Chapter 5: The Retrieval
*Piper's POV*
Waking up the next morning she found Aerrow had already left. Getting up and grabbing her uniform she noticed there was a note on the desk with familiar handwriting.
'Piper, sorry about leaving early but I had to leave early for a small recon near Terra Atmosia. We don't want anything happening to the crystal shards. Anyway me and Junko will be back soon ok.
Love Aerrow x'
Smiling to herself she walked down the corridor to the kitchen for breakfast. As she walked in Finn was also there, pigging out whilst Junko was away. "Morning Finn."
"Hey Piper."
"You ok?"
"Yeah sure, you?"
*smiles* "Yeah."
"Um… good." Finn frowned slightly as he thought about why Piper would be so happy this early in the morning. She opened the fridge to get milk and Finn passed her the cereal.
"Thanks."
"No problem." They ate in silence for a while each consumed in their own thoughts. Piper was thinking about Aerrow, as per usual. Whilst Finn was thinking about Tropica and how to improve his guitar moves.
"Finn?"
"Hmm, yeah Piper?"
"What kind of recon mission have Aerow and Junko gone on?"
"Umm… I dunno really. I think they're scouting the area for cyclonians why?"
"It's just, do you think… Aerrow's been acting strangely recently?"
Finn stopped munching and thought for a few moments, "Yeah, I suppose he has. I mean he's been sneaking round lately and been on his own a lot."
"I know."
He noticed the look on her face, "I'm sure it's nothing Piper."
"Yea, your right. Aerrow wouldn't keep something important from us."
"Or you."
"Yeah, I suppose."
"Look, Piper I'm sure it's nothing ok? Whatever he's doing, he'll tell us in his own time."
"I know, it's just, Aerrow isn't usually this secretive."
"Piper…" He saw how worried she looked and pulled her into a hug, and they stood like this for a few minutes until she pulled back.
"Thanks Finn." Standing this close to him, their faces almost touching, she felt a little breathless. What's wrong with me? I shouldn't feel this way anymore, not about Finn. Finn started leaning in when Piper finally got some sense into her head. Aerrow… Pulling her head back sharply and stepped out of her arms.
"Finn…"
Before he could answer there was a loud *bang* sound from the hangar, making them both momentarily forget their troubles and run towards the sound.
"JUNKO!"
"Heh. Sorry 'bout that Aerrow."
*Aerrow's POV* - 3 hours before
He woke up and looked down at Piper's sleeping form in his arms smiling. She looks so beautiful. *Sigh* I really don't want to go, but I should if I want to get it ready for Piper's birthday. Slowly, as not to wake Piper he slid his arms from around her and crept over to her desk to write the note.
'Piper, sorry about leaving early but I had to leave early for a small recon near Terra Atmosia. We don't want anything happening to the crystal shards. Anyway me and Junko will be back soon ok.
Love Aerrow x'
Slowly he crept from the room and went into his to change into his uniform for the day. As he left and walked past everyone's rooms, one of the doors opened and Junko walked full force into him sending him crashing into the opposite wall.
"Oh! Sorry Aerrow!" he pulled Aerrow up on his feet.
"It's ok Junko, no harm done." He went to walk off down the corridor again.
"Wait Aerrow, where are you going?"
Crap! "Oh, um… I'm… going… on recon."
"Oh, ok. I'll come with you."
"No it's ok Junko I'm fine going alone."
"Aerrow! You know the rules. No-one does recon alone."
"Fine. C'mon before everyone else wakes up." They both walked to the hangar and rode off round the terra for cyclonians Aerrow knew weren't around.
*2 hours later*
"Hey, Junko?"
"Yeah?"
"I'm going down onto Atmosia to ask if anyone's seen anything."
"Ok. I'll be waiting up here somewhere."
"Sure, I'll see you later." He flew down to the terra to get what he came for. As he entered the shop he called out, "Hello?"
"Ah, hello Aerrow. Are you here to collect the parcel?"
"Yeah."
The shopkeeper gave him a small square package, "there you go young man, I hope this serves you well."
"Thanks a lot." He grinned at the shopkeeper before leaving and heading back to Junko.
"Hey Junko."
"Hey, Aerrow, did they see anything?"
"What?"
"Did anyone see any cyclonians?"
"Oh, no no. There wasn't anything suspicious either."
"Great so we can head back and eat?"
*Laughs* "Yeah, sure." They flew back to the Condor and Aerrow landed first and Junko just behind him. Although Junko didn't pull his breaks hard enough and ended up crashing into Aerrow.
"JUNKO!"
"Heh. Sorry 'bout that Aerrow."
"What is going on?" Piper and Finn had come running at the sound of Junko crashing and were now both stood in the doorway.