RENEE

Chapter 2

Renee flashed her badge, and handed Horatio over to a doctor. It was clearly the doctor who had seen the injured CSI earlier, and he was a curious mix of unsympathetic and triumphant.

"Well, I warned him about discharging himself. This is hardly a surprise."

"And that's hardly important. Will you check him out?"

"Of course. I'm just saying… It's his own fault."

It infuriated Renee. "How about just doing your job, doctor…" She sat down. "I'll wait."

First rule broken… Who was just going to say 'goodbye'?

She sighed, thinking she probably wasn't doing H any favours by annoying his doctor. But she also balked at the idea of leaving him there alone. She got up again, and went out to the car to speak to her driver.

"I'm going to be here a while - come back for me in an hour." She dared him to object, but he didn't. She softened her tone. "Go and catch something to eat. I'll sign that you're still on the clock."

"Ma'am…" He nodded and started the car.

She pulled out her cell and called Calleigh at the lab. "It's Renee…"

"Hi, Renee," Calleigh sounded mildly surprised. "Problems?"

"Sort of. Though not mine exactly… I'm at Dade Memorial… With your boss…"

"What happened? We wondered where he was…"

"Nothing really. I was talking to him outside your lab. He seemed about to collapse…"

"Well, he probably was. Eric's been telling me about the arrest… Sorry, go on."

"I just asked if he was OK. He said no. It seemed logical to put him in my car… Sorry, Calleigh, I feel as if I've kidnapped him…"

She chuckled. "No. As long as he's where he needs to be. Look, I'll send Eric down, then you can get away."

"There's no rush." As if I can leave now… Need to know how he is…

"OK, thanks, but Eric's going crazy anyway. He couldn't find him, and he's been searching bathrooms… everywhere…"

"I understand. I'll wait for Eric. Tell him… well, nothing to report yet - he's with the doctor."

She went back in and sat down in the waiting area. It was only twenty minutes later when Eric Delko, breathing hard, sank into the chair beside her.

She chuckled at his breathlessness. "Did you run all the way?"

He smiled briefly. "Only from the car park. How is he?"

"Don't know yet."

"What happened?"

She repeated what she'd told Calleigh. Eric looked so distraught, she patted his knee. "Hey, he'll be OK."

"You didn't see him when we took Jack Toller down."

She raised her eyebrows.

"He went down. Collapsed. And then insisted on going to the lab. I tried really hard to get him to the hospital."

"He refused…"

"Oh yes. Then, at the lab, I lost him." He laughed ruefully. "I assumed he'd passed out somewhere."

"Well, he's here now." They were silent for a few minutes. "Was Marisol your sister?"

"Yes… She was shot."

"How long were they married?"

"Just a few days."

"Oh, that's horrible… Poor guy…" She looked at the young man beside her. "Poor guys - both of you. It's terrible when families get caught up in our sort of life."

"I think it was clearly aimed at hurting Horatio. Which it did. Deeply."

She nodded. "You too."

"Of course. She was shot in front of me. He wasn't there…. Soon after, but at least he didn't see it happen."

"Was it… instant?"

Eric shook his head. "No. She died in hospital." He looked around. "This hospital."

"Bad memories…"

"Inevitable. I've been in here… So has Calleigh… Ryan… Not to mention the number of times we have to do interviews here. Not my favourite place."

"You do a dangerous job."

"Yes, but we chose it. As you say, families shouldn't be involved. I don't think I'll ever get married - it's not fair on any woman."

"No, it's not. I was married once… It didn't last - he couldn't stand me being in law enforcement either. Are any of you guys married?"

Eric shook his head. "No, though Frank Tripp's had about five attempts. Nat was married, though that broke up for… different reasons, I understand. I can't see Horatio risking it again… Look, I want to thank you - for bringing him in."

"No thanks needed, Eric. I'm sure you'd rather have done it yourself, but events sort of took over…"

"He wouldn't let me help. God knows, I love the man, but he can be so stubborn."

Renee laughed. "I gathered that."

Eric sighed. "What a day! I know we've got our bad guys, but what a cost!" He ran a hand over his face.

Renee nudged him as the doctor approached, and they both looked up hopefully.

The doctor smiled, though he avoided catching Renee's eye. "He'll be fine."

Eric murmured, "Thank God…"

Yes, thank God… She found she cared… rather too much. "What about his breathing?"

"He's got a nasty chest infection, but heavy-duty antibiotics will sort it. Other than that, it's just pain, and total exhaustion." The doctor looked from Eric to Renee and back. "Do you want to see him?"

They followed the doctor to a cubicle. Renee stood back a little, watching the brothers-in-law. Brothers-in-arms… The affection was deep and obvious.

"H…" Eric's voice was gentle if worried. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It caught up with me. I'm sorry…"

"So you should be." Eric laughed weakly. "I've been searching the lab, looking for you. I'd done the bathrooms. I was just going to try the broom cupboards."

Horatio looked past him at Renee. "Thank you… You rescued me."

"You're welcome. How do you feel?"

"I've been better." He smiled. "But OK, now I'm lying down."

"So… bit of a rest then?"

Eric stifled a laugh.

"What?" Horatio looked hurt.

"H, I'd have to strap you down to keep you in here, wouldn't I?"

"I'm staying in overnight…"

"Big deal."

Renee interposed. "I'd heard you were stubborn…"

He looked almost choirboy innocent. "Me?" And they all laughed.

Oh God, I could fall for you, big time… Renee watched the handsome, still-boyish face - less strained now, though still pale. Somehow, even flat on his back, in hospital, his powerful personality shone through. You, Horatio Caine, are bad for a girl's health, she thought.

Aloud, she said, "I must be going. My poor driver expected his weekend to start several hours ago."

"Thank you again. For everything." Horatio hesitated. "Do you often get to Miami?"

"Not often, but I'll try to get back soon. I'd like to see it properly." What are you saying?

"Get in touch. I'll show you round."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Eric's eyebrows shoot up in surprise, though he hid it quickly.

Oh well… She bent and kissed him quickly on the cheek. Then she touched Eric's shoulder briefly. "Goodbye, gentlemen. It's been a pleasure."