A/N: Spoilers for Book 7 + poetic license. Quick changes in Point-of-View.

8: Dénouement

Triangulation was complete.

Kadee had been busy but it seemed to no purpose. she was close, so close, but she hadn't been able to find the target. So she had been driven to do something reckless.

She had negotiated a weekly rental after leaving the station for the last time. She could have stayed at the apartment but felt like it would be better if she distanced herself from the precinct. She wanted to confide in Ryo but he had changed so much. His intellect had suspended his belief in the supernatural and she felt this was a fight she had to handle alone. What she didn't understand is why her boss said she needed him. It would have been so much better if she had started the job undercover and not involved anyone, much less someone she could only hurt by showing up or someone who could hurt her by dredging up what might have been. But her boss had simply said she needed his help so she had presented herself in an official capacity and came up with a cover story.

She was actually surprised to find Ryo was unattached. Apparantly the hurt still ran deep. In his interactions with his colleagues she had observed he had been politely detached and had resigned himself to living for his profession. Even after all this time, Ryo had yet to go through the healing process. Without having to articulate his insecurities, Ryo needed someone who could recognize his anxiety and was patient enough to stand by him until he was ready to face it himself. In his brassness she recognized that it would take someone like Dee to shake him from his foundation.

Alicia certainly wasn't as elusive as her father and it didn't take long for Kadee to print her aura map. But after taking up residence at the Plaza, the socialite didn't show as much of a tendency to be out and about. Like a tracer, Kadee had had to be patient and bid her time until she had been alerted when Alicia made her move.

The undercover agent only had one shot.

Alicia didn't show it but like a tough little boy crying for his Mommy, that part of Bruno that still cared for his daughter responded to her suppressed anxiety. The shock set off a tremendous amount of energy which showed up on the instrument like a beacon of light that connected the two blood relatives.

Another familiar aura had been picked up at the scene. The database had matched it like a fingerprint to Ryo. Apparently the day Dee was playing with the instrument it had recorded Ryo's aura map as well. What was he doing with Alicia, the wife of his enemy, and had he seen her? She hated that he thinks she tried to kill Alicia, it would have solved the problem if she had but at what cost.

Like looking for a common strand of DNA, it took time to analyze the results. Bingo!

The next morning Ryo found his arms were wrapped around Dee in the same position where they had collapsed the night before. He found it ironic that Dee was snuggled in his arms rather than the other way around. Dee had been gentle and taken his time with him, preparing him to minimize the discomfort but Ryo couldn't ignore the unfamilar physical and emotional sensations caused by allowing himself to experience both the pain and the pleasure of being loved. Right now he felt like he could melt into the mattress.

Feeling someone gazing at him. Dee pulled the arms around him closer like a favorite blanket. "Good morning, lover."

'Lover...'. Feeling a burst of pride at this title and self-conscious at the same time Ryo responded. "Good morning."

Sensing hesitation in Ryo's voice, Dee opened his eyes and turned to face him. His hand gently cupped Ryo's cheek. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah. ummm... was it okay for you?"

"Well, to tell you the truth..." a look of dismay flashed across Ryo's face. "...it was GREAT!" and pounced.

"You prick." Ryo proceeded to squeeze the stuffing out of his teddy bear.

Dee gave a low chuckle. "That's better. You were looking so serious it was scaring me."

They exchanged kisses and things started to heat up again when Ryo pulled away. Seeing the confused look on Dee's face, Ryo rushed to reassure him that he wasn't shying away from him again. "I know it's cruel to leave so early but I still have a job to do while I still have a job. Diana must think I'm a wuss."

Dee was still a little hurt that he may always come second to Ryo's career. But at least he was relieved that is was just Ryo's sense of responsibility that would take him away and not any distress or disappointment of the previous night. "Never say that, stud."

Ryo laughed and gently extricated himself. "Thank you for giving me your strength so I could face my fears." Dee knew he would give more than just his strength if he could wake up by Ryo's side every morning.

Ryo didn't want to leave but he knew he should and got up to retrieve his belongings. "I'm going home for a shower and a change of clothes. Relax until you have to get ready for your shift. Besides, you did more work than me last night."

"You were definitely an active participant, sexy, but are you saying I've lost my groove? Two years out of commission is a pretty good excuse to be rusty but I'm not taking it."

"I'm saying I won't be satisfied with anything less than a peak performance."

"I'm always at my peak, baby."

"Then I have nothing to worry about you horndog" Ryo bent down and whispered in his ear "and I wouldn't have it any other way" and gave him a kiss. "And that's why I love you" kiss "more than anything" kiiiissss. "See you at breakfast."

As Dee heard the door softly close behind his soulmate he hugged the pillow where his boyfriend had laid his head with a huge grin on his face.

"Woo Hoo! No more regrets with my life!"

When Ryo met with Diana, he didn't have to say much before the FBI agent guessed the truth. He wondered whether it was through her training or just the fact that she was one savvy female. He gave her a kiss on the cheek as he thanked her for her support.

Dee showed up for breakfast at the same time Alicia got up. The men filled up their plates with everything in sight like a starving tourist wandering out of the Sahara. As their appetites were satiated, Dee and Ryo were finding it hard to avoid exchanging glances with each other in Alicia's presence while Diana smirked. Alicia didn't understand the lack of chatter at the breakfast table but she couldn't ignore the glow that emanated from the two handsome gentlemen as though these partners had reached some kind of secret agreement which became clear when Diana finally broke the awkward silence. "This is a hotel. If I told you two lovebirds to get a room, you could just borrow one down the hallway."

That crack finally brought Dee to pay attention to the company around the table and brought a blush to both their faces but he quickly recovered. "Hell, no. You'd probably get a bucket of popcorn and watch."

Ryo was off the clock but offered to keep Dee company. The dark-haired detective gave a sly leer. "I wouldn't mind if you wanted to keep me company but if you stay we might both be guilty of dereliction of duty. Why don't you swing back before shift change and we could have supper together." Dee escorted Ryo to the elevator. As the door opened he pushed the slightly shorter man into the cubicle and they kissed each other against the paneling. The polished walls showed their reflection but they only had eyes for the real thing. As they parted for breath Dee said, "I'll miss you too. Call if you need anything" before reopening the door and pressing the down button to start the motor. Dee did NOT look forward to the endless monotony, the reasons he didn't want to be there hanging like a ballast around his spirits and dragging them down.

Meanwhile, Alicia had grabbed the hotel stationary. Before sealing the envelope she made sure to include the symbols under her signature that proved to the recipient the authenticity of the message. She then placed a call to the concierge for a porter to transport her luggage to her resident penthouse and a courier.

Diana got a call that the 'Sheep', the buyer for one of Asia's most powerful families, was in New York City to negotiate a deal. Knowing Alicia travelled in similar circles she asked her if the rumors were true. Alicia replied nonchalantly. "Our family is not involved, of course, but it might explain why Bennett is here from Chicago. If he's meeting with the Sheep that would certainly give him the toehold to open operations in The City."

The staff had arrived to service the tenant's request. Diana stared as the bellboys loaded her luggage onto a rack. With her business done Alicia then announced she really didn't see anything that would be the least bit helpful so it would be useless to testify and as a way of apologizing for wasting Diana's time and resources invited the FBI agent and her friends at the DEA to tea at a certain hotel that afternoon trusting that they'll find the company delightful. Warning Diana that trying to second-guess her would only give her a headache and premature crow's feet and not waiting for her protest, the woman of the house then picked up her coat and purse and proceeded to the elevator for her own appointment but... she had one stop to make on the way.

Diana was exasperated as she turned towards Dee. "Your leash has been cut but you're still on duty, officer, so don't go running off to your snuggle honey. I'll call Berkeley and I'm sure he'll tell your Chief to expect you right away."

Dee headed off, muttering under his breath but glad to be out of there.

Ryo had decided to loiter around Central Park and enjoy the activities when he saw Alicia leave and not knowing that the bodyguard duty had been cancelled quickly followed her through the streets. The route was familiar as she pulled up in front of the building where Ryo had first witnessed her tryst. Her paramour looked surprised to see but then with a wolfish grin pulled her inside. Ryo took up a position from the street as he saw her go in.

At their last rendezvous, Alicia had filled Junior in on how to ruin her husband which he had dutifully passed on to his father.

She had flattered him. She told him she couldn't respect a leader who didn't want to get his hands dirty even if it was her husband. Some idealist who wanted to keep casualties down to a minimum was not how things got done in the real world and was not the person who was going to end up on top. She wanted to be with a winner.

There was a smug sense of satisfaction in Junior's mind. He must be a real stallion in bed to keep a looker like Leo's old lady. With Bruno about to kick the bucket and Leo finding he's lost his lady, here was a chance to fulfill the wishes of his father and take over territory he had been squeezed out of since Bruno arrived on the scene a generation ago.

That's why he was shocked to find himself facing the barrel of a gun.

Alicia goaded Bennett, Jr. She told him she had laid a trap against his father to put him away for good. "By now he's had a chance to confirm the information you gave him since, unlike you, he may not believe anything I tell him. He'll have a nice reception party waiting for him. Having you around just makes your father look better in comparison since there's no way in hell he's every going to let you lead the business."

Believing delusional instinct could make him faster than a speeding bullet he lunged towards her. "YOU BITCH!"

The explosion of the gun was muffled by the attached silencer. "Do you think I got any pleasure from being screwed by a brainless, classless brute like you?"

As Ryo saw Alicia leave he tried to reach Diana but her phone was busy. He couldn't know she was coordinating the various agencies to greet their out-of-town guests so Ryo continued to follow Alicia as she ran her errands.

When she stood waiting expectantly in front of a towering brick church, Ryo ducked around the corner and called Dee.

Ah, the carefree days of youth. Bikky and Lai were spending the weekend like they usually do. Out on the streets that they considered there own personal playground with their girls, Carol and Lass.

The kids had grabbed some lunch before separating for the afternoon. The girls were planning on going shopping while the boys were going down to the street courts to shoot hoops and dig elbows into the rough competition before they met up again to clean up before dinner and a movie.

As they were horsing around, Lai felt a numb tingling sensation pass through him. The others picked up on the change in atmosphere and followed his eyes to a slim figure walking away from them. As though afraid of being overheard Bikky whispered. "Hey, isn't that Ryo's friend? The one who disappeared?"

The dark-haired teen didn't say anything but started to shadow her down the sidewalk. Surprised by his somber mood, his friends started to follow until they arrived at a dilapidated department storefront. From the lobby, they watched the needle above the old-fashioned elevator door rise until it stopped before pressing the up button and waiting for its return journey.

As the heavy iron doors opened, the visitor was initially dazzled by taunt lines of energy that glistened like dew on a spider web and converged onto a broad-shouldered old man in the center. Occasionally, one would snap and send sparks like a live wire buffeted by a hurricane force wind to be replaced by another but one line stood out: a bright red beacon that shimmered and pulsed and eclipsed all the others. Each one of those threads were tied to a Perk user, their dreams and ambitions feeding his body but the red string was the bloodline between Bruno and Alicia feeding his soul.

A dome, acting as a huge incubator encircled his bed. It shielded and protected the inhabitant within, controlling the environment until the new Bruno was ready to be hatched back into the world. At a glance, he was conducting business as usual. Along with a dictaphone, shrewn about him were ledgers and filofax cards that recorded various transactions and contacts. He didn't look the least bit incapacitated and certainly not at Death's Door if the rumours were to be believed.

Without looking up from his task at hand, as he scribbled a note in the margin, he said "I was told you might show up. When your employment was terminated I thought I got rid of you a long time ago. I suppose I should thank you for being such an excellent employee due to your contributions to the organization. I know how to pick 'em. You had a fire within you. Still have it since you managed to track me down."

"I know you don't give a damn about these people but you'd risk your daughter's life?"

"Her mother left the little bastard on my doorstep. I wouldn't've kept her if I thought she wasn't mine to do what I want with. Since she is, she's not at risk. Besides, she's satisfied. I gave her her prince and he spoils her. She'll settle down if he would just stick a bun in her oven. In the meantime, I'll just keep running things."

"You don't trust Leo?"

"I can trust him because I know he's in no hurry to take over. He's got a good head on his shoulders and he's proved his loyalty but he doesn't have the vision I do."

"Nobody can live forever."

"Shall we test that theory?" He laid down his pen and raised his open palms to show he had nothing to hide. "What are you waiting for? You want revenge don't you. Go ahead. I'm an old man, I'm unarmed and I don't have any lackeys around." He then looked at her with disdainful eyes. "Except you're confined by the rules and I'm not." Concentrating as though he was expelling intestinal gas, several more strands popped. Each one signaled a life being terminated. "I didn't bother wasting any resources on you. I just had to stay hidden long enough to regain my strength without interference. You're no longer a concern."

This was the moment Kadee had been working towards. "And what do you expect to get out of it."

"Immortality."

"I'm not talking to you." Kadee called forth the entity protecting Bruno. "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT TO GET OUT OF IT?"

A raspy voice floated out of the haze. "You idiot. You amateur. Dealing with what you do not understand. You want revenge against this mortal but you are too late. The final ritual is about to commence."

The dome began to expand, lighting the strands of energy like a fuse ready to carry its flame along its length to detonate at the other end.

Reciting words of power that were as ingrained into her as her own name, Kadee tried to compress the destructive outbreak but it took all of her strength and concentration just to contain it.

"Where's your sense of justice now, little girl?"

Lai and Lass possessing extraordinary power of their own, made their presence known by stepping in to maintain the balance to the astonishment of their best friends.

Leo Grant was taking a stroll down the sidewalk. His trenchcoat, draped over his shoulders, was swaying with each stride as he drew in the nicotine from his cigarette. He had dismissed his driver over his protests. Leo knew from experience that it was best not to leave any witnesses, for a person can't reveal what they don't know and there was no reason to allow any opportunity to have his staffs' loyalty tested.

With Bruno being ill and the uncertainty of his state of health, he had had to sometimes use unscrupulous means within the organization to keep tabs on inner conflicts and watching over his back. Everyone knew he had been groomed to be Bruno's successor but not everyone approved. Even Bruno had his 'pet projects' that his second-in-command had knew nothing about.

He had received the message from his wife at a most inopportune moment and yet they both knew he would come. She seemed to always get what she wanted. As he approached the figure waiting by the gate he was once again reminded of this enigmatic woman who had inherited her mother's beauty and her father's ruthlessness and used both to full advantage.

She had been checking her watch. "I'm honored you would take time away from your busy schedule."

He courteously held the gate open for her as they walked through the archway into the more private courtyard. "You knew I would, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered sending a message. Why did you want to see me? You also know how important my meeting is today."

Demonstrating an analytical mind to business equal to her husband and father, she stated the uncertain hazards of going into business with the Sheep. She cited enormous dollar amounts and listed unscrupulous movers and shakers within the most powerful cartel in the modern day 'Spice Trade' of the Far East, other partnerships and associations that had been short-changed, the demand for compensation, and the consequences of retribution.

Leo tipped his head in agreement. "All of your points are valid but sometimes the risks are worth the payoff. If we don't control the trade from this end where we have more autonomy it will cause conflicts later on."

"I know the partnership was Father's idea."

"It has its merits by the way how is your father?"

Surprised by the abruptness of the question and with the first sign of doubt and uncertainty she said, "I... I don't know. I've talked to him about a week ago but I haven't seen him in almost a month. I know he's been ill but I'm sure someone would tell me if he's been admitted to the hospital. Don't you know? After all, you're his protégé."

"We avoid each other's company as much as possible. Most of the time he either calls or sends a message. Now if you'll excuse me I don't need to be late. Is that why you wanted to see me? To find out where your father is?"

"Someone tried to shoot me a few days ago. I have no idea who it was but I've left the Plaza."

"It's not like you spent a lot of time there anyway. You haven't exactly been discreet, letting that detective follow you to your latest."

"He might be my next if he wasn't so obviously in love with someone already. It seems you've been putting in the extra hours to follow me or hasn't it always BEEN your job to protect me?"

"Maybe I was following Junior."

His flippant comments made Alicia want to rip his eyes out like an alley cat. "Does the business mean more to you than I do? I refuse to be criticized for my affairs when you married my whole family."

She struggled to remain cool as the memories surfaced. The tense manner in which she held herself threatened to break. "When I first met you. I was afraid of you. Father said you were to be my playmate. You had the coldest, saddest eyes I had ever seen and yet you reached your hand out to me. I didn't understand how anyone could be so warm and so cold at the same time. You patiently put up with all my childish games. One day I was sick and had to stay home from school. I could see you at the shooting range from my window with your hand around a gun and I was jealous of the gun. You would be with Father in the study and sometimes I would just sit on the staircase and listen to the two of you talk about running the business. Somewhere along the line it started to make sense."

In the tone of a gambler who had the upper hand she laid her cards on the table. "I killed Junior and setup Bennett with the Sheep. You've lost the family's biggest business deal. You hate killing people yet you don't hesitate to blow away anyone that interferes with the business. You say you love me but you don't care if I'm screwing your rival's son. And yet, even now, you would give me that small smile directed only towards me, as though you were tolerating and amused by the foolish antics of a little girl. Liotto, love me or hate me but let's run away from this life. Bennett will be coming after us and Father is not going to forgive you. I've left you no choice."

Leo's expression softened in a way that only his wife had ever witnessed. The sad eyes of the child so many years ago was evident on the cold-blooded killer. "You're so much like your father. The day your father took me into his house, he did something that put me under an obligation stronger than any contract and he dangled you like a carrot. He didn't leave me any choice either. If I wanted you, I had to marry the family and that was the day I made my first hit. That was the day I murdered Detective Maclean's parents and I was at the receiving end of your father's anger because they were unlucky enough to pick up the wrong package. Now you tell me I have the choice to run or be ruined. Even though you've betrayed me in every way possible, it's ample retribution because I knew I would betray you the day I met you. I only have two regrets, il mio amore, and I refuse to run away from either of them. I've made my decision."

Her bluff had been called. "Then as a member of the family I'll take that choice away. You are no longer under any obligation."

With her hand around the gun that had come between them...

She'd be damned if she was going to share...

"ALICIA!"

Her line of sight concentrated on one target...

! BANG !

What had she told Junior? She wanted to be with a winner. And the winner was her rival. This cold piece of steel as she raised it to her head...

"ALICIA! NO!"

Kadee wasn't sure what was happening but that bloodline that connected Alicia to her father began to pulse intermittently. The string thinned and stretched and threatened to snap like a rubber band. The shield cocooning Bruno became more translucent.

Alicia knew what she had done. She had accomplished her goal. Leo was finally free. But now that the goal had been reached her thoughts and emotions were in turmoil. The doubt and regret...

This was a scenario that Bruno had not calculated upon.

With the strong motivating drive inherent in the profile of a Perk user, Bruno was supplied with an abundant reservoir in which to draw from. But when a link rebelled or began to question his or her behavior and motives or if the user's morals tapped a guilty conscious, the power fell off and it was necessary to drain all the energy before the source became a weaker. After the vitality was depleted all that was left was an empty shell. The images of the blank faces that stared at nothing flashed across Kadee's mind.

The moment Alicia shot Leo, the transfusion feeding Bruno was broken. The conflict between the father and daughter and the strong passion needed to obtain Bruno's greatest desire called for him to sacrifice his daughter. Now the only way for the entity to sustain itself was to drain the spirit from the remaining Perk users to compensate for the deviating influx. The dome began to glow, blinding the occupants.

It was becoming a battle of wills.

"NO! I CAN'T LET YOU TAKE ANY MORE LIVES."

The young people did all that they could to protect the bonds while Kadee went after the weakened entity.

Ryo had given Bikky a closed network radio. He didn't quite trust the enterprising youth not to place 1-900 numbers on a cell phone but he wanted the kids to be able to contact him or the station if things got out of hand. Bikky thought this situation qualified.

"We'll be right there, Biks. Be careful."

Ryo had heard everything and called for backup but everyone was preoccupied with the Sheep.

Dispatch reported. "Personnal is limited at the time. All officers are on alert and cannot leave their stations."

Ryo looked down at the remains of his enemy. He tried to convince himself over and over again. 'Don't feel sorry for him. Just because he was sorry for killing my parents doesn't mean he was sorry for killing all those other people. Don't feel sorry for him.' In this business, dying of old age was definitely not the norm. "Looks like we're on our own."

"He should keep for a while. What do we do with the black widow?"

Alicia was roused enough from her stupor to insist. "Take me with you. I need to see Father."

"It was either that or handcuff her to the gate."

"You OWE me, Detective."

As they stepped to the curb to hail a taxi, Dee said. "There's something you should know about Kadee, Ryo."

They arrived at the designated address. Alicia was still in shock so Ryo set her aside before seeing what they had to face.

When Bikky saw they had all assembled he couldn't help but quip. "What are we 'The Magnificent Seven'?" Lai and Lass were showing signs of exhaustion while Bikky tried to explain what was going down.

Dee interrupted. "It's okay, Kadee. We know what happened to you 10 years ago."

Ryo pleaded with her. "Don't kill him. Don't be like him. Let it go. His days are numbered anyway. I love you. I'll always love you and I'll never forget you but it's time to let go of the past."

Kadee knows the truth of Ryo's words. They can't be together. An aura encircled the small group with patches of exceptional clarity strongest between the lovers and even the affection between the two young couples was manifest. There was a tangible bond between all of them that would always exist. The connection was warm and she was renewed with a resurgence of power. Her boss was right. She needed him to complete her mission. The room became engulfed in the aura's intensity then the energy dissipated and the possession was vanquished. Kadee invoked a magic triangle and force the entity to confess.

Lai and Lass had collapsed on their knees supported by their friends. Bruno had turned pale and fragile. No longer able to rely on his servant, he was gasping for oxygen. "Would you rather leave my legacy in the hands of brutes like Bennett?"

Bruno believed the entity would find him the secret of immortality but the invocation was done improperly allowing the entity to lie to his 'master'. The mafia boss thought his bloodline supplied the energy to drain the users but it was actually the life energy between Leo and Alicia. The entity failed to tell him that the cost of Bruno's immortality was his daughter's life. No matter what the circumstances were, Leo and Alicia truly loved each other. As Alicia's desperation to prove Leo loved her above any consequence forced her to take action, that obsession threatened to overtake and drain her and the entity wished to use that to its advantage.

Alicia knew her father was despicable. He's manipulated people all his life but he brought her Leo and for that she was grateful. "I love you, father. Don't worry it will be in good hands. Mine." She picked up her phone and called 911 for an ambulance. He would die as scheduled.

An article came out in all the popular journals with studies that reported health issues associated with ingesting Perk and the craze became so last week.

The case was closed. They were gathered in the family room sipping wine after having dinner together before Kadee left on her next case. Dee and Ryo were sitting together on the recliner with Ryo's back leaning against Dee's chest.

Kadee had been recruited as part of a service organization to route out corruption especially in those governments who hoarded and traded International Aid instead of distributing it to those in need. When she was ordered to eliminate outspoken critics of the governments involved, she realized she was working for the wrong side. She balked but because of her skills they attempted to mind-control her with earlier versions of Perk and she had fallen into a coma due to an overdose. She was outraged by the manipulation and her strong sense of justice brought her to a new occupation which Dee perfectly understood.

Bruno's mortality was being extended beyond its natural lifespan and Kadee had been sent to investigate. She knew Bruno was being supported by two pillars, his daughter and the Perk users. The only way to break Bruno's possesion was to eliminate one or the other. Thus was the moral dilemma. Though it appeared an attempt was made on Alicia's life as Kadee laid out the entire story. It was never the purpose to murder anyone but it was weighing one person's life against thousands. With the protection of the entity, Bruno could not be attacked directly so that left Alicia. But Bruno was right Kadee was confined by the rules but Alicia was not and Leo was the one sacrificed.

The night was drawing to a close. As Kadee prepared to say goodbye she gave them all a hug and a kiss. "Will we see you again, imouto?" Ryo asked with wistfulness.

"Definitely on that day when we can all finally relax."

She proposed a final toast and dimmed the lights. Ryo's parents appeared before them. As tears streamed down their son's face, they were able to hold him. They told him they loved him and were so proud of him. They wished him happy, and asked Dee to take care of him. Dee replied that it's Ryo that takes care of everyone, as a family.

As they faded away, Kadee left with them with final words of love. Dee held Ryo close to his heart, allowing him to release his emotions to face another day. The death certificate that had been issued for Kaede Shu ten years ago was filed away.

One night Ryo and Dee were dancing to the illumination provided by Dee's lighter.

Like the song said. 'The future's not ours to see'. But each day they were together brought them one day closer to forever.

A/N: The reviews kind of petered out so I don't know if it was any good or not but there it is kids for better or worse. All to answer the question why Ryo didn't have a girlfriend and after watching Yami no Matsuei. Thank you for coming.