(After the popcorn incident, about three hours later)

Rick: (looks around in work space) Hello? Anyone in here? (No answer) I wonder if I can change all this so Little Horatio wouldn't notice and the real one actually may!

Shining Zephyr/ Shiny: (in doorway) don't you dare, Rick.

Rick: (whirls around) No. YOU! What are YOU doing in here?

Shiny: Little Horatio decided to let me do the disclaimer as a guest star this time around.

Rick: (eyes widened) you've ruined my image! It's your entire fault I'm sadistic.

Shiny: (grins and begins to corner Rick) Yes it is.

Rick: (pulls out Horatio's gun) I'm armed!

Shiny: (sits on him. He begins yelling) I'm sitting on you. And no, Little Horatio or I don't own any anything you see here. Which Stinks!

Little Horatio: (walks in, eyes widening) Shiny-san, what are you doing?!

Shiny: (shrugs, still looking at Rick) Sitting on Stetler. He really needs to shut up once in a while. (Turns around and stares at Little Horatio)

Little Horatio: Okay…why are you staring at me?

Shiny: What? OH! Nothing! (Pulls out cookies) I've got twelve more cases in the back. You want some?

Little Horatio: (grins) Would I ever!

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Chapter 10: A Failure

Calleigh had been looking all over for him since she failed to scare him after finding out that he wasn't in his office. She forgot about going to the break room and started searching for her boss. From the AVR (where she saw Ryan and Dan in heated conversation) to Fingerprint analysis, to the garage and to her own quarters, the gun lab and the gun vault. She even checked interrogation room 1 to 5 and lock up 1 to 8. The only area she didn't check was…the little boy's room.

She had been pacing in front of the men's room for some time now, waiting. Eric was going to take a leak when he saw Calleigh in front of the door.

Giving her a confused look, he said, "Please, don't tell me that you're thinking about going in the men's room."

"What?" said a bewildered Calleigh. "What would I be DOING in the little boy's room? And besides, that depends. Is there a sexy stripper in there?"

"There could be," Eric said giving her a seductive smile.

"Stop it, Eric," she said, giving him a look that said oh-please. "I was just wondering if H is in there. I've been looking for him."

Eric looked at her and went to the men's room, opening the door and looking inside. "Nope, not in here," he said. "Did it ever occur to you that H might've left by now?"

"This early?" Calleigh said questionably, glancing at her watch. "It's only 6:30."

"Yeah, well," he said, "H must've needed some alone time. And he needs the rest."

"I suppose that you're right," she said. "But it's still awfully early…for him, you know."

"Forget about that, Cal," Eric said, waving a hand. "We need to go over our plans for Wolfe-boy."

"You know," she said, remembering something, "I saw Ryan talking to Dan about something."

"Maybe he's on to us and recruited his own buddy in crime."

"You boys are such idiots," Calleigh said, shaking her head. "You get innocent people involved with your stupid pranks."

"Boys will be boys," Eric laughed then deepened his voice. "Come on, let's get going. To the trace lab!!"

Calleigh rolled her eyes and followed Eric, forgetting about her boss. It still bothered her that Horatio went home early. It was very unusual for him but she decided to shrug it off and race Eric to the trace lab.

Horatio swallowed hard, sweat streaming down his cheek to his neck. Staring at the man he knew to be dead, he could hear his heart pounding. The man took a step forward. Horatio, on the other hand, took a step back, not wanting to be near him as much as possible.

Marc smiled and said, "Aren't you gonna welcome your old man, boy?"

'This can't be right,' he thought, taking a step back again as the man walked forward. "Y-You're not real," Horatio said nervously, blinking to get a better view of the man's face.

"I'm as real as it gets, boy," Marc said, giving him a toothy grin.

"You're supposed to be dead," Horatio said, fear spreading over his body. He tried to stay calm and under control. 'This must be a dream,' he thought, 'He's supposed to be dead. He HAS to be dead.'

Marc laughed maniacally, seeing his son's facial expression. He saw the fear that was beginning to swallow him. The fear he knew that shook the younger man inside. "Yeah, you had to make sure of that, didn't you, boy?" he said, his smile fading.

Horatio's heart escalated, as he backed away from the man that was his father. Keeping his eye on him, he started to walk up the stairs slowly, getting as far away as possible.

Eyeing Horatio as he stepped closer and closer, gritting his teeth, he said unsmilingly, "You're such a failure, Horatio. Even at killing the very person you hated to the core, you failed."

"No…" he said, shaking his head as he continued up the stairs. "Y-you can't be alive."

"Oh but I am," Marc said in a collected voice. "You couldn't finish the job. You see, I've been watching you for a very, VERY, long time, boy. You've proven everything that I've said before, once a failure always a failure."

"No," Horatio said, blood beginning to boil. His eyes narrowed as he said, fighting off the fear. "I am NOT a failure!"

"Tell that to your mother, boy," Marc said, smiling sadistically. "Because of you, she died."

"It wasn't my fault!" Horatio shouted, his emotions getting the better of him. "You…you killed her!"

"Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me," Marc said in a hushed tone, his eyes locking to his son's. Stepping closer, he said, "I wouldn't talk like that if I were you, boy. Do what your little brother did and shut your mouth." Marc smiled at what he just said and continued, saying in a mocking tone, "Oh, that's right, I forgot, your brother is already dead! I wonder whose fault was that."

Horatio tensed when he heard his little brother's name. The picture of Ray's bloody and battered face came into view in his mind, recalling his last few seconds with him before his body finally caved. That was the memory that made itself solid when he came to Brazil in order to stop Riaz.

"Tell me what happened to Raymund, boy," Marc said, not asking but demanding. "And don't lie to me."

Horatio was having a very hard time to breath properly and his head was throbbing. Fear overwhelmed his body as he tried to further the space between him and his father. "He…Ray…Ray is…" struggling to shake off his trepidation.

"Dead, isn't he, boy?" the man said. "He screwed up and got himself killed. And you didn't do anything to save him. You are useless…"

"I…I was…I was too late," Horatio said, panicking. "I couldn't save…I was…"

Marc drew nearer, trapping him in his own bedroom. 'You're all mine, boy,' he thought as he watched his son lose his focus and his composure. "Your only brother is dead, boy. You couldn't take care of him and it's damn well your fault that he died! You left him alone and now he's dead. You failed your mother and now your brother. Hell, you even failed your God damn wife!!" he shouted and stared at Horatio. He knew that he'd hit a sore spot and that was what he wanted. Horatio gave him a bemused look. "Yeah, boy, I know about her," he said, answering his questioning look. "I told you I've been watching you."

Horatio stood still, looking at nothingness. He didn't even move when his father came to him, now only inches apart. Marc's last comment struck him hard. Marisol Delko-Caine, his wife, his dearly beloved, was dead. She'd been gone for nine months now and he tried very hard to not show anything. Any emotion or any sign that he was hurt. He showed all of them that he was strong but the truth was he cried silently at nights when he was lying in bed, not used to the vacant space next to him. Riaz took her life and it was because he couldn't protect her. He couldn't protect Marisol, the only person who gave him the strength to go further and face his demons.

"I…I couldn't protect her," he said in a whisper as he hung his head, remembering the way Marisol looked when she was on the hospital bed. Horatio lost it. Shaking his head as realization struck him, he said, "I'm…"

Marc smirked, finally breaking him. 'I'll really break him when I get through with him,' he thought gleefully. "A failure, boy. People suffered because of your actions. They died. Katherine, Raymund and your wife died…"

Horatio swallowed, guilt filling his mind, spirit and body. He was responsible for their deaths. He blamed himself, no one else.

"…time to pay the price."

Horatio had no time to react. The moment he lifted his head, he felt the hard corner of his bedside table. Marc delivered the punch hard and swift. The bedside table shook as Horatio crashed to the floor. Marc looked down at him as he groaned. Horatio's head felt like it wanted to explode. His temple hit the corner, hard. The fall to the floor didn't help him feel any better that's for sure.

Horatio was breathing hard, squeezing his eyes shut. The punch he received doubled with the pain in his temple. Something warm dripped down the side of his face. He was bleeding.

The old man grabbed Horatio by the neckline of his shirt with both hands. He heaved him up to his feet then walked a few steps, dragging him. Marc was breathing immensely, a vicious smile on his face. He tugged Horatio, putting his face an inch away from his own. "You, boy, will learn…and you WILL suffer," snarled Marc, shaking him.

Horatio was beginning to feel light headed; his vision was starting to spin. He could barely stand straight and his head was killing him. Marc leaned his head, his mouth near the younger man's ear. Horatio could feel his warm breathe and heard him whisper, "After I'm through with you…you'll beg me to kill you, boy. You are going to be so sorry…for everything."

There was a pause and they made eye contact, a gentle blue to a killer one. Marc gave him a sick smile and gave him a knee to the midsection. He then made his way out the door and closed it with a loud bang. Horatio gasped and fell to his knees, clutching his stomach. The air was knocked out of him and he began to cough. His eyes were watery and his vision was blurry. A tear went down his face and got mixed with his blood. He recalled everything, from the death of his mother to the death of his wife. He began to tremble as he realized something. On each one of their deaths, he was the last thing they saw before they left the world of the living, his mother in the kitchen, his little brother in a shack in Brazil and his wife in the hospital.

He jumped when the door flew open. Marc stomped in and showed Horatio what he was holding. Horatio's eye widened. The old man was holding a rope and he intended on using it. Marc tossed the rope on the bed and went to his son. He grabbed a handful of his coat and tugged it off him with force.

"Dad…" said Horatio, trying to catch his breath. "No…"

Marc ignored him and tore off his son's shirt. He tugged all of it off Horatio, exposing his bare back. He smiled as he saw the scars on his son's back. The damage he gave to him as a young boy stayed and he was glad for that, knowing he made his childhood a living hell. He was sure to add a lot more "souvenirs" when he gets through with him tonight.

Marc took the ropes from the bed and dragged Horatio to the foot of the bed. Horatio tried to fight him off. He broke his hold on him and dove, his hand reaching under the bed. 'Come on,' he thought. He felt for it but nothing came to his grasp, only air. He turned around as he heard his father's maniacal laugh once more.

"Looking for this, boy?" he said, dangling a gun between his thumb and forefinger. He smiled then kicked Horatio square in the chest and tucked the gun back in his pants.

Horatio writhed in pain, coughing. Marc put him in a kneeling position and tied his wrists at each end of the footboard of his bed. Horatio tried to yank or loosen the ropes that rubbed against his flesh but his efforts were in vain. His heart beat escalated as he heard his father take off his belt. He tugged the ropes harder, panicking. The ropes took off some of his skin in an attempt to free his wrists.

Marc took a handful of his hair and drew back Horatio's head, whispering aggressively to his ear, "Your mother…your brother…your wife… feel their pain." He let go and positioned himself.

"Dad…don't do this," Horatio pleaded, blood mixed with sweat streamed to his nose and under his eye, feeling its warmth and stickiness.

The next thing Horatio felt was considerable pain. He shut his eyes tightly and clenched his teeth. Every time the buckle and leather made contact, it took the breath out of him. Again and again, the vindictive strikes assaulted his back, leaving its marks.

Horatio was gasping and moaning with agony. Marc grinned, hearing his son's anguished breath. Horatio was panting, water filling his eyes as he endured the searing pain. He couldn't do anything to prevent any of this. He was tied to tightly. Struggling hopelessly at the ropes binding him and wounding his wrists, he felt the blinding pain double.

Horatio's head receded in pain and cried out, winded, "Dad! Stop this!" He felt his wrists stinging as he struggling to get loose. His breath left him quickly each time the bitter vindictive metal connected, callous and severe every time it did. Welts were forming on his back. Some were hit again and again and were cut open from the pressure. He could feel the warm sensation spreading all over his back along with the pain. And he was sure that his backside was turning black and blue. Out of breath and fatigued, he slowly lost strength. "Please..."

Getting aggravated, Marc's emotions quickly revealed itself. With anger boiling inside him, he continued to lash it all out on Horatio, bringing down his weapon of choice onto his son's back. "Oh, now, you beg me!!" he screamed, bringing down his belt harder. "I have had enough with you!! Because of you I've lost my love for Katherine!! Raymund hated me!!"

He grabbed Horatio by the hair and yanked his head. "You-have–ruined-my-life-ever-since-I-knew-the-truth!!" said Marc in one breath, pulling Horatio's head farther back.

By the time he let go, Horatio's head wanted to burst. Blood dripped and a lump made itself comfortable on his temple. 'Truth?' he thought, shutting his eyes securely. 'What truth?' Lifting his head slowly so not to increase his dizziness, he said, catching his breath, "What…what are you…talking...about…?"

Instead of getting an answer, Horatio received an unforgiving blow to his back. He groaned loudly in pain, hearing the words, "This is all your fault!!"

Horatio vision was more than blurry now. Tears blocked his view. He gripped the footboard as hard as he could to help him with the pain.

Marc glared at him, seeing the cuts and black and blue bruises and the blood that made its way out his wounds. He couldn't take it anymore. He was more than pissed. He was BEYOND pissed. He shook his head and let the leather belt hang in his hand at his side. Taking a deep breath, he violently swung his hand holding the belt and let it connect to his son's injured temple. The sound of a sickening crack echoed throughout the room as the buckle bounced back.

Horatio didn't even have time to cry out. By the time the buckle made contact with his head, everything went pitch black. His body hung limply from the footboard.

Marc eased his breathing, looking at the damage he'd done. He then sat down on the bed and hung his head, a satisfied smile made its way to his face.

Slowly, his eyes opened and he felt warm tears sliding down his cheeks. He clutched his bloody shoulder as the pain made its presence felt. He saw something dropped on his arm. Trailing his right hand over his face, he felt warm tears escaping his tired eyes. It was unusual. He didn't feel ANYTHING and yet…he was crying. His eyes traced to his father. He let out a sigh and decided to leave the kitchen. Taking one last look at his mother, he wanted to give her one last tight embrace before leaving but thought that it wouldn't bring her back and it'll all hurt him more.

He walked out the kitchen, looking at his shoes as he did so. He lifted his head as he heard sirens grew louder and louder. 'The neighbors must have called the police,' he thought. He raised his hands and saw it covered in blood. 'I killed my father,' the thought came to him, 'I couldn't care less if they sent me away and locked me somewhere.'

He continued his way through the living room. Then, it dawned on him. He remembered his little brother, Raymund. How could he be stupid to forget about him? Then he took it all back. They couldn't take him away. He had to take care of his little brother. He was the only one Raymund's got left. He couldn't leave him.

Raymund was walking by the sidewalk, carrying his backpack. It was his big brother's birthday today and he and his mother were going to surprise him. He silently hoped that he wasn't home yet for the surprise. He turned his head as he heard the sirens. Squad cars and an ambulance shot past him. Curiosity flooded him as his head followed the direction they were heading. His heart sank as he saw the ambulance and police cars surround his house. He didn't think twice and darted towards all the commotion.

Police officers got out of their vehicles and so did the EMTs. The lieutenant lead his men, weapons drawn. He was given a megaphone by one of his officers. "New York Police Department!" echoed through the megaphone. "We have the house surrounded. Get out with your hands above your head and get on your knees."

Raymund came just in time to see someone walk out the house. His eyes widened with horror. His big brother got out all bloody, clutching his shoulder. 'What's going on?' he thought as he continued moving forward. A police officer blocked his way, stopping him and saying, "Hey, kid, you better get out of here. It's dangerous."

"But that's my big brother!!" said Raymund, panicking. "And that's our house!!"

Horatio lifted his head as he heard a familiar voice. He saw his little brother struggle to get pass the police officer. He was about to go to him when three police officers surrounded him. The lieutenant spoke. "Kid, I want you to go to those M.E. guys and get yourself taken care of, you got me? We'll handle this."

Before the lieutenant could signal his team, weapons raised, Horatio said blankly in a whisper, "There's nothing to handle. Everybody in there is…dead."

The lieutenant stared at him as if he didn't understand what Horatio had said. He could see the despair and lose of hope in the boy's blue eyes. Apparently, he'd seen too much. Horatio didn't wait for a reply and, instead of walking to the paramedics, he went for Raymund.

Raymund ran to him and gave him a grave look, asking many things. "Horatio, what happened? W-who did this to you? Was it dad? Did he do this? Where's mom? Where is she?"

A paramedic came to Horatio to tend to his wounds, saying with concern, "Come on, let's get you cleaned up. You have a very serious injury." Before Horatio could decline, the paramedic said, "Don't worry, you're little brother can come along."

Horatio looked up and nodded, the three of them making their way through the police officers and squad cars. Horatio sat on the steps of the ambulance and was being checked out by the medic. "You're losing a lot of blood," he said, cutting of Horatio's shirt with a pair of scissors. "Let me take a look…"

Horatio ignored him and faced his terrified little brother, thinking that he had to say something now before he finds out the horrible news from the coroner. "Raymund," Horatio said, his voice choking. "I have something very important…to tell you."

"W-what is it?"

"Raymund, I want you to listen to me, okay?" Horatio said, leaning forward and wincing as the medic checked his injury. "Ray, no matter what happens I'll take care of you. I will never leave you alone, you got that?"

"W-what are you talking about? You're scaring me."

"I promise you, Raymund, I will do whatever it takes," he said. "I won't let them take you away from me."

"Stop this, Horatio," Raymund said as tears began to fill his eyes. "I want to see mom. Where is she?"

Shaking his head, the medic said. "Kid, you've been shot badly. Why didn't you tell me? We have to go to the E.R. now." He then tried to tug Horatio upward so he could put him in the ambulance but he refused. "Kid, we need to go to the hospital now."

Horatio ignored him and spoke. "She's gone, Raymund," he said as his eyes began to hold back tears. "Our mother…she's dead, Ray…dad…he…"

Raymund couldn't believe what he was hearing. He stared blankly at his older brother and swallowed the hard lump that was forming in his throat. "That's not true," he said, crying. "You're lying, Horatio. Where is she? Tell me! Where's mom?!"

Horatio hung his head and flinched as the medic tugged him. The medic said, "Kid, we have to go. You're losing a lot of blood!" Horatio was becoming dizzy now and was becoming very pale from all the blood loss. He was about to say something to his little brother when something caught his attention. He saw a gurney and knew what was on it.

Raymund's eyes widened as he saw the gurney and tears were falling freely from his eyes. He turned to his brother and pulled him into a tight embrace for needed comfort. Horatio groaned as Ray put him into a tight hug. Their shoulders bumped on each other and pain shot through where he was injured.

"Horatio…" Raymund said, his face buried in his older brother's chest.

Horatio wrapped his injure-free right arm on his brother as tears slowly stream down his cheeks to his neck. "I'm sorry…Raymund, I'm so sorry. I…I was too late. I couldn't save her."

Just then, another gurney came out and Raymund had a puzzled look. "Who…"

"That's…That's dad," Horatio said.

"Dad, too? What happened to him?"

Horatio thought about it for a second then replied, "I'm…not sure."

"What'll happen to us? Who'll take—"

"I already told you, Raymund," he said as his eyes closed. "No matter what happens, I'll be with you. I'll take care of you. I'll never leave you alone. I promise, okay?"

Raymund nodded and hugged Horatio tighter. "I know mom is looking out for us even though she's in heaven, isn't she, big brother?"

No answer came as he looked up to see what was going on. Horatio passed out, his head lying on Raymund's shoulder. The E.M.T.s carried him in the ambulance and Raymund went in as well. As the doors closed, they rushed to the hospital to bring the red-headed boy to the E.R.

Horatio awoke as he fell to the floor on his side. Marc untied him and shook him using his foot, saying, "Wake up, you piece of shit." Incredible pain shot through his body. His back hurt like hell. He could still feel the burning sensation on his back and wrists. His head throbbed and a huge lump made itself present. He was covered with dried blood. He couldn't move, especially if he didn't want to. He closed his eyes.

Marc pulled him up and dragged him to the bathroom. He then placed him inside the shower and said, "Maybe this'll wake you up." Marc reached for the handle and turned it. Cold water shot out and Horatio gasped and choked as he was being soaked.

Marc laughed at his son's state. He noticed the stunned look on his face and said, "Surprised that I didn't kill you, boy? Don't you worry your little ass. I will…after I make you suffer even more."

Horatio's vision was blurry but he could sense the joy in his father's voice and the smile on his face. His smile disappeared and said in a stern voice, "You better clean yourself up, boy. You're going to work."

Marc leaned forward and grabbed Horatio by the chin. Their faces were inches away from each other. "Tell anyone, boy, and I swear that your blood is not the only one that's gonna cover my hands, you got me," he threatened.

"Y-yes, sir," Horatio replied.

Letting go of his grip, Marc got out of the bathroom, leaving Horatio alone. Minutes later, Horatio heard a door being slammed shut. He figured that his father had left. He sat, making sure his back never touched the tiled shower wall, and brought his knees to his chest, wrapping himself with his arms. He saw his blood mix with the water as it went down the drain and buried his face in his arms as the cold water kept pouring on his broken body. He was afraid. His father left him alive so he could endure more misery and pain. He couldn't do anything. Fear had gotten the best of him. 'A failure…' he thought. 'That's what I am…'

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Rick: Get the hell off me!!

Shiny: Shut up! And stop whining! Here! Have a cookie! (Shoves a cookie down Rick's throat)

Rick: humuffumuph!!

Shiny: Ah…that's much better.

Little Horatio: (taking a bite off a cookie) Nice one. Hey, Shiny-san, I was wondering why, you know, you were staring at me earlier?

Shiny: Oh, that! I, um…Well…(deep breath) you look like a boy—but don't get me wrong, it's just that…

Rick: (swallows the cookie with a huge gulp) Yeah…I HAVE been wondering about that…so was everybody else.

Little Horatio: (laughing) So that's been bothering you! Yes, I do look like a boy…have been since I was nine. It's the appearance that suits me but I am a girl. I don't just look like it. Now, that I'm sixteen it still suits me.

(Shiny and Rick's eyes widen)

Little Horatio: NO!!! I am NOT what you guys are thinking!!! That's gross!!!! Ewww!!

Rick: Whew…

Shiny: Nah! I wasn't thinking that!! You're right, it does suit you. You look…unique.

Little Horatio: Um…thank you.

Rick: You are SO lucky that I'm gonna be the star of this one…or else I would've called you a freak.

Little Horatio and Shiny: RICK!!!!!!!! (Stuffs his mouth with a box of cookies and leaves him choking)

Shiny: (sigh) I love it when I use cookies in so many ways.

Little Horatio: (grinning) Yeah, me too.