Natalia was thrilled to learn Ryan had been moved. It meant he was that much closer to being released. He had slept little during her shifts, the two passing the time by talking. Their relationship had evolved since their kiss the first night in the ICU. They traded stories, telling of families and life before Miami-Dade PD.

"Hey, I like your new digs," she said as she walked in.

"I know, I asked him what he was going to do with all this space," Calleigh grinned.

"Don't go pulling out the color swatches yet, I'm not gonna be here that long," Ryan pointed out.

"Okay, well, my relief's here so I'll see you later Ryan," Calleigh said, placing a quick kiss on his cheek.

"See ya, Calleigh," he said.

Once Calleigh had left, Natalia walked over to the bed and gave Ryan a sound kiss.

"Now that's what I call a hello," Ryan said, licking his lips once she pulled away.

"That was the idea," she smiled, taking a seat next to him on the bed.

Gently, she leaned back against him and laid her head against his shoulder. It somewhat amazed her how comfortable she was around Ryan. Of course, they had been friends for four years, but that could not account for all of it. She had never felt like this around anyone, not even Nick in the good days.

"So, we only have a couple more days off," she said.

"Well, I didn't think you could take off forever," he pointed out.

"I know, but I hate the thought of you stuck in here alone, all day."

"I'll be fine, Talia. Just bring me a couple more books."

"Why do you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Call me 'Talia'," she said. "No one else ever calls me that."

"I don't know," Ryan shrugged. "Just kinda flows, I guess. Why? You don't like it?"

"No," she replied, shaking her head, "no, I like it. Especially since you came up with it."

Ryan gently eased his free arm over and wrapped it around Natalia, pressing a kiss to her temple. He was quite content to simply lay there with Natalia. It was something he admitted he had thought of many times since their solitary date three years ago.

The stress of the past few days had taken its toll on Natalia. Her previous visits had been spent in conversation, but now that she was assured that he would be fine, exhaustion overtook her. Ryan noticed that her breathing had evened out and looked down at her. She was fast asleep, head turned into his shoulder. He smiled softly, and allowed himself to drift off as well.

The next few months had Ryan surpassing everyone's expectations. It was a little over a week after being released from the ICU that Chris deemed Ryan whole enough to leave the hospital. The passing of three more weeks had Ryan back on light duty in the lab. Another eight of physical therapy and Chris felt he could return to full activity—still taking it easy, of course.

"So, Doc, how's it look?" Ryan asked when he came in for a check up.

"You have surpassed everyone's expectations, even my own, I must say," Deleo confessed with a smile, remembering that he had give Ryan bleak odds at best when the CSI was first brought in. "Everything still looks good, so far your wounds have healed well, and the PT wishes she had other patients as dilligent as you. You've made great progress."

"That's good to know," Ryan nodded. "Any idea when I can return to work full-time?"

"If I can be sure you'll not over-do it, I think you start back up now."

Ryan looked pleased to hear that. He was sure Horatio would be put on notice to keep him on a short leash for the time being, but it would be worth it to get back out in the field. There was another thought that occurred to him.

"So it's okay to resume, ah, other activities?" he asked pointedly.

It took a moment before Chris grasped his full meaning, "Ah, I see. I take it things are going well with Natalia?"

"Yeah, yeah, things are going great," Ryan said with a smile. "The lab's been pretty busy, recently, but we've managed to go on a few dates."

"You guys told the others, yet?" Chris asked, well aware of the secrecy they had been keeping.

"Haven't had a chance. Besides, IA would make one of us either leave the lab or switch to the night shift. We haven't really talked about that."

"Well, if you want my unsolicited opinion, women like Natalia don't come along often. I'd transfer in a heartbeat if I had a girlfriend like her."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," said Ryan, considering this.

"Just don't so anything before you talk to her," Chris cautioned. "And yes, you've got a green light as long as she consents, but I doubt she'll argue."

"Thanks, Doc," Ryan said.

Another appointment was made for six more weeks, and Ryan made his way back to his car. He knew he and Natalia would have to talk about work eventually, but it was a conversation he dreaded. They couldn't keep their relationship under wraps forever. He knew Eric had suspicions, and Alexx would kill him if things got too far without her being told.

He stopped by the grocery store to pick up things for dinner before going home. Natalia was coming by as soon as her shift ended, but he knew with their hours, that could be anywhere from five o'clock to nine. So, since dinners that could keep had become the norm, he picked up the ingredients for pasta and salads.

It was actually close to six when Natalia arrived. He opened the door for her and she was met by the smells of garlic, olive oil, and warm bread.

"Oh my gosh, it tastes anything like it smells, it's gonna be amazing," she said, hanging her jacket by the door. "I am so glad one of us can cook."

Ryan chuckled at that. Natalia had wanted to cook for him on their second date, but dinner had ended up in chaos involving an overflowing pan, oven fire, and foam from a fire extinguisher. Ryan then called and ordered a pizza. Needless to say, Natalia had not offered to cook since then.

"Well, tonight is a bit of a celebration," Ryan said, pulling two wine glasses from the cabinet in the kitchen. "I got my flying papers from Doctor Deleo, today."

"He's okay-ed you for full duty?" Natalia asked, making sure she understood him correctly.

"As long as I take it easy, and I have a feeling Horatio's gonna get a call from the doc, but I'm good to go."

"Ryan, that's great!" she exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him. "I know you've been looking forward to getting out of the lab."

Though she was not aware, her words held a double meaning, reminding Ryan of Deleo's words earlier that day.

"Yeah, listen, there's something I wanna talk to you about."

His tone made Natalia take a step back, and her smile faltered. "This sounds serious."

"Yeah, I guess it is." Ryan poured the wine and handed a glass to Natalia. He took a deep breath before saying, "I wanna tell the others about us."

"What? You realize one of us would have to leave the lab."

"Or transfer to the night shift, yeah, I know," he said. "But they have a right to know, Talia. Besides, it takes Herculean strength to keep up the façade that we're just friends. I wanna be able to tell everyone you're my girlfriend. If that means I have to transfer to the night shift, then so be it."

"You… You'd transfer to the night shift?" Natalia asked hesitantly.

"I'd flat out quit if it meant I could kiss you in public," he told her, placing a hand on her cheek.

"Don't turn in your resignation just yet," she protested lightly. "Let's just see how it goes. Horatio may be able to keep you on the day shift."

"I love you," Ryan said gently, leaning in to give her a soft kiss.

It was the first time either had expressed the sentiment verbally, thought it hade been thought and felt for some time. It took Natalia a second to respond to the kiss, his words throwing her off for a moment. However, the shock was only momentary, and she the swiftly opened up to him.

Ryan ran his hands through Natalia's hair as the tropical aroma of her shampoo wafted up. He was unable to contain the moan that escaped as she ran her hands down his chest. He pulled back slightly, remembering dinner and the fact that he could follow through on the kiss.

"Listen, if we don't eat now, I don't think we will eat, and I don't know about you, but I'm starving," Ryan pointed out.

"That sounds like a good idea," Natalia laughed softly. "I'm pretty hungry, too."

Ryan smiled and moved to plate the food. Natalia followed him with her eyes as he moved through the kitchen. His back was to her, and she had a chance to study him. While he had never been overly muscular, she could see that he had regained the toned definition he had lost after he'd been shot. The fact that he was wearing a fitted t-shirt simply drew attention to that fact.

"Ryan?"

"Yeah?" he replied, turning to face her. His face held such an earnest look, eager to please, much like the look one might get from a puppy. At that moment, Natalia found herself able to say only one thing.

"I love you, too."

Fin