The morning was a beautiful one, sun shining from a perfect blue sky, but she watched it listlessly, chin resting on one hand. She'd had a terrible night's sleep, shivering though she'd piled the bed with blankets and coughing so much it had kept her awake. Even though she'd made herself breakfast she couldn't eat it, poking at the egg and bacon on her plate with disinterest. And the sun was giving her headache. In short, she felt thoroughly miserable. I should never have come here... She continued feeling sorry for herself until a shadow across the window indicated she had a visitor - her clumsy snowboarder friend from the other day. He was on skis this time and carried a small bag, his smile brighter than even the sunlight.

"Morning, Miss Murrue," he announced cheerfully...then his face fell as he apparently noticed something was wrong. To allay his worry she smiled, forcing a happier expression on her face, but it didn't fool him for a minute. Removing his glove he placed a hand on her forehead. "You're burning up," he scolded gently. "What are you doing out of bed?"

She smiled slightly, the cold of his hand soothing against her skin. "I thought it'd go away."

Mwu sighed and scooped her up from her chair. "You're going back to bed."

"You don't need to take care of me..." she protested softly, but he was having none of it, carrying her up the wooden steps to the little loft bed and settling her in under the covers. With the sun outside the cabin was much warmer now than it had been, and she sighed a little in comfort when he tucked the blankets around her. I might be able to sleep now...

"There we go. Now lie still and I'll get something for that head of yours.."

When he returned with a cool cloth to place on her forehead she smiled, drowsy now. "You're very kind.."

He actually blushed just a little, rubbing his nose to hide the embarrassment. "Thank you."

"Sorry you came all this way for nothing. I'm not very good company today.."

"Don't be silly. You need your rest." With another kind smile he brushed the hair from her face and got up to leave her in peace after closing the curtains. His handsome face was shadowed, but the kindness in those blue eyes was unmistakeable. It felt odd trusting someone she'd known maybe a day enough to fall asleep while he was there in the house, but somehow she knew that he was a good person.

"Will you stay?"

He seemed surprised. "You want me to?"

"You can finish my breakfast if you want. Seems a shame for you to come out here then go back right away.." Yawning contentedly she snuggled down, wrapping thin arms round her pillow and closing her eyes, drifting off to sleep almost immediately. He watched with a smile, adjusting the covers around her and making sure she was comfortable. When he'd arrived he'd been shocked at how ill she'd looked - she'd been so pale, with shadows under her eyes, and it was clear she'd barely slept last night. The protectiveness he'd felt yesterday had come back in full force...he'd wanted to just take her home and look after her. But since I can't do that - she doesn't need the attention - I'll look after her here. Last night he'd thought about her a lot, wondering if she was okay, and this morning he hadn't been able to get here fast enough.

"You have no idea what I do, do you?" he murmured, stroking her hair while she slept. When they'd met yesterday she'd looked at him with no hint of recognition. Normally that might irritate him - he was used to being noticed wherever he went - but this time it made him quite happy. He didn't want to be noticed by her because of what he could do, but because of who he was. In a way, I'm glad I tripped yesterday. She thinks I'm just a clumsy tourist...not anyone special at all, and I'd prefer it that way.. With a last smile he left her to sleep in peace, creeping downstairs into the kitchen to find the remains of the breakfast she'd spoken of. The plate of fried egg and bacon was still warm and he polished it off quickly, mopping up the runny yolk with a piece of bread before taking the dirty dishes and pan to the sink and washing them (quietly). She had enough to worry about right now without having to clear up the mess he'd made when she woke up.

After making himself a cup of coffee (he was sure she wouldn't mind) he found some books and curled up in a large easy chair by the window to read. The cabin was almost completely silent save for the ticking of a clock and his companion's soft breathing, and though it was something he wasn't used to, he nonetheless found it comforting. Normally he'd either be out there on the slopes or relaxing in his plush hotel room...but he found he enjoyed this much more. Picking up one of the books he began reading with a smile.

"You look comfortable.."

Blinking rather owlishly he glanced up from the book to see her there, wrapped up warm in a fluffy robe and looking much better. She was still pale, but the dark circles under those tawny eyes had gone, and her smile was genuine and happy (and very beautiful). "Hey there. You feeling better?"

She nodded, settling herself down on the sofa with a content little sigh. She'd slept almost all of the morning and a good portion of the afternoon, but more sleep could only help her get well.

"You stayed.."

"Didn't you ask me to?"

"Well, yes.." She pinked slightly. "I wasn't expecting you to though. I figured you'd have something else you needed to do.."

"Nah, nothing important. I just came up here to snowboard and ski, and I have plenty of time for that." What could be more important than this? Murrue smiled again and donned a pair of thick socks before wandering into the kitchen and digging in cupboards. Curious, he peeked in to see her filling a large pan with water and setting it on the stove. "Whatcha up to?"

"Dinner. Aren't you hungry?"

"Well..." He managed a lopsided smile. "You are an unusual person."

"Am I? How?"

"I was just thinking...we only met yesterday, and you're already okay with letting me stay here while you're sleeping, and even letting me eat here. Not that I'm not happy about it - it just surprises me is all."

Murrue frowned slightly, gaze focused on the pan in front of her. "Me too," she answered finally. "I just get the feeling that you're a good person, and that I can trust you. You're a bit of a goofball, but a genuine one." His face must have fallen at the 'goofball' comment, because she grinned rather wickedly. "Well, am I wrong?"

"No..." he admitted grudgingly, a smile of his own twitching his lips when she giggled. She thinks I'm a good person...she trusts me... The thought of that, despite her teasing, filled him with a sort of giddy happiness, and he couldn't help grinning. And to his immense delight she actually blushed, amber eyes wide, before she looked quickly back down at her pan. But she did smile, and even peeked back up to see if he was still watching her (which he was).

"Thanks."

She nodded shyly, then threw a dishcloth at him. "You're welcome. Now let me cook in peace."

"Yes, ma'am."

He'd surprised her again. That smile had taken her breath away, the rush of blood to her head making her dizzy. Not quite what she'd been expecting, but then again he was unlike anyone she'd ever met. He was kind and funny, always able to make her smile, yet capable of an oddly intense seriousness...she got the feeling she could know and be friends with him for years and never learn everything about him. Shaking her head she got to work getting the vegetables ready for her stew, not able to keep from smiling as she heard her companion whistling cheerily to himself. He stayed with me...another thing I didn't expect, as well as how comforting it is to wake up and know there's someone there looking after you...

"How do you like your stew?"

"Stew?" He poked his nose around the kitchen door, one blue eye following seconds later. "That's a lot to prepare. You sure you don't want me to go out for something? So you can rest up?"

"You'd be all right with that?"

"Course I would. The resort up there does some great takeout food. Chinese, Mexican, Indian...just let me know which you prefer."

"Chinese?"

Mwu smiled. "Your wish is my command." She nodded and moved to her little bag for her purse but he caught her hand and squeezed gently. "I can afford it. Don't worry.."

"But.."

"No. My treat, okay?" He donned his wool hat and coat and disappeared out into the cold afternoon air leaving her there surprised once again by his kindness. With a small smile she set the kettle going for coffee ready for when he came back, before walking back to the sitting room to rest up as he'd asked. But books were strewn everywhere - he'd clearly been doing a good bit of reading while she'd been asleep - and she clucked softly, scooping up the discarded volumes to return them all to the shelves. Poetry, history, nature...he was a man with varied tastes. Just the way she liked them.

Listen to yourself. You've known this man for the sum total of one day and you're already starting to think of him as having potential. He doesn't know you, you don't know him...he's just being friendly. But she'd enjoyed the time she'd spent with him, and rather looked forward to getting to know him a little better. One day was enough time to know he was a good and kind person...wasn't that really all she needed? And as for the rest - well she could learn, couldn't she? Taking the poetry book he'd been reading she wandered over to the easy chair and settled herself in, tucking her robe around her legs to keep them warm before beginning to read. The book was old and well-thumbed but the passages were beautiful, and she quickly became absorbed in the words, smiling a little to herself as she leafed through the pages. So fascinated was she that she never heard the door open or her friend walk over to her - but she did feel the hand on her knee. "Oh!"

"Sorry...I didn't mean to disturb you. I brought dinner though. You hungry?"

She nodded, resisting the urge to ruffle his hair. "I'd better get dressed.."

"Nah. You look fine. One of the good things about being sick is that you can stay in your pyjamas all day and no-one minds. Make the most of it." He then ruffled her hair. "Come show me how much food you want.."

After dinner (which had been delicious) she curled up on the sofa with a blanket around her shoulders. She'd had half a mind to just read before bedtime, but her companion didn't seem to want to leave just yet. "You like it here?"

"It's nice. Peaceful...not something I get to have very often. So yes."

"Are you very busy normally?" He nodded with a rueful smile, and she began to understand a little. When I've had a busy day, or want to escape, I lock myself in my apartment with some chocolate and a good book. Something calming. Maybe this is the same for him? "But aren't you on holiday here?"

"Mostly yes. But totally relaxing, totally escaping...I can never manage that. Except when I'm here."

"No-one knows where you are?"

"They just assume I'm out on the mountain with my board." His answers only raised more questions. What exactly did he do? Was he a businessman of some sort? Before she could ask he turned to her with a gentle smile. "You don't mind the company, do you?"

"No, not at all. I am worried though - what if someone needs you and can't find you?"

Mwu grinned. "Don't worry. What they'd need me for would be nothing that couldn't wait. What about you? Does your family know where you are?"

"Course they do. I left the number for this place with my best friend. She's the one who told me to come up here, that it'd help me get well.." I think she also hoped I'd meet someone nice... "Better air than in the city."

"She got that right. What is it you do?"

"Designer - mostly for vehicles. Cars, bikes, that kind of thing." Her friend seemed impressed, blue eyes wide. "I think my friend wanted me to get away from the city anyway. She said I was turning into a nun.."

"You don't have anyone?"

Murrue pinked and glanced at her lap, shaking her head a moment later - and so missed his delighted grin. Embarrassed she hopped off the sofa and wandered to the window still with the blanket around her, amber eyes trained on the mirroring sunset. Now there was a hornet's nest. People had asked, sure enough, but... Erica says I'm too picky. That I could have anyone I wanted if I just let them in. But I don't want just anyone... A rustling sound told her he was there beside her, close enough for her to be able to breathe his scent, a mixture of cologne and warm skin, and she sighed.

"Sorry.." His voice was so close it sent shivers down her spine, causing her to close her eyes. "Didn't mean to upset you."

"You didn't. Don't worry." It must not have sounded too convincing, because a moment later she felt an arm around her shoulders. Unexpected (like always) yet so comforting she couldn't help but smile and lean into him.

Perhaps, just perhaps, she'd found her anyone.

( rambling yay

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