Chapter 29

Jun and Jinpei have been waiting about half an hour when Ken finally arrives at the park. He drops down onto the blanket that they have spread on the ground.

"You're late big bro", says Jinpei.

"Yeah sorry, I needed to finish up what I was doing", replies Ken looking at Jun out of the corner of his eye.

"What exactly were you doing", asks Jun.

"Just stuff", replies Ken. Jun frowns at him a moment before handing him a sandwich.

"If you were too busy to come today you should have just said so", says Jun glaring at him. "Obviously your plane means more than having lunch with us. If that's what you were really doing."

"What's your problem today", asks Ken. "I'm here aren't I? Geez Jun give me some space."

"Space? You need space? You've never had anything but space Mr. Eagle. Go soaring back to your airfield for all I care", snaps Jun.

At this point Jinpei's head keeps bopping back and forth between Ken and Jun. "Whoa, big bro, sis, what are you doing? You guys never argue and I know that you're happy to see each other, right?" Jun folds her arms and looks away. Ken scowls and takes a bite of his sandwich.

"She started it", replies Ken. "Instead of just dropping it, she's accusing me of making up some story. Okay, I worked on my plane today and I also went to my Dad's grave. Satisfied?" He turns to Jun who has turned to look at him.

"I thought you might be going there. I remembered on Friday it's been a year", replies Jun.

"Yeah, well I just needed to go there to think out loud. Sometimes it helps by just being there I can talk to him and it makes me feel like he is really there. I mean technically his body isn't there, but his spirit is", says Ken softly looking at Jun.

"Oh Ken, I'm sorry for getting suspicious. I only do it as I care about you", replies Jun as she lays her hand on his arm.

"That's it, the swallow is taking a trip over to the petting zoo", replies Jinpei jumping up. "I am not going to sit here while you two make goo goo eyes at each other."

"Jinpei!", says Jun as her face turns pink.

"Little bro, you are just cruising for a ..", starts Ken as Jinpei runs off.

"He is such a little devil", says Jun. "But he has been an angel these last couple of weeks. I couldn't ask for a better little brother."

"So how are you feeling", asks Ken.

"I'm feeling much better. Dr. Nambu says I can return to my training, maybe the week after next. I should be back with the team shortly after that. I've missed not being on the missions with all of you. I've missed my motorcycle too." She laughs a moment before she realizes Ken isn't laughing. "What's wrong? You seem really down today Ken."

"I was just thinking. How lucky we've all been. I've always been so eager to go into battle. To get Katse and I've never really thought about the possibility that one of us could die. I mean we've always came close, but none of us have ever been hurt badly enough to be hospitalized. You were in a coma Jun, you could of died. I don't know how I could live with it if you died." He looks away to watch a child flying a kite with his father remembering how once he had done the same thing before the man he idolized disappeared from his life.

"You must never feel guilty if anything happens to me Ken. I was chosen for this team the same as you were. We all know the risks and we've all made the choice to fight Galactor for the interest of the world. I can't say I don't want Katse dead. I'd like to enjoy my life a little more", says Jun.

"I think we all need to chill out once in a while", replies Ken. "I've always been opposed to that, but since our kidnapping I've realized that life is just too short and you need to live each day as it's your last."

"Amen to that", replies Jun. "I hope Jinpei washes his hands after petting the animals."

"Why should he? He's a monkey anyway", replies Ken arching his brow at her.

"Very true", replies Jun. "Oh Ken, its such a beautiful day. Look at how the sun reflects off the lake."

Ken nods a moment before he says, "Hey Jun, I have an idea. Let's go on the swan paddle boats." He motions towards the boats that are turning around the lake. "You don't even have to paddle. I'll do the paddling."

"Sounds like fun and I should be okay. I've been doing some light exercising at home", replies Jun pleased to see that Ken was actually taking his own advice and willing to do something relaxing that didn't involve planes, missiles or bombs.

Helping her to her feet they slowly walk over to the dock and Ken pulls out some money and hands it to the attendant. He extends his hand to help her into the boat and then takes a seat beside her. Paddling away from the dock they start around the lake. Jun smiles to herself as she can't believe her luck that he is actually spending quality time alone with her.

Ken clears his throat a moment before saying, "I want to apologize to you."

"Why would you think you needed to apologize to me", asks Jun in surprise.

"I've been neglecting you lately. I promised you on the island I wasn't going to do that and I've gone back on that promise." He sighs as they continue to paddle. "I met with Dr. Nambu the day after you came home. He was not happy that I continued to stay at the joint for the remainder of that week. I would have stayed longer, but I couldn't prolong it any longer. He ordered me home."

"Oh, well that's okay Ken. You stayed longer than I thought you would. It was really nice of you to help Jinpei and me. We're okay, really", says Jun.

"No you don't understand. He has become obsessed with my behavior, to the point I have to give him a schedule of my activities weekly. I have to account for every moment of my day. If you thought I felt like a prisoner before, now I feel like an absolute slave to the Science Ninja Team", replies Ken looking at her sadly.

"That doesn't make sense, why in the world would you have to account for all of your time? You're of legal age. No one can tell you what to do when you aren't on a mission", says Jun firmly. "I just called you this morning, this wasn't planned ahead of time. He wouldn't actually be angry that you came to lunch with Jinpei and me would he?"

"No he told me that I can socialize with the team", replies Ken. "But it's not that simple."

"What do you mean", asks Jun. "You've always hung out with us in your spare time. What's changed?"

"He said that under no circumstances, unless on a mission I am not to spend any one on one time with you. If he catches me with you, like we're doing now, he threatened to.." Ken slams his fist into the side of the swan boat.

"What? What is he going to do", asks Jun.

"He said that if I couldn't abide by his wishes and keep my thoughts on my work that I'd no longer be considered Gatchaman. He'd make Joe the Condor be Gatchaman and Ken the Eagle would then be known as #2", replies Ken.

"Why does he think that I am so bad for you", says Jun softly. "Is it because I'm an orphan who doesn't know who her family is? Is he afraid that I will convince you to quit the Science Ninja Team? What is it?" At this point their turn around the lake has ended and they dock the boat. Ken disembarks and holds his hand out to Jun who climbs up onto the dock beside him.

Looking around he takes her hand a moment and they walk along the path beyond some trees where he sits her down on a park bench. She looks at him as she waits for his answer all the while he continues to hold her hand.

"I don't want to be removed as Gatchaman. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean to sound conceited. I truly don't, but if there is one thing I think I am good at besides flying is being Gatchaman. I love Joe like a brother, despite our disagreements. If anything ever happened to him I'd be devastated, but I still wouldn't want to serve under him. I couldn't handle being demoted", says Ken softly looking at her with sadness in his eyes.

"So you're telling me that after all the pressure that Dr. Nambu is putting on you that you are breaking it off with me? I know your duty comes first, it always has. I just hoped that there was room in there somewhere for me", says Jun looking down at the ground. She tries to pull her hand away from him.

"No you don't understand. I have to let Dr. Nambu think that I've accepted my fate. That I've chosen the team over you, but he doesn't have to know that nothing has changed. We can act just as before, with no one being the wiser. When we're in situations like this we can just be ourselves", says Ken with pleading eyes.

"But for how long will this go on? I have to ask you what your aspirations are Ken. If Katse isn't defeated and the team remains activated for five, ten years. Will you stay in that position that whole time? Don't you want anything for yourself? I know I'm jumping ahead here, but I want a real relationship Ken. I'm only sixteen, but I know down the road I want a house, a family, and a dog to play with. I'm not a girl that just fools around Ken. Can you guarantee that you can give me all that someday."

"I can't guarantee I'll even be alive", replies Ken. "No one can predict the future Jun. All I can say is that I'm happiest when I'm with you. I don't want to date anyone else. I know we haven't technically dated. I always thought we just had an unspoken agreement and I suppose that was a selfish way to think on my part. You're beautiful and smart. I shouldn't have a right to hold you up on your dreams. I can only promise you today and the day after that and each day as it comes along. If the day comes that Galactor is defeated I'll be there for you morning, noon and night. You'll always have been and always will be my true love Jun."

"Oh Ken I've always loved you too", replies Jun caressing his cheek a moment. "But I would never want to be the cause of you being removed. If Dr. Nambu was ever to discover us like this.."

"He won't", replies Ken. "Because I won't let him and if necessary we have three friends who are behind us all the way." Looking around and not seeing anyone around he puts his arm around Jun and pulls her towards him on the bench. She smiles at him as he leans in and kisses her. She wraps her arms around his neck and sighs softly as he deepens the kiss. Running his tongue over her bottom lip he seeks entrance. This is the most passionate kiss she has gotten as their tongues duel and she finds herself wanting to be closer. Pulling her into his lap she straddles him as they continue exploring each other's mouths. She runs her hands though his hair. He in turn slowly lifts up the back of her shirt, starting to caress her bare back.

Just then they pull apart as they hear someone clearing their throat. Jun slowly turns around to find a police officer standing there. She turns beat red as he stares at the two of them. "Sorry to interrupt this little public display of affection, but does this young man belong to you?" He points at a laughing Jinpei.

"Uh yeah he does", replies Ken rubbing his eyes with embarrassment.

"Well he just let all the goats out of the pen and they're running all over the park, so I suggest that you better take him home before he does anymore damage. Also, I suggest that you two get a room next time."

He walks away. "Gee sis, I've never seen you and big bro sit that close before", teases Jinpei as Jun again turns red.

"Shut up you nimrod! We're going home right now", she yells as she climbs off of Ken. Ken cringes as the two of them fight.

"Um I'm going back to the airfield, catch ya later", replies Ken as he gets up to start to walk away. "Oh Jun, I actually have a test pilot's dinner this Saturday that I need to go to. I wonder if you'd be game to go with me."

"Um yeah that sounds out of sight", replies Jun. "But won't.. he be there?"

"Cool, its formal, you don't have to wear your civvies", he replies as he walks backwards a few steps. "And NO he won't be there."

"Sounds great", replies Jun as they beam at one another.

"I'm going to be sick", says Jinpei as he flutters his lashes and makes gagging sounds.

"Once again, shut up nimrod", yells Jun as Ken laughs to himself as he heads out to the parking lot.

"Aww sis, come on I know you love that you have a real date with Ken", says Jinpei as they turn to go retrieve their picnic belongings.