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Dee stood in the doorway of the office that he shared with his partner, resting against the frame and carefully studying the man who now held his heart captive. Ryo was truly a God in the making and there wasn't a part of him that Dee didn't know by heart.

Ryo had a head of dark blond hair that felt soft to the touch and always smelled of the shampoo that he used. Hell, Ryo himself always smelled so good to Dee. The aftershave and cologne that Ryo wore was a perfect balance to the soap he used, and left him with a gentle yet masculine scent.

Ryo had a slighter build than Dee and most people would consider his appearance and mannerisms to be of an effeminate nature just on initial observations. Dee knew better though. Ryo was as tough as they came and could kick just about anyone's ass if he wanted to. Ryo, while usually the calmer of the two men, did indeed have a temper, which when ignited, could simmer for hours and sometimes days.

Still, there wasn't anything about the handsome man that Dee had become partnered with, that Dee didn't find attractive. All of those things added up to a package that Dee had fallen hopelessly in love with. Dee now found that his heart was lost to a man who still couldn't give that love back.

'Too bad that he doesn't see me in the same way that I see him. Dammit Ryo! I love you, you moron! Why can't you finally see that and most of all, why can't you love me back? Why must I suffer like this when you could rid me of this torment so easily ?'

It had now been well over a year and a half since Dee had first laid eyes on the delicate creature with an inner strength that matched his own. A year and a half that had brought about many changes to Dee's life because of how he felt about Ryo. Changes that Dee himself still had trouble believing he was actually doing all in the name of love.

Gone were the endless nights spent at some bar or club trying to hook up with someone for a night of passion. It didn't matter if they were male or female, just as long as they could satisfy Dee's inner animalistic nature. Gone were the nights of making love until he was worn out and couldn't get an erection, no matter how hard he tried. Even if his partner at the moment, was a great lover.

Gone too were the times when Dee would openly flirt with anyone who caught his eye. Enjoying the fact that both men and women found him to be very attractive. It was quite the ego boost, to say the least.

Ryo had changed all of that and so easily too. One moment Dee was this man who loved single life and all its trappings and the next, all Dee wanted was to settle down with the love of his life. Ryo had done that to him the first day they had met and yet, Ryo just didn't seem to grasp the reality that Dee was madly in love with him. Ryo now had Dee wrapped around his little finger but acted as though he had no idea why.

'What I feel for you is real Ryo... It's not a joke to me. I know that I lead you to believe that at first but that's because I feared your rejection. I kept it light because I knew that it made you uncomfortable. Now though, I can't be as coy about my feelings for you and it hurts to know that my love may never be returned .'

Dee watched as Ryo laughed softly over something that Ted was telling him. How Dee loved the sound of that laugh. Dee even loved the subtle way that Ryo's eyes curled into a smile and the way his head cocked to one side, as though he still hadn't gotten the joke, even though he was laughing at it.

That was one thing that drove Dee nuts about Ryo. Ryo had this naive way of dealing with things that he didn't want to face or acknowledge. Yet it was that very naivety that Dee had fallen in love with just the same. It still amazed Dee that Ryo could be so clueless to the feelings that Dee conveyed to him, even though they were clear as bell to everyone else.

'Hell! Even Bikky and Cal are well aware of how I feel about you! They both know that I am in love with you, even if Bikky does bust my ass about it. I guess that's why he does it though. The brat is worried that you may feel compelled to love me back out of some sort of obligation. I understand Bikky more than you realize Ryo, and he understands me more than he lets on to you. '

Smiling to himself a little, Dee turned and headed back into the office, deciding that the object of his affections was just too far away for him yet to do anything about. Still, Dee wasn't sure just how much longer he could continue with the way things were. It hurt too much to have his heart's desire so close yet too far for anything to come of it. Walking over to the window, Dee looked out over the inner courtyard and sighed. He could see down below as two fellow officers were locked in an embraced, seemingly oblivious to anyone who could be watching them.

'That could be Ryo and I. Instead it's Janet and what's his face...? Officer Benton or something like that. Dammit! How much longer must I wait? How much farther must I crawl? How much more of my heart must I open and bear before Ryo finally sees how much I love him? '

Dee drew hard on his cigarette, the frustration of it all making his need for nicotine even greater than before Ryo had started working at the two-seven.

'What more does he want from me? Commitment? Hell, he's got that. A secure relationship? I'm more then ready to settle down with just one person. Love? Passion? Romance? He's got it! I have all the passion he'll ever need. I can even be romantic and all soft if that's what he needs! I can do it all, if he would just give me the frigging chance!'

'What else can there be? Children? We can adopt! Hell I could even be persuaded into the whole surrogate bit if he asked and as long as a turkey-basting thing was used! So what else more could he still want? A wife? Well Latener you're screwed there! There's no fucking way that I'm growing breasts and having my dick chopped off for anyone! Ryo included! I love you with everything I have Ryo, but I'm not crazy! I like my body parts as they are thank you. That means you'll just have to take me as I am baby !'

Dee jumped when he heard the sound of the office door closing, and quickly spun around to find himself face to face with the very man that was tearing at his heart and making him nuts. Deciding to just act casual, Dee put his cigarette out and then stepped away from the window to head for his seat. Dee was startled when a hand reached for his and held it tenderly.

'Okay... He's torturing me now! This is just great! Like I'm not anguishing enough over him? He decides to make it worse! Why does he have to do this to me all the time? Does he derive pleasure out of seeing me like this? So unsure and confused? Just don't look into his eyes Dee and you'll be okay! Don't do it you asshole! Aren't you listening at all? Shit! I am such an idiot! I just have to look !'

Dee turned and locked his gaze onto Ryo, their eyes meeting instantly. It was as though someone had just doused Dee in some sort of carbonated liquid, because all of a sudden his whole body began to tingle. The smile that graced Ryo's face was enough to have Dee feeling light-headed and weak-kneed. A year and a half ago, Dee wouldn't have acted like this at all. Damn if that man didn't know just what buttons to push to get to him like this.

'Okay Ryo you've got my attention. Happy? What is it that you want anyway? I bet you just love toying with my heart like this don't you? Does it even bother you? Are you ever affected by the way we look at each other? Do you ever wish for more when I kiss you? Does your skin hum with need when I touch you? Do you desire ever find yourself desiring me so badly that you think you'll go insane because of it? Yeah that's how I am every single frigging time baby! That's what you do to me and I'll be damned if I can stop it !'

'When will you open your damn eyes and see all of that? When will you finally see that with me, you have nothing to fear? When will you come to understand that even though I'm not spewing poetry or showering you with candlelit dinners, or serenading you after sunset, that I love you just as much as if I was able to do all of those things? When Ryo? '

Dee wasn't sure just what to make of it when Ryo stepped closer though the smile on Ryo's face seemed to grow even larger. And when Ryo suddenly reached out to touch his cheek and run soft finger tips over its contour, Dee couldn't stop himself from leaning into the touch.

When Ryo finally spoke his name, it was like the most beautiful music that could ever be scored, as far as Dee was concerned. Between the warmth of gentle fingers and the voice that was now speaking to him, Dee found his will slowly breaking like a clay figurine that was left out in the sun for too long. All his doubts and frustrations dried up in that instant as two lips touched his, brushing over his own in such a delicate way that Dee felt his knees buckle.

'Shit! He's kissing me? Randy, you can call me Ryo, MacLean is actually kissing me for a change! The man, who would freak every time I kissed him, is actually taking the initiative and is now kissing me! Either hell has frozen over or my wildest dreams are about to come true! Oh God please let it be the latter! Okay Latener, part your frigging lips and see if he takes the bait! What the hell are you waiting for? A god damned invitation from him? This may be as close as you'll get to that invite, you moron !'

Dee slowly parted his lips and when Ryo took that as permission to continue, Ryo deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue in to explore the warmth of Dee's mouth. That was it for Dee as he wrapped his arms around a waist that seemed to have been perfectly made for his arms to hold. When Ryo snaked his arms around Dee's neck and then curled slender fingers into his hair, Dee nearly lost all control of his mental capacity. This was just too good too be true!

'If I'm dreaming then I'll kill the person who wakes me up! Son of a bitch! I never would have believed that Ryo could be this forward... Or this good of a kisser, for that matter! Hot damn! I want more! Oh yeah baby, use that tongue in the way that it was intended to be used. You taste like peppermint! Must be those damn mints that you're always sucking on. Son of a... Forget it Latener! Don't even start on that whole sucking bit! We haven't reached that point yet! Who knows if we ever will? I'll take what I can get for now though. '

Dee allowed Ryo to decide when enough was enough. And when Ryo finally did break the seal that their lips had been engaged in, Dee swore that it sounded as though Ryo had moaned in disappointment that the kiss had ended. As much as Dee wanted to end that disappointment for Ryo, he couldn't. Dee found himself unable to do anything more but to stand there with his arms still firmly holding onto the man that had just sent him to heaven and back again with just one kiss.

Ryo also remained where he was; keeping one hand curled into Dee's ebony locks while the other once again brushed lightly over his cheek. The pink that stained Ryo's cheeks told Dee a lot more than Ryo would ever realize. It told Dee that the kiss had taken a great deal of courage on Ryo's part, especially since Ryo wasn't one to engage in such a blatant display of affection. It was obvious that the kiss had happened for a reason though and Dee had an idea just what that reason was.

'It's okay Ryo. You don't need to explain it. I understand better than you think. You need more time right? You want to give into your heart yet you fear the consequences of such an act. That's okay though. I'll give you all the time that you need. Hell, I'd be happy to wait a lifetime for you, if you keep showing me, in your own little ways, that you do want me. As long as I know that I have a chance with you I'll keep fighting. After all, when you love someone as deeply as I do you, then everything put into having your love returned is well worth waiting for. You are worth it Ryo, very much so. '

Dee smiled back at Ryo, letting him know that it was okay and how much Dee appreciated the effort that Ryo was making. Kissing Ryo's forehead, Dee sighed softly, keeping Ryo as close to him, for as long as he could. This was just too nice to let go of yet and since Ryo wasn't making a move to step away, Dee let the moment go on.

'I know that you still can't tell me yet... The words still won't come to your lips. But I hear them in ever little kiss touch and smile that you give to me. I hear those words just as loudly as if you had spoken them and I look forward to that day when my ears finally do hear them come from your lips. When you're ready to speak those words for real Ryo, I'll be right here to accept them into my heart. Until then I'll say them for the both of us... I love you ... I love you .'

~ THE END ~

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A/N: Yeah I know... Get the insulin quickly! Man oh man, this was sugar coated to the max! What has come over me? What compelled me to write such a piece? I'm a hopeless romantic thatŐs why! *Grins*