Ryu waved at his friends, his other hand holding a large hamburger. Jimpei jumped over the counter and ran to Jun and hugged her. She reached down and put her arms around him, and smiled. It was good to be home.

"Well, it seems we are all here. So Joe where did you go for your vacation?" Ken's eyes were hard as he looked at Joe.

"I went to a tropical island and just relaxed." Joe then ignored Ken.

"Well we should all get some rest, since Nambu wants to see us early in the morning," said Jun.

Jinpei released her and stepped back. "But Jun, I want to party."

"Not tonight young man."

"Ken walked over to Jun, studying her face seeing the happiness that she couldn't seem to hide. "I want to talk to you later Jun, how about after the briefing?"

"Okay Ken, if you want." Ken glanced at the others, and then finally at Joe. "I'll see you all tomorrow." He left and went to his car, Ryu picked up his last burger and followed. Jinpei, grabbed the dishes to take into the kitchen.

Joe turned to Jun, a warm smile on his face. "Well, when do we tell them?"

"I don't know yet, we have three months before we are disbanded if all stays quiet. How about then?"

"Going to be hard keeping this a secret, and getting together."

"I know, but we will manage." She was having a hard time keeping her hands off him, and she could see it in his eyes, that he wanted…

"Jun, I am going to listen to my music in my room for awhile."

"Well use your headphones, we don't want to bother our neighbors."

"Alright, Good night Jun, and See you tomorrow Joe." He ran up the stairs and Joe turne to Jun, and pulled her into his arms.

"How about I join you in your room? He wont hear a thing, and I really don't want to be alone, ever again."

"I don't either. But we must be careful." She took his hand and led him up the stairs.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Next day the five were waiting for Nambu to show up. Ken sat thinking. During his vacation he had met a female pilot and he had actually taken her out a few times. He had liked her, but he had felt he was betraying Jun. But was he really? The war was over, at least he hoped so. 'Am I hanging on to Jun, because she is like an old shoe? Comfortable, no real surprises anymore? Because I know we get along? Am I afraid of the fact that I still haven't….'he blushed, 'and I have no experience with women like Joe has.' He glanced at Joe, and then turned away. 'Why am I jealous of him? He has never ask Jun out, mainly because of his loyalty to me, his brother. What if he won Jun. Would it be so bad?'

"Sorry I am late team. I am sorry to say there is some rumblings of Galactor is up to something. Seems he is trying to be quiet about it. But my sources say, he is fixing to strike." He could see the expressions of his team, and their disappointment. There was nothing he could do, at least they had a vacation.

"Sir, what do you want us to do?"

"Ken, be alert and when I give you the word I want you to take Galactor down."

"Will this war never end?"

"I hope so Jun, I am tired of it as well."

"We will wait for your signal." The team got up and left the room. Jun turned to Ken, her green eyes tmeeting his.

"What did you want to talk to me about?"

"It's nothing Jun, I just met someone on vacation is all."

"That is wonderful Ken." She was smiling up at him, and his stomach flipped. She wasn't jealous at all.

"She's a fellow pilot, and beautiful."

"I hope I get to meet her soon."

"You just might, talk to you later Jun." He walked off as Joe came walking towards them. Why did he tell her that? Was he testing to see if she loved him? Or was he testing himself? Did he want Sarah?

Ken turned and went down another corridor, as Joe came up to Jun. "Hi Hon, ready to go on a picnic with me?"

"Let me see, I think my schedule is fairly open today," she answered coyly, and looked up at him through her lashes.

"Come on, I have plans for us today. He reached behind him and pulled out two red roses from behind him and handed them to her. She took them and smiled at him as she smelled their fragrance.

"I am glad I have you Joe."

"Come on sweetheart, lets get out of here." He took her hand and led her down the hall, smiling.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Two weeks later Joe was helping Jun cleaning the apartment while Jinpei was staying over at Ryu's. Jun watched him out of the corner of her eye. He was doing a fairly good job at it. How lucky she was, He was so thoughtful, kind and he spoiled her rotten. Unlike Ken he had never hit her. She knew she had made the right choice. Over the years she had thought herself not Joe's type, since he never asked her out. She would never regret her decision, for she now knew what love really was.

The blinking lights on their bands alerted them to the fact of the upcoming battle. Joe looked over at Jun, and wanted to leave her behind, so she would be safe. But he knew she wouldn't stay. He took her hand and they raced out the door.