Disclaimer:I claim no credit or whatsoever for the characters, but aye, I claim credit for the plot line.

A/N: Chapter Four for you :D

Thank You

It was dawn, and though the thick curtains prevented any ray of sunlight from entering the room, Cagalli intuitionally knew of the time. Her body clock was honed over the years to wake at approximately six it the morning. She rubbed her eyes, yawned and turned round.

"Good morning." Athrun smiled, his arms wrapped around her waist loosely.

Cagalli screamed, her reaction something he did not expect at all. Immediately his hands were pressed against her mouth.

"For God sakes, it's me, Athrun Zala. Quit screaming! We might be misunderstood!"

His hands were removed when she nodded in understanding. The air was cool, and the room silent. Cagalli recalled her uneventful tea and invitation last night, but she didn't remember telling him his arms could be round her waist! The man seemed to pay little notice to her lack of willingness to be touched. He was smiling, eyes closed, chest rising and falling peacefully.

He cracked an eye open. "Not sleeping?"

"No." She replied curtly, expression anything but happy.

"Oh… Someone's in a bad mood. Got up on the wrong side of the bed?"

Placing her hands onto his arms, she squeezed them emphasizing her displeasure. "How about you remove these?"

"How about you say please?" He purred, pulling her closer.

Cagalli fumed. She was annoyed, partially at his actions and how dreadfully fast her heart was currently beating. If only she could teach her body or be able to command her body to stop responding to his sly words and deeds.

"How about you unhand me and I'll reconsider dealing out corporal punishment." She shot back, snarling when his face inched closer.

"I would like to see you try." Was the reply before she was flipped onto her back, her arms pinned above her. "Too slow…" He laughed, straddling her thighs.

"Ha ha." She growled as she used her brute strength and pushed Athrun down onto the water bed. The impact was softened by the swaying of the bed. Barely catching her breath, she grinned evilly and tackled Athrun to the bed. "Who's the winner now?"

"You…" He choked out. If only she knew what she currently had pressed against his chest.

Cagalli laughed a melodious laugh as she held herself upright by her arms, her face not far from Athrun's. Consumed by the victory she had wheezed out from him, she missed the gentle smile on his face.

"You really should laugh more too."

The laughing stopped and she rolled her eyes. "That sounds very familiar."

"Of course, I told you during tea."

The answer was met with a quick smack to the head. "The one that left us stranded here you mean?"

"Yes, but you were the lady who insisted on having tea."

"Not!"

Footsteps echoed behind the door, but both leaders were too occupied to bother about them. Pressing matters concerning who landed them in their predicament seemed more important at that moment. Athrun took each barb and returned them with the ease of a person well used to such a temperamental individual like Cagalli. She on the other hand refused to give in; she swore she'd be dammed if she lost another argument to him.

"Shouting again…" Athrun droned.

"And I like shouting! So?"

"Are you this unreasonable with every man you meet?"

"Only for you, asshole!"

The patient man chuckled at her language. "Swearing is bad, bastard was already worse enough. Now my nickname is asshole?"

"YES." She screeched, his smile never waned and it was starting to get on her nerves terribly.

Yzak stood at the door way idly viewing the argument like a scenario that happened in every cliché movie. Dearka was clueless and amazed as the rest of the crew present. Cagalli Yula Athha had struck them as a woman not to be trifled with, but how could their chairman enjoy being in the company of one as venomous with words as her and not be repulsed or irritated.

"This is getting boring." Yzak drawled, eyeing his nails.

A small string of murmurs and worried comments were passed around.

"It's not like she's tearing a limb off him or anything." Dearka commented, pushing himself away from the frame of the door.

"That's what's making it boring." Yzak sneered. "Athha should be dissecting him!"

"Man, I wonder why you're even in this plan in the first place…" Dearka mumbled.

"I heard that." Yzak shot back, face scrunched up in his usual furious expression.

"Yeah, well just what the heck are we waiting for now?"

"The perfect moment to embarrass them." Yzak smirked evilly. "They are not going to leave this place without some form of sadistic enjoyment on my part."

"Well get on with it." Dearka sighed, gazing at his watch. "The reporters don't wait."

Yzak nodded a second later, disappointed in the lack of entertainment he was receiving. What was the use of him helping out in this pathetic plan if Athrun didn't seem to detest or hate her company? He would just have to try harder.

He rapped against the door loudly, voice clear and loud. "Room service…"

The pair on the bed sprang apart, startled at their appearance and then furious. Yzak watched and listened mildly as his supposedly 'superior' lectured him on the inadequate resolving of the issue and their poor communications. Cagalli meanwhile, was desperately trying to evade the knowing glances Dearka was throwing in her direction.

"Sorry to interrupt Chairman Zala, but it's about time we left." Yzak interjected mockingly. "Don't want the press to catch up on us do you?"

Maybe he was use to this Cagalli thought, smoothening her uniform. She watched as a gaze that held the meaning, 'we're not done', was exchanged between both men before Athrun stalked through the open door pulling her behind. The cloak was adjusted onto her shoulders; it's top over her head such that none would recognize her. Stiffness in Athrun's body told her how much he hated what they would be facing behind the close door.

A pull and they were out in the open.

"Chairman Zala!" One of the many chorus of reporters who surged towards them yelled out. Instantly, his hands pushed her behind him and using all the bulk and height he could gather, Athrun shielded her. A small amount of awe and sincere gratitude welled within Cagalli as she peeked through the cloak at the man she detested.

He calmly met the reporters head on, as Yzak and crew began clearing the road before them.

"I have no comments." He replied coolly, shooting the pesky reporter a sharp glare, successfully scaring him back into the crowd.

"Chairman Zala, what are you doing in a love hotel?" A balding man croaked out, shovelling through the crowd.

Dearka shoved him back, swearing at a few others who renewed their pushing.

"Athrun…" Cagalli whispered.

She would not have known that he had heard if he had not jerked his head towards her direction slightly. "We'll talk later." He mumbled, increasing his pace.

"Who is the mystery lady Chairman Zala!" A female reporter jostled her way through, swinging her tape recorder wildly.

"Your grand mother!" Yzak growled, ignoring her indignant gasp. Luckily the crowd swallowed her before she could reply or Dearka was sure the silver haired coordinator would have had some issues with the press himself.

The path way towards the black jaguar seemed to take forever as the reporters yelled, shouted and jostled wildly against the human barriers. Cagalli swallowed a lump that had invisibly appeared in her throat. Orb had paparazzi, but she had never seen such a vicious and persistent lot. The Athrun she knew had also seemed to retreat into a cold and hard shell as he effectively reduced the prying eyes towards her into tears.

"We're almost there." He whispered, squeezing her arm.

True to his words, the black jaguar loomed before them. Opening the door and pushing her inside, Cagalli shifted into the far left, thinking he would be joining her too. However, he instead closed the door, and patted the car.

"Hey!" She shouted, thumping the black tinted windows.

Nicol smiled reassuringly, voice cheerful as he tried soothing the worried princess. "Miss Athha don't worry, Chairman Zala will be fine. He'd just take another car, but our destination is the same. Avoids the press and possible deductions if you know what I mean."

"But-!"

Classical music drowned out her voice as Nicol shook his head. Cagalli relaxed into the leather seat and frowned as she reflected on her behaviour and thoughts. Why was she so worried about Zala? Wasn't he the universe sorriest excuse of a man? Her fists began clenching, angry at her own heart for betraying the logic she had implanted in her mind since day one.

"Athrun Zala is dangerous; he was an egoistic man with the heart of a cad. Keep telling yourself that Cagalli, keep telling yourself that.

"… Foolish attempt to try to hide that figure of yours from the press. I don't know how the council would react if they found out about the connection that incident had to you."

Cagalli sulked, head buried in her hands as she swayed her head in accordance to the solemn tone of Kisaka. The man as usual, ignored her obvious signs of sarcasm and false compliance. Only a man with the patience level of Kisaka could stand berating her about her mistakes. Athrun can qualify for that post now though, a voice popped in her head and she hummed in approval of that thought.

Wait.

Straightening abruptly in her chair, alert, Cagalli grabbed her hair with horror. Why? Why? Why? Was she even thinking about Athrun? Yes, this topic stemmed from an incident that included him, but that did not allow her disobedient heart to acknowledge anything good about him. Kisaka now concerned, paused in his sermon, unsure whether to interrupt whatever thought process Cagalli was going through or just excuse himself entirely.

He decided against the latter.

"Chairman Zala isn't in the best of moods too." The remark from Kisaka caught her attention. "He's in deep soup and so is the press related to the issue."

"What issue?"

Kisaka sighed, "Do you ever watch the news Cagalli? I have been telling you over and over again, that reading the newspapers, watching the news is very important…"

She slapped her palm dejectedly against her cheek, cutting him off. "Oh for love of… Kisaka, stop nagging!"

"Yes, and for whom do I nag for? Only for your sake Cagalli. As the leader of Orb…"

Cagalli groaned loudly and shot annoyed and frustrated glances at him. Couldn't the man stand not once commenting on her attitude and the things she had done? Eyeing the clock and listening with half interest to the sermon, her forefinger started caressing the black button on the monitor. Maybe…

"Cagalli Yula Athha!" Kisaka shouted, launching into another sermon. "Are you listening to me? I swear-"

Staring at the black screen, she hummed a tune made up on the spot and trudged out her room, intent on looking for a certain egoistic coordinator.

Meanwhile, a series of glass shattering could be heard from Athrun's room as the hour waned and even Lacus herself, decided to stop all attempts of calming him. Within the barren fire place, remains of glasses and incoming ones littered the stone floors. Athrun wasn't satisfied, how could he? Flexing his fingers, he relished the feel of the cool glass coming into contact with his warmed hands and almost instantly leaving them, only to face the same tragic predicament as the others had.

A fragile piece of object broken into a thousand shiny pieces.

He hated the press, he hated his sordid and boring life style, he hated his position, and he hated his father.

"Bastard." Athrun hissed, tossing another glass into the fire place. "I bet this makes you happy doesn't it, dearest father of mine"

Silence was all that replied him, but it wasn't enough. He needed something, and it wasn't more glasses.

"Hey…" A whisper and there she was, dressed in a ridiculously orange night gown and… was that food? Sensing his scrutiny on the plate of cookies she held, Cagalli waved them a little. "Food, from your pantry. I think it'd be safe for your consumption."

He sniffed in reply, moving to the leather seat a distance from the fire place. "I'm not hungry."

"Come off it Zala, you're watering. Just eat it." With that, she stuffed the plate roughly into his lap, and forced the cup of warm milk into his hands. "I won't tell if you're worried, don't give me that look, I know all about men being macho and stuff."

Athrun bit into a cookie seconds later, smiling in bliss as he savoured the taste of something as simple as 'Granny Hopkins Chocolate Groovy Cookies'. "This is good…" He mumbled mouth full.

"You're honestly deprived you know that?" She replied, sinking into an identical armchair opposite him. "Who in their entire life have not eaten 'Granny Hopkins Chocolate Groovy Cookies'? And those…" A whimsical sigh was all she gave, glancing at his fire place.

"I was angry."

She looked up, nodding. "I know."

"That's it?" Athrun replied, unable to hide his astonishment as he sat up straighter. "No what happened? Tell me all about it? You can trust me with your secrets?"

Cagalli smiled, eyes pinning him back into the seat. "Do I need to know?"

"No." He coughed uneasily. "Not really…" He was terribly embarrassed at how eager he must have sound. He looked down, eyes memorizing the various nooks and cranny of the cookie. Charming, this seemed like a cheesy re-enactment of a twelve year old self confessing his love to his teacher. And, he was the disgusting twelve year old boy.

A muffled noise of wood being dragged across the carpet suddenly echoed through the room. He looked up. Cagalli was now nearer to him, so close that he could feel the occasional brush of her knee-caps against his as she fidgeted.

"May I?" A cookie was popped into her mouth as her eyes awaited approval before she sunk her pearl white teeth into them. "You know," She chewed a mouthful of cookies and swallowed. "For a self proclaimed 'charming' man, you're gloomy and depressing attitude is very unbecoming of you."

He snorted, eyes watchful and observant to the movement of her jaws and the way the indentation of her food travelled down her exposed throat and into particles of clothing that concealed the rest of her form from him. "For a woman," He smirked, leaning into her and absorbing her startled expression. "You don't know how to clean up after a meal."

The brilliant and captivating orange orbs widened, understanding his words and then screwed tightly shut as he inched closer, closer and closer towards the lone crumb stuck above her upper lip. He paused, taking in her flushed cheeks, closed eyes and tightly clasped lips.

"Cagalli…" He whispered breathily, moving away at the last minute. "There's a crumb on your upper lip."

She was surprised, and he knew as her emotions reflected themselves across her visage. She groggily wiped the crumb away with the back of her hand and swallowed. It was difficult maintaining a calm front before her when she acted so damn desirable. Licking her lips, staring at him with half-lidded eyes and then innocently not know the meaning of her actions and what she was doing to him…

Such a tease she was!

"It's late." He managed to ground out. She nodded, rising to her feet a little unsteadily.

"Goodnight Zala."

His stoic expression never changed.

"Cagalli!" He shouted, halting her a step away from the door. She turned, expression cautious and curious showing that she had regained what little awareness she could have gathered.

Athrun smiled, his voice gentle and sincere. "Thank you."

A smile of similar magnitude graced her features as she shyly ducked behind the oak door and closed it with a soft click.

"I'm a simpering idiot like Kira now." He muttered to himself. "All she has to do is smile; say something and the thoughts in my mind warp into a mass of indecipherable notations." He punched the arm rest, muttering sarcastically. "Keep up the good work Athrun, keep it up aright!"

A clock chimed a distance away, its chimes travelling through the empty corridors. Athrun smiled to himself, closing his eyes, allowing the gentle and lulling chimes to fade over him. Maybe getting a wife wasn't that bad, but now it all boiled down to his one and only candidate.

A/N:

This was written and finished just last night at 3am. I needed something to de-stress, so if this was a really bad chapter FORGIVE me please! (Ducks from flying tomatoes) I made up the cookie brand and I resisted the urge to spill on Athrun's Dad. No one wants to hear Cagalli talk about her Dad right? I mean, its proberly going to turn you people off right? (Slaps herself)

The review replies aren't up, exams officially start next week, I'd reply after the week ends hopefully. I will try, for you people, for al of you wonderful, pretty, handsome, cheering, brilliant, smashing, caring, understanding, and humorous, supporting and encouraging critics of a reviewer! I LOVE YOU ALL!

Love it? Was it funny? Did it make you wish to pelt me with tomatoes? Was my characters OOC? Did I mess up the story with my bad language and sentence structuring?

Let me know! Send me a review! I appreciate all your feedback!

Thank you once again!