DISCLAIMER: I am not the owner of nor wish to appear to be the owner of FAKE and all related merchandise thereof.

WARNINGS: Formal Diana. Calmer J.J. With sprinklings of Lime here and there. The chapter(s) with Lemon will be labeled. This warning applies to the entire story not just this chapter!

AN: I accidentally put this story in the humor genre. It is not humor so that has been changed to drama. I apologize to all those who were expecting a humorous story.

J.J. was frowning. Normally a handsome man this current look of disgust and anger did not suit him. Drake wasn't about to tell him that, however, he valued his life. He did, on the other hand, ask his dear friend what was troubling him.

J.J. looked over, a quick snap of the neck that had Drake thinking that maybe he was mad at him. So it was a relief when J.J. spoke and explained his ire, " I don't like that MacLean guy."

The ship was on auto pilot slowly cruising to Earth's only moon where the Senate offices were based. This allowed the ship's two navigation officers the opportunity to make use of the aircraft's break room. That was where the were now, J.J. holding a now cold cup of tea and Drake with a banana and tall glass of milk. Drake had heard his friend's words, but didn't quite understand him. The new crew member had just stepped aboard the ship not more than ten minutes ago and Drake knew J.J. hadn't even spoken to him.

Drake took a bite then after chewing a bit asked, " Why?"

J.J.'s frowned deepened, " Didn't you see what happened as he stepped onto the bridge? The way the Lieutenant was smiling and talking with him. It was as though they were old buddies or something," he took a sip and then spit it out. J.J. placed the cup down and then standing took an apple off the counter. Sitting he looked at his friend and upon seeing his expression sighed, " What Drake?"

" Well, maybe the Lieutenant was just trying to make him feel comfortable."

J.J. rolled his eyes, " Please, he didn't try that hard when you came aboard," he looked down somewhat saddened, " or me for that matter."

Drake ignored the obvious hurt J.J. was feeling and instead offered, " Well, you and I are pretty outspoken and confidant. Maybe this MacLean isn't so much."

" Maybe I'm not what?" Ryo walked in, but was smiling.

" Uh...we were just..." Drake looked over at J.J. for support, but the young man was glaring at Ryo.

" You know the Lieutenant well?" J.J. asked Ryo who had sat down next to him.

Ryo shook his head, " Not anymore than I would after just meeting him," he narrowed his eyes slightly, " Why?"

" You two seemed..." J.J. tilted his head back and looked down his nose at Ryo, " friendly."

Ryo nodded slowly listening but not fully understanding what J.J. was getting at. Before he could say anything, though J.J. had slammed his fist down and was leaning over the table, filling the gap between Ryo and himself and between gritted teeth warned, " Dee is mine! You stay away from him, you got that! Me and him go way back and I don't want you thinking you can get all lovey dovey with him. Got it!"suddenly J.J shot up his seat toppling back and hitting the floor with such force that Ryo and Drake both jumped. Then he was gone, taking long strides to get to the door and out the room.

Diana saw the young man storming out of the break room and was concerned when he didn't respond to her hello. Then she was instantly on alert when she stepped into the room and laid eyes on Ryo, " Are you causing problems within my ship on your first day Ensign MacLean?" she pulled out a chair and sat, looking at Ryo with pursed lips.

" No," Ryo looked over at her, meeting her gaze, " I don't really know what happened. I don't even know his name."

Diana looked over at Drake and he nodded his head in agreement. He hoped that she didn't hear the whole conversation. J.J. could get in a lot of trouble if his secret affection of their supervisor came out. Drake really didn't think Diana would care, she was pretty laid back. The Lieutenant, on the other hand, would probably kick J.J.'s ass.

" His name is J.J. Adams and I am sure that his little fit had nothing to do with you," Drake spoke to Ryo with a pleading look in his eyes. He desperately hoped Ryo wouldn't bring up the actual details of J.J.'s outburst. Ryo nodded in understanding then turned his attentions back to Diana.

" Excuse me Commander, but why are we in route to the Senate offices?"

Diana leaned back in her chair, " I wrote up a proposition asking to change the current design of our uniforms. I know it doesn't seem all that dire, but well..." she looked down bitting her lower lip.

Ryo nodded, " No, I think that is a wonderful idea," Diana looked up openly pleased, " I have seen the uniforms wore by the Celestial Assembly and if we were ever in the same room as them, well..."

Drake chuckled, " We would look like the hired help."

Diana laughed, " Worst, at least they wear tuxes!" she looked over at Ryo, " I'm glad you understand my position. However, the Senate thinks this it is a waste of time and money. I have been on this for about a year and today I actually have the opportunity to speak with the Senate face to face. This is my last chance to convince them."

" Well, if you think it would help I would be more than willing to speak on your behalf," Ryo smiled, " I'll let them know just how impractical these uniforms are. Since I am an extra member of the crew I can afford to leave the ship."

Diana nodded, " Very well, you will accompany me. Thank you."

" My pleasure Commander."

Ryo walked two paces behind Diana. He had been on the moon before, but never to the Senate offices. He was in awe of the architecture, the way the large five story building was modeled after ancient Victorian structures. With grand pillars and just as tall windows with crisp white moldings. The large dark wood double doors, carved in an ivy and vine pattern, opened up onto a great hall with glossy pink granite floors. In the center was a towering statue of Lady Justice holding up her scales and gripping the hilt of her elegant sword. Above her was an ornate crystal and glass chandelier surrounded by a mural of plump cherubs chasing clouds on the ceiling.

Ryo breathed, " They think your proposal is a waste of money?"

Diana smirked, it was quite opulent, but they did host meetings with leaders of other nations and planets here so it only served to show the fortune of the United Earth Federation.

They stepped into the great meeting hall silently. The only room in the building that Diana did have a problem with. Here, where all conferences are held, was home to the eight seats of the Senate, the seats were raised. Towering above the speakers as well as any audience that may be seated. Diana always felt that the height was a tad too lofty and unconsciously made the speakers feel inferior.

Diana's proposal was the last on a list of others. Hers being seen as a trivial matter. As they sat awaiting their turn, Diana and Ryo spoke.

" I have never been here before Commander," Ryo was sure to keep is voice to a low whisper.

" Well, do you know the Senators?"

Ryo shook his head, " No, I'm afraid not. I never had to deal with them before. My prior assignment was on a Celestial Assembly space craft."

Diana nodded, " Yes, I read your file. Anyway, the one Senator you need to know about is Senator Rose. He's the one in the middle," She lifted a delicate hand slightly and pointed to the elegant man in the middle with smoothed back hair and smart wire rimmed glasses, " Not that the others aren't important, it's just that he has some serious pull. He has charisma or something, he can change the entire outcome of a decision. Right now, he is the one we have to convince. Somehow we have to make him see that my proposal is meaningful. He's a hard one to crack though."

Ryo looked at Senator Rose thoughtfully. He looked like he had a certain strong air about him. From his seat Ryo felt a little intimidated...and that was no easy feat. Ryo nodded and made a decision. During his time as speaker he was going to direct his point to that Senator. Ryo was going to look Senator Rose in the eye.

Finally it was time for Diana to make her stand. Senator Rose looked at her benignly, he even made a show out of his yawn.

Then a smile graced his face and it had no mirth, " Commander Spacey of the starship 'Glorious'. A year. A whole year you have persisted, now your chance has come. Please enlighten us. Tell us why we should put up money in a cause so vain?"

Diana took a deep breath, " With all due respect Senator, nothing about this proposal is vain. We, as members of the United Earth Federation, are in a position in which we need to look our very best."

Senator Rose waved his hand, " You are on the ship 'Glorious', you do nothing, but haul imports and exports. You have no one of importance that you need to see."

" True," Diana didn't bother to correct the Senator; that to receive exports a lot of the time they did speak with someone of 'importance', " however, other ships under United Earth's command do encounter such individuals."

" Oh I get it," Senator Rose barked a rather crude laugh, " so this is all for the greater good!"

Diana was careful to not let her anger show, " In a since, yes. Even now as I stand before you, I feel somewhat belittled due to my dress."

Rose smirked, " Are you certain it is not due to this ridiculous request?"

Diana couldn't help the narrowing of her eyes," Positive."

" Listen Commander," Senator Rose leaned back in is thick leather chair, " I think you look rather fine in your uniform."

" Perhaps, however, the male members of my crew," She motioned for Ryo to stand beside her, " look like working dogs."

Senator Rose was silent, he was taking in the man that now stood before him. He was careful not to let his admiration show, none the less, he was taken aback by the combination of dusty blond hair and dark alluring eyes. This man was attractive and Rose could tell by his demeanor that he had no clue of that fact.

" State your name," it was Senator Bane who spoke this and in doing so knocked Rose out of his stare.

Ryo stepped forward as Diana took a place behind him, " Ensign Randy McLean, Senator, of the starship 'Glorious'."

Rose leaned forward and asked, " Do you have something to say in this matter?"

" Yes, Senator, I do," Ryo placed his hands on top of the podium and Rose noticed it wasn't due to nerves it was solely for comforts sake, " I am going to be frank, please do not confuse this with disrespect. On the contrary, I am sure that you have other engagements that you need to attend to and I do not wish to take up any more of your time," just as Ryo had self promised he spoke to all the Senators, but remained focused on Rose, " We look, in a word, horrible. Aside from all the impractical matters concerning these current uniforms they are just not aesthetically pleasing. The choice of fabric and the fit of these uniforms gives the impression the United Earth does not have the money to afford anything better," Ryo's eyes bore into Rose's and the Senator found himself trapped by the gaze, " Thus, if a member of one of our sister ships meets with one of 'great importance', as stated by you Senator Rose, then they may be inclined to think that the Federation could not fund a project of theirs. Effectively ceasing any relations we could have with that nation." Ryo tilted his head up and looked down his nose at Rose, " It is clear that the Federation would not want to make that impression. That is evident by the care and cost taken into outfitting this very building with such lavish amenities."

Senator Rose's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew that this Ensign was challenging him, daring for him to come up with a rebuttal. Rose was quite impressed. Impressed and impossibly seduced. He stood abruptly, " I agree."

Ryo tried to remain calm, but his eyes did go wide. Diana's mouth was ungracefully agape, much like the members of the Senate.

Rose smiled, " I am making a motion that Proposal D-4513 is put into action immediately."

The other Senators agreed nervously, like all their invisible leashes were being harshly tugged by Rose, and the day's session was put to an end. As the other members of the Senate gathered their belongings Rose quickly made his way down the stairs and onto the floor walking briskly to catch up with the members of "Glorious" who were on their way to the door. He ended up having to jog to catch up with them.

" Excuse me," the Senator was quite breathless, he waited until the two had turned to face him, " That was some speech you gave back there."

Ryo nodded, " As long as you saw my point."

Rose smiled, " Oh yes, quite," his voice had deepened and Ryo unconsciously stepped back. Rose ignored it then looking over at Diana spoke flatly, " We have a lot of paperwork to do, so don't go too far. In fact you should just take a shore leave. We have to make arrangements, find a company to design this new uniform of yours and an even larger company to sew them up. You just made your life a lot harder. Good thing all you are good for is hauling other people's stuff." Diana scowled.

Ryo made a move to talk, but was cut off by Rose, " I will see you again soon," he winked, " I hope," then he turned on his heel and walked back into the large meeting room. Ryo frowned, he felt very uncomfortable around that man and he secretly hoped they wouldn't meet again.

Given the fact that the crew of "Glorious" would be staying on the moon colony for some time Diana did take Senator Rose's advice and gave them all leave until told otherwise. Most of the crew was playing a drunken game of charades while others had left the ship and was exploring what the moon had to offer. Ryo on the other hand was in his room. He liked to be alone.

Ryo was sitting in a large comfortable arm chair wearing his favorite pajama pants and white tee shirt. He was sipping a warm glass of milk while turning the pages of the novel in his lap. He was startled from his read by a buzzing at his door. He stood puzzled, who could possibly want to see him at this hour. He pressed a button on a keypad near the door and waited as the door slid to the left and opened. He was greeted by Bikky Goldman.

" Um..." Ryo started, " hello."

" 'Sup!" the young boy ran in without being offered.

Ryo sighed then closed the door, " Shouldn't you be in bed?"

" I'm not five man, I don't have a bed time!"

Ryo nodded, he supposed the boy was 13, but he looked tired, " Okay, so what do you want?"

Bikky sat on the bed, " Just wanted to say thanks, that's all," he looked down bitting his lip.

Ryo sat next to him, " Bikky, what's wrong?"

" Oh nothing!" The boy looked up and Ryo saw that it was true, " I just really like Diana."

" Who?"

" Oh, the Commander," Bikky smiled at Ryo, " Anyway, she really wanted that request to go through, so I am glad that you could do that for her."

Ryo nodded looking down, " I'm not so sure I actually did."

" What do you mean?" Bikky looked up at the older man, his blue eyes showing his concern.

Ryo looked down pondering what to say. It wasn't that he didn't or wouldn't tell the teenager what was on his mind he just didn't know how to form it into words.

He tried, " Well, Senator Rose was so quick to accept the terms of the proposal that it almost seemed like he had an ulterior motive."

Bikky shrugged, " Maybe he does. I heard stories about that guy. He doesn't seem like he's all that noble."

Ryo chuckled, " I can see that," he recalled his feelings around the man. How his instincts were calling for him to watch out. Ryo heard a loud yawn come from his companion. He looked over then patted Bikky on the back, " Off to bed with you now."

Bikky scowled, " I told you I don't have a bed time!"

Ryo gave him a stern look that rivaled any given by Diana, it made Bikky back down and grumbling he made his way to the door. Ryo was about to open the door when Bikky hugged him. Ryo smiled then saying goodnight saw the boy off. Closing the door he made his way back over to his chair when the buzz was heard again.

Smiling Ryo shook his head and walking back prepared to chastise the boy. Opening the door his words were cut off," Now what Bik– "

"Wrong person," Dee's smiling face was Ryo's greeting.

Soon Bikky's voice could be heard through the corridor, " Perv!"

Dee's features twisted as he turned looking in the direction of the sound, " Screw you, you rat!"

Bikky's evil laughter could be heard and before more could be said Ryo yelled down the hall, " Bed, boy! NOW!" feet could be heard hurrying down the hall.

Dee chuckled then side stepped Ryo and entered his room. Turning he reached past him and shut the door, touching the key pad and the button that locked. Ryo looked at Dee then asked.

" Can I help you Lieutenant?"

" We are alone, call me Dee," there was a playfulness about the way he said that.

Ryo opened his mouth to speak then stopped. Dee. Was this the Dee that man J.J. spoke of? The one he shouldn't get 'lovey dovey' with? It had to be, he hasn't been on the ship that long, but still he knew just about everyone's name and he hadn't heard of another Dee. Ryo sighed, " So, you and J.J..." it was out before he could check it.

Dee's brow crinkled, " What?"

" Um...I mean..." Ryo looked down.

" What about that fool?"

Ryo's head snapped up and he looked at Dee. There was something in his eyes..disgust? No, that was too harsh, but whatever it was Ryo knew it wasn't love, " Never mind..." Ryo shut his mouth, he was better off waiting to see what Dee wanted, that he was sure.

Dee was about to prod, but thought against it, instead he said, " I wanted to thank you. I hate these uniforms so you did a good thing...getting them changed."

Ryo smiled shyly, " Thank you Lieutenant."

Dee shook his head, " No, no," he stepped closer to Ryo, just inches between them, " call me Dee."

" A-alright," Ryo was stammering and he mentally kicked himself for it, but damn if this man wasn't...intoxicating.

" No..." Dee stepped even closer, whispering. They were sharing the same air now, " say it."

Ryo took in a deep breath and smelled Sandalwood, smelled Dee, " What?" he was whispering now too.

Dee smirked, " You heard me," he was so close that when hewhispered his next words his lips ghosted Ryo's, " say it."

Ryo closed his eyes, " Dee..."

Dee moaned then finally took Ryo's mouth, something Ryo didn't realize he was waiting for until his body relaxed into the kiss. He felt Dee's finger tips trailing up his sides pressing into his tee shirt. Ryo found he was pressing himself closer to Dee's body and even though he knew he should stop this, (a subordinate kissing his supervisor!) he couldn't bring himself to do it. He was completely drunk off the taste of Dee and he was helpless when he felt his mouth being eased open by an eager tongue.

The moan tumbled out before Ryo could stop it and Dee drank it in.

Ryo raised his hand and gripping Dee's shoulders intended to push him away, but suddenly arms encircled him and he found himself even nearer to Dee. Ryo made a noise of protest that sounded more of that of pleasure once Dee's tongue smoothed along the contours of Ryo's. Soon both men were battling for control as their tongues danced and stroked each other. Ryo's head became dizzy and he yielded, allowing Dee to take over the kiss, he was much more experienced at this anyway.

However, just as soon as Ryo yielded Dee pulled away, breathless. He looked deep into Ryo's chocolate eyes and smiled sweetly, " Again," his voice was clearly weakened, " thank you."

Ryo nodded dully then watched as Dee stepped back fully holding him at arms length. Then suddenly he turned walking to the door and unlocking it, left the room. Ryo quickly went over and re-locked the door, then pressing his back to it he slid to the floor. He slowly pressed his fingers to his lips and sighed. He never thought a kiss could feel that wonderful. He closed his eyes, being on this ship was going to be a lot more challenging now.