Today was the day. Mwu stood in the kitchen of their house, the morning sunlight streaming in through the windows and warming whatever it touched. It promised to be a glorious day, with perfect weather, which was just what he needed for his idea to work. Finishing his other task, Mwu poured the coffee that had been brewing into two mugs, and carried them upstairs.

Murrue was still fast asleep. Usually, she was the first to awaken. But she had been so busy with her work for Morgenroete, even poring over paperwork hours after she had arrived home, that she was completely exhausted.

She was supposed to have been at work that morning, pretty early, but Mwu had phoned in sick for her, and switched off her alarm.

She'll be mad at me for it, but I don't care. She needs some rest. Even at weekends she still fills in reports...

Kneeling down beside the bed, Mwu waved the mug of coffee under his girlfriend's nose, smiling as she stirred, then opened her marigoldeyes slowly.

"Mwu?" she mumbled, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. "...time is it?"

Mwu picked up the clock and passed it to her. Murrue blinked, trying to make her fuzzy vision focus on the numbers.

Then she gasped, and tried to climb out of bed.

"I'm so late! Erica's going to kill me! Why didn't my alarm go off?"

Replacing the covers, and handing her the coffee, Mwu climbed into bed next to her.

"Because I switched it off. And I called in sick for you."

For a moment, Murrue could only stare. Then, just as he had predicted, she got angry.

"Why did you do something like that? I have so much work to do, you..." She made to climb out of bed. "I'm going to call Erica and tell her I can come in." She tried to move, but Mwu grabbed her around the waist and held her back, no matter how much she struggled. "Let me go!"

"Not a chance. You've been so tired lately, and so busy we've barely been able to spend any time together. It feels like we're strangers or something, and I don't want it to carry on like this. It's partly my fault too, and so I decided that today we're just gonna be a couple, and be together." he replied sternly.

Murrue still looked cross, but he just leaned back in bed and pulled her to him.

"I'm sorry. Tomorrow you can work for as long as you want, but for today, please...?"

She sighed, and finally gave in. "Okay, I'll stay here. But only for today, and you can't keep doing this."

"Only if you promise to book time off once in a while."

"All right...hey, what about you? Aren't you meant to be at work as well?"

Mwu grinned. "I booked a day off ages ago. I just didn't tell you."

She sighed again, and rested her head on his chest. "You're impossible, Mwu.."

Laughing, he tilted her head up so she was looking at him, and kissed her softly. "Yep"

"So, what did you have planned for this 'day off'? Anything special?"

"Well," he said, rooting out some brightly coloured towels from the cupboards, "I thought we could go to the beach together. You need some sunlight, you've been in that underground hangar for so long you're turning into a mushroom."

Murrue giggled. "I am not! But the beach does sound good. However, you have to promise not to wear those...things." she said, referring to the horrific bright pink shorts Mwu liked to wear in the garden.

"I am not being seen in public with you in those."

"There's nothing wrong with them! But if you insist, I'll takethose blackones. What about you? What will you wear?"

She just smiled slyly. "Wait and see, my love."

The beach was crowded with people enjoying the hot summer day. There was hardly space to move, but somehow Mwu found them a spot not too far from the sea, and set up the umbrella and towels. Murrue smiled and closed her eyes as the sea breeze blew over her, taking away some of her fatigue.

Mwu was right, I did need this. And spending the day just with him...it's perfect.

He had forbidden her from taking her phone or pager, and had also left his behind, saying that today was just for them, and no-one was going to know where they had gone.

Sitting down on a beach towel, Murrue slipped off her dress, revealing the pale blue bikini she wore underneath.

I wonder what his reaction will be... she thought, blushing slightly.

After putting the finishing touches to the unbrella, Mwu turned to Murrue...and stared.

This was the first time he'd ever seen her in something like that, and she looked stunning. She was only sitting there, but even only that drew attention from other guys on the beach.

"What are you staring at?" she asked, pink-cheeked.

"Wha - er...I...sorry." he said, snapping out of his daze. "You want to go for a swim?"

Shaking her head, Murrue lay back on the towel. "I'm going to stay here for a bit. Can you...uh.."

"Can I what?"

Blushing deeper, she muttered, "Can you put some lotion on my back, please?"

Oh, boy... Mwu gulped. After this, I think I might need to go swim to cool me off...

After Mwu had gone for his swim, Murrue lay enjoying the warmth of the sun, hoping that it would somehow cancel out the warmth in her cheeks. The feel of his strong hands massaging the lotion into her back had been...well, she had just been glad he hadn't noticed how much her heart was racing.

I can't believe I asked him to do that...but it felt great...

Returning from his dip, Mwu walked up the beach, drawing squeals of admiration from the beach bunnies (which he completely ignored) and leaned over Murrue. "Want an ice cream?"

The sea water dripped from his hair and onto her back, causing her to gasp. "Arrgh! That's cold!"

Laughing, he sat down beside her. "Sorry." He made to hug her, and she shrieked, tryingto escape.

"Get away! You're all covered in sand as well!"

Mwu pouted. "Awww...no fair. I'm going for ice cream..want one?"

Getting to her feet, and slipping sandals on against the hot sand, Murrue held her hand out.

"I'll get them. You stay here and dry off. What were you going to get?"

Handing her the money, he asked for a cornet, then stood up and placed his shirt around her shoulders.

"There we go. Don't want you getting burnt now. It's really hot."

The ice cream was just what they needed. Mwu finished his in a couple of bites, as he had a large mouth.

Murrue just nibbled hers, making it last.

"Hey, what did you get? Can I have a taste?"

She turned away from him, laughing. "Nope. It's all mine."

Mwu loved it when she acted all childish. Taking her arm, he tried to pull her towards him so he could sneak a taste, but she wriggled out of his grasp. "No, you finished all yours! This is mine!"

Hmm, time for another tactic..

He grabbed her by the waist, grinning as she immediately moved the ice cream out of his reach.

Turning her face to meet his, he kissed her deeply, tasting her mouth.

"Hmmm," he said after they had broken for air. He licked his lips. "Strawberry.."

"Cheater!" she yelled, and pushed him over, laughing all the time.

That night, they stopped to pick up takeout dinner, and ate their tortillas in the garden on the swing. Mwu pushed a whole tortilla into his mouth and smiled, the salsa dripping down his chin.

"You pig!" said Murrue, wiping it away with a tissue. "You can't have tasted that or anything. What did you do it for?"

"Because I could" he replied, once he had swallowed, and she just rolled her eyes.

When dinner was over, they went for a walk around the garden.

"It's such a beautiful night...I wish I didn't have work tomorrow" she sighed, plopping down onto the grass.

Sitting down beside her, Mwu took her in his arms. "Well, if we remember to make time for each other when we finish work, then we can do this kind of thing more often."

She smiled. "Yeah, I'd like that. I do feel more relaxed now..."

"Well, I bet I can make you feel even more relaxed.." he replied with a saucy grin, pulling her down onto the grass, and kissing her.

Murrue closed her eyes as his hands began to caress her body.

"Mmmmm, that sounds good to me..."

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( XD I loves writing ze fluff! The ending of that one was a bit...well...:grins:

But Murrue-san does work herself too hard, and I can't imagine her taking it any easier now that the war is over. Luckily she has Mwu to remind her lol

Please read and review! )