Well, school is killing me again. Forgot to announce it last chapter, but this will be the second last chapter, so I hope you enjoy it!

Athrun sat at his desk, idly tying away at figures. Admittedly, he was disappointed. He had meant to tell her, in all honesty. He just... didn't.

Okay, he chickened out, no need to rub it in.

But confessing your feelings to the girl you love isn't the easiest thing in the world. It's not easy to tell her that the mere sight of her can brighten up the bleakest day. Or that no matter what she's wearing, or what mood she's in, she always looks beautiful through your eyes. Even when she's crying, and the only thing in the world you want to do is see her smile.

Yeah. That's not easy. Especially for the romantically-impaired.

His phone rang, and he answered it numbly. Hearing the voice of his best friend come through, he did his best to snap out of his daze.

"Athrun?"

"Yeah. What can I do for you?" He asked automatically, tilting his chair back onto its back legs.

"...I love you."

Athrun fell out of his chair as the abandoned phone hit the desk in a rather loud fashion. Snatching it up, he was greeted by the sound of his best friend struggling to breathe in between gales of laughter.

"What?"

"Just joking man. I needed to get your attention somehow." Kira clarified, trying to suppress his amusement.

"Oh... Oh I see. What's up?" Athrun asked, gently lowering himself back into his chair, his other hand on the desk in a vague attempt to steady himself as he tried to recover.

"I need a hand."

"A hand?" Athrun raised curious eyebrow.

"A favor." Kira replied, tweaking the wording of his last phase.

"A favor?"

"A HUGE favor."

"Well, what is it? I'll see what I can do." Athrun promised, leaning into his chair.

"I need a plane."

Silence...

"...I don't think I can help you there. Why do you ask?" Athrun answered warily, not sure if this was just a joke or not.

"I can't get a plane ticket back in time for the play!" Kira hollered. "I've tried everything! But all seats are books or something! I mean, this is impossible! It's like the world's against me!"

"Not the world, just your life." Athrun sighed. "Don't blame the world because you're too busy. At least you can come back early."

"It's a relief to say the least... How's Cagalli?" Kira inquired casually.

"She's... okay. I guess. What can I say, she's busy." Athrun hesitated, unsure of his choice of words.

"Mm... And how are you?"

"Hm? I already said I'm fine."

"All right... And uh, how long have you known Cagalli now?"

"A couple of months?" Athrun answered easily.

"And when did you realize you'd fallen for her?"

"A- wait what?" Athrun snapped back to reality, welcomed by the sound of Kira's laughter.

"I hope you weren't trying to keep it a secret, because you were doing a relatively miserable job of it. Luckily Cagalli's just as blind as you are."

"Gee thanks." Athrun retorted sarcastically. "Actually part of me is wishing she had figured it out. That way I wouldn't have to tell her myself..."

"Don't worry about it. It'll happen, though Lacus and I can help speed up the process when I get back." Kira grinned.

"I thought this was just a visit. You're coming back permanently?"

"Yeah, as soon as I get back I'm going to quit this program. They don't need me at all over here, and I'm basically doing exactly what I did last year. There's no point." He frowned in disappointment.

"Your choice." Athrun shrugged, smiling a bit though. It was obviously there was also the "I miss Lacus" factor involved, that he either wasn't admitting to, or just wasn't even aware of. And he was happy for Kira, he really was. Being able to be with the person that he loved... and know that she loves him too...

He suppressed the twang of jealousy that struck his chest and switched the phone onto his other ear. "So what are you going to do about plane thing?"

"No idea." Kira shook his head sadly. "I've tried everything... I just don't think this is going to work. Just... don't tell Lacus."

"About the staying permanently, or the plane?"

"Both. I want the first to be a surprise, and as for the plane... I'm going to keep trying. I've been put on the waiting list for a ticket for now, and maybe I'll get lucky."

"How lucky?"

"Like... 214th place lucky?" The auburn haired young man replied with feigned optimism. Athrun chuckled softly.

"Miracles can happen."

"Yeah, I'll just keep praying for one. Thanks though."

"No problem."

Dropping the phone back into the cradle, Athrun stared at his computer screen for a while, before opening a new window and starting an e-mail.

"Miracles can happen... but so can best friends."

Cagalli propped up a ladder then carefully climbed up three steps before Lacus handed her a box of bulbs. Two of them needed to be changed, and she had offered to help.

Today was the one day that they only had half a day of rehearsal all week. Lately Cagalli had been able to get out of work a lot more often, milking the excuse of "mental trauma" for all it was worth. As a side thought to the play and life in general, she'd also started considering a job change. One that had better pay, batter hours, and something that could maybe get her back in school. For some reason, after telling Athrun about her problem, she'd felt motivated to do something.

Oddly enough, he hadn't brought it up at all. Part of knew she wouldn't get a lecture, and the other part was kind of disappointed she didn't. Didn't he care at all?

'Course that was just it. He did care. Enough for her to deal with it herself. But he would at least be there if she needed him, at least that much was assured. As for last night...

She had no idea what he was trying to say. Call her romantically impaired but Athrun was harder to figure out than a rubix cube. The boy could seem so clear one minute, then say something completely irrelevant the next.

Just like he would put her on the top of the world with a passing glance, then have her crash back down the moment he looked away.

Finishing with one bulb, she reached back down for Lacus to hand her another one.

"Hey... Lacus," Cagalli started.

"So you really care about Athrun huh?"

"Wha-" Cagalli almost fell off the ladder. Gripping the sides firmly, she looked down with a crimson face and stammered.

"La-Lacus! Where did that come from?"

"...It took you 15 minutes to screw in one bulb. You had to have been thinking of something." She blinked, looking up at her friend.

"How... did you figure it out?"

"Most obviously, he's the only person you can be calm around, even when you're at your angriest. At the same time, you get frustrated a lot by him, but you're still smiling while you yell. Talk about a love-hate relationship." Lacus laughed. "That and many other things I suppose. When did you realize it?"

"I... I don't know." Cagalli stuttered, hurriedly screwing in the last one and climbing back down. "I think last night... He tried to say something, then didn't? And... I don't know. I felt something because he didn't..."

"Disappointed?"

"Yeah. I think so."

"What were you expecting him to say?"

"I'm not sure. But I think I wanted him to say something."

Lacus smiled sympathetically. "Don't worry Cagalli. It was months before Kira could look at me without blushing and speak coherently. And Athrun's about as good in the romantic department as a brick."

Cagalli laughed somewhat sadly as Lacus patted her on the back softly. "It's only been a few months since he met you in that café."

"You know about the café?" Cagalli looked at her in mild shock.

"Of course, Athrun told me about a certain 'very interesting waitress' the day he met you. I just put the pieces together. And Kira's probably figured it out too. He just... finds the idea of his best friend and little sister together... kind of awkward."

"I can see that... just the idea of my brother knowing how I feel about his best friends makes me feel awkward... That and it's Kira, so him feeling uncomfortable is expected."

"Don't worry." Lacus smiled. "He trusts Athrun too much to kill him... I think."

The two women laughed aloud, then Cagalli hopped back up to get to work again. Lacus turned her head to watch her leave and beamed.

"Maybe the casting wasn't so bad after all..."

Standing up to follow the blonde, she brushed off her pants then grabbed a box that Cagalli had left.

"Serendipity works in their favor..."

Athrun strolled into the auditorium, tossing his bag and jacket onto an empty seat. He had just finished work and dashed right over for the half day of rehearsal scheduled. The time: 5:30.

Stopping to take out his script, he stumbled forward for a moment as he bumped into someone.

"Oh, hi Meer." He turned around and gave a brief awkward wave.

"Hello Athrun." She greeted as casually as possible. The events of last night were still fresh on her mind, but she could at least act as normal as possible. Besides, it didn't hurt as much as she had expected it would. In some ways, she had seen it coming and prepared herself for it.

"So, how's your day been?" He inquired.

"All right. I mostly just slept in." She smiled. "It's good to have a break."

"It is." He nodded in agreement, unsure of what to say next. After all, she kind of did confess deep feelings for him just the night before, only to say that she was giving up on him. You really don't hear THAT everyday...

Luckily for him, it seemed as though Meer already had a topic chosen. "So have you talked to her?"

"Yes..."

"Did you tell her?"

"Kind of."

Meer raised an eyebrow. "Kind of? Did you tell her or not?"

"No...It harder then it looks."

"I know." Meer nodded sympathetically. Athrun looked at her and smiled apologetically.

"Try that holiday cast party that Lacus is throwing." She suggested.

"You mean this thing?" He asked, taking out a white envelope from his pocket. "I don't know..."

"Don't look that way. If you don't hurry, someone's else is going to make a move on her." Meer warned in a teasing tone.

"Like who?" Athrun's face held a jealous expression.

"Oh, I dunno." Meer replied in a teasing sing-song voice. Turning towards the stage she smirked mockingly, then shot a glance at Athrun and gestured towards the stage.

"But Derek seems interested..."

"Cagalli!"

She turned in the direction of the voice that had called out to her, seeing Derek jog up to her, waving something in his hand. "Hey Derek, how's it going?"

"Pretty good. You?" He responded politely

"Not bad. What can I do for you?"

"Have you gotten this yet?" Derek asked, showing her the letter in his hand.

"Invitation from Lacus? Yeah."

"You going?"

"I guess. My brother's going to be there, and so I may as well send Christmas Eve with everyone, after the play." She shrugged. After all, there was absolutely no way she was going to work anymore. Worst comes to worse, she'd get fired, and she was looking for a new job anyways.

"Cool. Are you bringing anyone then?" He grinned, wondering if she'd take the hint or not. A loud clang was heard as Lacus dropped a tin can of stage props. Everyone turned to face her and she blinked at the sudden attention.

"M-My bad... carry on." She smiled, trying to brush off the incident. Bending down to pick it back up, she sighed. 'Athrun... You better move fast.'

"Well then..." Cagalli smiled, "To answer your questions, I kind of just got heard about it, so I haven't really thought about it."

"So then... How about going with m-."

"Heeey Derek!" Meer burst out cheerfully, flying out from the side and quickly turning him away from Cagalli, to face her. "How are you?"

"Oh, hi. Well I'm uh-" He started, words failing him due to the surprise. Meanwhile Athrun hid his face in his right hand out of embarrassment.

'The help is much appreciated... but you'd think she could find a less conspicuous way about it...' He sighed. Looking up, how watched Cagalli stared blankly at the scene before her, then stood up and quickly walked over.

"It's been so long since we've talked!" Meer chatted on, nervously shooting glances at Athrun as if urging him to hurry up and ask Cagalli before Derek recovered from the shock.

"It has." Derek responded awkwardly.

"Anything new?"

"Not really."

"Are you going to Lacus' holiday party?"

"Actually yeah. I was just about to ask Cagalli if-"

"That's awesome, let's go together!"

"A-what?" Derek's eyebrow shot up in surprise.

"Want to?" Meer tried her hardest not to look obvious. Meanwhile a very flustered Derek still looked horribly lost, Athrun still looked embarrassed, yet eyed Cagalli out of the corner of his eye, and Cagalli... still had no idea what was going on.

"Well... I was about to ask Cagalli if she would want to accompany me..." He smiled, turning towards the now rapidly blinking blonde.

"Me?" Cagalli repeated in shock, pointing to herself. "You mean.. me?"

"I don't see any other Cagalli's..." Derek laughed, pretending to look around.

"I... I'm flattered." Cagalli finished lamely. She had only just heard about this thing! Turning him down would be cruel, but at the same time...

She sneaked a peak at Athrun, who seemed completely ambivalent to the situation. He was standing right beside her, but wasn't even looking in her general direction... DID he care? Lacus had told her to hang in here, and hinted towards some deeper feelings, but what if they were all reading too much into him?

After all, according to last night... she just... "mattered".

Athrun found it unbelievably hard to watch Cagalli actually think over Derek's offer. Why didn't she just say no? Technically, Kira had offered him encouragement earlier in the day... but never really explicitly SAID that his feelings were reciprocated. So what if it was all just a mistake?

What if this whole time... he was chasing after a lost cause?

Then with just four little words, he felt his world come crashing down.

"I guess that's okay..." Cagalli said, much quieter than she had intended it to be. Her eyes darted towards Athrun again, and for a moment she thought she saw him flinch.

Ahh, yes. Flinching. The subtle external response to the feeling of his heart being crushed by two tons of anger, jealousy, disappointment, and worst of all, self-pity. As hard as Athrun tried to stop himself from reacting, his urge to punch something was subdued.

Derek was ecstatic and reached forward to hug Cagalli, causing Meer to abruptly let go of him. Giving Athrun a glare, she shook her head in disappointment. Suddenly, she felt someone tap her shoulder, and felt herself get gently led away. For a moment, she watched Lacus' calm expression with surprise.

"Shouldn't we?-"

"Right now the last thing he needs is us to start scolding him. If I know Athrun, he's going to take it harder on himself than any other person could possibly blame him." Lacus sighed, silently praying for a miracle.

Walking away, Athrun didn't even bother to look back or say goodbye to Cagalli. He had never felt more frustrated in his entire life. in the span of five minutes, he lost his chance. THE chance.

Then again, even if he had asked first, would she have said yes? After all, she did agree to go with Derek...

shoving his hands into his pockets, he was suddenly reminded of a very important piece of information that he had completely forgotten about.

In some ways he was feeling bitter about it. In his hand, he held a piece of paper that could bring two beloved people together, yet for all his work, he got nothing.

'What work?'

Well... Technically, he didn't really WORK. He didn't really tell her either...

'So then... how was she supposed to know?'

She wasn't supposed to. Obviously, that's why he wanted to keep it a secret... He pushed open an emergency exit door, ignoring the defective alarm, knowing that it would turn off as soon as the door closed. Walking outside, and feeling the cold air blow through his shirt, he frowned.

Even if he had told her... would it have been different?

God knows...

Looking at the piece of paper again, she unfolded it and took a cursory read of the text. Pulling out his cell phone, he once more called Kira, collecting his scattered thoughts as the phone rang.

"Hey, Athrun. Anything wrong?" Kira greeted upon answering. "Aren't you at rehearsal...You didn't tell Lacus did you?"

"No, not at all. But I did find you a ticket..."

"You're kidding! Athrun, I think I really do love you!"

"Save it for Lacus. And it's not all that great. It arrives like... an hour before the show starts, so you're going to either have to learn to fly, or miss the first act or so." He explained.

"That's okay, I'll sneak in."

"... Your seat's in the front row."

"Soo..." Kira asked, not sure what Athrun was implying.

"There is absolutely NO way, you can sneak in without her noticing. Nor can your seat be empty without her noticing."

"Your kidding."

"I wouldn't kid about something like this..." Athrun assured.

"I'll... figure something out. I guess. It's better than nothing. Thanks though... Is everything okay over there?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You sound different. Low spirited..." Kira commented, confident that something that happened and almost just as sure it involved Cagalli.

"No, it's nothing at all." Athrun replied, in a feeble attempt to brush off his best friend's concern.

"...Okay. Thanks again." Kira spoke hesitantly.

"No problem. And really, don't worry about it. Just, come back for Christmas." Athrun tried to sound as convincing as possible, completely unaware of how badly he was failing. Hanging up, he turned around and swung open the door again with a sigh.

"Well... At least they deserve a nice Christmas." He muttered softly, slowly making his way back to the auditorium.

Ah, yes, the classic mismatched date . Why on earth is it so darned hard for these two? And could it possible get any worse?

Well... we'll see. Next chapter is the final act: "Mistletoe, Miracles and Mayhem". As play and party come together will two shy people be able to do the same? Only way to find out is to read on!

I am... ridiculously pressed for time this week. I have about 4 tests and projects coming up, and no time to write! Unfortunately I wasn't able to reply to any of the reviewers last time, but since this is the second last chapter, I will definitely be responding. After that one, I will be posting up an epilogue, in time for New Years. So, be sure to catch that.

Thank you to all the reviewers and readers though! I don't know where I'd be without your support.

lil kagome 13, CelicaChick, sweet lisa, astrocosmos, koali alolao, MXC - the show- rocks my socks, Kandida, AnimexMusica, IYGU, KiraFreedom, Kintora, asga, thousandbirds, Belle, kura52, gseedlover, Cagalli Yula Athha Fangirl, Eternally Asuka, XxbuffyxX, ZGMF X-19A Infinite Justice, chocoholic-green, Moonee, Yukimi noh Daiomoru, ANONYMOUS, cloudy mind, stuntsheep,ichigo kagura, Maryam Khanoom, BabuBear, SasukeLuver678, animeluver461, Princess Ashes, animemistress419

Until next chapter!

Periodic-Prose.