Murrue sighed, slumping her thin shoulders. Stretching, she leaned her back against the soft chair she sat in, her laptop computer sitting on the smooth desk. The small television drowned out silence, a news report about the Destiny Plan being broadcast on one of the stations.

"Seems things are moving faster than we thought," the brunette frowned, lifting her eyes to the small screen. The massive white ship had arrived on the moon just a few short hours ago, docking in the neutral city of Copernicus. "This whole situation...it's just so frustrating, and unpredictable...," her voice trailed off. She flinched in her seat, startled by the metallic door hissing open. "Oh, Kira," the young captain smiled at her teenage friend entered the room. "How can I help you?"

"Just came by to see what the plans were for later today," the chocolate haired pilot, violet eyes turned to the television. "Hopefully we'll be able to find out what the Chairman's plans are," he sat down across from the older woman.

"Yes," she nodded her head in agreement, frowning at the scene of the recent destruction of several PLANTs. "We're scheduled to meet with the Orb space fleet officers in about two hours. We should be able to learn more from that."

"We can't let that thing...Requiem...hurt anymore innocent people," Kira's voice was determined, the teen pilot confident that they would be able to stop the massive laser from firing on those who dared to disagree with Chairman Dullindal.

"It's pretty obvious Orb will be the next target. And any other nation that defies him will be next. We're outnumbered, but as long as we have the power to make a difference, we have to put it to good use. Right?"

Smiling, the young general nodded. Those words...they had such an impact on his young life. They helped shape him into the person he was today, confident and willing to fight for what he believed in. "How are things going between you two?"

"I...uh...," her cheeks flushed a pale pink. "He still doesn't remember me...what we had," she sighed, resting her head in her hands. "But he did say that he feels like he's known me for a long time."

"I had a feeling things would work out this way," Kira smiled, happy for his friend. "It was only a matter of time really."

"It seems like he's becoming more and more like Mwu every day," she looked across the table at her younger companion. "When he first woke up and didn't recognize me...I didn't think that any of this would be possible. His eyes...they were so cold and distant. Like he was an empty shell of his former self. But now I can see that he's still in there. Just hidden."

"I knew I made the right decision that day in Berlin. He belongs here. With you," the teen stood up from his chair, making his way to the door.

"Kira...I can never thank you enough for bringing him back here. I don't think I'll ever be able to repay you for that," Murrue looked across the room at the brown haired boy.

"Don't worry about it," he smiled warmly. "It's the least I could do. Both of you did so much for me. I'm just glad I was able to help. See you on the bridge in a couple of hours," the pilot walked out of her office, the door hissing shut behind him.

"That meeting wasn't too productive, was it?" The blonde colonel stuffed a spoonful of vegetables into his mouth, the two sitting in the otherwise empty mess hall.

"Not really," she agreed, taking a sip of ice cold water. "But at least we have a plan, even if we're unsure as to what the Chairman has up his sleeve."

"This plan...do you think it'll work?" Neo finished the rest of his meal, happy to finally have some time alone with the auburn haired captain.

"Who knows?" She shrugged. "ZAFT has the numbers, that's for sure," she sighed. "And we know that Minerva will be there too, as well as her mobile suits. It's going to be a hell of a battle. But we can't just sit by and do nothing," her soft voice was firm, the determination there impossible to miss.

"True," he smiled. "How did you get tangled up in all of this in the first place?" The blonde colonel tilted his head, slightly confused. "You're not exactly the typical soldier."

"Probably not," she laughed, taking another sip of her cool beverage. "Basically, I joined the military so they would pay for college. And they did. I ended up getting an engineering degree and going into the reserves. But when the war broke out, I got called up. That's how I ended up working with the new mobile suits."

"Did your parents want you to join the military?" He looked across at her, azure orbs awed by her beauty.

"They were okay with it. Probably not happy about it, but they didn't try to stop me." The academy wasn't too far away from home, so I did get to go see them on long weekends. When I wasn't surfing with my friends," she giggled, remembering the fun times she and her friends shared on the beach.

"You surf?" Neo grinned, cerulean eyes dancing with laughter. "You'll have to make sure to teach me when this is all over."

"I'd like that," the brunette returned the smile, a pale blush spreading across her porcelain cheeks.

"You got any other hobbies?" Neo chuckled, amused by her reaction.

"I...well...um...besides martial arts, we used to drink a lot. Guess we did it to pass the time."

"A drinker, eh?" Neo teased playfully, that familiar roguish grin spread across his scarred face. "I never would've guessed."

"I get that a lot," she rolled her eyes.

"Think you could out drink me?" The blonde flashed an impish grin, a mischievous sparkle in his crystalline eyes.

"Probably," she smirked proudly. "You wouldn't stand a chance."

"Is that so?" He grinned happily, never having seen this side of the usually serious captain. "Well, that's just another thing we'll have to try when this is all over."

Her pulse picked up at his words, the blush returning to her cheeks. What's happening to me? I..it's happening all over again isn't it? I suppose I should've seen this coming...and now..., her mind raced, her thoughts a jumbled mess.

"You okay?" Neo tilted his head in confusion.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she stuttered, annoyed with her reaction to his words. "Well, I still have some work to do," she stood up, cheeks still warm.

"Don't stay up too late, okay?" The blonde reminded her. "We'll need all the rest we can get the next few days," the two walked out of the empty mess hall, stopping in the long corridor.

"I know," she smiled. You're taking care of me again, aren't you? Just like before..., she smiled, making her way back to the small office, hoping to get the last of her work done. And maybe things will end differently this time, she sat down at her desk, fingers typing busily on the small black laptop.

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A/N: That didn't turn out quite as I had planned. Oh well...hope you all enjoyed, and please review.