The Miami skyline was beautiful as always. The sun setting across the bay only helped, and Natalia leaned over the railing off the dock, drink in one hand, looking down at the water. There were people all around her chatting away, and she could still hear the music from inside the bar, but none of it bothered her. The reflection of the orange sun in the clear blue water made it look somehow hypnotic and she got lost in the colours. Someone came to stand by her, but she was too relaxed to bother looking. She half expected some guy to start hitting on her, but they didn't say anything, just stood beside her.

Eventually her curiosity got the better of her and she turned her head. There was Ryan, elbows resting against the railing, eyes looking out over the water as hers had been. She was standing to his right and the bruise that covered the left side of his face was invisible to her from this side. The light on his face reminded her of just how young he really was. Not the awkward kid she had heard stories of from Eric, but still younger than the rest of them. And he had been through so much in the past six years she had worked with him. It was almost amazing that he still managed to come to work and enjoy what he did. But he was cop through and through and she knew nothing that happened to him would hold him back. He would only come back stronger and with more determination than before.

He didn't seem to be paying her any attention so she turned her body towards him, now leaning on the railing by her side. "Hey Ryan."

He looked towards her. "Hey."

"What are you doing out here?" she asked. The rest of the team minus Calleigh was still inside the bar. It had been a long while since they had all gone out for drinks after work, but after this latest case they had all deserved it, Ryan especially.

He shrugged. "Wondering the same thing about you."

"I just wanted to see the sunset. I haven't seen one in a long time. It's really beautiful."

He nodded. "Yeah, it is."

Natalia looked down. "Hey, Ryan?" He looked at her, eyebrows raised. "I'm sorry about Sam. I really am."

He shrugged again. "You were right about her."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean you should have suspected her too. I know you liked her a lot. Plus it always sucks when someone you're supposed to be able to trust turns out dirty."

Ryan turned to look back out over the bay. "I did, but you know what, it's done and over with. And Sam knew what she was doing." Natalia nodded, and Ryan continued. "I kind of wanted to thank you though, Nat. What you said in there, about me."

Natalia smiled. "Every word of it was true. You really are a great guy and any girl would be lucky to have you. Who knows, maybe your right girl is back inside that bar."

"Hm. Maybe," he said, breaking eye contact with her.

Natalia playfully pushed him and then started walking back towards the bar. "Come on; let's go find you your right girl."

Ryan walked after her. "Actually, tonight I just want to enjoy the company of my friends."

Natalia grinned. "That sounds like a great idea."