Author's note: Omataseita-shimashita! Thank you for waiting! Actually, I've been kinda in a slump lately. I haven't got any ideas what to write. But that is actually not the real case. You see, I sort of lost my thumb drive some time three-four months ago where I stored my works. I practically cried on my friend's shoulder when I couldn't find it anywhere. I was feeling really down for quite a while. And there is also the assignments piled on my desk!! AHhhh!!! (Nightmare!) I cannot express how sorry I am for the delay but I hope you'll enjoy this fic, though I know it isn't much. Thank you for reviewing and love ya all!!
Chapter Seven: "This I promise you..."
Sound of the phone ringing echoed in his eardrum as he waited patiently for someone to pick up the phone.
"NYPD, 27th Precinct. How can I help you?" said the familiarly formal but cheerful voice of their favorite front desk officer.
"Janet, it's me, Dee..."
Before the man could finish, the lady interrupted with overwhelming enthusiasm, "Dee!! Where have you been?! I haven't seen you around for weeks!"
Smiling at her thoughtfulness though she wouldn't be able to see from the other end of the phone, "Missed me?" he teased.
"That is but of course! Everyone here at the precinct misses you like hell! It's just not the same without you,"
The pretense mask he wore fell, revealing the heart-wrenching pain on his true façade upon hearing such comforting words, but the liveliness in his voice remained, "I would believe if it's J.J., Ted, or Drake... or maybe even Chief. After all, I was the 'punching bag' he 'uses' to release his tension. Not having me around would only mean that he would need to find another victim, and I fret for the unlucky prey that would get a sizable earful of Chief's 'lecture'. But nonetheless, I doubt Rose misses me."
"Well, you got that right. Commish was so mad that volcano practically erupted on his head. It was horrendous the way his eyes burned with fury when he called on you to dig into a new case only to find out you were gone on a personal leave for over a month. In addition to your records with that man, he was so close to sacking you on the spot. But good ol' Chief gave in a few good words for you and managed to talk the man out of it..."
"So, he's cool about it?"
"You wished! He was so close to forgetting the whole thing until he realized that Randy was gone, too!! You should have seen Rose boil in anger till his face turned beet red!"
"Though it's a priceless sight, I don't think I ever want to see the day that man gets real pissed off,"
"You got that right! It wasn't pleasant at all to see the Commissioner so outraged. In fact, it was downright horrible,"
"Anyway, it's been nice catching up with you, but I've something really important to speak to the Chief,"
"Oh, sure! Give me a sec," Janet replied, followed by the soft buzzing sound and phone ringing till a gruff voice finally filled the other line.
"Smith," said the man impatiently.
"Chief, it's me..."
"Dee! You son-of-a-bitch! Where are you? Do you have any idea how much trouble you got me into?!! And where is Randy?!"
"A month sure hasn't changed you much, huh? Still the same ol' badger..." Dee laughed half-heartedly over the cordless phone as he stood up from his desk and strode over to the French window, twice the size of the man.
"Quit yammering and answer my question already!"
Inhaling sharply, "I'm back in Massachusetts, - Shadow Manor to be exact. Ryo's with me," he replied bluntly.
"Shadow Manor?! As in the private property you own on the outskirts of Massachusetts? As in the mansion you left five years ago? What the hell are you doing there?"
"Raven raided Ryo's place two nights before. He knew I would be close by, that is why he choose to ignore my decoy apartments in New York and Manhattan, and went after Ryo instead,"
"Raven isn't a fool, Dee..." reprimanded the elderly man gravely.
"That is why I want you to send someone over to get Ryo the hell out of here before Raven decides it's high time to pay me a 'visit'."
"Then, tell me again why the hell are you seeking refuge where Raven would most likely to search?! Dimwit!"
"Because it's not New York," the dark-haired man said emotionlessly, - his voice carried no feelings in every word said though the smile had long faded into sorrow frowns.
"Of course it's not New York, you idiot! Did Raven fry your brains on your last rendezvous, because all of a sudden you have turned from an idiot to brainless!!"
"Chief, that wasn't what I was referring to..." heaving a sigh, "In NY, I am Dee Laytner, - detective and Ryo's full-time partner. However, other than NY, I'm Shadow, - full-time government assassin, - a heartless killing machine. That is why the confrontation between my past and Raven has to be done on past grounds, - grounds that knows me as Shadow and not Dee Laytner..."
"So, what you're trying to say is that you want to settle you score of your past in your past?"
"I'm through running from Raven or DIEs... I'm sick and tired of having to dodge them like bullets every time they come chasing after me. I don't want to be controlled by them all the time whether directly or indirectly. I want a life, Chief, - a life without them. But I can never have one if I don't settle this dispute first. On this ground, I want to make a stand for myself,"
"That is why you want me to get Ryo out of there,"
"I want Ryo out of harm's way before Raven comes for me, and I want him out a.s.a.p."
"And you think that partner of yours can be persuaded so easily?"
Scoffing a short laugh, "Ryo is no where near easy... but for his sake, I will make him leave."
Deafening bang of the door opening abruptly startled the raven-haired man, only to drop his gaze from the silhouette standing at the entranceway.
"Even if it means hurting me, you still want me to leave?!" cried the voice of the man he loved so dearly with heavy accusation and disappointment.
Unable to ignore his lover's unexpected presence in his studies, Dee continued his conversation with the Chief in soft whispers, "Just get someone here. I'll take of the rest."
"Dee, you may reserve all rights to protect that man, but you don't have any rights to stop the man from loving you. And loving someone as idiotic as you mean sacrifices beyond imaginary... I will send some men over but I whole-heartedly expect for them to return empty-handed," the line was cut off before Dee could say another word.
"Damn!" he cursed under his breath.
"Why, Dee? Why?! After last evening... after all that we've been through... you still want me out of your life. Why?!" demanded the blond officer as he advanced forward reluctantly with every step binding heavily to the carpeted floor.
"I want you to be a part of my life! I want you to be a part of Dee Laytner's life!" he shouted back in return but the anger faded as he turned from his lover. He couldn't look at the man with the present façade for he could no longer hold up the charade with his inner barricade threatening to fall apart.
His voice softened with dejection, grinding on his teeth as he concluded, "But I don't want you to be a part..." inhaling a shuddering breath, "...a part of Shadow's life..."
"But you are Shadow! You are a part of Shadow as much as Shadow is a part of you! You can't just go deleting your past!!"
"Somehow I wished I could!! ... Better yet, I wish I never had that life!! Damnit! Can't you see?!"
"No, I can't see!! I can't see why I keep getting push around like some unwanted toy!! For crying out loud, Dee! I'm human, - flesh and blood!! I have feelings, too!! So stop treating me like I have none!" hollered the flaxen man angrily.
"Alex stabbed through you, Raven drugged you... haven't you had enough of life-threatening situations to last you a lifetime?! God, either you're too goddamn dumb or I'm too darn smart to see that your life is always on the verge of death every time you stay close to me! I'm fucking jinxed, - destine to bring death to people around me!!" trying to keep his composure, Dee's breathing rapidly pick up pace as he breathed uneasily to subdue his rising temper. He swallowed down his dry throat as he tightened his eyelids together, preventing anymore emotional outbreaks, "I love you, Ryo... and because I love you so much, I'm not willing to watch you die before my eyes..."
"And you think I'm willing to watch you die?!"
"I don't have plans for you to stay long enough to see any of this!"
"And you expect for me to respect the sentiments?! You expect me to leave at times you need me most?! Well, for your information, Dee Laytner, - I will not run, I will not leave even an inch from your side despite the fact that death was so close to claiming my soul. It may be your desire for me to leave but it is my wish to stay," the unwavering steadfastness in his voice rang throughout the spacious study hall with the utmost persistence to stay.
Forcibly drawing open the top draw of the mahogany desk, Dee stormed up to the other man with a revolver in his hand. He shoved the gun into Ryo's hand with gravity in his eyes, "Here's an automated, fully-loaded. If you refuse to go, then I suggest you pull that trigger and sent a bullet through my thick skull! Because I rather die than let you witness the cruelty of a cold-blooded killer that I am!! I want that part of me to be out of your sight! I don't want you to see the emotionless façade I wear as I shoot the lives out of people who were once my comrades! I don't want you to see the devil that resides in me taking pleasure in licking the blood-tainted hand, - tasting the bitterness of other's blood shed with pain!!"
"You know as well as I do, I'll never pull that trigger!!"
"Then, leave... I couldn't protect Kazue at the time of her death and I have been bearing the guilt ever since. Don't let history repeat itself... I swore that I will shield you from all harms... I will not let you die the same way I let Kazue die..."
Ryo advanced forward, closing the gap between them, "I will stay but I will not die. I will not let you bear the guilt of my death therefore, I will not die. History will not repeat itself... This I promise you, Dee..." he whispered softly into his lover's ears as he rested his head on the curve of his neck.
Impulsively, Dee's arms found their way around slender waist of his ravishing other half. Sometimes it puzzled him how surprisingly fitting his arms felt embracing the man or how comforting it felt to hold the man close to his own chest.
"I'm a pathetic man, do you know that, Randy Ryo MacLean?" he said as his hands reached to stroke the blond tresses.
"Oh? Why is that?" Lifting his head, jet black eyes searched for an answer within the dark-green orbs.
"Because I'll never be able to win over you..."
Smiling under the half-closed eyes, Ryo raised his head just slightly below the other man's lips, "I'm cursed with an irresistible charm..." he teased as their lips met and locked with one another in a passionate kiss.
"You gotta be kidding?!" Dee exclaimed incredulously when Thaddeus came knocking on the door to his extensive study hall, - informing him that a group of five had arrived from the Big Apple.
"There is no reason for me to kid you, is there, master?" replied the man with exasperated politeness.
Scrambling off his leather chair from behind the desk, the man dashed past his most trusted assistant and out the door where he found himself standing on the top of the majestic marble stairs.
Mouth opened agape as he blinked twice to make sure that it wasn't a nightmare, but neither of them went away. All five of them were still standing in the middle of the chandelier lit lobby, awed by such lavishness of wealth. 'All FIVE of them!' his mind repeated with heavy hints of exaggeration.
Sighing inwardly, he hung his head in defeat, 'Might as well get this over with.'
Straightening himself, Dee awkwardly cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention towards him.
"This is all a dream, right?" J.J asked unbelievingly as he continued scanning the priceless artifacts that embellished the hall.
'No, J.J. this is a nightmare,' sarcasms were at the tip of his lips, but after a short inward debate, he chose not to voice out his mockery. Some things were better off unsaid.
"You don't really own this, do you?" Ted asked uncertainly.
"I wouldn't even want to start debating with you on that. But as the master of this household, I do owe you all the warmest of hospitality. So, welcome to my humble domain..." Dee smirked as he took one step at a time, down the stairs.
"Care to explain, Laytner?" Rose inquired demandingly.
"Commish, I would never have expected to have you as a guest in my home. All of a sudden, I feel honored to be graced by your presence," being his old self, the raven-haired man teased his superior despite the fact that Rose was on the verge of breaking out in fury.
"Anyway, let me lead you guys to the parlor," the latter said grinningly as he gestured for his P.A. to open both doors to the regally furnished living hall.
Pairs of eyes widen with bewilderment at the sight of the magnificent hall room as they examined up-close.
"Where the hell do you find so much money to get yourself a place like this?" Diana asked with slight admiration and half-mockingly.
'Sorry, Diana. As much as I would like to share this little secret with you, some things are just meant to be personal,' thoughts ran through his mind as he smiled with a careless shrug, "It just came to me."
"And you expect us to believe that?" Drake intervened.
'I don't, because even I, myself find that it's unbelievable,' "It's true, - not," toyed the man as he took the seat on the leather armchair with his back against the sunlight through the window.
"You owe us all an explanation, Detective Laytner, - big time," Rose warned in a dangerously low tone.
A soft dejected smile carved on the raven-haired's face as words began to form on those soft tender lips, "Too bad, Commish. I've handed in my..."
Dee was about to inform them of his resignation when his lover walked in on them, panting in relief that he made it in time to stop the man from saying more than he should.
"Ryo!!" the gang exclaimed shockingly, especially J.J. who seemed as though he was about to faint.
"I got here as soon as I was told that Dee had visitors from NY," said the flaxen detective with all smiles. Dripping crystal clear droplets from the end of his blond strands were evidently clear that Ryo had just got out of the Dee's elaborated bathroom. Faint scent of sandalwood filled his lover's nostrils as the man moved closer to the seated man.
"How was the Jacuzzi?" the midnight-haired man asked lovingly to his other half while lifting his chin closer to the man's chest to get a distinct whiff of his lover's new-found fragrance.
"Utterly relaxing. Not too warm... not too cold..." he teased and allowed his words to trail as he bent over to reach for a kiss.
Diana lifted a brow and grinned like a Cheshire cat at the sight; Ted moaned with disgust although it wouldn't be the first time for him to watch two men smooching around like nobody's business; Drake rolled his eyes and smacked his head as he waited for his partner's whining but instead, J.J. chose to melt and fall down on his knees with defeat that he had lost his Dee-sempai to Ryo; but the least expected reaction among them was Rose, who froze on the spot like a hardened rock as cold wind of loneliness swept by. Man, Dee loved the tormented feeling their Commissioner was receiving.
'That'll teach you not to mess with my man,' Dee sneered at his own thought and Ryo didn't need to ask what was on the other man's mind to know why he felt so happy. Feeling an immense contentment, after all those turmoil, he finally got the long-awaited smile from Dee. Yes, this was Dee Laytner, - not Shadow.
Author's note² : I'm really a pathetic writer, ain't I? I make them fight and then, with a kiss, they make up... T.T Please tell me what you think about the story. Onegai-shimazu!!