November 10

Coral Gables Cottage – Miami, Florida - Dawn

"Take James back to his mother," Bernard said in a faint voice as he lay in bed with a hand over his chest and blankets over the pajamas that weren't keeping him warm. "Call me an ambulance first, though."

Ramon was quiet for a moment and then nodded, taking great care as he scooped James out of the padded drawer that was next to Bernard's bed, "Doctor Savarrio warned me about stress since I've always had a bad heart," Bernard commented in a faint voice. "Hearing that Edward is underground and that Catherine Willows almost killed Rick Stetler pushed me over the edge and I need medical help."

"Should I tell Clavo and Edward that you're sick?" Ramon asked in a nervous voice. "They'd want to know."

Bernard scoffed and coughed, "No," he replied testily. "Call for an ambulance and then I want you to take James to the Miami-Dade Police Department and make sure he's found. Do you understand?"

"They're gonna be suspicious," Ramon protested nervously as James started to cry. "Are you sure?"

Bernard nodded, "I don't have much time left, Ramon," he replied softly. "I want a clear conscience."

"After I call for the ambulance and take James to the police department, can I go clubbing?" Ramon asked in a nervous voice as he picked up the phone beside the bed and dialed 9-1-1. "It's been a…"

Bernard sighed, "You can do whatever you want," he replied in a tired voice. "Just keep it down."

"Hello, 9-1-1?" Ramon said in an anxious voice as a voice responded. "I need an ambulance…"

Recovery Floor - Angel of Mercy Hospital – Manhattan, New York

"Sergeant Stetler?"

Rick opened his eyes and was surprised to find Mac and Danny standing at his bedside, "Yes?" he asked in a groggy voice, ignoring the intense pain radiating throughout his injured body. "How can I help you?"

"We want to talk to you about Catherine Willows, if you don't mind," Mac explained in a cautious voice, seeing that Stetler was obviously in a lot of pain. "She's being held at Bellevue Mental Hospital until her trial, but I heard from Detective Flack that you're refusing to testify that she almost killed you; is that…?"

Rick sighed, "I can't," he replied in a tired voice. "Catherine doesn't deserve to spend life behind bars."

"You are aware that she also went after John Sullivan on information that, according to her, you got from an Edward Addison?" Danny asked in a curious voice. "That makes you an accomplice…"

Rick swallowed hard, "Edward Addison is in league with some pretty dangerous people," he replied in a pain-filled voice as he closed his eyes to try and block out the pain. "I know what I did was idiotic, but I certainly didn't expect Catherine to shoot me several times and leave me for dead in a crappy hotel!"

"What's going on in here?" Horatio asked as he came into the room holding Rick's work satchel in one hand and a newspaper in the other. "Detective Taylor, Detective Messer, what are you doing?"

Rick sighed and opened his eyes, "Apparently, Sergeant Stetler refuses to testify against Catherine Willows," Mac commented as he looked at Horatio. "Detective Flack was here the other day…"

"You're refusing to testify?" Horatio asked worriedly, raising his eyebrows at Rick. "May I ask why?"

Rick shrugged and immediately gagged at the amount of pain it caused him, "I-I'm on tenterhooks with Clavo and Ramon Cruz," he managed to say as he struggled to ease the pain. "Clavo and Ramon got me diplomatic immunity under their father's authorization as long as I did exactly what they told me…"

"Rick, just take it easy," Horatio said in a concerned voice as he walked over to the bed and immediately found that the pain button hadn't been touched at all. "Have you not been taking any pain medication?"

Rick shook his head as the pain finally subsided, "It impairs my judgment," he replied in a tired voice. "I just need to get sent back to Miami and make Clavo and Ramon believe that I'm behaving myself…"

"You let me worry about Clavo and Ramon," Horatio said in a reassuring voice, worrying about how deathly pale Rick looked as he grabbed the pain button and forced it into his hand. "They're not going to transfer you to Miami until you start showing some improvement and you don't look well right now."

Mac sighed, "I'm afraid that this discussion isn't over, Lieutenant Caine, Sergeant Stetler," he said in a remorseful voice as he crossed his arms. "NYPD said if Sergeant Stetler doesn't testify willingly, he'll be forcibly subpoenaed and could face possible charges for obstruction and being an accomplice."

Horatio didn't say anything as he forced Rick's hand to press the button, "Horatio, I'm going to lose my job again if I lose my immunity," Rick said in a groggy voice as the medication began to make him tired.

"You let me worry about that," Horatio replied reassuringly as he released Rick's cold hand. "Rest."

As Rick fell asleep, Horatio turned to face Mac and Danny, "Rick is in no condition to be testifying," he said in a voice that dared Mac and Danny to argue. "Could he testify privately and have it recorded?"

"I'll look into it," Mac promised even though he knew having such a request granted was very rare.

Horatio nodded, "In the meantime, do you think you can keep NYPD off of Rick's back?" he asked in a concerned voice. "I'd like any future requests for visits or interviews to go through me first, please."

"That can be arranged," Mac replied as he edged towards the door. "We'll be in touch, all right?"

Horatio kept quiet as Mac and Danny left the room and then turned to watch Rick sleep.

"Hang in there, Rick," Horatio whispered in a somber voice. "Things will get easier for you."

5-5 Firehouse

"Uncle Jimmy, did I do a good job?" Ellie asked as she held up a string of paper flowers that were going to be hung above the arch before the wedding. "I had to use little kid scissors, but I tried so hard…"

Jimmy, who had chosen to take disability pay, nodded as he sat at the small firehouse table with Ellie, who was wearing a lilac dress, lilac tights, and black shoes with her hair in braids, "I think that's ready to put on the arch if John and your grandpa are done building it. Do you wanna go see if they're done?"

Ellie nodded and picked up the long string of paper flowers that were strung together by string and cut up straws, "Is Aunt Kim helping Mommy get ready?" she asked as she walked over to the storage room that had been cleared out for the wedding and closed up so it could be properly decorated. "John?"

"Yeah?" John's voice called out. "Maurice said that I can't do anything else until he calls."

Jimmy frowned and he knocked on the door, "What do you mean?" he asked worriedly.

The door opened and John poked his head out, "Maurice told me this morning not to do anything about the arch until he calls," he replied tiredly. "He and Grandpa Sully had to go take care of something."

"What are you doing in there then?" Jimmy asked, unnerved as to why John wouldn't open the door.

Immediately, the door closed, "Working on something with David," John's voice replied. "Stay out."

"Kim?" Jimmy called out as he moved over to the stairs. "Kim, can I talk to you down here for a sec?"

There were footsteps and Kim appeared at the top of the stairs in a lilac gown, "What?" she asked.

"John and David are keeping secrets," Jimmy commented in a worried voice. "Any idea about…?"

Suddenly, a cell-phone started ringing and then all was quiet for several minutes, "Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Kim, is Mom ready yet?" David asked as the door opened and he came out in a Sunday suit.

"Your mother's ready," Kim replied, wondering what John and David were up to. "Danielle?"

As there were more footsteps, Sully suddenly came up the steps into the common area wearing a brand new suit and shoes that Danielle had convinced him to buy, "Is everyone ready?" he asked cheerfully.

"Daddy?" Danielle asked in a gentle voice as she suddenly appeared at the top of the steps.

Sully, Jimmy, and Ellie looked up and saw Danielle standing there in a floor-length white gown that had sweeping, elbow-length sleeves, beads on the bodice, and small white flowers on the modest collar. Her hair was curled and done up in a long ponytail that cascaded down her back with a headband over it.

"I never had a wedding dress the first time, so I got Kim and Faith to help me pick one," Danielle commented as she carefully came down the stairs. "Faith and I reconciled our differences."

Sully nodded as Danielle stepped off the stairs and he offered his arm, "Where's Maurice, Dad?" Danielle asked in a concerned voice, wondering why only her father was there. "Is he okay?"

"Bosco's fine," Sully replied as the door opened and John and David came out in Sunday suits with a large box in their arms. "If everyone's ready, we should really get downstairs and get going."

Danielle frowned, "Going where?" she asked in a confused voice. "Isn't the wedding here?"

Sully chuckled as he led Danielle, Kim, Jimmy, John, David, and Ellie out of the common area, down the stairs, and through the bay to the street where a black stretch limo was waiting, "What is this?" Danielle asked in a shocked voice as David and John carried the box to the limo. "Where did this come from?"

"Mommy, can we go for a ride in the limo?" Ellie asked excitedly as she ran over to the open door.

Danielle sighed as she watched Ellie climb into the limo, followed by John, David, and the package they were carrying. Kim and Jimmy got in next, leaving Danielle and Sully standing on the sidewalk.

"Dad, seriously, what's going on?" Danielle asked in a worried voice. "Is Maurice really all right?"

Sully sighed, "Bosco told me to come get you," he explained gently. "Will you just get in the limo?"

Swallowing hard, Danielle nodded and silently got into the limo, shortly followed by Sully. The door was pulled shut and a moment later, the limo pulled away from the curb and took off down the street.

Miami-Dade Police Department - Miami, Florida

Nobody was in the foyer as Ramon entered carrying the covered basket that held a very malnourished, bruised James and a note for Emily from Bernard. Nervous that he was going to get caught, Ramon gently set the basket on top of the welcome desk and quickly put Bernard's note on top of it.

"I hope someone finds you," Ramon whispered as the door opened and he heard footsteps approach.

Ramon turned to see Ryan standing there with a folder in hand, "What's in the basket?" he asked.

Immediately, Ramon took off running through the foyer to find a back way out and Ryan chased after him, wondering what was in the basket and why Ramon was leaving it. Several minutes went by before Ryan realized that Ramon was gone and he immediately pulled out his gun as he continued forward.

After a minute, however, Ryan decided to move back to the desk and see what was in the basket instead of trying to catch Ramon, "I wonder what he dropped off?" Ryan asked himself as he reached the desk, carefully set his gun down, and gently peeled back the blanket only to find a familiar, battered child.

"James?" Ryan whispered in a soft voice as he immediately recognized the infant. "Hey buddy."

As James extended an arm towards Ryan, there was a loud creak and Ryan turned just in time to see a maintenance supply closet door open just a crack. Worried about James's safety, Ryan covered James back up, picked his gun up from the desk, and slowly made his way towards the maintenance closet.

"This is because Stetler turned," a dark voice whispered as the door opened wider. "Say goodnight."

There was a click and several staple-like shots and Ryan suddenly found himself on his back with a hand over his eye and the other over his chest as blood began to stain his shirt. Alarmed by the noise, James suddenly began to cry as footsteps moved out of the closet and moved out of the precinct very quickly.

Shaking madly, Ryan struggled to reach for the radio that Tim had insisted he carry even when off duty just because of the constant threat of Bernard, but he was going into shock too fast and couldn't.

Pavilion – Central Park – Manhattan, New York

The limo pulled up to the curb and immediately went quiet, "Mom, can you and Grandpa stay in here for a few minutes?" John asked in an excited voice. "Jimmy and Kim have to help us with something."

"All right," Danielle replied in a confused voice, worrying as Kim and Jimmy got out of the limo with John, David, and Ellie. "Dad, what on earth is going on? Why did Maurice send you in a limo?"

Before Sully could reply, the window opened and Stu looked back at them with a chauffeur's cap on his head and a tux, "I'm not allowed to say a word per Bosco's orders, but can I just give you a little friendly advice, Danielle?" Stu asked gently. "Relax and enjoy the fact that you're in an expensive limo…"

There was a knock at the door, "Stu, you can let them out now," Faith spoke softly. "We're ready."

Stu nodded, got out of the limo, and a moment later, the passenger door opened and Danielle couldn't believe what she was seeing; there were rows of folding chairs on either side of a white mat that went from the limousine to a gazebo where Bosco and a judge were waiting. John and David were standing beside Bosco and Kim and Ellie were on the other side. A lot of people in uniform from the old 55, the old Camelot firehouse, the Bed-Stuy precinct and firehouse, and a few others were sitting in the chairs.

"What's this?" Danielle asked as Sully helped her out of the limo. "What are all these people…?"

Faith smiled, "Bos wanted the wedding to be special so he's been spending every spare minute he could making arrangements," she explained in a cheerful voice. "He even got Sully to help him…"

"Can I give you away now like you deserve?" Sully asked, offering his arm as he smiled at Danielle.

Danielle nodded and a version of 'The Wedding March' played as she and her father walked down the makeshift aisle to the gazebo. As they reached the gazebo, Danielle spotted Rose sitting on the front row with Emily Yokas and a box of Kleenex in her lap. Danielle then smiled at Bosco and the judge.

"Greetings to all those who have come to celebrate the union of Maurice Boscorelli and Danielle Sullivan," Judge Halstead said in a warm tone as she looked out over the crowd and briefly up at the sky that looked like it could spew cookies at any minute. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God. It is therefore, not to be entered into unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God. Into this holy estate these two persons come now to be joined. I now ask who in this audience gives away this woman to be lawfully wed?"

Sully swallowed hard, "I do," he said in a calm voice, smiling at Danielle as he stepped away from her.

As Sully took a seat next to Rose, Danielle walked up to Bosco and gently took his hands, "Maurice and Danielle, the covenant which you are about to make with each other is meant to be a beautiful and sacred expression of your love for each other. As you pledge your vows to each other, and as you commit your lives to each other, we ask that you do so in all seriousness, and yet with a deep sense of joy; with the deep conviction that you are committing yourselves to a dynamic growing relationship of trust, mutual support, and caring love. Now, moving to the wedding vows, Officer Boscorelli has elected to say his own vows and I know invite him to do so," Judge Halstead stated, smiling at Bosco.

"Danielle, I love you very much and nothing will ever change that even though I know we're gonna age and life won't be perfect," Bosco explained in a soft voice. "I take you as mine forever."

Danielle smiled, "Maurice, I love you too and I wholeheartedly take you into my heart, soul, and the rest of my life," she replied in a loving tone as tears welled up in her eyes. "I take you as mine forever."

Judge Halstead smiled and her eyes were on Joey, who had suddenly come up beside David holding a pillow with two rings on it, "You may now exchange rings and as you place the ring on the finger of the other, say with this ring, I thee wed," she said in an encouraging voice. "You may now do so."

"With this ring, I thee wed," Bosco said as he picked up the ring and put it on Danielle's finger.

Danielle smiled as she picked up the ring, "With this ring, I thee wed," she said, putting it on his finger.

"Maurice and Danielle, I am now very pleased to declare that you are now husband and wife until the day of death separates you," Judge Halstead said in a cheerful voice. "Maurice, please kiss your bride."

A cheer rose up from the crowd as Bosco and Danielle leaned into each other and shared a passionate, but very appropriate kiss for newlyweds. Suddenly, heavy white flakes began to fall from the sky.

"I now present to you Mister and Mrs. Boscorelli," Judge Halstead proclaimed as Danielle and Bosco turned and faced the small crowd. "Now, I suggest everyone gets inside where it's much warmer."

There was laughing as Bosco led Danielle out of the gazebo, "There will be a reception at the biggest at the Plaza Hotel and there will be signs to point the way to the room where it's happening," Bosco called out to the crowd. "For any of you who have some time before work, please come join the party."

"The Plaza?" Danielle asked in a confused voice as Bosco led her to the limo. "How'd you manage…?"

Bosco smiled, "John made a special call to Emily Wolfe in Miami a few weeks ago and he asked her for suggestions on how he could make his mother's wedding special for her," he explained as they reached the limo and Stu opened the door. "Emily told him to just be helpful and happy about it and then she went one step further and only told me about it after she had paid for a banquet room at the Plaza."

"Oh, wow," Danielle replied in a shocked voice, surprised that Emily would do that for her family.

Bosco nodded as the guests began folding up the chairs and taking them over to a truck that was parked in the nearby parking lot, "Jimmy bought a truck once he was able to drive," Danielle commented in an amused voice as she watched Jimmy walk with Joey over to the truck while Kim and Camille followed.

"Maurice, are our children coming with us?" Danielle asked, her eyes on John, David, and Ellie, who were still near the gazebo talking with Sully, Faith, and Judge Halstead. "I worry about them all…"

Bosco shrugged, "If they want to, they can," he replied gently. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

"Yes, plenty," Danielle replied gently. "John and David stayed up past midnight, though."

Bosco frowned as he watched Emily try to touch John's arm and he quickly pulled away, but Emily said some things to him before he could run off, "John, David, Ellie, come over here please!" Bosco called out, noticing that John was uncomfortable with Emily's advancements. "They can come with us."

Grateful for the distraction, John grabbed David and Ellie's hands and brought them over to Bosco and Danielle, "Did you three wanna come with us to the hotel?" Bosco asked in a fatherly voice.

"Yeah," John replied in a nervous voice, sighing as David and Ellie scrambled into the limo. "Thanks."

Miami-Dade Police Department - Miami, Florida

"That suit's a little big on you," Detective Hagen commented as he saw Bobby come up the stairs from the bus stop in a light gray suit, dark shoes, a light blue tie, and a white dress shirt with his MDPD badge clipped to his breast pocket and his ID badge around his neck. "Wait, Detective Robert Caine?"

Bobby sighed, "My mother was a Caine before she married my father and it's the last name I was given when Uncle Horatio adopted me, so I can legally use either LaRusso or Caine," he explained in a professional voice as he put his hands in his pockets. "Robert Horatio is my full birth name."

Detective Hagen nodded as he and Bobby walked up the steps and into the PD, only to hear the cries of something that was in a basket on the desk. As Bobby walked over to the desk, the sight of a man in a suit lying in a pool of blood caught his eye, "Hagen, check that body over there," he ordered worriedly.

As Detective Hagen hurried over to the body, LaRusso approached the basket, got his leather gloves out of his pocket, and put them on so that he wouldn't contaminate the evidence, "Hagen, who's Bernard Marquez?" Bobby asked as he picked up the envelope, lifted the blanket, and saw the baby inside.

"Whoa," Bobby breathed as he stared at the injured baby boy. "This kid looks kinda like Emily Wolfe."

Hagen knelt down next to the body and was horrified to see that Ryan was injured, semi-conscious, and barely breathing because of the amount of staples in his shirt and face, "Bobby, this is Ryan Wolfe," he said in a concerned voice as he pulled his radio off his pocket. "This is Hagen requesting a bus at MDPD."

"Should I take the baby and everything that came with him over to CSI?" Bobby asked in a concerned voice as James suddenly quieted again and stared at him curiously. "There's a lot of evidence here…"

Detective Hagen shook his head, "I'll call over and see if they can send someone," he replied as he adjusted the buttons on his radio. "Hagen to CSI, do you have anyone you can spare for a while?"

"…This is Duquesne," Calliegh's voice responded. "I'll come with Boa Vista right now and I'll also call Speedle in to offer a helping hand. Delko was supposed to come in, but he's not here…"

Detective Hagen rolled his eyes, "Delko's walking on thin ice with all the days he's been skipping to help that sister of his," he explained in an annoyed voice. "I understand his sister has cancer, but really…"

Bobby didn't say anything because he had also learned that Delko was not only helping his sister, but also helping others in his sister's support group. It wasn't a reason to skip work without proper notification, however.

The room was quiet, but Emily found herself relieved to just be silently watching as Tim fed Julliet spoonfuls of breakfast out of a baby food jar. Emily also wasn't able to move from the couch because she was exhausted after a night of throwing up from the last chemo treatment she would have until the after another scan was done; she had finished a round and now had to see if it had helped her at all.

Since Tim's parents were busy with their careers, Emily had found herself being visited at least once a day by Tim, Eric, and sometimes Marisol. The visits were short, however, because Emily tired easily.

Emily found a yawn escaping her lips as she lay on the plush couch in the Speedles' living room with a fluffy pillow under her back and a blanket over the sweats and gym shirt she was wearing, "I'm sorry, Tim, but I think I got out of bed too early this morning," she said in a tired voice. "I need to go…"

"Just rest there and Julliet and I will find something quiet to do until my mom gets back," Tim replied gently, cutting her off as he fed Julliet another spoonful of food. "How are you feeling this morning?"

Emily sighed and gently massaged her forehead, "I have a small headache and I'm very tired, but no nausea or dizziness," she replied softly, smiling as Julliet looked at her worriedly. "I just need rest."

"I'm telling my mom that you're still having symptoms," Tim commented. "You know she'll…"

Emily nodded and closed her eyes, "I know I've got to eat more, but my body doesn't want to let me," she replied in a tired voice, irritated that she couldn't tolerate much more than soft food right then.

"If I made you some special soup that my dad taught me to make when I was younger, would you eat it?" Tim asked in a concerned voice. "I don't really cook often because I don't have time, but I…"

Suddenly, Emily's cell-phone rang and Emily reached for it since she had brought it to the couch before sitting down just in case there was an important call, "Hello?" she asked tiredly. "Emily Wolfe…"

There was silence as the person on the other end explained what had happened to Ryan and Emily slowly sat up with a horrified look on her face, "…Taken to Miami-Dade Memorial Hospital?" she repeated in a worried voice. "I'll come as soon as I can. Thank you for calling me, Natalia…"

"What's wrong?" Tim asked in a worried voice as Emily hung up the phone. "What happened?"

Emily sighed and pocketed her cell-phone, "Ryan was shot with a staple gun several times at MDPD and he was taken to Miami-Dade Memorial Hospital in deep shock," she explained in a worried voice as she slowly got up and walked into the kitchen. "Tim, do you think I could borrow your bike for a bit?"

"Are you kidding me?" Tim asked in a shocked voice. "You want to ride it when you're not well?"

Emily glared at him and gently smoothed down her thinning hair in frustration, "I'm suddenly feeling a lot better than I was a minute ago," she replied in a snappish voice. "My brother's in the hiospital…"

"I thought it was Ryan's day off from the lab today?" Tim asked softly. "Wasn't he supposed to go…"

Emily scoffed, "Eric is probably spending time with Marisol and he must have forgot to call in for time off," she replied, concerned about Eric taking so much time off to help Marisol and her out. "He's done it before to come help me with Julliet when nobody else could and I told him that he had to stop that."

"Well, maybe now that somebody got hurt because of his irresponsibility, Delko will wake up," Tim snapped in an aggravated voice. "And no, you're not going to take my bike and risk passing out on the freeway. I can call a cab and go with you and Julliet to the hospital and maybe help collect evidence."

Emily was quiet for a moment and then smiled, "Thank you for caring about me," she replied in a gentle voice, smiling at him as she leaned against the counter. "Natalia is going to meet us in the ER…"

Tim nodded, smiled at Julliet, and walked over to the phone while Emily took a moment to rest.

Recovery Floor - Angel of Mercy Hospital – Manhattan, New York

Loud buzzing slowly brought Rick back to awareness and he opened his eyes to see his cell-phone, which was in the satchel of things that Horatio had brought him, vibrating on the portable table. Letting out a tired sigh, he grabbed the phone with his free hand and saw that he had a new text message.

Ryan was shot because you turned. Watch your back, Ricky; I'm coming for you next.

Rick's eyes widened, staring at the message for only a moment before he set the phone back on the table and pressed the nurse's call button that was on his bed. A moment later, Mary Fields came into the room and Stetler ignored the sudden pain in his body as he sat straight up in the hospital bed.

"Sergeant Stetler, you should be resting," Mary commented worriedly. "What can I do for you?"

Rick winced as he tried to lower the bedrails, "Can I have some clothes, please?" he asked groggily. "I have to get back to Miami as soon as possible because it's better if I'm killed sooner than later."

Mary frowned, quickly walked over to the bed, and felt Rick's forehead, "You're not going to be transferred until next week and even then, you'll be in the hospital for three more weeks because of the colostomy," she explained in a concerned tone. "You should be lying down in the meantime."

"No, I want some clothes and I want to get out of here!" Rick snapped in an anxious voice, doubling over in intense agony just as Horatio came into the room. "Just get out of here and let me leave, please."

Horatio frowned as he walked over to the bed, "Clavo sent me a text and he said Ryan Wolfe was shot," Rick replied in a pain-filled voice as Mary helped him lie back down. "I'm in deep trouble, Horatio."

Immediately, Horatio used his sleeve to pick up the cell-phone and studied the text, "How do you know it was Clavo Cruz who sent you this text?" he asked in a suspicious voice. "The number isn't listed."

"Then take it to the NYPD and have it analyzed," Rick snapped, both aggravated and disturbed that Horatio didn't seem to care that Ryan had been shot. "Did you want to call NYPD or should I?"

Horatio sighed, "I gave Bobby my word that I would ensure your safety, Rick," he replied as he walked over to the phone, picked up the receiver, and dialed the number of the NYPD. "Just stay in bed."

"What is with you Crime Scene Investigators not caring about each other?" Rick snapped, ignoring the fact that Horatio was on the phone. "By the way, Horatio, since you're here and stuck with me as company for a while, I want to mention that I have concerns about Eric Delko's recent behavior…"

Horatio frowned, "If you're referring to Delko's absences from work, his sister is suffering from a serious medical condition and requires Eric's help from time to time," he replied as a voice suddenly came on the phone, identifying themselves as NYPD. "Yes, this is Lieutenant Caine calling needing an officer…"

Rick scoffed and sighed, "Sergeant Stetler, can I get you anything?" Mary asked in a gentler tone, seeing that Rick was only frustrated because of Horatio. "I understand you're frustrated right now, however…"

"Could I please get something to eat?" Rick asked softly. "I guess hunger is a sign that I'm recovering."

Mary nodded and silently left the room, leaving Rick alone to listen to Horatio talk on the phone.

Banquet Room – Plaza Hotel, Manhattan, New York

"Let's hear it for Officer and Mrs. Boscorelli!" Carlos spoke over a microphone at the front of the room.

Clapping and cheering filled the room as Bosco and Danielle entered the room and saw that one end of the room had covered tables and chairs in it and the other had a buffet table while there was a podium and a small DJ booth manned by Carlos at the front of the room, "Now, let's get this party started!" Carlos crowed in an excited voice as music started playing. "I'll be your illustrious DJ this morning!"

"Actually, before everyone starts to enjoy the reception, there's something that David and I would like to reveal in celebration of our new family," John spoke up as he took the microphone from Carlos and faced the small, but excited crowd as David came forward with a small stand, Sully, and the box.

The room went silent as David opened the box and John put the microphone down for a moment as he took out an acoustic guitar, "I didn't know John played the guitar," Bosco commented as David set some sheet music on the stand and quickly got a chair so John could sit down. "Where did he learn to play?"

"To celebrate my new family, I'd like to play and sign 'Time Of Your Life' by Green Day," John explained in a loud voice as he sat down and put the guitar on his lap. "I hope it's appropriate for this day."

Swallowing hard, John quickly warmed up the guitar and as he played, he began to sing in the most handsome, unbelievable Sully-like voice that anyone had ever heard, "I guess that's why John and David went over to Tommy's every day for the last few days," Danielle commented in an amused voice, so proud that John didn't quit singing and playing his guitar because of all that had happened to him.

A few minutes later, after the song had ended, John sighed as he stood up, "To my new dad and my wonderful mom," he said in an emotional, yet very tired voice. "I hope they have many happy years."

Applause filled the room as John put the guitar and sheet music back in the box, "Thank you to John for that wonderful surprise," Bosco spoke up. "I think it would be best if everyone ate now because I'm sure people will have to get to work and it's not fair that they go on an empty stomach, now is it?"

John watched silently as people got up from the tables and walked over to the buffet tables, "Hey John, how are you feeling?" Bosco asked in a soft voice as he and Danielle walked over to where John and David were sitting looking slightly anxious. "That was a nice little wedding gift to give us, boys."

"John's blood sugar is low," David piped up in a worried voice. "He ate breakfast today, but…"

Danielle frowned and gently felt John's forehead and cheeks, "You've been helping with the preparations all day and that was a lot of hard work, so I bet that's what lowered your blood sugar," Bosco spoke up in a concerned voice. "I've been doing research on diabetes on my days off…"

"I think you need something to eat," Danielle agreed gently. "In fact, I think we all need something."

John nodded and silently stood up, smiling as Ellie ran over to them, "Daddy, can we get something to eat?" she asked in an excited voice as she hugged Bosco. "I'm really, really hungry!"

Gratified to be so easily accepted by his new family, Bosco was quiet for a moment and then smiled as he followed Danielle, John, David, and Ellie over to the crowd that was already at the buffet table.

"Is there anything diabetic friendly?" John asked in a nervous voice. "I'm still getting used to…"

Bosco smiled, "Actually, yes," he replied pleasantly. "Just take your time and enjoy it, okay?"

"Did you and Dad want us three to stay at Grandpa's tonight so that you two can have a night alone, Mom?" David asked softly as John walked over to get a plate. "You could get a hotel room…"

Danielle chuckled, "I don't have any spare money for that sort of a luxury and I'm not sure your father does either, David," she replied gently, not wanting to tell David that she and Bosco had already planned to do a few family and couple activities when they went to Miami in January to talk to the MDPD.

"We could always go to the zoo or do something fun one weekend a month for now and maybe do something bigger later," Bosco suggested gently. "I'm sure your mother and I will get some time to be alone at some point, but I'm personally happy to have a stable family for once in my long life."

David nodded and looked at Ellie, "Let's go get something to eat," he said, gently dragging her away.

"Maurice, did you really mean what you said just now?" Danielle asked in a curious, loving voice.

Bosco nodded as he smiled, "I did," he replied in a calm voice. "I love you and the rest of my family a lot. Danielle."

"I love you too, Maurice" Danielle replied, readily embracing Bosco as he leaned in for a deep, passionate kiss.

Miami-Dade Memorial Hospital – Miami, Florida

"A staple gun?" Alexx asked in a shocked voice as she looked at Calleigh in shock. "Why would…?"

Calleigh shrugged, "I don't know why anyone would shoot Ryan with a staple gun," she replied in an apologetic voice as she crossed her arms. "Ballistics is processing the gun Hagen and LaRusso found at the scene and I came to the hospital to check on the other pieces of evidence that they found there."

"Is it really James Wolfe?" Alexx asked in a shocked voice. "The baby that LaRusso found in the…?"

A throat cleared, "It's actually Detective Caine if you really must use formalities," an amused voice spoke as footsteps came up behind Calliegh and Alexx. "A Victims Assistance rep is with James Wolfe."

Calliegh and Alexx turned to see Bobby standing there, "I hear you're a little short on CSI's today, Duquesne, so I've come to collect the staples from Ryan and I'll personally take them to the lab once Detective Hagen is done talking with the rep," he explained gently. "Where Is Ryan, anyway?"

"That's something I'd like to know," Emily replied in a cross voice as she and Tim came down the hallway with Tim carrying Julliet. "I want to know what exactly happened and why Ryan ended up here today."

Calleigh shrugged, "I have no idea," she stated in a soft voice, concerned by Emily's pale complexion.

"Officer Wolfe, Detective Hagen and I found Ryan when we showed up at the MDPD this morning," Bobby explained as he turned to face Emily, Tim, and Julliet. "While we were waiting for paramedics to arrive, Detective Hagen kept Ryan from slipping into total shock while Miss Boa Vista searched…"

Emily's eyes suddenly widened as footsteps approached from behind Alexx, Calleigh, and Bobby, "Emily, I was hoping you'd get here quickly," Natalia said in a gentle voice. "Can you come with me, please?"

"I've got to find out how Ryan is," Emily replied in a confused voice. "Tim, Julliet, and I just got here.""

Bobby sighed, "Ryan's in surgery getting the staples removed," he explained. "I'm planning on heading up to the Surgical floor right away so I can get the evidence, so you might as well go with Natalia."

"I'm going to come with you," Tim replied, worried that Emily would become ill during the walk.

Emily nodded and silently followed Natalia to the other end of the ER where the Trauma Rooms were and was surprised when Natalia led her, Tim, and Julliet into a room where a curtain was drawn around the bed, "I have Emily Wolfe with me," Natalia spoke in an official voice. "Please open the curtain."

The curtain was pulled back and Emily was surprised to see a little boy who looked a lot like her and Julliet sitting on the gurney with a gown and blanket over his small body. There was a cast on his small left arm, and a nurse was putting IV's in his small, badly bruised right arm and patting his face.

"James?" Emily asked in a confused, shocked voice as the little boy looked at her and smiled.

Tim's eyes widened when Julliet tried to squirm out of his arms, "James!" Julliet cried. "Want James."

"I found him in a basket on the information desk this morning," Bobby explained as he entered the room and walked over to the bed. "There was also a letter for you from a Bernard Marquez, Officer Wolfe."

As Emily's insides turned to ice, she nodded and gently touched James's hand as Tim brought Julliet over to them, "Do you have the letter or is it being kept as evidence?" she asked in a toneless voice.

"The letter was supposed to be dropped off at CSI," Detective Hagen said as he came over to Bobby with an almost aggravated expression on his face. "Please tell me you followed my orders and did that."

There was silence and Bobby nodded, "The original is at CSI and I had one of the techs photocopy it since Delko wasn't there," he replied as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper.

"If Eric had come to the PD this morning like he was supposed to, Ryan wouldn't be in surgery," Emily replied in a snappish voice as she took the paper from Bobby. "I am overcome with shock that James was found alive, but my happiness is slightly dampened by the fact that Ryan was almost killed."

Natalia nodded, "Calliegh's trying to get a hold of him," she replied softly. "How are you feeling?"

Emily sighed, "I just finished a round of chemotherapy and I have an appointment next week to see what the next step is," she replied, not taking her eyes off of James and Julliet. "Until then, I wait."

Detective Hagen's eyes widened, but he didn't say anything, "Could everyone please give me some space so I can spend some time alone with my children, please?" Emily asked in an authoritative voice, giving Tim a compassionate glance. "Tim, thanks so much for coming here with me and the kids…"

"I'll be outside if you need me," Tim replied calmly before he set Julliet on the gurney. "Hagen…"

Bobby sighed and moved away quickly, "Hagen and I will be upstairs waiting to talk to Ryan," he said in a quiet voice, understanding Emily's need to be alone with her children. "If you need anything…"

Emily nodded as Tim, Bobby, and Detective Hagen left the room, "Natalia, I don't know how to react or feel right now about all of this," she said in a toneless voice as she watched Julliet snuggle up beside James as if the two had never been separated for a lengthy time before turning her gaze to the letter.

Natalia silently watched as Emily skimmed the letter and sighed, "Bernard's in trouble and he says that he wants to talk to me soon," Emily explained in a somber voice. "Natalia, I don't know what to do."

"Just stay here with your kids for now," Natalia replied softly. "Just enjoy this happy, long-awaited reunion."

Recovery – Miami-Dade Memorial Hospital – Miami, Florida – Three Hours Later

Numb from all the pain medication he had been given, Ryan struggled to see out of his unbandaged eye as an anxious looking Marisol approached the bed, "Marisol, I thought Eric was with you?" he asked.

"Eric was helping me with some shopping when he got a call from work saying that you had been attacked," Marisol explained in a worried voice as Alexx came into the room. "Hello, Doctor Woods."

Alexx smiled at Marisol, "Eric's at the lab and he sent me to pick you up since Timmy is still down in the ER waiting for Emily, Julliet, and James," she explained in a gentle voice. "How are you doing?"

"James is back with Emily and Julliet now?" Ryan asked in a groggy voice. "I found him this morning…"

Marisol looked both shocked and relieved at hearing that, but Alexx nodded calmly, "Yes, baby, you did and Emily is very grateful to you," she said in a soothing voice as she took hold of Ryan's cold hand.

"I thought I was going to die," Ryan said in a groggy voice as he struggled to stay awake. "My radio…"

Alexx gently stroked Ryan's trembling hand as the door opened and Dr. Loman came into the room and saw Alexx and Marisol there, "Officer Wolfe really needs to rest, ladies," he gently chided as he came over to the bed. "Ryan's eye took three staples and his chest took at least ten, but the surgeons got all the staples out. Ryan was in intense shock for quite a while and his sternum also took some damage…"

"I'm tired," Ryan replied in a faint voice as Alexx tucked his hand under the blanket. "I have to sleep."

Swallowing hard, Marisol nodded and quietly left the room, "I'm not going anywhere, baby," Alexx whispered as Ryan forced his unbandaged eye to close and he slowly relax. "Just take it easy."

Please read and review!

The next story will be called 'Looking To Tomorrow' and will provide answers to that which seems unanswered, show what happiness can come from sorrow, and make it clear that time does not heal all wounds.