Three:
"Maybe it's just hormones."
Ryan looked at the man with such a deadpan expression that he was almost afraid of speaking some more. And here he was, just trying to help and give explanations. Ryan just rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"Or not. Maybe you just have a genuine crush."
"I do not have a crush on Rick!"
Dave put a hand over his mouth to stifle his laughter, which only annoyed Ryan more. "Ryan if you were anymore jealous of Holly, your skin would be green instead of just parts of your eyes." Dave said. "Relax, it's normal to have crushes. Some people develop crushes when they're pregnant. It's the hormones; they are raging."
"I can see that, but I don't-."
"Every time someone even mentions Holly's name, you roll your eyes."
"No I don't."
"You do. You have a crush on Rick Stetler. Everyone has little crushes. It's okay; as long as you don't let it affect your everyday life. Or do anything about it, really. You have to keep your distance from him if you want it to go away. And definitely stay away from him for Horatio's sake- everytime you go to Rick's office, Horatio just huffs in anger and asks people if you're back yet."
That was new to Ryan. He knew that Horatio didn't like him going to Rick's office. But he only went up there to keep Rick updated. Ryan didn't even think he was ever in his office for a very long time. Maybe five or ten minutes at the most. "Does he really?"
"Yeah. If you want it to work with Horatio, you gotta cut down on being in Rick's office. Maybe just pass the messages to him if he wants updates on Holly's case." Dave suggested. And Ryan had to admit, that did sound like a good idea. He really couldn't stand the fact that Horatio was upset he was going to Rick's office all the time. And he could understand why he would be, too. Ryan nodded his head, agreeing with Dave. "Okay, you're right. Maybe you can pass on information to him for me?"
Dave smiled. "I'd be happy to."
Ryan suddenly felt very guilty. He watched as Dave's smile slowly started to go away. "Sorry, I didn't even think about coming to you with this." He said. "How are you doing? Do you still…?"
"Do I like Rick still? No, that ship has sailed. I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
Dave's eyebrows furrowed close as he wrinkled his nose- his thinking face. Then his face relaxed and he nodded. "Yeah, you know, I'm pretty sure. I wouldn't be able to deal with him anyways- our personalities clash too much. We're better as friends."
Ryan nodded. That made sense. Dave and Rick liked to bicker with each other. And it was always over dumb small things. Ryan could definitely see that getting annoying really quick. When Ryan and Rick hung out, he could admit that being in a relationship with Rick seemed tiresome. He always found something wrong with everything and always had reasons to argue with someone.
"You heard anything about Ron lately? The trial is next week, right?" Dave asked him.
Ron Saris. The guy who had made Ryan and Horatio's lives hell.
He claimed that he wasn't involved in Horatio being taken, and that it was all his ex-wife's Julia's plan. Now none of them believed that in the least bit. Julia had issues but no one thought that she could have thought of all of that. She even brought in Natalia and Dan Cooper. That didn't seem like her doing.
Julia even said that it was Ron who had orchestrated the whole thing. Even Dan said that he had spoken to Ron before, and Ron was the one who gave him instructions on what to do to Horatio. But because Rick had given Ron immunity a while ago, Ron couldn't be brought to trial.
Ron said he would testify against Julia, Natalia and Dan. But only if Ryan, Dave, and Rick wasn't there. That wasn't happening because Ryan decided he was absolutely going. And Rick was going because he had to. And Dave was going because, well, he wanted to. But all 3 were involved and they knew there was a chance that they'd have to testify. If none showed up, there was no testimony from them. And Ryan didn't want that.
"He said he wasn't coming. But he's been spotted back in Miami. I have no idea what's going on with him." Ryan answered truthfully. "He could be here for court, or he could be here to cause trouble."
"Maybe a bit of both." Dave answered.
.
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Shortest chapter I've ever written, I'm sorry!