Disclaimer: CSI: Miami belongs to CBS

Ship: CaRWash

Summary: After a hard case, Ryan lets out his stress by playing a card game. Unbeknowst to him this seemingly harmless card game will lead to bigger trouble affecting everything he cares about. (CaRWash) Chapter 1 & 2 edited.

AN: This story is very similar to my previous stories called "A Puzzle" and "Getting Back Up" though it's way better. I want to apologize to those who read my previous stories, for deleting it and cutting it short. I won't be doing it to this story, so don't worry. Anyway, this is for all the CSI:Miami fans out there and to all the CaRWash shippers.

A Big Problem

Chapter 1

"Mr. Barnett you're prints were found on the knife and you're semen on the child." Horatio said as Calleigh placed the pictures and DNA results on the table.

"I was helping her you know. I was trying to find her parents for her."

"You had no plans of bringing her back to her parents. You were planning on raping her from the very start." Calleigh said.

"Not from the start, but later on." Mr. Barnett said sneering.

"How many others were there?" Horatio asked.

"She's my first actually and possibly the best."

"You're a sick man Mr. Barnett and I am going to personally make sure that you will never get near a child again. Officers, please take Mr. Barnett out of my sight." Horatio said.

Ryan watched the interrogation from the outside and tried to smile, but he just couldn't. He was taken by emotion when he first saw the body of the three year-old girl on the creek lying there. He thought she had drowned, but he found out that she was stabbed too and Alexx also found semen on her. He just couldn't believe how anyone could do something like that. It hit everyone pretty hard. There was suppose to be a little bit of satisfaction and happiness that comes with solving a case, but not this one. He sighed and went back to the lab to finish the paperwork on the case. He was typing up the report when he saw Calleigh talking happily with Jake. He knew that Calleigh had a thing for bad guys, though not intentionally, but he was still a little worried that this might turn out badly. She could... His thoughts were cut short when Eric came in with the rest of the paperwork.

"I thought that these were the rest of the paperwork." Ryan said pointing at the thick folder.

"Unfortunately not." Eric said leaving the room.

Ryan sighed once again and put his feet up on the desk.

"Hey, Ryan." Calleigh said smiling.

Ryan was surprised by Calleigh's sudden appearance that his feet slid off the desk and he fell backwards along with the chair.

"Are you okay?" Calleigh said her smile turning into a worried look as she helped Ryan up.

"I'm fine, thanks." Ryan said as he picked up the chair.

"I have to ask you a favor." Calleigh said smiling.

"Does it have something to do with the case?"

"I wasn't able to get the new autopsy report from Alexx and I was wondering if you could get it for me."

"Sure. Something up?

"Jake's just taking me out for coffee."

"Jake. Something going on between you two?" Ryan said frowning.

"First of, no and second, it's not really any of your business."

"I'm just trying to look out for you."

"Thanks Ryan, but I can look out for myself." Calleigh said.

"Alright. Don't worry about the report I'll get it and file it for you."

"You don't have to file it you know."

"I know, but I'll be here for a while anyway, so I don't mind."

"Thanks Ryan I owe you big time."

"No problem." Ryan said as he watched Calleigh walk towards Jake.

He went to autopsy, but he couldn't get find Alexx, so he tried asking the other ME's if they had it, but they didn't so he tried calling Alexx, but she wasn't answering her cellphone. He already searched the whole place, but he still couldn't find it. Frustrated and already very tired he decided to get back and start typing the report again. He was almost done with the report except for the autopsy results when Eric came in.

"Don't forget the autopsy report." Eric said dumping the folder on the desk.

"You had it all along." Ryan said a bit angrily.

"I was actually nice enough to give it to you before you forgot." Eric said angrily throwing the file to Ryan before heading out the door.

"I didn't forget you know." Ryan said shouting at Eric who was long gone before he could hear it.

After several hours, Ryan was still typing the report and he wasn't even halfway done yet which was probably odd since it what he'd been doing since practically forever. However, he didn't take into account the number of times he was just staring into space or wishing he was doing something else. This time he stopped typing and stared into space again for the thousandth time.

"The hell with this." Ryan said as he stood up and got his car keys and left.

He got in his car and glanced at his watch before starting the engine. Seeing that it was still early, Ryan made a detour to the bar near his apartment. He parked his car and got out feeling better already. This was the first bar he'd been in Miami and the only bar he hung out in. It was different than the other bars in many ways. He opened the bar and smiled seeing Kate, the bartender on duty today. They flirted constantly with each other, though it never went beyond that, but you never know. He took a seat on the counter and whistled to Kate.

"I'm not your dog, Wolfe." Kate said.

"I know and I don't have a dog because you're the only one for me." Ryan said smirking.

"You really are cheesy Wolfe. Do you want the usual?" Kate said wiping one of the beer mugs.

"Nah. Why don't you surprise me instead."

"Ok, then." Kate said getting a beer mug and filling it up and handing it to Ryan.

"This is safe right?" Ryan said glancing at Kate.

"Of course." Kate said smiling.

Ryan took a sip and said, Wow, water I thought this was a bar."

"Well I don't want to have to drive you home again."

"That was one time."

"A very drunk one time might I add where you couldn't even find your car keys and I had to end up using my car which you ended up puking on."

"Ok, it was a one bad time. Are the others at the back?"

"Another hard case?" Kate said with a concerned look.

"Yeah."

"You don't have to join them Ryan. We could just talk." Kate said handing him a beer this time.

"Why don't you join us instead?" Ryan said approaching Kate and kissing her on the cheek and placing his hand on her shoulders.

"I can't, I'm saving my money for a house."

"I don't even know why you want a house, you have a great apartment."

"I want a place with a garden where kids can play." Kate said smiling.

"You'll get that place." Ryan said hugging Kate who was sounding a little emotional.

"I know, thanks."

"Want to hang?"

No, it's ok. The guys are probably waiting for you."

"Alright." Ryan said opening the door to the backroom.

Ryan glanced at Kate worriedly before he shut the door. His worries about Kate were gone, however, but not forgotten when he sat down on the table.

"Who's dealing?" Ryan said getting his money from his wallet.

"Rico, is as usual." Dan said referring to the man with graying blond hair who was shuffling the cards.

"Let's get this on with." Ryan said handing his money to Rico.

After several card games, Ryan stood up and stretched his arms. He was tired and he had the early shift the next day. He really had to get going. He took out his wallet again and asked Rico, "How much do I owe you?"

"You might wanna brace yourself for this."

"Brace myself for what?"

"For how much you owe me."

"Cut the suspense and just tell me. I'm really tired."

"You owe me $10,000."

"Quit joking. How much do I really owe you?"

"I'm not joking."

"Why didn't you tell me I was losing money that fast when we were playing?"

"I did tell you."

"Damnit Rico, we're friends." Ryan said punching the wall.

"Calm down, Ryan."

"Aren't we friends enough for you to just forget about it."

"No, were not."

"You know I don't have that kind of money."

"I'm going to give you all the time you need to get the money."

"It's gonna take me forever to do that."

"It doesn't matter."

"It matters to me!" Ryan said.

"You made this choice Ryan, not me."

"This isn't over Rico." Ryan said as he left.

To be continued...

AN: I had a hard time thinking of the end and I don't think that what I came up with the end is that good. Despite that I'm still pleased about how the first chapter turned out. It doesn't matter what I think though, it's your opinions that count, so don't forget to review. Also tell me what you think about the title.