Chapter 8

Jun didn't sleep well that night. She tossed and turned her mind going over the events of the evening. What started out as one thing ended up totally something else? Finally giving up on sleep Jun decided to get dressed and head out for a few hours. The sun would be coming up soon and she decided the only way to ease her mine was to ride her bike anywhere it took her. She quietly dressed in her red leather riding outfit and wrote a quick note for Jinpei letting him know she would be back in a few hours and not to worry.

The highway seemed deserted at this hour which made leaving the city much quicker. Jun hadn't put full focus on where she was going but the cool air and sound of the bikes engine was soothing. She saw a familiar dirt track and turned onto it, she found herself at the same lookout that she had been to only hours before. She stopped her bike removed her helmet and walked over to the viewing edge. The city really did look lovely from up here she though as she looked out past the trees. The sun was just starting to rise and stain the sky with its brilliant colours of pinks and shades of white and dark against the clouds marking the beginnings of a new day.

The lookout area appeared smaller and somehow looked somehow different in the light of day, then again so did many things.

Her mind went to Ken's kiss…she could feel it remembered the sensations that ran through her and knew he felt it too, it was well worth the wait. It even bought a smile to her face as she looked at roughly the spot that it happened and she found herself wondering what he was doing at that moment and her smile faded.

He was probably regretting it, and her sadness returned. The sun was a little higher in the sky now and way above her she could hear the sound of the engine of a light plane but when she looked up the rays of the blocked her view of the sun light plane passing overhead. She sighed and decided to head into the city for a little while before going back to the Snack J. Jinpei will want to know what was going on and she wasn't quite ready for his questions yet.

Jun pulled up into the parking lot of one of the parks that lined the waters edge of the bay in the city. She made her way down to a bench along the walkway and sat looking at the water in front of her. She bowed her head down in thought for a moment when she heard a familiar voice. "Jun….oh Jun it is you." Jay came running over to her." Didn't expect to run-"He stopped mid sentence and looked at the expression her face. "Oh dear" a concerned look came onto his face as she looked up at him and tears were welling in her eyes as Jun started to babble something he could not understand. "Wait a moment Jun, We need coffee and Chocolate Gateaux and we need it NOW…come with me" He said in way that you'd think national security was at stake, he helped her to her feet and looping arms with Jun and started walking her to his favorite waterfront café.

They had been seated in silence for about 5 minutes when the waiter came and took the order. Jay ordered for them both and a mocha coffee with whipped cream for them both, Chocolate mousse and Hazel nut gateaux with both cream and ice cream on the side. Jun did not object it sounded good actually. Their order arrived a few moments later before Jun had settled enough to relay the events of the night before. The she began to talk…..

"……..So you see then Ken kissed me and I basically threw it back in his face. Ken can hold a grudge and doesn't forget easily. Anthony will never talk to me again it wasn't really his fault Ken attacked him like that…..I just don't know where to go from here Ken and I will never be the same to each other ohhhh arr" She was so frustrated by it all.

Jay took a quick assessment of the situation. "You know I read in book some where that under pressure men drink lots of alcohol and invade small counties and start wars, women eat chocolate and go shopping. So once Ken's done with drinking and destruction he'll be back" He chided her a bit for a smile

"Let's get one thing straight" His face becoming more serious" Anthony should not have just left you there like that, if he cared anything for you at all he would have stayed and at least been a gentleman and offered you a lift home. What a jerk! I wouldn't date him after that. I heard of some of his playboy reputation but was not sure how much of it is true. Ken most likely did overreact but that was because he's madly in love with you dear and it can blind a person sometimes."

Well now she knew what Berg Katse's issues were if only they knew the ISO could have sent in chocolate and gift vouchers and bourbon, to deal with the situation… no wonder he/she the mutant drank so much and it explained some of her brothers habits….. Where in the world did those thoughts come from?? Jun shook her head to bring her back to reality.

So…Jun thought it through again maybe, Anthony had seen her as a trophy, something that looked good on his arm, take her to bed and then discard her when he was bored with her. Some how she knew deep down with Ken that was not the case, they had history together and she found herself wondering he had said he loved her for a long time and he was not one to lie like that just to get her into bed ..…

Jun broke from her thoughts and turned her eyes to Jay "Jay" she leaned forward to him" Thank you Jay you have such a good heart." He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. "It's alright Jun anytime you want coffee or go shopping call me. I love to shop with my friends and do lunch." A he gave a genuine smile with his offer." Jason my brother is organizing my 21st birthday for this Friday night will you come? It's at 7pm at the Snack J; I'll let Jin know that you're invited."

"Jun I would love to come, be there with bells on" and Jun couldn't help but giggle at that last comment. Jason had a way of lightening up the day with his positive attitude and genuine concern for everyone around him. Jun knew that she had made a new friend outside of the team.

It felt a little odd discussing fashion and girl things with a guy considering what her brothers were like, but she was getting used to it fast and Jay just had a different way of looking at things.

She looked at the time and decided to head home to the J she knew Jinpei would start to worry if she left it to long so she took her leave, Jason gave her a reassuring cuddle and kiss on the cheek and a "be in touch" before they parted.

Jun got on her bike and headed for home.

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Ken had gotten out of bed before sunrise having only stopped at three beers before attempting to sleep. No good he thought. And decided an early morning flight wouldn't hurt. The morning was beautiful the air was clear and found himself flying over near the lookout area that he had followed Jun and her date to the night before. He saw a small person in red below, Could it be Jun he wondered.

At this height he could not tell but somehow he hoped it was. As he looked at the figure below a though occurred to him. There was a way…The thoughts in process he decided to spend the week making the right changes to his life and take responsibility in his personal life not just when he was in command, he had things to do.

Half an hour later he was on the ground and back in shack rummaging through a box that he had carefully packed away. It held some of the most precious things in the world to him, last remnants of memories of his parent's lives. He pulled out a dark red velvet box that would have been about the size of his had inside was a yellowed piece of paper. He knew the words of the letter by heart. He closed the box and thought for a minute.

For his plan to work he need to enlist help and he knew just who to ask…..

Smiling he put the box away and headed for the phone.