Disclaimer: CSI: Miami isn't mine, neither are the songs.
A/N: The song in this chapter is 'Far Away' By Alex Lloyd. No slash implied.
Eric
Eric Delko jogged through the shallows on the beach, splashing through the foam and shingle, soaking his running shoes, and most of his shorts. It was twilight, and the beach was almost empty, the water sparkled in the dimness. Eric loved running. It was his own time, time in which he could think, or if he wanted to get away from it all, just to run. Just to forget everything, forget reality, and concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. He ran often, (In more ways than in the literal sense) although most of the time, on a track. It was a change to run on the beach, harder, wetter. Running was his escape form reality, and for it, he was grateful.
Tonight, though, he had a song in his head. He had no idea where it had come from.
You got your shirt on but you still feel cold,
Still feel cold tonight,
Your hearts devotion running through your head,
Through your head tonight,
It was strange though… the song reminded him of himself…
These waves around you they keep crashing in,
It's getting deep now but you still can't swim,
It just feels far away, so far away,
Your world tonight…
His day had been hectic… A double homicide, and a rape-murder. If ever he needed his run, it was now. The Lab wasn't the same… Now, it seemed to him a place of work… Even his adopted family, his team, was changed. The cases seemed to hit them harder, the days were long and filled with same-old, same-old, it seemed. He wondered if they were falling apart… As a unit and as friends…
It keeps you guessing till the very end,
Some things you'll never know,
You're feeling lowly cause you miss your friend,
You miss your friend tonight…
He exhaled, and looked down at the sand. Speed… The though echoed in his mind, and his throat tightened. The Lab had changed after his death, they all knew. It would never bee the same… And then Raymond Sr.'s return? It was a rough time for all of them…
They didn't mention him often, but Eric knew they all though about Tim. Ryan Wolfe was alright… Eric knew he would have to come to terms with the new addition. He was a good CSI, still a bit green, but he had his heart in the right place…
These waves around you they keep crashing in,
It's getting deep now but you still can't swim…
It just feels far away, so far away…
Your world tonight,
Well it just feels far away, so far away,
Your world tonight,
Tonight, tonight, tonight,
Tonight, tonight, tonight, alright…
But if he had the chance that day in the Jewelry store, he would have dived in front of that bullet. Sometimes, he hated Horatio for not doing more… But then he realized he couldn't hate him… They all had to stay together…
These waves around you they keep crashing in,
It's getting deep now but you still can't swim.
You just feel far away, so far away,
Your world tonight,
Well you just feel far away, so far away,
Your world tonight,
Tonight, tonight, tonight…
Tonight, tonight, tonight …
Eric stopped and looked at the last rays of the warm Miami sun disappearing over the horizon. He put his hands on his knees and breathed the sea-spray air deeply in the gathering twilight. Yes he had been mourning Speed's death, and yes, he had been reckless… He regretted his actions… And he knew Horatio understood. Ryan didn't… He never would. He was trying to clean up his act, to get Stetler of all off their asses. Rick was something none of them needed at the moment. But it would get better, it had to…
It just feels far away, so far away,
Your world tonight.
You just feel far away, so far away,
Tonight…
Eric turned in his damp trainers, and ran on into the coming darkness, heading back to his car. His thoughts were complex, his head a little clearer, and once again, he thanked God for his jogs.