"Hey Ry…" Eric stopped talking when he caught sight of the bruise forming on the younger man's face. "What the hell happen to you?" Eric asked in astonishment.

"Nothing, I ran into a door," Ryan answered softly. Eric didn't believe him, but didn't have proof he was lying, well accept for his gut, that is.

"Good one, watch where you're goin' next time," Eric teased, trying to get the other man to smile. It failed miserably, though; Ryan just nodded and looked down embarrassed. There was a bad feeling in the pit of Eric's stomach. Something was wrong but he didn't know what.

Further conversation was halted when the rest of the team walked into the break room for their team meeting. Everyone looked at Ryan's face in shock, but a look from Eric silenced them all, but Alexx caught Ryan's gaze and held it until he looked away.

"Okay, Natalia, finish collecting the evidence you'll need for court tomorrow. Calleigh you and I have a murder in the 'glades'. Eric you and Ryan have a shooting at a house in Coconut Grove. Get to it, and stay hydrated, it's going to be a hot one," Horatio advised as he past out the assignments and headed out of the room with Calleigh on his heels.

"Eric, you go on to the Hummer, I want to talk to Ryan for a minute," Alexx requested. She had remained behind with the two guys.

"Okay, see you in a minute," Eric said, giving a small wave.

"How'd you get that bruise, baby?" Alexx asked softly.

"I ran into a door," Ryan answered. "I know really stupid of me," he added lowly.

"Uh-huh, did this door have five fingers and a palm?" Alexx asked angrily. Ryan didn't answer he just looked down at his feet.

"I have to go, Eric's waiting for me," Ryan replied.

"Okay, but if you ever need to talk, and we're not done here," Alexx finished as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. Ryan did his best not to shy away from her touch. "Oh, and Ryan?" Alexx called as she removed her hand.

"Yes?" Ryan asked.

"You're not stupid," Alexx answered as she patted his shoulder once more and let him leave.

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"Man it's a hot one," Eric complained as he mopped his brow.

"Yeah, tell me about it," Ryan agreed as they pulled up outside the house. They both reluctantly climbed out of the air conditioned car and made there way over to Frank.

"What do we have?" Eric asked as they reached the homicide detective. Frank looked from Ryan to Eric back to Ryan's bruised face.

"I ran into a door I'm fine, can we just get to the case?" Ryan asked before Frank could open his mouth. Frank wanted to argue, but he recognized that pushing Ryan would only result in the younger man shutting down and that wouldn't be good.

"Misty Raya found by her boyfriend when he came home. They've been living together for about a year now. Witnesses say they saw a white car rushing away, but no one got a clear look at it. No one heard anything of course," Frank snorted.

"Of course," Eric agreed dryly.

"I'll process the perimeter you process the house?" Ryan offered. He wanted to put some distance between himself and Eric. If he didn't he was afraid of what stupid thing he would do.

"Sure, works for me. Let me know if you find something. Alexx should be here soon," Eric called over his shoulder as he headed into the house.

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A few hours had gone by and Eric was done processing the house. He hadn't heard anything from Ryan since he poked his head in to tell him that Alexx was here. She had left with the body and it was now a couple of uniforms, Trip, and Ryan left at the scene.

"I'm going outside to see what Ryan found," Eric called to Trip.

"Okay," Trip called from his post at the back door. Ryan was kneeling by a footprint casting it for the mold when Eric walked up. Due to the extreme heat Ryan had pushed the sleeves of his dress shirt up, revealing his wrists. There were hand-shaped bruises on them and you could practically see the bones sticking out from the skin.

"Find anything?" Eric asked as he got closer. Ryan jumped, startled at Eric's voice. Unconsciously Ryan reached up to run his hand across his face. Eric gasped as he caught sight of the younger man's wrist. Reaching out Eric took Ryan's wrist in his hands and cradled it gently. Panicking, Ryan attempted to pull away, but Eric wouldn't release his grip on Ryan's wrist.

"I know a door can't do this, so you wanna tell me what happened?" Eric inquired.

"It's no big deal; will you just drop it, delko?" Ryan pleaded with the older man.

"No, I can't, Ryan. If someone's hurting you, we can protect you, get you help, I'll protect you," Eric added almost too softly for Ryan to hear. The ex-patrol officer turned pleading Hazel eyes to the Russian-Cuban CSI.

"Just drop it, please, Delko?" Ryan begged, trying to keep the mask that was hiding his emotions in place.

"I'll drop it for now, 'cause we're on a case, but we'll talk later, and you won't be able to weasel out of it so easily that time," Eric replied as he looked at the footprint Ryan was casting.

"Okay, does this footprint match the victim's foot?" Ryan wanted to know.

"No, it doesn't, it's still a small print like maybe from a woman, but it's too small for the vic's feet," Eric replied. Twenty minutes later found the two CSI's packing up the evidence and heading back towards the crime lab.

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The cool air from the lab was welcome after the sweltering Miami heat. Just as they were passing the receptionist desk she called out to them.

"Hey, Ryan, you have a visitor," she said, indicating the chairs. Ryan slowly turned his head and his eyes widened at the sight of Nick sitting in one of the visitor's chairs. Nick got to his feet and sidled over to Ryan and Eric.

"Hey, babe, who's this?" Nick asked, placing a possessive arm around Ryan's shoulders.

"This is Eric Delko, one of my coworkers."

"Ah, I see, it's nice to meet you, Nick Shlater," Nick replied, holding out his hand for Eric to shake. Eric shook it briefly, all the while studying him.

"So what are you doing here? I thought you had court today?" Ryan asked in confusion.

"Can't a guy take his boyfriend to lunch without the third degree?" Nick asked exasperatedly.

"Yeah, yeah, sorry bout that," Ryan replied.

"I just said I had a court case that would hold me late tonight not that I had court all day. Don't you ever listen?" Nick asked, before remembering where they were and attempting to turn it into a joke. "I know that selective hearing thing is a handy tool," Nick chuckled. Ryan gave a dry nervous chuckle and turned towards the door.

"Well, let's go," Ryan said as he turned and reluctantly followed Nick down the hall towards the break room to get his lunch.

"I don't like him," Eric muttered to himself as he watched Ryan's retreating back.

"That makes two of us," Paula admitted as she thumbed through the messages looking for Eric's.

"Got any messages for me, Paula?" Eric wanted to know.

"Just one to call the DA about a case you're supposed to testify in," Paula supplied as she handed over the slip of paper.

"Okay, thanks, I'll see you later," Eric told the receptionist as he turned and headed to start processing the evidence he and Ryan had collected.

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Ryan breathed a sigh of relief he had managed to get through lunch with a minimal amount of criticism from Nick. He couldn't get Nick's parting shot out of his head, though.

"That lunch wasn't very healthy for someone fat, you might want to take care of that," Nick said coldly. When Nick said "you might." It meant that Ryan had better take care of it. Once he was sure Nick was gone, Ryan went to the men's room and emptied his lunch into the toilet completely unaware of Eric who had just walked into the bathroom and witnessed Ryan making himself throw up. Quietly Eric slipped out, not wanting to alert Ryan to his presents. If Eric wasn't sure something was wrong with the younger man before he was 100% sure something was terribly wrong now.

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Alexx looked up at the hesitant knock on her office door. An ashen faced Eric was standing in the doorway ringing his hands.

"What is it, baby?"

"Can I talk to you Alexx?" Eric asked, his voice trembling.

"Of course you can, Sugar. Here, sit down," Alexx invited, pointing to a chair. Eric dropped heavily into the chair and placed his head in his hands.

"Eric? What is it, honey?" Alexx asked in concern. Taking a deep breath Eric lifted his head to meet her worried gaze. Alexx thought she'd feel better once she had Eric looking at her, but she didn't. The tears that were forming in his eyes and threatening to fall worried her even more.

"I think Ryan's being abused by his boyfriend and I think he's bulimic," Eric whispered as the tears began to fall. A stunned gasp came from Alexx and her own eyes filled with tears.

"What makes you say that?" Alexx asked sharply.

"Well the bruise that you saw this morning, then, at the scene he was outside processing and had pushed up his sleeves and his wrists had bruises. I could see the bone sticking out of his wrist," Eric choked on his words and couldn't speak for a moment. Alexx, who had moved beside him sometime during his explanation, placed a comforting arm around him.

"Go on, for Ryan," Alexx gently prodded.

"Well he begged me to drop it, and for the moment I agreed to only because we were on a case. Then when we got back to the lab, his boyfriend was waiting for him. The fear that flashed across Ryan's face was real. He asked why Nick, his boyfriend, wasn't in court like he had told Ryan he would be. Nick told him that he had said the case would make him run late tonight not that he was in court all day. Then he asked if Ryan knew how to listen, but I think he remembered where he was because he tried to make a joke of it. Ryan followed him to the break room and had lunch with him. He looked so beaten down like he was two inches tall. I was walking into the bathroom to wash my hands about five minutes ago and I…" Eric broke off, overcome by sobs as the images of Ryan sticking his finger down his throat flooded his mind.

"And you…?" Alexx urged.

"And, I saw him stick his finger down his throat, causing him to throw up what he had just eaten. Then I came here," Eric finished as he gave in completely to the sobs that racked his frame. Gathering her distraught friend into her arms, Alexx attempted to soothe him. Eric clung to her as he continued to cry.

"I can't let him die, I… I love him," Eric confessed. A soft smile crossed the ME's lips.

"and I know he loves you to," Alexx admitted softly.

"What? How do you know?" Eric asked in amazement.

"I just do, plus, he told me one day shortly after the nail gun incident," Alexx explained.

"Oh…," Eric breathed as fresh sobs racked his body. Alexx held him, trying to find ways to help her other "baby" at the same time.

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"Hey, Ryan, how's your case going?" Calleigh asked as she fell into step beside him. He shrugged and looked away.

"It's going okay, just waiting on results, how about yours?" Ryan wanted to know.

"It's going okay, no leads yet, but the case is still early," Calleigh conceded.

"Yeah it…" Ryan began but a wave of dizziness swept over him and he collapsed to the ground.

"Ryan!!!" Calleigh cried, dropping to her knees by the unconscious CSI. Calleigh's cry brought a crowd of people swarming into the hallway.

"Excuse me, let me through, please," Horatio called as he made his way to his two CSI's.

"Oh Horatio," Calleigh cried as she looked up at her boss/boyfriend.

"What happened, sweetheart?" Horatio asked.

"We were talking, and then he just collapsed," Calleigh explained as she sniffled.

"Okay, I think we should let Alexx take a look at him to ensure he's okay," Horatio suggested. Calleigh nodded in agreement.

"I'll go see if she's available," Calleigh replied as she took off at a frantic pace for the morgue.

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"Alexx! Alexx! Where are you?" Calleigh called desperately.

"I'm in my office," Alexx called back. Calleigh rushed to her office and was stopped momentarily by the sight of Eric crying in Alexx's arms. Calleigh wasn't sure, but she had a feeling that Eric's tears had to do with Ryan.

"It's R-R-Ryan, he's fainted and he needs you," Calleigh gasped trying to catch her breath. Eric let out a strangled sound and turned even paler than he had just been. Now he was chalky white.

"C'mon, baby, lets go see what's going on," Alexx told him as she stood up and headed for the door while trying to guide Eric a long with her.

"Here, I've got him, you go on up. He's right by the elevator H is with him," Calleigh explained as she placed an arm around Eric's shoulders and guided him towards the elevator. Alexx nodded her thanks, and after grabbing her bag, headed for the elevator as well.

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The crowd parted for the three of them. Alexx knelt down by the unconscious CSI. Scanning her eyes over Ryan's prone body, Alexx made a decision.

"Let's move him to Horatio's office, I think it would be better," she instructed.

"Okay, H, can you help me lift him?" Eric requested as he began to lift the young man. However, it wasn't necessary.

"Your way too light to be healthy Eric whispered as he shifted the younger man in his arms. Calleigh ran up the stairs and held open the door for Eric.

"Put him on the couch Alexx instructed. Eric did what he was told, as Ryan was being placed on the couch one of his sleeves got caught on Eric's hand and slowly rose up.

"Oh… Ryan," Calleigh whispered when she caught sight of Ryan's wrist.

"Can someone get me some juice and crackers, please?" Alexx requested. Natalia who had crept silently into the office nodded and headed for the break room, intercepting Frank on the way and telling him what was going on. Back in Horatio's office, Ryan was slowly coming around. Ryan moaned and tried to sit up.

"No, stay still sugar, you lost consciousness," Alexx whispered.

"'Lex that you?" Ryan mumbled.

"Yes, baby it's me," she answered as she was unbuttoning Ryan's shirt so she could get a better look at the damage. Bruises marred Ryan's chest and stomach. Alexx ran her hand over Ryan's ribcage and he flinched. "I can feel and see all your ribs, that's not good," Alexx said sadly.

"Where am I?" Ryan asked confusedly.

"You're in my office," Horatio answered. Just then Frank and Natalia came back with the crackers and juice.

"Here, baby, eat this," Alexx instructed handing Ryan a cracker. Ryan stared at it before slowly eating it. Reluctantly he finished the rest of the crackers and drank the juice. After he was done Alexx allowed him to sit quietly for a minute. Until he began to get shakily to his feet, heading for the door. Eric who was closest to the door knew exactly what Ryan was going to do, and intercepted him before he could reach the door and guided him back to the couch.

"Oh no, you don't," Eric scolded gently.

"But…, cheese crackers are fattening, I have to get rid of the fat, Nick doesn't like it if I get fat," Ryan explained lowly.

"You're not fat, you're dangerously thin," Eric protested.

"No, I'm not, Ryan argued, taking some skin on his arm and pinching it for emphasis as he struggled to get out of Eric's grasp.

"No! I won't let you get up so you can make yourself throw up," Eric said, starting at a yell and ending on a sob.

"H-H-How do you know?" Ryan asked in shock as tears filled his eyes.

"I came into the bathroom when you were doing it after lunch. I was going to wash my hands, but when I saw that I left and went to find Alexx. Ryan stared sadly at the man he loved. He knew he needed help, but didn't know how to get it.

"Will you h-h-help me?" Ryan pleaded looking up at Eric with heart breaking eyes.

"Yes, we all will," Eric assured the traumatized young man.

"The first step is to locate uh…" Calleigh broke off, not knowing his name.

"Nick, Nick shlater," Eric supplied.

"The first thing is to find Nick and press charges against him for assault," Calleigh answered. At the mention of Nick, Ryan began to shake.

"Shh, it's okay; we won't let him hurt you again. I won't let him hurt you again," Eric whispered in his ear. Ryan nodded as he looked up and made eye contact with Horatio.

"His name is Nick Shlater, he's a lawyer. He had a court case today, but stupid me, I can't remember when it was.

"Your not stupid, Ryan, and that won't be hard to figure out when his case is," Horatio explained.

"The next step is to get you healthy. You have to eat so you can gain the weight you lost back," Alexx told him gently.

"No, then no one will want me if I'm fat as well as stupid," Ryan whispered brokenly. Eric saw red; he wanted five minutes alone with Ryan's good-for-nothing boyfriend so he could beat the shit out of him for destroying Ryan's self esteem so badly. This wasn't the way Eric had envisioned telling Ryan his feelings, but he felt it was the only way to save him.

"I want you no matter how much you weigh," Eric said tenderly.

"But I'm stupid and worthless, I can't do anything right," Ryan argued as he cried.

"No, absolutely not, you are not stupid or worthless. You're beautiful, smart, and loving," Eric whispered as he placed a kiss on Ryan's forehead. Ryan shook his head. "Shh, don't cry," Eric soothed unaware of the backlash that would have. Ryan did his best to pull himself together.

"I know, crying is for wimps," Ryan mumbled embarrassed.

"No it isn't, it's natural and normal. I just hate to see you cry because it breaks my heart," Eric explained his voice cracking on the last word.

"I'll go pick up the suspect," Frank said gruffly.

"I'll come with you," Horatio said through clenched teeth as he tried to control his anger. Walking over to Ryan, he softened his expression Horatio placed a hand on his shoulder.

"We'll make sure you get the help you need."

"Thank you," Ryan whispered.

"You're very welcome," Horatio replied.

Turning to Eric he said, "I'll file the paperwork for a couple of weeks off so you can help take care of him and get him settled at the treatment center Alexx finds."

"Are you sure you can spare me H?" Eric asked, even though he hoped and prayed he could.

"Yes, Calleigh, Natalia, and I can handle the case load until you get back," Horatio assured.

"Let's go, Frank," Horatio said, turning towards the door. He was stopped by a weak voice from behind.

"Horatio?"

"Yes Ryan?" Horatio asked.

"Thanks for giving Eric the time off, and thanks for helping me."

"There's no need to thank me, I'll do anything for my team, you're my family," Horatio explained as he gave the young man a smile before heading out the door with Frank.

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The room fell silent once the door had closed.

"I'll get in touch with a friend of mine and find a treatment center for you," Alexx said, looking at Ryan.

"What about my job and IAB?" Ryan asked hesitantly. Eric groaned he had forgotten all about Stetler.

"Don't worry about IAB, all he needs to know is that you're taking a Leave of absence for medical reasons. As for the clinic, they're required to keep all patient files confidential, only the team will know where you are," Alexx assured him.

"Okay, thank you. I'm sorry for making you go through all this trouble," Ryan murmured as tears once again slid down his face.

"It's no trouble, we all love you and want to help you," Eric said, rocking him gently. After a couple of minutes, Eric noticed that Ryan's breathing was becoming deep and even. Looking down at the gaunt face of the man in his arms, Eric saw that Ryan was almost asleep.

"Is he out?" Calleigh asked softly as she sat down on Eric's other side.

"Yeah, I want to get him to my place can one of you get clothes from his place, and can one of you take his car back to my place?" Eric requested looking at Calleigh and Natalia.

"I'll bring his car to your place," Natalia offered.

"I'll stop by his apartment and get him some clothes and stuff," Calleigh agreed.

"Pack as much as you can, I don't want him to go back their until all of Nick's stuff is gone," Eric instructed. Calleigh nodded and patted Ryan's back.

"I'll get his stuff from his locker including his car keys and meet you in the parking lot," Alexx said. The three of them nodded and stood up, Ryan carefully cradled in Eric's arms.

"His spare key is in the turtle tucked into the plant next to the door," Alexx told Calleigh as she climbed into her car.

"I'll see you in a bit, Cal," Eric said as he buckled Ryan into the passenger seat of his car.

"Okay see you in a bit," Calleigh said, throwing a sidelong glance at Ryan before heading for his apartment to get clothes for the next few days. Eric placed a hand on Ryan's arm as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"We're going to my place, you'll be safe there," Eric whispered softly. No matter what it takes.

TBC?

A/n I'm sorry about the spacing in the first chapter. I hope this is better. I'm so horrible to my boys, but it's so easy to put them through hell. It'll all work out in the end, I promise. Also, sorry for the length of the chapter, but I didn't know where to break it. Please read and review.