November 1

Miami-Dade Crime Lab/Police Department – Miami, Florida

"It's your office, Stetler, and you need to start using it. You're never going to heal if you don't.

Jesse Cardoza's words echoed through Rick's mind as he came down the hallway to his office for work after dropping Lindsey and Lenny's at Speedle's for homeschool. Jesse had privately approached Rick and had said that people had been talking about him avoiding his IAB office as much as he could ever since Sam Braun had attacked him. Rick had become defensive and had then admitted he was afraid of the memories it brought. Jesse had told him to use it so he could learn to heal from the experience.

Delko had been suspended and Rick was now faced with finding someone to cover Delko's shifts until either Horatio came back or Delko was medically cleared. He himself had CSI training, but he was already helping with scenes whenever he could and he couldn't work anymore because he was still doing treatment and raising children. He had been tempted to ask Robert to return early, but knew that Horatio needed both company and protection while he was recovering out in Las Vegas.

As Rick neared his door, he found a booklet nailed to the door and frowned when he saw that it was a copy of Emily's personnel file with a nasty note attached to it, "What the…?" Rick whispered.

Feeling uneasy, Rick peered at the note, "Remember what side you're on and don't talk or I'll do to you what Ivan Sarnoff did to that social worker," he read softly. "Sincerely, Clavo Cruz."

Frowning, Rick quickly got his phone out and dialed 9-1-1. He was horrified that Clavo was not only still alive, but was also aware of Ivan being wanted for the murder of Erinn Chavez.

Braun Mansion - Las Vegas, Nevada

"Those idiots can't afford to keep me locked up, but I am under conditions until my trial," Sam Braun spoke in a stern voice as he sat across the desk from Igor and Drizlav. "Is the bomb ready?"

Igor nodded, "Ze bomb eez ready and ze Camino Casino vill go up in flames," he said in a heavy Russian accent, his yellow teeth gleaming as he grinned. "Jill Adams vill pay for her mouth."

"I have automatics ready just in case ze bomb fails," Drizlav spoke coldly. "Zey are in ze car."

Sam smiled, but his expression was cold, "Drizlav, we must first talk about you attacking Tommy Wolfe in broad daylight," he spoke coldly. "That was an incredibly idiotic thing to do."

"Nozzing came of eet and he has gone back to Miami veeth hees vife," Drizlav replied in an amused voice, smiling. "I have not seen Derek Stokes's baby or ze girl lately eizer, so zey probably vent home too and left Greg Sanders alone. I guess ze stress vas too much for zat weak leetle family."

Sam scowled, "Do it again, Drizlav, and your brains will be decorating the sidewalk," he hissed.

"I understand," Drizlav replied in an anxious voice. "Ze bomb eez ready, so ve vill go now."

Sam rose from his chair and walked over to Igor, "I planted ze bomb this morning before sunup because ze cameras are not as good at night," Igor spoke. "Ze remote is een my pocket."

"Give it to me," Sam spoke in a cold voice, extending his hand. "I will detonate the bomb."

Desert Palm Hospital

"Now, Lieutenant Caine has graciously agreed to allow us to visit so that you can all learn follow-up procedures with living victims," Ray Langston spoke in a stern voice as he led John, Caira, Tyler, and Kimoyah off the elevator and on to the floor where Lieutenant Caine was recovering. "What happened to him was very serious and I don't want any nonsense or inappropriate remarks during the visit."

The four students were silent as they followed Ray to Horatio's hospital room. Inside the room, Horatio was sitting awake in bed while Robert was sitting on the couch, silently reading a book. Both Caines looked up at the group, "Lieutenant Caine, Detective Caine, I'm Doctor Ray Langston," Ray spoke in a soft voice. "Lieutenant, we spoke on the phone and you agreed to allow my students to visit."

"I do remember that," Horatio spoke in a calm, but tired voice. "How can I be of help?"

Ray Langston sighed, "Well, now that you have survived a very serious crime, what can you tell us in terms of what happens next?" he asked quietly. "Knowing that is part of their education as trainees."

"Please, all of you, have a seat," Horatio spoke quietly. "I'm getting a headache looking up at you."

The class quickly found chairs and sat near the bed, "If it's all right, Lieutenant, I'd like the students to record this conversation so they can get used to interviewing procedures," Ray Langston spoke.

Horatio nodded and watched as John, Caira, Tyler, and Kimoyah got their student recorders out and identified themselves, the time, and what they were doing. Robert found himself impressed with them.

"To start with, evidence was collected from where I was held, off my clothes, and even off of my body per proper investigation procedures," Horatio spoke in a tired voice. " I've given my statement to multiple crime scene investigators and the main perpetrator on this end has been arrested and charged, but he made bail. Once the other players give evidence and the other main perpetrator is caught, there will be a trial over it. I don't know when that will be, but it will be very high profile."

"I have a question," Caira spoke softly, raising her hand. "That is…if it's all right?"

Ray Langston nodded, "How long are you going to be in the hospital for?" Caira asked softly.

"The doctors tell me I've been here since October 5th and I finally woke on October 10th, but I wasn't up for any chats with the police until the 15th," Horatio spoke quietly. "I don't like to assume what people know, so I will describe my injuries. I suffered internal injuries bad enough that I needed a colostomy and splenectomy. My left arm, which I first broke when I was attacked by Derek Stokes in my home, was rebroken along with the wrist and hand. My lungs have tubes in them and I've got broken ribs along with skull trauma that is healing. I have a few bruises and cuts, but those are in the process of healing. I was also drugged and sexually assaulted. and he suffered sexual trauma. There's also a hairline skull fracture, many external and internal bruises, and cuts that required stitches."

Horatio sighed, the recollection of his injuries tiring him, "I could be released by Thanksgiving, but I don't know when I'll be deemed fit to travel," he spoke softly. "Bobby is going home to be with his family for the holidays, so if any of you are here for Thanksgiving, I would appreciate a visit."

"I'm not going back to Miami until you can travel," Robert spoke up firmly. "Natalia knows that."

Horatio sighed, "You have a job and a family," he replied softly. "You might lose your job…"

"I've been having problems with people at the Crime Lab," Robert confessed softly.

Horatio frowned, but before he could speak, a loud BOOM filled the air and all eyes went towards the window just in time to see smoke rising from the Strip area, "What was that?" he asked shakily.

"Could be demolition," Tyler spoke quietly. "There's a lot of construction in Vegas."

Horatio, however, was not listening to the discussion and was silently gazing at his nephew because he felt that Robert was hiding something, "There's an awful lot of smoke for a demolition project," John spoke quietly, his expression worried. "There could be some sort of fire down in that area."

Suddenly, cell-phones began buzzing and John, Caira, Tyler, and Kimoyah quickly answered them, as did Ray Langston, "Doctor Langston, I have to cut class short," Ecklie's voice spoke in an anxious voice. "There was a bombing at the Camino Casino and I need all four students to get their things and get over to the site as quickly as they can. You can finish your little field-trip another day."

Before Ray could reply, there was a click, "We have to go," John spoke anxiously. "A bombing…"

Horatio frowned, "The Camino Casino was bombed and Grissom needs us to grab our stuff and get over there as soon as possible," Caira spoke anxiously. "I hope Jill and her parents weren't there…"

"Jill…Jill Adams?" Horatio spoke in a concerned voice. "Why would Jill Adams be there?"

Caira sighed, "We were roommates before she assaulted me and her parents own the Camino Casino," she explained in a concerned voice. "As much as I don't like what she did, to be killed like that…"

"Since all your kits are in my van, I'll drive you there," Ray Langston spoke up. "Come on."

Once the group was gone, Horatio sighed, "Bobby, I think we should talk," he spoke softly.

Calle Ocho Family Centre - Miami, Florida

"Mommy," Emily heard a quiet voice say as she sat at a table in the center's restaurant with a plate of food in front of her while James and Julliet had their own food. "Mommy, I'm full."

Emily looked up from her plate and saw that James had eaten half of his sandwich and a few fries, but had ignored the salad while Julliet had ate her salad and sandwich, but ignored the fries, "I did my best," James insisted, giving Emily a pleading look. "I'm full, Mommy."

Julliet looked at James and then sighed, "Mommy, can we read?" she asked softly.

Emily silently ate her burger and drank her lemonade before sighing and getting up, "Let's go over to the beanbags and I'll read with you," she spoke gently. "I'll get Grandpa to box up our food."

As Emily led her twins over to the reading area, her phone went off and she checked it before putting it back in her pocket. It was a number from one of the cellphones at the Crime Lab and she hadn't had any appointments or taken calls from the lab since the incident with Eric. Her office had been processed and her broken desk had been removed, but she now felt unsafe in her office.

Eric had been operated on and he had been in a medicated coma ever since so his brain and skull could have a chance to properly heal. The bullet fragment had been removed and he would need more rehabilitation, but he would eventually be fine. Rick had written a report against Eric because of his outburst and use of force and had security footage and Tim had reluctantly backed it up.

Sighing, Emily sat on one of the beanbags and looked at her twins, "Each of you go to the shelf and get one book," she spoke softly. "We'll read together for a bit and then go visit Grandpa in his office."

As the twins went off to look through the bookshelves, the front door of the Family Centre opened and Emily was surprised to see Natalia come into the building. Emily silently stood up and walked over to her while keeping an eye on her twins, "Natalia?" Emily asked softly. "I'm not taking appointments."

"Tim told me where you'd be," Natalia replied softly. "You haven't been to the lab in a while."

Emily sighed quietly, "Not since the incident with Eric, no," she said. "I…I just can't."

"You know that Eric had more surgery right?" Natalia spoke quietly. "The bullet piece…"

Emily nodded, "Tim told me and Eric's been heavily medicated since his surgery so he can heal properly," she replied quietly. "That doesn't change the fact that he's suspended indefinitely and Horatio will want to know why. I almost shot Eric because he was extremely violent towards me."

"I heard a rumor that Eric is still getting his salary, though," Natalia replied. "How can he if he's suspended without pay? Stetler said that given the violent outburst, Eric wouldn't get paid."

Emily sighed, "Bernard's blood money does me no good," she spoke quietly. "I don't want to use that for James and Julliet because it makes me feel like he still has power over them even though he's dead, so I use it to do good. I turned this old club into a place where families can spend time together and only pay what they can afford. I was using my salary to pay for the kids's things and household…"

Natalia looked concerned, "What are you going to do at the end of the year?" she asked worriedly.

"I have a little savings from my older days," Emily replied. "I'm very frugal."

Natalia sighed as Julliet came into view holding a book, "Can we read?" Julliet asked softly.

Emily sighed and nodded, "Eric's not well off and neither are his parents," she spoke in a quiet, tired voice as she took the book from Julliet. "It's better for Tim if I stay away from the lab because people feel sorry for Eric, but they don't respect my advice. Eric was right about my past being on file, but the file was stolen from the file room right after the incident. Since then, the techs have been cold…"

"Your personnel file was stolen?" Natalia asked in a concerned voice. "Did you report it?"

Emily shook her head, "A copy of it was nailed to Stetler's door along with a note from Clavo Cruz," she replied in a concerned voice. "Rick had Jesse process the scene, but he called me privately."

Natalia frowned, "It appears that Clavo is hiding with the help of Ivan Sarnoff and Clavo's warning Rick to keep out of it," Emily spoke quietly. "All employees who have access to the personnel files are under investigation and other copies of my past were found around the lab when people got to work."

"I'm sorry," Natalia replied softly. "Is that why I was told by Tim to take a day off?"

Emily nodded, "Walter was also given the day off," she replied. "All the lab techs weren't."

"Mommy," Julliet said anxiously. "Can we read with you?"

Emily sighed and led Julliet back to the reading area, but Natalia followed and saw that James was already waiting for them, "Do you mind if I join in on story time?" Natalia asked softly.

Camino Casino - Las Vegas, Nevada

The fire was out by the time Doctor Langston arrived at the scene in his van with John, Caira, Tyler, and Kimoyah and the first person he saw was Jo Danville standing near the tape with an anxious looking Ecklie, "Gather your kits and go report to Conrad," Ray Langston ordered in a brisk voice.

John, Tyler, Caira, and Kimoyah silently grabbed their kits, got out of the van, and walked over to Ecklie and Jo, "Mom, what are you still doing in Vegas?" Tyler asked in a surprised voice.

"Business that can't be discussed in public," Jo replied simply, not wanting to share that she was there to get information from Jill and from Colin that could help nail Sam Braun and find Ivan Sarnoff.

Tyler cringed at the mess beyond the tape, "Mom, I don't think I want to do this forever," he spoke anxiously, his stomach rolling. "I hope you're not mad, but after I graduate…I'm not being a cop."

"If I wasn't already a cop, I wouldn't want to be either after seeing what you've seen since you've been here," Jo replied calmly as Grissom came over to the tape. "Doctor Grissom, what have you found?"

Grissom sighed, "Well, it was a slow part of the day, so there were only employees in the casino, restaurant, and hotel," he replied in an upset voice. "The hotel itself is mostly in a tower and separated from the casino and eateries, so the majority of the casino and restaurants are destroyed, but the…"

"How many bodies?" Ecklie interrupted. "And were the owners or their daughter there?"

Grissom shrugged as a loud gasp suddenly filled the air, "What happened?!" a voice shouted.

John, Tyler, Kimoyah, and Caira turned just in time to see William Adams, who was dressed in khakis, a collared shirt, a jacket, and boots, emerge from a limo parked across the road from Ray's van and hurry over to the tape, "I got a call that the Camino was bombed," he breathed anxiously.

"So you, your wife, and daughter were not present at the time of the bombing?" Ecklie asked.

William shook his head and looked at Grissom, "That idiot Sam Braun did this to kill my daughter after she gave evidence against him in the Lieutenant Caine case!" he snapped angrily. "That son of a…!"

"Mister Adams, please," Caira spoke up anxiously. "Now is not the time to lose your head."

Grissom and Ecklie frowned as William looked at Caira, "Caira Jamison?" William asked, recognizing her from the trial. "You're the one who recommended that Jill not go to jail for hurting you?"

Caira nodded and sighed, "Jill is very grateful and is responding to therapy," William spoke in a calmer voice, offering her a smile. "You are a person with compassion and the world needs more of those."

"All right, Boscorelli, Danville, Jamison, Allen, cross the tape and get to work," Ecklie spoke firmly.

The four students crossed the tape, signed in, and followed Grissom into the ruins where Nick, Sara, Greg, and Ryan were already collecting evidence, "There are at least 20 people dead," Grissom spoke in a quiet voice, his expression somber. "Glove up, get hard hats on, and look for evidence but be careful. The fire is out, but we only have a limited amount of time in here due to damage."

"Where's Catherine, sir?" Caira asked in a concerned voice, suddenly feeling reluctant to go in.

Grissom sighed, "Catherine's been assigned to another case," he lied, not wanting to share that he had kept Catherine away and had extended her time off just in case Sam Braun had engineered the bombing because her involvement in the investigation would mess up the case. "Sofia and Morgan have too."

John smiled at Caira, "We can look together if you want," he replied in a kind voice. "Okay?"

Caira nodded and followed John inside with their kits, "Sir," Tyler stuttered. "Can I puke?"

"Go do it outside the tape," Grissom replied, suddenly noticing that Jo and Ecklie were talking quietly to William as if they didn't want anyone else to hear. "Kimoyah, why don't you stick close to me?"

Nodding, Kimoyah silently followed Grissom into the ruins in hopes that they would find evidence.

Wolfe Home – Las Vegas, Nevada

Quiet whimpering filled the house as Morgan carried Jessica Wolfe into the house while Sofia walked with the pregnant Jenny. Captain Curtis smiled at them as she sat on the couch with Carlos in her lap.

"How close is the Silver Wolfe to the bombing?" Jenny asked worriedly. "Should I call my dad?"

Sofia shook her head, "We don't want anyone to know that you and Jessica stayed in Vegas," she replied in a concerned voice. "Your parents went home and we want others to think you did too."

"Is that why you and Morgan Brody evacuated us and only what we needed separately from everyone else?" Jenny asked softly. "Greg's at work…can someone please tell him we're okay?"

Morgan sighed, "Greg's the one who said to evacuate you separately from the crowd that's being evacuated from the hotel because it's close to the Camino," she replied. "He's very protective."

"You, Greg, and Jessica can stay as long as you need," Sofia spoke softly. "It's safer this way."

Jenny sighed, but sat on the couch, "Jessie's beginning to crawl," she spoke softly.

Morgan carried Jessica over to the baby swing and set her in it, "Sofia, I thought you were visiting Lieutenant Caine?" she asked in a confused voice. "You seem to be there a lot lately."

"We've had our conversation," Sofia replied softly. "I'd rather not discuss it publicly."

Captain Curtis watched as Sofia sank into a nearby chair with a tired expression on her face, "Sofia, I want you to stay home for the rest of the day and relax with Carlos," she spoke firmly. "If Conrad Ecklie calls to send you to work the bombing, tell him no. Your health is more important."

"Can I see Carlos?" Sofia asked in a quiet voice. "After seeing that, I just want to cuddle him."

Captain Curtis obliged and Sofia relaxed as she held Carlos, not even looking up as her mother snapped a photo of them together, "Thank you for your help, Morgan," Sofia spoke softly. "I appreciate it."

Jenny, however, said nothing and instead looked out the window in the direction of the Camino.

Miami-Dade Crime Lab/Police Department

Maxine Valera sighed anxiously as she stepped off of the elevator and on to the Crime Lab where she had once worked before being fired. She had been called in by Stetler to discuss her testimony against Ivan Sarnoff, but she felt uneasy. She was scared that she would end up like Erinn Chavez.

Ivan Sarnoff had vanished with help from Clavo Cruz and Dan Cooper had hidden himself away well enough that police couldn't find him, so Valera was alone, "Valera, long time, no see," Aaron Peters spoke anxiously as he came out from a bathroom. "Did you come back for a visit?"

"They need my information about Ivan Sarnoff," Valera replied softly. "You know what he did…"

Aaron nodded, "He helped kidnap Horatio," he replied simply. "We had to all work triple overtime when Delko got into it with Bobby Caine because Delko was barred from processing evidence."

"I tried helping Bobby see if the LaRussos had helped Ivan kidnap Horatio," Valera spoke anxiously.

Aaron sighed, "Stetler ripped Bobby a new one over that and Bobby tore off to Las Vegas to be with Horatio," he replied in an amused voice. "Delko got suspended, but he went over Doctor Speedle's head to get reinstated and filed a report against her. Doctor Speedle's done at the end of the year."

Valera sighed, "I don't know how she can call herself a credible source of advice to anyone after the drama she brought to this lab after Speedle was shot," she spoke nervously. "Hey, I meant to ask…"

Aaron suddenly smiled, "I took care of it for you," he replied softly, moving close to her so they could talk quietly. "I'm a lab tech and I have keys to the files in case we need anything for processing. I grabbed Emily's file, made copies of it, and her past is all over this lab. Stetler's copy even has the note you got from Clavo and sent to me. They'll be too distracted with this mess to worry about Horatio..."

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," a stern voice spoke as Jesse suddenly rose from behind the desk with a tape recorder in hand and an infuriated looking Rick at his side. "Was it Eric's idea to file the report?"

Aaron scowled, "I told him to," he replied. "Delko…he's easier to influence now that he's got a brain injury and he doesn't remember Emily helping Speedle or most of the good that she did for others. I showed him the file and he doesn't remember not seeing it before, so it was easy to convince him…"

"And Valera asked you to do it?" Chief Burton asked as he came out from behind a wall. "Why?"

Valera scoffed, "Horatio wouldn't want to come back if his precious counselor was out of the game cause he's got major trust issues," she spoke coldly. "We heard about the fight between Bobby and Eric at Horatio's crime scene, so it was easy to trick Eric into thinking that Aaron was his friend because he wasn't getting along with any of the CSI's. Is that why you tricked me into coming down here?"

"So all this crap was to keep Horatio from coming back?" Chief Burton spoke angrily. "You manipulated someone with a brain injury to get the department therapist fired because you don't want Lieutenant Caine coming back to work after his recovery? Guess what? You're both under arrest."

Valera swore as Jesse walked over and cuffed Aaron, "You might get less time if you tell us where Sarnoff's hiding," Chief Burton spoke sternly. "It doesn't mean you'll get off scot free."

"Clavo Cruz financed it," Valera replied anxiously. "Clavo's angry at Sergeant Stetler."

Chief Burton quickly cuffed Valera, "Stetler, go rescind Doctor Speedle's termination," he spoke in a disgusted voice. "Cardoza, please help me get these disgusting people to booking, will you?"

Fighting the urge to vomit, Rick hurried off towards his office and ended up puking in a trashcan just outside his office, "You all right?" Tim asked, having followed Stetler. "You looked a bit green…"

"I only got 'in' with Clavo because Catherine pushed me to find out what happened to our kids when they were kidnapped years ago," Rick spoke shakily. "That got me a stint in prison, hypoglycemia, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Catherine's worried my past might endanger the kids, so she wants to revisit the custody in the new year and she's even scoped out a private school the kids can go to…"

Tim frowned, "No judge in their sane mind would grant her custody," he replied. "Would they?"

"Catherine has her health working in her favor and that absolved her of any responsibility for what she may have done in the past," Rick explained shakily. "New York took care of expunging all of that."

Tim sighed and watched Rick wipe his mouth with his sleeve, "Bobby and Natalia have been great in helping me with the kids, but they're getting older and at least Lindsey is starting to miss Catherine," Rick spoke quietly. "I don't have the money to do more than have them homeschooled."

"What about your son?" Tim asked in a concerned voice. "Is he eager to see his mother?"

Rick sighed and entered his office with Tim at his heels, "Lenny…he was always the quieter of the two and he and Lindsey don't even act like twins sometimes," he spoke quietly as he grabbed a gingerale from his portable fridge and opened it. "That was something Catherine brought up last time we…"

Shaking his head, Rick swigged the gingerale and exhaled softly, "Lindsey looks a lot like Catherine and Lenny looks a lot like me, so I'm assuming they're fraternal twins," he spoke quietly.

Tim's eyes narrowed, "Anyway, Emily's not going to be fired after all," Rick spoke tiredly. "Your instincts about Eric's unusual behaviors need commendation. If you hadn't thought something was wrong and that Delko might have been influenced, nothing would have been found out."

"I was looking out for people I care about," Tim replied softly. "Is a commendation necessary?"

Rick sighed, "It'll help morale," he replied firmly. "After this gets out, morale is definitely going to be down and people need a reason to have faith in the Crime Lab and MDPD. The CSI's actually working together and looking out for one another will definitely give people a reason to smile again."

Tim sighed, but nodded, "Oh, Speedle, please don't tell anyone what I shared about me and Catherine," Rick spoke quietly, his smile fading. "I've had suspicions for years, but we've never had the opportunity to confirm anything. She wants it looked into, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

"I understand," Tim replied patiently. "If you ever need to, you can get results from here."

Rick nodded and disappeared into his office, prompting Tim to get his phone out and walk away.

Desert Palm Hospital – Las Vegas, Nevada

"…The death toll from the bombing at the Camino Casino is at least 20 and rising," a voice said on the television that was being ignored by the sleeping Horatio. "Investigators are currently on the scene…"

Petrov Valgaski, one of Sam Braun's goons who was also a member of the Russian mafia, grinned as he saw that the room was unguarded, "Sam deed not tell us to do zees," Galei Tomar, another member of the group, whispered as he followed Petrov down the hall. "Ve are supposed to hide ourselves."

"Eegor and Dreezlav are supposed to hide and zey vill probably die because ze bomb vas bad," Petrov hissed as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small scalpel. "If ve keel Horatio Caine, zen Sam Braun vill get a pass and be able to go after zat Volfe creep for meddling in adult affairs…"

Galei sighed as he watched Horatio sleep, "He looks so veak," he said in a quiet voice.

"Zat is vat vill make it easier," Petrov hissed. "Ze knife is so small, but so wery deadly."

Galei swallowed hard, but followed Petrov into the quiet hospital room, "I vill sleep zees into hees neck and he vill bleed to deah by ze time anyone finds heem," Petrov said as he approached the bed.

Horatio's eyes suddenly flashed open and he stared at Petrov in surprise, but Petrov quickly flashed the knife at him, "You say one vord, Caine, and I vill slit your throat," Petrov hissed darkly.

"I doubt you're acting with Sam Braun's approval," Horatio spoke quietly. "You're Dimitri's man."

Petrov's eyes widened in surprise, "I vork vere ze money ees," he replied coldly. "Dimitri ees dead."

"Petrov, I do not like zees," Galei spoke anxiously. "Ve need to go before ve are found."

Horatio said nothing and felt himself go numb like he had been during the times he had been in that dilapidated barn alone. The knife tip touched against his throat and he felt blood.

As a smile appeared on Petrov's lips, he suddenly felt a gun pressed his head, "Drop it," a voice hissed.

Petrov's eyes widened and he turned around with the knife still in hand to find Galei gone and a wet-haired Robert aiming a gun at his face, "I was just finishing my shower when I heard talking," Robert spoke in a cold voice. "You're one of the morons who helped my father kidnap me…"

"Does eet steel hurt zat Deemetri had hees vay veeth on ze vay to Vegas?" Petrov asked coldly.

Robert swore and cocked the gun, but Petrov lunged at him with the knife anyway. A shot rang out and a moment later, Petrov fell over dead with a bleeding wound in his chest and his eyes wide open.

A nurse ran in, having heard the shot, and she gaped at Robert standing over an armed intruder, "Call the police," Robert spoke in an upset voice, his expression angry. "This idiot tried to kill my uncle."

Crime Lab - Manhattan, New York

"Thanks for coming with us, Danielle," Ray Jr. spoke quietly, looking up at Danielle as he, Danielle, and Yelina came off the elevator and into the Crime Lab. "I know Mikey and Emily need you…"

Danielle sighed patiently, "It's not a problem, Raymond," she replied softly. "This day is hard for you."

Ray Jr. nodded, but didn't speak as they approached Mac's office where Mac was standing, silently watching them approach, "Detective Taylor," Yelina spoke up. "Ray Junior is ready to see his father."

"I don't want John to see me cry, so I asked him to stay with Nicky," Ray Junior spoke quietly.

Mac nodded, "Doctor Hammerback has your father's body ready for viewing," he spoke quietly.

"Mom, can I go by myself?" Ray Junior asked quietly, his eyes sad. "I need to talk to Dad alone."

Yelina paused briefly before nodding and Mac motioned for Lindsay, who was working nearby, to come over to them, "Lindsay, can you take Ray Junior down to Sid?" Mac asked in a quiet voice.

Lindsay nodded and Ray Jr. silently trailed down the hallway after her, "I said what I needed to in Las Vegas, but Ray Junior needed more time before he was ready to face Ray," Yelina spoke softly.

"Did you two want to wait in my office for Ray Junior?" Mac asked in a quiet voice.

Yelina sighed, but Danielle looked uneasy, "I know this is an odd request, Detective Taylor, but do you have background information on Ellen Seville?" Danielle asked softly. "So much happened in Vegas that made me wonder how I turned out so well when so many kids from bad households…"

"I didn't realize it was hard on you," Yelina spoke softly, giving Danielle a sympathetic look.

Danielle nodded, "It reminded me of some painful ghosts I'm never going to forget," she spoke quietly.

"Danny asked about her background too and if you'd like, I can get him to pull it up on the computer," Mac replied in a compassionate voice. "He finally submitted his DNA for comparison."

Danielle sighed, "That would be all right," she replied softly. "I guess I need to face this."

Mac silently led Danielle and Yelina into the room where Danny and Adam were not at the workstations, but playing a video game, "Danny, I need you to share your findings on Ellen Seville," Mac spoke calmly. "Adam, would you mind comparing Danny and Danielle Boscorelli's DNA?"

Adam and Danny immediately stopped playing and turned to see that Danielle and Yelina were there with Mac, "Hi," Danny spoke quietly as he stood up. "I guess you're ready to find out?"

"Nobody can ever be ready to know things about their past they didn't already know, but this is something that needs to be done," Danielle spoke quietly. "I gained two brothers in Ray Junior and Nicolas when my dad married Yelina, so what's the harm in seeing if I have a third?"

Yelina looked touched that Danielle referred to Ray Junior as a 'brother', but Danny nodded calmly and walked over to one computer while Adam got up and walked over to the other computer.

"It'll take a little bit to find what you need," Mac spoke calmly, intrigued what the answer would be.

Desert Palm Hospital – Las Vegas, Nevada

Ryan, I think you're a top-notch investigator, but I have my reasons why I want you to handle this 'simple' assault case. Take John Boscorelli with you; he might prove useful to have there.

Grissom's words echoed through Ryan's mind as he and John walked down the hallway to the hospital room where the attack had taken place. To his surprise, a tired Horatio was sitting on the couch with Robert next to him while the area with the bed was cordoned off and a body and pools of blood sat between them and the bed. Brass was lingering near the door, sighing as he saw Ryan and John.

"Lieutenant Caine was sleeping and this bozo entered his room with a knife to try and slice his throat, but Detective Caine shot him after a struggle," Brass spoke quietly. "Detective Caine was having a shower and was finishing up when he heard voices. There was another guy, but he took off."

Ryan frowned, "Did they say who sent them?" he asked softly, worried it might have been Braun.

Brass shook his head and Ryan silently entered the room with John at his heels. Horatio looked up at Ryan silently, but didn't speak because he didn't know what to say, "John, can you take photos?" Ryan finally asked, his eyes not leaving Horatio's. "We can't do much until an ME gets here for the body."

As John opened his kit and got to work, Ryan crouched in front of Horatio, "We should get you a wheelchair and move you somewhere else so the room can be processed," he spoke quietly, noticing that Horatio's neck was sporting a cut. "Did you get someone to take care of that cut?"

"I…I'm reluctant to let strangers touch me and I have been since I was attacked in my home by Derek Stokes, Ryan," Horatio spoke quietly. "The staff here have been very patient about giving me space."

Ryan sighed gently, "The medical staff here are very good and professional," he spoke patiently. "I can't fully remember what happened to me, but I know that they helped me through the worst."

"And they helped Bobby when he was here," Horatio spoke quietly. "All right. Call them."

As if on cue, two nurses came into the room with Brass and a wheelchair and Horatio immediately found himself gripping the couch with his good hand, "Uncle Horatio?" Robert asked in a concerned voice, noticing his uncle's hand movement and pallor. "I need everyone to back off right now."

John suddenly paused, "Remember the desert breeze and how I'm hauling you to safety in the wheelbarrow," he spoke quietly. "I didn't let anyone get you. You're going to be fine."

Horatio sighed and closed his eyes, allowing himself to reflect back to that as he exhaled softly to calm himself and Brass gave John a look because he now knew that the young man was struggling with nightmares. A moment later, Horatio opened his eyes and gazed apologetically at the nurses.

"If Ryan and Bobby help me stand up, I think I can make it to the chair," Horatio spoke softly.

Robert and Ryan took great care to help Horatio up from the couch and into the wheelchair, "I was wondering if I had a release date yet?" Horatio asked, gazing at the nurses. "I would like to leave."

The nurses exchanged a look, "Uncle Horatio, I don't think the doctor's going to clear you for any type of travel outside the city in your current condition," Robert spoke gently. "I know you want to go home, but I don't know if you can physically handle travelling from here back to Miami yet."

"I just want to be out of this hospital, Bobby," Horatio replied softly. "After today, I can't trust it."

Robert nodded, "I understand," he replied softly before gazing at the nurses. "Please arrange for my uncle's discharge and outpatient medical care. This hospital can no longer be trusted."

The nurses exchanged a look and left, "I can tell you who at least one of the attackers were because they almost killed me," Robert spoke, gazing at Ryan. "Petrov Valgaski, one of Dimitri LaRusso's henchmen who disappeared after that incident. The other one ran out as I opened the bathroom…"

"The Russian mafia out here works very closely with Sam Braun, Ryan," Brass observed. "I remember Warrick mentioning that you were dumped in one of Sam Braun's casinos and the CSI's out here found fingerprints on the sack that belonged to some Russian mafia members that we never found."

Ryan frowned, but didn't say anything because he didn't want to talk about Warrick or the false friendship that Warrick had offered him, "Um, Horatio, I'd like to talk to you in a quiet area," he finally said, pointedly ignoring Brass's comments. "Detective Brass, can you supervise John?"

"It's policy that the CSI supervises the trainees," Brass reminded him gently. "I'll talk to the Caines."

Ryan sighed irritably as Robert and Brass left the room with Horatio, "John, please don't tell Grissom that I tried to circumvent policy," he spoke softly, gazing at John. "Brass brought up Warrick and…"

"My mom has bad memories of Warrick too," John replied softly. "How…how are you feeling?"

Ryan shrugged as he walked back over to the area, "Like I want to get this done," he replied, planting a smile on his face as David Phillips came into the room with a gurney and an orderly. "Hi."

David's eyes widened in surprise as he saw the mess and the weapons, "Wow," he breathed anxiously.

"How's the bombing mess coming?" Ryan asked in a concerned voice. "How many are on scene?"

David sighed, "All shifts," he replied softly. "I heard crying coming from the next room…"

Horatio's crying? Ryan thought worriedly, his expression concerned. How much has he endured?

"I've got the weapons photographed and bagged, Officer Wolfe," John spoke in a quiet voice.

Ryan gazed at John silently, his mind clearly distracted by Horatio's struggle to recover.

New York Crime Lab – Manhattan, New York

"The DNA of Danny Messer and Danielle Sullivan-Boscorelli are a biological match with the common link being Ellen Seville, birth mother to both." Danny read off a screen. "I…this is interesting."

Danielle sighed and nodded, "Well, we sort of look a bit like one another," she replied softly. "What about Ellen Seville's background?" she asked in a quiet voice. "I want to know everything."

Danny, however, wasn't listening and was looking at some results on another screen, "Um, Mac," he spoke in a nervous voice. "Mac, it triggered a hit on some old DNA registry from 20 years ago."

Mac frowned as he walked over to the screen and Adam peered at it, "ChildSafe DNA Registry," Mac read in a quiet voice, his eyes narrowing. "A project put together by Gilbert Grissom, Master's Degree Student. This…this indicates that Ellen Seville had one more child and that child is living out west."

"So there's another half-sibling out there for both of us," Danny spoke quietly, stunned. "Wow."

Mac sighed, "It says that the data can be obtained by contacting Doctor Grissom, founder of the registry and Victims Assistance," he said, eyeing the screen. "Adam, get on this, will you?"

"I wonder if my father knew anything about this," Danielle spoke quietly, stunned at how much he had put himself and his job on the line to deal with Ellen. "Yelina, I'm so sorry…"

Yelina, however, looked intrigued, "I too am interested in what all this means," she replied softly.

"We'll wait for Ray Junior to finish downstairs and then I want to talk to your father, Mrs. Boscorelli," Mac replied in a concerned voice. "Adam, get in touch with Grissom and see if you can get more information about who the DNA belongs to. I'll also get Flack to look for Ellen Seville to get answers."

Danielle sighed, "Emily Yokas might know where Ellen is," she replied softly. "This…this is a lot."

Danny, however, said nothing because his eyes were filling up with tears and he found himself crying.

While wondering how to respond, Danielle suddenly felt her pocket buzz and she quickly got her phone out. She frowned when she saw a 'family text' from John in Las Vegas about how a casino had been bombed, but John was at another scene. He said he was fine and he'd try and call later.

"Detectives, I need to talk to you," Danielle spoke anxiously. "Look at this text John just sent me."

Boscorelli Apartment

"…The blast was limited to the restaurants and the casino," Ecklie spoke on television, irritated about having a microphone shoved in his face. "20 casino staff and restaurant employees are dead, but the hotel staff and any guests that were in the hotel area are unharmed. However, since we don't know if there are other bombs, all hotels in the immediate area have also been evacuated…"

Sully's eyes went wide as he watched people in uniforms and CSI vests walk in and out of the wreckage. He had just barely gotten a text from John about the bombing in Las Vegas and how he had been assigned a different case before the news came on. Due to it being a bombing, every single news channel was broadcasting on it and Sully hoped that it wouldn't get any worse than it was.

Michael and Emily were playing with toys on the floor, but Nicolas sat in his lap because he liked being close to his family; he wasn't happy away from them.

The cordless sat in Sully's hand because Bosco had heard about the bombing and had gotten a 'family text' from John. Bosco was upset about the bombing, but relieved to know John was safe. Even though he knew John was safe, Sully also worried about Ryan and the other investigators there. He hadn't liked being in Vegas much, as it tempted him to dive back into the addictive behaviors he had engaged in after Tatiana's death and Yelina had helped him avoid temptation, but he was glad to be home.

Michael suddenly yawned and fell asleep in the middle of his toys, "Aw," Sully spoke softly, quickly taking a photo with his cell before he got up with Nicolas and gave him a kind, but tired look. "Nicky, can you rock in the swing for Daddy for a bit so I can put Mikey down for a nap?"

Nicolas cooed and Sully quickly put him in the swing and then picked Mikey up, being extra quiet as he carried Mikey to his crib and tucked him in. As Sully returned to the living room, the front door opened and Danielle came in with a tired looking Ray Jr., Yelina, and Detective Taylor.

Ray Jr. immediately made a beeline for Sully and hugged him while crying, "It's okay," Sully spoke in a quiet voice, sighing as Ray Jr. finally calmed down and looked up at him. "Did you want some ice cream, Ray? Ice cream really helps people feel better when they're having a hard day."

Sighing, Ray Jr. let go, "I want a nap," he replied softly. "I have a bit of a headache from…that."

Sully nodded and Ray Jr. quickly disappeared into his bedroom, "Dad, Detective Taylor needs some information," Danielle spoke anxiously. "Did you help Ellen Seville with any other kids besides Danny Messer years ago? When Danny and I compared our DNA, we found out we share a mother, but the DNA comparison also triggered another hit. Did you help Ellen with any other children?"

Sully sighed heavily, "That DNA project," he muttered irritably. "I knew that was a bad idea, but the family insisted in case they didn't end up liking the baby and wanted to give him back to his mom."

Mac frowned, "Why do I feel like Cathal Finney has some part in this?" he asked sternly.

"I don't know who Ellen hooked up with, but she got pregnant again and by I found out about it, she had had the baby," Sully explained in a quiet voice. "Candyman had brought some gifts by, as he liked to bring little gifts to the less fortunate on his beat and he saw the baby one day. He told me about it and said Cathal would find some bogus reason to arrest Ellen if he found out about the new baby."

Danielle frowned and Yelina looked shocked, "How did you help Ellen?" Mac asked softly.

"I couldn't do too much because I was raising Danielle at the time, but I helped Ellen research couples who couldn't have children of their own," Sully replied quietly as Danielle picked Emily up off the floor. "We connected with this couple in California who had suffered complications in trying to have children and they were interested in the baby. Ellen couldn't afford a plane ticket and we didn't want to do the adoption in New York because Cathal could get wind of it. I drove Ellen out to California…"

Mac nodded, "The information on the computer said that details about the DNA match could be found by contacting Gilbert Grissom, Master's Student," he replied. "Is that Gil Grissom of Las Vegas?"

"He was a university student at the time and really into experiments," Sully explained in a quiet voice, sighing softly. "We met on neutral territory to complete the adoption process and he happened to be working there. The adoptive parents knew of his work and asked if they could put their baby's DNA in the system so that his mother could find him or they could find Ellen if it ever got too much…"

Danielle looked stunned, "Most adoptive parents want their kids," she replied, thinking of Maritza and how she would adopt the girl if she was ever found and if Dr. Price would ever relinquish her rights.

"Do you know the name of the couple who adopted the baby?" Mac asked in a curious voice.

Sully sighed, "I drove her out there and witnessed the process, but we didn't learn their names," he replied in an apologetic voice. "I also signed my name to Grissom's paperwork so he could get credit."

"You did a good thing, Dad," Danielle spoke softly. "I wonder if Ellen remembers doing that?"

Mac sighed, "I got an APB out on Ellen Seville," he replied softly. "So we can learn her story."

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