Because he'd known the moment his gun had refused to shoot that he was going to die, Tim began to pray.

He thought vaguely of God, but religion had never meant anything deep, and Speed wasn't sure now was the time to be reconnecting with the Big Man. The bullet had already entered his chest, propelling him several feet away. Speed didn't notice it, instead focusing upon a small spot on the ceiling.

Calleigh, should've listened to Calleigh.

He'd always been careless with cleaning his gun. It wasn't something he neglected purposely, but there always seemed to be a higher priority in the lab. That was his home, really, the lab. Side by side with Delco, one of the few he'd truly connected with.

Eric. Speed stopped on that thought because he couldn't think of more to add to it. Eric was Eric. They were friends, coworkers, but never really "close." Speed didn't like getting close. His loner persona had already been cultivated to perfection by the time Horatio and the rest had entered his life. Tim Speedle was the loner, and the rest were the rest.

But Speed knew that wasn't true as his blood began to stain the floor a dirty crimson. Damnit, but that son of a bitch hurt! It would be over soon though. Somehow you always knew when you were dying, Speed reflected, staring at the ceiling.

His eyes found Horatio's and for a second Speed tried to force crude words from his blood-stained mouth. He choked on them and didn't go further, even as H was pleading with him to breathe. Tim would have smiled at his boss's dramatic flair as he had done in the past, but now it seemed futile. Breathing seemed futile as well.

Look after 'em, H.

It seemed appropriate, somehow.

Calleigh and Eric and Alexx. Tell them I'm sorry.

Sorry for leaving like this.

Would they care? Speed knew Alexx would cry. She always did. Eric would remain stoic, stone-faced alongside with Horatio. Calleigh would go on with her life. They all would.

Did I even leave an imprint?

Speed looked into Horatio's face as his vision began to blur and fade. He heard his boss gag tearfully on his nickname. Speed. Would they put that on his headstone?

Timothy "Speed" Speedle.

Speed wanted to smile. He'd left his mark.

Speed