Okay, here's part 2, fixed up and ready to go. Hope everyone likes it. Sorry it took so long.
Salmon
Black & White
A Fake Fanfic
Part II
It was late when Ryo got home. He yawned as he opened the door, the file from Erin and Melody's house still in his hand. Bicky, on the couch, sat up - blinking sleep from his eyes. "Where have you been?" He asked suspiciously.
"I had some work to do." Ryo waved the closed file in response. "Why aren't you in bed?"
"I was waiting for you. And what do you mean you had work? You worked daytime today."
"...There was something we had to do."
"We? Were you with Dee?" Bicky asked, suspicious again.
"I told you - we were working."
"On eachother?"
"Bicky!!"
"Okay, okay. Just checking. But why were you out so late?"
"It's a long story."
"Does it have to do with your last case? It's all over the news. There's a group that's protesting the arrest of the two women who were accused. Did they do it?"
Ryo paused. "Look, it's late. You have school tomorrow, and I have to get to work early. Let's talk about this later, alright?"
Bicky nodded.
Daytime...
"I'm sorry, but I really can't help you." Melody was kneeling on the provided chair, leaning her arms on the counter in front of the glass barrier that seperated her from the woman she talked to. "I'm afraid my deck was confiscated, and I wouldn't have time for a proper reading anyhow."
"Are you sure?" The woman asked. "Just a simple question or two?"
"Yes or no answers?"
"Well, no..."
"Then there's nothing I can do, I'm sorry." Melody spread her hands.
"But where else do I go?"
"Go to my office - Krystyn's still keeping it up for me. She dropped by yesterday afternoon to tell me so. There's a list of pther pyschics to go to. I was working on it for when Erin and I go on our vacation. Tell her its the pink cabinet, green folder."
"Pink cabinet, Green folder. Alright." The woman stood. "Thank-you Melody."
"Your welcome. Goodbye."
"Goodbye." She started for the door. "Pink cabinet...green folder..."
Melody stood and went to the door just as it opened. "Time's up." JJ, a silver-haired man with violet eyes and dressed in a bright but posh suit, informed her.
"We're finished." She stepped through the door, starting down the hallway. She glanced over at JJ as he fell into step beside her. "What happened to the officers from yesterday?"
"They're still working. I'm doing them a favor."
"I scare them, don't I?" Melody queried.
"You definately make them edgy."
"...I'm used to it..." She smiled sadly. "I don't seem to make you edgy."
"You don't look very dangerous to me." JJ replied.
"Neither do you, but looks can be deceiving, can't they?"
"Are you saying you are dangerous?"
Melody looked down at her shoes. "No, I wouldn't hurt a fly."
"I'd believe it." JJ replied dryly. "This way." They turned a corner.
"Is Erin causing trouble?"
"She's not kicking the bars, or yelling."
"Well, that's a start." Melody's lips drew into a smile. "She really is a wonderful girl. Just a little over-protective at times...it can be nice, though. Her being protective. Don't you think so?"
"It would annoy me." JJ answered.
"So noone's protective of you?" Melody queried.
"I didn't say that, I just said it would annoy me."
"Don't be annoyed, be grateful. You never know what it might mean. Some people are rather good at hiding their emotions, so they come out in other ways - like being protective...Don't overlook the obvious." With a knowing smile Melody slipped into the room with the cells where Erin was waiting.
"Isn't Mark wearing the ring proof enough?" Ryo asked Dee the next day at work.
"Erin says the ring was stolen; Mark says it was a gift. Erin's the one who's a suspect in a murder case. Who do you think they'll believe?" Dee replied. They were looking through the cabinets in the filing
room. "We need more proof."
"Here's the report." Ryo pulled out the file. "It was reported as vandalism...no one was ever charged...oh, Dee - listen to this! 'The two main suspects were the neighbors - Mark and Calob Parris."
Dee and he exchanged a glance. "It's all circumstantial evidence." Dee frowned.
"I bet if we could search their house we'd find all the proof we need." Ryo sat down.
"The chief's never going to sign a warrant."
"What about Berkeley?"
"Is that a joke? Cuz it isn't funny if it is." Dee turned a fierce frown on his partner.
"I'm not joking." Ryo frowned back. "His signature is equal to Taicho's."
"Yah, and I can imagine what he's ask in return for such a favor." Dee retorted.
"Dee!" Ryo exclaimed.
"Don't "Dee!" me. You know I'm right."
"That is completely out of line."
"And completely true. Give me a break, Ryo. You weren't born yesterday, even if you act it sometimes. You know that -"
"I don't even care to discuss - "
"Then you shouldn't have brought it up!"
"I didn't sa - !"
"No, *I* said. Because you're too much of a prude to even -"
"A WHAT!?"
"Is this a bad time?"
A voice asked from the door. Dee and Ryo froze for a moment before turning two very different gazes on the intruder. Drake Parker, a sandy blonde with dark brown eyes, leaned casually against the doorframe. Everything about the other cop was casual, down to his clothes. Though he wore dress pants and a pressed shirt, his sleeves were rolled up and his collar unbuttoned.
"Cuz if it is I could come back later. But I'm due to meet my partner here in five." Drake continued, unaffected by Dee's glare or Ryo's apologetic look.
"JJ??" Dee's eyes widened. "We were just leaving." He grabbed Ryo's arm.
"No, we weren't." Ryo pulled up short, glaring at his partner. "We haven't finished discussing this yet."
"Can't you skip to the kiss and make up part and hike it before my partner arrives?" Drake suggested, his smile ever so slightly forced. "Some of us have work to do."
Ryo flushed. "Drake!"
Dee hid a smile. "C'mon, we can talk elsewhere."
"What were you doing in here?" Drake queried.
Ryo cut off Dee's reply. "Just research."
"On what? You two don't have an assignment."
"Private research." Ryo responded, grabbing Dee's arm to try and lead him out.
Drake held up his arm to block the way. "Does this have anything to do with Erin Jones and Melody Web?"
"Should it?" Dee asked.
"You don't believe they're guilty, do you?"
"And if we don't?"
"Actually...neither do I...and JJ doesn't either." Drake dropped his arm, glancing around the empty hallway. "Do you know who did it?"
"We do." Dee replied. "And we could prove it. Unfortunately the chief's made it clear the case is closed."
"And we'd need a warrant." Ryo added.
"...How mad are you willing to get Taicho over this?" Drake queried.
"Come again." Dee frowned.
"Are you willing to withstand a major spaz from him over this?"
"We're already going against orders."
"Oh, he can get madder."
"How would you know?"
"...What if I told you my partner's a wiz at forging Taicho's signature?" Drake turned to look at them.
"You really think Drake can convince JJ to forge Taicho's signature for us?" Ryo asked as they walked up the hallway, warrant in hand.
"That's what he said. Obviously JJ's done it before or how else would he know?" Dee answered.
"And he's not going to want a *favor* in return?" Ryo crossed his arms over his chest.
"You sound almost jealous." Dee grinned.
"You didn't answer my question." Ryo pointed out, stopping. "You don't know, do you? Oh, sure, yell at me and then - "
Dee grabbed Ryo's arms, and pulled him into a deep kiss. At first Ryo mumbled a protest, but after a moment he relaxed. Dee pried his mouth open, slipping his tongue in to slide against Ryo's suggestively. A small moan of pleasure escaped Ryo. Dee pulled back with a satisfied smile. "If we're both through with our moments of adolescent jealousy." He grinned. Ryo blushed, and nodded. Allowing Dee to grab his hand and lead him up the hallway.
JJ showed amazing restraint when Dee and Ryo entered the room...Ryo first. The young cop's eyes were locked on the file in fromt of him, and he barely glanced in the two's direction until they were next to him. "If Taicho doesn't kill you, I might." JJ glared at Drake as he took the warrant from Ryo. "And if you two mention this to anybody else..."
"Our lips are sealed." Ryo promised. "We won't even tell Taicho."
"You won't have to. He'll know who signed this." JJ replied, his hand moving cautiously across the page. "Just don't mention it to anyone else. I don't usually share my talent in forgery." He handed the warrant back to them.
"Very impressive." Dee held up the document. "Where'd you learn to do that?"
"The Official Forgery School of None of Your Damn Business." JJ retorted.
Dee and Ryo exchanged a startled glance as JJ turned back to the file. Drake cleared his throat. "I'll see you two out." He walked with them out into the hallway. "Max. Max Forrester." He stated in a low voice.
Max Forrester, and old friend of JJ's from his academy days, had been a cop gone crooked Dee and Ryo had been forced to take down. It had been a hard time for JJ, who'd blamed himself for Max's death.
"What about him?" Dee asked.
"He's who taught JJ forgery."
Ryo and Dee lowered their gazes in understanding. "Of course...that's why he's so upset." Ryo stated. "We didn't mean to - "
Drake cut him off with a guesture. "No. That's something JJ has to face. I has nothing to do with you two."
"We're grateful." Dee told him. "To both of you."
"Welcome. Now go prove those two girls innocent, huh?"
'Millionaress Released with Official Apology.' The Newspaper read. 'Teenage Neighbors Arrested in Murder Case.' Erin closed up the newspaper as she waited outside the NYPD's 27th precinct.
"Hey, Erin." Dee walked up.
"I'd like to thank-you again." Erin turned. "For everything."
"You've already thanked us a dozen times." Dee shook his head, then threw something at her. Erin caught it - it was the grey jewelry box. "I thought you might want that."
Erin held it to her. "If you ever need wedding bands..." She grinned.
Dee flushed. "I'll have to think on that."
"Don't wait too long. These things need time."
Melody placed the last item of Erin and hers in a bag. "All done." She smiled at Ryo.
"Then you can get going."
"Sure can...Y'know. I've been trying to figure out why you helped us...why you believed us when noone else did..."
"Actually, others did believe you."
"I'm glad of that." Melody pulled out her tarot deck and began shuffling it. "But I think I've figured out you two...I think we're similair. Erin and me. Dee and you." Melody flipped over the top card. Ryo followed her gaze to it. The Lovers.
Ryo blushed. "Uh...well..."
"I think you're feelings run deeply...so does his."
"You think so?"
"I know so." Melody stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Never doubt his love for you..."
Erin was waiting at the bottom of the steps when Melody exited the station. She was holding her hands behind her back as Melody came down the stairs. "I have everything. We can go home." Melody smiled brightly.
"I...have something to ask you first." Erin told her.
"What?"
"Well, this isn't exactly how I planned this...It seems a bit unromantic actually...but, here it goes."
"Here what goes?" Melody tilted her head.
Erin knelt down on one knee and held up the grey jewelry box. Letting Melody see what it was before opening it. "Melody Web, will you marry me?"
"Oh, Erin!!" Melody threw her arms around the other girl's neck. "I can't believe it! Yes, oh yes!" Erin broke off the embrace long enough to slip the ring on Melody's finger. "It's beautiful."
"No, you're beautiful." Erin replied. Melody kissed her.
One floor up inside the station Ryo was leaning against the window, watching Erin and Melody. Slowly a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Ryo started, then turned to look into Dee's green eyes. "Scare me half to death, why don't you..."
"Apparently I just did." Dee grinned, glancing out the window. "Erin asked her?" Ryo nodded. "Good for her."
"I think they'll be fine." Ryo stated.
"I think they'll be happy." Dee replied.
Ryo nodded. "I hope so." He watched as Melody and Erin's kiss finally ended. Erin took Melody's hand and they ran off down the street.
"What about us?" Dee whispered in his ear.
"Us?" Ryo turned to face him.
"Mm-hmm...think we'll be happy?" Dee asked, watching his face carefully.
"Why wouldn't we?" Ryo's face knitted in confusion.
Dee sighed. "Nevermind."
"But what - "
Dee broke off Ryo's question with a kiss. Ryo relaxed instantly, grabbing ahold of Dee's jacket and leaning closer. Dee smiled inwardly, and pulled Ryo against him.
The End
Salmon 2003
Salmon
Black & White
A Fake Fanfic
Part II
It was late when Ryo got home. He yawned as he opened the door, the file from Erin and Melody's house still in his hand. Bicky, on the couch, sat up - blinking sleep from his eyes. "Where have you been?" He asked suspiciously.
"I had some work to do." Ryo waved the closed file in response. "Why aren't you in bed?"
"I was waiting for you. And what do you mean you had work? You worked daytime today."
"...There was something we had to do."
"We? Were you with Dee?" Bicky asked, suspicious again.
"I told you - we were working."
"On eachother?"
"Bicky!!"
"Okay, okay. Just checking. But why were you out so late?"
"It's a long story."
"Does it have to do with your last case? It's all over the news. There's a group that's protesting the arrest of the two women who were accused. Did they do it?"
Ryo paused. "Look, it's late. You have school tomorrow, and I have to get to work early. Let's talk about this later, alright?"
Bicky nodded.
Daytime...
"I'm sorry, but I really can't help you." Melody was kneeling on the provided chair, leaning her arms on the counter in front of the glass barrier that seperated her from the woman she talked to. "I'm afraid my deck was confiscated, and I wouldn't have time for a proper reading anyhow."
"Are you sure?" The woman asked. "Just a simple question or two?"
"Yes or no answers?"
"Well, no..."
"Then there's nothing I can do, I'm sorry." Melody spread her hands.
"But where else do I go?"
"Go to my office - Krystyn's still keeping it up for me. She dropped by yesterday afternoon to tell me so. There's a list of pther pyschics to go to. I was working on it for when Erin and I go on our vacation. Tell her its the pink cabinet, green folder."
"Pink cabinet, Green folder. Alright." The woman stood. "Thank-you Melody."
"Your welcome. Goodbye."
"Goodbye." She started for the door. "Pink cabinet...green folder..."
Melody stood and went to the door just as it opened. "Time's up." JJ, a silver-haired man with violet eyes and dressed in a bright but posh suit, informed her.
"We're finished." She stepped through the door, starting down the hallway. She glanced over at JJ as he fell into step beside her. "What happened to the officers from yesterday?"
"They're still working. I'm doing them a favor."
"I scare them, don't I?" Melody queried.
"You definately make them edgy."
"...I'm used to it..." She smiled sadly. "I don't seem to make you edgy."
"You don't look very dangerous to me." JJ replied.
"Neither do you, but looks can be deceiving, can't they?"
"Are you saying you are dangerous?"
Melody looked down at her shoes. "No, I wouldn't hurt a fly."
"I'd believe it." JJ replied dryly. "This way." They turned a corner.
"Is Erin causing trouble?"
"She's not kicking the bars, or yelling."
"Well, that's a start." Melody's lips drew into a smile. "She really is a wonderful girl. Just a little over-protective at times...it can be nice, though. Her being protective. Don't you think so?"
"It would annoy me." JJ answered.
"So noone's protective of you?" Melody queried.
"I didn't say that, I just said it would annoy me."
"Don't be annoyed, be grateful. You never know what it might mean. Some people are rather good at hiding their emotions, so they come out in other ways - like being protective...Don't overlook the obvious." With a knowing smile Melody slipped into the room with the cells where Erin was waiting.
"Isn't Mark wearing the ring proof enough?" Ryo asked Dee the next day at work.
"Erin says the ring was stolen; Mark says it was a gift. Erin's the one who's a suspect in a murder case. Who do you think they'll believe?" Dee replied. They were looking through the cabinets in the filing
room. "We need more proof."
"Here's the report." Ryo pulled out the file. "It was reported as vandalism...no one was ever charged...oh, Dee - listen to this! 'The two main suspects were the neighbors - Mark and Calob Parris."
Dee and he exchanged a glance. "It's all circumstantial evidence." Dee frowned.
"I bet if we could search their house we'd find all the proof we need." Ryo sat down.
"The chief's never going to sign a warrant."
"What about Berkeley?"
"Is that a joke? Cuz it isn't funny if it is." Dee turned a fierce frown on his partner.
"I'm not joking." Ryo frowned back. "His signature is equal to Taicho's."
"Yah, and I can imagine what he's ask in return for such a favor." Dee retorted.
"Dee!" Ryo exclaimed.
"Don't "Dee!" me. You know I'm right."
"That is completely out of line."
"And completely true. Give me a break, Ryo. You weren't born yesterday, even if you act it sometimes. You know that -"
"I don't even care to discuss - "
"Then you shouldn't have brought it up!"
"I didn't sa - !"
"No, *I* said. Because you're too much of a prude to even -"
"A WHAT!?"
"Is this a bad time?"
A voice asked from the door. Dee and Ryo froze for a moment before turning two very different gazes on the intruder. Drake Parker, a sandy blonde with dark brown eyes, leaned casually against the doorframe. Everything about the other cop was casual, down to his clothes. Though he wore dress pants and a pressed shirt, his sleeves were rolled up and his collar unbuttoned.
"Cuz if it is I could come back later. But I'm due to meet my partner here in five." Drake continued, unaffected by Dee's glare or Ryo's apologetic look.
"JJ??" Dee's eyes widened. "We were just leaving." He grabbed Ryo's arm.
"No, we weren't." Ryo pulled up short, glaring at his partner. "We haven't finished discussing this yet."
"Can't you skip to the kiss and make up part and hike it before my partner arrives?" Drake suggested, his smile ever so slightly forced. "Some of us have work to do."
Ryo flushed. "Drake!"
Dee hid a smile. "C'mon, we can talk elsewhere."
"What were you doing in here?" Drake queried.
Ryo cut off Dee's reply. "Just research."
"On what? You two don't have an assignment."
"Private research." Ryo responded, grabbing Dee's arm to try and lead him out.
Drake held up his arm to block the way. "Does this have anything to do with Erin Jones and Melody Web?"
"Should it?" Dee asked.
"You don't believe they're guilty, do you?"
"And if we don't?"
"Actually...neither do I...and JJ doesn't either." Drake dropped his arm, glancing around the empty hallway. "Do you know who did it?"
"We do." Dee replied. "And we could prove it. Unfortunately the chief's made it clear the case is closed."
"And we'd need a warrant." Ryo added.
"...How mad are you willing to get Taicho over this?" Drake queried.
"Come again." Dee frowned.
"Are you willing to withstand a major spaz from him over this?"
"We're already going against orders."
"Oh, he can get madder."
"How would you know?"
"...What if I told you my partner's a wiz at forging Taicho's signature?" Drake turned to look at them.
"You really think Drake can convince JJ to forge Taicho's signature for us?" Ryo asked as they walked up the hallway, warrant in hand.
"That's what he said. Obviously JJ's done it before or how else would he know?" Dee answered.
"And he's not going to want a *favor* in return?" Ryo crossed his arms over his chest.
"You sound almost jealous." Dee grinned.
"You didn't answer my question." Ryo pointed out, stopping. "You don't know, do you? Oh, sure, yell at me and then - "
Dee grabbed Ryo's arms, and pulled him into a deep kiss. At first Ryo mumbled a protest, but after a moment he relaxed. Dee pried his mouth open, slipping his tongue in to slide against Ryo's suggestively. A small moan of pleasure escaped Ryo. Dee pulled back with a satisfied smile. "If we're both through with our moments of adolescent jealousy." He grinned. Ryo blushed, and nodded. Allowing Dee to grab his hand and lead him up the hallway.
JJ showed amazing restraint when Dee and Ryo entered the room...Ryo first. The young cop's eyes were locked on the file in fromt of him, and he barely glanced in the two's direction until they were next to him. "If Taicho doesn't kill you, I might." JJ glared at Drake as he took the warrant from Ryo. "And if you two mention this to anybody else..."
"Our lips are sealed." Ryo promised. "We won't even tell Taicho."
"You won't have to. He'll know who signed this." JJ replied, his hand moving cautiously across the page. "Just don't mention it to anyone else. I don't usually share my talent in forgery." He handed the warrant back to them.
"Very impressive." Dee held up the document. "Where'd you learn to do that?"
"The Official Forgery School of None of Your Damn Business." JJ retorted.
Dee and Ryo exchanged a startled glance as JJ turned back to the file. Drake cleared his throat. "I'll see you two out." He walked with them out into the hallway. "Max. Max Forrester." He stated in a low voice.
Max Forrester, and old friend of JJ's from his academy days, had been a cop gone crooked Dee and Ryo had been forced to take down. It had been a hard time for JJ, who'd blamed himself for Max's death.
"What about him?" Dee asked.
"He's who taught JJ forgery."
Ryo and Dee lowered their gazes in understanding. "Of course...that's why he's so upset." Ryo stated. "We didn't mean to - "
Drake cut him off with a guesture. "No. That's something JJ has to face. I has nothing to do with you two."
"We're grateful." Dee told him. "To both of you."
"Welcome. Now go prove those two girls innocent, huh?"
'Millionaress Released with Official Apology.' The Newspaper read. 'Teenage Neighbors Arrested in Murder Case.' Erin closed up the newspaper as she waited outside the NYPD's 27th precinct.
"Hey, Erin." Dee walked up.
"I'd like to thank-you again." Erin turned. "For everything."
"You've already thanked us a dozen times." Dee shook his head, then threw something at her. Erin caught it - it was the grey jewelry box. "I thought you might want that."
Erin held it to her. "If you ever need wedding bands..." She grinned.
Dee flushed. "I'll have to think on that."
"Don't wait too long. These things need time."
Melody placed the last item of Erin and hers in a bag. "All done." She smiled at Ryo.
"Then you can get going."
"Sure can...Y'know. I've been trying to figure out why you helped us...why you believed us when noone else did..."
"Actually, others did believe you."
"I'm glad of that." Melody pulled out her tarot deck and began shuffling it. "But I think I've figured out you two...I think we're similair. Erin and me. Dee and you." Melody flipped over the top card. Ryo followed her gaze to it. The Lovers.
Ryo blushed. "Uh...well..."
"I think you're feelings run deeply...so does his."
"You think so?"
"I know so." Melody stood on her toes to kiss his cheek. "Never doubt his love for you..."
Erin was waiting at the bottom of the steps when Melody exited the station. She was holding her hands behind her back as Melody came down the stairs. "I have everything. We can go home." Melody smiled brightly.
"I...have something to ask you first." Erin told her.
"What?"
"Well, this isn't exactly how I planned this...It seems a bit unromantic actually...but, here it goes."
"Here what goes?" Melody tilted her head.
Erin knelt down on one knee and held up the grey jewelry box. Letting Melody see what it was before opening it. "Melody Web, will you marry me?"
"Oh, Erin!!" Melody threw her arms around the other girl's neck. "I can't believe it! Yes, oh yes!" Erin broke off the embrace long enough to slip the ring on Melody's finger. "It's beautiful."
"No, you're beautiful." Erin replied. Melody kissed her.
One floor up inside the station Ryo was leaning against the window, watching Erin and Melody. Slowly a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Ryo started, then turned to look into Dee's green eyes. "Scare me half to death, why don't you..."
"Apparently I just did." Dee grinned, glancing out the window. "Erin asked her?" Ryo nodded. "Good for her."
"I think they'll be fine." Ryo stated.
"I think they'll be happy." Dee replied.
Ryo nodded. "I hope so." He watched as Melody and Erin's kiss finally ended. Erin took Melody's hand and they ran off down the street.
"What about us?" Dee whispered in his ear.
"Us?" Ryo turned to face him.
"Mm-hmm...think we'll be happy?" Dee asked, watching his face carefully.
"Why wouldn't we?" Ryo's face knitted in confusion.
Dee sighed. "Nevermind."
"But what - "
Dee broke off Ryo's question with a kiss. Ryo relaxed instantly, grabbing ahold of Dee's jacket and leaning closer. Dee smiled inwardly, and pulled Ryo against him.
The End
Salmon 2003