Warning Sexual referances in this chapter.

The early morning sunlight streamed in through the kitchen window. The beautiful warmth of the sun added to the atmosphere of Madeline's apartment. There were the usual sounds of two people getting started for the day, coffee brewing and general chit chat, pots and pans and the cracking of eggs.

Madeline was walking around the kitchen in only her pale blue long silk satin wrap with ¾ sleeves, lace edged and tied at the waist, but when she looked over at Joe she couldn't help but wonder about him. Life around him never seemed boring. The man in her life was preparing to cook some breakfast and couldn't even be bothered with clothing, instead he was butt naked putting a skillet on the stove and lighting the gas to cook his breakfast of bacon and eggs, his favorite so she learned.

"Youknow, just as a safety precaution you may want to at least put on boxer shorts, or an apron while you near that stove" she stated as she munched on a strawberry. Joe threw her a cheeky smile over his shoulder and went back to his cooking. "Well, one false move and it could put you out of bedroom action for weeks… so be careful with that oil and hot flame". By this time she was standing next to him, running her fingers over his muscles toned buttocks. He gave her a side long look. "Keep that up, Madeline, and I'll really be in trouble." She glanced down bellow his waist line and let out a small laugh, than moved over to the fridge to get out the milk. She had opted for cereal over the bacon and eggs he was cooking.

In many ways they were still getting to know each others habits and little quirks, likes and dislikes. But the more she got to know Joe Asakura the more she fell in love with him. They clicked together in a way that she had not felt with men in the past and at 24, she had a few relationships but they had never lasted long, they just didn't feel right, but this did. Joe was different, that was for certain. There was something familiar about him that she could not put her finger on. She just put it down to the chemistry between them.

There were some things she felt he seemed to avoid with her. He didn't seem to want to take her to his place or to the race track and she knew racing was his passion. He said he didn't want her to worry too much and that his place was small. She didn't push it with him and instead chose to enjoy her time with him. He occasionally took her to his friends bar called the Snack J, but that was about it in his world. She liked his friends, and Jun was lovely, always welcoming her, they both loved music so that gave them something in common. But she wanted to get to know more about Joe's life. Maybe he would feel more willing to let her in as they got to know each other more… maybe.

They had not said the word love between them, but it was only a matter of time. They had spent as much time together as their schedules would allow, even recently Joe had arranged a weekend away to a beach house outside of Utoland. She sometimes felt she could not spend enough time with him, he was so complex, and there was an intense passionate nature about him. He was strong willed but at the same time he could show compassion towards others in a hidden way. He showed the world one thing, but was really another… and only to her did he show this side of him playful and carefree.

Ten minutes later they were sitting at the small table near the kitchen. There was silence for a few moments before Madeline broke it. "So, what are your plans today?" He looked up from his eggs and bacon and looked like he was trying to swallow before answering, then poured more Worcestershire sauce on them. "I'm working on a guy's car today, and then helping Ken for a while at the airfield. Then stopping by the race tracks to see what's happening… How about you?" She waited a moment before replying. "I have a meeting with the conductor and music director this morning, and then practice later. After that I get a rest break before tonight's performance, and then I have to go for hair and make up. It's going to be warm today. I suppose we better make the most of it with winter coming on. Speaking of which, it was a great day yesterday at the beach for Ken and Jun's engagement. That Dr Nambu didn't look to be a happy man, is he always like that?" Madeline looked back down at her coffee for a moment.

Joe laughed at that comment.

After Ken and Jun had announced their engagement, Dr Nambu had them both come into his office to "talk some sense into them". Ken first, Jun next, and then both together. He didn't know the full story yet, but the net result was that they were still engaged and decided to have an informal celebration BBQ with a few people at the beach.

Claudia and the children were there as well as Jun's friend Jay. Dr Nambu even showed up. He never liked the beach and wore long shorts that highlighted his need for more sun, and a hat and long sleeved shirt. Joe could see it was going to take a bit of getting used to for the Doctor, that they were getting married, and Ken's show of affection towards her that day in front of him. It was their engagement after all and no one was on duty, "give him time" he thought.

Joe looked at her and his lips turned up a little at the corners. "He's a scientist, so he's serious most of the time. It was a good day."

Madeline smiled up at him. "They make a great couple, very affectionate. Have they known each other for long?" Joe started to wonder about Madeline's line of questioning… "Yeah, they've known each other as friends up until recently…"

Madeline then changed the topic. "And I didn't know you could surf, Jinpei couldn't get enough of it, but I think you'd have to hold a gun to Ryu's head to get him on a surf board". They both laughed at that.

Joe had memories of the time that Ken had decided, one summer before the first war began, that they should learn to surf for balance and coordination. Jinpei loved it, and went every summer since, and Ken, Jun and he still surfed when they went to the beach. Ryu, however, still cursed Ken when he even looked at a surf board. The big guy had loads of trouble with the whole concept, and Ken had threatened to put floaties on him if he had to keep fishing him out of surf…

"Well maybe if you like I'll teach you sometime…" Joe offered anything to get her back into that hot electric blue bikini that showed her fair skin and sensual body off beautifully. He noticed she avoided the sun. But then again, a sunburn the day before an onstage performance would not be ideal, and as he heard both Madeline and Jun agree, it wasn't worth the pain.

Madeline glanced up at the clock. Time was getting away and she had a meeting to go to. "That would be great… maybe when it gets warmer again," She said as she got up from the table and started to put the dishes into the dishwasher. Joe followed her over and stood, leaning against the counter watching her put the plates in. "I had better get a move on; the conductor gets really nasty if you're late to a meeting with him". She looked up a bit from what she was doing. "So, will you be racing tonight? I should be finished by 11pm, and I could drive out to the racetrack an meet you after… maybe stay at your place tonight…" then she went back to putting in the powder and setting the timer. Joe looked at her with a sly grin forming on his face. "Well, maybe I'm not racing tonight. I have this ticket for a classical music concert tonight. I hear the flute soloist is pretty good"

He waited for her reaction. Madeline looked up at him quickly as if she wasn't hearing right. "You're coming tonight? I…I thought that classical music was not your thing…more like hard rock or something… I had thought that it would bore you to come to a concert… I… I didn't expect you to… Are you coming on your own?" She finally managed to say after feeling lost for words at this sudden information. His smile grew broader at her reaction. "My date is sitting in the front section of the woodwind part of the Orchestra, you have been rehearsing for this for weeks and I know how much it means to you. I'd love to come and hear you play. There is no music more beautiful than yours to my ears… I'm even wearing a suit." his voice got softer as he spoke and she didn't miss the undertones of affection in his voice. She squealed with excitement and threw her arms around his neck, gave him a quick kiss on the lips and then made a dash for the stairs to go have a shower in the bedroom's ensuite.

Joe followed, hot on her heels. She turned to face him when they reached the top landing. He was a few steps bellow her, making her taller than him. She had come to know the look he was giving her and he was closing the gap between them. She waved a playful finger in his face and began to shake her head as he reached for the tie of her robe. "No-no-no-no Joe I'll be late for my meeting" By this time they had reached the bedroom she made a quick move of getting in the door and closing it in his face, just missing his nose. He stood grinning at the door as he heard the shower start, he tried the door. She locked it! As if that could stop the Condor on a mission! He tensed his muscles and turned the knob hard breaking the lock, he then made a mental note to fix it later.

He walked quietly into the bedroom and went over to his jeans and, from a secret compartment, took out a feather shuriken and took off the metal tip. He then ran his fingers along the soft feather and put it between his teeth, heading for the ensuit …

Joe opened the door quietly as plums of steam escaped and he closed the door behind him; he looked at the woman in the shower with a smile on his face and felt the anticipation rising inside him as he watched her slim body moving under the sprays of water from the shower head.

Her long curly hair was pulled back, so it would not get wet and she had started to use the foaming soap sponge to wash her body. Just the site of her moving so sensually and washing her body was turning him on.

Joe walked over to the shower and opened the glass screen door very quietly; he moved in behind her and took the feather out of his mouth.

He ran it gently down the long curve of her spine and watched with growing delight as she responded to the touch with surprise and looked over her shoulder at him with a small smile and a raised eyebrow. "How did you get in here? I locked the door…"

Joe just looked at her, and smiled knowingly." Did you really think it would keep me out?" She continued to look at him as he as he moved in closer.

"But I do like a challenge." He said softly as he pressed his body against hers and whispered in her ear as he put his arm around her waist and ran the feather lightly over her breast following the contours of her body.

She was relaxing more against him was softly moaning as he ran his other hand bellow her waist and began to massage between her legs. He could feel her trembling body at his touch and he pressed harder against her, feeling himself getting harder as he pressed between her buttocks.

She reached up her arms and encircled his neck and tilted her head up towards his face, he could felt her grab a lock of his hair as she pulled his mouth down onto hers into a passionate dance of tongues, he could taste the sweet strawberries in her mouth and Joe wanted more.

She moved around to face him and took the feather out of his hand and ran it down his back and along his buttocks as she moved down his body with long wet kisses, when she reached bellow his waist he threw back his head with a cry of sheer joy at what she was doing to him combined with the feather.

After torturing him with these sensations for a time she made her way back up his body and met his mouth again. The taste had changed and was just as sweet as before.

He picked her up in his arms and she wrapped her legs around his waist as they continued to kiss each other deeply, he felt the pressure of entering her and the intoxicating sensations that followed.

The hot water beat down on them the steam rose with them as he felt her climax and stiffen with pleasure he was giving her as she cried out his name his body responded to her and he called out to her as he felt his own climax.

A few moments later when the hot water had run out, and the bathroom steamed up to sauna levels, they emerged both still panting from the passion and physical exertion of making love in the shower.

They quietly helped each other dry off, exchanging knowing smiles and light kisses of the memories created moments before. "Now I really am going to be late… but it was worth it" she added softly.

She left the bathroom to dress, and Joe wrapped a towel around his waist and went and sat on the bed and watched her get around in her lingerie, finding jewelry and clothes. "She has a great body" he thought as he continued to watch her. At his height of 6'2, it meant she fitted nicely under his arm when they walked together. She was just so right; everything about her seemed to fit him. He smiled as she attempted to dry off her waving dark copper hair, while dressed in a G-string and lacy bra. She hadn't wanted to get her hair wet, but in the shower with Joe in a heated passionate moment it couldn't be helped.

She went in to the walk in wardrobe and emerged a few minutes later dressed in a wrap navy blue dress with red accessories and red strap shoes. She looked over at him still sitting on the bed, and with one eyebrow raised asked "Now you decide to wear a towel?" He stood up and walked over to her taking her into his arms and kissing her passionately until her lips were numb. When they came up for air they stood looking momentarily in each others eyes, something they both felt but was unsaid hanging between them.

"I love you Madeline" he said softly, still looking in her eyes; her heart pounded in her chest at the words he just said. Her eyes searched his for a moment and she saw the love he just voiced in those soft steel grey/blue eyes. "I love you too Joseph" She breathed and kissed him softly again, and then she was gone… calling over her shoulder to lock the door as he left. Joe just stood there ginning like a teenager who just found his first love… "She loves me" was all he could think, over and over…

Joe Asakura was a man totally in love with a woman who was so far from his life in the Science Ninja Team that he wondered how he found her, and that she was in love with him.

Joe made his way into the theatre and stood at the top of the landing, looking around. He felt like a fish out of water with the quiet politeness of the people who attended the performance, who were a far cry from the loud noise of the crowd at the race track, the smell of petrol fumes and the cursing of pit crews as they ran to a deadline to keep the cars on the track to finish the race.

He was about to go and look for his seat, after being directed earlier from an usher at the door, when another usher approached him. The man seemed to size him up a little in a discrete manner before asking "Excuse me sir, are you Mr. Joseph Asakura?" Joe's natural defenses and suspicion after years of training, and the formal use of his name, caused him to give the man a hard look. Madeline was the only person he knew who had ever called him by it; he wondered how this man knew his name. "Yes…" he replied with caution. The man suddenly looked uncomfortable, but still maintained his professional manner. Joe defiantly fitted the description she gave to the usher; he continued "Mr. Asakura, there has been a change in your seating… If you would please follow me?" Joe didn't move, and continued to look at the man. "Why?" he questioned. "Miss Madeline Chauviteau has requested that you be seated in the box that is leased in her name" he stated, pointing to the private theater boxes with balconies above them. Joe looked up in the direction he was pointing and then looked back at him less weary. "Well, O.K then" he said as he adjusted his black jacket, and followed him out of the theatre and up the stairs.

Joe walked into the private box and was generally impressed with the opulence of it. Hand carved wooden panels for sound acoustics and a dark burgundy velvet backed curtain for privacy. There were several plush looking burgundy velvet lounge chairs that sat high enough to see over the edge of the polished mahogany timber rail of the enclosed area, and small timber tables were beside the chairs. The chairs were designed to enable the patron to pull them together and make a 2 seater lounge chair if required. The usher was still standing there. "Is everything to your satisfaction sir" Joe turned and looked at him "Yes…" he said, still trying to get his bearings in the surroundings he found himself in. Before he could turn away the Usher spoke again "Could I bring you a drink from the bar sir?" Joe thought for a moment, and then ordered and Scotch on the rocks, with a coke chaser (better pace it he thought) "Certainly Sir" replied the usher. "I look after the patrons in this area and if you need me, all you have to do is press this button" He indicted to a red button, in reaching distance of the chairs. "Thanks" replied Joe, as the usher moved out of the area.

Joe moved toward to the edge of the balcony and looked towards the Orchestra and smiled. She was down there somewhere preparing for the performance.

He went and sat in the middle chair and waited for his drinks. If anyone had even suggested to him a few months ago that he would be dating a girl not from the racing circuit, but from the upper side of Utoland who played the flute in an orchestra and lead such a classy life, and he would be sitting here listening to Beethoven and Mozart and Tchaikovsky, he would have been in hysterics.

But here he was.

His sharp gaze was taking in his surrounding out of habit when his eye caught two women looking at him from across the theatre from another box. When he made eye contact the younger one about his age gave him a flirty smile and a small wave…at that moment he chose to study the program. Not his usual move but he considered himself taken. Madeline's flute solo was listed; Dance of the little swans from Swan Lake-Tchaikovsky.Wouldn't Jun love that! He thought. She would have backing from parts of the orchestra so he read. Shewould be on first after the intermission. He knew the rest of the time she was with the orchestra, solo's like this were a privilege. This was a why it was so special for him to come. As the orchestra started their introduction piece the usher bought in his drinks, a fruit, cheese and crackers platter and a bowl of macadamia nuts. He gave the man questioning look only to be told it was all on the house.

Joe wasn't about to question further about free food. He sat back with his scotch and listened to the music, and began to find himself relaxing after a few moments. There was something familiar about this kind of music, sure he had heard it at times in shopping centres and other places but never paid attention to it, he much preferring his heavy rock. But he felt like he had heard this piece some place before. It was important but he just could put his finger on it.

Time seemed to have no real meaning as he listened, and his thoughts drifted to the last month and half since he first saw her in the town hall practicing. At times he felt it was like a beautiful dream that Joe didn't want to wake up from. The peace that they had known over the past 18 months had allowed the team to relax. Jun and Ken had become engaged, and he had found real love for the first time in his life. He'd had lovers before, women who he thought he could love; but Madeline made them fade from his memory.

The first half finished, and even though Joe did not want to be social with the hob nobs of Utoland society, nature called and he decided to get himself another scotch from the bar, so he headed downstairs. He was just turning around to leave the bar with his drink when he spotted the two women from earlier, making a line straight for him. He then changed direction to head them off when he almost bowled over someone familiar. "Joe!" Jay said in a surprised voice. "This is the last place I expected to see you, but then again, Madeline is performing a solo suite tonight I suppose?"

Joe saw Jay looking in the direction of the two women who come up beside them and gave them both a sweet smile. "He's taken Ladies" he informed them both. At that, they gave Jay a cold glare, and both turned and acted like they had seen someone else they knew and left. Joe stood and glared at him with that steely eyed glaze that sent goons scurrying. "Vulchers!" Jay said in disgust, still looking at them. He turned and saw in Joe's glaring face." Ohhh, lighten up Joe, I just got rid of them for you didn't I?" He said a little annoyed "How ungrateful you can be!"

"Jay! How could you do that! They will think I'm… well… you know? Like you!" he said between clenched teeth. Jay was friendly and harmless really, but oh so annoying to the Condor. Joe mainly tolerated him because of Madeline and Jun. "It's OK Joe, I'll let it slip, in hearing distance, that you're dating Madeline Chauviteau… or should I say that you're an official couple?" he fished. Joe hadn't really thought about it. This was the first time anyone had asked. Jun had fished a little but he just indicated that they were only dating, however, after this morning... "It is official" Joe replied, looking for a way to escape Jay's company "She's going to be on in a few minutes now, Goodbye Jay" He headed back to his box seating.

Joe was listening so intently to her playing, and watching her onstage, that he a first missed hearing Ken almost yelling at him on his bracelet. "Joe answer me now!" He sat up a little suddenly in his seat, almost spilling his scotch. Putting it down he went out into the hall way. "Yeah Ken" he spoke into the communicator "What is it?" "We've gotta move now Joe!" responded Ken "Where are you? We have to hook up with the God Phoenix!" Joe paused, and considered his options. He had no choice; he had to respond to the Bird Call.

"It's not just another escort is it; if that's the case…" Ken cut him off "You have orders Joe, move out." Joe had been interrupted in many things he liked doing in his life, and felt frustrated to leave in the middle. Normally it was a race that he was winning, but somehow this felt worse… Much worse. How was he going to explain a sudden departure to Madeline, and he was leaving right in the middle of her solo performance. He could leave a note with that Usher, not really a good thing to do, But Joe had no choice. "On my way Ken" he replied reluctantly. "Lucky my uniform is in the car" he thought as ran to find the usher and then hook up with the God Phoenix.