AN: Ok, here comes some more action and get ready as we head into the climax. Just a few more chapters left in this one and I hope you all enjoy it. Thank you all, as always for the awesome reviews and feedback. I appreciate it and love them all. I always love to hear from you all and thank you for taking the time out to recognize and thank my beta's also. They both work very hard on my long-ass chapters and they really do wonderful work as they spice it up even more. So as Horatio would say... Here we go.
Enjoy!
III
Calleigh's cell phone chirped as Horatio's eyes fluttered from a deep sleep. She quickly got up opening it, walking over to the window answering it quietly, hoping not to disturb him more.
"Duquesne," she answered softly.
"Did I wake the good lieutenant?" An arrogant voice inquired.
Calleigh's eyes widened as her hatred for Judge Ratner coursed through her like hot lava in a volcano ready to erupt.
"What do you want?" She snapped into the phone.
He chuckled deeply, "Ah now, we both know what I want, isn't that right… Calleigh?" He said tauntingly.
She bit her tongue and turned slightly to see a groggy Horatio looking in her direction. The door opened quickly, and Calleigh spun expectantly hand on her gun prepared to draw as Frank walked in. She exhaled deeply as she shook her head back and forth in relief. Horatio gave her a questioning tilt of his head, speaking to her with his eyes, she looked at him and the cold voice continued.
"Did I hit a nerve detective?" he sneered disconnecting her nonverbal link with Horatio.
"No." She snapped back as Horatio blinked listening to her curt response.
"Really, well, I'm disappointed my dear, you do sound a bit… perturbed by me right now."
She turned back around into the corner and growled quietly into the phone, "What do you want?"
Frank walked over to Horatio and began talking as Horatio did his best to eavesdrop on Calleigh's conversation. 'Stetler again, no doubt,' he thought carefully watching Calleighs body language.
"How ya feeling H?" Frank asked pulling up a chair.
Horatio cleared his throat sitting up, "Better, thank you Frank," he said his eyes never leaving Calleigh's back.
Frank noticed the intense look in Horatio's eyes, "Everything ok H?"
Horatio focused in on Frank as he nodded, "Mm-hmm, fine Frank, anything new with the case?" He said as his eyes gradually moved over to Calleigh's location.
Frank remained quiet knowing something was up as Eric and Ryan walked in talking, followed by Joe. Suddenly the room was buzzing with sound, as Calleigh stood planted in the corner whispering to someone.
Ryan walked right up behind her without warning and put his hand on her shoulder, "Hey Calleigh I—"
She spun and shook her head giving him a "back off" look as her eyes narrowed, trying to concentrate on the cold voice still talking to her. She shook her head annoyed and headed for the door as Horatio sat up trying to look passed everyone as he called out, "Calleigh?"
She put her hand up and headed right out the door looking back over her shoulder. "I'll be right back." She said hastily exiting the room.
"Hey H, how are you feeling?" Ryan said as Eric smiled,
"Good to have you back H."
Horatio's thoughts were still on Calleigh as he forced a feeble grin and nodded, "Thank you gentleman, I appreciate the concern."
Joe gave him a look watching his eyes dart over to the door again and knew something was amiss. "Horatio, is everything ok?" He inquired as the room went silent.
Horatio nodded slightly. "Eric would you mind checking on Calleigh for me? Stetler's been giving her a hard time and she didn't look very happy when that phone call came in."
"Sure H," he replied heading for the door as it opened and Calleigh walked in all eyes on her.
Her brows arched in wonder as she stopped in place, "What?" She said with a forced smile.
"Everything all right?" Horatio asked softly.
"Yeah, everything's fine," she replied in her happy tone with a forced smile that Horatio knew all to well. He knew she was lying as her phone rang again and she lifted it with a look of anger. She quickly caught herself as she looked back up at him and forced another smile hitting the side button and turning the ringer off.
His eyes narrowed in thought. In all his time as a CSI with Calleigh he had never seen her put the cell on silent let alone turn the phone off. He was quickly pulled to the present as Eric started to fill him in.
"Well, we found Lillian's fingerprints all over Cal's place but not Ratner's. We had the bomb squad go over it just like you asked H, and everything came up clear. She must have been waiting for Calleigh to come home when Alexx surprised her and threw her off her intended plans." Eric said as Ryan joined in.
"Yeah, Alexx did a great job of grabbing a handful of evidence. The hair follicles gave us her DNA that matched some epithelial cells we found on the door knob. So, we have her for sure, all we have to do is find her."
Calleigh began pacing back and forth as Horatio nodded to them. "Ok, how about checking into her past. Family, friends, and known acquaintances she dealt with while she lived here in Miami. Maybe it will lead to something solid or maybe even their whereabouts." He said distracted watching Calleigh look down at her phone again and again.
"We checked her family in New York but so far we came up empty here in Miami." Ryan said following Horatio's eyes back over to a detached Calleigh who was thinking of the judge.
She looked up suddenly at him as her brows arched and her phone vibrated again as she rolled her eyes, "Excuse me a moment." She said as she turned around and answered harshly, "Duquesne."
"You know detective that wasn't very nice. Now, if you don't put him on the phone I will do something that will kill that little runt in the CCU and many more innocent people in the interim. I really don't think you want that, do you Miss. Duquesne?" He threatened in a menacing tone.
Calleigh whispered, "Just tell me what you want and I'll—"
"You are testing my patience detective! Put him on the damn phone now!" He roared as Calleigh swallowed and shook her head no, not wanting to go through with this. She knew what Horatio's reaction to this would be and she also knew it was going to be a huge problem to handle."
"Calleigh, who are you talking to?" Eric asked finally as she turned with a guilt ridden look.
She bit down for a second on her bottom lip and Horatio's eyes locked in on hers grasping the situation. He felt every muscle in his body tense as his voice rumbled low, "Calleigh, hand me the phone."
She exhaled heavily and slowly shook her head back and forth in a no. "Horatio—"
"Ah so the good lieutenant knows it's me," he chuckled hearing her hesitation, "Good, good, now give him the phone so we can move on detective. You do want the little runt to live, don't you?" He said maliciously.
She closed her eyes and sighed, "Yes."
"Good, now be a good girl and give the lieutenant your phone."
The edge in Horatio's voice flowed across the room causing an immediate response from her "Calleigh…."
She nodded acknowledging him heading towards the bed, silence filled the room as they all looked on and listened in wonder.
"Hang on," she said to the judge as she locked onto Horatio's intense blue eyes and hesitantly handed him the phone.
Horatio held her eyes as he lifted the phone to his right ear and laughter filled the line. "Ah lieutenant, so you live to see another day, my compliments on your strong will to survive.
"What do you want?" He calmly asked tightening his jaw. Everyone in the room witnessed his calm outward demeanor and heard his cool, calculated tone but Calleigh knew the storm was raging inside of him. She knew it was only a matter of time before it would finally surface.
Calleigh shook her head in dismay as Eric whispered, "Is that the judge?"
She nodded yes to a very stunned group of people.
"I want my son released lieutenant, nothing has changed and my conditions still stand." He said coolly.
"Everything has changed judge, everything." He said through clenched teeth. "Tell me how to safely get that microchip out of the boy's arm and I'll consider it."
"Ah lieutenant, I see your recovery time has hardened you once again. You were so much more… cooperative before, when you were drugged and tortured, completely helpless, if I recall." He chuckled, as his voice grew angry again, "Let me remind you how easily I can kill that little runt and a lot more innocent people in that hospital right now."
Horatio's eyes narrowed as his jaw clenched over and over in thought, "If I recall, judge, you needed an awful lot of help, didn't you? Everything you planned required someone else's services; you did nothing on your own. Why don't you step up to the plate and face me like a man for once in your life!" Horatio challenged with a low dangerous growl.
The line went dead.
Horatio snapped the phone shut and looked at it wondering if they were cut off or had the judge hung up because Horatio hit to close to home with his stinging comments and Mano a Mano challenge
"What happened? What did he say? What did he want?" Calleigh questioned in rapid fire style.
"I'm… I'm not sure," Horatio said, handing the phone back to her.
Horatio looked up, "Ryan, Eric, see if there's a way to trace that number and give Calleigh your—"
Calleigh's phone rang again cutting him off as she looked down at the caller ID, 'Out of area' it read once again.
Horatio's hand reached forward with a groan as Calleigh tentatively handed it back to him. He flipped it open and listened.
"You want man to man lieutenant, you have it! Just make sure none of your officers do anything stupid, or the little runt dies; am I making myself clear lieutenant?" He snarled into the phone.
Horatio blinked back his shock as his thoughts took off, "Yes, crystal," he replied calmly looking at Calleigh and the team.
"That's a good boy lieutenant; I'll see you in a few minutes then."
"Fine, I'll have two of my men waiting at the entrance to escort you up."
Laughter roared over the line, "Yes, that sounds very appealing to me, why don't you do that." He said as he hung up cackling like a mad man.
Horatio gritted his teeth as he snapped the phone shut and barked out orders, "Frank and Ryan, I need you to get down to the entrance and make sure the judge is not harmed or touched in anyway, understood?"
"Are you kidding, that son of a bitch is coming here now?" Frank snapped out. "What a pair."
"Frank, I'll explain later, just go." Horatio said trying to hold back his frustration.
Frank received the message loud and clear as he nodded, "All right H, were on it." He replied as they both left.
"Eric, get on the phone with the bomb squad and tell them I need them to quietly set up a private room over here for a possible unexpected fragment explosion."
Eric nodded opening his phone and dialed.
Horatio's eyes slid over to a stern looking doctor. "Joe, listen to me a moment, all right? I need you to move Paco to a private room where the bomb squad can set up around him."
"What! You want me to move him from CCU?" Joe gave Horatio a confused look as both brows arched up.
Horatio nodded and softened his tone, "Just listen to me, ok. If the judge does detonate that bomb, he won't only kill Paco but he'll take a lot of innocent people with him, do you understand what I'm saying? Everyone near Paco is in danger Joe."
Joe nodded slowly as he realized Horatio's words. "I understand, I, I, I just can't believe this!"
"Ok, go take care of Paco for us, all right Joe, please, make sure he's all right and keep all non-medical personnel away from him for now. Eric go with Joe and do whatever you can to help with the situation."
"All right Horatio, I'll umm, I'll see you both in a bit." He said leaving quickly with Eric as Horatio's head turned toward the last person still standing in his room.
"Calleigh—"
"No, don't even try it." She said cutting him off. "I'm not going anywhere Horatio." She said with tightening eyes as she planted herself and crossed her arms on her chest stubbornly. "I'm not leaving you alone for one second with him, do you understand me?" She snapped out fiercely.
Horatio's brow's arched up high at her tone and then furrowed in thought. He swallowed hard and nodded slightly to her. "I was just going to ask that you keep an eye on Paco until he leaves." He said softly.
Calleigh tucked her head in wisely as her eyes tightened on his, "You have Eric doing that already and like I said, I'm not moving from this spot!"
Horatio exhaled heavily with a nod, "Okay… all right, I understand." He said knowing if the tables were turned he would do the same thing for her.
"I'll call Agent Cole and go and speak with Agent Reed myself, I'll be right back." She said heading for the door as his lips curved up just a bit at her professionalism.
"Thank you Calleigh," he said knowing she was trying to protect him.
She grinned back over her shoulder and shook her head heading out the door. She spoke with Agent Reed who called Agent Cole and gave him the lay of the land. Agent Cole informed her he would be tracking the judge the moment he left.
She headed right back into the room to find Horatio zipping up his black slacks at the closet. He struggled with a groan as he tried to slip on his navy blue shirt. He bent his left arm trying to slip it into the sleeve but he froze with a look of excruciating pain. He stopped with a groan as his eyes closed of their own accord because of the intense pain.
"Wait, let me help you." She said hurrying to his side as she held the shirt up and slid it over his left injured arm and around his back. He was able to slide his right arm in with a small groan of discomfort. He turned towards her as she began buttoning it up for him and he gave her a small grin.
"Thank you," he said lowly inhaling her comforting fragrance. His impulse was to just pull her close and hold her in his arms but he knew this was not the time. He raised a tender hand to her cheek and softly stroked with the pad of his thumb whispering again, "Thank you."
"Anytime, handsome." She said as she left the top three buttons undone. "There," she said adjusting his collar as she ran her hands smoothly over his shoulders and neck.
His head tilted as he held her beautiful green eyes, and his right hand slid down as a gentle finger lifted her chin up to him. He held her eyes for a moment speaking softly, "No matter what happens in here… not a word, all right?"
"No, not a chance." She said defiantly back at him.
His brows arched, "Calleigh, he has us right where he wants us and Paco's life is at stake, not to mention other innocent people here in the hospital as well. He also just gave me a very uneasy feeling that, there's more we don't know of; he's up to something else, which is why I called him out hoping he will slip up in some way."
"He hasn't slipped up yet Horatio, what makes you think he will now?"
"He was angry, more than usual and he didn't like what I said to him one bit. Anger has a funny way of making people do very irrational things."
"She grinned, "Tell me about it."
He tucked his shirt in and buttoned his pants and as he gave her a quick look. "That goes both ways sweetheart," he said with a quick comeback as she looked down.
Calleigh's phone chirped as she pressed on the side button, "Go ahead."
"He's coming in right now, Cal. We'll be up in five minutes."
"Understood, thanks Ryan." She said putting her phone back on her clip.
"Are we good?" Horatio asked softly holding her gaze as she nodded,
"We're good."
"Ok, let's hope I can get him to say something that can give us a lead on his whereabouts." Horatio said exhaling as the door swung open and Joe rushed in breathlessly.
He jogged right on by Calleigh and Horatio and pressed the button on the wall pausing as he gave them both a breathless nod, "At least you'll have a record of the conversation this way, just in case." He grinned, winking, hurrying back out as he heard Horatio say, "Thank you doctor."
Calleigh smiled and shook her head, "He should have been a CSI," she chuckled.
Horatio nodded as he looked out the window and gently ran a hand over his sore midsection in thought, 'What can I possibly do to make him let the boy go? There has to be something he wants… more than his son, but what?' He let out a heavy sigh as he closed his eyes feeling his ribs unhappiness with all of his body's movements.
There was a knock on the door as it opened and Horatio turned his eyes locked and loaded on the judge.
Frank held the door as the judge walked in slowly taking notice of a glaring Calleigh, standing with her arms crossed over her chest in the far corner of the room.
He smiled at her smugly with the white of his teeth showing.
"Thank you Frank." Horatio said with a nod as the door gradually closed and they backed out.
Horatio took notice as his jaw set and his brows arched. His hands went to his hips as he tucked his head and tightened his eyes on the cold dark figure standing right before him.
They stood staring at one another as the judge smiled and leisurely looked over at Calleigh.
"Man to man, lieutenant? Didn't you say something like that?" He taunted right off the bat.
Horatio's anger began to build quickly, he thought he was ok, he thought he could deal with this animal, but he learned very quickly he was wrong.
The judge's eyes roamed along Calleigh's body up and down, completely undressing her with his evil eyes as he licked his lips.
Calleigh smiled coldly knowing his game and when she looked at Horatio she could see the steam coming out of his ears, she knew it was getting to him. Against her better judgment her heart told her to go. She knew she was just a distraction for the judge to use against Horatio and she wanted to help, not give him more ammunition.
The judge turned back to Horatio with a wide smile as he taunted, "Mmm Mmm, I'll bet she's quite delicious lieutenant. I'll bet she gives you a very nice ride, hmm." He said wiggling his brows.
Horatio's jaw set and tightened even more as his eyes began to spark with hate and Calleigh knew she had to leave.
The judge's smile widened and his cold menacing tone filled the room, "After I kill you lieutenant, I want you to know that I'm going to rape her everyway possible." He paused holding his steel gaze as he ran his tongue over his lips slowly infuriating Horatio even more. "Oh, but don't worry, I'll make sure to go slow with her. I promise to take my time and enjoy every-inch of her delicious body. I'm going to show her what a real man is capable of and she'll be begging me to stop, but I won't. Then she'll beg me to kill her and end her torment and I will," he smiled mercilessly as he continued, "But it will be slow and painful."
Horatio's eyes tightened and his cheek twitched as his rage and fury was on the verge of erupting. He took a step forward as he exhaled forcefully through his nose and grinded his teeth together. His body tensed so much his right hand shook and clenched into a fist. Calleigh saw a look she never before witnessed as she quickly took a step forward and called out,
"Horatio no!"
He stopped himself cold and looked over to her as she gave him a nod and let her eyes speak to him. Against her better judgment, she deliberately headed for the door leaving the two of them alone.
The door closed behind her and she quickly took off for the front desk, to listen in on the conversation as Eric and Frank followed perplexed.
"You're looking pretty good for a dead man lieutenant," he chuckled as his eyes slid up and down Horatio's well groomed body. "Well, now that we're alone lieutenant, why don't we get down to business."
Horatio smiled frostily as he finally spoke, making sure to dig the dagger right back into the judge with Calleigh's regard. "I don't think Lillian would like your new plans judge. Have you mentioned them to her yet?"
The judge glared back angered by his words. "You're playing a very dangerous game lieutenant and it's one you're going to lose."
Horatio nodded, "Winning isn't everything judge, sometimes it all comes down to how you play the game."
The judge glared as he held his blue eyes and nodded, "I want my son released or the boy dies horribly, I'll blow him to bits."
Horatio nodded speaking calmly, "Take me for the boy. I'll leave with you on my own free will right now and then you can provide the deactivation code once you have me and you are in a safe location."
The judge laughed as he slowly walked around the large room. "Now there is a deal that is very hard to pass up lieutenant."
"Then let's finish this, take it and let's go right now, you have my word you will not be harmed or touched." He said as the judge smiled once again.
"Hmm, it is quite appeasing to me to have you once again, but, but, I have other plans right now that I need to complete first. You do amaze me that you are willing to give your life for a little runt you don't even know."
Horatio eyes tightened and he took a step forward wanting to kill him with a bullet between those godless eyes.
"You look angry lieutenant, maybe the runt deserves to die, hmm?"
"You're pushing your luck right now," he said through clenched teeth.
The judge smiled and nodded, "That's right! I can do what ever I want and you will still do what I say. Isn't that right lieutenant?"
"Tell me how to defuse that chip and you have my word your son will be released to you, no tricks."
"Hmm, I'll tell you when you give me my son and not a moment before. By the way, tell me something lieutenant. How did you manage to get a message of your location to your team? I am very curious and have thought about this a lot. I watched every move you made and I still can't for the life of me figure it out."
"Release the boy, give me the code and I'll tell you anything you want to know."
"I don't think so lieutenant, but I do see that you are going to need more therapy," he laughed as he walked around the room again looking all around. "I think you need a small example again to remind you of what I am capable of."
Horatio shook his head, "No, no, I know exactly what you are capable of. Tell me what it is you want, give me your terms and let's end this."
"Ah, my terms, of course lieutenant. Very well then, one, I will call you with a time and place to meet for the exchange."
"What exchange?"
"My son for the runt's life, of course." He chuckled knowing it got to Horatio each time he said it.
"You're not getting your son until I know that the code works, are we clear?" He growled low.
"Now, now lieutenant," he sneered as he stepped closer right up to him and snarled in his face, "You will do what I want or the innocent runt will die, do you understand me?" He said in return with a cold grin, "Besides I do trust you to do the right thing lieutenant, you are a man of honor, aren't you," he chuckled.
Horatio glared, as his jaw set holding in his rage and he growled, "And you're a coward."
The judge stared angrily back as his right hand quickly grabbed onto Horatio's left wounded side, squeezing his broken ribs and making him grunt in pain. He grabbed onto the judge's arm as his body's instinctual reaction to the situation took over. His voice went low and cold as he hung on squeezing and leaned in closer, "Do try to remember the runt in CCU lieutenant before you do anything stupid like try to hit me back." He said squeezing tighter.
Horatio clenched his jaw and groaned in pain almost caving, as his knees went weak and he held himself back from striking. "Arghh" He groaned as his eyes closed and his head hung low trying to bear it.
"How are those ribs lieutenant, not to good huh?" He spat evilly near his ear squeezing harder. "I'll show you a coward," he growled as he released Horatio's side, turned and abruptly walked out of the room.
"Waa-Wait…." He gasped out leaning on the chair trying to steady himself as he slowly recovered. He groaned and coughed still hanging onto the chair, catching his breath as the pain seared and throbbed throughout his ribs. "Son of a bitch," he growled as he took a woozy step and little by little headed for the door.
The door opened before he could get to it, Frank, Ryan and Eric stopped him, "Whoa, easy H, the feds walked him down, what happened?" Frank asked seeing the look of excruciating pain and irritation on his friends face.
Horatio shook his head as he proceeded on by only to be blocked by Joe and Calleigh.
"Are you all right? What did he just do to you? We heard everything Horatio." Calleigh said quickly seeing his pain ridden eyes. Did he hit you? She asked seeing him cradling his left side as her voice rose, "He hit you!" She said furiously.
"I'm fine," he snapped back unintentionally as he went to side step her and she put her hand on his chest stopping him.
"Horatio, what are you doing? Where are you going?" She asked as he took a step forward again and she stood right in his way.
"I'm leaving," he said breathlessly with furious eyes, "Calleigh, please move."
"No! You can't leave Hora—"
"Watch me!" He growled as Joe shook his head back and forth looking at Frank, Ryan and Eric for some help.
"H take it easy," Eric said as Frank moved closer to the door blocking him all together with his big body.
Horatio, hang on a second," Joe said as Calleigh closed the door and stood right in front of it glaring at him.
"I'm leaving Joe." He said flatly as Calleigh shook her head.
"No you're not! You need to rest and recover!" Calleigh barked back out of frustration.
"I need to get that animal," he growled as he side stepped Joe and gasped in pain holding his ribs on the left side. "Calleigh, please move," he sighed annoyed as her phone rang.
She looked down reading it and stood with her back against the door, 'Out of area.' She held his eyes as she picked it up and answered, "Duquesne."
"Put him on the phone right now!" The judge's cool menacing voice ordered.
Calleigh looked at Horatio, "It's him and he wants to talk to you again." She said holding the phone out to him.
He lifted it to his ear and growled curtly, "I'm here," as his eyes narrowed and he walked away from the door.
Calleigh sighed as Joe shook his head in disbelief.
"I told you not to fuck with me lieutenant, so now it's time for your next lesson."
Horatio's eyes went wide, "What! Wait! What are you—"
The proof is in the pudding right lieutenant, so let me show you what that little microchip is capable of."
"No wait!!! Judge I—"
"Relax lieutenant, the little runt is fine for now because I still need him alive. Now do as I say and open the door. Look at the ceramic vase on the window cell at the end of the hall, lieutenant. Do it right now."
Horatio exhaled heavily as he walked back to the door, opening it as Calleigh kept her eyes on him. He adjusted the phone on his ear as he looked. "All right, I see it," he said also seeing all the people coming and going in the hallway, as Calleigh, Eric, Ryan and Frank followed with a confused Joe.
"What's he see?" Frank asked as Eric shrugged. The feds were all on alert after what just happened with the judge, as they all looked around making sure the area was secure and safe keeping an eye on Horatio.
"You have 20 seconds before it goes off lieutenant, good luck," he chuckled.
"WHAT! No WAIT!" He snapped out loudly as his eyes widened seeing all the people around.
"Ok, 15 seconds now…." He laughed into the phone, "Time waits for no one."
Horatio's eyes widened as his instincts took over. He dropped the phone and took off down the hall as fast as he could, yelling, "BOMB, BOMB!!!! EVERYBODY DOWN, THERE'S A BOMB!!!
People started panicking and screaming in the hall. Eric, Ryan and Frank went running as Calleigh and Joe watched in horror and shock with the feds.
Agent Reed ran down the hall also clearing the people out as he shoved them back into their rooms pulling the doors shut. Calleigh and Joe joined in doing the same making sure the innocent bystanders were all safe.
Horatio picked up the ceramic vase and turned seeing Frank, Ryan and Eric coming at him full speed. 'Too many people here, Damn!' he thought as his eyes quickly focused on the maintenance closet sign and he yelled, "Eric get the door!"
Eric slid to a stop and opened the door as Horatio did a quick scan making sure no one was in there.
"H, c'mon, get out now!" Eric yelled, as Horatio put it down gently in a metal garbage pail and ran out as fast as he could with Eric slamming the door closed behind him.
"Move!!! Run!!!" He yelled as they all ran away together.
Tick, tick, tick… KA-BOOM!!!!!
The explosion rocked the hospital and blew the door right off the hinges as Eric, Frank, Ryan and Horatio; all went flying down to the floor.
Smoke and debris was everywhere as Calleigh and Joe went running to make sure everyone was all right. Eric and Ryan got up slowly coughing. As well as Frank, who dusted himself off and leaned over to Horatio who was right next to him but not moving at all.
"H, H, you okay?" Frank said shoving at Horatio's shoulder with his hand. "Hey Doc!" He yelled, waving Joe and Calleigh over, "He's not moving, he's not moving at all." He said nervously through the foggy haze now filling the hall.
"Look out!" Joe yelled as he fell to his knees beside him and turned Horatio over with Frank and Eric's help.
He put two fingers to his neck quickly and found a strong racing pulse, "Thank god!" Joe mumbled as he checked and lifted each eyelid soon to discover Horatio was unconscious. He growled angrily still in shock Horatio just did that. "What the hell is wrong with him, is he crazy!" Joe turned and yelled out, "We need a gurney over here stat!" He looked back down at Horatio and lightly patted his cheek speaking loudly, "Horatio, Horatio, it's Joe, can you hear me? C'mon Pal, wake up, wake up!"
They wheeled the gurney over as Frank, Eric and Ryan all lifted him gently onto it. Horatio groaned low as his head moved slightly.
Calleigh remained motionless, watching with her heart still in her throat. She was more worried than angry right now and she knew he just saved a lot of people by doing what he did.
"Horatio," Joe said looking down at him now as he groaned and his eyes opened blinking in confusion.
They wheeled him back to the room as Joe spoke to him, "You're all right, hang in there pal." He said as Calleigh looked on in total shock at what just happened. "Is he all right Joe?"
"Yeah, he seems dazed but I don't think it's a concussion, thank god he got away from that door." He replied back to a worried Calleigh.
Joe checked his eyes again as Horatio blinked several times looking up at him through hazy eyes. "Wha-where…." He mumbled disoriented still.
"Hang on pal, were just going to move you back to your bed." Joe said as they easily lifted Horatio and slid him right over to his final resting place. He groaned and his eyes closed as his body hit the bed. His head was throbbing and his ears were ringing as he blinked repeatedly trying to clear his mind.
"All right, you're fine, just relax," Joe said as he moved to the left side of the bed and began examining him again, pulling at his torn shirt. "Calleigh give me a hand with this, will ya?"
She nodded, "Ok," as she began to unbutton it.
Joe took out a small penlight and began checking Horatio's eyes one at a time sliding it back and forth checking his pupils for dilation. "Hey, can you hear me Horatio?" He asked looking into his eyes.
Horatio just blinked for a moment and closed his eyes again squinting away from the bright pen light. His eyes opened again as he rapidly blinked and his hearing popped all at once.
"What the hell—" He groaned in pain as he tried to lift his head up but was quickly assaulted with a spinning sensation as the room spun out of control. His head drop right back down with a groan of discomfort as he squeezed his eyes shut.
"Easy, easy now." Joe said with a soothing hand on his forehead. "Just keep your head back and try to relax, all right?"
"Mmm," he mumbled with closed eyes.
Calleigh opened his shirt out and to the sides as Joe's hands began palpating and sliding. Frank, Ryan and Eric spoke with Agent Reed trying to figure out what just happened.
"How you doing Horatio, you still with me pal?" Joe asked still examining him.
He groaned low again, "Mmm."
"The judge must have planted a bomb in that vase, knowing he could set it off anytime he wanted." Frank said as Horatio's eyes suddenly snapped open with recognition and rage.
'I'll kill that son of a bitch!' he thought as he lifted his head and leaned up on both of his elbows trying to get up.
"Whoa! Where are you going, lay back!" Joe said putting his hands on his shoulders quickly.
Horatio blinked rapidly clearing his hazy mind as he rasped, "I, I have to go."
"Go… Go where?" Calleigh said concerned by Horatio's state of mind.
He stared at her confused for a moment, as Joe tried to get him to lie back down but he shook his head back and forth, "I'm going, to get him."
"Horatio, you have to lie back please, you just took a pretty hard fall and I need to check you out." Joe said looking at his glazed over eyes.
"I have to go," he groaned with more frustration as he pushed himself up with a loud grunt."
"Horatio, no!" Calleigh said putting her hand on his left shoulder trying to hold him.
Joe shook his head and leaned in, "Do you know where you are?" He asked looking into Horatio's dazed eyes.
Horatio's eyes narrowed and then slid back and forth looking at Calleigh.
Joe looked at Calleigh and then back to Horatio, "Who am I, what's my name?"
Horatio blinked, staring, his eyes glossed over Joe without recognition and without a response.
"I take back what I said, he does have a concussion." Joe said as Horatio eyes widened.
"No! I'm fine damn it!" He barked as Joe and Calleigh both looked at him in shock at his reaction.
Frank and Eric walked over hearing him shout, "What's going on, what's wrong with H?" Frank asked.
Horatio began to struggle as Joe's hands held onto him and Calleigh tried to calm him down.
"Horatio please, listen to Joe and lay back."
"No, I have to go!" He growled and pushed Joe right off him shoving him backwards a few feet.
Joe's eyes widened in shock at his strength as he gasped, "Hold him and don't let him get up."
Frank, Ryan and Eric looked at him perplexed as Calleigh hung onto to an outraged and thrashing Horatio.
"Guys give her a hand!" Joe yelled as Frank, Eric, Ryan and Agent Reed all went to help trying to hold him down.
Joe walked to the wall and punched the button, "This is Dr. Gannon, I need 5 mgs of Dilaudid in here right now!"
Horatio began flailing against their hands hearing that as they attempted to hold him down.
Joe pressed the button again looking over as he snapped, "You had better make that 10 mgs instead and make it stat!" He said heading back over to the bed.
"Let me in," he said looking at Frank as he released Horatio's right shoulder. "Horatio, you're ok, just take it easy."
"Get off me! I have to go!" He growled struggling as Eric and Calleigh both looked at Joe.
"Ok Horatio, where are you going?" Joe said trying to get him to focus as Horatio stopped for a moment in thought.
"Where am I going? I'm going, I'm going…." He blinked in confusion and exhaled heavily as Calleigh put a soothing hand on his cheek speaking softly.
"You're ok, you hit your head, just relax and let Joe help you, All right?" She said trying to sooth him.
He held her green eyes, fixed on them as he calmed and the door swung open. The nurse walked in and quickly handed a syringe to the doctor.
"That 10 mgs of Dilaudid Dr. Gannon."
"Thank you Cathy." He said heading for Horatio with it.
"It's all right, just relax," Calleigh soothed caressing his face as Joe moved to the left side of the bed with the syringe in his hand.
Joe pulled off the cap and Horatio's eyes widened as he began to thrash, "No wait! I'm fine!" He shouted as Calleigh and everyone grabbed a hold of him again in shock.
"Hold him down," Joe said as he tugged on his pants at his hip area.
"No, NO!"
Horatio began thrashing and struggling, "Easy H, take it easy!" Eric said trying to hold him down.
Frank growled at Joe, "Is this really necessary doc? I mean c'mon this is H?"
"I'll kill him, I'll kill that son of a bitch right now!" Horatio growled out of control with wild eyes as Joe nodded at Frank.
"What do you think? Do you have a better idea," He said, as he focused on his hip again with a quick swipe of the alcohol swab and jabbed the needle in immediately.
Horatio groaned and fought them with everything he had repeating the words, "I'll kill him."
"Just hold him for another second," Joe said making sure to empty the syringe. "How are you doing Horatio?" He asked looking over as Horatio moaned and his head slowly dropped back down on the pillow.
"I'll, I'll… kill… him…." He groaned slowly beginning to feel the effect of the sedative.
"All right pal, just take it easy and you'll feel better in a moment." Joe said as Calleigh looked up at him.
"What happened, is he ok?" She asked with wide eyes.
Joe nodded, "Yeah, he'll be fine, I need to get a CT scan but I think he may have a concussion." He said quietly.
"Calleigh…." Horatio moaned low completely disoriented, "Calleigh, don't, don't go, home… don't…."
Calleigh bit down on her lip feeling terrible as she slid in closer and Eric let go of him. She caressed his cheek with her hand as she tilted her head to him, gazing into his cloudy blue eyes. "Ssh, it's ok Horatio, I'm safe, and it's ok. Everyone's ok." She whispered back as he calmed and the sedative finally kicked in and knocked him out.
TBC….
Ok, so I am listening and I'll bet you didn't expect that.
Do you want more excitment, hmm? LOL