There's a lot going on in this chapter; a little comedy and a lot of drama. I hope you enjoy and please review.
Ryan
Horatio makes good on his promise that I wouldn't be able to walk. After a long soak in the tub with plenty of Epsom salts I finally regain some mobility. I promise him to return the favor in kind.
Horatio
The next two weeks passes slowly for Ryan and I. Rick couldn't have picked a more appropriate way for me to suffer. I get notice that I am to go before the board for a review of my job performance. I think I know where this is going. I have a plan that I haven't shared with Ryan yet. I will, but now is not the time. I've been making and receiving a lot of phone calls. He asks me about them, but I ask him to trust me. He's also extremely nervous about the review.
"H, I don't like where this is going. I definitely think the fact that you haven't kissed their asses over the years is going to hurt us; and they are definitely going to try to use me against you."He's been depressed for weeks now. He barely talks to me and he wakes up at all hours of the night, pacing the house.
I gather him into my arms and try to comfort him. "Ryan, I don't want you to worry. I'll handle it. Remember I love you and no one or nothing will ever come between us."
He breaks free and goes to the window to look out. "Horatio I don't think that you will be able to get out of this one. Maybe it would be better if we just took a break for a while-"
Ryan
He doesn't even let me finish my statement. He grabs me roughly by my arm and turns me around.
"What did you just say?" he asks.
"You heard me," I said, gathering my nerve. "If we broke up they would have no reason to fire you-"
"They still don't have a reason. Who I see in my personal life is none of their business!" His voice is rising uncontrollably. I can tell he's trying to get control of his breathing.
"If we both work there it is their business!" I shout back. "This is going to come to a showdown H. They're going to force you to choose; your job or me. I'm going to take away that choice for them."
"Ryan," he says his voice suddenly very quiet. "Are you breaking up with me?"
I look him directly in the eye. "Yes, Horatio; that's exactly what I'm doing."
He grabs me by my arms again. "Ryan, you can't do this after all we've been through, all the plans we've made. You can't just walk out!"
I have to leave now before I lose my nerve. "Good-bye Horatio." I take off his pin and drop it in his hand.
I run out, tears blurring my vision. Luckily I parked in the driveway and not the garage; I know I would never get out of here if I was in there. I run up the three flights to my apartment, lock the door and wait for what I know is coming; or rather who I know is coming.
Horatio
It takes me a few moments to digest what just happened. Ryan just broke up with me. The one that I wanted to spend my life with, and was making arrangements to do so just called it quits. I stare down at my pin, a symbol of my love for him. How did I let this happen? This is my last chance at a happy relationship. I'm not going to let him go without a fight; no scratch that. I'm not going to let him go at all.
Ryan
It takes him longer than I expected to get there; it must have taken him some time to process what I actually said to him.
Tap. Tap. Tap. "Ryan?" Tap. Tap. Tap. "Ryan?" Tap. Tap. Tap. "I'm coming in." I hear his key turning the deadbolt, but the chain is still on the door. "Please open the door Ryan."
I sigh and get up. After I open the door and step in, he chains and locks the door behind him.
"Ryan, I want you to reconsider."
"No H. I know I usually let you talk me out of things and just give you your way but not this time. My mind is made up. I won't let you ruin your career for-"
"Ryan-"
"No Horatio, let me talk. I could not live with myself if they made you choose between your job and me, and you chose me; even if it was just to spite them-"
"What did you just say? Do you think I would use you as a pawn to get back at them?"
"I don't know, Horatio. Would you?" The thought did cross my mind, fleetingly of course.
"You think this is a game Ryan?" he shouts. "We're talking about my job here!"
"Don't you think I know that?" I shout back. "Horatio you know I love you, but if leaving you will save your job then I am prepared to do it, regardless of my personal feelings Miami needs you-"
"Oh that is just bullshit Ryan!" he yells.
Bang! Bang! Bang! "Hey loverboy! Can you and your boyfriend keep it down?" It's Tony from upstairs. I can't count the number of times his all night parties or midnight romps interrupted my sleep.
"Sorry Tony! It won't happen again."
"It better not, because if it does I'm calling the cops…wait you are the cops-"
Horatio snatches open the door. "Get lost. Now."
"Geez, relax red. Just keep it down. I'm sure the paparazzi across the street would love to know what you're talking about."
Horatio moves in closer. "Vargas," he growls. "How long has he been out there?"
"Since you got here. He was following you. Hey, you're a cop. Don't tell me you didn't notice."
"Tony, has he ever been by here before?"I ask.
"Yeah. Claimed to be an electrician and tried to get into your place. But you know Mrs. Millie wasn't buying that."
"Mrs. Millie? The manager?" H asks.
"More, like the manager's spy. That old lady knows everybody's business."
"That's right," says an old feeble voice. "You know its way past my bedtime, Ryan. What's all the fuss?"
"Sorry, Mrs. Millie. We'll keep it down," I promise. She hobbles off. Horatio motions for Tony to step in.
"You said he tried to come in here. How long ago was that?" Horatio asks.
"Been a while. At least a month, maybe more; before that big story about you two hit the front page."
"Tony-"I start.
"Hey man, just keeping it real; just didn't know you were gay. Not that I have a problem with that," he says, eyeing Horatio. "You're a little old for me but I can definitely see the appeal; must be the hair. Now that other guy on your team, Delko? Yeah, that's him. He's hot. We could definitely-"
"Tony. Stick to the point," I cut in.
"Yeah, sorry about that."
"Did you ever see him with a blond woman?"Horatio asks.
"You mean Julian Summers' wife? Yeah, she was with him."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I demand.
"Dude, I haven't seen you in a month," he answers. "And it's not like I have your number. But if you could give my number to Delko-"
"Tony, he's straight. Straighter than any other man I've met," I tell him
"Yeah right, that's what they all say."He says as he leaves.
"Wait," Horatio says. "Here's my card. If you see him or anyone else snooping around Ryan's apartment call me. Or Ryan," he quickly adds when he sees my expression. His phone rings. I can't make out the number but I catch a '202' area code. Washington D.C. "Excuse me," he says and steps outside. Tony turns to me.
"So you two are breaking up? C'mon Ryan. Like I said, he's a little old, but still hot. I'll bet he doesn't even need those blue pills."
"Tony," I growl. Horatio returns.
"Relax Wolfe," he says. "See you later red," he says to Horatio and winks.
H nods. "Tony."
"Who was that on the phone?" I ask him.
"A contact in Washington. I have to fly up there tomorrow. Please don't make any final decisions until I get back. We need to talk about this."
"H, my mind is made up. Miami needs you," I repeat.
"No, Miami needs good cops. And there are plenty of those here. Send Eric and Walter here tomorrow to check for fingerprints and signs of wire tapping. In the meantime Ryan, I don't want you sleeping here. It's a potential crime scene."
"Horatio-"
"Please Ryan, just do this for me."
"Alright, I won't sleep here, but I'm not going back to your place."
"Ryan-"
"Horatio, I know you think I'm not serious about breaking up, but I am."
"I do think you're serious Ryan. If I didn't I wouldn't have come by here. But I want to talk about this. Please don't make your final decision until I get back."
"When will that be?"
"Tomorrow night."
"When are you supposed to meet with the board?"
"The next day. Please Ryan, please wait for me. We can work this out."
"I don't see how we can, Horatio."