Story Title: Revenge is a dish best served Russian
Season(s): Mainly set in season 7, timeline may vary.
Pairing(s): Ryan/Natalia, Eric/Calleigh, (other pairings may occur...I'm making the story up as I go along)
Disclaimer: If I did own C.S.I Miami do you think I would be writing this story instead of snuggling in Jonathan Togo's strong, muscled arms? *sigh* Stupid O.S.F.D (Obsessive. Sexy. Fellas. Disorder) I only own the OCs...
Now on with the story...
Previously on C.S.I Miami:
The silence returned, but this time it was awkward, both waiting for the other to speak first.
Ryan decided to speak from his heart, to pour his feelings out for the world and more importantly Natalia to hear.
...The silence continued.
Both tired of the silence, Ryan Wolfe and Natalia Boa Vista stared deeply into each other's eyes. Wishing to reduce the space between then, Ryan outstretched his hand, trying to claim hers.
An IV lodged within his skin kept him from closing the distance.
Annoyed, Ryan pushed himself up, ignoring the pain as he propped up on his elbows. Natalia watched him curiously rise into a sitting position, then swing one leg over the edge of the bed.
Realising what he was trying to do, Natalia sat up straight, creaking her back as she did.
"Ryan, are trying to kill yourself?"
Receiving no response, Natalia tossed the covers off, glad the hospital staff allowed her to keep her own clothes. Slipping off of the crisp bed sheet, she quickly placed her hand on Ryan's chest, stopping his escape attempt.
Feeling the steady heartbeat beneath his hospital gown, Natalia froze before remembering her previous thought.
"Ryan, lie down."
The CSI was stubborn, continuing to sit over the edge of the bed. "I needed to get up...over to you."
Natalia smiled at his sweet intentions. Leaning forward, she kissed his cheek lightly, laughing lightly into his rosy warm skin. "Thank you, but since I'm not the one in the knee brace, I'll come to you."
Ryan smiled back, allowing her to push him back down onto the pillow. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she turned to fix his IV lead. Ryan re-captured her hand, keeping it pressed to his chest.
Looking from their entwined hands up to his eyes, Natalia let out a small gasp at the emotion showed in Ryan's eyes.
She could only hope that she portrayed the same back.
Not knowing where to start, Ryan decided to try "playing it smooth" and rolling into the conversation with a light laugh.
"So how come you get to stay normal while I have to wear a dress?"
Natalia looked between her own tattered and torn clothes and his glistening white gown, un-sure which looked worse.
"Maybe the staff just liked me more." Smiling, Natalia watched the fake look of hurt Ryan showed, laughter hidden beneath his bruised features. "That is possible; you're a very likeable person."
Natalia blushed slightly, "Thanks...I lo-" her eyes darted back to their hands, thinking of her next sentence carefully. Looking back into his eyes, Natalia forced a smile.
"I like you too Mr. Wolfe."
Ryan chuckled along with her, though his mind ravelled around her choice of words almost painfully.
Once again, silence surrounded the CSIs, but now both avoided each other's eyes. Natalia stared down at their entwined hands, thinking about what he had just said.
Ryan simply gazed wonderingly at the crease of her forehead, also thinking of their previous conversation.
Stroking his thumb over her hand lovingly, Ryan tried to pace himself into revealing his inner thoughts.
"Natalia."
Gaining her attention, Ryan took a deep breath, ready to tell her he-
The hospital door opened, cutting him across. A young nurse stepping inside, dipping her head and smiling warmly at the two CSIs.
Damn it!
Ryan cursed mentally; angered he had slipped up such an open opportunity to tell the woman he loved his feelings.
Tomorrow...I'll tell her tomorrow.
Lost in his thoughts, Ryan only realised the nurse's exit after the door closed. Natalia turned to face him wearing a relieved smile. "What?"
"We're getting out of here, first thing tomorrow morning."
Ryan nodded, taking in this information. "Tomorrow it is then."
Tomorrow it is.
A week had passed since he was released from hospital yet Ryan Wolfe still felt as battered and pain as he did after waking from surgery. Though most of his cuts had healed, bruises faded into a near skin colour yellow and his knee was improving well, the CSI still felt terrible.
He knew the reason why he felt this way; it was because of the constant war raging within his mind.
And the infuriating detail seemed to constantly pop up, reminders appearing everywhere, a name called by his colleagues, a glance into her lab, watching her work determinately, the letters D.N.A.
Ryan sighed, thinking of the reason behind his internal struggle.
Natalia.
It was...yet wasn't her fault through his eyes.
Half of Ryan's thoughts suggested Natalia was to blame for his confused romantic feelings. After all, she had engaged the kiss, causing the spark to erupt his burning love for her.
The other side disagreed.
Ryan listened to the internal voices bicker, interested in what the other side had to say. It opposed his previous thought, telling Ryan he was the problem. He was the one who leaned in first, he was the one to continue it and he was the one ignoring the topic with her.
Both sides of his mind agreed with each other on one fact; he was an idiot.
Thinking of his need to talk things out with Natalia, Ryan walked from his newly re-built Trace lab down the lone corridor leading to the break room. His left hand held a walking cane, matching his knee brace under his dark slacks.
Entering the ordinary break room, Ryan's mind was frazzled as his eyes focused on the tan skin of his target.
"Hey...Can I talk to you?"
Receiving an approving yet worried smile, Ryan thought of what he wanted to say.
"What's up Wolfe?"
Ryan looked at his buddy, absolutely and completely embarrassed over what he was about to do. Out of the many years he had know Eric Delko, Ryan had hoped he would never have to ask for advice [again] from the well-known ladies' man.
Sighing, Ryan once again threw his honour out the window, once again for Natalia.
"Eric...I need some help..."
"What kind?"
Mental help!
Anything to get me out of this mess!
A miracle!
"I need some advice."
Sooooo...Ryan is seeking advice from...an experience mentor ;P
How will it turn out?
Find out next time!
Mel out ;)