Title: Full Circle (3/5)

Author: Aeon Cole

Rating: FRM

Warning: Slash

Fandom: CSI: Miami

Pairing: Horatio/Stetler/Speed

Series: The Three Of Us

Word Count: 1990

Summary: Never give up hope.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

ooo

Chief Barton was not in a good mood. He'd just gotten out of a meeting with Internal Affairs and was ready to hang Horatio Caine from the nearest flagpole. He wandered through the halls of the lab looking for anyone from Horatio's team but only found lab techs. Finally he came upon Eric Delko beginning to process the evidence from Rick's shooting. He walked in.

"Eric," he said. "Where is the rest of your team?"

"I assume Horatio's at the hospital and I think Calleigh is with him. No idea where Speedle is. He took off a couple of hours ago," Eric answered.

Barton sat down hard on one of the lab stools. He'd always liked Eric and had been pleased when the young man had made the decision to move into the lab. The truth was that he liked all of Horatio's team, even if their methods could be a bit unorthodox. It made what was coming much harder. He shook his head.

"I just got out of a meeting with IAB," he said. "Horatio's really done it this time." Eric nodded. He had expected this. "They want to reopen every investigation Stetler ran involving this lab. They are citing conflict of interest."

"Can they do that?" Eric asked.

"Oh yes they can," Barton answered. "And they will make your lives a living hell because of this. They'll be going over everything with a fine-tooth comb. Personally, I think they don't particularly like Rick Stetler and I know they don't like Horatio. They would be happy to be rid of both of them."

"So basically they will be making it impossible for us to do our jobs," Eric commented.

"Very likely," Barton said as he stood up. "I need to speak with Ms. Duquesne as soon as she returns," he said as he left.

ooo

Horatio stretched his legs out in front of him. He felt like he'd been sitting in that same position for hours. He gave Tim's hand a squeeze then stood up.

"I need to find a men's room," he said and wandered out of the room.

Calleigh's eyes followed him for a moment before she turned to Tim. "Does he seem different to you, Tim?" Tim raised an eyebrow. "I mean in general, lately."

Tim sighed. "It's a long story, Cal." She looked at him as if to say, we have plenty of time. Tim rolled his eyes. "Short version, he wears Lieutenant Caine like a mask. That mask got ripped away from him recently and he's been trying to cope. It hasn't been easy for him."

Calleigh nodded but didn't quite understanding. "Can I ask you something else?" she said.

Tim stared at her for a moment. "Can I stop you?" he retorted.

"No," Calleigh replied with a half smile. "Horatio said he and Rick had been together for twenty-five years."

"Yeah," Tim said. "They met their sophomore year in college."

"Well, you couldn't have been with them back then. You were, what, five at the time."

"Only the last couple of months. And before you ask, that's an even longer story."

Calleigh regarded him for a moment before asking, "Rick Stetler?"

Tim sighed. He wasn't going to be able to avoid this conversation. "He's not the person everyone thinks he is."

"Well, that's obvious to me now. I mean, if Horatio's been involved with him for as long as he said, he couldn't be. And you. It's just hard to imagine."

"Believe me," Tim said. "If you had approached me with the idea a few months ago I would have thought you were crazy." He paused for a moment then added, "And I wouldn't have hesitated to tell you so." Calleigh chuckled lightly. Tim rested his head against the wall. "He has to be all right, Cal. I don't even want to think about what this is going to do to Horatio if he isn't."

Calleigh cocked her head to one side. "Horatio's strong. He'll survive," she said.

Tim shook his head. "That's the thing. Lieutenant Caine is strong. Horatio is Horatio and I don't think he can live without Rick. He's terrified right now, Cal. I can see it in his eyes."

Horatio wandered back into the room, head down, and took his seat next to Tim then he reached for his hand again. After a moment he move closer and rested his head against Tim's shoulder. Tim let go of his hand and snaked his arm around him. When he looked at Horatio's face he could tell he was barely keeping it together. He glanced at Calleigh.

"Calleigh," he said. "Would you mind seeing if you can find us some coffee? I think there is a cafeteria downstairs."

Calleigh looked over and Tim mouthed, please. "Sure," she said.

After she walked out of the room Tim stood up and moved them over to the small couch so they could sit with nothing between them. He pulled Horatio into his arms and ran his hand over his back. He felt Horatio sigh.

"We had an argument this morning," the redhead said quietly. "He walked off before either of us could apologize."

Tim felt his chest tighten when Horatio said that. "You'll get your chance, don't worry."

"You don't know that," Horatio said.

"But I know Rick," Tim said as confidently as he could. "He doesn't leave anything unfinished."

He felt Horatio nod. It wasn't much but at least it was something his lover could hold on to. "Thanks," Horatio said as he quickly wiped his eyes.

"He's going to be all right, H. You have to believe that," Tim said.

ooo

Calleigh pulled out her cell phone once she was out of earshot of the waiting room and called Eric. She updated him on Rick's condition and he told her that Barton was looking for her. He also told her about finding Styles body and his thoughts on what had happened. Calleigh agreed to call him again as soon as she knew more, then she hung up. As soon as she slipped the phone back into her pocket it rang and she pulled it out again.

"Ms. Duquesne." She recognized the chief's voice immediately.

"Sir," she replied.

"We have a problem, Calleigh," he said. "Actually we have many problems right now."

"Yes, sir. Where do you want to start?" she asked as she walked outside the building so they could talk privately.

"Least to most. The ME confirmed that Jacob Styles committed suicide. His body was found not far from Sergeant Stetler's. How is he doing?"

"In surgery now but the doctors won't speculate yet on his survival. I'm waiting for the bullets."

"I suspect you'll find they came from Styles gun," the chief said.

"There's more?" Calleigh asked.

"The detective that was sent to notify Styles widow called a little while ago. He found her body along with their son, both shot to death. Three in the torso area."

"Same as Rick and our victim from this morning," Calleigh commented.

"I was afraid of that. We are still waiting on the autopsy."

"Anything else?" Calleigh asked.

She heard Barton sigh. "I'm afraid IAB has found out about this thing between Lieutenant Caine and Sergeant Stetler. One of them called the hospital knowing Rick had no family in the area and was told. They are up in arms over the whole thing and I have to say I am none too happy about it myself. Horatio has put the lab in an extremely bad position this time. IAB is reopening every case Stetler has worked on that involved Horatio and your team. I'm afraid until further notice both Lieutenant Caine and Sergeant Stetler, if he survives, are suspended from active duty." Calleigh knew it was coming but it was still difficult to hear. "As the senior member of Horatio's team, I am asking that you take over during the investigation."

Calleigh closed her eyes for a moment. She really didn't want this but she supposed it was better than putting a stranger in charge. "I understand," she said.

"There is one more thing. I need to call Lieutenant Caine and have him surrender his badge and sidearm to you."

"Can't that wait for a bit?" she asked.

"Afraid not. IAB is insisting. You'll need to collect Sergeant Stetler's as well."

"Rick's weapon was already taken into evidence at the scene," Calleigh said.

"Okay. And Horatio is going to have to submit to an interview, though that can wait for a few days."

Calleigh sighed as she walked back inside completely forgetting about the coffee. She walked into the waiting room just as Horatio's phone rang. It looked like he was ignoring it so she said, "Horatio, you need to answer that." Horatio glanced at her for a moment before pulling out his phone. "Tim, can I talk to you for a minute?"

Tim looked at Horatio before getting up and following Calleigh out of the room. "What's going on?" he asked.

"I just got off the phone with Barton. IAB found out about Rick and Horatio. They've both been suspended pending a full investigation. IAB is reopening all of Rick's cases that involved the lab. I have to collect Horatio's badge and sidearm. Barton is telling him right now."

Tim shook his head. "This is insane. How can things go so wrong so fast?"

Calleigh reached out and took Tim's hand. "I've been put in charge for the time being so I can keep an eye on things and from what I could gather, they don't know about you yet."

"I don't want to be a secret, Calleigh. The three of us are in this together," Tim said.

"Tim, if you go public now you'll be suspended too. Is that what you want?" She could tell he was being stubborn. "Look, just promise me you'll think before you do anything."

He didn't like it but he knew she was right. He couldn't make any decisions now but eventually he knew he would be out. He nodded then turned and walked back into the waiting room. He found Horatio sitting on the couch leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. He held his shield in his hand.

When Calleigh walked in behind Tim, Horatio looked up. He stood and drew himself up to his full height then calmly walked over to her. He handed her his badge then removed his sidearm and handed it over. Calleigh took both items from him.

"Horatio," she started to say but he interrupted.

He shook his head. "I'm glad he chose you," he said then walked back over to the couch and sat down.

Tim walked over and sat next to him. Horatio leaned against him taking his hand. Calleigh walked out to the Hummer and secured Horatio's weapon then she called Barton before returning to the waiting room. She took a seat and waited keeping an eye on Horatio.

ooo

Alexx walked up to the labs with her autopsy reports looking for any of the CSIs. She finally found Eric in one of the labs.

"Eric? Where is everyone?" she asked.

Eric looked up when she walked in. "Horatio is at the hospital. Calleigh and Speedle are with him."

"Any news yet?"

Eric shook his head. "Last call, Stetler was still in surgery." Alexx shook her head. "Is that the autopsy report?"

Alexx handed him three folders. "Styles body showed high levels of amphetamines, too high for casual use. He died from a gunshot wound to the head. I'm ruling it a suicide. The other two, his wife and son, died from three almost point blank shots to the chest."

Eric sighed. "Thanks, Alexx. I'll make sure Calleigh gets these when she gets back."

She turned to leave then turned back. "I heard about Horatio. What do you think will happen now?" she asked.

Eric shook his head. "I don't know, Alexx. I wish I did."

TBC