A/N: This fic is based on a Gatch 2 episode that I have only seen a few screnshots of. I knew the basic storyine, but nothing else...so I made it up as I went along for the BOTP characters. Special thanks to Transmute Jun and Condor's Best for their great suggestions and guidance. One Last Kiss Late one evening, a young man and a young woman sat alone together on a park bench, mesmerized by the beautiful fountain cascading forth in brilliant color. The city was unusually quiet, and all the pair could hear was the rushing water of the Rainbow Fountain. They were a striking couple...she, with her soft, ebony hair and pale skin and he, with his shaggy brown mane and crystal blue eyes. She smiled contentedly as she nestled in close to her boyfriend. His left arm draped around her as he reached over with his right hand and cupped the side of her face, drawing her gaze up to his face. "Do you remember the last time we were here?" He asked. "I'll never forget it." She replied. "Keyop wouldn't leave us alone for even five minutes." She recalled that evening, and how frustrating it was not to be able to be alone with the man she loved in such a romantic setting. "I love this fountain. It's so beautiful..." She sighed. "I'm not looking at the fountain." He gazed warmly into her emerald eyes. She blushed and fidgeted a little under his penetrating stare. "You know, Princess, I've been thinking..." "About what?" "About us..." Mark continued. "We've been together for quite some time now, but there's something missing..." Princess' eyes widened. Was he about to...? He pulled his right hand away for a second and reached deep into the pocket of his pants. Her heart thumped wildly, and her face felt like it was on fire. She could feel herself trembling. Mark pulled out a small, heart-shaped velvet box, and got down on one knee. "I love you, Princess..." He began. She could hardly focus on his words. Her heart was beating so wildly now, that she could feel the sound of it thudding in her ears. She watched his lips move as he said the words she had wanted to hear her whole life. "You mean so much to me. You've been by my side through thick and thin, always there for me when I needed you most. There's no one else in the world I would rather spend my life with. I want us to have children and grow old together. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." "Oh, Mark..." She gasped as he opened the box, revealing a heart shaped diamond. It reflected the changing colors of the fountain, sparkling in the crisp, night air. "Will you marry me, Princess?" He asked; his eyes twinkled. "I always dreamed of this moment...of course!!" She squealed, wrapping her arms around his neck, almost sending him crashing to the ground. He slipped the ring onto her slim finger, and then pulled her in to seal their new status with a kiss. He pulled away and looked at her, grinning. "Our first kiss as an engaged couple." He announced. "There will be many more..." Princess remarked as she continued the lip lock they had started. They rode back in the direction of Jill's diner together in Mark's car. She stared down at the ring on her finger, watching it sparkle under the streetlights as they drove through the city. "Oh, Mark, I'm so happy..." She sighed contentedly and rested her head on her new fiancé's shoulder. "Me too." He chuckled. "I don't know if I'll be able to sleep tonight." "Then don't..." Princess giggled. Mark's eyes widened in surprise. What was Princess insinuating? He knew that she had wanted to remain a virgin until she married. Princess read the look on Mark's face and giggled even more. "I don't mean that, silly, but you could just cuddle with me tonight. I don't think I'll be able to sleep either." "Well, in that case," Mark smiled, "Maybe we should head back to my place. I can just see Keyop bounding into your room in the morning and freaking out when he sees me there...and then accidentally letting the information slip to the Chief." Princess laughed. "You've got him pegged. Okay, let's go back to your place then." Mark pulled up to the shack in his airfield and opened the door for his fiancée. Mockingly, he picked Princess up and carried her over the threshold. Then, he tossed her lightly onto his bed. "You know, before too long, I'll be doing this for real." He grinned. "Carrying me over the threshold?" Princess' asked. "And this too..." he reclined next to her and leaned in for another series of kisses. Princess pushed him back. "You do remember that I want to wait until after we're married, don't you?" Mark leaned back on his pillow and huffed loudly. "I know, I know...damn...this is so tempting..." Princess giggled in the darkness. She snuggled next to him and sighed. "I'm sorry, honey, but you know... it's tempting for me, too." "I'll bet it's not as difficult for you," Mark grumbled. Princess laughed and found her way to his face for a quick kiss. "Do any of the others know about this?" "Jason actually went with me to the jeweler's to help me pick it out." "What did he say when you told him you were going to propose?" "It's about time!" Mark chuckled. He knew that the team had been rooting for the two of them to get together for a long time. "I can't wait until we tell everyone tomorrow!" Princess exclaimed. Mark could make out her outline in the darkness; she was examining her left hand, trying to catch a glimpse of her new ring. "I hate to be the bearer of bad news, baby, but I have a long delivery run to make first thing in the morning." Mark sighed. Princess gave him a quick peck. "That's ok, honey, I'll be glad to fill everyone in on the good news by myself...and I'll be here to welcome you home when you return." "What would I ever do without you?" Mark chuckled. He pulled her closer, and after a while, they both fell asleep. 88888888888 The morning came all too quickly, and Mark groaned as he slipped his legs out from beneath the covers. He peered over at the sleeping Swan next to him. Her ivory face looked so peaceful. Ebony locks flowed all over his pillow. She even looked cute in the morning. Mark studied her and pondered his good fortune. He traced his fingers around her heart-shaped face, and kissed her forehead. After a quick shower and a change, he reluctantly walked over to say goodbye to his new fiancée. A kiss on the lips woke her gently. "I have to go, baby. I'll be back tonight. It will be a while, but I hope you'll be waiting for me. I'll be thinking of you while I'm gone." Princess' long eyelashes fluttered in the early morning light. "I'll wait as long as you need me to, Mark... and I'll be thinking about you, too." One last kiss transpired between them before Mark trudged out the door. Princess listened to the familiar hum of his Cessna as he took off down the airstrip. She peeked out the window just in time to catch a glimpse of the red, white and blue plane disappearing into the pale blue sky. She suddenly felt so empty inside. However, the smile crept back across her face as she looked down at her left hand. Her new diamond glistened in the early morning sun that cascaded through the bedroom window. I'd better get back to Jill's. Can't wait to tell the others...she thought happily. Princess' grin widened as she pulled up in front of Jill's and parked Mark's car. She walked in to see Keyop arguing with Jill about having to do the dishes. "There you are!" Keyop stormed up to Princess with his eyebrows knit together. "What's going on?" Princess questioned him. "Here!" Keyop tossed a dishrag at her and scowled. Some Swallow had gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. Jill leaned over the bar and propped her hands under her chin. "So the Princess decides to finally grace us with her presence. That certainly was a long date you had with Mr. Wonderful last night!" She pointed to the nearest barstool. "Do tell." Princess beamed as she sat down inn the seat. "I'll be happy to do the dishes for you, Keyop! Just let me take my RING off first!" She waved her left hand in the air joyfully. "RING!" Jill squealed. "Oh my god, Princess, are you ENGAGED?" Princess nodded. She could hardly contain herself. She held her hand out to display the sparkling symbol of her love. "I don't believe it! Tell me all the details!" Jill shrieked. Her voice became shriller with every word she spoke. Keyop covered his ears as he walked over to see the ring. "Finally!" He smiled and hugged her around the waist. "Congratulations!" At that moment, Tiny and Jason walked through the front door, for their daily ritual of begging for free breakfast. "Hey, what's going on here?" Tiny questioned. Jason leaned against the door frame with a self-satisfied smirk on his face. "I'll bet I know..." "Princess...engaged!" Keyop burbled happily. She responded by flashing her new ring at Tiny. "No kidding?" Tiny chuckled as he walked over to give Princess a bear hug. "Ol' Mark finally got the guts..." "You shoulda seen him at the jeweler's...he was really sweating it..." Jason quipped. Tiny turned on his heels and gazed at Jason. "You knew about this?" Keyop folded his arms over his chest. "Coulda told us..." Jason sauntered over to the bar and tousled the little Swallow's hair. "Sorry squirt. Top secret...Commander's orders..." He walked up to Princess and hugged her warmly. "Congrats, Prin. You deserve it. I hope it's the one you wanted." "It's beautiful..." She gushed. "I'm so happy..." Jason grinned. "Are you happy enough to get us some free breakfast?" Tiny chimed in. "Yeah..." "Free breakfast coming up!" Jill announced. "We have to celebrate!" 888888888888888 Mark soared above the clouds, deep in thought about the previous night. It felt so good to have his fiancée sle

Its the angst baby, I luuuuurve the angst! What a terrific fanfic interpretation of "G1- andes love" Gatch II episode! Had all the drama, romance , love traingles and angst anyone could hope for! thanks Springie!!

I have to give Transmute Jun and Gatchgirl credit for adding in some extra "angst-age" here...they helped me out a lot! Glad you liked it, Imi!