Ridley looked at herself in the mirror with unease, biting at her lip slightly as she fiddled with her long, dark hair, which had been styled into loose curls. All she could see were scars, the faint, pink ones at her throat and the much fresher, still red ones down her bare right arm, and the ones on her exposed legs, yeah they were faint too and in certain lights barely there, probably wouldn't be noticeable with a tan but that was something Ridley wasn't giving into just yet. She liked her fair skin, it wasn't like it was unusually pale, downright normal back in New York in fact but here people acted like she was border lining on being a vampire, except Tim who commented teasingly that he had always liked Snow White best in the fairytales.

Her dress had been bought in New York, cut in a V shape at the chest, tight at the waist with a flared skirt that ended between her waist and knees, it was modest for Miami and yet despite how flattering it was Ridley just felt exposed in it. It had bows at her shoulders instead of sleeves and another bow at the back of the waist, all of the bows had mock ruby jewels at their centres framed in gold, and there was intricate detail on the front of the bodice suggesting roses. With it Ridley was wearing a pair of black court shoes with bows at the centre. She wanted her scarf but she knew it looked absurd with the dress and clashed. So instead she grabbed a black blazer, slung it on, buttoned it up and then tugged her hair over her right shoulder so that at least part of the scarring was concealed.

She was ready to change her outfit entirely when the doorbell rang. She turned from her mirror; a cheap and quick purchase after the last had been cracked, grabbed her black handbag and hastened to the door. She peered through the keyhole nervously before tugging the door open with the gold chain still on, it was how she always answered the door whether she was expecting someone or not. Seeing Calleigh she greeted her with a smile, tugged off the chain and opened the door fully.

"Ready?" the blonde quipped with a wide smile. As expected, the Southern belle looked beautiful, her hair was down in straight, pale gold waves, her eye shadow was dusky, her lips plump and pink and she was wearing a flattering pink, silk dress, low cut to show off her ample cleavage with two straps at the shoulders. It seemed to almost be layered with a tight band of pink silk at the waist and two folds below the chest. She was also wearing the dangling diamond earrings Ridley had gotten her for her birthday, and a pearl and crystal necklace that matched the earrings well. In one hand she held a pink satin and crystal clutch, though long and thin Ridley suspected Calleigh could and probably had fit a firearm into it.

"Ready," Ridley retorted with false confidence as she stepped out to the pleasantly warm October night and tugged her door shut behind her before turning to lock it tight. She then followed the taller blonde into the waiting taxi, sitting beside her on the worn leather seats and sharing a small smile. "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to the weather down here," Ridley murmured.

"Oh you will," Calleigh retorted happily, "hurricanes, thunderstorms without warning, unexpected heat waves, although we didn't get much of that this summer, and rain when you least expect it."

"Yeah it's the warm rain that bothers me," Ridley murmured, "I mean it's like God is peeing on you."

Calleigh burst into laughter at that analogy and the taxi driver gave an appreciative snort. A little bit more relaxed, Ridley and Calleigh continued their journey in good humour. Ridley appreciated Calleigh getting a taxi from her house all the way to Ridley's so she wouldn't have to get a lift alone, although she had pondered to herself why Tim hadn't offered to get a lift with her but then he and Eric had both made murmurings about working late together and going to the bar from work.

"So what kind of bar is this?" Ridley wondered curiously as the taxi entered the flashy neon lights of the centre city. "That we have to be dressed up for."

"Oh you go dressed up everywhere in Miami," the blonde retorted, "haven't you learned that? Club, bar, beach, you never know where you're going to end up so you always go prepared. Easier for guys though, no one seems to care much what they wear." She shook her head scornfully at this.

There was a moment of silence, save for the driver's idea of music, which seemed to be Latin swing, before Ridley spoke up quietly. "Hey Calleigh, how does Tim seem to you?"

Calleigh looked at her friend curiously with a gentle, pale blue gaze. "Alright, maybe slightly moodier than usual at times and tired but hey he did have a pretty bad incident, I mean he almost died. Why?"

Ridley shrugged. "I was just curious I mean we talk but we're both...in therapy, it's a little weird and I don't think he likes to share about that. Plus, I want to talk about it with him but...I keep having nightmares about him lying there bleeding only," her voice dropped another octave, "only it's different...it's the Suburban killer with those horrible violet eyes standing there with the gun." She shuddered as she suppressed the memory of the dream. "I feel like I'm being selfish, too caught in my own issues to properly notice his, and mine were so long ago."

"Yours were terrible," Calleigh retorted sympathetically, "and many." She gave her friend a faint, consoling smile. "And you're not being selfish Ridley it must be very difficult, for both of you, trying to deal with your own issues and now each other's but you are both trying and that's good and important. Look, I'm keeping an eye on Tim, so are Eric and Alexx and Horatio, so don't worry plus he's surprisingly better at attending therapy than you."

Ridley winced slightly at Calleigh's look of disapproval. After two weeks off and Horatio's lecture followed by Tim's, Ridley had returned reluctantly to Dr. Young's scorn. Of course the psychiatrist had been worse than ever and continued to be so, prompting Ridley into several states of anger and depression all at once as she laid on the guilt thickly and suggested that associating with Tim would only hinder his recovery. Ridley had admitted that one to Tim quietly, resulting in several curse words and threats aimed at Dr. Young before Ridley had calmed enough to assure him that she only cared about it if he agreed with it, which of course he did not. So Ridley continued to see Dr. Young but in the past couple of weeks she had managed to storm off from three sessions and miss two. Horatio had offered to bring in another psychiatrist but Ridley had grumbled that it would probably be a lot worse having to begin her sordid tale again with yet another stranger.

"We're here," the taxi driver announced.

Calleigh and Ridley divided up the fare and tip before hastening out onto the concrete pavement. As always it was a busy night with pedestrians and traffic galore. There were party goers and clubbers of all ages, promoters for bars and clubs desperate to bring in the autumn business now that they were officially out of season, people out for late meals, the cinema or simply just out going about their business. Ridley liked it, New York had never slept either and it was always comforting to know that no matter the hour people were awake just like her. She breathed in the sea air with a pleasant sigh, it was another thing she didn't think she would ever get used to. They walked along the pavement for a few minutes bathed in the golden glow of streetlamps and the neon lights of clubs and hotels alike as they walked between the beach and the road, nature and civilisation in a strange sort of harmony.

"There it is, The Beach Hut, it's new, well new this year," Calleigh explained as she pointed to a lively establishment on the beach. It was a large, wide, wooden building with a straw roof sitting on a stone foundation with a wooden decking beside it that was surprisingly spacious with an off white awning hanging above it. There were numerous off-white canopies sheltering wooden benches and some comfortable looking square, wooden chairs with plump, white cushioned bases and backs, and round, wooden tables between them. There were several palm trees with neon coloured rings on them- red, blue, green, pink, purple and orange, it varied from tree to tree. As they grew closer they became aware as to how busy it was as laughter, chatter and music called out from it, Ridley's eyes also widened a little as she realised the wooden decking was actually a dance floor complete with a DJ.

"Um so bar," Ridley murmured dryly as they saw the small, wonky, wooden fencing indicating the territory of the place and the wooden steps leading up to the main building. At the main door two tall, fake, flickering flames greeted them and in front of them was the expected, six feet something, all muscle bouncer. The sign 'The Beach Hut' was in green neon with a yellow barked and green leafed palm tree on either side. Calleigh rolled her eyes at the clichéd image whilst Ridley smiled, still new enough to Miami to enjoy the palm imagery that seemed to be everywhere.

"Club like bar," Calleigh offered with a slightly wider smile as she scanned the numerous people. She flashed her bright smile at the bouncer before they headed into the club itself.

It was much bigger than expected with a crowded bar lit up by rippling, blue lights probably meant to mimic water, several booths with plush tops and cushions for decor and comfort, a few tables with two chairs to them, doors indicating toilets and another dance floor to the right in a pit with its own DJ and a sign promising a foam party later. The dance floor's current occupants played with several blown up beach balls and an inflatable dolphin and crocodile.

The club seemed to have a combination of nautical and pirate for its theme with ship wheels decorating the bottom of the bar, a skull and crossbones flag hanging at the back below the bottles, parrot teddies and pirate statues sitting in the walls, which also had thick netting draped over them, dried starfish and sea horses hung on them, and a collection of pirate hats.

As Ridley took in the club goers she realised that even without her blazer she would probably still count as covered up. Most women had opted for bras, bralets, bikini tops, hot pants, shorts and miniskirts, and those wearing dresses wore ones that were skin tight, had numerous slits, were see through and sometimes all three at once.

Calleigh led the way to the bar. It didn't take long for the blonde to make her way through as men seemed to part for her with little difficulty. After she and Ridley both turned down several offers of free drinks, they were finally able to order a couple of cocktails.

After close to half an hour had trickled by Ridley and Calleigh found themselves moving on to their third cocktails. They had gossiped about everything from work to clothes to shopping and whether Horatio was into a certain ringmaster or Yelina more. Ridley had finally surrendered her blazer to the club's closet at Calleigh's persuasion and though she kept tugging her hair over her shoulder every two minutes and kept crossing her legs and folding her arms she did feel strangely better about it.

After another ten minutes Calleigh got a text message on her phone that prompted her to smile widely before she dragged Ridley to the bar, got them another couple of cocktails and then led the way outside, one hand clutching the stem of a Cosmopolitan tightly whilst the other swung Ridley's left hand to and fro as they laughed.

"You're late!" the blonde cried out cheerfully to the two men who looked at them dubiously before they shared an amused glance.

Ridley looked at them in surprise, she was certain it was Eric and Tim and yet...well they weren't dressed quite like Eric and Tim. They looked fancy almost, not too fancy of course, she suspected Tim was incapable of that, but definitely better than usual; Tim was even wearing trousers instead of his usual jeans. Eric wore a flattering blue and green checked, short sleeved shirt, stylish, designer looking jeans and polished, brown shoes whilst Tim wore dark grey trousers and a soft, cotton, black shirt with gold buttons that was fitted with no room for a t-shirt underneath unlike his usual shirts. He looked decidedly uncomfortable and unlike Eric had not bothered to shave, or style his hair.

"What's the occasion?" Ridley queried in bafflement as she stumbled slightly when her heels met sand prompting Calleigh to let out a peal of laughter.

"Whatever one you girls already started celebrating," Tim answered sardonically.

Eric rushed to Calleigh's side, offering his hand to her with a small smile. "Can I escort you to a table?" he queried teasingly with a grin.

"Certainly," Calleigh answered merrily as she broke from Ridley to take Eric's waiting hand. "You guys should have come sooner," she scolded, "Ridley and I have had to pay for our own drinks."

Eric laughed at that and shook his head. "Calleigh you both look stunning tonight I refuse to believe no one's offered to buy either of you a drink."

"Oh they have," she retorted airily even as her cheeks darkened, "but we had to turn them down, told them we already had guys to buy for us."

"Was it pay day?" Tim queried mockingly, earning a glower from Calleigh. "I'm joking," he said dryly." He looked at the New Yorker with a small smile and held out a hand to her.

Ridley accepted it with her own embarrassed smile and allowed Tim to guide her after Eric and Calleigh to a table with two chairs opposite each other, both wide enough for two. They were made of sticks with cream cushions and had a round, wooden table between them with a candle burning in a blue glass holder in the centre. Calleigh and Ridley sat opposite each other and placed their cocktails onto the table.

"Sit tight while Speed and I get ourselves some drinks," Eric said with a grin before he hastened to the main building with Tim.

Once they were gone Ridley gave the blonde a quizzical look. "What's going on?" she demanded.

"What do you mean?" the blonde quipped with a coy smile before she sipped at her drink.

"This is a club not a bar and those two did not come from work," Ridley answered as her stare turned suspicious.

Calleigh shrugged as her smile widened. "I don't know about that but they look well for a change, Eric looks handsome." Her cheeks blushed a flattering dusky crimson as she bowed her head slightly and took another deep sip from her glass.

Ridley smiled this time. "You and him would certainly make an attractive couple," she teased. She took a deep gulp from her own glass and then remarked quietly, "I always wondered why you hadn't...well hadn't gotten together. I mean at Christmas I thought..."

"Me too," Calleigh confessed wistfully as she pushed back a strand of her long hair, "and we did for a while but...well it just didn't work out at the time but I would like it to Ridley, I really care about him."

Ridley nodded in agreement as she continued to fidget with her hair, still conscious of her scars despite the growing influence of alcohol.

The men finally rejoined them, Eric sitting beside Calleigh though he appeared shy about doing so and kept a small gap between them, and Tim sitting beside Ridley. Tim turned and looked at Ridley, locking eyes with her as if they were completely alone. "You look beautiful tonight you know," he said quietly with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

Ridley smiled back even as her right hand jerked up to her throat instinctively and she seemed to clutch at it as if she could hide the scars with her fingers. "Thank you," she murmured, "you too er..." She faltered as her cheeks burned red and she bowed her head as Tim let out a snicker. "I mean you look...good," she finished lamely.

"Beats dishevelled," he retorted humorously.

Time seemed to flow by them with ease; they talked openly amongst each other sharing fun stories, and joking around with each other as they shared drinks. Noticing Ridley's endless unease over her throat, prompted Tim to quip, "which colour do you prefer- red, orange, blue or purple?"

Ridley looked at him in confusion. "Why?"

"Just pick," he urged.

"Is it a game?" Calleigh pried with a smile before she turned to Eric. "Do you get it?"

Eric shook his head helplessly before finishing off his pint.

"Purple," Ridley decided at last.

Tim hastened from his seat and they all watched curiously as he headed over to one of the palm trees, specifically one with purple glow rings encircling it. He unfastened one hastily and returned to Ridley, holding it up and out to her expectantly. "It's not a necklace but it's close enough, right?"

"Aww," Calleigh exclaimed as she clapped her hands together and looked over at them in awe, "that's so cute Speed."

Tim frowned slightly at the blonde's exclamation though he continued to hold Ridley's gaze, looking at her hopefully.

"Thank you," Ridley murmured softly as she leaned forward and allowed him to put it on, resisting the urge to flinch as his fingertips brushed against her skin.

"You don't need it you know," Tim insisted, "I told you, you look beautiful."

"I...thanks anyway," Ridley retorted awkwardly.

The boys headed back in for more drinks and when they returned Calleigh was quick to lean against Eric with a smile.

Tim fidgeted with something in his trouser pocket before plucking out a fake yellow flower he had snatched up from one of the tables inside. He looked at Ridley again and reached for her right wrist gently, holding it up before he brought the stem of the flower towards it and started twisting it around. "It's not a great corsage but it's better than none," he murmured as he knotted it on clumsily.

"Um...what?" Ridley blinked at it and then him in confusion.

Tim flashed her a small smile. "You said you wanted to get dressed up for that one special dance with a cute guy and lights and ribbons," he reminded her almost teasingly. "Well you're dressed up with ribbons, there are lights, I think I qualify as a cute guy and...well..." He stood up and held out one hand to her. He was obviously struggling to hide his unease but he managed it admirably despite Calleigh's squeals and giggles of approval. "It's an alright song isn't it?" Tim muttered uncomfortably.

"You remembered," Ridley retorted, almost in a whisper as she stared up at him in disbelief.

"We all did," Tim murmured.

"It sucked that you didn't get to go to prom," Eric chirped up, "and this isn't prom but it's better because you actually like your date." He turned to Calleigh with a smile, tensing in surprise when she gave him a sudden, brief kiss before pulling back with a teasing grin.

"You know if you don't take my hand soon I'm going to get a complex," Tim grumbled.

Ridley giggled before taking his hand at last and allowing him to pull her to a secluded part on the beach that was still close enough to be under the warm glow of the lights and for the music to be audible.

Horatio and Yelina arrived at the edge of the club close to half an hour later. The brunette spotted the silhouettes indicating two people in a close embrace at the edge of the club's territory on the sand and looked to them curiously. As they got closer the redhead gave a flicker of a smile as he realised who the pair were. Tim and Ridley, oblivious to everyone else, were sharing a deep kiss.

"Horatio!" Calleigh called out happily as she gave him a bright smile from her vantage point on the wooden decking dance floor.

Eric's eyes went wide as he looked past Calleigh in disbelief before drawing back slightly as a wash of embarrassment swept over him. He managed to take in enough to see that Yelina looked stunning in a glittering, flattering dress of silver sequins.

The blonde was quick to grab Eric's hand, tugging him from the decking, through the main club and down to Horatio and Yelina. Horatio almost looked like he was dressed for work minus the badge, blazer, gun and shades, though Eric suspected the gun was probably somewhere just not visible. The redhead was wearing a pale blue shirt, grey trousers and black shoes and despite standing close to Yelina it was obvious they were trying to appear as 'just friends'.

"I'm so glad you made it!" Calleigh cried out in delight. She turned looking for Ridley and Tim before spying them in a close embrace. "Um...well Tim and Ridley are here but we could probably get some drinks without them." She turned to Yelina with a friendly smile. "I love your dress."

"Thank you, you look lovely Calleigh," Yelina retorted merrily.

It was another ten minutes before Ridley and Tim rejoined the others hand in hand, both with a look of astonishment when they spotted Horatio and Yelina.

"Is that...a corsage?" Yelina queried in puzzlement as she looked at the yellow flower on Ridley's wrist.

"Something like that," the New Yorker retorted with a small smile.

"It's a special Miami prom," Calleigh commented with conspiratorial look.

Horatio gave a small smile at that as he realised what his co-workers were trying to do for Ridley.

"You're looking well Speedle," Yelina remarked brightly, "I'm glad to see you're back on your feet."

"Um...yeah," Tim answered awkwardly as he paled just a little. "Thanks."

"Too bad they're both left feet," Eric was quick to jest, "Speed you are the worst dancer." He hastened towards Ridley and held out a hand. "Come on Ridley this is your prom night you deserve at least one good dance."

Ridley accepted Eric's hand with a giggle and allowed him to hasten her to the edge of the chairs and spin her about across the sand to a lively song.

The night continued pleasantly, Calleigh and Ridley shared many dances on the wooden decking and across the sand, enticing Yelina up for a few with them. Horatio refused any offers to dance, instead keeping Tim company when Eric was dragged up by Calleigh to join her, Yelina and Ridley. The redhead could see that Tim was in a lot of pain despite his best efforts to hide it, he was slumped slightly against his seat, tense, and his breaths were laboured and forced.

"This was a nice idea," Horatio commented amicably to the traces expert.

Tim nodded back from his position opposite his superior. "It was Delko's," he confessed.

Horatio nodded. "It's nice to see Ridley having fun."

"Yeah, it is," Tim agreed sincerely. He followed Horatio's gaze to the wooden decking where the others danced. "I know you don't approve of us H but I'm not letting go of her again, it feels right with her. I just hope I can protect her when it counts." He winced slightly as a fresh pang burned through his chest, ever a reminder of his vulnerability.

"You can Speed," Horatio assured.

The evening drew to an end just after one in the morning when thick, heavy rainclouds began to appear overhead. Horatio and Yelina slipped away discreetly with a brief farewell to the team who headed for a stroll along the beach, Calleigh and Ridley with their shoes in their hands as they dared each other to dip their toes in the sea.

"It's freezing!" Ridley shrieked between laughs as she ran in up to her ankles and shuddered as a small wave broke and the water rippled through her toes.

"It's wonderful!" Calleigh enthused as she dared to go a couple of inches further in.

"It's wet," Tim remarked dryly as he shook his head at the pair. "Come on, it's going to rain in a minute."

As if on cue there was a low rumble from above. Ridley's eyes widened a little as she scurried out of the ocean again. "Not another fricking storm," she grumbled.

"They're fun to watch," the blonde chirped.

"Yeah from indoors," Eric was quick to add. "Let's get a taxi."

They hastened back off the beach and to a taxi depot. Afraid of Calleigh suggesting going home Eric was swift to point out that Speed's house was closest. He looked pleadingly at his friend when he got a brown eyed look of disapproval. Tim relented when another rumble sounded from above and he saw Ridley whiten just a little.

It took just twenty minutes to reach Tim's house and when they did the storm was in full swing. They raced through pelting rain to the door, Eric cursing at Tim as he fumbled for his keys whilst Calleigh 'oooed' at the lightning and Ridley seemed to go noticeably quiet and shrink against the wall. Once they were inside Tim was quick to flick on the lights and mutter to everyone to make themselves at home, alluding to the spare bedroom and the couch.

Eric pounced for the television remote, flicking through channels until he found a comedy film to play in the background whilst Calleigh commented condescendingly about the state of the place. The blonde's blue eyes widened when she spied the half-crinkled photograph of Ridley and was quick to snatch it up. "Now this is cute," she enthused before she flashed to Eric and Ridley.

Eric looked at it in puzzlement, knowing he had seen it before though he couldn't remember where. His brown eyes seemed to spark with a dark recognition prompting Tim to shake his head warningly.

Ridley merely blushed with a half-smile before dismissing herself to the bathroom. Calleigh and Eric seated themselves close together on Tim's couch, Calleigh with one hand on Eric's leg as she leaned against him and feigned interest in the television. The truth was neither of them wanted to go home yet because it meant leaving the other. Tim frowned and shook his head chidingly as he watched the pair exchange small glances and smiles before Eric finally found the courage to give the blonde another kiss. It wasn't that Tim disapproved, he was definitely all for Calleigh and Eric, it was more he didn't quite appreciate it on his couch at half two in the morning.

Tim soon noticed that Ridley had spent an inordinate amount of time at the toilet and headed off quietly to look for her. Eric and Calleigh were oblivious to either one's absence.

Tim halted in the corridor when he spotted Ridley there, frozen as she stared through the open doorway of Tim's spare room. He sighed quietly before tugging his hands out of his pockets and walking on as he wondered how long she had been standing there. "Ridley?"

She turned to him sharply with the wide eyes of a startled deer before looking confused and then just uneasy. "Sorry," she murmured quietly. "I just...it was right here." She only just managed to suppress a shudder.

"I know," Tim retorted softly, "and I think about it all the time, my gun lying there, completely useless."

Ridley shook her head. "He was like a shadow...Dr. Young says he was just a man but God Tim he wasn't, he wasn't!"

Tim stepped forward and embraced her lightly with one arm, drawing her close against his warm torso. "Hey, come on now, he's dead, don't let him ruin anymore of your life."

She sniffled as she nodded against him. "I can't stay here."

"You don't have to," Tim assured, "although I'd like it...we can stay in the living room if you'd like."

Ridley swallowed hard as she debated the issue, tensing as another flash of lightning illuminated the dark windows. She knew she didn't want to go home, not just because she would be alone in a storm but because she simply did not want to leave, tonight had been fantastic and she didn't want it to end and she didn't want to leave Tim. "Maybe later," she said reluctantly, not wanting Calleigh or Eric to see her distraught state. "Could...could we sit in your room for a bit?"

He drew back from her and gave her brow a brief kiss. "Of course," he replied warmly.

They headed to Tim's bedroom, which was as messy as ever though the bed thankfully looked clean at least. Ridley glanced about the room, smiling at the alarm clock she had gifted him before looking at his pile of wrinkled clothes for the wash. Tim opened his wardrobe and tugged out his ever familiar black shirt and offered it out to Ridley. "It'll be more comfortable than a dress," he said.

Ridley accepted it with a look of gratitude and a nod. Tim hastened to the bathroom and then back to the living room. He stood in the doorway, looking in curiously, and smiled seeing Eric and Calleigh kissing gently as they sat in a close embrace. He turned from them without a word and returned to his room, assured that neither his absence nor Ridley's would be noted.

Ridley was now on the bed wearing only Tim's black shirt and her underwear, hugging her scarred legs close and looking about the room nervously. Tim kicked off his shoes and took a seat beside her, stretching his legs out in front of him. He looked at her expectantly, wanting her to lean against him but she didn't, prompting him to frown a little. When a rumble sounded close outside he seized his chance and quipped teasingly, "can I protect you from the storm?" He parted his arms and looked at her suggestively.

Ridley gave him a faint smile before leaning against his chest tentatively, so light he could barely feel her. "I don't want to hurt you," she confessed, "you must be in pain."

He was, in fact it felt like his chest was slowly being crushed and it was all he could do not to scream in pain. All because he had wavered the painkillers today for fear of being groggy. "It's fine," he assured as he pulled her close with one hand.

Ridley slipped her arms about his waist, pulling herself closer and snuggling into his warmth. "God I missed you," she confessed.

"I missed you too," Tim assured as he leaned back against the pillow and shut his eyes.