Murrue Ramius was remembering Alaska. She remembered the noise and confusion, remembered seeing the ships around the Archangel being destroyed one by one. She also remembered the anger and betrayal they had all felt at the news that the Earth Alliance had used them as bait and left them to die.

If it hadn't been for Kira-kun and Commander La Fllaga, we wouldn't have made it out...

Alone on the bridge, staring out at the Morgenroete docks, Murrue allowed herself a small smile at the thought of the Commander. He had been transferred, but he came back for them. Words hadn't been able to describe the emotion she had felt at his return, especially as she had thought she would never see him again...

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JOSH-A, Alaska.

"Thank you so much for all you've done for us" Murrue said in a shaky voice, having real problems keeping the tears from her eyes in front of her crew. She was struggling with her emotions, battling them back as she saluted the one standing before her.

Why am I feeling like this? What am I missing?

Commander La Fllaga returned the salute, for once serious, the laughing twinkle gone from his blue eyes.

"And the same to you" he replied softly. The two of them stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity. Murrue knew he, more than anyone, would be able to see her tears, but she no longer cared. All she wished for in that moment was the power to countermand Sutherland's orders, to keep the Commander by her side and never let him go.

But, ending the salute, and bidding farewell to Sai and Miriallia, he turned and walked off the ship. Murrue wanted to reach out, to pull him back, but she stayed where she was, arms by her side, a terrible pain beginning in her chest as she watched him walk away from her.

When he was no longer in sight, she turned and walked off herself, outwardly calm in front of the crew. But once they couldn't see her, she fled to her room. Inside, where no-one would be able to see her weakness, she laid down on her bed and just cried, the tears running down her cheeks and soaking the covers.

Why? Why do I feel like this because he's gone? What makes him so special?

Special? Yes, that was it. He was special. He was handsome, kind, and funny. Sure, he wasn't perfect. (Who was?) But to Murrue, who had deliberately closed her heart after the death of her former lover, the Commander had been like sunlight after a storm, or rain in the desert. And the pain in her chest as she had watched him leave...it had been her heart breaking.

I...I love him... she realised, her tears coming harder. Even though he's another mobile armour pilot, I love him. And I let him go... The thought that she would more than likely never see him again made the pain in her heart worse, and she cried for a long long time.

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But I did see him again. He came back. To save us all.

That thought made Murrue smile again, but the smile faded quickly. Yes, he did come back. But he came back for everyone. Some selfish part of me wants to believe he came back for me, but I know that isn't true. And now, we have to fight again so soon, this time against our former allies.

What should I do?

These thoughts swirled around in her mind, filling her with anxiety, and she sighed, looking out of the window again.

"You know, the captain shouldn't be looking so depressed" came a cheerfully familiar voice. Murrue was startled by the abrupt breaking of the silence. "Huh?"

Commander La Fllaga walked up and joined her at the window, a smile on his boyish face. The smile made her heart jump, and she quickly looked away as he continued.

"In the end, only eleven people left the ship. That's incredible. JOSH-A must have really pissed 'em off.."

Murrue had been wanting to ask the Commander something ever since his return to the ship. Even though she knew she'd most likely end up disappointed, she had to know the real reason he came back. There had never been enough time since the battle, with their flight to Orb and everything else. Now was perfect.

"Commander" she began, drawing his attention. "There's something I wanted to ask you about JOSH-A. Why did you come back?"

"Eh?" he asked, surprised. Then he slumped, sighing. "How can you still ask me something like that?"

Crossing the short distance between them, he wrapped his arms around her waist, causing her to look around in shock, her hands lifting up, as she didn't know where to put them. Before Murrue had time to form a protest, the Commander leaned forward and kissed her.

Her marigold eyes opened wide in amazement. What in the...what is he doing? Her heart was pounding so loud she was convinced he must be able to hear it. Did this mean she was the reason he had come back, as she had hoped? That thought made her heart beat even faster. But wait. They were on the bridge...anyone could come in and see them!

This is bad. I have to...have to... But rational thought was being swept away rapidly by the feel of his lips on hers. Murrue knew she should break away, or kick him, or something. But despite the orders from her mind, her body acted for her, moving closer to him and resting her hands on his shoulders. Her eyes closed, and she returned his kiss. This feels wonderful...

As he felt her kiss back, Mwu experienced a wave of happiness and relief. He'd been so worried that he would upset her, or make her mad. But he had wanted to kiss the Captain so badly and for so long, any pain would be worth it. He'd been in love with her for a long time, almost from the time the ship had landed in the desert. She was so beautiful...

She kissed me back. Does that mean she feels for me what I feel for her? Could I be that lucky?

When they broke apart, she looked down, a pretty blush colouring her cheeks. She looked more than slightly flustered, but Mwu thought it was adorable.

"I - I hate...mobile armour pilots" she managed to stutter, and he couldn't keep the grin from his face.

"Well, it's a good thing I'm a mobile suit pilot now..." he replied softly. She looked up at him, still pink-cheeked, and moved her face closer to his. Mwu closed his eyes and bent down, kissing her deeply.

All perception vanished but the feel and taste of her mouth, and the heady scent of her perfume. Slipping a hand behind her head, he deepened the kiss further, twining his fingers in her silky auburn hair.

I could stay here all day...

Then the bridge door opened, and the peace was shattered. Neumann, Tonomura and Chandra walked in chatting, only to stop and stare at the sight of their Captain and Commander locked in a passionate embrace. She opened her eyes, saw them, and gasped, the sound coming out muffled. She broke the kiss and pulled away from Mwu, hand to her mouth, before running from the bridge, almost knocking over the three spectators. He tried to call out to her, but no words would come when he opened his mouth.

Running after her, he shot a sardonic "Nice going" at the crew before disappearing into the elevator.

I can't just let it end here. I have to know how she feels...

Murrue never stopped running until she reached her quarters, throwing herself on the bed. Her heart was racing, and it wasn't entirely due to her headlong dash. Her lips still tingled from the feeling of the Commander's kiss, and her cheeks were bright pink.

Why did I let him kiss me? And why did I kiss him back? She buried her face in the pillow and curled her hands around the bedcover. She already knew the answer.

I let him kiss me because I wanted it to happen, same reason I kissed him back. And I ran away..

Why did they have to show up?

She snapped out of her daydream when she heard loud knocking on the door.

"Captain? Murrue-san, are you there?" It was him. Her heart skipped. He came after me?

Opening the door, she saw him standing there, breathing hard. He seemed to have run all the way after her.

"C-commander, I...I.." Murrue began, twisting her hands together. She tried to look directly at him, but he had suddenly become so much more handsome to her, that she flushed red and looked away.

A thought made it's way through her fuzzy mind. What if someone saw them like this?

Quickly grabbing his arm, she pulled him inside her quarters.

"Sorry, I just...didn't want anyone to see us." she muttered, still not able to look at him.

Nodding his understanding, he started to apologise.

"I'm sorry, Captain, I didn't..."

Murrue shook her head violently, hair flying. "N-no, t-that's not it...I.."

The Commander sighed, running his hand through his short golden hair. "I'm sorry for doing that. For imposing myself on you like that. But I...Look, I'll just come right out and say it. I kissed you because I wanted to, because you're the whole reason I came back to this ship. You're the most beautiful woman I've ever met, and I kissed you because I want...to be with you."

Murrue blushed even more at his words, but smiled.

"And I kissed you back for the same reason" she replied softly, finally looking into his eyes.

His face lit up. "Really? You..."

She moved a little closer to him. "I want to be with you, too. But only if you promise to tell no-one that we're starting a relationship. I...don't want the crew to know about it. If you promise, we can finish that kiss that was interrupted on the bridge. This time, no-one can disturb us.."

The Commander - Mwu - smiled and took her into his arms.

"Don't worry, Murrue-san. My lips are sealed. Or at least, they are now" he whispered, kissing her gently.

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( :grins: Yay! Everyone else was doing their own versions of episodes, so I thought I'd have a go at the events in phase 38, and what could have happened next XD.

I didn't even have to rewatch the episode, as I remember the scene off by heart!

Read and review please! )