Miami-Dade Memorial Hospital – Miami, Florida

"Mister Wolfe, how are you feeling?" Horatio asked softly as he came into the room where Ryan had been treated for cuts, abrasions, and bruised ribs and was now waiting to be released to go home.

Ryan sighed, "Lucky," he replied in a tired voice. "I left a message on Emily's phone, but I…"

Suddenly, there was shouting and paramedics and several medical personnel hustled down the hallway with a very pale, unconscious Stetler on a gurney, "Is that Stetler?" Ryan asked in an anxious voice.

Frowning, Horatio silently left the room and, with Ryan at his heels, he walked down the hallway to the trauma room where Stetler was being worked on and saw Dr. Loman about to go in, "Ah, Lieutenant Caine of the PD," Dr. Loman said in a concerned voice. "We got a call from Sergeant Stetler about an armed man breaking into his home, shooting him, and taking a Detective Caine as a hostage."

"Excuse me?" Horatio replied sharply, his eyes widening over the fact that Bobby was in danger.

Dr. Loman sighed, "He said it was a man named John Hagen," he replied calmly. "Excuse me."

As Dr. Loman went into the trauma room, Horatio looked at Ryan, "Consider yourself back on the team, Mister Wolfe," he said in a concerned voice as he got out his phone and sent in a call for backup.

Ryan nodded and also got on his cell-phone, determined to let Emily know what he was doing.


Pediatrics Floor - Angel of Mercy Hospital – New York, New York

Sully silently put his cell-phone in his pocket as he walked down the colorfully decorated hallway of the Pediatrics Floor and stopped in the doorway to John's hospital room. John was dressed in green scrubs and sitting in a chair near the window with one hand on his IV pole while his eyes were closed.

Shaking his head, Sully entered the room and set the bag of clothes and things he had gotten from the Boscorelli apartment on the bed, "John, I thought you were supposed to stay in bed?" he asked gently.

"I'm supposed to stay in the room, but I don't need to be in bed," John replied, not opening his eyes.

Sully sighed and plucked a hoodie out of the bag, "I picked up some stuff from your room," he commented, smiling when John opened his eyes. "Your mom said you'll be here for a few days."

"I guess the flu and the pneumonia are messing up my blood sugar," John replied softly. "I told Maurice and Mom about the problems at school and Maurice said he's going to go over there and yell at em."

Sully nodded and John sighed, "David told Maurice last night that he wants to call him 'Dad' and that he was afraid I'd get upset about it," John explained in a tired voice. "I personally don't care what he does."

Sully merely nodded and John sighed as he pulled himself out of the chair and slowly returned to the bed, "I made Tommy swear not to tell about having to each lunch outside, but I did it anyway," John said in a tired voice, his eyes on the bag that was on the bed. "What exactly did you bring, Grandpa?"

"A few clothes, a couple of books, and your Walkman with a few tapes," Sully replied calmly.

Nodding, John laid down, "They made me eat after they did all the tests and now I just want to sleep," he commented softly, fighting hard to stay awake. "Would you get mad if I took a nap?"

"No, because sleep is what you need right now," Sully replied gently. "Do you want some water?"

Shaking his head, John closed his eyes, "Maybe in a little while," he replied, securing the tube in his nose before he relaxed and curled into a ball facing the door. "Grandpa, can you tuck me in, please?"

Sighing gently, Sully carefully pulled the blankets over John and moved back to a chair that was close enough to the bed to keep an eye on things, but far enough away to give John space, "Officer Sullivan?" a quiet voice suddenly asked as footsteps entered the room. "My name is Gil Grissom and I…"

"Gil Grissom from Las Vegas?" Sully replied quietly. "I think John worked for your crime lab?"

Gil nodded, "He did for a time," he replied calmly. "However, I wanted to talk to you."

"Me?" Sully replied in an amused voice. "I'm just a retired police officer trying to live my life."

Gil chuckled and reached into his pocket, "I think, given what you did at the high school a while back, that being a cop has never truly left your blood," he replied, producing a badge that had 'Victims Assistance' written on it in gold. "Anyway, I've got a proposition for you. I've been doing some thinking and I've also talked with Natalia about the idea. How would you like to work for Victims Assistance?"

"You mean helping protect abused people and families?" Sully replied. "I have enough…"

Gil nodded, "I'm meaning that you'd be a VA officer assigned to help protect your family," he replied in a compassionate voice. "The NYPD can't always be here, apparently, and if someone armed could be…"

"I kept my weapons after I retired," Sully mused softly. "I know Ty and Brendan can't always be here."

There was a silence and Sully took the offered badge, "Thanks," he replied in a calm voice, quickly pocketing the badge so John wouldn't see it. "This will make Danielle and Bosco feel better."

"I'll take care of the paperwork," Gil replied in a compassionate voice. "Just stay with your grandson."

Sully nodded, "Thanks," he said, turning to face John as Gil silently left the hospital room.


"Horatio?"

Having just seen Rick off to surgery in the care of doctors, Horatio looked up from the cell-phone where he had been texting instructions to both the day and night shift CSIs, trying desperately to keep a hold of the murder case and also his missing nephew's situation. Yelina was standing there with Adam in tow.

"I got BJ off to school and he asked me why his father hadn't called," Yelina explained in a soft voice.

Horatio sighed and knelt down to be at eye level with Adam, "Adam, I hate to tell you this, but a man named John Hagen shot your Uncle Rick earlier this morning and forced your dad to drive him somewhere," he explained in a somber voice. "Your dad had taken your uncle home since he was tired."

"Is my daddy going to be okay, Great Uncle Horatio?" Adam asked softly, his eyes brimming with tears.

Horatio sighed, "I've got the entire police department doing what they can to try and find him, Adam," he replied, ignoring Yelina's expression of horror. "One of the cars from the police department is missing and I've got a couple of police officers looking for it. When they find it, they'll follow it and tell me."

"Hagen stole a Hummer?" Yelina asked in a concerned voice as Ryan and Jessop came down the hallway.

Horatio nodded and stood up, "Mister Wolfe, Officer Jessop," he stated calmly. "Any news on Bobby?"

"Speedle spotted a Hummer that has plates that match the one missing from the MDPD," Jessop replied in an anxious voice. "It was heading out towards the Glades on the main highway and both he and Tripp are in pursuit. Tripp asked me if you wanted to come to the Glades with Wolfe and I to provide backup."

Horatio nodded and gazed at Adam, "Adam, I'm going to find your daddy now, so I want you to stay with your Auntie Yelina, all right?" he said in an encouraging voice. "My visit with the Cruz brothers will have to wait, but I don't want to put the case on ice. Jessop, I'd like you to stay here and guard Stetler."

Jessop nodded, "He's in surgery," Horatio commented as he led Ryan away. "Come on, Mister Wolfe."


"Alexx, I hear you have a bullet for me," Calliegh commented softly as she entered the Crime Lab's morgue and saw Alex standing over the table where Jenessa's body lay covered by a sheet.

Alexx nodded and handed Callieigh a small plastic bag that was filled with three small bullets that had bloodstains on them, "She was shot three times," Alexx explained gently. "Ended up bleeding to death."

Calleigh nodded as she took the bag with gloved hands and was about to leave when Natalia came running in, "I just heard that there's an APB out for Detective Hagen because he shot Sergeant Stetler and took Detective Caine hostage," Natalia explained in an anxious voice. "How did that happen?"

"I don't know, but Horatio assigned Speedle, Ryan, and himself to pursue Hagen and Detective Caine," Callieigh replied, having been briefed over the phone by Horatio. "Eric's analyzing the DNA that we found at the scene on Jenessa Williams' body and he's also checking for prints on a gun we found."

Natalia nodded, "What can I do to help?" she asked, unable to hide her worry about Bobby very well.

"On my way down here, I saw a girl asking about Jenessa," Callieigh replied calmly. "She's just in the lobby at the desk. Could you go see if she's family and explain what the current situation is?"

Natalia nodded and silently made her way up to the lobby where Jenny, who had caught a bus from her apartment to the MDPD when she had heard on the news that Jenessa was dead, was waiting in a pair of boots, jeans, and a checkered top while her dirty blonde hair was curled and her face was done up.

"Are you here about Jenessa Williams?" Natalia asked softly, thinking of how much the girl reminded her of both Ryan and Emily even though she knew Emily's kids were both young and Ryan had no kids.

Jenny nodded, "We're roommates," she replied softly. "Her parents live up in Nebraska…"

"And what's your name?" Natalia asked softly, figuring that Jenny was a minor and needed help.

Jenny sighed, "Jenny Wolfe," she replied in a nervous voice. "I'm 21 years old and I go to Dade U."

"Are you related to Ryan or Emily Wolfe?" Natalia asked gently, wondering if Jenny would lie.

Jenny sighed, "My dad is their big brother, but my grandma doesn't like to talk about them," she replied in a standoffish voice as she played with her hair. "Do you want me to tell Jenessa's parents about her?"

"Do you have any idea how Jenessa could have died?" Natalia asked in a concerned voice.

Jenny shrugged, "I wanted to go out and party at Club Cruz last night after Jenessa and I both got off work, but Jenessa wanted to study," she explained softly. "We were discussing it when some guy broke out of the back of the car and ran off with a hood over his face. After that, I went back inside and I didn't know where Jenessa had gone until I heard on the news that she had died. Who are you, anyway?"

"I'm Natalia Boa Vista," Natalia replied calmly. "I'm a Crime Scene Investigator here at the Crime Lab."

Jenny nodded, "Could you please not tell my aunt or my uncle that I was here?" she asked softly. "I'm really curious about Uncle Ryan and Aunt Emily, but I don't want to make my grandmother mad."

"I won't tell them," Natalia promised even though she was sad for the young girl's dilemma.

Jenny sighed and hugged herself, "Thanks for listening," she replied softly. "Jenessa was my best friend."

Before Natalia could reply, the elevator door opened and Erica Sikes, who had spotted Jenny on the bus and followed her, came into the lobby with a cameraman, "Jenny Wolfe, daughter of famous sports car driver, Tommy Wolfe?" she asked in an intrigued voice. "What are you doing at the Crime Lab?"

"It's none of your business," Natalia snapped, promptly blocking Jenny from the camera. "Get out."

Erica smirked as she looked at Natalia's ID badge, "Natalia Boa Vista?" she commented in an amused voice, smirking as she moved back towards the elevator. "Well, I'll certainly never forget you."

There was a tense silence as Erica and the cameraman got back in the elevator, "Is everything all right?" Eric, who had gotten some DNA results off Jenessa's clothes and off of Ryan's shirt, asked as he came down the hallway with a folder in his hand. "Why was Erica Sikes trying to film in the Crime Lab?"

"It's nothing," Natalia replied anxiously. "This is Jenessa Williams's roommate and she heard about her."

Jenny nodded, but silently walked over to the elevator so she could go home, "Oh, well, there were three DNA matches on Ryan's shirt and one belongs to Ryan, collaborating with his story that he tried to help Jenessa," Eric explained, giving Natalia a somber look. "However, the other bloodstains on his shirt also indicate that he was beaten up before he was abducted. The photos I got of his wounds show that."

"Do you think whoever tried to kidnap him also killed Jenessa Williams?" Natalia asked softly.

Eric nodded, "It's definitely possible, but we can't do anything about it," he replied in a somber voice, his expression turning grim. "The other DNA on the clothes and on Ryan's shirt belongs to Clavo and Ramon Cruz, sons of the Baracan Ambassador General Cruz. They have diplomatic immunity here in Miami."

Frowning, Natalia followed Eric back down the hallway towards the computer area where Dan Cooper was working, "However, I did ask our friendly AV Tech, Dan Cooper, to see what kind of associates the Cruz brothers have," Eric stated in a pleasant voice. "Maybe we can get to them through another."

"Clavo and Ramon Cruz have a lot of connections because of their status," Dan Cooper, who was excited to finally get a high-profile case on his hands, explained. "I did get a few names, though."

Eric and Natalia looked at the screen and near the top of the list was the name Edward Addison, "That's John Sullivan's biological father," Natalia said, remembering what she knew about the Sullivan family.

"John Sullivan, the kid from New York who came looking for his sister a while back?" Eric asked, remembering how John had been scared of everything and everyone when he had come to Miami.

Natalia nodded, "Edward Addison probably had a hand in John's kidnapping and in the murder of that paramedic from New York," she replied anxiously. "I wonder if we could question Edward somehow."

"I doubt we could find him even if Horatio would authorize it," Eric replied gently. "He wouldn't."

Little did they know that Jenny had overheard their conversation and had left the lab in pure fear.


Manhattan High School – New York, New York

Aggravated about having to park three blocks away in the cold because all the teachers and wealthier students had taken all the spaces on and off campus, Bosco silently jogged up the steps and entered the large high school. He looked around for a moment before spotting the large office in the large foyer.

"Excuse me, I'm Maurice Boscorelli," Bosco said as he approached the office where two secretaries were working at desks amidst several small offices that seemed to be filled. "I'm John Sullivan's stepfather."

There was silence and then a harried looking overweight man came out of one of the offices in a patched suit and tie, "Ah, Mister Boscorelli," he said in a shaky voice. "I'm Principal Montrose."

"It's Officer Boscorelli, actually," Bosco replied coldly. "I work as a beat cop in Bed-Stuy."

Principal Montrose's eyebrows raised into his poorly constructed toupee, "Ah, well, since you're a cop, you must understand my reasoning behind my suggestion that John switch to a self-paced study program outside of the school," he explained nervously. "The entire episode with Catherine Willows has made everyone in the school paranoid that such an incident could happen again and we have to…"

"Must not be much of a school if you don't take the time to be a help to John," Bosco snapped, his anger growing at the man's incompetency. "Anyway, give me the information for the self-paced study thing."

Principal Montrose scoffed as he reached under the counter and pulled out a large box, "Here's the information to get started," he replied in an irritated voice. "Thank you for keeping our school safe."

Grumbling under his breath, Bosco took the box, "Jagoff," he muttered as he left the school.


The Everglades – Miami, Florida

"Pull over," Hagen barked, frowning as he heard sirens in the distance. "They're coming for me."

Too anxious to stop because he was worried about being killed after driving for miles as he listened to Hagen's rants about how the PD had lost all trust in his abilities, Bobby continued driving and sped up as the Hummer closed in on the wet area of the Everglades, "I SAID STOP!" Hagen screamed anxiously, firing a shot at the passenger window as the Hummer plunged into a shallow pool of swamp water.

"YOU IDIOT!" Hagen screamed as the Hummer half sank into the murky water. "I'VE HAD IT!"

Slightly dazed from hitting his head on the dash when the Hummer had plunged into the water, Bobby quickly unlocked his door and gasped as Hagen pointed the gun at his own head, "I can't compete," Hagen breathed in an anxious voice. "Why did you plunge into this mess, kid? We'll both die."

"Just put the gun down and we can talk," Bobby said in an anxious voice, trembling as the Hummer began to sink because he knew that the brakes had been cut and although he had tried to stop at the edge of the water to attempt a daring escape, Hagen had obviously tampered with the brakes.

Hagen scoffed, "I tampered with the brakes so that I could just die, but I didn't want you to go with me!" he exclaimed in an anxious voice, cocking the gun against his forehead. "I just want to end all this!"

Sirens filled the air and Hagen sighed deeply, "Goodbye, kid," he said, preparing to pull the trigger.

Horatio's eyes widened as he heard shots coming from the area where the Hummer had unexpectedly driven into the water, "No," he whispered in an anxious voice. "Mister Wolfe, park at the edge of…"

There was a loud pop and a sudden explosion, "GET TO THE WATER!" Horatio yelled into the radio that he had been gripping in his hand the entire time that Tripp had been chauffeuring him and Ryan.

Sirens filled the air as the police cars and the ambulance neared the water and Horatio scrambled out of the car just in time to see the driver's door open and Bobby jump into the water from the damaged Hummer while Hagen lay lifeless against the air bag that had gone off in the passenger area. The passenger window was shattered and the entire vehicle was slowly sinking into the swampy water.

"I've gotta get him out before it sinks!" Bobby hollered anxiously, ignoring his badly bleeding forehead as he waded around the vehicle and tried to force the door open enough to get Hagen out. "HELP!"

Scared that the car would sink or explode while Bobby struggled to free Hagen's body, Horatio hurried into the water and was quickly followed by Ryan just as Ryan's cell-phone started going off, "Bobby, come on!" Horatio yelled in an anxious voice as he waded around the Hummer. "He's gone."

Suddenly beginning to feel the shock of the situation and the unexpected crash, Bobby shakily waded to his uncle and allowed Horatio to help him out of the water while Ryan struggled to open Hagen's door.

"H-Hagen shot himself," Bobby stuttered, shivering uncontrollably as he sunk to his knees in the dirt.

Horatio nodded as paramedics approached with a gurney and several blankets, "Let the paramedics take care of you now," he said, turning his back to look at Ryan. "Mister Wolfe, any luck with the door?"

"No!" Ryan hollered, deeply shocked that Hagen would have taken such drastic measures to be heard.

Horatio sighed, "Come out of the water!" he hollered. "We'll have to get special equipment!"

Nodding, Ryan came out of the water and immediately checked his cell-phone, "Emily texted me and said that she heard on the news about Hagen and Bobby," he reported as he approached Horatio.

"Text her back and explain that Detective Hagen is no longer alive," Horatio called out as he helped the paramedics get Bobby on the gurney and wheel him to the waiting ambulance. "She needs to know."

Swallowing hard, Ryan did as he was told and wondered why Horatio thought Emily needed to know the details behind Detective Hagen's psychotic break and subsequent suicide, as she wasn't currently a cop.


Emily,

John Hagen did kidnap Detective Caine and made him drive out to the Everglades in a Hummer stolen from the MDPD. Detective Caine is fine, however, and is being seen to by Horatio and paramedics, but Detective Hagen shot himself before we could get to them and has unfortunately passed away. I'm on my way to the hospital with Tripp while Horatio rides in the ambulance with his nephew. Horatio asked me to tell you all of this and also asked me if I could ask you to come to the hospital very soon.

Ryan

Shock filled Emily as she re-read the message before setting her Blackberry on the counter next to the couch where she had spent the night. Ignoring the tiredness in her body, she got up and walked over to the small crib/playpen where James and Julliet were sitting. Marisol was nowhere to be seen.

"Hey, you're up," Emily suddenly heard Tim say in a calming voice. "How are you feeling?"

Emily turned and saw Tim standing there in jeans, sneakers, and a loose shirt, "I thought you were working today?" she asked in a groggy voice, secretly pleased to see Tim. "Where's Marisol?"

"Marisol had a treatment today that she forgot about and I was supposed to help with Horatio's missing nephew, but Marisol asked if I could be assigned to special detail instead," Tim replied softly. "He agreed and said Ryan was helping him, so after my parents got home, I came right over here to see you."

Emily nodded and sighed, "Detective Hagen killed himself, but Horatio's nephew is fine," she commented in a soft voice, suddenly feeling both weak and cold. "I just need a moment."

Tim nodded and watched as Emily lifted both James and Julliet out of the playpen, "Horatio wants me to come to the hospital and I probably should," she explained softly. "I don't think I should drive, though."

"We can get a cab," Tim replied calmly. "I'll come with you and we can drop James and Julliet off with my parents so you won't have to worry about them when you're doing whatever Horatio needs done."

Mouthing a 'thank you', Emily silently focused on getting her kids ready while Tim went for the phone.


Pediatrics Floor - Angel of Mercy Hospital – New York, New York

"Hey, kiddo, how are you feeling?" Danielle asked in a gentle voice as she came into the hospital room in her paramedic uniform and saw John sitting up in bed and reading a book while Sully sat on the window ledge sipping a cup of coffee. "Lieutenant Foster wanted Carlos and I to work the day shift today."

Sully's eyes widened, "Grace Foster's the new lieutenant?" he asked in an awed voice. "Wow."

"Captain Walsh is on paid medical leave while he seeks counseling," Danielle replied gently. "We just brought someone in and Carlos is downstairs getting some coffee. I thought I'd come on up here."

John nodded and sighed, "Maurice was by and said that he picked up the stuff for my self-paced study thing," he explained in a tired voice. "The box with most of the books is under the bed with my shoes."

Danielle nodded and picked up a straw wrapped up off the portable tray, "You're starting to look tired again, so why don't you give the reading a break, have some water or juice, and have another nap until supper time?" she suggested gently, sighing as he took the wrapper and stuck it in the book.

"I'm tired of being sick," John moaned as he picked his glass of juice up off the table and drank some.

Danielle sighed, "Hopefully, you'll get out of here and be able to rest at home in a couple of days," she replied gently, frowning as she suddenly noticed a badge on her dad's belt. "Dad, nice badge."

"Oh, Gil Grissom sort of asked me to become part of the Victims Assistance Network," Sully replied, getting off the windowsill and walking over to the bed. "I agreed so I could protect my family."

Danielle nodded, "I'm going to sleep now," John said in a tired voice as he broke into a coughing fit.

Sully frowned as John drained the cup of juice before his coughing stopped, "I'll be getting off soon and I'm sure your dad will bring David and Ellie by for a visit after school," Danielle commented softly, kissing the top of John's head as he laid down. "You just rest and ask your grandpa if you need anything."

"Mmkay," John replied through a yawn, sighing as he allowed himself to drift off to sleep.

Danielle sighed, "Thanks so much for helping, Dad," she said in a tired voice. "See you."

"You're welcome, my little girl," Sully replied in a soft voice as Danielle quietly left the hospital room.


Miami-Dade University Hospital – Miami, Florida

Feeling as if he had just been run over by a truck, Bobby slowly opened his eyes and immediately felt the sunlight shining on him. He realized that he was in a hospital bed and that IV's were in his hand and arm while a gown and blankets covered his body. He saw that his uncle was standing by the windows.

"Uncle Horatio?" Bobby asked in a faint voice, sighing when his uncle turned to look at him.

Horatio walked over to the bed, "You received about seven stitches in your forehead and you also sustained a bruised sternum, ribcage, and collarbone from the crash," he explained gently. "You're on antibiotics for exposure to the swamp water and the hospital wants to keep you overnight."

"Hagen?" Bobby asked softly, still in shock that he had seen Hagen kill himself so dramatically.

Horatio sighed, "It's being taken care of," he replied calmly. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Hagen said he couldn't compete," Bobby replied weakly. "He wanted to know why you put him on medical leave and had Tripp take over my training. He told me a lot of things while I drove."

Suddenly realizing that Hagen had tried to hurt Bobby in response to his medical leave, Horatio sighed gently, "I was trying to speed up and slam on the brakes at the last minute to knock him out, but Hagen must have cut the brakes," Bobby replied, suddenly feeling the urge to sleep. "Where are my boys?"

"With Yelina," Horatio replied gently. "She told BJ when she and Adam picked him up from school."

Bobby nodded and closed his eyes, "I'm so tired from today," he replied softly. "I need to rest."

"I'll stay with you," Horatio replied, raising an eyebrow as he saw Marisol come into view.

Marisol quietly entered the room, "Lieutenant Caine, Emily and I heard the news about your nephew and since I was here for a treatment, I thought I'd see how you both were doing," she commented.

"Bobby will be all right in time," Horatio replied calmly. "Speed mentioned you had a treatment."

Marisol nodded, "Thank you for letting Tim out of work so he could sit with Emily, James, and Julliet," she replied in a gentle voice. "Emily's a good mom, but she's having to put a lot of energy into being a mom, doing her treatments, and trying to find work. She's also got to look into preschool preparation."

"Isn't Miss Wolfe still working as a counselor?" Horatio asked in a concerned, but soft voice.

Before Marisol could explain that Emily hadn't worked steadily since beginning her treatment regimen, Yelina came into the room with an anxious looking BJ and Adam at her heels, "BJ and Adam wanted to see their father," Yelina explained in an apologetic voice. "We'll only stay for a few moments."

"Daddy, are you awake?" Adam asked softly as he and BJ approached the bed where Bobby slept.

Bobby's eyes slowly opened and he smiled weakly at BJ and Adam, "Hey kiddos," he replied softly.

Adam immediately climbed up on the bed and cuddled close to Bobby while BJ sat on the edge of the bed and looked at him, "Daddy has to be here overnight, but I'll be home tomorrow and we can maybe go get a tree," Bobby said in a tired voice. "Aunt Yelina, you and Ray Jr. can stay at my place tonight…"

"Thank you," Yelina replied gently. "BJ, Adam, we should go and get Ray Junior from my house."

BJ blinked, "Auntie, can we stay with Daddy while you get Ray Jr.?" he asked in a pleading voice.

"I suppose," Yelina replied softly. "Let him sleep, though, if he needs to sleep. I'll be back."

Bobby sighed and drifted back to sleep while BJ crawled around to the other side of the bed and nestled in next to his dad, "Marisol, would you mind staying here a moment while I go check on how Rick Stetler is?" Horatio asked softly. "He was shot trying to stop Detective Hagen from taking Bobby."

Marisol nodded and turned her attention to BJ and Adam while Horatio left the room in silence.


Club Cruz

Edward sighed as he downed a small shot of vodka and slid the empty glass back across the bar to Jenny, who was both relieved and nervous about her visit to the Crime Lab. Her parents had married young and being the oldest, she felt it was her responsibility to serve as a good example for her younger siblings.

"Can I have another, dollface?" Edward asked drunkenly, grinning at Jenny before he refocused his attention to the television that was perched on a corner shelf near the bar and didn't notice an upset Clavo and Ramon come into the club and towards the stool where he was sitting. "Please?"

Noticing Clavo and Ramon, however, Jenny did nothing, "I heard you're wanted for information about Jenessa Williams's murder!" Ramon pouted in an anxious voice. "Those CSI's at the lab have an APB out on you! They don't know where you are, of course, but what are you going to do about this situation?"

"Jenny, get lost," Clavo spoke up in a cross voice. "This conversation is between Eddie and us."

Nodding, Jenny vanished into the kitchen and went outside to wait for either Clavo or Ramon to come tell her that she could come back in, as that was standard protocol when such orders were given.

"Ramon, chill out," Edward replied in a slurred voice. "Nobody's going to find me and interrogate me."

Clavo scoffed, "You're drunk!" he hollered. "Man, you're worse than Ray Caine, Eddie!"

"Oh, Ray was around here last night after you went home," Edward slurred. "He thinks Ryan Wolfe has gone nuts and is trying to get him in trouble. Ray was totally high when he came, but I didn't…"

Clavo's eyes widened, "Ray's back on drugs?" he replied in an amused voice. "Since when?"

"No idea," Edward replied drunkenly as he closed his eyes and passed out on the counter.

Clavo scoffed, "Eddie's so unreliable, but Bernie would kill us if we did anything to him without his permission," he snapped, glaring at Ramon. "They probably found your prints on that gun."

"We've got diplomatic immunity because of Papi," Ramon sniffed. "Caine can't do anything."

Clavo looked amused, "…and now an update of a story that ran earlier," an official sounding voice said from the television. "After a harrowing situation in which Detective John Hagen of the Miami-Dade Police Department took fellow officer, Detective Robert Caine, hostage, after shooting Sergeant Rick Stetler, head of Internal Affairs, we have learned that Detective Hagen is dead. Detective Caine is recovering in hospital with minor injuries and we have no word on Sergeant Stetler's condition…"

"Whoa, Ricky was shot again?!" Ramon screeched, his eyes wide with shock. "Should we go see him?"

Clavo shook his head, "After we tried to kidnap Ryan Wolfe?" he snapped. "Are you insane?"

"Who are we going to get as a heart donor for Bernie since we lost Ryan?" Ramon asked quietly.

Clavo sighed, "I don't know," he replied gruffly. "We'd better go and pay Bernie a visit, though."

Before either of them could move, however, the door opened and Bernard came into the bar dressed in boots, slacks, and a dress shirt with a cane in his hand and a bulge under his shirt, "Hello there, Clavo and Ramon," he said in a tired voice. "I thought I would come and check on how things are."

Both Clavo and Ramon remained quiet as Bernard walked over to a plush chair that was near the window and sat, "Doctor Price made me wear a monitor," he explained softly. "I don't have long."

"I'm sorry we didn't get Ryan," Ramon spoke up quietly. "We know you really needed a heart."

Bernard sighed heavily, "You're right, Ramon, I did," he replied in a voice filled with disappointment.

Clavo sighed as Bernard frowned at Edward, "Does Edward just waste his days hiding in here?" Bernard asked in a shocked, angry voice. "I heard that he was wanted for information in a murder."

"Uh, Bernie, I killed Jenessa Williams," Ramon spoke up nervously. "They're trying to get to me."

Bernard chuckled and sighed, "Let the CSI team do what they want," he replied gruffly. "I'm thirsty."

Shaking with fear because he didn't want to be blindsided, Ramon hurried to get Bernard some water.


Miami-Dade University Hospital – Miami, Florida

Horatio was greeted with silence and darkness as he entered the hospital room where Rick had been sent from the Recovery Room. He silently walked over to the bed and switched on the lamp that sat on the bedside table, revealing Rick asleep in bed with his shoulder in a sling and IV lines in his arms hooked to both IV and blood bags. His leg was bandaged in two places and propped on a fluffy white pillow.

"The light," Rick groaned groggily, half stirring from his drug induced sleep. "Who's in my room?"

Horatio remained quiet and a moment later, Rick's eyes opened, "Horatio, what is it?" Rick asked softly.

"I thought I should let you know, Rick, that Bobby is alive and recovering from minor injuries, but that Detective Hagen killed himself," Horatio explained calmly. "I also wanted to know how you were."

Rick sighed groggily, "I was planning to visit New York at Christmastime, but I don't think I'll be able to now," he replied in a groggy voice, figuring he might as well share his plans with someone.

Horatio frowned in confusion, but didn't say anything, "I was planning to visit Mandy's grave and also spend some time at Bellevue Hospital with Catherine," Stetler explained in a groggy voice, quickly pressing the pain medication button to help with the pain he was feeling. "Catherine's all alone."

"Rick, perhaps you should rest," Horatio replied calmly, noting that Rick was becoming drowsy.

Rick sighed, "I promised Catherine I'd find Lindsay," he commented groggily, feeling intense relief as the pain medication finally took hold. "Catherine and I have a past and that past involves our little Lindsay…"

As Rick drifted back into a drug-induced sleep, Horatio found himself shocked over Rick's revelation.


Pediatrics Floor - Angel of Mercy Hospital – New York, New York

"JOHN, RUN FOR IT!" Doc screamed, knowing his life was over as John ran off down the snowy road.

Chills ran down John's spine as he opened his eyes and found that he was tucked into his hospital bed and that his books were stacked neatly next to a full glass of juice that had a straw in it, "Hey baby," Danielle said in a gentle voice from a chair next to the tray. "Maurice took David and Ellie home to do their homework and your grandpa's off running errands. I just got off and came straight here."

"I had a nightmare, Mom," John replied in a shaky voice, gazing at her. "It was about Doc."

Nodding, Danielle silently offered him the cup of juice and John slowly drank, sighing heavily as his sweaty bangs were gently stroked off of his very pale forehead. Both of them silently prayed that John or any member of their family wouldn't have any trouble from their obvious enemies when it came time to return to Miami.


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