Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Time for Healing ❯ It's Not so Bad ( Chapter 18 )

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: 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! ^_~

Bikky walked back into the house sighing and feeling a little better now that he had had time to settle down. Of course spending time with Cal always fixed that. She did request that he go and apologize to Lyn especially since Lyn had been so ill. Bikky hesitantly agreed and to her request to apologize to Dee as well. He knew that Dee was having a hard time of it as they all were. Making his way up the stairs, he saw that Lyn was no longer in the study and so he made his way to their bedroom. Pausing at the partially opened door, he could hear them talking and wasn't sure if he should interrupt.

"Wanna talk about what happened?" Andrew prodded gently.

Lyn sighed heavily. "I hung up on Ryo. He was flippant with me at least that's how I took it. I just didn't have the patience for it. It probably wasn't the right thing to do."

Bikky heard Lyn's confession and found the anger slowly bubbling upwards once more. Knocking on the door he waited a second before announcing himself. "It's Bikky. May I come in?" He felt bad that Lyn was ill but that gave him no right to turn his back on Ryo like that. Sure Lyn was sick but so was Ryo and they still weren't sure about what was causing it.

Andrew sat up suddenly startled by the knock yet beckoning him to come in. Lyn followed more slowly and they both looked to the door with Lyn offering Bikky a tired smile. "Hey Tiger."

"Why Lyn? That's all I want to know. WHY?" Blue eyes flashed with anger. "I thought that Ryo was your friend? How could you do that to him? He's sick and he's hurting dammit and no one seems to care! All anyone sees is a guy who appears to be weak willed and unable to stand on his own two feet but I know better! I know that he's strong! I KNOW!"

"You have no idea what I see Bikky. He blew me off. I wasn't about to weed my way into his affections. It may not have been the best thing to do but it is the choice that I made. If Ryo wants to talk I'm here but I'm not going to make him do so."

"He's sick! Really sick! He's been running a fever for days now and no one knows why! He can't keep much of anything down. He sleeps a lot but it's not a good type of sleep, he tosses and turns for most of the night." Bikky took a deep breath. "He's also scared of dumping on you. That's the other reason why he didn't come to see you in the hospital. He thinks that he helped cause your collapse! He's taking the blame for everything lately yet no one has... has bothered to see that. Sure you may say it now but even I know when someone is reaching out for help but too afraid to actually ask for it. Worst of all even I can spot someone giving up!" Bikky lowered his head. He wasn't going to cry, not this time. He had to stay strong for Ryo's sake, especially if he was going to help him.

Lyn started to speak but Andrew stopped him. "We are sorry Bikky. We are doing the best that we can. But we can only give so much. We've done nothing but reach out to Ryo. We can't make him accept help or go to a doctor or take care of himself. He has to do that, want that for himself."

"Yes you can! You did it for Dee! You made him turn around! Dammit! Ryo wants to just give up! I know! That's why he doesn't care if he gets any better!" Bikky took a few more deep breaths. So far so good. No tears yet. "Ryo may be strong but even you would break after having so much thrown onto your shoulders!"

"You're right Bikky. Even the strongest of trees can break in the worst of storms." Bikky spun around to find Dee standing there and frowning.

Andrew spoke softly in Lyn's ear a moment then stood as Lyn lay back down. Stepping out of the bedroom after ushering Bikky out, he closed the door behind him. "Lyn is exhausted and ill." He said simply.

"Bikky please apologize to Drew okay? You had no right dumping on them like that. No right." Dee's anger was very clear in his voice.

"Ryo's sick too! But is anyone with him? Or comforting him? NO! We're all here helping Lyn! I'm just as guilty of that and it sucks! He needs us too Dee!" Bikky hissed. "Fine! You want an apology, then try this one! I'm sorry! Sorry I ever met you!" Bikky went to run off but Dee managed to grab his arm. "LET GO! I hate you! I hate all of you!" Raging with hurt and anger, Bikky tried to break free of Dee's grasp.

Andrew reached down trying to help Dee restrain the boy. "Bikky calm down."

"NO! Why should I? Ryo needs help! I'm worried that... That he'll do something." Bikky found his energy starting to wane and finally gave up fighting. "Ryo and I don't need any of you! We can make it on our own! If no one wants to help him then I will! We don't need you! He and I can be a family without you Dee!"

"We are trying to help Bikky. Don't you get it? He won't accept it." Andrew was frustrated. Frustrated that Bikky was so upset, frustrated that Ryo and Dee were both too blind to realize what they needed to do. Frustrated that Lyn was stressed and sick. He took a deep breath fighting for calm.

"BIKKY! Just knock it off!" Dee yelled at him, gripping Bikky's arm tightly to hold on to him. "Now you have Andrew stressed. Neither of them need this right now! You're nothing more then a little brat used to getting your way! Well forget it because this is one time that you won't!" Dee scolded him. "I'll give you and Cal cab money. It's best that you go home. Unless you are going to treat Lyn and Drew with respect it may be best that you stay away for awhile. Ryo and I are the only ones who can work our problems out. Until Ryo grows some balls then there's nothing that we can do!"

"You should talk Latener! Now let go of my son!" Dee stiffened at the sound of Ryo's voice. "Gomen nasai for barging in on you Drew. I just came to get Cal and Bikky and then I'll leave. Cal is downstairs shaking and crying from hearing you guys acting like a bunch of two-year olds." He glared harshly at Dee and Bikky. There was a spark in Ryo's eyes that hadn't been there before and Bikky saw it right away.

"RYO!" Bikky yanked free of Dee and flew into his guardian's arms. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Andrew's eyes flickered. Two-year old? "Well I'm sorry that we upset Cal. Excuse me." With that he slipped back into his bedroom closing the door with a click.

Ryo sighed out of frustration. "Bikky please go down and see if Cal is okay. I have some things that I need to straighten out. Okay?"

"O-Okay." Bikky gave Ryo a quick hug before heading downstairs.

"Dee would you please ask Drew to come into his study? I wish to speak with him. He obviously mistook my comment meant for you and Bikky as also pertaining to him. Tell him that I will leave after I say my peace and if he desires... I'll stay away." With that Ryo turned and then looked back. "I'd like for you to be there as well." Dee stood there and smiled. Ryo was finally getting his spark back. That fiery soul he had grown to love was coming back to the surface. 'Way to go Ryo.' Taking a deep breath, Dee lightly knocked on the door wincing at the groan he heard coming from the other side.

"If there isn't someone bleeding or on fire I don't want to know about it." Andrew barked. He was fed up. 'You try and try and try and what do you get for it? A very exhausted husband, two cranky kids and a whole lot of headache.'

"Come on Drew!" Dee said through the door. "Ryo wants to talk to you. Please? He said that he'll leave then. Drew please allow him to say what he needs to say." Dee sighed feeling the frustration as well. Dee could hear soft voices behind the door and then it opened. Andrew's face remained neutral but he was tense and Dee could feel it. Without a word he brushed past Dee and into the study.

Ryo stood there trying not to shiver because of the fever that was still wracking his body and when Drew walked in he dropped his head like a child who had been caught with hand in the cookie jar. "Drew I want to apologize about the comment earlier. It wasn't directed at you. It was directed at Dee and Bikky... And myself as well." Ryo sighed. "Tell Lyn that I am sorry for how I was on the phone. I wasn't feeling well when he called and I was rude to him. Gomen nasai. Thanks to both of you for all that you have done for me and for Bikky. I'm sorry to have been such a burden."

Ryo looked at Dee, sighing softly, his heart heavy with shame over his actions. "Dee you know where to find me if you want to talk but it's time that I stood on my own two feet. I love you and I'll do what I can to help you and be there for you but I can't keep this up. I can't allow myself to be dragged down anymore." Ryo started to walk out. His voice went soft and with shoulders squared off, he stood there pausing for a moment. "Thank you... All of you."

Drew frowned. "So...? What? Are you like breaking up with all of us or something? Lyn likes you a lot Ryo. He'll be really hurt if you just stop talking to him. He's hurt all ready."

Ryo spun on his heals and held his head high. He was tired of cowering and appearing weak. "I'm not the one who hung up on him! If you're trying to lay guilt on me then stop it! I'll admit that I wasn't the most congenial on the phone but you try to be happy go lucky after throwing up for most of the morning! I-I'm finally finding my way back and it's like you want to break me! Why? What more do you want from me? My life? Well you can have it then! It's so screwed up at the moment that I seriously doubt anyone would want it though." Ryo allowed his head to fall. The energy it took to do much of anything just wasn't there.

"R-Ryo...?" Dee stood there stunned by his statement. "That's not true. Please baby... Don't talk like that... Yeah things ay not be going your way right now but that's not to say that they won't turn around soon! Don't you dare give up! I won't let you!"

"Yes Dee my life does suck okay? I know I shouldn't think that way and I am trying to fight these negative thoughts. I'm trying dammit! I'm really trying!" Ryo bit his bottom lip. "W-When Lyn hung up on me I sat there feeling like such an ass. I hated myself, knowing that my best friend had just come home from the hospital and there I was treating him like crap! I was being a selfish asshole! When I should have been comforting him, I went looking for comfort for myself! I hated myself so much that I wanted to plead with every Deity there was, to make it all go away... To make me go away!"

Once again Ryo raised his head up, trying to show that he was strong and he could take care of himself. "Then I got angry Dee! I got pissed and I decided to stop relying on others to fix my problems! Yeah Dee! As you so kindly put it... I grew some balls! Now maybe you should too!" Ryo covered his face with his hand, fighting off the dizziness and nausea that were hitting him.

Andrew shook his head. He had had enough. "All right then boys. You know that you're both welcome here for as long as you want. But my husband needs me. You have your own choices to make. Ryo I'm glad that you're on your feet again and I'm not really interested in guilt tripping you but you're not the only one who has feelings that can be hurt." With that Andrew limped out of the room.

"DREW!" Ryo chased after him. "Please don't do this. Don't make me beg for your forgiveness! I'm not walking out on your friendship I swear to god I'm not! I know that you're hurting and so is Lyn... Why do you think I'm trying to take control of my life again?" Ryo stood in the hallway staring at Drew, pleading for some sort of understanding yet knowing that Drew wasn't obligated to give him any.

"If nothing else I'm ashamed Drew! Ashamed of what I've become. I don't deserve yours or Lyn's friendships. I don't deserve any of it." That was it... Ryo finally found his renewed strength slipping through his fingers like sand. Sagging against the wall, Ryo felt his physical strength deserting him. "I never wanted any of this to happen. Maybe if I had been a better friend, Lyn wouldn't have gotten sick. He was stressed out... Because of me! Because of me dammit!"

Dee stood there listening, his heart breaking over the words that he heard. "Damn!" He cussed under his breath. He had missed it before. Ryo was still sick. Despite his brave act, Ryo was still very sick.

"Come on Ryo." Andrew held onto Ryo to make sure that he wouldn't fall. "I really hate to hear the word 'deserve' because very rarely do people deserve what they get or get what they deserve. Lyn and I are glad to be your friend. I didn't mean to upset you. That wasn't my intention. I apologize." Andrew's voice was gruff but his words were sincere as he looked at Ryo and noticed that he had become a little pale.

"I-I'm sorry. I'll understand if you'd rather that I-I stay away. I can hear it in your voice that you aren't happy with how I've been acting and I can't blame you for that. You don't have a reason to apologize to me Drew. It's I who should be apologizing to you and Lyn." Ryo went to turn and found his world spinning. Quickly bracing himself against the wall again, he rested his forehead against its coolness. "Kuso! This damn fever!"

"Ryo are you okay?" Dee sensed something in Ryo's voice that sent up a red flag. "Ryo?"

"Careful there. I don't want to spend another week with someone in the hospital." Andrew said, steadying Ryo and noticing the intense heat coming off of him. "I know that you're hurting and I understand that. And I was glad to hear that you are finally taking a stand for yourself. I'm sorry that I stole your thunder but I'm only human as well. I'm no paragon of virtue and as you just saw I have my moments of weakness and selfishness as well."

"T-That's why I feel so bad Drew. You're going through a lot right now and all I do... God Drew I never wanted this. I never wanted to hurt those I care about. Gomen nasai... Gomen." Ryo felt another wave of dizziness strike and quickly shut his eyes. "Please accept my apologies." Ryo tried to turn and look at Drew only the motion made the dizziness and nausea worse. "I'll let you get back to your koibito. Tell Lyn that I'll call him and that I am truly sorry for my rude behavior."

"Ryo you're about to pass out. Lyn is probably asleep so come sit down. It's okay, really." Andrew guided Ryo back into the study to one of the over stuffed chairs. "Please sit. You are still running a high fever. I can feel the heat coming off of you."

Ryo blinked several times and watched as Dee walked over to him. "Dee? Please forgive me koi? Please? I wanted to make you proud and all I do is make everyone worry."

Dee stood out of the way listening to what was happening. "Of course I forgive you Ryo. Though there's nothing to forgive you for."

"Thank you Dee that means a lot to me." He tried to look up but he felt so weak at that moment. "The room... It won't stop spinning."

"It's the fever Ryo. Lean forward and put your head between your knees." Andrew instructed with a hand on his back. "When's the last time that you were able to keep anything solid down?"

"I tried to eat this morning but threw it right back up." Ryo's hands were shaking now as he tried to overcome the waves of dizziness that was consuming him.

Andrew frowned and felt in his pocket pulling out the bottle of tablets. "Here. You need to keep on a steady dose of aspirin. You need to get that fever broken and soon." He dropped four into Ryo's hand. "They are Advil so you needn't worry about them upsetting your stomach."

Ryo stared at them for a minute as Bikky and Cal walk into the room and he managed a weak smile in their direction. He didn't want to alarm them. "W-What's going on?" Bikky asked, frowning at how pale Ryo looked.

Andrew looked over to Bikky. "He's dizzy. Will you get Ryo a glass of water and then run downstairs and make him some plain toast please?" Bikky nodded and raced off to do what Drew asked, his heart beating madly in his chest. After handing the water off to Cal, he went downstairs to make the toast.

"Oh Jesus. Drew is he okay?" Dee was shaking now as he stood there, hating the fact that he couldn't see what was going on. "Ryo babe you need to start taking care of yourself. You need to go to a doctor."

"I-I know Dee... I know." Ryo sat there feeling ashamed and embarrassed for worrying everyone.

"Take those Ryo. They will help. I really don't want you passing out on us." Andrew squatted next to Ryo, his hand on his back ready to catch him in case he did pass out.

"Hai." Ryo nodded, his hands shaking as he squinted to keep himself on the current plane. "Gomen guys." His voice was weaker now.

"Here Drew." Bikky panted as he raced in with a plate of toast and handed it to him. Looking at Ryo and how badly he appeared he knelt down next to Drew. "Is he going to be okay?" Worry was clearly etched on his young face.

"I think that he will be okay if we can get his fever to break. Hold his hand though and talk to him. Try and keep him focused." Andrew had dealt with dizziness with Lyn a hundred times before and he never really got over it. His own pulse was racing now. "Come on Ryo take the medicine and I promise that you will feel a whole lot better."

"Ryo this is why you have to start looking after yourself." Bikky held Ryo's hand tightly and felt the heat radiating off of it. Ryo's face was flushed and his dark eyes glassy with the fever that was raging inside of him.

"I'll be okay in a few minutes. It always passes." Ryo sighed and looked at Bikky weakly.

"Always? How many times has this happened?" Dee asked. Concerned for the man that he loved.

"He's gotten dizzy several times over the past two days or so!" Bikky said and watched as Ryo's dark eyes stared at him. "I'm sorry Ryo but I'm not going to cover for you. Not if it means risking your health."

"Jesus Ryo!" Dee sat down in the one chair, his own knees weakening as he worried about his partner.

"Dee don't worry okay. I-I'm fine. I just need to be more careful. I got myself upset and I got dizzy. It's not a big deal." Ryo looked down at the floor. "I have been trying to shake this, I really have. Nothing is working though. I'll call the doctor and make an appointment. I promise."

"He tells me that as well but then he never goes through with it! You were going to call the doctor today but have you? No of course not!" Bikky frowned. "You big oaf! You have to get your health back Ryo! Please?" Bikky watched as Ryo nodded to him slowly too exhausted to do much of anything else.

Andrew listened with only half an ear as he watched Ryo take the pills and make a face. "Yeah they don't taste good when you're feeling nauseous but they will help. All right now just give them a couple minutes to digest and then try and eat some of this toast." Reaching over to the end table Andrew handed the plate of toast to Ryo. "Eat that and I will go down stairs and make some soup for everyone. You talk with your family and listen to your son Ryo. You need your health." He looked at Dee. "Have him lie down then and stay warm. With any luck we can get his fever to break by dinnertime."

"Drew hold on a minute will you? I want you to hear this... Witness this actually. Okay?" Dee winced as he stood. "Bikky move aside please." Dee walked over and knelt down in front of Ryo, grimacing as he did.

"Dee your knees!" Ryo frowned.

"The hell with my knees." Reaching up, Dee cupped Ryo's face, his thumbs resting at his lips. "I want you to promise me, in front of Drew, that you will start taking care of yourself. That you will go to the doctors and that you will work at getting your strength back. Promise me that and we'll work out something to start getting our relationship back on track." Dee sighed softly. It wouldn't be easy but he had to start somewhere.

"For you Dee? I-I'll do anything. If it means getting you back. If it means having my family whole again I'll walk over a bed of hot coals..." Ryo smiled through his fevered haze.

"Good! Did you get that Drew?" Dee smiled. "Here's an incentive to get you started." Dee closed the gap as he brought their lips together, sighing softly over the contact before breaking and smiling up at his partner.

"Dee you'll get my cold." Ryo spoke weakly as he looked into his lover's face.

"But aren't we supposed to share the good and the bad?" Dee smirked. "Here's more of the good." Before Ryo could say another word, Dee's lips once again captured his. Starting out slowly, the kiss soon deepened into something more passionate.

"Okay I'm out of here. I don't need to see this part!" Bikky cringed and looked at Drew. "Well I guess that means I'll have to see more of that now. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing but if it means that those two are happy... Then I'll deal with it. Somehow."

Drew smiled looking down at Bikky giving the men some privacy. "Yeah I reckon so and you will deal with it. Want to come help me with dinner and leave those two lovebirds alone?"

"Heck yeah! Better then watching that! Yuck!" Bikky made a face.

"You didn't say that when I kissed your cheek earlier now did you Bikky?" Cal grinned as she followed them.

"CAL!" Bikky blushed to the roots of his hair. "Drew's here." He spoke out of the corner of his mouth.

Drew muttered out of the corner of his mouth in a stage whisper. "Because you know Drew has NEVER kissed anyone before. Nope... Never... Not once." Andrew smirked as he gimped into the kitchen putting the kids to work quickly on getting some dinner together.

Ryo sat there resting and smiling as he listened to the chatter amongst those seated around the table. Looking at Dee he found himself sighing softly as he slipped his hand into Dee's under the table. Dee grinned as he turned and was shocked when soft lips touched his. "Thank you Dee. Thanks for being my strength." Ryo smiled, beamed actually.

"That's because you're my rock." Dee grinned happily giving Ryo's hand a squeeze and then stealing a kiss of his own.

"Gross!" Bikky made a face. "Lyn! Drew! Make them stop! I'm going to lose my dinner for sure!" Bikky moaned as he pleaded with them.

Lyn grinned. "Actually..." He leaned over and kissed Drew's cheek. "You'd better get used to it Bikky. There's going to be a lot more of that going around." Keiry seemed to agree for after banging her spoon on her highchair she made loud smacking-kissing motions with her lips.

"Oh great! Just what I need! A kissing fest!" Bikky groaned.

"Someone needs to see how nice it can be. Don't you think so Dee?" Ryo grinned as he leaned in to kiss Dee's cheek.

"Oh without a doubt. What do you say Cal?" Dee was smiling from ear to ear.

"Most definitely." Cal laughed as Ryo nodded and before Bikky could protest, Ryo was standing behind him as Dee scooted closer with Cal on his other side, and all three thoroughly kissed Bikky who only managed whimpered cries for help.

"LYN! DREW! HELP!" Bikky cried out. "Oh gross! Dee germs!"

Lyn looked to Drew, grinning. "Well I got to admit he has a point. Dee does have cooties..."

Andrew laughed shaking his head. "Well we got plenty of cootie spray on hand."

"Oh sure make fun of it! Some help you two are!" Bikky glared at them and then started laughing when both Ryo and Dee started tickling him. "UNCLE! I GIVE! YOU WIN!" He laughed harder.

Ryo sat on the sofa with Dee. Bikky and Cal had long ago crashed upstairs with Cal in the girl's room and Bikky on the floor of the study. Now the adults sat there enjoying the peaceful tranquility. Ryo rested his head on Dee's shoulder as the movie came to an end, watching through half lidded eyes as Drew got up to take the disk out of the DVD player.

"That was so good. That movie always makes me cry." Ryo sighed, dabbing at his eyes before turning his head to look up at Dee. "I purposely picked 'Terms of Endearment' because I knew that you had seen it several times before. This way as you listened, you could picture the scenes."

"Thanks. It helped being familiar with it." Dee smiled. "It was made even better because you were here to share it with me." Dee grinned and dipped his head down, meeting Ryo halfway in a slow and sultry kiss. "Mmm sweet!" He wiggled his eyebrows and smiled. "Want more." Dee once again captured Ryo's lips, this time allowing his tongue to slip past them and into the heated cavern.

Ryo was surprised but gladly shifted and brought his arms around Dee who lay back, pulling Ryo down onto the couch and on top of him. A soft moan escaping his lips as he held on to Dee for dear life, so afraid that at any moment Dee would break the contact and leave him empty and cold again.

Dee moaned and then realized that Drew and Lyn were still there. "Uhm... Ryo? We aren't alone babe! We're putting on a sh...OW!" Dee jumped when Ryo repositioned himself so that he was lying comfortably between Dee's legs while Ryo's hands caressed Dee's chest.

"Gomen but I'm holding onto this moment for as long as I can." Ryo spoke softly as he planted light kisses across Dee's chest, smiling when Dee started to moan.

Lyn and Andrew made a quiet departure, slinking up the stairs to leave the men alone. Dee couldn't help but laugh upon hearing them go. "God Ryo when did you get so brave? Not that I mind... Wow!"

"When I realized that I wanted you in my life more then anything. Shyness and fear only held me back." Ryo slithered up to be face to face with Dee. "I love you." Ryo spoke against Dee's lips before pressing his down in an all out passionate kiss. His hips ground downward, showing Dee just what it was doing to him.

Dee gasped in surprise as he felt Ryo's arousal and the beginnings of his own. "Holy Shit..." Dee muttered. "I love you too Ryo. God how I love you." He seized Ryo's mouth with passion, exploring every corner of it with his tongue while his hand rubbed over Ryo's muscled chest.

"Feels so good Dee." Ryo panted out as his hips continued rubbing against Dee whose mouth was now making its way down over his neck and throat. Ryo never realized just how wonderful it could feel. The mere thought that he was turning Dee on had Ryo near tears. He was the cause of the erection now rubbing against his own. He helped to make it. It was overwhelming to say the least. Both men were panting hard and ready for more when the shrill of the phone ringing broke through the air.

"Dammit!" Dee snapped. "Don't answer it Ryo." He needed this. Needed it too badly. It was Ryo on top of him, pressing against him. It was Ryo's hands mouth and body he felt... Not that crazy bitch lady's. It was what he had been waiting years for. He couldn't give it up now, couldn't lose this moment. If only they could make love, go all the way. Dee felt like maybe, just maybe that things would be okay again.

"Let Drew or Lyn answer it. It's their home." Ryo spoke against the flesh of Dee's neck. He wanted more. He wanted it all. Finally after 2 years he was ready to accept what Dee had been offering. Dee's nimble fingers were all ready undoing his shirt as Ryo did the same to Dee's, kissing as much of the exposed flesh as he could.

"EH HEM!" The voice behind them caused Ryo to jump and when he turned, Lyn was standing there holding out the phone. "Sorry guys but it's the precinct." Lyn said looking sheepish. "I figured it might be worth the interruption. Sorry."

Ryo blushed furiously as tried to sit up, close up his shirt and hide the obvious bulge in his all ready skintight jeans. "Thanks Lyn." Ryo's voice was shaky as he took the phone. "H-Hello?"

While Ryo spoke Dee frowned. "Damn! What lousy timing! On the part of the precinct and for you bringing it to our attention." Dee stuck his tongue out in Lyn's general direction. "Just for that I won't get the girls when they cry out just to keep your make out sessions with Drew from being disturbed." Dee smirked.

Lyn laughed softly. "All right. Fair is fair. I'm going back upstairs. Anything you might need is in the medicine cabinet on the left." With a chuckle Lyn disappeared up the stairs shaking his head with amusement.

"Sure now you tell me! Mr. Happy is now Mr. Limpy!" Dee shouted over his shoulder and got a smack on the arm from Ryo.

"DEE! I was on the phone with Berkley!" Ryo admonished him. "I've got good news! I'm being reinstated tomorrow. Badge and all. It wasn't a bullet from my gun that hit Ted after all. It was from the second suspect. I'm back on the force Dee." Ryo smiled as he looked at Dee.

Dee grinned brilliantly hugging Ryo tightly to him. "That's great news! Good for you Ryo!" Although he really wished that the call had come an hour earlier or two hours later.

"Dee? I-I need to go home. Berkley wants me in at 6am. They're swamped in cases. Gomen..." Ryo reached out to caress Dee's cheek. "I need to get some sleep and make sure that my fever doesn't come back. Please don't be angry."

Dee sighed heavily. It was a moot point. He had lost his erection faster then a midget in a cornfield. "Don't worry baby. I'm not mad. I understand. Besides I've been worried about you as well. You need to take care of yourself." Dee's voice was somber and a little depressed. Dammit! He had missed his chance once again!

"Maybe I can stop by tomorrow night. We could always try this again?" Ryo kissed Dee softly. "Just being with you like this is enough to make me happy Dee. I love you so much." Again he kissed him, this time giving more into the kiss. "Do you think that Lyn and Drew would mind if Cal and Bikky stayed the night? I'd hate to wake them up."

"I...I love you too Ryo. And let's just take it one day at a time okay? Today was a good day but tomorrow might be different." Dee hated to say it, hated that he had to say it. Normally he wouldn't be taking no for an answer. Had it not have been for that stupid gay bashing he would be screwing Ryo's brains out right this minute. But no, instead he was saying 'Wait and see. Wait and see.'

"Okay... Sure..." Ryo sat up and adjusted his clothes, searching on the floor for his sneakers. "I'll leave money here for Bikky and Cal to get home. Tell them to make sure that their homework is caught up for school on Tuesday." Ryo sighed, trying to keep the disappointment out of his voice. "Better yet... How about if you call me if you're up to having me come by. Okay?" He tried to remain positive despite everything.

Dee nodded. "I'm sorry Ryo. I wish it were different. I'm trying. Dammit!" Dee slammed his fist into his palm in frustration and anger with himself. "I'll call you." He said finally, defeated.

Taking his hands and holding them, Ryo sighed softly. "Dee it's okay, really. Take your time. I have no intentions of going anywhere. I'll be waiting for you. I promise." Ryo in one final bold attempt at securing Dee's heart back in his corner straddled Dee's thighs. "I'm here if you want to just talk too. I'll always be here for you." His voice was soft and gentle as he wrapped his arms around Dee's neck and held him close. "Ai shiteru itsumo."

Dee wrapped his arms tightly around Ryo pulling him into a near crushing embrace, pressing his face into the hollow of Ryo's neck. "Thank you baby. Thank you so much. I love you too." It took a lot of will power to slowly let Ryo go. Part of him wanted to beg Ryo to stay the night. Just to sleep next to him and be near him but he was afraid. Afraid of the nightmares, afraid to have Ryo see him that far down. Afraid that by having Ryo there it would make them worse. "Good night Ryo. Sleep well and be careful."

"I will. Goodnight Dee. I love you." Ryo quickly slipped out of the house before Dee could hear the tears slipping from his eyes. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to stay close to him... To finally make love to him but once again fate stepped in and squashed his hopes. As happy as he was to be going back to work, he was just as miserable that the call interrupted what had been the best moment that he and Dee had had, in a long time. "That's it! Call forwarding is going!" He snapped as he got into his car.

The drive home was done so with a heavy heart and when Ryo walked into the empty apartment he sighed. Going back to the bedroom he kicked aside the various items still cluttering the floor, left there after his fit of rage had died down and he had sped off to Lyn and Andrew's. "I miss him." Ryo spoke to the empty room as he undressed. "Soon thought he will come home to me and shared my heart and my bed as my lover. I promise. I won't give up until that happens."

Ryo had barely gotten to his desk when Rose entered his office. "On your feet MacLean. We just picked up a woman over in Brooklyn and she appears to be your suspect for the gay bashing homicide case. Are you up to heading up the interrogation?" Rose gave him a hard look, obviously still pissed at having been threatened with a lawsuit over his unrequited affections.

"HAI! I mean yes sir!" Ryo jumped to his feet, happy to hopefully put this whole nightmare behind him. Despite his still weakened state he wasn't going to pass on this and just hoped that the fever, which had returned, wouldn't get in the way. Grabbing a clipboard off of his desk he looked at Rose. "Are you teaming with me in the interview sir?" He asked as he headed towards the interrogation room.

"No I won't." Rose looked out over the scattering of desks where various cops and their partners sat. "JJ..." He said with some disdain. "Take JJ with you." Rose shook his head. "And don't screw it up. I know that you have got personal ties to this one so keep it under your hat. All right? I will be on the other side of the glass watching. If you misstep..." Rose stepped closer coming nose to nose with Ryo, almost close enough to kiss him but stopped short. "I hope I have made myself clear enough."

"I assure you Lt. that I have no intentions of screwing this up! If you feel that I may then you are more then welcomed to take my place sir. After all I would hate to go against department regulations and procedures." Ryo hissed. After last night he had regained some of his self-confidence and now not even Rose was about to tear it away from him.

"Go do your job MacLean!" Rose snapped, pointing at the door with a stiff hand.

Gritting his teeth and shaking his head Ryo stormed past him grabbing JJ by the elbow along the way. "Come on JJ! You and I have work to do."

"B-But Ryo..." JJ whined, unsure where the elder officer was marching him to.

"No butts about it. We have a suspect to interview. They brought in Marlo and I want to nail this bitch's ass!" Ryo's face was set in stone unwilling to let his nervousness show. He had a job to do. A job that might just win Dee the rest of his sanity back. And though he was loath to let JJ be his partner in this matter he knew that JJ in a way had his own vested interest in not screwing up. It was his Dee sempai who had been hurt by her too. And JJ's own inclinations could easily make him the next victim.

"Oka y Miss Wylie I will ask you one more time and maybe you could make it easy on both of us by just answering the question." Ryo sat there, his head throbbing in frustration. "Where were you on the night of March 10th?"

"I was at home doing my nails! And where were you handsome?" Marlo grinned then winked at Ryo as she ran her hand through her short red hair. "You know you are really cute. Judging by those hands and those long fingers... I'd wager a safe bet that the gun you have holstered in you pants is just as impressive." She laughed when Ryo turned beet red and got up to walk over to the window, glancing at JJ as he did so.

Ignoring her remark, Ryo continued with the questioning. "Miss Wylie you and I both know that to be a lie. You were seen at Bernie's that night with a man who later was found beaten to within an inch of his life. Now answer the question!" Ryo sighed and ran his hand through his hair. "Where were you on the night of March the 10th!"

"You know? I've changed my mind! I want my lawyer!" She slumped into the chair, crossing her arms in front of her.

Ryo sighed trying to keep his anger under control. "You waived your right to have a lawyer present."

"Well I changed my mind! It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind Detective MacLean!" She hissed at him. "I refuse to answer any more questions until he's here!"

"FINE!" Ryo spat. Angered that she had just wasted over an hour of their time. "I'll have him called down to the precinct!" Ryo headed for the door. "JJ keep an eye on her!"

Getting up Marlo waggled her eyebrows and sauntered over to Ryo before he could escape out the door. "What's wrong Detective? Am I too much of a woman for you? Have you ever been with a woman...? Fag?" She whispered coyly next to his ear. "Or must someone have a dick in order for you to get turned on?" She laughed at the flushed coloring on Ryo's cheeks.

"JJ! Put her in the holding cell NOW!" Ryo turned and stormed out the door, angered by her comments. Leaning against the wall he tried to calm his erratic breathing by closing his eyes tightly and taking deep breaths.

Confused, JJ watched Ryo leave, wondering what was said to anger the man so badly. Glancing over at the two-way mirror he merely shrugged his shoulders. "Come on Miss Wyllie. In you go." JJ took her arm and led her over to the cell that was in the back of the room. "Now behave until your lawyer gets here."

Marlo smiled seductively at JJ. "What about you big fella? Are you able to take on a real woman? Are you man enough?" She purred suggestively. JJ just shrugged and placed her in the cell, shutting the door between them then making sure that it was locked.

"We will be back Miss Wylie." JJ started walking away. "Oh and just for the record... I'm gay." He smirked when Marlo slumped down onto the cot, pouting. "See ya later." He said and walked out the door, feeling a little better then before.

Ryo was still standing there against the wall looking pale when JJ came out of the room and Rose joined him. "What the hell was that all about MacLean?"

"S-Sorry sir but you heard her. She wants her lawyer." Ryo tried to remain calm. His fever was coming back up and he was fighting to stay on his feet. "She has to be the one who was with Dee... I'm certain of it!" He commented with much confidence.

Rose rolled his eyes and threw his hands in the air. "You know better MacLean! You have to wear them down when they pull shit like that! She waived her rights!" Rose hissed between clenched teeth. "Now pull it together MacLean and get her back in here to do your job!" Rose seethed. "Assumptions won't get a conviction no matter how hard you try. We need cold hard facts! We need evidence! We need her fucking statement!" He shouted at Ryo.

"I-I can't... I'm sorry but I won't risk obtaining her statement and then having it thrown out in court!" Ryo was shaking now the chills hitting him hard. "If you want to do that then get Drake or someone else. I know what that bitch did to Dee and it makes me sick. I want her put away for the rest of her frigging life! I want her to suffer just as much as she's making Dee and my family suffer! GOT THAT!" Ryo was angry and knew that the best thing for him was to simply walk away. When he tried though he found himself staggering as the room began spinning wildly. "Shit..." Ryo felt himself falling forward yet could do nothing to stop it.

"Christ Ryo!" Rose snapped as Ryo started to fall. Scooping him up into his arms he carried him to the break room to lay him out on the couch. Rose could feel the heat just pouring off of Ryo's body and knew that his Detective still wasn't well at all. Ryo was barely aware of Rose undoing his tie and the top two buttons of his shirt then propping a pillow behind his head. He was barely aware of JJ standing over him and looking down with a sort of wide-eyed fascination. He was only aware of the fever that was now taking hold once more.

"Ryo? What's wrong with you?" JJ asked with a sort of child like interest.

"F-Fever... C-Can't s-seem to b-break it." Ryo said as he felt himself slipping further down into the black abyss.

"JJ! Call Dee and find out what he knows about this and then go get some Advil or Tylenol or Aspirin if we have it." Rose shouted to him. "And please make sure that the damn shit isn't outdated!" JJ nodded and grabbed the phone, watching as Ryo moaned.

When Ryo started coming around JJ was still standing over him, phone cradled between his ear and his shoulder, a bottle of water in one hand and a bottle of aspirin in the other. "Are you sure? He can't take aspirin? That could be a problem." JJ argued into the phone. "Well I don't know if we have anything else! Excuse me for being human! Who am I talking to again?" JJ groaned. "Oh. Right... Franz!" Suddenly JJ's eyes lit up. "Is my Dee sempai there? Can I talk to him? What do you mean no I can't? Okay, Okay! I'll go see if anyone has Acetaminophen or Ibuprofen." JJ's temporary glee was replaced with melancholy. "All right! Yes I'll tell him! Thanks Franz. Bye." JJ hung up the phone peering down at Ryo again.

"JJ? W-What h-happened." Ryo tried to sit up only the swirl of the room and a throbbing headache forced him back into a semi reclining position as he shivered. "M-Marlo... We have to... Have to... finish the interview... We have to make the case against her stick." Ryo sighed. Shutting his eyes tightly as the pounding in his head intensified.

"Never mind that right now. Franz says you've been battling a fever for days now." JJ searched the drawers trying to find something other than aspirin for Ryo, smiling when he came up with a small bottle of Motrin. "Here! Take these. Franz says to take extra, you won't OD on them... And to stop stressing over what ever it is that has you so worked up."

"F-Franz? Who the hell is Franz?" Ryo swallowed the pills, taking several sips of the water to get them down. "Thanks JJ. I guess it'll take a few attempts to get this fever to break and stay that way." Ryo sighed and rested there for awhile, allowing the pills to do their job. After awhile he was able to sit up though his head was still throbbing. It was at that moment that Drake stuck his head into the room, causing both men to jump.

"Hey good news. That Mr. Rentschler finally came in. He made a positive ID on our suspect. Now if he can just get over his fear of testifying we should be able to send her down the pike and spare Dee the trauma of having to testify." He grinned and stepped into the room, kneeling down in front of Ryo. "You okay man? I heard that you passed out." Noticing the flush in Ryo's cheeks he frowned.

"Oh man! You still haven't been able to keep that fever down have you?" Seeing Ryo shake his head he sighed. "I know it's a myth and an old wives' tale but I'm telling you Ryo... Go home, drink a few shots of whiskey, get under the blankets and sweat the damn thing out! My Grammy had us doing that all the time and it always worked!" Drake gave Ryo a look that was similar to the looks a concerned parent would give a child.

"Thanks Drake. I'll keep that in mind. Actually nothing else seems to be working so why not try that huh? I just need to break this fever for good and then I'll be much better." Ryo gave him a weak smile. "I want to stop by and tell Dee about Marlo after work so I'll ask Lyn if he has any whiskey. I don't drink it myself. Sake, yes... Wine... definitely. The 'once in a blue moon' beer... Sure. Whiskey...? No! I can't stand the taste of it." Ryo chuckled and watched Drake shake his head and laugh.

"Yeah it takes some getting used to but trust me on this one. Whiskey... Blankets... Sweat your ass off... Bye-Bye fever!" Drake waved. "Hey why don't you just take off early? Go home and get that rest you need. I'll cover for you in the interview with Marlo."

"Thanks. Maybe I will do just that. I don't know how much work I'll get done anyway. Not with feeling like this." Ryo sighed and swung his feet onto the floor. "I'll stop by and see Dee before going home though."

Drake stood and clapped Ryo on the back. "Good enough. I'll call you if anything develops. Now go home MacLean. I don't want to have to explain to my best bud why his partner and boyfriend is in the hospital." Drake laughed softly, nodding to JJ before exiting the room.

JJ grinned brilliantly. "If you're going to go see Dee can I come along?" Ryo just glared at him with glassy dark eyes that were a telltale sign of the fever that was ravaging his body. "Uh never mind. Forget I asked. Besides I don't want to be in the same room with that Franz guy again. He's mean!" He looked to Ryo who seemed puzzled. "Come on Ryo! You know? Big blond Norse guy...? The one built like a linebacker with a personality to match?" JJ stood there with his hands on his hips, sighing in frustration. "That day I met him he was hanging all over Dee..."

"H-Hanging all over him?" Ryo looked at JJ suspiciously. "You mean guiding him don't you? With Dee's hand in the crook of his elbow. That's how you do it. Besides Dee would never cheat on me and certainly not with Drew! Drew is sworn to Lyn and visa versa." Ryo glared at him hard.

JJ's eyes glinted with mischief. Maybe this was the chance he had been looking for to finally drive Ryo away from his Dee sempai! "Drew... Franz... Whatever he's called. That's not the point here. AND... Guiding him was now how it looked like to me. Ryo old buddy... It looked pretty damn intimate to me. Franz got REEEEAAALLL jealous when I tried to give Dee some get well flowers." JJ nodded falling into the minor exaggeration as he went. "Yup... He looked real jealous! Even tried to break my arm he did! Bent it back real hard and then booted me away from Dee... That's what he did! Yesiree!"

"NO! JJ that's not funny! Drew wouldn't and neither would Dee!" Ryo rubbed his temples, trying to relieve some of the pressure that was building up. "Dee loves me and I love him. That's all that matters! You obviously are mistaken with your observations." Ryo tried to shake the thought. "JJ? Go tell Lt. Rose that I'm leaving for the day and if anything comes up or if I am needed for any reason that I will be at home." Ryo's voice was soft and laced with the pain of his headache.

"Yeah... Sure Ryo... Whatever." Disheartened that his plan had not worked, JJ skulked out of the room, returning less then five minutes later. "The Lt says..." JJ paused to clear his throat for effect. "Get the hell out of here, meaning you... You're useless to me like this anyway."

"Thanks JJ. I should be in tomorrow." Ryo took his time going back to his office to collect his things before heading for his car. The drive to Lyn and Andrew's was slow and tedious for he had to stop several times to clear his head but soon he was pulling up in their driveway, happy to have made it in one piece. Getting out of the car, he walked up to the door and rang the doorbell, waiting for someone to answer.

Lyn answered after a few long moments, Duke on his heels, Keiry in one arm and Annie in the other. "Ryo? Come in... I really don't know why you insist on ringing the doorbell? You can just walk in you know. "Lyn stepped back to allow him to enter then shut the door with his foot. "Are you okay? Andrew just got a call from the station..."

"My fever came back and I sort of passed out but I'm okay now. I'm still a little woozy but it'll pass." Ryo forced a smile trying not to worry his friend. "I needed to see Dee for a minute. I have good news for him." He said and then genuinely smiled at the girls. "I just had to come over but I'll only stay a few and then I need to go home and get some rest." He sighed softly. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. Dee is upstairs in the study. I think Andrew was trying to teach him how to play chess. Feel free to raid our fridge since you should still try and eat. Go for something light that won't upset your stomach. Lyn suggested. "Actually why don't you go up and talk to Dee and I will make you some soup." Lyn offered with a smile.

"Thanks." Ryo was about to protest but knew better and so he nodded in agreement instead. Do you need me to take one of them off of your hands?" Ryo cocked his head and held out his hands. "You look like you have your hands full as it is." He chuckled. "You're a great friend Lyn. Thank you for all you have done for my family and me."

"Hey no sweat Ryo. You're no slouch yourself. And if it wouldn't be too much of a hassle I would greatly appreciate it if you could grab one of the girls for me."

Ryo beamed as he signed 'Hello' to Keiry and then the word 'Hug.' "I've been studying those books you loaned me on signing." Ryo laughed when Keiry smiled and reached out to him. "Come on princess and we'll go talk to Dee." He knew that she didn't hear him but still he was walking on a cloud and wanted to share it.

Lyn grinned and disappeared into the kitchen. Keiry who was quite fond of her new 'uncles' clung to Ryo happily. Reaching into his front shirt pocket she pulled out what she found there as Ryo ascended the stairs while chubby hands waved around Ryo's pen and note pad happily. Walking into the study, Ryo quietly tiptoed up behind Dee, shushing both Drew and Keiry as he bent down and blew air across Dee's ear. "Hey there good looking." Ryo laughed softly.

Dee jumped and almost fell out of his chair, which was across from Drew's. "Christ on a Cross! Jeez Ryo! It's not really nice to sneak up on a blind man you know!" Dee's voice held laughter and he swiveled to face Ryo. "What are you doing home so early? Drew said that JJ had called?"

Drew nodded in agreement. "Yeah he said that you were running a fever and even passed out. Is everything okay?"

"Yeah... I-I passed out for a few moments but I'm okay now." Ryo knelt down and then planted a kiss to Dee's lips. "I had to come and see you koi. For one thing, I missed you and another? I have good news for you."

Dee returned the soft kiss though it had caught him off guard. "What's the good news?"

"We arrested Marlo Wylie and Mr. Rentschler came in to positively identify her as his attacker. Good thing too because it seems that our Miss Wylie has changed her appearance somewhat." Ryo frowned at the way Dee stiffened slightly when he had kissed him.

"M-Marlo..." He rolled the name around in his mouth the bitterness causing him to make a face. "So... So we got her huh?" Dee could barely start to hope. It was too good to be true. Too necessary to be true. There was a light at the end of this tunnel finally. Things just might be okay again.

"Hai! As long as Mr. Rentschler is willing to testify we should be home free. That woman is sick Dee! I want to see her pay for her heinous crimes!" Ryo closed his eyes, shivering as the image of her being so close to him flooded his mind. "She at first waived her rights to have a lawyer present during questioning but when I started catching her on her lies, she did a complete turn around and insisted on having her lawyer present."

"Figures... The b... Witch." Dee said instead of the cuss word he was going to use.

Ryo shifted Keiry when he felt her reaching inside his jacket. 'No sweetheart. No toy.' Ryo managed to sign out when Keiry's hand went towards his holster. Looking up at Drew and fearful that he could get worried over seeing his child so close to a firearm, he tried to reassure him. "The safety is on and it's snapped in." Andrew nodded. He wasn't terribly worried. He seriously doubted the small hands could even get the snap opened on the holster yet alone get a grip on the gun.

Dee listened carefully to Ryo's words, to Keiry's movements, the way Andrew shifted in his seat... He was hurting. Andrew had been shifting in his chair a lot that morning, a telltale sign that he was in some pain. "Will I have to testify?" Dee asked, finding his throat dry all of a sudden.

"You may have to Dee, gomen. I wish I could protect you from it. Maybe Rentschler's testimony will be enough to convict her." Ryo saw how Dee stiffened and trembled. "Dee I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you." Ryo wrapped an arm around Dee's neck trying to calm him while keeping Keiry happy as well. "I'll be with you every step of the way. I promise baby."

Dee nodded slowly smiling slightly over the term of endearment that Ryo had used on him. "I know that you will Ryo and thank you but this is still going to be tough. Shit! I hate this." Dee rubbed his face. "But hell, at least she's off the streets right? She can't hurt anyone else any more."

"Right Dee! She's locked up right now until her bail hearing and from what I've heard the DA is going to consider her a high risk with the potential to flee so she will most likely be denied bail." Ryo caressed Dee's cheek, smiling weakly. "I need to sit down Dee okay? I'm still feeling a little dizzy."

Dee stood immediately, taking Ryo's elbow and leading him to the nearest chair. "Sit down baby. God are you all right? You want me to take the br... Err Munchkin?" Dee corrected himself and sat on the arm of the chair. His face was a mask of concern for his partner as he rubbed Ryo's back.

"Yeah... I-I'll be okay. I guess I just need to get more rest. I did eat this morning and kept it down though. So that's a good sign." Ryo felt guilty over worrying Dee considering he had so many other things on his mind. He watched as Keiry held out her arms for Dee and as soon as she was in his grasp she laid her head down on his shoulder, wrapping her arms around his neck. "She really adores you Dee." Ryo sighed softly.

"Nah she just thinks that I'm going to give her more sweets that's all." Dee said gruffly as he kissed the top of her head. "Well you should try and eat some lunch. Is Lyn getting you something or should I go make you something? And please Ryo, don't let Rose work you too hard. I bet that bastard half molested you while you were unconscious!"

"Hai! Lyn is making soup." Ryo sat up straight, stiffening over Dee's comment. "I-I passed out but as far as I know, JJ was in the room the whole time. I don't think I was out for long though." He started trying to remember. "Rose did loosen my shirt and tie but I think that he behaved. I'll question JJ on it tomorrow though I doubt that there's anything to worry about."

"So help me.... If he touched you I will kick his ass!" Dee roared, making Keiry jump at the heavy vibrations then start to cry when she saw Dee's face frozen with anger. Immediately Dee softened his tone, rocking Keiry to soothe her. 'No. Not you little one.' He signed before turning back to Ryo. "I swear I will kill him Ryo if he did anything questionable!"

'Dee Sorry' Ryo signed to Keiry, to help calm her down. He was quite impressed with how much he had actually picked up in just a few days with the books. "It's okay Dee. I'm sure that he behaved besides Lyn all ready threatened him with a lawsuit, so I'm sure he had that crossing his mind at the time." Ryo tried to soothe things Dee with a kiss. "You should know by now that no one can turn me on like you can." Ryo blushed when he realized that he had forgotten about Drew who was still in the room. "Oops..." He chuckled nervously. Drew whistled absentmindedly and twiddled his thumbs as he studied one of the many book cases in the room, acting like he had not hear a single thing that Ryo had said.

Dee leaned into the kiss, giving back what he received. "Believe me Ryo, the feeling is mutual ba... OUCH!" Keiry gave Dee's hair a yank as he leaned in for another kiss from Ryo.

"Yeah... She's an attention hog." Andrew snickered.

"Hmm? I guess that I got competition." Ryo chuckled. "Well princess he's all mine. Besides he's much too old for you anyway." Ryo smiled at Dee. "God I love you."

"Who's too old? I happen to be in my prime!" Dee laughed and finally got that kiss. "I love you too babe."

"Great! We all love each other! We're just one big hippy love in." Lyn laughed from the doorway with a tray balanced in one hand and Annie on his hip. Walking into the room he carefully set it down on the coffee table. "Soups on. Spaghetti with sauteed vegetables, garlic bread and milk."

Ryo stared at him in disbelief. "You managed all that in fifteen minutes?"

Lyn laughed sheepishly. "No I had started all ready actually. I just really like to cook."

"So do I. Maybe we'll have to trade recipes or something. I'm always on the look out for new things to make." Ryo said and then stopped before breaking out in laughter. "Oh God! That sound like such a girl thing! See what you guys have done to me? You got me even more domesticated then before." Ryo laughed harder.

Lyn and Andrew exchanged looks before Lyn quickly removed his apron and hid it under a pillow. "Who you calling a girl huh!?"

Ryo went wide-eyed and broke into more laughter. "Lyn I'm sorry... It wasn't meant offensively... It's okay I wear an apron at home too..." Wiping at his eyes he saw a big grin cross Dee's face. "Now what? You hentai? And don't deny it! I know what that grin means!"

"I was just picturing you in nothing BUT the apron." Dee wiggled his eyebrows at Ryo. "Coffee tea or me?"

"DEE! You... Oh jeez!" Ryo blushed a deep red. Dee and Drew were both laughing by now over Lyn and Ryo's predicament.

"Oh so I'm just all round girly huh." Lyn put his hands on his hips and blew his bangs out of his face in a decidedly un-masculine fashion. "You act a little androgynous and suddenly you're a pansy. Sure, sure laugh it up. Just don't come crying to me the next time you need a button sewn back on." Lyn laughed shaking his head, not in the least bit offended as he passed out plates. "Maybe you should get me a collar with your name on it, Andrew. 'This Uke Belongs to Andrew' or something like that. Mind you, it would be a lie but the other way around is less impressive."

Ryo laughed now and watched as Dee seemed confused by the reference to the word uke. "Uke is Japanese for submissive or bottom. Just like seme means dominate or top..."

"Then I guess that I'd be seme." Dee grinned.

"Oh? You're sure about that huh?" Ryo smirked when Dee's jaw dropped. "Close your mouth lover you'll let the flies in." Using two fingers, Ryo pushed Dee's jaw up to close it before kissing his lips.

Lyn and Andrew just exchanged another amused glance. "You know it's not like assigned seating or anything. You can switch things up a bit." Lyn said with a laugh as he picked up his own plate and sat on the edge of his desk, taking a mouth full of pasta.

"Yeah but we're looking at virgin territory here. He needs to be shown the ropes." Dee smirked.

"DEE! I am not a virgin!" Ryo blushed and hid his face in the crook of Dee's arm. "I-I've been with a woman before." He said it quickly and then sighed knowing they weren't going to let him get away that easily.

"Yeah but you haven't been with me yet baby! In fact you have never been with another man. To put it bluntly, that gorgeous ass of yours is virgin territory as far as we are concerned." Dee smiled and then laughed. "That will change soon enough though..."

Swatting Dee's arm, "DEE!" Ryo's eyes were wide with embarrassment. "I-I'm so... Oh jeez... Tomadou.." Ryo sighed and then laughed.

Dee laughed and then kissed the top of Ryo's head. "Hey Drew! What color are his cheeks? Plain red or deep fire engine red?" He teased his partner good-naturedly.

"I would say somewhere in the vicinity of lobster to tomato...." Andrew offered around a bit of food. "Oh... Oh wait..." Andrew watched Ryo carefully a moment. "We have hit fire engine red!"

"Thanks Drew! You're really helping matters here." Ryo smiled and leaned in to hide his face in Dee's shoulder. "Are you guys through with embarrassing me yet?" Ryo said as he sat up and started eating. He managed to eat just a little over quarter of his food before he had to set the plate down. "Lyn? Oishii but I'm still not able to eat too much in one sitting. Gomen." He looked at his friend sadly. "I uhm should get home and try to rest before Bikky gets home and I have to start on dinner."

"Hey, take some energy bars with you. They're in the cupboard downstairs. They are better then most snack foods and will at least give you some much needed vitamins." Lyn offered, still munching on his own meal.

"And tomorrow don't let Rose push you around Ryo. I'm serious! If he tries anything just clock him one for me." Dee said grimly with his face set.

"I will and I'll also pick up some of those energy bars to keep at work as well." Ryo tried to reassure everyone that he was doing what he could to get better. "Dee you know that Rose has no place in my heart koi. It's filled with you and Bikky... And my friends." Ryo smiled softly. Leaning in he spoke against Dee's mouth. "Do you want me to stop by later tonight if I feel better?" He brushed his lips over Dee's suggestively.

Dee hesitated a moment. He was quickly finding out that he had no problem being with Ryo spontaneously. When he didn't have a chance or time to think worry and wait but to schedule things was another issue all together. He didn't want to agree to seeing Ryo later. Didn't want to dwell on the possibilities... Would Ryo want to do more then just kiss if he did come by? What if he couldn't get aroused what would Ryo think then? "C-Can I get back to you on that babe?"

Ryo sat back a little, stunned, the disappointment was clearly there for Lyn and Drew to witness. "Hey sure... No problem." He acted as though he remembered something important and snapped his fingers. "You know what? I just remembered Bikky has a basketball game tonight and I promised to drive him and 2 other boys to the game and then home again. I guess it slipped my mind with all that's going on. How about if I call you tomorrow instead?" Ryo kissed the top of Dee's head as he stood up.

"Thanks for the meal Lyn... Thanks for everything... I'll call you later." Ryo gave them a weak but feeble smile. "Ja ne." He said and quickly headed out of the room before anyone could see how upset he really was.

"He was disappointed." It was Andrew, who spoke first, plate set aside. There was no judgment in his tone just an observation.

"Yeah I know. I heard it." Dee sighed. "It's just that scheduling things gives me time to think and to worry. I can't help it." Andrew exchanged another glace with Lyn as Dee bounced Keiry on his lap.

"It's okay Dee. He was disappointed but I think that deep down he understands. Just give it more time." Lyn offered.

Sighing long and hard, "yeah... it's always about time isn't it?" Dee replied sadly.

W ildefyre: Not much to say other then enjoy! Chapter 19 will be coming eventually. Oh and what a chapter it'll be too!!! Can't give it away... BUT... Oh just look at Irish's comments for a hint! *Whistles and walks away*

Irish: Ah when oh when will we get some more lemon... oh wait, I already know the answer to that! :D I assure you there will be more. Poor Irish is still back logged so gomen about being slow, but I'm catching up woohoo!