( Okay. I've decided to make this a separate story, as: A) It's the first time I've ever written a multi-chaptered fic, and B) It's AU. Or is it? It's set after GSD, and since we don't actually know (yet) what happens afterwards, it might not be AU...)

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"Isn't Captain Ramius here?"

The ceasefire between the Terminal and ZAFT forces had begun less than an hour ago, and the bridge crew of Eternal had shuttled over in that brief time in order to celebrate the new peace. But Archangel's captain was nowhere to be seen. Andrew Bartfeld glanced around the bridge of the other ship, perhaps wondering if the one he sought was in her office, or at the CIC. But..she wasn't there. Up at her post, Miriallia giggled. "You won't find her here. Maybe in the hangar...with the Colonel."

"We saw Akatsuki take the shot from Minerva..is Colonel Lorrnoke all right?" asked Lacus softly, and Miriallia laughed again. "More so than he has been for quite a while. That shot...it made him remember. His memory's back." Kira's face lit up in delight. "And that's why Murrue-san isn't here?"

Neumann turned from his post to grin at the others. "As soon as Akatsuki came back to the ship...she was off like a shot. She was almost...giddy." Kira grinned, leaning against the bridge railing. "It's all she ever wanted..." Andrew smiled, but his expression was less happy than those of his friends. He had known for a long time that as close a friendship as he had with the brunette Natural, it could never have been anything more than that, however much he had secretly wished for it. Her heart belonged to Mwu, and always would. He knew this, and would never try to change things...but he couldn't help being a little jealous of the blonde pilot.

"Sounds like you had a pretty quiet life in those last two years," the scarred man mused, floating up the corridor towards the elevator, hand-in-hand with his captain. "Is Orb as nice a place to live as it looked before?" His memories were still a little cloudy, but he did remember the times Archangel had spent docked at the island country, and how he and the woman beside him had been able to watch the gorgeous sunsets a couple of nights. He smiled a little at the recollection, realising just how short a time he and Murrue had been able to spend together. Yet even after two years, his feelings for the beautiful brunette were just as strong as they had ever been...and she had even waited for him.

"It is," she replied softly, coming to a stop at the elevator. "Very peaceful, and beautiful weather...well, except in monsoon season, that is. It's...home." Mwu smiled, reaching out to brush aside a lock of her dark hair. "Can it..be home for both of us?"

Murrue blushed pink, gaze fixed on her feet. Silently, she nodded, a single tear rolling down her cheek. The blonde man leaned down to look at her, carefully tilting her chin up so she was facing him. "Don't cry.." Gently, he pressed his lips to hers in a loving kiss, the exchange deepening as the moments ticked by. When they finally broke for air, her arms were wound tightly around his neck, her back pressed against the wall.

"You're not alone anymore..." he told her, taking her hand again and leading her into the elevator. "You'll never be alone again, I promise.."

When the two of them reached the bridge, a spate of spontaneous cheers and claps broke out amidst the members of the crew. Murrue flushed vivid crimson instantly, hiding behind Mwu. The scarred man chuckled, taking her hand and pulling her around gently. "Don't be shy," he reassured her. "They're happy for us. C'mon..." The young woman took a deep breath, collecting herself, then raised her head to glance around at her friends. Kira grinned at Mwu, reaching out to shake the older man's hand. "I'm glad you're okay now, Mwu-san. How much do you remember?"

"Everything," replied the man cheerfully. "Everyone here. All the stuff from the last war, from when I was a kid...everything. It's weird to think how much I was missing. But..I owe all you guys a lot. 'Specially you, kid," He reached out and ruffled Kira's hair, making the boy grin sheepishly. "And of course.." He wrapped both arms around Murrue's slender waist, pulling her close in a hug. "I owe you so much I'll never be able to pay it back..." His captain blushed prettily, not saying anything, but her happiness could be read clearly on her face.

"So, what happens now?" asked Chandra from his position at the CIC. Lacus smiled a little, turning to gaze out of the bridge window. "I've been in contact with Cagalli-san," she replied softly. "We both agree that Archangel should stay in space, based at Copernicus, until the finalisation of the peace talks. This ship is well known to ZAFT, and we think that it would show PLANT that we're serious about peace if we keep one of our most important vessels close by. Murrue nodded slowly. "I see," she said. "That makes sense. And we'd be nearby to offer assistance should anything, God forbid, go wrong.." She noticed a faint shadow flicker over Mwu's face at her words, but he didn't say anything.

"So...we can't go home yet?" She poked her head out of the bathroom, hairbrush in hand, to gaze at the man sitting on her bed. He looked disappointed, blue eyes downcast. Smiling softly, she set down the brush and crossed to where he sat. "It looks like we might have to stay here for a while. But Copernicus is a lovely place.." Mwu sighed, but cheered up a little. "And I can take you out this time?"

Murrue nodded, placing a sweet kiss on his cheek. "As much as you want..." She trailed a hand down his cheek, letting her fingertips play over his scar. That was different, as was the longer hair. But everything else, the gentle smile, the affection in azure eyes..it was the same. And he was here...with her again.

"I..." She broke off, taking a deep breath. "It doesn't matter to me..if we can't go home just yet. Because you're here with me..." Mwu nodded quietly, pulling her into his arms. His fingers skimmed over her back, the warmth easy to feel through the thin fabric of her nightdress. He softly kissed her, and Murrue closed her eyes happily, a tiny sound of happiness echoing in the back of her throat. When they broke apart, he pulled her gently down onto the bed, tugging the sheets up to cover them both.

"It'll be okay, won't it?" he muttered into her ear, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine. "It's not been too long? You..." She giggled, reaching up to press a finger to his lips. "When I said I waited for you..I meant it." Winding her arms around his neck, she pulled him down to kiss him again. "It's been two years.." she reminded him impishly. "Are you really going to make me wait anymore?"

Copernicus

3 weeks later

"Mmmmm..." She was woken from her slumber by a warm arm snaking around her waist, and soft kisses being pressed to the back of her neck. "C'mon...it can't be morning yet.."

"Sorry, sweetheart, but it is. Your shift starts in an hour. Rise and shine!" At those words, she turned to face her lover accusingly. "How come you're so disgustingly cheerful, anyhow? It's too early..." Burying her head in the pillows, she pulled the bedsheets back over her head. "Let me sleep a bit more.." She heard Mwu's heavy sigh, and he ducked his head under the covers to look at her. "You sure do look tired these days.." he admitted, and she felt his fingers caress her face. "You're sleeping a lot more. Are they giving you more work or something?"

"No more than usual.." she replied muzzily. She was just about to drift back off to sleep, when suddenly, her eyes flashed open. Pushing back the bedcovers, she jumped out of the bed and dashed for the bathroom.

Where she was immediately and thoroughly sick.

"Murrue? What's wrong?" Mwu had followed her, and was leaning against the bathroom doorway. Concern was written all over his scarred face. The young woman sighed shakily, flushing the toilet and sitting to lean against the wall, head in her hands. Her lover moved to sit beside her, stroking her hair soothingly. "What was all that about?" he asked gently, and she shook her head. "I don't know.." she replied in a whisper. "I've been feeling this way for a few days, but this is the worst it's been." She looked up as he placed a warm hand on her forehead. "Well, you don't have a fever," he said. "But you look terrible.."

She half-laughed at that. "I feel terrible.."

Mwu rubbed her back through her blue pyjamas, handing her the robe that hung on the door. "Here, let me get dressed, and I'll take you to the sickbay, okay? And no 'buts'," he told her firmly before she could protest.

She sat on the side of a bed in the ship's infirmary patiently while a doctor took a sample of blood to test. Mwu waited on a chair, even though she had told him that he should go report for his shift. The tests might take a while to come back, after all... "I could have gotten here by myself, you know," she remarked. "You didn't have to carry me.."

"I know." was the mild reply. "But you looked kinda shaky on your feet to me." Murrue rolled her eyes, leaning back against the wall. True, she had felt a little dizzy when she tried to stand, but not so much that she hadn't been able to walk...

"Uh..Captain?"

Murrue glanced up at the doctor, who was standing at the doorway to the lab. He looked flustered, even worried, which set alarm bells ringing in the back of her mind. "What is it?"

"These results.." the man said, his voice faltering. Taking a deep breath, he pushed his spectacles further up on his button nose. "I could tell you, but with this kind of thing..it's better that you find out for yourself." Walking forward, he handed her the report, and the young captain was startled to see a small smile on the doctor's face. Why...is he smiling?

Skimming through the results, Murrue at first saw nothing out of the ordinary. Until...

She gasped, the back of her mind going white with shock. Unheeded, the sheet of paper slipped from her limp fingers to flutter to the floor. This...can't be...

"Murrue? What is it?" Mwu practically jumped from his chair to grab the report that she had dropped. As he too read it, he blinked slowly, his jaw dropping, and he glanced sharply back up at the woman, who was trembling slightly in shock.

"But this...this says that you..." he whispered, and she nodded, looking down...and placing a hand on her stomach.

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( Taaa-daaaa! A cliffhanger! Well, sort of lol. I think most people can guess what's wrong with her, but...ya know lol

I hope it's okay, and please let me know if you want me to carry on with this..

Read and review, okay? )