"You know torturing Athrun would be nice, especially since it would be the person he loved most doing it," he said

"What are you getting at," I said

"Nothing much, just watch out Cagalli, because you're soon going to bring tears in your eyes and that husbands or your, not to mention your beloved nation. Each and every one of them will have nothing but hate for you, and you'll be doing it," he said laughing

I looked at him in sheer anger and placed Aiden on the floor, "I have so clue what you're talking about. Why would I wreck everything? I honestly think you have lost your mind."

"Seven days," he said

"What?" I said

"In seven day, my team will arrive and Orb will let them in to destroy their own country. Lets us see what the Queen Zala can do to stop this, without using her mouth," he started

"I can do lots, you made a huge mistake in telling me, now let's see how you can stop me," I said

His laughter coursed throughout the room, slamming into my ear of its shroud intensity. It felt my back crack against a wall as I was pushed on it with a force. My shoulders were gripped, I felt pain spread my head,and I felt a concussion coming along.

"See, this is how weak you truly are. You can't do anything, because you can't say why. What are you going to do when the world asks why Cagalli?" he sneered

"I don't need to give an answer this world trusts me," I stuttered, trying no to fall into oblivion.

"Oh, well I better do something about that right. The world trusts you. Don't make me laugh. In truth you can't trust yourself, let alone the world. Even Athrun is starting to question." He said

I took my hands and pushed him off me, trying to stabilize myself. I pressed a hand on my head and slithered down to the floor. I couldn't prevent my body to stop, I was too weak.

I heard cries echo the hallway and I felt Aiden crawling to my aggrieved body. I looked up and down and met the eyes I fell in love with. He went on my lap and took my hand and placed it on his cheek and kissed it. I held him close and he was talking away in his alien language, but I understood him perfectly.

"How cute, little Aiden has come to the rescue," he said leaving the room.

I stood up with Aiden in my arms and trudged upstairs. The shopping was cancelled for sure. I went to my room and locked the door. There were no wounds on my physically, but mentally I was paralyzed in horror.

I sat down on my bed and with Aiden asleep in my arms and seeing his calm face, I fell asleep instantly.

It was in the evening when Athrun returned home. His home was quiet much to his surprise and he saw as he opened the door Daniel sitting and reading a book, and flickering his eyes to the surveillance cameras and turning back to his book.

"Nice day Mr. Zala," he said looking up and saluting

"Quite enjoyable, but I missed my wife and kid a lot," Athrun said smiling

"Well sir, they're both upstairs. They must be exhausted from the shopping spree they had. I placed the bag into the nursery," he said

"Thanks Daniel, you can call me Athrun and I think you can go home now. You can come back tomorrow," Athrun said

"Sure Athrun I'll take my leave. Have a nice evening," he said

"Same," Athrun said as Daniel left from his sights.

Placing his briefcase down, Athrun trudged upstairs while loosening his tie, to see his family. Even though it had been three months since Aiden came into his life, he was still trying to accept the fact that he was a father, and sometime asked himself, what did he do to deserve this paradise?

Opening the door he immediately smiled at the scene. Cagalli was sleeping sideways on the middle of the bed with her knees on the side dangling from the bed, with Aiden in her arms, like a teddy bear. The looked as if nothing could affect them. He walked towards them and sat down beside his two lives. As soon as Athrun sat Aiden's eyes popped open and telepathically he knew his daddy was home. Athrun noticed his eyes looking around, but since he was behind Aiden, Aiden couldn't see him. Athrun chuckled seeing his son, until Aiden broke apart from his mother hold and fell down back on the bed. Aiden looked up to see his father and gurgled happily spreading out his arms to be in Athrun's hold. Athrun obliged at once, and held his son with pride and joy.

I heard sounds in my sleep and wondered what was going on. I slowly opened one eye and saw Athrun playing with Aiden. I smiled immediately at the touching sight.

"Your home," I said breaking the silence

"Yep, came home early, because I missed you guys," he said

"Ok, did Manes leave," I said bitterly

"Yes, I heard you two went shopping," he asked

"We did?" I said in a sentence and a question

"Yep, let's see what you got," Athrun said going to the adjacent room and came back changed and with bags, "I guess Daniel wasn't joking."

'How did that happen?' I thought

I was preoccupied in my mind, thinking that I could tell Athrun about Manes, since he wasn't home. This was my chance.

"Athrun I have to tell you something important," I said

Athrun looked up from the bag of toys and Aiden who looked a bit angry.

"Yes," he said

"It's about Manes," I said

"Well, Cagalli was there a problem today," he said

"Well, no, but it's just that he's been…" I said, until a phone call came. I groaned and went up to get it in the hallway.

"Hello," I said furiously

"Bad move Cagalli," I heard a voice say and froze

"You," I said

"I have a gun locked onto your child and I'm telling you he won't be saved, tsk tsk tsk. How sad that kid only lived for three months," he said

"No, please I won't say anything, just don't hurt him," I said with tears pricking my eyes.

"Good, if you think just because I'm not there, you think you can talk, you're wrong. Just make not to make that mistake again," he said hanging up.

I placed the phone down and rushed to see Aiden. He was throwing the toys Athrun gave him away. I knew why? It was because of Manes. Everything was because of him.

"Cagalli, do you know what's wrong with him?" Athrun asked worried

"Nothing he's probably just hungry," I said

Aiden however was pulling on Athrun and kept on talking in his baby words, that of course Athrun didn't understand, but I did. If Aiden could talk, then my problems would have been gone.

"How about I go and give him some milk," Athrun said placing a kiss on my forehead and leaving with Aiden in his arms.

I felt my breath coming out forcefully, Aiden was safe and Athrun was alright, but I couldn't risk them anymore. I had to keep my promise to myself to sacrifice everything, but with my husband's and child's lives intact.

I took the bags, which Manes probably bought and placed them in the garbage, where they belonged. A box fell out and I picked it up. I tore the wrapping open and looked inside. It was the number 7. I took it and chucked it out the window. Nothing was going to happen to Orb, nothing, at least as long as I was around.

I was at the top of the stairwell and to my surprise the gang was over, and were talking to Athrun. I went to the bathroom to hide in a mask of happiness. After successfully doing so I went downstairs and greeted everyone with a smile and hugged my friends. Shiho was starting to show since she was now that she was two months from delivery. Lacus came with Clare and she was also two months form being one and Kira and Lacus were so joyous. I had a bad thought, thinking if I was even going to be there during my friends' proudest moments.

Clare was being quite an angel sitting quietly and playing with her toy. I felt a burn in my back and I remember the bash I had with a wall. I knew there was bound to be a bruise there and I tried not to show the painful sensation spreading on my body. I asked everyone if they were staying for dinner and they said if sure. Dinner was already prepared by the cook and I took it out and set the table, and took Aiden, since it was time for his dinner as well. I left with him in my arms and took him to the dining room and placed him on a chair with me and he drank his milk from the bottle. He was so small, yet he could do so many things already. I was so proud of him.

Once he was finished and groaned mentally and winced as I got up and I noticed Aiden looking at me angrily. I blushed at his look which reminded me Athrun and that if he saw my winced face; he'd scold me for not telling him, with the face that Aiden was giving me.

"You're definitely like daddy aren't you," I said to him and placed him on his seat and went to set the table. After completing that task I placed the food and drinks and went to call everyone.

I went to call them, and we all sat down and ate dinner. We had a nice catch up time, but I was quite distant from them now and they knew it.

We were all outside enjoying the evening sky; I was with Aiden on a bench looking out at the vast garden in front. The flowers were all closing their buds for a night of sleep as the sun dropped a mist of dew on the petals. With the sun shining and sparkle the water droplets, I felt like I was in heaven. I felt shuffling in my arms and looked down to see my baby boy reaching to touch a flower. Successful he took it and placed it on my nose. I giggled and said, "Thank you Aiden."

He smiled and yelped a pair of arm picked him up from behind.

I laughed at Aiden's face, which looked shocked, yet confused.

The pair of arms turned Aiden to see the face and Aiden, immediately shown in happiness and gave his uncle a hug.

"He's definitely got Athrun's charm with the ladies. I'm pretty impressed at my nephew," Kira said picking up the flower my son gave to me

I laughed and said, "I guess he does; a pure natural charm."

"Anyways Cagalli I'm going to bring my nephew over to Lacus, you mind?" Kira asked

"Nope, go right ahead, I'll be there in a while," I said as Kira nodded and left.

I sighed and lay on the grass, the streaked sky replaced by a blanket of stars and a vortex of black.

I looked up at the stars and thought which star was my father? I had been searching for one for quite some time, but I never really found one. A shooting star and I quickly closed my eyes and placed a wish upon the flash of flicker. After that I heard voices surround the scenery, and I looked up to see the gang all looking down at me

"What?" I said

They gave no answer and pulled me up to meet the eyes of a person I hated.

"You," I growled

"Now, Cagalli don't nasty. You should be nice to him, plus he's our friend and you can be a bit accepting." Mir said

"Friend, sorry but that thing doesn't deserve to be my friend. I accept him as one thing and that is the job of my body guard. I've had enough of his face today, and I don't need him sickening my life even more." I said and trudged inside taking Aiden with me, "Also my son shouldn't be influenced by such a monster."

"Is it because I'm a half Mrs. Zala," I heard his voice say

I turned around to meet my friends' shocked face and his act of sadness

"Get out now," I said

"No," I heard another voice say

I turned and saw Athrun looking at me with fury and I saw my friends like that as well.

"Fine let him in, but remember that you're turning against me," I said

"We will go against what wrong and this time your wrong Cagalli. Daniel hasn't done anything to get your hatred and you're treating him like trash," Shi spoke

I opened my mouth to retort but I knew I couldn't because of Aiden's life and so I just said one thing, "I can treat whoever I want badly."

"But, Cagalli why, what did he do to you?" Lacus said

I wanted to cry for not being able to tell them, but I couldn't I could see guns behind already locked onto my friends and I just said, "Well it's because of…"

"You have no answer, right Cagalli. It's seems that all you can do is hate, and now you're breaking our trust by acting this way," Kira spoke

I felt Aiden bawl at my friends and I saw Athrun come up and take him from me. Aiden didn't fight his father, but he kept on crying.

"I don't want Aiden to hate people in biased way Cagalli and if he's near you he will. Please just tell us now why? If you don't I can't support what's wrong Cagalli you have to do open your mouth," Athrun whispered

"It's just him," I said walking back, "Just him," in a whisper as I left to go inside and tears flowed down my cheek.

I ran up the stairs and into my room. Making sure to lock the door I went to sit on the bed and wept. Calming down after a while I went to the window and saw the people who were once my own, trying to act nice to Daniel. The guns were gone and I breathed a sigh of relief. I didn't care as much if my friends and family were away from me hated me. As long as they were fine, to hell with everything, I couldn't risk Shiho's child, Clare losing her parents, Dearka and Mir looking to have a family and most of all I wouldn't dare risk my baby's life and Athrun's. I saw Aiden head on the shoulder's of Athrun looking up and me. He had a sad face on and he reached a hand out towards me. I smiled and kissed my hand placing it on the window, and Aiden smiled and placed his hand down and saying words to supposedly Athrun. I hid beside as I saw Athrun look at Aiden and looked at where he was looking.

I remembered the first time I saw Daniel and how I knew he was a killer

Flashback

I woke up with my skate and started walking down a deserted hallway, trying to get to the skating rink. I heard sounds being yelled out from the banister. Curious, I snuck behind a wall and peaked to see what was happening.

I saw two figures, and blushed seeing a couple together having their moment. I saw the guy break away and I saw a glint in Daniel's eyes sparking up from the fire. I left, not wanting to destroy that moment, but I made a mistake leaving those two.

The next morning I after my night with Athrun discovering my talent of skating and woke up to have some skating fun with Athrun. I met the guy from last night as a snowboarding instructor, who was also known as Daniel. Thinking he was an idiot I left. The morning after I saw the newspaper saying how a young girl was murdered after being rape. It was the same girl Daniel was making out with the night before. To my shock Daniel was the criminal, but he had run away. I knew from then he was bad news and now he was after me.

End of Flashback

I looked at the clock that rung 12 o'clock. It was late and now I had six days to make sure my country was not to be destroyed and I'd stop it no matter what.

I went to the washroom and washed my face from any remnants of tears and walked downstairs to get a glass of water, so I wouldn't explode. I took a glass of poured it water inside and drank it calming myself down. I saw a piece of paper which read about a group of halves requesting permission to enter Orb. My eyes widened and I decided to take action, fast because they were entering in the morning and Athrun accepted. I slipped on shoes and ran outside. I was thankful my friends were at the back in the garden. I cursed myself and wrote a note, and rushed into a car and rushed of the office to change the approval.

After arriving, the guard saw me and let me in and I ran to Athrun's office and sat down on his desk and opened his computer. I looked around his files and found the information. I changed the acceptance to deny and printed it out, signing my name and faxed it out quickly. After doing that I felt my heart calm down and I sat down on the changed, until I remembered that I needed to go home. I walked out and thanked the guard before leaving.

Hopping into my car I drove slowly home, apprehensive to actually arrive. I didn't want to go home anymore. I was actually worried about the group of halves actually entering or my denial getting there before they enter. I entered the driveway my mind still confused. I walked out and since I was all occupied by worry I tripped over a rock and fell forward scrapping by leg. I swore and took my keys and hung them in the key holder and moaned mentally as my friends decided then and there to come in. I quickly dragged my hurt knee out of sight, before they entered and I went to the den. I took out a first aid box and sat down, placing my leg up on the table until I heard the door open. In came Mir. I quickly moved my leg down and she said, "What are you doing here?"

"I was trying to clean my mind," I said gritting my teeth mostly because of the scrap.

"Well what is with the first aid box?" she asked

"I like bandages." I said unconvincingly

"Yes, you should since we all saw blood in the hall and outside," she said taking a seat beside me.

I groaned and said, "What are you here for anyways last thing I remember I was hated."

"We don't hate you Cagalli. It's just that we're confused at your behaviour. You're not like that," she said.

"Well maybe it's because of circumstances," I said picking up my leg and looking at the blood and dirt on it. I opened the box and cleaned the scrap first. Next came the disinfectant

"Circumstances?" Mir said

I changed the topic, "Usually Athrun would put this on whenever I was hurt. It would never hurt as long as he treated my wound," I said solemnly applying the product and hissing at the sting.

"Cagalli, do you want me to call him," Mir said

"No, I have to learn to do things on my own now. I can't rely on anyone anymore," I said

"What about us, didn't we say we would handle every pain together," Mir retorted

I smiled and said, "No one can play with betrayal and death." I said wrapping the bandage and finishing up.

"But you can share your problems, which fix everything," Mir said

"I know, but I'm with what I'm doing," I said

"Hurting the people who love you," Mir said

"If that the case, then yes," I said

"Cagalli, what's wrong with you," Mir said angrily

"I have memories," I said walking out and passed the gang who were sitting outside.

Mir came out after me and said, "What do you mean?"

"You heard me, and now figure it out," I said bitterly and walked up to get Aiden. He was sleeping in Athrun's arms and I continued, "I'm going to call it a night. Have a nice life."

"Cagalli," I heard a voice and turned around

"What?" I said to Athrun

"What happened to your leg?" he said

I smiled, turned around and said, "It hurt this time."

I saw his face and he looked surprised and I whispered, "Good night everyone and hopefully you all don't hate me."

Athrun looked at my retreating figure.

"What's wrong with her?" he said frustrated

"I have no idea," Dearka said.

"Mir did Cagalli say anything to you," Lacus asked

"She didn't talk much but, she's up to something. I feel as if she's fighting something or doing something alone. I have can't tell if it's good or bad, but she's doing it alone and says that if it hurts us then so be it," Mir said taking a seat and sighing.

"I believe it's because of me," Daniel said, "I think I should leave Orb. I don't think I belong here. Mrs. Zala has said that as well, and I think she's right."

"No, Cagalli's just confused about the sudden events. I don't think it's because of you. She's not used to including other people in her life, but still she's never this rude to anyone," Athrun said

"What did Cagalli mean by it hurt this time?" Yzak asked

"Oh Cagalli was saying how whenever she was hurt, it was usually Athrun who'd wrap her wound, but this time she did it herself," Mir said

"Yeah, it was actually always me. I didn't realize that," Athrun said

"You two really are something," Lacus said sweetly

"Yeah, but she now a whole world away, and she's not coming closer, she's hiding something and I will figure it out," Athrun said

"I guess we should leave, it's late and we have another day tomorrow. We're greeting a group of halves to Orb right?" Kira said

"Yeah, they're actually refugees from parts from the world who aren't accepted because of the mix. This is getting frustrating." Athrun said

"I know, we'll leave now Athrun see you tomorrow and try to get Cagalli to open up. She's really distraught right now." Shiho said standing up with Yzak.

"Bye," they all said to Athrun and left.

"I'll take my leave again Athrun. Am I coming to the greeting?" Daniel asked

"Yes, I'm bringing Cagalli as well, plus you can help me with the people since you're one of them," Athrun said

"Sure, Good night," he said leaving

Daniel went into the car and dialled a phone number and said one thing, "She fell didn't she?"

"Yes sir, you have six days left sir. The shell is arriving soon," a man answered

"I'll be done before six days," Daniel said hanging up, "Cagalli tsk tsk how sad. Six days and you're gone. Now to change the real secret you're hiding to a false one."

Athrun went up to the Aiden's room inside where I was tucking our son in his bed. I opened the window a bit and saw Athrun looking at me and he walked up to check Aiden, as I slipped into our room.

I went to the closet and took out a pair of silk pyjamas; I undressed and slipped on the tank top of the pyjamas and then the bottoms. I went and brushed my teeth and walked out to see Athrun changing. I went to my side of the bed and slipped under the cover, closing my eyes, definitely not sleeping. I heard him go into the washroom and come out. He sat down the bed and said, "I know you're awake and we need to talk."

"I think we said enough today and it's late. Go to sleep." I said facing the wall.

"Cagalli, please just for one moment," he said

"Fine, what?" I said sitting up and faced him.

"You know I love you right," he asked

"Yep I do." I said

"Do you still love me?" he asked

I opened my mouth and said, "How can you ask such a stupid question?"

"Do you?" he said

"Yes, of course I do," I said

"Then tell me the truth," he said, "If you love me then tell me what's going on."

I looked at his eyes and they were burning in love.

I looked at the window and saw those eyes again. The ones I hated. And I knew I couldn't tell.

"It's late, we should turn it," I said looking down. I looked up and saw him get up, "Where are you going?"

He turned and said, "I got my answer. I'll be in another room. You seem to be lost right now."

I saw him leave and as soon as he left. The figure left and I lay back down only to cry the night away.