She eyed the paperwork covering the small wooden desk with a rueful smile, twirling a pen in her fingers. All the reports, ideas, thoughts and questions from the last seven months of the peace talks..they were all here on the desk. All waiting to be collected together and filed. Sighing, she turned in the chair to look out of the window. This tiny office had been set up for her in the hotel in Copernicus where the final stages of the peace talks had been taking place, and to tell the truth, she preferred it to her own office on board her ship. Here, there was sunlight, wind, green things...nothing you could find on board a battleship. Standing up, she placed a hand to the glass, tugging open the window a little to let the breeze blow through her auburn hair. Smiling, this time for real, she closed her eyes, and rubbed at her stomach. C'mon Rin, settle down...Ever since early that morning, her unborn daughter had seemed to make it her mission to kick as hard as she damn well could. Trust me, sweetie..we know you're there..

For some reason, she was also very uncomfortable. Taking another look at the work waiting for her, Murrue sighed, sitting back down, and trying to continue. But baby Rin wouldn't settle, fidgeting and squirming. The young captain closed her eyes, and leaned back in the chair. Not only was her daughter seemingly trying to kick her way out...she had a terrible backache. Standing up again, Murrue wandered around, hoping it would help.

"Murrue-san?" A familiar head was peeking around the door, violet eyes twinkling. "A few of us are going to go get something to eat down in the restaurant. You want anything?"

"Oh, Kira-kun!" Smiling, she shook her head. "Thank you, but I'm not hungry right now. I'll - " She broke off as a sudden spasm of pain hit her. Frowning a little, she rubbed her stomach. Kira looked confused. "Are you okay, Murrue-san?" She nodded, sitting back in her chair. "Yes..I'm all right." What was that? A few moments later, the spasm hit again. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, beads of sweat breaking out on her forehead. Kira, by now concerned, entered the room and leaned over the desk to gaze at his friend. "You sure are pale..are you sure you're all right?"

No, of course I'm not all right. It hurts like hell...Opening amber eyes, she forced a smile on her face. "Yes..." Then the pain hit again, far, far worse than it had before. Squeezing her eyes shut, she gasped involuntarily, leaning forward and curling her hands into fists. "This..." Moving around to where she was sitting, Kira gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "I don't know for sure, Murrue-san...but it sure looks like you're...having contractions.."

Contractions? That means...no. No way. I can't...She looked up at her young friend, eyes suddenly full of fear and worry. "But I can't be..." she denied. "I still have five weeks left.." Standing up, she made her way over to the window, pacing back and forth. It's just cramps. If I keep walking, they should go away.

But they didn't. A few moments later, she was hit by a wave of pain so agonising that she couldn't prevent herself from crying out, her knees buckling. Running to her side, Kira took her arm, supporting her. "Come on, Murrue-san..let's get you to the hospital, okay?"

The journey to the city's hospital was hurried, frantic, as was the rush to the maternity ward once they were there. But Murrue didn't remember any of it. Her focus was turned inwards, mind racing. Please...please don't let this happen. She still has five weeks left..she's not ready yet..it's not time...Staring up at a person she didn't recognise, she grabbed his arm. "Please...find Mwu.."

As she was taken into a delivery room, the doctor she had pleaded with turned to Kira. "Who's Mwu? The baby's father?" The boy nodded. "Her husband. I have to go get him.." Running out of the hospital, he ran to the car. Please..let the traffic be okay...

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Archangel's hangar bay was quiet, barely a soul to be seen. Frantically, Kira searched for a sign of his friend, for the tall frame, or a flash of the blonde hair. "Mwu-san? Mwu-san!"

Then, to his eternal gratitude, his friend poked his head out from behind a Murasame, smiling. "Yeah? What is it, kid?"

"Murrue-san's in hospital!" yelled back Kira. "I think her baby's coming!" Mwu froze, visibly paling, azure eyes widening. "What?! There's...no way! She..." Beside him, Murdoch poked his shoulder. "Go on..you need to go to her.."

Abandoning his work, he raced over to where the boy was waiting. "How long ago did you take her there?" As the two of them ran out of the ship to where the car was waiting, Kira racked his brains. "I don't know. The traffic there and to the dock wasn't so bad...maybe...fifteen minutes?"

As the car sped through the city streets, Mwu slumped back in the passenger seat, head in his hands. There's no way the baby should be coming...Murrue still has a few weeks left before she's due. Please..let it be a false alarm...He remembered her telling him that Archangel's sickbay didn't have the facilities necessary for delivering and caring for a newborn baby - that she would have to go to one of the hospitals in Copernicus for that. At the time, he'd been happy about that. But now...he wished fervently that the hospital and the ship weren't so far apart. Well...this is it. I'm gonna be a dad...His heart was pounding rapidly, and not even the breeze blowing through the open window made his breathing any easier.

She'll be here soon...Rin. Despite his worry, he had to smile a little, remembering when Murrue had told him the name she had picked out for their daughter.

She lay in his arms, sighing contentedly as he stroked her rounded stomach. "I think she likes that just as much as I do..." she murmured softly, nuzzling her head into the crook of his neck. "Don't you, Rin?"

"'Rin'?" he asked, and she nodded, smiling. "I thought of it last night. Do you like it?" Mwu closed his eyes, testing out the sound of the name. "Rin.." He grinned, pressing gentle kisses to her neck and cheek. "It sounds great.."

"Are you okay with all this now?" she asked, worry present in her soft voice. She turned a little in his arms so her amber eyes were fixed on his blue ones. "With me, and Rin..and the way things are? About...being a father?" He grinned, closing his eyes and pulling her close. "Of course I am..." he replied, twining his fingers in her dark hair. "I already told you.." She sighed again, this time in relief. "I'm glad. I love you.."

I told her..I loved her too. And Rin.. he thought, blue eyes focused on the line of parked cars outside the looming white building of the hospital. And I always will.. As Kira pulled up outside the maternity ward, he jumped out, flashing a nervous grin at the boy. "Thanks, kid.." Kira nodded, smiling back. "When she's born, call us, okay?" Mwu dashed inside the hospital, glancing around wildly. Where is she? "Murrue?! Murrue!"

A passing nurse stopped at his call, and turned to him. "Is someone you know here?" He nodded fervently. "My wife, Murrue La Fllaga. She was brought in here about twenty-five minutes ago. Please, can you tell me where she is?" The nurse paused for a moment, then nodded. "Follow me." She ran down a left-turning corridor, passing various doors as Mwu followed breathlessly. Finally, she stopped at a door near the end of the hallway. "In here..." Thanking her vaguely, he pushed open the door and peeked inside. "Murrue?"

"Mwu!" Her eyes were wide and scared, face flushed hectic red. Without another word, she held out her arms, hugging him tightly as he sat down on the bed beside her. Her heart was racing, slender body shaking. "Hey, hey, sweetheart, it's okay. Calm down.." he murmured softly. Pulling away, he wrapped an arm around her waist, taking her hand with the other. "I'm here now..." Murrue nodded, leaning into him and resting her head on his shoulder. "I was waiting..for you.." she murmured. "I thought you wouldn't make it in time..and I didn't want Rin to be born without her daddy being here.." She smiled, although the expression was a little shaky. "I held on as long as I could.." Despite his worry, Mwu couldn't help chuckling, leaning in and pressing a soft kiss to her sweat-soaked cheek. She smiled again, then all of a sudden, cried out, squeezing his hand as tightly as she could, her fingernails digging into the skin. When the wave passed, she managed a rueful grin. "I didn't know..that it would hurt this much.. I.." Then another spasm of pain hit her, and she leaned forward, curling her toes with effort. All Mwu could do was hold on to her. I've never felt so damn helpless in my whole life. She's in so much pain...and it's all my fault...

"It isn't your fault..." she gasped, breathing heavy. "I..I wanted this..so don't blame yourself.." She looked up at him, the love clear to see in her amber eyes. Bringing the hand that held hers closer, she kissed it, and smiled again. Mwu nodded, wrapping his arm a little tighter around her waist. Sometimes I think..she can read my mind... A nurse attending checked Murrue, and looked up at the couple. "It won't be long now," she said softly. "This little one sure is impatient. What I need you to do for me..is push when I tell you to, okay?" Murrue nodded, taking a deep breath as another wave of pain washed over her. Her whole body was shaking with fatigue, and no small amount of fear. This pain was the worst she had ever experienced, and all she could do was hold on tightly to her husband, and follow the nurse's instructions. I..I'm scared... she thought, squeezing Mwu's hand. She's so tiny...she isn't supposed to be born for another five weeks. Why...did this have to happen now? But there was nothing she could do. Whether she liked it or not, Rin was going to be born soon. Swallowing her fear, she closed her eyes and pushed as hard as she could, shutting out the pain and everything around her.

"Murrue..stop!" Opening her eyes, she glanced up at Mwu. His blue eyes were wide, scarred face full of fear. "Why?" she asked softly. The baby was coming..why stop? She looked to the nurse, who nodded, looking oddly calm. "The cord..is wrapped around the baby's neck," she said. "I have to untangle it..but I need you to stop.."

Those words, spoken so calmly, sent a jolt of terror through Murrue. If I keep pushing, my baby could die...But..I can't stop! The pain hit her hard, and she couldn't prevent herself from crying out, her other hand curled so tightly into a fist that her fingernails drew blood. "I can't..." she gasped. "I can't stop it!"

"Yes, you can.." The voice was deep, gentle, and steady...a voice she loved. Mwu's voice. He leaned in close to her, his presence offering comfort. "Just concentrate, okay? Concentrate, and hold onto my hand. Squeeze as hard as you like, I don't mind. But don't you let go.." Looking up at him, she nodded, managing a smile. "Okay.." The two of them sat there for a time, how long, neither of them knew. She sat leaning back against his chest, eyes closed, hand entwined with his. The pain still hit her in waves, but his voice was always present, encouraging her, comforting her.

"Okay," came the nurse's voice. "It's all right now.." After one last glance at Mwu, one smile, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Here we go...

Mwu smiled back at his wife, not even flinching as she squeezed his hand so tightly it almost cut off the circulation. Gently, he brushed aside a lock of her sweat-soaked hair, and kissed her cheek again. She's so scared...but at the same time, she's still the bravest person I've ever known. Much braver than me. All I can do for her is just be here, so I will...

When the nurse had mentioned the cord being wrapped around the baby's neck...he freely admitted he'd been terrified. After everything, all they had been through together...them finding out, her accident, their wedding...the thought that they could lose their daughter like that had been too terrible to even contemplate. But it's going to be all right...As that last thought crossed his mind, the pressure on his hand was suddenly lifted, and Murrue sank back into the pillows with a gasp of relief. Mwu glanced up sharply as the nurse bore away something in her arms to the back of the room. No, not 'something', someone. Rin... Beside him, Murrue propped herself up on her elbows, amber eyes filled with confusion...and fear. Mwu didn't understand the problem, until she spoke.

"Why...isn't she crying?"

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( Drama! Cliffhangers! Lololololololololololol.

:hides in bomb shelter: )