His greatest wish was about to come true. Berkeley Rose felt it in his heart. Shuichi Shindou had not been in Ryo's apartment when he had arrived. It had been the half-Japanese detective by himself when the Commissioner had knocked on the door. He did not know who had to thank for this little Christmas miracle, whether it was God or Santa Claus even though he did not really believe in either mythical figure, but Rose did not care. He would let Randy "Ryo" MacLean let know how he felt, how he had always felt, and he felt certain his emotions would be reciprocated.

Except the younger man seemed to be intent on avoiding any kind of physical contact with him. It frustrated Rose, and he had to remind himself to be patient. Ryo simply was not used to being pursued since Laytner's death. Unless Shindou . . .

Rose mentally shook his head. The scrawny, would-be singer could not offer Ryo anything of emotional substance. Hell, in Rose's opinion, Dee Laytner had not been able to offer the younger man what he needed, but the dark-haired detective had still managed to win Ryo's affections. How that had happened, Rose was not sure but he also knew he was not about to lose to someone like Shuichi Shindou. He was still trying to figure out how he could get close enough to MacLean when he saw exactly where the detective stood and what hung above him. With a smirk, he crossed the distance between them and covered Ryo's mouth with his own.

It was a deep kiss and passionate on Rose's part. He would have made it last longer, too, had it not been for Ryo pushing him away and the startled gasp he heard behind him. Rose turned towards the sound, and met with Shuichi Shindou's crestfallen and hurt expression. Smirking, he stepped away from Ryo and walked out the door. He had made his point, in his mind, and he had won. Ryo would no longer be able to deny his affections for him, and the two of them would be together at last.

In walking out, he failed to notice the disgusted and dirty look Ryo shot his way.