As promised, here is the epilogue. I hope you all enjoy this ending piece as much as I do! A massive thank you to everyone that read, favorited, followed, and/or reviewed this story! You know who you are and you're awesome! I really enjoyed writing for this fandom and hope to write another story sometime in the future. Ryan and Esposito are my favorites, and as a fan girl of them, I feel there just isn't enough stories focusing on their incredible friendship. Enjoy!


~Three Months Later~

A steady stream of cool water washed over the pale skinned man as he dipped his head under the shower's spray, hands propped against the cream tile wall from support. Methodically, the man went through his breathing exercises, only slightly hindered by the water traveling down either side of his face. Kevin Ryan pulled his shaky hands through his wet and slightly too long hair as the last remnants of his nightmare ebbed away. His panic under control the Irishman realized just how cold he was after a shiver ripple through his body. So turning off the water Kevin wrapped a towel around his waist and moved to the sink to shave.

Without much thought Kevin went through the motions of his morning routine. However, while reaching into the medicine cabinet his bright-blue eyes caught sight of the horizontal scar across his forearm which halted his movement. Arm still outstretched Detective Ryan brought his other hand to the mark and gently ran his thumb over the length of the scar. Eyes transfixed, the NYPD detective remembered the horrible moment he received the scar. He remembered the searing pain of the blade dragging across his flesh, the terrifying hopeless feeling of being unable to defend himself, but worst of all he remembered Javier's screaming voice over the speaker calling out to him.

Shaking his head free of the unpleasant memory, Kevin resumed his routine by skillfully shaving away his morning stubble. The detective tried his best to ignore the thin scars marring his chest, thankful that the bruising had finally faded away, leaving very little of his time with Calder visible to the eye.

It was barely half past four in the morning, so the dark-haired man startled when a creak sounded in the floor boards at the threshold of the bathroom. Tensing his body and preparing for an attack, Kevin snapped his gaze to the doorway, hands balled into tight fists. There Jenny stood in her robe and nightgown, sluggishly rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

Kevin exhaled slowly, willing away the panic that seized his chest, and silently berated himself for reacting in such a manner. It was difficult for the detective to tell if his overreaction was noticed by his beautiful wife, but he truly hoped it wasn't. Jenny had a transparent look of concern upon her face, bottom lip captured between her teeth in worry. It was a look the recovering man had unfortunately grown accustomed to over the past few months.

Kevin hated the fact that he was the reason for his wife's distress. Hated having to live with a constant, overwhelming, and crushing fear that something terrible was going to happen on a daily basis. The detective knew it would take time to fully recover, and that there was a possibility he would never completely move on. But for his family and his friends he would continue to try.

Cautiously, as if approaching a wounded animal, Jenny made her way next to her husband. Gently, she placed a delicate hand on Kevin's bicep and rested her head against his exposed chest, careful not to bring her arms completely around him. The recovering man was still plagued with anxiety about being trapped which made even a hug, meant for comfort, something to be avoided. Stiffening at the contact, it took more control than Kevin would like to admit to relax into Jenny's hold. Maybe he was just a wounded animal, needing to be handled with care.

"What are you doing up so early?" Jenny asked in a tired voice, rubbing her hand up and down her husband's cold arm in an attempt to generate some heat.

Kevin cleared his throat. "Couldn't sleep."

Nodding her head against his pale chest Jenny remained quiet as she began to gather her thoughts. Unexpectedly, Kevin's hands rose up to encircle her in a tight embrace. Jenny melted into it and smiled. It was progress.

After taking a few moments to enjoy her husband's arms around her the slight woman pulled back to look Kevin directly in the eyes. "Kev, are you sure you're ready to go back to work?"

The arms around her dropped as Kevin stepped back, creating distance between them. "I've been cleared by both my doctor and my therapist, Jen."

"I didn't ask what your therapist or doctor thinks. I want to now if you feel ready to go back." Jenny asked with concern filling her warm eyes.

Sighing Kevin ran his hands through his hair, voice taking on a distressed tone. "I'm sick of Damon Calder controlling my life. The guy is in prison and still I feel trapped by him. I need to go back to work to prove he didn't break me, Jenny." Suddenly he moved forward and placed his cool hands on his wife's hips. "Please don't misunderstand me. I love being home and spending time with you and Sarah Grace…it's just…I have to do this."

Slowly, Jenny brought her soft hands up and placed them on either side of Kevin's face, looking deeply into his captivating blue eyes. The clear and beautiful, albeit somewhat sad, eyes she adores and looks forward to gazing into everyday. Together, in their small and dimly lit bathroom, they stood in an intimate embrace, seeking comfort from one another's presence.

Jenny pulled her husband closer until their lips met in a tender kiss before pulling back just far enough so their nose were a few inches apart. She then nodded ever-so-slightly and ran her fingers caressingly up his face and over the small scar at his hairline, dragging her fingers through his drying hair to his neck, before resting them on his relaxed shoulders.

"If you feel you need to do this then I support you. If once you get there you decide it was too soon and want to hold off a little longer I will support that as well. I love you with all of my heart Kevin Ryan and I will be there for you no matter what." Jenny said wholeheartedly. Her eyes never leaving his.

Detective Ryan smiled and kissed his wife once more, pulling her impossibly close. After a while he pulled back somewhat breathless. "What did I do to deserve you?"

Jenny smiled back. "You were you. Now come on I'll make your favorite breakfast!"

"You don't mean?"

"Oh yes I do. Your mom's famous potato pancakes. And as much as I love ogling your hot body you should probably hurry up and get dressed. I mean Javier will be here in…about two hours." Chuckling the blonde sent her husband a wink before exiting the bathroom and heading towards the kitchen.

A knock on the door sounded and Jenny quickly rose from the couch to answer it, leaving Kevin sitting with a babbling Sarah Grace in his lap. Javier gave his best friend's wife a quick hug in greeting before entering the apartment easily.

"Hey Bro! You ready to get rolling?" The Hispanic detective asked lightly as he rested a hand on his partner's shoulder while waving at the young toddler over her father's head. It had become a sort of habit for Javier to make physically contact with Kevin whenever he was in the same room. It was a way to reassure himself that his friend was alive and well.

"You know it, Bro. Francine's Caffeine?"

Javier halted his footsteps towards the door and looked at the Irishman in surprise. "You sure?"

Kevin sent his friend a reassuring smile. "Yeah. I woke up early this morning and I'm in dire need of a caffeine fix."

"If caffeine is what you're after then caffeine is what you'll get. Whatever you want, Kev."

"Whatever I want?" Kevin asked with a glint of mischief.

Javier shook his head and started out the door at a brisk pace. "Nope! No way! You are not driving, Bro!"

Kevin passed his sweet daughter to Jenny and gave them both a quick kiss before following his partner out the door. "Why not?! I'm a fantastic driver!"

Javier turned around and gave Kevin a look of amusement. "Fantastic? Bro, my grandmother drives faster than you and she's ninety two!"

The pale detective rested his arm over Esposito's shoulders. "Your grandmother is a unique case."

"Well I suppose that's true."

The two continued to bicker back and forth in jest as they made their way to work side by side once more.

The End


There you have it. The end of Cause and Effect. I'm actually sad to be finished with this story, but am excited for the many new story ideas to come! If you enjoyed this story and would like to see more from me hit the author follow and/or favorite button. That way you won't miss out on any of the awesome new stories to come! Until next time…