I open my eyes to find myself in the God Phoenix's elevator, lights dimmed, Joe by my side. "Joe?" I reach over and gently touch his shoulder, reassuring myself that he's really here with me.
He turns to me, smiling tenderly. It's an expression rarely seen on his face, the hard edges softened, and it suits him. I can't help but return his smile, even as the butterflies in my stomach flitter in a way I would never have expected to happen around him.
Standing, I stretch my arms over my head, working out the kinks that have settled into my muscles in the cramped cabin. "Any word on when we'll be able to get out of here?" I ask, staring at the closed doors.
"No, nothing yet," Joe answers looking a little sheepish. It's his fault we're stuck in here in the first place, though I don't really blame him. His impulsive move to hit the emergency stop button, while romantic in retrospect, managed to jam the system and prevent us from moving again when we tried to reengage the motor. We've been sitting here dozing, talking, and kissing ever since. Raising my bracelet to my lips, I call for help again. I try to reach Ken, Ryu, Nambu Hakase, and even Jinpei in the hopes that one of them will hear me and be able to free us. But, just as with my prior attempts, there is no response.
Sighing, I sink back to the floor of the elevator and lay my head on Joe's shoulder. He wraps his arms around me and presses his lips against my temple. We sit there quietly for a while, my back to his chest, his hands resting on my lap, his chin on my shoulder. Just as I feel like I'm about to doze off again, he begins planting soft little kisses along the side of my neck and cheek. I turn my head, meeting his lips with my own. His hands reach up, twisting me around until I am straddling him. As the embrace intensifies, I feel his fingers on the skin of my back. An image flashes in my mind: the elevator door opening to reveal us, half-dressed, to the rest of the team.
A sudden panic races through my chest and I push away from Joe, tucking my shirt back into my pants as I move to the other side of the cabin. "Jun?" he asks, his brow furrowed.
"I'm sorry, Joe. I just don't want things to go too far too fast. I'd hate for anyone coming to rescue us to get an eyeful, if you know what I mean." I can feel my cheeks burning in embarrassment and duck my face momentarily to avoid his gaze.
"Right," he agrees, a small smile on his face, "I hadn't thought of that. Guess I got lost in the moment." His face is in shadow, but I can still make out a hint of his blush and it's one of the most attractive things I've ever seen. We sit quietly glancing at one another repeatedly and I suddenly feel like a schoolgirl experiencing puppy love. It amazes me that I could have known Joe for this long without noticing just how handsome he is.
A few minutes later the elevator car lurches violently and I go tumbling into Joe as the door opens with a violent metallic screech. A brilliant white light blinds me and then the world goes blank.