He was dead.
Horatio couldn't believe it.
It was the day of Tim Speedle's funeral. Everyone had showed up. Tim's parents were in a state, sobbing uncontrollably. Horatio knew exactly how they felt. He wasn't exactly the kind of guy to 'let it all out', but Tim had been great, no one could ever replace him.
Horatio watched as they brought the coffin down the aisle. He felt the tears welling up in his eyes, but wouldn't allow himself to cry. He just wished he could have done something, anything, to prevent this from happening. It was too much to bear, all the pain and suffering.
Everyone down at CSI had been suffering. They had been crushed, learning of Tim's death. It had all happened too fast for everyone, and many were still in shock. Horatio was still stunned by it all. No one had been expecting it.
Looking round, Horatio saw Calleigh, standing watching as the coffin was brought down. He could almost feel her pain. Not wanting to look at her, he looked away. But everywhere he looked, It was just people he knew, sobbing into eachother's shoulders. Horatio suddenly found himself having flashbacks of Tim, seeing his face, his mischevious grin, the way he always had something to say, could always make everyone feel good, even in a crisis.
Eric and Alexx were also standing by. Alexx was crying, being hugged by Eric. The coffin drew nearer, and was finally set down. Calleigh sighed and walked over to Horatio, patting his shoulder. "Wasn't meant to happen like this." She said, her voice trembling. She looked over at the coffin, and put a hand to her mouth, "Oh, god damn ..."
"It'll be okay." Horatio said, trying to sound reassuring, but there was no trace of emotion or reassurance in his voice.
"Will It?" Calleigh sighed, "Look at this, Horatio. Look at It all."
Horatio did look at It all. He looked around at everything, at the people crying, mourning Tim. But he knew they would all get through It. They had to. They all had a job to do.
"Look at them ..." Calleigh said lowly, indicating Tim's parents, who were still sobbing, "Poor guys. God Horatio, I don't know ... I just - I don't -" And then she was crying into his shoulder. As Horatio held her tightly, he knew that they would get through this. They all just had to be strong.
Tim was gone. But knowing that he still had Calleigh around gave Horatio new strength.
The two of them watched intently as the American flag was raised, and the cannons went off, saluting Tim Speedle, the greatest man in history.