Thank you all very, very much for the reviews! And a big thank you to my editor, Alisa!

Horatio hated to waste time. He hated when he couldn't do anything. Since he was on sick leave he spent most of his days doing nothing. After every chemo session he'd be sick for a few days; unable to keep food down, sleep all the time (it felt like he did), and just feel miserable. Then he'd feel a bit better until the next chemo session. But he never felt one hundred percent okay. He knew he looked sick, he had lost some weight, and he felt like he had no energy left. He had known that the chemo would bring his otherwise active life down big time, but he hadn't expected to be quite so fatigued and exhausted. He couldn't even take a walk in the park without having to rest, and then when he got home he'd just lie down on the couch and sleep. What was the worst, was that he felt like a burden to his team. They didn't view him as a burden, but he still felt like one. He was always the one that helped others and it was difficult for him to be the one that needed help.

A few weeks had passed since his first chemo session. Every time he had an appointment someone from the team would drive him there and then pick him up when he was done. If they could they would stay with him as the drugs were given to him through his port catheter. Alexx would always call and check on him after his session. Sometimes she'd come over the same evening, but mostly it was Frank that showed up with food; even though Horatio didn't want to eat.

His team had certainly rallied around him. He didn't always ask for help, but they knew when he needed it. It had been embarrassing the first time he had been so fatigued that he couldn't even change into his pajama pants and a t-shirt to sleep. It had been after his first chemo session. He should have known what to expect after being married to Marisol, but his mind hadn't been completely prepared for it anyway. As if somehow he would react differently to the chemo than others; what had he been thinking? Frank had helped him change. Horatio had felt like a child and he hated the feeling of not being able to do such simple tasks on his own. Frank had stayed with him as he slept and when he spent most of the evening in the bathroom, bent over the toilet throwing up. The rest of team members, no his family, had spent many days with him like that as well.

During the weeks that had passed, he had started losing his hair. Walter, Ryan and Eric had persuaded him to shave it off. Well, Kyle had persuaded him too through Skype, but it was the three guys that had physically removed his red hair. Now, Horatio only had a short stubble on his head. His hair wouldn't grow any longer, but at least he wasn't completely bald. He looked horrible though. When his team had seen him they had laughed together. As horrible as he looked Horatio also knew that it was very comical. Sometimes he didn't know if he should cry or laugh when he looked at himself in the mirror.

Today he was going in for another chemo session. For the first time he looked forward to the end of the session; because today his son would be coming home. It was finally safe for Kyle to fly home and he had been granted permission to leave and tend to his sick father. Eric would be picking him up and then take him to the hospital. So it was with a good mood that Horatio entered the hospital room; Calleigh close behind him. She had taken over the team while he was gone. As the boss she had never been able yet to come with Horatio during his chemo sessions.

It always lifted his spirit to have someone with him. It had even brought him closer to some team members, like Ryan for example. Horatio didn't even call him Mister Wolfe anymore. Despite how difficult it was to see their redheaded leader so sick, it brought the whole team closer and made their bond as a family stronger.

"Wow, boring room." Calleigh commented.

"At least I have a TV." Horatio smiled.

Horatio sat down in a chair. Calleigh in another one. Just seconds later a nurse came in and then Alexx. She wasn't Horatio's oncologist, but she tried to come by whenever he was at the hospital to check up on him.

"Hi there babies." She smiled.

She gave them both a hug and then helped the nurse put the needles into Horatio's port catheter. Calleigh visibly flinched at the sight and the other three chuckled. Alexx kept a close eye on the redhead; he was her oldest "baby" after all. Somebody needed to mother him every now and then.

"It doesn't hurt?" Calleigh asked.

"No." Horatio said.

"You seem to be very happy today." Alexx said.

Everyone had of course noticed how the redhead's mood had worsened , since he had heard the news of his condition. It wasn't a surprise to them. Horatio tried to lighten the mood whenever he could, but he had a lot on his mind. Everyone knew that when one was physically sick, it was difficult to be cheerful. He never took it out on them though. They had told Horatio that he could vent on them, but he seemed to do it on his own. Maybe Kyle could get the redhead to talk to him.

"Kyle is coming home today. He will be landing soon, so Eric will be picking him up." Horatio smiled, "I can't wait to see him again."

"That's great news, baby. I bet he'll be happy to be home too." Alexx smiled, "I haven't seen him in a long time either. Maybe next week when you'll be feeling better we can all get together for a barbeque."

"I'd like that." Horatio said.

"I'll tell the team." Calleigh smiled.

Alexx's beeper went off and she had to leave. The nurse made sure Horatio was comfortable and then left him and Calleigh alone. Horatio asked about work and Calleigh told him about their current cases. Horatio gave her some advice on a few cases and Calleigh gladly took them. She was a good leader and the police department was lucky to have someone like her working in the lab.

"You always give the best advice, handsome." She smiled.

Horatio always seemed to be able to notice things nobody else could. He never seemed to miss anything. Calleigh was always grateful for his help.

"How is the paperwork?" Horatio grinned.

Calleigh groaned and Horatio laughed. She hadn't known how boring paperwork could be until she had noticed how much of it Horatio had had to do through the years he had been boss. She was lucky to have Eric to help her out as best as he could. She knew she could ask the rest of the team to help as well, but she didn't want them to have to work too much overtime because of her.

"It helps that I can take it home and have Eric look at it with me. I don't know how you managed do it all." Calleigh said.

"Me either; I guess it takes a while to get used to and then it'll go faster. I certainly don't miss that part of the job."

Calleigh smiled and patted his hand. They had known each other for a long time. Seen one another go through the good and the bad. In many ways Horatio was the big brother Calleigh had always wished for. Sure, he helped out everyone he could, but Calleigh was his bullet girl. They shared a strong bond; like he did with Eric.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

Some time had passed now and Horatio seemed to start drifting off to sleep.

"Oh, just fine." Horatio said and then yawned, "Sorry."

"Hey, get some sleep. I can watch some TV." Calleigh smiled.

Horatio nodded and slumped down in the chair. Within minutes he was dozing. He didn't fall asleep completely, but at least he got some rest.

-I-

Kyle hurried through the crowd of people with his luggage. He looked for the familiar face that belonged to Eric Delko, but couldn't seem to find him. When he reached the exit he frowned and spun around. Eric was nowhere to be seen, but there were a lot of people around.

"Over here, Kyle!"

Kyle turned to the direction the voice was coming from and saw Eric approach him. The young man sighed in relief and shook the older man's hand.

"Hi Eric."

"Hi, how are you?" Eric asked.

"Good, good. Anxious to see dad. Is he doing okay? He always tells me he's fine, but we both know that probably isn't true." Kyle said.

Eric chuckled. Typical of Horatio to always say he was "fine". He gave the team the same answer, although they could see that he wasn't always fine. As the two men walked across the parking lot to the hummer Eric told Kyle how his father was really doing.

"I bet he's pissed that he needs help." Kyle said, "I know I would be."

"Well, he's used to taking care of himself. My dad is the same. He has trouble asking for help as well and would hate it if one of his children had to help him change clothes, make him food and practically lift him into the car. But that is how it is with chemo." Eric said, "The first few days after the chemo are always worse. H will have some good days and some bad days; it takes some time getting used to."

Kyle nodded. He was worried about his old man and was prepared to help him whichever way he could. He knew his father would argue with him about needing help though.

"Has the doctor said anything about if the chemo is working?" Kyle asked.

"It's too soon to tell." Eric said.

They got inside the hummer and then drove towards the hospital. Kyle had told his mother about his father's cancer. Julia had been genuinely concerned; asked if she could help. She had her own health problems to worry about, although she was doing okay since she was taking her medication. Kyle knew that his mom was willing to help, but also knew that his father had enough people for that. As much as it pained him to admit it, neither one of his parents wanted much to do with each other and were probably better off not having so much contact with one another.

"I hope I never have to go through what dad is going through." Kyle said.

"Yeah." Eric sighed, "It's not easy. I had to watch my sister get chemo too. Some days she could barely get out of the bed and other days it seemed like she could do anything."

"But she couldn't really?"

"No. I remember once in the beginning of her treatment when she had a good day. She thought she could walk to the convenience store just fifteen minutes away from her home. She had always been able to do it before. This time she had to rest for a long time once she got there and she barely made it back home." Eric said, "H is the same."

"Yeah, dad told me how tired he got from just walking ten minutes in the park." Kyle sighed.

"He'll feel better now that you're home though." Eric smiled, "It will lift his spirit a great deal."

"Good. I really miss him." Kyle whispered.

-I-

Horatio and Calleigh were watching re-runs of "Hell's Kitchen" when the door opened and Kyle walked in followed by Eric. The young man immediately hugged his father and the old man hugged back. When they parted Kyle looked at the redhead and bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing.

Horatio rolled his eyes at his son.

"Go ahead." He said.

Kyle started chuckling. Horatio smiled and then laughed too. Kyle touched his father's head and giggled.

"Wow. You look so weird without any hair." Kyle said, "Did you save the hair that the guys shaved off so we can glue it back on? That would look even weirder!"

"Very funny." Horatio smirked and ruffled Kyle's hair.

"I'm glad to see you, dad." Kyle smiled.

"I'm glad that you're home." Horatio said.

Calleigh and Eric decided to give father and son some time alone. They excused themselves and told Horatio they would come by some day during the weekend.

"Okay. See you later. And thank you for being here and picking Kyle up at the airport." Horatio smiled.

"Anytime, H." Eric said and he left with Calleigh.

Once they were alone, Kyle started asking questions about how the chemo worked and how his old man was really feeling. Horatio answered every question truthfully. Kyle was relieved to see his father in a good mood.

"Tell me how you are doing, son." Horatio said.

Kyle told his father about his time in Afghanistan. The friends he had made and lost. The grueling weeks he had spent waiting for his supervisors to allow him to fly home. Because some planes had been shot down no one had been allowed to leave the army base; which was why Kyle hadn't been able to come home earlier.

"If I had known where to get the supplies to build a raft I would have made one." Kyle said.

"And how would you have made it home?" Horatio asked.

"With a map and two paddles." Kyle shrugged, "It would have been difficult, but worth a try."

"I'm glad you waited. I wouldn't have liked for you to be lost at sea."

"And end up on an island and with a football named Wilson?" Kyle asked, referring to the movie "Cast Away".

"Exactly." Horatio smiled.

Father and son talked some more and then the nurse came in to take the needles out. The session was over and Horatio could go home. Kyle grabbed on to his father's arm just in case he would go weak at the knees, as they walked across the parking lot to Calleigh's hummer that she had left for them.

"You okay?" Kyle asked, once they were seated in the car.

"I'm fine." Horatio smiled.

-I-

Kyle grimaced as he heard his father throw up in the bathroom. He wished he could help, but the redhead preferred to be alone in there. Instead Kyle waited for Frank to come over with some pizza. Kyle was confident that he could take care of his father alone, but since it was his first time he was grateful for the guidance that Frank could give him. Besides, the Texan always came over after a chemo session.

The door bell rang and Kyle opened the door. Frank greeted him and stepped inside with two pizza boxes. He knew Horatio wouldn't want any real food since he wouldn't be able to keep it down anyway. But maybe they could get him to eat something; even if it wasn't pizza that he wanted.

"Should I make some sandwiches for him?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah, only two though. We'll probably have to push him to eat it." Frank said.

He placed the pizza boxes on the kitchen table. Kyle realized how hungry he was when he noticed the smell.

"You know Kyle; you don't have to do this alone." Frank said, "I know you want to take care of your dad, but I also want you to remember that we're all here for both you as well."

"I will keep that in mind." Kyle said, "I guess... you know, he's always protected me. He took me under his wing the moment he found out that I was his son. Even when I tried to push him away and test his patience, he always kept his cool and continued to care for me. I want to repay him somehow."

"You being here is more than enough for him." Frank said, "So, how about we start to eat and he'll join us when he can."

Kyle nodded. Frank seemed so calm. Kyle was worried and wanted to do something, anything, to ease his father's pains. He wondered how Frank could be so relaxed.

"You don't seem bothered." Kyle said, "I want to rush into the bathroom and help him somehow, but you seem... so calm."

"I'm not." Frank said, "But I know he wants to be alone in there. I stay calm so that he can relax. Believe me, it's difficult to see your best friend so sick and miserable, but I can't help him if I panic."

"So how do I keep calm? I worry so much I'm shaking sometimes." Kyle sighed.

"Remember that things are under control. He might seem like he's about to pass out sometimes, but even then things are under control." Frank said, "He looks like hell and feels like shit, but... we can only help him by keeping ourselves together and remain controlled. If we panic, he'll panic."

Kyle nodded. They heard a groan and then the bathroom door opened. Into the kitchen walked a pale and sweaty lieutenant. He slumped down on a chair and sighed. Kyle handed him the plate with two sandwiches on it.

"Hi Frank." Horatio muttered.

"Hi Horatio. Lousy day, huh?" Frank asked.

"Yep."

"Eat something." Frank said.

"It won't stay down."

"No, but whatever protein your body manages to pick up before it comes back up is good enough. It's better than not eating at all...and ya need to have something to bring up, so that ya don't hurt yourself" Frank said, knowing that the redhead wouldn't argue as much as he used to because of Kyle's presence.

Horatio sighed and grabbed a sandwich. Kyle hated seeing his father so sick. Frank asked Kyle how Afghanistan had been. Eventually Frank and Horatio started telling Kyle some funny stories from when they met. Kyle laughed along with them. Horatio seemed to be more relaxed by the conversation.

Once he went back to the bathroom, Frank and Kyle moved to the back porch and had a light beer. Kyle told Frank about his worries that he wouldn't be able to take care of his father well enough.

"What if I screw up?"

"You won't." Frank said, "Kyle, you worry too much. Just like Horatio."

Kyle chuckled. Frank patted the young man's shoulder.

"He may look only half-alive right now, but in a few days he'll look a bit better. When he's cancer-free he'll go back to his old self." Frank said.

Kyle nodded.

"You and H are so much alike. Both stubborn, both of you worry too much and you both care deeply for others." Frank said, "And you don't tell anyone else how you fell. Well, you do more than he does."

"I don't mind being like him."

"It's a good thing." Frank said, "He's one of the best men I know."

Frank and Horatio had known each other since Horatio had come to Miami. They had helped each other through deaths, divorces and trouble at work. They were best friends and even brothers in a way.

"He'll be okay." Frank said.

"I hope so."

"You'll see." Frank smiled, "Maybe not today or tomorrow or even in a month. But he'll be okay eventually."

After a few moments of silence, Frank added " Remember, to get him to drink as much as he can, so that he does end up being dehydrated."

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* Editor's Note: I'd like to thank all of you for your reviews...it makes US happy to see them...and to my friend: your more then welcome...thanks, Alisa *