Summary:
A new serial killer has emerged in Miami and after over-hearing a conversation between Horatio and Frank, Eric realises there is something extremely familiar about this one. His suspicions are confirmed when three agents join forces with the CSIs working the serial case to help catch the killer, claiming he has affiliations with a gang that has origins in ancient Greek times. Eric is about to find out however that these agents aren't all they seem to be and revelations may spell disaster.
Notes:
Sorry it's taken me so long, since I last updated I've had so much stuff happening in my life that Fallen From Heaven kind of took a back seat. As I now have quite a lot of spare time I should be able to update more often now, and hopefully will finish Fallen From Heaven before I return to Uni in September.
This chapter is one I used to tie up all the loose ends, sort of, of the previous few chapters since Ryan left and the actual Eric/Ryan relationship will progress a lot more after this chapter so, enjoy ^^
- Three Months Later -
A new serial killer had arrived in Miami and Horatio, Eric and a new person called Jesse Cardoza while Calleigh, Walter – who was also new – and Natalia sorted out any other crimes that happened. So far they had not come close to finding the identity of this serial killer in weeks and all those involved with the case were becoming frustrated.
The killings were seemingly randomly and only one thing stuck out about them. There was not one white person among them. So far a person of every race had been found murdered by this man but they were yet to find a white victim. Every single victim, both male and female, were found wearing white robes, similar dress as Jesse had found out to that of the ancient people of the Peloponnese. And each and every victim had a pair of angel wings carved into their back, just over the shoulder blades, with a crooked but rather intricate I carved down the middle of the wings. They were all killed in the same way, their throats slit as they hung upside down so the blood drained out. At each crime scene the killer had drawn a picture in the blood, angel wings with an I in the middle, the same as on the backs of the victims. Occasionally snakes featured in his art, and no one had come close to figuring out what any of this meant.
This case was getting to Eric really badly because there was hardly any publicity for the victims. The serial killer himself was making headlines all over Miami, but the victims themselves had not actually been broadcasted and it made Eric sick. He knew why, he knew it was because they weren't white, if the killer had only been killing white people the news would have been milking it for all the public support.
And to make matters worse, for Eric at least, was that he had not had contact with Ryan in about the same amount of time as the serial killer had appeared on the scene. Last time he had spoken to Ryan his friend had said something about going to Greece and after that they had had no contact.
To say Eric was worried was an understatement. And one day, one Friday afternoon while Eric and Horatio were trying to find some new lead for their case, his worries were accentuated into fear.
"Horatio." Frank announced his presence by calling out Horatio's name and Horatio glanced up, smiled at Eric, before leaving the lab. Eric moved to the door, eager to hear Frank's news, hoping it was a lead for them.
"What is it Frank?"
"I've got some strange news from an officer of mine." Frank began, "He says that he was doing a routine check up on some abandoned factories where squatters frequent and he walked in on man cutting the throat of a young Hispanic girl. Recognised him immediately from the MO as the Serial Killer you're hunting and he shot him right away."
"That is good news Frank." Horatio said softly. "So what is the strange news?"
"Well, the officer claims that this man got up after five minutes of lying cold on the ground. He didn't even seem hurt, he was no longer bleeding and he ran. The officer called it in and we saw the divot of the through and through bullet in the floor and we found the bullet, but no body." Frank continued.
"He got up and walked away?" Horatio inquired, his tone disbelieving. "Someone cannot just get up and walk away from a point blank bullet unless they are wearing a vest." Horatio pointed out.
Eric however was frozen. That sounded extremely similar. Ryan had been shot at point blank range and had gotten up and walked away fine; twice.
Tearing from the room Eric ignored the quizzical look of Jesse, who had been trying to find other leads in DNA and made immediately for the locker room. He needed to call Ryan now and get him to answer, unsure how he was going to do that exactly, but he had to try.
Whipping out his phone Eric dialled Ryan's number and prayed that Ryan would answer him. The phone immediately went to answer phone and Ryan hadn't even recorded a message. Snapping the phone shut Eric took a deep breath to calm himself down before sinking down onto the benches that ran through the locker room.
"What's wrong Eric?" Horatio asked, appearing at the door silently and making the Cuban jump.
"Nothing H I just…I heard what Frank was saying and I just, needed a moment." Eric lied.
Horatio raised an eyebrow, it was evident that he didn't believe Eric but he said nothing.
"It is hard to accept but there are many explanations for it Eric. I need you to come with me, Frank brought more news than just that and I'm calling a meeting." Horatio ordered.
Eric stood and put his phone away in his pocket before he followed Horatio out of the room to the break room, where Jesse, Calleigh, Walter and Natalia were waiting for them. Frank had disappeared.
"What's going on Horatio?" Walter asked as Jesse shot Eric another quizzical look which Eric frankly ignored.
"We have some agents joining our team to help us investigate the Winged Killer." Horatio began. Most of the assembled CSIs cringed at the nickname that had been given to the newest serial killer in Miami, the press were not too imaginative and the name gave them all a sense that the killer would always escape them.
"They have come forward from an agency that specialises in overseas gangs, and they have informed Frank that the victims we have been finding all over Miami are similar to bodies that they have investigated before. They caught the last killer that did this and have been called in here to help us. Frank is bringing them up now." Horatio continued.
"Overseas gangs?" Jesse questioned.
"Yes," Horatio confirmed but said nothing further because Frank was coming towards them, leading three people behind him, two men and one woman. Eric looked up as they approached and met the gaze of the smallest of the three and immediately something like déjà vu, or recognition, flashed through him. It was the man's eyes, because there was nothing else about his features – sandy blonde hair carefully gelled back from his forehead, thin bloodless lips and lightly tanned skin – that seemed familiar to him.
"May I introduce the team that has been sent over to help you." Frank said as they entered the break room.
The smallest of them all, the one that had grabbed Eric's attention, stepped forward with a warm smile.
"My name is Josh Carnegie and I was the one who decided to come and give you a hand, once it was cleared with my supervisor of course." At this he glanced at the woman who smiled back at him. "She is Penelope Buxton and this other guy is Noah Carnegie, my older brother. I hope we can work well together." He said, shaking hands with Horatio and just smiling at everyone else. Eric was not completely convinced they were genuine, they seemed a little too close to be just co-workers, although Josh had said he was brothers with the other guy.
"We're glad you came to join us. Please enlighten us on what you know of this serial killer." Horatio requested.
"Of course." Josh began but Noah placed a hand on his shoulder and Josh stepped back, allowing his brother to come forward, shake Horatio's hand, before he answered the question.
"We know next to nothing about this particular serial killer," He began. Not a promising start, Eric thought sceptically.
"But there have been many other killers such as this before. We have never seen one that is selective about the race of his kills, but the gang members differ from person to person, from belief to belief." Noah paused for a moment but not long enough for any of them to ask questions.
"They call themselves the Immortals, because they believe they can live forever. Their symbol is angel wings with a curved I in the middle of them, which we believe this serial killer is carving into the backs of his victims. They originate from Greece, though not all members are actually Greek. We have no knowledge how they choose their members or what they have to go through to get into the gang, but their motives are usually the same."
"What is that?" Jesse asked.
"They want to purify the world and leave only those that qualify, or have qualified, to be an immortal. Then, these immortals can repopulate the world together for a better world." Penelope replied and Eric noticed she sounded a little bitter.
"Who is it we will be working closely with?" Josh asked, his eyes on Eric and a slight smile curving his lips.
"Eric Delko and Jesse Cardoza, along with myself, are working this case." Horatio informed him.
"We shall split and work with one of you each." Penelope stated. "I shall work with CSI Caine, Josh you shall work with CSI Cardoza and Noah you shall accompany CSI Delko. Let's get this guy."
Everyone nodded and left the break room, Josh and Noah sharing a few quiet words before following the CSIs they had been assigned to by Penelope. Eric watched as Noah approached him and tried to decide if he was familiar to him like Josh had been. Shaking his head Eric felt nausea rising in him and he went immediately to the locker room, again, with Noah following him, to take one of the pills Ryan had given him so long ago. Noah said nothing about Eric popping pills on the clock, but he did show a little concern when Eric looked into the bottle and found he had no pills left.
"Shit," He cursed quietly, although he tried to make it seem like it wasn't such a problem. The last thing he needed was this Noah character going to Horatio and telling him he had issues because he didn't have pills left. The nausea hit him like a wave as he moved and Eric stumbled. Noah immediately approached him and laid a hand on the small of his back to support him and Eric was shocked to find that he immediately felt better. The nausea was gone, the pain that he had been ignoring was gone and he felt strong, like he had before Ryan and his parents had left Miami.
What is going on? Eric wondered as he pulled himself from Noah's grasp and avoided his gaze.
"Are you feeling alright CSI Delko?" Noah asked.
"Just call me Eric." Eric replied shortly, "And yeah I'm fine."
"I'm just checking." Noah said gently as he followed Eric to where Horatio and Penelope were going over the evidence they had collected so far.
"Let's just focus on this killer okay." Eric suggested as they entered the lab.
"Eric, you okay?" Horatio inquired.
"Yeah H I'm fine, just a little tired."
"We all are Eric, let's just hope we can now catch this guy." Horatio smiled at his colleague and Eric couldn't help but smile back.
"Shall we begin?" Penelope asked and all four nod together.
/
Eric sighed as he finally reached his apartment. So far he had only been able to catch a few hours sleep because Horatio had been working them all very hard to catch this serial killer. As soon as Eric entered his apartment he noticed something strange. All the papers he had abandoned on his table before he had left that morning were neatly sorted out on the table, his pots were put away instead of just thrown into the sink or left on the draining board and Eric could smell that a cleaning product had been used around his apartment. Eric automatically went for his gun and slowly stalked forward, heading towards his bedroom, the only place he couldn't see properly from the front door.
"Hello Eric," A voice called out and Eric jumped. Knocking his bedroom door open Eric found Josh Carnegie from that morning lay out on his bed, covered by his duvet, and from what Eric could see he was not wearing a shirt.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Eric snapped, lowering his gun but not putting it down.
"I wanted to surprise you." Josh said.
Eric was about to yell at the man again but something stopped him. "Your voice…"He murmured.
"Yes Eric you know it." Josh confirmed with a smile. "Close your eyes." He requested.
Eric rolled his eyes but complied regardless, anything to get rid of this man. After five minutes he felt hands on his, taking his gun from him and setting it aside and then the hands were on his face. Eric's eyes opened out of sheer gut reaction and he found himself looking into the green eyes of Ryan, not the brown eyes of Josh.
"Ryan?" He breathed, not believing he was really there.
"Mm," Ryan smiled and stroked Eric's cheeks softly.
"What…how…what are you doing here?" Eric asked. He was incredulous, how was Ryan even here?
"I'm Josh Carnegie, Eric." Ryan admitted, "As soon as I heard about this serial killer in Miami I knew he was one of us, you know, someone like me and I told my dad we had to go and deal with him. He said we'd have more freedom if we came back like this, in disguise, so we did. Noah and Penelope are my parents."
Eric stumbled a little at the news and Ryan steered him to the bed.
"You're really here?" He asked.
Ryan said nothing, moving to stand in front of Eric and sink onto his lap. With a deep breath he leaned forward and pressed his lips to Eric's gently. Their first kiss was gentle, as if they were testing how far the other was willing to go. It was only when Ryan slowly caressed Eric's lip with his tongue that Eric felt the true lust flare up inside him, and he drew Ryan right against his body and plunged his own tongue into Ryan's mouth. Ryan's eyes closed and he moaned into the kiss, his back arching as Eric ran his hands up and down, glad that Ryan was not wearing a shirt.
Ryan broke back from the kiss and rested his forehead against Eric's, glad that being sat on Eric's knee gave him the extra height to do so.
"I'm here Eric." He murmured.
"I want you so bad Ryan," Eric whispered as he peppered Ryan's skin with kisses, biting into the sensitive skin at the dip between Ryan's neck and shoulder.
"My dad…ah…didn't want me to come to see you…not until we…mm…caught this guy." Ryan admitted as best he could, his speech integrated with moans as Eric sucked at the skin to leave an angry red mark, denoting Ryan as his.
"And you disobeyed him?" Eric asked, his breath ghosting along Ryan's skin and making him shiver.
"Mm,"
"Eric I need to…I need to show you something." Ryan murmured as Eric continued to bite along his shoulder.
"What is it love?" Eric asked.
Ryan felt a thrill go through him as Eric called him 'love' and he smiled.
"I have a true form." He whispered.
"Huh?"
Eric pulled back from Ryan's shoulder to look him in the eye, a little confused by Ryan's words.
"The form I wear is a disguise Eric. I tried to disguise myself as closely as possible to what I truly look like, but if I didn't wear a disguise it would be evident to everyone that I wasn't human and-."
"Ryan wait." Eric interrupted with a sheepish smile. "If this is one of those things like, 'My true form is going to make you lustful for me' then I don't want to see it."
"But-."
"No Ryan, please. You're beautiful enough as you are, sexy even, and I don't want to become so lustful for you that I don't even know what I'm going to do. I love you Ryan Wolfe and I love you as you are, human or not." Eric declared.
Ryan blushed and looked into Eric's eyes with happiness in the depth of his eyes.
"I want you now Ryan." Eric whispered, "Let me have you."
Unable to speak Ryan simply nodded. As Eric went back to kiss Ryan he was sure he saw Ryan's eyes change colour and when he tilted his head back Ryan's eyes changed colour again. Shaking his head Eric smiled and drew Ryan in for another kiss as he managed to shift them round so Ryan was lay under him, pressed flush against the bed sheets and Eric's warm body.
/
Eric groaned a little as he slowly woke up and turned over. The bed was warm next to him but it was quickly growing cold and Eric sat up, searching around for Ryan. The night before came back to him suddenly and Eric grinned. Getting out of bed Eric stretched and took a deep breath accompanied by a smile. It was that deep breath that made Eric realise that he could smell cooking, or food at least. Grabbing some pants from the floor Eric slipped into them as he exited his bedroom and made his way to his kitchen, hoping to see Ryan in there but the room was empty. A steaming plate of scrambled eggs waited for him, next to a glass of orange juice and a note.
Eric, I have to leave early to get back before my dad wakes up and realises I'm gone. He'll know automatically where I was and I'd rather avoid that conversation for now. I made you breakfast though and don't worry, I'll come back to you whenever you want me to.
But Eric, you have to act professionally around Josh when we're at work, even when we're alone. I am not Ryan at the moment okay? I don't want anyone getting suspicious about anything, especially H and my father. Let me make the moves. Once this is all over, you can do as you please.
I love you.
Ryan.
Eric found himself smirking as he read the note. He vaguely remembered giving Ryan a lot of love bites last night, he wondered if Ryan could disguise those before he came into the lab this morning. Digging his fork into the scrambled eggs Eric took an experimental bite, he wasn't sure if Ryan could cook or whether it was just a nice gesture because he had to leave before Eric had woken up.
"Oh god," Eric nearly moaned as he swallowed. The food tasted amazing, Eric found himself thinking they were better than any other scrambled eggs that Eric had ever tasted.
"Thank you Ryan," Eric mumbled as he glanced at the clock and found he did not have much time before he actually had to be in work. Shovelling the eggs and downing the orange juice in one Eric ran back to the bedroom to get dressed. He found a tie tied to the headboard of his bed, a tie that he recognised. Josh, or Ryan really, had been wearing that tie yesterday. Eric grinned as he dressed, grabbed his keys, wallet and badge and ran from his flat, just remembering to lock the door. If he was fast enough he could possibly get in work before everyone else and meet with Ryan, professionally of course.
It seemed Eric was having a lucky day as when he arrived the night-shift was just packing up their cases and getting ready to go home. Eric glanced around and spotted Horatio in his office but Horatio did not notice him. He did not see Ryan – Josh, call him Josh – but he could see the other two agents, Ryan's parents, quietly conversing in the break room.
If Ryan was anywhere in here where would he be? Eric asked himself. The answer came to him suddenly. If Ryan was back the only other person other than Eric that would know was Alexx. She would be here right now, in the morgue, and so that is where Eric found himself running to, only slowing when he finally reached the double doors.
"Can I help you?" He heard Alexx asking.
"Yes," That was Josh's voice. So, Ryan had gone to see Alexx in disguise. "Have any more bodies been found?"
"None that I know off. A little too eager for a new body to me." Alexx said warily. Eric decided to save Ryan the uncomfortable scrutiny of Alexx, the CSI had had to go through it once before when he had first joined the team. Ryan should not be hiding his identity from Alexx anyway, if anyone on the team deserved to know it would be her, she would not judge Ryan in any way, if she would believe it.
"Hey Alexx." Eric called as he entered. 'Josh' jumped in shock and turned to face Eric, a faint blush just visible on his cheeks. Eric held back a grin.
"Hello Eric, what brings you here so early?" Alexx asked with a smile.
"Looking for him," Eric replied, jerking a thumb at 'Josh', who gave him a look that clearly said 'Don't you dare!'
"Why would you be looking for Officer Carnegie?" Alexx asked suspiciously.
Typical, Eric thought as he supressed a snort of laughter, I ask after the pretty ones and Alexx automatically assumes the worst. Well she isn't wrong this time I guess.
"Because Josh here is actually Ryan Wolfe." Eric declared. In that instant the disguise was gone and an angry Ryan stood before them, glaring at Eric.
"Did you not read my note this morning Eric! No one is supposed to know!" He yelled, forgetting that Alexx had just seen him change from Josh to Ryan in the blink of an eye. The sound of their ME clearing her throat brought the whole situation crashing down on Ryan. He turned to Alexx with something akin to fear in his eyes and Eric looked between them, wondering how this would play out.
"Ryan what's going on baby?" Alexx asked.
"I…I can't explain it Alexx you won't believe me," Ryan muttered.
"Ryan honey I just saw you materialise out of nowhere and no one can get rid of a disguise that fast honey. Now tell me!" Alexx snapped.
Ryan glanced at her, trying to gauge what her reaction would be. He then turned to glare at Eric again. Ignoring the anger on Ryan's features Eric moved forward and wrapped his arms around Ryan's waist, pulling his back flush against Eric's chest and resting his chin on the smaller CSI's shoulder. Alexx's sceptical expression changed to one of what Eric could only describe as glee.
"Um Alexx-." He began.
"Wait a minute Eric," She interrupted him with a wide smile on her lips, "It's about time you two got together. Eric's been pining after you since you left mister." She said and Ryan blushed.
"We were talking," He admitted quietly.
"But Alexx-." Eric tried again but she was having none of it.
"Wait Eric I have questions for Ryan,"
Ryan looked down at the floor in defeat and subtly kicked Eric as Alexx scrutinised him.
"Now honey I don't know what's happening here, or how you managed to trick me but-."
"I can explain," Ryan said quickly, paling when he realised he had just interrupted Alexx, which was never a good idea. She did not however look affronted, merely relieved that she was going to get some answers.
"Alexx," Ryan began, "I know you're a woman of science and so fantastical things probably don't appeal to you much, you probably don't believe in such things but I can prove what I am about to say is true. I hope it doesn't change your view of me or anything because you're a dear friend and I don't-."
"Ryan you're stalling," Eric whispered in his ear and Ryan jumped a little before nodding.
"Okay." He said, more for himself or anything. Admitting all this once to Eric had been hard enough, admitting it to Alexx, who he viewed as a mother and loved as a dear friend was even harder it seemed.
"I'm not human." He began.
Alexx looked like she was caught between wanting to laugh at Ryan and wanting to listen to the rest of what he had to say before she dismissed it. Thankfully she chose the latter. Eric gave Ryan a little squeeze for support.
"I don't know how to describe myself really," Ryan continued, "But I am not human. I can choose the age I wish to appear, I can disguise myself in anyway, within reason at least and I will never die."
"You can never die?" Alexx asked, the scepticism back.
"No I can't and I'll prove it to you." Ryan declared with a little more confidence this time. Eric did not particularly want Ryan to attempt to kill himself in the morgue in case anyone walked in, so he decided to jump in.
"I didn't believe it at first either Alexx," He stated and Alexx's attention was brought to him, although she still glanced at Ryan.
"When Ryan was shot at that crime scene every kept telling me that he was wearing a vest and I knew that he wasn't, I knew that he had been shot point blank and had survived without any injuries at all."
"But he was wearing a vest," Alexx protested.
"No Alexx I wasn't." Ryan said, "My father made everyone believe that I had been so nobody would ask questions but because Eric saw it happen he knew the truth, but no one would believe him."
Alexx shook her head but said nothing, so Eric decided to continue.
"I decided to take matters into my own hands so I went to Ryan's apartment and I shot him."
"Twice," Ryan added, sounding a little annoyed and Eric couldn't help but smile.
"Mm, twice. Once in the stomach and once in the knee. I didn't want to kill him if I was wrong so I just did it to maim him, but before my eyes he healed. He was completely fine, only minor blood loss as well." Eric added. He hoped Alexx would just accept it so that Ryan did not have to prove it, it would not bode well if he did, Eric could feel it.
"I…can't believe I am hearing this from you two. Especially you two. Do you expect me to believe this?" Alexx asked.
"Yes," Ryan mumbled.
"Well I don't. I think you should leave." Alexx decided, turning away from them.
"Wait!" Ryan cried, "I can prove it to you."
Before Eric could tighten his grip or Alexx could stop him Ryan darted forward and took up a scalpel from the side of the morgue. As Eric moved after him to grab his hand and stop him and Alexx cried out Ryan plunged the scalpel into his neck, severing his jugular.
Blood spurted from the wound in one long arterial spray and the scalpel fell to the floor. Eric reached Ryan just before he dropped after it and supported him, despite getting covered in Ryan's blood, yet again. Alexx was too shocked to move as she watched. Ryan looked up at Eric and smiled. Eric did not smile back. He knew Ryan would heal quickly and be fine a few minutes but seeing him plunging a knife into his throat just to prove he wasn't human was not something Eric had enjoyed, he felt nauseous and sick. Alexx finally found the will to move as she stepped forward slowly, her eyes fixed on Ryan's neck. The blood was slowing, the wound was closing and Ryan's breathing had gotten easier. He had been clenching onto Eric's sleeve with a white-knuckle grasp but his fingers slowly relaxed their grip and he stood up properly, stopping himself from leaning into Eric for support as the wound healed itself.
"Oh my god," Alexx breathed.
"I'm sorry I messed up the room Alexx," Ryan murmured apologetically as Alexx finally reached him and started examining his neck for the wound. Her fingers found the mark, fresh but even that was fading, and when he next met Ryan's eye he knew she believed him now.
"But how baby?" She asked quietly.
"Yes Ryan, please explain how." Another voice asked and Eric, Alexx and Ryan whipped around to find Horatio stood by the door, his glasses in one hand and his eyes taking in the sight of Ryan's blood and the scalpel abandoned on the floor.