The early evening sunset painted the sky in a vivid array of colors, the last of the glowing orb's rays bathing the small room in its golden aura. A glass window was cracked open, the breeze from the ocean fluttering the thin curtain that covered it, bringing welcome relief from the island nation's sultry weather conditions. "So you really want to have the ceremony there?" A blonde grinned, relaxing against the plush beige sofa he sat on, his fiancee's head pillowed in his lap, his fingers gently stroking her cheeks, his attentions causing her eyes to flutter shut in pure contentment.

"Yep," she nodded, opening her topaz eyes, mesmerized by the way the brilliant diamond sparkled in the sun's setting rays, the crystal reflecting a rainbow of bright colors. "I've always wanted to get married by the beach...ever since I was a kid...," she looked up at her lover's scarred face, smiling at his amusement from her choice of a wedding location.

"Not the most traditional place," Mwu's deep voice chuckled, the laughter echoing throughout the den, a detective show playing on the television against the wall. "But it does sound nice," he trailed his fingers through her chocolate locks, her eyelids once again growing heavy. "What time of day?"

"Hmm...I always imagined it at sunset...my favorite time of the day," Murrue muttered sleepily before a large yawn escaped her lips.

"I thought the night was your favorite time of day," the blonde smirked slyly, playfully tapping her forehead.

"Mwu...I swear I don't know how I put up with you," she sighed, feigning annoyance. Closing her eyes, she attempted to stifle another rather large yawn, but found herself unsuccessful.

"Tired, huh?" He ruffled her hair, his fingertips moving down to caress her arm. "Guess the preparations for the peace treaty signing have worn you out."

"Not really. Everything's pretty much done for the ceremony tomorrow. I have been feeling a bit more tired the past couple of weeks though...," she muttered drowsily, snuggling herself closer in his lap.

"Just be sure to get enough rest," he leaned down, pressing his lips to her forehead. I guess it all finally caught up to you, he leaned back against the soft cushion, watching the last of the detective mystery playing on the bright screen. It's hard to believe that we'll be getting married in a couple of months after everything that's happened...those two years...me losing my memories...being Djibril's puppet...coming back to her...and now all this. But I can't imagine anything that I'd like more...than to just be together with her forever..., he looked down at the slumbering woman, her lips curved upward in a small smile. Sweet dreams, love..., he scooped her up into his strong arms, gently laying her on the large, soft mattress, the moon's silvery light illuminating the spacious bedroom.

The night air was hot and sticky, no ocean breeze to offer relief from the humid evening. The room was quiet, the only sounds to be heard the breathing of its two slumbering occupants. The brunette's was soft and even, a contented smile tugging at her lips, her dreams clearly happy ones. The man's breathing was jagged, beads of sweat rolling down his face, his fingers gripping the blue sheets tightly, his dreams anything but peaceful.

He stood there, blood dripping from a large gash in his leg, his left arm hanging limply by his side, the limb obviously fractured. His cerulean eyes were widened in horror at the scene before him, smoke filling the large room. She laid there on the ground, surrounded by rubble, blood soaking her blue and white uniform, her eyes closed. 'Oh God...Murrue...she can't be..., the man knelt down beside her, quickly feeling for her pulse, but finding none. 'Murrue...,' No...no...this can't be happening...,' he knelt down beside her, tears rolling freely down his cheeks, falling to the blood-stained floor below.

"You actually thought you could be happy?" A familiar deep voice rang out amidst the chaos, his sinister chuckle growing louder and louder. "After everything you did, Neo...you thought you could build a life with her?"

Mwu looked up, fists balled in anger at the sight of his father's clone. "Le Crueset...you bastard...what the hell are you doing here?"

"Tsk, tsk...is that any way to talk to your father?" Rau spat venomously. "You know why I'm here, don't you? This happened because of you...Neo...what you did. You hurt all those people...those three young pilots...the people in Berlin...countless others...and now it's your turn."

Mwu bolted up in the bed, sweat dripping from his face, soaking the thin cotton fabric, his heartbeat racing wildly. Glancing to his side, his eyes widened in shock at the woman beside him, her eyes still shut tightly, her breathing still soft and even. Was that...was that a dream? It seemed so...so real...but she's here...she's okay...,' he reached down, his fingers gently skimming her velvety cheek, his breathing beginning to return to normal. I don't know what I'd do without you, he smiled, his sapphire orbs gazing at his sleeping fiancee before laying back down in the bed beside her, an arm draped protectively around her slender form.

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"Did you have another nightmare?" Murrue asked mildly, poking at her cereal, the bright morning sun streaming in from the kitchen window, birds chirping happily just outside.

"Yeah," he sighed, sitting down beside her. "But this one was different...worse. I lost you...because of everything I did...all the people I hurt...," he frowned, staring down at his bowl before stuffing a small spoonfull into his mouth.

"Oh Mwu...I'm so sorry...but none of that was your fault. Djibril and the Alliance did that to you. I don't blame you for any of it...," she reached across the table, gently interlacing her fingers with his. "Don't worry, okay. I'm here now, and nothing in this world could drag me away. There isn't anywhere else I'd rather be than right here...with you," she looked over at him, his eyes unable to hide the sadness and worry from what he had seen earlier. "I know how real dreams can seem...but they're just dreams. And I'm not going anywhere," she stood up, wrapping her arms around his broad chest, gently kissing the top of his head.

"Still feel tired?" He leaned back into her embrace, her warmth enveloping him, her auburn hair tickling his cheek.

"A little," she admitted, sitting back down to finish her breakfast. Taking a sip of her orange juice, she scanned the newspaper. "Don't forget about the ceremony tonight. Cagalli wants all the officers to be there," she spotted a story about the evening's peace treaty signing between Orb and ZAFT.

"I know...I'll meet you there after work," he stood up, clearing the wooden table of the dishes and glasses. "It'll be nice to finally have this whole peace thing official," he rinsed the bowls out, quickly drying them with a cloth.

"It sure will. It's everything we hoped for...fought for," she grabbed her purse and car keys, quickly pressing her lips to his before she left the small beachside house, quickly starting the engine of her small blue car. And if this holds up, we won't have to worry about fighting anymore, she smiled, making her way down the busy road.

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AN: That didn't go exactly as planned...but hope it turned out okay.