Authors Chat: Another short chapter. *smile* Lots of new review'ers this time too. Thank you for taking the time to write!

The only question that came across in reviews was if they will 'consummate' their relationship. Haha. To that, I say you'll just have to keep reading! I'm not going to answer things like that! That could give away the whole story one way or the other! (If there was another question, sorry I missed it.)

That being said, italics text are direct thoughts of characters, text is in quotes, noises are done with asterisks.

DISCLAIMER: Skip Beat! and it's characters are not my original creation, they are owned and created by Nakamura Yoshiki.

Story Timeline: Y'all know the timeline by now. If not, go back and read it in an earlier chapter! (taken out for length).

Playing With Fire

Act 37

Ren's eyes jerked open. Something had woke him up. He laid still, listening hard, but did not hear anything.

He sat up and reached over to turn on his lamp. A gentle light flared around the room, revealing it to be empty.

He slid his legs over the edge of the bed and pushed the covers back from his body.

Red? When did I put on red pajamas?

The black set he had put on before crawling in bed lie disheveled on the floor in front of his bureau. He had had those on still when Tsutsui-san had stopped by… when had he changed?

He shook the tangles from his hair, drank the last of the water in his bottle, and stood and exited the room.

The air smelled good. Mouth wateringly so. At least it isn't nauseating anymore. But who cooked?

Ren entered the kitchen. On the counter was a tray with food and a juice glass covered with saran wrap. A small note card sat atop the bowl.

The note card read:

Tsuruga-san,

I know you will not be hungry, but please eat this so you can regain your strength. The shoot is scheduled to restart as soon as Director Sutoyo is out of the hospital, and you will need your strength.

Mogami Kyoko

He read the card again before setting it aside and picking up the tray to carry it into the living room.

The bowl was still warm as he lifted it from the tray and placed it on the table. Kyoko was here… Long enough to make congee even… was that why he was in different pajamas? Had she gotten him to change his clothing like she had before when he was sick?

He didn't remember waking up to let her in, didn't remember her taking care of him, and certainly didn't remember her bringing food over to cook for him. How long had he been asleep?

Ren looked over at the clock on the DVD player. It had been a good 4 hours since Tsutsui-san had stopped by. Kyoko must have just left.

Ren stood up quickly then, and hurried to his front door and looked down the hall. He knew it was probably in vain, but if there was even a slight chance she was there… He would always chase after her.

******************

She had went into the kitchen and leaned on the counter. What was that!? He… He's sick. He couldn't have meant that he WANTED me as in… lust? Well… it wouldn't be the first time he acted strange and wasn't in his right mind. When Tsuruga-san gets sick, he really gets sick.

… That's right. I can't just leave him here. B-but… he asked me to leave… maybe he didn't really mean it. But.. I can't just ignore his wishes! What if he DID mean it!

Kyoko's eyelashes moistened. What the hell, Mogami Kyoko, get a hold of yourself! Crying over something so stupid. Being asked to leave…

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. She was flustered, and when she was flustered and needed to think, usually she pulled out her sewing. Her bag was not in the kitchen though, and her hands moved of their own accord.

Before she knew it, she had gathered ingredients and was surprised to find she had everything needed for a pot of congee, though it did not take much.

He… he has to eat anyway. Besides. If I'm out here, I'm not in h-his room with him. He told me to leave, but not to leave the apartment. I'll just cook him this food… then I'll leave. He won't argue. I don't think.

The pleasant mechanized voice chirped over the intercom system. The noise broke her from the memory. This was her stop.

Kyoko hefted her bag higher on her shoulder and stepped down the few steps to climb off of the bus. She retrieved her bike from the bike rack and sat astride it in the direction of the Daruma Ya.

She couldn't quite get her brain to work, and her brain and heart seemed to be screaming different things. He wanted her. He WANTS her.

Ren's words resounded in her head over and over again.

"I… want you. …But I can't have you. You… won't accept me, and I can't control myself around you."

Was that really the words of a person delusional from fever? They struck something deep in her heart, and it conflicted with her brain. She had told herself there was nothing there so many times. Forced herself to step out of the way for Kami-chan. After all that though… he sent Kami-chan away… and wants me? She just couldn't quite grasp what that meant.

She wanted so desperately to turn the bicycle around and go back to his apartment. Take care of him. Do more for him than just cook a meal and leave. What was this? She shouldn't be having such guilty feelings. Could I really be so greedy? ARG! But it was the same with Shoutaro! Wanting to cook for him. And clean for him. And be there when he got home at the end of the day, tired. Make him laugh. And be there for him when he as angry. And… and what? D… do I really feel the same? No… NO. I don't. I know I don't! It isn't the same. I just… wanted to be by Shou-ch… Shoutaro's side. It's different.. with Tsuruga-san…

She started peddling, moving toward her destination.

I… want…. More than that. ARG! NO! If I do that… just… no. He belongs with Kami-chan. They're a better match.

She stopped the bike.

It hurts… why does it hurt though? "IT ISN'T FAIR!"

Those around her shied away. Her sudden outburst startled them all, herself the most.

Isn't fair? What isn't fair? Her being with him? Or that he still has feelings for... me…

Her cheeks flushed hot.

Does he really still feel that way for me?

Kyoko peddled on, lost in thought and conflicting emotions until she parked her bike at the Daruma Ya, and went upstairs to lay on her futon trying to figure it out.