[unrecoverable text]

[unrecoverable text]

He's right to be sweating, KT! This could very well go both ways... Keep posting!

//I know that Mark feels guilty about letting Anderson drag me into this. I know that he would much, much prefer if he was the one sitting in the vehicle now, heading towards the armadillo. But I also know that there's no way I can back down now. But if Galaxy Security thinks I am the one who can destroy the armadillo, fine. If they think I'm the best shooter on the team, fine again. So do I. So I give Mark a thumbs-up and smile with a confidence I am so far from feeling, it feels like it's on another planet. "No sweat, Commander. I'll get this mecha for you."//

KT -- Nambu's definitely got himself into a corner, and he's risking quite a bit! DT -- Nice snapshot of Jason's thinking -- and he's right -- Mark probably is squirming at the thought of being the one to stay behind!

[unrecoverable text]

KT: Ah Nambu's finally getting something right. DT: I always hated the way they handled that part of BOTP, it seemed so cruel to Jason! I'd have to rewatch to see why I don't think of the Gatch version the same way. RIgirl: Boxes might make Jun a bit jumpy at this point, LOL.

KT, I'm glad that Nambu is trying to make up for his past mistakes, but I do think he might be rushing things a bit. DT, you've done a great job encapsulating what's running through his mind at that moment!

[unrecoverable text]

hee hee hee, that was cute Hope he got his shirt back eventually. Glad to see you writing again EW

Thanks, KT. I just hope I can get back to a previous level -- it's been hard for me to get the energy level up, and that's been one of the most frustrating parts about my current situation!

EW: Just remember to be kind to yourself about it and not beat yourself up.

I don't even want to think about the stink between Keyop's sweat and all of the animals.... ewwww!

Ooo ... they're playing keep-away with his shirt! *snerk* And I think Keyop's going to need more than a few minutes!

Ok, I'll admit I had fun writing this one! ******************************************* Prompt #220 Sweat Jun hummed happily to herself, half listening to the song on the portable radio they had brought with them to the beach. It was a great day to enjoy some sun and sand, not to mention to try out the new bikini she bought at the boutique down the road from the Snack. It was a cute little retro-style number and when she saw it, she just knew she had to have it. It was the proverbial "itsy- bitsy , teeny-weeny" polk dot bikini. Except this one was pink and white and not yellow. Currently, she lay there beneath the umbrella she set up, watching Ryu trying to teach Jinpei how to surf. It wasn't going too well, for her brother kept falling off and getting pummeled by the waves that crashed over his head. Last time he emerged from the water he was covered in seaweed and he had trudged up the beach to shake some out over her back while she had been half-asleep sunbathing. The cold water and sliminess of the seaweed caused her to cry out in surprise and he took off back towards the surf cackling to himself, as she ranted at him. The announcer on the radio stated the time and rattled off a brief news report. The price of gasoline was going up again, unemployment numbers were slightly down and there was a free concert in Utoland City Memorial Park that night. For the moment, life was good. And she was going to enjoy it. Lifting up her sunglasses, she scanned the beach for the rest of the team, wondering where the rest of them had gone off to. Joe had gotten up about a half an hour ago, wanting to get something to drink. When she had asked him to get her a soda, he gave her a smile, telling her "No sweat" and disappeared amongst the crowds. She watched a few girls give him the eyeball as he passed by, and one or two of them actually got up and followed him. Well, at least that solved the mystery of what probably happened to Joe, or rather what he was up to. Ken had gone out swimming in the deeper part of the ocean, after she had slathered suntan lotion over his back. He had already started getting red and after a few minutes of joking around with him, he relented and let her do it. Speaking of.... she reached out and snatched up the bottle of sunscreen and smoothed some over her arms and down her shins. A shadow fell across her form and she glanced up to see Jinpei standing there in his bright red board shorts. "It puts the lotion on its skin." Jinpei whispered in a croaking voice and settled down on her towel. "Jinpei! Don't be creepy!" Jun gave him a shove that sent him sprawling face first into the sand. "Hey!" he sputtered, picking up his head and spitting out sand and tiny bits of shell. "Hey look! Here comes Joe." Lifting her hand to shade her eyes, she watched as Joe walked up the beach, apparently telling one of the girls that had followed him earlier that he wasn't interested. And if Jun was reading the expression on the blonde's face correctly, she wasn't too happy. He was carrying a cardboard box filled with drinks and food. She moved over and made some room for the box, as he knelt down next to it. Joe was already nicely bronzed from the sun. At his nearness she could smell the faint scent of coconut suntan oil, as well as the sun and the salt tang of sweat and the sea that clung to his skin. "Got you a soda Junie." he told her, setting his sunglasses atop his head. "And figured you and the squirt would want hot dogs, not burgers." She peered into the box. Three burgers, two hot dogs, fries, water and soda as well as a few bags of chips and cheese puffs. Perfect. As if by magic, Ken suddenly appeared out of nowhere, like his nickname the White Shadow. His turquoise swimming trunks riding low on his hips and flopped down on one of the towels next to her, grabbing one of the burgers. He shook his head like a wet dog, scattering diamond-like droplets of water over her skin. "Sorry..." he murmured sheepishly as he bit into it, wiping the juice than ran down his chin with the back of a hand. "So hungry...." "Don't start this party without me!" Ryu called out as he drew close to them. Joe passed him a burger and a soda as he sat down in the sand beside Ken. He gave the Eagle a slap on the back when he began coughing, apparently wolfing the food down too quickly. "Hey, take it easy there boss." The five of them sat in silence, eating and listening to the shouting of the crowds and numerous radios blasting different songs, all played against the background of the ocean waves. Jun leaned back on her elbows and sighed. They hadn't had a nice break like this in a long time. Jinpei let out a belch that belied his size, and stood up proclaiming he was going back into the water. "You shouldn't go swimming so soon after eating Jinpei," she told him. "It's bad for your digestion." "Pfft! Yeah right!" he retorted sticking his tongue out at her. "Everyone knows that's an old wives tale" "No it's not. It's true..." "You're just an old stick in the mud who hasn't even gone in the water all day sis!" Ryu frowned. "You haven't gone swimming Jun? Why even come to the beach then?" Before she could muster up an answer, they all looked at each other, then at her. Then grins began to spread across their faces. She was beginning to get worried. "Guys?" "Say, isn't that a new swimsuit?" Joe asked no one in particular. Jinpei began to cackle and the rest of them rose to their feet and surrounded her. Jun stared up at their legs, at the arms crossed over their chests. "Yeah, I think it is. " Ken replied, blue eyes dancing with mirth. "I think it needs to be water tested. You know, to make sure it doesn't shrink or isn't colorfast...." He turned to Ryu. "What do you think big guy?" Their pilot pretended to consider for a moment. "I think it sounds like a good idea." "Guys? Guys, come on!" Suddenly, Ryu was behind her, hands hooked beneath her arms, lifting her up with a cry of "Upsie-Daisy Jun!" Ken and Joe each grabbed a leg in a firm grip and hoisted her up into the air. Joe reached out and yanked her sunglasses off and threw them on her towel. Jinpei went flying down the beach ahead of them, laughing and egging them on as they carried her down toward the water. "No guys! Noooooo....." she half-shrieked, half-laughed, her body being jostled as they ran across the sand. They tossed her in the water , despite her protestations and dove in after her. A wave broke over her head as she came up for air, to find Ryu and Jinpei having a water fight. She reached out to try and duck Ken under the water, but couldn't quite manage it. It was then that he and Joe lifted her up and threw her into the surf again. When she emerged, Ken slung an arm around her and grinned at her, then she shrieked as Joe swam up beneath her, surfacing with her riding on his shoulders. Jun tossed her head back and laughed, the sun full on her face. Yes, for the moment, life was good.

Aww nice one RB, I love to read fics of the team just hanging out like this, being a normal family. They deserve a break once in a while.

Aw, that was really fun. It'll help them remember what they're fighting for and stay a bit more sane!!