Chapter 21 Joy & Heartbreak

A/N: Oh goodness, I feel as though my last chapter was such a letdown because of the confusing part, which I said that you could ask about. It seemed like many of you needed explanations, kyaaaa! Am I that bad an author! Oh well, I'm just overreacting… hehe. Anyway, happy reading!

"Kyo! You're alright! We were so worried!" exclaimed Miriallia, throwing her arms around her redheaded friend. The auburn-haired girl's olive eyes were swimming in tears of joy.

It had been two days of anxiety, constant waiting and upholding of hopes before the attractive redhead, Kyo Yamajika, the bunch's close friend and also Yzak Jule's beloved female companion, aroused from her deep slumber.

"I'm glad I'm awake too, how're things?" asked Kyo softly, her voice still weak, and it sounded rather unwilling to come out of her vocal-cords and out of her mouth. The redheaded girl was lying semi-propped up in her bed, and was being enveloped in a number of her friend's arms.

"Things are good, way better than before! Especially now that you're ok," said Miriallia excitedly, looking ecstatic as she clapped her hands together. "Plus, Cagalli gave birth to a baby boy, who's now about two days old, and my, he's such a darling!"

"Not to forget, Athrun's awake now. He's got his full memory back too; he remembers everything, including Mia and Cagalli." Added Lacus quickly, looking over at Athrun who was sitting up in his own bed and sipping a cup of tea with milk.

"That's bloody brilliant," replied Kyo, smiling for the first time since she came around minutes before. "What's the baby's name?"

"Aaron," said a voice that everyone recognised as none other than the blonde Orb Princess's, "Aaron Zala," continued Cagalli, looking over at Athrun, who smiled ruefully at her, though she still ignored him.

"That's a beautiful name," stated Kyo, coughing slightly as she sat up fully, with a lot of Yzak's help. "However, I don't sense that things are quite right between you and Athrun? While I was asleep, I sort of heard a few things, so it sort of gave me a notion that the both of you aren't on very good terms with one another."

"The way you say that you were able to hear us, makes me think that you could wake up but didn't because you wanted us to worry more." Said Dearka wilfully, receiving a hard nudge from Kira afterward.

"Don't you say that, Dearka! I'm sure Kyo was too weak to awaken, besides Yzak was alongside her all the while, he didn't eat, sleep or even go to the loo. Or at least I didn't see him go to the loo." Said Kira, triggering a laugh from the others.

"Yeah, precisely the point, Kira! Well said!" praised Lacus sweetly, planting a kiss on the brunette's cheek, as he blushed deeply. "Kyo loves Yzak deeply, I'm sure she wouldn't want to see him pining for her while she knew she could put an end to his worries and all."

"I know he loves me, and he knows I love him just as much or maybe even more." Said Kyo, turning her head slightly and looking up at her platinum blonde boyfriend, who smiled down at her and nuzzled her head lovingly.

"Oh yes, where's Athrun?" questioned Kyo curiously. Her question made everyone fall dead silent as some eyes focused on Cagalli's reaction, and other eyes focused on the charming blue-haired co-ordinator on the bed beside Kyo's.

Dearka and Miriallia moved aside, so Kyo could look to her left and face her fellow friend.

Athrun smiled warmly at her, "Good to see you again, Kyo." The blue-haired co-ordinator smiled widely one last time before turning to look at Cagalli, who simply shifted her gaze away, ignoring him completely.

Athrun's face fell, before he himself turned to look away, returning his attention to his cup of hot tea, which was cooling down quickly as the weather was rather chilly since it was the middle of autumn.

"Miss Kyo, you've come around, at last!" advocated Dr. Ishida, coming out of the staffroom, after he spotted a well and awakened Kyo, who grinned at him widely before nestling further into Yzak's secure and warm arms.

"When can she be discharged?" questioned Lacus eagerly, awaiting an answer from the experienced doctor, who seemed to be thinking her question over.

"I'll do some tests on her today, and if everything seems spick and span, I see no reason why she can't be discharged." Said Dr. Ishida clapping his hands together and laughing merrily, "Also, I think you'll be glad to know that Mr. Athrun can be discharged right now. His blood test results are out, and he's perfectly fine now."

"That's brilliant! Things are certainly perking up, aren't they?" said Miriallia chirpily, dancing around the room jovially before swinging back into Dearka's strong arms.

"Sure they are! In fact, I've got a superb idea that can account for everything good that has happened so far!" suggested Lacus excitedly, getting everyone's attention before proceeding with what she had to say," Once Kyo is discharged, we'll throw a party dedicated to Aaron's arrival and also to Athrun and Kyo's recovery!"

"Sounds great, Lacus, though I don't think he really needs anything this big, at his age." Said Cagalli, gesturing toward a sleeping Aaron cradled in her arms.

"Why not? He's such a darling, no body can resist giving him a cuddle, when he's awake, that is." Said Miriallia happily, kissing Dearka on the cheek.

"It's settled then, I'll notify all of you on the details when the time is ripe. Now, I think these two lovebirds need to spend some quality time alone with each other, hmm?" said Lacus, finishing her statement by looking over at Kyo and Yzak.

"Ooh, make good use of that time Yzak, you don't want to miss out on such a brilliant opportunity! Don't let the idea of chastity ruin your plans!" called Dearka, as Miriallia dragged him out of the medical unit.

"Chastity may not be important to you Dearka, but it is to me, now shut up!" snapped Miriallia heatedly, smacking Dearka hard on his forearm and making him howl in pain.

"Shut the curtains if you like, I don't want to play gooseberry." Said Athrun merrily, looking jokingly at Yzak, who just grinned gratefully at his blue-haired comrade, who winked at him before Yzak drew the curtains shut around Kyo's bed.

"It's been some time since we've been alone, huh?" said Kyo softly, staring up at the almost tired face of her platinum blonde boyfriend, who was busy brushing aside strands of her soft red hair and tucking them behind her ears.

"I guess, you don't know who worried I've bloody been, Kyo." Said Yzak softly, nuzzling his girlfriend's neck lovingly and pressing tiny kisses down her neck and face. The young Jule could only enjoy Kyo's soft skin as he rubbed his nose gently against her cheek.

"What're you doing, Yzak?" laughed Kyo lightly, ruffling Yzak's hair and picking out a bit of string, which was probably from his shirt, out of his hair.

"Enjoying you again, I thought you'd never wake up this time, I mean after everything that's happened, I thought you'd be too weak." Said Yzak so softly, he was barely audible, but thank goodness Kyo was also a co-ordinator who had enhanced hearing.

"But I am awake and alive now, Yzak, now stop living in the past and open your eyes to welcome the present. I'll be with you always and as long as I'll ever live," said Kyo, receiving a passionate kiss from Yzak, who just couldn't help himself, partially because Kyo's lips looked so alluring and soft.

Kyo laughed through the kiss, as the young Jule just kissed her even harder, occassionally opening his mouth so he and Kyo could breathe before they set a world record that said, 'Young couple die from French kissing, first in the entire world to die from such an incident'.

Back outside the curtains, Athrun couldn't help but listen to whatever was going on inside, and could only assume his platinum blonde girlfriend was busy kissing his girlfriend. Of course, his assumption was right, though he couldn't really see to prove it.

The midnight blue-haired young man just lay in his bed, happy that in a while he would be getting up to pack his things and move out of the medical unit and back to his assigned bedroom. However he was also sad to know that the one he truly loved was giving him the extra cold shoulder, Cagalli.

Athrun thought of the blonde Or Princess every single minute ever since he awakened about an hour before. No doubt, he loved his baby son, Aaron Zala, with just as much love, but right now, he just wanted to be reassured that Cagalli still loved him.

The young Zala missed Cagalli awfully, and he just longed to be able to kiss her like before, and for her to hold him when he was afraid of unsure. The thought of suicide had crossed his mind a few times before already if Cagalli was to give up on him, however, he also had a whole life ahead of him, and a son to account for.

Athrun Zala, son of Patrick and Lenore Zala, couldn't always be thinking of himself nowadays. He had to think of Cagalli and Aaron now, he couldn't just end his life like that without thinking of the consequences Cagalli and Aaron would face.

Cagalli would become a single mother, Aaron would be fatherless for the rest of his life, plus, Athrun would feel guilty in his afterlife. Of course, he knew very well that suicide was an option he would never consider, however, he was considering hurting himself to get Cagalli's attention.

Yes, it was a childish thing to do and a very immature way of thinking, but what other choice did Athrun Zala have?

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Another round of good news knocked on Lacus's door that afternoon, when a nurse came to announce that Athrun and Kyo's discharges were now confirmed and that Athrun had already left the medical unit, while Yzak was busy helping Kyo pack up her stuff.

The bunch could only rejoice by cheering and singing stupid songs like, 'Ooh eeh ooh ah ah, ting tang, wa la wa la bing bang'. Even little Aaron was laughing and giggling along with the rest in Cagalli's arms.

"Why don't we start the party now? Then we can invite Kyo and the rest over once they're out of the medical unit!" advocated Lacus excitedly, seeing that no one had any objections, she picked up the phone and ordered some food from the Orb kitchens.

"This is awesome!" yelled Dearka, swinging Miriallia around in circles, as Miriallia laughed out loud, cheering loudly.

"I'm going to invite Athrun over," said Kira, before looking over at Cagalli, "Is that ok?"

The blonde girl's eyes widened before she caught Kira's stern gaze. The brunette young man furrowed his eyebrows and cocked his head to one side, gesturing to his twin sister that she'd better be alright with it or else he'd do something about it.

Nobody told Cagalli Yula Athha 'no'. Nobody ever did; she never listened and wouldn't ever listen.

"No." Cagalli spoke, breaking the silence.

"What?" asked Kira, looking appalled at Cagalli, who settled Aaron in his cot and folded her arms tightly across her chest, and looking determined.

"I said no." repeated Cagalli, this time sounding fiercer and as stern as ever. Aaron was lying in his cot, stretching out his arms in Cagalli's direction, wanting to be picked up, only to realise that his mother ignored him completely.

Being a baby, and babies couldn't wait for anything, Aaron started to fret and cry, kicking his legs and eyes tearing already. Cagalli just stood her ground ignoring her crying baby, to Lacus's dismay.

The blonde girl was still furious with Athrun, and right now, she was too pissed to think about anything else but how to deal with Kira, as her brother was now arguing with his sister over the 'Athrun' issue.

"Sorry, is anything wrong?" came a voice from the bedroom door, which had recently swung open to reveal, Kyo, Yzak and Athrun who were standing by the door, looking refreshed and rejuvenated.

"No! It's just that my baby brother Kira is annoying me again!" growled Cagalli, glaring ferociously at Kira, who was looking worried and angry at the same time.

Aaron was now wailing his lungs off and his little voice was growing hoarse. Feeling very worried, Lacus rushed over and scooped the brawling baby into her arms and tried desperately to calm him down, but to no avail, the baby boy just wailed on.

As a last resort, Lacus rushed forward and thrust Aaron into Athrun's arms. Athrun rocked Aaron gently, and the baby's cries gradually died down, as he snuggled into the warm pair of arms that were embracing him.

Aaron rested his head on his father's shoulder, is tiny mouth sucking on his right fist.

"Who said you could touch him?" exclaimed Cagalli, darting forward, attempting to grab Aaron only to find that Athrun spun out of her reach. Athrun was glaring at Cagalli angrily, clutching a sobbing Aaron in his strong arms.

"What're you playing at, Cagalli? First you give Athrun the cold shoulder, next you let your son cry on and you ignore him, what's next?" hissed Yzak heatedly, in his right hand held Kyo's luggage, which he had offered to carry for her.

"None of your business," scowled Cagalli hotly. One thing she hated was nosy people. She hated Athrun as well, she hated him to the core of his guts.

"You know something Athrun, you're not as great as people see you to be. You're just a useless jerk," hissed Cagalli glaring madly at Athrun, who looked rather hurt as he propped Aaron higher up into his arms.

"Cagalli what's gotten into you? Why have you suddenly harboured so much hate for Athrun?" asked Kyo, shaking her head at Cagalli. The redheaded girl stroked Aaron's head gently and smiled at the teary-eyed baby before returning her gaze to the blonde Orb Princess.

"I can't stand him now, I don't know why. He deserves it anyway!" yelled Cagalli heatedly, glaring at Athrun who backed away slightly, holding a shaking Aaron in his arms.

"Cagalli, how many freakin' times do we have to tell you that what happened was not all Athrun's fault! He was a different person then, he was manipulated! You missed him like hell then, why're you pushing him away now?" questioned Miriallia, striding up to Cagalli and shaking the blonde girl by the shoulders.

"I don't know why I'm like this. I just hate him so much! How he just forgot about me like that!" shrieked Cagalli, breathing deeply and intensely. If not for Aaron who was snuggled up in Athrun's embrace, Cagalli would've long ago lunged out at Athrun, even if she was going to be fighting a losing battle with him.

Cagalli knew very well that Athrun was a lot stronger than she was, and that if she were to fight him, she'd lose. However, she also knew that he loved her too much to lay a single finger on her or Aaron.

The blonde girl had been lying the entire way, she knew very well why she was acting this way. She had too much pride in her; she didn't want to lose face. Since she had started punishing Athrun, she had to finish off with it. Even if she had to hurt Athrun along the way, so be it.

Maybe that was how Cagalli was, headstrong and proud. She would always put herself before anything else.

"Cagalli I don't know why you are so extremely obstinate now! Stop shunning Athrun already! Think about your son, Aaron! You said yourself last time. You had to love Athrun for Aaron's sake! So now that Aaron's born, why are you denying your undying love for Athrun?" Demanded Lacus lividly, staring ever so furiously at the blonde girl.

Cagalli froze at the statement. She remembered, when she had first revealed to the bunch that she was pregnant, they had asked her to give up on Athrun, but she had refused to. Her actions were contradicting the very words she had spoken of before.

The blonde girl knew she had reached a dead end. She was fighting a losing battle. The others were on Athrun's side, and she knew that where Athrun was, justice was. She'd either swallow all her pride and admit defeat, and carry the guilt along with her for life.

However, someone spoke, and his words shattered her heart the very instant he ended.

"Forget it. We all know how stubborn she is, nobody can change her mind once she's bent on doing something. If she doesn't love me, I can accept that." Said Athrun softly, walking up to the baby cot and placing Aaron inside before backing away.

"Athrun, you'd better take your words back before you regret it. D'you know what you just said, mate?" said Dearka stunned, looking horrified at his midnight blue-haired friend, who was staring at the ground.

"Athrun d'you know how serious this is? You just said that you'd accept the face that she didn't love you anymore, which means that you're willing to stop loving Cagalli." Said Miriallia slowly, looking intently at Athrun who just bit his lower lip.

"Athrun think it over carefully! You've got a son now," said Kyo shrewdly, looking anxiously at Athrun, as a pregnant silence followed her last words.

"Love is complicating," muttered Yzak under his breath, pushing back some of is platinum blonde hair, and sighing deeply before placing Kyo's suitcase aside and snaking an arm around her waist.

Athrun looked up and stared at Aaron, who was lying in his cot, and twisting his head in an odd angle to stare back up at his father, whom he was a splitting image of.

The blue-haired co-ordinator then turned to Cagalli before saying with tears in his eyes, "I'm sorry,"

With that, Cagalli darted past him, Yzak and Kyo out of Lacus's room and headed back into her own room, before throwing herself onto her bed and bursting into tears.

No! It couldn't be happening! Athrun couldn't give up on her, she loved him; she really did! Why didn't she ever tell him before? Cagalli had brought it all upon herself. She deserved it, but yet she still felt it was too harsh a punishment.

For the rest of the day, Cagalli remained alone in her room, refusing even Aaron, when Lacus had brought him down a couple of times to her room for his feeds. However, Cagalli told Lacus to feed Aaron some of the breastmilk she had stored in bottles up in Lacus's room.

Knowing very well that Cagalli wasn't going to cooperate for a while, Lacus could only do as she was told.

Meanwhile, Athrun himself had turned away anyone who knocked on his room door in an attempt to comfort him. The blue-haired co-ordinator felt defeated, he felt like a failure. He had broken Cagalli's heart and his own at the same time.

No matter how Cagalli or Athrun cried silently on their own, none of them could comfort themselves in any way.

A/N: Sorry, I know this chappie was unusually short, I've been really busy with the house lately. I'm still settling into New Zealand life, hopefully everything will turn out ok. Anyway, thank you to everyone who has been supporting me and to those who have reviewed, I'm appreciative. Also, I have written a oneshot fic, about Cagalli's thoughts and feelings when she met up with Athrun one last time after he had gotten together with Meyrin. Thank you to those who have reviewed that fanfic, its title is, 'I'll Miss You'.

In the next chapter: Somebody is kidnapped, and the only trace of the culprit is a note asking for a meet up. Cagalli is horrified and keeps blaming herself for not taking Aaron in with her that night. Athrun and Cagalli finally reunite during this tough time, comforting each other while the others also brace up for the encounter with the culprit. Who is the culprit and what does he want? And who was kidnapped? All in the next chappie!