," Athrun waved him over. "It's good to see you. Thank you for coming."

"No, I should be thanking you." Nicol greeted Athrun with a hearty handshake. "Looks like a great party you're throwing."

At Nicol's side was Meer. She had gone back to pink, wearing her hair straight and long. A golden star held her bangs in check. A violet evening gown fit her form perfectly.

"Athrun," Meer greeted him with her usual. A light kiss on the cheek, leaving just a trace of pink lip gloss. "Thank you so much for introducing us."

They only spoke for a few minutes before their duties required them elsewhere, but Athrun kept a watchful eye on them for the entire evening.

"You're taking a keen interest in those two," Cagalli observed.

"You know it. I hope to God this doesn't turn out bad." I've already done enough to hurt that poor girl.

Cagalli understood. "Well, they are getting along."

Sure enough, Nicol was laughing and talking. And he was managing to keep Meer entertained.

Athrun commented, "You know, I think this is the most I've seen him talk to a girl before." He thought back to his comment about getting Nicol out of his shell. Using Meer to open a guy up could wind up being like using a grenade to open a can of soup. If she likes him . . .

"They'll be fine," Cagalli pulled on his arm. "Let's do some dancing of our own."

"Sure."If she really likes him . . .

All evidence indicated that Meer and Nicol were hitting it off.

And if he likes her, too . . . he's going to be a lucky man. Athrun smiled as he asked, "You want to know something?"

Cagalli just rested her head on his chest.

"Maybe we should think about settling down."

"Really?" She didn't even look up, but Athrun could tell that she was holding her breath.

"Yep." Athrun slipped a small box into her hand. "I was just thinking . . ."

"Yeah?" She immediately knew what it was. The shape and plush feel gave it all away.

"If we don't hurry up, your brother's going to beat us to it." Athrun pointed her attention to Kira and Lacus kissing in the corner. "You'll be an aunt before a mother."

"No way! We're having kids first," Cagalli said it a little too loud.

Yzak snickered, "Way to go Zala!" Shiho started the applause, which slowly spread to the entire room.

Not that many of them knew what this was about. It took a few more minutes for the word to spread.

The floor cleared, leaving Athrun alone in the center with a blushing Cagalli.

"Guess this is it," he whispered.

"Don't keep us waiting," someone shouted. Probably Kira.

Kneeling, he slid the ring on.

Maybe I'm amazed at the way you love all the time. Maybe I'm afraid of the way I love you . . .

A/N

One more chapter to go . . .

End A/N