Epilogue

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yikes! I got a lot of upset PMs for that ending. Not sure that necessarily attests to my skill as a writer, but despite the upsetness of them, it was heartwarming to know just how many puppy lovers are fellow CSI fans also. So I consulted with my muse (aka a Golden Retriever named Ladybug) and she concurred we should offer up a happy ending for all those who love their bed-hogging, pizza loving, and (in my case) oversized lap doggies...

Ryan left the police building, heading toward his car. He saw Horatio's Hummer was parked a space away and Horatio was standing by the back door, staring at his phone. Ryan passed him.

"Night, H," Ryan called. He dug his keys out, hitting the unlock button on his car remote.

"Mister Wolfe."

Ryan stopped and turned. Horatio looked up from his phone.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if I could trouble you to consider taking in a roommate for a while."

Ryan smiled a little. "A roommate? Who?"

Horatio opened the door and reached in. He said something inaudible and from his Hummer leapt out a young German Sheppard. He turned, holding an envelope and the end of a leash. He walked up to Ryan, holding the leash and envelope out to Ryan.

Ryan didn't accept either.

"H… I really don't—"

"Her name is Loki. Her owner was killed last night and she is homeless. We found paperwork for her. She is purebred and has already competed in several dog shows." Horatio extended his hands out further, silently urging Ryan to accept the gift he was offering.

Ryan looked at him, then down at the dog. She met his eyes and her tail slowly wagged. She was just as unsure about what to do as Ryan was. Ryan crouched down and her tail wagged a little harder. She walked up to him, licking his hand when he extended it. She leaned into his fingers as they found the itchy spot behind her ears. Jake liked that spot too – the memory made Ryan smile. He took the leash from Horatio as he stood. Ryan put Loki in the back seat of his car, and then turned, taking the envelope.

"See you tomorrow, H."

"Yes you will. Have a good evening."

Ryan turned to walk around his car and almost laughed. The lab techs, Calleigh, and Eric were standing outside, watching. So Horatio hadn't been alone in this plot – it made him wonder if Loki really came from the home of a deceased victim. He got in, seeing Calleigh was walking toward Horatio. He started his car and backed out, heading for home.

In the parking lot Calleigh stopped beside Horatio.

"What did you tell him?"

"The truth."

"What did he say?"

"He'll see us tomorrow."

Calleigh smiled, turning on her heel. She headed back to the door to tell the others Ryan had taken in the dog.

Maybe someday she'd tell Ryan the idea was actually Eric's. The case was his and when she arrived, he asked her if she thought releasing the dog and the papers would compromise the case. She called Horatio. He called a lawyer friend. Within four hours, the dog and papers were deemed as inconsequential to the case and Horatio was on his way to pick her up from the pound to deliver her to Ryan. She hoped having a new friend in his life would bring back that spunk that had vanished when he'd lost Jake. Maybe he'd even smile again.