Title: Putting Family First
Fandom: FAKE
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Dee, Ryo, Mother.
Rating: PG
Setting: After Vol. 7.
Summary: They’re supposed to be talking the weekend off, but instead Dee and Ryo have a family emergency.
Word Count: 500
Content Notes: None needed.
Written For: Challenge 351: Amnesty, using Challenge 296: Sideways.
Disclaimer: I don’t own FAKE, or the characters. They belong to the wonderful Sanami Matoh.



It wasn’t the first time Dee and Ryo’s plans for their days off had been knocked sideways. Life happened, although it was usually the Chief calling them into work because someone was off sick or had been injured.

Their cancelled plans were down to injury again this time, but for once the injured party wasn’t one of their colleagues.

“I’m so sorry,” Mother told them as they helped her into the front seat of Dee’s car. “I didn’t know who else to call. Father Macready doesn’t own a car, and taxis are so expensive.” Every cent the orphanage managed to raise was needed for the children; Mother would have considered it a criminal waste to use any of it for her own needs.

“It’s fine, Mother. I’ve told ya before to call me anytime, day or night. It’s why I got ya the ‘phone in the first place. Good thing you had it with you.”

“I know, dear, and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate everything you and Ryo do for me and the children, but I also know how much you were looking forward to getting out of the city for a day or two. I really should be more careful and watch where I’m going.”

Dee shot a sideways look at his lover and rolled his eyes. “You slipped, it could’a happened to anyone. Hell, it’s happened to me and Ryo often enough.”

“Language, dear,” Mother chided.

“Sorry.” Dee winced. Using the ‘H’ word in front of a Catholic nun was not a good idea.

“Nevertheless, I knew water had been spilled on the kitchen floor and I should have cleaned it up right away, but I had my hands full.”

“You’re lucky you only sprained your ankle,” Ryo said, getting into the back seat with Mother’s crutches, on loan from the hospital. “You’ll have to keep off your feet as much as possible for the next few days though. Rest and ice, that’s what the doctor said.”

“But the children…”

“You’ve got the Sisters, and we can help out for the next couple of days,” Dee said firmly.

“Nonsense, I can’t ask you to cancel your trip!”

“You’re not asking,” Ryo pointed out. “We’re offering. According to the forecast it’s going to be wet and windy anyway, not the kind of weather anyone wants for hiking, and we’re not cancelling our trip, we’re just postponing it for a week or two. We can go once your ankle’s healed and the weather’s better.”

“Ryo’s right, so no arguin’.” Dee slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Now, let’s just get you home and comfy. We’ll fix you a cup of tea, and then you can tell us what ya need doin’. Laundry, grocery shoppin’, cleanin’… We can rope in some of the older kids to help too.”

“Such good boys.” Mother smiled warmly at Dee, and he grinned back.

She was his mom, always would be. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her.


The End