The paintballing match was set at Lenore's place. She had a nice forest behind her lawn. It was a perfect ground for the match. Athrun knew well before we arrived what was going on.

"I haven't paintballed since high school," he said laughing. All the men launched into memory lane remembering all the incidents that happened playing the game. And all we females looked at them in confusion. After having lunch from Lenore we all got into gear and paired up. I took my gun holding it like solider ready to shoot.

"You look so adorable," Athrun said pulling me into his arms, "I'm definitely putting you in my next movie."

I laughed and said, "Why is there a sexy female solider you need?"

Athrun laughed and said, "Well a sexy female spy, all you need to do is hold a gun and kick ass."

"I think I can manage that," I said giving him a wink.

"Okay I'll show you my hiding place," he said holding my hand as we ran during the countdown. Athrun was a little faster then me, but not enough that I couldn't keep up. I had a lot of stamina when it came to running.

"You know by now," Athrun said, "Every single one of my past girlfriends would have stopped running."

"Well luckily," I said running a bit faster, "I'm not one of them."

"Remind me to kiss you when we get to my place," he said giving me a wink.

I laughed. A few moments later we arrived an opening. It looked like a ledge on top of a cliff, a place where no one could ever notice you.

"No one's been able to figure this place out, and I haven't shown it to anyone before you," Athrun said, "I bet you're feeling special."

I smiled and said, "You make me feel special by just looking at me."

Athrun's eye softened and said, "Let's go climb up while I'll show you how special and loved you make me feel."

"Aren't we supposed to be shooting people?" I asked

"Everyone else captures each other and then they gang up on me about 20-30 minutes later and I shoot them all," he said, "Let's see what happens this year."

As we got on top of the ledge I leaned against the wall of the cliff and said, "We could camp out here there's so much room."

"That is actually a good idea," he said lying on my lap, "We should do that one day."

"If we're together," I teased.

Athrun gave me a strange look and I saw his eyes spark with an idea.

"What happened?" I said.

He shook his head and said, "Nothing, just a passing thought."

After a while I lying and talking we heard footsteps.

"Come out, come out wherever you are Athrun," Dearka said, "You're so ambushed in this year."

"He always says that," Athrun whispered to me as we lay on our stomach aiming our guns that were hidden by the bush, "got an aim on someone?"

I nodded and said, "But where's everyone else."

"They're in the trees or shadows to see where I shoot from," he whispered back, "I'll get Dearka and you aim for the openings you see in the trees."

I nodded and at the count of three shot in all the opening I could find, they fled out and Athrun got the rest of them. I laughed seeing them covered in orange dots. We went down through the secret passage and come from behind them holding our guns.

"Not again," Dearka said.

"Try harder next time," Athrun said. There was a splash on Athrun and I realized we hadn't gotten Shiho yet and I ran, knowing I had to win this. I laughed hearing Shiho's voice behind and I hid behind a tree and tried to shoot her. She dodged and tried the same. This went on for about ten minutes before Shiho tripped and I managed to get her. I was patched in mud, but so was Shiho.

We both laughed and I helped her off the ground as we walked back to meet up with the gang. Athrun laughed seeing my state and said, "What were you two doing?"

I looked at Shiho and said, "Bitch fight."

Shiho laughed and said, "She's a rowdy girl, this one."

I nodded and said, "And this one likes rolling in the mud."

Yzak was grinning like the devil and Athrun was trying not to laugh.

"I agree," they both said at the same time. Shiho and I looked at them and we all just laughed.

After getting cleaned up, showered and changed it was times for Athrun's actual birthday party.

We had dinner, then cake and it was present time. We were all in the living room and I helped Lenore and Lacus carry Athrun's present.

"Hey look Athrun, you're loved," I said giving him a box.

Athrun chuckled and said, "It would seem so."

I got him tickets to bungee jump; he also got some cologne, clothes and technological equipment. Dearka, being Dearka got him some sex dice…seriously that's what they were called. I stared at the name and said, "What?"

"It's really cool," Dearka said, "You'll enjoy them, trust me."

I glared and him and said, "Well I've got just the thing for your next birthday."

"I think I might like my birthday this year," he grinned.

I rolled my eyes as Athrun pulled out some boxer then with red heart that had C's all over them.

I slumped into the couch and said, "Could you give him anything less corny?"

Dearka just shook his head.

Mir burst out laughing and said, "That actually is pretty cute."

Athrun smiled and said, "This I might just actually wear."

"No!" I said covering my face with my hands.

"Well Cagalli, for all you know what C's could mean something else," Dearka said.

I peeked through my hands and looked at Athrun who said, "I can only think of Cagalli."

I blushed and said, "Next present please."

Everyone laughed and Athrun opened his next present.

"Are these presents for me, or for Cagalli?" Athrun asked taking out what seemed to be nice massage oils.

Shiho laughed and said, "I couldn't help myself."

I laughed and said, "I can always let you get away with anything."

She grinned.

Dearka pouted and said, "What about me?"

I looked at him and said, "No."

After the presents were unwrapped and thanked for, we all decided to just talk for the rest of the evening. When Athrun and I arrived home, I was sore from all the falls of today and was now feeling the effect. I went to the washroom and counted the bruises.

"one, two, three, four, five," I said spotting on my arm, calf, hip, shoulder and thigh. They were small but still, five bruises…how pathetic.

"Look at my battle scars Athrun," I said sarcastically. Athrun came in gawking at my nude form.

I rolled my eyes and said, "I know I have a hot body, but please pay attention to my question for a few seconds at least."

Athrun laughed and said, "What scars?"

I pointed to each of my purplish, red circles and said, "See."

Athrun seemed to have come up with and idea and said, "Let me kiss it better."

I laughed and said, "After my shower maybe."

"I'll join you," he said already stripping off his clothes.

"You look for every opportune moment to have sex don't you?" I said crossing my arms.

"Well," he said dramatically, "it's not everyday I get an opportunity so I use every moment I get."

I sighed and said, "You are okay with it right?"

Athrun nodded and said, "For you everything is worth it."

Our peace was once again disrupted by our jobs. As the days of the actual show was nearing, I was spending more time at the playhouse then as our house. Athrun had a bit go work as well. Our friends had left a few days before and it was sad seeing them go. The weather was also getting colder. The play got many good reviews and comments which relieved me. I knew I was on the right path at least. Athrun came to watch the show, because even though I had choreographed it, I still had my part in the play. I didn't even know he had come until I looked up so see him sitting on a chair taking pictures. I felt my heart swell, and I danced just for him.

Soon my work load was much lighter, I took simpler jobs and Athrun took a short break from movies and was focused on his company a bit more. We took that moment to use up the bungee jumping trip and it wasn't as terrifying as I though it'd be. I was expecting Athrun to take his friend Shinn, but he surprised me by asking me what day I had totally off and took me.

Christmas was in the air. Lights were already placed on house, sales signs were everywhere and pine trees were being sold. I was wrapped in my coat nursing a cup of hot chocolate at a coffee shop. Life just seemed to be going good. However I didn't know that unfinished business from the past would be knocking up on my happiness.

It all started when Lenore invited us to her annual Christmas dinner. Athrun told me it was usually held in a banquet ball for the Zala Company and the Zala family. It was also very formal and I already knew which dress I would be wearing.

Lacus was going to be flying in with Kira for it only but I still couldn't wait to see her.

I had the week off from any work and spent my time at home making a photo album, and secretly planning ideas for my next show. Athrun was working at home and occasionally helped me with sorting of the photos.

"I really like the premiere ones," Athrun said staring at a few letter sized pictures.

"That's because you like looking at my legs," I said crossing my leg on the ground, wearing some shorts and a sport bra, because I was taking a break from dancing.

"I do," he said, pulling my calf so I was closer to him.

I laughed and said, "I like the beach ones."

"That's because you like looking at my bare chest," he said looking at the picture.

"What part of you is something not to look at," I said.

"I could say the same about you," Athrun said nuzzling my neck, "We should go snowboarding."

"Since I'm only used to warm climate sports," I said, "I've never snowboard before."

"Then we'll try skating," he said, "That always fun."

"I don't get how anyone can skate on ice, much less do jumps and spins," I said.

"It's kind of like rollerblading," he said.

"We'll see," I said. We finished one album with what we thought were our best pictures together; Athrun distracted me from doing another.

"So what'd you get me for Christmas?" he asked sleepily in my shoulder. We were wrapped in a blanket on the softest carpet in the world.

"Not telling," I murmured, "You tell me what you got me first."

Athrun chuckled tiredly and said, "I think you'll like it."

I nodded and said, "I'll love anything you get me."

"Me too darling," Athrun murmured as we both drifted off the sleep.

Lacus had come a few days later and I was at the mall with her wondering what to get Athrun.

"I really don't like shopping for men," I said, "Especially boyfriends."

"Cagalli, Athrun will love anything you get him," she said.

"I know," I said, "If I got him candy he'd love it, but still it's our first Christmas, I should get him something special."

"You should get him something he cam wear all the time," Lacus said, "That's always special."

And then an idea came into mind.

I went shopping for everyone else and they were much easier. Lacus and I came home our piles of shopping bags and I saw Athrun on the phone with his agent. He seemed a bit tense and I grew concerned. He hung up a while later and I asked, "What happened?"

"I hate it when people make up fake relationships with me and then expect me to say it's true," he said sighing and pulling me into a hug, "Some actress I worked with is going around saying I'm the father of her child."

"Don't tell me people believe that," I said, "We're so in love."

He nodded and said, "But she's gone ballistics."

"Most of them tend to do that," I said.

"So did you get my present?" Athrun asked looking at the bags.

"Maybe," I said, "You're hard to buy for."

"I could give a list of things I want," he said.

"Name away," I said.

"I want a new watch, a tattoo, you, you and even more you" he kept on going on.

"Why can't you get a tattoo?" I asked

He sighed and said, "Just like I can't look thin or fat, I can't wear or have a tattoo for certain roles."

"But all the roles you take are action and bad boy," I said.

"Not all the time," he said, "My agent will strangle me if I get one."

"I can get a tattoo for you," I said with a smile.

Athrun laughed and said, "I like the merit of the idea, but I'm not very keen on seeing a needle digging into your skin."

I smiled and said, "It doesn't sound that bad."

He shook his head, making me laugh.

"How would you like me for Christmas?" I asked giving him a wink.

I saw his eyes go dark and he smirked and said, "I'll show you."

I let out an eep and ran to the other side of the couch. Athrun caught me by the waist and twirled me around, our laughs in the air.

Lenore was going to have her party on Christmas day, so early that morning Athrun and I forced ourselves out of bed, and went downstairs to open presents with Kira and Lacus. We were all dressed warmly, it had snowed the day before and we were out snowball fighting for a while. We all exchanged presents. I got a few clothes from Lacus, and a spa day, Kira gave me some very pretty earrings and Athrun I were saving each other our presents for last. Kira and Lacus made an excuse to leave. I laughed and held my wrapped box and handed it to him.

Athrun smiled and opened his present and took out a chain. On it engraved was a picture of us watching the sunset and a little blurb on the other side that said I am forever yours, Cagalli.

Athrun stared at him for the longest time and he said, "This is something I really needed."

I smiled and said, "Really?"

Athrun nodded and said, "Really, it's perfect. I don't think I'll ever take it off."

I laughed and watching as he put it on and kissed the picture, "Now your turn."

It seems that our theme was necklaces because I took out white gold chain with heart shaped lock ruby pendant. There was a key in gold and barely readable was his name on the back of the ruby.

"You're the key to my heart," he said.

I hugged him and said, "It's so pretty."

I kissed him as he slipped the necklace around my neck.

"Can I get a real thank you?" he asked with a look of hope.

I laughed and said, "Of course."

Preview :D

"I want us to have a forever, I want to always be able to see you smile, and love you everyday. Will you let me Cagalli? Will you marry me?" he asking kneeling down and opening the ring box as the clock in the room beeped midnight.

I opened my mouth ready to say yes but then I remembered Patrick's words, Yunna's words. I stepped away from Athrun tearing streaming down my face and I shook my head and said, "I'm sorry, no."

I ran out of the room.

:O :O she said noooo

i know :D

but till the next chapter

Yours truly :)

Samera

sorry about the delay guys things have been crazy and inspiration is low these days :3