Disclaimers: I do NOT own CSI Miami, Calleigh, Horatio, or Speedle.
Spoilers: "Lost Son"
"You hang in there," Horatio whispered, tightly hugging Calleigh.
"Trying," she replied with a sad chuckle.
"Well, you just keep on trying, ma'am," he smiled his boyish smile, releasing her from his embrace.
Tears began to well up in Calleigh's eyes as she looked back on recent events. She still couldn't believe any of it was really happening. Speed was dead. The two of them had worked so closely together over the years, and now … now she would never see his smile again. Or that scruffy face, or his always messy hair. She started to cry.
"Hey. Hey, Calleigh." Horatio took her back into his arms, rubbing her back gently. "Let it out honey."
"Oh God, I'm sorry," Calleigh whispered between sobs and sniffles.
"No need to be. I'll hold you for as long as you need me too." Tears began to form in Horatio's eyes as well, as he listened to his best friend's sobs.
The two stood together for what seemed like an eternity before both Horatio's and Calleigh's tears began to subside.
"I need to go," Calleigh whispered, looking straight into Horatio's eyes.
"Alright honey, you go then." He smiled that smile again. The one that never failed to make her melt.
"See you tomorrow then?" She smiled back at him.
"Tomorrow." He started to walk towards Speed's locker, but stopped and turned back to her. "And Calleigh?"
"Yeah?" She turned to face him again.
"Hang in there." Horatio turned back to the locker.
"Horatio? You too." Calleigh responded, before turning and leaving Horatio to collect Speed's things.
"Me too," He whispered to himself. "Me too."