Authors Notes: Shorter chapter detailing the main CSIs feelings on Eric's birthday. The line breaks represent cut scenes.

Chapter 2!

"WOLFE IN VEGAS" - PT.2

When Eric had finished the case he was working, he opened up the gift Ryan had given him for his birthday. For a small sized present - Wolfe knew how to be all inclusive with the things he included. It was a small notepad with a letter addressed to him.

"Delko,

We didn't start on the best of terms. You had just lost your best friend and I came at a time that didn't really suit anyone's liking. I thought it was something I had done wrong that had passed you off constantly until I understood how close you were to Speedle. But there have also been highs where we were two friends that could converse about a case without it turning into a personal argument. I know you still have a thing for Boa Vista and I say you should go for it.

You were a great 'mentor' and even though you liked to pull pranks on me a lot, I did learn a few things from you as I did from everybody else. I'm sorry for being blunt when you came into work late because you were taking care of your sister. Not sleeping for 12 days straight does that to you. I was a cranky ass. But when you drove me to the hospital when I got that nail in my eye, I realised you did care about me.

(Try and deny it, I know you do ;)

From your favorite :)

aka Ryan Wolfe"

The Cuban smiled to himself. Wolfe was right about one thing after the next. He did care about the younger man. And he did still like Natalia. But things took time. It was inspiring to see that Ryan had learnt something from him. even when he hadn't seen it yet. Maybe it was just proof that Wolfe paid more attention than anyone realised. There was no doubt he would miss having his mini me to boss around and torment. Though he understood and respected his decision. It wasn't easy. He gave him credit for that.

Ryan was sat on his seat on a flight to Vegas from Miami. It was like a fresh start for him. New state, New Ryan. Only he wasn't going to make the same mistakes he made in Miami. He was going to be much more careful at all costs. Clad in a different pair of loose jeans and a baggy hooded sweater (probably Eric's) with some sneakers and earphones in his ears, connected to his iPod.

As much as Ryan was a little afraid of heights, the view from the window was something he had never quite seen before. Around this time of the year, the weather in Las Vegas was unpredictable. So Ryan had prepared for all eventualities. With his hood over his head and everybody else on the three seater row asleep, he felt relaxed for the first time in a long time. It wasn't often his heart rate was so steady. It was weird - even for him.

He knew that a new team meant new people and different types of cases. But he was ready for that. Had been ready. It was going to take a lot more than a miracle for him to finally reach CSI Level 3.

Calleigh lay on her bed, holding the picture Ryan gave her tightly to her chest. Things were going to be so much more different without Ryan around. She would hear no cheerful 'morning Cal' every morning when they came across one another first thing in the morning. No him sneaking up on her in Ballistics. There would be an empty void in interrogation where he would usually sit before her and stare.

All these flashbacks she was having to earlier days of his career as a CSI. Plus the dirty references he used sometimes that made her almost laugh. If there was anything about him she was going to miss, it would be his humor. He seemed to have a remark or joke for every situation that proved amusing. Even when he was on dumpster dive duty. There was no doubt she was going to have a hard time getting used to not receiving a call from him about an update on a case. So weird.

People move on though, right?

-In Vegas-

"Are you prepared to bring a new member to the team on board?"

"You bet. He's an experienced CSI with more than enough years of training. Former patrol officer with a master's degree in science. Spent four years at the MDPD Crime Lab. He's worth it."

Ecklie and Catherine had somehow come to an agreement that a new CSI was needed for the team that was short of a CSI and was being investigated by Internal Affairs. Especially with Sara dipping in and out all the time. They could use the extra set of hands. Willows had met him at a conference and they'd talked about transfer and Catherine suggested him moving to LVPD if he was looking for a more permanent thing because they had an open spot on the team.

Ryan said he would think about it. He did and he came to the conclusion that he wanted to do it. The supervisory CSI had found her next team member that she had more than enough faith in. She'd heard nothing but good things from the board and the lieutenant. He would make a big difference to their team.