The small red car sped over the quiet roads, heading towards the large collection of buildings near the seashore. The man in the driver's seat smiled as he got closer, his long blonde hair blowing backwards in the breeze caused by the vehicle's movement. The radio blared a cheerful pop song, making the man's mood brighter still, and he whistled along to the catchy tune.

Once a week, he made this journey at this time, to spend lunchtime with his wife. When they'd been first married, he used to do this every day, until her supervisor had complained. So, they had decided once a week would be fine.

Parking the car in the visitors' section at the Morgenroete facility, Mwu entered the building, looking all over for signs of the one he searched for. She wasn't in her tiny cubbyhole of an office (although her bag and jacket were there, hung over the chair) and she wasn't in the cafeteria. Wandering out into the large underground hangar, crammed with ships under repair, or just in dry dock, he sighed. However was he going to find her in a place as large as this?

"Fllaga-san!" came a familiar voice to his left, Turning, Mwu saw Erica Simmons, the director of the facility, driving up to where he stood in a small jeep. "You're looking for Murrue?" He nodded, then grinned ruefully. "I would be, if I even knew where to start looking..."

Erica smiled. "I was just on my way to find her myself. Hop in!"

Doing as she'd said, Mwu looked around him at the ships, wondering which one his wife was working on today.

She'll have been so busy, she must have forgotten what time it is. Typical Murrue...always working herself too hard...

Stopping at a grey Izumo-class ship sitting right at the back of the huge hangar, Erica pointed to an open maintenance hatch on the ship's deck. "She's in there." Raising her voice, she cupped her hands around her mouth. "Hey, Murrue!" she yelled, but got no answer. The sounds of machinery in the dock, as well as the loud music being played by radios brought by the other workers, they all drowned out Erica's voice. Sighing, the woman sat back in the jeep's seat. "It's no use, she can't hear me. You go up there, she's been working all this time without a break, and without someone to 'persuade' her, she'll not eat at all..."

Getting out of the jeep, Mwu nodded his thanks to Erica, climbing aboard the ship as the jeep sped away. Peeking inside the hatch she'd pointed out to him, the man couldn't help grinning. Murrue was indeed there, totally absorbed in the work she was doing. She looked to be checking the connections that ran from the ship's bridge to the other systems, such as weapons and life support. Her dark auburn hair was tied into a messy ponytail, and her face and jumpsuit were covered in grease and what looked like hydraulic fluid. Amber eyes focused totally on the job she was doing, Murrue never noticed the one watching her, until she heard an amused chuckle.

Startled, she dropped the tool she was using, and looked above her. "Mwu!" she gasped. "You scared me!" He just laughed again. "Sorry, didn't mean it. I just wondered what you were doing, that's all..." Murrue frowned. "But what are you..oh!" Glancing at her watch, she scrambled out of the hatch, he helping her. "I'm sorry! I didn't see what time it was! How long have you been waiting?"

"Not long, don't worry. Erica showed me where you were."

Climbing into the tiny jeep she used to get about the vast hangar, she looked apologetically at her husband, who simply shook his head. "Don't worry, it's okay." Noticing her stained clothing, he grinned. "You been down a coal mine or something?"

She looked down at herself, at the black streaks of oil and grease, and at the similar state of her gloves, and sighed. "A hydraulic line broke..I spent all morning fixing it.."

As they reached the hangar entrance, she parked the jeep and hopped out, running to her office while he waited. Washing the dirt from her face, and removing the jumpsuit and gloves, she grabbed her bag, running back to find Mwu. Together, they made their way up to the overhead gantry where they normally ate, watching the movements of the people and ships far below.

"What's that?" Looking surprised at his question, Murrue looked to where he pointed. A small ladder led up from the gantry to a closed hatchway above them.

"I think it leads to a walkway on the roof.." she said thoughtfully, then clocked the grin on Mwu's face. "You want to go up there?"

In reply, her husband stood up, taking her hand, and together they climbed up the ladder and out onto the roof.

"I hope it's okay for us to come up here.." Murrue wondered aloud, leaning back against the railing. Mwu smiled. "If it wasn't, wouldn't the hatch have been sealed? Or at least locked?"

"I guess..." she sighed, tipping her head back. The bright sunlight stung her eyes after being so long underground, and she winced. The sun was hot, but a cool breeze blowing from the sea took the worst of it away, and she smiled, stretching her arms. "This feels so good..."

"It sure does.." he agreed, opening the foil-wrapped parcel he carried. After letting the sun beat down on her pale face for a few moments, she turned to him. "What have you got?"

It was a large ham and cheese sandwich, which he proceeded to bite into with relish. Murrue giggled. "You could probably fit that in your mouth without having to bite into it.." Mwu pretended to scowl. "You saying I have a big mouth?"

In reply, she laughed again, opening the box which contained her own lunch. She had made herself tuna salad the night before, and she began eating, only now realising how hungry she was. Mwu leaned over, curious. "Why do you have rabbit food?"

She rolled her eyes. "Rabbits don't eat tuna, honey..."

"I know that..." he protested, blue eyes twinkling. "But I meant this.." He reached out and poked at the chopped tomatoes and lettuce that made up part of the salad, scarred face wrinkling in distaste. "Rabbit food."

"It's better for you that what you have.." she scolded gently, which only made him smile. "Yeah, but I bet it doesn't taste as good.."

Breaking off part of his sandwich, he pushed it into her mouth, laughing at her surprised mumble.

Managing to swallow, she sighed. "Yes, that does taste good. Now it's your turn.." Scooping up a forkful of the salad, she pushed that into his mouth, smiling wickedly at his disgusted expression.

As they sat eating the rest of their lunch, Mwu slipped an arm around his wife's slender shoulders. "So, how are you feeling today?"

Taking a sip from the bottle of water she had with her, Murrue smiled a little, rubbing her stomach. "Not too bad. I haven't been sick at all, just felt kinda queasy this morning. I guess..he's starting to settle down now.."

He couldn't help but be relieved. Most mornings, Murrue was sick, or at least felt terrible for a few hours, and even though he knew it was perfectly normal, he was still worried. Pulling her closer, he kissed her cheek. "That's good to hear. But you always say 'he'. How do you know?"

"I don't.." she replied quietly, still stroking her stomach. "But we can't call him 'it', can we?"

"True. So, what do you think we'll have? A boy, or a girl?"

She smiled, leaning back into him. "I don't care. Whatever we have, they'll be loved regardless. Because..they'll be our baby. Part of you and me. What does it matter about being a boy or a girl?"

Mwu just nodded, wrapping his arms around her. "You're right. What time will you be home tonight?"

"Probably pretty early. Erica's started making me go home around three, saying seven hours is long enough.."

"She's right." replied Mwu. "You can't keep pulling nine or ten hour shifts now. You need to take it easy." Murrue just frowned. "You're just the same. I keep telling people I feel fine.." Looking at her watch, she began to pull away from him. "It's time now..you'd better go, or you'll be late for work."

He sighed, tightening his grip. "A few more minutes.." Leaning down, he pressed his lips to hers in a short kiss, inwardly smiling when her annoyed expression melted into a happy one, her cheeks pink as her eyes closed and she kissed him back. When they broke for air, he stroked her cheek. "I'll see you when I get home. And no running about making dinner, I'll do it tonight."

He had gotten much better at cooking, after her lessons when they were first married, and felt confident enough now to cook for both of them without her help.

"All right, " she said, getting to her feet, and together they climbed back down into the hangar. "I'll see you then. Be careful on your way back, and have a good afternoon.."

He kissed her lightly on the cheek, making his way down from the gantry. "Same to you, sweetheart, and don't lose track of time!"

Grinning, he looked up at his wife as she waved goodbye, and left the hangar. Murrue just smiled and shook her head, feeling much more cheerful than she had that morning.

Lunchtime was much more enjoyable when you didn't spend it alone...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

( Heh lol, that was fun. Sadly, I don't get the option of spending lunch with Mwu. But next time I'm at work, I might imagine it XD. Or..just go and sit with the animals maybe.

Please read and review! )