Spoiler Warning: Scenes taken place after Phase 33 of SEED
AN: since I love the NeoMurrue relationship as well as AndyMurrue potential, it got me wondering, what would've happened if Andy was there when they found Neo? So I wrote some AU scenes regarding that. I was gonna put it all in one shot, but decided to break up the scene according to the approx timeline (about 3 parts).
RIVAL
by MapleRose
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Part I.
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"Here"
Murrue raised her head at the voice. There, in front of her desk, stood Andrew Waltfeld, holding out a mug of steaming coffee.
The gesture brought back memories, but still, she accepted the mug, grateful for the warmth it provided and the strong scent invading her mind, talking it temporarily away from the problem at hand.
Andy stood there, watching her, not sure what to do. She wasn't looking at him, but rather at the coffee. Her eyes were red, and there was a pained expression on her tearstained face. He wasn't sure whether to leave her to her thoughts, or stay and say something.
To tell the truth, he had felt a slight disappointment when he heard the analysis of the prisoner they brought on board. He was glad that his comrade had survived, and was alive and well, but he was disappointed because he knew it meant that Murrue would be his once again. Was he jealous? Perhaps. Even though their attachments to their respective loves were strong—Andy had never stopped loving Aisha, and he knew the same went for Murrue—he couldn't help but develop feelings towards the Archangel captain in the two years that they had lived together. Perhaps it wasn't really love, but he had come to care for her and think of her as more than a friend. He knew it wasn't right, and didn't pursue the matter further, but it happened anyway.
In reality though, no matter how much he tried fool himself, he knew that he could never love Murrue, and she would never love him, because she belonged—and always will—to Mwu La Flaga; she could never let go of those feelings for Mwu, even if he was gone forever. The expression presently on her face spoke of it all. Even though it hurt her to see him so different, and the lack of recognition in his face, she still wanted to stay with him. Andy really couldn't compete.
"It, it'll be okay," he spoke hesitantly. The truth was, he didn't know if it would be okay, but he didn't like the sadness in her face, and wanted to take her pain away with words of comfort, if only for a while. Awkwardly, he reached over and gently patted her shoulder, and handed her some tissue to wipe away her tears.
"He'll remember. The genetic evidence is there."
She nodded and smiled, sadly. His words didn't do much to comfort her, but at least he tried.
"Thank you."
Sensing that there was nothing more he could do, and that she wanted to be alone, he moved towards the exit. Pausing at the door, he turned.
"Please don't worry yourself so much about it." With that, he left.
"I'm sorry, Captain Waltfeld," she whispered as he went out.
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Andy watched the sleeping man. In appearance, he really did resemble Mwu, except for the scar across his face and the longer hair. It seemed like he never left. Andy only heard what had happened at Jachin Due two years ago—he didn't actually see it happen—but he was still as amazed and mystified as the rest of the crew at this man's amazing survival skills and his sudden appearance—okay, maybe not the survival part, seeing as the Tiger survived a fatal explosion himself.
Presently, the man who called himself Neo was sound asleep. His face was so peaceful and serene, as if he had no idea the amount of pain and sadness the woman down the hall was experiencing because of him.
That thought evoked anger in Andy as he stared at the man in distain. He wanted to shake Neo awake and yell at him, forcing him to remember what he'd done.
Do you have any idea how much pain you put her through in the last two years? You irresponsible bastard!
Andy remembered her cries of anguish in the middle of the night after having a bad dream, the tears that seemed to flow endlessly from her amber eyes as she came across a memory, and the sadness that lingered in her haunted features.
Do you have any idea what you're doing to her? he screamed in his mind at the man, and just when her wound finally started to heal, you come out of nowhere and cause her even more grief! She's crying right now, and you don't even know!
Andy clenched his fists in anger. He didn't know exactly what Neo said to her, but he'd seen her tears as she rushed out of the infirmary.
How can you do that to her?
The Tiger took deep breaths to calm himself down. No, it wasn't exactly his fault. As Kira said, Neo somehow had a different memory, that was why he didn't remember.
He clenched and unclenched his fists. No, he was angry not because Neo didn't remember. He was angry at himself, at the injustice of it all. No matter how he tried to deny it, he was jealous. He was the one there for her for the past two years, he was the one who supported her and helped her heal the pain, yet she still loved him, even if he had no clue as to who she was.
The man on the bed stirred and opened his eyes.
"Where am I?" he mumbled as he sat up. Then seeing his handcuffs, he remembered.
"I see you're awake, Commander La Flaga," Andy stated, not knowing why he chose to talk to him.
The man sighed in annoyance. "I told you, I'm not this commander of yours!" He tried to gesture, but discovered that he couldn't due to the chains. "What's with you people! Why am I still tied up?"
"Because you're still our prisoner."
For a moment, the man glared at the Tiger, anger evident in his eyes. "I'm not liking you people."
Andy narrowed his eyes. This man wasn't like the commander at all; there was something about his attitude that he didn't like. Resisting the urge to punch him, he calmly told the man: "Deal with it."
Andy turned, about to leave, but the other's man's sudden question caught his attention and stopped him.
"Wait!" he called out, "That woman, who is she?"
"The captain." Andy answered simply without turning to face him.
"No, I mean—" he was about to say something, but stopped himself, as if not sure how to clarify himself.
A moment of silence passed. Andy stood rooted to the spot, as if sensing the other man had more to say. And indeed, he did.
"Why was she crying?" he asked quietly, as if talking to himself, "I mean, I didn't think what I said was that rude."
Andy was pleased to hear a hint of remorse in the man's tone. Turning slightly to the other man with a wistful smile, Andy answered quietly, just loud enough for the man to hear, before heading out the door.
"Because she still loves you."
(to be continued...)
AN: sorry, Andy was kinda ooc there, but I think I'd be angry/envious if I were in his position. and I was listening to "Akasuki no Kurama" while writing this, so it kinda explains why it turned out so dramatic...
Also, anyone have a better suggestion of title?