( Another part to my storyline where Murrue-san lost her memories..)

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The day was cloudy, the overcast grey sky visible through the high windows of the hospital day room. Alone in this room, a brunette sat curled up on a threadbare blue sofa, absorbed in the mystery novel she was reading. The room was quiet, but comforting, with pictures and paintings lining the white-painted walls, and magazines littering the small wooden coffee table. The woman smiled to herself, turning over the page of her novel, and setting the book down beside her on the sofa. Carefully, she stretched out, relieving the ache in her legs, and wiggling her toes. It had taken weeks to get this much feeling back into her legs after the accident..but frustratingly, she still couldn't walk.

A soft knock on the door startled her, and she looked up. There, in the doorway, stood a woman. She had strawberry-blonde hair, and kind blue eyes. Murrue frowned, looking away, racking her brains. She still didn't remember anything..her past was still a mystery. But she had seen this woman before...in photographs. But...Sighing, she looked up apologetically at the woman, who smiled gently. "Don't worry that you don't remember, Murrue. My name is Erica, okay?" The younger woman nodded, picking up her book to set it on the table. "You haven't been here before.." she said softly. "A lot of people have been to visit me, all so kind, even though I don't know who any of them are..." She looked up at Erica again, amber eyes soft. "Won't you sit down?"

The older woman did so, settling herself at the other end of the sofa. She smiled again, but the expression didn't reach her eyes. She seemed...sad. After a while, she spoke up. "How are you feeling today?" Murrue regarded the other woman for a moment before answering. Erica seemed to not be able to meet her gaze, focusing on her lap.

"What is it?" Murrue asked softly. "I'm all right, but you don't seem to be.." Erica's hands were clutching the fabric of her trousers so tightly that her knuckles were white, and as Murrue watched, a tear fell from the woman's face, splashing onto her clenched hands. Startled, Murrue reached to place her hand over the other woman's. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"Because it's my fault," Erica replied, her voice hitched. "All of it. The reason you can't walk, the reason you've lost your memories. The accident..it was my fault. I sent you up on that gantry you fell from...I almost got you killed..." More tears fell, and Murrue squeezed her hand. "No, it's not your fault," she said, causing Erica to look up at her in surprise. "How can you say that?" she asked.

"Because I didn't have to go up there, but I did. No-one else made me fall, so how can it be your fault?" was Murrue's answer. She smiled, brushing aside a lock of her dark hair. "Besides, I'm all right, aren't I?" The other woman regarded her with amazement for a moment, then sighed, a smile of her own coming to her lips. "You're always like this.." she murmured, rubbing her tears away. "So," she asked, smile growing, "is he coming to visit you again today?"

Murrue blushed, this time, she the one to look away. "I - I don't know.." she mumbled. But I hope so... Erica grinned. "He will," she reassured the younger woman. "You sure found yourself a good guy there...he'd do anything for you.." Murrue's blush deepened. "S-someone asked me, one of the other patients here, I mean, if I was really sure that...he was who he said he was. That he could tell me anything he wanted, and I wouldn't know any different. But...he is telling the truth.." She smiled, the expression gentle, shy. "I know it.."

"He certainly is," replied Erica. "I know..because I was at the wedding." Murrue glanced up sharply. "You were? What...was it like?" She shrugged helplessly. "I'd give anything to be able to remember it...but I can't..." Her friend smiled gently. "It was lovely. Very quiet, maybe only 15 or so people there. But that was the way you and Fllaga-san wanted it. Your dress was beautiful..all white silk and lace. And your smile that day...I'd never seen you so happy." She leaned forward to pat Murrue's hand gently. "You'll remember, don't worry..."

Later that day, after Erica had left, Murrue was again alone in the day room, leafing through her book. She smiled a little to herself at the reassurances of her friend. It sounded like the life she shared with Mwu was a very happy one, just as she had thought...and hoped.

"Knock, knock.." came a familiar deep voice from the doorway, and Murrue looked up, pale face lighting up in happiness as she saw him. "Hello," she said gently, cheeks pinking as she glanced away shyly. She knew that she and this man had a life together, had a child together, but still...It feels like we're still dating. Like I'm still getting to know him...I suppose in a way, I am...

Mwu sat down beside her on the tattered sofa, wrapping an arm around her slender shoulders. "You all right today?" he asked, leaning close to press a soft kiss to her hair. She nodded, pointing to her foot. Beneath the fluffy sock she wore, Mwu could see her toes wiggling, and beamed. "That's great! So...do you want to try walking today?"

Murrue's smile faded, to be replaced by a troubled look. "I...I don't know. Do you think that I could?" In reply, Mwu stood up, taking her hand. "Sure you could," he said cheerfully. "C'mon." Very slowly, she stood up, wobbling slightly. Her face wore an expression of trepidation, but he held her hands tightly, supporting her. "It's going to be okay. I've got you," he told her gently. "Trust me." She nodded. I do trust him..with my life... Still holding onto his hands, she took a deep breath, trying to ease the nervousness. She had been so frustrated during the last few weeks, having to rely on other people for everything, wishing that she could walk around, wishing she could go home. But now...she was scared.

"It's going to be all right." Mwu reassured her, leaning to brush his lips against her forehead lovingly. "Trust me. Are you ready?" She again looked up at him, seeing the kindness in his deep blue eyes, and finally nodded. The blonde man smiled. "Okay. Here we go.." Slowly, he began to walk backwards, his hands still providing support, and Murrue took a step forward, the first time she had walked in almost three weeks. The first step sent shockwaves of pain through her, and she winced.

"Are you okay? Does it hurt?" Mwu's expression was concerned and gentle, and she blushed again. "N-no," she said quietly. "Just pins and needles. I'm okay..." She took another step towards him, trying to hide her discomfort. He didn't look too convinced, but moved backwards another step. The more she walked, the more she found, to her satisfaction, that her pain gradually ceased until it was gone completely. When she and Mwu had completed two circuits of the small room, she smiled proudly at him, amber eyes shining. Mwu chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Stubborn as ever. So, what now? You want to rest for a bit?"

"No," Murrue replied. Instead of sitting down, she let go of his hands. "I want to...try walking on my own." Biting her lip, she stepped forward again. The scarred man watched her cautiously, not moving, but there to offer assistance if needed. She walked slowly, concentration absolute. But halfway across the room...she stumbled, falling forward.

And he was there.

Before she fell, he caught her, gently lifting her into his arms. "Are you okay?" he asked, clearly worried. "Maybe you should rest up a while.." But she shook her head firmly. "No. I want to try again. Please?" Mwu sighed, but carefully set her down. "All right," Murrue set her chin, determination clear to see in her eyes. I can do this. I don't want to have to be carried everywhere anymore...

Recognizing the look on his wife's face, Mwu grinned, standing against the far wall and holding out his arms. Slowly, the young woman walked forward, holding out her thin arms for balance. He watched her with a gentle smile, at the pink pyjamas hanging from her slender frame, at the dark hair curling over her shoulders.

You're getting better every day. It's hard to believe that three weeks ago...I thought that I might lose you. But here you are, just as strong as ever. You never give up, and neither will I...

Finally, she reached him, catching hold of his hands, and he beamed in delight, pulling her close in a hug. Murrue giggled, wrapping her arms around him. "I did it...I can walk again. Thank you..." Mwu laughed at that, nuzzling close to breathe in the scent from her hair. "Me? I didn't do anything. It was all you..."

The two of them walked slowly down the hospital corridors, she holding onto his arm for support. "It's not just for helping me walk.." she said softly, looking up at him. "It's for everything. It must hurt you...that I don't remember you. But you still visit me every day, and you're always so kind. I'm sorry..."

"For what?" he asked gently. "It isn't your fault that you lost your memories. You don't have to apologise for anything.." His wife sighed, leaning against his shoulder. "Even though..I don't remember anything, there are a lot of feelings." She pressed a hand to her heart. "The one who was here earlier, Erica...I felt like I knew her very well - like she was my best friend," Glancing up at Mwu, she nodded as she saw his smile. "She is, isn't she? I thought so. And it's the same for everyone else who visits me. Like I know them all...here.." Tapping her heart again, she slowly moved around to face him, amber eyes locking with his blue ones. "For you, too. And there are words that go with the feeling..." Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes, cheeks flushing. Then she smiled, gazing up at him again.

"I love you.."

He didn't know what to say. He'd missed those words from her so badly that all he could think of to do was to pull her into his arms, resting his chin on top of her head. Murrue sighed happily, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm glad I was able to tell you.." Her fingers curled around the fabric of his shirt, her eyes closing.

Mwu hugged her tightly, happy beyond belief. Even though she had no memory of him, her feelings for him hadn't changed, which he'd been most afraid of. But..everything would be all right.

"I love you too.."

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( Lol. The mind may forget, but the heart never can. It works for Mwu, no reason it wouldn't work for Murrue-san too..

Please read and review! )