Chapter 1: A mother's worry
"H? The suspect has been apprehended. Tripp should have him here in 10 minutes."
"Horatio?"
Horatio turned to Alexx and seeing her sad, pensive expression made him wonder if something was wrong. If there was, he didn't know about it. It would be a first but still it could happen.
"Is there something the matter Alexx?"
She nodded and guided Horatio to one of the side halls. It was obvious that she wanted privacy, something that that Horatio didn't miss.
"Do you know what's wrong with Ryan?"
"No I don't. Why?"
Horatio had noticed that Ryan seemed to be a little off lately.
Ryan had had a hard time. His acceptance in the team hadn't been as smooth as it should have been. But still things seemed to have settled down in the past few months.
Things between Eric and Ryan still seemed a bit tense but comparing to how it had been, things were looking up.
"Something is definitly wrong with Ryan. He's very quiet, more so than usual. When I go home he's here, when I get back the next day he's here. If I didn't know any beter, I would say that he sleeps here. Those bags under his eyes could be used as proof. He barely takes time to eat. And I think he's lost some weight!"
Horatio had noticed those thins too. Except the weight loss. It's probably that mother-hen thing that made Alexx take notice of such things. Looking at Ryan, who was working in the trace lab, he had to admit Alexx was right. He did look terrible.
"Could it be because of his eye? He has, if I'm not mistaken, a doctor appointment this afternoon?"
"Yes he has. And it could be that. But he has been like this for the past month or so. I've tried talking to him but he won't tell me a thing. I wanted to invite him to diner yesterday so I could talk to him. What? Okay, I wanted to corner him! Are you happy now? Anyway, the litle sneak slipped away. Horatio, I'm really worried about him. It can't go on like this."
"Let's give it a day or two. If it doesn't get beter I'll talk to him. It could be because of his eye. Lets not make conclusions before we have all the facts. Okay?"
Horatio could see Eric walking towards him.
"H? Tripp is here with the suspect."
"Thank you Eric. Alexx, I'll see you later. And don't worry so much, I'll take care of it." ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Alexx? Are you okay? Is there something wrong?" asked Eric.
Alexx turned from watching Ryan to Eric. A hopeful expression appeared on her face.
"Eric, I know you don't get along with Ryan but would you happen to know what's wrong with him?"
Alexx knew that the chances that Eric knew something were slim but still. After all, people say things they shouldn't or (usually) wouldn't in the heat of the moment. God knows ther's enough heat between Ryan and Eric to hold a block party with a BBQ in the middle of the winter. For some reason Alexx was sure this heat-thing wasn't because of their hate for each other. Eric would be perfect for Ryan. And Alexx knew her baby well. She saw the longing glances Ryan had thrown Eric's way when he thought no one was watching. That too had stopped. In its place was a deep sadness that Alexx couldn't help but think had something to do with Eric.
Anyway, It was too soon to speculate. She had way too litle information. But she would find out! This calles for a litle investigation. Did she say investigation? She meant intense spying. Oh, who cares about semantics? Maybe she could get Calleigh on board? Cal loves romance. Plus she works with them, she has easier access.
"...think that I know? He doesn't talk to me" Oops she'd missed something. Oh well, it doesn't matter. She'd got the jist of it; Eric knew nothing.
"It was worth a shot. I should go, I have a 30 year old woman waiting for me. See you later Eric."
"See you Alexx." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eric doesn't get along with Wolfe. In the beginning he felt like he was betraying Speed somehow. He knows it's crazy but it didn't change how he felt at the time. Now things are the way they are and Eric can't change that. Plus Wolfe doesn't like him either so what does it mather? But seeing Alexx this worried makes Eric really pay attention to Ryan. Ryan is working on finding trace on a shirt. And to Eric he looks like he always does. He doesn't see how Alexx has come up with her theory. But then Ryan looks straight at Eric and he sees it. It looks like Ryan hasn't slept in a year. His hair, which was always perfect, was in disarray. Like he had gone through it countless times. His shirt was a litle wrinkled and loose. He looked a bit unkempt. But most striking of all were his eyes. Ryan's eyes were ... blank. Actually, his whole face was blank. It was like Ryan had been drained of all emotions. Ryan's beautiful green eyes were looking straight into Eric's brown ones and weren't giving anything away.
It was like his spirit had died.
It broke Eric's heart.
Wait a minute. Beautiful? Did Eric think Ryan's eyes were beautiful? Eric shook his head trying to rid himself of the bothersome thoughts.
But throwing one last look at Ryan, Eric couldn't stop wondering if Ryan's spirit had been broken.
And most importantly; was he somehow the cause of it?
TBC