DISCLAIMER: Sadly I do not own CSI Miami. All right belong to CBS but if they would like me to look after Ryan for a while, then I wouldn't mind at all. Anyway, please don't sue; pretty, pretty please I am but a poor student.

A/N: This is my first attempt at a Miami fic so please be nice.

SUMMARY: A series of one-shots, one for each letter of the alphabet. Wolvista with some Hip Huggers.

TITLE: The A-Z of Wolvista

CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI

A is for Absence

It had been five weeks, six days, fourteen hours, twenty two minutes and eighteen…nineteen…twenty seconds since Ryan had been fired from the crime lab and Natalia hated to admit that she missed him. Slowly walking to the break room, she couldn't help but think of how different her day could have been if a certain Mr Wolfe had been there. "Natalia?" At first she didn't turn around, instead staring ahead of her as she continued walking. "Natalia?" Still no response was evoked from her. "Miss Boa Vista?" The voice sounded louder this time and, spinning around, Natalia came face-to-face with Horatio who offered her a sad smile.

"Sorry, I was miles away Horatio." She forced a smile onto her face and raised an eyebrow. "Can I help you?"

"Are you okay Miss Boa Vista, you haven't been yourself for the past few weeks?" Horatio's eyes were filled with concern and she sighed as she realised that lying wouldn't work.

"No, I'm not okay." He nodded and grabbed her arm, gently pulling her down the corridor and into the empty break room. "Horatio?"

"What's wrong Natalia?" Sitting down in one of the chairs, he waited patiently for her answer.

"Honestly?" He nodded but remained silent. "I miss Ryan." Horatio's eyes widened in shock as he realised that Natalia was telling the truth. He was broken from his shocked trance however when he heard her soft laugh. "I know, I never thought I'd be saying it either."

"You know that if I could, I would have Mr Wolfe back here as soon as possible but it isn't me that you need to convince Miss Boa Vista." His piercing blue eyes met her chocolate ones and she sighed. "Ryan made a very stupid mistake…" He was about to continue when she interrupted.

"Yeah and he's paid for it; I saw him the other day and he looked so miserable Horatio. He knows he's made a mistake, he just wants to come back to the lab." It was only when Ryan had been fired that Natalia had realised how much his company in the lab meant to her, especially with Calleigh on holiday.

"It's Stetler you need to talk to; I have no control over it anymore." She nodded and Horatio became worried when he saw the determination cross her face.

"Then that's what I'll do." The determination had reached her voice and although Horatio was proud of her for finally voicing her concerns, he was worried that she would get herself into trouble by doing something stupid.

"You just be careful about what you say Miss Boa Vista." He paused for a second before expressing his concern. "Would you rather I talk to Stetler?"

Defiantly shaking her head, she informed her boss, "No, I want to talk to him." Horatio paused for a minute before nodding and watching as she left the break room.

CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI

An hour later, a very dejected, defeated Natalia Boa Vista walked into the DNA lab. "Hey, you alright?"

Looking up, she saw Delko's concerned eyes looking down at her. "Umm…" As she tried to think up a convincing answer, Eric rolled his eyes.

"Don't bother lying to me Natalia." Looking guiltily at him, she tried to think of something to say. "Don't give me lame excuses either."

"You really wanna know the truth?" He nodded and she closed her eyes for a minute before looking back at him. "I've just been to see Stetler."

"What about?" She remained silent and Delko realised that she had been to see him about Ryan. "You went to see him about Wolfe didn't you?" There was a degree of bitterness to his voice as Natalia nodded. Although she had managed to forgive Ryan for the mistakes he had already made, Delko wasn't quite as forgiving and understanding. "Why are you wasting your time over him?"

Her voice remained quiet but her tone conveyed the annoyance she felt. "He needs us Eric."

"He's been using us." Her eyes narrowed but she said nothing. "He's trying to worm his way back in here Nat and he's using you to do it."

"No he isn't." Delko's eyebrows raised and she averted her gaze. "Think what you want but Ryan has been fired and he needs us more than ever Eric."

"Why? To get him back into the lab? To get him back into Stetler and Horatio's good books?" His eyes challenged hers and she found herself looking at the floor.

"It isn't like that." Her broken whisper fell on deaf ears as Delko pushed himself up and walked over to grab her hands.

She looked up at him, expecting to see understanding but instead saw annoyance and exasperation. "Natalia the guy is a jerk. He doesn't deserve your tears, sympathy and he certainly doesn't deserve your help."

"Yeah well I'm all he has and I'm sticking by him. You may not have forgiven him but I have and if he needs me…I'm gonna be there." Determination, honesty and sadness clouded her eyes as she glared at Delko. "Regardless of what you think of Ryan…or me…I'm standing by him."

"Well it's your funeral isn't it Natalia?" Her brows knitted in confusion so he elaborated. "When Wolfe drags you down with him, don't come crying to me."

"I won't because I have faith in him." Her words were filled with nothing but confidence and honesty.

The anger dissolved into confusion as he asked, "Why are you so determined to help him Natalia?"

"Because I know what it feels like! Because I know how it feels to have all the people you called friends hate you for some stupid mistake that you wish you could take back!" He was initially shocked as she hardly ever shouted at him but what surprised him even more was when she lowered her voice to a whisper and allowed a tear to fall over her lashes. "Because I know how it feels to want a second chance." Before he could even respond, she turned and left the room; heading for the locker room to calm herself down.

CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI

"How did it go with Stetler?" Looking up from the bench, she saw the familiar ginger-haired CSI in the doorway. His dark shades were perched on top of his head and Natalia guessed that he had just gotten back from a crime scene somewhere.

"I'd rather not talk about it." Offering him a sad smile, she looked back down at the floor.

"That bad?" She nodded miserably and he walked into the room before sitting down beside her. "Maybe talking about it would help." Looking up at him, she shook her head.

"Doubt it." He looked at her with a confused expression. "I tried to talk to Delko, he wasn't as happy with my plan to back Ryan up."

"It's going to take him some time to forgive Ryan; it's going to take everyone time." She knew that Horatio was right but somehow it didn't ease her sadness over the situation.

"What did Stetler say?"

"He said that he isn't going to take Ryan back and that if I don't let it drop, I'll find myself in the same situation." Her voice was almost a whisper and Horatio sighed before placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I know you wanted to help but you'll have to let things run their natural course. When Ryan get's reinstated, it will be because he deserves it…not because you begged Stetler." His voice was calming and Natalia found that she actually believed what Horatio was saying.

"Yeah I guess, thanks Horatio."

He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze in reassurance. "Why don't you go home early, we can take care of things here and we aren't busy?"

"Are you sure?" Raising an eyebrow, she tried but failed to keep the hope out of her voice.

"I'm positive, you only have an hour left anyway; go home or go and visit Ryan and I'll see you tomorrow." She nodded and thanked him before collecting her things and leaving the crime lab for the day, completely missing the smile on Horatio's lips.

She had just started to head down the steps at the front of the building before a voice caught her attention. "Tally, you finished for the day?"

Whirling around, she caught sight of Ryan sitting on the wall outside the door. "Ryan?"

"The one and only." He offered her a teasing smirk and she walked back up the steps to him.

"What are you doing here?"

"H called me and said you needed cheering up."

"But how did he know…man that guy is good." She smiled softly before looking down at him.

"He told me you'd gone to see Stetler." His voice was soft and sympathetic. "Wanna talk about it?"

"Yeah but not here." Nodding, he stood up and took hold of her hand. "Where d'you wanna go?"

"Wherever you want Talia." She nodded before pulling him down the steps and to the parking garage.

She drove them in silence to a small pizza place and once she had parked, she turned to face him. "I umm, I didn't wanna go home."

"Fine by me." They walked into the pizza place and picked a quiet little booth at the back of the restaurant. "You umm, wanna share a pizza while we're here?"

"Yeah sure, I'd love to." A small smile broke out on her face but quickly slipped when he asked her about what happened with Stetler. "I hate him Ryan."

"Doesn't everybody?" His face was serious and she nodded.

"Well yeah but I mean I really do hate him. I uh…I went to see him about giving you your job back." She looked down at the table, suddenly embarrassed with herself.

Ryan was just about to ask her what he said but didn't get the chance as he was interrupted by a waitress. "Hey there darlin', can I take your order?" She looked about twenty four and was tall with sparkling blue eyes and strawberry-blonde hair. The top couple of buttons on her blouse were undone to clearly reveal cleavage and Natalia could tell that the woman was flirting.

"Umm, we'll have a margarita pizza and two colas please." Ryan knew what Natalia would have ordered as she had the same thing every time they went out for pizza.

"Okay sweetie, coming right up." She turned and headed over to the kitchen, swaying her hips as she went.

"So, what did Stetler say?" Reaching across the table, he grabbed one of her hands and laced his fingers with hers.

"He told me that uh…he said he wasn't gonna reinstate you and that if I wanted to keep my job, I'd let it go." She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, instead opting to look down at the floor.

"Oh Talia, you shouldn't have gone to see him." She hadn't been expecting that quip and looked up at him with sad, defeated eyes.

"I wanted to help you Ryan." By now she was nearly in tears and Ryan gently squeezed her hand.

"I know you did sweetheart and believe me, that is one of the nicest things anyone has done for me in a long time but you didn't need to risk your own job." His voice was soft and she finally looked up to meet his sparkly, hazel eyes.

"Mine didn't seem worth nearly as much as it used to." Shock crossed his face and no matter how much he tried to hide it, it was still present.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because it's true Ryan. Eric probably hates me after the argument we had today in the lab, Calleigh has gone on holiday for god knows how long and…well…in all honesty…I miss you Ry."

"I miss you too Tal." His words were from the heart as he had missed her lately. It had taken him all this time to realise it but now that he didn't see her everyday, it was too quiet and he felt like he had no real reason to smile anymore. He had lost everything that meant the most to him. "What did you and Delko argue over?"

"He didn't agree with me defending you." Ryan nodded but remained silent. "It's gonna take him a long time to forgive you Ryan but I'm pretty sure that in time he will."

"I understand." She mutely nodded as he traced patterns on the back of her hand with his thumb. "He's probably right."

"No he isn't." He looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "I know what it's like…I've been there remember and I know that you need someone."

"You've been amazing Tally, I'm lucky to have you." He smiled and she smiled back.

An hour later, they were still sitting at the booth; one slice of pizza left on the plate in front of them and the ice cubes in their drinks completely melted. "The crime lab isn't the same without you."

"I bet it's a lot quieter without our constant bickering." He shuffled along the seat until he was sitting next to Natalia.

"It is…but nowhere near as entertaining." Her voice was wistful and he caught the far away look in her eyes.

Chuckling slightly, he turned to face her. "Hmm…what time you working tomorrow Talia?"

"Ten, why?" Raising an eyebrow, she looked at him through expectant eyes.

"Fancy goin' for a drink?" The question was light but Ryan found himself hoping that she would say 'yes'.

"I would but I look a mess." She looked down at her 'work clothes' then back at Ryan who rolled his eyes.

"No you don't, you look lovely." She looked at him with a look of disbelief and he shrugged. "Really, I think you look great."

She thought about his offer for a minute before nodding. "Alright, I guess one won't hurt."

CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI

After an argument over who was paying the bill, they finally headed out of the pizza place. Natalia had insisted that she pay as it was her idea but Ryan had handed the money over to the waitress before Natalia had chance so she had told him that she would buy next time.

They didn't go far and ended up in a small bar near the restaurant they had left; mainly so that they could pick up Natalia's car afterwards. "What would you like to drink?"

"Umm, I'm driving so just an orange and soda please." She offered him a sweet smile and he nodded before ordering the same as her. "Ryan you can have a drink, it doesn't bother me."

"I know I just don't feel like one." She nodded and beat him to it, paying for their drinks before he could.

When he looked at her and rolled his eyes she winked. "You can get 'em next time." He simply laughed and followed her over to a table, carrying both their drinks.

They had been sitting talking for about fifteen minutes when Natalia let out a girly squeal. Ryan looked up at her with an affectionate grin on his face and she offered him an embarrassed smile. "Sorry, I love this song."

"Well I'm not much of a dancer but uh…d'you wanna dance?" Standing up, he offered her a hand and waited.

"Really?" He nodded and she took his hand before getting to her feet and allowing him to lead her to the small dance floor. Together they danced to the song; Natalia with her hands on Ryan's shoulders and Ryan with his arms around her waist. "To say you're not a dancer, you ain't half bad."

Tightening his arms around her waist, he offered her the most charming smile he could muster. "Thanks, you're pretty good too."

They silently swayed to the music and when the song ended, he led her back to their table. They were reminiscing over old times when Natalia got a little emotional. "Ryan, come back to the crime lab; we're like a family and I want you to come home."

Sighing, he looked at her with sad eyes. "I wanna come back too Talia. I'm gonna fight for my job, I'm not givin' up yet…I've missed you."

"They do say absence makes the heart grow fonder." He nodded and she blinked away a couple of tears. "They also say it tests friendships."

"Yeah but ours is strong enough to stand it." As she looked into his hazel eyes, she smiled a genuine smile. "I mean it Natalia."

"I know."

"Absence strengthens determination." Moving from his seat, he walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders; whispering into her ear. "I'm going to get my job back Nat; I'm gonna get my job back and make you guys proud of me."

Leaning back into his arms, she contentedly sighed. "I already am Ryan…I already am."

CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI – CSI MIAMI

A/N: Thanks for reading. Please review and hopefully I will update soon.

Luffles and Huggles

RoxxiSanders

XxoxX