No Longer Alone *Story Complete*

Chapter 2:


Chapter 2:


About twenty minutes later, Dee turned down a one way street that led to a quiet residential area. There were a few businesses and churches, but mostly single or double family homes. The raven-haired man pulled up in front of one of the churches and parked.

Ryo looked up to the large home attached to the church and felt his eyes widen when he saw the sign hanging proudly from a rafter. “Lane Orphanage…wow, this is really nice. I hadn’t had a chance to visit Mother’s Lane’s new home.”

“Yeah, its nice,” Dee smiled. “But sometimes I miss the old building. This place is definitely safer for the children.” He said and climbed out of the vehicle.

The three bags were removed and carried to the front door. Ryo opened the door and allowed his partner to enter the building. He immediately moved into the large office on the right to be greeted by a young woman in her mid twenties as he sat the bags down once more.

“Hello Dee, Merry Christmas.” The raven-haired woman said with a smile and came from behind her desk to give him a hug.

“Hey Kaida, Merry Christmas to you too.” He replied, hugging her back and placed a kiss on her cheek only to release her and gesture to his partner. “This is my partner, Ryo MacLean.”

“Merry Christmas Detective MacLean.” She said, blushing slightly at the two handsome men.

“You too, and please, call me Ryo.” He said with a smile to the beautiful young woman.

She nodded and pushed her wire-rim glasses up on her nose. “Dee, everything is all set up. The children are at services and will be getting out in about half an hour.”

“Thanks Kai.” He said with a smile before turning to Ryo. “Well lets get going.” Gesturing for him to follow as he lead the way down the hallway.

The building was much bigger than it looked from the outside. Behind the actual house, there was another building that was attached to the back. “This place is huge.” Ryo mumbled more to himself.

“Yeah, there are thirteen bedrooms, each have enough room for two to three kids. The building in the back has a rec room and a small gym for the kids. There are rooms for the staff and a playground out back.” Dee’s brow furrowed. “What am I forgetting? Oh yeah! They also have three new vans to get the kids to and from school.”

The light haired man looked at Dee in amazement. “How can Mother Lane afford all of this? I know S Corp was going to pay the start up costs and the moving costs, but that was all.”

He looked up when he heard the sinister chuckle that escaped Dee’s lips. “Actually, Kaida had something to do with that. She used to work for S Corp…and she grew up here as well. After the bombing of the orphanage, she did a little snooping.

“She found two checks, one made out to Hank Leisure and the other to Ben Lloyd. They were listed as ‘business expenditures.’ She quit working for S Corp, but not before getting copies of the two checks.

“’Somebody’ sent an anonymous letter to S Corp along with a copy of the checks and magically, S Corp changed the terms of the agreement with Mother. They agreed to pay the property taxes for the land as well for paying for the utilities. Mother doesn’t have to worry about funding anymore and she can now focus on taking care of the children.

“There was a contract signed and if S Corp defaults on the agreement, they can be sued for breach of contract.” Dee said as they rounded the corner and walked into the rec room.

“I guess they figured that it would be cheaper to provide for the orphanage than to lose so much business because of the scandal of displacing the poor orphans, seeing that they were the reason it blew up in the first place. They probably think that it would be better publicity for them for people to know that they’ve basically adopted Mother’s Orphanage.” He finished, placing the bags he was carrying near the beautifully decorated tree.

The raven-haired detective moved to stand by his partner and wrapped his arm around his waist. “Ready to see what I needed your help with?” He asked with a wide grin.

Ryo felt that sense of dread building in his body once more an he suddenly felt cornered, but reluctantly, he nodded.

“Come on Ryo, it won’t be that bad.” He laughed as he guiding him into a storage room.

The door was closed and the light was turned on. Dee went to a bumper pool table and began unzipping the large duffel bag. A pair of green tight, a red and white stripped shirt, and elf hat and curled toe elf shoes were revealed.

With wide eyes, Ryo looked from the clothes, to Dee, back to the clothes, and then to Dee once more. “You’ve GOT to be kidding me…”

“Nope!” Dee said with a face splitting grin. “You better hurry and get dressed. Mrs. Clause and the kids will be here soon.” He removed a Santa costume and retreated behind a folded ping-pong table to change.

A sigh escaped his lips as he moved to the door, pressing the lock before moving to the other side of the table, grumbling at the evilness of his partner while he changed into the costume.

o-o

Dee looked into a hand held mirror and adjusted his white beard and bushy white eyebrows before adding a pair of gold-rimmed bifocals. “Perfect.” He mumbled, studying his reflection intently.

“I hope you’re happy…and I swear if anyone at the station finds out about this, there will be no more kisses and I’m finding a new partner.” Ryo threatened and stepped behind the ping-pong table, glaring slightly as his hands moved to his narrow hips.

Dee’s gazed started at the curled elf shoes, lingering on the bells before traveling up the toned green-clad legs. He felt his laughter beginning to bubble up as his eyes reached the red and white stripped shirt. When he saw the elf hat on his head, Santa lost it. Laughter filled the room as Dee clutched at his cushioned belly, his cheeks turning red, making him truly look like the jolly old man.

Ryo couldn’t help but to smile at the man who was laughing at him. “Ha, ha, ha. Very funny.” He shifted a bit, adjusting himself in his tights. “Geez, these are like a size too small. I’m going to have a permanent wedgie in these.”

Dee laughed again. He knew his partners pants size, he just purposely got them a size too small so he can get a good view of those toned legs and pert butt. He reached into his bag and grabbed the white gloves and slipped them onto his strong fingers.

‘Santa’ moved forward and pulled his elf close to his chest. “You know, I really appreciate you doing this for me. The kids will love it.” He said and placed a light kiss on Ryo’s cheek before releasing him. “Can you grab those red bags out of there? He asked gesturing to the duffel bag as he went to retrieve the ones he left by the tree.

The green clad man pulled out the bag and saw the wrapped gifts that rested inside. There were gifts for Carol, himself and even Bikky. A smile traced his lips as he though about Carol and Bikky coming over.

‘When the four of us are together, it makes me feel like I have a family again.’ He thought and turned to see Dee enter again.

Green eyes met his along with a warm smile. “It's because you do.” He said and began loading the presents from the bags and into the large red sacks.

“I wish I knew how you did that. You always know what I’m thinking.” Ryo said, helping to load the bags.

“That’s because we’re soul mates.” A smile graced his lips and he was about say something else, but the sound of children laughing and talking came into the rec hall.

Kaida entered the hall and opened the door to the store room, but didn’t enter yet. Both men couldn’t help but to think about how cute she looked. She wore a deep red velvet dress trimmed in a white fur-like material. A white wig covered her dark hair and a crown of holly and ivy on top of her head. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses that nearly matched Santa’s, sat daintily on her nose.

“All right children, have a seat around the Christmas tree.” Mother Lane’s voice reached their ears as Kaida made her way into the room where Dee and Ryo were concealed.

She ducked inside, a wide smile gracing her lips. Are you guys ready?” She asked, her eyes trailing over Ryo, who blushed hotly.

“Don’t worry Ryo, it looks good on ya!” She said with a smile. “I’m just glad it wasn’t me playing the elf again this year. I’ve played Dee’s elf for over three years now.

He looked down to the shorter woman, the blush still tinting his cheek. “Thanks.”

“You should see the little elf number he wanted me to wear the first year I was his elf!” Kaida glared at the raven haired detective.

“Come on! It wasn’t that bad!” Dee complained. “I still don’t think you had to hit me so hard! You nearly gave me a concussion.”

Kaida grinned when she heard Ryo laugh. “You learned your lesson though.” She adjusted the glasses on her nose just as the door opened and Mother Lane entered.

She smiled warmly at the three as she moved forward to hug Dee. “Its good to see you again.” She released him, but took his hands in hers.

“Aww penguin, you missed me!” He started and smiled back. “Sorry I haven’t been over to see ya in a while. We’ve been really busy at the 27th lately.”

“Perfectly understandable my dear.” She said and released his hands before turning to the dark eyed man. “Ryo, thank you for helping out today.” She said, embracing him as well.”

“Merry Christmas Mother Lane.” He said and wrapped his arms around her as well.

She pulled back and took in the three. “Are you ready? The children are so excited.”

Glancing to his elf and Mrs. Clause, Santa nodded. “Lets get this show on the road.” Dee pulled one of the bags over his shoulder as Ryo grabbed the second bag, handing Kaida the candy canes from the table.

Mother Lane stepped out and moved near the tree. After saying a short prayer with the children, she told them all to close their eyes. Dee took that as his queue and stepped out into the rec room, the bells on his black boots jingling happily.

Santa gave a hearty “Ho ho ho” causing the younger children to squeal with glee while the older children smiled, knowing it was Dee inside the costume. Ryo followed Dee out, truly enjoying seeing the smile on the children’s faces.

‘I can bare a bit of humiliation…but I still can’t wait to get out of these tights.’ He thought, forcing himself not to shift again.

Author's Note

I had to break this off somewhere. I have 52 pages total of this story written out, but I’m just too tired to continue for tonight. Please, don’t forget to review.

Oh yeah, I don’t own Fake, but I do own Kaida. Don’t worry, she won’t be interfering in Dee and Ryo’s relationship. She’ll just be a friend :-)

Edited 12/28/07