Thank you all for the nice reviews. They encouraged me to write more (not really, my friend kept buggin me…). If you guys hav any suggestions, put 'em all in the review…I remember one of you wanted me to "torture" Athrun and Cagalli a bit or something? (voodoo doll? But persnalli, I think that's not a bad idea, relationship-wise, of course, not literally…) but otherwise, whatever (runs off to pancake house).

cough, bit o'a "mature" content in this one hehheh--

Athrun was continued perplexed by the stare he received from Yuuna. It was an intense stare and he didn't like it; who would? Even though the ball room was warm and noisy, the silence between them was most unbearable, with the tension mounting to the peak. The stare would've continued if Cagalli hadn't stopped them.

"Yuuna! What are you doing here?" asked Cagalli, as cheerful as she can, trying to break up the tension, only to notice that she knew the answer to the question she was asking and soon regretted it. It felt like she fainted inside as soon as she noticed her mistake.

"Cagalli, I'm also a representative of Orb, remember?" said Yuuna with an amused smile on his face.

Athrun stared at Yuuna again, not liking him more and more every second. Who was he to smile at Cagalli? Are they that close? So close that he can find Cagalli's mistake funny? Was he that familiar with Cagalli?

"Yes, how could I forget?" said Cagalli with a giggle that wasn't like her at all.

She's acting differently around Yuuna, why the giggle? He frowned.

Cagalli looked sideways at Athrun and saw him with a frown. "This," she turned towards Athrun to introduce him, "is Alex. He's here with me as my bodyguard."

Athrun looked at Cagalli in surprise. Sure he was her bodyguard, but wasn't he also accompanying her here today? Couldn't she say that he was her boyfriend?

"Nice to meet you Alex," Yuuna said with a smart smirk that ticked Athrun off even more than before. "I hope you do a good job protecting princess Cagalli," he said as he rubbed one of Cagalli's arms up and down in a caring manner, "we don't want our leader to get harmed do we?"

"Of course, sir" replied Athrun, emphasizing the "sir" and trying as hard as he could to not punch him. He looked at Cagalli and saw that she was uncomfortable and uneasy as Yuuna touched her.

Athrun was having a self control problem then. He wanted to punch the man before him so much for his annoying expressions and for touching Cagalli. If he did, however, he would be arrested for attempted murder of an Orb representative. It wasn't the smartest course of action, he admitted, but currently, it seemed like the most rightful and justified thing to do. He would've done so if it wasn't for Cagalli; if he punched Yuuna, it would make Cagalli look bad in front of all these important people.

Speaking of Cagalli, why didn't she introduce him as her boyfriend? Her company here tonight? She hated coming here and she probably wouldn't have even agreed to come if it wasn't for him. So then, why didn't she want people knowing that they were together? It made him angry to think of the possibility she was ashamed of dating him might exist. Was it because he was a Coordinator?

Athrun clenched his fist beneath the tablecloth. Why couldn't she openly say that they were together?

"Sir, miss, champagne?" asked a young waiter, holding a bottle of sparkling grape wine. He thought it weird that she didn't ask him if he wanted any, but then Athrun realized that most people probably thought that Cagalli and Yuuna were here together, and that he was just a tag-along.

"Yes miss, here," said Yuuna, holding out his wine glass.

"Want some?" asked Cagalli, smiling at Athrun.

He smiled back at her acknowledgement of his existence, barely managing the smile because he was a little angry…

He's smiling…thought Cagalli as she turned her head away. "I'll take that as a yes."

Man, when he smiles it's so charming…no wonder all those girls in the Zaft army go for him…I'll have to compete against all of them. She took the smoke green bottle from Yuuna and poured wine for Athrun and herself. As she set the bottle down onto the table, she found Yuuna raising his glass for a toast.

"For us, Cagalli," said Yuuna with a smile, waiting for her to greet his toast.

This struck Cagalli dumb. "What?" she blurted out, completely confused on what he just said, but quickly rectified her mistake with a stupid grin, "pardon me, but I don't understand you."

"Naturally, we are going to be wed? The council will be in favour of it I expect."

Athrun turned his head in alarm towards Cagalli. What was he talking about, a marriage? It was impossible! If there was one, wouldn't she have told him already? Unless…she was already engaged, and was just dating him for fun! That's why she doesn't tell people that I'm with her!

"Caga—"

"I haven't agreed to anything," said Cagalli sternly.

"But I thought—"

"I don't know what you thought, but I don't plan on going through with what you and your father wants."

Why? Cagalli isn't serious about me!

"Be reasonable, this is for Orb," Yuuna extended his right hand towards Cagalli.

"Me marrying you isn't going to do anything greater for Orb," said Cagalli, straying away from his hand.

"There is no reason as to why you shouldn't marry me!"

"Yes there is!"

Athrun looked hopefully at Cagalli now. Was she going to say that she already liked someone else? Was she going to declare openly that they were together?

Yuuna frowned and narrowed his eyes onto Athrun's with a glare. "What, is it him?"

"—what?" stuttered Cagalli, completely thrown off course by the question.

"So Alex, you're protecting Cagalli tonight…I see…so you're with Cagalli?" interrogated Yuuna, looking down at Athrun with that snobby expression. "I don't know who you're kidding Cagalli, but you deserve someone better."

Athrun snapped inside. What do you mean I'm not good enough for her? I'm better than you shit! H stood up to land a punch on Yuuna, but Cagalli pressed her hand hard onto his lap, gesturing for him to stop. Athrun glared at Cagalli but found her glare with amber eyes more frightening then his –the price to pay was greater if he punched one of the representatives of Orb.

He flumped down onto his seat, still glaring at Yuuna, but wondering at the same time why Cagalli stopped him; he insulted both him and her! He was ready to defend her honour too! Okay…that sounded a little fairytale-ish…

Image in Athrun's head:

He was a knight in polished silver armor, riding towards a huge Yuuna, who was clutching the beautiful princess Cagalli in his hands, breathing fire as he walks and tramples innocent villages. Athrun rode down a grassy green hill with tall corn stalks, towards his princess. He looked up and saw Cagalli screaming……she was the maiden in distress…

While he was speeding towards them, giant Yuuna was stepping on villagers…Oh! There goes little Dearka and Yzak…those bastards who made him come here…

"Athrun! Save me!"

Athrun shook his head; he shouldn't have weird fantasies…especially the ones where his enemies could breathe fire.

Cagalli…

Why didn't she let him defend her? Unless she really was ashamed of him, she would've let him punch Yuuna in the face, or maybe punched him herself. Athrun felt uneasy in the pit of his stomach—he felt uncertainness within himself as if something precious to him was slipping out of his hand gradually.

"Yuuna! I don't want to marry you, that's final! So don't go picking a fight with any guy you just happen to see right beside me," Cagalli snapped at Yuuna.

"Hmph!" retaliated Yuuna, slamming his glass down as he spoke bitterly, "I know there's something between you and Alex here." He turned his gaze and was glaring at Athrun again.

"Look, you want to know what's between us?" yelled Cagalli now, her anger getting the better of her, not realizing that everybody in the room was now listening into their little argument. At the sound of this sentence, Athrun looked up hopefully again; was she going to declare?

"We're friends! We met during the war! Okay!" She exclaimed this angrily, mixed with unknown passion flying out of nowhere. Cagalli couldn't believe she had to explain to Yuuna here and now, in the middle of a dinner party, where everyone was dressed with the most expensive of clothing. She hated the fact that he kept asking her why she wouldn't marry him because she could think of hundreds – the most important reason being that she likes Athrun. As much as she would like to shout that she loved Athrun, it wasn't wise to do for the media – newspapers, T.V, internet, etc – would go frantic and nuts at the sound of confession from the princess of Orb.

Most of all though, Cagalli felt bad for Athrun because he had to deal with all of this in silence whereas she could just yell at Yuuna openly with her feelings.

Athrun sat there fuming. He came all this way from the Plant's so he could get together with the girl he most liked, and here she was, not wanting to tell people openly that they were together even when the relationship between them was questioned. He understood what trouble awaited her with the media if she did, but wasn't love worth more? Suppressing his anger of Cagalli, Athrun sat there saying nothing, afraid that what he said was going to set everything off into an explosion.

Yuuna gave up for the day and went to another table with his assistant following him nervously. Cagalli sat down and chewed her dinner unhappily, not noticing at all that her accompaniment was feeling angry – or more so—than her.

As the evening went on, Athrun kept thinking about it more and more without letting things out, and got angrier, and so he kept a poker face all straight through dinner. He barely noticed anything else while upon the issue in his head, so he received a tap on the shoulder when everything was over for the day.

"Athrun?" asked Cagalli, breaking Athrun from his daze. "It's time to go to our room."

He said nothing and followed Cagalli silently, emitting a cold feeling from his presence. They went up the stairs and entered a hallway as grand as the room downstairs, with several door leading away from it.

Everything wasn't too clear for him from then on; he was too hung up about the evening. All he did now was follow Cagalli through the hallways and into a room.

The room was just as elegant as the ballroom below it, maybe even more so. It felt warm and didn't have that weird feeling that all other hotel room had when you entered it just because it wasn't your own room. There was only one bed in the room; that meant that they would have to share the bed.

Cagalli walked to the bed and fell onto its welcoming mattress into a slump. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply; it was a long day for her.

"Athrun…" she said softly, her eyelids still closed. "I'm so tired…yawn…"

He watched her on the bed, her chest rising up and down from the slow breathing. Her face showed small traces of exhaustion underneath her eyes but she was still as beautiful as ever in his eyes.

However, he said nothing. He was too angry with her tonight.

"Hm….this feels so soft….why aren't you talking Athrun?" she said without the slightest movement.

'Cause I'm angry……you bitch who's ashamed of me…

"…Come to think of it, you haven't talked much today…" said Cagalli, gradually sitting up.

I haven't talked much because you wouldn't let me punch that bastard tonight! You guy are the same! You guys don't' want us to be together!

Fiery rage rose up within him unrepentantly and uncontrollable at the same time, for her last sentence had set him off. His mind shut off and his instincts took place. Whether it was passion or anger he wasn't sure, but they led the way for him.

He walked to the door and locked it not saying anything; he decided that he was going to do what he had always wanted to do; he didn't care anymore; nothing mattered anymore—nothing.

"Athrun?" asked Cagalli, not liking his quick silent pace towards her, nor his eyes that was staring hard at hers. To be truthful, she was a little scared; she couldn't sense the kind Athrun being there anymore. A cold air surrounded him as he approached her in an intent mood.

Passion flew at once. He grabbed her wrists with both his hands and pushed her onto the bed, kissing her deeply with his lips, driving in mercifully with his tongue.

Cagalli's eyes flew open and her mind snapped into clear. She tried to speak –or even get a word out—but his lips were firm on her's and weren't showing any signs of allowing her to talk. She felt the warmth of his body on her, and the weight was more than her's so she couldn't push him off, or even move for that matter, so she struggled as his lips kept pushing onto hers; she felt weak next to him.

"—Athrun----stop it---" she managed to get out in between.

She kept protesting with her body, moving her legs trying to break free of his grasp on her wrists. Cagalli probably wouldn't have minded this so much if they were somewhere else at another time, but they were in a get together of nations and if they were discovered like this by someone, it would the end of her political career. She would let all of Orb down and worse of all, her father, so she kept struggling, with all her might.

Athrun felt her little figure protesting under him, and broke away from the kiss and looked at her with a silent angry expression.

She looked straight into his eyes and was scared.

"Athrun, stop it! I don't—" she gasped. He paid her no attention to her pleas and started on her neck and throat, leaving her stunned. Cagalli felt herself almost losing control; she was getting hot from this and would trade anything to get out of the situation. Beads of sweat ran down her forehead and thighs. Sure, she would like to sleep with Athrun some day, maybe even get married, but this was just too soon, and there was something about him that just wasn't right.

Why was he suddenly doing this? It was obviously he was angry, and this fact scared her even more; she had no idea what Athrun would do with her.

"—Athrun—" she pleaded, still trying to break free. Her neck was hurting and he was slowly working down her throat to her collarbone.

Nothing she did would stop him though. Athrun continued, with every plea setting him off even more. He would make her pay; he would make her suffer. He then let go of her small hands and slid his arms behind her to where the long zipper that held up her dress was. Cagalli felt his hands—

"Stop!" she cried out loud. She wasn't wearing a bra that night and immediately grabbed the front of the dress with her freed hands.

He grunted roughly as a response but did nothing to stop. Athrun tore her hands away from her without hesitation and started licking her collarbone.

One pull and my dress is gone!

Cagalli felt a hole at the pit of her stomach. She didn't know what to do, and yes, her dress was about to come off. It was a hopeless situation for her; she just wasn't getting through to him. There was no mercy in the realms of his eyes. She wanted to have sex with him, but not like this. The Athrun on top of her didn't care about her at all.

She gasped again. His tongue was in the ridge between her breasts. A shiver went through her and water overflowed from her eyes.

A drop, then two came out.

Athrun noticed that she stopped moving and looked up to see Cagalli crying softly with her eyes closed. She was wincing from his every assault on her, blushing at the same time.

What struck his mind the most was her few drops of tears though.

What was he doing? Why did he force Cagalli to sle—he was too disgusted with himself to even think about that. Athrun realized what he was doing. He couldn't believe that he just—what was he doing!

He got up over her and looked down. Before him was a girl, her eyes closed, red and full of tears. Her dress was barely concealing her, and she had her arms over her to protect herself from what was in front of her.

…from me…

Athrun moved away from her, fearing the truth of what he just did. He pulled himself up to a sitting position on his knees on the bed and extended his arms towards her.

"Cagalli, I—" he said gingerly, placing his hands on her shoulder to help her up, but she recoiled and backed away from him. She sat up at the head of the bed and stared at Athrun with fear, pulling her dress over her breasts and crying.

Stop crying Cagalli! Stop being so weak!

He was hurt by what he saw before him, knowing that he was the one that caused her pain and fear. She looked so hurt that he couldn't bear to look at her any second longer. Athrun felt that this was the lowest moment of his life. He was a despicable and disgusting fool, having no honour as to try to force a girl into sleeping with him.

He knew that if he tried to console her, she would just back away, and he couldn't blame her—one of her closest people in her life tried to hurt her.

Athrun took one last look at her and turned around to pick up his jacket. Cagalli watched him from behind her wet eyes, as he steadily paced in the room at a calm speed.

She watched his back as he walked out of the room, closed the door, and out of her life.

Kk, I know the ch.'s kinda short, but WATEVER! I HAV SKooL! (mumble…freakin ' 9 subjects…))

And as always, please rate&review thxthx