Disclaimer: I do not own any of CSI: Miami, only the situations I put them in.
After an overnight stay at the hospital to make sure Madison would be ok, Doctor Monroe released her. He said that everything looked good and that if she started having problems to come back immediately. Monroe also explained to Madison what damage the bullet had done to her system and that she would be unable to have children. Madison took the news better than Horatio thought she would, and when they walked out of the hospital and into the sunshine, Horatio wrapped one arm around Madison and said, "I'm so proud of you."
"Why," Madison asked squinting up at Horatio.
"The past month and this week you have really handled yourself well," Horatio said grinning. "Your mother and father would be proud."
"You think," Madison asked innocently.
"Yes, I do," Horatio replied nodding.
"Uncle Horatio," Madison asked and stopped causing Horatio to stop with her, "you know you don't have to watch out for me all the time, right?"
Horatio shook his head as he explained, "Madison, you are my only niece and you are like a daughter to me. I will always be looking out for you, no matter where you are or how old you get. You are my family and I love you. I never want anything bad to happen to you. I may seem overprotective but I can't help it. This past week has made me realize that I could lose you, and if I do I could never forgive myself. I care for you to much."
Madison smiled, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed Horatio on the cheek, "I didn't realize, Uncle Horatio. It's just I've never had someone love me and care for as much as you do. No one has ever been concerned with where I go or what I do, so I'm not used to the constant super vision. I love you, Uncle Horatio. I also want you to know I always have your back and if anything ever happened to you, I wouldn't know what to do because you're all I have, so please remember that."
"I will, sweetheart," Horatio agreed, putting an arm around her shoulders and leading her out to the Hummer, "just as long as you remember it too."
"Deal," Madison smiled.
They reached the Hummer and before Horatio got in the driver's seat, Madison asked, "Uncle Horatio, having said all you just said will you let me drive?"
Horatio laughed, "Let's not push it."
Madison shrugged, climbed into the passenger's seat, and shut the door. As she was buckling up, Horatio looked over at her and said, "What do you say we go home and relax?"
"Sounds good," Madison replied, putting her feet up on the dash.
Horatio chuckled as he pulled out of the hospital parking lot, and he and Madison finally headed home.