"Murrue?"

"Mmm?"

"You asleep?"

She shifted a little in his embrace and looked up at him, amber eyes soft with drowsiness and affection. "I was..." They lay together on her sofa, the darkened room lit only by the lamp in the loft bedroom above. They'd spent the day skiing , she taking countless runs down the intermediate slopes and getting faster and better each time until heavily falling snow had forced them indoors. Not wanting to go back to his hotel just yet (in fact he didn't want to go at all) he'd settled down on the sofa with her, a blanket thrown over the two of them, and she'd fallen asleep worn out from her day. He'd just watched her with a smile, brushing fingers through her hair. And I just thought...if I could always stay like this, always be with her...that would mean more to me than anything.

"Have a nice dream?"

She smiled a little, rubbing her eyes. "I think so. I don't remember.."

"You were smiling."

"Then maybe I was." Stretching out she settled back down, purring contentedly as he stroked the back of her neck. "What time is it?"

"About ten. I'd better be getting back soon." She grumbled at that and hugged him a little tighter, clearly not wanting him to leave. He too wanted to stay with her, but it had to be her decision. They'd be looking for him. I don't care about that though. They can look all they want. If she wants me to stay, I'm hers for the evening. Murrue wriggled out of his arms and wandered to the window, peeping through the curtains.

"Oh!"

"What?"

"I can't see anything."

"What do you mean, you can't see anything?"

"Look!" Outside the window was just blackness. Confused, Mwu ran up the steps and looked out the loft window - and understood. They'd dozed most of the afternoon away, curtains closed, and had never noticed how deep the snow was getting. The little cabin was almost half-buried.

"Have you got a spare blanket?"

"Why?" Still rubbing sleep from her eyes she walked up to join him, raising eyebrows when she saw how the landscape had changed. To his surprise she didn't seem to mind, taking his arm and snuggling close with a happy sigh...perhaps she'd wanted this? Every day he'd go back to the hotel around this time, and every day it was getting harder and harder to leave her. So maybe the snow hadn't created a problem. Maybe it had solved one? Pulling her a little closer he nuzzled a kiss to her cheek.

"Do you have a spare blanket then?"

Murrue grinned, dark eyes dancing with unmistakeable mischief. "I don't think we need one."

"Is that right? Well then, Miss Ramius, what do you suggest?"

Her answer was to push him suddenly so he toppled over backwards onto her bed, she giggling as she hopped up to join him. Rather liking this new turn of events he stretched out lazily on the patchwork comforter, holding his hand out to her. "So I sleep here?"

She blushed and nodded, suddenly shy, which he found adorable. She glanced down at her lap, thin fingers curled in the fabric of her shirt and only looked up when he brushed the back of his hand across her cheek. "It's alright, beautiful.." She nodded again and tilted her head into his caress with a little smile, her eyes fluttering closed, then without a word lay down beside him, tucking her head into the crook of his neck. He wasn't sure what she wanted, but whatever it was he'd be fine with. He was just happy being here with her. "My dreamer.."

"Nope," she murmured, looking up at him with that same little smile. "I've done enough of that. I don't want to dream anymore."

"Then what do you want?"

She kissed him gently. He smiled into the kiss and returned it equally as gently, tasting the lingering hints of the ice-cream she'd eaten earlier. Murrue sighed, the sound becoming almost a whimper when he caressed the back of her neck, and when his other hand slid up slowly under her shirt she shivered. When the kiss broke she managed a hazy smile, cheeks flushed pink, and raised her arms to let him tug the shirt off.

"Is this all right?"

"Definitely all right." Mwu smiled and helped her remove the garment, gazing at her appreciatively. She blushed again in obvious embarrassment, but whatever she'd been about to say was quickly stifled when she bit her lip as he brushed fingertips over her stomach. Her reactions were everything he'd been hoping for, and had certainly brought about the same reactions in him, everything he'd felt in dreams flooding back in an instant. As a result it was becoming difficult to keep control, but he forced himself to take things slowly, however uncomfortable that made him. Sitting up he brought her closer to sit on his lap, gritting his teeth slightly when she squirmed a little.

"Ow.."

"Ow?"

"Give me a minute.." Lifting her off his lap he managed to wriggle out of his jeans, breathing a sigh of relief when they fell to the floor. "There.." She giggled softly and removed her own ski pants before climbing back onto his lap and beginning to slowly unbutton his shirt. She shifted a little against him as she did so, causing them both to gasp. He closed his eyes, wondering just how long he could hang on, but all rational thought was lost when she kissed him again - when they broke for air he was rather surprised to find he was looking down at her, their faces so close her eyelashes tickled his nose.

"Shall we turn off the light?"

Mwu shook his head, dipping down to nuzzle kisses to her neck and shoulder. "Can't see you in the dark.." He nudged a few kisses lower to hear a murmur of bliss and sighed, shaking his head again. "Sorry.."

"For what?"

He answered without words.

"Why'd you apologise?"

He chuckled softly. "Meant it to last longer than it did. You're so beautiful I couldn't help it.." Murrue smiled, rolling onto her side to see what time it was. The curtains were still half-open, showing the moon shining over an ocean of snow, and she wriggled out of his embrace to go peek out of the window, taking a blanket with her. The setting was beautiful, peaceful and quiet, and in that moment she felt happier than she ever remembered being. Especially when he got up to join her, wrapping strong arms around her waist.

"How long do you think it'll be before they come rescue us?"

"Mmm, I don't know," he admitted, busying himself with kissing the back of her neck. "How long do you think?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Nah.." His hand began wandering, slipping under the blanket she wore. "Too far out. And besides, I want longer with you. Try again.."

She did try, but his caresses were making it difficult to concentrate, as he most likely knew. "I..."

"Well?"

She sighed and leaned back into him. "How'm I supposed to think when you're doing that?"

"Then stop thinking.." His hand slipped lower and she whimpered, eyes fluttering closed. And when he scooped her up to carry her back to the bed she never protested.

Rescuing? Why would I need rescuing?

The next she knew it was daylight, she blinking open her eyes to see the sun shining brightly through the crack in the curtains. Off-handedly she wondered if she snow had melted, realising how disappointed she would be if it had. That blizzard was a godsend. For ages now I've wanted him to not leave, to stay with me, to forget about everything else. And now, for who knows how long, I have him all to myself... She'd dreamed of him for days, the images filling her with longing and the wish that she could just sleep and never wake up. At first she'd ignored them - she only had a couple more weeks here, and taking what was essentially a holiday romance to that level was a risky idea. But when she'd gotten her chance rationality went out the window, and now it was too late.

Turning over to face her sleeping lover she smiled gently, brushing fingertips over his features. When her holiday was over they'd each return to their separate worlds...though the connection between them was undeniable their lifestyles were too different.

"So I have to take what I can when I can...have as much as we have the time for before it ends.." The thought hurt terribly. To lose him, to return to her old life and forget him...could she do it?

I have to. I can't ask him to give up what he has, and I wouldn't fit in in his world. Sooner or later we'll have to say goodbye...

But for now...for now she could enjoy the time she had with him. Touching her nose to his she closed her eyes and settled back down, content. Until he started nibbling the end of her nose.

"You want to quit that?"

"You taste nice."

"Cannibal." Murrue opened her eyes to see a pair of twinkling blue ones looking right back at her. He looked sleepy still but happy, blonde hair all over the place, and reached out to pull her closer and nuzzle into her neck, which made her giggle. "Good morning to you too.."

"Sleep well?"

"Mmm-hmm. Eventually.."

He pretended to pout. "You make it sound like we were awake all night."

"I think we were." Stretching out with a little sigh she snuggled back into his arms. Maybe they had been, but she didn't mind a bit, because she'd spent that time with him. Mwu kissed the crown of her hair and propped himself up on one elbow, blue eyes gentle as he traced her features with a fingertip.

"You said something about making the most of the time we have...before it ends. What makes you think it'll end?"

"It has to, doesn't it? Sooner or later we'll both have to go back home." The thought still hurt and she closed her eyes to hide her sadness...but he noticed it.

"Maybe we do. But that doesn't mean we won't see each other again. Trust me. I'm not going to let you go now."

Murrue smiled a little. "Shouldn't guys like you be dating supermodels?"

He laughed. "They're very boring people. Just clothes horses. You wouldn't catch any of them skiing. Or even holding a decent conversation sometimes. And besides, I never loved any of them."

She giggled...then paused, eyes widening. Rather cautiously she looked up at him, heart skipping at his smile. "You.."

"Yep."

Brushing tears away she laughed, pulling him close for a hug. "You idiot.."

"I'm an idiot?"

"Yes you are. And I love you too."

Whatever happened or didn't...perhaps it would work out all right.

( smut! On very little sugar no less.

please read and review! )