The Time For Change Is Now

Disclaimer: As much as I would like to own Fake…I don’t.

A/N: Okie dokie…. Yeah…I’m on a mad crazy roll, huh? This is the fourth chapter in a week…it must be something in the water. Anyways…the important notes are at the bottom.

Oh…one more thing…It’s a good thing I’ve still got this writing bug after all the crap that’s happened lately. After being sick for a month, I decided it was time I got out and had some fun…NO. I didn’t drink any more than I usually do (actually, I had *less* than I usually do), but lets just say that Fioricet and alcohol don’t mix. Never, ever, under any circumstances mix them….*shudders at the memory*. I’d been taking the Fioricet for my sinus infection and left out my last dose because I knew that I would be drinking…but apparently it was still in my bloodstream. I ended up in the hospital last night, and according to my best friend who was there with me I was quite the nihilistic bitch to everyone, including her. They pumped me full of fluid and drugs, so I don’t even remember the last bit, or leaving the hospital. I’m supposed to be in bed right now…but I can’t rest knowing that I have more chapters to write. I’m just as excited about this story as you guys are. So here I am. I still feel like shit, but I think I’ll live. BTW: please…I don’t need any lectures about mixing prescription drugs with alcohol. I’m not stupid…okay…maybe I am…but trust me, I already know.


Chapter 13………..Solution #2: Who We Want To Be
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Dee walked through the washed out fluorescent halls of the hospital, with JJ only a few steps behind him. After calling the number on his pager back they’d hastily piled in the car and headed to meet Ryo. A part of Dee didn’t want to go, not looking forward to seeing Ryo so soon aftheirheir ‘breakup’. He loved the man, there was no way around it, and it hurt to think of him, let alone see him. But Ryo needed him, and so he’d come.

JJ was reluctant as well; irritated that Ryo could snap his fingers and Dee would come running to him. His more rational side, though, knew that such things would have to be overlooked for a time. They were in a hospital, after all, so something had to be wrong. Dee had asked him to come with him, instead of opting to go alone, so that had to be a good sign.

Soon enough, they found the waiting room where Ryo sat next to Carol, wringing his hands. He looked up when they entered and his face faltered slightly when he noticed JJ’s presence. Carol excused herself quietly, telling Ryo that she was going to check with the nurse one more time and then try to get something to drink. Dee walked over to Ryo, kneeling down in front of him and placing his hands on his shoulders.

“What’s wrong with Bikky? I could barely understand you on the phone.”

“I don’t know. Cal called me; she said he just collapsed. He was leaving her house…he was upset. She said he turned around to say goodbye and just passed out.”

Dee looked puzzled for a moment. “They haven’t told you what’s wrong with him?”

Ryo shook his head. “No…I haven’t been here long…but I still don’t know anything. I’m sorry I bothered you.” He paused, casting a sidelong glance at JJ. “I know you probably don’t want to see me right now…I just didn’t have anyone else to call. I needed…”

Ryo didn’t finish and Dee’s face softened. He looked at his former partner for a long moment, debating on what to do. JJ sat several chairs away, watching the two of them. He looked on sadly, noticing how Dee’s care for Ryo rolled off of him in waves, almost filling the quiet room. Dee opened his mouth to say something, but didn’t get the chance because the doctor came in, taking everyone’s attention.

“Mr. McLean?”

Ryo stood and nodded; Dee and JJ stood as well. Carol came back into the room and took a seat, listening.

The doctor smiled. He was an older man, in his mid to late fifties. He gla glasses that balanced on the bridge of his nose and enhanced his overall look. He had obviously been an attractive man when he was younger, but looked worn from years of working in the business of human lives.

“Your son is fine – he’s just a bit run down. He collapsed due to exhaustion. Has he been under a lot of stress recently?”

Ryo thought back. He’d only told Bikky about the move earlier that day and didn’t think it could have stressed him out enough to cause him to collapse. But Bikky had been doing a lot of worrying over him lately, even if he would never admit to it; he also had been having some trouble at school. Ryo felt awful…telling Bikky that they were going to move so soon must’ve pushed him over the edge.

“Yes…I guess he has been.”

The doctor began writing on a slip of paper attached to his clipboard. “Well…he’ll be fine. He just needs a few days bed rest and someone to look after him. He’s quite a feisty one, he threatened to slap one of my nurses when he heard mention of any needles. He’s a little dehydrated, so we’re going to keep him another hour or so. He’s hooked up to an IV now and we’ve given him something to calm him down. You can see him anytime you like, though he’s most likely asleep by now.”

The three other men listened intently, all of them relieved that nothing was seriously wrong. Ryo pushed his hair out of his face and offered the doctor a weak smile. “Thank you, doctor.”

The older man smiled again and held out the slip of paper for Ryo to take. “This is a prescription for Xanax. Only give him half of one at the most, as needed. It’ll keep him calm and help him rest.”

Ryo took it and reached into his back pocket to put the paper in his wallet. He thanked the doctor one more time before turning to Dee.

JJ looked down, unable to deal with seeing the two together. He told himself not to worry, that Dee was his now, and that Ryo needed him at the moment. He reminded himself that Dee’s comforting presence and his willingness to give everything he had to someone when they needed it was something that he loved about him. He let his eyes roam over the floor and he noticed a folded piece of paper lying near Ryo’s feet. He al cal called Ryo’s attention to it, but stopped himself. He wasn’t sure why, exactly, he was so curious, but something told him not to let Ryo know he’d dropped it. He heard his name and snapped his head up, looking at Dee.

“JJ”

“Yeah?” He moved closer to them and dropped his scarf over the note, before bending down and picking them both up.

“Could you go get some coffee for all of us? I think we could use it, hell…I’m still half asleep.”

JJ hesitated, shifting his eyes from Dee to Ryo and back again. Dee noticed it and crossed to him, placing a hand on his shoulder and tentatively kissing the top of his head. JJ knew how hard it had to have been for him to do such a thing in front of Ryo. Dee smiled at him, although it was weak, and it told JJ that everything would be okay. He nodded and left them alone, headed for the cafeteria.

He got to it without much trouble, and headed for the coffee. It was then that he remembered the paper he’d picked up. His curiosity got the better of him, and he moved to the dining area, taking the paper out and unfolding it. His eyes ran over the words, each paragraph making him more and more nauseated. He could hardly read the last of it through the blur in his eyes. When a tear finally slipped down his cheek he watched it hit the ink, washing it out a bit. He noticed the other spots, now dry, that matched the one he had just caused.

He wasn’t sure how long he sat there, stunned and motionless. A feeling akin to terror crept up in him and he found it nearly impossible to swallow. He realized that he’d been gone for a long time, and with his new knowledge of how Ryo really felt about Dee he didn’t like the idea of leaving them alone anymore. A plethora of thoughts whirled about in his head. He wasn’t sure exactly what he was supposed to do with this new information and the thought of losing Dee so quickly after he had gotten him made him so sick he thought he might die. He told himself not to worry about it – everything happens for a reason and Ryo would be leaving soon. He grabbed some coffee and hurried back towards the waiting room.

When he made it back, Dee had Ryo in a loose hug while he rambled on. Thef-Asf-Asian man kept taking short gasps of air and his hands hung loosely at his side. Every few seconds Dee would reach a hand up and soothingly rub his arm, comforting him. JJ stood still for a moment, just listening.

“I dragged him into my life, Dee. He’s just a kid; he shouldn’t have to deal with my problems too. I knew he was worried about me, but I didn’t…and god, what he must be going through now…after…listen, Dee…there’s something I need to tell you. Wednesday…I…”

JJ jumped in, having made a decision. “I brought the coffee.”

Ryo snapped his head towards the sniper. Dee nodded and pulled away slowly, taking the hot beverage and handing one to Ryo. The three of them waited silently, drinking their coffee until finally a nurse came out with Bikky. The young man looked tired and irritable. Dee immediately walked over to him, ruffling his hair.

“I should kick your ass, you little hooligan. Worrying us all like that, damn. Next time you decide to go pass out, do it the gutter where nobody has to worry about you, okay?”

Bikky slapped the hand away from him. “Thanks so much for your concern, dumbass.” The words were harsh, but both he and Dee knew the underlying care that neither of them were very proficient at professing.

Bikky looked at JJ disapprovingly before turning his attention to Ryo. “So you think they’ll let you slide now that you’ve got a sick kid?”

Ryo’s eyes got wide and he rushed over to his foster soon, shooting him a look that clearly said ‘be quiet’. Bikky looked nonplussed for a momentt gat gave up and slumped back into his wheelchair. He shot JJ another look. “What’s he doing here, anyway?”

“Bikky!” Ryo started, and then calmed his voice, turning to Dee, JJ and Carol. “I think we should all head home now, okay?”

Everyone agreed and they made their way out of the hospital. Ryo took Carol home with him, as she wanted to look after Bikky, and Dee decided to just go home, himself. All five of them piled into Dee’s car, since Ryo had taken a taxi to get there. The ride was tense and most of it was done in silence. He dropped off Ryo first, and when he got out of the car he looked sadly at Dee before thanking him again and heading inside.

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

When Ryo entered the apartment he’d forgotten about the mess in the living room. Bikky saw it first and whipped around to Ryo, his eyes wide.

“What the hell happened here? Did we get robbed or something?”

Ryo kept his voice calm, not wanting to upset Bikky any more. “No, Bikky. It’s hard to explain, and it’s nothing for you to worry about. You just go to bed; I’ll get it cleaned up.”

Bikky remained stubborn. “Don’t tell me you did this?”

Ryo’s flush gave Bikky the answer he was looking for. “You did! Jeez, Ryo…I’ve never seen you mad enough to break nothin’. What happened? Did Dee do something? Is it because of that creep he was with at the hospital? It was, I know it…I’ll kick his ass!”

Ryo sighed, exasperated. “Bikky! For once, could you not worry about things that don’t have anything to do with you?” He quickly realized his harsh tone and softened it, placing a hand on Bikky’s shoulder. “Look…it’s just…you have a lot to worry about, so you don’t need to worry about me, okay? This is grown up stuff, and I know you *think* you’re a grown up, but you’re not. This is stuff you won’t understand, so don’t get so involved.”

Bikky blew his bangs out of his face. “Yeah, whatever. I’ll bet you didn’t even tell him we’re moving, did you?”

“No, I didn’t, but that’s none of your concern either. Go to bed now, you need rest. Cal, make sure he settles down, okay?”

Carol nodded before herding a swearing Bikky off towards his bedroom. Ryo looked at the broken furniture and shattered ceramics scattering his living room. With a deep sigh he bent down and began to pick up the pieces.

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

JJ didn’t say much on the drive to his apartment; he sat rather stoically, looking out the window and watching his breath make little puff marks against the glass. When they finally arrived, he turned in his seat and reached his hand over to rest on Dee’s arm.

“Come up…please.”

Dee sighed. “It’s been a long day, and you’re still sick. I think there’s been enough stress on everyone for one night.”

JJ gripped harder, pleading almost. “Please. I need…I need you to come up…please. I feel like shit and don’t want to be by myself.”

Dee relented and parked his car, stepping out with JJ and heading up to the other man’s spacious apartment. Once inside, JJ crawled back into bed and Dee crawled in beside him, though he remained on top of the covers. Soon they were in the same position they had been – Dee’s head in JJ’s lap with JJ’s fingers running through his hair. They were quiet – Dee was tired in every way imaginable and JJ had too many thoughts bouncing around in his head to hold a conversation.

He looked down at Dee for what felt like a very long time and an impenetrable sadness gripped him. He loved his sempai so much and doubted even Dee knew the extent of his affections. The man who had changed, and later become his world looked so wonderful lying in his lap. It was a perfect moment and JJ thought that he could die right then and be a happy man. He had to keep reminding himself of what he had to do and why he had to do it. But before he could do anything…there was something he had to know. Maybe he *didn’t* have to do it…maybe everything would be fine, just as it was.

“Sempai?”

Dee chuckled a little. “You’re never going to stop calling me that, are you?”

JJ tried to smile. “Probably not.”

There was a long silence before JJ spoke again. “I love you…you know.”

Dee took a moment to answer. When he did his voice was calm and gentle. “Yeah…I know.”

Dee let his eyes slip closed for a moment, but opened them when a drop of wetness hit his cheek. He reached up to wipe it away and turned so that he was facing JJ. He looked up and confirmed that JJ was crying. He looked melancholy, his expression one of sadness and resignation. Dee extended his hand up to cup his cheek, wiping at the tears with this thumb.

“What’s wrong?”

JJ took a deep breath, nuzzling into the hand that cupped his face. “Make love to me, Dee.”

Dee went rigid, sitting up. “What?”

“You heard me.” JJ whispered.

Dee blinked, tripping over his words. “JJ…it’s so soon…and…you’re sick…and…I think…we…”

JJ lifted his gaze to Dee’s. It was determined and defiant…beautiful. He placed both of his hands on Dee’s cheeks, tenderly holding him there as a silence passed between them. He moved forward with an aching slowness, his eyes fluttering shut as he closed the space between them. It was slow, sweet and painful. After a moment Dee’s eyes closed as well and he relaxnto nto the kiss.

JJ moved his hands so that they wrapped around Dee’s shoulders, his delicate fingers curling in the hair at the base of his neck. He felt small, pleasurable, tremors run through him as Dee’s arms wrapped around his waist. One hand reached up into the other man’s dark hair, wrapping it around his fingers like spun silk. All too soon, Dee pulled away. He sat quietly for a second, watching as JJ slipped a pink tongue out to run over his kiss swollen lips.

“JJ, I – ”

JJ silenced him with a finger to his lips. He smiled sadly and looked at Dee pleadingly. “Please.”

Dee gave him no verbal affirmation, just simply pulled him close and kissed him softly, innocently. The kiss changed, growing deeper, and JJ let out a whimper as Dee lifted him slightly to lay him back against the mattress. He threw his head back, his pale neck bared to the chill of the air, as Dee’s hands ran along his skin. They started at the waist of his pants, his calloused fingers scraping ever so slightly along the milky torso as he pushed the long sleeved shirt up. His mouth followed his hands, placing wet, open mouthed kisses along each new inch of exposed skin.

When the shirt reached his neck, JJ lifted his arms to allow its dismissal. He immediately grabbed at the buttons on Dee’s shirt, his nimble fingers having no trouble with them, despite his shaking. When he finished with the buttons, he pushed the shirt open, running his hands along Dee’s tanned and muscled shoulders before sliding them down his arms. Dee pulled his wrists free, and carelessly tossed the shirt to the floor.

JJ noted the difference in their skin tones, his pale complexion standing out against Dee’s natural olive color. He sat up further and leaned forward so that he could pay proper homage to the sculpted chest now before him. Dee sat astride JJ’s legs, his knees on either side of him. He heard himself groan when JJ’s mouth made contact with his chest, kissing languidly before sucking in a tanned and erect nipple. His hand came up to grip the silver hair, holding him there.

It had been a long time since Dee had known the touch of another man, or another person at all. But he supposed pleasure was like riding a bicycle, because his hands seemed to know exactly where to touch and stroke – which parts to just skim over and which to linger on. He leaned his head down, assaulting JJ’s neck with his lips, teeth and tongue. JJ moaned and leaned back, offering him more.

His hands agilely unfastened Dee’s belt, followed by the button of his pants and then his zipper. He slipped his fingers down into now open trousers, pushing them down and marveling at the strong muscles of Dee’s legs as his hands roamed over them. Dee stood, shaking his pants away. He never wore anything underneath them, so he crawled back onto the bed now naked as the day he was born.

JJ allowed himself to be pushed back, all tension leaving him as Dee cupped his hand, placing kisses to the inside of his palm. He pulled on the drawstring of JJ’s pants, letting the strips of material run through his fingers. He gripped the sides, his fingers reaching in to grip his underwear as well, and pulled them both off in one long, smooth, motion. He took great care in removing them, holding each ankle gingerly before pulling the fabric away completely.

When all clothing had been discarded, Dee let his hands rest on the sides of JJ’s legs, bending his head down and inching forward. He ran his nose along the smooth skin, along the insides of JJ’s knees and up along his thighs. His hands followed, moving upwards until they ran around to the small of his back. It had been so long for both of them that much foreplay was out of the question; they were both too needy.

Dee let his nose run along JJ’s belly, taking in his scent. It was slight, but it covered every milky inch of him. It was familiar, like a happy childhood memory, though Dee couldn’t place where he had known it before. It was like sandalwood and honey laced with something undeniably male. It flooded his senses and overtook all logical thought, replacing it with a warm blanket of want and need. He let his tongue dart out into JJ’s navel, causing the smaller man to gasp and rise up almost off the bed. Dee smiled into his skin and did it again, swirling his tongue around the orifice before moving in and out of it, groaning every time JJ’s leg would brush against his erection in the other man’s fit of arousal.

He moved a little farther south, his teeth grazing over a pale hipbone, before JJ yanked him back up, panting. He claimed his lips again in a deep, bruising, kiss. When they broke for air, JJ took Dee’s face into his hands again.

“Now…please…”

Dee nodded almost imperceptibly, and JJ reached over to the bedside table, pulling out a small bottle. He handed it to Dee and opted to lay back with his eyes closed while the other man prepared him. It was a little painful, as he hadn’t had a lover in a while, but JJ found the sting exquisite. He alternated between fisting the blankets, twisting them in his hands, and reaching up to grip the headboard, ignoring the small ‘clank’ it made every time he let go.

After what seemed like forever, balanced unmercifully somewhere between torture and rapture, Dee raised up on his knees. He reached across the smaller man underneath him to flick the lamp off, casting the room in a semi-darkness. He lifted JJ’s leg, lean and toned, to rest it on his shoulder before turning his head and placing a tiny kiss to his ankle. JJ forced himself to keep his eyes open; even in the dark he could make out Dee’s features. The features he loved so much. The features he would miss so terribly.

He cried out when Dee entered him, and Dee stroked his leg soothingly, stilling his movement until JJ had adjusted. After a short while, JJ nodded, and Dee began to move. It wasn’t slow, nor hasty…more…deliberate. JJ didn’t notice that tears fell brazenly down his face; he couldn’t distinguish his sobs of anguish from those of pleasure. Soon, the thrusts picked up speed and Dee shot his arm out, bracing himself against the headboard. He loomed over JJ, bending him in half – their noses almost touching. JJ raked one hand down his back, leaving angry red claw marks, while the other found his lover’s hand. He intertwined their fingers and held them there tig bef before searching out Dee’s lips for another kiss.

Sweat and tears mingled together and made their skin salty; Dee could almost taste the need on his lover – he was sure he tasted of it, himself. He heard JJ tell him he loved him, and wasn’t sure what his reply was – too lost on another plane of existence he hadn’t known for far too long. Eventually the only sounds were those of incoherent almost-words and the protests of furniture not built for such strenuous activity.

JJ squeezed his eyes shut and sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, the world exploding all around him. He thrashed wildly and whimpered and mewled, sending Dee over the edge as well. He bent down, biting into JJ at the juncture between neck and shoulder; grunting with each last thrust, riding out his orgasm.

When they were again able to breathe, Dee reached his hand down to wipe the tears from JJ’s skin. “Did I do something wrong?”

JJ smiled and sniffled, leaning up to wrap his arms around his sempai. “No…never. Let’s go to sleep.”

Dee nodded, still a little confused. He was tired, though, and shimmied down into the blankets beside his new lover. With JJ’s back to his chest he fell quickly into sleep, too tired to think. JJ, however, wasn’t so lucky. He tried to control his sobs, not wanting the shaking of his form to wake Dee and when any sounds of bereavement left him he muffled them into the pillow. After what felt like hours he finally stopped crying, no tears left in him, and turned around to snuggle into Dee before falling into an uneasy sleep.

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

The next morning Dee woke slowly. He blinked several times before remembering where he was and how he’d gotten there. He had mixed feelings about it. Part of him refused to let go of the idea that what he’d done was wrong, that he’d betrayed Ryo even though the other man had made it clear that he didn’t want him. Dee thought on it for a long time, and in the end decided that he hadn’t been wrong…not in any way. Not only were things over with Ryo, but JJ loved him, and he was starting to love him back. What they’d shared had been special, meaningful…and a hell of a lot of fun. He smiled and realized that, although he might not ever get over Ryo, at least he was making progress.

He looked at the empty spot beside him. The sheets weren’t warm, so JJ had to have been up for a while. Looking over at the clock, Dee realized that he was very, very late for work. He jumped out of the bed, swearing as the cold air hit his naked skin and started hopping into his pants. He couldn’t figure out why JJ would leave for work and not wake him…did he *want* him to get fired?

He’d just buttoned his pants and rushed into the living room, looking for the phone so that he could at least call in. When he finally found it he saw a note resting on the table, not far away. Curiously, he picked it up, recognizing JJ’s script.

Sempai,

Sorry I didn’t wake you…but you looked so peaceful. Don’t worry about coming to work; I’ll take care of it. You’ve had a rough few days, and you should rest.

Don’t ask, just do. Rest. Now.

There’s food in the kitchen. Be back after work.

-JJ

Dee looked over the note again. He was tempted to call into work, just to make sure, but figured that if he called they might make him come in. He was already late, so he might as well enjoy the day off and hope he didn’t get fired. He fished around in the kitchen, eating a bowl of cereal and cleaning up his dishes before heading off to the shower.

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

JJ marched up to Rose’s door, taking deep breaths and coaching himself through what he was going to say. He felt around in his pocket, making sure everything was ready before reaching up a hand to knock on the door, and entering when he was told to. Rose looked busy and didn’t even glance up when JJ closed the door behind him.

JJ stayed quiet for a long time, thinking. Finally Rose got fed up and, still not looking up, barked at him from across the room.

“Well? Is there something I can help you with? And where the hell is Laytner?”

“Stop that.” JJ said quietly.

“Excuse me?” Rose bit out.

“Stop what you’re doing. I need your attention; if you aren’t going to give it to me, I can come back.”

Rose stopped and leaned back, a smirk playing about on his face. He crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Alright then, Adams, what is it you need? And where is Laytner?”

JJ leaned against the other man’s desk. “He’s not coming in today, he’s…sick.”

Rose frowned and quirked a brow. “Is he now? We’ll see. What is it that you want?”

JJ cut to the chase. “You’re sending Ryo away.”

“I am” Rose replied curtly.

“You can’t.”

Rose’s eyebrow quirked again. “And why not, might I ask?”

JJ let out a deep sigh, exasperated. “Number one, because you *know* you cano tho that without his consent. He might not know it, but *I* do and so do you. Number two…because I won’t let you.”

Rose leaned back against his desk, toying with his tie and casting sidelong glances in the mirror on his wall. “There’s nothing to be done about it, Adams. I’ve got too much pull for you to be noble at this point. It’s my reputation on the line. The State Police are expecting a sharpshooter and they’ll get one.”

“Yeah” JJ started “They will…send me.”

Rose stopped what he was doing. “Excuse me?”

JJ rolled his eyes. “You heard me. Send me instead. I’m *more* than qualified…I’m better than Ryo. I’m sure they won’t mind.”

“No” Rose stated simply, going back to fixing his tie.

JJ threw his hands in the air before slamming them down on the Commissioner’s desk. “Don’t think I don’t know why you’re doing this. You want Ryo away from Dee.”

Rose chuckled. “And if I do? I would have thought you’d be supportive on this.”

The silver haired man clenched his fists, almost snarling. “Well I’m not the selfish bastard you are!”

“Temper, Adams. What’s done is done…now make the best of it. Nine months from now you’ll be happy with Laytner. Ryo will find it hard, of course, to see you two together. He’ll no doubt need comforting. Trust me, you’ll thank me later.”

“No, I won’t” JJ snapped back. “You’re sending me, and that’s final. And you’re not going to say anything to Ryo either…I’m going to tell him.”

Rose removed his glasses, absently cleaning them off with a cloth on his desk. “Final, you say? Just how do you plan on accomplishing that? I’ve already told you no.”

JJ grit his teeth for a second, trying to rein in his temper. “I’m sure internal affairs would love to know about how you’ve been chasing your subordinate – your *male* subordinate. I’m sure they’d love to know that you call him in here and do things that go above and beyond sexual harassment.”

Rose glared at the sniper before letting his face drop back into the careless sneer he usually wore. “Do what you like. I have a lot of pull here – they’ll never believe you.”

“They will now.” JJ stated simply before brandishing the tape recorder hidden in his pocket until that moment.

Rose sat silently, shocked. He berated himself for falling into such a simple trap – he was cop…he should have known better. “They don’t look kindly on blackmail, either.”

The silver haired man just shrugged his shoulders. “I’m willing to go down…but rest assured I’ll take you with me.”

JJ turned, ready to leave the office. After he’d opened the door he turned back, facing Rose who remained quietly fuming.

“Dee won’t be in today…and maybe not tomorrow either. I hope you don’t mind. I trust you’ll have the appropriate information on my desk sometime today. And don’t feel too bad…I always was an excellent chess player, Commissioner. Checkmate.”

*************************************************
TBC


OKAY. Whew…that was a doozy.

First off…I know I said I’d warn you guys about the sex…but well…I didn’t wanna give it away. I still don’t really think it warrants lemondom, or an NC17 rating…but that’s just me. I think there’s a fine line between not descriptive enough and too descriptive. Sorry I sprung it on you…well…that’s a lie…no, I’m not sorry at all.

Before you get your knickers in a twist about it, let me say that I thought it was appropriate. It’s not the whole celibate knight idealism thing that Dee usually has…but I thought it needed to happen, and I’m god here…so happen it did. Now…the first situation they had gotten into in earlier chapters…that would have been a mistake, yes. This *points up* was not, at least…not to me. How it happened and why seemed realistic to me…but maybe that’s just me. It seemed…human…and that’s what I want them to be first and foremost…human.

Another thing….IT’S NOT OVER YET. Dee/Ryo fans, don’t jump for joy just yet…there’s still more to come.

With the way I’ve been writing, the next chapter should be here soon. I don’t have to work until Tuesday so god knows what I’ll get done before then since I’ve been writing every spare moment (when I’m not in detox, that is…*god* that sucked) Like I said…there is much more to come, the story is *not* over. So please keep reading.

Also…this is the most descriptive sex I have ever written, and I was chewing my nails the entire time wondering about it, so please let me know how it came out.

Reviews are great; they fuel the writing hamster running in his little wheel in my head. (The bitch must be smoking crack at this rate, though).

Love and Kisses,

Reika