( Part three :sweatdrops: I had soo many ideas for this story...)

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"We have to go home soon, huh?" he asked, attention focused on the blue sky above, eyes following a drifting cotton-wool mass of clouds. She nodded drowsily, stifling a yawn.

"Couple of days," she murmured in reply, stretching out and settling her head on his lap with a contented sigh. "Don't you want to go home?"

"No," he said, sighing himself, though his was far more dejected than contented. Absently, his hand found her hair, twining the silky auburn locks between his fingers. It had been two weeks since they'd come to this remote house, and in this time, he'd found the peace that his life had been lacking for so long. But more than that, he'd been able to spend that time completely alone with her, which was something he'd wanted badly ever since their relationship had begun. Glancing down at her, he grinned. Murrue's flawless face wore a gentle smile, an expression of complete serenity...which mattered much more to him than his own.

She needed this as much as I did. The chance to just let go of everything and relax. And we got to share that together...

"Hey.." he murmured, nudging the young woman. "You asleep?" Murrue didn't answer right away, simply stayed where she was, head pillowed on his lap, looking for all the world as though she were sleeping. Then eventually she pried open one amber eye, gentle smile becoming slightly rueful.

"I was," she admitted, reaching up to rub her eyes with a fist. Sitting up a little, she leaned against his shoulder, stifling a yawn. Mwu chuckled, wrapping her up in a hug and kissing the crown of her hair.

"I'm glad," he said softly. "You need to relax more. Because I just know that when we get home, you'll throw yourself into your work again, and I'll hardly see you.."

"Is that why you don't want to go home?" she asked, raising her head to regard him with a still-drowsy gaze. "You're worried that I'll work too hard?"

"I know you will," Mwu replied, beginning to caress her hair again. "You always do. That's why I'm glad we came here, away from all that...and I wish we could stay here forever.."

"Wouldn't you get bored after a while?" Murrue asked, gazing up at the sky which had begun to fade from blue to violet with the approaching sunset. "It would be nice to live somewhere like this, but it's pretty isolated. Wouldn't you miss everyone?"

"Not if you were with me," he said cheerfully, kissing her cheek. "Think about it." Looking up, he gestured to the orange orb of the sun setting over the ocean, making the field of grass seem as though it were on fire. "Don't tell me you wouldn't like to live here..."

"Don't tempt me," she murmured. I have to admit, it's a nice thought. To just settle down here, away from everything, away from all the responsibilities we have back home. To just be with him, like I wanted in those two years. But...

"I know," he said, a smile in his voice. "It wouldn't work out. Living in total peace and quiet is nice for a holiday, but I think we'd start getting on each other's nerves after a while if it was permanent.."

He's right. We're just not the kinds of people who'd be able to live like this forever. We'd start getting restless with nothing to do. But even knowing that, I really don't want to go home just yet...

Getting to her feet, Murrue stretched out in the last of the sunlight, before draping the blanket she'd been resting on around her shoulders.

"You want to go for a walk?" she asked, holding out her hand. Mwu nodded, taking the hand and standing up to join her. They did this most nights, walking through the field or along the beach, talking quietly, swapping stories, and remembering the time they had spent together on the Archangel. These shared memories had helped rekindle their relationship, counter the shyness and slight distance that had invariably grown between them in the last two years, and cause them both to laugh again. And on these walks, for the first time, they had begun to make plans for a possible future together. These plans, such as they were, were more than a little hesitant. It's just hard to believe that it's really all over now...

As they walked together hand-in-hand, they spoke a little, though most of the walk was spent in companionable silence. More than once, Murrue found herself glancing up at the one beside her, a soft smile curving her lips. It still didn't feel quite real..that he was really here. But..

Closing her eyes, she leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder.

"You okay?" he asked, winding an arm around her waist and pulling her close. "Here, c'mon.." They sat down together, she nestled close to him and enjoying his warmth.

"Can we do this when we get home?" he asked, azure eyes trained on the stars. "Be like this?"

She smiled. "Come out to see the stars? Sure.."

"I mean live together," he clarified. "Find a house, settle down.." Peeking round, he grinned at her sudden blush. "When we were together before, I used to imagine what it might be like.."

"You never said anything about that," she murmured, amber eyes fixed on her lap, cheeks still crimson.

Mwu chuckled, hugging her tightly. "It wasn't really the time, was it? We had each other, but we had the war as well, and..."

"And I never wanted to talk about after the war," Murrue finished, finally looking up at him. "I'd made plans for a future before...and when I did..." Her voice trailed off, and he kissed her cheek gently, understanding.

"But.." she began again, reaching out to thread her fingers through his hair, "the war really is over now. And...and I think us living together...I'd like that.."

Mwu nodded, smiling. "So would I. And I'll take care of you."

That caused her to huff, folding her arms in mock annoyance. "Who said I needed taking care of?"

"Me," he replied, tugging her onto his lap and nuzzling his face into her hair. She tried to wriggle free, but he held fast, grinning at her laughter as his lips tickled her skin. "I'll always take care of you.."

"I didn't expect to see you both back here so soon. Did you enjoy your holiday?"

Smiling, Lacus handed her friend a glass of ice tea and sat down beside her on the porch. "Fllaga-san does seem happier now though.."

Murrue nodded, amber eyes trained on the blonde man. Mwu was dashing around on the beach, chasing some of the orphans. He was laughing, the merry chuckle blending with the giggles of the children, and it made the woman watching smile.

"He is," she replied softly. "The break was just what he needed.."

"You were what he needed, Murrue-san," Lacus pointed out, resting her hand on the older woman's shoulder. "The peace and quiet helped, I think, but what helped most was the fact that you were there.."

Murrue smiled, but didn't say anything. Mwu had told her the same thing, that he had enjoyed their break, but enjoyed most the fact that she'd been there to share it with him. It had helped him to rediscover his old self, and helped to bring back half-forgotten memories of their time together. They had shared stories, laughed at old jokes, practically lived in each other for the last fortnight, and in that time had come to understand that whatever happened, they would always be together.

"You think we'll be all right?" she asked, and Lacus nodded happily.

"I know you will..."

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( All done! Fwee!

Please read and review! )