Disclaimer: I do not own FAKE and I do not profit from writing this story.

"Would you please just listen?"

Those were the last words Dee had spoken to him before Ryo had pushed the dark-haired man out of his apartment. At the time, rage burned in Ryo's blood, and his anger at his partner had been because of some casual remarks from both J.J. and Commissioner Rose. He did not want to hear anything else, especially from Dee, so he had reacted in the only way he could think of, and that was to push his partner away.

Now most of Ryo's anger had dissipated, and he was beginning to feel a little guilty. Trying to shove his guilt aside, he started to analyze his actions and the actions of his partner.

As far as he could tell, Dee truly had done nothing to warrant being shoved out of the apartment. The only solid "evidence" Ryo possessed for his actions were the statements from two colleagues who held ulterior motives, and he knew both men held personal interests in the couple. Rose wanted to destroy their relationship and lay claim to Ryo. J.J. desired Dee, and Dee was the more vocal one in trying to keep his pursuer away.

Ryo exhaled softly, his head hitting the hallway wall with a gentle thud. He felt so confused and a little angry and a little sad all at the same time, and he had no way of sifting through the conflicting emotions. He knew he should call Dee and invite him over so they could talk yet he could not bring himself to move and make that call.

"I should have listened," he moaned. "What the hell was I thinking?"

"You weren't thinking. You were being a dumbass," a male voice commented. Ryo recognized his partner's voice, and his back straightened instantly, his eyes wide. Immediately, he turned in the direction of Dee's voice. His partner stood a few feet away from him, looking more than a bit worse for wear. If anything, he looked hurt and confused, and Ryo wanted to shrivel up and die.

"Dee? What are you . . . I locked the door!"

"I used my key to get back in," Dee said. His voice retained a gentle weariness as he spoke. "We need to talk, to sort whatever this is out, but I won't push it if you're not ready. Can we talk now or not?"

Ryo nodded, still feeling a little angry with his partner, but he felt a little more willing to at least listen than what he had before. He reached out his hand.

"Yeah, Dee," he said. "We can talk now. Come on. I'll make some coffee."