One

Horatio Caine hadn't been himself. He was off; that was the way the others would have described him. But then again, they were all feeling that way. It had been that way since Jesse Cardoza had tragically died. And the lieutenant couldn't help but to feel responsible.

If they had just gotten to Starling and figured things out in time, Jesse would still have been there today.

The lieutenant mentally beat himself up almost every day proceeding the events. He knew that he couldn't have possibly known what Jesse's fate would be. But he still wasn't able to forgive himself. Another member of his team was gone. He had promised to himself and to others to not have let anything to happen to them- to protect them. He would have done anything to help other and protect them, even with his own life. But he couldn't even have done that right.

Horatio Caine hadn't been himself. To others, he put on a stoic façade. He seemed to be holding up pretty well. He still handled cases, worked in the field collecting evidence and he interrogated suspects like the best of them. But his team knew him very well. They knew that he wasn't in as good as a mood that he put on. When Horatio had made the final shot of the game and declared it for Jesse, the others cheered. They were all so grateful to have each other.

Walter, Ryan, Calleigh, Eric and Natalia clapped loudly for him. He couldn't help the small smile that formed on his face. They noticed it. Walter hadn't known Horatio as well as the others. He didn't know that was a smile of sadness. The others did though. They knew their lieutenant. After the game, the team decided to head to the bar. It was rare for Horatio to agree to go out, but he knew that he'd probably needed to cut loose. If only for a night.

After two drinks, Natalia decided to retire back home. She was a bit of a lightweight and was just exhausted from the day's events. So, she called a taxi and left.

Walter was the next to go. He hadn't even had a drink. Sure he'd ordered one, but he spent the night staring at it while listening to Eric and Ryan bicker. He'd give a small grin whenever he heard Calleigh laugh at the pointless argument. But he didn't talk much. Then he declared that he wanted to go home and rest. That was understandable. Horatio even told him to take the day off tomorrow. Frankly, they all could use a few days off but that wasn't possible. But seeing as Walter was the one who was the closest to Jess, Horatio thought it was only right.

It was down to Calleigh, Eric, Ryan and the lieutenant himself. They shared small talk and laughed, but they knew that it was an awkward atmosphere and Horatio's heart just wasn't in it.

"Are you alright, Horatio?" Calleigh spoke. "I know that you and Jesse were pretty close."

Three pairs of eyes were now on the stoic face. Horatio dropped his gaze to his small glass of water for a moment before looking back to her. "I'm fine." And that was that.

Eric and Ryan started throwing back shots like there was no tomorrow. Well, in their line of work that was always possible. But they were having a contest; who could drink more without being drunk. Of course Calleigh and Horatio didn't condone their little game. They spoke amongst each other while the other two made asses out of themselves.

Calleigh was in the middle of telling a story about Jesse when Eric started placing wet, sloppy kisses on her cheek. She struggled to hide her smile and tried to continue it on. "Yeah, he was always helping. Jesse was sweet; a great guy… so nice… Eric, what are you doing?"

Eric stopped and smiled sheepishly. "You look so nice, Calleigh."

"You're drunk." She stated.

Ryan's arms shot in the air in victory. "That means I win." He declared. "In your face, Delko."

Horatio watched the interaction. "Will you be able to handle Eric?" He asked Calleigh. She nodded as she took the shot glass out of his hand. "Yeah, we'll be fine. Come on, Eric; let's get you home." They both stood, she put his arm around her shoulder and Eric leaned against her small body. "Goodnight Horatio. See you, Ryan."

Eric laughed loudly at nothing in particular. "Bye H. I'll beat you next time Wolfe." And they were off. A few people had noticed the exchange and stared at them. But it was a bar and it wasn't the most obnoxious thing they'd witnessed so they went back to minding their own business soon enough. Ryan suddenly slumped and dropped his head on the table. Horatio, surprised by this, was startled. "Mr. Wolfe, are you okay?"

Ryan shook his head. "I feel sick. I'm drunk, H." He stated. Horatio watched Ryan's form. He didn't seem intoxicated just a few moments ago. As if reading his mind, he spoke again. "I'm usually good at hiding it for a while. But man, the room is spinning right now."

"Well, then let's get you home." Horatio was up and he took Ryan by the hand. At first, Ryan was going to protest. He would have been alright and he could just take a taxi home. But he knew that if he even tried to deny Horatio's help, he would have gotten it anyways. So he just gave his thanks and allowed the redhead to guide him back to his car.

Ryan climbed into the passenger seat and sighed. Horatio closed the door and then made his way to the driver's side. Once in, he started the car and they were off for the fifteen minute drive back to Ryan's place. Once parked in the driveway, he turned the vehicle off and turned to face the younger CSI to find that he was already staring at Horatio.

Ryan smiled softly. "Thank you for bringing me home, H."

"It's no problem, Mr. Wolfe. Do you need some help getting inside?"

"Would you mind?"

Horatio opened his door and got out of the vehicle. He opened the door for Ryan and took his hand once again. Ryan started fishing into his own pocket, finding his keys and handing them off to his boss. Horatio guided the younger to the front door. There were five keys on the ring, and after three tries, Horatio finally found the right one. He pushed the door open, guided Ryan inside and ran his hand over the wall, searching for the light switch. Ryan then released his grip on Horatio's hand. In the dark, Horatio couldn't see Ryan reaching out for him, but he felt his hand on his chest. He pushed back gently against the wall. Horatio was met with the feeling of Ryan's body against his own. He froze when he felt Ryan's warm breath against his ear.

Ryan's hand stroked his hair softly. It was brief. The moment his hand left the redheads hair, the lights came on. Horatio looked behind himself to see the light switch just by his head. So that was it, he concluded. Ryan was just searching for the light switch. Of course he didn't mean to touch his hair.

Ryan hummed softly and then smiled. "Are you okay, H?" He questioned. "You're not drunk too, are you?"

"No, I only had water tonight." He answered.

"Well I really appreciate you bringing me home."

Horatio nodded. "I'll pick you up in the morning since we left your car in the parking garage."

Ryan stared into Horatio's deep blue eyes. He just couldn't look away. He couldn't even begin to explain how much he just wanted to lean in and close the distance in between them. But he couldn't; what would the lieutenant say if he had known what was going through Ryan's mind?

Horatio was the first to break eye contact. "Bright and early, Mr. Wolfe." He stated, turning and slipping into the night. Ryan nodded, though he was alone now and Horatio couldn't see him. He closed the door, echoing his words. "Bright and early, H."