The weather was wet and slippery, and the soldiers attacked the Gatchaman. Jinpei smiled as he attacked, his skinny body flying through the air. Joe threw his shurkin, the long sharp spikes digging deep into flesh, killing the enemy, his hands and feet breaking bones.

Ken, could see fear in the eyes of those he faced. He fought and killed easily, not paying attention to those who fell at his feet. He glanced around seeing his team mates, and his heart dropped, as he dropped the last one as a neck snapped.

Joe was moving, towards their fallen team mate even before Ken had started over. Joe came down on his knees beside Jun, lifting her up into his arms.Ken fell to his knees, on the other side. One shaky hand coming down onto a bloody cheek.

"Jun...." He glanced at Joe who was checking her chest wound with one hand. He looked up and shook his head with tears streaming down his cheeks. Blood came out of her mouth, on the right side. Ken pulled her into his arms, cradling her close to him. She opened her eyes. The deep green cleared and were focused.

"Ken, Joe." Ken felt the tears burning his eyes before they flowed. "I wish..."

"What Jun?" Ask Ken as he pulled her helmet off, and ran his fingers through her hair. Joe took her hand and held it between his two.

"That things had been....different. Too late now."

"No it's not, I wont let it be." Ken was feeling frantic, and he voice rose, She turned to Joe, seeing his tears she lifted her free hand and brushed at them.

"Joe... You are a great kisser. Wish I could have found out if the other rumors were true. I always loved you. If not for Ken, I would have chosen you. I should have, we are more alike."

"I love you Jun, always have. I wish you had given me a chance." He said softly as he leaned and kissed her on the lips.

"Ken, I love...yoouuuuu." She was having problems breathing, as she coughed and brought more blood up. You never..." He shushed her.

"Jun....I..." She put her finger on his lips.

"Too late. Take care of...each.....oth..er. Ken be more like...Joe. Joe be more cautious. Not in hurry to see you on the ......oth.er sideeee." Her head feel back, and her eyes rolled back in her head, as she took one last breath.

Ken sat there, staring at her, numb inside, he couldn't move, couldn't speak. Joe reached out and pulled Ken closer the two holding Jun between them. Both unmindful of the tears that came down, or when Jinpei and Ryu came up.

"G-1, come in. What is going on?" The call went unanswered. Jinpei stood there, then dropped beside the other two boys, and Ryu came and hugged them too. The pain was so that the stranger who came upon them, could feel it, and a sadness came over him. He walked over to them.

"Excuse me. I can help you, if you let me." Ryu looked over through watery eyes.

"You can't help us."

"Yes, I can. Earlier you saved me. Now I can do that for her." All the boys looked at him.

"You make fun of us! She is dead. Dead!" Yelled an angry Ken. Joe stood up and moved angrily over to the stranger.

"You don't know who you are playing games with." The stranger showed no fear as he faced the Condor. He just looked at the young man seeing his pain.

"I can, if you let me."

"What can you do?" Ask Ken, as Jinpei and Ryu stood up and moved away.

"I can give her back to you." Joe just shook his head.

"Liar!"

"Let me, what would you be willing to give to get her back?"

"Anything." Said Ken and Joe at the same time.

"Anything? You may find her changed after this."

"We just want her back."

"Be careful what you wish, young man." He leaned down and looked at her face, that was so peaceful. "You two, I need you two." He pointed to Ken and Joe.

"What can we do?"

"Lay her down flat." Which Ken did. "Now you two, get close to her. I need you each to blow a life's breath into her." Both looked at the man and then at each other. Then Joe leaned over, tipping her head back, and covered her mouth and blew into it, then when her chest went down again Ken followed. Then man put his hand on to Jun's forehead, and closed his eyes. "You have each given to her." He began to mumble and a bright light came out of his hand and into her forehead, it began to cover her from head to foot, before disappearing. Jun's chest rose suddenly and she coughed.

"Jun!"

"She is back, but she needs her wounds tended. Otherwise she could die again. I have repaid you for your help." He turned and left them, as Jun's eyes opened. Ken again pulled her into his arms, as Jinpei began to jump up and down and yell, and Ryu was smiling.

"Ken?" She glanced around, and was confused. "Didn't I....die?"

"Yes, but you are back with us." Ken smiled down at her. Joe was checking her gaping leg wound. He put a bandage on it, and another one on her chest wound. He got to his feet.

"We need to get her back to the phoenix, now." He helped Ken pick her up and Ken carried her to the ship.

In the med department. Joe cleaned the wound and put a pressure bandage on it. Ken stood there, connecting up an IV. Ryu was flying the phoenix back to base. Jinpei was told to stay with Ryu. Jun looked up at Joe, the pain etched in her features, and the tighting of her hand on his.

"Easy Jun, we will get you to the doctor soon."

"Joe, I want to correct a mistake I made. If you will let me." Joe looked at her puzzled.

"What are you talking about?"

"I made the wrong choice, I want to fix it." Joe looked at Ken, who shook his head.

Jun looked at Joe, and he brushed the hair out of her face. "If you want me, then I wont say no. Is it too late? I love you." Ken's jaw dropped as he thought for sure he had heard wrong. She couldn't have said that. She loved him, not Joe. What was wrong with her?