AN: here's my version of the hanger scene. I seem to be on an angst kick... but I like writing angst... (yeah I'm weird, I know...)

Title/theme: SEEING YOU OFF
Genre: angst
Approx time line: Phase 48 of GS
Summary: She did remember what he'd told her, but still, she wanted to be selfish, wanted him to stay with her.

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The captain of the Archangel rushed through the halls of the bustling warship, a sense of urgency within her. She had just come back from a meeting on the Eternal, adrenaline pumping through her as she thought about what was to come. They had come this far, and it was time that they ended this pointless conflict. Everyone was getting ready for the final battle, and she knew that she should be getting ready to lead the ship, but there was one thing that she absolutely had to do before she assumed her position, and she had to hurry.

Like everyone else, Mwu La Flaga was preparing as well, checking over everything to make sure that the Strike was ready. A small beeping noise caught his attention. He looked up and saw her floating towards him on the Strike's camera.

"What the?" he muttered to himself, surprised at seeing her in the hanger. He took off his helmet and opened the door of the cockpit.

"What are you doing here?" he asked as he caught her.

"Phew, I was afraid I wouldn't make it in time," she sounded a bit winded.

He chuckled. "In time for what silly!"

But she didn't share his laughter. Instead of answering, she lowered her gaze and bit her lower lip. The silver, coffin-shaped pendant escaped from under her uniform and floated up between them, catching his attention.

He reached out and gently touched it. "Was he a mobile armour pilot?" he asked gently. She nodded, still not meeting his gaze, and he noticed the lingering sadness and slight fear in her eyes.

He understood. He understood why she'd come, and why she was afraid that she wouldn't make it to see him off.

"Don't look so worried," he brushed her cheek with a gloved hand.

She looked up and opened her mouth, about to say something, but thought better of it and turned her gaze away, the anxiety still evident in her eyes. He didn't like her looking so worried. So he brought her closer and turned her head slightly so that she locked her gaze with his. There was such gentleness and love in his deep blue eyes, and she felt some of her sadness melt away.

"I'll be right back, with victory in my hands."

He reached down and brought her face close. Her eyes fluttered shut as he caressed her lips with his. She embraced him as he entwined his fingers in her dark hair, deepening the kiss. There were other people in the hanger, but right at the moment, they didn't care who saw them. This moment was theirs, and theirs alone. And neither had wanted it to end.

But like everything in life, all good things must come to an end. Their tender moment was interrupted by the sound of the intercom echoing in the hanger.

"Captain Ramius to the bridge," it said, repeating the message a few times before becoming silent once again.

"Well, they're calling for you," he told her, flashing her his usual grin. His smile faded when he saw that something was still bothering her.

"Murrue?"

"I-I don't want to…yet," she mumbled, and he only managed to catch pieces of what she said.

"Don't want to what?" he asked softly.

She looked up, eyes pleading. "Are you sure you don't want to stay here with me? We can use your help on the bridge," she tried.

Mwu sighed softly. So that's what this is about.

Caressing her cheek softly with the back of his hand, he shook his head.

"I'm sorry Murrue, but they need me out there even more. Remembered what I said before?"

Her eyes strayed from his again and nodded slightly. Yes, she did remember what he'd told her, but still, she wanted to be selfish, wanted him to stay with her. She buried her face on his shoulder and held him tightly, afraid to let go.

The intercom came again, calling her to her duties.

She didn't know what she was doing, why she was being so childish and selfish, and even abandoning her duties. If Natarle were here, surely she'd be yelling at her already, telling her to get back to work. But Natarle wasn't here, she was now an enemy, and Murrue had to fight her former comrade.

But she didn't want to go, to let him go, even though she knew she had to. She was afraid, afraid that he'd leave her. Besides, didn't he always come back to me? she reminded herself. And it's not like he's never been out there fighting before, she reasoned.

"Come on Murrue," his voice whispered in her ear, "They need you there, and I have to go soon."

"But—"

He cut off her protest with a gentle kiss.

"Please? You know I can't stay in here. You have your duties, and I have mine."

She should be understanding what he was telling her, and her mind had relented. But her body wouldn't listen to her, it wouldn't move, wouldn't release him.

"At this rate, the only way I can fight is if I take you with me," he joked half-heartedly. She didn't smile, the same anxiety on her face.

He sighed. He knew that nothing he could say could erase her anxiety.

"I know it's hard, but please stay strong for just a while longer. Lets end this together," he smiled softly. "Then you never have to let me go."

She nodded, and didn't protest when he gently removed her arms from clutching tightly around him.

"Besides, aren't you forgetting that I'm the man who—"

"Stop it!" she cut him off, "Stop saying that!" She looked at him, slightly irritated.

For once, he was the one speechless. He looked away, knowing that he'd upset her.

A moment of silence passed between them as Murrue struggled to keep her emotions under control.

"Look, I just," she broke the silence, fighting to keep her voice even, "I just don't want you to be reckless out there, okay?"

He smiled softly in understanding. "I won't. I promise."

As he disappeared inside the cockpit of the Strike after a final kiss, she prayed that this would not be the last time she'd see him.

Please be safe.

AN: I've wanted to write this scene for some time now, the one in the series was too short, I feel there should be more to it. This one kinda ties in with "Assurance" with the things he said to her.

I think there's some foreshadowing with the fact that they put this scene in the series, because he's fought countless times before, but she doesn't go to see him off, so I put some foreshadowing/irony in this too.

You know, I went back and checked. In the dubbed version and the subbed version that I saw, he never actually used the word "Promise" when he was talking about how he will come back (or it could be a translation thing...). but at the beginning of phase 50, Murrue does say "but you promised me...", so it made me think that maybe he promised something else.

ugh, I think I made Murrue ooc again. she's a lot stronger than I usually make her out to be (well, at least she didn't cry this time...), in the scene, she didn't look as scared or worried (or desperate/clingy) as I made her out to be.