Unfortunately, the bureaucracy within MDPD prevents Ryan from immediately resuming his duties at the crime lab. He finds temporary employment at a gun range, where he becomes integral in linking a weapon stolen from the same range to a man who murdered a parole officer. However, he became unsatisfied with the job and confided to Alexx that "the money sucks" and that he does not want to "live off credit cards anymore". Horatio assigns him the task of being the bodyguard for a teenager who has become the target of internet stalkers. Although disappointed, Ryan accepted it and is welcomed back by his former colleagues. He has since put his gambling problems behind him. This past experience came in handy when he and Walter were investigating an attempted shooting of a fisherman who turned out to be a bookie with shady dealings and many enemies.