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 slightly OOC. 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!

Ryo decided he would go and see the sites that the moon had to offer. It was the day after the unexpected kiss between his superior and himself so he wanted to do something to take his mind off of it. Problem was that even with all the grand stores and restaurants his mind still went back to that night. Ryo was confused as to how he should react to this situation. He should be angry and the part of his mind that stored all the guidelines of protocols and procedures for officers told him he should file a report against the Lieutenant. Of course there was the other part of his mind, the louder more carefree half, that was content and even pleased and flattered. Ryo had managed to grudgingly admit that it was quite pleasant and he even had the sinking feeling that if it happened again he really wouldn't care.

Ryo looked up at the building his feet had taken him to while he thought. A Starbucks. Hn. There really is one on every corner. He stepped in and placed an order. Then he turned and locked eyes with Senator Rose. Ryo tried very hard not to crinkle up his nose and groan, but he was sure his face still showed his displeasure. That didn't seem to faze the Senator, though, who smiled and using an elegant finger gently pushed up his glasses.

Ryo nodded then taking his coffee attempted to leave the establishment, but was stopped by Rose's voice speaking to him from across the room.

" Surly you don't intend to allow me to sit here all alone?"

Ryo closed his eyes briefly then turning around walked over to where the man sat answering as he walked, " I was under the impression you wished to be alone. Coming here all by yourself and all..." Ryo sat with his coffee, a unique blend from Kenya, and was aware when the Senator moved his chair so he was closer.

Rose smiled, " Ensign Maclean, we are both in our civilian clothes I do believe it is alright if we call each other by our first names."

Ryo took a long sip of his coffee and looked over the rim at the man, then setting the cup down and sighed saying, " You are a Senator, do what you wish."

" Thank you for your permission," even though he was smiling the edge in his voice was still clear, " Your name is...?"

" Randy," the tone was flat.

" Very nice..." Ryo ignored the once over the man was currently giving him, " I am called Berkely."

Ryo looked up with raised brows then took another sip of his coffee. He had got an odd feeling from this man the first time they met, but now it was overwhelming. He began to think up excuses, reasons, hell flat out lies even, just to get away from this man.

" So, Randy, I must admit that I am quite embarrassed that you were below my radar," Rose was leaning in as he talked, " I can't remember a new recruit ever getting on a ship without me knowing about it."

Ryo looked up, " That's probably because I came to 'Glorious' directly from a Celestial ship not an Earth one."

Berkely nodded, " I see...that would explain a lot. Had I known you would be crossing over I could have found you a more suitable ship."

Ryo shook his head, " No, no. I like 'Glorious' very much. Everyone seems nice enough."

Berkely grunted, " It is merely a cargo ship, hardly the place for someone of your intelligence. That incompetent Lieutenant, yes, but not you."

" Cargo is important," Ryo narrowed his eyes at Rose.

" True. However, you deserve more..." Berkely smirked, " you see, I personally assigned everyone to that ship, save that Adams kid. He suggested to go there not too long after I sent Lieutenant Laytner there."

Ryo should have inquired about why the others were sent to a cargo ship or why a Senator would care that much about space business, instead he asked, " Why did you send the Lieutenant to 'Glorious'?"

Berkely ran his index finger along the rim of his cup, " He is a slacker, a lazy ass who has no business in space. The bastard kept re-enlisting though and it was just a matter of time before he would make Lieutenant so I moved him. Better he was a Lieutenant of a cargo vessel than a war ship," Rose let out a little chuckle mixed with disgust.

" You hate him so much?" Ryo's confusion was evident on his face.

Berkely smiled softly, " Oh, Randy, hate is such a strong word," he dropped the smile, " but, yes, I hate him that much."

Ryo frowned, Berkely's voice was thick with his dislike for Dee. He looked down, he wondered what Dee could have done to upset a Senator. Instead of asking he just took a sip of his coffee still looking down at the table.

" Anyway, I want to know about you," Rose was grinning again and Ryo leaned back instinctively.

" There isn't much to know. Just glad to be on the 'Glorious' and glad I could help out the Commander on her proposal."

" Yes, that was quite impressive," Berkely nodded, " that was quite some speech. I can't remember anyone speaking so confidently in front of me. I'm glad you did though."

Ryo looked up then, " Why's that?"

Rose leaned in closer and when Ryo tried to move back his hand went up pressing into the vertebrae and he held the younger man in place, " You made me understand the importance of new uniforms," Ryo raised a brow unbelieving and Berkely chuckled a bit before continuing, " No really, besides, it would be a shame to conceal all your beauty inside baggy overalls."

" What?"

Rose filled the gap, " You heard me."

Ryo's eyes widened, he was having deja vu and the resulting pause left by such a feeling was ample time for Rose to press his lips to his. It wasn't a kiss, just the touching of flesh to flesh. The man was reading Ryo, searching his face, but before he could pull away a harsh voice called out.

" Ryo!" The man being called didn't have to turn to around to know it was Dee.

Berkely pulled away slowly, obviously in no hurry nor was he embarrassed to be caught with an underling in such a way. Ryo frowned and instantly felt as though he had betrayed Dee even though he couldn't place why.

Dee walked up and took the seat across from Rose. He was glaring at the man allowing all his displeasure to show on his face.

Rose smiled, " Lieutenant Laytner," the greeting was as false as the smile.

" Berkely," Dee purposely dropped the other man's title.

Rose narrowed his eyes, " You will get yours some day Laytner. I know this because I will be the one to hand it out."

Dee smiled, " Gonna lay the smack down are ya?"

Berkely snorted, " You are the bane of my existence."

" Yeah, well, I would have died happier never meeting you too."

Rose stood looking down at Ryo and with a heavy sigh spoke, " We will talk again later," then he was walking from the two men and out the building.

Dee waited until Rose was out of his sight before reaching over and thwacking Ryo on the back of the head, " What the hell was that?"

Ryo looked over his head stinging, " What was what?"

" Oh, don't you act all innocent," Dee was wagging a finger in Ryo's face, " why the hell were you swapping spit with the Senator?"

" I wasn't–ugh, that's gross! We didn't alright," Ryo made a face, " he was trying that's all."

Dee leaned back in his chair, " That's sleazy."

" What?" Ryo looked over angered, " I'm not 'sleazy' and it's no worse than what you did!"

Dee frowned, " Not you I mean him. By the way, it is worse."

Ryo raised his brows, " Explain."

" It's Rose."

Ryo chuckled, " That's your reasoning? Just because of the man he is the sneak attack he did is worse than yours?"

Dee nodded, " Yep, besides, you saw mine coming."

" I did not!" Ryo looked at Dee astonished.

" Liar," Dee smirked, " You closed your eyes. With Rose your eyes were as wide as a deer in headlights," Dee leaned over, closer to Ryo, " Okay, then answer this, which kiss did you like better?"

" I'm not answering that," Ryo looked Dee in the eye defiant.

" Okay, okay, not fair," Dee held up his hands in mock surrender, smiling, " so I'll take that as meaning we were the same."

" No!" Ryo realized his mistake after it was too late. Dee had gripped the back of his neck and was now kissing him deeply. Ryo sighed he knew it was foolish to fight, besides his body wouldn't allow that anyway. Dee broke the kiss slowly looking into Ryo's deep brown eyes with a smug smirk.

" What was that for?" Ryo panted the words.

Dee's smirk turned into a smile, " I wanted to wipe his taste from your memory," then he was kissing him again.

" You shouldn't be doing that you know."

Ryo jerked away from Dee at the sound of his Commander's voice. Diana sat on the other side of Ryo with a cup between her delicate fingers, " Dammit Dee, you know better than that, you are on Senate turf. They will have your rank before you can get your tongue back in your mouth."

Ryo was mortified, a fact that was written all over his face. Dee, however, leaned back in his chair, " Yeah, yeah," he was waving his hand dismissivly.

" No, don't you take that lightly, " Diana reached over and grabbed Dee's hand squeezing the fingers together, " you and your little boy toy better cool off."

Ryo scowled, " I am not his boy toy! He just keeps attacking me."

Diana released Dee, " That's bad Dee, even for you."

" Whatever, he'll come around," Dee gave a wink to Ryo.

Ryo narrowed his eyes, " I don't know why you think attacking someone is a turn on."

Dee groaned, " You keep saying 'attack', like it's hurting you or something."

Diana laughed, " Maybe you're hurting his feelings!"

" Nah, he's way too active to be that put off!" Dee was laughing now too.

" Hey guys, I'm still in the room," Ryo spoke over the laughter with his arms crossed.

Diana smiled at her crew member, " Listen I'm just teasing. Anyway, Maclean, I came to get you. I have to attend a meeting with the Senate and two companies that they picked to design the new uniform and I want you to accompany me. They will want the opinion of a 'worker bee', for lack of a better term, on the design and feel of the fabrics and such."

Ryo nodded, " Yes, Ma'am."

" Good," she lay her palms flat on the surface of the table and pushed herself up, " I want you in uniform and at the doors to the Senate building in a half hour," she nodded at her Second, " No, you can't come Dee."

Dee frowned, " You're no fun."

" Aww, don't pout," Diana smiled, " You have Ensign Adams to keep you company."

Dee's frowned deepened, " That's low."

Diana let out a chuckle then waving left Starbucks.

Ryo looked over at Dee, " You and uh, Adams aren't friends I assume?"

Dee shook his head, " Damn, he's a good guy and all, I mean I really do like him. It's just that... he is... well. How should I put this? Demanding?"

Ryo nodded slowly, " Like in what way?"

" Well, he just expects too much from me. Most of the crew think I don't know, but I do," Dee looked over at Ryo through a layer of dark bangs and instantly knew that the other man knew what he was referring to.

" Have you told him you are not interested. That you can't see yourself with him...like that?"

Dee shook his head looking at the tabletop, " Nah, to bring it up would open the doors of communication. He would try and pursue me and attempt to change my mind on the matter. Nah, I will just let him think I just don't know. I couldn't handle it if he became overbearing all of a sudden."

Ryo smirked amused, " But you being overbearing with me is alright though?"

Dee looked over at Ryo saddened, " I...damn..." there was a pause, long enough to let Ryo know that Dee was considering his words and reading way too much into them. Ryo actually panicked. He still wasn't sure how to take Dee or his advances, but he did know he would miss the attention if Dee took his words to heart.

" Dee I was teasing," Ryo spoke softly and watched as the man's features lit up.

" So..." Dee grinned like the Cheshire cat, " you're giving me the green light?"

Ryo blanched, " No! Not in the slightest!"

Dee laughed, it was an eerie one, almost a cackle, " Too late! You are mine! You can't take it back now!" He wrapped his arms around a startled Ryo, his lips puckered and ready to land. Aiming for Ryo's exposed neck.

" Take what back? Stop! We are in public!" Ryo was pushing back against Dee's shoulders, " I have to go get ready! Get off!" he was still pushing, but was laughing now too.

Dee was suddenly serious, but his arms stayed wrapped around his subordinate, " Man, Ryo you smell good."

Ryo leaned back a bit in Dee's arms so he could better look at him. He smiled sweetly once he saw the care within the other's bright emerald eyes, " Thanks."

Dee returned the smile, then gave a soft peck to Ryo's lips, " You need to go. It's getting harder to control myself around you," He placed his head on Ryo's forehead closing his eyes and taking in the other's warmth.

Ryo spoke, " We are hardly around each other."

Dee pulled back, " My point exactly," he snuggled his head in Ryo's neck, "I barely see you..." his voice was a breathy whisper. He kissed the flesh deeply and slowly, "so when I do..." he made up the side of his neck, leaving a trail of kisses, "I have all this pent up..." his tongue tasted the curve of Ryo's ear, "desire."

Ryo closed his eyes and letting out a quivering sigh whispered, " I have to go..."

" I know," Dee released him, " I know."

Ryo stood and turned toward the exit and immediately wished there was another way out.

He really didn't want to have to walkpast by a clearly angry J.J. Adams.