Tsubame: I decided not to stick to humor only and spread open myself to new horizons…hehehehe…not everybody appreciated humor…sigh… I hope you like it! I really tried hard so that it won't come out as a comedy… hehehehe… that was what happened to the last one…

BTW, this has no connection to all my other stories! I'm not a Meyrin-hater either…I'm sorry if the characters are OOC.

I don't want to forget thanking Garowyn for helping me! I want to that you for making this fic better than ever. I don't think I can do any better. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Brilliant! Simply brilliant!


Summary: It is not easy to be so far away from the people you love. This is Athrun's reason why he and Cagalli couldn't be together...at least yet. Will he wait or will Cagalli have to make the first move? Asucaga
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny…the only thing I know is this piece of literature…

"His side and her side of the story"

Story By Tsubame Ongaku

Beta-read and edited By: Garowyn


Part 1: Athrun Zala…his side


He watched her on television…

Listened about her on the radio…

Read about her in the newspapers…

She was everywhere…

Yet he yearns for nothing more than to hear her laugh and smile for him and him alone again…just like once upon a time…

But all he can do now…is to watch her do her what she does best and what she loves doing…from a distance.

Why did he torment himself like this?

To give her the time that he knew she needed…time before his inevitable return. He promised himself that…he would wait for her…and he would until she was ready. He wasn't really sure when that would be. He knew he was ready. He always had been. He had always wanted to marry Cagalli Yula Athha, ex-princess of Orb. It was a dream that he had long tried to forget for at least a day, an hour, a minute or even a second. It didn't workthough. When he saw her smile for the camera, he wished that he is the camera.

Athrun Zala always prided himself to be a patient man. He had waited for her for almost two years. Admittedly, he really was losing his patience. He couldn't seem to content himself with watching her anymore and not being able to touch her, talk to her or kiss her.

He returned to the PLANTS not long after he left her. After that, he was chosen to be the chairman of the PLANTS and he accepted. He hadn't been to Orb in all these years. Kira and Lacus visited him in the PLANTS time to time. Kira always apologized for his sister a number of times for not visiting. Kira said that his famous sister was just to busy to take the time off…she was busy trying to win the world.

Athrun nodded and said that he understood. Actually, he had a feeling that she was avoiding him.

He continued to monitor her though. He had newspapers from Earth delivered to himspecifically, the ones that featured Cagalli. From what he got, Cagalli changed little over the years. He was glad; he didn't know what he would do if she did change. She loved the people as much as the people loved her.

"Mr. Zala?"

Athrun turned to the redheaded Meyrin Hawke. She was serving as his secretary for a while. He smiled politely to her wondering what she wanted. "What is it, Ms. Hawke?"

Anybody could visibly see the blush rise to her cheeks, becoming almost as red as her hair…except maybe Athrun. "I have the newspaper that you asked for. Will…will that be all, sir?"

He nodded. "Yes, you may have the rest of the day off, if you want. I'm…I'm going somewhere for a while."

She bowed respectfully and left the office. She hadn't gotten over her schoolgirl crush yet. Anybody could see it. Maybe Athrun was just too dense. He didn't see it at all. All he seemed to see was a little girl nice enough to act as his secretary temporarily until he could find a suitable replacement.

Athrun brushed his hand through his dark blue hair. In a few more months, it would be the third anniversary of the day he and Cagalli went their separate ways and it hurt him…hurt him terribly, but he would do anything for her; even go through many years of torment if it would make her happy.

One of the headlines on the paper was about her and he wasn't surprised. She was always on the headlines.

"Orb Princess obtains peace treaty with Spain!"

At this, he smiled. He couldn't say that he was surprised. Cagalli was strong and her silent strength attracted people to her like bees to honey. She could win people's hearts with her words and actions. Technically, she wasn't really a princess anymore. She was the Orb representative, but some people still loved the thought that she was a beautiful princess with a life of parties and elegance. But actually Cagalli's life now was more than that. She never liked going to those "elegant" parties anyway. She brought hope to the people. After the second war, the people were going to need it to rebuild their world again.

No…he wasn't at all surprised…

…as he wasn't surprised by other news…

"Latest scoop: Orb Princess breaks the Prince of Wales heart… still waiting for confirmation."

"Ms. Cagalli Yula Attha and Russian Ambassador, Dimitri Moscovitz? A couple?"

"Who is the man of the Princess of Orb's life?"

Athrun frowned. Cagalli sure was busy these days. He wasn't sure if he should be amused or irritated. She was the lovely princess of one of the strongest countries in the world. She was a complete package. She was beauty, brains, riches and fame - who wouldn't be attracted to her?

He heard about her almost all the time in media. She had been a favorite and hot news item lately. Her love life is a favorite read. Everyone wondered if she had oneto finally bring order to the war-torn Earth. Nobody knew anything about her beyond her achievement in politics. Sometimes the press paired her up with the strangest people to sell papers. Sometimes he wondered if any of the gossip was real. With the tabloids, you can never really be sure.

"Cagalli…" he thought. Sometimes he wondered if she was thinking of himtoo.

He missed her. He missed the scent of roses in her hair. Nobody but him knew that she was fond of rose-scented shampoo. He missed the feel of her silky blonde hair between his fingers. He missed the feeling of her arms around him not saying anythingbut meant everything. He missed the taste of her special cherry lipstick every time they had kissed.

The long walks on the beach when they were together, going to her office everyday, surprising her with flowers and each time seeing her beautiful smile… He never hid anything from her. He even shared his corniest jokes with her and yet she laughed each time. It made him fall in love with her over and over again.

With Cagalli, he was free…

His greatest fear was this question: did she already have somebody to take his place now? Did any of these men even love half as much as he loved her? Somehow, he really doubted it.

He missed simply being by her side to protect herbut somebody else had that job now. When he left he gave the job of protecting her to Kira Yamato, his best friend and her twin brother. He wouldn't trust anybody else to protect her properly.

On the front page of the paper and under the headline that said, "Orb Princess wins the hearts of Paris" was a picture of the said twins and Lacus Clyne, his ex-fiancée. Cagalli was waving furiously to the crowd with eyes that glowed with triumph in her traditional, pastel green Orb dress with Kira standing just a step behind her. His eyes were alert, as if daring anybody to touch her while she was under his protection. She looked beautiful with her hair dancing with the wind and bright amber eyes glowing brightly.

Lacus stood, smiling demurelybeside Kira with one arm linked with his. She was dressed in a pastel blue sundress with her golden clip on her hair. Her Haro was tucked in one arm. She looked as beautiful as she was when she was still a famous pop star. She quit politics and stardom soon after her and Kira's engagement. She now spent her days with the children of the orphanage or traveling the world with Kira.

The picture was taken in Paris after Cagalli's Peace Convention, which turned out to be a huge success. Cagalli wanted to celebrate her victory with the people. It wasn't an easy victory, actually. She spent three days speaking and debating with the French diplomats, but they hadn't wanted to be easily won by a pretty face or a "little girl."

Athrun smiled after seeing Lacus and Kira together. They were to be married in the spring and he was happy for them. He wasn't sure if he should go. He already had the invitation, but he wasn't sure about seeing Cagalli. It has been a long time and almost too long. He wanted to see her again, but he wasn't sure if the feeling was mutual.

She was smiling brightly and looked happy…very happy… their distance apart was really doing well to her. She looked healthy and lively. Did she still need him? He sure needed her. He knew now that his return may not be necessarily for her sake, but his.

Suddenly, he turned to the phone right beside him. He could easily make a long distance call. He knew Cagalli's cell phone number well. Kira gave it to him. His number wouldn't appear on her phone, though. He made sure of that. When he wanted to make a private call, he didn't want it to be traced. It was a program that he had made himself. So he was confident that Cagalli would never know that he had called. Slowly and shakily, he picked up the receiver from its cradle and dialed.

He listened to it ring…once…twice…thrice…

He held his breath when somebody answered. "Hello?" a feminine voice answered. It was a voice he only knew so well. "Hello? Representative Athha here."

Athrun remained quiet. He didn't have the courage to talk to her just yet. He just wanted to hear her voice again…

"Hello?" she said again, her voice evidently becoming annoyed. "Heeeellloooo?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. What was he supposed to say? Cagalli, marry me? She might think that he was just another of her crazy fanboys.

"If you don't speak up, I'm going to hang up, you moron!" she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Athrun just smiled. Somehow, he even missed her screaming at him.

When he didn't speak, Cagalli gave one last scream of frustration then slammed the phone with so much force that Athrun was almost sure that his hearing would be impairedHe would be surprised if Cagalli's phone would still function after that.

"Same old Cagalli," he thought happily.

Looking at the clock, he sighed. He had a meeting in a few minutes. Though he carried the burden of running the PLANTS and he was supposed to be the dependable and responsible Athrun Zala, for the nth time ever he didn't want to go. He wanted to go home and watch another of Cagalli's speeches of appreciation in Paris on the TV. As small a reason as it seemed, it was one of the few things that really could make him smile.

He picked up his briefcase and gave one last look at the framed portrait of him and Cagalli on top of his desk one last time. It was the time he and she had gone to the beach. It had been a wonderfully sunny day. They had asked a little kid to take so it was a bit lopsided and awkward, but it was his favorite picture. It was weird, because neither was dressed to go to the beach. Cagalli was actually dressed in a gown and he was in a tux. They had snuck out from a charity ball.

"Athrun, how many times do I have to tell you?" Cagalli shouted. "I hate cameras! I hate pictures so put that away."

"Cagalli please," Athrun begged with a camera in his hand. "You do it all the time for the media."

She rolled her eyes. "That is, after spending three hours with stylists and a ton of makeup on my face. Right now I have a feeling my hair is a mess and my makeup is now all wrong, all thanks to you…"

Athrun grinned and folded his arms in front of him. "That was not what you said a few minutes ago when I was kissing you…"

Cagalli blushed. "Shut up, Zala."

"But seriously, Cagalli," he said. "I want a picture that I can really call mine. I want a picture that has nothing to do with the media, even for just this once."

She grumbled and pouted for a few more minutes then finally agreed. He wasn't going to stop bothering her if she didn't anyway. "On one condition, you have to be in it, too."

"Huh?" He raised an eyebrow. "How am I supposed to take the picture if both of us have to be in it?"

She shrugged. "Not my problem anymore."

He looked around for somebody to help, but the only person around was a little boy, about six or seven, building a sandcastle nearby. The beach was practically deserted. In all honesty, that was the reason he suggested that they stop. It was the perfect place to get some sunshine after being in that stuffy party and to be alone together.

"Hey, kid!" Athrun called out.

The little boy looked up from what he was doing. "Me, sir?"

Athrun smiled. "Yes, can you do us a big favor?"

The boy looked hesitant at first, but finally nodded then ran towards them. "What do you want me to do?"

He handed the little boy the camera. "Could you take a picture of this charming young lady and me?"

The boy smiled happily and nodded.

Athrun chuckled. "What is your name?"

"Jake, sir!"

"Jake, thank you."

When Athrun returned to Cagalli's side, she had a skeptic look on her face. "Athrun, are you aware that that kid looks about six years old?"

"Yes."

"Are you aware that it might come out a bit wrong?"

"What is wrong, Cagalli?" he teased. "Are you too used to the perfect, professional, studio shots to trust a little kid? Let's do something different."

She bit her lip. "Athrun, I just don't know. Wouldn't it be better if we hired a photographer inste---"

Before she could say anymore, Athrun pulled her down with him as he dropped to the sand.

"Athrun, what do you think you are doing?" she exclaimed. From behind him, she could see the little boy's agitation to get this over with. These grownups were getting mushy.

He smiled innocently. "I'm posing for a picture."

"I know that, but…"

He began to tickle her. Only Athrun knew that she was incredibly ticklish. She tried to grab his hands to get him to stop, but instead he held her hands in his and squeezed tightly. He pulled her closer to his back. She wanted to pull away, but it felt so good to be so near him. Instead she sighed and rested her chin on his broad shoulder.

"Athrun, you really are an idiot." She mumbled.

"Yes maybe, but don't forget." He turned to look at her. He was already grinning. "You love me, anyway." That made Cagalli smile.

There was a surprising flash…

The little boy had a childish look of disgust on his face. "You two are more mushy than my mommy and daddy…"

Both Athrun and Cagalli laughed. "Thank you, Jake," Athrun managed to reply.

Jake handed them back the camera. As a sign of thanks, Cagalli gave him an autographed, studio picture of herself. In the picture, she was dressed like a queen in white and crimson. She was seated ladylike with hands on her lap on a beautifully carved, wooden chair, smiling just faintly, adding to her mystery.

Jake looked at it with confused eyes. "What am I supposed to do with this?" he asked. He thought the lady was beautiful, but what was he supposed to do with it?

"Give it to your mom," she said and gave him a small kiss on the cheek. "She'll know what to do." The little boy still didn't understand, though, and it was better if he didn't understand that she was a princess. She thought that maybe he did understand the concept of princes and princesses but you don't encounter them in deserted beaches everyday.

A woman a few feet away ran to the beach. At first she was just frantically looking around. When she spotted Jake, she smiled, waved to him and called out his name. "Jake!"

He waved back. "That's my mommy!" Jake squealed. "It is time for me to go now!"

"Okay, thanks, Jake. You've been a good help," Athrun said, ruffling the dark brown-haired boy. Little Jake reminded Athrun of a young Kira. Jake ran to his mother while Athrun and Cagalli walked towards their waiting convertible. They turned in time to see Jake hand his mother the picture. She stared at it for a long time and then…

finally, she fainted…

Jake stared, surprised. What happened to his mommy? Why did her eyes get so big? Why had she stuttered like she had seen a ghost? Was there a ghost in the picture? Was the lady and man he saw just now, ghosts?

From a distance, the two watched the mother and son. Athrun was trying to keep a straight face, but it was hard.

"Do not say a word about it," she warned. This was not really the first time she saw somebody faint.

He didn't but he couldn't stop his grinning. "I think I kept smelling salts in the glove compartment. We'll just have to leave it with Jake. He's a big boy; he'll take care of her. We've got a plane to catch and besides it wouldn't be wise to stick around if you know what I mean."

The next day, a woman spread all over the tabloids about how her six-year old son met Princess Cagalli Yula Athha on the beach…

"Lights off." Automatically, the office lights turned off. "See you around, Cagalli," he whispered, not really caring who heard. He closed the door to his lonely office. He had a meeting to go to. For now, he would forget the distance between them and concentrate on work. The PLANTS didn't run themselves.

Suddenly, inside the now empty office, the telephone rang. It's ringing echoed throughout the office, but there was nobody to hear it. The automatic answering machine activated.

"Hello? Ummm…Athrun?" a hesitant and evidently feminine voice said. It was familiar…it was scared…it was hopeful…"It's been a long time, right?"

Silence…

The voice then chuckled. "This is kind of awkward, but… Athrun? Athrun, this is…"

More silence…

She continued. "Athrun, this is…Cagalli…"


Tsubame: Why is it that whenever I try to write serious fluff there is ALWAYS humor? TT.TT

Hehehe…I just noticed that I write a LOT of flashbacks in my stories…have I improved? I'm trying out a serious genre…but somehow I don't think it came out…serious…wahhhh! for a while I was going to use Sai Argyle instead of this Dimitri Moscovitz (original character) but I didn't what to make him into and I know very little about him or his background…

Watch out for "Part 2: Cagalli Yula Attha...her side" by the way.

Constructive Criticisms please… I hope you like it!

Listening to: Gundam Seed & Gundam Seed Destiny midis

Mood: Disappointed, (not another humor fic…)

Working on: Chapter 8 of "Green is the color of my eyes" and Chapter 5 of "Summer School."