The day was perfect, just as he had hoped. Not a cloud marred the blue of the sky, and the sun was already warm even this time of the morning. Grinning, he sat down on the porch with a mug of coffee, beginning to go over his plans for the day. He'd arranged to meet her by the coffee stand at 10AM, then the sky was the limit. He wanted to show her everything, the beach, the woods near his house, the coral reef - he wanted to show her this world, and all the reasons he'd given up the other. I want her to see how beautiful it is, so that even if she doesn't choose me, I'll still have a connection to her... Though he'd better clean the place up first, so as not to give her a bad impression.

"Not that it's too bad," he mused to himself, glancing round at the little wooden house. It was slightly untidy, clean clothes he'd taken to the launderette in a pile on the table, the covers of his bed in the loft space were rumpled, and the dishes needed washing. "Shouldn't take too long.."

And it didn't. Clearing up the mess, he swept the porch, threw the leftover crusts of his breakfast out for the birds, and set off to meet his guest, whistling a tune as he went.

She was there, sitting on the sea wall, politely fending off the advances of some of the unattached surfers. For a moment, he stood just out of sight and enjoyed the guilty pleasure of watching her. She was wearing a pale pink dress, very different from the skirt suits he usually saw her in, and the effect it had was stunning. For the first time, he was able to appreciate how beautiful she really was...it was small wonder he had competition for her. But... Peeking out from behind the tree he waved to catch her attention, and the rush of giddy delight he felt when she smiled and waved back further increased his determination.

"You been waiting long?" he called as she made her way over.

"Five minutes or so. Where are we going first?" For an answer he grinned and led the way into the network of trees that lined the beach, the shade of the branches a relief from the already hot morning. Murrue peered all around herself as they walked, clearly not having expected this. "Is there something here?"

"There's always something," he chuckled. "Look around and tell me what you think."

It wasn't what she was used to. Most of her days were spent surrounded by concrete, steel and glass, the pressure and hectic pace of the city. This was something altogether different. Everything was green and cool, the greenness still there even when she closed her eyes. It smelt fresh, and if she listened carefully she could hear the rustle of leaves in the light breeze, and the singing of birds perched high in the branches. And she smiled.

"You see?" she heard Mwu ask softly. "Sometimes the journey's as important as the destination.." She opened her eyes and nodded, understanding what he meant. She'd never given much thought to things like that, and she suspected not many did. Everyone she saw walking to and from work each day were focused on their destination, never noticing what was around them. And she'd been the same...until that day she'd looked up and seen him.

"How long did it take you to notice that?"

"Longer than it should have," he admitted. "But once I did, I realised how much I'd missed out on. Trouble is, when you try and tell people, they look at you like you're nuts.." Murrue had to smile. For a moment she had an image of him on a city street in a suit just like she saw dozens of businessmen wearing, gazing at one of the trees that lined the pavement, being ignored by many and stared at by others.

"Is that why you went to live somewhere else?"

"Yeah. I realised that I couldn't keep living like that. So I sold the company Dad left me and moved out here.."

She blinked. "You were..."

A sheepish grin. "Yeah. Told you Andy and I knew each other as kids, and that our dads were big shots? Well my dad died when I was about eighteen - too much fancy living by the sounds of it - and I ended up being in charge. And it was okay for a while. But then..." He waved an arm around himself.

"So you sold it?"

He nodded. "Andy was real pissed at me. Said that I'd worked too hard to give it all up. But what he worked for and I what I did had always been different. He wants to be in charge one day...I never expected to be. I wasn't ruthless enough, and Dad knew it. I don't think he'd have been surprised I sold it. A lot of guys said I did it for the payoff, but that wasn't true.."

"Wasn't it?"

Mwu grinned again. "You ever seen Andy's house?" She nodded, remembering the glittering clifftop mansion she and the others had been invited to last Christmas. Her lasting impression was of marble floors and statues, artwork and chandeliers,...it had been dazzling. "Then let me show you mine." Taking her hand, he led her through the trees until they came out on a clearing. What she saw...took her breath away.

The house was tiny. Partly hidden by trees, barely two stories high, and made of wood. Pitched roof, a porch...not where you'd expect a millionaire to live, but exactly where she'd expect someone like Mwu to live. "It's beautiful.."

"I'm glad you think so." His smile was warm and boyish, and she found herself blushing, glancing down at the ground. His hand still held hers, sending warmth all through her body - and she found she didn't want him to let go.

"Can I see inside?"

"How long have you lived there?"

He pursed his lips. "Eight years? More or less..."

"And only Andrew knows you're there?"

Another sheepish grin. "Andy doesn't know exactly where or how I live. He probably thinks I have a house like his somewhere.."

"Why don't you? You have enough money.."

"Oh, I do, but what's the point of having all that fancy stuff?" He screwed up his nose at the thought, looking so adorable she had to hide a smile. "Dad had a lot of china stuff, and I used to break it a lot. This stuff I have more trouble breaking.." He raised the plastic mug with a grin.

It's hard to believe that he's got so much...his life is so different from Andrew's... But the more she learned about her companion, the more she realised that the life he had was perfect for him. The old adage that 'money couldn't buy happiness' seemed to be true after all. The ones she had seen with money were always trying to get more, working hard and partying harder. But he was different

"What did you have planned for today?"

"I'll show you." Setting down his mug he charged into the house, his exuberance making her giggle. Inside it was chaos, but the comfortable kind. Cushions and clothes everywhere, things scattered right and left - he'd admitted he'd tidied the place up a bit earlier that morning, so what it had looked like before she could only guess. Four rooms, a sitting room, kitchen and bathroom, and a ladder leading up to a loft bedroom. No electricity or running water (he cooked and heated water for washing over a portable gas ring)...it was a pretty basic life, yet it suited him. He reappeared a moment later with a bag of something, and held out a hand. "C'mon, let's go!"

"Will you tell me what we're doing?"

"Going in there." He pointed to the ocean, and handed her a snorkel and mask from the bag. "Under there is stuff more beautiful than anything on land, and I want to show you. That's why I said to bring a swimsuit.."

"How did you know I could swim?"

"If you didn't, it would still be okay. I'd have helped you." He pulled off his T-shirt...and she went scarlet to her hairline. Oh, my God... Both his physique and her reaction to it surprised her - it was hard to even look at him without blushing. And he seemed quite proud of the fact. Scowling to hide her embarrassment, she slipped out of her sundress, and bit back a smile of her own as he blinked and stared. Two can play at that game.. She hadn't managed to work up the courage to wear a bikini, but the swimsuit she'd chosen was one of her favourites. A small vanity, yes, but she'd wanted him to notice her. She'd hoped his reaction would be like this.

"Uhh, right.." Shaking his head as though to clear it he donned his mask and waded out into the shallows, half-turning and holding out his hand to her with a smile.

Her face was a picture.

They swam slowly over the coral reef, he pointing out the various plants and creatures that had made the formations their home. Grasses, anemones, limpets and crabs, and all around in a multicoloured ripple were the fish. Clownfish, dories, marine angelfish...no matter how many times he saw these scenes, they never failed to amaze him. Grinning, he looked back at his companion. Murrue's eyes were wide with wonder, captivated by the undersea world, and she never noticed him watching her. They'd been down here for almost an hour now, longer than he usually stayed, but he didn't want to disturb her.

I wanted her to see what I see. To understand why I chose this life...and it seems as though she does... As he watched fondly she turned to watch a school of bright yellow fish swim past - then she winced and slowly floated to the surface.

"Murrue? Are you all right?"

"Oh yeah.." She sounded distracted, but still smiled. "Think I scraped myself a bit.."

"Let me see.." Ducking under the water he checked her over. She seemed fine, no bruises or scrapes he could see...then he saw her foot. Trying not to wince himself he pulled her gently to shallower water, where he lifted her in his arms. She frowned, clearly not knowing how bad the injury was, and tried to wriggle free.

"I only scraped it.."

"You shouldn't walk on this." And not another word of protest would he hear. Instead he carried her to the shore, wrapping her in a towel and binding her foot with his T-shirt once they were out of the water. She'd probably caught it on the coral as she'd turned, the sharp material causing a nasty gash. "Does it hurt?"

Murrue had gone a little paler, but she still smiled. "A bit.."

Despite his wish to get her wound checked and bandaged, he found himself returning to his house quite slowly, enjoying carrying her. She was warm, and though they'd been in the sea, a faint scent of roses still clung to her. She too seemed to enjoy the journey, dark eyes half-closed, and she was even smiling a little. "You asleep?"

"Hmm? No." Shifting slightly, she sat up in his arms. "I can walk now." Mwu had to smile. She's a stubborn one, isn't she? He'd known the day he met her she had spirit - that might even have been part of what had attracted him to her. Her foot was obviously hurting her, yet she made him stop so she could get down and walk herself.

"It's pretty bad, you know.."

"Doesn't matter," she replied, taking his offered arm and hopping along as best she could. "I'm not an invalid." Setting her chin, she carried on, not letting the pain reach her face, and not hearing his fond chuckle. This was going to be quite a ride..

"You all right?"

She nodded, her eyes closed. Her face was paper-white, thin fingers curled tightly in the towel she'd been wrapped in, but she never let on how much it hurt. He was being as careful as he could, knowing that the antiseptic must sting. "I didn't mean for something like this to happen...I wanted it to be a fun day.."

"It has been," she replied quietly. Her smile was genuine and beautiful, and he couldn't help but smile back. Finishing with the antiseptic he took out the lotion.

"I'm glad you think so." The last thing he'd wanted was for her to get hurt today - he'd wanted it to be perfect so she'd want to spend time with him again. But it hadn't been. Looking up he tried to apologise again...then stopped. She was smiling still, dark eyes closed, a pale pink flush to her cheeks. "Are you all right?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes.." Her voice was vague, distracted, and for a moment he couldn't understand why, until he remembered what he was doing. He'd started off applying the antiseptic salve to the injury, rubbing her foot gently...and that's why she was smiling. She likes that... He moved his hand up to her ankle to stroke it gently, feeling an odd rush of emotion at her content little sigh - then, to his regret, pulled away. Murrue murmured softly, sounding rather unhappy.

"I have to put the bandages on now.." She didn't protest further, though his mind did, wandering all over as he forced a professional air while he bound her foot. When it was over he moved to sit beside her on the porch, surprised at the regret he felt. She gazed at her bandaged foot with a small smile, rotating her ankle.

"Sorry for being clumsy.."

He chuckled softly. "I should be the one to apologise. I didn't mean for you to get hurt.."

"It's only a cut." Hopping to her feet she slipped the sundress back over her head, glancing down as something fell from her pocket to the ground with a 'clink'. And his heart soared. It was the seashell he'd given her. He'd hoped she'd still have it, but., She bent to retreive it, carefully brushing off the dirt before placing it back where it had fallen from with a gentle smile.

"You still have that.."

"It's sort of my good-luck charm," she admitted, taking out the shell again. Mwu grinned, delighted that she would think of something he gave her that way. It was obvious she didn't want to lose it...

"Here, let me see it.."

"Hmm? What for?"

"I have an idea. Stay there.." Regretfully almost, she handed over the tiny shell, watching as he disappeared into the house.

After he'd gone, Murrue gazed at her carefully bandaged foot. The injury on the coral reef had really hurt, though she'd done her best not to worry him. But the care she'd received had surprised her. I didn't expect him to carry me, or to treat it the way he did. And it felt...nice.. She'd also been surprised at her own reaction to his touch. Only a week since she'd met him, yet she'd let him do something like that...and she'd been disappointed when it ended. I won't lie and say I'm not attracted to him. He has all the qualities Andrew does...but something is different. Something about him makes me want to be around him, and I don't know what that is...

"Here.." Hearing his voice she glanced up, heart skipping a little at his smile. He held out the shell he'd given her. "Now you won't have to worry about losing it.." He'd bored a tiny hole in it and threaded a chain through to make it into a pendant, which he placed around her neck. The unexpectedness of the gift caused a lump in her throat...all she could do was stare at it.

"Thank you.." Looking back up she caught her breath - he was so close his breath tickled her cheek. He didn't seem to notice it, or else he wasn't concerned - but she was. What is he doing? If he wants to kiss me, I wish he would...it's not like I'd complain... But to her regret, and a surprising amount of pain, he pulled away again.

"Sorry.."

"Stop being sorry," she replied, knowing she was grumbling but not caring. "If you want to kiss me, then just kiss me already.." Mwu blinked, sighed, then pulled her close to brush his lips against hers. Electricity shot up her spine from the gentle touch and she sighed happily, winding her arms around his neck to return the kiss. Only a week since she'd met him, but the connection between them had been there from the very beginning. Like they'd known each other for a long time. Whether it was because of his similarity to Andrew, or something more, she wasn't sure, but right now she didn't care.

Just let me enjoy this...

( Yay kiss fufufu hope you all liek :smile:

please read and review! )