"To Many Fairy Tale Endings..." Chapter
1
It all started early Monday morning. The horizon was set, and the sun rose over the crime scene. The corpse of a young girl who is only 16. She was brutally murdered. She had been beaten to death, strangled, and hit over the head. Ryan Wolfe is the first to arrive on the scene, in full force and prepared to work. He was wearing his lime green T-shirt and a pair of tanned slacks with his italian shoes. He noticed a white van stop on the other side of the crime scene tape and joined the medical examiner walking towards the corps. They both knelt down and took in what they saw.
"So Alexx, what've we got here?" Ryan asked her.
"From what I can tell: black, female, probably 16 or 17 years old, beaten to death. Blunt force trauma to the head. Poor baby's head broke like an egg." Alexx said.
Ryan left Alexx to finish up and started to search around for evidence of a suspect. He searched up and down the lawn that the victim was laying on and all around. A few feet away he spotted something very useful.
"Found you."
He flashed his light upon the spot. "It looks like; vomit." He said kneeling down and taking his kit out.
"Why would there be vomit?" Alexx asked confused.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Ryan said heading back towards the Hummer.
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Back at the station, a young woman sat in the lobby and waited patiently. She had mocha brown hair tied up in a twist, bangs flowing against her forhead. She had rich brown eyes with a hint of orange, full pink lips and a soft, squarre face and had tanned skin with a sunkissed glow. She built extremely average but glamourized with a pair of dark blue jeans with gold stitching, a white blouse with a sweater vest overtop, black three inch, patent pumps, some gold bracelets and earings and a gold purse. She was sitting on a black leather couch, fiddling her hands, nervously taping her leg to a tempo, and checking her watch constantly.
"Can I help you?" A man said standing over her.
"Hi. My name is Celine Oliver. I'm here for the temporary position... in the lab. I'm waiting for, ugh... Horatio Caine." She stuttered smiling.
"I am Horatio Caine. It's nice to meet you Celine. Please, right this way Ms. Oliver.'' He said leading her into his office.
"So, please Ms. Oliver, tell me about yourself." Horatio continued.
"Well, I went to Dade University and graduated with a master's degree in Forensics Sciences, in Biology and Quantum Physics. I minored in Psychology. I've been in Miami for about 6 years now. I've been looking for a job like so, and I heard that you needed some help in the lab temporarily. I decided to come see about the position and what I had to do to get it." She explained smiling confidently.
"Well, I am looking for help in the lab. It seems that you are qualified for the position. You're hired." He told her and continued. "If you don't mind staying today, you can get a quick tour and run through of everything we do in the lab."
"No, I don't mind at all. That sounds great." She said very proudly.
"Well then, let's get started." Horatio said walking with her to the lab.
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Ryan exited the elevator and strolled over to the DNA lab with the bag of vomit in hand, then approached Natalia.
"Hey! While doing my job at the crime scene, I found this in the grass." Ryan said handing her the bag. "It's for you."
"What… what is this?" She opened the sample bag. "Oh, that's gross."
"Yeah, it's vomit. Looks like our killer got a little sick after murdering her." He said.
"Ya I heard about the vic, young too. What's her name?"
"Delisha Timothy. She was only 16 years old. It's sad to see such young girl, go out this way."
"Yeah, she had her whole life ahead of her."
As Natalia ran the DNA through CODIS, Ryan waited patiently just watching as he thought of possible theories.
"Well, looks like we've got a match. A Michael Timothy, 18 years old. Isn't that the last name of your vic?" Natalia said eyeing the CSI suspiciously.
"Ya it is. Let me see that" Ryan took a look at the
computer screen and took a look at the picture of Michael Timothy.
"That's her older brother, talked to him with the rest of the
family. Looks like we need to ask him some more questions." Ryan
thanked Natalia and left the room.
He called up Eric Delko.
"Delko." he answered.
"Hey Eric, it's Ryan. I've got someone for you to pick up. His name's Michael Timothy. I found his vomit near the victim."
"Alright, I'm heading out now."
As Eric left to go pick up the suspect, he looked and saw Celine walking down the hall. He looked at her with a blank stare, she looked so familiar. Celine looked back at him with a familiarized look on her face also. Horatio's words went threw one ear and out the other, as if Celine hadn't heard a thing.
"Ms. Oliver, is everything okay?" He asked noticing she wasn't really listening.
"Pardon?" she said, then suddenly realized what he had asked her and made up a quick lie. "I'm so sorry Lieutenant. I was just looking in your labs. They're amazing." She said.
"Yes they are pretty amazing aren't they?" He asked. "I'm going to have to leave you with our DNA expert Natalia Boa Vista. I have to run. I'll take you right over." He said.
Just as Horatio and Celine headed to the DNA lab, Ryan was walking out. "Mr. Wolfe, is Ms. Boa Vista in the lab?" He asked as he stopped Ryan so suddenly.
"Yeah, she just finished getting the DNA results from some vomit I found at the crime scene. The vomit belongs to her older brother Michael ." He said.
"Did someone bring our suspect in?" Horatio asked.
"Delko just left to go get him now. He should be back with in the hour." Ryan stated. He did a once over Celine and she did the same. Ryan then looked back at Horatio.
"M. Wolfe, this is Celine Oliver. She's going to be in the lab temporarily." Ryan reached his hand out. "Ms. Oliver, this is Ryan Wolfe." Horatio said. Celine gently took Ryan's hand and shook it.
"It's nice to meet you." Celine said smiling still staring into is hazel eyes.
"Hey, the pleasure's all mine." he said returning her smile. They both stayed like that hand in hand, eyes to eyes for what seemed an hour (really only about a minute).
"Well, I'm going to go see if Alexx has anything on the body. I'll see you around." He said taking his hand back.
"Ya. Probably. Alright. Ummm... Ya, Bye" Celine stuttered, nervously smiling.
Celine and Horatio then entered the DNA lab.
"Ms. Boa Vista, I need a favour." Horatio said.
"Anything, what is it?" Natalia asked.
"I have a new member here, temporarily. Her name is Celine Oliver. She'll be working in the lab with you for a while. Please, run her through everything and get her set up." Horatio said.
"Sure thing, Horatio." She said. Horatio left and revealed Celine, who was hidden behind Horatio before he left.
"Well Celine, I guess we should go get you a lab coat." Natalia told Celine (in what seemed an annoying tone to her).
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Almost an hour later, Delko brought in Michael Timothy. Place him on a chair in the interrogation room.
"What am I doing here? You guys are supposed to be looking for my sister's killer." He said with an attitude.
"You're here because we found your vomit near Delisha's body. Can you enlighten me on that?" Eric Delko asked.
"Yeah, there was a party, Delisha wasn't invited but she some how convinced me. After a couple hours both Delisha and I were pretty wasted. I went looking for her and saw her outside talking with some guys. I went over to get her away from that looser and threw up on my way there. So I just went back inside the house. Cleaned myself up and kept partying." Michael explained.
"Do you remember the guy that she was talking to?" Delko asked.
"He was one of the seniors in school. His name is Derek Greene. I used to hang with him, but we fell out." He said.
"Well, I'm going to need Derek's Phone number and address." Delko said handing him a pen and a pad of paper.
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As Natalia hastily and unwillingly got Celine familiar with everything, Ryan came back to the lab.
"Hey Natalia, I went back to the crime scene to scope it out one more time. Look at what I found." He said holding a small object in his hand.
"What's that?" Natalia asked glancing back at Celine. At that moment Celine felt a little out of it, not part of the team. At least not yet. Celine thought.
"It's a piece of a nail. I'm thinking it might be our vic's." He said.
"Well, let's run it and see what we get." Natalia said.
She continued in a quick, couldn't care less attitude "Celine, I'm assuming you've met Ryan Wolfe already."
"Yes, we've met. Hi again." She said giving him a quirky smile and a finger wave.
"Hi to you to, again." He said with a grin.
"So what are we doing now?" Celine asked.
"Well, we're going to extract some DNA from this finger nail Ryan found," Natalia answered, "So what you're going to do is watch the computer for me, get the results so I can go take my brake." As Natalia was leaving the door, Ryan eyed her suspsiously, wondering what was going on her mind, ditching Celine like that.
"Here I'll help you out," Ryan insisted. "Excuse Natalia, I don't what's going on with her." shaking his head.
"Nah its ok, she's been like that since I've been assigned as her little helper. And thank you... For the help I mean."
Ryan walked over to the computer and Celine was late to move, Ryan's side skided hers and sent shivers threw her body, rosing her cheeks. But Ryan didn't seem to notice, at least that's what she thought. Ryan got the shivers shooting threw like fireworks.
"Okay, so we just scan the DNA from the nail like this," He touched a button on a machine which activated a light and a sound, which was all that Celine could see and hear because she was so focused on him "then we wait for the computer to tell us our answer." He said standing back, taking his eyes off the screen to study her.
"Okay, I got it. Pretty simple actually." She said.
Celine turned around towards him. They just stood there in an awkward kind of silence for a few minutes. When Ryan spoke up.
"So, are you in school? Or are you finished?" Ryan asked, trying to make conversation while waiting for the results.
"I just graduated from Dade University with majors in Forensics Sciences, in Biology and Quantum Physics. I also have a minor in Psychology." Celine answered
"Oh wow, that's great. I also have majors in Biology and Quantum Physics, I also have a masters in Forensic Sciences and Biochemistry. I went to The University of Boston."
"Wow yourself." she said, sounding very impressed. He's smart too!
"So what brings you to the crime lab?" Ryan asked her curiously.
"I've been looking for a job in my major and my professor told me about the Miami Dade Crime Lab and so he set up with this temporary job here, give me the feel for the crime world, putting my learnings to good use I guess," She gave a little giggle "I think this whole place is amazing, the people are great, well most of them anyway," She smiled. "I'd love to have a job like this someday, permanently." She said looking at him and sighing.
"Well, it's definitely an interesting job. It can sometimes get the best of you though . Everybody thinks this job is just, collect evidence and bring in the bad guys, but there's so much more than that."
"Yeah, I know, my mother was a cop. Told me about her day at work all the time and I was always interested for some reason."
"Oh really, where at?"
"Boston Police Department. She was the head of the team."
"Wow, must have been an interesting mother." he smiled and she nodded with a smirk. As they stared at each other deeply for a many seconds, the screen beeped and their results came up.
"Well, I think we've found who the nail belongs to." Ryan said, with emphasis on the word we've, giving it a meaning not mentionable just felt.
"Ya, Ashley Jones. You better go get her explanation."
"I should, shouldn't I? Thank you." Ryan said.
"No, thank you. " Celine giving him a warming smile, sending him butterflies in his stomach. Ryan get a hold of yourself, you have to concentrate on the case not this amazing girl. Ryan thought to himself.
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Ryan picked up his suspect to bring her in for questioning.
"So Ashley, how do you know Delisha?" Ryan asked her.
"We go to the same school. I'm her besti. Why, what's this about?" Ashley replied
"Delisha was found dead this morning.''
"Oh my God.'' Tears started to spill down her cheeks. ''I didn't kill her. She was my friend!''
''We found your nail on her body. Can you explain that?"
''Look, I broke a nail yesterday night at a party. Delisha and I we're... dancing a certain way to look older because we were only 16 and the party was mostly for seniors. We had act older. We both got really wasted and we started really getting into the ''dirty dancing'' feel and that's when I snagged my nail on her shirt."
" Did you two ever seperate?"
"Well yeah. My finger started to really bleed, so I went to the bathroom to clean up. When I came back, I went looking for her, I saw her talking to Derek Greene." She said nervously.
''Did you see anything happen between them?''
''Like I said, I was drunk out of my mind - next thing I know, a guy came up to me and asked me to dance. I went with him. Am I in trouble?"
"No, you're not in trouble, at least not with me.'' Ryan said looking over at her parents, who were watching threw the glass windows.'' With your parents though, that might be a different story. You can go, but don't go too far. I might have more questions for you later on." And left her to her parents.
Ryan saw Eric and walked over to him.
"Hey, did you get anything from the brother?" Ryan said anxiously.
"Ya, she was talking to some kid, Derek Greene."
"Well, that's the same kid her best friend saw her with."
"Yeah, well, I've got a few questions to ask him. I'm gonna call Calleigh. Get her to pick him up."
''Dusquene.'' Calleigh answered her chirping phone.
"Hey Cal, could you do me a big favour?" Delko asked.
"I'd love to."
''Could you pick up a Derek Greene for me?''
''I sure can. Where abouts?''
''48 Coconut Lane, Palm Island''
''Nice place and I'm about ten minutes away.''
When he hung up with Calleigh, he looked at Ryan. "Hey, want to get some coffee?"
''Yeah, I could use some.''
They were walking into the elevator. Ryan pressed the 15th floor button and Eric started the conversation.
''Did you see the girl Horatio was walking around the lab with this morning?''
''Ya I met her in the DNA lab - she's temporarily replacing Max I guess.''
''Did you get her name?''
''Yes, its Celine Oliver. Why?''
''Umm... No reason, I guess.'' Eric said. Celine, it is you.
They reached the the 15th floor and walked towards the brake room. As they opened the door, they saw Celine, sitting legs crossed, reading a file and she never heard them come in. Eric went towards the coffee pot and got some coffee then walked and sat the table looking out a window of an ocean view and started reading some headlines. Ryan was next for some coffee. As he was pooring the coffe, his eyes glanced away towards Celine and studied her. But he forgot about the coffee and his cup was overflowing and the hot coffe ran down the cup and all over his hand and he droped both the coffee cup and the coffee pot, ruining his T-shirt and pants. Celine heard the crash and splash and ran over to help him... Also giggling the whole time. Eric on the other hand was barking with laughter and Ryan was trying to clean up.
''Are you ok?'' Celine asked Ryan
''Oh ya I'm fine.'' Celine looked up at him in desbeleif
and continued picking up the bits and peices all over the floor. Ryan
bent over and helped and Eric took care of the coffee
everywhere.
When they were finally done, Eric left to finish some
reports, leaving Celine and Ryan alone in the brake room.
''You know what, that burn looks pretty bad, and your a bit dirty. Let's go get you cleaned up'' Celine said, Ryan right on her heels.
They reached the locker room, and Ryan oppened his locker and took out a first-aid kit. Celine and Ryan both sat down on the bench and she dug threw the kit looking for some peroxide to clean the burn and then she carfully rubbed some cold water and wrapped his hand with some bandage.
''Hows that feel?'' Celine asked.
''Its feels a whole lot better, thanks.''
''It's no problem, really.'' Celine looked at him overall and noticed his clothes. ''You have extra clothes?''
''Well, I have an extra shirt.'' He reached farther into his locker and took out a duffel bag and layed on the floor. He oppened it and took out a pink T-shirt.
''Only real men wear pink right?'' Celine asked
''You got it girl.''
Ryan took off his coffee stained shirt revealing to
Celine his bare arms, chest and hips. So muscular and tanned. So
perfect. Celine thought. It took all of Celine's will power to
stop her from pushing him against the locker and caressing his chest,
touching his body.
She snapped out of her say dreams when Ryan
placed his pink shirt over his body. Dissapointing Celine, a bit.
''Thank you, again.'' Ryan told her. Celine stood up and faced him. Their eyes locked and they just stood there for what felt like an eternity to them. But suddenly Celine's phone went off and she answered it.
''Oliver.''
''Hey Celine, you were supposed to be working about 45 minutes ago. What the hell are you doing?''
''I know Natalia, I'm sorry. I'll be right there. I just lost track of time.'' With out realizing it, Celine accidentally pressed the speaker button on her cell and Natalia's voice was heard by Ryan also.
''Well could you hurry, I have plans tonight and if I have to babysit you because your not done your work, I swear, working here, for you, won't be too pleasent.''
Ryan immediatly took the phone in hand and spoke for Celine.
''Natalia, it's my fault she's late, if she doesn't finish before the end of the shift, I'll do her work with her. Now leave her alone.'' Celine looked at him shockingly. Ryan gave Celine back her phone and Celine turned it off speaker and heard Natalia talking to her.
''Look, I just get your ass over here and finish up. I mean why keep hard working Ryan here after shift; to do your work? That sounds extremely selfish.''
''I'll be right over.'' Celine said hanging up. She looked up to meet Ryan's eyes and gave him a week smile.
''Thanks for standing up for me. No ones done that before, well, for me.''
''I owed you.''
''Well, were even I guess.''
''Well you know, what I did for you is bigger then what you did for me.'' Ryan told her.
''Oh yeah. Why is that?''
''Cause Natalia is nut job,'' He winked at her '' I saved you.''
''My knight in shining armor!'' Celine gave him a grin.
''Well your knight wants to show you something. After shift I mean.''
''Well this princess isn't sure if she'll be done her work after shift.''
''Don't worry, I'll make sure you are.'' Ryan said teasingly. Celine gave him a finger wave and left.
Pushing the button for the elevator, Celine turned and
admired the corridors, adn thought about what Ryan said. I wonder
what he wants to show me.
Eric scared her when he touched her
shoulder, turning her around.
''Hey, Celine.''
''How do you know my name?'' Celine said trying not remember him.
''You don't remember me?''
''You look familiar. I can't remember your name...'' She stared at her feet, she hated lying.
''Does Delko ring a bell?''
''ERIC?! Eric Delko?'' She said, trying to make it look like she forgot.
''Ya. Haven't see you in while'' He gave her a warming smile.
''Eric...'' She hugged him and they stared into each others eyes.
''Its been a while, hasn't it.''
''Its been... 11 years.'' Celine sighed ''Eric, I should have never done what I had.'' Celine started to remember what she had done to him that one summer.
FLASHBACK
They left the first week of summer vacation. Celine
and her family were headed to Miami, for they're annual cottaging
weekend, away from Boston and the cooler weather. They arrived a day
and a half later at their cottage on Harbour Point, Key Biscayne.
Celine was a swimming champ threw school, and most of her life.
Everyone called her a fish. SO the first thing she would do when
arriving at her cottage was unpack her stuff, get her diving suite
on, and go snorkling in calm, colorful ocean. Fish would gather
around her, and shw would swim with them over choral reefs and white
sand. There was a big rock, called Grande Lanzado Rock and it was
about a hundred and fifty feet form the beach. The top of the rock
was completely out of the water which is where Celine sat once she
got there. She would rest up, then swim back. But since Celine had
gotten to the cottage fairly late, she decided to swim out onto the
rock and stay a bit longer to watch the sunset.
A few minutes
before the sun was setting, someone swam up to the rock and spoke.
''I'm not to late am I?'' Which made Celine turn
around and see a muscular, mocha colored skined young man pull
himslef out of the water onto the rock.
Once he got out, he sat
beside Celine, and glanced over to her and she did the same. He was
wearing a pair of red with white Hibiscus flower patterned swim
trunks and his skin was glissening cause of the water and glowing
from the sun.
''Right on time.'' Celine told him. She came to the conclusion that he must have been 20 maybe 21 years old, only a couple years older then herself.
''Hi, I'm Eric... Delko'' Eric took his hand away from his side and opened his hand to the girl.
''Oliver Celine, I mean, Celine Oliver'' She smiled, and started to blush. She placed her hand in his large hand. Eric pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed it ever so gently while keeping his eyes on hers. He then placed her hand back and smiled and turned to face the horizon, now full of beautiful shades of pink, orange and yellow and purple. But Celine stayed studying him. Such a gentleman and so handsome. She thought to herself. She then turned to watch the sunset. And everyonce and a while she would look back to see him glancing at her.
''It's so beautiful.''
''Is it your first time here?'' Eric asked her.
''No, my parents bought our cottage,'' Celine pointed towards a huge house with giant windows and a peach colored paint and white triming. ''when I was 4, it was our get away. We've been going every summer since then.''
''That's your cottage?''
''Ya, I live in Boston. We like to get away from the ordinary. What about you, I've never seen you around here.''
''My parents moved to a house around the corner on the island. You can't see the sunset from there and this is the best place to go.''
''How old are you?''
''21, what about you?''
''18. I just graduated and I'm glad. Not that I don't like highschool, it's just I want to start life, you know.''
''Ya I'm in University now. It's great. I almost like it more then my highschool years. Where are you going?
''I don't know, I think I'm going to apply for a whole bunch and go to one i like best. I want ot take a break from school. What career are you aiming for?''
''I'm thinking working for the Miami Police Department, Crime Lab, CSI.''
''Really? Wow thats.. Tha's really amazing.''
''What about you?''
''Well, my mother is a cop, my dad is a PI, I was kind of thinking of also becoming a cop. One of my teachers told me all about Crime Scene Iinvestigation and it looks very interresting. But nothing is for certain.''
They continued talking about themselves for over an hour, telling stories about thwn they were younger and about stories they want to happen. But it got dark fast and Celine hated swiming in the dark.
''Its getting dark. I should go.'' Celine said shakingly.
''Wait, why do you have to go?''
''Honestly; I hate swimming in the dark. Its scares me. You can't always see what your swimming with.''
''I'll be right beside you.'' Eric said and gave her a trustworthy smile. Celine nodded her head and dove into the water and Eric did the same. Eric close by, almost touching her would watch her swim gracefully threw the clear water. He could tell she was scared , but he could also tell that she trusted him to keep her safe and thats what he did all the way to the beach. They both went to their towels and laid down, staring at the stars shining brightly against the navy sky. After an hour of small talk and star gazing, Celine sat up.
''I have to go. My parents and I are playing poker like we always do. You drove over right, cause if you didn't I can bring you back home because that's a long walk.'' Celine said.
''I drove, don't worry about it,'' He stood up and grabbed his things. Celine did the same and started towards some stairs that Eric guessed lead to her cottage. ''Celine?'' Celine did a full circle and walked back towards him.
''Yeah?''
''Goodnight.'' Eric took her hand and kissed it once more. ''It was a pleasure to meet you. Will I see you again tomorrow night?'' Celine thought about it for a second then sighed.
''Of course.Two weeks from now on friday night, I'm going to South Beach. There's going ot be a beach party. Your welcome to come.''
''Well, maybe I will.'' her hand still in his, slipped away as she walked towards the stairs. He noticed she was swaying her hips in long sways, which made him smile.
Two weeks went by fast and they had met up more then ten times in the past two weeks. But it was now friday night and Eric was getting ready. He took a shower, styled the little hair he had and sprayed a woosh of cologne. Very expensive cologne he only used for special occasions... or a special person. He put on a pair of tanned khaki shorts and a pale pink dress shirt, with three-quarter sleeves and unbuttoned colar. He grabed the rose he picked up earlier in the day, his keys and wallet, then out the door. He walked to his truck, GMC Sierra Denali latest model, black with tanned leather. He started the engine and drove to South Beach. He saw the big fir eon the beach and the crowd. He got out of the truck down the beach. The crowd was small enough that he would be able to find Celine in less then thirty minutes. But it had been two hours and she was no where to be found. He got worried and started talking ot some people, ask if they knew or saw her. He ran into one girl and she was one of Celine's clossest friends down in Miami. She was a dirty blond, blue eyed, tall model type, tanned and having a blast dancing with friends and some guys.
''Do you know Celine?'' Eric asked her.
''Yes, I'm her friend. Nikki.''
''Is she here?''
''Celine left. This morning, back to Boston.''
Eric stared at her for a minute then ran back to his truck. He started it up and drove back to Key Biscayne. He went up to her number and didn't see a car in the drive way, no lights on in the house. But he rang the doorbell to make sure. No one answered. He plopped down on the porch and sat there for a couple hours thinking about her. Why the hell did she blow me off. What did I do. Is it me?
FLASHBACK OVER
''You shouldn't have, ast least not the way you did. A phone call or a note would have been appreciated a lot more then nothing. I looked like an idiot at that party. Not to mention I blamed myself.'' Eric said.
''I know, I'm sorry.'' It was silent when the doors to the elevaor opened and Celine stepped in and left Eric standing there watching her.
''Will you meet me in the locker room an hour before shift is over?''
''Sure.'' Celine replied, smiling to his serious gaze, trying to cheer him up.
Riding in the elevator gave Celine time to think about
Eric. She felt terrible for what she had done. I have to tell him
why i did it, it would be awful to not tell him. But I might look
like a fool. The elevator chimed and the doors opened and Celine
steped out. She walked down the busy corridors all the way to the DNA
lab.
When she walked in, she saw Natalia was working and decided
not to bug her. She put on her lab coat and looked at the clock. It
was one o'clock and Eric wanted to meet her an hour before shift was
over which was 4 o'clock. Then she was supposed to meet Ryan at 5.
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Ryan was sitting himself across from Derek Greene when Eric walked in the room looking pissed. He slammed the door behind him and roughly sat in his chair with a very serious face.
''Let's get this over with'' Eric told Ryan.
''Alright, Derek, we have two witnesses that place you with Delisha before she died.'' Ryan tells the boy.
''Yeah, I was. I went outside to cool off from the dancing. I see this wasted chick walk out. She was hot, so I walked over, tempted her and we walked over a tree. We made out. I had plans of my own. And then, this guy shows up, pulls me away from her and tells me to get lost. I said to him: She's 18, she's an adult. She can make her own choices. Then the guy tells me she's only 16 and I backed away. Said I didn't know and left. That's it. I didn't kill her.''
''Do you know who the guy is?''
''It was dark, hard to tell. He looked a lot like a teacher at school. But I'm not sure.''
''What teacher?'' Eric asked.
''My math teacher. Fourth period. M. Yuming. I only hang out with my class. I didn't know she was under aged, the party was only meant for seniors.''
''We know. Your going to be put in a holding cell till we prove your story.'' Ryan nodded to an officer in the room ''Please''.
Derek was brought ot the holding cell across the hall.
''We're going from person to person. If they keep this up, were going to be interrogating all Miami.'' Eric said. He glanced at the time on his phone.
''Ryan, could you go pick up the teacher, I have something I need to do.''
''Ya sure. I'll call you when he's in.''
''Thanks man.'' With that, Ryan left and headed out to the hummer and left for Miami Beach Senior High School. Eric on the other hand satyed in the lab and headed to the locker room. Celine was supposed to meet him there for four o'clock. it was five to and he saw Celine sitting on the bench, head in hands. He walked slowly towards her and she stayed like so. He sat down next to her and she didn't. Celine reconized that smell. The cologne Eric wore the first time they met. She lifted her head up from her hands and looked into Eric's chocolate eyes.
''So, what do you want to talk about?'' Celine asked.
''Why?''
'' 'Why?' what?''
''Celine you know what.''
''Ok. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. Its just...'' Celine hesitated a bit, but continued ''I was scared. I've never felt for some one like i felt for you. I didn't know what to do. I was confused. I thought you couldn't be real, you were too perfect. You were so nice, and you had a future to look forward too. You just...You made me feel so special.'' Celine had tears rolling down her cheeks ever so softly. Eric grabed her hands with his and held them.
''Then why did you leave?''
''I didn't know if you felt that for me. If you would have rejected me, I..I would never be the same. It would hurt me so badly.''
''Celine,'' Eric sighed. ''I'm sorry too.''
''What? Why?''
''Well, maybe I should have said something. Celine you were just as perfect. You were beautiful, don't get me wrong you still are, '' When he said that, Celine gave a little giggle which made Eric smile. ''you were into things that I was too; swimming especially. Why do you think I swam with you almost everyday? I enjoyed it. A lot. Celine you were amazing to be with. I'm just sorry you or I hadn't said anything.''
''What do you think would have happened? If I had stayed?''
''Well, I really don't know. But we can try and find out.'' Eric looked into her eyes deeply, but Celine turned away.
''I'm sorry Eric. That wouldn't be fair to you. I hurt you once, I don't deserve you once more. I blew my chance.'' Celine stood up. She just stood there, staring at her feet, regretting what she said. She stayed like that for a couple minutes. She suddenly felt a body pressnig against her back, long, muscular arms wrapping around stomach and a head laying gently on her shoulder.
''I forgive you. You may have left me then, but your not leaving me now. Not again.'' Eric wispered in her ears. Celine smiled to his words and turned her body around. She leaned into him, pushing herself as high as she could. Man he's tall, she thought. they're heads getting closer slowly. Celine's cell went off and scared her. She released Eric and uncliped her phone from her belt. The alarm was going off because her shift was over. Celine saw the time. 5:01 P.M.
''Ryan.'' Celine said.
''What about him?'' Eric asked.
''Eric, he's taking me some place.''
''Where?''
''I don't know, something to do with work, I guess. I have to get ready.'' She was fideling threw her locker while talking and Eric gently turned her aound.
''Tonight. Meet me at Key Biscayne Marina. Nine o'clock,
alright?'' She starred at him. She remember what happened at the
Marina one night. Eric had surprised her and brought his suba diving
gear and they went scuba diving at night, for over two hours. It was
the most amazing water experience she had ever had. And Eric was
right there for her, guiding her threw the dark blue waters. She
smiled and nodded.
Eric walked away with his things and headed out
of the locker room and down the hall, passing Ryan.
''So, did you get anything out of the teacher?'' Eric asked.
''Ya. A confession. Said that the girl was pissed at him. He said that she was running from him, towards the sidewalk and she tripped on her heels and hit her head against a car.'' Ryan sighed. ''I checked ou the car and and there was blood. He was telling the truth. I don't know what the charges are against him. It's definatly not homicide.''
''Slap on the wrist I guess.''
''Ya probably. See you tomorrow!''
''Ya, bye.'' and Eric headed out.
Ryan walked towards the locker room and to his locker. He grabbed his stuff and noticed Celine.
''So your work is all done right?'' Ryan asked
''Yup, I worked extra hard. Natalia was too busy talking to some guy from the night shift to boss me or add extra work. Lucky me'' Celine gave Ryan a grin.
''Alright, you ready?'' Celine nodded and he lead her to his car. He had a black Toyota FJ Cruiser. Looked brand new and sparkling clean. The inside was even more fasinating. It was all high end leather tanned leather, all the upgrades and full of high-tech gagets. Celine found it suited Ryan. A 'can handle anything' car and in style, just like the department issued Hummers.
He oppened the door for her and she got in. he left to the other side and started up the car. They drove on many roads with little conversation.
''So, are you gonna tell me where your bringing me?'' Celine asked.
''Well it wouldn't be a surprise if I told you.''
''I can still act surprised.''
''You would wouldn't you.''
''If I guess it, would you tell me?''
''Maybe''
''Alright well, does it have to do with me or its just a great place you know?''
''Both.''
''Alright. Does it have to do with the lab?''
''Not even close.''
''Does it involve dinner, cause I'm hungry.''
''Dinner never even crossed my mind. Oops.''
''WHAT?! How could you plan something with out dinner, I just got off work and thanks to you I didn't get to eat lunch because fo your little accident and now-'' Ryan interrupted her right whenit was possible.
''Celine, I was joking. Yes involves dinner.''
''Oh, sorry.'' She gave him an apologetic look.
''Just look out your window when we get on that bridge.'' Ryan said pointing at a bridge that passes over the Miami river from Bell Meade Blvd to Bell Meade Island Dr. on Bell Meade Island. Celine stopped and starred at the sparkling water. The sun was about three hours away from sunset and the water was clear blue.
''Beautiful'' Ryan said glancing over at Celine. Celine knew what he meant, not the water, me! She blushed a rosy pink.
''Oh stop it. I'm a bit more bashful then most people.''
''I know, but its cute.'' He gave her a bright, picture perfect, smile.
Ryan took a right and they went down a dirt road to a driveway that went threw a white, wood fence and into a feild of perfectly cut, green grass. There was a white gate blocking them from continuing. Ryan pulled up to a screen with a speaker. He gave them his name and the gate opened. As the gate was opening, it revealed more driveway and a large, english styled ranch. Great big red barn with a white trim, that looked the size of a football feild. Ryan drove the car in front of the big barn doors. He turned the car and got out. Celine sat in the her seat, bottom jaw down to her feet. She was so astonished, so amazed at what Ryan did. Ryan stood in front of the car looking at her and yelling.
''You gonna come out or what?'' Ryan asked. Celine got out and ran to the big red doors like a little kid ran for an ice cream truck. Ryan finally caught up with her and he opened the doors. The doors revealed a very large corridor that was at least fifty feet wide. On the left side of the the corridor were maybe fifty stalls down. Each one filled with beautiful horses. Celine walked down all the stalls and greeted every horses. She passed a couple of tack rooms on the right of the corridor and some wash stalls, grooming and saddling rooms and a couple of stalls for sick or pregnant horses. She walked back towards Ryan but when a few feet away she ran and hugged him. Her head was in his chest and she was talking to hinm like that.
''Celine, I can't understand a word your saying'' Ryan said laughing.
''I said thank you so ever much.'' Celine looked up into his eyes and she leaned in to him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. She kissed him pasisonatly when her tongue asked entrance to his mouth and he accepted. Celine's tongue roamed his mouth then Ryan deepend the kiss. He lifted her in his arms and she happily floated to him. Ryan was carrying her when he found a wall and pinned her to it. They heard a horse nay and kick the door. They stopped what they were doing and Celine laughed.
''What's so funny?''
''We have an encore.'' said, smiling sheepishly.
''You think we should give them what they want?'' Ryan ask. He still had his arms wrapped around her hips and she still had her arms kissing his neck and hand tugging on his ears.
''I think we should ride.'' The same horse nayed a second time an kicked the door once more.
''I think he's jealous of me.'' Ryan stated.
''Really?''
''Of course, I'm with the prettiest girl. Brightess star in the sky. Redest Rose in the bush-'' next thing he knew her lips were against his for a while.
''I get it.'' Celine said.
A minute later, a man. Scruffy, short, wearing barn clothes covered in who knows what shows up and sees them.
''No doing what ever your up to in this barn. You know better Ryan!'' The man told us.
''Sorry Ed, We were just waiting for you.'' Ryan pulled Celine over to Ed by hand.
''Celine, this is Ed.'' Ryan said pointing out Ed. ''He's going to be choosing the horses, taking care of them, saddling them and then let us out, then do the same when were done.''
''It's nice to meet you darlin'.'' Ed said to Celine.
''Same.''
''Well Ryan I'm gonna get the horses ready, would you get the brushes please.'' Edd ordered Ryan.
''Alright.'' Celine followed Ryan to the tack room way down the corridor and he handed her two brushes.
''Ryan, you never mentioned that you ride.'' Celine said.
''It was a surprise.''
''A damn good one.'' Celine's face turned confused. ''How do you know Ed and this place?''
''I've known Ed all my life. My dad bought this ranch a while back, when I was just a child. After so many years, he couldn't handle the payment so he sold it to his friend: Ed. Anyway, when I moved to Miami, I needed a pass time to keep me busy. I remember the ranch and would come down here and ride. Ed taught me everything I know about riding.''
''Wow. That's great.''
''Ryan?!'' Ed yelled to the two talking in the the tack room. ''Don't be foolin' round in there, ya'll got that?''
''We're not Ed, don't worry'' Ryan replied.
''Then get ya'll butts out here!''
Ryan and Celine joined Ed once more. They brushed their
horses and Ed saddled them up. They got up on the horses and Ed
opened the doors to the back of the barn. Ryan was leading and Celine
just followed. Ryan was riding a paint horse, it was white with black
spots and his name was Gunner. Celine was riding a full out black
horse with a stripe that went from the horses forehead, between the
eyes and to the nose and her name was Casey. Once they exited the
barn Celine examined twhat she saw: there was a field on the left and
a rink and pasture on the right. But straight threw the middle was a
path that lead into some woods. Thats where they were headed.
They
went threw trees and revines. The went up and down hills when Celine
saw some light up a head. They trotted towards the light and they
appeared on a beach.
''Ryan, is this part of the proprety?''
''Yeah. Nice eh?''
''Its gorgeous.''
''My dad hadn't own this, in fact back then, no one owned or knew about it. But when Ed made up the trail he ran into it and decided to claim it his own.''
''Wow, its amazing.''
''It's all for you.'' Ryan said smiling at her lovingly.
''Ryan thats so sweet.'' Celine slid off her horse and walked over to the water, horse in hand. Ryan did the same and joined her.
He held her close to him and and she rested her head on his shoulder. Her head fell right into place, like a puzzle peice being placed in the right spot. They stayed like that for over a half hour when Celine noticed the sun was getting lower to the water.
''Do you have the time?''
''Ya its seven thirty.''
''We have to go. I'm meeting a friend at nine o'clock at Key Biscayne Marina.''
''Well get on your horse and lets move. You up to a run?''
''Always.''
They jumped back on they're horses backs and ran their horses along the beach to the trail. They ran threw the trail in record time and got back to the barn. Edd was suprised to see them already.
''What are you twos doin' here so soon?''
''Places to go.'' Ryan said.
''People to meet.'' Celine finished
''Ed do you mind doing the rest? Were in a rush.'' Ryan asked.
''Ugh, fine... You owe me kid.''
''I promis.'' Ryan replied. Ryan was pulling her towards the car.
''I'll be back too!'' Celine yelled to him when they were running when Ryan stop so suddenly.
''What?'' Ryan asked.
''I said I'll be back.'' Ryan smiled.
''Good. I can't wait.'' Ryan kissed her and pulled towards the car once more.
They got in the car and saw the time. They had one hour to get there. Key Biscayne was quite far away but Ryan tried hard to get here there. They crossed the bridge once more and down some many roads and finally got to the marina just in time, in fact five minutes early.
''Oh shit, we were in such a rush, I forgot about dinner''
'''Ryan, I had a blast. Hunger left me the minute I saw the barn.'' Celine told the guy sitting next to her.
''I'm glad I brought you.''
''Am I invited back? You know I did promis Ed I would be back.''
''You did, didn't you. Alright, tell you what, you kiss me one last time and I'll bring you back.''
''Your pushing it Wolfe.'' He grinned and she smiled back. Celine leaned over towards him and kissed him so deeply, she didn't want to brake it to breath, but she really needed to breath, so she broke the wonderful kiss and licked her lips. She looked into his eyes.
''Goodnight Ryan.''
''Goodnight Celine,'' Celine exited the car and started walking towards the marina and walking do the west dock. ''Goodnight...'' Ryan the left. His lips still tingling after that amazing kiss.
Celine was walking down the dock and saw a bunch of candles leading her to the end of the dock - just like a trail of bread crumbs.
''I'm not gonna get eaten by a witch am I?'' Celine said, not seeing anyone but knowing who was waiting for her.
''Depends, you want to?''
''And miss this wonderful surprise? Absolutely not.''
She felt heat around her back and lips caressing her neck. She swivled around and was chest to chest and hips to hips with Eric. She smiled at him and he returned it.
''You ready for that surprise?''
''Well, if it involves you and me. I'm ready.'' she said placing kiss on his lips. He took her hand and lead her to a yatch. It was called El Barco de Amor.
''What does that mean, the name of your boat?'' Celine asked Eric.
''The Love Boat.''
''Very slick.'' she said teasingly.
He helped her board the boat and led her to the captains quarters. There were to leather seats; one for the driver and one for a passenger.
''Madame, take a seet.''
''Well thank you, Monsieur.'' Celine curtseyed. Eric gave a smile.
''Smart Ass.'' Celine giggled a bit then sat.
Eric started up the boat and they drove off. They were driving when Celine reconized the spot they were headed for. It was the spot they first met on. The big rock; Grande Lanzado Rock.
''Eric...'' Celine was out of words. Eric smiled at her and took her hand in his.
''Just in time for the sunset.''
''Oh, Eric.'' Eric hopped off the boat and help Celine on to the rock. They sat on it, Eric craddling Celine the whole time. They didn't move.
''Eric, it's beautiful.''
''Just like it was eleven years ago.''
Celine was now sitting up on his laps, back against chest. Celine tilted her head back and looked up at Eric. He noticed and immediatly turned his attention back to her. He put this head down and kissed her upside down. Deeply. Sparks were going off in both their bodies. They both knew each other felt it and they continued. Eric layed her down on the rock, he covered her and kept kissing her. An hour past and they were still the way they started.
''Eric, thank you.''
''For what?''
''For another chance.''
''It was damn worth it.'' He smiled and pulled her to a sitting position. She smiled at him and stood up.
''Time to go'' Eric asked.
''Ya, we have work tomorrow.''
''Alright, get in the love boat.'' Eric said jokingly.
''Eric?''
''Yeah'' Eric responded as he mounted her back into the boat.
''Your'e my ride home.''
''And?''
''Just letting you know. I'm gonna go lie down over there, on that comfy looking couch...'' Celine rambled on and fell a sleep.