[Fic] The darkness in-between (8/11)
Title: The darkness in-between
Author: Telari
Category: not quite sure. A little mix of angst and action, maybe?
Spoilers: Season 5 in general; very mild for 'Sunblock'.
Rating: PG.
Pairing: Will be Eric/Ryan.
Warning: Ryan-centric.
Summary: Ryan's day off is more eventful than he first anticipated.
Author's note: Set after 'Sunblock' and written because I desperately needed some Hero!Ryan. It didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to, though, and I ended up taking liberties with Ryan's past. Unbeta'ed.
Feedback: makes me happy. Good or bad, let me know what you think.
Disclaimer: Not mine. No money made. Don't sue.
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Eight: Give in
The world takes on a comforting shade of grey, but he doesn't want to sleep yet. No matter how tired he feels, he wants to stay conscious a little longer.
He's seen Calleigh arrive at the scene. They've talked, she's smiled and gone on working. He thinks he might have seen relief flash in her eyes, but he's not sure - just like he's not sure of what he's told her.
Alexx has left him a few moments after she's helped him climb onto the stretcher, but he doesn't know when. He's looked up at some point and she hasn't been there; she's kneeling next to Emma's father, working. From the look on her face, he knows the man won't be given reassuring nicknames.
Eric's still at his side, though, and that's something he wants to hold on to, something worth fighting the sleep he desperately needs. Eric's presence keeps memories and truths at bay for now, allowing him to bask in a warm, obsession-free no-man's-land, and this peaceful interlude is better than any sleep.
"So how are you, Mr Hero?" The amused voice startles him out of his dazed trance, and the tall figure of Frank Tripp appears above him. A small smile plays on the detective's lips.
"I'm no hero," he replies, but his voice is wan and Frank's smile widens.
"That's not what I heard Emma Perez say to Horatio," Frank affirms before turning to Eric, pulling out his notebook. "Natalia has returned to the lab to finish up with the robbery scene. This nutcase," the detective adds, pointing vaguely at the body of Emma's father, "was Carlos Perez, 36. Has been married to Maria Perez, maiden name Soto, for a year before she divorced him four years ago and vanished."
"Vanished?" Eric asks, surprised.
"No," he hears himself say. "Hid."
Frank glances at him and continues. "Yes, hid, I guess. Perez did jail time for assaulting his wife and, from what I have, he learned he had a daughter two months ago... when he got out of prison."
"I see," Eric sighs, glancing at the body. "Okay. Can you stay while Calleigh and Alexx finish here? I'll accompany Ryan to the hospital."
"No problem." Frank turns to him and pats him on the shoulder, grinning again. "Next time, kid, keep in mind that playing hero is easier with a gun."
He glares as the detective walks to Calleigh, laughing. He's too tired to think of a witty reply. He stifles a yawn in the gathering darkness. "You don't have to escort me," he tells Eric eventually.
"I know," Eric answers absent-mindedly, observing the paramedics' moves like a hawk.
"Really," he insists.
"See it like this," Eric retorts, impassive. "You're an important witness in an open case and I'm making sure you'll be able to give us your deposition."
He blinks silently, and the stretcher starts to move. The last thing he sees before darkness enwraps him is Eric smiling slightly, a warm gleam in his eyes.
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TBC