This week we have an anonymous prompt contribution: The birds and the bees

Oh, Good Lord. Is this the point where we move it to the Rubber Room?

LOL, Becky! I have an idea for this... ETA If someone actually did have a Rubber Room fic, they could post a link in this thread.

I think the challenge will be keeping this one clean!!

Am I the only one that is innocent enough that a "dirty" idea was NOT what came to mind when I read the prompt? Although I can see where this week might lead.

quite possible CD!!

Ken returned from a tutoring session to find some new books sitting on his desk. He picked the first up: Human Reproduction and Sexuality? That led him to eye the second with a mix of dread and fascination. It was more of a pamphlet, really: Safe Sex Facts. Feeling his cheeks heat, Ken checked his closet and under his bed. No signs of Joe lurking and laughing. Did Hakase leave these? For a moment he stood in indecision. Then curiosity got the better of him. Grabbing both of the books, he went into the bathroom, locking the door. At least that way no one could walk in on him reading. Joe might try, but Ken would hear him picking the lock. ##### Joe returned to his room after practicing his forms and throws. He showered, had lunch, practiced his shooting, and then finally had no choice but to face his homework. Only then did he notice the new items on his desk. One was a safe sex pamphlet and the other was a box of condoms with a sticky note. Written in Hakase's neat, precise hand was, "Use these or else." Laughing, Joe opened the box, and promptly filled one of them with water. Hakase hadn't said what to use them for, after all. Then he stalked off to find Ken, wishing he'd been there to see his friend's red face if he got the same "gifts." Seeing him drenched would just have to do.

Chris that was hilarious...

Chris, that's fantastic! *Snort* I was expecting Joe to be hiding in the shower.

I'm sorry, CD, but the first thing that popped into my head was when we told our son about the birds and the bees.

Originally posted by Becky Rock Chris, that's fantastic! *Snort* I was expecting Joe to be hiding in the shower.

LOL I hadn't thought of that! I can see it now. Ken would be so flummoxed by his reading that Joe might actually get him.

Too funny, Chris! I'm not a yaoi girl, but I think this could be taken either way...Joe could definitely have fun at Ken's expense (in a brotherly way)!

Originally posted by Springie Too funny, Chris! I'm not a yaoi girl, but I think this could be taken either way...Joe could definitely have fun at Ken's expense (in a brotherly way)!

I wasn't going for yaoi at all there. (Edited to add) If I was, I'd add another scene years later where Ken finds a book on gay sex on his desk and never figures out where it came from.

Great idea, Chris! I like Joe's use for the condoms too... Plus, when Nambu says 'use these or else'... that implies he wants Joe to USE them... in other words, that he's giving an order that Joe... ahem... well... use your imagination! The Devilstars of the world will never be safe! (And I'm sure they like it that way...)

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Plus, when Nambu says 'use these or else'... that implies he wants Joe to USE them... in other words, that he's giving an order that Joe... ahem... well... use your imagination! The Devilstars of the world will never be safe! (And I'm sure they like it that way...)

LOL oh dear, indeed.

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Originally posted by ChrisW

Originally posted by Springie Too funny, Chris! I'm not a yaoi girl, but I think this could be taken either way...Joe could definitely have fun at Ken's expense (in a brotherly way)!

I wasn't going for yaoi at all there. (Edited to add) If I was, I'd add another scene years later where Ken finds a book on gay sex on his desk and never figures out where it came from.

Guess that shows where my mind was...LOL!

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LOL, I think as kids we all see it differently... thinking about the actual mechanics without understanding the emotional and physical feelings involved makes for a totally different interpretation!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Okay, here's my answer to this prompt. I think it's okay to host this here, instead of in the Rubber Room... (snipped) No matter how hard it might get.

How hard, huh? *grin* I love it. Poor Ken, especially when she starts setting her sights on him. Boy must have a will of steel. (Great, now we're back to hard ...)

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Originally posted by ChrisW I love it. Poor Ken, especially when she starts setting her sights on him. Boy must have a will of steel. (Great, now we're back to hard ...)

Ah, Ken, a victim to duty, just as his father was... but there are times you can tell how much Jun means to him, usually when she's in danger. When the flowers are burning and he screams her name... if it were Ryu in the flames, i just can't see him screaming Ryu's name in the same fashion, KWIM? And there's a similar scene in Gatch F too...

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Ah, Ken, a victim to duty, just as his father was... but there are times you can tell how much Jun means to him, usually when she's in danger. When the flowers are burning and he screams her name... if it were Ryu in the flames, i just can't see him screaming Ryu's name in the same fashion, KWIM?

Poor Ryu, so loyal and so unloved! As much as the show gives lots of room for fun yaoi speculation, I do agree, there are little hints that Jun is special to him.

Great contribution Chris. It is not hard to imagine a young Joe doing something like that.

Originally posted by ChrisW

Originally posted by Transmute JunNo matter how hard it might get.

How hard, huh? *grin* I love it. Poor Ken, especially when she starts setting her sights on him. Boy must have a will of steel. (Great, now we're back to hard ...)

I caught that one as well. And TJ, like Springie, I had a good chuckle at a couple of those lines. Great stuff.

IMHO, compared to the others, Ken is just so closed off. Jun clearly is interested in Ken,. and had a past boyfriend in Koji. Joe has a string of doomed girlfriends, most notable Kathy, about whom he states that he had a 'half day romance'. Ryu is interested in a girl in the park and in Yuka. Even Jinpei has Maria. What does Ken have? A couple of hints about Jun, and Kena (who seems to lure him into a relationship while he blindly follows, although there are strong hints of sexual intimacy between them). And when Yuka and Rumi throw themselves at Ken, he's confused and (in Yuka's case) angry. He's just not thinking that way, and does seem to be obsessed with duty. Poor guy... makes you want to de-stress him... But of course, it also makes for interesting fanfic fodder.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun IMHO, compared to the others, Ken is just so closed off. Jun clearly is interested in Ken,. and had a past boyfriend in Koji. Joe has a string of doomed girlfriends, most notable Kathy, about whom he states that he had a 'half day romance'. Ryu is interested in a girl in the park and in Yuka. Even Jinpei has Maria. What does Ken have? A couple of hints about Jun, and Kena (who seems to lure him into a relationship while he blindly follows, although there are strong hints of sexual intimacy between them). And when Yuka and Rumi throw themselves at Ken, he's confused and (in Yuka's case) angry. He's just not thinking that way, and does seem to be obsessed with duty. Poor guy... makes you want to de-stress him... But of course, it also makes for interesting fanfic fodder.

Yeah, I've laughed many times over how even Jinpei gets crushes on girls while Ken continues to be totally oblivious. One of my favourite scenes is when he dumps Yuka on the ground, snaps at her, and storms off. Btw anyone know what he says there? The Kena storyline was interesting because it showed that even without his memory, he was pretty oblivious. ("Do I have something on my face?") Which makes me suspect that his thick-headedness on that front isn't just an act. I did notice how he and Kena were sleeping so snugly together when Joe found them. I'm surprised he doesn't comment on it.

According to Daniela's site (she's translated from the Italian versions) it's not very enlightening. Apparently Ken says, 'Do you know that your friends in the village disappeared and that there's no track of them?' and that's it. http://gatchaman.freevar.com/Ep015en.htm You're right, IMHO, about his 'thickheadedness. I don't think it's that he's oblivious exactly... more that he's just so focussed on his duty that he just doesn't conceive that everyone else isn't thinking the same thing that he is. In the case with Kena, I'm thinking he's just so focused on remembering who he is that it's the same effect. It's pretty clear that when Ken gets something in his head, he's pretty single-minded about it. Take all of those episodes where he is obsessed with his Dad.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun You're right, IMHO, about his 'thickheadedness. I don't think it's that he's oblivious exactly... more that he's just so focussed on his duty that he just doesn't conceive that everyone else isn't thinking the same thing that he is. In the case with Kena, I'm thinking he's just so focused on remembering who he is that it's the same effect. It's pretty clear that when Ken gets something in his head, he's pretty single-minded about it. Take all of those episodes where he is obsessed with his Dad.

Very true. It's what keeps him focused and on task for missions, I suspect, and what gives him the ability to select tactics like a chess game. Now if Jun could just figure out how to get him to turn all that focus her way.

Chris, that was great! Love how Dr. Nambu is aware that two different approaches are needed here, for Ken and for Joe!

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Originally posted by clouddancer Great contribution Chris. It is not hard to imagine a young Joe doing something like that.

I was picturing when I started university and discovered the guys liked to do that. It had never occurred to me.

Originally posted by lborgia88 Chris, that was great! Love how Dr. Nambu is aware that two different approaches are needed here, for Ken and for Joe!

I figured Nambu's keen mind was up to realizing that. It was a fun little character sketch of the 3 of them, really.

Chris ... love your piece, and the different approach the two of them took when finding that kind of stuff! I'm still laughing at how Joe followed Dr. Nambu's strict order to use the condoms! Well ... we only know how he used one to prank Ken ... he had the rest of a full box left!!!

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Originally posted by Transmute Jun When the flowers are burning and he screams her name... if it were Ryu in the flames, i just can't see him screaming Ryu's name in the same fashion, KWIM? And there's a similar scene in Gatch F too...

... that last scream still rings in my ears ... but, to my joy as an Eagle/Swan shipper, it said it all!!

I hope this is clean enough to post here! "Why me though?" "Because Ryu would get all silly about it, and I don't want to think about what Joe would teach him." "But isn't he still a little young for that?" Jun had an answer for that already... "Maria." "Ah!" Ken understood. "But Joe is more... um..." "Experienced?" "Open-minded about these things." "Joe would throw him a box of condoms and say 'make sure you use them'" Jun decided a change of tactics was needed. she pressed up close to him and ran a finger down his chest, If you're not sure what you need to talk about, I'm sure I could give yoiu a little demonstration!" she dropped her face slightly, but raised her eyes so she could still see the embarrassment across his face. Compared to this, teaching Jinpei about the birds and the bees would be a breeze.

Chris, really enjoyed your peice, found it so funny. IMO this would be so like Nambu to avoid the issue head on. TJ, I loved this. the difference in the attitudes of all three boys really came across well. Of course Ken would be the most eager to make the promise as a young boy. dutiful as he is, and the only one to be regretting it later!!! I felt so sorry for him in the end.

Originally posted by KT1972 "Ah!" Ken understood. "But Joe is more... um..." "Experienced?" "Open-minded about these things." "Joe would throw him a box of condoms and say 'make sure you use them'"

That sounds about right. Poor Ken, backpedalling like crazy to escape!

Poor Ken- I can totally see Jun giving him the "birds and the bees" job!

I think they tinkered with the Implants in Ken to suppress his sexual drive and divert into duty With Joe well that switch was stuck in over drive and Ryu it got linked with food story line in there, but not sure were to go with it..leave it for someone else

Originally posted by Springie Poor Ken- I can totally see Jun giving him the "birds and the bees" job!

If for no other reason than the morbid curiosity to see just what he said.

Wow, I woke up this morning to find out that this thread has been burning up while I slept! Clearly this is one of the most interesting prompts yet!

Originally posted by ChrisW Now if Jun could just figure out how to get him to turn all that focus her way.

And I've spent many a fanfic on that very thing... KT, I love your piece! I can totally see Ken reacting this way. Question is, why didn't he think of Dr. Nambu as a substitute? Hmmm.... maybe Jun has him too flustered. Okay, so we have Ken, Joe and Ryu getting 'the talk', and apparently Jinpei as well (presuming Jun convinced Ken, which it appears she did)... anyone want to give Jun's 'education' a try?

Wow! The screen is heating up! What an excellent start to the week TJ, I think some of your one-liners (what I am saying, all of them!) are going into the Hall of Fame! "Can I get that in writing?" Hee hee! Chris, how OLD are they supposed to be in your fic??? And, more importantly, did Ken understand what he was reading??? I loved this short, it reminded me of an episode of The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon is lost as usual in matters of the heart and Penny goes "read those books we gave you!" Will have to think hard to come up with something this week (oops, here we go again...)

Originally posted by Springie Poor Ken- I can totally see Jun giving him the "birds and the bees" job!

Intended double entendre there?

Originally posted by Daniella T

Originally posted by Springie Poor Ken- I can totally see Jun giving him the "birds and the bees" job!

Intended double entendre there?

Knowing Springie, I'm sure it was (don't let that innocent face fool you!

Originally posted by Daniella T Chris, how OLD are they supposed to be in your fic??? And, more importantly, did Ken understand what he was reading??? I loved this short, it reminded me of an episode of The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon is lost as usual in matters of the heart and Penny goes "read those books we gave you!"

I could go with the same 12 as certain others, I don't have kids so I have no idea of when it's a good time to have such a talk with boys. Oh and I looooove BBT.

TJ, I needed that laugh. It's been one o those days. That's about the same reaction my son had when we had that talk with him when he turned 13. I could see the wheels turning - My parents do that? EEEWWWWW!!!

KT, I'd love to read Ken trying to explain it to Jinpei. I could actually believe he'd be very technical about it, since he is so perfect.

teeheehee...

Originally posted by Becky Rock TJ, I needed that laugh. It's been one o those days. That's about the same reaction my son had when we had that talk with him when he turned 13. I could see the wheels turning - My parents do that? EEEWWWWW!!!

LOL, I had the 'bare minimum' technical talk with DD last year, because i knew she was about to get it during a 'health' class at school. And yeah, she was totally grossed out, but at least she feels 'in the know' now. Heck, I remember being grossed out, and convinced that my parents only ever id it twice (once for me and once for my brother).

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by Becky Rock TJ, I needed that laugh. It's been one o those days. That's about the same reaction my son had when we had that talk with him when he turned 13. I could see the wheels turning - My parents do that? EEEWWWWW!!!

LOL, I had the 'bare minimum' technical talk with DD last year, because i knew she was about to get it during a 'health' class at school. And yeah, she was totally grossed out, but at least she feels 'in the know' now. Heck, I remember being grossed out, and convinced that my parents only ever id it twice (once for me and once for my brother).

I never got the talk. I found a book, a really old book, that had drawings. I don't remember the name of it.

I never had the talk, either! LOL ... I had my first, indirect lecture from a school classmate whilst we were going to school by coach! From then on I couldn't help being curious about the subject, but did not ask my parents about it since I knew their mentality! Fortunately enough, the same subject was covered just a short period of time after at school! KT ... nice piece! I can totally see Ken being chosen by Jun to talk to Jinpei, but I can also imagine how hard it would have been for him, and the technicality he would have entered into! Even though I'm quite sure Jun had a second motive there! ... good for her!

KT, that was excellent...I feel sorry for Ken, and can see him squirming, I mean, really, he wasn't much more than a kid himself. Now within my own household, I can tell you that by age 12, they've already got a rudimentary understanding of what is going on and how it all works. And the Gatch kids, with all that technology that they had available, along with their smarts, I would bet dollars to donuts that some files have been shared....

Originally posted by k2p2 Now within my own household, I can tell you that by age 12, they've already got a rudimentary understanding of what is going on and how it all works. And the Gatch kids, with all that technology that they had available, along with their smarts, I would bet dollars to donuts that some files have been shared....

Okay, now I can't stop picturing Ken's horrified expression every time Joe sends him some new and purposely disturbing bit of porn. Of course, Joe would have to make it look like he was sending Ken something else, just to trick him into opening it. Whether that's by naming the emailed file to be some new plane, or slipping something into Ken's books, remains to be seen. (I think I might have just discovered the real reason Ken runs every time a girl makes eyes at him.) I'm still at a loss of how it might be handled with Jun. I wonder if Nambu would get a woman to talk to her.

Originally posted by ChrisW I'm still at a loss of how it might be handled with Jun. I wonder if Nambu would get a woman to talk to her.

I think it's pretty much a given that Nambu would find somebody else to talk to Jun. . . or run the risk of being the first person to ACTUALLY die of embarrassment! When I showed signs of being an "early developer", my mom decided to have the talk when I was 10. Luckily for me, I'd had the sex ed class at school a couple of months earlier, so her attempt to scare me away from any interest in boys by telling me a bunch of nonsense didn't work!

Originally posted by ChrisW Okay, now I can't stop picturing Ken's horrified expression every time Joe sends him some new and purposely disturbing bit of porn.

You're reminding me of this pic! I got this translation from a friend. Ken is saying something like "What's wrong? We need anit-virus right away, Joe..." Joe's saying something like "Its coming, coming." And the screen reads, "Ecchi (Hentai/porn) wallpapers and other perverted things." So Ken's like, "What are you doing?" at the top. Behind Ken is says "Oh, you jerk!" or similar in Yellow. So, Joe's supposed to be getting Anti-virus software and looking at bad stuff instead.

Originally posted by ChrisW

Originally posted by clouddancer Great contribution Chris. It is not hard to imagine a young Joe doing something like that.

I was picturing when I started university and discovered the guys liked to do that. It had never occurred to me.

I guess it could be a way to measure different condom brands' resiliency against breakage!

Originally posted by KT1972 Compared to this, teaching Jinpei about the birds and the bees would be a breeze.

Poor Ken! My older brother and sister were each given a book. I ended up inheriting my sister's book -no "talk" from my mother. But listening to my older brother talk about girls was educational in its own way -and did NOT give me a very good opinion of the workings of male teenaged minds!

Originally posted by Transmute Jun So, Joe's supposed to be getting Anti-virus software and looking at bad stuff instead.

I'm shocked! Shocked, I say!

Originally posted by ElectricWhite I'm shocked! Shocked, I say!

I'm sure you are. Why do I feel like this is going into your next fic?

What fun reads! The talk. I told DH he got the oldest son, younger son, too I think. DD was my job. I asked her if she was confused about what she learned at school and told her she could come to me about any questions, but didn't push. Never got it from my parents, at least until I was in my late teens and my father said something about keeping my pants on. Got it from school in elementary, middle and high school. From a friend in fourth or fifth grade. From a cousin in high school.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun You're reminding me of this pic!

LOL perfect!

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Disclaimer "bugger" in australia means something like "damn, rats, blast" can also be used as a sexual term, BUT not in this fanfic. ah ah! just covering my butt..snigger

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TJ ... that picture is so the right pick, according to the subject! LW ... both of your contributions are great! I liked the different way with which you used the phrase "The Birds and the Bees" in the first one, and I also liked the differential comparison between Ken's and Joe's teaching in the second one! Good luck with your date!

precisely why Jun would want Ken to give Jinpei 'the talk' right!! Oh that's so funny

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LW, will there be a follow-up to your Horned Owl fic??? I'de love to read what happened with him and the tech! Perfect conversation between Joe and Jinpei in the second one! I'd like to see Jinpei go up to Ken afterwards and show off his newfound knowledge!

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Owww...back story...Now I'm beggining to get the full picture... the audio digital process of by brain is satisfied

LW, I enjoyed your story about the tech and Ryu! I can just see her bad day getting worse and then this... question is, how did Ryu come to notice her? Has she been crawling around the Phoenix? And when he picks her up on her date, will he be in Birdstyle or civvies? And Joe 'educating' Jinpei... clearly the other 'wrong' end of the spectrum form Ken! Maybe Ryu would be the best person for this... K2P2, I enjoyed this one 'chapter', especially Joe's misunderstanding! But now poor Iona has to bake another cake! At least she's got ehr head on straight and is going to bring Jinpei's data to the right people.

LW, those were great...especially the poor techie..."Danger Mouse," was a favorite cartoon all through High School and some college...or do you mean the band? And the second story..OMG. I laughed all the way through it, but that is going to be one confused kid by the end of the day...Seriously, I had to put my coffee down. Keep up the good work.

Wow! It's amazing how much has happened in the short time since I was last on this site! I hope I can remember everything I want to cover. . . LW, I loved both your fics! I can just begin to imagine the trouble Jinpei gets himself into now that Joe's "informed" him! K2P2, I really enjoyed you piece as well. I'm impressed by Jinpei's computer skills -- I was expecting him to accidentally leave some small evidence that he'd been sneaking around in the system (besides the flash drive, I mean.)

Originally posted by Transmute Jun

Originally posted by ElectricWhite I'm shocked! Shocked, I say!

I'm sure you are. Why do I feel like this is going into your next fic?

Actually, I hadn't thought of it until you said something. It might not be in my next fic, but maybe later. . .

Originally posted by littlewolf Okay this was something I scribbled middle of last year, so fleshed it out a little bit and it seems to work with the theme,

Originally posted by littlewolf Cause was like a red flag to my muse Ken vs Joe in the sex talk

It's fun seeing one the Team through the eyes of someone else -especially someone that we know must exist (the Ninjas can't be responsible for all the repairs/maintenance to the God Phoenix themselves) but never get to see! Laughed so hard at Joe and Jinpei's back-and-forth discussion!

k2p2, I'm really enjoying the interaction between Jinpei and Iona -brings out a whole different side of the Swallow, seeing him both resenting and liking her. Love Joe's reaction here! It's great how he's gotten all protective towards Iona -even while he eats her cake without asking first. Do you have an older brother -you're very familiar with their ways!

My contribution, based on an expanded version of what happened between Jason and Anderson in "The awsome ray force": "Here you are", said Anderson icily, seeing the young gunner standing in the door frame, after the rest of the team had been dispatched to deal with another threat from Spectra -- a summons that Jason had felt unable to answer as he was busy on the track, mused Anderson, feeling his blood boil once again when he considered Jason's behaviour. "I hope you have a good excuse, for once", he added, as Jason was making no move to speak. Jason only shrugged. "You won't believe me anyway". Anderson let himself fly into a rage. He didn't do it often, but when he did, he really let rip. He didn't shout. His rages were legendary precisely because he was so cold about them. Jason knew the drill. The Chief would go on about their duty to the Earth and the Federation and how his irresponsible behaviour was endangering them all. "You are inexcusable! You think this is a game, like one of your races? Let me give you the facts of life, mister, in case you didn't know them!" Jason smirked, trying to put a brave face on the situation. "What, you mean the birds and the bees? Thanks, Chief, I've known about them since kindergarten". "You know very well what I mean", snapped Anderson, banging his fist on the desk. "I mean the fact of the Earth and the Federation being under a constant threat, that YOU have been trained to fight! I mean the fact of your team-mates having to take off without you, and without the assistance you could have given them, thus endagering themselves even further! I mean the fact that, once again, you have put yourself and your self-interest above that of the team! I am disgusted with you, Jason! Even if you don't care about the Earth and the Federation, I thought you cared a bit more for your team-mates!" Anderson stopped to draw breath. Jason felt his cheeks flaming, and his chest almost burst with indignation. He had just faced a new Spectran weapon, but Anderson did not seem to want to learn about it. However, even in the midst of his indignation, he knew, deep down, that Anderson was right. He had chosen to stay on the racetrack. The fact that he stumbled upon a Spectran group did not negate this. If it came to enumerating facts, then Anderson had gotten this one spot on. But...but...still... he had important news to give the Chief, and Anderson would not let him speak. He refused to look down and kept his gaze on the Chief. "You are to report back to me as soon as you get back from the mission. We will discuss your punishment then. Now go join the others. I've had enough of you". Jason turned to go, then looked back at the Chief. "Let me give you another fact of life, Chief. I was attacked by a new Spectran weapon, a kind of ray that has the capacity to de-transmute us. My car was de-transmuted. That's why I was late. Sorry I didn't call it in. I didn't want to give my position away in case they were monitoring me." He turned to go, leaving an ashen-faced Anderson, who suddenly realised that his day was proving to be much more challenging than a simple case of having to deal with a stubborn gunner...

Great job fleshing out that scene, Daniella! It's one that always sticks in my mind when I think about Jason's relationship with Anderson.

Anderson is very quick to jump on Jason in that scene. Great job, Daniella. k2p2, wonderful addition to your ongoing story. Looking forward to more. LW, both are great. I really can see Jinpei turning to Joe after Ken tries to teach him about sex. As for the first one, I'd really like to see that story flushed out even more, continued, and expanded.

Wow, Daniella, I love the way you've fleshed in the scene! Anderson really never gives Jason the benefit of the doubt, does he?

KT, I enjoyed reading more about Iona and her interaction with Jinpei. Joe's his instructor on sex? World, look out. Will there be more? Daniella, That's about how I always pictured that really went. Jason was wrong, but I hope Anderson later apologized.

LW, that was cute. Are we going to read about the date?

Originally posted by Daniella T Anderson let himself fly into a rage. He didn't do it often, but when he did, he really let rip.

Ah, repression does tend to build up the pressure, doesn't it? I can totally see it happening that way. Good on Jason for realizing he kind of deserved it, but still sticking up for himself.

Daniella, there's not much else that I can say that hasn't already been covered. You clearly have a deep understanding of the relationship between Anderson and Jason. I bow to you, Lady!

LW...your muse is working overtime! I'm jealous! I loved both fics... I loved seeing Ryu through the eyes of "Danger Mouse"- great characterization of an OC! And poor Jinpei- I agree...Ryu may be the best man for the "birds and the bees" talk!

K2P2- I loved the banter between Jinpei and Iona! You have a very nice writing style- that was a fun read!

Daniella- I loved your fic! Jason got the best of Anderson, didn't he? Very clever the way you made the "birds and the bees" into one of Jason's smart remarks. Don't know why I find his smart mouth so endearing! *grin*

Originally posted by Becky Rock KT, I enjoyed reading more about Iona and her interaction with Jinpei. Joe's his instructor on sex? World, look out. Will there be more?

Sorry, not mine, think this comment should be for k2p2!!

k2p2 ... I really enjoyed reading this background story, and understanding more about Jinpei's and Iona's relationship! Also interesting is Iona's and Joe's relationship, hints of which are always present in every instalment! Thank you for giving us more of this story! Daniella ... you did an awesome job in describing exactly how Jason is always seen in Anderson's eyes! Good for Jason that he had finally had the chance to make his point at the end, albeit him feeling partly in the wrong! Good job!

Hey guys, what can I say??? I'm so glad you liked it, it was just a little piece, written on the spur of the moment, but ever since I was a child, the relationship between Jason and Anderson was one of the most powerful ones for me in the show, and I like to explore it every chance I get!

Danger Mouse is an old nickname of mine, (cartoon not band) and cause I have lustful thought about Ryu I wrote myself in. and a lady doesn't give details, but I'll see what I can do with the story (I'll take a lesson from TJ and see if I can work in a few twists) I think Joe would be a good sex instrutor (go the practical exams and the pre-test studies). you would get the full picture and with blunt honest I like to think of him as a romantic, ( though jaded and cynical, look at his history) I think he would be a great and protective father. Some of the women he chooses would be for a "Quick fix" or "one night stands," it would be hard to have a long term relationship without jepodising them, himself and his team, plus how would be continuously explain his continuous abstanance. oh" muse is thinking - excuses for the condors

Loving ALL the storys Poor Jason, he's geting a hammering from Anderson in this challenge. We need to have one were Anderson has to appologise and realise he has underestimated Jason (maybe #5)

Originally posted by littlewolf Loving ALL the storys Poor Jason, he's geting a hammering from Anderson in this challenge. We need to have one were Anderson has to appologise and realise he has underestimated Jason (maybe #5)

With the prompt maybe being something like "eat my dust!"

Well I guess we'll all have to see what we can do with next week's prompt! Lots of continuing stories here... And I'm loving it!

Thanks everyone, for the great feedback. Iborgia, yes, i do have an older brother, by about ten years. And yes, he still tries to "dad," me from time to time even though I have elderly teenagers of my own (great dialogue inspiration) and the fact that I've been married for 20+ years. How this chapter came about was that a few years ago, I took a workshop on dialogue by an award winning author, and thought it would be a good exercise to try it with this prompt. What I'm thinking, whatever the next prompt is, it might need to be told from Iona's POV...or as she would say in her Ameris drawl--"needs done to be told." Also too, I'll try and post an avatar soon--that should clear up any sort of confusion between KT and me Hey lookit! I rhymed!(although I consider it an honor to be mistaken, beautiful writing KT!)

Originally posted by Daniella T With the prompt maybe being something like "eat my dust!"

Is that a suggestion Daniella?

Originally posted by KT1972

Originally posted by Daniella T With the prompt maybe being something like "eat my dust!"

Is that a suggestion Daniella?

You know, I think it should be. Get on the list, Daniella!!!!

Ermmm ok! Perhaps for a later week... I'll email amethyst!

Okay. . . we're going to hold you to that!

Originally posted by ElectricWhite Okay. . . we're going to hold you to that!

Start planning your next contribution!

Originally posted by KT1972

Originally posted by Becky Rock KT, I enjoyed reading more about Iona and her interaction with Jinpei. Joe's his instructor on sex? World, look out. Will there be more?

Sorry, not mine, think this comment should be for k2p2!!

A apologize to both of you. That's what happens when you're on painkillers.

No apology necessary. Our 'names,' are very close. Oops.

And, anyway, you shouldn't dis painkillers, Becky! I happen to enjoy mine very much, thank you!

Liquid and spirit based or pill based? okay my muse is taking the "eat my dust" the wrong way again (she doesn't do straight lines)

Originally posted by littlewolf okay my muse is taking the "eat my dust" the wrong way again (she doesn't do straight lines)

sounds like fun, LW, run with it and we can look forward to reading it when the prompt is posted!

Brilliant Marie!! yet another great twist to the prompt!!

Marie! This is totally reminding me of Honeybee Hutch!!!!

Bwahahahahaha! That is excellent, Marie!!

Thanks guys! Have to admit that I had to search for info regarding "Honeybee Hutch"! I realized that I know the anime by another name ... needless to say in the Italian version, and one which I used to watch frequently when I was a child! Yeah ... guess there's quite a similarity!

Not to mention, Honeybee Hutch (or whatever name you knew him by) is another Tatsunoko production, IIRC!

Never heard of Honeybee hutch, very little about it on wikipedia too, although it did mention it's by the Tatsunoko studio too, so yes TJ is correct!

Too cute, Marie!

Thanks, Amethyst! So, regarding "Honeybee Hutch", after almost thirty years today I can say that I've learned two things ... first is the title of the anime in English, and second is that it was in fact a Tatsunoko production!

Sweet picture!

Deleted as a partial duplicate.

It's pill for, LW. I'm having an RA flare-up and ache all over. Makes it hard to sleep, sit, stand, you name it. The crazy weather doesn't help.

Originally posted by Becky Rock It's pill for, LW. I'm having an RA flare-up and ache all over. Makes it hard to sleep, sit, stand, you name it. The crazy weather doesn't help.

You've got my sympathy! Even though RA isn't my problem, the freakish weather's been forcing me to swallow a pretty white pill myself. . .

Take it easy BR and EW It a pain when your brain doesn't realise how old the body has got and tried to push it to do things you would in your teens or that you don't bounce back as quickly Reality can be an eye opener ! (wrist brace?, what wrist brace?, were did that come from?)

Thanks, LW. I hate it when it affects my hands because then it's hard to both type or write long hand. I've got so many things I need to do, it gets very frustrating.

Originally posted by Becky Rock Thanks, LW. I hate it when it affects my hands because then it's hard to both type or write long hand. I've got so many things I need to do, it gets very frustrating.

Becky, do compression gloves work or have you tried them? I've thought about getting them for when I sit do embroidery to prevent fatigue and cramps.

I appreciate the thought, LW. In my case, the weather has been swinging between days of snow flurries and freezing rain to a couple of days warm enough to cause thunderstorms and tornadoes, and then suddenly go back to snow flurries. . . my right hip has been feeling like it's about to explode, so it's been hard to sleep properly or focus on what needs to get done. Things will get better once the weather patterns settle down some. . .

Originally posted by k2p2 Thanks everyone, for the great feedback. Iborgia, yes, i do have an older brother, by about ten years. And yes, he still tries to "dad," me from time to time even though I have elderly teenagers of my own (great dialogue inspiration) and the fact that I've been married for 20+ years.

My brother is only 5 years older than me, but it seemed like a big gap when I was, say, 12 and he was 17. I agree about the inspiration -on more than one occasion, I've channeled recollections of how he used to think/talk/act in his late teens to help me with writing Joe, and sometimes Ken, in fics. Gatchamarie, that's a wonderful interpretation! Poor Jinpei though... This has me pondering now, though, what could have resulted if Tatsunoko had, instead of bird-themes, decided to go with flying insects instead for the Science Ninjas... Jun the Butterfly? Ken the Dragonfly? Joe the Praying Mantis?

Originally posted by lborgia88 This has me pondering now, though, what could have resulted if Tatsunoko had, instead of bird-themes, decided to go with flying insects instead for the Science Ninjas... Jun the Butterfly? Ken the Dragonfly? Joe the Praying Mantis?

Praying Mantis would make a ton of sense given Joe's luck with women.

Originally posted by amethyst

Originally posted by Becky Rock Thanks, LW. I hate it when it affects my hands because then it's hard to both type or write long hand. I've got so many things I need to do, it gets very frustrating.

Becky, do compression gloves work or have you tried them? I've thought about getting them for when I sit do embroidery to prevent fatigue and cramps.

No. The problem with RA is your immune system believes the connective tissues in your body are foreign objects that have to be destroyed. That's any connective tissue - joints and organs. It attacks the connective tissues, so they swell up and become very painful. Putting pressure the affected area makes it worse. About the only thing that helps is painkiller, anti-inflamitories and resting the affected area. There is long term meds you can take, but they basically turn off your immune system to keep it from attacking, so you become vulnerable to all illnesses and cancer. So I have to make a choice - can I live with the pain and limited mobility when it flares up rather than risk dieing of a cold of getting lymphoma (that seems to be the most common cancer that affects RA patients on the heavy duty meds). I haven't reached the point where I'm immobilized too much or in so much pain I can't stand it, so no heavy duty meds yet.

But aren't praying mantis the other way around? Don't the females eat the male's heads after they mate?

Originally posted by Becky Rock But aren't praying mantis the other way around? Don't the females eat the male's heads after they mate?

Yes. Numerous women seem to want to kill him, after all.

Becky, I am so sorry to hear of your RA problems...My daughter was diagnosed when she was 2 with pauciarticulate JRA. Started afflicting her eyesight when she was 4. Cataract surgery soon after, and glaucoma surgery at 16...(yes, my beautiful Swan) Warm, comfortable thoughts your way...and I hope you are feeling better soon, (with full range of motion in all joints!)

Originally posted by k2p2 Becky, I am so sorry to hear of your RA problems...My daughter was diagnosed when she was 2 with pauciarticulate JRA. Started afflicting her eyesight when she was 4. Cataract surgery soon after, and glaucoma surgery at 16...(yes, my beautiful Swan) Warm, comfortable thoughts your way...and I hope you are feeling better soon, (with full range of motion in all joints!)

KT my heart is with your daughter and you. I've read about children with it and I haven't been able to imagine it. They are so strong, so much stronger than the adults with it. They never complain, no matter how badly they're hurting. I was diagnosed 7 years ago and we traced it back to my teens. Tell her she's in my thoughts.

Becky and KT, you are both such strong women! True Condors, both of you!

You're in my thoughts, Ladies.

Ladies I empathys with you about the hands bout 7yrs ago I was in a car accident damages the nerves in my right wrist (I'm a righty) always feels like pins and needles and contanty tingling even now, had to give up alot of things I loved cause I just don't have the strength in my hand any more and it occasionaly spasms, I was frustrated for a long time (It's a great weather barometer) Now I just learn to use my left hand for a lot of things, but it's not the same Still, I count myself lucky, there are people out there who are worse of than me, and a hellava lot braver and tougher my hats of ladies, to you and your inner stength

Originally posted by lborgia88 This has me pondering now, though, what could have resulted if Tatsunoko had, instead of bird-themes, decided to go with flying insects instead for the Science Ninjas...

That made me think of something: imagine Jun yelling, "Jinpei, quit bringing those pigeons in here! There's a reason they're called 'rats with wings'!"

Originally posted by ChrisW

Originally posted by Becky Rock But aren't praying mantis the other way around? Don't the females eat the male's heads after they mate?

Yes. Numerous women seem to want to kill him, after all.

I was really just thinking that the praying mantis is an aggressive, carnivorous insect -I'd forgotten that the females try to kill and eat the males after mating. But that's so perfect for Joe!!

Becky, K2P2 and LW -I agree, you are each strong and brave.

Really, it is my daughter who is the brave one...and in visiting the Outpatient Clinic at our local Children's Hospital, her vision specialist shares a floor with outpatient oncology....Turn left to the eye clinic, to the right, all the kids with cancer.... After our first visit there, I remember telling my husband, "There but for the Grace of God go I...." Nothing like having things slammed into perspective. From that moment on, my daughter's JRA became a really easy thing to "deal," with.

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That's great, LB! I'd love to see what happens during the rest of the mission and to see what happens when Jinpei asks Ken to explain the "birds and the bees" to him after the mission! LOL

Thanks everyone. I know what you mean about becoming a barometer, LW. We know the weather change is coming before the weather man does. LB, that's a good point. It's sad when we find out somehting we did in the past that we thought was good turned out bad.

LB that's great! It reminds me of the ep where Jinpei goes off with the old scientist to the cabin in the woods and the Galactor makes the bugs eat everything all around... I'm sure they'll be able to locate the source of the pheromones!

The pheromone talk in LB's piece made me think of this: two gang-bangers are on a porch stoop in the city. "Yo, man," one says, "somethin' stinks!" "Check it out!" the other cries, "Are those mosquitoes comin' this way?"

Those guys, EW, are all too likely very close to a secret Galactor base! Yeah, I was thinking of that episode where Jinpei's in the Amazon, with all those locusts -that and the episode where Galactor puts all that toxin in the water that kills the fish, and then the birds that eat the fish.

"Ah Joe got a few more questions" Joe points to the seat "Ah well, I'm a bit confused" Joe just looks at him "No, not about our last talk, though the cuddling is good and kissing...oww...oww, stop that.... no, jeeze I haven't..its gross..all those weird noises and face pulling...oww...no..cable Joe.. I can hack into the system..oh?! yer I can patch it into your room...anyway that not my question" " It's about the Birds and the Bees...I did some research and well...it's sick..really really sick... I don't have do do that, Do I?.. He hands Joe his research "Why would anyone do that? Beasteality,....Necrophilia...Furries and Plushies..and well these more, theres being tied up and spanked, and whipped and food and....." Joe looks at him as he leafs through pages and pages or research on "Sex with" "I'm not sure were the birds and the bees come into it and I can't find anything on having sex with or around them...Ummm Joe can you explain it to me?" Lets see Joe and Ken explain this to him LW walks of sniggering, The fun of a curious child

Originally posted by littlewolf Lets see Joe and Ken explain this to him

Ken was turning more and more red as Jinpei went on. He looked at Joe, a bit wide-eyed, and then at his wrist. "Oh, look at the time. Gotta run!" Before anyone could stop him, he was out the door.

Originally posted by ChrisW

Originally posted by littlewolf Lets see Joe and Ken explain this to him

Ken was turning more and more red as Jinpei went on. He looked at Joe, a bit wide-eyed, and then at his wrist. "Oh, look at the time. Gotta run!" Before anyone could stop him, he was out the door.

Oh, yes, exactly how I'd imagine Ken to react too, get out of there as quickly as possible and leave Joe to deal with him..... still imagine what Nambu would have to say with all those questions...

Originally posted by KT1972 Oh, yes, exactly how I'd imagine Ken to react too, get out of there as quickly as possible and leave Joe to deal with him..... still imagine what Nambu would have to say with all those questions...

My little joke there is that Ken doesn't wear a watch.

LB, great little story. I can so picture it playing out on the screen. Excellent use of characters,dialogue and science.. Makes me wish they'd bring the series back, in one form or another, now that Sony has the rights maybe they will? Anyway, throughly enjoyed the tale.

LW, very funny portrayal of the 'matter-of-factness,' of a child... And Chris W. Who is to say that there wristlets can't be set to tell the time?

LOL! LW, you've got poor Jinpei so confused! It will take Ken, Joe, Ryu, Jun AND Dr. Nambu to set him straight! Too funny, Chris! That is exactly what I'd picture Ken doing when confronted with that particular discussion!

Actually, I always thought they could tell time on their bracelets.... LOL, LW! How like Jinpei to look up all of the permutations involving animals!!!

Oh, I'm so thankful Chris (my boy, that is!) didn't think of doing Internet research when I had to give him The Talk!

LW, it's amazing what you can find on a simple search on the internet. I could see that grossing out a kid. Chris, nice addition. Ken better run far and fast.

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*sniff*- now I see...he is forced to act dumb around Jun! excellent, Amethyst!

I can totally see a 16 year old Ken being mortified by this conversation! But it certainly holds true to Ken's personality, and Nambu's, that it could have happened...

Wow, Amethyst. Nicely done..and it really makes me feel for the kids and all that they have lost in order to be what they were needed to be.... Time and again, I've seen it brought up that they were "all raised together," from a young age in fanfiction, but is that Canon, or just sorta supposition? Joe and Ken were together for a long time, but the others? I am not so sure. Could someone enlighten me?

That was great, Ame. Nambu better have the same talk with Jun, considering the fact she's the one looking.

and what about Joe, does he get the talk too, or doesn't Nambu spot him eyeing up Jun?

Hmmm, I'll have to think on that a bit. This is another that I might work into my vignettes, so I'm trying to keep things canon. K2, Joe and Ken would have been brought up together. Jun and Jinpei are questionable. Jun found Jinpei at the orphanage and raised him, but it is not known for certain when they joined the team. Ryu has a family, so he was likely much older when he joined the team.

It took forever for me to come up with this. The crow part of the story really happened to me, although I didn't go to the level of violence to resolve the problem. Jason ran into the trailer to get the tongs he forgot to take out with him when he put the seasoned chicken breasts onto the grill. He pulled open the small utensil drawer and rummaged through it until he found the tongs, not wanting the chicken to burn before he turned it. He stepped out only in time to see a crow swoop down and grab one of the chicken breasts with its talons and take off. Jason was so stunned, he couldn't move until the crow screeched and dropped the breast. It must havebeen too hot for its feet to hold. The breast, of course, fell into the nearest puddle left over the the previous night's rain. "You son of a bitch!" Jason yelled at the bird as it perched in one of the trees not fifty feet away, hopping around on the branch as though it had, in fact, burned its feet. It cawed at him as if the injury was his fault. "I hope you singed your damn feathers, too," he yelled and turned back to the grill just in time to see a second crow taking off with the second breast with the same result: burned feet and said breast falling into the puddle. "That's it! You're dead birds!" Jason promised as the second crow landed beside the first. They both cawed and him and then dived for his head in unison. Jason ran back into the trailer and emerged with his gun. "You're not stealing anyone elses food". He aimed and shot. Both crows cawed, feathers flyings as they attempted to escape the crazy human now trying to kill them. In his haste, Jason had forgotten about the hive he had seem recently on the same tree. As Murphy's Law was in control, his errant bullet hit the hive. The buzzing increased twenty fold and as the cloud of bees headed directly for him, he ran for the trailer and barely got the door closed in time. He glared out the window as the bees attacked the trailer. The next time, he'd be smart and use the cover if he wasn't there to keep his eyes on the grill. No more messing with the birds and the bees.

Amethyst: Poor Ken, forced out of total cluelessness and at the same time told "don't you dare."

Becky that was too funny, though probably not when it was happening. Somehow, I see Jason going back out after dark when the bees won't fly and knocking down that hive and burning it. Of course, Anderson or Zark would probably learn about it and give him a ration for it.

Amethyst, I could easily see this happening. I also wonder how many times Nambu's given Ken a gentle reminder. . . Becky, you didn't have to tell me that the crow action actually happened to you -- those dang birds loved to harass my mom whenever she'd spend a few days at a little place in Tennessee. It was as if the crows planned their vacations around her!

It happened when we were in Germany. I went in and got new chicken and stayed with it this time. Those damn birds stayed in the trees and cawed and screeched at me, even dived bombed me a few times as I cooked. I wish I'd had a video camera.

Originally posted by Becky Rock I wish I'd had a video camera.

That's usually when the best videos happen, doggone it!

Poor Jason! Becky, that really happened to you? That is crazy- although I have heard that crows are really smart birds. Very creative use of the "birds and the bees"!

Becky: LOL poor Jason, I can see why you might have wanted to do the same. One of my dogs once stole a bacon-wrapped filet mignon (Mother's Day) off the BBQ's prep tray. Fortunately the inlays had a sense of humour.

Becky! Too funny! And trust the one time for Jason to miss! Love your interpretation! Amethyst, I know it's not 'canon' (in the sense that it was never explicitly stated) but I always felt that the Team had come to live with Nambu in the order of their numbers. Ken came first, when he was 4, Joe when he was 8, then sometime after that Jun and Jinpei together, then Ryu after that.

Chris, we had a golden retriever who loved chocolate chip cookies - the dog was a chocoholic and was none the worse for it since they say chocolate can make dogs sick. He used to steal the cookies as they were cooling and we kids got blamed for it until we proved he was doing it.

TJ, that makes sense and would explain why Jinpei ranks higher than Ryu. Becky, we had a doxie who was allergic to eggs, but loved chocolate chip cookies, too. She got one every year on her birthday. Currently we give our lab small doses of chocolate on an occasional basis.

Becky, that was great! I can't believe it really happened to you!

I can quite easily believe the birds pinching the food from the grill, we have often had pigeons snatch food from out of our hands before!! I find it hard to believe Jason missed shooting even one of them!!! Still, if he only wanted to 'warn' them, that would be the way to do it.... shame the hive got in the way!

I remembered something I saw about crows a few years ago, and I wish I had all the details so I could duplicate it! Anyway, this psychology undergrad trained the neighborhood crows to bring him any loose change they found on the sidewalks, parking lots, etc. He rigged up a kind of vending machine; the crows would drop in the coin they found, and they'd be rewarded with food. I can't remember the total amount of cash he got, but I do remember thinking that I could've paid off a couple of bills!

My daughter says she remembers watchind a PBS special on Crows, where the birds were able to follow a three step process to solve a problem...For the relative size of their brains they are quite intelligent birds. Lately too there's been a viral video of a crow sliding down the side of a tin roof on a bottle cap...So apparently they can think beyond instinct and actually do things for fun.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Becky! Too funny! And trust the one time for Jason to miss! Love your interpretation! Amethyst, I know it's not 'canon' (in the sense that it was never explicitly stated) but I always felt that the Team had come to live with Nambu in the order of their numbers. Ken came first, when he was 4, Joe when he was 8, then sometime after that Jun and Jinpei together, then Ryu after that.

I'm condor-biased for sure, but I like to think that Joe might have lived with Dr. Nambu first, since Joe was ~9 when his parents were killed and Ken's mother didn't die until Ken was eleven. Though if she'd been in poor health, even if Ken wasn't officially living with Dr. Nambu before her death, he probably would have spent a lot of time with him. It is very fitting, though, that their rank numbers might also be their order of arrival! I also have always though that Ryu was the last to arrive -seeing as he still has his family in the fishing village, and isn't an orphan, it makes sense that he wouldn't have gone to live with Dr. Nambu until he was older than the others had been.

Originally posted by amethyst Wrote this one last week. Finally got it typed up.

I like that Dr. Nambu's observant enough here, of Jun's feelings and of Ken's, to know that he really only has to give this warning to Ken! I agree, it does explain much of Ken's "clueless" behavior during the series.

Originally posted by Becky Rock He glared out the window as the bees attacked the trailer. The next time, he'd be smart and use the cover if he wasn't there to keep his eyes on the grill. No more messing with the birds and the bees.

Poor Jason! I didn't know that crows could be such blatant food thieves -thanks for the warning!