A/N: Halo: New Blood blew my mind. I was really happy to know that 343 brought back Jun in Halo: Initiation and then brought him back in NB to further show us what he's been up to.

So I decided to write this little chapter based on New Blood, so obviously, there's SPOILERS if you haven't read it yet!

Since I started writing this story before the release of NB, I'd always thought that there was a single facility where the augmentations and trainings for the Spartan-IVs would happen. But it appears that it jumps here and there, so I *guess* this isn't really an official chapter, but at the same time, it is...?

Either way, I hope you enjoy. x)

Location: Infirmary, Spartan Training Facility, orbiting an unknown dwarf planet
24th December, 2554

"Merry Christmas Eve."

She stirred just a little bit more before finally opening her eyes to the near-blinding light. She lifted her head up but covered both of her eyes with one hand, groaning in annoyance. "Could somebody shut off the sunlight...?"

"It's just the ceiling light, princess," The voice continued, dipped in mirth.

She smiled at that and removed her hand from her eyes, still attempting to blink the sleep away. "Hey," She greeted, though her tone easily indicated her tiredness. "How are you feeling?"

"Somehow, getting exposed to space is better than getting tortured by the Covenant. I'm good, princess, but you've been out a while." Jun had sat up on the bed, wrapped a blanket around his upper body and pulled it a little closer to himself.

"How long was I even out?" She asked, rubbing her left eye.

"I woke up 2 hours ago to find you sound asleep."

Celestina then took a glance at her watch, horrified. "Holy shit! It's the 24th! I've been asleep for more than 7 hours!" She leaned back against her chair, hands covering her face as she faced the ceiling in despair. "UGHHHHH, I'm such a sloth!"

Though his own fatigue trying to get the best of him, he managed a smile. Her dramatic gestures would always make him feel better. "You're just tried, that's all. I'm guessing you've been here all this while?"

"Yeah... I told Musa that I wasn't going to leave this station until you had woken up," She admitted to him, massaging the back of her neck. "Didn't care if it was going to take months. But thank goodness it's only been a few days. He'll be happy to know that you're doing fine now. As will Death."

"Death will probably slap the hell out of me for getting myself back in the hospital."

"Not if I do it first, you stupid little shit."

Oh. Jun knew exactly what she meant by that. "So you know, huh?"

"What the hell did you think you are: some kind of Superhero?"

"Hey, O'Day was too busy gritting her teeth at Schein and Musa was, well... he couldn't exactly do anything sitting down. You really think I would've been able to just stand there, staring at Schein like an idiot without doing anything? My Spartan instincts don't work that way, princess."

"You could've died."

"But I didn't."

She sighed heavily at that, with a look that could have easily killed anyone else on sight. "Whoever said that Emile was the stubborn one..." After a few head shakes of disapproval, she rested her head on his knee, which prompted him to stroke her head in a doting manner. "But I'm really glad you're okay. I was still downstairs in the War Games room when that explosion happened. I couldn't reach Musa or you."

"I'm glad you're okay too," His calm tone told Celestina how relieved he was to see that she wasn't harmed. "Wish I could say the same for O'Day."

"She was what those trainees needed," She lamented, tracing circles on his thigh. "There's no way I'll be able to find another drill instructor as tough as her."

"She was one of a kind," He added, feeling for her untimely death. "But when the time comes, you'll find someone just as passionate."

"At least you got that bitch traitor. That'll make up for something," Then she lifted her head up, with Jun's hand now falling to her cheek instead. "Speaking of which... what is it with you and traitors? And getting exposed to space? Jesus, this better not be a fucking pattern."

Somehow, that brought a little smirk to his face. Mainly because of how she had put it. "Let's hope not, princess. The future of the Spartan Branch depends on it. If we continue to have any more episodes like this, it'll ruin our independence."

"You guys really need to run extensive background checks on the people you recruit. Though I can't blame you guys either – some people are fantastic liars and good at covering their tracks."

"Indeed. Which is why we have to be more observant than ever."

"We'll get by this," She assured, hands on his thigh. "I know we will. This is just a setback and setbacks are bound to happen now that we're a part of something this huge," That was when she presented him a rare smirk. "But because we're a part of this, we're bigger and badder. We can send them all running. They just have to dare to try again. And when they do, we'll make sure they regret it."

For a good 3 seconds, Jun studied her face with a look of approval on his own face. Keeping her grin, she questioned, "What's up?"

"Nothing, it's just…" His look of admiration continued as he stroked her cheek. "Whenever disaster would strike, you'd look like your whole world had collapsed. I… don't think I've ever seen you look so strong. But then again, I've always known you were super strong, not just in the physical sense." He squeezed both of her upper arms to emphasize his point.

Another beaming smile and she took the Spartan Commander by surprise by pressing her lips against his. He smiled into the kiss, enjoying every second of it, unbothered by the fact that anyone, at any moment, could walk in. Even if it was Musa, the duo were sure that he probably had known about their relationship a while back, but for some reason, chose not to say anything.

Celestina pulled back in a painfully slow manner, making her kiss linger a little longer. "Merry Christmas, Commander."

"Merry Christmas, princess."