Hello! I have a new chapter. Not for Stetler fans, just a warning. Or Natalia fans. Just wait for the future. So, I hope you like it. Just wait and see. The usual warnings. Mistakes are mine, and Alice. CC is welcomed, and Reviews are loved. CSI Miami is not mine. Seriously, would I be here if I owned it? :)
"Hey Natalia. Are you ok?" He noticed the tired look on her face.
"No Ryan, I'm not ok." She was frustrated and angry. "I'm tired of it. I'm tired of hearing what everyone is thinking."
"Then just turn it off."
"I can't. I get a headache either way."
"It's ok. Everything will be fine."
"That's easy for you to say. You're not constantly annoyed by every single thought."
"I also can't look into people's eyes without knowing what they did. Natalia, you've got to slow down. Turn it off; you'll get use to it."
She sighed. "Ok."
"I have to go. Talk to ya later."
"Bye."
"Bye."
Natalia sighed again. She was taking this harder than anyone. She hated this. She wanted her normal life back. To her, the power was useless. Nothing like Horatio's, Eric's, or even Ryan's. In a way, she was jealous. She wanted what they had. Ok, Natalia envied them. If she had a choice, she would one of their powers, or nothing at all.
She looked at the clock. 'Guess my shifts over.' Natalia cleaned up her work space and grabbed her keys. In the parking lot, she was stopped. She looked to see who it was. "What do you want?" she almost hissed.
"I know you feel useless, but I can change that. You can have a purpose."
Natalia thought about it. "What do I need to do?"
There was smile. "Bring me Wolfe."
"What do you need him for?"
"The same way I need you."
Natalia didn't like this man, but a chance to be needed was an opportunity she truly wanted. "Ok Stetler, I'll do it."
"Good. I'll you when. You just wait for the right moment." Natalia began to walk away. "And Natalia."
"Yes."
"Stay away from the girl and never look Wolfe in the eyes. Promise?"
"Promise."
"Good. See you soon." Natalia went to her car. Natalia couldn't believe it. She breathed in. 'A purpose.' She drove home almost breathless.
"Ryan?"
"Yes Alice?"
"Can I call you dad? It's been a few months now. Are you allowed to keep me?"
Ryan smiled at her. "Yes, to all your questions."
Alice smiled and jumped into Ryan. "I have a new daddy!"
Ryan hugged her. "Come on; let's go. I have come one I want you to meet."
"She seems nice. What's her name?"
"Alexx. She used to…"
"Work with you."
"Of course."
"So, she invited you to dinner and you wanted to show her to me."
"Sometimes, you're too smart for your own good."
"Your mom use to tell you that."
"And you're fantastic at reading minds."
"Thank you very much."
"Come on, we've got to get ready to go."
Alice laughed and ran into the house. Ryan just shook his head and smiled, following her into the house.
"Ryan! My baby. It's been to long."
"Hey! I want you to meet someone."
Alice was hiding shyly behind Ryan. "You can come out Alice." He picked her up.
Alexx light up. "Hello there. You're name is Alice? That's a pretty name." Alice was bright red. "Come with me. I have some toys leftover from when my kids where little." Alice nodded and followed.
Alexx came back a few minutes later. "Ryan, she is the sweetest little girl. I didn't know you had any kids."
"I just adopted her. Her parents died a few months ago. I just became attached."
"Adopted? Well, she's beautiful." Turned and looked back at Ryan. "Henry should be home soon. The kids are at their friends houses."
"That's great."
Alice ran to Ryan. "Can I have my toy spider?"
Ryan nodded. "Yes, I'll get him in the car."
"Thank you! Now I can get to know Alexx." Ryan walked out of the house. "So you're Alexx?"
"Yes sweaty, I am."
"You're a doctor?"
"Yes, I am. How'd you know?"
"Dad told me. I want to be an entomologist."
"You like bugs?"
"Yes. It freaks dad out. He's a clean freak."
"You're a smart little girl."
"Sometimes, I like to show off. It makes Horatio smile. He's really cool."
Ryan walked in. "Had to do some digging, but I found him. Here ya go."
Alice smiled. "Thank you!" and she went to the living room to play.
"Where'd you find her?"
"She was a neighbor. She needed me."
"How'd they go?" Alexx whispered.
"They were murdered." Ryan whispered back.
"Well, dinner is almost done. You can sit out here and wait with Alice."
"Thanks for inviting me Alexx."
"Anytime Ryan. Anytime." And the night went on. Alice happy to meet this other cool person her new dad knew, Ryan happy to be out with a friend, and Alexx having dinner with her husband, Ryan, and Ryan's daughter, Alice. 'None of them know of what's going to happen.' Rick Stetler stood across the street, watching. The little girl wasn't listening to thoughts right. Rick smiled. "None of them do." He walked down the street to his car. With Natalia by his side, he couldn't fail.
It's Grissoms fault! All his fault! He made do it! (In my head.) *smiles*