Disclaimer: NOIR does not belong to me. (Mireille does...oops!- No, she doesn't! "Back off, Kirika! Put down the cake fork! I was just kidding! Sheesh!) This story is rated T for shoujo-ai content and angst. This story takes place after the series ends. Spoilers Ahead!

Time Out From The World We Knew

Chapter 1 – Return from the Manor

It had been a few weeks since the former assassins- Mireille Bouquet and Kirika Yuumura, had returned from the Manor. Both women had been badly wounded, especially Kirika, but they survived. They had walked away from the darkness. and in search of the light they wanted to find...

Surprisingly, the Soldats had let them walk away from that place of Hell.

After their long and difficult journey home, they finally arrived back at Mireille's ruined apartment. The Knight's of Paris had attacked them and had nearly destroyed everything that the Corsican woman owned. The glass of the windows had been shattered, the jagged shards littered the floor, along with broken tea cups and dishes. Mireille's computer, monitor and keyboard had been smashed, along with most of her furniture, and bullet holes were everywhere. It was a painful reminder of the trials the women had faced.

The plant Kirika had watered so carefully before she left, was still lying smashed on the floor. That same plant in which Mireille had found the Japanese girl's heartfelt letter to her.

The letter made the blonde woman realize that Kirika loved her.

It was the awkward way the girl had wrote to her, as she tried so hard to find the right words to express her feelings. Mireille knew what Kirika was trying to tell her...

She realized that she loved Kirika too. The blonde woman had been so lost without her. Mireille had once considered her a nuisance, but now the Corsican couldn't imagine life without her. She never would have gone back to the Manor and saved her partner if she hadn't loved her. The two women had made so many sacrifices for each other in the end.

They were destined to be together- whether it was by love or fate.

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They were lying together in bed, that first night back from their journey. It felt so good to be together like this again. They lay on their sides and kept staring at each other- their eyes betrayed the emotions that they felt. It was overwhelming.

"I found your letter, Kirika." the blonde told her softly.

"I was hoping you would... Mireille, I..I couldn't say it then, but I can now. I love you. I might not have any right, but I can't help how I feel." she said softly, as she looked up at the Corsican while tears began to fall from her eyes. ( It was odd the way her partner caused her to feel real emotions and pain now) she thought..

Mireille reached out and softly stroked the girl's tear streaked cheek. Kirika closed her eyes at the soft touch. Her partner's hand felt so warm against her skin. She hadn't realized how cold her skin was until now...

"Kirika, I feel the same things that you do. I too, was alone until I met you. You have been there for me when I needed you, and you saved my life many times. When you left me to go to the Manor and to ...Chloe, I felt lost and was heartbroken. I thought I had lost you forever...but at the same time I was angry because I couldn't kill you! My emotions were so mixed up then!" the blonde sighed, as she remembered the painful events of a short time ago.

"Why didn't you kill me? I was ready. I killed your family.." The Japanese girl responded softly, as more tears filled her eyes.

The Corsican woman slowly moved over to her, and cupped the younger girl's face in her hands. She began to gently brush away her tears with her fingertips. She looked at the girl intently.

"I can't blame you for my family's murders, not anymore. You only carried out orders. I wanted to blame you and I tried to, but it wasn't your fault. It was out of your hands and my parent's hands as well, who died trying to protect me from a fate like yours." the blonde began to explain softly.

"Even so, I still killed people as an professional assassin because I chose that path. You did not, you had no choice. They took you as a baby and made you into who you are. Yes, you can be scary, and I hope to never be on the receiving end of your dark side again, but that is not all you are."

Then the blonde gently stroked the younger girl's cheek again, as she whispered to her softly. "Kirika Yuumura, lying here beside me is one who is worthy of love, and for a chance at a normal life. I am so glad you are here with me again." she finished, as her own tears began to flow at last.

"oh, Mireille" Kirika said simply, touched by the words and tears of her partner. She wanted to hold her so much.. She slid over to her and wrapped her arms around her gently. The blonde sighed softly as she welcomed the younger girl into her embrace. They fit perfectly in each other's arms...

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Kirika felt herself melt against Mireille's body. The tears were still falling from her eyes. ( What caused these feelings and tears? She used to feel numb...what changed?...Was this what happiness felt like?) she wondered, as the blonde gently stroked the younger girl's back, then put her leg over hers. The skin to skin contact felt wonderful...

Suddenly, Mireille pulled away and sat up. Kirika looked up at her in alarm and confusion. She could sense no danger in the room. "Mireille?" she asked softly, "What's wrong?"

The blonde turned to the girl and looked at her with an perplexed look on her face. "I don't want to ruin what we have, Kirika, but I wanted to kiss you just now. I've never felt that way about a woman before though." she told her softly.

The Japanese girl looked up at her beautiful partner. There was nothing she wanted more than to have Mireille's lips on hers.

Kirika kneeled up on the bed and reached out and tugged on her partner's nightshirt. "I don't mind. If we love each other, then what is wrong with a kiss?" she asked, hesitantly.

Mireille had a thoughtful look cross her face, before she leaned over the younger girl. She gently cupped Kirika's face in her hands, and kissed her softly on the lips.

Kirika barely remembered the kiss that Chloe had given her in the baths, but she would always remember this first kiss between she and Mireille.

Feelings she had never felt before, welled up in her, as the two women sunk back down unto the bed, as they continued to kiss deeply. It was heaven...

Then the blonde slowly pulled away, and gazed at her lovingly. Kirika smiled a small smile, as she returned the gaze.

"I love you." the Japanese girl told her honestly. She felt like she couldn't say it enough.

Mireille smiled. "I love you, Kirika."

Then they lay there together in the quiet of the apartment and thought about the new way their relationship was evolving. They had found each other, and would do whatever they could to live in this world together.

Forever.

Chapter 2 – Rebuilding-

A/n- This story is set POST series and Kirika is experiencing love and feelings that she had not felt before. This is set after the Final Guidance gunshot and I think Kirika's amnesia is wearing off. So she talks more and feels emotions. I have tried to write her "In Character" as possible, but she is definitely more emotive than the show.

Please Review- let me know how I am doing. Thank you!