A/N: Ok, as I promised the fun continues, so hang on. Thank you as always to everyone for the awesome feedback and reviews, they are very appreciated and valued. Thanks to my Beta's and my friend LadyA for the help with the Spanish, you gals are terrific! Here we go...

Enjoy!

III

Alexx headed over to Calleigh's place as she strolled to her front door using the spare key Calleigh made for her. She noticed the door was ajar and heard movement inside, as she pushed on the door with her finger, lightly letting it swing open the rest of the way. She knew Calleigh's father sometimes visited and stood with her, especially when he drank to much as she slowly entered and called out,

"Mr. Duquesne?"

She looked around curiously as the noise that seemed to be coming from one of the back rooms suddenly stopped.

"Mr. Duquesne is that you? She asked again stating, "It's Alexx Woods." She said aloud as she walked towards the back and opened her phone dialing Calleigh.

"Duquesne," she answered quietly.

"Calleigh its Alexx, I'm at your place," she said walking into Calleigh's bedroom. "Is your dad staying with you because I think he may have left your door open again and—"

"Alexx get the hell out of there right now! Get out Alexx! Get out!!!" She yelled into the phone as her heart took off racing and she headed for the door and Agent Reed.

"Honey it's all—" Alexx started, but then Calleigh heard her gasp and then she heard a loud bang as panic set in.

"Alexx! Alexx!!!" Calleigh froze in fear as her eyes widened in shock and the line went dead. "Oh my god, Alexx is at my house and she just walked in on an intruder!" She huffed at agent Reed as he immediately opened his cell and dialed a number.

Calleigh also hit a button on her cell calling Frank as she paced nervously and spoke in clear distress. "Frank, it's Calleigh, you have to get over to my place right away, Alexx is in trouble! She walked in on an intruder!"

"All right Calleigh, I'm on my way and I'll send a car over there right now. I'll call you the moment we know something." He said hanging up as Calleigh hit another button and dialed Eric filling him in.

"Try to stay calm Calleigh; I'm sure detective Tripp will call as soon as he gets there." Agent Reed said continuing, trying to ease her worry, "Agent Cole is sending someone also just to play it safe."

III

Frank pulled up and saw the empty squad car as he quickly got out and pulled his gun slowly entering into Calleigh's home.

"Miami Dade Police!" He shouted heading in cautiously.

"It's ok Detective Tripp," One of the officers said, as he came out of the bedroom and let him know it was all clear.

"Dr. Woods?" He inquired quickly.

"Right here," the second officer said helping her out as she took a seat on the couch holding her throbbing head with both hands.

"She seems fine, just a little dazed from being banged around." The officer said.

"Alexx, are you ok?" Frank asked looking down at her. "Do you want me to call the paramedics?"

She lifted her head up and gave him a smirk with the wave of her hand, "I'm fine but I didn't get the number of the truck that hit me."

Frank nodded in understanding. "What did he hit you with?"

"It wasn't a he, it was a she, and she hit me with the bedroom door." She said shaking her head back and forth still in shock.

"A woman?" He smirked in confusion wiping his lips.

"Uh-huh, and I have this for evidence," she said, holding up a hand full of hair to him as Frank winced.

"Ouch, I bet that hurt," he said with another smirk at Alexx. "Way to go doc." He chuckled as Eric walked in quickly heading right over to them.

"Alexx are you ok?" He asked in clear concern.

She nodded with a smile, "I'm fine baby and I even have some evidence for you." She said as Eric grabbed an evidence bag from his kit and put the hair strands into it. He headed right into Calleigh's kitchen and pulled an icepack out of the freezer handing it to Alexx for her head.

"This should help." He said with a small smile.

"Eric Delko playing doctor," she joked as she put it on the back of her head.

He smiled widely with a chuckle, "I'll call Calleigh and let her know you're all right, she's worried sick about you," Eric said as Frank continued to question her.

Calleigh was pacing back and forth in the hall like a caged tiger as the four feds watched her keenly. Her phone rang and she looked at the caller ID as she quickly opened it and snapped out,

"Talk to me Eric."

"She's ok Calleigh, Alexx is fine." He said reassuring her as Calleigh exhaled a heavy sigh of relief.

"Were heading over to you in a little while and I'll let her explain it to you when we get there, ok?"

"She's ok Eric, really?" She said unsure raking a hand through her hair as her emotions hit her hard again and again.

He chuckled, "Yeah, hang on a second, here speak to her for yourself."

Eric handed Alexx the phone as she smiled and nodded in understanding. "Calleigh, everything's ok honey, I'm sorry I scared you so much but I'm fine now, really."

"Thank god Alexx, when the line went dead I…."

"I know honey, I understand. She hit me with the bedroom door and the phone fell out of my hand as she took off."

Calleigh's eyes narrowed, "She?"

"Yeah, and I was able to grab a handful of her hair follicles for evidence."

Calleigh's anger turned right into a cool smile as she complimented Alexx. "Well done Dr. Woods, maybe you should come work in the field with us. Nice job obtaining that key piece of evidence, it will be her undoing."

"Alexx chuckled, "Glad I could help sugar." She said with a smile. "I have your clothes honey and we'll see you in a little while. Eric is processing your place just to make sure we have everything, her prints and anything else she may have left behind."

Calleigh nodded in relief, "Ok, I'll see you in a little while Alexx and again I'm really sorry, I wasn't thinking." She said shaking her head back and forth upset with herself.

"If you apologize to me again honey, I won't bring your clothes for you." She chuckled trying to loosen Calleigh up just a bit hearing the tenseness in her voice. "All right Calleigh see you in a bit," she said as she closed the phone and handed it back to Eric.

Frank took her description and Eric took the evidence back to the lab as Ryan went right to work on it, processing everything.

III

Calleigh called the Chief again to update him on the current situation. She also placed a call to young Timmy to let him know Horatio was back home and in stable condition. Young Timmy was relieved and happy to hear that Horatio was going to be all right. Calleigh promised Timmy he could see Horatio when the case was solved and over with. She was afraid of putting him or anyone else in danger now.

Agent Cole made sure that Yelina, Ray and Ray Jr. were somewhere safe again. He moved them a second time as a extra precaution. He also put extra protection on Mrs. Sanchez as well. Horatio had four federal agents guarding him instead of the normal two this time. Each time Calleigh walked out of the room she was reminded as the four agents would come to attention and agent Reed would let her know everything was quiet and secure. It did help her insecurities somewhat but she knew if that evil Judge wanted in, he would find a way.

Horatio moaned low as his eyes slowly fluttered open. He stared up at the white ceiling almost in a complete daze wondering where he was as he tried to remember, but everything seemed muddled. 'Where am I? What the hell happened?' He thought as his eyes slowly began to close again feeling completely relaxed and suddenly very exhausted. The soft mattress felt great against his battered body and he felt himself drifting off again comfortably, as a bright flash went off in his head and he saw the judge's evil smile in front of him.

"No…." He moaned as his eyes shot open and his body jerked up slightly. His hands tightening and clenching at the sight but his right hand tightened and never closed. Something soft stopped it and gently stroked at his hand and fingers soothing him, calming him. He let out a soft breath as he turned his head to the right to find Calleigh smiling back at him.

He blinked several times as recognition set in and he rasped dryly, "Calleigh…."

Her beautiful smile widened as she gently squeeze his hand. "Hi handsome, it's good to have you back." She said with tight, pent up emotion in her voice. She felt her heart overflowing with love and happiness as she tried not to cry.

She stood up and bent down over him cupping his cheek as she placed a tender kiss on his dry lips. Her green eyes were glossy with emotion as she held his entrancing gaze and tenderly brushed his hair off his forehead with her fingertips.

He swallowed as his hand tightened on hers and his eyes closed again with a soft contented moan knowing she was there with him.

Calleigh sat back down as she lifted the cup of water that sat near his bedside table, knowing his eyes would open again and he would be thirsty.

His thumb slid along her right hand and over her fingers tracing patterns as she smiled and his eyes opened again. She lifted the cup and released his hand holding the straw for him as he tried to lift his head up, but a jolt of blinding pain seared through him, causing him to stiffen and gasp as he slammed his eyes shut in pain.

He groaned low as Calleigh quickly put the cup down, hit the nurses button, and cupped his right cheek with her hand trying to sooth him.

"Easy Horatio, breathe easy," She said in a quiet whisper.

His pain-ridden eyes opened again as his body spasms slowly eased and he relaxed again. His eyes slid over to hers and he nodded slightly, "Ray Jr?"

She nodded as she sat down again and held his hand looking at him. "He's fine and agent Cole moved Yelina and Raymond too, just to play it safe.

Horatio's eyes widened as he gasped, "Mrs. Sanchez, I gave him her—"

Calleigh leaned closer and put a soft fingertip to his lips shushing him. "Ssh, it's ok, she's safe Horatio. Agent Cole moved her also. Once we knew the judge was behind it all we took the proper precautions. Everything's ok and you need to rest now, all right?" She said with a small smile. "Joe took out the transmitter and GPS tracker, your going to be fine."

He closed his eyes and exhaled as he whispered, "Paco?"

The door opened and Joe walk in seeing Calleigh talking to him as he quietly walked over to the left side of the bed seeing Horatio's eyes closed.

Joe looked across at Calleigh and nodded as he spoke low, "How's he doing, is everything all right?"

"He tried to move and had some pain but he's ok now, I think." Calleigh said with a smile as Joe looked back down to see Horatio now looking right back up at him.

"You're awake." Joe said in surprise.

"Mmm, how's Paco?" He rasped as Calleigh helped him to take another sip of water.

"Very awake, I see." Joe said scratching his head looking over at Calleigh wondering if she told him anything yet.

Horatio held Joe's eyes and waited feeling that instinctive knot in his gut whenever anything seemed awry.

Joe nodded his head slightly looking down at Horatio, "Umm, he's, holding his own."

"Which means, he stable?" Horatio asked questioningly.

"Not exactly, no. He's still in a coma Horatio." Joe said gently trying to ease it out, wondering if he even remembered his earlier conversation.

Horatio brows furrowed and his jaw set as he inhaled heavily, still seeing the images of the small boy making a run and jump to save him. He remained quiet as it played over and over again in his minds eye.

"Hey, Paco's pretty strong ya know, he's a tough kid, I know he'll pull through Horatio." Calleigh said as she affectionately squeezed his hand still hoping with ever fiber of her being.

He looked at her with question and nodded slightly, "He saved my life and he rescued Ray Jr. too."

"I know he did. He called us with your message too, that's how we finally found you, and him."

Horatio turned back to Joe. "What are his chances Joe, do you think he'll come out of it soon?"

Joe's brow went up as his eyes narrowed in thought. "Umm, that's hard to say right now in his present condition. His heart is strong; Calleigh's right, but his little body could only take so much. We'll have to wait and see how he does day by day, you understand?"

"Yes, I do." He said sadly.

"I'm sorry Horatio but this part is up to Paco and his will to survive."

'Paco would never be in this predicament if I didn't involve him in the first place,' he thought tormented as his guilt tore him apart.

Calleigh's eyes welled as she stared at Horatio's hand in hers and he lightly squeezed causing her to look back up at him. His eyes narrowed on the dark bruise around her neck. The contrast of her light creamy skin and the deep, dark purple and black bruising making it very noticeable. Questions went through his hazy mind as his eyes slowly slid back up to hers.

He held her glassy green eyes and instantly forgot becoming immersed in all the pain he saw there. His guilt now ate away at him as he thought of Paco and her both going through this because of him. He knew this had to be very hard on her as he mumbled, "Can I see him Joe?"

Joe eyes went wide in surprise as Calleigh looked at Horatio in shock shaking her head no at him. He had no idea of his injuries just yet.

"Horatio, that's impossible right now. You can hardly move yourself let alone stand up and go for a stroll. Besides, I don't want you moving right now anyway. I need you to stay flat on your back for me. If you're going to recover and get those ribs back into shape I need you to rest and lie still. You do know you're not exactly in tiptop shape yourself, right?"

Horatio exhaled heavily, "I'm fine and I just need five minutes." He persisted.

"Absolutely not!" Joe replied firmly with a look of disbelief at him as he continued shaking his head back and forth. "NO, and you are not fine by any means!" Joe snapped as his voice rose up. "You have hypothermia which is causing you to act and think irrationally. Give yourself a little time to recover and well see how you do."

Horatio looked at Calleigh and exhaled softly, "He has no family, just his aunt and uncle—"

"I know Horatio, agent Cole is sending for them and they will be here soon."

"Calleigh—" He gasped stopping short as a waved of pain shot through him and he closed his eyes trying to breathe.

Joe put his hand up. "All right, that's enough talking, I need you to rest now, ok? Don't move, don't talk, just lie still and rest. Are you ok?" He asked in concern.

Horatio's eyes opened as his eyes met Joe's and he tried again with a low mumble, "Five minutes, that's, all I'm asking."

Joe looked across at Calleigh again shaking his head in disbelief as he looked back down to Horatio.

"No, definitely not. I'm sorry Horatio but you have to listen to me, all right." He said more firmly. "You are in no condition to move around right now at all. You can't get up and forget about walking, let alone going to see the boy. You have hypothermia, a concussion, broken ribs and—"

"He needs me right now." Horatio said cutting him right off not concerned with his own injuries.

Joe just stared taken aback by his statement as he scratched his head in awe. "Horatio, he needs rest, just like you do right now." He said softly trying to make him understand.

Horatio sighed heavily in defeat, "Where is he?" He whispered nodding to Joe.

"He's in the CCU being monitored very closely, I even have Maria keeping a close eye on him, ok?"

Horatio nodded in thought, "Thank you for taking care of him Joe."

Joe sighed and looked down feeling badly now, "I wish there was more I could do Horatio." He said sincerely. "Right now though, I need you to get some rest pal and I'll be back in a little while to check on you again, ok." He said with a nod at Calleigh as he headed for the door.

"Thanks Joe," Calleigh said with a small smile as he smiled back and headed out.

Horatio was in his own world as he planned in his head and let his eyes close. Without realizing it, Joe gave him all the information he needed to find Paco, now all he had to do was preoccupy Calleigh.

She gave him a smile, "Hey, why don't you get some rest and I'll go get you something to eat, how's that sound?"

Horatio moaned low, "Mmm, just a coffee sounds great."

Calleigh smiled as he looked over to her, "Sure, you rest and I'll go get you an extra large coffee and a small bite to eat." She said standing as he quickly squeezed her hand and held on tighter not letting her go just yet.

He whispered, "Calleigh, I'm sorry I tol—"

"Ssh, no, don't be, I know Horatio." She nodded as she tenderly caressed his stubble with her hand and fingers. "I'm just glad to have you back, ya know." You rest now and I'll be right back, ok?"

"But I told him where you lived. I tried, I tried to fight but…." He exhaled again and shook his head back and forth in disgust, feeling he betrayed her as his eyes cast down in guilt.

Calleigh eyes widened as recognition set in and she realized how they knew her address. She shook her head back at him, "It's ok Horatio, its ok, we know you were drugged, Joe found the toxin in your system." She said with tenderness and understanding seeing his guilt ridden look already.

He whispered, "We didn't get him, did we?" He asked holding her faltering eyes.

She looked down at his hand and shook her head. "No, but we will Horatio, he won't get away with it this time, he won't. Agent Cole has high stakes in this too; the judge killed one of his men and made us think it was you. He wants him badly Horatio, were working together on this and the judge is going down. We'll get him, we'll get him." She said with vehement.

He remained quiet for a long moment thinking as hate gnawed in the pit of his stomach. He finally spoke as his voice rumbled low, "Yes, we will Calleigh, if it's the last thing I do, I'll get him." He said as his eyes tightened and narrowed in thought again.

He looked back up at her and seeing her worried eyes he managed a weak half smile. "Ok, I think I should let go now huh," he said as he let her hand slip out of his smoothly. "Thank you Calleigh." He said in a whisper.

She smiled with the tilt of her head to him, "Anytime Handsome." She said as she turned heading for the door but stopped to look back at him for another moment. She smiled, "I'll be back before you know it handsome," She said opening the door as she walked out.

Horatio's eyes quickly narrowed and his jaw set in pure anger as he pressed the button on the bed and it began to rise him up into a sitting position. He closed his eyes as the pain hit him hard and grinded his teeth together groaning low as he attempted to sit up more. He slowly put both hands, palm down on the bed and slid his legs over the side as he groaned out in extreme pain fisting the sheets and grabbing onto the side of the mattress.

He closed his eyes seeing Paco in his mind again and bared the agonizing pain best he could, feeling he deserved it. He opened them again and noticed the light blue cotton pajamas bottoms. 'Well at least I have pants on,' he thought, as he noticed the ace bandages completely wrapped around his chest and ribs. He exhaled as he slowly slid himself to the edge of the bed with a grunt, letting his feet rest flat on the cold floor.

The door opened suddenly as his head snapped up, and steel blue met steel blue.

Joe growled in frustration, "Just what the hell are you doing, are you crazy? Have you completely lost your mind!" He said as Horatio suddenly pushed forward off the bed and stood up on his own two feet with a painful gasp.

Joe eyes went wide as he watched the color drain right out from Horatio's face and he took off running as his arms went out to catch him. "Jesus!" He yelled hanging onto his sagging body, "Hey… I need some help in here right now!"

The feds opened the door with guns drawn as Joe gave them an annoyed look, "I need help with him, put the guns away," he grunted hanging onto Horatio's limp body in his arms as he groaned.

The feds walked over and helped Joe get him back on the bed as they all left and agent Reed stood observing.

"Tough bastard isn't he," he chuckled low. "How the hell did he even get himself up in his condition?" He said as Joe gave him a death glare.

Horatio groaned as his eyes rolled around from Joe to the agent, "Five… Just… five, minutes…." He barely whispered completely out of breath and totally exhausted.

Joe shook his head, "No, not now, look at you, you're a mess. You need to rest Horatio. What the hell were you thinking anyway?"

"Paco…." He replied in one breathless word, trying to lift his head as it dropped heavily right back down onto the pillow. He struggled to lift it again and again as it kept flopping back down.

Joe shook his head again in disbelief as he gently felt over his broken ribs hoping he didn't pull anything out of place. Just then the door opened as Calleigh came through with a smile and a tray in her hands.

Her eyes went wide immediately as she noticed Joe and agent Reed in the room. "What happened?" She asked concerned as she put the tray down and walked over to Horatio's bedside.

"He actually got himself out of bed," Joe snapped still upset over what he just did.

"Yeah, he was up and on his feet." Agent Reed said as Calleigh shook her head in disbelief.

"But how?" She shook her head in shock as it suddenly dawned on her, 'He asked me for a coffee, I'm such an idiot!' She thought as he groaned the words again,

"Five minutes, Calleigh…."

"No!" Joe snapped shaking his head as he picked up a syringe and inserted it into his IV line. He leaned over Horatio and held his eyes. "You'll be out cold in two minutes, now just forget about it and get some rest will you please." He said in almost a growl.

Calleigh looked at Joe then down feeling guilty knowing she should have realized. "Sorry Joe, I shouldn't have left him alone."

"No Calleigh, it's not your fault and I should have realized when he asked me where Paco was; only I just didn't think he was capable of getting himself up out of bed." Joe snorted a laugh, "So much for what I think huh. I get the feeling he's not going to stay in this bed for us very long."

Calleigh shook her head as she sat near Horatio again and held his hand whispering softly, "Please rest, please, and I promise to go make sure Paco is fine for you Horatio."

He mumbled low, "Thank, you," as his breathing evened out and his eyelids grew heavy once again. He was out cold in a matter of seconds.

III

The judge dialed a number on his cell phone as a mans voice answered,

"Hello"

"You better have a good answer for me sergeant!" He growled into the phone.

"What, what are you talking about now?"

"Don't play games with me, I am in no mood!" He said as an ire silence filled the line, "You don't know, do you?" The judge questioned.

"Know what?"

"The good Lieutenant was rescued with his nephew and all my plans were ruined."

"I was not aware of this; my informant didn't contact me at all. There was no mention of anything like this happening here." He said in shock with wide eyes looking around.

"Yes, I think I figured that out already sergeant!"

"They may be on to us!" He said nervously.

"You, mean you. They may be onto you, sergeant." He chuckled.

"This isn't funny; I don't feel like spending the rest of my life in jail because you want revenge!"

"Well if you don't fix this, you won't have much of a life left to spend in jail! I want this bastard to pay, do you understand me? He- will- pay!" He growled emphasizing each word with conviction.

He shook his head distraught and worried about being caught, "Are you crazy! You know damn well—"

"I know you are going to fix this or you will be very sorry sergeant, isn't that right?" He said in a menacing tone.

He exhaled heavily shaking his head in disbelief, "What do you want me to do?"

"I have it all planned out and it should work rather nicely too." He chuckled. "They'll never see it coming." He said as his lips curved up into an evil smile. "I'll have my son back soon enough, I know the good Lieutenant all to well, and he will do anything he can to save someone he loves. He will do what I say or someone he cares about will die horribly!"

"Fine, fine, just tell me what you are planning?"

"I need you to go to the hospital sergeant…."

III

Alexx and Eric walked in as Horatio slept. They updated Calleigh on everything letting her know there were no current leads on the judge and Lillian. Alexx was ok after the assault and Calleigh was relieved about that, as she warned them not to mention anything about it to Horatio. They all agreed and Calleigh took a moment as she went into the bathroom to change and freshen up now that Alexx brought her clothes for her.

The feds were also tracking the judge and Lillian but had no idea where they would be hiding out right now. The one thing they did know was they were here in Miami, or Lillian was anyway. Ryan and Eric looked into all the background information to try and learn all they could as agent Cole quietly walked into the room.

"Good afternoon, how's the Lieutenant today?"

"He's slowly coming around," Calleigh said getting up and looking over to Horatio's sleeping form.

"And the boy, Paco?"

Calleigh shook her head sadly, "Paco's still in a coma but the doctor said his heart is strong and he has a fighting chance."

Agent Cole nodded sadly, "I'm sorry to hear that, I really like the kid, he's quite a character." He said in a melancholy tone.

"Yeah, he is," Eric, said with a small smile.

"Any leads at all?" Alexx asked agent Cole.

"No, not yet, but we'll find him and when we do…." His eyes narrowed as he gazed at Calleigh.

"When you do, I want a— call," She growled quickly stopping herself as her eyes shot bullets.

"You'll have it detective, you have my word," He said approvingly, feeling his own hatred build up at the judge. "Ok, I just wanted to stop by and see how they were holding up. The Caine's are safe, as well as Mrs. Sanchez and we'll keep the Lieutenant highly protected as well. I'll keep you up to date on everything."

"Thank you for everything agent Cole," Calleigh said sincerely, getting to know him a lot better these last few days. He was beginning to grow on her.

"Thank me when we get the son of a bitch." He said with a nod as he turned and left.

Calleigh nodded in response and spoke lowly to Alexx and Eric. "Listen, would you two mind if I took a quick walk over to see Paco? I just didn't want to leave Horatio alone again." Calleigh said as Eric and Alexx nodded their heads yes in unison.

"No honey, go right ahead, we don't mind, take your time baby. We'll make sure that he stays put in that bed if he wakes up again." Alexx replied as Eric pulled out a chair for her and sat down in another.

Calleigh quietly walked out and headed for the CCU as she slapped a button on the wall and the two heavy doors opened as she walked through. She inhaled and felt nauseated, the smell of the hospital always seemed to make her feel queasy inside as she made her way through to the CCU. She walked up to the glass sliding doors as she went through and suddenly saw Joe go flying backwards hard against the wall with a deep grunt.

Her eyes went wide in shock as Maria yelled out, "Dr. Gannon!"

Calleigh saw a very large burly man hunched over Paco's small body as she quickly pulled her gun in one fast fluid motion taking aim.

"Hold it, Miami Dade Police!" She yelled out warning.

Maria ran over to Joe and helped him up as Calleigh gave a quick glance back making sure he was ok.

"Back away from the boy… DO IT... NOW!" She ordered as Maria ran out of the CCU to get help.

The big man stood up straight as he dropped something to the floor and turned towards Calleigh with an evil grin. He took a step forward as Calleigh cocked her gun stopping him in place.

"Don't do it! I'll shoot you where you stand," She said as Joe took a step. "Joe move behind me now." She said making sure he was safely out of the line of fire.

He moved over to Calleigh and clearly out of her way.

"What are you doing here? Que hiciste con el muchacho? Dimelo ahora! What do you want with the boy?" She questioned the big burly man with narrowing eyes.

His lips curved up and his cold eyes tightened as his deep Spanish accent filled the room, "You are not going to shoot me senorita, I have no weapon." He said challenging her with empty hands.

She shook her head and spoke with cold conviction, "You move and I'll kill you where you stand."

He smiled deviously as he took another step towards her.

"Stop! I mean it… Alto!!!" She warned again as she took aim for his left shoulder and pulled the trigger once, as he faltered with a snarled at her and continue on towards her.

Eric came running in with agent Cole right behind him as Calleigh warned again.

"The next ones will stop you!" She threatened with unfaltering fiery eyes.

He continued towards her as she shot three times precisely right down into his left thigh making him crumbled down to the floor with a shriek of pain grabbing at his thigh.

She held her gun on him as Eric and agent Cole cuffed him on the floor.

She looked over to a stunned Joe, "Are you ok?" She asked seeing him rattled as he slowly nodded at her in complete shock.

"I have to check on the boy, he was near him." He said heading over to Paco as he bent and picked up what looked like a large syringe. His eyes scanned over it as Calleigh followed him over.

"What is that Joe?" She asked seeing him look it over.

"I don't know, I've never seen anything like it before," he said holding it up as agent Cole's eyes widened seeing it.

"Hang on a second," he said getting both there attention as he walked over and took it out of Joe's hand. His eyes narrowed and he shook his head, "This is an FBI injector but where the hell did he get this from?" He said very disturbed looking angrily back toward the perp.

Joe looked down at Paco and noticed the small red lump on his left arm as he began to examine him.

Calleigh watched as she realized what just happened and she stormed over to the writhing man on the floor. Eric watched her as he saw her anger and heard her growl, "What did you do to him?" She questioned in a dangerous tone.

He gave her a smirk and his cold eyes darkened even more as he grinned evilly.

She shook her head and bent down next to the muscular man as Eric watched intently standing over him. Agent Cole held onto the big mans shoulders keeping him down as Calleigh questioned in anger.

"Don't make me ask you again, I won't be so polite next time," she said, calmly holding his cold eyes.

"Vete al infierno, cerdo!!! (Go to hell pig.)" He spat in his Spanish accent.

Calleigh growled, "Que hiciste con el muchacho? (What did you do to him?)" She said as her hand slowly descended to his wounded leg. She held his eyes with anger as she squeezed her fingers right into his bloody wounded thigh making him gasped out in pain.

"Loco! Perra desgraciada! (You crazy Bitch!)" He yelled out in pain.

She smiled coolly, "You haven't seen anything yet," she said as she squeezed more digging her fingers into his wound and twisting. "If you don't tell me now I swear you won't walk again." She said with tenacity as she pulled her gun and shoved it right against his groin making him grunt in pain.

Eric's eyes widened in shock seeing her so angry and out of control, as agent Cole smirked coolly, loving every minute of it as the big man growled out in pain again,

"Puta!!!"

She pressed harder making him cry out in pain as she pulled the trigger back and spoke with true conviction. "You have three seconds before I make you a bitch." She said as her fierce eyes told him that she meant every word of it.

"All right, Ok!" He growled, "Implant, I implanted him. Sueltame, déjame! (Get off! Let go!)"

"Callate!" She yelled pressing harder.

Her eyes narrowed as agent Cole pulled back roughly on his shoulders growling, "With what, another tracker, GPS or transmitter?"

The man gave another evil grin as Calleigh quickly pulled back and slammed the gun right back against his groin making him yell out gasping, "A bomb, perra desgraciada! I implanted him with a small microchip explosive. If you try to remove it, it will detonate and blow him to bits killing him instantly."

Calleigh became furious as she shoved her gun right down into his bloody wounded thigh lifting herself back up. "Por que le está haciendo, el juez, esto al muchacho? Porqué? (Why is the judge doing this to the boy?)" She growled.

He smiled with evil eyes, "Because he can, and if the Lieutenant doesn't do what he says, he'll kill the boy for sure." He growled in his rough Spanish accent.

Calleigh shook her head feeling pure hatred course through her as she look at him and thought of the judge. She wanted to hit him so badly that her whole body tensed and shook as she tried to hold back her raging emotions in front of everyone.

Agent Cole slammed him down on the cold floor as he grunted in pain. "Don't move," he ordered feeling Calleigh's anger fill the entire room.

Two officer's came in and held onto the big man making sure he was unarmed and handcuff securely.

Calleigh, Eric and agent Cole discussed options as Joe examined Paco's arm and sent for a stat X-ray. He slid the film on the board and flipped the light switch to see a small square device implanted in the boys arm now.

"I'll just remove it, he'll be fine." Joe said nodding surely.

Agent Cole shook his head no, ""No, it's not that easy doctor. You can't, it is set to explode the moment it is tampered with. It's a government chip that we usually use on—"

"Great! So now what?" Joe snapped frustrated throwing his hands up in the air. "We just can't leave it in the boy and hope this madman lets him live!"

"Calm down doctor," Agent Cole said, as Calleigh and Joe both gave him a glare. "We'll figure something out but for now just keep him stable and still." Agent Cole said trying to make him understand.

Joe threw his hand in the air again. "That should be pretty easy being he's still in a coma, any other great ideas agent?" he snapped out sarcastically feeling helpless.

The big burly man laughed as the two officers held onto him and Calleigh walked over to him again with a low growl.

"What's so funny?" She asked with fiery eyes.

"I like to see you all fight among yourself, stupid Americans."

Calleigh glared, as she gritted her teeth and clenched her fists unable to hold back another second of her crazed emotions. She snapped as she quickly lifted her right knee with precise accuracy smashing it as hard as she could right into his groin.

He grunted in pain and caved right down to the floor coughing and choking as the officers let him fall in shock that Calleigh just did that.

She barked, "Stupid huh, well you're not laughing anymore, are you?" She bent down near him with a low threatening growl, "Dime que planea el Juez, dimelo ahora mismo! (Tell me the judge's plans and tell me them now!)"

His cold eyes narrowed on her as he tried to catch his breath. "He will be, contacting the Lieutenant soon enough," he said gasping.

Calleigh's eyes went wide in fear as she bolted for the doors, "Keep an eye on Paco, I'm going back to check on Horatio," She said over her shoulder quickly running out of the CCU.

Eric was right on her heels as she hurried back to Horatio's room. She hurried passed the federal agents and opened the door to see Alexx standing to the right with narrowing eyes and Horatio still sleeping soundly unharmed.

She exhaled heavily in relief shaking her head. She thought for sure the judge would have tried something but everything was quiet, until she saw the look in Alexx's eyes again.

As the door slowly closed it revealed Sergeant Rick Stetler standing with his arms crossed on his broad chest smirking at her. Eric stepped over to Alexx as Calleigh walked up to Stetler.

"What are you doing here sergeant?" She asked in an accusing tone.

He shook his head and gave her a cold smile. "It seems you forgot about our little appointment today Detective Duquesne."

Calleigh closed her eyes for a moment in thought and sighed heavily remembering now, "I was, I was in—"

"Let me guess, you were busy rescuing the good Lieutenant." He chuckled holding her narrowing eyes.

Calleigh shook her head at him. "How did you know we were here Sergeant Stetler?"

"Are you questioning me detective?" He said annoyed at her tone and insinuation. You missed your deposition today and I suggest you reschedule before John Hagen is released. Or maybe your just not serious about pressing charges on your ex boyfriend." He said with a sly grin.

Calleigh's face turned crimson red as she growled loudly, "Released? Are you crazy? After he barges in my apartment and tries to rape me, you are going to release him?" She gave Rick a fierce glare.

"Calleigh…." Eric called softly trying to stop her as she glared at Rick waiting for his response.

"Well, if you were serious you would have been at you appointment today, isn't that right detective?" He pushed on knowing he was getting to her, just like he wanted to.

She huffed and exhaled forcefully, "I'm dead serious and that bastards not getting away with this again."

"Calleigh…." Eric called louder this time trying his best to stop her but she was to immersed in the argument.

"Again detective? So this happened before then and you never pressed charges?" He said with almost a smile, as Eric called out for a third time now even louder making Calleigh turned with a growl at him,

"What!!!" She barked as he shook his head back and forth at her. His eyes were wide as they slid over towards Horatio's bed.

Calleigh's eyes followed his suddenly going wide in shock as she realized Horatio was wide awake. Her mouth remained open as she blinked and was at a complete lost of words. She stared at him as his blue intense eyes held onto hers in confusion and question.

Stetler chuckled knowing he succeeded with his task. "Tomorrow Detective, at 3 o'clock, and if you miss it again, I will assume you changed your mind about pressing charges." He said as she quickly turned back at him and glared with hatred hoping he didn't say another word about it.

"I'll be there!" She growled snapping out in a huff as her emotions broke through again.

"Good and don't be late. I don't think you want to keep John waiting now, do you." He said driving the dagger home and twisting it as Alexx gasped in shock.

Horatio's eyes tightened. "Get out Rick!" Horatio rasped dryly as Calleigh turned back to him in surprised.

He smiled at Horatio and nodded in a smug tone, "I was just leaving Horatio."

The door opened and Joe walked in almost bumping into Stetler as he glared at him without a word. He watched Stetler go as the heavy door slowly closed behind him.

Joe turned back to see Horatio staring at Calleigh who had her eyes cast down on the floor.

Joe scratched his head, "Ok, what was that all about? What was he doing in here?" Joe asked looking at Calleigh who didn't lift her eyes to answer him. He looked over to Eric and Alexx and knew something was very wrong.

"Why don't we give them a few minutes alone," Alexx said as Eric nodded and held the door open for her as Joe just stared at them confused and not moving.

"Come on doc, we'll explain it to you outside," Eric said as Joe looked back at Calleigh and then Horatio and sighed heavily going through the door shaking his head back and forth.

An ire silence filled the room as Horatio stared at a perturbed Calleigh. She wouldn't even look at him as she kept her eyes down thinking how incredibly stupid she was. Eric was trying to help her and warn her but Stetler had rattled her cage to much and she knew it was on purpose. 'How the hell did he find out Horatio was even here?' she thought frustrated. "I can't stand that smug son of a bitch!"

"Calleigh…." He said in a sleep roughened voice pulling her from her angry thoughts.

Her head suddenly snapped up and her green troubled eyes met his in shame. She sighed softly feeling guilty with her head tilted as she pulled the chair closer to his bedside and took a seat.

"How are you feeling?" She asked sincerely chewing nervously on the inside of her cheek.

"I feel, confused Calleigh, what was that all about just now?" He asked as his eyes scanned over her turtle-neck t-shirt.

She gritted her teeth and slowly let her eyes close in guilt as she opened them again with a heavy breath. "Horatio, do you trust me?" She asked quietly.

His brows furrowed quickly, "Of course I trust you."

"Then please just trust me now and believe me when I say, I'll talk to you later about it."

His brows arched as he tried to sit up just a bit pushing down on his hands and he felt the quick pull on his battered ribs. He gasped and stilled letting the wave of pain pass over him as he exhaled easily trying to breathe slowly.

"Are you ok?" She asked worried leaning over him as her hand went to his right shoulder.

He nodded, "Yes, but I would really like to know what that was all about Calleigh?" His eyes tightened on the turtle neck. "I would also like to know what happened to your neck." He said in a low rumble.

She shook her head in dismay, "Horatio, please trust me, can we talk about it later, please?" She asked so softly as he closed his eyes to her soothing voice.

He nodded slowly not wanting to push her, seeing how upset she already was right now. "Ok, all right," he said in a gritty voice as she gave him a small thankful smile.

"You need a shave." She teased in relief as she ran her right hand over his growing stubble.

"Mm-hmm," he moaned softly as she gently caressed his cheek. "I've missed you, very much," he said in a soft whisper.

"I missed you too handsome, more than you'll ever know." She replied with the tilt of her head as her hand slid up and into his hair soothingly. His eyes instantly closed feeling her soft fingers caressing gently, totally relaxing him and his exhausted body.

There was a knock on the door as Joe stuck his head in, "Umm, would you two mind if I came in to check on my patient now?" He chuckled as Horatio nodded yes and Calleigh looked down as her cheeks went a rosy soft red.

Alexx and Eric followed, as glances were exchanged between them. Calleigh walked over to them as Joe examined Horatio.

"Did you tell him?" Alexx whispered.

"No, I told him I would speak with him later about it."

"Sorry Cal," Eric said feeling badly Horatio overheard the conversation.

"It's my own fault Eric, I should have told him before. I should have heard you but Rick set me off, I'm sorry."

"We know baby and don't you go worrying yourself about it, its fine."

"Did you tell him about Paco?" Eric asked curiously.

"No not yet but I will now, I just wanted to slow things down befor—"

The door flew open as Stetler stormed back into the room completely cutting Calleigh off as Joe and Horatio both looked up shocked and surprised.

Stetler glared at her as his voice rose up. "You just shot someone and you didn't feel the need to tell me about it detective!" He shouted at Calleigh.

Calleigh blinked back her shock. "I… I defended th—"

He reached his hand out to her and snapped, "Give me your firearm!" He demanded cutting her right off as Horatio clenched his teeth together and sat up more lifting the bed up with the side buttons.

Joe shook his head at Horatio putting his hand on his to stop him, warning, "Not to high with those ribs Horatio."

Calleigh slowly took her gun out of the holster as she handed it to him. "It was necessary," She said trying to stop this before it went any further and Horatio found out everything before she ever had a chance to explain it to him.

"That's why IAB will look into it, to see if it really was necessary, detective." He snapped accusingly. "I am beginning to wonder what necessary means to you CSI investigators, you all seem to enjoy using your guns lately."

Horatio shook his head completely confused as he listened in and felt even more unaware of things. His thoughts and mind were reeling as they argued back and forth.

Eric joined in. "She has witnesses, we were all there and he threatened her life as well as a few others." Eric stated trying to defend Calleigh and not give up too much information for a very interested Horatio.

"Really, he threatened her life now did he, and you shot him three times, in the thigh for that? Once in the shoulder and three in the leg don't sound like he was threatening her much at all detective." He said rattling Eric now as he tried to defend Calleigh.

Eric pursed his lips irritated, "Yeah well you weren't there Stetler and you didn't see what he did to Paco or Dr. Gannon!" He said as Horatio looked up at Joe with question thinking.

'Just what the hell is going on here?'

"Joe?" Stetler questioned smugly, "Oh, you mean the doctor?" he grinned, looking back at Eric with a smirk. Joe looked over at Stetler with a death glare, he had heard enough and shook his head as he moved for him pointing to the door.

"Get the hell out! Right now Sergeant, right now!" Joe said ordering him out of the room seeing all the trouble he was causing.

"Don't start again doctor; I will defend myself this time!" Rick shot back as Joe headed straight for him with furious eyes.

Horatio tried to sit up quickly stopping Joe but forgetting his injuries as he groaned in pain slamming his eyes shut.

"Get the hell out!" Joe barked as Eric grabbed him stopping him and shook his head no at him.

"Take it easy doc," Eric said trying to slow things down as they quickly escalated.

Calleigh stepped directly in front of Stetler, "You'll have a full statement tomorrow, all right, now just leave!" Calleigh said opening the door as agent Cole walked in hearing all the shouting.

"Just what the hell is going on in here?" Agent Cole asked as Rick headed out the door with an evil grin as it slowly closed behind him.

Agent Cole gave a curious stare after him thinking. 'What the hell is he smirking about?'

Joe shook his head as Eric released him. "That guy gets worse and worse." He said gritting his teeth, "I can't believe he just did that… again." He said looking at Eric.

Calleigh looked back over and gasped as her voice rose up, "Horatio!" She said seeing his eyes screwed shut as his shaking hands gripped the sheets trying to control his trembling body.

"Shit!" Joe said as he headed right back over and pressed the button on the railing, "Hey, let yourself slide down with the bed, all right, don't move, just remain as still as you can Horatio," he said putting a gentle hand on Horatio's right shoulder trying to ease him down.

"Mmm," he groaned low as Joe lowered the bed down, "I want to know- what's going on?" Horatio struggled in a choppy voice. "What, about Paco, and, who did you, shoot Calleigh?" He said shaking as he let out an exhausted breath.

Joe gently pressed his hand down on his right shoulder, "Easy Pal, take it slow, talk slowly." He said with concerned trying to ease his pain.

Calleigh stepped closer to his bedside as her voice quavered low, "Horatio, I was going to tell you but… I just wanted to wait for you to recover a little and regain some strength back." She chewed on her lip as her eyes went down sadly. She took a moment to compose herself and whispered, "I didn't expect Stetler to barge in like that before I had a chance to explain things to you, I'm sorry." She said softly, feeling very guilty and worried at the same time.

He nodded in understanding seeing how upset she was as she continued, "One of the judge's men found Paco in the CCU and…." She let her words trail off as she looked down sadly.

Horatio's eyes instantly narrowed and he focused. "And what? Tell me he's all right Calleigh." He barely whispered as his voice trembled.

She shook her head back and forth holding his worried eyes as she whispered, "Umm, he's not all right. The judge had one of his men implant him with a small explosive microchip."

"What!" He said taken aback as his anger boiled and his eyes narrowed in rage. He clenched his teeth feeling a hatred so strong it caused his whole body to tense as he shook even more.

TCB...

Ok, I am all ears.

Don't you all just love a pissed off Calleigh!

Stetler... You gotta love his manipulating ways!

So is this enough action for you all, hmm? LOL