Blast from the Past- 14
Jun and Neil slipped off of the motorcycle and trod apprehensively up Dr. Nambu's driveway. Nambu led them to his office and motioned for them to sit down.
They sat, staring at Nambu, wide-eyed, and wondering what the emergency was.
Nambu sat at his desk, looked down and pressed his fingertips together as he began to speak.
"I want to thank you both for coming out so quickly. I was advised to wait until morning to give the two of you this information, but I knew you'd want to know as soon as possible."
"What is it, Hakase?" Jun sat on the edge of the couch. She felt like she couldn't breathe.
The Doctor's eyebrows knit together as he looked up at Neil. "Neil, how much do you remember about your past?"
"My past?" Neil shifted nervously on the couch next to Jun. "Well, I was adopted from the same orphanage where I met Jun, and I grew up on BC Island."
Nambu shook his head. "Before the orphanage…what do you remember?"
"I was just telling Jun this afternoon, my memories are very vague. My Mother and Father and a baby brother or sister were killed in an attack on the village. I still have nightmares about a fire, and I can still hear their screams…and the baby crying..." Neil winced as he recalled the terrifying memories.
Jun looked over and placed a reassuring hand on Neil's shoulder. She looked back at Nambu as he began to speak.
"I received the test results for Neil this evening…and frankly, I was shocked at the information that revealed itself. Neil, it seems that "our Jun" is your long, lost baby sister. Your DNA is a perfect match."
Two mouths gaped open and let out a choking gasp. Jun and Neil stared at each other as their eyes welled with tears. It felt as if everything was happening in slow motion, making Jun feel almost dizzy.
"You mean, I have a brother? Neil is my…" Jun broke down in sobs as she grasped Neil around the shoulders.
Neil returned the hug as he coughed out his response. "The baby…Jun…you're my baby sister! You survived!"
Nambu grinned at the pair. "Congratulations, you two!"
He was glad he didn't wait to give them the information. Now they have the rest of their lives together…
Just beyond the office, a shadow hovered in the hallway. Ken couldn't hear exactly what was being said, but he watched attentively as the couple hugged and cried. Nambu appeared to be misty-eyed as well, grinning at the pair as he wiped his glasses on his shirt, and calling out his congratulations.
"I can't sleep, now!" Jun smiled as she gazed into Neil's eyes.
"Of course not! Let's go celebrate, Jun!" Neil wiped his eyes, swooped his little sister up off the ground, and turned toward the door.
I knew it...Ken leaned against the wall and crossed his arms. I'm too late…
"You big lug!" Jun giggled. Neil always did get a little overexcited at times.
"You two need some time alone together before the rest of the team finds out. Have fun, you two!" The Doctor waved the pair off and smiled as he turned back toward his bedroom.
Ken zipped away silently to escape on his motorcycle.
As he ran out of the house, pictures of Jun calling his name and running toward him played through his mind. I've lost her…she didn't wait for me…I just can't believe it.
Then, the image of Neil in his goon uniform suddenly broke through the pleasant Swan images, taunting him over and over again. She's mine, Eagle…mine! You let too much grass grow under your feet…and you're too late now!
Ken frowned hopelessly, tears rolling down his cheeks as he kicked up his kickstand and skidded out of the driveway to return home.