Hey everyone! Sorry for the late update. I usually write faster but this week has been sort of crazy. Thanks for all the great reviews and support! Please read and review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of its characters.

"So, are you going to say it?" President Lory asked as he walked alongside Ren towards the boarding plane. The rest of the group had already gone on ahead as these two lingered behind, having a quick talk before it was time to leave.

After a full, long week of nonstop fun, the last day of their paid-for vacation had arrived and they were all finally going back home to Japan.

Ren chuckled lightly as he shook his head, keeping his gaze forward and refusing to meet the calculating expression of his boss. "Say what?"

"That I was right, and you were wrong."

"I assure sir, I have no idea what you mean," Ren replied smoothly with a small smile. "What was I wrong about?"

President Lory frowned and said, "Aren't you the one that said this vacation wasn't going to be relaxing? If my memory serves me correctly—and rest assured that it usually does—you were the one who was dreading this trip."

Ren sighed and swung his duffel bag over his other shoulder as he looked out of the corner of his eye at his boss. President Lory raised an eyebrow, challenging him to admit defeat.

"You're right; I did say this trip wasn't going to be relaxing. And yes, I was dreading it."

President Lory grinned in triumph as he nodded and said with a loud voice, "Right, you did."

"But I wasn't wrong because in truth, I didn't relax at all," Ren continued with a small smile.

He turned to face Ren with a bewildered expression. "What do you mean?"

"Considering all that I've done this past week, I think that the last thing I've done was relax. It's been quite a hectic vacation to say the least."

President Lory chuckled deeply as he nodded his head and turned his gaze upward. "I guess so," he admitted as they both walked through the corridor leading to the plane. "You went through a lot."

Ren didn't say a word as the memories of the last couple days played through his mind. Even now, he couldn't believe that all of that had actually happened. It seemed practically unreal, from all the horrible events that ensued to the miracles that he thought would never occur in his life. Las Vegas really was unlike any other place in the world.

And the prospect of going back to Japan felt as if he was returning home from what felt like years than a measly little week. So much had happened. His head practically spun whenever he thought about it. Ren couldn't believe how drastically his life had changed before he even realized it.

"But at the same time," President Lory murmured softly, breaking Ren's reverie. "You won a lot as well. Wouldn't you agree?"

Ren laughed. "I don't think you're talking about the jackpot earnings since I spent them all."

"No," he replied with hearty chuckle. "That's not what I meant at all."

And with one last smile, they boarded the plane together and saw that almost everyone was already there. Plenty of people were moving about, talking in earnest about the trip and the souvenirs they bought. Everyone seemed to be full of life as they chatted away with a large smile upon their faces. It was a great ending to an unbelievable trip.

But when the President was going to go take his seat, Ren suddenly called out his name. He turned around with a curious look and realized that the expression on Ren's face had changed.

"Is something wrong?" he asked with worry, seeing the slightly dark look in his pupil's eye.

Ren shook his head and said, "I just wanted to ask sir. Did she talk to you yet?"

President Lory sighed deeply as he took a step towards him. Staring directly into Ren's eyes, he could see the anger he had witnessed yesterday when he came up to tell him of what happened the other night. However, no matter how angry he seemed to be, even the President himself was surprised at the amount of control Ren exercised as he talked about the ordeal she went through. He remained calm and told him everything that happened without exploding once. It was then that President Lory realized just how much Ren had grown as both an actor and a man.

"I haven't spoken to her about it," he answered after awhile with a shake of his head. "Has she mentioned anything since?"

"No," Ren replied with a frown. "She hasn't said a word."

"Then I think we should leave it as is."

Ren stared with wide eyes. "We're just going to act like it never happened?" he asked incredulously.

President Lory nodded. "I think it's best to leave things the way they are. Bringing it up might put her through unnecessary pain."

Ren frowned. He didn't like the idea of not addressing the problem. It was almost as if they had no idea what to do so they decided to completely overlook it. Even though she wanted to avoid it, Ren felt that it was best to deal with it now, rather than let it by buried deep inside her. He had no idea if she was truly okay and he had to make sure that she was before he could let it drop.

And sensing his clear frustration, President Lory laid a hand upon Ren's shoulder and said, "Don't get me wrong. If she wants to talk about, then of course we will listen. But a part of me believes that she doesn't want to bring it up."

He breathed in deeply as he realized that the President was right. Forcing her to talk about it wasn't the way to go either. Because just like that night, if she ever felt like it was too much, she would open up and say something. That was just who she was: not daring to say a word until it nearly killed her.

But while Ren's thoughts slowly wandered to her, he suddenly felt the President squeeze his shoulder in reassurance. He looked up with a smile and said, "Thank you President Lory sir. For everything."

He chuckled. "Your welcome, Ren. And you know, I've been giving this some thought for a while now and I think we should take vacations like these more often."

And screwing his face up in concentration, President Lory tapped a finger upon his chin and hummed in thought. "How about Hawaii next time?"

Ren laughed. "I don't know sir," he said with an amused shake of his head. "Another vacation might be pushing it."

President Lory smirked. "Well, I don't think you'll be saying that if she agreed to come along, now would you?"

Ren faltered as he stared into his laughing eyes. This was exactly the kind of torment Ren was expecting to endure as soon as people found out what happened between the two of them. And he had a bad feeling that this was going to be just the beginning.

So with a shake of his head, he replied smoothly, "I guess you have me all figured out, sir."

President Lory laughed and gave him a quick nudge in the back, pushing him onto the plane. As soon as Ren stepped inside, his eyes naturally scanned the cabin for her flaming orange hair. He spotted Yashiro and Kanae immediately who were sitting beside each other on the right-hand side of the plane. They gave him a small smile in greeting and he returned one with a quick wave. But as his eyes looked up and down the plane, he realized he couldn't find the one person he was looking for.

Slightly bothered, Ren sat down in the fourth row where two seats were left empty. He placed his duffel bag on the floor and turned around, just to make sure if he had truly missed her, but to no avail. She really wasn't there. Ren frowned and was just about to stand up and look for her when her familiar face suddenly walked through.

In an instant, her eyes locked onto his and she gracefully walked towards him with a smile upon her face. She was wearing a light green turtleneck over a blue jean skirt and white sandals. Smirking at the high collar, Ren watched her sit down beside him with a blush that was already coloring her cheeks.

It still surprised him how easily she acted around him now. It was almost as if the first couple of years between the two of them didn't happen at all.

"Hello," Kyoko greeted in a somewhat breathless voice.

"Hi," he said with a smile. "What's with the shirt?"

Kyoko blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"Isn't it sort of hot out to wear such a thick top?"

She blushed profusely and looked down at her knees. Clutching her hands together, she replied in a small voice, "It was the only thing that could cover it up."

Ren chuckled as he leaned in and whispered, "What? The kiss mark I left?"

Kyoko's ears burned scarlet red as she raised her head and whispered, "Don't say that out loud!"

"Why not? Are you shamed of it?" he asked playfully as his fingers trailed up to her cheek.

Kyoko shook her head vigorously and reached up a hand to lace her fingers through his. "Ren!"

And feeling his heart stop altogether, Ren smiled tenderly as he watched her eyes widen in surprise at the change of mood. He could never get used to her saying his name. It sounded so different when spoken from her lips and he loved how it rang in his ears like chimes.

But before he could say a word, the familiar female voice came over the intercom once again and announced that the plane would be flying in a couple of minutes. Kyoko looked upward and bit on her lower bottom lip.

Squeezing her hand, Ren asked, "Are you alright?"

She nodded and smiled.

Still concerned, he said, "How about we play a game?"

Kyoko laughed at his effort and shook her head. "It's okay. We don't have to."

"Why? It'll keep your mind off of the flight."

Shaking her head once again, she replied, "There's nothing to be afraid of."

"Besides," Kyoko continued with a small smile, "with you here, I know nothing can go wrong."

And feeling as if his breath was knocked right out of him, Ren slowly leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. He could feel her skin instantly heat up at his touch and smiled tenderly as she raised her head to meet his gaze. "Are you sure?"

Kyoko nodded and laid her cheek on his broad shoulder. Naturally, he placed his head on hers and closed his eyes.

"I'm positive," she said simply.

Ren laughed. "I'm glad. But you know, I had a good one in mind."

"Really?" she asked with curiosity.

Ren nodded as he opened his eyes with a tiny smile. "The subject was going to be a statement that consisted of three little words."

Kyoko frowned. "Three little words?" she repeated

Ren nodded, sensing her curiosity rise at the thought of a new challenge. She raised her head and asked, "What was it?"

"I think you can guess," he replied with a twinkle in his eye.

Kyoko furrowed her eyebrows as she tilted her head to the side in confusion. She didn't have a single clue.

"I'll give you a hint," Ren murmured as he brought her slender hand to his lips. "It starts with I continues with love and ends with you."

"I love you?" Kyoko guessed with a raised eyebrow.

Ren smiled widely. "I love you too," he whispered under his breath as he laid a gentle kiss upon her lips.

"Oh my gosh!"

"This is way too good to be true."

"You have got to be kidding me."

"Ruriko, don't say it like that. It's cute!"

"Guys! Be quiet!"

"Yeah, you'll wake them!"

"Just look at her face!"

"Her face? Look at his!"

"Please everyone, let's leave them be."

"Director Ogata, I thought Vegas would have made you a little more rebellious."

"Yeah! Besides, we're just looking."

"Hey President Lory, should we take a picture?"

"Well, who has a camera?"

"How about a cell phone camera instead?"

"That's good, Ren! Go take one."

"Oh goodness…"

"This is too funny!"

"SHHHHHH!"

Grinning with revenge, Ren sneaked towards the two and knelt down in front of them. He held his phone to his face and with one silent click, the picture was captured and he quickly made his way back to the crowd. They immediately took the phone out of his hands and chortled under their breath as they stared at the picture before their eyes.

"Ren, are you sure that's okay?" Kyoko asked nervously as she stood beside him, staring down at their sleeping faces.

"Don't worry. Let's just say, we gave them a taste of their own medicine."

And with one last smile, they walked back to their seats and left Kanae and Yashiro alone, sleeping together with their hands intertwined.