Chapter 7

A/N: Thank you all for the wonderful comments and feedback. You are all terrific, and you make me smile. I must say you are all spoiling me with your feedback! I just love it. Thanks to Betty for proofing, again and again. You are awesome my friend. We start this one out with a flashback.

Enjoy,

Here we go...


III

Tears stung the young boy's blue eyes. They rolled down his face one at a time until they became an unstoppable stream that wouldn't end.

"Bless me father, for I have sinned," he sniffled.

"How long has it been since your last confession my son?"

When no answer came from the young redheaded boy, the priest continued softly.

"And what are the nature of your sins my child?

"The nature?" The boy asked confused. He stuttered quietly. "Umm, I'm not really sure… but I know it was… bad. Wrong. A terrible thing I did."

"My son, search deep down inside your heart and you will know. What did you do that was so terrible?"

The young boy shakily whispered. "I know it— it was an… accident. I didn't mean to… I didn't." He paused and sniffled again. "At least, I don't think I did. It just… happened."

"Take your time my son, and tell me what it is that happened."

The young boy took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. His voice was barely a whisper. "He killed her and… and…" A small whimper left the boy's trembling lips.

"It is all right my son. Take your time and speak only when you are ready. God understands and is patient with us all."

The young boy shook his head side to side. "I don't think… he will be patient with me, father." He swallowed more tears then whispered in a low sob. "I… I… killed my father—"

Horatio's eyes shot open with a gasp; he blinked through the haziness unaware of his surroundings and then groaned feeling the fiery pain return. He shifted slightly against the cold hard concrete floor and froze. His eyes slammed shut and he clenched his jaw trying to push back the excruciating pain that radiated down his back and throughout his body.

His body trembled and jerked. He moaned low and took a moment to recover from the pain and rude awakening of his dream. Attempting to find his bearings he opened his eyes again and lifted his head. He winced in pain feeling his back burn and sting with sensation. When his eyes finally did focus, they locked on to a somewhat familiar face.

The man Horatio once knew had changed, and he didn't think it was for the better from the stone cold look in his gaze. His face was drawn in, his eyes hard and dark. He had a mustache now and goatee, which gave him a very rough appearance.

"Lieutenant Caine," Paul Donlan addressed him in a low gruff tone. "You do remember me, don't you?" He asked with tightening eyes.

Horatio swallowed the dryness in his throat and groaned. "Yes… I do."

"Good," he said standing up then crouched down next to Horatio who was positioned face down on the cold cell floor.

"We haven't much time, so listen carefully," he said looking over the cuts, welts and bruises on Horatio's back. "If you can even comprehend what I'm saying," he added with a breath, knowing Horatio had to be in tremendous pain and possible shock.

"I… understand," Horatio breathed low and attempted to move again.

"Don't," Donlan said putting a hand on Horatio's bloody shoulder, keeping him down. "Whatever you do, don't get up. Just stay down and go along with me." He paused and carefully looked around; making sure no one else was in the area. "I'm a friend," he whispered low near Horatio's ear.

Just at that moment, Clavo and Ramón walked over towards the cell. They stood in the doorway.

"You don't look so good, Red," said Clavo, in a deep cruel tone. He smiled in triumph.

Horatio turned his head toward him slightly but didn't answer.

"There's no point in playing tough Lieutenant," Ramón joined in.

Horatio still didn't answer.

Clavo leaned down near Horatio's ear and spoke cruelly, "Say, you're sorry."

Horatio clenched his jaw in anger. 'Say, what!' Horatio thought in disbelief with tightening eyes on Clavo. The redhead did his best to keep his temper under control.

"Answers us Lieutenant," Ramón spat incensed, shoving him. "Don't make us do something you will regret!"

Horatio's jaw clenched repeatedly. His blood boiled. The man could take no more. He snorted a laugh, "Like what?" He forced a grin on his face and looked at both the brothers mocking them.

"Like this!" Clavo snapped lifting Horatio up, forcing his back against the prison cell. He shoved him, raking his back against the concrete wall.

Horatio gasped in pain then grunted hard when Clavo did it again, this time choking him with one hand around his throat. His eyes closed while he tried to keep his agony at bay. His breathing came out hard and heavy.

"Hold him up!" Clavo growled.

Ramón and Donlan both grabbed Horatio by the arms and held him up against the cell wall.

Horatio could hardly stand. It took all his strength to keep his legs from caving under him but the redhead managed somehow.

Clavo coldly grinned at Horatio then reached into his pocket and took out a homemade shank. He laughed low, devious, pressing the blade up against Horatio's carotid artery, directly below his ear.

"Say you're sorry," he quietly repeated, holding Horatio's intense gaze.

"Go to hell," Horatio lowly rumbled through gritted teeth.

"After you Lieutenant," Clavo sneered, and lightly dragged the blade down Horatio's throat.

"Clavo," said Ramón, in a warning tone. "We still need him. Don't do anything stupid."

"Say it!" Clavo yelled in Horatio face ignoring Ramón. "Say you're sorry, or so help me!"

Horatio's eyes crinkled at the corners. His lips noticeably curved up into a slight grin. He knew he was getting under Clavo's skin.

"You Puta!" Clavo yelled enraged when Ramón let go of Horatio, only to grab Clavo and restrain him.

"We need him alive, I told you!" Ramón growled. "Stop your shit and control yourself!"

Low laughter seized their attention. Clavo's eyes widened and then narrowed on Horatio who was laughing low, leaning on Donlan and the wall. Ramón turned in disbelief and stared at the defiant redhead.

"You don't know when to quit Lieutenant," Ramón snarled.

"Apparently, neither do either of you," Horatio answered sarcastically, completely losing it. "Do you know, Ramón," he said holding Clavo's gaze, "Do you know, your brother cried like a baby when I arrested him. When the general rescinded his immunity."

Clavo eyes widened, his face turned beet red and he went crazy. Ramón turned and grabbed him again, trying to calm him down.

"You motherfucker! I'll kill you! I'll Kill You!" He screamed infuriated, struggling to get past Ramón, and at Horatio.

Horatio's low mocking laughter dug the knife even deeper. He exhaled quietly, and swayed his head. "so, you keep saying."

"Shut him the fuck up! Ramón yelled barely hanging onto Clavo.

Donlan suddenly shoved Horatio back against the wall and punched him square in the stomach. The redhead gasped, grunted and slowly slid down the wall towards the ground, completely out of breath.

Horatio cradled his mid section and tried to inhale, taking in deep gulps of air. The wind completely knocked out of him.

"Fucking pig!" Donlan shouted staring at him. "Say you're sorry! Say it!" He yelled.

Donlan went at Horatio again but Ramón stopped him. "Leave him." He stared at the worn out redhead. "He's done. Besides we need him alive!"

Ramón turned towards Clavo and put his hand on his brother's shoulder. "Later. He'll pay later bro. Calm down. The Lieutenant will say he's sorry to you. You'll have full control once we get him into the execution chamber." He grinned cruelly then looked back over at Horatio.

Clavo nodded and stared at Horatio with hatred. The redhead was still trying to recover. He leaned his head back against the wall breathing unsteadily.

"Whatever you do Donlan, just remember, we need him alive. It would be in your best interest not to forget that fact," Ramón reminded with intense eyes.

"Yeah, alive!" Clavo repeated harshly shoving his foot against Horatio's chest, causing him to groan in pain. "He's our bargaining chip but… who cares if he's a cripple. Fuck him up! And remember what that puta did to you, even though he knew you were innocent. Even though he knew it was your sister who set you up and got your partner killed!"

"Clavo!" Ramón snapped. "Let's go, we have business to take care of first then we can deal with this pig. Vámanos!"

"Later Red," said Clavo, with a gratifying smirk removing his foot. "You and I have unfinished business."

He stared at Donlan. "Keep him alive but make sure he's uncomfortable."

Donlan quickly fisted Horatio's hair. He yanked his head up and back then turned towards Clavo.

"I don't think that will be a problem. I owe him!" He pulled harder on Horatio's hair and snarled.

"You Lieutenant, are about to find out what real pain is all about." He said knowing Clavo and Ramón were still watching. Then he kicked Horatio in the side causing him to groan and writhe in pain.

Clavo grinned and walked away following Ramon. "I don't think Red is going to be conscious and whole when we get back brother." They laughed together walking away.

Horatio groaned and gasped trying to breathe. He swallowed the fresh blood in his mouth and raggedly muttered. "I thought… you said…."

"I did! Now shut the hell up and listen. Whatever you do, don't fight me! Don't fight back and sure as hell don't fight them! Give them what they want! If they tell you to say sorry, say it! Do you understand me?"

Horatio rasped hard, "Like… hell."

Donlan let out an exasperated breath. He paused and his eyes softened on Horatio. "We have one chance at this Lieutenant. One chance only. "I'm gonna need your help to get you outta here."

Horatio exhaled and managed to lift his thousand pound head. Still taken aback by Donlan's words, he found his eyes and stared suspiciously at the man for a moment. Unsure.

"Why?" Exhaustion roughened Horatio's words. "Why, are you… helping me?" He shifted and the pain contorted his face. He slowly rested his battered body against the concrete wall, doing his best not to lean his full weight on his back.

Donlan kept his tone low. "Because I owe you, Lieutenant. I know you tried to help me. I know you believed me and went out on a limb and tried to save my baby sister when I thought she was in real trouble. You found out the truth and even though I didn't like it, because I'm in here. Deep down I know you cared."

Horatio nodded. "I cared then… and I care now too Paul. I care about the others too. My team members…." He barely whispered, wiping the fresh blood from his lips.

Donlan whispered but snapped, looking out of the cell nervously. "I don't know! We have to be careful. Clavo and Ramón still have a few guys in this cell block."

"Then save the others… and leave me," Horatio rumbled low as fatigue coursed through him.

"What!" Donlan stared at Horatio stunned, realizing the man was willing to give his life for the others. Donlan's eyes softened. He recognized the same compassion in Horatio's eyes when Horatio told him about his sister. A flash went off and he remembered the day.

"I don't think I'm going to make it on the inside," he barely whispered to Horatio.

"You're going to be fine," Horatio replied with compassion in his eyes and reassurance in his tone.

Donlan raked a rough hand through his hair wondering how the hell he was going to pull this off. If he didn't, he knew what the Cruz brothers had in store for Horatio. The execution chamber. He could only imagine what they would do to him.

"I know they worked you over pretty good. And if I know Clavo, he'll do it again. You really pissed him off. He'll bring back some of the others too."

"Others?" Horatio dryly questioned trying to focus on anything else but the pain.

"Yeah. Donlan gave him a serious look. I know they beat you pretty bad but you had to realize, you put half these guys away Lieutenant. There are quite a few inmates in here that would love to get their hands on you." He paused then added, "Clavo has a list."

Horatio exhaled a long exhausting breath. He nodded. "I'm sure, he does. I'm sure he does."

TBC…


I'm Listening... :o)