A/N: So this story wasn't updated in forever. Life happens. I moved on. Then through the magic of streaming, I got reintroduced to some old friends and through them, I reconnected to some old fic. I don't know how often I'll keep updating, but I will do my best.

I don't own anyone from CSI: Miami. They belong to a group of talented, if somewhat frustrating, people I've never met. I don't make any money off of this, so please don't sue me. I promise to return them not too worse for wear. Besides borrowing the characters and using them as I see fit, I'll feel free to do the same with other bits from the show. That's your warning. I won't always remember to give another one. I am running parallel to the series in S5 right now.

This is AU (if you hadn't figured it out) and it does prominently feature an OC. It's the 6th in my nameless series. All the titles, with the exception of one, are lines from Edgar Allan Poe poems. In order, the series runs: By the Sounding Sea, Yon Drear and Rigid Bier, On a Blue Burst of Lake (from a Carl Sandburg poem), Through Darkened Glasses, and To a Discordant Melody.

And away we go…Hang on.

Annabel was heading into the police department. Eric was headed out. She stopped and touched his arm. Eric grinned at her. Annabel gave him a fierce hug. She stepped back and carefully looked her friend over. His hair was still close-shaven. She winced slightly at the sight of the raw, red scar on his scalp. Annabel caught Eric's eyes. They were missing some of their usual snap. She noticed his posture was a little slouchy. He had lost some of his cockiness. A little of what made him Eric. Annabel's heart ached for her friend, but she kept her face pleasant. She smiled warmly and squeezed his hand.

"I didn't know you were back. It is so good to see you." Annabel's voice was overly chipper.

Eric shook his head a little. "Not back yet. I just started making arrangements. My regular doc just cleared me, but I gotta get a shrink lined up, get recertified on the range..."

"Well, it's still a miracle to have you standing here." She squeezed his arm. She looked around. "Listen, if you're looking for a shrink, you should go and see mine. Her name is Dr. Marsh. She's pretty good. You can get her info from HR."

Eric looked confused. "You're seeing a shrink?"

"Yeah." Annabel looked at the ground and then back up at Eric. "I've been seeing her for a while now. I had some things I needed to work out. She helps. I'll get you her card."

"That would be good," agreed Eric. He looked out at the parking lot. Marisol waved from the window of her Impala. "My ride's here." Eric slouched again, his eyes looked vacant "I'm not quite cleared for driving yet. I'll see you soon, Annie."

Annabel gave him another hard hug, stepped back, and looked at him carefully. "Don't push yourself," she chided. "The lab's doing OK. Everyone is taking care of things..." She noticed Eric frowning and followed his gaze to where Calleigh and Jake were heading up the sidewalk. Jake said something to Calleigh and she laughed.

"Yeah. I noticed," Eric grumbled.

Annabel's eyes narrowed. "Now, there's somebody I wouldn't mind getting..." Her eyes widened as she trailed off. She looked at Eric, feeling a little horrified. "I really didn't mean that."

Eric laughed. Annabel saw another flash of the old Eric. "Yes, you did. It's OK. I won't tell." He looked back toward Calleigh and Jake. "And I'd trade places with him guilt-free too."

"Eric... Really... I wasn't thinking."

Eric gave Annabel a lopsided smile. "I know. It's OK." He looked toward Calleigh again briefly and started off. "I'll talk to you soon, Annie."

"Hopefully, back in the lab."

"As soon as I can be." Eric waved the sheaf of papers in his hand and continued toward his sister's car. Calleigh stopped next to Annabel and watched him walk away. She frowned slightly.

"Is Eric back? He didn't wait to say hello. Horatio didn't mention… Eric hadn't said..." She glanced over at Jake. Jake was frowning, watching the car pull away. He saw Calleigh looking at him and his usual cocky grin dropped into place. Annabel stifled the urge to slap him.

Annabel failed at tempering her annoyance. She shrugged, "His ride was here. He still has some stuff to straighten out. You just getting in?"

Calleigh shook her head. "Just back from lunch. Did you get the ballistics report I sent you on the McCann case?"

"Um. No. When did you…"

"Geeze, I forgot to drop it on your desk," interrupted Jake. "I'll drop it by as soon as we get back upstairs." Annabel glared at him, lips narrowed in a thin line.

Calleigh sighed in frustration. "Jake, I told you she had a rush on those results. You promised…"

Annabel held up her hand. She smiled brightly, but Annabel pinned Jake with a steely gaze. "Oh, I'm sure it just slipped the detective's mind. You know how busy he is. I'll expect it shortly." She walked into the building leaving Calleigh and Jake in her wake. Her leather shoes made a staccato tap across the floor as she quickly crossed the lobby. She flexed her fingers, willing the tension to dissipate. She passed by Jake's desk on the way to her own. She paused and flipped aside a few file folders, looking for her missing ballistics report. Jake wandered up as she pulled it out of the middle of the pile on his desk.

"You rifle everyone's desk? I told you that I'd get it to you," he growled.

Annabel just smiled sweetly and blinked, wide-eyed. "I saw it just lying there, so I decided to save you the trouble of walking it down to me. Thanks, Jake." She spun around and walked to her desk. Frank caught her attention as she walked by.

"That for the McCann case?"

"Mm-hmm. The messenger got lost. Calleigh had it ready a couple of hours ago."

"The messenger's an ass," he mumbled under his breath glancing toward where Jake was still glaring at Annabel. "Better watch yerself, Annie. Rats bite when cornered."

"Oh, he won't cause me too much trouble. He's all hat, no cattle."

Frank burst out laughing. "Where did you dig up that old kernel?"

"Heard it somewhere. Seems fitting." She waved the file. "I'll let you know if we got anything."

"Sure thing, Annie."

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Annabel sat up straighter and rolled her shoulders and neck, trying to stretch the tight muscles. She looked down at the ballistics report and compared it to what was on her computer screen. She sighed and added a note to the file open on the computer. She rubbed the bridge of her nose. Annabel heard footsteps approach and then stop. She cocked her head and smiled slightly.

"Here to rescue me?"

"Are you in need of rescuing?"

Annabel spun her chair around and grimaced at her husband. "Maybe. I don't think I'm going to have any major revelation about this case tonight."

"McCann?"

"Yeah. Only thing ballistics gave me is that this gun was from the dispo truck that got hit. The guy originally connected to the gun was killed six months ago in a bar fight. So dead end there. No fingerprints or anything else on the gun. All I got is a father from Minnesota shot in front of his family. No ties to anyone from Miami. Just chose the wrong neighborhood to gas up in."

"Have you gotten anything from the car?"

"No." Annabel scowled. "Unless Jake hijacked those results too." Horatio tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. Annabel sighed heavily. "Calleigh sent the ballistics report up with him and he dropped it on his desk instead of delivering it." Horatio started to say something, but Annabel shook her head. "It wasn't her fault. Jake Berkeley was just being...well, his usual helpful and charming self. The sooner that man gets bored with playing detective, the better for all of us. Not that the idea of him undercover makes me feel any safer." Annabel rubbed her temples. She looked up at Horatio, then looked away. "Too much?"

Horatio chuckled. "Fatigue and frustration will do that to a person."

"Neither of those things is new to me." Annabel closed her eyes and shook her head. She opened her eyes again and met Horatio's eyes. Fierce anger burned in hers. "He buried my report. Under several other file folders. It didn't really give me anything helpful, but that isn't the point. Not liking me and attacking me personally? Whatever. I can handle that. But withholding information for a case…" Annabel just shook her head.

Horatio squeezed her shoulder. "Jake Berkley is an ass." He looked over at what she was working on. "Are you finishing up anytime soon?"

Annabel sighed. "Yeah. Like I said. I'm getting nowhere fast. I'll see you at home soon."

"I'll pick up dinner."

Annabel sheepishly smiled up at Horatio. "That would be great. I'm starved. I kind of skipped lunch." Horatio flashed her a slow half smile and shook his head. He leaned down and gave Annabel a quick kiss.

"See you soon."

A light was still on in the living room when Annabel let herself into the condo. She toed off her shoes and set her purse down on the hall table. Horatio's head was resting on the back of the chair and his eyes were closed. Annabel leaned over and inhaled the familiar scent of his cologne before she softly kissed his temple. He stirred.

"I'm sorry."

Horatio chuckled and pulled her down for a kiss. He smiled slightly as Annabel stood up again. "It's fine. Finally got a break?"

Annabel grinned. "In lock-up as we speak."

"Then all is good." He stood up and wrapped Annabel in his arms. She rested her ear against his heart and rocked slightly with him. "Did you get a chance to eat anything?" Annabel didn't look up and shook her head. Horatio tilted her face up and raised his eyebrows.

Annabel looked sheepish. "What did you bring home?"

"Bar-B-Q. I had a feeling we'd be reheating."

"You didn't eat either?" she asked guiltily.

Horatio smiled reassuringly. He rubbed Annabel's shoulders, easing the tension there. She closed her eyes and leaned against him again. Horatio smiled as she settled into his arms. "I didn't want you to eat alone. I did have a few of the fries. Those are going to fare the worst."

"Mm-hmm." Annabel relaxed.

Horatio leaned in and brushed his lips over Annabel's temple. "Bella, you need to eat something."

Annabel snuggled against Horatio. "Mm-hmm." She made no effort to move. Horatio stepped away and linked his fingers with hers. He started leading her to the kitchen. Annabel sighed and squeezed his hand. "OK. I'll eat." She tugged his hand and turned him toward her. She ran her fingers up Horatio's shirtfront and toyed with his collar. "But I would really enjoy a back rub after that." She looked up at him hopefully. Horatio chuckled and brushed his lips over hers.

"As you wish, Detective."

"Mmmm, as I wish, Lieutenant? I like the sound of that." Annabel pulled his head down for a deeper kiss. Her stomach growled slightly and they both chuckled. "I'll hold you to that later."

"I hope so, Bella."

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