Chapter Seven
A/N: Thank you to those of you who are reading and reviewing, you make all the difference! I hope you enjoy chapter seven. In the words of our favorite redhead, we're just getting started!
The young CSI made haste toward his brother's bedside and scooted his chair closer, relief evident in his expression.
"Eric...what happened?" The redhead whispered hoarsely as he turned his head to address the Cuban CSI.
"You collapsed in Mel's room...you went into Acute Liver Failure." The dismayed look that crossed Horatio's features did not go unnoticed by the man sitting next to him.
"H, what happened?" He asked sincerely. The redhead deliberately averted his gaze from his brother's, feeling completely shamed.
"You haven't been eating or drinking properly, have you." Though Delko knew the answer already, his mind still refused to process the idea of an unhealthy Horatio. The older of the men continued to stare as he practically whispered his words.
"I've been...working overtime. Trying to catch up on paperwork..."
"Avoiding going home." The Lieutenant nodded softly as Eric finished his sentence.
"I'm sorry, Eric." The redhead spoke sincerely. Delko's head shot up, and he did his best to reassure his brother.
"No, H. Don't be sorry. You're going to get better and things are going to be alright. I promise."
The Cuban CSI didn't expect anything less than the skeptical look that he received from the man across from him. The room grew silent for several moments, and suddenly, Eric thought of a way to lighten his brother's spirits.
"You know, Melissa's awake. She's worried about you too. Maybe I can convince the doctor to let you go see her."
His words immediately caught Horatio's attention as his cobalt irises redirected their attention from the wall to the young CSI before him. His sudden movements made Eric chuckle as another thought came to mind.
"You know, you two are like twins. The way you act, the way you think. It looks like you've found a friend," he smirked. Horatio allowed himself a small smile before telling his brother how similar they actually were.
"You know how I grew up...not in foster homes. But with a drunk of a father. It took a lot to keep going, but I did. And so did she."
"That's why you're so protective of her. You've found someone to relate to." Horatio nodded in agreement as he continued.
"Frank pulled her file during the Calbert case. PD was called out for domestics repeatedly. There were papers from Dade Memorial in there too. Those first two homes were unforgiving, Eric."
"It sounds like it. But nobody can hurt her anymore. You've done good, H. I'm going to talk to the doctor about visiting." Delko gave the redhead a commending squeeze on the forearm before getting up from his seat and walking out in search of the attending physician.
The absence of his brother gave Horatio time to think, and he found himself absorbed in his thoughts as he considered not only his situation, but that of the young charge that he'd seemingly taken under his wing as well.
He had to admit that he was feeling better now that he was hydrated; that, coupled with obtaining a solid window of rest did wonders for his battered and stressed body. He hardly remembered anything after collapsing into his brother's arms, except the sudden grip of fear that had descended over him.
It was no secret that he was growing old. His days of youthful energy had faded, along with the smoothness of his pug-Irish face. He believed himself to be good-looking despite the amount of lines that crossed his worn face.
Regardless of his heightening age, Horatio continued to hold strong, never giving up, and never giving in to anything or anyone. After years of fighting on, it seemed as though everyone thought of him as invincible, everyone except the man himself.
Perhaps that was why it was ever so shocking to see him succumb to sickness? It had to be! The more he considered it, the more the redhead uncovered. How many times had he been told that he was the heart of the team, the one that kept them strong and wise?
That was just it. When the Lieutenant himself was not strong, neither was his team of intrepid investigators. Yet, no matter how disheartening a situation he found himself in, and no matter how rare it was for him to be brought to his knees, they pushed through the front lines and stood tall. Not just for themselves, no. But for the sake of their beloved superior and friend.
It seemed that his world had been somewhat turned upside down in the last handful of days. He'd found himself keeping a watchful eye over the young Melissa Weatherly since the moment that she had been proven nothing short of innocent. In truth, his defensiveness over her was personal, but only just. Pure protectiveness coursed through his blood in a natural act, and after hearing of the vicious hand that had been dealt her way, the redhead could not only relate, but he made it his duty to watch over her in hopes that the demons of her own Hellish childhood would not overtake her once more, as his own had for so long.
Horatio pulled out of his thoughts as Eric reentered the room accompanied by a doctor and RN. His features were alight with hopefulness, and he listened intently as the lab coat-clad physician addressed him.
"Lieutenant, are you up for going for a visit?" The man spoke with a hint of cheerfulness and was rewarded with a solid smile and a characteristic dip of the head on the redhead's part.
"Good. We're going to help you into a wheelchair," the nurse reappeared from the hallway with the chair and the doctor helped the Lieutenant sit up. They maneuvered his IV lines and oxygen supply as he swung his legs over the side of the bed with help from Eric and the kind nurse. Careful not to overly exert him, they hooked their arms under his own and helped him stand, albeit unstably.
With persistence, they finally got him situated and comfortable and wheeled him from the room.
Melissa sat eying the Styrofoam cup perched on the bed beside her. The effects of the intravenous painkillers had dulled over a half an hour ago, and she was surprised to find the waves of pain radiating in her chest lessening in strength. The small doses of morphine that the doctor would inject numbed the pain in her chest and coupled with exhaustion, worked to slowly sedate her. After being in and out of consciousness, Mel was fed up with laying around and doing nothing.
Her head shot up as she caught sight of a familiar face in the doorway of her room, and the nagging fear in the back of her mind faded away as the redheaded Lieutenant was wheeled next to her bedside.
"Lieutenant," she breathed. As soon as he came to a halt, she threw her arms around him in a grateful embrace. Her sore chest and back protested the movement, but she did nothing more than hold onto him.
"I'm so glad that you're alright," she muttered with her chin resting on his shoulder.
"So am I, Melissa." Horatio spoke softly as they pulled apart. The pair began to converse calmly and Eric stood across the room fiddling with his wallet. He stood around for several moments and tossed a glance their way every so often as he fished for a couple singles for a coffee. His investigative traits came through as he noted Mel's appearance.
Melissa had solid brown eyes, and the hair color to match. She had the signature tan of a Florida Native, and to top it off, an overall calming expression. Her personality mirrored her looks; subtle yet captivating. As Eric profiled his superior's new-found friend, he couldn't help but be impressed.
With his dollar bills in hand, Delko excused himself and set off for the hospital cafeteria in search of a decent cup of strong coffee. Melissa and Horatio continued to talk, and after some small banter, Mel was delighted when the redhead posed a question that she just loved to answer.
"So, what position do you play in hockey?" Horatio was familiar with the particulars of the game, but over the years, he found himself favoring a good game of basketball or football over any other.
"Lately, I've been playing defense, but I've always been a goalie," she spoke brightly.
"For the past couple of years, it's been street hockey. It's been about three since I was on ice. I'm not complaining though. I love playing in the heat."
Horatio chuckled at her reluctance. If there was one thing he was sure of, it was that she was a true Florida native.
"What about you? What kind of sports are you into?" Now it was Horatio's turn to be delighted. It had been a while, but as a young man in Queens, he was quite the athlete. Especially on the basketball court.
"Well, I used to play basketball in junior high and played until I graduated high school. Even after that, I played my share of pick-up games during college."
Melissa's eyebrows drifted up in envy. She remembered the fun times she shared with her biological father, sitting down with him and her uncles to watch games. There was never a dull moment when it came to watching the game. They would go all out; from a table full of great food, to being decked out in hats, jerseys and even the occasional foam finger.
"That's awesome. Are you a Miami fan?"
"That I am," he replied lightly. He could sense the excitement in her expression, and even more so in her words.
"Wow, that's great! I've been a fan of the Heat since I was five. They play a good game." He smiled and nodded, and they continued discussing sports.
"I'm not one to watch a lot of it, but what about hockey? Got a favorite team?" The redhead mused.
"New York Rangers, indefinitely." Mel replied as she lifted the cup of ice water for a drink.
"I hear they play a great game too. I'm from New York, actually." Melissa set her cup down and tossed a smile his way.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you Irish?" A kind curiosity laced her words and he was happy to answer.
"I am. Irish and Italian." He figured that his vibrant auburn mane was the reason for questioning his heritage, but it appeared that Melissa had deciphered it differently.
"Very nice. I kind of figured, you having the last name Caine and all. As far as I know, I have Irish blood. I can't remember if it was from my mom or dad's side though."
They continued talking for nearly an hour with next to no interruption beyond nurses coming in to check on them. They were sharing a good laugh when Eric knocked, coffee in hand. His suddenly serious expression did not escape Horatio's notice, and he walked over to the redhead to deliver a bit of news.
"H, there's someone here to talk to you. I would tell them that you're busy, but I think you need to hear what they have to say," Delko spoke honestly. Horatio sat in silence for a moment, then nodded his head accordingly. He excused himself and Eric wheeled him into a small waiting area down the hall.
A well-dressed man sat scrutinizing an open file folder and looked up as soon as he noticed the two men before him.
"H, I'll uh, leave you to it." Eric glanced at the man and headed back to Mel's room, fully intent on giving his boss the benefit of a private discussion.
"Lieutenant, my name is Robert Lozano. I'm with Child Protective Services. I'm sorry to disturb you. I know that you're recovering and I'll try to make this quick." The tall Latino reached out to shake the redhead's hand and he returned the favor. Lozano sat across from Horatio and addressed him professionally.
"It is my understanding that the family that social services had lined up for Miss Weatherly rejected the request."
"They did," Horatio replied with a nod. The CPS agent adjusted his glasses and sighed regretfully.
"At the moment, there are only two options in regards to housing. The first is complete relocation to Tampa to locate a new foster family. Even then, it doesn't promise anything. The second, is juvenile care."
Horatio openly winced at both options, knowing very well that neither of them would be good for the young woman. He thought long and hard, and then posed a very interesting question.
"With all due respect Mr. Lozano, those are very poor options...what is the possibility that I watch over Miss Weatherly until a foster family makes arrangements closer to home?"
"Are you talking about becoming a foster parent?" Lozano retorted.
"I'm talking about temporary care, until Melissa can be taken in by one." Horatio sat back as he watched the younger man contemplate his words.
"I...I think that can be arranged. But there's still the matter of recovery, for the both of you. Not to mention the demands of your job."
"Mr. Lozano...this young woman does not deserve to be put through any more trouble. I'll do whatever it takes."
"Whatever it takes?" The agent questioned sincerely.
"Whatever it takes."
TBC
