- Neo x Murrue, AU (sadly, though we really don't know what they got up to or said to each other in Orb)

- Inspiration: http:/ /i5. photo bucket .com /albums /y151/ el_saz /Tandem% 20felix/ IMG_000010. png (remove the spaces)

The walkway was covered in flowers. Rather gingerly he made his way across, being careful to not tread on any of them. Easily more than a hundred bouquets and posies, along with wreaths, shapes and single blooms, and mixed with them were other objects and tokens - pinwheels, teddy bears, photographs...it was the oddest thing he'd ever seen, and also the saddest. The collection stretched all along the walkway up to the stone at the far end, which he'd passed several times in the fortnight or so he'd been here but had never had the time to investigate. Crouching down in front of the stone he brushed away crusted salt and rust on the affixed plaque to read it better. And he understood.

A memorial. Now the flowers make sense. Well, more or less. According to the plaque the memorial was for people that had died in the Battle of Orb, on June 15th CE71. A lot later in the year. So why are these here now?

"The Bloody Valentine."

"The what?"

The captain smiled sadly, brushing auburn hair over one shoulder. "Three years ago. A battle between ZAFT and the Alliance ended in one of the PLANT colonies being hit by a nuclear missile. It killed over two hundred thousand people. Didn't you hear about it?"

"I read about it," he admitted, "but it wasn't called that. What was on the colony?"

"Absolutely nothing. Just farmland and people."

Neo grimaced. Not like they'd have cared. Just meant less Coordinators. Hope I wasn't part of it. "I'm sorry."

She frowned slightly. "Why apologise? It wasn't your fault."

He shrugged. "I was Alliance. Wouldn't people blame me?"

"So were we, and no-one blamed us. It's not about revenge. Just remembering."

"That's why the flowers are there?"

A nod. "Though it wasn't built for that, people put flowers there anyway. It's become a memorial to all people killed in both wars, not just for one event."

"For everyone?"

She smiled. "Yes."

"Did you put flowers there?"

The smile faded, she glancing down at her desk. "Not yet."

"Sorry. I didn't mean.."

The captain shook her head. "I know you didn't. It's alright. Usually I do, though they're more about what the day used to be for rather than what it's become."

Valentine's Day. Though he had no reason to celebrate it himself he'd seen people doing so on the various ships and bases he'd been stationed on. Flowers, chocolates...all of it technically against the rules but not mentioned. It was just one day. "Do you think some of those flowers are there for that?"

"I'm sure they are." Her smile was back, though it was still a sad one. Reminiscent. She's thinking about him again. The idea always made him uncomfortable, even angry sometimes. He knew she didn't blame him for not being who she'd wanted, knew that she was happy for him to stay even though he was someone else, but he couldn't help but think that deep down she still wished he was her pilot.

"Someone's deep in thought."

Glancing up at the voice he nodded to the woman. She smiled. "Mind if I sit here?"

Neo shrugged. "Go ahead." The bench was one of several in front of the Morgenroete complex, all facing the sea and all pretty good places to think. When you were alone, anyway. He knew the Director lady hadn't just come to watch the sunset, and was pretty sure she'd speak up again in a moment.

And she did.

"Are you regretting it?"

"Regretting what?"

"Staying here. Staying on Archangel."

He sighed. "No."

"I see. But that sad look must be for some reason."

He raised an eyebrow. "That I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you."

The Director smiled. "No, you don't. I just wondered if you needed to talk."

"She said that you were nosy sometimes."

The woman laughed. "I thought she might have. But seriously, if you want to talk, then I'll listen."

Neo shook his head with a rueful smile. "Was about a lot of things. That memorial out there - would it be all right for me to put something there? I figured that at least one Alliance guy should apologise for what happened, even if I'm not really part of that anymore. Plus, there are people I want to remember too."

A smile. "I think it'd be alright."

"That's good. Since she'll probably be putting flowers there for that other guy, I'll go with her."

The older woman regarded him with curiosity. "Does that bother you?"

"Should it? They were together."

"But you.."

"I stayed on that ship because I know I know her from somewhere. That doesn't mean much."

Another smile. "To you, it does."

He leaned back against the bench, looking up at the stars. "It's all I've got. It's not even a memory, really, just a feeling, but it's the only one I trust. So yeah, it means a lot. She means a lot."

"Then why not let her know?"

Neo managed a smile. "Haven't I hurt her enough?"

"How do you know it'd hurt her? She let you stay with her, didn't she?"

"I guess.."

The Director lady patted his shoulder. "Give it a try."

It felt strange. She'd gotten the flowers from what remained of her garden on the cliff and gone to the memorial just like she had for the last two years, but it was going to be odd remembering a person that was standing right beside her. He carried a bunch of red roses (where he'd got them from she had no idea) and was staring at the plaque, expression unreadable. With a smile for him she knelt and carefully placed her flowers before the memorial stone with a silent 'thank you'.

He still said nothing, the sea breeze blowing hair in his face, and placed his own flowers beside hers. He'd looked faintly embarrassed when he'd asked if he could accompany her, but in truth she was glad of the company. The memorial was a beautiful place but always melancholy, and even more so on days like this. I always end up thinking about things I shouldn't.

"You alright?"

Murrue nodded, accepting his hand to help her up - then blinked when he held out another red rose to her. "Hmm?"

He smiled. "Don't know if you'll accept it, but happy Valentine's Day."

She reached out to brush fingertips against the flower petals, only able to imagine how red she must have gone. "For me?"

He rubbed at scarred nose. "Thought it'd cheer you up. And as a way of saying sorry for reminding you of him."

She smiled and accepted the rose, bringing it close to breathe in it's scent. "Thank you." She tried hard to swallow the lump in her throat, but to his obvious dismay a few tears escaped before she could brush them away. "It's okay. Don't worry."

"Because of.."

"No. Because they're my favourite, and I haven't gotten one as a gift in a very long time. How did you know?"

"I didn't," he admitted quietly. "Just a guess." Stuffing hands in his pockets he stared out at the horizon, expression downcast. "M'sorry."

"Stop apologising." Brushing away more tears she smiled. "It's beautiful."

"Really?"

She laughed. "Of course, really."

The Colonel sighed, quirking a smile of his own. "I didn't know if it'd be okay. S'not something I've ever done before."

"Well, thank you."

He nodded, glancing back at the memorial. "Think they'd mind?"

"I doubt it. This is what Valentine's Day should be about, and I'm sure they'd agree."

"Yeah." Holding out his hand to her he smiled again. "Shall we go?"

Taking the offered hand she tucked the flower behind her ear. "Until next year."

Happy Valentine's Day.

( OOC, I know. But never mind xD

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