The Bet Chapter 1, a csi: miami fanfic

Title: The Bet

Author: Kat1132

Beta's: I lost them. I'm going to go look for them.

Disclaimer: I do not own either CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, or any of its characters. This story is not intended to infringe on any copyrights by the makers of CSI and it's owners. No profit is being made for this piece of fiction.

Summary: AU Eric is dared to get the newest CSI not only in his bed, but to fall in love with him as well. But how will Ryan react? And what will happen when an escaped convict from NYC brings Messer and Flack? Crossover in Chapter 2. Ryan is the MC. Alive!Speed

Warnings: SLASH. Very AU. Speed is alive (and it will be explained). Danny Messer and Don Flack are coming in the second chapter along with a criminal that we all love to hate. This does not follow any sort of episode timeline or cannon, but I tried to stay at least somewhat true to the strange and obscure cases that land in the CSI's lap.

AN: Yes, it's back. Thank you all for being patient with me. I'm finally getting a real break to get back into the swing of writing. If anyone sees any mistakes or needs some clairification, I'd be happy to clear them up.

Chapter One

It started out so easily. Natalia had some how found out that Ryan Wolfe way gay. She had known for months about Eric Delko's attraction to his colleague. All it had needed was a good push in the right direction. Thus, the bet was formed.

She bet Eric one hundred dollars that he couldn't get Ryan Wolfe not only in bed, but to love him as well.

Eric had agreed with a smug smirk. Never had she imagined something so simple could go so wrong.

Ryan Wolfe ran a hand through his brown hair. He was on his third straight shift and working his way to his fourth.

There was no chance of being able to go home and get a few hours of sleep. He would undoubtedly have a new case to work on, despite having just finished logging evidence from his last.

Ryan closed his green eyes. There was no way he could miss work. He could not be seen as any more of a liability than he already was.

He was still working on shedding the resentment he had cultivated by unknowingly stepping on the crime labs collective toes. It wasn't as though he had tried to be Tim Speedle's replacement; someone who would never measure up. Replacing Speed was a position he not only didn't want, but one he didn't deserve.

Ryan had made a mistake by arriving at the crime lab at the time he had. But that was how it had to be done. The moment an opening occurs, it has to be filled. There is no way for the crime lab to remain understaffed. They had to fill the position, and if it hadn't been him then it would have been someone else.

He had been thinking about switching from Patrol to CSI for a while. He had even gone to a few seminars. In fact it was when he was at those seminars that he had met his mentor. It wasn't long before they had become close friends. It was always a topic of their discussion, Ryan making the switch and joining the Miami Dade CSI day shift. Ryan had promised.

At the time of Speedle's death, he had seen a chance to fulfill not only his dream but his promise as well. There was only one drawback.

The people who he had heard such good things about while on patrol, no longer existed.

Gone was the motherly Medical Examiner, the southern-belle gunslinger and the sarcastic yet brotherly Cuban. Left in their place were bitter, wounded, people he had offended by doing the most heinous act: trying to replace their fallen comrade. Most days, it felt as though he'd shot Speedle himself.

Ryan's eyes snapped open. Glancing at his watch, he stood up so quickly, his chair fell to the ground. Righting it quickly, he exited the lab unit and headed towards the break room. Perhaps some coffee would wake him up.

Ryan wondered into the break room after having paused in the bathroom to shave and brush his teeth.

The sudden hush should have made him nervous, but he was honestly too tired to care.

He barely noticed Eric as he pulled out his mug and filled it with the sludge masquerading as coffee. A hand fell on his shoulder; he jumped in surprise. Seeing as Horatio wasn't in the room (he usually spoke to Ryan before touching him anyway,) none of his colleagues had ever voluntarily touched him before.

Startled green met amused brown for just a second before the sting of his spilt coffee registered to his brain.

Cursing Ryan set down his mug and moved towards the sink. His quick movements dislodged Eric's hand.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you."

Ryan raised his eyebrow in shock. Since when had Eric ever apologized to him for anything? Why wasn't Eric making fun of him?

"Hey, I was meaning to ask, do you wanna go out after work on Friday? Maybe grab a bite to eat?"

Ryan didn't know why Eric was suddenly asking him out after work. He was not foolish enough, even in his exhausted state, to think that Eric was asking him out on a date. (He had it on good authority that Eric was straight as a needle.) What he couldn't understand was if Eric was offering a hand of friendship, why now? Yesterday, Eric had been yelling at him for doing a procedure incorrectly then left in a huff. What brought on this sudden change?

Had his mind been well rested, he would have asked for a delay until Saturday; he didn't think he'd be able to do anything but work until then. He probably wouldn't be able to sleep more than four hours between now and then. And yet, this was the chance for acceptance he'd been craving. Who knew if there would be another one?

Ryan agreed.

Eric, excited, left the room and a bewildered Ryan to tend to his hand. He'd win this bet for sure. It would be the ultimate revenge.

Ryan sat alone at the bar Eric insisted they meet at. He'd been here over an hour. After twenty minutes, he'd promised himself he'd only wait five more minutes.

He hadn't gotten enough sleep for so long. He'd rarely gone home for longer than five hours. Ryan didn't really want to be here right now. He would rather be sleeping and just thinking about his plush bed and luxurious comforter was making him salivate.

He was afraid to leave should Eric show up after he left. He didn't want his chance of acceptance to slip by without giving it some time. It wasn't as if he'd had any plans with friends from patrol or anything.

Most of his old friends on patrol viewed his switch to CSI as betrayal. Patrol and CSI's sometimes bumped heads on cases, especially when an officer was involved. He had burned more than a few bridges trying to support his new teammates and he was starting to regret doing so.

He didn't know why he was staying. The Cuban said that he wanted to go out and eat but in the office he had made no changes to how he was treating Ryan. There was so little trust between them. He could almost say Eric hated him. But if that was so then why would Eric ask him out for dinner?

A while later Ryan looked at his watch and decided to call it quits. An hour and a half was long enough to wait for someone, and obviously Eric wasn't coming. Ryan paid his tab and headed home.

Eric smiled at his friends. Tomorrow was Calleigh's birthday but he and a few others from the crime lab, including Horatio had taken her out for beers.

Three hours later he stumbled into his apartment. He vaguely felt like he had forgotten something, but shrugged it off before getting in the shower to wash the sweat and smoke from his hair.

Good God, he hated how the sweat and grime clung to him. Eric closed his eyes in bliss. Just behind his eye lids a tired face with startling green eyes stared back at him. Eric's eyes snapped open in alarm. He had forgotten his date with Ryan.

"Damn." Eric beat the tile with his fist. He hurried through his shower, changed and tried to make himself presentable. He jumped in his car and headed towards the bar, making record time as he pulled up twenty minutes later.

The bar was closing down for the night. Ryan was nowhere to be seen. Glancing down at his watch, he looked again horrified. He was four hours late to a date he had asked Ryan to.

What a great first impression.

He wondered how long Ryan had waited. He acknowledged that had he been in Ryan's position, and someone had asked him on a date only to not show up within ten minutes he'd have left too. Not to mention how he'd been treating the rookie recently.

Eric kicked a stray bottle. So much for the bet. Ryan wouldn't want anything to do with him now.

'What will I tell Ryan?' Eric thought as he stared up at the stars. It wasn't as though he could tell the younger CSI that he'd chosen a party that Ryan wasn't invited to over the rookie? That he hadn't even remembered him until it was four hours too late? Both would be true, but to admit it to Ryan would cost him more of his pride than he was willing to part with.

Eric got back in his car and headed home. Gods he'd screwed up.

Eric couldn't sleep. He kept seeing how exhausted Ryan had looked when he'd asked him out.

How long had Ryan been working? The younger man had said he'd pull a double, but he was still at work earlier than Eric the next day.

He realized it was probably not a good idea to ask Ryan out on Friday, but the though of winning the bet had pushed him forward.

Ryan had been so startled when Eric touched him, it had caused him to wonder. Once he thought about it, he couldn't remember having touched Ryan before. Not even a friendly pat on the back.

In fact, other than Horatio, not only did no one else touch the newbie, no one was willing to help Ryan, explain thing and procedures. There was no one Ryan could go to for minor things.

Eric analyzed his last thought with contempt. Why should he care whether or not Ryan had someone to go to? He thought he was good enough to take Speed's place.

A small part of his brain pointed out that Ryan was just a rookie and deserved a chance to prove himself before Eric wrote him off completely. Eric told it to shut up before he rolled over and fell asleep.

The next morning, Eric looked for Ryan. He needed to apologize. Ryan wasn't exactly avoiding Eric so much as Eric was so busy.

Horatio had him working a double homicide with Calliegh. Ryan was working a B and E on the other side of town. It wasn't until shift was almost over that Eric caught sight of the man. "Ryan!"

Ryan turned to answer Eric, customary false smile firmly in place. "Oh, hey Eric, did you need something?"

Eric raised an eyebrow, wasn't it obvious? "I wanted to apologize. I asked you out then ditched you. I'm sorry."

Ryan shrugged and then said without thinking. "Are you really sorry, or just trying to save what little working relationship we have? No," he cut Eric off before he could answer. Surely he wasn't so tired that his mouth wasn't responding to his brain. "I don't want to know. You're forgiven."

Eric didn't think Ryan would really just let it slide. With a smile he turned to process that bloody footprint he found on his perimeter walk.

"Hey, Eric?" Eric turned back to Ryan, "Will you see Calliegh before shift's over?"

"Probably why?"

Ryan shoved two gifts into Eric's startled hands. "One's from me, one the receptionist said was dropped off for her. Thanks!" Ryan turned and walked back to the lab.

Eric called out before Ryan could disappear again. "Hey, you wanna try dinner again?"

"Not tonight, I've gotta do something with a friend, but are you free tomorrow?

Eric nodded and turned back to his work with a smile. At least he wasn't shot down. Maybe there was still a chance he could win that bet.

Ryan waited in the club for his friend to arrive. It had been a long day. He had thought it would never end.

Ryan was about to break. There was so much going on with work and Delko especially. He was almost ashamed how long he waited for Delko to show up. He couldn't believe he hadn't said no to Delko's second offer. After all wouldn't Delko be happier if Ryan just disappeared and didn't bother him anymore? Something wasn't adding up.

"Hey, Ryan."

Ryan turned to meet his friend. It had been a while since he had last seen Timothy Speedle. Speed had needed to go deep undercover in D.C. since his supposed death. It was a cover so that no one would put together this new guy in the D.C. underground was the dead CSI from Miami.

Ryan was the only one Speed had contacted. He had pushed Ryan into his job as a criminalist. They met a few years ago when Ryan moved to New York. They went to the same high school.

At first they didn't really get along, until they had chemistry together.

Some of the other jocks had been throwing things at him and messing with his experiments. For some odd reason the guy who hated him, and from what he could tell just about everyone else, had come to his rescue. He had made sure that the jocks knew not to try that again.

It hadn't been easy for Ryan to open up to Speed, but the older boy had been persistent. Ryan had been vulnerable since his parents died, and he wasn't quite ready to come out of his shell. Soon they were inseparable. When Ryan moved out to Miami to live with his uncle, Speed swore to follow.

They met up again on the force a few years ago when Ryan and Speed had been stuck together on a crime scene. Both of them had been stuck with working alone on this shift as PD and CSI had been swamped with calls. It was the height of the tourist season and crime was plentiful. The two had just started talking and had managed to hit it off again. Soon they were meeting after work to go to dinner as friends. Speed had pulled out Ryan's reluctant secret of wanting to be a CSI. Speed had been thrilled and had immediately started teaching Ryan about what the job was like.

Speed had been so excited to work with Ryan and get him to meet his colleagues. He was sure he had seen Eric staring at the young patrol officer at another crime scene they had managed to work together. Speed had promptly decided to tease Ryan about it to no end.

Ryan blushed and denied having noticed. Speed believed him based on the fact that Ryan was largely unaware of exactly how attractive he was.

Ryan jumped up and gave the man a hug. It had been so long since he had seen Speed last. When Speed was around, Ryan hadn't realized how often he talked to the man and told him his problems before he left. It was incredibly hard not to be able to talk to Speed especially with everything that had been going on in the lab. Eric's strange behavior was first and foremost on his mind.

"So how are things at the lab?" Ryan bit his lip, a gesture Speed immediately recognized as Ryan displaying his nervousness. It made him worried. "What happened?"

Ryan thought about it. These were Speed's old friends and colleagues. Speed certainly had stronger ties with them than he did with Ryan. "Things have been normal lately."

"I know you're hiding something from me." Ryan looked away, moments from breaking down. "What is it? It can't be so bad. I mean they have accepted you right? Everyone's getting along." Ryan's averted eyes told Speed more than anything he could have possibly said.

"They haven't accepted you yet? What happened? I thought they would love you."

"Yeah, well they don't. They hate me. They see me as your replacement and nothing else." Speed was speechless, that didn't sound like the people he knew, but before he could say anything, Ryan continued, "Speed, I don't think I can do this much longer. I don't think they'll ever see me as anything but a screw up. They want me to be you. I just can't be you Speed. I don't want to be you."

Speed resisted the urge to tuck Ryan under his arm. Seeing his friend so vulnerable made his heart hurt.

Ryan began to tell Speed everything he had gone through, from Alexx and her less than cordial greeting and her not needing anymore friends. Calleigh giving him just enough rope to hang himself and then screaming at him. Delko all but calling him out on a number of occasions. Almost being fired. Still not having a functional locker. Delko ditching calls that went straight to him. Horatio tried to help him, but he was only around so much, and the man insisted on calling him Mr. Wolfe.

Once he started he couldn't seem to stop. Everything that had bothered him about the lab was flowing from his mouth. Speed listened to it all, his frown steadily getting deeper. He had trusted his colleagues at the lab to take care of Ryan and instead they had excluded him to the point of a mental break down.

Ryan was already more susceptible to these types of things than most people because of his OCD. Taking the step out of his comfort realm to become a CSI had been one of the hardest decisions Ryan had ever made. Speed had to keep after him for almost a year before Ryan relented to let Speed introduce him to Horatio and apply for the job.

"Ryan, don't worry. I'll take care of everything."

"No," Ryan took a deep breath; he needed to be calm so Speed wouldn't go tearing off after the people in the lab. He didn't want Speed to jeopardize the friendships he had there. Really, the only reason they were so mean to Ryan was out of respect for Speed. "I want to make a place for myself with the team on my own."

Speed was getting irritated. "You already tried that Ryan. If it hasn't worked by now then it's not going to."

Ryan interrupted before Speed got going. He knew Speed well enough to know when he started he wouldn't stop until the people he though had hurt Ryan knew how upset he got when Ryan was hurt, intentionally or otherwise.

"I don't want them to accept me because I'm your friend. I want them to accept me because I'm good at what I do. I don't want to be known as Speed's friend who took advantage. I just want to be Ryan Wolfe, a good CSI."

Speed sat back and looked at Ryan. "So what do you want me to do?"

Ryan looked at Speed not sure what he meant.

"The investigation's over. I'm free to go back to my old life now that the defendant was executed on death row last week. The whole operation has been completely shut down with no hope of ever reopening. I'm free to go back to being a CSI.

"What I'm asking is," Speed paused not sure how to phrase his question. Seeing Ryan's set face he put all his cards in the direct approach, "do you want me back at the lab?"

"Are you kidding?" Ryan asked with a wide grin enhancing his already handsome features. "Of course I want to work with you!"

Speed knew better than to ask if Ryan wanted to hide his friendship with him.

Ryan was grateful for his friend's unspoken understanding. Speed was one of his only friends. It had nearly killed him when he'd heard of Speed's passing. Speed had known that Ryan was nearly alone in the world save his uncle. It was one of the reasons he'd let the patrol cop know he was alive rather than his old colleagues.

"So," said Speed in an effort to change the subject, "what did Calleigh think of her gift?"

Ryan laughed.

Speed and Ryan were saying their goodbyes.

"It shouldn't take longer than a week for me to get settled in. I'll see you soon though. Hey, you wanna meet up tomorrow? My treat?" Speed added to sweeten the deal.

Ryan smiled, but ducked his head to hide his blush. "I can't. I have a date."

Speed's eyebrows shot up, a sly smile stretching across his face. "Really, what's his name?" Speed knew full well which way Ryan's preferences swung. He had accepted it years ago when Ryan had confided in him about his crush on Eric.

Ryan blushed harder. "Delko."

Speed's eyes widened. "Ryan, babe, are you sure? He's gotta be the biggest player you know."

Ryan got defensive. "I don't think it's in his character to use people like you're suggesting."

"Don't get me wrong, Ryan. Eric's a great guy, but you don't know him like I do. And even you've seen him bounce from girl to girl." The look in Ryan's eyes reminded Speed sharply that Ryan was very aware of Delko's activities, and it hurt him every time it was shoved under his nose.

"I know, alright. But even if he is using me, I'd rather him see me once, then never. You know how much he means to me." Speed still looked skeptical. "I need this, Speed, at the very least to get him out of my system. I would be a fool to think that he actually cares about me." Ryan looked so sad just then that it broke Speed's heart.

Speed's eyes softened. "Yeah, I know. But hey," Speed tilted Ryan's chin up from its defeated position, and forced the younger man to look him in the eyes, "You are worth caring for. If he can't see that, he's a fool. Besides," Speed's serious expression melted into a smirk, "if he hurts you, I get to kill him."

Ryan sighed but he knew that was all he'd get out of Speed as far as Eric was concerned. "I gotta go. Unlike you, some of us actually have to work tomorrow, lazy bum," said Ryan with a playful shove.

Speed's smile was smug, but he gave Ryan a one armed hug before they went their own ways.

"Hey, Wolfe," Ryan nearly jumped. Calleigh was right behind him. He'd never even heard her enter the lab. "You gotta minute?" the blonde asked.

Ryan looked down at the clothes he was processing for blood evidence and trace fibers. If there was anything to find, it wasn't going anywhere. "Yeah, sure," Ryan turned to face his woman colleague.

"How'd you know I wanted those tickets?"

"I heard you and Eric talking about a car, and you always seem to get car detail when we need to find a make and model. You seemed really into it, and a guy I know works at the expo-center. He owed me a favor."

"Well, thank you."

Ryan blinked that was the very first positive thing Calleigh had ever said to him. It was amazing how the blonde's smile transformed her entire face. She was radiant when she smiled. Finally, she looked like the person Speed had always described her as, the person Ryan had always wanted to know.

As if she had heard his thoughts, and was disturbed by them, the glorious smile fell and she turned around, leaving the lab without another word. "You're welcome," said Ryan to the empty room.

He had just finished processing the clothes when he saw Horatio walking by with Calleigh and Eric. Seeing as Horatio was the lead and Eric was his partner on his case he went out to intercept them.

Ryan tried to be polite and wait for a lull in the conversation, but it abruptly ceased when he got into hearing range. He would have liked to say that this sort of behavior was odd, but sadly, it was all too common.

"Hey, Ryan," said Eric.

Now that was odd.

"What can I do for you Mr. Wolfe?"

"Hey," Ryan shook off the odd new behavior of Eric's. Maybe Eric was trying to include him? "I found blood under the collar of the shirt as well as a foreign substance in the cufflinks. I sent a sample of the blood to Valera, and the substance to the trace lab.

Horatio nodded, accepting the information. Ryan turned to go back to the lab to reseal the evidence. His eye caught the time. Shift was almost over. He tuned back to Eric to ask where they would meet, but decided against it. Right now he needed to go reseal the evidence.

Fifteen minutes later he was in the locker room fighting with his broken locker. Finally he lost his patience and pounded on the metal door. It popped open. Ryan let out a sigh of relief and grabbed his keys and wallet.

He was about to walk out when Eric walked in.

"Hey."

"Hey," Ryan answered.

"So, I'll pick up you up at seven, and dress nice. I got us into that new club in South Beach."

"Essence?"

"Yeah, that's the one."

"Do you know where I live?"

Eric paused. Actually, he had no idea where Ryan Wolfe called home. Ryan sighed and dug into his wallet for the receipt he got when he paid for lunch. He memorized the sum for his books, and quickly wrote the number on his palm with a pen he'd had in his jacket pocket, just incase he forgot the number later.

He drew a rough estimation of the way to his house and wrote down his apartment number before handing the tiny paper to Eric. He smiled at the man. It was strained, and one of his customary false ones he was so used to that they were almost interchangeable with his real smiles. He really only smiled with Speed anymore.

Ryan shoved his thoughts aside and said a quick goodbye. He made his way out of the building without being stopped once and got into his car. With a sigh he started the machine and headed home. It would certainly be an interesting night.

Eric stared at the paper marveling at the guy's handwriting. It was so elegant, and so unexpected. He would have never guessed that Wolfe's handwriting would be so girly.

He slipped the paper into his pocket before heading to his own locker. He didn't seem to want to admit, even to himself, that he had watched Ryan's well proportioned ass as the younger man had walked out of the room. Boy would he ever be glad when this was over.

Eric stood outside what he assumed was Wolfe's apartment. Based on Wolfe's directions, he was in the right place. He sighed, well, this would be over soon right? He rang the bell and waited.

Soft footsteps approached the door. Eric took a deep breath. What he saw on the other side of the door stole that breath from his chest.

Ryan stood in a black wife beater, revealing muscles Eric wouldn't have believed possible for the lithe man to pull off, much less hide so thoroughly under his clothes. Ryan's jeans were a dark navy and looked painted on. His feet were bare.

Eric wouldn't have picked Ryan as the type to wear jewelry, but the silver chain adorning his neck suited him. Ryan's hair was just slightly mussed. The younger man looked adorable.

Ryan blushed under the heavy scrutiny. "You're here early," he observed. Eric shrugged, and Ryan couldn't help but stare. Eric was certainly was a looker in his midnight blue dress shirt and dark dress pants.

Ryan tried to swallow his blush and invited Eric in while he finished getting ready. He went into his room to grab his over shirt. Speed had complimented him the first time he wore this shirt. Supposedly it enhanced his eyes. Ryan wasn't so sure about that, but he thought Speed was a good fashion judge, as long as he wasn't judging his own fashion that is. Ryan grabbed his wallet and his shoes before slipping the first into his back pocket.

As he exited his room shoes in hand, he paused in the door way and leaned on the door jam, watching the Latino walk around his apartment inspecting everything. It was obvious just from the way the man walked that he was used to seeing things that weren't there, or that someone was trying to hide.

Ryan was almost ashamed that he didn't have any pictures of Speed anywhere in his apartment. When Speed went undercover, he had packed all of the pictures with Speed in them, and put them into storage. He had never been particularly proud of that fact, but at this moment he was glad Eric couldn't find any of those photos as incriminating evidence and an excuse to ask uncomfortable questions.

Eric was astounded. Everything was tasteful, and yet perfect. Absolutely everything was placed just so. Magazines to pillows, it was all evenly spaced. Even the carpet looked like it had been steamed recently. It was almost unbearably clean.

"So," Eric jumped as though he had been caught doing something naughty. Ryan smiled at Eric's embarrassment, setting his shoes down by the couch he headed into the kitchen to get his house keys and heat up something to eat. "Did you eat anything?"

It took Eric a moment to comprehend what Ryan was asking. He hadn't ever realized quite how bright Ryan's eyes were. "Actually, I was going to take you out to eat before we hit the club."

"Oh," Ryan paused, mid reach for a measuring cup and lowered himself back down to the balls of his feet.

Eric looked over at Ryan in time to see the flash of white skin disappear beneath folds of cloth as Ryan returned to his natural height from his toes.

"I could cook something, if you want?"

Eric thought about it, "I really don't have a problem with eating here, but if we did, then it wouldn't be like a real date."

Eric stared at Ryan; he was sure that Ryan's eyes lit up when he said that. Ryan coughed and turned his head to hide his blush. Eric smiled.

"Are you ready to go?" Eric asked.

"Uh, let me get my shoes on," Ryan moved to the couch and sat down, pulling on first his left boot, meticulously tying it, before tying the right in the same brusque manner.

Eric couldn't help but stare at Ryan's back as it moved and contorted when he reached to tie his other shoe. He ended up getting so absorbed that he hadn't realized that Ryan was staring right back at him.

"Ready?" Ryan asked.

"Yeah." Eric walked to the door and opened it, holding it open while he ushered the brown headed boy by before stepping aside so Ryan could lock the door.

Eric was already at the car door holding it open. Ryan slid into the passenger seat and looked around. While the car wasn't anywhere near as clean as his own car, he could tell that Eric had cleaned up for him. It was sweet.

Eric got into the drivers seat and started the engine into a quiet purr. "What kind of music do you listen to?"

"I don't really have a preference," said Ryan with a shrug.

Eric raised an eyebrow, but turned up the radio anyway. The soft tones the young woman's voice floated through the speakers. "Still, what's your favorite type of music," when Ryan looked puzzled he tried to get his answer another way, "who's your favorite band? Come on, Wolfe, I'm trying to start a conversation, to get to know you."

"If you want conversation, then answer me this," Eric waited for the question he knew was coming, "where are we going to eat at?"

Eric nearly laughed. He was so sure Ryan would ask why he suddenly decided to "get to know" his younger colleague.

"There's this great Chinese place I know of a couple blocks from Essence. You don't have any objections to Chinese food I should know about, do you?"

"None that I can think of," out of the corner of his eye Eric saw Ryan pull a face, "unless, is it a buffet." Eric laughed out right. The loathing in Ryan's voice couldn't be faked.

"It's not, for curiosities sake, why don't you like buffets?"

Ryan looked sick just at the thought. "Food sits out all day. Anybody and everybody can touch it, breathe on it, sneeze on it, it's just disgusting." The younger CSI shivered in horror.

Eric smirked. Seems like the job was already affecting Wolfe after only a few months. "Yeah, I get where you're coming from. Did you know that even a speaking to someone can get your saliva on their shirt?"

"Actually, I did know that, and that is the exact reason I wash all of my shirts twice. I think I've got my house so clean that if I were to ever go missing or something: the only DNA, besides some new cells of mine, you'd find at all would be from the perp."

"Really, why's that?"

"You don't know? I guess Horatio hasn't told everyone yet. I have a slight case of OCD."

"Slight, huh? So what would you call a severe case if yours is classed as slight?"

"Have you seen that show 'Monk' on USA?"

"Is that the show where Tony Shalhoub is crazy and washes his tooth brush in boiling water?"

"Yep, that's what I'd call severe, especially before he got better, you know where he wouldn't even leave his house. I'm only half as crazy as that."

"So how bad is it?"

"Well, let's just say that I can't do anything if something is out of place or crooked. As soon as we get back to the lab from a scene I wash my hands twice before doing anything. I bleach my bathroom and kitchen every weekend. Just the basics."

"Wow, that's gotta suck."

"It used to, but I've gotten used to it," said Ryan with a slight shrug.

The rest of the car ride followed this pattern for a while. Ryan and Eric would ask questions about each other lives and habits and the other would answer as best they could. They arrived at the restaurant before either realized more than five minutes had passed.

Dinner passed in a blur of amusement for Eric. Every time the waiter put something on the table Ryan had to rearrange it. In fact he had bet Ryan that he couldn't move anything between the waiter's trips and he got to laugh at the man as he fidgeted mercilessly.

Eric had even started guessing what it was that was bothering Ryan. When he got it right, Ryan could fix it.

"Is it the salt shaker?" Eric asked for the third time. Laughing at the miffed glare he received from Ryan who was pointedly staring at the candle that was off center by a couple centimeters. "Alright, go ahead and move the candle back."

Ryan moved so fast Eric almost didn't see the candle move back to its proper place. When the man settled back into his seat with a contented sigh, he took only one look at Eric's amazed face before laughing as well.

They both studiously ignored the glares they were getting from the waiters who were beginning to get irritated that they couldn't even set the platters down correctly.

Sometime during the dinner Eric realized he was having a great time. It was really easy to laugh around Ryan. He hadn't pried at all into Eric's life, even when Eric probed for information about Ryan's past. Eric also realized that if he wanted Ryan to know anything about him, he'd have to offer. It was a nice change.

Dinner seemed to end too quickly for Ryan. He was sure that as soon as they hit Essence Eric would once again ditch him to be with some hot girl or other. The brunette was extremely surprised when Eric offered to pay the check and flat out refused to allow Ryan to leave so much as a tip for the waiter (Eric even gave the waitress a double tip for putting up with their antics at Ryan's request).

After leaving the restaurant, they decided to walk to the club so they wouldn't have to find parking again. On the short walk it became obvious that there was something in the air between them that made the atmosphere extremely comfortable. Laughs and conversation flew between them easily.

The line in front of Essence stretched around the block. The dark colored building was quivering on its lot from the intense music blasting away inside. Lights flickered through the windows to reveal shadows of the writhing patrons.

Eric had been to the club enough to know the bouncer by name, despite Essence having just opened five months ago. As soon as the bulky door guard saw Eric, he waved both men up to the front and let them in.

The music was blazing. Eric skillfully twisted his body through the throng of people. Eric smiled as a new song blasted through the speakers. He turned to Ryan standing next to him. Nearly screaming to be heard over the music, he said, "I love this song!"

Ryan smiled and nodded. Ryan wasn't, however, expecting Eric to grab his hand and pull him out onto the dance floor. It wasn't hard to get into the rhythm of the song and soon they were swaying together.

Eric hadn't quite noticed that Ryan had a natural grace about him. They danced separately but together. When the dancers around them noticed them, they moved back to give the two of them room. It was obvious to anyone watching that a) both were extremely good dancers, and b) both were having a blast.

Ryan knew that the only time he'd ever be able to completely let himself go was when he was dancing. Eric marveled at the younger man. He was like a force of sensuality on the dance floor. If Eric hadn't already been attracted to the younger CSI, he would have definitely been interested after seeing him dance.

Hours passed in this manner. Every time the two of them got onto the dance floor an invisible force kept the other patrons mystified. Every once in a while someone would be brave enough to ask one of them to dance. But when Eric turned down the first girl and then glared at the one propositioning Ryan, Ryan followed his colleagues lead and denied any requests. Drinks flowed but not enough to make either unaware of their surroundings or circumstance. Ryan was acutely aware that Eric had only recently changed his opinion of him, and Eric knew that he and Ryan had barely scratched the surface.

The evening flew by until it was well into early morning and time was drifting towards closing hour. The crowd had thinned severely.

Neither Ryan nor Eric knew exactly when it happened, but at some point in the night they had gravitated towards each other and now they were just rocking together, turning in a circle.

Ryan's head unsettled itself from underneath Eric's chin, and he tilted it up to stare into the Cuban's eyes. "Thank you," Ryan said just loud enough for Eric to be able to hear him over the music.

Eric stared back into Ryan's eyes. "What for?"

"Everything, this evening, dinner, a chance."

Eric's heart pulled even as Ryan resettled. "Hey," Ryan looked up again, "let's get out of here." Ryan smiled and nodded. He moved to separate himself from Eric. But Eric wouldn't allow him to move away completely. He kept hold of Ryan's hand and interlaced their fingers.

Ryan looked down at their hands in wonder and gave Eric a blinding smile. Eric couldn't help but smile in return. Their hands never unlocked the whole ride back to Ryan's house.

Eric walked Ryan up to the door. Ryan thought about it, but didn't invite Eric in. He needed sleep if he was going to function tomorrow.

Ryan turned to say goodbye, and was cut off by a pair of soft, warm, lips covering his own. He sighed and melted into the kiss he'd been yearning for, for several months now. A spark flew between them and Ryan closed his eyes.

Eric thought about pushing his luck and delving into Ryan's mouth, but decided against it. This truce was still too new for that kind of intimacy. Hell it was too soon for this kind of intimacy, but he couldn't help himself. He felt so comfortable around Ryan, and hopefully the sooner this bet was over the sooner he could let Ryan get to know him as well.

He pulled away and left a whispered goodnight on Ryan's lips. Ryan's smile was soft when he opened his eyes. The younger man turned and opened his door before stepping into his house. Eric was already walking down the sidewalk by the time he had opened the door, but he froze when Eric called out to him again.

"Hey, do you want to go out for coffee tomorrow?"

Ryan thought about it. He had no doubt that Speed would want all the details about his night first thing tomorrow, if he didn't stop by at eight in the morning just for that reason. But he should be free sometime in the afternoon. "Sure, how about I call your cell around noon? I've got some errands to run tomorrow morning."

"Sounds, fine." Eric smirked as he slid into his car. Already Ryan was like putty in his hand.