Title: Never Again
Author: LiLAqUaMaRiE
Fandom: CSI: Miami
Pairings/Characters: All of them.
Rating: R/M
Genre: Drama, angst
Warnings: Mentions of death, violence, etc.
Reviews: Constructive criticism is appreciated. Flames will be ignored, thank you.
Summary: An attacker is on the loose and there's already been victims. Can the CSI Miami team find the attacker before he strikes again?
Disclaimer: I don't own "CSI: Miami" or anything related to it. So don't sue me please!!!! I'm already poor as it is. Don't need a lawsuit to put me out on the street.
Note: First time at an Episode Fic Style, so bear with me.

Seen it before, but not like this
Been there before, but not like this
Never before have I seen him this bad
She's just a woman, never again
- 'Never Again' by Nickelback

Never Again

"There are more pleasant things to do than beat up people." – Muhammad Ali

Part Seven

Natalia walked into the break room to see Ryan making himself a cup of coffee. She headed towards him.

Noticing her presence Ryan glanced up to her, "Hey." He poured some milk into his coffee.

Natalia gave him a small smile. "Hey."

Silence overcame them; the only sound heard was that of Ryan stirring a spoon within his cup of coffee. He glanced up to his side to see her leaning against the counter looking to a far off wall on the other side of room.

He was starting to get worried so he questioned her, "Everything okay?"

Natalia turned her face to stare at him, "Why did you do that?"

He took a sip of his coffee before putting it down on the counter before turning to face her. "Do what?"

Natalia attention reverted back to the far off wall. "You know, defend me earlier in front of Adams?" She questioned out loud at him.

Ryan blinked, taken back by the sudden question. He turned around to lean against the counter as well before responding to her, "That was the idea."

Natalia was quiet for a moment. "It's stupid really. It's just I'm more worried of what you think of me ever since you know what happened, that sometimes I think I you really hate me."

Ryan listened to her in silence.

"Ryan, I know it looked like I used you and Eric, but I never truly meant it too." Natalia sighed softly closing her eyes. "You and the others mean a lot to me."

Ryan couldn't help but let out a small smile at that; he nudged her gently with his elbow to get her attention. "Don't worry. I mean, we're friends."

Natalia opened her eyes turning to face him completely. "W-What I mean is…thanks." Her face held so much emotion that she had held within ever since the incident of the 'mole'. "Thanks Ryan."

Ryan returned her smile before pulling her into a hug. "Don't worry about it Natalia." He felt her returning the embrace. "Remember, we're friends."

Eric glanced at Calleigh, "That was what I call a long day at the job. It make's you hungry."

Calleigh shook her head with a light smile on her lips.

Eric noticed her reaction, "What? What did I say?"

Calleigh stared at him with a raised eyebrow, "You mean you spoke?"

Eric gave her a look, "Haha, cute."

"I try."

Eric pouted at her, "But come on…" He whined at her. "I'm hungry."

Calleigh eyed him, "And you're telling me this…why?"

"I don't want to eat alone."

"You never want to eat alone Eric."

Eric nodded happily, "Exactly!"

Calleigh sighed loudly as if she was annoyed but the smile never left her face. "You're like a little boy sometimes you know that?"

"Well then, you can pretend you're my mother and buy me lunch."

Calleigh snorted in response. "You're broke, aren't you?" she realized.

Eric pouted at her. "You weren't supposed to know about that…" he noticed her stern look, "Well, not until after you bought me lunch that is."

He noticed her reaction didn't change.

"I meant to tell you that beforehand."

Calleigh nodded, pleased. "That's better."

Eric shook his head. "You're one tough lady Cal." He told her before resorting to whining again. "Don't be like this….You don't want me to starve do you?"

Calleigh laughed finally giving in, "Fine."

Eric grinned, "Score!"

Calleigh watched him as he but all jumped for joy at knowing he was going to get free lunch, "You're such a big baby."

She was responded with laughter.

Frank walked into Horatio's office; he stopped when he reached the middle of the room. He noticed his friend was standing near his window, looking outward. Before he could say anything Horatio greeted him without turning to glance at him, "Frank."

Frank replied in the same manner, "Horatio." He crossed his arms across his chest, "Seems Adams going to be sentenced for a pretty long time."

Horatio continued to stare out the window as he nodded, "Susan will be pleased."

"I've heard she decided to get therapy after she leaves the hospital."

Horatio sighed softly before turning to glance at his friend, "She a strong woman."

Frank blinked, "For her sake, I hope she is." He uncrossed his arms, "What about you?"

Horatio titled his head to a side as he stared at Frank, making the man continue his line of thought, "What's on your mind?"

Horatio silently shrugged. "Not much Frank, not much." He offered his friend a small smile, "But like every story in life there must be an ending."

Frank nodded. "And for Susan this is a happy ending."

Horatio pulled out his sunglasses as he walked away from the window pausing to stand next to Frank, "I must say it's a happy ending for everyone my friend." With that Horatio continued to walk away exiting his office.

Frank chuckled to himself as he registered Horatio's words into his mind. "And that, as they say, is that I guess." He spoke to himself before walking after his friend, closing the door to the office behind him.

Fin.