Mixed Feelings

By, Sid

Disclaimer: Sigh you know the drill guys! I don't own GS or the characters ok so don't sue ok?

Author's note: Hey all! I'm sooo sorry I kept you all waiting but I blame it on the writers block! I've had a major lack of inspiration lately thus I didn't start a new chapter until now. But anyways feel free to throw any ideas or comments at me people and I hope you enjoy the chapter! Thanks!

It was early morning and Cagalli had finally summoned the nerve to leave her room and come downstairs. Lacus, Athrun and Kira sat eating breakfast at the small dining table. She paused for a moment wondering if she had made a mistake and as she was about to turn and walk right back up the stairs the way she had come Athrun's voice called to her.

"Cagalli! We were about to bring breakfast to you… You're okay now? Come sit down!" Cagalli mentally groaned. Too late. She slowly walked over to the table and had a seat beside Athrun. She raised her eyes to meet Kira's then, and they looked at each other for what seemed like forever before Kira broke the silence.

"I'm glad you've finally come down… I thought you were planning to lock yourself away in your bedroom forever."

"If I had then I would have had good reason to, wouldn't you agree?" she said with an edge in her voice.

The ringing of the phone seemed to cut through the tense air around them and both Cagalli and Kira shot up at the same moment. "Sit back down, I'll get it."

"Hello?" Kira spoke into the phone as he got a hold of it. "Murrue!" Cagalli, Lacus and Athrun looked up when they heard Kira's exclamation.

"…yeah… no, of course it's… we'd love to have you! You can stay as long as you want."

The three had all but finished eating their breakfast now and were all watching Kira excitedly.

"Do you want me to come get you? Are you sure? Yeah okay…. See you then." Kira set down the phone and turned to them then.

"Murrue just arrived at the airport, she has to meet with some people first and then she's heading over."

Lacus and Cagalli both smiled at each other looking forward to another female presence in the house. While Athrun glanced at Kira expectantly.

"And…?" he asked. Kira who had seemed lost in thought for a moment focused on Athrun then.

"She sounded a bit… jittery?"

Cagalli looked at Kira stating, "It's only natural she'd be out of sorts after what happened to…" She trailed off not willing to finish the sentence, looked at Kira then turned away again not being able to bear the pain visible on Kira's face at the mention of their former comrade.

Athrun decided to take matters into his own hands and stood, "Well we do have time to kill before the captain arrives… wanna go watch a movie or something?"

"But what if she comes while we're gone?"

Cagalli's face lit up as a thought came to her. "We could play poker!"

Panic seemed to cross Kira's face when he heard the word "poker" leave the girl's lips. "Only an idiot would play poker with you Cagalli…"

"Then what would that make you Kira?" Cagalli asked smirking at him.

Athrun grinned evilly, and coughed "whipped" so that only Kira could hear him.

"Athrun!" Kira hollered. The lightness that was there before seemed to leave the atmosphere and Lacus stood grabbing a pack of cards from the shelf next to her.

"Bet's anyone?" she said at last.

An hour later….

"I don't HAVE anymore money dammit!"

"Mou…. Athrun, you lost though!"

Athrun turned his pleading gaze towards Kira who turned out his pockets and stared helplessly at him.

"I told you we shouldn't play this."

Athrun in turn glared at Lacus, "I thought you said you couldn't play poker!"

Cagalli grinned as she looked at the two sulking guys, "don't blame us just 'cause you guys suck."

Kira scowled at the two grinning women before turning to look at Athrun who in turn stiffened and was now glancing suspiciously at Lacus.

Kira also shot a glance her way only to see her smiling broadly. "Then why don't we play strip poker?"

That was when all hell broke loose.

Kira shot up from his seat trying to walk away quickly and Lacus grabbed onto him trying to pull him back to his seat while Athrun yelled at the girl.

"HELL NO! AND HOW THE $# DO YOU KNOW WHAT STRIP POKER IS!"

"Don't yell! You lost so now you hafta strip!" she yelled back in a very un-Lacus-like way all the while pulling at Kira.

Athrun also tried to stomp off then but Cagalli launched herself onto him trying to pull his shirt off in the process.

It was then that Murrue arrived at this very unusual seen. Clearing her throat she looked at her former crew, shocked at the change to their personality within the few short weeks she hadn't seen them.

"Ummm… should I come back when I'm not… interrupting something?"

"Captain!"

"Murrue-san."

"Murrue!"

They all turned to her their expressions varying. Athrun and Kira looked quite relieved by her appearance while Lacus stood aside blushing.

Cagalli came forward, a sheepish grin on her face, "Erm… we were just playing poker… to kill time."

Murrue stood watching the group silently for a few more moments because laughing. "It's fine! You all don't have to look so guilty… after everything we've been through… no one could blame you for needing a break."

Cagalli gave Murrue a hug then whispering, "It's good to finally see you again Captain."

Lacus smiled and embraced the woman too.

And When Murrue turned to Kira and Athrun they exchanged awkward glances as if asking each other what to do then turned ack to the woman and saluted.

She laughed again seeing her former crew putting themselves in such an awkward position before going forward and pulling them both in a hug.

As the two men flushed she gave them a warm smile, "The war is over for now guys… I think we can all be on a first name basis and I'm not your captain anymore… we're civilians now remember?"

"Mmm… but then again some habits are hard to break."

She sighed and shook her head and then looked up at them again, "So anyone wanna explain why Cagalli was trying to pull Athrun's shirt off if you guys were 'playing poker'?"

Cagalli blushed beet red before stammering, "I-I-It wasn't like that! A-Athrun lost so… and besides! Lacus is engaged to Athrun and I lo--" she trailed off then as she realized what she had been about to say. Kira, knowing what she was planning to say, stood as if ready for a fight but Lacus cleared the matter for them.

"Athrun ran out of money so we suggested strip poker so he could pay with his clothing."

"……. Okkkkk…."

"Erm… why don't we all have some tea to calm down? I'll make it!" said Lacus moving to the stove.

The others moved to have a seat while Cagalli followed Lacus stating softly, "I'll help."

When the tea was done Lacus and Cagalli poured for the group before taking a seat themselves. As Murrue raised her cup to take a sip she heard Kira speak up.

"What did you mean earlier when you said… for now?"

Murrue froze while the others looked between the two confused.

"You said, 'The war is over 'for now.''"

Murrue sighed softly before setting her cup down and looking at the small group.

"You don't really think it's all over, do you?"

Yey! Cliffy! ok ok ok! I know that was a little different but it was a spur of the moment thing and I just really wanted to finish this chapter ASAP. Anyways I hope you liked it and please review everyone! Hopefully I'll have the next chapter out for you soon.