License To Kill

By: HCrazy

Beta: Angie

Pairing: H&C

Rating: M

This is a continuation of the time-line. My stories should be read in this order.

Captured

Heaven & Hell

Head Games

Captured II Blood for Blood

License To Kill

Summary: The saga Continues. The day starts off badly and just keeps getting worse. The team investigates the death of a doctor to find someone is getting even. Dr. Joe Gannon, has no idea his life is even in danger. Can Horatio and the team help him before it's too late. Calleigh and Joe have a heart to heart and feelings are revealed. Timmy's father returns.

A huge thank you always goes out to my wonderful and very talented Beta, Angie. She always comes through for me and all of you. Thank you Angie, you are the best!

Happy New year to all and away we go!

Enjoy!

Chapter 1

III

The large office room was dimly lit revealing a man's body sprawled out along an over sized couch. An open book lying across his chest, his left arm laid limp hanging off the couch. The phone rang abruptly waking him and after the second ring he sat up with a tired groan hanging onto the book. He placed it down and rubbed his tired eyes rising to get the phone.

"Gannon," he grunted tiredly, kneading the haze from his eyes as they suddenly widened, "Gun shot? All right I'm on my way," he said hanging up quickly making his way to the ER trauma room.

A tall man cautiously stepped out of the shadows watching him leave. He quietly entered Joe's office making sure he was not seen. He carefully made his way over to the desk zeroing in on the rolodex. He removed a few cards satisfied that his mission was complete, he returned the rolodex to its original location verifying that everything was in its proper place. He silently exited Dr Gannon's office, making sure he was not seen as he vanished into the dark halls of the hospital.

III

Horatio moaned low tossing and turning restlessly in his sleep. His dreams were back and in full force as he thrashed back and forth. He could see her in the distance but every time he tried to get close it seemed she moved further away. He could see a figure, a man, who roughly grabbed her in the distance. He moaned her name low but in urgency trying to make her aware of him. He was too late.

Then he saw him. The man's familiar face came into full view. That look, that cold smile as he held Calleigh wrapping one arm around her neck placing the glinting gun barrel to her temple holding her hostage with a smile.

Horatio's heart raced as he shook his head back and forth and put his hands up pleading with the man. 'Don't… don't hurt her.'

The look of fear and dread in Calleigh's eyes tore right through Horatio. He froze as the man came closer pressing the gun harder against her right temple smiling, "An eye for an eye lieutenant. She pays right now," he growled, pulling the trigger.

Horatio bolted upright with a shout, "Calleigh! Calleigh!"

His heart was racing so hard he thought his chest was going to explode. He witnessed her execution right in front of him and he could do nothing. He gasped for air trying to breathe, frantically looking around the dimly lit room. He blinked back the images breathing heavily lost in his familiar surroundings.

Her hands were on him instantly as she soothed softly, "Hey, hey, I'm right here, it's okay you're just dreaming again, Horatio. It's just a nightmare." She whispered as her hands softly caressed his arm up and down.

His chest still heaved as he turned toward her with tear filled eyes. He exhaled deeply as he nodded to her and swallowed hard speaking in his sleep roughened voice. "I'm sorry… I woke you again."

She held his welling eyes stroking his back softly. "It's okay Horatio it's just another night terror. Are you okay?" She whispered.

He nodded again and turned to face Calleigh, his eyes locking onto hers. He suddenly embraced her tightly as he exhaled and mumbled low in relief, "I am now."

Calleigh's brows rose and she hugged him back. She leisurely laid him down half covering his body with hers. She whispered caressing his face softly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He shook his head and whispered back never breaking eye contact, "No, I'd rather not. I just want to hold you like this, okay?" He squeezed gently keeping her close.

She smiled as she leaned up on one elbow with her chin resting against her hand. "Sure, I understand. I never want to talk about my nightmares when they hit me like that either. In fact, I just want to forget it all together."

Horatio lifted his left hand to his forehead with a groan. His head was throbbing and he felt like he was caught in a vice grip being crushed. He closed his eyes for a moment taking in a deep slow breath allowing the burning pain to dissipate.

"Horatio, are you all right?" She asked with concern as she softly brushed back some strands of hair on his forehead.

"Yes, I'm fine sweetheart." He replied opening his eyes again. He gave her a little smile and Calleigh grinned knowing he really was okay. His hands tightened around her as he pulled her even closer and whispered, "I just want to hold you close… and I don't want to let go."

Calleigh leaned down and planted a very soft kiss on his lips cupping his cheek tenderly. She broke off and smiled at him as she let her head rest against his shoulder breathing her warm breath on his neck. "Well I am very comfortable like this if you are handsome and I don't plan on letting go, ever."

"Mmm," he hummed low as his right hand caressed her silky soft hair.

Calleigh smiled. Her fingers stroked and gently played with his hair allowing him to close his eyes again with a soft sigh. She knew he would fall asleep again as her fingers continued their relaxing assault. She felt his breathing even out and his hand in her hair slid down to her back and stopped moving. She smiled. He was asleep again. She sighed softly cuddling closer, wrapping her arm around his waist and her leg around his. She rested her head on his chest letting her eyes close once again drifting back off to sleep.

III

Horatio stood in front of the mirror as he fixed his tie. Without warning another set of very soft hands joined his in the mirror. She chuckled as she ducked under his arm to quickly make her way directly in front of him. She hummed her pleasure smiling as he grinned, her hands went to his tie adjusting it and tightening it up gently at the neck.

"There. Perfect as always," she said cheerfully.

"Mmm, yes you are perfection beautiful. First thing in the morning and the last thing I see when I close my eyes at night," he said in his velvety soft tone leaning down tenderly kissing her lips, "Thank you."

Calleigh smiled letting her eyes close for a moment as she deeply inhaled him. His intoxicating cologne assaulting her senses and stimulating her nerve endings making her tingle all over. "Yes well, I was talking about you handsome and you're welcome." She pursed her lips getting serious, "Are you sure you don't want me to come to court with you toady?"

"Yes I'm sure sweetheart. It's just formalities and you already wasted how many days taking care of me."

She gasped, "I didn't waste any of them, don't ever say that. I enjoyed each and every moment more than you'll ever know. Besides you made it a lot of fun," she said wiggling her brows at him.

Horatio grinned shyly looking down with a whisper, "Yes, we did have fun, didn't we." He paused holding her eyes, "I do plan on making up for my lack of… service.

Calleigh chuckled as her eyes scanned along his immaculate body. He had on her favorite gray suit and black shirt. She tugged on his tie pulling him down closer to her lips. She whispered seductively, "Handsome, you didn't lack in the service department at all." Her lips softly brushed against his as he moaned low and deepened the kiss wrapping her up in his arms.

Calleigh moaned softly and pulled back giving him a hungry look. "You better go… before I make you late handsome."

Horatio's eyes narrowed slightly as his lips curved up. "I should wear ties more often," his velvety voice whispered near her ear. He inhaled breathing in her vanilla scented fragrance.

Calleigh grinned and shook her head. "Mmm, as long as you let me take them off."

"Mmm, I would have it no other way beautiful."

Calleigh's cell phone rang interrupting them. She frowned and headed towards the night table opening it. She turned and looked back at Horatio as her eyes scanned up and down his lean sexy frame.

"Duquesne, uh-huh, okay, I got it, see you there Eric." She closed her phone with a smirk.

"It looks like I'm going to have to wait until tonight to take that tie off you handsome."

"Duty calls?"

"It does and at the most trying times too," she sighed, letting her shoulders slump in defeat.

Horatio chuckled, "C'mon beautiful, I'll walk you out and I promise to make it up to you tonight."

III

Horatio walked into the courthouse not quite feeling comfortable about this hearing. His eyes scanned behind his sunglasses and quickly focused on a familiar face. His head tilted questioning as he deliberately removed his sunglasses.

"Good morning Lieutenant."

"Chief," Horatio replied. "Are you here on a case this morning?"

"Yes, you could say that."

Horatio's brows arched. His gut instinct kicked in. That little voice inside his head was letting him know something was up. "I'm just here for formalities sir."

"Or so you were told lieutenant. IAB has been asking questions about your latest case and the explosion."

"I was told that was already cleared."

"As was I, which is why I am here today, to make sure it is Lieutenant."

Horatio thoughtfully blinked as he whispered low, "I don't want you involved in this, Jim."

"Well it's a good thing you don't have a say in the matter, Horatio. Now let's go get this over with, shall we?"

Horatio exhaled frustrated as the Chief began walking away. He quickly joined in step beside him as they entered through two very large doors walking into the courtroom.

The Chief walked in right to the front taking a seat. Horatio stopped and scanned over the room.

His eyes went to Agent Cole's and then Agent Reed's who nodded to him from their seats. He acknowledged them purposely making his way up to the front and took a seat behind the table on the left.

The Chief leaned forward and spoke quietly over Horatio's shoulder. "Relax; this will all be over before you know it."

Horatio nodded wondering. 'Why is my gut telling me different?'

The door opened and Stetler came walking in with a malicious grin on his face. Horatio's stomach turned knowing now what this was all about. He took a seat in the back of the room while Horatio turned back toward the front.

Four men walked in from the side door all dressed in suites. They all took their seats behind a long desk opening their files.

One man began speaking into the microphone as he greeted everyone. "Good morning, I am Supervisor Peterson. We are here today to discuss some formalities about, Lieutenant Caines actions during his last investigation. It has been brought to our attention that Lieutenant Caine could have taken a different approach, perhaps a less violent one. His eyes focusing on Horatio as he spoke, "Lieutenant Caine do you feel this to be true?"

Horatio swallowed as his brows furrowed and he quietly answered. "No sir, I do not. In my opinion sir, I didn't see any other way to deal with the situation at the time. I did give the perpetrator every opportunity to surrender and he refused sir."

The man nodded his head at Horatio. "So you say you gave him a chance to surrender is that correct?

The doors opened quietly, Calleigh, Frank and Eric walked in and quickly took a seat glaring over at Stetler. The Chief looked back acknowledging Calleigh with a smile. Horatio wasn't the wiser as his eyes remained front and center on the panel of Supervisors.'

"Yes sir it is."

"Very well Lieutenant." He nodded at Horatio. "Agent Cole, may I ask you what you witnessed at the scene that day?"

Agent Cole rose as he nodded. "Yes sir. I witnessed Lieutenant Caine taking every precaution he could to end the situation peacefully. He followed text book procedure and remained calm and intact even though everyone's lives were at stake sir. His noble offer was heard by all of us even after he was threatened again by, Joseph Ratner. He clearly stated it right in front of Agent Reed and I, we both heard him as well as a few others sir."

"I see. So you also believe what Lieutenant Caine did was necessary? You also believe he had no other options?"

Agent Cole nodded deepening his voice even more. "Yes sir, that's correct! I agree completely with Lieutenant Caine's decision. Not only did Lieutenant Caine follow procedure and try to end the conflict peacefully, he also gave the known felon three chances to surrender. He asked him three different times sir, doing his best, in my opinion to end the situation without violence. If you ask me sir, I wouldn't have given that felon one chance. He killed a federal officer and how many other innocent people. He also kidnapped the lieutenant and tried to kill him twice. In my opinion sir, Lieutenant Caine has the patience of a saint!" Agent Cole said in almost a growl.

"Thank you Agent Cole you may sit down now."

Agent Cole sat down with a look back at Calleigh and the group. Horatio looked over to Agent Cole with a slight nod.

"Lieutenant Caine, you knew the phone was set to explode?" Supervisor Peterson asked unexpectedly.

Horatio hesitated thinking about it all again. "I, I had my suspicions sir, yes."

"And yet you still got on that boat. He could have detonated it at any time and you being a bomb expert would know this, I assume?"

Horatio cleared his throat. "Yes sir. I… I knew if I didn't get on that boat a young boy would die. I wasn't thinking about myself at the moment sir."

The Supervisor snorted a laugh, "Yes, I am well aware of that now Lieutenant." He replied. "Tell me something Lieutenant. You had a grudge against Judge Ratner didn't you?"

Horatio brows arched high. "Umm, I think you may have that backwards sir."

His eyes bore into Horatio's and he spoke annoyed. "I already know he had a grudge against you Lieutenant, that is all part of our job description, wouldn't you say?"

Horatio nodded up and down in confusion. "I would. Yes."

"He tried to kill you, he kidnapped your nephew, and yet you still felt it necessary to give him numerous chances at surrendering?"

"Yes sir. I did my best to try and end it peacefully. That is my job sir."

The Supervisor looked at the other panel members as they shared nods and he continued.

"Lieutenant Caine, I see no reason to continue this inquiry any further. You have responded to our questions honestly and we are satisfied with your answers. I do apologize for this inconvenience but it was necessary. Internal Affairs did mention the use of unnecessary force and just because we are the law does not mean we are above it. We did need to look into the case further and make sure their accusations were dealt with." He smiled, "Lieutenant Caine, this hearing is now officially concluded. We apologize for keeping you from your duties and we are glad Lieutenant that you are on our side. It's also good to see you fully recovered from your ordeal."

Horatio nodded relieved, "Thank you sir."

Calleigh glared over at Stetler as he got up and walked out of the room. The Supervisors all got up conversing as the Chief walked over to them.

Horatio turned and froze seeing Calleigh, Eric and Frank. He blinked as she gave him a wide smile and Agent Cole and Reed both approached him.

"Lieutenant Caine, glad to see everything worked out." Agent Cole grinned shaking his hand.

"Thank you Agent Cole, I appreciate your honesty and your help in the matter."

"Yeah, well IAB has their heads up their ass if they are questioning your actions."

Horatio chuckled low, "I agree… completely."

"Well I'm glad it all worked out." Agent Cole chuckled putting his hand out to Horatio.

"Thank you." Horatio said shaking his hand again as Agent Reed smiled,

"See you around Lieutenant."

"Take care," Horatio said, as they turned and walked away. His eyes went to Calleigh, Frank and Eric who all looked away for a second. He chuckled low as he headed for them.

"When did you three get here?" He asked softly as the Chief walked up behind him and saved them.

"I called them Lieutenant, just in case we needed a few more witnesses." The Chief quickly answered as Calleigh grinned.

"I see," Horatio exhaled softly with a nod at them. "Thank you sir for… having my back."

"Always Lieutenant," he grinned.

Horatio nodded as he shyly looked down at his hands.

"Thank you Chief," Calleigh said with a smile seeing Horatio's embarrassment.

The Chief nodded. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. I had no idea IAB was going to pull that this morning."

Horatio lifted his head inquisitively. His eyes tightening just a bit as the Chief noticed. "It would seem that IAB has it in for you Lieutenant, so do us a favor and tread lightly, okay?"

Horatio eyes tightened more. "Mmm, so it would seem." His voice deepened with a hint of anger.

"Lieutenant Caine?" The Chief asked waiting for an answer as Horatio locked eyes with him.

"Yes sir, of course."

The Chief shook his head side to side. "Why do I get the feeling you are humoring me, Horatio?"

Horatio's brow arched as he nodded up and down repeatedly knowing the Chief was right on target. He felt like taking Stetler's head off at the moment. He shifted uncomfortably as the Chief chuckled.

"All right I need to get back to the office; I'll talk to you soon."

"Thank you again Chief." Horatio said as his boss walked away with a nod.

"Well Lieutenant, would you like to get out of here?" Calleigh chuckled as Frank and Eric joined in.

"Yes, by all means shall we." He said as they all walked out of the courtroom.

"So we'll see you back at the lab," Eric and Frank said, as Calleigh hopped in the Hummer with Horatio.

He turned to her with a grateful smile. "Thank you for coming."

"You're welcome handsome, and I apologized for not telling you but the Chief called me after I got to the lab. He was expecting trouble and stressed I should not contact you about it."

"Yes, I knew something was up when I walked in the courthouse and the Chief was standing there waiting for me."

"I want to kill Stetler," she growled as Horatio's brows went up.

"Um, let's not say that out loud okay?" Horatio said, as he held his own anger at bay trying to help her with her own.

Calleigh chuckled, "Right."

"In due time, Stetler will slip up and we'll be waiting. We'll be waiting," he said, as he slipped on his sunglasses and started the engine.

III

They walked together into the lab, Horatio's phone rang and he opened it giving Calleigh a nod. She smiled as she went ahead of him stepping into the elevator and headed up to the lab.

"Yes, I understand and I'll have someone at the scene Asap." Horatio said, closing his phone walking toward the elevator pushing the button.

The elevator dinged and the doors opened to reveal Sergeant Rick Stetler. Horatio's eyes tightened on him as he boldly walked into the elevator. He looked at the numbered panel and saw his floor lit as he settled behind Stetler clenching his jaw.

"Horatio," Stetler acknowledged, "Looks like you lucked out again in court today."

Horatio blinked back his anger hearing the chief's words, 'Tread lightly.' He exhaled softly, "Luck had nothing to do with it, Rick."

Stetler snorted a laugh, "Oh, that's right you had the Chief helping you again."

Horatio's cheek twitched as flashes went off in his head, his anger quickly getting the best of him. He knew Stetler was behind this but had no proof at the moment. He wanted to rip him apart with his bare hands. He took a step forward and punched the red emergency stop button making the elevator jerk coming to a halt.

Rick's eyes went wide. "What the hell are you doing?"

Horatio turned to Rick with a glare that could kill. He took a step toward him as Rick backed up against the elevator wall. Horatio closed the distance as he growled getting right into Ricks face.

"Right now you think you got away with it all, don't you?" his fiery eyes sliding back and forth on Stetler's. "Let me give you a little wake up call. You didn't! I know what you did and whom you were working with. You're going to pay trust me, you're going to pay."

Stetler smiled coldly, "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Horatio nodded and moved in even closer. "Yes you do, and let me give you a little piece of advice, Rick. It's not over. Oh, you may think everyone is dead and there is no one to convict you but think again. I'm still here. You're going to slip up again and when you do guess who's going to be waiting." Horatio growled low holding his gaze. His steel blue eyes boring right through him as Rick began to feel very uncomfortable.

Horatio took a step back and hit the button as the elevator began moving again.

Stetler shifted stepping away from the wall with a breath, "Where's your proof Lieutenant? Do you have anything to back up that overactive imagination of yours?"

Horatio's eyes narrowed as he turned with anger and unexpectedly grabbed Rick slamming him right against the elevator wall. He held his frightened eyes as he growled. "If you ever come near my family again Rick, I'll kill you. Stay away from my family and my team. Do you understand me?" He growled through gritted teeth fisting Stetler's shirt holding him pinned against the wall.

"What's taking this elevator so long?" Alexx asked as Calleigh chuckled standing near her.

The elevator dinged, the doors opened and Rick practically stumbled out looking back at Horatio in shock. Horatio glared at him as Rick scurried away.

Calleigh and Alexx looked at Horatio's angry face stunned, wondering what just happened.

"Horatio?" Calleigh called softly, as he turned slowly to her knowing she was well aware of the situation.

He gave her a smile and nodded at Alexx, "Good morning."

Alexx's eyes widened as her brows arched, "Good morning."

His eyes went back to Calleigh as he headed over to reception. Paula handed him a few messages. He strained to listen to Calleigh and Alexx's conversation.

"Baby, I don't think it's a good morning for Rick Stetler," Alexx whispered with a chuckle getting into the elevator as Calleigh grinned.

She turned back to Horatio who held her eyes and began walking toward his office. She was right on his heals following him. He opened the door and she followed walking in and closing it right behind her.

"Horatio, what was that all about?" She asked concerned.

He looked down at his hands and back up at her. "What was, what all about?"

"Horatio! Do I look like I was born yesterday?" She said putting a hand on her hip staring at him annoyed. "Stetler practically ran out of that elevator and his shirt was all bunched up at the chest. So let's go, out with it Lieutenant."

His brows arched thinking she noticed all of that in a matter of seconds. 'Leave it to my bullet girl.' "We just had words that's all."

Calleigh gave him a smirk and exaggerated her words, "Wow, your words sure are strong to do that to his shirt."

Horatio exhaled quietly, "I just warned him and um, made sure that he got my message loud and clear."

Calleigh shook her head back and forth. "I knew it. That look Stetler had on his face was priceless. To me it said something more than just words happened and he looked like he was ready to… piss himself." She chuckled. "Well I think you got your message through to him handsome." She said walking toward him.

Horatio nodded. His hand went up to his tie knot and he pulled gently back and forth loosening it from his neck. Calleigh's hands quickly assisted as she easily slid it off his neck and unbuttoned his top three buttons.

"Thank you sweetheart," he said softly as she leaned up and gave him a quick kiss.

"Anytime handsome, anytime."

III

Calleigh headed back down to trace and walked in on Eric and Ryan who were laughing together for a change. She smiled knowing they had no clue she was there putting a hand on her hip waiting for them to notice her.

"How do you know? He told you that?" Eric asked stunned.

"No, let's just say I heard it from a reputable source."

"Yeah well, we all know about your sources, Ryan. Sorry, I have a hard time believing H would do something like that." Eric replied.

"Me too and I was shocked when I heard. H must have really been pissed though. I bet John shit his pants when he saw him," Ryan said nodding to Eric, "I heard he also lost a few teeth and had a broken nose. But I don't know if he actually shit his pants," Ryan chuckled.

Eric nodded angrily, "Yeah, well he deserves that and more for what he did to Calleigh."

Ryan nodded, "I agree and I think H does too."

Calleigh's eyes widened, "What are you two talking about?" She asked suddenly.

Ryan turned as he saw her and Eric froze shocked as his eyes literally popped out of his head.

"Umm…." Ryan mumbled looking down.

"Calleigh," Eric said stunned that she was standing there. He wondered just how much of that she heard. He scratched his head as he tried to think of something to say.

"Ryan, what were you both just talking about? Did I hear you say John?"

Eric shook his head back and forth as his mind reeled. 'Shit she heard us, nice going Delko.'

"No, no, we were just talking about a suspect," Eric mumbled as Calleigh glared at Ryan whose mouth hung open.

"A suspect huh," she said wisely as the door opened and Horatio walked in completely unaware of the situation.

He gave her a small grin that quickly faded as she glared at him. His brows furrowed in confusion as he looked from her to Eric and Ryan.

"Is everything okay in here?" He asked looking back to her.

"No, it's not," she said, clearly upset crossing her arms on her chest.

He nodded, "What—"

"I need to talk to you," she snapped cutting him right off.

"Um, okay. I just need to give them a location. We just received a call out." He said softly as Calleigh glared more at him and put her hand on her hip waiting impatiently.

He turned back to Eric and Ryan who were both giving him all sorts of discerning looks as she huffed annoyed. He turned to her as Eric blurted out, "H, umm…." trying to warn him.

Horatio turned back to him and held his worried eyes. He put his hand up. "Um, give me a minute gentleman." He said leading Calleigh over to a quiet corner of the lab.

"Shit, she heard us." Eric said, as Ryan nodded.

"Yeah and H has no clue. Do you think she knows anything?"

Eric glared at Ryan shaking his head.

Horatio held her eyes seeing how upset she was. It didn't take long for her to speak as she whispered low, "What did you do?"

Horatio blinked with confusion, "Do? What do you mean?"

"Damn it Horatio! Did you go see, John?" She whispered keeping her tone low but firm.

Horatio blinked back stunned and immediately looked down at his hands. His mouth opened but nothing came out as he remained quiet.

"You did!" She snapped upset staring at him in disbelief.

He brought his eyes back up to hers as he whispered, "Calleigh… This is not the place to discuss this. Can we—"

She huffed and threw her hands up walking out of the lab upset as he softly called after her, "Calleigh, Calleigh… wait please."

She was gone. He stood rooted to the floor shaking his head back and forth. His phone chirped again reminding him of the call. He exhaled and headed back over to Eric and Ryan.

He spoke softly, "Gentleman we have a call out near Miami Beach, I would like you two to take it, all right?" He said, clearly bothered by what just happened.

"Sure H, were on it." Ryan said looking down as Eric nodded.

"H, um, I was trying to warn you before she spoke with you." Eric hesitated, waiting for Ryan to say something as Horatio listened with confusion. "She overheard us. Ryan was telling me what you— Well, supposedly that you went to see John."

Horatio closed his eyes in dismay understanding everything now. He shook his head as Eric whispered shakily, "I'm sorry H, we didn't mean for this to happen. We would never intentionally do that."

"I know that Eric. I know." He exhaled heavily with a nod, "All right, you two get on this Asap and keep me posted."

"Okay H," Eric replied as Ryan remained quiet feeling very guilty. They both headed out of the lab.

Horatio sighed looking down at his hands. He took a moment to gather himself and his reeling thoughts. 'This is not good.' He let out a heavy breath trying to figure out what he was going to say to her.

TBC…

I'm listening.