I\'m a father?

Title: I\'m a father?

Subtitle: Tears and moonlight

Rating: PG-13

Pairs: Rei/Bryan, Kai/Tala, Spencer/Ian, Tyson/Max and various other pairings

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\"Here we are!\" Oliver announced as the car pulled to a halt in front of the house. Tarell came down the steps to greet the party as they clambered out of the car.

\"Whoah!\" Tyson exclaimed as he helped Max out of the car. \"What a house!\"

\"Yeah,\" Max agreed, staring up at the imposing edifice. \"I bet you could get lost in there.\"

Enrique shrugged his shoulders. \"It\'s nice enough, I suppose.\" He said causally, as he nodded to Tarell.

Tyson eyed the Italian with a jaundiced eye. \"Well, you live in a damn castle, so I guess this isn\'t so impressive to YOU!\"

Before Enrique could respond, a voice said dryly, \"I believe you mean palazzo. Johnny and I live in a damn castle.\" Robert said as everyone turned and stared at the German. Johnny smirked at them from over Robert\'s right shoulder.

\"Whatever.\" Tyson said sourly. Max and Oliver snickered as the bluenette glared up at the taller teen.

\"Tyson,\" his grandfather said as he headed up the stairs. \"You don\'t even know what palazzo means, so take Max inside and hush.\"

\"Grandpa!\" Tyson yelped as Max, Oliver and Enrique burst into laughter, and Robert and Johnny smiled.

\"So,\" Max asked as the group began to ascend the stairs, \"what\'s been happening here? Has there been any word on who sent in that story to the paper?\"

Robert and Johnny immediately turned solemn. Oliver and Enrique regarded them with worry. \"Robert? Johnny?\" Oliver said concern coloring his voice.

\"We\'ll talk inside,\" Robert replied and turned away. Oliver and Enrique shared an anxious look, before hurrying to follow.

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Bryan and Rei wandered the backyard, until Bryan noticing that Rei was tiring, pulled his lover toward a dainty white gazebo covered in wisteria vines and surrounded by beds of peonies. Climbing the two steps to the interior, they made their way over to the wrap around bench and settled down. Rei put up his feet and laid his head in Bryan\'s lap. The falcon tenderly stroked his beauty\'s hair. \"Kitten, do you want to talk about it?\"

Rei sighed and closed his eyes. \"I guess,\" he whispered. But, then he fell silent. Around them, birds sang and a hornet buzzed in the top of the gazebo. The slight breeze that flirted with both boys\' hair was heavy with the scent of wisteria, peat and freshly mowed grass.

Bryan waited patiently, one more legacy from the abbey; he could sit for hours and not move, if it proved necessary.

Rei gathered his thoughts and opened his eyes. \"I can\'t figure out why she didn\'t just ask them. Lee would have told her the truth. Although knowing Kai, he would probably either have ignored her, or told her that she was out of her mind.\"

\"She didn\'t ask, because she thought she already knew the facts. And because of that, she allowed her anger and hatred to blind her to everything, but the need for revenge.\" Bryan tilted Rei\'s head up, peering into his shimmering eyes. \"And believe me, I know all about that sort of thing.\"

\"Yes, but . . .\" Rei began only to be cut off by a finger against his lips.

The falcon shook his head and began to run his fingers through Rei\'s bangs, \"Love, it\'s done and all the second guessing, what ifs, or closing your eyes and wishing it would go away is not going to change anything. Let it go; Rei. Mariah made a bad decision and now she has to face the consequences of her actions. Stop trying to solve everyone\'s problems and focus on taking care of yourself for once.\"

“Sounds like you\'re telling me to be selfish and not worry about my friends.\" Rei grumped, as his eyes grew heavy under the gentle strokes of his Russian\'s fingers.

\"No, just that its\' all right for you to tell them once in a while to solve their messes themselves.\" Bryan\'s voice grew softer, as Rei drifted off.

\'Hmm, have to remember to tell Kai that running your fingers through his bangs has the same effect as brushing his hair.\' Deciding Rei would be more comfortable in bed, Bryan eased his love\'s head off his lap and slid out from under it. Sliding his arms under shoulders and knees, Bryan cradled Rei against his chest and headed for the house.

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Meryl Wilheilm descended on the group, as they came through the door, a weak smile on her lips. \"Welcome.\" she greeted Tyson and Max; her eyes on Max\'s sling supported broken arm. \"If you will follow me, I\'ll show you to your room.\" She turned and led the way to the staircase. Just as she put her foot on the first step, Bryan with Rei in his arms came through the dining room entrance.

Meryl gasped, drawing everyone else\'s attention to the pair. The housekeeper\'s eyes were huge, as she left the staircase to hurry to Bryan\'s side. \"What is wrong with . . .\"

\"What the hell have you done to Rei?\" Tyson yelled heading toward the Russian, only to be intercepted by Robert. The German calmly took Tyson by the arm and dragged him over to the staircase and pushed him down onto a step.

\"What are you doing?\" The bluenette roared: attempting to rise against the German\'s hands.

\"Tyson, calm down! Let Bryan explain!\" Max hurried to Tyson\'s side, sank down beside him and clamped his good hand on Tyson\'s arm; restraining him.

Robert crossed his arms and glared down his nose at Tyson, a thread of irritation in his voice. \"I doubt that if Bryan had done anything to Rei, he\'d carry him back to where help would be available.\"

\"And,\" Bryan growled, \"if you had looked closely before judging me by my past actions, you would have noticed that he\'s asleep. Not injured.\"

\"I was asleep.\" A soft voice said. Rei turned his head and smiled, \"Bry, put me down.\" Reluctantly, the falcon did as he was told and set Rei on his feet. The neko-jin turned his gorgeous eyes on his lover and pointed a finger at him. \"KAI told you, didn\'t he?\"

\'I don\'t know what you\'re talking about.\" Bryan tried to look innocent, but Rei wasn\'t buying it. \"Oh yes, you do and if you do it again, you\'re sleeping alone for a couple of weeks! And no amount of begging and pleading will save your ass!\" He turned from his sputtering lover to go and hug Max and slap palms with Tyson. \"Good to have you back, guys!\"

\"Glad to be back, Rei!\" Max chirped. \"That hospital was getting to me. There was nothing to do.\"

\"Not to mention the food wasn\'t all that great.\" Tyson added.

Rei shook his head, \"Tyson, you were there to be with Max, not play food critic.\" Rei said mock-severely, before bursting in laughter at the look on Tyson\'s face. Then Tyson laughed and the two high-fived again.

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Watching the reunion from the top of the stairs, Lee smiled. It was good to see Rei so obviously happy. He noted the way Bryan stood watching alertly, but not trying to interfere with Rei\'s actions. \'You\'ve gotten a second chance, Kuznetsov; don\'t blow it. Goodbye little brother; I love you.\' He turned from the stairs to find Kai looking at him with understanding eyes.

They stared at each other for a moment, then Kai said softly; \"we love him too.\"

\"Then, I leave him in good hands,\" Lee replied quietly, \"welcome to the family, little brother.\"

Kai\'s eyes widened and his breath caught, as Lee covered the short distance between them in two long strides. The two youths reach out at the same time and gripped hands, their forearms touching. \"Ancestors watch over both of you.\" Lee said as he pulled away from Kai, pretending to not see the emotion shimmering in teary crimson eyes.

\"And you . . . elder brother.\" Kai blinked and bowed quickly to hide the suspicious moisture at the corners of his eyes. The ghost of a smile touched Lee\'s lips and he bowed too. Wanting to allow the Russian space to compose himself; Lee went back to the head of the stairs; and looked down.

He easily spied the tall figure of Robert, who was talking to Oliver and Enrique, with Johnny leaning against the wall by the sitting room door. \'That doesn\'t look good.\' Lee thought as he sensed, rather than saw Kai at his right shoulder. The four Europeans all wore grave looks. Then Robert said something and gestured toward the sitting room, and Oliver and Enrique nodded. The trio headed for Johnny, who was holding open the door to the room.

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Spotting movement out of the corner of his eye, Rei looked over from where he stood listening to Max recounting a story about some guy, who stupidly dropped a pot of boiling water, and severely burned his legs, but refused to remain in the hospital. Smiling apologetically, Rei held up a hand and interrupted the story. Max fell silent, as Rei called, \"Robert, where are you guys going?\'

The German paused and half-turning answered quietly, \"I am going to apprise Oliver and Enrique of today\'s happenings.\"

\"Hey wait, I want to know too!\" Tyson yelled and rushed toward the Europeans.

\"Wait for me!\" Max yelled and scurried after his boyfriend.

Rei paled and Bryan swiftly embraced him and whispered something in the neko-jin\'s ear. The watchers couldn\'t hear what was said, but whatever it was, made Rei shake his head negatively and he followed the rest. Bryan shook his head, but went along.

They watched as everyone disappeared into the sitting room with Johnny pulling the door shut behind him.

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\"Kai, I want you to tell Rei goodbye for me.\" Lee looked over at the Russian, who raised an eyebrow in question. \"I just think it would be better if Rei didn\'t see us off. He\'s upset enough as it is, so take him out back and make him train for tomorrow, that should keep him busy for a few hours.\" The onyx-eyed lion turned to face Kai. \"And what are you going to do about tomorrow?\"

\"I don\'t know,\" Kai admitted, \"I\'m still considering options.\"

\"Well, don\'t take too long. And remember what happened back in the village? I\'d watch out for flying objects, if I were you.\"

Kai snorted.

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\"LET GO! HOW DARE SHE! WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS!\"

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At Tyson\'s roar: the pair of captains looked at each other and sighed. \"You better go put the fear of \'Kai\' into Tyson, before he bursts a blood vessel.\" Lee murmured dryly, before pushing away from the railing. As he turned to go back down the hall, Lee looked over his shoulder and said softly, \"until we meet again, little brother.\" Kai nodded and walked away feeling lighter of spirit; then he could ever remember feeling. Half way down the stairs, he paused and whispered to ears that he knew could not hear, for Lee had disappeared, \"thank you.\"

\"TYSON!\" Kai sighed and continued downstairs, so he could keep Bryan from killing his idiot teammate.

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Lunch was a quiet affair and the White Tigers didn\'t put in an appearance. When Rei wanted to go and bring them down, Kai firmly vetoed the idea, by pointing out that Lee probably felt that it would better for them to eat in their rooms.

After lunch, Kai dragged a protesting Tyson out to train; which prompted the others to join them. Rei was watching Bryan battle Michael, when he heard the heavy throb of a diesel engine. Realizing what was happening; he spun and raced toward the front of the house.

Bryan was torn, as Rei raced away. His training demanded that he finish the fight with Michael, but his heart said, go after Rei. Michael saw the conflict in Bryan\'s eyes and smiled. The burgundy haired captain held out his hand. \"Trygle! Return!\"

Blinking in surprise, Bryan stared at the grinning American, who waved at the fast disappearing neko-jin. \"We can finish this later. Leave Falborg with me. Now go.\"

Nodding his thanks, the Russian took off after his lover in an all-out sprint.

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Rei ran around the corner of the house, just as the bus began to pull away. Lee was staring out the back window and Rei waved frantically at him. But, Lee just smiled and raised his hand in farewell. Kevin and Gary crowded in beside him and waved as well, of Mariah there was no sign.

\"Lee!\" Rei stood still, tears coursing down his face, as Bryan ran up behind him. Ignoring his lover, Rei watched as the bus went through the ornate iron-gate and vanished from view behind a row of tall pine trees. \"Damn you, Lee! You could have at least said goodbye!\" Rei yelled in frustration.

\"He did.\" Kai said quietly. He had been watching Ian and Tyson battle, when Rei had shot pass and had hurried after him. \"He asked me to say good-bye for him . . . little brother.\"

Rei\'s eyes widened and his jaw dropped, as he stared at Kai. \"L-l-l-little brother?\" He whispered, \"why did you call me that?\"

Kai shrugged, \"Lee called me that, so I guess that makes you my little brother.\"

\"Oh, great,\" Bryan deadpanned, \"that means you\'re my brother-in-law.\"

Crimson met silver and Kai sighed, \"sadly, it\'s true. You can\'t pick your relatives.\"

\"Hey!\"

Rei laughed at the indignant look on his falcon\'s face, the last of his tears drying in the breeze. \"Come on, Bry. Let\'s go back, I\'m sure Michael is itching to finish your match.\" He said turning, laughter still coloring his voice. The Chinese walked away, his braid twitching with each step.

Bryan tore his eyes away from the enticing sway of his tiger\'s hips and faced Kai. \"He isn\'t competing tomorrow, Phoenix.\" His tone was challenging.

Kai frowned at the other Russian. \"I don\'t want him to battle any more than you do, Bryan. But I need him in the line up, if my team is to compete.\"

\"I don\'t care about your damn team, Kai! I care about Rei and our child! If anything happens to him tomorrow, I\'ll kill you.\"

\"Don\'t threaten me, Kuznetsov. I\'ll take care of Rei and if it looks like he\'s in danger, then I\'ll forfeit the match.\"

\"You\'d better, or there won\'t be anywhere on this planet you can hide from me.\" He glared at Kai, who glared back, arms crossed.


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\"HEY,YOU TWO! ARE YOU COMING!\" Rei\'s shout broke the staring contest and the pair of frosty bladers strode toward the impatiently waiting neko-jin. Rei gave Bryan a questioning look, when they joined him, but Bryan ignored it and taking Rei by the elbow drew him away from Kai and off toward where Michael was battling Oliver.

Kai glared at Bryan\'s back, before going to join Tala, who was arguing with Tyson about stopping for a mid-afternoon snack.

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\'God, I have got to get some sleep!\' Rei growled mentally, as he slowly crept from his side of the bed. Ever since Bryan had fallen asleep after they had made love, he\'d been lying here, one thought running through his head. \'What was Kai going to do about the tournament?\' Standing, he looked down at the bed, where Bryan was a motionless lump on the other side and he glared at the peacefully sleeping Russian. For just a moment, he briefly considered whapping Bryan one and making him get up. \'If I can\'t sleep, I don\'t see why you get too.\'

Then he dismissed the idea as not worth the fuss Bryan would make and just ghosted over to the window. Outside, the moon was dabbing bits of silver here and there among the shadows cast by the buildings and trees.

Acting on impulse, Rei turned from the window and went over to the chair where his robe was draped and threw it on, with a fleeting glance at his sleeping lover, the neko-jin slipped from the room and headed out to go for a walk.

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A pair of wise old eyes watched as the slender Chinese went out the dining room doors, and Meryl smiled. An incurable romantic, she went upstairs to send a falcon hunting.

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Bryan stormed out the French doors and came to a halt on the patio, his throat going dry. Rei was standing in the middle of the garden path, with the full moon behind him. Rei hadn\'t rebound his hair and it was moving like a living thing in the breeze that had come up. Tendrils of the silky stuff were tangled around Rei\'s arms and more caressed his sides; the rest waved like an inky banner.

The silvery light made Rei\'s creamy skin glow and it drew him, like a magnet. On silent feet, he hurried down the patio steps and skimmed over the immaculate paths between the rose beds.

Rei wasn\'t aware of Bryan’s presence until he heard the soft squeak of leather and turned. A smile of welcome crossed his lips and he held out his arms.

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Meryl smiled in satisfaction as the lovers came together. As she watched the two strolled off among the roses, she heard a sound behind her and turned, her smile widened as her husband came towards her.

He gave her a knowing look as he approached. \"Ach, wife and what are you up to?\" She nodded toward the window and he stared for a moment, then took her by the hand.

\"Come and leave them alone. I think they need no more help from you.\"

\"True. But,\" and she gave him a look, he recognized immediately. After forty years of marriage, there were no secrets between them. \"I could use your help in the bedroom.\" And pulling him after her, they hurried off as if they too, were teenagers in the grip of young love, once more.