"What are you dreaming about?"

Smiling he glanced up over his shoulder, seeing her leaning against the tree he sat under. She was wearing a pale green sundress she'd probably borrowed from the Director or one of her other friends at Morgenroete - he'd never seen her in civilian clothes before, and the effect was stunning. "You have great knees."

She laughed. "Do I? Thank you. What about the rest of me?"

He looked her up and down slowly, wiggling his eyebrows to make her laugh again. She knew what he thought of the rest of her - he'd told her several times. Holding out his hand he smiled as she came to sit beside him, head resting on his shoulder. It had been just over a week since the battle here, and though there had been news from space about skirmishes between the remnants of the Alliance and the ZAFT forces, there wasn't much going on. For now, anyway. This peace wouldn't last forever, so they'd enjoy it while they had the chance.

"You look good too."

Mwu grinned. "You don't often tell me that. Normally I get scolded for not being dressed properly."

"Because you normally aren't." she replied sweetly, before examining the borrowed T-shirt and khaki shorts. "But those suit you."

"Good to know. Are my knees okay?"

"Yes, your knees are fine." She tickled one, amber eyes alight with mischief when he squirmed. She knew he was ticklish there - in fact he was ticklish most places - and used it to her full advantage, climbing onto his lap to tickle his ribs until he collapsed in a fit of laughter. Murrue beamed in triumph, letting him go and leaning down to kiss the scar over his nose while he fought for breath.

"You're....mean.."

His captain grinned, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. "And you enjoyed it. Don't deny it."

"Well, maybe.."

She kissed him again before settling down beside him, lying on the grass under the tree and wiggling her toes. "How'd you find this place?"

"The Director told me. She said it was one of your favourite places to sit and read, or think."

"She's right. She was the one who showed me it, actually. She brought me up here a few days after we'd gotten back here....said the view would help."

"And did it?" He didn't ask what it might have helped with - he thought he could guess.

"Yes," she answered quietly, eyes fixed on the leaves above her. "Yes, it did."

Hating to see her sad, especially because of him he rolled onto his side, nuzzling his face into her hair in an attempt to make her smile again, which to his relief, she did, reaching up to thread thin fingers through his own hair. "You do make me feel better."

"Glad to hear it." She'd told him that before. When she'd been sad, like then, or just tired and overworked he'd done his best to comfort and help her relax, and she'd always been grateful. And she did the same for me. After Mendel she was right there beside me, listening to dumb stories of my dumb childhood and she never judged me. She did the one thing no-one else had ever been able to do before - she loved me for who I was.. Ducking down he kissed her again before rolling onto his back and taking her with him. Murrue smiled and snuggled close.

"So what were you dreaming about?"

"Staying here. I mean, I know ZAFT'll pop their heads back up sooner or later, but I'm kind of hoping it's later."

"Yes, I know. It's good to be home."

Home. He'd never really had a place to call home before, besides Archangel. But looking at this place, at how peaceful and beautiful it was and how Murrue obviously loved it... He smiled, looking up at the sky. Maybe this could be home for both of them. Even if.. "Bit hot, though.."

She grinned. "It's only January. It's going to get hotter."

"Aww..."

"Not used to it, huh?"

"Didn't have chance before, and I've been in some pretty cold places since then. The ship went to Orb and even close to Australia, but I was never allowed to go ashore."

"The heat here takes some getting used to, I'll admit, but now most places seem too cold to me. Berlin was freezing." She shivered at the mere mention of it and huddled closer to him, grumbling softly when he laughed. Berlin had been cold, sure enough, but it hadn't even come close to the cold he'd known in winters while he was growing up. I'd love to see her face if I took her there...

"You like it here though, don't you?" she asked, propping herself up on an elbow. Her tone and expression were worried and he ruffled her hair gently.

"I like it here a lot. M'not quite used to all the people yet, but there's time for that."

She nodded thoughtfully before lying back down beside him, amber eyes faraway. There was clearly something on her mind but he didn't ask what it was, just preferring to be with her. The wind through the trees, her scent and soft breathing all blended together after a while, and he closed his eyes with a smile.

"Will you look at that.."

Athrun, puffing slightly as he limped up the slope to the clifftop sounded irritable. "Look at what?" Reaching his friend he peeked over his shoulder - and grinned. "So that's where they've been."

Kira nodded, motioning to his friend to speak quietly. Murrue-san and Mwu-san had disappeared earlier that afternoon, not telling anyone where they'd be, and it hadn't been until they'd asked Simmons-san that they'd found out they'd gone up to the clifftop a short distance from Morgenroete. And here they were. Fast asleep and smiling. Mwu-san was stretched out so much there was barely room for Murrue-san, but one arm was curled protectively around her waist - he was looking out for her even in sleep.

"Should we wake them?"

"I guess we should....people are looking for them. But I wish we didn't have to."

Athrun nodded. "They look really peaceful. Shall we say we didn't find them?"

"Yeah. Simmons-san knows where they are - if she needs Murrue-san for anything she'll be able to find her. But I'd say they've earned this rest.."

As quietly as they could the two boys left their friends to sleep in peace, whispering to themselves once they were out of earshot.

"The Commander seems different now. Quieter.....more serious."

Kira smiled a little. "I think in some way he is different, but none of us will ever know just how much. What he's seen, what he's done.....the only person who knows about it is Murrue-san."

"How do you know he told her?"

"Because he loves her," was the simple answer. "And he trusts her."

Athrun smiled. "I see."

"Stop sulking."

"M'not sulking."

"Of course you are. You're sulking because I woke you up. How many times have I found you sleeping in strange places? Like a cat."

"Didn't mean to fall asleep."

Erica grinned. "I'm sure you didn't. That's why you both jumped a mile when I woke you. La Fllaga nearly fell off the cliff."

"If he had, you'd have followed him." Grumbling audibly she poked at the stack of papers that had built up on her desk during her absence. Work reports, maintenance logs...had it really only been a few months? "Aren't I meant to have assistants?"

"You do. And they've done it. All those papers need is your signature."

"And that's why you woke me up?"

"That and your boyfriend ran out on helping fix that Murasame. You can make as many excuses for him as you like, but if he's here then he's working. You'd let him get away with anything."

"Would not.."

"Of course you would." Her friend walked across to the tiny coffeemaker and peered into the reservoir to see what was there. "I know his type. Impossible to stay mad at."

Unable to deny this Murrue settled for signing her name to the mountain of documents, muttering several uncharitable things under her breath. Not that her friend wasn't right - no matter how angry Mwu made her, all he had to do was smile and she'd forgive him - but she was right so often it was annoying. "Does it matter?"

"Not at all. He's a good guy and besides, letting him get away with anything doesn't seem like a bad deal when he'd do anything for you."

She pinked. "You're exaggerating."

"Honey, the guy pretty much took a bullet for you. I wouldn't call that exaggerating."

"I'd do it for him."

Erica ruffled her hair. "I know you would. But I'd rather you didn't." Perching on the edge of the desk she picked up the photograph of the Morgenroete crew taken last year. "You've both done enough. ZAFT are lying low, it'll take a while for everything to get sorted out - why not make the most of it?"

"And do what?"

"Take a break. Remember that bath resort we all went to last year for Satsuki's birthday? Why not take him there?"

"Erica, be reasonable. We can't go off to a spa in the middle of a war."

"You're no fun. Alright then, you can both come stay with me. It'll do you good to get off the ship - I don't expect that boy's lived on land for years."

"You'd really be okay with that?"

The older woman smiled. "Course I would. You're friends. Come over tonight and bring him with you, and don't let him weasel out of it."

Mwu seemed surprised. "Stay with the Director?" His eyes shifted nervously from her to the ground to Archangel and back again before he rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I.."

"Yes, she thought you'd hesitate, and she told me to make sure you didn't. We're going up there together later."

"Not to be rude to her, but I'd prefer to stay on the ship.."

"I know you would. You feel safe there, don't you?"

His eyebrows dipped in a slight frown. "Safe?"

"You're still worried about what other people think, aren't you? About how others see you?"

"It's tough not to be," he admitted softly. "If they knew what I'd done.."

"If they were your friends, they wouldn't judge you. I already told you that."

He smiled a little at that, leaning against the wall. "What about those that aren't my friends?"

"They have even less right to judge you." Standing on her tiptoes she kissed him lightly. "They don't know you."

"And you think the Director will be okay with letting me into her house?"

"She wouldn't have asked if she wasn't. She likes you. Honestly," she chided gently when he looked dubious. "She wants a chance to get to know you properly." Not to mention the fact that her rather nosy friend wanted to see how the two of them behaved around each other. I won't give her the details so she wants to see for herself. But I won't tell him that - he's nervous enough as it is.... "Don't worry."

"Not worried." he claimed unconvincingly, then he sighed. "I'll do it if you promise to get some rest and if she promises to let you. The Director seems to be an expert at getting more work out of people."

"She really isn't as bad as you make her out to be. For a while after I came back here I stayed with her and her family - she insisted - and it was a big help. She was there to listen when I needed to talk, a shoulder to lean on....I don't know what I'd have done without her."

Mwu didn't say anything for a time, then all of a sudden drew her into a hug so fierce she was lifted off her feet. Surprised, she glanced down at him, taking in the apologetic smile. "Mwu?"

"She's important to you."

"She's one of my best friends. Just like you are."

"Oh?" He grinned. "Is that all I am?"

Murrue leaned down and kissed the tip of his nose. "You know by now what you are to me."

He nodded, smile becoming gentle, and swung her around before setting her back down. He knew how much he meant to her - she'd told him on several occasions. And I want him to mean more. I want us to have everything we couldn't before..

"Don't be mean to Erica."

"As long as she's not mean to me."

"I'll make sure she isn't."

He was nervous, that was for sure. He hung back a little as Murrue entered the garden and swept Ryuta into a hug, standing just outside the gate as though he wasn't convinced he was welcome. He managed a small smile as he noticed Erica watching him, but made no move to come inside, instead staying half-hidden in the shadows of the trees. He really is just as she described him.. Not long after the end of the first war she'd asked her friend in a mixture of compassion and curiosity what the man had really been like. And it turns out he's actually pretty complicated. I thought he was all dumb self-confidence like every other male pilot I ever met, but Murrue told me there was a lot more to him than that. And it seems as though she's right. "You can come in, you know. The gate's not electrified."

He quirked another smile at that. "If you say so."

Murrue glanced up at the two of them then sighed, ruffling Ryuta's hair before walking over to the gate and taking La Fllaga's hand, tugging him into the garden with a faintly scolding air. He followed quite meekly, regarding her with a fond smile, and Erica found herself hiding a smile of her own. She's the boss. Not that I thought she wouldn't be, but it's just funny to watch. Once inside she looked up at him, hands on hips, and he held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, I get it.." It had obviously taken some persuasion to get him to come over, just as she'd anticipated. Whether it was him being uncomfortable around people in general or her in particular she wasn't sure, but he'd definitely been worried about something.

"He thinks people blame him for what he had to do. He definitely blames himself." Leaning back against the bench Murrue gazed into the night sky, thin fingers wrapped around the glass of wine she'd been given. La Fllaga was further down the garden, sitting on the wall and staring out to sea - he didn't seem to want to come closer. "He blames himself for a lot of things - for too many things. For leaving me alone even though he saved my life, for everything he did with the Alliance though it wasn't his fault. I've tried to help him and it does seem to be working, but..."

"He wants to blame himself.."

"I think he does, yes."

"The idiot." Setting aside her own glass Erica walked down the garden toward the man. "All right you, quit sulking."

He raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

"Well, that's what you're doing, isn't it? Or are you hiding?"

"From what?"

"Where do I start? Us, yourself, everyone. You did bad stuff. Who hasn't? Yes, I know there's a difference," she said in exasperation as he opened his mouth to protest, "but at least other people blame themselves for something that's actually their fault. Yes, you left Murrue on her own for two years, but you also saved her life, not to mention the lives of everyone on Archangel. And whatever you did with the Alliance, you did to keep your crew safe. Bad things, yes, but for good reasons. So for God's sake, will you lighten up?"

La Fllaga blinked, momentarily floored, and Erica allowed herself a small internal moment of pride. Murrue clearly hadn't said anything like this, or if she had it had been gentler. Maybe he needed someone to get mad at him to snap him out of it? "Are we clear?"

He nodded silently.

"Good. Now go back up there and sit with your girlfriend before I push you off the wall."

And to her immense satisfaction, he did, lifting a clearly surprised Murrue up in his arms before settling on the bench with her on his lap. From where she stood Erica couldn't hear what was being said, but after a moment her friend nodded and smiled, cuddling into his embrace and closing her eyes when he brushed a kiss to her cheek.

I think things will be okay now.

"I told you she liked you."

He poked his head out of the attic room's tiny bathroom, damp hair covered by a blue towel. "She's weird."

"I'll tell her you said that."

"What, so she can tell me off some more? No thanks." Still rubbing his hair dry he walked out to join her, sitting down heavily on the rather frilly bed, though he managed a smile when she rubbed his shoulders. "Wasn't expecting that.."

"I think she'd decided you'd been fussed over long enough." Those had been the woman's exact words, and Murrue thought she understood why. She and the others had shown Mwu kindness and patience, deciding to let him come to terms with things by himself, but Erica had always favoured a more direct approach. So she'd scolded him and surprisingly, it seemed to have worked quite well. He clearly hadn't expected a reaction like that, it leaving him quiet and perhaps a little shell-shocked for a while. "You understand now? Blaming yourself for things you can't control helps no-one, least of all yourself. Now," she cuffed him gently, "do you feel better?"

"Actually, I do. M'not sure why, but I do."

"Good." He looked better, brighter and more sure of himself. Maybe someone understanding why he blamed himself wasn't what he'd needed, but someone asking why he blamed himself. "I was going about it the wrong way."

"No, you weren't. I think I needed both, and I owe both you and the Director." Moving over he kissed her, winding arms around her waist and leaning her back until she landed with a thump and a giggle on the bed. "Not sure how I can pay her back, but I have plans for you."

"Oh?" Allowing herself a wicked smile she reached up to loop arms around his neck. "Would I like these plans?"

"Well.." he nuzzled more kisses to her neck and chest under her tank top, "we'll have to be really quiet since her kiddie's asleep in the room right below us, but I think we can still have fun. What do you think?"

"Mmm...that sounds pretty good.."

"I thought it might." Pulling up the blankets he covered her before disappearing underneath, a muffled chuckle escaping him when she gasped softly. Closing her eyes she smiled hazily, thin fingers twisted in the covers, but just before it all became too much he pulled away, causing a whimper of frustration and disappointment. Poking his head up he grinned, ducking down to kiss her lightly then tugged up the blankets to cover them both.

"You okay?"

"Mmm-hmm.." She was curled half-asleep in the crook of his arm and purred softly when he stroked her back, snuggling a little closer. They'd left the curtains partway open to let the moonlight bathe the room in silver....it was beautiful. If he'd stayed on Archangel, how much would he have missed?

"I've been stupid.."

"No you haven't," she murmured, rousing herself slightly to look up at him. "You were just nervous.."

"For no reason."

"There was a reason. You're not used to being somewhere like this - anyone would be nervous."

"I guess." Rolling onto his side he pillowed his head on her chest, smiling himself a little as she ran a hand through his hair. "Everyone seems so happy here.."

"Because it's what a real home feels like."

"Yeah.." Drowsy now he closed his eyes, absorbing the feel of the place. It felt...comforting. "Can we have one of those?"

She didn't answer right away, then he felt a soft kiss to the top of his head.

"Yes, we can."

( that was a bit blah lol. Brought to you by cookie dough and tea.

please read and review! )