Welcome to Gaia! ::

Jasper stood in the bay window of his living room. He was gazing out at the setting sun, one hand resting on the wall, the other at his side. The man seemed nervous. His left foot was tapping as the sun slipped behind the treelines and the fingers of his right hand were tapping on the wall.

“Come on. Where are you?” Jasper snapped out as the first star came into view. He was waiting for his love. The woman that through all of the insanity that was the past few years had allowed him to find some meaning of happiness. But he also knew she carried a secret and played a part in this chaos. Each day that past, each day she came home late, Jasper would panic more. He feared for the day he prayed would never come.

The day she did not come home…

But today he had asked her to come early. Jasper had a surprise for his beloved on this day. Well, as he glanced back at the table set with their favorites from the restaurant he had asked her to move in with him at, Jasper realized it was more like two surprises.

The small pack of hound like youma were hard to shake off and try as she might they not only seemed to have locked onto her scent but her aura as well. Small yet quick they took every opportunity given to them to jump up into the trees in an attempt to latch onto her ankles.

Seven years had passed since the first time she powered up and here she was still hunting the vile creatures. With so many civilians hiding in campus outside of Destiny City it was her responsibility, as well as whomever remained loyal to the resistance, to keep the woods as safe as possible.

“That’s it, enough’s enough…” Sidouer rubbed her gloved hands together, enjoying the feel of static form in the palm of her hands, “Static Dispersion Ensnare” she yelled as the ball exploded outwards coating the three beasts in a blanket of pre-static. From the ground, three arches of static reached up to lick the youma’s body in a surprise bout of startling pain eliciting a cross between a yelp from a beaten dog and a laughing hyena.

“Goes to show just how intelligent you are.” She murmured, watching from her perch as the wild creatures continued running round the base of the tree, not realizing that if they would only stop moving the pain would be far less severe.

Eager to end this so she could get home the senshi of Static didn’t wait for her eternal attack to finish its duration before going through the mechanics of her super attack. From her outstretched hand an arch of static leapt towards the nearest youma then bounced to the nearest companion and finally striking the third. As the light from her attacks faded only echoes of their cries met her ears which were drowned out by the whistling wind snaking its way through the trees.

It was a dangerous game she played coming out here alone. Perhaps she was courting death because she was tired of fighting, or maybe it was that she was trying to prove something to herself. Either way the deed was done and only a pile of charred dust lay in the wake of the feral creatures.

Stepping off the thick branch, Sidouer fell gracefully onto the moss covered ground. With no other signatures in the near vicinity she powered down and pulled her phone out of her back pocket. I am so late… Figures there would be no signal so she could let Jasper know she was on her way, “Please forgive me.”

After turning on her heel, Mei booked it back the way she came towards where she left her vehicle just off the side of the road in a nook where nobody would see it but she could still easily back out onto the freeway when she returned. Five minutes passed as she was cruising down the interstate at 72 MPG before her bluetooth finally connected to her car.

Pressing the phone button she spoke the on-screen command “Call Jasper Pennington mobile.”

“Calling Jasper Pennington… mobile. To hang up, press the phone button.” There was a second of silence before the sound of a telephone ringing sounded over the speakers.

The silence of the house was causing an echo in his breathing. Night was falling faster now and panic setting in. Her secret was their secret but he wondered how much it meant he worried for her life. Mei had been the one woman to get Jasper to settle down. She had also been the reason is father and sister had escaped out of Destiny City into the camps when things started to get bad. He had stayed where they could be close to both.

Nearly jumping out of his skin when the silence was broken but the music of his ring tone, it took Jasper a near heart beat to realize whose tone that was. Turning from the window at lightning speed, he made it to the kitchen where his own phone was charging.

“Mei? Where are you? Are you okay?” His voice broke in and out as he waited for some sort of response.

“I’m okay, I’m on my way home.” She assured him despite being out of breath. “I’m so sorry I’m running late, there was a problem, an intruder alert that had to be dealt with.” Code she knew he’d understand considering there was no telling if their calls were being monitored. Senshi phones were safe whereas civilian ones were not; however, unfortunately even though they have known of each other's powered sides for some time there was still one small problem, he was still an agent of chaos, a corrupted senshi. All that meant though was that she would have to explain the situation to him in more detail when she got home.

Jasper knew she could hear him breathe out a sigh as her voice answered to his. What she couldn’t see, though he was sure she could picture, was his shoulders relaxing and his hand coming up to rub his tired eyes. “They really need to get better security.” Was all he said, a suitable response for a worried lover should, as they had both discussed years ago, be bugged. “That or I am buying you a gun.” A soft chuckle was in his voice, tiring to ease the tension in his body as he reminded himself yet again that she was alive.

“Well, if you are driving, I guess that means I will need to reheat dinner.” He turned around, keeping the phone conversation short. “I will see you in a bit? Drive safely.”

He waited for her response before hanging up the phone. When it was safe and disconnected, Jasper felt himself slump into a chair. It was moments like this he wished he could do something more for her. While he might have had a second side, it had been almost eight months since he had last called on it. His position was, well, an interesting one. When his family went ‘missing’, he too disappeared in a way. At least in a way that his power form would appear to have fallen victim to a senshi attack. That way, he could continue to live as Jasper Pennington without others questioning him. Those who knew both sides lived well in the city. Jasper stayed away from those.

It was done to protect his family and Mei. As a corrupt Senshi, he would have been expected, no, ordered, to either kill her or turn her. He wasn’t going to do either. And tonight, he had other plans.

Standing up, he headed back to the kitchen and turned the oven on to re-warm the food.

Seventeen minutes later Mei cut the engine to her vehicle in their driveway and got out of the car and approached their front door only after hitting the lock button on the keychain and setting the alarm. Even with Destiny City under the complete control of the Negaverse there were still several unsavory characters that ran through the streets keying the sides of vehicles or slashing tires; not that their neighborhood was that bad, but it never hurt to error on the side of caution.

With it as late as it was she had made pretty good timing all things considered, even so she fished for the key among the eleven others that jingled together knowing that Jasper would have locked the door several hours ago.

“Jasper?” Mei spoke his name loud enough so he’d hopefully hear her and not think someone was breaking in and knocked on the door frame as she stepped over the threshold.

After locking the deadbolt and flipping the latch over she hung her keys on the hook that was mounted above the small half table where they kept their mail basket. To anyone who was not directly involved in the war or experienced a powered battle would have thought that they were safe aside from an ADT or Xfinity home security system. It was a sad reality to know that if one of them were to come over, the sorry pieces of scrap metal that held the heavy wooden door closed would not withstand so much as a kick from a captain or general.

“Just a moment!” Jasper’s voice called out followed by a loud thud. He winced at the sound and quickly followed it with a “Nothing broke.” Let’s be honest, Jasper might have learned his way around the kitchen in the years they had been together but the man was no chief. Heck, he was lucky Mei did not expect him to make dinner from scratch every night.

Still, he walked back out into the dining and living area, a smile on his face. Dressed in jeans and a button down, top left open, he had his hair pulled back the way she liked it. “Welcome home Flower.” He cooed, spotting her and moving to scoop her up into a tight, warm embrace. She was alive and still made of flesh. As he nuzzled his face against her neck, planting a kiss on her jaw line, Jasper whispered “I’m so glad you are home.”

No matter how much time seemed to pass, somehow Jasper was almost always able to find a way to make her melt, or visibly relax against him. Either way, Mei let out a sigh and upon the exhale the weight of the last few hours lifted from her shoulders. She was home and held in the arms of the one who had stolen her heart despite her efforts to keep hold of it. “I’m glad to be home,” she smiled then wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned forward, pressing her lips against his in a loving kiss.

She tasted of salt and earth. Jasper knew she had been fighting and this reminded him of it. His control came into action again as he stopped himself from forgetting everything he had planned tonight and whisking her upstairs to their bedroom to cover her in another taste. Even now, years later, it only took her smile and a kiss to make him yearn for her completely.

But with his hand sliding down and only pinching her backside, Jasper pulled back and took her hand. “Come, I have a towel warming for you in the bathroom so you can take a shower while I finish up down here. Join me in the dining room when you are finished.”

He gave her a wink before releasing her hand by the stairs and this time, patting her behind to get her moving up them. He would wait until he heard the shower on before he set the mood. Dim lights, candles, and their favorite soft music. He also would get the roses out of the garage finally and have them on the table.

The corners of Mei’s lips tugged into a secretive smile as her eyelids slid to half mast “Orrr,” she paused for effect only to turn and lace her fingers behind his neck. “You could join me.” He was working on something special, that much she knew by the length he was going to usher her upstairs instead of keeping him company in the kitchen, but that didn’t mean she should be denied her fun too or at the very least let him know she desired his company now that she was home.

Oh she went there.

Of course he wanted to join her. To pick her up off those beautiful legs and whisk her away into the shower. If only she had any idea of the amount of control he was working with right then. It was dropping….

But still he reached up and lifted her interlaced fingers over his head. “And then I would have to reheat dinner for the third time. By that point, it would have been wasted and pizza a better option.” Still holding her by the wrists, he leaned forward and placed a small kiss on her nose. “But hold onto that want. It will make dessert even more fun.”

Leaning back, he gave a wink before trying to slip out of her reach before she made it even more impossible to say no.

Mei stuck her lower lip out in a childish pout then nodded her head in obvious, yet joking, disappointment “Okay.” She finally conceded then turned to head up the stairs. Yet before she reached the top she stopped just a few steps shy then leaned over the side railing and reached out to him.

“I love you Jasper.” She spoke softly yet just as sincere as when she had said it the first time to him. “I’ll be down soon.” It was more than a statement but a promise since she had no desire to be separated from him any longer than necessary; a feeling she often had after a run in with an unsavory character or brutal youma battle.

“I love you too, Flower.” Jasper called back, smiling over his shoulder as he watched her slip away. Almost five years since they found each other and changed their entire way of life. He was a lucky man.

But now, he had work to do!

Inhaling to calm himself down, he slipped back into the kitchen and pulled out their plates. Salad and soup and bread headed for the table that was laid out perfectly (thank you google). Pulling the lighter from his pocket, he knocked out the candles on the table before dimming the chandler and heading into the living room. A few quick flips and soft jazz echoed through their house.

Allowing himself a moment to listen, Jasper put a hand to his other pocket and smiled. “Almost.” He whispered before walking back towards the kitchen. Making quick work, he brought out a glass of Mei’s favorite wine and a rose tied with a white ribbon.

Jasper took his place at the bottom of the stairs to wait.

About fifteen minutes after she had stepped foot into the shower, Mei wrapped the towel around her and began blow drying her hair; a task which took about another ten minutes considering how long her hair had gotten.

Had this been a normal night she would have slipped into a pair of pajamas but alas this night seemed to be anything but normal. Given the way he was dressed when she got home she knew full well something big had to have happened today and so, as she stepped over the threshold onto the plush carpet, Mei crossed the room and walked into their closet. In the far back is where she she kept her nice dresses for special occasions.

Stored in a white box, she pulled out a short deep purple evening dress that she had been saving just for him and today seemed just the day to wear it. Under it there was a small velvet pouch which held a small amethyst pendant on a delicate silver chain and two sets of earrings to match.

Ten minutes later she emerged from their bedroom with her hair tied up into a bun that was held together with decorative chopsticks and a black velvet oriental pattern shawl which draped over her shoulders.

One careful step at a time she descended the stairs in her open toed black dress shoes which buckled around her ankle with a thin strap. If there was one thing her powered uniform had taught her, it was how to walk in heels; something she would have probably never learned since dressing up was never really high on her priority list prior to dating Jasper.

To say what he saw at the top of the stairs took his breath away would have been an understatement. It took his breath away and made his heart stop!

Mei’s grace as she came down the stairs made his eyes go wide. It was only when was two steps away from him that Jasper was able to shake off the stunned expressions and smile. Oh how he loved her legs and how that dressed showed them off so well. Already he could see himself running his hands up and down the perfectly toned, silky skin.

“My Lady.” He extended first the rose, with a graceful dip of his head, and second, he offered her the glass of wine. “For you my darling. May I escort you to your table?” Turning sideways, he offered her his arm.

There was a light in her jade-pink colored eyes that shone like freshly polished stones as a pink blush spread across her otherwise pale face. “Thank you,” she spoke quietly, almost as if she had suddenly become sheepish or self conscious of her outfit because of his stare. Mei had picked the ensemble out several months ago with him in mind and it seemed she had chosen maybe a bit too well.

Before taking his arm she closed her eyes and brought the rose up to brush the silken petals against her lips and breath in the subtle scent. A single flower, he knew her well and undoubtedly spent time choosing the perfect one. When she finally reopened her eyes there was a look of wonder on her face and a question she dare not ask for she had a feeling things would lead to his reveal soon enough. Something extraordinary had to of happened today considering it had been quite some time since he had gone all out like this.

At a loss for words Mei looped her arm through his, silently enjoying the feel of his toned muscles under his button down shirt. If anyone were to ask her she would have said it wasn’t possible to fall any more in love with him than she already was, and then he’d prove her wrong and pull her in deeper.

A sweet, loving smile was on his face as he led his beloved from the stairs towards the dining room. Music played and candles flickered but Jasper acted as if it would not surprise him. He was about to release her into her chair when the music changed songs.

Stopping, Jasper closed his eyes and turned to step in front of her. “Remember this song?” He asked her softly, guiding one of her hands to his waist before whisking her into a waltz around the dining room.

Leaning in, he whispered “You look even more beautiful now than you did under that willow tree.”

“You gave me a precious gift that day. A moment to hold onto, where nothing else mattered. You were like a light in the midst of a savage storm.” Mei reached up and cupped his cheek then placed a gentle kiss upon his lips. “You saved me that day.” she whispered for indeed he had done just that if not more. The day after the New Years Masquerade at the Umbrae Hotel was the most important intangible treasure she had held onto for the past five years. He alone was the break she so desperately needed from the chaos that she had been thrown into since she had powered up for the first time.

He had been the one to connect the dots first, on a day he had come over and the mask she wore lay on top of her dresser with the ribbons tied neatly into a bow. It was not the energy draining one that had made everyone sick, but the one she had got later that day and wore under the weeping willow.

“It was the least I could do.” He whispered into her ear before pulling his head back to gaze into her eyes. “Because now, it is those memories that make every moment like this even better. Mei, I don’t know what I would do if I had not found you or if I ever lost you.” Lifting one hand from her waist, Jasper brought it to the side of her face and gently cupped her cheek. “When you are away, I cannot sit still. My heart just races, waiting to see you again.”

“I wish we could just run away. Leave all of this behind.” Mei tilted her head to leaned into his open palm then closed her eyes. She drew in a deep breath then, enjoying the comforting smell of his cologne the warmth from his nearness and the way he held her close with his other hand resting on her side.

“But” she paused, not liking that the the world was full of contingencies. “We both have family out there that needs protection. And I’m scared to death if you power up they’ll try to take you away from me.” She raised her hand and placed it on the back of his. His sister Amelia was almost ten years old, and Mei knew full well that it would break her fragile heart if the negaverse were to try and take him back.

“I don’t know what I’d do if that happened.” It was a thought that had kept her up late at night on several occasions because she knew Jasper. If he had a feeling something dire had happened to her he would more than likely throw caution to the wind and come find her. That was something that must be avoided at all costs.

“Why don’t we?” He finally broke down and ask her. “Mei, why don’t we run away together and leave it all behind.” He waited a moment for the shock to set into her face before he continued. What had been keeping him up at night the most was if he lost her. Amelia was safe. The connection between the two of them had been broken several years ago when their father had been killed. Now his beloved sister lived away from it in the camps. But even with him in hiding, he dare not risk more contact with her than necessary.

Amelia’s life was more important than his own. Second only now to the woman he pulled closer to him.

“Mei, I love you more than life itself. Run away with me and….” Jasper stopped, locked eyes with her and leaned forward. He placed a kiss on her lips that he hoped was filled with as much love as he felt for the woman each and every day.

He only pulled back to reach for both her hands and drop to one knee.

“Marry me.”

To say he had taken her breath away in that moment would be a vast understatement. For as he knelt on one knee Mei felt as if she were floating on a cloud. Jade pink colored eyes searched his as if wanting to ask a question or seeking an answer to an unspoken question.

Her heart skipped several beats as she looked down at him, a smile tugging the corners of her lips and blush spread across her cheeks.

“Yes.” Mei spoke so softly she wasn’t at all convinced she had actually said anything at all .

Lithe fingers curled around his hands to steady herself, hoping he would rise to his feet soon before she fell to her knees in front of him. “Yes,” she repeated a little louder, nodding her head at the same time.

The smile on his face could not have gotten any larger. As she clung to his hands, Jasper took that moment to rise and bringing himself up against her. He was happier than he had been in ages when his lips found her own and sealed her yes with a kiss.

"Mei, I love you." He whispered, leaning his head against her forehead. It was then he blinked, realizing he had forgotten something.

Releasing one of her hands and reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a little black box. "I couldn't forget this. Even if you already said yes" and he offered it to her.

The soft velvet beneath her fingertips drew in her curiosity but at the same time it felt forbidden. In the war torn city where loss happened on a daily basis and was less of a surprise as opposed to an inevitability, were they really allowed to have their happiness?

Finally, after several moments lost in thought, Mei opened the lid. What she saw, made her heart both swell and clench at the same time. Tears spilled from the corners of her eyes as she drew in ragged breaths in a feeble attempt to calm herself down. “It’s a flower.” What he had called her for years.

Eyes closed, she leaned her head forward to rest against his shoulder to hide her blotchy face. Yes… yes they were allowed an amount of happiness owed to them. After all they had been through in the past six years, this… he… was what she wanted more than life itself. Jasper was more to her than just a long time boyfriend, he was everything she had left. Far too many sacrifices had been made already, this would not be one of them.

“I love you, I love you so much…”

The moments she spent holding the box really felt like a lifetime to Jasper who was panicking about how she would like the ring. He had not been traditional in this choice. This was something special between them and the fact that she knew completely the meaning behind it melted his heart.

“I love you.” He finally responded, coming up next to her and wrapping her in his arms. “Together we can face anything that comes our way. I will always be here for you Mei. Don’t let go.” He whispered into her ears before moving to lay a sweet, deep kiss on her lips.

Silent tears slid down her face as she wrapped her arms around him, pressing open palms against his back before intertwining her fingers to hold him close. So many unspoken promised held within that love filled kiss.

After several moments, Mei finally pulled away just enough so she could catch her breath. “For you.” she whispered as she leaned her head forward to rest against his collarbone Only for him would she ever contemplate running away and leave Destiny City behind; to forget about the war and just simply take what was owed to them. “For us.”

Life…

Happiness…

Love…

No longer were they simply illusions or fantasies one dreamt of to escape the realities they faced every single day.

“So long as you are with me…”