Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or its characters.
Attention: This chapter is roughly 7,000 words long. As well, it contains mild pairing hints at Dearka x Miriallia and Mwu x Murrue.
Love on Set
By: Orange Noel
Chapter One
A few days passed since the incident that occurred at Le Orange (1). Kira stopped carpooling with Cagalli, and Cagalli stopped phoning Kira when it became apparent that he wouldn't pick up.
Because of the whole incident, Cagalli avoided the set like a plague and sat alone in her makeshift office, which was originally Natarle's assigned office; she never assigned herself one, since she had always worked on the set for the entire day. Days passed and the blonde just kept herself busy signing and filling out various files. Usually this type of paper work was normally assigned to one of her assistants. Now, the roles switched where upon her assistants were doing her work, and she was doing theirs.
Murrue Ramius became concerned with her boss' disposition after a week. Peeking in from a little window in the door, she looked on, while Cagalli worked hunched over a stack of papers. Holding in a sigh, she reached the knob of the door in an attempt to confront the younger woman. Her hand just grasped the handle when a larger, masculine hand enclosed her own. A little startled, she turned to the person who intervened.
"Do you think it's such a wise to confront her so soon after?" Her blonde companion asked, while looking in the small door window.
"Mwu, so 'soon after' is a day or two. It's been now a week. I need to know why she's like this." Following his line of vision back to the window she paused and stated, "She hasn't been on set this whole time. She needs to do her job and oversee this production."
"Maybe you aren't the right person for this…" He regarded hesitantly as he returned his view back to the assistant director. "She'll think that you're only concerned with the production."
"We both know that's not true…" She trailed off when she noticed her companion as giving her a hard stare. She raised a hand and rubbed at her temple as she sighed. "It's part of the reason, but not completely." Dropping her arm, she squared her shoulders and remade eye contact with the tall blonde, "I've been working for Cagalli long enough to know her as a person."
"But have you ever consulted her like this?" He lightly questioned.
She wrung her hands together before hesitatingly she answered, "No…but-"
"But nothing, you could try, but if you want to be more effective, why not ask Kira to snap her out of it. He is her brother, right?" Mwu suggested.
She placed a finger on her lip as she paused and thought about the suggestion. Clenching her fist and smacking it on the palm of her hand she responded with, "You know, you're right, I'll go talk to him right now. But I can't help but wonder if Kira noticed it too… He doesn't seem any different… Maybe it's a fight between them?"
The blonde smiled and replied, "All the better to help resolve it, right?"
She glanced over her shoulder at Cagalli, still hunched over her desk and then back to Mwu. "You're right, as much as I love Cagalli, she needs to resolve her problems and take on her responsibilities. As her assistant, I suppose it's my duty to first initiate it, right?"
"You got it," He grinned and gave her a peck on the cheek. "I got to get into costume, I'll see you around?"
Blushing from the intimate act she responded with, "Of course."
"See you!" He called walking hall as he waved.
Giving him a soft smile, she responded with "'Bye", and gingerly waved her fingers in a goodbye gesture.
Though this sibling pair was having difficultly, another pair, Lacus and Kira, were on friendly terms and often spent time together after they finished filming for the day. Both were dealing with a certain level of betrayal and they often discussed it off set, since talking about that incident on set was simply too emotional; more so for Kira.
The two were currently driving down the street, on their way to the studio. "Thanks for driving me, Kira. You've been a real help this past week."
"Tell Earl to get better this week, since you don't have your driver's license yet, you need a driver." Kira responded while driving, "Not that I mind driving you…" Chuckling, he jokingly added, "Why not give Earl the rest of the month off?"
Lightly swapping his upper arm, she frowned. "Earl's got a family of five; I couldn't do that to him…" Smiling almost mischievously, she added, "Besides he drives a nicer car; a lovely limo."
It was Kira's time to frown, "Hey, this is a rental. I've only been back for a couple of months…"
"I'm joking too." She smiled and stuck out her tongue playfully. "But in all seriousness, Earl should be back in a few days. I don't want to rush him right after his flu." She brushed some hair out of her eyes, "He's reluctantly receiving a bonus that I'm forcing upon him, because he lost a week of wages."
"That's really generous." Kira smiled as he made a left hand turn into the studio.
"He deserves it." She waved her hand nonchalantly as she reminisced. "He's always so kind to me. A little unsociable to others, but he's always been pleasant with me."
Pulling into a parking space, he shifted gears into park. "So, as your driver for the week, do I get anything I deserve?" He boldly asked as he turned to look at her.
Lacus's smile fell for a minute, before quickly turning to her purse. "Oh no, I forgot to put it here; I wanted to give it to you for a while." She turned back to him, "would you mind if I gave it to your tomorrow?" She asked.
"I was joking, you really didn't have to. I'm happy to help-" Kira's voice was silenced when Lacus leaned in to kiss him.
After placing a chaste kiss on his lips, she pulled back with a light blush on her face, she replied "I hope that can tie you over until tomorrow."
Kira shook his red face while looking down and murmured, "That's more than enough…"
The air grew heavy with silence, as the pair avoided each other's eyes. Unexpectedly, while both were shifting their eyes to look else where, they're eyes met.
Lacus gazed into violet hues, really noticing for the first time how pure a color they were. She also took noticed of his disheveled chocolate locks.
Likewise, Kira observed her appearance, still mesmerized like that one night weeks ago when he met her for the first time. As if going by instinct, he inched closer to her.
Similarly, she followed his lead, until the two met in another kiss. But unlike the quick kiss before, the pair slowly began to became intertwine with each other, as Kira wrapped his arms around Lacus' slim waist and, Lacus' arms circled around Kira's neck. The simple chaste kiss grew a little more passionate, as the couple became more entranced with each other. Finally, they broke apart for air. As they were gathering their breath, Kira murmured a small 'wow', while Lacus sat glassy eyed.
Lacus smiled, her lips a brilliant shade of red as she locked hands with Kira. Kira looked up from the joined hands and smiled back. They knew, regardless of what happened at Le Orange last week, that it didn't matter one bit.
Kira and Lacus walked in hand in hand to the studio. Within the short span, they were a lot closer with each other now that they passed the 'friendship' border, with friendly smiles, comments and warm gazes to each other. Though, even in the change in their dispositions, Natarle simply failed to detect it because of a pressing issue.
The secondary assistant caught sight of them too, and waved to them to come forth. "Okay, you two, now, wait just a minute when I call Murrue," said Natarle and quickly walked off.
"You know," Kira started, gathering Lacus' attention. "I really want to settle this whole incident thing with Cagalli. I really was acting childish by ignoring her." He was in such a happy mood, that he would give Cagalli an opportunity to make up.
"Well, that was your initial reaction. You were upset." She took a toothpick and poked a strawberry off the fruit platter. "As I was. Please tell her I'm not at all upset." She glanced seriously at him and then gingerly bit the strawberry.
Spotting the fruit platter, Kira helped himself to a strawberry as well. "I'll mention it and I'll apologize, and we can all get along." Pausing with the strawberry in hand, he hesitantly added, "What about Athrun?"
Lacus finished chewing on the strawberry and gave her companion a sad smile. "Don't worry, I'll talk to him." She watched attentively Kira who took the entire strawberry in his mouth. "I know it would be too hard for you, considering the circumstances."
Kira was about to reply to that statement, but two women came into view, approaching them. "-you know it's incredibly unhealthy, the way she's locked up in there." The brown haired woman said to her coworker.
"I know," replied Natarle, pinching the bridge of her nose because of stress, "it's not beneficial to this production too. She's doing the paper work I'm supposed to be doing. I'm grateful for the opportunity, but under other circumstances."
"Ms. Murrue? Is something wrong? I'm terribly sorry for over hearing, but it seems like your colleague is under a lot of stress." Lacus asked in her melodious voice.
"Colleague?" Natarle dropped her hand as she stared startled at the younger woman, "You mean boss. Cagalli's locked herself up in her office or rather, my office since she strictly works on set." The brunette replied, answering for Murrue.
"Cagalli?" Kira asked as he approached closer to the two assistant directors. "That's where's she's been?"
"Where else would she be?" She fixed her cap, and counted on her fingers. "No scheduled meeting or break," Throwing her hands up into the air, "nope, she's consumed herself in her work." The short haired women said off handedly and added, "Well, I should have said, she's consumed herself my work."
"Oh my," Lacus replied, covering her mouth in shock.
"Actually Kira, I was hoping you could knock some sense into her." The brown haired woman turned to him. "Did you notice this change? Is this a fight between you?" Murrue stared at the younger boy intensely and added, "Because if it is, better fix it fast before we all lose our jobs for creating a lousy film. You know the Cagalli has her touch, and if the production company doesn't see it, we're all doomed."
"No, I'll talk to her, I've been meaning to." Kira glanced down at the floor, in guilt that because he was avoiding Cagalli for so long which led to her social isolation.
Murrue nodded, "Well, for today's itinerary you have one short walk up scene later on, so take the time before to talk to her, if you wouldn't mind."
Kira looked up to both the assistant directors and replied with, "No, it's fine"
"Good," answered the raven haired woman "my office is on the main floor, just turn right. It's room. 104." The secondary assistant director pointed at the nearest exit, "It's in that building right outside those doors. You can't miss it."
"Thanks." Waving, he replied, "I'll see you then."
Lacus gave a shy smile and waved goodbye to the now grinning Kira.
Once the brown haired youth left through the exit, Murrue turned to Lacus and Natarle, "I hope they resolve their differences."
Both the women shook their heads solemnly before proceeding to the set.
"Ouch," the amber eyed girl cried as she dropped her pen. Examining her right hand, she noticed nothing out of the ordinary besides the huge callous that developed on her middle finger and the redness of her palm; since she's been working, it's become a common sight.
"Damn weak hand." Lowering her head, she thought, 'Damn weak everything," as she tried block out the hurtful reminders of last week. Shaking her head furiously, she grabbed her briefcase, stuffed it with various papers and intended to leave the office. As she stood in front of the door to open it, she heard a knock.
"Who is it?" She asked in raspy tone.
"Kira," he paused, "uh, I wanted to talk to you about what happened last week." The female twin could imagine he was combing his hand through his hair, as a nervous gesture. "Can I come in?"
'Now? He wants to talk now, after I tried so desperately to talk to him. Hmpt. He'll have to wait another day, 'cause frankly I don't want to talk to him.' She deliberated mentally. She was about to speak when she noticed the knob of the door had no lock. 'Damn! He could just come in. Why did I steal Natarle's shabby office… then she remembered she did because of she had a secure and secretive route to get there without arousing any suspicion.
"Cagalli?" Kira asked again, this time more worriedly.
Without any plans, she could only buy time. "Just a minute Kira, let me just clean my office and myself." She voiced in a harsh way, to make him realize that she was upset and to wait.
"Alright, I take all the time you need to gather yourself, but I want to talk to you."
"Yes, just 10 minutes, please," she pleaded in a mock voice.
"Of course." Kira answered simply, knowing full well that getting his sister irritated was not something he wanted to deal with.
Looking around the office, she noticed the window and thought, 'I'm on the ground floor, so it shouldn't be too difficult.' She silently lifted the window and placed her briefcase outside. Then taking one foot out the window she eased herself out. Now outside, she fixed the blinds haphazardly and closed the window then proceeded to run off to the busy street for some coffee and a small booth so she could concentrate.
Slowing her jog to a walk, she smiled for the first time in days at the lively street. Small and quaint, it was always a nice place to visit for some time. When she was approaching the café Le Orange, she jay walked to the other side of the road, just missing several speeding cars; her hope was that no one working at the café there would recognize her from across the street. Looking around, she never usually went past that café and she quickly noticed a little magazine kiosk. 'Hmm, maybe the funnies will relax me,' she deliberated. Walking towards the kiosk she also observed for any diners or cafés to relax in. She immediately spotted one, she decided to go there, right after she picked up the magazine.
Reaching the kiosk she noticed an elderly man running the booth. "What'll be missy?" He asked, smiling revealing many gaps.
She smiled back and responded with "Just a daily gazette, please."
"Dollar ten ma'am." He answered and handed her the newspaper.
She quickly opened her briefcase and put the newspaper in, and extracted a small coin purse in the process. While rummaging through coin purse, she overhead a loud whisper, "It's her, Miriam!"
A softer voice retorted, "You think so, Ceil?"
The earlier voice paused for a moment before responding with, "For sure, see!"
Cagalli turned around to see the two school girls in matching uniforms, looking over a magazine. One of the girls was pointing directly at her. Noticing Cagalli's stare, the one who was pointing lowered her hand, and buried her face in the magazine in embarrassment; the other soon followed. Behind the magazine, the one with the softer voice questioned, "Who knew Athrun was stringing along two girls, especially someone like Cagalli with who hasn't had any romantic rendezvous."
Slamming the briefcase shut with her coin purse and newspaper inside, she smacked a five dollar bill on the kiosk. Reading the title of the magazine that both girls were 'perusing', she grabbed a copy for herself. "And this too," she said in a deathly tone. The store clerk shook his head, as the two school girls, knowing that they've been found out, inched away from the kiosk.
Bring the paper up to her line of vision she could just gawk at its contents. On the cover it read: "Love tryst at Le Orange." The article started with: "Cagalli Yula Athha (25), exclaimed director, was found in a romantic rendezvous with none other than actor Athrun Zala (24) (2). While exhibiting their affection to one another, up and rising pop star, Lacus Clyne (25), and Japan's top male model, Kira Yamato (25), had arrived on the scene. Lacus in tears ran off, while her companion, Kira, viciously attacked Athrun, to the surprise of many occupants of the small café." The article went on to explain a horribly fabricated story, how Cagalli and Athrun had been hiding the relationship from not only the public, but Lacus. As well, hinted at the growing relationship with Lacus and Kira, who was questioned about his actions.
Cagalli's normally pale face increased in red considerably, every second she read. After reading a more scandalous accusation, of how she and Athrun were meeting in sleazy hotels months before, she erupted.
Brushing past the two school girls who dropped the magazine and now were holding each other in fear, Cagalli planned to rush back to the studio. She ignored the kiosk clerk, stating that she had forgotten her change. She stepped onto the road and planned to quickly jay walk, like she did before but she paused between two parallel parked cars. "I'll kill this," She brought up the paper to eyes again, scanning the article. "-Rau." Forgetting to look both ways, she stepped onto the road and she looked at the photo of her and Athrun. Grinning like a sly cat, she added "Oh, and Athrun too." Her cackling was halted when an old black car, trying to break quickly enough with her sudden appearance, bumped her.
A scared middle aged man came out of the car. "Miss! Miss! Are you alright!" He yelled, approaching the young lady on the pavement. The blonde hair youth lay unconscious, still clutching the tabloid in her hands, while her briefcase was scoffed up a good three feet away.
A near by policeman came by to see what the hold up was. Seeing Cagalli unconscious he called for back up and an ambulance.
"Incredible, I say! Simply incredible!" The hoarse voice praised from over the cell phone, his voice undoubtedly the work of overindulging on Cuban cigars.
"So I take it the article is a success?" Rau asked smoothly to his editor.
"A success! We had to reprint it twice! Probably a third time too. Who knows? It was just released today." The editor suddenly paused, to cough, a result from years of tobacco abuse. "All the other tabloids are trying to keep up. Your next story is going to be harder if you stick with these kids, you know? Now that this story is out, they'll be hounded."
Walking down a quaint street, near by Le Orange, he could just click his tongue when he saw one reporter leaving the said restaurant, "Of course, I expected that. But it adds to the challenge, does it not?"
"Of course! Rau, you're my star reporter, really." He paused to clear his throat, "I'm so thankful you gave up that Mwu La Flaga. It's impossible to get anything on him."
"Oh, I didn't give up on him yet. I will find something." The platinum blonde's eyes narrowed at his next thought, 'I'll make that step brother of mine pay for everything he's done to me. I'll tarnish his reputation. I've swore to do so.'
The editor's gruff voice back him back to reality, "Well, as long as you keep producing golden stories, I don't care what you do! Oh yes, you're getting a bonus for this story. Everyone agrees you deserve it."
"Thank you, sir." Rau replied slickly.
"Yes, yes. Well, I'm needed to sort some documents about the reprint copies. You keep doing what you do best." He paused and ended with, "See ya."
"Bye." Once the blonde heard a click on the other end of his cell phone, he hung up.
Putting his cell phone in his coat pocket, he scowled and thought. 'Hmm, if the editor insists I go after these kids because they're big news, I'm not going to have time or any opportunities to catch Mwu in the any devious act...' Walking down the street, 'That stupid brother of mine can't take what's rightfully mine.'
Approaching a crowd, he frowned and turned around to notice two school girls discussing something vividly; thinking it was about the horde, he approached them and asked curtly, "What happened here?"
The shorter of the two, undisturbed by his suddenly intrusion replied, "A girl was run over by a car. They think she was jay walking."
The tall girl nodded in affirmation at her friend's answer and added, "It's rumored that the girl is Cagalli Yula Athha. I hope not, I'm such a fan."
"You don't say…" smiling inwardly, he squeeze through the building crowd to get closer to the scene of the accident. Unnoticed or stopped by anyone when he took out his camera, he began to take many photographs of the scene in front of his. He zoomed in and took pictures of the blonde haired youth in neither a natural nor comfortable position, whilst clutching a magazine in her hand. Noticing that it was the same tabloid he worked for he thought, 'Hmm, affected by my article…"
An ambulance raced down the street the quaint street. In mere minutes, its paramedics quickly ushered the blonde girl into the van and onto the nearest hospital.
After taking a picture of the vanishing ambulance, Rau lowered his camera. Calling a nearby taxi, he ordered it to the nearest hospital. He fixed his thick white glasses as he was smiling with glee. Looking down at his camera, he could only think, "I suppose I found my next hit story for the week after."
Sighing, the brown haired boy glanced at his watch for the twentieth time. Finally deciding he gave his sister more than enough time, he finally called through the door, "Cagalli? I gave you 30 minutes, please open this door."
Staring at the door for a response, he was surprised to find none. Bringing his ear up to the door he listened intently for any sign of life. He stood straight, he asked again. "Cagalli?"
Frustrated, he opened the door surprised to find it unlocked and the office empty. Observing the entire office, trying to figure out how Cagalli vanished, he noticed the curtains a little astray. Approaching the window, he lifted the curtains and found that the window was not locked.
"You've got to be kidding me." He declared out loud, "She escaped from the conversation by climbing out a window?" He scratched the back of his neck, as he admired Cagalli's ambition, but feared that now she must be extremely upset with him. He murmured to the empty room, "She really is mad at me… I should have listened."
An urgent, yet melodious voice interrupted his musings, "Kira!"
The violet eyed youth walked towards the open door to look out into the hall. In the hallway he saw Lacus with a worried expression. Noticing his confused look, she began, "Murrue received a phone call. It's was Mr. Athha, he was just informed by the hospital that Cagalli's been hit by a car!"
Kira's eyes opened wide at the implication. "Is she- is she..?" He stuttered.
Noticing his panicked disposition she placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to keep him calm. "She's getting treated now, but we don't know her condition. It just happened…" Dropping her grip from his shoulder to his hand, she pulled him out the room, "Hurry, we need to visit her!"
"Yes, of course." Kira answered, as he felt himself being led by Lacus towards the his car. He allowed his mind to wonder if he had been more forceful, Cagalli would've never left out the window and gotten hit by a car. 'Or, if I didn't act so childish, she wouldn't have locked herself up in the first place.' He contemplated.
A blue haired youth was forcefully punching a punching bag in his home gym. Grunting, he released all his frustration on the red punching bag. The door to the gym opened, and he gave a sideways glance at the visitor. Once quickly identifying it as his assistant, Dearka, he proceeded with his workout. The blonde assistant took no offense to his silent companion, and sat himself down on a nearby bench. He opened his briefcase and took out his favorite weekly tabloid and a can of coke he had slashed there; he quickly began to read, while sipping at his coke.
The young man continued ignored his assistant and fully concentrated on his workout, noting that he was beginning to feel a little less stressed out about the Le Orange event and the fact that Lacus had been avoiding him since then.
"You know," The tan assistant started, "I never thought you had it in you. I thought you were only into one gal, Lacus."
Stopping in mid punch, Athrun turned to his assistant, "What do you mean?"
Holding up the tabloid with one hand, he showed the centerfold of the incident last week at Le Orange. "Why didn't you tell me you were into that Athha chick?" He took a sip of his coke as he allowed his friend to digest the information.
Feeling the stress and frustration he just worked out of system rush back, the emerald eyed boy dashed forward and ripped the tabloid from the blonde's hands, to take a closer look. Scanning the slander they wrote, he could just stare blankly.
The blonde looked back at the tabloid and coughed on his coke "Wait, is that how you got the shiner?" Pointing to the picture of Athrun and Kira, "You told me it was after a sparring class with your instructor…"
He ignored the latter comment and exclaimed,"What if Lacus reads this! She's already pretty upset with me, if she believes this…"
Dismissing the punch, he waved a hand as the tan youth countered, "Psht, don't go kissing other girls if you're into Lacus."
Athrun's eyes opened dramatically, "But I didn't…"
"Come on, you're not married to the girl. Sure you should've broken up with her…It is the more honest route, but really, if you really love her, you would've married by now and just gotten settled down." Dearka took a swig of his sugary drink.
Glancing down, Athrun replied, "We're both busy and young…"
The blue eyed youth shook his head, "Whatever. I suggest you talk to her though." Taking back the tabloid, "before she reads this," and waved it with his hand.
"You're right, but I'll get kick out by Kisaka… I'm sure Cagalli's made sure about the no trespassers on the preeminence rule, and Lacus hates me, so she surely won't say I'm her guest and Kira…" He just trailed off, unable to say anything about his former best friend.
The tan youth nodded, and then smiled when he got an idea. "You remember Miriallia?"
"Hmm?" The sapphire haired boy looked up, "You're girlfriend, right?" Even with his dilemma, he was able to add with a smirk, "the only steady one."
Glaring at the youth, he told his companion. "Well, for your information, all those other girls were too… ah forget it, I suppose you wouldn't care that she's got a job working on that movie, would you?" He turned away more dramatically while raising his face, "And that she could probably get you in."
Athrun stared happily at the tan youth and quickly questioned, "Really? Would she?"
"Yeah, let me just give her a call." He picked up his cell and quickly dialed the well memorized number. After a moment, he responded with, "Mir? Hey, I wanted to know whether you were busy 'cause Athrun wanted to see Lacus because of some misunder- what? She's at the hospital?" Before he could hear Miriallia continued, Athrun had ran off "What, hey Athrun-" The shocked boy exclaimed.
He stood there dumbfounded watching the blue haired youth run off into the direction of his garage. He was about to go after him, but what Miriallia added stopped him cold. "You mean, she's visiting Cagalli who was hit by a car?" Shaking his head, "Oooh, boy. Looks like we're in for another incident. Can I call you back? I want to warn Athrun before he does anything stupid." Abruptly a blush spread on his cheeks, "Yeah, I love you too, bye."
He heard the other line hang up, before he pressed 'end' and dial the blue haired youth's number. After the second ring, he noticed a ringing heard in the room. Looking around he saw Athrun's cell phone lying on the table along with his towel. "I suppose he doesn't work out with his cell phone… bad news." He took another sip of his coke. "Well, I can just pray he doesn't do anything stupid."
The blue haired youth raced in his sports car to the nearest hospital. There was one downtown near the studio, being the more probable location. 'I should call them to make sure' Reaching into his pocket for his cell phone, he couldn't find it. "Great," he whispered out loud, "No cell phone and I'm still in my work out clothes."
Pulling up the hospital, he gave the parking attendant some change that he often left in his car for his morning coffee. Turning quickly into s vacant parking space, he rushed out and ran towards the front entrance of the hospital.
The blue haired youth ran into the lobby of the hospital, and looked around frantically. As he was heading towards the front desk, to demand where Lacus Clyne was, he heard a familiar voice.
"Two coffees and a tea, please." The voice said pleasantly.
He turned to the direction of the voice and saw the woman in question, ordering from a small deli booth. She stood there serenely, leaning with her forearms resting on the counter as she watched the attendant fulfill her order. He ran quickly to her as she shouted, "Lacus!"
The pink hair girl heard her name being shouted, and turned around see who had called out for her. Her gaze stopped on Athrun who was unconventionally dressed in sweatpants and a sweat shirt.
Right when he approached her, he enveloped her into a warm embrace. "Thank god you're not hurt."
Lacus gave a questioning look, "…hurt? Why would I be?"
"Because I heard that you went to the hospital and rushed over here." Pausing, his eye went wide, "Wait, is it internal? Something chronic?" Comically, he lifted her arms and examined her. "You should get checked out-"
"I'm fine," She cut him off, brushing his grip off her. "I'm just visiting. It's Cagalli's who's hurt."
The emerald eyed youth dropped his arms to his sides as asked hesitantly. "C-Cagalli?"
Lacus shook her head, and averted her gaze to the floor. "Yes, I know it's not the time, but I just wanted to tell you it was childish for me not to answer your phone calls." Lifting her gaze back to him she announced, "I want to settle this."
Breathing a sigh in relief, Athrun smiled and replied, "Me too, and I apologize, I never meant it to happen."
The pink haired youth smiled and retorted, "I apologize as well-"
"So are we back together?" The youth asked quickly cutting off her sentence.
Raising a finger to silence him, "Let me finish," She smiled sadly and placed a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry that I wasn't upset enough."
He knitted his eyebrows together in confusion, "What?"
Keeping the same sad smile, she looked down at the floor, unable to meet his perplexed face. "I'm saying that I wasn't upset enough, which lead me to believe that I don't care enough about you." She broke off and regarded him with her pleading eyes, "You need so much better."
Athrun gawked at the young girl, "But-"
Shaking her head, she silenced him again. "I still want to be your friend, of course." With a weak smile she uttered, "That's all I think I can give you."
The sapphire haired youth observed his companion and with a hard gulp responded, "I-I understand."
The weak smile grew to one of genuine friendship as she wrapped both arms around him in a warm embrace. "Good." She murmured simply into his shoulder.
A subtle cough was heard behind Athrun. "Am I interrupting something?" A voice behind the emerald eyed youth asked.
Lacus pulled back and blushed at the arrival, "Kira, what are you doing here?"
He had been watching their heartfelt scene, knowing that Lacus must have broken up with Athrun. He intentionally broke the moment at that instant because he figured Uzumi would begin to worry about their absence. Again coughing in nervousness he responded, "I wanted to help you with the drinks… but I could come bac-"
Lacus looking grateful for the added company to ease the disappointment which resounded with the blue haired youth and answered, "Nonsense," Lightening the mood, she gave an exaggerated winking motion behind Athrun to Kira, without realizing how obnoxious it appeared. "Athrun and I just talked about the situation, and we've made up, we'll be the best of friends from now on, right?"
Athrun missed the winking and turned to Lacus, missing Kira trying to hold down a solemn expression. "Yeah."
Kira bit down a smile at the action and could reply with a short, "great" so not to laugh out loud at the young girl's actions, and feeling terrible that he was laughing at a time like this; his friend was seriously upset and his sister in a critical state. 'I suppose someone like Lacus lets me see the best of things and forget my problems…' He mused as he stared at the cherry haired woman.
Noting the silence, Lacus turned and picked up the tray with the now lukewarm coffee and tea and handed it to Kira. "I'll pick up some cream and sugar, just a minute." She left the two male youths alone to talk.
Once Lacus was out of ear shot, Athrun quickly started, "I want to apologize. I never wanted it to turn out this way."
Shaking his head, the brown haired youth affirmed, "No, I know how it is to get caught up in the moment," he smiled as he thought back to earlier that morning when he and Lacus arrived at the studio. "You should be apologizing to Cagalli." He grinned, "So be careful in how you apologize, 'cause when if you start playing with her emotions, she'll be there to beat you up, instead of me."
Giving the violet eyed boy a stiff smile, he responded, "Thanks for the advice…" He took note not to mess with either twin, especially Cagalli.
Kira's grin fell as he leaned in more closely to examine the other boys' cheek. "But now that I see the rawness of your cheek, I think I could apologize for the punch."
Looking away, the jade eyed youth shrugged and simply replied, "It's fine; I'll survive."
Slightly shaking his head, Kira paused before asking, "Besides the punch, are you okay though? With Lacus…" Kira knew full well that the latter was the cause for his glum disposition.
Athrun combed a hand through his hair and sighed, while keeping his gaze on the tile floor. After a labored pause, he declared: "I deserve it." Trying to change the subject, he quickly looked up to Kira he questioned, "How's Cagalli?"
Kira reminded with his sister's condition he suppressed a sigh. Solemnly he answered, "We don't know yet, but she's not badly bruised up… so at least I don't think she's in too much danger…" The youth trailed off, pushing negative images out of his mind.
The pink haired youth returned, "Sorry, I couldn't find the stir sticks", she raised three brown plastic sticks in her hand.
Kira nodded at the youth, "That's okay." He turned to Athrun, "You want to come up?" He asked Athrun.
Athrun was hesitant about seeing a person that must despise him so, but the looks both Kira and Lacus gave him made him cave. He responded with a tentative, "Sure."
Lacus smiled at the youth and added, "You won't be able to see her, because it's strictly family visits, but you can wait with me, alright?" She offered.
The taller youth gave a sigh of relief that he wouldn't have to face the injured woman just yet and nodded, "Okay."
Uzumi got off his cell phone and as he stepped out of the hospital room. Noticing the young trio in the hall, he pocketed his cell phone and turned to the group. "Well, it seems like Cagalli was in the wrong. The poor driver was frantic because he and other witnesses said that she came out between parallel parked cars. The kiosk owner said that right before the incident, he sold her this." Holding up the same tabloid Cagalli had clutched in her hands. Sighing to himself, he shook his head. "That daughter of mine can be extremely reckless."
The group, more so Kira and Lacus, looked shocked at the tabloid. Lacus took the tabloid in his hands and read the article. Kira handed a coffee to the older man, and attempted to read the girl's shoulder.
"How could they!" Lacus exclaimed, bringing a hand to her mouth, she handed the tabloid to Kira who placed the paper tray on a nearby table. "No wonder Cagalli was upset. She must have been so distraught that she didn't even pay attention to traffic."
Kira's gaze was focused on the magazine as he responded with, "Yes, especially since the tabloids have kept off her because she have a very low profile."
Uzumi nodded at the pair and took notice of the silent and the new face, unable to recognize him, especially with his untidy attire. "Yes, but it was at a lower speed. The doctor said that she didn't fracture her skull too badly because the driver was able to slow down quickly enough. Though, she's just been through the preliminary testing. What we do know is she's got extensive damage to her bones."
At this description of Cagalli's injuries, Athrun glanced down and wondered, 'If I didn't…'
"Poor Cagalli…" The cherry haired woman remarked.
The older man gave a sad smile, "She's a fighter though. Anything she goes through, she'll come out triumphant." Glancing at his watch, he added, "Visiting hours are over now. Why don't you kids go home?"
Kira, too, looked at his watch to reaffirm the time and inquired, "Are you leaving too, Sir?"
Cagalli's father shook his head and took a sip of his coffee, "No, I'm a retired old man. I don't have many responsibilities, except Cagalli." Uttering a light chuckle, "No matter how old she gets. I've persuaded the head nurse here if I could stay with her tonight"
"I'll stay here too." Kira insisted.
The gray haired aged man gazed at his daughter's twin, "No, Kira, as much as I would love to have company, Cagalli would kill me if I made her starring male role watched over her." He noticed Kira's hesitation. "Why don't I call you tomorrow, to tell you if she wakes up, alright?"
Beaming he replied, "Thanks."
Cagalli's father turned to the female youth, "By then I'm sure she'll be in a more stable condition, and she'll be able to see friends as well."
Lacus's gaze lifted to the old man's pleasant face while smiling, "Oh, She certainly will!"
Uzumi shooed the trio away with one hand, his other holding the coffee. "Well, run along." Lifting his other hand in an indication to the coffee he gratefully said, "Thank you for the coffee, by the way"
As the trio headed downstairs, they noticed that Athrun was looking very dejected, more so than he did before.
"Athrun? Is something the matter?" Lacus asked, trying to peer from under his bangs.
Moving his head away from her gaze, he retorted in a snippy tone, "Besides the fact that it was all my fault, no nothing at all."
Lacus ignored the tone and stopped him from walking past her and Kira. Putting two hands on both his shoulders, she looked him square in the eye. "You know that's not true. Sure, she was distraught because of the incident, but you didn't write that article." She saw his guilty stare and added, "Nor did push her on the street."
"Might as well" He mumbled. "She could've been killed… she could still die…" He dropped his gaze to the ground and thought, 'I couldn't live with that type of guilt. Not again.'
Kira steered Lacus away, and stood directly in front of Athrun to make his point. "She won't die. Uzumi's right, she'll survive. It wasn't anything too critical." He looked at him more critically. "And please," his expression soften dramatically. "Don't try to compare my sister and your mother… both occurrences are different."
Athrun looked up with a pleading look. "How did you-"
Kira smiled softly and told him, "We are best friends, aren't we?"
"Yeah, we are." He stared at his long time friend, "Thanks."
Lacus looked at the pair dishearten. She knew that Athrun's mother died when he was seven, but he never really divulged any information. 'I suppose she past away in some car accident, she contemplated.
"Remember," Kira raised an arm around the sapphire haired youth and toned down his voice so only both could hear, "No guilt. For both. None of them were your fault."
Athrun thought back to that steamy June night, a horrid of memories came back. "But she-" He was interrupted by his friend.
"She wanted to protect you." He smiled "Instead of guilt you should feel pride that she gave you the gift of life. Twice, really."
Lacus came up to the pair and interrupted them hurriedly. "That nurse looks awfully upset." She warned them. They both turned to see a plump nurse pointing to the clock, indicating visiting hours were over, with stern expression on her face. She was batting a mop in her hands, which resembled a hitting action.
"Looks like she'll hurt, rather than heal?" She giggled at the prospect. Not wanting to find out, the trio hastily left the hospital.
To be continued.
Author's Note:
I'm so sorry that I disappointed so many KxL fans! I just took my artistic liberties to the extreme by making an AxC kiss… I hope that this chapter makes up for chapter three! Speaking about chapter three, I plan to edit it but in such a way that all of you who don't want to reread such a long chapter again, won't. But for those who haven't read it, can have the benefit of a more grammatically sound chapter.
I know that this is an incredibly late post (I promised before November), but with midterms, etc, I really couldn't help it. Actually, I wasn't planning to update until mid November because of all the essay I have to write, but I couldn't leave you guys hanging…
Thanks to the reviewers! I know chapter three wasn't my best chapter grammatically (I will edit it before December) but I'm still glad some people enjoyed it! So thanks to: fantasydestiny, animemistress419, RazorBoy, Kira4ever, ninofchaos, eliteElite, StryderHiryu, KiraFreedom, BluSakura, Hinata-hime, lordmaquareion, Rosegirl18, Riley-Mayori, -Lacus-Serenity-, Kodoku, GATX-105B, lilplayer , r, shad0w118, Inuyasha's Dark Angel, Maryam Khanoom, ZGMF X-19A Infinite Justice
Oh, to those who mentioned it in the reviews, I actually don't live in Hamilton, I live in the GTA, specifically Mississauga, which is closer to T.O than you think! (just 30 minutes). I attend McMaster University, so I commute to Hamilton everyday. We have such a cool anime club, by the way… advertisement alert
Thanks to all the people who have fave'd this story! Hugs to: -Lacus-Serenity-, DarknessOverloaded, eliteElite, fantasydestiny, GATX-105B, haley21, Inuyasha's Dark Angel, Kali Kamiya, Kira4ever, Maryam Khanoom, MBF-Strike Rouge, mikaii41, mustang24, ninofchaos, scubyslacker, Silver Water 7, Sithums, Vanyel07, ZGMF X-19A Infinite Justice
Additional Notes:
(1) I screwed up with the whole "La Orange" and "Le Orange". I know 'orange' in French is masculine, but I liked how 'la' sounded. In the end, I gave into accuracy and changed it in this chapter. (When I edit chapter three, I'll change it there too).
(2) Concerning their ages: I researched their birth dates and found that Athrun is the youngest… I found it weird how the girls are older than the guys – I'm so traditional, sorry... Anyways, this story takes place in late August, so Athrun hasn't turned 25 yet.