She was sleeping. They'd walked back to her room in companionable silence, hands held tightly, and when they'd reached their destination she'd just collapsed into his arms, completely wiped out. It was easy to understand why - battles were emotionally and physically draining, not least when you were the one running the show, and she hadn't even wanted to fight the other ship. She doesn't want to fight anyone. She just wants it all to stop... Brushing a lock of auburn hair from his captain's face he smiled as she murmured and nuzzled a little closer to him. "I didn't realise you could be so reckless.." After they'd found the cockpit section of Freedom (how the kid had survived was anyone's guess) the missie had told him about Murrue's plan - detaching one of Archangel's damaged engines into the path of Minerva's positron cannon in the hope that it would appear as though the ship had been destroyed. It was a risky but brave move, further increasing his admiration for her...although it had scared the hell out of him.

"I wanted to tell you," she'd admitted after they'd left the kid to sleep in sickbay. "To let you know that we were all right. But the communications got knocked out..." She'd even suggested, rather impishly, that perhaps his own recklessness had rubbed off on her - something he hadn't anticipated and wasn't at all sure he liked the sound of. I wouldn't say that I was reckless. I take a few risks, sure, but no more than any other pilot would, and what I did at Jachin Due was to protect her. How can she say that's reckless? Shaking his head with a rueful smile he flicked off the light and brought the blanket up to cover them both, winding an arm around her waist and settling close.

"You really scared me.."

"M'sorry.." she murmured drowsily, startling him. "Didn't mean it.."

"I know you didn't, princess. It's okay. Sorry I woke you."

Murrue smiled. "Missed being called that." Rolling over to face him she brushed a kiss to the scar over his nose. "Was I reckless?"

"I don't know if you were reckless as such, but it was a pretty big risk. If something had gone wrong.."

"But it didn't. We're all right. You're the one who told me I shouldn't keep thinking about 'what if', right?"

He blinked, then chuckled, ducking down to kiss her gently. "Right. I just worry about you, that's all."

"I know you do." She ran a fingertip over his face. "And I worry about you. I get mad when you take risks because I don't want to lose you. Not again."

"Murrue.." Wasn't that why he'd been scared? If any other captain of any other ship had done what she'd done he'd have been impressed, have commented on their bravery, but because it was his own ship and the one he loved he'd been worried, and even a little hurt that she'd take a risk that might have resulted in him never seeing her again. She's all I have. If something had gone wrong, if I'd lost her, there'd be nothing left for me. But then again... He sighed, shaking his head with a rueful smile. How can I scold her when I did the exact same thing to her? "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"Because now I think I know how you felt, and why you worry."

Murrue nodded. "It's hard not to when you're out there. I just got you back."

"I'll be careful. I promise." He'd protect her, but also protect himself. Losing him again would hurt her terribly, just as losing her would hurt him. "No more being reckless."

"I'll hold you to that." Stretching out with a little sigh she snuggled into his arms, pillowing her head on his chest just as she'd always done. He'd planned to stay here a while then go back to his own room, but it seemed as though she wasn't about to let him, and he was fine with that. Even when I do go back I usually end up here in the early hours anyway. Nightmares.. He always tried his best not to wake her, yet somehow he always did, and she'd let him hold her as tightly as he wanted. Somehow, with her, the nightmares didn't haunt him, he dreaming instead of the times they had spent together....as though her presence was enough to chase away the guilt and sadness that always hung over his head. Not understanding how, but more grateful than he could say, Mwu kissed the crown of her hair and settled back into the pillows.

"Murrue?"

"Hmm?"

"Love you."

He felt her smile. "Love you too."

The kid looked in a bad way. Not physically - the injuries he'd gotten would likely be healed in a few more days - but he was just...down. The missie came by every so often, as did the carrot-top girl, but there didn't seem to be much they could do to cheer him up. With a sigh he sat down on the tiny chair beside the kid's bed, raising an eyebrow when Kira jumped. "Don't tell me I scared you."

"You startled me.." he protested. "I was thinking.."

"You were moping."

"Was not."

"Sure you were. I've done enough of both to know the difference. You were moping about getting your ass kicked, losing Freedom, not being able to protect the ship...how'm I doing so far?"

Kira managed a smile. "Pretty well."

"Thought so. And getting beaten by Impulse isn't so bad - that kid's a helluva talented pilot."

"It was because I killed that girl. I had no choice - she'd have killed him, me and everyone else if I hadn't stopped her, but.."

Mwu closed his eyes briefly. Stellar... He'd known what must have happened, and knew there must have been nothing else the kid could have done, but it still hurt. She'd been a sweet kid, retaining her innocence despite what she and the others had been forced to do, and he'd grown fond of her in those two years. To her, I wasn't a bad person. She looked forward to seeing me, was happy when I was around - she was the only one who treated me normally.

"I'm sorry," Kira said quietly. "I knew you must have known her. I screwed up a lot that day."

"You wouldn't have done it if there had been another way." was the reply. He'd seen the kid fight - he only disabled enemy suits, not destroyed them. "Perhaps it was the kindest thing. She and the others didn't have much of a life."

"But she was a friend.."

"Yeah, she was a friend. But so are you."

Kira smiled thinly. "Doesn't make it right."

"No, it doesn't. But not much about war ever is right. You did the only thing you could have. And that Shinn kid must have friends, family that care about him - you saved him."

"Shinn? Is that his name?"

Mwu nodded. "Once, Stellar - that girl - got separated from the rest of us, and that kid took her back to his ship. She nearly died, as she and the others were dependent on a medication the Alliance gave them, so he contacted me and brought her back. He made me promise I wouldn't make her fight again, and I did, but.."

"But you weren't able to keep it."

"There was no way I could have. It wasn't up to me. I tried, but I was overruled. The kid must hate me."

"Mwu-san.."

"It's okay, I guess. Can't get through life without upsetting people. I'm glad you're okay." He'd deliberately tried to keep from getting too close to Stellar, but Kira.. If it had been me... if Stellar had been about to kill Kira, or destroy Archangel...I'd have done what I had to. I can't judge him for doing the same. "I still owe you one for bringing me back here."

The kid smiled. "I brought you back here because I owed you. You and Murrue-san helped me out so much I wanted to repay you somehow - when I sensed you out there I figured the best way to do that was to help you two be together again.."

"You 'sensed' me?"

"I don't know how. I just knew it was you.." Kira shrugged. "It worked out."

"Yeah.." However it had happened, he was grateful. He was back here on the ship that had become his home, with his friends and the one he loved....the place and people he'd spent the last two years dreaming of. "Does that make us equal then?"

The kid smiled. "I think it does."

"Where are we going?"

Murrue smiled. "Nowhere special." He'd been pretty quiet the last few days. The nightmares had lessened, but something was still bothering him, his expression and demeanour downcast.....she wanted to help him somehow, and this seemed like the best way. It should be interesting to see his reaction.. Leading him into the elevator she turned around and hugged him, murmuring happily when he returned the embrace. "You're worried again."

"No fair."

"What's no fair?"

"You know me too well."

"I always did." Standing on her tiptoes she kissed him. "And that's a good thing."

"It is." Mwu smiled finally, blue eyes gentle. "Thanks. And I'm sorry. I said I wouldn't keep secrets from you anymore."

"I don't mind you keeping secrets unless they hurt you. And these do, don't they?"

"A little. Just remembering stuff."

"I see." She decided not to pry any further....the memories were painful enough without her asking questions about them. When the elevator reached it's destination she took his hand and led him out into the corridor, hiding a smile at his obvious confusion. He remembered the layout of the ship - as far as his memory went there shouldn't be anything of interest on this deck. But she and Erica had added something two years ago that would no doubt interest him greatly. "Trust me."

"I do." Squeezing her hand gently he followed her without question, only glancing around briefly to probably wonder where she was taking him.

"The kid was smiling."

"Was he?"

"He said I'd like what was down here, but so far I just see storage rooms. What have you been up to?"

Murrue grinned. "Not just me. Erica and Lacus-san had a hand in it too." Pressing the control to open the door she tugged him inside, switching on the light. "What do you think?"

He looked around the small room. brows knitting in a frown. "Locker room?"

"Partly. Here.." She led him to a door in the opposite wall. "Take a look." She hung back a little, waiting for his reaction...and wasn't disappointed.

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Do you like it?"

He chuckled softly. "Oh yeah. But why is something like this here?"

"Erica and I put it in. We didn't know if we'd ever need the ship again, but we didn't want to just mothball her and forget about everything, so.."

"So you installed a bath?"

"Mmm-hmm. And we have all afternoon. Plenty of time to relax."

Mwu wound an arm around her waist and nuzzled a kiss to her cheek. "What, you think we'll be relaxing? I have plans for this bath.."

"Oh?" Suppressing a shiver of excitement she smiled up at him as innocently as she could. "What kind of plans?"

"The kind you were thinking of, I expect. No use looking all sweet."

"It's not a mixed bath."

He grinned. "Today, it is. Where do we get undressed?"

"Over behind that door. Then we take a shower."

"We take a shower before we have a bath? Why?"

"Because this bath is for soaking in, not washing in. We get all clean, then we can stay in there as long as we want. Okay?"

"What are we waiting for?"

The bath felt wonderful. Stretching out she settled back into the hot water with a contented sigh, only glancing up when she heard footsteps on the wet floor. He was grinning brightly, earlier worries forgotten, just as she'd hoped. "These towels are really small. Do I have to wear them in the bath?"

"The one over your hair you do, to keep it from getting in the water. The other one.."

He laughed, letting it fall to the floor before stepping into the bath. "Ow. This really is hot.."

"Will it be okay?"

"Should be.." Wading toward where she waited he sat down gingerly, hissing in pain as the water stung the scars that criss-crossed his body. She'd expected this and scooted close to him, brushing thin fingers over the old injuries on his back.

"Does it hurt?"

Mwu managed a breathless laugh. "Not right now, it doesn't. Kind of the opposite.."

"Oh?" Leaning close she kissed the scars gently, giggling when he shivered. "Ah, I see."

"If you don't quit that it won't be a hot bath I need, but a cold shower."

"You were the one who said you had 'plans'.."

"I was, wasn't I? C'mere then.." Catching her around the waist he brought her to sit on his lap, peppering kisses to her neck and chest until she squirmed. "What do you think of my plan so far?"

"I think it's pretty good.." Closing her eyes she shuffled a little nearer, murmuring happily when his hands started to wander. She'd known what his plan had been, had looked forward to it....this was better than even the shower had been. Not what the bath had been installed for, but what could it hurt?

Even the captain can have fun sometimes...

"Was that why you took me there?"

She smiled, leaning back against him. After their bath they'd taken a walk through the ship together hand-in-hand, going over old memories and discussing what might happen when they got back to Orb, and had ended up at the observation window looking out at the ocean depths. The ship's lights only illuminated about two metres ahead, but every so often something would appear through the darkness, like a school of fish, or a carpet of sea grass. It was beautiful, and rather romantic when you were watching it with someone special.

"Not specifically for that," she admitted softly. "More to help you relax - to take your mind off whatever was bothering you."

He kissed the crown of her hair. "And it was appreciated, believe me. Sorry if I've been acting weird.."

"You haven't been," she reassured him. "You've been through a lot. No-one expects you to act as though nothing happened."

"I want to be the way everyone remembers, but I don't know if I ever can be.."

"And that's okay." Turning around in his arms she rested her head on his shoulder, smiling when he hugged her close. "You can be whoever you want to be."

"Would you still like me?"

"I'd still love you."

Mwu inclined his head to rest it on hers. He'd expected her to say something like that but it still felt good to hear it - that even if he never returned to being the man he'd been, she'd still feel the same way about him. More than he deserved. All of it is. Being back here, being with friends, but most of all being with her... "Murrue?"

"Mmm?"

"Thanks." He didn't say for what or how much but felt sure she'd understand. She'd saved him. He'd protected her, sure, but she'd done far more for him. He'd left her alone for two years, and when she'd found him again he hadn't been the person she'd known. But she'd forgiven him, accepted him...still loved him. Not for the first time, he was able to see just how strong she was.

"You're amazing."

She pinked. "M'not.."

"Sure you are." Turning her around again he wound arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder, the two of them looking back out at the ocean. When they got back to Orb, he decided, the two of them would do all the things they'd never gotten to. Go out for walks, have dinner together...all the things that regular couples did.

I'd say we've earned it.

(:D

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