Grumpy thats how he came back from his lunch with Jasmine , he had to endure her speach on how a bad boyfriend he was and better he could take care of her , has usual he took it without a flinch ,only nodding when it was necessary .
Has he stepped out of the elevator his phone rang, yet another text messages from her telling him she would pick him up after work .Rolling his eyes ryan tucked his phone back into his pocket .
Soon enough his attention was diverted to the commotion coming from Horatio office , many tried to ignore the commotion but it was difficult task since when ever Rick showed himself he managed to get under everyone his way to the front office ryan sign himself in.
RICK; I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO QUESTION WETHER OR NOT SHES CAPABLE TO HANDLE THIS SITUATION ...
Looking up that when he notice Calleigh sitting in the corner of Horatio office her head down apparantly she coulndt care less about the conversation rick and horatio were currently having , if you could call this a conversation .
HOR: CSI DUQUESNES WILL DO HER WORK JUST LIKE SHES DONE FOR MANY YEARS ...
RYAN: whats going on Paula ?
PAULA: Im not sure but i think it has to do with an old case.
RYAN: thats what causing all this commotion , an old case ?
PAULA: it's not the case in particular but who handle the case...it's one of eric old case .
RYAN: ohhh !
RICK EXCUSE ME FOR DOUBTING THAT HORATIO WHEN EVER CSI DELKO IS INVOLVED CSI DUQUESNES IS...HOW CAN I PUT IT ...DISTRACTED.
Even from a far Ryan notice the way calleigh body flinch at the mention of Eric name .He wished that the old Calleigh who use to fight for what she believed would stood and put Rick in his place like he deserved .
RICK; THERE FOR I DO NOT BELIEVED SHES IS THE PERSON TO HANDLE THIS CASE ...
HOR; ERIC AND HER BOTH WORK THE CASE SHE KNOWS EVERY DETAIL ...THROUGH ALL THE YEARS SHES BEEN A CSI SHE HAS DONE NOTHING FOR YOU TO DOUBT HER WORK .
RICK; EXCUSE ME ...BUT IF CSI DELKO WOULD HAVE TAKEN HIMSELF OFF THE CASE WE WOULDNT BE IN THIS SITUATION HE WAS TOO INVLOVED IN THIS CASE WHICH IS THE REASON NICK BURNHAM GOT THE CASE REOPEN HORATIO...AND BEING HIS SUPERIOR BACK THEM SHE SHOULD HAVE ASKED HIM TO STEP DOWN BUT HER ...HER EMOTIONAL INVOLMENT CLOUDED HER JUDGEMENT ...JUST LIKE I HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO DOUBT HER JUDGEMENT RIGHT NOW .
Ryan wanted nothing more then punched the life out of him not only was he pointing his finger angryly at Calleigh but the smirk on his face made Ryan blood boiled in his veins .But what struck him more was the way Calleigh reacted , she wasnt at all appart from the way her body kept flinching at every mention of eric name .
RICK ; WE WOULNDT BE IN THIS CASE IF CSI DELKO INTEGRITY ...HIS BRAIN INJURIES ...HIS INVOLMENT WITH HIS FATHER ...IT'S NOT WONDER BURNHAM lAWYER GOT HIS CASE REOPEN...DELKO WHOLE INTEGRITY IS AT QUESTION AND...
Ryan made his way closer to Horatio office not that he needed too their conversation was loud enough for the whole floor to hear , but the way Rick was casually putting down Eric he wanted nothing more then storm inside and throw him down the window .Glancing toward Calleigh her shoulder hunched down ,her hands fiddling on her lap she didnt react didnt look up once at Rick and he obviously took adavantage of the situation.
From inside Horatio made a sign to ryan to stay where he was ,that he had the situation under control .Horatio waited for Rick to finish his rants once in a while looking at a crumbling Calleigh.
RICK: THIS INTEGRITY OF THIS LAB REST SOLELY ON THE REPUTATION OF A DEATH CSI WHO FRANKLY MADE SOME POOR JUDGEMENT CALL OVER THE YEARS .
HOR; CSI DELKO MAY HAVE MADE SOME POOR PERSONAL CHOICES BUT HIS PROFESSIONAL CHOICES ...
RICK;AFFECTED BY HIS PERSONNAL CHOICES ! HIS PERSONNAL LIFE WAS BROUGHT FORWARD ONCE AGAIN WHEN HE KNEW SOMEONE INVOLVED WITH THE CASE AND DIDNT STEP DOWN LIKE HE SHOULD HAVE ...WORST CSI DUQUESNES SHOULD HAVE ASK HIM TO STEP DONW ONCE SHE KNEW IT WAS HIS THERAPIST ...AGAIN CONFLICT OF INTEREST HORATIO ...
Rubbing the edge of his nose Horatio gave a quick look to calleigh he could only grasp how this whole conversation made her feel , looking back to Rick he pushed his jacket back hands on hips he stared at man who obviously had no respect for the dead .
HOR: Look RIck ,Calleigh will review the evidence and submit her report if your not satisfied with it then you can bring in who ever you want .
Rick seemed to think about it ,smirking when he looked at Calleigh who wouldnt meet his eyes he was winning this battle for once , adjusting his tie he seemed satisfied with that answer .
RICK: I'll be waiting for that report asap on my desk tomorrow morning no later .
And with that Rick walked out not bothering to close the door behind him he passed by Ryan smirking like an idiot ,Ryan fought the urge to punch his teeth out .
RICK ; Dont you have work to do mr Wolfe .
Ryan didnt even give him the benefit of answering he ignored him which he knew infuriated him even more . Rick went on his business bothering people has he went on .
By the time Ryan turned back to Horatio office Calleigh was walking out her head down arms around her ,making her way to what he conclude was the evidence locker .
Horatio made his way next to him both of them watching the shell of what use to be their bullet girl .
RYAN : whats going on H?
HOR: remenber nick burnham ?
RYAN : Not really ?
HOR: Hes the man who got life without parole for killing Eric therapist doctor March .
RYAN: ohh yeah now i remenber ...If he got life without parole why they reopening the case ?
HOR: Is lawyer petition for the eveidence to be review he argue that since eric was her pateint he wasnt objectif to the case therefore clouding his judgement .
RYAN:What? we both know eric did everything by the book ?Plus didnt the guy confessesed.
HOR: Yes he did but since ...since eric death many of case have been review since eric made some bad judgement call in relation with his father .
RYAN: How she taken it ?he said with nod toward Calleigh who walked out of the evidence locker with 2 boxes on top of another one in her hand .
HOR: She didnt say anything ...which worried me .
RYAN: Yeah i saw it she took rick abused without a flinch , you know i remenber a time when she would have get into his face .She just hasnt been the same since his death
HOR: You know sometimes i think we lost 2 csi that day .
RYAN: You want me to keep an eye on her .
HOR: I would appreciate that , but do it from a distance if she finds you hovering around her she wont like it.
RYAN: yeah but at least we'll get a reaction out of her .
With his hand in his pocket Ryan headed back to his lab where he knew he could keep an eye Calleigh while she review the evidence in the layout room .
Carefully laying out all the evidence one by one avoiding the boxes where over nearly 4 years ago her and eric had put all the files of Dr Marsh patient , technicly they couldnt use them in court , but they had kept the files anyway for good measures .
Ryan kept a close eye on her , never once did he see her look up or even stopped once Calleigh was into her work nothing could take her away .
One by one she review every single evidence every single report , DNA, firearm, fingerprint , everything she went over them twice and even third time not only was her reputation was on the line but Eric reputation too , which to her right now meant more then her own .
Putting back into the box every single eveidence she review until there was none , Calleigh sign her report rubbing the sore muscle of her neck she looked up to catch ryan staring at her but quickly ducking his head pretending he was working .
Closing the boxes she put a fresh new red tape around it signing her initials ,she was about to pikc up the box in her arms and be done with her work when she put back the box and diverted her attention to the second box , the one she had did her best to ignored with both hand on either side of the box she tapped her finger on the glass table nervously .His words rechoing inside her head .
''after i got shot i really put things in perspective , made me think about my futur ...would be nice if it were Calleigh ...''
Back then she hadnt read the whole files she had stop at this very line respecting his privacy but that line to her said enough .
This wouldnt help her at all she knew it but she couldnt helped herself when she tore the red tape with a utility knife and opened the lid .Inside was what she had expected Dr Marsh patient files .
From his files ryan watch the scene from the corner of his eye , so far she was doing good he thought even though he felt kind of bad for keeping an eye on her it made him feel like at least he was trying to help her .
Turning around to get his result from his printer Ryan turned back around glancing toward the lay out room , Calleigh franticly emptying the content of the box has if she was searching for the most precious thing ever .
Tilting the box over she went over and over quickly every piece of paper she could find but apparantly she couldnt find what she was looking for .
Shuffling paper everywhere franticly searching , calleigh threw herself on the floor searching amond the files that fell on the floor .
A few lab tech stop on their track pointing at the scene that was taking fold inside the lay out room , ryan immedialty rushed outside putting himself between the door and the lab tech who didnt know better .
RYAN: Dont you guys have work to do ? he said in harsh tone .
The lab technicians went on their way but Ryan could hear the whisper and judgement in their voices .
Slowly he pushed the glass door opened finding calleigh on her knees franticly shoving papers around .
Kneeling in front of her ,ryan tried to get her attention , Calleigh had never been the same since eric death but this ...this was plain right pathetic he wasnt sure what she was looking for but to her it seemed important .
RYAN: Calliegh "..he tried gently
CAL: I ..i cant ...i cant find it ...she studdered in panic.
RYAN: find what ? he asked is voice low and calm .
CAL: Er...his files i cant find his files ...
RYAN: Tell me what your looking for maybe i can help ?
On the verge of tears Calleigh straighten herself both hand on her thighs she took a deep breath looking up at Ryan who with a small smile waited for an answer .
CAL: His ..his files i remenber i put it here four years ago and i ...i...i cant find it .
RYAN: OK maybe if i look with you we can find it , it got to be here right .
CAL: I..i looked everywhere .
RYAN: I tell you what we looked together and each files that we find that doesnt have Er...his name on it we put back into the box ok .
Casually ryan began sorting to all the files scattered on the floor Calleigh stared at him unable to move .
RYAN: Are you going to help me or let me do the hard work has usual? he smiled throwing another files into the box , still no sign of the ones that belong to Eric .
Slowly Calleigh began sorting carefully scanning each piece of paper to make sure it wasnt part of eric files .
RYAN: ahhh here one ! he exclaimed handing her the piece of paper .
Calleigh clutch the piece opf paper in her hand holding on her lap she carefully straighten the edge of the crumpled paper while ryan continue on his task .
One by one he put the one he didnt need into the box every so often finding one that he thought belong to Eric , he didnt read them only glance at the top to know to who it belong .Handing them to Calleigh quietly .
From a far leaning against the wall Horatio watch the scene taking unfold in front of him ,he was glad Ryan was there for Calleigh right now , but he was beginning to wonder more and more if he wouldnt have to put her on medical leave . She'd been degrading down hill these last few months at first he gave her a break , gave her time to grieves him but after almost 4 years he didnt think she would stop grieving . The calleigh that use to be perky , smilly and all full of life was now a bare sorrow of her old self .
''Horatio'' frank the burly old detectvie called standing behind his friend and colleagues.
HOR: Yes Frank? he said his attention still on Calleigh and Ryan .
FRANK: I was wondering if i could talk to you for a minutes .
HOR: Sure !
Giving the detective his full attention Horatio turned around to face his friend.
FRANK: In your office , if you dont mind .
HOR: lead the way !
Following Frank Horatio looked back to Ryan and Calleigh who were about finish picking the files from the floors .
While calleigh put eric files in order ryan resealed the box with red tape signing his and Calleigh names .
RYAN: There all done ...you need anything else ?
CAlleigh remained quiet looking down at the files of the man she loved , her filling with tears , one single tears falling on the paper .
RYAN: calleigh ...it's ok ...
CAL: im...im silly ...it's just a files nothing more ..
Rounding the table ryan found an empty manilla folder he put eric files in it and handed the folder back to Calleigh .
RYAN: Your not silly Calleigh ...sometimes ...sometimes your heart think for you , no mather how hard you tried to fight it some things are ...they just are ...i dont know how else to expain it ...do i think it's good for you to read his files ...honestly ...no ...
CAL: I ...know its not good ...but it's ..it's all i have left of him other then memories .
RYAN; Then you hold on to them if they all your allowed to have then you hold on to them...
His eyes glancing outside ryan caught side of the object of his affection passing by she smiled at the both of them oblivious to Ryan google eyes .
RYAN:Anyway what i was saying is that it's good to hold on to your memories Calleigh but if you want my opinion your memories are running your life .
CAL: i cant ...i cant forget him as much has i tried ...hes always there ...
Holding the files agsint her chest closely , tightly she moved her hair behind her ear .
CAL: sometimes ...sometimes i think i see him walking down the street and for a second just a tiny second im happy again and then i realised ...
Unable to finish her sentence Calleigh faced away from Ryan who was lost for words all he could do was be there for his friend.
CAL: I ..i cant even remenber the sound of his voices ...
Ryan who had been looking at the floor head shot up looking up at Calleigh her voices breaking clutching the file in her hand .
RYAN: Calleigh i know you dont want to hear this but ..huh...
CAL: you think i should move on ? she finished for him .
RYAN: No actually i was going to say maybe go talk to him ...you know have you even been to his graves since his funeral.
CAL: no ...i cant Ryan ...it's ...it's my fault .
RYAN: No It's not i was there remenber ...Eric ...he ..he shouldnt have been there ...
With a sadness that hit them like a tons of brick they looked down at the ground ryan fiddling with the edge of the box while calleigh held the files agaisnt her chest .
RYAN: you know when ever you need to vent or yell at someone ,i'll be glad to help ...im use to women giving it to me he joke nudging her with his elbow .
It made her smile but it didnt quite reach her eyes she took the box ryan was fiddling with and put it on top of the other , eric files on top of it .
CAL: I better get these back into the evidence locker .
RYAN: Want any help ?
CAL: NO im good ...thank you Ryan .
Looking up at her friend she silently let him know that she meant more the helping her with the files .
RYAN: Anytime ...
She turned to walk away but then turned back to face Ryan .
CAL: By the way you should tell her !
RYAN: Tell who ...what?
CAL: Natalia , tell her how you feel.
RYAN: what ...i...what ...where the hell did you get that im not in love with Natalia .
Shuffling from one feet to another Ryan insisted a bit too much .
RYAN: shes just a friend ...pfft me and Natalia ...yeah right...did you forget im in a commited relationship.
Waving his hand in front of him and shaking his head to the point of getting a stiff neck , calleigh had to admit that it was amusing ,.
CAL: NO offense but Jasmine she ..she aint for you , your too good for her.
Sensing she wasnt believing him one bit his shoulder defeated nervously running his finger through his hair .
RYAN: It's that obvious ?
CAL: Ryan shes the only one who doesnt see it or doesnt want to see it your like a love sick puppy .
RYAN: Crap!
Ryan plump himself donw on the nearest stool with his elbow resting on the table he hid his face behind his hand !
Putting back down the box she held in her hands Calleigh smiled at ryan little panic outburst .
CAL: You want my advice ...tell her dont waste your time , more importantly dont loose time you'll regret it .
RYAN: She ...she doesnt feel the same ! he mutered behind his hand .
CAL: You'll never know until you tell her .
And with that she was gone ,when Ryan looked up she was strolling down the hall box in hand has if nothing happened , Ryan wanted to hang himself , he thought he hid it well he obviously didnt ,Ryan knew that when calleigh had said '' dont loose time '' she was talking about eric and her , maybe if either of them had the courage to admit how they felt , Eric would be here or calleigh would have had more time with him more memories , but again these 2 never did anything by the book .It seemed simple to just tell her but Ryan was petrified .
Banging his head against the table ryan dreaded being the talk of the lab the rumor mills and didnt want anyone blabing out by accident to Natalia how he felt about her .