Disclaimer: In first chapter

Author's note: OK, I know that it is sooooo unorthodox for 2 hot police cops to bring into their home a witness who is the key to solving a suicide case. But it popped up in my head and it stayed there, until I typed it out. So bear with it ok? It's not too bad, just...strange, ok:) Phew...long time no update (I can see nobody really missed me), uni. life has been hectic at this time in Sydney...

So...here we go...

Chapter Three: About Hu Tieh

"I really can't impose, Mr. Maclean," Hu Tieh shook her head insistently as she massaged her treated arms uncomfortably, "I have an apartment of my own. I'll just go back by myself."

Ryo shook his head, his eyes serious, "Hu Tieh, it's not safe for you to travel alone at this time of night. The commissioner assigned us to supervise you, we still need you to provide information on this suicide.I still insist that you'll stay with us for a few days to recover."

Hu Tieh's eyes grew slightly bitter, "I do not need protection. I can take care of myself."

"But you didn't look it back in the office, young lady," Dee said as he fiddled with his police badge.

"Dee..."

"That man could've killed you if he continued to hit your arms like that or even make his way to the rest of your body," Dee gestured to her arms, they were covered with red imprints of where he gripped her and large cuts and bruises at places where she was hit, "It's best that you stop being so stubborn and admit that you need help and perhaps...find peace for your deceased friend."

The Asian woman said nothing, silently taking in what the taller man had said. Ryo regarded her closely as she tiredly nodded her consent.

"Well then, it's settled...I'll just tell Berkeley that we're leaving, I'll meet you and our guest in the carpark," Dee winked as Ryo blushed slightly but smiled slightly.

Little did he knew that Hu Tieh saw the exchange, looking between both handsome detectives. Her small smile merely grew and her eyes glowed with glee and amusement before it faded to one of melancholy reminiscing.

Bikky regarded the young woman sitting on the couch, still wearing her woolen cashmere scarf and her coat. She was fiddling her the tassels of her scarf, looking anywhere but Ryo, Dee and Bikky.

"Hu Tieh, I don't believe that we properly introduced my...family," Ryo touched her shoulder and she came face to face with him, "This is my adopted son, Bikky. Bikky, this is Hu Tieh, she'll be staying with us for a while."

"Nice to meet you," Bikky said awkwardly and blushed when her eyes shone with a friendly twinkle.

"And..." Ryo gestured to Dee who was at the counter, "This is my partner, Dee Latener."

Hu Tieh gave a small smile and blushed slightly.

"Bikky, why don't you entertain her while Dee and I prepare some dinner for tonight?"

There was an awkward silence between the two individuals as soon as the detectives left them alone. Bikky twiddled his thumbs while Hu Tieh started to take off her coat and scarf.

"Um...so...do you wanna play some games or something...I gotta...a PS2...and..."

"Really?" Hu Tieh smiled as she sat close to the young boy, "What kind of games do you have?"

"Huh?" Bikky's eyes were wide, Hu Tieh sounded enthusiastic. Bikky soon forgot his awkwardness and grinned, "Well, I got..."

By the time, Dee got out from the kitchen, he grinned and shook his head at what he saw. They were playing furiously with the new PS2 Bikky got for last year's Christmas present, believe it or not, it was Dee who got him that PS2. Hu Tieh was laughing and retorting at Bikky when he sent little insults now and then.

'Ai...' Dee thought with amusement, 'Kids...'

From a deep chuckle from Ryo behind him, he seemed to share the exact same thoughts. Ryo was bringing in a salad bowl when he too saw the scene, he kissed Dee briefly on his cheek.

"Looks like Hu Tieh will heal faster if she keeps on playing with Bikky..." Dee mused.

"Just make sure you don't forget our assignment, Dee," Ryo said with a slight frown, "Okay?"

Dee smiled assuringly and squeezed Ryo's shoulder, "I know, Ryo."

Ryo stared enviously at his partner as Dee continued to sleep blissfully. The older man couldn't blink himself to sleep no matter how many times he closed his eyes. He decided to go and find something else to do before he can put himself to sleep. Giving a small kiss on Dee's hair, he hefted out of the bed and padded to the kitchen.

Just when he was about to make a hot drink, he noticed that Hu Tieh wasn't sleeping on the couch, which was her makeshift bed for her stay. He found the young Asian outside sitting on the balcony ledge, staring up towards the sky. She jumped slightly when Ryo slid the door open.

"Mr. Maclean," Hu Tieh immediately jumped down onto solid ground. Ryo sighed with relief that the woman didn't fall when she heard him arrive.

"Hu Tieh, what're you doing out here?"

She shrugged slightly, looking up to the stars, "Just looking at the stars...just makes me feel peaceful, you know."

"Hey, why don't you come inside? I'll make us some hot drinks, coffee?"

"No thanks, I don't like coffee, it burns my throat," she brushed a lock of hair behind her ear, "But if it's alright, I'd like some hot milk."

Ryo grinned at her, watching her sip her milk demurely.

"Your name is rather unusual, Mr. Maclean," Hu Tieh murmured, "Is it true that your name is Ryo?"

"Well, I am part-Japanese, so hence my name, But I have my other name, it's Randy, so it's Randy Ryo Maclean. My...partner calls me by my Japanese name and then everyone started copying him. But I am amazed at the fluency of your English language, Hu Tieh."

She sighed and shrugged, "You have no idea how many people told me that...but anyway, I've learned English since kindergarden. My parents made sure that my English is good and...Mr. Maclean? Are you alright?"

"I,..I'm sorry..." Ryo stammered slightly, feeling embarrassed to find a tear in his eye, "It's just...my parents died when I was eighteen."

"Oh..." Hu Tieh rubbed one of her battered arms with a worried look, "I didn't mean to make you sad..."

"No...I'm coping well, I mean, I know that they're with me...in spirit," Ryo placed his mug on the table when he saw her wince slightly as she rubbed her arm, "You alright? Don't rub your arms too much."

"Hmm, I noticed..." she smiled slightly.

"Here, let me get some medicine, I'm sure that they must be quite sore..."

As soon as he returned with a bottle of medicinal liquid, he gently rubbed the liquid onto the pale skin. Ryo smiled back when she murmured a shy 'Thanks'. If she had totally remained silent, he wouldn't have known that she was pleasant to talk to other than Dee. He decided to talk further with her if it would take this way to get her to give information. But for now, he was interested to find out more about her as a new friend, rather than a witness to a suicide case.

"Mr. Maclean, I notice that you're very close to Mr. Latyner...I assume that you two are boyfriends or something," at this, Ryo abruptly stopped what he was doing, nearly hurting her arm at her comment. He blushed hotly and sputtered at her with a goldfish expression.

Hu Tieh giggled when Ryo managed to say, "How did you know that?"

"I just do," her smile faltered somewhat and the fearful expression returned, "Mr. Maclean?"

"Yes?"

"I...I didn't have the chance to thank Mr. Latyner for rescuing me. And I was wondering...I mean...I...I wanted to...I..."

"Listen..." Ryo said softly, looking at her squarely in her eyes, "All of us had a rough night and the emotional stress, fatigue and the slight trauma made you tired. Don't worry about that guy, he's not going to get you. What matters to us for now that you recover from the ruckus you suffered. And you can thank my partner in the morning and...uh..."

Ryo shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck. When was the last time he really talked like this to a girl? He turned serious again.

"After that, we'll need to talk since you are somehow related to the victim and the assailant."

"I thought that the law would blow suicide cases under the rug..."

Ryo shook his head, "No, although suicide cases are psychologically acted upon the victim's free will, there are some cases that have human factors triggering the person to commit suicide. And those human factors are often people who have been criminals wanting to hurt others. I've seen so many suicide cases, Hu Tieh, a large percentage of teenagers commit suicide because of physical and emotional abuse from people they know or by bad people who might be a murderer or a rapist. It's strange that suicide cases often build a bigger picture just by studying the victim's background, which in your case, that the victim is related to you. And we might be able to find that person who may have abused the victim, thus making him commit suicide."

A lengthy silence followed. Hu Tieh was shivering and she was fiddling with her pajamas nervously.

"Mr. Maclean..." she started before clearing her throat, "It's very personal to me...but..."

"Go on, Hu Tieh," Ryo encouraged her to continue.

"But...after considering of what you've said..." she nodded, "I will talk...but I don't feel ready right now..."

"Shhh...that's enough for now," Ryo said, "We can continue this conversation at the station when you feel better, is that alright?"

She looked uncomfortable, recalling there were many strangers in the office.

"It'll be just Dee and me with you, okay?"

Hu Tieh regarded the detective for a moment before nodding with a small smile.

"Xie xie ni..."

To be continued...