( :thinks: Ya know, all my stories seem to be set late in Seed, or in GSD. Soooo, for a change, here be a chapter set before the series halfway point. Hope you likey XD )
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The Archangel sailed over the Indian Ocean, as rapidly as it dared without drawing undue attention to itself. Of course, this would in no way keep it from being detected by the ZAFT forces patrolling the area, and the crew of the ship knew very well that another battle could begin at any moment. But for now, peace reigned.
Murrue sat in her office, poring over damage reports and other paperwork, grateful for this opportunity to get some of it out of the way, then Lt. Badgiruel wouldn't be breathing down her neck. The hours of work gave her a headache and a crick in her neck, but it would be worth it, she told herself.
Mwu stood outside, struggling to balance the two mugs of coffee he held and knock on the office door at the same time. He knew the Captain had gone in there to finish some of the work that had been piling up, but that had been several hours ago, and he was sure she must need a break by now...
To his surprise, when he tried to knock, the door slid open...she hadn't locked it. The sudden shift in balance almost made Mwu topple over, taking the coffee with him, but he managed to stay upright. Pleased with himself, he looked over to the Captain, but she was still busy with her work. It was if she hadn't even noticed him enter.
And I must have been loud...whatever she's doing must be important, huh?
Quietly, he made his way over to the chair at the opposite side of her desk, and sat himself down, placing the mug of coffee in front of her. When she looked up, she'd see it, and until then, he'd stay right where he was.
Since she didn't seem to have a clue that he was there, it gave Mwu an opportunity to study his Captain. She was leaning over the desk, and her hair was hanging in her face. The dark auburn locks caught the light, and shimmered with a life of their own. Mwu smiled as he breathed in the scent that clung to those locks, and a fleeting thought ran through his mind as to what her hair might feel like between his fingers...
The Captain was frowning, and her lips were pursed with concentration. It made her look very different. Suddenly, all Mwu wanted more than anything was to kiss those lips...
His heart skipped a beat as he thought of it.
Whoa, whoa, whoa. Back off there, Mwu. Sure, you tease her and flirt with her, but this...? This is not part of the plan, and she'd be mad if she knew. And probably scared...
The Captain finally looked up from her work, and jumped a little as she saw him sitting there. Then she frowned again. "Did you want something, Commander?"
All Mwu did in reply was point to the cup of coffee still sitting before her. "You looked like you needed it."
Those amber eyes of hers blinked in confusion, then softened, and she smiled a little. "Thank you..."
The happiness he felt at seeing her smile made his heart skip again, and all he could do was grin back like an idiot.
Ah, dammit. It's too late. This has gone beyond just wanting to kiss her...I've fallen in love with her. Now what do I do?
Back off and hope these feelings go away? No..I can't do that. What with Badgiruel..the Captain needs all the support she can get..not distance.
"Commander?"
Mwu flicked out of his daydream to see the Captain leaning across the desk. "Are you all right?"
"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine.." he blurted, then grinned sheepishly. "Sorry 'bout that.."
Her concerned look changed to one of relief. "That's good. I was worried you might be sick..you were a little flushed.."
The thought that she had been worried about him made him feel even happier, even though he knew that her worry was mainly because he was one of the only pilots Archangel had. But it was nice to imagine that she was worried about him...
That's it. I decided. Instead of backing away...I'm going to try and win her over, to see if maybe one day she'll love me back. However long it takes...I have to try, a little bit at a time.
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A few days later, Murrue was looking for the Commander. She had some paperwork for him to sign, but so far, he was nowhere to be found. She searched everywhere, the mess hall, the hangar, even knocked on his door, but nothing. She was about to give up when she passed the pilots lounge, and heard a faint snore.
Peeking around the door, Murrue saw him lying on one of the sofas in the lounge, fast asleep. The sofas had not been designed with comfort in mind, and this one was far too small for someone his size. He was scrunched up on the cushions, his legs and arms dangling over the sides of the furnishing. But in spite of that, he didn't seem to mind much. His blonde hair was all in his face, and that face wore a small smile.
Without her realising it, Murrue's lips curved upwards in a smile of their own. The Commander looked so innocent when he was sleeping, like a child. The sight gave her a warm feeling in her chest as she watched him sleep.
On the spur of the moment, she reached down onto the floor and picked up his uniform jacket, which lay beside the sofa. Straightening it out, she put it over him, tucking it round his body. Then, very gently, she reached and brushed some of the unruly golden hair out of his face.
The movement caused the Commander to stir slightly, and those intense blue eyes of his opened just a fraction.
Murrue held her breath, but after giving her a slow smile, the man sighed softly and fell asleep again.
The captain frowned, and pressed a hand to her chest. That smile he had given her...why hadit madeherfeel like that? Her heart had jumped, just for a second, and she wasn't sure why.
Because he smiled at me? That's ridiculous.
Sure, the Commander was a very handsome man. Even she had noticed that. But he was just a mobile armour pilot, and a flyboy one at that. Murrue nodded, even though there was no-one who could see her.
That's right. And pilots are off limits..I can't let myself take that chance again. The way I felt just now...it was like any woman's reactions at seeing a handsome man. It doesn't mean anything.
As she turned to leave, Murrue took one last look at the sleeping pilot. He was smiling again, and again, herheart flipped. Scowling at her own inability to control her emotions, she left the room.
It's not like that. I don't feel anything for him...he's a friend.
She didn't know that it was already too late.
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( :D
This is more fluff, huh? I promise there'll be a more serious chapter tomorrow...honest!
I just wondered...when would they have realised how they felt about each other? My guess is that Mwu knew he loved her for quite a while, but that she didn't realise until he had to leave. But it was cute to imagine when the feelings first started...
Please read and review! )
