A/N: Hey guys! I am very sorry about not updating for almost months. I been tied up with grad school application and finally that is over! Also work has been very busy. I know how frustrating it is when an author does not update the story. So I like to take the chance to thank everyone for putting up with me!

Enjoy and as always reviews are the best gift!

Chapter 10: You never give him a chance to explain

Natalia and Calleigh went to check out the newspaper warehouse that Natalia's friend informed her about.

The ride was a silent one. Calleigh drove as Natalia looked out the window.

Calleigh heard about the exchange between Natalia and Horatio from Eric. She wanted to shake Natalia but she also understood their priority was to find Ryan.

"Miami-Dade police already cleared the area. They said they found some syringes and a rope on the ground. Ryan could have been held here." Natalia said as she and Calleigh entered the warehouse.

Calleigh walked over to where a handful emptied syringes were. She opened her tool box, put on latex gloves and picked-up one of the syringes.

"We wouldn't know for sure if Ryan was here until we get this back to the lab." Calleigh said.

"Yea." Natalia agreed. But somehow deep down she could feel Ryan was here and he was hurt by those monsters.

Natallia and Calleigh collected the evidences in silence. Neither spoke to the other during the process.

"Ok this is killing me; we can't pretend like nothing happen." Calleigh finally broke the silence.

"I don't have to explain." Natalia quickly defended herself.

"No, but of all the people you went to Rick!" Calleigh raised her voice a little. She couldn't believe that a rational person like Natalia would go to Rick for help.

"Rick helped me." Natalia answered back.

"Honestly Natalia, you believe Horatio would hurt Ryan?" Calleigh asked as both of them stopped in front the Hummer.

"Then explain to me why he thinks Ryan is expendable?" Natalia answer back with her own question.

"You and Jesse never gave Horatio a chance to explain, charging into there and accusing him. But most of all, you and Jesse hurt him like no one else has in the past. Did you even stop and think about what you have done?" Calleigh stared at Natalia.

"No, because I have been too busy thinking whether Ryan is alive or dead!" Natalia shouted back.

"You think you are the only one that cares? I made the call and I know I am solely responsible for Ryan's life. If you got something then take it out on me. Leave Horatio out of this. He has done nothing but worry about Ryan and the rest of us for the past 48 hours. He barely eats or sleeps!" It was Calleigh's turn to yell back.

"Oh cut the bullshit Calleigh, he is not that innocent." Natalia fired back.

Calleigh wanted to punch Natalia then and there. But somehow she stopped herself.

"No…he is not…he bears more guilt and blame than anyone. Next time when you get a chance to see him, take a good look at his face and see how he had aged compare to when you first joined us. He practically has exhausted himself for this lab! He is sick" Calleigh trailed off.

"What?..."Natalia looked up. "What did you said?"

"I don't know!" Calleigh immediately regretted revealing the information. She wasn't sure, but she was sure she saw something. "I saw him a couple of weeks ago in the lunch room coughing and he had a napkin covering his mouth. I didn't think of anything then…but after Horatio left and I walked over to throw away my trash, I saw the napkin he threw in the trashcan. There was blood on it…I was sure."

"Why didn't you tell us about this?" Natalia threw her hand up in the air to vent her frustration.

"I wasn't sure. I asked Horatio later if he was ok, if he was seeing a doctor." Calleigh defended. "But really Natalia, would it have made a difference?"

"No, I mean yes, I mean no, I mean this kind lack of communication is what going to break us apart." Natalia said sadly. "I don't want that to happen…"

"Me either." Calleigh exhaled deeply.

"Does Eric know?" Natalia asked.

"No, I didn't want to alert him. I don't know what to say to him." Calleigh answered.

"Do you think Horatio is ok?" Natalia asked regretfully.

"I don't know anymore." Calleigh answered. "But I am 100 percent sure that Horatio would never put Ryan in danger. He cares deeply about all of us."

Natalia wanted to shoot herself. She felt incredibly stupid for what she had done. How could she doubt Horatio? The man would give his life for her in a heartbeat.

"Let's go back first. We will talk about this after we find Ryan." Calleigh said as she opened the Hummer door for Natalia.

"Ok" Natalia simply agreed.

"Did you know Horatio was the first CSI?

"He was... the what?"

"In Hamlet, When Hamlet was poisoned and dying, he asked his best friend Horatio to tell the world who murdered him."

-CSI Miami 1.15