She wasn't there when he woke up. Rolling onto his back he stared up at the ceiling, watching the fan spin lazily. The window was open to let in the light breeze and sounds of the surf and seabirds, and he smiled, stretching out with a content sigh before sitting up and peeking through gauzy curtains. He could see his wife in the garden below digging through a patch of soil the Director had talked about turning into a vegetable plot, and further out on the beach there were people making the most of the already warm morning - surfing, swimming or just walking. It was a peaceful, rather comforting scene, and he leaned on the windowsill to watch for a while. Still getting used to calling this place home, but I think one more change will be all it takes.

The Director had said they could stay with her for as long as they wanted, and had even hinted that they could live with her if they wanted. It was a kind gesture, but he wanted something more. He wanted everything. Everything he hadn't been able to have before but had always imagined. A real home, someone to share it with, work that didn't involve fighting for his life.....and the little things. Like real coffee in a morning, walks on the beach at sunset, curling up on the sofa to watch re-runs of bad TV. All the things he'd never been able to do but always wanted to, and he could do them all with her. With a grin he pushed open the window, whistling to catch her attention and waving when she looked up.

"Want to go for a walk?"

"Would that be a morning or afternoon walk? It's late enough to count as both."

He chuckled. "You're so mean. Why did I marry you?"

"As I recall, you gave me at least a dozen reasons. Which one was wrong?"

"None."

"Then why are you asking?"

He shrugged. "Cause you're going to be my boss for the rest of our lives?"

She blew him a kiss. "Get dressed and we'll go to the park. You can play on the swings."

"You promise?"

"Cross my heart."

The afternoon was as hot as any other in this country, but after a fortnight or so he was starting to adjust to it. Murrue had reacclimatised without any trouble, loving the sun - she'd been cold everywhere else, even with the heater in their room aboard ship turned up - and spent hours outdoors gardening or chatting with the Director while he had to go indoors or in the shade to avoid being burned. I guess I'll get used to it eventually. Blowing upwards at his fringe he ran the back of his free hand over his forehead, poking his tongue out at her when she giggled.

"What? It's hot."

"It's going to get hotter. I'm not even used to the summers here yet."

"We'll have to find a place with airconditioning then."

"Yes, we will."

Mwu grinned. "Not up to living with the Director permanently then?"

She made a face. "She'll drive us up the wall. No, I want us to have our own place. We can decorate it ourselves, make a nice garden and besides, you want room for your train set."

He laughed. "So I can still have that?"

"I said so, didn't I? If we find a place with an attic like Erica's, you could have the whole room. Imagine how big a set you could have."

"It'd take me years to fill a room that size.." Now that was an interesting (and appealing) thought. "Could I really do that? You wouldn't mind?"

She kissed his cheek. "Mwu, you can have whatever you want. You've earned it."

"Even if it involves me acting like a kid?"

"Especially if it involves you acting like a kid. Why do you think we're going to the park?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "You don't have to indulge me.."

"No, I don't. But I want to." She squeezed his hand. "Because no-one else ever has."

"Do I get to indulge you too?"

A little smile. "If you like."

Indulging is about the right word.. Not that she minded. Sitting back on the bench she watched him try and swing higher, wincing inwardly as the chains of the swing creaked ominously.

"Don't overdo it. Those things are made for children."

"You don't think I could swing as high as a kid?"

"No, I'm pretty sure you could, but what I mean is they're rated for a child's weight. You could break it."

"Oh." Looking up at where the swing chains were bolted to the frame he screwed up scarred nose. "I didn't think of that." Bringing the swing to a stop he hopped off, holding out his hand to her. "Want to go play on something I can't break?"

She smiled. "Is there anything you can't break?"

He chuckled. "I don't know. But we can find out."

He didn't break the see-saw, though he gave it a pretty thorough workout. The weight distribution was a little unequal, with the result that she bounced at least a foot into the air every time he hit the ground, but it was fun - she couldn't remember the last time she'd played on a see-saw.

"What next?" she asked, leaning into him to recover her breath (most of it lost by laughing). He laughed himself, dropping a kiss to the crown of her hair.

"You want to see how fast I can make the roundabout go?"

As she'd expected, it was very fast. Holding on for dear life she squeezed her eyes closed to block out the dizzying swirls of colour, only able to hear the rush of wind and his whoops of delight. In a way, it was more fun than the see-saw, but also less fun. When the ride finally came to an end she almost fell off but he was there to catch her, though he couldn't have been any steadier on his feet. "You okay?"

"I think so.."

"Sorry." He led her over to a patch of grass and sat down, letting her lean against him. "Didn't mean to go so fast."

She smiled a little. "If you had fun, then it's okay."

Mwu ruffled her hair gently. "Not when you don't enjoy it. It's nice to be indulged, but no fun if you're the only one."

"But I said.."

He chuckled. "Have to make everything tough, don't you?"

"No.."

"Yes, you do. You always have. But I love you anyway. Now, have you got your breath back?"

She nodded.

"Good. Let's go get hot dogs." Getting to his feet he held out his hand, scarred face bright with a huge smile, and to her own surprise she felt tears welling up. She did her best to blink them back but they quickly overflowed, trickling down her cheeks even as she tried to brush them away. Mwu's happy smile faded to be replaced with dismayed concern, he sitting back down beside her and holding her close. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing.."

"Then why are you crying?"

"I don't know.." Closing her eyes she let him hold her, breathing in his scent, which had so often calmed and comforted her, but this only brought more tears.

It's because he's here. In those last two years all I wanted was him. To wake up beside him, to see his smile, and to know that nothing could ever take him away from me again. That's why I'm crying.....because I finally have everything I wanted. Laughing through her tears she hugged him tight. This time, she'd let herself cry.

"Do you hurt anywhere?"

"No. Not anymore."

"You two spend longer out there together every day. Exploring still?"

He nodded with a smile, swinging his legs as he sat on the wall. "There's a lot to see."

"That there is. You should check out the northern islands and the volcano - the scenery's amazing, and so is the skiing."

La Fllaga raised an eyebrow. "Skiing?"

"Sure. The mountain range round the volcano's pretty high up, and gets quite a lot of snow. There's some really good resorts up there. Maybe you could take Murrue."

"On a honeymoon, you mean?"

"Why not? You didn't get to have one, did you?"

"No," he admitted. "It's not really something we had time to think about. But it would be nice. I never tried skiing before. You think Murrue would like it?"

"I think it'll do her good. Some time to relax before she throws herself back into work again. Did you find anywhere to live yet?"

He nodded. "There's a place up for sale not far from here - a family's moving out to one of the smaller islands, and they let me have a look round. It's perfect. Three bedrooms, nice big garden...I wanted to find one that was just right for her."

Erica smiled and patted his arm. "There should be more guys like you."

He looked away, rubbing at the scar over his nose. "Sorry.."

"That was a compliment."

"You don't normally compliment me."

She laughed. "No, I don't, do I? But you are a good guy."

"Thank you."

She paused in the midst of drying her hair, peeking up from under the blue towel. "See? I told you she liked you."

"I think she likes me because I like you." Seeing her walk into the bedroom he held out a hand for her to sit beside him on the bed. "Though she did say I was a good guy."

"And you are."

"Now if you say it, I believe it. Wonder why."

Murrue just smiled. "Because it's true." Accepting his help she climbed up onto the over-frilly bed beside him, murmuring happily when he brought her close. "You just need to believe it."

"I think I'm starting to."

"Good."

He smiled himself, flopping back onto the bed and letting her rest her head on his chest. "I found a house you might like. Like this one, only not so near the ocean, and a really big garden. We could go see it tomorrow if you want."

She nodded. "I told Lacus-san we'd come over to visit tomorrow - it sounds like their house and the chapel have been rebuilt. Things are coming together."

"They are." They could have everything they'd planned for and more besides - a real wedding, a place of their own, a honeymoon (which he'd decided to surprise her with) and whatever else came afterwards. Not sure if I'll be any good as a dad, but I'll give it my best shot.

It was finally over. No more fighting, no more running....there was a future waiting for them.

( Not as good as I wanted it to be, but never mind.

please read and review! )