Disclaimer - I don't own any of these characters, including Tim Speedle,
but hey a girl can dream, can't she?
Pairings - Since I personally can't picture Speed with any of the women on the show, I had to create one just for him. Horatio & Calleigh, too.
Rating - PG-13, 'cause Ben's finally asleep.
Summary - Sometimes, what starts out as a simple day can change your life dramatically.
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Tim shut the door to the guestroom with a sigh and walked across the living room to flop on the sofa next to Jennifer.
"I've never been this tired in all my life. I made dinner, gave Ben a bath, played for an hour and a half, read three books," he said, holding three fingers up for emphasis, "and he finally fell asleep."
"And you said we weren't ready for a four year old," she said, not bothering to remind him that he hadn't done everything by himself.
"I said we weren't equipped for a four year old, which I think I've now proven we aren't."
"You done good, babe." She leaned over and kissed him gently.
She pulled away and noticed Tim's eyes were still closed. She smiled and asked, "Tim? You okay?"
"Marry me."
"Excuse me?" I couldn't have heard him right, she thought.
He opened his eyes and turned his head to look directly into hers. "Marry me, Jennifer."
Jennifer wrinkled her brow and stared at him, "Are you serious?"
"Yes," he nodded.
She was taken aback. "I'm not sure what to say here."
"Well, yes, would be the preferred answer." He reached over and took her good hand. "Jennifer, I love you." he prepared to present his case, but there was no need.
"Yes," she said quietly.
He was sure he hadn't heard her right. "What?"
"Yes," she answered with more confidence this time.
"Yes, what?" He eyed her suspiciously.
"Yes, Tim," she laughed, "I will marry you."
Tim pulled her onto his lap and lifted his hand to stroke her face, bringing it down to his. He looked deeply into her jade green eyes before leaning in to kiss her. Then he grinned. "Wow, that only took seven years."
She pulled away and groaned. Then she picked up one of the throw pillows from the couch and hit him with it. "How did I KNOW that was coming?"
Tim scooped her up and threw her down on the couch playfully. He straddled her legs and placed an arm on either side of her. He leaned down carefully, so as not to hurt her arm, and pressed soft, wet kisses down the side of her face. His lips found the crook of her neck with his mouth, and she moaned as he found her weak spot. Jennifer ran her fingers through his hair and Tim groaned quietly. He kissed her again, deeper this time. When they'd run out of air, she whispered in his ear, "Make love to me."
"What about your arm?" he breathed his reply, feeling the heat already stirring in his body.
"It's not my arm I'll be using, Tim."
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Calleigh frowned and pushed her mashed potatoes around with her fork. Horatio looked up, concerned by her actions. "Not hungry?"
"I'm already full," she said with a sigh, laying her fork down on the plate.
"You didn't eat much," he said surveying the half-eaten chicken and vegetables.
She sipped her wine and shrugged. "Guess that comes from not having eaten all day."
"Maybe." Horatio took a bite of his steak.
Calleigh cocked her head to one side and smiled brightly at Horatio. "Thank you for dinner," she said sweetly. "This has been a lovely distraction."
"My pleasure," he said, reaching across the table to take her hand.
"Horatio? Can we get out of here? I feel this insane need to go walk on the beach."
"Sure," he said, signaling the waiter for the check.
Minutes later, Horatio and Calleigh were in the Hummer, heading for the beach. Calleigh hopped out and crossed the parking lot to the sand, pausing to take her shoes off. Horatio stood at her side and offered his hand, "May I?" he asked quietly.
Calleigh felt herself blush as she placed her hand in his. "Of course."
They walked in silence along the water's edge. Calleigh paused for a moment and looked up at the moon. "Beautiful," she said.
Horatio found himself caught up in watching Calleigh. "Very," he replied. Calleigh looked at him curiously and blushed when she realized he'd been watching her, not the moonlight. "Sorry." Embarrassed, he shifted his gaze from her.
"Don't be sorry, Horatio," she touched his cheek and turned his face to hers. "Don't ever be sorry."
He caught her hand and pressed a quick kiss to the palm. "Okay."
She giggled as she placed a hand in his and continued walking. "So what do you think Tim and Jennifer are doing right now?"
Horatio took a quick glance at his watch. 10:43. "Hopefully, sleeping. Tim Speedle with a four year old." He laughed.
"Wouldn't you LOVE to be a fly on the wall for that one?" Calleigh's eyes danced as she smiled brightly at the thought.
He smiled and tucked his head down. "I'd rather be here with you, Calleigh," he said sheepishly.
She stopped again and looked up at him curiously, "Horatio?"
Horatio took a deep breath and began, "Calleigh, I.."
She pressed her fingers to his lips. She rose up on her tiptoes and paused to look into Horatio's eyes for a moment before touching her lips to his. Her arms circled his neck as he lowered his head to meet hers. He pulled her in to him and placed his hands demurely at her waist. Calleigh's tongue traced the outline of his mouth and he parted his lips, inviting her to enter. Horatio heard himself groan as their kiss began to deepen. His hand trailed up her back, entangling themselves in her flowing locks.
Calleigh broke the kiss and backed away from him, turning her back on him as she said, "Oh my God, Horatio, I don't know what came over me!"
Horatio ran a hand through his hair and weighed his options. He could tell her it was just the moonlight, or he could tell her the truth. He chose the second. Taking a step up behind her, his arms encircled her waist and he rested his head on her shoulder, "Calleigh," he said quietly, "if you've wanted to do that half as long as I have, then I know exactly what came over you."
He felt her relax and she raised her hand to caress his face. "Well, I've wanted to do that for a very long time, Lieutenant."
Horatio smiled and pressed a kiss to the base of her neck. She sighed contentedly. "I have a blanket in the truck. I could go get it and we could sit out here for a while."
Calleigh turned his arms and laughed. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do, Horatio."
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Jennifer awoke the next morning to the sound of laughter coming from the living room. She stretched and noticed a small glint of sparkle in the corner of her eye. Raising her right hand into view, she gasped and then began to laugh quietly. On the third finger of her right hand, Tim had placed a diamond ring. She recognized it immediately and felt a small tug in her heart. It was her engagement ring, the one he'd bought two and a half years ago. Three stones set in white gold. Me, Tim and Baby Emily, she thought to herself examining the ring more closely. She loved the way the prongs holding the diamonds looped over one another, connecting each stone to the other two.
Jennifer ran a finger over the prongs and let out a sigh as she thought about the baby they'd lost so long ago. Jennifer had been in a car accident, just two weeks after discovering she was pregnant. She hadn't even had time to get used to the idea before Emily was gone. Jennifer had been devastated. When Tim tried to propose a few weeks later, Jennifer had run out of the restaurant and out of his life completely.
They'd reconciled eight months ago, when Jennifer had been promoted to homicide. They'd vowed not to make the same mistakes again and they hadn't. She loved him more now than ever had. Jennifer tossed the covers off her and stood, heading into the living room, where Tim and Ben were hunkered down on the couch, engrossed in Saturday morning cartoons and bowls of Cheerios, laughing hysterically as Wile E. Coyote tried desperately to capture the Road Runner.
"Good morning, boys," she said brightly, crossing over to kiss them both on top of their heads before heading to the kitchen for coffee. Grabbing her mug, she walked back in to the living room, pausing in front of the couch to ask, "Room for me?"
Ben scooted closer to Tim and Jennifer plopped down on the sofa, propping her feet up on the coffee table. Tim winked at her when she caught his gaze. She raised her right hand. "Wrong hand, babe."
"I know which hand it goes on, " he said, dipping his spoon into the cereal. "Your other hand was swollen and I didn't want it to get stuck."
Jennifer grinned and stuck the hand out in front of her, turning it the left, then to the right. "It's beautiful."
"Better be," he growled. "For what it cost."
Jennifer stared at him open-mouthed, not believing he was serious. He turned his head and flashed her a toothy grin. "I'm kidding. It was worth every single solitary penny."
"What's beautiful?" Ben asked sweetly, crawling onto Jennifer's lap to see.
"My ring," she began. "Tim and I are going to get married."
"Can I come?"
"Well, yeah," Tim said enthusiastically, "We'd be upset if you didn't, sport."
"Cool!" Ben said, pumping his arms in the air.
The phone rang and Tim reached over to answer it.
"Hello," he said into the receiver, listening as the caller identified himself. "Uh, yeah, hold on a minute." Tim set his bowl on the table and stood from the couch, crossing to the bedroom and shutting the door behind him, leaving Ben and Jennifer on the couch with curious expressions set on their faces.
"Commander?"
"Mr. Speedle, this isn't news I would normally deliver over the phone, but." Commander Daniels paused as he considered what to say next.
"What is it?" Whatever Commander Daniels had to say, the news wasn't going to be good, and Tim could feel his heart begin to race.
"Major Korte." he took a deep breath and then continued, "is dead, Mr. Speedle."
Tim collapsed onto the bed as Jennifer opened the door and stepped inside.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"He's dead, Mr. Speedle. The Major was with his unit last night, doing a routine patrol when they were ambushed. No one in the patrol group survived. We lost eight men from this base."
Ben knocked lightly on the door and stuck his head in. Jennifer turned to him and said, "We'll be right back, baby. Will you go finish your cereal for me?"
"Okay," he said quietly, shutting the door. Jennifer knelt down next to Tim. She reached up and wiped a tear from Tim's cheek.
"What does this mean for Ben, Commander?" Tim asked.
It was then Jennifer realized what must have happened, and she rocked back on her heels, pressing her hand to her mouth to stifle a cry.
"Legally, you and Miss Hagen are now Ben's guardians. But what happens from here is entirely up to the two of you."
"What does that mean, exactly?"
"It means that you have the right to turn Ben over to Social Services if you want. You signed on for a week, Mr. Speedle, not Ben's entire life."
Tim let out a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Christ," he said. "I need to talk to Jennifer about this, Commander."
"Certainly. I'd like to come over in a little while, check on Ben, if that would be okay with the two of you."
"Yeah, that's, uh, fine. Just give us a few hours."
Tim disconnected and stared at the phone. Then he dropped it, like it had been burning his hand. He grabbed Jennifer and pulled her to him, sobbing into her shoulder. "There was an ambush," he began slowly, "the Major," he said, choking out the words, "there were no survivors."
"Oh God," she began weeping. "This cannot be happening."
"What do we do, Jen?" he cried, "WHAT do we do?"
TBC.I've got to go wipe my own tears.
Pairings - Since I personally can't picture Speed with any of the women on the show, I had to create one just for him. Horatio & Calleigh, too.
Rating - PG-13, 'cause Ben's finally asleep.
Summary - Sometimes, what starts out as a simple day can change your life dramatically.
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Tim shut the door to the guestroom with a sigh and walked across the living room to flop on the sofa next to Jennifer.
"I've never been this tired in all my life. I made dinner, gave Ben a bath, played for an hour and a half, read three books," he said, holding three fingers up for emphasis, "and he finally fell asleep."
"And you said we weren't ready for a four year old," she said, not bothering to remind him that he hadn't done everything by himself.
"I said we weren't equipped for a four year old, which I think I've now proven we aren't."
"You done good, babe." She leaned over and kissed him gently.
She pulled away and noticed Tim's eyes were still closed. She smiled and asked, "Tim? You okay?"
"Marry me."
"Excuse me?" I couldn't have heard him right, she thought.
He opened his eyes and turned his head to look directly into hers. "Marry me, Jennifer."
Jennifer wrinkled her brow and stared at him, "Are you serious?"
"Yes," he nodded.
She was taken aback. "I'm not sure what to say here."
"Well, yes, would be the preferred answer." He reached over and took her good hand. "Jennifer, I love you." he prepared to present his case, but there was no need.
"Yes," she said quietly.
He was sure he hadn't heard her right. "What?"
"Yes," she answered with more confidence this time.
"Yes, what?" He eyed her suspiciously.
"Yes, Tim," she laughed, "I will marry you."
Tim pulled her onto his lap and lifted his hand to stroke her face, bringing it down to his. He looked deeply into her jade green eyes before leaning in to kiss her. Then he grinned. "Wow, that only took seven years."
She pulled away and groaned. Then she picked up one of the throw pillows from the couch and hit him with it. "How did I KNOW that was coming?"
Tim scooped her up and threw her down on the couch playfully. He straddled her legs and placed an arm on either side of her. He leaned down carefully, so as not to hurt her arm, and pressed soft, wet kisses down the side of her face. His lips found the crook of her neck with his mouth, and she moaned as he found her weak spot. Jennifer ran her fingers through his hair and Tim groaned quietly. He kissed her again, deeper this time. When they'd run out of air, she whispered in his ear, "Make love to me."
"What about your arm?" he breathed his reply, feeling the heat already stirring in his body.
"It's not my arm I'll be using, Tim."
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Calleigh frowned and pushed her mashed potatoes around with her fork. Horatio looked up, concerned by her actions. "Not hungry?"
"I'm already full," she said with a sigh, laying her fork down on the plate.
"You didn't eat much," he said surveying the half-eaten chicken and vegetables.
She sipped her wine and shrugged. "Guess that comes from not having eaten all day."
"Maybe." Horatio took a bite of his steak.
Calleigh cocked her head to one side and smiled brightly at Horatio. "Thank you for dinner," she said sweetly. "This has been a lovely distraction."
"My pleasure," he said, reaching across the table to take her hand.
"Horatio? Can we get out of here? I feel this insane need to go walk on the beach."
"Sure," he said, signaling the waiter for the check.
Minutes later, Horatio and Calleigh were in the Hummer, heading for the beach. Calleigh hopped out and crossed the parking lot to the sand, pausing to take her shoes off. Horatio stood at her side and offered his hand, "May I?" he asked quietly.
Calleigh felt herself blush as she placed her hand in his. "Of course."
They walked in silence along the water's edge. Calleigh paused for a moment and looked up at the moon. "Beautiful," she said.
Horatio found himself caught up in watching Calleigh. "Very," he replied. Calleigh looked at him curiously and blushed when she realized he'd been watching her, not the moonlight. "Sorry." Embarrassed, he shifted his gaze from her.
"Don't be sorry, Horatio," she touched his cheek and turned his face to hers. "Don't ever be sorry."
He caught her hand and pressed a quick kiss to the palm. "Okay."
She giggled as she placed a hand in his and continued walking. "So what do you think Tim and Jennifer are doing right now?"
Horatio took a quick glance at his watch. 10:43. "Hopefully, sleeping. Tim Speedle with a four year old." He laughed.
"Wouldn't you LOVE to be a fly on the wall for that one?" Calleigh's eyes danced as she smiled brightly at the thought.
He smiled and tucked his head down. "I'd rather be here with you, Calleigh," he said sheepishly.
She stopped again and looked up at him curiously, "Horatio?"
Horatio took a deep breath and began, "Calleigh, I.."
She pressed her fingers to his lips. She rose up on her tiptoes and paused to look into Horatio's eyes for a moment before touching her lips to his. Her arms circled his neck as he lowered his head to meet hers. He pulled her in to him and placed his hands demurely at her waist. Calleigh's tongue traced the outline of his mouth and he parted his lips, inviting her to enter. Horatio heard himself groan as their kiss began to deepen. His hand trailed up her back, entangling themselves in her flowing locks.
Calleigh broke the kiss and backed away from him, turning her back on him as she said, "Oh my God, Horatio, I don't know what came over me!"
Horatio ran a hand through his hair and weighed his options. He could tell her it was just the moonlight, or he could tell her the truth. He chose the second. Taking a step up behind her, his arms encircled her waist and he rested his head on her shoulder, "Calleigh," he said quietly, "if you've wanted to do that half as long as I have, then I know exactly what came over you."
He felt her relax and she raised her hand to caress his face. "Well, I've wanted to do that for a very long time, Lieutenant."
Horatio smiled and pressed a kiss to the base of her neck. She sighed contentedly. "I have a blanket in the truck. I could go get it and we could sit out here for a while."
Calleigh turned his arms and laughed. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do, Horatio."
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Jennifer awoke the next morning to the sound of laughter coming from the living room. She stretched and noticed a small glint of sparkle in the corner of her eye. Raising her right hand into view, she gasped and then began to laugh quietly. On the third finger of her right hand, Tim had placed a diamond ring. She recognized it immediately and felt a small tug in her heart. It was her engagement ring, the one he'd bought two and a half years ago. Three stones set in white gold. Me, Tim and Baby Emily, she thought to herself examining the ring more closely. She loved the way the prongs holding the diamonds looped over one another, connecting each stone to the other two.
Jennifer ran a finger over the prongs and let out a sigh as she thought about the baby they'd lost so long ago. Jennifer had been in a car accident, just two weeks after discovering she was pregnant. She hadn't even had time to get used to the idea before Emily was gone. Jennifer had been devastated. When Tim tried to propose a few weeks later, Jennifer had run out of the restaurant and out of his life completely.
They'd reconciled eight months ago, when Jennifer had been promoted to homicide. They'd vowed not to make the same mistakes again and they hadn't. She loved him more now than ever had. Jennifer tossed the covers off her and stood, heading into the living room, where Tim and Ben were hunkered down on the couch, engrossed in Saturday morning cartoons and bowls of Cheerios, laughing hysterically as Wile E. Coyote tried desperately to capture the Road Runner.
"Good morning, boys," she said brightly, crossing over to kiss them both on top of their heads before heading to the kitchen for coffee. Grabbing her mug, she walked back in to the living room, pausing in front of the couch to ask, "Room for me?"
Ben scooted closer to Tim and Jennifer plopped down on the sofa, propping her feet up on the coffee table. Tim winked at her when she caught his gaze. She raised her right hand. "Wrong hand, babe."
"I know which hand it goes on, " he said, dipping his spoon into the cereal. "Your other hand was swollen and I didn't want it to get stuck."
Jennifer grinned and stuck the hand out in front of her, turning it the left, then to the right. "It's beautiful."
"Better be," he growled. "For what it cost."
Jennifer stared at him open-mouthed, not believing he was serious. He turned his head and flashed her a toothy grin. "I'm kidding. It was worth every single solitary penny."
"What's beautiful?" Ben asked sweetly, crawling onto Jennifer's lap to see.
"My ring," she began. "Tim and I are going to get married."
"Can I come?"
"Well, yeah," Tim said enthusiastically, "We'd be upset if you didn't, sport."
"Cool!" Ben said, pumping his arms in the air.
The phone rang and Tim reached over to answer it.
"Hello," he said into the receiver, listening as the caller identified himself. "Uh, yeah, hold on a minute." Tim set his bowl on the table and stood from the couch, crossing to the bedroom and shutting the door behind him, leaving Ben and Jennifer on the couch with curious expressions set on their faces.
"Commander?"
"Mr. Speedle, this isn't news I would normally deliver over the phone, but." Commander Daniels paused as he considered what to say next.
"What is it?" Whatever Commander Daniels had to say, the news wasn't going to be good, and Tim could feel his heart begin to race.
"Major Korte." he took a deep breath and then continued, "is dead, Mr. Speedle."
Tim collapsed onto the bed as Jennifer opened the door and stepped inside.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?"
"He's dead, Mr. Speedle. The Major was with his unit last night, doing a routine patrol when they were ambushed. No one in the patrol group survived. We lost eight men from this base."
Ben knocked lightly on the door and stuck his head in. Jennifer turned to him and said, "We'll be right back, baby. Will you go finish your cereal for me?"
"Okay," he said quietly, shutting the door. Jennifer knelt down next to Tim. She reached up and wiped a tear from Tim's cheek.
"What does this mean for Ben, Commander?" Tim asked.
It was then Jennifer realized what must have happened, and she rocked back on her heels, pressing her hand to her mouth to stifle a cry.
"Legally, you and Miss Hagen are now Ben's guardians. But what happens from here is entirely up to the two of you."
"What does that mean, exactly?"
"It means that you have the right to turn Ben over to Social Services if you want. You signed on for a week, Mr. Speedle, not Ben's entire life."
Tim let out a deep breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Christ," he said. "I need to talk to Jennifer about this, Commander."
"Certainly. I'd like to come over in a little while, check on Ben, if that would be okay with the two of you."
"Yeah, that's, uh, fine. Just give us a few hours."
Tim disconnected and stared at the phone. Then he dropped it, like it had been burning his hand. He grabbed Jennifer and pulled her to him, sobbing into her shoulder. "There was an ambush," he began slowly, "the Major," he said, choking out the words, "there were no survivors."
"Oh God," she began weeping. "This cannot be happening."
"What do we do, Jen?" he cried, "WHAT do we do?"
TBC.I've got to go wipe my own tears.