OK, I know this is two postings in one day but I totally can't wait to see your reaction. Please review!

Horatio

"What did you just say Caine?" Stetler asks. "Did you just accuse me of something?"

"I didn't accuse you of anything," I reply. "We were just taking Mr. Vargas's statement here and it came up in conversation."

"Bullshit," Rick snorts. "Taking his statement for what?"

"For the murder of Alissa Martinez," I answer.

"I ordered you off the case," Rick says. "Anything he says to you is not valid-"

"Actually, we were booking him separate charges of reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a weapon," I say. "He just happened to bring up the murder. We didn't prompt him."

Rick glares at Vargas. "Is that true?" Vargas shrugs. Rick turns to face me again. "Well who in their right mind would believe that?" he challenges.

"I will," says the chief as we walks up behind Rick. "And we will let a grand jury decide whether we can proceed with prosecution. CSI Duquesne will testify, since Delko is on suspension."

"They'll never decide to go to trial," Rick snorts.

"You be quiet," the chief says to Rick. "I've had just about enough of you Stetler. I've heard all about your little deal with this investigator here. I'm going to ask you some questions myself," he says to Vargas.

"Even if I did work with him, it's not illegal," Rick insists.

"No, but using an outside source to investigate two officers defeats the purpose of internal affairs," he answers. "And you also knew that Horatio and Ryan were in a relationship, so there was no need to have them followed."

"Chief, I was well within my right-"

"I'm tired of this conversation. I've already spoken to your captain, and he wants to interview Vargas as well."

Rick swallows hard and tries to take in all that has happened. "Well regardless of that, I still get to sit on the review board for Caine's performance. Tomorrow morning, ten o'clock."

"Actually I spoke to the D.A. and they want to convene the grand jury tomorrow. This performance review will have to wait until next week-"

"If we could wrap it up this week, I would appreciate it," I cut in.

"I totally agree Horatio. Let's not put off the inevitable," Rick says.

"Fine, but I want to see you after I interview Mr. Vargas."

"Sure," I say. "One hour?" he nods. When I leave, I motion for Rick to follow me. I drive to an abandoned building a few blocks down.

"Alright Caine, what do you want?" he demands.

"You know Rick," I say, taking my gun out of the holster and setting it, along with my badge, sunglasses, and watch down on the floor. "We've had our ups and downs over the years, but I fear out relationship has irrecoverably taken a turn for the worse."

"It's your fault. I'm tired of trying to save your ass and help you keep the job that should have been mine."

"Be that as it may," I say, removing my jacket. "I warned you what would happen if you continued to bother my family. You did not follow my advice."

"Does your so called family include your ex?" he asks.

I clench my fists. "He's not my ex," I say.

"That's not what he told me," Rick says. "He said that you two were-"

I slam him against a concrete slab. "I don't care what he told you. If you come near Ryan, Eric, or anyone in my family again I will break your fucking neck. Are we clear?"He attempts to shove me off of him but I swing him up against another concrete slab. Then I pick up my jacket and other belongings and leave.

Ryan

"So Ryan," Tony says after making himself at home on my couch. "Are you really going to break up with him?"

"I already did Tony," I answer, not bothering to tell him that it's none of his business.

"Well, me and Mrs. Millie talked about it and we both think that you should stay together."

"What? You talked about this to Mrs. Millie? Are you nuts?" I demand.

"C'mon it's not like she didn't know," he said. "She heard everything that went down last night."

I sigh and rub my temples. "This is turning into a freaking nightmare."

"Well wake up and smell the Irishman," he chuckles. "He's nuts about you, and he ain't just going to let this go."

"I know, I know. So what did you and Eric talk about?"

Horatio

It takes the grand jury two days to decide that we have enough evidence to indict John Taylor, Summers' brother in law, for the murder of Alissa Martinez. Julian and Dawne will be charged as accessories. Vargas will get a lesser charge in exchange for his testimony. Johnny and Julian are arrested, but Dawne has fled the jurisdiction. No matter. We know exactly where she is, and if she sets foot outside of Georgia she will be arrested. But by then it won't be my problem.

I've talked to Ryan a few times, and he has agreed to have dinner with me Friday evening.

Ryan

After a long lecture from Mrs. Millie and increasing pressure from Tony I abandon my stupid plan that I had to save Horatio's job. I'm going to tell him at dinner Friday that I can't live without him and that I will never leave him again. But his birthday is Saturday and Tony is helping me pick out a gift.

"I'm going to have a dinner at his house Saturday," I tell him. "Catered of course; and you're coming."

"Huh? I don't know about that Wolfe. I don't think red riding hood likes me too much."

"Of course he likes you," I assure him. "You helped us nail Vargas and convinced me to stay with him. And Eric will be there," I say trying to sweeten the deal.

He rubs his chin. "Sounds tempting. But doesn't he have a girlfriend? That blond chic on your team? I hear she's pretty good with guns too."

"Calleigh? Nah, they broke up months ago. They're just friends now."

"Alright," he says. "I'll be there. What time?"

"Seven. Bring some wine."

"I'm more of a beer guy myself."

Horatio

The day has arrived. I arrive promptly at ten, and have to wait for everyone to show up. There are seven members on the board, so the vote doesn't have to be unanimous and won't be a deadlock. No one can abstain. The board consists of three IAB members, (Rick, Johnson, and some other guy), the chief of detectives, One captain and supervisor O'Shay. My union rep is here, despite my insistence that his presence wasn't necessary.

"Lieutenant Caine," Rick starts. "It has come to our attention that you have again violated departmental policy section eight paragraph c which states 'No police officer may consort with another officer of the same or a lesser rank; failure to comply may result in dismissal'. Do you deny that you are in a romantic relationship with one Officer Ryan Wolfe?"

"I do not deny it," I answer.

"And how long have you been in this relationship?" Another IAB agent asks.

"Don't answer that," my union rep says.

"I had no intention of doing so," I assure him.

"Failure to cooperate will only hurt your case," O'Shay warns.

"I have already stated that we are in a relationship," I said. "You need no more information on that topic."

"You know that we have grounds for termination," Rick says.

"Is this because he is both he and Officer Wolfe are gay?"My union rep demands. "To date, no one has been brought before the board to answer allegations of this kind. The department cannot discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation-"

"Sexual orientation has nothing to do with it," Johnson insists. "We are simply here to determine whether Lieutenant Caine's relationship with Officer Wolfe has and will affect his job performance. In the case of Alissa Martinez, Ryan's personal involvement with Julian Summers may have directly led to reckless behavior on part of Lt. Caine."

"Reckless how?" my union rep asks.

"His wife filed complaints of harassment and we have witnesses that verify that Lt. Caine showed up at a bar with Officer Wolfe and Mr. Summers and got into an altercation with Mr. Summers-"

"That is not true," I cut in.

"According to a statement by Mrs. Summers, you threatened her husband with violence if he did not stay away from Officer Wolfe. Is that true?" the unknown IAB agent asked.

"That is not correct. I needed to speak with Officer Wolfe and I asked Mr. Summers to leave, and he refused. I asked him two more times he refused so I warned him that I was allowed to defend myself if I felt threatened."

"Perfectly within MDPD guidelines for an officer," my union rep reminds them.

"That' a fine line that we prefer not to cross," the captain says. "I definitely agree that your relationship with Officer Wolfe affected your judgment in this case. If you and Officer Wolfe continue to pursue this relationship, then we must take action. Are you willing to end your relationship with officer Wolfe?"

"No I am not," I answer.

"Then we have no choice but to-"O'Shay starts.

"Wait," he chief says. "Lieutenant Caine has served his department for fifteen years. He is a fine officer and an excellent leader."

"Need I remind you of how many violations his team has had over the past ten years?" Rick asks. "Everything from drug charges to gambling."

"Officer Delko's charges were dismissed due to extenuating circumstances," I answer. "And I terminated Officer Wolfe."

"But you hired him back," Rick says.

"With your approval," I remind him.

"That is neither here nor there," supervisor O'Shay says. "If you will not end your relationship with Officer Wolfe, then we must vote to decide whether you can continue to perform your duties."

"That is not necessary," I say standing up and removing my badge and gun and placing it on the table in front of me. I take an envelope out of my jacket and place it on the table as well. "This is my resignation, effective today."