Settling in

D was aware that gossip rocketed through Chinatown pretty fast. And he couldn't say he had anticipated his return to go unnoticed. He was far too known for that. But the sudden amount of attention he got was most surprising, and truth be told, he found it quite annoying. Especially because everybody who was "just stopping by" got a curious expression on their faces when Leon entered the shop, dropping by for his lunch break.

Truth be told, his visitors already had the curious expression when they caught sight of Dana, but only when Leon was there as well did they start to look thoughtful. Very thoughtful. D didn't like it at all, the way their gazes wavered between the blonde and the child, and the pensive glances he was rewarded with after they'd gotten a good look at those two.

Not that he was ashamed of his daughter. Or Leon. Or even the fact that he'd gotten a child from a human. He firmly tried to tell himself that there was absolutely no reason to be ashamed when Mrs Chang stopped by in late afternoon, pretending to bring a welcome treat, but spending the whole time staring at Dana. Fortunately nobody dared to ask him, and the kami silently thanked the heavens for that small favour when Leon arrived just as Mrs Chang was about to leave again.

She of course didn't. D hadn't expected her to do so anyway. Curiosity was a trait he could understand, though he berated his visitors for not hiding it better.

"Oh, Mr Detective!" she twittered, eyes darting quickly between Leon and Dana on D's arm, which she hadn't left almost all day, due to both all those strangers in 'her' pet shop and her sickness. It only had one good point: D hadn't had to think about how to introduce them to his daughter. Dana had woken around eleven o'clock, and since then had been nearly inseparable from her father, except when Leon came for lunch. Since he didn't want to close the shop, D had gritted his teeth and received the welcome parade with Dana on his arm. They would have had to go through it anyway, sooner or later, so they might as well do it right now.

And now Leon stood in the door, blue eyes fixed on Mrs Chang, irritated. It was clear he hadn't wanted anyone to be here now, not after there'd been so many people here during his lunch break. He'd not even had a chance to talk to his daughter properly, doing what D had asked him to and keeping a low profile around her. The kami had seen the look in his eyes, anger at the people, and worry for the child, and disappointment. And he had wished desperately he could give Leon time with his child.

"How nice of you to come visit our dear Count again!"

Leon almost grimaced at those words and tried not to think about what D probably thought about being called 'their dear Count' by such a woman. She had a broad, flat face, and even by Asian standards, she couldn't be called a beauty. Her figure was plump and she wore quite unfashionable clothes. He would have to ask D who she was, though he remembered seeing her around the souvenirs shop next door, chattering with her friends and sending him strange glances whenever he'd stormed into the pet shop.

"Yeah, thought I'd see if he's still alive after that day," he murmured and tried to be polite, though it wasn't easy. He was still irked that he hadn't been able to have Dana during his lunch break and simply wished to be alone with D and his child. His day had been bad enough without more curious women.

Mrs Chang beamed falsely, and even Leon could discern she was bursting with curiosity. He suppressed a grimace and talked to D instead. "So, D, you all settled in again? 'Cause I got a few questions you should perhaps answer…"

D's eyes widened in sudden understanding and he plastered the fake smile on his face. "Why, whatever could you want from me today, Detective?" he twittered. "I only arrived a few hours ago. Surely even you have to admit that's quite a short period of time to commit any crime, especially when I now have a child to look after."

"Then get the kid outta here and we'll talk about some things that happened with your pets while you were away, shall we?" Leon tried his best to sound angry, but he was too exhausted.

D turned to Mrs Chang with an apologetic smile. "I am very sorry for the detective's behaviour," he said sweetly. "It seems his manners haven't improved since I left."

The woman recognised a dismissal when she heard it and stood. "Well, I'll leave you to your chores then, Count D. Your daughter looks already very tired." She extended a hand as if to touch the girl and D flinched. He hated the human custom of having to stroke and pet small children. He didn't want anyone to touch Dana. Well, with the exception of Leon, and Chris, and Miss Jill would be okay, too. But not Mrs Chang.

Fortunately Leon seemed to feel the same, because he stepped in between, took Dana from his arms roughly and sat her down on the sofa. She didn't protest, but snuggled into Leon.

"Go get your things done so we can start talking. I don't have all evening," he barked. D quickly led Mrs Chang to the door, whose eyes had gone wide. Now she really was bursting with curiosity. But the kami was fed up with pretending.

"Have a nice evening, Mrs Chang, and give your husband my best wishes," he said formally, shielding the blonde and the child effectively from her view. She looked disappointed.

"Thank you, Count, have a nice evening, too. I mean, even though the American is imposing himself on you again," she added, trying to look as if she wasn't interested in Leon at all.

D bowed his head. "I do know how to handle him, Mrs Chang. Believe me, it won't be a problem."

He watched her mount the stairs and berated humans in general and the population of Chinatown in particular for their curiosity. Grandfather would have…

He quickly left that thought alone and went to close the shop, finally having gotten rid of the woman. Grandfather was another thing he didn't want to think about right now, just like the glances from the people. It was – too unsettling at the moment. This was a delicate phase. He had moved back, but only two days ago. Now time would show if he and Leon would manage to raise their child together. If they would even manage to find a compromise about how to raise her. They still hadn't talked about that, but D knew he was not going to be the one starting that discussion.

He sighed depressed and tried not to think about what he would do if it didn't work, too. Instead he busied himself with bolting the door and preparing tea, while Leon finally was able to hug his daughter. She was tired, and her cheeks were still slightly flushed, though D knew the fever was almost gone. He hoped she wouldn't fall sick again after today's strain. But even though she hadn't been her usual wild self when she woke at eleven o'clock, she had seemed quite well again. And he hadn't anticipated so many people.

When he left the kitchen again with the laden tea-tray, Leon was stretched out on the sofa, Dana lying on his chest. Both had closed their eyes, and Dana was asleep. The kami sat the tray down as silently as possible and smiled at the picture, though a pang went through him at the memory of a similar scene in Japan. Today he would not try to kiss Leon. He didn't know if the blonde even remembered that kiss, but better not to try his luck.

Leon opened his blue eyes and looked at him tiredly. "Could do with a nap, too," he said sleepily.

"Did you have a good day?" D inquired, though he already knew the answer. When Leon had had a bad day, he would come screaming and raging at D. When he'd had a really bad day, he'd come and sit and stare into space. Those were the days to be worried about.

"Coulda been better." Leon sighed and nudged the girl, peacefully asleep on his stomach. "She likes lying there, doesn't she?"

A soft smile spread on D's face. "It is a position close to the heart, Detective. She can feel and hear your heartbeat, like she was able to in her – mother's womb." He blushed and dropped his gaze to the table. "It makes her feel safe. I used to sleep with her on my chest when she was a very small baby, too."

"You did, huh? Well, but she's gotta be used to your heartbeat, not mine. I wasn't the one who had her in his body." Leon shuffled a little, but whether because of physical discomfort or psychic D couldn't tell. He tried to keep his cheeks from growing hot.

"That doesn't matter. Heartbeat is something she is used to since she started to exist. It calms her."

"Wonder what it feels like, in there," Leon mused and stared at the ceiling. "Wonder what it feels like to have a kid in there…" His voice trailed off, providing D with an opportunity to finish. But he didn't take it. Instead he sipped his tea, embarrassed at both Leon's question and his own reluctance to share the experience of his pregnancy with him. There was nothing wrong with being pregnant.

But there was something wrong with the way he'd gotten pregnant. There was a lot wrong with the situation right now.

When no answer came forth, the blonde sighed and scrabbled around carefully, trying to stand without waking Dana. Tetsu, lying under the sofa as usual, came to his help, and when Dana was safe on his arms, Leon turned back to D. "I'll just go lay her down. And then I'll be off. Gotta get some sleep."

"Do so, Detective," D said quietly and smiled. "I will see to my pets. Feel free to come tomorrow whenever you like."

He sat for a few minutes after Leon had left the front room without moving. Then he shook himself and sighed, discarding lots of thoughts buzzing around in his head. It was no use thinking them. Only time would answer them, and for once, he would have to wait until it did answer them.

He glided into the back and checked on the pets like every evening. When he finally reached his bedroom, Dana was asleep in her bed and Leon was already gone.

Leon didn't make the breakfast appointment with D. He would have loved too, but around seven o'clock Jill called him and demanded his help. He had to leave, and by the time they were done, nine o'clock was long since gone. He sulked around until Jill got tired with him and decided he'd be better help after he'd been to the pet shop.

"But I'm coming with you!" she said firmly and wouldn't hear another word. The blonde glared, but decided to keep quiet since it was only shortly after twelve and his lunch break not yet due. She hummed happily on the whole way and greeted the passing Chinese with considerable enthusiasm. Then she turned to Leon.

"Why do they all look at you this way? Did you do something again?" she asked.

He glared. "I didn't do anything! D just didn't tell them Dana's my kid. So they're all wondering whether she is or not."

His colleague looked nonplussed. "Why doesn't he want them to know? It's nothing to be ashamed of," she pointed out. "Okay, it's kind of surprising, considering you two never really did anything but quarrel, but what the heck? Lots of people get kids by accident."

The blonde shrugged and buried his hands in his pockets. "Dunno, ask D. He just said he doesn't want me to tell them, and I won't do it. End of discussion."

Jill favoured him with a thoughtful glance. "Well, seems the kid surely changed a lot between you two. Back then D telling you not to do something would only have resulted in you doing exactly that asap."

He shrugged again and didn't answer. The woman smiled secretly. She'd always thought Leon and D were just great as a team. If the child would manage to make them realise that, too, she would be all-too-happy.

Leon could already hear Dana from the outside again. He sighed as they went down the steps. His daughter seemed to have inherited his tendency to be noisy. He'd never given much thought to D's constant scolding he should try to be quieter. But now he could somehow understand the kami. Dana had lungs, and enough of them to please the whole neighbourhood with her cries, whether she was delighted or sad or hurt.

At least he could make out that at the moment she was happy. That was a good sign. It meant she was alright again. Though Leon tried not to admit it, he had been worried, even though D had assured him time and again it was quite commonplace for small children to get fever every now and then. He knew that. It didn't mean it made him feel any less worried when his own daughter was sick.

D spun round when he heard the door open, Dana on his arm. Leon could tell he had been playing with her, one of those games he didn't understand because they were Chinese. Or perhaps they weren't even Chinese, but kami. He couldn't tell, he only knew they weren't the kind of games he would play with his kid. Too much thinking.

D looked shocked at being caught laughing and playing. But at their sight, he smiled and relaxed slightly. "Miss Jill, how good to see you again!" he said friendly, though Leon saw the alertness in his eyes. However, it ceased the second his colleague opened her mouth to let out a delighted squeal.

"Oh god, she's adorable!" Jill exclaimed and stared at the child, totally enamoured. D smiled, pleased.

"Thank you, Miss Jill," he said softly. The woman's eyes wandered between D and the kid, shyly hiding her face in his shoulder.

"She looks so cute. Tell me, Leon, how can a guy like you get such a sweet daughter?"

She nudged her colleague and grinned at him. Leon scowled. "Yeah, you too, Jill. She's better today, D?"

D smiled softly. "Yes, she is quite well again. The fever has ceased completely, and she is already very busy turning everything upside-down again." He sat down with the child in his lap and gestured to them to do so, too. Jill did, not able to tear her gaze away from Dana. She returned the look with wide, blue eyes. The woman smiled.

"She looks exactly like you, Count, but her eyes are yours, Leon. God, how beautiful!"

Then she remembered something, finally dragged her eyes from the girl and smiled at the kami. "Oh, I'm sorry! Congratulations to you! I know it's a bit late, and I didn't know what present to give you, so I just bought this…"

She produced a bakery box from her handbag. D's eyes widened at the sight and his smile became ever more brightly. "Why, thank you, Miss Jill! That was not necessary, really." Leon, who had wandered around the room a little aimlessly, bent down and took Dana from D's lap, noticing that the kami couldn't decide whether to take the treat or leave it on the table in favour of his daughter.

"Go on, make some tea and we'll have lunch," he said gruffly. Dana didn't protest, just hid her face in her other father's shoulder and peeked shyly at the strange woman. Jill smiled.

"Hello, Dana. I'm Jill," she said, with a voice Leon had never heard her use before. He looked at her in surprise, but Dana tugged at his hair and thus captured his attention again.

"Leon, little bear," she whispered and her father smiled.

"Where has D put it, sweetie? Is it in here or in the bedroom?"

The girl pointed to the curtain. "Bed," she said. Leon went over and took the book from its place beside Dana's bed. They sat down on the sofa just as D returned with the teacart. He placed the plates on the table while Leon opened the book and started to read. Dana lost her shyness and wrestled herself comfortably into his lap, listening to the story with bright eyes. "Little bear and his friends," she said happily.

"Yeah, that's right, sweetie, that's little bear and his friends. You wanna hear about them or you wanna eat first?"

Dana's gaze wandered between book and table. She seemed unable to decide. "Bear and cake!" she said at last. D, who had been sipping his tea, sat down his cup.

"No, Dana. Either you eat or Leon reads to you. Not both," he said firmly. The girl pouted.

"But –" she started.

D held up a hand. "No, Dana. Read or eat."

Jill, watching, chuckled and winked at Leon. "At least one of you knows how to raise a child," she teased and Leon grimaced while D smiled brightly.

"Thank you, Miss Jill," he said and turned his attention again on his daughter.

Dana wavered, but at last she decided to eat first. Leon helped her with the spoon, and the three grown-ups were quite amused by the child, though D didn't look too happy when she got half of the cake on her dress. But Leon wiped it away, much to T-chan's delight, who'd already been waiting by their side for any food Dana might drop. The girl lost all her shyness and by the time they were finished eating, she had ventured from Leon's lap to Jill's side, charming the woman completely with her bright smile and those big, blue-golden eyes.

Leon was the one who finally noticed their lunch break was long since over and hastened to shush Jill out of the shop. Dana didn't start crying this time, much to his relief (and probably to D's, too.) They both stood in the door and the girl waved them goodbye. The blonde had to steady Jill with his arm so that she didn't bump into the other people on the street, she was so busy waving back she didn't look where they were going.

She was still chattering on about how cute Dana was when they returned to the plaza. Leon listened to her, both embarrassed and proud. Finally he cut her off. "Jill, stop it! I got you like Dana, it's okay." She looked at him with eyes as bright as Dana's and he realised that his colleague had absolutely fallen in love with his little daughter.

"God, Leon, you're so lucky, really! You've got Dana and D and…" she broke off, mood suddenly changed into sadness.

The blonde cleared his throat. "I don't have D, Jill. All I've got is Chris and Dana. D is – merely the mother of my kid. Not my lover or anything like it," he said and she sent him a glance. He flustered. "What? What is that supposed to mean? You think, D and I…?! Jill, forget it. I'm glad he moved here. This – Dana was a one-night-thing, nothing more. I can't even…"

He threaded a hand through his hair desperately. "I can't even remember that night. I don't want to get it on with D. Hell, I'm not even sure it will work out with him and me both caring for Dana! He can leave anytime he wants, if he wants to. And I'll never see Dana again."

He kicked a stone away and buried his hands in his pockets. "He could leave again," he repeated silently.

Jill looked at him and suddenly took his arm. "I don't think he will, Leon," she told him firmly. "Why should he first come back if he only wants to leave again? No, I don't think he will."

Leon wasn't convinced, she could tell by the frown on his face. She pressed his arm warmly. "D likes you, Leon," she said softly. "And he loves his kid. I'm pretty sure he wants what is best for Dana. And even if you two don't manage to get along, I doubt he would want to withhold her from you, now that you know about her. Don't worry. You'll work it out, you two. You've always worked it out somehow."

The blonde sighed deeply. He forced a smile onto his face, tried to look brave and convinced. "Yeah, guess you're right, Jill. Won't know if I don't try, will I?" She smiled back. "That's the spirit. You can do this, I'm sure. Just wait and see. Everything'll be fine."

A/N: See? I told you they've got issues... lots of them.

Thanks for the reviews, girls, and have a nice weekend. It's gonna be better than mine in any case...