Horatio and Alexx packed everything that they had brought to the hospital for their stay. When they were sure they had everything, Alexx took both duffle bags and brought them out to her car before she headed to the threesomes house to prepare a healthy dinner for them.

Ryan was being released today. It had taken two days after Ross had attacked for Ryan to wake up and another two weeks before Dr. Harris deemed him healthy enough to go home, provided to take it easy and get plenty of rest for the next couple of weeks.

Ryan was feeling much better and couldn't wait to get out of the hospital, but he was also apprehensive about going home. During his long stay in the hospital the three of them never talked about Ross again or Ryan's supposed cheating. He was pretty sure his lovers and everyone else by now knew that Ross was crazy and had set Ryan up. It still hurt that Horatio and Eric threw him out like they did without even talking it over first.

Once Eric helped him get his civilian clothes on, they had both gotten checked out by Dr. Harris one last time. Ryan still had a few bruises on his face but all the swelling had gone down and he was down to a small bandage over his gunshot wound. Eric had his stitched removed and now had butterfly bandages lining his face, along with a few bruises as well.

The ride home seemed like hours to Horatio. Ryan hadn't said one word since they left the hospital and Eric was jabbering on about anything that came to his mind. Horatio knew that they still had a lot to talk about, mainly their betrayal toward Ryan. It was obvious that Eric wanted to pretend the whole thing didn't happen, and it was eating at Ryan.

When they got to the beach house, they found a fully prepared Italian meal waiting on the table for them.

"Alexx strikes again." Eric teased.

Ryan wasn't really hungry. What he really wanted was to fall into bed and sleep for a week. It would be so nice to sleep in their bed again. No nurses waking him up at night, or wires getting wrapped around his arms and neck. As afraid as he was that all of this could end within the next couple of days, Ryan couldn't wait to fall asleep between his two lovers again.

After eating what little they were going to, Horatio told Eric to upstairs and get a bath ready. Looking over toward Ryan, Horatio could see how tired he was but he was pretty sure that if Ryan didn't bathe tonight, he would be up early in the morning pulling the sheets out from under them to through them in the washer. Horatio couldn't wait to see that side of Ryan again.

Horatio helped Ryan up the stairs and into the bathroom where Eric had to tub full of hot water and lavender salts. Ryan would be out like a light in a few minutes, so he quickly but gently helped Ryan out of his clothes and into the warm water. Usually, Ryan is quick to tell them that showers are more sanitary then sitting in your own dirty water, but Horatio figure this would be the easiest way to bathe with his cast on. It should prove interesting over the next couple months.

Eric kneels by the edge of the tub and starts running a soapy sponge over Ryan's chest and left arm, while Horatio rubs his fingers along the base of Ryan's hairline, ready to catch him if he slides under the water. Ryan hasn't felt this loved in a long time. He just hoped it lasted.

Once they were sure Ryan was clean they rinsed him off and guided him to their bed where they tucked him in right in the middle. Horatio and Eric quickly took a shower together then got into bed and cuddled with Ryan who was currently oblivious to the world.

The next morning Horatio wakes up to find a set of hazel eyes watching him.

"Ryan, how long have you been awake?" Horatio asked, stretching out the kinks in his back.

"Not long." Ryan replied quietly.

"Are you in any pain?"

"My side is a little sore, but not too bad." Ryan said, looking around the room.

It didn't go unnoticed by Horatio that Ryan was avoiding looking him in the eye. Horatio had vowed to himself that he would do whatever it took to fix this situation. He would show Ryan that he could trust them again.

"Ryan, look at me."

Ryan hesitantly lifted his eyes to meet Horatio's. Once H was sure he had his lover's attention he reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Ryan's shoulder.

"I am so sorry for the way Eric and I treated you. We were both wrong in accusing you."

Ryan held Horatio's eye, even when he felt Eric's hand cover Horatio's on his shoulder.

"We want you to know that we do trust you and we know that we will have to earn your trust back. From now on we tell each other about everything, no matter how small the problem. We love you Ryan." Horatio said, rubbing his hand up and down Ryan's arm were the cast didn't cover.

Eric gave Ryan a kiss on the back of his neck. They laid there for another hour before Ryan decided he couldn't take anymore. He loved being between his lovers, safe and warm. However, he still felt betrayed and untrusted. Without saying a word, Ryan scrambled out from between the others and went into the bathroom.

Eric and Horatio realized that they would need to work long and hard to gain Ryan's trust back.

Later that afternoon Ryan found himself on the back porch watching people playing on the beach. H and Eric have left him alone for most of the day and he was thankful for that. It was a lot easier to work things out in his head without them constantly telling him how sorry they were. He believed that they were sorry, but it was hard to forgive them 'just like that'.

Inside Eric and Horatio were making lunch. Ryan's favorite grilled cheese with tomato and mayo.

"He didn't eat much last night and I haven't seen him eat anything today. I'm worried." Eric said. "What if he gets sick?"

"He won't get sick, Eric. We'll take care of him, even if we do have to treat him like a five year old." Horatio answered, humoredly. "Let's go talk to him."

Out on the porch, Horatio places Ryan's plate in front of him and they both take a seat on either side of him.

"I'm not really hungry." Ryan says, looking down at his plate.

"You're going to eat that whole sandwich, Ryan." Eric demanded. "You need to eat."

Ryan continued to look at his plate without any intention of eating his food.

"Ryan." Horatio called, waiting for him to look up at him. "We can tell we're sorry all day long for the way we handled things. We both love you so much, but we can't fix things if you don't talk to us."

"I've been thinking about the past three weeks, all day. I know that you still love me, and love you guys too. I understand that you're sorry, but I'm not fully ready to forgive you yet. I went through a whole week of you hating me for something I didn't do. I couldn't even talk to you without you bashing me, or calling my Mr. Wolfe." Ryan started.

"We're sorry we treated you that way." Eric said. "From now on, no matter who or what, we talk things out between the three of us. Believe each other before someone else".

"It's not just us, Eric. When word got out that I was cheating on you, no one talked to me…besides Frank anyway. Alexx wouldn't even give me reports when I went down to the morgue!"

"We'll talk to everyone about this." Horatio said. "The team is our family, too. If they have any issues with us as a couple or individually, they should talk it out, too."

"Other than that, I just need some time. I thought Ross was in my past. I never wanted to see him again. I can't believe he ruined my life again."

"He didn't ruin your life, Ryan." Eric said. "He just stirred it up a bit. We'll get through this."

"Ross will be in prison for quite a while." Horatio said. "We got him on premeditated murder, attempted murder of two officers of the law, and assult on two officers of the law."

"What about Tucker?" Ryan asked.

"He's going to prison for tampering with evidence and for being an accomplice in premeditated murder."

Ryan picked up his sandwich and took a bite. He loved these sandwiches! He loved his partners. He just hoped that they could get back to normal soon, and leave this horrible mess behind them.