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 was in the middle of a big move so I didn't have the time nor the internet to get this chapter up in time. Sorry about that! I hope you guys are still with me and here ya go, the next shiny chapter!

Rose didn't give Diana the time needed to get her things from the office before he was pushing her out and pulling Ryo in. He assured her that she could come back then slammed the door in her face when she opened her mouth to speak.

Ryo looked back at the door, stunned as Rose made his way to the desk and sitting waited until Ryo turned to look at him.

Captain Rose smiled as Ryo finally looked at him, " I read your record and I am impressed with the way you handled the landing of this ship."

" Thank you Sir," Ryo was standing at attention.

Rose was toying with a pen, twirling it in a circle on the desk, " In fact, I am impressed with everything in your record. If you would like I could have you transferred to a larger ship. Somewhere your skills can be put to use," Rose stood abruptly then, " What do you say to that?"

" I thank you Sir, however, I would like to keep my current position on 'Glorious'," Ryo looked closely at Rose and was slightly unnerved by the dark look in the older man's eyes.

" That's a shame..." Rose slowly made his way across the room, secretly pleased that Ryo had nowhere to run, " your abilities will surly go to waste on a cargo ship," he was now a foot from Ryo and was put off that Ryo didn't look intimidated or frightened. Instead he looked more defiant and almost angry.

" I think that my time on this ship will add more experience and knowledge to my records as opposed to weakening it," Ryo spoke confidently.

Rose nodded, " I understand, however, you will lose the sharpness needed for other skills if they are not put to use."

Ryo frowned, " That is not a concern of mine Sir. I am quite capable of retaining my knowledge. My skills will not be altered."

Berkely Rose smiled smoothly and it sent a chill down Ryo's spine, Rose took a long stride forward closing the gap between himself and Ryo and when Ryo tried to step away his back pressed against the door. Rose smiled wider then leaning down whispered, " I hope the incident at the coffee house didn't make things, well, for lack of a better word, odd between us."

Ryo had to search his brain for the memory and when it came to him he frowned. Rose was referring to their meeting at Starbucks, in which the Senator was quite forward in his advances.

" No Sir," Ryo's hands were balling into fist, " I was not offended."

" That is so wonderful to hear," Rose's eyes scanned to look upon Ryo's lips, " I hoped as much. You seem like a nice enough person, so I would have been upset if we couldn't be..." Rose looked back into Ryo's eyes and a sly twinkle was flashing through them behind the lens of his bifocals, "...friends."

Rose smiled again and it was laced with something awful, but before Ryo could place it Rose's lips were on his, kissing with a roughness he had never felt before. Ryo's eyes were full of anger as he looked at the man kissing him as his hands went up to try and push him away. Suddenly, Berkely pressed forward, crushing Ryo's body with his weight and this action sent Ryo's adrenaline into overdrive. Ryo used all his strength to shove Rose off, pushing with his forearm and widening his stance for better leverage. The action pushed Rose to the right instead of straight back and it was harsh and violent. Rose was tossed aside with such force that he hit the side wall.

The spherical Oc'tull swayed.

Ryo was glaring, staring at the shocked Captain through blond bangs and heated eyes, "Don't you ever touch me again!" Ryo took his forearm and wiped at his mouth and was pleased to see Rose narrow his eyes at the action.

Before Rose could respond Ryo had pressed the buttons and the door opened and he was out, rushing from the office with such haste he was close to jogging.

Ryo was so angry that tears were sitting on the rim of his eyes. Never before could he remember experiencing such rage. He tried to calm himself, tried to think of Dee and the kisses he would give to him. However, the sweet memories were tarnished as his mind kept returning to the sloppy, unwanted kiss Rose had given him. Ryo scowled, he refused to call it a kiss, it was an invasion, forced upon him with absolutely no care as to how he felt about it. Ryo felt dirty and used and still so very angry. So deep in his thoughts was he that he hadn't noticed J.J. walking silently beside him. Nor did he know J.J. had been there for quite some time.

J.J. contemplated speaking, knowing that Ryo's thoughts were elsewhere he really wasn't sure he should interfere. However, he had never seen someone so pissed and he was worried, no matter how much he disliked the man it wasn't because he thought he was a bad guy.

J.J. decided to speak and he wasn't surprised to see Ryo start a bit, " Wanna talk about it?"

Ryo looked over at the slightly shorter man with wide eyes and raised eyebrows, he looked annoyed that the man had interrupted his thoughts and the harshness of his voice made that all the more evident, " What's there to talk about?"

J.J. sighed, " I figure Rose said something to get to you. Wanna talk about it?"

" No," the word was spat out bitterly. Then Ryo stopped walking and closing his eyes took a deep breath, calming his body. When he spoke this time it was softer, kinder, " Sorry J.J. Thanks for the concern, but I can handle it."

J.J. nodded, pursing his lips, " I don't like you all that much, but I do care for Dee deeply," he tipped his nose up as if he thought Ryo would argue with him. Once seeing that Ryo was quietly looking down at him with no intention of answering, J.J. went on, " If something or someone hurt you it would in turn hurt Dee," J.J. turned away and began to walk farther down the corridor, his posture told Ryo he was ending the conversation.

Ryo resumed his walking, but wasn't far when he finally heard J.J. add, " Say the word and Drake and I got your back."

Ryo stopped abruptly then and looked back, surprised and touched. J.J. soon stopped to and he looked over his shoulder, slowly nodding before he continued on his way.

" There is much to talk about Lieutenant," Commander Reynolds was walking briskly toward his office followed closely by Dee and his Second in Command Sheila Mactagert. They rounded a corner and they looked like heroes in an epic flick with their capes flowing majestically and the hard soles of their shoes clicking smartly on the floor. As the doors to the office slid open Leslie Reynolds' majesty seemed to grow and enfold the others, he was stronger here and more himself, in this room he was more approachable and the decor helped the feeling of hospitality.

The entire office was decorated with pictures of the Commander holding up his latest catch, a big mouth bass, a channel cat. His retired lures where hanging from a mat on the wall and his fishing poles where behind his desk high on the wall. The whole office had been painted hunter green and instead of looking dark as one may suspect it was actually calming.

Leslie didn't bother sitting, instead he half leaned half sat on the edge of his dark wood desk. Crossing his arms at the wrist he sighed then looking at Dee spoke, " The Federation has finally unlocked the secrets of the G'nar's motivation for attacking us."

Dee shifted ignoring the admiring look he was receiving from Mactagert, " Will it aid us in the fight?"

" Not really sure yet," Leslie pursed his lips together grimly, " Apparently the G'nar government wasn't happy that the Gorren Nation sold it's rights of it's import borders to the Federation. After the attack on your ship the Gorren government called for a compromise and offered the G'nar exactly half of the ports and docking stations for imports and exports while the other half stayed with the Federation." Leslie stood and walking around the desk sat in his leather chair, " The Federation was on board with the arrangement, but the G'nar would hear nothing of it, saying that it was all or nothing," The Commander sighed heavily, " Here's the thing though, the Federation refuses to give up the land and port rights so the war remains unless they reconsider. Because the G'nar will not back down."

Dee ran his fingers through his hair and spoke, " Well, this sucks. So, how's your wife?"

Leslie raised his brows brifely, then remembering the personality of his crew mate smiled then answered, " Worried about me, but otherwise Melanie is fine," He stood and gripping the desk with his hands stated in a tone that was slightly sorrowful, " Obviously, you cannot retain your status as a Second in Command-"

Dee was quick to interrupt, " I figured as much before I came aboard. As long as I can have my position back as a gunner I will be fine!" he showed off a bright smile and Lieutenant Mactagert's body reacted to it's beauty. She looked away quickly and caught a glimpse of her Commander staring at her with an arched brow.

Leslie made his way to the door and quickly threw a question over his shoulder, " Dee, you still prefer men?"

Dee didn't hesitate, " Yep."

Commander Reynolds turned abruptly then, " Don't hit on any member of my crew then," his eyes glanced at Mactagert and he saw her disappointment and thanks. If Leslie hadn't allowed her to hear that bit of information she no doubt would have made a fool of herself pursuing Dee.

" Speaking of which...I need to settle into my room and make a phone call," Dee walked behind his Commander and friend to his quarters.

Ryo had just came out of the shower when he heard the beep from his vid-phone signaling that he had a call coming through. He sat at his desk and frowned at the screen, it indicated that he had five missed calls. Ryo yawned then touched the screen.

" Damn it's about time!" Dee's smiling face flickered on screen.

Ryo smiled gently, " You only left this afternoon! Why are you calling so soon?"

Dee made a comical face, " What? You don't wanna talk to me? You break my heart!"

Ryo laughed, " Of course I want to talk with you! Don't be silly. Just thought maybe you needed time to settle in and go to briefings and what not."

" Did most of that already, still have two or three refresher courses to go though," Dee snorted, " Forget that! How are things with you?"

" Okay. All is well here," Ryo chuckled, " although J.J. is obviously missing you."

Dee shrugged and waved his hand in a dismissive fashion, " Whatever. Anyway, I asked how things are with you and you lied."

Ryo's brows creased together, " What!"

" I can tell you are holding something back," Dee waved his finger at the screen like it was a small chid, " We can't have a healthy relationship if you won't be up-front with me."

Ryo's mouth gaped open, " I didn't! I mean I'm not hold-"

" Ryo..." Dee looked hurt.

Ryo realized that he didn't like that expression. However, he really didn't want Dee to know about his encounter with Rose. The two men already couldn't stand each other and Ryo knew that giving this information to Dee would make things worse. He sighed and hung his head. Maybe he wasn't giving Dee enough credit, he was a Lieutenant after all. Regardless of what Rose said it takes skill and knowledge to make that rank not just time. Dee was strong and capable of handling a myriad of situations, so this shouldn't be all that difficult for him to handle. Right?

" Ryo?" Dee was looking at him with pleading eyes.

" Well, there really isn't a tactful way of saying this...but," Ryo took a deep breath, "Captain Rose kissed me today."

" WHAT!" Dee had risen from his seat and all that could be seen on screen was the string on the front of his pajama pants. His voice was loud and Ryo had the thought that he was probably disturbing others nearby, " I'm going to kill him! No that is much too simple!" his palms slammed down on the table with such force that the noise it produced made the speakers squeal, " No I am going to wring his little neck! Yes, twist it until-" suddenly Dee was silent and his form bent until he was eye level with Ryo. His voice was soft and even as he spoke, looking at Ryo with darkened eyes, " Captain?"

Ryo flinched. That bit of information he did want to keep from Dee, he hadn't realized he let that slip until now, " Well..." Ryo decided it was pointless to lie, " yes. He's on the ship. He's commanding it now," Ryo dropped his head waiting for the explosion.

However, Dee was calm in his response, " What about Diana? Why is he there?"

Ryo sighed then proceeded to explain the whole situation to Dee. When he was done Dee was shaking in his anger, " That low life mother-"

" No Dee it's okay," Ryo was smiling nervously, " I can take care of myself you know!"

Dee's head snapped up, " So you pushed him away."

" Of course!" Ryo looked offended.

" Why?" Dee asked sitting back down in his chair.

Ryo was annoyed, " Because I don't like him!"

Dee nodded, " Oh...that's all?"

Ryo opened his mouth to answer then noticed the look on Dee's face. Ryo smiled, even though Dee was trying hard to hide his feelings they were still shining through. Ryo found the look endearing and sweet. Dee wanted to be the reason he pushed Rose away and as Ryo ran the thought through his mind he realized he was.

" Also," Ryo spoke with a twinkle in his eye, " it wasn't as nice as yours."

Dee's features lit up, " Really?"

Ryo's voice lowered to a level that sent a pleasant chill through Dee, " Really."

" That's nice to hear," Dee was smiling and Ryo felt pain at not being able to touch his face.

" It made me realize," Ryo dropped his head as a blush rose on his cheeks, " how much I am going to miss you."

Dee sighed, " Yeah, this sucks and it has only been one day."

Ryo nodded, " Yeah..."

Suddenly Dee was smiling seductively, " Was it gross?"

" Gross?" Ryo laughed, " Such a high school word! But yes it was gross."

" And mine are..." Dee tilted his head to the side, " what?"

" Nice, yours are nice," Ryo was looking more and more handsome as his blush deepened, " Yours make me feel...nice."

Dee chuckled, " You sure do like that word...nice."

Ryo shrugged, " It's a good word. It works."

" Yeah, I guess..." Dee yawned, " Shit I hate to do this, but I gotta go, I have a early day tomorrow."

" That's alright," Ryo smiled, but was saddened that their conversation had to end.

" Okay well I will talk to you as soon as I can," Dee smiled, " Love you."

" You too."

It was the surprised looked on Dee's face that triggered the stunned look on Ryo's. He hadn't realized what he said until he saw the expression on his lover's face. Ryo blanched, his lover? But really was there another word he could use to describe the man? Boyfriend sounded ridiculous. Ryo shut his eyes ignoring Dee's questions on the other end. Was he really ready to go to that level? To start referring to Dee as his partner? Ryo frowned, well he had let Dee...

" Oh God!" Ryo whispered the words as he locked eyes with Dee again. Dee was silent waiting to see what Ryo would do next, " I...um, I..."

Dee smiled then shook his head, " Don't give yourself an aneurysm. Think about it. Night love," then he disconnected.

Ryo was still sitting at his seat, confused when the emergency lights blinked and everyone was called to the Bridge.

AN: I hope that was to your liking and please tell me if you think the relationship is moving too fast (although it wasn't exactly sluggish in the manga...) Thanks for reading!