Chapter 2

By Your Side

Disclaimer: Lemme check... Umm nope, still not mine. :) Mild language warning.

Chapter 2

Speed pulled up to the scene, slamming on the brakes as the Tahoe came to a stop. He had dropped Sascha off at school then raced across the city, hoping that he still had a job when he got there. Getting out , he hastily grabbed his kit and pulled it, making the contents spill out on the ground. Danny glanced up at him with a smile on his face and shook his head. He walked over to Speed and heard as he swore audibly. It was obvious that Tim Speedle was having a bad day.

" Tim, what's going on? Did you have a rough night or something?" Danny asked as he bent to help him collect the contents.

" What makes you think that , Danny?" Speed asked sarcastically. He was not in the mood for any humor.

" You are usually the first one on the scene, and your kit usually stays in one piece."

Speed stopped picking up the supplies and exhaled deeply. The issues with Sascha had gone deeper than what he wanted to let on.

" It's Sascha. She's missing her mother, and there is nothing I can do about it,"Speed replied as he began to pick up the items again, slamming them into the kit. Every time he thought about Calleigh , got angry. " Her mother hasn't called or sent a letter since we got here. She didn't even come to see her off."

" Didn't you say your ex-wife had amnesia?" Danny asked as he picked up the last of the kit. He stood up and handed Speed the latex gloves.

" Yeah, but still the least that she could've done was say goodbye, the hell with you... something!"

" Are you more upset that she didn't do that for you or for Sascha?" Danny asked with a slight smirk on his face. He could see that Speed was still in love with his ex-wife.

Speed ignored the question and moved to the body still lying on the ground. Despite his rant about Calliegh, he didn't want to get into his personal life while working. Slowly , he put on his gloves and took his tweezers out. Danny then bent down and helped him collect the evidence that was left around the scene.

They were almost finished when Speed noticed another car pull up to the scene. As the door opened he noticed the black boot that stepped out. It was Aiden. Speed sighed lightly as she approached with a camera hanging around her neck. His mind instantly went to the first day he met Aiden . It had been awkward at first, but when Speed let her know in the most gentle way that he wasn't looking for another relationship, they settled into an easy working relationship. Every so often, he would catch her as she gazed at him then glance away, but other than that, there were no more advances.

" Good morning, fellas. Whatcha got here?" she asked as she flashed a smile to Speed.

" Looks like he was dragged for almost a mile, his clothes are shredded. You're a little late if you came trying to help. Tim and I are almost finished collecting, if that's what you came here for anyway," Danny replied slyly. He knew that Aiden had the hots for Speed.

" I am here to help, Messner." Aiden returned simply. She knelt down beside Speed and started taking pictures.

" We already did that, Aiden," Danny said. He began laughing to himself lightly. " If you want you can canvas the dumpster. I don't think we got that far , did we Tim?"

Speed looked up absent mindedly and replied, " Um, no we didn't." He tried to ignore the looks that Aiden was shooting him as he rose up off of his haunches. He sealed the last evidence bag and stood with his back to Danny. " Danny, I'm going to go to the lab and start on the trace that we have now. If you don't mind."

Danny shook his head and smiled broadly, " Aiden's here. She can help me if there is something else. That is if she doesn't follow you back to the lab."

Aiden got up and moved to swipe Danny on the shoulder . Danny stepped back to duck from her, stumbling over Speed who dropped the evidence bags on to the ground. Danny and Aiden saw as he swore aloud and bent to help him pick them up. After the evidence had been picked up, Speed quickly got into his Tahoe and left, not saying a word to anyone. He would feel better when he could lock himself in the lab and concentrate on nothing but his work.

S/C

The sunlight pierced through the window warming her skin. Lauren turned over in the bed and her arm came to rest on top of a sleeping form next to her. As she remembered vaguely the passion had burned through them both, a smile crept onto her face. She was happier than she could have ever imagined. Being with Horatio had ignited feelings that were dormant inside of her and she felt alive again.

Lauren gazed upon his face as he continued to sleep, loving the peacefulness she saw there. Rarely was he at peace and she savored every minute of watching him.

" I'm not going anywhere, Lauren," Horatio said not opening his eyes.

" I know Horatio, it's just that I don't see you like this much. I thought I'd take advantage of it," Lauren replied as she flashed a dazzling smile. She placed her head on her arms in front of him.

" Of me sleeping? Am I that interesting?" Horatio said as he finally opened his eyes.

" No, I love the peace that I see right now. Everyday I see you at work and you carry around so much grief, so much pain. I'm happy to see that gone from you. I want to make that permanent. I want you to be happy, Horatio," Lauren said as she reached out to touch his face.

" As long as you are in my life Lauren, I will be eternally happy," Horatio replied , his eyes twinkling.

Lauren cupped his face in her hands, and pulled him into a tender kiss. As the kiss lingered, she moved her hands behind his head, caressing his red hair. Horatio took her gently and laid her on her back, looking down at her, she was beautiful. Lauren stared back at him, her green eyes wild with desire. Horatio gave in to temptation, despite the knowledge that he was going to be running late. He bent to kiss her more aggressively as she placed her hands on his back. She lightly ran her fingers up and down , eliciting shivers from him. Closing her eyes , she saw an image of a man with dark hair. His deep brown eyes radiated love and warmth and drew her. Something was familiar to her. Opening her eyes , she stopped tracing his back and tried to get from under him. Horatio lifted up and watched her as she got up out of bed and ran to the bathroom. He walked to the door and knocked on it lightly.

" Lauren, what's wrong?"

" Nothing, Horatio. I-I 'm sorry. It's just that it was all kind of familiar to me. I feel like I used to do that to ..."

" Speed?" Horatio asked softly. He knew that he would have to deal with her memories, but it was the price to pay to love her.

" Yes. I can't remember much , but I saw him when I closed my eyes, I saw him," Lauren said as she opened the door. " I'm sorry Horatio."

" Sorry? For what?"Horatio replied.

" For remembering."

" No, don't be sorry that you remembered. It's okay. It will happen. What matters is that you are happy with the choice that you made," Horatio said pulling her into an embrace.

"I am, Horatio. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you," Lauren said softly as she looked into his eyes. Their softness beckoned her and she advanced on the kiss. As the kiss lingered on her lips even as Horatio was getting ready for work, she felt the uneasiness creep into her soul. She didn't want to lose Horatio; not to her memories.

S/C

The music blocked him off from the rest of the world as he worked in the lab. He had made it a habit back in Miami to hunker down in his lab and blast his music through the portable head phones while he worked. It kept him focused. Now more than ever, he craved that focus. His life had been turned upside down and his only refuge was the evidence and his music. Those were the only things that he trusted.

As he continued to work he saw the door to the lab open and watched as Aiden walked over to him. He sighed deeply and took off the head phones; he didn't want to be rude to her.

" Aiden, what can I do for you?" Speed asked as he put down his tools.

" I just wanted to ask you out for drinks. Nothing more."

"Aiden, we've been..."

" Yeah, I know, but Tim , it's time for you to move on. You're divorced now. She's not here with you," Aiden replied as she looked at him, her sleepy eyes gazing at him sultrily.

" I've told you, Aiden that I'm not interested in a relationship right now. The only woman in my life is my daughter," Speed stated simply as he returned her gaze. He had to admit that Aiden was beautiful, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He still carried Calleigh in his heart.

" I don't need a relationship, Tim. I just wanted to get to know you better. I'm not talking about sex or anything. Just drinks."

Speed shook his head lightly, " I- don't think that it is a good idea..."

"Hey, Tim, you got a letter here," Danny said as he entered the room. He handed him the letter and sat down.

" Just make yourself comfortable, don't mind me, I'm just working," Speed replied sarcastically. He opened the letter and then he dropped his head. He held in his hands the divorce decree.

" What's up, Tim?" Danny asked, seeing his demeanor change.

" It's done. I 'm officially single again," Speed returned adroitly. He glanced at Aiden then back down to the paper.

" Look, Tim, I'm sorry..." Aiden said with sincerity.

" Nothing to be sorry about, Aiden. She's moved on, I guess it's my turn. I think I will take you up on that drink," Speed said as he folded the paper and replaced it back into the envelope. " Is seven o'clock okay for you?"

Aiden's face lit up as she replied, " Sure. That's fine. Seven o'clock it is. Let me give you my address and number."

Speed took the paper in his hands and let a small smile escape. He was about to start living his life again.

TBC...