Title: Better Late Than Never
Time: Missing Scenes from "Internal Affairs"
Rating: T
Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine, all are the property of the writers of CBS and CSI: Miami
Valera walked back to the DNA lab after she was released from the holding cell. She had spent the day there after she confessed to Horatio that she had killed Nick Townshend after he tried to force her into bed with him. She honestly thought she had killed him because she pushed him away and he fell to the floor and lay there motionless. Even though she and Natalia were both investigated for Nick's murder, another suspect was identified, which let her and Natalia off the hook. Now Valera was heading back to the lab to gather her stuff and go home for the night. Ryan spotted her walking down the hall and followed her to the lab.
"Max?" Ryan called
"Hey, Ryan," Valera said, forcing a smile.
"Rough day, huh?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, rough day," Valera answered.
"I'm glad you're okay," Ryan asked.
"Thanks. Yeah I really thought I had done it. He didn't get up after I pushed him away. I really thought I'd killed him," Valera said, tearing up.
"That's not what I meant," Ryan said, drawing closer to her, putting his hands gently on her shoulders. "Why would you even go out with him? You had to know about his history with Natalia."
"I don't know," Valera said. "Yeah, I heard some things, but I thought they were just rumors. Natalia's not exactly trustworthy, you know."
"Whatever you think about Natalia, she was looking out for you today. She put a lot on the line for you. She was genuinely frightened for you..." he reached up and touched her cheek. "And with just cause."
"What's with the guilt trip, Ryan?" Valera said, brushing his hand away and turning her back to him. "I've had a rough enough day as it is without you criticizing me for how I feel about Natalia."
"I'm sorry," Ryan said. "It's just that...you had me worried too."
Valera turned back around and looked at Ryan. "You were worried about me? You knew about our lunch date?"
"Natalia told me. Then Nick showed up I guess to meet you, and he ran into Delko. Delko thought he was here to harass Natalia, and they got into it. I came out and broke it up, and I told Nick to get lost. I meant that for your sake as well as Natalia's. I didn't want him anywhere near you," Ryan said, drawing closer to Valera again and taking her shoulders. Valera softly put her hands on Ryan's chest.
"Ryan, I'm touched, really. I...don't know what to say," Valera said, gazing into his emerald-green eyes.
"Then don't say anything," Ryan said, pulling her into a hug. "Just promise me you'll be more careful. I'd hate to see anyone hurt you."
"Okay...I promise," Valera said, suprised by Ryan's embrace yet comforted by it. They held each other for a couple minutes before Valera lifted her head from Ryan's shoulder. "Say, if you don't have any plans for this evening, would you want to grab some dinner? It's been a long day and I could use the company," she said smiling.
"I'd like that," Ryan smiled back.
"Great. I'm ready whenever you are," Valera said, taking his hand.
Ryan and Valera enjoyed dinner at a nice seafood restaurant that overlooked the water. After dinner they took a walk along the beach, holding hands.
"This is really nice," Valera said to Ryan as they strolled.
"I'm only sorry that I didn't think of this sooner," Ryan said. "You might never have even thought of going out with Nick if I had just summoned the nerve to ask you out."
"You've been thinking about this for a while, huh?" Valera smiled Ryan smiled and blushed, looking at the water. Valera stopped walking and pulled Ryan into an embrace. "Better late than never," she said, kissing him on the lips. Ryan responded to her kiss, and the events of the day were washed away with the tide as he and Valera melted in each other's arms.