Revelations

Chapter 7

Frank stopped firing when he realized the shooter on the other side of the door had quit. He saw movement on his right and realized Calleigh was about to run toward Horatio and he immediately grabbed her arm to stop her.

The redhead rolled over and sat up against the wall and smiled, motioning for Calleigh to stay put.

Calleigh let out a long breath noticing Horatio was moving. Then the bedroom door opened slightly and a shaken Alexx softly called,

"Is everyone alright out there?"

Frank responded, "We're alright…shut the door and lock it." Alexx did as he said.

Horatio rolled to the opposite side of the door before slowly getting to his feet. He hesitated a minute to catch his breath and then felt the burning sensation in his side thinking a bullet must have grazed him. Steeling himself, he reached for the doorknob and jerked the door open, simultaneously stepping through the door with his gun leveled ready to meet the shooter in the hallway. Quickly scanning each way down the hall, it was clear, just one man on the floor. Looking down at the man sprawled at his feet; he lowered his gun and knelt checking for a pulse to make sure the shooter was dead. Gradually, Calleigh's neighbors began opening their doors, looking out in shock at the scene.

The closest neighbor called out, "I've called the police…"

Horatio smiled slightly as he looked up at the elderly woman and responded, "Thank you."

Calleigh, Frank and a frightened Alexx stepped out into the hallway as Horatio pushed up off of his knee and turned to speak.

Calleigh reached him quickly and wrapped her arms around his waist with some force signifying her relief that he seemed alright. Recovering his stance from the force of her greeting, he hugged her back before asking,

"Sweetheart…are you ok?"

She nodded her head that she was while keeping her head pressed against his chest until raising her eyes up toward his answering,

"I am now that you're ok."

Almost simultaneously, she felt Horatio weave slightly in her arms as she realized her left hand pressed against his back, felt wet and warm.

Frank couldn't believe that Horatio had not been hit, considering the several rounds the shooter had put through the door so he walked toward his friend to make sure the man was indeed alright.

"H, you sure you're ok?"

Horatio looked up over Calleigh's head at Frank approaching with a blank expression on his pale face before his knees buckled, sending him down to the floor. Calleigh's scream was the last thing he remembered.


He vaguely heard someone calling his name, but he couldn't see who it was. Why can't I see who's calling me? It's a man's voice…where's Calleigh? Is she alright?

Calleigh watched as Horatio's eyes fluttered open and then closed tightly as he grimaced and a moan escaped his lips, an obvious sign that he was feeling pain as consciousness was slowly returning. The redhead rolled his head slightly toward her, but his eyes remained closed.

Then in a weak, low voice as if searching for her, he called out, "Calleigh…"

Calleigh squeezed his hand and whispered as she lightly ran her hand down the side of his flushed, damp face, "I'm here with you Handsome, I'm right here."

Seemingly satisfied, Horatio appeared to drift back off into sleep as Calleigh, her face reflecting the concern she felt, glanced over at the young ER doctor standing on the other side of the bed attempting to gauge his reaction.

"He will be alright? You're sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. He'll be in pain for a couple of days, but this could have turned out much worse for him. The CT scan showed that the large-caliber bullet, narrowly missed his large intestine, just a half an inch to the right and the situation would have been very serious. He's fortunate also that the bullet passed completely through, somehow managing to avoid any other organ."

The doctor then checked Horatio's IV line as well as the fluid levels being administered before adding, "He's being given a strong pain reliever which I've just started reducing, allowing him to gradually begin waking. I'm having him taken to ICU, for a few hours until he's fully awake, just so we can watch his condition closer. You can stay with him if you'd like," the doctor smiled noticing her worried expression.

"Thank you…doctor, um…"

The young man said, "Dr. Elliot, Jim Elliot," he said as he extended his hand to her. Calleigh shook his hand,

"I'm Calleigh Duquesne."

The doctor added, "Nice to meet you. Just wish under more pleasant circumstances, but I'm glad the Lieutenant will be ok." Calleigh smiled slightly.

Dr. Elliot walked out of the trauma room and Calleigh broke down in tears as she rested her forehead on the back of Horatio's hand. She jerked her head around when she heard Horatio whisper,

"Don't cry…Sweetheart. Please…"

Wiping the tears from her eyes she quickly reached up and touched his face, "Are you in pain Handsome?"

"Some," he softly responded. "What…happened?" he asked, his tired eyes partly open as sweat beaded on his forehead and trickled down the side of his face from fever.

"You've been shot, but it was a through and through…the doctor says you'll be fine."

Horatio's brow furrowed with concern. He needed assurance, "You're ok? You weren't… hurt?"

"I'm fine Horatio. I'll be right here. Try to rest Handsome."

The door opened and two orderlies walked toward Horatio. "We're here to take him to ICU," the older man addressed Calleigh first, and then turned his attention to Horatio, asking in a loud voice, "How are you feeling sir?"

"Been…been better," Horatio responded weakly.

The man chuckled and answered, "I hear ya. We'll be real gentle with you ok? Just relax," the big man assured as he began releasing the brakes on Horatio's bed while the other orderly unplugged the IV pump from the wall and readied it for moving.

Calleigh leaned over and kissed Horatio's cheek as she whispered and squeezed his hand,

"See you in a few minutes Handsome."

She stepped aside as the men rolled Horatio out of the room and into the hallway.

The orderly at the foot of the bed turned and asked over his shoulder, "Ma'am, you know where ICU is?"

"Yes."

"We're taking him to room fifteen. Just give us a couple of minutes to get him settled."

Calleigh thought while they transferred Horatio, she'd walk out to the waiting room where she knew Frank was anxiously waiting for news of his friend's condition. Opening the door to the waiting area, she saw Natalia, Ryan as well as Lara waiting along with Frank and the sight warmed her heart. They truly were a family.

Frank stood quickly and approached her with a worried expression on his face, "Calleigh…how is he?"

Tears welled in her eyes as she replied, "The doctor assures me he'll be alright. It was a through and through – didn't hit any vital organs." She exhaled sharply, feeling the tears beginning to escape which caused Natalia to wrap her arms around her friend and pulled her close just as the tears spilled down Calleigh's cheeks.

Gently rubbing Calleigh's back as her friend sobbed softly. Natalia exclaimed, "Thank God his injury wasn't worse Cal…we've been so worried. Can we see him?"

Calleigh stepped back and wiped her cheeks with her hand before answering. "He… he will be in ICU for a few hours, but after that he'll be moved to a regular room."

Ryan put his hands behind his head and then let out a loud breath of relief. "That's great news tha H will be ok. We couldn't get a hold of Walter, but I left a message on his cell."

Lara touched Calleigh's arm and said, "I'm glad he will be ok."

"Thank you Lara. We all are," Calleigh replied.

As if on cue, the large African-American CSI burst through the double doors on the far wall loudly asking as he walked toward the group, "What happened to H?"

Ryan explained everything to Walter while Frank stepped over to Calleigh.

"Frank, how are Alexx and Brian?" Calleigh asked in a low voice.

"Last I heard, Alexx was about to come unglued over what happened to Horatio. She can't stand not being able to see about him." Frank's admission caused a slight smile from Calleigh.

"They've been taken to a safe house?"

"Yep, I put three of my most trusted officers with them. They're safe."

"Good. Until we can figure out exactly who did this, we need to treat it as a threat against Alexx and Brian, as well as Horatio. Would you send a couple of officers over here to guard Horatio's room?"

"Done. I'll call Alexx too and let her know about Horatio." He could see Calleigh's body begin to shake. "Calleigh…" he opened his arms and she stepped into his embrace.

"I've never been so frightened Frank."

"I know Cal…neither have I. Horatio's a strong man though. The main problem you're going to have is keeping him down long enough to heal."

Stepping back and looking up at the big detective she replied as she smiled through her tears, "I know, but I'm going to do my best to make him rest."

"Um, Cal it's none of my business, but…are you and Horatio seeing each other?"

"Technically, not yet. We only admitted our feelings for each other earlier today. But, if IAB hears about this we'll be in big trouble, especially Horatio, so please keep it quiet."

Frank broke out in a smile, "Calleigh, I'm happy for you guys. We've all suspected - just didn't know when the both of you would ever figure it out, but I won't say anything. I promise, and I don't see any of the team having a problem with it either."

"Thank you, Frank. You're a good friend."

Lara was standing within earshot of the private conversation and smiled by what she overheard.

After Calleigh left her friends and colleagues, she headed for the ICU.

Ryan spoke up and said to the others, "Let's get over to Calleigh's place and find evidence that will lead us to who did this and the person, or persons that instigated it."

The team left the hospital, while Frank's first stop was MPD. Then he planned to go and check on Alexx and Brian.


The early morning sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, painting a light blue sky with pink and gold streaks that reflected in the serene ocean below, just yards from the hospital. The light cast a warm glow in the room filled with machines that were steadily beeping and whirring. Calleigh's eyes opened slightly and she immediately felt the aching of her muscles caused from sleeping in the large chair the nurses had brought in for her during the night.

Slowly changing positions she became painfully aware of her surroundings, at first confused about where she was, but that changed in an instant when her ears picked up on the familiar deep velvety voice and she immediately turned her head towards its owner,

"Good morning Beautiful," Horatio softly called as he watched the beautiful blonde, who possessed his heart, slowly wake.

Calleigh smiled at Horatio who was lying propped up against the pillows in his hospital bed.

"Hey Handsome…how are you feeling this morning?" Asking softly as she stood and walked over, before sitting down on the bed where he patted a spot beside him.

Calleigh took his hand in hers as he answered smiling, "Feels like I've been socked in my gut, but my reward was watching you sleeping, and then the pleasure of watching you wake up."

Smiling at the fact he was more coherent this morning, she reached up and brushed some of his red hair back off his forehead, "You scared me to death Horatio. I…I thought I'd lost you."

"That…will never happen, Sweetheart if I have anything to say about it."

Their moment ended abruptly when a nurse walked into the room smiling slightly at the couple as she exclaimed, "I see your lady friend is awake."

Calleigh gave the nurse a sheepish glance as the woman looked over Horatio's chart, "The Lieutenant wouldn't let us wake you so we could move him to a regular room, said you needed your sleep."

"Sorry to hold everything up," Calleigh softly responded as she glanced back at a grinning Horatio.

"Oh, we didn't mind, did we Lieutenant," the nurse chuckled as she gave Horatio a wink.

Being moved from one bed to another, caused the pain in his side to increase, but one of the nurses who was busily getting him settled, said that the pain medication would help give him relief.

His private room was large with a big window affording him a view of the ocean, but at the moment he couldn't keep his eyes open. Calleigh thought the head nurse must have increased the pain medication to help him with the move so, she quietly sat down in a chair beside his bed and watched as Horatio drifted off.

Within the hour, a nurse brought in a breakfast tray, the noise causing Horatio to stir slightly.

"Hey sleepyhead…breakfast is here."

Calleigh began opening the cellophane wrapping that encased the plastic utensils.

Horatio slowly opened his eyes and saw the tray of food and slurred slightly as he replied, "Not…hungry."

"Horatio, you need to eat to keep your strength up. They brought you eggs and bacon with a huge biscuit and honey on the side, juice and a little pot of coffee."

"You…eat it."

"C'mon Handsome, eat a little for me? I'll help you."

Knowing she would persist, he gave in by nodding his head slightly, then looked up at Calleigh and smiled so she pushed the button that raised the head of the bed and placed a napkin on his bare chest before aiming a fork full of scrambled egg at his mouth.

He had eaten about a third of the breakfast when there was a knock on the door and then Frank Tripp walked into the room.

"Well I'll be damned, how about this! How lucky can a man get, having a beautiful woman feeding him breakfast?"

"Morning Francis…" Horatio grinned sheepishly as he greeted his friend.

Stopping beside the bed, Frank's suit coat was shoved back by his hands, before they came to rest on his hips as he began, "You know you scared the hell out of us Horatio."

"Sorry, my friend. Sure... didn't intend to do that."

"How you feeling this morning?"

"Better. How…um," he abruptly stopped as pain suddenly shot out of his side and radiated across his abdomen forcing him to close his eyes and grimace. Calleigh lightly squeezed his arm. After several seconds, his breathing regulated and he opened his eyes, noticing her concern.

"Just a little pain…it's gone now. Starting the question again he asked, "How is Alexx… Brian?"

"Worried about you. I put them under protection at one of our safe locations with some officers. I'll check on them after my shift."

"Why are there officers here at my door?"

Frank looked over at Calleigh before answering, "Because we don't know if someone's gunning for you, or Alexx and Brian. Until we know more, this is the way it's gonna be."

"Waste of manpower, giving me protection…" Horatio muttered as he turned his head away from Frank.

"I don't think so H, not after I heard about Lobo unraveling on you at the end of your interrogation yesterday. He has connections and we're gonna check out every one of them. Speaking of which, guess I better get down to the department and get to work. I'll check on you later."

Calleigh spoke up, "I'll be down in a little while Frank to help."

Turning her attention back to Horatio she noticed he looked tired and glassy-eyed, she supposed from his fever.

"Do you feel like eating more Handsome?"

"Sweetheart…I don't think I can. I feel so tired."

"Tell you what; I'll leave so you can get some rest. I need to stop by my place and pick up a few things and then get down to the lab."

"Calleigh…I don't want you to go back to your place. It's not safe. Where, uh, where are my things?"

"They gave them to me in the ER and I have them in my purse. I'll put everything but your wallet in the safe in your office."

"Just need my cell phone… can't be isolated."

Calleigh's expression instantly changed to one of disbelief. "Horatio, you don't need worry with anything about work. The team and I will handle everything."

He took her hand and gently rubbed the back with his thumb before looking up and softly saying, "I meant…I wanted the ability to stay in touch with you."

Calleigh leaned in and lightly kissed his lips, then softly traced her finger lightly across his forehead and down his cheek as her lips once again found his, and hesitated only briefly before turning the kiss deeply passionate.

When their lips finally parted, Horatio whispered, "Your kisses are better for me than any medicine. Sweetheart…promise me you'll be careful today."

"I will. Don't worry about me. You just get better Handsome and rest, I'll see you later."

"Would you...do me a favor?"

"Sure."

"There's a folder on my desk...please put it in my office safe. When you look at what's inside...you'll understand."

Calleigh felt torn inside. She didn't want to leave him, but yet, she's required at the lab in his absence. Stopping at the door and then turning back to look at him, she smiled before walking out. She had assured him that she'd clean up at the lab and use the change of clothes she kept in her locker, instead of stopping by her place.

So consumed about her concern for Horatio, Calleigh failed to notice Lara, who was sitting down the hall, watching her leave. As soon as Calleigh walked around the corner and out of sight, the CSI pulled out her badge and ID and walked to the officers as she presented her credentials for their inspection. Cleared to go in, she slowly opened the door and found Horatio asleep.

TBC…