The blue and yellow kite flew through the air, dipping and twirling in the sea breeze. The woman clutching the string laughed happily, amber eyes dancing as she ran across the white sand of the beach, the kite flying behind her. A little way away, a man stood watching her, blonde hair whipping in the light wind. His scarred face wore a faint smile, pleased that the one he loved was so happy. As he gazed at her, she turned to him, expression gentle and loving. Her smile took his breath away, just like always, seeming to make even the sunlight dimmer by comparison. "Do you want a turn?" she asked softly, and he shook his head, content to watch her enjoying herself. She deserved this, the chance to act like a normal woman again, rather than the captain she had been.

Whatever she wants, she can have, if it's in my power to give it to her. She's the whole world to me...

She deserved happiness - but did she really deserve someone like him? She'd told him more than once that whatever it was that he'd done in the last two years, none of it mattered. That she forgave him for it. He couldn't help but marvel at that. Even though she had no inkling of the things he had done, as long as he was by her side, she didn't care.

He was different now, different to the man he had been - the man she remembered. Those years in the Alliance had changed him. The person he was now was darker, quieter, than the boisterous one of her memories. But the Murrue of his memories...she was standing right in front of him. The passing years hadn't changed her in the slightest. She was still the same beautiful and pure soul he had fallen in love with.

Someone like her...should be free. Free to find someone who can give her the life she deserves. But even though I know that I should set her free...I can't let her go.

All he could do was live life the best way he could, be the person she wanted him to be - the person he used to be. He would hide his fears, hide the nightmares, and smile for her.

He smiled that way as she carefully brought the shining kite back down to earth, and wound up the string. "Had enough?" he asked, and she nodded, running over the sand to where he waited. "The wind's getting too strong.." she replied, slightly breathless and pink-cheeked. "Shall we head home?" He nodded, holding out his arm, and she happily took it, nuzzling close to him. The two of them walked along the beach together, the large and small feet leaving twin trails of prints in the fine sand. He was quiet, his gaze fixed on the horizon, and never noticed when she looked up at him, her expression candid.

"You know, you can talk to me about it.." she said softly, causing him to glance at her, surprised. "About what?"

Murrue sighed in affectionate annoyance. "Whatever it is that's bothering you.." Reaching up, she brushed thin fingertips against the dark circles under his blue eyes. "You haven't been sleeping, have you? Are the nightmares that bad?" At his startled look, she smiled, stopping walking and moving around to face him. "You think that I don't notice, but I do. Please, you can tell me..."

He sighed, looking up at the brilliant blue sky. "I can never hide anything from you, can I? Not then, and not now." He took a deep breath, returning his gaze to the woman before him. "I..don't know what I should do. I know that I don't deserve to be with someone like you, but I can't let you go..I can't help tying you down." He smiled. "Dumb, huh?"

She shook her head, bringing him close in a hug. "Will you stop saying things like that? That you don't deserve me? Have you ever stopped to wonder...that I might think I don't deserve you? I was so lonely without you, and being here with you like this...is like a miracle to me. I haven't done anything to deserve being this happy..."

"You really think that?" he asked, voice faint, and she nodded, laying her head on his chest. "Tell me something.." she murmured. "Even though you say that you shouldn't be with me...what does your heart say? What is it you really want?"

That made him think. What did he want? To let her go, hope that she found the happiness she deserved with someone else?

No. I don't want that. I want her to be happy..but if I let her go...how can I ever be happy?

"I want...to be with you.." he replied, bringing her closer to caress her dark hair. Murrue smiled into his embrace. "That's what I want too. And you know..next time you have nightmares, I'll help you.."

"No." he told her, closing his eyes. "That...those memories, are my burden.." But she smiled, reaching up to place a finger on his lips. "No, they're ours." she replied gently. Her free hand moved to take his, the fingers twining together. "If I was lonely, or unhappy, you'd help me, wouldn't you?" At his fervent nod, her smile widened, and she ruffled his hair. "Well, this is the same. If you're sad, or worried, don't try to shoulder it all alone. We're in this together now..." Standing on her tiptoes, she kissed him lightly, the gesture warm and loving, seeming to melt the ice in his heart. When she broke away, her beautiful face wore an impish grin.

"You say you couldn't let me go?" she asked. "What makes you think I could ever let you go?"

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( Lol XD. Emo Mwu again, ne?

Please read and review! )