A/N: Hey Everyone. Okay first I would like to give a great big thank you to all the readers for the wonderful welcome back. You guys are the greatest and your reviews and comments were awesome. Second, If you'd take a jump over to my website and click on this story you will be surprised with the pics I made to go with it. This was fun but oh so time consuming. LOL I enjoyed it anyway. Just click on my homepage or the link in my profile to get there, oh and more important, have fun.
I must give a great big thank you to Angie, my beta, who has done a wonderful job on this chapter and every chapter I have ever written! Angie, you are amazing and oh so talented in your writing. You turn my words into Sparkling electricity, pure excitement and make them jump off the page. You spiff them up so good. You're the best and thank you so much!
Okay, here we go. Get ready for the first drop on the roller-coaster ride. It's a doozy and you will all find it very, very, unexpected. As always, Enjoy!
Chapter 2
Horatio departed the break room with a peace offering in his hand. Knowing he had one angry ballistics expert on the premises he guiltily made his way down to the firearms lab. He shook his head side to side and exhaled heavily pinching the bridge of his nose. The sounds of gunfire angrily reverberated off the walls as he did the walk of shame down the hall to her domain getting closer. The shooting suddenly stopped, he inhaled deeply and entered.
"Knock, knock, knock," he said softly.
She turned to him and immediately twisted back around reloading her weapon. Sliding in a new clip and locking it in place firmly with her hand. Her quick dismissal of him and her deliberate actions clearly expressed how angry she was.
He exhaled softly, "I thought maybe... you'd like some coffee?"
She ignored him placing the headphones over her ears and began firing again until the clip was empty. She put the gun down, lowered the headphones to her neck and looked over her shoulder to see him quietly stand there.
"Do we have a call out?" She asked still upset.
His brows arched and he looked down apologetic. "No. I just thought maybe we could talk a little."
"Oh, now you wanna talk," she snapped furiously as she turned to him. "How could you do that? How, Horatio?"
"Calleigh…." His words failing him as he hung his head in defeat thinking. This day did not start off good and it just seems to be getting worse.
She walked up to him as he lifted his eyes to hers. Without a doubt she was one angry southern woman.
"What were you thinking? You could lose your job, your career, if he presses charges..."
"That's not going to happen," he said softly, trying to reassure her.
"Oh, really! You know this for a fact?" She whispered low.
He nodded speaking softly, "Yes, I do."
Calleigh glared at him, "You lied to me, and once again I'm the last one to know, right Horatio?"
"No, Calleigh. I didn't lie… I, I just didn't let you in on my personal game plan for John." He was quick as she turned away, gently reaching for her arm with a soft whisper, "No one knows. At least that's what I thought," he said, with furrowing brows holding her gaze wondering about Eric and Ryan.
"So how did Eric and Ryan know then?" Her questioning tone softened.
"I honestly don't know. I mean it Calleigh," he added seriously.
She exhaled softly, "What if Stetler would have walked in instead of me and overheard all of that. What then Horatio?"
He swallowed hard, "I know, you're right."
"When did you find the time to confront John?" She asked holding his wavering blue eyes.
"Calleigh…" He shook his head looking down again.
"Just be honest with me, when?"
He shook his head back and forth exhaling softly. "Umm, when you came home early and walked in to find the broken vase shattered near the wall."
She gasped in recognition. "That's why you were so angry that day. It wasn't just the pictures. I had a feeling there was something else going on that day."
Horatio swallowed with a nod. "It's not something I had intended to share with you. I'm not proud of what I did but I couldn't…." he let his words trail off with a soft sigh.
Calleigh held his sad blue eyes and knew he was telling the truth. She noticed the pain in them and heard the anguish and raw emotion in his voice.
She nodded. "You could have talked to me you know."
"I know, but you would have stopped me."
"Your damn right I would have. Did you ever stop to think about your career, or your job that you love?"
"No, I only thought about the woman I loved and nothing else mattered at the moment. I couldn't let him just get away with it, Calleigh. He knows how the system works and he's playing it. He'll spend some time in the mental hospital and he'll get out in a few months with what, a slap on the wrist." He spat out frustrated with the whole system.
Calleigh exhaled heavily understanding Horatio's anger. He was usually very quiet and calm about things but this was different and she wasn't use to seeing him rattled like this. Her heart ached even more when she realized she was angry with him for all the wrong reasons knowing he did this out of love for her. She was wrong and he was just trying to protect the woman he loved. Her. She realized she probably would have done the same thing in his shoes. 'Heck, maybe worse.' He was risking his life's work, his career, just to get a hand on John. Her heart slowed and her voice softened with regret.
She pursed her lips and gently reached for his hand. "I'm sorry, Horatio. I shouldn't have reacted like that. It was rather childish."
His brows rose as his eyes found hers once again. He shook his head putting the cup down. "Don't apologize, please. You were angry and had every right to be."
"No, I didn't. You've been honest and open with me about almost everything," She gave him a small grin, "I mean… I know you're trying and you have opened up to me and trusted me with your most personal experiences.
He shook his head back and forth, "Calleigh—"
"Please let me finish."
He smiled nodding entwining her fingers with his, as she continued.
"I haven't been exactly open and honest back, now have I?" She shook her head at him answering her own question, "No, I haven't, but I want to be, Horatio." She sighed heavily struggling with her words sliding her hand from his. She shook her head back and forth and raked a hand through her hair.
"I— since the incident with my sister I kinda lost track. I'm afraid—" She shook her head correcting herself, "I was afraid of being hurt again and I kinda got stuck in a rut, ya know? I mean before you and Cynthia—" She exhaled hearing her words, "I'm sorry this is not easy for me." She began to pace back and forth.
He nodded and remained quiet letting her talk and confront her own emotions. He stood by patiently, trying to keep eye contact, listening to her explain everything that was on her mind.
"On my trip to Tallahassee, I had my mind made up and I knew exactly what I wanted. Then when everything happened I began to have doubts. I guess you can call them insecurities if you want, but I was just so afraid of being hurt again, I couldn't see straight." She inhaled deeply walking up to him and holding his hand again. She looked right into his beautiful blue eyes. "Horatio, I have wanted to be with you for so long. I have never loved anyone the way I love you. I hope you can forgive me. I have been too hard on you and expected so much yet I was afraid to take the step forward myself. Can you ever forgive me?"
His lips curved up and his eyes crinkled at the edges. He released her hand and tenderly cupped her face with both his hands bringing her closer. He whispered, "No, I can't, because there's nothing to forgive."
Calleigh's eyes widened and then instantly softened. She shook her head back and forth at him. Horatio put his thumb right over her lips before she could go on.
He grinned, "I know you don't realize this yet, but in time you will. Just give yourself a chance. You just took your first step forward by sharing everything with me right here and now," he leaned in softly and brushed his lips against hers. "Thank you," he murmured looking into her sparkling green eyes.
Calleigh stood there awestruck for a moment staring back, processing his words. 'I did?' she questioned in thought to herself but then blinked back her thoughts speaking aloud, "I did!" She said in surprise with a slight rise in her tone.
He smiled and nodded. "Yes, you did beautiful," his right hand and fingers slid along her silky blonde strands, caressing softly.
She smiled and closed her eyes enjoying the tenderness of his touch hearing him whisper, "I love you," feeling the wisp of his warm breath against her face.
She opened her eyes with a growing smile. "I have some timing, huh handsome. You think I could have done this at home," she chuckled.
"Well, no harm done here. Actually I have to say I am surprised that the phone didn't interrupt us like usual."
She held his eyes and nodded in agreement whispering, "So, it's over now right, with John? You did what you had to do?"
He looked down for a moment, thinking, 'Hardly.'
"Horatio!" She growled low, snapping him out of his haze.
"Yes, yes, it's over," he answered quickly.
She gave him a little smile. "Good and if anything else comes up at all with John, you'll tell me right? I understand why you did what you did but can you please be honest with me from here on out and I promise to do the same."
He nodded. "Yes, I can. I will. "I'm sorry the way you found out about this, I never meant to… I never—"
She shushed him placing her finger over his lips. "Is that coffee for me?"
His lips quickly curved up and he lifted the cup from the counter purring, "Yes, it is. Just the way you like it."
He handed it to Calleigh as she took a small sip and hummed. "Perfect, like you."
"So… am I forgiven?" he asked quietly.
She nodded with a smile. "Yes, of course you are, handsome. I thought I just said that," she mumbled taking another sip, "Today is not turning out anything like I had hoped it would."
His eyes widened for a second that was his thoughts exactly. "I'm sorry about that sweetheart, but it's only 11am and the day is still young. I have the whole day to make it up to you, right?" He said with a grin as he leaned down and gave her a soft kiss.
She smiled, "and so do I."
His phone chirped and they both looked at each other with a knowing smile. Horatio opened it with a grin.
"Horatio. Yes. Okay Eric, we'll meet you there," he closed his phone still looking at her.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes, but it seems IAB is snooping around our crime scene."
"Why is IAB at the crime scene?"
"An off duty cop was apparently murdered. Feel like going for a ride?"
She smiled, "Sure do handsome. "I'll meet you out front in five."
He nodded and turned smiling as he left, seeing the strong rays of sunlight filling the halls thinking, 'The day was beginning to brighten already.'
III
Horatio stood with hands on hips, his eyes scanning the crime scene. He watched Eric and Ryan carefully process the scene. Calleigh headed over to Alexx examining the dead body with her. His head tilted forward and down, tucking his chin when his eyes locked onto Rick Stetler. His steel blue eyes focused over his sunglasses, his jaw clenched repeatedly thinking about this morning in the elevator.
Alexx nodded to Calleigh. "That can't be good baby."
Calleigh turned to see him and then followed his line of sight right to one Rick Stetler. "Oh no," she exhaled heavily. "Why is it that man is everywhere we go? It's as if he has GPS on Horatio or something."
Alexx waved her hand dismissively. "That's Rick just being… Rick."
Calleigh chuckled, "Oh you mean his annoying, insensitive and provoking self."
"Mm-hmm," Alexx hummed smirking, shifting her head side to side.
Horatio's cell phone shrilled pulling him out of his haze. He quickly reached into his breast pocket answering it, "Horatio."
"Hey H. I um, I'm at the scene of a vehicular accident and I think you need to come down here right away."
Horatio frowned, "I'm currently at a crime scene Frank. Can it wait, what's up?"
"Um… I just think you should come take a look for yourself H. Oh, and just a suggestion, have Calleigh sit this one out," Frank said, hesitating setting off all kinds of alarms in Horatio's head.
Horatio looked down as all sorts of thoughts ran though his head, especially Calleigh's father. He turned and looked into her eyes as he nodded ever so slightly. "All right Frank, I'll see you ASAP," He said, closing the phone and pocketing it.
Calleigh smiled walking toward him. "So what's up? What have we got?"
Horatio's brows arched as he pursed his lips thinking. The brightness of this day was fading fast again. It just seemed to be getting worse by the minute. How in the world was he going to explain this to her and keep her here. He sighed softly knowing he had to try but with all they have been through this morning he knew his chances were close to nil.
"Umm, I, have to head over to another crime scene. Why don't you give Eric and Ryan a hand here and I'll see you back at the lab." His eyes spoke more than his words as they drifted downward to the ground.
Calleigh's eyes narrowed on him immediately. "Eric and Ryan are fine Horatio, and I thought we were working together today."
He swallowed, "We are, I just umm," he stretched his neck trying to think of something, anything at the moment but she pressed on. He knew she was onto him. Calleigh was very in tuned to him and his tells.
She exhaled heavily and gave him a glare whispering, "You're doing it again."
Horatio shook his head as he took a step closer to her. "No, I…." He let his words trail off knowing she was right and he was doing it again. Jesus they just went through this twice now and here he was again holding back on her. He nodded giving in. She stared into his blue eyes that slowly cast down. He whispered, "I'm sorry."
Calleigh smirked with a wry smile. "Un-huh. So where are we heading, Lieutenant?"
Horatio's eyes snapped back up to her as they tightened. He hated when she did that, calling him by title. He sighed, "All right. C'mon, we have a vehicular crime scene to process," he said, as his hands went to his hips and he straightened watching Rick leave.
Calleigh chuckled picking up her kit sassing, "Oh, and that was the big secret." She swayed her hips away heading for the Hummer.
Horatio let his head drop in defeat and shook it back and forth with a small chuckle thinking, 'She's very sharp… To sharp.'
"Horatio?" Alexx said softly, getting his attention, as he turned halfway to her. "Is everything ok honey?"
He nodded with a grin thinking, 'and a sharp ME too.' "Yes. Thank you, Alexx."
She chuckled, "Is she giving you trouble again honey?"
Horatio slipped his sunglasses on with a low hum. "I guess that depends on your point of view." He said, with a low chuckle, as Alexx laughed looking over at Calleigh's backside quickly getting his innuendo.
"Thank you Alexx," he said swiftly walking away.
She smiled and shook her head chuckling, "Horatio Caine, you- are- bad."
Horatio opened the door and slid in as Calleigh looked over to him. "So where are we off too?"
"Chase Street, Miami Beach," he said, starting the engine and pulling away.
III
Horatio was consumed by his thoughts wondering and hoping it wasn't Mr. Duquesne. 'Why else would Frank specifically say not to bring Calleigh?' He let out a forceful breath through his nose as Calleigh looked over at him.
"Horatio, what's wrong?" She asked concerned.
He shook his head, "Nothing," he said flatly, as Calleigh gave him a look.
'Damn, I just did it to her again,' he thought. He slid his right hand onto her thigh speaking softly, "I'm sorry. I um, I was just thinking, that's all."
"Thinking about what?" She pushed on determined.
"All right," he nodded exhaling heavily. "Frank asked me to come alone."
Calleigh's eyes widened, "Oh." She said low, realizing he was just listening to Frank but then it hit her. "Why? Does he think—"
Horatio cut her off quickly hoping she wouldn't speculate, "I don't know anything yet, that was all he said, okay. Do you forgive me?" He asked as his right hand softly caressed her left hand.
She nodded, "Of course I do but just tell me next time and I'll leave you alone," she softly replied.
He smiled knowing her much better than that. "Yes ma'am," he said, as they arrived.
"Ohh, that doesn't look good," Calleigh said, as they came to a stop.
"Hmm," Horatio eyes scanned the scene. He nodded feeling somewhat better knowing that Mr. Duquesne did not drive a metallic blue Porsche. "You ready?"
Calleigh nodded with a smile at him, "You bet," she said, getting out as he quickly walked around and they both headed for Frank.
Frank gave Horatio a look as he glimpsed over to Calleigh and back at him. Horatio gazed down and slightly nodded acknowledging him.
"What have we got Frank?" He asked seeing the big Texans troubled expression.
Calleigh already began walking toward the half-burnt car that was wrapped around a pole.
"Umm, H I think you should get her out of there before she recognizes something," he said, handing Horatio a small gold Lieutenant's badge with a black burnt wallet.
Horatio took the badge and examined it. His eyes suddenly widened in recognition. He clenched his teeth together knowing. He quickly looked over and saw that Calleigh began processing the vehicle. He opened the wallet and the picture on the driver's license hit him like a ton of bricks.
It read, 'Dr. Joseph Gannon.'
Horatio closed his eyes for a second and nodded to Frank. His voice barely a whisper, "Umm, give me a moment with her okay. I'll talk to you when we're through."
Frank wiped his lips. "Sure H, and I'm very sorry."
"Thank you, Frank," he said quietly. He promptly turned heading for Calleigh who was near the charred body at the driver's side door.
"Hey, umm… you want to come with me for a second?" Horatio asked Calleigh.
She nodded seeing the look on his face, "Sure, let me just—
"Leave it Cal. C'mon," he said walking her back to the Hummer. "Do me a favor and get in, all right?" He opened her side door and closed it behind her going around to his side. No sooner did he slide in before she started with the questions.
"Horatio, do you want to tell me what's going on here?" She stared into his sad blue eyes and the longer she looked the more she knew something was terribly wrong. Her head tilted and her eyes tried to read what he wasn't saying.
"Umm, Calleigh, the reason…" He shook his head letting his words die. "Frank was trying to protect you by telling me not to bring you here."
"But why?" she asked softly, "Horatio, what's wrong?" She curiously asked, looking back at the car for the answer. Not finding it.
Horatio sighed softly and took her left hand holding it, caressing it. She stared into his distraught blue eyes still unsure. He handed her the burnt wallet as he gently spoke, "I'm sorry, Calleigh."
She looked at him and frowned, cautiously opening the wallet to see the most beautiful blue eyes looking back up at her.
"Oh my god… no," she barely whispered, as her right hand covered her mouth in shock. She exhaled heavily, tears welled in her eyes and she shook her head in disbelief. "But I just saw him, he just… oh my god," she said, pursing her lips together. Trying to maintain a professional appearance while fighting back tears of grief.
Horatio turned to her more and held onto her left hand. His own eyes glassy showing his heartfelt emotions as well. He whispered quietly, "Sweetheart, I'm sorry," he paused, "I know how much you cared for, Joe…" he shook his head, "I— we all thought highly of him."
She turned to him nodding overwhelmed by her own emotions and could do nothing to suppress the tears that immediately fell. She whispered, "I can't believe it, I can't."
He leaned in and softly embraced her. His right hand gently sliding along her back soothing her. "I know Cal, I know sweetheart," he said softly, feeling his own emotions hit him hard.
She pulled back slowly and Horatio handed her his handkerchief, watching her dry away her tears. She glanced down at the wallet seeing Horatio's gold shield and shook her head again in disbelief.
She rasped, "You gave this to him with the box of cigars, I remember," she said, getting choked up again.
Horatio nodded and sighed softly, "All right, I'm going to call Eric and make him swap cases with you." He looked into her eyes and waited with no response. She was clearly dazed and her eyes seemed a million miles away. His brows rose as well as his voice. "You know what, I'm going to take you home myself right now," he made it clear that this was not a question.
She blinked and jumped hearing his words as recognition set in. "No, I'm fine Horatio," she said firmly, looking down trying to compose herself.
He shook his head. "No sweetheart, you're not fine and that's ok. There's no way you're processing this scene, are we clear?" It was obvious by the tone of his voice that she would not win this one.
She nodded up and down slowly. "Yes, but… please don't take me off the case. I want—no, I need to do this, please Horatio," she pleaded so softly, holding his steel blue eyes, as they instantly softened.
He sighed heavily, "Calleigh, are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure Horatio," her tone steady.
"Ok, but you're not processing the scene, all right?"
"All right, I understand and thank you, Horatio," she said in a whisper, affectionately squeezing his hand.
He gave her a tender smile, "Okay, let me go talk to Frank and make a call out to Eric and Alexx."
"Do you think Alexx will be okay?" She asked with widening eyes.
Horatio shook his head, "No, I don't. She liked Joe too, everyone did. He was a good man and… and a great doctor," he said pausing, watching her eyes fill with tears again. "Stay here all right?" His tone dropped to a whisper and he held onto her hands for a moment longer seeing her pain. His heart broke for her.
Calleigh nodded lifting her head up, looking into his eyes, "Yeah, Okay."
He squeezed her hand as he slid out and opened his phone walking over toward Frank. He called Alexx and Eric informing them of the situation. To say they were in shock was an understatement.
Frank patiently waited for him to hang up. "Hey, is Calleigh okay?"
Horatio looked over at the Hummer seeing Calleigh staring down. He knew she was looking at the picture of Joe in his wallet. He shook his head, "No, she's not all right."
Frank wiped at his lips, his voice dropped low, "You know, I really like that son of a gun. He was a tough one, ya know. The way he stood up to Stetler and all…" he let his words trail off.
Horatio nodded. "I know, I know Frank, and thank you for trying to protect Calleigh."
Frank nodded and patted Horatio on the back. "Anytime I can H, you know I will."
Horatio sighed heavily walking toward the car with Frank. His eyes scanned the area trying not to focus on the charred body in the driver's seat.
"So do we have any witnesses?"
Frank nodded as he took out his pad. "Yeah, we have a Terry Gilson, who said he didn't seem to be going that fast. She said, she thought she heard a yell right before the crash."
Horatio slipped on a pair of gloves as he walked around to the passenger side and picked up what looked like a charred phone. He thought he smelled something but the fire and smoke in these cases can cause that. He walked toward the back of the small car and bent touching his glove to a small puddle of fluid. His eyes followed a small trail from the car and the direction it had come. He lifted his fingers up to his nose inhaling the scent. His brows arched as he stood up.
"Brake fluid," he said surprised, nodding his head thinking, 'Maybe this wasn't an accident.' He followed the small trail of brake fluid with Frank right by his side.
"You think someone cut his brake line?" Frank asked unsure, but knew that look of Horatio's that said he was onto something.
Horatio nodded. "We have a clear trail here before the car even hit the pole, so it was leaking brake fluid before the accident ever happened." He bent and swabbed the fluid on the ground, putting the evidence swab in the box. He stood back up. "I'll let the evidence speak for itself," he said to Frank seeing Eric and Alexx approach.
Eric nodded and walked over to the car letting his eyes take in the scene. He immediately opened his kit and began to process the vehicle. Frank joined Eric letting him know what Horatio had found. Eric quickly bent getting his hand under the car while using his mag light to see the lines. One particular line stood out and Eric gave it a quick tug pulling it free. He rose and carefully examined it.
"Horatio, is it true?"
"I'm afraid so Alexx," he said sympathetically holding her eyes, "I'm sorry."
Alexx shook her head in dismay looking at the burnt mangled car and turned back toward Horatio disgusted.
His tone dropped low, "Alexx, are you okay? I can call another ME for the case, no worries," he said seeing the tears well in her eyes."
Alexx put her hand up to him right away. "No Horatio, thank you but Joe deserves our respect. My respect and I need to do this for him. I'll have the haulers take the body out and get it back to the lab so I can… process him," she exhaled upset, hearing her own words, 'Process him.' She suddenly felt sick to her stomach and tried to focus on something else. She shook her head looking around. "Where's Calleigh?"
Horatio nodded, "She's in the Hummer and she's not taking it well at all."
She patted Horatio's shoulder. "I'll go talk to her honey, all right?"
Horatio nodded in thanks and Alexx walked over to the Hummer. He turned and headed for Eric and Frank.
Eric suddenly looked up from the small piece of rubber in his hand. His eyes locked with Horatio's and he held the rubber line out to him, "Looks like it was cut, H."
Horatio carefully examined the line seeing the straight razor like cut right in the middle. He nodded, "So this wasn't an accident then."
Frank shook his head, "Why would someone want to hurt the doc?"
Horatio shook his head looking at the small piece of rubber tubing in his hand. Thinking about how this little piece of rubber could cause such destruction and pain. "That's what I plan on finding out, Frank, who and why." Horatio's eyes narrowed and he shook his head back and forth, "Good work, Eric."
"H, I'm going to head over to his place and check things out."
"Okay Frank. We're coming with you. Maybe the answer to all of this is there."
III
Calleigh remained quiet on the ride over to Joe's place. He lived close by the hospital in Miami Beach. Her eyes went distant and her thoughts drifted to Joe. She thought all about him remembering everything. His incredible smile, his compassionate and beautiful sky blue eyes, his dimples when he really grinned. The tiniest smile grew on her face seeing him in her memories. She almost chuckled remembering when he cold clocked Stetler on the chin, all to protect her and Horatio. Her smile faded and more fond memories flashed in her mind. How he comforted her and took care of her when she was attacked by John. How he helped save Horatio's life and little Paco and Timmy too. Such a caring and compassionate doctor and friend, and now he was gone, just like that. She shook her head unconsciously over and over again. Horatio reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze feeling her emotional pain.
"Hey, why don't you let me take care of this, okay?" He said softly.
Calleigh looked over and gave him a sad smile. Her overwhelming emotions reeling as she lifted a tender hand to his cheek whispering, "Do you know how much I love you?"
He held her glassy eyes as he took her hand from his cheek and kissed it softly. "Yes, and I love you sweetheart," he said softly, holding her gaze, knowing the emotions that wreaked havoc on their mental fortitude day in and day out with this job. It was times like this that made you realize just how important life was and you could be gone in the blink of an eye. It made you appreciate the ones you loved all the more.
She gave him a small smile, "I'm ok, really. Thank you for understanding, Horatio."
"Always," his voice a soft soothing purr.
Calleigh's smile widened at his tone until he turned off the engine. She stiffened and tensed taking in a deep breath.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked again holding her gaze.
She nodded. "Uh-huh, you bet. Let's go handsome," she said quickly, trying to pull herself together giving him a forced smile.
"Yes ma'am," he said getting out.
They walked over to Frank and two police officers at the front of the building.
Franks head tilted back, his eyes looking up at the tall towering building, "Nice place, cushy."
Horatio nodded as he adjusted his gun clip and kept walking. "Shall we," he said, walking inside as the young doorman stopped him.
"Can't I help you?" He asked looking over each one as his eyes lingered on Calleigh's petite frame.
Horatio's brows went up as he cleared his throat, "As a matter of fact you can. Why don't you start by telling us what apartment Dr. Joe Gannon lives in?"
The young doorman looked at Horatio and chuckled, "Uh-oh, Joe's in trouble again, huh." He shook his head side to side.
Horatio brows furrowed curiously, "What do you mean- again?"
"Umm, I mean another officer was here earlier inquiring about Joe, I just thought…." The doorman let his words trail off looking away.
Horatio looked at his name tag and nodded. "Did you happen to get a name by any chance, Mr. Kline?"
He shook his head and shrugged. "No. He said he just had to talk to Joe about something important. That was all he said."
Horatio walked off examining the entranceway. His hands went to his hips. "Mr. Kline, you do have surveillance cameras, don't you?"
He scratched at his head, "Um, we did, but they are in the process of being replaced. We had a problem last week with them."
Frank shook his head, "What kind of a problem?"
"Well, we had a break in and they conked out right in the middle of it. The manager just ordered a new system."
"How convenient," Frank quipped, "So what's his apartment number, Einstein?"
"Huh?" He stared at Frank dumbfounded.
"Oh, boy." Frank groaned rolling his eyes, "Apartment number, of Dr. Gannon." He said slowly mocking him, "And don't forget the key while you're at it."
"Ohh… right," he said finally catching on. "Its PH 30A officer, here you go," he said handing him the key card.
Frank shook his head, "It's Detective," he snorted, as he swiped the card from the man's hand walking away.
They headed for the elevators and entered the lift. Horatio and Calleigh stood in the back and Frank pressed down on the PH key.
"Penthouse apartment, I guess Joe was doing all right for himself, huh," Frank said, as he shook his head sadly.
'Yeah, I bet he never got to enjoy it with his busy scheduled of saving lives,' Calleigh thought looking down at the floor.
Horatio's hand softly squeezed hers for a moment and she looked back up giving him a forced smile. That half smile of hers that said I'm fine but he knew better than that.
The doors opened and they walked down to the end of the hall, to a huge window looking out on the beautiful blue ocean.
Calleigh stared out for a moment thinking as Horatio moved to her side and whispered, "You okay?"
"Um-hmm," she nodded giving him her best smile but he knew his bullet girl all to well. He admired her strength and perseverance to push on.
Frank put the key card at the slot opening when he suddenly heard music coming from inside. He turned to Horatio, "Psst, H, we got music coming from inside."
Horatio's eyes narrowed as he walked over to the door listening closely, "You're right someone's inside."
"Maybe a girlfriend," Frank said eyeing Horatio.
"You know what we're up here on the 30th floor and I don't think anyone is going out a window," his brows arched high, "so, why don't we just try ringing the bell," he said taking a step back.
Frank nodded and Calleigh stepped closer wondering who Joe's visitor was. Frank reached forward and rang the bell as they all stood back waiting.
"You hear anything?" Frank whispered looking over to Horatio who shook his head listening closely.
"No," he replied
Frank rang the bell again and Horatio nodded murmuring, "Go ahead and use the key Frank."
Frank put the keycard near the slot when the door suddenly opened.
"Dan, I thought you…" His blue eyes went wide as he stared at Frank, Horatio and Calleigh, who all looked like they'd seen a ghost.
"Joe…" Calleigh said slowly in disbelief, "Oh my god, Joe!!!" Calleigh cried out, as she quickly shoved her way past Frank and a stunned Horatio.
She instantly wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug almost knocking him off his feet.
"You're alive!" She cried aloud in joy but then her eyes widened, backing off quickly realizing what she just unconsciously did. She quickly got control of herself and Horatio couldn't help but smile as a small pang of jealously ran through him. Joe was fresh out of the shower with only a white towel wrapped around his waist.
TBC…