I do not own Skip Beat!

Thank you Yoshiki Nakamura for all of your incredible talent

I know one may think that Kyoko is a little out of character but, this is my take on her being fed up and sick and tired of how the men in her life keep playing her and trying to control her in subtle or, obvious ways.

"This ticket was the best thing that ever happened to her." This is a story for Kyoko and no one else. No traditional pairings but, happiness for her and whomever she decides upon.

Chapter One:

"I love you." He told her, gazing into her liquid gold eyes, as he raked his long fingers gently through her newly dyed, silky golden tresses that now cascaded past her shoulders and half-way down her back, smiling to himself and pondering how wonderfully fortune had smiled upon him and praised whichever god that had decided to bless him 6 months ago.

"I love you too." She replied in a breathy quiet sultry voice, as she lost herself in the forest of his emerald green gaze, tracing his jawline delicately over his five o'clock shadow and across to his plump lower lip with her thumb, ghosting his lips with the light touch of a butterfly, before pulling him to her and gently caressing him with her sweet velvety lips.

Kyoko had fallen... Truly, madly and deeply in love with this tall, half-American, blond savior of hers; however, he's not who you would think... At first look, one could clearly note at least half of his heritage, tall, at least as tall as Ren, if not just a smidgen taller. Glorious blond hair, close to the finest spun platinum, but as soft as the most luxurious fur, cut close and shaped neatly at the top into a cut known as a 'high and tight'. Thin build with lean sinuous muscle that screamed very large predatory feline. All of this wrapped up in a nice package called a police uniform, but for now his 'wrapping' was laying haphazardly about their bedroom mingled with her attire of the day.

How did this Adonis capture the heart of the elusive, ever evolving, 'love' goddess known as Kyoko, one of Japan's top unobtainable sweethearts? Well, while Fuwa Shotaro was busy making her hate him and Tsuruga Ren was busy believing that he had time and Hikaru was busy fretting over not being tall enough, Hide Takehiko stepped in at the most innocent moment, like a cool gentle breeze on the hellishly scorching day of her heart and soothed her with a voice that would tame the wildest of creatures.

Flashback

"One week of school left!" She crowed to no one in particular as she walked her new mountain bike to the street. With a canary eating smile she stretched her lithe limbs before mounting the vehicle, bedecked in her black bike shorts, white running shoes and tightly fitted hot pink and black crop-top. At 19 almost 20 she was happy to nearly be done with this phase of her childhood. She didn't hate school, just the pettiness of the people that didn't appreciate the value of an education.

Today would be a good day at LME, she was bobbing and weaving in and out of traffic as her mind wandered to all of her LoveMe duties that she would have to preform and perused the details of her new role. Absentmindedly she had broken a couple of traffic laws and was jolted from her daydreaming by the sound of a very near and very loud traffic police whistle. Screeching her pink bike to a halt, she saw the officer approach her, first noticing his relaxed manly yet graceful stride. The second thing she noticed was how his well toned muscles rippled under his uniform. As he stood in front of her and removed his sunglasses, she was swept away by his dark emerald green eyes.

"I'm sorry officer," she paused trying to catch her breath and staring at his name tag, "Hide-san?" She felt like she had just learned how to speak for the first time. Kami! Did he just fall from heaven? Oh my gosh, he's talking to me! Think Kyoko! Pay attention!

"Miss.." Wow, she's cute. "Uhm, do you realize you just broke a traffic law with your little maneuver back there?" I have got to get her number.

"I am so sorry officer, I will be more careful next time." She stated quickly trying not to sound like a scatterbrained little girl confessing to her middle-school crush, all the while having a light dusting of pink on her make-up free cheeks.

"Well, Miss." He started in a gentle voice that caressed her ears. "I will still need to write you a warning ticket. So.. I will need to see your I.D." he told her. And this is how I find out this beauty's name. YES! He thought as he devised a way to find out more about the sporty goddess that stood before him.

"Oh! Sorry officer Hide-san. Let me grab it real quick. It's in my bag." she nervously proclaimed as she reached and rifled through her purse occasionally stealing quick glances at the man standing before her that clearly met and surpassed all of her standards of male perfection. Dear god where is it! Oh, there it is. In my wallet, of course! What is wrong with me? Stop being such a child Kyoko! You can handle this! FINALLY! "Ah, here it is." she smiled at him with her angelic, billion yen smile and handed him her I.D.

She looks so familiar, just can't place it. Maybe when I see her I.D. I'll know. Examining her I.D. He still couldn't place the beautiful face. "Miss... Mogami?"

"Yes sir." She acknowledged as he scribbled out the ticket on the thick pad.

Finally he decided to take the initiative and ask, "Hm, where do you work?" thinking he may have met her at the department.

"Oh! I work for LME." She was able to squeak out. Ugh, I'm doing it again. Imagining a face-palm.

"LME?"

"Yes, I work in the talent section. I'm an actress."

"You're Kyoko?" He questioned, hopefully hiding his excitement and surprise. Keep your cool or, you'll look like a drooling fan-boy.

"Yeah." She responded shyly as he continued to scribble in his ticket book not revealing what he was writing while trying to keep his cool.

"Well.. It was very nice to meet you Mogami-san. Stay safe." He told her with his soft caressing voice as he handed her the ticket and his personal business card while brushing his fingers against hers accidentally and smiling at her.

"Thank you officer, I will be more careful." She called out as she watched him walk away. Whoa, that is a really nice view! She though while slapping herself mentally for being so superficial. Folding the ticket around her I.D., she noticed the card that he deftly hid under said I.D. in the small mess of papers. Glancing at it she realized it was his personal card with his name: Hide Takehiko, Sgt. and on the bottom of the card a little arrow to flip it over. Flipping the card over she saw it and it took her breath away... His personal phone number, a 'call me' written under it, an 'I get off work at 9' and under that 'would like to get to know you better' with a smiley face. With that, a lusty Natsu-like smirk crept across her blushing face. Hmmm, maybe I just will. She thought as her heart beat so rapidly she thought it would stop at any second. She carefully stashed the card next to her cell phone in a special pocket so she wouldn't forget, as if she could forget, then mounted her bike and resumed her journey to work.

"What have we here?" Lory mused to himself, examining the TV monitor in front of him. Now, everyone knew Lory to be very involved with his employees but, he took a keen interest in his LoveMe charges and his Number One just strolled through the front entrance glowing with an aura that would put a celestial star to shame as she greeted all that came into contact with her and leaving all others in the background stunned by her radiance. "I will need to keep an eye on this. I wonder if Ren finally confessed to her.".

The prospects were inviting. Lory couldn't think of anything else that would make a young woman glow with such ferocity. It seemed as if she had a determined yet dreamy look on her face but, she was fully aware of what was going on around her. The way she held her body oozed sexuality and she held her head high knowing she was the most beautiful creature that ever walked the earth but, not arrogantly. This form of Kyoko made even the sportswear she donned look as if it were the most elegant attire one could wear to a state affair. Everyone noticed, I do mean everyone, including one Tsuruga Ren. He couldn't peel his eyes off of her and from the surprised look on his face Lory could tell that Ren was definitely not the cause of this newly born Kyoko.

What none of these men knew was information that was only privy to two LoveMe girls and one Taisho and one Okami. Kyoko had met her 'prince' in the form of a very attractive, delicious police officer and had been dating him for 3 weeks..

"Kyoko-chan" the receptionist called to her, waving for her to come to the desk. "This came for you this morning." She smiled as she presented the arrangement of lilies and orchids delicately arranged in the pink crystal vase.

"Thank you." she replied, knowing exactly who it was from and her expression of said knowledge did not go unnoticed by 2 very worried and 1 very excited men. What none of these men realized is that, yes she had been confessed to and no, it was not anyone that they knew. Mystified they all watched as she made her way to the LoveMe locker room humming an upbeat tune to herself while practically cuddling the flowers. As they witnessed the subdued spectacle, they decided to get some answers. Ren followed with Yashiro in tow and Lory made a bee-line to the elevator. They wanted to get to the bottom of this.

"Well... Should we get to the bottom of this?" Lory inquired as he saw the other two men in the hall as he exited the elevator.

"What do you mean Sir?" Ren feigned disinterest.

"Come on Ren," Lory exclaimed quietly, "Don't you want to know who has captured Kyoko's heart?"

There it was, the look of pure terror, anxiety and heartbreak written on Ren's face along with the haunting words that Yashiro spoken only three years earlier in his car. Girls mature quickly, you don't have much time. Now he knew this deep in his heart as that little voice in the back of his mind whispered, You're too late...

"We're talking about Kyoko-chan, sir." He scoffed as he quickly recovered.

"Mmhmm." Commented Lory as he notice the momentary lapse of Ren into Kuon.

Stopping at the locker room door they could hear the squeals of the 3 LoveMe girls. They stood there and listened.

"Takehiko sent you those? Oh my god Kyoko." Chirped Chiori.

"He's quite a catch, not one of those arrogant actors or, singers that we usually have to deal with." stated Kanae dryly.

"I know, I am soooo glad I got that traffic ticket." she said in a dreamy voice.

"When do you get to see him again?" inquired Chiori.

"Well, he's between shifts now at the department, so he said he would come pick me up for lunch today and tonight it will be dinner and a movie." She informed them. "I love spending time with him, he always makes me feel so safe and warm." She continued.

There is was, as plain as day. The 3 men received their answer before even knocking on the door stunned into silence, sadness and dread for two of them and mixed happiness and sympathy for the one. As Lory lifted his hand to knock on the door, it opened to a surprised Kyoko.

"Sir! What brings you here?" Kyoko exclaimed.

"Oh, just wanted to see what my LoveMe Girls were up to." feigning ignorance.

"Nothing much sir, just getting ready for my LoveMe assignments for the day." she answered.

"Tsuruga-san, Yashiro-san." she greeted with a breathy voice as she passed them on her way to her first assignment of the day, leaving a speechless, heartbroken Ren and a frantic Yashiro in her wake.

"How much did you hear?" whispered Kanae to Lory as one would if she were an inquisitor from the 15th Century and watching Ren make a hasty escape down the hall.

Lory hung his head, "All of it, unfortunately.".

"Leave her alone... She's the happiest I've ever seen her in the entire 3 years I've known her." warned Kanae as she narrowed her eyes.

"Don't worry Kotonami-san. As long as he's not a stalker or, a criminal I fully back any of her suitors." He informed her.

"Good, then you won't mind this one, because he's as safe as they come." she stated in a confident tone.

Lory gave her a puzzled look. How would she know this?

Kanae continued, "He's a police officer." she finished with her haughty smirk, "and make sure those two leave her alone too." she added as she shot a protective gaze at him.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it." Lory assured her. Sighing with resignation and pensive knowledge he turned and walked away wondering how he was going to deal with a heartbroken Kuon and Yashiro, not to mention a very heartbroken segment of the male population in Japan. Well, not until she wants to announce her relationship. He inwardly sighed to himself.

"Can I help you sir?" inquired the mousy receptionist to the devastatingly handsome male that appeared as though he were waiting for someone.

"Oh, sorry. I'm just waiting to take Kyoko to lunch. She told me to wait here." the boots and denim clad blond dream answered.

"That's fine. You can have a seat over there." she informed him, pointing to the seating along the wall.

Whispers and murmurs flowed throughout LME at noon wondering who the hot young stallion was in the foyer and just who was the lucky girl he was waiting for. Within minutes before the clock struck noon everyone would know for certain.

"Takehiko!" Kyoko exclaimed as she bound to him and hurled into his embrace, wrapping her slender arms around his neck as his muscular arms lovingly encircled her waist and lifted her sending them into a twirling motion as he gave her a quick peck on her pouty full lips.

"How was your day Princess?" He asked her just a little bit above a whisper as he stared into her eyes with complete adoration.

"Wonderful, now that you're here, lover." she replied in a low seductive voice that flowed over his ears as smoothly as liquid silk causing a light blush to tinge his masculine features.

"Takarada-san would like me to introduce you to him, if you don't mind. I want to introduce you to him before the tabloids get a hold of us." she told him as she buried her face into the crook of his neck.

"I'm okay with that babe. Anything for you. Don't worry, I'm not." he told her with a gentle smile as he lowered her to her sneaker clad feet, then lightly kissing her on her temple.

"Then, shall we?" she asked as she began leading him to the elevators.

"Mogami-san?" Ren asked in a confused and dejected voice as he choked back the claws of jealousy that were rising up in his throat from his very soul as he realized the scope of her relationship with this man in her arms.

"Tsuruga-san, good afternoon. I haven't seen you all day." she said greeting him with her pretty smile.

Takehiko knew that look... The one this man gave his Kyoko and he was not comfortable with it. That was pure unadulterated jealousy and desire and he was going to make sure this man knew 100% that Kyoko was his. It's not that he didn't trust Kyoko, he didn't trust other men. He was beyond a shadow of a doubt confident of Kyoko's affections and she, in turn was confident of his. No hesitations, no second guessing and there was no holding back on the part of either of them. Two halves of a whole they were but, each independent of the other, like it should be with complete trust and no misunderstandings hindering them.

"Oh, Tsuruga-san! I'm sorry for being so rude. This is Hide Takehiko, my boyfriend." there it was in all of its finality. The introduction that he didn't want to hear, hitting him like the proverbial ton of bricks.

Snaking his arm around Kyoko's waist, Takehiko reached out to shake Ren's hand. "A pleasure to meet you Tsuruga-san, Kyoko has told me so much about you. I have to thank you for taking care of this little princess." he declared with a soft voice and winning smile.

Ren took his hand and firmly shook it all the while with a gentlemanly smile and a fire burning up his spine to the back of his brain, fighting the fury that he felt would burst through any moment.

Ren nodded, "How did you and Mogami-san meet, if you don't mind my asking?"

Kyoko giggled as she looked up at her prince. "Funny story," Takehiko started as he glanced lovingly down at Kyoko, "I had to write her a traffic ticket."

Police officer huh? So this is the competition. He thought to himself, thinking delusionally that he may still have a chance even though he never made his declaration to her.

"OOo, sorry Tsuruga-san. We have an appointment with Takarada-san." called Kyoko as she merrily lead her beau to their appointment leaving Ren to stew in the fact that another man had her 'temporarily' he thought. Wait! What? His muddied mind cried out. Why would 'they' need to talk to Lory? Then it truly sunk in.. She was no longer LoveMe #1. With this realization he turned to watch his worst nightmare unfold as he saw her nuzzling into Hide-san's neck affectionately and his heart shattered into a million pieces nearly bringing him to his knees.

One down, several million to go. Takehiko thought to himself as he glanced back at Ren then gently kissed the top of Kyoko's head.