Ryan and Natalia sit in layout, overlooking the evidence from the abusive mother's murder from a week ago, to present in the court room. "It's terrible you know. That poor boy is going to be in prison for the rest of his life. All because he snapped." Natalia nods her head in agreement. Looking at the pictures on the table Natalia can't help but be saddened.
"He won't be in for long though, they'll release him when he's eighteen. He probably won't even make it to prison." They look up at Calleigh's voice. "How can you be so sure Calleigh?" Ryan asks.
"He's a good kid, whose mother abused and even killed a previous child. The jury is going to take pity on him. No way is he getting tried as an adult." She takes a seat and they set out on finishing paperwork and cataloging the evidence. Calleigh's phone rings and she excuses herself from the room, an annoyed look on her face.
"Trouble in paradise you think?" Natalia teases.
"No, because Jesse is right across the hall, and he seems fine, probably some paperwork. But that aside, what do you want to do later tonight? We haven't done anything raunchy lately." He wiggles his eyebrows and she finds herself laughing controllably.
"That's because we have Stetler breathing up our asses. Now will you please get back to this, Walter has to go in for us." Nodding they reassess the evidence for another two hours. Happy with their work they settle in for what they hoped would be a smooth day.
Until the call came. Fucking Delko!
He and Natalia were settled in DNA just talking about anything. Their relationship hit a new milestone and everyday Ryan felt the weight of the ring in his pocket grow heavier. The last year with Natalia made him realize that he had waited too long, far too long, and that she needed to be wearing this ring right now.
He planned on asking her tonight but it seems like Delko had other plans, and now they have to pretty much dedicate their lives to finding out who stole the diamonds and who in MDPD is dirty.
"Nevins is dead Eric! You have to come clean." Natalia all but screamed at Eric.
"Come clean about what?" Calleigh walks up to them, followed by Walter, Ryan and then Jesse.
"She should know, she deserves to know."
Calleigh looks between her and Delko, confusion written clearly on her face, on all their faces.
"Nevins had me wearing a wire." The whole team gasps and Calleigh's face hardens.
"A wire Delko! Is that why you've been all buddy buddy with all of us?" Walter is beyond angry.
"This is why I was meeting Rebecca. It isn't just about the diamonds, drugs and even cars have gone missing. And there is no trace of either of those things. Someone in the lab is dirty and Rebecca wanted me to find out." lame excuse after lame excuse leaves Eric's mouth.
"So you were spying on us?" Walter obviously is mad.
"It's not that simple walt…" Natalia starts
"And you, you knew about this too. Some team" Walter walks off defeated. Eric offers excuse after excuse and Natalia knows that Calleigh will put him in his place.
They all were staring at the bomb parts, the garage full of evidence and not enough investigators. Natalia's neck has been tensing and tightening at random occurrences. Ryan reaches over and massages her neck and she thanks him. "We're getting nowhere fast Ryan."
"We'll figure it out."
Calleigh sat in the hummer with Eric, trying to trace where the GPS had first started. "I guess I'm not getting back into your good graces." She stares him down. Was he always this idiotic?
"No, Eric you're not. What you did to Jesse the past months have been very idiotic."
"Oh so he's complaining? Can't take the heat?" he chuckles obviously at Jesse's expense.
"No, he just couldn't take the hostile working environment anymore. I am a senior officer and he had the right to come to me. One more complaint and we have to file."
"Really Calleigh? I was joking, at least half joking." Eric shakes his head. I should've known that Cardoza would bitch and whine to Calleigh.
"It doesn't matter Eric because after everything, even if I did decide you were worth another shot, this whole wire thing would've ended all your hopes. But that aside, I'm with Jesse not you. So you can stop trying to break him down, because I'm going to be there to pick him back up." she turns her head, deciding that their conversation isn't worth anymore.
She drops her head as she looks at the destination.
(AN: Part 1 of Time Bomb episode!)