Chapter 10
"Is it good, or bad? Because I can't deal with bad right now." She said as she looked up at him. He swallowed and then glanced down, trying to weigh it up. 'It's not exactly good, I suppose it might be bad news? Perhaps I should leave it for another time if she doesn't want to hear anything bad right now?' He thought to himself.
"Judging by your reaction, I think it's best you keep it to yourself for the moment. Is it urgent?" She asked and he shook his head.
"Okay, we'll I'd rather not hear at the moment then." She said softly and Horatio nodded at her. Walter got up and threw some more wood on the fire and then sat back down again as Horatio and Zoë walked over to the shelter and sat down. She gave them all a small smile before leaning over on the seat and pulling her legs up as she leant over to Horatio. He took hold of her hand and gave her a reassuring smile. Ryan, Eric and Walter all continued to talk, they could see that Zoë didn't want to engage in conversation and neither did Horatio as he was too focused on Zoë. Zoë stifled another yawn and then rested her head down on her arms as Horatio reached over and placed his hand on her back as she bent over the arm rests and rested her head on his arm rest. Horatio felt her breathing steady out as she fell asleep. Horatio then quietly engaged in the conversation the others were having and time quickly flew past. Horatio glanced down at his watch and realised it was 11.30pm.
"What's the time?" Walter asked after Horatio glanced down at his watch.
"11.30." Horatio replied.
"We should probably get to bed." Eric said softly and they all agreed. Horatio gently woke Zoë.
"Have you taken your medication?" Horatio asked and she nodded at him.
"I did that earlier." She said softly and he gave her a small smile and a nod. He walked into the tent with her and he knew she was cold as she was shivering slightly, but knew she'd quickly warm up as the tent usually remained warm for the majority of the night and the heat was maintained when they got in there. Zoë laid down with Horatio and then snuggled up to him after doing their teeth. Horatio glared at Ryan when he approached Zoë a little too close for Horatio's own comfort. Ryan quickly backed off and turned to Eric.
"Do you mind if I swap with you? I got way too hot last night." Ryan said softly and Eric nodded at him.
"It was a little cold there last night." Eric said softly and Ryan gave him a nod. Eric realised why Ryan was moving when he caught a glimpse at Horatio's look at Ryan. Horatio pulled the blanket over them and made sure Zoë was fully covered before relaxing back as the other's relaxed. He looked back down to Zoë and realised that she was already asleep. He pulled her closer and then closed his eyes himself when he felt her breath on his cheek. He was a lot happier with Eric sleeping closer to Zoë, rather than Ryan. Ryan lay awake for a little while. 'Does he really think I'd try anything on with Zoë now? I wouldn't do that to her or him, she'd reject me anyway, he has nothing to worry about. I know I look at her like she means something more than friends to me, but I can't help that. Surely H understands that? He couldn't stop doing it when she was unaware of their relationship. Then again, if she was mine and I saw someone looking at her like that, I'd get defensive and would do exactly what he's doing, so I guess I can see where he's coming from.' Ryan thought to himself. He relaxed and eventually fell asleep.
They all woke the next morning. Zoë opened her eyes and then pulled Horatio closer. She'd temporarily forgotten where they were. Ryan, Eric and Walter all started shifting when Zoë lightly kissed Horatio on the lips after greeting him with a pleasant good morning. She quickly turned back around when she heard them all moving and then remembered where she was. She looked back to Horatio and quickly apologised for being too intimate with him in front of the others.
"It's okay beautiful." Horatio replied softly and then kissed her back. They then sat up as everyone else was just standing up and walking out. They then climbed to their feet and kissed a little more before joining the rest of the team under the shelter after quickly going to the loo. Eric threw a bottle of water to Horatio and then to Zoë. They gave him a smile and thanked him. They all then had a chocolate bar each and relaxed a little to wake themselves up properly.
"We should get going on this tent before the heat really picks up." Walter said softly and they all agreed. They then grabbed a tent and walked over to the right of the tent that was already up and began to set it up. They had it up and ready 30 minutes later, this tent faced the sea with the fire and seats a few meters from the entrance. They had a quick break and then put up the second tent. They each then had another break and rested a little with a bottle of water. They got up and dragged the 3rd tent over to the next spot so the tents were almost in a line.
"Zoë, do you want to go and have a rest sweetheart?" Horatio asked softly as he walked over to her while Walter tipped the tent out onto the sand.
"Why? I'm good." She said as she looked up at him sweetly. They all looked around to Zoë.
"You're looking a little pale and fatigued sweetheart, I think you need a rest." Horatio said softly.
"I'm good, really." She said with a wide smile. "I think we're all a little tired anyway." She said softly as she walked over to the other 3 and began to help them. Horatio walked closely and helped them with the tent. They'd managed to fix the frame in place when Zoë turned to Ryan and studied him a little.
"Are you okay pretty boy?" Zoë asked softly and he nodded at her.
"Are you sure? Do you need some water?" She asked as she walked over to him.
"I'm… er… I'm okay." Ryan mumbled a little as he looked down at Zoë. The other's had stopped and watched her walk over to him. She raised her hand and placed it against his forehead.
"Come on, I think we need to get you some water and into some shade." Zoë said softly. He swallowed and then nodded slowly.
"You guys carry on, we'll be back in a moment." Zoë said softly and they nodded at her. Zoë placed her hand on Ryan's back and began to walk over to the shelter with him.
"I… I feel a little dizzy." Ryan murmured breathlessly. She could see that he was hyperventilating.
"Okay sweetie, try and slow your breathing down for me, take nice long deep breaths, okay?" She asked and he nodded as his head began to spin more as his light-headedness got worse. She linked arms with him to try and give him more support but she could feel him becoming more dependent on her.
"Ryan stay with me honey, I can't have you passing out on me here." She said softly as she tried to get him back to the shelter quickly.
"I think I'm going to be sick." He mumbled quietly and he then stopped as his body grew weaker. Zoë stepped in front of him and placed her free hand under his other arm to give him more support.
"Horatio, Eric!?" She shouted and they turned around to see her supporting Ryan. She could feel him putting more weight on her.
"Stay with me." She said to him as all 3 of them began to run over to them. Ryan's strength completely depleted as he lost consciousness. Zoë couldn't take his weight as she herself was feeling weak and tired and so she fell with him. He fell on her on the hot sand as she let out a small yelp as he was heavy. Eric and Walter got there just before Horatio and grabbed both of Ryan's arms and hauled him up, off Zoë. Horatio quickly crouched down and pulled Zoë up and made sure she was okay while Walter and Eric held onto Ryan as they put his arms around their necks and held him there.
"Get him in the shelter." Zoë said as she brushed herself off. They all hurried into the shelter and Zoë unbuttoned Ryan's shirt after Walter and Eric had laid him down. Zoë placed her hand on his forehead and then turned around to pick up her thermometer.
"We need to cool him down now, his temperature is 40 degrees." She said frantically as she pulled a couple of bottles from a box and then pulled a small top from her bag. She handed it to Walter.
"Horatio, Eric, help me roll him briefly." Zoë said softly and they helped her to roll him onto his side. Walter quickly put the top down and helped hold him steady as Zoë pulled on a pair of gloves.
"Ryan, I'm just checking your wounds sweetie, I'm sorry if I hurt you." Zoë said softly. She quickly checked over the wounds on his back. If you guys could look away but hold him still, I need to check his legs." She said as she undone his belt and they all looked in different directions.
"Lift his hips, please Eric." Zoë asked softly and he did as she asked and she quickly pulled his trousers down. Once she'd finished she pulled them back up and did his belt back up.
"On 3 roll him back gently. 1…2…3" she said and then helped roll him.
"His wounds are looking good and clean, no sign of infection." She said softly and they nodded. She picked the top back up and placed it over his stomach and chest and then poured a bottle of water over him to dampen the top. She then poured the rest of the bottle over his legs to dampen his trousers. She pulled a wash cloth from her bag and dampened it and placed it over his forehead after wiping his face and neck.
"Come on Ryan." She said softly as she rubbed his sternum and got a low groan from him.
"Well done sweetie, come back to me." She said softly as she ran the wash cloth over his face again.
"Is there anything we can do, Zoë?" Walter asked.
"Finish putting the tent up otherwise the metal frame will get too hot, then can you take those empty bottles and fill them with water from the waterfall, please? Don't drink them yet though." She asked and both Eric and Walter nodded at her and walked out. Zoë then reached into her first aid kit and pulled out the pulse oximeter and placed it on his finger.
"His oxygen sats are okay." Zoë said as she observed the number briefly. She then put it back in her bag to preserve the battery in case it was needed for a serious emergency another time. Ryan let out a few more groans but didn't regain much more consciousness.
"He's got heat exhaustion, I think." She said as she ran a hand through her hair and looked down at Ryan.
"What do we do about that?" Horatio asked, genuinely worried about Ryan.
"We need to cool him, but it's difficult to do that with weather like this." She exhaled as she opened his eyes and checked his pupils. He let out another small moan.
"I know sweetie, I'm sorry." She said as she ran a hand through his hair. She placed her hand against his chest and his skin felt a little cooler.
"He's cooling down a bit." She said as she picked up the thermometer.
"39.9, that's a little better." She said softly. She continued to keep him cool while he regained some form of consciousness. He could respond back to Zoë when she asked him things, but she didn't get any sense out of him. Eric and Walter returned with a box full of water.
"Well done guys." Zoë said softly and they gave her a small smile.
"How's he doing?" Eric asked.
"He's doing better, I think he's suffering from heat exhaustion though." Zoë said softly and he then nodded at her.
"Horatio, can you grab the iodine and chlorine please?" She asked and he happily pulled the box out of one of the suitcases. She placed the box on her lap and then opened it.
"We need to sterilise the water. You can either use a couple of drops of iodine or you can use chlorine – it's your preference really. I prefer to use iodine though. Chlorine is probably safer to use, as it's not known if iodine is carcinogenic. It's know for sure though. I only use the iodine because I can't drink the water with the chlorine in as it's vile, I like iodine." She said softly and they nodded at her.
"What you do is you put a couple of drops of iodine in the bottles, mix and then leave for a few minutes. The same with the Chlorine, except that the chlorine is tablet form, just stick a tablet in, mix and then leave. Put the sterilised bottles back in the box." She said softly and they nodded at her.
"Er… what's in that box? You didn't leave with a box?" She asked curiously.
"We went by the plane again, we found some more drink, like coke, rum, vodka and things…" Walter grinned and Zoë raised an eyebrow at her.
"The glass bottles all smashed though?" Zoë asked.
"Not all of them, these were all at the very back in storage." Walter replied and she nodded at him.
They then got on with following her instructions; Zoë helped them out with the bottles, but also kept a very close eye on Ryan and kept him cool.
"I'm sorry, H." Ryan mumbled as he turned his head and looked over to Horatio. Horatio looked round to him and looked a little confused.
"I'd never try anything." Ryan mumbled. Horatio realised what he was talking about while Zoë looked down at him confused.
"Sweetie, can you hear me?" Zoë asked and Ryan looked over to her and nodded.
"What are you talking about Ryan?" Zoë asked softly.
"It's fine." Ryan murmured.
"I'm sorry for looking, but that was all." Ryan mumbled again as he looked up at Horatio.
"Okay Mr Wolfe, take it easy." Horatio said as he gave Ryan a nod. Ryan's delirious words had somewhat relieved Horatio.
"Ryan do you think you could sit up for me and have a drink?" Zoë asked softly and Ryan nodded at her. 'He's a little delirious, but he's definitely got more consciousness, I need to get him to drink.' Zoë thought to herself.
"I could use a little help though, please?" Ryan asked quietly. Zoë nodded at him and then helped him up by pulling him up by his hands. Once up, Ryan could feel that he had no energy and Zoë realised it too.
"I'm going to sit behind you, Ryan." Zoë said softly and then moved and folded one leg under her as she sat behind him and rested him back against her.
"Why don't you just put the seat up?" Ryan mumbled fearing Horatio would go berserk.
"Because you could pass out again, in which case, it's easier to just move from behind you rather than faffing about with the chair. Would you rather Horatio sit behind you?" She asked with a smile. She looked up at Horatio and he shook his head at her. Horatio quickly calmed his thoughts down when he realised that Zoë was just harmlessly sitting behind Ryan to support him and when he saw Ryan trying to keep his distance from her.
"Erm, with all due respect, I wouldn't…" Ryan mumbled as she handed him a bottle of water.
"Drink it slowly or you might throw up." She said softly and Ryan nodded as he slowly lifted his head from her shoulder and sipped the water. Horatio got on with sterilising the water with Eric and Walter. Ryan managed to drink the whole bottle when Zoë laid him back down again.
"Get some rest." She said softly. Instead he sat back up and looked over to the fire.
"Ryan, lay down for me sweetie." Zoë said softly as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Ryan, lay down for me please." Zoë asked louder when he didn't respond to her. He then stood and walked out of the shelter. Zoë rushed after him and placed her hands on his chest to stop him. He carried on walking weakly.
"Ryan, Ryan listen to me. I need you to stop and go back to the shelter." Zoë asked as Horatio rushed over and pulled Zoë away from Ryan when he grabbed her wrists. He managed to loosen Ryan's grip on Zoë's wrists.
"Mr Wolfe, you need to think about what you're doing, you do not grab Zoë, she's trying to help you." Horatio said forcefully.
"Horatio, he's delirious, he doesn't know what he's doing." Zoë said as she stepped closer again.
"Stay back Zoë." Horatio warned as Ryan tried to get past Horatio. Ryan was looking at the fire, but he didn't see fire, he was seeing a fountain of water.
"Eric, I need some help here." Horatio called loudly when Ryan began to try and push past Horatio.
"Be gentle with him, please." Zoë asked as Eric walked around Ryan and stood next to Horatio.
"I need a drink." Ryan mumbled as he reached out for the fire.
"That's fire, Wolfe." Eric said as he took hold of Ryan's arm. Horatio and Eric managed to turn Ryan and walk him back into the shelter. Zoë quickly followed and watched Horatio and Eric lower Ryan to the seat. Eric gave him another bottle of water and he quickly finished it. They then got him to lay down, Horatio refused to let Zoë within reaching distance of him. Ryan let out a long breath as he closed his eyes and began to relax. Zoë picked up a bottle of water and then approached Ryan again.
"Pass me the bottle, Zoë." Horatio said as he moved between her and Ryan.
"He's relaxing, Horatio. He's not going to do anything." Zoë said as she lowered her eyebrows at Horatio.
"I don't care, I'm not having him grab you like that. I'll do that, now please hand me the water." Horatio said firmly. Zoë exhaled and then firmly placed the water bottle in Horatio's outstretched hand. She turned on her heel and walked away and sat by Walter and got on with sterilising the bottles.
"Take his temperature regularly." She said as she had her back to them while she shook a bottle. Horatio looked over to her and he knew she was pissed off. Horatio and Eric soon joined them after Ryan had fallen asleep.
"You're keeping him cool, aren't you?" She asked the both of them and they nodded at her.
"Zoë, I think we need to go for a short walk, don't you?" Horatio asked softly as he looked over to her. She looked up at him and then got up and walked away. Horatio quickly followed her out and left Walter and Eric looking at each other with raised eyebrows.
"I'm so glad she's not pissed with me this time." Walter said softly.
"I would have done the same as H, he did grab her tightly." Eric said softly. Walter gave him a nod and carried on sterilising the bottles.
Meanwhile, Zoë stopped just behind one of the tents and turned to Horatio.
"I'm sorry, Horatio." She apologised.
"Don't worry, just take a deep breath sweetheart." Horatio said softly. She put her arms around his waist and put her head against his chest as she nodded.
"I'm only looking out for your safety, Zoë." Horatio said softly.
"He just took hold of my wrists, Horatio." She mumbled as he rubbed her back.
"Yes, but he held them tightly, I understand that he's delirious, but what if he had pushed you out of the way? You would have ended up in that fire, Zoë." Horatio said softly.
"I didn't think of that." She said as she looked up at him.
"I knew you hadn't which is why I pulled you away." Horatio said softly.
"I'm sorry, I should have known you were trying to help." Zoë said as she looked up at him.
"I understand sweetheart." Horatio said softly.
"But then why didn't you want me to go near him once you had him back on the seat?" She asked as she looked up at him.
"Because you have shorts on and he's not all there at the moment, Zoë." Horatio said softly.
"I agree with you pulling me away when we were by the fire, but not allowing me to treat him and check him over is over the top, you've got to admit that, surely?" She asked as she stepped back and took hold of his hands.
"Zoë, his hands could go anywhere sweetheart. Do you remember what happened last time he was delirious? He ran his hand up your leg, sweetheart." Horatio said softly and she looked up at him.
"That was different though, I can't crash a hummer here… if he done that then I'd just step away." She said as she looked up at him.
"I don't want him touching you inappropriately, Zoë, you must be able to understand that? Imagine how he'd feel when he comes around with us and remembered that he'd touched you inappropriately." Horatio said softly, trying to make her see it from a different angle.
"I guess so." She said as she looked up at him.
"See, I'm not just being overprotective, beautiful." Horatio said softly. She looked up at him and nodded. She stepped closer and then reached up to him and kissed him lightly.
"Thank you." She said softly and he gave her a smile.
"What was Ryan talking about earlier?" She asked as she looked up at him.
"Nothing sweetheart, it was just nonsense." Horatio said softly and she nodded at him.
"We should probably go back." Zoë said softly and Horatio nodded before giving her one last kiss. They walked back, hand in hand and then sat down with Eric and Walter.
"I would have thought you'd be gone a little longer." Walter said with a cheeky smile as he looked to Zoë. She laughed while Eric looked to Walter, shocked. Horatio hadn't cottoned on to what he meant.
"Don't worry, we'll save that for later." Zoë grinned at him, hoping to make him squirm. She laughed when he pulled a face.
"I'm joking, Walter." She said as she shook her head.
"Yeah, well just keep it down, will you?" He asked.
"Walter! That won't be happening." Zoë scolded playfully with a smile.
"Am I missing something?" Horatio asked before Eric and Walter looked round to him and both squirmed again.
"Don't worry about it Horatio, they're being childish." She said as she glanced over to him and then leant back in the chair. He looked from Eric, to Walter then to Zoë.
"Walter was talking about make-up sex." She said as she looked at Horatio. All 3 of them witness a shocked expression cross Horatio's face. Zoë grinned at him and then crossed her legs after pulling her feet up onto the seat.
"Sorry H." Walter apologised and then quickly looked back down at the bottles. A small smile appeared across Horatio's face when he saw Walter becoming uncomfortable.
"You're both as bad as each other." Eric grinned at Horatio and Zoë. They looked over to him and Zoë began to laugh while Horatio raised his eyebrows at Eric. Eric chuckled a little, he could see a different side of Horatio, Horatio seemed young and carefree. He never realised his boss was so laid back.
"Walter started it." Zoë grinned and Eric nodded. Walter looked up and saw the grin on Horatio's face.
"You have a wicked poker face, H." Walter grinned as he lightened up. Horatio stifled a chuckle and nodded at him. 'H just laughed at something I said?' Walter thought to himself, not quite believing it. Zoë glanced back to Ryan, Horatio then did the same and got up and walked over to him. He placed his hand against Ryan's forehead and then cooled him further.
"I'm going to the loo." Zoë said as she got up and began to walk out after picking up some baby wipes.
"One moment." Horatio said softly as he applied sun cream. Zoë turned to him and exhaled.
"You know I don't like you going on your own." Horatio said as he walked over to her. She rolled her eyes at him with a smile and then walked out with him.
"Keep an eye on Ryan." She said as she glanced back to Eric, he gave her a nod. She turned back around and walked away.
"H looks so much more relaxed than he does at work, even though we're on this island." Walter said to Eric.
"Well, he can't stay in work mode forever, even he's got to relax. Zoë definitely brings out a younger Horatio though, before Zoë, he would have never done that to you." Eric said with a small smile.
"That's a good thing though, I mean, he's got to keep up with her, I guess he does that by acting younger." Walter said softly and Eric nodded.
"Even I thought that he was going to flip after Zoë told him what you were talking about though." Eric chuckled a little.
"Do you think they've actually had sex since being here?" Walter questioned.
"Walter! Why are you so interested in their love life?" Eric questioned.
"I'm not…" He replied sharply.
"You clearly are, you bring it up more than any normal person. I don't want to discuss their sex life, that is their private business Walter." Eric said as he sat back. Walter remained silent.
"You like her, don't you?" Eric questioned and Walter looked over to him and shook his head.
"No I don't." Walter scoffed.
"Yes you do, you can't deny it." Eric said a little shocked, and even a little afraid as he knew if Horatio picked up on it, it wouldn't be pretty.
"I do not, Eric." Walter said sharply.
"Yeah, well, don't let Horatio let on to you, he'll shoot you down there so you can't do anything with it ever again…" Eric said quietly with a small smile at him. Walter swallowed and looked up at Eric.
"I'm not sure if your joking or not…" Walter said honestly.
"I'm not sure, either." Eric smiled at him. They changed the subject quickly as they could hear Horatio and Zoë returning. They could hear Zoë giggling. Both Horatio and Zoë walked into the shelter with smiles on their faces. Zoë walked over to the snack box and pulled out a packet of crisps she then quickly looked over to Ryan.
"Check his temperature please?" Zoë asked Horatio and he nodded at her and then did as she asked.
"38.8" Horatio said as he looked around to her and she gave him a nod. He joined the group and sat down as Zoë began to eat the crisps.
"What have you guys been talking about then?" Zoë asked softly as she crossed her legs again.
"Nothing really" Walter replied and she raised an eyebrow at him.
"Did you finish putting the tent up?" She asked and they nodded at her.
"Also finished the bottles" Walter smiled at her.
"Excellent, well done" she said softly with a natural smile. Zoë looked round to Horatio with a smile and then frowned when she saw him quickly pulling a tissue out of his pocket with a panicked expression. She could feel something running over her upper lip and raised her hand and placed the back of her hand against it. She brought her hand away and saw that she was bleeding. Horatio handed her the tissue quickly and she thanked him.
"Are you okay, Zoë?" Walter asked and she nodded at him.
"Just a nosebleed." She assured him as she sat back and pinched the bridge of her nose as she put the packet of crisps in her lap. She quickly let go of her nose and took her pulse and then went back to pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Are you okay?" Horatio asked and she nodded. He reached over and took hold of her wrist as she looked at him.
"Hold still." Horatio said as he leant over the chair and let go of her wrist. He placed the palm of his hand on her chest and could feel her heart beating forcefully and irregularly.
"Don't worry, I'm good." She said when she saw sheer panic cross his face.
"Zoë, can we lay you down?" Horatio asked and she shook her head.
"I'm good, it's probably just the heat." She said softly as she brought the tissue away from her nose. The bleeding had stopped.
"See, good." She smiled at him.
"Yes, but your pulse is irregular, I want you to lay down." Horatio said as he stood and grabbed a bottle of water.
"I'm fine, Horatio. It's just the heat. If something was really wrong, I'd feel it." She said as she looked up at him. He handed her the bottle of water and she took it with a reassuring smile.
"Seriously, do not worry." She said softly and Horatio gave her a reluctant nod.
"Why isn't your pacemaker fixing it?" Horatio questioned.
"Probably because it's not anything serious, Horatio." She said as she raised an eyebrow. She then took a few sips and thanked him for the water.
"Shouldn't it sort it out anyway?" Horatio asked.
"Not unless it's a dangerous arrhythmia, no." She said softly.
"Everyone gets an irregular heartbeat every now and then." She said softly and he gave her a reluctant nod.
"It's fine now." Zoë said after taking her pulse again.
"If you'll excuse me, I want to take a nap." She said as she got up.
"What? I'm tired. It's exhausting out here, don't tell me that you're full of energy." She said as she glanced back to Horatio when another concerned look crossed his face. He gave her a nod and she smiled at him.
"Keep a close eye on Ryan, I do not want to wake up to find him worse." She said softly and Horatio gave her a nod.
"I promise." Horatio said softly and she nodded at him. She then walked out and into the tent and laid down. She was taken almost instantly into the land of sleep.
"How do you keep up with her moods, H?" Walter asked casually and Horatio looked round to him a little annoyed, Walter could see that he'd crossed the line.
"I don't mean anything bad by it, I'm just amazed at how you manage to keep up with her fluctuating moods." Walter squirmed. Horatio refused to answer, instead he got up and made sure Ryan was okay.
"It's not her fault, Walter." Horatio mumbled as he walked back over to them.
"I know it's not her fault, I didn't say that. It must be difficult though?" Walter asked.
"I'd much rather deal with her mood swings than visit her grave, Walter." Horatio murmured quietly. Walter swallowed and nodded at him.
"I think I'm going to take a shower." Walter said softly and they both nodded at him. He got up and walked away after picking up a towel and clothes. Horatio looked back over to Eric and they began to talk.
"I'll be right back, I just want to make sure Zoë's okay." Horatio said softly and Eric nodded at him. Horatio promptly returned and then walked over to Ryan when Ryan let out a few low moans.
"Mr Wolfe, are you with us?" Horatio asked and Ryan let out a moan as Eric got up and walked over to them.
"Wolfe you're okay, how are you feeling?" Eric asked softly.
"Better, I think." Ryan said softly and they gave him a nod.
"Do you think you can sit up and have some water?" Horatio asked and Ryan gave him a nod.
"Where's Zoë?" Ryan questioned while Horatio picked up a bottle of water for him.
"She's taking a nap." Horatio said softly and Ryan nodded at him as he took the bottle from Horatio.
"Is she okay?" Ryan asked.
"Yes, she's just tired." Horatio said softly and Ryan nodded.
"Thanks, H." Ryan said as he looked up at Horatio and then sipped the water.
"Why am I soaking?" Ryan questioned.
"We had to cool you down, Wolfe, you had a high temperature, Zoë said it was heat exhaustion so we've kept you cool." Eric said softly and Ryan nodded at him.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Zoë asked sleepily as she rubbed one of her eyes and walked into the shade of the shelter.
"Better, thank you. How about you?" Ryan asked softly.
"Yeah, I'm good thanks." She said as she walked over to him and stood by Horatio as she placed her hand on his back.
"Do you think you're well enough to eat something, chocolate perhaps?" Zoë asked and Ryan gave her a nod. Zoë quickly picked up a chocolate bar and handed it to him. She gave him a smile after he thanked her. She quickly took his temperature.
"It's back within the normal ranges." She said happily before she walked over to one of the seats and sat in one. Horatio and Eric soon followed her while Ryan did his shirt up.
"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Horatio questioned quietly as he leant over to her.
"I'm good thanks handsome." She said as she looked back to him.
"Are you sure? You're looking a little pale again." Horatio said softly.
"Yeah, I'm sure. I'll have to rectify the paleness with some sunbathing soon then." She grinned at him and then sat back to finish the packet of crisps she had. Walter returned looking fresh and he dumped his clothes in his suitcase.
"Wolfe, how are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm good thanks Walter." Ryan replied as he got up and joined everyone else.
"Walter, do you not know how to fold?" Zoë questioned as she looked over to his mess of a suitcase.
"What's the point? No one will see it…" Walter said as he shrugged at her.
"I can see it…" Zoë grinned at him.
"You're welcome to fold it all if you want, I have no complaints." Walter grinned at her.
"I think you've just made my day! Thank you!" She grinned at him.
"What? Seriously?" Walter questioned, confused.
"No, I'm being sarcastic…" Zoë replied back to him as she chuckled a little. "But don't tempt me, if it gets any worse than that then I won't be able to help myself." She said as she raised an eyebrow.
"You won't see it anymore anyway, I was going to put it in my tent." Walter said as he flicked the lid over and zipped it up. He then lifted the case and walked out with it. They all heard a thump when he dropped it on the floor. Walter strolled back in.
"I've taken the end tent, you two have your pick of the other two." Walter smiled at Ryan and Eric.
"Who decided that Horatio and I have the tent we were all sharing?" Zoë asked as she looked around to them.
"I don't know, I guess I assumed." Walter shrugged at her again. "You don't have to have that tent." Walter said softly as he looked at her, fearing that she'd flip. 'I just assumed that they got the original tent as Horatio is the boss… and because she's basically the mother of the group. I don't think I should have assumed, she's going to slap me or something, I swear.' Walter thought to himself.
"I'm not too bothered to be perfectly honest." She said as she shrugged back at him and then got up to put the packet in the bin once she was finished with it. 'Wow… no slap and she's not bothered. Thank you whoever you are looking out for my beautiful face and keeping it intact.' Walter thought to himself as a small smile appeared across his face.
"We'll stay put." Horatio said softly and Zoë nodded at him with a sweet smile once she'd turned around and walked back to the seat. Eric got up and picked up his case and then walked out.
"That leaves you between me and Walter." Eric smiled at Ryan and he gave Eric a small smile and nod.
"I think I'm going to change out of these clothes and shower." Ryan said as he stood up and walked over to his case.
"If you think you're going to shower on your own, you've got another thing coming." Zoë said as she got up and turned to him. Ryan turned around and lowered his eyebrows.
"You could pass out or something." She said as she walked over to her case.
"Zoë…" Horatio said as he stood.
"Yes?" She asked as she glanced over to him.
"I'm sure Mr Wolfe wants his privacy." Horatio said calmly as he tilted his head at her.
"As long as he wears his boxers, that's fine by me." She said as she bent down and picked up her towel.
"You don't mind, do you?" She asked Ryan who tried to speak but nothing came out.
"Good." She said as she glanced over at Horatio.
"It's okay Zoë, I'll go with Eric." Ryan said as he shuffled nervously on his feet under Horatio's fiery gaze.
"I still want to go with the both of you, what would Eric do if you were to collapse on those rocks and split your head open?" Zoë questioned, she glanced over to Horatio and then placed her hand on her hip when she saw the look on his face.
"I don't see the problem with it, I'm going to put it out there." Zoë said as she looked at Horatio, then to Ryan and Eric.
"May I have a word, with you, Horatio?" She asked and he nodded at her. They walked out of the shelter, they could all see the both of them, but couldn't hear them.
"What's your problem with this?" She asked softly, looking up at him.
"I'm not comfortable with you showering with Ryan, or Eric for that matter." Horatio said calmly.
"I won't be showering with them, I just simply want to make sure Ryan doesn't hurt himself. Seriously, what if he did collapse and split his head open? Eric wouldn't have a clue what to do." Zoë said as she squinted at him.
"You're not going to shower with either of them?" Horatio asked.
"Of course not" Zoë said as she lowered her eyebrows. Horatio seemed to relax a little.
"You really thought I'd shower with them?" Zoë questioned and Horatio nodded at her. She couldn't help but laugh. They could all hear Zoë laughing and was confused about what they were talking about.
"They can shower, then I'll shower. You can even come a long if you want? I don't mind. They're not going to see anything, Horatio. I'll be wearing my bra and pants. It's the same as wearing a bikini." She smiled at him.
"I'd rather not, which is why I am having a problem with you going as I won't be there." Horatio said quietly.
"So? What's the problem with that? I won't be on my own." She said, genuinely confused as to why he was having a problem with it.
"No, but you know Ryan likes you." Horatio said calmly.
"He wouldn't dare try anything with me, Horatio, you know that. Do you really think I'd let him try anything with me? I'm pretty sure I'd castrate him myself if he did. Anyway, Eric is there too." She said looking up at him.
"I don't doubt that you'd castrate him, but I'm a little weary of you wearing so little around him." Horatio said honestly.
"He's seen me in a bikini before, Horatio. What's the difference between him and a stranger seeing me wearing one?" Zoë asked.
"He's what?" Horatio questioned, shocked.
"It was ages ago, I was off work because of some illness or accident and I had fallen asleep outside in a bikini, he came round to check that I was okay." Zoë said softly.
"He didn't try anything then, did he?" Horatio questioned frantically.
"No, of course not! I think he was just as shocked as I was." Zoë smiled up at him.
"Okay, but if he tries anything, and I will know then I will not be held responsible for my actions." Horatio said lowly.
"Horatio! What is wrong with you? He won't try anything. Like he'd try anything there with Eric around anyway. I'm pretty sure Eric would drown Ryan if he tried anything on with me." Zoë chuckled.
"I want you to realise that Eric is the only reason why I'm agreeing to this." Horatio said as he placed a hand on his hip.
"I know, I know. Do you want to call him over so you can give him your orders?" Zoë asked sarcastically.
"Eric, will you come here a moment please?" Horatio questioned.
"I was joking, Horatio…" She said as she raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not." Horatio replied as Eric made his way over to them. Zoë crossed her arms as she sulked a little.
"I hope you can understand why I'm a little weary about this?" Horatio asked softly and Eric nodded at him.
"But Zoë has convinced me to let her go with you both. Will you just keep an eye on Mr Wolfe, please? Make sure he doesn't step out of line, please." Horatio said as he glanced over to Zoë.
"Of course, H. He wouldn't try anything though." Eric assured him.
"I just want you to make sure of it." Horatio said sternly and Eric nodded at him and then looked to Zoë.
"You may as well say 'I don't trust my fiancé'." Zoë said bitterly as she looked up at him.
"I trust you 100%, it's him that I don't trust, not after he took advantage." Horatio said lowly back. Eric's eyes widened.
"For the last bloody time, he didn't take advantage." Zoë hissed at him.
"I know this isn't my place to say, but they were under the influence of drugs." Eric stepped in quietly.
"This has nothing to do with that, this was after Zoë had come back from the hospital and in no state of mind for anything." Horatio said softly, trying to keep the situation under control. Eric stepped back.
"Zoë, you're vulnerable at the moment, just like the last time. You may not be thinking clearly, this is a stressful situation, he would not have stopped if you didn't realise what was happening. He took advantage of you, how can you expect me to trust him fully ever again?" Horatio questioned as he put his hands on his hips.
"Fuck off, Horatio." She raised her voice and then turned and walked away, towards the jungle. Eric was shocked, Horatio was too; she'd never sworn at him before. She was even a little shocked herself but stood her ground and continued to walk away, fuming.