category: Gundam SEED

disclaimer: I don't own it.

THIRTY.

Lacus's hand stopped suddenly in the repeated motion of signing her name at the bottom of endless papers.

"Kira? What's the date today?"

Kira, who had been dozing absently in his chair, straightened quickly. "Uh, the sixth, I think," he answered sheepishly, adjusting the belt of his uniform and dutifully picking up his files again.

Lacus set down her pen and stared out the window contemplatively. "It's Miyu's birthday tomorrow."

Kira smiled at her faraway expression. "How old is she now? Five? Six?"

"Eight," Lacus replied, and suddenly felt very weary. "We should really take some time and go see her."

Kira glanced in her direction uneasily. "Tomorrow you have lunch with the prime minister of the United States of South America and the day after is the weekly Supreme Council meeting."

Lacus met his eyes sadly. "Yes, I suppose it's not enough time to go traipsing off to Reverend Malchio's orphanage on a whim." She twisted her ring carefully around her finger. "I do miss her and the other children greatly. It's been so long since we saw them last."

"Soon," Kira had walked over behind Lacus's desk and crouched down next to her chair. "We'll meet them all again soon."

"Are you sure, Kira?" In an uncharacteristic wave of despair, Lacus hid her face in her hands, her long hair falling like a curtain around her head. "When I first took this position I thought I'd be here for a year, a year and a half tops, to piece things back together. It's been double that time, and we're still reeling from the wars! How could I ever leave a country so broken?"

"Lacus, when you first told me you were stepping in as provisional chairwoman, you told me it was to maintain the peace." Kira tucked her hair gently behind her hair and turned her body to face him. "Surely you can't be doubting yourself now?" He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Three years or thirty, I'll wait with you, Lacus."

Lacus fixed him with a watery gaze. "Yes." In a motion that reminded Kira very painfully of mulish, willful sisters and self-sacrificing leaders, Lacus swiped away her tears and raised her chin determinedly. "You're right. The needs of the many come before the needs of the few."

Kira passed her a ghost of a smile. "I'm certain that someday everyone will have the peace we've worked so hard to earn." He felt the weight of Lacus's head drop solidly onto his shoulder.

"Yes, and we'll finally go back to stay with Malchio and the children, won't we, Kira?" Lacus sighed quietly. "We'll be able to drink tea by the water for as long as we like, and watch the shooting stars, and get lost by the cove on rainy days."

Kira only stroked her back soothingly. Presently, Lacus raised herself and picked up her pen once more, back into work mode.

"In any case," she told him tranquilly as she finished her signature with a flourish and he returned to his seat, "I'll be sure to call the orphanage tomorrow to at least speak with Miyu."

notes: I realized, while I was scanning my table of contents the other day, that I hadn't written a single chapter of SPTW about Kira and Lacus. There were mentions of them scattered throughout, and a scene of them at the end of phase 14, but besides that, there was nothing. So now there's this! Lots of people don't like Lacus at all, but I think under the right glasses she's revealed as a deep character that was just never fleshed out. I wrote about her, in phase 24 I think, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The dynamic between her and Kira may be unrealistically flawless, but it's at least some stability in the midst of the ever-changing relationships surrounding them.

On an unrelated note, can you all believe it's already chapter thirty? Ah! I'm shocked at how quickly time is passing. Hope you all remain well and happy as we continue to move forward.

NEXT PHASE: Shinn inquires after the fate of Todaka, and is utterly horrified at what he discovers.

Oh, big news. I am now taking requests for SPTW! When I first started, I had enough ideas written down to last me till about phase 35; now, they're dwindling. I'm open to many plot points. Drop by a review and let me know what you would like to see in the future! Thank you all.