July 26

Coconut Grove - Miami, Florida

"Mom…" Robert whimpered softly, his voice trembling anxiously. "Mom…please don't be dead."

Gasping softly, Robert woke and was relieved to find himself in bed within the safety of his mansion. A quick look at the clock told him it was 5:30 a.m. Ever since he had heard his father's voice on the tape talking to Carlos while administering torture, Robert had been plagued with memories of his mother's death and had kept notes of the dreams to talk about during his counseling session the next day.

Knowing that he would never get back to sleep with two very active sons that were nearly 11 and 5, Robert silently got out of bed and donned a housecoat over his pajamas before going downstairs to the kitchen. The kitchen was quiet and the basement door was closed, indicating that Rick and Lenny were still in their basement rooms asleep. For once, Robert felt unnerved by the quiet and solitude.

The only joy that Robert could feel was that it was Adam's fifth birthday that day and he was planning to ask Adam how he wanted to spend it. As he turned on the coffee to wake himself up, he heard soft footsteps on the stairs and looked away from the coffee pot just in time to see Adam come in.

"Hey buddy, what are you doing up so early?" Robert asked gently. "Did you have a bad dream?"

Adam nodded quietly, "I was dreaming about Mommy beating me up last year," he spoke softly.

Robert frowned, as he had been working on Adam's last birthday and Amanda had promised that she would stay on her meds and take BJ, Maggie, and Adam to do something fun. When he had gotten home from his long shift in Bed-Stuy, however, nothing had been done and everyone was in bed asleep.

"Mommy beat you last year on your birthday, Adam?" Robert asked softly. "What did she do?"

Adam sighed, "I asked Mommy if I was gonna get cake and she started slapping me and throwing me," he spoke softly. "BJ freaked out and hit Mommy with a fry pan and put Maggie and me to bed."

Swearing under his breath, Robert walked over to Adam and gently picked him up, "I'm sorry she did that, Adam," he spoke softly, kissing Adam's face. "Nobody will hit you on your birthday this year."

"Can I help you water the flowers?" Adam asked softly, wrapping his arms around Robert's neck.

Robert nodded and wrapped Adam in his housecoat to keep him warm before they went outside. Adam remained quiet as Bobby activated the sprinklers and watched them to make sure they worked right.

Adam yawned, "Come on, buddy, let's go back to bed for a while," Robert spoke gently. "Okay?"

"Can we visit Uncle Bosco later?" Adam asked sleepily. "BJ said he's down here because some bad people put him and Uncle Carlos in a van and made them do some really bad things."

Robert sighed, keeping quiet as he carried Adam up the stairs and settled them both in the master bedroom's bed, "BJ reads the comics to me and he saw Uncle Bosco in the paper," Adam spoke.

"I'll see if we can," Robert replied softly, holding Adam close. "Just go to sleep for a little longer."

Adam nodded and obediently shut his eyes, huddling his small body against his father for warmth while Robert reached over to the cordless, took it in one hand, and silently dialled the safehouse's number.

InTown Apartments – Calle Ocho

Grateful that he was close enough to the Speedles if he needed anything and far enough away to have alone time when he needed it, Ryan silently unpacked the last of his books and set them in one of the bookshelves he had gotten from a thrift shop and cleaned. He had a specific way he wanted things.

As Ryan set the empty box aside, there was a knock at the door and he stood and quickly checked the peephole in the door, frowning when he saw a dark haired woman standing outside in jeans, sneakers, and a tank top. Deeply unsettled, Ryan hooked up the chain and opened the door just a crack.

"Can I help you?" Ryan asked in a nervous voice, his instinct telling him that something wasn't right.

The woman frowned, "I'm looking for Bernard Marquez," she replied in a concerned voice. "Is he here?"

"I'm sorry, Bernard Marquez passed away five days ago," Ryan replied in an apologetic voice.

There was a silence and the woman walked off and Ryan closed the door, wondering if he should call Emily about the strange woman. Emily, he knew, would listen and not think him crazy for being nervous.

Ryan silently moved over to the front window and frowned as he peeked through the curtains and saw the woman standing in front of his apartment on a cell-phone. Deeply unsettled, Ryan closed the curtains, grabbed his keys, phone, and his wallet, and silently moved into the bedroom to call Emily.

"Emily, it's Ryan," Ryan said as Emily's voicemail answered. "Something strange is going on…"

There was a silence and Ryan suddenly heard the sound of breaking glass, prompting him to pocket his phone and wallet and grab his off-duty gun off of the dresser before moving out of the bedroom. His front window was shattered and a brick with a note tied to it was lying on the wooden table.

Ryan frowned as he again got his cell-phone out to call 9-1-1 about the window, the brick, and the note.

Victims Assistance Safehouse

"…I thought you were visiting Carlos today, Davis?" Bosco heard Sully ask quietly. "What happened?"

Bosco sighed tiredly as he lay in the bed that was in his bedroom at the small, but very comfortable safehouse that Victims Assistance had provided upon his release from the hospital. Sully had a room and John also had his own room. Ty had been crashing on the couch since he had come to Miami for Carlos.

Even though he was doing better, Bosco knew that he had a way to go both physically and emotionally before he would be allowed to fly. Lieutenant Caine had graciously arranged for him to visit with the department psychologist if he wanted to and Bosco had arranged for an appointment later that day.

The living room phone suddenly rang and Bosco closed his eyes, knowing it was too early and he was too tired to get out of bed, "…Oh, hey there," he heard Sully say calmly. "I think Bosco's still asleep…"

There was a silence and Bosco sighed as the door opened, "Bosco?" he heard Sully ask quietly.

"What?" Bosco replied as he opened his eyes and looked at Sully. "Did something happen?"

Sully sighed, "It's Adam's birthday today and he wants to visit his Uncle Bosco," he replied softly.

"All right," Bosco replied in a tired voice, not opening his eyes. "They can come at lunchtime."

Sighing, Sully stepped away from the bedroom door, being sure to leave it open a crack because he knew closing it would freak Bosco out into a flashback, "…You guys can come over at lunch time and bring a cake and stuff, since we don't have a lot here," Sully said calmly. "Take care now. Bye."

"When I got to the hospital this morning, Holly told me that Carlos woke up having really bad withdrawals and he's not seeing anyone because he's in pain and getting sick," Ty stated softly as Sully hung up the phone and went into the kitchen area for some coffee. "He wants to go home."

Sully frowned, "The police want Carlos to give a statement," he replied worriedly. "He's been too sick…"

Ty nodded and suddenly frowned as Bosco suddenly came out on his crutches because his leg was still healing and he had been ordered to stay off of it. He eyed Ty briefly and then hobbled over to the couch, sighing quietly as he sat down and set his crutches against the coffee table looking distressed.

"Danielle didn't call yesterday," Bosco finally spoke softly. "I tried calling her for hours…"

Deeply shaken, Bosco swallowed hard, "Maybe I can go home in a few days even if I have to get on a train," he spoke in a shaking voice, trying to keep from crying. "I figure she's going to want to…"

"Danielle is not going to leave you," Sully interrupted firmly. "It wasn't your fault, Bosco."

Bosco silently got to his feet and hobbled out to the safehouse's small backyard, settling himself in a cushioned wicker chair under the gazebo, "Should he be outside?" Ty asked worriedly.

"He's fine," Sully replied calmly, silently pouring cups of coffee. "Bosco's been through a lot."

Ty frowned in confusion, "I know he was shot by some crazy lady in New York and dragged down here against his will, but he's been acting stranger than usual," he observed in a worried voice.

Sully sighed, "Bosco was dosed with sedatives and hasn't fully regained his memory yet," he lied, wanting to spare Bosco humiliation. "He's also recovering from bacterial pneumonia and blood poisoning that came from an infection in his leg. He's just taking it easy so he can go home."

Ty sensed that Sully was hiding information and nodded, quickly settling himself on the couch to get a little bit more sleep. Sully sighed and swigged some coffee before he went over to John's room.

"John?" Sully called out, gently tapping on the door. "John, you need to check your sugars."

There was a silence and a sleepy sigh as the door opened, revealing a tired looking John, "My sugar was fine half an hour ago when I woke up," he said calmly. "I've just been reading a book of mine in bed."

"I'll make breakfast then," Sully said calmly. "Bobby and his boys will be coming for lunch today."

The living room phone suddenly rang and Sully quickly answered it, frowning when he heard Danielle's voice on the other end, "What?" Sully asked in a surprised voice. "Danielle, where are you?"

Ty frowned and slowly sat up, watching as Sully grabbed his car keys from the counter and threw them at him, "Ty is going to come get you," Sully said in an anxious voice. "I can't believe you're in Miami."

The call ended and Sully sighed, "Michael and Emily had some preemie setbacks and the hospital's not letting them have any visitors for at least two weeks," Sully explained anxiously. "Jimmy suggested to Danielle that she and Yelina bring David and Ellie down to see Bosco and they took a train down."

"Where is she?" Ty asked in a surprised voice, getting off of the couch. "I'll take my rental car."

Coconut Grove - Miami, Florida

Rick eyed Robert nervously as the two of them sat at the kitchen table, "…I swear I didn't know Amanda beat your kids," Rick said in a nervous voice, having been told by Robert what Adam had said.

"Honestly, Rick, I didn't know it either until Adam told me," Robert replied softly. "Coffee's ready."

Rick got up from the table and went over to the coffee maker, "I'm going to be taking Lenny to the aquarium today while you're off enjoying Adam's birthday," he said calmly, getting mugs out.

"You're not coming with us for lunch?" Robert asked in a confused voice. "I said you could if you…"

Rick sighed, "I don't wish to spoil Adam's birthday, Robert," he spoke softly. "I'm Amanda's brother…"

Robert frowned and Rick sighed, "Your mood has nothing to do with Amanda," he reasoned softly.

"No, it doesn't," Rick replied quietly. "MDPD Missing Persons came to my office yesterday and told me that there hasn't been any new evidence uncovered suggesting that Lindsey is alive. They said that they'd keep her information on file, but there isn't any reason to keep the investigation active."

Robert sighed and nodded, his expression somber, "I called Catherine in Boston and she ended up having a breakdown over the phone," Rick explained quietly. "She said I didn't care about Lindsey and I think I cared too much to think straight. My obsession with finding her endangered two CSI's…"

"Are you still blaming yourself for Eric's shooting?" Robert asked in a concerned voice. "Rick…"

Rick sighed, "I went by to visit Delko the other day simply to see how his rehabilitation's going because I knew Emily was helping him and he was downright hostile to me," he replied quietly. "He got aggressive and ended up stabbing me with a scalpel. Emily had to remove me from the room to get him to calm…"

Robert's eyes widened as Rick rolled up his left sleeve, revealing a bandage on his arm that was covering a long row of stitches, "Just don't say anything," Rick said, lowering his sleeve. "I need coffee now."

InTown Apartments – Calle Ocho

Ryan sighed wearily, his anxiety rising considerably as he eyed the brick and note from his position on the couch, "Ryan, do you want juice or water?" Emily called out in a concerned voice. "Ryan?"

"I'm not hungry," Ryan murmured softly, deeply shaken by all the glass on the floor. "I don't get…"

Emily sighed, "Did you call the police yet?" she asked in a concerned voice. "They could help you."

"I don't trust them," Ryan admitted quietly, gazing at Emily as she stood in the kitchen. "Can you…?"

Emily gave Ryan a look, "Ryan, the police aren't going to think you crazy because some lady showed up at your door and then broke your window," she spoke gently. "What exactly did that lady want?"

"She was looking for Bernard," Ryan replied in a faint voice. "I told her he had passed away."

Emily frowned, ignoring the sandwiches on the counter, "I know of only one woman who would be looking for Bernard," she spoke in a worried voice. "Bernard mentioned that his doctor was female."

"Do you think it could be the same Doctor Price who hurt Officer Boscorelli?" Ryan asked warily.

Emily nodded and came out of the kitchen, "Come on," she said anxiously. "We'll go downstairs to the common area and call the police from there. I don't know what's going on, but I'm worried."

Ryan reluctantly nodded, got up, and followed Emily from the apartment down to the common area, frowning when he saw Clavo there, "Emily, RUN!" he shouted anxiously, reaching into his pocket.

Emily's eyes widened and she moved out of Clavo's reach, but Clavo pinned Ryan against the wall and promptly broke the cell-phone in Ryan's hand, "Where's Bernard's body?!" Clavo hissed darkly.

"Why do you care?" Ryan hissed in an anxious voice. "Who's the girl you sent to break my window?"

Clavo laughed, unaware that someone else had come down to the common area and had managed to get Emily to hide behind him to call the police, "You're so stupid, Ryan," he hissed. "Did you really think Carlos Nieto killing Bernard would make all your problems go away? Your brother says hello, by the way, and he applauds your efforts to try and live a normal life, but it's not gonna work…"

Ignoring Ryan's terrified look, Clavo reached into his pocket and pulled out a gun, guffawing when he put it against Ryan's temple while wrapping his other hand around Ryan's throat, "Do you think Tommy's gonna let you take his wife and kids after you broke up your parents by telling lies about…?"

Sirens suddenly filled the air and Clavo released Ryan before bolting outside with the gun in hand, allowing Ryan to sink to the floor unconscious, "Jesse, I thought you were getting in tomorrow," Emily said in an anxious voice as she hurried over to her brother and knelt down next to him. "Ryan?"

"I decided to come a day early," Jesse replied in a worried voice. "I'm here indefinitely…"

Quickly realizing that Ryan wasn't breathing, Emily lowered him to the floor and started CPR, deeply relieved when Ryan gasped, but didn't wake, "Who was that psycho?" Jesse asked anxiously.

"Clavo Cruz," Emily replied in a concerned voice, frowning as uniformed police including Tripp and Jessop came in. "Frank, Ryan's apartment was attacked and Clavo Cruz tried to murder him."

Frank, however, eyed Jesse suspiciously, "Jesse Cardoza?" he asked in a confused voice, recognizing the young man as being a former CSI. "What are you doing here in this building? Were you involved?"

"No, I was not involved," Jesse replied coolly. "How about you get on with your actual work?"

Emily sighed anxiously, backing up as Ryan suddenly vomited, "Someone put a call out for an ambulance now!" she ordered, knowing that Tripp suspected Jesse as being involved. "Frank, it's apartment 201."

"Jessop, go check it," Frank ordered sternly, not trusting that Jesse was here by coincidence.

Jesse scoffed at Tripp, "I live here and I came down to the common room to see if there were any social events posted," he replied in an annoyed voice. "I saw the fight and made Emily get behind me."

"Tim said you could stay with us," Emily replied in a confused voice. "You bought an apartment?"

Jesse nodded and silently got his phone out to call for paramedics, not offering an explanation.

Victims Assistance Safehouse

The door opened and closed, but Bosco ignored it simply because he was exhausted from sitting outside and wanted to rest up for when his partner and his sons came. There was a gentle sigh and someone sat down on the bed, prompting Bosco to open his eyes and frown in confusion when he saw Danielle.

"Danielle?" Bosco asked in a tired voice, eyeing her nervously. "What…what are you doing here?"

Danielle sighed, "Michael and Emily had preemie setbacks and the hospital won't allow any visitors at all for at least two weeks," she replied gently. "It's been so hard without you home with us."

Bosco sighed, "I've been on a train for the last two days because I'm not allowed to fly and it took me two days to get everything together," Danielle spoke softly, gently stroking Bosco's cheek. "I love you."

"When you didn't answer the phone, I got scared," Bosco replied quietly. "Because I'm damaged…"

Danielle gave Bosco a look, leaned over, and gently kissed him on the lips, "No, you're not," she replied softly, joining him on the bed. "I might kill that Doctor Price for hurting you if she's ever found."

Bosco looked surprised, "Did you really name our new son after Mikey?" he found himself asking.

"Your mom told me about him and I thought it was appropriate," Danielle replied softly. "I miss you."

Bosco sighed, "I'm already feeling better," he spoke softly. "Who'd you leave David and Ellie with?"

"Yelina and I brought them," Danielle replied. "Everyone went shopping for barbecue stuff."

Bosco nodded and tears welled up in his eyes, "I was tied to that bed and I thought about just letting myself die because I couldn't fight," he said in a shaky voice. "I felt everything, but I couldn't fight."

Danielle sighed gently and gently wiped his tears with her hands, "It's not your fault, Maurice," she spoke gently, stroking his face as he continued to cry quietly. "Would you like me to read to you?"

"Bobby gave me some literature about…," Bosco mused softly. "It's on the bedside table."

Nodding, Danielle silently picked the book up off the table and opened it to where there was a simple paper bookmark, "Bobby's bringing his sons over later because it's Adam's birthday and he wanted to see his Uncle Bosco," Bosco spoke in a tired voice. "I can't imagine why anyone would want to…"

"Maurice, it's so easy to be negative right now and you're perfectly justified in feeling how you feel, but it's not good for you," Danielle replied softly, stroking his hair. "We'll get through this together."

Bosco sighed and cuddled as close as he could to Danielle, allowing his eyes to close as she read.

Mercy Hospital

"…Can you not touch my neck, please?" Holly heard an anxious voice say at an unusually high, anxious volume as she came out of the cafeteria with pudding and gingerale meant for Carlos. "It hurts…"

Unable to help but be concerned, Holly silently followed the voice and frowned when she came into the ER. A shaky looking Ryan was resting on a gurney, wincing as Dr. Montoyan felt his neck while Emily watched with deep concern, "My neck feels weird," Ryan spoke in a weak voice. "Sort of puffy."

"I'm feeling a lump," Dr. Montoyan replied quietly. "Have you had other odd symptoms?"

Ryan sighed, "Yeah, but I thought they were from stress," he replied in a nervous voice.

"I'm scheduling you for an immediate biopsy," Dr. Montoyan replied calmly. "Sit tight."

As Dr. Montoyan walked off, Ryan gave Emily a look, "Even when she's locked up in a mental hospital, Mom still finds a way to hurt me," he spoke in a shaky voice. "They're going to find cancer."

"Ryan, you don't know that for sure," Emily replied softly, hugging him. "Don't think like that."

Quickly realizing that the man was Carlos's foster brother, Holly silently approached the bed, "Excuse me, are you Ryan Wolfe?" Holly asked softly. "I think you know my husband, Carlos Nieto?"

Ryan looked up and Emily looked confused, "Yeah," he replied softly. "How…how is Carlos?"

"Carlos is having a bad day because of what Bernard Marquez's goons did to him and the hospital can only do so much to make him comfortable," Holly replied softly. "I'm going to try and get him to eat."

Ryan nodded, "Your neck looks swollen," Holly observed. "And…and there are marks on it."

"Clavo Cruz tried to choke me after some strange woman broke my apartment window," Ryan replied.

Holly frowned, but was prevented from speaking by Dr. Montoyan's return, "Your biopsy's gonna be in an hour," he said in a calm voice. "You've got about half an hour of time before you'll be prepped."

"Would you like to visit with Carlos, Ryan?" Holly asked softly. "It might help him feel better."

Ryan nodded and got off the gurney, "I'm going to call the Speedles and Tim," Emily spoke softly.

Nodding, Ryan silently followed Holly through the hospital and remained quiet as Holly led him past a uniformed guard into a dark patient room. Carlos was asleep in bed and laying on his right side with a pillow behind his back while his right hand rested on a smaller pillow with an IV and pulse-ox clip on it. An oxygen tube was in his nose and his face was pale and sweaty, but a small fan was running nearby.

"Carlos, I got you some food if you want to try eating," Holly called out. "I also ran into Ryan Wolfe."

Carlos twitched and he opened his eyes, "Hey," he said in a faint voice. "It's been a while, Ryan."

"How are you, Carlos?" Ryan asked quietly as he moved to the bed. "You look tired."

Despite feeling like crap, Carlos managed a weak chuckle, "You always made me laugh," he replied in a tired voice. "What happened to your neck, Ry? I can see from here that it's swollen and hurt…"

"Um," Ryan spoke softly, not wanting to upset Carlos's recovery. "You should rest…"

Carlos sighed, "I guess Bernard's friends?" he asked softly. "I'm sorry about that…"

"Just focus on getting well," Ryan replied anxiously. "Can I do anything to help you?"

Carlos shook his head, "Your voice sounds weird," he spoke groggily. "Are you okay?"

"I might not be," Ryan replied quietly, unable to lie. "I have to have a biopsy."

Carlos's eyes widened slightly, "Let me know how it goes," he spoke in a groggy voice.

Ryan nodded and Carlos instantly drifted off, "Thank you for visiting him," Holly spoke quietly. "I'm sorry about your biopsy and I hope everything goes well. I just know your visit meant a lot to Carlos."

"I hope he feels better soon," Ryan replied quietly. "Carlos has been through a lot."

Holly nodded and Ryan silently left the room, keeping quiet as he returned to his gurney in the ER where Emily was waiting with a gown and a nurse, "Did you have a good visit with Carlos?" Emily asked softly.

Ryan nodded and sighed as the nurse handed him the gown, "Please change into this and lie down so I can start an IV," the nurse said calmly, smiling at Ryan. "I'll be back with the IV in a few minutes."

"I just got back to work," Ryan spoke anxiously. "If I have cancer, I'll get put on leave again!"

Emily sighed, "Get changed and I'll talk to IAB about it if you want me to," she replied firmly.

Grateful for such a caring sister, Ryan nodded and drew the curtain to change while Emily dialed Rick's number to see what Rick could do for Ryan and his work schedule should he actually have cancer.

Coconut Grove - Miami, Florida

"…I will personally make sure Ryan doesn't lose his job over this, Emily," Rick said in a concerned voice as he sat at the desk in the privacy of his office on his phone. "If he feels like working, he will work."

There was a heavy silence and Rick frowned when he heard the doorbell, "I will file the paperwork," he promised in a sincere voice as he stood up. "Go be there for Ryan and let me know how things go."

Once the call ended, Rick silently moved to the door and was surprised to see Robert and Natalia sitting on chairs in the foyer, talking quietly as they shared a book, "Morning," he said calmly as he came out.

"Sergeant Stetler," Natalia spoke nervously, gazing up at Rick. "We…we were just talking…"

Rick quickly recognized the book as one that Robert got from his support groups, "Look, I don't care what you do or who you spend time with off the clock," Rick said calmly, secretly relieved that Robert wasn't allowing being abused by Amanda to ruin his life. "You two are responsible, mature adults."

"BJ and Adam know that their dad spends some time with a very nice looking lady and they just want me to be happy," Robert spoke quietly. "We became friends first and we're testing the dating waters."

Rick looked amused, "We're just going over the readings from the last meeting," Natalia replied softly.

"If you want my blessing, Robert, you have it," Rick spoke calmly. "I need to get Lenny and go."

Robert nodded as Rick walked off downstairs to get Lenny, "Are you coming with us to the party?" Robert asked quietly, smiling at Natalia. "BJ and Adam were both asking because they like you."

Natalia smiled, "I'd be pleased to," she replied softly, leaning against him. "I'm honored."

"I have to get BJ and Adam up and ready," Robert spoke gently. "Did you want to help me?"

Nodding, Natalia returned the book to the table and allowed Robert to help her up. The two of them walked up the stairs together as Rick came upstairs with Lenny in tow and hurried out the door.

Mercy Hospital

Tim sighed softly as he approached the bed where Ryan sat clad in a hospital gown and scrub pants, trembling as Emily sat next to him with an arm around him, "Hey," he said in a concerned voice.

"I didn't mean for Emily to pull you away from James and Julliet, Tim," Ryan spoke apologetically.

Tim shrugged, "My parents are looking after them and they're going to visit you later after you're in a room," he replied reassuringly, eyeing the nurses that were waiting nearby. "You need to lie down."

Emily stood up and Ryan complied, "Just relax, all right, big brother?" she said gently. "Love you."

Ryan sighed tiredly as the nurses covered him up and rolled him through the double doors.

Tim sighed softly and wrapped Emily in an embrace, shaken by the fact that Ryan might be sick.

Victims Assistance Safehouse

Ryan's in surgery. Tim's waiting with me here. I'll text when I know more. – Emily

Rick sighed softly as he read Emily's message and promptly put the phone away before pressing the doorbell of the safehouse with Lenny holding a gift that they had bought together at a toy store.

There were footsteps and Rick sighed as the door opened, revealing Sully, "I was invited to the party by Robert, as Lenny and BJ go to school together," Rick explained nervously. "We stopped at a store…"

"Robert mentioned you were invited," Sully replied calmly. "Everyone's in the living room."

Rick nodded and led Lenny inside, sighing when he saw Bosco and Danielle sitting together on a loveseat with Bosco's leg elevated while John, David, and Ellie sat on another loveseat with Yelina, "Burgers are on the grill," Sully said calmly, gesturing to the backyard where a grill was set up. "Have a seat."

"Are Robert and his family here yet?" Rick asked quietly as he sat in a chair and Lenny sat in his lap.

Sully shook his head, "Lieutenant Caine's also on his way, but he'll only be staying for a short time since he's on duty," he replied calmly. "There are board games in the library if the kids want to keep busy."

David and Ellie silently looked at Bosco, "Go ahead," Bosco spoke softly. "Daddy's going to sit here."

John got up with David and Ellie and ushered them into the library, "Lenny, kiddo, why don't you go and join them?" Rick suggested quietly, smiling at his young son. "Then they'll have an even number."

Lenny nodded, climbed off of Rick's lap, and silently went into the library, "Sully, I am going to check those burgers," Rick said as he got up and moved across the living room filled with high anxiety.

Sully sighed as Rick disappeared outside, "Rick is welcome here, doesn't he understand that?" Yelina asked in a confused voice, sensing a great deal of anxiety from Rick. "He acts like he doesn't…"

Before Sully could reply, the doorbell rang again and he quickly answered it, smiling when Robert came in with Horatio, Natalia, BJ, and Adam, "Uncle Bosco!" Adam said in an eager voice. "Hi!"

As Robert and his kids joined the gathering, Natalia noticed Rick in the yard and quietly slipped outside because she knew he was hurting because of MDPD's decision about Lindsey, "Sergeant Stetler, Grissom did all he could to try and get them to keep the case open," Natalia spoke in an apologetic voice.

"I'm aware," Rick replied quietly as he flipped the burgers with the spatula. "I'm coping with that."

Even though Natalia wasn't entirely convinced, she nodded, "I do need to talk to you and I need to talk to Grissom, though," Rick spoke quietly as he turned to look at her. "About the medical supports."

"Are you or Lenny sick or hurt?" Natalia asked in a concerned voice. "You both seem physically…"

Suddenly, Rick's cell-phone buzzed and Rick got his cell out, sighing as he saw the message.

The biopsy on Ryan's thyroid gland found tumors with cancerous cells. Ryan's still in surgery. – Emily.

Loud anxious knocking echoed through Dan Cooper's house and Dan swore as he ran to the door, irritated about being taken away from his hot bath and drinks, "Who is it?" he called out sharply.

There was silence, so Dan opened the door, "Dan Cooper?" Dr. Price asked softly. "Are you him?"

Dan nodded, deeply confused when Dr. Price forced her way into the house, "I heard that Tommy Wolfe paid you big bucks to hotwire his son's hearing aid to hypnotize him and also paid people to drug him," Dr. Price said in an anxious voice as she gazed at Dan. "The police are looking for me and I need…"

"You assaulted that cop from New York!" Dan exclaimed anxiously. "It's all over the news!"

Dr. Price gave Dan a pleading look and Dan sighed, closing the door, "Okay," he replied quietly.

"Thank you so, so much," Dr. Price replied in a relieved voice, hugging Dan gratefully.

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