Fake Fan Fiction ❯ FAKE In Love: Act XV, Fires and Distance ❯ Chapter 7

Warnings and Disclaimers: Not Sanami Matoh. Not making any money here. Poor, poor, poor.

 

 

“You know, when I became a cop I never thought I'd have to get dressed up like this so much,” Dee complained as Ryo's nimble fingers adjusted his tie.

“It's a perk,” Ryo said and handed Dee his jacket.

“Are you kidding?” Dee grumbled. “Nothing good ever happens to me when I'm in a tuxedo.”

Ryo's eyebrow lifted slightly and Dee shook his head.

“It's true,” he insisted. “You get hurt, I get beat up or so damn drunk that I miss out on--”

Ryo clamped a hand over his mouth as Bikky entered the room, a muffled word escaping Dee's lips. Bikky frowned and leaned against the wall.

“What did he just say?”

“Nothing,” Ryo answered with a warning glare to Dee.

Dee grinned. “Be good monkey boy. Your homework done?”

“Almost.”

Dee snorted softly and ruffled Bikky's hair, earning himself an annoyed look.

“Dammit,” Bikky grunted. “You've been in a good mood lately, perv.”

“Have I?” Dee said with another smile.

Ryo frowned slightly and nodded. “You have been.”

Dee paused and then shrugged. “Just happy I guess.”

Ryo smiled back at him and glanced over at the clock.

“We better get going.”

Dee groaned and visibly slumped within his sleek top coat.

“Biks, I will give you a million dollars to call us with a serious emergency tonight.”

“Yeah, like I'm going to fall for that,” Bikky said flippantly. “Money first, knuckle dragger.”

Ryo burst into laughter.

“Dammit,” Dee grumbled.

 

“Maybe I should have offered him a fifty,” Dee said as they huddled in front of the looming building. “I probably could have swung that.”

“Too late now,” Ryo said and shivered. “Let's get inside. I'm freezing.”

“Can I warm you up later?” Dee asked as his hand rested at the small of Ryo's back.

Ryo turned, the red in his cheeks a mix of cold air, anticipation, and embarrassment.

“Only if I can return the favor,” he answered softly.

“Dammit Ryo MacLean,” Dee said with open happiness. “I don't know what I would do without you.”

“Probably wither away and die,” Ryo said matter of factly and Dee chuckled.

They entered the large ballroom and shed their heavy jackets, each adjusting their suits to perfection. Dee's eyes swept over the room and he grinned at Ryo.

“It's perfect,” he said happily.

“What?” Ryo said, a look of shock on his face.

“We'll make the rounds, be sure that Rose sees us, and then slip out,” Dee explained. “There're so many people here there's no way he can keep track.”

“You're brilliant Dee Laytner,” Ryo said.

“Was there ever a doubt?” Dee answered with a wink.

They stepped into the opulently dressed crowd, champagne practically thrust into their fingers as they mingled. They paused when spoken to, answered questions, smiled politely, and allowed society dames to flirt a little too openly with them. Dee bent his head to allow a woman in her sixties to whisper in his ear and happily grinned when he pulled back.

“No,” Dee said with a sly look at Ryo. “He's not married.”

The woman actually giggled and Ryo blushed a delightful shade of red. Dee couldn't help laughing and was practically drug from the crowd by his embarrassed partner.

“Ah, detectives…”

Rose's voice washed over them as the Commissioner finally spotted them. He smiled, that warm inviting smile that carefully hid the cold calculation and meticulous mind; it barely touched his eyes.

“Good evening sir,” Ryo said and shook Rose's hand. “Your ball seems to be a success.”

“We'll see when the checks clear,” Rose said with a velvety chuckle.

“DEE-SEMPAI!”

Dee winced painfully as JJ's voice cut through the air. Since Tim had made it painfully clear that he wasn't comfortable with JJ's pouncing, the blue haired detective had instead chosen to somehow increase the decibel level of his voice. Dee felt a migraine building in the back of his head and quickly slammed the rest of his champagne in an attempt to dull it.

“Jemmy, use your indoor voice,” Tim Darrow said smoothly. “Hello Detectives.”

“Hello Tim,” Ryo answered as he shook the FBI agent's hand. “Hi JJ.”

“Hi Ryo,” JJ said happily, a little flush on his cheeks. “Can you believe this champagne is free?”

Tim actually chuckled at that and the sound was met by a quick turning of heads. Ryo's eyes slid over the tall agent. Something had changed in the man. He still retained that unflappable appearance and impeccable dressing, but the stiffness was pulled back. It looked like some of the tension had been worked out of him, and his face was softened by a few well placed pulls of muscle that showed a new easier smile.

Dee surveyed Tim quietly next to his partner and couldn't help but smile a little. He remembered how distraught JJ had been when he thought that Tim had given up. The little psycho had actually been depressed. Dee didn't know the whole story behind what had happened, but he had heard that the FBI agent had been called back to Washington at the end of the serial case, and had then been basically sequestered. Dee suspected that fear had also kept Tim from coming back right away, but he couldn't really blame the man. Whatever had passed between JJ and Tim on the roof that day had cemented everything between the two men.

“Perhaps you've had enough,” Dee said.

“I'm fine,” JJ said. “Tim drove. Tim, let's get another drink.”

Tim smiled again and followed JJ back towards the bar. Rose watched them and shook his head slightly.

“Who would have thought that being openly gay would actually be a fundraising gold mine?” he grumbled.

“What?” Dee said with surprise.

Rose sighed and nodded. “Yes. Apparently some reporter asked Adams point blank if he was gay. He answered honestly. And for some reason people find him absolutely adorable for it.”

“Too bad commissioners can't get the same treatment,” Diana drawled softly as she wrapped her arms around Rose and gave him a quick hug.

“Good evening DeeDee,” he said. “You look amazing.”

Diana scowled at him and shook her head. “I'm sick of hearing that.”

“People can't help but tell you the truth,” Drake said as his arm slid around his wife's waist. “You're just too stunning.”

Diana couldn't help but smile then and Dee chuckled.

“You're just fishing for compliments aren't you, sea hag?”

“I'm going to assume you mean that with love and affection and take it as a compliment,” Diana bit out.

“Of course I meant it that way,” Dee teased. “You're getting paranoid in your pregnant days.”

“You annoying little--”

“Fundraiser,” Rose growled. “You're in public.”

Diana licked her lips and flashed Dee a dark smile.

“I'll save it for later.”

“I look forward to it,” he said with a little salute.

“So Berkie,” Diana said. “Where's this mystery woman I've heard so little about?”

“Mystery woman?” Dee repeated with a dangerous grin.

Rose scowled at them both and then shook his head.

“She's getting us drinks,” Rose answered with a resigned sigh. “It's nothing. A business matter for a business function.”

“So you're, what? Paying her to be here?” Dee said innocently.

Drake practically choked on his drink.

Rose's glare could have shattered glass.

“No,” he said through clamped teeth.

Ryo shook his head tiredly.

“Why do I feel like I need to apologize for you?” he said finally.

“Sense of ownership,” Dee answered simply. “Now where is she? I've got to see who in their right mind would show up with you.”

“That would be me.”

Jamie Karlisle stepped to Rose's side and handed him a martini. He took it and his eyes swept challengingly over the circle of faces spread in front of him.

“Hi Jamie,” Ryo said with a warm smile. “I'm glad to see you made it out of the precinct for a night.”

Jamie smiled back and nodded to the dance floor.

“Care to dance, Detective MacLean?”

“I'd be honored.”

The silence remained until the two had departed and then Dee and Diana spun on Rose like snakes ready to strike. The Commissioner sighed heavily and steeled himself.

“Who's she?” Diana said.

“A CSI,” Dee answered with a grin. “What happened? Was all that talk about paperwork just an excuse to trick her into coming tonight?”

“No,” Rose said flatly. “She asked me, and it's a matter of convenience. We both required escorts for the night. It was either her or face whatever insufferable moron Diana would dig up.”

“Hey, I had a nice girl in mind for tonight,” Diana said. “She was devastated when I told her you already had a date.”

“Oh dear, I feel so guilty,” Rose said dryly.

Diana's mouth thinned irritably and she tugged at Drake's hand.

“I want to dance too,” she announced suddenly.

“Okay,” Drake said as she pulled him to the floor. “Nice seeing you--”

Dee and Rose watched them go and then exchanged a long annoyed glance.

“How in the hell did I end up standing here with you?” Dee said finally.

“I was wondering the same thing,” Rose said. “It seems to be my lot in life to suffer anymore.”

“Poor pitiful you,” Dee taunted.

“What exactly would it take for you to leave me alone?” Rose said irritably.

“What do you think?”

“You need to stay another hour,” Rose said. “After that, I'll pretend I think you're around somewhere.”

“Thirty minutes.”

“I'm not negotiating here,” Rose said flatly. “Be glad I'm offering an hour.”

“Maybe we should continue our earlier conversation,” Dee suggested. “Why Jamie exactly?”

“I told you,” Rose said. “It's business.”

“Yeah sure,” Dee said. “You could have brought anyone.”

“Good God,” Rose moaned. “Just leave already. I don't care anymore.”

“Alright,” Dee said with a triumphant grin. “I'm going to collect my partner and then we're out of here.”

Rose grunted something in answer, but Dee didn't wait to hear what it was. He weaved his way through the spiraling dancers until he could lightly tap Ryo's elbow.

“We're out of here,” he said happily.

“What?” Ryo said with surprise as he and Jamie slowed.

“I've secured our release,” Dee answered. “Come on, let's go.”

“Fantastic,” Ryo said

“Typical,” Jamie sighed. “Just abandon me to the wolves.”

“You can always leave,” Dee said. “Why are you here with Rose?”

“Convenience,” she answered simply. “And to make Jim jealous.”

Dee couldn't help but chuckle at that.

 

They were half-way home when Ryo's phone rang.

“What now?” Dee muttered.

“Hello?” Ryo's face darkened suddenly. “I see. Where?...We're on our way.”

He hung up and turned to Dee.

“We've got another fire.”

 

“There's got to be a bank around here somewhere,” Dee muttered as they scanned the streets.

“It could be a coincidence,” Ryo said. “I'm not seeing anything.”

“There,” Dee said suddenly. “That's it. Right there.”

Ryo nodded and picked up the radio.

“This is--”

His voice was cut off in a serious crackle of sound and a sharp whiff of smoke. Ryo jumped with surprise and dropped the radio.

“Holy shit,” Dee said with surprise. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” Ryo said and stuck one finger in his mouth. “Just a little burn.”

“Damn cars,” Dee muttered. “They're falling ap--“

Dee's voice cut off suddenly as his eyes locked across the street. Ryo followed his gaze and he shook his head.

“They're on the move,” Ryo said softly.

Dee nodded. “What now?”

They exchanged a glance and then both sighed heavily. Two detectives sat in the darkness, both dressed in freshly pressed tuxedos, their guns heavy in their hands. One moment passed, a slow hesitation in a city that didn't even know they existed. Time paused and then they opened their doors.

“NYPD!” Dee's commanding voice cut through the air. “FREEZE!”

A loud curse filled the night and then their suspects were running. Dee let out a curse of his own and felt his partner fall into stride next to him.

“Left?” Ryo asked.

“Right,” Dee answered.

“Be careful,” Ryo called as they split up in the alleyways.

“You too.”

Ryo ran easily, his feet skipping over the light ice and somehow finding perfect grip with every step. He could see two men scrambling around a corner just ahead and he cursed softly. The detective pulled his phone from his pocket, another curse escaping him as it threatened to jump from his juggling fingers. At last he flipped it open and speed dialed the station.

“Detective MacLean here,” he panted into the phone. “I'm in pursuit of two suspects, get some officers off that art store fire and have them close off the alleys behind it. Detective Laytner is pursuing at least one suspect. I don't know if they're armed, they might be our arsonists, but--”

Ryo skidded around the corner and his eyes widened as a car barreled towards him. His voice cut out in a strangled moan as he dove out of the way, his knees slamming painfully into the cold concrete. He bit back on a cry of pain and lifted his gun, three shots echoing into the night. For an instant he thought that he might have hit a tire, but the car just screeched around another corner and Ryo was left to listen to the fading engine over his panting breath.

“Suspects are now in a white Oldsmobile, heading back towards the fire, license began with DYX, numbers unknown.”

He pulled himself up to his feet and winced at the pain that raced through his body. For an instant he looked after the vanished car, but then his eyes shot back to the alley entrance.

“Dee…”

 

The little thief was a sneaky bastard.

Dee's mouth narrowed as he quietly crept through the alleys. Twice the punk had given him the slip and twice he'd managed to scare him up again. Now things were deathly silent and Dee was beginning to wonder if he had really lost the kid this time. He didn't like this. He'd heard gunshots a few minutes before, and his heart had practically leapt out of his chest. He was ready to throw his hands up in resignation and race after his partner.

His lips thinned again. Ryo would kill him for that. He needed to stay focused, he needed to find the kid. Dee's eyes softened. Kid. He'd gotten a good look at him, and it was true, their suspect was little more than some dirty street kid. He'd had that wide-eyed frantic look on his face, one that Dee knew too well and one that he'd kill to keep from seeing on Bikky. He needed to find this kid, now.

A light rattling over his head caused Dee to look up and he practically bit his tongue off in frustration. A fire escape wobbled just out of reach. It wouldn't take too much work for the kid to climb up and grab one. Dammit, that would explain how he had slipped away from Dee before too.

“I should have figured this out sooner,” Dee grumbled and tucked his gun back into its holster.

He jumped, and his fingers curled around the frosty metal bar. His teeth gritted as he gave a good tug and managed to pull it down enough for him to clamber on. He'd used these things when he was a kid, they'd been perfect for ducking cops then and they seemed to be perfect for ducking cops now.

Dee climbed to the roof, his eyes peering over the stone top before he jumped onto the empty surface. He listened then, the cold air rattling with sound as he tried to pick out any sign of the kid. He saw a flash of movement on the other side of the roof and heard a stealthy step. Dee drew his gun again.

He moved cautiously over the roof, ducking behind pipes and chimneys to keep out of sight, suddenly grateful for all the useless junk that seemed to clutter New York roofs. He peeked over the edge and the world stopped.

Ryo was below him, his partner limping slightly as he moved through the alley, his head swiveling back and forth, obviously searching for Dee. His gun was drawn, but was pointed low, ready to move at the first need, but Dee knew it would be too late. The kid was crouched on the fire escape below him, a too big gun clutched in one too small hand. He was aiming, and Dee could practically feel the kid getting ready to do it.

Dee's eyes widened and his gun arced through the air, his eyes following its trail with mute determination. His arm swung down and jammed the gun at the kid, the sharp jerk up through his shoulder the first sign that he had even pulled the trigger. The wrench came again, twice more, and Dee blinked as he watched the kid arch backwards, the gun clattering out of his hand as he slumped over the fire escape.

“NYPD!”

Ryo's voice echoed up into the night and Dee slowly turned to face him. Ryo's gun was up now, pointing into the darkness and for a split second Dee was certain his lover was going to shoot him. Eyes drifting back to the kid now limp and still beneath him, Dee almost wished for it.

“Dee!” the professional command was gone from Ryo's voice now. “Dee, are you alright?”

Dee couldn't stop staring at the kid and he slumped heavily against the roof. Jesus Christ this wasn't supposed to happen.

 

“He didn't make it,” Ryo said softly.

Dee didn't look up from where he stood, the small white hospital room silent and too big around them. He felt cold and Ryo's words didn't seem to thaw anything inside. Dee's eyes closed. He'd had to shoot, it had been that or lose Ryo, right? Doubt clawed into him and Dee wanted to vomit.

“See?” he muttered. “Nothing good.”

Tears broke free and streamed down his cheeks as he stared down at the slick black pants and dirty white shirt. The kid had been gunned down by a man in a tuxedo, for God's sake this couldn't be happening.

“Dee…”

Ryo's hand reached for him and Dee stepped back.

“Don't,” he said softly as he shook his head. “Don't Ryo. Just…don't.”

 

Dee slept on the couch that night.

He sighed and stared up at the ceiling. If you could call tossing around and staring into the darkness alone sleeping. He had started out in the bed, Ryo's warm body soft and safe next to him, and Dee had blinked away relief and unexplainable rage. He'd pulled away from Ryo.

“Dee?”

Ryo had rolled back to him, gently resting one hand on his waist, but Dee had jerked away. He had heard Ryo's breath shift then, felt his lover tense behind him, but Dee hadn't responded, he'd remained still and silent. Then Ryo's hand dropped to the blanket and cautiously slid forward until it rested just next to Dee, a hesitant connection at the small of his back. He had bit back on tears and grief and anger and need and somehow kept still until he was sure Ryo was asleep.

He'd retreated to the couch after that.

Now he lay alone in the darkness and tried to understand what had happened. He kept seeing it rolling over and over in his mind and nausea washed up through him. He'd shot that kid, he'd killed him, and he didn't even know how to feel about it. He had just wanted to protect, it had been natural, complete, he just wanted to keep everyone safe.

The city was loud outside, every noise grating over him. Dee gritted his teeth and tried to push it aside, but it kept filtering into his brain. He couldn't think beneath it all. It was going to crush him. Darkness filled his chest and Dee closed his eyes.

“Idiot,” he murmured as he pressed his palms over his eyes. “Bastard.”

 

“Dee?”

Dee didn't look away from the window as Ryo stepped behind him, the snow drifting silently down outside the apartment building. Dee watched it and kept his voice soft and empty.

“What Ryo?” he answered.

He felt Ryo's hand slide out through the air and then stop, arching just over him as Ryo stared at his back. Then it dropped away and Dee closed his eyes.

“I don't know Dee,” Ryo said softly.

Dee leaned his head against the cold glass and wished that everything would just be quiet. He just wanted some silence so he could figure this out. He just wanted peace so he could just…

Suddenly Ryo was wrapped around him, his body pressed up against Dee's and his arms tight around Dee's waist. Dee trembled, but he didn't pull away as Ryo clung to him.

“I love you,” Ryo whispered against his back. “I love you.”

Dee felt fresh tears running down his cheeks. His hands lifted, but didn't rise to his face, instead they rested heavily over Ryo's hold, tightening it there as he trembled within Ryo's strong arms.

“I love you,” Ryo said again and his own tears were warm against Dee's neck. “I love you Dee.”

“I just…” Dee's voice broke and he shook his head. “I can't…it's so loud. I can't…”

Dee sobbed and clutched at Ryo's hands. His eyes shut tighter and he prayed harder than he had ever prayed in his life for silence.