Chapter 1

The largest department store in Utoland didn't have it. He had been everywhere, and it was nowhere to be found.

He would never find a Christmas gift for Jun. Ken sighed heavily, mentally checking off the places he had already been.

Clothing was out. Giving Jun something she could never wear would be a cruel joke. Jewelry posed a similar problem, as unknown metals could interfere with their transformation fields. Stuffed animals were too cutesy, books too impersonal.

Of course, it didn't help that he had certain restrictions. For months he'd been hoping to give Jun a special Christmas gift and declare himself, telling her how she occupied his thoughts, day and night.

A nearby television set was tuned to the local news, and tired shoppers sat at tiny tables, drinking overpriced coffee as their weary eyes unconsciously watched the nightly parade of tragedies crossing the screen.

"The cause of riots in Ifriqia has been traced to a scarcity of food, caused by the fraudulent dealings of two Igyptian businessmen. Arrested and interrogated, the two men admitted that they had been working for the benefit of the Galactor terrorist organization."

And there was the rub.

Ken could not allow himself to be with Jun as long as Galactor threatened the world. Jun was an officer under his command. When he had first noticed her as a woman, he had casually put off any serious thoughts of approaching her, anticipating that their war with Galactor would be over in a matter of weeks. Yet all too soon he had realized that it would take a little longer than he had expected. He had soothed his desire for Jun by allowing his thoughts and fantasies free rein, as he had lain alone in his bed, night after night.

Too late, he had discovered that this secretive behavior had only intensified his need for her.

Barely noticing where he was going, Ken trudged through the department store, trying to reach the exit. As he made his way amongst the tide of frenzied holiday shoppers, he suddenly stopped, looking around.

Was someone talking to him?

"I know what's bothering you, young man!" smirked an older woman. Her nametag proclaimed her to be a sales associate for the store. "You are trying to find the perfect gift, for the perfect young woman, aren't you?"

Ken's mouth fell open. How did she know?

"I see it all the time." the woman whispered in an exaggerated fashion. "Young men who can't find a gift. But don't worry, I know exactly what to do for you!"

"You do?" Ken asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable. His eyes shifted around nervously, searching for an escape.

"I know exactly what every young lady needs." said the sales associate, pulling Ken physically out of the path of holiday shoppers and into a small niche lined with shelves full of glossy boxes.

"Cosmetics!" crowed the woman, her face bursting into a wrinkled smile as she gestured to her wares. "What girl wouldn't simply adore a Lanel No. 8 lipstick selection? And just for today, it comes packaged in this lovely silk purse, sure to adorn her arm beautifully as she carries it about town."

Ken nearly choked. He couldn't see Jun needing even one lipstick, much less a 'selection'. And the thought of Jun carrying a purse…

"Uh, I don't think so…" he muttered. "Thanks anyway." He darted quickly back into the crowd, rushing as fast as he could for the exit.

No sooner was he out on the street than he began to hear the calls of sellers lining the market square, doing their best to lure in seekers of Christmas gifts. Ken looked around the area, searching for a store that he had not yet visited; one that might yet hold the thing he sought.

And there it was: a place he had not yet been. It was a small building painted dark green with artfully pebbled windows. It looked fresh and inviting on the cold December day, and Ken moved forward eagerly, opening the door and stepping into the warmth of the small shop. A pretty young girl turned to smile pleasantly at him.

"Good afternoon, Sir." she said politely. "Were you looking for some flowers?"

Ken froze, as he suddenly realized that he was indeed in a florist's shop. Brightly colored blossoms surrounded him. As he turned, a fiery red flower in a pot caught his eye, and he stared at it, transfixed.

"That breed of poppy is beautiful, isn't it?" the salesgirl gushed. "So unique, and this kind has been crossbred with other strains for strength and hardiness. It would make a lovely Christmas gift… for a lady friend, perhaps?"

Ken coughed and sputtered as he thought of giving Jun this flower that bore such a strong resemblance to the Jigokiller that had swallowed her whole the previous month.

Suddenly, lipsticks and a purse didn't sound like such a bad idea.

*****

"So what did you get?" Joe asked, as Ken sank down into his seat at the Snack J. "Show me."

"There's nothing to show." Ken grimaced, wishing for the millionth time that Joe wasn't so damned perceptive. They had grown up together, and while they didn't always see eye to eye, they could usually read each other instantly. In the heat of battle, and during missions, this came in handy. But in their personal lives, it drove Ken crazy. Joe would confront him about something, and not let up until Ken admitted what was wrong and did something about it. But when something was bothering Joe, the Condor would just retreat behind a stone faced mask and not say a word, no matter how much Ken challenged him. On occasion, Joe would open up, but it was always on the Condor's own terms.

How different it was with Jun. She could always sense Ken's moods, but she let him come to her, and made herself available to him when she knew he needed it. Often Ken found himself seeking out her company when something was on his mind. Even if he couldn't tell her what was bothering him, she still had that innate instinct that allowed him to feel as if the weight on his shoulders had somehow lightened.

"What you mean, 'nothing to show'?" Joe's indignant snort interrupted Ken's train of thought. "You've been out all day! Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. You don't have any more time."

"I know!" Ken snapped. "You don't need to remind me."

"All I'm saying is…" Joe paused as Jun came into the room, then 'resumed' his sentence, "you can't expect Galactor to take a break, just because it's the holidays."

"You're right, Joe." Ken said quickly, moving over toward Jun. Once again, she had provided what he needed, which in this case was a way to get Joe off of his back.

"How's business, Jun?" Ken asked.

"Slow." Jun said, leaning her elbows on the bar. "I thought that with everyone doing their last-minute shopping, I'd have a bunch of customers. But no one has come by at all today."

"What am I, chopped liver?" Joe grunted from the back of the room, but Ken ignored him.

"Why don't you get outside?" Ken asked. "Come out for a walk. Get some fresh air."

"Okay." Jun said, a gentle, pink flush staining her cheeks. She was so beautiful when she smiled; so happy with such a small, simple thing.

And it made Ken happy to do that for her.

"Let's go to the park." he suggested, knowing how she liked seeing the green space in the center of the city.

Jun went upstairs to talk to Jinpei about taking over the Snack for about an hour, and Ken found his thoughts drifting to 'what ifs'… What if the war were over? What if he could actually be with Jun? What if…

He blinked as Jun came down the stairs, then helped her with her jacket. As they walked out the door, Ken glanced over at Joe. The Condor winked quickly, before lowering his head to stare into his drink.

"See you later, Joe!" Jun called.

"Don't hurry back." Joe mumbled.