Authors Note: Whew! Sorry, it's been a little over a week since I updated. Sorry about the wait. I caught the stomach flu and spent a few days more in bed than in front of my computer. Well, here it is Chapter 5, I hope you like it. I'd like to say a special thanks to Chaos2Rapture and Meyrin-x-ZAFTgirl ! Your consistent reviewing of my stories has made my day many times, and kept me inspired to write so thanks again! Also to my anonymous reviewer, Survivor18, thanks also for your consistent reviews, and for the helpful inspiration and advice. It's much appreciated! Thanks to everyone else who reviewed my story or added it to favorites/story alerts! I guess your tired of reading the word "thanks" now, I think I am too. Haha. Oh well, again I hope you enjoy the chapter! Please review!

~Gonturan

Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Seed or anything related to it. Wish I did!

Chapter Five

The car door slammed closed of the sleek black limousine. Two figures stepped out and no sooner had they set down their bags a blonde haired figure was running towards them shouting, "KIRA! LACUS!"

Cagalli Yula Athha had a wide smile on her face. She knew she was acting like a little girl, but she was just so happy to see them. She first engulfed her tousled haired brother in a big hug, and then just as quickly gave a hug to Lacus.

Kira and Lacus just laughed. Kira patted his sisters head.

"Yeah. We're glad to see you too, sis!" Kira said jokingly about being hugged to death.

"Thank God you're here! I was pretty sure that I was going to lose it. I need a distraction from paperwork, and preparations."

"Ha! I know what you mean. It's the same with me, just ask Kira about all the paperwork I complain about." Lacus said knowingly.

"What, you? You, Lacus Clyne complain?" Kira said pretending to be shocked.

"I'd be careful if I were you Kira. I heard about the Haro incident. You might want to watch your step, or sleep with one eye open," Cagalli teased him.

Kira raised one eyebrow at Lacus who just laughed and shrugged. Sure it had been a joke, but she had not been pleased with her friends malfunction.

"Haven't I said that I was sorry, countless times?" Kira said, giving Lacus puppy dog eyes. This reduced both of the females present to tears. Cagalli then ushered them inside to put their things inside of their rooms.

"Come on you two. I'll show you personally to your rooms."

Kira heard feminine giggles as he approached Cagalli's living room. He paused for a moment and watched them from the door way. He was dressed in his casual attire consisting of a pair of faded jeans and a plain t-shirt. His sister and girlfriend were sitting on the couch apparently having a ball as they chatted about various things.

They were almost polar opposites, he mused, and yet they were probably each other's best friends. Cagalli didn't buy into all the cute pretty things, and hated wearing a skirt. Kira didn't know if Lacus even owned a pair of pants.

"Hey you two. How's the catching up going? Mind if I join in?"

The two girls scooted over on the couch to make room for him. Just to drive them crazy he moved to sit down in between them, causing loud complaints to erupt from the formerly laughing girls.

"Hey you? You know there happened to be plenty of space on this couch right?" Cagalli said.

"Awww, but this spot just seemed so much comfier!" he replied with a big grin on his face. "So what's on the agenda for the rest of this week?"

"Hmmm, well thanks to your well timed visit I only have to check in on the last minute preparations for the Gala, have one final meeting with the representatives, and then me and Ms. Lacus here have to have our formal meeting. After that though I'm basically free for an ENTIRE WEEK!"

She clapped her hands together in pure bliss. She hadn't had such a week in too long, even if it did have to end with her in a uncomfortable dress, and a return to her stressful duties. She slumped down even more so in the couch, and put her feet up on the table in front of her soaking in how good it felt, now everything would be perfect except for one thing. Forget about it, Cagalli. she told herself.

"Oh, yeah. Miriallia will be at the Gala. I was able to reach her on a video com link. She said she'd be more than happy to come to my fancy little party, and to say 'hi' to you two when I saw you for her."

"Cool, I haven't talked to Mir in what seems like ages," Kira said. They had been close friends before and during the war efforts.

"So Lacus did you bring them?" Cagalli asked Lacus.

Lacus smiled sweetly, "Of course I did! I picked them with extreme care." She had a bag on the floor that she looked at reverently. "Do you have the food covered?"

"Yup! Room service will be bringing the store bought food, and the kitchen desserts any minute now!" They both were giggling now.

Kira was just lost. He didn't know what they had planned, but it seemed like from the mention of food, and their pajama like attire they were having a sleepover.

"Oh, a sleepover! I'm game. So are we going to watch a horror movie or something?"

The two just looked at them, Cagalli motioned to Lacus that she could do the honors.

"Sorry, dear. It's a CHICK FLICK night, but-" she was cut off by Kira.

"Say no more. I'm out of here. There's no way I'm being roped into watching those lovey dovey movies again. Hey, Kisaka's office is still where it usually is right?" Cagalli nodded trying to hold back her laughter, but failing miserably. "Good I'll see you ladies tomorrow."

"Wait Kira, one more thing. Tomorrow I have the meeting with the other representatives. After that I have a surprise for the two of you. So make sure that you two stay close by for tomorrow at least, ok?"

Kira nodded, he loved surprises but as he was still being kicked out of the girl's only room he was feeling a little rejected. First night here, and she already has something planned with Lacus… Oh well, at least I don't have to watch that romantic shit, there's no way a real guy can live up to the hype or would want to.

He passed the dessert cart heading towards the living room, and stole a couple of cookies, feeling a lot better now that he had a chocolate chip cookie.

Lacus and Cagalli watched Kira leave the room and broke into fits of laughter. Cagalli realized a little uneasily at how long it had been since she had laughed that hard, her cheeks were hurting. When they were finally able to calm down Lacus picked up her bag from the floor, and spread out on the table a plethora of the seasons best romantic comedies.

Then the dessert cart arrived, and the two women found that they were in chocolate heaven. The kitchen staff knew that there fearless leader didn't take near enough time off, and since she always sent her compliments to them after her meals decided to create the perfect girl's night food. There were chocolate chip cookies, bonbons, éclairs, cake, fudge, pudding, and chocolate covered fruit. Then there was the normal kind of food, popcorn, chips, and the store bought gummies, and treats.

"Ok, I feel like I'm gaining 10 pounds just looking at all of this, but I don't even care!" laughed Cagalli.

They proceeded to put movies in Cagalli's large screen television, and start their marathon. Lacus didn't know whether to mention now or later her surprise. That Athrun Zala was her newly appointed military head, and that Cagalli had given him permission to stay at her house. She decided on later, it was too soon, and besides it could ruin the moment. No instead she'd just test the waters, and try to find out exactly what her friend was feeling. It was only natural that while the movies were playing that they would have some random conversations of their own.

"So have you had any more of those non "dates" since we last talked?" chuckling at the reference, "I mean the tabloids are still talking about the guy that tried to kiss you."

Cagalli blushed, but was able to laugh herself, "Yeah, unfortunately. But it was with the gay guy again so I had a great time. Are the tabloids still going on about that?" After a while she had stopped reading them when they started making up lies like that one, it was part of her more "mature" outlook since after she read that she wanted to go wring the reporters neck.

At Lacus' nod, she groaned. Lacus began laughing again, and patting her friends hand in sympathy.

"It wasn't even a kiss!" she began protesting. "I mean if that was a kiss that was the sloppiest one I've ever received, and I don't even have that much experience."

"Unfortunately that matters little to those people. I have to be honest, it makes me so happy that Kira and I found each other when we did. No one questions what we have, although our fan clubs are quite annoying, hoping for a break-up."

"Ha, they'd be happy with a wedding too!" Cagalli slapped a hand across her mouth. She hadn't meant to say it quite like that, and not as bluntly either. "Oh, Lacus I didn't mean to just-"

Lacus cut her off, her cheeks nearly as pink as her hair, "Cagalli, it's ok. I know you think this is a sensitive topic. It's alright to talk about it, I think I might be relieved to talk about it."

Cagalli relaxed a little. "Ok good. But my brothers an idiot for not asking you though. I mean he's head over heels for you! And you wouldn't have put up with him for this long if you didn't love him as well, am I right?"

Lacus was a little dazed, but answered honestly, "Pretty much, though I don't think your brother is an idiot." She paused a moment, "I do love him, so much sometimes it hurts. I can be myself with him without worrying, and I know him well enough now to know that I can always trust him to protect me."

She herself couldn't explain why he hadn't asked her yet. She felt that there were moments when he might, but then he'd just talk about a new project he was working on, or news from old friends.

"Oh no he's an idiot. That's my privilege as his older, and much wiser sister. He's so immature sometimes." (They always argued about which one of them was actually born first.) "You see I think he wants to ask you, but can't get up the courage to do so."

At Lacus' incredulous look, that was borderline between crying and laughing, being Lacus she chose to laugh. "Seriously, my brother would probably rather fight against an entire regiment of mobile suits than have to figure out his own relationship. He tends to not always see things that are right in front of them. Did I tell you that when we first met he thought I was a guy?"

Now Lacus was clutching her stomach from laughing so hard. She had thought they were going to discuss only Cagalli's relationship issues, but realized that it was definitely a two-way street. Soon Cagalli had joined in, the movie was almost forgotten they each grabbed some sort of snack to eat while they calmed down.

"Why is it that during the war, when people first met you they always assumed you were a guy?"

This started the laughter up again, and some reminiscing on Cagalli's part about the most vivid of those memories. First time when she met Kira after finding out Orb had been aiding the alliance, she still laughed when he had figured it out. She had been ticked off and then embarrassed when Andrew Waltfield had started cracking up at the two of them. All because she wore a dress, she mused. The second time had been quite different. That was the first time she had met Athrun Zala after a battle that had stranded them on the same island by chance. After coming across each other, getting into a fight and then being pinned down by him, he soon recognized his mistake in calling her a he.

She felt no bitterness about that meeting. None at all, just about what had occurred later. She had stopped laughing. It had reminded her about what good friends they had become because of that one event, and had opened both their eyes to how pointless the war was. A small part of her that she wouldn't acknowledge at the moment truly missed him, and the other wanted to throttle him so much.

"You miss him don't you?" Lacus asked her quietly.

"Yes," Cagalli replied without thinking, and then she panicked, "Wha-? No, I mean I don't even know who your talking about!" Nervous laughter followed.

Yup, definitely a two way street. Lacus thought as she saw her friends attitude change from the laughter to silence. She knew the stories of how Kira had first mistaken her as a guy, and she knew too the story of how Athrun and she had met. Lacus almost sighed at how happy she was to be able to figure out that she still had some feelings for him. The question was how much, and how to get them both to resolve their issues.

Yzak Joule was back at the same bar, with his same drinking buddy, Dearka Elsman. He had had probably one of the most awkward work weeks of his life. All coming down to being ignored by one of his subordinates, and getting into a fight with his mother.

"Bartender, another beer, and a shot please. Add it to my tab."

"Really Yzak? I can't keep on being your conscience on how much you drink. I'm having a hard enough time myself if you've forgotten."

Dearka had visited Miriallia's exhibit again. He had gone through it, thoroughly examining each photo, recognizing some of the photos from his memories. He had hoped to get a glimpse of Mir again, and he had, but she had been completely busy. He didn't know what he would say anyhow. He took a swig from his own beer feeling it go down his throat.

"No, you idiot." At Dearka's pointed look at the unnecessary insult, he let out a stream of curses, and then apologized, "I'm sorry. You don't deserve to bear the brunt of my frustration. I'm just irritated. I got absolutely nowhere this week, if anything I took a step backward."

He grimaced remembering the start of the week. He had lead the Joule team in their normal exercises, and training. After performing their duties he had been approached by Shiho Hahnefuss. Apparently he had been behaving strange around her, and she wanted to know why. She was straightforward, and was one of his model soldiers. The idea that he was suddenly engaged to marry her had only reminded him that she was in fact a woman. A woman.

He then made the mistake of telling her exactly was on his mind. She responded with an icy tone, and asked him if this was because they were supposedly "engaged". His temper was short, everyone knew that, he knew that. It snapped. They argued trading back and forth comments that both hurt. In a small way he had been impressed. Shiho had always been quiet, and able to hold her own amongst all the guys, and she didn't wear the optional feminine skirt either. He had admired that at first, and then had hardly taken notice of her. All he could think of now was how he couldn't get her out of his F-ing head. That and because of his conversation with his mother.

"You know. I don't think I've seen two guys look this miserable in a long time," a new voice said wryly.

The silver haired commander and blonde soldier turned to look unappreciatively at their visitor. To their surprise it was none other than Miriallia Haw. She had been shocked too to see them at one of the many bars in the city, but had decided to make the most of it.

"So surprise, surprise. Right? I bet you didn't expect to see me here, just like I didn't expect to see you gentlemen," she said sitting herself on one of the barstools. She then called to Kenny the barkeeper to get her a beer.

"You can say that again, Miss Haww," said Yzak with forced civility.

"Oh, you can call me Miriallia or Mir. None of that Miss stuff please. It's too formal."

"Ok, Miriallia." Yzak looked over at his drinking buddy, still struck by how this woman could make him keep his big mouth shut. "Looks like you did it again. You really must teach me your trick on how you make him so quiet." He nudged him, and Dearka seemed to snap out of his revelry.

"Oh, Hey Mir. How was the rest of your exhibit?" a simple straightforward question.

"It went well. I was very pleased since it was the last one I'll handle personally. I heard that you guys had to leave quite suddenly, but Athrun said you like it so thanks!"

She wasn't quite sure of what was going through her head talking like there was nothing awkward in this conversation. She was also dying to know what was going through Dearka's head, and she hoped it wasn't something along the lines of "bitch", "heartbreaker", etc.

"Yeah it was really good. You did a really good job sending a message that everyone would be able to understand." Dearka complemented her. Yzak nodded his agreement, too taciturn keep talking.

"So why do two of ZAFT's finest seem so miserable on such a nice evening? If you don't mind me asking."

Yzak didn't want to share his troubles with someone that he didn't really know, but maybe a female perspective would help him in some way.

"Yeah I do mind, but since you already asked, ha, why not?' He was such a cynic. "I found out that my mother has basically betrothed me to someone without consulting me on the matter. Then I come to realize that the person I'm engaged to happens to be on the Joule Team."

"Ouch." was all she could think to say.

"Just wait it gets better. So it's not like I can avoid this person. She's in my unit, a part of our everyday function. I managed to get to about Wednesday when she actually confronts me for behaving differently. Really, she just walks up to me and asks me if something was bothering me because I was treating her like she was a toothpick, and not the capable soldier I had assigned to my elite team. She then suggested that if that was the case then she could easily transfer to a different unit."

Miriallia dimly thought that if there was such a woman who could stand up to Yzak Joule, and risk the consequences then they were probably perfect each other. She kept her mouth shut though, and listened intently to the rest of his story.

"Yeah well, then that set me off, and we argued. I could've called her insubordinate, but unfortunately this is more personal matter that I don't want the whole galaxy to know about. I then proceeded to go try and confront my mother about the whole plot.-"

"Which of course resolved the whole situation," Dearka cut in sarcastically.

"Just shut up Dearka, it was your suggestion anyhow. You idiot," Yzak said to the now grinning Dearka "Yeah, and then I went to talk to my mother, Ezalia Joule..."

Yzak walked into his mothers living room. He had called earlier to let her know he was coming by to have a talk with her. The room was neat, just as she would have had the servants organize things. Organize things just like she would with his life. Ezalia Joule resembled her son except that he was now taller than her, and he was more broad shouldered than she, but his coloring and features took after her.

She was sitting peacefully on one of the couches. Ezalia knew exactly what her son had come to talk about, and he would fine that there was no getting out of it. He could yell however much he wanted. After all, she mused. Mother knows best, right?

"Mother, you have no right! NONE WHATSOEVER!" Yzak started, skipping the civilities that he felt were a waste of time. "I mean really MARRIAGE? Isn't that my decision?"

She watched him fume, his face showing how angry he was. "Well, I thought that I taught you better. Where are your manners? Not a 'hello mother' or 'how are you today?'. Really, son it's no wonder you didn't have a girl before with this attitude." she said calmly.

For a moment he was really tempted to throw something at her. Did she really think he was that stupid to be thrown off by a couple of calm words that were supposed to make him feel shame?

"Mother, hello. Wish I could say I actually cared about how you are doing today." Ezalia's gaze narrowed as he said that. "Really, did you think that I would sit back calmly and accept what you are doing to my life? I'm only 21. I think that I have plenty of time to find the right girl by MYSELF! Or are you just that desperate to be a grandmother?"

That irked her. All she did was find him a perfectly good girl of good family who he could start a life with, and this was how he repaid her? The ungrateful whelp! He forgot who raised him! She wasn't that old, or senile. She just like to see everything in it's order where it should be, and Shiho Hahnefuss should be with her son.

"Phaw! As if I care whether or not you procreate!" she yelled back at him, fully into the argument now. "With your ungrateful attitude I would hate to see what any child of yours would be like anyhow. The Hahnefuss's are of good family. They would be a worthwhile connection, besides you already know Shiho so at least I picked someone who you are aquatinted with."

Yzak, was trembling with rage. He had worked his way up in the military by his own merits, had gained a seat on the Supreme Council by his own merits, and she thinks that just because he knows Shiho that he should be thanking her on bended knee?

"Shiho is a member of the Joule Team, mother. You forget that as my subordinate this could effect us in ways you could scarcely imagine."

"Oh please, don't give me that crap. She has made it this far all on her own, why would that ever change?. There would be nothing to suggest anything otherwise by you two marrying. That's just an excuse. You better just shut up now Yzak. The paperwork has already been finalized between me and the Hahnefuss's. Your going to get married whether you like it or not."

"BUT!"

"No buts!" she cut him off sharply. "I will hear no more about it. You may leave."

He stormily left her home. When he was out of earshot she began to laugh. It was remarkable really how similar they were. She found it a bit unnerving in some ways to see so much of herself in him, until he could master his temper he didn't have a chance in beating her. She learned that herself. Ezalia knew that she didn't show it too often, but she was truly proud of all he had accomplished. She chuckled some more. Oh he and Shiho were perfect for each other, they'd realize it, hopefully. She would make him happy, and oh how her son deserved to be happy.

"…. So there you have it. My mother is trying to run my life. What could be worse than that when you're an adult?"

Miriallia had listened with rapt attention, but from her point of view she didn't think she could answer him in a way that would please him.

"Yeah, that's rough buddy, but I don't know. I haven't met the girl to whom your engaged to, though her being on your team shouldn't be too much of an issue. Plus, I don't know, but from the sound of her she might actually be perfect for you. I think I'd like her."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He scowled. Dearka snorted understanding perfectly.

"Your really dense sometimes Yzak. You just mention that she's a woman, if she's elite enough to be on your team, and put up with your temper… She must be something special. Is she ugly or something, what is your objection other than your mother set you up with her?"

Yzak was dumbfounded. Since he recognized that Shiho was a woman, he had been looking at her differently. "No she has really pretty long blackish hair-" he stopped embarrassed for speaking aloud his thoughts. His two companions were laughing hard at him, making him lean on his elbow and call for another round of alcohol.

The next day at Cagalli's mansion she was sitting at the head of the table in one of her conference rooms with the rest of Orb's representative's. She had thought she would be tired from last night, but it had actually allowed her to sleep better than she had in ages. Today she was dressed in her tailored purple suit, her hair pulled back for a sleek professional look.

She had introduced a new plan to help with rebuilding. It would help the Morgenroete facility recover from the damage it had sustained during the battle for Orb. In a moment some specialists who had been conducting the experiment would come in to share their information, in a hope to convince them this could benefit not only Orb bet the rest of the world.

She pressed a button for a split second to let her secretary know to send them in. The former Captain Murrue Ramius, Mue La Flaga, and Andrew Waltfield entered the room the latter carrying a cup of coffee.

"Just to let you all know, your coffee here sucks," thank you Mr. Waltfield for having to of all things say, say that. Cagalli thought.

"Excuse my colleague. He's a coffee fanatic, and thinks that unless it's brewed by him its horrible." Miss Murrue smoothed over. The Representative's actually chuckled and didn't seem to mind. Cagalli breathed a sigh of relief. She had fought hard for them to get into this room, it was a fine line that they were on though.

"Yes, well Gentlemen as Representative Athha has no doubt explained to you the purpose of our visit is to fully explain what we want to undertake. I am the engineering expert, Mr. Waltfield here is responsible for the necessary intelligence, and Mr. La Flaga is the pilot."

"Yes, gentlemen I'm the one who makes the impossible possible," he said his usual catch phrase making Cagalli smile appreciatively. He had had a hard time fully recovering his memory, but he completely remembered that his name was Mue La Flaga, and most of his memories from that life.

"Be that as it may, the idea is really simple. We take unused mobile suits from the wars and outfit them with reconstruction equipment. These mobile suits can then be used to help repair buildings, and other sites. With every area all the weak spots that need to be fixed the can be put into our systems where pilots out of a job can be trained to do the reconstruction work. This project would help speed recovery, and give people a living. It's a win win situation as far as I'm concerned." Miss Murrue explained.

She then presented all of her designs to explain what would be changed in the suits to make them non military standard like removing unnecessary guns. All her projections were sound, they had tested the idea fully upon the Morgenroete facility itself for proof. That was Mr. Waltfield's area of expertise. He had gained all the information on the area, had figured what would be necessary from the mobile suit and had put the information in the network for the use of the pilot. Mr. La Flaga had then explained why it would be the job of former pilots and not civilians trained to do so because it was a lot easier to teach a dog a new trick than house break a puppy. He also went into detail how much easier the repairs went with the assistance of the mobile suits. They also provided detailed information about the sound repairs of the Morgenroete facility as proof.

The representative's were impressed despite themselves. They decided to consider the idea for a day or two and let Cagalli know their verdict. It was about as good as Cagalli could have hoped for. As soon as the other representative's left she gave each of them a hug, a proper greeting between comrades as they had been.

"Well that went really well. Thank you Mue, Miss Murrue, Mr. Waltfield! That actually went extremely well, I think we got it."

"No problem kiddo. We were more than happy too, it's a good idea, and would help out a lot of people." Mue said.

"Yeah, it really was our pleasure. Morgenroete was a great facility, it was almost the least I could do to repay what I owed it," Miss Murrue added.

"Well, I'm sorry Cagalli, but I'm afraid I'm not cut out for these meetings. Those guys in the suits were too stuffy for my taste, and this coffee really is crud." Cagalli tried to hold back a laugh but couldn't so she gave in and said, "I completely agree. Why don't you three come with me. I happen to have much better coffee in my quarters."

They followed her through the hallways to where her living room was. Mr. Waltfield was able to exchange his coffee for something more to his taste, and then Lacus and Kira entered the room.

"Surprise! Remember these guys? I thought you might like to catch up."

"Miss Murrue! Mue! Mr. Waltfield!" Kira said astonished.

"It's great to see you all again," Lacus said cheerfully.

Author's Note: Haha. I just couldn't help but use Mue's signature phrase. I hope that you all enjoyed the chapter! I had a blast writing parts of this, and yes next chapter could potentially have the Gala where a fateful encounter is bound to occur, but notice the title of the story, it's Rebuilding. This means that things don't happen quickly. It's a process, especially when you want things done right. Thanks again for all the reviews!

~Gonturan

Anonymous Reviews:

Survivor18: Thank you, thank you, thank you! You gave me awesome advice that totally helped me out. As for your questions, you'll have to wait and find out, but thank you for your past ideas which helped inspire me as I kept on writing. Please keep reviewing, they put a smile on my face! : )

Cagallirocks: No problem, I hate being confused about a story. I'm glad that your enjoying it!

Sophie: Eh, I guess we can't get everything right. Thanks for letting me know that I had an error. It's kinda too late to change that, but I appreciate that you pointed it out to me. I hope that despite that you continue to read and enjoy my version of this fanfic.

Dehvz: Thanks for the chapter by chapter review! It was nice that you got so into the story. I'm sorry this chapter isn't the gala yet, but when I do write that one, Cagalli will definitely be in a dress. I hope that you like this chapter as much as the others! Thanks again!

Thanks everybody! I LOVE REVIEWS, to all non anonymous reviewers, thanks also you really brighten up my day!