After months of silence, we finally have the fifth chapter. Yeah, spent ages chasing after the plot bunny. OK peeps, there's only gonna be one more chapter after this one. A kind of epilogue. So, yeah. Well, hope y'all enjoy.

Disclaimer: Come on, the director can't seem to figure out who he wants Athrun to be with and is leaving it up to us fans to fight it out.

Cagalli stood, watching the ship descend. A shadow standing behind her. But it wasn't Athrun. Athrun was gone, he wasn't her's anymore. No, the man standing behind her was Kisaka. An old friend and her former bodyguard. He had taken up the position again after Athrun had made his choices.

The ship hit the dock, looking battered, but very much intact. She practically flew onto the deck, almost crashing into her brother. Kira looked exhausted, but well. He hugged her back. She avoided Athrun's eyes as she embraced Lacus as well. But the pink haired girl practically shoved her up to him.

The blue haired boy looked normal, standing with military rigidness. But underneath the mask, she could see how fragile he looked. As long as she'd know him, he'd always looked fragile. Like he'd shatter if he fell. But he never did, at least not in public. Inside, in his heart, he was breaking every day. And she knew it. She'd always know it, even though he'd never said.

And Meyrin knew it too. The redhead knew just how breakable Athrun truly was. And she'd attempted to help him. Constantly looking after him like a mother hen. She'd offered him guidance and assistance. Been there for him. Something Cagalli wished she had been able to do. But duty had gotten in the way, just like it always had. So he'd lain on that bed, in constant pain while she'd been with her nation. He'd finished a war, fighting old comrades, protected her and his new found angel while she'd just watched. Meyrin had been able to do something. Meyrin had been there to catch him and keep him safe from the nightmares.

Once, just after Kisaka had brought him back, she had hoped in her heart of hearts that they could get back together, bridge the gap, but it hadn't happened. It couldn't have happened. The gap had become to wide. But, she supposed she didn't care. As long as he had someone that took care of him, helped him heal, she supposed she could be happy. After all, she held Meyrin to her promise, and she knew the girl wouldn't break it.

Meyrin peered round the door at Cagalli and Athrun. She watched Athrun hug the blonde princess. And she smiled. The two still had a relationship. They were still close. She saw Kira looked rather hopeful, as if he wanted the two to get back together. But she knew that he knew that wouldn't happen. Friends was all the two could be, after all that had happened. And Cagalli had accepted that. She watched and let the scene play. As did everyone else. Those who hadn't accepted the relationship hoped, and those who had smiled.

After Cagalli left the deck, followed closely by Kira, Lacus and the reunited couple, Murre and Mu, Athrun turned to her. She smiled and reached out her hand. He took it gratefully, and she could feel he was trembling. That reunion must have been hard for him, she supposed. Smiling at him, the two walked after the others.

Meyrin smiled. She had her promise to keep and even if the apocalypse came in the morning, she would keep it.

All right guys, only one more chapter to go! So, anyway, if you're not to pissed off that I left updating for so long, R&R?