XXX
Eric Delko waited impatiently in the break room while Velera processed the DNA samples of his current case. He had pulled a double shift and was a little on the cranky side, but it wouldn't have been so bad if he didn't have it watch as Natalia threw herself at Ryan. It almost made him sick. Things had been "complicated" between them to say the least, they definitely had history...but a lot of things were different now. For the longest time there had been tension between Eric, Ryan and Natalia. Things hadn't worked our for Eric with Natalia, and Ryan had picked her up where Eric left off; things between Eric and Ryan had never been worse at that point. But when Natalia Boa Vista was revealed as the lab's mole, things once again took a turn. Neither Eric or Ryan could even look at Natalia, she had betrayed the entire lab. Eric had come down on her the hardest; with the loss of his sister, he had become bitter. Ryan no longer wanted anything to do with her, and the entire lab was surprised when they learnt that Boa Vista was not being fired, instead, she was coming back as a criminalist. To Ryan's dismay, it was he who had to partner up with Natalia and show her the ropes of being a CSI. Since then, Ryan had grown to dislike her even more...while Natalia seemed to still be interested. Every case they worked, she'd flirt and throw herself at Ryan, and he made it clear what he was not going to catch her...but still she pressed on and wouldn't give up.
So there she was, leaning over Ryan's shoulder pretending to read the documents on their latest case in the next room. Making sure that her hair brushed his neck as she leaned in closer.
Ryan rolled his eyes before he spoke. "Natalia?"
She quickly forgot about the papers and turned her attention to her colleague and flashed him a pearly white smile. "Yes Ryan?" Her face only inches away from his as they both turned to face each other.
"You mind? You're blocking my light." Ryan said nonchalantly.
With a disappointed look on her face, Natalia pulled away. "Oh, I'm sorry..."
Ryan could hear the disappointment in her voice and smiled. "Thank you. You know I've got everything under control here, why don't you go and grab a coffee or something." He suggested as he went back to the papers in his hands. Natalia looked a little hurt but tried to just brush it off... "Sure Ryan, thanks." She got up and left the trace lab and walked to the next room, swinging open the door she entered the break room, an un-happy look on her face.
Delko looked up from his newspaper, pretending he didn't see the whole encounter between Natalia and Ryan. "Oh, Hey." He lamely greeted her.
"Hi," she replied, giving him a quick smile, it was nothing like the ones she graced Ryan with. She hustled across the room and grabbed a coffee cup. Just then Horatio Caine entered the room.
Eric spoke first, "H, where have you been?"
Horatio replied without glancing at his Cuban co-worker. "I...I had to take a quick trip Eric, excuse me." Horatio walked passed him and advanced to the middle of the room. Natalia's back was to the both of them as she poured her coffee.
"Miss Boa Vista? A word please?"
Natalia spun around at her boss' request, "Yes Horatio?" she replied.
"Natalia, you've been moved to night shift. Stetler's short staff and we have a new criminalist from Boston who's joining the day shift. I don't know who exactly will be shadowing you now, but I'm sure Stetler will fill you in."
Natalia just stood in shock, she didn't know what to say. "Oh, well thanks...ah, thanks for letting me know Horatio."
Horatio could tell it was information she wasn't expecting, but he had to move her to nights, with Miranda joining the team, there was only room for one new criminalist on days. Eric sat and waited until the conversation was over; interested, he asked, "So, H. Who's this new guy from Boston you're talking about?"
Horatio turned to face Delko, "Her name is Miranda Marlynn, she's a CSI level 1 as of four days ago. She worked patrol with Boston P.D."
"Patrol huh?" Eric replied. "Just like Wolfe." he added.
"Yes, " Horatio answered, "that's why he'll be shadowing her, I have a feeling they'll get along quite well."
Natalia filled with rage at Horatio's comment, she couldn't stand the thought of Ryan shadowing another girl, especially one that used to be a cop...that would just give them something they could both share and relate to.
Delko looked over at Natalia, he could see she clearly wasn't happy with the new lab arrangements.
"Well," Eric continued, "when do we get to meet her?"
"Hopefully today, she was just released from the hospital yesterday morning; it all depends on how she feels." Horatio replied.
"Hospital?" Eric repeated.
"It's a very long story Eric, but five days ago she was involved in an incident that left her with a dislocated shoulder, broken collarbone and two bullets lodged in her." Horatio's voice was deep and serious.
Both Eric and Natalia's eyes were wide...
"I'd advise everyone to mind their business and not question her just yet." Warned Horatio.
Eric and Natalia both nodded; Horatio smiled and left the break room.
Across the hall there was a knock on the trace lab door as Horatio entered. Ryan looked up from his work at once, "Horatio, Hi."
"Mr. Wolfe, Hey. Can I have a word with you?" Horatio came into the room closing the door behind him. "What is it?" Asked Ryan, curiosity in his tone.
"It is my understanding you've never been exactly thrilled about working with Boa Vista in the field."
Ryan let out a sigh and closed his eyes for a brief moment, then he spoke, "Horatio look, I'm sorry...I never meant to be a nuisance..." But Ryan was cut off.
"Not at all Mr. Wolfe, I thought I would just inform you that you will no longer be shadowing Miss. Boa Vista. She has been moved to night shift."
Ryan raised an eyebrow, "Really? ...well, Horatio...I don't know what to say..."
Horatio smiled, "We are however getting a new criminalist from Boston. Her name's Miranda Marlynn, she worked patrol, Boston P.D before this. She was promoted CSI four days ago."
Ryan quirked his head; Horatio swore his eyes seemed a little brighter, "She worked patrol huh?"
Horatio gave a chuckle, "I thought you'd like that Wolfe."
Ryan smiled sheepishly.
"But I'm mentioning it now Mr. Wolfe," Horatio warned, "she was released from the hospital only yesterday morning...so make sure she takes it easy alright?" The smile faded from Ryan's face. "What?"
"She's alright, but it's a long story. I'm sure if she feels you should know she'll tell you Ryan...but don't push it, understood?"
"Yeah...yeah of course." Ryan replied. Horatio nodded, "Alright, I'll leave you to your work then. I'll send for you when she arrives." Horatio opened the door and left a somewhat confused and excited Ryan Wolfe standing alone in the trace lab...
XXXXX
An hour ad a half later, Miranda pulled into he parking lot of the Miami Dade Crime lab. She sat in the back of her cab for nearly a minute before undoing her seatbelt and making her way up the front steps of the huge building. As she placed her right hand on the handle, the giant glass door swung open, almost taking her out; Miranda jumped back in surprise.
"Oh my god...I'm so sorry miss." A tall, dark haired, well built man rushed to Miranda's side, placing a hand on her left shoulder. Almost immediately Miranda winced and doubled over in pain. The young man quickly caught her; helping her regain her balance.
"Miss Marlynn...you should really have that arm properly bandaged." Horatio remarked as he approached the entrance of the crime lab. Both Miranda and Eric looked up to see their boss standing in front of then on the steps; his hands on his belt.
Miranda tried hard to hide the guilty look on her face, "Its nothing Sir." she quickly stated.
Eric was still holding her up and it was clear that she was still in a lot of pain. "Eric, this is Miranda Marlynn, our new criminalist. Please take her to Alexx and get that arm bandaged will you?" Asked Horatio as he removed his sunglasses. "And inform Mr. Wolfe of Miss Marlynn's arrival please." He added as he walked down the steps towards the parking lot.
"Sure thing H," Eric replied. He turned to Miranda, an extremely worried look on his face. Miranda just smiled, "you don't have to look so worried, its nothing."
"Nothing! you almost took a face plant into the pavement." Eric pointed out.
"Its alright. Its not your fault. How were you supposed to know I had a dislocated shoulder with a bullet in it a few days ago?" Miranda laughed.
Eric's eyes widened, "Jesus…I'm sorry."
Miranda rolled her eyes, "Eric was it?" she asked.
"Yeah, Eric Delko." he replied.
"Eric...please stop apologizing and just take me to see who ever it was Horatio suggested." Miranda's voice was calm, she wasn't angry...just a little annoyed at the fact that, here she was, in the arms of the most handsome Cuban guy she had ever seen; and she was wincing in pain like a wimp.
"Ya, of course. Come on..." Eric pulled her right arm around the back of his neck and wrapped his left arm around her waist. Miranda wasn't in that much pain that she couldn't walk...but she wasn't about to tell this Eric Delko guy to take his hands off her. As Eric walked her into the building about a dozen heads turned; Miranda groaned in embarrassment. She wasn't one for being the center of attention.
"Here, you can take a seat and just wait for me to come back with Alexx alright? I'll bring her up." Eric gestured to a bench by the receptionist's desk.
"Thank you." replied Miranda, her voice was faint but polite.
From the break room, through the all-glass walls, Ryan had watched as Delko had come in practically carrying, the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She had long, dark, chestnut coloured hair and electric green eyes. she had a strong, athletic, yet very feminine frame. She was dressed very simple, dark blue jeans and a black tank top...just then, Ryan had noticed the glare of her silver badge and gun attached to her belt. He smiled as he noted her gun was on her left hip. "Great, another lefty...that's got to get me somewhat of a conversation." he thought to himself. Ryan got up from his chair and left the break room, making his way over to the young woman now sitting alone on the bench; just before he could reach her, the elevator door opened and Delko had returned, this time with Alexx.
Miranda began to rise as the elevator door opened and she saw Eric. She didn't recognize the woman he was with, but she had assumed it was the Alexx person Horatio had talked about.
"Oh, no honey. It's alright, take a seat." Alexx said just as Miranda was in the middle of getting up.
Miranda sat back down and looked at the woman Eric had brought back, even thought Miranda didn't know her more than 2 minutes…she could tell she was nice...she seemed, very maternal. Miranda gave her a smile; Alexx returned it with her own.
"Hello sweetie, I'm Alexx Woods, Medical Examiner. Eric here tells me you have a nasty injury that could use some assistance."
Miranda hesitated at first, then she slowly raised her left arm, "It's my shoulder." she simply stated.
Alexx knelt down and placed her kit on the ground next to Miranda. "Alright, lets have a quick look shall we?" She swept Miranda's hair from her shoulder and began examining the young woman's arm. "Hmm, what on earth did you do here sweet heart?" Alexx asked as she looked at Miranda, her eyebrow raised.
Miranda was hoping she wouldn't ask, if possible she didn't want to have to explain anything to anyone here. "It's a long story, in sort, I recently dislocated it and had a bullet lodged in there as well." By the tone of Miranda's voice it had seemed like she thought nothing of it. Like it was something that just happened everyday. Alexx looked at her with wide eyes… "Well…you should at least have it in a sling for a while, you shouldn't be using your arm if you want to prevent further damage."
Miranda nodded, "Alright."
Alexx took a few minutes and tended to the young woman's injury; wrapping her left arm in a sling, "Just take it easy, alright honey?"
"Yeah." Miranda simply replied.
Eric had taken a seat next to Miranda on the bench while Alexx had bandaged her up. Ryan had continued to the receptionist's desk and had pretended to be sorting through papers. He had stayed within earshot and had heard everything; keeping an eye on the young woman, he watched as she helplessly looked down at her arm resting in her sling.
Alexx gathered her belongings and headed for the elevator; returning to the morgue.
Eric happened to look up to see Ryan, standing at the receptionist's destk flipping through papers. "Hey, Wolfe!" he called.
Miranda turned her head in the direction Eric had called to. Her eyes landed on a dark haired, well dressed young man. He wasn't tall like Eric, but there was something about him...a certain quality, one that even Eric didn't have. Miranda smiled as the young man turned his attention from his papers to Eric and her. His eyes were...in one word...amazing. Miranda couldn't put her finger on it, they were warm and welcoming, yet mysterious...maybe even dangerous.
Ryan looked up quickly as he heard his name called. He looked over in Eric's direction; his eyes immediately went to the young woman sitting beisde him. She smiled a smile that could melt any guys heart as she too looked over. Ryan returned the smile and made his way over to the two sitting on the bench.
"Wolfe, this is Miranda Marlynn. The new criminalist from Boston. I believe you'll be the one shadowing her." Eric added as he introduced her.
Eric noticed Ryan's smile grow slightly larger.
"Hello. Ryan Wolfe." Said Ryan as he extended his arm and greeted her.
Miranda looked at his outstretched hand. He was left handed. She smiled as she slowly nudged her own left hand which was sitting in it's new sling.
"Oh, I'm..I'm sorry." Ryan stammered as he realized she clearly couldn't use her left arm to shake his hand. Looking rather embarassed. He quickly pulled in his left arm and extended his right instead. Miranda smirked, "It's ok." She reached out and shook his hand. His hands were strong, but gentle.
"Well," Eric interupted, "Horatio just headed out and told to me to introduce you two..so clearly my job's done. Wolfe why don't you show Miranda around, get to know each other...you know, 'the works'." Eric smiled as he watched the two, "I'll be in ballistics with Calleigh if anyone needs me." He added as he got up and walked down the hall.
"Thank you Eric." Miranda replied. Her voice was sweet and entrancing; her 'thank you' was sincere. It took Eric by surprise, he hadn't heard her voice ever sound like that. then again, he had only known her for what? 10 minutes? Even Ryan blinked in wonder, he didn't think Eric and Miranda had made any kind of conection just yet. Hoping that that wasn't the case he sat in silence.
Eric was still looking at Miranda, their eyes locked. "Ah..not, not a problem." He finally spat out before walking off.
Miranda smiled. Then, turning to Ryan she spoke again. "So...you going to show me around or are we going to sit here all day Wolfe?" She asked as she threw in a wink.
Ryan grinned mischievously and raised an eyebrow... "Follow me." He replied.