A/N: I really should stop using this excuse, but again, I've had oodles happening. Distractions, if you will. Anyway, sorry to keep you guys in suspense for... almost a month. Whoops!

"It's not too late, it's never too late." ~'Never Too Late' – Three Days Grace

"Ryan, why did you do that?"

"You're dead, Jen," he muttered, "I wanted to be dead too."

"Well, I'm sorry, Ryan. You're not. I'm only here to talk some sense into your stubborn head."

Ryan sighed, "Cam is right, you know. It's all my fault. Maybe I was just sick of that too."

"You need to be stronger than him. Cam's never been smart about what he says, you know that," Jen explained, "He killed Danielle. Do you know why, Ryan?"

Ryan was intrigued by what Jen had to say, "Why?"

"She was pregnant. He got her pregnant, and he didn't want to deal with it all. He was just trying to make you feel like this horrible person so that he wouldn't feel as guilty; but you didn't do anything. Especially not anything close to what he did."

Ryan closed his eyes, "I'm sorry, Jen. I just couldn't handle it. What I did."

He pressed himself to her, suppressing the urge to scream at how much he wanted to be with her 24/7.

"You didn't do this to me. Things happen, Ryan. You're not the same as Cam. He may be my little brother, but he isn't right, and I wont defend him." Jen whispered, keeping Ryan in her arms.

"Jen," Ryan spoke up, "If I'm not dead, what's happening? Am I going to die?"

"You've passed out from blood loss. You're at the hospital getting blood transfusions now. Horatio is with you. He has been the whole time."

"H is a good man."

"Promise me, Ryan, that you wont do this again?" Jen worried. He looked up at her with those sad hazel eyes, and nodded.

"I can feel you waking up now," she whispered, "I love you, Ryan."

"I love you too." Ryan said, slowly fading.

He opened his eyes to bright florescent lights in a small hospital room. Horatio sat at Ryan's bedside, looking uncomfortable.

"Wolfe? Are you awake? Can you hear me?" Horatio asked seeing Ryan's eyelids flutter. That's when Ryan noticed on his own chest, patched with bloodstained bandages.

"What... happened?" Ryan managed to ask. Speaking was painful.

"Ssh, Ryan. Don't talk. We were on the roof. Do you remember that?"

Ryan nodded. He remembered everything that happened before he cocked the gun; the moments after were a blur.

"Well, I tried to get the gun away from you. I only managed to knock it downward. The bullet hit one of your ribs, and luckily didn't do much damage." Horatio explained.

"I... sorry... H." Ryan breathed. Horatio took Ryan's hand.

"Listen to me; you don't need to apologize. We're going to get you help, Ryan. Everything will be okay."

Horatio's phone rang, "Yes?"

"How's Ryan? We all heard over our scanners that that he was taken with a shot to the chest? Who was it?" Calliegh asked frantically. Horatio really didn't want to tell her that he'd done this to himself.

"Yes, he's awake now; but he can't speak well." Horatio informed, skipping her third question.

"Um... Okay. Is there a way we can come and visit?"

"Later, Calliegh. Just try and focus on the case right now. Keep the others on track."

"Oh. Well, just let him know that we're all thinking about him, and we're going to find whoever did this."

"Will do." Horatio said before hanging up. He knew his team could be the perfect family.

"Oh, Ryan!" A woman at the door exclaimed. It was the middle sibling; Jen's younger sister, Catalina. She walked briskly to the bedside that Horatio wasn't occupying. Catalina began to smooth Ryan's hair back with her fingers before kissing his forehead.

"Cat... what... doing... here?" Ryan struggled to ask.

"Ryan, you know you're family," she sympathized. She glanced over at Horatio, silently wondering who she was.

"I'm sorry, sir. Catalina Grayson."

"Horatio Caine." He said, shaking her hand.

"Wait a minute! You're the one who saved Ryan's life!"

"You can thank the doctors for that."

"Now, Lieutenant Caine; don't be so humble. Thank you." She gushed. Horatio nodded, and stared into his lap as another man walked in, sliding his arm around Catalina's waist.

"My name is Joe," The tall man said, addressing both Ryan and Horatio. Ryan gazed at the two, obviously a couple.

"I almost forgot, Ryan! Great news! Joe and I are getting married!" Catalina announced. In that moment, Ryan noticed just how her ring gleamed in the bright lights. He didn't have the energy to be excited, but he was happy for her. He managed a tiny smile, nodding slightly. Joe began to gently gesture to Catalina, motioning to leave.

"Oh, yeah." She said in response, "Ryan, Joe and I have to head out. We're flying to Detroit for his family reunion. We love you, Ryan, and you're still part of our family. Just get better."

She and Joe walked out after thanking Horatio one last time.

"Bubbly." Ryan stated, once him a Horatio were alone.

"Catalina Grayson. Would that be your sister-in-law?" Horatio guessed correctly. Ryan nodded before Horatio brought up a delicate subject, "The doctors are suggesting you live in a monitored environment. Do you have any relatives in Miami?"

Ryan shook his head. His parents lived clear up in Boston.

"Okay. If you want, I would be willing to let you stay at my place for a while. Would you like that?"

Confused, Ryan just stared into space. It was strange for Horatio (or anyone) to be caring and sympathetic for him. Ryan had a way of being distant from other people, especially his boss.

"I want you to think on that, okay?" Horatio said when Ryan didn't answer. Horatio took his hand again, "I'm always going to be here for you. If everything goes well tonight, they want to release you tomorrow."

"I'll... go... you." Ryan voiced. He then began to cough violently. Horatio quickly sat Ryan up, patting his back until the coughing subsided.

"Well, good. Now, lie down and don't try to speak again, Mr. Wolfe."

Nodding, Ryan rolled over and dipped into slumber. He found himself waking in tears, several times. It was a long and painful night.

"You ready to get out of here, Ryan?" asked a nurse with flowing blonde curls.

"Mhmm." groaned Ryan. He was surprised he was leaving the hospital so soon; but then again, all they had to do was remove the shot, and replace all the blood he lost. Ryan was very lucky the bullet had not pierced anything vital. He was very lucky that Horatio was (and always would be) there for him. The road ahead would be tough, and Ryan could use Horatio's help. With doctor and therapy appointments, his depression, and any other emotional turmoil, Ryan didn't think he could make it without him.

The nurse wheeled Ryan out the side exit, Horatio by his side. Ryan waited patiently as Horatio left to go retrieve the Hummer.

"The doctors said to keep off your feet for long periods of time." Horatio informed after helping Ryan out of the wheelchair, "Now, how about we go and pick up some of your things?"

"H... Can I just go to sleep... Please?" Ryan asked, speaking better than last night.

"Then I'll just show you to your room." Horatio agreed. A few short minutes later, Horatio pulled into his driveway.

"Welcome home, Mr. Wolfe."

"This is the last night you'll spend alone; look me in the eyes so I know you know..." ~'The Last Night' – Skillet.

Now I shall go hide in my hole and read books and try to actually write the next chapter while you guys make various comments about the Horatio/Ryan manfluff. Love you all!