Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed/Destiny and any character(s) in this fiction except their child/children. [n.n]

Author's note: An update… [n.n]; Shame on me for neglecting the story… [n.n];

Note: italic words – thinking/character's thought

* * * * * *

SPINNING A DREAM

Part 10: A Little Chat

* * * * * *

"Ha! Score! I win again!" Rie said in a sing-sang voice, making a victory pose out with the controller in her hand.

"And I thought I'm going to win this time…," the brown-haired boy sighed in defeat, putting down the controller on the floor. "How did you do that? You beat me in all 21 games we played! I haven't won any…"

"I'm a genius in playing games so…" Rie replied him, pushing her 'invisible spectacle' up her nose. "It's natural for me to win."

Both children laughed at the young blonde's act, didn't realize a certain man entered the room. Athrun watched as the young brunette challenge the young girl into a rematch. He smiled. They really look like a younger version of Kira and Cagalli playing games. And it seems that Leon and Rie are getting along well despite the fact that they just met. Athrun frowned at his thoughts. He stared at his daughter. How long will I be able to kept the secret about she is my daughter to Cagalli? It pained me so to not be able to tell her the truth. But then again it's my entire fault. It's my fault at the first place for leaving her six years ago. If only… Atug on Athrun's sleeve snapped him back to reality. He looked down to the young boy.

"Sorry, Leon," he smiled and bent down, patting the boy's head. "Papa is thinking of something. What is it?"

"Aunt Cagalli is calling," the boy said, pointing to the door where a woman standing up, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Oh," Athrun said and stand up, looking at the pointed direction. "What is it, Cagalli? Do you need anything?"

Cagalli eyebrows narrowed. "Well, no. I'm just checking on you. What took you so long to call the kids for dinner?"

"Ah," Athrun blushed and fake a cough. "I was just…um…just about to call them to go down," he added, turning to the children. "Come now, children. It's time for dinner."

"Okay!" Rie said and put the controller down. She trotted towards the brunette boy beside Athrun. "Let's see who can reach the kitchen first, Leon. Loser has to give the winner tonight's desserts!" she said to him and start running.

"No fair!" Leon said and ran following his new friend. "Wait for me!"

"Be careful not to fall!" Cagalli told the children when they ran pass her on the door. She watched them until they're gone from her eyes.

"You should say 'no running in the house' instead of that, Cagalli," Athrun chuckled as he approached the blonde woman. "They might actually fall if they run down on the stairs."

Cagalli shrugged. "Maybe…maybe not," she smiled. "I'm sure they'll be fine," she said. She looked at the man. "Are you okay, Athrun?" she asked him.

"Hm? Now why would you ask me that?"

"No special reason," Cagalli shook her head. "It's just you seemed to be spacing out a lot since we came to PLANT. Something's bothering you?"

Athrun stared at the woman. Yeah. I'm the one who's responsible for your lost memories. Rie is actually my daughter. I want to kick the living shit out of your so-called-fiancée and said to him straight in the face that he sucks and that he doesn't deserve you as his fiancée. "No, of course not, Cagalli." I want you to know that I'm sorry, I love you and will you ever forgive me for all the things I've done to you in the past? "I'm completely fine. I'm just a little tired from our trip from ORB to here," he added and smiled.

"Well, if you say so," Cagalli shrugged. "Just…if you need someone to talk, I'm here," she continued, flushing at her own words. "Maybe I can't help you but at least I can listen to whatever things you wanted to say."

Athrun gaped at the woman. He smiled again after a while. "Thank you, Cagalli," he said at her. "I really appreciate your concern towards me."

"Hey, that's what a friend for, right?" Cagalli grinned.

Friend… I wonder if our relationship can go further than that. "Of course. And I'm glad that you're my friend," the man replied the blonde.

"I'm glad that you're my friend too, Athrun," Cagalli said, leaning against the door. "And I bet Rie feels the same like me too."

Athrun raised an eyebrow. "Hm? What make you said such thing? Have she ever said anything about that to you?"

"Oh? No, no. Of course not," the blonde chuckled a little. "She didn't have to tell me about that because I can clearly see it myself. I mean, she seems to be a lot happier and more energetic ever since you come. It actually makes me feels guilty towards her."

"Guilty?"

"Yeah," Cagalli sighed. "I'm such a bad mother. I leave the home early in the morning and come back late because of my job. Kira brought her to my office sometimes but I was too occupied with my works-meetings, signing documents-and neglected her."

"I bet Kira gave you a lecture about that, saying that she came especially to see you there and you let her down by not seeing or talking to her," Athrun added.

"Wow. How did you know about that?"

"I'm just guessing. Did I guess it right?" Athrun smiled.

Cagalli blinked at him. "You know, sometimes I don't get you. We just meet but it seems that you know awfully lot about me."

This is not the time to tell her the truth, Athrun. "Kira told me some things about you before I take this job," the raven-haired man lied. "You're not a bad mother, Cagalli," he added with a different topic, hoping that the blonde will question him no more about how did he know a lot about her. "I'm sure Rie understand how busy you are as the ORB's representative. After all, her mother is the one who's responsible to keep the country peaceful as it is today."

Cagalli looked up at him" You think so?"

"Of course," he flashed a reassuring smile at her. "If you're that worried, why don't you just ask her about how she feels about this matter?"

Cagalli shook her head. "No. I won't. It wouldn't bring any good if I do ask her such question."

"Oh? And what make you say that?"

"My intuition," Cagalli grinned. "It's a mother's intuition. You wouldn't understand it, Athrun," she added when she saw the puzzled look the man gave her.

"Of course," Athrun chuckled. You're the mother. I'm just her father. A useless, pathetic father that leave her with her mother for six years straight without sending any news or anything to his family. "Now, shall we go to the kitchen? Knowing Lacus, she probably wouldn't let the kids eat before we reach there. The kids are probably annoyed because they're hungry and can't wait to have dinner."

Cagalli laughed. "You're right," she said and dusted her back. "You know, it's kinda nice talking to you like this."

"Same here," Athrun replied her as they exited the room, he closing the door behind him.

"We should do this more sometimes," she continued, looking straight at his face.

Athrun smiled. "I'd love that, Cagalli," he told her. Maybe, during our talk later, I'll be able to tell you everything; the fact that I'm Rie's father and that I wanted to be with you and will never leave you again. Everything.

To be continued......

* * * * * *

Author's note: I apologize for not updating the story. [n.n]; Now that I do, I will write it until the last chapter…I hope… [n.n]; Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing! =D