Rating: T

Warnings: This story is SLASH. If you don't like that then don't read any further.

Summary: There is a serial killer loose in Miami who is preying on young gay men. As they investigate, the case becomes personal for Horatio and Speed, threatening to expose their relationship to the rest of the team.

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Eric carefully searched around the body for any evidence of a bullet. The casing had landed about two feet away from where their victim lay. A glint from a palm tree at the side of the road caught his eye and as he got closer to the tree his face broke into a smile. "Bingo," he said.

After photographing the bullet, he carefully dug it out of the tree trunk. It still had blood and tissue on it. He walked back to Frank, holding up the envelope that now held the bullet and said, "Pay dirt, Frank."

"Good," Frank replied. "I wonder if Calliegh's found anything at the guy's house."

"Don't know. I could give her a call," Eric suggested. But he didn't have a chance. He heard the call come over one of the uniformed officer's radio about a disturbance and possible hostage situation. Eric recognized the address.

Two Hummers and Frank's sedan, sirens blaring, came to a screeching halt in front of the MAGALY facility. Two patrol cars had already arrived and were awaiting backup. As the ranking officer at the scene, Horatio took command.

"Frank, take an officer and head around back," he said. "Eric, you and I will go in the front." Then he looked over at Tim and said, "Speed, wait here."

It was a simple command and even though he didn't like it, Horatio was in full Lieutenant mode and nobody, including Speedle, was going to argue with him. He just nodded and held his breath as he watched them disappear into he building.

Horatio and Eric slowly made their way through the building brandishing their weapons. Eric was already familiar with the layout of the center so Horatio allowed him to take the lead. Luckily it was the middle of the day and all the kids were at school so the place was fairly deserted, save for a few employees and volunteers.

Eric led them through the halls toward the sound of raised voices near the area of Stephen's office. As they approached they could her an argument taking place between Stephen and another man.

"I trusted you, Jose. These kids trusted you," Stephen yelled.

"My son died because of you people."

"We tried to help your son, Jose. Please let the boy go," he pleaded.

As Horatio peered into the room his heart skipped a couple of beats. Skylar was being held hostage, with a gun to his temple. With his free arm, Tenacha held Sky tightly against his body. Horatio noticed Frank and the uniformed officer approaching from the other direction and signaled for them to hold back.

Stephen's office had only one door; one way in, one way out. If they all stormed the office together, Tenacha might feel trapped and shoot Skylar out of sheer instinct. He motioned for Eric to stay by the door then glanced inside again, this time catching Sky's eye. They held each other's gaze for a moment before Horatio stepped quietly into the room, gun pointed at Tenacha.

"Let the boy go," he said in his most commanding voice.

Tenacha spun both himself and Skylar around, moving the gun from Sky's head to point it at Horatio. Sky took advantage of the situation and dug his elbow into his captor's side. The force of the blow caused Tenacha to release his hold on Sky but was not enough to throw him off balance. He raised his weapon. Two shots rang out simultaneously.

Eric rushed in just as Tenacha crumpled to the floor. But Skylar had also been hit and lay, unmoving, a few feet away. Eric ran to him and turned him onto his back. The young man's face was contorted with pain. Eric quickly gave him the once over. The bullet had hit him in the arm.

He let out a breath as Horatio called for the paramedics. He placed his hand on Sky's chest and said, "You're okay. You were hit in the arm, probably broke the bone. You'll be fine," he said as calmly as he was able. Horatio was by his side.

"Easy for you to say," Sky replied through gritted teeth.

Speed came rushing into the room with his weapon drawn. He saw Sky lying on the floor with Eric and Horatio hovering over him. Panic set in quickly as he holstered his gun but Horatio came over and told him Sky was going to be fine. "The bullet broke his arm, that's all."

The ambulance carrying Jose Tenacha pulled away from the curb, sirens blaring. Horatio's bullet had hit him just below the neck and he he was bleeding profusely. They weren't sure if he would live long enough to make it to the hospital.

A short time later, Sky was wheeled out on a stretcher, his arm bandaged and temporarily immobilized. His free hand was firmly encased in Tim's. As they loaded him into a waiting ambulance, Tim looked back at Horatio and said, "I'm going with him. Call Jeff."

Horatio call to him, "I'll meet you there." Then mouthed 'Love you.' Tim smiled at him as he climbed into the back of the ambulance.

Two days later

A small crowd of people sat in Sky's room at Jackson Memorial Hospital during the morning visitor's hours. Jeff and Tony sat at his bedside. Horatio was leaning against the wall with Tim leaning against him. Calliegh and Eric occupied chairs on the opposite side of the bed from Jeff.

"The doctor says I'm stuck here for a few more days," Sky said frustrated. "They have to wait for the surgery incision to heal enough for them to cast my arm."

"Well," Horatio said. "At least your alive and safe."

"Yeah," Tim interjected. "And the doctor said you don't have to worry about those titanium pins in your arm setting off any metal detectors." This caused Sky to laugh, then wince as he inadvertently moved his arm. "Sorry," Tim said.

"And you don't have to worry about Jose Tenacha," Calliegh said. "We found enough evidence tying him to all nine murders to put him away for the rest of his life."

"If he ever wakes up," Eric continued.

Tim glanced at his watch then at Horatio. Something unspoken passed between them and Horatio nodded. He pushed off the wall taking Tim with him. "I have something I have to do this morning," Tim said. "We'll stop by later this afternoon."

Horatio leaned up against the hood of his car as he watched Tim walk away from him and toward his destination. Hands thrust into pockets, Tim approached the small plot with the simple stone marker reading, 'David William Harris 1967 – 1999.' He was silent for a moment.

"Hey," he said quietly, looking down at the grave. "Sorry I don't come by more often, but it's still difficult for me." He took a breath. "I came by today because I had to let you know that we finally caught the guy who did this to you. I wanted you to know that."

He stood silent for another moment before saying, "Everyone's doing well. But we all miss you." A single tear escaped down his cheek and he quickly wiped it away. "I, um, don't want you to worry about me. I know you always did. I've met someone and we're very happy together." He stared down at the grave again for a moment. "Well, I should get going. I promise I'll come back again soon." Slowly, he made his way back to Horatio, knowing he was leaving one life behind, finally ready to start a new one.

Fin

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This one is finally done!! The series will continue, after I take a short break.