Author's notes: I feel the show has done a real disservice to the Horatio/Kyle storyline, starting with the fact that Horatio never got custody of Kyle. I never enjoyed Julia and I waited and waited for the show to resolve her story so we could get back to what I viewed as the real issue - that of Kyle and Horatio. Well it never happened, and then when they, sort of, finally, did something; it really was too little, too late. Their were just so many more issues in this story that were glossed over and ignored, because of the writers seeming obsession over Julia, and I would like to see if I could expound on a few of them.

Disclaimer: Is this even really necessary, of course I don't own the show. CBS if you'd ever like to use any of my ideas to help improve the show, feel free.


Chapter One: A tough Choice

by OkieBeth05

Alex walked Horatio to his hummer after their family night. She was extremely worried about her friend as she knew everyone at the lab was, so she had invited him to spend the evening with her family. Their evening had been pleasant enough, Horatio had even smiled and laughed a bit, particularly with her children, but she knew him well. He had barely spoken of himself all evening. He seemed preoccupied and his mind seemed to wander. They walked in silence, Alex studying her friend trying to find a way to breach his shell. "So how are you doing Horatio?" She finally spoke up

"Huh!" Horatio sounded far off. "Oh, Fine" he stuttered.

Oh with that far off answer, Alex knew Horatio was anything but fine. "And how is your son?" Alex probed. "What was his name…?" She pretended not to remember. Of course she knew the answer, but she needed a way to bring Horatio out of himself.

"Kyle!" Horatio's face briefly lit up, but then the light faded just as quickly as it had come. "Oh, he's fine… I guess."

Alex gave a quizzical look "Don't you know?"

"He's with his mother. She keeps him occupied with after school projects, trips and everything. He doesn't really have a whole lot of time to see me." Horatio's eyes drifted to the ground.

Alex stopped walking and put a hand on Horatio's shoulder to force him to face her. "You have a right to know your own son Horatio."

"What am I supposed to do, Alex? She is his mother… and she has custody."

"Yes, and you are his father." She said with conviction

Horatio looked at the ground ashamed.

"Horatio, sweetie, look at me, he is your child. If you don't fight for him, nobody will. You were not the one who abandoned him. He needs you, desperately. He has never had a father figure, and if you don't want him to end up in jail for the rest of his life, or dead, you need to be his father. He needs you to show him how to be a man, or he will never truly grow up." Alex waited for Horatio to respond, but all he did was sigh and continue looking at the ground. She knew this was hurting him, but somebody had to tell him, or he would spend the rest of his life in regret. She continued. "You need to fight her, Horatio, for Kyle's sake. I know you think you are protecting your son by allowing him to believe his mother is there for him, but in the end, all it will do is hurt him. She had her chance with both of you, and she chose to run away and get involved with dangerous men. She entrenched herself in a life of crime, she did it to herself sweetie. She is dangerous Horatio. You know that, now you need to do what is right for your child."

Horatio gulped "I…, I don't know Alex." I hear what you're saying and I know it's the truth, but…I don't know if I am strong enough to do that. I mean, do I even have the right? I wasn't there for him any more than she was and I've done some things I'm not proud of myself. What can I possibly offer him?"

Alex cupped Horatio's chin in her hand and lifted his face up so she could look into his eyes. She saw tears in his eyes, and she knew she was witnessing a side to Horatio that few people ever saw. "I believe in you Horatio, your team believes in you. You will find the strength to do what you know is right. Just trust yourself and your friends. We are all here for you. When you are ready, just tell us, and we will be there right along side of you. Just don't take too long deciding, okay. "She turned and started walking back to her house.

As Alex turned around, Horatio spoke up, his voice barely above a whisper. "Alex…Thank you." She smiled at him and continued walking.

Horatio knew he had a lot to think about. This would not be easy, fighting Julia and possibly hurting Kyle in the process to save him, would be one of the most difficult and heart wrenching things he'd ever have to do. But now he knew his friends were behind him, and that would make it all so much easier when it came time to take action.