"Hey, Wolfe, come here for a second." Eric beckoned his colleague toward him into the Questionable Documents lab. Ryan raised an eyebrow, and then followed.

"Yeah? What's up?" Ryan asked tentatively.

"OkwithyouifI—" Eric's words were jumbled and incoherent, so he took a deep breath before continuing. "Is it OK with you if I take Ben out on Friday?" The question was a formality, of course. He had already asked her, she had already obliged, and he planned on going out with her, regardless of Ryan's response. But Ryan had asked him last year if he could date Natalia. Might as well pretend I give a damn. Eric felt guilty for his constant antagonism of Ryan; he was a good guy, but he would never be Speed. He would never fill the void, he would never be forgiven for his countless errors.

Ryan was slightly surprised that Eric had asked. Sure, he had seen them flirting around the lab, but he never thought it would amount to anything. No, it's not OK if you date my ex-girlfriend. "Yeah, sure, whatever." Then, realizing that someone who is over his ex-girlfriend doesn't say 'whatever', he added "Go for it. I think you guys would have a good time."

Eric nodded, smiled "Right on. Just, you know…thought I'd check it out with you fir—"

"Yeah, fine, that's great by me. I mean…I'm dating someone else now. It's…" He searched for the words to say what he was feeling. It's hard that every night I call up Maggie and think about Ben? It's crappy that I blew it with an amazing girl? It's really difficult to be ignored by her everyday? "It's cool. We could double sometime." And with that, he walked away, a little too quickly.

Wolfe never gets any less weird.

> > > > >

Purely by chance, Ryan's Hummer pulled into the Crime Lab parking lot within seconds of Calleigh and Ben's return from their scene. Having developed a sort of peripheral radar for one another's actions, both Benny and Ryan noticed each other's presence, but made no indication of this realization. Even Calleigh, usually so intuitive, was oblivious to the discord within her partner's troubled mind. It was not until they all reached the front doors to the lab simultaneously that the confrontation was made apparent. From behind the two women, Ryan cleared his throat.

"So, I, uh, talked to Delko today," He started, completely unsure of where he intended the conversation to lead.

Sensing the discomfort of the situation, Calleigh politely excused herself.

"I should really go process that, uh…" She blushed, then rushed into the vacated elevator.

Benny stood defiantly before Ryan, the pain of the past few weeks plainly evident in her headstrong expression. Momentarily deterred, Ryan hesitated before continuing.

"So, did you have a nice conversation with Eric?" Benny asked testily, reminding Ryan of the subject of their confrontation, and using her colleague's first name to subtly construe the closeness of their relationship. She raised an eyebrow, daring him to take the bait.

Ryan sighed. "Yeah, he…" Might as well just go for it. "I never knew you were interested in him." But it figures. Not that I care. She can date anyone she wants; I've got Magda…right?

Benny softened a moment, wishing things could just go back to the way they were so recently. "Yep. He's taking me to see Clapton on Friday." Then, remembering her bitterness, "And I'm really excited."

Taken aback, Ryan didn't know how to respond. I thought there would at least be a chance she would want me back. But, hey, if she can move on, power to her. I sure have. "Well, I just…" He gazed at her for a moment longer than necessary.

He used to look at me like that all the time.

"I just wanted to make sure that there's no hard feelings. You know, with…everything that's happened…with us." Blushing, Ryan looked at the ground, barely mumbling the words.

Impulsively, Benny reached out and stroked his arm, so softly that it was almost imperceptible.

"No hard feelings." She almost whispered, and when Ryan looked up, he still had that look in his eyes, the softened gaze that she had almost forgotten how to love.

But then the moment was ever, and Ryan was shouldering past her. "Good. Yeah. Good. 'Cause, you know, I'm seeing someone now. Good, we're both…" He shrugged. "Moving on."

And Benny was left bewildered in the hallway, wondering if her imagination was getting the best of her, or she and Ryan Wolfe had just shared a close moment.

I guess hope is a four-letter word.

> > > > >

Benny walked into the ballistics lab a few minutes later, where Calleigh stood, frowning as she peered into a microscope.

"Hey, Cal, what've you got there? Is that from our case?" She tried to seem nonchalant, though she knew Calleigh was well aware of what she and Ryan must have just discussed.

Calleigh looked up suddenly. "Huh? Yeah, it doesn't quite add up. Take a look."

Benny walked over to the desk which held the microscope and looked in as Calleigh narrated.

"On your left, you've got the bullet we pulled from Mrs. Forsythe. On the right is a bullet that was test-fired from her husband's gun. We have his confession, but I thought I'd double-check just in case. And it's a good thing, because—"

"—They don't match." Interrupted Benny as she looked up from the microscope with the same confused look that Calleigh was currently sporting. "But, that doesn't make sense. The striations aren't even close to consistent, yet he signed a confession which stated that he shot his wife with that gun." She said as she indicated the .38 sitting on the table. "Why would he lie about that? He's facing a needle, here. And he must have known that we'd figure it out eventually." She looked at Calleigh, working it over in her mind. Something just doesn't fit. "Could he be covering for someone?"

"That's what I thought, but I just don't know where the real murderer could have gone in that time. I mean, the neighbour said that she called it in as soon as the shots rang off, and watched the house for the two minutes before the police arrived at the scene. It's just so highly unlikely that a suspect could successfully flee under those circumstances…"

"Unless the neighbour is lying." Facing an expression of realization from Calleigh, Ben finished. "I mean, she could have waited before calling it in, or turned a blind eye on the suspect fleeing, or even…I don't know, hidden the real murder weapon for Mr. Forsythe so that we have this conversation right now. It's more than probable doubt, Cal."

"So it's back to the neighbour."

"It sure is."

"Don't you hate it when the ones who are supposed to be on our side end up making our job more difficult?" Calleigh exclaimed in mock-frustration. Anyone who knew the brassy southerner knew that she was truly in her element when deceit was involved. What better way to trap a suspect than in their lies?

"Yeah, there's just no trusting some people." Laughed Benny as they packed up the evidence to be stored in the evidence locker before they departed to further investigated the notorious neighbour.

Calleigh took a deep breath as she sought for a segue to the topic she wished to discuss. Failing at that, she decided to just jump in with both feet. "So how did it go with Ryan?" Try as hard as she might to sound casual, there was no refusing the way Benny's head snapped up at the mention of his name.

"Oh, it was OK." Seeing that such a vague answer would be insufficient, she continued. "He just wanted to say that there's…" She sighed as she remembered the way he had looked at her. "'No hard feelings'. And that he's apparently got some girl on the go, now. I mean, whatever. One less thing for me to worry about, right?"

Calleigh looked at her sadly. The hurt was still so plainly visible on the young woman's face, and in her bitter words. "Still miss him, huh?"

For the first time, Benny made no move to deny it. She looked up at Calleigh, the sadness apparent in her big blue eyes. Neither woman spoke for almost a full minute, until Ben broke the silence. "I don't know if it's that I have feelings for him, or it's just hard to get used to life without him." She shrugged, reminding herself of Ryan. "There have been other guys since him, but…it's…" Difficult? Almost impossible? The hardest thing I've ever had to do? "Not easy, when I have to see him every day."

Calleigh looked on with sympathy. "Have you two discussed things? I'm sure you guys could make it work out if you tried."

Benny shook her head. "Not with this new girlfriend of his. But I guess it's only fair. I've been dating lately, and Delko's certainly an option. But this girl…it's just something I'd rather not hear about, you know?"

I know, alright. Every woman who's ever been in your position knows.

> > > > >

Five sharp knocks on the door. The age-old code. Eric Delko shifted his weight nervously between his feet as he waited for Ben to open the door. If this were her old apartment, he would have rung the buzzer. But it wasn't. She lived uptown, now, in a little two-bedroom place on Festival Avenue. When she had told him, so casually, that she had moved, he had to catch himself before asking why. Of course she doesn't want to live there anymore; she almost died there…what, four months ago?

He heard her unlock the door before she actually pulled it open, and judging by the fact that it was more than one lock she unlatched, she was still suffering the repercussions of her near-death experience.

"Hey, Eric! Right on time, of course." Her smile was bright, her dimples, to die for.

"Can't keep a lady waiting!" Was his playful retort, as he subconsciously sized up his date. Black skirt flirted with mid-thigh. Fuchsia tank top drew the eye. White blouse added class. "So, you ready to go?" He asked as he gently touched her upper arm, to guide her down the stairs. Mama raised a gentleman.

"Of course! I've been looking forward to this all week!" Do I seem too enthusiastic? Does he know I'm thinking about…stop it, Ben! Just let yourself have fun with this hot Cuban!

"I was thinking we could get something to eat, before the show." He offered as he held open the passenger door of his car for her. Chicks love chivalry. "I know a great bistro right around here."

"Sounds perfect!" Does he know I don't eat meat?

Conversation was light, easy, as they drove along. It always was, with Eric and Benny. They had a casual relationship, conversation always stimulating. With Ryan, there were always lengthy, contemplative pauses. She tried to convince herself that this was a negative part of their relationship, that it had nothing to do with the fact that there hadn't been a single awkward moment since that first day, on their way to their first scene together.

There I go again, thinking about him. If I'm going to be thinking about anyone other than Eric, it should be Adrian. Not that it's the same thing. Ryan is big love. Adrian is…fun. And that would be OK, if he didn't seem to know it. I don't like being the go-to girl for "a good time". If I did, I would write my number on bathroom stalls.

"Ben?"

"Hm?"

"You just seem a little distant, you know." Eric raised an eyebrow. "Something on your mind?" That lovable boyish grin. "You'd be surprised how well I listen."

Poor baby; he's trying so hard. "Yeah…no, I just get a little homesick sometimes. You know…for Canada." That's not completely a lie.

"Maybe it was…too soon." He didn't even look at her as he said this, just stared ahead solemnly as he drove.

"Too soon? I don't…what?" Oh, crap. He knows.

"Well, I mean, you and Wolfe. I don't know, I just thought I should, you know, make a move before some other guy…swept you off your feet or something." He chanced a peek, and a nervous laugh, her way.

Imagine, Eric Delko, nervous about a girl! "I don't know what you're thinking, but Ryan and me, we're done. I like, forget it happened sometimes. Momentary lack of judgment. Doesn't even show up on the radar." Too much? Was that overkill?

Eric cracked a grin. "Well, I'm glad to hear it."

Apparently not.

> > > > >

"Ryan?"

She used to call me by that. But she said it differently…what was it?

"Ryan!"

She dragged the first syllable. Like she loved saying my name.

"Ryan!" Magda was clearly agitated now, balling her hands into fists and shaking her head in the painfully disappointed way she had.

"What!"

"I can't even believe this. I drive all the way from Fort Lauderdale, and you can't even manage half-assed dinner conversation. You could at least feign a little gratitude for the effort I put into this—this—" Magda cleared the kitchen table in Ryan's apartment, almost slamming the dishes.

"What, like I don't? Maggie, honey, keep in mind that I drive to Fort Lauderdale just as often as you drive to Miami. And I don't bust your ass when I get there."

"Oh, because it's so unreasonable for me to want a little basic companionship from my boyfriend! Of course! Why didn't I see it before? Needy, clingy Magda, requiring so much from relationships!" She spat out sarcastically.

Ryan was quick to defend himself. "Don't give me that attitude. You think I don't get enough stress, pulling sixteen-hour shifts for the county?"

"So now you equate our relationship with your job. Thanks, Ryan." She turned her back to him as she stared angrily out the window about the kitchen sink.

"You know that's not what I meant." He stood and walked to her. Wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm sorry, baby." He whispered into her hair. "I'll try harder. I promise…"

She turned to face him. "I'm sorry I yelled. I just…feel sometimes like you're not even here. Like there's this huge part of you I don't know. Whatever's bothering you Ryan, you know you can tell me."

He cast his eyes downward, not daring to look up. What's wrong? I love two women, and the one I love more is out with another guy right now. I hate myself for letting her go, and can't forget for a moment that it's all my fault. "I'm just really busy lately, baby, but things will be better soon." What's wrong? I can't even look you in the eye when I say that.

Magda removed herself from his arms, grabbed her purse off of the nearby counter. "I'm going for a drive. You clearly need some time right now. Do us both a favour and figure your shit out before you make it mine." He knew she wasn't leaving him, as she slammed the door behind her, because she had made no move to grab her duffel bag from his bedroom. But still, it was all wrong. He stood in the kitchen, watching it all unravel.

What's wrong? I'm losing another love everyday that I remain so stubborn to let go. You have no idea, you've done no harm, but you're getting the shortest end of the stick.

What's wrong? Right now, Delko is out with her, having a great time, laughing with her, listening to music with her…kissing her.

For fear of crying, he slammed his fist into the drywall of his front hall, and only then, with his focus drawn to his injured hand, was he able to momentarily forget his woes.

> > > > >

"There you are!" called Eric as he opened the door to the break room. "You been makin' yourself scarce, Wallace?" The jest was meant in humour, but both he and Ben recognized the element of truth.

Benny looked up and laughed. "Like I have the time to play your games." She joked, an exaggerated smile flickering across her face. It reached her eyes, but something was different. It was as if a light had been turned off within her.

So, she knows, too. Their date had gone perfectly, until Eric walked her to the door, and leaned in for a kiss. She had considered obliging, but found that the thought almost sickened her.

I've just been feeling so…unusual lately. Thinking about anything remotely romantic or risqué just disgusts me.

And thus, she had pulled away awkwardly, said thank you, and just about slammed the door in his face, leaving him to speculate as to what exactly had gone wrong.

And now here he was in front of her, clearly preparing himself to deliver some pre-memorized lines. "So I was thinking we should hold off for now on, you know, going out and…everything." He said as he sat down beside her at the table in the break room. End it with her before she does; emerge with some pride.

Ben looked fairly shocked as she raised her eyebrows in response, and, for a fleeting moment, Eric wondered if he had been too quick to dismiss the possibility. But she nodded slowly, looking at him solemnly.

"I had a really nice time with you, Eric. I mean, we always have a great time, right?"

He nodded in response, trying to figure out what she was getting at.

"And, I mean, someday, yeah, this," she waved her hand between them "might work out. But you're right. For now, I think the best thing to do is—"

"—Keep it the way it is." He interrupted, refusing to give her the satisfaction of feeling that the break had been her decision. "Yep. Definitely, Ben." He patted her knee, then rose to leave. "I'm glad we see eye to eye on this much."

She smiled at him, as he walked towards the door. Shame this couldn't have gone better. The man is gorgeous.

As he went to open the door, he turned back to her.

"Oh, and Ben?"

"Yeah?"

"Just talk to Wolfe. You guys obviously love each oth—"

"—Eric. Thats's really not—"

"I know, I know. But you might as well go for it." He opened the door. "It's clearly what you both want."

And, for the second time inside of a week, Benjamin Wallace watched a male coworker walk away, her mouth open, wondering what the hell was happening to the world.