Picking up the Pieces

Title: Picking up the Pieces
Author: dying_sacrifice
Fandom: CSI: Miami
Pairing: Ryan Wolfe, Horatio Caine
Rated: R to NC-17
Genre: Angst, Romance
Warnings: Rape
Summary: A traumatic experience inevitably changes a person and has an impact on their life, whether it's for better or for worse. xx MM xx

Disclaimer: I don't own CSI: Miami, nor do I know any of the actors. This has been made up in my sick little mind for your viewing pleasure. None of this is real, just simply fiction.


Picking up the Pieces

Chapter One

In a way I never expected my new found colleagues to welcome me with open arms, but I never anticipated the outright hatred from them either. I expected them to have a hard time adjusting to me so soon after Speedle's death, but they aren't just having a hard time accepting me... they do everything in their power to make my life a living hell. I don't know what I did to deserve such treatment; I am only trying to prove my worth to them. I want them to like me and consider me part of their team, but I am beginning to think that will never happen.

They are all equally terrible to me in their own way. Calleigh honestly is a sweetheart and has tried to be nice to me, but even she has shown distain for me. She will talk to me as a normal person, her co-worker, but she also quite often shows how annoyed she is by me. Not to mention that she won't be decent towards me when anyone else is around.

Eric on the other hand is a completely different story. He hasn't liked me since I joined them and hasn't even tried to hide it. He makes mocking comments every chance he gets and always has something bad to say about my work. Either I am not doing it right or my personal favorite "We are a team and we do things as a team, get that through your head." I have tried to work with him, but who could work with someone who isn't willing to work with you in return? I let it roll off my back though and just try to ignore it.

I totally adore Alexx though; she is the only one here that treats me with kindness. She says I am her baby, which makes me roll my eyes, but it is no secret that I like hearing those words. I often spend much time with her because she is the only one that actually likes me here and makes me feel not so alone.

My boss on the other hand is subtle in his dislike towards me. Horatio calls everyone by their first name, but it is strictly Mr. Wolfe for me. I don't know why that bothers me so much, but it does. Not to mention that he tends to send me on cases alone. Most would feel good about this, but I am still kind of new and how can I earn their friendship when I am constantly on cases alone? Not to mention he never works on a case with me unless the others are involved and while working together he won't say a word to me. Come to think of it though he always ignores me and I find that most difficult to handle. I look up to the older man who gave me my job so his actions towards me are very hurtful.

Yes things could be better between the guys and me, but I highly doubt they will. It is something I realize I must get used to, even though that is not the easiest thing to do considering the circumstances.

My thoughts quickly vanish from my mind as soon as I enter the crime lab. The building is buzzing with activity as per usual and no one seems to pay attention to me as I make my way toward the locker room. Upon reaching the room I find it to be empty and am actually kind of grateful for this. I don't want to deal with any of my co-workers until absolutely necessary. Horatio had called me in because a couple of new cases arose and I am hoping I won't be on my own once again. It is wishful thinking of course, but I find myself hopeful none the less.

Opening my locker I place an extra pair of clothes I brought with me just in case I will be in need of them, another part of my OCD personality that sets me apart from most people. Once that is done I shut my locker just as Horatio pokes his head into the room. He tells me to meet him in his office before leaving without another word or allowing me to say anything. With a sigh I follow the direction my boss is heading and upon reaching his office I find Calleigh and Eric already waiting.

"Late as usual I see." Eric mumbles and yet I still hear him, causing me to glare in his general direction.

"I wasn't originally needed to come in today, I was on call." I argue lightly even though I feel like screaming at him.

"Which is a call you received what, a half hour ago?" He asks with a sneer that makes me clench my fists in anger.

"I was at home; it takes a while to get here from there... especially if you run into traffic."

"Which is so convenient, isn't it?"

I am about ready to punch that smug expression off his face when Horatio speaks up, saving Eric from a black eye and me from a more than possible suspension. Eric glares at me despite what Horatio says, but says nothing further. I match his glare with one of my own, but get a warning look from Horatio... figures I would be the one to get in trouble. I simply try my best to ignore this and await the instructions from my boss since there is obviously nothing else I can do.

"Alright we have a multiple murder on our hands at a downtown club called Heat." Horatio explains looking at each of us in turn. "It's a high priority case since one of the victims is the mayor's daughter. I'll need all the hands I can get on this case so Calleigh and Eric you're with me."

I have to suppress the sigh that threatens to escape me the moment these words are uttered. *Figures he would chose them to work with him. He hasn't said anything about me so I guess it's fair to say I'll be working a case alone.* I think bitterly to myself, but don't say a word of this to Horatio since I know it would get me nowhere except a lecture from my boss. It is just not worth it to me.

"Mr. Wolfe..." I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes as he once again uses my last name. "The case you will be handling is in an abandoned factory. A DB was found by some teenagers. Alexx has already been there and gone. You should go speak with her before going to the crime scene. An officer is already on the scene and is waiting for your arrival."

With this said they depart from the room and I am left to leave last. I am not too happy about working another case solo, but don't argue. I am actually becoming quite used to this treatment and pretty much come to expect that I will be working alone. Plus right now I am not in such a bad mood because I get to go see Alexx and I know she will be waiting for me with a smile on her face.

As expected as soon as I enter the morgue Alexx fixes one of her mega watt smiles on me and I can't help, but return it with a joyful smile of my own. I step over to the body lying on the autopsy table and look at the young woman with her eyes closed. Sympathy fills me as soon as I lay eyes on her battered body, she can't be a day over twenty... at least she doesn't look it anyway. Forcing my gaze away from the young woman I look at Alexx and ask about what she found.

"This poor girl suffered Ryan." Alexx starts with a sad smile on her face. "Ligature marks on his hands and wrists indicate that she fought hard against her attacker though, she wasn't going down so easily."

"Good for her." I say without a second thought and Alexx smiles at me.

"For what good it did her in the end." She says ruefully before continuing with her report. "Fortunately for us there was some skin under her fingernails, which I sent a sample to DNA just ten minutes ago."

I nod my head before asking, "Cause of death?"

"Asphyxiation." She says as she points to the finger sized bruises on the victim's neck. "Prior to her death however she was raped viciously. This poor girl was in some major pain for her vagina was torn severely. I spoke with Frank while at the scene and he said that it sounded familiar to another case so you may want to speak with him about it."

"Frank's working this case with me?" I ask a little surprised since he never works with me.

She shakes her head. "He was going to until that other case opened so he is working that with Horatio."

"Alright thanks Alexx, I better get to that crime scene. I'll see ya later." I say as I turn to leave the room.

As I am headed toward the front entrance of the crime lab I find Frank walking out of the elevator. I am guessing he is here to find Horatio, but I remember what Alexx spoke to me about and decide to find out if he has any information for me regarding my case.

"Hey Frank Alexx said my case sounds familiar to one prior to it, have you figured anything out?" I ask, stopping just in front of him.

"Yeah a friend of mine from New York worked a similar case to yours, but never found the guy. Body was found the same way as your vic and was left in an abandoned factory. His vic was a male in his early twenties, but raped and strangled to death. I don't know if that helps your case at all, but I figured it was worth checking into."

"Thanks a lot man, that probably helps more than you realize." I say as I walk away, leaving a confused detective in my wake.


TBC...