Tangled Fates

by Reflected Shadows

Masquerading as a ZAFT Coordinator pilot; Cagalli finds that she's not the only one with a big secret out there. which is harder to guard? Your identity or heart? Especially when assigned to an assassination team with Athrun Zala and the target is you. AU

9. Chapter 9

Yo!

So i'll jump right into replies and then right on into the story =)

Jujuinateacup- Hi you! hahah, thanks super-so much! And yes Kira and the princess are twins. Though... there's more to their story then just that so thats why i don't have it as public knowledge between them quite yet. And there will be some Kimi-hime in this story, not from her POV but she is a nasty piece of work (ick).

Mwah Z - ahaha, yup and thanks, i'll try but i doubt i'll manege not stressing. lol, cool news is that i get to help test the younger belts next this coming thursday =) Heheheheh, this is my first time helping out a test. =) it's going to be funnn =D

FushionAC- thanks for the questions. And yes, the metal came from the Orb scout ship. The Harmony is an independent ship ( the captain is a mercanary) that belongs to neither ZAFT, EA or ORB. The Archangel is an ORB ship rather then an EA. =) And I always figure that Cagalli's personality would some how awaken a softer more joking side of Athrun and it means alot to me to describe Athrun though he is normally portrayed( at least thats how i felt in Gundam Seed) as a quieter person. But i want someone he can be more open around with out himself realizing it. Tada. =) And there will be battle coming up, not so much in this chapter though. =)

Memeylupht- Oh yeah, wish granted *bows* ahahahah. And Kimi-hime would be around the same age as Cagalli when she killed Val hibiki. And i think Cagalli has a worst case of denial then Athrun -.- but concerning all of these characters, all of them have their own stories to tell. And maybe one day i'll do a oneshot from Kimi-hime's POV after i'm done this fanfiction and everything's explained...then again...maybe not =P =)

Falconrukichi- uhuh, living up to the ol' Gundam tradition of keeping the characters alive to the end. (ya notice main characters never die?) Yeah, i don't want Athrun to be an idiot, he is a Lieutenant so he'll be figuring things out bit by bit...

Cagallifangirl- no, I don't plan for their relationship to go downhill just quite yet. And no i can't tell you who Kimi-hime was talking to then =P But it was rather important. =) and thankyouuu! though i'm not to sure on that last part. I'm one chonan (belt before black) with three other guys, and i'm probably the wimpiest of them all...hahahah. but thankyou, your words really cheered me up =)

Thanks everyone for reading and reviewing, it means tons to me =)

I'm very excited to present this chapter to you (uhuh, I am!) why? You may ask? Because this is… a beginning. =D

So, Asucaga fans, here is a present of realization- Athrun styled. ;) Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Chapter 9

"It's all your fault!"

Athrun stared helplessly at the smoky impression of his father. Chairman Zala stalked through the fog towards him, a pistol raised and pointed at Athrun's chest and a hard, menacing look gleamed in his eyes.

"Father…" Athrun whispered, his eyes wide as he staggered back slightly in surprise.

"All your fault! Because you failed she died!"

Somehow that seemed to make sense to Athrun's confused mind and he shook his head in denial. "No, please."

"They will all die!" spat his father. "Don't fail me, Athrun!"

A cacophony of blood-curdling screams tore through Athrun's mind around him and he flinched, tensing. He struggled to make out the different tones. Yzak… Nicol… Meer…Dearka… Countless others that all melded into one all-too familiar voice.

"Mother." Athrun froze and his lips moved numbly to shape the name he alone called Lenore Zala. "MOTHER!" He choked slightly as the harsh-blood tainted air seeped into his lungs, suffocating him. He took a step before falling to the ground. When he tried to get up, he found himself stuck in what seemed to be puddle of red glue. His eyes widened in horror- blood!

And then the cry of his mother, broken-with-tears sounding softened and lowered into the piercing shriek of another familiar female.

Akira?

Athrun's heart, frozen from his mother's gut-wrenching scream, burst into a jagged fritz, thumping hard inside his chest at this rather…heart-breaking sound.

"Akira!" Athrun bolted up-right, already ripping the blankets off and jumping to his feet.

"EYAAAAH!"

He floundered in the darkness, trying to peer around, his eyes bleary- it had been a dream… But Akira… It was hard to mistake the caterwauling…

His eyes made out a vague impression of a person plastered against the wall outside's the bathroom. It was Akira, coming late to bed as always and for some reason screaming her head off.

"Akira! What's wrong?"

She panted, diving for her bed. "There's…a…spider…" she gasped.

Athrun frowned. "A spider? On a ZAFT ship? Don't you think that's a little ridiculous? We don't breed spiders in PLANT- idiot. I'm sure it was a nightmare. Go back to sleep." He didn't mean to sound so cross but he was upset from the dream and the idea of what Akira's scream could do to him. Especially considering what he had found out about her. About her injury and that it had nothing to do with a car crash…

"I'm not lying! I hate spiders!" Akira whimpered, sounded tortured.

"Go back to sleep. I assure you, it wasn't out to traumatize you on purpose." He sighed, flopping down and mumbling. "Wimp…"

Something soft smacked him in the back of the head.

"Oh look at that! I can see and hear in the dark!" Akira snapped sarcastically. "Now help me kill it before I kill you!"

Athrun sat back up, annoyed. He threw back her 'assault weapon' (aka, short-distance pillow) and grumped. "It's time to sleep- worry about it in the morning."

"Fine… I'll find it by myself." Akira snarled.

Athrun sat very still, listening to her grumble as she stumbled through the room.

"Damn! Who put this shoe here?" she growled and Athrun sighed, rolling his eyes.

"That would be you…" he swung his legs over and reached for his tiny bed-side lamp. Flicking it on it lit the room slightly, casting shadows.

Akira yelped from where she was crawling around her bed. Her eyes flashed weirdly for a moment before her hands slapped over them, rubbing them. "Please turn that off!"

Athrun smirked at her discomfort. "No. Let's find this spider of yours." He tried not to pay attention to the lace-fringed dark blue camisole she wore. How slim and yet sturdy-looking her shoulders were. How the way she held her head could almost be deemed regal. How her collar bones drew the eyes down with their sculpted perfection…

A red flush warmed Athrun's cheeks and he immediately snapped his eyes up, glad that Akira couldn't see him staring quite obviously.

"Turn it off!"

"No!"

"Now!"

Athrun couldn't tell if her voice was twisted in annoyance or panic.

"I can't see with out it." He complained.

"Good you don't have to see." She hissed, moving one hand to cover both eyes, her other reaching out to feel around her.

"Grumpy, aren't we?"

"Please turn it off? It's hurting my eyes." She made a show of rubbing her eyes and Athrun snorted.

"I'm going back to bed!" she announced at last in frustration, clambering back under her covers and pulling them over her head, her back to Athrun. She curled into a quivering ball, frustration and nervousness radiating from her.

"Strange idiot." Athrun muttered and ducked the other pillow that sailed it's way toward him. He chuckled humorously before flicking the light off and rolling on to his back with a sigh. Despite having slept in a room with Akira before, this was the first time for them both to be awake and trying to fall asleep. Athrun was pretty aware of that. Aware of Akira's breaths, still coming unevenly as she lay in the bed across from him.

He could tell with out looking that her body was tense and curled up as if she was hiding from danger like an armadillo. Shutting everyone out- including him. Like she did earlier that day when he had told her about the Chaos. Like she did when she had gotten her injury. And countless other times.

Akira was a dark cave, lit only at the entrance- the start, and pitch black only after a few steps in, filled with small ledges, deep drops, stalactites and stalagmites waiting to pierce their unwary victims through.

But Athrun was determined to figure her out. She was a good Coordnator and he knew it! He just did. But he needed her to tell him everything so that he could rest easy.

"Akira…who are you." He mouthed silently, aware of his thoughts, always in a turmoil when they surrounded Akira.

Aware of his heart, still pounding unevenly.

OOOOOOOOOO

Cagalli POV

"Akira, get up! You're going to miss breakfast!"

"mmmm…Five more minuites, Kira…" I murmured, snuggling into my pillow. I felt my bed lean to the side slightly as a weight rested on it slightly and a hand shake my shoulder.

"Akira, move it!"

That's when it hit me. I froze beneath my covers and that warm big hand that lay on my shoulder, feeling my blood run cold. Kira didn't call me 'Akira'.

Kira was dead.

"Then that means…" I mumbled aloud.

"Yeah, no food till lunch." Athrun sighed and I wanted to suck my brain up into a vacuum,

He chuckled, his hand pulling back, leaving a burning spot on my skin. "You know, this is the first time I managed to get up before you."

That's right…cause I forgot to set my freaking alarm clock! STUPID SPIDER! BAKA BAKA BAKA! I screamed silently into my pillow wanting to grind my face into the wall repeatedly.

Ducking my head down and to the other direction I chanced peeking at the clock. Yup, an hour had passed since Athrun's clock had probably gone off meaning I had over slept two hours.

And once again, I was caught with out my contacts on.

Either I have a clearly unjustified bad case of karma or my luck has just dropped a bomb on my life. Either one is probable by far.

"Um… you should… get out." I told Athrun, my face in my pillow.

"How about you take your face out of your pillow and then tell me."

I turned my head, throwing my arm over my face and repeated my words.

Athrun snorted. "Right, and have you fall asleep again? Look, your eyes haven't even opened yet! Get out of bed!"

I kicked at where he was sitting on the edge of my bed from underneath my covers.

"Out you pervert!" I squealed, going for a 'woman's indignation' approach.

There was sigh… then. "Akira…I found the spider. It's crawling up your pillow…"

I doubt Athrun, a Coordinator, could have moved as fast as I did in that split second.

One moment I was on my bed underneath covers and then before you could say 'Wimp' I had rolled off my bed (eyes shut folks- not as easy as it looks) hit the ground and then scuttled around to the other side of Athrun's bed.

A silence ensued.

I expected Athrun to laugh at my pathetic antics but was…weirdly disappointed slightly when that impatient and irate quiet continued.

"You were lying weren't you…." I mumbled, feeling slightly betrayed.

And then I heard it. His laughter. A quiet laugh but a laugh none the less.

"It worked- now you're up… even if you're hiding behind my bed… You're really that scared of spiders?"

"Hey, you would be too if your best friend informed you one morning that there was something hairy and black hanging out of your mouth…" screw Kira and his nasty sense of humor.

What I would give to hear him crack a stupid joke like that again.

"Are you coming or not?" Athrun added.

"None of your bees wax, mister, now scram!" I glanced around me, looking for something to throw and noticed the pillow I had thrown the night before. "bombs away!" I sang and chucked it blindly over the bed in the direction of Athrun's voice.

There was a snort and a 'flump' sound. "Alright, I'll see ya. Oh, have you done maintenance checks on your GUNDAM? Just because you're a pilot doesn't mean you don't help take care of it."

I scowled. "Will do,"

There was a hiss as the door slid open, footsteps, and then a second hiss as the door slid close.

I took a deep breath and sighed. "Alrighty, time to get ready!" I clapped my hands together and streaked to the bathroom.

Fifteen minutes later I arrived at the cafeteria, playing with the collar of my uniform jacket. I had my laptop under one arm and I swiped a donut from the cafeteria before curling up in a corner, chewing on my snack as I turned on my laptop.

It hummed to life, the screen lighting up. I went to a foreign news page, flicking through the EA and ORB public decisions, taking special interest in the ORB.

Nothing new had come up. EA still pledging to fight ZAFT and vice versa. ORB vowing their independence and pacifism from the war.

I finished my donut with a last swallow and closed my laptop with a sigh.

"A political interest?"

"Hnah?" I stiffened upwards in surprise, looking up from where I sat on the bench to peer into an older boy's eyes.

He was grinning at me, leaning back in his chair at the table, his blond hair scattered in strands over his blue eyes.

"Um, yeah," I smiled weakly, caught off guard. "I always try and stay updated with the current events in the world."

His eyebrows raised. "Neat, no wonder you're an ace pilot."

I didn't make the connection.

He laughed. "You're smart."

I snorted. "And what? You're not?" I stood up, dusting my pants off. "Thanks for the compliment. I guess."

He chuckled, amusement sparkling in his eyes. "You're welcome, I guess." His voice a low drawl.

I gave him a funny look before shrugging, waving my hand in a 'ta' motion before striding out of the cafeteria. "What a weirdo." I commented to myself, walking out. I was surprised not to have seen Athrun in cafeteria and that made me sorta grumpish. He kicked me out of bed… then didn't even eat with me. Oh yes, that was the very height of rude.

"Oh why do you care, shut up." I snapped quietly to myself, wishing I had something to kick. With a sigh I headed to the Mobile Suit hanger, dragging a hand through my hair as I let out a yawn.

"You look like crap." Was the first thing that Athrun said to me from his cockpit as I walked past.

"Well don't sugar-coat it," I snarled, touching my hair.

"No, it's not that- your uniform is buttoned all wrong. Fix it." He ordered with out looking up from what he was doing.

I paused, back tracked and then walked up to his GUNDAM, leaning over his screen to peer upside down at what he was doing.

"I would ask if you minded…"

"But I don't." I flashed him a razor sharp grin before continuing to read his work. "Huh, you're lowering your shield over your legs more so you can multiply the energy going into the beam saber." I commented slowly, cocking my head to the side.

"I don't plan to get hit. Just a real quick attack and destroy."

"Offensive… Well in that case, since you're already having extra power putting into the saber why not change your flight gear from power thrusters to agility? That way you can go for speed and attack."

Athrun considered it for a moment before imputing the thought into the system and loading up the statistics. "I'll think about it," he hedged slowly but I could see the interest in the idea forming in his green eyes. "Nice, Yamato." He flashed me a distracted smile and I warmed slightly at his compliment.

I might not be as reflexively smart as a Coordinator, but this one just complimented me as if I was. Well… he thought I was.

Carefully I straightened up to leave him when I remembered what I was going to ask. "Do you know our standing with the Harmony currently?"

Athrun paused to reply. "We-eell, from what I last heard from the Captain we're still pursuing but we're gaining on them every day. They've just entered an astral field though and from what I know we're planning possible routes that might cut them off."

"Oh, alright. Thanks," I headed to my GUNDAM, sliding into the small cock pit.

I sat there for a few minutes', feeling tired. Glancing down at my jacket I realized what Athrun had meant. My buttons were all in the wrong holes and I frowned, my deft fingers fixing them.

Feeling bored, I performed maintenance, finding only a few glitches that I fixed up in no time. By the time I was done, it was lunch time and my stomach was howling with a fury that could put Yzak Joule's mouth to shame. Satisfied with my work, I headed back to the cafeteria, feeling pretty proactive with myself.

I spotted Athrun, sitting at his laptop at a table and against my better judgment, I got a tray of food and then headed over to sit next to him.

"Hey," he said absentmindedly, his focused green eyes never leaving the screen.

"Whoa boy, easy with the fanfare." I rolled my eyes and Athrun's head snapped up.

"Akira!" a delighted grin spread across his face and his eyes sparkled.

I took a bite of- wait…what the hell was this crap?- and snorted, trying to cover up the uneasy thump-feeling that had come from my chest. "Whatcha up to?" Okay, everyone take a moment to read that and then re-read that and then, one last time, go through what I had just said and soak it in. Yes, folks, I, Akira Yamato or Cagalli Yula Attha, have just initiated a completely random conversation with Athrun Zala. My excuse?

We-eell… I'll tell you when I think of one. For now, lets play 'behind enemy lines'. Cue 007 music, if you will. (James Bond anybody?)

Athrun turned the laptop for me to see. It was paused on a video of a black blur. "Some footage people have taken of the Chaos." He explained, dragging his blue hair back out of his face. "I've been at it in my free time for a while now but I can't make out any weaknesses."

"Hmm," I frowned, staring thoughtfully at the screen. "Well… everyone has a weakness…We just have to figure it out."

OOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Narrator POV

A few hours later in the cafeteria.

"Okay, so let's recount it's known weapons." Akira said, holding up her hand. "One," she pulled held up a finger. "It has thin energy shafts in it's wings that are effective as energy sabers when offensive, or as a shield when defensive."

"Must be nice." Muttered Athrun and Akira shot him a glare, hushing him.

"Second," she held up another finger. "It's tail is very bendy-"

"Bendy?" Athrun snickered. "You mean, it's flexible and capable of providing a sword for the creature?"

"Bendy," she insisted. "I completed a description in one word. You took a sentence of words so shut up and stop wasting air!"

Athrun chortled. "Whatever, go on." He grinned, feeling a small ember of satisfaction when a pink hue touched Akira's cheeks.

"And third the mobile suit seems to be more of agility then strength."

"However," Athrun stated, flicking his fingers to the screen. "It seems to like crushing it's enemy with it's body."

"You mean the pilot? And yeah…" Akira trailed off for a moment then shook herself and continued. "And last of all, inside the dragon-like mouth it has an energy cannon."

Athrun sat up slightly, blinking in surprise. "It does? I didn't know that? Where did you find that out?"

Akira glanced at his laptop and then back at him, her face looking pale. "Uhhm, I think someone told me at one point…"

Athrun stared at her expressionless for a moment then shrugged, leaning slightly to the side, his elbow propped up on a table. "Go on,"

Akira seemed to be tangled on her own tongue and her hands floundered in the air. "Uhhm, that's it."

"Well, just from that we know it's not really an offensive machine… outside's the energy cannon, but with a body shape like that then I wouldn't be surprised if the using the energy cannon delete's it's own energy or burns out some of it's hardware or damages parts of it's construction in the process."

"So if we drive it to use the energy cannon stupidly during a battle we'll have weakened it considerably." Akira finished. She beamed at Athrun and Athrun blinked, startled. "So all we have to do, is get the pilot to use it with out either of us getting killed in the process."

He smiled. "Yeah, the 'not getting killed' would be nice."

"And then we can finish it off!" she hugged herself. "Brilliant."

"Still not much of a weakness." Athrun said slowly, turning back to study the frozen image of the Chaos. It had a long body and delicate-sturdy legs like a Chinese dragon, but it's head was of a western-styled dragon and stretching from it's shoulders to part way down it's back was a great pair of wings. It had armored scales that shifted, tightening and loosening as the machine curled and stretched and steam would every now and then release from it's nostrils. "Hmmm…." He narrowed his eyes, studying the machine. It really was a genius design; one that ZAFT engineers would kill to get their hands on. "The wings seem to be it's main source of defense…" he murmured. "They actually don't do much to keep the Chaos aloft outsides of keeping it stabilized easier and other things…" Then it hit him. "Right between the wings!" he gasped.

"Come again?"

"If we can get over and between the wings then we'll hit a weak chink in the armor! The machine can't whip it's tail back there with out the chance of accidently injuring it'self and it can't twist it's head that far. And when the wings close to defend it's body, it doesn't cover that thin strip between the wing joints!"

Akira pulled the laptop slightly over, her eyes gleaming in excitement. "You're genius!" A grin split her face. "Great!"

Athrun paused, feeling pleased at her compliment then frowned. "What happened to your- fair-opinion, don't-hate-them-they're-just-like-us, view?"

She shrugged. "There's always an exception," she murmured, looking away. Athrun's brow furrowed.

"You know," he said slowly, turning sideways on the seat, throwing one leg over the bench so that he was facing Akira face-to face. She turned her head away more so. "From what I gathered over the last couple hours you sound like you have a thing against this pilot in particular."

Akira sighed. "Don't go there, Athrun. It's nothing. Just a competitive pilot striving to beat her next goal."

"No, look at me, Akira, what's going on?"

Akira's eyes glared at him from under her thick blonde locks with an intensity that could burn holes. "It. Was. Nothing. Athrun." She growled through her gritted teeth.

Athrun's eyebrows raised, his arms crossing over his chest. His initial reaction to her 'back-off!' tone, was to bristle and snap back angrily. But at the same time he couldn't help but feel hurt that she wouldn't trust him.

"Oh really? Cause right now it doesn't seem like nothing. It seems like your anger is getting the better of you- again. What if this happens during the battle .Easy victory for her." Athrun goaded, knowing that any minute Akira might lose her focus and snap into SEED mode as Coordinators tended to do when pushed over the brink.

Any second…

But Akira's eyes remained as clear purple as ever, watching him with a cold steady gaze.

A moment passed then Akira sighed, her body relaxing. Hesitantly, she leaned forward and, in almost a shy and desperate way, she placed her hand on top of Athrun's that was still resting on the table. Her eyes warmed to a burning lush violet that seemed to sear Athrun to the core and he furrowed his brow, trying to stay focused.

She watched him for a moment then smiled slightly. "You would think I was trying to seduce you, Athrun." She teased.

Athrun smiled half-heartedly. "It's happened before if I do recall," he reminded jokingly. "But I'm not that easy to distract."

She seemed to ponder his words, her head half-cocked, any deeper emotion then tranquility wiped from her face- if it was there. "It was nothing."

"You mean, you simply want to prove that you're the better pilot?" Athrun snorted in disgust. "Is that why you joined ZAFT? To become the best pilot." He felt deeply disappointed and ached for Akira to prove him wrong.

The hand that was warming his hand seemed to tighten and Akira's eyes flashed though she kept her façade calm.

There almost seemed to be sadness to her. An ancient sorrow that she was trying to convey with out words. After a long pause of her studying him with her overwhelming eyes she said tonelessly. "Yes. That's right." She drew back, her hand sliding limply off of his, dropping to her side.

Athrun froze, clenching his fists. Akira… why couldn't she just tell him? Why did she have to act like this? He thought she was-no, he knew she was different, better then this. But why was she acting like this? Would she return to how she was when he first met her? So cut-off and alone? Just now when she was opening up?

She will tell me in time herself, Athrun told himself repeatedly before saying softly. "Akira… Are you angry with me?"

She turned back slowly with a smile on her face that didn't reach her eyes. "No. You are curious. Any…friend would be. I do not judge you for asking something." She stood up. "It's just…some things…are better off…" she waved a hand vaguely in the air. "Left alone."

They sighed unison.

"Hey," Athrun began, trying to break the tension. "Miss Competitive, want to go see who can get a higher score at the shooting range?"

Akira flashed one of her fleeting rare grins of excitement, and though he was still suspicious, Akira's distrust melted in the same second his heart did.

And then it hit him and he stared at her stunned as it sank into him.

Impossible.

And yet so believable.

How could this have happened to him?

Well, hoow does it happen to anyone?

"I…" he mouthed silently and Akira furrowed her brow in confusion.

"What's up?" she asked politely and Athrun's green eyes widened.

There was something so unique, so incredible about this intangible girl. She was pretty, and funny with her fiery personality. Not to mention strong and smart. But that was only the outside, on the inside she posed an adventure, a mystery…and more?

Athrun had never liked anyone quite like this before. Was that why it had taken him quite the while to realize it? To realize that Akira was beginning to stand out in such a way that Lacus never could?

"Athrun?" Akira prompted and Athrun flushed, shaking his head, looking down.

Damn this was frustrating! He rubbed his brow, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Okay, Athrun. It can't be as bad as it looks… Its only a crush. Just because Akira is different doesn't mean you really like her, or anything. God, I sound like a school girl out of a girl's shoujo. This is disturbing. Right, anyway… Come on, Athrun. Pull it together. You're engaged and the son of the chairman of Zala. Not to mention you barely know Akira. His logical side, prattled on, throwing up every defense it could sum up.

But I could… And I would if she would let me. Whispered a voice in Athrun and looking up to meet Akira's eyes he shivered slightly. That I would. He agreed grimly.

"Yoo hoo, Athrun, you doing okay there?" Akira peered into his green eyes and Athrun stared back at her bewilderedly.

"Why?" he gaped at her.

She made a face. "Why what? Why are you acting like a weirdo? No clue, but it's freaking me out just a tad."

She's right. I need to think straight. Athrun stood up. "Sorry, Akira. I didn't mean to keep you."

Akira made a shooting-motion at his chest. "Kapow; Shooting range, remember?"

Athrun stood up, running a hand through his midnight hair, his expression troubled. "Right…"

"Are you okay? You don't look so hot." Akira said after a moment.

Athrun turned his head away. You aren't attracted. You aren't attracted. You aren't attracted. "Yeah, come on, let's go."

Akira trotted ahead, looking amused. "Two out of three?"

"Um, yeah."

She flashed him a mischievous grin and Athrun sighed as his heart did that weird-thump trick of it's own. Oh yeah, he was in trouble.

OOOOOOOO

Narrator POV

Aboard the Archangel

"Maximum velocity! Evade, fire all weapons at approaching target!" ordered Captain Murrue Ramius, her nails digging into the armrests of her seat.

"Yes captain!" her crew responded, working in unison to keep the threat at bay.

The ship shuddered as a shot grazed them.

"Shields at eighty percent and decreasing steadily!" reported another unit, fear in his voice.

"Wheel around him!" commanded their Captain as she sought desperately for a way to get away from Rau Le Creuset with out engaging him directly. They didn't the weapons to get in a fight between the EA and ZAFT.

Another laser shot grazed the Archangel, nearly throwing the strong Captain off her seat as the bridge shook from the shockwaves.

"Shields at fifty percent!"

Raimus slammed her fist on her armrest. "Did he respond to our neither-party status?" she demanded.

"He ignored all requests for peace." Trembled the voice of her communications technician.

"Damn!" she hissed under her breath. She didn't come this far just to fall down and die!

Another shot blazed past and it was a direct hit, the whole ship jetting forward slightly from the blast. The bridge crew and captain jolted in their seats, grabbing onto things to hold themselves steady.

"Shields are gone! Direct hit on the left engine!" cried another unit.

They hadn't come prepared for war and Kira and Yuna were supposed to be her defense. How stupid of her to let them go! What a fool she had been and now her crew was going to pay the cost of her mistakes.

The mobile suit leveled it's gun directly at them and she gritted her teeth, waiting for the end to come.

Then a shot rang out from behind them and a small orange (?) object flew overhead.

"Mobile armor!' gasped someone on the bridge and Raimus's eyes widened in surprise as she saw an EA mobile armor suit soar over them, firing at Rau Le Creuset from multiple angles.

Distracted and unable to complete his attack, Rau Le Crueset turned away to defend himself.

"Can we move?" The captain asked.

"Until we fix our engine.,." her unit trailed off. "We'll need twenty minutes to repair."

The captain nodded. "Until then, restore all shields, put all energy into repairing and defending. Keep me updated about the EA and ZAFT units!"

"Yes Captain," her faithful crew responded, determination clear on their faces.

Twenty minutes to hold before they could get away and Raimus hoped that the new EA pilot would prove strong.

OOOOOO

"So you are also the Captain?" kira raised an eyebrow skeptically at the black-haired Natural in front of him. She raised her eyebrows.

"Hm, I would have thought we had already gone over this yesterday?"

Kira flushed. "It takes some getting used to. Also the fact that you are a promised ally?" he raised an eyebrow.

Kitalla flicked her fingers at him. "No promises. I'm only doing some favors for a friend."

"Who is?"

"None of your business until other wise. Anyway, right now I'm charged with your protection." She paused.

"And you called me here to tell me this again…why?"

Her smile grew slightly cunning. "I wanted you to meet someone." She waved a hand at one of her guard and a door slid open into the Captain's privet office, emitting a small girl that was so familiar it nearly hurt.

"Cag-" Kira stopped short as the girl's dark gold eyes with their bland color rested on him. She smiled a wide sleek smile and came forward, wrapping an arm snugly about his body in a half hug before stepping away.

"Kira, cat got your tongue?"

"Kimi-hime." Kira greeted her quietly. "I thought I would see you here."

"Kimi-hime?" broke in the watchful Captain, her expression one of vast interest. "Well, that proved one theory. So you are not the princess, I assume." She turned to stare at Kimi-hime with her bright yellow eyes.

Kimi-hime flashed a look of irritation before simpering sweetly. "Nay, captain, I am the princess. Born the princess. Am I not her? It is she who proves my imposter and this man her accomplice."

"You seem to know each other." Kitalla nodded to Kira. "Why didn't you warn me?" her gaze was searching and Kira realized that Kitalla was too clever to be tricked by either of them, so she was waiting for one of them to play a mistake.

Kimi-hime shrugged. "keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer, I always hear. Besides, you are neither a friend of mine really, Lady Kitalla-dono. A mercenary with her own schemes who hides behind the shroud of 'favors'."

Kitalla duplicated Kimi-hime's shrug, not denying anything. "I would be a foolish mercenary not to seek some profit."

Kira shivered at her confident tone as she drew her nail delicately over the wooden on her desk. "Now, my only question, Kira… Cagalli… Is which one of you are telling the truth?" her wide-eyed gaze jumped from between them as if one of them were about to fall to their knees guilty.

Kimi-hime seemed to relax a millimeter, her jaw flexed. "I am as real as you're going to get." She said proudly and Kira winced.

Kitalla waved her hand dismissively. "Until proven guilty, my poor guest." She glanced at her guard. "Please escort Lady Attha back to her room."

The guard bowed and a moment later the two had departed, the door hissing shut behind them.

Kitalla glanced at Kira, a slightly smirk on her full lips. "Please, take a seat, Kira."

Hesitantly, Kira lowered himself into the cushy seat across from her and she beamed.

"So, shall we recapture what you lost? My poor guest?" her merriment was a play that covered up whatever she was plotting.

"Excuse me?" Kira furrowed his brow.

"Your friend, your Cagalli, your princess. She is aboard the Demi-god which is currently chasing us, though it has yet to get even close to firing range."

Kira frowned. Kitalla was offering to somehow get Cagalli away from ZAFT which wouldn't be that bad of an idea…if he could only trust the mercenary more then he could trust ZAFT. Who knew what the mercenary would do with two exact images of Cagalli in her care, both with a claim, voice, and appearance to the princess of ORB.

"Are you nervous? Don't trust me?" Kitalla look positively amused and Kira flushed. She was reading him like an open book. He needed to be more careful.

He summed up his most passive expression, determined not to let her walk all over him, She may be the captain of the ship, but Kira was still a loyal ace pilot for Cagalli.

"What are you planning."

She waved a hand as if batting his question away. "Oh foo, it's all rainbows and gumdrops, I assure you." Her grin spread.

Kira rolled his eyes. "Let's pretend I believed that one. Now, whose your friend?"

She huffed. "It's my job to ask the questions, numbwad. Who saved whom? May I ask?"

"If you were really interested in saving us you would promise allegiance or you would have defended us from the red GUNDAM rather then kidnap us." Kira snapped bitterly.

Kitalla sighed, rubbing her forehead. "You guys are reading way too deeply into this. Better to live in bliss then to dig too deep, Kira." She spun around to face a screen that was spread across the wall behind her. She dialed something into a panel and the screen flickered to life.

Minutes passed through which she hummed, swinging her legs lightly.

The screen then came to life with color and a woman came into view.

Kira gasped. She was beautiful, simply breath-taking. His eyes widened as he stared at her. Her slender body dressed in a simple, modest but very complimenting pink kimono. Her sleek, long pink hair drawn back into a pony tail. A gold clip held back her bangs from covering her Caribbean sea-colored eyes that were full of the warmth and kindness that Kitalla's lacked.

Kitalla dipped her head." M'Lady. As requested I've brought in the pilots of the ORB scout ship."

The woman's eyes widened and shined in happiness and Kira's heart gave a nearly painful lurch. "Oh, that's wonderful!" her eyes sought Kira's in wonder.

Kitalla shot Kira a funny look and Kira realized they were waiting for him to introduce himself.

"I…um…"

Kitalla's eyebrows rose and she put a hand over her mouth to hide a soft snicker.

"My name is Kira Yamato, an ambassador and pilot for ORB." Kira placed a hand over his heart and bowed in an ORB sign of respect. "Supposing you are the one to thank for us being rescued-"

Kitalla choked as she struggled not to laugh.

"Then I thank you." Kira shot Kitalla a dirty look.

The woman clapped her hand's together. "Oh wonderful! And please, call me Lacus."

Kira paused in mid-bow, his brow furrowing. Lacus… Now where had he heard that name before?

"But where is your comrade? Is he alright?" Lacus asked, her voice a soft murmur.

Kira frowned. Speaking of which, where was Yuna?

Kitalla broke in then. "The boy, Yuna Roma… Seems to be in shock currently and we haven't been able to…revive him quite yet." The tone in her voice hinted that she didn't have a problem leaving him untreated and Kira shifted, irate but knowing his place.

Addressing Lacus, Kira said with the most humble voice he could manege. "Please, if it is possible, could my friend and I be returned to our ship?"

Lacus hesitated, her head cocking slightly and she looked slightly disappointed. "So soon?"

"Lady Lacus," Kitalla murmured chidingly. "Did you honestly expect him to want to stay with us?"

Lacus's blue eyes flickered from Kitalla back to Kira. "I see… But this does not help resolve the matter of the two Cagalli's at all! And the proper princess must be returned to her home!"

Kitalla shrugged in a 'i-could-care-less' gesture. "Then I will get the other Cagalli." She sighec. "No biggie."

Kira bit his lip, frowning. "Now hold it. Just what are you people up to?" he demanded.

"Peace." The pink-haired girl said immediately, her gaze expressing her seriousness.

Kira glanced at Kitalla and she made a face.

"Don't look at me."

"She can be trusted." Lacus murmured.

Kitalla snorted. "Oh please, the question isn't whether I can be trusted but whether he can be trusted, and the little princesses."

"If come into contact with the ORB ship the Archangel, then I assure you they can explain of who I am." Kira jumped in hastily.

"Ahhh, the Archangel!" Kitalla straightened up, her eyebrows raising in speculation. "Is that the new ORB ship? My, they really pulled out the stops in this escapade to find their lost princess."

"Well of course," Lacus began with a sigh, one of her dainty hands reaching up to cup her cheek in a thoughtful look. "Especially with whats been rumored to have gone on between ORB and the EA."

Kira's head snapped around to stare hard at her. "What do you mean?"

"It's all been very hush-hush, but I have my connections." Lacus looked upset. "The EA is trying to establish an alliance with ORB against ZAFT. Now do you see why ORB needs peaceful resolve and strong leaders more then ever?"

The screen flickered slightly as another- a maid- entered in view behind Lacus . "M'Lady," she said softly. "I beg your pardon but your father wants a word with you."

Lacus nodded to her maid. "Tell him I'll be there in hardly a moment." She assured before curtsying to Kitalla and Kira. "Good day, friends. I hope that we may speak again." She glance uncertainly at Kitalla who smiled a rather razor-sharp smile. "I trust, Kitalla-dono, that you will take care of things as seen fit in proper conduct?"

"Of cooourse." Kitalla purred just as any super-villain Kira ever imagined would have to reassure their enemy. He shivered. He feared the day that he might end up on Kitalla's bad side.

The screen flickered off and Kitalla turned back with a yawn to face Kira. She stretched and then flopped back into her seat, watching him with a bored air. "Well? What are you waiting for?" she waved her hand at him. "Shoo. Go spoon-feed your friend or whatever."

Kira gave her a dirty look before bowing slightly. "I hope that we may speak again?"

Kitalla had already turned back to her laptop which was open on her desk, a brooding look on her face. She hardly glanced at him when she replied. "Of course… after all…you are my guest. Good day Mr. Yamato."

A guard came in and led Kira out of the room, the door sliding shut silently behind them as Kira considered all that he had heard. This Lacus-Lady seemed sincere but he wasn't worried about that. He was more nervous with the captain who seemed like loose cannon and he wondered if Lacus was even aware of that.

OOOOOO

Cagalli POV

"To soar through the air

Then become a falling star

And land in the clouds."

I snorted. "Iew, that was terrible! It didn't make sense!" Of course i was just being picky for the fun of it.

Athrun made a face, looking indignant. "What do you mean that was terrible? I know I suck at this but it isn't that bad!"

"The small bird flies swift

And lands upon the sweet red rose

In the small garden." I recited off the top of my memory while I folded laundry.

Athrun paused in sorting through some papers on his desk. He had insisted on me cleaning my half of the room, compromising by going through his stuff at the same time. Then I had purposed a haiku contest.

"Oh right, cause that was so much better," he rolled his green eyes at me and I hmphed, half-tempted to lob one of my socks at him.

"How about," Athrun began, his eyes focusing intently on me.

"'Hush,,' the shadow says

'Secret and in doubt I hide.'

To be burned by light

Why did it not trust

Then it wouldn't be alone

too waste in sunlight."

I tried not to listen to any underlining meaning that could be in the haiku and snickered. "That sucked even worse. Let's try sticking to easier verses."

Athrun raised his eyebrows before saying with a sigh.

"Akira is mean, so cruel and cold.

She stresses to much and is withered and old"

I gaped at him and he grinned angelically at me and I laughed. "Oh really,

"Athrun Zala is a dolt, like you wouldn't believe

And if he doesn't watch his mouth then he better make like a tree and leave!" I grinned, feeling proud. "So there!"

Athrun laughed. "Okay, that was pretty ingenious, I'll give you that."

We fell into a silence and I wondered.

I wondered was Athrun always like this? Around his friends? Around Dearka? He was so much quieter when I first met him, perfectly fitting the image of 'Athrun Zala'.

I wondered when I had started making so many mistakes. When I had messed up so much as to let him start figuring out that something was different with 'Akira Yamato'.

I wondered when had I started letting my defenses down. It was like being around Kira, but…different. I couldn't tell whether I disliked it or not. Parts of me were afraid to think about it too much and even now my fists were clenching slightly into the shirt I was folding.

"So what was life like for you growing up?" Athrun broke me from my daze and my heart seemed to shiver in my chest. I couldn't make myself turn to look and my voice was shaky as I replied.

"It was wonderful…" an avalanche of memories flooded my mind. How could Athrun do this to me? If someone else had asked me a question about my past I could normally brush off what I was feeling. But now… it was like I was feeling too much. I was scared. Scared of what this could mean. Scared of finding out too much and not being able to return. Scared of being hurt, scared of risking my country's princess. Scared of losing my father and me in 'Akira Yamato'. Scared yet wanting to take the plunge for the exhilaration, like sky diving. You just have to jump and hope that someone catches you.

My voice was stronger when I spoke again. "My father… is an amazing person. My mother…" fires raked my mind with an echo of laughter. I shuddered against my will.

A warm touch on my shoulder seared me and I froze. Athrun's green eyes were watching me intently as he kneeled beside me. His hand was laid comfortingly on my shoulder.

I stared nervously back then sighed and laid down the shirt in my hands.

"You told me…earlier… that your mom was murdered… What happened?" Athrun probed gently.

I clenched my jaw shut as if that would prevent the memories but as always at the mention of my mother all the memories of that night came back.

Kimi-hime, whoever the hell she was, must have been around the same age as me. I saw her a few times in ORB and she would watch me as my fathers led me around, introducing me to people. I remembered thinking that maybe we were sisters, of course I was young then, younger then seven.

And then… just entering my seventh year, a mob of people attacked a summer home that my mother and me had been staying at for the duration of a month while my father was away at political conferences.

"Akira?" Athrun repeated and I held up a hand absentmindedly. I needed to be strong and not whimper.

Tears burned in the back of my eyes as I remembered it all, all the memories I had been trying to forget for the last nine or so years of my life.

"Cagalli! Cagalli wake up,!"

"Mmm, mama?" I mumbled, my eyes cracking open.

My mother's terrified face stared back at me and even then for my benefit she tried to force a smile. "Come on baby, I need you to get up right now. We need to leave, okay, honey?"

I rubbed my eyes with small, chubby balled-up fists. "Mama, but I'm not, not…" I yawned, feeling my mother tug at one of my hands, pulling me along after her. "I'm not dressed."

"Well that's alright but we're taking a surprise trip, okay?"

"Where are we going?" I stumbled to keep up, hoping she would slow down. Her grip of my wrist was starting to hurt slightly.

From the corners of my eyes I noticed what seemed to be candle light flickering closer outside the windows. "Mama! There's ghosts!"

"No ghosts, sweetie. Now come along!" My mother dragged me along, her voice cracked with tears and despair.

Suddenly the window exploded towards us as a crude-made torch came spinning through the window.

My mother screamed as the torch skittered close to her, the flame reflecting eerily on the glitter of the glass that now lay broken on the smooth stone floor.

Another torch followed that one, this one rolling into a long stem of curtains, catching fire to them.

"Mama! What's going on?" I cried as I watched the windows shatter all around me, things get knocked over and things catch flame. Smoke started to rise and my mother hauled me into her arms, coughing. Her body was shaking as she burst into a sprint, heading for the back of the mansion.

"Hush, baby," she murmured into my blonde hair and I wrapped my arms around her neck like I would when I would have a nightmare. "Everything's going to be okay," her forced optimism sounded weak even to my childish understanding.

And yet I buried my head into the crook of her neck feeling all my fears washed away in my mother's soft arms. Here I was safe and warm and protected and nobody could ever hurt me because Mama was always right. Mama was a hero, Mama would chase away the fires like she did bad dreams. And one day I would be just like Mama and be good and wise and kind and loving. And I would treat people like Mama did, and I would always stand for peace.

My mother hummed our lullaby tune into my ear to comfort me as she stumbled down another hallway. I could hear her breath coming in short, and the loud voices of people, along with footsteps echoing around us.

"Baby duck so small and sweet clucked his clucks and stamped his feet." I whispered playing with a lock of my mother's hair. "He had feathers of yellow and a temper so mellow and daddy duck said he would be a fine looking fellow!" I kept my eyes close, I was starting to be scared of opening them at what I might see. Was the mansion as hot as it felt? Would there be people chasing us as I thought I heard?

Her mother rasped a chuckle. "But mommy duck said nothing, feeling so proud

And told baby duck of things that were not yet allowed."

"'No swimming, my precious baby, not with out me', momma duck said to her darling baby." My mother crooned the story, stroking my hair. Something wet slid down my neck and I swallowed tightly. "but baby duck went swimming against the rules, having a grand ol' time in the swimming pools."

"But when the day was over, he found him self lost. All alone in the forest, he sat down to cry in the moss." I rather understood his sentiments then and my hands formed fistfuls in my mother's dark hair.

"But then out of no where, momma duck soared down" my mother took a deep breath then threw open a door, exploding out of it with me where she fell on the ground panting. I lay in her embrace, unsure of what was going on. I could feel the heat from behind us, smell smoke and hear wood creaking.

"'my baby!' she cried. 'my duckling is found'! And she wrapped her wings around baby duck and held him close. For in all of her life, he was one of the few that meant the most."

"Baby duck shuffled his feet, feeling sad.

'momma' he said. 'I'm sorry for being bad'

I won't do it again, please don't be mad.'

And momma duck held him close, and she was all he knew."

Suddenly my mother was wrenched from my arms, dragged back ward just as the mansion behind us gave a massive groan the roof collapsed inwards with a burst of flames and a shower of sparks that lit up the night like fire works.

"MOMMA!" I screamed, my eyes flying open wider to meet my mother's loving eyes and I clambered to my feet.

Men had her by the arms, dragging her into the midst of a small excited crowd that was kicking at fallen burning rubble.

They laughed with scorn at my mother and I started to cry, stumbling as I tried to keep up. The prickly grass stabbed at the bottom of my feet and tears streaked my pale face. "MOMMA!"

And the last words my mother whispered just caught my ears. The end of the story… The end of her story. Her last words to me.

"My precious sweet child, you are my world and I'll always love you."

They dropped my mother into the ground, laughing and I also fell to my knees, feeling so weak amongst these bigger people. These monsters that laughed. Why weren't they helping us? What did they find so funny?

"Momma." I whispered pleadingly, wishing for my Mother to be her hero self and kiss away my tears and rain fire upon these scary people.

And then a small hand touched my back and I slowly lifted…

And then… I had met her… my 'sister'. My reflection, my mirror. My evil twin.

I still remember her disgustingly delighted expression as she swung the knife down, plunging it into my mother's chest. The expression of triumph and satisfaction that didn't look right on a seven-or-so year old's face as stared down with loathing at my mother. How…how could she do this…?

"Akira!" I didn't notice when Athrun had moved to sit in front of me, nor when his hands had moved to hold my face but as I left my memories I stared into his eyes like pools of liquid emerald, so dazzling and glittering. "Akira, are you alright? You're white as a ghost!"

I glanced down at my frozen hands, trying to get my brain to work. "Rrright," I mumbled, shaking my head free. "Yeah…sorry." I rubbed my arm. "just…reminiscing. But…my mom was killed… Before Junis Seven." That much I could tell him.

As I let out a breath I felt surprised. Though I could feel them burning in my eyes, not a tear fell. It was something about being around Athrun, not even the fact that he was a Coordinator jus something about his presence…it felt…breathable. Like I could breathe, and relax and not worry cause everything would be alright. Just like my mother had felt to me. Warm… Special… Strong… And…intoxicatingly all mine.

For a moment it seemed as if the world was spinning around me and my breath was pounding my ears, Athrun's green gaze nearly consuming me making me feel so bewildered… Intoxicatingly all mine? Where the hell had that come from?

No…it wasn't that… Athrun was my scotch tape. Somehow though, around him, I didn't fall apart like I normally did. He kept me together when I remembered these things…It felt…so good, like as if as long as he was right there, I could think about these things that used to hurt so much. Like I could breathe.

"Do you know who did it?" Athrun asked and I blinked, interrupted from my thoughts once again.

"Um, no," I said hesitant. "Well, yes, sort of… It's complicated." Yeah to a whole freaking other level. Then I thought of something else I could tell him. "If you must know… the reason I'm really into this mission… is because all I knew about the person was that there was a chance they were connected with the Harmony."

Athrun's eyes rounded. "Ooh." His brow furrowed and I ducked my head slightly, watching him through my locks of blond hair. He smiled a slightly sad, exasperated smile. "Why didn't you tell me that earlier?"

I frowned. "Well, you don't need to look so relieved about it," I muttered and he did! He did look slightly relieved.

"Nah, just another riddle I'm figuring out." He waved his hand slightly and I felt suddenly very cold.

"Uhm, yeah, the world's full of them." I said awkwardly.

Athrun leaned back against the end of my bed watching me with a grin. "Akira Yamato being one of the biggest!" he teased and I shifted uncomfortable with this sudden focus of attention. "I feel like I'm starting to figure you out."

"Hah!" I forced a laugh, sounding very much like my mother that one fiery night. "There's nothing to figure out. Just an average ZAFT pilot." I scooted back, my heart pounding in my chest. I didn't know what was causing it, my fear, or his beautiful green eyes that seemed to hold sway over me like an enchantment.

Athrun scooted closer after me.

I frowned and moved back farther.

He merely followed me, a lazy smile on his face, his eyes sparkling mysteriously. "You know what, Akira?"

"No, I have no idea what. But please, keep the information to your self." I gasped as he leaned towards me, enjoying my reaction. I could smell his warm musky scent, and I could feel heat radiating from his body. Warning bells were going off in the back of my head and blush rose, coloring my cheeks.

Athrun laughed, pulling back slightly. "Always on the defensive, Akira? People would think you have something to hide." The grin was real enough but so was the curiosity and watchfulness in his eyes.

"Nope, nothing to hide. Open book, yes sirree, that's me!"

Almost looking slightly disappointed, Athrun leaned back, his legs folding Indian style and he watched me through his locks of midnight hair. "Quite the contrary, Yamato…" his voice held a soft note to it that I couldn't interpret and I half wondered if he even meant for me to hear him. "I'm starting to like riddles." The gaze he gave me was both uncertain and troubled and frankly frustrated before he stood up and walked out of the room, leaving me in my own puddle of confusion.

The moment the door slid shut behind him I collapsed on the ground, my mouth open as I panted slightly. So when did the room start spinning? And why was everything seeming to glow? And the oh-so-delicious-tingles going down my spine? Yeah, well where did they come from and how do I send them back?

Oh and don't even get me started on the tap-dance routine my heart was performing in my chest. That really needed to stop. "ARRGGH!"

Athrun Zala… just what…did you do to me?

Ick... Haiku's...bleh, forgive me for all crappy poetry that i talk myself into writing.

Heheheh, am I finally making up for some in the romance department? I feel like I'm poking the characters towards a cliff, waiting for the last moment for that nice…shove. =D

And Kira's having a rather 'head-over-heels' moment with Lacus. And Kitalla- hmmm, friend or foe or merely an amused outside audience who is enjoying the drama between ORB, EA and ZAFT?

And who's to the Archangel's rescue? Just a random EA pilot? Or, could it be… The arch enemy of Rau Le Creuset?

And what's going on between the EA and ORB and how will it effect ZAFT?

And just how is Kira related to Kimi-hime, I wonder?

Well, review please =)

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed another chapter

-Azetta

Jabber bomb.

Ahh, I wrote this after a really buggish day so it was a nice breather for me =)

I took a CLEP test (ick) in College algebra (double ick) and I lost by one freaking point! GRRRR! Man has that been a thorn in my side. *growls incoherently*

But as my mom put it; I can always take it in another six months! …Oh boy…can't wait… =P =]

Hmm, outsides that my week has been preeeetty droll, my golden doodle dog ate a pair of my heeled-sandals D= , my little brother yelled insults across a beach at me that made me want to bury him right then along sides the dog in question.

Oh… and the worst part was… I finished the first season of Smallville (for those who know it) only to find out that last episode is a total cliff hanger *chucks netbook at TV screen* And then it got better… Turns out my library doesn't have the second season so now I'm stuck with the last image of Lana Lang's car being sucked up into a tornado like a dustbunny into a vacuum. Awww, foo. (Clark X Chloe! =3333) Man,,, if Clark still likes Lana I'm going to be mad… like I just won't be able to go on! Bleeh….

But anyhoo, y'all don't care about my life, my recent smallville addiction (though if you could tell me if Clark ends up with Lana that would be great- then I would know not to watch the second season just cause it would make me really annoyed… Go Chloe go! *cheers*)

Hee hee, I'm a dork and proud of it! =)

Have a great week and happy summers!

-Azetta