Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters of Gundam Seed or Gundam Seed Destiny. Some other character names are just randomly thought of and have no relevance to real life.

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Towards today..

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It's still 8 o'clock in the morning on a Sunday but the entire household had been very busy..

"Hurry! Prepare the dining the hall and advise the Chef to prepare healthier set for breakfast good for five more guests.. Make sure that all the flowers had been changed from the doorway to the dining hall. Also, don't forget to wake up her Ladyship! The guests will be arriving in the next 30 minutes". The head maid gave instructions upon receiving an order from her Lord that a group of people from the National Defence Ministry is coming over to the manor, it had been a very short notice!

"Well then I'll go ahead and wake up her Ladyship right away!" a maid volunteered and the 50 year old woman nodded in approval.

As the woman hurriedly crossed through her Ladyship's room, she wondered what could it be this time. She had been serving the household for approximately 15 years, and noticed that since the two members of this noble family came back from space, they have been receiving constant visits not from other noble families or royalties but from the National Defence Ministry. "How odd.." she thought, she then knocked 3 times on the door and inform her arrival, when she received no answer, she then proceeded to the room and found that her Ladyship is still soundly sleeping on her bed.

The rays of the sun as the curtains were pulled to the side slowly woke up the sleeping lady on the bed.

"Hmnn.. What the –.. Can someone pull the curtains back?" the lady complained.

"Good morning Milady.. I'm sorry to wake you up so early on a Sunday but we received a phone call from Lord Charles that a group of people from the Defence Ministry will be here again today together with Duke Dermail in 30 minutes." The maid then headed to the bathroom.

"I'll go ahead and prepare your bath so you will have enough time to prepare" the woman gazed at the clock.

"It's already 8:05.. There's not much time.." she then sighed.

"It's alright, there's no need to prepare my bath. I'll just take a quick shower." She suddenly jumped out of the bed. "It's not like I'm a very slow poke when it come to these matters" she casually thought.

"By the way maid, did Charles say when he is coming home?" she inquired.

"I apologise, but there's no such information given us" as far as the maid was concerned, the head maid did not mention of anything about it.

"I see.. Alright, you may go now and thank you for waking me up." The woman then proceeded to the shower as she had recalled her previous encounters with the people from Defense Ministry.

"It is our deepest wish that you join the Defence Ministry Lady Stuart" Duke Dermail began. "We had come to know of your capabilities when you were a soldier and we hope that this time, you will consider serving your homeland as you had served the previous one"

"I really am sorry Duke Dermail, but perhaps you must've known that it is precisely because I don't want anything to do with war that my cousin and me decided to come home and live a normal life", she countered.. They've been persistent and shrugging them off is quiet a painful thing to do.

"We will really appreciate it if you will reconsider our request. Your capability is something that not everyone can achieve. Please think it over again.." She sighed.. Perhaps, she'll give a counter offer to be able to meet their request. As she finished taking her shower she immediately proceeded to her walk in closet and chose the appropriate clothes for the upcoming guests.

As she's walking in the corridor going down the grand staircase, she can already hear the stopping of cars and saw that the maids had neatly piled themselves to welcome the guests.

xxx

"Athrun, can you drop by the study room when you get home? There are things that I want to clarify about the new conflict brewing in the western borders of Orb" Kira's face is visible on his video screen as Athrun rested his back on the comfort of his chair. He's inside his office in the Headquarters of National Defense.

"I understand.. I would also like to discuss to you the security measures we need to make for the upcoming summit next month" he lazily replied.

"Alright.. see you then – ah by the way. I asked some personnel to do a follow up background check on the person appointed by the United Kingdom's government to cooperate with us in pre – departure securities". Kira's face then disappeared from the monitor. Athrun look outside the window, he can smell the salty air from the nearby shore. How long had they been enjoying this peace? It has been almost five years since they fought the Second Bloody Valentine War.

"Time sure pass by quickly" he thoughtfully smiled, he then cast his gaze on the rectangle frame that served as the only adornment of his table, as it's the only thing that doesn't have anything to do with his work. The golden frame held an intimate picture of a very young couple, in bed, covered only by the light green sheets. While the young man is smiling widely, the young lady's smile was shy indicating how embarrassed she is that such an intimate moment be captured on camera. His smile became bittersweet, it was his eighteenth birthday and he asked Cagalli of such for a gift.

"Geez.. Why of all things, do we have to do this kind of embarrassing stuff? And it's not like it's our first time you know." Cagalli's been complaining the whole night and tried to convince Athrun to change his mind.

"Because I want to.. and besides I just want to commemorate the two of us becoming an adult.. We can't have it when you turned eighteen since I am still seventeen that time, but now.. there's no more reason to treat our intimate moments as illicit" he smiled sheepishly as he's hands are trying to loosen up her grip on the sheets to reveal the goddess that he had loved many times over.

"You smell so good in the morning" He caressed her bare arm to the span of her neck down to her back. He then brought his face in the middle of her breast and breathes on her sweet scent.

"You smell of roses and me.. I want you again.." he then proceeded to take a bite on the soft flesh above her right breast while his hands are busy caressing the softness of her skin.

"Ugh.. hmnn.." Cagalli sighed in pleasure, and guided his hungry lips to the waiting pink peak of her proud breast, she snuggled him closer to her, and was rewarded by a groan from her lover before he worshiped her right breast by softly sucking and licking it.

"Ohh..." Before she was devoured by the ecstatic feeling, she remembered they don't have any more time to do this thing as her lady in waiting Myrna might come inside any moment to ask her to prepare for the day.

"Idiot! Get off me, we have to get up. Myrna wil - - - Hmfff..." She was cut off by his passionate kiss.

"Myrna – san... won't be able to - come inside freely, I made sure to triple lock the door. Besides, I asked her to wake you up during the noon" he whispered raggedly as he fleetingly broke off the kiss to breathe some oxygen then came back to claim her lips again and trail light and wet kisses from her jaw, to her neck, then to her deprived left breast.

"Shameless bastard! How could you - ohh... hmnnn..." Cagalli was unable to finish her supposed ranting when Athrun claimed her left breast and applied a not so gentle suction on it, causing her to grip on his hair and hug him closer again while arching her back so as to give him more access. 'To hell with embarrassment!' she thought, she'll just deal about it later. Her hands then proceeded on feeling the rippling muscles on his back, down to his hips, and his taut butt.

Cagalli has to swallow an imaginary lump on her throat as she can feel the steely manhood as it pressed against the softness of her thighs. She'd been loved by him for countless times already ever since the both of them turned seventeen, and yet the excitement she feels every time this beautiful man caress her and love her was the same as what she feels on their first time. Athrun's lips then travelled further below, to her navel.. then she can feel a soft nudge on her thighs as he caressed her soft womanhood.

Feeling embarrassed, Cagalli guided her lover's head back to her lips and kissed him, as she delved her tongue to the crevices of his mouth, she can feel of her right hand being guided lower and is now holding that familiar warm and hard object which is the very proof of her lover's desire.

xxx

A loud thud outside the door snapped Athrun back to reality, even though his office is fully air-conditioned, he can feel beads of sweat trickling down from his temple and felt his body feeling tense and warm. Just when he realized his foolishness, a video call came through. It's Meyrin this time.

"Athrun – san.. Good day!" her smile is bright as usual.

"Good afternoon Meyrin. What made you call?" he has to end the call as soon as possible to calm down.

"Oh nothing.. I was just wondering if you are feeling bored and wants someone to talk to."

"I'm sorry but I can't chat with you now, I'll have to do a round check in the factory." He's sorry to lie but he's not just in the mood to be sociable as of now.

"Oh.. I'm sorry to disturb.. I'll just call again then" He can see the disappointment in her face but decided to make a pass about it.

"Alright.." He then turned off the call. As much as he wants to entertain her company, nothing will come out of it. He knew all along that the younger Hawke has some sort of crush or liking to him, but it's unfortunate that he cannot answer her feelings and he doesn't want to take advantage of her kindness either. Moreover, until now, he is still imprisoned by the past. The past that he can never let go off no matter how much he convinces himself. That aside -

"Crap, talking about wet day dreaming! Shame on you Zala!" Athrun groaned, as he combed his blue tresses with his fingers and tried to calm his feeling. He is a very healthy red blooded male, but he's been totally depraved ever since his separation with Cagalli. He knew that he should have at least moved on a little by this time and even tried to associate himself with other women, but alas – all of his attempts went in vain. He just couldn't do it with other women, each time he tries, he will always see Cagalli's reflection on them.

"Cagalli.. Just what have you done to me? I miss you so much.. I love you so much.." he reached out the frame and caressed the embarrassed girl on the picture. Athrun decided to change the picture on the frame with a more conservative shot. This one was taken during the Christmas Eve in the Athha Palace, she was wearing a green knee length tube dress while he was wearing a tuxedo. Kira and Lacus were there too but there's only Cagalli and him in this photo with bright smiles in each others' embrace. He'll just have this intimate picture in his bedroom to save himself from any unforeseen trouble.

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In an old manor near the shore somewhere in Scotland, a blond man with blue eyes in his mid twenties is busy drinking his tea and across him is a woman who had similar blonde but longer locks almost reaching her waist, but has amber eyes.

"Say, Victoria.. Are you sure you're going to accept the offer of being an escort towards the world summit in Plants? Are you going to be alright going back there?" the man's brows furrow as he worriedly asked the woman and almost saying to just forget the crappy agreement.

"Don't worry my dearest cousin.. The summit will just long for a maximum of a week. Not that I would be staying there for long, and besides, as much as I hate of looking like a puppet of the Queen, I rather keep our relations with them in good standing. After all, as an aristocrat, not only will it keep our good relations with everyone I can also get a great deal for our business while being there" she smiled impishly.

Charles had to roll his eyes and laugh heartily. "Alright, I get it.. ahahaha..." his eyes sparkling in merriment "And here I was, being thoughtful and is worrying about your well being when all along you had already counted the possible profits you can reap out of that trip"

"Hmph.. It was your fault, you made me this way!" she retorted with a small smile. For the longest time, it has always been her and her first cousin Charles who had always been together. Since their family belongs to an old royal ancestry, their parents were always away to attend sorts of banquets, meetings in the Parliament, if not on business trips, always leaving them alone in the crazily big manor together with the maids.

In their young minds, their life value is only similar to that of the antique vase inside their manor, not even properly treated as persons by their own parents. When her cousin confessed to her that it might be because, they are born coordinators and that their existence can just be replaced with the vast resources that their family have. It was then that they decided to go to Plants, and a month after Charles entered ZAFT military at the age of 16, while she spent her life in computer training and also upon reaching 16, she entered ZAFT military as well and graduated as ZAFT red just like her cousin. As Charles told her, she had done well inside the military and even became a FAITH member when she turned 18, she was assigned to her cousin's ship the Burton which was stationed in the outer space but she tasted her very first and tragic defeat during the pursuit of Lord Djibril during his crazy firing which hit the January and December. Her mobile suit is among of those destroyed in the line of fire of Requiem causing her to stay in the hospital for two months in a critical condition. After the incident with Chairman Durandal which also almost took the life of her cousin, Charles decided to go back home when she woke up from her coma, but only after a series of brain treatment which until now, she can't comprehend why? Every time she would ask Charles why she has to undergo those things, he would just shrug off his shoulders and say:

"That's to make sure that you will no longer remember the horror of your near death experience. It's not a big deal if we remove some horrible memories and retain those that are helpful for your well being, is it not?" then he would turn his back on her as if telling not to mention the subject again.

"But why not get me a therapist rather than extracting some of my memories you idiot!" she really wanted to confront him but cannot as she somehow understand that he's just being protective about her, all she can do is just sigh.

As it was, once they're back.. Charles succeeded his father's title and seat in the Council of Nobles while she took a share in taking care of their conglomerate which was unfortunately left vacant as their parents were among those who died in the unfortunate event of Junius Seven's descent to earth creating explosion in various places of the world.

"Well, it's not like I'm missing a very valuable memory to keep.. It should not be a big deal.." She's been trying to tell herself that and every time she does, she would always have a very heavy feeling. Sometimes, there are confusing memories that will come to her mind, as if she's just a mere spectator watching an event which she herself is one of the actors.

"It's just weird though, how can I see myself in my memory.. as if I'm looking at someone else.." She sigh again,

"Huh-" She was pulled up from her reverie by a sound of someone clearing a throat and this time she can see Charles looking at her intently as if questioning what had she been thinking of.

"Ah,, No.. It's.. Uhm.. What were saying again?" out of having nothing to say she just helplessly asked him.

"Nothing.. Just what are you spacing out about?" he inquired.

"Nothing much, I'm just thinking of how much will I earn for a week next month" she fake a giggle.

Charles can see that she's lying but let her off this time, if anything, Victoria should be fine in that summit. There will be lots of politicians and businessmen who will attend the said event, and their home country is not that close to either Orb or Plants government so the possibility of Victoria meeting undesirable people is pretty small – not to mention, he had made sure to take all the "depressing memories" away from her just before they came to Earth.

"Very well then.. Just keep in touch once you'll be there. I'll also be going on a business trip for a month so we might be seeing each other by the time you come back. One thing though, don't indulge yourself in the company of a stranger.

"So I've heard" She kissed his cheeks as he stand up and went to the waiting chauffeur. "Take care!" she bid goodbye.

"You too.. don't stress yourself too much!" Charles reminded as the car rode off.

Just then, she received a phone call asking her to prepare for immediate departure. In preparation of their take – off towards the Plants, she is to survey the departure area in Orb Union and wait there till the official delegates arrive. She forced a heavy sigh.

"My.. my... Off to work Lady Victoria Stuart.." she mocked herself. "Geez, almost feels like I never quitted military life this way, I'm also an important aristocrat you know" she mumbled, but then.. This way is better than having to stake her life in front of giant beam cannons. Handling possible terrorist is way easier than beam cannons.

"Piece of cake.. Piece of cake.." she then called out her driver, she did not bother to change her clothes which consist of an oversized white long sleeve polo and black corduroy shorts with a black belt around her stomach to keep the polo in place.

"Howard, ready the car.. I'll be going to the airport in ten minutes, have a maid bring down my luggage here" She then looked down to her feet, she should be fine then, she's wearing her usual gladiator sandals.

"As you command my Lady.." After ten minutes they are already in a small airport rather – a hangar where a fighter jet.. no wait.. a mobile suit is waiting for her, then she grimaced at the realization..

"THEY'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING MEEE!"

At closer look, it is similar to the Neo-type Windams looking just like a fighter jet but as she entered the cockpit, she was surprised even more to see that the activation is horizontally showing the words GUNDAM. Involuntarily, she slapped her forehead.

"Just what do they mean by this? Is this the reason why they constantly bugged me to say yes? And I thought I made it clear to them that I don't want to be in a mobile suit anymore."

She called out the headquarters and was told that it is for her own safety as there had been report of unrest in the outside borders of Orb and that she just have to coordinate with the their government. That the military already knew of her arrival in a mobile suit and had provided a hangar in one of their facilities.

"Alright.." she then said. "Not bad for my first solo get away to the historical United Emirates of Orb!" Before taking off, she made a call to the embassy located in Orb and order them that she will need a car upon her arrival. She then gave a go signal to the person in charge and thus the roof was opened.

"Victoria Stuart. Nike. Launching!" She slowly ascended into the air before she full geared on her way to Orb.

xxx

Athrun heard a knock on the door. "Come in.." he acknowledge the person.

"Admiral Zala, we have received information from the United Kingdom that the envoy who will take part in the planning of the security measures before the mass departure of several heads of states towards Plants for the upcoming world summit is already on the way our country." The officer informed him.

"Very well.. I will be meeting the envoy tomorrow" He stood up and also readied to go home, before he meets up with the other envoys, he has to speak this matter to Kira as it might affect the integrity of their national security. It's almost 11:00 PM, if the envoy is coming from Europe, then it should take more than 8 hours to reach Orb and that will give him enough time till tomorrow.

xxx

Athrun parked his black Lamborghini in its designated slot. He can see the Representatives' car on its own slot as well telling him that Kira is already done with his meetings in the Parliamentary. Just as agreed earlier, he went straight to the study room and found the couple Lacus and Kira discussing about something.

"I'm sorry to intrude" He apologized as he went in.

"Oh no.. It's nothing Athrun. Kira and I were just discussing the possible place that we can go in Aprillius once we got there.. It's been a while since we had our vacation there." Lacus explained with a smile.

"Oh.. I see.. Then.. I guess anywhere would be fine so long as you two are together and safe."

"See..? I told you so.. anywhere would do just fine and besides there's somewhere I want to us to go, especially during the end of the summit. I want us to offer a flower in her memory and to those who fought together with us and lost their lives." Kira gently suggested to Lacus to which is simply nodded.

"Then, let's begin the discussion about the envoy that the United Kingdom sent who will be assisting us in the preparation of security measures." Athrun started. "Kira, have you seen the profile that they sent about the envoy?" he continued.

"Ah.. yes.. but it really doesn't say anything much about her so I had her investigated and told them to give the result to you." Kira browsed through the documents "Did they give it to you?"

"Ah yes.. apparently, their envoy is a 23 year old aristocrat in the name of Lady Victoria Stuart.. Wait.. let me finish reading the report. I received this before I went home so I did not have the time to read."

"Really?" Lacus was surprised. "Did you just say Victoria Stuart?

"Yes.. why?" both Athrun and Kira gave her an inquiring look.

"I just thought, the name sounds familiar. I have a distant cousin whom I met when I was fourteen, we continued to contact each other until she decided to enlist in ZAFT military to follow her first cousin. Can you show me her profile?" she inquired.

"Then I guess we are talking about the same person. Apparently, she resigned from being a ZAFT FAITH along with her cousin ZAFT White Commander Charles Stuart after she was released from two months of hospitalization and returned to their home in Scotland." Athrun was quite amused at the information he gathered.

"Heh.. so Lacus.. You still have distant relatives living in Earth." Kira teasingly said.

Lacus just smiled "Yes.. As I can remember though, she was very quiet and reserved, and the reason she came to Plants is to forget the fact that they are merely a tool of their parents to ensure the future of their noble lineage and conglomerate" Lacus said in a small voice then added – "I can still remember -"

"Life comes cheap, specially mine..." she said.

"Your what?-" Kira can't believe that Lacus is saying such things. Lacus immediately clarified.

"Not mine but theirs.. that's the belief Charles and Victoria have in common.. That because they are coordinators, they can just be replaced anytime and so they have a very little regard of their lives. They believe that serving the military is a very exciting game as they are to gamble their useless lives giving it a little purpose."

"How could that be.. A coordinator, having such line of thinking is totally unheard of" Athrun was shocked to learn that there are coordinators who do not view their physical superiority as a gift.

"Well then, I guess, it is settled" Kira said to adjourn the conversation as all of them had been very tired for the day's worth of work.

"We'll have her join in the planning and if possible, Lacus, can you accompany Athrun tomorrow in the airport? A familiar face might help her relax in a foreign soil. Moreover - " Kira decided not to continue his thoughts, if Athrun did not make a mention of it, then he guessed it's better not to delve on the issue of the unsettling picture attached to the woman's profile..

"Sure.. I love that.. We haven't seen each other for almost seven years now, I'll take my time convincing her to settle in this country if possible".

Athrun and Kira just smiled. They knew that Lacus might have been feeling a bit lonely by having no one to talk equally to. The Athha palace is just too big and lonely to comfort.

"I'll go ahead to my room then" Leaving the couple behind, Athrun hurried to the comforting silence of his room. He then strip off his clothes and went inside the shower to freshen up his senses. After a few minutes, he had emerged out of the shower and is drying himself when he remembered the photo he had taken home. He took it from where it was kept and went to an available frame and inserted the photo therein and put the frame on his bedside table. Unconsciously, his hand went to his neck towards his necklace. When he looked at the mirror, he can see the pendants adorning his necklace. One is the original Haumea stone and the other one is the engagement ring that he gave to Cagalli.

After coming back from space.. Kira decided to give back the ring to him which Cagalli had hidden in her jewellery vault. At first, he thought of perhaps looking for a new house for himself outside the palace but the couple asked him to join them there and besides he's already got a room on his own even before they came, though, just painfully beside Cagalli's room. And so to keep some unwanted reminder of painful past, the wall between him and Cagalli's room which was connected by a door was destroyed making the princess' room now a part of his room. Even so, at night.. he can't help feeling restless as memories come flooding in; be it in dreams or just like now that he's wide awake. The worst scenarios are those nights that he'll wake up wanting from a realistic dream which will keep him awake for the whole night.

He then subconsciously take a look at the profile of the envoy sent by the UK government, she looked similar "her", but he knew, no matter how similar they are, just like all the others, they can never be the real thing. He then nonchalantly threw back the said document and dived to the bed. The very same bed that had been a witness not only of their shared moments together, but as well of his sufferings for the past years.

"Cagalli... How am I supposed to let you go...?" With that in mind, he obligingly let tiredness and sleep claim him.

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Read and please post your thoughts, I would appreciate knowing what you guys think about it.. ^_^