"My round."
"No way! I nailed you that time!"
"I shot you down fair and square."
"Did not."
"Did too. It says so. Freedom beat Murasame six matches to none."
A definite pout. "Not surprising given that thing's just point and shoot. No skill involved."
"You're saying I'm not skilled?"
"I'm saying you should try using a different suit next time. Then we'll have a better idea."
"You're on."
Up on the gantry Murrue glanced at Cagalli-san, and the young woman glanced back, then shrugged with a small shake of her head. Boys, the expression clearly said, one which the older woman could entirely sympathise with. Kira-kun and Mwu had spent hours on the simulator over the last few days fighting each other in mock battles, and to be fair to Mwu things were pretty one-sided since the boy always fought using Freedom, a suit that was almost an extension of his own body. In a way I can understand it - in order to beat him Mwu has to be at the very top of his game, but it's still a touch unfair...
"You'd never guess they were friends.."
Murrue smiled. "This is good for them. Neither of them have been themselves - a little friendly rivalry might work wonders."
"You might be right there. They do look better.."
She nodded. Both looked much happier despite their squabbling, Kira-kun's smile brighter than she'd seen it in a long time. He missed Mwu. Lacus-san said that he was devastated when he heard what had happened to Strike. Perhaps he blamed himself for not being able to help him, just as I did... With a fond sigh she leaned on the gantry rail to watch them more, and the slight movement caught Mwu's attention, he glancing up and grinning broadly when he saw her.
"Why don't we let the cap'n decide who won?"
Kira-kun snorted. "Like that's any fairer than me using Freedom."
"What? Murrue would be fair."
"She's your girlfriend. How is that fair?" Mwu huffed, and the younger man rolled his eyes. "Think your excuses through better."
"You'd be fair, wouldn't you, Murrue?"
She grinned. "Now that depends on how you'd react if you didn't win."
His face fell. "You'd really be that mean?"
"You asked if I'd be fair. Being fair means I don't take sides."
"Do you take bribes?" he asked hopefully and she laughed.
"Think about how well you know me, then think about whether I would." He did as she asked, then sighed, broad shoulders slumping. In truth, she probably would let him bribe her in some way, and also let him get away with it - he'd been away too long for her to be able to deny him anything.
Kira-kun just beamed. "Does that mean I win?"
"Try fighting Murasame against Murasame, then we'll see." This time it was Mwu's turn to grin, scarred face lighting up in the familiar boyish expression she remembered so well, but had rarely seen since he came back. "Now does that sound fair?"
"I guess.." Kira-kun didn't sound convinced, but he nevertheless trudged back to the simulator after his friend. Cagalli-san just smiled.
"I think the Commander hit a nerve by saying piloting Freedom didn't take any skill.."
"He knows how skilled a pilot Kira-kun is. That's why he's looking forward to fighting him on an equal footing."
"So he'll enjoy this?"
"Very much."
And she was right. Ten minutes later the two reappeared, and while both were smiling Kira-kun's was rather more rueful than it had been. Mwu on the other hand was grinning from ear-to-ear, confidence boosted by what had clearly been a good battle. He needed it. To prove to himself and everyone else that he's still as good a pilot as he used to be....to prove that he's still the person he used to be. "I take it that went differently?"
Kira-kun sighed. "Couldn't get a hit on him. I think I need more training.."
"Told ya. Freedom's a great suit, but it's not built for close-combat fighting. If you get into a real melee battle you might end up the loser."
"How come you're still so good anyway? I thought they didn't let you pilot much."
"Oh they didn't," Mwu replied airily. "But all the ships have simulators just like this one - I used to practice when no-one was around.." His smile faded slightly. "Guess it helped me remember who I was supposed to be.."
Obviously not wanting his friend to relive painful memories Kira-kun smiled and patted his shoulder. "And helped you kick my ass. So it's a good thing."
"An interesting way of looking at things.." But the grin was back, he glancing up as Murrue and Cagalli-san walked down the steps to join them. "Hey ladies. Impressed?"
"Oh yeah." Cagalli-san smiled sweetly at her brother, who just shot her a sour look and walked off. "Thank you, Commander."
Mwu blinked. "Thank me? For what?"
"Giving him some perspective. Kira's so used to Freedom that I think he's started to consider himself invincible.." She looked downcast, worried. "I'm afraid he'll end up getting himself killed."
"Not if I have anything to say about it." The blonde man looked decisive, chin lifted slightly. "We can train more, and if we have to go fight I'll keep an eye on him."
Murrue smiled. "You'll keep an eye on Freedom in a borrowed Murasame?"
"Sure. Why not?"
Cagalli-san nodded. "Thanks again. I'd go out in Rouge, but Captain Ramius and Amagi won't let me.."
"I should think not. Murrue tells me you're Orb's boss now. We've got to get you back there in one piece, haven't we?"
The girl made a face. "Hate being fussed over.."
Mwu chuckled and ruffled her hair. "They do it 'cause they care about you. What's to hate about that?"
"I guess.."
"See? Nothing to worry about. Now if you'll excuse me, milady, I'll take my captain for something to eat." At the young woman's nod he grinned and held out his arm for Murrue, and the two of them walked from the hangar.
"They're both better for you being back."
He smiled a little. "You think so?"
"Yes. Around you they act like the children they are instead of having to live up to expectations. Cagalli-san tries so hard to be all her father was and she's doing a wonderful job, but sometimes she needs to remember that she's only eighteen. You don't treat her like she's anyone special, and she appreciates that."
"And the kid?"
"Kira-kun's taken on the responsibility of protecting Archangel. I can't thank him enough for it, but one mobile suit to protect this ship is a tough job. He understands why I can't let the Murasames go out, and he never complains, but.."
"And now he doesn't have to fight alone anymore?"
Murrue nodded. "That and he missed you. Lacus-san told me how upset he was when he heard what happened to Strike - he felt as though he should have been able to save you, even though there was no way he could have.." She shrugged with a little smile. "He wasn't the only one who felt that way."
"Now come on," He wound an arm around her waist, stopping in front of a window to look out at the snow that still fell. "You can't keep thinking 'what if?' Instead of worrying about what you think you should have done, try thinking about what you can do in all the time ahead. When the war's over, when we pack away this old girl again, the sky's the limit."
"Just the sky?"
Mwu smiled. "Alright then, as high as you want to go. Anything you want."
"You."
"Hmm?"
She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him. "That's what I want. You. Whatever happens, no matter where we end up, if we're together, then I'll be happy."
"That sounds like a plan." Bringing her around to stand in front of him he hugged her tightly, nuzzling his nose into her hair. I don't deserve it, but if being with me makes her happy who am I to complain? "What's it like to live in Orb?"
"It's beautiful. Very warm - it might take you a while to get used to it - but beautiful. I never saw clearer skies at night anywhere. And it's so peaceful.." Her voice was quiet, tone wistful and he smiled, kissing the back of her neck.
"It's home, huh?"
"It's home. For me, and I hope for you too."
"I'm sure it will be." He remembered the island country from his previous visits, remembered the almost overwhelming heat but also the beauty. He and Murrue had gone for walks along the beach not long after the battle, to relax, take in the country's sights, and enjoy each other's company in the early stages of their relationship. Good memories, ones he cherished and hoped to add to. Yes, Orb could be home. Home for both of us.
"Captain Ramius to the bridge! Captain Ramius to the bridge!"
"They're here." She quirked a small smile. "Matter of time. She didn't seem like the kind of person who'd give up."
"The ZAFT ship?"
"Yes. I don't want to fight her - the most I can do is send Kira-kun out there to hold them off while we try and make for the shoreline."
Ducking down Mwu kissed the tip of her nose. "And me. I'll take the Tiger guy's Murasame and back up the kid. I might not be able to do much but I can do that."
She crinkled her nose. "I knew you'd want to. Just...be careful, okay? I just got you back."
"I promise. And you be careful too." Sneaking a last kiss he ran back toward the hangar. Back up the kid he would, but he'd also do his best to protect his ship and captain.
This time I'll do things right.
The battle was in full swing. The ZAFT ship - Minerva, Murrue had called it - had brought friends, a land-based battleship packed full of tanks and those weird four-legged suit things like the Tiger guy had used back in the desert. It was all he could do to keep a lid on them. Kira had almost instantly gotten collared by that Shinn kid's mobile suit. And that's just what I was trying to warn him about. Melee fighting's not Kira's strong suit anymore, and the Shinn kid's a helluva pilot. He remembered the boy from when he'd brought Stellar back that time, a fierce, determined looking kid with black hair and crimson eyes. Another person I made a promise to, another promise I couldn't keep. But.. Flying low he peppered another tank with fire until it exploded into fragments before pulling up into a steep climb. She'd asked him to be careful....now that was a promise he could keep. The Murasame, despite it's lamentable paint job handled beautifully, a real credit to Murrue and the other Morgenroete guys, and he intended to tell them so once they arrived back home in Orb. Flying this and staying in one piece would be no trouble. That wasn't what he was worried about.
"Murrue.."
His ship was heading for the shoreline just as she'd said, in an attempt to get underwater and evade the enemy, but Minerva wasn't making it easy. They strafed the white ship with fire, Archangel's ablative armour only able to handle so much - they were taking a real hammering. Ignoring the landship's continuing annoyance he gunned the engines and headed straight for Minerva, firing everything he had left at the ship's bridge in an attempt to distract them before peeling off at the last second. To his satisfaction it seemed to have helped, Archangel almost submerged - then the unthinkable happened. All of a sudden a dazzling burst of light burst from Minerva's bow, striking the water just where his ship had vanished and sending a plume of water and fire fifty feet into the air. Stunned for a second Mwu didn't know how to react, the Murasame hanging in the air as he stared blankly at the point in the ocean where the explosion had come from. Scraps of white metal littered the surface, bobbing there innocently as though they weren't what they looked like.
"I..."
She wasn't gone, was she? She couldn't be.
"Murrue.."
"Commander!"
For a moment the voice didn't register. Why hadn't he been shot down by now? Surely he'd be an easy target just sitting here like this. Leaning back in the pilot seat he stared out at the horizon, hoping the shot came soon.
"Commander! Can you hear me?" Gradually it dawned on him that someone was calling his name. Blinking as though waking from a dream he glanced around for the source of the voice.
"Hello?"
"Commander, are you alright? It's Cagalli!"
The missie? "Yeah, I'm alright. But.."
"We're okay! Archangel made it! But Kira.."
Relief warred with fear. His ship, his captain were okay, but his friend.. Flipping the Murasame into a dive he pitched into the ocean, changing to mobile suit mode as he saw Strike Rouge up ahead. "Is the kid okay?"
"I don't know!" The missie's voice was high-pitched and on the verge of cracking. "We lost Freedom's signal...I've been calling him ever since I came out here but he won't answer.."
Mwu bit his lip. There was a chance he might never answer. "Dammit, kid.." I warned him, but it didn't mean I expected it to happen.. "Let's keep looking."
"They're on their way back, ma'am."
"And Kira-kun?"
Chandra sighed. "Can't tell. It looks like there are three objects, but without communications I can't tell."
She ran a hand through her hair. Mwu was okay, they'd been able to tell her that much, but after losing Freedom's signal the mood on the bridge had become sombre. "Alert sickbay, just in case."
"Ma'am."
Miriallia-san leaned down from her seat. "Is it...all right if I.."
"We'll both go."
The walk down was quiet, the air filled with tension. The ship was mostly out of danger, though with the damage it had sustained the journey back to Orb would be a slow one.
"Murrue-san?"
"Yes?"
Miriallia-san sighed. "What if he's.."
"I don't know." Not something she wanted to think about. She'd spent most of the battle alternatively praying that her ship and her lover would make it through, but had spared little thought for Kira-kun, believing that Freedom would be enough to keep him safe. But this time it wasn't.. Guilt stabbed at her - Kira-kun had given so much to protect the ship but she hadn't thanked him for it, and now it could be too late. "I have a lot to apologise for."
"To Kira? You never needed to. He told me he thinks of you like a big sister."
Murrue smiled slightly. "That's nice to know."
"He'll be all right," the younger woman said softly. "He has to be. He's come through things like this before."
"Yes, he has."
"He'll be there in sickbay getting patched up asking us what we're worried for."
As it turned out, reality was only slightly different. Kira-kun was indeed there getting patched up, but he was unconscious, lying perfectly still in one of the beds being watched over by Mwu and Cagalli-san. Mwu's pilot suit was bloodstained but thankfully he didn't seem injured. He glanced up as she walked in and smiled, crossing to her side and enfolding her in a hug so tight she could barely breathe.
"Wha- Mwu!"
"Don't ever do anything like that again."
"Do wha.... oh."
He shook his head with a short laugh. "You scared the hell out of me. Thought I'd lost you."
"I'm sorry." Managing to peek up at him she smiled. "But after the stunts you've pulled you can't really scold me for anything."
"Sure I can. Just 'cause I do that stuff doesn't mean you have to copy."
"Who's copying? I was just proving I could outdo you."
Mwu chuckled. "Is that right? I'm not sure that's a good idea."
"Only because you don't like to lose."
"Not in something like this. One of us being reckless is enough."
"I'll make you a deal then. If you stop being reckless, then I will. Sound fair?"
He nodded, leaning down to brush a kiss to her lips. "Sounds fair. No blocking Lohengrins."
"Or flying straight at battleships in a fighter plane."
"Ah, you saw that. No, no flying at battleships. And you, no blowing up engines to make me and everyone else think the ship's exploded."
"Deal."
"I still win."
Murrue laughed, leaning against him. "Yes, you still win. For now."
( Weird chapter, I know. That'll be the vanilla frosting.
please read and review! )
