She was eight when her mother passed away. Her father, an important man in the japaneese foreign comunity sent her away to a special school. She was alone, frigtened, a stranger in aplace where tey didnt even speak her language. When she met him, she had been crying, hed help her, told her it would be ok , and she believed him. He was older by 6 years, and a trainer at the school . The next day, when in training, she slipped while dodging one of his hits, He promised her hed never hurt her again. And she believed him. When she was 12, they had become inseperable. Hed told her he loved her, and again, she had believed him. It had been a sweet love, young loves usualy are. At 16, tragedy had struck. She had needed to leave. Had promissed him she would be back soon... and he had believed her. But she had never come back, never written, never called. And the young man of 22 was left heart broken, wondering what had happened for his love to lie to him so cruelly.

Julie was on a plane. She was ahead of her team by 30 hours. She been on exercise in Iran when she had received te papers. INstead of waiting, shed made aragements to leave imediatly. She knew shed be welcome even if she was early. Her plane descended slowly over the desert. It seemed cold and lifeless, with no moon shining this night. WHen finally she walked off the plane the cold desert wnd hit her and she shivered. It had been 12 years. and she would finally see him again. It had all happened by chance really... her meeting an old friend in Moscow 6 years ago. Getting news of her old life, her old love. Keeping contact after that had been a pleasure, seing him as often as possible, considering both theyr jobs. and now, Hed managed to get her here... to train with the best of the best. and to see him again. The one shed walked away from , so many years ago.

Julie heard a whisle, Saw a man walk up to her, Tommy. She hugged him hard, he kissed her forehead, as usual, and behind him, a man stood, a few paces away, unmoving. Frozen in place.

Tommy made a sign for the otehr to come closer.

" Come on Snake, i got a suprise for you ".

Julie's heart jumped in her chest. It was him. He wore a mask and a visor, all dressed in black. She had kept the image of the 22 year old young man. But here in front of her stood a 34 year old man. Taller, wider in the chest and the shoulder and much stronger looking. She saw him take a few more paces forward, cock his head to the side. Then, without a warning, he came at her, swept her in his arms and held her so tigh she though she would break.

He felt strong around her. She nussled her faced in the small of his neck and breathed him in. How she had missed him.

The embrace lasted a while. Tommy had taken her bags and was waiting patiently. Finally he said

" ill take your bags to my quarters, ill take the couch... that ok ? "

Snake eyes's head shot up, he made a few hand signals and Tommy looked at Julie.

" He says hell take the couch, he want to catch up, says hed really like you to stay in his room tonight "

Julie didnt have tp think about it long, Snake had crossed over to Tommy and had taken the bags away from him.

Julie, not sure what to think, had simply followed him out into the coridor.

He opened the door and dropped the bags on the floor, motioned to Julie to enter, then closed the door behind her and hugged her again. SHe felt his hands caressing her hair, his hearbeat was fast, so was hers. And sudenlly, she wondered what she was doing here. After 12 years. How could she just show up like that ... was it rigt?

Julie slowly, gently pushed him away, Snake eyes didnt want to let go, but after kissing her forehead he finally reliquished.

" im sorry , She said to him, Im sorry i left, im sorry i never contacted you ... im sorry im here... i shouldnt be here.. "

She went for the door, but as she reached for the handle a strong hand grabbed her and twisted her around; his arms came around her and his lips came down on hers and he kissed her, so sweet, so passionate, just how she remembered it. All theese years ago.

SHe had to hold onto him so she wouldnt fall down. Her breath caught in her lungs. Her head spun, and slowly he lowered her on the couch. They stayed there for a while, no saying anything, just holding each other. She was crying. Hes was there for her. Like hed always been. His mask hid his face but Julie was sure he was looking at her with the same looked he had always had for her. That of a tender never judging lover."

Finally she fell asleep in his arms. He lifted her to his bed and lovingly lay her down. Then he headed for the shower. It had been along day and he needed to think.

Afer 12 years, she was back in his life. Did she know about the accident, did she know about he scars. All his scars, not just the visible ones. He shook his head, looked in the mirror and sighted. The he undressed and jumped in the shower. It had been a long day.