Title: Just When...

Author: Enjeru Kurayamino

Disclaimer: FAKE is not mine. The characters and original story belong to Sanami Matoh, TokyoPop, etc. Not mine. All I'm getting from this is some amusement.

Author's notes: This is an alternate version of the end of act 5 (starting on page 94 of US book 2). The first bit of dialogue directly from the book (the end of that is marked with a *). Then it's my version of what would have happened if JJ hadn't chosen that moment to barge in looking for Dee. It's hopelessly sappy, and Dee is probably more that a little out of character (as a result of my having only had a chance to read the first 2 books because that's all that's out in the states so far...). And now, the story.

It was all over. Renard Henry had been taken away. Dee had taken Ryo back to the room to patch him up.

"I don't know," Ryo said, watching Dee wrap the clean, white bandage around his arm, "He turned out to be a pretty okay guy, huh? That assistant inspector. What was his name? Berkley?"

"It just seemed like he had some ulterior motive to me. I can't stand the way he looks at you."

"What are you saying? Thanks to him, we got off with hardly any questioning from the local authorities. Plus, didn't you get slapped with that little crime called unjustifiable self-defense? You should have been shipped off in hand cuffs right next to Renard!"

"Oh, so you're his number-one fan all of a sudden?"

"It's not like that. It's just-" Ryo's breath caught in his throat, silencing him when Dee took his hand and gently licked the blood from a cut on his knuckle. "Dee." His voice was barely a whisper.

"When...when I remembered you were part Japanese...Well, God! I mean, my heart stopped cold in my chest. I mean it." His voice dropped to a whisper as he hid his face between Ryo's neck and shoulder.

"I know...Thanks, Dee*," Ryo replied softly, raising one hand to tangle in the soft dark hair at the nape of Dee's neck.

Dee shifted slightly, catching Ryo's lips. While the kiss was not unexpected, it still surprised Ryo: Dee's usual undisguised lust wasn't there. Instead, the kiss was slow and sweet and tender. When they separated after a few moments and their eyes met, Ryo couldn't hold back a small gasp. He'd never seen his normally brash partner look so young, and -dare he even think it?- afraid.

"Dee?"

Dee dropped his gaze and hesitated a moment before speaking. "You....you know that I love you, right Ryo?" The blond man's eyes widened at the admission. He'd know Dee wanted sex- that was clear, but he'd never suspected this.

"But how could you have? Hell, I didn't even really know until today, when it hit me that I could loose you....I've never been so scared. I don't know what I would have done if anything serious happened to you..."

"Dee, I-"

"Wait, Ryo. Just let me get this out. Please." He sounded dangerously close to tears. Ryo nodded for Dee to continue speaking.

"I know you don't really know where you stand as far as us, but I'll be here when you do figure it out. I'll willingly admit that I do want to make love with you, but it 's more than that, you know? I mean if I just wanted a couple good fucks I'd go to JJ- you know he'd be more than willing. With you it's different. If I had to choose between never having sex again and never seeing you again I'd choose you in a heartbeat. I want to spend forever with you... Corny, huh? You're turning me into a sap!" Dee chuckled.

Ryo couldn't help but smile at the comment. And for once, he allowed himself to give in to the urge to wrap his arms around Dee and just hold him. "Just when I think I might stand a change of *not* falling for you, you go and say something like that..." he whispered into Dee's hair.

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Fin? Maybe, maybe not. Depends on weather you guys thing I should continue it or not! Please review and tell me!