Copernicus

December 27th

She wasn't sure what she'd been expecting when she entered the station, but it certainly wasn't something like this. He'd told her to stick close to him and say little, and she obediently kept her head down and remained silent. She followed him down the hall towards the military station, and up the gangplank of a dark navy ship that suspiciously reminded her of blueprints she had seen before in Heliopolis.

She was surprised how many of the soldiers milling around the ship snapped straight and saluted to the man as he walked by, and the entire time Justin kept an amused smile on his face and nodded to each and every one of them, greeting them by name. She idly elbowed him in the ribs and asked quietly, "I hope you're not doing this to show off."

"Show off? Me?" Justin asked with a wide grin, now looking like he was trying to hide chuckles. He idly tossed his arm around her shoulders and laughed. "It's not my fault people respect their superiors. C'mon, the Infirmary's this way... Huge thing it is, but we figured it was better figuring how many suits this ship can hold..."

"Really? I wouldn't figure." Murrue murmured, glancing around at the white steel walls of the ship that encased them at the moment. She had noticed that he was still wearing civilian clothes, but still the soldiers would nod formally to him and some would murmur his rank as well when he passed. "Earth Alliance, isn't it?"

"Yeah... We took it and booted after the disaster in ORB... Stole it from the Lunar Base and fled here... Figured it was better than killing ourselves to please our superiors." Justin explained with an idle shrug, noticing how she flinched a little at the mention of what had happened to the neutral country during the war. He smiled wryly and ruffled her hair in an affectionate gesture, asking quietly, "Do you want me to talk about something else?"

"No, no, I'm curious... I just didn't think many other crews had been brave enough to leave like we had." Murrue finally answered after a long moment of silence, marigold eyes darkening a little with worry. She idly toyed with her hair, remembering how nerve-racking it had been leaving the Alliance for ORB.

Justin grinned broadly at her, emerald eyes twinkling defiantly exposing his real competitor's nature that had always kept him at the top of whatever he did."You'd be surprised. Not in the style you did maybe, but a lot of people did suddenly disappear... Went on missions and never returned and all that... It was the same for ZAFT you know, but the boss-heads did a great job covering it up. You kind of inspired a few of them to be honest."

Murrue turned a brilliant crimson at the compliment, looking down at her feet. She knew he was laughing, his shoulders shook a little as he strode beside her, emerald eyes still glinting in amusement. She had a hard time believing him, she hadn't really considered that many hadn't thought as blindly as their superiors. But then again, this ship and crew were living proof. It made things somewhat easier to know that she wasn't alone in what she'd done, others thought like she had, others despised their allegiances too.

Her thoughts had only briefly shone out her excitement for seeing Mu again, and the second she let her mind wander back to him, she was nearly skipping when she walked. She was sure Justin noticed the change in her pace and mood, but she didn't really care all that much.

Justin snorted in amusement, having a hard time controlling his laughter when he saw how excited she became again. It was almost too easy to read her thoughts. He chuckled, muttering jokingly under his breath, "God forbid anyone tries to stand in your way, you might actually use that gun of yours."

"That's why I hid it in my bag before I got off the shuttle." Murrue answered him sweetly, unable to help it. The good mood was back, wrapping itself around her in a warm cacoon that sent more excitement down her spine and through her skin.

So close.

She was just so close.

They rounded the corner towards the Infirmary now, and she froze in her tracks, breath leaving her in a loud gasp. She was barely away of Justin snorting again, then somehow vanishing from her side, but she didn't care.

He was just standing there wearing loose pants that were high enough on him that she could see the bandaging that still crisscrossed around his ankles and probably further up to his knee. He was wearing a thin white shirt, thin enough that she could see the angry red marks that crisscrossed his chest, mapping out his wounds. His hair seemed an inch or so longer, and he had a forked scar across his nose, but it was him.

He's frozen too, his azure eyes wide in disbelief and face a mask of shock. They stood there for a few moments, both processing what they were seeing. Mu felt shock racing like live electricity through him, and despite the fact that his eyes told him she was there it was taking a bit longer for his mid to believe it. 'It's... Really her...' she was staring at him with a mirroring expression of shock, her marigold eyes as wide as his. He finally moved first, opening his arms weakly and smiling a little at her.

That did it for her, her legs moved before she told them to, and she ran straight into his open arms with such force he staggered a foot back and into the wall. He laughed weakly, closing his arms around her as she buried her face in his chest with a sob. She felt him nuzzle into her hair with a sigh, felt his arms wrap her even closer, and she finally let her tears of relief fall.

"Murrue." Mu whispered her name reverently, holding her as tightly as his arms would let him. Her entire body shivered with the force of her sobs, and er tears trickled down her face and onto his shirt, soaking the thin garment but he didn't care. She clung to him tightly too, still crying, her words incoherent because of her sobs. Finally her tears seemed to cease after a few long minutes, and he nuzzled into her neck again, whispering quietly, "I'm sorry."

He wasn't sure how he managed to miss her moving her hand, but he sure as hell felt it as it formed a fist and whacked his chest with impressive force. His breath left him in a painful whoosh, and he found himself coughing after the hard blow. "You should be you idiot!"

"Ow..." Mu groaned quietly, wincing at the ache that the blow sent down his chest. He barely had gotten his breath back before he felt her lips pressing desperately against his, her hands hooked on his shoulders as she pressed her entire body against his. Throwing sanity to the wind, he wound his arm around her waist and sighed into the embrace, kissing her back as furiously as she started it.

They broke only when the need for air started becoming too strong, and even then they didn't let go of each other. He nuzzled into her neck, breathing in the mesmerizing scent of roses that always clung to her. Her face was still buried in his chest, shivering hands clutching his shoulders to keep him close, and she sighed shakily when she drew away to look up into his eyes.

"Hey you..." Mu chuckled quietly, reaching to brush her bangs out of her eyes, smiling weakly at her. She returned the weak smile, fingertips brushing gently over the forked mark on his face. He wrinkled his nose but still smiled awkwardly, kissing the palm of her hand. "Weird, huh?"

"It's fine..." Murrue answered softly, brushing the length of the mark before gently fingering his golden hair. He closed his eyes and let her continue with her gentle exploration, feeling her fingertips brushing against the marks she could see through his shirt, then her lips brushed tenderly against his cheek. "You're really here..."

"As real as real gets." Mu joked weakly, unable to really find anything smart to say. Real thought deserted him along with any rationality he had earlier as well. He couldn't get over the fact that she was here, in his arms and with him. "I've really missed you..."

"Not as much as I've missed you." Murrue shot back challengingly, but the strength was gone from her voice, it came out soft and relieved instead of annoyed like she'd intended it to be. She tried again, but her voice cracked in the middle as the crippling grief she had been fighting for the past months came back to haunt her, "I... I thought you were..."

"It's okay... I'm alright." Mu replied gently, brushing his hand tenderly over her cheek. She raised her eyebrow and her eyes flickered down meaningfully to his legs and then back up, expression her point silently. He grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck in an awkward gesture, he knew she was right. "Okay," He muttered unhappily, embarrassment colouring his cheeks a light pink, "as alright as I can be at the given moment..."

As if to undermine his words, his legs gave a rather noticeable tremor, and he swore quietly while his hand shot out to brace against the wall. She raised both eyebrows this time and he didn't have a smart quip for her now. She rolled her eyes, slipping her arm around his back. He accepted the help silently, and they found their way back to the Infirmary in mostly comfortable silence.

He was glad that he had his own little room now, one of the perks of not having a roommate. He did miss the lieutenant's company, but he was sure that would pass soon enough with Murrue here with him now. She flicked on the lights, and then he flopped down on the bed, a mischievous grin on his face as he tugged her down with him.

"This probably isn't good for you..." Murrue whispered in protest, feeling his arms lock around her waist to pull her flush against him. She really didn't mind the feelings herself, but the worry for his health was blocking out most of her own self-absorbent thoughts.

"Feels fine to me." Mu answered cheerfully, kissing the crown of her hair as she snuggled deeper into the crook of his arm, a happy sigh escaping her. He idly brushed his fingers along her spine through her red shirt, admiring the civilian wear she had on. He sighed too, sitting up a bit. She moved with him, always pressed to his side when he moved, his arm looping around her waist as if it belonged there. "I like what you're wearing."

"Hmm?" Murrue glanced down at herself, not understanding his words at first. It took a few more seconds to click in that for the first time with him, she was wearing civilian clothes and not her uniform. She smiled sheepishly at him, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear as she replied, "Oh this... I guess it's a change for you."

"I like it. It suits you." Mu grinned from ear to ear, another playful hint turning his expression boyish. His azure eyes darkened a little with mischievous lust, whispering suggestively into her ear, "It makes me wonder what you're wearing underneath you new outfit now that you're out of your uniform..."

Murrue felt a shiver race down her spine, electricity beginning to charge through her skin as his lips brushed gently over her neck. She closed her eyes, the familiar sensations coming back ten times stronger now that he was back with her. It had felt like a lifetime had passed since she had felt this way. She managed to murmur shakily, "W-We shouldn't get ahead of ourselves yet..."

He sighed into her shoulder but accepted it anyway, sitting up and smiling at her slightly dazed expression. "I've missed you like crazy." She purred in contentment as he nuzzled into her neck again, hugging her closer now that they sat together in the small bed. It would have been uncomfortable if they were just lying side by side, but the cuddling did wonders for the comfort factor. He could feel the ease of a comforting sleep beckoning to him now.

"I've missed you a lot too. You have a lot of explaining to do you know." Murrue poked him in the chest, peeking up to see his eyes were closed and his jaw slack, his entire boy relaxed. He snored quietly.

Murrue hid a little giggle, gently kissing his cheek as she lovingly smoothed out his ruffled blond hair. She curled up more tightly to him, resting her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat and feeling the steady rhythm of his chest rising and falling. "I'll ask you when you wake up... Sleep well, you need it..." She sighed, closed her own eyes and let his presence lull her off to sleep too.

"You do know that spying on someone is an invasion of privacy, right?"

"Eek!" Natarle gasped, spinning around as fast she her legs would let her, hand flying to her throat in surprise. She spotted the man grinning broadly at her, leaning on the wall opposite of the tiny infirmary room that the commander currently occupied. She wasn't the least bit surprised to see him and her former captain curled up together on the cot, both fast asleep and wearing such smiles of bliss that her heart had ached a little in envy. She pinked when she saw how big his grin was, embarrassment washing through her.

"Eek? That's a first." Justin laughed, glancing over her shoulder at the couple in the little room. He looked back to see her glaring at the floor away from him, cheeks still dusted rose. "Wonder what other sounds you can make."

"Oh shut up commander." Natarle snapped venomously, turning around and storming down the hall. Her injured leg wouldn't let her keep a fast pace though, and she was annoyed to hear his footsteps clicking behind her at a relatively casual pace. "For god's sake, can't you find someone else to annoy?"

"Nah, it's fun to make you mad." Justin answered with a chirp, still following at the same casual pace that was fast enough to outwalk her if he wanted. She whirled on him, mouth open to probably curse him out but he interrupted her smoothly, emerald eyes bright now, "Besides, you look really cute when you're steamed."

Her jaw snapped shut and her eyes widened in shock, adding with the fresh splash of crimson to add to her face. She lost her retort, just staring in astonishment. He grinned cheekily at her and she was annoyed to feel the blush increase in heat. She swore inwardly, hating herself for feeling so confused with her own emotions.

He winked playfully, watching her eyes widen a bit more and the blush darken. He chuckled and effortlessly closed the distance between them, ruffling her hair before cheerfully telling her, "You look adorable when you're speechless." He bent and brushed his lips casually against her cheek before turning around and walking away, whistling a tune as he went.

Natarle felt her feet root into the ground and her stomach drop between them as it went. Her hand flew up to clap against the spot where he'd kissed her, and shock mixed in with embarrassment. She felt her stomach flip as it raced back to its normal position and she choked out, "C-C-Commander!"

He turned around when he heard her voice, eyes puzzled but the bright devil-may-care grin still firmly fixed in place. "Yes Lieutenant? What's the matter?"

"Y-you can't just..." She struggled for words but nothing seemed to be coming out, she was stammering too much. Finally she shook her head, defeated. There was no way she'd get anything close to coherent words out now. He chuckled and waved, continuing on his way until he vanished from her sight.

Now she was alone with her thoughts, and she began her own slow journey back to her own quarters. It was strangely comforting to have silence as she let her mind wander over her worries, but at the same time she felt an ache she didn't recognize in her chest.

'I'm happy he has her back, it'll do wonders for him... I'm not jealous that he has her, I only see him as a comrade now... I'm...' she sighed, shaking her head as she remembered them, just lying there fast asleep together, looking incredibly happy. The thought sent a burning streak of envy through her stomach, and she smiled ruefully. 'I guess I am jealous of them really... For what they have...'

'I'm worried to see her again. To meet her face to face. I'm not sure I'll be able to do it. Even if he explains what happened, she is right assuming that it was my fault. I couldn't control Azrael like I thought I could. I was too weak, it's my fault he's like this now... I deserve whatever hatred she still holds at me...'

Her mind turned towards the Alliance, where she had let herself become their puppet willingly, it made her grit her teeth angrily. 'An all-too-willing lapdog... Blinded by my own thoughts of what was 'right'. God, I should have died along with him for letting myself be played like that... I paid my price... But I still ended up alive. How did that happen...? With all I've done working with the military, I shouldn't have been allowed to live...'

I died again.

I'm going under, (going under)

drowning with you. (drowning with you)

I'm falling forever, (falling forever)

I've got to break through.

I'm going under.

AN

Lol, yep a reunion. I know you were waiting for it, hope you enjoyed! And as for the ending song, I shall explain my insane logic to you. First off it's "Going Under" by Evanescence, a very great song I may also add... I thought it was a great song for Natarle, concerning her feelings for the Earth Alliance, during the end of SEED (canonically speaking) Lol, yeah I just made that word up. XD Anyway, if you look up the lyrics I think it really speaks for her, but that's just my opinion. It makes more sense if you listen to the song n think about it, lol.

Sky