A/N: Hmm... I feel like I'd painted myself into a corner. Thanks for taking the time to read my first fanfic. I thought the plot was getting outlandish but I share your frustration when authors don't finish their stories. Any comments are welcome.

6: Interlude

On the street there was chaos as people were yelling and scattering the scene like cockroaches under the baseboards, ducking into buildings, into the subway system and generally presenting themselves as moving targets. In this cosmopolitan metropolis, the universal language of violence could be understood by every nationality while some curious and clueless spectators wandered in wondering if a movie was being filmed.

Reciting the codes that had been drilled into him at the academy, Ryo called it in. "Shots fired. Officer needs assistance." The detective raised his head and looked around for any more gunfire and for any signs of suspicious activity, seeing neither.

A muffled voice came from beneath him. "Can I get up now?"

Ryo helped Alicia up and attempted to get her undercover when they were encircled by the first arrivals on the scene, a group of newsreporters that gathered around the attractive couple despite their disheveled appearance and cut off their escape with practiced ease. He declined to make a comment and shielded Alicia from the journalists and paparazzi while others, eager to have their five seconds of fame, pushed ahead and were more than cooperative to give a first-hand account of the event in front of a television camera.

The arrival of a patrol car dampened their enthusiasm and quickly dispersed the crowd when a uniformed officer insisted on taking witnesses' names and as other officers corded off the area to keep the vultures at bay. Ryo identified himself by showing his badge and began to give an account. Another officer proceeded to interview Alicia, when she made her presence known by interrupting Ryo's narrative.

Her voice showed signs of cracking under the strain and her shoulders were shaking slightly. She looked at the officers with wide and innocent eyes and turned towards Ryo as though looking for reassurance. "I'm sorry, Detective Maclean, I'm rather upset by this whole ordeal. I don't want to run away but can we conduct the interview back at the Penthouse at the Plaza Hotel?"

If it wasn't genuine, Ryo had to admit she was an excellent actress. She had been more annoyed than frightened after getting up from the ground and had coolly brushed herself off. And from her few comments, he had noted the eyebrows that had raised involuntarily when the policemen realized they had to treat this witness with kid gloves.

Ryo was torn with wanting to process the evidence immediately, more to satisfy his own curiosity than anything else, and doing his duty as Mrs. Grant's bodyguard. He tentatively suggested "An officer can take you back to the hotel."

"I'd feel MUCH safer if you were to escort me personally." In a low voice, she then murmured into Ryo's ear to forestall any questioning from the officers as to the nature of their connection. "You WERE assigned to protect me after all."

Resigned, he hid his reluctance and gave their contact information before accompanying Alicia back to the hotel.

Ryo hailed down a cab even though they weren't far away. They could have walked there faster but getting stuck in traffic gave the two of them ample opportunity to adjust their soiled attire.

While Ryo called a panicked Diana to let her know they were headed back to the hotel, Alicia was mechanically fixing her makeup and hair, her brow deep in thought, her lips pursed tightly together. There was no longer the slightest indication she had been unnerved by the experience. In fact, she seemed more angry than upset.

After hanging up the phone, Ryo finally broke the ackward silence between them. "Are you okay?"

She quickly put on a mask of congeniality. "I'm fine thanks to you, Detective Maclean. You certainly proved your courage today."

"So. Do you think the shot was directed towards you?"

A small frown marred her features. "I don't see why it should be. Afterall, how could anyone know I was going to be there. Oh my goodness, all this drama from just a shopping trip."

Ryo knew there was more to it than a casual excursion. "What did you see?"

"I'd rather not answer any questions now. I'll just have to repeat them again later. Besides, what did YOU see?"

It was obvious she had no intention of mentioning a mysterious rendezvous to him and it was equally obvious he had no intention of mentioning a suspicious character to her.

Under the guise of discretion, no more words passed between them.

They had hardly stepped out of the elevator when Diana was in their face. "... the hell were you thinking. You deserve to get killed."

Alicia didn't contradict Diana merely tried to appease her. "Now Diana. You'll give yourself an ulcer if you worry too much. Nothing happened."

They stepped into the main living area, where Dee was plopped down on one of the overstuffed sofas.

One thing Diana hated was other women who knew how to play the game as well as she and she was kicking herself for falling for one of the oldest tricks in the book. "Nothing happened? My ass will be in a sling if Bennett gets you and right now he's welcome to you."

Ryo's questioning eyes turned towards Dee. "And where were you?"

Dee got immediately defensive. "Hey! It could've happened to anyone. I was so freaking bored. Diana was talking on her cell and the only thing on the sports channel was 'Classic Moments in Golf'. I was tempted to make crank calls to room service when Alicia came out with a pot of coffee and an apology for keeping us up so late. I guess Diana and I were too eager with the refreshments because next thing I knew I was stretched out on the couch with Diana slapping me silly."

Meanwhile, Alicia had walked over to the console table and poured a dark liquid from the carafe into two cups. "Coffee, Detective Maclean?" she offered.

After a dubious look Ryo said, "Um... no thanks"

"Don't be silly." She and took a sip from one before offering the other cup to Ryo. "We're expecting company, aren't we?"

It took longer than expected for the police to come to take Alicia's statement. They made their apologies by saying there were major traffic tie-ups in the Midtown East Area. "You'd think the stock market crashed. There appeared to be a lot of heart attacks in that area while people were driving. It's still backed up at the Midtown Tunnel."

The officers were incredibly diffident. Obviously they had done some research in the interim and had heard a few things about their witness. One of the officers said, "We don't have a lot to go on. Everyone was running for cover and a lot of people left the scene. Any assistance you could give us would be a great help."

In the course of the interview, Ryo was surprised. How did she manage to do it? She was cooperative and yet didn't say anything. She denied any connection or knowledge of where the shot came from or if it was directed towards her. In the background, Ryo and Dee listened to the police radio. A taste of what they were missing being in this gilted cage.

- Suspicious deaths near 42nd and 2nd -

The officer was wrappping up the interrogation. "In other words, you saw and heard nothing that could give us a clue to the identity of the perpetrator."

Alicia was contrite. "I'm so sorry, officer. I'd really wish I could be more help."

"Why are you under police surveillance?"

"I'm under witness protection. I'm sure Agent Spacey can fill you in with what you need to know."

"And you don't think there's any relationship?"

"How could anyone know I was out? If you're a target and the person's determined enough, no amount of protection will work and as you can see I'm fine."

- Suspicious deaths near 39th and 1st -

The officer continued. "Why were you out without protection?"

"Detective Maclean was with me. I was going stir-crazy. I just wanted to get out and do some shopping."

"Could it be related to your father's business? He has a reputation of being tough on his... competitors."

"Father hasn't been feeling well for some time now. Right now, most of his business is being taken care of by my husband. You have my statement. Now if there are no more questions, I'd like to retire to my room and freshen up. I'm still rather upset by the whole incident."

"Of course, Mrs. Grant."

Alicia retreated to her suite. After the door had closed Diana turned to Ryo. "Okay, what really happened?"

Ryo agreed with Alicia's statement but didn't mention Alicia's rendezvous to Diana. He told her he was getting ready to go on assignment when he was surprised to see Alicia on the street. He was going towards her when the shot was fired. He covered her, heard no more shots and that was it.

- Suspicious deaths near United Nations Plaza -

The officers took their leave. Knowing this one was going to be filed away for lack of evidence.

Diana was still woozy from whatever sedative Alicia had fed them and went off shift and Ryo found himself sharing the couch with Dee.

The dark-haired detective laid his hand on Ryo's shoulder to reassure himself with his presence. "I'm glad you're okay."

Ryo unconsciously relaxed into the cushion at his touch but was surprised at that statement. "What do you mean? I wasn't the target."

"No. You just threw yourself in front of it. You were just doing your job. Too bad it involves flying bullets." He sat up and looked at Ryo. "Talk to me, partner. Something's bothering you. What haven't you told Diana?"

Ryo didn't attempt to deny Dee's accusation. He told Dee about seeing Alicia kissing someone and how she looked like she didn't enjoy it.

"It didn't look like she loved him enough to bust out of here and risk getting killed."

Dee was exasperated, brought about from his forced inactivity. "From what I've seen of her, I don't want to get sucked into whatever game she's playing. Diana's hands are tied but I know she doesn't believe Alicia will come through and it looks like she not only playing us but her husband as well. The bitch. There has to be a damn good reason to betray a lover."

It seemed odd but Ryo wasn't surprised by the strong opinion Dee expressed even if it meant showing sympathy towards an enemy. It was consistant with the moral code he lived by. It came back to the issue of honesty, in the way you lived your life, in the relationships you formed. But Ryo couldn't help but wonder if Alicia's reason just might be good enough.

Ryo knew he had to make a full confession. "That's not all."

"What else happened?"

"I saw Kadee."

"What!"

"I said I saw Kadee."

"Are you sure?"

/pause/ "Yeah. I'm sure."

"So she IS still in town. Do you think she did it?"

"I don't want to believe it but... who else, Bennett's gang? She may be trying to get Bruno through Alicia. She seems to have a strong motive.

But still... Alicia's right. Unless she's being tailed no one could've known she was going to be at that spot."

"Except the guy she was with. Why didn't you say anything? If she's gone rogue, you know we've got to find her as a suspect."

"I don't know. I feel like I need to trust that what she's doing is for the good, that if I say something to bring her in I would be betraying her. I hope I'm not wrong but I can't help thinking, maybe I trust her more than she trusts me. Like you said, she'd better have a damn good reason."

"Well, nobody was hurt and you've got to learn it's okay to trust your instincts. You're too close to the case but it's better then getting a pet theory and forcing the the pieces to fit. It prevents you from seeing things clearly. " Dee is still a little groggy from being drugged. "Not like I can see anything clearly after that bitch spiked the coffee." He yawned. "You'd think I had enough sleep."

"Now we're even, it's no fun being drugged," said Ryo, alluding to that dream vacation in England that had quickly descended into something else.

Ryo looked at him as if he didn't want to let Dee go. Dee saw that sad look and gave Ryo a quick kiss that he knew would replace his blue funk with righteous indignation. "I've missed you. I've missed teasing you and making you blush. Yeah, just like that." He chuckled, then spoke in a softer voice. "I'll see you tonight. Call me if you get bored."

The same thought was running through their heads as the elevator door closed. This assignment sucks.

Diana was asleep in another room while Ryo was reading a magazine. An experienced eye could think he was using it as a cover as if he were on a stakeout. If he stayed still long enough he would unobtrusively blend into the furniture but his attention was not on his surroundings.

Why had Alicia gone to so much trouble to sneak out. Did she love that guy he had seen her kissing so much that she couldn't bear to be without him. No. There was definitely something strange about that relationship. And Kadee. If you dared to use me to take the law into your own hands, I WILL bring you down. What the hell are you up to? Are your feelings so intwined in this this case, you would kill? Do I even know you anymore?

He thought back to his own relationships. Relationships? Could they even be called that? Yeah, he had fooled around with other women but had managed to stop it before it had gotten out of hand. The women then either ignored him out of embarrassment for appearing to be loose or felt relief he had treated them as ladies and not an easy lay. They were satisfied that even though they hadn't gotten anywhere neither had anyone else. No one would believe that Randy was anything but the perfect gentleman.

Ryo's first time was awkward but natural. They had both been inexperienced and had learned from each other. There was no reason to be judgemental. It was wonderful to be in each others' arms and they could satisfy their curiosity about what all the fuss was about.

Dee was different. He knew what he wanted and how to get it. He was experienced with both men and women and for some inexplicable reason he wanted Ryo. A virgin to men. A tease. A coquet. Someone who leads on... strings along... sends mixed signals. A heartbreaker.

Am I feeling guilty? Am I being pressured because he's always there? I could have put a stop to it just like all the other times. Is Dee a habit I can't break? If he's such a stud, why isn't he in a relationship now. Is it the thrill of the chase? Once he gets what he wants will he leave me? If I do give myself to him what if I'm not what he needs. What if he's not what I need?

The questions were swirling around and around in his head, internalizing his thoughts in a circular formation effectively cutting himself off from the ability to form close relationships which had been in place since the day he lost his parents, cemented when he lost his girl. What if he loses his partner? His best friend?

I don't want to feel that way again.

There were flashbacks to the quiet times, the loud times, being there for each other to ease the loneliless and comfort the sick. And finally, all the kisses and pounces and looks that was beginning to make Ryo feel uncomfortable in a way that made him shift his seating position.

What am I afraid of, really? Being gay is a label that society uses depending upon which gender you're having sex with that day. A relationship is between two people who just want to be with each other. That's the drill. Do I believe it? I don't want to hurt him. God knows I don't, but I don't want to hurt myself either. Maybe this time apart on opposite shifts will be a good thing... yeah, right.

The wall was back in place and he went back to the magazine.

Dee left the hotel, more alert than he had let on. He did catch up on some sleep after all. Underestimating his boss's opinion of him, the reputed slacker thought the Chief would probably drop dead from shock to see him coming in when he was off shift. But there was something he needed to look up.

When he arrived at the precinct, he immediately went to Jim's domain to find him extremely busy. "About a dozen bodies in Midtown East. They all match the Perk profile but, of course, that case had been officially closed. Their precinct is being overrun and they've asked for our help. The Regional office wants me to turn over all related material to them. Probably to destroy it."

Dee knew he was had to be quick when Jim was on the job. "Sorry to interrupt but this may be related. Did Kadee leave a forwarding address?"

"Just the address in Washington. She left rather abruptly, you know. Her theory was far out but she wasn't crazy. And she had the coolest gadgets."

Realizing she had left a good impression, Dee knew he could count on Jim's cooperation. "We thinks she's gone undercover and is in trouble. Ryo says he saw her today. We need to find any records she may have left."

Jim didn't raise his head from the notes he was writing. "I'd rather give them to you than those bastards. There's a copy of her presentation and I'll let you borrow our resident hacker. Terri!"

A young woman's pony-tailed head popped out of the top of one of the cubicle outlining the main examination area. "Yes, sir."

"Detective Laytner from Homicide needs help recovering data from the Computer in D12. Show off your magic."

The technician beamed at so much praise from the precise taskmaster and motioned to Dee to follow her.

Dee didn't question how she knew all those passwords but she was eventually able to access the records left on Kadee's computer and the internet sites she had visited. Dee continued searching records looking for clues to Kadee's next move based on the triangulation theory along with the broadcasts he heard earlier. Turns out Kadee had automatic login on the computer so they were able to retrieve her email communications. All related to business. Not one scrape of personal information that might led them to her. Dee finally entered her name in the National Search Database. Karen Shu - okay. Kadee Shu - nothing (must be a nickname). There was something unusual about the data but it didn't become clear until Dee typed in Kaede Shu. Holy S-.

A/N Next chapter: Climax (last chapter!)

Shoutouts:

Melantha Delmar - Your enthusiasm made me giddy. Great motivator!

Kitty in the Box - I'm glad you like plot. At least you didn't tell me to kill the b----.

ColeridgeFan - You were getting a little scary with wanting to kill off characters but not to worry. On page one I said different take, same results.

monica - Aarg, the pressure! I don't think I can live up to that kind of review but I wanted this to be the kind of story I would enjoy reading myself. Thank you for your lovely comments.

Yukyoru - You're very perceptive (and very thorough). It actually changed my writing style to something less obvious while I was struggling with the plot. I wanted to show they HAD a close relationship that has changed to one of friendship as they've matured, thus onii-chan instead of something more intimate. It was deliberate wording but I don't claim to understand the nuances.

Windwalker3 - I don't like cliffys as much as the next person but I just wanted to end the chapter dramatically. I wish I had more skill because, admittedly, it's all over the place. Your comments puffed me up. Thank you.

rj1ofakind - I love twists but especially happy endings.

firgodes7 - I like the combination of romance and drama. You've helped me refine my style into something worth reading hopefully.

Seashell Mist - I hope it hadn't digressed too much but it is ultimately a romance. Thank you for the encouragement.

MissDbzMedabots - Thank you for making me more aware of how I can improve. And nothing can destroy true love, right?