Disclaimer: I don't own anything you recognize.

Note: mention of child abuse.

Adopted Secret

Chapter one: The Truth About Wolfe

The mysterious figure in the bushes cocked his gun and waited for the opportune moment to take aim and pull the trigger. He watched his prey like a predator, crouched and ready to pounce.

"Let's hurry up and get this evidence to the lab. The sooner this case is solved, the sooner the killer is off the street." said Eric as he shut one of the two back doors of the car. Ryan nodded and shut the other door and Eric walked toward the driver's side. He took one last look around the scene, to make sure they didn't miss anything.

The person concealed in the bushes thought this as the opportune moment and pulled the trigger. The shooter smiled in satisfaction as his target collapsed to the ground. The figure got out of the bushes and calmly left the scene.

In one swift movement, Eric pulled out his gun and crouched down. He heard Wolfe scream in pain and he quickly scanned the scene for sign of a shooter.

"Wolfe!" Eric said loudly as he made his way to the back of the Hummer; where his partner was. "Stay with me, Wolfe!" Eric took off his jacket and applied pressure to Ryan's gun shot wound on his stomach.

"Wolfe, hold this there. I need to get you to the hospital." Eric said as quickly, but gently helped him up and took his to the passenger side. Eric ran around to the driver's side once Ryan was in. he started the engine and pushed on the accelerator. "All units, I need traffic assistance! Officer down! I repeat officer down! I need a doctor at the door!" Eric practically yelled into the radio as he was swerving through cars; his siren blaring. "Wolfe, stay with me! We're almost there! Don't go into shock!" Minutes later they arrived at the hospital. The doctors loaded Ryan on a gurney and wouldn't let Eric past the ER doors. He had to wait in the waiting room. He sat down heavily in one of the chairs and leaned forward in the chair. With his elbows on his knees, Eric looked down and noticed that he had blood all over the side of his pants and shirt. He turned his gaze to the floor and in what seemed like mere seconds, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Horatio.

"How are you doing, Eric?" asked Horatio as he sat down next to him. Eric sighed and noticed the sadness in Horatio's face. The look in his eyes made it seem like something happened to his brother. Eric shook the feeling off and looked away from H.

"I'm fine, H."

"What happened out there?" said Horatio as he did his tilted head trademark.

"Well, we were putting the evidence in the car. I walked to the driver's side, heard a gun shot, and Wolfe scream. I don't know if he saw the shooter or not, I didn't ask."

"It's going to be okay, Eric."

"We have to contact his family, H. do you know who they are? He never talks about him."

"Yes, I do know who his family is. There's no need to contact them."

"Why, are they dead, H?"

"No, Eric they aren't. I am his only family left. I'm his brother." Eric was shocked. He expected H to say he was just kidding, but instead he got a sad smile.

"What? Your brother?" said Eric in total confusion. Horatio sighed and ran a hand over his face.

"He's my adoptive brother. His biological parents verbally and physically beat into him that he wouldn't be anything more then an inconvience and worthless. That's why he is the way he is in the lab. You say he asks like he is trying to out do everybody, but he is only trying not to be worthless. He tried telling him that he wasn't on countless occasions, but when something is beaten into you it's hard to let it go. He always tries to understand, but it's hard for him." Eric nodded and saw Wolfe in new eyes.

"How come you two have different last names? And how come you never told Calliegh and me?"

"His biological parents let us have him, but they wouldn't sign the paper so in reality he was still theirs. It is very confusing." Horatio added the last part when he could tell that Eric wasn't totally following. Just then the doctor came toward them and they both stood. "How is he doctor?"

"Well, he sustained massive blood loss, but we were able get him a blood transfusion. The bullet missed his major organs and we were able to remove the bullet without complication. It will take a couple weeks before he back to his old self, but he should be fine. You may see him now. Follow me." The two CSIs followed the doctor to the room. Ryan was extremely pale, his dark brown hair standing out in contrast to his skin. Horatio took his little brother's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. He was shocked when his hand was squeezed in return. Then Ryan's eyes opened.

"Hey, Ryan. It's great to see you awake, how do you feel?" asked Horatio as he placed his other hand on Ryan's head.

"I'm fine Horatio." Ryan said weakly and then turned his head to look at Delko. "I assume you know?" Eric nodded.

"Yeah, Wolfe, I know. Well I should try and analyze the evidence. I'm glad you're ok." said Eric and he turned to leave.

"Hey, Delko?" Eric stopped and turned around to face Ryan.

"Yeah?"

"Thanks, I owe you." said Ryan with a soft smile.

"No problem, you would've done the same." With that he walked out the door.

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