Hi
He's the revised chapter two.
Enjoy!
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Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or any references to it although I wish I did. I also don't own Gundam Seed Destiny either
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Chapter #2: The Making of Plans
"Good morning," A slender, blonde waitress smiled as she approached their table in the hotel restaurant. Brightly, she handed both of them a breakfast menu while tossing Athrun a strange look. "And what can I get you to drink? Coffee? Tea?"
"I'll have a hot tea," Cagalli replied and glanced over at Athrun. "How bout you?"
"Huh? Oh, um, coffee is fine thanks." Athrun muttered, not even bothering to look up from the table.
The waitress nodded and quickly took her leave, promising to return with their drinks.
"Isn't this nice?" Cagalli asked, trying her best to justify waking Athrun up so early. "There is hardly anyone here and I bet the food is just being cooked as we speak."
Looking around Athrun nodded and shifted in his seat. The restaurant was indeed practically empty but at the moment… he couldn't help to think that his bed was also empty. "It's… fine." Was all he could come up with.
Cagalli sighed, silently hoping Athrun would forgive her for getting him up. She had known Athrun long enough to know that waking him up before 10am was a sin but at the same time, she needed to have someone to talk to. Someone to keep her mind off the trouble that was harassing her mind. Athrun was looking around absently yet it was clear that no intelligent thoughts were going through his brain. It was too early.
After what had seemed to be a long silence, Cagalli decided to take a chance and spoke up.
"So you said you aren't coming to the next assembly?" She asked as the waitress returned with their drinks. Accepting her tea graciously, she turned back to Athrun. "What are you running away or something?" She chuckled mildly at her own joke before taking a quick sip of tea.
"It's the Bloody Valentine Memorial this weekend," Athrun explained simply. His eyes seemed to clear from the fog he had been in as he locked eyes with Cagalli. Shrugging, he continued. "Since your assembly is on the neighboring PLANT, I figured I would go pay my respects… it's been about three months since I have done so."
"That's right…" Cagalli nodded. Her eyes widened as his words struck her like lightning. Looking over at Athrun, she couldn't help but cringe. He had misread their schedule… the assembly on PLANT 08 was after the one on earth. "Athrun… our next meeting is on earth."
Athrun blinked. "What?"
"Helsinki," Cagalli explained, averting her gaze to the table. "On Earth. You're one event ahead of schedule."
"Oh," Was all Athrun could say. Still groggy, he didn't really care at that point where he was going. "I guess I will just have to push my plans forward a bit."
Cagalli smiled weakly remembering how poorly she had treated him the night before, knowing it was his first time back on his home PLANT in almost a year. What was the matter with her? The last while, she had been neglecting everyone… all because of some threats made almost one year ago?
Flashback
Cagalli could see Athrun silently scolding himself as he stepped out of the taxi and hurried over to where she'd been waiting on the sidewalk but that didn't seem to be enough. Without even realizing what she was doing, she turned on him and gave her friend a hard nudge.
Athrun's eyes met hers and Cagalli could see the frustration and embarrassment written all over his face.
"What on earth is your problem?" Cagalli demanded. "You're late!"
"I'm sorry," Athrun muttered honestly and shook his head. "I was just visiting an old park I used to go to a lot when I was a kid. The taxi was late and I…"
"The other delegates are waiting for us and what do you think they will say if I were to show up almost ten minutes late? It's diplomatic gaffs like this that delay our negotiations."
Athrun frowned, unsure what to say. "Cagalli," He said slowly, confused. "The meeting isn't for another hour and is only three blocks away."
"Well just watch what you are doing," She snapped and stormed off into the taxi, leaving Athrun open-mouthed in shock and shame on the street.
Cagalli felt her shoulders sag as she thought about it. That had been completely unlike her. Athrun had been so excited about being home and she was pretty sure that her stupid outburst had dampened his spirits.
"Did you enjoy visiting all your old childhood sites yesterday? She asked.
"Yes," Athrun's response was truthful. "But a lot has changed."
"I see," Cagalli mumbled and, taking in a deep breath, looked him straight in the eye. "Athrun, about yesterday… I'm sorry."
At his friend's words, Athrun's head shot up and he stared at her in complete confusion before he realized what Cagalli meant. Frowning, he simply shook his head. "You were not at fault." He pointed out rather bluntly. "You have nothing to apologize for. You were right in what you said."
"No, it wasn't necessary," Cagalli started but Athrun waved her off.
"It doesn't matter now." He cut her off quickly and smiled. "You weren't late and that is all that is important. I won't make the same mistake in Helsinki… that is where we are going right?"
"Helsinki…" Cagalli thoughts drifted back to the place she had landed after Heliopolis. The people of the Blue Cosmos had been kind to her but that didn't mean she was willing to compromise her beliefs. She had left them and had refused to use her influence in Orb to help them in any way. Deep down, she wondered whether or not they really did remember her. She had heard reports on the news about terrorist attacks against Coordinators in Finland and could only wonder whether or not the Blue Cosmos had dissolved after the fighting had stopped and rather or not they continued to exist.
Dropping her head, she wondered whether or not she should even allow Athrun to accompany her. If she went there alone, then she wouldn't have to be worried about Athrun's life being in danger. Even if the Blue Cosmos no longer existed, people in that region held a strong resentment towards people like him. While she saw a kind-hearted and soft-spoken young man whose loyalty and devotion was almost unconditional, many would simply see a Coordinator. An enemy of the Naturals.
Athrun cocked his head slightly when he saw Cagalli lower and eyebrow and avert her gaze to her cup of tea. He recognized that look of deep thought on her face and leaning over the table, willed her to look at him.
"Cagalli?"
"Yes?"
"You're thinking… care to share your thoughts?"
"I was thinking about the meeting in Finland," She answered, truthfully. It wasn't a lie. Just because she was also thinking about an underground radical group she had once encountered was irrelevant. She didn't feel it was necessary to bring that up. Athrun didn't know nor did she want him to. Most likely he wouldn't understand and would probably insist on coming anyway. Athrun didn't share the same concern for his well-being that she did and would probably be more concerned about her when in fact he would be the one in danger. While she cared and respected her friend dearly, Athrun and she had led very different lives before meeting on that fateful day on the beach. She seriously doubted that Athrun would be able to relate to her situation.
"Ok…" Athrun prodded, his green eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What about it?"
"I was thinking about going alone."
"You mean to Helsinki?"
Cagalli nodded and sighed. "I've got some… loose ends that I need to tie up as well."
"Oh," Athrun seemed fully alert now as his eyes now shone with intense interest. Resting his elbows on the table, he sighed. "You're a very poor liar."
"What?" Cagalli straightened, her eyes narrowing. "I'm not lying!"
"Well I think you are." Athrun replied simply and leaned back in his chair.
"Shut up!"
"Shouting at me won't change my mind, you know." Athrun pointed out as a mischievous smile continued to spread across his face.
She stopped when she saw the look in Athrun's eyes. Those emerald orbs seemed to look right through her and into her soul and she felt her cheeks begin to burn. "There really are some things that I have to do while in Helsinki."
Athrun nodded and took a half-hearted sip of his coffee. The cobwebs were beginning to clear and he glanced over at the window. The sun was just beginning to rise and he couldn't help but smile softly to himself as his eyes moved back to Cagalli.
The suns rays danced upon Cagalli's golden hair and added a certain shine to her already rosy cheeks. She was beautiful and he found himself perfectly content simply staring at her. It had been worth being woken up to see the sun set upon her delicate features. "I suppose that would be interesting wouldn't it?"
Cagalli just laughed. "Not THAT interesting. It's just business. Nothing I'd get excited about."
"Of course not," Athrun replied with a hint of sarcasm. "You wouldn't lie to me if it was something really important would you?"
"Athrun!" Cagalli snapped, but all she received was his usual small and amused smirk that he often wore on his face while teasing her. That's what she liked so much about him. Athrun had refined his ability to criticize her to a fine art and she found that she could never stay angry at him regardless how often he poked fun at her.
Athrun just shrugged and began to stand. "Well, you should probably talk to your father before you leave – you know, let him know all that you plan on doing."
Cagalli eyed her friend carefully and mentally groaned when she saw Athrun quickly hide that childish look of fascination that reflected so clearly in his green eyes. Athrun wanted to come; she could read it all over his face.
NO! Her mind screamed. You CAN'T let him come.
Yet there was that other voice was telling her that she should allow Athrun to come along. He had been faithful to her and if anything, she could use the company and once she dealt with her affaires, she could then give him a tour of the city. Athrun had never been there before and a part of her doubted that he had ever seen snow. Besides, it was more than likely that the Blue Cosmos had long since disappeared.
"You want to come don't you?"
"I don't want to get in your way," Athrun replied earnestly as he pushed his chair in. "I know I upset you yesterday so I can appreciate if you don't want me around while you're busy with your negotiations. I know how important they are to you and to everyone else. I only want to protect you, Cagalli. You know that, but if I'm only getting in your way then…"
"Don't be ridiculous," Cagalli chuckled as she got out of her chair and patted Athrun on the shoulder. "You are always in my way – nothing changes."
Athrun scrunched his nose up at Cagalli's words and shrugged. Looking up at her, he smiled brightly. "Shall we pack then?"
"Sure thing," Cagalli nodded and taking a deep breath, tried her best to look excited. It was hard though. She wondered about the Blue Cosmos and how people would take to Athrun. She wondered whether or not there even was a reason to be worried at all. Maybe the passage of time had healed their wounds and perhaps the people had come to see that Coordinators and Naturals were not so different after all.
TBC
Sorry to those who have started reading this already. I just decided I'd like to keep the story closer to the series.
Please review if you can I would love to hear from you, being a new author I need all the advice I can get.
Take care,
Krilyn