Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Three Times A Charm ❯ Chapter 17

Title: Three Times A Charm

Fandom: Fake

Rating: X

Warnings: violence

Spoilers/Timeline: follows on directly from the end of Vol 7

Pairing: Dee/Ryo

Summary: Sometimes you may be too late in recognising what you really want.

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

 

 

Chapter 17

 

 

Dee yawned as he entered the open door to his office, jacket slung over one shoulder, rubbing a hand over his eyes.

 

John looked up as he entered. “Morning,” he said cheerily.

 

“Yo,” Dee replied dully, followed by another wide yawn.

 

John leant back in his chair, watching as Dee walked to his desk and draped his jacket over the back of his chair before sitting. “You look like crap,” he said. “Who were you banging all night?”

 

Dee glared at him “No-one. I wish!”

 

John smirked at him as he leant forward to pick up a file and tossed it casually across the intervening distance onto Dee's desk. “Thought you would have had plenty of takers? You've got every female in the station panting after you!”

 

“Don't want them.” Dee muttered under his breath, flicking open the file to peruse the contents.

 

“Are you still holding that torch for your partner?”

 

Dee muttered something more under his breath that John didn't catch, but the tone was certainly not complimentary. John smiled as he leant back in his chair again, almost in danger of over-balancing and watched Dee read.

 

They hadn't been partners for a very long time but he had come to respect Dee's dedication to his job - apart from the paperwork that went with it! That would have to be the only time harsh words had been exchanged between them at the start of their partnership. Fortunately, they had been able to reach a compromise and it had flowed smoothly since then.

 

Quite early on in their partnership Dee had told him outright his sexual orientation. It hadn't been an issue for John, although he had been a little taken aback as Dee had seemed such a `lady's man' that he hadn't suspected that he also had preferences for the other side of the tracks so to speak.

 

Still, it didn't both John in the least what or who Dee liked to bed, as long as he did his job and they could work together. That was what was important. It wasn't long after this that John had picked up on a few comments Dee had made and realised that his new partner had left something hanging in his old workplace - and that something was with his previous partner. He hadn't pried, but as he and Dee had become closer friends, Dee had admitted over a beer - or a few! - that he was in love with his old partner and had been for some time. And John gathered that it may not have been mutual.

 

John chewed the end of pencil, still watching Dee. He sure did have it bad, he thought, mulling over the thoughts. He worried a little, wondering if Dee might slip up on the job if he wasn't concentrating, however it seemed Dee was able to put his personal feelings aside when he really had to. That was a great relief to John. He didn't want to find out first hand what it was like to lose a partner on the job. He shuddered internally. It was one of the greatest fears of any officer, working as partners, and he never wanted to have to experience it - ever.

 

He wondered again about Dee's old partner. What was his name? It was an unusual one - Ryo, that's it. Dee had said that his partner was part Japanese which is why he had that name, although apparently he really didn't look Japanese at all. Then again, according to Dee as he waxed lyrical about Ryo's looks whilst in an inebriated state, the man was an Adonis and his beauty was enough to blind you! Boy, did Dee have it bad!

 

Dee skimmed the pages before him. He felt so tired this morning. The last few nights he had barely got any sleep. He even tried going to bed early, yet when he awoke in the morning it felt like he hadn't slept at all. The twisted state of his bedding indicated that he had obviously done nothing but toss and turn. Some of it looked like he had been practicing knot tying it had been so closely wrapped together. Not to mention that there was clear evidence to be seen that he had probably had more than one wet dream, and he was more than positive that Ryo had been centre stage for that! With all that activity during what should be his sleep period it was no wonder he was tired!

 

His thoughts drifted to Ryo as they always did. Things seemed to have changed a little - and for the better, he hoped. The day they had met in Central Park for lunch Ryo had seemed relaxed and completely at ease with Dee.

 

When Ryo had reached out to touch his hair, Dee's heart had pounded hard at the gesture. He had felt the tug on his hair and brush of Ryo's fingertips across his forehead. He couldn't help himself and had reached up to grasp Ryo's outstretched hand but then caught himself before he did so. However, before his hand could drop again, Ryo's fingers closed around his and squeezed gently.

 

Dee had been stupefied. Okay, Central Park wasn't exactly as crowded as, say, Times Square, but it wasn't exactly secluded either. Plenty of New Yorkers filled its expanse; walking, cycling, running, sitting, lying down, enjoying their lunch-break, or just the sun and fresh air in general. So they weren't exactly alone here, and yet Ryo didn't seem concerned at all.

 

His heart had leapt when Ryo had retained his hold on Dee's hand as he lay back on the grass, almost afraid to move in case it would scare Ryo. He heard Ryo say that he would be pleased to have Dee return, and the smile on his partner's face had warmed him all the way through.

 

“Ah, thanks.” He had managed to say, his mind still befuddled by Ryo's gesture and

cast a glance down at their joined hands.

 

“Oh!” Ryo had suddenly seemed to become aware that he still held Dee's hand, however instead of shying away as he would have once done, he released it slowly with a sheepish grin. “Sorry.”

 

Dee had honestly told him that it hadn't bothered him, and he had been surprised when Ryo just laughed and agreed. No blush of embarrassment coloured Ryo's cheeks, no skitterish looks or moves away. Dee had felt his chest tighten further. Could this mean that Ryo was……could this mean that Ryo had accepted how Dee felt about him? Could it mean that they could finally, really, be together?

 

Dee watched as Ryo closed his eyes, his long lashes resting on his cheeks, the steady rise and fall of his chest and realized his partner had fallen asleep. A gentle smile curved his lips as he watched Ryo sleep. He looked so relaxed and at peace, and the sight filled Dee's heart with joy.

 

Oh, yes, as much as his sense of responsibility said he should stay at the 22nd and continue to help them, he wouldn't stay any longer. He had something far more important to go back for.

 

“Well, come on, dude!” John said pushing his chair back to stand, bringing Dee sharply out of his musings. “Let's chase this lead up. It will get you out in the fresh air and stop you moping around. There's no way I could stand sitting here all day looking at your depressing face!”

 

“Thanks for the sympathy!” Dee growled, standing also and snagging his jacket again.

 

John clapped him on the back with a grin. “Cheer up! A few more days and you'll be back with your honey-bunch!”

 

“Ryo'd punch your lights out if he heard you call him that!”

 

“Sounds feisty!”

 

“You have no idea!”

 

“Bet you're going to have fun working out who's on top!” John said smirking as he walked out the office.

 

“Hey!” Dee called out. “What are you saying? I'm always on top!” as he followed quickly after his partner.

 

“Guess you'll have to wait and see!” John's voice drifted down the corridor.

 

***************

 

Ryo pushed the last of the papers into the file before him and headed for the file room. After he had dropped these off he intended to sneak out without anyone being the wiser.

 

He had awoken in the morning feeling happier than he had for months. After his talk with Bikky, and then his aunt the night before, it seemed like a heavy weight had been removed from his shoulders. He had arrived at work and fell upon his case files with a gusto that had found him finished by the middle of the afternoon.

 

As the day had progressed, he had found himself thinking more and more about Dee. He knew that he would be back in another two days but his feeling of anticipation and excitement just kept growing until he found that he couldn't contain it any longer. He had to see Dee - now. So he had resolved to get away as soon as he could and head over to the 22nd to see him. He really, really wanted to see him. He wanted to tell Dee about everything he was thinking, everything he was feeling, all the conversations with Bikky and Carol, and his aunt. There was just so much to say!

 

He drove across town to the 22nd, trying to avoid the worst of the traffic, and continued to think of Dee. The thought of seeing him in the flesh, so to speak, making him feel more excited by the mile. Hmm, he certainly wanted to see Dee in the flesh for real as well, preferably with as little clothing on as possible. A shiver shook him as a memory of the wet dream he had had during the night flashed through his mind. Oh, yes, that would be very nice indeed!

 

He parked and entered the precinct, dodging the bustling people in the foyer as he made his way to the front desk. He flashed his badge and ID asking, “Is Detective Laytner available?”

 

“I'll call,” The desk sergeant picked up the phone and dialled. Ryo waited impatiently. After a moment, the sergeant put the phone down. “I'm sorry, but Detective Laytner`s out on a case at the moment. Would you like to leave a message?”

 

“I'll wait for a while, if you don't mind?”

 

The sergeant shrugged, “That's fine. Why don't I buzz you through so you can grab a coffee in the canteen upstairs? It's a lot more comfortable, and quieter, than out here.”

 

“Thank you,” Ryo said gratefully and waved as he passed through the doors.

 

Following the directions he had been given, he found the precinct's canteen without difficulty. He poured himself a coffee and grabbed a sandwich to have a late lunch. At least it would help fill the time as he waited. He had hoped to catch Dee before he headed out at the start of shift but obviously he had had no luck on that front. However, as he had come this far, he would wait for a while to see if he returned shortly and they could talk. There was just so much he had to tell him!

 

He found an empty table easily as it wasn't particular busy due to the late hour and most personnel would be back at their desks. He settled himself comfortably, and sipped at his drink, before taking a bite of the sandwich. Apart from the murmur of voices from the table behind him where a group of three women were gathered, and the odd clatter from the kitchen area, it was fairly quiet. Ryo wasn't paying any particular attention to the soft conversation behind him until one word made his ears prick up.

 

“….Dee had promised that he would.”

 

Ryo paused in his eating, straining to hear the rest.

 

“Maybe he did, but you'd better be careful that Sandra doesn't find out.” One of the women said, with a tone of warning in her voice.

 

“Why?” The other queried.

 

“She's going out with Dee.”

 

“No way!” This one sounded socked.

 

Ryo shifted in his seat so he could see the speakers out of the corner of his eyes. He lifted his cup to his lips so it didn't look quite so obvious that he may have been trying to listen in on their conversation. He saw one women wave a hand airily.

 

“All I'm saying is that Sandra has said they are, I don't know if it's true or not. You know that Dee's gone out with just about every female, apart from those that are old enough to be his mother, in the precinct.”

 

“He's just been playing the field.” one said, sounding a little disgruntled.

 

“Oh, come on, that's not really fair.” The first girl said. “He's never promised anything to anyone, or said it was anything more than a coffee or a lunch date. And I've never heard that he's tried to feel anyone up or anything more intimate either.”

 

“So you think he's just all talk and no action?” The second girl asked. “What a waste of that gorgeous body!”

 

“How do you know what his body's like?” The third demanded.

 

“The other week when it was raining I had to drop some files into his office. He had obviously got caught in the weather and was changing his shirt. He was just buttoning the front when I walk in. You should see his chest! The muscles!” She gave a deep passionate sigh.

 

“Oh, my! I wish I'd seen that!” the second girl's eyes were wide with imagining this delectable sight.

 

“So how come Sandra says they're going out?”

 

“Well, he has had lunch with her a few times lately.”

 

“But that could just be coincidence, doesn't mean they're going out. Dee hasn't actually asked her, has he?”

 

The first girl shrugged, “I don't know, but the way Sandra's carrying on, anyone would think they were engaged or something!” She sounded quite catty now.

 

“Well, I don't care!” The second girl declared, standing and pushing her chair back. “Unless Dee says it's official, I'm still going to ask him to lunch tomorrow.”

 

“Hey, you go for it, girl!” The first egged her on, walking away with her. “That'll show Sandra!”

 

Ryo watched them leave, the coffee cold in his cup. He carefully placed it back on the table, trying to ensure he didn't spill it with his shaking hands. Was that what Dee had meant a while back about wanting `spice' in his life? He knew perfectly well that Dee was bisexual, so he found women just as attractive as men. Dee was also quite a charmer when he wanted to be, and would be able to sweet talk just about any woman he wanted. Ryo had to admit that going by the three women who had just departed it would appear that this precinct must have a few nice looking ladies who would no doubt catch Dee's roving eye.

 

He swallowed against the lump forming in his throat. Had Dee moved on after all? Had he found that he was more interested in the women here, perhaps this `Sandra' the girls had mentioned, and Ryo was no longer worth pursuing? Perhaps he had got tired of waiting for Ryo to make a decision? Maybe he was supposed to have made a more on Dee, to show him that Ryo still wanted him? And when that didn't happen, maybe Dee decided it was time to move on.

 

His chest was feeling so tight it was beginning to hurt and he felt tears prickling at the back of his eyes. Had he ruined everything? Had he thrown away the only thing he wanted in his life? His heart ached. He wanted to see Dee!

 

He took a deep breath and firmly clamped down on his roiling emotions, pushing them deep down inside and covering them over with a veneer of calm. He took another calming breath. He would not worry about hearsay and over-heard conversations. He would wait to speak with Dee directly and find out the truth from the man himself. He would be completely honest with Dee about his own feelings and what he wanted and then he would leave it up to Dee as to whether he still wished to be together. There was no point getting himself worked up about it when he hadn't even given Dee a chance to explain anything. So, no, he wasn't going to worry - not yet.

 

************

 

Dee lowered the binoculars and hunkered back down behind the stacked crates. A number of empty Styrofoam cups were stacked neatly by his foot, evidence of how long they had been waiting there already.

 

“No change?” John asked, from where he leant against a corresponding stack of crates.

 

Dee shook his head. “Nothing.” He reached in and pulled out a cigarette, extending one to John before taking his own. “So what do you think?” he asked lighting up and passing the lighter to his partner.

 

There had been no movement identified during the time they had begun their surveillance.

 

“Let's give it another half hour.” John suggested, glancing at his watch.

 

The time ticked by slowly as they took turns to continue the surveillance. Still there was no change. Finally John tapped Dee on the shoulder, motioning with his head. “Let's go.”

 

They both drew their weapons, holding them low, and cautiously left their cover, remaining half crouched, eyes darting warily all around them looking for signs of danger. They moved quickly, using the objects on the docks as cover, always keeping their eye firmly on the target.

 

As they drew closer they paused briefly, seeking shelter behind a small hoist. They looked the scene over, carefully taking note of everything. Nothing moved; there was only the distant sound of loading and a few raised voices further back behind them.

 

John nodded silently to Dee and they both moved off together heading for the moored boat. John took the gang plank, easily clambering over the small gate designed as a simple deterrent to trespassers. Dee headed aft and, grabbing a line for support, leapt forward to land lightly on the deck. Another quick silent exchange passed between the partners and they separated again, each heading in opposite directions on the craft.

 

Dee walked softly, taking care to make as little noise as possible. They still had no way of knowing if there was anyone on board or not. He carefully opened a door and descended down the narrow stairwell. He let his eyes adjust to the dimness and listened. There was no sound other than the gentle slapping of the waves against the hull. He continued on his way leaving the hatch open to allow as much light in as possible, running his hand along the wall, fingers searching until they encountered a light switch. He flicked it. Nothing happened. He tried a few more times with no better results. No power, therefore no lights. He wondered if it had been disabled deliberately to discourage casual searchers.

 

In the dim lighting he made out some crates of differing sizes in various states of packing or unpacking, he was uncertain which. He glanced into one that had a lid ajar and pushed slightly to one side. He could see items nestled amongst the packing, mostly cylindrical in shape. He couldn't make out anything else in the poor light. He looked around and spotted a rag lying nearby. Taking it he gently reached in and removed one of the objects, careful not to disturb anything else.

 

He carried it back to the hatch and up to the deck. In the bright sunlight he looked it over fully. It was about 8 inches in length and shining with a black glaze, strange symbols painted in different colours decorated all sides, including the top and bottom. He examined it carefully, not seeing any joins or marks anywhere. He wasn't completely fooled by its seeming innocence. He weighed it in his hands, tying to guess if the expected weight of the item was really exceeded or if he was imagining it. No, it was definitely heavier than it should be, he was sure of it!

 

Making a decision he laid the object down on the deck with the rag underneath, and looking around, he spotted a short length of chain lying nearby. Picking it up, he wrapped it firmly around his hand a number of times and then formed a fist, before smashing downwards. The object shattered into large portions on the first blow.

 

Inside the ceramic outer casing was a lead cylinder, smaller than its covering. This was the extra weight that he had felt. Dee could see that the exposed end showed what appeared to look like a screw top. Using the ends of the rags he carefully brushed the broken pieces aside and applied pressure to the join, and was finally rewarded with movement as the cylinder opened. Tightly wadded clear plastic, filled with what appeared to be a fine white powder was clearly visible inside. Bingo! They'd hit pay dirt!

 

A broad smile spread across his face. They were going to be heroes! What a way to finish up his stint at the 22nd - being able to go out in a blaze of glory like this!! Oh, yeah, life was good!

 

*************

 

Ryo looked at his watch once more. It was getting late, too late. He would have to get back to work. He would no doubt have been missed by now and would probably have some explaining to do.

 

With a sigh he walked back to the front counter. “Going?” the desk sergeant asked, stacking some papers together.

 

Ryo nodded, “Yes. Thanks for letting me through.”

 

“Hey, no problem. Do you want to leave a message for Detective Laytner?”

 

“No, that's fine. I'll catch up with him in a couple of days anyway.”

 

“Okay. Have a good day.”

 

“You, too.”

 

Damn! Ryo cursed to himself silently as he stepped into his car. He had really wanted to see Dee!

 

**************

 

Dee gloated over his find. Wait until John sees this!

 

Suddenly an angry shout sounded out startling him, followed by the sound of two shots. Dee automatically ducked for cover, although from the sounds of it, the shots were coming from the bow.

 

Pressing up against the bulkhead, he cautiously looked around to see three men on the docks ducking amongst the cover and firing back on the ship. Return fire came from the front; John was obviously still all right. Dee let out a sigh a relief at that.

 

However, the men on the docks were seeking a higher vantage point and, if they succeeded, might pin John down in the crossfire. That he couldn't allow. Standing he let off three shots aimed towards one of the men clambering up the stacked crates and containers sending them all diving for protection.

 

As he ducked back he heard the ricochet of bullets against the metal around him as the armed men retaliated. He heard John's return fire and ducked up from cover to add to the flying lead. He had the satisfaction of seeing one figure crumple, though whether from his or John's fire, he didn't know, nor did he care.

 

He crouched low and ran closer to the stern, wedging himself between the gears and winches fixed there. Looking out he could see the two remaining gunmen still slipping between the ample cover available to them. John let off a couple of more shots that sent them scurrying back to their protection.

 

It wouldn't be long now, Dee thought. Police would have been notified of this fire fight and be on their way. They could just sit tight and try to keep the last of these perpetrators pinned down until help arrived. Too easy, he thought leaning up to let off a few more shots.

 

Suddenly he heard the loud sound of a working crane. Looking up in surprise, he could see the boom swinging out above the boat and a dark figure silhouetted against it, sunlight glinting on the metallic barrel pointed directly downwards at him.

 

He tried to bring his gun up to bear but it appeared that the world around him had suddenly slowed. He heard the report of the gun; twice, three times, before his own weapon was halfway there. There was a long moment of silence that seemed to stretch forever. Then suddenly, sound came rushing back, as time resumed its normal motion.

 

He heard the sound of sirens in the distance drawing closer, heard John's warning shout and caught a glimpse of his partner running towards him. Then he felt something punch him hard in the chest, knocking the air from his lungs. Once, twice, then a third hitting his shoulder, spinning him sideways and hard against the edge of the vessel.

 

He teetered there for a moment, struggling to maintain his balance and finding himself unable to do so, as his gun slipped from his suddenly nerveless fingers. He didn't hear it strike the decking, but he did experience the falling sensation, the suddenly blossoming burning pain exploding across his chest. He felt his body strike the cold dark waters below, the engulfing feeling of the water surrounding him, dragging him under.

 

Ryo!, his mind called, Ryo! An image of his partner's golden looks filled his mind. I wanted to tell you once more.

 

The coldness spread through his body, turning his limbs leaden.

 

I wanted to tell you I love you, was his last thought as the darkness filled his sight and mind.