AN: Ok everyone, here it is, the end. Hope you all like it. Thanks again to all those who reviewed. I have decided I do not like several smaller chapters, and will focus on larger ones even it means having fewer chaptes and reviews. I will hint at my next few works on the bottom. Please Read and Review, all coments and critques welcome.

Lacus had firmly buried herself within Kira's welcoming embrace as they shared the dwindling cup of coca. Lost deep in thought, she stared down at the near-empty porcelain container. Outside, the weather worsened with the rain beating down its fury upon the ground. Yet, being the sanctuary that it was, the orphanage repelled the rain and protected its inhabitants from its anger.

Sensing his love's distress, he caressed the exposed side her face and spoke in the tender voice he had been accustomed to hearing. "Lacus, it's okay, we don't have to talk about this now if you don't want to. The day you are ready, I'll be here for you."

His angel burst into tears at his words, clutching tightly to his chest as she no longer held back the tears kept locked within her heart. "Oh, Kira…"

She cried into him, her anguish finally expressing itself properly. Kira's heart broke to see the suffering within her, and held her tightly. He did the only thing he could think to do in such a situation. He just held onto his Lacus and cried with her. Their tears intermingled and combined as they two finally shared the emotion they had been avoiding … the pain of loss.

Rubbing her eyes into his jacket, she wiped her tears away, sniffling as her sobs lessoned. Lacus finally understood how their favorite little girl felt, clutched against Kira. He offered the comfort and protection they couldn't' find within themselves alone. More importantly, he offered them peace of mind. Lacus planted a small kiss onto his chest and leaned back so she could give into his violet eyes.

Filled with tears that he no longer fought to hold back, he gazed back into her own shimmering orbs. He understood why she cried, but the hurt within her tears was repelled by the beauty and innocence of her blue eyes. Kira continued to keep his hand resting on the side of her face, aiding the tears by wiping them away.

"Kira… my daddy… he… he… left me all alone…"

Lacus never had to worry about her future, because she knew it was filled with love and joy. It was the horrors she had lived through herself that kept her chained to the past. The shackles held her arms and legs back from a key that dangled just out of her reach. Strife was not a kindly warden.

Now, holding someone whom she truly loved, and one who truly loved her in each other's arm, there was hope. The key remained just beyond her reach, however, mocking her with freedom. But with a burst of light, there was Kira, key in hand and salvation in his arms.

Her thoughts were soon interrupted by Kira's voice. He himself barely knew what to say. It wasn't so much earlier that he was being comforted for the loss he had to deal with. There were no words could make the pain go away, for this problem was not an easy one.

"Lacus, it's okay to grieve for his death. He died trying to help millions. He did everything he could as a man, and now, he lives on in our hearts as more than a man, but an ideal."

Her sniffling signaled his words had not had the desired effect. Kira wasn't the natural caretaker Lacus was. He knew how to destroy evil, it was Lacus who nurtured the good.

"But I feel like I'm forgetting him. His smile, the way he held me when I got scared at night, how he used to take care of me when I was sad…" These words stung Kira hard. He almost forgot that he wasn't necessarily the number one guy in her life. It wasn't easy competing with a dead loved one who affected her life so greatly. Seigel Clyne had left his daughter with her own emotional scars.

The silence left after Lacus finished speaking broke apart as they china he held dropped upon the floor. 'Is this what Lacus must feel when she thinks about me and... Her?'

Laucs looked up worriedly upon Kira. He was never so careless around her. Kissing her tenderly upon her forehead, Kira eased her troubles, encouraging her to continue. This was about her, his Lacus.

"I don't even have anything here to remind me of him. No pictures, no relatives. It's like he is slowly slipping away from me and I can't hold onto what's left."

Softly he spoke, his husky timber in knowing of her pain. "Lacus, he'll be with you as long as you remember him. You don't need pictures to be reminded of the love he showed you for so many years. Just hold that memory in your heart. Share that memory with those you love and trust… Share those memories with me."

Her words came out rapidly now, a touch of regret clinging to each one, "But, Kira, I didn't want you to know my regret. I didn't want to add to the hurt you have to live with every day. I .. just wanted to help you and.. " she wouldn't be given permission to continue. Kira leaned in, ceasing her speech the only way he knew how.

His firm lips pressed hard against her silky smooth ones as he took them in a long kiss. Shock, just as the first time she kissed him, now filled her eyes. Surprised, she didn't kiss back at first, but was held captive to the love processed in the simple action. As they parted, Lacus looked at him with a questioning glance.

"Lacus, you are the bright part of my life. The only thing that makes me feel better than knowing you will be there everyday when I wake up, is knowing that we can share everything with one another. You told me you wanted to know my pains as well as my joys. I too wish to know yours, because… I …" His words were suddenly silenced as Lacus hungrily returned the favor he had given to her only moments before, her lips closing on his with heated passion.

Leaning against him, Lacus broke the kiss, her lips feeling bereft from the loss of his warmth. This angle, however, revealed a bag next to the sofa that she didn't recall seeing before. Recognizing the question within her eyes, Kira replied, "The kids made you some get well cards. They missed you today."

Pulling away from her, Kira left her, only to return seconds later with a soft blanket. Taking care to wrap it about both of them, their arms and legs intertwined as they began to read each and every 'Get Well.' Card. Each card followed a kiss from Kira, his own little 'get well' message to his love. As the last card was read and returned to its bag, Lacus lay against him, her back resting against him.

"So, Kira, did I ever tell you about the time my dad got me this hairclip?"

"No, but I'd love to hear about it…"

Together they shared stories back and forth about their pasts. Spending so much time together each day, they almost forgot they had lived separate lives until a few years ago. As they shared their memories, the angel's tears had stopped, but the rain outside the warmth and protection of the orphanage had not relented. Just like the seemingly never ending storm, the pain of loss could not be driven away with just a simple conversation. It was about the journey, not the destination. But they had each other to count on and depend on, and together, there was little they could not accomplish. Together, their two minds, souls and hearts would truly be one and help drive away the storms to come.

So was that good, bad, ugly? i wanna know. I would also be interested in hearing which of my works to date is more popular so i can see what i did right. I am currently working on a Full Metal Panic (KanamexSouske)fic that is about half done, as well as a FFVIII (SquallxRinoa)fic that is well underway, but looks like it could be a long project. I have some ideas about my next KiraxLacus Fic, but i am unsure as to when i will be writing/posting it. Once again my thanks for your reviews, and i hope to read more and more of them.