Disclaimer: Though I wish I owned this entire series, I don't. All original characters are mine. None of the songs used belong to me.

Summary: After he loses Gisele, Han finds himself picking up the pieces without her in Tokyo. Tired of living in her sister's shadow, Joanna decides starting over in a new country would be a fantastic idea. Neither of them expects to cross paths, nor do they expect the sparks that come with it. But he's got his secrets, and so does she and when their two worlds collide in a spectacular way, it's enough to leave them shaken, reeling, and utterly breathless.

A/N: I'm still here, life has just been super busy, but I have not forgotten this story! Loving all the love I'm getting though and I aim to please, so I hope this chapter will satisfy! Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Young and Beautiful – Lana Del Rey

Joanna sighed as she sat on the edge of her bed, waiting for Han to finish his shower. Her hair was messy, her t-shirt was falling off of her shoulder and she was beginning to feel hunger. Nevertheless, there was a small smile on her face as she thought of the previous night…

"I know what I'm asking. I trust you Han…"

He pulled her close to him then, holding onto her tightly, and his lips ghosting over hers. She felt such a longing for him to kiss her, it was like a fire burning deep inside of her. The feel of his lips on her neck made her arch into his soft touch as his hands rested on her hips.

She whispered something in Spanish and heard him let out a low groan as he ceased his ministrations and his eyes met hers and she leaned up to capture his lips in hers. It was a slow, sweet kiss that she wanted to last forever as her lips parted and she let him explore her mouth.

With a heavy sigh, he broke their kiss and stared down at her, she could see the internal battle he was fighting with himself.

"Joanna, I can't. No how matter how much I want to, you said you trust me and I want things to stay that way." He sat up then and moved away from her, "I want this to happen because we actually have a relationship, not because we're trying to ease our pain."

"Ease our pain?" She asked and Han shook his head.

"You're not the only one who was hurt by someone they loved, although she didn't mean to hurt me. She actually saved my life, but she lost hers doing it."

Joanna understood then, now realizing who the girl in the picture was. She didn't ask him anything further, knowing he would open up more with time. Instead she sat up and moved close to him, wrapping her arms around him and burying her face into his neck. After a few silent moments, his arms wrapped tightly around her and she could have sworn she heard him let out a soft sob.

"Thank you…"

Running a hand through her hair, Joanna looked up when Han finally walked out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a large pair of sweatpants she had managed to find. A blush crept up onto her cheeks as she took in the sight of him.

"Well, it's nice to know you're not subtle when you're checking someone out." He grinned and her face grew even hotter but she only laughed.

"I'm afraid I'm not. You didn't use all the hot water, did you?" When he shook his head, she hopped up and headed into the bathroom, promising to be right out.

She hoped the shower would ease the giddy, love-struck feeling she couldn't get rid of.

Once Joanna was in the shower, Han grabbed his cell phone and ordered take out, asking Twinkie to bring it by when he got out of class. Looking through his text messages, he noticed a few from Takashi and one from Takashi's girlfriend Neela. They all inquired about his shipment, with the exception of Neela's, which simply asked if he could provide her with another girl's phone number.

Settling down on the couch, he grabbed the remote and turned the TV on. He didn't really pay much attention to it as he thought of the night before, of the kiss that had nearly undone him. It was absolutely nothing like Gisele, he thought.

It didn't come close.

There had been such a fire in his veins and it had taken everything in him to not act on his desires and sleep with Joanna. He never thought another girl could mean so much to him, but she did and he didn't want to ruin it because he had no self-control.

"Has the mailman come yet?" Joanna's voice broke him away from his thoughts and he looked over at her. Her hair was hidden underneath a towel and she now wore a tank top and short shorts. His mouth went dry as he tried to think of a coherent answer, finally settling on shrugging his shoulders.

She chuckled as she walked past him and went to her front door where the mail had been dropped. Han listened as he heard her breath hitch before she sighed. When she walked back into the room, he saw that she held a single envelope. She placed it on her dining area table before walking over to where he sat and settled down next to him.

Silence reigned between them as each gathered what they wanted to say. Joanna so badly wanted him to confess that he shared her feelings, but part of her was afraid that he wouldn't, though he had let on the night before that he cared for her. But to what extent? She had let him in, and she desperately wanted him to do the same, but knew that he needed to trust her first and that took time.

"To be honest," She spoke softly, "I'm surprised you're still here."

Han looked over at her then, "Why?"

"Girls come and go for you, right? I've seen the models leave your room every morning, never to be seen again. I figured the same would happen to me too." She swallowed hard as she finished voicing her insecurities, knowing that this was dangerous territory. Han had been caught up in the heat of the moment when he had said those things, she told herself, but now he would put his mask back on and act as though it had never happened.

"Don't be stupid, Jo." His voice was flat and monotone but his eyes spoke volumes, "I meant what I said. I wanted things to happen last night, but I want it to happen for the right reasons. Those girls…I was just trying to fill the void."

"Am I her replacement?"

"No."

Reaching out, he took hold of her once more and pulled her into his lap. His lips quickly found hers and he kissed her senseless before pulling away, leaving her gasping for air. Before anything more could be said, there was a knock on the door. Han mentally cursed, deciding that Twinkie had a horrible sense of timing. The teen stood at the door with a bag full of take out, his gaze was questioning when Han answered the door without a shirt. Thanking him and handing him some money, he promised to come by the garage later before sending Twinkie on his way.

Returning to the living area, he found Joanna holding the white envelope in her hand. He stopped and watched as she carefully opened it and pull out a single sheet of paper, a letter. She was quiet as she read it and he caught a stray tear falling down her face.

"Is it from Lucas?" She shook her head in reply.

"It's nothing," She hastily put the letter away and forced a smile up at him, "You got food?"

"Joanna…" He started but she shook her head again, "Yes, Twinkie brought food."

"Good, let's eat."

They spent the rest of their time in silence and after they finished eating, Joanna stood up and took the letter into her room. Her door closed and Han heard the faint click of the lock, knowing that she now wanted to be alone.

Knowing that there was nothing he could do, Han grabbed his jacket and keys before leaving the apartment to get clothes. He'd check up on her later, he decided. There was no sense in sitting around and waiting.

JoJo,

I'm pregnant. It's so exciting, we actually found out a few days ago. And the first person I wanted to call was you. Remember when we were younger and we would make up ridiculous baby names? I actually fell in love with Joel Thatcher, even though you thought it was silly when you made it up. If it's a boy, and we really hope it is, that'll be his name and he can be little JoJo. Okay?

I miss you so much. Please come home soon. I'm due in March. I would love for you to be there.

I love you.

Grace