Part 3

The boys eventually arrived at Grace Memorial none of them really sure how they had got there, none of them were really functioning, their thoughts were with Calleigh. The three men all but ran into the emergency department, approaching the information desk "we're here for Calleigh Duquesne can you tell me where she is" Speed blurted out desperate for information.

"I'll get her doctor to see you as soon as possible, if you would like to wait in the relative's room. It's quiet in there" responded a motherly looking nurse from behind the desk

As the boys made their way to the room, knowing he couldn't use his cell phone in a hospital, Horatio asked "Can I use your phone to call a friend?"

"Of course, follow me"

"Thank you"

As Horatio dialed the familiar number of the ME's office at MDPD, he wasn't sure how he would explain all this to Alexx.

Back at CSI, Alexx had been waiting for ages to hear word on the rescue attempt; she couldn't wait to get the two boys back so she could embarrass them with hugs and kisses. Although she was, in reality, not much older than them, she felt like all the team were her children even Horatio and that they all needed her love. So here she was waiting impatiently for news that everyone was safe.

Despite expecting it, Alexx jumped as the phone rang "Horatio is that you?" somehow she felt he would be he one to ring her, Calleigh and Tim would be too busy hugging each other and Eric would probably be laughing at them, H would be the only one sensible enough to think of her.

"Yeah, Alexx... it's me" for the first time since she had known him Horatio Caine sounded unsure.

She could hear the hesitation in his voice and knew that it was not good news "Horatio what's wrong? Oh God! No! Not the boys. Did Ross do something? Please say they are alright. Oh no not Timmy! What will Calleigh do?" Alexx's mind was working overtime.

"Alexx calm down" H interrupted her rambling "you'll make yourself ill. Eric and Speed are okay; we got them both back unharmed."

"Oh God Calleigh" she exclaimed as she reached for the chair almost falling on it. "Tell me Calleigh's alright"

"I'm afraid... H's voice broke up as his spoke "I can't do that. Holt came back to the warehouse after we had untied the boys. He claimed he was going to destroy our lives, like we had destroyed his, by taking something precious from us" Horatio could hardly say the words

"Tell me" Alexx pleaded in a small voice, scared of what Horatio would reveal next.

"He shot Calleigh"

"Oh my poor sweet baby. Is she alright?"

"I honestly don't know Alexx. She lost a lot of blood, but she was conscious." Horatio paused, his emotions too close to the surface; he couldn't bear the idea of Calleigh in pain. If only he had been more vigilant at the crime scene maybe she would still be with them and not in emergency.

"H? You still there?" enquired Alexx

"Sorry Alexx. Please come as soon as you can, we're all here at Grace Memorial in the relative's room."

"I'm out of the door as we speak" with that she cut the connection and literally flew from the room, running out of the building into her car and driving like a mad woman to be with her friends, her second family.

After spending some time alone, composing himself to be strong for his team Horatio walked silently into the relatives room, approaching Eric first "How's he doing?" he asked referring, of course, to Tim.

"He hasn't stopped pacing since we got here" replied Eric.

Going over to Speed, Horatio gently took his arm leading him to a couch. "C'mon Tim lets sit down, you'll be no good to Calleigh if you wear yourself out."

"I just want her well again H, I just want to take her home and sit with her in my arms"

"I know, but Cal's a fighter she'll be back with you, with all of us sooner than you think" H hoped he sounded more reassuring than he felt.

"The last couple of days have been horrible, wondering what that mad man was going to do next. We just wanted to get out of there. It was such a relief to see you guys again but now look what's happened. She mean's so much to me H, I can't let her die." Tim put his head in his hands, he couldn't take anymore.

A new voice admonished "Timmy! Don't talk like that" exclaimed Alexx. Caught up in their own worries nobody had noticed the ME's arrival.

Eric was the first to recover giving her a big hug. "Hi Alexx"

"Eric it's good to see you. Let me look at you. You don't look too bad for someone whose been missing for 2 days, although a shower wouldn't go amiss."

Alexx smiled at Horatio as she passed him to sit beside Tim. Gently rubbing his back "Oh Timmy, it's good to have you both back, we've been really worried .I'm glad that you're alright"

"I am, but Cal's not. I would do anything to trade places with her" He couldn't bring himself to look at the ME.

"I know Tim. I know" Alexx's voice faded away, the adrenaline rush that had gotten her to the emergency room in record time had finally abated.

Silence, once again, descended on the room.