(Companion piece for Chapter 3.)

Her back was facing him. She just finished making breakfast, and was tiding up the kitchen a little.

"One of my college friends called me yesterday. Apparently a reunion will be held next week. Come to think of it…I haven't seen them for four years. Must be awkward meeting them again…"

She turned to him, waving her hand as she talked. "I was wondering, do you want to go with me?"

He didn't answer, but kept staring at her. She slowly followed his gaze. He was obviously staring at her…chest. She sighed and rolled her eyes, can't help feeling flustered because she still got it and annoyed that she had been talking to the wall moments ago. Huh…a guy can't help being a guy after all….

She quickly waved her hand at his face, "Hey! Are you listening?"

"Huh? What?" he blinked, his eyes returned to her face.

Pouting at him she repeated herself and crossed her arms as an attempt to cover her front from his prying eyes, "Do you want to go with me to my college reunion? It's next week."

"Eh? College reunion?" he replied her with another question.

She repeated her question, but this time his reply was…choking himself while eating his breakfast. Worry took over her and she swiftly went to his side, patting his back.

You are such a cute big baby…she tried not to titter. "Chew properly before you swallow. You're not a small boy. Seriously, I feel like I am your mother sometimes."

Grabbing a glass nearby, she poured him orange juice and offered the glass to him. He took it, drank it a little too fast, and coughs again. She sighed and patted his back again. After a while, instead of patting she found herself caressing his back gently.

He wore a shirt but she felt as if she was touching his skin underneath the fabric. Instinctively, she imagined touching his back muscles with her hand, imagined how smooth his skin is, imagine how it would feel if her own skin was against his….

Instantly the thought sent a jolt of electricity through her. She quickly withdrew her hand from his back. It's early in the morning and you're already thinking about that? Back to the topic! Inviting him to the reunion! "So, are you coming or not?"

He smirked, and she knew she's not going to like his answer. "Remind me why I to go with you again? To YOUR college reunion?"

You are so unbelievable! His astonishing sense of humour and reckless attitude has never fail to amaze her. She was gawking as he continued to grin.

"Because I hate the idea of leaving you all alone in this house by yourself. Plus…who knows what you're going to do having the house all for yourself."

He tilted his head, "Right…don't forget, I'm paying the rent too. So I think I have the right to do what I want."

"What did you say?" Her tone is serious as her expression.

"I said I'm not going to your stupid reunion thing."

You did not just say that. She won't let this go. "Yes, you are. You are GOING to my stupid reunion thing."

"Well, that's just too bad. I'm not GOING." He replied.

She was taken aback as his head leaned towards her. But immediately she leaned towards him too, "Yes you are!"

"Well, you can't make me go!"

"Oh yes I CAN!"

Gradually, she's aware of the distance of their faces with each other. His emerald eyes gaze deeply into her. Her heart skipped a beat. He didn't leaned back, so she did. Deciding that he was just too stubborn; she couldn't help wondering why she agreed to live with him in the house in the first place.

"Fine. I'll just go ask Dearka then to go with me." She walked to the door, waved her hand at him.

"I'm off to work."

I really need to make sure he'll go with me to that…stupid reunion…

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"Thank you for the offer Lacus, but…unfortunately I have plans for that day. I'm sorry. Why don't you ask him to go with you? He could use the social interactions once in a while, as he seemed to have problems in that area."

No doubt about that. She knew who Dearka meant. But the only problem is he had refused to go. And she had a hard time trying to change his mind.

But to tell the truth, she had her own reason to make sure he would go to the reunion with her. And she wasn't going to tell anyone about it…especially him. Her insides curled as she thought of the reason. She felt like she was…lying to him. Betraying him. And worst…using him.

And she can't help it doing all that to him.

She came back from work, and found him playing his PS3. She saw on the couch with. He didn't say anything. Her blue eyes are fixed on him, but still he ignored her. He was too busy playing the game to notice her.

Impressive…she thought. She watched the screen and watched him play. But before long he had lose to the game. She looked at him again. He looked down, as if something was bothering him. She wondered what it is. She turned to the screen… let out a chuckle…then giggled.

"How could you lose in such an easy game?" She giggled as she looked at him.

The puzzled look was one expression he often gave her when he seemed to be bothered by something. She took the controller from his hands and pressed the continue button. She gave him a smile, and he gave her the 'go ahead' sign. She was determined to show him what she is capable of.

Her eyes are fixed at the screen but out of the corner of her eye, she knew he kept turning his head and stared at her. Her lips curved into another smile, wondering if she should return his gaze at her.

Out of a sudden, she threw her arms up in the air and cheered and giggled more. Satisfied at the fact that she had beaten the game that he had lose. After tossing the controller aside, she leaned her head back and slowly closed her eyes.

"Congratulations. You beat the game." She heard him said and she smiled again.

"Thank you."

There was silence. She wondered if he's still there with her. She waited for any sound of movement. Still there is silence. Afraid that he had left, she quickly opened her eyes.

She noticed that he had also leaned his head, both eyes closed. She bit her lips as she ease herself closer to him. Slowly she leaned her head to him, before whispering in his ears.

"Would you like to go with me to my college reunion?"

He smiled when she asked him. This time, it was her turned to be puzzled. What's so funny?

"I thought you were going with that Dearka guy."

Her mind replayed to the moment Dearka had declined her offer.

"Well…he…said he'll think about it. Do you really don't want to go?" She lied. She doesn't want to give him the hint that she was desperate for him to go. But the truth is, she really is desperate for him to go.

"Do you really want me to?"

She eyed his face; there is no amusement in his face. For once, he was not making fun of her. "Yes, I want you to. I feel much more comfortable around you."

"Well, if you really want me to…" he looked at her, and her eyebrows rose in anticipation for his next sentence. And for some reason, she was holding her breath too.

"…I will go with you. Besides, it's not fun being here all by myself."

You are such a life-saver! "Thank you so much. I know I can always count on you." She whispered to him again.

She bends her head towards him…and brushed her lips softly against his. After counting one second, she leaned back and kept smiling at him.

It's just a friendly kiss…he won't think you're leading him on. Come to think of it, I don't really need to kiss him to thank him, right? Hmm, minty taste…

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~ Everywhere I want to go, I want to bring you along, because I need you there.

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(Companion piece for Chapter 4 – Don't make me fall in love with you again.)

He finally came, just as she had expected.

Her laughing slowly fades and her smile turns into a frown. Her lips slightly parted and she found herself standing for no apparent reason.

"Lacus." He called her name.

Her heart beats faster at the sound of his voice. "Ki…Kira." Why am I stuttering? Why am I blushing?

"Good to see you again." He politely extended his hand.

She glanced at it. Hesitated at first, but she finally shook his hand. "Good to see you, too."

Her knees trembled when he tightened his grip on her hand. She withdrew her hand, blushing more. She assured herself that her reaction was because of her surprise of finally seeing him again, nothing more. But as his dark, amethyst eyes continuously stared at her, she immediately felt a swift, responsive heat flooded through her. She used to love the effect he had on her. Now, she hated him for still having that effect on her.

"I…I didn't knew you were coming." Liar, you knew he would come. She forced herself to smile. She looked behind him, "Where's Cagalli?"

"Here I am!" She slightly jumped when an arm hooked her shoulders. "Oh Lacus! I'm so glad you came to this reunion! We missed you sooo much! Especially my brother here. Right, Kira?"

She was stunned by her words. As Cagalli kissed her cheek she turned her head slightly at him, but he was looking at another direction. She followed his attention, he was staring at Kira.

"Wow Lacus…you haven't changed one bit. Or should I say, you are as beautiful as ever." Cagalli said to her, in which she responded with a faint smile.

"Who's this?" Kira asked her. "Boyfriend of yours?"

She shifted her head and narrowed her eyes at him. Kira was jealous; she silently smiled at the fact that she too, still had that effect on him.

"Boyfriend? You have a boyfriend now Lacus?" Cagalli gave her a disapproving look.

She swallowed and threw him a timid glimpse then quickly looked away, wondering what answer she should give. "My…date. He's…my date." Great cover Lacus, now he'll make fun of it.

"Date?" Kira raised an eyebrow. "You brought a date to our reunion? What do you think this is? A prom?"

She was about to argue back when he suddenly stood up.

"I believe I haven't introduced myself, I'm Alex, Alex Dino. Nice to meet you."

"Alex Dino eh? I'm Kira Yamato. So, how do you like the reunion party so far?"

She nervously looked at him then at Kira then back at him. She noticed he was smiling, something he rarely do although his smile looked rather awkward. You should smile more. You look better that way.

"Hey, I just remembered! I have been working on this project for a year now and now it's finally finished! And I want to show it to you guys!" She was relief it was Cagalli who finally broke the awkward silence between them.

But when Cagalli leads them towards a particular room, her relief was quickly crushed with panic and fear. She turned to him, only to find him still glaring at…Kira.

Oh Alex, please save me from this…

TO BE CONTINUED…

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(Thank you for reading especially to all the lovely reviews! It keeps this story alive, and not…well, dead. Kudos to all of you.)

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