It was a grey and dismal day. Sheets of torrential rain fell from the sky, soaking the landscape and anyone unfortunate to be caught out in it. A tropical storm had hit Orb, and the citizens of the small country were advised to stay indoors to avoid the rain and howling wind. One of these citizens was sitting in the attic of her house, curled up on a beanbag chair, lost in a book. A mug of hot cocoa sat by her side, the steam from the beverage rising into the air lazily, but the woman never noticed, amber eyes focused on the pages of her novel. The house was silent, the only sound to be heard anywhere the insistent thrum of the rain on the roof.

That is, until the phone rang. The high-pitched shrill caused the woman to jump, startled for a moment, and she set the book down to go and answer the call.

"It's okay, I got it!" She smiled at that, hearing her boyfriend's heavy footsteps cross the floor below to where the phone rested on the coffee table. He'd been oddly quiet today, normally she could always tell where he was from the cheerful tuneless whistling. But today, that had been missing. Come to think of it...She frowned a little. Mwu's been acting strangely these last few days. Distracted, for some reason. All those phone calls, coming home late...She'd dismissed it as him just being busy with work. But was that really all it was? Carefully, quietly, Murrue tiptoed across to the attic hatch, listening intently. Mwu was speaking in a low voice, obviously not wanting to be overheard.

"Okay, I'll be over in a little while. No, no, she doesn't know. Right. Yeah, okay. Be there soon.." She heard the phone being replaced in the holder, and a moment later, he called up to her. "Just going out for a bit, all right? Be back soon!" His footsteps made their way across the floor, receding as he walked downstairs. Murrue stayed sitting where she had been, almost frozen with bewilderment. She distantly heard the outside door closing, and the little red car in the driveway starting up. Slowly, she got to her feet, climbing down the attic ladder back into the bedroom. Where is he going? Who was he talking to? And...what don't I know about?

Afraid to find the answers, but needing to know, the brunette woman picked up the phone, pressing the 'last caller' button with slightly shaking fingers. The connection was picked up at the other end, and the soft voice of a woman spoke. "Hello?"

Murrue closed her eyes for a second. "S-sorry...I must have the wrong number..." Setting the phone down from suddenly numb fingers, she sat down on the sofa, dark eyes focused on the object. She tried her best to rationalise what she had overheard...maybe she was a friend from work? But the phrase 'she doesn't know' kept circling around in her confused mind. What was it she didn't know? Was he...

No! He wouldn't! We...

She couldn't let herself think about it anymore. It was...too painful. Shaking her head, Murrue wandered around the room, finally pushing open the french windows and going out onto the balcony. The rain still fell in torrents, soaking her through in a matter of moments, but she never noticed. Her gaze was fixed on the grey horizon, focused but unseeing. Why was she worried? She trusted him, didn't she? He had promised her, on the day they had been reunited, that the two of them would be together forever. His sincere words, spoken without a hint of a joke, had caused her to blush, but at the same time, her heart had been racing wildly.

He'd...never break that promise, I know it. Why am I doubting him? How could I? I... But despite all her rational thoughts, she couldn't keep the fear from rising. She knew what it was, why she was feeling it. A relationship was a double-edged sword. The more you loved someone, the more of your heart you gave to them...the greater the insecurity. The worry that somehow, some way, all that happiness would be snatched away. And...she loved Mwu with all she had. All of her heart belonged to him.

What would I have left?

Quietly slipping into the house, he smiled. She hadn't noticed he was back. Perfect. His hand reached into his pocket, feeling the smoothness of the two objects that hid there. Everything was set. Tiptoeing up the stairs, he made his way to their bedroom and climbed the ladder to the attic. But...she wasn't there. Her book lay forgotten, the cocoa he had made her stone cold. "Murrue?" Climbing down, he frowned as he saw the thin gauzy curtains around the french windows fluttering in the wind.

She's out there? In this weather?

Pulling back the curtains, Mwu saw that she was indeed out on the balcony. She was soaked through, auburn hair plastered to her scalp, blouse and skirt drenched. And she was shivering uncontrollably. Taking off his jacket, Mwu placed it over her head, offering her some protection from the rain. She turned to him sharply, surprised, thin fingers reaching up to feel the material.

"What are you doing out here?" he asked gently, brushing a lock of wet hair from her face. "You'll catch cold..." Murrue didn't say anything, simply stared at him. And as he watched, tears formed to shimmer in her marigold eyes.

"Hey...what is it? Are you okay, sweetheart?" At his gentle words, her tears fell softly, mixing with the rainwater that dripped from her hair. Without a word, she hugged him fiercely, crying into his chest. Mwu gasped, wrapping his own arms around her. "Murrue...what's wrong? Please tell me.."

"Where did you go?" Her voice was soft and shaky, the tears clogging her throat. "Who is she?"

He was baffled. "Who is who?" Murrue shook her head, the jacket falling from her. "The woman on the phone. Who is she? What don't I know about? I..." She buried her face in his shirt again, crying harder...and he understood. She must have overheard me talking...she thinks that I...

"Never." he said firmly, pulling her closer and pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "Don't you ever worry about that. You hear me?" She raised her head to look at him, eyes wide. "But I..."

"No." he said, running fingers along her cheek. "Not ever." Taking her hand, he led her inside, moving to collect fluffy towels from the bathroom. "Here. Dry yourself off, and I promise I'll explain everything.."

When she was dry, and in fresh clothing, the two of them sat together on the bed, she curled up in his arms. He held her close, realising how scared she had been, and how embarrassed about it all she was. "You musn't ever worry about that, okay?" he told her, one hand gently smoothing her hair. "That would never ever happen. The woman I was talking to..she's a friend from work. She was helping me get something. Something special."

"What?" Murrue murmured, lulled by his embrace. In reply, Mwu reached into his pocket, handing her one of the objects he'd brought back with him. It was a small blue velvet box, and he smiled lovingly at the wide-eyed expression on his lover's face. Carefully, she unfastened the catch, and opened the gift..then gasped. "Mwu...this is..."

"Yeah." he replied gently. "My friend...her family owns a jewellery store. They didn't have the exact kind I wanted, so my friend helped me design these. That's the reason for all the phone calls, and coming home late..."

Murrue smiled, still gazing at the contents of the box. Inside, on a tiny white silk cushion, rested a pair of earrings. Tiny ruby hearts surrounded by diamonds. They were so beautiful... "You...designed these?"

"Not by myself.." he answered with a chuckle. "My friend helped. I knew what I wanted, and she did the designs..and her family's store made them for me. Do you like them?"

In reply, she hugged him again, with a mixture of delight and relief, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "They're beautiful...thank you so much..." Mwu smiled, nuzzling his face into her hair. "Do you remember the date?" he asked. "Three years ago.." Murrue paused to think for a moment, then smiled. "We were here in Orb. It was sunny, better weather than today. Archangel was in the hangar at Morgenroete..." The scarred man grinned, moving around so he was leaning against the wall, with her on his lap. "You do remember..."

"You kissed me.." she murmured. "I'll always remember that. Without that day, we might not have any of this." But Mwu shook his head. "I think that we would," he replied. "Cause even if I hadn't kissed you then, I'd have done it some other time."

"So I guess..this is our anniversary?" she wondered aloud. "In a way. Is that what the earrings are for?"

"Partly. But also 'cause I wanted to see you wearing them. I'd looked around for ages for something like those, but could never find ones I liked, and that you would like." he told her. Murrue smiled, leaning against him. "I do like them..."

"You really were scared, weren't you?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Silly. There's no way I'd ever do something like that. I was lucky enough to get the chance to be with you again...there's no way I'd throw that all away." She sighed, the worry she had felt finally disappearing. "I was stupid, wasn't I?" she said softly. "I'm sorry for doubting you."

"No need to apologise," Mwu replied, kissing her cheek. "I'm the one who should be sorry...for making you worry."

"It was just a misunderstanding. I jumped to conclusions without thinking it all through first. It's...not something I usually do, and I'm sorry..." Murrue said, looking up at him. "I'm not used to feeling insecure...and I think that frightened me the most."

"No-one likes feeling insecure," he told her, bringing the comforter up to cover them both. "I did for ages. About my memories, about whether you really forgave me, about a lot of things. Including whether you'd found someone else while I was...gone. It's a horrible feeling. But whatever else you worry about, don't you worry about that. I love you too much."

Murrue nodded. "And it's the same for me. I told you...I'd have waited forever." She snuggled down into his arms, emitting a comforted, happy sound that was almost a purr. "Whatever else we doubt...we can't ever doubt each other.."

Mwu smiled as his girlfriend closed her eyes, her beautiful face cleared of all doubt and fear. He understood why she'd been worried, even though the very idea was unthinkable to him. Gently, he stroked her hair, drawing a soft, drowsy murmur from her. Silly. Don't you know there could never be anyone else? That I'd never give you up? He patted his pocket, feeling the other box he'd got from his friend. Inside...was a ring. A golden band, topped with a heart-shaped diamond.

One day soon, okay? When we finally have real peace...

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( Lol, weirdness. I know that it's a bit ooc for Murrue-san to be insecure, but...

Please read and review! )