The kiss was lighter than a butterfly's wings, but it still woke him. Blinking muzzily in the half-darkness, he smiled, albeit sleepily, and reached up to caress the face of the person above him. "Hey.." he murmured, his fingers drifting across her cheek and through her thick dark hair. "How come you're up?" She smiled back, leaning into his touch. "I have work early this morning, remember? You go back to sleep...it's not even dawn yet.." He nodded, snuggling back into the pillow, then blinked, hearing the soft whisper of rain on the roof. "It's raining?"

"Looks that way," she replied, zipping up her jacket. "The forecast mentioned it was going to stay this way for a wh- Mwu?" She broke off her sentence as the blonde man made as if to climb out of bed, reaching for his trousers. "What are you doing?"

"Getting up." he answered shortly. "I'll give you a lift into work." She placed a hand on his chest, gently pushing him back down onto the bed. "Don't be silly. You don't have work until 10AM, you should get some more sleep. It's only rain, it won't hurt me, I have an umbrella.." He gazed up at her, not convinced. "You sure? It sounds pretty heavy..." But Murrue just smiled, leaning down to kiss him again. "I'll be fine, don't worry. Have a good day at work, and I'll see you when I get home." With that, she replaced the fluffy comforter over him, and slipped down the steps. Mwu sighed, leaning back against the pillows. "Love you!" he called, and heard her gentle laughter as she left the room. "Love you too!"

The rain continued all day, growing heavier in the afternoon. The sky was dull and overcast, even after the sun had risen...it was the sort of day that made you wish you'd stayed in bed. When he wasn't teaching, Mwu would glance out of the window at the steady downpour, and wonder if Murrue had gotten to work okay. He wanted to call her, but he knew what she'd say if he did. "Don't fuss, Mwu. I'll be just fine." He had to smile as he imagined his girlfriend's soft voice laced with the authority of one who had never quite stopped being a captain. You haven't changed. And...I don't think I'd ever want you to...

"Murrue! Do you want a lift home? The rain hasn't stopped, and they say some streets are flooding.." Erica poked her head around the door of her friend's office, seeing the younger woman slipping on her jacket and picking up her umbrella from the desk. "You're not seriously thinking of taking the bus home, are you? Even if the buses are still running, it's getting so damn windy that your umbrella isn't going to be much use..." Murrue smiled. "It'll be okay. It's only water. And home isn't all that far away.."

"Murrue...it's five miles to your house from here. If the buses aren't running, that's a hell of a long way to walk! Will you stop being so stubborn?" Erica's outburst startled the younger woman, and she paused in buttoning up her jacket. "But...my home and yours are in opposite directions." she said finally, picking up her bag. "You'll be going too far out of your way. Don't worry about me." Without letting Erica answer, she walked out of the little office.

Outside, the rain and wind swirled around the cars and buildings, carrying dust and debris with it. The wind-blown dust and dirt stung her eyes, and the wind was so strong she daren't risk putting up her umbrella. Trying to shelter herself with her bag, Murrue hurried to the nearest bus stop, praying that the services were still running. After that, it's only a short walk home. Erica worries too much.

An hour later, no buses had arrived, and the wind had picked up even further. The forecast earlier had mentioned increased rain...but not wind. Trees were being blown almost horizontal in the gale, and those still out on the streets were huddled close to the buildings. Orb did occasionally get severe weather, sometimes even hurricanes...but this wasn't quite as bad, maybe just a tropical storm. But there would certainly be no public transport running in this weather. Time to get walking.

Where is she?

Mwu had arrived home an hour and a half ago, but there was no sign of Murrue. The sky was almost pitch dark by now, despite it being only late afternoon, and the rain fell in sheets. As the scarred man gazed out of the window, a brilliant flash of lightning lit up the heavens, followed instantly by a harsh crack of thunder. Mwu winced, knowing how scared his girlfriend was of thunderstorms. "If she'd taken the bus.." he mused to himself, "she'd have been home by now. I bet she ended up walking..."

Stepping out into the storm, he started the car, driving down the route the bus usually took, squinting through the pouring rain for a glimpse of her slender figure. Where are you, Murrue?

The headlights barely illuminated more than a metre of road in front of the little red car, and he began to despair of ever finding her. Winding down the window, he stuck his head out, hair being soaked through in a matter of seconds, but not caring. The streets were empty and silent as he drove, no other people or cars in sight. Why do you have to be so stubborn?

Finally, just as he was about to give up, he caught sight of a small figure walking close to the wall, clad in a black jacket and green trousers. Her auburn hair was drenched, and her expression was one of weariness, but determination. Bringing the car to a stop, Mwu opened the passenger door. "At this rate, you'd have been home in maybe two hours..." Murrue glanced up in surprise, water dripping from the end of her nose. "How come you're here?" she asked softly, but her tired expression melted into a grateful smile as she climbed into the car. "Thank you.."

She hadn't realised how tired she was. Struggling against the lash of the wind and rain had taken more out of her than she had realised, and she was soaked through to the skin. Managing to open her eyes, she gazed to her side at her rescuer, lips curving into a small smile. "You always come to save me..." she murmured. "I'm sorry.." Mwu chuckled, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "No need.." Then his smile faded. "You're cold. Are you feeling okay?" She nodded, closing her eyes. "I just need a bath and some dry clothes, and I'll be just fine.."

She was cold, barely able to contain her shivering, and her head felt hot. The drive back home...she barely remembered, drifting in and out of sleep, and the next thing she knew, Mwu was gently tapping her shoulder. "Wake up, sweetheart.."

Forcing her eyes open, she gazed up at him with a soft smile. "Hmm?" Her lover smiled back, although the worry was clear to see in his eyes. "C'mon. I ran you a nice hot bath. Then you're going straight to bed."

After the bath, she felt a little warmer, especially when she had been tucked up under the fluffy comforter. She sighed happily as he added an extra blanket. "I'm sick, aren't I?" she asked drowsily, and he nodded, placing a hand to her forehead. "You have a fever," he admitted. "What on Earth possessed you to try walking home in a storm?" Murrue smiled a little, closing her eyes. "Because it really isn't that far. I've walked home before.." He sighed, moving to sit on the bed beside her. "Yeah, I know...but in a storm?" She chose not to answer that, simply snuggled up to rest her head on his lap with a happy murmur. Her head still felt warm, but all in all, she felt much better, just because he was there to take care of her.

"I cause you so much trouble, don't I?" she muttered sleepily. "You always end up looking after me..." Mwu's reply was to lean down and press a gentle kiss to her cheek, one hand stroking her hair lovingly. "Because I want to," he told her softly. "You're all I've got, so I have to take care of you, don't I?" She smiled at that. "Only because I let you.." Still cuddled close, she fell asleep, her head nestled in his lap. Mwu smiled, still stroking her hair. She did let him. He was the only one she would completely let her defences down around, the only one she would truly be herself around, and he loved her for it.

"Sleep well, Murrue.."

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( :grins: Teh waffle D Hope it's okay!

Please read and review! )