AN: Thanks for all the reviews guys. Keep it up. CSIM doesn't belong to me. Warning: Language in this chap. Spoilers for season 3.

Chapter Three: Of Heroes and Damsels

Alexx stood up and looked down at Calleigh. "You need a warm shower and sleep. You've had a rough day."

"Yes, Alexx," Calleigh said wearily. She stood up and nearly fell over. Ryan grabbed her arm and hauled her back to the couch.

"Maybe I should eat something first…"

Delko looked at her, "You haven't eaten anything?"

"Not today," Calleigh said.

Alexx took a deep breath, "Eat first, then shower, then bed. Ryan, go make something."

Ryan looked up, startled. "I'm not exactly a gourmet cook, Alexx. What do you want me to make?"

"Grilled cheese," Calleigh said.

Ryan shrugged and stood up. "I can do that."

"Hey, chef-boy, make me one too!" Delko called as Ryan went back to the kitchen.

"Stuff it, Delko!" Ryan yelled back.

"Boys…" Alexx said. Delko grinned at her.

"Alright, we'll be good."

CSI MIAMI

Ryan came out of the kitchen with four grilled cheese sandwiches and four cups of juice. Delko took his enthusiastically and started chomping at it.

"Jeez, Delko, hungry?"

"Bad days make me eat more."

Calleigh nibbled on the edge of her sandwich. "Thanks Ryan. This is good."

"It's just a grilled cheese sandwich…" Ryan said, a faint blush running across his face.

"But it is good," Alexx added. They ate in silence; when everyone was finished, Ryan gathered everything and took it back to the kitchen.

"Alright Calleigh, shower," Alexx said. Calleigh stood up and trudged down the hallway. Alexx and Delko turned and walked into the kitchen.

Ryan turned the water on and began to wash the dishes. He had been to Calleigh's a few times before and knew where everything went.

"Gee, Wolfe, all you need is the little pink apron and you'd be right at home," Delko said with a grin.

"Yeah, that's right, first the pink apron, then the French Maid outfit," Ryan said as he put the plates in their rightful place.

"Alright…that's disturbing."

Ryan smiled and dried his hands. He leaned against the counter and stared at Delko and Alexx.

"So, now what?" Delko asked. Alexx sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I can't believe Horatio did this. Office dynamics are going to change now…"

"Should we tell anyone else?" Ryan muttered softly.

Delko shrugged. "Not sure…"

Ryan sighed. "Show of hands, who thinks Horatio is a fucking moron?"

The three of them looked at each other and raised their hands. Ryan nodded and smiled grimly.

"On another note, Wolfe, what's up with you and Natalia?" Delko asked. Alexx looked between the men.

"Not much, we went for dinner, Mexican wrestling. Not interested." Ryan pulled out his wallet and tossed Delko a wad of bills. "There's the money I promised."

Delko nodded and pocketed the money. "Good, cause I'm going on a date with her tonight."

Alexx frowned, "Well, you're out of the running then."

Ryan and Delko traded confused looks. "What?"

"Someone needs to stay with Calleigh. Eric has a date, I need to go fix dinner for my family, which leaves you, Ryan."

"Okay, out of a general curiosity, why?"

"Calleigh is in a very emotional state. I don't want her to be alone."

Ryan nodded. "No problem, I have extra clothes in my Hummer. You going to give Delko a ride?"

Alexx nodded. "I'll take care of it." She looked at her watch. "I got to run. You coming Eric?" she called as she turned out the door.

"Yeah," Delko looked at Ryan. "Take care of her."

Ryan met the older man's eyes, "You know I will."

Delko gave a curt nod and walked out. Ryan closed his eyes when he heard the door shut. He was alone with his thoughts. He sighed and tipped his head back. He listened to the running water from Calleigh's shower; he could swear he heard her singing.

He walked into the living room and flopped onto the couch.

What a day, he thought. Poor Calleigh.

He had seen it from day one, she was attracted to their boss. Hell, who wouldn't be with his hero-complex and dashing good looks. From what he had gathered from Delko and Alexx, the LT and the Bullet Girl had once been much closer.

They had always flirted playfully, exchanging names like 'Handsome' and 'Beautiful'. Delko told him the only thing standing in Calleigh's way was Horatio's brother's wife, Yelina. And then one day, the same day that Calleigh's ex-boyfriend John Hagen committed suicide, Yelina and her son up and disappeared. Horatio was rumored to be involved, although no one knew how.

Enter Marisol, Ryan thought dryly, the perpetual damsel in distress, the perfect counterpart to Horatio's hero. He could save her, mentally at least.

Ryan frowned, Horatio had thrown away something special, and that something special was staring at him.

CSI MIAMI

"Ryan? What are you doing here?"

Ryan looked up from his musings. "Alexx wanted someone to stay with you. She and Delko had prior engagements."

"Oh."

They stared at each other for a few minutes, the silence growing increasingly awkward.

"Well…um…"

Ryan sighed. "I'm really sorry I got dumped on you Calleigh."

"Oh! If anything, I think I was dumped on you."

Ryan shook his head. "The only thing I was planning on doing today was sleeping, so I don't mind."

"Alright, well…I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning."

"Night Cal, sleep well."

Calleigh nodded and turned, her golden hair twirling around her. Ryan closed his eyes and leaned back. What had he been thinking about?

Right, Hero-complexes. Horatio definitely had one…he even had the poses down right. Ryan smiled briefly, imagining Horatio in tights with a cape, along with his sunglasses.

Kind of a disturbing image.

He stood up and walked out to his Hummer. He grabbed his duffel bag out of the back and locked his vehicle. He went back inside and made sure the front door was locked.

He briefly wondered if Calleigh would mind if he took a shower, and then decided to anyway. Calleigh could beat him up later. He took a quick shower and changed into a t-shirt and a pair of khaki slacks.

Ryan walked back down the hall and flopped back onto the couch. He felt his eyes drifting shut, and sleep overtook him.

CSI MIAMI

Calleigh woke with a start. She had to pee, bad. She rolled out of bed and padded silently to her bathroom. She glanced out the window. It was dark outside. She had been asleep for a few hours.

She flushed the toilet and checked the time; 2258. She decided to get a drink of water and headed for her kitchen.

She walked into the living room and paused. Ryan was sprawled across her couch, in a position that could hardly be defined as comfortable. His head was falling off the edge and his feet were hanging off the armrest.

She turned to her linen closet and pulled out a thin blanket and a pillow. Carefully, she moved his head back onto the couch and placed the pillow underneath it. She grabbed his legs and moved him so he was straight, and no longer in danger of falling off the couch. She quickly tucked the blanket around him and stood back.

He really was a sweet guy. She decided to forgo the water and just go back to bed. They had to wake up and work the next day.

And she had to face her demons.

AN: for anyone who doesn't know how to work military (or 24 hour) time, just subtract 12. Ergo, 2258 would be 10:58 PM. Please review. Sorry this chap was short.