Title/theme: PROTECT
Genre: angst
Approx time line: After GS
Summary: "If you ever need me to, you know that I'll be willing to…"

"Captain! The Lohengrin, it's—!"

"Evade!!"

"There's no time!"

Murrue could only stare helplessly at the bright light coming to claim her. Instinctively, she grasped the sides of her chair and readied herself.

As her eyes squeezed shut, waiting for the blow she knew was coming, all she could see was him, his face, his eyes, his smile. Her mind groped in the darkness for him, screaming desperately.

Mwu… Mwu! Help me…please… I don't want to…not yet...Mwu…

-----

"I'll protect you."

"Eh?"

Murrue turned around and stared at him, confused. He stared back with an earnest look in his eyes.

"W-What do you mean?" she looked away, lips turning upwards, thinking that he was just teasing her again.

"I'll protect you," he repeated.

She let out a small laugh and looked up at him, smiling. "Thanks for the offer Mwu, but you know I don't need you to do that."

He didn't reply nor smile, locking eyes with her silently. Her smile faltered slightly.

Taking a step closer, she took his hand in both of hers and looked down at them.

"It's okay, you don't have to do that," she murmured softly, "I can protect myself you know."

His hand suddenly grasped hers and squeezed, surprising her. Murrue looked up and found herself staring into his intense blue eyes, unable to look away.

"…" she opened her mouth to ask what was wrong, but no words came out.

Still holding her hand, he spoke quietly, with a calm that startled her.

"Please Murrue, let me protect you."

Flustered, she finally managed to break away from his eyes, though he still didn't let go of her hand.

"I, uh, I," she stuttered. "I-If you say so, I guess..." She let out a small laugh to relieve the tension she was feeling.

"Murrue…" Before she could react, he pulled her into his arms. Resting his chin gently on her shoulder, he whispered into her ear. "Please…"

The young captain wasn't sure how to react or what to say. She wondered what had gotten into her commander. Why was he suddenly so serious? A part of her felt uneasy.

"They say a soldier is rejuvenated when he finds someone he wants to protect," he whispered, his deep voice reverberating beside her ear. "A soldier, that's all I can be right now, and I finally found that someone most important to me, someone I want to protect with my life. So please… If you ever need me to, you know that I'll be willing to…"

His voice faded, and she was glad, because she didn't want him to say those words that she knew were next.

Pulling away, she gently ran a hand down the side of his face, her eyes searching him, as if studying and memorizing it. Her eyes softened.

"All right, fine," she sighed, smiling softly, "If it'll make you happy." She leaned into his shoulder and closed her eyes. "But you know, if you want to make me happy, I think I'd rather have you alive and by my side."

He finally let out a small laugh, much to her relief.

"Yeah, I know."

----

Tears blurred her vision as she leaned against the doorframe to his empty room. Tilting her head back, she let out an ironic chuckle.

"I told you I didn't need you to protect me, didn't I?"

She closed her eyes, her mind recalling the events not so long ago, how she was calling for him then… And how he had answered her.

Did you really hear me back then? Is that why you came?

She remembered his last words to her.

"Didn't I tell you that I could make the impossible possible?"

Didn't I tell you that I'd protect you with my life?

"Yes Mwu, you did…But did you forget what I said?"

Silent tears trailed down her pale cheeks as she smiled mirthlessly.

"I told you…"

---

Word count: 650

AN: Yay I'm not dead!

Hmm, haven't written angst/serious stuff in a while... Random idea sprung while watching Gundam Wing and hearing this quote "They say a soldier is rejuvenated when he finds someone he wants to protect." as said by Noin to Relena when talking about Heero and Zechs' duel. In a lot of ways, Mwu is kinda like Zechs (including the alter ego thing, and they even have the same Voice Actor). Anyway, that thought also made me wonder what Murrue was thinking in those few moments. And in case you couldn't tell, the block in the middle is a flash-back sort of thing, I just didn't want to block the whole thing in italics 'cause it'd be harder to read.

Wow, could you believe that "Promise Me" has been published for exactly a year now?! It didn't seem that long ago... Thanks everyone for the support! (and I just had to write an angsty one to celebrate, right? XD)

(goes back to hibernation)