Title/theme: REASON
Genre: general/fluff
Approx time line: Phase 38-39 of GS
Summary: What do you think we should fight for now?

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"So, I guess we're fighting the Alliance eh," Mwu commented, setting his mug of coffee down on the captain's table. "Hmm, I never thought I'd bite the hand that fed me for such a long time. But, that's what they get for betraying me."

"Technically, they didn't abandon you, Commander," Murrue reminded him quietly.

"Pfft!" Mwu rolled his eyes. "But that's because I was still of use to them. I'm sure that as soon as I become unable to pilot, they'd throw me away in a blink of an eye."

"But you already knew that, didn't you?" she inquired, her gaze travelling towards her Earth Alliance uniform hanging beside her bed. "We chose to enlist in the first place, and somewhere in our minds we always knew this would happen one day, that we'd have to throw away our lives if they told us to, didn't we? I mean, soldiers aren't supposed to complain about or question their orders."

Mwu sighed. "Yes, I know. But I still felt it was underhanded. I mean, I suppose it is a brilliant tactic when you look at it from their point of view, but for those who fought their hardest, oblivious to the fact that they were merely bait...It's hardly fair. Don't these people have a conscience?"

"Fair?" Murrue looked up at him and wanted to laugh at the absurdity of his words. "Since when is war fair? I think they have more important things to worry about than fairness. And you know how your conscience can be fooled and convinced."

"Yup," he nodded, understanding exactly what she meant.

"I wonder if Natarle made it out okay..." Murrue started, trying to change the subject.

"Oh I'm sure she'll be fine," Mwu took a sip from his coffee. "She's still useful to them. And she is probably still blind to it all and follow their orders like an obedient dog."

Murrue raised her eyebrows. "We were blind to it too a couple of days ago, you know," she said quietly.

He sighed in defeat. "Yeah... But now that we're ur, free, we have a choice. What do you think we should fight for now?" he looked at her intensely.

She looked away and shrugged, "Peace, I guess."

"And how do you propose we do that?"

She looked at him, trying to decide whether he was serious or just teasing her. She couldn't tell, but it seemed like he was testing her.

"I thought you already knew. We've chosen to fight alongside Orb."

He arched an eyebrow. "And you think that will lead us to peace?"

She narrowed her eyes. Yup, he was definately testing her. Exhaling, she looked to the side again.

"Do you remember the last time we were here Commander?"

He smiled to himself, remembering the outing that they had. "Yes."

"You said that it was so peaceful here, that it's hard to believe that there was a war going on a few miles away."

"Yes." He didn't see where this was going.

"Well, I feel this is like the last paradise on Earth..." she told him, slightly embarrassed, "And I wanted to protect it."

He smiled. "Okay. Then that's what I'll fight for too."

"Eh? But shouldn't you be finding your own reason?" she looked up at him.

He smiled softly at her. "But I already have found my reason, Captain," he winked, making her blush.

Mwu stood up and stretched. "Well, guess I should get back to work. I have to prepare, getting used to the Strike and all."

"Speaking of which, Commander…" she trailed off, biting her lip, as if unsure.

"Yes?" he turned back to her, waiting.

"Um, the Strike, it's your first time fighting in it right? So uh," she looked up at him, almost nervous, "Be careful okay?"

His eyes softened. With a few strides, he walked to her side and kissed her cheek.

"Don't you worry about me," he straightened up, plastering his cocky grin on his lips again. "You just make sure I've got a place to come back to, Missy."

With a wink, he left her, dumbfounded.

For a moment, she just sat there, not sure whether to feel assured or worried or offended by his reply.

Then she sighed. Something told her that it was no use worrying about him. He could take care of himself.

She leaned back on her chair and closed her eyes, smiling as she felt his lingering kiss. She mumbled softly to herself.

"Aye aye, Commander…"

AN: hehe, so adorable! I love the idea of Mwu calling her 'Missy' :)

wow, 50 chapters! thanks everyone for their support! Shall I continue this?