"You guys are sure about this?"

He looked up from where he was fitting the last of the bags into the rental car, and nodded, managing a small smile.

"Yeah," he replied softly, closing the door. "We're sure. We won't be gone long, maybe just a week or two. But it's something we need to do.."

Kira smiled, understanding. The war had ended, they had all come home...but true peace was still hard to come by sometimes. And for Mwu-san, peace was something he barely remembered. Ever since the end of the war, he'd been returning to his old self, although it would probably take quite a while before he was back to being the Mwu-san everyone remembered. He did talk more, and smile more, but he still seemed a little...distant.

Murrue-san had been the one to suggest this trip, understanding that what Mwu-san needed most right now was time to adjust.

"Are we ready to go?" she called softly, making her way towards the car from where she'd been talking with Lacus. As she approached, Mwu-san smiled again, this time happily, opening the door of the car for her. Kira grinned at the change in his friend upon seeing the woman. With Kira and the others, Mwu-san was quiet, reserved, but when he saw Murrue-san, his scarred face would light up in the old boyish grin everyone remembered so well.

He'll be happy as long as he has her..

Climbing into the car, Murrue adjusted the driving mirror and buckled her seatbelt, smiling as Mwu sat down in the passenger seat, azure eyes taking in everything. Rolling down the window, she waved to Lacus-san and Kira-kun.

"You know where to find us if you need to, okay?" she called, and the two young people nodded. Starting the car, Murrue looked to the one beside her. "Ready to go?"

He nodded quietly, eyes focused on the sea, and only looked up when she reached out to squeeze his hand. Ever since they'd come back to Orb, Mwu had been withdrawn and quiet, a little overwhelmed by the change. The life he'd been used to before, the life he'd had in the last two years, Murrue had no idea of, and in truth, she was worried about it. She wanted to ask him 'what did they make you do?' but she knew that Mwu wasn't ready to talk about it yet. Instead, she'd suggested this trip.

Mwu didn't say much as they drove, preferring to gaze out of the window at the scenery flicking past. Once or twice, as they passed particularly beautiful parts of countryside, the corners of his mouth lifted in a smile, which in turn made Murrue smile.

"Do you like it here? Think you could get used to living here?" she asked, and he nodded, smiling again.

"It's beautiful," he replied softly. "Peaceful..."

"And where we're going is even more peaceful," she said. "The place I lived, and where Kira-kun lives, is quiet, but where we're going, no-one knows us. It'll be...just us.." She found herself blushing as she spoke, amber eyes firmly focused on the road ahead, but she felt the warm hand on her shoulder, and the kiss on her cheek.

"Thanks," he whispered.

A couple of hours later, the small red car turned off the road, and up a small trackway. All that could be seen for acres were fields of waving grass, the sea up ahead, and a small, wood-built one-storey house facing out towards that sea. Mwu's eyes widened as the car came to a stop, and he climbed out, just staring. Murrue smiled, getting out to join him and taking his hand. "What do you think?"

"This is great," he breathed, squeezing her hand tightly. He didn't say anything else...he didn't have to. All he did was just incline his head to rest it on hers, and she understood perfectly.

The house was clean and well-cared for, the scent of pine and flowers everywhere. After carrying the bags inside, he sat down on the little sofa with a smile, gazing around at the furniture and pictures that littered the room.

"Who does this place belong to?" he asked after a while, holding out a hand in invitation for her to sit beside him. Accepting his invitation, she sat, smoothing out her skirt, and settled her head on his shoulder. Mwu smiled, closing his eyes and breathing in the familiar rose scent. Some of his memories were slow to return, but not the ones of her. Murrue had been the first person he'd remembered, dozens of memories flooding back in the space of a few seconds or so. I remember more about you than I do about myself...

"It belongs to a friend of mine," she murmured. "One who works at Morgenroete. I asked her if it was okay if we borrowed it for a while, and she said that would be fine.." Raising her head, she smiled, kissing his cheek. "You want to go for a walk later? I heard that this place is beautiful at night.."

And it was. The moon was full, the light shining down on the world and making the waving fields of grass seem silver. The two of them strolled along the deserted beach together hand-in-hand, the light breeze causing their hair to dance. He watched her as they walked, a smile curving his lips as he did so. She hadn't changed...or had she? She seemed stronger, that air of quiet confidence he'd always admired in her more evident than ever. He'd hurt her terribly, he knew, the memory of her tears stinging his heart. But instead of being angry, as he'd half expected, she'd shown his amnesiac self kindness and acceptance. How can one person be so strong? Even though I didn't know who she was, had no memory of what we'd shared, she wasn't angry, even though I could tell she was sad. She was kind to me, let me stay with her, and as a result...I fell for her all over again.

"I'm sorry," he said, causing Murrue to glance up at him in surprise. The moonlight made her marigold eyes appear golden, and as he watched, she smiled gently. In that moment, she looked so beautiful he could hardly breathe. He had so much he wanted to say to her, to apologise for, but he couldn't get the words out. Instead, he just wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close in a hug.

"I'm sorry," he said again. He wasn't able to say how sorry he was, or how much for, but he was sure that she would understand.

Murrue returned his embrace, nuzzling her face into the crook of his neck. She did understand, and also understood that Mwu had nothing to apologise for. But she also knew that he felt he needed to, so she didn't say anything. Instead she just held him, threading her fingers through his hair.

"Did the kid and the others say anything about the way I've been acting?" he asked, pulling away a little. There was concern and slight worry in his azure eyes, which was alleviated a little when she brushed the back of her hand against his cheek.

"No," she replied with a smile. "Because they understand why. After what you've been used to, anyone would be the same. That's why I wanted to bring you here. C'mon, let's go back to the house.."

After dinner, she fixed herself a bath while he sat outside on the porch, blue eyes fixed on the silvered skyline. In truth she was still a little worried about him, but she knew that this place would be good for him. Right now, Mwu needed peace and quiet more than anything, the time to adjust to a normal life, and the least she could do was be there for him.

And I will be. I have him back in my life...when I thought that it would take a lifetime before I saw him again. Now that he's back... Murrue smiled to herself, watching a rainbow coloured bubble float through the steamy air of the bathroom. I'll be dammed if I let him go again...

He hadn't moved when she came to find him after her bath, still staring at the horizon, blonde locks blowing in the light breeze, He did glance up when she placed a hand on his shoulder, and smiled to see her there.

"Can we stay here forever?" he asked softly, taking her hand as she sat down beside him. "Just us?"

"Wouldn't you get bored after a while?" she replied, and he chuckled.

"Not if you were here," he pointed out, causing her to blush for no real reason. He smiled, the expression making him seem more like the Mwu she knew, and kissed her gently. "How long do you think I've waited to get you alone like this?"

His words, along with the faintly seductive tone to his voice, caused Murrue to blush again, and she glanced away. "You were thinking about that?"

He nodded, winding an arm around her shoulder to pull her close. "I have been for a while now. I remember the times we spent together, and I remembered...wanting them to last forever. I remember wishing that one day, I could have you all to myself. And here...I do. That's why I wish we could stay here forever.."

Still blushing, she looked up at him, and smiled.

"Maybe not forever," she murmured. "But two weeks is okay, right?"

He grinned at that, pulling her into his lap and standing up with her held in his arms.

"More than okay," he replied in a whisper.

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( Yes, there will be a part two lol.

Please read and review! )