Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Trial By Fire ❯ Chapter One ( Chapter 1 )

Trial By Fire

By Gena S. Durrell (aka Demoness)

Disclaimer: I don't own FAKE. Dee, Ryo and the other FAKE characters are the genius of Sanami Matoh.

Warning: Shounen-ai / Yaoi / Strong language, and sexual situations between men. If mano o mano sex is not your thing, go somewhere else to play.

Rating: R (No lemon yet, but a definite taste of lime)

Pairing: Dee x Ryo

Summary: Picking up where volume #7 leaves off, while caught up in the rapture of exploring their new relationship, Ryo is coming to terms with changes in his life now that Dee is his lover. The couple soon discover Ryo is not the only one finding changes and new acceptance as Dee starts to find hidden layers to himself he never knew existed and only Ryo can bring out. After they take on an undercover assignment, something unexpected comes up that Ryo did not consider before concerning his new lover.

-- -- -- -- --

Dee entered the living room fresh from a shower, looking so damn delicious in just his black sweatpants and a towel thrown across his neck. His blue towel. Exactly what Dee had on the night Ryo showed up at Dee's front door. Finding himself outside of Dee's apartment upon running from Leo, Ryo knew exactly why he was where he stood, unlike that night when he offered himself for what he presumed Dee wanted. There was a time running meant to be by himself, alone to suffer in his misery. A time when Ryo needed no one to lean on, keeping his emotions bottled in until he worked it out himself or they ignited in a display to match the Macy's July 4th fireworks in the East River. Instinct took him to the only place that seemed natural now. Dee would help him forget his misery. He could trust Dee, open up to him and untangle the torrent of raw confusing emotions that he could not get a grasp on. Not only by kissing and trying to get in his pants, but because Dee cared. Dee loved him, as Dee told him many times before. Ryo finally believed him. It suddenly made sense to Ryo to go to Dee. Ryo was yet to reconcile his complete feelings behind the action, except that it felt right. What he knew would happen if Dee allowed it would be right, too. When Dee finally took what he wanted after so long, he must have seen on Ryo's face, in his eyes that this was something he wanted as well. Dee knew it was what Ryo wanted, unlike the other time he found himself with Dee after Leo got to him. 

Ryo smiled from his position of lounging on Dee's couch, watching Dee stretch as he yawned. Dee's dark hair was still wet, droplets falling off and forming trails down his muscled chest. 

“Shower is yours. I'm going to settle down and make myself comfortable,” Dee said, leaning down to gently kiss Ryo.  

It was brief, but Ryo still felt the surge of passion that ran its course through him. So much love in such a small thing, Ryo mused in wonder. His eyes met Dee's as his lover gently smiled at him, placing a hand on his cheek and caressing it for a few seconds. 

“Just in case, that's a goodnight, baby,” Dee said with a tender smile, then straightened up. 

“Goodnight?” Ryo said, then laughed. “As if.” 

“What can I say?” A lopsided, devilish grin came to Dee's face as his green eyes sparkled. “You wear me out, baby.” Ryo felt his cheeks heat up. “Besides, Chief is expecting us to walk in on time for once.” Dee removed the towel from around his neck and snapped it playfully in Ryo's direction. “I love you.” He winked and made his way toward the bedroom door. 

When Ryo got into the bedroom, the lights were already dimmed and Dee was under the covers on his side of the bed. Ryo expected to find Dee reading. It was Dee's habit to read an article in a magazine or a chapter of the current book he was reading before going to sleep. He blushed as he remembered what Dee had said about him wearing him out. Who would have thought Dee Laytner could ever been worn out when it came to sex? Ryo's blush got deeper because he was very well aware of why Dee said it. He shook his head fondly, his eyes still on the shape in the bed. `Shower, Ryo,' he told himself. He needed one anyway, as much as Dee had. With good reason. Ryo blushed again. 

`Geez!,' Ryo thought as he entered the bathroom, noting that his pajama bottom was hanging on a hook on the door and Dee left a fresh towel for him on the sink. `If it isn't Dee wanting more, it's me. What got into me?' 

As he adjusted the shower head and checked the water to make sure it was warm enough he had to answer himself, once again blushing. He turned to face the mirror and looked at his reflection, daring to meet his eyes, despite the pink turning to red blush across his face. “Dee got into you,” he said to himself. “And you have no intention of letting him stop.” He smiled, noting that the flush across his face changed. He knew enough of himself to know what was embarrassment and what was passion. He groaned. Just the thought of knowing Dee was in the next room in bed was enough to get his engines running again. 

He quickly stripped out of his jeans and sweater and stepped into the shower. Grabbing his semi-hard erection, he said, “This is one of the things you were afraid of, MacLean.” He was afraid of how far he would fall in love with his partner - and was just as afraid of how much he really did desire Dee, and what that would mean when he finally felt he could express himself that way. 

He was finally able to express himself in that manner and there was no going back. 

Ryo started to take matters into his own hands, but decided that it was Dee's fault. For being so damn sexy. For being so sweet and loving. For being Dee Laytner, Ryo's partner and now lover. He no longer had to do things for himself. He started to soap himself as he decided Dee was going to take care of his situation. 

 ---

After turning out the light and quietly exiting the bathroom, he made his careful way across the room to the bed, pajama bottom still hanging on the hook and his clothes in Dee's hamper. Ryo turned off the light before he crawled into the bed, settling himself on his side. Dee looked as if he was already asleep. While twisting the tangled sheet so he could cover himself with it, he let out an annoyed mutter of, “Dee.” 

As Ryo turned to face his sleeping lover, he heard Dee's muffled voice say, “Not entirely my fault.” 

Ryo chuckled, then shifted so he could press his chest against Dee's back. His arm draped over Dee's body so his hand could rest on Dee's chest, while his other arm moved into position so he could gently run his fingers through the dark thick hair. He placed his face into Dee's neck and let out a sigh of contentment. “So it isn't,” he mused. “Did we even think to make the bed? Dee Laytner, I'm spending too much time around you. I'm picking up your bad habits.” 

He felt Dee's body shiver. “Stop that,” Dee moaned. “You're tickling me talking into my neck like that. Besides, it makes you sound like you're mumbling again.” 

Ryo smiled as he started to rub Dee's chest as he planted a kiss on the neck his lips was already pressed against. “Sorry.” He chuckled again. 

Dee sighed as he shivered again. “I can't believe I'm about to say this,” he said mournfully. 

“What's that, love?” Ryo was planting soft kisses on Dee's neck. 

The other man let out another moan as he moved his neck to give Ryo better access. “No!” Dee suddenly said, sounding more awake now. He grabbed Ryo's straying hand and moved his neck away from Ryo's lips. “Ryo, if we're late tomorrow, Chief will have us hung out on the flagpole. Then Rose will have his way with whatever is left of us. And quite honestly, I don't like the thought of Rose having his way with you, whatever that is.” 

Ryo shifted their hands so he could squeeze Dee's. “Don't worry about that. Only you can have your way with me. Anyone else and I'll punch their lights out, like I already did with Rose,” he assured Dee, his lips finding Dee's shoulder blade. His lips grazed the soft skin and he felt the muscles move as Dee tensed up. 

Dee let out a ragged breath. “Ryo, you're not making this easy.” 

“I never meant to,” he said, his hand slipping out of Dee's to roam his chest again. 

“I'm serious, Ryo. I made a promise when we got together. I was not going to allow my bad habits to affect you. So we can't be late because…. Uh… Ryo,” he moaned as Ryo's lips found the area just below his earlobe and started to suckle it. He managed to pull his neck away, but not without muttered curses. Instinct screamed that Dee open himself to the full assault of Ryo's mouth, and his hands. He had waited so long to have this. Well, some of this he had been getting for a while.  

His mind slipped back to the times he would find himself cuddled with Ryo while they kissed and stroked each other. The stroking was mainly to arms, back and upper chests. Two teenagers in a heavy petting session. Somehow those times only deepened the love he already had for his gorgeous, sexy and shy partner. He realized he was moaning, as Ryo's hands stroked across his upper chest, but now found a nub and rubbed it between two fingers. 

“Oh damn,” Dee sighed, leaning back against Ryo, confirming what he already thought he suspected. Ryo's hardness pressed into his backside. “Ryo…” he muttered, licking his lips. Ryo was hard for him again. The thought turned Dee on more than Ryo's hands were already doing. But…. He shook himself. “Ryo, we can't. Not now. It's late.” He was trying to convince himself of that too. “Besides,” he turned his head toward Ryo, “I'm really tired. I'm beat. I should be completely sated too.” 

Ryo's mouth found his. Dee's mouth opened to invite the velvety tongue entrance as his own tongue met it. Dee shifted so they had better access to the rapidly deepening kiss, and so his hand can stray down the muscled back of his lover. As they broke apart for air, Ryo chuckled. “You? Sated?” He laughed again. 

Dee tried to frown in indignation. “Yes. Me.” 

“You're a liar, Dee.” Ryo moved his head for another kiss. 

As Ryo's mouth moved from Dee's lips to taste his jaw, Dee found himself shaking his head. “No, I'm not. Honest. You wore me out today.” His hand stopped at the small of Ryo's back and stroked it gently. “C'mon Ryo. One kiss and then sleep. You wouldn't want Chief all over you because you were late.” 

“Not that it hasn't happened already,” Ryo remarked, nipping at Dee's earlobe. 

Dee let out another moan. “Exactly. This week. And not… Ohhh… just once….” He was losing. He could never stay strong around Ryo anyway. Sure, Dee had always been an extremely sexual being. Then after almost two years of taking matters into his own hands - especially after he spent quality time doing some serious kissing with Ryo - being able to express himself in that manner again was a relief to Dee as much as a pleasure. So much pleasure. Far from a stranger to sex, Dee knew he never felt with anyone the way he felt when he made love with Ryo. That he had never felt about anyone the way he had about his partner. He was beginning to believe in soul mates. Expressing his love with Ryo took it to another level. It was never just sex with Ryo. For once, Dee discovered the true meaning of making love, and took it to his heart. 

For once, Dee Laytner knew what it meant to compromise. When Ryo finally agreed to be his lover, then expressed his own feelings for Dee, he vowed that by loving Ryo he would never screw up his partner's life - more than he already had. Over the years since they became partners, too many times Ryo took the blame for actions Dee had done. Two weeks ago, when Dee woke up in Ryo's bed with his partner in his arms, slick bare flesh pressed against each other, Dee decided that some changes had to be made. He was in it for life. He already knew that a long time ago. If he ever got Ryo as his partner in love, he would never desire anyone else, nor a life without Ryo in it. For almost two years, he did not have anyone else, admitting to himself and even others that it was only Ryo. That wonderful morning after - the morning when not only they made love, but Ryo expressed his own love for Dee - he found how much he meant it when a sense of responsibility settled over him. He would do anything it took, no matter what the cost to himself, to protect Ryo. Not that is was a new thing to Dee, but this time it became a vow. A new vow to replace the one he took to remain celibate until he made love to Ryo. 

During the next two weeks he at least tried to affirm this new sense of responsibility. Much to his surprise, Ryo was making it hard - err, difficult. But definitely hard, too. If Dee thought it was a relief to finally give into his sexual instincts again, he discovered with Ryo it was like a dam bursting. It was as if Ryo was making up for lost time he denied himself, not only time he could have had with Dee, but for more years of denial. Ryo had to admit he was bisexual. Not gay, Dee reminded him a couple of times. Ryo'd had women. He noticed women, but he noticed men too. However, that side of himself never went as far as the extension of his noticing Dee. Ryo had admitted that to Dee too, the day after as they cuddled on Ryo's couch, talking about what the night before meant to them and how it would affect their lives. Yet it was still a word that Ryo hesitated with. Dee was fine with that. He did not expect his lover to change a lifetime of belief in a night. Especially when there were other things Ryo was not so hesitant to explore. 

It was as if Ryo suddenly had a split personality. By light he was still the mostly mild-mannered, soft spoken, shy, easy to blush sweet darling he had always been. When it came to just him and Dee alone in private, he became something else. Something wild, his passion finally unleashed and bestowing it all on Dee, much to Dee's delight. And when the lights got lower, Ryo's nerve became stronger. He did things that Dee was certain that if the lights were on, Ryo would be blushing. Blushing or no, it did not stop Ryo. Dee no longer was the first one to take the first step. As Dee reflected over the past year, he realized that he was not always the one to initiate a kiss. There were times Ryo was the one. It still made Dee go wide-eyed. First it was in shock, then in amazement. He was convinced that he would always be the one to make the first move. So when he found Ryo's lips on his, he was not expecting it. When he was not in one of his many melodramatic moods over his one sided love for his partner, he felt hope in his heart that meant one day Ryo would allow himself to take it to the next level. 

Ryo did allow Dee to take them to the next level, and the dam broke open wide. 

Ryo's mouth left Dee's shoulder and the hand caressing his chest lifted as Ryo stretched. “Yeah, I'm going to be pretty sore tomorrow myself,” he said. His lithe, muscular body arched in the stretch, pushing his hardness further against the cleft of Dee's cheeks thought the material of his sweats. A guttural moan that rumbled his chest came out of Dee's mouth. For a moment, Dee thought he had gotten through to Ryo. They would both be in deep shit come the next day if they walked in late, but Dee would take the brunt of the punishment because nobody could believe that Randy MacLean could ever be late on his own, much less make Dee late. It would always be Dee's fault. 

Dee smiled softly as Ryo came out of the stretch. To feel the way he was feeling lately, he would gladly take the blame. 

Ryo's hand dropped as he came out of the stretch and let it fall where it would, as if that would make his next decision. It landed on Dee's hardening shaft, which sprang to life further as Ryo's hand cupped it. Dee pushed back against Ryo and moaned again. “You're going to be limping tomorrow,” he said in one last half-hearted attempt to do what was right. “Whenever we get in, that is….” He noisily sucked in his breath as fingertips swept across his sac. He was now up for the count, and there was no going down until Ryo finished what he started. “Ryo, I tried,” he said, turning onto his back and placing his hand on Ryo's neck bringing him down for another kiss. “I really did, but….” 

Ryo chuckled, grazing his bottom lip before taking it in for a nip. “I understand. We still might hear the alarm tomorrow.” 

“If we weren't on the damn first shift, it wouldn't be so bad.” 

“Sshh…” Ryo said softly, nibbling on Dee's lower lip again. “We'll take tomorrow when it comes.” His mouth closed on Dee's. 

Dee realized he was not so tired after all. 

 

“It's about time,” Ted stated with a frown as Dee and Ryo walked into their office. The redheaded detective was seated at his desk, turning his head from glancing at the clock on the wall. 

Dee glared at them. “Hey, don't you goons have somewhere else to go?” he snapped. Ryo shook his head. 

“Chief wants to see you two ASAP,” Drake said. “I think I heard him mutter the word mincemeat, if you want to know why.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Dee dismissed, rolling his eyes. “We know why.” He looked at his partner. “Ready to face the badger?” 

Ryo started to nod when from the door came a bellow that thundered throughout the office. “LAYTNER! MACLEAN! If you two screw-ups don't get your goddamn asses into my office right now, I'm going to permanently assign you to the file room.” 

Both men's mouths hung open as they watched Chief Smith storm back toward his office, expecting them to be right on his heels. Ryo shook himself and took a step forward. A second later, he felt Dee right behind him as they left their office. 

Dee leaned over and whispered into Ryo's ear, “Well, he got it half right.” 

“What half right?” Ryo asked, turning his head to notice Dee amble up beside him. 

“Screw-ups. Only for us, it's also down, sideways….” 

“Dee!” Ryo yelped, blushing again. 

“We need to talk about that,” Dee said, pointing to Ryo's face. “Especially if you insist on keeping us up all night.” 

“It wasn't all night,” Ryo said indignantly, then smirked. “We did get four hours of sleep.” 

“Yeah, and two of those hours we should have been using getting here already,” Dee laughed softly. 

“What the fuck are you two laughing at now?” they heard the Chief roar, not bothering to look back at them. “If you are talking about me again…” 

“Chief, I would never,” Ryo said, putting some haste in his steps to catch up with the raving Chief. 

“Aw Chief, you know me,” Dee said as innocently as he could muster. “If I have something to say about you, I'll say it to your face.” 

Chief Smith stopped suddenly and turned to fix blazing eyes on Dee. Ryo found himself also stopping to stare at Dee. Dee placed his hands up in self defense. “Okay. Okay. But sometimes I do.” 

Ryo burst out in laughter. “Yeah right,” he muttered. 

“MACLEAN!” 

“Chief?” 

“Shut up! You'll only encourage him.” 

“We were talking about something else. Honest Chief,” Dee defended. 

“I'd be willing to believe that since MacLean is involved,” Chief Smith remarked, fire still in his tone. “But lately…. Both of you in my office now!” The Chief stood before his open door and folded his arms, waiting for them to catch up. “I suppose you were both working on your alibis.” 

“Alibis, sir?” Ryo asked, confused. 

“Why you are one hour late this morning.” 

“Oh.”  

Ryo blushed again and Dee shook his head rolling his eyes. “You need to do something about that,” Dee muttered. 

“I know, I know,” Ryo defended. Somehow when he knew changes were going to be made in his life by taking Dee as his lover, he did not think about his natural tendency to blush at certain things. 

They were feet away from the Chief's office, Smith deciding to storm in and wait for them behind his desk. Ryo was about to take a step inside when suddenly they heard the sound Dee dreaded the most, even above Chief's bellow and Rose's voice in general. 

“Dee-sempai!” 

Dee froze like a deer caught in the headlights, his face in dismay as he let out a yelp. Ryo turned to see from which direction this attack was coming from. As JJ went into his launch to attach himself to Dee, Ryo jumped to place himself between both men. JJ went crashing into Ryo, who slammed into Dee. The three men went down in a tangle of limbs in the doorway to the Chief's office. 

“Dammit, JJ!” Dee snapped, twisting to pull himself from under Ryo and JJ. 

“What the hell, MacLean?” JJ was questioning, his eyes in shock. Ryo had never intercepted before. Well there was that one time in England, but he had ulterior motives as he wanted Dee to get on his way to pick up supplies from town. 

Ryo's eyes grew dark and dangerous; normally wide, kind, dark orbs becoming glimmering slits. He stood up, finding his footing quickly, which unfortunately knocked Dee of his compromising footing. “Shit!” he heard coming from Dee, who fell back to the floor. He grabbed JJ's arm, pulling him up with him. 

Chief Smith sat at his chair, his hand on a forehead that had veins popping out in fury. “I swear, I'm going to kill `em all and do this department a justice,” he muttered. 

“I've had enough of your crap!” Ryo yelled, shoving JJ away. “Now go do something useful like picking lint out of your pockets.” He turned away from JJ to extend a hand down to Dee, who was sitting up and staring wide-eyed at his partner's outburst. “Here, get up already,” he said to Dee, who took his hand. As he helped Dee to his feet, he muttered, “As if we aren't in enough trouble.” 

“I don't understand what you mean,” JJ remarked, looking hurt as he approached the two again. “It wasn't you that I'm….” 

“Exactly! Now scat,” Ryo warned him, pushing Dee into the office and following him. 

“Close the door behind you, MacLean,” Chief ordered. 

“Like that would stop everyone from hearing anyway,” he heard Dee mutter. 

With a smirk, Ryo slammed the door, knowing it was in JJ's face. He turned to find Dee standing before the Chief's desk, but looking at him, with a stunned look on his face. Ryo bite the insides of his mouth as he realized just how adorable Dee looked whenever he had that look. Kissable… Ryo shook his head. This was definitely harder than he thought it would be. 

“What? You want to kiss him, MacLean?” he was pulled out of his daze by Chief's sneering voice dripping with sarcasm. 

Ryo's eyes went wide as he watched a slow dusky blush spread across Dee's olive skinned face. “Errr…” Ryo decided he could not answer that one. `Well, I do, but that's not what the Chief would want to hear,' he thought and instead tried to change the subject. Moving to stand next to Dee, realizing Chief was not going to offer them seats, he opened his mouth, hoping he could keep his voice neutral. Dee turned to face the Chief too, but had his head down, most probably attempting to control the telling answer Ryo wanted to give the Chief that was across his face. `So adorable,' Ryo thought. `I never knew that Dee could blush. And so easily. And because of me.' Ryo's heart swelled with tenderness for the man he knew without a doubt that he loved with all his heart and soul. 

“What's with you MacLean? Get that sappy look off your face!” 

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Dee's head dropping further. 

Deciding that they had to stop burying themselves deeper…. A flash went through Ryo's mind of Dee buried deep within him and moving as Ryo cried out for him to go deeper. Now it was Ryo's turn to drop his head just as Dee was finally lifting his. Dee's head turned and he raised an eyebrow. 

“Chief, about us being late again. I'm sorry. It's my fault,” Dee said, appearing to once again be the usual Dee Laytner they all knew, and in some cases hated. 

Chief leaned back in his seat, his eyes taking in both men at the same time. “I'm willing to accept that explanation, Laytner,” he started, sounding calm. Too calm. Dangerously calm. Both men braced themselves for what they knew would soon be following. “But what I want to know is, what the freakin' hell are you doing with him to make him late?” He slammed his fist on the desk and items rattled, while coffee slopped onto papers. “Goddamn it! Look what you made me do!” He stood up, resting his hands flat on the desk's surface as he leaned forward. “Not just today. Not just once before, but almost all friggin' week. What, Laytner? Why is it that he can't get in on time? And even you make it in at least twice in a week on time. What in the hell are you both up to that either one of you fuck-ups can't remember that you have a freakin' job?” His eyes shifted to Ryo. “What is going on that you suddenly lost your mind and all sense of responsibility? Dammit MacLean, you were supposed to be a good example for him. Instead you allow yourself to become as much as a useless good-for-nothing as Laytner is! Why, dammit?!” 

Ryo was sweating while Dee was looking at a corner of the Chief's office, where a roach lazily crawled up the wall. Dee started to open his mouth, most probably to make it worse than it already was. Ryo groaned and beat Dee to the punch. “It's my fault, sir,” he said. “Not Dee's. In fact, Dee was constantly reminding me that we had to be on time this morning, but….” He shrugged. “I don't know what's gotten into me. But Dee ended up following my lead which led us both to a late night and not enough sleep. I'm sorry, sir. I swear I'll do my best to change.” 

The chief stood, his arms folded, his face twisted into a frightful mask of barely restrained rage. Ryo studied him, then felt himself blush again and dropped his head. This time it had nothing to do with thoughts of Dee. It was in shame. Shame because the one time when Ryo felt pity on Dee and decided to take the blame unto himself to spare his partner the usual tirade from their superior, the Chief would never believe him and still launch his attack on Dee. The Chief merely nodded. He believed him. 

`Oh my God, I am a screw up….' Ryo thought in disgrace. `And I can't blame Dee.' 

“Got anything to add, Laytner?” Chief asked. 

Dee mutely shook his head, as if coming to the same realization that Ryo had, which did not surprise Ryo. Not long after they became partners, as a friendship was budding toward being best friends, they both noticed that they would be thinking the same thing. It was what made them a good team, despite Dee's faults. It enhanced what was Dee's only saving grace from being thrown out of the force. Dee was a sharp detective, and had an ability to see things others missed. When Ryo became his partner, and balanced out his faults, along with being on the same wavelength, they quickly became the team with the most successful arrest record. 

“Uh no, Chief.” Dee almost sounded shaken. 

“So you lied. Again.” 

“Ryo doesn't deserve this, Chief,” was Dee's simple explanation. He lifted his chin defiantly and met the Chief's simmering glare. 

The Chief shook his head in annoyance. “At least I know a strong team when I see it. Just don't let that bond slip over from an advantage to a danger. I don't want to know what's going on outside of here. And I'm going to stop this right here only to spare myself the gory details. On to business.” He gestured for them to finally sit down. 

Ryo felt himself almost fall into the seat. Dee settled in the chair next to him, leaning back casually, crossing one long black pinstripe clad leg to rest his ankle on the other knee. Ryo sat with his legs slightly open and his hands folded between them. 

“I'm taking you both off your current cases….” 

“But Chief,” Dee defended. “I swear we're….” 

“Not because of that,” the Chief cut Dee off. “I was planning on it anyway, regardless of what time you got in this morning. Take heart, you two. It means going back to later shifts.” 

The double sigh of relief was hard to miss. 

“The Commissioner has a case he wants you two on. It seems you were both requested for it. You should be thankful. Despite the slacking going on, you both still have a formidable reputation in accomplishing the job. And that, gentlemen, if I dare use that term for either of you, is the only reason you both still have your badges.” 

“Yes, sir,” Ryo said in defeat. 

“Why start sounding so demure now, MacLean? You've been a firecracker lately. When someone like Laytner has to be sent after you to keep your ass out of trouble….” He shook his head. 

“Sorry, Chief. That's not me, I know. There's been too much going on in the last few months. Some of the cases were….” 

“Some of the cases you were pulled off of because they were too close, but did you listen?” He waved his hand. “That's in the past. Just don't let it happen again. Do you understand?” 

“Yes, sir.” 

“I hate having to send Laytner to keep your ass clean when it should be the other way around.” 

Ryo bit his lip as he let out a muttered curse at the image that flashed through his mind, reminding him of the one thing they had not explored yet. He felt Dee's eyes on him. He shook his head, forcing the images to the back of his mind for later perusal and lifted his head to gaze at Dee. Gentle but confused green eyes met his dark orbs. Dee's eyes widened at the contact and with effort looked away to settle on the Chief. “I'm okay,” he muttered to Dee. 

Dee nodded, but in a way that told Ryo he did not believe him. 

The Chief dropped a thick folder onto his desk. “Here's the case. You can go home to acquaint yourself with it. It seems the FBI wants you to go undercover on one of their cases within our jurisdiction. Like I said, you were requested by names.” 

Dee groaned mournfully. “Shit,” he muttered. “Spacey.” 

“Yes. It seems despite everything else, she's still impressed in your detective skills, Laytner. And she's definitely impressed with you, MacLean.” 

Dee growled. 

“C'mon, Dee. It won't be so bad,” Ryo stated, trying to verbally soothe the frazzled nerves of his partner. There was something about Diana Spacey that set Dee on edge. Ryo leaned forward to pick up the folder and hit Dee on the arm with it. “You know those FBI cases always turn out to be quite an adventure.” 

“Whatever.” 

“You're expected in Commissioner Rose's office at 5 pm tonight for a full debriefing. For the duration, you'll be operating directly under Rose.” 

Dee's eyes skittered in Ryo's direction before he rolled them. “That's just great. Just what I wanted.” 

“Now get out of here,” the Chief demanded, “and stop taking up space in my office.” As they stood to leave the office, Smith added, “MacLean, before you leave, you can help forensics with their files. Laytner, get the hell outta here.” 

Ryo gave the Chief a half-hearted salute as he gulped. “Forensics, sir?” he asked, as Dee grabbed the folder from Ryo's hands. 

“You heard me. When you're done, you can find Dee and get caught up on your new case.” 

Dee was giving the Chief a cocky salute, with the folder in his hand, then opened the door, waiting for Ryo to go out before him. 

 ---

As Dee closed the door behind him, he noticed the Chief lean back in his chair, muttering up a storm of curses. He chuckled, and turned to Ryo. “You know, I'm beginning to think we need to let up on the ol' walrus. If he drops dead from a stroke, we'll be murderers.” 

Ryo shook his head, seeming to be in a daze as he walked away from Dee toward their office. Dee caught up with him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Take a deep breath, Ryo, and lighten up. It seems we need to do more talking that what we already had.” 

Ryo let out a heavy sigh of frustration. “I never thought…. I just didn't expect things to be….” 

“Later, partner,” Dee said, squeezing his shoulder. “You know I don't care what others think about us, but I know how you feel.”

“I'm going to be the one to….” 

“Later,” Dee said firmly, sensing a meltdown and hoping to avoid it. He opened the door to their office, anxious to get his partner into the privacy of their office.

As they entered, Ted and Drake continued on with their business. 

Dee shook his head in amazement. “Do any of you losers see your names on that door?” He flicked his thumb in the direction of the door that had Dee and Ryo's names on it. 

“No, but….” 

“But nothing,” came Dee's heated reply. 

“We figured you'd have to go out soon enough anyway to sniff some tracks or something,” Ted stated. “After all, you're both the star detectives who get their own office.” 

Dee fumed, folding his arms. He knew sarcasm when it was dripping before him. 

JJ looked up expectantly and, upon seeing Ryo, dropped his head. Getting up, he muttered something about coffee and quickly scurried out of the office, taking a wide berth around Ryo, which was hard to do considering Ryo was barely inside the door. 

Dee was dropping down in his chair, the file before him. 

Drake looked up at Dee, watching as he pulled his pack of cigarettes out of his jacket pocket and lit one. Dee took a ragged, grateful drag from the cigarette, needing to sooth his frazzled nerves. It wasn't supposed to go this way. It was not like they had never spent long nights in each other's arms, kissing and cuddling. It seemed that once Ryo loosened up about that, and even initiated it himself, they did a lot of that whenever they were not around Bikky, or knew that Bikky was asleep in his room. Still, Ryo always managed to get them both to the station on time. Because of Ryo, Dee's attendance was not as bad as it once had been. In the two years as partners, his attendance improved as he started to spend more nights with his partner, and waking up in the same apartment. Of course it was not common knowledge that they spent all those nights together. Only some nights. The nights that Dee had too much to drink and was best to stay where he was rather than attempting to go home. The nights that they stayed out late and went to the closer apartment to where they decided to call a night. 

So why should it make a difference if kissing evolved into something more? Dee started to frown as he smoked his cigarette, his eyes on the folder before him. Ryo remained barely inside the office. 

“Rumor has it that Ryo finally intercepted JJ's pass,” Ted spoke up suddenly, cutting through the thick, uncomfortable silence that had settled over the room. His voice, sounding amused, startled both guilty partners, and two pairs of eyes, one set green and one obsidian, settled on Ted. “He was quite upset. Poor JJ.” The roll of Ted's eyes indicated he felt no sympathy for Drake's partner. 

“W-we were late enough,” Ryo stated, his voice low to keep it from quivering. “If JJ got his way, it would have delayed Dee more. And it's no secret that he would not be the only one to get hung by the delay.” 

Drake smirked. “I wish I could have seen it as it happened. It sounded quite spectacular.” 

Ryo's eyes widened. “Y-you mean, you hear me?” 

Ted nodded his head, laughing. “Oh, definitely. Scared the crap out of us in here. Especially once we realized whose voice it was.” 

Drake settled his eyes on Ryo. “You know what they say about the quiet ones,” he remarked. His eyes flickered toward Dee. “But I'm guessing Dee can tell us more about that.” 

Dee's head snapped up. “What's that mean, you dumbass?” he asked hotly. 

Ted and Drake laughed. “All the answer we needed,” Ted remarked. 

“Besides, despite his occasional outbursts, Ryo's been looking more relaxed lately. As if he's been getting it,” Drake said, grinning widely as Ryo blushed and dropped his head. “And you, Dee. Celibacy period is definitely finished. You're temper is actually smoothing over.” 

“Yeah,” Ted said thoughtfully. “You were always a hothead before, Dee. But in the last two years, your temper flared into overtime because of sexual frustration. In the last couple of weeks, however, it seems to have settled. In fact, I've noticed that there are times when you're the calm one. Quite an accomplishment, Ryo. My congrats for that one.” 

“Don't try to deny it, either of you. You've both been glowing lately. And Dee, I know that glow could only mean one thing. Nobody took it for a joke that you meant you would only do it with Ryo,” Drake remarked. “So is he the hottie you imagined he'd be?” 

Ted burst out in laughter. “Oh, hey! Get a camera, quick! Dee Laytner is blushing!” he crowed. 

Drake jumped up to grab the calendar off the wall, and picked up a pen. “I'm marking this day down. I think it calls for a celebration.” 

“Yeah, it does. But don't invite JJ. Ryo might smash him into pulp if he tries to get too close to Dee,” Ted replied with a grin. 

Dee's eyes went to Ryo, who stood shaking with suppressed emotion. One quick look told Dee that Ryo went beyond embarrassed to raw emotion. Knowing how Ryo could get lately, Dee knew they were seconds away from an explosion. 

“Ryo,” Dee said softly, hoping to keep his lover from releasing the big bang. “Don't you need to be somewhere?” he reminded him. When Ryo lifted his head, his face red with rage, not embarrassment, Dee added, “Or do you want us back in Chief's office, once again being reminded of what big screw-ups we are?” 

Ryo nodded, swallowing hard and biting his lip. His eyes turned from Dee and glared furiously at Ted and Drake before storming from the office. 

The three remaining occupants jumped from the force of the door slamming. 

Drake swiped his hand across his forehead. “Geez, someone take his gun away from him,” he remarked. 

Dee snorted, standing up. “You should have thought of that before pissing him off,” he stated, going over his desk to make sure he did not need anything. “He's your problem for a while, because I'm leaving.” Dee indicated with his thumb toward the door. “He's staying for a few more hours. Good luck.” He picked up his cigarette pack and lighter, placing it in his jacket pocket. “If I were you, not only would I shut the hell up, but stay out of his sight.” 

“No shit,” Ted stated. 

“You're not getting outta this so easy, Dee,” Drake said. After all, Dee was far from the explosion point and this was not normally a topic that would set Dee off. “So what gives? Oh, never mind. I know. Ryo gave. Didn't he?” 

“What are you talking about?” Dee found himself saying, knowing what it meant to Ryo.  

What happened to them between the sheets was not an office topic as far as Ryo was concerned. He was not ready for that much commitment. He needed time to adjust to the change in their relationship, and still come to full acceptance of what that meant about him. For the time being, he was only Dee's lover and did not need a label for it, just so long as Ryo no longer denied the love they shared. 

“C'mon off it, Dee,” Ted smirked. “I'd have thought you'd have stormed in here announcing the occasion from the rooftop.” 

Dee gave his usual cocky smirk as he folded his arms. “So there you have it. Nothing happened.” 

“Oh right. Did you not just hear what we said, Dee?” Drake asked. A debauched grin came to his face. “Or were you too embarrassed to hear us?” 

Ted broke out in laughter again. “Ohhh, I'm never going to forget that glorious moment. I never believed that I would ever see Dee's face red with anything other than rage. Sweet, Dee. Really darling.” 

“Stop it,” Dee growled in warning. 

“Oh, hey!” Drake chortled. “Now there's the Dee I'm used to.” 

Dee frowned. “I have to be back later and have plenty to do until then. So have fun with your little twisted fantasies.” He headed toward the door and opened it cautiously, in case it was ajar from Ryo's exit. The new headquarters for the 27th precinct was not much of an improvement over the old building, especially when people banged and rattled things about. Usually Dee and the Chief were the guilty parties. 

As he took a step out, he heard Ted remark, “More like your fantasies, lover boy.” 

Dee's growl was fiercer than his previous one as he turned to look back into the office. “Remember what I said about pissing people off if you know how hotheaded they can get. In case you've forgotten, I'm worse than Ryo, so watch it.”  

He turned and slammed the door closed, but not before he heard Drake's remark of, “They're not doing a good job of denying it.” 

Dee growled again and stormed toward the elevator. He pushed the button, noticing the light did not go on. He waited a few minutes, fuming until he realized it was not coming. He kicked the doors violently. “Piece of shit!” he fumed and went for the stairs. 

`Assholes! Who do they think they are to goad us like that? Freakin' idiots!' Dee thought as he made his way down the stairs two at a time. `Bad enough to prod me, but hey, I'm supposed to be used to talk like that. But to push Ryo. They know how Ryo gets once his temper flares. And he takes damned forever to cool off. Well, there are some ways of stroking that fire, putting it into more productive uses….' 

“Ah shit!” Dee cursed aloud, feeling the stirring in his groin. Not any method that would be sensible to use in public. Especially on Ryo. He'd blow up for sure, and not in the way Dee would prefer either. 

Dee exited the stairwell on the floor forensics was on and casually made his way toward the main lab. He knocked, then cautiously opened the door to poke his head in. “Hey Jim, Ryo there?” he asked in greeting. 

A week after they had settled in the new 27th precinct, Jim Campbell from the Bronx forensic lab got a transfer to join them. It was a promotion for Jim. 

“Hey Dee,” Jim greeted. He looked toward a door. “Ryo, it's your partner,” he called out. 

Ryo appeared, his hands full of files up to his chin. “What?” 

“How's it going?” Dee asked.

“Not.” 

“I figured that.” Dee glanced over at the other man, sitting by his computer. “Jim, any way I can convince you to allow me to help my partner there? And to bribe you from telling Chief I was here?” Dee asked with his usual cocky smirk. 

Jim waved his hand to invite Dee in. “Go ahead. The sooner he's out of my way, the better. Get him outta here soon and I'll consider that payment.” 

Dee's grin became lopsided. “Thanks, Jimbo buddy.” He entered the lab and went over to Ryo, taking a stack from his partner's arms. “Let's get this over with already, huh?” he grinned in such a way that he knew Ryo could not resist, his sparkling eyes meeting Ryo's. Damn, his eyes are gorgeous when he's fired up like that. Dee remembered the other fire that often lit Ryo's eyes of late, and he bit his lip. Thoughts like that will not get us out of here any sooner. Dee wanted them to be out of there and settled somewhere private, but not for the usual reason. They needed to talk. Ryo needed to talk. They both had to consider some things they did not during the first talk, but obviously needed some serious addressing. Then they could spend whatever time they had left for the other thing, the thing Dee loved to do with Ryo, and knew his lover felt the same. 

He watched with satisfaction as Ryo's dark endless eyes softened. “Okay. I'm sorry, Dee.” 

Dee waved it off, or he tried the best he could with his hands full. “It's not your fault. Some assholes just don't know where they shouldn't stick their noses.” 

Ryo looked up at Dee shyly. “It's not just their faults, but I did want to blame them. It's us, Dee.” 

“I know, bud. We're got some figuring out to do. But we'll do it.” 

“Thanks, Dee.” Ryo's eyes met his and in them Dee saw what Ryo would not dare say at the moment. I love you. Dee did not have to think to put the same look in his eyes. It was there before he realized it, judging from the smile Ryo gave him. 

Dee started to pull away from Ryo so they could head toward the forensic file room when they heard Jim state, “If you two lovebirds are done whispering sweet nothings to each other, I want my lab back.” Ryo blushed again, but the look in his eyes as he continued to gaze at Dee did not change. Dee smiled gently. Without saying a word, they headed for the door. Dee struggled to open the door for them, since Ryo still had the bulk of files. After Ryo stepped out, Dee heard Jim call to him. “Dee?” 

Dee turned around. “What?” he asked. 

“Thanks for turning down the pressure cooker. I might have miscalculated on my initial observation of you somewhat.” 

Dee laughed. “But you were dead on about Ryo, huh?” 

“Dead on. And that's why I'm glad you showed up just now and able to do what you had.” 

Dee grinned at Jim and left the lab. “What's that all about?” Ryo asked as the door closed behind Dee. 

“Nothing much. Just that the first time I spoke to Jim, he gave me an observation of the two of us. Turns out he was right about you and partially wrong about me.” He gave Ryo a sloppy smile as they walked down the hallway to the end door. “It seems I'm not such an asshole that everyone thinks I am.” 

Ryo laughed. “You didn't need Jim to tell you that. Even I knew that right after we met each other.” 

“Really?” Dee asked. “Not one negative thing about me?” 

Ryo laughed again. “Oh, plenty. But somehow all those negatives definitely equated to one big positive. The mystery about you, Dee, is how you manage to let your inner self out for me and still keep it hidden from others.” 

Dee shook his head. “No mystery. It's there for those who want to see it. So far, you're the only one who saw it. I think that was one of the many reasons piling up on me to know that I was….” Dee stopped himself from saying more, surreptitiously gazing around to see if anyone was close enough to hear. He found the hallway to be thankfully empty other than him and Ryo, even if they heard voices coming from the other side of the doors they passed. 

Ryo smiled at up Dee, that sexy, adorable smile that Dee was the only one in that building who had the privilege of seeing. Dee's heart skipped a beat and he nearly dropped the files he held. That smile did that much to him. It filled his heart with a passion so strong, he was certain one day it was going to burst because he could not contain it all. It filled his stomach with warm flutters. He could not help but return the smile. 

“Say it, Dee,” Ryo said softly. 

Dee raised an eyebrow in question. 

“Finish what you were saying.” As Dee continued at stare at Ryo in shock, Ryo chuckled softly. “Hell, it seems everyone knows anyway. So what the hell. I want to hear it.” 

Dee's heart fluttered and damn near came to a dead stop as his breath was taken away. He cleared his throat. “That was one of the many reasons piling up on me to know that I was falling in love with you.” 

“I'm glad, then,” Ryo said as they neared the end door. “Because what I saw helped me fall in love with you, you know.” Ryo stopped before the door. 

“Here,” Dee offered, once again shifting his files to open the door. As the door opened, the files slipped from Dee's arms toward the ground. 

Acting on instinct, one of Ryo's arms stretched out to stop the downfall, only for the resulting avalanche of files from his arms. “Crap!” Ryo said mournfully as they watched the two piles of file folders become a huge mess in the doorway. Some items spilled out of the appropriate jackets. He slapped his head in frustration. “I noticed that they were in at least some sort of order. Now it's going to take hours,” he groaned. 

“Don't worry. We'll manage,” Dee tried to soothe Ryo, but could not help eyeing the offending pile warily. 

Ryo touched Dee's arm as Dee started to bend over to pick up folders. “Dee, maybe you should just go. At least one of us should have an idea of what our new case is like. And you can always give me the crib note version before we meet with Rose.” 

“Uh uh,” Dee remarked, going to his knees and trying to carefully lift folders, eyes on the loose items to guess what might belong where. “I leave you here by yourself with this, and you'll never make it to Rose's office in time. And one place we don't want to be late is meeting with Rose.” 

“Since when do you care?” Ryo laughed, taking the folders Dee held up to him. 

“Since I'll be damned if I'm going to hear one more freakin' time from Rose what a bad influence I am on you.” 

Dee felt Ryo's hand on his shoulder as Ryo knelt on one knee next to Dee, taking more folders from his partner. “Let him,” Ryo laughed. “He can talk all he wants. It's not going to change the fact that it's you I love and with you I'll stay.” Dee's eyes went wide when Ryo leaned over and kissed Dee's temple. “So don't let him get to you.” 

Dee picked up several more folders, replacing items into them and held them out to Ryo. “I'll remember that.” He lifted his head to look into Ryo's eyes. “Only if you remember that no matter how much JJ pounces on me, he'll never have me. It's only you I want and only you I love.” 

Ryo blushed. “I'm sorry, Dee.” 

Dee laughed. “Don't be. That was awesome. It would have been better if only you were able to keep him from toppling us both over like dominoes, but thank you. And not for keeping JJ off me.” He smiled tenderly, his eyes glowing with love for Ryo. “For showing me how you feel.” 

The blush on Ryo's face got deeper. 

“So anyway, the way this is looking, if we stop bullshitting around here like two lovesick puppies and actually do some work for a change,” Dee stated, picking up more file folders and stray objects to place in the hopefully correct jacket, and handing over to Ryo, “we might get out of here with enough time to pick up some take out and talk. If we're lucky we might even have enough time for something else before we have to be back here.” 

“So why are we wasting time?” Ryo grinned. 

The two partners put their full concentration on their task at hand. 

 

Trial By Fire FAKE

 

 

TBF01 Gena S. Durrell 2 of 20