Chapter 10

"Sweetheart, I understand. If you get even more hurt or… worse, how are you going to be of any help at all?"

"Horatio, I know you're concerned. But I'd take that risk just to be of the smallest help I can be." Zoë said looking up to him with soft eyes. He knew he'd be doing the same.

Ryan was stood by the hummer looking over at them with his hand up covering his eyes from the sun. 'I wish those scrubs where a little tighter.' Ryan thought to himself then scalded himself for thinking such a thing.

"Zoë, you took a bullet today that was supposed to be for me, what happens if he comes after us again? How do you think I'd feel if you get hurt again?"

"Well, I'd take that bullet again and how do you think I'd feel if they hurt another innocent person? They slipped through my fingers once, I'm not prepared to sit back and watch that happen again." She said defiantly, raising her eyebrows at him.

"Horatio, you'd do the same if you were in my position, don't deny it. You'd take that bullet for any of your team members, so please, don't lecture me about it." She said looking at him softly yet sternly. He exhaled.

"Yes I know Zoë, and I'm certain that if the roles were reversed you'd be standing here giving me the same talk." He said looking at her seriously. "I don't want to argue with you, I–" Horatio started.

"Well then don't. I know you're only looking out for me, but I can look out for myself. There is no way I'm walking back in that hospital though. I'm sorry I'm being stubborn Horatio, but I believe I can help." Zoë said looking at him. He looked up at her and raised his eyebrows and inhaled.

"How are you feeling?" Horatio asked softly.

"I'm fine." She said looking at him a little happier.

"If I'm going to let you help us, you need to be honest with me all the way." Horatio said quietly moving in closer to her.

"I'm okay Horatio, it only hurts a little. Honestly." Zoë said with a small smile.

"If anything changes, you need to tell me." Horatio said seriously.

"I will; thank you Horatio." She said with a smile.

"Did the bullet do much damage? What happened once they got you here?" Horatio asked as Zoë dropped her hands to her sides from her hips.

"I really couldn't tell you – you'll have to ask Ryan." Zoë said.

"Okay, first off we need to get you a change of clothes." Horatio said.

"I've got a spare suit and shirt back at the lab." Zoë said looking up at him squinting because of the sun.

"To the lab we go then. Are you sure you're okay?" Horatio questioned as he turned around as they began to walk over to the hummer. Ryan stood up straight and began to walk towards them.

"I'm good Horatio." She said with a smile. They met in the middle of the path.

"What's going on then?" Ryan questioned.

"Zoë's going to help." Horatio said. Ryan's eyes widened, not quite believing that Horatio had just agreed to this.

"Mr Wolfe, we have it under control." Horatio said with certainty. Ryan gave him a nod as they began to walk back to the hummer. Horatio opened the passenger door for Zoë and she climbed in and sat down then Horatio closed the door. Ryan climbed in as did Horatio. They drove back to the lab and parked up. Ryan quickly jumped out and opened Zoë's door before she had even taken her seatbelt off. Horatio turned around and looked at him slightly surprised at the speed he'd just exited the hummer. Zoë slowly started to climb out of the hummer when she moved too quickly and sent pain coursing through her body from the wound. She hissed in pain and lost her footing, essentially falling into Ryan who caught her. Her torso came into contact with his and she hissed in pain again, trying not to show it.

"Woah, Zoë, are you okay?" Ryan asked holding her. Horatio had rushed over by this time and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Are you okay?" He asked softly both of them worried.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just missed my footing" Zoë said as she gently pushed herself off Ryan.

"Thank you Ryan." She said with a small smile. Horatio still had his hand on her shoulder.

"Are you sure?" Horatio questioned.

"Yes" she said with a smile at him sorting herself out. Zoë stepped away from the door and Horatio closed it after her, the both of them keeping an eye on her.

"Sorry about that Ryan!" She said with a shy smile.

"Don't worry about it." He said with a small smile. They all walked in and up to the lab where Eric looked up and saw them. He dropped what he was doing and quickly walked over to them.

"Back so soon? How are you?" Eric said as he stood in front of Zoë.

"I'm good thanks." She said with a smile.

"I can't believe they discharged you so soon!" He said with a smile.

"Yeah…" She said with her smile turning a little shyer.

"What?" Eric said seeing her response. Horatio and Ryan looked at each other as Zoë replied "Oh nothing." She said with a sweet smile.

"Well, we're glad to have you back! Oh and here's your phone." Eric said as he handed her the phone.

"Thank you." She said with a smile.

"I'll catch you later." Eric said as he headed back to work and she gave him a nod.

"You guys don't have to babysit me you know." Zoë said sarcastically.

"We're not babysitting." Horatio said with a small smile as they began to walk over to the locker room. Zoë walked in and slowly moved over to her locker looking around. Horatio began to worry that she'd have flashbacks of that morning but she didn't seem fazed.

"Are you okay?" Horatio asked lowly thinking back to what he saw on the surveillance camera.

"Yes Horatio, you really don't need to worry about me." She said with a wide smile pulling out her suit and shirt. She pulled out a plain black suit with light pink shirt.

"Now, I'm going to go to the restroom to get changed; I'm going to be okay. Neither of you need to hold my hand and come in." She said with a cheeky smile.

"Of course not" Horatio said as he began to walk out. Ryan gave her a grin and shuffled on his feet awkwardly.

"I'll… uh… I'll wait outside, if you need anything, give me a shout." Ryan said a little shyly.

"Come and find me in my office when you're changed please Zoë." Horatio asked as he walked out of the door. Zoë turned to Ryan.

"Oops, am I already in trouble?" She said with a grin at him then walked out too. Ryan quickly followed her and waited outside the door of the ladies restroom. Zoë came out a few minutes after having dumped the scrubs in the bin.

"See, I'm fine." She said with a smile.

"I know, I just wanted to make sure." Ryan said with a small smile.

"Thank you… I should probably be getting over to Horatio's office. I'm not sure what he wants." Zoë said with a grin.

"I'll see you later pretty boy. Oh, and I'm sorry for ruining your suit…" Zoë said as she looked at all of the blood stains. "I'll buy you another." She said.

"No, don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're okay." Ryan said with a small shy smile.

"I'll see you later honey." Zoë said as she walked past him lightly touching his shoulder as she passed him. She walked up to Horatio's office where she lightly knocked on his door and he invited her in.

"You wanted to see me?" She asked as she walked in.

"I have your things." Horatio said as he walked over to her holding her badge, ID, gun holster and gun.

"Now, are you sure you're okay?" Horatio asked.

"Yes, I'm fine." Zoë said as she attached her things to her waist.

"Do you remember anything that happened this morning?" Horatio asked as he stood by her sideways looking at her with his head tilted.

"I was shot…" She said looking at him confused, not quite sure what he was asking.

"Yes, but what happened before that." Horatio questioned thinking 'Does she not remember what happened with Jack?'

"Erm, we walked out of your office… there was a guy he shot at you but I moved into the projectiles path." She said still slightly confused. "Why are you asking me this? I remember it well."

"Okay, what… what were we talking about in my office?" Horatio asked.

"I told you about the message I received." Zoë said looking at him confused. She made eye contact and he looked down.

"Do you… do you remember what happened with Jack?" Horatio asked and then looked up at her and met her eyes again.

"Yes, of course. Why?" Zoë said placing a hand on her hip.

"Because you didn't seem to remember it when you walked into the locker room." Horatio said lowly.

"I remember it well, because I don't react to the room doesn't mean I don't remember anything. Nothing happened between us." Zoë said beginning to get defensive.

"I just wanted to make sure you were okay. He's been arrested and is all booked." He held her eye contact.

"Good, thank you." Zoë said relaxing a little. "I'm going to pop down to see Alexx." Zoë said as she gestured for the door.

"I was going to pop down too." Horatio said as he opened the door for her.

"That's not just because I am going down there, is it? You're not trying to babysit me are you?" She said with a cheeky grin.

"No, I needed to go down and see her, I was going to go regardless of you going or not." Horatio said as Zoë walked through the door and gently stroked his arm.

"Thank you Horatio." She said with a smile as she walked through the door.

"Oh, I was going to offer you a hand with the next interview for a new team member… the past two… well, I'd say that they weren't right for the job, to put it politely." She said as she turned around and watched him shut his door with a very wide grin. He turned to her and chuckled.

"You could say that." He said with a wide grin.

"You know, you're a really fantastic judge of character, how did the both of them get past you?" She asked curiously as they made their way down to autopsy.

"Well, they seemed like normal people." Horatio said with a small smile.

"That's true… seemed like normal people." She said with a smile. Horatio walked into autopsy first and Alexx looked up and then saw Zoë following.

"Zoë, honey, you're out so soon? How are you feeling?"

"I'm good thank you Alexx." Zoë said with a smile. Alexx put her tools down and looked up.

"Honey, how come you're out so soon? You were very unwell this morning." Alexx said studying her.

"Lucky I guess!" Zoë said with a smile.

"Nu-uh… honey, it's a miracle that you're okay… they wouldn't have discharged you yet. With your injuries you would have needed an operation, not to mention many blood transfusions!"

"Alexx, I don't want to talk about that thank you, I'm good." Zoë said trying to avoid the subject; she knew Alexx would fly off the handle, more so than she expected Horatio to.

"Honey, you didn't discharge yourself did you?" Alexx said putting her hand on her hip looking at Zoë. Zoë looked down at the floor.

"And you let her do this?" Alexx said turning her attention to Horatio who was now looking at the floor too not wanting to make eye contact.

"What am I going to do with the both of you?!" Alexx said with a small smile, but still feeling incredibly frustrated.

"Zoë, you need to be in that hospital." Alexx said looking at her caringly.

"I'll explain everything to you another time Alexx, but please just trust me. You know Horatio would have never let me step out of that hospital if there wasn't a good reason." Zoë said looking up at her.

"I know honey, but you've been through a major trauma–" Alexx said to her but she was cut off.

"Exactly, I had been through a major trauma, it's not major any longer and I'm well." Zoë said looking at her.

"Who was your doctor? Was it Nathan?" Alexx questioned.

"No, it was another guy, I'm not sure of his name. But Ryan got rid of him; he wasn't the doctor for me. Ryan got Nathan down to take over my care and then I discharged myself. Nathan did try everything to keep me there. Believe me, I was sure he was going to drug me or tie me to the bed at some point… I'm fine." Zoë said with a small smile looking at Alexx.

"Honey, you're far from fine." Alexx said raising an eyebrow.

"I'm fine and that's the end of it. I only came down here to see how you were, and to make sure I got Jason... I've got work to do, I'll see you later Alexx." Zoë said trying to dismiss herself from the situation.

"You're back working already? Horatio, don't tell me this makes sense to you?" Alexx said turning to him.

"Alexx… you need to trust us." Horatio said looking up at her.

"Okay, if you have any problems, call me or Nathan." Alexx said to Zoë.

"I will; thank you Alexx. I'll speak to you both later." Zoë turned around and walked out. Alexx waited for her to leave.

"Horatio, you better know what you're doing." Alexx said seriously. Horatio stood sideways looking at the door Zoë just left through. Alexx could see how much Horatio wanted her in that hospital too.

"Horatio, I know you care about her, are you sure it's a good idea for her to be out of that hospital?"

"It's not the best idea, but it's necessary." Horatio said honestly looking back at her.

"I don't want to see her getting hurt any more than you do Horatio. You need to keep a close eye on her." Alexx said as Horatio looked down at the floor feeling guilty.

"What are you thinking about? Something's bothering you." Alexx said lowly raising an eyebrow.

"Nothing" Horatio said dismissing the comment.

"Horatio honey, I know something's up." Alexx said looking at him.

"Alexx… Alexx, that bullet was supposed to be for me. I should be the one in the hospital." Horatio said guiltily.

"What?" Alexx questioned, confused.

"Jason fired the gun and Zoë stepped into its path. He shot at me, if that bullet had have hit me; it would have been less serious. It would have missed all of my vital organs." Horatio said placing his hands on his hips looking at Alexx intensively.

"Horatio, this isn't your fault." Alexx said lowly.

"The bullet was supposed to have been for me, why would she take it for me?" He asked.

"Because you're both similar, you would have done the same for her." Alexx said truthfully.

"Honey, you can't go around blaming yourself for everything bad that happens, because believe it or not. It's not your fault." Alexx said emphasising the last sentence.

Horatio looked up at her and gave her a nod.

"Okay?" Alexx questioned and Horatio gave her a nod.

"Now please go and keep an eye on her, ring me if you need me." Alexx said picking her tools up again. Horatio turned around and walked out giving her a nod.

Zoë had explained about Mike to Eric and Ryan. Eric also said that Horatio had gotten another message. They quietened down and got on with the work, Horatio walked in about 25 minutes later.

"How are we getting on, have we found anything yet?" Horatio asked as he walked into the lab. Ryan and Eric replied with 'no'.

"Zoë?" Horatio asked and walked over to her and placed a hand on her back seeing that she had her ear phones in, listening to the last messaged that Horatio had received. She took them out and looked up at him.

"Sorry, hello." Zoë said.

"Not a problem, have you got anything?" Horatio questioned, not expecting much as Eric had been over the last message many times.

"I think so. Have a listen." Zoë said as she unplugged her ear phones and turned the volume up.

"I've isolated this from the background, what does it sound like to you?" She said and then she played the sound. They all looked at her and listened intently.

"Do you hear it?" She questioned and they all shook their heads. "Listen closely." She played it again louder.

"I know that sound from somewhere." Ryan said searching his brain for the answer.

"It sounds… sounds like an airboat?" Horatio said lowly.

"Yeah! I'm thinking that this call was made in the Everglades." Zoë said looking up at them. Eric and Ryan instantly clicked and recognised the noise.

"I went through that tape hundreds of times! I didn't hear that." Eric said looking disappointed with himself.

"Don't beat yourself up about it. I was close to skipping over it." Zoë said with a small smile "Looks like a trip down to the Everglades?" Zoë questioned looking back up to Horatio who was stood over her.

"Looks like it, well done Zoë." Horatio said with a small smile. Zoë got up and picked up her keys.

"You're not driving though. You're with me."

"I'm fine Horatio." Zoë insisted.

"You're going to ride with one of us; I'm not letting you drive just yet. Anyway, you've still got strong painkillers in your system…" Horatio said looking at her with caring eyes and studied her as she looked around the room and her eyes locked on to the computer that Eric had been using earlier. On the screen there was a still from the locker room CCTV. She studied the screen and Horatio glanced at Eric then back to Zoë who was still staring at the screen. Ryan stared at the screen confused; it was a still of Jack heading out of the locker room door. Eric went over to the computer and closed the window.

"Sorry." Eric apologised.

"Where is Jack anyway? I saw him briefly earlier with Frank by the lift… when everything happened." Ryan asked.

"Jack has been arrested." Horatio said bluntly and then Zoë turned around and walked out.

"Woah, did I say something wrong?" Ryan asked innocently looking at Horatio and Eric. Horatio looked down at the floor and tapped at his ID badge, thinking and then quickly walked out to go and find Zoë.

"What's going on Delko? What did I say?" Ryan asked confused.

"Wolfe, leave it. I'll fill you in later." Eric said as he too walked out of the lab followed by Ryan.

Horatio caught up with Zoë.

"Hey, are you okay sweetheart?" Horatio asked as they jumped aboard the lift and the doors closed.

"I'm fine; I just don't want everyone knowing that I'm weak." Zoë said looking up at Horatio.

"No-one thinks you're weak. No-one is going to think less of you. Mr Wolfe works in this lab as well; he sees things like it all the time and doesn't think any less of the victims, you know how we work here. Zoë you were shot this morning yet you're back at work… that's the complete opposite of weak if you ask me." Horatio said trying to comfort her.

"Well, at least let me tell Ryan, I don't want him to hear it from gossip." Zoë said looking over at Horatio.

"Of course" Horatio said. "Now, do you want to ride with him to tell him?" Horatio questioned.

"I don't think it's best to tell him something like that while he's driving? It wasn't too long ago that we were both nearly killed because something shocked me." Zoë said with a small shy smile.

"That's true." Horatio said looking down. "I'm sorry, I didn't think–"

"Don't worry." Zoë said looking at him with a smile. They walked over to Horatio's hummer when Eric and Ryan got into the lift. Horatio and Zoë had just got into the hummer when Ryan and Eric walked out. Ryan jogged over to Zoë's door.

"I'm sorry for whatever I said back there Zoë." Ryan said leaning on the door.

"I'll be back in a moment Horatio." Zoë said as Ryan stepped back from the door as she opened it. She slowly got out and pulled Ryan over to the side about 15 meters away from the hummer. Horatio sat in the hummer watching them, making sure Zoë was okay.

"It wasn't your fault Ryan, I'm sorry for making you think that." Zoë said apologising.

"Okay, so… what was it about?" Ryan asked crossing his arms curious.

"Jack was arrested for assault and… attempted rape." Zoë said quietly to him stepping closer to Ryan.

"You are joking aren't you? I mean, we worked with that guy. Who did he assault and when?" Ryan asked listening intently.

Zoë then had thoughts about whether she could tell Ryan as her mind wandered.