Binding Ties: Part 2
(Chains)
"Careful," Ryo said and took Lyo's hand to guide him up the few steps to their house. "You don't want to fall down."
"Fall down..." Lyo mimicked Ryo and laughed delighted when Ryo picked him up to carry him into the house. Dee laughed at Bikky's rolling eyes before he reached for the bundle of mail that awaited them. Ryo opened the door and ushered the children inside. Lyo was still holding his finger as Dee stepped into the house. Shutting the door he flipped through the envelopes.
"Bill... Junk... Bill... Uh..." Dee paused as he looked at the large white envelope with a thick black border. "It's addressed to me." Dee said with a puzzled frown. "From Tony." Dee ripped the envelope open and Ryo looked up when he heard the gasp. Dee stood still breathing heavily, his eyes were wet with tears and his face had paled.
"Bikky, take Landy to his room and read him a story." Bikky nodded his bright blue eyes wide as he gazed at Dee. Bikky took Lyo's hand and lead him away. "Dee, are you ok?" Ryo asked and he stepped aside as Dee fell to his knees. Dee reached out and grasped Ryo's hips and pulled him into a tight embrace. Ryo stood still becoming worried as the wetness from Dee's tears spread through his shirt.
"Baby..." Dee sniffled and held tighter Ryo winced but did not try to wiggle free of Dee's embrace. "Gone... This is a notice of..." Dee paused and Ryo unwound Dee's arms and knelt beside him. "Oh... Baby, It's mother." Dee sobbed. "Mother is gone, she died."
"Oh... Dee," Ryo said and wrapped his arms around his lover while shedding a few tears of his own.
BreakChihaya stepped into the pet shop and looked up the stairs with a puzzled frown on his face. D smiled at the picture that Chris had drawn of Ten-Chan. "I made sure that I got all his tails." Chris said excitedly.
Ten-Chan grumbled, "Yeah I had to sit for an hour with them all sticking straight up."
Chihaya walked over to the blanket that was spread on the shop floor. "Hi Count D, hey Chris and little Aoi." Chihaya dropped to his knees and blew kisses at the baby. "Count D... Have you ever felt that you were being watched?"
"What do you mean?" Count D asked as Aoi stood to her feet and tried to walk. She fell over and decided to crawl to Chris.
"I don't know, it is kind of like a chill that I get every time I go out." Chihaya blew his hair out his eyes and Count D looked at him for a moment. "What?" Chihaya asked with a bright, curious smile.
"You look different." Count D said with a gentle smile. "It is not exactly physical, more an attitude, or a new knowledge."
Chihaya blushed and looked away from Count D's stare. "Well, thanks to you and Ryo... I mean...Well, I feel different. It's kind of hard to explain... Is it supposed to feel that good?" D laughed at Chihaya's embarrassed blush. His laughter died as Leon walked into the shop with a frown on his face. "Hi... Leon?" Chihaya said when Leon continued to stare at D. Count D prepared to ask Leon what was wrong when the telephone rang.
D stood gracefully to his feet and Chihaya held on to Aoi. "Count D's pet shop how may I be of help?" D listened for a moment then said, "Hello...?" D gasped and hung the phone up. "There was just laughter...A woman." He said as he went to Leon's side.
"Oh yeah," Leon said and kissed D's cheek. With a hand around D's waist Leon pulled him over to the couch and sat him down. "Ryo called the PD, there was a death and he and Dee are going to New York for a few days, maybe a week or more. Since they had some trouble there with some gangsters the Chief said me and JJ are going back with them and..."
"This sounds as if it could be dangerous." Count D interrupted. Leon nodded and D sighed. "I would not feel safe if you were in a dangerous situation and I were not there." D said with a frown. "Especially with some beast sniffing around the shop."
"Yeah, which is why I am taking you with me." Leon smirked, "and before you ask, I already arranged for a hotel that will allow you to keep two pets."
"The children?" D asked with a frown.
"T-Chan has sat for them before and I doubt that anyone will get past him." Leon assured D.
Chihaya broke in with a worried frown. "Who died?" He asked with a sad look between D and Leon.
"Dee grew up in an orphanage and was raised by a nun, well... she was old and..." Leon paused and Chihaya nodded his understanding. He opened his mouth but paused as the door of the shop opened and Andy rushed in with Kagetsuya and several other royals.
"Bad... bad things are going down, we've gotta get you all out of here." Andy said and picked up Aoi. "Now... D, your grandfather contacted us, your grandmother is in a fit we have to get you out."
Kagetsuya grabbed Chihaya and pulled him to the door. "We have to go as well it's not safe."
"What do you mean?" Chihaya asked and watched in amazement as D summoned several suitcases that were filled with necessary clothing and accessories. "Kage-Kun?"
"It's Eden, they have been watching us for several weeks now. I intercepted a team at our house after you left." Kagetsuya said with a sigh. "I don't know what they want, but I will not let them have it." Kagetsuya glowered as dark memories of a trial ripped his heart to shreds. Chihaya sighed as he correctly interpreted Kagetsuya's angry glare and remembered with shame the same trial.
D looked worried between the two angels. He did not like seeing his friends in such a state of upset. Leon gave a quick double take of the shop to make sure they were not forgetting anything. "We need to hurry, according to Ryo, Dee is pretty much shattered. JJ and Lord D are meeting us at Dee and Ryo's."
"I have been to New York before." D confessed and straighten his deep green Cheongsam. Leon took a moment to appreciate the way the large bloomed white flowers hugged his impossibly slim frame. "I found it remarkably unpleasant." D huffed and picked up his daughter as they all left the shop.
Break
Ryo grew increasingly worried as Dee continued to sit on the couch. He held a cup of coffee in his hands as if keeping them warm, though the liquid had long since gone cold. "I remember..." Dee said suddenly startling Ryo. "When Arnon..." Dee paused and took a gulp grimacing at the coolness. "When Arnon was killed, she was there for me man, you know. And when I wanted to be a cop, she took care of the college tuition and... She really loved you, you know that don't you?"
"I had hoped." Ryo said gently and sat beside Dee.
"She was so happy that I finally found someone to love, someone who loved me. Barry used to say that if the Penguin ever had a son it would have been me." Bikky peeked out of his bedroom door and watched as Dee leaned his head into Ryo's neck and placed a passionate kiss there. "Ryo... I really... Really need..."
"Okay." Ryo said calmly and stood to his feet leading Dee to their bedroom. He caught Bikky's worried frown and smiled. "Bikky, why don't you order some pizzas, We are expecting several guests. I hope you have your bag packed we are taking a late flight and are arriving in New York tomorrow morning..." Ryo would have said more but Dee pulled him into the room and shut the door with a snap. Bikky startled and stared at the closed door for a moment before he dutifully went to the phone. Instead of calling the pizza shop he dialed Leon's cell phone.
"Orcot," Leon said into the receiver followed by a swear as he swerved to avoid a car in traffic. "I'm on the road I hope this is an emergency."
"Leon, I'm worried about Ryo." Bikky said into the phone.
"Bikky?" Leon said and glanced at D. D was sitting in the backseat wrapping a blanket securely around Aoi's car seat as the child dozed. Chris was sitting beside Leon strapped into the front seat. "What is wrong with Ryo?"
"Dee," Bikky said softly. Bikky grimaced when he heard a sound from Ryo and Dee's bedroom. "I gotta call for dinner, but, can you guys hurry?" Bikky said and hung up. Leon assured him he would hurry but tried to maintain safety, after all he had his family in the car. Bikky sighed dialed for the pizza, his hands began to shake as more of Ryo's cries were heard. This was not like usual, it sounded more like Dee was hurting him. The sounds grew quiet and Bikky grew fearful. He wanted to open the door but was afraid of what he might see. He gulped past the lump in his throat and called Carol.
"Hey Carol, I was just calling to uh... let you know that we, Ryo, Dee, Lyo and I will be going to New York tonight." Bikky sat and explained what had happened. He was still talking when he heard the shower in Ryo and Dee's room running. Bikky closed the call with Carol as the doorbell rang. He rushed to open the door. D took one look at Bikky and began to take him into his arms.
"Hey Bikky, Andy and the others are with Chihaya and Kagetsuya now, but they will meet us in New York." D said he looked up when the bedroom door opened and Ryo stepped out wearing slacks and bathrobe. He was wiping a fluffy towel over his hair and gave Leon a weary smile.
"Hi, guys thanks for coming." D sat slowly on the couch and sighed.
"You look exhausted." D said and sat beside Ryo. Aoi stretched across her Papa's lap and slept blissfully unaware of the surrounding turmoil.
"Dee is very upset, and he needs a constant reminder of life and of love and he is not thinking clearly right now and..." Ryo paused when he heard a sound from the bedroom indicating that Dee had awakened from his exhausted sleep. Ryo listened for the shower and smiled. "Dee will be joining us shortly."
"Has..." D spoke quietly to Ryo. "Has he been hurting you?"
"Oh... it's nothing I'm fine." Ryo assured D.
Bikky sniffled thinking of Ryo as he had prepared lunch for them all. While he was reading to Lyo, Dee had dragged Ryo to bed in much the same way as he had before Bikky had called for dinner. Bikky did not know how much more Ryo could take."This afternoon you were limping!"
"Bikky!" Ryo cautioned with an embarrassed blush. "I said I am fine. It has just been a long day and I am tired." D saw the pain reflected in Ryo's dark eyes.It was not justphysical pain, but emotional as well. He would have said something but the doorbell rang again and Bikky admitted JJ, Nana, and Lord D each carrying Lord D sat holding one of his small sons. With a gentle touch he relieved Ryo's physical pain. Ryo sighed and relaxed into the chair. "Thank you," he whispered when the bedroom door opened and a bleary eyed Dee stepped out.
Dee stood silent through the greetings and sat heavily on a chair. "Are you Ok?" Leon asked thinking back on the pain of losing his own mother.
"I feel like I've fallen apart, Ryo is the only thing keeping me in one piece man." Dee said tiredly and Bikky sighed, any resentment he had built up against Dee melted at the sad smile he turned on Ryo. Ryo smiled at Dee and reached over to squeeze his hand.
"How... Did she...?" Leon began to ask as he sat don on a chair opposite Dee. Aoi rolled over in her sleep and D took her into Lyo's bedroom to change her diaper.
"I called Tony, he said it was real peaceful," Dee said not at all ashamed of the tears that were falling down his face. "Her heart just stopped beating while she slept."
"I am so sorry." JJ said and patted Dee's shoulder before he sat in D's vacated seat. D returned having left Aoi to sleep with Landy. He surveyed the room before he perched on the end of Leon's right knee. Leon brought a hand up and rubbed along D's side. JJ sighed before he said, "The Arcadians are coming along with us, they need to protect Chihaya and Kagetsuya from something for a few days."
"I know, Nestoir called me earlier." Ryo said still holding on to Dee's hand. "That is why we are taking a red eye flight to draw less suspicion when we arrive. Dee and I are kind Persona Non Grata with several factions of Mafia families in New York." Ryo nodded to Bikky when the doorbell rang and a young man stood holding a pile of pizza boxes. As they all sat down to eat Bikky grew worried when Lord D and D refused any of the meal.
"Oh, never mind Bikky, you see," D answered with a smile. "Those pizzas were prepared near meat and after my last illness, I do not want to risk it."
Ryo stood to his feet and went into the kitchen. "I have some fresh salad greens and some fruit I'll..." Ryo paused when Lord D stood beside him and took the bowl from his hand.
"You go sit. We'll take care of this." Lord D said as D entered the kitchen and began to rummage through the refrigerator. Ryo nodded and left the kitchen unsure how he would eat when Dee was sitting staring at nothing looking like the lost, abandoned orphan he had once been.
Chapter 7
Binding Ties:
Keys
Dee sat in the airport and tried not to think of where they were going and why. Ryo had been a crutch that he clutched like a dying man. "Ryo... Are you okay?" Ryo looked down at Bikky and tried to smile. "Our plane should be leaving soon right?" Bikky asked hoping to change the subject. Ryo looked tired.
"Yes, Bikky I want you to relax ok." Ryo smiled and began loading their suitcases on the turnstile. "Between the four of us, right now, I am the only functioning adult."
"I don't think he ever grew up." Bikky said with a laugh hoping to lighten the mood. Ryo laughed and reached down to smooth Bikky's riot of blond locks. "If you... Tell him that he hurt you..."
"Bikky, please," Ryo said and felt his face heating. "This is a private matter between adults. You are too young to be speaking of such things."
"Ryo when I first moved in with you I knew more about sex than you did." Bikky said with a rueful grin. "I was seven."
Ryo wanted to be mad, but he laughed instead. "Not true, but seriously, I would appreciate a little respect."
Bikky saw the sad look on Ryo's face and his know-it-all smirk died. "Hey Ryo, you know I didn't mean anything right? I do respect you. I'm sorry; I'm just worried about you that's all." Ryo sighed and squeezed Bikky's shoulder with a smile. Bikky took Landy's hand and went to sit next to Chris. Ryo turned a smile as Leon Patted his shoulder. Count D stood beside him with Q-Chan on his shoulder.
"Apparently Sofu insisted on showing up like this." Leon said at Ryo's questioning look. Ryo simply nodded and placed a kiss on D's cheek. "How are you guys holding up?" Leon asked worried at Dee's continued look of dejection.
Ryo sighed, "He barely speaks. When he does it is some fond memory he has of mother."
Leon nodded and whispered, "I got a call from Nestoir, he said not to be surprised by anything that happens in New York involving the Arcadians."
Ryo laughed and shook his head before he said. "I ceased to be surprised by them a long time ago. Thanks for the heads up though, I'll keep an eye out."
Lord D and JJ arrived each carrying a baby. Nana had decided to stay home. "I'm too old to travel so much," She had said. JJ was saddened that Lord D could not advise otherwise. JJ took one look at Dee before he went and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. Dee looked at the golden-eyed baby JJ held and smiled.
"He is beautiful JJ," Dee said and touched a tuft of dark hair. JJ smiled glad to see Dee do anything other than brood. Dee blinked as he got a look at a second Q-Chan on Lord D's shoulder.
"She insisted," Lord D said of his mother just as the boarding call for their flight was announced.
"Well now, this will be interesting." Leon muttered as he took Count D's hand and heading for the plane.
Break
Chris stared around with wide eyes as the crowd of people that streamed around. He clutched Count D's robe and nearly jumped a foot when a hand reached out to detain them. "Wow, I did recognize you on sight!" A female voice said excitedly. "You are Count D, yes?"
"I dare not answer negative with the question already answered." Count D said with a small smile. The young woman frowned in confusion before she looked around. "How can I help you?" Count D asked handing Aoi to Leon.
"You are to cancel your hotel reservations at once. The Vasillisis home will be as your own during your stay." The dark haired beauty looked around at the group of weary travelers. "All of you." Count D nodded and they followed her to the waiting limousine.
Bikky sat silent through out the entire drive watching as Ryo sat Landy in his lap and patted his back as he slept. Bikky remembered when he had first come to stay with Ryo and having him do the same. He could not remember ever before having slept so well. Ryo looked and saw Bikky giving him a gentle smile. "Do you need something?" Ryo asked concerned when Bikky did nothing but stare at him.
"Nah… Just wanted to thank you." Bikky said and looked away hiding the deeper color that stained his already dark colored skin. "Thank you for taking me in."
"Don't you get it yet kid?" Dee asked with deep red eyes and a soft smile at his patient lover. "Ryo will find the worse stray out there and turn him into a house cat. No matter how many times he is scratched in the process." Ryo blushed and brought Dee's hand to his lips before he placed a small kiss along the knuckles.
Ryo opened his mouth to speak when Bikky exclaimed loudly. "Man, is that a hotel?" Ryo looked at the large columned monstrosity that loomed in the distance. Dee whistled appreciative of the startling white mansion that, while impressive, managed to look welcoming.
"That is the abode of the Vasillisis family." Count D said as he looked at the grand home. "In truth it was once the 'Palace Hotel'. Mr. Vasillisis bought it and converted it into a house. Then Mrs. Vasillisis arrived and turned it into a home." As the car pulled to a stop Count D was gentle as he picked his daughter up. She awakened and looked at him before blowing a kiss. As Aoi began to sing her "Pa Pa" song Leon pulled their suitcases from the trunk. He had barely lifted them to the ground when they were wrested from his hand by a smiling man in a red blazer.
"Good afternoon Sirs Orcot, MacLean, Laytner and Count D. Please allow me to see to those for you. Mr. and Mrs. Vasillisis are inside waiting for you all." The man bowed and waved an arm and several uniformed men stepped up to take the luggage. Ryo clutched Lyo to him and walked beside Dee and Bikky into the large home. Ryo braced himself but was shocked that a cloud of exuberant female did not bombard him.
He saw the demure version of the princess sitting beside her husband with a small child in her lap and was taken by surprise at her change in appearance. Where Andy's hair cascaded down her back in wild curls, this lady showcased a shoulder length wrap. Ryo was further daunted when he looked into her eyes. Where Andy was constantly reminding him of a happy child, this woman was boasting a maturity that he feared the High Princess would forever lack.
"Welcome to our home gentlemen. We have several guest that are most anxious to see you." Mr. Vasillisis said and shook each hand in greeting. "It is so very nice to see you again." Dee frowned when the words seemed to come out rehearsed and mechanical. He also looked at little Nicklaus. The last time he had seen the little boy he had babbled non-stop now he was all but sitting like a small doll. The group exchanged tired looks before they followed the strange family into a smaller room.
Ryo heard the squeal and was glad that he had sat Landy on his feet as Lady Andromache was suddenly in his arms. Q-Chan gave a squeak and Lord D sighed as his mother sat gracefully in dainty chair with a glare at the other small creature that had ridden in on Count D's shoulder. This Q-Chan chirped before Sofu stood before them smiling at his wife's indignation.
"Carious!" Andy said with a frown. You could at least wait until we shut the door." At the strange admonition Leon turned to see the former Mrs. Vasillisis melt into a tall platinum haired young lady with crystal clear silver eyes. Mr. Vasillisis turned into a dark haired young man with green eyes and Nicklaus turned into a mid-sized white lion, a kitten by the look of his small milk teeth. He managed to look ferocious despite the attempted smile.
As the greetings were ended and the guests shown to their rooms the doppelgangers resumed their disguises and wandered off. Dee pulled Andy aside and soaked in the warmth of her embrace before he began to speak. He was unashamed of the tears that fell down his face. "I just wanted to ask you a favor." Dee said when Andy patiently waited for him to make his point. "You see, my… Mother's funeral is in two days and I was hoping that you could sing there. Ah, a song that captures who she was. Tony asked me to speak and give the eulogy, but… I just thought, you know, words say so little… But your songs have always had a deeper meaning and maybe you could find a song that is appropriate."
Andy treated Dee to a heart-stopping smile before she took his hand. "Why don't you tell me all about mother and I will see if I can find a song that suits her." Ryo looked over at the two of them as they spoke and decided to take a much need long soak in the tub and get some sleep. Dee had been rather amorous lately and he was embarrassed to go near Lord D. The doctor would know he was in pain and try to alleviate it. Once was ok, but Lord D would start to worry if he knew just how often Dee was a little less than careful of his gentle lover.
Lord D and JJ were both tucking in their baby boys for the night and Bikky was reading to Landy. Ryo stared incredulously as the real little Nicklaus ran to his father bouncing from one foot to the other. "Daddy… Go potty!" He said and bounced some more. Ryo watched fascinated as Nestoir took the child's hand and rushed him form the room. One day, Ryo hoped, Landy would be able to do the same, for now, he had better change his diaper before he went to bed. Bikky had awakened once before after sleeping with Landy and complained of being wet upon. Since then it became very rare for Bikky to allow the tot into bed with him. In a strange bed, Ryo knew that Landy would want the comfort of his 'Biggy'.
Break
Dee walked along holding tight to Ryo's hand as they walked around the large church where Mother's body was housed in an elegant coffin. Dee choked on a sob. "She looks so old." He whispered as he touched a wrinkled hand that clutched a large bouquet of roses that the Vasillisis family had sent. The doppelgangers sat in the church while the Arcadian stood in the back chining brightly despite their black garb. Dee had been nonplussed for a moment when Count D, Lord D and Sofu D had arrived in white from head to toe.
Ryo had explained that it was a Chinese custom to wear white to funerals in respect to the dead. Count D held Aoi in his lap. She fingered the soft fabric of her Papa's long sleeve and sat quietly sipping her juice. Count D noted the young man sitting across from him and smiled. The red-rimmed eyes blinked and Count D frowned when he heard his father gasp. "ChiChiUe…?"
"I feel death in the room near that one." Sofu whispered and Count D gazed at the young man in the black dress. He vaguely resembled Jackie Onasis. "Soon, when the leaves fall dead so will he." Count D looked at the beautiful Hispanic and suppressed a pout. His companion sat beside him and held his hand as tears fell down his face. Lord D indicated that Count D should look forward as Dee walked to the podium.
"Uh… Hello, I…" Dee began and shuffled several pieces of papers. "As some of you may know I grew up here. A detective by the name of Jess Latener found me when I was a baby and brought me to this cathedral. Mother took me in and raised me. She was there for me as any parent would be for their children. I am not the only one to benefit from the miraculously large heart. Through out the years hundreds of homeless, abandoned, and unwanted children have come through here and made a life for themselves all with the help of 'The Penguin'. Ha…" Dee paused and fought another bout of tears. "She pulled my ear off every time I called her that. No matter how old I got I could always depend on mother to set me strait." Ryo tensed when he heard a harrumph from somewhere in the crowded Cathedral/Orphanage. Mother was a gentle soul and I just cannot express just how much she means to all the little lost lambs out there. I have requested that High Princess Andromache of Arcadia perform a song that will highlight the life she lead and the message she leaves behind to us all."
Dee gathered up his scraps of paper and went to sit beside Ryo. Ryo discretely handed him a handkerchief and squeezed his hand as Andy walked up to the podium and smiled a soft smile at the grieving audience. "The woman that Detective Laytner described to me was indeed remarkable, I only hope I can do her memory justice as I sing a song that she sang every day of her life through her selfless acts of mother hood."
Dee sniffled as Andy began to sing while Nestoir and Daphnus played the organ and the guitar:
"I don't know if you can hear me, or if you're even there.
I don't know if you will listen to a humble prayer.
They tell me I am just an outcast, I shouldn't speak to you...
Still I see your face, and wonder, were you once an outcast too?"
"God help the outcasts, hungry from birth.
Show them the mercy they don't find on Earth.
The lost and forgotten, they look to you still.
God help the outcasts, or nobody will."
"I ask for nothing, I can get by.
But I know so many less lucky than I.
God help the outcasts, the poor and down trod.
I thought we all were the children of God."
Dee broke into a sob as Andy inhaled and stepped towards the crowd holding a white rose that she placed amidst the bright red ones clutched in mother's hands.
"I don't know if there's a reason;
Why some are blessed, some not.
Why the few you seem to favor…
They fear us…, flee us…, try not to see us."
Dee remembered several nights on the cold streets of New York watching as all the other children ran to warm homes, to families. The parents had shooed him away and frowned. Mother did the best she could with what she had, but he always managed to look baggy. Dee clutched Ryo's hand and remembered the pain as others around him were adopted. Always he was left behind… always.
"God help the outcasts, the tattered, the torn.
Seeking an answer to why they were born.
Winds of misfortune have blown them about.
You made the outcasts… don't cast them out."
Bikky saw the look on Dee's face and for a moment he remembered feeling the same. Lost, homeless and hopeless. Then Ryo had taken him into his arms and then further still into his home. "Hey Dee," Bikky said and gasped when Dee's red eyes bore into him. "You have a family now." Bikky smiled as Andy finished her song.
"The poor and unlucky, the weak and the odd…
I thought we all were the children of God."
Lord D could not help but look at the distraught Hispanic as he wiped a tear and whispered. "Vaya con el Dios, Madre apacible. Gracias..."
Spun Sugar 8
Mère De L'Amour
Ryo stood back as he watched Dee put on a pair of white gloves and stand beside several young men holding on to the side of the slate gray casket. Dee looked up at the sky and frowned; why was it so damned sunny out? The clouds that were in the sky only made the day seem prettier. How could it be such a lovely day when his beloved 'mother' was being buried? The weight of the casket was nothing compared to heaviness of his heart. As the casket was lowered into the ground Andy stood next to her husband and Daphnus.
Daphnus sighed and began to sing:
"When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary,
When troubles come and my heart burdened be.
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me."
Nestoir began to sing with him and the two made a soft harmony and melody that called to the memories of mother buried in each heart present.
"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up... to more than I can be.
Andy sighed and began to sing:
"There is no life - no life without its hunger
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly
But when you come and I am filled with wonder
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity
The three of them began to harmonize and the crowd began to smile as the good that mother did warm each heart.
"You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
And I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up… to more than I can be
You raise me up ... to more than I can be"
The casket made it to its final resting place and brightly colored flowers rained down. As the priest recited a few words Dee made it back to Ryo's side and leaned heavily on him. The gathered bereaved then went back to the cathedral for refreshments. Ryo stayed to the back holding Lyo's hand while Bikky greeted a few of his old friends. Ryo's sharply honed detective skills began to alert him to someone staring at him. With a covert glance he peered at the crowd and stiffened when he saw a tall dark haired man frowning at him.
Before Ryo could wonder at the man's strange attitude Dee came up to him holding the hand of a small nun. Upon closer inspection Ryo was surprised to note that she was quite young. "Ryo I want you meet Lizzie Spellman. She was an orphan here with me."
Ryo was smiling brightly as he shook her hand. "That is Sister Elizabeth." She said with a warm smile and shook Ryo's hand. "I recognize you from the picture. Mother kept it in her room."
"Hello, I am Randy MacLean, it is very nice to meet you Sister Elizabeth… Picture?"
"I uh, I sent Mother one of the Family photos we took." Dee said with a smile at the nice phone call he had shared with Mother.
"Yeah, I saw that crap the last time I came here to visit." Ryo tensed at the gruff voice behind them and turned to see the dark haired gentleman standing behind them. He covered his rudeness with a false smile that did not reach his slate gray eyes. Ryo took in the expensive black suit and figured the man for stockbroker or lawyer. He looked like he fleeced people on a regular basis. "You always were an ugly brat."
Dee broke in to a grin and reached out to hug the man. "Donnie! Wow, you look good man. Hey Ryo, meet Donnie… one of the lucky ones. He got adopted." Ryo saw the old pain in Dee's eyes. The pain of being passed over.
Ryo shook his hand and gave a tight-lipped smile. Donnie was squeezing his hand hoping to make him cringe and drop the "congenial" grip. "Very nice to meet you Donnie. It is always a pleasure to meet Dee's old friends." Donnie frowned at Ryo's stressing the word Old. Donnie winced and released Ryo's hand. Without a word he smiled and winked.
"Da-Ryo, Lyo don't feel good." Ryo looked down at the red faced tot and grew worried. He knelt down beside him and reached out his hands to pick him up. Lyo gasped and threw up on Ryo's outstretched hands. Ryo sighed as Lyo began to sob.
"Oh dear, let me get you a towel." Sister Elizabeth said and rushed off with a swirl of her habit. Ryo remained perched, glad that Lyo had missed both of their clothes. Sister Elizabeth returned and swaddled Ryo's hands. Dee gave an apologetic grin at Donnie before he scooped Lyo into his arms and they went to the bathroom.
"Never would have figured you for a family man, but then again, what the hell kind of family is that?"
Break
Lord D sat heavily in a pew and breathed deeply. The scent of death was almost overwhelming. Count D sat beside his father and sighed. "I'll get you some water." As D walked away JJ took Lord D into his arms.
"How did you know Mother?" Lord D gasped and looked up into doe-brown, soft eyes. "I have been coming here for years and I would have remembered you. You smell fantastic."
JJ frowned and stood placing a hand on Lord D's silk clad shoulder. "I'm JJ, and you are?"
"Oh no sweetie, I'm not, oh I mean, I'm just… Angel." The young man said with a blush he waved a tall, dark-skinned man over grinned. "This is Collins, he and I are…" Angel smiled and Lord D coughed and breathed in deeply. "You smell like winter. Cold and pristine, like freshly fallen snow and fresh, crisp air." Angel paused, as Lord D looked up at him his eyes wide. "I've never met anyone with purple eyes before. Is that common in China? You are Chinese aren't you?"
"Young man, which question do you wish me to answer?" Lord D asked as Count D returned with a glass of iced water. "Thank you child." Lord D said and Angel smiled at Count D. He took in the nearly matching white cheongsam and inhaled.
"Oh wow, you smell like white cherry blossoms. I saw a bottle of perfume with that scent and just had to try it. What brand do you wear? It is purer than the 'Body's' version. Wilder."
Count D opened his mouth to say that he did not wear any scent at all when Lord D spoke. "In truth young man I have never met Mother. I am a friend of Detective Laytner. We all are."
"Wow, some friends, you all came out today just for his 'Mother's' funeral?"
"Yes well, I have grown quite fond of him." Lord D answered. "Yes I am Chinese, I am Lord D, and this is my son Count D." Lord D frowned at Q-Chan and resisted the urge to sigh. It was the only way his mother could enter the church. Sofu placed long fingered hands on his shoulder.
"This man reeks of impending death." The words entered Lord D's mind and he cringed.
"I know." He thought to his father and sighed. "Perhaps I can help him."
"The disease that is eating him is ferocious. More so than anything you have ever encountered." Sofu cautioned his son.
"Is there nothing we can do? He is so kind. His heart speaks to me." Lord D thought to his father with a sad sigh. Sofu said nothing but he squeezed Lord D's shoulder before he walked away. Angel had continued conversing with JJ after calling his lover over. Lord D gasped as the same scent of death could be found on Collins. It was not so virulently strong, but it was present. "You are ill?" Lord D said earning a gasp from Angel. "I am a doctor, I meant no offense." Lord D said and blinked back tears. Angel smiled and sat beside the beautiful man. Lord D squeezed his hands and Angel felt a rush of cold wind soar through his veins.
Break
"You look like a pre-school teacher." Ryo tensed and turned slowly around to face Donnie. "Didn't know they let fags handle kids. State you Queer before they let you adopt or do they just not care?" Dee tried to smile at his old friend and pretend the jibes were good-natured but he was starting to get angry.
"I'm not a pre-school teacher." Ryo's words were simple, uttered with a tight smile.
Dee looked into his dark eyes and saw the terrifying storm brewing. Ryo was gentle and mild-mannered in most situations, bit there were times when he could be pushed too far. Insulting his family was one of those dangerous red buttons guaranteed to see someone injured before the day was over. "So Donnie, are you married?"
"Yeah. I married Lisa Stanfield." Donnie said with a smirk naming the richest girl in their high school class. She's over there." Donnie pointed to a stunning blond creature clutching the hand of a small child. Dee smirked and resisted the urge to tell Donnie that he had been Lisa's first. "You married the male Martha Stewart." Donnie said with a mean smile. Dee's grin wavered and Ryo could barely see past the tinge of red that clouded his eyes. Dee was hailed by Tony and excused himself leaving Ryo staring at the now openly hostile male.
"Have I done something to offend you Donnie?" Ryo asked softly as he walked away knowing that Donnie would follow. The man was having too much fun goading him. Leon accepted Lyo's hand and frowned wondering why Ryo was heading out of the cathedral with Dee's old friend.
"I wouldn't exactly say that it is you per-se." Donnie said and leered at Ryo. "When I found out that Dee was a fudge packer you could have slapped me silly with a feather. I just hate all faggots, especially soft-feminine types like you. All the little kiddies run to you don't they. I bet you're the nicest teacher in the building, and you love potty time don't you? All those little boys..." Donnie paused and let the thought hang in the air between them.
"Bikky" Ryo called hoping to keep his voice light so as not to startle Bikky. Ryo reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. Donnie frowned when he got a look at the badge that Ryo had purposefully flashed before handing it to Bikky. "Hold on to this for Daddy, would you?" Bikky frowned before he took the leather case and ran back inside to show his friends Ryo's detective badge.
"What was that?" Donnie asked and gasped when Ryo whirled and shoved him hard against the cathedral's stone walls. Donnie gasped when he felt something cold and decidedly metal pressing against his ribcage.
"So I annoy you. Let me tell you something," Ryo ground out and shoved the gun in deeper leaving a bruise. "I don't need this to see you in excruciating pain. I have had a very rough few days and you are pushing all the right buttons." Ryo said and choked back the sobs that tore at him.
"Y…You're a c…cop man. Y…Y…You can't do that." Donnie stuttered and Ryo took a moment to enjoy the stark fear that he displayed.
"I don't seem to have my badge…" Ryo's dark eyes narrowed. "Pity." He said with a mean smile. "Now I can either walk back in there and call my son and retrieve it along with the responsibility that it carries. Or I can forget the years of training and ethics and end thishere andnow. Dee does not need you to give him grief at this time… Are we agreed?" Donnie gulped and nodded. He sighed in relief when he felt the gun retreat. Ryo grinned and walked away. Donnie was glad that he had not embarrassed himself as he went back inside and ducked into the nearest lavatory.
Spun Sugar 9
Mirage
JJ was worried, Lord D sat trembling with his arms wrapped around himself. "I wish to return to the…" Lord D paused and gulped trying his best to relax the quivering in his stomach. Lord D ended with a moan and JJ surged to his feet. Gathering their children JJ accepted the aid of 'Mr. and Mrs. Vasillisis' to return to their home. Leon stared after them and sighed before he went to find Count D. He found him conversing with Angel. "Really, I had no idea." Angel was saying and Count D's soft laugh warmed Leon's heart.
"Hey Baby," Leon gained D's attention. D gave a polite bow and excused himself. Angel smiled and enthusiastically imitated the formal movement. "I think your dad may be sick, JJ just rushed him home."
Count D grew worried until his grandfather placed a hand on his shoulder. "Be at ease child." Sofu looked after his son. "My son is just foolish beyond means. He will be alright." Count D nodded and saw Ryo sitting with his gaze fixed on a dark haired man. "That one is close to an explosion. Perhaps you can try to diffuse the situation before it becomes a problem." Sofu meandered away with Q-Chan on his shoulder.
"Hey Dee," Ryo tensed when Donnie clapped Dee on the back in a congenial manner. "Me and the old boys are going to stop over to Barry's for a few drinks. Why don't you and your friends join us?" Dee smiled at his old buddies and was about to promise that they would be there. Dee hesitated and looked at Ryo. Ryo sighed before he gathered Lyo and Bikky. "Oh right, you're a family man now… Got to ask the wife." Donnie jeered and turned away. Ryo tensed before he went back to gathering Lyo's juice cup and teddy.
"It's alright Dee. We can be a few minutes late," Ryo said with a small smile at Donnie's back. "All we need to do is to take the boys and put them to bed." Dee nodded and went to inform his friends that they would be there.
"You do not want to attend." Count D said from behind Ryo. Bikky frowned as he looked at the tense expression that Ryo wore.
"I'll be there for Dee as he has been there for me many times before. He needs me beside him." Ryo's smile was always amazing to Bikky. Lyo stared between the adults before he tucked a thumb into his mouth. "No, no, Lyo. No thumb." Ryo removed the hand and gently picked the boy up into his arms. "I can see years from now, he'll need braces." Count D laughed and paused on his way to the door carrying Aoi. Leon approached with Chris walking beside him. D smiled gently, the young boy looked exhausted. As they left the cathedral Count D explained that they were invited to Barry's home.
"T-Chan, Honlon and Ten-Chan are more than adequate to see to our little ones." Count D said with a small smile. "As well as the Vasillisis family, there is nothing to worry about. Father and JJ are there as well as my grandparents. Better protection you could not wish for."
"Grand parents?" Count D looked up at Angel and smiled. "When I think of grandparents I think of cute little old people. What kind of protection could they be?" The Hispanic man laughed merrily wondering why he felt so marvelous.
"The better question is…" Collins said standing behind Angel holding his purse. "What do they need protection from?" Count D smiled and Collins knew he would not be receiving an answer. "Well we must be off, the last train leaves in twenty minutes. But hey why don't you guys come down to the Life Café tomorrow night. It's open Mic night. That Princess could really liven the place up."
Count D bowed and the billowing sleeves of his white cheongsam brushed the neatly swept floor of the Cathedral. "We will be honored to accept your gracious invitation and yet I can make no promise of our Royal companions." Count D paused with a soft laugh. "Their schedules are often a mangled mess not fit for close scrutiny." Collins frowned before he scribbled the address on a piece of paper. Angel was amazed that Count D could so gracefully bow while cradling a small childand not jostling her.
Break
Leon sat next to Count D and wondered when Ryo would leave. Dee was sitting with his friends drinking beers and laughing about old times. Donnie made sure that the conversation excluded Ryo. Tony and Barry tried to include the well-mannered beauty, but Donnie was determined. Ryo winked at Dee before he went to sit with Tony's wife Leanna, Count D, and Leon. They were just beginning a discussion on potty training when loud laughter interrupted them. Ryo smiled tightly when a bit of the conversation could be heard. "Ah hell yeah my baby has a nice ass. Everything on him is nice, what are talking about?" Dee words slurred drunkenly. "But my baby is the best shot on the force. And he is the best at hand to hand too. Aside from lil D, I don't know anyone better. Heh… he even kicks my…" Dee paused and hiccupped. "Mother loved him you know. It was so funny the way she took to him right away. Not a day goes by that I don't think that he is the best thing on this planet." Dee leaned against the couch and sighed when Ryo's hand fell on his shoulder.
"I think you have had enough Dee, it is time to go." Ryo's soft words earned him a smile from Tony's wife. Dee struggled to his feet and wrapped his arms around Ryo.
"I…Looooove you… Baby." Dee smiled sloppily at him. "You are the best. Not many love me, but you do don't you?"
"Yeah," Dee sighed when Ryo hugged him. He had never enjoyed the concept of public displays of affections, but right now he wanted to get Dee home. "I love you too." Leon helped Ryo get Dee into the car before he took Count D's hand and left the house.
"Maybe you guys can come back another time and have dinner. No alcohol I promise." Barry was smiling good-naturedly as they left. Donnie growled and glared at Ryo. He vowed to himself to teach that pretty boy fag a lesson.
Break
Lord D sat trembling on the bed and JJ wiped a damp towel over his sweating brow. "Too hot…" Lord D panted and gasped as his stomach heaved. "I am so hot."
"How can you be hot? Your skin is like ice." JJ wrapped a blanket around Lord D that he tossed off.
"I did it on purpose. I am trying to cool it. Fire in my blood. I just…" Lord D gasped and rushed from the room. JJ followed and gathered the abundant locks of silken hair as Lord D purged. JJ gasped when Sofu appeared in the bathroom on his knees next to Lord D. "Father…" Lord D sputtered between bouts of regurgitation. "I just looked, that is all I did and… It attacked me." Lord D groaned and tossed more into the toilet. "Help… Help me." Lord D burst into tears as more was tossed into the toilet.
"Calm down, it will work itself through." Sofu placed his hands on Lord D's back stroking gently. Lord D felt his stomach clench in a brutal vise before twisting in and forcing dry heaves to wrack his body. He shivered and sobbed throwing his arms around his father and hugging tight. Sofu stood to his feet cradling Lord D and carrying him to his bed. JJ followed with a frown on his face. Lord D lay on the bed crying out in agony. "I told you," Sofu said softly and sat on the bed. He placed his hands along Lord D's tummy rubbing in small circles.
"I know, but…" Lord D gasped before he trembled and cried. "I thought… I just looked. I was not trying to work on him."
"This disease is beyond anything that you have handled. Humans think it is recently conceived, but I tell you the truth," Sofu ground out with a bitter frown on his face. "There is nothing new under the sun. This is an ancient menace that slept for a long time and resurfaced when humans were ripe for the taking. It attacks the body mocking all the way. It will not kill the body," Sofu paused releasing a bitter laugh. "Oh no, but it laughs as something as simple as a paper cut does the job. It is vicious and older than you. You can not help him." Lord D sobbed as his father went into his body and manually eased the pain. After he calmed JJ frowned when Lord D fell into an exhausted slumber.
"He has AIDS." JJ nodded slowly stroking Lord D's hair.
"My son can not battle this demon that is plaguing the human race." Sofu smiled sadly. "But he is my child, I carried him and I delivered him. It has always been my habit to give him what he wants; sometimes to the point of allowing him his own misery. "Sofu sighed and for a moment he was transported to a time long past. "I knew, that should I give him the command to stay away from the wretched human he would assuredly disobey. I have never enjoyed punishing him and I avoid it at all cost. Truly…" Sofu paused and looked deep into JJ's eyes. "If he had not gotten with child, giving history a chance to repeat itself, I never would have punished him for his treatment of D." Sofu released a short laugh full of self-disgust. "If he wants this so badly… as always…"
JJ grinned as he gazed at Sofu and stifled a laugh."Sofu, are you admitting to having spoiled your son." JJ smiled at Sofu and decided that the ancient being before him was not as heartless as he had first thought. Now as he stood gazing at his son he seemed almost human. His features softened and he looked close to tears.
"He can not fight this, but I can. If it is so important to him that this person lives I will see to it." Sofu's promise was solemn as he reached over to gently stroke his sons hair. JJ stepped back when Sofu sat and began to brush the tangled mess. JJ did not even care to ask where the brush had come from. He simply kissed Lord D's forehead and left him in the room with his father and went to take a shower before bed.
Break
Morning found Ryo limping slowly to the bathroom and sinking gratefully into a warm bath. Tears fell down his face and he raised a wet hand to wipe them away. He did not know Dee anymore. What happened to the man who had loved him so tenderly? Even in the throes of passion Dee had cared to apply enough lubrication. As Ryo bathed he listened intently for sounds of Dee stirring. Dressing quietly he went to find Lord D. Setting his pride aside he would request aid. There was no way he go on like this.
Break
JJ walked through the lush garden and smiled. He could see his Darlings hand in the arrangement of the flowers and the careful planting of trees. Each plant seemed to speak of the love lavished upon them. JJ was reaching to stroke a petal knowing not to pluck the bloom when he heard a loud slap. Frowning he straitened and followed the repeated sound. JJ rounded a rose bush and gasped. A cloud of pale yellow silk littered the soft grass and Hamanosuke stood over it pounding and yelling. JJ could not understand the shouted Mandarin words but he knew blind rage when he saw it. His heart ceased to beat before it jump started going faster than he thought was humanly possible.
Lord D ceased struggling and lay accepting the blows in a daze and JJ rushed forward. He stumbled when he ran right through the pair on the ground and they continued as if he had not been there. Hamanosuke raised his hand to strike again before he looked at the dazed expression on his lovers face. He lowered his arm and shoved away leaving him to pass out in his garden.
JJ sat up in bed gasping he reached over and grasped Lord D's arm waking him as he looked at his face for bruises. Lord D awoke fearfully and looked at JJ worried that he was going insane. "My love?" Lord D asked groggy and touched the neat plait in his hair.
JJ shook his head and sighed he opened his mouth to speak but there was a gentle tapping at the door. "It's nothing." JJ mumbled and left the bed to open the door. He gasped when he saw Ryo standing there with red-rimmed eyes. "Ryo…?"
"Good morning JJ. I am sorry to come by so early, but…" Ryo paused and blushed looking away. "Is Lord D awake?" JJ nodded and stepped back allowing Ryo into the room. Lord D wrapped his robe firmly around his body and smiled at Ryo. "Can I… Speak to you alone?" Ryo asked. Sensing the detectives' embarrassment Lord D nodded and JJ excused himself.
"Is something wrong detective?" Lord D asked softly. He materialized his examination table and indicated that Ryo should undress and lay down. "You are in pain, tell me what happened." Ryo could not speak; he simply lay down on his stomach. "Oh my…" Lord D gasped when he got a look at the bruises on Ryo's body. A cursory examination caused angry color to blossom on Lord D's cheeks. "Who did this to you?" Lord D demanded, his voice softened when he saw Ryo's blush. "Does… Does Dee know?" He asked and placed his hands on Ryo's flanks. He shortened his nails before he began his examination by probing gently. "Relax… It's ok, just tell me how this happened."
"Dee... ahh…" Ryo winced when Lord D found a particularly sore spot. " Dee… Did not use enough last night, that is all." Ryo said around a gasp when Lord D began to ease the pain and knit his skin together. With his eyes closed tight Lord D applied coolness to the fever in Ryo's body.
"It looks like you were ravished," Lord D whispered once he was done and Ryo was getting dressed. "Talk to me. What really happened?"
"Dee has been edgy lately. Like he is trying to affirm that I am his. I … I don't understand, but I fear him now… I…" Ryo sighed and looked at the clock. "I have to go. Thank you very much for your help but… Lyo will be awake soon. I need to see to him." Lord D stared after him as he rushed from the room in tears.
Break
The elegant dining hall resembled a tomb in its chilling silence. The many occupants of the mansion were slowly trudging in. JJ stared into his coffee mug with a scowl on his face. What the heck was that dream last night? He saw it over and over again Lord D was lying there being pummeled and he could not get to him. In his mind he knew that it was all in the past, but his heart was driving him insane. Lord D noted his silence but had his own problems to think about. Ryo entered the dining hall with Lyo and Bikky. Dee stumbled in with an obvious hangover and stared at the table as if it would magically grow food.
Lord D stood and slammed a plate in front of him jostling eggs. JJ startled and looked at his angry countenance with surprise. Ryo blushed and concentrated on feeding Lyo. Count D looked up at his father and wondered what Dee had done to anger him so. Andy and her family joined them along with their carefully disguised doppelgangers. Count D frowned having lost the opportunity to speak with his father. Lord D was still frowning when Sofu joined them he was smiling at his son.
"What are you so pleased about?" Nestoir asked ignoring his cell phone when he saw that it was Daphnus.
Sofu said nothing but he gave a secretive smile to JJ. Lord D grew worried when JJ did not respond. Sofu smiled to himself and decided that all would be revealed in due time
"Kagetsuya and Chihaya will be here this afternoon." Daphnus said storming into the dining hall with a frown at Nestoir. "Lady Tisiphone and Sir Angel went to retrieve them."
"I figured that is what you wanted to tell me, so I did not answer." Nestoir grinned at Daphnus' perturbed scowl. He had always taken a perverse pleasure in upsetting the high prince. Ryo laughed forgetting his upset for a moment. Dee smiled at the color that bloomed in Ryo's cheeks and reached over to touch his hand lovingly. Ryo tensed and moved away causing Dee to frown. Ryo trembled and excused himself from the table leaving Bikky to finish the small child's' breakfast. Dee stared confused after Ryo and tried to eat hoping to cure his hangover. At his best, Ryo was hard to figure out; hung over, Dee knew it would be damned near impossible. With a sigh, Dee decided that he was not even going to try. When Ryo was ready… Ryo would talk. Lord D was startled from his glaring at Dee when the doorbell rang.
"I guess our Angels found some Angels…" Andy said forcing a laugh into the tense atmosphere.
"I'm really tired." JJ said around a yawn "I think I need a nap." JJ stood and visibly weaved on his feet before he left the dining hall. Lord D stood to follow but Kiba and Shinrai chose that moment to begin to weep. Count D handed Aoi to Leon and assisted his father in feeding the small twins.
Break
Dee found Ryo in their bedroom sobbing. "Hey baby, what's up?" Dee asked with a frown. " You have been acting odd all day." Dee tripped as he walked towards Ryo. Not pausing to look at what been in the way he continued on staring at Ryo
"Dee," Ryo said with a sigh. "I think maybe that while we are here you should have a separate room." Ryo said and caught his breath as Dee frowned. "Last night…"
"What you didn't… I mean… ha… Did I finish first and pass out?" Dee laughed good-naturedly. "Cause we can always try again." Dee grinned roguishly and reached for Ryo.
"Don't touch me…" Ryo backed away and hugged his arms around his body. "Please Dee, just please. I need some time."
"Time for what?" Dee asked growing angry at Ryo's refusal to be touched.
"Last night, you didn't use enough and…well…" Ryo hedged and Dee frowned when he saw the suitcase that Ryo had packed and sat by the door realizing that it had been what tripped him. "Last night… I said no." Dee's heart seemed to stop and for a moment it felt as if the world had fallen on his head while he stared at Ryo who began to sob.
Chapter 10
Glass HeartDee inhaled deeply trying to fill his starved lungs with much needed oxygen. Ryo sat on the bed and stared at the lush hunter green rug. He counted each darker green whorl all the while concentrating on not looking at Dee. "Ryo… Baby…"
"Don't… Dee. Please just don't say anything. Just leave." Ryo swallowed hard hoping to get the rest of his words past the clump of regret in his throat. Failing miserably he gave up and simply noted the dark red spots in each of the darker whorls. In his head he multiplied them and within moments he knew the exact number of red dots on the entire rug.
"Don't do this Ryo… Don't do this to me." Dee began but paused when Ryo's red-rimmed eyes focused on him and overflowed.
"You hurt me Dee." Ryo's soft words pierced Dee's heart more painfully than a poisoned dagger. "I had to seek medical assistance." Ryo sniffled and looked away from the shock on Dee's face. "Please Dee just…"
"Go," Dee said softly and picked up the suitcase. Without another word he left the room shutting the door softly behind him. Ryo curled over onto the bed and hugged a pillow tight to his chest.
BreakCollins entered the loft and laughed in sheer joy. For days he had been terrified that Angel was getting sicker. Now to look at his glowing face and hear his laughter you would never know that he had been a coughing and shivering wreck. "Mother could not have been laid to rest in a finer way. I mean we are all going to go one day but that was by far the best. I will miss her, but I am glad she is at peace." Angel said to Roger who looked at him in silence before he went back to strumming his guitar.
"Yeah," Roger sighed and stared at his pick as if it had all the answers to his lost tunes. "We are all going to go one day, all I want is one… song…"
BreakCount D stared at Leon and pouted. It was a rarely used affectation but one potent nonetheless. "D… Baby, be reasonable."
"This is a very disagreeable city. I do not like it here. I want to return to our home." D's words were uttered with a final snap. "Ryo and Dee are on the verge of splitting, something odd is bothering JJ and I fear for my father, something has followed Kagetsuya and Chihaya. I fear for us all." Leon wrapped his arms around D and kissed him deeply. "No," D wrenched his lips away from Leon. "You will not distract me by making my body yours, please listen to me. I feel something here and it is not pleasant. Leon my love, I have been alive for a very long time, I have come across many things, but I am afraid… It is not just you or myself that we need to worry about."
Aoi chose that moment to toddle into her parents' room. She stared up at them with her deep pools of crystal blue eyes and Leon sighed. "The chief called, we are here for two weeks. There was a threat called against us at the precinct. Can you last two weeks?" Leon asked and picked up his daughter. "Jewel, how is daddy's little treasure?" Leon blew a kiss at his daughter who laughed and reciprocated.
"Two weeks… Then we are going home." D promised and scooted closer to D on the bed. Chris looked into the room and then at Bikky. He shrugged and went back in the nursery with Honlon.
"Do you know what is going on?" Chris asked Bikky as they went back to their game of Checkers. Lyo lay with his head on Bikky's lap.
"I don't know man, Ryo is locked in his room, Dee is in another room and Lyo just dripped orange juice in my lap. How are things on your end?"
"D just freaked out and wants to go home, someone threatened them at home so we are all stuck here for two weeks and now they are sitting on the bed playing with Jewel." Chris said and studied the board.
"You know, with our lives… this is almost normal." Chris said and looked up as D and Leon entered the room carrying Aoi. They sat the small child in a playpen in front of the massive dragon.
"You are on ultra alert. If anyone enters this room that is not Arcadian, or a commissioned officer of Arcadia, you will destroy them immediately." D informed the dragon and T-Chan. "Children, everything you need is in this room you are not to leave it until we return."
"Where are you going?" Bikky dared to ask.
"To a café," Leon answered with a smirk. Personally he thought D was paranoid, but he would admit that D was often right. Chris peered at his niece as she happily played with her teddy.
"Have fun…" Bikky sighed and went back to studying the board.
Break
"I am telling you, this Princess is muy caliente y totalmente atractivo." Angel smirked and poked Mark in the ribs. "Maureen could take some pointers on the ultimate flirt ha! Puede ser que intente al otro equipo para ella." Angel swished his polka dotted miniskirt and giggled. He looked over at Collins and blew him a kiss. Collins grinned; he loved when Angel reverted to Spanish. Especially when they… Angel correctly interpreted the heated look. "Mi fuego se quema caliente solamente para usted mi amor." Collins laughed. The sparkle was back in his angel's eyes; the world was a good place to be.
BreakRoger stared in awe at the purple and black clad vision standing before him. Willowy slim and blindingly beautiful were the only words that could describe the person. The physical features paled in comparison to the single deep amethyst eye that was visible. Not that the features were any less striking. "Collins, tell me that you were lying when you said that was a man." Count D laughed and Leon was glad to see the frightening defense fade from his eyes.
"It is a pleasure to meet you." Count D bowed his sleeves fell back and exposed his graceful hands. "Your Angel has told me much about you. Please let me introduce our angels." Count D laughed again and hid a secret smirk. "Kagetsuya and Chihaya." Roger stared aghast at Chihaya, was it even legal for him to be out this late? Roger backed away at the green-eyed glare that Kagetsuya dealt him. Kagetsuya glanced at Mimi before he looked away from Roger.
"Your friends could not make it?" Angel asked with a delicate pout. He looked past Count D to see Lord D standing by the door avoiding his gaze. JJ stood beside him and patted his hand. Angel smiled at Lord D and took a step towards him only to have Lord D move away and sit down at an available booth. Angel paused mid-step before he turned a blinding too bright smile on Ryo. "It is a pleasure to see you again, I am glad you could make it." Angel noted that Dee stood away from his lover. "Well, the poets are up first." Angel informed them and sat at the elongated table that they had made by merging several tables despite the maitre d's protests.
A young woman stepped onto the stage and adjusted the microphone. Her long black skirt brushed the wooden planks. She stared intently at Count D before she smiled. Once her long dark hair was swept away from her face her beauty mesmerized the audience. Clear topaz eyes bored into D before moving on to Lord D who sat in the back of the café with JJ. She inhaled and began to speak in a hauntingly beautiful voice that did not need the microphone despite its softness.
"Fruit is just the swollen ovaries of a plant.
Yet it is fruit that started the chaos of the world
Gardens fall amidst the sweetness
Bitter seeds incite brutal war
Beautiful faces one and the same
I tell you now…
I knew your name
Pitiful deceit in the belly of a horse
Centuries lost, Family ties shred
Wombs are not an issue in gold
Hearts decide in the end
Fruit is just the swollen ovaries of a plant"
The audience stared confused at the odd syntax of the poem. The poet took one more long look at Count and Lord D before she turned and exited the stage amidst the polite applause. Count D sat with a thoughtful frown on his face as he muddled over the words. He shook away the shiver that coursed the length of his spine. Leon ran a hand over his arm and gave him a frown. Count D smiled to reassure him and Leon smiled before he leaned over and traced his lips over Count D's. Count closed his eyes and opened his mouth allowing Leon's questing tongue to possess his own.
Dee gazed at Count D and Leon before he looked over at Ryo and sighed. The next poet took the stage and the audience gave him their attention as he began to recite the words of his heart. Several more poets came and went when the door of the café opened and a large crowd entered. They stood for a moment gazing about in the darkness of the interior before moving over to sit at the large table with Count D and the others. Count D inclined his head in a regal nod. "My Lady, I am pleased that you could make it." He said and Angel smiled brightly as he nudged Mark and pointed to Andy.
"Beautiful is she not?" Mark startled at the soft voice accompanied by the young man that sat beside him. "Careful I think her husband will eat you."
"Husband?" Mark was forced to drag his eyes away from the dark skinned beauty to look in the direction of the tall, pale man beside her. Mark shivered; he had a decidedly predatory look in his deep blue eyes. Long black hair swept across his forehead and fell below his shoulders in an abundant sweep of silk. Mark stared in horror as the blue faded replaced with a faintly glowing golden color.
"Hey Mark, the last poet is up they are opening the mic for songs now." Angle said destroying the hypnotic spell. Mark thought that he was seeing things as he looked at Nestoir again and his blue eyes were smiling at Angel.
"I do not know if we will be performing tonight. My wife just wanted to come and relax." Nestoir grinned before he looked at Daphnus. Daphnus aimed an amused look at Mark before he looked at the stage. The screeching that the young woman was doing could not be called singing.
Dee leaned over and whispered to Andy. "Please, sing a song for me. I know it is a lot to ask, but please, just one." Andy noted the pain that centered around the detectives heart and she sighed.
"Would you mind if I…" She wiggled her fingers at him and Dee nodded submitting to her emotional probe. Andy gasped and snatched away as if burned. Dee looked away from the sad tears that fell from her eyes. The microphone became available and she stood to her feet and walked quickly to the stage. "I am sorry that I walked here without waiting my turn. Please allow diplomatic immunity to my rudeness and forgive me my urge to sing. This is a dedication and an apology. I will not mention names, this is a sensitive matter but the from and to will understand." Andy nodded and as if they were wired on the same frequency Nestoir approached the stage and picked up a waiting guitar.
Nestoir strummed it a few times to make sure it was tuned. Roger noted the way his fingers glided over the strings almost like a caress before he began the opening strains of music. Andy sighed and took a moment to quell the tremors in her heart before hse began to sing:
"You light me up and then I fall for you
You lay me down and then I call for you
Stumbling on reasons that are far and few
I'd let it all come down and then some for you
Pretty baby, don't you leave me
I have been saving smiles for you"
Ryo's eyes became riveted to the stage before he looked over at Dee. Tears brimmed and overflowed before he lowered his head and took several deep breaths.
"Pretty baby, why can't you see?
You're the one that I belong to
I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm
For you're the sun that breaks the storm
I'll be all right and I'll sleep sound
As long as you keep comin' round, oh pretty baby"
Andy aimed a sorrowful look at Ryo before she sniffled. Angel felt a tug on his heart as she sang. He looked around at the audience and gave a pleased smile that they all felt the emotions she so easily evoked with her sweet voice. Angel saw the pleading look that Dee was aiming at Ryo and wondered what had separated the two lovers. At Mothers funeral they had seemed inseparable.
"And I know things can't last forever" Andy sighed sadly before she continued.
"But there are lessons that you'll never learn
Oh, just the scent of you, it makes me hurt
So how's it you that makes me better
Pretty baby, don't you leave me
I have been saving smiles for you
Pretty baby, why can't you see?
You're the one that I belong to
I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm
For you're the sun that breaks the storm
I'll be all right and I'll sleep sound
As long as you keep comin'
Why can't you hold me and never let go
When you touch me, it is me that you own
Pretty baby, oh the place that you hold in my heart
Would you break it apart again? Oh pretty baby"
Ryo could not breathe. He tried, but the pain in his heart was making oxygen an unattainable goal. He thought of Dee and the years they had spent together and he tried in vain to inhale. Angel noted the sob that Ryo released and he gave a worried look to Dee who rushed to his side and took his lover into his arms.
"Pretty baby, don't you leave me
I have been saving smiles for you
Pretty baby, why can't you see?
You're the one that I belong to
I'll be the embrace that keeps you warm
For you're the sun that breaks the storm
I'll be all right and I'll sleep sound
As long as you keep comin' round
Pretty baby, why can't you see?
Pretty baby, don't you leave me
Pretty baby, why can't you see?
Pretty baby, don't you leave me
Oh pretty baby, my pretty baby, my pretty baby
Don't you leave me"
Andy was silent then and left the stage to enter the waiting arms of her husband. Dee walked over to Ryo and sat beside him. "Baby you are the best at hand to hand on the force. Ryo wanted to lean into Dee and allow him to hold him tight. Ryo wanted so badly to forget it all, to curl up into Dee and let the world melt away. "You should have kicked my ass. You could have gotten me off of you. I know you probably just did not want to hurt but… Baby you should have."
Ryo felt as if he had been doused in ice water. He shoved away from Dee's reaching arms. "Wait, so you are saying that this is my fault?" Ryo stared in disbelief at his best friend, partner and lover. "Dee, we have been partners on the force for six years. For four of those years we have been lovers. I am in love with you," Ryo paused and sighed when tears threatened. "I love you, you are my best friend. We have been raising children together." Ryo paused and Dee was lost in the emotional tides of Ryo's deep, dark eyes. Dee reached for to take Ryo into his arms and Ryo surged to his feet. "I should not have to fight you!" Ryo gasped when he realized he had shouted the words. With an embarrassed blush he stormed from the café.
Angel got to his feet and meandered over to Lord D and JJ hoping they could shed some light on the emotional upheaval he could sense taking place. Angel paused when Lord D still could not look him in the eyes. "I am sorry," Lord D sighed and spoke to his hands that were clasped tightly in JJ's. "But I can be of no help to you." Lord D looked up at last and the sad tears that filled the bright purple orbs shocked Angel. "My father had already explained this to me, but I was stubborn and determined. I know now that I can not…" Lord D paused and felt his fathers' hand on his shoulder.
"My son can be of no help to you, but I can." Sofu admitted. Angel stared in confusion at the beautiful man before him. "I must tell you that your life is close to an end. You will weaken and you will expire. If you are willing to come with us, I can eradicate the virus that courses through your veins. You have two weeks to think about it." Angel gasped when Sofu vanished from the club. He looked around and was surprised to see the lights up and the café emptying of its patrons. Dee, with shoulders slumped left the café to return to his lonely room… alone.
"What just happened?" Angel asked he looked at Lord D and saw the excitement in his bright eyes. "I sat down a moment ago and now hours have passed."
Lord D smiled and still did not reach out to touch Angel. "Think on all my father has said to you. We will leave and return to Los Angeles in two weeks time. I will hope that you will be among our numbers." Lord D said and got to his feet. Angel went back to his friends and received several odd looks before they left the café.
Break
JJ stood still in the garden and refused to move. He did not want to go anywhere; he did not want to see. He could hear plainly the sound of the brutal abuse taking place but he did not want to move. He heard Lord D cry out and his feet moved on their own carrying him to the site of Lord D cowering amongst lilies. His crimson robes billowed around him as he raised a hand to try to protect his face. JJ cringed when the delicate wrist snapped under the force of Hamanosuke's grip. JJ sank into the grass in tears as Hamanosuke forced Lord D to his knees.
Lord D noted JJ struggling in his sleep and a worried frown creased his brow. "Jemi-Chan, Jemi-Chan… wake up dearest it is a dream." Lord D reached out a hand and was gentle as he tried to awaken JJ from his nightmare. "Jemi-Chan…" Lord D called and pressed his body along JJ's hoping the warmth would soothe his nighttime demons.
JJ could not take it anymore. Somehow, someway this had to stop. That monster had to release his love. JJ lashed out and felt a moment of satisfaction as his hand connected. He sat up in bed gasping in a cold sweat the sound of the slap startling him awake. JJ looked around calming his raging heartbeat with several long, deep breathes. He looked beside him to make sure that he had not awakened Lord D and gasped. The bed was empty. "Precious," JJ called, he heard a groan on the floor and looked over the bed staring in horror. Lord D sat crouched with a hand holding the stinging left side of his face. JJ reached for him and Lord D shrank away in fear. JJ put a hand to his mouth but could not contain his cries of anguish as his heart shattered into a thousand pieces.
To-Be-Continued