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

A/N: Thanks again for all the reviews, alerts and encouragement! Just so you know, all the medical stuff is not accurate. Just enjoy it for what it is, FICTION!

Morning came too soon for Horatio. They had put a recliner in the room for him, but he still had trouble sleeping. His guilt ridden conscience had kept him from peaceful slumber. The still groggy lieutenant stood up and stretched the kinks out of his neck and shoulders. He felt Ryan's forehead and pulled his fingers through the young man's hair. "Please wake up soon Ryan, we need you... I need you," Horatio whispered. He took Ryan's hand and was just sitting down when he thought he saw some movement. He began to think he had imagined it, when it happened again, Ryan's head moved very slightly. "Mr. Wolfe, Ryan can you hear me? I need you to try and wake up, please!" When he saw his head move a little more, he called out a bit more loudly, "Ryan, I need you to wake up!"

Ryan heard someone calling him from far away. The voice sounded urgent, wanting something. '...ratio...gotta wake up... needs me...calling me...'m tired...'

"Come on Ryan!" H squeezed the younger man's hand hoping to get some response. To his surprise he felt a slight pressure from the fingers he held. Ryan could hear Horatio and really wanted to wake up. '...must of o'er slept...have to get up...' He struggled, but finally his eyes were half open. Horatio pushed the call button for the doctor, "That's it Ryan, you're doing fine."

As awareness crept into Ryan's mind and body, his eyes suddenly widened in panic. Something was in his throat and pain was now starting to make itself known. 'What's wrong with me...what h'ppened?'

His monitor started beeping faster as his heart rate quickened. Then he heard someone talking.

"Calm down Ryan, you're going to be all right," Horatio calmly stated as he moved into his CSI's line of vision. Looking into Ryan's confused eyes, "You're in the hospital...the ventilator's helping you breath, please try and relax. The doctor should be here soon."

Horatio's calm voice and strong grip of his hand soon had Ryan drifting off to sleep just as the doctor came in. "He woke up, that's good right?"

"It's a good sign, let me just check him out." Doctor Spenser made a thorough exam of Ryan and was encouraged by his findings. "His lungs sound good, and the swelling around his throat has decreased. His urine output is adequate and his temperature is normal. He's out of the coma, but he'll most likely sleep most of the time. His body needs the rest in order to continue to heal."

"Thank you, Doctor Spenser."

"Once he wakes more fully we'll probably will be able to take him off the ventilator and then move him to a regular room. Please have me paged next time he wakes, okay?"

"Sure doctor."

Horatio felt a little of the weight removed from his heavy burden of guilt, knowing that Ryan was going to be alright. He had to leave his charge for a moment to call Alexx and the others to tell them that Ryan was no longer in a coma, but still in ICU. He advised them not to visit at this time as he was still too weak. Alexx of course insisted that she would be by that evening. Coming back to Ryan's bedside he felt saddened as he looked at the young man who was still really pale making his bruises stand out in wild contrast. H once again took his hand trying to think of how he would apologize to him, not blaming him for wanting to quit the team. Looking back to when Mr. Wolfe first joined the team, he realized they never made him feel he belonged. Yes, they worked cases with him and got along fairly well, yet they failed to get to know him as a person. When Ryan first started he was a cheerful, enthusiastic, friendly young man eager to do anything to be accepted by them. His time on the team produced a more solemn, cynical, intense and less outgoing CSI, still wanting to belong. 'I just don't know where to start. There is so much that needs fixing. Will Ryan give us another chance? God! What if he turns out to be my son...could he ever forgive me or allow me to be a part of his life?' Horatio, sitting next to Ryan resting his head against their entwined hands, lightly dozed with those thoughts swirling in his weary brain.

Alexx was able to leave work early so made it to the hospital late in the afternoon. Anxious to see her favorite CSI she walked into his room. Seeing Horatio sleeping she gently put her hand on his arm to wake him. "How's my baby boy doing H?"

Horatio woke to Alexx' touch. "He's doing better. The doctor says his lungs are clear and his temperature is normal. He's still really weak so he'll be sleeping a lot."

"I'm so relieved! Do you mind if I sit with him a while?"

"I'll just get something to eat, I'll be right back!" Horatio reluctantly let go of Ryan's hand and left. He really didn't want to stay away too long. He got lunch at the cafeteria and freshened up some, which only took about twenty minutes. Not knowing what else to do he slowly walked around in the waiting area. After another fifteen minutes he really just needed to be back with Ryan so he just walked back in. "Sorry to interfere Alexx, but I really need to be here for Ryan."

"H, you haven't really left Ryan's side except to eat and freshen up. You need to take care of yourself if you're going to take care of Ryan. How are you feeling?"

"Alexx, physically I'm fine. Otherwise, I'm miserable! I know I'm mainly responsible for this whole situation, and I don't know how or where to start fixing it!"

"Your being here for him is a good start. Then you can be honest to Ryan about how you feel about what you've allowed to happen. You just really need to show him that you do care!"

"I intend to do just that, Alexx. I'm just hoping it's not too late to repair the damage."

Try to think positive, Horatio. Ryan's a strong person, and with our friendship and support, he'll be alright. You just need to take things slow, give him a chance to take in everything, and be there for him emotionally."

"I'll try my best, Alexx. I'll try my best!"

"I know you will Horatio." She stood up and kissed Ryan's forehead softly saying good-bye. "I'll try and stop by again tomorrow." With that she left Horatio with Ryan.

Ryan continued to sleep the rest of the day. Horatio continued his vigil sitting next to him, talking to him about anything. He briefly wondered about Frank when he failed to stop by, but knew it was probably work keeping him busy. Finally he sat in the recliner and drifted off to sleep.

The day proved to be extremely busy for Eric, Calliegh and Tripp. A double homicide needed their full attention. The news that Ryan was out of the coma at least brightened their day. Hopefully they would be able to visit him tomorrow night after work.