Okay! After an absence of...two days (T T) I am back. With more stories...

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"Hey, Chief?" The junior technician turned to Murdoch, a puzzled look on his face. The chief frowned. "What is it?"

"Don't you think it's weird how much the Colonel's changed after that last battle? It's like...he's a completely different person. He's always laughing now, and he seems a lot more comfortable. And...and he doesn't get lost in the ship anymore.."

Murdoch chuckled. "He acts like a different person because he is now. Or should I say...he was a different person."

As the technician listened, Murdoch told him the (long) story of who the Colonel really was, and why he had changed so much now.

The younger man's eyes were wide. "Really? I'd heard about the Hawk of Endymion...but almost everyone says he died at Alaska. And then some people back at Onogoro said he died at Jachin Due...so he's not dead? Just had no memories?"

Murdoch nodded. "Those of us who were on this ship before all remember him, and are really glad to have him back. Especially one person..."

As they spoke, a slim brunette figure tip-toed past, and kicked off from the deck, floating up to the mobile suits. The technician looked back to Murdoch. "Hey...isn't that..the Captain?"

The gruff chief laughed again. "So everything really is back to normal now..."

Mwu was hard at work in Akatsuki's cockpit, typing commands (rather slowly) into the mobile suit's keyboard, when a shadow fell across the front of the board. Looking up, the blonde pilot smiled. "Well, hi there, Captain. To what do I owe the honour?"

Murrue smiled back, and held out a cup. "I brought coffee. I thought that you might need a break.." She settled on the edge of the cockpit door, and the pair of them chatted for a while, and she watched him while he worked.

Peeking up, Mwu laughed softly as he saw the incredibly content expression on his Captain's face. "What is it?"

Murrue shook her head, still smiling. "It's nothing."

It's just...I never thought this could happen again. So when I get chance..I just want to be with you.

All the crew had noticed how happy the Captain was now. The crewmembers who had joined at Orb before the mission to Copernicus had no idea what the change in her was due to, but her old crew knew perfectly well, and were all pleased that this had happened. Some of them were slightly jealous of Mwu's return, those of them who had harboured secret crushes on their captain, but they knew that she deserved to be happy. And her happiness made her that much more beautiful, as if she was lit from within.

Mwu glanced up at Murrue again. She was sipping her coffee, dark eyes closed, and he couldn't help grinning. "Hey, aren't you meant to be on the bridge right now?"

"No," she replied quietly, taking another sip. "I'm off duty now." Her smile became teasing. "Why, am I distracting you?"

He chuckled. "A little. But it's not that. I'm nearly done here, so why don't you go get something to eat? I'll be along soon."

"Okay. See you later." She picked up her cup and leaned down into the cockpit, her scent surrounding him.

"Sure thing, princess." Murrue flushed scarlet at the unexpected pet name, and Mwu laughed again, and kissed her gently.

As the captain floated down, still red in the face, the technician understood.

"So the Colonel and the Captain are together?"

Murdoch nodded, smiling. "Making up for lost time..."

That night, after their meal, Mwu sat at the desk in Murrue's quarters, finishing up the maintenance report, with a sandwich and a cup of coffee by his side. Murrue lay on her bed, already in her night clothes, dozing while she waited for him to finish.

As Mwu put the pen down, he turned to her, then grinned. She was fast asleep.

Sitting down beside the bed, he watched her as she slept. Her beautiful face wore a tiny smile, and he reached out and stroked her soft cheek, his heart skipping as her smile grew.

I'm so lucky. I have a second chance with her, a chance to do things properly...and I don't have to worry about leaving her ever again...

Placing his arms underneath the sleeping woman, he gently lifted her up and tucked her under the bedsheets, kissing her goodnight.

As he turned to leave, she stirred slightly, and mumbled "Don't go...please..."

Early the next morning, Murrue stirred again. Feeling warm breath on her cheek, she smiled sleepily.

So he didn't leave...

Opening her marigold eyes, she watched her lover as he slept beside her. Propping herself up on an elbow, she sighed with happiness.

I never once imagined anything like this could happen. I had dreams that he was with me, but that was all they were, I was still alone when I awoke. Now that this is...I want to be with him for always...

Kissing Mwu lightly on the cheek, Murrue snuggled back down beside him, resting her head on his chest, and fell asleep again.

Kira ran through Archangel's corridor, complaining all the way. He had just come over from Eternal for a visit, and what was the first thing that they made him do? Go wake up the captain. Apparently the bridge had called down to Murrue-san several times, but she hadn't answered. No-one wanted to be the one to go down there and disturb her, so Kira's visit was perfect timing.

What am I meant to do if they're...they're...

Knocking on Murrue-san's door, Kira gulped, not really wanting anyone to answer.

The door slid open, and a very sleepy looking Mwu stood there, clad only in uniform trousers. Kira rolled his eyes.

"What is it, kid?" Mwu asked, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"Mwu-san...you're answering the door in the wrong room again. This is Murrue-san's room..." Mwu blinked, and opened his bleary blue eyes properly. "Oh, right. Oh well. What's up?"

The conversation at the door awoke Murrue, and she checked the clock. Blushing furiously, she threw back the covers, and dashed into the bathroom.

Kira laughed. "So everything's back to the way it was, huh?

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( Just random fluff. But it balances out today's angsty stories very well XD

About the crush on the captain thing...inspired by a fanart where Chandra is kissing a picture of Murrue-san lol

Please read and review! )