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! I'm so glad you're enjoying the story!

Ryan slowly grew more awake hearing the whooshing of the vent as well as the steady beeping of his heart monitor. His still fuzzy brain started to clear up some as he slowly opened his eyes. 'Hospital?' Not finding the strength to look around, he blinked a few times and once again fell asleep.

An hour later Doctor Spenser came in to check him over. "Mr. Wolfe, can you wake up for me?" With that both Ryan and Horatio woke.

Ryan wearily opened his eyes and they focused on the stranger leaning over him. Horatio had come over and grasped Ryan's hand to let him know he was not alone. The doctor seeing his patient's confused look started to explain, "I'm Dr. Spenser, I've been taking care of you here at Mercy General. You were injured and had surgery, but you're doing well. Now that you're awake I would like to take you off the vent." Ryan blinked once to show he understood. "It will take a little time to prepare, so go ahead and rest. When I get back we'll take the tube out." Ryan gave a slight nod and promptly fell asleep aware that someone still held onto him.

A few minutes later a couple of nurses came in and began to get things ready for the procedure. About fifteen minutes later the doctor came back in, a nurse followed with a cup of ice chips and a pitcher of water. Dr. Spenser carefully probed his patients neck for swelling and checked his lungs once more before starting the extraction. "Mr. Wolfe...I need your help in removing the tube...you'll need to cough as hard as you can when I pull, okay?" Ryan gave a slight nod and squeezed the hand holding his. "Okay Ryan... cough now!" The young man gave a small cough and the tube came out. Tears streamed down his face from the pain he felt. "I'll have the nurse give you something for your pain, let's get you a little water." Horatio had already poured a small cup with water and put the straw to Ryan's parched lips. "Take only little sips, you may want to use the ice chips. We'll be moving you to a regular room later today." After a few sips of water, Ryan's eyes were just too heavy to keep open, he quickly fell asleep.

Horatio was deep in thought when Ryan next woke up. Ryan once again felt someone holding onto him. 'Who's here?' He made a great effort to turn his head to see and was surprised when he saw his boss. Horatio was startled when he heard Ryan weakly speak, "Why...here?"

Looking at Ryan, concern evident on his usually stoic face he answered, "I needed to be here to make sure you're going to be okay. I'm so glad you're awake!"

"How...long?"

"How long have you been here?" At Ryan's slight nod he answered, "About four days." Ryan's eye's got large before drooping sleepily again. "Just rest...we'll talk more later."

In the afternoon while he was sleeping they moved him to a regular room. Horatio used that time to update Alexx, Frank, Calliegh and Eric. After getting a bite to eat from the cafeteria Horatio walked back in to a sleeping Ryan.

When Ryan next woke up Alexx was there as well as Horatio. This time it was Alexx grasping his hand warmly. "Hey baby boy...it's good to see your pretty eyes."

"Hey Alexx,"whispered Ryan.

"Here, have some ice chips, honey." She brought the spoon to his lips and he managed a few soothing pieces in his mouth. "You gave us quite a scare, young man. I'm so glad you're doing better."

"What...happened?"

Horatio stepped up to his bedside, "What do you remember?"

Ryan suddenly remembered, "The Russians...Billy?" His eyes widened in panic and he tried to sit up. Horatio quickly held him down, "Ryan...Mr. Wolfe, Billy is okay...with his dad, he's fine!"

"Not dead?...the gun shot.. I 'member," he trailed off weakly tears in his eyes.

Horatio took Ryan's face gently in his hands while Alexx gripped his hand more firmly. "Listen Ryan...please, look at me...that's it. Thanks to you, I got to Billy on time...what you heard was me shooting the Russian. Billy is safe with his dad, okay?"

Ryan gave a slight nod. Everything was beginning to come back now. How he was knocked unconscious and taken in broad daylight. Waking up, being bound to a chair in that dank warehouse at the pier. The force of fists hitting him repeatedly until he passed out. Hoping to be rescued, at least in the beginning. The horrible pain of his tooth being ripped from his mouth. Then he was just dumped out of the car at an abandoned lot early the next day after being shown Billy. If he didn't cooperate they would kill the young boy. He had cleaned and dressed up his wounds and then dressed to hide as much as he could. He made it to the crime scene on time, no one noticed how slow he was moving. No one asked how he knew where the scene was, cause he hadn't been called. No one asked where he had been, or looked close enough to notice he wasn't feeling well. Did they even realize he had been gone? All these thoughts rushed in on him making him upset, tears flowing even more quickly. He looked away from his boss.

"What's wrong Ryan?" H asked truly concerned.

Alexx got a tissue to wipe Ryan's face, Horatio tried to hold Ryan's hand again. Ryan pulled away, "STOP!" "Don't pretend you care...I remember," Ryan harshly whispered. "P-please just go away..." He closed his eyes expecting them both to leave him. When he didn't hear them leaving, he wasn't sure how it made him feel. It was too much! Alexx was not too surprised by this display from Ryan. The young man deserved to be angry about what happened. She went to the bathroom and got a warm cloth.

Horatio not comfortable expressing his feelings couldn't just leave. "Ryan..." he said softly, "please, I...I care very much. I'm so sorry to have let you down as a boss, but especially as a friend." H took the warm cloth from Alexx and pleaded with his eyes so that he could take care of Ryan. He gently wiped the tears from his charges face, and ran his thumb across his forehead. "I'm staying right here, Ryan. Get some rest."

Alexx came up to Ryan's side and kissed him on his forehead. "I'll be by tomorrow if you need to talk." She left knowing there was going to be a lot of healing ahead, physical and emotional.

Ryan was feeling overwhelmed by everything. The way Horatio was behaving was confusing. Usually only Alexx or Frank treated him so nice. The warm cloth and thumb brushing across his forehead was very soothing and he soon drifted off to sleep.

Later that evening Frank and the others stopped by. Ryan was still sleeping so they just briefly looked in saying hi to Horatio. Ryan slept soundly and Horatio stayed by his side once again.