A/N: Take this as an alternative to Chapter 3 "Found".

Heck, I think I like this better!

"I leave tomorrow."

"Oh. I didn't think it'd be so soon."

"Me neither, but Ackerson needs my skills immediately."

"I understand. Just... come back home, okay?"

"Always, princess."

Location: Rooftops of AMBER Base
Beaumontia, Epsilon Eridani system
7th July, 2543
10:59pm

Celestina waited ever so patiently on the rooftop of her home, AMBER Base, for her fellow team member to join her. He had finally returned from his mission after 10 days away from the team. She had missed him. She would always miss him. Him being away always made her realize how dependent she was on him.

"Ugh! I swear, these black ops always suck the life out of me," She then heard him groan as he finally reached the rooftop, carrying a mysterious brown paper bag. "Ackerson does realize that I have a team, right?"

All she was thinking about was how awesome it was to have him back; it would explain the goofy smile on her face. Then again, she always had that one for him. "Ackerson thinks you're the best. Why else would he choose you every time?"

Jun tilted his head in thought. "Hm... Because I have no soul?"

She reached forward and delivered a light slap to his chest. "You know you're a rationalist, dumbass."

"So am I a rationalist or a dumbass?"

"Both, my rationalistic dumbass!" She cheered.

Ah. Her smile and laughter. Certainly missed that. "I got you a present," He said, handing her the brown paper bag.

"You always bring me things," She accepted the bag with a wide smile.

"Hey, for my troubles, Ackerson said I could help myself to whatever I wanted. You think I won't cut a slice for you and Emile?"

"Good point," Her hazel eyes instantly lit up like the lights on a Christmas tree. "NO WAY!" She squealed like a 5-year-old, holding up her gift of a magazine of Sniper Rifle bullets, out of the several that were in the bag. "YOU GOT ME THE HIGH VELOCITY, ARMOR-PIERCING VARIANT?! They take the hat off an Elite at 2 thousand yards! AND THEY AREN'T CHEAP!" She stuffed the magazine back into the bag and immediately jumped into his arms, giving him a tight hug. "Thank you, Jun! You're the best!"

"You know I take care of my girl." He said with a pat on her back.

"Ooooh. Best not let Emile hear that. He'll get jealous!"

"Come on," He dragged playfully. "'Princess' has always been better than 'baby girl'."

"I'll be the judge of that." She told him with a little wink.

Tease. He released an epic sigh as he leaned against the solid railing of the rooftop.

"Tired?" She questioned as she did the same.

"It wasn't an easy mission."

"Obviously," She placed the bag on the railing and turned to him. "Something's bothering you."

Jun gave her a pleasant smile like he always did. "Not really."

"Why do you even try to lie to me? You know I can easily read your cute face."

"You think I have a cute face?"

"Don't act like you don't know that."

"I'm an innocent little boy. I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Come on, stop avoiding my question!"

"But nothing is bothering me, princess." What would make her think that? Regardless, it doesn't mean she needs to know. She can't ever know.

She lowered her head, hiding a sad smile. "No, you're not."

He was certainly surprised by her assurance. "Come on, Celest. We're having a good time here! Don't cloud your mind with trivial things. I told you-"

"'It's nothing'," She glanced up at him and now he could very easily see that smile of hers - one filled with pity. "That's what you were going to say, right?"

She had him good. What was he supposed to say to that?

"Jun... I'm not that same little girl you used to know. Well, not entirely. I have a better grip on myself now. Even though I still need you, I'm strong enough to stand on my feet at least. Which means I can hear you out now. And I can help."

"Celest," He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Where is this coming from, dear?"

She looked away briefly, as if she was ashamed of something. "When you returned just now and gave me a hug, you looked like you were really relieved about something. I could easily see it on your face. And when you told me to wait for you here, you looked like you desperately needed a time to yourself or you were going to lose your mind."

"You got all that just by looking at my face? Have you always been so observant, Celest?" He questioned playfully, forcing a smirk. Anything to try and turn this around. She can't know.

She knew she wasn't getting through to this stubborn Spartan and it was annoying her. God, he was such a man. "You know what I've always loved about our relationship? The fact that I could tell you anything, even the simplest and silliest of things. And you wouldn't mind. There wouldn't even be a hint of annoyance on your face. Since the day we meant, you've been looking out for me, making sure I made it this far into my life. Nothing I ever do can repay all the things you've done for me for all these years. But you know what I've always hated about our relationship? The fact that you don't treat it as a two-way street."

At the word 'hated', he felt as if she had delivered a hard slap across his face.

"Why is it that you don't tell me what's on your mind, when you know I'd be more than willing to help you? No one said you had to carry everything all on your own. I mean, I know I can't magically cure all your problems but I'd like to think I can."

I messed up. The black op, Celest... It went wrong. They told me that building was clear to blow up. They told me! But... but there was still a child in there. I asked them and they told me it was clear. They told me... And now an innocent child is...

I wanted out. I told Ackerson straight to his smug face that I wanted out. But he's not letting me go, Celest. He won't. What Ackerson wants, Ackerson gets. And he wants my skills.

He told me to forget about it. That causalities will happen. That I should let it go. But I couldn't. This was an innocent child we were talking about.

So he knew he'd have to hit me right where it hurt.

He said he'd have you participate in his black ops instead.

And he swore that you wouldn't come back home to me.

How? How can I tell you any of this, princess? And shatter your impression of me? You think of me as your superhero. What kind of a superhero would I make if I don't stay strong? I won't let any of this get to me, but I won't let you know of this either.

With a determined look on his face and, to her surprise, he pulled her into a hug, his hand on the back of her head and upper back. "I promise: I'll always take care of you."

She shut her eyes tightly at that, her own arms making their way around his waist on instinct. "But who's going to take care of you?"

"Didn't you know? It's always been you, princess. It may not appear like you do a lot, but you have no idea how much you've helped me over the years. For example: hugging you like this?" He held her just a little bit more closer to his chest. "It gives me the assurance that everything is going to be okay."

Celestina hated herself for being such a softie; just hearing that statement caused her eyes to water almost immediately.

"And do you have any idea how infectious your smile is? One look and it's like all is right in the world again."

"And you're the reason why I get to keep my smile," She lifted her head from his chest to look up at his blue eyes and present him that smile he was talking about. "I'm glad I'm good for something."

That prompted him to place his hands on the side of her head and let them run to the back of her head until they stopped at the back of her neck. "Come on, how many times do I have to tell you not to put yourself down? Everyone's flawed in some way, you know. You're not alone. You've got me."

"And I'm really glad I do! Thanks, Jun."

Returning her smile, he enveloped her in the same hug, letting her rest her head on his upper right arm. "I'm just being a typical man, princess. I don't want to burden you with my problems. I can handle it all, really. You don't have to worry a thing. But should there be a time where I need you, I know for a fact that you'll be here."

"You got that right."

Jun couldn't stop that smile that was forcing its way to his lips when he heard that. Out of pure instinct, he placed a soft peck on her head.

"Heyyy, that's new!" She commented in a joyous fashion, lifting her head up once more.

"Don't like it?"

Tease. "I don't think I said stop."

"Suit yourself, princess." With that, he leaned in and this time, the next kiss was to her lips.

When he pulled back, her cheeks were red as tomatoes and there was no hiding it. Celestina was robbed of her speech. DID THAT JUST HAPPEN?! OH MY GOSH. HOW IS IT THAT I'M NOT FREAKING OUT?! Managing to secure a decent grip on her thoughts, the words that came out of her mouth were, "I... still didn't say stop."

"Lucky for me, Emile wasn't lying when he told me that you had a thing for me."

Emile? A thing for you? "That little-! I'm going to choke him with his own combat knife!" When she began to pull away from him, Jun managed to hold onto her hand.

"Hey, don't go!"

She turned his head to him. "I won't take long! I'm just going to kill him, that's all!" She assured, as if it was a normal thing to say.

He could only chuckle at her, to which her question was, "What's so funny?"

"You are so adorable!" He told her in between laughs. "No wonder I couldn't help but fall in love with you!"

"Wow..." She was genuinely surprised by his statement. "I mean, I knew you love me, but I didn't think you'd ever love me love me."

"Oh yeah? Why not?" He questioned after he managed to stop his laughter, with his hands on his hips.

"'Cause I'm a whiny little bitch who can't seem to control her emotions like a Spartan should and I always run to you for every little thing?"

"Hm..." Taking what she had just said into consideration, he then asked, "Okay. How about the fact that you're cute, can handle the sniper rifle like a boss, and sing like an angel?" He used a finger for each point he made.

"Aw geez..." She turned her head away in embarrassment.

"You're super kind to everyone you meet, amazing at knifing, and the best at infiltration out of all of us."

She was loving this, but her cheeks were starting to hurt from grinning too much. "Come on, you've proved your point."

"Also, I absolutely love the way your eyes light up every time you smile."

"... You done?"

"For now."

"Shut up!" She squealed, unable to help herself. "You talk too much!"

He smirked at that. "Why don't you shut me up then?"

That did it for Celestina. She threw her arms around his neck and returned the first kiss to him.

A/N: I really think I like this better. o.O

Hope you've enjoyed! :)