Just a friendly little reminder that this contains some spoilers from Season 3 Episode... 16? Yeah, episode 16, Nothing To Lose

Calleigh wandered into the arena and watched Cole on stage. She hadn't followed the show, but he definitely had a good voice, there was no denying that. She wandered down to the stage, accompanied by Detective Frank Tripp, who she'd asked to help her.

'The misses was obsessed with this show,' said Frank, as they waited for Cole to finish and join them, 'watched it every week. She liked one of the judges, though. Voted for the other guy too.'

'You watched it?'

'It was on.' He mumbled.

'It never held my interest past the first few weeks, when the people who thought they could sing, but couldn't, tried out.'

'Detectives?' The PA wandered over, followed closely by the pop star.

'Calleigh Dusquane, and Detective Tripp,' Frank introduced them.

'My, are all the women in the police force this attractive in Miami?' Asked Cole, eyeing up Calleigh.

'Back off, Cole. From what I hear, you have something going on with my colleague, Cheryl Carter.' Said Calleigh.

'Ah, is that what you're here for?' Said Cole, sitting down on one of the chairs, and opening a bottle of water Whilks gave him. 'Some guy was here earlier about that. Another cop.'

'Yes, I'm here conducting an investigation regarding that.'

'There's nothing to investigate. We are in a relationship.'

'And how long have you been in this relationship?'

'Who am I kidding? When I say relationship, I mean, sex.' He smiled, 'she's a little spitfire in the sack.'

'Hey!' Exclaimed Frank.

'Mr Turnall,' said Calleigh, after a quick glare at Frank, 'are you telling me that a woman you don't know is prepared to risk her career to get you off a murder charge?'

'Well, actually, I haven't been charged.' He told Calleigh smugly, 'I guess she's doing what she promised.'

'And that promise was?'

'To make sure I don't get wrongly accused of murder.'

'We'll see about that, Mr Turnall.'

'Is that a threat?' Asked Whilks.

'No, that's a promise.' Said Calleigh, with a wide and white, toothy smile. She turned around quickly, her hair flipping out behind her, and left, Frank close behind her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

'You know, I wouldn't mind being a pop star.' Declared Eric as he and Speed were looking around the penthouse suite.

'You fancy yourself as the next Ricky Martin?' Snickered Speed.

'I was thinking more along the lines of Eminem, actually.'

'So, should we start calling you "E 'n' D"? Or how about just, End?' Speed suggested, barely able to contain his laughter.

'It'll be The End for you, if you don't put an end to the lame jokes.'

'Delko, you hurt me,' sighed Speed, clutching at his heart.

Eric frowned. He knew exactly what was hurting Speedle, and it wasn't him. But if he was joking – however lame the jokes were, and however out of character it was for him, then he'd allow it. For now.

'This room is so warm.' Complained Speed.

Eric chuckled, being as he was from New York originally, Speedle was never happy with the temperature when it was warm, and always had the air conditioning set to cold. He was similar to Cheryl in that respect, who as she was originally from England, also liked the pleasure an air conditioning unit could bring. Delko, on the other hand, loved the heat. Except this was stupid.

'Yeah, Cheryl and I noticed that earlier. She spent the entire time she was dusting, telling me so.'

Tim frowned and turned his attention back to the room. 'Well, there are no flowers in this room, anywhere, other than roses. And according to housekeeping, they didn't put any others in here.'

'I suggest we go find Cole and his assistant then, and have a word with him.'

'He's apparently on his tour bus.'

'A tour bus. I wouldn't mind a tour bus.'

'Come on End,' said Speed, swiping at Eric, 'your fans are waiting.'

'You just kill me, you know that?'

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Horatio found himself back at the hospital, staring in at Madison, whose tiny frame was lost in the enormous hospital bed, whilst clutching tightly at her teddy bear. Suzie was sat next to her, fast asleep with her head resting on the bed. She awoke with a jump when Horatio entered the room.

'Horatio,' she greeted him, half yawning.

'Hi, Suzie.' He smiled sadly, 'Cheryl came in to find out if she was a match.'

Suzie managed a small laugh, 'and how is the nurse?'

Horatio smiled back at her, 'alive.'

'She wasn't a match, was she?'

Horatio shook his head and sat down opposite her, 'no,' he told her, 'no she wasn't, but don't worry. We still have one more thing to try.'

Suzie winced, 'are you sure you want to do that?'

'It would appear that time has come,' he told her softly.

Tears appeared in Suzie's eyes as she sat back in her chair, 'thank you, Horatio. Let's hope it works.'

'Let's hope it does,' he repeated, staring at his niece.

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'Nice bus,' said Eric, commenting on the new black vehicle.

'Are you sure you don't want to quit your job as a criminalist and pursue a music career now?' Exclaimed Speed, who had been listening to Eric's claims he could break the charts, given half a chance, all the way over.

'Tempting as it is, my mom wouldn't appreciate her son becoming a music artist. I wanted to be in a band when I was in high school, but she said it was a sinful life and an unacceptable career for a good catholic boy.' He told him as they knocked on the bus door.

'A good catholic boy? When was the last time you saw your mom?'

Eric grinned, 'a long enough time ago for her to think I'm still a good catholic boy.' He knocked on the door again, 'besides, I don't think the world is quite ready for the musical debut of Eric Delko.'

The door of the bus opened and the PA stood glaring at them, 'three times in as many hours? Isn't that classed as harassment?'

'It's only harassment if we keep asking the same questions.' Said Speed.

'Yeah, that's what the blonde chick said earlier.'

'Cheryl was here?' Speed growled.

'No, Cole's bit wasn't here. It was that southern bird you've got working with you, but she's a bit of alright too.

Eric put his arm out, stopping Tim from stepping forward as he looked like he wanted to punch someone. 'That's an interesting stain on your shirt cuff, Mr. Whilks,' said Eric, indicating to a small patch of yellow.

Whilks looked down at it, 'and what's that got to do with you?'

'Would you mind if I took a sample of that?'

'Yeah, I do. I know what you cops are like. I've had enough of this, harassment. If you guys want anything else, then you come back here with a warrant, because you're getting nothing else out of either me, or Cole. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a show to see to.' He pushed a button, shutting the bus door in their faces.

'Do you get the feeling he's trying to hide something?' Asked Eric, as they headed back to the Hummer.

'What? Like the lily pollen stain?' Remarked Speed.

'More like a murder. Has anyone run a check on him?'

'Eric, I joined you on this case a little over an hour ago. How am I supposed to know that?'

Delko gave him a look, before opening the back of the Hummer. Switching on the computer that was in the back of it, he typed in John Whilks and began a search through the various databases. It didn't take long before the computer was beeping at them, indicating a hit.

'Arrested in '94 for possession, again in '98, and for dealing in '01. Currently out on good behaviour.' Eric grinned, 'I think we may have enough for that warrant he so badly wants,' he told Speed as he pulled out his phone and dialled the judge.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After being released from the questioning, Cheryl returned to Horatio's office and had since managed to play about one hundred games of free cell on his computer. And being as her mind was elsewhere, she had managed to loose about ninety eight of them, which was frustrating her further.

She got up and went for a walk, the whole time being stared at by whatever person she walked past. She headed for the locker room and sat down on the bench opposite her locker. Putting her elbows on her knees and her head in her hands, she shut her eyes and took some deep breaths. This sitting around was driving her mad. With her head still in her hands, she opened her eyes, and found herself focusing on a screwed up piece of paper. She reached down and opened it. It was a picture of her and Tim.

Glancing over at his locker, she saw that, well, he had kicked it that much, he probably had no chance of ever opening it again. Cheryl took a final deep breath, wiped the tears away that had appeared in her eyes and went over to her own locker. She took an envelope out of it, and replaced it with the photo she had smoothed out as much as possible, before shutting her locker and walking determinedly back into the Lab.

She walked straight to the AV Lab, where she found Dan pouring over a computer. 'I need your help.' She told the back of his head, bluntly.

He turned around. 'Or else what? Are you going to destroy another CD? Or are you going to go to the papers?

Cheryl winced, 'okay, the CD comment I deserved, but the papers comment was uncalled for. However, I did replace that CD.'

'That's not the point. You destroyed it in the first place.'

'You're right. That was out of order, and I do need to control my anger. Which is why I come trying to buy my forgiveness.' She held out the envelope.

'You're not going to be able to buy it back that easily,' he said, taking the envelope off her wearily. He opened it up, peered inside and pulled out two tickets. 'Front row tickets?' He squealed.

Cheryl nodded, 'for Coldplay's final night in Florida. I had to pull in a favour for them.'

'Who off? Your new pop star boyfriend?'

'He is not my boyfriend.' She said slowly.

Dan held up his hands, 'okay, I'm sorry. And you're forgiven. Thank you. Just make sure you don't go destroying any more CDs.' He tucked the tickets into his pocket, 'so, what can I help you with?'

'Proving my innocence.'

'Calleigh is already working on that.'

'I know, but it's taking too long. I have to do something.'

'What do you have in mind?' He asked her cautiously.

'A little re-enactment.'

'You want me to make out with you?' He said, with a grin on his face.

'Dan!' She exclaimed, 'I want you to help me prove that photo was completely innocent, with no making out involved!'

'You can't blame a guy for trying.'

'You could always try getting a girlfriend.'

'Do you want my help, or not?'

Cheryl nodded, 'yeah. Fancy a little road trip, do some fieldwork?'

'No can do. I've got to do something here for Calleigh. You'll have to get someone else.'

'I'll think of someone. Am I okay to take a few cameras and a laptop with me?'

Dan pointed to a cupboard at the back of the room. 'Knock yourself out. Just don't destroy anything!'

Don't you just miss Speed and Delko working together! Hopefully by the end of the current season things will be better and more friendly. (Sorry, that's me trying to be as vague as possible for those who haven't seen any of season 4... and probably failing miserably!)

Thanks again for reading and reviewing!