Second Servings, Second Chances
Chapter Twelve: See you soon
(Guys...this is it! Last chapter! I'm gonna just say a quick thanks now, though you all deserve so much more praise for lasting this long with me! and save the rest for the end [don't want to bore you all right away ;] but this story would be nothing without you all...thank you from the bottom of my heart [and my crazy muse, she loves you all too])
Disclaimer: If I haven't owned Miami for the previous 11 chapters, what makes you think I own it now?
Previously on CSI: Miami:
He looked up with so much emotion in his eyes, Natalia was instantly stunned, un-able to speak or move...though she didn't want to be anywhere else.
"Still what Ryan?"
"Love me?"
Natalia remained quiet, staring straight ahead as Ryan turned away. Her thoughts were franticly racing round her head, cold prickles of shock running through her veins.
Did he...did he just ask...
"Ryan-"
"Forget it, it was stupid."
Ryan wouldn't look up from his coffee cup, fallen hope swirling in his eyes.
"Ryan-"
"No, it's my fault, I'm sorry-"
"Ryan!"
He slowly looked up, barely raising his hung head. Surprisingly, Natalia wore a small smile; tilting her head to keep eye contact with him.
"I...do."
His furrowed brow showed his confusion. "Huh?"
Natalia swallowed thickly, her smile slipping into a serious frown. Ryan saw the answer in her eyes.
"I do."
His breath caught in the back of his throat but he fought the urge to cough. This was a moment he didn't want to ruin.
But another urge told him to.
He leaned in softly, eyes drooping close. This is it he told himself, the moment of truth, the make or break of his life.
The filmier soft, warm push against his lips sent shockwaves through Ryan's system. He smirked into the kiss; hearing and feeling Natalia's chuckle vibrate through him.
A few rapid heartbeats later, he pulled back, still wearing a wide smile.
Silence surrounded the pair though it no longer brought awkwardness. A peaceful sense of awe held lightly in the air.
"That was nice..."
That small comment made Ryan's smile grow wider, stretching to almost reach his eyes. He glanced over the doorway; the clock seemed to be his friend.
A half hour left of shift, a half hour...ask her!
"So does this mean I get a second chance?"
Natalia glanced away, leaving Ryan in suspense as she pretended to consider for a minute. When she looked back, there was a teasing presence with her.
"Honestly, this is like, your fourth."
Ryan laughed lightly along with her, "Will dinner make up for it?"
Another minute of suspense, and then she answered with a smirk.
"Only if its home cooked."
Ryan couldn't help but smile again, "My speciality."
Glancing at her watch, Natalia noticed her break was long past due, Valera would kill her.
"I'll meet you outside after work okay?"
"Deal."
She stood up, quickly placing a kiss on his forehead before moving to the door. With a hand on the door frame, she turned, looking back at Ryan sitting casually on the couch.
"I'll see you at five, Mr. Wolfe"
With that, she left, leaving Ryan to smile to himself, his past gloominess and guilt a mere ghost in the back of his mind.
"See you soon, 'Talia."
The evening air was calm and moist outside Miami Dade Crime Lab, the distant waves echoing along with the busy traffic.
Aaron Vincent listened to the background with little interest, his eyes constantly glancing over his shoulder at the lab doors then back to the car park, glistening drying white paint catching his attention.
So that's where Dan Cooper kicked the can...ouch.
Hazel eyes travelled to the dimming sky, white pearl teeth biting pale pink. Though he never met his predecessor, he had heard stories of his AV skills and quirky nature.
I got a lot to live up to then.
Sighing, Aaron looked over his shoulder again, still not finding what he was looking for. Perhaps he had been too eager, too hasty when he raced to the locker room to grab a few things and wait outside. Or else maybe he should have waited in the locker room for her, been bolder and more daring.
He let a relaxing breath out, a smile creeping up his cheeks as all strain left him, his date arriving.
"Hey Nat."
She returned a smile but it fell quickly, an awkward grimace taking over.
"Hey Aaron...can I talk to you for a minute?"
He shifted uneasily, ducking his head to try making seemingly unattainable eye contact. The small nod he gave showed his concern and confusion.
Natalia sighed lowly, then looked up into pools of hazel unease.
"Listen Aaron, I like you a lot-"
He smiled dimly, but the hesitation radiating from Natalia quickly vanquished it.
"But we have only just met-"
Where she going with this?
Another radiating wave of hesitation hit him, sending a cool chill down his spine.
"And...I'm already seeing someone."
The words hit him like a full blown steam train, his brow furrowing for a millisecond.
Wolfe lied to me!...he knows who's she with!
As Aaron fought to swallow his anger and frustration, a sleek silver Subaru pulled up feet from the pair. The black tinted passenger window rolled down mechanically.
Two of the most gorgeous hazel eyes gazed out at Natalia, a cheeky grin spread wide underneath.
"Ready to go?"
Natalia couldn't help but smile back, "Just a sec."
When she turned back to face Aaron, his eyes and smile seemed masked.
That son of a-God damn it! Well played Wolfe...well played.
It was painful for her to do this, but it had to be done.
"Aaron, I hope we can-"
"Still be friends? Sure, if that's what the lady wants, I can oblige."
Glancing back at the car, a smirk bubbled on Natalia's lips.
It is.
"I'll see you around Aaron."
Waving his hand lamely, Aaron kept his smile as he watched on. Ryan opened the door from his seat and Natalia slid in with a quick peck to his cheek.
The car pulled away, the CSI duo still smiling inside, meaningless chatter adding to the evening. Aaron stood alone on the sidewalk, still waving lamely, still smiling as the Subaru disappeared into the distance.
His cheek twisted unnaturally, pearl teeth gleaming in the Miami setting sun. Although he was in the sunniest place on earth, Aaron Vincent's smile took the darkest of edges.
"You'll be back Nat..you will..I'll see you soon."
So...another end with mysterious means...I love my cliffies! Sorry if they drive ya'll crazy but my muse won't function without them ;)
And don't worry though; there will be another story up soon!
Look out for "Sounds of Screaming" the concluding instalment of my RaiN series.
So...I guess that's it :), Don't worry...I'll see you soon ;D
-Mel out ;D (But not for long ;)
