A/N: Never since I started writing fanfiction last year have I not brought a story to completion. Let's DO THIS!

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Return to Me

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"Either you admit yourself to a mental institution for further evaluation or your leave of absence becomes permanent," the chief sighed as Chiyo sat across from him - her face blank with shock, "We've interviewed non-biased witnesses and reviewed video surveillance. There is nothing to support your claims and you've wasted precious precinct resources on this fools errand."

"Didn't you at least talk to Ryo?" Chiyo asked hoarsely, "He was there. He saw everything."

"We interviewed him and found his testimony to prove nothing more than evidence of your own paranoia," the.ñ Chief replied coldly, "You're a sick woman. It's time you sought proper treatment."

"I'm not crazy!" Chiyo protested with a hint of desperation, "I'm not!"

"Do you submit your resignation then?" the Chief asked as he arched a single brow, "It would save us a bunch of paperwork if you did."

"No I'm not submitting my resignation," Chiyo huffed as she rolled her eyes, "Someone attacked me. That's the truth."

"Present yourself in the morning at this address, at this time or you're terminated with a permanent ban against future service," the Chief replied with a sadistic smirk as he pushed a business card across the table and added sadistically, "Don't be late.

Sighing in defeat, Chiyo picked up the card and set her jaw. This was wrong. This was so wrong the word wrong didn't cover it. She didn't really have a choice in the matter though, did she? Jobs were tight as it was and...and without her position, she'd never find any answers.

"I'll be there," she mumbled miserably as she stuffed the card into her jacket pocket, "Is that all?"

"Yes. I look forward to reading the doctor's report," the Chief chuckled, "You're dismissed."

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"The board of directors have voiced concerns about your alcohol intake and have voted to revoke your interest in the company unless you admit yourself to a detox program," his cousin's voice carried over the speakerphone, "This is for the best. That incident with the sweepstakes the other day was a disgrace and besides it's not forever."

"When do I need to make that decision," Ryo responded after a long moment, "What are the conditions? Can you send it in writing with the notarized board meeting minutes? I'd like an attorney to look over it."

"The clock is ticking," his cousin replied with an exasperated huff, "It won't end well for you if you refuse. They'll cry bad faith."

"Just send it in writing," Ryo groaned as he flopped down on his couch, "Before I agree to anything, I'm having a lawyer look over their conditions."

"Have it your way," the cousin scoffed, "I'll send it over."

And with that he hung up. Ryo closed his sapphire eyes and groaned as he sunk further into the couch. Sure, he drank a lot but that wasn't sufficient to basically bankrupt him. That was going way overboard but maybe it wasn't as bad as all that. Once he'd read what has been discussed, he'd know more.

"Knock knock," Haichi called out as he stepped off the elevator, "Guess who has green tea mochi?"

"Not in the mood," Ryo responded acidly, "Apparently I have to admit myself to a detox program or I'll be bankrupted by my own family."

"That's bullshit," Haichi commented as he came into the living room and plopped into an easy chair, "Are you going to do it?"

"They're going to send over the terms in writing and then I'm going to have an attorney look at it," Ryo sighed as he rubbed his hand over his face, "All of this is just insane."

"Definitely," Haichi agreed as he stuffed one of his treats into his mouth and continued to talk with his mouth full, "Can't you just submit to breathalyzers or something?"

"That's...not a bad idea," Ryo responded with thinly veiled surprise, "And to think, I only hired you for your muscles."

"Well, these muscles have to go see about some personal business tomorrow," Haichi commented idly, "So don't do anything until I get back."

"Where are you going?" Ryo asked curiously - momentarily distracted by this news, "To see a pretty lady perhaps?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Haichi chuckled as he slowly raised another piece of green goodness to his mouth and arched a brow while a smile played on his lips.

"I would but I won't force you to tell me anything," Ryo chuckled before sighing heavily, "At least dearest Chiyo is coming by for dinner tonight. That's something to look forward to."

"I'll take that as a hint to stay in my room, making no noise and pretending I don't exist," Haichi sighed knowingly, "Don't screw it up."

"We're merely friends," Ryo protested indignantly as he held a hand to his chest in mock offense, "Whatever could you mean good sir?"

"I mean don't grab her ass," Haichi responded with a sly smile, "Or try to fuck her."

"I'm so misunderstood," Ryo sighed as he shot his friend a wicked smirk, "All I want to do is spend an evening in the company of a beautiful woman. Is that so wrong?"

"Yes. Yes it is," Haichi teased, "But only because it's you."

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"Wait, someone is wanting you to admit yourself into a hospital too?" Chiyo breathed incredulously as she froze – her chopsticks hanging mid-air on the journey from the bowl to her mouth and the noodles comically slipping back down while her mouth hung open, "Don't you find it strange that both of us are being required to lock ourselves up? That has to be more than just a coincidence."

"I sincerely doubt that both the police department and the board of directors are engaging in some elaborate conspiracy to have us committed," Ryo chuckled darkly as he set his jaw and scowled at the steaming bowl of ramen, "What would be the point? Our two situations are entirely different."

"The point would be to get us out of the way," Chiyo pressed as she snapped back into action with a slight blush – collecting some noodles and popping them into her mouth while furrowing her brow. Once she swallowed, she began slowly, "Whomever arranged for my father and brother to die….they were engaged in criminal activities. The board doesn't want you to get involved so it's possible there is only one person pulling the strings here."

"If someone is that powerful, we don't stand a chance then," Ryo huffed in frustration before pushing the bowl away from him, "After all, it would only be twenty eight days and then we can continue searching for answers. What's the worst that can happen?"

"It could be a trap," Chiyo responded with a casual shrug as she stirred her ramen idly, "Or perhaps they'll pay off doctors to keep us in there indefinitely."

"We need to hire an attorney," Ryo sighed as he sent Chiyo a meaningful glance, "You have to go in tomorrow but I'm going to arrange for an attorney to draft a power of attorney so I can continue to challenge this required admission. I'll be the primary agent but I would like to add Haichi. I trust him with my life."

"You want your bodyguard to control everything for you and me when we're in the hospital?" Chiyo snorted as she rolled her chocolate eyes before adding skeptically, "How long have you known this man again?"

"A few months," Ryo admitted a a faint blush graced his cheeks, "But I truly believe he wouldn't do anything contrary to our interests. I can't explain it. I just know."

"Well excuse me if I don't feel the same way," Chiyo snorted as she reached for the bottle of sake between them and refilled her glass, "I don't know anything about this man. He could be one of them for all we know."

"For someone in your line of work, I find it amusing you believe in a grand conspiracy," Ryo chuckled as he reached for the bottle and poured himself a small glass, "What happened to hard facts and evidence?"

"Whomever we're up against has managed to elude authorities for years and has substantial influence over the police department," Chiyo responded coolly as she raised her glass to her lips and took a sip before continuing, "I sincerely doubt there will ever be hard facts or evidence to prove his connection."

"So this fellow they never caught, the man who kidnapped me and disappeared without a trace…" Ryo began slowly as the corners of his lips twitched upwards, "Is an evil mastermind set on destroying us both for no apparent reason?"

"What do you mean no apparent reason?" Chiyo snorted as she rolled her eyes and admitted defeat by pushing her bowl away as well, "We're investigating things they don't want us to investigate."

"But why attack me before we began the investigation? Why involve me in the first place?" Ryo sighed exasperatedly as he gestured idly to nothing in particular, "If anything, it brought attention to them they obviously don't want. Why then and why now?"

Furrowing her brow, Chiyo opened her mouth to reply before closing it once more. None of this made any sense. In fact, nothing had really made sense after that period of time neither of them could remember. There was something they had seen and forgotten. Something important.

"I don't know. All I know is that means it's even more important now than ever to keep going," Chiyo responded quietly after a moment before grinning up at him, "And we will get answers. I know we will because they'll have to kill me if they want me to stop searching."

"Don't put that out into the universe," Ryo responded as he cringed, "Words have power."

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but…" Chiyo retorted back in an amused sing song voice before Ryo finished for her with a weary sigh, as he pulled his phone out of his pocket "But words will never hurt me. I know the rhyme but I also know the power of written law, contracts and doctor's advice. Words that can hurt you. We need to seek legal counsel. You have to present yourself at eight, right?"

"Yeah," Chiyo answered as she arched a brow, "So are you calling one right now or…"

"No, we already have an appointment this evening. He's been waiting in the lobby," Ryo responded as he sent her a wry grin, "I wasn't aware of your situation, dearest Chiyo, so you have the benefit of essentially free advice from one of the best employment lawyers in this City. Isn't that wonderful?"

"You seriously scheduled an appointment with a lawyer when you knew I was coming over?" Chiyo snorted as she rolled her eyes, "Did you expect me to be leaving early for some reason?"

"Not at all," Ryo chuckled good naturedly, "He's on retainer. A substantial retainer. And he lives in the building next door. I had told him to stop by about now and that I may have to reschedule. Fortunately, I don't as you need legal advice as well. Happy coincidence."

"And blatant disregard for another person's time and effort," Chiyo chided as she gave him a withering glare, "Having him wait in the lobby just in case is wrong and you know it."

"Do you not want the benefit of an expensive lawyer?" Ryo asked as his lips twitched upwards, "I will happily arrange to meet him another time."

"You're the worst and I hate you," Chiyo clipped back as she rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue.

"I think you meant I'm the best and I love you," Ryo retorted with an amused chuckle before sighing, "With any luck, we can stop either of us from having to be admitted and maybe even get to the bottom of things. We're creating a team of experts. A private investigator, an attorney, and whomever else we might need. My resources are your resources. Now and forever."

His grin faded slightly as those last words left his lips – though he valiantly managed to keep a less natural grin on his face while his cheeks tinged pink, "So, why don't we clear up and head to the conference room?"

"Wait, you have a conference room?! In here?!" Chiyo gasped in shock before adding as she glanced around, "How big is this place?!"

Instead of a reply, she merely earned herself a mischievous smile and shrug.