[unrecoverable text]

[unrecoverable text]

While I understand the point about nice place and cheap rent, I don't know if I'd actually have it in me to go along with the idea of living in Julia's house. Not just because of the memories, but who knows what's been left behind! (Or maybe I'm just too suspicious and have read waaay too many spy stories!)

"Here," he said.  "If anyone should ask, like Madge, tell them that's the surprise I gave you." Jun frowned at him and picked up the box.  It was one of those hinged ones, like the ones in the fancier jewelry stores.  However, given what the last box she was given contained, she was a little less than eager to open this one.  Holding it away from her face as far as she could without looking obvious, and turning her head to one side for good measure, she cracked open the box.  When nothing happened, Jun turned her head back and looked down into the box she held.  Her breath caught at the back of her throat and she pressed her lips together hard to keep from making a sound. Inside was a small oval locket on a delicate chain.  Jun gently brushed a finger over the etched design made to look like a wreath of flowers and swirls that ringed the edge of the oval.  With a thumbnail, Jun opened the locket on its minuscule hinges.  It was empty, of course, but she knew exactly what two photos she wanted in there.  Jinpei would be easy, so long as she could get him to sit still and not make silly faces.  As for the other, well, he would be more of a challenge. Probably without even realizing it, Jun knew that Red Impulse had just given her the one thing she had longed for since she had been a little girl back at the orphanage.  She remembered it clearly, the day when one girl had been chosen for adoption over all of them. Her new parents had given her a locket containing their photos and the girl had rushed around the orphanage, showing it to everyone, going on and on about it ad nauseam.  It was probably the first new thing the girl had ever had for her own; it was certainly the most expensive thing Jun had ever seen up to that time. Like all of the other girls, while she was happy for the girl, Jun was also consumed by envy, too.  She wanted a locket like that, with or without the parents, and after that, it seemed like every book or story she read had a girl receiving or owning a locket, some magical, some heirloom, and all of them containing a secret or two.  And now she had one, given to her by the one person she would have least likely expected it from. Red Impulse gave a sidelong look at her.  "Is it all right?" "Yeah, it's fine," Jun said, her voice cracking on the words.  "It's very pretty.  Thank you." "Don't thank me," Red Impulse said beneath his breath.  "I had nothing to do with it." She was about to argue with him, but then Jun paused a moment as a thought occurred to her.  When had he gotten the time to get this?  They had been together all the previous day and she had only gotten that other 'gift' late last night.  Even if he got up at three in morning, there would have been no stores open.  So where had it come from? Then a mental image came to Jun's mind, of Red Impulse and Oniishi standing together.  If the man had given Red Impulse his gun without her seeing, he could have easily given him something as small as this as well. So it was probably Oniishi, Jun thought, looking back down at the necklace.  Which would be why Red Impulse just said what he had -- he probably didn't have anything to do with it.  On the one hand, that thought made Jun a little sad, but on the other, it gave her the freedom to enjoy the necklace without it being tied to him specifically.  More than likely, it would be just one more line item on the expense report they would send in to Nambu, she thought as she removed the necklace from its flocked cardboard holder and put it on.  In any case, it would provide them with a cover story, in case anyone -- especially Madge -- started asking questions. Jun watched a sign go by, then stared out at the countryside as they sped along.  That was when she realized something. "Where are we going?  I thought we were going back to the village."

KT: I agree, Nambu better put the place through a massive security sweep and stuff before Joe and his family move in! RIgirl: Wonder if the locket will end up annoyingly practical.

I know it was just for cover, but the locket was rather a sweet gift.

KT, isn't Julia dead? Maybe I'm not remembering rightly. But if so, why would Stacy be worried that she would drop in?

No, TJ, you're not misremembering, it's just that Stacy isn't privy to that information yet.

KT - Joe doesn't seem to catch a break! I'm with him on this one. She's trying to do the best for Stacy on his limited means. Although RIgirl has a point about Julia having left something dangerous behind. RIgirl -- Is the locket hiding maybe a mini-transmitter or something like that? Don't blame me -- it was your comment on KT's story that set me off thinking about spy gadgets

Originally posted by Daniella TRIgirl -- Is the locket hiding maybe a mini-transmitter or something like that? Don't blame me -- it was your comment on KT's story that set me off thinking about spy gadgets

I'm thinking along the same lines, DT.

All I will say right now is that he does give it to her for a specific reason, which will be known by the end of the story ... whenever we get there.