Sounds of Screaming:

-Chapter Twenty-Five: Exit Wounds

Author's Note: Okay, so studying has being kicking my ass really badly and I barely get a sleep-break! But, all those reviews (which I adore ;) made me feel bad for abbandoning you all sooooo...I stayed up, ALL-NIGHT working on this, just for you guys! Enjoy...I'm gonna go study in this zombiemode :(

I'm falling through the doors of the emergency room
Can anybody help me with these exit wounds?
I don't know how much more love this heart can lose
And I'm dying, dying from these exit wounds

- The Script "Exit Wounds"

Lieutenant Horatio Caine had seen many disturbing and violent things in his life, but none left him in such a deep shock like that of Blake's shooting. The young man was talking to him and Ryan mere moments before that rigged gunshot; he had been so full of life.

But now...

Horatio stood outside of 125 Sheridan Avenue, his blood soaked hands rested on his hips. Blake's blood weighed heavily, dried into his fingertips despite the Lieutenant's attempts to scrape it off.

The gurney approached; the one that Blake was being carried on. Looking from behind his shades at the pale face, Horatio felt like he was being forced back in time, haunting memories replayed against the frames of his glasses.

Tim was being shot before his eyes in that wretched jewellery store, falling to the ground in the line of duty...just like Blake. The blood was pouring rapidly from Tim's stomach wound...just like Blake. Horatio's dear friend had faded so quickly, despite his best efforts to save Tim...just like Blake.

Tim Speedle died right before Horatio's eyes...the approaching gurney said all it needed to for Blake's case.

"Lieutenant...He's been asking for you."

Horatio nodded to the fair-haired female paramedic, stepping up to the gurney while the two medics stepped away to give some privacy. Horatio smiled lightly, removing his glasses and looking down at Blake.

Though ghostly pale and covered in beads of sweat, the young officer looked up at his Lieutenant through barely opened eyelids.

"It's good to be back sir."

Horatio smiled again, bowing his head. After Blake's heart had stopped, it had taken the ambulance two minutes to arrive, ushered in by a frantic Ryan. Thankfully, they were able to bring him back and stabilize him for transport to the hospital. Due to the amount of blood loss, Blake was nearing unconciousness every moment, the sleep pulled at him.

But not before he got to talk to the Lieutenant who was there with him while he was on his "death-bed".

"It's good to have you back, son."

Blake chuckled dryly, swallowing against the burn in his throat. Three minutes without air had severely dried up his windpipe.

"I heard the CSI wasn't in there...I'm sorry bout that."

Horatio nodded, he was sorry about it too. Blake had been near-fatally shot all for the sake of a now silenced boom-box. And worst of all, Natalia was still out there somewhere and they had no clue where she was.

"It's not your fault Blake."

The young officer nodded weakly, concerned about jostling the many wires and tubes connected to his body. If he didn't feel so glass-like, Blake would have called himself Robo-Cop.

"I can't believe a week back from leave and I'm on the gurney, that's faith huh?"

Horatio smiled lightly, he forgot Blake was out of work due to his injuries sustained at Miami Metals last year. The young officer caught the thought in Horatio's eyes and sighed.

"I'm gonna be back on leave again, aint I?"

Horatio nodded, "Until you're healed, son."

Blake nodded timidly in understanding, then his pale lips puckered in thought. "Well, Mary's being wanting to go on a vacation, little retreat. Guess I now got the time for it."

Horatio smiled, concluding Mary must be Blake's wife. "Take it, Mr. Blake."

You never know when she could be taken from you.

Against his nature, Horatio pushed Marisol out of his thoughts; he couldn't grieve for her now, not when he had a duty to his missing CSI, and to Ryan.

I won't let her be taken from you too Mr. Wolfe.

The two paramedics approached again, silently asking permission to bring Blake to the hospital. Horatio gave them a stiff nod, then turned his attention back to Blake.

"I'll see you soon, son."

Blake nodded back, a hint of a smile on his pale lips. "You too Lieutenant, though maybe next time we meet, it can be in a bar or something."

"I'll hold you to that." Horatio smiled as Blake was led away on the gurney, glad the young man seemed lively enough. The believer in him was right not to lose hope; Blake would make a nice recovery.

Now, the Lieutenant turned his attentions to his missing CSI; the believer in him hadn't giving up on Blake and he certainly wouldn't give up on Natalia either.

The black hole inside Horatio's heart was not a pain he'd wish on anyone, not even his greatest enemies, let along his own CSI, Ryan. Becoming that pain was like living in hell itself. On that note, Horatio made an oath to himself to bring Natalia home.

I won't let you become me, Mr. Wolfe.

Walter's deep brown eyes scanned every inch of the room, but found nothing of use. Whoever took Natalia and staged this death trap obviously cleaned up before leaving. Luminol, the UV light, even a good old fashion detailed search of the area availed no evidence.

Walter wasn't surprised though, they were dealing with a fellow cop, the best person out there to know how to hide.

"You sure Vincent's behind this?"

Ryan's gaze never lifted off the ground, despite having searched the room a thousand times himself, he didn't want to surrender, he couldn't give up just yet.

"I know it was him Walter, him and that stupid site."

The larger CSI held up his hands, slightly defensive. "Okay man, if you say so."

Though all of the evidence, though what little evidence there was suggested Aaron indeed was behind Natalia's kidnapping, Walter couldn't wrap his head around.

And here I thought the dude was kinda cool.

Walter looked around again, and sighed. Other than for the rather old-style stereo that Eric brought back to the lab, and the Bolt-Action rifle trap that was dissembled and on its way to Ballistics, there was nothing else to find. He eyed the large blood pool just at the door.

All I'd need is a drop of blood from Aaron here and we'd have him pinned.

A hooting owl drew Walter's attention to the slightly open window; with all the carnage surround this room, the large CSI felt like a fool to ignore it.

But I'd still be lucky to find something here...

At the window, Walter scanned the entire area centimetre by centimetre like a starved eagle. A detail jumped out at him, making him grin wildly as he ran back to get his kit.

I'm the luckiest fool alive!

Mwhahahahaha, it's good to be back! ;D I bet you all thought I killed Officer Blake! How could I though, he's my only good main OC! ;) The Good, The Bad, and The Deceased Russian...what a trio ;)

So what evidence did Walter find? Can it help find Natalia?

And speaking of which, what's going on over there at the warehouse?

Find out next time, dear readers (Whenever that is) )

-Mel out ;D