Note: This chapter will be set three months after the first chapter.

Chapter 2: Anniversary

It's been three months since the big incident. The incident when PLANT Supreme Council Chairwoman Lacus Clyne was shot while making her State of the PLANTs Address. Lacus still hasn't woken up because the spirit Lacus still doesn't know how to wake up. She was transferred from the ICU into a VIP room. People come to visit her everyday. Athrun, Cagalli, Shinn, Luna, Meyrin have already visited her. But of course, there was one person who visits her everyday during the past three months. It was Kira Yamato.

Everyday for the past three months, Kira always came to Lacus's room to check on her, much to her spirit's delight. Kira had a daily routine when he visits Lacus. He would always start with a "good morning, Lacus". Then he would tell her the weather then report about the situation in the PLANTs. He would tell her how the kids are doing with Reverend Malchio and her mom. He would admire her face for a few minutes then he will take a nap in her bedside. At night, before leaving Kira would always tell her "wake up soon, Lacus" and then kiss her on the cheek.

But today, he didn't follow the routine. Today was special.

VIP Room, Hospital

Kira entered the room with a bouquet of roses in his hand. Roses were always Lacus's favorites. The spirit Lacus watched him as he walked near her body's bedside. He put the bouquet of roses on the desk. He sat on the chair beside the bed and started talking.

"Hey Lacus. It's been exactly five years..." Kira started talking.

"...since we first met" Kira and the spirit Lacus both said simultaneously. It was the fifth anniversary of that fateful day. The day that changed both of their lives. The day when Kira and Lacus first met.

"I can still remember that day like it was yesterday. I was searching for supplies in a debris field when I saw a reconnaissance GINN near a life pod. It was an enemy so I destroyed it with much hesitation. Tears were coming out from my eyes because I never really wanted to kill. I brought the life pod inside the Archangel. When they said that it was a ZAFT life pod, I cursed myself because I thought I brought an enemy inside the ship. But when the life pod opened, a pink, spherical, talking robot came out followed by a pink-haired girl. You were floating so I helped you land on the floor. You thanked me then I blushed. It was the first time that a very beautiful girl thanked me because I was always the nerdy type of boy." Kira started talking about that day. Lacus giggled after hearing Kira's compliment. The topic started to shift.

"After Flay blamed me for the death of his father and criticized my situation of being a Coordinator, I cried in the viewing section of the Archangel. Then suddenly you were next to me and you comforted me. For the first time there was a person who understood me. There was someone who was someone who didn't hate my situation. I was very happy at that time. Then I heard some people talking about using you as a bargaining chip for ZAFT. Why would they do that? Why would they involve an innocent girl in their conflicts? So I decided to return you to Athrun. I didn't want to do it at first because I didn't want the person who understood me to leave. But then I realized that I should put your safety first." Lacus was surprised. She didn't hear these things from Kira before. Hearing it now without Kira knowing that she is listening confirms that his words are genuine. Kira has never said his feelings for her in words. She never heard him say the three magical words. This always brought doubt about his feelings for her.

"I was given a choice. A choice to stay on board the Archangel and remain as the Strike's pilot or leave the Archangel and forget everything that happened. I chose to stay. I chose to stay because I didn't want to forget what you have done for me. I stayed with hope that I would be able to meet you again. But after we landed on Earth, things started to become confusing for me. So I sought comfort from another girl. I thought there was someone that could replace you but I was wrong. Flay wasn't like you. She was always toying with my mind so that I could become her personal killing machine. I never loved her. I used her to comfort me. I used her as a substitute for you but it was wrong. I cried when she died because I never got the chance to apologize to her." Kira's voice had a sad tone.

"I understand" Lacus said.

"After my brutal fight with Athrun, I passed out. But when I woke up, the first thing that I saw was your beautiful face. I was very happy. Could it be a miracle? Or was it destiny? It was totally unexpected. I could have woken up in an infirmary if I was rescued but I woke up next to you. It was a blessing for me. I was very happy when you told me that I could stay with you as long as I want but when I heard news that ZAFT will be attacking Alaska, I was hurt. I never wanted to leave you but I promised to protect my friends so I decided to prioritize their safety more than my own happiness." the sincerity can be seen from Kira's eyes.

"We met again in the Mendel Colony. You immediately cried in my shoulders. I thought that it was my time. It was my time to comfort you. After I learned about my origins as the Ultimate Coordinator and failed to retrieve Flay, you were there again. You comforted me again. What did I do to deserve that? I was a murderer and you were an angel. It was very ironic." Kira chuckled while saying the last part.

"It was your kindness" Lacus answered but of course, Kira couldn't hear it.

Kira reached to his pocket and took out a silver ring attached to a string. It was the ring that Lacus gave Kira before his battle with Rau Le Creuset. It was a symbol that Kira would return to her.

"This ring, I know I don't wear it anymore but I always bring it anywhere I go. It means a lot to me. It kept me alive. After my fight with Rau Le Creuset, I lost the will to live. I remembered the people I failed to save and the people that I killed. I thought that there was no more reason to stay alive. Then I saw your ring in front of my face. I remembered my promise. I promised that I would return to you. Suddenly there was a reason for me to live. I need to stay alive in order to protect you." Kira and Lacus both smiled.

"The two years that we spent together in the orphanage was the best two years of my life. There was no conflict, only peace. There was only you, me, the reverend, mom, and the children. But then there were people who tried to kill you. I decided to fight again without hesitation. I knew that fighting again would hurt me deep inside. But not being able to protect you would hurt me a lot more." Lacus remembered that night. She didn't want Kira to fight again. He suffered too much during the first war.

"The time when you returned to space crushed my heart. We were together everyday for two years then you suddenly decided to leave. My selfishness wanted to take over me again but you stopped me and told me that I should look after Cagalli and Miss Murrue. You told me that you would come back to me so I let you go. I trust you." Lacus felt sad. She didn't know that Kira felt that way.

"I'm really sorry Kira. I didn't know." Lacus apologized.

"When we reunited when the Eternal was being attacked, I felt like I was the happiest person in the universe. The few weeks that we were apart felt like years for me. I missed you very much." Kira was always thinking of Lacus when she was away. He would always talk to the ring that she gave her and he would always pray for her safety.

"We ended the war together. Now, we both have our own responsibilities. Who could have thought that your responsibility would lead to your current condition. You were only doing your job properly of maintaining peace between Earth and the PLANTs so why did they do this to you? Why are they so cruel?! Was it also my failure to protect you that put you into this condition?!" Kira's voice started to get angry. Lacus could only watch and worry about him.

"I've had a lot of failures in my life. I've also had a lot of regrets. But my biggest regret is that I never told you how I feel about you." Is this it? Will Kira finally say it?

"I love you, Lacus. I always did but I was always afraid to tell you. Because there are times when I feel like I don't deserve you. I'm a murderer and you're an angel. Why would an angel want to be with a murderer?" Kira finally admitted it. Lacus felt like the happiest woman ever. He finally said it! He finally said the three magical words!

"Oh Kira, I love you too. I love you very much. You deserve me as much as I deserve you." Lacus said with much joy.

"Damn, I want to kiss you right now but I don't want to take advantage of your current situation. I don't want my selfishness to take over me again. Your first kiss should be special. Unfortunately, I lost mine to a woman that I never even loved. I'm really sorry." Kira said.

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault" Lacus replied.

"Please don't die. Stay with me. I need you. I don't know what I would do if you're gone. If you die, I won't ever smile again. I won't ever love again. No one could replace you inside my heart" for the first time in many years, tears flowed out from Kira's eyes. He tightened his squeeze on Lacus's hand.

"I'm such a coward aren't I? I'm telling you all of this even though I know that you can't hear me." Kira gave a slight chuckle. Lacus laughed too because Kira didn't have any idea that she was listening to him.

"Don't worry, I hear you." Lacus said.

"I love you very much. Stay with me, please. I"ve lost a lot in my life. I've suffered much. Losing you would add to the pain and suffering that I have endured in my life." Kira cried. But then, he had a sudden realization. He had thoughts running throughout his mind for a few seconds and continued talking.

"You have also lost a lot in your life. You have suffered much too. You lost your mother. You lost your father. You were accused. You were hated. Going back into that kind of life would be a lot of mess right? So if you want to go, you can go. You don't have to wait for me. It's okay, I understand. But you will always remain inside my heart. I will never love another girl ever again." Kira's voice was shaking and more tears started to flow from his eyes. The spirit Lacus approached Kira and touched his hand. She also started to cry too.

"Oh Kira, you love me so much that you are willing to let me go. Don't worry, I will stay with you. I'm still looking for the right push to wake myself up. One day, we'll be happily living together. I promise." Lacus promised. She knows that she will wake up again one day. And when that time comes, she will be able to spend the rest of her life happily with Kira.

After a few minutes, Kira finally stopped crying. He has to leave since he has to perform his duties as a member of FAITH. Before he left, he kissed the forehead of the sleeping Lacus.

"I'll see you tomorrow Lacus. I love you." Kira said and stood up. Before he left, the spirit Lacus kissed him on the cheek which he did not feel.

"I'll see you tomorrow. I love you too." Lacus said with a smile on her face.

A/N: Well chapter 2 is done! I would also like you to read my other fic "Fate". It is actually my priority fic but I'm not done in writing it yet. Please, READ AND REVIEW this fic and also "Fate". Until next time!