First of all, I want to say I'm so sorry for the really long 'no update' phase. But I'm back now :) Hope you're all still supporting. And please keep those in Japan in our thoughts, and wish them all the luck.

=======

Jang Woo opened the door to a large and spacious apartment, which already had new furniture inside, giving the apartment that homely feel to it.

He sighed heavily. “I don’t like how you’re not living with me anymore.”

You walked into the apartment, with a baby SangHee in your arms. Mi Sook followed after behind you, with the pram.

You smiled at your father. “I’m a grown woman…no…I’m a grown single mother. You wouldn’t want me and SangHee getting in your way, especially now you’re in a relationship.”

Mi Sook clicked her tongue. “Don’t worry about me, you’re father and me welcome both of you over to the house. In fact, we’d love for you to visit tonight! We’re hosting a dinner for Jang Woo’s retirement, only a few people are coming.”

You looked at your father. “You didn’t tell me you were retiring.”

Jang Woo shifted nervously. “I was, but I had to take care of a few things before I retired for good. HaeJin is coming, and he’s bringing along a friend too. Nice lad he is, what’s his name again dear?” he asked Mi Sook.

“Agent Jang I think his name is,” Mi Sook answered. “He’s a nice lad, polite too.”

You looked down at SangHee who stirred in your arms. “I think someone wants their lunch,” you cooed then looked up. “What time would you like us over?”

Mi Sook checked her watch. “Well I’ll have the food cooking around about 5, so 6?”

You nodded. “It’s a date!”

Before Jang Woo and Mi Sook left, he turned back to see you – his daughter – putting SangHee gently down into her crib.

He sighed. “Make sure to lock the doors, check the windows are shut, turn the alarm-…”

“Appa,” you sharply cut in and gave him a look. “I’ll be fine.”

You kissed them both on the cheek. “I’ll see you tonight.”

Once they were gone, you went into your room and began to unpack. You had the baby monitor on loudly just in case SangHee needed you.

You unwrapped glass ornaments and picture frames, your hand grazed one picture. Picking it up with trembling hands, you stared at the picture.

It was a picture of you, DBSK and Big Bang. In the picture, you were standing next to TOP and Yunho. You giggled as you saw Micky push Xiah’s face out of the way, Max’s hand in a cereal box, Taeyang posing next to GD and Seung Ri and Daesung slapping each other’s asses.

*They were like my brothers* you sadly thought. *They must all hate me. For what I did to them…for what I did to Hero.*

You swallowed. *Hero…*

Though it had a full year since you had left him, the pain in your heart felt fresh…as if it only happened yesterday.

You took out another picture, and this time it felt as if someone had ripped out your heart and stamped on it repeatedly in front of you.

“Hero…” you whispered as a singly tear slipped out of your eye and rolled down your cheek, hitting Hero’s perfect face on the picture. His arm was outstretched as he took the picture, you smiled but in comparison with Hero…you looked so plain and boring.

You slumped back against the wall. *You must hate me for what I did to you. I’m so sorry* you looked at the crib. *But I had to do it for SangHee, I couldn’t have her living in constant danger.*

You took a deep breath and tried to bring yourself to tear the picture apart, but you couldn’t. In frustration you ran your fingers through your hair.

The baby monitor sounded and you heard SangHee’s cry. Shooting up, you ran to the nursery and scooped SangHee up in your arms and hugged her close.

“Ssh sweetie, mummy’s here,” you whispered. You let your knees bounce but SangHee continued to cry in your arms. “Aww baby, what’s wrong,” you asked softly as you stared down at her tear stained face.

When you looked down that was when you realised you still had the picture of you and Hero. You moved your hand and when you did, SangHee’s fragile fingers weakly wrapped themselves around your wrist.

You watched in shock as she looked closely at the picture, though you weren’t 100% sure, 99.9% of you was sure that she was looking at Hero. A small smile appeared on SangHee’s lips.

You tearfully looked down at your daughter. “He’s your Appa sweetie.”

SangHee stretched her tiny arm out and her finger gently poked Hero’s face, as if she knew he was her father. You began to cry.

“I’m so sorry for taking you away from him, from not letting you get to know your father. But it’s for your safety and his, I love you both too much to lose.”

-

-

-

“Where the hell are they?” your father mumbled as he looked at the clock. Mi Sook chuckled.

“They’ll be here soon I’m sure. You did tell them to stop at a store and buy some champagne.”

Jang Woo rolled his eyes. “They’re Secret Op agents! If they’re having trouble finding champagne, I’d dread to think what they’re like on the field.”

You worriedly looked at SangHee, who was asleep in Mi Sook’s arms. “What was the story about SangHee again?”

Jang Woo cleared his throat. “You didn’t get kidnapped by…Hero,” though a year had passed and he had created that deal with Hero, it was still hard for Jang Woo to say his name and watch the pain flicker in your eyes. “You had run away with a secret boyfriend, you got pregnant but he left because he was afraid to commit. You couldn’t raise SangHee completely alone so you called me and I being the caring father that I am, took you back with loving arms.”

Your father’s joke failed to make you laugh. Though you had left Hero for your reasons, you couldn’t help but feel slightly irritated that your father was forcing you to lie about SangHee’s father.

“Wouldn’t it be worse if we lied?”

“Would you rather they judge your daughter because of her father?” Jang Woo challenged. You ground your teeth together in anger but you didn’t want SangHee to face that sort of harsh reality yet. *But I want her to be proud of who her father is, even if others aren’t.*

Mi Sook had put SangHee in her high chair and she went to check on the food, Jang Woo checked the time again.

“Aish, where are these guys?!”

“Jang Woo!” Mi Sook called. “Can you please run to the market and get some more vegetables? HaeJin ssi and the Jang boy might be big eaters.”

You furrowed your brows. “Do you know his first name?”

“No, you know how the Secret Ops are. It’s always on a last name basis, unless you’re well acquainted with someone. Agent Jang is a junior, so I wouldn’t know him. HaeJin would though.”

“Honey! The vegetables!” Mi Sook hollered urgently from the kitchen. You laughed and stood up before your father.

“I’ll go Appa,” you walked over to the high chair and rubbed noses with SangHee. “Look after my baby girl.”

You were walking up down the vegetable aisle, only just remembering Mi Sook hadn’t told you what types of vegetables to get. Fishing your phone out of your pocket you dialled the house number.

“What vegetables again?” you asked not really looking where you were going.

Bang.

“Oof,” a male voice grumbled. You almost dropped your phone but a hand flashed out and saved it for you.

*How did he do that?*

“Thank you,” you said and straightened up. You looked up and met eyes with a friendly, handsome man. He wore his dark black hair gelled in a stylish manner, and his lips were quirked into a happy smile.

“No problem. I’d be crushed if my phone broke.”

He handed you your phone back and he bowed politely, then turned and left. He carried a bottle of champagne with him. Not thinking anything of it, you pressed the phone back to your ear.

“Sorry Mi Sook ssi…”

-

-

-

“I’m so sorry I’m late, there was a huge queue at the till,” you hurriedly apologised as you carefully handed Mi Sook the bag of vegetables. “I hope they’re okay.”

Mi Sook laughed. “It’s fine.”

You heard your father laugh along with 2 other deep guffaws. You looked behind you.

“Who’s that?”

“That’s HaeJin and the Jang boy,” Mi Sook told you.

“~~~~~~!” your father called, you rushed into the living room and squealed to a halt.

“Omo,” you gasped as you looked at the market guy. You recognised the other guy to be HaeJin, you’d seen him plenty of times before but never knew him personally.

“Hello again,” the guy you bumped into at the market politely said and gave you a cheerful smile. Jang Woo’s head swivelled from your direction back to market boy.

“You know my daughter ~~~~~?”

Geun Suk titled his head ever so slightly. *~~~~~~. Why does someone who’s so beautiful, who also has a lovely name, look so sad?* he thought.

Geun Suk shook his head. “I bumped into her at market, while I was getting the champagne and ~~~~~ was getting some vegetables I think.”

Jang Woo smiled. “Good, no need for introductions.”

You meekly laughed. “Actually, I don’t know Agent Jang’s name.”

Geun Suk nudged HaeJin playfully. “Hear that? Agent Jang,” he boasted. HaeJin rolled his eyes. Geun Suk stepped out and held his hand out for you to shake.

“Jang Geun Suk.”

You slipped your hand into his and smiled at him, your smile more forced than you had wanted.

“It’s nice to meet you,” you turned to HaeJin. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Just then, you all heard a shrill baby’s cry. HaeJin cocked his head to the side.

“Is that the famous SangHee I hear?”

You nodded and rushed out of the room, Geun Suk’s brows knitted on confusion.

“Is that Jang Woo’s second daughter?”

Jang Woo shook his head. “It’s ~~~~~’s daughter.”

Geun Suk was shocked. *But she’s so young.*

Geun Suk felt his stomach churn uncomfortably, he didn’t know why, but he felt a need to protect you. *Maybe it’s because she’s my sunbae’s daughter.*

“Did she get -…”

“No. She didn’t get kidnapped after all, she ran away with a boyfriend who got her pregnant. The bastard left her and his daughter,” HaeJin answered for Jang Woo. “What kind of does that to his pregnant girlfriend?”

Jang Woo looked away. *If only you knew who the true father was. You’d despise my entire family.*

“Dinner’s ready!” Mi Sook called. Jang Woo and HaeJin rushed to the kitchen, but Geun Suk headed to the source of the baby howling.

He poked his head around to see you cradling your daughter, a soft and loving expression on your face. Geun Suk felt his lips tug as a smile appeared on his face. *When she gives a genuine smile, she looks so beautiful. Now I know why you have so much pain in your eyes ~~~~~~.*

Geun Suk cleared his throat. “~~~~~~ah ssi, dinner’s ready.”

You nodded. “I’ll be there in a minute.”

SangHee stirred sweetly, Geun Suk grinned. “May I introduce myself to her?”

You didn’t see problem in that, you made your war towards Geun Suk who playfully held his hand for SangHee.

“I’m Jang Geun Suk, your pretty Umma’s handsome friend,” he winked at SangHee jokingly. SangHee just stared at him with her innocent and eyes and blinked.

You couldn’t help but laugh when Geun Suk scratched the back of his neck. “I don’t think SangHee likes me very much.”

You giggled and bit your lip. It had been a long time since you had laughed with little effort, though you barely knew Geun Suk, you could tell he was one of those rare people that could always make someone who was feeling down, feel happy again.

“Don’t worry, she’s like that with Appa sometimes,” you assured him. “I think we better head off to dinner, otherwise Mi Sook would be angry at the untouched food.”

All of you were in the dining room, you were at the end of the table with SangHee next to you in her high chair. Geun Suk sat opposite you.

You were struggling to feed SangHee and cut your steak at the same time, to top it off, you were terrible at cutting steak.

Geun Suk had cut his steak into bite size pieces and then traded plates with you. You stopped midway of feeding SangHee and stared at Geun Suk, who just smiled at you.

Jang Woo and Mi Sook exchanged looks. “What do you think of Geun Suk?”

Mi Sook shrugged. “He seems nice, why?”

“What do you think of him and ~~~~~?”

“Jang Woo! You can’t set her up, it’s only been a year since she left…” she didn’t continue. “What I’m trying to say is, she’s still clearly not over him, they were very much in love. She left him because she needed to, not because she wanted to. Give ~~~~~ more time to recover from the heartbreak.”

Jang Woo sighed. “I know you’re right sweetheart. It’s just, why him of all people?!”

“Love works in mysterious ways.”

“Fine, I’ll give ~~~~~ more time. I just think Geun Suk would be good for her, and SangHee.”

-

-

-

Now SangHee was two years old, and she was very advanced for someone her age. She was walking perfectly, and she could speak, though her sentences weren’t always grammatically correct, she had the basics.

Over time, you and Geun Suk had kept in contact. You had discovered that he was good with children, he had the right patience and he was always cheerful.

“Mummy! Geun Suk!” SangHee squeaked. You laughed and picked her up, the two of you were in the park waiting for Geun Suk to arrive.

“Oppa will be her soon sweetie. Geun Suk oppa promised picnic.”

“And I kept my promise,” his deep voice said from behind you. You turned and SangHee smiled.

“Oppa!”

Geun Suk set the picnic basket down and took SangHee into his arms, she poked him in the face.

“Oppa! Very late!”

Geun Suk stuck out his bottom lip. “Sorry princess, but oppa had to get…” he bent down and picked up a bag. “Jang! Some cream cakes!”

“Wah,” you said. “Look at what Geun Suk bought. What do you say?”

SangHee’s eyes twinkled as she eyed the bag, she had a sweet tooth. “Thank you oppa.”

All of you sat down on the blanket and you helped Geun Suk lay out foods.

“So why were you really late?” you asked him with an arched brow.

“I’m sorry, but there was this gangster in West Seoul,” Geun Suk explained. Your grip on the container slipped and it fell. Geun Suk reacted immediately. “~~~~, are you okay?!”

Your mouth went dry and your heart beats increased. “W-West Seoul?”

Geun Suk was more concerned about you, but he confirmed it. “Yes, West Seoul. Why?”

*Hero…no…*

“Er, nothing. It’s just, West Seoul is such a rough place,” you lied. Geun Suk searched your face then poked your cheek.

“Were you worried about me?”

You weren’t really worried, Geun Suk’s an agent…he could look after himself. Instead, you were worrying about Hero…who you shouldn’t even be worrying about!

*Present Day*

“Wait! I’m confused! Does Geun Suk like you or not?” Han Bi cut in. You bit your lip and Ki Nam gasped.

“He does like you! Omo! Did he confess? Did you two date?! What about Hero?” Han Bi asked in a rush.

“We went out on a date once,” you admitted. “He took me to a movie and then we had dinner at that restaurant on Baker Street…”

“Baker Street?!” they both shrieked in unison.

“Girl…spill!” Ki Nam said.

*The Date*

“Make sure to put SangHee to bed at-…”

“~~~~~! I know,” your father cut in, on the other line of the phone. “I’m not completely a handicap.”

You giggled nervously. “I know Appa, it’s just, I haven’t been out without SangHee. It will be just a little weird.”

“It’s good that you’re going out on a date with Geun Suk.”

You rolled your eyes. “Appa, it’s not a date. It’s just a friendly dinner out.”

“That’s not what HaeJin told me,” your father sang teasingly. You stomped your foot.

“Aish appa! There’s nothing going on between Geun Suk and me.”

He snorted. “Please, the two of you have been inseparable. A blind man can see the attraction you have for him and he for you.”

“Appa, we’re just friends. Besides, I don’t think I’m ready for a relationship yet.”

Jang Woo sighed. “~~~~~, it’s been three years.”

“Yes, but I just feel so guilty about leaving Hero like that. It was so cruel.”

“You did what any mother would do! You’re protecting your child, and if Hero loved you and cared for SangHee, he would accept your decision.”

You swallowed, your throat tight. “I guess so,” someone knocked on your door gently. “That’s Geun Suk, I’ll call you later. Bye.”

You opened the door. “Hi…wow.”

You hadn’t been impressed with a guy in a suit since Hero, but you had to admit, Geun Suk looked pretty delectable. His eyes bugged out, then he blinked fast and gained composure.

You wore an elegant pale pink layered dress, your hair was up in a loose, flirty updo. You wore white heels and a silver clutch hung delicately from your wrist.

“You look, absolutely beautiful,” he whispered in awe. You blushed, giving your skin that healthy feminine glow he loved on a woman.

“Thank you.”

He held out his arm for you to take. You looped your arm through his and the fun began. The two of you were in a fancy, expensive restaurant. The mood was very romantic as a violinist played a beautiful piece, which made the musician in your appreciate the violinist’s skill.

There was a poster that had a fairly good looking man on it, you titled your head.

“Youngwoong Corporations?”

Geun Suk nodded. “Yep, that new company. The billionaire company, it’s been on the news.”

You looked away. *I don’t watch the news…in case he’s on it for bad reasons.*

He took your hand and noticed a faint scar on your palm. He gently rubbed it.

“How did you get this?”

Your mind went hurtling back to the painful memory. You grabbed a piece of glass, and stabbed Cha Sung with it.

You seized your had back quickly and hid it under the table. “Er, I fell when I was a kid.”

Thankfully, Geun Suk didn’t ask any more questions.

The two of you continued to have dinner, you talked easily and laughed at his jokes. Geun Suk loved the way your laugh rang out loud and clear, he hated it when women held back on laughing in front of men. Yet, you knew how to laugh well and still be feminine at the same time.

Not to mention, he thought you looked like a goddess when you smiled. *God, I’m really in love with her.*

When he had paid for dinner, he suggested the two of you go for a walk. He took you to the beach, where couples leisurely walked together hand in hand. You couldn’t help but wish Geun Suk wasn’t here but Hero.

*What is wrong with me? Geun Suk is an amazing guy, and yet…I’m still in love with someone I  left?!*

You felt a warm touch enclose around your hand, you looked to see Geun Suk looking straight ahead but his lips were curved up into a smile as the two of you walked hand in hand.

“Are you cold?” he asked you. You shook your head but he took his jacket off anyway and draped it around your shoulders like a gentleman. “Are you okay walking on the sand in heels?”

You were about to say ‘no’ but your heel sunk in and you wobbled.

“Ah,” you cried out, as you twisted your ankle. It wasn’t anything serious but it did hurt a lot. Geun Suk came to your rescue.

“Are you okay?”

You winced. “Yeah, it just…yah!” you protested as he easily lifted you bridal style. “Put me down! I’m heavy!”

Geun Suk smiled. “Not that heavy.”

“You know you’re supposed to say something cheesy like ‘you way as much the air’,” you teased.

Geun Suk smirked and edged closer to the shore line, you held on tighter around his neck.

“What are you doing, no, no-…AHH!” you screamed as he swung you, pretending to throw you but instead he kept you in his arms. His laughter echoed in your ears.

You slapped his shoulder. “You are an .”

Geun Suk set you down but you were dizzy, you stumbled and he caught you. You were alarmingly close to him. He could feel your warm breath caressing his skin, the light of the moon casting shadows on your face, your lips begged to be kissed.

Before you could move away, Geun Suk softly pressed his lips against yours. He cupped your cheeks in his hands, your mind was completely blank. *No…this isn’t right!*

You pushed him away. “No, Geun Suk. We can’t be doing this.”

Geun Suk nodded, dazed. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that.”

You began to walk away, but Geun Suk ahead and stopped in front of you. “But you have to know how I feel.”

“Geun Suk, please,” you begged. He craddled your hands in his.

“These past few months, I’ve begun to realise…I’m in love with you. I was in the middle of loving you before I knew I even started, but I do. I enjoy spending time with you and SangHee.”

You pulled away. “No! Don’t do this, why?”

“Because…I want you to know what the choices are. SangHee’s father was an idiot, to let someone like you go.”

You began to cry. *I was that let him go, aren’t I the idiot?*

Geun Suk hugged you. “But if it makes you feel better, I don’t want you to be in a relationship with me…unless you want to. I value your friendship, though I love you, I will be more than happy to be your friend. I just wanted to tell you.”

*Present Day*

“Then what happened?” Han Bi urged you on. “Did you two…?”

“No, never!” you squealed. “I felt so guilty, Geun Suk’s such a great guy. He really deserves someone better than me.”

Ki Nam smiled. “So how did you get the job at Special Ops?”

*One night in the past*

It had been some time after Geun Suk’s confession, you two were in coming out of the market.

“Are you sure HaeJin will drink alcohol? He is a Special Ops agent after all.”

“Yah! Me too.”

Geun Suk had parked a little further away, where it was dark. He then cursed.

“Crap, I forgot to get some ice cream. I’ll be right back.”

He left you, and you made your way to his car. You leaned against the passenger door.

A shady looking guy with a hood over his head, came out. You acted like you didn’t notice him, but when he came charging at you with a knife, the years of your father’s self defence training sessions kicked in.You blocked his arm and kneed him in the gut, winding him, with one swift move you threw him over your back and he landed on the floor in a heap. The knife skittered away and you held down by the throat with one hand, whilst the other was in a fist ready to punch him.

“~~~~~~!” Geun Suk shouted and ran over to you. “Omo! Are you okay?”

You were a little breathless but fine, in all honesty, Geun Suk should be asking the mugger.

“I’m fine, have you got cuffs for this bastard?”

Some time later, the police took the mugger away. They congratulated you after taking your statement and you were allowed to go.

Geun Suk gazed at you. “Wow, I saw that! You were amazing, how did you learn how to fight?”

“Living with my father tends to do that to people,” you said laughingly. “I’m sure my fighting abilities are nothing compared to yours thought.”

“With more training, I’m sure it will be amazing. Have you every thought about joining the Special Ops?”

You gave him a look. “Are you serious? People wil keep on comparing me to my Appa!”

“Yes, but I’m sure they’ll respect you. Not to mention you’ve got the basics, so you can probably work your way up the ladder quicker. You could be one serious kick Agent one day.”

You thought about it. *If I become an Agent, is there a chance I’d meet him? See him again?*

*Present Day*

Han Bi pursed her lips. “So you began to work for the Special ops?”

“Are some time, yes,” you said.

“And nothing more happened between you and Geun Suk?” Ki Nam asked suspiciously.

“There were times when his feelings were obvious, but he was always proffessional and kept his word about being friends.”

Han Bi sighed. “There’s only one thing we need ot find out.”

“What’s that?”

“Are you still in love with Jaejoong oppa?” Ki Nam asked you. You bit your lip.

*Honestly yes…but if you admitted it. It would cause huge problems.*

======

Sorry this took me so long to write and post up. I've been having so much work dumped onto me it's torture :( But I hope you all liked it ^^

Now you know what happened to you and Jaejoong during the 5 years apart. And during those 5 years you referred to him as 'Hero' because you didn't know about the company and Jae using his real name. xD