An Ecklie Doesn't Cry

Disclaimer: These characters do not belong to me and never have.

Epilogue to CSI Down. Ecklie's POV.

He watched as Russell led her away.

He heard as she started sobbing, overcome by the shock.

He saw as Russell put his arm around her, saw her lean into him.

He felt relief that she was alive.

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He slumped down at his desk, drained by the day. To anyone who looked in, he was looking at the computer, seemingly buried in his work. In reality, he was turning events over and over in his mind.

She could have died. She nearly did. For the first time, he realised what Brass went through worrying about Ellie.

Morgan had been sent home to rest and relax after leaving the hospital. She intended to take a shower and clean off the dirt of the day. Then she would sit back, relax and watch a movie.

At least, that was what she intended. Just as she settled down on the sofa there was a knock at the door.

With a sigh, she stood up and went to the door. And paused on the threshold. 'Dad.'

'Morgan.' As per normal, Ecklie felt lost for words when addressing his daughter. He couldn't even explain why he was here. 'Can I come in?'

Silently, Morgan opened the door to its fullest extent. Ecklie took it as an invitation and stepped inside.

He looked around. It was the first time he had seen her apartment since she had arrived in Vegas. Ecklie nodded approvingly as he noted her sense of order and tidiness evident everywhere in her arrangement of ornaments and furniture, a trait that, like it or not, she had inherited from him.

Morgan came through and they stared awkwardly at each other.

She was the first to break the silence. 'So why are you here?'

Ecklie tried to put it into words his daughter would believe. 'I came to see you. See how you were doing.'

Despite her tiredness, Morgan snorted. 'Really? And when did you care?'

Ecklie sighed. 'Morgan, I'm not a monster. I've always cared about you. I always will. I just wanted to see you were okay.'

Morgan looked at her father. She saw the tiredness and worry from the day's events etched into his face. Even so, she couldn't bring herself to bridge the gulf that had grown between them over the past few years.

'Of course you did. And I'm fine. So you can go now.'

Ecklie took one last look at his daughter then turned and left the apartment.

It was only when he was sat inside his car that he realised the wetness on his cheek was not from any rain.

It must have been from the wind, he decided as he started the car. An Ecklie doesn't cry, he rationalised as he brushed away the tear with one hand.

From high above, unseen, Morgan watched as her father drove away. As he brushed his hand across his face, a silent tear trickled down her cheek.

FINIS