Early Saturday evening, Mia's was closed to the general public. A select few had been invited to the opening of the latest show – Ada Rose's sketches. The mood was somber; everyone there was all too aware that Ada's life had been too brief.

Speed was the first to arrive and the last to leave. He greeted Mia, then leaned against a pillar and studied the sketches, oblivious to any of the other guests. His attention was fixed on Ada's series of portraits. She'd caught the personalities and moods of her subjects, and Speed remembered how amazed he'd been at how effortless she'd made it seem. His favorite was the self-portrait she'd included in jest. He wondered if Mia would let him buy it.

"Hey." Vanessa offered him a drink and gave a small smile. "I guess you don't feel like socializing much either."

He shook his head.

They sipped their drinks awkwardly, then Vanessa met his gaze. "I'm sorry."

"You didn't do anything wrong."

"Then why does it feel like I did?"

"Because your friend died, and some wacko tried to make it all about you."

Vanessa sniffed and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "Well, thanks for putting it all into perspective."

Speed nodded to the empty wall where Vanessa's paintings had once hung. "You shouldn't take them down. Ada wouldn't have blamed you."

"Do you?"

He sighed. "I don't know. I've seen a lot of shit in my work, but it's never been this personal before."

Vanessa followed his gaze to the wall. "It's too late anyway. I destroyed them."

Speed looked at her in surprise.

"Laurie and I are going get away for a while. Her brother's got a house in the Keys. You're welcome to join us, if you ever need to get away for a while." She smiled. "Take care, Tim."

He watched her walk over to a tall woman with close-cropped black hair who he assumed was Vanessa's Laurie. When the woman wrapped her arm around Vanessa's waist and kissed her, his suspicions were confirmed.

He exhaled softly then turned his attention back to the sketches.

---

Family dinners were becoming something of a routine for the Caines. Since Calleigh had only just been released from the hospital, Yelina had offered to host it. When Horatio and Calleigh arrived, they were surprised to see a completely different Madison. The child ran to greet her uncle and aunt, excitedly announcing, "We got a puppy!"

Ray held a squirming bundle of fur in his arms, laughing as the baby Golden Retriever tried to lick his face.

"A puppy," Horatio said to Yelina.

She shrugged. "Bella suggested a pet might help with the transition."

Calleigh and Horatio exchanged glances. "Transition?"

Yelina smiled. Before she could speak, Ray burst out with, "Maddie's going to live with us!"

Madison nodded. "We get to be a real family."

Horatio sank to his haunches and looked Madison in the eye. "You're a lucky girl, you know that? Now you've got two mommies to love you instead of just one."

"And a puppy," Madison said seriously.

Horatio chuckled. "Yes, and a puppy."

"Calleigh, come play with the puppy," Ray said, taking her hand.

"Go on easy on Calleigh. She just got out of the hospital."

Ray rolled his eyes. "Yes, Mom."

As Calleigh followed the children to the living room, Madison could be heard asking, "Calleigh, were you sick?"

Horatio smiled at his sister-in-law, then hugged her. "You're a good woman, you know that?"

"Maddie didn't do anything wrong."

"Yes. But most women wouldn't be able to look past that. I'm proud of you."

Yelina pulled free from the embrace, dabbing her eyes. "You're not supposed to make me cry."

Horatio offered her his handkerchief.

She wiped her eyes then hooked her arm through Horatio's. "Come, let's go make sure they're not abusing your poor wife."

---

Delko was surprised to find Genevieve sitting on the edge of the bed when he got home. She had a pillow on her lap and was twisting the seam, appearing almost nervous. Delko, suspecting that she wanted to break up with him, raised his chin and leaned against the doorjamb.

"Hi."

She looked up, her eyes red-rimmed. Delko crossed the room and sat next to her, taking hold of her hands.

"Gen? Babe, what's wrong?"

"I've been such a bitch to you lately, even with everything that's been happening with Tim and Ada. I suck at this whole relationship thing."

"Gen—"

"I love you, you know. I don't think I've ever said it out loud. But I do."

"And I love you."

She burst into tears. "I know, which is why it makes it worse than I've been so offish to you."

"What's wrong, babe? Talk to me."

"I quit the dance piece."

Delko couldn't hide his surprise. "But you love to dance. I thought you were going on tour."

Genevieve shook her head. "I decided not to, a couple of days ago. I thought I was coming down with flu or something. Turns out – Turns out I'm pregnant. Congratulations, you're going to be a dad."

She dropped the pillow and fled to the bathroom. Delko followed, not in time to keep her from bolting the door.

"Gen, let me in, please."

"I'm sorry. I know this isn't what you wanted but I've thought real hard about it and – I can be gone by the end of the week. Tanya could always use a roommate and I won't ask you for any money—"

"Genevieve—"

"Just please don't be mad at me. I swear I didn't plan this—"

"Marry me!" Delko froze, but his words had the desired effect. Genevieve was silent.

Then, softly, "What?"

"I want to marry you."

"Because of the baby?"

"No. Well, yes. But also because I love you." He held his breath. The door clicked as she unlocked it then opened it.

"So you're not mad?"

He reached for her, pulling her close as his hands stole to her stomach. "Mad? How could I be mad? We're going to have a baby."

"Yeah." She smiled. "Genevieve Delko. I could get used to that."

Delko scooped her up into his arms and carried her back to the bed. "Good. Now, I think a celebration is in order."

---

The phone was ringing when Horatio and Calleigh arrived home. Horatio answered it then, with a smile, handed it to Calleigh.

"Hello?"

"Calleigh Marie Caine! What is going on up there?"

Calleigh winced at her mother's tone. "Hey, Mom."

"I had to hear from your father than you'd been attacked again. This is the third time! You're not a damn cat, Calleigh. You don't get nine lives."

"Mom, it was nothing, really." Calleigh crossed her fingers and, glancing at Horatio, shrugged helplessly. "I'm fine."

"Nothing! Being kidnapped by a madman – again! – is hardly nothing."

"Mom, calm down. You're overreacting."

"Was it Dos Santos again?"

Ah, Calleigh thought. So that was what was really bothering Marjorie. "No, it wasn't."

"Well—"

Before Marjorie could start her rant again, Calleigh cut in with, "So you said Dad told you? I didn't realize you were on such good terms again."

Marjorie was silent for a moment. "You know, I've realized how late it is. I should let you get to bed. Good night, Calleigh."

"Night, Mom." She hung up, then turned to Horatio and smiled. "Come on, handsome. Time for bed."

"I notice you didn't say time for sleep."

She laughed.

---

Speed laid the red roses at the base of Ada's tombstone. Then he shoved his hands in his pockets and gave a deep sigh.

"Well, it's over. We got him. I'm sorry we couldn't get him sooner. Sorry I couldn't keep you safe."

He looked down at the ground. "I love you so much. It hurts so much, you not being here."

He closed his eyes and could clearly see her, perched on the kitchen counter, sipping her tea. You know what I love about you? she said, then laughed. Well, one of the many things I love about you.

He smiled. "Aside from my charm and rugged good looks?"

Another laugh. Aside from that. You've always treated me like a normal person.

"You are a normal person."

You know what I mean. As a hearing person.

"Well, you know what I love about you?"

What?

"You picked me."

Speed opened his eyes. The loss was still fresh and raw, but there was the faint sense of peace. It really was over.

But he couldn't bring himself to leave just yet. A few more minutes. The real world could wait a bit longer for him to say goodbye.

The end.

A/N: There may or may not be more of this series. It all depends on what happens in RL in these next few months. Thanks for reading!