She sat alone in her office, dark eyes closed. She was leaning back in her plush chair, a small smile on her face. For the first time in over two years...she was happy. Earlier today, he had asked to stay on the ship...with her. When she had let him go, she'd thought that she'd never see him again. He'd watched her as she gave him the Skygrasper, those eerily familiar blue eyes full of confusion. The sea breeze had whipped through his long blonde locks, and in that moment, all she had wanted was to hug him and never let him go. But instead, she had turned away, unable to face his bewilderment and her own pain.

I said that..he wasn't Mwu. But I couldn't look at him while I said it...because part of my heart refused to accept it.

And so, he had left. But no more than a few hours later - he had come back. He had told her that part of him knew her, and he had even hugged her. His embrace had been so warm and comforting, just the way she remembered. It had caused pain, but at the same time, overwhelming happiness. To her, in that moment, Mwu, or at least part of him, had come back.

I never expected it - any of it. Him coming back, his confession, the embrace...or the way he is now. But it feels like I've been given a second chance.

A knock at the door broke Murrue's concentration, and she sat up in the chair, brushing auburn hair over her shoulders. "Come in?" The portal slid open...and there he was. He looked remarkably different to the surly prisoner of a few weeks ago. Gone was the severe black Alliance uniform, to be replaced by the purplish-blue and white of the Orb military. The flowing blonde hair had been trimmed to a much more manageable length (she had cut it for him, much to her own embarrassment and his obvious delight). And gone also was the anger and irritation he had displayed while in sickbay. As he peeked around the doorframe, he smiled. The expression was cheerful and sunny, and she couldn't help smiling back. "Hey," he said, "the Kira-kid says that the Representative is giving a speech or something." He pointed at the silent laptop sitting on Murrue's desk. "You wanna watch?"

Nodding, the woman switched on the computer. "If you want coffee, you're welcome to get some.." she told him, tuning the signal to pick up the broadcast from Government House. The blonde colonel beamed, crossing to the small table at the far corner of the tiny office to flick on the little boiler. "Would you like some?" he asked, looking over his shoulder for the captain's reaction. Murrue smiled. "Thank you, that would be nice. There's the regular kind, or there's a more specialised brew in the corner. Either would be fine."

Neo squinted at the label on the small tub of coffee. The writing was neat and formal, and told of what had gone into the blend. He didn't understand, but tugged at the lid to take a look at what was inside. The ground coffee was dark, speckled with lighter grains, and smelled rich. It looked expensive.

"Where'd you get this?" he asked, peeking back over his shoulder at the captain. She smiled absently, distracted by her efforts to pick up the little Representative's speech. "The coffee?" she asked, not looking up. "Commander Bartfeld made it for me. He's up in space at the moment, on Eternal."

"He a ZAFT soldier?" Neo wanted to know, a prickle of apprehension running up his spine. The Captain looked up at that, and shrugged. "In a way." she replied softly. "But he's been living in Orb for the part two years, like the rest of us. He's a good friend, and he's helped me out a great deal. I owe him a lot..." With that, she returned her attention to the computer, smiling as she finally picked up the signal. Neo regarded the woman for a few moments, then turned back to the coffee.

He stared at the tub of blended granules, brows knitting into a frown. Anger bit at him, his sudden jealousy like a needle in the heart. This Bartfeld guy...was he just a friend? How exactly had he helped her? He knew how irrational he was being...after all, he'd only met this woman a few short weeks ago.

Or have I? When I'm with her, it feels like I've known her for a very long time...

Spooning the regular coffee into two mugs, he added boiling water and milk. "Sugar?" he asked, yet somehow he was sure that she didn't take it. She shook her head. "No, thank you." He handed her the mug of coffee, and perched on the side of her desk to watch the broadcast.

The Representative was there, but she wasn't speaking. Instead, another young girl stood there. She was small and delicate, with candyfloss-pink hair and large blue eyes. But despite her ethereal appearance, the girl stood proud, her bearing one of immense inner strength and fortitude, similar to the Captain's. Another girl was visible on a smaller screen, her appearance much like the delicate girl's, yet something about her was different.

The ethereal girl spoke out, denouncing the PLANT chairman's actions, as well as the Alliance's. From her words, Neo was able to gather that she wished for a world where everyone could live in peace. It sounded nice, if a little idealistic, and he found himself wanting to believe that something like that could happen. The captain was watching the girl with a warm and kind smile on her pale face...she obviously knew the girl well.

After the broadcast, the captain set down her mug, and flicked off the laptop. Neo drained the last of his coffee, stretching out. "That wasn't what I was expecting.." he mused, and the dark-haired woman smiled, getting to her feet. "Neither was I. But I did expect the chairman to try something like he did." Crossing to the door, she pressed the control and stepped outside into the corridor. Neo followed, seeing her standing there looking out of the window. The moon was halfway up the night sky, it's silver light bathing the world beyond the window, and the gentle smile of the woman watching. Neo could only stare.

She's so beautiful...

Shaking his head, he followed her gaze to stare at the moonlit sky. "Who was that girl?" he asked after a moment. "The attention and focus on her...it's like she's a princess or something.."

The Captain giggled. "Lacus Clyne. Lacus-san is the daughter of a former PLANT chairman, and something of an idol in her own right. The people of PLANT..they look up to her. She's a very kind person, and has an incredibly strong spirit."

Then she's like you? Neo thought, but kept quiet, simply nodding his understanding. The two of them stood together there in companionable silence for several moments, watching the scenery outside the ship.

Murrue was very aware of his presence beside her. It was a little uncomfortable in a way, but it filled her heart with a warmth that she hadn't felt in a very long time. He was staring out at the night, the silver light reflecting from his clear blue eyes.

It felt like it used to today, when he made me the coffee. I've been used to Commander Bartfeld's coffee, but somehow, the regular kind seems more special now...because of the memories.

Turning her head, she looked up at the Colonel, studying him. Noticing her gaze, the blonde man glanced down at her, quizzical. Then he smiled, the familiar gentle expression almost taking her breath away. Blushing, Murrue looked down at the deck, cross with herself for reacting this way to him. His grin widened, and he looked back out to sea.

But his hand found hers, their fingers twining together.

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( :thinks: Hmmm. Nope, I don't have any excuse for this one.

But please read and review anyway! XD )