The massive white battleship roared through the still darkness, flying through billions of white hot stars, the tiny orbs twinkling against their black backdrop. The glowing moon could be seen growing smaller and smaller in the distance, the ship moving farther away from it, speeding towards its destination.

A woman frowned, tracing the cool glass with her finger, tawny eyes staring out into the empty space. The observation deck had become her favorite place to think the past several weeks, a welcome change from her office and quarters. We'll be there soon, the brunette sighed, eyes still gazing out into the dark space.

Will we be able to make it in time...to stop that thing from firing on Orb? We're terribly outnumbered with just Eternal and Archangel going on ahead. If we don't make it in time...all those innocent people will be destroyed. Guess this is no different than last time...Jachin Due..., her lips turned downward in a small frown. It's ironic really...the same thing is playing out again, just two years later. Will the cycle just keep repeating itself over and over? And what if...what if he leaves me again? Her body trembled slightly at the thought. Wouldn't it be ironic if he came back to me only to be taken away again.

The few short weeks he had been here, they had grown very close. Far closer than either of them had expected. He was practically her constant companion, whether just to sit and drink coffee with her while she filled out paperwork, or to lend his support and advice. His presence made her happy. Far happier than she had been in a long time. I don't know if I..., she jumped, a familiar deep voice startling her from her thoughts.

"Hey there Captain," his azure eyes lit up at the sight of the auburn haired woman, his scarred face wearing his signature grin. "You okay?" He placed a hand on her slim shoulder, gently squeezing it.

"Yes," she nodded her head, smiling from the simple gesture. "I was just thinking...mostly about the upcoming battle...," her soft voice trailed off.

"I'm worried too," Neo looked out the clear glass. "We're certainly at a disadvantage as far as numbers go, and we don't know what the Chairman has planned. We have to be ready for anything." He locked his gaze on her, frowning at the worried expression in her topaz orbs.

"This...this is just like last time...two years ago," she muttered quietly, voice barely audible. "If things turn out the same way...if I lose you too...I don't...," she trailed off, staring down at the tiled floor.

"I can't tell you not to worry," his finger reached up to trace the outline of her porcelain cheek. "I don't know how this will all end. No one does. But I will do everything I can to come back," he smiled, gently grazing her lips with his fingertip. "Before...I told you that I loved you," he whispered. "Remember?"

Her cheeks flushing a pale pink, she nodded her head.

"Well, I meant in then, and I mean it now. And when all this is over, I'd still like to take you out. Into the city. That is if that's okay with you." He whispered, a strong arm wrapped securely around her lithe shoulders.

"I...I'd like that," she stammered, her heart racing from his closeness.

"It's a date then," he grinned, gently kissing her. "Want to grab a bite to eat before we get there?"

"I guess so. We still have a couple of hours before we're in range. "Might as well," they floated down the long, empty corridor, their hands entwined.

"You know...I had a dream about you last night," Neo muttered between bites of chicken. "A dream...or maybe a memory. I'm not really sure right now."

"Oh," she looked across the table at him, marigold orbs wide. "What did you see?" She sat her half empty glass of water on the smooth table.

"It was weird," the blonde began. "I was in the sickbay, but my hair was shorter, and there were bandages wrapped around my side and shoulder. You were there too, in the Earth Alliance uniform I saw you in earlier. You were flipping through what looked like some sort of photo album. I seemed to be telling you something...something that made you sad. It was just a flash, really. I didn't see any more after that. But when I woke up, I remembered that part."

"It wasn't a dream. That really did happen," her mouth was wide, voice slightly shaky. "You got the wound on your side from some shrapnel in a mobile suit battle. The wound on your shoulder came from a gunshot," she looked down at the table, unable to meet his gaze.

"Is that so?" He smiled, reaching across the table to lift up her chin. "I always wondered where those scars came from. They seem different from the others." He brushed a stray strand of hair out of her face. "And you know what else?" He grinned, fingers gently caressing her smooth skin. "I could tell that you being there made me happy."

"I...," the blush returned to her cheeks, her voice faltering. "Have you had any other memories?"

"Not really. I think I've had a few flashes here and there from my childhood." He finished the remaining food on his plate, taking a large gulp of water to wash it down.

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly. "I'm sure it must be hard not to remember much of anything about yourself," she looked down at her nearly empty plate, a sudden thought hitting her. Hard. What if he remembers? Becomes Mwu again? We...the bath...will he be mad? Things just happened...and now, if his memories return. Did I...did I betray him? I don't think I could take it if he hated me...

"What's wrong?" He frowned at the panicked look on her face, her body trembling beneath the blue and white fabric of her uniform.

"It's nothing," she shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thoughts.

"I know it's more than nothing," he reached across the table, squeezing her hand with his. "It's better to not keep things like that bottled up inside," Neo reminded her.

"I...," she closed her eyes, trying to get the words out. Taking a deep breath, she continued. "If you...if you get your memories back...I just...the bath the other day," she stammered, her cheeks a vivid scarlet. "You...you won't be mad?"

"Of course not," he shook his head firmly, smiling across at the worried captain. "I love you, and I know that if anything happened to me, I wouldn't want you to live the rest of your life alone, shut off from another chance at happiness. If I do remember, I'll be glad that I was able to help you feel less lonely. And that I was able to make you happy. So don't worry, okay," his deep voice reassured her, his hand still holding onto hers tightly.

"Thank you," she sighed, the relief in her voice evident. "Thank you for everything, for just being here."

"No problem. I know this is where I'm meant to be," he smiled warmly. Glancing at the clock hanging high on the wall, he frowned. "Looks like it's about time," he stood up, clearing their trays away from the table. "This is gonna be one hell of a battle."

"Please...stay safe," she whispered. Standing up on the tips of her toes, her lips gently grazed his.

"Will do," he wrapped his arms around her slender waist, pulling her closer. He smiled, breathing in her lavender scented shampoo. "I love you," he murmured, perfectly content to stay just where he was. The sudden noise from the intercom broke the silence, ordering the officers to the bridge immediately, the pilots to their mobile suits.

"You stay safe too," he kissed her cheek one more time. "And I'll be looking forward to our date," he winked, floating down the long hallway.

"Me too," she called out, slipping inside the elevator, the doors hissing shut behind her.

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A/N: Hope you all enjoyed that, and please review. I'm sorry I took so long to update. I had been sick the past week. But I feel better now, just in time for Christmas. XD I'll try to update sometime this week.