"Do you really think that a safeword is necessary?"

"Ken-love, I don't do any kind of tying down without one. Okay?"

"All right, I suppose. It's just that I don't think that I'll be in any danger. The word -- how about Nambu?"

"Why Nambu? It is... well, a bit odd..."

"Trust me. Nothing would get me to scream the Doctor's name unless I wanted you to stop..."

As the inane conversation dies down, I smile at him. I wonder while I do so whether the slight trepidation I feel shows in my eyes. I've never done this before, after all. I don't mean sex, of course, but this voluntary giving up of my personal power to another. It goes against all of my training as a soldier and a leader, where death is preferable to true surrender.

I nod once, silently, and he puts the blindfold over my eyes. I automatically keep track of his location from the bed by hearing him move around in the room. As I feel the rope circle my wrists, I close my eyes and try not to listen too closely. Surrendering is the whole point of this particular game, after all, and like always, I'm going to do my best. I don't want to ruin this, since I was the one who asked him...

I feel him pull gently at my wrists with the rope. I raise them over my head, letting him secure them to one of the bars on my headboard. Lying back, I try to concentrate on the feel of the cotton sheets and the slightly lumpy mattress of my bed. Even while I try to distract myself from what's happening, I can feel my heart start to beat just a little faster.

That is a little odd, since I am only feigning helplessness. I can break myself free of the rope at any time -- it is a laughably easy task for a member of the Science Ninja Team. But the rope and the blindfold both conspires to make me feel some amount of... well, not panic, certainly. No, something more like a heightened awareness of my own vulnerability. I'm not sure if I like it or not...

I feel the bed move beneath the weight of an additional body as my lover sits besides me. I can sense his hand hovering over me, about to touch. I can't quite anticipate where, though, so am pleasantly surprised when his feather-light fingers start to explore the hard ridges of my stomach. His hands are gentle as they trace out the lines of the muscles, so unlike...

Then again, Joe could be like this, for all I know. Michael is being kind enough to indulge my small fantasy, not even taking offense when he heard the reason why. That understanding is one of the pleasant things about him. We both know that our relationship is based on mutual attraction and friendship -- nothing permanent is going to come out of it. Still, I know that he is quite possibly the only lover I had, or will ever have, who does not care that I wish him to be someone else. He is altogether too nice for his own good...

My gasp is audible as I startle. Michael's hands have started to drift their way lower, and he seems to be taking a fiendish delight at teasing me to my limit. Perhaps I had been a bit hasty in thinking that he wouldn't take some form of revenge... As his lips join his hands in their explorations, I can't help but wish that this be the form all revenge took...

I'm drunk, I think. No, I know I'm drunk. Not a lot, but enough to slow down my reflexes and make it so that I could quite possibly do damage to my car. That would not be a good thing -- I know that if I do something stupid now, I _will_ regret it later. I debate whether or not I should attempt to drive to my trailer, or just drop by Ken's. His place is definitely closer, so I guess the question is pretty much answered. I have to wonder why I'm so close to the airstrip -- I don't remember driving out this far.

Noticing the lateness, I attempt to drive quietly. Parking and getting out, I wonder if Ken will even realize that I am being considerate, in my own way. Guess that's what being middlin' drunk does to me. I'm not used to it; I'm usually violent or just bombed, but either way, I'm never this aware. Damn, it's weird feeling sober when I know I'm drunk.

I wonder if my fearless leader is awake. Ken shouldn't be, since we have a training session tomorrow and he's the one always telling us that we should get a good night's sleep before those. I'll admit I was pretty stupid to go drinking when it's going to be that brutal tomorrow. We're going to be experimenting with some different hand-to-hand moves that will take a while for us to really get...

Reaching for the key under the doormat, I carefully unlock and open the door. Closing it behind me, I decide to grab some food before crashing on the couch. After all, we're teammates, right? He shouldn't mind too much if I get myself something to eat -- it's not like I haven't paid off some of his tab at Jun's. That should entitle me to something.

After looking into his fridge and seeing nothing but water, ketchup and a lone bottle of beer, I shake my head. He's really terrible when it comes to things like mundane self-maintenance. At least I can cook, which is more than I can say for him. I wonder if I should take the beer, but decide that I've had enough, considering tomorrow.

I freeze when I hear something come from somewhere in the darkened house as I leave the kitchen. I stay perfectly still, straining my ears. When I hear another muffled cry, I immediately launch myself toward Ken's bedroom. I know Eagle, and he's not the type to have someone else with him this late at night. I'm willing to bet that he's still a virgin -- probably waiting for Jun or something. Too bad...

No, I did not just think that. Ignoring the errant thought, I try to concentrate on keeping quiet. As I get closer to his room, I hear the sounds of rustling sheets and a struggle. Racking my brains, I wonder exactly what could have gotten a member of the Science Ninja Team, here in his own home. A Galactor attack or some kind? Maybe a spy, or... I shrug, since it doesn't really matter. I'm gonna seriously damage whoever is in there with Ken and then he can fill me in on the rest. That's the way it works.

I notice that the door is ajar. Deciding to get a look at the situation before rushing in, I take a careful look inside the room, making sure that I won't be seen. All that ninja training is good for this sort of thing, after all...

As I take in the scene before me, I blink, unable to comprehend what I was seeing. I close my eyes and open them again, wondering if I had had more beer than I'd thought. Slowly, I get out a shuriken from my pocket, and prepare to take out the man who's obviously holding Ken prisoner somehow.

I manage to gasp out, "You're evil..." before his mouth covers mine. For a moment, I think my torture is over, but thought is dashed when Michael starts to simultaneously tease my mouth with his tongue and run his hand down my body in a most distracting, tantalizing way.

I squirm, wanting to tear free from the bindings and reverse the slow, maddening ministrations, but something stops me. It would mean that I would be admitting defeat, for one thing. That is something I make a habit of _not_ doing. Besides, I'm enjoying it -- Michael is too good a lover not to make this absolutely mind-blowing amazing. Another good thing about him...

As Michael's lips move lower and my control erodes even more, I can't think of anything but the intense sensations. My awareness of him as a person disappears and all I'm left with is the torment of his touch ruling everything. I thrust against his hand, hoping that he give me even a little relief, but all he does is laugh and move his hand back to my stomach. I think I'm going to kill him if he doesn't stop this soon...

"God... oh, shit. Joe... please."

I barely notice what I say, as I lose all grip on reality and become flooded with nothing else but the sensations that he is raising in me. I wish that this were Joe, dammit. I want him to be driving me crazy like this, not Michael... I love Michael as a friend, as a lover, as someone who will always be there for me. But Joe... Joe is the one wild passion in my life.

For a moment, Michael is still and I wonder if I've made him angry. It's understandable -- even if he did agree to this, what kind of person could not feel cheapened in some way by this? It's a horrible thing I've made him do, but...

I feel a soft breath against my cheek, a whisper in my ear. "It's all right, love. I understand. Stay here for a second, and I'll be right back. There's... something I should take care of."

I stay there, gasping and trembling on the bed as he stands. I could ask him where he's going, or tear off the rope and undo my blindfold to make sure he doesn't leave at all, but I don't. I trust him, and he deserves better than that -- especially since I'm essentially the one using him...

Ken's hoarse, desperate cry is ringing in my ear and it won't stop. As soon as I hear it, I propel myself away from the door as fast as I can, my brain racing. He... he couldn't have said what I heard. It's impossible... I know him. He's the Eagle, G-1, leader of the Science Ninja Team. He may be intelligent, brave, and all of that heroic shit, but he's also clueless when it comes to anything resembling a personal or love life. He somehow manages to miss all the desperate signals that Jun throws at him, never mind the more subtle ones I try to hide... Or at least, I'd thought-

"Condor Joe, I assume."

I roll immediately, shuriken in hand, and crouch into a defensive position. That guy... he couldn't have been walking that quietly -- I should know better than to let my guard down over something as trivial... as... damn it, what the hell is going on?

Everything I'm feeling must be written all over my face, because he raises an eyebrow and motions me away from the door. With a knowing smile, he asks, "So, G-2, what are you doing here?"

He doesn't even flinch as my shuriken comes at him, although I can tell he notices my lightning-fast movement. I'm really tempted to just let the poisoned tip go through his neck, but I stop my hand at the last moment. With the point just at his throat, I hiss, "Who the hell are you, and what did you do to Ken?"

Looking at me calmly -- too calmly for a guy who's really close to death right now -- he grins at me. "I'm Michael, Ken's lover, and I'm currently in the process of screwing him silly right now. Oh, and I'm also pretending to be you. Happy?" With that, he moves my hand away from his throat. I let him, as my brain slowly tries to deal with what he's told me.

Finally, I manage to get something out. "Oh. Okay. Bye." I'm going to run very quickly to the car right now, turn around and pretend this never happened, because if I do think about it, there's gonna be hell to pay-

My panicked train of thought is interrupted by his exasperated question. "That's it? That's all you're going to say before you leave?" Before I know it, he's the one who has me pinned against the wall. My eyes narrow as I examine him again -- he's definitely not normal.

Again, I ask him, "Who are you?"

He gives me an indecipherable look, before answering. "Doesn't matter right now... besides, I think my question is a bit more important, don't you?"

I look away from him, trying to avoid his eyes. "What else should I say?"

"For one thing, you could ask why Ken wanted me to do this."

"None of my business."

"You think not?"

His challenging tone makes me bristle. Snarling, I force myself away from him. "It doesn't matter. Why should it?"

"It shouldn't -- that is, if Ken is just your comrade. If all you he is to you is your leader who you rebel against every so often, or even a friend and occasional drinking buddy -- if that's all he is to you, then it doesn't matter." His look is hard as if he's looking down into the depths of my soul. "If you can honestly tell me that you can just shrug off the fact that Ken is lying on a bed right now, wanting you more than anything, then fine. It doesn't matter."

I close my eyes for a second, just knowing that Ken is going to burst out of his room wondering what the hell is going on... I really don't want to be here when that happened. Really. I don't. That is- "So, why do you care? Not as if you're going to leave him just 'cause I'm here."

"I am."

"What?!" I glance at the door nervously, hoping he that he hadn't heard me just now...

Michael looks at me and rolls his eyes. As if explaining to a child, he starts to speak slowly to me. "I'm not going to stick around when Ken obviously wants someone else in that bed with him. Especially since said person he wants has just showed up at the perfect time to do something right." He shrugs and turns to leave.

I put myself in front of him and struggle to keep my voice low. "Are you crazy? How can you just leave him there-"

"I figure that you're going to go in there soon and give him something he can't get from me."

"What-"

"He loves you, idiot. I'm assuming you love him too, because you're exhibiting all the signs of it right now. So why don't you go in there and make things right between the two of you?" His expression turns amused and not a small part lecherous as he adds, "I'm going to leave now, unless you want me to watch." He looks at my face and shrugs again, "I guess not. See ya."

I watch him leave, not quite knowing what to say. I really, really want to leave now too. But that would leave Ken the way he is, and that would be very bad... yes, very, very bad. But if I go in there, he'll probably kill me. I think. Maybe. If I go into his room, I don't know if I'll be able to stop... I probably won't want to...

I feel my expression turn decidedly perverted for a moment as I remember the way he looked on that bed. I know I want him right now, but I've wanted him for a long time. That doesn't mean that I have to act on it... Dammit, I thought he was straight -- if I'd known... if only- That guy can't be telling the truth, because if he is...

I close my eyes for a moment, trying to calm my thoughts. I open them again after deciding to do things the way I've always done them -- by going the highest speed I can and hoping that I don't crash into anything. As I turn to the door, I can't help but think that if nothing else, I'm going to take a good, long look at him before he decides to beat me silly...

When I hear the soft footsteps and the creak of a door opening, I sigh in relief. I had been debating whether or not to go after Michael and would probably have gone in just another moment. After all, something could have happened to him -- anything is possible in a world like this. He comes up to me hesitantly, and then stops at the side of the bed.

I feel him stand over me, just looking. I shiver at the intensity of the gaze, and hope that this means he's willing to stop with the wonderfully torturous foreplay. Not that I mind _too_ much, of course, but enough is enough -- I suppose. He sits down next to me, and does nothing for a long moment. I can sense something different, something -- I stop myself from exploring further. I had decided to play as a normal person, and I refuse to break that vow now. Instead, I close my eyes under the blindfold and wait for him to act.

A finger starts to trace my face, starting from my cheek and moving down. At the same time, a hand runs down my side possessively, as if wanting to touch every part of me. There's something -- I cut that thought off too, resolutely trying to do nothing but feel. It's not too difficult. The touch is somehow more... I can't define it, but he's tempting me to just pull these ropes off...

His mouth captures one of my nipples, and his suckling makes me moan. At the sound, he stiffens, stopping and pulling his head up. He stays still, just looking at me again, and I want to scream at him to continue because he's driving me crazy and- He puts his hand back to my face, capturing my chin. His thumb rubs my cheek, and then brushes my mouth. I capture it playfully between my teeth, tasting salt, alcohol, dirt, and-

Something is too obviously wrong for me to pretend anymore. This isn't Michael, and that means that he's either dead or incapacitated -- this must be some sort of Galactor plot, or- At my alarm, the impostor quickly pulls his finger away. As I'm about to break the ropes, I feel a hand clamp my wrists together and keep them on the headboard.

I struggle, but somehow this person is even stronger than I am. I'm about to try for the Birdrang from under the pillow when I feel the stranger climb atop of me, putting his whole weight and length on me. I feel the other hand come closer, and am prepared to bite when it merely removes the encumbering blindfold from my face.

Before my eyes adjust to the dim light, the man steals a kiss. He crushes my lips with his, flooding my mouth with the taste of beer and cigarettes. I fight, trying to bite his tongue or lips, but he pulls back too quickly. And then I see him. Oh God. Joe.

I stare up at him in shock and disbelief. It can't be him, here, like this. It can't. I must have fallen asleep waiting for Michael. That's the only explanation for the fact that my dreams seem to have come to life like this. Must be. Or else...

His low, deep voice rumbles through me as his mouth pauses at my ear. "Just let me have one more minute before you kill me..."

Joe's eyes meet mine and all the things I had been about to say float away. His wonderfully changing blue-gray gazes at me and my mind gibbers, running away into a corner while my libido takes charge. I know I'm about to make a mistake and for once, I'm not going to give a damn...

I shouldn't be doing this. I knew that the second he resisted my kiss, trying to do damage to his attacker -- me, I guess. Still, I can't help asking for another minute, and his huge blue eyes seem to scream outrage at my presumption. All I know is that I'm gonna take that full minute for all its worth before I end up in the hospital.

I don't take my right hand from his wrists as my left moves to re-explore the body that's been so tantalizingly out of my reach for as long as I've known him. God knows I've touched him before in fights and training sessions. I've even looked at him in the showers when he wasn't looking, and so I've got a pretty good idea of what I'll find.

Still, as I feel his smooth skin under my hand, I realize how all of my imaginings, daydreams and half-touching hits had never even come close to the reality. The strong, lean muscled body that is under me for this moment... it's better than anything, everything -- it's enough. For this, I'll go to the hospital. It's not like I've never been there before, and if there's ever been anything that's been worth a trip...

He stops trying to buck me off, seeming even more shocked. That must be what it is, since his eyes are getting even larger and more intense... I can't help but wonder, though. I've seen that expression before, when he was sizing up a particularly tough Galactor, and-

"Shit!"

My surprised yell rings through the small room as I find myself suddenly flipped over. Staring up, I see Ken's mouth turn up in a predatory smile as he lowers himself to steal a kiss of his own. Neither of us are resisting this time and I find myself relaxing more and more into the kiss, feeling nothing but pleasure and-

The kiss breaks off suddenly as I feel Ken's hand around my throat. Looking up into his grinning blue eyes, I wonder if he's gonna kill me or do something else... I really hope its something else, because I'm obviously going to enjoy that more...

There's a dangerous glint in Ken's eyes as he growls in my ear, "Joe, you're going to find out exactly what I can do. I promise I won't damage you... much."

Oh good. It's going to be something else... That's the last coherent thought I manage as Ken's lips come back down on mine and his hands start to slide off my shirt.

"Mister-"

I look at the good doctor with more than a hint of exasperation. "Dr. Nambu, please! Just Michael, if you wouldn't mind." He looks a bit nonplused, the poor dear. He's just not a people person, is he? "So, Doctor -- what is it?"

He looks down, avoiding my gaze. In a rush, he says, "I thought that you were going to be with Ken... that is-" I sigh. Dr. Nambu is definitely not comfortable with the idea of my being Ken's lover. He agreed to it, of course, but he didn't seem to like doing so much. Logic had persuaded him, perhaps, but...

Still, even he couldn't deny why it was necessary. Given Joe's track record with Galactors, ISO had been searching, unofficially of course, for a way to prevent such impairment of judgment from happening to the leader of the Science Ninja Team. Ken's reluctance to have a relationship with Jun made it so that they had decided that there was need to search elsewhere... especially when someone figured out Ken was gay after having seen him flirting with a few guys at a bar.

Since that discovery, ISO had thrown a number of male agents at Ken, hoping he'd develop a relationship with someone safe. It was recognized that Ken, as leader, had an especially large sense of responsibility, and a penchant toward feeling greater amounts of stress. Sex is a great way to relieve that, after all, and a stable relationship would be able to protect him from any Galactor plots or infiltration dealing with his separate life as Ken Washio. So, there I was. Ken knew I was ISO, even if he didn't realize it had been planned -- it made things easier all around.

Still, Dr. Nambu definitely does not like any of this as is somewhat understandable, considering his mindset. He must really be concerned if he's willing to talk to me when not absolutely necessary. I give him a reassuring smile and answer, "I was, Doctor. That is, until Joe showed up."

"Joe?!"

Why, the man looks quite shocked... how unusual for him. I try to calm him by giving him a quite sensible explanation. "Well, yes. Don't know why he was there, but it's all fine now. They should be releasing some tension in a nice, productive way now..."

"WHAT?"

I glance around, noticing the startled stares that are being garnered by the Doctor's outburst. I sigh again, wondering how long this is going to take. "Well, you know that Ken and Joe are in love -- or in lust. Who knows? Still, I'm almost willing to bet it's the former. They've been through too much for there to be nothing but physical attraction."

"Joe and Ken... you're joking. You have to be-"

"Doctor, please. I'm late for a rather important meeting. If you really want to know, sir, then I suggest you ask your two Ninjas. They are, after all, quite capable of answering your questions." I nod my head and leave him there in the hallway, speechless. I can't help but start to whistle as I walk on, feeling as if I've done two good deeds in one day. After all, Ken and Joe deserve each other, and the Doctor... well, everyone needs to be taken down a notch or two. Right?

I stare down at him, at the man I've been dreaming about possessing for so long, and grin. He looks back at me with a challenging expression on his face and reaches up with his hand. Just touching my face, he lets his fingers drift down my cheek and throat to stop at my chest, where my heart is beating much too fast.

"So, that was nice. How long..." Joe's question fades away, as if he is uncertain of what exactly to ask. I shrug and lie down beside him on my somewhat small bed. It's a size that makes it so I'm basically forced into his embrace -- a feature that I had noticed before with others, although I never appreciated it quite so much until now...

"How long what? How long have I wanted this? How long have I been gay? What?"

Our faces are almost nose to nose and his stormy eyes make me want to shiver as he gives me a measuring look. He's silent for a moment, before lying back against the bed. Letting out a sigh, he answers, "I think that maybe you should tell me everything. This is gonna take us a while..."

I grin at his automatic usage of 'us', before climbing atop of him. He raises an eyebrow, to which I shrug again. "Hey, the bed _is_ a little small. I'm just conserving space. Got a problem with it?" Joe doesn't say a word, so I just prop myself up on my elbows against his chest, ignoring his little grunt of pain. I count the seconds, getting up to ten before he finally loses it and tosses me back on the bed.

"Calm down, Joe... chan." As I watch his face contort, I know I'm going to be having a lot of fun with him. He's going to be in for a surprise if he expects me to be the straight-laced Ken with him...

I ignore his expression, just gazing into his eyes until he quiets down. That had always worked with him in one way or another, even if he would never acknowledge it. After a moment of silence, I break through it with an answer to his question.

"How long... well, if you mean gay, I've known I was for a while now. Didn't think it was anyone's business, though. After all, it is my personal decision to go out for a good time as long as it doesn't endanger the team." I give Joe a stern look before emphasizing, "Unlike _some_ people, I always made sure the guy was safe and not a Galactor..."

Joe becomes half-embarrassed and half-angry in a really cute way that I hadn't noticed before. "Hey! How was I supposed to-"

With a knowing smile on my face, I pat him on the head. "Don't worry, Joe-chan. It's not your fault that you think with your dick."

"Screw you, man! I do not -- it's just- And what's up with the 'chan', anyway?"

"You're so adorable when you're like this... I thought that it fit."

"You-" He growls, only half-joking. Putting his arms around me, he holds me to him tightly, barely letting me breathe. I can't hide my amusement at Joe's total loss of control. I never thought what fun it could be to mess with him like this... The total freedom I feel right now -- it's amazing. I can't be myself with anyone else, and I wouldn't want to. Somehow, only Joe makes it so that it's possible. As his grip loosens, I sink down into his embrace, content to be in the warm silence with him.

I'm who people expect me to be. To Dr. Nambu, I'm the boy he raised when my father left. He expects me to act the way he taught me to be -- honest, brave, intelligent, utterly loyal to ISO, self-sacrificing -- all of it. I don't really mind, because that's basically the way I tick, but sometimes the pressure just gets to be too much.

To the others on the Team, I'm self-righteous Ken, the leader. I'm the one they follow, the one they blame, the one who's supposed to get the Team out of trouble. They don't consciously know it, but somehow what they expect of me. The worst thing is that Joe is at his best when challenging Leader-Ken. I don't want to take that from him, since he is so... I grin at the memories of some of the more heated arguments we've had.

I know that Leader-Ken is who keeps us alive in situations where Joe could get us killed, but that doesn't mean I want to be like that all the time. Leader-Ken can be a real bastard, and if I'm not him, then I'm -- well, I don't know who I am. I don't have much of a life beyond ISO and fighting Galactor, and I probably won't have one until Galactor's threat is gone from Earth forever -- however long that takes.

To everyone else, I'm Gatchaman. G-1. The Eagle. A faceless 'hero' who manages, though sometimes just barely, to beat Berg Katse's latest plot with his teammates at his side. The public thinks he's great, and the Galactors have nightmares about him. But he's not a real person. Eagle is the guy everyone wants to be when they're playing Science Ninja Team versus Galactor -- well, me or Joe. But that doesn't give Ken much of a life...

Screw what Dr. Nambu thinks. I don't care what the Team will do or -- no, that's not true. I care. I care terribly about what'll happen to the Team, what everyone will think. But that doesn't matter. I'm not going to let him go. I'm not going to be any easier on Joe because of this, but what happens outside of Gatchaman time is my private business -- and I fully intend to have Joe there with me.

I notice him grow quiet beside me, and I enjoy the feel of his body right alongside mine. A comfortable silence grows between the two of us and I don't mind it stretching out the way it has. That's one difference between him and my usual relationships. Either the girl or I'm talking -- I could never seem to find a person who'd just shut up, and who'd let me do the same, until now. Finally, I decide to say something -- not that the silence is bothering me, but because it seems right that I give Ken something back.

"Fine, Ken. You want to be like that, wait until you get into trouble and see how fast that 'chan' disappears. Got it?" As he smiles up at me, I realize how much I want to see that happiness on his face. Ken doesn't really have a history of being all that cheerful -- he's either being a prick, or just- well, actually, being a uptight jerk is what he does best. I wonder why I want him, considering...

Then I remember back to times when someone else had shone through the mask. In those rare moments when he had let himself be unguarded, I had seen -- well, the guy I'm holding in my arms now. That Ken is worth my time, even if the Fearless Leader isn't.

Besides, it's not like I'm much better than he is. At least he has a real person under his mask -- I'm just me. He knows as well as I do that I'm not quite all right inside. There's an urge inside me to destroy, to kill, to get back what was stolen from me -- all of that, and more. But maybe if he's here with me, I'll stop being so damn stupid sometimes. Who knows?

It's odd. I mean, I'm not gay... bisexual, maybe, but I like women too. A lot. I like having a soft body next to me, and curves under my hand. But Ken... he's more than sex, even though it's even better with him than I could have imagined -- and trust me, I've imagined. He's a friend, and he could be something more, if we could both let it be.

But I've got to know... "Just who is this Michael guy, anyway? How the hell did he know I was G-2?"

"I have no idea how he would know. I mean, well..." His voice drifts off as he collects his thoughts. "Michael is someone I met a few months ago at a bar when I was really trying to forget about a Galactor incident. It was one of those where we didn't get there fast enough and-" He stops, his voice choked at the memory. I nod, understanding exactly how he feels.

"It's not our fault -- remember that if we weren't there at all-"

"I know. But-" Ken's face is haunted as doubts he had never let out force their way to the surface. I watch him, knowing that even in my blood-thirsty soul, that same grief and pain exists, hidden. "Are we really doing any good? There's so much blood on our hands. Are we even-"

"Yes." My monosyllabic answer quiets him as he hears the iron behind the word. He believes me... I just wish I could believe myself. But that doesn't really matter. I distract him by putting his reminiscence back on track. "So, you met Michael at this bar. You picked him up?" That last question was asked somewhat incredulously as I tried to reconcile my mental image of tight-assed Ken doing that.

Ken smirks at me and shrugs. "Well, something like that. It just sorta happened, you know -- one drink after another, and we ended up back at my place. He had mentioned during our conversation that he was part of ISO, so he was safe enough."

I blink at the casual tone, but I can't say really anything, can I -- not considering my record, anyway. After a moment of silence, Ken picks back up on his story. "It started out as a casual thing, but I started to run into Michael at odd times when I was doing test pilot stuff for Dr. Nambu. I'll tell you, the first time I saw him at Cresent Coral, I think both of us nearly had heart attacks. We actually got to know each other, and he got to be a good friend. I know he does some research for the Mantle Project, but I don't pry and he doesn't either."

Looking at him, I wonder if I should bring up some of the moves that Michael had used on me. Maybe he's part of Red Impulse, or...? After thinking about it for a moment, I decide not to -- after all, what would be the point? Michael's one of the good guys, and as long as he's not a threat...

I look around Ken's room, really seeing it for the first time. It's pretty much what I'd expected -- spare and utilitarian, with a hint of shabbiness that showed though its precise organization. My eyes light on the photo of a younger Ken with his parents, but know that this is _not_ the time to open that particular can of worms.

A thought comes to me as I look at the beat-up furniture. "Ken, don't you think its time we got some money for all this Galactor-fighting we do? I mean, it's pretty crappy of Dr. Nambu to not even pay us when we put our lives on the line every week. You barely make ends meet with your mail route, and I miss half the prize-races I could be in because of the idiot-mecha-of-the-week."

He shakes his head. With mock seriousness, he gives me hard tap on my head. "Weren't you listening when the Doctor explained this to us?" At my rude gesture, his lips twitch with barely-suppressed laughter. "All right -- you know as well as I do that sudden influxes of money makes people suspicious. Once people start looking for something hidden, they're pretty much guaranteed to find it. The head of Galactor Intelligence might be an idiot, but the Finance guy is pretty competent. Let's not push our luck."

"You know that you wouldn't survive the week without the tab at Snack J's..." Neither of us say anything for a moment, before I decided to bite the bullet and give voice to some of the things we've both been wondering. "What do we do about... well, about everyone? Should we tell them, or-" My train of thought breaks off and I mention the real doozy. "Shit. Jun."

Ken nods before looking away from me. As I'm about to ask if he's all right, his voice rings in the room. "It's none of their business. If they find out, they'll just have to accept it. That's all I can say." His fierce eyes meet mine and I match him, look for look. He's said what I was gonna say, so at least we're thinking the same...

Our eyes don't leave each other as Ken reaches out for me. He pushes me back down on the bed, and his lips come down on mine. I hold him to me as we both lose ourselves in the sensations of the kiss. After a few minutes of this, I reach up to brush some hair from his eyes and then turn both of us so that we're entangled, side by side.

We make love more slowly this time. There's less hunger and more curiosity as we both explore, lips and hands and everything else touching, feeling... I try to ignore the desperate quality of it, submerging myself in the simpler, more pleasant sensations of pure desire transforming into a sated happiness that finally drifts both of us into sleep.

I stare at the jauntily whistling man walking away from me, absolutely stunned by what I had just heard. I wonder if my ears are actually functioning, and then note that they obviously are. I walk slowly to my office, and sit quickly.

"Ken and Joe. Impossible. Preposterous."

I don't want to think about what this is going to do to the team. Aside from their obvious new closeness, Jun's anger is going to be hard to deal with. Not to mention that Joe might take this as some sort of initiative that he can do whatever he wants since he's slee- he's... he has a relationship with Ken.

My mind is still working out this problem as I start retrieving files on my computer. I might as well get all of these forms done tonight since I'm obviously not going to get any sleep. I work through the night, stopping only to stand and get some coffee. I try not to think about what Michael had told me, and decide to focus on my work to the extent of nearly forgetting to make sure that everyone is ready for the training session.

I page Ken's bracelet, before realizing that he might not be in a position -- that is, in -- in a state to receive calls. Still, he turns it on obediently and I see that he is dressed and seems ready to go. He looks awake and aware, as well as quite cheerful. Perhaps...

"Ken, you do remember that the training session is today?"

"Of course, Doctor." He sounds quite happy, and not at all tired. He obviously could not have been awake during the night... I find myself wondering if Michael had just been playing a joke on me. He seems to enjoy doing that, the trickster that he is.

With that comforting thought in my mind, I tell him, "Please remind all the others about it." I am glad to be able to page off without having to deal with any of the things I'd learned last night. Michael really must have just told me that to-

"What does the Doctor want, Ken?"

Ken's harsh whisper is toward someone whom I can't see. "Get out of bed! It's already seven in the morning." The owner of the sleepy voice is one that I recognize...

"Not my fault you tired me out last night." I hear Joe yawn in the background, and wince. "I'm gonna make breakfast, 'cause you can't cook. I remember."

"All right, just get out of bed!" Ken's face returns to the view-screen and he smiles at me with in some embarrassment. "Sorry about that, Doctor. Obviously, I won't have to tell Joe. I really will have him getting up earlier from now on."

I cough, and nod. "Of course."

"Ken out."

I lean back against the chair, my head pounding. I have a feeling that this is not going to be a good day...

"Shit." My soft curse makes Joe turn back toward me in surprise. I take off my transmutation bracelet and place it on the dresser before sitting back down on the bed. I had managed to get up at six o'clock like usual, and a cup of coffee had made it so that I'd actually felt awake.

After downing the extra-strong cup and getting dressed, I had sat back down on the bed next to the sleeping Joe, just trying to think. I had gotten distracted from my usual thoughts of the next mission by the soft snores emanating from the person who I was sharing my bed with.

With a smile, I had pinched his nose, wondering how long it would take before he woke up. To my surprise, he had just batted my hand away firmly before draping his still-naked form on top of mine. I had considered pushing him off, but decided that I really didn't mind that much...

When I heard the beeping of the bracelet about thirty minutes later, I had replied immediately. It was ingrained habit, after all, and it was only after I'd done so that I'd realized...

Still, the expression on Doctor Nambu's face had been priceless. We all respect the Doctor, of course. He is a incredible man and has a mind beyond our capabilities to understand. However, he's also somewhat conservative and old-fashioned, not quite in sync with the social changes in the world...

At Joe's silent question, I sigh. "This probably wouldn't have been the way I would have broken this to him, you know?"

He nods, and then shrugs. "Well, it wasn't like we could have kept this secret, anyway. Shit happens. What can we do?" I accept what he says with a half-smile. Joe has a rather pragmatic approach to life... In an attempt to change the subject, I ask with a smile, "What's this about cooking?"

Joe gives me a look filled with disgust before pulls me to the refrigerator. Gesturing to the near-empty interior, he asks, "What do you eat when you're not mooching off of Jun? Look at this! How am I supposed to make breakfast?"

I open a cardboard box that is under the small kitchen table and pull out two instant ramen cups. After tossing one of the plastic-wrapped Styrofoam packages to Joe, I pour some water into a kettle and put it onto the burner. "This is what we eat, of course." I grin at the expression on his face before reaching back into the box to pull out a a couple of disposable chopsticks. Handing one to Joe, I sit at the table, and wait for the water to boil.

"This is what you eat?"

"What else for a person who, like you said, has very little income?"

He groans before retorting, "Look, Ken. When I move my trailer here, I'm going to have to cook you some real food..." His voice trails off as he sees the surprised look on my face. "What?"

"You're moving your trailer here?" I say this in a stunned sort of voice.

"Well, why not?" His gaze is challenging, as if expecting an argument. I get out of my chair, but stop as I look at him, unsure of what I should do. My first instinct is to hug him, but that would probably make him a bit uncomfortable, or something, and... To hell with it-

I put my arms around him and feel his come around me. My lips lock onto his and we stay that way until the fierce boiling of the water makes the kettle whistle. We both jump, instinctively searching for a target. As we both realize what the high-pitched noise is, Joe starts to laugh and I join him. I retrieve the kettle, pouring water into both our ramen cups before putting it back onto the stove top. As Joe starts to eat, I reach for the phone to call Snack J.

"Hey, aniki. What's up?"

"Don't forget to remind your sister that we have the training session today, 1000 sharp. Okay?"

"Don't worry, we didn't forget. Oh, and Ryu's here too, so we're all going together. Where's Joe-aniki?"

"Joe... Joe will be there. Don't worry. See you soon."

At Joe's expression, I shrug. "I don't have to proclaim to the world that we slept together last night, you know."

"I know."

"Besides, you _are_ going to be there on time, right?"

He bared his teeth at me in a combination of smile and challenge. "How are you going to make me?"

Reacting to his playful attitude, I lower my voice and say in my most threatening manner, "I have my ways..."

"Is that so? We'll just see about that." Joe's arm comes snaking over to circle my waist...

I think he's mad. Taking a quick glance beside me, I catch Ken's expression as he stares stonily down the road. Okay, lemmie revise that last thought. I _know_ he's mad. At me or at himself, I can't tell, but it's not really my fault that we're late -- it's more like it was really both our fault...

At my grin, Ken half-seriously aims a punch at my head, which I dodge in an exaggerated manner. "It's not funny, Joe. I should be there on time, if only to set an example as-" I press down on the acceleration, reveling in the feel of my baby as she takes the tight turns easily. It's easy to ignore Ken when he gets into his 'I'm a leader' mode, and I know he's noticed my inattention when he finally shuts up.

"Joe."

Without looking at him, I intone, "What is it, Oh Mighty Leader?" I ignore his irritated look and keep on driving. Can't forget that we _are_ late -- we still have more than a few miles to cover. I feel his frustration but I ignore that, too. After all, Ken deserves to have a little hot air taken out of him when he acts that way.

"What's wrong with you? Don't ignore me when I-"

"Do you see a Galactor around here?"

Immediately, Gatchaman is in the seat where Ken was, as he warily scans the skies and the road. When he doesn't see anything threatening, he shakes his head. He mouths, "Where?"

I tell him rudely, "If there aren't about twenty Galactors chasing us, then I don't want to hear you preach at me. Especially when we're alone."

Ken stiffens even more, and then gazes away from me, out the window. I don't expect much conversation now, but Ken, as always, manages to surprise me. After a moment of silence, he turns back to me and asks, "How else do you expect me to be?"

How can I answer him, if I don't know myself? Just... I just want him to be more... or less... or- I'm not really cut out for thinking, you know? Not for the deep kind of stuff that Dr. Nambu understands, or even for the kind of thing that Ken always agonizes over. All I know is loyalty to the Team, to ISO, and that we should kill all the bastards who dare to hurt one of ours.

How can I answer him, when he's the one who thinks for me on most of the important stuff? I follow his orders most of the time, unless there's a quicker way to kill more of the bad guys. Even then, I can always see that Ken has a point -- it's just that I can't seem to control my blood-lust. I know that Ken's not always in control either, but at least he tries. He tries so hard that he can't help but become Gatchaman outside of his Birdstyle. I know all that, but still...

I don't like Gatchaman very much -- I don't mean the real Ken, but the "white shadow". He's bossy and irritating, always thinking that he's right, you're wrong, and that Nambu is God. He's cold, and willing to sacrifice the few for the greater good of the many. It may be expedient, but it's also something that should give someone nightmares at night. Maybe it does... but not when he's being Leader.

Hell, I know that's why Ken's leader. We need someone like that in our fight -- I mean, come on! We're five against the largest, most dangerous criminal organization ever assembled. We've had help from Red Impulse and his team, but that's rare, at best. Granted, most of the Galactors are two-bit thugs who figure that they're better than the rest of the scum. Okay, so Berg Katse is a crazy hysteric who's prone to wearing lipstick. Oh, and plus the fact that the mechs that are thrown at us range from the surreal to the incredibly _stupid_.

Even with all that, how likely are our chances of survival with just our Birdstyles, weapons and the God-Phoenix? Actually, they do seems pretty high, considering we haven't gone splat on the ground quite yet. The reasons for that? One of them has to be Leader-Ken. I appreciate that and I know he's the guy I'd want at my back in a fight. But at my side, in my bed...

"I just wish you wouldn't act that way when we're not in a combat situation. We're not G-1 and G-2 right now. We're just Joe and Ken, you know? You don't have to be that way when we're alone." My voice feels rough and forced, and there's just enough of my internal monologue still present in it so that I sound almost desperate.

He shrugs. "I'm not sure if I know another way."

Neither of us move to fill the silence that comes out of that bleak little statement, and the drive to Headquarters is quiet. It might have been better if Ken could have taken his plane while I drove in G-2, but his Cressida had developed "engine trouble." That is, G-1 had taken one hit too many... Michael had driven him home last night, so I guess we'll tell everyone that I'd gone to pick him up. I guess.

When we get there, I notice that everyone else is already in the practice room. I check the time, and notice that we're only fifteen minutes late -- we shouldn't be in too much trouble-

"Ken, Joe. What time is it?" Or maybe we are. Doctor Nambu doesn't look thrilled at our late arrival, to say the least.

I look him straight in the eye and give him the answer that he's waiting for. "It's 1015, Doctor."

His lips thin into a disapproving line at my blunt, unapologetic statement, and he turns to Ken with a look of disappointment in his eyes. "Ken, this is inexcusable behavior. I reminded you several hours before the session, not to mention-" Ken looks back at him without saying a word. His expression is one of stoic acceptance, and I almost feel as if he's surrendering to something that wasn't his fault. For some reason, this just pisses me off.

"Doctor." Doctor Nambu turns back to look at me with even more of the exasperated hostility than usual. "It's not Ken's fault. It's mine, and I take full responsibility for it. If you wish, you can discipline me for this transgression, but I recommend that you do so after the session is over."

There. I just made a perfectly calm, reasonable request for punishment -- if that doesn't indicate that my brain is slightly off-kilter, nothing will. Anyway, what can he do to me that he hasn't done before? At least this way, he won't have to embarrass himself by asking me in public _exactly_ why we had been late...

The Doctor nods. "Joe, Ken, both of you report to me after the training session. There are some things that we have to discuss." He waves at us to start, and then goes out the door. As the door hisses shut, everyone seems to relax just a little.

Jinpei rushes up to us, almost jumping on top of us in the almost feverish way he gets when he's excited or curious. "Wow, Joe! That wasn't like you- Why were you guys so late and-"

Before either of us can get a word in edgewise, Jun steps up and pulls Jinpei away from us. "Jinpei! Hush -- we have to start training, and besides, they'll tell us when they want to."

"Sis~" The threat of a knock on the head subdues his chatter, and Jun smiles at Ken. Of course, he's looking elsewhere and misses it, and her face falls just a little. Damn, we're going to have to talk to her too, I guess.

Ryu, who's been standing by watching all of us with just a bit of bemusement on her face, volunteers a suggestion. "Why don't we get into our Birdstyles? Not that this hasn't been fun, but we should start..." The rest of us nod, and the room is soon filled with five Science Ninjas attacking and defending from various attacks.

I take my frustration out on the various members on my team. Ryu is actually an interesting partner to have -- he's massively strong and dense, and faster than you'd think. I'm without my knives and shuriken while he's in his element with just his fists and strength. We batter at each other for a few minutes, before I see a form coming in behind me. Dodging quickly, I let a flying Jinpei take Ryu in the stomach, leaving both of them in a pile behind me.

While Ryu tries to catch the fleet-footed Swallow, I find myself engaged in a three-way war with Jun and Ken. I catch Ken's eye, and he grins and gets in a punch just to show me that he's not going to take it easy on me because we're lovers so I land a kick on him, while blocking one from Jun.

It's not easy fighting against Eagle or Swan, and don't let anyone tell you different. Barehanded, Ken fights like I do when you get down to it. Our speed, agility, and strength are pretty much balanced while the other three in our team are more specialized. Owl's got more strength than us, while Sparrow is much more agile. And Swan -- she's _fast_. She knows where to hit you so that it hurts, and she does it so fast that all you see is a blur before you're face-down on the floor. Still, in the end, it becomes a fight between me and Eagle, as I manage to land a lucky blow on Jun that takes her out of the game.

Ken and I know each other's weakness all too well; we've fought enough times so that each move is as familiar as our own. That can make for a really extended, or a really short fight, depending -- this time, it's long. We trade blows and dodge the ones we can for so long that everyone else gets up and watches, yelling out suggestions and tips on what we need improvements on.

Finally, I get in a jab that catches him in the solar plexus. He doubles over for a bare moment, just long enough for me to get an elbow in his back. He bends down even lower, and then catches me by surprise by grabbing at my hips. For a surreal moment, this reminds me of last night, and I redden and let my guard down. He takes the opportunity and manages to throw me halfway across the room. Remind me not to think about sex when someone's trying their best to beat you up. Makes for less pain all around... or at least, for me.

"I give up, Ken. Damn, that last one hurt..." I open my eyes and see him standing over me, offering me a hand up. I take it, feeling every bruise that I've received in the last hour, and then some. His expression is slightly concerned so I offer him a silent assurance to my mostly-healthy state. At that, he flashes a grin in my eyes before turning to the rest of the Team.

"I've noticed that we've started to rely on our weapons quite a lot -- with the exception of Owl, who is his own weapon." Ryu grins before wincing at a particularly bad contusion he'd acquired when Jinpei had landed head-first on him during the fight. "Today, we've seen how long we can last without weapons, against others without weapons. Still, that doesn't mean anything if the thugs have guns or knives or any of the other things that Galactors have been known to use."

"But aniki, we're twenty times better than any Galactor! Besides, why wouldn't we have weapons?" At Jinpei's question, I sigh. It would be nice if it always worked out that way, wouldn't it?

"Jinpei, you know very well that we can be captured at any time if they rush us with more people than we can handle. Even Galactors aren't stupid enough to leave us with our primary weapons -- the fact that some do, or that they miss a few that we've hidden doesn't mean anything. We have to prepare for every possibility."

Jinpei nods in understanding, his eyes too serious for a kid his age. It's times like this when I wish he didn't have to be a part of all this. Not that I don't think he's good enough -- for all the trouble he's caused, he's still integral to the team. Still, it would be nice if he could have stayed out of this life and lived a normal life -- well, as normal as you can get during times like this.

I'm almost tempted to say something, but then he grins and starts to act as he usually does -- just like a carefree child. Turning to his sister, he grins, a sure indication that a teasing is about to occur. "Sis, you did really good today -- but I bet you would have done even better if you hadn't been so distracted by-"

Jun's knuckles comes own on Jinpei's helmet hard enough to make it ring. At Jinpei's muffled 'ow', the rest of the team starts to laugh, including me. Jun looks at me for a moment with an indefinable expression on her face, before turning to berate her brother. The rest of us smile as we watch the two sibs express their love for each other in their own special way.

This feeling of belonging, of togetherness -- this is what I don't want to disturb. For all my brave thoughts and words, is getting involved with Joe worth the risk of breaking up our family? I know that for both of us, that's exactly what the team is. Even for Joe, this has to be hard. At least I have the hopes that my father is alive, somewhere. Joe doesn't even have that.

I'm about to break the two up when my bracelet beeps. Everyone quiets down immediately, while I receive the message. "Doctor?"

"Ken. Have you finished with your training?"

I look around at my battered teammates. "Yes, Doctor. Joe and I will be up shortly." He nods and then signs off, leaving an uncomfortable silence behind him.

Finally, Ryu pats me on the back. "Don't worry, Ken. We'll sneak you in some food if we have to."

That ridiculous assurance breaks the quiet and cheers everyone up immensely. I get out of Birdstyle, and motion for Joe to do the same. While he does so, I tell the three that are left, "Practice while I'm gone for another thirty minutes. Then go home and rest -- we've had a hard morning."

The three salute and the "Roger!" rings in the room. I watch them start to circle each other before turning to Joe. "Let's go."

We both step out of the room and head toward the Doctor's office. There isn't much in the way of conversation between us, which I suppose is understandable... whatever. I'm not exactly sure what Dr. Nambu wants to discuss with us, but I'm willing to bet that it's about this morning.

As we go into the Doctor's office, he motions for us to sit while he finishes up some paperwork. He seems just a bit more tense than usual, while his office is not quite as neat. It's just little disturbances, but enough to be noticed -- at least by us. That is part of what we do, after all.

After signing the last of the papers on his desk, Dr. Nambu closes the file with a resounding thump. Putting it away into his desk, he finally looks up at both of us. But at me, first. Always at me first. His expression is slightly disapproving, with an edge of disappointment that I can feel. Still, underneath that I sense something more...

"Ken. Joe. We all know that there is something we have to discuss."

I find myself almost glaring at him. The Doctor's tone is somewhere between censorious and shocked, as if he can't believe he's even having this conversation with us. I don't understand it, really -- considering we both risk our lives everyday to stop Galactor's plots, shouldn't we at least get some peace in our private lives?

"I didn't realize that our love lives had anything to do with the Science Ninja Team, Doctor." My tone is colder than I want it to be, more confrontational. I can't do anything about that, though -- I'm speaking like Gatchaman would when faced with a threat.

Dr. Nambu is quiet for a moment. Then, he puts his hands down onto the desk. "But it does, Ken. You know how I feel about fraternization -- quite frankly, I thought that this talk would involve Jun. I don't know if you two realize how much difficulty these kinds of relationships can cause."

He stands and walks in front of us. He asks me, "Ken, are you sure that any decision you make won't be affected by your relationship with one of your team members?" Then he turns to Joe. "And you, Joe. Is a relationship with Gatchaman going to make it so that G-2 is going to think that he can disobey even more than usual?" Neither of us can answer him -- I think we've both been wondering the same things.

"How do you think the other team members are going to react? Ken, you know that the team dynamics will change if there's even an hint of a relationship, be it between you and Joe, or anyone else. Have you given any thought to how they will perceive your orders, or if they'll believe you're being more permissive than usual, or-"

The doctor sighs, before sitting back down. Steepling his fingers, he asks us one final question. "Have you even though beyond -- I'll be generous -- your hearts? There is more at stake here than just your lives. You both knew that when you joined the Team."

When his questions are met with silence, he leans back in his chair. After raising his eyes to meet ours, he closes his eyes. "I admit that the... nature of your relationship makes me uncomfortable. However, that is not the primary, or even one of the reasons why I am against it. Speaking logically for the good of the Team and the Earth, can you offer any sort of counter-argument for why this should be allowed?"

I can feel Joe's sidelong glance. He's letting me speak first, which is good, I suppose. "Doctor." His eyes open and I nod. "I understand all your concerns, and I have thought about them. However, you're missing one very large piece of information." I point to Joe. "I have been in love with him for a very, very long time. I don't know if he's been quite so obsessed with me, but he did have some feelings for me before last night."

Looking straight into the Doctor's eyes, I answer all of his doubts. "I have never hesitated to put Joe in danger. I have never, because of my attraction for him, allowed him to do anything which I felt put the team in jeopardy without good reason. My feelings for him do not make me blind -- I know his strengths and weaknesses, and have never hesitated to go against his incessant urges for violence and force."

He is the one silent this time as Joe joins in. "I don't expect anything different from Ken now that I'm sleeping with him. He's still my commanding officer, and in a combat situation, I will act like a soldier. Whatever people may think, I still obey my leader -- it's just a matter of degree." At that last bit of information, I shake my head. He grins at me, and I mouth, 'later'.

And the team... gods. I really _don't_ know what to say about that. All I can do is hope for the best, right? "As for the rest of the Team, I can only say that I trust them to be soldiers as well. If they have a problem to our relationship, they're welcome to their opinions -- but only outside of the fight. They can have their own private lives, as we have ours, but that does not mean that I will allow them to shirk their duties for any reason."

Dr. Nambu looks as if he wants to say something, but I go on. All of this has to be said- "All five of us know what it means to be a part of the Science Ninja Team. It means that we risk our lives for the good of the Earth, so that one day kids like Jinpei don't have to worry about some mecha coming down and raining death on their city. None of us resent that -- in fact, it makes us stronger. But I don't think that it's fair for anyone to restrict our lives as normal people as long as the Team isn't put in danger. Is it, Doctor?"

I defiantly take hold of Joe's hand. Seeing my motion, Doctor Nambu's face exhibits an array of different expressions, before settling on a faint smile. "Go on, both of you. I'll give some thought to what you've said." We both stand and salute before leaving our mentor at his desk.

When we leave the Doctor's office, both of us let out a simultaneous sigh. Looking over at me, Joe shakes his head as if seeing me for the first time. "Shit. Are you _sure_ you're Ken? I never thought I'd hear you talk that way to the Doctor."

I shrug. "He's usually right, so I don't. This time, he wasn't. Okay?" He mock-salutes and barely manages to duck my quick jab at his head. "What the hell was that in there about degree? I don't believe in 'degree', got it?! Follow my orders, or else I'll just keep on beating you up -- you know that."

Joe manages to get tangle my feet up and make me crash into a nearby wall. He pins me there, and growls, "Beating me up?" I look into his eyes and smile at the dangerous, crazy-Joe that I see caged there. Doctor Nambu should see that Joe before thinking any relationship is going to change the essentials of what we have. He'll always challenge my authority when he thinks he's right, and I'll always pound him back down, if he's wrong.

Following that chain of logic, I slip out from under him before crushing his body against the same spot where mine had been. Holding him there, I see the grudging acknowledgement of my strength in his eyes. Hell, this isn't a combat situation, and there isn't anyone around... I notice the same look in his eyes, and we both just sort of start to kiss. I wonder if he noticed the silly grin I'd had on my face...

I know that we're not supposed to go running around Crescent Coral -- especially me. I don't think they've forgiven me for the last prank I pulled. But come on! I'm a Ninja and if I can't get past a few guards and scientists...

I leave Ryu and Sis to duke it out some more -- it's getting real interesting when I leave, 'cause Sis is so fast that Ryu can't keep up, and Ryu's so strong that Sis' kicks don't have any impact. I'm kinda bored, so I go see what's happened to Joe-aniki and Ken-aniki. Dr. Nambu had sounded real mad! I dunno why -- I mean, they were only a little late.

Dodging the people and making sure no one sees me occupies my mind until I get to the floor of the Doctor's office. The scientists around here are used to seeing me around -- I guess they think I'm their little mascot, or something. Even the guards smile and wave me through, although, of course, they make me go through the metal detectors. The guards aren't stupid. They're not that bright either, though -- if they really thought about it, one of the Science Ninja Team isn't going to be weaponless. We _are_ ninjas.

I wander around, trying to see where they are. I almost miss them by walking past the corridor they're in, but I just manage to hear their voices. I'm about to go bursting in on them when I get the feeling that I should be careful. After all, if the Doctor had yelled at them, I'm not sure how they're feeling right now.

I see aniki holding Joe against the wall. Guess they're fighting again... well, I- What are they doing? It looks like they're... Shit! I know what Sis would think about my language, but... I've got to tell -- I dunno! I mean, what... what... Sis!

I run back as fast as I can, not even nodding to the guard who'd waved me in before. When I get back to the training room, Ryu and Sis are both sitting on the floor, exhausted. When Sis sees me run back in, her eyes narrow in suspicion. "What have you done now, Jinpei? If the Doctor tells me that you're pulled another prank, I'll-"

"Joe- Ken- they- they- I-"

Ryu comes over and holds his hand over my mouth. "Calm down, Jinpei. Okay?" I nod, and then he lets me go. "Take a few deep breaths, and tell us what happened to those two."

After taking a few -- okay, a LOT 0f deep breaths, I sigh and slump to the floor. Playing with my shoe, I manage to mumble out, "Joe and aniki were... they were kissing..." I raise my head to see the other two Ninjas' reactions, not sure how to react myself. I mean, I... Joe and Ken?

Jun kneels down next to me, her voice full of conflicting emotion. "Are you sure, Jinpei? You didn't see something else that-" I shake my head fiercely. That was a kiss. NO doubting it. Her voice trails off and she looks vaguely shocked. Ryu also looks a bit dazed, as if trying to figure it out. They both leave me sitting there, wondering about everything...

Finally, I ask, "Sis... I mean, is that okay for them to do?" I know about gay people -- I'm not stupid, you know. But I don't know what I'm supposed to think. A lot of people don't like them, and I know some kids have told me that they can't fight, or that they're all girly, or... I'm just confused. 'Cause if gay people are supposed to be like that, then how come Ken-aniki and Joe-aniki can fight so well? I mean, you _don't_ want to be a bad guy when they're around -- especially Joe. He's scary sometimes.

Sis is looking at me kinda strangely. She doesn't look very good -- I guess 'cause aniki is with someone else. You'd have to be a real idiot not to realize that my sister is in love with him. Still, I figured that he'd have gone after her by now if he were interested so I'd just thought he wasn't with anyone. I guess not.

I turn to Ryu instead. Sis definitely needs some time to think. "Ryu, I mean, are they doing something wrong?"

He looks as if he's about to give me an answer, and then pauses. Finally, he replies, "Some people might think so, Jinpei, but I don't. We have to trust the members in our Team, right?" When I nod, he smiles. "Good. Now, let's not mention this until Joe and Ken decide to let us in on the secret. Why don't you go to Jun? She doesn't look too happy right now."

I watch Jinpei sit himself down next to his sister with a smile. He's a good kid, that one, for all the smart-ass things he does. He _does_ get himself into some sticky situation, doesn't he? Hell, more like he just landed all of us in something that gonna be real messy.

Okay, I admit it. I'm not all that bright, and I'm certainly not the most experienced. For all that I've seen and done, I'm still a country bumpkin at heart. When I realized what Jinpei had seen, I think my brain overloaded there for a bit. It's a stretch to even think of... God! How long has this been going on? I would never have guessed -- not in a million years. I just wouldn't have been able to.

Still, even with all that, I'm glad I was able to put the kid's mind at some ease. Jinpei's lucky -- when he's not being G-4, he's pretty much a normal pre-teen. In this day and age, the idea of two men... together, I guess -- it's not so terrible. With so many people being killed by Galactor, there's been a shift in a lot of people's attitudes. If two guys want to be together, it's their business -- after all, who knew how long everyone was going to be around? It's a bit morbid, but you can't help having that kind of idea in your head after hearing about such widespread destruction.

I, on the other hand, can't help but be just a little shocked. Ken, maybe -- okay, not maybe. I... I guess I have been wondering about him subconsciously for a while. After all, the way he just ignores Jun, not to mention -- well, anyway, I'm not so surprised. But Joe? He's the last person I would have expected to be gay -- well, bi, I suppose. Considering the sheer number of women that he's been involved with... well, better Ken than another Galactor, right?

Watching Jinpei comfort his still-shocked sister, I'm surprised at myself. I almost expect myself to freak out at this -- I can't help but wonder if I'm just having a delayed reaction or something. Still, I guess... well, I guess I'm okay with Joe and Ken being together.

One thing you learn from being part of something like the Science Ninja Team is that you trust your teammates. They'll be there to guard your back while making sure you don't screw up. If they think they can deal with having a relationship while everything's the way it is, then I can't really say anything, can I? I may not be real comfortable with the idea, really, but I don't wanna take away their happiness.

Of course, that's just me. Probably Jinpei too, 'though he's probably annoyed that his aniki isn't going to be with his Sis. But Jun... that's one mess that I don't want to even think about. If anything is going to blow up 'cause of this, it'll be 'cause of what Jun does. If she gets mad... well, I'm not really sure how much hurting the two are going to do 'cause of this, but it's not going to be pretty. At all.

Funny how 'holy shit we'd better get out of her way' comes to mind at the thought of one royally-pissed off Jun with access to explosives and electricity... I think I'm going to find something to eat. If no one's dead by the time I get back, well... let's just hope that's how it'll stay.

"Jinpei, why don't you and I go grab something to eat? We'll take G-5 and be back later. I think that your sister might want to speak with Ken and Joe alone."

Jinpei looks at his sister, who looks as if she's barely hanging onto her temper, and then nods. "Uh, yeah. Sis, I'll be back... um, later. Bye-" He zips out of the room, not wanting to get flattened.

I go over to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "You all right? If you want us to stay-"

Her voice is ice and fire. "No, Ryu. Go. I'm going to have... a little talk with our leader and his... with Joe."

I can be pretty damn quick when I have to be -- trust me, this is one of those times. Jinpei and I both know enough to get out of that room _fast_. It's better not to be where the wreckage can hit you, after all. Now, to another important matter... "So, Jinpei. Where do you want to eat?"

I watch Ryu leave with a smile on my face. Even though I'm incredibly confused at the moment, his obvious fear of my temper makes me want to laugh. That fades quickly enough as my mind returns to what I've just heard.

Ken. With Joe. Kissing.

I'm _almost_ tempted to go and beat the crap out of both of them... but I don't. It wouldn't be lady-like, after all. Besides, they're going to come down here anyway, so why make a spectacle of myself looking for them? It is just so much more convenient for them to come to me before I start to hurt them. A lot.

I sit at the wall of the room that faces the door, not particularly caring that my skirt hikes up if I sit in this cross-legged position. After all, they've both demonstrated how little my display would affect them. Whose idea was the skirt, anyway? It must have been a man. Not that I mind too much -- I think I'd feel even worse without the mini -- after all, that would have left me with just the leggings that the guys wear. Still, you have to admit that it looks just a little ridiculous. At least I have boots -- if they had tried to get me in heels on top of everything else, there would definitely have been one member gone.

Dammit! I'm really angry. How could Ken have done this to me? And Joe, too! Hell, with Joe, for gods' sake. I mean, I thought he was dense, or a virgin, or something. If it had been something like that, then I could accept his total lack of interest in me. But to have been having a relationship with someone else...

The worst part was that he hadn't told me. If he had, I would have been mad, but I'd have gotten over it, sooner or later. I've had boyfriends before, although I'll admit that only Kouji had come close to being more than just casual dates. My infatuation with Ken -- that is what it is, and I do know it -- is something that grew out of the fact that I admired his strength of character so much.

I have an image in my head, of the a single, pure-white figure standing between the darkness and the world. That is what attracted me to Ken so much. He will not bend, will not yield to the destruction. He makes all of us, including Joe, stronger, even if G-2 resists Ken's tempering discipline.

But for all that, there is a reason why I hadn't just asked him out. One reason was the whole fraternization thing. I always felt like he wouldn't become intimate with anyone until Galactor's threat was destroyed. Well, that's one theory shot to hell. Another was the fact that even though I admired leadership and power, Gatchaman isn't someone I could see on a date with anyone. Ken, maybe, but not Gatchaman.

Ken... he's another reason all by himself. Once Gatchaman becomes Ken, he's more like a brother in my eyes -- a delinquent, lazy brother who doesn't do much beyond mooch off of Snack J and sit around at the counter. He never seemed to not have any interest in women at all -- something that probably should have tipped me off. Too bad I just ignored that...

It wasn't like I would have been heartbroken or devastated if Ken had just come out and told me. Sure, I'm hurt. It's hard knowing that you don't have a chance with someone you've been wanting for a long time. Still, our friendship is too strong to break over something like this -- I would have gotten over it. Now, it just hurts even more because he hadn't trusted me.

And Joe, too. That idiot. The fact Ken hadn't confided in me is something that I can understand. He isn't terribly talkative about his life beyond the Team, so I almost expect that kind of thing from him. But Joe! He should have told me the truth instead of endlessly going on about the latest girl he'd hopped in the sack with. How long had this game been going on?

I stand as I hear the two of them come into the room. Joe looks a little mussed, while Ken's breathing harder than usual. I narrow my eyes, and I can make out the traces of hickeys on both their necks. I'd almost be tempted to laugh again if it weren't for the fact that I'm furious. After all, that kind of thing is so high school it's funny.

"Ah, Jun. Where is everyone else?"

Ken's voice is a touch uneasy and guilty. Actually, if you get right down to it, the great Gatchaman sounds like my little brother after he broke something. I'm just starting to find the whole thing ludicrous, but I have enough anger left in me to maintain my control.

"Oh, Ryu and Jinpei went to get something to eat. You know how Ryu is when he hadn't had anything to eat in at least an hour."

Joe nods, and Ken sighs. "Discipline... we really have to talk to him about that again."

I feel one eyebrow raising, and consider my options. I could let them think I don't know and try to see how I could have missed it before. Or, I could confront them and beat the crap out of both of them. That really sounds appealing. Or I could be rational about this... a mix of two and three sounds just about right. Hey, a girl's got to have something fun to do.

"Discipline, Ken? You really want to talk about discipline?"

Ken gets a puzzled look on his face, and shrugs. "What do you mean, Jun?"

I smile -- a bit enigmatically, I'm sure -- and wave his question away. "Why don't we train a little more first while we wait for our two truants to come back?" Before either of them can say anything in response, I launch an attack at Joe, while targeting Ken immediately for the second wave.

Soon, we're all immersed in the intricacies of combat with equals. I don't think I've ever fought so well, and the others notice. Trust me, anger is a real good motivator, especially if you're involved in something which so easily facilitates a desire to hurt... I grin and launch a kick at Ken's groin that he barely manages to block. I almost stop after seeing Ken's face, but then I realize I'm having much more fun nearly hurting him.

Finally, the two smarten up and gang up against me. They manage to corner me and are about to come in for a two-pronged attack when I play my trump card. "So, was Ken really good in bed last night or what, Joe?" They both stop, slack-jawed, and I get in two solid hits which floor both of them. Ken sits up first, hand at his aching jaw, while Joe is still somewhat incapacitated by the kick I'd gotten in at his stomach.

"Jun... you- you know?" He sounds absolutely horrible. Guilty as hell -- I can't help but wonder how he managed to hide it if this is how he acts the second I confront him with it.

"Yeah, I do. Is there anything else you'd like to let me know about you two? Either of you also working for Galactor or something? I thought even idiots like you would know to tell your teammates something as important as this..." I look down at the pair of them, and my anger dissipates. I can't help it -- they're just too pathetic. Ken was never mine in the first place, except in my dreams...

"Uh... no." That comes from Joe, surprising me to no end. He's gotten up as well, and he sounds almost as guilty as Ken. Maybe even more so... "Trust us, we didn't plan it or anything -- it just happened, and we would have told you even if you hadn't found out."

"When? Next week? Next year?" At my harsh voice, both of them wince. The look of near-panic that Ken throws at Joe tells me how on the mark my comment had been. I'm tempted to just hit them both a few times more -- they're probably not going to stop me, after all. Still, the two of them are my teammates. Hell, if they do go out looking all bruised, it'll seem as if Galactors had actually managed to land a few hits. That kind of publicity, the Science Ninja Team just _doesn't_ need.

"Fine. So, when was did this 'just happen'?"

"Last night." Ken's quiet, almost wistful voice elicits a grin from Joe, a kind I've never really seen on his face. It was more gentle, less harsh, although there was still a savage quality there beneath the surface.

"So, that's why you were late? Gods -- the both of you should try to control yourselves!" My aggravated tone makes both of them blush -- even Joe! That's a treat in and of itself, and is almost worth the hurt that I'd felt before. Actually, no... it doesn't. But at least I know that this hasn't been going on for that long.

I mean, I would like to think I'm more perceptive than that -- after all, how long can a couple hide a relationship when belonging to a group like ours? We're thrown together into high-stress situations, and have to be around each other to train and be a team. I think that they would have revealed themselves to us, even if they hadn't meant to...

"You- you're not mad, Jun?"

"Mad? Try angry. Furious. Absolutely raging. Incredibly beyond words pissed off."

"Oh." The great Gatchaman is lost for words, and is looking around as if a Galactor attack would be welcome right now.

"But I was more angry when I'd thought you hadn't told me. I'm still angry because I know you wouldn't have told me the first time you'd had a chance." The two of them blinks at me, not saying a word. I poke a finger -- a bit harder than necessary, I suppose -- into Joe's chest. He winces, but keeps silent.

"Do you think that anything like jealousy would keep me from my duty? Did you really think that I was _that_ hung up on any man that I would jeopardize our mission and the safety of Earth? Do I seem that shallow to you?" Both of them are shaking their head frantically, as if to make sure that I know absolutely that they would never believe such a thing.

I let a small smile touch my lips as I transfer my stare to Ken exclusively. "Do you really think you're so great a catch, that I'd do something stupid over you? Don't be an idiot." He looks almost hurt, as if his great male pride had just been injured. How ridiculous is that?

"I'm still tempted to injure you permanently, of course." The sweet way I say this might be what makes both of them back away from me. "I won't, but don't say I didn't warn you if I go into a mad rage and decide to give both of you a lot of pain later on." I grin. Can't have them feel too secure, after all. Have I mentioned how angry I still am?

The wary look Joe gives me attracts my attention. I pull him over to the wall, a little away from Ken. "Now, you are going to give me details. If he's not going to be mine, then you're going to tell me what I've missed." At Ken's suddenly frantic expression, Joe starts to grin as well.

"Well, he does this really silly little thing where-"

"Joe!" Ken's yell is all the warning Joe gets before getting tackled. As I watch them fight, I sigh. If they can still act this way, I guess I can accept it. Not that I'm happy about it, or anything, but if I'm going to lose Ken, it might as well be to a teammate. I can't believe I just said that...

Ken has me pinned to the floor when I hear the door open again. Jinpei is looking at us strangely, and Ryu is kinda avoiding looking at us at all. Guess this isn't the best way they could have seen us after hearing...

"Sis, are you okay?" Jinpei is at his sister's side, giving her a a worried look. She smiles and nods, before turning her attention back at us. Jinpei gaze also shifts back to us, a mix of curiosity and hostility.

"Let me guess -- you all know?" At their nods, I shrug. Well, it wasn't like we were going to keep it a secret or anything -- too bad we couldn't have told them ourselves. "How'd you find out?"

Jinpei looks moderately ashamed as he replies, "I was kinda snooping around looking for you, and I saw you... erm... kissing. You know, in the hallway, and... um..."

"I see." Ken's voice is stern as he asks, "Jinpei, how many times have we told you to stay put? You know you're not supposed to go wandering around Crescent Coral -- do you realize how much could go wrong if you're someplace where you're not supposed to be?"

Jinpei hangs his head, and then looks up with a mischievous smile. "Still, aniki... it's fun!" Everyone sighs and Jun gives a helpless laugh before knuckling him sharply. Jinpei grins even harder, before turning to me. "Joe, did sis beat you up?" I nod and he whoops, "Go, sis!" Jun blushes, but doesn't bother to smack him this time.

Ken and I share an incredulous look -- I think we're both amazed at the easy way everyone's taking this. As long as Doctor Nambu doesn't freak out on us, I think we're actually okay. What a concept...

Jinpei looks ready to ask some more embarrassing questions when the screen in the practice room goes on. "Team, there's been a Galactor attack. Please come to my office now -- you'll have to leave almost immediately." We all salute and he nods, all business. There can be no distractions while we're fighting -- if any judgments come down on us from him, it'll be after the mission.

Ken and I stay behind for just a moment as the other three hurry to the briefing.

"We're going to be late again, you know."

I shrug. "Not that late." I give him a kiss before adding, "Don't get yourself killed today."

"Same to you." I nod. That's all we need to say before we follow our teammates up -- that's all that's ever going to be said. We are part of the Science Ninja Team, and that will always come first, no matter what. Maybe one of these days, if we ever do manage to beat Galactor, we'll be able to say more. But not until then.

Maybe it's a weakness for me to start thinking of a life after Galactor's destruction. It's not been a looming factor in my life so far, but now... well, I actually have something to look forward to. Kinda strange, but I find myself liking it. Maybe I'll even teach him to cook, so that we can get rid of those awful ramen cups...

I usually watch the recordings from the practice room to see how much they've learned and improved in their combat skills. Having done so now, I realize how little I know about all of them, and how much I've forced them to grow up in exchange for the safety of the Earth. How little tolerance I have -- that is also something I see, even if I'd rather not face it.

After seeing Jun's wholehearted reaction, I find myself wondering why I am having such a problem with this. Jinpei's innocent curiosity and Ryu's home-grown wisdom all make me wonder why I, a certified "genius" with another lifetime of experience, can't accept a simple relationship when the people who will most be affected by this can, and did, so easily.

I pause the tape at the quick, touching scene between Ken and Joe. I force myself to watch it, to hear the real concern and half-hidden pain behind the words. I've heard that tone before when wives and husbands of soldiers, preparing to lose their mates, said their last good-byes. It hurts me to realize that for my Team, everyday could be such a time.

I've dealt with that guilt before -- compartmentalized it and let it sit in the dark. I can't do anything about it, and refuse to let the anguish stop me from doing my job. There isn't anyone else at the gate between the attack and home -- we are all there is. If we fail, there is no one else. If only because of that, I have let my heart become cold, refusing to feel.

I can't let weakness affect my judgment and cloud my thinking. If all of them have to die, so be it. I will mourn their loss for as long as I live, far more intensely than any of them realize. I will grieve but I will sacrifice them -- the queen can be taken as long as the king stays safe.

But if they have found happiness, I see the wrong in trying to prevent them from experiencing it. No matter that it might end up as so many relationships do -- I see Team's strength now, and know that they won't let themselves destroy Earth for the sake of their arguments, whatever they may be.

Perhaps the children are making me grow as well -- a small price to pay for the far greater burden they are willing to bear. Leaning back in my chair, I look out and gaze at the ocean creatures swimming merrily on their way. My headache is quite gone, now. I see their smiles at each other, and think for a moment of a world without Galactor.

---Finis---

4/7/98

Epilogue: OMAKE! ^_^