Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Time for Healing ❯ I'll Follow You Down ( 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. *See Author's Notes at the end for the proper credits and profiles on those.
Warnings: Thus far just Shounen AI but then again that's what FAKE is anyway. It may become Yaoi further along. 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! ^_~

Ryo hesitantly opened the door to the office, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw that it was empty for a change. He couldn't face Lyn, not after the other night. The last time that he ever broke down like that was when he had discovered why his parents were killed and the man connected with their deaths. It was Dee then who had held him while he cried. This time though it was some stranger he barely knew that consoled him over the phone.

Taking a seat and pulling out the last two case reports that he still had not finished, he began working. Dee would be back in the therapy room for at least two hours giving him plenty of time to finish his work. He had barely started when the door opened and in walked the one person he was ashamed of facing... Lyn.

... Along with Andrew and the kids no less. Andrew offered Ryo a smile as he passed, headed straight back, late for his own appointment. Lyn was juggling Keiry on his back in a harness, Annie on his front in what seemed to be some sort of baby sling out of brightly colored fabric, two paper cups of coffee and a paper bag.

He grinned. "Hey Ryo how are you." He didn't even ask if Ryo wanted the coffee just handed it to him. "I don't care if you drink it but I'm about to scald my hand."

Ryo took the coffee and set it on the table beside him. "Can I do anything to help?" He asked as he put his things aside as well. Grabbing the other coffee he placed it on the table, then stood and helped Keiry out of her harness, smiling at the cheery look she gave him. For the moment, Ryo's embarrassment was forgotten. Someone needed his help. There was no time to think of his own problems.

Lyn sighed in relief as the toddler was lifted off his back. "Thanks... that kid's heavy." Freed of the coffee he set the paper bag back down as well, then the diaper bag that had been over one shoulder and finally he lifted Annie out of the sling setting her on the ground to explore before straightening up, hands in the small of his back. "Man those kids combined are quite a load."

"I almost wish that I had ones this small." Ryo found himself cuddling Keiry who rested her head against his chest. "Kids are the greatest gifts... Why some people choose to abuse them is beyond me." Ryo sighed.

Several times he had thought about taking in other kids but Dee would never go for it. Despite that, he still chose to be with Dee. Sighing again, he reached out to put his reports away but his hand hit his coffee cup, spilling it over the papers. "Shimatta!" Ryo put Keiry down and tried to save what he could of his work.

"Crud!" Lyn exclaimed almost simultaneously, stepping over Annie as she pulled herself to stand hanging onto a chair. Producing napkins from his pocket he tried to help Ryo save the work as well. "I'm so sorry Ryo!" With one hand he steered Keiry away from the hot liquid as he carefully took the papers from Ryo. "I do this all the time. We might be able to save these yet."

"I was up until 2 last night working on these... My chief is starting to breathe down my neck over me forgetting to file my reports. On top of that I had two homicide cases dumped into my lap and I got a low score at the shooting range today." Ryo helped to get the mess cleaned up, laying papers out but all ready seeing the ink smearing. Flopping into a chair he lowered his head into his hands. "I'm just so tired of it all..."

Lyn paused mid motion to give Ryo's shoulder a squeeze, his nimble hands laying the papers out, blotting them carefully, trying to save the ink. Sighing deeply as he saw at least one page would have to be rewritten and the others were coffee stained. He shook his head and signed to Keiry as she came over to investigate yet again, wanting to help with one of her little hands reaching for the papers while her other chubby little hand moved in language. The lanky Irishman shook his head at her again before lifting her up by her jumper straps and placing her in Ryo's lap. "Here. Hold the little monster. She likes you." Lyn offered, placing the last few sheets on the seats of various chairs in the waiting room.

Ryo chuckled softly, allowing Keiry to reach up and run her fingers through his hair and then investigate what he had in his shirt pocket. "Would you like to draw a picture?" Ryo took out his pen and handed her his notepad showing her what he meant by taking the pen and drawing a happy face on the notepad. "This is official NYPD issued too. Guaranteed to run out of ink right in the middle of taking notes during an investigation." He laughed softly and watched as she started drawing.

"How's Andrew doing?" Ryo turned to look at Lyn, finding his smile returning once more.

Lyn folded his long frame into a chair nearby snagging up the exploring Annie and setting her between his feet so that he could keep her somewhat penned in, smiling as keiry wrapped her pudgy fist around the narrow pen and scribbled. Lyn tapped her leg to get her attention his hands moving as he spoke. "What do you say Keiry?" The little cherub looked up to Ryo with a big grin and signed 'thank you.' Lyn patted her head and then reached down for Annie as she wandered off again, placing the wriggling baby in his lap. "Andrew's doing well. We've come a long way in the past few months. How is Dee?"

"That's good. As for Dee, well it's the same I guess. He gets frustrated easily and that usually means we wind up arguing. Lately he seems to be blaming me for every ache and pain he gets." Ryo sighed sadly, his dark eyes lowering to the floor. "He goes for a CAT Scan on Monday to see if they can determine what, if anything is causing the blindness. We've been warned that his sight loss could be permanent. If that's the case I don't know what will happen." Ryo looked up at the ceiling, studying the pattern in order to keep his tears at bay. "Being a cop is important to Dee... It'll kill him if he has to give that up."

Lyn shook his head, "people adapt. Andrew used to be a third degree black belt in two martial arts. He has coped... adapted. He will never get back the flexibility that he once had... and we aren't sure that he will improve past needing the crutch... He tries so hard to keep up with the girls..." Lyn cleared his throat and then picked up the paper bag. "Hungry? I brought bagels and cream cheese... and bottles but I doubt that formula is your thing."

"Iie... I mean no thank you. I haven't been all that hungry lately." Ryo watched as Keiry held up her scribble picture. "Very pretty! Let me see here..." Ryo imagined that she had drawn her dads and Annie as he handed the paper back to Keiry and smiled softly. Turning to look at Lyn, he grinned. "You have a budding artist here." Keiry got down off of Ryo's lap and showed Lyn the picture, smiling proudly at her handiwork.

Lyn smiled down at her. Making a circle in front of his face with a sweep of his hands as he said "Beautiful." His hands continued as he spoke. "Shall we hang it up on the fridge when we get home?" Keiry squealed in delight flapping her arms. Making the first sound Ryo had heard from her in their brief acquaintance. Lyn chuckled genuinely, then produced some blocks from the diaper bag setting them on the floor for Keiry to play with as he jangled his keys for Annie. "All the more reason you should eat. If you haven't been I mean."

"Actually, a lot of times it winds up that until I get home from work, get the run down from the Visiting nurse that stays with Dee during the day and then listen to Dee complain about said nurse that I'm lucky if I have the strength to get Dee and Bikky fed. While they eat I usually grab a quick shower and take care of phone messages and mail. It's the only time I can do it." Ryo's hands started shaking and he held them against his abdomen. "After they eat it's time for Bikky to do his homework and then I help Dee with some of his exercises, then to get a bath... It's after I have Dee in bed that I get other things done. Before I know it I'm falling into bed exhausted and to numb to even think clearly. There's just not enough time to do it all."

Ryo couldn't stop his body from trembling as he sat there. "I don't know how you manage with two babies no less. I'm working with a 12-year-old and here you are with 2 who need virtually everything done for them."

Cool fingers wrapped around Ryo's hand turning it palm up and setting a bagel with cream cheese in it. "Ryo you need to eat and you need to sleep. Is there anyway you can cut your hours at work? Or take a leave for a while?" Lyn's brow was furrowed in concern. He had been there, he remembered being there all too well... He had stopped eating and sleeping too, trying so hard just to keep the household running.

"No... Crime doesn't take a day off plus we're still trying to find this woman that we believe has been responsible for many of the gay bashings. Dee and another man were one of the lucky ones... They survived her beatings. I all ready used up the rest of my vacation time while Dee was in the hospital and the first two weeks that he was home." Ryo took a bite of the bagel, finding himself a lot hungrier then he realized.

"Right now work is the only time I get out of the apartment other then taking Dee to his various appointments. I'll be okay. I just need to reorganize a few things and then I can fit the odds and ends in." Finishing the bagel off he leaned back in the chair, squeezing his eyes shut. "You wouldn't have any aspirin would you?"

"Headache? Yeah I got aspirin...Aleve Ibuprofen or Tylenol. Which would you prefer?" He fished in the diaper bag, pulling out a small bottle of pills. "Don't overwork yourself Ryo. Tell you what? Come out to dinner with me tonight, Andrew can go look after Dee. We'll have to take the girls with but they are amazingly well behaved." Lyn couldn't help but beam in fatherly pride. "It will get you out of the house and get you fed with no dishes necessary. And some adult conversation that doesn't involve bitching and moaning."

Ryo took the Tylenol and put 2 pills in his hand, throwing them into his mouth, he swallowed them dry. "Thanks. I'll have to check with Dee first. He raised hell when I told him that I was hiring a visiting nurse to look after him while I was at work. We've gone through 3 thus far." Ryo smiled at the two girls. He adored Bikky but there were times that he wished that he were a little more behaved. "I had Bikky look after him last week for just for two hours while I ran errands and my cell phone never stopped ringing."

"Gods they really take you for granted Ryo... " Lyn paused shaking his head. Andrew had been so different from Dee.... Andrew had withdrawn, not lashed out. Andrew despite his impressive size was as gentle as a teddy bear and blamed any problems they had had during their tougher moments on himself.

"Well... I'm not you... but Andrew's a tough cookie. I think that he could handle Dee and Bikky for a couple hours... or I could stay and you could go out with Andrew if that would be more comfortable with you." Lyn pulled his bagel out of the sack and took a bite then fed a small piece to each of the girls. "Bikky definitely sounds like a handful though..."

"He's had a rough life. I had started the adoption process but things are on hold right now with the mess with Dee. If he stays with me, social services needs to look into his background and... Well you know." Ryo rubbed his temples.

"I don't mind taking care of them, Dee and Bikky I mean. I just wish that they could allow me just a little free time once in a while. They are both so alike and I think it's jealousy that has them acting they way they do." Ryo heard the door open and looked up to see Dee standing there and looking pissed.

"Dee?" Immediately Ryo jumped from the chair and went to him.

"Where the hell were you? You were supposed to meet me down at the therapy room so that I wouldn't have to walk here and then back down that way again!" Dee snapped.

"I'm sorry. I was talking with Lyn and I lost track of time." Ryo apologized, trying to smooth things over.

"You have a frigging watch on! At least YOU can see the fucking clock!" Dee growled and Ryo found himself embarrassed by Dee's out bust. All he could manage was a weak 'sorry...'

Lyn's mismatched eyes narrowed as he took Keiry back from Ryo. "How dare you speak to him like that!" Lyn stood, Irish temper flaring. "You gonna crack him one next?" It wasn't really any of his business, he knew that and he had been willing to give Dee the benefit of the doubt, until now.

He had a partner who talked to him like that once. The same man had put him in the hospital for two weeks. If Ryo didn't have the energy or the balls to stand up for himself, then some one had better.

"Who the hell do you think that you are? This is none of your business!" Dee stood there trying to judge where he was in relation to the other man. "Ryo let's go! I don't need this shit!"

"Dee it's okay you're just tired from the workouts." Ryo attempted to keep the peace, not wanting to see his new friend being chased away by Dee. "I was wondering if you would mind if I got out for awhile this evening? I-I just need some time for myself Dee."

"You do get time! I'm in bed by 9 every night!" Dee responded angrily.

"That's not what I meant. Lyn said that Andrew could come by and visit with you while Lyn and I take the girls to dinner..."

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!" Dee cut him off quickly. "I need you at home. You know that."

Lyn's eyes were hard as he watched them walk off. "Ryo? We need to talk. We'll be over by six." Lyn was stubborn and Irish, a combination that made him not unlike Dee in his pride and pig headedness. He had made up his mind and Dee, he knew, was in no potion to stop him. After a moment's thought his years of legal training had him adding, "Isolation is a form of abuse."

Dee stopped in his tracks. "Now wait a minute! I am not an abuser you bastard! How dare you accuse me of that!" Red faced with anger, Dee without thinking brought his cane up, catching Ryo in the face and just under the eye.

"DEE! Knock it off! You're 27 years old and acting like a 2 year old!" Ryo cupped his face with one hand and quickly disarmed Dee of his cane with the other. "I am getting out for awhile tonight whether you like it or not! Either you can accept Andrew and Lyn's offer to have Andrew keep you company or I'll call JJ or Penguin to stay with you!"

Lyn spoke quietly, but firmly as he moved closer. "Do you hear the way that you're talking to Ryo? Do you hear what you're doing to him? Think about it Dee." Lyn was holding one girl in each arm protectively. Both girls clung to him nervously as they watched Dee flounder. "And you just cracked him across the cheek with your cane. I will see you tonight Ryo." With that said he sat down again, his piece having been said.

Ryo took Dee and led him out, his face throbbing with pain and red with embarrassment. He felt like a fool at the moment and could only wonder what Lyn must have thought of him. He knew that he had appeared weak and that ate at him but he was too tired to do anything about it.

"So you're going out with another man?" Dee said it in a way that Ryo knew immediately what he meant.

"Dee! He's a friend! Nothing more! I need some time out... that's all. I need to get away from my job, Bikky, the responsibilities and from you! I love you but dammit you are making this so hard on me!" Ryo was shaking now. Not out of fear but out of sadness and hurt. This wasn't like Dee at all. The beating he took had really changed him.

"What about us? Or is there an us?" Dee allowed Ryo to help him into the car.

"Yes Dee there is an us..." was all Ryo could manage. "I'll be right out. I just remembered that I left my reports in the waiting room." Ryo tossed the reports onto the back seat, making sure that Dee didn't hear it. After closing the car door, Ryo walked back into the building and into the nearest men's room. Leaning against a stall he allowed himself to finally cry. Once again he was finding himself completely out of character yet like the past times, he really didn't care.

"I'm sorry Ryo. I know that embarrassed you but if I had passed that walking down the street I would have stopped and said something. I'm sorry." Lyn's voice was gentle, having seen Ryo flee into the men's room. Again after saying his piece he slipped back out as quietly as he had slipped in not wanting to emasculate the man any more.

Ryo had jumped when Lyn walked into the restroom, feeling more embarrassed over being caught crying then anything else. Washing his face he walked over to the waiting room and poked his head in. Seeing Andrew there with Lyn and the tender moment between the two made him long for those moments again with Dee.

"Excuse me Lyn? I just wanted to say thanks and Six O'clock is fine." Ryo smiled and then headed back to the car. Once inside, he leaned over and kissed the corner of Dee's mouth.

"What was that for?" Dee asked, sitting there with his hands in his lap.

"No reason other than... I love you." Ryo smiled and started the car. Though the ride home was in silence, for once it was a peaceful silence.

Lyn returned to the waiting room and to his family, immediately moving to the comforting circle of Andrews arms, resting his head on Andrew's shoulder, his slender frame shaking slightly. Andrew didn't ask what was wrong, in the end it didn't matter, Lyn was upset and needed comfort. He kissed Lyn's forehead gently, catching Ryo's eye as he exited the men's room.

Lyn jumped when Ryo spoke, offering him a faint smile. "All right see you then Ryo." Then watched him as he walked out, sighing heavily once he was out of earshot. "Thank you Andrew."

"For what?"

"For being a tender and gentle man. Uh... by the way you're going to spend some time with Dee tonight..."

"I'm what?" Andrew asked mildly only the faintest hint of annoyance in his voice. "What did you sign us up for this time?"

"Heh... Ryo really needs to get out. Dee and Bikky are just running him ragged. I can stay with Dee if you would rather go out with Ryo..." Andrew sighed and shook his head a faint smile coming to play on his lips.

"No. I had better stay with Dee. Besides, you know Ryo better anyway." Lyn grinned brightly for the first time since Andrew had walked out of therapy.

"Thank you lover... I promise to repay you."

"And how do you plan to do that?" Andrew asked. A mischievous grin sliding over his lips as he shifted Annie on his hip.

"I think it might involve candles and hot oil." Andrew chuckled giving Lyn a tight squeeze then stealing a lingering kiss

Author's Notes...

Wildefyre: I know we're bad! Sorry to be placing Dee and Ryo so out of character but Irish and I are just going with the flow here... Now I have heard that some people are having trouble with Reviews on FFN, so if you are on of them, you can always email your reviews to us... We'll take them anyway we can get them. Wildefyre_Irish@yahoo.com

Irish:Again, remember, extenuating circumstances. Dee and Ryo are under a lot of stress and pressure so they aren't going to be their normal selves. I'm thinking of doing an original Fic of just Lyn and Andrew... their back story and what not... Let me know if your interested and I might just undertake it. ^_^ Thanks for all the reviews. It really helps keep us motivated so keep writing 'em.