Chapter 29

The further Joe got from Ken, the more his anger cooled. But he still couldn't get the confrontation with the Eagle out of his mind. He needed a distraction.

Swimming… that would help. Joe often found that doing laps in the cool water helped clear his head. With that in mind, he made his way down to the locker rooms. Quickly he changed into his swimsuit and walked into the pool area.

His mind still concentrating on his conversation with Ken, Joe didn't at first notice the slim form cutting cleanly through the water. But as he sat down at the edge of the pool, the water licking at his calves, he heard the familiar spring of the high diving board, and looked up to see the Swan, as graceful as her namesake, gliding through the air in perfect formation. She entered the water without so much as a splash, and he could see her body's wavering image as she swam toward him.

She emerged in front of the Condor, pushing her hair off of her face into a smooth curtain behind her head. She gasped for air, her chest heaving as she took a deep breath.

"And what brings you here, Joe?" she asked the Condor.

Joe had to mentally slap himself to realize that she was speaking to him. Even half-submerged, the sight of her body in a blue bikini was making his heart pound. His mouth suddenly dry, the Condor licked his lips before he responded.

"I needed to cool off." he replied, "But somehow, seeing you here has the opposite effect."

Jun laughed, the sound echoing off of the walls and the high ceiling.

"God, Joe, you are full of it!" she cried, splashing some water into his face. Immediately, his eyes took on a devilish look, and he quickly jumped into the pool to retaliate.

Realizing her mistake, the Swan dove back under the water, attempting to retreat, but the Condor was faster. He reached out, grabbing her ankle and ducking her twice before she escaped, sliding her slim foot through his slippery fingers.

"All right… I give up!" she giggled playfully. "You win, Condor."

"If only all of my battles were that easy." winked Joe, as they swam over to the side of the pool. They both hung onto the edge, submerged to their necks as they spoke.

"Hey, watch who you're calling easy!" protested Jun.

"You know I didn't mean it that way." Joe replied, suddenly serious. "I'd never think of you like that, Jun."

"I know." Jun said quietly. "I was just teasing."

"It's okay." Joe answered, "I'm just a little sensitive about it right now, seeing as the Eagle just raked me over the coals."

"Well, that explains all of those bruises." noted Jun wryly, "Why did he do that?"

"Why do you think?" asked Joe, staring at her. "You had to tell him about last night."

"I didn't tell him much that he didn't already know." offered Jun apologetically. "Apparently he came back to the conference room and saw us… together… there."

So that explained Ken's antagonistic behavior this afternoon in the gym. Joe had been wondering what had set him off.

"So what, exactly, did you say?"

"I just told him that what he had seen wasn't all that happened." Jun replied. "I felt I had to tell him, Joe. He was… he asked for another chance."

"So he's changed his mind… again…" Joe muttered angrily. "When is he going to stop playing games, and finally declare himself, one way or the other?"

"He already did, Joe."

"What?"

"That's why I told him. I felt that if he was offering… that he had a right to know." Jun explained.

"So what was his reaction?"

"He seemed… hurt." Jun answered, her eyes empathizing with the absent Eagle, "But he told me that it didn't matter. That he still wanted…" her words drifted off into the air, and her eyes took on a faraway look. Suddenly, she re-focused her gaze upon the Condor and asked the question that had been on her mind ever since her conversation with Ken.

"Do you think he meant it?" she asked. "I just find it so hard to believe that after all of this time, he's finally made a decision, about us…"

"He meant it." Joe confirmed, compelled to tell the truth, despite the fact that it was not in his best interests. "You should have seen the way he ripped into me. He accused me of taking advantage of you."

Jun did not respond, but merely looked at him thoughtfully.

"Did I?" Joe asked quietly.

"No." Jun replied firmly, "In fact, I was just wondering if I had taken advantage of you."

Joe's eyes radiated a strange mixture of surprise and amusement.

"Hardly…" he drawled, smiling devilishly at her.

"I'm serious." Jun smiled exasperatedly. "Last night I needed someone… and you were there for me. But I wasn't trying to play with your emotions, Joe. I was just caught up in the moment." She looked up at him shyly.

"It was exactly what I needed."

A sudden feeling of warmth rushed through Joe's body.

"Then, I'm glad I was there for you."

"And… you're okay with it?"

"I have no regrets."

"I do…" Jun murmured softly, amused at the surprised look in the Condor's eyes. "I regret that we never… finished."

Joe slowly raised his right eyebrow.

"That could be… arranged…" he whispered, his heart pounding madly in his chest.

Jun gave him a leisurely smile, her eyes sparkling.

Still holding onto the edge of the pool, Joe used his free arm to reach toward Jun, as she inched closer to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. He lowered his head, his mouth claiming hers in a fiery kiss.

For a moment, Jun was lost in the pleasurable sensations the Condor was arousing in her. She pulled closed to him, lifting her legs and wrapping them around his body.

Joe groaned, his passions rising as he felt Jun's bare flesh sliding against his neck and waist. The bathing suit she was wearing was practically nothing at all, and the difference between this, and their fully clothed encounter of the night before, was brought home to him in a rush of desire.

Jun floated in the water, her body melting against Joe's, reveling in the feelings his kisses were creating inside of her. In a way, it was even better than the night before. But in another way…

An image of Ken rose up her mind. She saw him holding her hands, telling her that he loved her, and the hurt look in his eyes when she had told him about Joe.

She couldn't go through with this.

Reluctantly, Jun pulled away, ashamed as she saw Joe's face, his eyes glazed with desire.

"I'm sorry…" she said, her cheeks burning, "I can't do this. I thought I could… I wanted to. But…"

Joe saw the confusion, and doubt, on her face, and kissed her forehead gently.

"I understand." he said quietly.

"I'm sorry…" Jun said again, feeling the inadequacy of her words. "I just need time… to think about all of this."

Joe let out a long breath. Was there still a chance for him?

"Take as much time as you need." he replied, though the words were said with difficulty. "This is something you need to be absolutely certain about."

And then, Joe knew that he shouldn't have stopped her the night before. Now, the Eagle stood between them, and his shadow fell over their every moment together.

"I appreciate that, Joe." Jun replied, softly brushing her lips against his. She gave him a sad look, then pushed off of the edge of the pool, swimming away until she reached the other side. She pulled herself out of the water and walked to the locker room, feeling the Condor's eyes on her every movement.

Joe watched Jun depart with a cold sadness in his heart. He had been the winner in his battle with the Eagle in the Maintenance Bay, but he was afraid that Ken would be the winner in the battle for Jun's heart.