She floated there before him in the zero-gravity of the hangar bay, dark hair hovering around her shoulders, amber eyes downcast and worried. She'd never come to see him off before, which spoke volumes to him about how worried she was about this battle. As he gazed at her, she managed a small smile. "I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time," she said softly, a laugh in her voice. He chuckled.

"Make it to what, silly?"

She didn't answer, just gave an embarrassed laugh. In the space of the silence, a small object floated up from beneath her open jacket collar. A locket. He'd seen this locket before, on her nightstand. A silvery object, coffin-shaped, with a red rose sculpted on the front. He'd never seen it up close before, and reached out to catch the locket in his fingers and study it. She gasped softly, eyes widening - she evidently hadn't meant him to see it.

"Was he a mobile armour pilot?" he asked, and she looked down. "Y-yes.."

He understood. That was why she'd been so reluctant at the beginning of their relationship..to get too close. The memories of the one she'd loved and lost before must still be painful for her. That was why she was here...she was afraid that she might lose him too.

"It's all right," he said, causing her to glance up at him, the worry evident on her pretty face. "I'll be right back," he continued. "Bringing victory with me."

She sighed at that, moving forward and placing her hands flat to his chest. He smiled, wrapping his right arm around her waist and bringing her close for a gentle kiss. The exchange lasted only a few minutes, but seemed to go on forever. Neither wanted to let the other go, both worried that this might be the last time they would see the one they loved. He himself was adamant that whatever it took, whether he lived or died, he would protect her, keep her safe. Because she was the world to him.

Yawning, he pried open sleepy azure eyes, gazing around himself. The room was familiar enough, white-painted walls, closed blinds, thin blankets and coverlets heaped on the small bed - this was his own room, in his apartment, but right now, it seemed strange to him. Alien, almost. Rubbing his eyes, he made as if to sit up, only to find something was holding him back. Looking back down, he smiled. She was curled up beside him, fast asleep, auburn hair spilling over the pillow. After she'd come over yesterday evening, and he'd told her his story...the painful memories of the last two years he'd tried so hard to repress, she'd stayed the night - hadn't left him alone, which he was grateful for. They'd shared the stew she'd brought, and cuddled up together on the rather uncomfortable sofa to watch TV...welcome simplicity that he still wasn't quite used to. She could have gone home, but instead she asked to stay. I have no idea why...her house is much more comfortable than this place, but I'm glad she did stay.

Yawning, Neo stretched out lazily, though doing his best not to disturb the woman sleeping by his side. That dream he'd had was still fresh in his mind, all the details clear. He'd seen Murrue there, clad in a white Alliance uniform as he'd seen her in previous flashes of memory, and she'd looked at him with the same kind of love she did now, it clear to see in those beautiful eyes of hers. There had been worry there too...she'd been scared about something. A battle. He'd done his best to reassure her, promising her that he'd come back to her. That was one of his memories. Sometimes I wish he'd get out of my mind...

But at the same time, these memories of another life brought an odd kind of peace. Closing his eyes, he snuggled up to his still-sleeping lover, burying his face in her rose-scented hair. "If I am him," he murmured, kissing her cheek. "I don't mind so much anymore. Because I know now that it doesn't matter who I am..."

Unseen by him, Murrue smiled at his quiet words. Neo seemed happier now, more at ease with himself, probably in part due to him being relieved of the pain he'd been suppressing, of being able to finally talk about the things he'd done, and be forgiven for them. And he was right. Whether he remembered his past, or stayed as he was, it didn't matter anymore.

"You're awake early," she remarked drowsily. "You didn't have another nightmare, did you?"

"Nope," he replied, nuzzling into her neck. "Why would I have a nightmare if you were here with me? I did dream though. About you.."

Rolling over in the bed to face him, Murrue traced a fingertip across the scar on his nose. "About me?" she asked, knowing her cheeks must be pink. "What did you see?"

"You," he replied softly, kissing her finger. "You were there, in an Alliance uniform, with a locket round your neck. We were talking...I told you that I'd be back..."

She closed her eyes at the memories, and pain, those words brought back. He had promised to come back, but that had been the last time she'd ever seen the Mwu she'd known, the kind and gentle person who'd stolen her heart and kept it. It still hurt. Sitting up in the bed, she hugged her knees close to her chest, fighting back tears. Don't cry. It's not fair on him. He loves you, and he didn't know that that particular memory would hurt you...

The next thing she knew, she was being pulled close in a hug, him wrapping her tightly in his arms and pressing a kiss to auburn hair. "I'm sorry," Neo murmured, tugging her into his lap. "Something you didn't want to remember, huh?"

"It's not that," Murrue replied, shifting to a more comfortable position and taking his hand, twining their fingers together. "It's not that I remember it...because it's not something I can forget. I just didn't think it would hurt that much.."

"You miss him, huh?" he asked softly, winding an arm around her waist. At her nod, he smiled, kissing her cheek. "Then why shouldn't it hurt? If...if something ever happened to you...I..." His voice trailed off, and Murrue turned around in his embrace, pulling him close and letting him rest his head on her shoulder.

"Sssh, love. Don't worry about that.." she murmured, kissing the crown of his hair. "What brought that on?"

"He was afraid of that," Neo replied, voice muffled slightly by her T-shirt. "I know. More than anything, he was afraid of losing you. That battle...all he was thinking of was keeping you safe. He didn't care what happened to him.."

"But I cared..." she whispered without thinking, threading her fingers through his hair. Oh yes, she'd cared. She couldn't count the times she'd lain awake at night wishing she hadn't, that the pain in her heart would just end. But, of course, it never had.

"He knew that," he said softly, closing his eyes and snuggling closer. "He knew you did. He cared too - he loved you very much, just like I do..."

"How do you know?" Murrue asked, half-lying back in the bed and cradling his head on her chest. "You sound so sure, but..."

"I just do..." he murmured, drowsy now from her warmth and embrace. "Like...I can tell how he felt, like he's here in my head or something. Sometimes..I feel like he's talking through me, and I can feel what he does, or what he would.."

"Oh?" Smiling, she continued to stroke his hair. "What's he feeling now?"

For a moment, Neo didn't reply, and she thought he'd fallen asleep. Then he spoke up.

"He's happy..."

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( Disjointed, weird, but...lol.

Please read and review! )