Thank you for the wonderful reviews! I loved reading them and I am so happy you are all enjoying the story. Meeting your love interests' parents is always tough eh? Surely everyone can relate? Well, I can anyway. hehhe

This will be my only project until it's finished so hopefully updates will become more frequent crosses fingers

I hope you like this chapter – it was really tough to write.

Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Seed.

Gundam Seed: Affronted Affections

Chapter #8: Like Father, Like Son

He was back on the 10th floor of the library in his cubical, his jacket hung loosely over the back of his chair. He had no where else to go.

For a long while, he just stared into the table, analyzing every detail of the engrained wood surface in front of him. He held onto himself tightly, arms crossed, as he sat there slumped over, hair falling over his wide eyes. He knew he would have bruises on his upper arms from grasping them so hard but he didn't care. He felt no pain. In fact, he felt nothing at all. It was as if he had gone completely numb.

His harsh breathing pounded in his ear drums, the sound jarring and blaring as it competed with the loud, rapid thumping of his heart against his chest. His skin had gone white and his green eyes were wide with unmasked shock.

What had just happened? Athrun felt small tremors wrack his thin frame and he shuddered under their ruthless assault. What the hell had just happened! Again and again he replayed the event in his mind, hoping that repetition would make the disaster a little easier to accept. It did not. Instead, the degree of the catastrophe only intensified as truths molded with lies in his mind and made the encounter with Cagalli's father that much worse.

How dare you try to take advantage of my daughter! Have you no sense of decency about you, young man!"

Athrun felt his skin tighten as he swallowed, trying to moisten his dry throat.

You boys are all alike! Taking advantage of the situation to satisfy your hormonal desires. My God, boy, didn't you stop to think about Cagalli?

Athrun closed his eyes, not wanting to think about it anymore. Any chances of being accepted by the man had been shattered. The flicker of hope had been snuffed… and Cagalli? How was she going to handle all this? Would she still want to see him after this? It wasn't right for him to expect her to. He would only get in her way and the last thing he wanted was to destroy a daughter-father relationship. For him, such a bond was priceless… perhaps he felt that way because he lacked one.

Sitting there in silence, Athrun tensed. Nobody ever came to the 10th floor thus it was dark and its shelves were untouched. Once a week the staff would dust but there was almost no need. Everything was in order, making the area appear lifeless and lonely. A sad smile spilt the young man's lips as he raised his head slightly, thinking about the cruel irony of the situation.

He too felt lifeless and lonely. Everything suddenly seemed surreal. It was as though he somehow belonged there. Hidden on the 10th floor, away from everything. In many ways, Athrun felt cheated.

Casting a wary eye about the area to be sure that nobody was around, he let his shoulders to slump and he leaned forward to place his elbows on the desk. Using them as a pillow, he then hunched over and allowed his head to rest upon them. The emotional anguish of the day had sucked the life right out of him and Athrun could feel his eyelids growing heavy.

He shifted in his chair until he figured he was as comfortable as one could get in a cubical. Forcing himself to relax, Athrun exhaled softly in an attempt to even out his breathing. Life just wasn't fair.

"I don't understand," He muttered to nobody in particular as his eyes gradually drifted shut. "I never did anything wrong so why do all these awful things keep happening to me?"

He knew what he had to do tomorrow when he saw Cagalli. He just really, really didn't want to...

"Dad! Dad, stop it!" Cagalli cried as he all but dragged his daughter up to her dorm. She stumbled to keep up with him as he threw the door to her room open and stormed in. "Dad!"

Uzumi stopped short as he carefully analyzed her room, his eyes searching. Cagalli held her breath as her gaze dropped to the sleeping bag and suitcase tucked away neatly alongside her bed. They belonged to Athrun. Uzumi also seemed to notice them, and raised a questioning eyebrow. "What is this?"

Cagalli swallowed nervously and straightened. "Sometimes my friend stays here the night."

"Friend?"

Cagalli nodded, teetering on her heels. "Yes…"

"And who might this friend be?"

Cagalli knew that lying was wrong but at the same time she also knew that replying with 'Athrun Zala' was like pouring oil onto an already blazing fire. She sent a quick pray to the gods to forgive her and blurted out the first name that came to her mind. "Lacus Clyne."

Uzumi blinked. "Lacus?"

Cagalli nodded again and watched as her father prowled around her room like a cat hunting its prey. His brow was creased and he seemed doubtful. Her heart caught in her throat as she noticed that Athrun hadn't bothered to put away his damp shirt. Instead, it had been tossed aside casually in the corner of her room. She made a motion to reach down and grab it but it was too late. Her father had already seen the sodden piece of clothing and intercepted her.

He picked it up as if he were a detective who had just found a startling piece of evidence. "I recognize this," He told her darkly. "He's been in here, hasn't he?"

"He… he just needed to change his clothes because they were wet and …."

"Change!" Uzumi exploded. "You mean you let that boy run around your room naked!"

"NO!" Cagalli felt her own blood pressure rising as all the blood rushed to her head, fueling her own anger and frustration. "Do you think that little of me!"

Uzumi saw tears shimmering in his daughters eyes and his expression softened somewhat. He dropped Athrun's shirt and gently took Cagalli's hand, guiding her to her bed where they both sat down across from one another. "No, Cagalli. It is not you that I'm concerned about. It's him."

Desperately, Cagalli tried to blink back the tears that were leaking from the corners of her eyes. "He is not a bad person, you know." She croaked and shuddered bitterly. "He helps me with school and he actually cares about me. He would never take advantage of me."

"I wish I could believe that," Uzumi replied, trying to steady his trembling voice. "What happened to Yuna? He was a nice, young man and he comes from a good family."

"Yuna?" Cagalli jolted, alarmed by the very mentioning of his name. "Yuna doesn't care about me. He doesn't treat me well at all! In fact, he's rude, harsh, uncaring… Dad, how could you be so horrible to Athrun and think so fondly of Yuna Saran?"

Cagalli saw something flash across her father's face and suddenly he appeared much older than his years. It wasn't anger she saw rather it was sadness. The kind of sadness she had seen in his eyes many times when dealing with his work and the politicians of the Earth and the PLANTS. She felt him shift beside her as he wrestled with the words he wanted to say.

"Cagalli," Uzumi inhaled deeply. "Athrun Zala is the son of Patrick Zala, one of the many representatives in space who believe that Coordinators are a different race altogether. He isn't interested in peace or harmony or the well-being of mankind. He manipulates people and uses them to his own advantage. Once they are no longer able to provide any sort of service to him, he drops them as if they were nothing. He destroys them."

Cagalli didn't understand. Leaning forward, her intense auburn eyes met those of her father. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Athrun is his father's son," Uzumi told her simply. "I can't help but wonder if he shares his father's values. I don't want to see you get hurt."

"Why should it matter whose son he is?" Cagalli demanded. "Just because you don't like his father doesn't mean that you should paint Athrun with the same brush! You haven't even spoken with him!"

"Yuna is from Orb," Uzumi continued, his pace quickening as he hurried to get everything out before Cagalli could cut him off. "He shares our values and our beliefs. His father is a good man and…"

"And Yuna is a complete jerk!" Cagalli blurted out. Furious, she leapt to her feet to distance herself from her father. "What gives you the right to judge Athrun like this! He's nothing like his father… if you would just speak with him…"

"For heaven's sake, Cagalli! He is Patrick Zala's child! Can't you understand that!"

"That doesn't mean anything!"

"It means that he's been raised with a less than flattering set of values and I do not want you interacting with his kind!"

"And what exactly is his kind?" Cagalli stamped her foot. Her eyes narrowed as she saw her life with Athrun, the moments and their times together, evaporating before her very eyes. "You mean Coordinators?"

"I didn't say that," Uzumi corrected. "Patrick Zala is a nuisance in the PLANTS and I'm willing to bet that his son is no different. I mean, the boy is a womanizer. What took place tonight proves that!"

"What!" The young girl's jaw dropped.

"You heard me correctly," Uzumi cleared his throat and straightened to his full height. "He clearly has no respect for you… the way he was all over you. If I hadn't intervened, the situation could have been much, much worse."

"N… no!" Cagalli staggered back as if she'd been dealt a physical blow across the face. "Athrun didn't do anything wrong! It… it was I who suggested we go to the lake, I was the one who made the first move!"

"You will try to protect him," Uzumi declared. "But I know better. I know you, Cagalli. Anyway, what's done is done. Now, tomorrow night, I have a social call I have to attend and I expect you to be there with an escort."

Her resolve hardened. "I'm bringing Athrun."

"What?" Uzumi's eyes bulged. "You most certainly are not!"

"If Athrun can't come than neither will I."

"Do you know what the other delegates will say if my daughter shows up to the party with the son of the most hated and difficult man in space?"

"I don't care." Cagalli pouted.

"You may not," Uzumi snorted. "But I do. I do not want to see you with Athrun Zala anymore."

Something inside of her snapped. Cagalli straightened her shoulders and matched her father's intense glare. She was certainly no longer a child and she was not going to let her father, or anyone else for that matter, decide who she would and would not see. "Father, I am old enough now that I can decide for myself who I want to share my company and time with. I like Athrun. I like him a lot and he likes me. He's kind and gentle and if you just gave him a chance, I know that you would see him as I do."

Uzumi turned away, considering.

"Please father," Cagalli took a step forward. "He makes me happy… don't you want me to be happy?"

"Of course I do," Uzumi sighed, defeated. "I'm sorry, Cagalli. I guess I just over-reacted a bit."

"A bit?" Cagalli raised an eyebrow, causing her father to smile weakly.

"When you have kids of your own, you will understand," Was all he said as he slowly made his way to the door. "If I want you to be at that party then I suppose I have no choice but to allow you to bring Athrun as your escort, hmm?"

Cagalli nodded slightly. "That's right."

Uzumi shook his head nodded his head in goodbye as he took his leave. Judging from the look on his face, Cagalli knew that her father was displeased with her but deep down, she felt that if her father would just speak with Athrun, he would see him the way she did. He wasn't just another boy looking for more than she was willing to give. He wasn't like the others. He put her before everything else and that had earned him a special place in her heart. She would not allow her love for him to be denied.

Heaving a sigh, Cagalli flopped onto her bed, grabbing at her hair in frustration. She could hear the soft wind tapping lightly on her window and knew that it was going to be a cold night. She threw a glance down at Athrun's rolled up sleeping bag and her expression saddened. It was also going to be a lonely one. Quickly changing into her pajamas, she snuggled in beneath her blankets. Before turning off the light, however, she reached over and pulled Kaori from her dresser and tucked him under her arm.

The next morning Cagalli got up early. It was Saturday and seeing how there was no school on Saturday, she set her sights on finding Athrun. She knew he was probably hurting, confused and she desperately wanted to talk to him. The first place she went was the 10th floor of the library and was somewhat surprised to find that he wasn't there. She found his jacket though – lying limp over the back of a chair in the far corner.

He's been here… She thought to herself as she walked down the library steps, his jacket under her arm, and back out into the courtyard. So where is he?

Gazing blankly down the path that led into the park, she sighed as the wind ran its airy fingers through her hair. Where would he go? Where could he go? He didn't know the campus too well yet thinking back, she remembered something that he had said to her not long after they had first met.

"What do you normally do when you're sad?" She had asked him.

"Stare at water." Had been his answer. "When I feel lonely or sad I like to stare out into the water. Somehow, that makes me feel better."

Thinking for a moment, Cagalli turned her attention north. Suddenly she knew where she would find him. The lake…it was the only body of water that Athrun would know of.

And that where she found him – it was a heart breaking sight. Sitting against an elm tree about three meters away from the shore, was Athrun. Resting his arms on his knees, he seemed mesmerized by the gentle waves as they washed up against the pebbles and sand. The wind casually blew strands of hair into his eyes but he didn't seem to care. He just continued to gaze off into the water.

"I thought I would find you here." Cagalli commented as she gradually approached him. There seemed to be a chill radiating off his body and she shivered.

Athrun glanced over at her before he simply shrugged and turned his attention back towards the water.

"You also left your jacket in the library," Cagalli continued as she knelt down beside him, holding out his coat. Still, she received no response.

Staring at him, she silently willed him to look at her yet he wouldn't. He seemed so frighteningly distant, suddenly so very insecure. Taking a deep breath, she carefully put a hand on his shoulder. "Are you going to be okay?" She asked.

"I didn't mean for things to happen the way they did," Athrun muttered and let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry."

Cagalli frowned, surprised by his confession. "Athrun it wasn't your fault," She assured him quickly. Deep down, she suddenly felt as if all the blame could be spilled onto her shoulders. "It's you I'm worried about. After what my father said... I was afraid that you might misunderstand him."

Athrun jerked, instantly whirling around to face her as he straightened. "Misunderstand? I don't think that's possible."

"It is so," Cagalli replied sternly, ignoring the confusion in his deep, emerald eyes. "Why didn't you tell me you had met him before?"

Athrun's mouth dropped for a moment before he answered. "I didn't know that I had met him before."

"My father was just upset," Cagalli tried to explain, seeing the weariness in his tired eyes. "You understand that don't you?"

"Cagalli," Athrun bit his bottom lip. "I've got a lot on my mind right now and I would really like to be left alone."

"You've got nothing to feel ashamed about…"

"I'll be fine. Just don't worry about it."

The way he simply pushed her concern aside angered her and before Cagalli knew what she was saying the words she knew she didn't want to say were coming out at full velocity. "Just don't worry about it! What do you want me to do! Stand aside and watch you wallow in guilt about something that you weren't responsible for! Just be a bystander and wait until you stop feeling sorry for yourself? I don't think so. Now, I am not leaving here until we talk about what happened last night so start talking."

Athrun glared at her, clearly hurt, before he let out a long sigh and slumped. "Alright. What do you want to know?"

"I want to know why you are blaming yourself," Cagalli explained. "We didn't do anything wrong. My father just blew everything out of proportion and said a few things he didn't mean."

"I think he knew what he was saying," Athrun growled cynically. "And I think he meant every word."

"Well, we must have looked pretty… um… comfortable," Cagalli told him. "It must have been a shock for him to see us… the way we were."

"He didn't like me even before that," Athrun shot back, suddenly defensive. Shaking his head, he moaned into his hands. "When he found out who I was… I saw it in his eyes."

"What?" Cagalli frowned. Athrun wasn't making any sense. "What are you taking about?"

Athrun sighed. "When Yuna and I were fighting yesterday, I accidentally pulled your father into the fountain with me. I tried to apologize but he saw the name on my jacket and that was enough to make up his mind about me."

Cagalli's eyes widened as she remembered her father's words. "It's because of your father, isn't it?"

Athrun nodded, unconsciously, clenching a fist. "I know my father has made, I mean, makes a lot of enemies but I get tired of his enemies becoming mine as well. Your father's anger didn't come from you making out with a boy on the lake. It was because it was Patrick Zala's boy you were with."

Cagalli remained silent, amazed at how perceptive he truly was. She knew that Athrun was right. Her father was upset about her behavior but his anger had been fueled more so by the fact that Athrun was Patrick Zala's child. His discussion with her afterwards proved as much.

"Athrun?" She asked and waited till he was looking directly at her and when their eyes locked her heart shattered. He seemed so lost and his eyes were pleading for help, for support, for an escape from the cruel reality of things. "Please, answer this – do you still care about me? About us?"

There was an uncomfortable silence before Athrun finally shook his head once. The uncomfortable silence seemed to last forever, only to be disturbed by the light rustle of the waves making their way to shore. "We both know that your father doesn't like me and will never approve of our relationship. Of course I care about you but I never wanted to come between you and your father."

Cagalli froze, raising an eyebrow. "What… are you suggesting?"

Athrun swallowed. "I…just want to do what's right."

"Are you saying we should forsake our friendship because my father doesn't agree with it?" Cagalli couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"No," Athrun shook his head. "If you ever need a friend, I'll always be here for you but I just think we should take a step back for a bit."

Cagalli couldn't believe it. He was pulling away from her again just like he had when he had suspected that she was interested in Yuna. It was happening again. She was loosing him. "Why?" Cagalli's voice was just barely above a whisper.

"Well, I'm only making your life difficult." Athrun told her hesitantly. He shifted uncomfortably on the ground before glancing back towards the water. "Obviously I'm the reason your father is so angry. It isn't right for you to have to choose between us."

"Athrun, I don't care about that. I want to be with you."

Athrun dropped his gaze, continuing with his speech. He knew that if he stopped now he would never have the courage to finish. "You should care." He told her firmly. "Your father loves you. I won't let you throw that all away on my account."

"I spoke with my father," Cagalli tried her best to keep her voice steady. The encounter with her father had hit him hard. "I am to attend an assembly with him tonight and I told him that you would be escorting me. He approved. Are you going to tell me that you won't?"

Athrun looked away as if considering his next words carefully. "I… do you really think that is a good idea?"

"Don't give up on my father," Cagalli begged, now becoming desperate. She loved him. She had never loved anyone in her life more than she loved Athrun Zala. Somehow, even from their first encounter in the registrar's office, she had known that he was special to her. "And don't give up on us. Let him get to know you. He'll like you – I promise. Just give him another chance."

Athrun took a deep breath and nodded. He knew what going to the assembly would mean. It was another opportunity for people to judge him, to frown upon him for the sins of his father. Yet, for Cagalli, he was willing to do what he could to change that. Straightening, Athrun turned to face her. Leaning forward, he answered her with a tight embrace. Wrapping his arms around her, he pulled her close, burying his head in the croak between her neck and collar bone. "Ok," He whispered gently into her ear. "I'll try."

TBC

Another long chapter. Hmmm, I'm not very happy with it though. In fact, I'm very unhappy with it but I am so tired of editing it so please forgive me if it is not as interesting as the others. The next chapter will be better – I promise! Athrun's going to the assembly with Cagalli and other people will be there that could possibly cause some trouble. Yes, Uzumi might be a little OOC but I needed him to be like that. He'll get better… think of his behavior as parental concern? Please?

Anyway, thank you so much to all of you who reviewed the last chapter. It means a lot to me. I will try not to make the story so obvious from this point on ok? I'm also not sure if I want a happy ending to this one? Any ideas? What do you think? I'm always happy to take suggestions.

Thanks for reading!

Until next time,

Krilyn.