Wolves of the Pacific

by greenpeach20

In 1902, Renesmee Cullen grew tired of the tedious life of moving around with her family and decided to make the journey west as a mail order bride. Yet a chance encounter with a reddish brown wolf would change her life forever.

114. Chapter 114

Chapter 114

"Anastasia said we could use copies of her wedding photos that had our candles, so I think we can use this wall for happy brides," Anna said while she stared at one large wall in the shop while Embry was getting the register desk set up.

"I think we can have a little section right here that we can have for the carved soaps," Amber suggested, piggybacking off Anna's suggestion. "I can ask Anastasia if she'd be alright with letting us have a few pictures from her baby shower. You remember those soaps, right?"

"Of course; the little bunnies and ducks," Anna smiled. "The rest of the store we can have candles for general sale and we'll make sure that bakery down the road has advertisements for our candle shop for unity candles."

"I have a meeting with the owner this afternoon, so we'll work out an agreement," Amber nodded and went around the desk looking down at the floor at Embry. He was on the floor on his back getting some wiring hooked up. "Did you want anything? I can go get you lunch if you're hungry."

"I'm alright," Embry said. Heather was sitting beside him. She had gotten fussy several minutes before while Amber was holding her, so she'd sat Heather down next to Embry and she calmed down while she was trying to pick up his tools even though they were too heavy. "I'll be finished with this in just a minute. My little assistant has been very helpful." Embry patted Heather's head and she giggled and wobbled around so she could plop on top of Embry's chest which made him chuckle and pat her tiny back.

"I'm glad she's been so helpful," Amber smiled. "Can I trust you to look after Heather for me while I have my meeting with the bakery?"

"Don't worry, I'll make sure she doesn't raise too much hell while you're gone," Embry teased and stopped what he was doing a moment so he could make Heather sit up and look at him. "Do you promise to behave while mommy's away?" Heather shook her head and grinned. "You mean yes, Heather Bear," Embry said but Heather kept shaking her head. "You're supposed to say yes and then we just raise hell later, kiddo." Embry tussled Heather's hair and she giggled and started making little noises and yelling vowels. "I'll do my best, but she's not willing to cooperate."

"Just make sure she doesn't get into too much trouble," Amber smiled and looked right at Heather until she was looking up at her. "Embry will tell me if you misbehave, little missy."

"No!" Heather yelled with a small laugh and Embry laughed.

"Oh yes, little missy," Amber said. "If you misbehave and Embry will tell me if you do. And if I find out you've been bad, you're getting peas with your dinner tonight."

"No!" Heather protested and Embry sat up and held Heather to him while she hid her face as though she were hiding.

"Don't be so unreasonable, Amber," Embry joked. "It's okay, Heather Bear. Mommy won't make you eat peas."

"Oh, yes I will," Amber said and kneeled down so she was at Heather's level regardless of her hiding her face against Embry. "I'll give you a whole bowl of just peas. I won't even put salt, pepper or butter on it. And I'll expect you to finish the whole bowl or you won't leave that dinner table."

"Ebiii," Heather whimpered, unable to actually say Embry's name, while he held her trying to comfort her.

"I'm sorry, Heather Bear," Embry said, "it sounds like we'll just have to behave ourselves."

"I'm glad we understand each other," Amber smiled and patted Heather's back before standing back up. Anna was snickering a little while she waited. "Mom, did you want to go get something? I'll go with you."

"That sounds lovely, actually," Anna nodded and the two of them left the shop to a little diner down the road so Anna could have something. They bought one thing to go and brought it back for Embry to have. By the time they'd come back, the register was set up and functioning and he was polishing the desk while he held Heather in his free arm.

Later that afternoon, Amber left for the bakery and Anna came with her. Since he'd finished set up for that day, Embry made the walk to Kevin's law firm and let himself in with Heather in arm. He had to wait a little while for Kevin to finish with a client but when he was done and said goodbye to the man he'd been speaking with, he looked at Heather and smiled.

"How's my baby girl?" Kevin asked as he approached. Heather eagerly reached out to Kevin and he picked her up and let her snuggle against his shoulder. Lisa finished her phone call and came over to give Heather some attention while Kevin and Embry talked. "How's the shop coming along?"

"I finished setting up the desk and register. The place is painted, the wax heater and well are ready, they've got their supplies and just need to get things set up. Anastasia's apparently letting Amber use pictures from her wedding and baby shower for advertisements."

"I knew she would," Kevin smiled. "I have a few clients that have engaged daughters and future daughter-in-laws and I'll give them invitations to opening day. They aren't all catholic, but it'll be exposure. The more exposure, the better. I know Anastasia will be handing out her own invitations."

"It'll be a success; I know it," Lisa said. "My cousin is pregnant right now and I told her about Amber's soaps and how she'd made little animals with them. She'll definitely be checking the shop out."

"Amber will be pleased to hear it," Kevin said and then looked at the clock. "I don't have another client until 3. Have you already eaten?"

"I have, but I suspect you haven't," Embry said. "I'll even buy you lunch."

"I can't argue with that," Kevin said. Kevin asked Lisa to hold his calls and he went with Embry to another diner nearby. Once they were seated, Embry just had coffee while Kevin ordered something. The waitress offered Heather a piece of pastry but Kevin said to make it to go for later. "Amber knows you have Heather right?" Kevin asked once the waitress had taken their orders and walked away.

"Yeah, I told her I'd take her to the law firm to see you. I told her after we were done, I'd bring her back to your house and meet them there."

"Alright, good," Kevin said. "So has there been any more news from Korea?"

"Not since Natalie was upset about JJ apparently being a former POW," Embry sighed. "Can't believe he kept that from her for so long."

"So long as he's safe now," Kevin said. "Or as safe as he can be. He was being sent back to the parallel right?"

"Yeah, that's what Natalie said," Embry said. "Oh, and she got to speak to Eun Mi."

"That's her name? Eun Mi?"

"Yeah," Embry nodded. "She's got quite the story from what Natalie said. Probably shouldn't go over it here, though."

"If she's from the North, probably not," Kevin said carefully since they were in public. "So when do we get to meet her in person?"

"I don't know yet," Embry said. "Soon I hope. Any girl that can make JJ not only apologize to Suerro but make them friendly with each other is well worth knowing."

"No kidding," Kevin said. "The papers haven't really given much more in the way of details as far as peace negotiations are concerned. Whatever's going on, it's clearly going as a crawl."

"Unfortunately," Embry sighed. "Why did North Korea invade the south in the first fucking place?"

"I don't know," Kevin said. "If you believe the papers, it's to 'spread the evil of communism' but I'd wager it's more likely because they want to unify the country. I can understand that I guess, but it's still not going well clearly from either end."

"Can you imagine how restless it must be for them? I can imagine they're just waiting for something to happen and it's driving them crazy."

"I'd imagine it would feel similar to the Great War," Kevin said. "I mean in the sense that we were stuck largely in one place in the trenches."

"You couldn't pay me to go through that again," Embry muttered. "I'm relieved Amber and her parents are here and safe. I don't know if I could stand another war."

"Amen to that," Kevin groaned. "When we came home, I'd told Alphonse life home was like a bed of roses. I mean it more now than I did then."

"She helps," Embry grinned, pointing at Heather who was sitting on Kevin's lap drawing on some paper with the best her motor skills could currently handle. Kevin Smiled and leaned down to kiss Heather's head.

"Dada," Heather smiled and pointed at the scribbles she was making. She'd started calling him that rather recently and Kevin had bragged about it endlessly when it first occurred.

"You hear that? She called me dada," Kevin grinned, still rather pleased with the latest development.

"Yes, I know. You've been telling me since last Sunday," Embry chuckled.

Later that evening, Amber and Anna returned home with a skip in their step. They'd worked out an agreement with the bakery for mutual advertising and they even agreed they would cater desserts for their opening day. They agreed they'd also have a basket of soaps on display in the shop that people could purchase for a limited time. The bakery even gave them the numbers of other wedding companies in town that they could register with and make agreements with. Amber and Anna were already making plans for a special event they would host for Christmas and Hanukkah for tiny candles for people's Christmas trees and Menorah candles. They'd start the sale after Thanksgiving and would have both a Christmas tree and Menorah in the shop. Amber planned to make little soap and candle carvings that were Christmas and Hanukkah appropriate.

Embry had gone to Kevin's and Amber's house with Heather while Kevin returned to work and he was there by the time Amber and Anna returned. Since it was getting late, Amber said goodnight to her mother and agreed they'd see each other the next day and then Amber started getting dinner ready.

"What are you in the mood for?" Amber asked Embry.

"I'm up for anything," Embry said. "Kevin said he'd be a little late tonight. Apparently there was a client that needed a late appointment."

"Was it Mr. Dean?" Amber asked, almost exasperated with just the memory of the particular client.

"I didn't ask," Embry chuckled. "A loyal customer I take it?"

"I suppose you could say that," Amber sighed. "Never mind. It's not appropriate to talk about clients or their legal problems."

"Alright," Embry said. "You and Kevin aren't returning to New York any time soon right?"

"Kevin said not until JJ's home. Or the war's over at the very least," Amber said. "Alphonse has been in New York and he's handling things as far as I'm aware. I think Alphonse has a cleaning lady that he sends to our apartment to dust periodically so that's one less thing to worry about."

"That's awfully generous of him," Embry smiled. "Do you miss New York?"

"Sometimes I do," Amber admitted. "I love that when we look out our window, the city is bright with so many lights. We have to close out curtains so we can get to sleep."

"I remember that part," Embry smiled.

"I'd love to go back to Los Angeles," Amber said. "We're thinking of taking a vacation after Christmas and going to LA for a week or two."

"That might be fun," Embry said. "Easier to come home from there too."

"I think so," Amber agreed. "You're welcome to come with us if you like."

"You be careful or I might take you up on the offer," Embry said and made Amber laugh.

Once August rolled around, Nathan and the others returned from their trip to Salvador. They'd spent another week in Las Vegas to drop Ivory off home before returning. Cindy was so happy to be home Nathan could tell. First thing she did when they got home was pooped in the yard and went right upstairs to Nathan's and Ada María's bedroom and went to sleep on their bed. Once he was home and most of the family went right to sleep after their long trip, Nathan decided to go visit Suerro and Natalie. She had that night off, so he had dinner with her and the kids.

"Any word from JJ?" Nathan asked once they'd all sat down.

"He was sent back to the parallel," Natalie said, not happy with that. "I got a letter from JJ the other day and he says he's doing alright so far. I'm still worried about him."

"When are you planning to send a letter back? We should all write to him."

"I think he'd like that," Suerro agreed.

"I was planning to send it Monday," Natalie said. "Oh," she continued, "I got to speak to Eun Mi."

"JJ's imprint, right?" Nathan asked.

"Yeah," Natalie said. "She seems like a nice girl. Found out she's North Korean."

"You don't say," Nathan said, a little surprised.

"Apparently," Natalie said, "JJ had been captured by the North Korean army for a while. That's how he and Eun Mi met. She helped him escape and he took her with."

"We owe her a great debt, then," Nathan said.

"Indeed we do," Natalie said. "I just wish he'd told me sooner. Anyway, she's a really sweet girl. I don't know when we'll get to meet her, but I look forward to it."

"Did JJ say anything about the two of them getting married?" Nathan asked.

"He didn't say anything about it to me, but that doesn't mean he doesn't plan to propose. I'm sure he will."

"Do you think he'll send her to America once they get married?" Salem asked.

"I would assume so," Natalie said. "That may be why he's not proposed yet actually. If they get married, he'll want to send her here. But that also means he won't know when he'll see her again."

"That's possible," Nathan said. "Take it from me: it's a heavy burden on a guy to have a wife and kids across the pond you never get to see and may never see again. Granted Ada and I weren't married at the time, but you know what I mean."

"We'll see," Natalie said and then smiled. "She expressed to me her displeasure with JJ towering over her the way he does. She said that looking up at JJ was like staring directly into the sky and it hurts her neck."

"How tall is she?" Nathan asked.

"She told me 149 centimeters so that would make her," Natalie took a second to think, "about 4' 11"."

"Oh my God, that poor girl," Nathan started laughing. "That's shorter than Alice isn't it?"

"Same height I think," Natalie said.

"How old is she?" Suerro asked.

"Twenty from what she told me," Natalie said. "Not just appearing twenty, but actually is twenty."

"How tall is JJ again?" Suerro asked.

"Same height as Jae was, so 6' 4"," Nathan chuckled again. "That poor girl," he reiterated with another laugh. "He's going to give her arthritis in her neck or something."

"Stop teasing, Nathan," Natalie said while trying not to laugh.

"Oh, Jesus," Salem said, "can you imagine when they have kids? Dear God, she'll look like a tick!"

"Salem," Natalie said firmly and swatted Salem's arm.

"I'm serious, mom. She'll probably feel like she's giving birth to a toddler," Salem said.

Nesia started snickering, "That kid will probably grow up to be the same height as JJ. No one will believe this 4' 11" woman gave birth to their giant child."

"On the bright side, at least Alice will have a new member to join her lollipop guild," Salem said and the two of them kept laughing with Nathan joining them.

"If you two do this when we meet her, I'll be extremely upset with you," Natalie said as she forced herself not to laugh with them.

"Oh come on, mom, we're joking," Salem said. "We'll just have to get on our knees when we greet her so we don't make her hurt her neck." Nesia kept laughing, nearly choking on her food while Nathan and now Suerro did the same.

"We'll have to give her a phone book to sit on when she's at the table," Nesia said and they kept laughing.

"Okay you two stop it. You're being rude," Suerro finally said.

"You're laughing just as hard as we are, Suerro, so don't give us that," Salem grinned.

"So aside from our future sister-in-law being about the height of the average 12 year old, what's she like?" Nesia said and got another swat to her shoulder from Natalie.

"Honestly, you two," Natalie groaned.

Back in Korea, Yon had followed through with her promise to help Eun Mi obtain a picture to give to JJ. Within days of his leaving for the parallel, Yon found a place they could go to take pictures. It wasn't cheap, but Eun Mi had enough money in wages to get a few pictures. Yon let Eun Mi burrow her Hanbok for the picture too. The only true silk Hanbok Eun Mi ever saw had been when she and her mother worked for the Mistress, but Eun Mi never got to wear one. She had to wear kimonos and had to wake up early every morning so the Mistress could get Eun Mi into one. Yon's Hanbok was silk, but rather subdued in color. The main skirt of the dress was mostly white save for a pattern at the bottom of gardenias, but they were in an off white color so it was tricky to see. The top of the dress was a dark navy blue which would work well for the picture she'd be getting. Yon helped Eun Mi get dressed up and put her hair in a bun with a barrette that the photographer was able to lend her.

"You look beautiful," Yon smiled once Eun Mi was dolled up.

"Do I?" Eun Mi blushed as she looked at herself in the mirror. She remembered how her mother used to look when she wore the Hanbok the Mistress gave her. She was always stunning in the gown, but her mother was never happy when she wore it. Eun Mi never thought she'd feel beautiful in the dress given the places she'd seen it worn, but she did feel beautiful. Perhaps it was because it was Yon's Hanbok.

"You do," Yon praised. "JJ will love your pictures. They'll drive him to come home safe and sound because he needs to come back to you."

"Do you think so?"

"I know so," Yon smiled.

Then Yon led Eun Mi to the little set that was in place for the photographer. It was a natural scene and there was even a gardenia bush in a pot, but the pot was hidden behind a rock and the bench was carved of wood. Eun Mi sat on the bench and followed the photographer's instructions smiling when he told her to and then taking a close up picture of her. In her hand, she held one little detail that she hoped JJ would greatly appreciate. Once they were done, the photographer advised he'd have the pictures ready in a week. The week seemed to drag while Eun Mi waited for her pictures. She was scared they wouldn't look good but Yon reassured her she'd looked beautiful. At the end of the week, Eun Mi returned to town to get the pictures and she was given four: 2 full pictures and 2 profile pictures of her. She was relieved she was smiling in both of them. She actually felt beautiful when she looked at herself in the pictures.

The following day she was able to send the letter and it made it to JJ same day. When he'd received the letter, JJ was taking his turn to be away from the parallel while another soldier took his scouting spot. JJ kept Eun Mi's button in his breast pocket with his dad's picture but he had a new gift to add to his pocket. He'd never seen Eun Mi in such a fashion. She'd always been in a uniform and her hair was always done in such a manner for practicality only. Her hair was always braided with her grown out bangs pinned back so they were out of her face. In this picture, her bangs were still pinned back but it was with her hair in a tight bun and a tiny hairpiece in her hair that looked a little like a bird. A crane specifically.

Even in the full Hanbok, Eun Mi appeared delicate and small. He always thought she looked beautiful, but in these pictures, she looked like a princess. He also saw something in her hands. He realized it was the picture he'd given her of him in his uniform and the realization touched him deeply. He got lost in thought just staring at the pictures wishing he could be there to see her in person. Since being sent back to the parallel, JJ missed her so much. He'd hoped he could have gone back to the M.A.S.H. for at least a day, but he found out it would be December for he'd be given any sort of leave and it wouldn't be for very long. He knew he'd be at the parallel through Christmas and New Year's, but he could deal with that. He just wished he could be with Eun Mi sooner than December.

"She cleans up really good," Hadley's voice came, surprising JJ. "Sorry. Am I interrupting?" Hadley teased and JJ smiled.

"Nah," he said. "She's always beautiful, but these pictures really do her justice."

"Give you something worth looking at while we're here," Hadley half chuckled, half groaned. "I got a letter from Lisa. John's doing good. He's already growing so much." He rubbed his eye a little. "You know, I knew when I found out Lisa was pregnant that I'd miss a little of my kid's early years but…..I didn't think it would hurt as much as it does."

"We'll make sure this is over before he gets too big," JJ said. "We'll beat these fuckers before he's walking. I promise." Hadley smiled a little.

''Thanks," Hadley said. "She sent me a picture of them together." He reached into his own breast pocket and pulled out a small picture to show JJ. The woman in the picture clearly had darker hair, but definitely not black from what he could tell. The woman was smiling holding a little baby in her arms with chubby cheeks that was smiling a little toothless smile.

"He's a handsome little rugrat," JJ smiled and handed back the picture. "Have you two talked yet about making another?"

"I should probably get home before we start talking about making another one," Hadley chuckled, "but you mark my words: when I get home, I'm kicking down that fucking door, telling Lisa to put a roast in the oven and to get naked 'cause we're making babies tonight."

JJ chuckled, "That's the spirit."

"Never seeing another pot of kimchi ever again can't come soon enough," Hadley said. "When I get home, I'll ask her to make a roast just like my mother makes it, a giant pile of mashed potatoes with lots and lots of butter and bustle sprouts." Hadley moaned a little at the thought. "Then, after dinner, I want the biggest chocolate cake ever made with pecans cooked in it. And you know what? I want it topped with whipped cream and a side of strawberries. Then and only then will I make love to my wife until I can't fucking move for hours."

"When I get home," JJ said, "I want all the potatoes I can eat. I was so many potatoes that I turn into one."

"Just potatoes?"

"Potato cakes," JJ said. "It's a traditional dish of ours. It's really simple honestly. Potato, onion and salt and it's done. It's my favorite though. The best thing is to cover those cakes in my mom's homemade sauerkraut and mustard. That's how I like them."

"You must smell like roses after that," Hadley teased.

"I don't care," JJ smiled. "That's what I miss: my mom's potato cakes smothered with mustard and homemade sauerkraut. Then I want baked apples with lots of brown sugar and cinnamon."

"I assume Eun Mi's going to need to learn how to make that?" Hadley teased and gently nudged JJ's shoulder.

"It's easy enough. Hell, I could probably just describe it to her and she'd make it for me one day. Maybe I'll do that."

There was a brief silence between them a moment before Hadley spoke. "You really think you're going to ask her to marry you?"

"I will," JJ smiled. "I don't know when I'll ask, but I'm going to. I love her, Jared. I'm a better man because of her."

"Absolutely you are," Hadley smiled. "You're happier since you two met than I've ever seen you. Even back in the North Korean holding camp, you seemed in better spirits just from meeting her."

"I know," JJ said and looked at her picture again. "Do you think she'll say yes when I ask her?"

"She'd be a damned fool not to," Hadley reassured. "I'm sure she will. I'm sure she'll happily dawn a white dress and marry you any day."

"No," JJ gently shook his head, "I want her in this thing. A Hanbok I think it's called. I want her in a Hanbok and I want to wear my uniform. Then when we're both in Washington, we'll have a traditional Quileute wedding."

"Sounds romantic," Hadley smiled. "I fully expect to be your best man when you two get married."

"You got it," JJ answered and they chuckled.

JJ kept Eun Mi's picture in his breast pocket with her button and his father's picture. Even if he couldn't look at it very often through the day, just having her pictures on his person was enough to give him a great deal of comfort. He would desperately need it in the coming months. For JJ's first month and a half back at the parallel, things were largely a stalemate, but then orders came in for a new attack. Air raids and bombings had already begun in Yangu Province of South Korea in an effort to force the North Korean and Chinese army out of the hills of the province. JJ was one of many that would be sent to this region and it took him much farther than he'd been from the M.A.S.H where Eun Mi was. The battle officially started September 13th.

The Battle of Heartbreak Ridge: it was the most miserable time JJ had ever experienced except perhaps when they'd had to flee from the Chinese army. The battle started similar to their invasion of Inchon. Their air bombings and relentless pushing gave them a lot of ground and they slaughtered thousands in the endeavor, but eventually they simply ran out of ammunition and the North Korean and Chinese army just pushed back, just keeping throwing bodies their way. JJ lost count of how many times and forced himself, Hadley and any other comrades into ditches to escape a bomb. JJ had been given a giant blowtorch that he had to blast into trenches to force North Korean and Chinese troops from their hiding spots so they could be shot and killed. Every time he'd done it, their screams and cries would ring in his ears and he couldn't stand it. When their enemy fought back, they'd attack at night and there were several occasions in which JJ was quiet literally in a hand to hand fight with a Chinese or North Korean soldier.

It seemed like no matter what they did, the North Koreans just kept coming out of the woodworks. Eventually the Maj. Gen. Young called a halt to the battle that he'd called a 'fiasco'. JJ was inclined to agree with the reference. He and his comrades had brought down and killed so many but they just – wouldn't – stop. They needed a new plan that would ensure the North Koreans got cut off from their supplies by taking the village of Mungdung-Ni. They had to get deeper into the valley, but the only way to do it would be to brave enemy fire and improve the roads so the tanks could get through. So that's what they did. The 2nd Division engineer battalion was launched to take on the task of bettering the road while the 9th, 23rd and 38th regiments launched a counter attack in the hills to get the attention and fire off the engineers. The plan paid off and by October 10th, the road was ready to proceed with the main assault.

By October 11th, 30 tanks and support artillery were able to get into the valley just as planned and they were able to take the enemy completely by surprise. However, China was already sending in reinforcements to assist North Korea with their main objective to keep the Americans from reaching the village of Mungdung-Ni by any means necessary. However, by the time the Chinese 204th Division had reached their goal, the 2nd division had already dug its way in and the Chinese army suffered heavy casualties from allied tank and gunfire. Five tanks were damaged by the Chinese 610th regiment which halted the offensive. Having learned from American tactics, the 610th regiment had already reinforced their antitank trenches by the following day October 12th and they'd managed to blockade the main road that led into Mungdung-Ni, but heavy damage was still pressed on the Chinese and North Korean armies in the form of air assaults. Chinese troops were given antitank guns, rocket launchers and recoilless guns which they used to shoot at oncoming American tanks point-blank. They damaged or destroyed 18 tanks, but with heavy casualties.

By October 13th, South Korean 8th Division had pressed the North Korean and Chinese armies further and by the 15th, more Sherman tanks came in but were damaged or destroyed by Chinese antitank guns. The tanks that survived road up and down the roads of the valley destroying supply chains, North Korean/Chinese bunkers. A smaller tank-infantry took the east side of the ridge completely surrounding the enemy, taking any hope of reinforcement for the trapped North Korean and Chinese troops. After thirty days of fighting and heavy losses, the allies finally took Heartbreak Ridge, but despite all their fighting, they never reached the village of Mungdung-Ni. JJ and Hadley were among those that had managed to escape the battle with their lives by some miracle, but as the count of lost men started going higher and higher, a heavy weight began to form on their shoulders. It was another stalemate. Back to square one and it was one of the worst feelings in the world.

When things had finally calmed down, JJ was finally able to pull out the picture of Eun Mi after not being able to look at it for over thirty days from tireless fighting. The picture had stayed safe in his breast pocket despite all the hell JJ and the others had been through. There were so many injured that had been rushed to the nearest M.A.S.H. for immediate medical attention while some men were collecting the dog tags of the fallen so their families could be notified. It was an overwhelming scene that left JJ feeling ill. When his uncles had returned from the war and JJ had gotten into their heads, he heard and saw the memories his uncles did everything in their power to repress, but to see it first-hand….it was so much worse than seeing it from the inside looking out; the young man safe at home while brave men fought. Yet through most of the battle, it wasn't bravery that drove him forward: it was a desperate need to live and survive. When he'd fought North Korean and Chinese soldiers hand to hand, when he'd smelled their blood and felt their bones crack under his fists, when he saw the life drain from their eyes, it hadn't been patriotism he'd felt: only terror that he might be next and a feral desire to make sure that didn't happen. Looking at Eun Mi's picture; it was the first time in weeks he'd felt any ounce of calm. Yet it wasn't enough. He missed her and needed her. He wanted to hold her and for her to tell him he was home and everything would be okay.

"I'm not ever sure we won," Hadley's voice came after he'd approached JJ.

"We won the battle," JJ said. "We robbed them of resources, killed their men and forced them back. I'd say that's some degree of victory."

"We never claimed Mungdung-whatever the fuck it's called," Hadley groaned.

"I guess not," JJ said and returned his attention to the picture and Eun Mi's smile. "I may have to steal your idea."

"What idea?"

"When we get back," JJ said, "I'll kick down the door of the kitchen to the mess hall and then tell Eun Mi to get some rice cooking and get naked because we're making babies tonight."

Hadley finally chuckled, "I thought you wanted her to make you those rice cakes your mom made."

"Those require too much of her attention that I'd rather be on me right about now," JJ managed to joke.

"I bet," Hadley said. "Well, if nothing else, I think we'll be able to start sending some men back to the parallel."

"Not many I would think," JJ said. "I'm hoping I'll still be able to go to the M.A.S.H. in December, but after all this I'm not so sure."

"You should write her," Hadley said. "At least to let her know you're okay. I'm sending Lisa a fucking novel so she'll know I'm alive."

"I think she'll appreciate that," JJ smiled.

At a point in the coming days, men that had requested it were able to be given writing materials so they could write home so their families would know they were alive. JJ wrote a letter home reassuring his mother that he was alive, but the letter he wanted to write the most had to be his briefest. He wasn't sure if Eun Mi had been able to practice her reading, but his letter to her was such that if someone had to read it for her, it wouldn't be a big deal. It took a few days for his letter to arrive, but Eun Mi received it in the evening when she'd been told the administrative tent had a letter for her. She found Yon as soon as she realized it was in English and knew it had to be from JJ.

"Can you help me read this?" Eun Mi asked Yon once she'd found her. Yon helped Eun Mi through the letter so she was learning while she read.

Eun Mi,

We've stopped fighting for now. I want you to know I'm uninjured. I'm sorry I haven't been able to return sooner. I will come back as soon as I can.

I Love You,

JJ

"He's okay," Eun Mi breathed a sigh of relief, but it didn't last long. He still wasn't back and she didn't know when he'd be back. They were no longer fighting for now, but 'for now' was the operative phrase. "I wish I could go see him."

"I know," Yon rubbed Eun Mi's back, "but you're a civilian now. You can't go into a warzone."

"I know," Eun Mi said and rubbed her head. "Can you help me write him back?" With a smile, Yon nodded and that evening, she helped Eun Mi construct a letter back to JJ all the while, helping her improve her reading and writing. "It took me a day to learn how to read Hangul," Eun Mi grumbled as she struggled through.

"That's what Hangul was designed for, my dear," Yon smiled. "English is a little more complicated than that. Just be patient. You'll get it before you know it." Eun Mi groaned but then nodded and they proceeded with writing. Eun Mi gave the letter to the administrative office first thing next morning and just hoped the letter would reach JJ soon. It wound up taking several days, but JJ did eventually receive Eun Mi's letter, but he couldn't read it until he was relieved of his shift. While they hadn't been engaged in combat where he was, they were still on high alert. But when he could finally read Eun Mi's letter, it was like a breath of fresh air for him.

JJ,

I received your letter. I'm happy you are alright. I hope you will come back soon. I miss you and I love you.

Eun Mi

JJ smiled and folded the letter and put it in his pocket so he could pull out her picture and stare at it again. It never failed to calm him down and make him feel better. Even if only a little. The following day when JJ was on his patrol shift, he was making his rounds, gun in hand on high alert ready to shoot anyone or anything threatening. While he was patrolling, he came across a large chunk of wood. It was charred from fire but when he gently kicked it, it clearly had a solid foundation remaining under the black char. He took a moment to look around and then picked up the large chunk of wood. It was hefty indicating plenty of wood to work with. JJ smiled and put the wood back on the ground so he could kick it with him while he continued his rounds. Once he was relieved, he took the large chunk of wood, grabbed his army knife, and started carving away the burned wood to reveal the remaining wood underneath.

"What are you up to?" Hadley asked.

"I'm making a present for Eun Mi," JJ said. "My grandpa showed a bunch of us kids how to wood carve. I'm nowhere near as talented at it as my grandpa is, but I saw this and thought of something I could make her."

"Didn't you say your dad was good at making clocks or something?"

"Repairing clocks, yes," JJ nodded. "Taught me how to do it too. Sadly, I don't have the materials to make Eun Mi a clock, so something out of carved wood will have to do."

"I'll bet," Hadley grinned, "that if you go to Seoul next chance you get, you might be able to buy that little girl a ring."

"I'll get her a ring someday," JJ said. "First a bracelet. That's how we propose in my tribe.:

"Oh," Hadley said, "so is that what you're making for her?"

"Yeah," JJ nodded. "I'm trying to carve a gardenia."

"Shit," Hadley chuckled, "good luck with that."

"I'll need it," JJ smiled. "I'm trying to summon all my grandpa's talent for my own right about now."

"I'm just shocked you're able to do that in such low light."

"I have good eyesight," JJ answered.

Hadley grinned and watched JJ work for a while, impressed with how well he was actually doing. Though it didn't come without a few curses from accidently cutting his thumb. The bracelet took several days for JJ to finish. He put excruciating detail into making sure the flower was perfect but not without cutting his thumb several times. He had some wood left over, so he took several more days to carve little beads out of the wood. Hadley surprised JJ by giving him a sander for JJ to use. So once JJ had the basic shape he was aiming for, he'd use the rough edged sanding pad to smooth out the beads so they were perfectly smooth and used it to smooth out any edges and rough spots on the flower he'd carved.

"Fuck, JJ," Hadley said as he looked at the wooden gardenia while JJ was finishing some small beads. "This is amazing."

"Thank you," JJ said. "I wish I could make it white, but I don't have any paint."

"I think it looks great without the paint," Hadley said. "Just give this beauty a layer of varnish to protect it and give it some shine and it'll be perfect."

"Where do I get varnish?" JJ asked in humor.

"I'll ask around for you," Hadley said. "I'll talk to the same guy that got me those sander pads for you. I would assume he can maybe get varnish for you. Or take it to get varnished."

"No," JJ said, "I'd rather do it myself. I don't want anything to happen to it."

"Alright, I'll make clear you want it brought to us or he needs to say where you can go to get that varnished."

"Thank you," JJ smiled. "Last thing I need to do is drill some holes so I can assemble the bracelet. I think I'll use the fabric of my uniform to pull it together."

"I don't know about that, JJ," Hadley chuckled. "I'm sure you're handsome enough, but I don't think the guys will much appreciate you walking around buck naked."

"I won't need that much," JJ elbowed Hadley with a laugh. "I'll use my jacket."

"Alright," Hadley said with a shrug. "When you get yelled at for a ruined uniform, don't come crying to me." Hadley patted JJ's back in good humor and the following day enquired about the varnish with the same guy he'd gotten the sander pads from.

As they suspected, JJ would need to go into town to varnish the flower and beads, but thankfully the place he'd need to go also had a drill that he could use. JJ put in a request to go to the village south of the warzone for a day, but it took a long time to obtain approval. By the time he was able to leave and go into town, it was December. He still had approval to return to the M.A.S.H. to visit Eun Mi, but he'd only had 2 days before he had to return to the parallel.

"You made yourself?" the shopkeeper asked when JJ showed what he needed varnished and holes put into. "Beautiful woodwork," he continued. He was an older man that JJ was greatly relieved knew English, or at least enough English to help him varnish and finish the bracelet.

While the shopkeeper put in big enough holes, taking great care not to break any of the beads or the flower, JJ tore off a section of his lighter uniform jacket so he could use that to thread the beads. The shopkeeper's granddaughter saw what they were working on. She was a little girl that couldn't be older than 12. She showed JJ how to braid the thick threads of his uniform in a special way so it would fit tightly through the holes her grandpa had made in the beads. He stayed there while he put the finishing touches on the bracelet and get it put together. Once it was done, he was so proud of it. It certainly wasn't as expensive looking as the bracelet his father had made his mother, but somehow, JJ knew Eun Mi would love this bracelet.

"Bracelet for someone special?" the old man asked.

"Yeah," JJ nodded.

"What her name?" he asked.

"Eun Mi," JJ smiled a little to himself.

"Very pretty name," the old man said. "She make you good wife, I know."

JJ chuckled a little and thanked the man for his help and time before paying him for the tools he'd used and then left to return to the warzone. He had a few more days before he would be able to leave for a few days. In that time, JJ kept looking at the bracelet he'd made and the picture of Eun Mi. He was restless, wanting to see her so badly. He might not be with her for Christmas day, but he'd still have a little Christmas with her. Back at the M.A.S.H. Eun Mi was focusing mostly on her work in the kitchen. When it was night, she'd look at JJ's picture before she would put it back under her pillow where she kept it. When December had come, the nurses were getting the place decorated for Christmas, especially in the medical tents where the wounded were. They needed the Christmas spirit more than anyone. Most of them that could were being sent back to the states with the explicit goal of having them home by Christmas. The men were extremely happy about that, even if it was due to injuries.

"What are you getting that boy for Christmas?" Terry asked Eun Mi while she was sautéing veggies for him.

"What?" Eun Mi asked.

"It's almost Christmas," Terry said. "Are you planning to get Dauer a gift? I'm sure he'd like it a lot if you did."

"I hadn't thought about it," Eun Mi said. "I'm not familiar with this holiday."

"Well, it's the 25th of December. I believe there's going to be a mail caravan going to the parallel to bring the men letters and presents from home, so you can get Dauer something and they'll send it to him."

"Do you have any recommendations?" Eun Mi asked. "I gave him a picture of me to take with him and he was happy to have it. I don't know what else I could give him."

"Well, what does he like?"

"Pardon?"

"What does he like?" Terry repeated. "What are his hobbies or what's something you think he would want? Start thinking all that over and you'll come up with something I'm sure. You know what: I'll bet my next pay that he'd love it if you made him some food you could send him."

"Oh!" Yon interrupted. "I will bring you my guljeolpan platter! You can make-" Yon stopped, "Wait. He doesn't eat meat does he?"

"No, please, bring that," Eun Mi said, a plan forming. "I'll adjust the nine delicacies so he can eat everything."

"You'll have to use shiitake mushrooms too," Yon said. "I don't think there are rock ear mushrooms available this time of year."

"The shiitake mushrooms will be perfect. JJ likes those," Eun Mi answered. "I'll make him fresh kimchi too. Rice with peas."

"Make him a regular Korean Christmas dinner? I think he'd appreciate that a whole lot," Terry smiled.

"We have pickled radish ready don't we? I'll use that for the yellow and I'll use untreated radish for the white. I'll fry the tofu so it's brown….cucumber, carrot. Oh! I can make eggplant for him. He likes it when I use that eel sauce with it."

"You'll just have to figure out how to transport it," Terry said.

"I'll figure something out," Eun Mi said. "Might I request permission to come into the kitchen early so I can make it fresh?"

"Go right ahead," Terry agreed.

Having gained permission from Terry to come into the kitchen early, Eun Mi went to administration to find out when that caravan Terry mentioned would be leaving. She found out it was being sent a week before Christmas, so Eun Mi marked the little calendar she'd been given to make note of the day. JJ's kimchi she would start preparing the day before. She knew he liked kimchi most when it was fresh and before it started pickling and getting sour. When it got really sour, JJ preferred when Eun Mi turned it into soup. Depending on how many days he could stay, she contemplated turning the remaining kimchi into soup for him. Perhaps making just one head of cabbage. The days leading up to when Eun Mi could send a care package, she started planning out what she'd make for JJ. She was informed that Christmas generally involved dessert, so she started getting red beans soaking so she could make little red bean desserts for him. The day finally came when the care packages would be sent and Eun Mi woke up three hours early with Terry's renewed permission and went to the kitchen to start working.

She spent the entirety of that morning cooking, chopping and assembling for JJ's care package. She prepared the guljeolpan tray that Yon had given her with an assortment of foods. She thinly sliced yellow pickled radish for one compartment, gently sautéed white radish for another compartment, prepared shiitake mushrooms for another compartment, salted cucumber before sautéing that and putting it in two compartments, made the eggplant the way JJ liked for another compartment, one for fried tofu, another for gently sautéed carrot. For the center compartment, she made tiny thin crepes and keeping them separated using sesame seeds. When she was finished preparing the guljeolpan, she was extremely proud of herself. The Mistress used to make guljeolpan for high ranking Japanese officers and always bragged how the dish was eaten by the Korean royal family of the Joseon Dynasty and the officers always ate it right up. Figuratively and literally. How those officers loved being treated like emperors.

In another little decorative box, Eun Mi put some freshly prepared kimchi that hadn't pickled yet while putting the remaining kimchi in its assigned ongi that still had JJ's name on it written in Hangul. In another compartment she put rice with peas, another little box had two danpatbbang pastries that she put a little heart in the center using toasted black sesame seeds. She'd gotten the boxes sealed using clothes that she tied a big knot on and by the time she was finished, the administrative office had people awake there so she obtained a box from them. The horn had gone off waking the recruits while she was putting the care package in its box and labeled it appropriately so he'd get it. The administrative office confirmed they'd give it to the caravan for her so she was able to get back to the kitchen and help with the breakfast rush. Then, late in the morning while Eun Mi was cleaning the dishes, one of the officers she'd spoken to that morning let himself into the kitchen holding her care package.

"Is everything okay?" she asked the officer.

"Everything's fine, Miss So," the officer said. "I just don't think you'll need to send this through the caravan. Best to just hand it over personally."

"I don't understand," Eun Mi said.

"Get dried up and take this outside," the officer said placing the box on a dry surface for Eun Mi while she dried her hands. Terry gave her leave for the day, so Eun Mi took the large box in her arms and stepped out of the mess hall.

"Hello, baby. Did you miss me?" came a voice and made Eun Mi jump even if she knew the voice the moment she heard it. She saw JJ standing there and nearly dropped his care package. She gently placed it on the snowy ground before running to him to give him a hug. JJ lifted her up so he was standing up straight while he held her and kissed her. "I know I missed you," JJ said.

"I missed you too," Eun Mi said and rested her head against his shoulder. "You're alright? You haven't been hurt?"

"No, I'm alright," JJ reassured. He kissed her cheek so she would look up at him. "I'm a hell of a lot better now." Eun Mi smiled and rubbed her nose against his shoulder. "Did you need me to help you with that?"

"What?" Eun Mi asked and JJ pointed at the box she'd been carrying. "Oh," she said and get herself out of his arms. "Are you hungry?"

"Starving," JJ said. Eun Mi examined him a little more closely and noticed he'd gotten skinny again.

"I can tell," Eun Mi said. "You aren't eating right again." She turned to grab the box and then looked at him again. "Terry gave me leave for the day so I'm all yours. This is a present for you actually. I was going to send it with the caravan but since you're here, you have it now."

"What is it?" JJ asked.

"Come with me and find out," Eun Mi said and they walked together to the bunkers. They were empty since it was the middle of the day and most everyone was attending to their own chores for the day. "Did you like the pictures I sent you?" she asked once they were seated together on her assigned bed while she started reopening JJ's care package.

"I did," JJ smiled. "I look at them all the time. They make me feel better." Eun Mi smiled and got the box opened. She pulled out all the containers she'd carefully packed and started untying the clothes that secured them. "You were sending me all this?"

"I'm sure Yon will want these containers back but it's what's inside that's for you," Eun Mi said. Once she'd discarded all the clothes, she started opening the little containers starting with the one that held JJ's rice and peas that were still slightly warm. Then she opened the container with his kimchi made fresh that morning. Then she opened the guljeolpan container and then finally ended with opening the tiny container that held JJ's little dessert cakes with red bean filling.

"You made all this?" JJ asked and Eun Mi nodded.

"I changed the recipe just a little but this is called guljeolpan," Eun Mi explained, pointing at the platter spread divided by compartments. "This is something that used to be eaten by royalty during the Joseon Dynasty in Korea. Usually it has egg and beef and shrimp, but I used eggplant in eel sauce, fried tofu and pickled radish and fresh radish. It usually uses rock ear mushrooms but those aren't available, so I used shiitake instead."

"This must have taken forever," JJ said with awe, just staring at the spread.

"It's for a special occasion," Eun Mi said. "Terry was telling me about Christmas being a big holiday in America and I wanted to be sure to give you something nice."

JJ looked up at her with a smile and leaned over to give her a brief but tender kiss. "This looks amazing, Eun Mi. Thank you." Eun Mi blushed a little and retrieved the chopsticks from the smallest box and handed them to JJ. He smirked and accepted them. "Is this a bad time to tell you I don't know how to use these?"

"I'll teach you," Eun Mi said.

For about ten minutes, Eun Mi helped JJ get used to using chopsticks and how to grip them properly. She had him practice by teaching him how to assemble the little guljeolpan by getting one of the tiny crepes and putting cucumber, carrot, mushroom, one or both radishes and then one or both proteins and enjoying. He would often just use his hands to eat the guljeolpan treat, but he practiced using chopsticks while eating his rice and his fresh kimchi.

"How do you like it?" Eun Mi asked.

"Best thing I've had in months," JJ smiled and leaned over to give Eun Mi another kiss. Then he started assembling another guljeolpan, using the chopsticks the way Eun Mi showed his to pick up the components, albeit rather clumsily. "It may be a little early, but I'd say this is a perfect Christmas dinner. Or lunch I guess it would be."

"Will you be here for Christmas?"

"No," JJ said. "I have to be back at the parallel in two days. Still, at least I got to come back to see you."

"I'm just relieved you're okay," Eun Mi said. "I heard about the battle to take Mungdung-Ni."

"Yeah," JJ nodded. "We tried to take the village but we never quite got there. We cut off some of their supplies and we took down thousands, but we just couldn't take the town." JJ sighed a little. "Can we talk about something else? How have things been here? You've been safe and everything right?"

"We've been fine," Eun Mi said. "A large group was sent home because of their injuries, so the doctors had some degree of relaxation, but it never lasts very long."

"Is Terry still being nice to you?"

"He's very nice," Eun Mi nodded. "In his own 'southern charm' way."

JJ chuckled, "Yeah, that accent will get to you. I got those letters you wrote me. I take it Yon or Jun have been teaching you to read?"

"Mostly Yon," Eun Mi said. "Hangul is so much less complicated."

"I beg to differ," JJ chuckled a little. "The way I've heard it, in Japan it takes years to learn how to read fully and in China it takes even longer all because of the way the writing system is."

"Hangul is nothing like Japanese or Chinese," Eun Mi said. "Chinese and Japanese have thousands of characters. In the case of Japanese, it's those characters combined with Katakana and Hiragana. Hangul is extremely easy. It's designed to be that way."

"I have a hard time believing that," JJ said.

"Hangul is the easiest writing system in the world," Eun Mi proclaimed confidently.

"When you've grown up with something, I would imagine it's really easy."

"I didn't grow up with it," Eun Mi said. "I didn't start learning to read until I was working for the Mistress. One of the ladies I worked with taught me and I learned how to read in less than a day."

"You learned an entire writing system in a day," JJ said skeptically, but Eun Mi nodded with persistence.

"Centuries ago, the Korean language used to be written entirely using Chinese characters which makes no sense. It was called the Hanja but it was Chinese characters. Chinese and Korean are very different languages and the Chinese writing system uses symbols for individual words but in Korean that just doesn't work, so reading in Hanja was nearly impossible for most citizens and for a time the literacy rate in Korea was remarkably low. That is until Emperor Sejong the Great. He'd said that trying to use Chinese to write Korean was like trying to fit a square block into a round hole. So he singlehandedly made up the Hangul writing system with the full intent of making sure it was as simple as possible. He'd stated about Hangul characters that 'A wise man can acquaint himself with them before the morning is over. A stupid man can learn them in the space of ten days.'"

"Is that so?" JJ chuckled.

"You said you're here for another two days?" Eun Mi asked. "I'll have you reading before you leave."

"Can I at least finish my food before we dive into it?" JJ asked.

"Of course," Eun Mi said and crossed her arms smugly. "We have plenty of time." JJ chuckled and shrugged so he could keep eating.

While he did that, Eun Mi grabbed a piece of paper and, with her knowledge of the English alphabet, she wrote down the Hangul alphabet and wrote out their sounds to the best of her ability, but that would largely be taught through saying it. In the meantime while JJ ate, they talked mostly about what she'd been up to though there wasn't much to tell since her days were spent always in Terry's kitchen helping make food and clean. They avoided talking about his time at the parallel by his preference. When they weren't fighting, the time spent was simultaneously really boring and also terrifying and JJ didn't want to talk about it. The only joy he'd really had was making Eun Mi's bracelet and he didn't plan to tell her about that just yet. JJ managed to polish off all the food she'd made for him and by the end of it, he was lying down in Eun Mi's little bed with his head against the pillow.

"I could fall asleep right now," JJ said with his eyes closed.

"You can't fall asleep," Eun Mi said, sitting on the edge of the narrow bed right beside him. "I need to teach you to read Hangul."

"Eun Mi, I can't even speak Korean," JJ said, never opening his eyes. "What good is knowing how to read Korean going to do me?"

"Don't be so grumpy," Eun Mi said and patted JJ's shoulder. "Sit up and I'll teach you to read. In fact, I will bet I'll have you understanding it by the end of the day." JJ groaned but he didn't sit up. Instead, he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her down on top of him. She reached out a ghostly hand to the floor so she wouldn't lose her balance, but she still landed atop him. When she was leaning on his chest, he finally opened his eyes.

"What are the terms of this bet?"

"I'm sorry?" Eun Mi asked.

"I'm a gambling man, Eun Mi," JJ smirked. "My dad, my Uncle Hailey and I used to play poker all the time when I was a kid. Dad used to give me five dollars in change to gamble with and the three of us would play poker until one of us won the whole pot. I don't mind telling you I won that pot more than a few times."

"I don't know what poker is," Eun Mi said.

"It's a card game that requires getting the best collection of cards out of the other players. Whoever has the best hand wins the round. I'll be teaching you how to play poker some time soon. Don't worry; it's a lot of fun. Now, back to our little bet. How about I give you until midday tomorrow to teach me how to read in Korean."

"Hangul," Eun Mi corrected.

"I'm sorry. Hangul," JJ said. "I'll give you until midday tomorrow to have me reading without assistance in Hangul. If you win and I can read, then you get something or I'll do something specific for you. If I can't read by then, then you do something for me."

"Alright," Eun Mi smiled.

"You don't even know what I'll want if I win," JJ said.

"I don't need to. You'll be reading long before tomorrow," Eun Mi said and grabbed the piece of paper she'd written on. "So this is the alphabet."

ㄱ g/k, ㄴ n, ㄷ d/t, ㄹ l/r, ㅁ m, ㅂ b/p, ㅅ s, ㅇ (silent when at start)/ng (final), ㅈ j, ㅊ ch, ㅋ k, ㅌ t, ㅍ p, ㅎ h

ㄲ kk, ㄸ tt, ㅃ bb, ㅆ ss, ㅉ jj

ㅏ a, ㅓ eo, ㅗ o, ㅜ u, ㅡ eu, ㅣ i

ㅑ ya, ㅕ yeo, ㅛ yo, ㅠ yu,ㅐ ae, ㅒ yae, ㅔ e, ㅖ ye, ㅘ wa, ㅙ wae, ㅚ oe, ㅝ wo, ㅞ we, ㅟ wi, ㅢ ui

"Wait, that's it?" JJ asked, already a little surprised as he looked at the alphabet.

"Yes, this is it," Eun Mi said. "Now, to be fair," she proceeded, "some of these consonant characters will change their sound depending on the word or what you're trying to write. For example, the g character," she pointed at the first character on her list that looked like a backwards r to JJ, "can also be k. It just depends on what you're actually writing."

"So in other words, unless I speak the language, I would never know what it's supposed to mean anyway?"

"That is true," Eun Mi admitted, "but this only applies to four characters in the alphabet. The rest are straight forward. Now this character," she pointed as a circle, "means 'ng' unless it's used at the beginning of something. Then it's silent. For example, this character is in my name."

"It is?" JJ asked. Eun Mi nodded and spelled out her name: 소 은미.

"Follow along with me," she said. She started with her surname, So. To JJ, it looked like a little house. Then she pointed at the circle in her name, repeating that it was silent. Then she pointed at the horizontal line which meant 'eu' in the Hangul system. Then the symbol under that which to JJ looked like an r that was pushed onto it's back. This was 'n' in the Hangul system. Then the floating box was 'm' and the vertical line that looked like a lowercase L was 'I' or 'ee' as it was pronounced.

"So this is written horizontally from left to right?" JJ asked.

"Correct," Eun Mi smiled and pinched JJ's cheek. "You're already learning."

"Thanks mom," JJ grumbled and made Eun Mi smile. "I just remember Japanese was apparently written from right to left and it was vertical."

"Like I'd said before: Korean is very different from Japanese and Chinese especially where our written languages are concerned. Japanese is usually from right to left and is written vertically. You could technically write it the other way if you wanted to, but to my knowledge, the correct way is from right to left and horizontally."

"Okay, I see," JJ said.

"So how about we practice writing your name," Eun Mi said. "We can start with your abbreviated name. So based on this, how would you spell the abbreviation of your name?"

"Um," JJ mumbled and then pointed at ㅉ.

"That's a good guess, but no," Eun Mi said. "That character is used as a hard j sound like with the word Jjigae. The way I've been writing your abbreviated name is this." She wrote out 재재.

"So you're spelling it Jae Jae?" JJ asked, spelling out what he meant in English writing. Eun Mi smirked a little but nodded.

"I'd thought at first that was the correct way to spell your name," Eun Mi said. "I didn't know your full name is Jay Jacob at the time."

"Oh," JJ said.

"So based on this, how would you spell your full name?" JJ looked at the alphabet and didn't see a way to spell his first name the way it was spelled in English, so he went with how it would be spelled were it like his dad's name and then wrote his second name: 재 재ㅋㅡㅂ.

"Very good," Eun Mi smiled proudly. "But one thing to remember is words are broken up into blocks, so your name when spelled would look like this." She wrote out 재 재컵.

"So a single word is written like it's in a box?" JJ asked.

"In a manner," Eun Mi nodded. "So, using this alphabet how would you write 'I love you' in Hangul?"

"I assume you're asking how to write 'I love you' in Korean?" JJ smiled and Eun Mi nodded with that same smile. Perhaps she was testing him to see if he remembered and indeed he did. It was one of the only Korean phrases since he'd come here that stuck and using the rules Eun Mi just taught him, he wrote 사랑해요.

"Perfect," Eun Mi praised. "Now, how would you spell your last name?"

"Before I start, would I use this symbol," JJ pointed at o, "as a place holder?"

"Correct," Eun Mi said. "You would put it above this," she pointed at ㄷ'd'.

For the next twenty minutes, Eun Mi had JJ practicing how to spell both his abbreviated name, his surname, her name and several other Korean words that were very simple getting him acquainted with how the individual characters built onto one another to form a word. Just for good measure, she kept JJ practicing for another twenty minutes until he'd become accustomed to what each character meant to the point of memorization which, JJ hated admitting, didn't take very long at all.

"Final test," Eun Mi said after they'd been practicing for 45 minutes. She wrote out something for JJ to read and handed it to him. "Read that. And don't pretend you can't."

너는 내기를 이기고. JJ took a deep breath and started.

"Um," he began, "Neoneun naegileul igigo?"

Eun Mi smiled, "Do you know what that means?"

"No," JJ said.

"You said, 'You win the wager'. And indeed I did," Eun Mi said proudly. "Say it."

"Say what?" JJ asked.

"Say 'Hangul is easy'," Eun Mi said. JJ rolled his eyes but there was an undeniable playfulness to his tone and he smiled a little.

"Hangul's the easiest writing system I've ever had to learn," JJ said. Eun Mi smiled and gave JJ a quick kiss before lifting her head and smiling smugly at him. "Alright Eun Mi; what do you want as a prize for your victory?" Eun Mi appeared to contemplate what she would want for her victory but she shrugged.

"The satisfaction of winning the bet is prize enough," she said.

"At least you're an easy victor to please," JJ chuckled a little and ran his hand up and down her shoulder. "Still, it's not as though the English written language is so damned difficult."

"I beg to differ," Eun Mi said.

"All you have to do is spell the word how it sounds," JJ said.

"Is that so?" Eun Mi said. "So I suppose 'of' is supposed to be spelled u-v and 'housewife' should be spelled h-a-u-s-w-y-f? Is that it?"

"Okay, fine, I see you're point," JJ said.

"Exactly," Eun Mi said and returned her head to his chest. "Mr. Know-it-all."

"Big talk coming from Mrs. Know-it-all," JJ teased and kissed Eun Mi's head. She smiled against his chest and hugged him just a little tighter. There was a brief silence between them in which they just relaxed in one another's arms until JJ brought up a topic he knew he'd need to. "Eun Mi?" She hummed gently in acknowledgement. "Can I ask you something?"

"Of course," Eun Mi nodded. "Now, that would be spelled u-v k-o-r-c, right?" she teased and JJ chuckled.

"I get it, Eun Mi, you win," JJ played and lifted his head to give Eun Mi a kiss before he continued. "Anyway, I wanted to ask you something. How would you feel about going to America?" She stared at him strangely a moment.

"Why?" she asked.

"It's safer there for one," JJ said. "But it's where my home is and once I've completed my military service that's where I'll be going back to. It's where my family is. And…well…I want to take you with me when I go home. I want to start a life with you; start a family. You make me happy Eun Mi. Happier than I've been in a very long time. I just hope I make you as happy as you've made me and, better yet, that you'll let me keep making you happy." She seemed hesitant to accept and that worried him, but JJ stayed silent as she appeared to contemplate. Eventually she licked her lips nervously and momentarily averted her eyes. Then she looked at JJ again.

"What is America like?"

"Depends on where you go," JJ said. "I'm from Washington. The state I mean. There's Washington state on the west coast where I'm from and there's the United States capital Washington D.C. which is on the East coast. We're near a mountain a lot like what you have here in Korea. In Washington, there are pine trees as far as the eye can see. It's often really rainy and the sky is usually grey, but there are rocky beaches. The tribe I was born to lives right by the water overlooking the Pacific Ocean and it's a beautiful view. When I was little, one of my favorite things to do was sit on our porch and play with my dad and little brother. We belong to a small tribe where everyone knows everyone and a town beside us called Forks that's just as small if where everyone knows everyone. As soon as they knew who you are, they'll welcome you like they've known you your whole life."

"It sounds very cozy," Eun Mi said but she still seemed hesitant.

"It is," JJ agreed and smiled eagerly. "And everyone in the tribe, not in town but in the tribe, they'd know your power. So you won't have to hide it like you do here." Eun Mi was still quiet and appearing thoughtful before she spoke again.

"When would we go?" Eun Mi asked.

"I don't know when I would return home," JJ admitted. "You can go as soon as possible though."

"How long would I be in America without you?" she asked.

"I don't know," JJ admitted. "No earlier than after the war. But you'd be with my family and they'd treat you as they'd treat me. Hell, they'll probably treat you better." His attempted to joke made Eun Mi give him the barest smile, but it didn't last long. She didn't seem as though she were sold on the idea of being in America with just his family.

"What if they don't like me?"

"Eun Mi, they'll love you," JJ reassured. "They'll love you because I love you. They'd love you because you make me happy."

"I assume," Eun Mi started after a brief silence, "that in order for you to send me to America, we would need to get married?"

"Yeah," JJ nodded. "We'd have to get married for me to be able to send you to America. At least, that would be the first step." Eun Mi was thoughtful again and laid her head on JJ's chest while she thought. Then, she took him by surprise and sat on him, straddling his hips, and looked down at him.

"JJ," Eun Mi said, "If you're saying the only way to send me to America is for us to get married, you're suggesting that we get married only for you to ship me off not to see you again for however long you're away. The highest likelihood is I wouldn't see you again for years. It's difficult not seeing you for months at a time as it is, but I know that you're not so far away. Not to see you for years would be worse and all the more so if I were with people I don't know. I don't want to be so far away from you especially if I were to marry you. And if the only reason for us to get married is to send me to America, then I don't want that either."

"It's more than that," JJ said. He sat up so he could hold Eun Mi closer. "Eun Mi, I don't want to marry you just to send you to America. I want to marry you because I love you and I want to spend my life with you. I didn't mean for it to sound like I just want to send you away. I don't. Far from it. It would be really hard for me too because I wouldn't see you but I can deal with it if it means you'll be safe."

"But you won't be," Eun Mi said. "You would still be here, still fighting a war and still liable to…" she trailed off there and couldn't look at him anymore. She rested her head against his chest as if to avoid what she was about to say. "I know that won't change with me here but I don't want to be so far away."

"I know," JJ said and cradled her. "I'm sorry to have brought it up. It's just…..if I'm in a position to make sure you're out of a warzone–"

"I'm not in a warzone," Eun Mi said. "We're removed from it as much as is possible here. You and the others fighting have made sure of that. When it's time for you to return home, I will follow you, but until then, I stay here."

JJ petted Eun Mi's hair while she stayed pressed against his chest. JJ felt touched but also relieved. She'd not said she wouldn't marry him, only that she didn't want to be so far away from him. For a moment, he contemplated asking Eun Mi then and there to marry him, but he refrained. He wanted to do something special and he already had something in mind.

"But when I do go back," JJ finally said, "you'll go with me?"

Eun Mi nodded, "I'll go with you."

JJ smiled and tightened his hold on her so she was impossibly closer to him. At that moment, he just wanted to hold her and never let go. He whispered that he loved her in her ear and she whispered it back while he tucked her face in the crook of her neck and breathed her in. She always smelled of ginger and garlic and other strong spices, but she also had her own sweet smell underneath it all that never failed to draw him in. Eun Mi lifted her head from JJ's shoulder so she could look up at him. She looked so delicate and meek. Truthfully, she was none of those things. She was powerful in strength and in will. He loved that about her. But in that moment, just for him, she appeared as someone who was filled with longing and it was a longing that mirrored his own.

JJ lowered his head to Eun Mi's so their lips could meet in a tender kiss. That was how it started out anyway. He savored the taste of her lips against his and drowned himself in it. She was so soft and warm against him; a sensation he'd not realized how desperately he needed after the past several months especially. Then he pressed his tongue against her lips and she opened for him with a contented sigh and gentle moan that drove him forward. His hands started to trail down her back while he kissed her until they were firmly gripping her butt through the thick fabric of her winter uniform and coat. He felt Eun Mi shiver under his hands when he'd pressed her up against him. He was already hard and desperate for her. She didn't stop him, though. She kept returning his kiss and trailed her fingers through his short hair, so he held his hands where he'd first placed them. Eventually JJ fell back so he was lying on Eun Mi's tiny bed, barely able to fit. His feet hung over the edge so he could avoid getting her sheets dirty from the snow on his boots, though realistically, her own boots may very well have already made her sheets dirty.

She was so slight in his arms even with her bulky winter clothes. JJ reached his hands further down slightly so he could reach the hem of her coat and dipped his hands under her coat so he was touching the cotton shirt underneath. He'd not realized how cold his hands were until he was bringing them up her coat and he felt how warm her skin was through the cotton shirt. He felt her shiver again and lifted her lips to look into his eyes.

"Your hands are cold," she said to him in a gentle whisper. JJ took his hands out from under her coat and took her hands from his hair to hold them.

"So are yours," JJ smiled gently at her and kissed her hands. "I always thought half breeds were supposed to be really warm."

"What?"

"Half breed," JJ said.

"I'm not half anything," Eun Mi said, almost defensively.

"No, no," JJ said, realizing she didn't know what he was referring to. "I mean half human half vampire," JJ said. "I don't mean you're only half Korean. I mean you're only half human."

"Oh," Eun Mi gentled. "What is a vampire?"

"It's a creature that was once human but was bit by another vampire and sustains itself on blood," JJ said.

"You mean a Gangshi?" she asked, confused. "I'm not like that. Those are creatures that hop like frogs and drain people of life."

"Every culture has their own vampire stories," JJ said, "but really they're just creatures that were once human but became vampires, are basically dead, and drink blood. I know you don't eat," JJ said, "and I know you drink blood every other month."

"But I don't hop and I'm not stiff," Eun Mi said.

"Your mom was human but your father was a vampire," JJ said. "My grandma is the same way. So are a few other family members. We have a lot of half human half vampires in the family, so I know what to look for. It's how you would have gotten your power I would think and it's the reason you only like blood." Eun Mi was intrigued.

"I never really thought about it," she finally said. "I just knew I was different and accepted it. Those around me were either scared of me or pushed me away or tried to use me. Except momma and grandpa."

"I'm not scared of you," JJ said and gently rubbed her cheek. "And I never used you. I never will."

"I know," Eun Mi smiled and leaned down to kiss him gently. "Are you a half breed?"

"No," JJ said. He looked at her a moment as something dawned on him. "I never really did tell you much about my family have I?"

"You've told me of your mother and father, but not much else," Eun Mi said.

"I guess there's something I should tell you," JJ said. He glanced towards the back of the bunker and saw the shower/bathroom section where they could have more privacy, but he'd tell her first. "The tribe I was born to has a power that we've had for centuries. It used to be that we could remove our spirits from our physical bodies and influence the elements and the woods from that power. Then one of our chiefs was betrayed by another member of the tribe and his physical body was stolen. To save his tribe, the chief – Taha Aki – took over the body of a wolf and ever since then, descendants of chief Taha Aki could become wolves. I'm one of his decedents and inherited that power."

"You turn into a wolf?" Eun Mi asked and JJ nodded. He'd assumed she wouldn't believe him, but she only appeared intrigued. "How do you do it?"

"I don't really know how to explain the 'how'," JJ said. "I can show you."

Eun Mi nodded and got off JJ to stand so she could watch. She assumed he'd just change right before her eyes, but JJ explained for safety's sake, he needed to ensure no one would see him and led her to the back of the bunker where the showers were. It was a big enough room that JJ would have room to at least not destroy the space but he still looked around to be sure. Eun Mi was standing to close, so he gently nudged her back.

"Stand back, okay?" JJ said. Eun Mi took two steps back but it wasn't enough. "More?"

"You are only turning into a wolf aren't you?" she asked.

"Yes, but….we're really big wolves," JJ said. "Just step back about ten more paces at least."

She looked at him strangely but did as he asked and stepped back exactly ten paces. Once she was far enough away, JJ started taking off his uniform. He made sure she didn't see his lighter uniform jacket so she wouldn't see the damage to it from him using the fabric for her bracelet and took off the shirt and wife beater he wore. When she realized he was stripping, her cheeks went crimson as she watched. When his chest was bare and he'd reached down to his belt, he glanced at her and she quickly turned her head to the side so she wasn't looking anymore. JJ smiled but didn't say anything or tease her. Rather he returned to undoing his belt and getting his boots untied. That was the worst: taking off his boots and socks. The floor was freezing and the shower area was also rather cold, but he said nothing and continued. He looked at Eun Mi again before he started getting his pants off and she looked away in a hurry again. JJ smiled and finally got the remainder of his uniform off and put it to the side. Eun Mi wasn't looking and her face was such a bright red and JJ needed to force himself not to laugh. She was adorable when she blushed he thought. Finally, JJ took a deep breath and shifted for the first time in two years.

JJ?! He started hearing his name in his head over and over again. It was the wee hours of the morning back home and the pack was still on patrol. His little brother was among the pack.

JJ, stay changed! I'm getting mom! Salem said and started the run back home to wake Natalie. While all the excitement with the pack played through his head, he kept his focus on Eun Mi.

She looked surprised, but she wasn't scared. Far from it. After the initial surprise reduced, Eun Mi smiled a little and approached him and touched his nose and ears.

So this is her? Embry asked. JJ said yes, but he still focused on Eun Mi. She'd started scratching his ears and it actually felt really nice. He brought his nose a little closer to her and gently licked her cheek and Eun Mi smiled. Another five minutes later, he heard another voice enter his head.

JJ? JJ, honey, are you there? Natalie asked.

Yeah, mom, I'm here, JJ answered. Natalie was finally able to see Eun Mi while she started petting JJ.

This is Eun Mi? Natalie asked and JJ confirmed. She's very cute. You weren't kidding when you said she was short.

No, I wasn't, JJ answered and even chuckled just a little. Eun Mi felt the rumble from his chest and she pulled away.

"Are you okay?" Eun Mi asked. JJ nodded and came closer to her again and licked her cheek again. She smiled and hugged his face while she started scratching his chin now.

So when do you plan to send her here? Natalie asked.

I don't know, JJ answered. I'm going to ask her to marry me but I won't send her to America yet. She's made rather clear that she won't go without me.

What? Does she think we're going to hurt her or something? Salem asked when the conversation ran through JJ's head.

Maybe she's scared you and Nesia are going to make fun of her, JJ said, making sure not to growl since Eun Mi was holding him. You ever think of that?

JJ, she's not even five feet tall. Forgive me if Nesia and I had a small laugh at her expense. Doesn't mean we won't be nice to her.

You'd better be, JJ said.

Stop bickering you two, Natalie scolded. Honestly. You two haven't talked to each other in two years.

Sorry mom, JJ and Salem both answered.

Jinx, you owe me a coke, Salem said.

I don't owe you dick, kid, JJ said.

JJ! Natalie said firmly.

Mom, it's okay. This is how we play, JJ said and Salem was laughing. Eun Mi released JJ's face and walked around to see the full scale of him.

"You're bigger than I tiger I think," Eun Mi said after she came back around. "Yes, I think so." JJ laid down on the ground submissively and Eun Mi sat down beside him touching his fur. "It's so soft," she said and even laid her head on his back.

Has she never seen a dog before or something? Salem asked.

Shut up, Salem, JJ said and the slightest rumble of a growl sounded and Eun Mi lifted her head suddenly.

"I'm sorry, was I hurting you?" Eun Mi asked but JJ shook his head and stood back up so he could come around and bring his face to hers again.

Let's see. What else can I say to make you growl at her? Salem teased.

Can someone bite him please? JJ said and Natalie nipped at Salem's ear for JJ. Thank you, mom.

Mom that hurt! Salem whimpered.

Just stop teasing your brother, Natalie said but she was already licking his ear in a comforting manner. Hold still, Natalie said when Salem flinched.

Mom, Salem groaned in protest while Natalie treated his ear.

Tell Eun Mi I said hello okay, JJ? Natalie said.

I will, JJ answered and licked Eun Mi's cheek again. She giggled and hugged his face again. He wasn't sure if it would work, but he wanted to try to tease her so JJ changed back to his normal self. In seconds, he was out of her arms and had changed back to his normal self. That hadn't worked the way he'd hoped. When Eun Mi realized he'd changed back and she accidentally gawked at him, she started blushing again and this time JJ chuckled and took Eun Mi in his arms. "It's okay Eun Mi," JJ said and kissed her cheek.

"Have you always been able to do that?" Eun Mi finally asked.

"No," JJ said. "Most of us awake to the ability in our teens. Maybe younger depending on whether or not the tribe is in danger. I was about 15 or 16 when I changed to a wolf for the first time." She was cradled in his arms when she nodded and was running her hands over his shoulders feeling his skin. She touched his back in particular. When she felt nothing, he felt her lift her head to look.

"Your back isn't burned?" Eun Mi asked.

"It healed nearly as soon as it happened," JJ said, knowing she meant when Officer Lee had his back burned. "Honestly, the salt being rubbed into it was worse." He felt her hands start trailing along his skin delicately. It was like a feather trailing across his skin and it sent a shiver of pleasure up his spine.

"I'm sorry," she said. "For all of it."

"It's not your fault," JJ said. "I was a POW. I'd be shocked if they didn't torture me."

"I'm relieved you didn't experience worse," Eun Mi said. "Officer Lee was extremely unhappy with you. He had horrible ideas of what he wanted to do. He'd said he wanted to try forcing your nails from your fingers and pull away your skin."

"Creative ain't he?" JJ joked but Eun Mi wasn't laughing.

"Don't joke," Eun Mi said. "He nearly killed you."

"The look on his face," JJ said, remembering how shocked Officer Lee had been to see JJ alive and in their large tiger cage after he'd stabbed him. "That almost made it worth it."

"Nothing would make that 'worth it'," Eun Mi scolded. JJ smiled and kissed her neck.

"Did you love me even then?" JJ asked.

"I don't know," Eun Mi said. "I knew I felt something for you. I didn't know it was love. I'd thought love was only something I'd share with my mother and grandpa. I remember telling Yon I didn't love you because I didn't feel the same way about you that I'd felt for them."

"Love's a broad term," JJ said.

"That's what she explained," Eun Mi said. "She explained it in Japanese terms."

JJ chuckled, "Yon speaks Japanese?"

"Enough to know there are two ways to say 'I love you' I suppose."

"There are two ways to say it?"

Eun Mi nodded, "Most often, 'I love you' and 'I like you' are just Daisuki, but there's a more intense way to say it: Aishteru. But most don't say that because it's so intense."

"I never knew that," JJ said. "Then again, I don't think I ever cared to learn Japanese. The people we would talk to all spoke English and that was good enough for me. I don't think I even learned the bare minimums."

"That is strange," Eun Mi said. "For a Japanese speaker, Korean would be extremely easy to learn but the troops rarely bothered to learn. Usually we had to learn to speak Japanese. It translates nearly word for word and Hangul is much easier to learn than Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana."

"Yes, Eun Mi, you made your point," JJ teased and Eun Mi finally giggled. She kissed his shoulder and the tip of her nose was a little cold, so she nuzzled into his shoulder to warm herself. JJ was freezing, but he couldn't manage to care. He was just holding her and that warmed him deeply.

"Are you cold?" Eun Mi finally asked.

"I'm fine," he lied. He didn't want to let go of her.

He sat back on the cold ground of the showers with his ankles crossed and brought Eun Mi into his lap so he could hold her close. He could feel her cheeks warm up considerably from her blushing but she kept holding him in return. He started trailing a hand from her back down her waist to her hip until he reached the hem of her coat again. When his hand was there, he didn't go under her coat like he'd done before. Instead, he went just under the hem so his hand was on her hip. Her winter pants and coat felt like a beige down comforter and it made all who wore it look like a box but they did their job in those cold Korean winters. She was the only thing keeping him warm in that shower room. Her long nails gently trailed along his back but he suspected she'd done so unintentionally.

"JJ, you're cold," Eun Mi said when she felt goose bumps forming on his skin. Her fingers gently trailed over his skin again and he shivered from the sensation. "You're shivering."

"Not from the cold," JJ said and lifted his hand a little more so he was touching her waist, the only thing keeping him from touching her being her cotton shirt. He started kissing her neck while his hand rubbed up and down her waist. He kissed up her neck until he reached her jaw, then her cheek and her ear. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you too," Eun Mi whispered back. She spread her fingers out against his back as if attempting to keep him warm as best she could and sighed as JJ kept kissing his way across her cheek until he reached her lips. Just as their lips pressed against one another, they heard voices coming from the front of the bunker. It was a few women that were speaking in Korean. When Eun Mi heard them, she jumped from JJ's lap. "Get dressed," she said quietly to him before running out to go back to her bed so she could try to get rid of whoever had come in.

JJ smiled a little and stood up, getting himself redressed. Despite the cold of the shower room and having been naked in there for the better part of a half hour, JJ wasn't cold. Quite the opposite. He stayed in the shower room until Eun Mi was able to get rid of the ladies that had come in. He didn't know what they were saying, but he could tell Eun Mi was trying to not sound suspicious and he had to make sure he didn't chuckle. He waited until he heard the opening and closing of the entryway before he stepped out of the showers. Eun Mi was still facing the entrance when JJ came up behind her, kneeled down a little so he could wrap his arms around her, and lifted her up so he could kiss her neck. She made a startled squeak but then pressed her arms against his as he held her. She was slightly unsteady a moment until she used her ghostly hands to press against the ground so she had more control and so she could be at JJ's height.

"Am I technically not supposed to be in here?" JJ asked.

"Technically," Eun Mi nodded but she spoke softly while JJ kept kissing her. "Least of all naked in the showers."

"I suppose that wouldn't be something they wanted to walk in on," JJ smiled. "Couldn't exactly tell them I turned into a wolf for you now can I?" He felt Eun Mi blush and he smiled more. "You're shivering," JJ said to her when he felt her tremble against his lips. "Are you cold?"

Eun Mi gently shook her head as she leaned to the side to allow greater access to JJ. Since she was holding herself up for him, JJ trailed a hand back down and went right into her coat with no shyness or hesitation this time. Then he pulled at the cotton shirt underneath so he could remove it from her pants where it had been tucked in. She flinched a little when she felt his fingers start touching her bare skin but his hands warmed up rather quickly against her. She was so firm, warm and soft under his touch and when he heard her mutter the barest sigh, he trailed his hand further up until he was just below her breast. His other hand went to the buttons of her coat and he undid them one by one. Eun Mi's hand stayed on his as he did this. She laced her fingers through his own and didn't stop what he was doing. When her coat was unbuttoned, he went to the buttons of her cotton shirt and started unbuttoning those as well until that was also opened. JJ re-secured his hold of her so he could carry her back to her tiny bed. Then he turned her so he could rest her back onto the bed and he rested his knee on the bed so he was hovering above her while he started kissing her shoulder. When he started kissing her shoulder and trailed down, he felt her heartbeat under his lips.

"JJ," Eun Mi said when she felt JJ's hand start to move to just under her breast. "I've never done this before." JJ stopped kissing and lifted his head so he could look at her. She looked so nervous, but that wasn't what took him by surprise. What surprised him was that he could swear he saw fear.

"Neither have I," JJ said, hoping it was reassuring. She smiled just a little, but that fear didn't leave her eyes. "Are you scared?" he finally asked. She seemed like she was about to deny it but she didn't. Instead, he felt her start trembling.

"I always avoided it, but there were nights when I would see," she started. It took a moment for him to realize what she was talking about, but when he did, he touched her cheek gently. She took a hold of her hand appreciating the loving touch. "I assumed it was one sided and unpleasant."

"It's not," JJ said. "It shouldn't be anyway."

"At the Mistress's comfort house it was," Eun Mi mumbled. "I think there were some that were good at pretending. Others weren't. I was lucky. Mistress made clear I was to stay untouched. I imagine she would have given me to someone if the price had been right, but I like to think she knew better."

"If she knew how your gift works, maybe," JJ said. He closed her cotton blouse and coat and laid down on the bed beside her. It took him a moment to adjust them so they could fit together on the bed. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to push you. I didn't realize-"

"It's alright," Eun Mi said and held him. "I know you wouldn't do to me what I've seen. It's just scary."

"Yeah," JJ smiled a little, "I think I know what you mean. If you want the truth, I never had any interest in being with anyone intimately until I met you. For different reasons granted, but I never wanted it before."

"Why?"

"Depression I guess," JJ said. "I know I've told you when my dad died it hurt all of us but it really hurt me. My dad was my best friend. Part of it is I didn't want to move on and I lost a lot of years of my life because I refused to move on. Not until I met you. That's my own fault but I guess it's not too late for me to be better and do better."

Eun Mi smiled gently and wrapped her arms around JJ's head to start cradling him. They stayed there until it was creeping up to the point when other residence of that bunk would be returning and they had to find somewhere else to be. They weren't able to be together very long once it was the evening but they shared a kiss before she returned to the bunks for the night and then JJ went to the bunks he could stay at for the days he'd be on base. Jun was still there, so JJ went right to the kid taking a seat at the edge of his bed.

"Dauer?" Jun smiled and put down what he'd been reading. "I was wondering when you'd say hello to me."

"Sorry, I was occupied most of the day," JJ said. "How've you been?"

"Busy," Jun said. "My mom's relieved I'm not out fighting anymore. She's especially happy that I get to visit from time to time, but I'll be happy when this war is over. Eun Mi missed you a whole lot."

"I missed her too," JJ said. "Terry was nice enough to let her off for the day so we could spend time together. She said he'd let her off tomorrow too."

"How long are you here?"

"2 days," JJ said. "I'm making the most of tomorrow. I found out there's a little Christmas party going on tomorrow night for another clutch of men that are being shipped back home."

"I heard about it," Jun said. "I was planning to stay in that night."

"Up to you," JJ said, "But I'm planning to propose."

"Sorry, JJ, but I can't say as you're really my type," Jun said and JJ swatted the kid's knee as they laughed.

"Not you," JJ chuckled. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the wooden bracelet he'd made. "I'm going to ask Eun Mi to marry me tomorrow night. I'm giving her this in place of a ring. At least until I can get her a ring, but this is the traditional method of proposal in my tribe."

"Where'd you get that?" Jun asked, admiring the wooden bracelet.

"I made it," JJ said.

"Wait, you made this?" Jun asked. "You can't craft a paper flower to save your life, but you can carve a wooden bracelet?"

"My grandpa is really good at wood carving. I'm not nearly as good as he is, but he taught me a thing or two when I was a kid."

"Does Eun Mi know?"

"Of course not," JJ said. "It wouldn't be a surprise if she knew."

"Better hope Park doesn't snitch on you," one guy joked, having overheard JJ and Jun talking.

"I won't!" Jun defended.

"I know you won't; just calm down," JJ smiled. "I asked Eun Mi if she'd be willing to go to America if we got married, but I made sure that was an 'if' question."

"What did she say about going to America?"

"She won't go until I do," JJ said. "So when I propose and we get married, she'd stay here until after the war and I return home."

"You weren't planning to ask and marry her just to get her out of Korea, right?"

"No," JJ said. "I just want her somewhere safe and I told her that, but she was adamant. She won't leave until I do. She said she might be safe, but I'm still not and she doesn't want to be that far away."

"So you're going to get married and she'll stay here?"

"Basically," JJ said. "Maybe because we're married I'll be able to come here more often, but I'm not holding my breath on that one."

"What if she gets pregnant?" Jun asked. JJ groaned and rubbed his face.

"I admit I didn't even think about that," JJ said. "If she got pregnant, I'd insist she goes to America. Not just for the sake of making sure they're safe. That would be a big part of it, but the other thing is I want my kids born where their home is. That's back in Washington. Their home won't be here."

"It could be, I guess," Jun said. "My guess would be even after the war, America would keep an army base here."

"No offense to you, Jun, but I don't like it here," JJ said. "Sure, the landscape is beautiful when you get to appreciate it and those mountains make me think of home, but it's not home. Not to me. And with Eun Mi no long having family here, I can't imagine she thinks of Korea as her home anymore."

"It's what she's used to," Jun said. "I'll wager that the United States and Korea are two very different places. Our cultures are very different – that much is certain. She suffered a culture shock just from coming to the South. Imagine what that will be like when she goes to America."

"All the more reason I won't push her to leave Korea now," JJ said. "We'll just have to be careful. We can't have kids right now. Later, but not now. I don't want my children born here. Least of all in a warzone."

"Have the two of you even talked about kids?" Jun asked.

"It hasn't really come up. Not meaningfully I mean. I mentioned I wanted to get married and start a family when I asked her if she'd be willing to go to America, but that's about it," JJ admitted. "I suppose we should talk about that."

"I would recommend knowing how she feels about having kids before asking to marry her," Jun joked. "So she knows you want to get married and want to have kids?"

"Yeah," JJ nodded.

"Well, that's good," Jun said. "So how to you plan to do it?"

"I don't know exactly how yet. I just know it'll be tomorrow night when that Christmas party is going on. If I can help it, I'd like to get a picture of the two of us together to send home to my family. Let them see their future in-law."

"Good luck to you," Jun said. "I think she'll say yes. She loves you."

"I love her too," JJ said. "So keep your mouth shut, okay kid?"

"I forgot what we were even talking about," Jun smiled.

JJ was restless that night. He kept thinking about the next day and wondering how he should ask, but he also thought about what Jun had said regarding kids. She'd not made any indicator that she didn't want kids, but JJ figured it was best to be certain. That way, they could be on the same page regarding the matter, particularly where waiting was concerned. JJ managed very little sleep and woke back up again before the dawn. He waited until the horn rang and they all had to get up. The commanding officer looking in on the bunkers saw JJ as he passed.

"Getting in trouble again, Private?"

"No sir!" JJ answered as expected.

"Good," the commanding officer said. "I'd better not find kimchi on your clothes again, Romeo."

"Yes, sir!" JJ answered and the commanding officer returned to walking down to line for inspection. When they were dismissed, JJ found Eun Mi and hugged her once he saw her. Eun Mi made him go to the mess hall while she went to the kitchen and JJ waited for her at a corner table until she brought him some food including kimchi that had started to pickle.

"Tonight I'll make you kimchi jjigae," Eun Mi said.

"I can't wait," JJ smiled and started enjoying his rice. "I actually wanted to ask you something."

"What?"

"What do you think of kids?"

"Kids?" Eun Mi asked.

"Yeah. Kids," JJ said. "I mean having kids."

"I don't know," Eun Mi said and he noticed she was starting to blush again. "I never really thought about it. I never had anyone in my company that ever made me consider children."

"What about me?" JJ asked and Eun Mi's cheeks turned a deeper red and he grinned, having received his answer more or less.

"I suppose," Eun Mi started shyly, "children might be nice. Not now, but later."

"Later to be sure," JJ said. "When you and I can go back to Washington we can start having kids. If you want to I mean." Eun Mi was still blushing and she was avoiding eye contact. JJ smiled and put his hand on the table as an invitation. She finally put her hand in his but she still avoided eye contact. "Do you want kids with me?"

"I'd really never thought about it," Eun Mi said. "But with you, I can see myself starting a family." JJ smiled and lifted her hand so he could kiss it quickly and then put their hands back down on the table. "I want to give them Korean names," she said.

"Korean names?"

Eun Mi nodded, "I want them to have Korean names. I never truly believed in the communist party, but I was never not proud of my heritage. My Grandpa Chin Mae made sure of that. I know they'll grow up in America, but I don't want them to forget where I came from."

"What names do you have in mind?" JJ asked and Eun Mi thought about it a moment.

"I don't know yet," Eun Mi said. "But I want them to have Korean names."

"Okay," JJ smiled and kissed Eun Mi's hand again. "When the time comes, we'll think of something we both like."

Eun Mi smiled back at him before turning her head to the side with another blush. She let go of his hand and came around the table so she was sitting right next to JJ and rested her head on his shoulder. JJ decided to be bold and rested his left hand on Eun Mi's thigh while he continued eating. There was a comfortable intimacy in their touches despite their heavy winter clothes. Once JJ was finished with his food, he looked at Eun Mi with a smile.

"Now," he said, "about teaching you to play poker."

For the remainder of that morning and part of the afternoon, JJ obtained a deck of cards and walked Eun Mi through the game of Poker teaching her how to play. He was relieved that she picked it up really fast and even thoroughly enjoyed playing the game, tapping into a competitive nature JJ was pleased to discover she had. Nothing made the game of poker like a competitor that wanted to win just as badly as you. He'd taken her to the bunker he was staying in that day and men were coming in and out, so they weren't able to really be alone. There were some that even asked to join the game. Eun Mi was delighted when she won at least four games and they all breathed a sigh of relief that they'd not put down any money. No one said anything about what JJ and Jun had talked about the night before which JJ was relieved about. The bracelet felt like led in his pocket while he waited for the evening when the Christmas Party was planned. He nearly asked her several times but he refrained. While they played, Jun approached with a box in arm that he handed over to Eun Mi. They exchanged some words in Korean before Jun patted JJ's shoulder knowingly and walked away.

"A Christmas present from Jun?" JJ asked.

"Not a present," Eun Mi said. "Jun said his mother was lending me her Hanbok for that Christmas party tonight. He says you were planning to take me."

"Yeah," JJ nodded and glanced at Jun who smiled innocently while he got back in his bed to read. Eun Mi opened the box to look at there was a bold pink fold and pale blue poking through. Eun Mi excused herself to run back to her own bunker so she could put on the Hanbok hoping to grab someone on the way that could help her get dressed.

"You nervous?" one guy asked after Eun Mi had left.

"Very," JJ said. "I think she'll say yes….I hope she'll say yes."

"I think she will," another guy said. "Are you planning to get married right away?"

"I'd like to," JJ said, "but I don't know. She won't go to America unless I go with her, so that need isn't immediate."

"No, but it's a good idea to make sure she's officially a family member. You know, in case something happens. That way, she can get something that will help her and she can be sent to America to be with your family."

"Yeah," JJ said, groaning. "I know it's a possibility but I don't want to think about it."

"In our line of work, you have to," the guy answered.

JJ sighed and nodded in agreement. Since Eun Mi was occupied elsewhere for the moment, JJ went to the administrative office on Base and spoke with one of the officers with regards to the logistics of him and Eun Mi getting married, her becoming an American citizen, making sure she was his beneficiary if anything happened and so on. There would be a lot of paperwork they would need to fill out to make everything official, so it was looking like getting married right away wasn't feasible. The officer explained that if he and Eun Mi wanted, they could get married, make it officially legal as that part wasn't time consuming and then the other points they could either handle later or little by little. JJ decided he'd ask Eun Mi about it, but not tonight. Definitely not. He didn't want the legal and logistical end to sully what he wanted to ensure was the best night of their lives. Assuming she said yes of course.

After leaving, JJ looked for Eun Mi until he finally found her near the bunker he'd been using. JJ had to stop in his tracks and just take her in. She was wearing the Hanbok that Jun had lent her and she looked adorable. The coat of the dress was a pale pink and the billowing skirt a pale blue. It appeared more appropriate for spring realistically, but it didn't matter. She looked like a little cupcake in that dress. She wore her winter boots underneath the dress he could tell and she was still wearing her winter gloves from her day to day uniform. Her hair was brought up into a bun with no other ornaments in her hair. He could tell she was a little cold and that took him out of the moment of admiring her. He went over to her and took off his heavy coat just as she was looking up at him.

"You look beautiful," JJ smiled. "I hate to cover you up, but you're shivering." JJ put his coat on her shoulders and it was far too big. It practically swallowed her but she smiled as he put it on her.

"Thank you," Eun Mi smiled. "This is a spring dress."

"I can tell," JJ said.

"I should have asked for Yon's Hanbok I'd worn for pictures. That was warmer."

"I think the pale pink and blue suit you," JJ said and he earned a blush from her. "I think the party is starting soon. Did you want to go inside and wait a while longer?"

Eun Mi nodded and JJ led her inside the bunker so she wasn't out in the cold. Another hour later an announcement was made over the intercoms that the Christmas party was set up and there was food and music and general merriment for anyone that wanted to come. A pine tree had been retrieved from the woods and had been decorated in some makeshift ornaments and there were lights in strategic spots to make the space feel more festive.

"This reminds me of the Seollal Festival," Eun Mi said when they saw the festivities and all the food which included honey cakes.

"Seollal Festival?"

"It's our New Year's Festival," Eun Mi said. "I haven't been to one in years but when I was a girl and my grandpa was alive, he used to take my mother and I to the Festival every year in cotton Hanboks that my mother had made herself. I was always jealous of the few women in the village that could afford a silk Hanbok. Those Hanboks were so pretty. They were all women that were favorite comfort girls of Japanese officers. Any wives were in Kimonos." Eun Mi smiled reminiscently. "Grandpa loved those honey cakes," she pointed at the table where the cakes were. "He loved rice cakes too, particularly when they were filled with honeyed toasted sesame seeds. He loved sesame seeds." JJ noticed a tiny hitch in her voice and she gently rubbed her eye. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be," JJ said and squeezed her shoulder gently. She leaned her head against his chest.

"I think my grandpa would have loved you," Eun Mi said. "My mother would have loved you too."

"Do you think so?"

"I do," Eun Mi said. "I wish you could have met them. I think you would have loved them too."

"I think so too," JJ said and leaned down to kiss the top of her head.

There was some Christmas music playing and whatever required signing was sung by a few nurses that had the night off to see the injured men home. Troops that were unable to stand due to their injuries weren't left out. There were nurses - American and Korean - that kept all the men company with conversation or dancing with them. Eun Mi and JJ steered towards the table of food and JJ enjoyed rice cakes made the same way as the ones Eun Mi had made him but they had a distinctly piney smell which was the traditional cooking method according to Eun Mi. Eun Mi noticed O Mi Sun, or Mrs. Mi Sun Collins as she'd recently become, sitting with her new husband. They were both leaving Korea and she'd be going to North Carolina with her husband. They'd apparently met that summer after Sgt. Gary Collins had sustained an injury to his hip. She'd almost singlehandedly helped rehabilitate him and when the doctors had said he'd never walk again, Mi Sun helped him recover and now, he could walk with a cane and was on the road to being able to walk completely on his own, but that would take time. Needless to say, Gary and Mi Sun had a lot of time spent together and fell in love. They'd gotten married the previous month so she could return to America with him.

The same band that had been playing Christmas music would also play jazz music so those that could had the chance to actually dance. JJ convinced Eun Mi to come with him to dance even though he really didn't know what he was doing. So when they were among the group of people dancing, JJ stood there a moment.

"I dragged you out here, but I don't even know how to dance," JJ said awkwardly and Eun Mi smiled.

"It's okay. I only know how to do fan and umbrella dances."

"This doesn't seem the music to do that to," JJ smiled and lifted Eun Mi so she was standing on his shoes as he held her to him and swayed side to side. They were like that a few steps before Eun Mi used her ghostly hands to lift herself up so JJ could hold her more comfortably. She kept those hands on his feet, but to the rest of the world, JJ was holding her up to his level while he went from side to side. "It's too early, but I should ask them to play Auld Lang Syne."

"Is that a Christmas song?"

"New Year's song actually," JJ said. "It's a Scottish song that we sing every year in my family. My great grandma plays the violin, my grandma plays the piano and we all sing before it's midnight."

"You will have to teach me the song someday."

"I will," JJ smiled and gave Eun Mi a quick and chaste kiss. "I love you; you know that?"

"I love you too," Eun Mi answered.

"I know you said you don't want to go to America without me. I won't make you go, but I still would like very much to be married to you." JJ put Eun Mi on her feet so he could reach into his pocket to get the bracelet he'd made her. He knew Eun Mi wouldn't want all the attention that would result from it, so JJ didn't kneel down. Instead, he took a hold of her left hand and lifted it up so he could put the bracelet on her. "In my tribe, we propose by presenting the bride with a bracelet. It has to be a bracelet the groom made himself."

"You made this?" Eun Mi practically mumbled as she looked at the bracelet. "Is this a gardenia?"

"Yeah," JJ smiled. "I know you love them and they make me think of you." Eun Mi was looking at the bracelet admiring it but also absorbing what he'd said. Then she looked up at him and smiled.

"It's beautiful," she finally said. Then she started nodding at him before she hoped into his arms and used her phantom hands to get up to his level and JJ had her in his arms soon enough that no one noticed her floating. Once JJ was holding her, she wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face into his shoulder.

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes," Eun Mi said and JJ was proud to hear tears of joy in her voice.

JJ leaned his head down so he could give her a kiss and when he did, he heard people start cheering and whistling at them and JJ turned to see Jun and others that knew about him proposing cheering that she'd accepted the bracelet. It wasn't long before everyone knew what all the fuss was about and everyone present was clapping or cheering. Eun Mi kept her face in JJ's shoulder to not face the noise and JJ held her close with a smile. The band, somehow finding out what was going on, played a quick wedding march and JJ laughed.

"Sorry, I tried to keep this low-key, but it didn't work," JJ whispered to Eun Mi. She only nodded in his shoulder but she kept holding him. JJ kept going from side to side with her in his arms while they waited for the cheering and whistling to stop. "I love you," JJ said.

"I love you too," Eun Mi said, lifting her head enough that he could hear her but remaining in the nook of JJ's shoulder. Now it was just because she liked being there. "I don't want to go to America without you."

"I won't send you without me," JJ promised. "Did you want to wait to actually get married until after the war? I found out we can get married but it doesn't require you to leave for America right away."

"Do you want to get married now?" Eun Mi asked.

"I'd like to," JJ said, "but we can wait if you rather." Eun Mi was thoughtful a moment until she looked up at him with a gentle smile.

"I would like to marry you now," she said and JJ smiled. He leaned down and gave her a kiss.

"When I return to the Parallel tomorrow, I'll talk to my commanding officers and come back as soon as I can and we'll get married. We can worry about the logistics later."

"Okay," Eun Mi nodded and kissed him back.

The two of them stayed up well into the night with the Christmas party and there were a number of people that came over to congratulate them for the engagement and asking all the usual questions and making all the usual suggestions. When the two of them could barely remain awake, JJ walked Eun Mi to her barrack and kissed her goodnight promising to come see her in the morning before he had to go back. As promised, the next morning JJ went right to Eun Mi and sat with her to eat what she'd made him but they didn't get to linger like they had the prior morning. He stayed as long as he could but soon had to get on one of the cars returning to the parallel.

"When are you coming back?" Eun Mi asked.

"As soon as I can, but the soonest might be February. I'll do my best to make it sooner but as soon as I have a date, I'll write to you."

"Since we're getting married, will they let you stay longer?"

"I think so, but it won't be much more. A week at most. I'll request longer. And Eun Mi?"

"Yes?" she asked.

"I've requested that my pay start going to you," JJ said. "I want you to use it to buy your own Hanbok. A silk one. And get whatever color or style you want."

"JJ, they're too expensive," Eun Mi protested but JJ gently shook his head.

"You let me worry about that," JJ said. "If it's more expensive than what I've sent, just write to me and I'll make sure to send you more money. I don't want you to worry about it. Just focus on finding the perfect one for our wedding day."

Eun Mi finally nodded hesitantly before JJ leaned down and kissed her. He held her as long as he could before he finally had to leave. Eun Mi waited on the road and waved goodbye to him as he waved to her, watching him drive away with a heavy heart already missing him again. She stayed on the road until she couldn't see the car anymore and then returned to business as usual, always taking a moment through her days to look at JJ's picture eager to see him again.