Disclaimer: No rights to CSI Miami . . .

A/N: a.lil.faith.can.go.a.long.way. :0)

Chapter 29

He stood waiting for the last two of his small day-shift pack to arrive. Let's hope he didn't fall… There was concern etched upon his brow, which quickly dissipated once they arrived.

Striding across the room, he gave her a hand with the bulky box so that she could assist her temporarily injured colleague.

Once everything and everyone settled down, he took his place by his desk and faced the semi-circle of people before him.

"I'd like to… discuss… what exactly happened last week," he began.

No one spoke. What was there to say? All eyes fell upon Natalia and Eric. At least this time, I'm not alone in the spotlight, the former thought bitterly.

"A criminal escaped jail and ended up dead. End of story," the incapacitated man stated clearly and coldly at the sea of eyes full of pity.

"According to our evidence, during a prison work program," the blonde ballistics expert decided to try and calm the tension, "Larry Miller, convicted for being a pedophile, switched places with Luke Litano, convicted for marital abuse. Mr. Miller killed Officer Paledez-"

"-who had been assigned to supervise Luke Litano," interrupted the gruff detective with a frown, "But for some reason he decided, after the switch, to escape jail and kill this Miller guy… then bludgeoned our officers? I really don't get it. At least we stopped Litano."

"See that's what I don't get," said the obsessive compulsive CSI, "is how can you two have shot and killed Luke Litano when Natalia claims that she was kidnapped by him… the time… it's impossible…" He turned to face her. "Are you sure-"

"What! You're still holding the MOLE thing against me? What do I have to do to make you people trust me!" She was so red and infuriated, hot tears of frustration leaking out of her eyes. "I KNOW what I saw… I know who I saw!" She dashed out of the room in frenzy of emotions.

"Great job, Wolfe," Eric was shooting him dagger-eyes from across the circle. "Excuse me, Horatio."

He stood up with his crutches and wincing, made his way to the door. She's still sensitive… and raw… I hope I can be the one… to help her… I…need her…

Once he had made his furious exit, the commotion starter stuttered, "I'm so sorry- I mean, I didn't mean…" Great…

"Not a problem, Mr. Wolfe." Still, his boss was frowning, "They are old enough to solve their problems."

"Horatio, if we can't find her kidnapper," asked Calleigh, worry etched upon her face, "does this become a cold case?"

"It can not become closed… we have no information on who… did this."

Calleigh nodded mutely. She had no idea what ordeal Natalia had gone through, but the thought of what that monster had done certainly frightened her. And he could still be out there… His grudges have dangerous consequences. Why can't we help her better?… I didn't become a CSI to screw up on cases like this…

"I'm sorry everyone, but one day, I hope we learn, and understand, the truth." The ginger haired man hated to end things like that, but that's all there was to it. It was now a cold case, ironically what Natalia's first job at the crime lab was. "This isn't over. We will find the truth. You're all… dismissed."

The look on his face was one of contorted mixed feelings. He was sad, disturbed, angry, and yet… confident.

Better days were yet to come.

"You did it?"

"What?"

"The rip."

"Yeah, over the Delektorsky household."

"I thought you said it was Delko…"

"Shut up."

"The kids stepped in."

"Yeah."

"They're coming… for us."

"Yeah, I know."

"How-"

"It was inevitable from the beginning."

"I guess." Tears sprung to her eyes and threw her arms around him. "I'm gonna miss you!"

"You're so pessimistic." His countenance told a different story. "I'm sorry."

"We're in it together, right? 'Til the end!"

"Yeah, 'til the end."

They could only hope for a fair outcome of the trial that awaited them.

"Jem?"

"What?"

"Am I still flickering?"

"I dunno." She turned to see her older brother shrugging. Like I'm supposed to know, he thought, it's so random… and creepy. How come I got stuck with the weird-o sister?

"Do you think Daddy and Mommy are okay?"

"I don't see why not."

"You're lying. I may be five, but I'm not stupid!" She glared at her older brother.

Yet you still insist on clutching onto that dumb bear! "So, what if I am?"

"What's going on? After what happened to daddy, mommy and him haven't been talking… are they fighting?" She was wide-eyed in anxious curiosity.

So stupid… "They both got big boo-boos!" He waved his arms widely over his head to emphasize the word, 'big'. " Maybe they needed some time off."

"Like… summer vacation?" The boy shrugged again.

"Something like that."

"Jem?"

"What?"

Her voice level dropped a notch. "Am I dead?"

"Uh, no? Why are we whispering?"

"Uh, what's that?"

"Wha-" With an eight-year old's mentality, he had thought he had seen it all, but this was certainly new. His jaw dropped open.

"Jem?"

He was too perplexed and befuddled with shock and a little fear to give her coherent response. "Muh-muh-maybe we should go get abuela. Ella! What are you doing?"

"There's a black hole in the middle of the living room!"

"Yeah, I can see that."

She giggled. "Let's play!"

"There's a black hole in the freaking living room!"

She shrieked. "You're gonna get a spankin' for saying a naughty word!"

"Shut up!"

"Don't tell me to shut up!"

"Ella, be logical. There's a black hole… we should wait until an adult gets home!"

Their grandmother was in the garden picking out some beets for that night's борщ soup. She loved that soup, especially with ropa vieja on the side. It was her and her husband's favorite two dishes and today was a good day. She had asked her son to try and bring home that lovely girl from the previous week. Those two- lovers or not- have a lot of explaining to do…

Oh crud… His baby sister had just stepped in; all he could do was to follow her. He muttered under his breath, "Ella, you're so dead!" Why's she gotta be so dumb?

He wouldn't admit it, but he really did love and care deeply about his sister. A personality trait he shared with his father.

"Natalia!"

Lord, why does he say my name like that… why does he make my knees go so weak… WHY! You know why Nat… why don't you let your heart speak for once… last week didn't just effect you… other people were hurt… Which is why he should just go away.

Her mind's inner conflict kept her walking.

"Damn it, Natalia!" He grabbed her hand, the crutches falling in a clatter onto the cool white-green tile floor. "Look at me."

"What, Eric!"

She knew that people were staring at them, but at this point she really didn't care anymore. Why can't I be happy for longer than a few fleeting moments… why does something always happen… why can't I just be…

"Natalia, look me in the eye," the tears spilt out of his own, "and tell me that you hate me. That we're through."

"Eric." She couldn't breathe. I just feel like crawling in a dark, dank corner and crying. "I-I-"

"You can't can you? Then why, why Natalia, are you lying to your own heart?"

"I… don't know." She honestly didn't.

He didn't waste anytime. Taking a moment to absorb her beautiful self, he threw his arms around her. He didn't want to lose her. Again.

"I want… to spend the rest of my life with you." His voice was muffled somewhat by her short pillow-soft hair. The impact, nonetheless, was still the same.

She pulled away from him instantly, taking care to hold him so that he wouldn't collapse. "What… what does th- what do you mean?"

He turned beet-red with embarrassment. "I've been meaning to do this for a while, but things got a little… complicated… And now I can't kneel, but yeah." He was babbling nervously. What is she going to say?

She had an idea what was happening, but she still gasped when he pulled out the small blue velvet box. Tiny enough to fit a…

Her heart fluttered, beating faster, as he handed it to her. Upon opening it, the slightest wrinkle came across her brow.

It was empty.

She looked up and peered into his dancing eyes. "Well, you know, you have to say, 'Yes' first." His face broke into a huge grin.

Using her arms as support, he found himself on one knee. I can do this…anything for her… Taking her right hand in his own, he gazed up at her.

"I know we've had our ups and downs, hopefully more ups than downs, but, in the end… I love you… No matter what happens, I'll love you. I always have and always will. Natalia Boa Vista, would you do me the honor… of becoming my wife?"

She felt herself smiling as she went down on her knees before him. Her reservoir of tears finally slipped. How come I was so lucky to meet someone so… perfect…

They leaned their foreheads together and slowly she began to breathe normally. "Yes, yes, of course Eric, yes."

As he slipped the ring onto her finger and their lips met, their tears, and souls, intermingled as one. After so many trials, they were finally… complete.

A/N: … And its not over… LOL there's another chapter left . . . LOL… feedback is appreciated. XD