Sickbay was quiet, the air in the small room still. Soft, even breathing punctuated the silence. A brunette sat on a small stool, her head pillowed in her arms on the small white bed, her hand entwined with the one sleeping there. Her eyes were shut tightly, sleep finally overcoming her. She had been at his side ever since he had gotten out of surgery several hours ago. She gasped at his condition, his normally tanned skin pale, his breathing shallow. His chest was wrapped tightly in white bandages. She ignored the doctor's advice to go get some sleep, that it would be a while before he woke. She shook her head, vowing to stay with him until he woke up. She sat there, staring at his sleeping form, her fingers softly brushing his scarred face. Her eyes finally growing heavy, she drifted off, still clutching his hand tightly.
"Murrue?" A quiet voice caused the woman to stir, the metal doors suddenly hissing open. "How is he?" Kira walked in, Lacus and Athrun following close behind the young pilot.
"Oh...Kira," the young woman sat up, eyes bleary, slightly startled by the sudden noise. "He lost a lot of blood, and there was some internal damage. The doctor said it was touch and go earlier, but that he should recover. He's still sedated though. It'll probably be several more hours before he wakes up."
"I'm glad he's going to be okay. We've all been worried," Kira smiled down at his older friend, a hand placed gently on her shoulder. "Are you okay? This must all be so hard on you."
Shaking her head, she squeezed the blonde's hand tighter. "I'm fine. I want to be here when he wakes up," she smiled, brushing a stray golden lock out of his face.
"Just make sure to get some rest," Lacus smiled softly. "We heard he got his memory back earlier."
"I...I'm not sure. It seemed that way. He saved us again. Something seemed different after that. He seemed more like he used to be. Maybe I was just seeing things though."
"I knew he would eventually remember you," Kira smiled. "I know it probably didn't seem that way at first. But I knew bringing him here was the right thing to do. This is where he belongs. Here with you."
"Kira...I can't thank you enough. It's thanks to you that we have a second chance. And Athrun, thank you so much for bringing him in. You saved his life. The doctor said it was because you got him here so quickly. Thank you," the auburn haired captain smiled at the navy haired pilot.
"I'm glad that I was able to help," he returned the smile.
"What are our plans?" Murrue looked up, her eyes still slightly bloodshot and puffy, tears staining her porcelain cheeks.
"Cagalli is coming up here shortly. We'll begin the cease fire negotiations as soon as she arrives," Lacus replied, a delicate hand on Kira's shoulder. "The Archangel will be docked in Copernicus until they're completed in case anything happens. It should take a few weeks."
"I see. Hopefully he'll be better by the time we're able to leave," Murrue sighed, still exhausted.
"We'll keep you posted," Kira smiled. "I think you should try to get some more rest. We'll come check on both of you later."
"Thank you...for coming here. I'm sure he appreciates it," she smiled at her younger friends as they left, the small room quiet once again. "You sure did give me a scare," she whispered, fingers tracing the scar forked across his face. "I thought when Athrun brought you in that I had lost you again. You better never do that to me again...," she murmured sleepily, her eyes fluttering shut.
Azure eyes blinked open, scanning their surroundings, still bleary from sleep and the powerful sedative he had been given. Where am I? He winced, a dull ache radiating from his left side. Damn...what happened? He shut his eyes again, still not adjusted to the sudden brightness. That's right...that kid...Shinn. He sliced me up pretty good..., he opened his eyes again, smiling at the warmth in his hand. Murrue..., Mwu turned his head, gently squeezing her delicate hand. How long have you been here? Her breathing was soft and even, dark hair covering her face as she slept, head pillowed on her arm. You're just as beautiful as I remember. And from the looks of it still as stubborn as ever too, he smiled as he watched her sleep. I'm glad I was able to keep you safe...then...and now...
Murrue smiled at the sudden warmth, her topaz eyes still shut tightly. Stirring slightly, she murmured incoherently. Her eyes fluttered open, blinking to adjust to the sudden brightness. A soft yawn escaped her lips, her eyes widening at the sight of cerulean eyes gazing at her. "Mwu...," her voice squeaked, pulse suddenly quickening.
"Yep, it's me," he whispered softly, his hand still holding tightly onto hers. "I kept my promise...just a little late," he smiled warmly, reaching up to caress her creamy skin. "And now we can go home. Together."
"Mwu...don't ever scare me again like that...," tears streamed down her porcelain cheeks. "I thought...I thought that I had lost you again...," she stammered between chocked sobs.
"Don't cry sweetheart," he wiped the tears rolling down her velvety skin. "You don't have to be alone anymore."
"Oh Mwu.. I love you. And if you leave me again...I'll kick your ass," she leaned down, her lips softly brushing against his, her breath warm against his skin.
Breaking for air, he smiled, their lips still inches away from each other. "Love you too," he smiled, pulling her down for another kiss.
"How are you feeling?" She gently caressed his face, running her fingers through his thick blonde curls.
"Like I've been hit by a train," he chuckled, smirking slightly. "How long have I been asleep?" He leaned his head back against the fluffy white pillow, frowning from the dull ache in his side.
"Since yesterday. You were pretty beaten up," she sighed, sitting back down on the small stool beside his bed. "You were lucky that Athrun got you here in time."
"I...I'm sorry I scared you like that. But I don't regret it...saving you, I mean. You're everything to me, and I'm glad that I was able to protect you. Keep you safe." He reached up, his fingers toying with the ends of her auburn locks. "You...you saved me. Without you, I'd be dead.. Inside and out. Because of you I finally had a reason to live. To fight for a future...a future where we can be together without this war."
"I...I...don't know what to say...," she stuttered, annoyed at her inability for words. "Those two years...I didn't even think of my future. It seemed pointless really, and now this...it's all so...," fresh tears welled up in the corner of her tawny eyes.
"It's okay sweetheart...I know it's hard to believe. But things are different now. As strange as it seems...we can finally have the future we both hoped for."
"But first you have to get better," She took his hand in hers, gently squeezing it.
"Will do, Captain," he winked. "And I still want to take you out. In the city," he grinned.
"I...I'd like that," Murrue smiled, a faint blush on her porcelain cheeks. "When you get better, okay?"
"I'll be looking forward to it," he smiled, his eyes growing heavy again.
"Get some rest," she leaned forward, softly grazing his lips. "I'll be here when you wake up," she whispered softly. "I love you."
"Love you too," he mumbled sleepily, cerulean eyes flitting shut. He smiled, knowing that their future was waiting, his mind drifting off into the land of dreams once again.