Location: Jun's private dorms, Hydra Base, Mars
January 21st, 2553
3:15am

"WHAT THE HELL!"

Just as soon as Jun woke up with a loud gasp from that nightmare, that outburst came from the left side of his bed, the side Celestina slept in. She was sitting up, her red hair disheveled, one hand used to use the blanket to cover her chest, and she was scanning the quarters with her pistol in hand. "Wha-what happened? I don't see anyone!"

He instantly realized that his screaming had woken his lover up, prompting her to believe that there was an intruder in his room. As he struggled for air, he managed to get the next words out. "Sorry about that, princess. I had a nightmare." He apologized sincerely, one hand massaging the back of his neck.

"... Oh," Her tone indicated how embarrassed she felt to have overreacted. "So I can put the gun down?"

Normally, her innocent comments would put a little smirk on his face, but at this moment, all he could think about was catching his breath and that nightmare. "Yeah, you can."

Exhaling loudly, she placed the Magnum on the nightstand. She then pulled up the left sleeve of her tank top that had fallen over her shoulder. "Did you just say you had a nightmare? What was it about?" She leaned over to wipe the thin layer of sweat on his face. "You sounded like you were getting tortured."

He should have known to expect that from her. "It's nothing, really."

"It is something. You just don't want to tell me. As always..." She chided as she adjusted her hair. "Nobody said you'd have to face your nightmares alone, you know. I'd gladly jump in head first with you and take out whatever's haunting you. If there's anything I can do to help, just yell for me. I'll come runnin', guns a-blazin'! Okay, maybe without the guns, but you get my point."

Her comment definitely elicited a genuine chuckle from him. "I do, princess. Thanks."

"Anytime, sweetie. Drink some water or maybe take a walk around the base. It might help." Giving him one last tired smile, she lifted the covers over her and proceeded to head back to her peaceful sleep, when Jun suddenly spoke.

"I've been keeping something from you. But I can't tell you what it is."

His words stirred some confusion as well as fear in her. She sat up once more, turning her upper body to him. "You can't? Or you won't?"

"I won't because I don't want to hurt you."

"Then don't," She urged almost immediately. "I don't want you to have to hurt yourself in the process."

"I'm sorry, princess."

That was when she reached up and ran her hand past his cheek to the back of his head. "Don't ever apologize for something that's not in your control. That's what you'd say to me, right?"

If anything, that made the little smile he had grow wider. So he leaned forward for a tight hug and though Celestina was taken by surprise, she made sure he couldn't breathe in their embrace, not caring about the his sweat-coated chest.

How Jun badly wanted what transpired during his captivity to go away permanently - the torture and all of his negativity coming together in Celestina's form, especially the latter. He also still could not bring himself to tell her that part of his abduction. No way. Not at the risk of hurting her feelings.

So as he held her body close, he whispered to her, "I love you. I know I don't say it much because I tend to make it obvious but I just want you to know that I do love you, and appreciate everything you do for me."

Celestina could not help but think to herself how unique that sounded to her. "I... feel that it should be the other way around, sweetie."

"Regardless..."

"Well then, you're welcome!" She said with a little giggle as she snaked her hand up to the back of his head. "You know I'd do anything for you," Putting what little pieces she could gather together, it became just a little bit clearer to the Head Trainer. "Jun?" She pulled her head back, her arms still around his neck. "Is this about... what went down when the Covenant...?"

She left that sentence open because there was never a need to continue. Jun knew what she meant. For that, he gave a reluctant nod. "Look, it's getting easier handle every day, I swear. But, um..."

"It's the nightmares that come every now and then. Yeah, I of all people get that." She crawled over to get a little closer to him. "I learned a lot time ago that you don't ever escape from past tragedies. You just learn to deal with it. So if you tell me that you're dealing with it, I'll believe you." It was then that the reality their earlier conversation came upon her. "Wait, Jun... If this is about the captivity, what is it that you can't tell me about? I mean, you told me everything about what happened in there."

Another heavy sigh left him. "Well... not everything... I really can't tell you about it, not without hurting your feelings. You know I can't do that to you."

"Goddamn," That word came out in a manner that said she was pleasantly surprised. "Even after all these years, you still continue to surprise me with your love." Wearing her radiant smile, she pulled the covers closer to both of their chests. "Let's try to get some sleep now, okay? Want me to sing you my brother's lullaby?"

"Well, I always did love your singing. Sure, princess." Giving her one last grin, he swathed one arm around her as she lowered her head on his chest, right where his heart was.

"It'll be alright. I'll keep you safe and sound. Just take my hand and we'll go anywhere you want. We can leave it all behind. I'll be the one you call 'hero'."

A/N: Get set for the last chapter of this story! I'll also post a link to the lullaby along with it. :D