Joe moved away from Ken before he really hurt him. He wasn't going to let the commander ruin his chances, never again. He had stood back and watched, not moving in on Jun like had wanted, for he did love her, always had.

Jinpei came down the hall, he was whistling some terrible tune and was headed towards where Ken was. He looked up at Joe and just smiled as he passed. Joe kept moving, he had to pick up something for Jun before he went to see her.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Ken was getting to his feet when Jinpei came in. Jinpei glanced at him and then back at the door. He knew who had put that bruise that was beginning to swell and change colors on Ken's chin.

"Ken, what were you fighting about?"

"Nothing Jinpei."

"Jun, I know it. She is different that she was, since she died. Do you think she is really our Jun?"

"Yes, I know she is. She is just confused is all. By the time she gets out of the hospital she will be back to normal. You will see."

"But she wants to be with Joe. But she is yours, big brother."

"Well I always thought so, kid." Ken started towards the door, and stopped, "Maybe I can help her change her mind."

Jinpei smiled, "Go get her big brother!" Then turned and went over to the tv and turned it on to cartoons. He settled down on the sofa, waiting for Jinpei and those burgers.

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Ken walked into Juns room and over to her bed. She looked up at him and smiled. Ken reached out and took her small hand in his, and kissed her on the forehead. "I am glad to see you feeling better."

"I am just glad to be alive. I wonder how that man did it? Saved me?"

"I don't know, but I am grateful to him for it. I don't want to lose you, Jun." Jun searched his face, and saw pain in his eyes, and other emotions flittering across his face. What was he saying?

"I don't remember much from that time."

"It's good you don't remember the pain. Jun, I have been thinking. I know I have never said it before, but I do care for you, deeply. I don't want to lose you. Would you wait for me? " He looked at her hoping for the answer he so desperately wanted to hear.

"Ken, I… somethings changed. In here…" she pointed to her heart, "I do care about you, but it's not the same. I love Joe, maybe I always have. Maybe I didn't look beyond the looks, chosing the pretty boy. Instead of the one who might not be as handsome, but had far more to offer me. I don't know, perhaps I am just tired of being alone, waiting for what might never come. Perhaps I am not wearing blinders anymore. I don't want to hurt you Ken, but perhaps you don't really want me either. Or you would have found a way for us to be together. We aren't right for each other.

Ken stood there staring at her, going over in his head what he had just heard. Could it be? Nah, it couldn't be that. He turned and paced up and down to the window and back again. He ran a hand through his hair and then looked back down at her.

"I don't agree Jun, you should think about this more. Joe, well you know how he is. He changes girls like he does his briefs. He has one thing on his mind, always trying to look up your skirt, and trying to see you in the shower. How honorable is that?"

Jun reached out and touched his hand, her eyes warm and tired. "Ken, you don't really know that other side of Joe. I have seen it, when I am with him, he doesn't have to put on that macho act, he is just himself. He and I have spent a lot of time together in the past. The real Joe, is a very rare man. A side of him that only a woman he loved would see."

"You love him." And Jun could tell that he had finally realized it, and accepted it. "I guess I should be going. Forget what I said, Jun." He turned and walked out the door. Jun lay there, tears rolling down her face, she had hurt Ken, though she had not meant to. She just couldn't let Ken go on hoping, now he could move on.

The door opened minutes later and Joe walked in. He saw the tears drying on her face, and hurried over. "Whats wrong Jun?"

"It's alright Joe. Ken was here earlier, and he and I had a talk. I hurt him Joe." He sat down on the bed and pulled her into his arms, and held her.

"It will be alright Jun."

"I know it will. As long as you aren't going to change me like you do your briefs."

"What?" Joe asked as he moved her away from him, looking into her eyes.

"You know change me for a fresh one."

"Oh, never happen my darling. You are stuck with me, forever." He leaned and kissed her. She wrapped her arms around him and he pulled her close.

The End……..