Disclaimer: Shotaro Ishinomori's, not mine.

Even now, Francoise still felt a thrill go through her when she woke up and knew that Joe was within her reach. To have him here, safe, and hers… to be able to just lean over and kiss him while he slept… it would always be special to her. Gently, so as not to wake him, she pushed the hair out of her lover of the past few weeks' eyes so she could study his features more carefully. And why didn't we do this a long time ago again?

Oh, she had had her reasons. First, it was because they were fighting the Black Ghost organization and the mission was more important than her feelings. Then, it was because they had a chance for normal lives again and she didn't want to risk it when everything was finally going so well for all of them. She wanted to wait for just the right time. And while she was waiting, Black Ghost returned, stronger than ever, and she once again decided she would have to tell him she was in love with him after the battle was over.

They had all been very good reasons… until Joe nearly burned up in the atmosphere, and it finally occurred to Francoise how unbelievably stupid she had been all this time. She had nearly lost him once without telling him how she felt about him. She wasn't going to let it happen again.

Francoise wrapped her arms around Joe's naked body protectively. Never again.

She could feel Joe stirring in her embrace. "Mm… good morning." He blinked at her sleepily. "Have you been up long?"

The French cyborg nodded. "Are you always going to sleep this late?"

Joe yawned in reply, shrugging his shoulders. "Well, you tire me out."

Francoise shifted so that she was hovering over him, feigning innocence. "Do I, Joe? Do I really?"

"Well, anyone would be tired after what you di- oh… oh, Francoise…" She smiled to herself as her actions caused Joe's voice to die off in a whimper.

Suddenly, her head tilted up as something unseen by Joe caught her attention. "Uh-oh."

"What's wrong?"

Francoise laid back next to him again, sighing heavily. "Chang and GB are setting the table for breakfast."

Joe gave her a sympathetic grin. "You know Chang will throw a fit if we're late."

She pressed up against him, not yet tired of being reminded he had survived and came back to her safely. Kissing him again, she murmured, "I'm willing to risk it."