Summary:
Horatio knows about Ryan. The Winged Killer's next attack brings the case to a personal level for the CSIs. Ryan decides to take off and stop the immortal man before he can do any more damage to Miami, or to the CSI team, but there is a fatal secret that his father never revealed to him that may put an end to Ryan's immortality.
Notes:
So this chapter is a direct continuation of the chapter before, and the chapter after this is going to be a direct continuation as well. I've never really done that completely before so I thought I'd give it a go. I also decided to go a different direction with the whole immortal idea, I didn't want them to be completely invincible so I added a little twist to the story.
I'm not sure if I'm going to always be uploading at a day to day rate, but at the moment I have nothing else to do and I love this story so hopefully I can keep up the fast pace.
Enjoy this chapter and thanks to everyone who is still with me and reviewing this story, it's so nice to read them all even if it's just a little thing.
"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.
Ryan jumped at the sight of his ex-boss and scrambled away from Eric, his hand going up to scratch at the blood that was drying on his neck. Alexx herself seemed shocked as well, and was watching Horatio warily, waiting for his reaction. Eric tried to keep his expression neutral but he was extremely worried and would jump to Ryan's defence if he needed to.
"H…I…um…what did you um-?" Ryan stuttered as Horatio stood waiting patiently for his answer.
"Why don't you start by explaining why you are here?" Horatio finally suggested when Ryan couldn't formulate his words properly.
"The serial killer named Wing Killer brought me here Horatio," Ryan replied softly, seemingly calming when Horatio did not seem angry, just surprised and happy.
"And what about him brought you here Ryan?" Horatio prompted again.
Ryan took a deep breath. His father was going to kill him but it was all Eric's fault this had happened. Or was it his fault for revealing himself to Eric when his father had strictly forbidden him from doing so? Either way Ryan had now revealed himself to a third person and Esteban was going to be mad.
"He's the same as me," He stated boldly.
Horatio managed to keep a relative straight face when Ryan said this, contrasting the shock that both Eric and Alexx wore. Eric, who had known from the moment he had overheard Horatio and Frank talking about this man that he was the same as Ryan, was shocked that Ryan had admitted it so easily to Horatio. Alexx was just shocked that Ryan was comparing himself to a serial killer.
"And how is that?" Horatio asked.
Ryan took a breath. "He's immortal Horatio, and so am I."
"I see," Horatio replied, "And that's why you returned?"
"Horatio he's not like a normal person. SWAT, CSI, the police, no one is going to be able to bring him down. Tranquiliser won't work, bullets will only hinder him for a few minutes, if that, and he is strong, stronger than a human." Ryan continued, suddenly confident again. "He's a danger to everyone in Miami and he won't stop until he's completed his mission. That's why I've come back."
"To stop him?" Horatio asked, this time showing his surprise.
"Yes. I am the same. I may not be as strong as him, he is probably a lot older than me, but my strength is more than a match and I can take him down. It will not kill him. Prison will probably not be able to hold him but my father can deal with him Horatio, I know he can. He's one of the oldest, and therefore one of the strongest." Ryan confirmed.
"And where is your father exactly?" Horatio asked.
"He's Noah Carnegie, Horatio." Ryan admitted. "I am Josh and my mother is acting as Penelope. We've come to rid Miami of this man and leave you in…well whatever you can call the lull between serial killers in this city." He continued.
"And when you have what will you do then?" Horatio inquired softly.
"Return to my job as Ryan Wolfe, if you will allow me too." Ryan answered straight away.
"I would be honoured to have you back on the team," Horatio said after a moment and Ryan smiled at the genuine smile he wore.
"How long have you known about this Eric?" Horatio then turned his attention to the other CSI.
"A while," Eric said apologetically, "But he swore to secrecy."
Horatio nodded.
"Are you alright Alexx?" Ryan asked in the moment of silence. Alexx nodded although her eyes were roaming over the blood that was drying on the morgue floor.
"I'll clean it up for you," Ryan told her, cringing at the mess he had made as his OCD flared within him.
Alexx fixed him with a stare and Ryan laughed nervously.
"Damn right you will Ryan." She declared, "Right now you will before any bodies get brought in."
Ryan nodded vigorously and made to leave to find a mop. Horatio stopped him with a hand on his arm.
"When we catch this killer I want you to explain everything to me Ryan." He requested.
"Of course H." Ryan agreed before sweeping off. Eric made to follow him but stopped when Horatio turned around and fixed him under his blue eyed stare.
"This was the real reason he left wasn't it Eric?" He asked.
"Mm. I found out a few things about him at once and it was a lot to take in so we were a little uncomfortable around each other for a while. Ryan couldn't take it so he left. It was a good idea really, we've gotten quite close since he's been gone." Eric confessed.
Horatio raised an eyebrow and grinned. "And now that he's back?"
"We're close still."
"Good. Let's keep it that way Eric." Horatio informed the Cuban and Eric nodded, he had every intention of staying close to Ryan now that he was back, especially since he had admitted he was going to stay after this was over.
Both Eric and Horatio left as Ryan bustled back in, carrying a bucket full of water, disinfectant, a mop and several cloths.
Eric grinned.
Horatio smiled fondly.
Alexx made him put it all down so she could hug him.
"Ah Lieutenant Caine," A voice called and Eric and Horatio turned to see Noah, Penelope and Jesse approaching them.
"We were wondering where you had gotten to. It's time to carry on tracking this killer." Noah continued with one eyebrow cocked.
"I am well aware of that Agent Carnegie, Eric and I were just discussing some theories with Alexx, our medical examiner." Horatio explained smoothly.
"I see," Noah said. Both Horatio and Eric knew that he was not entirely convinced by this explanation, but he said nothing else.
"Care to share these theories?" Penelope asked.
"Not currently." Horatio stated simply. "Let's get to work."
/
Ryan, or 'Josh', did not turn up for a while, much to the obvious chagrin of both Penelope and Noah. Jesse therefore worked with Eric and Noah, and it was a little uncomfortable, as Eric knew that Noah was Esteban but he had to keep pretending he was a real agent and younger than he obviously was. Ryan had said that Esteban was one of the oldest of the immortals that existed in the world, which Eric found quite impressive despite not knowing Esteban's age. He wondered how old Ryan was.
"Any leads Eric?" Jesse asked as he poured over evidence.
"None." Eric replied. It was frustrating because something told Eric that Esteban, Francesca and Ryan all knew more than they were letting on and they had only come to the police to find out what they knew before they made their own move.
"Horatio there was another victim!" Calleigh's voiced called out and the five people on the case rushed out to the break room to see the TV report.
"This one survived." Calleigh stated, "But they haven't said who it was yet."
"The survivor of the newest attack has been identified to us now," The news reported claimed. All attention turned to the screen. Ryan, newly disguised as Josh again, entered just in time.
"The victim of this latest attack is a Mrs Delko, mother of the CSI agent Eric Delko. She survived this attack and has been taken to Miami general hospital for treatment."
Nobody spoke as shock sank in. Eric's face was an unreadable mask even as he felt his gut twist and his heart drop.
"Mama…" He murmured. "I have to go to the hospital." He cried after another moment of silence.
"Eric if you go, go without intent to carry on with this case." Horatio warned his colleague. Eric turned around to look at Horatio, shock now visible on his features. Before he could speak he saw Josh slip from the room, closely followed by Noah.
"H I have to go there as a CSI as well as a son," He protested.
"Eric you're suddenly involved with one of the victims, you can't be involved in this case anymore. Go to see her as a son, take Calleigh, she'll replace you on this case, and one of the agents with you." Horatio ordered.
Eric scowled, he didn't want to be taken off the case just because of this even though he knew it made sense. Internal Affairs would have a field day if they knew that Horatio had allowed Eric to continue to work on the case despite one of the victims was his mother. Stalking from the room Eric noticed 'Josh' slipping into the locker room followed by Noah and decided to follow them to ask Ryan to accompany him to the hospital. Calleigh remained behind in the break room to get instructions from Horatio but she watched Eric's movements through the glass.
"We have to go after him now dad!" It was Ryan's voice that Eric heard as he leant next to the door of the locker room.
"We can't be too hasty about this Ryan! If he catches wind that we are after him he'll be gone in the wind and we'll have to chase him across America." Esteban snapped back.
"He attacked Eric's mother!" Ryan hissed, "It's personal now."
"Control yourself Ryan!" Esteban barked. "You do not even know this woman, even if you know Eric himself. If you cannot control your opinions and emotions I shall lock you up until we catch this man."
"You cannot do that!" Ryan cried.
"I am your father and I can. You will listen to me Ryan and you will listen to me now! You shall act as Josh and be professional, even when you're processing Mrs Delko and working around this case. If I see you slip even once I shall take you off this case as quickly as possible." Esteban stated firmly. Ryan said nothing merely stalked towards the door, his disguise firmly back in place. Eric rushed away from the door as Ryan exited, making his way towards the lift.
"CSI Delko," 'Josh' called, "Allow me to accompany you to the hospital."
"Of course Agent Carnegie." Eric murmured with a tight smile. It touched him that Ryan was so angry that his mother had been attacked but something about what Esteban had said struck as logic within him.
"Are you accompanying us Agent Carnegie?" Calleigh asked as she joined them by the lift with her kit.
"Yes CSI Duquesne."
"Please call me Calleigh," Calleigh informed 'Josh' and he smiled warmly at her.
"Then yes, Calleigh, I am accompanying you."
Eric rolled his eyes at the conversation between them, his heart still tight with fear for his mother.
/
The hospital was a rather depressing affair for all three of them. Calleigh asked if she could process Eric's mother and she agreed quietly, she was still slightly high on morphine. Ryan managed to keep his disguise though Eric could see his anger at the situation, and he asked Eric's mother many questions about the attack. Eric sat by her side silently, holding her hand and stroking her skin softly. None of his other family were there yet, the police came first and they were all waiting outside.
"Come on Agent Carnegie," Calleigh murmured softly.
"You can call me Josh." Ryan replied.
"Well then Josh, let's go." Calleigh said quietly. She placed a hand on Eric's shoulder and squeezed it in support. Eric locked eyes with 'Josh' and for a moment his eyes flashed back to Ryan's and 'Josh' mouthed "I'll come back later" before following Calleigh out of the door.
"It's personal now," Calleigh hissed as they left the hospital to take her findings back to the lab.
"Are you close to CSI Delko and his family?" 'Josh' asked.
"I'm close to Eric himself and I've met his family once or twice. His mother is sweet and she's a really good cook." Calleigh replied with a true smile.
'Josh' smiled in response but his heart beat a little faster at the news. Had Eric and Calleigh grown close while he had been gone? No…that couldn't be possible, Eric had accepted him into his house and into his bed and had accepted him, despite what he was.
"Let's get back to the lab and process the evidence you found." Calleigh decided when 'Josh' did not reply to her answer. 'Josh' nodded and followed her to the Hummer.
/
"Calleigh what did you find under our victims fingernails?" Horatio asked as he entered the lab where 'Josh' and Calleigh were just getting the results.
"Coral and jet fuel." Calleigh replied in confusion.
'Josh' turned to one of the computers in the lab and immediately searched for coral quarries near airports. Only one in Miami came up and he swept from the room immediately. Horatio and Calleigh did not question it, assuming he had gone to update Noah and Penelope. Neither of them saw him going to the lift.
"We may have found where he stores his victims." Calleigh murmured.
"Let's get a force together and get down there." Horatio stated.
"Wait," Calleigh called as Horatio moved towards the door, "There is also salt water under her nails, along with dirt and grass. He may have kept
her in two different places."
"Let's find out where this came from before we send teams out then. I'll go and inform the agents." Horatio decided and left the room. Calleigh agreed with him and turned to the computer that 'Josh' had abandoned to try and find out where salt water, dirt and grass all came together in Miami.
Penelope seemed impressed by the find but Noah seemed more concerned than anything.
"Where is Josh, is he still at the hospital with the latest victim?" He inquired after Horatio had finished explaining his plan.
"No he was with myself and Calleigh when we found out the results. He found out where coral and jet fuel came together in Miami and was out of the door. We assumed that he was coming to find you to update you on the results." Horatio replied, concern lacing his voice now. He knew 'Josh' was Ryan and that Noah and Penelope were his parents, and Penelope was doing a better job of hiding her concern than Noah was. Was it possible that Ryan had gone after the killer because he had attacked Eric's mother?
"He's gone after the killer." Noah breathed.
"We have to go and find him." Penelope gasped.
"I'll send some officers with you." Horatio declared, deciding to ignore the slip in their disguises as their parental instincts took over.
"No, let us go alone." Noah snapped before hurrying to the lift. Penelope blinked and smiled sadly at Horatio.
"Noah is protective of his brother, I'm sorry he was so short with you. I shall remain here and try and reach Josh through phone." She decided.
Noah was gone before she finished talking.
/
"Officer Delko there is a man asking for you at the reception desk." A doctor said as he came in to check on Eric's mother. Eric stood, not even asking who it was, hoping it was Ryan since he had promised to come back later. Leaving his mother with his other sisters he hurried quickly through the hospital to reception to find Esteban stood there, his disguise as Noah gone, panic evident in his expression.
"What are you doing here?" He asked. The last time he had seen Esteban had not been a good moment for either of them and Eric could not deny it annoyed him that it was Ryan's father and not Ryan that was there.
"Ryan has gone." Esteban all but shouted, "He's gone after the serial killer." He added a little quieter.
Eric steered him away from the desk towards the doors so that their conversation would be a little more private.
"What do you mean?"
"Calleigh found out one of the places where he may have kept your mother from trace under her nails, Ryan has gone to find him to rid Miami of him." Esteban explained quietly but quickly.
"I don't understand why that's a bad thing." Eric said.
"I never told Ryan this because until now he had never needed to know. He was safe with me and his mother and had never had many dealings with this world, or other immortals." Esteban sighed, running a hand through his hair.
Eric was beginning to feel a knot of fear for Ryan join the one for his mother in his stomach from Esteban's words and actions.
"Never told him what?" He asked cautiously, unsure if wanted to know the answer.
"We are immortal, but in that sense it means that any man cannot kill us, no natural disaster or man-made weapon can kill us and we do not die of old age." Esteban began. Eric knew this, or had guessed it from the snippets Ryan had told him, but he had a feeling Esteban was about to admit something that was not good.
"When the first of us came into being we were made aware of the one weakness that we did have." Esteban continued.
Eric gulped and fear shot through him again.
"What weakness?"
"Others like ourselves. The stronger we grow the more likely we are to become truly immortal. But those of us that are young, that are weak, like Ryan, can be killed by other immortals. The immortal that we are hunting is strong, almost as strong as me, because he is extremely old and immersed in the old ways and the methods that can kill an immortal. It is unlikely that he brought any of the provisions he needed to kill an immortal, it is very complicated, but many immortals carry the needed things with them just in case they come across a rogue immortal that needs to be dealt with. We do not want humanity to find out about us, that was why I did not want Ryan to grow too close to you." Esteban explained. "If we do not find Ryan soon then…then he-."
"What?" Eric demanded but he knew the answer and dreaded to hear the words come from Esteban's mouth.
"He will be dead." Esteban whispered.