Disclaimer: I do not own CSI:Miami in any shape or form – so no sue me – all you will get is my crappy car. I only own Lexi Morgan, and all my other OC's.
Chapter 2 – Revisiting Bad Memories
"Who's here?" Ryan asked curiously.
"Miss Boa Vista, what is it?" Horatio frowned as Natalia stood up and backed away from the body, hugging herself.
"I...uh, I can't work this case Horatio," Natalia stuttered.
"Mr. Wolfe, please call Calleigh," Horatio requested before escorting Natalia off to the side. "Now, please explain why you can't work this case?" Horatio looked at Natalia sideways with his head down.
"I'm sorry Horatio. But that could be Lexi lying there. That could be her crime scene," Natalia whispered, tears trickling down her face.
"Um," Horatio frowned. "Um okay, you can go back to the lab and continue working on other cases. Calleigh should be here shortly."
"I'm really sorry Horatio," Natalia wiped her eyes before walking towards the Hummer.
"Alexx, what do you have for us?" Horatio rejoined Alexx and Ryan.
"Poor baby was beaten. She has numerous fractures of her facial bones, as well as broken ribs. And that was before her face was slashed, and her stab wounds."
"Any defensive wounds or trace evidence?"
"Some defensive cuts on her arms and hands, but no trace under her nails."
"It looks like someone already scraped her nails," Ryan reported after taking a closer look at the victim's hands.
"This is not his first victim," Horatio frowned before reaching for his ringing cell phone. "Caine."
"Horatio," a scared voice said.
"What's wrong Lexi?"
"He's here Horatio. Oh god Benny's here," Lexi moaned.
"Where are you?" Horatio started running towards his Hummer.
"Home," Lexi answered. "He's ringing my doorbell right now."
Horatio switched directions and ran inside the front entrance of the building. "Stay on the line, I'm almost there." Reaching Lexi's door, Horatio saw Detective Berkeley turning away from the door.
"What are you doing here?" Jake frowned.
"Lexi, it's okay. I'm right outside your door."
"Make him go away," Lexi cried.
"He's leaving now," Horatio motioned for the other detective to leave the immediate area. Jake walked down the hall away from the door. "You can open the door now Lexi."
"Is he gone?"
"Yes."
Horatio waited and after a few moments, he heard the door locks clicking open and the door was partially opened. Horatio eased the door open the whole way and stepped inside, closing the door behind him. Looking around, he saw Lexi sitting on the couch, knees drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped around her knees, rocking slightly.
"Lexi," Horatio knelt in front of the couch.
"How did he find me?" Lexi lifted her tear stained face up from her knees, looking at Horatio.
"Believe me Lexi. It wasn't your attacker."
"It was Benny," Lexi protested. "And he was pretending to be a police detective."
"Lexi, that was Detective Jake Berkeley knocking on your door."
"What?"
"Detective Berkeley is a homicide detective with Miami-Dade police."
"Are you sure that it wasn't Benny?"
"I am," Horatio nodded.
"But he looks just like Benny," Lexi frowned. "But why was he knocking on my door in the first place?"
"Detective Berkeley is questioning everyone on the street."
"I don't understand."
"Detective Berkeley is trying to find out if anyone hear or saw anything suspicious during the night. There was a murder victim whose body was dumped on the beach."
"Last night?"
Horatio nodded and slowly eased himself onto the couch beside Lexi.
"I didn't hear anything out of the ordinary."
"Would you be willing to come to the police station and talk to us about your attack?"
"Why?"
"Because the victim has similar wounds to yours," Horatio admitted.
"Dear lord," Lexi moaned, gazing at Horatio. She looked so lost and alone that Horatio cautiously gathered the petite woman into his arms for a comforting hug.
After snuggling into his hug for several moments, Lexi stirred and Horatio quickly released her. "I'll come with you," Lexi looked at Horatio. "But…"
"What is it?"
"Can you stay with me the whole time?"
"I will."
"Okay," Lexi nodded. "Just give me some time to wash my face and brush my hair."
"Not a problem," Horatio watched as the tiny woman hurried into the bathroom first, then into her bedroom. She exited her bedroom dressed in a pale yellow cotton sundress, carrying a wide brimmed sun hat and wearing big sunglasses.
"Alright, here we go," Horatio said as they walked out to the big Hummer, her face shaded from the sun by the wide brimmed hat.
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At the lab, Horatio escorted Lexi to the reception desk where she was issued a visitor's pass. Then he walked with her to one of the conference rooms with the usual honeycomb shades over the windows and the glass wall looking out into the hallway. Horatio saw Calleigh out in the hallway; he told Lexi that he would be back in a few moments.
"Hey Horatio. What's going on? Why did you leave the scene?"
"Calleigh, I need you to take the lead in this investigation."
"Horatio?"
"And Natalia is not to work on this case either."
"You need to explain what is going on," Calleigh frowned.
"We both have a personal connection to this case."
"How so? And who is the woman in the conference room?"
"That is my neighbor Lexi Morgan, and she is also Natalia's best friend."
"And what is Ms. Morgan's connection?"
"I can tell you that," Detective Berkeley swaggered up to the two CSIs in the hallway. "Your Lexi Morgan was attacked three months ago in Denver."
Horatio frowned and looked at Lexi, who was sitting in the conference room, staring at Jake with fear in her eyes. He could see that Lexi was building herself up to a major panic attack.
"Calleigh, get Jake out of Lexi's sight and then go get Alexx," Horatio ordered before joining Lexi in the room. "Lexi, calm down. You are safe," Horatio said, kneeling in front of Lexi.
"You promised that he couldn't find me," Lexi panted, hyperventilating.
"Take slow, deep breaths, Lexi."
"I…I can't…can't breathe," Lexi stuttered, panicking, looking at Horatio, her eyes rolled up as she collapsed into Horatio's arms.
"What happened here, Horatio?" Alexx rushed into the room, kneeling next to Lexi, who was cradled in Horatio's arms and gently started examining her. "Sweetie, what made you faint?"
"She got upset when she saw Jake Berkeley," Calleigh explained as she stood looking down at the other three.
"Apparently Detective Berkeley bears a very strong resemblance to her attacker," Horatio said. "Lexi was having a panic attack before she passed out."
"Horatio, Lexi's jaw is wired shut?" Alexx looked at Horatio with a questioning look.
"Yes it is," Horatio nodded.
"Injuries from an attack?"
"Yes."
Alexx reached into her kit, grabbing an ammonium capsule and snapping it open under Lexi's nose and Lexi's head started moving from side to side; trying to avoid the smell.
"Uh, that smells," Lexi moaned.
"Come on Lexi. It's time to wake up. I want to see those pretty hazel eyes," Horatio gently tapped her cheek.
"Umm, make him go away," Lexi whimpered. "Please don't let him hurt me."
"It's okay. You're safe now," Horatio said in a low, soothing voice. "Open your eyes."
Lexi's eyes fluttered open and she gazed at Horatio's concerned face. "Is he gone? Is Benny gone?"
"Benny? Who's Benny?" questioned Calleigh. Lexi looked up at Calleigh standing behind Alexx and Horatio and froze.
Horatio frowned, then gently touched Lexi's chin, drawing her attention back to him. "Hey, it's okay now. Now are you ready to get up off the floor?"
"Uh huh," Lexi nodded.
"Okay, here we go," Horatio eased Lexi up off the floor and back into her chair.
"Are you feeling dizzy? Light-headed?" Alexx questioned, watching Lexi carefully.
"No, I'm fine, thank you," Lexi whispered, frowning at Alexx.
"Lexi, this is Dr. Alexx Woods our M.E. Alexx, this is Lexi Morgan," Horatio introduced the two women.
"Nice to meet you Ms. Morgan," Alexx smiled. "Sorry that is was in this manner. Horatio call me if you require my services again."
"Thank you Alexx," Horatio watched as Alexx left the room before turning back towards Lexi. "Lexi, this is Officer Calleigh Duquesne, she has some questions to ask you about your attack."
"Why can't you do it?" Lexi asked.
"Officer Duquesne will be in charge of this investigation. Natalia and I can't be involved," Horatio explained.
"Can you stay with me?" pleaded Lexi.
Calleigh and Horatio looked at each other and Calleigh frowned slightly.
"It will be okay, I will be right outside in the hallway and you will be able to see me," Horatio said gently. "You will be safe with Calleigh."
"Promise?"
"I promise."
"Okay," Lexi carefully watched as Horatio left the conference room, closing the door behind him.
"Ms. Morgan?" Calleigh spoke, drawing Lexi's attention.
"Lexi is fine."
Okay Lexi. Can you tell me how you know Lt. Caine?"
"He is my neighbor; I own the condo next to his."
"I was also told that you know Ms. Boa Vista as well."
"Yes, Nat and I have been best friends since university," Lexi replied.
"Can you tell me about your attack? Where did it happen?"
"Denver, Colorado," Lexi whispered, looking down at the shiny table top.
"How long ago did this happen?"
"Three and half months ago."
"Can you tell me what happened?"
"Umm, I met this guy and we started dating, umm, we dated for several months," Lexi replied, frowning, lost in memories.
"You were dating?" Calleigh gently prompted.
"Benny started getting controlling, umm more possessive and hurting me physically."
"Hurting you how?"
"Hitting me where the bruises wouldn't be visible. I decided to break up with him and he went crazy, hitting me, smashing my face into the wall, hacking my hair off and then finally slicing my face open," Lexi whispered, tears trickling down her cheeks.
Calleigh slid a box of tissues within Lexi's reach.
"Lexi, did he sexually assault you?"
"No, he was interrupted by my neighbors who heard me screaming and they called 911."
"Who was your attacker? Do you know?"
"Benny Poole."
"Senator Poole's son?" Calleigh asked, shocked.
"Yes," Lexi nodded.
"Was he charged at all?"
"Yes, but got acquitted, thanks to his father's lawyers."
"What was the detective's name back in Denver?"
"Detective Shannon, Trudi Shannon."
"Thank you Lexi. I'm sorry to have to make you relive those terrible memories."
"Are we finished?"
"Almost," Calleigh looked at Lexi kindly. "There was a young woman's body found on the beach this morning, and we just need to know if you heard anything out of the ordinary last night or early this morning?"
"Hmm," Lexi mused before shaking her head. "I didn't hear anything, but then I sleep with my windows locked and I had the air conditioning on."
"Well, that's it then," Calleigh smiled her trademark 1000-watt smile. "Sit tight and I'll get someone to drive you home."
"Okay," Lexi whispered.
Outside in the hallway, Calleigh stopped next to Horatio who asked. "Did Lexi tell you anything useful?"
"The details of her attack are eerily similar to our victim from this morning," Calleigh spoke quietly. "I got the name of the detective that handled her case in Denver and I'm going to contact them and compare our files with theirs."
"It may also be a good idea to check on the whereabouts of Senator Poole's son Benny, to see if he is really in this area."
"You've read my mind," Calleigh smiled. "And I also want to get a picture of this guy as well."
"Keep me posted?"
"I always do handsome. I'll get one of the uniforms to drive Lexi home."
"No, I will take her myself, just as I promised."
"Horatio," Calleigh frowned.
"It will be okay."
"I was just thinking of Rick Stetler."
"Not to worry."
"Okay, I'm going to go find out what Alexx has for me."
"Okay," Horatio walked back inside the conference room, where Lexi has already put her sun hat and dark sunglasses back on, shoring up her defenses against the world. "How are you doing Lexi?"
"I just want to go home now. Can I go now?"
"Of course, I'll take you home now and make sure that you will be okay before I leave."
Outside, Horatio lifted Lexi up into the high Hummer, and gently helped her with the seatbelt when he realized that her hands were shaking too hard to manage the buckle.
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At her condo, Lexi huddled on her couch, lost in memories. Horatio sat on the other end of the couch, watching her carefully. Looking at the time, Horatio realized that it was after lunch and knew that Lexi had probably not eaten anything yet that day.
"You must be hungry, Lexi," Horatio spoke quietly.
"I'm not hungry Horatio. And you don't need to stay here with me."
"I know that I don't have to, but I want to," Horatio replied, getting up from the couch and going to the kitchen. Looking thru Lexi's cupboards to see what kind of soup was available. He decided to open a couple cans of tomato soup and while it was heating on the stove. Horatio grated some cheese that he found in the fridge. He poured the hot soup into two bowls and sprinkled some of the grated cheese on top of the soup. He then quickly set the table and filled a couple of water glasses with ice cold water. Then Horatio urged a reluctant Lexi to the table where they sat down.
"You didn't have to go to all this trouble Horatio."
"I wanted to make sure that you got some lunch before I head back to work."
Lexi sighed, as she picked up her spoon and slowly began eating. After several spoonfuls of soup, Lexi looked at Horatio. "Did you grate some cheese into the soup?"
"I did," Horatio looked concerned. "Don't you like it that way?"
"I love it this way. How did you know?"
"My mother always used to make that way, and she always made it for my brother and me whenever we were cold, tired or sick."
"This is my favourite comfort food."
"I'm glad," Horatio ate some more soup before asking. "Are you looking forward to getting the wires off your jaw?"
"Oh god, am I ever," Lexi looked at Horatio. "I am getting so tired of eating soup, pureed food or protein drinks."
"What are you looking forward to eating when you will be able to eat regular food?"
"Oh, there is so much that I want to taste," Lexi smiled.
"Such as?"
Oh let's see. Pasta, pizza, chicken or a good piece of steak."
"How about we celebrate with me taking you out to one of my favourite restaurants in two and half months?"
"It's a deal," Lexi smiled, as she finished the last of her soup.
"Would you like some more soup?"
"I can't believe that I actually ate that whole bowl of soup. I usually don't have much of an appetite. It must be your company."
"Thank you and I must confess that I usually forget about eating lunch."
"Do you know that you are very comforting to be around, I find myself able to relax in your presence."
"I'm glad," Horatio smiled shyly. "And I also enjoy being in your company as well."
"I was beginning to think that I would never be comfortable around men ever again. I mean even before my attack, I could never truly relax when I was with Benny."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, Benny always insisted on us going to these high society functions, fancy restaurants or impressing the right kind of people. I always felt like I was on display all the time. We could never spend time at home relaxing by the fire, listening to music or watching a movie."
"What about your friends?"
"He felt that my friends were not classy enough to associate with."
"What about now?"
"I've lost contact with most of them."
"Why is that?"
"They did visit me for awhile after the attack, but they didn't know how to act around me. They couldn't move past the fact that I had been a 'victim', they either were uncomfortable or smothered me with 'pity'. I kept saying, yes I was attacked, but I survived and I'm trying to move on. That's why I like being around you and Nat, you express your sympathy, but then move on."
Horatio nodded in understanding.
"Also both you and Nat help me back up when I fall."
"That's what friends do," Horatio said quietly, then looked at the time.
"I'm sorry to be keeping you from your work."
"It's no problem, but I do admit that I am due back at the lab," Horatio quickly rinsed out the dishes before putting them into the dishwasher.
"One moment Horatio," Lexi went into her office/spare bedroom and came back out to where Horatio was standing by the front door. "I want you to have this, in case of emergencies." Lexi pressed a spare key in Horatio's hand.
"Are you sure about this Lexi?" Horatio frowned slightly, looking at the key.
"Yes, I'm positive," Lexi insisted. "In fact why don't you come over after you get off work and we will relax together?"
"I don't know," Horatio demurred. "It may be too late."
"I'm a night owl and I watch a lot of late night movies or write. It would be a nice change in our routine."
"We'll see, I can't promise that I will be able to."
"Thank you Horatio," Lexi reached her arms up and gently pulled Horatio's head down until it was within her reach and gently kissed him on the mouth. Horatio was surprised at first, then gently gathered the petite woman in his arms for a hug, and felt a stirring in his nether regions. He mentally commanded. "Down boy, this is not the time or the place."