Rating: T
Warnings: This story is SLASH. If you don't like that then don't read any further.
Pairing: Horatio/Speed
Summary: They made it through their first year together, but can they survive the next few days?
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The sun filtered in through the blinds covering the bedroom window. It slowly progressed across the floor as it made it's way toward the center of the room. It crawled up the side of the bed until it finally shone across Horatio's face. He grumbled and threw an arm over his eyes. After a few moments, he peeked out from underneath and looked at the clock. Three hours had passed since the phone call from Frank.
He rolled to his side, propped himself up on one elbow and glanced down at his sleeping fiancé. He looked at the ring on his finger. Married. He was going to get married. He never thought that he would find anyone that he wanted to spend more than a few weeks with and now his was planning to spend the rest of his life with Tim. He had to admit that the idea of a commitment of that magnitude scared him a little.
He shook his head and tried to clear his thoughts. He didn't feel doubt, just nervous. He guessed that this was how you're supposed to feel when you're getting married in less than a week. He reached over and ran his fingers through his lover's unruly brown curls. Tim stirred but didn't wake. He lay on his back with one hand resting on his stomach and the other over his head. His face was peaceful with his lips slightly parted.
Horatio couldn't resist, so he leaned down and kissed him. Tim's eyes fluttered open and he smiled. "Morning," he said sleepily.
Horatio smiled back. "Morning," he replied.
"I like your idea of a wake up call. What time is it?" Tim asked.
"Little after eight thirty," he answered. Tim stretched. Horatio continued, "I have to get in to the lab. My suspect should be there by noon. But, I was thinking, we have time to share a shower, if you want to get up now."
Tim waggled his eyebrows. "Sounds like a plan." Horatio leaned down and kissed him again, this time slowly, taking his time. When they came up for air Tim said, "If you keep that up, we won't make it to the shower."
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Horatio pulled his car into the lot at CSI. He looked over at Tim who sat next to him. "So what do you think? Can the rings be my surprise for you?" he asked.
"If it means that much to you. But go for simple, okay. Nothing fancy," Tim said.
Horatio nodded. "Deal. I know the perfect place. And don't worry." He gave Tim's hand a squeeze, a gesture they had come to use instead of a kiss when they were in a public place.
As they got out of the car Frank walked up. "Carpooling today, are we?" he asked.
Horatio and Tim exchanged a glance over the top of the car. "Uh, yeah," Tim said. "My bike's in the shop." He looked over at Horatio and said, "Thanks for the ride," then he turned and headed up the front steps.
"So," Frank said once Tim was out of earshot. "What's going on with Speedle?"
"What do you mean, Frank?" Horatio asked in his most innocent voice.
"Cut the crap, Horatio," the Texan said, getting aggravated. "It took me a bit, but I recognized his voice from the phone call this morning." Horatio just looked at him. "You gonna deny it?"
Horatio simply turned an headed up the steps. "Come on, Frank. We have an interview to prepare for."
Frank rolled his eyes and chased after him. "Horatio, wait," he called. When he caught up, he said, "Look, I'm sorry okay. It's none of my business. I'm just tying to understand."
Several people walked past them and through the entrance of the building. "Frank," Horatio said quietly. "Can we not talk about this now, please." His cell phone rang and he answered it. After a moment he said, "They have our suspect in an interview room. Let's get going."
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Horatio was getting frustrated. After almost an hour of questioning, the suspect was still not giving them any useful information. Finally, he looked over at Frank and cocked his head toward the door. Both men exited the room and Horatio shut the door.
"I don't think he's going to cooperate with us, Frank," Horatio said.
Frank concurred. "Got any brilliant ideas?"
"Let's give him a reason to. Throw him in lockup seven for the afternoon," Horatio suggested.
Frank smiled. "With the violent offenders. Brilliant. I'll bet he's singing like a canary when we come back for him." He gave the order to the uniformed officer and waited as their suspect was walked out of the room.
He looked over at Horatio. "So, you feel like having that little talk now?" he asked.
Horatio sighed. "If you insist, Frank. Let's go grab some lunch." Frank agreed. "I just have to make one stop first."
Frank was fairly certain as to what Horatio's errand was going to be and he was proven right when he found himself standing outside the trace lab a few minutes later. "Be right back," Horatio said as he entered the lab.
The detective could see what was going on through the glass wall of the lab but Horatio had closed the door so he couldn't hear. Tim was bent over a microscope with his headphones on. He didn't hear Horatio enter the room. Frank watched as Horatio stood there for a moment looking at Tim, then he reached out with two fingers and pulled on the headphone cord, popping one of Tim's earbuds out.
The younger man looked up, initially with an annoyed expression which softened when he realized who had interrupted his music. Both men laughed. They talked for a moment then Tim looked over at Frank through the window. He looked back at Horatio and said something to which Horatio nodded. After a moment Tim reached out and took Horatio's hand then a few moments later Horatio opened the door.
Frank heard Tim call out, "Make the reservations around seven. This analysis is gonna take the rest of the afternoon."
He stepped up to Farnk and asked, "You ready?" Frank nodded. "The dinner around the corner okay for you?"
"Yeah, sure," Frank answered.
As they walked out Horatio called for his dinner reservations, then they got into Tripp's car and headed off for lunch.
The diner was a local cop hangout so they grabbed a booth near the back of the place so they could talk without anyone else hearing them. They ordered their food and some coffee and sat in silence for a few moments.
Frank finally said, "So, how long have you been, well, uh, you know."
Horatio raised an eyebrow. "You mean gay?" he asked. Frank winced slightly when he said that but he nodded. "It's not a disease, Frank. You don't catch it. I've always been this way."
"But I'm sure I've seen you with women, Horatio."
He wasn't all that comfortable talking about this with Frank. But the other man seemed to asking questions without passing judgment so he felt obliged. "It took me a long time and Speed's help to become comfortable with who I am. So, yeah, I've dated women, but, they never meant anything to me."
"How long have the two of you been together?" Frank asked.
"A year," Horatio answered.
Frank was surprised. "A year? And you've managed to keep it hidden all this time?"
Horatio shook his head. "The rest of my team know."
"And they're okay with it?"
Horatio nodded. "It hasn't affected our ability to do our jobs."
Frank was silent for a few moments while he picked at his food. "You, um,… you have strong feelings for him?" he asked.
Horatio ducked his head, preferring to look at his plate rather than Frank as he said, "I love him, Frank."
Frank nodded. He was having trouble wrapping his brain around the idea that Lieutenant Horatio Caine was gay, not to mention Speedle. Though somehow it was easier to believe about Speed.
They sat in silence for a while, each man with his own thoughts. Finally Horatio looked up and asked, "Frank, are you okay with all of this?"
The other man took a moment before he answered. "I don't know. I guess so."
Horatio looked at his watch. "We should get back. If I'm right, our guy should be just about ready to talk."
TBC