Chapter 1 On The Verge of Death
Disclaimer: I do not lay claim to any of the characters as seen in CSI Miami, and my fic is written to be fun and enjoyable and not meant to offend the writers/creators of CSI Miami or the actors who play the different characters. I do ask that no one use my original character as she is my own creation. My fic is not to be posted anywhere else unless written permission is obtained from me.
Warning - Season 6 Spoiler Alert! If you did not see the Season 6 Finale, "Going Ballistic", be warned! This is my twist on the events of that final scene.
He stood quietly having just sent a text message off. The pilot closed the door to the plane – the next step in this carefully choreographed plan. It was apparent that he was nervous – who wouldn't be waiting for that fateful moment, when the most dangerous of adversaries he had ever faced would undoubtedly show to take his life? Yet, he tried to seem unaffected standing poised with his hands on his hips sweeping back the sides of his black suit jacket – like an open invitation to shoot at the invisible target on his chest. Each second seemed to take an eternity as he stood silent – just waiting – waiting to live – waiting to die. He spoke in his mind to God asking for protection – just this one last time – to have the Kevlar safeguard his life.
Then, he removed his sunglasses and raised his eyes – his assailant was now approaching just as expected. The seconds clicked by in an agonizing fashion as the red-haired CSI waited knowing what was about to happen. Without further hesitation, the gun was drawn and a single shot fired instantly dropping him face forward to the ground.
A searing pain ripped through his body as he lay on the hot tarmac of the runway. Somehow, he didn't expect the force of the bullet to be so strong as it managed to pierce right through the Kevlar sinking deep into his flesh. Blood seeped out slowly until he jerked with pain opening the wound further and letting blood pour out freely. For the first time in ten years, the red-haired Lieutenant was really facing Death. He couldn't move – just the slightest twitch sent pain rushing through his entire body. It was best to lie still and wait – he knew Mr. Wolfe would be along soon. He knew the pilots of the plane wouldn't do anything – they were instructed to stay put and not interfere – to get Kyle into the air as soon as possible.
His thoughts shifted – the asset of time was no longer on his side. He knew without being a doctor that he had lost a dangerous amount of blood as his vision began to blur and his body was going numb. All he could do was stare blankly through the cracked hole in his sunglasses that were lying just inches from his face. Lieutenant Horatio Caine felt his life slipping away with every agonizing breath he tried to take. However, this was the risk he was willing to gamble his life on to bring down the most dangerous of adversaries he had ever faced – all to save the life of his only son and bring a criminal to justice. He hoped the risk would pay off in the end – that his death would make this adversary sloppy thinking, or knowing, the highly skilled Lieutenant was taken down. Such was the cocky attitude Caine was counting on – and it would be this attitude that he would capitalize on – whether directly himself, or through the young CSI whom he took under his wing like a protégé.
Then, his thoughts drifted to her – the lady he cared deeply for – a stranger to the art of being a cop and a CSI, but never the less, someone whom he wanted to give his heart to. But, he had yet to even ask her out on a date – such an event had not been possible due to his preoccupation with this case. He now wished he had shown her some of his affection – even if it was just a little something to demonstrate his interest – a regret he now had to face and possibly take to the grave. She drove him crazy at times – but he found he liked the challenge. She tested him - taunted him - filled his life with something more than just catching the bad guys. She was playful and fun - making him realize he needed to enjoy life for all it offered and to do so beyond his obsession of bringing down those who hurt others. Maybe it was the very fact that she was someone outside the law enforcement circles – but never the less, someone with great passion for her work – to do good and to bring evil-doers to justice. She was the first woman he felt comfortable actually talking to – sharing little bits of his private life with – a life he kept firmly guarded behind thick walls inside his troubled soul. And now, she may never know how much she meant to him.
"Mr. Wolfe, please hurry up," he thought before drifting off unconscious in anticipation of Death coming to claim him.
TBC