ORB

February 20th

Murrue was amazed at how easy it had been for Mu to adjust to the new life in ORB, he never complained about the heat or the humidity, he'd taken it in stride. He'd adjusted to the routine easily, having made his own while she was away at work. She'd still refused to let him work even though he'd been healing remarkably well since he'd come last month.

One thing she had caved in on was their sleeping arrangements. She'd known it would be difficult for them to be separated, but she was amazed by the aching that had set up the second she was alone in her bed. It hadn't even lasted two hours, she'd gotten out of her bed to sneak into his, but much to her surprise he had been doing the exact same thing. Needless to say they both had ended up sharing a room and that had settled it.

She had noticed the small changes in him since he'd arrived at ORB, it had been like the man she knew on the ArchAngel was finally free of the soldier facade now. He was still cheerful but now he was more demonstrative, not that she minded in the least. She had gotten used to feeling his warm hand around her own when they visited Kira and the orphans, used to being snuck up on and being twirled around. It was so different but at the same time she loved every single moment of it.

She wasn't the least bit surprised with his physical improvements either now. Though she knew it was painful for him, he had started to try running, though he couldn't last very long. He walked fine now, though after awhile he would need to sit down and take something for the ache. She was amazed with his improvements, and she knew he was quite proud of himself too.

She sighed contentedly, curling up on the couch like a cat, waiting for him to come back from his morning run. She was glad it was the weekend, and even more grateful to her boss for letting her have time off to spend it with her fiancé. Murrue felt the happiness start in her chest and up her throat, bringing out the goofy grin that the word made her wear. "Fiancé..."

The word made her keep smiling, and she idly began to toy with her hair, looking at the place on her hand where the engagement ring should be. She didn't mind being without it, but she knew he did, he wanted to have it on her as soon as possible. She still was getting used to using the word on him, it seemed strange but oddly right. She had been delighted with Erica's response, the woman's ranting still echoed in her ears when she wanted to laugh.

"Engaged?! You've had him for all of four weeks and you're already engaged?! Holy shit woman, what's next, kids?!" She hadn't got an answer, just a hard blush, and that seemed to add to her shock instead of take away from it. "Oh god, you're already pregnant aren't you?!"

"Erica! It's only been four weeks since we got back together, how can I be pregnant already?!"

"Good point."

She had been surprised to see Natarle's lack of surprise. The woman just continued stirring her coffee, wearing something that was close to a 'I knew it' smirk on her face.

"About time. I was wondering when he was going to finally ask you." Natarle had commented with a smile, picking up her coffee and stirring the bitter beverage slowly, putting away the items she'd taken out and turning back to face her friend.

"You knew?" She had asked, eyes wide with alarm and confusion. She wondered what else Mu had disclosed about their relationship to the violet eyed woman.

"He didn't tell me if that's what you're asking." Natarle had answered with a soft laugh, shaking her head and leaning against the metal counter of her small apartment. "But it was obvious with the way he talked about you... I knew he'd say something to you about marriage eventually, but right away was good too. He doesn't skip steps."

Lacus and Kira had pleasant reactions as well, though Lacus had squealed in delight and promptly hugged the couple before begging to be included in the preparations. Murrue had a fair time laughing over her excitement and pretended to grudgingly agree, too amused to admit that she had hoped for Lacus' involvement from the beginning. Erica had likewise ordered that she'd be helping with the wedding, the only one who had been surprised about being asked to go was Natarle.

"You really want me to come...? Why?"

"You have to ask? Natarle, I want you to be there."

"Alright... I'll be there."

Though they had no real plans for it yet, they were glad to see that the preparations would be handled and everything would go smoothly already. Mu had insisted that nothing happen too soon, not until he had his own money to get the rings anyway. She'd told him it didn't matter to her but he'd stubbornly insisted until she got exasperated and agreed.

Thinking about it now she couldn't lie about how content she was. It seemed perfect, and she couldn't remember the last time she'd been this happy. Settling deeper into the couch, she let her mind continue to wander.

It hadn't taken long before it was going over her new friend's own adjustments, and her smile faded a little. She had spoken with Erica about it, and Erica had gladly taken the woman into work, giving her a desk job that seemed to be just fine for the former soldier. She preferred the behind the scenes location and the paperwork seemed easy enough for her, and she was diligent. Though she took her breaks and normally would wander down to the hanger to be with Murrue and hang around for a few minutes before returning to her job.

Murrue couldn't say the same with the woman's apartment though, it was small and comfortable at least, but it still seemed hallow. One of the few things that really seemed to add some colour to the small place was the bookshelf, and it was crammed full of books of all sorts. Murrue knew that despite all the other titles, the woman only had really two favourites that she treated almost royally.

She never would admit to knowing it, but the two books the woman had kept in perfect condition were the two that Justin had given to her before she'd left Copernicus. She'd opened the gift on the shuttle, and Murrue was sure that it had brought tears to the normally calm woman's eyes. She knew that the loneliness was caused from leaving Copernicus, it made her wonder why she'd even choose to go.

She was distracted from the troubling thought when she heard the door open, and she quickly jumped up from the couch to see Mu wandering inside, shirt hanging off his arm and chest beaded with sweat from his exertion. Her heart jumped in her chest and she fought to keep her arms at her sides, resisting the urge to jump him. He grinned cheekily when he saw her, running a hand through his damp hair, half-heartedly opening his free arm for her.

That did it, she cleared the distance in a second, careful to avoid knocking him over, standing on tiptoe to kiss him. He laughed and made to draw her closer but she slid out of him arms, laughing when he pouted. "You need a shower, you're covered in sweat."

"I had a long run." Mu whined pathetically, rather wanting to hug her instead of showering, though both looked really tempting at the moment. He knew she was stubborn and pouted again anyway, but she was trying to hide her grin from him, she wasn't going to give in. He cocked an eyebrow as an idea hit him, and immediately grinned at her. "Well I guess I need a shower, but it'd be easier if you helped me with my back."

"Oh?" Murrue raised both eyebrows now, quite intrigued with how he had put it. He was still grinning that cocky smirk she'd fallen in love with, but he was backing away from her casually.

"Well yeah, but I could probably manage it myself... I mean you do look busy..." Mu mused playfully, continuing to back up towards the stairs that would take him up to the bathroom. "I'll just see you afterwards then, eh?" He turned and bolted for the stairs, laughing as he took them two at a time, ignoring the ache that jolted up his legs with each step.

"Oi!" Murrue bolted after him, trying hard to hide her laughter as she chased him. He snorted and rounded into the washroom but she was quicker, slipping inside before he could manage to get the door shut. She laughed recklessly when he dropped his shirt, marigold eyes glinting devilishly as her hands made quick work of her own. "So..." She purred, voice sort and seductive as she slowly cleared the distance between them, "Shall we get started then?"

"Yeah." Mu chuckled back huskily, reaching behind him to idly turn on the hot water. He watched with hungry eyes as she idly continued to undress herself, her eyes on his the entire time. He repeated her performance, watching patiently for her to pounce, and it didn't take very long.

They stumbled into the stall, gasping as the hot water touched their skin, doing nothing to burn away the desire that ran rampant down their veins. She laughed throatily as his hands moved gently down her sides, mixing in the soap she normally used to the water. "I guess this would be my second shower today..."

"You complaining?" Mu growled into her neck, kissing her wet skin casually as the hot water continued to rain down on them. He easily pushed her against the cold tile of the wall, hearing her gasp sharply at the contact and he chuckled. "Didn't think so..."

"Ahh... That's nice..." Murrue sighed, closing her eyes as the sensations became to too much for her, knees beginning to buckle. His fingertips continued to move in casual circles on her sides, rubbing the soap into her skin combined with the cold wall and hot water, finishing with his kisses to her neck and cheek. "Ahh..."

"I love you." Mu muttered into her ear, kissing a path down from her neck to her naval, the water raining down harder now and rinsing away the soap before his lips touched her skin.

"I love you too..." Murrue purred, leaning her head back against the cold wall as she felt his lips search lower down her body. Too low. Her eyes shot wide open and she gasped sharply, her entire body stiffening as her legs locked. "Oh!"

She heard his low chuckle but then her eyes closed again as the pleasure started, effectively fuzzing out whatever she might have wanted to see. Her legs began to tremble as he added the touch of his hands on her sides to keep her upright, feeling the spiralling sensation of the growing waves continue higher. And then it didn't matter. She cried out as the ecstasy reached its peak, and her knees buckled.

But he was there, easily keeping her upright and pinning her against the wall with his own body, lips on hers before she could get her breath back in time. He hooked her leg around his waist, ignoring the pressure that built in his muscles at the added weight. It didn't take long before he added to her pleasure, the aftershocks of her first surrender only adding to the new nirvana she was subjected to.

The water continued to pour on them, and they didn't care when the warmth began to fade, the cool liquid only seemed to spur them on. They finally snapped out of their own little bubble, the shower now icy cold but they both felt strangely warm regardless. Murrue laughed weakly as she untangled herself from him, shaking her soaked hair out of her eyes to see him grinned at her. She giggled a little too, reaching out to trace the forked scar on his nose.

"Shall we get dry?" Mu offered, idly turning the faucet off, feeling the goosebumps erupt over his shoulders. She snickered a bit but nodded, reaching behind her to snag the towels that hung up beside the shower. She tossed him one, and he idly brushed it over his skin and watched intently as she did the same.

He couldn't resist himself and wound his arms around her, towel and all, moving his lips causally over her now dry shoulder and neck. She laughed but didn't push him away, merely moved her head so he could get better access to her skin. "Again...?" She asked quietly, feeling the daze of desire once again hitting her full force. Too long, it had just been too long.

"I can't get enough of you."

"That makes two of us."

Natarle's Apartment

February 21st

The sound of the phone ringing broke the woman out of her daydream, and she looked up sharply from her favourite book, idly marking her place with her bookmark. She shuffled across the couch, checking the caller ID curiously. She didn't get many phone calls, though she wasn't exactly disappointed with that, she liked her privacy.

She recognized the ID without missing a beat, and smiled ruefully. Of course. She really was glad to have a friend like her former captain, the brunette woman was the closest thing she'd had to family in quite a long time, and in a few weeks they were already close. It was almost impossible not to like her after spending a few hours with her, she was just too likable.

She picked up the phone on the third ring, answering amiably as she settled back into the couch, tucking her legs under her, "Hey Murrue."

"Caller ID, it should be illegal." Murrue's teasing voice answered her, and Natarle had to fight a smile of amusement. "Hey."

"Nice to hear from you." Natarle replied honestly, trying to fight a snicker as she asked, "Bored already with your weekend?"

"You're a comic genius." Murrue retorted sarcastically, but the smile was still there. Natarle had no trouble picturing the woman sitting on the couch wrapped in her fiance's arms, grinning broadly to herself. "Look, Erica wanted to take us out to a club tonight, she says she's tired of you holing yourself up in your apartment."

Natarle rolled her eyes, thinking of her new redheaded boss with a grudging smile. The woman was painfully blunt sometimes, but she was honest and a caring friend. She idly began to twine the cord of her phone around her fingers, commenting casually, "And she won't say that to my face because...?"

"She's scared you'll turn into a huge purple dragon and burn her to a crisp." Murrue answered without missing a beat, and Natarle was sure the woman heard her roll her eyes. Murrue's voice became serious and somewhat concerned when she continued, "No, but seriously, Erica's worried how to handle you. She just doesn't want to break your confidence."

"I preferred the dragon crack, made me feel a bit better about myself." Natarle shot back with a snort, covering her surprise with the joke. She was honestly touched that Erica would be concerned over her emotions, and reminded herself to thank her later. She settled back into the couch, thinking hard for a few moments. "Well I guess I could go, I'm not doing anything."

"What a surprise." Murrue commented sarcastically, still snickering.

"Don't push it." Natarle replied with a wave of her hand, knowing that Murrue was having fun. She idly wondered if the woman had already gotten into the booze.

"Are you in?"

"Oh I guess." Natarle sighed in a martyr-like fashion, leaning against the couch as she tried not to grin. "What time?"

"Stop sounding like I'm shoving bamboo splinters under your nails, it's going to be fun." Murrue scolded her with a giggle, now Natarle was very sure the woman had something early to start off the good mood. "We'll be there to pick you up around eight. And for god's sake, don't wear anything conservative, we're going to let loose and have fun."

"I'm going to hate you by the end of tonight, aren't I?"

"Maybe."

"I can already feel it starting."

"Oh hush."

AN

Heehee. Yeah ladies' night will be next chapter... Sorry bout the purple dragon crack, but it seemed funny to me XD. To be fair she was a bit of a dragon when she was in the military... I'd like to think that Murrue's softened her somewhat... And yes, surprise shower smuts XD Enjoy that will you? XP

Sky