Events from 4x24 Rampage From the first shot this is AU. Some events from Rio (5x01)remain the same, some are very different.
The next day Eric was kept busy tracking down Gloria, and tried to convince her, again, to leave him alone. When Marisol called him, and told him about her car and purse he was furious. He had calmed down a bit by the time he was able to return the purse to Marisol. But he was alarmed that she had slipped from her bodyguard. His head snapped up, and he began scanning the area. He saw the patrol officer rapidly approaching, so he glanced up. At the first glint of light he didn't hesitate, he pushed Marisol to the ground, and shouted, "Down, Marisol, stay down!" just as the first shot rang out. Time slowed to a crawl, as he tried to assess the threat. He felt a burning track across his upper arm.
At that moment, the policeman assigned to Marisol leaped in front of them, and took a round to the gut. Eric was already on the phone. "Shots fired, shots fired," he yelled into the phone, giving the dispatcher his location, and requesting aid. He checked on Marisol, who was frighteningly still beneath him.
"Mari, don't move, just nod a little if you can hear me," he fearfully asked.
She gave a short jerk of her head.
"Are you ok? Are you hurt?" he asked.
"I think I bumped my head on the way down, but I'm ok other than that," she dazedly answered. She turned her head fractionally to look at him, "Eric!" she exclaimed. "Your bleeding!"
"It's just a scratch, don't worry," he soothed. "Stay down, while I check on the officer."
The patrolman had taken a bad shot to the abdomen, which wasn't bleeding much. Eric knew that wasn't necessarily good. It usually meant the victim was bleeding internally. Eric glanced at his name tag, "McCue. " The officer's mouth worked, he gasped, "I'm sorry, she gave me the slip. Oh Jesus, this hurts! Is she alright?"
"Man, McCue, you're a hero, you saved her and me both. Hang on, the medics are on the way," replied Eric.
The patrol cars were already screaming onto the scene. Eric explained what had happened, and then the ambulance arrived. He hustled Marisol into the back, he didn't want her out in the open.
Then Horatio came charging into the scene. His eyes were a bit wild, but he kept a tight control over his voice. "Eric! What happened, where's Mari?"
"She's ok, H, not hurt much at all. I put her in the bus, to keep her safe," Eric replied. Horatio relaxed fractionally. In some part of his brain, Eric realized he could read Horatio better than he thought.
"H, this guy, McCue, he just leaped in front of us, he took a bullet meant for Marisol, you gotta take care of him," exclaimed Eric.
"I will, Eric. Get that arm looked at, I'll see you at the hospital," Horatio replied. He ran to the gurney with the injured man on it. "Come on, let's get him loaded, let's go!" Horatio insisted.
"Horatio," Marisol called out.
"Marisol, come with me, they need more room in the ambulance," said Horatio. "Are you ok?" She looked ok, mostly frightened, and a little dazed. He helped her down and shut the ambulance doors. "Go, go" he shouted.
As the ambulance tore away, Horatio hustled Marisol into his Hummer.
She began to weep and gasp a bit, obviously distressed. "Eric, Eric," she moaned. "He was bleeding, too".
"I saw the wound, Marisol, it was a shallow scratch. We'll go to the hospital and check on him right now. I want a doctor to look at your head, too," soothed Horatio.
He was about to change lanes when he saw a black vehicle swing up beside him and speed in front. He pushed Marisol down with his right hand, "Get down, down, Marisol, they're coming again!" Marisol slid into the well at her feet and huddled there. The sedan was no match for the Hummer, and Horatio broadsided it. That kept two men trapped inside.
"Stay down, Marisol," commanded Horatio. Her only response was to draw herself into a tighter ball.
Horatio leaped out of the car and took a shooting stance. As the two men on the far side of the vehicle tumbled out he watched carefully. He would take no chance with Marisol's safety. Unsurprisingly they both tried to aim weapons at him, but he shot them both before they could fully aim. He edged around the vehicle, and could see that both of the passengers were unconscious. A patrol car pulled up, having just left the scene of the first shooting. Quickly, Horatio explained what was going on, and that he had to get to the hospital, to check on the downed man and Eric.
He went back to the Hummer, and gently coaxed Marisol back into a sitting position. He wrapped his arms around her, and said, "Sweetheart, we have to get you to a safe place. Can you hang on just a little longer?"
She nodded into his shoulder, but her whole body was shaking like a leaf in the wind. He realized she was going into shock. He buckled her in, then himself. Putting on his lights and siren, he sped to the hospital. As he drove he called ahead to the hospital, and then to Alexx. He was going to need a little help with what he had planned.
"Horatio, what is going on?" asked Alexx. "I heard that Eric's been shot."
"He's gonna be ok, Alexx," began Horatio. "But I need help at the hospital. No questions, Alexx, just bring me what I need."
She heard the urgency in his voice, and replied. "Alright, honey, what do you need?"
He gave her an odd list of items, but if she found it inexplicable she gave no sign.
"I'll get right on that, Horatio. It will take a little time, but I should be at the hospital within a couple of hours," she said.
They made it to the hospital, and Horatio dropped Marisol at the door. He pulled ahead a little, and left the Hummer out of the way. He didn't take the time to park it, trusting the police decals to keep it out of trouble. He bolted inside. His badge got them into Eric quickly. An emergency room doctor was stitching up his arm. Eric took one look at Marisol and paled. This caused the doctor to look up. He took one look at Marisol, who was pale and shaking, and took command of the situation. He finished clipping the stitch in Eric's arm and gestured for him to hop off the gurney.
Marisol saw Eric and let out a little moan of relief. She sagged against Horatio, who swept her up into his arms. The doctor tore a fresh sheet onto the gurney and Horatio gently laid her down.
"What happened," tersely asked the doctor.
"She was at the shooting, where Eric here was wounded," quickly answered Horatio. "She may have a head injury. Then we were attacked on the way here, and she got thrown around the front of the car a little."
"What?" exclaimed Eric.
"It's done Eric, two of the men in the car are dead, two are probably on their way here," answered Horatio.
At the mention of the deaths Marisol sobbed anew, and the men turned their attention back to the doctor, who was examining her.
"Sweetheart, I'm sorry," soothed Horatio. Eric, who was accustomed to watching Horatio calm and soothe victims admired his ability to seem so calm. The doctor, no stranger to sudden, violent death, knew here was a man not to be trifled with.
"Ok," said the doctor. "Are either of you relatives?"
Immediately came a chorus of, "I'm her husband" and "I'm her brother."
Bemused, the doctor said, "Alright, then, you can BOTH stay." Pointing at Eric he said, "You, sit there," and gestured at a chair. To Horatio he said, "Go on the other side of the bed, hold her hand, while I finish checking her over."
He quickly and efficiently examined her. He found some small bruises and contusions, but nothing serious. He turned the lights down a little, and told the men that it seemed to be simple emotional shock. He suggested they just give her a little time to recuperate, and not to talk about anything urgent, on in loud tones, for at least 15 minutes. He would be back to reassess her then. He gave Horatio a cup of water, and suggested that Marisol would probably very thirsty, soon. He left the room.
Horatio's heart was breaking for her. One of the things that he loved about Marisol was her lack of connection to the world of crime, violence, and death. He knew that this sudden baptism by fire would change her. It had been one of his reasons for his initial hesitancy in dating her at all. He bent over her, stroking her hair and murmuring reassurance to her. He would give her this time, but he knew that he and Eric had to be away soon, to hunt the men who had ordered this.
Marisol was gradually coming to grips with all that had happened. Eric was all right. Horatio was unharmed, physically at least. Horatio's words of caution came back to her now. She knew, if she ever wanted a life with him, he would have to end this reign of terror. Her heart ached for him, and for the fact that the rest of their honeymoon would have to wait. He would have much to do.
Eric's passionate nature made him impatient. He was ashamed, but he wanted to be away, and destroy those who had attacked them. His hands clenched and unclenched, imagining scenarios of death.
Horatio saw this, and quietly said, "Soon, Eric, soon, I promise."
Marisol's breathing settled, and Horatio was unsurprised to see her drifting off to sleep. Shock was exhausting. He gestured to Eric, who stood and came over to the bed.
"Stay by her, I'll go check on the patrolman," he instructed.
Eric slid in next to him, and they changed places, Eric taking Marisol's hand.
Horatio stepped out of the suite, and inquired of one of the nurses. McCue's outlook was grave, and he was still in surgery.
The doctor came around the corner, and asked after Marisol. Horatio told him she was sleeping at the moment. The doctor checked the admitting board, hung over the nurse's station. Most of the room slots were blessedly empty.
"Let her sleep a little, then. It's quiet right now," he said. "But if we get a sudden influx of patients, you may have to take her home."
"Thank you, Doctor," said Horatio. "In an hour or so, if we are still here, 2 or 3 others will join us. We need to make some plans for Marisol's safety. Please send Dr. Woods and her companions back when they arrive."
Horatio stepped back into the room. Marisol was still dozing, so he quietly outlined his plan for her to Eric. Eric was saddened by the necessity, but admitted that it was a sound way of protecting her while they did what they had to do.
After another forty-five minutes, the doctor reappeared. He gently tapped on Marisol's hand and called out, "Mrs. Caine, Mrs. Caine." With a start, the other two men realized this was the first time they had heard her so addressed.
Marisol stirred, and called out, "Horatio!"
"I'm here, sweetheart, I'm here," he assured her.
The doctor raised the head of the bed, and they were all relieved to see Marisol look alertly around. She held out the hand not clasped in Horatio's to Eric, who stepped up and took it.
"How do you feel," asked the doctor.
"Tired, but much calmer, thank you," answered Marisol.
"Ok, Dr. Woods is here, and after she is done, you'll be released," replied the doctor. To Horatio he said, "Take care of her."
"Always," replied Horatio.
Alexx came in with a woman neither Eric or Marisol knew, although Eric recognized her face as a patrol officer he sometimes saw at headquarters. She was tall, nearly five ten, with short, dark hair. She was wearing jeans and deeply hooded jacket, that covered her hair and face.
Alexx exclaimed, "Horatio, what happened? Why did those men attack Marisol and Eric?"
"Because, Alexx," began Horatio. "They know the surest way to destroy me is to take from me those I love the most."
Silence greeted this bald statement. Then Marisol turned her head into Horatio's jacket and sniffed. Eric reached across the bed and gripped Horatio's shoulder.
Horatio broke this silence, "Officer Chavez, thank you for coming. I have a lot to ask of you, and I want you to feel free to refuse. It isn't without risk."
The woman responded, "Lieutenant Caine, whatever you need," stoutly responded the young woman.
Horatio looked down at Marisol, and spoke, "Sweetheart, look at me." Marisol sat back up, and decided to stop being a victim, and become a participant in Horatio's plan. His eyes crinkled in approval.
"Marisol, Eric and I have things to do, and I need to be undistracted. If you're here in Miami, my attention will be divided, between catching these men, and protecting you. I want you to go with Alexx, she is going to take you to the airport, and you're getting on a plane for New York. Friends of mine will meet you there. When I can come for you, I will."
Both Eric and Marisol hated this idea, but both saw its necessity. But Marisol wouldn't give in that easily.
"Horatio, no, if I run away, haven't they won?" she insisted. "I want to stay near you. I'm not afraid!"
"Marisol, sweetheart, do you remember when you wanted to stop your chemo, and I told you, if we lose you, then nothing could happen?" explained Horatio. "What I really meant was if I lose you I don't know if I'll be able to go on. I told Eric, that I could deal with it, but not now, that I care for you so much. I need to know you're safe, in order to do my job. Please, do this for me?"
Marisol hated it, and wanted to argue, but she could see his fear. She nodded, reluctantly.
"Officer Chavez is going to give you her hoodie, and Alexx brought a pair of jeans for you," continued Horatio. You're going to go out the front door with Alexx, and I am going out the Emergency room door with Chavez here." He turned to Chavez and asked, "Ma'am, what is your given name?"
"Christina, sir" she replied.
"But Horatio, her hair?" asked Marisol. She could understand how she could flatten her hair and hide it under the hoodie, but the officer had short hair, almost shingled to her head.
"Alexx?" asked Horatio.
Alexx reached into the bag she had brought with her and pulled out a full wig, styled very like Marisol's hair. Chavez grinned, and started taking off her hoodie, which she handed to Marisol. Horatio took off his ubiquitous jacket, and dropped it over the officer's shoulder.
Alexx went to work on Christina's hair, and soon she stood before them in Marisol's hairdo, and Horatio's jacket. Horatio reminded her she was to act as if she was coming out of shock, and to hang her head a bit. He stepped to her side, and offered her his arm. Feigning a slight case of the shakes she took it. She leaned into Horatio a bit, and the illusion was complete.
Marisol felt a stab of jealousy at seeing another woman on Horatio's arm but immediately dismissed it. Horatio looked up at her and his eyes gave a that little crinkle that was his public smile. He was better at reading her than she him, she knew. She gave a little huff, but smiled back.
"Horatio, we can't put her on a plane under her own name. The Mala Noche would be on her in an instant," said Eric.
"I don't want you to worry about that, Eric," replied Horatio. Eric knew this was H's code for "You're better off not knowing what I'm going to do next." But he relaxed, knowing that H would take care of everything, and probably within the confines of the law. "He is right, Marisol, you'll need an alias," thought Horatio out loud. "How about Maria de Boanoite?" He couldn't resist the little mockery of the Mala Noche. It was different enough, being Portuguese, not Spanish.
Marisol tried it out a time or two, to see if she could become accustomed to using it. She nodded at Horatio.
"Alexx, do you have the recorder?" he asked.
"Here, Horatio," she said, handing the small device out to him.
"Sweetheart, I need you to give a statement, everything you can remember from the moment just before the first shot, until the moment you got here," instructed Horatio. "Eric, help with that. Then we're going to get moving." He knew time was against them. He stepped out into the hall to make some calls.
He called an air marshal who owed him a favor and asked him to arrange safe passage for a witness to New York. He only gave Alexx's name as contact, saying that the witness needed anonymity. The marshal agreed to help him, and said he would text Horatio the flight number and departure information. He returned to the room just as Marisol was finishing her statement.
"Alexx, here is my debit card. Stop at a bank, withdraw whatever you can," instructed Horatio. He took Marisol's hand, and wrote the PIN on it. "Mari, you'll need some spending money, you can't go back to your place for anything. And bury you ID and credit cards deep in your purse. You mustn't use them."
"Alexx, Christina, could you wait outside a moment," Horatio asked. They excused themselves.
"Eric, you'll want to say goodbye to Marisol," instructed Horatio. "Mari, I don't know how long this is going to take, but I want you to allow three weeks at least. I'm sending you to a friend, a man I've entrusted my life and soul to in the past. Do whatever he asks you."
"H, swear to me she'll be safe," insisted Eric. He gave Marisol a fierce hug. She hugged him back and answered for Horatio.
"Eric, I'm sure it'll be fine. Horatio wouldn't do this if it wasn't necessary, and certainly not if it wasn't safe for me. You go get these men, so I can come back!"
Horatio was grateful that he wouldn't have to persuade her to go. "Eric, could I have a moment with my wife, please," he asked. Eric gave Marisol a kiss on her forehead and with a last look went out of the room.
Horatio went to Marisol and pulled her off the gurney. He wrapped her in his arms and stood there a moment, cherishing her. He gave her a passionate kiss, which she returned. She broke from the kiss and leaned back a little, looking up into his now troubled face. She stroked the side of his face and straightened his hair a bit. She knew she was the only one he was so open with, and was resolved to be strong and positive for him.
"I'll be fine, Horatio," she asserted. You take care of my brother, help him keep his anger in check. Don't let him do anything foolish. When you're done, come and get me."
"I'm sorry, Marisol, it isn't much of a honeymoon, is it?" he asked, sadly. "We'll be back, I swear it." Then we'll get that dinner at Casa Tua, and that weekend in the country."
He reached into the bag Alexx had brought. "I know it's a burden, but you can't use your cell phone. Here are two "burner phones" that you and I can use to keep in touch. Please, sweetheart, don't call your friends yet. OK?" He handed her a small phone. Then he put Christina's hoodie on her, and pulled the hood over her head and face. They went out the door.
Horatio told Alexx where to take her, and Marisol and Alexx went down a hall, and turned away from Emergency room entrance. Horatio watched them go, but didn't betray an ounce of his feelings.
He held out his arm for Christina, and instantly falling into the role of frightened civilian she leaned on his arm, and let the hair of the wig obscure her face. Eric tagged behind. They went out to the Hummer, and drove straight to the lab building. Christina went into a closet in the back of the building, and doffed the jacket and the wig. She came out and handed them to Horatio.
"Christina, thank you," said Horatio sincerely. "You have helped me tremendously, and I won't forget it."
"Happy to help, Lieutenant," she replied somberly. "It's been a hell of a day, sir. Officer McCue is a friend of mine. If you don't mind, I'm going to check on him."
"You let me know if he needs anything," Horatio insisted.
"Yes, sir," she replied, and strode away.
Horatio used his new phone to call his New York connection, Cardinal Benedetti. "Your eminence," he said. "Horatio Caine here."
"Horatio," replied the priest. "How are you? How are things in Miami?"
"Chaotic, Father," said Horatio. "I find myself in need of a personal favor. I am sending a young woman to you. She is in urgent need of protection. I need to know that she is safe. No one can know, Father."
"I'll need to know a little, Horatio," replied the priest. "Who is she to you?"
"Well, Father, as of about 24 hours ago, she is my wife," answered Horatio. "My enemies are circling and have just made an attempt on her life. She is unharmed, but I need to know she's safe."
"Horatio, this is dangerous territory for you. I'll watch out for her, I can keep her safe. But remember where the anger and rage of revenge have led you before. Take care, don't cross over to that dark place again," instructed the priest.
"I'll do all I can, Father, but I can promise you, if these men can kill me, they will, and I will fight against them, with every weapon I have at my disposal," hotly answered Horatio.
"You're a soldier at heart, Horatio," replied the priest. "You've taken up arms in the battle against those who prey on the innocent. Keep to this side of the law. Now, where and when will your young wife arrive? What is her name?"
Horatio gave him the information he would need, and promised to get in touch as soon as he could.
As he hung up from that call he saw Stetler approaching. Internally he raged, he just didn't have time for this.
"Lieutenant Caine, what is going on?" asked Stetler.
Horatio fished in his pocket and pulled out the recorder. He stepped into Stetler, and in a low, threatening tone explained what had happened. "My wife recorded what happened, and now she is safely away," he finished. "If you have further questions, I suggest you ask CSI Delko, as he was a witness too."
"I'll be wanting to interview your wife, too," sneered Stetler.
Horatio didn't quite snap, "It will be a cold day in hell before you get anywhere near her. Do you understand me, Rick? Walk away, now!"
Stetler apparently saw something in Horatio's eyes he didn't like. He realized that the man was dangerously close to losing his cool, and Rick knew he didn't want to be on the receiving end of Horatio's murderous rage. He decided to retire from the field.
Horatio and Eric then began their pursuit of whoever had shot at Marisol. Eric went to the hotel of the shooting, and discovered that Gloria had been there. As he pursued that lead, Horatio called the hospital and enquired about the two unconscious men in the attack car. Both had mild concussions, and were under the watchful eyes of Miami's finest. He asked to be informed as soon as they were lucid.
Horatio took a moment to read Eric's witness statement and listen to Marisol's taped one. His heart froze a moment, when he heard how close he had come to losing them both. Only Eric's quick action had saved them. He sought out Eric.
Eric was in a lab, fingerprinting Gloria's weapon. Horatio stood in the door a moment and watched him work. He knew he was lucky to have such skilled CSI's working for him, but Eric was also family, and had been since before Marisol.
"H, I'm kinda busy, are you gonna stand there, or have you got something to say?" murmured Eric, without stopping his careful dusting of the rifle.
"Eric, thank you, the words aren't adequate, but right now, that's all I've got," hoarsely said Horatio.
Eric set down his brush, and turned. Horatio wasn't given to overt public displays, but he stepped forward and took Eric's forearm in his strong grip. Eric returned the clasp. "What, H?" asked Eric, although he thought he knew.
"If you hadn't immediately sensed the threat, from that single glint of light, you and Marisol might both be dead by now," said Horatio. "Part of me would have died, too."
"McCue is the real hero, H," replied Eric, self-consciously. He didn't think he could have lived with himself, either, if he had been too slow to save Marisol. The guilt would have destroyed him, and his relationship with Horatio.
Then came the news that McCue was conscious, but not expected to survive. Horatio hurried to the hospital. He grabbed a chair as he strode into the room. He sat next to the bed.
He took McCue's hand, and the man opened his eyes. Confusion shone in them a moment, then he realized it was Lieutenant Caine by his side.
"LT, I tried, is your wife ok?" he gasped.
"You did it, McCue, she's safe," said Horatio. "I could never thank you enough, you protected her with all you had. I don't think I would have survived it if she had died."
"That's what we're here for LT, right?" whispered McCue. "To protect and serve…" His eyes fell shut, and his hand went limp.
Horatio sat there just a moment. He said a prayer of thanksgiving for Officer McCue's bravery and for the repose of his soul. Then he stood and called Eric.
"McCue just passed away," he said. "Get down here, we have two of the attack car passengers to interview."
Eric interviewed the man from the back of the attack car, and Horatio, the man from the front seat. They both leaned pretty hard on the suspects, and both men gave up Antonia Riaz as the man who ordered the shooting. It turned out the shooter, Memmo Fiero, had been the driver, and that Horatio had already killed him.
They began to work the case. It was a dizzying trail of Japanese restaurants, Arab arms merchants, and Russian guns. Intermixed with this was the added burden of the FBI roaming around the lab, and the revelation that Natalia was the FBI mole.
Eric and Horatio managed to catch up with Riaz and stop him from blowing up a plane. Then Horatio was standing over him, gun in his hand. His instinct was to shoot the cop killer, the man who had ordered a hit on his wife, and now threatened him. But the priest's admonition came back to him. He shot the ground in frustration, and let Eric vent his rage.
Then, just when he thought things might be settling down, and he thought of going to get Marisol, Agent Park showed up at the cemetery after McCue's funeral. When Horatio realized that Riaz was going to go free in Brazil he knew he was on the cusp of losing everything. Marisol would never be safe, nor would anyone near him.
"H, what are we going to do? He can still order a hit, even from Brazil," fretted Eric. "The Brazilian police won't hold him long."
"Eric, were going to Brazil," said Horatio. "I don't know how this will play out, but I want you with me." It didn't occur to him to suggest Eric stay behind, something Eric would find insulting. It felt good to know he would have Horatio's back.