Summary:
Ryan returns to work and ends up being sent undercover by Horatio. It sounds routine but when is anything ever routine when working with CSI? Eric gets annoyed with Ryan's flippancy over putting himself in danger.
Notes:
It has been a long time. At least I didn't leave it on a cliffhanger xD I'm going to try and update regularly, but I managed to end this chapter in a nice way too, so it isn't too much to look forward too.
Season 9 episode 10 features in this chapter.
Thanks for sticking by me since it's been so long and enjoy.
Ryan's return to work was received with mix reactions. There was a tenseness in the lab at his sudden return, especially after his sudden departure, but Eric wasn't sure that Ryan noticed it, as glad as he was to be back at work. For instance, Jesse decided that now Ryan was back he was going to lose his job, especially as one of the reasons he had been hired was to replace Ryan. Because of this Jesse did not take well to Ryan's return. Natalia, Calleigh and Alexx were all glad to see Ryan back in the lab, and Horatio made it clear to Jesse that he was going to keep his job despite the fact that Ryan was back.
Eric had found that the issues that he had had previously keeping up relationships with his colleagues, mainly Natalia, were not present with Ryan, even when they worked cases together. Ryan made it clear to Eric that there was going to be a degree of space between them at work, that no one there except for Horatio and Alexx, were to know they were together. And Horatio made sure to pair Ryan with Walter as much as possible to keep Eric and Ryan apart. It worked as well, it helped Eric to keep his jealousy at others getting close to Ryan under wraps. That is, until a certain case came their way, and Eric's jealousy finally came forward.
/
Eric raised an eyebrow as Ryan entered the interrogation room as one of the suspects in their case left with his attorney.
"You wanted to see me," Ryan stated to Horatio, clearly confused as to why he had been called as well.
"I do," Horatio said, "Something happened at the Nichols mansion, which caused Matthew's death." He continued.
Eric watched Ryan and could see his mind working quickly to try and figure out why this needed his attention and not somebody else's.
"Okay, I'll pull a warrant, start searching the place-." Ryan said, turning to look at Eric as he spoke, as the Cuban had brushed his hand along Ryan's and Ryan did not approve of the random touches Eric insisted on doing to show he was with Ryan.
"Or," Horatio interrupted, drawing Ryan's attention back to him, "You could start searching for the perfect match." With that said Horatio left and Ryan turned to watch him leave as it slowly dawned on him what Horatio wanted him to do.
"He wants you to infiltrate the place." Eric stated, "Doesn't he?"
"Looks like it." Ryan replied, running a hand through his hair. Eric moved to the door and shut it, glancing around to make sure no one was looking at them. Ryan sincerely hoped that Eric was not thinking of crossing the boundaries he had set, given the room they were in had glass walls.
"Why you? Why can't someone else do it?" Eric asked in an angered tone.
"Well, the suspect knows both you and H so you can't do it." Ryan replied evenly. "Plus if something were to happen I wouldn't be killed, and I could charm whoever I wanted to get the information we need and it's completely legal." He continued.
Eric rolled his eyes. "He shouldn't be using your immortality like this,"
"I'm glad this is the way he decides to use it if he's going to use it at all. If he's going to send one of his employees into a dangerous situation it's best to send the immortal one." Ryan shrugged and moved to the door. "Besides, I might get to seduce a few beautiful ladies." He added, winking at Eric before he left quickly to follow Horatio and get his instructions.
/
"Are you sure you want to do this Ryan?" Horatio inquired as Ryan slipped into a nice suit jacket.
"Of course." Ryan replied, "I mean, it's a potentially dangerous situation and I'd be the best one to send in right?"
Horatio turned to stare at Ryan and frowned. "That's not the reason I'm asking you to do this Ryan."
"Isn't it?" Ryan asked, "I thought it was."
"No I didn't even think about it." Horatio admitted, "You're a good choice to pose as a wealthy businessman."
"Oh. Well I figured it would be a good idea for me to do this because I'm immortal. This Nichols man could be potentially dangerous and I could always use my charm to get the information out of someone." Ryan informed Horatio.
"I don't want to put you in unnecessary danger Ryan, immortal or not." Horatio stated firmly.
Ryan smiled. "Thank you Horatio but I'm willing to do this because I'm immortal. I can't be harmed even if they try, and I'm sure it'd scare them if they did try and it didn't work."
"Are you sure?" Horatio asked.
Ryan nodded. "I'm sure. And I'll do it every time I can Horatio. If there's a dangerous situation that needs one of us to go undercover I'd like you to use me. I can't die, and even if I get hurt I'll be alright. So you don't have to worry or feel guilty if anything really bad happens."
"Ryan I don't think I can-."
"Horatio please, how would you feel if you sent an innocent officer undercover and they ended up being killed? At least if you send me in you know that I'm going to come out safely." Ryan interrupted.
Horatio was silent as he pondered Ryan's argument. "Are you sure?" He asked again.
"I'm positive." Ryan replied.
"Alright," Horatio agreed, "Here's the plan."
/
Horatio and Eric had made it clear to Ryan that he was to check in with them every thirty minutes, but all three of the CSIs understood that that meant Ryan was to check in with them before thirty minutes was up, to confirm he was alright.
Ryan was glad he had finally convinced Kate that he did not want to have sex with her, just to talk, but he was running out of time and he needed to find something to report to Horatio, and some way to do so, since his phone had been taken. Using the excuse that he was going to get some more alcohol Ryan made his way to Nichols' office and started leafing through his papers. He had two minutes remaining – Eric was growing frustrated as he waited in the car with Horatio in case Ryan needed backup – when something caught his attention.
However, he never got to know what it was, as he felt a sharp pain in the side of his neck from a needle puncture. Whatever was injected into his neck would not keep him down for long, Ryan knew that, but when his system had finally rejected the solution he was in the grip of a strong black man who decided to periodically duck Ryan's head under water in an attempt to find out who he was working for. Ryan knew it would not kill him, but it was extremely uncomfortable for him. The third time or so the security guard ended up in the water with him and Ryan found himself being dragged free and looking into Eric's eyes. Eric shouted, a gunshot sounded and Ryan panicked. Had Horatio or Eric been hurt? It took him only a moment to realise it was the security guard that had been shot instead.
Ryan coughed as Eric fell to his knees beside him, rolling him onto his side and patting his back. He couldn't help but grin as Eric told him to breath, seemingly forgetting for a moment that Ryan could not be drowned.
"Eric I'm fine," He coughed. Horatio was looking down at him and Ryan knew immediately he felt guilty for putting Ryan in such danger, even if he was immortal and could take it. Horatio did not say anything but Ryan could tell that his expression was a silent expression and he nodded to show he accepted it.
Eric was cradling his head and growled his next words. Horatio stood to leave them alone and find Nichols.
"Are you alright?!" Eric asked again.
Ryan nodded and sat up properly, pushing his sodden hair from his eyes.
"I knew this was a bad idea." Eric snapped, "I shouldn't have let you do this."
"Not that you could have stopped me," Ryan replied patiently as he climbed to his feet and glanced over the dead security guard.
"Besides, I got to seduce some beautiful girls." He laughed.
Eric's expression darkened for a moment and Ryan watched him carefully to see if he had pushed him too far, but eventually Eric laughed and stood up too, clapping Ryan on the back and guiding him from the room, to find Horatio and Nichols.
Ryan immediately went to the bookcase, giving Eric just enough time to wrap a blanket around him before he questioned Nichols. Ryan didn't fail to notice that Eric's dark expression had come back and couldn't tell if it was anger at Nichols, at the attempt on Ryan's life of the joke that Ryan had made about the girls.
They didn't have a chance to talk about it as Ryan and Eric were caught up with wrapping the case up. Ryan finished before Eric and headed home as quickly as possible, deciding to cook something nice for Eric to apologise for his jokes.
/
Eric knocked on Horatio's office door and entered before Horatio had given him permission to.
"H do you have a minute,"
Horatio turned to face Eric, recognising the tone that Eric was using meant that even if he didn't Eric wanted to talk to him.
"Of course Eric, what can I do for you?" Horatio replied.
Eric took a deep breath and folded his arms. He was not happy with how things had gone today with Ryan being attacked while he was undercover, and he had a feeling that Horatio had chosen Ryan for this particular mission because he was immortal and couldn't be harmed.
"Why did you choose Ryan to go undercover?" Eric asked.
Horatio raised an eyebrow. It was not usual that his staff questioned his decisions, but considering the developments in the relationship between Eric and Ryan it was understandable why Eric would be upset.
"I chose Ryan because out of all of us he would pass easily for a wealthy businessman looking for a partner." Horatio replied truthfully.
Eric did not look convinced.
"So it had nothing to do with his immortality then?"
"I didn't think of Ryan's immortality when I asked him to go undercover, I was thinking mainly of his potential to be successful in the role." Horatio stated.
"He got attacked and nearly drowned." Eric snapped.
"I asked him beforehand whether he was really okay with doing this and he said yes, he gave me clear consent Eric." Horatio explained. "He knew the risks and said he was the best person for the job because of his immortality."
Eric was taken aback. "He said that?"
Horatio nodded. "He told me to use him for any dangerous undercover missions because everyone would know he would be okay."
"Seriously?!" Eric hissed. "I can't believe this."
"Eric, I do not agree with Ryan's suggestion myself." Horatio admitted, "So please do not think me heartless."
"I don't H, I…I'm sorry it was just…"
"Hard to see Ryan being drowned?" Horatio suggested.
Eric nodded. "I know he can't die but seeing him in positions that would kill normal people is upsetting to me."
"I understand Eric I do, I don't like seeing it either, and if, if Marisol were the same I would feel exactly the same." Horatio said softly. "Maybe you should sit Ryan down and talk to him about it?"
"I guess it could help." Eric admitted.
"I'm sure you can make Ryan understand Eric." Horatio smiled and Eric nodded.
"I'll make him understand." Eric declared. He smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry for barging in H."
"Don't worry about it Eric, you're just being protective." Horatio acknowledged.
/
A couple of hours after Ryan had arrived at Eric's flat Eric arrived home, not in the best of moods. The smell of cooking reached his nostrils and Eric felt the anger drain from him at the thought of Ryan in his kitchen, possibly wearing an apron. Grinning Eric accidently slammed the door and heard something clatter in the kitchen, he had startled Ryan.
"Is that you Eric?" Ryan called.
"Who else would it be?" Eric replied.
"Well, my dad just does seem to let himself in a lot." Ryan replied, appearing in front of Eric with a grin and wearing a pristine apron. There was flour on his cheek and he was slightly flushed. Eric smiled fondly at the sight, but his mood instantly darkened when he saw the pinprick on Ryan's neck where he had been stabbed earlier that day.
"Are you okay?" Ryan asked, confused when Eric's expression changed so suddenly. "Eric?"
"Horatio told me that you put yourself forward for any dangerous infiltrations missions," Eric began slowly, trying to control his tone so he didn't sound angry.
Ryan frowned and his expression became guarded. "It makes more sense than sending in mortals Eric."
"So we sacrifice you and put you in danger all the time to stop mortals from being hurt? It's part of the job Ryan, when you join the police force, and even the CSIs you know that it's dangerous, and you're ready for it." Eric snapped.
"That doesn't mean that they should be put in danger when I am a perfect substitute." Ryan snarled in response.
"When I challenged you and asked you why you wouldn't become a substitute cure for diseases like HIV or cancer you said that you didn't deserve to be used like that, and yet you're okay with being used to protect those on the police force!?" Eric asked angrily.
Ryan opened his mouth to snap a reply but stopped himself when he realised Eric had a point. And he did. Ryan had become so angry when Eric had suggested that he become a cure for things such as HIV and cancer and yet he was willing to walk into dangerous situations to stop mortal officers from being injured and possibly killed.
"Horatio told you what I said then?" Ryan asked.
"Yeah, I didn't really give him much choice to be honest." Eric admitted with a laugh. "He suggested we should talk."
"Well I made a pie for us, so we can talk while we eat." Ryan said.
"You made a pie?" Eric asked.
"Yeah. I needed something to do while you weren't here." Ryan stated, the scowl on his face telling Eric what would happen if he teased Ryan for baking.
"It smells really nice. And I guessed you'd been baking, you've got flour on your cheek." He pointed out.
Ryan's eyes widened and he hurried from Eric to the bathroom to wash the flour off. Eric laughed as he watched Ryan go and slipped off his shoes and coat. What was he going to say to Ryan? He was so confident in the fact that he was immortal it didn't seem to Eric that he would listen to Eric's fears, or acknowledge that they were genuine.
"What sort of pie did you make?" Eric called.
"Steak and vegetables." Ryan shouted back.
Eric grinned and made his way to the couch, sinking down onto it and stretching his tired muscles. Today had been a taxing day, especially with Ryan's near death experience. It felt good to relax, eat some food with Ryan and talk to him, hopefully, and then have a nice hot shower.
"How much do you want?" Ryan inquired as he came back into the room and headed for the kitchen.
"How much did you make?"
Ryan rolled his eyes. Eric was happy and moody and tired all at once it made him extremely disagreeable so Ryan was going to have to make the decision for him. Giving Eric quite a large portion, Ryan carried the plate over to him and handed it over.
"Thanks," Eric said. Ryan said nothing, returning to get himself a smaller portion. He had looked forward to sitting down and eating with Eric, with some wine he had picked up specially, but now Eric wanted to talk Ryan felt quite sick.
They ate in silence, although Eric's eyes lit up at the taste. It was enough to take his mind off the topic he wanted to question Ryan about.
"Can we talk now?" Eric inquired after he had cleaned his plate.
Ryan shook his head. "I have to clean up Eric, bits of your kitchen are so messy."
"It's our kitchen Ryan and you can clean it later." Eric said firmly.
Ryan turned his head and glared at Eric. "I won't be able to listen to you or pay attention to you properly while I know that there is a mess over there."
Eric sighed and shook his head. "Fine, I'm going to grab a shower."
Standing up Eric held out a hand for Ryan and Ryan took it. Eric pulled him to his feet and into a kiss.
"I don't want to fight," Eric whispered. "But you have to listen to me."
"I promise I will." Ryan murmured, flushed at the proximity between them. Eric kissed him again before letting him go to clean up.
/
When they finally came back together Eric had neglected to get dressed, merely wrapped himself in a towel and talking was the last thing on Ryan's mind when he saw Eric reclining on the couch waiting for him.
"You sure you want to talk?" Ryan asked.
Eric grinned, "Yeah I do. But I might want other things afterwards."
"Whether you get it or not is down to what you say." Ryan advised him.
"You might not like it, but I need you to listen to me okay?"
"I promised didn't I?" Ryan commented and Eric nodded.
"Okay so, when I went to talk to Horatio he told me that you offered yourself up for the dangerous infiltrations missions." Eric began. Ryan nodded but stayed quiet. "And I want to tell you how I feel about that."
Ryan opened his mouth to speak but Eric help up a hand to stop him.
"I'm not saying that I'm going to tell you what you can and can't do Ryan, I just want you to know how I feel about it and hopefully it will affect your decision at least." Eric explained.
"Okay."
Eric took a breath. "I know you're immortal Ryan, I get that you won't die and that would be an useful aspect when infiltrating places but today showed me something Ryan." Eric paused because Ryan looked as if he was about to interrupt but he stayed quiet so Eric decided to continue.
"Even if you cannot die Ryan, I don't want to see you in situations all the time that would kill a normal person. Even if you can't die my heart beats faster when I see that, I grow nauseas, I can't control my rage at the person that attacked you. I know you won't die, you know you won't die but the person attacking you doesn't, they have intent to kill you. I can't deal with that Ryan, I really can't. Having all these people wanting to kill you, trying to kill you, having to save you time and time again, Ryan I-I…" Eric trailed off, unable to continue. He had started to cry during his speech, tears of both anger and joy and Ryan's eyes were wide with shock.
"Take today for instance," Eric continued, barely keeping the anger out of his voice now, "We thought Nichols was the murderer and you got hurt trying to find evidence of that and then it turns out that he didn't do anything."
"We uncovered his prostitution ring and helped saved quite a few innocent girls, he definitely did something and I helped uncover that. What's the problem?" Ryan interrupted, angry himself.
"They attacked you, they tried to kill you Ryan!" Eric snapped. "That's the problem. And you're so comfortable with your immortality that you just seem to think that everyone that knows is comfortable with it. That everyone will just accept you going into dangerous situations, and not raise a finger about it. Horatio accepted your offer because at the time we had a murder to solve, but when I spoke to him he told me that he did not agree with what you had said, and did not want to use you in dangerous missions."
Ryan opened his mouth to speak but the spark of anger in Eric's eye made him shut it again.
"I'm not comfortable with it Ryan. I'm not comfortable watching you go into dangerous situations like that. When it's over and you're still alive I'm happy, don't get me wrong. But I'm not comfortable with you going into these situations." Eric titled his head back and closed his eyes tightly to stop his tears.
Ryan stood from his chair and slipped into Eric's lap, ignoring the fact that Eric was only wearing a towel. He hugged Eric tightly and buried his head in Eric's shoulder.
"I'm sorry."
Eric said nothing, he had not been expecting Ryan to apologise.
"Eric I…I don't mind doing it, I really don't, but I didn't know you felt that way." Ryan murmured, "If Horatio asks me again I won't say no, but I won't actively put myself forward for dangerous infiltration missions, how's that?" He suggested.
Eric tilted his head as he considered it. He knew he couldn't ask Ryan to turn around and say no every time he was asked to do anything dangerous just because it scared him, had their positions been reversed he probably would have reacted exactly how Ryan did. Eric decided that it was enough for him that Ryan wouldn't put himself forward for dangerous missions.
Smiling Eric tilted Ryan's head back and kissed him. Ryan moved to kiss him back but Eric drew away, frowning.
"You taste different, like lipstick." Eric commented.
"Still? I've washed my face and mouth so much since-." Ryan sighed, stopping when Eric's face became angered again.
"Since what?"
"Well, when I was talking to Kate she thought I was a business man and since Nichols was running a prostitution ring she thought I wanted to sleep with her. She kept kissing me." Ryan explained.
Eric scowled.
"I pushed her away Eric," Ryan said hastily, "All three times. And eventually I convinced her."
Eric said nothing.
"Eric please, it's not like I wanted it, but it was part of the job." Ryan continued.
"What if Horatio asks you to infiltrate places because of your beauty and you have to seduce people?" Eric asked.
Ryan was speechless for a moment before he started laughing. Eric frowned, unsure what Ryan found so funny, but it took Ryan a few minutes to calm down before he could talk and explain.
"You know Horatio better than that Eric. He would hardly accept my offer before the mission today, there's no way he would ask me to do thing just because I'm pretty." Ryan burst out laughing again as he spoke.
Eric had to agree that what he had said did seem rather stupid now it was out in the open and Ryan's laughter was infectious, he couldn't help but start himself. Ryan turned Eric's face back to him and kissed him again, passionately this time. Eric's arms wrapped around Ryan's waist and pulled him flush against his chest. Ryan's finger swept over Eric's exposed back and Eric fell, pulling Ryan atop him on the couch.
"You're becoming more reckless you know," Eric whispered, bringing one hand up to stroke Ryan's cheeks.
"What do you mean?" Ryan asked, breathless from the kiss.
"You don't want anyone to know that you're immortal and yet you're willing to put yourself into situations where it'd easily come out if witnessed by the wrong person." Eric murmured.
"I didn't think of it like that," Ryan admitted and smiled. "I know really you're just reminding me of this because you want to stop me for yourself, but thank you. Now stop mentioning it and kiss me." He demanded.
"What can I say, I'm protective of you." Eric smirked.
Ryan glared at Eric, who laughed and leaned up to kiss him again.
/
Waking up with Ryan in his arms was an amazing feeling and one Eric didn't think he'd get used to, no matter how long they were together. Ryan was sleeping, his shirt still on but unbuttoned and crumpled. Eric felt slightly uncomfortable considering they had fallen asleep on his couch after sex, his back was cramped, but Ryan was a comfortable weight and looked cute in his sleep, so there was no way Eric was moving in case he ruined the moment.
Eric sighed gently and smiled. He and Ryan had been through extremely rocky times but it seemed things had finally calmed down. Eric was looking forward to having a rather peaceful day with Ryan now and was slowly falling back asleep when his phone rang. It was only then that Eric realised they had spent the entire night on the couch. Luckily his phone was just on the table and Eric had his arm free enough to reach it. Flipping it open Eric put it to his ear.
"iWe need you and Ryan now Eric,/i" Horatio's voice announced.
"How come?" Eric asked.
"iWe need Ryan's abilities,/i" Horatio admitted, "iSomething's come up./i"
"Okay."
Eric closed his phone and sighed. So much for peaceful times.
"Wake up Ryan," He said, shaking Ryan's shoulders. Ryan stirred and muttered something that Eric didn't quite catch before his eyes cracked open and he glared at Eric.
"What?"
"Horatio needs your expertise apparently." Eric replied.
Ryan rolled his eyes and sighed. "Best get moving then." He said.
Eric laughed and watched Ryan roll to the floor, pull himself to his feet and totter off to the bedroom to shower and dress, following after a moment with a predatory grin on his face.