A/N: Another day, another chapter. Exciting. Usual disclaimer. This chap's short too, sorry.

"Why can't I speak whenever I talk about you?"

Ryan knelt next to the dead body, visually examining it. "Three stab wounds," he mused aloud. "COD was probably exsanguination."

"Mm-hm," agreed Alexx, looking over the body. "That wound there looks like it got him in the heart." She sighed sadly. "Poor baby boy probably bled out before he even knew what was going on."

"Yeah," said Ryan, squinting at the body. "Those wounds seem to be fueled by rage, which means our vic probably knew the killer." He turned to Alexx. "You got an I.D.?"

"Here," she said, handing him the vic's wallet. "His name's Joe Sanders."

"Sanders," muttered Ryan, his face taking on an odd, closed look that didn't go unnoticed by Alexx.

"Is everything ok, Ryan?" she asked concernedly, giving him a worried look.

He shook his head as if to clear it. "Um, yeah, everything's fine." He started to get up. "I, uh, I better get these pictures to the lab," he said quickly.

She shot him a look. "Oh, no you don't," she said. "You're not going anywhere until you tell me what's wrong."

"Nothing's wrong, Alexx, ok?" he said tersely, bending down to close his kit.

"Don't give me that, Ryan. I know when you're lying to me." She paused, then asked gently, "Baby, what's wrong?"

Ryan hesitated, then shook his head quickly. "Nothing, alright? I'm fine."

"Ryan, sweetie, you're not fine. You've been moody and depressed since you got back from Chicago."

Ryan's eyes filled with tears when she mentioned Chicago. Alexx's eyes narrowed. "Ryan—"

"I'm fine!" he said, wiping his eyes quickly. "Just fine. Look, I'm gonna go, um, I…"

Alexx stood and gave him a hug. "Shh, baby, it's ok," she whispered soothingly. "Let it out."

Ryan allowed himself to cry softly for a moment before he sniffled quietly. "I think I'm fine now," he said, giving Alexx a tight smile. "Or at least better."

"Well, what was wrong in the first place?" asked Alexx, still not convinced that Ryan was ok.

"Nothing," said Ryan lightly. "I just missed someone, that's all."

"Someone you had a thing with in Chicago?" asked Alexx shrewdly.

"Yeah," muttered Ryan, not meeting her eyes. "Yeah, I did, and it was great while it lasted, but they live in Vegas, and I live here, so…it just didn't work out."

"Do you love him?" asked Alexx gently.

His eyes opened wide. "How'd you…I mean, I never told—"

"Honey, I don't care that you're gay," said Alexx with a small smile. "And I've known for awhile now. And you never answered my question."

"Yeah," said Ryan, swallowing hard. "I loved him. I loved him so much…and I still do."

"What's his name?"

"Greg…Greg Sanders. He's a CSI level one for the LVPD. He's…he's so amazing. My best friend, boyfriend, soul mate all rolled up into one."

"Did you tell him how you feel? I mean, does he know?" persisted Alexx.

Ryan squared his shoulders and picked up his kit. "I hope he knows."

"So do I, baby," whispered Alexx as Ryan walked away. "So do I."