Author's note: This is my first ever fic. Yoroshiku onegai-shimasu. Please
R & R. Domo arigatou, minna!! ^^ But before that, I don't own FAKE nor do I
own Dee, Ryo, J.J, Ted, Drake...etc...
Chapter One: My Daughter
Breath-taking... mesmerizing... enchantingly beautiful, - the words that crossed his mind the moment the first ray of the rising sun pierced through darkness and into his greyish-green eyes. It was by far the most beautiful scene Dee has ever seen in all his life, yet; he stood there ruefully smiling at himself for not realizing it before. There are only a handful of things in life that could catch his attention and only a certain half-Japanese officer could steal his heart away. Sentimentally, he noted in the messed-up head of his with a weary thought, 'If ever I live up to the day of my retirement, I'll be watching the sunrise with him everyday till the end of life.'
"Dee?" arousing from the depth midst of his feelings, the raven- haired diverted his attention to his lover, who had been sleeping on the couch, - with a smile as he greeted, "Morning. Slept well?"
Picking up his weighing head, Ryo groaned inwardly as a reply just as a splitting headache seized him.
"I guess not," Dee muttered to himself as he hurried to his side.
"That is what two... three if last night is taken into account, - sleepless night do to your head," he said as he reclined his lover back on the couch.
"God, my head hurts like hell," Ryo moaned.
"I'll get you an aspirin," Dee offered.
"Dee..." he called out, catching his wrist firmly and pulling him close enough for the older man to lock his gaze in the eyes of the man whom he had once refused to acknowledge as his lover despite his heart calling out for him more than he ever would.
The subject last night was yet to be answered and the questions were still swimming in his head. But instead of pouring out his apprehension like a kid throwing tantrums, words just got caught in his throat. Worse yet, words that slipped through his lips weren't exactly what he had in mind. He just knew that he had to say something to cover the awkward gawk on his facial expression, "...You hardly slept yourself. How is it possible for you to survive the splitting headache?" 'Way to go, Ryo! Excellent opening! Why don't you just knock yourself out by asking him how's the weather today?' mocked his inner devil conscience sardonically.
"It was just something I have gotten accustomed to over the years," he replied, releasing himself from the grasp of the man he loved with all his life and busied himself around the kitchen looking for the first-aid kit.
"Dee, what I really meant was..."
"I know exactly what you mean," he replied as he walked back into the parlor with a glass of water in his hand. Instead of handing the pills or the water to Ryo, Dee took a large sip and without prior notice, popped two aspirins into the other man's mouth before lunging forward, pressing his lips against the other's, - allowing the water to flow from his mouth into the other man's.
Dee's ever sadistic grin came into sight which brought a slight relieve to the fair-haired man, - as though the weight of the world has been lifted from him. He had never thought he'd be saying this but he was glad to see the trademark smirk of his. It was like an unsaid assurance that Dee was Dee.
Pulling back from the kiss and sweet embrace, "Well, better get changed," Dee articulated, patting the other man lightly on the shoulders as he headed for the room they had been sharing for over a year. The minute the door closes behind him, the smile wavered hesitantly and grave expression bore on the charming face of his. Slumping with his back against the door, ambivalence graveled the man as the question repeatedly plays over his head, 'Am I doing the right thing?'
Simple as it sounds, Dee was more of avoiding the question than resolving the matter, ever since the incident at the crime scene. It was sheer coincidental that he should stumble upon 'them' again. If he had knew beforehand, he would opposed greatly the moment they were designated to take up the case or worse yet, - vanish from the face of the Earth than to face 'them'.
He was neither spiritual nor a believer despite growing up in an orphanage of God, - for if he were; he would have been dead on the streets years ago. Thus, all these years, he had never resigned to fate, let alone, allows others to determine his course of life. But now... he was running away from 'them', running away from the cruelty of fate that was deteriorating the barrier he had put up from breaking into wounded areas in his heart where his dark past are lied. If it should happen, Dee dreaded what would become of him, feared of facing the world again, but worst of all was the trepidation of what Ryo might think of him. Life with his other half has been going... smoothly? (not with Bikky bouncing about) favorably? ('I think not...' Ryo was still reluctant to admit his feelings for the other man though his every move were obviously indicating his affection more than mere friendship or partnership, for that matter) Acceptable would be a more neutral word to define their relationship. Dee couldn't just jeopardize all that feelings mounted over the year because of his past have returned to haunt him.
But he knew better than to go against 'them'. 'They' were known for obtaining everything they want, whether willingly or forcefully. And if it is Dee 'they' want, thus 'they'll' stop at nothing to get him, - even if it mean hurting the people he cared most. Times like this make him chew over his persistence for starting a sexual commitment with Ryo in the first place.
The man he left in the parlor was the only reason he... God, if only he weren't such a bastard... if he hadn't forced Ryo into loving him when he never wanted it in the first place... if he weren't so naïve, believing that everything will be okay and all...
"Life would be a much brighter place if I hadn't existed... Ryo would happily be involved with the woman he loves rather than being 'harassed' by a bisexual like me..." Dee muttered as he covered his face with his hand in shame.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Yo, Ryo! Where's Dee?" Ted asked as he popped his head into the department. Ryo's brows twitched in annoyance at the question being thrown at him. Customarily, he would retort sarcastically, "How the Hell should I know?" or "I'm not his nanny". But this morning since they set foot into the precinct, Dee had excused himself and had not made his 'grand appearance' yet.
"Dee? I saw him in Chief's office. But I would advise not to step anywhere near that premise," Drake replied glumly as he busied himself searching for a file from his over-chaotic desk.
"What? He's still in there?!" J.J exclaimed frowningly.
"What do you mean he's still in there?" Ryo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I was in a discussion with the Chief when Dee came bursting in this morning demanding to speak to Chief in private. And with that, I was kicked out of the office, - literary," J.J replied emphasizing with exaggeration.
"What the heck?! There's a girl outside waiting to see him... Hey, Ryo. Could you just go out there and tell little miss petite that her 'Monsieur Laytner' is not free at the moment? Rose got me running up and down the precinct looking for old archives that could be related to the case," Ted complaint.
"'Monsieur Laytner'? She's French?" Ryo repeated skeptically.
"I didn't know Dee was two-timing you," Drake remarked ironically as he nudged Ryo in the rib.
Ignoring the 'uo's and 'ah's around the office, Ryo stood from his seat, "I'll talk to her."
"Great! She's the one with the black French hat and green off-shoulder shirt. She's hard to miss," Ted rushed off after giving a short description of her. But what Ted failed to mention was how old she was for, the whole gang of the crime investigation unit dashed to the front desk to have a peek at the French doll.
Ryo rolled his eyes as he followed behind only to have his eyes widen in shock, like the rest of them when they laid eyes on the French doll. The girl was no older than twelve years old and she had the guts to walk into a police station to look for an officer.
"Do you think that she's a prostitute?" J.J asked absentmindedly, earning a thump on the head from Ryo.
"Not every woman that comes through our door are of the same kind," Ryo snapped back as he stepped forward, leaving the small crowd hiding behind a corner.
"Um... excuse me; are you looking for Detective Dee Laytner?" Ryo asked politely at the girl, who stared back at him as though he was speaking a language she doesn't know. But she blinked from the glare and blushed.
"Yes, I'm looking for Monsieur Laytner. Is he in?"
"I'm sorry. Dee's in the Chief's office. Perhaps you could leave your name and contacts, and pass it to him later,"
With a fallen chest, the girl sighed, "Is that so? My name is Jacqueline, Jacqueline Chateaubriand. Just tell him I dropped by."
"I'll tell him that..."
"Thank you. You're very kind, officer...?"
"MacLean, Randy MacLean,"
"Monsieur MacLean, thank you again. I will be taking my leave now. Sorry for taking your time,"
"...er...Miss Chateaubriand, the streets of New York isn't quite the safest place on Earth. Why don't I send you to your destination?" Ryo offered.
Stopping in her steps, the girl turned her head and with query in the knitting of her brows, she sort of stormed up to him and looked him straight in the eye, "You're part oriental, Monsieur MacLean?"
"Japanese. Is it that obvious?" Ryo replied, blushing hard.
"It is in the eyes. Monsieur Laytner had once said that to know a person, look into his eyes. The eye will not lie,"
Startled for a moment, Ryo snapped back from reminiscing the first time he met Dee, "I see."
"Well then, I bid you adieu," and with that, the French girl was out of sight as soon as she walked out the door.
Hurrying to pester Ryo for information, the gang gathered around him asking, "Who was that?"
"That is what I like to know myself. Besides her name is Jacqueline Chateaubriand, I haven't the slightest clue who she is,"
"What are you going to do about it?" Chief Smith asked, leaning back on his seat as he lit a cigarette.
"What can I do about it? Chief, I'd rather die than to go back there," Dee persisted.
"But 'they're' not going to let you go just like that. Not especially after Raven, the big man himself called to ask for your presence,"
"When did 'they' ever let anyone slip past their grasp?" Dee rhetorically asking in return.
"Does Randy know about 'them'?"
"No..." pausing to light a cigarette, the young detective had rather concentrate his attention towards the azure blue sky than to look at the Chief, eye to eye, "He's been asking... more of a demanding though, but all the same. It makes no different. He wants to know but I couldn't bring myself to tell him. A part of me feared the loss I will have to face if I had told him everything about 'them'..."
"But you can't hide 'them' from him forever. It is either you tell him yourself or he discovers it himself,"
"You don't have to remind me... I know very well that there'll be a day I have no choice but to tell him. But until then, for as long as it takes, I'll try to keep him out of harm's way,"
"You do know of the possibility that they come after Randy just to get to you?"
"One of my biggest fear, actually. I'm trying the very best I can to stay close to him, - at least close enough to protect him. But if matter goes out of hand..." Dee hesitated warily, "...if anything drastic comes as close as to hurting Ryo, I'll leave..."
"You're going to give into 'them'?" "Hell, no!! As I said before, I'm not going back there. But if keeping a distant will keep Ryo out of danger, I will. I will go to great extend if 'they' ever hurt him, so much so that I'll stake my badge if I have to... So, if I ever cross over the line, shoot me if that is all it takes to stop me... Ryo's an excellent marksman; he could take me out without hitch,"
"Don't let anyone catch you saying that," Chief warned, "Besides, you think it's that easy to take the life of a partner?"
Not waiting for Chief to continue, Dee cut in with a grave expression across his face, "It could not be easier..." The words came out as whispers but not inaudible enough to stop the Chief from overhearing.
"We're not talking about Alex here, are we? Goddamnit, Dee!! We're talking about Randy MacLean here!! The guy has feelings and one would have to be blind not to see it. He's not going to shoot you just like that, just so you know,"
"I know. But by then, he'll have no choice but to shoot. Because when that moment of truth comes, he will realize that I have crossed over the line, from being the law to breaking the law. I would have become a felon, guilty of crimes, and as an officer, Detective MacLean will have to obey direct instruction to take me out..."
Utterly speechless, Chief's jaws dropped in silent as the dark-haired detective walked over to the other side of the desk to pat the old man on the shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry, Chief. When that day comes, I'll not resist or even hide, for that matter. I'll make sure he gets a clean shoot through that thick skull of mine."
Although thoughts were forming in his head, Chief couldn't find the courage to voice them out, - fearing that what he had to say might just come true in the end.
A light rapping on the door snapped them back to reality as Dee hurried back over the desk while Chief straightened in his seat, "Come in."
"Chief..." Ryo greeted as he entered, "I was just wondering if you're done discussing matters with Dee."
"Done... all done," Dee replied, glancing over to Chief. "Well then, ... there was a girl at the front desk looking for you, Dee," Ryo announced.
"A girl?" Dee scratched his head comically.
"Dee, what did I warn your sad excuse of a brain 'bout bring love affairs to the station?" Chief reprimanded.
"What girl? Is she still there?" Dee asked, ignoring the old man.
"No, she had left a while ago. But she left a name,"
"Oh?"
"She said her name was Jacqueline Chateaubriand,"
Chief nearly spitted out the coffee he was about to drink at the exact moment Ryo mentioned the name. Without say a word, Dee dashed past his partner and out to the front desk, but the girl was no longer in sight.
'Jacq? She was here?' Dee questioned his mind as if it sounded absurd to logical thinking.
Back in the office, Chief leaned forward to support his weighing head with his hand as he shook in defeat, "First, Raven. And now, Jacqueline? What are they going to do next? Send Alex?" he whispered.
"Chief? Do you know something about Dee's acquaintances?" Ryo tried to pursue. "I..." Chief hesitated, "... I don't know."
But evidently, it was a lie. Ryo wasn't the least convinced that Chief doesn't have a share in the secret that Dee was hiding from him. What? Is he the only one who doesn't know about it? Some kind of conspiracy that he wasn't allowed to know? Anger was boiling in him at the thoughts.
"Randy..." the Chief called out, startling Ryo from his thoughts.
"Yes, Chief?"
"If...let's just say 'if'... If one day Dee gets into a hot soup and he runs down a dead end that forces him to choose a prohibited path, being an officer, will you take him out?"
The young detective narrowed his eyes dangerously at the implication, "Take him out as in shoot him?"
Not being able to return a reply, Ryo assumed that he was right, "Chief... Is there something in that statement that implies about Dee?"
"I'm not making any allegations here. It's just a query out of curiosity. Nothing more,"
"Well, wherever you got the idea from, I haven't the slightest clue. But Dee's a good cop. Despite the careless idiot he is at times, he's a righteous officer," Ryo defended.
"I know he is...I just hope that he remains that way,"
"Dee! Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!" Ryo exclaimed when his lover finally walked through the door to their department.
"I... I've been out," he replied in short, not wanting to explain anything in detail. But right now, Ryo couldn't be more bothered because ...
"Dee, grab your coat. Another murder took place 2nd Ave. Initial investigations believes that the MO might have something in common with the one before," he said briefly.
Eyes widen with alertness, "When did it happen?"
"The victim was found dead in his apartment by his girlfriend an hour ago,"
Hastily, Dee grabbed his dark trench coat and dashed out before Ryo could say another. The blond man's brows creased exasperatingly at the attitude his partner was giving him.
'He'd better not freak out like the last time,' Was that a sarcasm or a thought of concern, - Ryo can't even tell. He was too angry with Dee to tell the difference between criticism and anxiety.
"So, what do you have for us?" Ryo asked the coroners in-charged, - customarily Dee's part of the job but since he was busy scanning around for God-knows-what, the fair-haired man took the lead.
"The deceased...." Before the coroner could even get to the point, Dee interrupted them crudely, "The victim died because of massive blood loss, presumably by the delicate cut around the throat. Though its appearance could hardly tell, the cut runs deep. Through autopsy, you'll find that the scratch we referred to as 'delicate cut' not only scraped the skin, it incised fatally onto human's vital points. The murder weapon we're looking for is a surgical knife, for only surgical knives are light in touch and sharp on cuts."
"Well then, Laytner. Why don't you just save a bundle by telling us who is the killer, because the way you described it, it's hard not to believe that you weren't the one who did it," mocked the coroner, Mac.
"I'm just familiar with the MO, you dickhead," Dee snapped back.
"Fine, whatever. Our job here's done. If you need anything, why don't you just ask Laytner? He knows practically everything. He probably even knows the killer," Mac bit back gruffly at Ryo.
The other detective threw his head back in defeat. For no good reason, he had just become the punching bags of the two assholes as they tried to bite each other's head off.
"Care to explain how the hell did you know about the MO?" Ryo asked after holding up silent anger for a minute.
"What do you mean?" Dee asked innocently as he flipped through the victim's possession for possible evidence.
"Dee, don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about," he warned dangerously.
"What?!" the other detective asked offensively, "Isn't it the same as the one before?"
"No, Dee, it isn't. In the previous case, the victim was slashed to death. Though both shared the similarities of dying due to blood loss through open wounds, - last time, it was a sword that killed that man, not a surgical knife,"
Dee blinked back for a split second before noting the mistake he made. Biting his tongue, "Ryo...look, I'm sorry. It's just that I've been on the edge lately..."
"Dee, will you stop torturing yourself? Stop tormenting me? For Pete's sake, will you just tell me what's going on?!"
"Ryo... I can't." "Why the friggin' hell not?!"
"You'd be..." Dee's eyes widen in shock when his diverted concentration spotted a little girl where the crowd stood.
"Jacq!!" running off after her, Dee was totally oblivious that Ryo's anger has hit the roof of his head.
"Dee!!" he yelled after him.
"I'll explain everything to you tonight!" the other man shouted back over his shoulder but never slowed down on his pace in his chase after the French girl.
Everyone who knew Ryo knew very well to keep five feet away from that man that day. It was as if he was a walking time bomb waiting to explode. And they could pretty well guess who was responsible for it, - a certain detective by the name of Dee Laytner.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Staring blankly at the four concrete walls, silence overwhelmed the apartment. Ryo regretted the moment he told Bikky to sleep over at Lai's, because if it was Bikky, he would take the given opportunity to do what he does best, - making an appearance in the juvie department, waiting for him to bail the little man out. But he knew better to keep Bikky in the house. He was going to explode and it's all thanks to Dee. Never in his life had he been so mad at someone to the extend wanting to strangle him alive.
'Riinngg.... Riiingg...' rang his doorbell. Getting up lazily from the couch, Ryo unlatched the door without even taking a glance through the peephole.
"Come in..." he said, which sounded more of a groan then a greeting. He knew too well who was at his doorstep, for it is only 'he' that comes at such a time. But what he weren't expecting was another guest.
"Ryo... there's someone I want you to meet," Dee said uncertainly as he ushered the girl standing behind him to step forward. Ryo swallowed hard as he cursed his impoliteness.
"Miss Chateaubriand! How nice to meet you again," the man greeted as courteous as he could.
"Monsieur MacLean, it's a pleasure to see you again,"
"Come in," Ryo invited, - properly this time.
"Merci ..." thanked the French doll as she graciously entered the apartment, followed closely by Dee.
"Monsieur MacLean, you have a beautiful place here, unlike Monsieur Laytner's. He's place is always filthy,"
"Jacq, you don't have to criticize me upfront, you know?"
"But indeed, I only speak of the truth. The place you call home is unfit for living," added the girl straightforwardly.
"Miss Chateaubriand..." Ryo cut in before they could continue on conversing about Dee's apartment, "... What was so urgent that made you came to the station looking for Dee?"
"It's nothing, really... Well, actually there is something but..." glancing over to Dee, the man gave a slight nod in approval to speak, "... Monsieur MacLean, do you love Monsieur Laytner?"
Taken aback by the question and the seriousness in the emerald green eyes of hers, Ryo blushed in crimson red as he threw an angry glare at Dee, "What did you tell her?"
"Jacq's not blind, so that you know," Dee rhetorically answered back.
"Daddy didn't tell me. I guessed it on my own," defended the little girl with innocence of a baby.
"Excuse me?" hoping he had heard he wrong, but did she just called Dee daddy or was it just an accidental slip of her tongue?
Gasping through her covered mouth, Jacqueline's eyes turned to Dee apologetically but only to find the man shaking his head knowingly.
"You didn't hear her wrong, Ryo. Jacqueline is my daughter, - at least a part of her is,"
Chapter One: My Daughter
Breath-taking... mesmerizing... enchantingly beautiful, - the words that crossed his mind the moment the first ray of the rising sun pierced through darkness and into his greyish-green eyes. It was by far the most beautiful scene Dee has ever seen in all his life, yet; he stood there ruefully smiling at himself for not realizing it before. There are only a handful of things in life that could catch his attention and only a certain half-Japanese officer could steal his heart away. Sentimentally, he noted in the messed-up head of his with a weary thought, 'If ever I live up to the day of my retirement, I'll be watching the sunrise with him everyday till the end of life.'
"Dee?" arousing from the depth midst of his feelings, the raven- haired diverted his attention to his lover, who had been sleeping on the couch, - with a smile as he greeted, "Morning. Slept well?"
Picking up his weighing head, Ryo groaned inwardly as a reply just as a splitting headache seized him.
"I guess not," Dee muttered to himself as he hurried to his side.
"That is what two... three if last night is taken into account, - sleepless night do to your head," he said as he reclined his lover back on the couch.
"God, my head hurts like hell," Ryo moaned.
"I'll get you an aspirin," Dee offered.
"Dee..." he called out, catching his wrist firmly and pulling him close enough for the older man to lock his gaze in the eyes of the man whom he had once refused to acknowledge as his lover despite his heart calling out for him more than he ever would.
The subject last night was yet to be answered and the questions were still swimming in his head. But instead of pouring out his apprehension like a kid throwing tantrums, words just got caught in his throat. Worse yet, words that slipped through his lips weren't exactly what he had in mind. He just knew that he had to say something to cover the awkward gawk on his facial expression, "...You hardly slept yourself. How is it possible for you to survive the splitting headache?" 'Way to go, Ryo! Excellent opening! Why don't you just knock yourself out by asking him how's the weather today?' mocked his inner devil conscience sardonically.
"It was just something I have gotten accustomed to over the years," he replied, releasing himself from the grasp of the man he loved with all his life and busied himself around the kitchen looking for the first-aid kit.
"Dee, what I really meant was..."
"I know exactly what you mean," he replied as he walked back into the parlor with a glass of water in his hand. Instead of handing the pills or the water to Ryo, Dee took a large sip and without prior notice, popped two aspirins into the other man's mouth before lunging forward, pressing his lips against the other's, - allowing the water to flow from his mouth into the other man's.
Dee's ever sadistic grin came into sight which brought a slight relieve to the fair-haired man, - as though the weight of the world has been lifted from him. He had never thought he'd be saying this but he was glad to see the trademark smirk of his. It was like an unsaid assurance that Dee was Dee.
Pulling back from the kiss and sweet embrace, "Well, better get changed," Dee articulated, patting the other man lightly on the shoulders as he headed for the room they had been sharing for over a year. The minute the door closes behind him, the smile wavered hesitantly and grave expression bore on the charming face of his. Slumping with his back against the door, ambivalence graveled the man as the question repeatedly plays over his head, 'Am I doing the right thing?'
Simple as it sounds, Dee was more of avoiding the question than resolving the matter, ever since the incident at the crime scene. It was sheer coincidental that he should stumble upon 'them' again. If he had knew beforehand, he would opposed greatly the moment they were designated to take up the case or worse yet, - vanish from the face of the Earth than to face 'them'.
He was neither spiritual nor a believer despite growing up in an orphanage of God, - for if he were; he would have been dead on the streets years ago. Thus, all these years, he had never resigned to fate, let alone, allows others to determine his course of life. But now... he was running away from 'them', running away from the cruelty of fate that was deteriorating the barrier he had put up from breaking into wounded areas in his heart where his dark past are lied. If it should happen, Dee dreaded what would become of him, feared of facing the world again, but worst of all was the trepidation of what Ryo might think of him. Life with his other half has been going... smoothly? (not with Bikky bouncing about) favorably? ('I think not...' Ryo was still reluctant to admit his feelings for the other man though his every move were obviously indicating his affection more than mere friendship or partnership, for that matter) Acceptable would be a more neutral word to define their relationship. Dee couldn't just jeopardize all that feelings mounted over the year because of his past have returned to haunt him.
But he knew better than to go against 'them'. 'They' were known for obtaining everything they want, whether willingly or forcefully. And if it is Dee 'they' want, thus 'they'll' stop at nothing to get him, - even if it mean hurting the people he cared most. Times like this make him chew over his persistence for starting a sexual commitment with Ryo in the first place.
The man he left in the parlor was the only reason he... God, if only he weren't such a bastard... if he hadn't forced Ryo into loving him when he never wanted it in the first place... if he weren't so naïve, believing that everything will be okay and all...
"Life would be a much brighter place if I hadn't existed... Ryo would happily be involved with the woman he loves rather than being 'harassed' by a bisexual like me..." Dee muttered as he covered his face with his hand in shame.
* * * * * * * * * * *
"Yo, Ryo! Where's Dee?" Ted asked as he popped his head into the department. Ryo's brows twitched in annoyance at the question being thrown at him. Customarily, he would retort sarcastically, "How the Hell should I know?" or "I'm not his nanny". But this morning since they set foot into the precinct, Dee had excused himself and had not made his 'grand appearance' yet.
"Dee? I saw him in Chief's office. But I would advise not to step anywhere near that premise," Drake replied glumly as he busied himself searching for a file from his over-chaotic desk.
"What? He's still in there?!" J.J exclaimed frowningly.
"What do you mean he's still in there?" Ryo asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well, I was in a discussion with the Chief when Dee came bursting in this morning demanding to speak to Chief in private. And with that, I was kicked out of the office, - literary," J.J replied emphasizing with exaggeration.
"What the heck?! There's a girl outside waiting to see him... Hey, Ryo. Could you just go out there and tell little miss petite that her 'Monsieur Laytner' is not free at the moment? Rose got me running up and down the precinct looking for old archives that could be related to the case," Ted complaint.
"'Monsieur Laytner'? She's French?" Ryo repeated skeptically.
"I didn't know Dee was two-timing you," Drake remarked ironically as he nudged Ryo in the rib.
Ignoring the 'uo's and 'ah's around the office, Ryo stood from his seat, "I'll talk to her."
"Great! She's the one with the black French hat and green off-shoulder shirt. She's hard to miss," Ted rushed off after giving a short description of her. But what Ted failed to mention was how old she was for, the whole gang of the crime investigation unit dashed to the front desk to have a peek at the French doll.
Ryo rolled his eyes as he followed behind only to have his eyes widen in shock, like the rest of them when they laid eyes on the French doll. The girl was no older than twelve years old and she had the guts to walk into a police station to look for an officer.
"Do you think that she's a prostitute?" J.J asked absentmindedly, earning a thump on the head from Ryo.
"Not every woman that comes through our door are of the same kind," Ryo snapped back as he stepped forward, leaving the small crowd hiding behind a corner.
"Um... excuse me; are you looking for Detective Dee Laytner?" Ryo asked politely at the girl, who stared back at him as though he was speaking a language she doesn't know. But she blinked from the glare and blushed.
"Yes, I'm looking for Monsieur Laytner. Is he in?"
"I'm sorry. Dee's in the Chief's office. Perhaps you could leave your name and contacts, and pass it to him later,"
With a fallen chest, the girl sighed, "Is that so? My name is Jacqueline, Jacqueline Chateaubriand. Just tell him I dropped by."
"I'll tell him that..."
"Thank you. You're very kind, officer...?"
"MacLean, Randy MacLean,"
"Monsieur MacLean, thank you again. I will be taking my leave now. Sorry for taking your time,"
"...er...Miss Chateaubriand, the streets of New York isn't quite the safest place on Earth. Why don't I send you to your destination?" Ryo offered.
Stopping in her steps, the girl turned her head and with query in the knitting of her brows, she sort of stormed up to him and looked him straight in the eye, "You're part oriental, Monsieur MacLean?"
"Japanese. Is it that obvious?" Ryo replied, blushing hard.
"It is in the eyes. Monsieur Laytner had once said that to know a person, look into his eyes. The eye will not lie,"
Startled for a moment, Ryo snapped back from reminiscing the first time he met Dee, "I see."
"Well then, I bid you adieu," and with that, the French girl was out of sight as soon as she walked out the door.
Hurrying to pester Ryo for information, the gang gathered around him asking, "Who was that?"
"That is what I like to know myself. Besides her name is Jacqueline Chateaubriand, I haven't the slightest clue who she is,"
"What are you going to do about it?" Chief Smith asked, leaning back on his seat as he lit a cigarette.
"What can I do about it? Chief, I'd rather die than to go back there," Dee persisted.
"But 'they're' not going to let you go just like that. Not especially after Raven, the big man himself called to ask for your presence,"
"When did 'they' ever let anyone slip past their grasp?" Dee rhetorically asking in return.
"Does Randy know about 'them'?"
"No..." pausing to light a cigarette, the young detective had rather concentrate his attention towards the azure blue sky than to look at the Chief, eye to eye, "He's been asking... more of a demanding though, but all the same. It makes no different. He wants to know but I couldn't bring myself to tell him. A part of me feared the loss I will have to face if I had told him everything about 'them'..."
"But you can't hide 'them' from him forever. It is either you tell him yourself or he discovers it himself,"
"You don't have to remind me... I know very well that there'll be a day I have no choice but to tell him. But until then, for as long as it takes, I'll try to keep him out of harm's way,"
"You do know of the possibility that they come after Randy just to get to you?"
"One of my biggest fear, actually. I'm trying the very best I can to stay close to him, - at least close enough to protect him. But if matter goes out of hand..." Dee hesitated warily, "...if anything drastic comes as close as to hurting Ryo, I'll leave..."
"You're going to give into 'them'?" "Hell, no!! As I said before, I'm not going back there. But if keeping a distant will keep Ryo out of danger, I will. I will go to great extend if 'they' ever hurt him, so much so that I'll stake my badge if I have to... So, if I ever cross over the line, shoot me if that is all it takes to stop me... Ryo's an excellent marksman; he could take me out without hitch,"
"Don't let anyone catch you saying that," Chief warned, "Besides, you think it's that easy to take the life of a partner?"
Not waiting for Chief to continue, Dee cut in with a grave expression across his face, "It could not be easier..." The words came out as whispers but not inaudible enough to stop the Chief from overhearing.
"We're not talking about Alex here, are we? Goddamnit, Dee!! We're talking about Randy MacLean here!! The guy has feelings and one would have to be blind not to see it. He's not going to shoot you just like that, just so you know,"
"I know. But by then, he'll have no choice but to shoot. Because when that moment of truth comes, he will realize that I have crossed over the line, from being the law to breaking the law. I would have become a felon, guilty of crimes, and as an officer, Detective MacLean will have to obey direct instruction to take me out..."
Utterly speechless, Chief's jaws dropped in silent as the dark-haired detective walked over to the other side of the desk to pat the old man on the shoulder reassuringly, "Don't worry, Chief. When that day comes, I'll not resist or even hide, for that matter. I'll make sure he gets a clean shoot through that thick skull of mine."
Although thoughts were forming in his head, Chief couldn't find the courage to voice them out, - fearing that what he had to say might just come true in the end.
A light rapping on the door snapped them back to reality as Dee hurried back over the desk while Chief straightened in his seat, "Come in."
"Chief..." Ryo greeted as he entered, "I was just wondering if you're done discussing matters with Dee."
"Done... all done," Dee replied, glancing over to Chief. "Well then, ... there was a girl at the front desk looking for you, Dee," Ryo announced.
"A girl?" Dee scratched his head comically.
"Dee, what did I warn your sad excuse of a brain 'bout bring love affairs to the station?" Chief reprimanded.
"What girl? Is she still there?" Dee asked, ignoring the old man.
"No, she had left a while ago. But she left a name,"
"Oh?"
"She said her name was Jacqueline Chateaubriand,"
Chief nearly spitted out the coffee he was about to drink at the exact moment Ryo mentioned the name. Without say a word, Dee dashed past his partner and out to the front desk, but the girl was no longer in sight.
'Jacq? She was here?' Dee questioned his mind as if it sounded absurd to logical thinking.
Back in the office, Chief leaned forward to support his weighing head with his hand as he shook in defeat, "First, Raven. And now, Jacqueline? What are they going to do next? Send Alex?" he whispered.
"Chief? Do you know something about Dee's acquaintances?" Ryo tried to pursue. "I..." Chief hesitated, "... I don't know."
But evidently, it was a lie. Ryo wasn't the least convinced that Chief doesn't have a share in the secret that Dee was hiding from him. What? Is he the only one who doesn't know about it? Some kind of conspiracy that he wasn't allowed to know? Anger was boiling in him at the thoughts.
"Randy..." the Chief called out, startling Ryo from his thoughts.
"Yes, Chief?"
"If...let's just say 'if'... If one day Dee gets into a hot soup and he runs down a dead end that forces him to choose a prohibited path, being an officer, will you take him out?"
The young detective narrowed his eyes dangerously at the implication, "Take him out as in shoot him?"
Not being able to return a reply, Ryo assumed that he was right, "Chief... Is there something in that statement that implies about Dee?"
"I'm not making any allegations here. It's just a query out of curiosity. Nothing more,"
"Well, wherever you got the idea from, I haven't the slightest clue. But Dee's a good cop. Despite the careless idiot he is at times, he's a righteous officer," Ryo defended.
"I know he is...I just hope that he remains that way,"
"Dee! Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you!" Ryo exclaimed when his lover finally walked through the door to their department.
"I... I've been out," he replied in short, not wanting to explain anything in detail. But right now, Ryo couldn't be more bothered because ...
"Dee, grab your coat. Another murder took place 2nd Ave. Initial investigations believes that the MO might have something in common with the one before," he said briefly.
Eyes widen with alertness, "When did it happen?"
"The victim was found dead in his apartment by his girlfriend an hour ago,"
Hastily, Dee grabbed his dark trench coat and dashed out before Ryo could say another. The blond man's brows creased exasperatingly at the attitude his partner was giving him.
'He'd better not freak out like the last time,' Was that a sarcasm or a thought of concern, - Ryo can't even tell. He was too angry with Dee to tell the difference between criticism and anxiety.
"So, what do you have for us?" Ryo asked the coroners in-charged, - customarily Dee's part of the job but since he was busy scanning around for God-knows-what, the fair-haired man took the lead.
"The deceased...." Before the coroner could even get to the point, Dee interrupted them crudely, "The victim died because of massive blood loss, presumably by the delicate cut around the throat. Though its appearance could hardly tell, the cut runs deep. Through autopsy, you'll find that the scratch we referred to as 'delicate cut' not only scraped the skin, it incised fatally onto human's vital points. The murder weapon we're looking for is a surgical knife, for only surgical knives are light in touch and sharp on cuts."
"Well then, Laytner. Why don't you just save a bundle by telling us who is the killer, because the way you described it, it's hard not to believe that you weren't the one who did it," mocked the coroner, Mac.
"I'm just familiar with the MO, you dickhead," Dee snapped back.
"Fine, whatever. Our job here's done. If you need anything, why don't you just ask Laytner? He knows practically everything. He probably even knows the killer," Mac bit back gruffly at Ryo.
The other detective threw his head back in defeat. For no good reason, he had just become the punching bags of the two assholes as they tried to bite each other's head off.
"Care to explain how the hell did you know about the MO?" Ryo asked after holding up silent anger for a minute.
"What do you mean?" Dee asked innocently as he flipped through the victim's possession for possible evidence.
"Dee, don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about," he warned dangerously.
"What?!" the other detective asked offensively, "Isn't it the same as the one before?"
"No, Dee, it isn't. In the previous case, the victim was slashed to death. Though both shared the similarities of dying due to blood loss through open wounds, - last time, it was a sword that killed that man, not a surgical knife,"
Dee blinked back for a split second before noting the mistake he made. Biting his tongue, "Ryo...look, I'm sorry. It's just that I've been on the edge lately..."
"Dee, will you stop torturing yourself? Stop tormenting me? For Pete's sake, will you just tell me what's going on?!"
"Ryo... I can't." "Why the friggin' hell not?!"
"You'd be..." Dee's eyes widen in shock when his diverted concentration spotted a little girl where the crowd stood.
"Jacq!!" running off after her, Dee was totally oblivious that Ryo's anger has hit the roof of his head.
"Dee!!" he yelled after him.
"I'll explain everything to you tonight!" the other man shouted back over his shoulder but never slowed down on his pace in his chase after the French girl.
Everyone who knew Ryo knew very well to keep five feet away from that man that day. It was as if he was a walking time bomb waiting to explode. And they could pretty well guess who was responsible for it, - a certain detective by the name of Dee Laytner.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Staring blankly at the four concrete walls, silence overwhelmed the apartment. Ryo regretted the moment he told Bikky to sleep over at Lai's, because if it was Bikky, he would take the given opportunity to do what he does best, - making an appearance in the juvie department, waiting for him to bail the little man out. But he knew better to keep Bikky in the house. He was going to explode and it's all thanks to Dee. Never in his life had he been so mad at someone to the extend wanting to strangle him alive.
'Riinngg.... Riiingg...' rang his doorbell. Getting up lazily from the couch, Ryo unlatched the door without even taking a glance through the peephole.
"Come in..." he said, which sounded more of a groan then a greeting. He knew too well who was at his doorstep, for it is only 'he' that comes at such a time. But what he weren't expecting was another guest.
"Ryo... there's someone I want you to meet," Dee said uncertainly as he ushered the girl standing behind him to step forward. Ryo swallowed hard as he cursed his impoliteness.
"Miss Chateaubriand! How nice to meet you again," the man greeted as courteous as he could.
"Monsieur MacLean, it's a pleasure to see you again,"
"Come in," Ryo invited, - properly this time.
"Merci ..." thanked the French doll as she graciously entered the apartment, followed closely by Dee.
"Monsieur MacLean, you have a beautiful place here, unlike Monsieur Laytner's. He's place is always filthy,"
"Jacq, you don't have to criticize me upfront, you know?"
"But indeed, I only speak of the truth. The place you call home is unfit for living," added the girl straightforwardly.
"Miss Chateaubriand..." Ryo cut in before they could continue on conversing about Dee's apartment, "... What was so urgent that made you came to the station looking for Dee?"
"It's nothing, really... Well, actually there is something but..." glancing over to Dee, the man gave a slight nod in approval to speak, "... Monsieur MacLean, do you love Monsieur Laytner?"
Taken aback by the question and the seriousness in the emerald green eyes of hers, Ryo blushed in crimson red as he threw an angry glare at Dee, "What did you tell her?"
"Jacq's not blind, so that you know," Dee rhetorically answered back.
"Daddy didn't tell me. I guessed it on my own," defended the little girl with innocence of a baby.
"Excuse me?" hoping he had heard he wrong, but did she just called Dee daddy or was it just an accidental slip of her tongue?
Gasping through her covered mouth, Jacqueline's eyes turned to Dee apologetically but only to find the man shaking his head knowingly.
"You didn't hear her wrong, Ryo. Jacqueline is my daughter, - at least a part of her is,"