Title: Revenge & Redemption

Chapter 1 – Welcome to Miami
Rated T
Series: CSI
Author: Andorian Ice Princess

Summary: Jared returns to take his revenge on Darcy by tormenting Ryan. But when Ryan is kidnapped who will Darcy betray to get him back? Will she save Ryan him in time? (Ryan/Darcy mostly – some Eric/Calleigh)

A/N: The on thing great about being on sick leave as I have lots of time to write. Please read and enjoy and review as it really does help bolster the confidence. Thanks as always! AiP

Disclaimer: This is a piece of fan fiction. It is written for pleasure and not for profit. The characters CSI Miami and any other regular cast and supporting cast members all belong to CBS, Paramount & Jerry Bruckheimer and Anthony Zuiker. I own Darcy Wilder. All other characters are my own. Any resemblance to anyone living or dead is purely coincidental.

Sequel to *Unforgiven* (this story has major Ryan angst!)

4 WEEKS LATER (after end of Unforgiven)

"Miami…so that's where you ended," the male voice mumbled as it waited in the airplane hanger, reading the national newspaper. The Miami Vice take down of Dimitri Vertigo had made front page news across the nation; Darcy's name on the front page.

"Yeah my girlfriend is there," Jared lied as he showed the elderly African-American gentleman the paper. "She even made the front page."

"Somethin'," the elderly man smiled. "Lucky man."

"Time to go…" Jared smiled; stuffing the paper into his carryon and heading up to the ticket booth.

"Where to today sir?"

"Miami, Florida," the man answered in return.

"Passport?"

"Here you go," he said handing it to the ticket agent.

"Thank you Mr. Hawkes."

"It's just Jared," he winked taking his ticket and heading for the gate marked Miami.

XXXXXXXX

A few hours later Jared arrived at small apartment hotel in the seedier area of downtown Miami. He quickly unpacked a few things and placed a picture of him and Darcy on the bedside table. He wasn't planning to stay long and hence didn't bring a lot of personal items. He was in with a plan and expected to carry it out quickly. No one to stand in his way. No one.

"Soon…" he whispered with a blank expression. Then he pulled out his computer and started to look for Darcy. "Soon this will all be over."

XXXXXXXX

"You're kidding?" Ryan asked as he and Darcy ate dinner at a small restaurant later that night. "When…"

"I was like thirteen. My mom thought she would try to introduce some "culture" into my life by giving me music lessons. Nearly broke her heart when she found out I was tone deaf," Darcy replied with a smile. "She nearly had a heart attack when I got my eyebrow pierced however."

"Well I like it," Ryan smiled. "Where are your parents?" Ryan asked softly.

"My mom is…well she's resting in LA," Darcy managed weakly. "You know we'll go out there some time and visit her…she's going to love you," Darcy gushed. "My dad is gone, passed away," she finished with a sad smile. "Part of why I love extremes is to forget. I'd like to remember but…well it hurts too much," she told him. She looked at his sad face and felt a bit guilty. "Okay enough of the sappy stuff."

"You know you don't have to be afraid of the sappy stuff," Ryan told her. "I like when you open up to me. It's a show of strength you know. Besides I like the fact that you share what's inside of you with no one else but me."

"I know," Darcy smiled. "Just not used to that you know?" She replied lightly. "But I'm working on it…so back to special things."

"I have…well nothing…special," he started and then laughed making her laugh also.

"Not true," she teased. "You have a lot of special things," she winked. "So why CSI? Why not just stay in law enforcement?"

"Well I got tired of all the guys I was putting away getting off on stupid technicalities; that and I liked science. Always have. Bit of a nerd I guess," he smiled making her laugh. "So you…why Vice?"

"I guess I got a certain look that helps to fit in well…certain places and like yourself I got tired of creeps, plus my dad…well he OD'd and I just wanted to help put away the guys who brought the stuff in…the guys who sold it to guys who sold it to my dad."

"Sorry I didn't mean to pry," Ryan tried.

"No worries. You spilled your guts about your perfect childhood, I thought I'd return the favor," she smiled.

"Well it wasn't perfect," Ryan tried in his defense.

"I wasn't saying that so you'd get mad Ryan," Darcy quickly told him. "I am envious, that's all."

"So I see you made the front page – again," he said changing the subject. She noticed the frown and knew it had once again affected his delicate ego. "Another thin…"

"Ryan…none of this remember…"

"No you look good. The yellow jacket, the leather pants…not bad," Ryan offered with a wink.

"So moving along…" Darcy urged playfully.

"So Sarge is back?" Ryan asked weakly.

"Yeah first day," Darcy smiled. "They really needed that break. I'm just glad things are back to normal."

"Normal?" Ryan half smiled. "Is that what you called yesterday?"

"Well jumping five stories wasn't my idea…thankfully I had a soft landing," Darcy recounted.

"What if…"

"Remember…no doubts!" She cut him off quickly.

"Right…" Ryan frowned. They continued the rest of the evening carrying on like everything in the world was going in their favor. Sadly that was the furthest from the truth.

XXXXXXXX

"Nice place," Jared mumbled to himself as he stood outside the apartment to Darcy's loft. He was about to take a step towards it when Ryan pulled up with Darcy beside him. Jared watched in anger as Darcy leaned over and started to make out with Ryan.

Jared clenched his fists in anger…her words coming back to haunt him instantly.

"Jared…there will never be another…" Darcy yelled out in the burning building.

"Promise me…"

"Jared…"

"Darcy…the only way I can…we can be free…promise me!"

"I…I promise Jared…I'll never love another."

"Til death.."

"Never…" he hissed as he fixed on Ryan's smiling face. "I'll give you something to smile about pretty boy!"

He watched Darcy exit the vehicle and then enter into her building. He was about to follow her inside but decided to follow after her male friend instead. "And who are you? A one night stand? Or something more!"

Ryan pushed his car further into the night, not knowing there was a man following him; a man that very soon would make his life a living hell. A man who was about to make himself very intimate in the world of Ryan Wolfe; unwelcome and uninvited.

XXXXXXXX

"So how are things going with Darcy?" Natalia asked as her and Ryan headed for their next case.

"Normal…"

"What did you expect?"

"I don't know," Ryan huffed. "When I first met her, she seemed so…untouchable. I mean she wears leather pants to work," he laughed. "I hear about all the crazy stuff she does on the job…I can't even read some of the paper stuff because I'm afraid I'll have a heart attack. But when she's with me…well it's just odd."

"No talk of any previous…well…indiscretions?"

"So far nothing…I mean I would be lying to even think that a girl that hot and smart doesn't at least have a few in her wake but so far nothing…so that's good right?" He asked with a hint of doubt.

"Very good…for you," Natalia smiled as she brought the Hummer to a stop. Ryan got out of the vehicle and started to survey the crime scene. A about half hour into the investigation, Ryan stood up and looked around with a strange feeling.

"What is it?" Natalia asked quickly.

"Just…just an odd feeling like someone is watching…"

"Women's intuition?" Natalia teased.

"Funny," Ryan shot back dryly. "No just…well watching."

"Watching?" Natalia replied. "You're kidding right?" She said eyeing the crowd. "There are a lot of people around here, and they are looking at us."

"No like…" he said turning to scan the crowd. His eyes slowly scanned everyone and then rested on Jared…who had followed Ryan to work and now to the scene.

CSI…hmm that is very interesting…I'll have to make sure I cover my tracks. Look all you want Ryan Wolfe, but you can't see me…but you will…very soon!

"Like you know when someone is just watching you. I don't know…maybe just paranoid," he offered a half smile and then got back to work.

"Hey man," Eric said walking up to them. After discussing a few more job details they were back at the lab to process. "You seem distracted," Eric noted.

"Yeah…just got a lot on my mind…you know," Ryan told him.

"Calleigh told me things are going good with you two," Eric smiled. "Maybe that's why you seem more grounded."

"Thanks," Ryan remarked as he headed for his desk. He looked around with a frown and then back at Eric.

"What?"

"No…it's just that…" he replied with a distracted tone. "I had this pen that Darcy had given me…noting major but it was here…"

I wonder if you'll notice that I paid you a visit, Jared smiled as he headed for Darcy's.

"Losin' it," Eric teased as Calleigh walked in the room.

"Who's losing what?"

"Ryan is losing his mind," Eric informed her while Ryan just huffed and left the room while Calleigh just smiled.

"You know it was nice to be around Ryan and Darcy. Well before the whole Vertigo thing ruined it," she started. "I was thinking…"

"We should do it again?" Eric finished.

"I think it would be fun. Ryan's is always asking to do stuff as couples and I thought a quiet dinner out would be nice. Up for it?"

"With you…don't need any encouraging," he winked. She playfully slapped Eric's arm before continuing with her duties.

XXXXXXXX

Jared headed for Darcy's, gently opened the lock with the spare key he made and let himself inside. He headed for the bedroom and instantly his mind displayed pictures of him and Darcy having intimate moments together. He closed his eyes and sat down on the edge of the bed.

He opened his eyes slowly and let them rest upon a picture of Ryan. "Ryan Wolfe!" He hissed in anger. He felt his anger starting to rise and without thinking smashed the small picture into tiny fragments. He cursed into the air before dropping to his knees and gathering up the pieces into his hands. He cut himself on a small sliver before batting it a few inches under the table; forgetting it.

Darcy had warned him about his anger and it was one of the reasons they drifted apart towards the end. However, even in dire circumstances…just before he faked his death, Darcy said she would love him forever. Was she lying? Telling me what I wanted to hear before I died?

"We'll see…" he muttered, clearing up the rest of the evidence that he had been there. "First I need to get rid of Ryan Wolfe. Then Darcy and I will be together forever…just like she promised."

XXXXXXXX

"Watch your back," Sarge told Darcy as they headed into the building.

"Always," she smiled as she fished around in her Vice jacket. "That's odd."

"What?"

"I had my jacket in my locker last night and I could have sworn I left my backup knife in it…but it's gone," she frowned. "It was a nice one that Ryan gave me."

"You and Ryan meet before you were supposed to fill the jacket?" Sarge teased.

"Like a quick conjugal?" Darcy shot back. "Nice try."

Sarge just laughed in return and parked the BMW and got out. Darcy just shrugged it off as nothing and headed into the building to finish the day. The deal didn't go down as planned and as Darcy headed back into Vice headquarters a few hours later she wasn't in a mood to be messed with.

"Darcy…" Ryan called out as he stopped his car as he spied her going into the building.

"Talk to you in a bit Ryan," she called out with a frustrated tone but didn't wait for him to catch up.

Ryan just thought she had to fix a problem and continued in after her. He walked down the hallway and heard her arguing with another officer.

"Well Wilder heard your deal went south."

"What the hell is your problem Samuels!" Darcy snapped in return, pushing her bangs further to the left side of her flushed face. "You've never had a bad day?"

"You know I was up for lead…but they picked you!"

"Shall I send flowers?" Darcy huffed, making Ryan offer a small laugh from his hiding place. "Why are you still here?"

"Just to remind Simpson who's the better Vice Lead."

Darcy just rolled her eyes and tried to pass. Samuels blocked her way and she stopped. "Brave man…taking me on when I'm angry? Are you on drugs?"

"I hear you like it rough…maybe your little science boy isn't cutting it," he snided; making Ryan's ears perk up. "Yeah guys talk…we talk a lot…a lot about you," he continued, moving in closer. "How about it…a little rough action to wind down the day? I know you want it."

"If you're idea of rough is holding your teeth in a broken hand then by all means engage me," Darcy said pulling his arm down. "You talk to me like this again and you'll be lead alright; Lead parking lot supervisor. Leave me alone," she finished in a sad tone.

Darcy pushed her way out of the locker room; her back to Ryan and continued down the hall. Ryan felt his heart sink at her tormented words. She was a different person with him. Sure she was a lot more adventurous than other girls he had been with but she was still a woman and like things romantic and…maybe she has been lying to me, he wondered inside.

Ryan headed back into the parking lot to wait while Darcy finished up her paperwork. Sooner than he thought she had donned her motorcycle jacket and was heading for him.

"Hey…" she called out with a tense smile.

"Tough day?" He asked in concern.

"Very," she replied, her tension easing as she neared him. He had that effect on her. The ugly words she had to put up with every day seemed to dissipate whenever he was close. "You know you are good for my ego…" she told him as she gave him a quick hug. "I had a tough day but I near you and…I smile."

"Hungry?" He asked quickly; not realizing they had a silent audience.

"Not really," she frowned.

She'll get bored with you chump, Jared's mind tried to assure him. She'll get what she needs from you and that will be that. And if she doesn't…I'll make sure I rid you from her life!

"How about a coffee?" He urged.

Darcy searched his eyes and saw some uncertainty. "Everything okay?" She asked softly.

"Yes," he lied.

"Ryan I have been around men who have been lying to me all day," Darcy snapped. "I can't take this all the time…the self doubt…the questioning…the wondering. What is this all about? If you want to break up then let me save you the trouble…" she said pushing past him and headed for her bike.

That's my girl…Jared smiled as he watched her brush off Ryan. Maybe this will work out better than I thought. He watched a bit longer; thinking they were done and pushed his dark sedan into the night. HA! Ryan Wolfe! Loser…you were only a one night stand.

Ryan offered a sigh; mentally berated himself inside and rushed after her. "Darcy!"

Darcy ignored his calls, started up the bike and raced off into the night. However, Ryan rushed to his car and was right behind her. Darcy spied Ryan in her rear view mirror and she felt herself starting to calm down. She owed Ryan the chance to explain himself; tell her what was really bothering her.

She pulled into a small dark secluded spot and got off her bike, nervously pacing until Ryan was only a few feet away.

"I just want to talk," he offered weakly.

"Ryan, I'm tired and…" she started, her back to him still. "And I had a very bad day."

"Okay," he huffed. "I guess when the going gets tough…" he tried lightly.

"Typical. You always do this," she said shaking her head. "Just once…when it comes to the talk…you know the heavy emotional stuff you clam up. You mention and then you stop. I am not a big touchy feely emotionally spilling my guts kinda gal but you…"

"Darcy…" Ryan started only to have Darcy rushed him, grab his arm and yank it behind his back. "He…" he started only to have her slap this cuffs on his wrists, trapping him. "What gives…"

"Now you can't leave…we are going to have the talk."

"What?" Ryan asked weakly. "What is this?"

"I want you to sit here…if it takes all night…and clear that stupid self doubt from your head!" Darcy said loudly. "You wanted to talk…so talk. Ryan it's me…open up and talk to me."

"I heard…"

"What…what did you hear!" Darcy urged.

"I heard some of the guys talking…" he started; not wanting to tell her that he was eavesdropping.

"About what? Me? That what I like things rough…or is it that I am wanting a guy from the UFC…I thought we were through this. If you want soft and pretty then maybe this won't work. If you want dark and edgy with a heart of gold then I am your girl. But I can't tell you…"

"I want you," Ryan sighed.

"Ryan I am not a tender, romantic, girly girl…well girl," Darcy huffed. "I have tried but…but I'm not. What is this really all about? Me not being girly enough? Or what? Why the constant doubt?"

"Can you blame me for doubting myself? I know nothing about your past…I doubt you dated women so I am assuming there were guys you liked in the past…but I know nothing. So I can only assume. You won't open up to me!" He started in anger, finally be able to confront her with this. "I have told you everything about my love life, my past girlfriends and everything…why won't you do the same! Can you blame me…everyone knows about your past but me…the guys know but I don't! How can I not doubt myself…I don't know your past history!"

"Ryan…" Darcy started with a huff. She stopped and looked at him in frustration. "You're right," she whispered.

"What?" Ryan asked in shock.

"I said your right," she frowned. "I do owe you that much. I'm sorry. I want to…"

"I just…" he tried again only to have Darcy push him to the ground and start to devour his hungry lips with hers.

Ryan's trapped body at first tried to resist but as he felt her arms starting to pull his shirt free and yank her jacket off he couldn't help but give in. "The cuffs…"

"Shut up and kiss me…" she ordered, devouring her lips and mouth. During their tussle Darcy finally undid the cuffs and felt Ryan's arms starting to pull her close. As time passed their adrenaline finally subsided as they made love and then lay beside each other in exhausted heaps.

"Wow…" Ryan breathed as he turned and looked at Darcy's sweaty face while she stared into the heavens.

Darcy turned to him with a slight frown. "You're right…I owe you an explanation."

"I don't want to pry…and I told myself when we first me that I wouldn't bug you too much about your past. And since you never mentioned ex-boyfriends I assumed that things were just…well…quiet. But as of late…thing's I've heard."

Darcy huffed as she pushed herself to a seated position, wrapping her arms around her knees and pulling them close. Ryan grabbed his jacket and put it around her shoulders and pulled her into his embrace. "Talk to me."

Darcy!

Jared!

Forever…Darcy…you and me…promise me!

Jared…

Darcy Promise!

"First of all what I am going to tell you the others don't know. I don't open up to them. They just assume and make up things. Ryan, around other men I am strong. I have to be to compete and stay in the game. As lead I can't let my guard down for one bit. But with you…I see myself in a different way. I am strong and I'm weak. But I don't mind being weak before you because I know it's not about pride, it's about love."

"Is that why you won't let me in…" Ryan tried.

"No I was just scared about what you'd think. Yes I have dated men in the past," she lightly smiled; her eyes fixed on the gentle waves that lapped onto the darkened shoreline. "None were too serious. Working with Vice has scared a lot of guys away. Plus you know…edgy girl, wears lots of leather, likes bikes…Then a few years back I met Jared Barns. He was also Vice, but he did a lot more of the deep undercover stuff than I did."

"Was he also UFC?"

"A wanna be," Darcy smiled. "He loved to wrestle…loved bikes, tattoos, the life…when I first met him I was excited and…"

"Did he introduce you to a lot of stuff?"

"No," she answered quietly. "He just intensified my love for extreme things. He wasn't a good influence," she frowned. "And he was violent. I don't mean rough…he was violent," she continued; closing her eyes in sorrow. "I wanted something else…right from the start…someone like you," her voice trailed off in a whisper. "But it wasn't to be."

Ryan watched them water and immediately felt guilt starting to cover him. "Darcy, I didn't mean…"

"Ryan my past hurts…I can't tell you with a happy face but I want you to know," she explained as a tear escaped her eye and landed in his palm. "But it wasn't until I was in too deep that I finally found the courage to leave. You might not think it but around him I was scared…especially towards the end. The first time I tried to leave he…gosh Ryan…why…" she stopped and took a deep breath. "Well just put it this way…he was very violent and used his fists well."

"He beat you?"

"He was a monster…but a very convincing one. Said it was a momentary thing and that I made him crazy and that he couldn't live without me and…yeah he was the classic abusive male and I thought he'd change."

"Where is he now?"

"He's dead," Darcy huffed; not knowing her words were the furthest from the truth.

"I'm not sorry," Ryan admitted.

"Me either," Darcy added. "We worked one final case together and then…the deal went south. He said I betrayed him, but I know he set me up. We had a showdown…we came to blows and then both parties turned on us. Before either of us could react the building was going up in flames. Things happened fast but just as I was about to buy it, Jared took my place, and the building fell on him…but just before he died he swore his undying love…and after that I locked myself away from love and emotion."

"Until you met me," Ryan smiled.

"And for that I can never thank you enough. You helped me unlock my heart and learn to love again…not rough but…Ryan that's all I know. I don't know what it means to be loved…desired…to be wanted for something other than just an exotic sexual favor. To be used and then thrown away."

Ryan's heart broke as he listened to her tormented words. "I can help you…Darcy I want to be that man. Let me?"

"I don't know how…" she confessed in sorrow.

"Don't know how to what?" He asked in surprise as he turned her around to face him.

"To be tender and romantic…all those things. But mostly to love…teach me how to love? And to be loved?"

And before Darcy could say another word, Ryan pulled her close and kissed her tenderly. "I love you…" he whispered. "That's a good start right?"

"Best one I know," she whispered; kissing him back.

XXXXXXXX

"Well at it's over with loser CSI guy," Jared smiled as he looked at a picture of Darcy. "Ryan Wolfe has nothing on me. I'll see you tomorrow…thankfully alone."