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Disclaimer: I don't own Chun Li, Street Fighter, or anything involving it.

A quick update for Valentine's Day! I hope you all enjoyed your day, and I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
It only has one flashback...I couldn't find a way to add in the requests I got...I was pressing myself to finish this before V-Day was over. Thank you all for reading thus far though! The next chapters will be great.

The Party

The doors of the elevator parted open, presenting the large room full of suit and dress clad party-goers. A lot of them were standing having small conversations. Some of them were at the open bar having drinks and a chat. The rest were networking with big-time executives while listening to the soft classical music surrounding the entire room. It was a cozy setting, one expected of such a high classed man such as Ken Masters.

Chun Li removed her coat, now having her dress presented for all eyes to see. Nervousness instantly struck the pit of her stomach again. She had not been to a party like this before...when it did not involve a mission. One of the women at the door took her coat to put it away safely. Chun-Li's hands nervously fidgeted with each other in front of herself. She was sure many eyes were on her...but she was looking for Ken. Only Ken.

Though she it seem as if she were looking for any other familiar faces by squinting and beginning to join the masses crowding the room. She was on her way to the bar, maybe one of the bar tenders knew where Ken was? Though, she was cut off by the sound of a familiar laugh.

"Ooooh! Ho-ho-ho-ho-ho!"

That could only belong to one, and only one woman. Thank her lucky star.

"Miss Xiang! What a delightful pleasure it is to see you again!" Karin Kanzuki said, starting to head toward Chun Li. Karin's fingers fluttered in a cutesy little wave. Karin herself was decked out in a stunning red dress, matching the red heels on her feet, and her own lipstick.

"Oh...h-hi there Karin..!" Chun-Li always was uneasy with Karin ever since their last meeting. She was obsessed with defeating Sakura back then. It was quite unhealthy for a girl her age.

"Absolutely fabulous! This dress is wonderful!" She leaned in, placing a false kiss on either side of Chun-Li's cheeks and pulling back. "So did you bring a date, or did you come alone?" Karin quickly snapped her fingers, frowning deeply off to the side. "Ishizaki! My drink!"

At her command, the round man rushed through the crowd of people, carrying a wide saucer with Karin's lone martini on it. Once Karin snatched it and dismissed her butler, Chun-Li began to speak up.

"Well...no, not exactly. I was invited here. I was looking for Ken, actually." She seemed to look over Karin's shoulders in hopes of spotting him. She had no luck. "Did you come with anyone, Miss Kanzuki?" Formal as always, Chun-Li put on her best smile to speak with the younger woman.

"Me? Of course not. My date has been busy working for me." She sipped her drink, "His name's Joseph. He's involved in the new science division of daddy's company--one that is soon turning over to my hands. Quite a doll, really."

Karin's boyfriend...was at work, while she was at a party? Wow, she was a lot scarier than she originally imagined. "So...you let him work while you...." She began to trail off, but was interrupted by the woman.

"Oh no! We're not official yet. Though he always runs through my mind....aaah.." A dreamy sigh was given, "Though I hate that Sakura is bouncing around here somewhere, I'm going to enjoy myself. Mingle, Miss Li. Everyone's dying to meet you."

"I w--" Chun didn't even get a word out, as Karin began to walk off, seeming to spark a conversation with another person elsewhere. That left Chun-Li stranded. Where was she to go? Well..there was the open bar. She wasn't much of a drinker, though. Chun-Li walked, giving small waves to some familiar faces..though she couldn't quite pin names on some of them. A lot of them were rich families she'd seen in the news paper, and potential targets for New York thugs. She had protected them...at least for now.

Approaching the bar, Chun-Li remained standing. She stood between a young man and an older man. Each were wearing suits, but only one of them was wearing a baseball cap.

"Um, water, please?" She asked the bartender. She was sure she knew this woman as well. She had the nicest shade of red hair she had seen!

"Another root beer, Vanessa?" The young man said, lifting his empty mug. The dark skinned young man with a funny haircut turned his attention to Chun-Li, his jaw instantly dropping. "No way! You're Chun-Li! Whoa!" The starstruck young man eagerly held his hand out. "I'm Sean Matsuda! I'm a student of Ken's--big-big fan, though!"

A student of Ken's? Perfect way to find him. She now had her heading! "Oh! Hello there, Sean!" She took his larger hand into her own, giving it a small shake while presenting her beautiful face. "It's a pleasure to meet you." She noticed the saddened expression on his face as he released her hand. He was trying to hide it, but being an expert interrogator, Chun-Li could read emotion well.

"Something bothering you?" Great, now she couldn't cut to the chase! Why did she care so much!?

"Oh..., well I'm just hatin' my lack of confidence right now." He got his fill of Root Beer, and Chun Li got her water from the red headed barkeep. "Can't find the words to say to someone...it's not important, though." Sean lifted his mug to take a drink.

Chunners felt his pain. Though being on the outside looking in, she could give good advice she would never follow on her own. "What's her name?" Chun-Li knew this was about a girl from jump-street. She took a sip of her water, leaning against the bar with one elbow. She never stopped to think that someone could be her! What if she was setting this poor boy up for heart break?!

"Sakura." Sean sighed out, not wanting anyone to hear. "Hey, I'm gonna go head to the restroom. It was nice meetin' you, Miss Chun-Li!" He put up his best smile...he was about to leave, but Chun-Li quickly stopped him!

"Oh wait! Have you seen Ken?" She asked--hearing the music suddenly change up, getting a bit more lively as people started to gather and dance. Crap, what if Ken was dancing already? She'd look like a total idiot approaching him. She had her fingers crossed that he was just late to the party...

"Yeah, he should be out on the balcony. Said he had a phone call to take about three minutes ago." Sean pointed her in the right direction...she was all set, now!

"Thank you." She smiled, turning back to her water as Sean walked away. She took a swallow of water and began to relax her nerves. Now she knew Ken was alone at least. Maybe he'd dance with her. "What to do..what to do..." She chanted to herself as her fingers tapped on the smooth finish of the bar top.

"KICKBACK!" The man at the bar said. Chun-Li quickly realized it was none other than Terry himself...in the flesh! She started...to slowly....ease away...from him.

"...ARE YOU O-KAY?"

She knew better, she out right sped away from the bar, not wanting to get punched across the jaw by Bogard since Terry usually did after saying it in combat.

A few quick steps later, Chun-Li was at the opening of the balcony, overlooking the chilly, snowy city of New York. Ken was heading her way, just hanging up his phone. He opened the doors from the outside and headed in, shutting them behind himself. "Whoa! You look fantastic!" Ken exclaimed, throwing his arms around her waist, hugging her and lifting her off the ground!

"Whooa~!" She couldn't help but giggle from Ken's exuberant behavior. It was much like her own, though she was keeping herself as mature as possible, as to not make herself look like a fool. She needed to relax, and she knew it. She just really wanted to make a good impression!

Once set down, Chun Li held his shoulders, looking him over. He was in the best threads money could buy. Even if she couldn't tell the difference in Armani and Versace, she could tell it was of great quality. "Not bad yourself!"

"Hey, I try on occasion." She loved his smile. It just entranced her sometimes. In all honesty, she wished Ken would just stand in one spot. She wanted to look at him and gobble him up with her eyes all day long! She noticed Ken's grip loosening up as he went to pocket his cellphone. She was curious what the call was, but it wasn't her business. "Just talked to my son," Chun-Li's entire heart dropped to her ankles.

SON?!...Is...he married? I don't see a ring!...Wait...wait...is that a....

"He's in L.A. with Eliza. Wouldn't even bring him out." He shook his head. He took Chun-Li's expression to be one of familiarty with his situation. "Divorce is murderous. Sure you heard it all over the tabloids."

She didn't. She never paid attention to those really. She didn't beleive in impulse purchases unless they were plastic wrapped and chocolate.

"Divorced...I didn't even know. I'm sorry, Ken..." She placed her hand at her chest, she had some sincerity behind it! What woman would leave Ken? She was out of her mind! "What happened? If I may pry, Mister Masters."

"Well..., if you must..."

"Oh, I must, I must."

She added her own little bit of playfulness to the conversation. Ken chuckled, placing a hand between her shoulders, walking her back toward the party. "Well..., after our son was born, I started spending extra time at the office. Making sure all the work was done."

He lead them around the dancing crowd, and to a table they could sit at, around the catering area. "My secratary and I got close. She was new, and I was showing her the ropes. The hours got later and later, because, like I said...wanted to make sure all the work was done so we can keep money rollin' for our son..."

Chun-Li didn't like where this was going, but she took a seat and Ken took the other.

"She started to suspect I was havin' an affair. Even though I denied it, she kept getting upset at me spending time at work. We started arguing a lot more...things got said that I certainly didn't mean...and well...it ended. One year and seven months ago tomorrow." He frowned--that made her frown in return. Ken flagged down a waiter for a drink, scooping one off the tray. Chun-Li denied one.

"I'm sorry, Ken. She just doesn't know what she had." She reached across the table to pet his hand. "You just have to learn and grow from it. Well..at least that's what my grandmother says to me when something happens..."

He looked up to her, not seeming to mind her hand at all. "Yeah? I donno...it's hard to move on sometimes. Guess I like a bad romance..." He narrowed his eyes with a grin, taking a sip of his drink.

Chun-Li's eyes opened up with a gasp. Ken had that 'I know all about it' look in his eye. How embarrassing! "You jerk...you heard my terrible shower singing..."

"Whole thing. Wasn't so terrible. I better flag down GaGa and tell her she's got a challenge." Ken started to rise up, getting ready to wave at someone. Chun-Li freaked out! Was she...was she there?!

"N-no! I can't see her like this...!" She was about to hide her face, when Ken sat down laughing. Damn him! Another joke!

"Nah she couldn't make it. Relax, will ya? Ha ha..." He reached across the table to pet the side of her hand, hoping to calm her down. "So Chunners. How's life been for ya? Seeing anyone? Lucky guy..." He trailed, making her once again return to her normal posture.

"Well, if you must pry..."

"I must, I must!" He set his drink back down, leaning forward in his seat, resting on his elbows.

She couldn't help but giggle before responding. "I'm single."--

"Damn shame." Ken interrupted. His face never changing, just glowing with confidence.

"Shut up...loser.." She playfully tapped his knee with her foot under the table, laughing lightly shortly after. She had to finish speaking. "Anyways, I'm single and have been for...oh...I don't know how long. I've had small dates here and there, but we didn't really click. Relationships never went anywhere, time was limited because of my job, distancebecame an issue. Augh, I swear, if I were dating a guy who was overseas for a while, I could wait. Though it seems the opposite on the guy's end."

She was ranting, but she felt comfortable with Ken. He had the same aura as Mai had...maybe that was why? She had to stop talking to him like he was one of her girl friends.

Though...was that a bad thing?

"I've been working so hard...I moved down from the higher ups for the NYPD. Keeping a close eye on a local case that could become international. S.I.N. may be 'gone'," She used quotation fingers, "But there's something fishy brewing. Anyway..." She kept her tone hushed, that was kind of secret. "So I'm just...always busy. So I haven't really been in a relationship at all."

"Distance can be killer on us guys." Ken had to defend the men! "It's not that we wanna sleep around, it's just that we wanna avoid the temptations. When the days turn into weeks, sometimes will power breaks down. If the love's strong enough, never will." He lifted one of his eyebrows. "I never break, for the record. Though I'm on the market, now..."

Was he throwing hints?

"Well I'm sure you'll go to the highest bidder." She added in quickly.

"First bid hasn't been made yet. Interested?" His head tilted.

Oh, how straight-forward of him.

"Maybe." Chun-Li held her ground, not flinching or showing any sign of weakness. She didn't want this to be so easy for herself.

"Going once..., going twice...." Ken continued to tease her. She was unsure if he was even serious.

"You know, no girl likes to be put on the spot." She made it sound as if Ken's flirting had become a turn-off. That would turn things around for her. She wouldn't submit.

He was amused by her tone. "Fair enough...--hey, you wanna dance?"

Oh crap. Dance with him? Did people even dance face to face anymore? Well that would be a bit uncomfortable for her...but to hell with it, she didn't come this far for nothing! "Hmm...., am I in a bidding war for it?" She started to get to her feet then, he followed suit.

"Nah. I think I would be if I let you out of my sights tonight though." There were a lot of single guys running around the place. They were bound to hit on Chun-Li!

The two headed out to the crowd to join the party. They were going to party til the big count down to the new year! The party was great. She met up with new and older fighters all around. She even got a chance to see Rainbow Mika again--she had been brought there by Karin. New fighters registered for the upcoming tournament were also in attendance. Well...some of them. Chun-Li got to meet with Alex, Elena, and even Hugo with...Poison.

She remembered Poison...oh-so-well.

( Flashback #8: Poison )

Chun-Li had been at a local club in New York, hanging out with Mai and her entourage. She felt out of place amoung the slightly younger, much better dressed women. She didn't go out to dance, really, she remained at her booth, rejecting offers as nicely as possible. She was such a wall flower when she wanted to be.

Though having so much to drink had it's effect. She had gotten up to head toward the Ladies room...when the Men's room door squng open.

Out walked Poison.

The two women...well...the two of them stared at one another. Chun-Li, unsure of what to make of all of this seemed more shocked than anything. There wasn't a line at the ladies room, so there was no excuse, really.

"...What?!"

Poison's voice sounded deeper than usual for some reason. Chun-Li just hurried up and went into the restroom to get away from her!

( The Present )

The party was grand. Chun-Li truly had the time of her life, and never left Ken's side. She took all kinds of pictures with everyone on her phone...though she was totally drunk. Well not wasted drunk, but buzzed! After the big count down and the happy new year, people were flooding the streets, fireworks were going off, anf the party got it's second wind.

"So, we're at the spa...Ryu's gettin' this awesome massage from this chick..." Ken was telling a story to everyone, Chun-Li was paying close attention. She wanted to hear the stuff Ken was into, even if it was in jest.

"Then the girl gets a cramp in her leg and takes a break. You know who covered for her? Some old lady!" Everyone burst into laughter! "Ryu was clueless! Man it was great when he looked back!"

After the count down, Chun Li slung her arms around Ken in a tight embrace. It was just....

Wonderful.

After the party died down, as promised, Chun Li got her limo ride home. Though she had some company on the way back. Ken himself. They still were talking. More so about 'did you see so-and-so do such-and-such?!' She still couldn't believe Alex ripped off his tux during Karaoke to sing 'I'm too sexy for my shirt'!

Once arriving at her building, Ken walked Chun-Li to her elevator, and all the way to the top. Finally stopping at her door, Chun-Li began to fidget with her keys.

"Well this is where we part ways. Pretty shameful, huh?" Ken said, leaning on the door frame.

Chun Li smiled. "Yeah, it really is. I had a great time tonight, Masters..."

Grandmother is asleep. It wouldn't hurt to invite him in for a little, right? NO! Too soon! Focus. You've had a few drinks...think.

She thought to herself, but her mouth was already speaking. "Would you like to come in?" She paused, she was stuck! "I've got a few snacks, if you're hungry." That was the best she could come up with. She wasn't able to think clearly.

"Nah, I'm fine."

Wow, he said no. Is there something wrong with me?

"We should do this again some time...you know, hang out?" She flicked her bangs, going back to finding her key, trying to isolate it.

"I'd love to. We could always go for dinner sometime..." Ken occasionally would glance down to her keys, then right back up to her eyes.

"A date? I'm flattered..."

"How's next Friday sound?" He added in, starting to stand up straight now.

"It sounds perfect--got it." She finally isolated her key, lowering her hand, looking up to him.

He's going to kiss me...he's going to kiss me...he's going to kiss me...

Ken leaned into her, placing a small kiss on her forehead. "Get some sleep, Chunster. Already three A.M." He left it at that. Chun-Li was let down, but hey, he was taking his time. She had to like that.

"You too...call me when you get in safely?" She put on her best puppy-dog eyes for him. He'd be powerless against that look. Not even Chao was strong enough to have an immunity to it...sometimes.

"Gotcha." Was all Ken said, giving her a wink.

"Alright....good night, Kenny." She gave him a look, starting to unlock her door. Once he saw her safely inside, Ken began to walk back down the hall. Chun Li closed her door, locked it, and placed her back against it. "...He's so wonderful..." She said in a dreamy daze.

"SO!" A voice called from the couch. "How was it?" Chao peeked over the couch, cutting her eyes devilishly at her grand child.

"The party was great. I had a lot of fun. Why are you still awake, young lady?" She gave a wag of her finger, now approaching her bathroom.

"Waiting, deary. Waiting to hear if he's a boxer or brief. Ooh that young man brings me back to the good old days!"

"Grandma! Stop it! I don't want to think about that!" She closed the bathroom door quickly in response.

"Oooh too bad. Your grandfather, ooh! He was a headboard tapper!"

"Auugh!! Gross!"