Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Three Times A Charm ❯ Chapter 23

Title: Three Times A Charm

Author: JadeHeart

Archived: If anyone would like it, please ask me first!

Fandom: Fake

Rating: NC-17

Warnings: none really

Timeline: follows on directly from the end of Vol 7

Summary: In the darkness of the night…

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this, they belong to the creators of `Fake', nor am I making any profits from it.

 

 

 

Chapter 23

 

 

Ryo was silent during the drive back to the station, staring out the darkened window as JJ navigated the night traffic. He was on the night shift and, as Ryo had been absent for the past couple of days, he felt it was only fair that the other man should face the consequences of his actions sooner rather than later and so was bringing the 27th Precinct's prodigal son back to its fold.

 

He allowed his eyes to flick quickly to his silent passenger. Ryo was slumped a little in the seat, head propped up on an arm that rested the elbow on the window's edge. It was only now that JJ took note of the actual appearance of the other man. His usually lustrous hair was dull and limp, almost flat, without the slight wave that generally clung so endearingly to his forehead. Even JJ had thought that had looked really cute.

 

JJ let his gaze slide over the figure beside him, quickly taking note of other changes in Ryo. His whole body seemed to radiate a feeling of weariness, an exhaustion that went bone deep. There was a sense of despair that clung about him like a black cloud, so deep it was almost frightening in its intensity. The aura surrounding the man was not a happy one.

 

Why should Ryo feel such despair? Dee was okay; he was alive and on the road to recovery. Shouldn't he be happy? JJ was feeling more and more puzzled.

 

“Hey,” he said softly so as not to startle Ryo overly, even so he saw him start a little. Ryo was as edgy as though he had been on the battle lines for months instead of in mourning for two days. What had been going on?

 

“Yes?” Ryo turned his head so he could look over to JJ.

 

His eyes are haunted, was JJ's first thought, then immediately took a mental step backwards in surprise. Why do I think that? What has he done?!

 

Now JJ was getting more and more worried. He had been concerned with his inability to contact Ryo but at the same time had guessed that if the circumstances had been reversed he wouldn't have wanted to be bothered by anyone either so that half explained Ryo's absence. As it was he had felt beside himself with worry for Dee's disappearance, and with Ryo's on top of that he had really begun to fear that he had lost them both.

 

He had been a little surprised at the level of his concern for Ryo. For Dee he could understand, after all Dee was his entire world, his one and only beloved. Of course he would have been worried sick about him. But for Ryo, well, that had come as a surprise to him.

 

It was then that he had realized that even though Ryo was his rival for Dee's affections, and the fact that he knew for certain now that it was a lost cause as they were in a relationship wasn't about to stop him completely, Ryo had become just as important to him in many ways. He admired the man; for his looks, for his even temperament, his skill with a gun, his dedication to his job, and his generous and caring nature that had led him to take in Bikky as well as be a surrogate father to Carol. All that made Ryo a very special guy in JJ's book and it was then that he realized that he meant a great deal to him also, and he had been terrified that that would be taken from him too.

 

It had been quite a startling revelation really and had only spurred him on in his search for both Dee and Ryo. There were very few people that were important in JJ's life. Despite his seeming bubbly, outgoing personality, he was actually, by nature, a bit of a loner so he didn't have that many friends that he could afford to lose one, or in this case possibly two. He had felt such relief when Dee had finally turned up alive, but he had still been worried about Ryo's whereabouts until he had arrived breathlessly at the hospital tonight. Seeing his other missing friend had made him almost swoon with relief.

 

Now he was almost delirious with joy to have both of them back - immensely so, but looking at Ryo he was beginning to feel very concerned, and more than a little uneasy. He thought back to the message he had received at the hospital earlier about the death of the man identified as Dee's shooter. Could Ryo have been responsible, he wondered. Really? Could this man who had such tenderness and compassion for others really have put a bullet through the brain of that man?

 

Looking at Ryo's shadowed eyes gazing back at him in the darkness JJ felt a shiver run down his spine as he realized the answer was, `yes'. That realization left him sick to the pit of his stomach. Oh, gods, I hope that Ryo hasn't done anything, he prayed fervently. Please, God, don't let him have done anything. Dee couldn't bear to lose him!

 

“Did you want something, JJ?” Ryo asked, breaking into his thoughts and pulling him back to the present.

 

“Ah, oh, yes, sorry,” He flashed his trademark grin towards the other, hiding the fearful thoughts burning in his mind. “I was just wool-gathering there for a bit - it's been a long day you know. And so full of excitement.” He laughed gaily although it was completely forced. He was sure Ryo wouldn't notice anything different. The man looked too caught up in his own internal pain to realize that JJ was putting on nothing more than a show. “I was just going to say that you had better brace yourself. Both the Chief and the Commissioner are going to be in, and neither are particularly happy with you. Your little disappearing act really pissed them off.”

 

“Yes, I suppose it would have,” Ryo turned back to his contemplation of the outside world. “I guess I should have expected that.”

 

The rest of the trip was spent in silence once again, though fortunately it was only for a short time as they had been no more than a couple of blocks from the station at that time.

 

They entered the station together and immediately the desk sergeant called out a cheerful greeting upon seeing Ryo, grinning broadly. “Glad to see you back, Maclean! And we heard the good news about Laytner too! We can't wait to get our two best boys back on board. It's been dead dull without you two!”

 

Ryo waved in response though it was without any enthusiasm and followed JJ. As they walked down the corridor a couple of more heads appeared from doorways to welcome Ryo as they passed though it wasn't many; it wasn't called the graveyard shift for nothing.

 

“MACLEAN!!!”

 

The roar reverberated down the corridor and through the almost empty offices with an echoing quality enough to almost make the walls vibrate in response. JJ and Ryo winced at the volume but both turned obediently in answer.

 

Behind them the Chief stood, hands planted firmly on his hips, stocky legs set apart and chin thrust forward belligerently. He looked like an angry bulldog and JJ had to suppress the urge to laugh at the sight. However the thunderous scowl on the Chief's face boded ill for any such sign of mirth.

 

The Chief pinned Ryo with an icy glare that made him shuffle his feet nervously like a naughty child. He hadn't often had to face the Chief's wrath over the years; that was usually Dee's department exclusively. However this would have to be first time he had seen the Chief quite this angry, even with all the stunts that Dee had pulled over the years, and he was beginning to think that he had truly over-stepped the mark. That didn't really surprise him. He hadn't really thought about the consequences of his absenteeism; he hadn't actually thought he would ever be coming back to this place.

 

“Maclean,” The Chief said at a slightly lower volume. He crooked a finger at Ryo as he turned and went back the way they had just come. “Come with me.” he said in a menacing tone which brooked no argument and Ryo had little choice but to shamble after him with dragging steps and hanging head.

 

JJ watched them go, thinking Ryo looked for all the world like a puppy that had just been scolded by its owner, trailing along with its tail between its legs in shame. He couldn't stop his lips twitching with amusement at the view, especially when it lead to an enticing vision of Ryo in a collar and leash conjuring up some other very interesting thoughts. He hadn't even had those kind of ideas about Dee! Perhaps Ryo brought out a whole new side to him that he hadn't realized he had!

 

He suppressed another shiver though this time it was one of excitement, then shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts as he turned to head for his office. Perhaps he needed to find someone who would be willing to try some of these things out, he mused. If he didn't like doing any of it he didn't have to do them again, but it certainly might prove….interesting. Still, it would probably be best with someone to whom all this stuff was just as new so they could try it out and learn about it together. Now that could be a lot of fun. He pushed the door open and wandered in.

 

“So how is he?” Drake looked up from his desk as soon as his partner entered.

 

“Dee seems to be doing fine, though he's obviously still in pretty bad shape,” JJ said as he seated himself. “But he's out of danger at the moment and the doctor's seem happy enough with his progress at present.”

 

“Whew,” Drake replied with a sigh a relief, shoving some papers into a pile and leaning back on his chair. “That's a relief. And you found Ryo too.”

 

JJ looked over at him quizzically. “Yeah, how did you know?”

 

“You've got to be kidding?” Drake said raising an eyebrow sardonically. “With that bellow of the Chief's?”

 

“Oh, of course, I forgot.” That's right; everyone, including anyone in the buildings on either side, probably knew that Ryo was back.

 

“So where was he?” Drake queried.

 

JJ shrugged, “Don't know, but he got my message and turned up at the hospital later on.”

 

Drake smirked, “I bet Dee was pleased to see him.”

 

“Well, he seemed to be.” JJ agreed.

 

“Sure!” Drake chortled. “He's probably completely sexually frustrated that he's too banged up to actually be able to throw Ryo down and molest him right then and there!”

 

“Don't be so crude,” JJ chided. “You know Dee'd smack you one if he heard you say that. If Ryo hadn't already got you first!”

 

Drake rolled his eyes, “Yeah, yeah, I know, I'll be good!” He stood and carried a couple of files over to drop them in the tray marked for filing, before bending to sift through some papers from another. “Well, I guess things are going to be back to normal soon with the two of them here.” he said with his back still turned to JJ.

 

“Well, not exactly normal,” JJ replied, thinking back to Ryo's earlier confession about their relationship. No, things definitely wouldn't be back to `normal'.

 

“Eh?” Drake queried absently then, “Damn!”, as some papers slipped from a file to the floor. He muttered darkly as he crouched down to gather them up as JJ continued to look on. Hmm, he thought, watching the way Drake's hair fell over his eyes, shrouding his features. Drake would look pretty good in a collar and leash too.

 

“Damn paperwork,” Drake growled standing with the offending pieces in hand, completely unaware of where his partner's thoughts had currently been, and returning to his desk, sitting with a thump. He looked up at JJ. “What's up with you?” he asked, “Your face is all red. You coming down with something?”

 

JJ flushed brighter and dropped his head to hide the desire he was certain would be gleaming in his eyes. “Ah, nothing, it's just a little hot in here.”

 

“You were probably fantasizing about Dee and what you could be doing to him in a hospital with that adjustable bed!” Drake snorted in amusement.

 

“Hmm,” JJ didn't try and deny it so said nothing more. He could hardly tell his partner that he had been envisioning him in little more than some pieces of leather and little else!

 

***********

 

Ryo stood on the other side of the Chief's desk as the older man seated himself and then just stared at him in silence. He didn't know if he should try to break the silence first or wait for his superior to do so. It wasn't like there was anything he could say in his defense. He had taken two days off without permission, with no justification and against all the regulations. He deserved to have the book thrown at him.

 

The silence stretched on. Finally Ryo opened his mouth to say something when the Chief cut directly across him. “You've got some nerve coming back here after the stunt that you've just pulled!” he snarled.

 

Ryo's mouth snapped shut as he braced himself for the dressing down that he was sure was to come.

 

“You don't put in for any leave, you don't get permission, and then you just take off without telling anyone where to contact you. On top of that you refuse to answer your phone! Every cardinal sin you could make, you committed. So what have you go to say for your self?!!”

 

“Sorry,” Ryo said sincerely, knowing it wasn't really enough but still meaning it.

 

The Chief's brows drew down even further, making him look even more like the badger that Dee often referred to him as. “Sorry?! And do you think that cuts it?!”

 

Ryo shook his head, “No, I know it doesn't.”

 

“You're damn right it doesn't!” the Chief roared standing abruptly, and slapping his hands down on the top of his desk to lean forward, glaring at Ryo. “Sorry doesn't even begin to cover the trouble you've caused this station! And it certainly doesn't cover the headache you've given me!!”

 

Ryo winced as the voice increased once more to ear-splitting volume but he weathered it. It was nothing less than he deserved. “I'm sorry,” he volunteered again. “I'll accept any punishment that you see fit.” he added.

 

“I should throw your sorry ass off the Force for this idiotic move!” The Chief shouted, “You should be so out of here for the complete disregard and dereliction of duty that you have portrayed! Is that what you want?!” The Chief demanded. “Do you want to throw away all these years, make it all for nothing?!”

 

“No!” Ryo said forcefully. Leave the Force? Leave Dee?! No, that is the last thing that he wanted!

 

“So give me one good reason to keep you here?!”

 

Ryo didn't answer straight away, struggling with himself and his own conscience as to whether it was even right for him to remain a detective after what he had done.

 

As he was pondering this dilemma he heard the door open behind him and knew that someone had entered the room. He was a little surprised that anyone would dare to interrupt the Chief in the middle of disciplining a staff member but the Chief said nothing, just continued to glare at Ryo, so he put it from his mind as he still hadn't answered the question put to him.

 

“Well?” The Chief said again, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

 

“Er,” but Ryo couldn't continue. He really did have nothing to say in his defense at all.

 

“It would appear that the bad habits of others on the staff have managed to taint the precinct's most studious detective,” a quiet voice suddenly said from behind, startling Ryo. He spun around to see Commissioner Berkley Rose leaning against the wall next to the door in a patently false relaxed manner, scrutinizing him over the top of his glasses with that steely gaze that missed nothing.

 

“Uhm,” Ryo now knew even less what he could say and the Commissioner's face was giving nothing away. Giving up in hoping for a hint of the man's inner mind, he turned back to face the Chief, standing just a little straighter and lifting his chin. “There's nothing I can say to excuse my behaviour,” he stated in a firm clear voice. “It was wrong.” He took a deep breath and continued. “I'll turn in my badge and gun immediately.”

 

“I'm not certain that is completely necessary,” Commissioner Rose walked past Ryo to perch on the corner of the Chief's desk so he was facing him, the Chief still remaining silent and obviously deferring to his superior. “You're too good at your job, Maclean, and it's not as though we have that many detectives just lying around doing nothing that you could be replaced. However,” and now his voice went icy and Ryo felt pinned by the hard look. “That does not make you indispensable by any means, and if you ever try something like this again I will not be so lenient with you.”

 

He straightened and continued to stare Ryo down. “You will have a disciplinary notice placed on your file for this incident,” he stated and his tone indicated it was not a topic for further discussion, not that Ryo actually intended to argue the point in any way. “That will be all.”

 

He made his way back towards the door then turned his head to speak to Ryo once more as he opened it. “Get some sleep, Ryo; you look like hell. I expect to see you here on time for your shift in the morning and perfectly capable to carry out your designated duties.”

 

“Yes, sir,” Ryo agreed as the door closed.

 

“Humph!” Ryo turned to look at the Chief who glared back at him “I wouldn't have been so soft on you.” he said grumpily. “I hope you realize just how damn lucky you've just been?”

 

Oh, yes, he realized, so he answered sincerely, “Yes, sir, I do.”

 

“Good. Then get out of here and be ready to catch up on the work you've been neglecting for the past few days.” Ryo turned smartly and went straight to the door, not wanting to overstay his welcome.

 

“And, Maclean,” Ryo turned to look back. “It's good to have you back. And that Laytner too.” The Chief then dropped his head to return to scrutinizing the papers littering his desk, hiding his face from further view.

 

“Thank you, sir,” Ryo said, feeling pleased at the Chief's indication of concern for both himself and Dee.

 

He left the precinct then as there was little else he could do and if he stayed he would be in direct violation of the Commissioner's order. He didn't wish to anger the man any further than he already had. So if he wasn't to be here, there was only one place that he did want to be.

 

Leaving the station he caught a taxi directly back to the hospital. He knew that he should go home, do as the Commissioner said and get some sleep, but he couldn't bear to return to that empty apartment, not just yet. He still had this nervous feeling of this all being a little surreal and he needed the reassurance that he wasn't imagining it so he hurriedly made his way to Dee's room after clearing things with the nurses' station.

 

Arriving there, he found himself hesitating outside the door, hand outstretched yet not able to close around the handle. He could see that it was actually shaking, trembling, and he was unable to control its erratic motion. He couldn't stop the fear that rose up in his chest with the thought that when he opened the door Dee wouldn't be there, that he would find nothing more than an empty room and all of this had been nothing more than a dream, an illusion sent to torment him.

 

He truly feared that he had just imagined all of this and it would soon all be gone, snatched away from him once more. No matter how he wanted to believe it was true, he gravely doubted his own ability to tell the difference between what was real and what was false anymore, because his need for it to be true was so strong he feared that he could easily have created all of this, this entire scenario and world, just to try and give his desire some substance. He was beginning to wonder if he was even sane any longer.

 

He swallowed against the lump in his throat and took a deep breath hoping to gain some control of his own body, mind and heart, and wrapped still quivering fingers around the handle and turned.

 

The room was in darkness, although it wasn't a pitch black as the partially open curtains allowed some light to filter through from the outside and there was an eerie glow from the monitors that still remained by the bedside.

 

He peered through the dimness, fear still clinging to his mind, fearing that he would find the bed vacant. The curtain moved slightly as the open door allowed the air passage into the previously closed room, lifting and then fluttering downwards as though moved by a ghostly hand. The entire environment made Ryo feel that he had entered another realm of imagining; a fantastical and frightening world that hovered between reality and dreams, insubstantial yet seemingly so real also, that only served to confuse the mind and cloud the thoughts even further.

 

He let his eyes grow accustomed to the low light, leaving them fixed on the pale covering shrouding the bed. As the curtains shifted a little once again and the light changed once more, his eyes could now see a little clearer and he could make out the contours of a body lying there still, and crowning it was a dark head resting on the pillow. Even in this dimness he could make out the familiar profile; he wasn't mistaken.

 

He suddenly felt a loosening in his chest as though something was breaking, and he began to shiver in reaction to the relief that was washing through him. Closing the door very softly behind him he leant back against the cold metal, feeling the chill running through his body but it made no real impression on him; the physical discomfort meant nothing compared to the emotional turmoil roiling inside him.

 

He remained there for a long time, just looking over at Dee's slumbering form where it lay. Just watching and drinking in the sight of his partner being there - alive and well. The shivering increased, his whole body beginning to shake and his legs began to buckle as though his strength was being sapped from his limbs.

 

He tried taking deep breaths hoping that would help calm him, help him gain some control over his rapidly crumbling ability to rein in his emotions. However, instead of calming, his breathing only became more ragged, his body shaking and quivering with every gasp until he no longer had even the slightest control over it.

 

His shaking arms came up to wrap tightly around his body, squeezing hard enough to hurt yet he could feel no pain. His arms tightened even further as though he was trying to halt the jerking breaths beginning to tear him apart or hold his pounding heart inside his chest, but it was no good. His legs completely folded beneath him, leaving him to slide to the floor, still leaning back against the door, still sobbing. He couldn't move, remaining seated there with legs pulled up, knees tight against his chest, arms still holding himself. Tears continued to course down his face in a steady stream so there was no way to even discern where one finished and another begun.

 

All the emotions he had been holding in since learning of Dee's disappearance, all the feelings that he had pushed deep inside his soul and blocked away, freezing them to stillness, were now beginning to thaw and push to the surface, erupting with all the intensity and ferocity that they should have had initially yet had been forcibly restrained, all that was now released and overwhelming his very being.

 

His thoughts spun madly as his mind now demanded that he face everything that had occurred over the past few days, running through all the events that led right up to this moment of the present. It was now that the feelings of grief could be released, and all the emotions that followed.

 

His sobs grew louder, so loud that he stuffed one fist into his mouth wanting to muffle the sound, fearful of disturbing the slumbering Adonis that lay in the shadows of this room. His face felt like it was burning, his tears seeming to scald his cheeks, burning painful trails down his flesh, his eyes aching. He raised a shaking hand to his forehead, fingers tangling in his hair gripping those stands and tugging, ignoring the sharp stabs of pain as he pulled too hard, for that pain meant nothing compared to maelstrom swirling in the center of his soul.

 

It wasn't just that finally he was allowing his body and mind to feel the grief that he had been denying when he had believed he had lost Dee. That came first certainly and was almost enough to make him think he would pass out from the fierce ache of loss that swept through him. But then, hard on its heels came the intense feeling of relief, such as he had never felt before. Relief that the grief that he had just experienced was unnecessary, relief that he no longer had to fear what the future held.

 

He couldn't see the marks where his tears fell to his trousered knees as he continued to weep, but he could feel the dampness seeping through the material as each one landed. Still he couldn't cease his crying as his emotions continued to run their course.

 

This feeling of relief was much more also. It was a dream come true - Dee had been returned to him. After being snatched from his life, snatched from his grasp, after making him believe that he had lost everything, and all that he wanted was gone before he could hold it in his hands. After believing that all that was important to him was lost forever, that his only reason for wanting anything in this life to go on was no longer there - suddenly Dee was back.

 

Through his blurred vision he looked over to the bed. Dee still slumbered silently, the pulse monitor beeped faintly in the background, a steady sound that was very reassuring as every beep signaled the continuing life of this man, and thus ensuring his own continued existence also.

 

Looking at that beloved figure Ryo felt his heart hurting even more, hurting because he knew how close he had come to losing this person, this person who he now knew he loved more than anything else in the world. Immediately in conjunction with that thought was a strong feeling of guilt because he realized now that he loved Dee even more than he loved his family or even Bikky. He felt terrible for feeling like that, for putting Dee before anyone else. He had always thought of himself as a very caring person and not one to play favourites. He had always believed that there was room in his life to love many people equally, but now he came to realize that although you may be able to love many people at the same time, you also loved them in many different ways. And, if you were fortunate to find them, one you would love far more than any other.

 

Understanding that didn't lessen his guilt though. He knew he loved Bikky. Bikky was his son in all the ways that mattered, despite there being no ties by blood. He never wanted to hurt the boy or cause him harm or make him worry. He wanted to look after him and give him a happy life and see him succeed and become all that he could be in the future. He wanted all that for Bikky and would always want that.

 

But he also selfishly wanted to be with Dee; and, if necessary, he knew now he would do anything to achieve that goal, what ever it took. He wasn't proud of himself for thinking like that but he also couldn't stop his feelings, nor could he deny them - not to himself, and not to anyone else. He could now acknowledge to himself with complete honesty and certainty that he had found the person that he wanted to be with for the rest of his life. He had found his soul mate. That thought made the tears fall faster.

 

“Are you going to sit there all night?”

 

A soft voice broke through Ryo's anguished thoughts startling him. He saw that Dee's head was turned in his direction now although he probably wouldn't be able to make out clearly Ryo's tearstained face. He opened his lips but couldn't speak, his throat too closed with the tears he had been shedding, silencing his voice. He remained fixed in place. He couldn't bring himself to get up as he still feared that the slightest wrong move on his part would destroy this seemingly fragile balance of his world.

 

“Hey,” Dee said quietly although his voice carried clearly through the silence. “I don't bite.”

 

A pale hand slithered from beneath the sheet and reached out to Ryo. That motion made his heart clench with joy and he could no longer remain where he was. He scrubbed a hand over his face, wiping away the moisture still clinging to his lashes, and not even trying to get to his feet, he crawled silently on hands and knees to the side of his beloved, reaching out hesitantly to touch with almost reverent fingers the hand that was extended before him like he was reaching for his salvation. And like any sinner, he felt completely undeserving of receiving that benediction.

 

“You idiot,” Dee said softly. “You're freezing.” Ryo could feel the warmth from Dee's hand warming his own chilled one as their fingers laced together. “Get yourself to bed. You look like shit.”

 

“I want to stay here,” Ryo whispered brokenly, his fingers automatically tightening their grip on the hand he clasped as though fearing they would torn away from his grasp.

 

“Well, at least make yourself a bit more comfortable,” Dee squeezed his hand weakly even though his smile was still warm. He blinked a little. “I really can't stay awake much longer.” he admitted.

 

Ryo leant forward and pressed the hand he held to his lips, laying a kiss upon the palm. “Go back to sleep,” he murmured reassuringly. “I'll be fine.”

 

Dee's eyes fluttered closed again. “Okay,” he whispered sleepily. “I'm glad you're here. I really….wanted to see you….again.”

 

The steady rise and fall of Dee's chest and the loosening of his grip told Ryo that his partner had slipped into a steady sleep once more. Carefully he placed Dee's hand back on the bed, tucking it carefully back under the sheet so it wouldn't become cold and ensuring it would be comfortable for Dee.

 

He carefully picked up the chair in the corner, carrying it closer to the side of the bed and seating himself so he could rest his arms on the side of the bed and look upon Dee with an unobstructed view. Now he found himself gazing upon those familiar features in a whole new light; the sharp chin, the long lashes, the dark hair even now slipping over the forehead to cover the eyes as he had seen it do so many times over the years. Every little thing was beautiful in his eyes; it was like he was seeing Dee for the first time all over again and every part was eminently precious to him.

 

He really is beautiful, he thought, laying his head lightly on the side of the bed so he could still look upon Dee's face. He is just so beautiful, in a way that no-one else could ever be. He reached out a hand and lightly brushed the lock of hair on Dee's forehead, sweeping it lightly to the side gently.

 

He felt a smile touch his lips for the first time in days that truly was one of pure joy. Just looking at Dee made his heart sing again, it lifted his spirits, it made the world seem that much better, that much brighter.

 

Dee was his world - truly his world. And his world was big enough to hold the two of them.