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!

Rose was shaking, he was angry and he felt helpless, and though he had felt these feelings before he still didn't like them. It was early now two or three in the morning, but Rose now knew that he wouldn't be able to go to bed anytime soon.

It had happened swiftly, while Parker was on his way back to the Bridge to inform the Captain of their process he had came across Diana and Ryo. After getting help from Medical and getting the two into the Sick Ward, Drake had ran to the Bridge and got there the same time as Christopher from Tech.

Now Rose after already listening to Drake was taking in what Christopher had to say. It wasn't good and it was all a bit overwhelming.

" The device was set on a timer, which is actually a good thing. Had it been remote controlled it would have been harder to dismantle and remove," Christopher stopped and pushing up his black framed glasses spoke a little smugly, " Not impossible, mind you, just would have taken longer."

Rose sighed, " No one is questioning your abilities Meyers. Go on."

" After looking over the device we have determined that it is a class five-"

Rose held up an elegant hand, " Will any of the specifics help us, as lay people, understand the workings of this machine?"

Christopher raised his brows, " I suppose not. None the less it has been dismantled and we can track the serial number to the seller and manufacture at least. Then I suggest you have Federation Security Forces take it from there."

Just then Crystal stepped onto the Bridge and Christopher gave his wife a sweeping admiring glance. She had her hair down and she was frowning.

" What is it?" Christopher and Rose asked at the same time.

" That device..." she bit her bottom lip cutely, " it had a linking wire that was attached to the propulsion system of the ship. Thank God we found it when we did, it was set to interfere in three days."

" Interfere?" Cassidy asked timidly, not sure if she should cut into a conversation between the Captain and members of Tech Support.

Crystal looked over, " Explode. It would have blown out the system and it's functions, the ship would be stalled."

Drake frowned, " Damn, someone hates us."

Rose looked grim, " Thank you...I have other matters to attend to. Please see to it that everything on your end will be done satisfactory."

Crystal and Christopher saluted then left the Deck. Rose spoke, " I am going to be in the Sick Ward should you need me. Ensign Parker, take care of the ship for me," he was gone before Parker had the chance to say 'yes Sir'.

Upon stepping through the doors the Head Surgeon rushed to Captain Rose's side, she knew exactly why he was there. She wasted no time getting to the point.

" The G'nar's weapons are just as ancient as their ships," as the doctor talked she and Rose walked briskly to the back of the Ward to Intensive Care, " He used a pistol that he no doubt got from either Earth or one of her colonies. Needless it to say, I had to dig for bullets as oppose to cleaning up and repairing laser burns," they rounded a corner and stopped at a door with a keypad. The doctor entered a code and the door slid aside and the two stepped in to see two beds. One holding Ryo the other Diana.

Rose walked over to Ryo's side and frowning pushed a strand of honey blond hair from his eyes. Sighing he spoke, " What are their injuries?"

The doctor stepped up beside the Captain, " Ensign Maclean is actually better off than Commander Spacey. Even though he was shot in the chest he was fortunate that the bullet missed his heart and lungs. Our biggest concern when he arrived here was the amount of blood loss. That has been rectified and after being cleaned and stitched up we gave him sedatives so he could rest. When he wakes he will be sore, but he will wake in a matter of days."

Rose turned then and faced Diana, " And the Commander?"

The doctor sighed, " She is worse off. She was shot in the stomach, leg and shoulder. The leg and shoulder wounds where easily dealt with, however, the stomach wound is much more dire. The bullet went all the way through. We repaired her stomach and her spinal chord, but we won't know until she wakes up if she is going to be paralyzed or not."

Rose made a sound of pain from deep in his throat and griping the side of Ryo's bed whispered, " I wish to be alone with them."

The doctor nodded, then left the room.

" No, Drake, that is the point!" J.J. was becoming more and more frustrated, " I really think it is necessary to find out how this thing came aboard! What if someone on the ship right now is involved!"

" He makes a good point," Crystal was staring dreamily at J.J.

Christopher saw the look in her eyes and sighing said, " Hello, you're married."

" Hello, he's gay," Cassidy chimed in, not bothering to look up from the pen she was dismantling.

Crystal's eyebrows shot up in surprise, " Really?"

J.J. mearly shrugged.

" Back to the subject please!" Drake took a hearty swig of his water.

They, Cassidy, Parker, Adams, Meyers and White, all decided to go to the briefing room to discuss the found fire mechanism. Lars stayed on the Bridge to monitor the ship, the repairs from the attack where completed and they were set to take off tomorrow morning.

Drake asked, " When was there a time when enough people have been away from the ship that someone could get on?"

" We have been sitting on this pad awhile," Cassidy spoke.

" No, there was a fire in the same place before the attack," J.J. was doodling on a tablet, if you could call it that. It was a rather detailed picture of a woman with feathers in her flowing hair and sensual lips. He was talented indeed.

Drake looked over at the picture and raising an eyebrow stated, " We all got shore leave when we had to pick up Maclean."

J.J. stopped his pen and looked over at Parker, " Drake, I think you figured it out. Son of a..." his eyes went dark.

" Whoa now Jemmy," Drake knew what that look meant, " let's not accuse Maclean of anything just yet."

" He's the only one new to this ship!" J.J. slammed down his pen, " He brought on a duty bag as well as a personal duffel. It has to be him!"

Drake touched his friend's shoulder, " Calm down. Let's explore other avenues first..."

J.J. looked over at Drake and with a deep breath whispered through clinched teeth, "Fine."

" Okay, now let's look at it from another angle. Maybe it was made by things already on the ship, I mean surely the security systems would have went off if someone other than crew boarded the ship," Drake ran his fingers through his hair.

" No," Christopher was playing with his wife's fingers, " A person of great skill made that device, to bypass the security would be a cake walk."

Everyone sighed and silence took over the room. Then suddenly J.J. perked up, " I wonder if the Lieutenant would know something more, something we don't know about the G'nar. He's on a war ship now so I know he has more information than us!" and before anyone could object Adams had jumped up and left the room.

" Um...hello?" Dee was looking at his view screen, it was morning and he thought Ryo was trying to get in a quick morning call. Imagine his surprise and disappointment when he saw J.J.'s face instead of his dear lover's.

" I am so sorry to be bothering you at this hour Lieutenant, however, I have an important question to ask you," J.J. tried to look professional, sitting rigid in his seat and speaking clearly.

" Go ahead," Dee let out a popping yawn, " just know that I'm getting ready as you talk," he had barely gotten any sleep last night, after hanging up with Ryo his commander had asked if he wanted to play a game of chess. However, tired Dee had accepted the invitation, now it was coming back to haunt him.

J.J. nodded then asked, " Is there any information that you could give us about the G'nar and their motive for declaring war?"

Dee was pulling a white tank over his head, " I have a question for you. Why are you asking me? Shouldn't our commanders be having this conversation?"

J.J. bit his lip nervously. Laytner had a point and he had no idea how he was going to answer him. J.J. thought a little longer then decided to tell Dee the truth. Well, at least part of it, " Commander Spacey was in an accident and the Captain hasn't left her side," J.J. was fairly certain Ryo had told Dee of Rose's arrival, " A G'nar came to the ship and shot her. We need to know why the G'nar would target a cargo ship. Twice."

Dee had pulled his uniform top over his head and at J.J.'s words sat down and looked at the younger man. Sighing he spoke, " I really don't know Adams. I can tell you the Gorren nation sold all ports to the Federation. I don't know if that would help, but that is all I can give you."

" Thank you Lieutenant."

" Is that all Adams?" Dee frowned a bit, " Or is there more to this 'accident'?"

J.J. blinked then stammered, " N-no! Why would you–"

" How's Ryo?" Dee broke in features that of concern.

J.J.'s mouth fell open, " Maclean? Good I guess. We don't talk you know."

Dee narrowed his eyes, " If I call him will that be the answer I get from him?"

" Damn I don't know!" J.J. yelled in reaction to being pushed into a tight spot, " Call him and see!"

" I will," then the line went dead.

J.J. sat there stunned looking at the screen with wide eyes and parted lips. He realized it hurt to see just how much the Lieutenant cared for Ryo. He buried his face in his hands and resolved at that moment to let Dee go.

To the medical team's surprise around four in the afternoon, Ryo woke up. He was sore and in pain, but he was speaking and alert. Rose had stood from his place in the arm chair and was now leaning over the blond.

" How are you?" Rose's voice was smooth and caring.

Ryo smiled slowly and Rose quickly told the staff to go and that he would call them if there was a change in behavior. Then Berkely was sitting at the edge of Ryo's bed.

He whispered softly, " How do you feel Randy?"

" Good, despite the pain in my chest," Ryo continued to smile and it became clear to Rose that Ryo's mind was still a bit foggy from the sedatives.

" I was so worried about you..."

Ryo nodded then frowned, " The Commander...is she...?"

" No, no," Rose's voice was still a kind whisper, " we will know more when she awakens," Rose ran his fingertips over Ryo's jaw line.

Ryo closed his eyes and in a soft voice stated, " I thought I told you never to touch me."

Berkely chuckled, " So you did, however, you look so peaceful lying here," his fingers traveled across his skin to settle at his lips, " can you truly blame me?"

Ryo tried to scowl, but the medicine still left him slightly lethargic, " Don't..."

" When I look at you," Rose had lowered himself, his lips inches from Ryo's pale ones, "I can't help myself..." he kissed Ryo then a slow, gentle assault that stunned Ryo. So different from his first dominate one. Berkely felt Ryo's lips part and was thrilled that the young man was finally responding to his advances. Oh, how heartbreaking it was to feel the painful sting of a bite on his lip instead. Rose jerkedaway suddenly, the back of his hand going to his lip and he stared down with furrowed brows. Ryo, who's drug induced smile has colored by the trail of Berkely's blood, returned the gaze furiously.

Ryo's tone was dark when he spoke, " You cannot find out the reason Diana was shot by spending time molesting me."

Rose smirked through his angry features, " The more you resist the more you tantalize me."

Ryo's words fell from his mouth of there own volition, " You are not the one I want to tantalize."

Berkely's eyes grew wide and the question was breathy with surprise, " What?" he couldn't remember Ryo ever speaking of a love, " Who?"

Ryo's eyes narrowed slowly, " I am tired. Go away Sir."

Rose did as he was told and leaving the Sick Ward was stopped in the hall by J.J., " We recieved a message from Federation HQ. They want us to go to the Gorren export docks in three days. Pick up a huge shipment and return it to Headquarters. The offical orders are going to be faxed to your office," J.J. turned on his heels to leave then turned abruptly, " By the way Sir. The Gorren sold their docking rights to the Federation instead of the G'nar. I am sure that is significant to the shooting of the Commander and Ensign Maclean."

Rose nodded, " Thank you, return to the Bridge and await my orders."

" Yes, Sir."

The fax had came by the time Berkely had stepped into his office. He ignored it, instead he opened his vid link and dialed a familiar number.

" Ah, long time no see Senator," the voice on the other end was ominous.

" Keep your voice down," Berkely scowled, " You have angered me. We never talked about violence."

" This is war Senator," the man laughed, " What other methods would we use?"

Rose growled, " This has gone too far, you were never supposed to declare war!" his fist hit the table, " We had an agreement."

" And we still do. Don't worry, your chances of becoming Admiral have not been harmed," more laughter, " You have my word."

" Bah! That means nothing to me!" Rose glared at the man, " You gave me your word last time and still you almost killed someone dear to me."

The man on the other end blinked his blue eyes slowly, a sly smirk twisting his features, "Even we have heard the expression Senator 'Never do business with a G'nar'," Rose disconnected the line but not soon enough to miss the triumphant laughter on the other end.