( Hokay. This be a sequel to 'One Night', my smut-but-not-smut oneshot from a few months ago. I just wondered what the 'morning after' might be like. Heeee. )

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She didn't remember the last time she had slept so well. She felt comfortable, relaxed - and although she felt tired still, somehow that didn't matter as much as it normally would. Smiling contentedly, she stretched out before settling back into the warmth of her pillow. It had been a very long time since she'd enjoyed a decent night's sleep, and she was determined to make it last as long as possible.

Eventually though, it began to dawn on her that things weren't quite what they seemed. As her sleepy mind slowly woke up, different things reached her senses. The feeling of being pressed against something warm and rather solid. The scent of cologne, soap and warm skin. The sound of breathing and a heartbeat that weren't her own... Prising her eyes open, she glanced around confusedly before propping herself up on an elbow to see better. What she saw - wasn't at all what she'd been expecting. "Oh.." was all she could think of to say.

He lay beside her, fast asleep still, head pillowed on one arm. He was smiling in his sleep, and despite her shock, Murrue couldn't help smiling back, reaching out to gently trace the curve of his lips with a finger. Now she remembered. He'd invited her to work in his room, had given her a massage to soothe aching back and shoulders...then things had gotten a little more serious. It was something we'd both wanted for a while - but we couldn't exactly come right out and say it. But last night... Last night had been wonderful. Leaning close she kissed him lightly before settling back down beside him, stifling a giggle as his sleepy smile grew. "Thank you.."

A little while later, Mwu awoke, looking around himself drowsily. He too seemed to realise that something was different, half-sitting up before seeing her there beside him. A broad happy smile lighting up his face, he brushed gentle fingertips against her cheek, the smile only growing when she leaned into his touch. "Hey, beautiful. You okay?"

"Mmm-hmm.." He smiled again, and nuzzled close to catch her lips in a tender kiss which she happily returned, winding thin fingers in blonde curls to bring him closer. Feeling his hands begin to wander, she flicked his ear, shaking her head when they broke for air. "None of that, mister. We have work in a while. Remember work?"

"I remember," he replied, his voice slightly muffled as he kissed her neck. "But a while is long enough.."

"No." With great difficulty, (and no small amount of reluctance) Murrue managed to wriggle free of his grasp, setting both feet on the floor - before he snaked an arm around her waist and tugged her back into bed. "Mwu! Stop it!"

"Really?" His face fell, expression almost puppylike, and she had to fight hard to keep from smiling and encouraging his advances further.

"Yes, really. I have to get ready for work, and so do you." His face fell still further at her words, smile not returning even when she stroked his face. "Please don't look at me like that. I want to stay here too, but you know we can't..."

Not even for a little while? she asked herself. We don't have to report for duty for an hour and a half or so. We could stay here for a while... Shaking her head again, this time with a gentle smile, she reached up to wind her arms around his neck. "Well...maybe just for half-an-hour or so.." Mwu's expression changed instantly, becoming the sunny infectious smile she could never help returning. "But not that," she clarified, tapping the end of his nose. "Got me?"

He made a face, but nodded. "Okay."

"Do you think anyone will notice?"

"Some might." She sighed a little at that, shifting in his embrace to nuzzle her face into his shoulder. She never liked having attention drawn to their relationship, which didn't surprise or concern him. And it was a secret he was happy to keep - although it wasn't quite a total secret. "Those three that saw us on the bridge might.." Although I threatened them with everything I could think of if they ever breathed a word... "And the kid probably will.."

Murrue smiled. "I don't mind if Kira-kun knows. He wouldn't tell anyone anyway.."

"True.." Kissing the crown of her hair he pulled her a little closer, beginning to trace patterns on the smooth skin of her back. She looked content and happy, which gave him a burst of pride...to know he was the one who had made her smile like that. "I could get used to that.."

"To what?" she asked softly.

"That smile." She opened her eyes at those words, the dark gold softened with affection, and nudged close to kiss him. He knew he was the only one who saw her smile this way, not just the friendly expression she showed the kid and the others, but something altogether different. Because she's happy... Skimming a hand through her silky dark hair, he returned the kiss, his other hand caressing the back of her neck. He'd learned the previous evening she loved that, the knowledge confirmed when she sighed in bliss, almost melting at the touch.

"Please don't," she murmured breathlessly when they broke. "We don't have time..."

"Don't we?" He smiled and gently kissed the tip of her nose before sitting up and scooping her into his arms. "We could make time..."

Murrue shook her head, narrowing her eyes in mock scolding. "Not for that." Wriggling free of his hold she managed to climb from the bed, scooping up her discarded clothes.

"You're getting dressed already?"

Uniform bundled in one arm, the other hand on a hip, she cocked an eyebrow. "No, I was thinking of walking back to my room like this. What do you think?"

Mwu sighed. "You don't have to go yet, you know.."

"I do though, don't I? I have to get a shower and clean clothes. If I go on duty in stuff from yesterday they're going to notice."

He grinned. "Tell you what. Go get your unmentionables, then come back here. Okay?" She looked faintly suspicious, but nodded, slipping her T-shirt and skirt on before very cautiously opening the door and peeking out. Stifling a chuckle, he crept up behind her and kissed the back of her neck. "Go on. It'll be fine. I'll wait for you.."

But when she got back... "Mwu?" The bed was empty, covers rumpled - there was no sign of him. Huffing, she set her clean uniform down on a chair and folded her arms. "So much for waiting.."

"But I did." Glancing up, much to her surprise (and secret relief) she saw the curly blonde head peek out from the bathroom. "Here, c'mon.." He held out a hand. "C'mon, it's okay..." Smiling, Murrue took the hand, letting him twine his fingers in hers and tug her into the room.

"So this is where you've been..."

He grinned boyishly. "I thought it might be fun. Don't you think so?"

Hiding a smile, she leaned against the wall. "I don't know. It might be a tight fit for two of us.."

Mwu seemed to consider that, looking at her, then himself, then the tiny cubicle where the running shower sent steam billowing into the room. Then he grinned again. "Only one way to find out." Before she could react, he picked her up by the waist and jumped into the shower. Laughing, she made a show of struggling. "This is your idea of showering? I'm still half-dressed!"

"That's true." he mused, tapping his chin. "We'll have to do something about that.." Carefully, he grasped the hem of her by-now-soaked T-shirt and lifted it up over her head, brushing gentle hands down her sides as the garment was discarded. Closing her eyes, Murrue leaned back against the shower stall as his hands continued to wander, not in the least bit surprised when he slowly removed her skirt.

"And this...is your idea...of showering?" she managed to ask, gasping softly as his lips found her neck. He chuckled, continuing to caress and kiss her until she was almost dazed before lifting her up in his arms. The hot water, the steam, soaked skin and kisses - it all seemed to blend together. All that felt real was him, and the way he moved. Burying her face in the crook of his neck to stifle the noise, she held him as tightly as she could, fingernails leaving tiny crescent marks on his back. How long it was, whether an hour or only five minutes, she wasn't able to tell, but, biting her lip to suppress her cries as the final wave hit her, she could have sworn it had been forever.

Mwu murmured softly into her ear, gently stroking her back to calm her before setting her back down. He smiled, blue eyes soft with affection, and leaned close to kiss her lightly.

"That was some shower," he observed, and she giggled. The best shower I ever had...

"I'd say so. Shall we get washed now?"

"You almost fell asleep in there," he remarked later with a grin, and she rolled her eyes, sitting down on his bed to pull on her stockings.

"What did you expect?" she asked, checking the thin fabric for ladders or holes. What with that, then the way he washed my back, I was so relaxed it was a wonder I was able to walk... "Don't be surprised if you find me asleep on my desk later.." He laughed at that, leaning close to kiss the crown of her hair.

"You smell like my shampoo now. Not as nice as the rose kind you use, but I like it anyway."

Murrue made a face. "What if someone notices I smell like sandalwood instead of lavender?"

His answer was a raised eyebrow. "They'd have to be damn close to be able to smell that." Ducking his head down, he kissed her neck before growling into her ear. "Is there someone else who gets this close to you?"

"Would you be jealous?" she asked impishly. He growled again, and she giggled, ruffling drying blonde hair. "No, there's no-one else."

"Good. Cause if there was, I'd punch them out." Smiling and happy again, Mwu kissed her gently before helping her to her feet and walking her to the door, peeking out to see if the coast was clear. "All clear."

The two of them walked together toward the elevator, talking and laughing quietly. Other crewmembers passed, but seemed to notice nothing different, which amused him greatly. "What would they do if I kissed you right now?"

"Probably stare, then run straight to their friends to gossip about it. So don't."

He chuckled, pressing the button for the elevator to take them to the bridge. "But your expression would be so cute...oh, I think I know a way to make everyone on the bridge start talking."

She raised an eyebrow. "You do?"

Escorting her into the elevator, he placed a hand on her shoulder and leaned close to whisper in her ear. Words which caused her to squeak and flush bright red.

"Y-you do?"

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( Mwahahahahahahahahahaha XD more almost-smut lol. For my big sis, to cheer her up since she has school now.

Hope you like it!

please read and review! )