It was a bad day.The very worst. The kind of day when you oversleep, and then your shower breaks down. Then when you make it to work, you end up with piles of paperwork, and no time for lunch.

That was the sort of day Murrue was having. It was late evening now, but still the pile of reports loomed over her from the end of her desk. Her back and shoulders ached, her head was pounding, and her eyes felt scratchy. All she wanted was to curl up on the office sofa and sleep. But of course, she couldn't. People were depending on her for these reports..she had to finish them. But the pile never seemed to get any smaller, and the muscles in her hand felt like they were on fire. It wasn't fair...

Logically, Murrue understood that she was just feeling sorry for herself. But that knowledge did nothing to make her feel any better. She was tired, and irritable, and cross.

"You busy?"

Looking up, she saw the familiar large figure looming around the now-open doorway. He was smiling, but there was concern in those blue eyes of his. But she didn't notice at first. "What does it look like?" she asked icily, turning her attention back to the reports. Without being asked, Mwu sidled into the office, letting the door slide shut behind him.

"It looks like you could use a break.." he pointed out, and she scowled. "Well, these have to be finished, and I don't remember asking for your opinion, Commander.."

He raised a blonde eyebrow at that, but said nothing. He simply stood there watching her, until she glanced up at him. "Did you want something?" she asked, amber eyes narrowed. Mwu shrugged. "Did you?" he replied, and she frowned. "Stop speaking in riddles. There must be some reason you're here."

"I'm here because you look like you need someone who cares.." he said mildly, and Murrue scowled again. "What I need, Commander, is for you to stop distracting me, and get the hell out of my office if you have nothing constructive to say!"

Immediately as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Mwu frowned, and she could see the hurt there in his eyes. "Fine." he said evenly, not a trace of emotion in his voice. "If that's what you want, then sure, I'll leave.." Turning, he made his way towards the door.

"Mwu, wait!" she called, not knowing what to say, but not wanting to leave things like this. "I'm...sorry.." He turned back to her, but didn't say a word. Taking a deep breath, Murrue got up from her chair and walked over to where he stood. Looking up at him, she raised a hand to brush it gently across his cheek. His expression remained unreadable, but he tilted his head slightly into her hand.

"I'm sorry.." she repeated. "It's been..a terrible day. I know that's no excuse, but.." She sighed, letting her hand drop, shoulders slumping. He still didn't say anything, but after a moment, he pulled her close to him in a hug. Murrue's eyes widened for a second, then she let out a breath and nuzzled into his embrace, enjoying his warmth. Her arms reached up to curl around his shoulders, and she smiled for what felt like the first time that day.

"I was right, wasn't I?" he asked after a while, his voice muffled by her hair. "You did need somebody who cared.." She nodded faintly, murmuring something. He smiled, and pressed a kiss to the top of her head. "You're kinda scary when you get mad, you know?"

Murrue giggled. "Am I?"

"Yup," Mwu confirmed, running his hands up and down her back. "But you're even more beautiful too." He frowned as he felt the tension in the muscles of her back and shoulders. "No wonder you were so cranky. That must hurt.."

"Hmmm?" she mumbled as he began to rub her back gently. "Whatcha doing?"

He chuckled at that. "You're tired, huh? Here.." Crossing to the sofa, he sat and held out a hand. "C'mon.." Drowsily, Murrue wandered across and sat beside him, a dreamy smile coming to her lips as he carefully massaged her back.

"Thanks..for putting up with me.." she said quietly, dark eyes closing. He shook his head. "Not a problem. Do you feel better now?"

"Much." she replied. "I wonder why it is I always feel better when you're here...even if I've had a lousy day?"

Mwu grinned. "Well, I always feel better when I'm with you. You can depend on me, and I can depend on you. Knowing that..it feels secure, safe. Like there's nowhere else I'd rather be, and no-one else I'd rather be with." Ending the massage, he pulled her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her waist. Murrue smiled again as she felt his lips caress her neck. "It makes me happy.." she admitted, "to know that someone will be there for me. Someone who understands me..." Shifting a little on his lap, she rested her head on his shoulder, cuddling close to his warmth. "Someone I can trust, and who loves me..it's a very nice feeling."

"Well, I feel the same way.." he replied, rocking her back and forth in his embrace. "Do you think that's why we're always together?"

"Probably," was her sleepy answer. "Each of us..we needed someone. A companion, someone to share our lives with. And we just happened to find each other.."

Mwu smiled at that touching statement. "I think you're right.." Looking down, he noticed that her tawny eyes were closed tightly, and her breathing was soft and even. The faint smile still lingered on her lips, and her pale cheeks were flushed pink. He shook his head, carefully laying the sleeping woman down on the sofa. "Goodnight.." he whispered, kissing her lightly.

She is right. Both of us..were searching for someone who understood us. Were searching for a companion, for love. And we found it in each other. Found trust and companionship, friendship and love all at once, even if it took us a while to realise it. I wonder what we'd have been - who we'd have been, if we'd never met?

Brushing a stray lock of auburn hair from her face, Mwu sat on the floor beside the sofa, beside his sleeping captain. Giving her one last kiss, he leaned against her, closing his eyes.

Because he was happiest by her side.

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( This rambles a little bit, but it was a cute idea I had at work today. And I was inspired by how MapleRose had described Mwu and Murrue-san's relationship. It made me think. So this chapter is really all thanks to her :smile:

Please read and review! )