Author notes:
Hey guys, I'm so sorry for taking a month to update this. Life has been… chaotic to say the least and so much has changed in the last few weeks. To make it up I have made this chapter very long.
2nd: my lovely beta pointed out that my story is rated m for a reason! So I have added chapter 3.2 to chapter 3 as normal.
3rd: this chapter is beta'd by John and is dedicated to Jet. (Miss you buddy)
Disclaimer: The bold & italics sections in the 2nd paragraph belong to Dan Brown and all rights and responsibilities are his. Also I don't own CSI; I'm just using the characters.
Chapter 4
Eric Delko sighed in relief as he pulled off his blazer before dropping into his favourite armchair. He unbuttoned the collar and cuffs of his pale blue shirt and relaxed into the comforting fabric of the chair. He had been ordered home by Horatio to get some sleep, and then had been on the go almost non stop all week. First it had been Kelly's case and how they solved it at last. Just as he was giving up hope that it would ever be solved. Then the Las Vegas case...
When they said Las Vegas never stopped, they weren't lying. He and H had arrived at three in the morning and the streets had been packed as if it was twelve noon. They had been chasing a serial killer that was targeting specific men. Extremely specific men. Grey haired, blue eyed men between the ages of 45 and 55. It was too precise to be coincidence. The conclusion was mind numbing. The killer had murdered three men in Miami Dade and two in Vegas as practice for the real prize. That prize being 52 year old, silver haired and blue eyed, Judge Louis Small. The motive? Judge Small had sentenced his son to life in prison for the murder of seven people. Two adults and five children. The son had been drunk as a lord and had gotten behind the wheel of his company's car. A huge 18 wheel truck that squashed the families' station-wagon to scrap metal. The sentence had been well earned but the killer was convinced that his son was innocent. Not even his son's confession would change his mind. Luckily for Judge Small, they had solved the case just in time to save him. The killer had been sharpening blades and knives in front of the Judge when they raided the building.
Eric and Horatio had left Vegas and returned to Miami only to be told that Kyle was in hospital because someone was trying to kill him. Not only had they tried once but twice, breaking into a hospital to do so. As if that wasn't enough, he and Horatio were needed in the glades where a child's body had been found. A child more or less the same age as his niece, Elena. Eric lived for Marisol's daughter. Just the thought that someone could do that to an innocent child... To not only kill them but hack their body apart... To wrap those parts in red cloth and plastic... To bury those parts... Eric put a hand to his mouth as he launched from his seat and ran to his bathroom. Lifting the toilet seat, he removed his hand and threw up violently. Going down to see Alexx before he left had been a huge mistake. The ME and her team had been reconstructing the child with the parts they had. Alexx had just placed the child's head at the top of the table when Eric had entered. Eric bent his head over the bowl and threw up again. Once he was sure he would not throw up again, he got shaking to his feet and crossed the room to the sink. Glancing at himself in the mirror as he grabbed the toothpaste and his toothbrush, he was greeted by a pale, almost white face with huge dark smudges under the eyes. He really needed some sleep! Brushing his teeth slowly to get the taste of vomit out, he toed off his shoes and began unbuttoning the rest of his shirt. Once his teeth were done, he pulled off his shirt, stripped off his belt, slacks and socks. After dumping them and his shirt in the laundry basket, Eric crawled into bed for some well earned sleep.
~ § ~ § ~ § ~
Ryan left the hospital in a foul mood. Horatio had kicked up Kyle's security following the second attempt on his life. First he had secured Kyle a private room right in front of the nurses' station so they could be at hand within seconds 24/7 Second he posted a guard at the door of Kyle's room with a list of the only people who were allowed inside. He had taken photos of each person to add to the list, including photos of the doctors and nurses that tended to Kyle. He couldn't afford anyone to get a dress up idea and make a third attempt on Kyle. These were all wonderful things except for one part. The visitors list. The list of people allowed seeing Kyle that weren't hospital personal. There were only 5 names on that list. Abigail Harmon, Kyle's daughter, Julia Winston, Horatio Caine, Calliegh Duquesne and Eric Delko. No matter how much Ryan had begged and pleaded to see his friend the guard had refused and as much as he hated to admit it, Ryan knew that was a good thing. It seemed that everyone had forgotten his friendship with Kyle or they simply didn't care. Ryan was more inclined to believe the latter.
He scowled darkly as he stopped himself from yanking the door of his car open. At least he had gotten some news. He had charmed and sweet talked one of the nurses into telling him how Kyle was doing and that he would be perfectly okay. She told him that Julia's screams had alerted the nurses so that they could quickly administer the antihistamines that had saved his life. It was the best news he could have received. His friends were going to be okay. He opened the car door, got in and started the engine. What he really needed now was a long hot shower, dinner and his bed but he had to check on Julia and Abbey as well Julia had to be at her wits end but that could wait until morning.
~ § ~ § ~ § ~
He woke slowly, warm and utterly relaxed. He lay in the blissful silence for a long time before he opened his eyes. He yawned and stretched his arms outward, working out the kinks in his muscles from sleeping so still. Sitting up slowly he glanced at the police car shaped ceramic clock on the shelf over the door. The digital face showed 6.42 am. The clock was truly an ugly thing. A present from Marisol to celebrate graduating from police academy, he had never had the heart to get rid of the damn thing or even to accidentally break it so that it could be replaced with something more suited to him. The clock doubled as a piggy bank but was currently empty of money. Right now it held Eric's greatest treasure. On either side of the clock stood a photograph. The one on the right was the Lab staff photo they had taken last year. The one on the right held more value. It was a photo graph of him and Speed at Speed's birthday party. His last birthday party. A similar photo of the two of them stood on his bedside table, only this one was taken at a bar just three days before Speeds death. Eric picked it up and ran his thumb over Speed. "I miss you buddy. Life isn't the same without you." He said quietly before replacing the photograph. Pushing back the covers, he got out of bed and headed to his bathroom for a shower.
Turning on both the hot water and the cold, Eric adjusted the taps until the water was perfect. Slipping off his boxers he stepped into the warm spray letting the water cascade over his body. His neither regions seemed to have realised that he had woken; it presented him with an impressive morning wood. Some of the time he could ignore it by imagining his mother naked or worse Wolfe naked but lately imagining Wolfe naked had the opposite effect.
It had started two months ago. Eric had never seen Wolfe actually in the locker room before, the man always just seemed to have been there without being there. It was confusing as hell but he didn't really care much, it was just Wolfe after all. One day he had run into him in the locker room, coming out of the bathroom. One of the new, still under training patrol cops had been sent to make fresh coffee for his superiors and the idiot was trying to balance five cup in his hands. Lucky for Eric they were all ice cold when the junior cop walked into him, spilling the coffee all over him. Eric had the kid almost in tears with a few well placed harsh words. In the locker room he stripped off his shirt and took off his slacks, socks and shoes and headed to the showers. He was stepping in just as Wolfe was stepping out. Dressed in only dark jeans, he was towelling his hair dry and Eric couldn't help but stare. It was no secret that he swung both ways and Wolfe was a prime piece of man. Tall and slim but firmly muscled with smooth caramel skin. Unfortunately Eric's instincts kicked in almost immediately and he insulted the man, snarling at him to watch where he was going and to pay attention before storming off into the showers.
Eric moaned softly as he wrapped his hand around his aching erection, pumping his hand up and down slowly he closed his eyes and picture his favourite wanking visuals. It was one night, almost five years ago but he remembers it as if it was yesterday. Hearing about Angelo's and deciding to check it out. Dancing amongst dozens of examples of the big apples finest gay men. Spotting the tall beautiful blond at the bar, watching that creep trying to glue himself to him. The kiss that had told him all he needed to know. The man was beautiful and passionate, tasting of peaches and vanilla and oh so responsive to his touch. He had decided in that moment that he had to have him and he had. He had taken Riven back to his hotel room and had taken him on the bed, on the floor, in the shower and even had oral sex on the sofa. Eric pumped his hand faster, adding a swirl around the tip. His cock was pouring pre cum, making him slick letting him pump faster.
Eric envisioned taking Riven in the shower. The way he had wrapped his thighs around him as he thrust into his tight heat. The warm water cascading over their bodies, sliding down his smooth creamy neck that Eric gladly feasted on, while he thrusted. "Eric.." Riven had moaned sounding utterly sinful. Eric began pumping faster and faster, he was getting close.
As if by a switch the images in his mind changed. Creamy white skin became tanned and golden. Pale blond hair turned honey brown and the navy blue eyes of Riven turned into the hazel green of Ryan Wolfe. In his mind Eric lent forward to capture Ryan's mouth in a kiss as he thrust into him. Ryan pulled away only to gasp for air. Wrapping his legs tighter around Eric, he whispered in his ear. "Stop holding back; fuck me like you want to Eric." He licked the shell of Eric's ear, smiling as a shudder went through the man.
Eric thrusted himself into his hand harder as he visualised gripping Ryan's hips harder and pounding into him, slamming against his prostate. Making the quiet man scream his name. Again and again. Pounding into the beautiful man in his arms. Eric's back arched, he was so close...so, so close. Eric began thrusting faster and faster, he was so close. "Come for me love." his vision Ryan told him seductively as he came himself, biting Eric's shoulder to muffle his scream. A few more hard thrusts and he was gone, screaming Ryan's name as he came.
~ § ~ § ~ § ~
Julia Winston hummed quietly to herself as she brewed a pot of her favorite tea – chamomile and honey bush. The chamomile had fantastic relaxing and soothing qualities and the honey bush had cold and allergy fighting properties as well as having a delicious sweet taste. Julia had had to buy it imported from South Africa but it was well worth it. So many people were unaware of the fantastic properties and uses of herbal teas. The Chinese, Japanese and other Asian countries had been using them for years to heal and sooth various ailments. Julia closed the lid on her jar of honey bush tea and replaced it on the shelf next to her usual morning tea – Jujube or Chinese date tea. The small red fruit made a sweet tea packed with vitamins and minerals. This morning however she needed the calming of the chamomile. That nasty, evil, dark hearted, scarlet haired… Julia broke off mid thought. Ranting was not helping anyone. She strained her tea, taking deep breaths to calm down. Even though that… that woman was trying to kill her son, she couldn't afford to get worked up and have to get tranquilized again. Kyle and Abbey needed her.
She placed her tea pot on her tea tray, added a jar of honey, a pitcher of milk, three teaspoons and three cups and saucers. She wasn't expecting guests but it had been drilled into her from when she was little girl to be prepared for unexpected guests. Concluding her hummed song she carried it to the living room and set it down on the coffee table. Preparing herself a cup with no milk and half a teaspoon of honey, she sank down in her favorite chair and took a sip. Julia sighed in pleasure as the flavor burst over her taste buds. She took a second sip then set the cup down. Abbeys baby monitor and her latest reading book sat on the table. She checked that the volume was set on high then put it down again and took up her book, the lost symbol by Dan Brown. It was a thrilling novel that made Julia's heart race. Every few chapters her understanding of the plot was radically changed and the constant twists kept throwing her off. It didn't take her long to get lost in Robert Langdon's race to save his friend Peter Solomon's life.
A little over an hour later the large LED on the baby monitor began flashing blue, indicating that there was movement in Abbeys crib and that she would more than likely wake up soon. Sighing Julia placed her bookmark in her book. She was so close to working the whole thing out. Just a few more pages, she was sure. She set her book down and headed upstairs. She had just reached the top step when Abbey started crying. Hurrying to the nursery, she picked up her granddaughter and hugged her close. "Shhh I'm here Abbey girl" she said softly as she rocked her in her arms. Slowly Abbey calmed down. "Who's a big girl?" she asked her with a smile. Abbey giggled and thrust one arm up. "That's my big girl!" Julia laughed. "Gaga!" Abbey laughed as she clapped her hands.
~ § ~ § ~ § ~
Last year Julia and her friends had taken held fundraisers for all the little African children who rode to school on zebras and animals. They had heard many things about these poor kids. How they had mud huts for homes and lived amongst the animals. As the wives and girlfriends of rich men they had the contacts to raise almost 100 000 dollars for the poor kids. A lot of people were sympathetic to the cause of African children. Celebrating their success, Julia and friends flew to the city of Cape Town fully expecting to see wild animals in the street, villages of grateful people and kids in loin cloths. No –one had ever said the group was very smart. If they had done their research they would have know that that was not the case. Instead of the mud huts they found tall sky scrapers and a busy city full of life and friendly people. South Africa was much like home. In the end they had given the money to various orphan programs and charity's. When they had asked where all the animals were they had been laughed at and told to go to the Kruger Park. The ladies went and enjoyed every minute of the trip .Wild animals and gorgeous wide open spaces of natural flora.
On their last night at the Kruger Park, several elderly native women had made them a delicious creamy spinach dish called something Julia couldn't pronounce. As they were eating a little boy ran in screaming "Gogo! Gogo!" Before talking in rapid Zulu once he had spotted the women he needed. It was later explained that the boy was the womans grandson and that his mother, her daughter was in labour . When Julia had asked, one of the women had explained with a smile that Gogo meant grandmother and was a term of affection. When they had returned home, Julia and her friends had thought it would be a cute idea to teach Abbey to call her Gogo. Unfortunately for her Abbey couldn't say her o's yet and had said Gaga instead. Even worse was that once Abbey was taught it, it could not be unlearnt. No matter how much she tried Abbey refused to call her anything other than Gaga.
~ § ~ § ~ § ~
Planting a kiss on the top of Abbeys head, Julia placed her on the changing table and changed her nappy and clothes. She had been horrified by the thought of nappies when Abbey was born but had gotten use to it after hundreds of nappy changes. She had learnt fast that if you held your breath and did it as fast and as accurately as you could it would get done fast without total yukkyness! Lifting her up again she settled her in her arms and crossed to the window. Jerking the curtains open to let the sunlight enter, she opened the window with one had to get some fresh air in the room.
"I told you! I'm a cop, CSI with the crime lab! Miss Winston knows me! I just want to check on her and Abbey!" an angry voice barked out, destroying the beautiful quiet of morning. Before Julia could move a second, just as angry, voice replied loudly. "As I, said sir! I'm sorry but I can't line has not authorized you as a visitor and I…" Both voices were clearly owned by angry males. Julia frowned, "What were two men doing fighting on her front lawn? "I work for Lieutenant Caine!" said the first voice. Julia smiled as she recognized the familiar voice of Ryan Wolfe "I'm going to ask you only once more to leave sir!" The second man snapped back.
Abbey began to cry again, the loud at voices startling her. Leaning close to the open window, Julia could just make out the familiar crop of long raven hair that belonged to Abbeys favorite uncle and the starched uniform of Officer Taylor that Horatio had posted at the house to protect her and Abbey. Pulling back, Julia shushed her granddaughter she headed downstairs. To quieted the men. Women of class like Julia Winston didn't shout out of windows. In fact they didn't shout at all.
Once downstairs she unlocked the door with one hand and pulled it open. Stepping up to the two men, she said "It alright Officer Taylor. CSI Wolf is a family friend of mine and Kyle's". Ryan turned at the sound of her voice. With a broad grin he neatly scooped Abbey out of her arms and snuggled her close. "Abbes! Hey Julia!" he said in greeting. "Unca rrr" Abbey said with a gap-toothed smile, her own version of Uncle Ryan. Officer Taylor scowled at the display. "Miss Winston," He said turning to her instead. "Lieutenant Caine left specific instructions and a list of who is allowed to visit you and…" Taylor broke off as he realized what he had just said. It was either that or the death glare Julia was sending him. While she was grateful to Horatio for organizing he security and protecting his family, no-one told Julia Elizabeth Winston who she could or could not see in her own home. Taylor wintered under her fierce glare. "Miss Winston I didn't mean that like it sounded and…" Taylor's voice was cut off as Julia spun on her heel and headed inside. Ryan slipped inside with Abbey just in time as Julia slammed the door shut. "That man…!" She seethed. Ryan entered the living room, and placed Abbey in her play pen. "Tea?" Julia said gesturing to the now cold tea pot. Ryan grinned, "What is it? Jasmine and Jujube like last time?" Julia shook her head, "Chamomile and honey bush." "I'll just make some coffee Jules." He said, using his nickname for her as he played with Abbey. "Baba?" Abbey said suddenly looking around. Julia and Ryans eyes widened to almost comic proportions. Baba was the cloth toy rabbit that Ryan had given her. Julia had hated the damn thing almost instantly. Her granddaughter deserved the best of everything and this toy wasn't it. The rabbit was clearly old and well loved. Dark red stitches stood out sharpie on its cream body. It had been broken many times in its existence and patched up. The biggest of these fixes was the rabbit's button eyes. One was black and the other was bright azure blue. None of this had mattered to Abigail. She adored the rabbit the moment she touched it. The one and only time that Julia had tried to get rid of the damn thing, her granddaughter had cried and screamed for two hours before Julia had just given her the damn thing back. "Her room!" The last time she had seen the toy it had been while she was putting her to bed. Ryan nodded. He stood up and put Abbey into her play pen carefully before racing up the stairs, taking them three at a time. Within seconds he came tearing back down, Baba in hand. Abbeys lower lip was already beginning to tremble when he handed the toy to her. 'Baba!" Abbey squealed in Joy as she began playing tea party with her toys. Ryan bent over to catch his breath. Looking up he caught Julia's eye and couldn't help it. As one they burst into laughter. "That was close." Julia smiled. "Too close." Ryan said standing up. "Coffee?" Julia nodded, "Sounds good." Scooping up her tea tray, Julia led the way to the kitchen.
~ § ~ § ~ § ~
When they returned a few minutes later it was to find Abbey playing quite happily with her toys. Julia watched Ryan as he set the coffee pot and their cups down on the table, preparing their coffee exactly how they liked it. Settling into her favorite chair again, she smiled as she took the cup from Ryan. He had changed a lot in the last few months. When she first met him, he was young and carefree. With a happy, bubbly personality and razor sharp intellect, she knew at once that he would make an excellent friend for Kyle. A guy he could model himself off. Then one day about six months ago, something in Ryan changed. He had been growing his hair longer, for a change he had said and then one day, Bam! He had hit them all in the gut by showing up dressed fully in black with jet black hair and even a little eye liner to emphasize his eyes. Funnily enough he looked really good on black. Today he was dressed once again in black jeans and black sneakers but as a change for today he wore a deep forest green long sleeve t-shirt. It was the most color she had seen on him in two weeks. He settled down next to her, tiring his own cup. The silence between the two of them spanned a few minutes. Each savoring their coffee and observing the other. "I heard about Kyle." Ryan said softly breaking the silence. "How are you holding up Jules?" Julia took a deep breath. She had expected this question and had the genetic response of 'I'm fine' on the tip of her tongue until she realized that it was Ryan and while he would accept her answer he would never believe her. Ryan had become as close a friend to her as he was to Kyle. Gripping her coffee cup tighter as he face paled. "No.' she admitted more to herself than to him. Convincing herself that not being okay was fine.
Ryan frowned. He had been expecting Julia to not be alight. That was understandable but her pale face and death grip on her cup was not. Ryan had so many questions. Starting with, why was there security everywhere? What was wrong with Kyle? What had caused Julia to have that horrible reaction? "She's trying to kill my Kyle. She's already tried twice and nearly succeeded. I just know she'll try again and as they say – three times lucky. I can't lose my Kyle, Ryan and Abbey can't loose her daddy!" Julia sobbed as tears poured down her face. Ryan stared at her. Something was clearly very wrong with his information. Unsurprising as it came from Delko. The man lived to make Ryans life hell. "What if she comes after Abbey?" Julia asked. "I know that were safe because of Officer Taylor but still it doesn't feel safe. If only that stupid nurse hadn't given me that tranquilizer! I could have stopped her! I could have caught her! I could have done something! I heard some of what she said too. Not much because of that stupid nurse but I heard her threaten Kyle and Abbey! Oh god what am I going to do Ry? I can't let her hurt Kyle or come near little Abigail! I mean what if…" Julia was working her way up to hysterical. "Julia!" he said sharply, leaning forward and shaking her arm hard. Julia blinked at him as if lost. "I'm so sorry Ry, I'm just so worried about them and about her too!" Ryan stood up and pulled her into his arms, letting her cry out her fears. "It'll be okay" He told her, stroking her hair and back to sooth her. " You have the best CSI team looking after them. Between Calliegh, Delko, H and me, we won't let anything or anyone come near you, Kyle or Abbey." I… I… I know. I'm just scare." Julia hiccupped as she tried to stop crying. As gently as he could he steered Julia back onto her chair. Picking up her empty cup, he made her a fresh cup with extra sugar for the shock. As he pressed the cup into her hand, he realized Abbey had been quiet since he had made curled up amongst her soft plush toys. Baba held tightly in her arms. Taking the light blanket from the corner of her crib he draped it over her.
"Abbey is asleep." He told Julia softly. She nodded meekly and stood up. "I think I'm going to lie down a little too. Could you lock the door when you g Ry?" Julia asked softly as she lay down on the couch, curling her legs up and slipping off her high heels. Ryan passed her a blanket from the small cupboard in the hallway and watched as she spread it across her legs. Ryan felt his anger spike again. Julia and Abbey were so delicate and vulnerable. Why would anyone want to hurt them? He faked a smiled at her and took the tea tray with their cups to the kitchen. Setting the auto lock on Julia's door, he slipped out of the house and made sure that the door was locked behind him. Glaring at Officer Taylor, who glared right back, Ryan fished his cellphone out of his jeans and hit speed dial four. His call was answered after just two rings. "Caine". "H, we need to talk"
~ § ~ § ~ § ~
An hour later Ryan was back in front of the patrol cop at Kyle's room. "CSI Ryan Wolfe." The cop said. Checking his lab id against the email Horatio had just sent him, authorizing him to let Ryan see Kyle. "Your hairs different" Ryan could have screamed and would have but the patrol cop stepped aside. He entered Kyle's room as fast as he could, before he cop could change his mind. The long conversation he had had with Horatio to let him see Kyle. Horatio had reluctantly admitted to forgetting about Kyle. He had apologized in his strange way for forgetting about him then had to hang up as Rick entered his office.
Ryan closed the door behind him before turning to see his friend. Big, muscular Kyle Harmon looked so small in the starched white sheets of the hospital bed. Everything about it screamed wrong. Kyle was sunshine and sports and laughter and smiles not cold, pale, machines and starch sheets. Plugs, wires and tubes were attached to his friends from the half a dozen machines blinking and beeping around him. Ryan shivered. He couldn't stand hospitals, doctors either. They brought back way too many memories. Summer, Dante, blood, and death. He shivered again. Cold. Hospitals were always so cold. "Focus Ry!" He told himself. He turned to Kyle again. Aside from being extremely pale, he didn't look so bad. There was a long cut on his forehead that had been stitched up and patched. The cast on his broken leg stood out under the sheets. As carefully as he could, Ryan gently pushed Kyle's leg back under the blanket and folded the sheet into a almost perfect corner, tucking it into place. "What's going on Kyle?" he said as he sat down in the chair next to his bed."You need to wake up mate. You need to tell us who did this to you. Julia keeps mentioning a "her.", but who is her?" Ryan knew that Kyle most likely couldn't hear him but he didn't care. "You need to wake up for Abbey and your mom" Ryan sighed, "For me too."
Ryan didn't stay long. He despised hospitals to much to stay more than an hour. Two maximum. The last time he had spent more than two hours in a hospital he had been holding a girls hand. Holding it, as she bled internally. Holding it as the doctors told him there was nothing they could do. Holding it as her skin turned pale and cold, as her heartbeat and breathing slowed. That night he had held the hand of a woman. She was a daughter, a sister, a friend and most importantly a mother. That night he held the hand of Summer Le Roux as her gave out. He held her hand as her last breath was snatched by the cool air. He held her hand as Summer Le Roux passed on into the world of shadows.
