Chapter 26

"Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday dear Joe!

Happy Birthday to you!"

The slightly off-key chorus ended with a loud burst of applause as the Condor leaned over his birthday cake. His expression was a mixture of wry amusement and awe, as if he couldn't believe that this was happening to him, or that everyone else was being so corny about it.

Then, out of the corner of his eye Joe caught a glimpse of Jun smiling at him, and his composure slipped in favor of a goofy grin as he blew out the candles.

The Swan looked perfectly content, sitting next to Joe in the Snack J booth, her arm linked through his. Jinpei bounced excitedly on the bench on the Condor's other side, while Ken and Ryu lounged in the opposite seat. The Owl had eyes only for the cake, but the Eagle looked over at Joe and Jun, a small, sad smile of resignation on his face.

A year ago, Joe had barely remembered his birthday, as it had been spent in a filthy twenty dollar hotel room, staking out Galactor agents as they trafficked weapons from an abandoned warehouse. He had been alone, convinced that he could never rejoin the Science Ninja Team. The Condor wouldn't even have realized that it was his birthday if he hadn't managed to pick up a newspaper that evening.

At that low point in his life, Joe would have been completely incapable of envisioning this warm, friendly scene, with his teammates passing on their good wishes and cheer.

A strange feeling surged through the Condor… one that not too long ago he would have had a hard time describing. But now, the name for this emotion came readily to mind, as it had been one he had experienced often, of late.

Happiness.

Joe knew that he owed these feelings entirely to Jun. Not only had she brought love into his life, she had also helped him see that shutting out the rest of the team wasn't doing anyone any good, least of all himself. Every day, the Condor thanked whatever twist of fate had allowed him to get close to the Swan. He looked at her now, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed with excitement, drawing her close for a tender kiss.

Ryu whistled and Jinpei hooted at the sight.

"Say, Jun, is that what I'm going to get on my birthday?" the Owl grinned, as the Swan attempted to swat him from across the table.

"Watch me wrap your present with my Aurora Ribbon!" she threatened teasingly, holding up her fist for emphasis.

"Yeah, and she'll bake you a cake that looks like your Gripper!" Jinpei quipped, artfully dodging a smack aimed at him from across Joe's body.

Ken remained silent, appreciating the jocular, easygoing atmosphere, but not feeling comfortable joining in just yet. Jun and Joe had been 'public' with their relationship for three weeks now, but the Eagle still hadn't entirely managed to put his feelings for the Swan aside. He supposed that some part of him never would. Still, the team was working together now just as well as ever, if not better. Ken knew that in the long run, what he had done was right, but he was still coming to terms with the concept of no longer being the most important person in Jun's life.

Still, Ken had come to an understanding with Joe. When he saw how happy his best friend was, he couldn't regret that. He had never seen Joe look so… content. It was not a word he had ever associated with the Condor before.

"So… are we going to cut the cake?" Ryu asked hopefully, a familiar gleam in his eye.

"You didn't make this cake, did you Onechan?" Jinpei asked nervously.

"When did I have the time?" Jun laughed. "We've been chasing Galactor around Iropa for the past few days! No, Jinpei, I got this cake from the bakery down the street."

"Then, there's no reason not to dig in!" Ryu exclaimed happily, as Jun rolled her eyes.

The cake was Devil's Food, thickly covered with a thick, fudgy icing. Joe began cutting slices and passing them around the table, making sure that Ryu had a generously sized piece.

"How did you know that chocolate was my favorite?" Joe winked at Jun.

"Oh, I know lots of things…." she purred back.

"I think I'm losing my appetite." Jinpei groaned playfully.

"I guess I'll just have to eat your cake, then." Ryu offered.

"No way!" the Swallow drew his plate closer to his body in a protective pose.

The five friends laughed and talked for another hour, enjoying each other's company, and the temporary reprieve they had all been granted. As the party wound down, Ryu left, taking Jinpei with him for the night, after sending a sly wink Joe's way. Ken stayed for a few moments to help Jun clean up. The Swan went into the kitchen to wash the dishes, giving the Eagle and the Condor a moment alone.

"You really care for her, don't you?" Ken asked, so softly that Joe barely heard him.

"Yes." Joe nodded. "She's… Jun is one of a kind. I'll never find anyone else who understands me so well."

"I know how you feel." Ken replied quietly, staring at his hands. "I can see that you make each other happy."

"What about you, Ken?" Joe asked suddenly.

"Nothing's really changed, I guess." Ken shrugged. "I didn't have her before, and I don't have her now."

"It's not quite that simple." Joe said. But Ken did not respond. They finished cleaning up in silence, and Ken prepared to leave.

"Happy Birthday, Joe." the Eagle said, holding out his hand to the Condor.

"Thanks, Ken." Joe replied, taking his hand and clasping his friend's shoulder.

Ken smiled briefly, then turned and left the Snack, walking out alone into the night.

Behind him, Joe shut and locked the door, then pulled down all of the blinds.

By the time Jun returned, the bar had been cleaned up, and the lights dimmed. A slow song was playing on the jukebox.

"So, when do we get to celebrate my birthday?" Joe drawled, drawing her into his arms and onto the dance floor.

"Now sounds good to me." Jun smiled, placing her hands on the back of his neck. "I guess you're ready for your birthday spankings, then."

"First things first, my naughty Swan." Joe chided her. "Although I have to admit, the thought of your hands on my bare…"

He never finished his statement, as he was interrupted by Jun's lips on his. A slow warmth spread through his body as he pulled her closer to him, enjoying the feel of her pressed against him.

They danced for some time, snuggling together, trading long, slow kisses, and just enjoying each other's company. But inevitably, the heat between them finally reached the point where Jun felt she could hold back no longer. Carefully, she pulled away slightly, tugging Joe's hand toward the stairs.

"Coming?" she grinned invitingly.

"Well…" Joe drawled, pulling her back into his arms. "This is a special occasion…"

Jun arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow at the Condor.

"What did you have in mind?" she asked.

"I've always had this fantasy about you…" Joe replied, grinning wickedly at her. "… here, in the bar…"

"Here?" Jun's expression of shock gave way to one of thoughtful contemplation.

"Let me convince you…" he suggested, laughing at her confusion.

Carefully, Joe picked up Jun, bringing her over to a barstool. Once she was seated he ran his fingers through her hair, bringing her mouth to his in a teasing promise of what was to come.

Jun smiled at him flirtatiously while kicking off her shoes, and suddenly Joe felt the urge to take her then and there, no matter his plans. But carefully, the Condor forced those thoughts away, preferring to take his time with his perfect Swan.

He pulled her shirt over her head, tossing it behind the bar the moment it left her body. Again, he brought his lips to hers, but then moved his mouth down her jaw, inhaling her heady scent as he moved down her neck and to her shoulder.

Slowly, Joe turned the stool while remaining in place, allowing his kisses to encircle Jun, winding a sensuous stream of desire around her as his mouth traveled down her body. Jun sighed, giving herself over to him completely as he tasted her sweet, satiny skin, smoothing his hand over her soft curves even as he covered every inch of her bare flesh with his kisses.

It seemed an eternity that Jun sat there, her body melting as Joe worshipped every part of her, turning her at his leisure and sending a slow, fiery thrill through her veins. His fingers ran over her torso, tickling, stroking, and slipping just inside the waistband of her capris. He ran his thumbs around her waist, and as he kissed her back, his finger reached for the clasp of her pants.

"Oh, no!" Jun protested, swinging the stool back around to face him. "Not yet!"

Joe gave her a devilish look, but temporarily ceased his actions.

"What did you have in mind?" he smiled suggestively.

"Your turn." Jun cooed, swiftly pulling his number two shirt over his head. She pressed her lips to the hollow of Joe's throat, feeling his pulse fluttering underneath her mouth.

"It's your birthday." the Swan whispered. "You deserve some fun too."

"I was unwrapping my present when you stopped me for your little side trip."

"Patience, patience… haven't you ever heard of party games?"

"I'd love to see what you have in mind."

"Then shut up and let me concentrate."

"Jun, you're the one who started talk…"

The Swan silenced him with a quick kiss, then returned to her previous intentions. As he had done with her, Jun explored every inch of his upper body with her mouth; her lips and tongue whispering over the hard muscles and firm flesh that were the quintessential makeup of the Condor.

Her light touch put almost no pressure on his skin, and yet Joe felt as if he were being battered and bruised, as her kisses soaked into his body and settled into his veins, where they burned like liquid fire. When Jun's tongue lightly brushed his navel he groaned, pushing her away from him.

"Back to my turn." Joe growled threateningly, causing a self-satisfied giggle to escape from Jun's throat.

He pulled her off the barstool, slipping one palm behind her back and down into her pants to cup her bottom. The other palm moved over her flat stomach, sliding into the front of her capris as Joe bent down and unfastened the button with his teeth. Slowly, he moved his hands around, drawing the garment gently over her hips. Joe's mouth blazed a trail of kisses from Jun's inner thigh, down past her knee, to her calf and ankle as he pulled off her pants. He moved to her other leg, making his way back up, even as he quickly divested himself of his remaining clothing.

When he reached the top of her leg, Joe placed a gentle kiss at the junction of her thighs, brushing against the thin cotton of her underwear. He smirked as Jun gasped and clutched the edge of the stool for support, then kissed her again.

This time, Joe's lips were scorching, and Jun moaned as desire shot through her. The Condor knew where she needed to be touched, and he found the core of her passion with the same accuracy he displayed when throwing his feather shuriken. The Swan's breath tore through the air, jagged gasps punctuated with small moans as he pleasured her through the thin garment. Joe's tongue teased her aching flesh, even as his hands cupped her bottom, stroking and tantalizing, slipping inside her panties to stroke her swollen femininity, before finally pulling them off to expose her burning skin to the cool air.

The sensation overwhelmed her, and Jun found herself soaring, completing her ardor as Joe greedily drank of her passion, devouring her lust as quickly as it manifested itself. The Swan sighed, collapsing onto the bar behind her, but for the Condor there was no respite. He stood up, and she crushed his hard length between her soft thighs, nearly unmanning him as he removed her bra.

"Damn, Jun… I need you…" It was so difficult holding back, and suddenly he didn't want to anymore.

"So go ahead." she suggested coquettishly. "Don't wait…"

He still struggled, wanting desperately to prolong the moment, but finding himself unable to do so.

"Are you telling me that the mighty Condor can't perform more than once in a night?" the Swan teased.

That did it.

"You're going to be sorry for that." Joe growled.

"I'm looking forward to it." Jun smiled back, sighing softly as he turned her around, pressing her front onto the bar as he pulled her bottom toward him over the stool, so he could enter her body.

"Oh… Joe!" she cried, clutching at the edge of the counter, while his mouth nuzzled the soft skin of her neck and his hands caressed her breasts.

The Condor could hold back no longer. He moved quickly, re-igniting the Swan's desires and satisfying his own. Joe felt Jun clasping him tightly, as her feminine passage welcomed his male presence. He had never felt more a part of her, nor been buried so deep within her affections.

"Jun!"

Joe's body felt as tight as a coiled spring, and suddenly its tensions exploded in a shaking spasm of lust. Jun's body pressed back against him, merging with his form as her own desires took her.

Gradually, their hearts slowed, returning to a normal pace as their muscles relaxed and a delicious feeling of satisfaction crept through them.

"Joe… " Jun said drowsily, "that was incredible…"

"I'm not finished yet." Joe reminded her. "Weren't you the one suggesting more games?"

"Oh…" Jun smiled as turned around to face him. "Now I'm in for it…"

"You certainly are." Joe growled threateningly, lifting her bottom as she shrieked playfully, before depositing it on top of the bar. Jun rolled over onto her side, lying on top of the counter, smiling at him sensuously, a thick lock of ebony hair falling across her cheek.

"I can hardly wait." she purred.

Joe kissed her on the tip of her nose, then stood up, walking to the other side of the room and returning. He was carrying something in his hands, which Jun had trouble seeing in the dim light, but she laughed when he finally returned.

"Your cake? Have I made you hungry?" she winked.

"Oh yes." Joe drawled. "I'm very hungry. And I'm in the mood for something sweet…"

Nearly half of the large cake remained, and the Condor set it down near Jun's body, scooping up a fingerful of thick, chocolate icing and holding it teasingly over the Swan. Jun's eyes opened wide, not truly understanding what he had in mind, but excited all the same by the possibilities whirling through her imagination.

Casually, Joe smeared the icing over Jun's left breast as she gasped in surprise. The cool, sticky confection was a shock to her warm, smooth skin. Joe bent his head down, licking at the chocolate and grinning wickedly as she shivered from the contact.

Carefully, the Condor worked at his task, meticulously devouring the treat; the mixture of chocolate and the Swan's satin flesh combining to create the most sinful dessert he had ever tasted. Jun quivered and moaned under this treatment, having never imagined that the cake she had so innocently purchased would end up being enjoyed in quite this manner.

A sharp stab of disappointment filled Jun when Joe finished, but to her delight he scooped up another fingerful of icing, lavishing her right breast with the same treatment that he had given her left. She clutched at the edges of the counter, throwing her head back on the bar as she mewled with the incredible sensations he was evoking within her.

When he had finished, Joe kissed her lightly with a devilish expression on his face.

"Now…" he teased, "I'm in the mood for something spicy."

He buried his head between her thighs, finding that his attentions had already caused her passions to rise again. He savored the moment, enjoying the taste of her womanhood as it mingled with the chocolate on his tongue.

Jun's fingers wound themselves through Joe's hair, gripping it tightly as her body surrendered, over and over again, to the Condor's demands. Each time she felt as if she could give no more, he coaxed it from her, and every capitulation was sweeter than the last.

Finally, Joe had had enough of this game, and he moved back up to kiss Jun's mouth.

"And now…" he taunted her.

"And now," Jun said firmly as she sat up, "I'm hungry."

The Swan pushed the Condor back down onto the bar, and scooped up a generous amount of icing in her own hand.

"Hmmmm…." she murmured, waving it tantalizingly over his naked body. "Where should I…"

Her eyes lit upon his male length, already saluting her with his passion.

"Yes…" Jun purred. "That will do nicely."

Slowly, she spread the icing around his masculinity, pausing only to lick the chocolate teasingly from her fingers when she had finished. Joe's eyes followed her every move, his nerves screaming in anticipation of the punishment the Swan was about to inflict.

The pink tip of the Swan's tongue slipped out of her mouth, licking her lips as she contemplated how best to approach this task. Tentatively, she swept her tongue around the base of his length, and was rewarded with a small moan of pleasure from the Condor. Encouraged, she continued on, slowly making her way upward, stroking and caressing him in a manner that had him gritting his teeth and fighting to hold on, despite the culmination of their passions not long before.

After enduring this excruciating agony for an eternity, Jun reached the tip of his maleness, and Joe sighed gratefully when she took him in her mouth, finishing her task by ensuring that nothing of the chocolate had been left behind. She hadn't thought it possible, but Joe's lusts had continued to grow under her tender care, until the Condor growled in protest.

"Now it's my turn." he insisted, sitting up and pulling Jun into his lap, carefully placing her body over top of his manhood, silently exulting as he entered her.

Jun sighed, leaning her head on Joe's shoulder as he buried his face in her hair. Slowly they rocked together, Jun wrapping her legs around Joe's waist to allow him the greatest access to her womanhood.

"Joe!"

Her voice was full of the passion and love she had for him, and at that moment the sound of if excited him more than the physical intimacy they were experiencing.

"Jun!"

He gasped as her body shuddered, rippling around his length even as he flooded her with the very essence of life. Never before had he felt so connected, in both body and spirit, to another human being.

They soared together for a long moment, connected in the most intimate fashion, knowing that they had each brought the other to this wonderful place, where time and love stood still.

Slowly, they descended back to reality together, where Jun found herself facing Joe as his body covered her own.

"Cara mia… ti amo… Jun…" his words tickled at her ears; their meaning tugging at her heart.

"I love you too, Joe." she whispered, their emotions binding them together more intimately than their physical actions.

The Condor leaned back slightly, looking the Swan in the eyes.

"Ever since I was… altered…" he whispered, "I've felt like I was destined to die: that I was fated to give my life to revenge myself on Galactor."

Jun opened her mouth to speak, but Joe shook his head.

"I didn't have anything to live for," he continued, "only something to die for. But now…"

Joe reached up, softly tracing Jun's face from her forehead, past her temple and cheek, and down to her mouth.

"Now I have you." he said huskily. "You are everything to live for."

A tear glimmered in Jun's eye, and as she blinked it fell softly onto her cheek, only to be kissed away by Joe's tender lips.

"No tears." he whispered. "Not for us."

"I always knew that there was something inside of you." Jun sighed, "Something that had given up… that had abandoned the thought of a life with the rest of us. I can't tell you how much it means to me to know that you've let that go, to return with me."

"I will always return to you." Joe promised. "I will always be here." The Condor's fingers brushed the tender skin over the Swan's heart.

"And I will always be with you." she vowed, pressing herself against him.

"Happy Birthday, Joe."