Rick had been too demanding, and too vindictive. Horatio wouldn't compromise himself for anyone, and he saw that he'd been right, Rick hadn't been the One anyway, he proved that when he turned into IAB asshole Stetler. He needed a lover that could give, that could forgive and forget.
Yelina was too strong, too consuming. She needed to be in charge, which Horatio wouldn't mind if it wasn't all the time, or if they could share control, but she needed too much. More than Horatio had to give. He needed a lover that could be innocent and vulnerable with him.
Marisol had been too delicate, too weak. She had needed a protector, a knight in shining armor, 24/7. He liked to be in control sure, but not always. He needed a lover that still had a backbone, some fight, some sass.
Calleigh, as short as that tryst was, had been too sexual, too seductive. He liked someone sexy, but a slut (or borderline one) was too much. He needed someone that wasn't afraid too look tired and rumpled in front of him, or dress to kill when it was necessary.
And Jake...Well Jake had been a mistake. A three day escapade fueled by frustration and fear. Fear that a smart kid like Jake would end up like Ray, when he had a good soul and a ton of potential. But Jake was too wild, too dangerous. A bad boy could be fun, but only in moderation. An ideal lover would be half good half bad, devil and angel.
Like Speed.
Horatio was really beginning to think Timothy Daniel Speedle had been the love of his life. Smart, funny, hot, beautiful (inside and out). Kind.
Giving.
Forgiving.
Vulnerable.
Strong.
Perfect.
Good and bad and everything Horatio had ever wanted. Great in bed, romantic, but not mushy, sexy but not slutty. And he'd bled out while Horatio held him close and tried to keep the life in his big brown eyes.
For the rest of his life Horatio knew he could love no other the way he loved Timothy Speedle.
Quite simply put, no one could measure up.