Pieces of the Puzzle
Disclaimer: I don not Own CSI: Miami. Just Solana and Gretchen.
Start
It had been 2 months since Solana Caine had been released from St. Anne's.
Horatio, with the help of Eric and Tim, had cleared out the Office, and put the living room into order so it could act as an Office/Living area.
Calleigh and Alexx had set to buying the furniture and decorating it. It was now purple and gold, the same shade of the Hummer, and, with the persuasion of Solana, had a sign on the door that read 'CSI MIAMI DADE JUNIOR LIEUTENANT' on it.
She had gone out and used up the allowance that Horatio set for her on little objects to keep her occupied.
She and Horatio had sat down one night in the hospital and looked over different school brochures that Horatio had printed and chosen one.
Miami Public Middle School was close to the apartment, so she could walk if she needed too.
She now had a scar on her hand and her chest, both places where she had… 'Been shot on the job' as she liked to call it.
She had special permission to help recognize and formulate plans on Gang Investigations, but had not actually gone out on the field again.
RIING…RIING…RIING….
Solana looked up from her bed, where she had been reading.
RIING…RIING…RIING…
She got up and followed the phone's beckoning to Horatio's room.
It was 4 in the morning and Horatio was still sleeping, quickly, she answered it as he stirred.
As usual, Horatio's room was perfectly clean; everything had a place and everything was in its place.
She glanced outside as she exited the room, pressing the 'Answer' button.
"Hello?" She asked. 'Who in the seven seas would call at 4 in the morning?' she thought.
"Is Solana Caine available?" A woman said in a quiet voice.
"Speaking." She felt her interest perk.
"This is St. Anne's Hospital. It's about your biological mother, Gretchen Maich…" The woman said.
Solana felt her heart skip a beat.
"Is she ok? What happened?" She asked quickly, clutching the hem of her silk pajama shirt, and her voice rose in alarm.
"Oh yes, she's absolutely fine. Actually, she's woken up and is asking for you." The woman said happily, and Solana could hear the smile on the other end.
A drowsy Horatio came out, leaning on the door frame and rubbing an eye.
His pajama bottoms and shirt were wrinkly.
"What's…YAAAAAAWN the matter?" He yawned.
"Miss Caine? Are you there?" The woman asked.
"Er…Yes. Thank you for telling me. I'll see if I can come in. Good bye." And she hung up, and stared at her now wide awake adopted father.
"Momma…She's awake." Usually she had referred to Gretchen as 'Gretchen' but her tongue slipped.
Horatio stopped for a fraction of a second.
"Get dressed, quickly." And disappeared into his room again.
Solana dashed into her room and threw on the jeans she wore the day before with a pink and purple shirt. She came back out and Horatio was ready, CSI badge and I.D in all.
She grabbed her shoes and hopped down the hall after him, trying to double task.
They reached the Hummer and Horatio started the engine up and they were off.
AT THE HOSPITAL
Solana and Horatio stopped outside Gretchen's door, and Solana grabbed Horatio's hand.
"You can do this." He whispered, and they entered the room of Gretchen Maich.
She was surrounded by doctors, all asking her questions.
She caught sight of Solana and Horatio, and she started crying.
"My Baby!" She cried, and Solana and Horatio neared. Solana hugged her mother.
"Hello, mother." Solana whispered.
"Oh my baby. How are you? I can't believe it, 4 years I was in a coma. But I'm back now, baby oh I love you!" Solana stiffened at the last three words.
"Mother. I missed you too." She whispered, and Horatio and Solana sat as the doctors exited.
Solana caught the sleeve of one and he bent down so she could whisper in his ear.
"Can I tell her about the adoption?" She asked.
He thought for a moment, and then nodded.
"Gently." He whispered.
"What," Gretchen asked, "And who is this, Solana?" She asked, smiling at Horatio.
"My name's Horatio Caine, ma'am." He said respectfully.
"Um…Mother?" Solana started, timid.
"Yes, what is it dear?" Gretchen asked.
"Mother…while you were…in a coma…father…" Solana was cut off.
"Yes, where is your father? Why isn't he here?" Gretchen asked.
"Mother…Father…he…after your accident, he…he left me on the street. He, he left us. He's somewhere on the other side of the country." Solana whispered, and Gretchen looked confused.
"Then…Where…Solana you're not making any sense. Where have you lived then?" She asked, slightly annoyed.
"That's what I'm getting too. Mother, I'm not a 'Maich' any more. My name is Solana Caine now." She whispered.
Gretchen's expression grew angry.
"That's foolishness! You're still a Maich! You're still my daughter! Your Father and I are still alive!" She said angrily, and then turned to Horatio.
"You've planted some crack pot story in my daughter's head that her father moved away, kidnapped her and adopted her under false pretences!" She accused.
Horatio was not fazed.
"Mother! That's not true! Horatio saved me from death! Father did abandon me! It's all true! My last name is Caine!" Solana protested.
"That's-" Horatio cut her off.
"Ma'am, the law states that since your husband, Mr. Maich, has given up his parental rights when he signed the contract. He has left, leaving you and his only daughter." Solana stared at her adopted parent with relief. Horatio would smooth it all over with her.
"What about me!" Gretchen spat.
"You were in a coma. Your husband moved away and your daughter was on the streets. You didn't assign a living godparent to Solana. Therefore, there will be a court trial to decide who will be allowed custody of her. I have taken Solana now." Horatio explained.
Gretchen looked murderous.
She turned away.
Solana felt her eyes get wet and she rose.
"I'll visit again." And she exited.
Horatio went after her.
Horatio eventually caught up to her at the Hummer.
"Solana." He said as the girl cried into his chest.
"She hates me Horatio." She cried and Horatio stroked her hair.
"That's not true. She's just confused." Horatio soothed.
Solana backed up and yawned.
Horatio smiled.
"How long were you up last night?" He asked.
She blushed.
"Longer than the time I told you to go to sleep." He continued, and she blushed, trying to suppress another yawn.
"Come on. You're going to bed now." Horatio helped her into the hummer and drove off, when something popped into her head.
"Horatio? Thanks…for everything.
Horatio blinked.
"You're very welcome, my dear." He said lightly.
Solana grinned.
She smiled.
"Rick wasn't too pleased." He continued.
"Hm?" Solana stared at him for a moment, confused.
"He wasn't pleased at the theory of me adopting you." and Solana giggled more.
"Good. Stetler acts as though he has a metal bar shoved up his-" She was cut off by Horatio.
"What were you doing up before the hospital called?" He asked.
"…Reading. It feels so different if you haven't done it for years and years." She said, looking at morning Miami.
It was around 5:00 now.
"Horatio?" She asked.
"Hmm?"
"Can I have some hot chocolate when we get home?"
It was their little ritual.
When they both went into the lab, He was Lieutenant Caine, and she was Little Lieutenant Caine.
When he had coffee in the morning, She had hot chocolate.
When he had paperwork, she either had gang marks to recognize or was mapping out gang hoods.
When he had to go investigate, she stayed in the hummer and compared old CSI evidence Journals.
It was a rare day when she was left at home, and when she was 'working' there was barely time to stop.
Alexx asked her if she only came because she felt obligated too, but Solana was happy with being Little Lieutenant Caine.
END
