Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Time For Healing: Aftermath ❯ Basket Case ( Chapter 4 )

Disclaimer: We do not own FAKE or its characters. They belong to Sanami Matoh, lucky girl! Any original characters belong to either Irish or Wildefyre.
Warnings: Shounen AI/ Yaoi This may have the guys out of Character somewhat, so Gomen for that and we are taking some creative freedom on histories & backgrounds and lives as they are now... Deal with it! ^_~

Lyn paused in the restroom before going down the hall to Andrew's room. It was a ritual that was all too familiar. Wash face, adjust clothes and hair, try and put some color in his face... He paused, double checking himself in the mirror then continued to Andrew's room forcing a bright smile as he entered. Andrew was hip to the game and Lyn knew he was though Andrew didn't understand why Lyn persisted in faking normalcy. The minute Lyn entered the room with that big staged smile, Andrew knew he was full of it.

"Don't even try it Koi. I see through you all ready." It wasn't a great greeting but Drew wasn't going to let Lyn try and expend energy on a fruitless endeavor. Lyn frowned and flopped down in his usual chair about five feet from Andrew's bed. Andrew hadn't gotten more then a kiss on the cheek in over a week.

"I'm fine Andrew. Let's not do this again."

"You are NOT fine Lyn and I am not blind. Even Dee, who is, can tell that you're not. You've been avoiding Ryo... Hell you've been avoiding me to the extent you can get away with it...." Andrew paused; he didn't want to say this next bit since he knew how it would make Lyn feel. If it had been just a one time occurrence, saying something could make things even worse. But... "Lyn? Dee told me Bikky that he saw you throwing up after you ate and Dee says he's heard you a few times as well."

Lyn's eyes went wide. "What?! And you think...? You think that I'm...?"

Andrew winced. "No baby I don't know what to think. I'm just concerned and want to know what's going on? Come here please koi?" Andrew held a hand out to Lyn, wanting him to come sit on the edge of the bed, wanting him close but Lyn shook his head.

"I can't believe you would think that I would... That I... No! Screw you Andrew!" Lyn stood, backing out of the room, almost tripping over the chair then turned and rushed down the hall.

Andrew sighed as he watched Lyn flee the room. His poor koi. Things had been going so well, they had been so close to happily ever after but now they were back in a nightmare they thought they had left. There was a strong temptation to blame this on Dee and Ryo and at the very least wish that they had never met but he could no more blame them then he could blame Lyn for the first bashing. Shit happens. Now it was time to just deal with it. But his koibito... Lyn had expended the last of his emotional energy trying to keep Ryo afloat. He was spent; he had nothing left to give. He was just empty and Andrew couldn't reach out to him now. Lyn needed Ryo but he was just as laid up and Dee wasn't a great option either, even though he had learned to maneuver around very well. Dee certainly wouldn't be able to find his way around the city though. Bikky? No the boy was too young. Lyn would have his cell phone on but he wouldn't talk to Andrew, wouldn't open up to him. Ryo... It was Andrew's best option, his only one at the moment. Andrew picked up his phone and dialed Ryo's number.

Duke sighed in morosely, muzzle on his paws. He missed the master, he missed the other master and he missed the little girl and the big girl. He also missed the boy and girl; he even missed the other and the other's friend, the ones always with the boy and the girl. It had been a long time since he had seen anyone. The master was often gone a long time but usually the other master, the big girl and the little girl were home then. But the other master had been gone the longest time, so had the little girl and the big girl. Maybe they had left him here? But the master would never do that, would he?

Poor Duke was still feeling tired from his knock on the head and the funny treat he had been given that made him sick. But even when his doggy brain was top notch he only thought in the crudest sense of time. Small time, big time, long time, the longest time. This was exceptionally bright for a dog and Duke was definitely exceptional. Duke loved the girls like his littermates; in fact Keiry and Duke were nearly the same age. Duke was a gentle giant who only ever bared his teeth when he felt like his masters and charges were in danger. He loved the Master more then food or treats, or those funny little furry things that climbed trees that he liked to chase around the yard.

Duke got up and padded up the stairs into the Master and Other Master's box and found a shirt in the dirty laundry that smelled like the Master, clutching it delicately in his teeth he lay down on the bed with it, nuzzling his maw against it. He missed the Master.

Duke had been dozing and dreaming of raw meat, a warm sleeping spot and a hand scratching him in just the right places when he awoke with a start. His dog tags jangling as he leapt to his feet. Something was wrong. Not bad, like the night that the stranger had hit him, but wrong. He paused, listening, but there was no one home. Duke's forehead wrinkled as he cocked his head, hopping down off the bed with a loud thump and padding down to the kitchen then into the laundry room before going out the doggie door to the fenced in backyard to sniff the air.

The master! Something was wrong with the master. This knowledge was second nature to the large dog and without further thought he took a few steps back and with a great leap, he jumped the fence. Finding himself in a strange yard he padded carefully along the narrow gaps between houses until he found himself on the street. Nose to the ground, Duke loped off. The master needed him and that's all that mattered. Duke found the master in the big park near water. Small water as far as he could smell, it smelled stagnant. He sat down besides the master and waited.

Lyn was totally blown away by the presence of the overgrown canine. He had no idea how Duke had managed to get to him, but he wasn't about to send him back. He needed some sort of contact, living breathing contact right now, even if it was inter-species, besides dogs didn't judge. Lyn started to talk…and talk…and talk… pouring himself out to the willing, floppy ear. And Duke listened, head cocked, blinking in his slow sure way.

When the stream of words finally dried up, Duke got to his paws and barked once, waiting for Lyn to get up, and get moving. When the man made no motion to do so, Duke bent down and grabbed the cuff of his shirt, and pulled, not deterred by the master's loud harsh words. He pulled until Lyn stood, finally, afraid the park police would find him with his dog not on a leash.

Duke knew where he wanted to go, and started trotting, stopping a few feet away and barking, until slowly, surely he managed to herd the master in the direction he wanted him to go. People were so obedient. This was where the master needed to be. The person living here would know how to help settle the master's restless and confused soul.

Lyn led Duke up to Dee and Ryo's apartment, entering quietly with a hand on Duke's head.

"Bikky is that you?" Dee walked in from the kitchen. "Any luck with finding Lyn? Drew is calling here virtually ever 15 minutes. If I get a hold of that Irish hot head I'm going to kick his ass to Japan and back." Lyn listened, simply snickering as Dee ranted on.

"Can we wait on the ass kicking? I need to talk to Ryo and Drew, first." Lyn asked with a sigh as he dialed Drew on his cell phone. "Drew? Yeah I'm fine baby. Yes I will. Yes... As soon as get things organized I'll be over and clue you in as well. Sorry to have worried you but I needed time to think lover. Okay... Love you too. Bye." Lyn hung up turning back to Dee. "Now I believe I need to talk with Ryo and then you can kick my ass."

Dee just walked over to Lyn. His face showing anger and Lyn found himself gasping in surprise. Lyn took a step back, not sure just what to make of Dee's actions. "Come here you Mick!" Dee's features softened to a grin as he grabbed Lyn, pulling him close and hugging him tightly.

"Had you worried there huh?" Dee chuckled. "Lyn we all love you okay? Whatever you're going through, we're here to help if we can. Got that?" Dee squeezed him a little more.

Lyn went through a huge spectrum of emotions in about two seconds. Terror, confusion, then relief and finally... Well he wasn't sure what he was feeling now but it sort of felt like his chest might explode. He hugged Dee back tightly. "Yeah, I know Dee and thanks." Lyn's voice quivered slightly as he spoke. Duke, his job done, padded over and hopped up on the couch laying down next to the sleeping Annie with a heart felt sigh.

"Hey I just wanted you to know that. We're here for you." Dee kept his grip on him. "Ryo's back in the bedroom. He'd been up doing a few things around here, playing with the girls and all so I made him go take a break. He's been worried about you as well and he misses you buddy." Dee finally released him. "So go have a nice chat, convince that pig head of a man to take a nap and rest his back and if you want to take one as well, go right ahead. Just don't get too fresh with my man." Dee teased.

Lyn laughed. "Don't worry Dee. I'm pretty sure that Ryo's completely devoted to you. Duke's here in case you didn't hear the dog tags. That bastard managed to get out of the yard and find me. Guess we'll need to get a higher fence, though I'm kind of glad that he did. He was great to talk to." Lyn explained before heading back to the bedroom, hesitating at the door a moment before taking a deep breath and stepping in.

Ryo looked up from the book he was reading. It was a book on sign language that Drew had recommended. "Lyn?" Ryo's face lit up as he tossed the book aside. "Come here you nut case." Patting the side of the bed, Ryo then held his arms out towards Lyn.

"Hey it takes one to know one." Lyn crossed the room, sitting down on the edge of the bed and wrapping his arms around Ryo, hugging him.

"And Dee wrote the book." Ryo laughed. "God I've missed you!" Ryo hugged him tightly. "Wanna talk about it? Whatever you want." Ryo wasn't going to force the issue. If Lyn was going to open up, it would be of his own free will.

"I think I need to talk but first I need to use your bathroom." Lyn wasn't quite ready to let go of Ryo yet. "How's your back doing? Did the doctor say it was healing okay?"

"Hai! I'm mending nicely as he put it. I'm allowed to go for walks twice a day now and do light housework, though no lifting anything heavier then a gallon of milk until my next check-up. I also started physical therapy so that they can show me how to do things properly and not hurt my back again." Ryo chuckled, holding on to Lyn for dear life. "Doesn't that sound like fun?"

"Hey frankly I think you've got it made. You get to sit around while Dee waits on you hand and foot and an excuse to sleep all you want. Hell I think I'm gonna go throw my back out." Lyn laughed softly, resting his head on Ryo's shoulder.

"You're tired huh? Wanna take a nap here? We can always talk later. I don't mind. Just having my best friend back is good enough for me right now." Ryo brushed the bangs from Lyn's face as he held him.

"Yeah I'm tired. I could sleep for a week but it can wait. Sleep is really the least of my problems right now." Lyn sighed and finally bit the bullet. "Listen Ryo; I'm really sorry for avoiding you. It's not because I was mad at you or anything okay? I just knew that you would know that there was something wrong..."

"Lyn I've known that there was something wrong right from the get go. I've just been waiting for you to feel ready to talk about it." Ryo sighed softly. "I know better than anyone how screwed up things can get when you try and shoulder the world and then some by yourself." Ryo's voice was soft and calming as he spoke. "Why don't you grab those sweats that you keep here, take a shower if you want and then get comfortable. In the meantime, I'll get Dee to make us some tea and then I'll hold you while you talk. Or if you'd rather nap first, you can do that. Whichever you want to do. It's your call." Ryo smiled sincerely.

Lyn nodded and pulled away slowly, snagging the sweat pants and slipping into the bathroom. Lyn took a quick shower, feeling much better. Once dried off he slipped the sweats, taking a moment to collect himself before reemerging. He offered a weak smile to Ryo before sliding into the bed next to him.

Ryo reached over and pulled him closer. "Feel better? Lyn, I won't force anything, so when you feel ready, we'll talk. Okay?" Ryo got Lyn to rest his head on his shoulder as he lightly rubbed Lyn's shoulder. "Just take your time and when you're ready I'll be here to listen."

"Well I feel human again anyway, which is a step in the right direction..." Lyn rested back against Ryo. "I don't know what to say...? I just... I'm so scared for Drew... I mean... we did this once all ready. Didn't we get it right the first time or something? It's like being struck twice by lightening..." Lyn shook his head, hands coming up to rub his face. "I just don't know."

"I know that it's scary. I felt the same thing with Dee. I even questioned it myself as to why we had to go through this yet again." Ryo sighed. "I'm sure that Drew is just as scared Lyn. But Drew refuses to allow it to deter him. I'm sure that fate has a reason for all of this, though I'll be damned if I can figure out just what it is. Maybe it's to make us all stop and see just how precious life really is or how much Dee and Drew mean to us...? I really don't know. What I do know is, we will get through this, and this time we'll have friends who can understand what we are going through."

Ryo watched as Dee quietly walked in and set the tray on a table that could be pushed over to the bed. Ryo thanked Dee who slipped back out and closed the door just as quietly.

"Look at Dee...? Before this second attack, he was starting to see Lyn. Now...? He's back to darkness. The baka only told me about it a few days ago of course but still we're going to keep hoping. If he saw light once, maybe he'll see it again."

"An had mentioned that..." Lyn took a deep steadying breath. "It's... I don't know... I feel like fate has me confused with someone else, you know? I'm not made to tackle big problems like this. I'm no hero! Hell I'm not even so hot at the husband and father bit. I feel like I'm swimming up stream..." Lyn paused a moment, before adding ironically. "And I can't swim so maybe that's the problem. But it's like the harder I try the faster I fall."

"Well then this summer I'll have to teach you how to swim." Ryo ruffled Lyn's hair. "Lyn you're doing what I did the last time." Ryo gave Lyn a squeeze. "No one is asking you to be super dad, or a candidate for Husband of the Year or a hero. Drew and the girls don't expect you to be. You're doing that because you think that it's what they want. But it's not what they want. None of us are perfect and we all make mistakes. We fall down... We get hurt and we cry. It called being human. Perfection is just a figment of someone's warped imagination " Ryo smiled softly.

"Drew loves you with his whole heart Lyn. Not because of what you're able to accomplish in a day or a week, but rather just because he does. He's amazed at the things that you do and I'm sure that if you were nothing more than a schmuck that he'd still love you just as much." Ryo paused to pour tea for them, pulling the table closer.

Lyn laughed softly. "No, Andrew has extremely discriminating tastes." Lyn took the cup of tea sipping at it. "I know that you're right. Drew tried to talk to me today... I... He..." Lyn took another sip of his tea, this was going to be the hard part. "When I took Bikky and Cal out a couple of weeks ago, after Dee came home... Well since then, I really haven't been able to keep anything down. Dee and Bikky told Drew and he asked me about it..."

"Is it from stress or is there something else going on? Maybe if you let it all out Lyn, it'll help?" Ryo drank some of his tea, crinkling up his nose. "Dee's getting better at making tea but it still needs work. Anyway... If you think that I'm going to think badly of you because you have been throwing up, think again. You're my best friend through thick and thin. There's nothing you could say or do that would change that. In other words get used to it because you're stuck with me as a friend."

"I know that it's just from stress but that's not what Andrew thought and god that really bothered me. So there I was, nothing I could say or do seemed to convince him otherwise. I mean why would he believe me? I've been lying through my teeth for a month." Lyn sighed and took another sip of his tea then added some more honey.

"That's not what he said over the phone Lyn. Well he told Dee actually." Ryo rested his chin on Lyn's shoulder. "He said that he knows that you're trying to be a jack of all trades and then some, when all he wants is his husband and the father of his children back. He said that you're trying so hard to keep up with everything that you're making yourself sick. Stress does that Lyn. He doesn't think badly of you. My God he was really worried the last time he called. He cares about you and is just concerned that's all."

Lyn nodded. "I know. I just need to realize that I can't control everything and that no one can move mountains, not really anyway. I'm sorry Ryo; I've been dumb, dumb like rocks. You think that I would take my own advice." Lyn shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "I'm really sorry if I upset or worried you. I was trying so hard not to, but I think that I made it worse in the end."

"Hey it's okay. Don't stress out over it. I'm fine now. I was worried, that's true, but I had a reason to be. I knew that you haven't been eating right and... Well I overheard Bikky talking to Dee about you throwing up that one day and I started remembering your hypoglycemia. I was concerned that you'd pass out somewhere with no one there to get you help. Besides, if I didn't worry about my friends, what kind of friend would I be? Huh?" Ryo gave him a knowing smile. "Don't worry Lyn, I won't fall apart and wind up broken just because I get upset over something. I wear my heart on my sleeve that's all. But I don't always allow them to get the better of me."

Lyn chuckled softly. "Yeah I suppose that that's true and you do show your emotions quite well. Thanks Ryo, really, for everything. For watching my kids and worrying, and letting me be a dumb ass, and listening and... Well everything." Setting his teacup aside he hugged Ryo carefully.

"I won't break baka. My back has gotten a lot better. Enough, in fact, to allow for some play time between Dee and I." Ryo whispered, laughing softly even though he was blushing furiously. Ryo then hugged Lyn tightly. "And you're not a dumb ass. You're just someone who got a little lost along the way." Ryo held onto Lyn. "I'm happy to do those things for you guys. You're worth it and so is Drew and don't you ever forget it."

"Don't baka me! You very well could break. Then Dee will kill me, and boy won't that be a predicament? " Lyn hugged his friend a little more tightly, still very wary of his back. "I never told you how amazing you were that night. You so seriously flew, it was great! Like a Jackie Chan movie or something."

Ryo laughed and blushed over the compliment. "Yeah, I was just happy that I made it over that island. That wouldn't have looked very pretty had I not made it. I keep seeing myself missing and winding up being impaled on utensils no less... In the groin of all places. Ouch!" Ryo laughed again. "Imagine going to the hospital for that? Well you see doc; it's like this... I got this whisk stuck in my crotch because... Well... I tried to sail over this counter... Only I misjudged the distance and... Whomp there it was! Makes it hard to put pants on!" Ryo took one look at Lyn and started giggling insanely.

Lyn started to giggle as well. "Or better yet, well you see doctor... I was trying to jump over this island in my friend's kitchen and there was this frying pan... and well... now I can't get it out."

Ryo started laughing harder over Lyn's statement. "I told Dee... about... About the one with the whisk... and... And you wouldn't believe what his hentai mind... comes up with...?" Ryo's voice deepened just a little as he spoke while laughing, trying to imitate Dee's voice. "Well Ryo, that brings a whole new meaning to the phrase, 'beat your meat.' The baka..." Ryo shook his head as he started giggling even harder.

Lyn snickered. "That's great! Oh man I'm gonna have to tell Drew that one." Lyn took a deep breath to get his giggles under control. "Okay you want to hear the most embarrassing Emergency Room situation ever? Really, I think that this one takes the cake, and it's a true story." Lyn was blushing even as he was laughing; glad he had set his teacup down.

"Sure I want to hear. Always good to hear someone else's embarrassing moments other than mine." Ryo settled back, bringing Lyn with him and wrapping his arms around him. "Okay dokey Pokey, I'm ready when you are." Ryo giggled again over his own silliness.

"Okay well I was going down on Andrew, right?" Lyn's laughter increased. No story that starts with 'going down on someone' and ends with a trip to the ER can ever be good. "And ah... An's pretty well endowed, and... I guess that we got a little enthusiastic. Now don't ask me how I managed this but I dislocated my jaw..." Lyn trailed off, a hand over his mouth, as he tried to contain his giggles. "So of course we go to the ER and the doctor asks how I did it? I thought that I was going to die..."

Ryo's mouth hung open as he pictured the scenario in his mind. "Lyn you're not a snake! You can't just unhook your jaws." Ryo was laughing hysterically. "What exactly did you tell the doctor?"

"I didn't tell him anything. I couldn't move my mouth. I made Andrew tell him!" Lyn held his sides as he laughed. "He stood there like a deer in the headlights. Oh man... and he mumbled something like 'Over enthusiastic intercourse...' leave to him to say 'over enthusiastic intercourse'..."

"Oh my! Poor Drew." Ryo was laughing hysterically now. "I have good one for you... a homicide case we worked on last year... Boy was it one for the books. Turned out to be an accidental death but we didn't know it at the time, of course.

Lyn was incredulous. "Oh gods I cant wait to hear this, do tell."

It took several tries before Ryo could calm his laughter down enough to tell his story. "We get this call right? A man is found dead, face down on his couch. So Dee and I go over there and check it out. Dee is checking out the body and the next thing I see is Dee trying not to laugh." Ryo took a sip of tea in order to calm down again. "Anyway... The medical examiner finally comes and removes the body and there is this hole cut out in the sofa. Upon further inspection we find that inside the hole are two of those palm sanders. When they had picked up the body, his dick was hanging out, which seemed rather odd until we realized what had occurred! It seems that the victim was using the sanders to get off! Only problem was, when he came... He electrocuted himself." Ryo stared wide-eyed at Lyn. "Talk about getting a charge out of it...!"

"Oh my god! You're kidding?" Lyn almost fell off the bed. "Sanders? How could that seem like a good idea?" Lyn gasped, laughing so hard that he was crying. "At least he died happy!"

"Buffed and polished too!" Ryo fell back against the pillows laughing hysterically. "Writing up the police report was a trip! That one definitely went down in our most incredible files! We usually pull it out once in awhile just for a good laugh." Ryo snickered.

"What do you put on a tombstone after dying like that? I mean really? How do you tell the family? I'm sorry to inform you but your son died after an unfortunate sander incident. Yes, it seems that he was trying to get off and well..."

"They were finishing sanders and boy did they finish!" Ryo added, tears running down his cheeks as he laughed. "The moral of this is, next time, stick with battery operated household appliances."

"There is a reason vibrators don't come with outlet adaptors..." Lyn held his sides as he gasped for breath.

"Dee has one... A rather large battery operated one I mean. I saw it once when I was at his apartment. Shocked the hell out of me too." Ryo snickered. "He doesn't know that I saw it. But what was embarrassing was, he had my name written across the fake balls! Ryo on one and MacLean on the other." Ryo hid his face behind his hands. "I can't believe I just told you that... Oh Gosh."

Lyn snickered. "Damn, Dee is sooo weird. Hell he makes me look normal. At least he doesn't have your name tattooed on himself anywhere... Yet."

"You mean you...? Drew...?" Ryo sat up a little and smirked. "Where?"

Lyn shook his hand frantically. "Oh gods no! Andrew would never do that in a million years. I do however, have a tattoo just for Andrew. It was his birthday present one year." Lyn grinned. "It's a butterfly, right here." Lyn indicated the spot on his thigh just south of his groin. "See our song for a real long time was Butterfly by Crazy town. Yeah.... Boy was he surprised."

"That's crazy but sweet. Shows how much you two really love each other." Ryo sighed softly. "I could never do anything like that. Though I wish that I could find some way of really showing Dee how much I truly love him."

"Well, I figured a butterfly is better then tattooing his name on my ass. And I'm pretty sure that Dee knows how you feel about him. I think that taking a bullet for the one you love is about as far as you can go Ryo."

"I guess that you're right." Ryo's smile widened as he rubbed his arm where the bullet had hit. "You know? I think that Dee and I are going to make it Lyn. And I have you and Drew to thank for that." Ryo lay back down again. "God what a crazy few months it's been. I'm surprised at how much I have changed. If someone had told me two plus years ago that I would fall in love with another man and feel comfortable cuddling with a male friend, I would have laughed at them and denied it until the cows came home." Ryo grinned. "You've helped me so much Lyn. You've helped me to feel comfortable with who I am and to accept all these new feelings. Thank you so very much."

"Hey don't mention it really. I'm glad to help. I know that it's not easy too... well sort... sort yourself out, you know? You just need some positive influences. I mean between Dee JJ and Rose... Hell I would be running back into the closet as fast as I could if I was surrounded by them." Lyn chuckled.

"That's just it Lyn. I'm not gay. At least I never saw myself as such. I never came out of a closet. As far as I'm concerned, I merely fell in love with a person that captured my heart. Plain and simple. I just fell in love. It just happens that I fell in love with another man." Ryo sighed. "That's why it bothers me when Rose tries anything with me. It doesn't feel right. But with Dee, it's perfect. Dee takes my breath away and so much more."

Lyn nodded. "I know. Love knows no gender, but Ryo? I hate to pop your bubble. You're gay now." Lyn grinned. "Your sexuality tends to be defined by whom you're sleeping with. We'll get you wearing little rainbow pins yet."

"Yeah I guess that's true. Shit... Okay MacLean, reality check time. Doink... Hey you're in a gay relationship!" Ryo smacked his forehead. "So does that earn me my pin?" Ryo laughed.

Lyn's laughter joined his. "You haven't learned the secret handshake yet so you don't get your pin yet."

"I uh... hate to ask but what's the secret handshake?" Ryo glanced at him and cocked his head to one side. "If you're gay and you know it... Shake my hand..." He sang and started giggling again.

"You are such a nut Ryo. I was just yanking your chain." Lyn snickered then took a deep breath trying to steady himself before their laughter became an outright giggle fit. "You hungry? I'm hungry..."

Ryo chuckled a little. "You bet I am. Maybe it's time to ring for the butler ne?" Ryo jumped when the bedroom door opened and Dee and Bikky walked in.

"You two giggle bots hungry? I've got soup, crackers, some fruit and spring water. I would have brought in some wine but Ryo baby you're still on the meds."

"Man now that's what I call service! Thanks Dee. Thanks Bikky." Ryo smiled as the tray was set down and the tea taken up. "Uh Dee love? Would you mind sleeping on the couch tonight? Since the girls will be staying in Bikky's room and Lyn in here?"

"Oh no! I couldn't impose Ryo, really. I will be fine on the couch. I won't let you relegate poor Dee to the couch just because I'm here."

"Hey you need a good night's sleep and you won't get it out there. Dee doesn't mind... Besides I'll make it up to him later." Ryo smirked.

"GROSS!" Bikky shivered. "We all know what that means!" Bikky picked up the tray with tea on it and made a face.

"Watch it there Tiger. Sometimes it's best not to stick your nose where it doesn't belong for you might get it cut off." Lyn reached out and 'stole' Bikky's nose, smiling to take the edge off the reprimand.

"What have I told you about that Bikky?" Dee cocked his head and waited to see what his young charge would say.

"What you and Ryo do behind closed doors is no one's business but your own." Bikky laughed. "Though you forgot to mention about what is heard through thin apartment walls."

"Bikky please don't..." Ryo felt a little embarrassed.

"No baby. Bikky's the one with the big mouth here." Dee sat down. "Bikky? Beat it!" He snarled and Bikky stuck out his tongue before trotting out of the room.

Lyn nudged Ryo gently. "Don't be embarrassed. Give him a time and he'll get used to it all."

"I-I know..." Ryo sighed.

"I'll talk to Bikky again. Don't let it bother you Ryo." Dee sat there, cane between his knees. "Oh and Lyn? I'll take the couch only because you and Ryo both deserve to spend some time acting like the nuts that you are."

Lyn rolled his eyes at both of them. "Stubborn as anything..."

"Thanks Dee... Ai shiteru." Ryo smiled. "And you be quiet!" Ryo playfully smacked Lyn's arm.

"Love you too baby. Now you two nitwits eat and I'll send the bratlet in later for the dirty dishes." Dee stood and then crawled up to Ryo. "You two have fun and if you need anything, just let me know." Dee kissed him softly and then scooted off the bed. "I'd kiss you too Lyn but Duke is here and I'm not getting my dick bit off by that beast."

"Yeah you love him and you know it." Lyn smirked as Duke joined the crowd on the bed, making himself comfortable next to Lyn. "Thanks again for watching the girls Dee. Are Keiry's bells loud enough? Or do I need to upgrade to a cowbell?"

"Nope they work out well." Dee smiled. "Bikky and I will take Duke for a walk in a little bit as well." Dee laughed and then quickly bent down. "Behave you two." He said and kissed Lyn on the cheek. "Eh I couldn't resist... You're just too cute Lynny boy!" Dee laughed loudly as we strolled out of the room.

"Yup...he's definitely a nut case." Lyn laughed. Duke, after a moment got to his feet again, trampling Lyn in the process and went over to Ryo, giving him big doggie slurps, not having seen him in a while.

"Uh Duke...? I love you to pieces but you need a doggie mint. Ewwww!" Ryo started giggling and looked at Lyn. "I just let him lick my face and he was most likely out in the living room, licking his butt... Dude I 'have' changed."

Laughing, Lyn wrestled Duke back onto the bed and away from Ryo's face. "Amazing what having kids and pets around does for anal retentiveness. Which reminds me... Remember when Dee and Drew had to leave that morning because Bikky and Cal were in over their head with the girls? I got the photos developed the other day." Lyn leaned over and pulled out the envelope of photos and handed it to Ryo.

Ryo took the photos and started looking through them. "Oh Lyn! They're a family of Smurfs!" He started laughing hard. "Aww the girls look so kawaii and Dee... Oh lord look at Dee!" Ryo smiled down at the picture, his finger tracing the face. "That's... That's the day he saw shadows. The flash somehow set off things. He saw the girls Lyn..." Ryo swallowed hard, forcing a smile.

"I know, An told me..." Lyn reached over to brush Ryo's bangs from his face. "But... hey it could actually be good news. Maybe it means that something is just short circuiting in Dee's head and that with a little more time... who knows...?"

"It's been 5 months. The doctors have told us that the longer it goes on, the less likely his chances are of ever regaining his sight back." Ryo looked to the ceiling, trying not to let it upset him. "I don't mind. I'll always love him. It's just that there are times when I miss... I miss him staring into my eyes." A long sigh followed. "These pictures turned out great. Lots of new memories." Ryo handed them back to Lyn.

Lyn slipped them back into their package then hugged Ryo close to him. "I know... I know what it's like to loose something that you will never get back. Not in the same way anyway..." Lyn sighed softly, wondering what he and Andrew would lose this time around.

"Dee and Drew did nothing wrong Lyn. Why are they being punished? Because they're gay, or Bi, as in Dee's case? I keep asking myself that and I can't find an answer. Maybe there is none." Ryo sighed "I guess you wonder the same things about Drew huh?" Ryo looked at his friend knowing it was just as hard on Lyn lately. "Since I've had nothing better to do lately, I've been looking at web pages and they've made remarkable strides with knee surgeries and replacements. In most cases the replacement works better then the real deal. So don't give up yet." Ryo rested his head on Lyn's shoulder.

"Yeah I know. They've all ready replaced one knee and one hip. I mean even a couple of years ago this kind of damage would be crippling, but they are pretty sure that he will always limp. And we're also worried about arthritis." Lyn flexed his fingers in his own cast. "And let me tell you that's a bitch. I really don't think there are answers as to why this happened to them. Sometimes bad things just happen to good people. By the way have you heard anything about when the DA is taking her to court?"

"They want to make sure that the case sticks so they are compiling as much evidence as they can. Next month at the earliest. You and I are witnesses now. Both of us will have to testify." Ryo shivered. "I'm not looking forward to it at all." Ryo couldn't tell Lyn that he often wondered how far things would have gone had he not jumped her when he did. "From what I've heard she's claiming that Dee propositioned her and called her to come over. There are other things too but not all of it has been disclosed."

"That sucks arse. " Lyn shook his head.

"Dee just wants this over and done with. The memories are just too painful for him. He still has nightmares sometimes." Ryo glanced at the food; happy to see that without realizing it, they had both finished everything off. "Some nights he'll wake up in a cold sweat and shaking. It takes me at least an hour to calm him down." Ryo sighed and then turned to Lyn. "How have you been with it all? Be honest please?"

Lyn shrugged. "For me...? It's just one more bad memory to add to the pile. I have nightmares anyway. They've been a lot worse lately, but that's also the stress and the sleeping alone... and Andrew. I swear that man's soul is steel. He has just taken this, all of this in stride. It astounds me how understanding he is. I suppose a lot of that is the Buddhism..."

"You learn to clear your mind through meditation. I haven't practiced Buddhism in years though I would like to get back into it." Ryo sighed. "Come on..." Ryo leaned back into the pillows and pulled Lyn back with him. "What's up with the nightmares? Talking about them helps you know?"

Lyn lay back with Ryo and sighed deeply. "I don't know... Some of them are more like flashbacks to stuff; other ones are just... plain old nightmares... Some of them are combinations of the two..."

"Wanna talk them out? Maybe it'll help put them in perspective." Ryo combed his fingers through Lyn's hair. "I don't want to make things worse for you okay? Also remember I am not going to be disgusted or judgmental. I'm a friend who's more then willing to listen."

Lyn took a deep breath. "Well the ah... flashback type ones are the easiest to remember since they actually happened... The scar on my back... it's... Well I told you that I was in an abusive relationship. He ah... came after me with a knife when I tried to leave. It goes all the way down my back and over my hip, all the way down to my knee. I remember... I ah... gods... there was a lot of blood... It was all mine. I was in the bathroom. I had managed to beat him down the hall and locked myself in there... He was pounding on the door and I was only sort of conscious...I didn't expect to ever wake up... Later I found out that bad sealing around the tub saved me. The neighbors below us heard dripping, and ah... they had blood dripping through the ceiling. So I always see blood just dripping like a leaky faucet and the drops splattering and rolling over white porcelain like the side of a tub or something..."

Ryo realized there was little he could say or do that would bring comfort to Lyn. Wrapping both arms around him he gave him a squeeze. "That's why you were so upset when Dee hurt me. It drudged up old memories." Ryo kissed his temple. "I'm sorry. That man should have been made to endure the same pain as you. And yes that may sound inhumane but sometimes it's called for. Anyway, no one will ever do that to you again. I promise."

Lyn smiled faintly. "I wouldn't ever let anyone do that to me again. That's what kills me. I could have fought back. I could have overpowered him. I chose not to..." Lyn shook his head clearing his throat. "Anyway... that's one of the reoccurring ones..."

"Okay. What's the next one?" Ryo allowed Lyn to gather himself, not wishing to push him into talking.

Lyn took another deep steadying breath. "We had horses back home. I ah, always had a knack with them. Anyway, I'm on this skyscraper, on the roof, go figure. And there is this black horse, and he's panicked... I don't know if you've ever heard a horse scream but he's just screaming and bucking, just frantic... but I don't know why. There is nothing else up there with us. I'm trying to get it to calm down but he won't he just runs back and forth... just screaming. And then it runs the full length of this building and jumps over the retaining wall... and it's a perfect jump... until its back hoof catches and it falls, and slams against the building. I can hear it... then I look over the edge and it's just lying on the sidewalk..." Lyn ran a shaky hand through his hair. "I know that doesn't make much sense... but..." He shrugged.

"Like the life you and Drew had before the beatings... Perfect until one thing ruins it." Ryo whispered, deep in thought. "The horse may represent you, frantic and screaming, unsure of what to do, feeling like you need to just keep going. The you in the dream may be Drew, who's trying to calm those fears." Sighing softly Ryo glanced at Lyn. "I'm not a dream analyzer so please forgive me if that's not how you see it."

"I don't see it. I try not to anyway... creeps me out..." Lyn shuddered. "You sure you want me to keep going? Things like this can be contagious."

"What do you want to do?" Ryo looked at him. "I'm just here to listen to anything you want to talk about. You deserve to be pampered a little so lay back, relax and talk about whatever you think you need to get off your chest." Ryo smiled a little as his hands came up to lightly massage Lyn's shoulders.

"I-I think then we will leave the darker parts of my psyche alone for now... " Lyn gave one last shudder before just moving on in a completely random direction. "I saw you looking at one of our ASL books, how's that going for you?"

"So far so good. Keiry now understand half of what I sign." Ryo chuckled softly. "I checked into some courses for ASL at the Community College. I may sign up once I'm back on feet."

"You can never speak too many languages..." Lyn smiled. "And I'm sure the girls will adore you for it when they get a little older. Now if Andrew would only pick up a little more Gaelic we'll be set."

"And Dee a little more Japanese so I can talk to him more in my language. Plus I want to go to Japan some day and it would be good if he knew how to get around." Ryo sighed. "Is this helping to relax you?" Ryo asked as he continued massaging Lyn's shoulders.

"Yeah, it is thanks Ryo." The muscles under Ryo's hands were relaxing slowly and Lyn felt more at ease, both physically and mentally. "Japanese... man I got to admit I don't blame Dee. That's not an easy language. I've learned some of the basics but I think I've maxed out my language capacity."

"Well maybe I can help you there. You help me with signing and I'll help you with Japanese. Can Drew read and write it? Kanji is hard but once you get the hang of it, it's not too bad." Ryo felt muscles softening under his hands and smiled.

"Sounds like a fair trade. Yeah Andrew is completely fluent in Japanese. Reading and writing it too. He does better with Japanese than I do with English some days."

Ryo laughed. "Well now I have someone to write to. I have a program on my laptop so I can call up a special on screen keyboard for writing emails to a few friends that live in Japan. I can write emails to Drew too now. It helps me to keep from getting rusty." Ryo looked up to see Bikky come in, Annie on his hip and Keiry holding his hand.

"Sorry to bother you two but I have two very sleepy girls here that want to say goodnight to their dad." He smiled as he walked over to the bed.

Lyn grinned taking Annie from Bikky's arms and lifting Keiry onto his lap, nuzzling them both close. Annie drowsily clung to his shirt, her dark head resting against his shoulder. Keiry stood on the bed, leaning up and kissing Lyn's cheek her pudgy little hand waving nini. After hugging and kissing each of them he smiled to Bikky. "Thanks for putting them down Tiger."

"Hey it's been a real eye opener. Besides it's nice. Kind of let's me see what it would be like if I had any brothers or sisters." He smiled over at Ryo. "Oh Dee had called Drew to just say Hi and Drew said that if you're up to it, to give him a call. But only if you want to." Bikky grinned and took the girls. Signing to Keiry to say nite nite to her daddy and Ryo.

Kei obligingly signed 'night' then waved happily, then reached over and took Annie's hand by the wrist and made her wave as well. Annie frowned and pulled her hand away, having been steamrolled by her big sister enough for the day and lay down against Bikky's shoulder.

"Thanks Bikky, sleep tight Tiger."

"Good night." Bikky looked at Ryo again. "Good night..." He paused. "Good night dad." Bikky smiled and took the girls out before Ryo could respond.

"Oh..." Ryo sat there stunned, his eyes misting up.

Lyn grinned and rubbed Ryo's shoulders. "Never get tired of hearing that one, huh?"

"I feel like my heart is going to burst right out of my chest. I want so badly for him to be my legal son." Ryo smiled proudly. "I started up the adoption process again. I really wasn't supposed to be out and about like that but... I didn't want to wait any longer."

"Well, you obviously made it without any serious injury, no harm done, though you need to stay in bed and get well dammit. Bikky has tickets to a Bulls/Knicks game in a few weeks. Stadium seats and stairs won't work too well if your back is still not healed."

"Gomen, I'm just not good with staying still. I did sort of throw it out a little the other night. Dee and I... Well we were... Enthusiastic as you would say. It kind of got out of control." Ryo blushed crimson and hid his face. "It was my fault! I'm the one who got wild."

"My, my, my, is our quiet Ryo a closet hentai? You'll be using those handcuff for more than arrests soon enough." Lyn chuckled. "Well, keep the sex vanilla until you're healed or I will tell Dee no more sex and leave Duke here to back it up." Lyn snickered.

"Gee you're no fun. It's amazing Lyn. I feel like such nymph but just kissing Dee gets me hot." Ryo laughed.

"This is what we call the newlywed syndrome or BC... before children. Not that kissing Andrew doesn't get me turned on... just far, far less opportunity to act on it. You are just sort of coming to understand sex, your own sexuality and that it's not bad or dirty and is just normal so enjoy it. "

"Do you mean it won't always be like this? I mean the thought of not feeling this passion with Dee would be horrible." Ryo frowned. "I have even had my moments as seme. It was awesome to know and feel what Dee feels when we make love." Ryo was now blushing to the tips of his toes.

Lyn chuckled. "Of course you will always be passionate with Dee, but it changes and evolves. When you're fifty you're not going to be making like rabbits.

"Who says that we have to slow down at 50 ne? I mean with the libido that Dee has, he's like the energizer bunny! He just comes and comes..." Ryo was into another fit of laughter now, feeling relaxed and carefree for the first time in weeks.

Lyn's eyes went wide and he laughed even harder. "Oh my God Ryo I can't believe that you just said that! You're such a hentai!" Lyn wiped tears of laughter from his face. "Besides the real question is if he does the same to you."

"Does he ever! Never would have I imagined getting so turned on by another man. Dee isn't just 'any' man though. I can't explain it but it's like we were always meant to be together. Like fate brought us to this point so that we could see how much we need each other." Ryo smiled from ear to ear and then was off on another round of laughter when the door opened and flashes momentarily blinded him and Lyn.

"What the....?"

Lyn growled, still laughing as he grabbed a pillow and chucked it at the silhouettes in the doorway. The pillow wound up ricocheting off of Dee's forehead. Ryo sat there laughing over the dumbfounded look on Dee's face from the hit.

"Hey don't hit me! Hit the kid! He's the one with the camera." Dee protested, his laughter barely concealed. Bikky stood next to him grinning from ear to ear with the camera in question, in his hands.

"BIKKY! DEE!" Ryo looked at them, shaking his head over their antics. "What are you two up to now? As if I didn't know all ready."

"Dee wanted some future blackmail material and what better stuff then you lying there cuddling with another man! Your best friend no less and a married man to boot!" Bikky handed the camera to Dee. "I'm off to bed... You deal with their wrath. Have fun Dee!" Bikky laughed evilly as he left the room and went into his.

"I had nothing to do with it?" Dee suggested feebly, trying to back away from any forth coming onslaught and laying the camera on the dresser.

"Riiiiight sure you didn't Dee..." Lyn laughed.

"Ryo I swear, I had nothing to do with it, regardless of what Lyn thinks... Bikky made the suggestion and I just went along with it as an innocent party." Dee held up a hand innocently, but then his other hand came up whipping the pillow back at where Lyn and Ryo's voices were coming from. It ricocheted off Lyn's shoulder and bounced off Ryo's face into his lap.

"Konoyaro! You asshole! I know you Dee Latener and you were all too happy to participate in that little stunt! Innocent party, my ass!" Ryo laughed and threw the pillow back at Dee, catching him square in the face. "You wanna fight mister? Huh?" Ryo was losing it as his laughter over took him. "I'd come after you but I've got a back that refuses to cooperate so get that sweet ass of yours over here and give me a fair advantage."

"You want me to come over there just so that you can beat me with a pillow? That hardly sounds like a fair trade and I am not as stupid as I look baby!" Dee had barely finished when Lyn leapt off the bed, tackling Dee. The two of them wrestled around on the floor, struggling for dominance before Lyn managed to roll Dee closer to the bed.

"Get him Ryo!" Lyn called out to him, laughing heartily.

"Oh Dee darling? Please come here sweet stuff." Ryo looked down over the edge of the bed. "Do cooperate or you could find yourself dating your hand for quite some time lover?" Ryo snickered and glanced at Lyn.

Dee grunted. "Well tell your attack dog to get off of me!" Dee tried to scramble away but Lyn was having none of it, latching into Dee's ankle. Whether by destiny or by design, Dee crashed down towards the bed, ending up face first in Ryo's lap much to Ryo's amusement. "Oh my..." Dee's words and laughter were muffled against Ryo's thighs. "Maybe I will just stay like this."

Cupping Dee's face, Ryo pulled Dee's head up. "Are you hungry or just acting out a scene from 'Romancing the Stone?" Ryo was struck with a major case of the sillies and there was no stopping him now. His laughter filled the room, his back feeling better then it had in weeks and therefore his whole disposition seemed to brighten.

"For you baby... It's hunger. For Lyn it's the scene. Gotta please the masses as they say." Dee wiggled his eyebrows suggestively while Lyn lay on the floor now completely consumed by a giggle fit, his whole body shaking with his laughter.

"Well baby, you'll have... Have to wait until... Until morning... because I'm a little busy... and... and I'm getting tired...." Ryo was having a hard time talking as his laughter took control "I just wanted to tell you a few things before you leave this room though. A: You forgot this tray. B: You forgot my goodnight kiss and C: ..." Ryo grabbed Dee's nose. "Try a stunt like that again and I'll shove that camera up that hot looking ass of yours!" Ryo fell backwards onto the bed, consumed by his giggles.

"Man, have a little whiskey with your tea okay? You guys are totally bent. I thought that I was whacked but you two numb nuts have me beat... By a long shot!" Dee Chuckled, leaning down, his fingers seeking Ryo's laughing lips then following up with his mouth, kissing Ryo lightly. "Good night, ya nut case and do behave in here or I'll have to separate you two." Dee pretended to scold them.

"You call that a kiss?" Ryo pouted. "Jeez Dee! You kiss your mother like that, not your lover. Now show me what ya got hot stuff or I may have to take the bulls by the horn and do it myself." Ryo was laughing as he pulled on Dee's shirt to bring him down closer. "Kiss me, you fool... Ha cha cha cha!" Ryo giggled again, tears streaming down his cheeks from all the laughing he had done.

"Well it's hard to kiss you when you're laughing so hard. God you are a silly one tonight, though I must admit that I love hearing that laughter coming from your sweet lips." Dee smiled as he waited for Ryo to collect himself.

"Okay, I think I'm ready. Now baby... Leave me breathless!" Ryo sighed as he snaked his arms around Dee's neck. "Come on leave me breathless/ Tempt me, tease me/ Till I can't deny this loving feeling/ Let me long for your kiss." Ryo sang against Dee's ear, causing Dee to shiver.

"Now that I can do, without a doubt baby." Dee leaned down, finding Ryo's lips and kissing him deeply, plundering his mouth. Dee's tongue slipped into Ryo's mouth and explored every delicious inch, from smooth white teeth to the tender flesh at the roof of his mouth that would always have Ryo moaning.

Ryo sighed softly into the kiss, allowing Dee full access to his mouth as he used his own tongue to follow Dee's around. When the kiss finally broke, both men were panting for air. Ryo whimpered slightly and then smiled. "It can only get better koibito. Ai shiteru itsumo..." Ryo whispered softly, brushing the hair from Dee's face. "Oyasumi nasai Dee... Goodnight Dee." Ryo kissed Dee again and then allowed Dee to stand up.

"I love you too baby, sleep well. Now where the hell is Lyn? You'd better make some more noise, ya Mick or I'm gonna step on you." Dee grinned as he shuffled his feet, feeling for Lyn's prone body, then stepping over it once he did find it. He picked up his cane from where is had been discarded during his and Lyn's tussle, walking out and muttering something about 'happy crack.'

Ryo's eyes went wide and he fell back on the bed in another fit of laughter. "Jesus Lyn! I can't remember... the last... last time I... I had this... this much fun." He rolled and looked down on the floor at the Irishman.

Lyn gasped for breath, trying to contain his giggles. "I know! It's great!" Slowly Lyn pawed his way back up onto the bed next to a disgruntled Duke. "I wonder what Dee put in that tea? Whatever it was, we should bottle the recipe."

"Oh shit..." Ryo wiped at his eyes before crawling back under the light blanket with Duke lying in between him and Lyn. "I can't recall when I last laughed this hard or this much. It's like a frigging drug... I feel so relaxed and so damn good at the moment."

Lyn nodded. "Laughing releases endorphins. It's sort of like sex. Endorphins are sort of like natural crack... hehehe." Lyn fell off into another fit of giggles, earning him an annoyed look from the attempting to sleep Great Dane.

Ryo watched Lyn, happy to see him so lighthearted. "It's good to see you laughing and looking so alive Lyn. Welcome back my friend." Ryo smiled and reached out to give Lyn a hug only to have Duke growl lightly at him. "Well I guess he told me." Ryo laughed. "Jealous huh Duke? No one can hug Lyn but Drew ne?"

"Bah, ignore the dog. He's about as vicious as a sack of wet flour." Lyn hugged Ryo in return. "Thanks, I do feel a lot better."

"I'm glad that I could help." Ryo smiled, giving Lyn a gentle squeeze. Lyn? Did you want to call Drew before turning in for the night?" Ryo asked, hoping that that still wasn't a sore subject. "You don't have to if you don't want to. Someone should let him that you're safe and staying here the night. It's your call bud. There's no pressure and I sure as hell don't want to ruin the mood. I'll make the call if you'd like."

Lyn thought about it a moment. He still wasn't sure if he should talk to Drew just yet, but it was getting late. "He knows that I'm here. I called and reported in. But... Why don't you call him while I decide if I will talk to him or not?"

"Sure. Like I said Lyn, there's no pressure and if you want I'll tell him that you're sleeping, okay?" Ryo smiled and patted Lyn's hand before dialing the number to Drew's room. It took a few rings for Andrew to answer.

Despite wanting to wait to hear from Lyn, the pain medications gave Drew very little options about when he would choose to sleep. "Hello?"

"Hi Drew? Ryo here. Gomen nasai if I woke you. I just wanted you to know that Lyn's okay. We've spent the better part of the evening talking and laughing our asses off." Ryo sighed and leaned back into the pillows.

"Is he all right?" Andrew knew Lyn was sitting right next to Ryo, it was just a given. Drew hated that for whatever reason, Lyn didn't feel safe enough to talk to him himself, but he wasn't about to push the issue.

"He's fine and he ate a good supper. Dee and I made sure of that. He and I have been sitting here talking and just laughing our heads off. It's probably the most fun I have had in weeks Drew." Ryo frowned a little, trying to figure out how to relay info to Drew with Lyn right there. "Give it time okay? He'll come around. I promise. He seems to just need some time to work things out in his head." Ryo spoke to Drew in Japanese, hoping like hell that Lyn wouldn't piece together words he recognized and figure out what he was saying.

Andrew sighed, knowing what it meant if Ryo was speaking Japanese to him. "He's right there isn't he...? Well... I suppose it's a moot point to ask if I can talk to him? Tell him that I love him okay? How are the girls doing?"

"Hai! Hai!" Ryo sighed himself, feeling very awkward over the situation. "The girls are doing great. Bikky and Dee are having a blast with them." Ryo glanced over at Lyn and signed. 'Do you want to talk to Drew or not?' feeling sorry for Drew who seemed so sad. 'It's up to you... ' Ryo signed to Lyn. Now he knew just how Lyn and Drew felt when he and Dee had been going through their own problems. Trying to be a go between was hard work, to say the least. Ryo was slightly relieved when Lyn nodded hesitantly and gave Lyn a smile.

"Uh Drew? Hang on, Lyn wants to speak to you." Ryo handed him the phone. "I'll leave you two to talk alone okay?" Ryo started to slip out of the bed. Lyn shook his head, indicating that it was okay for Ryo to stay as he took the phone, resting it between his ear and his shoulder but saying nothing. Apparently Drew knew that Lyn was there because Ryo could faintly hear the rumble of his voice over the phone.

"Lyn baby, you there?" Andrew was met with only silence, but he could hear Lyn's soft breathing on the other end of the line. "It's okay sweetheart, you don't need to say anything. I'm just glad that you talked to Ryo. It sounds like you were having a good time." Drew waited a tick, just to see if Lyn would say anything. "Cat got your tongue baby? Okay, well you just have fun and relax with Ryo. Everything is fine here. Give the girls some extra lovin' from me. I love you baby, you're my sun and my moon, you know that." Drew paused another long moment. "One other thing baby. Why do elephants paint their toenails red?" It was Lyn's favorite joke and Andrew crossed his fingers, hoping to get a laugh. "To hide in cherry trees. Ever seen an elephant in a cherry tree?" He waited with bated breath.

"Must be working." Lyn's voice was quiet, but it filled Andrew's heart and he smiled.

"Love you baby."

"Love you too An."

"Sleep tight."

"You too." Lyn hung up the phone setting it aside, a small smile on his lips.

"You okay? He does love you very much Lyn. That's just so damn obvious." Ryo reached out to touch Lyn's arm. "I'm sure that he was only showing concern and not implying that you were Bulimic or anything. Give him a second chance okay? We all screw up once in awhile. Look at Dee and I! Shit we cornered the market on screwing up."

"I know... I love him too... It's just that he can't be my everything all the time, you know? It's not healthy." Lyn smiled a little more. "I love him to pieces and it would take a lot more then this to really come between us. I just needed a little time. I think that he understands that"

"I guess I can understand that. Look at all we went through with Dee? I'm like that with Dee... I want to protect him and keep him safe but I can't be there twenty-four/ seven. Shit happens! We just have to learn from it and move on. Thank God it appears that he and I are back on track and moving on." Ryo smiled as he settled down under the cover. "Is this air conditioner on too low for you? I have it set low so the cold doesn't bother my back but I can turn it up if you need it." Ryo smiled softly. "Another month and we'll be taking them out for the fall... Hard to believe that summer is almost over."

"No, it's fine. Yeah, I'm almost glad that the summer went quickly. But dear gods! By this time next year, Kei will probably be in preschool. Man they grow like weeds."

"They surely do. It's hard to believe that this is Bikky's last year in Middle school. He goes to ninth grade at the High School next year. It won't belong before he'll be graduating from high school and I'll be seeing him off to college. That's going to be so hard to do. And despite the way he acts, Dee will find it hard as well." Ryo's voice filled with emotion.

"Well you've got about six years Ryo. Don't be picking his major yet." Lyn chuckled. "I suppose Dee doesn't want kids of the midget variety does he?" Lyn asked with a sigh. "I know you absolutely adore the girls, and there's a lot of kids out there who need good homes..."

"I know. Every time I go to the orphanage with Dee it breaks my heart to see those kids without homes. They look at you, pleading with their eyes for you to take them home and it tears me apart. I want more kids Lyn. But... Sadly that may never come true for me." Ryo sighed long and hard as he stared up at the ceiling.

"Talk to Dee about it again. It's worth a shot. The first time I ever even held a baby is when we got Kei. I never thought I would have kids... but... things change..."

"With me... before I met Dee I always pictured myself getting married and having children of my own. I wanted a big family since I was an only child. Of course, that's not an option now. Don't get me wrong, I love Dee with all my heart and I'm happy being with him. I just need... Uh... I need to be needed Lyn. Kids allow me that option." Ryo turned his head and smiled. "That's why I enjoy being around Kei and Annie so much. They make me feel useful."

"Well hey, you are both always welcome to be Uncle Dee and Uncle Ryo to my kids anytime you want. If it's that important to you though, you need to talk to Dee about it. I adore my babies and can't imagine myself not having children now."

"I will talk to Dee. Thanks Lyn. I love Keiry and Annie very much. They're angels as far as I'm concerned." Ryo smiled and watched as Lyn shut out the light on the nightstand. "I'm glad you stopped by Lyn, I really needed this night. I hope that it has helped you as well." Ryo sighed as he got comfortable on his back. This still wasn't easy, he liked sleeping on his stomach most of the time but right now he couldn't. Even with his back feeling so much better, lying on his stomach still wasn't an option.

"It has Ryo. I feel a hundred percent better." Lyn hugged Ryo and then lay down beside him, shoving Duke to the foot of the bed. "He's such a space hog. He will try and crawl right between Andrew and I, even when we are spooned together."

Ryo laughed over the whole image and then snaked his arm under Lyn to hold him, not feeling weird about it at all. This was his best friend, nothing more. Dee trusted him and Drew trusted Lyn, so why should he care what others would think? "Goodnight Lyn. Sweet dreams tonight and every night there after." Ryo smiled as he closed his eyes.

"You too Ryo." Lyn smiled softly, laying close to Ryo and feeling at peace for the first time in days. Ryo was right; things were slowly getting back on track. Now if they could just stay there...

Wilde fyre: Sorry about this delay guys but with my kids in school and my schedule a little fuller, as you may have noticed, chapters may take awhile to get posted. Please be patient with Irish and I since she is at school and that needs to come first. I promise that your patience will be rewarded in the long run.

Irish: As you all have seen, the muses are biting me more these days, but the editing of TFHA is getting to be a challenge for me. Don't worry we're still here, its just takes time to sort through all this. Wildefyre and I have different schedules, and my schedule is a lot more cramped. We'll keep the chapters coming though.