Title: Vendetta

Author: innocent choir girl (ff-dot-net), shannyfish (From Out of the Lab/Miami Heat/LJ)

Summary: Clavo Cruz escapes from prison and goes after those Horatio holds dear in order to really get back at him. Clavo sees that there's more between Horatio and one of his co-workers, and takes Calleigh... (takes place before current season - I swear this was thought up before "Man Down")

Category: Ship Ahoy! Calleigh/Horatio

Genres: Angst, Drama, Episode Related, Established Relationship, Friendship, Hurt Comfort, Suspense

Characters: Calleigh Duquesne, Eric Delko, Horatio Caine

Warnings: none

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 14 "Still Here"

Author's Notes: For all those patient people who have been waiting for me to update this story! I hope you enjoy these last couple chapters!!!

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The beeping of monitors steadily pulled Horatio towards consciousness, even if only to try to silence the irritation. His head rolled to the side and pain shot up his neck. He forced his eyes open, but he could only open one of his eyes. He found the offending machine in his line of sight. He remembered Clavo and the beatings he had gone through. Clavo had left him for dead…but he'd been found. Past the offending machine was Calleigh asleep in a chair. It was all worth it, he told himself as he stared at her. The woman he loved was safe and sound.

Horatio had watched her for a while and smiled when her eyelashes started to flutter. Her eyes opened and he could tell that the nap wasn't enough sleep for Calleigh. She needed to go home and sleep. "Sweetheart," Horatio forced out.

Calleigh looked to the hospital bed and smiled. Getting up from the chair, she walked to his bedside and gently cupped his cheek. "Hey," she said. She wanted to ask him how he was feeling, but knew that was a stupid question. "How's the pain?" she asked concerned. "They didn't want to give you too much before you were conscious."

"It…could be better," Horatio told her. "Did you get Clavo?"

"No," Calleigh told him quietly. "We will…the whole state of Florida is lookin' for him."

"You need to be careful," Horatio said. He tried to sit up on his own, but didn't get far. He grabbed the bed remote and adjusted the bed instead. "He could still come after you."

"Don't worry," Calleigh told him letting down the railing and sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Calleigh—"

"Shh…" she hushed and leaned in and let her lips hush his. "I love you, too," she whispered. Calleigh wasn't sure if he had heard her in the ambulance. She had to make sure he heard.

Horatio smiled, "That's very good to hear."

"How can we make it work, Horatio?" she asked in a hushed tone wondering if he had any ideas.

"We'll figure it out," he told her as he squeezed her hand. He knew they had to keep it a secret and slow. Horatio also knew that he had to respect Calleigh, which was easy since he already had the utmost respect for her.

"Maybe I should get the doctor," Calleigh suggested. She wasn't sure if Horatio would tell her if he needed the doctor for pain medication or anything else.

"No," he said quickly. He'd missed her. He hadn't even been able to properly check her over when Clavo had given her up in exchange for him. "Stay with me."

Calleigh smiled, "I'm here…"

Horatio painfully scooted himself in the bed to make room for Calleigh. "Come lay down with me."

"Someone could walk in…" Calleigh mumbled.

"It's alright," Horatio assured.

Unsure, Calleigh got up and pulled the drape all around the bed to concel it. Turning, Calleigh walked back to the bed and got in next to Horatio. She wapped her arms around him and let her head rest on his chest. She was mindful of the broken ribs and had made sure not to put much pressure on them.

"Things are going to be okay now, Calleigh," Horatio whispered. He believed what he said, but felt that it would be more concrete once Clavo Cruz was behind bars. It would help him not only ease his worries with Calleigh, but also relax. He dropped a kiss to her forehead and tightened his embrace on her. His body's pain went up, but it was worth holding Calleigh like he was.

He sat there with her in his arms for some time. He was content even with the pain. Horatio had felt the change in Calleigh's breathing and gave himself the luxury to relax just a bit.

She was safe.

They were together.

But Clavo Cruz was still out there.

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TBC…