Ryan was in a deserted warehouse, he was going to meet the rest of Mickey Anderson's gang. This gang always popped up on the homicide and narcotics departments' desk, and seeing as he had served with the narcotics and was presently on the homicide team he had been picked for this assignment. He had been undercover for two months steadily gaining Mickey's trust. He had a new temporary apartment in downtown Manhattan, new cell phone and no Esposito. He felt bad about how they had parted but it was the only way to stop Esposito from following him. "This is Harry Parks, Louie Forster and Wayne Saxon" the three men nodded their head at Ryan and Mickey continued "guys this here is Kyle James" Ryan nodded at the three men. Mickey had just started discussing what their new plan would be when they heard a cry from outside "THIS IS THE POLICE YOU ARE SURROUNDED! COME OUT WITH YOUR HANDS UP!" Ryan's stomach flipped, he knew that voice it was Esposito. He wondered what the hell his partner was doing here when he remembered Mickey saying that he had to kill the fourth member of his gang for being sloppy. "Mickey are you sure bout Kyle here being clean?" asked Wayne

"Sure I am sure, he's clean" came the reply. If only you knew thought Ryan trying to stifle a snigger. This guy wasn't as bright as he thought. There was a loud bang against the doors. "Right split up and head to my apartment to meet up" said Mickey. The gang nodded and headed for the different fire exits. As Ryan was about to head to an exit on his left. The main door flung open and he found himself looking down the barrel of Esposito's gun. He then saw the look on Esposito's face, it was sheer horror.

Esposito found himself pointing his gun at his partner. He had no idea that Ryan was undercover with the suspect of his murder case. He hadn't seen Ryan in two months, all he wanted to do was go over to Ryan and give him a pat on the back as a way of saying sorry for the way they parted. Then Esposito saw Ryan turn when the suspect, Mickey Anderson shouted "Kyle you idiot run!" Ryan than span on his heels and legged it with Anderson right behind him. Esposito found himself chaseing Ryan and Anderson out of the warehouse and down a back alley. Anderson turned off and Beckett followed him, she hadn't seen Ryan. Esposito caught up with Ryan as Ryan ran into a dead end. Ryan's eyes darted from side to side, reminding Esposito of a cornered rabbit trying to escape. "It's me Ryan, why are you trying to get away from me?" Esposito was hurt that all Ryan wanted to do was get away from him. "Esposito I have only just met the rest of Anderson's gang, one of them suspected me when you called to them I have to keep up my act." Then they heard Anderson nearby calling for Ryan. "You're gonna have to hit me Esposito"

"What! Why do I have to do that?"

"Just do it!" and Ryan lunged at Esposito, he didn't want to, but he didn't want Mickey finding out he was actually a cop.

To Esposito's horror when Ryan lunged at him he found himself hitting back. His instinct was screaming at him to stop hitting Ryan, but he knew with Anderson so close Ryan couldn't afford to have his cover blown. Ryan pushed Esposito back against a wall, gave a slight nod and legged it. Esposito was shocked to see what he had done to Ryan. He'd given him a bleeding nose, a cut lip and a few bruises that were just forming. He hoped Ryan's operation would end soon so he could see his best friend again. Montgomery had assigned him a temporary partner while Ryan was away. It's not that he didn't like his temporary partner, it's just he wasn't Ryan.