Author's Note: It's been a while and I miss writing for you. And I miss all of you too! :( I might be a little rusty at this but I do hope you enjoy this update. Please feedback if there's anything that could be improve. Thank you :)
Securing the suspect in sight, Horatio commanded Eric to cover the back while he covered the knocked once. "MDPD! Open the door!" There wasn't any response. He knocked again. Horatio then heard shuffling from inside the house. He signaled Eric to prepare himself. The sound of glass shattering followed by a loud thud sent shivers down Horatio's spine as he recalled the incident when Eric almost died from the gunshot. He rushed to the back and found Eric on the ground, tackling down the suspect and handcuffing his wrists. Horatio assisted his friend and turned to look at him.
"You okay?" With concern in the lieutenant's eyes, Eric knew that Horatio feared the worst.
"Never better H. Now let's get this son of a bitch a prison cell," Eric smirked with confidence.
The elevator door opened. Horatio and Eric stood with pride knowing that they have their guy in their hands. Escorting the man in between them, Horatio called for Frank to take him into the interrogation room. Horatio looked around to find his other team members only to see Natalia and Ryan arguing inside their break room. He sighed. He knew this was a disaster waiting to happen and the time had to happen now-when they have the culprit in their hands. Horatio approached the couple while they were still in the heat of their argument and his cat-like walk caught them by surprise when he coughed lightly. They turned immediately towards their boss. With extreme sternness, Horatio spoke.
"This is what I'm afraid of. When I allowed the both of you to continue working in this lab while in a relationship with each other, I warned you to be professionals. I warned you that no matter what happened in your personal lives, it should never interfere with your work." While Ryan focused on his boss, Natalia kept fidgeting around.
"Miss Boa Vista, is there anything you need to say?" Ryan turned towards her and shook his head silently.
"I do." Horatio raised an eyebrow. "I screwed up the case." Focusing on the dark-haired woman, he took a deep breath and trying to maintain his composure.
"What do you mean?"
"I diluted the blood sample too much and it's been compromised. All the samples I tested are inconclusive." Horatio frowned and at the same time clenched his jaws.
"This isn't her-"
"Mr. Wolfe, this is not the time to be a hero. I need you to leave."
"But H, we caught him based on the fingerprint-"
"Mr. Wolfe, I'm telling you once more, leave." His tone cold and stern as his eyes kept focusing on Natalia. The moment Ryan left the room, Horatio continued the conversation with her. "How did it happen?"
"There was just a lot in my mind that I accidentally and unknowingly poured too much solution straight into sample without separating it first. It diluted the blood sample and I couldn't salvage anything from it. I'm so sorry Horatio. If you want to pull me off the case, I understand."
Horatio sighed, weighing his option in his head. He knew that if he took her off the case, he would be short-handed yet at the same time, if he kept her on the case, his lab could be questioned for its credibility. That was the last thing he needed after the day he already had. He sighed with resignation and decision made in his head.
"For the sake of the lab's reputation and its credibility, I will need to remove you from this case."
"Then what about the evidence?" The concern was obvious from her face.
"You let me worry about that. But you and Mr. Wolfe need to resolve the issues you have. I don't want the same thing to happen again. And I most definitely do not want my lab to be jeopardized by your clouded judgements. Is that clear?"
"Crystal. But what about the other case?"
"You'll still be on the Ace Killer case. I will need you to focus on that but," Horatio emphasized on it with so much sternness in his tone, "but do not screw it. Because if you do, I will have to remove you from the team." Natalia nodded silently, not daring to look into her boss' angry eyes.
Horatio stood with his hands in his pockets as he watched his subordinate leave the break room. He sighed. He had had enough on his plates already. Firstly, he had the Ace Killer case, then he had in own personal problems and now he was going to have prosecutors chasing after him. With slumped shoulders, he walked towards the coffee machine, poured himself a cup and took a sip. He winced at the bitterness of the coffee but took another sip anyway. As he was about to leave the room, his second-in-command stood at the doorway, stopping him from leaving.
"Yes Calleigh? May I help you?" He asked.
"Is there anything I need to know?"
"What do you mean?"
"Horatio, do I really need to ask you twice?" she raised her brows and her green eyes focused on her superior.
"Miss Boa Vista tampered with the evidence and I took her off the case. I don't need her to jeopardize the lab once again. Plus I don't need the FBI to question our credibility especially when we're the leading team on the Ace Killer case."
"Are you sure that is all?" Calleigh pried.
"The evidence is inadmissible in court and we only have the fingerprint found on the bottle which could've gotten there before it got into her apartment." Horatio clenched his jaws, realizing that they might not have a strong case against his suspect and he could easily slip away. His hands clenched into fists inside his pockets.
"Then count ourselves lucky. Ryan found a DNA match on one of the glasses. Remember the gun we found in the victim's hand?" Horatio nodded as he continued listening to his second-in-command.
"It wasn't a match—"
"And how does that help?" Calleigh frowned when Horatio interrupted her mid-sentence.
"Let me finish. Our search at the house got us the gun used on the victim and it's a match. We got him Horatio." He took a deep breath then let it out slowly. At least one case is over. Almost.
"Shall we get him now?" Calleigh smiled softly. Horatio nodded silently and followed her to the interrogation room where they held the suspect. He looked in from the outside. Sergeant Frank Tripp sat on the other side of the table, with his and notepad in his hands. The suspect on the other hand, was leaning in on the chair with his cuffed wrists on his thighs. Horatio acknowledged the officer guarding the door.
Horatio proceeded to stand at a corner of the room while Frank gave up his seat for Calleigh. He leaned against the window as Calleigh and Frank interviewed the suspect. As much as he wanted to get involved, he didn't feel that he should. He was too agitated and didn't want act rashly if it were to happen. He just wanted to be there. To watch. For now.
"Do you know her?" Frank slid a photo of the victim. The suspect stared coldly without saying a word.
"I want my lawyer."
"Mr. Romero, I don't think you can afford a lawyer." Horatio spoke for the first time ever since he stepped into the interrogation room.
"I'm not stupid. I can get the free one." His arrogant tone and heavy Mexican accent annoyed Horatio further.
"And I don't think he can get you out of this." Horatio stood up straight, walked towards the table and took the manila folder from Calleigh. He opened up the folder and pushed forward, right under the suspect's nose.
"That, Mr. Romero, is you leaving my crime scene. And that also happens to be in the time frame of her death. Evidence don't lie."
The suspect clenched his jaws and stared intensely at Horatio. "Staring at me won't make the evidence disappear."
"I have nothing to say to you."
"You don't need to. These evidences will speak for you in court." Clearly agitated, hostility was apparent in his tone of voice. His legs planted wide and his arms folded to his chest, Horatio was turning red. Calleigh had signaled to her colleague to bring him out.
Frank Tripp agreed with her that Horatio needed to take a breather and brought him a corner. He talked to the lieutenant softly and calmly, explaining to him that if he didn't leave, he might resort to any rash actions and they didn't want that. Not now. Horatio looked over to Calleigh and gave her a small smile. He agreed. He didn't need his reputation destroyed over a puny criminal. He swiftly walked away and out of the interrogation room and back to his own office. While the Ace Killer case was stagnant, Horatio still needed to find crucial details that could lead them to the killer. As of now, the information they have were all the information they had all these while and nothing has changed.
As he stared at the pile of file on his desk, he came upon a blue file that didn't belong. He picked it up and flipped it open. Now he knew why it didn't belong. It belonged to Caitlyn. He read through the first page. It was details of the case and she had returned it to him when she came over the other day after their tragic meeting. He flipped further and read briefly. He ran his fingers through his hair when he realized there were information she didn't tell him. It was details of the killer; possibly his profile. His age was mentioned but Horatio had already figured that Caitlyn and the killer were of the same age.
Then he saw it. The history of the killer. She was telling him the truth when she said they both shared almost the same past. The only thing that bugged him was why she didn't tell him about these information that could possibly lead them to the real person.
Shutting the door of his grey hummer, Horatio Caine then straightened his suit and picked the file up from the top of the car. He walked towards the big sign that wrote "Mind Matters Counseling Services". As he reached at the glass door, he saw the familiar long-haired blonde standing by the receptionist counter. He pushed open the glass door and the motion bell rang. She turned. Her rigid posture and her polite but not genuine smile told him he wasn't welcomed there.
"To whom do I owe this visit to?" Her hard, distinctive jaw line was a clear sign that she was trying to keep herself calm.
"We need to talk."
"If this is about us, I told you we're done."
"I know that. You don't have to reiterate it. I'm here to talk about the case."
"What's there to talk about? Don't you get it? I returned the file to you. It means I don't want anything to do with it."
"Except you didn't tell me the whole truth. You know this guy in and out."
"What's there to tell? I dated him. That's how I knew him. Did you expect me to date someone for the fun of it? I'm not like you." Caitlyn was slowly losing her temper. Her arms folded to her chest.
As much as he wanted to reply to her allegations, Horatio decided not to digress from the main purpose. "You know his entire past. You shared the same past. That could've helped us but you didn't bother informing. That could have been a profile for us. What happened to assisting with the case?" Horatio paused. "Or were you just trying to jeopardize the case because you're still in love with him and you're helping him with these killings?"
Face reddening, her hands clenched and unclenched, Caitlyn glared at the man who just insulted her. Every word that came out of his mouth angered her to the point of no return. Her patience was running out and rage boiled through her body. Her mind was only playing every single word he said. Without thinking, she raised her hand and threw it forward as hard as she could, across his face. Pain started radiating on her palm and fingers as soon as her skin came into contact with his. She eyed her palm. It was bright red. So was his cheek as it should be. She stumbled back from him and leaned herself on the counter. She took a deep breath.
"Don't you dare."
His mouth flew open. He had once again crossed the line. He mentally berated himself over his poor choice of words and his atrocious actions. The other day was bad enough and he had to add on to that. He opened his mouth as if to say something but no words came out. He gathered his thoughts, trying to form a sentence but the only thing he could afford was her name and the other words became whispers in his ears.
"What else do you want to accuse me of? Why don't you just bring me in as a suspect? Maybe that would make you happy." She wiped her watery eyes and continued, "If you must know, yes. Timothy Harris and I had a few things in common. He had a horrible childhood and so did I. But this isn't the man I knew then. He was gentle, kind, loving and a good guy."
"Apparently, you don't know him well."
"I knew him well. Well enough to fall in love with him. I would never fall in love with a killer." Horatio looked straight into her eyes. It hit him close to home.
"If he was everything you said, he wouldn't have killed 5 people. Teenagers who had a bright future ahead of them. And a rough childhood isn't an excuse to murder 5 people. I had a rough childhood but I don't use it as an excuse."
"Oh right. You just use justice as an excuse."
Horatio gulped. His brows frown, bunching around his eyes. His stare was a pained one. His eyes shifty, he couldn't focus on anything. His finger played around with his sunglasses. She was right. And he already knew it anyway. He was a killer, just one hiding behind his badge
"You're right." He forced himself to maintain eye contact with her but he couldn't. Shame engulfed his entire being. Silence fell between them. The atmosphere around them was sombre.
'Oh god. What have I done.' Caitlyn muttered to herself. That expression, she had never seen it on him before. He looked lost, empty and almost vulnerable if he had just let it go and not try so damn hard to hide it. He looked like he could crumble with another spoken word. The raw emotions on his face was heart-wrenching because she had never seen him show any hints of it for as long as she had known him. This was crushing his façade.
Without saying a single word, Horatio Caine took his leave, bringing along the file he brought with him earlier. Caitlyn watched as he walked out with slumped shoulders. His steps were heavy. She could tell from the sound of his feet dragging. She followed after him. She knew not to leave him alone. She just called him a killer and he agreed with every fibre of his being.
"Horatio, wait!" Her words fell on deaf ears as he continued walking forward. She finally almost caught up with him but he refused to stop for her. She took one more step and she was at an arm's length away from him. She pulled at his wrist and although he didn't make the effort to stop or at least slow down, she managed to slide her hand onto his. Their palms touched and she entwined her fingers amongst his. Despite his slightly sweaty palm, she felt his warmth and he felt hers. He stopped. Finally. She turned herself to face him. The pained look on his face remained. She searched for anything in his eyes but there was nothing except emptiness and hollowness.
"Could we just stop hurting each other? Because I don't know how much longer I can take before I snap." Her free hand planted against his chest, she looked at him straight into his eyes.
"Haven't you snapped already?" Horatio replied coldly, with no slight emotion.
"Horatio, please. Could you just stop this? I want us to stop. If this is about the brea—"
"No. This has nothing to do with the breakup. This is about you lying to me and my team."
"You want the truth? Fine. I will give you the truth." Caitlyn raised her voice slightly. "But not here." She softened her tone.
"How's the case with that Romero guy?" Eric Delko joined the rest of the team at Frank Tripp's desk.
"He's paying for the crime. Judge gave the green light an hour ago, thank god. He's on his way to get his ass locked up." Frank replied with such confidence and enthusiasm. "Anyway, did ya'll see H?"
"I saw him in his office then he left in a rush with a file in his hand. Didn't say a word at all." Ryan chipped in nonchalantly as he focused on straightening his tie.
"He's a lil different dontcha think?" Noticing how edgy and agitated his best friend was these few weeks, Frank had to ask the others to make sure he wasn't seeing things.
"Isn't it normal for him to be quiet and reserved? I mean…he's been doing it for as long as I've known him that is…" Both Frank and Eric furrowed their brows as they listened to what Ryan had to say.
"Nah man. H used to be lively and cheerful. It was after Speed died. Then Raymond and then Mari… You came in after Speed died, so you didn't see that part of him. But anyway Frank, how is H more different than he already is?" Eric recalled how Horatio always joked with him. He particularly remembered the joke Horatio made about Artie's sex shop. He smiled at that memory.
"He just seemed angry and frustrated. Ya agree Cal?"
"Yeap. If we didn't tell him to leave, he might have beaten up the suspect earlier on."
"Maybe he was angry I tampered with the evidence." Natalia added.
"I don't think so. We screw up sometimes. And anyway, we got other evidences to pin on the guy. So I don't think it was you Nat." Calleigh tried to take the guilt off her colleague.
"Maybe it's just the Ace Killer case…it's already taking a toll on everyone; physically and emotionally. He's also human y'know. Besides, he's the one having to answer to the victim's family and the media." Ryan added.
"True. But he's been edgy only recently." Frank shrugged. "But we never know what goes on in his head."
"And amongst all you brilliant and renowned CSIs, none of you could figure out the real reason behind your boss' abrupt change?" The team turned to look at the source of the voice.
"What do you mean Alexx?" Curious, Frank asked. The rest of the team stared at her, waiting for an answer.
"Really, honey? You guys really can't figure out? My my…And here I thought all of you have the most brilliant minds, combined." Alexx teased.
"Are you referring to Caitlyn? You mean that time she stormed out of Horatio's office and slammed the glass door?" Everyone turned to Calleigh then back to Alexx, waiting for her confirmation.
"I'm not in a position to say, but I'm sure you can figure things out. There are five of you here." Alexx smirked. "Anyway Francis, have you contacted the victim's next of kin to pick her body up?"
"Yeah. They're coming tomorrow."
Ryan and Natalia walked hand in hand into the diner. Taking a seat at the first empty booth they saw, a waiter made his way with menu in his hand. They made their order for the drinks before deciding on their food. Natalia stared at the menu, quietly perusing for something she felt like having.
"You okay babe? You're awfully quiet tonight."
"Yeah. I'll survive." Ryan Wolfe leaned forward, took the menu off her hand and then held her hand in his.
"I know you still feel bad for what happened earlier today…But that's all over. We caught the guy."
"But I feel bad disappointing Horatio yknow."
"I know babe. But we all make mistakes. And if we're all taking blames, I'm to be blamed too. I'm sorry about earlier." She looked down, avoiding his eye contact. His hand left hers and he checked in his pockets then sighing in relief the box was still in there.
'Not now, Wolfe.' He reminded himself.
"Maybe we should just move to your place…" He spoke out. Natalia looked up to her boyfriend.
"Are you sure? I mean…with Nick and all…"
"We all have a past. You have yours and I have mine. It would still be the same. Besides, we could save the money I get from selling my apartment…for our future." He paused. "I thought about it just now after Horatio told me to leave. It makes better sense since your apartment is bigger than mine anyway."
She released an appreciative sigh. Her smile was wide and happy. "I would kiss you right now if you weren't sitting across me." Her eyes twinkled.
"We'll get to that when we get home." Ryan smirked teasingly. "Now let's refuel ourselves for later." He winked. She blushed.
PS: I hope you liked it. I tried my best despite my busy schedule. The next chapter is still in progress. Trying to do my best :) Seeya!