Chapter 5: Greed

Disclaimer: I don't own anything except any OCs I tend to throw in my fics.

"By the way, if I may ask, why was he trying to strangle you?"

"Oh, he was just angry because I was teasing about him liking you." He answered nonchalantly.

"….."

"What!"

Athrun was the first to recover from the shocking statement. "Rey, I hardly think your theory is correct."

Rey shrugged. "Don't you remember the old saying? When a guy bullies a girl it just means he likes her but doesn't want to admit it."

"Oh yes, that's just so romantic." Cagalli replied sarcastically.

"Hey, it's not my fault he's a jerk to people he cares about. I'm practically his best friend and he just tried to strangle me." Rey replied in his normal monotonous voice and left.

"I think Shinn cut off some circulation to Rey's brain when he strangled him."

"Is he really suspended?"

"Of course! He's disobeyed too many orders and has now attacked a fellow coworker. 'Training' or not he needs to be disciplined." Cagalli told him. "Humph, and I thought the last meeting was a wake-up call for him." She grumbled as she walked past Athrun.

"How long are you going to suspend him? The longer he has to stew, the angrier he'll be at the whole situation." Athrun said.

"I don't know, I'll think of a time frame when I draw up the paperwork. I'll have to take it to the council since I can't seem to wipe my own ass without their approval, and they may make some changes as to the amount of time and such. As long as they agree he needs to be suspended I'll be happy." She answered.

"Yeah, it would look bad if you tell him he's suspended only for the council to disagree and have him back on Monday. You'll never hear the end of it from him, and he'll probably get worse." Athrun replied.

"Which is why I'm bringing Rey, Luna, and the speeding ticket."

"Luna? Why her? They won't accept her badmouthing of him."

"He was involved in an argument during work with her. I still have the written document for that. That's two incidents at work, not including the disrespect he's shown me lately. If you want I can even bring you in because he always steals your parking spot."

"That's not so big a deal, he only does it to annoy me and if I use that against him too he'd still win. Would they consider the speeding ticket something to suspend him for?"

"Probably, trouble in and out of the work place when he's military personnel. When we're not in a war we can still get in trouble for everyday activities like that. It keeps the typewriters busy."

"True." Athrun said and went silent.

They reached her office where she sat down and searched for the suspension papers.

"Why is there a stapler on the ground?" Athrun asked as he picked up the small black item.

"Oh…I threw it at Kira." She replied casually.

He gave her an odd look. "And you threw a stapler at him why?"

"He was comparing me to Shinn." She growled.

He raised his eyebrows but said nothing, placing the stapler back on her desk.

"I want to know why everyone seems so intent to think he likes me." She said and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Well…it could be possible I guess. Look how he treats Luna."

She gave him a pointed look.

"And you two are kind of…alike…."

The pointed look turned into a glare.

"And I actually had this conversation with him earlier. It seems Rey has been bugging him about his little theory, because he exploded when I said that if he understood you better he'd like you more."

Still the glare.

"And he broke up with Luna…although I hear he's seeing Stellar…" Athrun said, ignoring Cagalli's angry looks as he actually thought about the situation.

"Athrun. There's no way that punk likes me. Even if the whole bully saying is true. Besides, if he liked me he would have tried to get in my pants by now. Plus Luna broke up with him, remember?"

"Well, he has gotten fresh with you a few times, I mean come on, we're supposed to be dating and he's touched your boob! Twice!" Athrun exclaimed.

Cagalli's eye twitched. "Those were on accident. I didn't say there was no attraction; he likes anything that will talk to him. I just don't think he harbors any sort of affection for me."

Athrun thought for a moment. "I suppose you're right. It's just odd. He was dating Luna and screwing her sister on the side, and now he has Stellar living with him, or at least she's stayed for a few days now. He's quite the Ladies' Man."

"And your point? He sounds like a greedy little kid who can't get enough toys."

"That may be it. Maybe he wants another toy…and that toy happens to be you."

"Oh please. Even if he did it would never happen."

"I know but that at least makes some sense."

Cagalli sighed. "Alright now shoo so I can get some work done."

He smiled and went back to his desk, contemplating this new information.

Shinn was fuming. He sped back to his apartment, thankfully not catching the attention of any more police. He slammed the door when he got home, making Stellar jump from her position on his couch.

"Shinn? Is something wrong? You're home early." She said and walked up to him.

He ripped the refrigerator door open and pulled out a beer. "Cagalli suspended me." He snarled.

She gasped. "What? Why?"

"Because she's a stupid whore, that's why. Rey pissed me off so I was dealing with him when she interfered, and when I told her we were just training she got pissed and suspended me! This week was horrible!" he exclaimed.

She looked saddened and put a hand on his back. "I'm sorry. Should I leave?" she asked.

He sighed and glanced at her, but he was in no mood for sex. He realized that he wanted nothing more to do with her.

"Yeah, thanks for hanging out, but I need some time to myself." He finally told her.

She nodded and gathered her things. They kissed when she left and she said to call her, but he knew he probably wouldn't for a while.

He slumped down on the couch and flipped through the channels, but nothing caught his interest. All he could think about was pounding the daylights out of Cagalli.

First, he lost his girlfriend. He had multiple confrontations with the blonde, that stupid meeting with the Chairman of PLANT and ZAFT General, Rey was getting on his case with his "You like Cagalli" theory, he got a speeding ticket when he's never gotten one before that he has to pay early because Cagalli meddled in his business yet again, and now he's suspended.

This was not his week.

He finally got up and checked the mail to find his paycheck had come in. He went down to the bank and then the police station to get the ticket out of the way. When he got home he tried to keep his mind busy from the rage he was feeling.

When it got late he heated up a TV dinner but ended up burning it, so it was useless. He snacked on some chips and drank a few more beers before deciding he was tired enough to sleep.

He scrounged around in his medicine cabinet for some Tylenol since the headache he got from being so mad earlier still hadn't gone away before laying down. While he missed having Stellar sleeping next to him, he was glad he had his full bed back so he could stretch and take up all the covers.

It was late by the time Cagalli got all the paperwork finished and the meeting set up. The council didn't want to wait until Monday so they scheduled it for later in the evening, which was fine by her.

She went by Rey and Luna's offices to let them know the meeting was about to start and led the way, paperwork in hand.

After telling them about the fight with Luna in the middle of work and the attack on Rey, plus the speeding ticket, they went to deliberate.

"I'm glad you finally suspended him. He was getting on my nerves, plus he was being so disrespectful to you. He should just be discharged from the military, he only joined because of the war and now he's taking out all his anger on everyone within yelling distance. It's like he didn't get all of it out when he was fighting." Luna said as she waited with Cagalli and Rey.

"He doesn't like doing deskwork. He liked fighting better because of the action. It's not his fault he's bored." Rey replied.

"But he needs to grow up. The war is over. If he doesn't like doing deskwork he can find another job more exciting for him." Cagalli said.

Luna nodded and Rey shrugged.

"Do you think they'll let you suspend him?" Luna finally asked.

"I hope so, we have enough evidence although there is more…" she began but trailed off.

"What do you mean?" Luna asked. Rey glanced at her and Cagalli but said nothing.

"Oh just other mishaps; being late all the time, hardly doing any work when he finally shows up, stealing Athrun's parking spot." Cagalli covered.

A lot of people knew or at least heard the rumor that Shinn and Meyrin were sleeping around, but no one wanted to burst Luna's bubble. Cagalli could have used that in front of the council, but decided against it. That was a low blow to deal.

"Oh, how come you didn't add them then?" she asked.

"Those are petty offenses; they'd think we were just trying to shove everything at them. But if I have to I'll add them in. I have a few papers showing dates when Shinn punched in late, but the laziness and parking spot issue can't really be proved. Plus Athrun didn't want me to bring it up." Cagalli told her.

"Shinn's as much a hassle to them as they are to you, they know he doesn't respect them and resents ORB as a whole, so they'll probably suspend him for the full thirty days." Rey said.

"As long as they suspend him, I don't care if it's just one day." Cagalli replied.

"Right, it'll teach him a lesson, or at least make him fix his act up a bit." Luna agreed.

"Representative Attha, we've reached a decision." A councilman said as he poked his head out of the room.

She nodded and glanced at the two beside her. They could only be in the meeting to state their evidence, so she went in alone.

"Based on the evidence provided, we have concluded that the correct course of action in the case of Shinn Asuka would be to suspend him for fifteen days with the warning that if similar or more serious offenses take place that the suspension be increased to sixty days. You, Representative Attha, are now charged to take the papers to Shinn Asuka since you were the one that brought the case to us. We expect you to take full responsibility for him and his actions from now on, since most of his offenses have to do with you." The lead councilman stated.

"But sir, he's the one that has a problem with me. He obviously has no respect for me." She replied. She wanted nowhere near Shinn Asuka anytime soon.

"Then you must make him respect you. We cannot do that for you. You are in charge of him. Dismissed." He replied and they all got up to leave.

She sighed and thanked them before leaving, taking the official papers with her.

"So what did they say?" Luna asked anxiously.

"He's suspended for fifteen days, and if he messes up again it's for sixty days. That's the good news." She said.

Rey furrowed his eyebrows. "What's the bad news?"

"I have to deliver the papers." She told them both.

"Why? Don't they have someone else do that?" Luna asked.

"Apparently I'm responsible for him so I have to notify him of his official suspension. But since he's banned from the property until his suspension is up I either have to meet him somewhere or go to his place. Honestly I don't want to be anywhere near him. That's why I suspended him in the first place!"

"Well at least they suspended him, even if it's only half the time you requested." Rey spoke up.

"True, although I figured they'd shorten it. A lot of people have been discharged or left after their tour of duty was up. We can't afford to lose more people nor have people out of the workforce for a long time." Cagalli told him.

"Well, good luck with giving him the news, I'll be sure to pay close attention to the headlines in case 'Representative Attha found in alley near Shinn Asuka's apartment' comes up." Rey snickered.

She glared at him. "I can just as easily have you suspended as well since you do as much work as he does." She warned.

"Hey, I was just saying." He said with his hands in surrender.

"You can both go home now; it's been a long week for all of us." She said and they nodded before leaving.

Athrun was waiting for her in the lobby, a cup of hot coffee in his hands. "So how did it go?"

"Suspended for fifteen days. I get the joyous job of telling him." She grumbled.

"At least they didn't totally undermine your authority and deny your request for his suspension. Do you want me to go with you for backup?" he asked.

"What? No! I don't need back-up, besides if he saw you he'd just get angrier."

"I was just offering my services." He said and winked.

"Sadly your career of being Alex Dino the bodyguard has officially ended. I already have enough people following me around for my safety. Although I liked it better when it was just you." She said and smiled back.

"Me too."

They shared a moment before getting in their cars and going their separate ways. Cagalli to her empty mansion, Athrun to his.

Shinn woke up and glanced at the clock. It was late in the afternoon. He sat up quickly and remembered it was a Saturday, and then he remembered that it didn't matter what day it was because he was suspended.

"Ugh!" he moaned and fell back in bed.

"I wonder what loser will deliver the papers." He said to himself and snorted.

He got up and got dressed, wondering what to do. Normally on a Saturday he went out and had some fun or just lazed around the house.

As he walked into the kitchen he noticed one of Stellar's shirts lying on the floor. He picked it up and thought of calling her, but he still didn't feel like talking to her.

He contemplated why all of a sudden he was bored with her. Sure he got bored with girls easily and had plenty of one-night stands, but this feeling came out of nowhere. He assumed it was just because he was on the rebound because of Luna, but when he thought of his ex-girlfriend, he didn't care she hadn't come crawling back anymore.

He liked Luna of course, but he wasn't bothered that they broke up anymore. He thought about hooking up with Meyrin again since he didn't have to hide it anymore, but the excitement was now gone.

One of the reasons they had their little affair was because they knew it was wrong, knew they could get caught any minute. Since he wasn't with Luna anymore, it wouldn't be as exciting if someone found out. Plus, all he ever wanted from her was sex, and he could have sex with a lot of girls at the moment if he wanted to.

But for once, he didn't want to just have sex.

Maybe he was just greedy. Maybe he wanted more, or something he couldn't have. Stellar got old, Luna's in the past, and Meyrin wasn't fun anymore.

He wanted more. He was getting tired of just having sex. He was tired of his boring job, tired of living in a small apartment, and tired of having no authority. He didn't have a lot of money, he had little respect, and not many friends.

He wanted more.

Cagalli woke up and groaned. She had to deliver those papers to Shinn.

She got up and looked at her calendar. It was Saturday.

She smiled. He could wait until Monday. The more time she can put off seeing him, the better.

She sighed. This wasn't the right approach to her situation, but Shinn was making it so difficult for her to like him!

'Wait…did I just think that? Do I even want to like Shinn?' she asked herself. 'Ugh, Rey's theory is the cause. I already discussed this with Athrun, there's no way he likes me and I certainly don't like him, even if he just wants a new toy to play with.'

Despite her thoughts, she couldn't help remembering what Kira said. They were a lot alike, but does that mean they could like each other? Just because they had a few personality traits in common doesn't mean they're a perfect match.

Besides, she had Athrun, a perfect gentleman. He was always kind to her, respected her, and cared about her. He was handsome, talented, and she could laugh around him. He made her feel so much better than anyone else did.

Whereas Shinn was a disrespectful brat. He never shied away from showing just how much he didn't care for her, his thoughts about women were atrocious, he was reckless and dangerous, hardly did any work, and might have an STD.

'Okay, maybe he's not that bad, but he sure is annoying, I don't care how sexy he is!' she thought angrily.

She froze. 'What did I just think?'

"Ugh! Curse you Rey, Kira, and Athrun! That's it, I swear off men!" she shouted.

A maid walked in as she was shouting and gasped. "Miss Cagalli? Are you alright?" she asked, stunned at the outburst.

Cagalli blushed. "Uh, sorry you had to hear that, it's been a bad week." She replied sheepishly.

Shinn decided he should have some fun while he was suspended, since he didn't have to work. He took the rest of his paycheck and some extra money before heading out the door.

As he got to his car, he contemplated calling Rey.

'Why would I call him? He's the one that got me into this mess!' he thought to himself. But then he sighed, Rey was one of his few friends, and it wasn't as much fun by himself.

He dialed Rey's number and waited.

"You still wanna strangle me?" was the answer.

Shinn smirked. "Nah, I'm over it."

"Good, because I don't feel like going before the council again." His friend replied.

"What? Why'd you have to go before the council?"

"So that Cagalli's request for your suspension could be approved or disapproved. You know they don't let her do anything without their approval."

"Ha! So what'd they say?"

"Unfortunately, you've officially been suspended for fifteen days. However…Cagalli gets to serve you the papers. Try not to kill her alright? They don't give me enough money to bail you out of jail."

"Are you serious! Fifteen days!"

"Hey, she was pushing for thirty. It comes with a warning that if you mess up again it will be for the full sixty days. Consider yourself lucky, they hate her as much as you do."

"Well, her bringing the papers should be…interesting. How did she manage to get them to agree to the suspension?"

"She brought me and Luna to produce evidence that you were 'behaving inappropriately in the work place', she said she could have brought in more but that it would be pushing it. Stuff like you being late and stealing Athrun's parking spot all the time."

"Tch, of course she would bring Luna in. I'm surprised she didn't add the other stuff though; she's so desperate to get rid of me."

"Who knows, but…I think she knows about you and Meyrin. She almost slipped in front of Luna."

"How does everyone seem to know about that? Oh well, it doesn't matter anymore, me and Luna aren't dating so the effect isn't there. Stellar's gone too; I came home pissed and really didn't want her around. There goes that."

"Really now? Is it because you have someone else in mind that you'd rather share your bed with?" Rey pushed, a grin in his voice.

"Don't start Rey, now of all times the last person I want to see is Cagalli Ula Attha."

Rey chuckled. "I told her and Athrun my theory, neither of them believed me, so I think you're safe."

"What! What the hell Rey! Maybe I will finish what I started with you yesterday!" Shinn burst.

Rey laughed this time. "Oh come on, now she'll have time to think it over, who knows, maybe she'll start to fall for you. I set you on the right path, Shinn; your dream girl is getting closer every day." He said and continued laughing maniacally.

"Rey, you are dead. Now she's going to actually believe I like her when I don't! What if she says something when she brings the papers? You and your mouth got me into this whole disturbing situation!"

"Hey, you couldn't admit it to yourself before, now you'll have to if she starts believing the facts."

"What facts? There are no facts. You're just annoying."

"Uh, you've gotten closer to her than her own boyfriend, you always cause problems for her, you only went along with being Luna's boyfriend because you had nothing else better to do, you only slept with Meyrin because of the danger of being caught, and Stellar was just a few wild nights on the rebound. You haven't been satisfied with any girl you've ever been with, and I think it's because you haven't found the right one."

"But why do you think it's Cagalli?"

There was a pause. "Well, you're a lot alike, she's not high maintenance, she's your arch rival's girlfriend, and you two already bicker like an old married couple."

"I still don't think that's enough to prove she's 'the one'."

"You're attracted to her aren't you?"

"No." Shinn lied.

"Um, you do realize Stellar looks exactly like her, right? Do you need glasses?"

"Stellar looks nothing like her! We already had this conversation!"

"Just quit denying it Shinn. We did already have this conversation and you know I'm right, so get over it and do something about it. Do I have to do everything for you?"

"No, you don't have to do anything! Look, the reason I called was because I wanna go gambling and I figured I could drag you along and spend your paycheck first. But now I don't think you can handle not bugging me about a wild theory. If you quit talking about Cagalli, I might let you come anyway."

"Okay, okay, but you better tap that when she comes, or at least spill forth your heartfelt feelings for her or I'll make you." Rey warned.

"You are such a weirdo Rey." Shinn said. They set up a place and then Shinn headed out, checking his mirrors for red and blue lights.

He arrived at the casino and spotted Rey, he gave him a warning look to which Rey held up his hands in surrender and so they went inside.

They used some of Rey's paycheck first, mostly because he never spent it on anything. Shinn caught a lot of girls' eyes, but instead of taking advantage he ignored them. Rey noticed this but didn't comment, not wanting to sour Shinn's mood even more. Hey, they were there to have fun!

At first Shinn was careful with the money he earned, not taking too many chances or risks, but after he made a substantial amount he went for more.

"Hey, I think we should try something else. You've won the pot a few times now; your luck is beginning to run out." Rey told him.

"Nah, my luck is just beginning. I pulverized those losers last round, I can do it again." Shinn replied.

"Well when you lose big don't get mad when I say I told you so."

"Oh relax Rey, hook up with one of those girls or something if you don't want to gamble anymore."

"I think those girls are only interested in you, my friend."

"Then hook up with the guys."

Rey's expression actually changed for once as his eyes went wide. Shinn laughed until tears started forming.

"I'm not gay." Rey growled.

"Hey I wasn't sure. I haven't seen you with a lot of girls. Besides, that comment about me being such a hunk…" Shinn chuckled and shrugged.

"Just because I'm not a manwhore doesn't mean I'm gay, Shinn." Rey said through clenched teeth.

"Woah now! I am not a manwhore!" Shinn exclaimed.

Rey raised an eyebrow.

"Okay so maybe I am. Just go…do something while I win more money."

Rey sighed and rolled his eyes before leaving the poker table. After chatting up a few girls and finding out they were solely interested in his friend like he thought, he looked over to see Shinn lose all the money he had just won. He smirked and sauntered over to his friend who was still shocked he'd lost.

"I told you so."

"Damn it Rey! Why do you always have to ruin my luck?"

"I said not to get mad. You didn't want to take my advice."

Shinn growled and got up, heading over to the bar. Some of the girls batted their eyelashes, but after seeing he clearly wanted nothing to do with them, they pouted and left to find someone else.

"Shinn, I think you're coming down with a case of gotta-have-that-Cagalli." Rey commented.

Shinn glared at him. "I told you not to bring her up again."

"No, you said if I quit talking about her you'd let me come. You didn't say anything about when we got here." Rey replied.

"Smartass." Shinn grumbled.

"Look, normally you'd be all over those girls, but you barely gave them a second glance. You haven't tried to get back with Luna, you've lost interest in Meyrin because the danger is gone, and you sent Stellar away last night."

"Maybe I want a break from women, have you considered that?"

"Shinn, let's face it, you love women, or at least the thought of them. Or maybe now it's down to one woman."

"Okay you know what, if I admit I may like Cagalli will you get off my case?" Shinn asked, at his wits end.

"Maybe. But then I'd just make you do something about it."

Shinn sighed loudly. "You're ruining my fun."

"You're not satisfied with what you have, clearly you want more."

"So I'm greedy, that doesn't mean I have to start dating Cagalli."

"You're right; it means you want to start dating Cagalli."

"What I want is to be surrounded by hot women in a huge mansion with expensive cars and gadgets, just like any other guy."

"Cagalli has a huge mansion, and she's hot. She has some maids too. She's rich enough you can get whatever pricey toys you want. But you still won't be satisfied until you have her. Who knows, maybe you still won't be satisfied, but it seems right now that's the direction life is pulling you."

"So if I ask her out you'll be satisfied." Shinn asked.

"Are you being serious or just saying that to get me to shut up?" Rey asked expectantly.

"….both."

"Then I suppose I could be happy. If she says no then you're just destined to always want what you can't have, but if she says yes then maybe things will start going right for you."

"Argh, you irritate me. Why are we friends again?"

"Because I put up with you."

"That doesn't mean I have to put up with you." Shinn mumbled.

He played the slots and other game tables until he made a little bit of money, although it wasn't as much as he had before. After spending all they had and remembering he needed to save a little bit so he could get food and pay the bills they left.

"See you when you're back from suspension." Rey called.

"You better sleep with one eye open Rey, I might decide to continue strangling you while you sleep." Shinn called back.

"Well I'd say you'd be in for a surprise if you ended up on my bed, strangling me or not, but I'm not gay." Rey responded.

"Sure you're not. Maybe my revenge will be to make you admit your true sexual orientation." Shinn joked.

"I'll slit your throat." Rey replied in such a serious tone Shinn thought he meant it.

He sweat dropped as Rey got in his car, but figured his friend was just being…himself.

He finally returned home and sighed, staring up at his tiny apartment and wishing he had more.

You can't always get what you want, Shinn, and being greedy only leads to disappointment. Now with haughty eyes, false witnessing, stirring up dissension, hands that shed innocent blood, and "a heart that devices wicked schemes", your path to the fiery pits is almost complete.

Be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it, and it may not be what you thought you wanted. Only two more chances await you before your fate spells out your doom.

-Author's Note: Only two or three more chapters left before the conclusion. The chilling statement above doesn't bode well for Shinn; will Cagalli be able to turn his life around before it's too late? Please review and tell me what you think, questions, comments, etc. are always welcome. Flames will be juggled and thrown back because I'm a pyromaniac (that kinda rhymes…).-