A.N First of all, I would like to apologize to everyone for how long this took. Combination of drama IRL and writer's block. Also, my usual corrections will be coming later today or tomorrow. My apologies in advance for redundant updates but some of the files I need are MIA the moment.

On a happier note, I have already posted the first illustration for this story on DA under the user name nw23111.

AN2-7-18-2021: Sorry about the notifications. I just got the files I needed organized and just finished the corrections. FYI, the new picture is the same as on DA. But I'll let you know when I post more illustrations. :)

And without farther ado, enjoy…

You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding me… Was the only coherent thought that Jack was capable of as he took in the scene before him and realized that his mother's very first impression of one of the most important people in his life was most likely… less than optimal. With said important person being the Japanese teenage girl who was standing in front of both him and his mother without a shirt on and the only thing covering her chest was a black bra.

Smiling as if nothing in the world was wrong, Miko happily stepped forward and introduced herself to the surprised raven haired woman wearing a beige jacket with the slightest hint of green, over a set of blue-green scrubs. "Hi! You must be Jack's mom, I'm Miko Nakadai. It's nice to finally get to meet you. June Darby, right?", then the seemingly friendly and excited teen offered her hand to shake.

Being slightly flustered, it took the older of the two women a moment to catch up with what was happening. Giving a smile of her own, June took the hand of the strange young woman who her son had brought home and replied, "Why thank you. It's nice to meet you too. You said your name was… Mi-Miko?", June's voice gave out as the name clicked in her mind and both teens watched as recognition slowly dawned on her face.

Seeing that the woman was somewhat stunned, Miko changed her expression to the same friendly and reassuring smile that she had used when introducing herself to Raf that morning. And she patiently waited while her partner's mother held her hand in midair, even slightly tilting the arm so that June could clearly see her tattoo that was identical to Jack's.

As they continued to stand in silence, June's mind raced for a solid minute before she was able to somewhat compose herself.

Releasing Miko's hand, June took a deep breath and then looked the girl in the face, having to tilt her head up slightly as she realized that this girl was the exact same size as her son, before asking the question she already knew the answer to. "Miko Nakadai, you're the other survivor aren't you? Jack's teammate, right?...", the woman finished the enquiry just before her voice broke again.

Miko's smile grew as she replied with a shrug, "Yep! Teammate, bestfriend, partner. Pretty much any word you can think of that describes a positive, non-blood relationship fits in there somewhere.", deliberately choosing to focus on the end of June's questions. And while she had been speaking, Miko shifted her stance into parade rest, with her hands neatly folded behind herself. She was now slightly rocking back and forth on her feet, fighting her urge to hug the older woman. Miko had always known that Jack favored his mother when it came to physical appearance, going back as far as his description of his mom during training. But now looking at her partner's mother in the flesh and blood, she was starting to wonder what Jack had inherited from his father. From where Miko was standing, this woman had the lion's share of Jack's identifiable traits, easily seen now as she had a slightly confused and overwhelmed look that reminded Miko of when she had met Jack on the first day of training. And if she didn't know any better, with how young June looked, the two Darbys could easily pass as brother and sister. Not that Miko would ever judge her partner's mother for whenever her son had come along. She couldn't really throw a stone in that area anyway, given her and Jack's track record.

Jack watched the scene play out from behind his mom with a raised eyebrow, surprised that Miko had somehow managed to make her lack of attire a non-issue. Between this and how she had handled herself in homeroom that morning, it was clear to him that Miko's social skills had improved over the last four years. Although, given how close her last sentence had come to the expected Miko T.M.I, Jack still held his breath as he waited for the other shoe to drop.

Nodding her head politely and choosing to not read into Miko's reply, at least for the moment, June made more of an effort to calm herself before asking, "Are you just visiting the country or…", she again trailed off with just a hint of fear in her voice.

Miko's smile brightened even more as she saw an opportunity to put the single mother a little more at ease. "Nope! I'm in Jack's class as a foreign exchange student. And before you ask, no one sent me here, promise. I just got really really lucky with the school I chose. Although, I'm still a bit miffed about the lieing brochure that said that this was the music and entertainment capital of the world.", Miko said with her arms now crossed and a sarcastic smirk on her face. Then glancing at Jack, she quickly added, "And just so you know, Jack lost a little bet he made with me at school today, so now…"

Really, Miko? Please please please! Don't say anything about Vegas!... Jack silently begged. Knowing exactly what kind of conclusions his mom would jump to if she thought him and Miko were headed there.

Miko's expression turned into a familiar combination of mischievous and smug as she finished her sentence, "I get to see all his baby pictures."

And… that's almost worse. The now humiliated young man groaned in defeat as he bowed his head and considered tracking down a certain blue motorcycle and asking politely to be stepped on.

June meanwhile couldn't help laughing, although she was still hesitant about this strange girl showing up out of the blue. "I think that can be arranged.", she said between chuckles. Then, after cleaning her throat asked, "I didn't know if you heard but you wouldn't mind pizza would you? I'm sorry but I didn't know we were going to have company."

"Really?", Miko asked June with mocking humor in her voice, before looking directly at Jack and saying, "Wow Jackrabbit, you couldn't have shot your mom a text or something the whole time we were talking or on the way here? You really are starting to slip.", with a smile and eyes full of laughter.

Slowly lifting his head as he pitched the bridge of his nose to relieve the headache he felt coming on, Jack replied sarcastically, "Y'know, I probably would have thought about it if I didn't have someone nagging me about how boring I've apparently become.", with a little bit of humor starting to creep back into his voice.

Not being able to resist getting in the last word Miko shot back, "What do you mean become? I'm pretty sure that the only thing that kept you from turning into a robot was hanging out with me.", with an amused explanation that said that she was perfectly aware of what she just said.

Jack's only reply was a flat lock that said, really? Did you just really make that joke?

Instantly, Miko's face lit up with the very first expression that Jack had ever learned to read off her. Yep! I did that and I regret nothing!

Clearing her throat, June interrupted the nonverbal conversation between the two. "Well, I guess I have a call to make then, I'll be in the kitchen if either of you need me. Feel free to make yourself at home Miko.", she said with a small smile towards her guest before stepping out of the room.

Waiting a moment for his mother to exit, Jack quickly closed the distance between himself and Miko before asking in a whisper, "Miko?! What the actual-".

"What?" Miko cut him off with a sweet smile. "I'm helping you ease her into everything.".

"How is this, easing her into anything?!" Jack asked, flabbergasted, gesturing to Miko's shirtless upper body.

Miko simply rolled her eyes as if she was about to answer the most obvious question in the world before saying, "Nonverbal communication. With just one look at me, your mom now knows that you and I have been through the exact same shit together and that we're very comfortable around each other. And before you say anything, I could've told her about everything between us. But I am following your advice."

Jack was left to stare at Miko in slack jawed silence.

Miko chuckled before patting Jack on the cheek playfully and leaning forward to whisper in his ear. "Relax, I've got this covered Jack-chan.", she then turned and made her way back to the couch.

Standing there in silence, Jack mentally reviewed the conversation he had with Miko before his mother arrived. And to his horror, realized that his partner had taken his advice as a directive to "Help" with adjusting his mom to their new(old?) status quo. Oh dear God, what have I done?

As June calmly made her way into the kitchen her mind in contrast to her posture, was in a state of absolute chaos.

Despite how sociable Miko appeared to be, the single mother couldn't help but worry about what kind of influence her son's old... friend? Team mate? Partner? Partners? What does that even mean in their context? The government said that they were never deployed. Was Miko talking about the training that they went through or… NO! Not possible. The two of them were only twelve years old when they were sent home. Granted, even I have to admit that when he came back Jack was one Hell of a twelve year old. His physical condition even at that age would put almost all other teenagers and young adults to shame. And it's not entirely unheard of for twelve year old boys to…

Shaking her head slightly, June glanced behind her just in time to see the young lady who had sent her mind spinning pat her son on the cheek before whispering something in his ear, doing nothing to help the raven haired woman's unease. Taking a deep breath and forcing herself to focus, June continued her way into the kitchen while thinking to herself. It doesn't matter, that was then and this is now. No matter what happened or how well adjusted he seems, Jack still needs my support. And alienating one of the people closest to him would accomplish nothing.

In spite of her mental declaration, June couldn't help the old insecurities that had been there since the day she first found out she was pregnant, now added to by the voice in the back of her mind saying that this total stranger knows her own son better than she does. And June was honest enough with herself to admit that a green eyed monster was starting to raise its hackles. However, whatever feelings she was having about the Japanese teenager were quickly replaced by sympathy, as the single mother remembered one important fact that she told herself, There is a reason that they are so close, even as the words that would be burned into her memory as long as she lived came into painfully sharp focus.

"...over ninety nine percent mortality rate…"

However much she didn't like it, June had to concede that it made sense for her son to be close to the only human being on Earth that had been through the exact same trauma that he had. Add to that, that said person is an attractive girl the same age as Jack, June figured that she couldn't get too upset if things lead to… a certain point.

But on the other hand, the maternal instinct inside of June couldn't help but be concerned that the Japanese girl's presence would somehow undermine all of the progress that Jack had made. She still vividly remembers being woken by the sound of a gunshot to find that not only had her home been broken into but that her thirteen year old son had quickly and efficiently terminated the trespasser. The only thing more unsettling about the event was how much of a non-effect it had on Jack. And his obvious confusion as she tried to explain why they needed to call the police, even though the situation had already been… dealt with. More to the point, June remembers the months of work that it took, both before and after that incident, just to get her son to function as more than just a hyper efficient bodyguard. Although June did admit to her shame, that she did indulge some of her son's militaristic tendencies. Having one's son kidnapped and experimented on by shady government types has a tendency to leave someone a bit paranoid. But thinking of her own son's recovery once again put her new house guest into a sympathetic light. If she remembers what Jack told her correctly, then the girl was an orphan. God only knows what kind of support the teen had gotten over the years or lack thereof. And it's entirely possible that watching June interact with her best friend was the first real example of a parent and child relationship that Miko had seen in a long time.

The raven haired woman was startled out of her thoughts by the voice on the other end of the phone asking to take her order. Glancing around herself, June only then realized that she had went through that entire thought process in the time it took for her to come into the kitchen, check the charge of her cell phone, plug it in, locate the receiver for the house phone and call the local pizza shop. Resolving to put her waring emotions on the back burner and focus on acquiring that evening's dinner, June clearly and calmly provided the necessary details to the employee on the other side of the line. All the while, sneaking an uncertain glance back toward the living room and the two kids within that had been through way too much for their age.

TBC…