Rated: R
Language: English
Genres: Action/Adventure/Romance
Title: Play in 15 Acts
Summary: A new arrival splits up the team of Dee and Ryo. Will Ryo's new partner put a permanent wedge between the two or will love overcome jealousy and danger?

Play in 15 Acts

Act I "Well, hello." Ryo spun around to see who had come up behind him, his revolver in his hand. "Easy, honey. I'm on your side."

The muscular thirty-year-old male leered at Ryo as he pointed to the tag on his chest.

"Seargent Touin." Ryo read the name, pronouncing it as too-in. "Is that how you pronounce it?"

"Actually, it's pronounced toon," the seargent replied. "But I like your way better."

"Something going on?" inquired Dee, coming up to the two and stepping between them.

"And you are?" Touin asked, quirking a blonde eyebrow at the interloper as Ryo put his revolver back into its holster.

"Dee Laitner," Dee answered. "And Ryo's my partner."

"Ryo, huh?" Touin repeated. "What's that short for?" he asked.

"It's my middle name." Ryo replied. "I'm Randy Ryo Maclean."

"You're new here," Dee said, not liking the look Touin was giving Ryo.

"Just transferred." ouin acknowledged. "Want to show me around, Ryo?" he asked.

"Why don't you ask JJ?" Dee countered, before Ryo could answer. Ryo, he knew, was too nice for his own good; not to mention naïve. He probably hadn't even realized Touin was coming onto him.

"That cretin?" Touin countered. "Every word out of his mouth is 'Dee.' Hey," he added, looking at Dee thoughtfully. "Is it you he keeps talking about?"

"Most definitely," Ryo answered for Dee, his mouth tightening. "Of course I'l show you around." he continued.

"Hey!" Dee interjected, but his vocalization was ignored as Ryo and Touin moved away.

"Laitner." Dee turned around to face the commissioner with a scowl on his face. "I need to see you in my office."

"Why don't you see Touin instead?" Dee demanded, turning back to look at Ryo when he heard the familiar laugh.

"Jealous?" CommissionerRose asked, quirking an eyebrow questioningly.

"Oh, and you're not?" Dee countered.

"I gave up on Ryo," Rose confessed. "Getting hit for one little kiss was enough for me."

"And you had to bring in Touin to take your place?" Dee snarled.

"Let's discuss this in my office." Rose said, moving away.

Dee blew a tuft of hair from his eye before following the commissioner to his office.

Elsewhere..

"Where did you transfer from?" Ryo asked Touin as he led him out of the criminal investigations unit and to the stairs.

"Detroit," Touin answered. "My uncle died about four months ago and left me a lace in the suburbs."

"I'm sorry." Ryo said. "Were you close?"

"Not really," Touin replied. "I'm just his only kin."

"That's too bad," Ryo said, feeling sorry for the man. "So you're new in town with no family?" Touin nodded. "I have an idea. Why don't you come over to my place for dinner tonight?"

"Really?" Touin asked. This is too easy. he thought, imagining a long night of ecstacy.

"Really." Ryo stated firmly. "Dee will be there and you can meet Bikky."

"Oh." Touin muttered. So much for fun! "Who's Bikky?"

"He's this ten-year-old boy that I kind of adopted." Ryo explained. "His dad was murdered and I just couldn't bring myself to let him become a part of the system.

"You've got a soft heart." Touin observed.

"So I've been told." Ryo said sourly. "Repeatedly."

"Hold on." Touin stated, grabbing Ryo's shoulder and pulling him to a stop just outside of the door to the second floor of the department. "That's not a bad thing."

"Dee thinks so."

"Dee's wrong. Don't let being a cop teach you h ow not to feel."

Ryo smiled, shocking Touin with its contagiousness. "Thanks." Ryo said. "I guess I needed to hear that."

"Anytime," Touin obliged. "And I would love to join you for dinner. Thank you."

Later that night..

"Come on in," Ryo invited Touin when he arrived for dinner.

"I brought some wine." Touin said, handing Ryo the bottle of red wine as he entered.

"Thank you." Ryo said, smiling. "It should go well with the spaghetti I'm preparing."

"Who are you?" Bikky demanded as the two men entered the living room."

"Bikky, this is Seargent Allen Touin." Ryo made the introduction. "He's going to be my partner for the next couple of weeks."

"Hi," Bikky greeted the man with a friendly smile often casting a sideways look at Dee and seeing a scowl on his face. "Have a seat."

"But, please, let me help?" Touin offered, turning to Ryo after smiling an acknowledgement at Bikky.

"No; thank you." Ryo replied. "It's almost ready. Bikky, you can set the table."

The two exited the room, leaving Dee and Touin alone. "He's mine," Dee stated, watching Touin through narrowed eyes as the man stared thoughtfully after Ryo. "Don't forget it."

Touin turned to look at Dee and gave him a slow grin. "For now." he said. "Maybe."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Dee snarled, leaping to a standing position and clenching his fists.

"I'm sorry." Touin apologized sarcastically. "Was that too technical for you? Let me clarify: Ryo may be yours now but tomorrow is another day. And, let's face it. He does get jealous easily, doesn't he?"

"Huh?" demanded Dee, hating Touin more than ever now.

"I believe JJ is your new partner, right?" Touin asked, a smug look on his face. "I'll be sure to console Ryo so you don't have to worry."
To Be Continued..