Chapter 7: Gluttony

Disclaimer: I own nothing except a concept. The Seven Deadly Sins are loosely related to the Bible, and Gundam Seed Destiny belongs to its creators.

When Shinn got home he had a pounding headache so he rummaged through the medicine cabinet for more Tylenol. He still had a buzz from the alcohol, but the throbbing in his forehead wouldn't go away. He stuffed a few pills in his mouth and passed out across his bed.

Your fate has been sealed, Shinn Asuka. Your feet have quickly rushed into evil by committing the final sin of Gluttony.

Cagalli sighed. Today was the day.

Monday.

She trudged around the house while getting ready, trying to stall before she had to deliver the suspension papers to Shinn. She kept glancing at the clock, pushing until the last minute to leave.

She knew where Shinn lived, because it was on file in case anything ever happened, or when they needed to mail him something. She thought about meeting him someplace public, but then chastised herself for being so wimpy.

She could take care of herself when it came to Shinn Asuka.

She drove alone, despite everyone recommending she go with her usual entourage. This was something she had to do by herself.

She parked in front of his building and wondered whether he was awake or not. She quickly got out her cell phone and checked the documents to find his home number. This would stall for more time, at least she hoped.

She wasn't sure why she didn't want to confront him. She always threw herself in danger, never caring about the consequences. Was she afraid? Was she nervous? Why?

She thought about all the conversations she's had about Shinn, Rey's little theory, and Kira and Athrun's comments. Were they right?

She frowned, her finger close to the call button.

Did she like Shinn?

'There's no way I like him.' She thought.

Was it doubt that made her hesitate?

'I'm sure I don't like him.' She thought again.

Then why can't she just get it over with?

Her expression became determined and she pressed the call button before she could go back. She waited as the phone rang.

And waited.

'Maybe he's still sleeping. Crap, I don't want to wake him up like this! He'll be pissed!' she said top herself. 'Wait, why should I care? All I'm doing is dropping off the papers and telling him he's officially suspended, he'll already be pissed.'

His voicemail picked up, and she contemplated leaving a message. She glanced at the time, she had to go in now or be late for work. She couldn't delay any more; the council wanted her to deliver the papers before work so he wouldn't stumble in unaware.

She ended the call and got out of her car, the envelope tucked under her arm. She put on her Representative look and strode toward his door. She knocked to be polite. She wasn't about to be late just because he was in a bad mood and didn't want to be social.

After a few minutes she knocked again, louder this time, trying to remain calm. 'He's doing this on purpose, I bet. Just to taunt me.' She thought angrily.

"He might have a hangover." She heard someone say.

She turned to the neighbor who had come out of the house, it was an older woman.

"Excuse me?" Cagalli asked, not sure if the woman was talking to her or not.

"The young man who lives in that apartment, he might be sleeping off a hangover. He came home drunk as a skunk late last night." She replied.

"Oh, thank you. I have to give him something though, I'm sorry if I disturbed you." Cagalli replied.

"That's alright dear. You know, I've seen a lot of women come and go through that door, but I think you're special. I think you're the one." She remarked.

"What? Oh, no, we're not dating. I'm his boss." Cagalli quickly said.

The older woman smiled and winked. "It's okay, I won't tell anyone." She said and went back inside.

'He has strange neighbors.' She thought. She looked at her watch and bit back a groan. She would be late if she didn't get going soon.

She knocked again and then reached for the handle; it turned and opened with ease.

'That's odd.' She thought and peeked in. The living room was a bit messy, but she didn't see Shinn anywhere.

"Shinn! It's me Cagalli, if you're hiding with a gun you can come out now, I'm just delivering papers!" she called. She figured that would get his attention, but there was only silence from the apartment.

"I'm coming inside!" she warned and stepped inside. She looked around and walked further into the apartment.

"You should really clean up in here, this place is a mess." She said. Panic started to blossom, he should be responding, sleeping or not. How can he just sleep when someone was walking around in his apartment, and calling out no less?

'She said he may have a hangover, but he should have awoken by now after all the noise I'm making. Maybe he left again?' she thought.

She checked every room, saving what she assumed to be his for last. She sighed and pushed open the door.

He was lying across the bed, atop the sheets and fully clothed face down, passed out.

She inched closer. This was dangerous; she shouldn't have even come inside, at least not without him letting her in.

"Shinn?"

She poked him on the back, and then shook him. "Wake up you lazy…" she began but trailed off. There was silence. Complete silence. She leaned in closer.

He wasn't breathing.

She gasped and flipped him over, checking his pulse. His heart wasn't beating.

"Shit!" she exclaimed and began CPR. She didn't think as she pumped his chest and blew into his mouth, trying to restore his breathing. She hoped she wasn't too late.

No matter how she felt romantically towards Shinn, she couldn't let him die; she didn't want him to die.

"Come on Shinn, please…"

He started coughing and she sighed in relief. His eyes flew open and he started moving around.

"Um, are you alright?" she asked, suddenly realizing the awkward situation she was in.

"What…" he began and glanced around. His eyes locked on hers.

"What are you doing here?" he asked, trying to sit up. He winced and she automatically put her hands around him to ease him back down.

"Um, the door wasn't locked. I called; I even knocked a few times. Your neighbor came out, she said you might have a hangover, but I needed to give you the papers before going into work and," she paused and checked her watch. "And now I'm late." She groaned.

"But…why are you on my bed?"

She blushed and scooted off, smoothing her skirt down. She didn't often wear skirts, but decided today to put one on. He was eyeing her strangely, and she wondered whether he saw anything.

"Uh, are you…are you okay? What happened? You weren't…you weren't breathing." She stammered.

"I wasn't?" he asked, confused. He looked around and glanced down at his clothes. He got up slowly and then walked to his bathroom. The medicine cabinet was still open, and the bottle of Tylenol was still sitting on the counter.

"I must have took some Tylenol, maybe too many pills." He mumbled to himself. He didn't realize she followed him.

"You took Tylenol after getting drunk? What are you insane? You could have killed yourself!" she shrieked. "You almost did kill yourself! If I wasn't here to-," she stopped, unable to finish the sentence.

His eyes were wide. "I guess I didn't…I forgot. I remember having a really bad headache, so I took some Tylenol. I wasn't thinking about the alcohol." He said.

He turned to her, unsure of what to say. "Um, thanks." He managed to get out.

She blushed more. "You need to go to the hospital, all I did was resuscitate you." She told him.

"I don't think…I mean, I'm fine." He answered.

"Shinn, you had no pulse and you weren't breathing. You could have died if I hadn't come in time, or not at all."

He opened his mouth, then closed it. "You're right." He whispered.

"Here, let me take you, you shouldn't drive." She offered.

"I thought you were late for work."

She looked at her watch again. "Well, I'll explain when I get there. I can't leave you in this state."

"I didn't know you cared." He said, and then regretted the words.

"I…I guess I do." She replied.

His eyes widened. "What?"

She blushed again. "Look, let's just get you to the hospital."

"What about the suspension papers?"

"When the doctors say you're alright I'll give them to you."

They got in her car and she drove towards the hospital, not saying anything.

"So uh, you care about me?" Shinn asked, unable to forget her statement.

"I…well I didn't want you to die!" she replied, trying to get off the subject. She knew this was dangerous territory, especially with Kira, Rey, and Athrun's words resounding within her mind.

Shinn remembered Rey's words, and what they talked about Saturday. He had promised Rey that he'd ask Cagalli out, or at least admit his feelings. He didn't intend on fulfilling that promise, but if Cagalli felt the same…

"You know, you don't have to take me to the hospital. You didn't even have to resuscitate me. You could have just let me die, saved yourself some trouble." He said, trying to bait her in.

"What? No way! You're my responsibility, how could you say something like that?" she asked. "Wait, were you trying to commit suicide?"

"No, my life is shitty but not that shitty! So what, you're only doing this because you're my boss?" he asked, the sting of rejection making him angry.

"Well, no, that's not…I mean…even if I wasn't I still couldn't let you die. I'm not heartless." She replied, but not as angrily as he would have thought.

"It's not like I can tell whether you have a heart." He mumbled.

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked.

"Do you like me?" he blurted. He tried to keep a straight face as he looked at her, gauging her reaction.

"Do I…huh?" she replied, shocked.

He just continued looking at her.

She thought about it for a moment. She thought about her panic and concern when she thought Shinn was dead or dying. Was that just because she's human? Was there something more?

She was thinking about her feelings for Shinn on the way here. She couldn't tell, or she could, but didn't want to admit it.

"What about you? Do you like me?" she countered.

"Hey! I asked you first." He spluttered.

"Well I want to know the same thing, so spit it out. Rey said you liked me, I was just wondering if it's true, besides, why would you ask me that?" she said.

"Because! Just answer the question."

"You answer the question!"

"Fine, maybe I do, alright?" he finally said. He blushed and looked away, crossing his arms.

She blushed as well. "Okay, so I might return the feeling." She said after a moment. They had arrived at the hospital.

"What?" he asked, incredulous. She got out of the car and he scrambled out as well.

"Well…I blame those men! Rey and his silly theory, and then Athrun started to agree with him! Kira kept saying how alike we are, it's like everyone is trying to point it out like it's obvious or something! I mean, you irritate me sometimes, and Rey thinks you bully me all the time because you like me, and-," she was cut off because Shinn suddenly kissed her.

They broke apart, both staring at each other wide-eyed.

"Why did you…?" she asked, confused.

They were still close, he had his arms still wrapped around her.

"I-I'm sorry I guess I just…" he trailed off and kissed her again, but this time lasted longer.

When they broke apart this time, Shinn smirked and Cagalli blushed, but smiled.

"We should get you in, you're still not stable." She said.

"I feel pretty good, maybe we should head back to my place." Shinn replied slyly.

"Shinn…I'm your boss." She whispered, glancing around the parking lot for onlookers.

He scowled. "Must you always point that out?"

"Well it's true." She muttered.

He continued to scowl. She nudged him toward the Hospital and he let her drag him in. His hand slipped closer to hers and curled between her fingers, she blushed more but returned the gesture.

As they were walking down the hall, holding hands, they passed a man sitting in the waiting area, a newspaper in front of his face.

He lowered the paper and glanced at the two entwined hands.

"Congratulations, Shinn Asuka, your love has saved you. Let this be a warning to you, lest you wander down the dark path again. Your suit of armor made for Hell may be complete, but you still have the chance to take off that armor, and replace it with the armor of Christ.

"Your destiny has been made, now you must choose to take it." Rey said as he set the newspaper aside. He stood and walked towards the door, unfurling his shining white wings.

-Author's Note: Didn't see that coming, now did ya? This is the end of this fic; however, I will give you guys a chance to vote on a sequel, where Shinn redeems himself for his Seven Deadly Sins. Thanks in advance to all reviewers (I wrote all this down before posting, so you guys wouldn't have to wait months between updates).

To explain Rey: We all know Rey actually died in Gundam Seed Destiny. As I wrote this fic (with Rey being alive) I realized that the voice at the end of each chapter needed a character to it, and what better than to have Rey actually be an angel guiding his friend through the turmoil of his life. Rey actually did die in this fic, but came back as an angel because he knew Shinn needed help. No one realized that he was actually dead, because he continued acting normal. This also helps explain why Rey was pushing Shinn towards Cagalli so much, and why everyone seemed to agree with him.

Hope you liked it, please review and tell me what you think, remember there's an opening for a sequel, and so let me know your ideas! Peace-