Dinner and Dates Chapter 3: Dearka Elsman, a gundam seed fanfic

Writing in italics are their thoughts…

Chap. 3 Dearka Elsman

7:17pm – A.Z Cuisine

Cagalli Yula Atha sat at the bar talking to Kira and Lacus whilst waiting for her date to arrive. Today she wore a white V-neck halter dress with white stilettos to match. Her blonde hair was left down to sit upon her bare shoulders.

"Cagalli, don't you mind that your date is almost 20 minutes late?" Lacus asked whilst looking at the restaurant doors anxiously.

"Nah, its fine. I'd much prefer spending my time talking to you guys anyway." Cagalli answered whilst drinking her lemonade.

As Cagalli continued to talk to Lacus and Kira with her back facing the restaurant doors, she failed to notice a young man entering.

He wore a pink dress shirt and black pants. His two top buttons were undone and he wore women shaped cuff links. He had blond hair and light purple eyes. His physique showed that he walked out often. As he walked into the restaurant, he stopped near the reception desk and scanned the room with mischievous glint in his eyes and a smirk on his face. His smirk widened as he approached a blond sitting at the bar.

Kira' and Lacus' eyes widened at the sight of the smirking blond that approached the bar.

"Kira? Lacus? Is something wrong? Your eyes are all bug-eyed." Clueless as ever she failed to notice that the young man had sat down behind her-

"Well, hello there, Sexy."

Cagalli froze and went bug-eyed as well. A hand stroked her right arm. She felt someone out their face in her hair and whisper in her ear.

"Let's get this date started. We've already wasted precious time." He whispered seductively. If possible, Cagalli froze up more whilst Kira and Lacus exchanged nervous glances with each other,

Dearka continued to stroke to stroke her arm and turned his head to look at Lacus.

"Excuse me but, could you be a doll and date me and my date to our table, please?" At the word, "date," he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer to him. Cagalli remained clueless as she was dragged towards their table.

As they waited for their meal, Dearka studied her with a strange glint in his eyes. Cagalli shifted uncomfortably and opened her mouth to snap, before-

"Did it hurt?" He asked. Cagalli looked dumbly at him and answered.

"Did what hurt?"

"When you fell from heaven." He gave the cheesiest grin she'd ever seen. With his pearly whites gleaming at her, she could only smile and laugh weakly at his lameness.

They talked mainly about Dearka-scratch that-all Dearka talked about was his movie and music career. As Cagalli continued to grow bored of the topic, she smiled and nodded like a robot and pretended to be interested. And just like all naughty school kids who don't pay attention, her deeds came right around to bite her on the ass-

"How about a dance while we wait?" He asked with a sly smile.

-A smile and a nod- With that, she was whisked away to the dance floor.

He wrapped his right arm around her waist and brought her very close to his chest where she could smell what he called "aftershave." She gasped at the closeness and flushed a light pink colour.

They swayed slowly to the music as Dearka kept holding her closer whilst Cagalli moved uncomfortably. She looked up at Dearka who smirked and brought his face down towards her. Her eyes widened as she realised what was about to happen.

"Omg! Omg! What in Gods name is he doing?!?! Stop! Stop! STOP!! Somebody!? Anybody?! Stop this idiot NOW!!"

As Cagalli leaned back to avoid Dearka, her prayers were answered when a cough interrupted their "romantic" scene.

"Your dinner is ready Mr Elsman, Miss Atha."

They both stared at Lacus, rooted to the spot. One had relief wash over them and the other a tad bit annoyed. Dearka was looking up from where he had leaned over whilst Cagalli was still in Dearka' arms with her hands clutched together at her chest and leaned back away from Dearka. Cagalli quickly broke apart and thanked Lacus with grateful eyes.

Both had returned to their table and stared at their food.

"My, this looks tasty…" Dearka commented. Cagalli looked up at him and smiled. "…But not as tasty as you." He whispered seductively. He added his usual cheesy-seductive grin, took her left hand and stroked it. Cagalli' smile faded into a fake one as she quickly stood up and pulled her hand away.

"I'm going to get a drink from the bar, excuse –"

"Here, Honey, let me get it for you." He began to rise from his seat as Cagalli interrupted him.

"No no, it's fine." She insisted. She walked around and placed her hands on his shoulders and pushed him down. "I'll be fine. Just eat your food and I'll be right back." As she swiftly walked away, (A.N. more like power walked XD) Dearka leaned away from the table to stare at Cagalli' form whilst creating some fantasies in his head.

"Breath, Cagalli, breath… Deep breaths now…WHAT IS THAT IDIOT TRYING TO DO?! Eugh! To think he nearly kissed me, yuck! And HONEY?! God I hate all these damn pet names!! I don't know how much more I can take from this egoistic THING!!!" Cagalli continued to rant in her mind as she approached the bar.

"Apple Martini, please Kira."

"Starting early today are we?" he asked. Cagalli plopped herself onto a stool and gave an exhausted sigh. "Is he really that bad?" He asked whilst handing her the drink.

"You have no idea." Taking her drink, she turned and got up to leave. "Talk to you about it later, Kira."

She returned to find Dearka had moved his chair so he was right next to her. He smirked and patted her seat to signal her to sit down. She took a deep breath and approached her seat and sat down. He leaned in and whispered against her ear.

"I missed you." He whispered huskily whilst trying to stare into her eyes.

"I'm sure you're just being polite." Cagalli reasoned whilst turning her head away from him. She picked up her martini and drunk the rest in one gulp. "I think I'll get another drink." As she went to stand up, she was stopped and pulled back down.

"No wait; I'll get someone to bring us some nice champagne." He put his arm up and called out to the nearest waitress.

"How can I help you, sir?"

"Yes, I would like- Miriallia??" He sat there staring at the waitress. His smirk was gone and was replaced with a shocked-serious expression. The waitress looked at him with a stoic face. She had light brown hair that fell passed her ears, blue eyes and wore the restaurant uniform that consisted of a black blouse and black skirt.

"Miriallia, is that really you?" He blinked and stood up to face her.

"Yes it is me. Now what can I get for the both of you?" She smiled and ignored Dearka' staring at her. He then remembered that Cagalli was beside him.

"Ummm….Can we…Uhhh…Can you bring is a bottle of champagne, please?"

Cagalli was shocked. She had never thought that this guy, this guy that had so much self-confidence and such a big ego could stutter in front of a girl he liked.

He sat back down after she left and sighed. Then it hit her. He didn't like the waitress. He loved her. She watched him as his head hung low and his eyes cast a look of longing as she walked towards them.

"Here you go. Enjoy the rest of your evening." She smiled at them both and walked away for the second time in his life. Cagalli watched him sadly as he looked like a lost little boy.

"What happened?"

"I was a fool. Fame and attention made me forget what I really loved. It made me forget that she was the one who supported me through the rough times in my career and encouraged me to keep pushing on. It turned me into an egoistic bastard who loved the attention."

"Is that why she left?"

"If only." He sighed. "I was at an after-party for the awards ceremony. I ended up getting drunk and losing all self control…" He paused and lowered his head. "…I ended up in bed with one of the dancers and Miriallia walked in. I was too drunk to notice her let alone go after her. When I realised what had happened and went to apologise, she was gone. Clothes gone-everything. It was like she never existed." He finished.

"Do you still love her?" He looked up and gave her a genuine smile.

"It doesn't matter anymore. Let's continue with our date."

The rest of the night they talked like friends who hadn't seen each other in years. They talked about each others music careers and their history. Occasionally, she spotted him staring at her with longing eyes and caught Miriallia watching him too.

"Hey, what would you do to get Miriallia back?"

"Anything"

"Anything, huh?" She smirked and looked at him evilly. "I'll be right back." She stood up and walked to towards the bar. She spoke to Kira and Shinn before walking away towards the stairs that led to a certain someone' office.

Athrun Zala got up from his chair and walked towards the door. "Time to check up on things." He thought. He opened the door to see someone ready to knock the door. They both stared at each other before the blonde spoke.

"I need a favour."

"You can't be serious, Cagalli." Dearka stared at the blonde female in disbelief whilst she in return, smirked and nodded her head.

"Trust me, this will work" She grabbed his arm and dragged him towards the stage were the musicians played. They waited while they played the rest of their song where a blue-haired man walked up to them.

"So is this the guy-Dearka? Dearka Elsman?"

Dearka looked away from the stage and stared at the man in front of him.

"Ath-Athrun Zala?! Hey man! Long time no see!" The two men hugged and shook hands. "I haven't seen you in what? Four years? How yaw been, man?" Athrun smiled at his high school buddy.

"I've been-Wait. You're Cagalli' date?!" He asked with a small smirk.

"Hell yeah! As usual, all the girls want me!!" He answered. Cagalli rolled her eyes as she realised that his ego had returned. Athrun' smirk could only widen.

"I don't think so, after watching you dance with her, I thought that would have sent her running for the hills!!" He continued to smirk as he watched his friend's ego slowly deflate.

"Whaddya mean?? I thought that dance was perfect until it was rudely interrupted." He fended.

"I bet your date begs to differ, Cagalli??" He turned his head to the female blond who had been silently giggling at the twos conversation. She stopped and looked at the two men.

"I'll be honest. I thought it was-"

"The most magical dance you've ever had!!" Dearka answered for her.

"Now now, Dearka. Let the Princess decide for herself. I would like to know the truth." Athrun' eyes twinkled in amusement as he stared into her eyes where they shared the same sparkle.

"As I was saying, I thought it was the most magical dance I've ever had." At this Athrun' jaw dropped and his eyes as big as saucers.

"WHAT?!" Athrun replied. Dearka smirked widely and shouted a "Hell Yeah!!" Cagalli burst out laughing at his reaction.

"See, Zala, I told you all the women wanted me!" He grinned his widest.

"Please tell me your joking princess!" Athrun pleaded to the laughing princess.

"You're right Athrun, I am joking…"

"Huh?" Both men looked at her in confusion.

"…It was the most horrifying experience of my life. Do you dance like that with all the girls you date??" She said bluntly.

This time, it was Dearka' mouth that fell and Athrun fell into hysterics of laughter.

"You really know how to wound a man, don't you?" Dearka asked while pouting and putting a hand over his heart.

"You know Dearka, after watching that dance; I think it's safe to say that you know nothing about wooing a woman whilst dancing."

"Well Zala, I'd like to see you do better." Dearka muttered.

"Hey look, they've finished playing the song. Time to shine, Dearka!!"

The restaurant lights dimmed and the only lights that were left shining brightly were as the bar and the fire exit signs. The lights on the stage brightened as someone walked onto the stage.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I'm sorry to disturb your evening but I would like to perform a song to say I'm sorry and I still love you to the girl who has recently walked out of my life."

"I could stay awake just to hear you breathing
Watch you smile while you are sleeping
While you're far away dreaming
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender
I could stay lost in this moment forever
Every moment spent with you is a moment I treasure

His eyes looked at her with longing, begging her to forgive him and realise how much he loved her.

Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
Cause I'd miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing
Cause even when I dream of you
The sweetest dream will never do
I'd still miss you baby
And I don't want to miss a thing

Lying close to you feeling your heart beating
And I'm wondering what you're dreaming
Wondering if its me you're seeing
Then I kiss your eyes
And thank God were together
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever
Forever and ever

She tried to ignore his eyes that watched her, but her own eyes betrayed her. Raising her head to meet his gaze, her blue eyes widened in shock to see how sad he was and singing with such passion towards her.

I don't want to miss one smile
I don't want to miss one kiss
I just want to be with you
Right here with you, just like this
I just want to hold you close
Feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment
For all the rest of time

He sang his heart and soul out to her. Tears starting to sting his eyes when the pain that he held for so long was finally being released.

"You know, he really does love you." Miriallia quickly turned around to see the princess smiling at her. "He told me about everything that happened that night you left and deeply regrets about what happened."

"How can he regret about what happened when he still acts like an over-confident jerk!?" Miriallia replied angrily. Cagalli continued to smile and answered her.

"It's a mask, an act he uses to cover up the pain he feels whenever he thinks about you. And you do the same exactly the same thing." She accused

Don't want to close my eyes
I don't want to fall asleep
I don't want to miss a thing"

As the song ended Miriallia turned her attention back to Cagalli. "What do you mean, I do the same thing?" Cagalli continued to smile as she watched Dearka walk of the stage.

"You use a stoic expression to cover up and hide your feelings and emotions towards him."

This hit her like a brick, she looked down and thought about all the times they had with each other and began to cry.

"Come now, I'm sure enough tears have fallen from your eyes. Go talk to him and remember; punishment comes before forgiveness." Cagalli smiled and nodded her head towards Dearka who was talking to Athrun. She then walked away to where they were standing and took Athrun away leaving Dearka on his own.

"Apple Martini, Miss Atha??"

"Yes please, Shinn."

"Athrun, do you want anything to drink?"

"I'll have a glass of wine, please. Do you think it went alright?" He asked the blonde.

"I think it went just fine." She smiled as she watched the couple crying and hugging each other.

"So, about my favour." He said slyly whilst taking his drink. Cagalli narrowed her eyes at him.

"What favour?" And then it hit her

Flashback

"I need you to give me permission to use your stage and musicians for a performance. It will just be one song."

"Thinking about singing a song for us are you? That's nice of you"

"Not me! My date who is my friend now, I want to help him get back together with the girl he loves." She explained.

"Ok, but, what's in it for me??" He smirked and leaned back on his chair. Cagalli thought for a while before answering.

"The self-satisfaction of you helping a lovely couple get back together again" She beamed at her answer whilst he rose and eyebrow and walked towards her.

"Nah, that's not enough for me." Cagalli thought again and looked back at him with her business face.

"Fine, self-satisfaction and I'll do something for you if you do that something for me." She bargained. He thought for a while and smiled.

"You have yourself a deal there Miss Atha" He put his hand out and they both gave a firm handshake.

End of Flashback

"Oh, that favour." She said dryly and took a sip out of her martini. "Name you price then, Mr Zala" Her business face and tone was back as she waited for the answer.

He drank his wine and swirled the contents around in the glass. After a while of thinking, he looked at her through the corners of his eyes and a small smirk plastered on his face.

"A dance with you, Miss Atha."

Hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it. The song I used is "Aerosmith-I don't wanna miss a thing" Any ideas are always welcome and helpful for me.

Thanks to the people who read and supported this fic

Mage666 :-D