President, this is impossible." she sad to Lory.

"Do you mean you cannot play this role? Because I would totally understand if you cannot act out hating your own husband."

Almost a year since their wedding, and even now, hearing the words made them both flinch. Very few people knew of course.

It had been a simple affair like they wanted. Him in a black suit and her in a simple white gown surrounded by close friends and family. One person notably missing was Fuwa Sho and Kyoko had been sad.

"It feels like someone who has always been a part of my life is missing."

"Even on our wedding day you want to bring him up?" Ren had asked annoyed.

Kyoko thought of saying that they did have him to thank for bringing them together but didn't. It was the first day of their marriage after all. Why spoil it by starting a fight? And so had begun their life of compromises - of give and take, of love and laughter. Or so she had thought

"So cliche" Kanae had said to her, "Love and hold and all that crap. I am surprised you so easily fell into the trap Kyoko after being the #1 love me member."

"It still seems cliche" Kyoko had replied. "When it happens to other people."

Kanae had laughed. She was happy for her friend even though she would herself never volunteer to create a cycle of inter dependency that she believed marriage to be.

They were mostly successful in keeping their marriage a secret. Yashiro became manager to both of them and both he and Lory had worked to make sure to manage any risks. Until this time.

The dreaded challenge came in the form of a detective drama - "Killing you softly" - an episodic murder mystery. Ren was already playing the part of a police detective - looking cool in a suit with a gun, playing all the action scenes with aplomb - the role suited him to a T.

However, for the two-part season finale, the directors wanted Kyoko to play the villain - a super smart and ruthless woman capable of brilliant subterfuge enough to foll even Ren's Detective Kenji. It was a dream role - to be able to showcase her talent at acting and deception within acting. Deep within her, Kyoko was itching to play it. Just thinking about it gave her goosebumps. And to be able to act opposite her ideal actor - Tsuruga Ren was just icing on the cake. But...

"I don't have to hate my... Ren san." Kyoko protested. The president had called Ren, Kyoko and Yashiro to his office to discuss the matter.

"The role itself, I can do it. I want to do it." continued Kyoko.

"Then it is decided. I'll let the director know."

"But President Takarada, what about the fact that we are.."

"You are what?" said the President asked innocently.

"M..."

"Mistaken? Madmen? Multi-billionaires?"

"Married." said Ren glaring sternly at the President.

"What if we are found out?" blurted Kyoko unable to hold it in much longer.

"Do either of you young 'uns believe you cannot act like you are not married in front of other people?"

"No." Ren and Kyoko chorused. "We have been doing that for over a year now." added Ren.

"Then what is the problem?"

Neither had replied but Kyoko had looked like a dying duck in a thunderstorm. What if I stop acting while I am acting and my real feelings for Ren-san come out? As it is the reason I fell in love with him was that I fell in love with his acting. Even in the dramas we have done together I have not had many scenes with him. But in this one there is an episode long interrogation scene. She remembered the details - he would circle round her like a predator circling a prey sometimes putting his face very close to her. What will I do if i lose sight of the character? Ren-san might even lose all respect for me or my acting.

Ren and Kyoko came out of the President's office, Kyoko was very flustered. She felt like she had been forced into something she either very badly wanted to do or was very badly scared of. Her thoughts and emotions were in a whirl.

"You can still back out if you want." said Ren. He really wanted to hold her till she calmed down but he couldn't. Not in the hallway.

"No." said Kyoko taking a deep breath straightening herself. "i will deal with it." and she just walked away.

"Is it ok that you don't go to her?" asked Yashiro.

"Yashiro-san, when a professional actor says they will deal with a new and potentially challenging role, what would you think?"

"i see. You want to give her the space to come up with her own answer. You do know her well, I suppose."

Ren didn't say anything but started walking thoughtfully.

Ren sat across Kyoko. They had come for the first reading of the episodes. There were three other people in the room. The two cast members who would also be in the episodes and the assistant director.

Ren and Kyoko had driven in together. They had talked about it and decided since they were from the same entertainment agency and had the same manager, it would not look odd if they traveled together. But after coming in and greeting everyone, neither Kyoko nor Ren had said anything.

Ren had given Kyoko the space she needed to work out her role and create her own version of Mika Takemori. But looking at her and reading her body language as he so easily did these days, he didn't think she had figured it out yet. He closed his eyes. What could he do to help her?

If I offer her help now, it may insult her pride in front of the others. I cannot ask for more time for her either, for the same reason. In that case...

"Mogami-san?" he said and Kyoko who was just as attuned to his tones looked up in surprise. "I feel like we need some practice before we can do our roles justice."

Kyoko stiffened. 'He thinks I can't do it.' she thought. She felt angry. After all this while together he has no trust in me.

"I think I can manage ok." she said trying hard to keep the anger out of her voice. It came out stilted as though she was unsure.

"Really?" he asked back sweetly. "I hope you understand how important it is to the whole drama that the finale live up to the expectations that the drama has set so far."

'That's it!' thought Kyoko in annoyance. 'Who does he think he is telling me how important this is. i already know how important it is. It is not helping really. This just pisses me off'

"Oh really Tsuruga-senpai? If that is the case I don't think it will be a problem at all." she also spoke sweetly, implying that the expectations weren't really that high. Then she realized that she had just insulted the rest of the cast and the AD sitting right there. She turned to apologize but Ren cut her off.

"I propose a game then." he said.

A/N: Initially I was just going to hand wave and say "And they lived happily ever after for 3 years" or something like that. But from the reviews, it looked like people might like some Ren x Kyoko story. I should be able to get back to the present in 3-4 chapters. I hope you enjoy this chapter.