A/N: Merry Christmas to everyone! Remember, the best Christmas gift is a review!

Chapter 11: We're cool?

"Jesse, Miami Beach Police Department responded to Ryan's picture." Eric said as he walked over to meet with Jesse.

'What?" Jesse asked.

"Horatio sent Ryan's picture out to other cities' police departments near Miami in the hope of generating a lead." Eric explained. "The cops at Miami Beach are not sure, but they said they picked-up someone that looked like Ryan last night."

"Ok." Jesse answered as he concentrated on the computer screen in front of him.

"Are you listening to me?" Eric put his hand in front of the screen.

"Yes boss I am." Jesse looked up.

"What's your problem?" Eric faced Jesse.

"You!" Jesse answered back.

"I haven't even beaten the shit out of you for talking like that to Horatio and now you are acting like this with me." Eric was completely pissed off at Jesse's attitude.

"What Delko, you want to take this outside? I will be more than happy to fight you." Jesse said and inched forward toward Eric.

"You are not worth it." Eric said and backed down. "You are not worth it because a person likes you who could so easily lose faith in his friend and comrade is not worth dirtying my hand."

"You know what Delko…Horatio picked Ryan to protect you. If anyone has to take the blame then it's you." Jesse accused Eric.

"Yea, you know what I would be more than willing to take Ryan's place right now. Or better I want to take Horatio's place because not only does he have to deal with people that want him dead, but also friends that don't trust him!" Eric shouted.

Jesse took a deep breath and back-off from Eric's personal space.

"You know he would never hurt Ryan or any of us. H would take Ryan's place in a heartbeat" Eric explained. "Do you have any idea the guilt he lives with every day? No matter what I say to him, I could always see that edge of sadness in his eyes about my sister's death."

"I know…" Jesse quietly spoke. "I didn't mean for the event to turn out like this."

"Look Jesse I am not asking anything from you, just work with me to find Ryan ok." Eric said.

"Yea man, l know. Let's go check out Miami Beach." Jesse said.

"Alright. We cool?" Eric asked.

'Yea Eric, I am…I will talk to Horatio." Jesse said

"Alright, after we find Wolfe." Eric answered.

Eric: [confused] Why Wolfe? Why not come to me?

Horatio: Eric, you were the obvious choice. There was a chance that this might fail-and I didn't want that for you.

-CSI Miami 7.1