December 17

Miami, Florida

The old Devil's Mansion had become dilapidated and dust-filled since Bernard's death, but the police were no longer interested in the place. Until now.

Even though Emily was still in Vegas for the forseeable future, she had hired a crew to go through the mansion and see what components were salvageable and could be sold before demolishing the structure in the new year. Emily planned to donate the salvageable items to Habitat for Humanity and to bury the memories in her mind.

Now, however, the old torture chamber was a crime scene and a body was laying in a pool of blood that was also spattered on the walls, the torture table where John Boscorelli had once been waterboarded, and all over the garish looking tools and furniture that littered the basement. Several bullets also littered the floor.

Horatio, Calleigh, Eric, Jesse, Walter, Frank, Alexx, and Dr. Stokes were all on the scene, having been alerted by the workers Emily had hired. Calleigh focused on gathering bullets, Walter worked on trace, and Jesse worked on photographing while Horatio supervised and watched Alexx and Dr. Stokes examine the body.

Natalia was supposed to work that day, but Horatio had explained the significance of Devil's Mansion and how Robert's daughter had been imprisoned there not long before her death. Wisely, Natalia had chosen to stay home with Robert and the boys and was keeping them busy and keeping him from thinking of the mansion too much.

The thought of Sergeant Stetler possibly being missing over the Christmas holidays and leaving his family worrying was on Calleigh's mind as she silently gathered bullets from the bloodstained floor. It was bad enough that Vegas was having trouble holding on to Sam Braun, as he had made bail and was protesting his arrest, but with Rick now missing, there was only evidence to put Sam away for his crime.

Calleigh suddenly noticed that Eric had stopped working and she couldn't help but walk over to him, "You okay?" she asked softly, noticing he was looking at the table.

Eric sighed, "I helped find Marisol, Ellie, and Kylie," he replied softly. "And this is where John Sullivan ended up after he escaped the hospital I brought him to…"

Calleigh looked thoughtful, "That's why Natalia isn't here, I gather," Eric spoke in a quiet voice. "Maggie was held in this house and Detective Caine knows about…"

"Yes," Calleigh replied softly. "Horatio wanted Natalia to stay with Robert today."

Eric nodded and suddenly frowned as he looked at the floor, "A badge," he said softly, his worry growing as he saw it was an MDPD badge. "Horatio, that's Stetler's…"

Horatio quickly walked over to them as Eric photographed the badge, "It's Stetler's badge," Eric explained in a concerned voice. "What's it doing here in this mess?"

"Rick was obviously here, but where is he now and is he alive?" Horatio replied.

Manhattan, New York

It was cold out and Bosco found himself walking David and Ellie to school after leaving Danielle, John, Caira, Michael, and Emily at home making Christmas food and watching Christmas shows. Sully and Yelina had taken Ray Jr. to school themselves and were now out getting Christmas presents for the family with Nicolas.

"Dad, do we have to go to school?" David whined as he stopped at a park that was near the school and got his inhaler out. "The cold's making me feel yucky."

Bosco frowned and immediately stopped, "The cold's making you feel yucky?" he asked in a concerned voice. "Have you been feeling yucky since we left home?"

David sighed, "No, but I feel like I'm gonna puke now," he replied softly.

Bosco sighed and quickly brushed the snow off of a nearby bench, "Sit," he ordered in a concerned, firm voice as he got his phone out. "Ellie, can you sit with David?"

"Is David having an attack, Daddy?" Ellie asked worriedly as she sat down.

Bosco sighed again, "Hey, this is Boscorelli," he said into the phone. "I'm near the Fulton Street School and my son's having problems with his asthma. Send a bus."

"It's cold," David whined. "Dad, please, can we go inside somewhere?"

Bosco muttered into the phone that they would be at the school and then hurried David and Ellie down the street to the school. Once they were inside, Bosco sat David down on a bench, "Ellie, go to class," he said firmly. "Do you know where to go?"

Ellie, however, didn't move, "It's the schoolwide party today and that's in the gym," she replied in a quiet voice. "Is the ambulance gonna take David to a hospital?"

Just then, Maggie Davis and a uniformed Ty came out of the central office and Ty froze at seeing Bosco there, "Hey, David's having problems with his asthma cause of the cold and I told the ambulance to come here. I know school's in session…"

"That's fine, Sergeant Boscorelli," Maggie replied calmly. "Ellie, I think Kylie's waiting for you in the gym. She said you would be buddies for the party."

Ellie nodded, "Sergeant, why don't you and Ty go see if the ambulance is here yet and I can sit with David?" Maggie suggested. "I don't mind."

Ellie promptly went to the gym while Bosco reluctantly followed Ty outside, "I've been meaning to talk to you and apologize," Ty spoke breathlessly. "About what I said about the past and Maritza. I didn't realize how badly you've been hurting."

Bosco shrugged, but didn't say anything for a moment, "LaRusso's been paying to keep the case open, but I don't want him to go broke over something he can't control," he spoke quietly. "There haven't been any leads in months and I just worry that…"

Loud coughing suddenly filled the air and Bosco turned towards the sound, frowning when he saw someone staggering down the street from the direction of the docks, "Davis, who's that?" he said in a concerned voice. "He's coming this way…"

Just as Ty and Bosco moved forward to see who was there, the stranger suddenly stumbled and collapsed in the snow. Sirens filled the air, but Ty and Bosco ran towards the stranger, "C…cold," the stranger spoke weakly. "I can't..move."

Bosco and Ty gently lifted the stranger out of the snowy street and carried him to the clean bench, "Um, Bosco, isn't this that Sergeant Stetler who went missing from Miami two days ago?" Ty said, looking at Rick's face. "Sir, how'd you get here?"

Rick squinted up at the two cops, "Where am I?" he asked groggily. "My bracelet…"

Bosco knelt down and saw a medical bracelet on Rick's wrist, "Hypoglycemia," he read in a quiet voice as the ambulance pulled up to the curb. "Davis, call the Crime Lab like right now. They've been looking for this guy in Miami; how'd he get here?"

Just then, Holly got out of the ambulance with Danielle's former partner, Jacob, who had transferred out of Bed-Stuy after recovering from the fire at Danielle's house, "Hey, I thought you weren't working this morning?" Bosco said. "Carlos…"

"We're shortstaffed cause of flu season and it's only for a few hours," Holly replied in a concerned voice, frowning as she saw Rick. "Bosco, you said it was about your…"

Bosco sighed, "David's inside, but I think this guy is worse off," he replied softly.

Rick frowned and suddenly vomited clear fluid on the ground, "Where the heck am I?" he asked in a groggy voice. "It was dark when I got up and started walking…"

"You're in Manhattan," Bosco replied quietly. "Walking from where?"

Rick suddenly cringed and keeled over on the bench, prompting Holly and Jacob to bring a gurney over to him, "He's got a medical bracelet on that says he's hypoglycemic, but other than that, I don't know," Ty spoke nervously.

Holly and Jacob gently managed to move Rick to the gurney and quickly covered him up to keep him from freezing. Maggie Davis came outside as Holly and Jacob moved Rick towards the ambulance, "Sergeant Boscorelli, David's all right now and he went to the class," she said calmly. "I'll keep an eye on him…who's this?"

"David's fine now?" Bosco replied worriedly. "Must have been anxiety."

Maggie nodded and Rick suddenly let out a pained groan and passed out, cold and exhaustion overwhelming him, "We gotta go!" Holly exclaimed. "Bosco, Davis…"

"Go on," Maggie spoke anxiously. "If David has more problems, I'll call Danielle…"

Bosco nodded, "Could you call Sully, Mrs. Davis?" he asked as he and Ty moved to the ambulance. "I remember Sully mentioning that he knows Sergeant Stetler…"

Maggie nodded and hurried back towards the school, anxious to be of help.

Angel of Mercy Hospital - Manhattan

".…A gun?"

Collective gasps of fear filled the room as Rick slowly came to awareness.

"…Detective Taylor, we found this in his pocket," a voice said. "He passed out and started seizing in the ambulance. His bracelet said he's hypoglycemic…"

"...He's moving…"

Pain shot through Rick's body as he opened his eyes and heard a whooshing sound while peering at the masked faces above him. Everything was blurry and it hurt to keep looking, so he closed his eyes again and the pain quickly went away.

Mac, who had been in the room waiting for Rick's clothes and belongings, frowned as he picked up the bags of evidence and went into the hallway where Lindsay and Flack were waiting, "Lindsay, take these back to the lab and process them," he ordered in a quiet, somber voice. "A nurse has to do a rape kit yet, so I'll stay and collect it."

"Do you want me to call Bobby in Miami?" Flack asked in a concerned voice.

Mac sighed as Bosco came into view, "I called my father-in-law," Bosco spoke quietly. "He was Sergeant Stetler's trainer and might be able to help him."

"There's evidence that he was drugged," Mac spoke quietly. "And beaten badly."

Bosco nodded, "He said he started walking when it was dark," he explained in a concerned voice. "How did he get here from Miami? That's a long way."

"According to the web BOLO, the Russian Mafia and a reporter named Erica Sikes were the ones who kidnapped Stetler from Miami," Flack said quietly. "After I call Bobby, I'll call over to the Crime Lab and see if they know who did it."

Mac sighed, "Don, you had also better check with Miami to see if they have encountered any dead bodies in the last three days," he replied in a somber voice. "This Sergeant Stetler may have hurt or killed his attackers and not remember."

Flack frowned as Mac held up the bag that had the gun in it and exhaled softly.

Las Vegas, Nevada

Ryan sighed heavily as he opened his eyes and found that he was still in the hideabed even though he had suffered bad dreams in the night. Dr. Robbins had been by several times to check on him and had decided he would get a better rest if he wasn't stuck in an uncomfortable hospital bed. Now, however, Ryan wasn't sure of anything.

It was early, so everyone else was still asleep and Ryan found himself picking up one of the books that Greg had gotten him from the library. He silently skimmed through it for several seconds and then set it down, unable to help but wonder what was going on in the world. He grabbed the remote and turned the TV near his bed on, making sure to keep the volume low. The news appeared and along with it, a view of a taped off area that was near an elementary school in New York. A reporter clad in winter gear stood outside of the area while Danny worked behind the tape.

"It is just outside this elementary school that Sergeant Rick Stetler of the Miami-Dade Police Department was found and rescued by Sergeant Maurice Boscorelli and Lieutenant Tyrone Davis of the NYPD," the reporter announced in a somber voice.

Ryan's eyes widened as Tim, who had woken up to feed Jesse, came into the front room carrying Jesse and saw Ryan watching TV, "Hey," Tim said in a quiet voice.

"Stetler…he was found in New York," Ryan spoke weakly. "Near a school."

Tim frowned as the phone suddenly rang, so he quickly answered it so that Ryan wouldn't have to move, "Hello?" he spoke in a quiet voice. "Tim Speedle…"

"Detective Speedle is Officer Wolfe awake?" Grissom asked. "He's needed…"

Tim quietly pressed the speaker, "Who's on the phone?" Ryan asked groggily.

"Ryan, it's Grissom," Grissom spoke quietly. "Conrad wants a meeting."

Ryan sighed, "I'm still pretty much confined to bed," he replied. "What about?"

There was an uneasy silence on the other end, "Atwater asked us when you're going to pull the plug so an autopsy can be done on Sofia and a case can be built against those who attacked you," Grissom said softly. "I did not want to be the one to make this call, but Atwater threatened to get me fired if I didn't at least ask you."

Tim scowled, but Ryan sighed weakly, "I'm going to call about her condition this morning and I'll let you know," Ryan spoke quietly. "Will that work?"

"I'm sorry I had to bother you with this," Grissom replied apologetically.

Ryan turned his head away and Tim ended the call, giving Ryan a worried look as he did so, "I'm not ready," Ryan spoke in a quiet voice. "I can't say goodbye yet."

Nodding, Tim sat on the hideabed and watched as Ryan cried quietly.

Miami, Florida

"Dad?"

Robert sighed sleepily, keeping one arm around Natalia as he slowly woke and saw that BJ was standing there holding the cordless, "I was downstairs getting food when the phone rang. I answered it and it's Uncle Donnie; he says it's important."

Frowning, Robert slowly untangled himself from Natalia and sat up in bed before he took the phone, "Hello?" he asked in a tired voice. "Donnie, what's wrong?"

"Your brother-in-law showed up in Manhattan this morning badly beaten and half frozen," Flack explained in a serious voice. "He's being treated at Angel of Mercy of hospital and a gun was found on him, but he can't remember what happened."

Robert's eyes widened in shock and he quickly got out of bed, causing Natalia to wake up, "I'll see about getting there either later today or tomorrow," he replied in a concerned voice. "I'm also going to tell my uncle what you've told me."

Without waiting for a reply, Robert ended the call, "Rick turned up in New York and I need to be there for him," he spoke in a quiet voice. "I know it may complicate…"

"We can simply pack up the presents and go to New York as a family," Natalia replied in a patient voice. "I know what Rick means to you and to your kids, Bobby."

Robert nodded, unsure of what to say, "Can we visit Maggie?" BJ asked softly.

"Yeah, we can," Robert replied softly. "Go wake your brother and pack."

Natalia got out of bed and Robert sighed heavily, "I'm feeling high anxiety about this situation and I shouldn't," he admitted once BJ had left. "I shouldn't be nervous."

"You won't be alone," Natalie replied softly. "Do you want me to call Horatio?"

Robert nodded, exhaling anxiously, "Thank you," he replied in a quiet voice.

Las Vegas, Nevada

"Grissom!"

Grissom, who had come in to do some paperwork while Sara took the day off to spend with Danielle and Gregory, looked up from his desk and saw Ecklie lingering there, "Catherine just called," Ecklie said. "Rick Stetler turned up in New York."

"Did you want me to be the one to tell Catherine?" Grissom asked suspiciously.

Ecklie scoffed, "Someone called her from New York and she's not in a sociable mood right now," he replied irritably. "She took her kids out to do Christmas things."

"What do you need exactly, Conrad?" Grissom asked in a confused voice.

Ecklie sighed, "Stetler had a gun on him and he might have hurt or killed someone in Miami before ending up in New York," he explained. "You need to handle it."

"I have to be here because Ryan's going to get back to me about Sofia," Grissom spoke in a somber voice. "Atwater forced me to ask when we can do an autopsy."

Ecklie swore and scoffed, "I knew he would because the department's paying for Sofia to be on life support and Atwater's freaking about the budget, but the mayor ordered it," he replied. "Ryan Wolfe gets to make the decision on that…"

"I did call Ryan and pass Atwater's request on," Grissom replied quietly. "He's staying at his brother's hotel for the holidays and is very well looked after."

Ecklie nodded, "You still need to handle the Rick Stetler situation," he said. "Catherine wants you to deal with it because she trusts you to deal with it."

"I don't have time to clean up Catherine's problems," Grissom argued. "I have a job, I have a wife, I have twin infants, and I also run the Victims Assistance nationwide."

Ecklie sighed, "Grissom, just do it," he replied firmly. "Consider it an order."

Before Grissom could reply, Ecklie turned and stalked out of the office.

Angel of Mercy Hospital – Manhattan, New York

"Davis, I can stay and wait for Sully," Bosco spoke in a tired voice as he came down the hallway and saw Ty sitting in a chair outside of the room where Rick was resting.

Ty frowned, "Why'd you call Sully?" he asked quietly. "He's retired from NYPD."

"Sully trained Stetler and it might help," Bosco replied. "The CSI's went back to the lab with all their evidence, but one of them will be by later to get information."

Ty nodded, "Do you really think he killed someone?" he asked. "Or was he suicidal?"

"Davis, do you really think someone that beaten up would wanna kill themselves?" Bosco asked in a quiet voice, frowning as the door opened and Mac came out. "Detective, I thought you all went back to the lab? What were you doing in there?"

Mac suddenly looked somber as a nurse came out and handed him a container, "Getting a rape kit done," he spoke quietly. "There were signs it happened, but Sergeant Stetler was dangerously unstable when he first came in, so we had to wait."

Bosco looked sympathetic, "What were the extent of the injuries?" he asked.

"A skull fracture, deep bruises, internal bruising, collapsed lungs, shock, hypothermia, a concussion, a broken wrist, and retrograde amnesia due to hypoglycemic seizures," Mac explained in a somber voice. "Tests run so far say he's had more than one."

Ty looked uneasy, but Bosco nodded, "Flack called Stetler's emergency contact, a Detective Robert LaRusso-Caine in Miami and Detective Caine is making arrangements to come up," Mac spoke quietly. "I'll keep you updated."

"LaRusso's coming to visit?" Bosco asked quietly. "I didn't know that."

Miami, Florida

"Horatio, you need to see that videotape we found at the scene," Calleigh spoke in a somber voice as Horatio came into the AV lab looking for an update. "It's serious."

Horatio frowned as Calleigh murmured to the AV tech to start the video and an image of Erica Sikes and a few dark-haired Russians torturing Rick appeared on the screen with full audio. "Fast forward it, please," he ordered in a quiet, but stern voice.

The AV tech did as he was told and Horatio and Calleigh watched the torture become more intense and progress to sexual assault before the video suddenly stopped.

"It doesn't show any of the murder or anything besides torture," Calleigh observed in a concerned voice. "We don't know anything except that a man was murdered..."

The sound of footsteps suddenly filled the hallway and Horatio turned just in time to see Robert coming down the hallway sporting a visitor badge on what appeared to be a winter coat, "Bobby, what brings you here?" Horatio asked in a concerned voice, his expression worried as he came out of the lab. "I'm here because Stella's visiting..."

"I got a call from Don Flack in New York and Rick turned up there injured with a gun in his pocket, but he can't remember what happened," Robert spoke anxiously.

Horatio's eyes narrowed, "I decided to go and take my family, but I'm feeling anxious because Rick's not well and in deep trouble," Robert spoke in a concerned voice. "I don't know how I can help someone who can't remember about the crime."

Calleigh suddenly looked very somber, "What we found at the crime scene we were called to earlier suggests that Sergeant Stetler was involved in a murder, but we don't yet know how," she replied worriedly. "There was also evidence of deep torture including drugs and rape. I know you don't work here anymore, but you need to know."

Robert nodded, but said nothing, "Eric, Jesse, and Walter are processing the evidence we already gathered and Alexx is leading Dr. Stokes through the autopsy of the body we found there," Horatio spoke calmly. "I've assigned Calleigh to the Stella Bonasera case because there's evidence that more than the Russians and McKeen were involved."

"You mean someone from New York helped?" Robert asked softly. "I know that Stella's been staying with us since she arrived, but she can't remember much..."

Horatio nodded, "You and Natalia have been good to let her stay, but her case is still very much open and needs investigating," he replied calmly. "Pavel LaRusso is actually her current employer in New York and he's here with his mother and sister, so she decided to visit him for a few hours. She has an officer escort for protection."

"I thought I'd let you know about my travel plans so I don't step on your investigation," Robert spoke quietly. "Don says that my old partner and a Lieutenant named Ty Davis will be keeping watch on Rick until I can get up there."

Horatio nodded calmly, "You won't be and you don't have to do this if it makes you uncomfortable to go back there," he replied gently. "I know the memories..."

"I was actually thinking of taking Natalia to see my mother's grave," Robert spoke in a quiet voice. "And the boys were asking if we could visit Maggie while we're there."

Calleigh suddenly looked very somber and she quietly slipped away so Robert and Horatio could speak alone, "Tell you what, I'll talk to Stella and if we can get up there for Christmas, we'll join you and make it easier," Horatio spoke softly. "All right?"

Robert nodded and swallowed hard, prompting Horatio to gently engulf him in a hug.

Las Vegas, Nevada

"Are you sure you're up to this?" Emily asked in a concerned voice as she wheeled Ryan, who had insisted on coming to see Sofia after Grissom's call, off the hospital elevator on to the Palliative Care Floor. "You don't have to do this."

Ryan sighed, but said nothing because he knew it would cause him to start crying again like he did after Grissom's call. He had managed to get dressed with Tim and Emily's help and Emily offered to go with him to see Sofia and make a decision.

Tommy had arranged for a handibus to transport his siblings to and from the hospital and here they were now. As Emily wheeled Ryan down the hallway towards Sofia's room, they could see Brass sitting in a chair outside while Sara sat inside, beside the bed.

"Hey," Brass spoke in a somber voice as Emily approached with Ryan. "How are you?"

Ryan sighed heavily, but said nothing, "The outgoing sheriff's putting pressure on Ryan to pull Sofia off life support so an autopsy can be done," Emily replied softly.

Brass cringed and looked apologetic, following them into the hospital room as they went in. Sara immediately got up and gave Ryan a hug, her eyes full of tears.

"I'm so sorry this is happening to you," Sara spoke quietly. "I'm so sorry."

Ryan accepted the hug, "I decided to leave the lab to spend more time with my kids because I should cherish that I have them," Sara spoke softly. "I'll miss you."

"I don't know if I'm going back to that lab," Ryan spoke in a trembling voice.

Sara nodded calmly, "You don't have to make that decision right away," she replied.

Emily moved Ryan closer to the bed, "Can we be alone?" Ryan asked weakly.

Nodding, Emily shooed Brass and Sara into the hallway, but left the door open so Ryan wouldn't have a claustrophobic spell. Ryan silently took Sofia's hand and sighed, gently kissing it as he sat there with his eyes closed, dropping into grief.

Manhattan, New York

Danielle was spending time with Michael and Emily that day so that John could show Caira around and also spend time helping Carlos to give Holly a break. David, Ellie, and Ray Jr. were in school, so Sully had been free to respond when Bosco had called him and told him to come to the hospital right away without saying why.

Now, as Sully stepped off the elevator, he was surprised to see Bosco and Ty sitting in chairs in front of a room at the end of the hallway, quietly talking as if they were actually friends. Sighing heavily, Sully approached the two and cleared his throat.

"Sully, thanks for coming so fast," Bosco spoke in a concerned voice, standing up.

Sully nodded and held up a bag, "I brought clothes and other stuff like you asked, but you and Davis look fine," he said firmly. "What exactly is going on, Bosco?"

Bosco sighed, "Rick Stetler turned up near David and Ellie's school when I was leaving them there this morning," he replied. "Ray left for school earlier with Yelina and Nicky cause of some AP testing, so I walked David and Ellie."

Sully frowned, "Stetler has a skull fracture, deep bruises, internal bruising, collapsed lungs, shock, hypothermia, a concussion, a broken wrist, and retrograde amnesia due to hypoglycemic seizures along with sexual trauma," Ty spoke nervously. "He's also being investigated cause he had a gun on him that the Crime Lab took away."

"How'd he end up here?" Sully asked worriedly. "He went missing in Miami."

Bosco shrugged, "I remember Danielle saying you trained Stetler, so I figured you could help somehow," he replied worriedly. "I don't know if he's awake…"

Sully sighed calmly, "Davis, stay by the door," he said. "Bosco, come with me."

Bosco looked confused, but followed Sully into the room and saw that Rick was still unconscious with a bandage around his head, a tube in his nose, and a cast on his left wrist. He was tucked in bed and looked very broken with his many bruises.

"Oh, Rick," Sully sighed quietly. "Bosco, I didn't tell Danielle about this because she'd want to come and help. Stetler tried to protect Ellie when she went missing…"

Bosco frowned, "You were working, but Ellie saw him on the news last night and told Danielle that he tried to help her, Kylie, and Maggie, but he was caught and beat up," Sully spoke in a hushed voice. "She's been worried about him ever since."

"Ellie didn't mention anything," Bosco replied softly. "I know she still thinks of it."

Before Sully could reply, Rick stirred and eyed Bosco and Sully uncertainly before focusing on Bosco, "You're in the hospital," Bosco spoke quietly. "You're safe."

"Where?" Rick asked in a confused voice. "This…this isn't Miami…it's cold."

Sully quickly got a chair and sat beside the bed, prompting Rick to look at him, "Sully?" Rick asked in a confused, groggy voice. "I….I don't feel good."

Without hesitating, Sully grabbed a bedpan and held it while Rick threw up, sighing when Rick finally stopped and shuddered, "Hurts," Rick croaked. "Everything…"

Sully quietly buzzed the nurse, "We have to keep whatever comes up," Bosco spoke in a quiet voice. "Crime Lab has to analyze whatever he pukes up."

Cringing, Rick closed his eyes and exhaled anxiously just as a nurse came and Sully handed the bedpan to Bosco, "You or Davis take this there, then," Sully replied.

As Bosco left the room, he could hear Sully talking to the nurse about Rick and speaking in such a quiet urgency that it made him wonder what Sully was hiding.

Miami, Florida

"We've just gotten a flight, but it doesn't leave for a few hours," Robert's voice said in a quiet tone. "We're headed to the airport now. Did you talk to Stella yet?"

Horatio sighed as he sat down at a patio table that was close to the place where Pavel and Anya were staying with their mother, the place Stella was visiting, "Stella's almost done with her visit and asked me to meet her so I could drive her home," he replied patiently. "She's still recovering and skittish about travelling alone."

There was a pause, "I did send the information up to Mac Taylor and told him you would follow up when you got there and got settled," Horatio spoke quietly.

"I can do that," Robert replied quietly. "Did you find whoever did it?"

Horatio sighed, "Pavel gave us names, but uniforms are having a tough time finding the men," he explained quietly. "We have warrants out for everyone involved…"

Uneasiness filled the air as Horatio suddenly saw a news van drive down the street and stop near a new looking business. Erica and a cameraman got out and Erica began talking into the camera while holding a microphone, a smile pasted on her face.

Quietly ending the call, Horatio got up, patted his pocket to make sure he had a copy of the warrant that had been distributed to all law enforcement, and silently made his way down the street to where Erica was, "Erica Sikes?" he asked in a cold voice.

Irritated about being interrupted, Erica turned and Horatio pulled the cuffs off his belt, "You're under arrest for kidnapping, drugging, sodomy, and sexual assault on a police officer," Horatio spoke coldly, glaring at her. "We found the video, Erica."

A look of anger and disgust flashed across Erica's face, but Horatio simply handcuffed her and quietly read her her rights before leading her over to his Hummer. He quietly radioed for backup and said nothing until a squad car arrived several moments later.

"Lieutenant Caine?" Jessop asked in a confused voice as he got out and saw that Horatio had just arrested someone. "I didn't know there was an issue here..."

Horatio sighed quietly, "Officer Jessop, as you know, Miss Sikes has a warrant out for her arrest," he replied calmly. "I need assistance in delivering her to Booking."

Jessop suddenly became very serious and took hold of Erica just as Stella came into view, "Ryan shouldn't have rejected me," Erica snapped. "He was so easy to manipulate when he didn't have anyone else. I knew he was close to Stetler and Rick Stetler's a worthless weakling who has no business being in a position of authority anywhere. Warrick Brown told me quite a bit when we got together..."

"Warrick Brown is dead and I will make sure you go to prison for a very, very long time," Horatio replied coldly. "You and your Russian mafia friends will all go there."

Erica sneered at Horatio as she was led away and Stella looked both shocked and mystified, "How was your visit?" Horatio asked once Jessop and Erica were gone.

"Pavel, Anya, and their mother will be in New York for the holidays and he will be making sure none of his men were involved in hurting me as legally as he can," Stella spoke in a quiet voice. "I've also been thinking I want to talk to Emily Yokas."

Horatio looked concerned, but said nothing, "Right before I was kidnapped, I saw her there and I'm sure she saw something, but is too scared to come forward," Stella spoke in a worried voice. "If I talk to her, maybe she will confide in me."

"I was actually going to ask if we could go to New York because Bobby is going there to help Rick out of a sticky situation and he's feeling overwhelmed," Horatio spoke in a quiet voice. "I hope you don't mind me spending time with both of you there..."

Stella nodded and sighed, "I'm sorry I wasn't there when you needed me, but Adria was my best friend and I wasn't sure how to deal with it," she replied in a concerned voice. "I didn't know how to deal with loss back then and I handled it wrong."

"We were both overwhelmed back then, but we have a second chance now that we're older and wiser," Horatio replied in a quiet voice. "We don't need to fight over it."

Stella nodded and Horatio gently held her, grateful that second chances existed.

Las Vegas, Nevada

As the day went on, Emily and Brass watched over Ryan as he sat at Sofia's bedside, saying all he could through tears. Nurses had come and gone, each of them giving Ryan food, drinks, or whatever he needed to be able to stay where he was.

Sara had eventually left, saying that she needed to spend time with Grissom and their children. Brass, however, had stayed and had kept Emily company while trying to see if anyone else wanted to come and spell them off. Greg and Nick had said they would drop by, but neither had come yet and Emily wondered if Greg wasn't up for it.

As Emily continued keeping an eye on the door, she heard footsteps and she was surprised to see Greg and Captain Curtis approaching. Emily and Brass walked over to them and Emily gently gave Greg a hug, which he silently returned.

"I was in a meeting with the higher-ups," Greg spoke quietly. "I'll be moving back to CSI status after Christmas so the shift is covered while Grissom's on leave. I got commended for teaching the students and also gave a statement on the incident..."

Emily nodded, "I...I ran into Captain Curtis at the precinct and I offered to come with her so she and Ryan can talk," Greg spoke quietly. "I see him sitting in there..."

Captain Curtis silently went into the room and hugged Ryan from behind while talking softly to him. Ryan sniffled, but nodded before motioning for everyone.

"We...we talked and it's time to take Sofia off the machines and let her go quietly," Ryan spoke in a shaking, quiet voice as Captain Curtis pressed the call button.

Brass looked incredibly sad, Greg nodded and looked somber, and Emily simply gave Ryan a gentle hug. A few moments later, Sofia's doctor came in and listened to both Captain Curtis and Ryan speak before silently removing Sofia from the ventilator.

The machine whined, but the doctor quickly shut it off, "How long do you think it'll be?" Ryan asked in a quiet voice, his expression defeated. "I...is she suffering?"

Ever so slowly, Sofia's breathing changed and became slower until it stopped. Sofia went limp and Ryan began sobbing loudly, unable to hide his grief any longer.

Captain Curtis moved over to the bed and gazed sadly at her lifeless daughter while gently massaging Ryan's hair. Brass made a call and Emily found herself consoling a crying Greg while the doctor quietly announced the official time of death.

Please read and review! This is the sequel to 'Sunrise of Changes!'