Here's the next story in my Jessica/Ryan series. The first half of this story was inspired by The Plain White T's song "Come back to me." This was actually one of my favorite stories to write.

Jessica Caine makes a decision that will change her and Ryan's lives forever. Will this be the end of what they have or will Jessica be able to stay strong and hold out for Ryan?

Sunday

"What if our lives were viewed in credit card receipts? What would others think of us? Would they understand the mass amounts of gas station fill ups or diners across the country or the hotel nights? What would they think of us if they could see one of the most private things in our lives? What would our finical statements say to them? Would they know I tried to end it all? Would they understand why I did it? Would they know I tried to end our life?"

Graduation

It was a celebration; a celebration of black flowing gowns, mortar board caps, and colored tassels. They walked to their seats in the brilliant sunlight in the stadium. The band played "Pop and Circumstance" as they poured down the aisle, waiting for their chance to cross the stage. She walked with the platform party at the front of the line with the President of the university. She smiled and waved to Horatio as she passed, the sun dancing off of her red aviator. Sunglasses weren't permitted to be worn by graduates, but no one seemed to care with her. She climbed the stairs of the platform. She stood before her chair and waited with the rest of the platform party, waiting for the rest of the graduates to take their seats.

The song came to an end and everyone took their seat. Horatio sat with Kyle and Ryan on either side of him. Alexx sat next to Ryan, along with Jesse, Natalia, Calleigh, Eric, Walter, and Tom. The Chaplin stood and gave the benediction and the ceremony began. The President stood at his podium and greeted everyone. He said the same scripted words Horatio had heard many times before in different places.

Then his speech transitioned into the guest speaker section. Horatio smiled when he saw Lieutenant Crawford stand and take the podium, dressed for presentation in his dress blues. He thanked the President and introduced himself as Lieutenant David Crawford from the Chicago Police Department. He began his speech by congratulating the soon to be graduates and their hard work. He talked about his days in college and the police academy. Then Horatio noted his tone became more somber as the next section of his speech began.

"Thirty-two years ago I met a young woman. She was smart, spunky, and had a lot of determination. She came to this country from Ireland as an exchange student to study Criminology. She came to Chicago to study and soon found herself in the Illinois State Police Academy. She served on the Chicago Police force for eight years. She married one of her classmates and gave birth to a beautiful little girl.

"Sadly her life came to an end far too soon. She was diagnosed with leukemia. She was only given six months to live, but she defeated the odds and lived for almost five years when the doctors said she should have died.

"In her memory the Chicago Police Department began an award in honor of Jessica Stone-Johnson. This award is given to someone within the Chicago Police Department for their excellence in service and dedication to the department. This year the Chicago Police Department has decided to grant this honorary title to someone not within the Chicago Police Department but someone who has still helped bring justice to our great city. It's only appropriate that the recipient is the daughter of Dr. Jessica Johnson and her father, Lieutenant Horatio Caine, was the first to receive this award when he served in Chicago.

"On behalf of the Chicago Police Department I, Lieutenant David Crawford, would like to present the Dr. Jessica Renee Stone-Johnson Service Memorial Award to Dr. Jessica Elizabeth Stone Caine for her aid in the location and capture of an escaped convict."

The stadium broke into a chorus of applause as Jessica stood and walked to the podium. Many of the students began to stand and soon everyone in the stadium was on their feet. Horatio couldn't help but feel himself tear up. Jessica accepted the award and shook Lieutenant Crawford's hand. He said something to her and a smile spread across Jessica's face.

Lieutenant Crawford finished his speech and thanked the audience for their time. He congratulated the graduate one more time and handed the podium back to the President. The President thanked Lieutenant Crawford and congratulated Jessica. He introduced the faculty speaker, Dr. Bires.

Dr. Bires congratulated the graduates and began his speech. He mentioned all the amazing students he had worked with over the years and how he watched them grow into professional adults. He mentioned one student in particular that had worked hard and earned three Doctrines in her five years at the university. She mentioned that her hard work and determination inspired him. She was an incredible student and he believed she would go on to do great things. He honored Dr. Jessica Stone-Caine and congratulated her on becoming the youngest recipient of the title Doctor of Philosophy for multiple degrees. He presented Jessica with an award for excellence from the Criminal Justice Department. Jessica stood and accepted her award as the entire stadium began applauding and stood honoring her.

When Dr. Bires speech ended the President took the podium once again.

"Well it seems we're hearing a lot about Dr. Caine today. I hope you folks are sick of her yet, because I would like to introduce our student speaker. She will be graduating today with degrees for Master of Forensic Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology, Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, and Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Science. She's worked hard in her five years here at Miami University and has been an inspiration to us all. Ladies and gentlemen please join me in welcoming Dr. Jessica Caine."

The audience, students, and faculty applauded as Jessica took the podium. They didn't stand this time, but waited for her to speak. Jessica stood before them and smiled.

"Thank you President Brown. Over the course of thirteen years I've attend three different colleges, earning different degrees at each of them. Through the years my focus of study has changed and so have my goals. I went from studying music performance to criminal justice, to chemistry, to criminology, and then finally forensic science. You can just imagine what my tuition bill must look like."

The audience chuckled at her joke and Ryan leaned over to Horatio. "She told me what it looks like and I'm jealous as hell." Horatio chuckled and smiled at Ryan.

"But through out the years one thing has remained the same." Jessica continued on, "The love and encouragement I received from my family. Though it may be small and we may have not found each other until later in life they were my rock. My father supported every career and education change that I made and supported me through everything. So needless to say when an internship opportunity opened up at the Miami Dade Crime Lab where my father is the Lieutenant I jumped on it and began work as a forensic specialist.

"My experience at Miami Dade was an incredible one. I learned a lot about forensic science first hand; finger printing, DNA analysis, ballistics, and, my favorite, how to drive a Hummer really fast through rush hour traffic."

There were more laughs from the audience as Jessica paused briefly.

"Along with the lab work I also had the chance to work in the field. I encounter countless brutal murders and crimes. I saw things people should never have to. I've been shot at, blown up, beaten, kidnapped, taken to the hospital more times than I can ever remember in my life, and had the chance to swim with a dead guy in a pond of rotting vegetation and dead fish, which also seemed to result in a trip to the hospital and a decontamination shower."

More laughs scattered through the audience and Jessica smiled.

"But there was one thing that truly stuck out in my mind, and that is teamwork. The Miami Dade Crime Lab is like a family; we work together, we eat together, and sometimes it feels like we live together. I learned the true meaning of family and love while working for my father. These last ten months have taught me more than any classroom I've ever been in….no offense Dr. Bires."

The audience laughed again and Dr. Bires waved Jessica off.

"Hard work and determination, that's what everyone says got me through these last thirteen years. Though it may be true that I worked my ass off and was determined to finish every degree that I started, in reality it was love, support, and encouragement, something you can't learn in a classroom. It's not something you can see, you can't buy it, and you can't give it up.

"To the Class of 2010 I would like to congratulate you all. You've worked hard and you've earned the degrees you will be receiving today. But never forget who and what got you here today. Never give up on anything you start. Nothing is out of reach as long as you're trying. That's something my father taught me fourteen years ago. Thank you."

There was a standing ovation as Jessica ended her speech. The stadium erupted into a sea of applause and cheers. It seemed to last forever. Jessica stood there and took in the vast amount of people that applauded for her. She smiled and knew her parents were clapping too.

Jessica stood there at the edge of the stage with her classmates. Then it was her turn. The Dean looks at her and smiled. "Dr. Jessica Elizabeth Stone Caine" the Dean proudly announces, "Master of Forensic Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology, Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, and Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Science."

The crowd erupted into applause. Jessica turned and looked into the stands. She could see her father and brother standing. The Dean had asked that the family of the graduate stand. She could see her sorority sisters standing. Then there was Ryan. He was standing next to Horatio. Then Alexx stood, then Jesse, then Natalia, then Calleigh, and then pretty soon everyone from the lab was standing and applauding her. Jessica felt tears form in her eyes. She waved to her father and he waved back.

Jessica walked to the President and accepted the four diploma cases from him. He shook her hand and shook his head. "Dr. Caine, you're something else. I think you're absolutely insane to be exact, but you're brilliant and you're going to do great things. Congratulations Dr. Caine."
"Thank you President Brown, it's been a real treat." Jessica said as she accepted her diplomas.

Then it was over. Jessica was finally free. The graduates stood and ceremoniously moved their tassels to the left. Jessica smiled and looked across the sea of people. President Brown said his final congratulations. Then there were the hats. Mortar boards flying everywhere, people throwing them in celebration. Jessica pulled hers from her head and removed her tassels. She threw her hat high into the sky and watched as it floated in the breeze. The wind caught it and it flew towards the seats in the stadium. It seemed to glide as she watched it. Horatio reached out his hand and grasped it. He looked at it and smiled. He flashed it towards her and Jessica saw the decorations on the top she wasn't supposed to put there. In the center were her sorority Greek letters. Bordering the letters on top and bottom were two words. "Thanks Dad!"

Jessica was surrounded by her sisters. They were cheering around her and the other graduates. It was loud and noisy but she had earned it. Horatio and Kyle watched and waited for her. When the cheer finally ended she broke from the circle and ran to them. She jumped into Horatio's arms and he held her against his body, kissing the top of her head.

"My little girl," he said, "A college graduate….finally."

"Congratulations sis!" Kyle exclaimed, hugging her tight. He was wearing Jessica's mortar board and it knocked against her head.

Then Alexx was hugging her. "Oh baby girl, I'm so proud of you!" Then there were others, hugging her, kissing her, congratulating her. Jesse was releasing her from his embrace when Jessica saw Ryan. He was standing there looking at her. He slowly took a few steps towards her. She smiled at him. Then suddenly she was in his arms, kissing him, or rather he was kissing her. Jessica didn't want to but she returned the kiss with her own passion filled one. It seemed to last forever. There were fireworks and stars behind her eyelids. The butterflies in her stomach flew to her heart and made it hammer inside her chest. She didn't want to feel this way, but she did. There was nothing she could do about it.

He pulled back and looked into her eyes. "I love you Jessica" he whispered to her.

"Oh buddy! Looks like Wolfe's getting some tonight!" Walter exclaimed.

"Fuck off Walter!" Ryan said to him, bringing Jessica's lips to his again in another binding, earth scattering kiss.