Well, this is quite possibly my shortest chapter. Sorry about that. But it has what I believe to be one of the most awesome lines ever. And. . . it's almost over!will end in at most two more chapters.

Everything went so fast, the next thing I knew we were at the restaurant. I had washed and was wearing my representative uniform, while Athrun and Kira favored their Orb military uniforms. I thought of matching them, but I left mine back in Orb.

I was surprised by the lack of publicity. I figured that the media from half the PLANTs would be covering this. Shinn met us at the front door and led us back to the reserved room. As we entered, Miss Joule stood.

"Hello, Zala-kun, Kira-kun, Lacus-sama." She smiled, and motioned for them to sit. Kira and Lacus walked forward and took their seats next to where Shinn sat. She watched us all intently. When she realized that Athrun had not sat, she shrugged and did so herself. It was then that I noticed that there were only five chairs at the table. One for each of us, minus one. Me? Why me? Why not me?

"Thank you for having us, Joule-sama." Shinn barked eagerly. He looked like a puppy begging for scraps. Miss Joule consented to feed his ego for a while. "It was very considerate of you to have invited us all out for dinner."

She smiled Yzak's smile. Now we all knew where he got his smugness from. She made me feel eerily awkward, like I had done something wrong and wasn't being told what it was. I continued to stand, watching her every move for some hint as to what was up.

Before too much idle chatter had passed, Athrun nudged me to the table and pulled the chair out for me to sit. I tried to resist, not wanting him to be left standing when I was the one who was meant to. He wouldn't take no for an answer. So, I sat, and he stood protectively behind my chair.

Miss Joule looked up to watch me sit, following my movements closely, but somehow, following Athrun's movements closer. She smiled again, that same Yzak smile, and went back to conversing with Shinn.

"Don't let her scare you." Athrun whispered softly. Why would she be trying to scare me? I looked down and played with the forks a little, to pass time.

"What do you think, Cagalli-sama?"

What? Who's talking? I wasn't playing attention. I looked up.

Miss Joule smiled, and asked again, "What do you think, Cagalli-sama, about one of our friends taking over as Chairman?"

"Who exactly did you have in mind, Joule-sama?" I pushed. Not hearing the former conversation, I was at a loss.

"Why, I was hoping we could persuade your bodyguard into a new line of work. What do you say, Athrun? This will be the only offer."

Athrun stepped back, and looked down to me. Everyone across the table ceased whatever they were doing to wait for his answer, even me. Would he leave me like that? No doubt he felt that the colonies needed him, and he would have his loyalties, but what about me? What about his loyalty to me? I waited, for what seemed like an eternity, but no answer came. He just stared at me.

Kira began to stand, and as he did, the noise of his chair scuffing the floor seemed to break Athrun's trance-like state. He immediately lifted his head and leveled his gaze on Miss Joule. After the slightest moment of tension, he gently pulled my chair back and helped me to my feet. Athrun lowered his eyes to me and began to escort me out, when Miss Joule sprang up.

"Athrun Zala, don't you walk out-."

"Orb is my home now, Joule-sama."

A collective gasp was heard as my Red Knight escorted me out. He's staying. As soon as the restaurant's doors closed behind us, I almost lost control of myself. I want just to leapt into his arms and feel his warmth envelop me. But Cagalli-the-Representative would never do that. So, I decided to reserve that feeling until we were safely home in Orb.

We stood for a moment outside the restaurant, letting time stand still. He was amazing. He stared off into the synthetic sunset, appearing to be lost in thought. "Athrun?" I asked, touching his arm, hoping to wake him from his thought.

"Cagalli, I want to go home." He placed his hand on top of mine and looked down with a smile. He then wrapped his arms around me. "Let's go home." He held me tight, and I rested my head against his chest.

Just as I began to relax, Kira and Lacus exited the building. "Cagalli, it's time to go home." Kira stated, rather flatly and just slightly irritated.

"What happened, Kira?" Athrun asked, raising his head, but not letting me go. I tensed.

"Let's just say, we saw the true colors of politicians." I heard Kira say. "Are there shuttles still running at this hour?" I guess we were all anxious to get home.

"Yes, there are shuttles that run anytime, if they know who you are." Athrun winked.

"Then let's go home." Kira cooed, and with that, we all hopped back in Athrun's car. He drove us straight to the dock, there was one flight left.

After Lacus got us on, using her various charms, Athrun called Andrew on the Eternal. "Your suits are fine. They're going to have a costly repair bill, especially that gold one. You all really tore them up, didn't you?"

We all laughed. "Thanks for picking them up, Tiger." I thanked him.

"Well, with that, we're heading back to L4. See you all later."

We said our goodbyes and boarded our shuttle. So much for PLANTs, now I have Orb to deal with.

Ended rather quickly, I know. All that's left is the return to Orb. Reviews are still welcome. See y'all next time.