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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A/N: After reviewing my story.. I realized that I rushed it too much, hoping I can end it as soon as possible.. losing my original intention, so I decided to rewrite where I messed up.

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You... in my dream..

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"Nooooooo!" She suddenly got up of her seat..

"Milady, are you alright?" She heard the worried voice of the chauffer, then looked around and realized that they are in an unfamiliar place. Her breathing was ragged as she remember –

"That dream again..."

xxx

Taking time to compose the turmoil on her emotions, she took a deep breath and reach for the bottle of water. While drinking, she recounted that the recurring dream isn't merely a dream but it was a summary of her past. It will always end up with her getting hit by the bright light of the Requiem and seeing herself in a vast darkness.

"Did the doctors made a mistake in erasing that memory? Aren't I suppose to forget the horror of those memories?" her thoughts were disturbed by the voice of the chauffer.

"We are already in the Parliament House of Orb Milady.." he looked around her with concern in his eyes. She just gave him a reassuring smile.

"Thank you.. I'm alright, don't worry.. Well then, I'll leave my things here." She slowly gets out of the car and saw Kaguya waiting by the main door. There's also Lacus and Athrun Zala.

"This way Miss Stuart.." Athrun motioned as he lead the way going upstairs. The people that the group passed by cannot believe at the sight they are seeing.

"Isn't that Cagalli – sama?"

"Yeah.."

"Hey, look! She looks like Cagalli – sama!"

"What is the meaning of this?"

"Didn't Cagalli – sama die five years ago?"

"Is she a clone?"

Those are different murmurs that Victoria can hear. Athrun and Lacus both give her an apologetic look and she just nodded in appreciation. They then suddenly stopped, and as she looks ahead, they're already at the front door leading to the main conference room. She turned to Anne who just smiled at her and whispered.

"Good luck! Don't worry, this should be easy." Just then, Athrun opened the door for them. Just when Athrun opened the door, something flashed in her mind, of someone wearing a violet coat opening the door for her. She was startled for a moment, but decided that now is not the time to feel uncertain. She'll get through this smoothly.

xxx

Just when they about to move to another topic, the assistant formally informed the group that they envoy had arrived in the Parliament House and is on the way to the room.

"Well then, let's prepare for proper receipt of her representation." Kira then got up from his chair and move forward near the door while the emirs piled themselves behind Kira.

There were 3 knocks before the doors were opened and the visitors came to view. The first one to enter were Lacus and Athrun then followed by Ambassador Saint Claire and behind her is a blond woman –

"Cagalli – sama?.."

"Cagalli!" Kira and the other emirs shouted the name in unison.

"What does this mean.." again.. are the murmurs coming from the emirs which made Victoria uncomfortable. She just gave a small smile as courtesy, walk straight to Kira and with practiced etiquette she said –

"I'm sorry to inform, but I am afraid that I am not the person who you seek." Kira was stunned by her demeanour.

"Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Victoria Stuart, representing the National Defence Ministry of the United Kingdom. I am here to give to you, Chief Representative Athha of the United Emirates of Orb, my letter of appointment as surveillance coordinator for a period of one month or until the end of the upcoming world summit. It is my country's wish that you receive my humble appointment.." she then handed to him an envelope that Kira took time accepting.

He read first her letter of appointment and advises an assistant to get the seal of his office before signing it and attaching the seal. Everyone in the room is utterly silent and Kira can't believe that he is able to do things despite the strong beating of his heart. And while he's returning a copy for the acceptance of her appointment, he extended his right hand for a formal handshake, then look at her straight to the eyes, he needs to do it for himself.

"I.. I hereby formally accept your appointment to our country Lady Stuart, we're looking forward to work with you and please enjoy your stay in our country." Gazing at her eyes, Kira is totally lost. There's no doubt about it, this woman is Cagalli. He is sure of his confidence that he.. of all people will never mistake his twin with another person no matter similar looking they are.

xxx

Victoria received the letter of acceptance with her other hand while her right hand is holding the Chief Representative's right hand in a handshake. When he looked at her, she also obliged to look at him in the eyes equally. Only to be disturbed by a feeling of familiarity in his blue gray eyes, followed by an odd feeling of being in that same room before. Come to think of it.. It wasn't the first time she felt this way since she landed, she also felt awkward towards Athrun Zala though she's been trying to ignore it. As she tried to wonder why and analyze for possible reasons, a headache started to creep in making her hold his hands tighter.

"Th – thank.. you.." her stance wobbled, but Kira automatically caught her by the shoulder.

"Are.. are you alright..?" He worriedly asked.

"Y – yes.. Thank y – you for worrying Chief Representative Athha. It must have – been the – the fatigue Sir, since I've piloted my means of transportation from my country to here, not to mention I lost some amount of blood with my wound." That was a blatant lie! She can fly for hours or days but will never act this stupidly. However, she can never admit that just thinking of where they could have met before is giving her a severe headache, that she felt all her energy drained. It was a good thing Anne came to help immediately.

"Victoria.. what's the matter? Are you hurt somewhere?" she asked.. "Do you want us to go now?" she added the following words in a whisper.

"Ah.. Yes please Anne." She whispered back.

"We thank you Ladies and Gentlemen and to you Chief Representative Athha of accommodating us kindly today. Since the formal acceptance is already finished, if it's okay with you all... We will now be taking our leave." Anne asked politely.

"You're welcome Ambassador Saint Claire.. Though it's unfortunate that you won't be able to accept our invitation for lunch, I have no choice but agree for your leave so that Miss Stuart can rest.." Kira responded.

"Well then, allow me to escort you ladies back to your cars, I will also discuss your assignment for tomorrow Miss Stuart." Athrun volunteered and Victoria just nodded to avoid looking at him in the eyes. She really isn't feeling the least comfortable of her situation..

"Why do they feel familiar to me now..?" While gently massaging her temple to clear out her mind, she simply followed the instructions subconsciously. "I must be very tired.. Yes.. Just very tired... I need to get a good sleep." She was forced to focus on the present when they stopped and see that Athrun is looking at her intently.

"Huh – I.. I'm sorry.. Did you say something..?" there's no point trying to make them believe she listened when she did not.

"It's alright.. I understand.. What I'm trying to say is.. We'll meet you at the airport at 8:30 in the morning then fly to Onogoro Island and have your mobile suit fixed before we bring you to Kaguya, if it's alright with you." Athrun is kind enough to repeat his words for her.

"Oh.. sure.. But it is really alright that you repair my mobile suit? Won't I be imposing too much on you?" she started to blush as he's still looking intently at her.. "What on earth is wrong with me? Goodness.. I just met the man."

She then remember her cousin's reminder.. "Don't indulge yourself in the company of a stranger.." it snapped her back to reality and remembered that perhaps who the man is seeing is not her but someone else..

"Don't worry.. it's nothing.. Just consider it a as welcome and apology gift from us.." Upon arriving at the main door and before Victoria stepped inside the car, Athrun called out.

"Miss Stuart.. Are you sure, you aren't feeling any familiarity being in this place? Can't you remember us meeting before?" Victoria froze and unable to answer immediately. After a while, she turned back her head to him and said –

"Unfortunately.. not a glimpse.. It's my first time to be here Admiral Zala, and first time meeting all of you.." she answered then hurriedly got in the car. Her head is hurting so much, it feels like splitting into two. Anne who followed to check on her, immediately got inside the car.

xxx

"Victoria.. are you alright? How are you feeling?" she checked on her bag.

"Anne.. Thank you.. To be honest.. My head is hurting so much.." She's now holding her head with both hands she the creeping pain attacked.

"Don't you have any medicine? Did Charles give you any medicine for your headache?" she continued to find anything on her bag.

"I – I have.. It's in the luggage though.. I did not think that I'll be needing it since it's been years from the last attack." She closed her eyes and breathes in then released it slowly trying to relax. Anne opened the luggage on the floor and finds the medicines.

Upon finding what she's been looking for, she closed her eyes as guilt tried to attack her being. With determined look, she gave Victoria the medicine and a bottle of water.

"Here, drink this.. You should feel better." She took the pill and after drinking, she started to feel a little better.

"Thank you Anne.. I'm glad you're here." She took her hand and holds it tightly.

"Care to tell me just what happened back there?" Anne inquired.

"I don't know.. I already have a slight headache at the airport when I met Lacus and Admiral Zala. Then when I went inside, I saw some sort of flashes of something that I might have watched somewhere before, otherwise, it's impossible to feel familiarity when it's my first time coming here and meeting the Chief Representative, Admiral Zala and everyone else." She explained in a small voice.

"Oh.. I see.. Yes, for sure.. It's something that you might have watched from some news before. After all, Orb had been sensational for the last wars. I'm sure, the flashes came from them." She convinced Victoria so she won't think much anymore. She then watched her dozed off to sleep.

"I agreed to what you wished to do.. Because you said that this is the best thing. But can we really continue to hide this sin that you and I had committed? Isn't this cruelty? Did we really save both of them or is this just a part of your self – serving happiness..?" Anne looked outside with pain in her eyes. How come she's being hunted by the past until now?

xxx

A tap on her shoulder awaken Victoria, she saw Anne who just smiled and informed her.

"I'm sorry to impose. But I took the liberty of cancelling your reservation at the hotel and brought you to our embassy. We have plenty of comfortable rooms available and you can just order the cook anytime for your meals." Which Victoria gratefully accepted.

"Oh.. Thank you so much.. That saved me lots of troubles, I really hate sleeping in hotels." She then looked around and pleased to see a western style manor and can hear the sounds of waves.

"Wow! So your embassy is by the bay?" she excitingly asked and Anne just nodded.. just then she felt very tired as the thought of resting occupied her brain.

"Thank you so much for bringing me here.. Ah.. Before I do a thorough tour though, can I now go to my room first? It seems that the pill is making me sleepy again." She yawns even if she just woke up from the trip.

"Sure.. Come.. Let me guide you to your room.." They walked together followed by the chauffer who's carrying her luggage.

"Here.. Please come in and feel comfortable. You can see the bay by the window." She followed Anne's lead and opened the window. She preferred it this way.

"Thank you so much Anne. Please don't expect me during dinner. I intend to sleep the whole night." She sits on the bed and finds her phone.

"It's alright.. Then, I'll leave you now. Don't hesitate to ask anything, just press the intercom to get you to the servant's quarters." She then heard the clicking of the door as Anne went out.

She dialled Charles' number but it prompted busy. So she just left a voicemail. "Charles, Victoria here.. I've arrived safely in Orb and currently staying at the embassy, they're kind enough to take me in. Call me when you have time.. I feel weird again today.. I miss you.."

She took her time to arrange her things to the provided closet, after that, she changed her clothes then finally settled on the bed. She looked intently at the ceiling. Strangely enough, the sleepiness she just felt disappeared as her mind recounted the strange behaviour of the people around her earlier.

"Cagalli Yula Athha.. Cagalli Yula Athha..." she called the name over and over trying to make some sense about that name. She sighed, all that would come to her mind is the familiarity of the name Cagalli Yula Athha during the two previous wars.

She then recounted the face of the Chief Representative, whenever she think about him.. Athrun Zala's sad face would also come in.. "Athrun Zala.. huh.." she focused her mind on Chief Representative Athha first. She felt that she really had met him before together with the feeling of great fondness towards the man, and yet.. she cannot fathom the reason why. She just felt being complete the moment he shook her hand, she can't help but smile upon the thought. "He looked awfully cute, and it's as if we were just one and the same.."

Then her mind shifted to the more strange person, Athrun Zala.. "Base on how he looked at me.. Does that mean that he have some sort of relationship with the princess? This is going to be difficult.." she can't understand either why does her heart starts to beat faster now that she gave a better thought of him. She tried to remember if she was able to give a closer or direct look on his eyes, then to her dismay.. she did not have the chance.. So she consoled herself by saying that there's still enough time for that.

Finally.. Her tiredness and fatigue slowly claim her consciousness.

xxx

Athrun is currently in his office in the National Defence Headquarters. His experience today had been stressful, yet he cannot brush off the woman's face on his mind.

"Why? Are you going to look for the woman you want in her? Be real Athrun, Cagalli will never come back.." his conscience is mocking him.

"That's right.. No matter how good an imitation is, it can never be the real thing." He should have learned his lesson with Meer. Just that Meer intended to imitate Lacus, while that woman, coincidentally looked exactly like her.

Then a call came though, it was from the surveillance department.

"Admiral Zala, footage was taken Sir, showing some mobile suits flying just beside our territorial seas. It's showing 5 Neo – Windams and four submarines passing around." He sighed.

"Lt. Douji, please confirm their location and don't let them cross the border. Also check if they could be related to the ones who attacked the envoy early this morning.." he needs to focus on this. There's no use if he is to wallow on something irrelevant.

"Yes Sir.. " then the man's face disappeared from the screen. After the call, Athrun read through the reports that have been sent over this morning. He was surprised to read that there were four neo – type of mobile suits that have been secretly manufactured in the northern most part of the Russian territory.

"It seems that the United Eastern Block of Nations had been working overtime to create a reason to pressure us. But, we can't give in to what they want. Not the N-Jammer canceller technology.. We can't let that technology be shared with just anybody." He then continued reading the reports.

He had now come to fully understand the hardships that Cagalli had faced before, thinking about it, he had really been a fool for not realizing just how difficult had it been especially, with the rest of the emirs do not share the same sentiment as hers. How she wanted to continue peace, yet the people around would think of gaining power to ensure their own safety. Instead of working together to achieve the peace they desired, they work more on what are the things to be done to achieve more power and ensure one's self – preservation. Ironically, they became the same with them.. The more they uphold their own neutrality and independence, the more pressure coming from outside demanding for their alliance on the notion that as citizens of the Earth, they must not turn their back on their neighbours. The pressure is too much that they actually need to strengthen their inner and hidden defences.

"But, will that ever bring us to long lasting peace?" He then remembered Lady Stuart.

"She said, she isn't part of the military.. yet, she came in a mobile suit.. If she is merely sent as an agent, then, there should be no need for her to be here in a mobile suit, isn't she? Is it because of the fact that she was once an elite soldier, that made her country think that she'll be of better use with it? With this.. the ballad of war might start once again.." he's thoughts then goes to a sad memory.

"Cagalli.. has your death been forsaken?" he wants to think otherwise.

xxx

Kira received a call from one of the engineers working on the construction of Neo – Heliopolis 03, 04, 05, 06, and 07. Since Orb is a significantly small country in terms size, they need to expand their territory by creating suitable colonies in the outer space.

"Yes.. Takamichi – san?" he started.

"Kira – sama.. it is my honor to speak with you.. As you have asked, Neo – Heliopolis 03 – 05 are already ready for inauguration, and as to 06 and 07. We will just need to install the program that you gave us and do the necessary final touches before we can declare them complete in the next one month or more.." Takamichi sent Kira images featuring the colonies.

"As instructed, a small city was created at the centre as the base which has tunnels towards the seven connecting cities. For safety, each city is capable of disengaging from the rest if necessary. We had also started implementing the specialization of each city and had started the transport of useful animals and variety of crops to be raised in space for agriculture."

Kira looked at the entire design and smiled in satisfaction as it achieved the desired result. The entire colonies formed the national symbol of Orb, that of the sun. They had spent half of the entire national budget for the last four years on this enormous project, sent thousands of engineers and scientists who had applied citizenship in their country, and were glad that it's almost finished. If it's only him, he would not have thought of having this back up idea. But with the history, they'd been taught again and again to be ready in times of necessity. Though he had hoped that it will never come true, with things as they are now.. They might only have one month more to hold up an upcoming battle..

"I just hope that the upcoming summit will shed light to everyone of us.. and understand why we have to remain an independent country." He never wanted to have the horror of the previous war be repeated again.

"Thank you for the effort Takamichi – san.. One more thing though, about the shield, instead of depending its energy on asteroid rocks, can we have the solar power instead?" he thinks that it's more convenient to use the more dependable solar energy.

"Yes.. Kira – sama.. We have restructured the shield to use solar power for supply. Also, we have propelled the entire colony to move further in Langrage – 4 so to keep any chances of it being pulled by the earth's gravity."

"That's all then, thank you so much for your effort.. and if we can speed – up the completion a bit more, then it will be highly appreciated." He smiled as he's about to terminate the conversation.

"It's nothing.. Considering that this move will save my countrymen. Even if we have to die in trying, then we will do it.. I just hope that the other countries will not make a drastic move even before they learned of the truth." Takamichi bowed on the other end of the conversation signifying his exit.

Kira rested his already tired back on the backrest of his chair. During the war, he did not even have the time to grieve over Cagalli's death when they had been pressed by the surrounding countries to surrender the technology surrounding the Strike Freedom and the Infinite Justice. Since they cannot have the face to get the technology directly from Plants who originally created it. Their reason is simple, to protect their people too. But he knew better than to give in to their request, Azrael, the Leader of Blue Cosmos could have wiped off the entire Plants out of space if not because of their timely intervention.

"I know that we are holding too much power compared to the rest, but this is something that had been entrusted to us.. While we have power, we are also responsible of making sure that it won't be passed around and be used again as a medium for chaos."

xxx

She's on the shore along with a faceless woman watching two men as they talk. She wanted to know who they are, but all of them are faceless. She looked at the woman an asked her.

"Who are you..?" she did answer, but, she just smiled. Then she was gone from her line of view together with the two men.

The next thing she knew, a man extended his hand on her, she accepted it and then he embraced her. As she moved to look on his face, she was terrified when he is faceless. And just when she's about to reach for him again, her foot was caught on by something so she looked at the source of her burden, it was a black hole, slowly.. until her entire body had been swallowed by the black hole.

She then saw herself brought to a familiar scene.. She saw a very bright light coming through her, she tried to struggle so that the great light won't consume her but when she look at her back, she felt that those people will die from the great light too. So she stopped her struggle and accepted it, so that only she will suffer. As the great light passed through body, an excruciating pain sets in.. and just when she was about to pass out.. she heard a very far off cry. She heard someone calling for her, but she can't quite understand the call. Then again, the man appeared and stretched both of his hands to hear but, she can't even come closer to him. Then finally, his image shattered like a mirror leaving her all one in the darkness,

"Hah – hah.. A dream, again.." she immediately got up to the fridge and drink water.

"Quiet an unusual dream.." She then thought the faceless girl was Lacus as the form looks like her." She then moved closer to the window.

"But who is that man? Why does he extend his hands to me? It could it be Charles?" After having her fill on the salty air, she decided to take a bath. She has to be early at the airport today.

It's pretty warm so she decided to wear a thin white short sleeved chemise topped by a black waistcoat where she hide both of her pistols and extra bullets, and black shorts. On her feet were combat shoes where she inserted the two knives. Since she'll start her surveillance job today, she might as well look casual. She had her hair in ponytail and wore lightly tinted glasses to shoo off unwanted gazes from other people. After feeling satisfied on her appearance, she went out of her room and asked whatever breakfast available to the cook.

She then drove the car off to the airport, and was instructed to wait at the certain part of the building for Admiral Zala's arrival. While waiting though, she went to her mobile suit and started checking on the damage she may have sustained yesterday. On longer look, the mobile suit is quiet pleasant to her eyes, it's a combination of light green and royal blue with white markings on the chest, hands and feet.

"It must have been designed after Gaia but added modifications on it to make a flight type.. Who would have thought that I'll be riding this thing five years after the war? Oh well, though Charles reprimanded me so much, I don't think he would oppose fighting if necessary. That's was how we lived after all." She'd been connecting some wires on the foot of the Nike so attentively, that she did not notice the presence of a man walking to her direction. It's only when he called her attention that she noticed him.

"Excuse me for disturbing you Lady Stuart.. But, wouldn't it be better to start the repair once we're already at the facility?" she looked down and saw Admiral Zala looking at her.

"It's alright Admiral, I'll just be connecting some detached wires so that it'll be a lot easier later on.." She shouted and after finishing her task, she jumped out of the mobile suit and Athrun smiled at her agility.

"Even though I know that you were a ZAFT Red graduate and a FAITH appointee, it still surprises me to see a woman of your calibre. Have you eaten breakfast already?" he asked her as soon as he landed not so far from him.

"Yap.. I'm done having breakfast.. Actually, I have to restart athletics and gymnastics after the war. It was due to some heavy injuries that I sustained that I need to do exercise to restore balance on my body.." she explained.

"I see.." he then looked at her attire, and commented.

"Are you sure you wanted to go to the facility in that get up? It's going to be all men engineers and mechanics in there you know.." looks like he isn't comfortable on her usual attire but she just shrugged it off.

"Don't worry Admiral. I'm comfortable with this and they'll just get used to it, so I don't really mind." She doesn't want to argue on why she dressed "that" way.

"So, shall we go now? Do I have to drive Nike going to your facility?" she inquired.

"Nike? You mean your mobile suit?" he asked back.

"Yes, at first I don't like the idea driving a mobile suit after Charles banned me, but I am glad I did, otherwise.. I could've died."

xxx

She heard a disturbing sound coming from the video phone, she took her robe before answering the call. "Must be a call from the National government."

"This is Ambassador Saint Claire.." she said when she opened her side of the call.

"Hey Ambassador.. It's been a long time since we last saw each other. How have you been..?" She was taken aback upon seeing the man on the screen.

"You.. you – are.." she can't even utter a word in front of him, she then saw a small smile on his face.

"My.. That's not the proper greeting I was expecting from you, you know.. I missed you so much after all.." he said to her.

xxx

Read and let me know what you think..^_^