Sorry about not updating yesterday, I was swamped with schoolwork. Since my updating won't be quite as consistent, I urge you all to read "Desperate Measures" by Sevv…really great author, awesome story, and I assume that most of you are RaiN fans anyway, so please indulge in that story because it's one of my favorites on the archive. In the mean time, enjoy short Chapter 10!

Behind These Hazel Eyes- Chapter 10

It had all started with one handful of flour thrown. Ryan had slept mildly well, Natalia encased in his arms, her monotonous snoring drilling in his ears like the blunt roar of a foghorn. He began to wonder how Delko had managed to sleep with her. Calleigh, Ryan was sure, would make no such barbaric noise…but that's what made Natalia in some strange way the most beautiful person he'd ever met. She had woken up several times during the night, defiantly moving out of his arms, until she had fallen back asleep again and he had reclaimed her in his embrace. It was by no means a pleasant sleep, with her snoring and the suspicious rustling outside, but he had at least felt confident that for tonight, Natalia was safe. Molly had not pursued their interaction last night much farther when Ryan woke up, instead avoiding his gaze and starting to make pancakes for the three of them.

"How was your sleep?" Ryan asked awkwardly as she bashed open an egg.

"Fine. Yours?" Molly inquired, stirring the batter.

"I've had better," he admitted. There was a long pause, during which both of them could hear Natalia's bellowing snores.

"You want chocolate chip pancakes or blueberry?"

"Whichever one is easier," Ryan offered diplomatically.

"How unhelpful," Molly laughed and stirred a little less viciously.

"You wanna say that again?" Ryan joked playfully.

"Try me." Molly teased.

Ryan grabbed a handful of powdery flour and tossed it at Molly. "YOU DICK!" she screamed, laughing. Molly picked up an egg and threw it straight at his face. The yolk splattered right on the bridge of his nose, and Ryan burst into a fit of giggles. Within a heartbeat, they were both covered in flour and drenched in egg yolk, water and milk dripping down their arms and hands as their war raged. Eventually, Ryan broke the barrier and began to tickle Molly, who let out a violent cackle. Ryan and Molly's mouths met in a climactic finish, and they searched each other's mouths with fervor. Had Ryan not been laughing so hard, he would have heard Natalia's snoring that had stopped and the clacking of her heels as she joined them in the kitchen.

"Is that a new way of making pancakes?" Natalia snapped angrily.

Molly and Ryan jumped apart instantly, their faces reddening instantly with a creeping blush. "Natalia… it's wasn't… I didn't…"

"Save it Ryan. I'm out of here," Natalia spat.

"No, Talia, please, just let me explain," Ryan begged as she pulled on her sweater and grabbed her purse, walking down the hallway towards the door. Molly stood helplessly and guiltily in the kitchen, watching them.

"What's your excuse this time, you bastard?" Natalia screamed, turning to face him. "You know what Ryan? You've had your fair share of second chances. Hell, I think this is your fifth, if I remember correctly. Here's my lesson for you, Ryan. It's sure as hell not a good idea to make out with your ex-girlfriend in front of YOUR GIRLFRIEND."

"Natalia, I didn't mean to, it was just…"

"It was just what, Ryan? The second time that we have been here that Little Ryan can't control himself? What the FUCK is wrong with you?"

"Natalia, please, I love you…"

"You know what? I don't love you, and I never will. Never again." Natalia slammed the door and stormed out of the house, nearly in tears, the purse slung haphazardly over her shoulder as she ran down the street, searching for shelter. She had forgotten completely about the man that was after her, and so had Ryan… and that was their first mistake.

"You got anything on the prints I asked for?" Eric marched into the lab.

"Honestly? We aren't getting anywhere," Calleigh replied, flipping through a magazine as the fingerprints ran through the database. "Those fingerprints we found incased in the duct tape probably were transferred."

"Transferred from where?" Eric snapped, and Calleigh looked at him angrily.

"Look, Eric, I'm just as concerned about Nat as you are, if not more."

"I'm sorry, baby, I'm just exhausted."

Calleigh stood and smiled sweetly. "You watch the fingerprints, I'll go to the morgue and see if Tom found anything. Please take a break when you need one."

"Will do, love," Eric replied, as he watched the computer scan through thousands of names.

"You got anything for me, Tom?" Calleigh asked as she marched into the morgue.

"Just an autopsy report. If you don't mind, indulge me."

"Fire away," Calleigh smiled, and Tom began.

"Our victim here, Charlotte Nancy, was also choked to death. Asphyxiation. My guess is, someone clogged up her throat, presumably with some sort of cloth, but I found no trace. I'll send it to DNA if I find anything."

"What about her external wounds?" Calleigh inquired.

"Nothing as of yet. I made a few molds for Walter and I sent them up. He suspects it was from a pipe. I'll have to look into that more as well."

"Tom, what's on her right molars?"

Tom leaned in with a dental utensil and began to scrape the substance off of the victim's teeth. "Looks like a piece of skin."

"DNA," Calleigh breathed.

"But, if you don't mind my saying, she was covered in duct tape."

"I think…" Calleigh began awkwardly, "I think he took off the duct tape to…amuse himself," she whispered.

"That's why nothing came up on our rape analysis," Tom replied.

"It seems oddly out of character though," Calleigh began.

"Profiling? Isn't that a little speculative?"

"But it works, when you think about serial killers. This serial killer is meticulous, never a hair out of place. The duct tape had no usable prints, the locations are difficult to decipher, and if you really think about it, his choice of victim is relatively forced. Warning the woman who he's about to kill is almost remorseful- he's giving them a chance. Some people might consider it as just needing to feel power, but warning them seems almost too nice for a sadist. He chooses victims that are beautiful and young, like popular culture dictates, but he's uncomfortable with killing them, which is why he lets them know. I'll get back to you Tom, I just have to… check on something."

Calleigh walked uncomfortably out of the morgue. Something about the entire case seemed out of place. She dialed Eric's number. "Hey babe, anything?"

"Calleigh, this guy is good, the bastard," Eric sighed.

"There's something that doesn't quite add up. I have some DNA Maxine will run for me. Meet me outside the lab in about ten minutes; we're going to take a ride back to the crime scene. I have a funny feeling we missed something," Calleigh informed him. "Bye." What had been bothering Calleigh was simple. If this serial killer was warning Natalia, what did that mean for Natalia's chances?

Natalia's eyes struggled open, the heat of the darkness incasing her. She tried to scream, but the only noise that came out was a wretched sob dimmed by gleaming silver duct tape. Her ears were burning from a blow to the head, and the noise that echoed in her mind was that of Ryan and Molly's blissful giggling. Remembering something that happened prior to accident…consistent with blunt force trauma, Natalia thought. Eyes burning, inability to see…possibly eye drops, she considered.

"You've been asleep for a long time, my dear," came the drawling voice.

Natalia tried to scream once more, but the words simply didn't escape.

"It's too late for that," he whispered, and the duct tape was pulled off of her mouth. No, no, no! Natalia thought as she heard the faint metallic crunch of a zipper being pulled and then she blacked out.

Oh god, Ryan, what did you do? Here's to hoping Natalia's okay in the end! R&R!