The tiny office was quiet, peaceful...but her thoughts were far from that. Before her on the desk sat several unfinished reports, as well as a cup of cooling herbal tea. She poked at the cup idly, making a face. The drink was soothing enough, and sweet to the taste..but it wasn't what she needed right now. She needed something stronger - something to clear her head. Surely one cup of coffee couldn't hurt? Sighing, she ran her hands through her dark hair, trying again to focus her attention on her work. During the last month or so, Mwu and Commander Bartfeld had taken care of most of her paperwork..but there were some reports that could only be signed by the ship's captain. And that was why she was here.

But the ability to concentrate on her work was frustratingly absent...and just like before, it was his fault.

Two days ago - had it only been two days? - he had asked her to marry him. She supposed it made sense, after all. She was already going to have his child, it wasn't that big a step from there to marriage. But still... Murrue sighed again, slumping forward to rest her head on the desk. It wasn't a big step...so why did it feel like one? After two years of being without Mwu, in only three months..things had changed so much. Was she ready for this? Were they ready? She loved him, more than anyone, and she'd be lying if she said that she hadn't imagined something like this in the time she'd spent alone. But then again, at that time she'd thought she would never even see Mwu again, let alone have any of this.. It's a lot to get used to...

What did she do?

She had asked him..to give her time. This wasn't a decision to be made lightly, but then again, with all that had happened between them, how could she say anything but yes?

"Take your time," he had said gently, snapping shut the small velvet box. "This, and I, will still be here...and I'll wait forever..." She had nodded, smiling, and kissed him sweetly. "Thank you. For all this, and for asking. I love you.." Mwu had smiled back at that, trailing a finger across her cheek. "I love you too, and I always will..."

He was willing to wait for her decision, but she had seen the worry in his blue eyes. Worry that she wouldn't accept, worry that he might be moving too fast for her, and the same worry she felt deep inside. Were they really right for each other? Would this all work out? Even if they didn't get married, the two of them would still be tied together - by their as-yet unborn daughter. She loved Mwu, and loved their baby...but was love enough? This would be forever...no turning back...Murrue closed her eyes, head pillowed on her arms.

Why did things have to be so complicated?

"Captain Ramius?" The voice came out of seemingly nowhere, startling her out of her self-pity. There, standing in the now-open doorway, was Andrew Bartfeld. His weathered face wore a small smile, and he gestured to her unfinished work. "Busy?"

Murrue sighed, smiling back ruefully. "Yes and no. I don't have that much work - you and Mwu did almost all of it, and I can't thank either of you enough for it. I just have...trouble concentrating, that's all." Andrew chuckled. "Anyone would, under the circumstances. The important thing is not to overwork yourself."

The young woman shook her head. "You sound like Mwu...wrapping me up in cotton wool." She closed her eyes again, leaning back against her chair and rubbing her eyes. "Nothing ever wants to be simple..." Andrew raised an eyebrow, moving into the office and leaning against the wall. "More problems?" Murrue smiled. "Again, yes and no. Things are fine, health-wise, I wouldn't be back at work otherwise. But...something else has come up now..."

"Which is?"

She looked at her desk, a faint tinge of rose rising in her cheeks. "It's Mwu. He...asked me to marry him.." Andrew raised an eyebrow. "Oh...that sounds serious." Since Murrue's attention was focused inward rather than outward, she didn't see the shadow of jealousy cross over the man's face. "So, what did you tell him?" he asked, sitting down in the chair opposite. She shook her head, dark hair flying. "I...didn't tell him anything...except ask for more time to think. I want to answer him - but I don't know what to say.." The scarred man didn't speak for a while, seeing how confused the young captain was. Finally, he sighed.

"Maybe saying something isn't what's important. What is...is how you feel. What is it you want?"

Murrue smiled a little. "Lacus-san asked me the same thing when I first found out about the baby. My answer now...is the same as it was then. I want to be happy..." Andrew nodded. "And what would make you happiest?"

"Being..with him," she replied, the blush reappearing on her cheeks. "I love him. I do wonder sometimes though...whether love is enough..." The reaction she got to those words confused her, and she glanced up, bewilderment in her amber eyes. Her friend was laughing. "What?"

"What you said...about whether love is enough. Isn't that all you need?" asked the man, getting up from the chair. "Think about it. You waited for him for over two years - isn't that proof that your relationship is strong enough?" Murrue nodded thoughtfully, closing her eyes. "You're right. I was just worried about..forever. It's a long time to be with someone if you're not right for each other..."

Andrew smiled, reaching across the desk to pat the woman's slender shoulder. "That's the last thing you need to be worried about. No-one has any doubts that you and Colonel La Fllaga are right for each other. And deep down, you don't doubt it either..do you?"

Her eyes still closed, Murrue thought about herself and the one she loved. Could she see herself being with him for the rest of her life? As she thought, she suddenly saw a flash of an image. Herself, walking along a beach, hand-in-hand with Mwu. And sitting on the blonde man's shoulders...was a child. The sun was too bright for her to make out the child's features, but she and Mwu were laughing together, and both the dreamer Murrue and the one in the dream were happy...incredibly so.

"No...I don't." she said softly, smiling. She opened her eyes. "Thank you. You've been such a good friend - I could never thank you enough for everything you've done." Standing up, she enfolded the very surprised Andrew Bartfeld in a quick hug...then ran out of the office.

Andrew sighed, sitting back down in the chair. I hope that guy knows how lucky he is...

Her room - or rather, their room - was quiet. Off duty for the past several hours, Mwu laid stretched out on the bed, book in hand. Every so often, however, the scarred man would find his gaze flicking to the small bedside table..and the velvet box hidden in the drawer. Murrue had asked him to give her time, and he would. But he couldn't help but worry that she would turn him down. After all, what had he done to deserve someone like her as his bride? He had almost got himself killed, had left her alone for two years, and had forgotten everything about her. And on top of that - he had practically abandoned her for over a month due to nothing but his own selfishness and childish fear. I don't deserve her...

Rolling onto his back, he sighed, book falling to the floor forgotten. He should have waited. Waited until...

"I thought you'd be here."

Her soft voice broke his comtemplation, and he jerked upwards into a sitting position. "Oh, hi..Are you all done with work?" he asked, forcing a note of false cheer into his voice. But, like always, Murrue wasn't fooled. "You look worried.." she said, moving across and sitting down on the bed beside him. One thin hand skimmed over his face and through his hair. "Why is that?" Mwu sighed, glancing up at the ceiling. "Because you're going to turn me down," he replied matter-of-factly. "Why wouldn't you?" She regarded him for a moment, then leaned down to kiss him lovingly. "The question you need to be asking is 'why would I?'" she told him. "Why would I turn you down?"

Mwu stared at her for a moment, not comprehending. "You mean..."

She laughed, lying down on the bed. "Yes, idiot, I'll marry you." At her words, his face lit up in delight, and he hugged her tightly. "Thanks so much.." he murmured, reaching into the desk drawer. Opening the box, he carefully slid the ring onto her finger. The tiny amber stone glinted in the half-light as she lifted her hand to gaze at it. "It's beautiful.." she said happily. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him again, pulling him back down onto the bed. "I love you," she whispered. Mwu smiled, his hands skimming over her sides. "I love you too.." Murrue closed her eyes in bliss at his touch, then opened them again, the amber orbs sparkling mischievously. The blonde man got the message immediately. "Are you sure it's okay? I won't...hurt her, will I?"

She shook her head. "She's safe, don't worry..." Her fingers curled in the hair at the back of his neck, tugging him downwards again for another kiss.

Grinning, he flicked off the light, bringing the sheets up to cover them both.

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( XDDD. You didn't think I was going to make her turn him down, did you?

Please read and review! )