It had been days since the incident at the cathedral. When they had returned to the apartment they shared Haruka had gone straight to her room, leaving Michiru in their foyer emotionally shaken. So close. They were so close to losing each other before they even had a chance to start. All Michiru had wanted was to hold onto the tall blonde, be comforted by those strong arms, be assured that they were indeed alive, but instead all she had was a bedroom door.

They hadn't seen each other outside of school. Haruka had taken to leaving earlier than normal in the morning, leaving Michiru to make the journey to Mugen on her own. During the day Michiru could here the gossip of the other girls behind her back.

Haven't you noticed? Kaioh-san and Tenoh-san aren't as close as they have been.

Oh! I wonder if they've broken up? (We needed to be dating for that, Michiru thought bitterly)

This means I might have a chance with Tenoh-san! Oooohh! I should make him some lunch.

She decided that they would have to talk that night.

After eating dinner alone again, Michiru found herself at Haruka's door. "Haruka?" She asked, while knocking on her door. The only reply she got was the soft sound of music playing inside. "Haruka, please come out. We need to talk." Turning around, she leaned back against her new nemesis. "You can't just stay in there forever, you know." Michiru slid down to sit on the floor. She would wait her out. Haruka had to leave the room at some point.

Michiru felt the bedroom door open behind her back, sometime later, waking her up. She rubbed her face with a hand, looking up to see Haruka, who was dressed to go for a run, try to sneak past. That was it. It was now or never. Michiru reached out and grabbed one of Haruka's legs by the ankle, stopping her in her tracks.

"Let go Michiru." Haruka tried to break her leg free of Michiru's grasp, but her grip of desperation was too tight. "I mean it, let go. I don't have the time for this," Haruka said, annoyance slipping through in her tone.

"No. We need to talk and I've given you enough space."

Haruka was surprised at how fast Michiru could get up and pin her against the wall. Too close. They were too close. She hoped the cause of her troubles could not feel her panicked heartbeat. "We've nothing to talk about, Michiru," Haruka managed to reply. "You didn't have to watch, helpless, as someone close to you died. Didn't have to watch them put themselves in harms way with no concern of what would happen, of how I would feel."

They stood there against the wall, Michiru pressed against Haruka, pinning her down so she couldn't run from this. Green eyes staring pleadingly into stunned, emotionally charged blue, hoping that she would finally understand. Why did Haruka have to be so stubborn? Why couldn't she confide in her, trust her, share the feelings that both knew were there?

Michiru took one of Haruka's hands in her own, guiding it to rest above her own rapidly beating heart. "Why do you think I did that? Why do you think I risked everything in that moment for you? Even if we fail in saving the wo-"

"Michiru…"

Michiru closed her eyes and shook her head in frustration. "No Haruka, don't Michiru me. You will listen to what I have to say. Even if we fail in saving the world I would gladly fail a million times if I did so with you by my side. Don't you get it? You're my world to save."

"I…I just can't. This…us…we can't. There are too many innocent lives. You shouldn't be talking about failing." Haruka looked away and tried to pull her hand back, tried to move away, but Michiru just held on tighter. "Now let me go."

Letting go of Haruka's hand with a sigh, Michiru cupped her cheek, forcing her attention back to her. She could see Haruka's emotional wall being rebuilt and fortified. Michiru was losing her to Haruka's strong sense of duty. There was only one thing she could think of. Sliding her hand behind Haruka's head, she pulled her down into a kiss. It was soft and tentative at first, but quickly it was backed up with the strong emotions and unsaid confessions Michiru was determined to make her understand. It was not how she wanted her first kiss with Haruka to be, it shouldn't have been an act of desperation.

Afterwards, Michiru stepped back, waiting for the other's response. When none came she frowned and turned to head towards her room. "Remember, I've been here for you. I am here for you. And when this whole thing is over, when we complete our mission, I will still be here for you." With that, she started to walk away.