CHAPTER 2

Back in the living room, Eric slowly opened the door, just enough to be able to see who was on the other side. Sure enough, Natalia's ex-husband, Nick, stood angrily in the hall, arms crossed over his chest.

"I know she's here," he barked out, and made to push into the room.
Eric held the door firmly, his shoulder pressed into the wood.

"Get out of here, Nick. Leave Natalia alone and go about your business."

Nick's jaw hardened, and he shoved at the door.

"I just want to talk to her," he said, his voice deceptively friendly.

Eric wasn't fooled. He saw the look in the other man's eye, and felt the power behind the push to the door.

"If you don't leave, I'll arrest you for stalking and tresspassing. You can go, or we'll do it the hard way." Eric's eyes glittered with his own anger, held in check.

"You don't know what you're getting into with her, man." Nick countered, adding;

"She's not worth your time. She'd just as soon whore around on you as look at you." He watched Eric closely, waiting for any type of reaction.

Eric didn't bite; instead, he looked Nick dead in the eye.

"Maybe she's not worth your time. I've seen what you do, seen how you treat her and how she acts when you're around. She's nothing to you and the only reason you're warning me off is because you know you can't get her back. I'm not telling you again. Leave." Eric's eyes were cold; his voice remote.

Nick gave a half-laugh.

"Okay fine; you can have the little bitch. Just don't say I didn't warn you when she burns you." He turned to leave, and Eric watched him for a moment more before stepping back and closing the door.

Eric didn't like it; the encounter had gone too smooth, but Nick was gone for the moment, and Natalia was still in the bathroom. Just as the door made contact with the frame, Eric was nearly knocked off his feet when Nick threw all his weight against it from the outside. He'd faked Eric out, and let him believe it was over. But as far as Nick was concerned, it wouldn't be over until Natalia went with him. Willingly, or no.

Nick entered the house just as Eric regained his footing. The force of Nick's weight exploding against the door had thrown Eric off, and now the other man had the upper hand. Eric pulled his gun from his waistband, but Nick was quick, and brought his foot up, his heavy boot making contact with Eric's wrist. The gun flew across the room, and Nick lunged at the cop, pushing him against the wall.

"I changed my mind," Nick hissed, his face inches from Eric's,

"Natalia's leaving with me and your friends are going to find you drowning in your own blood."

Eric saw his oppourtunity, and with everything he had, buried his knee savagely in Nick's crotch. The man groaned, slumping to the floor in agony, clutching the front of his corduroy slacks in pain.

"You son of a bitch," Eric spat, driving his boot between the man's shoulder blades.

"How does it feel to be thrown around now?" He asked, grasping a handfull of Nick's hair and balling up a fist.
Nick was moaning, his cheek against the carpet.

"Okay, man; okay!" He said, defeated.

Eric was in a frenzy; all the powerlessness he'd felt about Natalia's situation coming to the surface and mingling with molten anger. With a sickening blow, his fist landed against Nick's cheek, and Eric felt the bone give way beneath his knuckles. Howling in pain, Nick tried to move away but Eric held firm. He pulled his arm back to hit him again, but a low, even voice from the door way stopped him.

"Don't do it Eric," the voice said, and Eric looked up to see Horatio Caine walk into the living room.

"Eric," Horatio said calmly when Eric didn't let Nick go,

"If you do anymore, you'll be charged with unnecessary roughness. You don't want that. I know you don't." Horatio was watching Eric, his expression neutral.

Horatio was known for his calm, soothing manner in tough situations. His voice was as smooth and rich as a fine wine, something that served him well when the time called for it.

"Where's Natalia?" Horatio asked, drawing his gun and holding it in Nick's direction.

Eric glanced toward his bedroom, suddenly feeling the need to go check on Natalia. No, he needed to do more than check on her; he needed to hold her, stroke her hair and whisper words of assurance in her ear. Horatio smiled warmly.

"Go to her, Eric. I've got this." He gestured to the man still rolling on the floor, moaning and sobbing in pain.

Eric suddenly felt weary, and he nodded, sliding his gun back into his waistband, and heading for the bathroom where Natalia hid.