"This isn't funny. Where are we going?"

He didn't answer, only chuckled, which served to irritate her more. "I'm serious, Mwu. Where are we?" They'd taken this trip together, had been planning it for months - she knew where they were, so why was he doing this? He hummed softly, continuing to walk forward, guiding her with his hands placed over her eyes. And despite her annoyance, she didn't reach up to take his hands away...secretly enjoying it all. "Can I at least have a hint?"

"You'll like it.."

She sighed. "Yes, I probably will. But I'd like it more if I could see where I was going.."

"Patience, sweetheart." He continued to guide her, walking slowly so she didn't stumble, until they reached a place where the breeze blew stronger than before, and he finally removed his hands. And she gasped. She was looking out over a cliff. The sky was a brilliant blue, reflected perfectly in the ocean below. The only sounds to be heard were the crashing of waves upon rocks and the cries of seabirds...it had been many years since she'd been somewhere like this. Not since I was little... Turning to Mwu she beamed, almost too happy to speak. He grinned in return and ruffled her hair, then laughed breathlessly as she hugged him tightly. "You're welcome. Worth the trip?"

"Oh yeah.." Sighing in contentment, she snuggled close. "How did you know I wanted to come to the beach?"

"Lucky guess.." A couple of months ago they'd been curled up together on the sofa watching TV when a commercial for tropical holidays had been shown. It had portrayed an expanse of white sand, blue sky, and turquoise ocean - and Murrue's face had lit up. And that had been it.Expensive, yes, but it had been a long time since he himself had been on holiday, and he rather liked the idea of having her all to himself for a while. Kissing her lightly, he took her hand. "Well then, milady, shall we be going?"

The hotel room was small, but clean and comfortable, fresh air blowing through the open window. Clearly delighted, she spun around and flopped onto the bed with another happy sigh, much to his amusement. "What can we do first?"

"Well, I thought we could go to the beach. Some sun and sea air will do you good - put some colour in your face."

Murrue pretended to pout. "I thought you loved me as I am."

"Of course I do. You know that. But," he mused as he sat down on the bed beside her, "you always look so pale. And that cold you caught back in April was a bad one.." She'd been caught in the rain running back home, and had ended up with a chill, missing three days of work tucked up in bed while he took care of her. She had mostly recovered now, but still hadn't regained the colour in her cheeks. And she was always tired. She badly needed this break, as did he. "I want you to get well again."

"I am well, silly," she replied with a kiss. "I've just been working too hard. Now come on, let's get ready."

"It's perfect!" Laughing, she ran onto the white sandy beach, dark hair flying out behind her in the breeze. He hung back and just watched, captivated by the scene. Sure, the setting was stunning, the sea and sand just as they had seen on the commercial, but she was more so. Auburn hair fastened with a red ribbon, white dress reflecting the sun, pale face alight with happiness...it took his breath away. No, she's perfect. I knew that the day we met. Like Mom says...I could search forever and never find another like her. That's why I brought her here...

"C'mon slowcoach!" she called, cupping her hands around her mouth so he was better able to hear her. Running back to where he stood she caught his hand, tugging him onto the beach. "I'll race you to that cafe over there," she announced, pointing ahead to a thatched hut where several other people were gathered. And before he could reply, Murrue had taken off running. Back home she was always tired, falling asleep on the sofa before he could even finish dinner. But here... She has more energy here than I've ever seen from her...like a little girl. Maybe it's because of the sunlight?

When he finally caught up to her, she had already bought herself a drink, and grinned wickedly at him over the rim of the glass.

"What took you so long?"

"You didn't give me much chance to catch up," Mwu pointed out, tugging at her ponytail. "C'mon.." The rest of the beach was pretty peaceful, just a few other couples from the hotel dotted here and there on the sand, and he soon found a quiet place to spread out the towels. His girlfriend beamed, shimmying out of her sundress and letting it fall to the sand.

"What do you think?"

He couldn't answer...he was only able to stare. She was clad in a red bikini, the colour and style of the swimsuit showing off her slender body to full effect. She was beautiful...and it seemed as though he wasn't the only one who thought so. Most other men, even those who were with companions of their own were staring in unabashed interest. She noticed the attention and smiled, giving the man beside her a flirtatious wink.

"Is this your bad side?" he managed to ask finally, voice rather hoarse. If it was, it sure was sexy. "Can I see more of it if it is?" She winked again and giggled, clearly enjoying herself. Shaking his head in surprise at the side of her she'd kept hidden for so long, he laid back on the towel. I get the feeling I could try for years and never learn everything about her. But I'm looking forward to trying...

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"Thank you for bringing me here.." She knew why he'd done it - his concern as he'd nursed her through her cold had been easy to see. He'd brought her here to recover her health...and it was working. She felt better now than she had in weeks. But it wasn't simply due to the setting. It was also due to him. They'd been together for nine months now, and in that time she'd grown to love him with all her heart. He was a goofy idiot, clumsy at romance, but she had no doubt his feelings were sincere. She saw them now as he smiled.

"You're welcome. I'm glad you like it. Bit different from home, isn't it?"

"Just a bit.." The moon was setting over the sea, turning the waters silver, a far cry from the lighted buildings and trees visible from their apartment window. But both were equally beautiful to her. Getting up from the recliner she sat on, she moved across the little balcony to his, curling up beside him. Mwu chuckled softly, and lifted her to sit in his lap. His warmth was comforting, his murmurs of endearment more so, and she sighed in contentment.

"Miss Grace was happy that you brought me here," she said after a while. "She seemed to think you have something you want to say to me.." His mother had indeed told her that in a conspiratorial whisper, green eyes full of mischief, the day before they had set off for this place. Mwu sighed.

"Can I keep anything secret from her?"

"I doubt it. Was she right?"

He sighed again, this time sounding rather nervous. When he didn't speak she angled her head to look back at him, noting the way his azure eyes were downcast. "Mwu?"

"You're part of my life now," he said softly, though he still wouldn't meet her gaze. "All I have, I want to share with you. Not just the apartment, I mean, Ruby's as much your dog as she is mine. And Mom wants to adopt you.." Murrue giggled. "No, I'm serious. She thinks the world of you."

"She's a lovely person. Though I think I'm past adopting age.."

"Well, she could still be your mom if you wanted her to be. That's what I meant about sharing. We can share Ruby, we can share Mom...we can share everything. If you want.." Reaching into his shirt pocket, he brought out an object that glittered in the moonlight. "What do you think?"

She stared at him, then at the ring, in amazement. "Is this.."

"It's not much - firefighter wages aren't as high as I'd like them to be - but will you accept it?"

Almost without thinking she nodded, blinking back the tears which had somehow formed. He beamed, exhaling a deep breath (he'd clearly been nervous) and carefully slid the ring on her finger.

"How do I thank you for this?"

Murrue smiled. "I should be asking you that." After gazing at the ring for a moment, making the tiny diamond sparkle, she turned around in his arms and kissed him passionately. He chuckled into the exchange, pulling her closer, and placed another kiss to the tip of her nose when they broke.

"That's a nice thank-you..."

"I have a nicer one." She whispered it in his ear, giggling again when he raised an eyebrow.

"Out here?"

"No-one's around. And you did say you wanted to see my bad side. Did you change your mind?"

His answer was another kiss.

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( Couldn't resist it. I know, I could have tried, but meh.

please read and review! )