"Hey Murrue, are you okay?"

She glanced up at him from where she was sitting at her desk, and nodded. "Of course I am." She noticed the concern in his blue eyes and smiled to reassure him. But it didn't seem to work. Mwu frowned a little, and leaned forward to touch his forehead to hers. Murrue, unprepared for this closeness, blushed, but didn't pull away.

"What is it?" she murmured faintly, trying to keep her heart from pounding. He didn't answer for a moment, just stayed where he was. Finally, almost to her disappointment, he pulled away before pressing the back of one hand to her face gently. Then he nodded, broad shoulders slumping.

"You have a fever," he announced. "How long have you been feeling like this?"

Murrue blinked. Fever? Sure, she'd been feeling a little under the weather for a couple of days, but it was nothing that she couldn't cope with. Taking his hand that he still held to her cheek, she squeezed it gently, giving him a gentle smile.

"I'm okay, honest. Don't worry."

Mwu was clearly unconvinced, but didn't argue. Instead he just sighed, sitting back down in the chair opposite the desk.

"You want some coffee?" he asked after a while, and she nodded, tapping her pen idly against the ever-present stack of reports. Leaning forward, she sighed softly, rubbing her temples against the slight headache that had begun that morning, but managed a smile when he placed the mug in front of her.

"Thanks," she murmured, cradling the mug in her hands and letting the steam from the hot liquid soothe her tired eyes. Mwu smiled, setting down his own coffee, and came to stand behind her, resting his chin on her shoulder and pressing his cheek to her hair.

"Take a break," he urged gently, kissing her cheek. "You've been like this for a while now, haven't you?"

"I'm fine," she remarked mildly, but made no effort to pull away. Instead she smiled, reaching up to ruffle his hair, fingers tangling in golden curls. Encouraged by this, Mwu nuzzled closer to her. "C'mon," he wheedled, "you'll feel better after a rest, won't you?"

Murrue smiled a little ruefully. "Probably I will. But this work won't finish itself.." Stretching out, she ruffled his hair again before trying to untangle herself from his arms. But Mwu just grinned and hugged her tighter, ignoring her protests.

"Mwu!" she complained. "You..." But she was cut off by a sneeze. He just raised an eyebrow, angling his face round to peer at her. She looked so surprised, amber eyes wide and startled, that he couldn't help laughing.

"See? I knew you were sick," he observed, and Murrue screwed her nose up.

"I am not," she replied, and promptly sneezed again. Sighing, she slumped back against him and closed her eyes so as not to see his knowing smile.

Without saying anything, he slipped an arm under her knees and lifted her from the chair, carrying her over to the sofa and settling her there. Murrue smiled a little, closing her eyes and resting her head on his shoulder.

"How did you know?" she murmured after a while, snuggling closer as he stroked her hair gently.

He chuckled. "Tell me, if I were sick, and I hid it, you'd notice, wouldn't you?"

"Yes," she replied, smiling as she understood the meaning behind his words. Mwu can always see if I'm hiding something, even if I don't say anything, or no-one else notices. He knows me better than anyone, and the reverse is also true.

"Thanks..." she said softly. She meant it for so many things other than today, but she was sure Mwu already knew.

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( TT I'm rusty at one shots. This makes no sense, but I have a cold anyway, so that might be why.

Please read and review! )