Copernicus

December 9th

"You really shouldn't be trying to do that." Natarle said casually, never taking her eyes off her book. She was well aware of what her comrade was attempting to do, but she made no move to stop him. He'd been gaining strength in the past few days surprisingly quickly, she wasn't sure if it was an inner demon that drove him or something else.

Mu ignored her, gritting his teeth as he swung his still bandaged legs over the side of the bed rather clumsily. He ignored the shooting pain that the simple movement caused, sliding his body down from the bed so his feet just barely touched the floor. He knew her warning was out of concern for his well-being, but he didn't care. 'The longer I stay here, the longer Murrue thinks I'm dead.'

Natarle pretended to not pay any attention to him, but she'd have been lying if she said she wasn't curious to see what he was up to. The nurses had already scolded him several times for moving around too much, but each and every time they left, he'd be at it again. It wasn't hard to learn his motivation, everyone would know simply by looking at the way he set his jaw, the gleam in his eyes.

She watched out of her peripheral vision, so she wouldn't be caught. He was grimacing as more pressure was placed on his feet, his legs were almost to the point of shivering. He still used his arms to help support his body by pushing against the railing that made up the cot's body, but he even tried to lessen that.

Mu grit his teeth, nearly closing his eyes as the sharp bolts of pain raced up his legs. But he ignored that too, slowly loosening his grip on the bed and placing all of his weight on his legs. They held, though shivered mightily, not used to the need. The pain grew more intense with each passing minute, but he ignored it, standing still.

Natarle was not pretending to be aloof anymore, she watching him with surprised eyes. She'd counted a full two minutes already, and she knew that those few moments were already excruciating for him. She looked at the clock while keeping an eye on him, counting down the remaining seconds to the third minute.

"Damn!" Mu groaned loudly, as soon as the second hand came full circle, collapsing back awkwardly onto the cot. He panted heavily, the ringing in his ears echoing, calling him a moron for trying again. Even as the ache in his legs burned like a wildfire, he couldn't help but feel quite smug. 'One minute. I beat yesterday by a full one minute.'

"You do realize that the more you do that, the longer the nurses will keep you here?" Natarle asked casually, glancing down at her book so she could avoid the dirty look she knew was going to be sent her way from the exhausted commander. She wasn't disappointed, the man tossed daggers at her.

"The longer I'm here, the longer Murrue thinks I'm dead." Mu answered with a growl, feeling icy beads of sweat making their way slowly down his back. He winced as another sharp pang ran up his calf. "And I'm not leaving her in the dark for any longer than I have to."

'Brave thoughts, good motive, stupid way of going about it.' Natarle thought with a wry smile, glancing over at him again. The three minutes had left him exhausted, and she didn't envy him for all of his work. She herself had been going through physiotherapy, and it wasn't pleasant. She was always left in more pain then she was when she started.

"I don't see you trying to get out." Mu added icily, knowing it wasn't her fault she didn't try. But he couldn't help feeling annoyed, lashing out eased the hot sting just a little.

"I don't have anyone to go home to. Why rush?" Natarle asked herself bitterly, face furrowing into a frown as she glanced down at her book again, not seeing it. Her hands curled into fists in her lap, and she fought the ache that was setting up in her chest, that had nothing to do with her wounds.

Mu blinked, the anger he'd been feeling moments ago slowly defusing with her pained expression. He'd never seen her look like that over anything before. 'Come to think of it... She knows a hell of a lot more about me than I know about her. She never talks about her personal life... It was always about the military with her...' Now quite shamefaced, he asked her quietly, working hard to keep his voice apologetic, "What do you mean? You must have family somewhere, friends waiting for you."

"No. I don't." Natarle said with a shake of her head, expression changing from troubled to pained. She could hear the sincere apology and curiosity in his voice, he wasn't very good at hiding his true feelings from anyone. He could be read like a book. She sighed. 'As long as we're here, what's the harm in making conversation? If it passes the time.' "I don't have any friends back home, to be honest, I never tried to make any. Everything about my life focussed on the fact that I was going to be a soldier one day."

"Family?"

"My sister died when I was a child." Natarle murmured, the pain saturating her voice now. He saw her reflexively curl her hands tighter, set her jaw against the pain creeping into her throat, threatening to burn her eyes. "She was sick, very sick. But she was a good student, my parents had great hope for her even when the doctors said it was terminal. They said she'd make it because she was a born soldier... When she died... My parents wished it had been me, instead of her."

Mu blinked again, honestly taken aback by the pain he heard. She didn't sound bitter, or angry, but honestly wounded. He felt his own pain from his father's negligence grow in his chest, responding to hers. 'My pain is coupled with bitterness, rage that I was treated like that... She just feels pain. She's sad.'

"They never cared, as long as I was a good soldier, that's all I learned." She laughed bitterly, amused at her own words. She gestured to herself, her face a mask of pain, sadness, and bitter hilarity. "And look where it got me. Alone, half dead... I should have died along with Azrael. No one would have missed me."

"I don't believe that." Mu said suddenly, and she looked at him in surprise. He smiled wryly at her, gesturing to where they were. "I thought like you did before... That I was alone. I think everybody's got somebody waiting for them, even if they don't realize it. It's nice to think that you won't be alone forever." He grinned at her, her startled expression goading him on, "Somebody, somewhere, is waiting for you. And if you give up now, you're gonna miss them."

Natarle blinked, mouth popping open a little as she stated at him with wide eyes. She had no idea what to say to such a cheerful reply, it was hard to think. A sudden plume of hope warmed her heart, and she found herself listening to him, imagining what he said, the future he painted. She looked down, a soft laugh escaping her. She murmured softly, voice considerably warmer, "I hope you're right... That'd be... Quite nice."

"So!" The very familiar chuckling voice of the commander suddenly broke through their little moment, causing both of them to glance toward the doorway. He grinned at them, looking quite amused. "I've been talking with my superiors, having my older brother's name kind of gives me an edge when I'm doing the grunt work upstairs."

'That's right...' Natarle reminded herself, kicking aside the momentary confusion she felt when he spoke. 'He's Admiral Halberton's younger brother... Odd, they don't look a thing alike.' A sudden thought hit her, and she blinked a few times before suddenly blurting out without thought, "Commander, do you know a woman by the name of Murrue Ramius?"

Mu turned to stare at her with wide eyes, than glanced back at the man who suddenly looked puzzled. Justin furrowed his brow for a second, wracking his mind for the name. It did sound faintly familiar... The lightbulb went off, and he turned to give his full attention to the woman who'd asked him. "Murrue Ramius you say?"

She nodded fervently.

"My brother talked about someone by that name... She was kind of his student... Met her a few times, nice woman, cute too." He added almost like an afterthought, chuckling a little. He frowned though, more recent thoughts entering his mind. "Murrue Ramius... She was captain of the ArchAngel. She was with my brother's fleet when he died, got to Earth if I remember correctly. Went awol after Josh-A..."

He saw the flickering emotions on the man's face, the pain, happiness, and clear affection. He smiled wryly, understanding the pilot's feelings about her. He was more confused with why the woman had asked, and turned to see her shooting Mu a little smile, and she smiled gratefully at him in return. "Why you ask?"

"Can you track her down?"

"Track her down?" Justin repeated with a few blinks, the words coming from the pilot now, and he sounded rather excited. "Buddy, if she's still alive and managed to get out of the EA's grasp after Jachin Due, she could be anywhere in the world right now. Nowhere would be safe for her, she's probably under an alias, working at some obscure company and hiding."

"I know where she would be." Mu answered him firmly, blue eyes suddenly intense. "Can you track her down if I give you some information?"

"Possibly." Justin answered obliquely, unsure of what this was leading up to. He knew from personal meetings with her that she was quite the kind-hearted woman, and it was easy to like her. Tracking her down would be fairly difficult considering if she went underground. But he had great contacts, and with extra information he might be able to find her... "I want one answer though, why do you want to find her?"

"I'm in love her." Mu answered simply, and Natarle rolled her eyes but was smiling regardless in the background. He continued calmly, "I made her a promise that we'd go home together after this damn war, and I want to make sure she knows I didn't forget."

Justin smiled a little, several pieces of the puzzle falling neatly into place with the man's forward answer. It was impossible to look at him and see a liar after those words, simply impossible. Not even an A-class actor could pull off the emotion in his face, in his voice. "I'll get right to work on that then." He nodded towards Natarle, grinned at Mu and then walked out.

Mu turned to Natarle, beaming like the sun, heart hammering with excitement in his ears. Almost bouncing in his cot, he exclaimed happily, "I love you! You're a genius! If I could, I'd kiss you!"

"And Murrue would shoot me, let's not get ahead of ourselves." Natarle reminded him with a small snicker, but a fine pink colour dusted her cheeks at his words anyway. She teased him with a growing smile, "You just told a complete stranger that you were in love with Murrue, let's not make a lair out of you so quickly."

"Good point." Mu chuckled, chagrined. But he couldn't hide his excitement. He knew it could take quite awhile to track her down, but things were going to happen now. He was going to find her. For that, he could wait for the world.

ORB

December 11th

Murrue glanced over her shoulder, looking towards where Kira was playing with the orphans, Athrun and Cagalli in tow. She smiled a little, watching the teenagers behave just as they were, teenagers. The children loved them, squealing, yelling and cheering as they chased the soccer ball across the golden sand.

Lacus was busy making lemonade, and she'd politely turned down any help Murrue had offered. She poked her head out of the house, watching Murrue watching the others. She crept silently up to her, placing the tray that held ten or so cups on the table that sat in the sunlight. "Miss Murrue...?"

"Oh, sorry Lacus." Murrue apologized immediately, sidling out of her way so Lacus could join her watching the others. "Fun to watch, isn't it?"

"It is... Kira seems to be in much better spirits now... Cagalli and Athrun as well." Lacus agreed with a little nod, a warm smile gracing her pretty features. "The children almost act like live therapy for them. Reminding us what we really are on the inside."

"And that is?" Murrue asked curiously, glancing back at the almost maternal looking young teen.

"Children." Lacus answered simply, brushing her bubble-gum pink hair behind her ear as a warm smile continued to flood her features. Murrue laughed softly in agreement, turning back to watch the show. Lacus mimicked her position, leaning on the wooden railing of the porch.

A comfortable silence stretched between the two as they watched the play. The orphans were constantly jumping onto the older teens, and they repeatedly would fall under the horde of them, laughing and begging for help. It seemed more like a bad game of football instead of soccer, and no one was keeping score.

"Miss Murrue...?"

"Yes Lacus?" Murrue turned to see Lacus examining her with a curiously hesitant expression, baby blue eyes troubled. "What is it?"

"The orphans were wondering, hoping really..." Lacus began softly, voice uncertain as she hesitantly approached a subject she had hoped on bringing up earlier in the month. "And Miss Erica thinks it's a good idea too... We were wondering if you'd like to come and spend the holidays with us."

"You mean Christmas?" Murrue asked, blinking a few times as the logic got to her. Lacus nodded hurriedly, looking somewhat hopeful as she stood beside the former captain. Murrue paused, debating. 'They've noticed that I'm all alone...' She nearly laughed, knowing exactly why Kira hadn't brought up the subject to her, or Erica for that matter. It may have been too soon. She turned to the young woman, smiling at her. "I'd be happy to."

Lacus' pretty face burst into a bright smile, and she embraced the startled brunette before she could say anything. Without waiting for Murrue to recover her wits, she flew down the stairs towards the game. Kira saw her coming, pausing his game and waiting for her to reach his side. When she did, she kissed him swiftly on the cheek and whispered the good news.

Kira chuckled and knelt down, gathering the children together. He quickly whispered the news to them. Murrue had slowly began to venture down to the sand, wondering what had brought on the sudden activity. All the children quickly looked up at her, expressions of pure delight on their faces.

'Oh no.' Murrue winced, closing her eyes tightly as she realized what that look meant. She hoped it was quick.

The children quite literally jumped onto her all at once, yelling and laughing with sheer delight. She didn't stand a chance, toppling over under their weight and collapsing back into the golden sand with a mighty gasp of alarm. "Oof!" The children paid no mind, hugging any part of her they could reach, giggling and chattering excitedly all at once.

Lacus giggled, slipping her hand into Kira's as they watched their former brunette captain attempt to find a hole to breathe through in all of the children. They literally coated her, and her gasps had melted into a warm laugh as they tickled her and still chattered endlessly. "It's cute to look at isn't it?"

"It is... I've always been able to imagine her with children... She's a natural motherly figure." Kira agreed with a smile, gently squeezing his fiancee's fingers between his. "And she looks well adjusted to their affection anyway... They're all happy she's staying for the holidays."

"Well it was their idea." Lacus still giggled, gesturing to the pile the orphans had made on top of the woman. She had finally been able to sit up, and they tugged her hands to help her to her feet, still crowding around her legs. "And they look very excited to have a new guest for Christmas."

"Do you think it'll be alright for her?" Kira asked softly, his face slowly scrunching into one of worry as he watched the orphans whisk the brunette off to play with them by the shore. She went willingly enough, laughing when they tugged her along if she wasn't going fast enough. "I mean..."

"I'd rather have her here then alone over the holidays." Lacus replied firmly, mouth becoming a bit of a line as she imagined how her older friend lived alone and refused to leave there. "She refuses to make herself a burden on everyone else, she doesn't get the fact that we want to help. So if it takes this sort of sneaking around, then so be it. I don't want to see her suffering alone..."

Kira nodded silently, remembering the way she isolated herself for the first few weeks back home, refusing to talk to anyone about her troubles. It had taken something close to a group intervention to get her to finally become open about her struggles. The days following that had been uncertain, but when she came back to the cottage wearing that smile they all knew, things had slowly but steadily began to become better.

It was better.

Murrue played with the orphans for a little while, knowing that eventually they'd become interested in something else and she'd be able to speak to the two teenagers again. While she watched them play, she smiled a little ruefully to herself. 'I understand why they'd ask me... And it's nice that they'd do that for me. I didn't think anyone had remembered that I'd be alone over the holidays.'

She laughed wryly at herself, feeling quite idiotic for even thinking that thought. 'Of course they'd notice... It wouldn't matter what excuse I used for it either, they would know... And they'd just kidnap me in the dead of night and force me to spend the holidays here, Erica probably leading the pack as she went...'

'How can I be mad at friends who'd do all that just because they were concerned?' She asked herself, listlessly feeling the breeze ruffle her hair as the waves crashed on the coast. 'I can't be angry with them, all I feel is quite startled that someone would pay that much attention to me... I can't turn it down... I don't want to be alone for the holidays. I'm glad they asked me.'

She smiled a little, watching as the orphans grew more weary of their game and ran off to play tag with the waves. She noticed Kira and Lacus watching her wearily from a distance, as though they were waiting for an outburst. She brushed the sand from her pants and wandered over to where they were.

"So the orphans like your acceptance." Lacus murmured, unsure if there would be an angry outburst. She knew from experience that the former captain wasn't easy to fool, she would have seen the planning involved in that simple moment.

"Yes they do." Murrue agreed with a smile, before gently nudging Kira in the shoulder and smiling a little wider at Lacus. "You didn't need to go through all that just to ask me to spend a few nights here for Christmas." Their expression mirrored each other's in relief, and her expression turned apologetic. "I didn't know I was making it so hard on you by being like that... You shouldn't have had to go through all that just to ask me to spend time with you."

"Well Erica said we should be careful with how we went about it." Lacus offered, happy to lay the blame on someone else. Murrue snickered, and Kira couldn't force down a chuckle either. "I knew you'd have a harder time resisting if the orphans were involved... But we didn't lie, the orphans did ask us."

"Begged us more like it." Kira added with another chuckle, winding his arm casually around Lacus' waist to pull her closer to him. "They wanted to see their Miss Murrue come to spend Christmastime with them."

"Well I can't disappoint the kids, now can I?" Murrue pretended to be sarcastic, but the grin on her face and the glitter in her eyes made it hard. She ruffled Kira's hair and nodded gently towards Lacus. "I'll be there. Don't worry."

'It's much better to be surrounded by friends than surrounded by your own grief.'

AN

Lol, going by the timeline in GS-verse, the holidays are upon them. It's going to be weird writing an X-mas chapter in the middle of August... I'm so going to have fun with that. Anyway, let's see what else... Meh, it was about time I updated I think. Breaking Dawn stole my focus for the weekend, I went off my backup ideas for this chapter, so it didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped... And yes, (sighs and places hand over face) I have backup ideas.

Oh and something else that deserves an explanation... I went way into the artistic licence department with Natarle's backstory, or well, tad of one at the moment. I've always had the idea that she was born into a real military family. It's going to be difficult making up a story for her to suit her current personality and character, but I'm going to try anyway. So no flames concerning that, please.

Sky