Hey everyone, I know that this is like my first update in a small eternity, but at least its here. I have had an interesting Christmas break, but I have decided that I've put off writing this for long enough. And besides, I want to know the ending too.

When we last left off, Cagalli and Athrun were going to the office. . .

The building looked the same as ever. No surprises, such as a new secretary or a new art on the walls seemed to be waiting for me. Athrun followed as I walked down the familiar hallway to an old office that I didn't want. My secretary waved as we walked past and into our determined destination.

Once inside, I let out an audible groan. "What has Jona done to my desk?!" There were mounds of paper everywhere with no semblance of order. This was the one thing in my life that I kept organized. "How could he do this?"

I was apparently wondering out loud as Athrun shrugged and helped me dive in to sort out this mess. Memos in one stack, proposals in another. Somewhere in the middle of all this sorting, I happened to run across a rather interesting page.

Having captured my attention by looking as though it had had something spilled on it, I carefully picked it up and turned it over. On the front of the page there was a picture. The picture was of a scantily clad, blonde woman.

Athrun, noticing my obvious preoccupation, walked over to see what I was looking at. I held up the document so that he could see it.

Before I could mount a protest, the coordinator snatched it from my hand and threw it into the

shredder. Turning back towards me, he sported a triumphant smile. "What was that for?!" I yelled in shock.

His expression took a blow. "What do you mean 'what was that for'?"

"Why did you do that?!" I yelled back.

"Cagalli, don't you know what that was?" He sounded frustrated.

"How should I know?!" We were getting into one of those screaming contests.

"Didn't you recognize that woman?!"

"NO!!!" How was I supposed to know who was in a picture on my desk when I haven't been here in so long? Athrun let out a frustrated sigh. And besides- wait. "Athrun," I began, in a slightly more calm tone.

"How do you know the girl in that picture?"

He looked up at me, surprised by my question. Adopting a somewhat indignant look, he turn and walked out of my office, closing the oak door behind him.

Ha! I won Athrun! You just stay gone, and think about why you shouldn't be able to recognize random, near-naked women! Another argument down.

Sigh. Before he left for the PLANTs, it seemed like all we ever did was argue. I guess things were going to get back to normal. Another sigh. I continued to sift through the paperwork.

After a few minutes, a knock sounded on my door. I hollered for whomever to come in, but I kept my back to the door. I heard it open and close softly; footsteps followed. They hadn't said anything, but I had guessed it to be Athrun because he keenly slid up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. As I turned to face him, he stopped me and pulled something from behind his back.

"Here," he said calmly, holding a brand new mirror up my face. "Recognize her now?"

I stood, dumbfounded for a moment, staring my own reflection in the face. I scoffed, sickened. Over the years I had acquired quite a hated for mirrors. "Get that out of my face!"

"Why? Don't like the way you look?" Athrun moved toward me as I tried to push the mirror down.

"No! I just don't like mirrors, that's all!"

"Why?" he pressed, coming closer, though I backed away.

"I just don't!" I yelled. I closed my eyes and clenched my fists. I hated the way I looked, that's why the only mirror I owned was the one I used in my bathroom to brush my hair. He should know that!

Interrupting my mental rant, a hand gentle settled on my shoulder. "Cagalli, we need to leave now if we're going to make it to dinner on time." Athrun reminded in a soothing voice. Maybe, he did know.

I nodded in agreement, and we left the office. It was still a mess, but I'd finish up getting started when I came in tomorrow.

Athrun drove me back home so that we could change. Apparently, we both fancied our military dress, until I noticed one small detail.

"Athrun?" I asked, "who are you tonight?"

Athrun gave me a quizzical look. "What do you mean? You know who I am."

"Athrun, or Alex?"

Athrun looked down at himself, obviously remembering that while Athrun was part of the military, Alex was not. He thought for moment. Then he raised his head back up to me. "I'm through playing, Cagalli. My name is Athrun Zala." I could feel his air of confidence. It was like he had finally found out who he was.

Who was I? I thought he told me that. I was natural, I was able to go, to be something greater than I was; he told me that. But I still felt like there was something missing. This captured my thoughts all the way to dinner. I had everything, but I was still lacking something. What was it?

I was sort of sleepwalking through the dinner until Kisaka mentioned something like "I'm happy that you're taking your country back. You know how things should be run."

I know how things should be run? A leader is supposed to know everything about her country, and never abandon or fail it. I'm supposed to be the pillar on which my country can lean.

It was then that it hit me. I'm not what is best for Orb; I'm not what's best for anyone. I've failed everyone; I mean it took me a month to start looking for Athrun after he left. He almost died, because I failed. My country almost collapsed while I was gone; I failed again, and so many times during the war.

"Cagalli, you're the best thing that's happened to Orb in a long, long time. I want to thank you for coming back." Kisaka smiled at me. Athrun put his hand on my shoulder and smiled. They were proud of me.

"I want to thank you for coming back to me." Athrun added. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I hadn't failed. Maybe I could keep on going, and just maybe I was supposed to be here, and I'm supposed to be who I am.

I am the leader of Orb, former Three Ship Alliance pilot, and a young adult learning the ways of my heart. And if you must know, I'm in love with the most perfect man in the universe, who'd never leave my side, even if I wanted him to. I'm powerful on the battlefield, and in the office, and I am here to stay.

Well, I did manage to finish it. I'm just going to stick to writing short stuff for a while; I can't give stories this long the attention they deserve. Sorry it took me so long to finish, I'll repost the corrected first couple of chapters soon.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you were a big help.