Disclaimer: I do not own anything from CSI: Miami, wouldn't want to!

A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews,alerts,and encouragement! I have the story finished and will update regularly. I sure hope you'll like the rest of it. Even if you don't like it read and review please, I don't mind constructive criticism. On with the show!

Frank, after leaving work, swung by Horatio's as planned before heading back to the hospital. Knowing Ryan had made it through surgery was a relief, but now he might not wake up. He got to the hospital and wearily made his way to Ryan's room. When he walked in he had to close his eyes to what he saw as a broken doll lying so small and still on the bed. The beeping of the monitors and the whooshing noise of the ventilator was unnerving. He edged over to the side of the bed and handed Horatio his stuff. "Hey, H, why don't you grab a bite to eat and freshen up? I'll sit with Ryan."

Horatio nodded and despondently left the room knowing Frank would want some time alone with the sick young man.

The detective took the vacated seat and taking Ryan's hand started talking quietly. "Hey Ry...you know you look a mess! You need to wake and get better Mr.!" He started blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. He felt all his anger at the situation bubble up. He gripped Ryan's hand a little harder and had to regain his emotions. It was nearly twenty minutes later when he spoke softly again. "It makes me so furious, what they let happen to you. I wish I could take away all the pain and make you well. I want you to know...I'll be here for you, you're kinda like the baby brother I never had. Please don't give up." He looked up at Ryan hoping to see some kind of reaction, but was disappointed when there wasn't any.

Horatio had come back and stood just outside the room when he heard Frank's feelings about what happened. It made his stomach churn with guilt and anger at himself. Touched by how much the detective cared for his youngest CSI, he thought it was time to share with his friend a secret he had been keeping many years.

As Horatio entered Ryan's room he quietly announced his presence, "Hey, Frank."

"Oh...I didn't hear you come in, how much did you hear?"

"Enough to know how much you care...I'm glad. I want to tell you and especially Ryan something I've never told before. It's about why I rarely address Mr. Wolfe by his first name." He stepped by the other side of the bed and grasped the other limp hand in his own. He gently ran his other hand through Ryan's sweat soaked hair, leaving it rest lightly on his warm forehead. "I've never told anyone because even after all these years it still hurts when I think about it."

"H, you don't have to tell me then, it's okay."

Looking first at Frank, and then at the young man's face he got his emotions under control so he could tell his story.

"You're one of my closest friends and Ryan, when he wakes, deserves to be told." He absentmindedly began rubbing his thumb gently across Ryan's forehead. In a soft voice he continued, "Just out of high school I met and fell in love with this amazing young lady. She was pretty special, I thought we would grow old together. We moved in together after six months. I planned on marrying her... I asked, she insisted we didn't need to. She got pregnant shortly after and I was so happy. We had an amazing little boy...we named Ryan." He paused and shook his head slowly closing his eyes briefly, what he would say next was very difficult. "One day when I was at work, I was a mechanic, she left. She took my boy, only two years old! No note, no clue as to where, or even why. She had no relatives that I knew of." He took a shaky deep breath. "I tried to find them, joined the force to gain more resources, but I had no starting point, only her name. I missed them so much...still do." He looked over at Frank who nodded in understanding knowing his friend had more to say. When Ryan came to work his first day, there was something familiar about him, especially his eyes. He...reminded me of her all those years ago. I just couldn't call him by his first name, it hurt too much. So to put distance between us, he became Mr. Wolfe. I've been selfish not even thinking how it made Ryan feel." Bending his head down to Ryan, "I'm so sorry if I made you feel you don't belong! Things are going to change if you'll stay with us."

"I'm glad you told me H. At least it makes more sense. But you sure as hell made a mess of things didn't you! You should have talked to Ryan from the beginning, given the young man a chance."

"I know that Frank, if...I mean when he wakes up, I hope he'll give me a chance."

"You know you can count on me to help any way I can." He reluctantly let go of Ryan's hand and moved to get up. "I better get going, call me if there are any changes." He left Horatio who continued his vigilance over Ryan, hoping the next day would find him getting better.

Calliegh and Eric wasted no time so they could get to work early. They knew Ryan was usually there first, so they hoped to clear the air before their shift started.

"I don't get it Call, where could he be? I know that's his car I parked beside!"

"Well, we checked everywhere, this just doesn't feel right! Let's ask at reception."

As they made their way to reception they saw Frank coming in.

"Hey Frank," they said in unison.

"Hi!" he snapped. Still angry at them he quickly turned to walk away.

"Wait! Did you happen to see Ryan this morning?" Eric cried out.

"No." He hung his head and was starting to walk away when Calliegh cut in, "We really need to talk to him about yesterday, do you know where he is?"

Frank couldn't help himself, he turned around to face them, anger clearly on his face. "You really want to know where Ryan is huh?!" he shouted. "He's in the damn hospital fighting for his life, that's where!!"

"What!?" Eric and Calliegh weren't prepared for that outburst. Everybody in the lobby were now openly staring at the trio. Frank swiftly retreated to the break room a little overwhelmed by his intense feelings toward his coworkers. The other two, a little stunned, took a couple of deep breathes and then followed him. They couldn't understand why Frank was so angry. Frank stood at the coffee pot with his back towards them. Calliegh initiated the conversation sensing the tension in the room. "What happened to Ryan, he seemed fine yesterday and the day before. Did he get sick or something?"

"Or something..." Frank muttered.

Having no clue what was eating at the older man, Eric, concerned and frustrated yelled, "Just tell us what happened!"

Frank wanted to scream right back but just closed his eye sand counted to ten. Turning to face them he answered calmly, "Ryan is at Mercy General in ICU. Horatio is there you can talk to him!" He quickly left not wanting to say any more. Again Calliegh and Eric were stunned. Eric started pacing wanting to know more about Ryan and wondering why no one let them know earlier.

"Damn it Call, what's up with Frank? Why didn't he tell us what's wrong with Wolfe, is it a secret? I can't believe it!" Worry and anger laced his words.

"I have no idea Eric. I sure wish I knew the answers to both those questions. Especially why H didn't let us know. We'll just have to head to the hospital after work and find out, okay?"

"Yeah, you're right. It's just frustrating!"

"I know, let's get to work."

The cases the team had that day were pretty clear cut. Their minds kept wandering to their coworker hoping he was alright.