He stood on the beach, staring out at the water. The easy movements of the waves slowly calmed him down, bringing him back from the anger that had enveloped only a few short hours before. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and let the breeze try to blow away the images from the crime scene.

"Ryan?"

He opened his eyes at the sound of her voice, a small smile on his face. Turning his head, he saw Calleigh standing next to him, her own eyes focused on the water before them.

"I thought you went home," he said quietly, turning his gaze forward again.

She shrugged. "I wanted to see if you were alright. You got pretty worked up in interrogation." Glancing up at him, she narrowed her eyes. "Are you?"

"Alright, you mean?"

"Yeah."

Ryan looked down at the ground, kicking at the sand, his hands in his pockets. Calleigh watched him, waiting for him to answer. But when he kept his eyes down and his mouth shut, she reached out and touched his arm lightly.

"Come on, Ryan. Talk to me."

He shook his head firmly, and she could see the tears building in his eyes. A sympathetic look on her face, Calleigh stepped in front of him, her hands on his waist.

"Ryan," she whispered.

"I have a cousin," he said abruptly, still not looking at her. "She was dating this piece of trash, who treated her like crap. She…she got pregnant. When she told him, he freaked and threw her down the stairs before kicking her. She lost the baby." He raised his eyes then, locking his gaze with hers. "I can't handle guys who think it's okay to hurt a pregnant woman, Calleigh. There should be a special part of Hell reserved just for them."

"I'm so sorry," she murmured. "That's why you got so upset with the landlord."

Ryan nodded. "The victim might have made a mess of her life, but that baby…that baby deserved a chance, you know?"
"Yeah," she said quietly. "I know."

Giving her a small smile, Ryan reached up and cupped her face in his hands.

"Can we go home now?" he asked.

Taking a step closer, Calleigh returned his smile. "I was just thinking the same thing."

Leaning in, he kissed her firmly, soaking in the comfort she freely gave him. Calleigh wrapped her arms around his torso before tilting her head and taking the kiss deeper. They stood like that for a long time, the soft breeze from the water drifting through their hair and moving through their clothes. When they finally pulled back, Ryan leaned his forehead against hers.

"Come on," Calleigh whispered with a smile. "Let's go home."

"Best idea I've heard all day," he answered.