The Unexpected III

Title: The Unexpected III
Chapter 9 - Hostage Situation
Word Count: 6790
Rating: R
Fandom: FAKE
Pairings: Ryo/Dee
Warnings: Yaoi, Male/male, MPREG, AU If you don’t like, don’t read! Cursing, mature themes, graphic insinuations of violent death, torture and violence.
Disclaimer: FAKE is not mine. We have Sanami Matoh for giving us Dee, Ryo and the rest of the 27th precinct characters. Any OCs appearing in this fic are mine.
Summary: Dee finds himself face to face with Gilbert Blum's killer. Will he be the next victim?
Notes: Apologies with the delay, but for now, back to scheduled programming. Hopefully that means it won't take another two months for the next chapter. Enjoy! (I hope.)
Beta by the gorgeous and brilliant Grace_Musica


Ryo was about to try calling Dee’s number when his cell rang. To his disappointment, the Commissioner’s number came up on display. As he answered, he hoped Dee was with the Commissioner. It would make sense why no one was answering in their office. Dee could have left his cell phone in the office while he was with the Commissioner.

“Ryo,” Rose said before he could answer.

Ryo felt an icy chill run down his spine. “Sir?” he asked.

“Pull your team together and head on back. We’re almost 100% certain that we have Gilbert Blum’s killer here.”

“Someone found him?” Ryo asked.

“Well, yeah… you could say that. Just get down here now.”

Ryo noticed the others coming toward him in a jog. Drake was speaking on his cell phone. It was at that moment horror stuck him. He knew without a doubt something was dreadfully wrong. As he quickly made his way to the car, he clenched his teeth. “Commissioner, who found the killer?” he demanded.

Drake sprinted past Ryo and jumped in the driver’s seat. “Key, Ryo,” he demanded. “And put the lights up. We’re going express.”

JJ came up from behind him, and snatched the keys Ryo pulled out from his pocket, and opened the backseat door. “Get in. Now.”

As Ryo felt himself being pushed into the car, he heard the Commissioner’s reply, “Dee.”

Ryo nearly dropped the phone. “Where is he? Where is Dee?” He had already worked himself up into a panic. He gripped the phone in both hands as Rose answered.

“Drake knows everything. He’ll tell you on the way. I have to go, Ryo. When you get here, let Drake and JJ go off to find Chief Smith. I want you to report to me. If you don’t, and decide to go off on your own, I will be forced to throw the book at you. And Dee will hate it if you’re not with him for the baby’s birth because you’re locked up. I’ll see you soon, Ryo.”

The call disconnected. Ryo shook the phone in pent up anger and frustration. “Son of a bitch!” He looked at the front seat. JJ was looking back in concern, the younger detective’s worry for Dee clearly evident on his face. “JJ, Drake…. What the hell happened?” His voice shook and broke.

Drake spared a hand from the steering wheel to wipe his forehead. “Good God, this isn’t easy.”

JJ placed a hand on Drake’s shoulder. “Ryo, it’s Ferguson.”

“Ferguson? What about him?” Ryo asked with a frown.

“He’s the one who killed Gilbert Blum,” JJ replied.

“WHAT?!?” Ryo shouted. “One of our own? Oh God, he’s a friend. I trust him with Dee….” Ryo’s voice faltered at his last train of thought. “Dee! Oh shit no! Don’t tell me…. How do we know Ferguson killed Gilbert?” Ryo was shaking from a powerful combination of fear and anger.

“Hernandez heard him. He went into the squad room and heard Sean talking to Dee. The door to your office was locked. Ray immediately went to Chief, told him what he heard.”

“What did he hear?”

JJ sighed heavily. “That Dee’s supposed to be the next victim.” He reached back quickly to grab Ryo’s hand. “Ryo, I’m sorry. Sean has Dee. An attempt was made to get in there, but Sean heard it. He warned that any further attempts to break in that he’ll use his gun and Dee will be dead before they can get in. So… they’re at a lock right now.”

“He’s still going to kill Dee!” Ryo cried out in anguish.

“Last we heard, Dee’s still alive. Sean wants to take perverted pleasure in drawing out the kill as long as possible,” Drake informed Ryo.

JJ watched as Ryo went pale. The half-Japanese detective’s dark eyes were wide and glistening with tears ready to fall. “Ryo, I need you to relax.” JJ knew it was a ridiculous thing to say even before the words were out of his mouth, but he had to try. As expected, Ryo gave him an incredulous glare. “Well, okay, not relax,” JJ admitted. “Look Ryo, at least take a few deep breaths. It’s not going to help….”

“Yeah, yeah. I know. Dee is going to need me,” Ryo started to recite. “Stay strong for Dee. I know the drill, JJ. But forgive me if I’m having trouble here doing that. I just want Dee to get out of there.” Ryo clenched his fists. “I’ll kill that fucker! So help me…. I trusted him with Dee. He was supposed to help keep Dee safe when I’m not around. I’ll kill him for what he did to me today. And so help me, I’ll kill him again if he hurts Dee or our daughter.”

The car came to a stop in the midst of controlled chaos by the 27th precinct. Diana was rushing toward them with Rose behind her.

Realizing where they were, Ryo started to get out of the car, only to discover the door was locked. He glared at Drake. “Open the damn door, Drake!”

“Sorry, pal. No can do. I don’t trust you not to go charging off on your own,” Drake apologized.

“Let me out, Drake!” Ryo growled, reaching for his gun.

“Stay right where you are and leave your gun in your holster,” Rose ordered, standing outside the car and looking in the partially opened window. “Now, when I open the door, you’re going to scoot over and let me get in. We’ll run operations from here. Drake, JJ, Chief is outside the squad room. Join him and get Dee out of there.”

Ryo’s face set to stone as he watched Drake and JJ leave the car. He felt helpless and he hated it. He needed to be doing something – anything – to get his husband and unborn child away from that bastard. He really did not need Rose’s impassioned plea on how it was obvious Ryo would act rashly if he was allowed to go in and they could not afford for any mistakes that could mean Dee’s life.

Ryo knew it was true and he, more than everyone, wanted – needed Dee to be safe. All he wanted at that moment was to hold Dee and take him home.

When asked, Ryo handed Rose his gun and listened as the operation to rescue Dee played out. He lost track of time. All he noticed were events. When an ambulance pulled up, along with a fire truck. When JJ came out of the building, carrying a case that no doubt had a sniper’s rifle in it, and was escorted around the corner. When there was a tap on the window and he saw Vince’s concerned face. It was then that Rose allowed him to leave the car. With Vince on one side and the Commissioner on the other, he was led to where the EMTs waited, along with Janet and her partner. It was with this group that Ryo waited, wondering if he’d ever see Dee again, or get to know their daughter.

- - - - -

Ferguson was yelling again, waving the gun and threatening to shoot Dee point blank in the head. Dee had the urge to shout at him and tell him to shut the fuck up. All the noise wasn’t doing his headache any good. The irony was that whenever the crazed killer yelled, he would pick up the gun. Which meant he removed the scalpel from Dee’s body. Just as long as the rogue cop did not pull the trigger, Dee was afforded that much extra time before Ferguson finally made the cuts that would no doubt mean harm to the baby and most likely end his life.

A part of Dee’s mind wished Ferguson would pull the trigger and shoot him so death would come quickly. If he was going to die that day, at least Ryo could have some small comfort in knowing Dee did not suffer. Maybe, just maybe, they might be able to save the baby.

Dee took a deep breath. He did not bother with an attempt to calm down. It would be a futile exercise. His mind had gone over and over ways to overcome Ferguson, but could not come up with anything that would not get himself killed. He was certain it was over for him, but he had no desire to help it along. Besides, he was really hoping for a miracle. That somehow both he and his baby would survive the day.

Dee just did not know how that could be.

His shirt was pulled back, exposing his chest and belly. He was bleeding. Everywhere he looked on his belly, there was blood. Ferguson was taking pleasure in making ‘cutting lines’ as the madman called them. The cuts were not deep, but they hurt. Dee had one long cut along his belly and another going across. There were also random designs that Ferguson traced with the blade, breaking skin and drawing blood. His chest was also cut up. With each cut, Ferguson asked Dee if he was planning on breastfeeding. He forced Dee to admit it and then hit him in the face several times, calling him sick and then proceeded to cut up his chest.

Ferguson had been teasing him, building his fear with each cut. They were not deep and not threatening, assuming he didn’t bleed too much from them. Dee knew it was only the beginning.

Ferguson might have been crazy, but he was not stupid. He made sure the chair Dee was tied in was in line with the window, and he kept Dee between him and the window. The only person crazy enough to make such a shot and be successful was the one person who was no doubt pulled out of action this time for being too emotionally involved. Even JJ, as great a shot, would not dare it. JJ had said enough times that Ryo was insane for making shots like that, and then praised him for being able to do it. It was what pushed Ryo ahead of JJ among the two top sharpshooters. Ferguson knew it, too. He had assisted in enough calls where Ryo and JJ’s sharpshooter skills were required. The two were the top in the city. Ferguson knew he was safe as long as he kept Dee where he was and a gun nearby.

And as long as Ferguson had the gun, along with Dee positioned near the window, the crazed killer believed he had all the time in the world to draw out his kill.

Ferguson had told Dee he was disappointed that he was unable to do a neater job because he could get the office chair to lean back only so far. He had told Dee how he had Gilbert laying down while he killed him. Ferguson had thought about tying Dee down to his desk, but he decided Dee needed to be between any attempts through the window in taking him down. As long as Dee remained in view, there would be no attempts of sniper shots. The patrolman knew how the police worked, and made sure he was given enough time to do what he wanted to Dee before killing him.

Ferguson finally put the gun down and picked up the scalpel. “Now, to be honest, I think I want this to go on record,” he said to Dee. “It’s no secret what’s going on in here. Everyone knows. I’ll bet we even made the news by now.” Ferguson fixed Dee with an icy stare. “And we both know how it’s going to end. Neither of us will make it out of here alive. So….” The madman licked his lips. “I think your husband deserves a chance to be with you during your final minutes.”

Dee caught himself just in time before he started to bend. He would not give Ferguson that satisfaction. “That might be a mistake,” Dee tried, attempting to give him a warning.

“Not a mistake. I’m onto you, Dee. I saw in your eyes the truth. The horror of Ryo hearing our little session. And you’re right. It will kill him. Oh, not in dead as you will be. It’ll be a death of his soul. And that’s good. My sister deserves all the revenge I can get for her.”

Ferguson picked up Dee’s cell phone and hit the speed dial for Ryo’s phone. As the phone rang, Ferguson sneered. “Now it’s going to get interesting.” He set Dee’s phone for speaker.

The phone picked up and Ryo’s frantic voice answered. “Dee?”

“Yes, he’s here,” Ferguson remarked. “For a little while anyway.” His laugh was sinister. It turned Dee’s blood cold and he shivered.

~ ~ ~

Ryo jumped when his cell started to ring. Seeing it was from Dee’s phone, he started to shake, daring to hope that his husband had somehow managed to get away from a person they had seen as a close friend. His face fell when he heard Ferguson’s voice coming through the phone. He managed to keep back a cry of despair.

“What do you want?” he demanded, his voice hard. He channeled all his fears into anger for the man he had trusted and was not attempting to kill Dee.

“I want you to listen, Ryo. I want you to hear every scream I wrench out of Dee as he dies. I want you to hear the last sob of the man you love when he dies. You might get lucky and hear your kid as she dies too. And Dee can hear you, too. Isn’t the right, Dee? I’ll let him hear your sobs as he dies.”

Ryo paled and started to shake. “You son of a bitch! They better carry your cold corpse outta there, ‘cause if there’s still some life in you, it’s fuckin’ mine, you bastard. And if you’re dead, it won’t won’t stop me from ripping your limbs from your body,” Ryo growled.

Rose turned, his attention going from listening to operations to Ryo raging over his phone. Realizing who Ryo was speaking to, he grabbed the phone from Ryo, giving him a glare. “I’ll take that, Detective Laytner-MacLean.”

Rose started to speak to Ferguson, attempting to talk him into giving himself up. Ryo rolled his eyes. He heard Ferguson’s voice, but could not make out the words. He did not need to, because he could imagine the killer’s response of Save it. I know the drill.

Remembering what Ferguson said about Dee being able to hear, Ryo hoped it was still true. If not, Dee usually kept his volume high enough that he should be hearing everything being said.

One of the detective’s from another squad came up to Rose and Ryo. Ryo gestured for him to be quiet, indicating the Commissioner was speaking to the perp. The detective nodded. Leaning close, he whispered to Ryo that the snipers were in position, but they did not have a clear shot. Listening to the detective explain the situation, Ryo managed to maintain a semblance of calm. It was enough to encourage the detective to keep talking, while Rose was distracted trying to at least buy Dee time, if not get the wayward policeman to give up. Ryo gazed at the Commissioner.

It gave Ryo an idea. Rose would probably have his head for it, but he had to try.

He started to yell, letting his frustration and fear carry him. As Rose turned to him in shock, Ryo allowed his rampage to go into Japanese.

“Calm down, Ryo!” Rose demanded.

Ryo ranted on in Japanese, moving closer to Rose, his voice raising, allowing the all the stress and fear out in his voice. He sounded like the hysterical husband he was, and everyone was thinking that was all it was.

Keeping the tone of his distressed rant, he said, still in Japanese, “Try to knock your chair over. They’re in position.”

He heard no reply to indicate Dee heard him. He didn’t expect one. He was just hoping for the best as he continued to cause a scene. He did hear Ferguson gloat, say something to Dee. The man was obviously getting a thrill from Ryo’s tirade.

People parted and suddenly Elena was with him, having been escorted through. Ryo figured that she was on the side and someone had noticed she was his aunt. Someone must have figured she could help calm him down and escorted her through.

~ ~ ~

Ferguson was waving his gun again. This time he was shouting at Rose and demanding to know what Ryo was saying. Keeping his eyes on the gun as best as his fuzzy vision allow, Dee knew it would be the wrong time to do what Ryo had requested. He had to wait for Ferguson to put the gun down. Dee shuddered, biting down the latest wave of pain, mixed with fear. He had to wait until the crazed man started to cut him up again. He did not suppress the shudder the thought produced. He hoped the next time would not the a deeper cut.

“What did he say?” Ferguson demanded.

“When he’s really upset, Ryo reverts to Japanese at times,” Dee explained.

Ferguson grinned. “Oh yeah? He’s that upset? Good.” He lost his grin. “I believe that. For most of it. I know he told you something when he got louder. He sounded like he was shouting into the phone, like he wanted you to hear him.”

Tears fell from Dee’s eyes. “It was supposed to be private. Can’t you give us at least that for our last words?”

“No,” Ferguson snarled. “Why should I when I was denied that with my sister. So tell me.” He put the gun down and picked up the scalpel. He placed the blade to Dee’s swollen belly again and started to trace across the long cut, going a little deeper and causing the cut to bleed more. “Tell me what your precious husband said for his goodbye while I finish this job. I can see we’re running out of time. As much as I’d love to draw this out longer, we just don’t have that luxury. So talk to me and tell me. Keep talking until your words turn into screams. And the screams into gasping until you finally fall silent.”

Dee bit back a cry as the blade went deeper. “He said…,” he gasped, as waves of pain went through him. “He didn’t want me to… die.” Tears flowed from his eyes. “That he… loved me… and you’re killing… him too.”

Ferguson had a maniacal grin. “Excellent. Let’s finish the job now. Poor little Ryo… he won’t be anything without you and that baby. I can understand since I lost my sister. So it’s good that he gets to empathize with me. Good.”

Dee took a deep breath as he felt the point of the scalpel dig in deeper at the intersection of the two lines. It was now or never, he knew. He could not allow the blade to go in as deep as he knew it would go. It would be over then. Ferguson would start opening him up. He couldn’t stand the thought and he cried out in horror, bucking up in pain. Ferguson backed up and watched Dee with glee. He was still laughing, amused at what Dee told him, and found it funny to watch Dee twist in terror and pain.

“Yes, Dee. It’s time. Now stay still and….”

Taking advantage of Ferguson’s distraction, Dee used his momentum and twisted himself to the side as much as he could. As he felt the chair tip over, he hoped he could keep from hurting the baby or dislodging the uterine sac. He had to put faith that all will be well. If he didn’t do it, it would mean certain death to him and the baby. Hopefully the sharpshooters would get to Ferguson before the deranged man was able to pick up the gun and shoot him.

He put his all into assuring the chair continued to tip. He felt a moment of relief as he fell, knowing he was doing something at last. He felt a new cut as his body fell away from the blade, and he was grateful that Ferguson had stepped back. At least the cut was not as deep as it would have been if the patrolman had not.

“You son of a bitch,” Ferguson shouted. He dropped the scalpel and went for his gun. His hand grabbed the gun and he started to point it at Dee, who was on the ground.

At that moment, glass in the window shattered and Ferguson cried out. A stray shot rang out as he pulled the trigger before the gun fell from his hand. Dee cried out in pain, feeling the bullet hit, and covered with glass.

Ferguson was bent over, being shot twice, one in the stomach and the other in his chest. Another well aimed shot meant for his chest got him in his head as he fell over, toppling on Dee.

Dee was gasping for breath, needing to get up. He needed to get away from Ferguson. He was in pain and could not stop shaking from terror. His sobs did not help in his getting his breath back. He was covered in his own blood and Ferguson’s.

It was only seconds later, but felt like forever to Dee, when he heard both doors to the office being kicked in and the office was stormed by most of his unit, lead by Chief Smith, along with other detectives and uniformed officers.

~ ~ ~

Ryo allowed Elena to clench onto him as they waited, listening to Ferguson on his cell phone which Rose switched to speaker.

Ryo had passed a quick note to Rose with what he had told Dee. He needed Dee to get out of the way, but had since been worrying, wondering if Dee was in any condition to tilt his chair, or if he was successful, would there be any harm to the baby from the fall. Vince assured Ryo that while he preferred they wait, if he had to deliver the baby that day, the baby had a chance to live. Leaving Dee at the hands of the madman would mean death to Dee, the baby or both. Rose, Vince and Elena supported Ryo’s action.

Suddenly they heard a crash from the phone, followed by Ferguson’s roar. Everything happened to fast then. Sounds of a window shattering and a gunshot. Ryo swore his heart stopped for a moment when he heard Dee’s cry of pain. Finally something heavy dropped, along with Ferguson’s incoherent gasps.

“Warren, they took Ferguson down. Proceed with caution,” Rose instructed. Radios crackled to life as Rose went into action. Ryo followed, making Elena wait by the ambulance. Vince was with the EMTs, ready for the word to go in.

“Ferguson’s down,” JJ’s voice said over the radios. “Dee threw himself to the floor and we were able to get the shots in.”

“Good work, Adams,” Rose commended.

“But Ferguson fired his gun,” Ryo gasped, his momentary shock wearing off.

“We need medical back-up,” Chief called. “One dead, one MOS down.”

Rose looked around at the team waiting. “Go,” he ordered.

Ryo was in the lead as the EMTs rushed for the doors leading into the building. Rose opened his mouth, then decided to just let Ryo go. Vince rushed to be at Ryo’s side. Rose remained where he was, leading in the clean up operations.

~ ~ ~ ~

Ryo ran from the corridor into the open door. He saw Chief Smith, Drake and Ted clustered together. Officers mingled around the office. Chief looked up and saw Ryo at the door, Vince and the EMTs behind him.

“Chief, who’s dead?” Ryo asked, not yet across the threshold.

“Dee’s alive,” came the Chief’s reply as Ryo rushed across the office.

Ryo dropped to his knees, not looking at the body on the floor nearby. All his attention was on the man gasping and wheezing. “Dee….” He reached out to take one of Dee’s shaking hands in his.

“What do we have here?” Vince asked, kneeling next to Ryo.

“Looks like he’s going into shock,” Chief replied. “We didn’t want to move him more than necessary.”

“Good.” Vince clasped Ryo’s shoulder and squeezed it. “Ryo, I’m going to have to ask you to move. We need to work on Dee and stabilize him for transport.”

Drake stood behind Ryo and gently pulled him up from his feet. “Let them do their job, Ryo, so Dee will be okay,” he said to his anguished friend.

He was aware of other working around the other body. Ryo’s head turned and rested on Ferguson’s face as his body was prepared to be taken away. He had a sudden impulse to go over and kick the head in. Suddenly Drake was holding him tighter and Ted was on his other side. “That bastard,” Ryo spat out. “We trusted him. I trusted him! I trusted him to take care of Dee and instead he….” Ryo’s voice dropped as he gasped.

“We couldn’t know, Ryo,” Drake said.

Ryo pulled himself away from Drake and JJ to as close as he was able to Dee. He reached out his hand. “Dee… God, Dee. Please be okay.” He sobbed once.

Vince looked up. “He’s stable. And he’s ready to be transported. Ryo, I’d prefer if we take him to NY Downtown. We have the Carrier Trauma Center there.”

“Will he make it?” Ryo asked, his eyes on Dee as he was lifted onto a gurney.

“He was going into shock. We’ve taken measures to prevent it,” an EMT said. “I’m more concerned about his blood pressure suddenly spiking. Otherwise, CTC is his best hope. You do have his doctor here. I also suggest it.”

Ryo bit his lip. He wanted Dee to be getting treatment as soon as possible, but on the other hand, he would be getting the best there was in the Northeast if they took him downtown.

Chief Smith was talking on his cell phone. “Ryo, Commissioner Rose is ordering a straight route to be closed off between here and NY Downtown. It’ll be a straight run, no lights, no stops.”

Ryo nodded. “Then do it.”

“Roger that,” the EMT said as they finished preparing Dee for transport.

Everything was a blur to Ryo after that. The elevator was waiting to take them down to the ground level. Ryo was able to hold Dee’s hand. At one point in the elevator, Dee’s eyes met Ryo’s and he squeezed Ryo’s hand slightly, before his eyes closed again. Ryo kept talking to Dee, telling him he was going to be fine, that the baby will be fine.

He was swept into the ambulance, along with Vince and a tech. As promised the trip was quick. The ambulance was able to go as fast as it could while keeping safe, with no lights and no cars going across intersections. A full team was waiting as the ambulance pulled up. Ryo spared a moment to glance up at the building. The hospital they had designated for their daughter to be born. He hoped it would not be that day. As much as he couldn’t wait for her to be with them in their lives, he did not want her to come into the world in this way. He did not want her to have to fight and struggle for her first weeks, with a chance of not making it.

He was aware that they were worried that Dee was still showing signs of shock. Ryo didn’t like the clammy feel of Dee’s limp hand. By the time they arrived at the hospital, Dee’s lips were blue and he was hooked up to breathing apparatus.

As they reached the treatment room, Vince stood before Ryo. “Ryo, you need to wait here. I’ll let you in as soon as it’s safe for Dee.”

“I need to be with him!” Ryo exclaimed, working his way into a frenzy.

“Ryo, you’ll have to trust me on this.”

Ryo’s head snapped up and fire flared in his eyes as he stared at Vince. “I trusted Ferguson,” he said in a chilling tone.

Vince patted Ryo’s shoulder. “I know. Don’t think we’re all out for you and Dee because of one son of a bitch. Just stay here. Please.”

They already had Dee inside the room and was transferring him onto a treatment table.

Suddenly alarms went off. Ryo’s eyes went wide as he made to bolt past Vince. Hands were on him, holding him back.

“What is it?” Ryo screamed. “What’s going on?”

“His blood pressure dropped. Ryo, I have to go if you want me to save him.”

Ryo watched as Vince went into the room and the door closed before him. Hands still held him. He fought against the hold, demanding to be allowed in with Dee.

“Ryo!” his aunt’s voice cut through his haze. “Let them take care of Dee.”

Ryo turned to find Drake and Ted releasing him as Elena approached. She held her arms out to him and he grabbed onto his aunt, burying his face against her head and started to sob loudly, his body shaking.

Drake and Ted helped Elena guide him to a chair. She ran her fingers through his hair, murmuring to him. When Ryo finally pulled away, he wiped at his face. “Oh God, Mother… is it on the news? If she finds out that way…. Fuck!”

“Maria is on her way. Rick went to her. We didn’t want her to be alone, but thought it wouldn’t help having her outside the building. Once Dee was in transportation, I called Rick and he’s bringing her here. Mom called me, they saw it on the news. I told them we’ll keep them updated on Dee and they can come to visit once Dee’s up to it.”

“Bikky.”

“David went to get Bikky. They’ll be here soon too.”

Ryo let out another sob. “It’s hard, Elena.”

“I know, Ryo. But have faith. Dee’s a stubborn bastard, and I know he doesn’t want to leave you yet. Believe in him, if nothing else.”

Ryo rested his head against his aunt’s again and nodded. “It’s all I have now.”

“Ryo?” Elena asked cautiously.

“I trust him, Elena. Sean – I trusted him with Dee’s life. He was a friend. A good friend for a couple of years. He was at our bachelor parties, our wedding. We had him over our house. And I let him take Dee out in the streets when we had a killer loose. Turns out he was one of the killers.”

“Ryo,” Elena sighed sadly. “Don’t let this change who you are. He was only one. A sick man with an agenda, from what I hear. Don’t let him kill everything you have with everyone else who loves you.”

“I still trust you, Elena. You, Rick, Mother, Bikky and Carol. After that, it’s hard.” He started to cry softly in Elena’s hair. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s too soon to jump to conclusions,” she said. “Once Dee is okay, you might see it clearly.”

“No. Not after this.”

Ryo felt a gentle tap and looked up to find Drake holding out a cup of coffee. He took it, giving Drake a sad smile. “Thanks.”

“Hang in there, pal,” Drake said softly. “Dee will need you. And before that, his mother and Bikky will need you.”

“I know,” Ryo sighed, taking a drink. He was aware of eyes studying him. “I’m fine. Just… you know.”

“Yeah, we do,” Drake said. “Ted’s outside waiting for Bikky and Mother Maria.”

“Thanks, Drake.”

Drake squeezed Ryo’s shoulder in assurance. “I know it’s difficult for you right now, but we’re on your side, Ryo. I don’t blame you. I’m having trouble with who to trust too right now. We all are. It’s going to be more for you. We know that.” Drake patted his shoulder and then walked off to give Ryo and Elena privacy.

Rose was in the lobby, on his phone.

“What did Grandma say?” Ryo asked. “Oh God, I hope she didn’t call Obasan. She doesn’t need to know yet, if at all.”

“Of course she should know, but only after Dee’s okay,” Elena said. “I told Mom that. She understood. Mom’s having enough anxiety being out in the Hamptons and not here. She realizes what Akira would be going through not knowing.”

“Dad?” they heard a tentative voice.

Ryo and Elena looked up to find Bikky standing next to them. Ryo released his one armed hold on Elena, and shoved his coffee into her hand. He stood up and gathered Bikky to him, holding him tightly, tears starting again.

“Is Dee okay?” Bikky asked, his voice shaking as he clung to Ryo.

“They’re working on him, Biks.”

“What happened? David wouldn’t talk, but I heard things about a hostage situation. I was about to slip out of school when someone mentioned the 2-7, then I was called to the principal’s office and David was there.”

“The person who killed Gilbert turned out to be someone we worked with,” Ryo explained. “Someone we were friends with. He trapped your father alone in our office and….” Ryo found he could not go on. He saw in Bikky’s wide blue eyes he figured out the rest.

“What did he do?”

“He hurt him,” Ryo replied. “He wanted to kill him. Just like all the others.”

Elena was standing next to them and had a hand on Bikky’s shoulder. ‘But he didn’t. Dee was pretty cut up, and he was shot, but he’s alive.”

Ryo continued to cling to Bikky, afraid that the teenager would be all he would have left of their family. He tried not to start crying again, but tears still fell silently as he held his son. He felt Bikky shake, and knew the boy was also trying hard not to start crying.

A commotion got their attention. A group of people entered the waiting room, surrounded by police. He noticed Rick among the crowd and looking closer, he saw Mother next to him. On the other side of the elderly nun was Mayor Blum. Police was attempting to stop the horde of reporters, preventing them from going into the waiting room. As the three in the center broke from the crowd, Ryo saw that both Rick and the Mayor was holding the distraught woman’s arms and guiding her. One look at the mayor, it was obvious she was still grieving the loss of her son’s life, but upon hearing the news, she took time to see how Dee was doing.

Ryo released Bikky to draw Mother into a hug. Bikky hovered close to them.

“How is he, Ryo?” Mother asked, her eyes red from crying. “How is my son?”

“They’re still working on him. It shouldn’t be long before someone tells us,” Ryo said. He kissed her head and knew what Elena and Drake had told him was true. He had to be strong for the family he still had. “I know you have faith, Mother. Dee has to be okay.” He glanced over at the mayor and nodded his head in acknowledgment.

“We were going through the parking lot when we saw the mayor,” Rick explained. “She came over to us, and Maria invited her to wait with us.”

“Of course. Thank you, ma’am. I know you’re still dealing with your own pain right now.”

“It would make it easier to deal with knowing that bastard who killed my son, and tried to kill Dee has met justice. And that Dee and his baby survive.” She squeezed Mother’s arm.

Both woman seemed to have formed a support system. One who lost her son, one who almost had, and was still waiting the outcome. Both by the same man.

“Why?” Mother demanded as Ryo and Rick guided the woman to sit with Elena. “Why Dee?”

Ryo shrugged as he realized he did not know. He’d find out eventually. At the moment he had only one concern on his mind. “I don’t know, Mother.”

“Whatever it was, it was the same reason why he had killed my Gilbert. I’m sure of it,” Sheila Blum said.

“It was our fault,” Ryo heard Berkeley Rose’s voice say. Ryo looked up, and the man looked stricken. Far from the image of calm and void of emotions while on the scene, Rose’s face and body language exuded concern for Dee and remorse. “We didn’t do our homework all the way. I should have made sure of that.”

Diana stood next to him. “It was such a simple thing to miss,” she said sadly. “I’m not even certain we would have made the connection if we did.”

“What was that?” the mayor demanded.

“Taylor McFadden’s maiden name,” Rose announced. “It was Ferguson.”

Ryo sucked his breath in. “He said that his sister took ill yesterday. He was visibly upset.”

“His sister wasn’t sick,” Rose stated grimly. “She was dead already. Chief Smith is filling me in on whatever they were able to make out. However, the only one with the real answers is most likely Dee.”

Ryo started to frown. “He’ll need his rest. I don’t want him getting upset. That is if he….”

Rose patted Ryo’s shoulder. “You know the drill by now, Ryo.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Of course, we’ll wait until everyone gets to see Dee and he’s rested. However until I do get to speak to him, I’m going to ask you to call me with any information you might get during your time with Dee. Can you do that?”

Ryo nodded. “Yeah. Assuming I get any time with Dee.” He glared down the corridor. “What is taking them so long?” he fussed.

Ryo was worried that the longer they waited, the more likely it was going to be bad news.

“If the worse had happened, I would think they would be out here by now with the bad news,” Mother stated reasonably.

“I think we’re going to find out now,” Bikky said, tugging on Ryo’s arm.

“What?” Ryo looked down at his son, before looking down the corridor to see Vince walking over to them.

Ryo hugged Bikky to him and he started to walk to meet the Doctor. He grasped Mother’s hand as he passed her and paced himself so the nun could keep up with him.

“Vince,” Ryo stated, his voice shaky.

“We’re going to keep him here for a few days, Ryo. We want to monitor him. If there’s no further complications, then I’ll release him. But I’m ordering another week bed rest. If you don’t think that’s possible, then I’ll have to keep him in longer.”

“I think after a few days here, your most telling sign that he’s recovering will be his becoming your worst patient ever, so you’ll be wanting to release him,” Ryo said, relieved that Dee was okay.

Vince snorted. “That so? I’ll remember that when I have to keep him here for almost a week or more when he delivers that baby.”
Ryo found he could give a little smile. If Vince was standing there making jokes, then Dee was going to be all right. “When can we see him, Vince?” he asked.

“Soon. He’s going to be out for a while. I wanted him to rest up. I want him to stay where he is for a few hours and then I’ll have him transferred to a room. He’ll be going up to the OB floor.” Vince smiled at Mother. “Can I take everyone for some coffee and maybe something to eat? While we’re at it, we’ll talk.”

“Sure. We have a crowd,” Ryo explained, looking back to where Elena and Rick stood with the mayor, Rose and Diana.

“I’ll tell them that Dee’s going to be fine, and they could see him soon,” Bikky said. “And that Doc Vince wants to speak to you and Mother.”

Ryo studied Bikky. “Are you sure?”

Bikky nodded. “Dee’s going to be fine. As long as I can see him tonight, it’s okay. I’ll stay with Aunt Elena and Uncle Rick until you come back. Besides, Carol and her aunt should be arriving. I called her on the way over.”

Ryo leaned over to kiss Bikky on his head and hugged him. “I love you, Biks.”

Bikky hugged Ryo back. “Me too. You know. I’m just glad Dee is okay.”

“I know.” Ryo kissed his head again and left Bikky to guide Mother along as they followed Vince to the cafeteria.