Breathe

Chapter 2

Two Years later...

The day was overcast, not a normal occurrence in the tropical Miami. The clouds brought a feeling of doom for him as he crossed the street , heading for the First Municipal Bank. Today, he was going to finally do it, start his life over. When he entered the bank, he saw his favorite teller as she motioned for him to come on over .The bank was just opening ,and there were a stream of people walking through the doors. He plastered a smile on his face as he strode to her and placed his bag on the counter. He adjusted the badge on his belt and smiled faintly, his side arm was hidden by his suit coat. This would be the last day on the job for him.

" Mr. Spaulding, how are you this morning?" she asked brightly.

" Holly , how many times have I told you that it's Trent. I've been banking here long enough for you to call me by my name," he replied as he gave her a killer smile, his brown eyes radiating warmth.

Holly smiled back at him feeling the color as it rose in her cheeks and nodded her head, " Sorry, Mr.- Trent, what can I help you with?"

" I'm going to be making a with drawl . I'm leaving Miami today. It's time for a change."

" I'm sorry to hear that, Trent. We can do a transfer so that you won't have to carry all that money. It will be safer."

" I would appreciate that, Holly..." Trent replied before he heard the gunshots fill the lobby.

"Alright, everybody keep calm! Just do what we say and no one will get hurt," a man shouted as he pointed the sawed off shot gun at several people.

Trent glanced at Holly, who knew exactly what to do and noticed as she slowly pushed the button under the desk, setting the silent alarm off. He nodded slightly as he turned back to the robbers, who were picking through the patrons, taking whatever they wanted. Trent walked with his hands up towards them, hoping to get their attention. One robber noticed him and pointed the gun to him.

"Hey man, you got a death wish? Stay back!" he said as he cocked his gun.

" I just wanted to talk to you. There's a better way," Trent said as he glanced around at the petrified faces of the patrons. He couldn't let anyone get hurt here.

" Talk? I have a shot gun pointed at you, and you..." the robber said as he glanced down at his shield , " oh man, this can't be real."

" What? " the other robber asked as he came over to them.

" He's a cop! All of the banks in Miami and we picked the one with a cop in it! What are we going to do?" the first robber said frantically. Trent knew that he had just mere seconds before the situation would escalate.

" What I would do if I were you , is leave right now. The cops are on their way, you have a minute of two before..."

A slight movement caught the first robbers eye and he swung the shot gun in the direction of Holly's counter. Trent moved fast and struggled with the first robber, grabbing his arms. The second robber pointed his gun nervously at them, hoping that he wouldn't accidently shot his partner. A shot went off and they both fell to the ground. A moment later, the first robber got up, leaving Trent lying on his back, gasping for air. The dark red spot began to form quickly on his chest.

" Come on , man, let's get out of here," the second robber said as he gazed on Trent's body.

In the distance, the sounds of sirens could be heard. They scrambled out of the back door, leaving the scene running.Holly ran out from behind the counter and went to Trent, seeing the blood as it began to pool around him. She took his hand and held on tightly to it. He had saved her life, the best thing she could do was be here for him as his slipped away.

TS

Horatio walked into the break room, not expecting to see anyone here so early, and was surprised to see Eric as he sat by himself at a table. Since they lost Speed, Eric had drowned himself in his grief, not caring what he did to himself or others around him. It pained Horatio to see him this way, knowing the potential the young cuban had. He walked over to him and placed his hand on the chair and slid it out from under the table.

" You want to talk about it?" Horatio asked as he sat down.

Eric glanced up from his coffee cup and lightly smiled through the tears that were obvious, " Speedle always said that this stuff would rot your stomach."

"Eric, have you been going to therapy?" Horatio asked as he looked at Eric. He noticed the stubble that was growing on his face and the distant glaze his eyes held.

" It doesn't do any good, Speed's still gone." Eric replied quietly.

" It helps us cope better," Horatio replied before his phone rang. He glanced down at it and then back up at Eric.

" A callout?" Eric asked as he picked up the coffee cup and sipped.

" Yes, robbery in progress ,First Municipal , there is an officer down," Horatio returned as he got up quickly.

Eric followed suit and pushed the chair up to the table, then glancing back at the room as he walked out. The tranquility of the room was lost as the door closed. It was time for work.

TS

" Has Alexx been called?" Eric asked as he walked up to Horatio, who had been kneeling at the body. It bore the resemblance of Speed's death shot in the same place, blood everywhere.

"She's on her way," Horatio said as he picked up the badge off of the floor. He noticed the id badge that was right beside him.

"Any idea who this is?" Eric asked as he looked away. His heart felt heavier than it did earlier.

" Trent Spaulding, he's a negotiator on the Miami PD," Horatio returned as he handed Eric the badge.

" Oh my God," a voice said behind him. He turned to see Calleigh standing there with her kit and her hand to her mouth. It had to have brought back memories of Speed. Horatio got up and faced Calleigh, " Calleigh, are you sure you can do this?"

Calleigh gathered herself quickly and moved from in front of Horatio, " I have a job to do, I am going to do it."

Calleigh knelt down to the body and saw the blood as it seeped through the blue shirt, instantly transporting her back to the past.

" Why don't you wear the blue shirt that I brought you for your birthday? I never see you in it?" Calleigh asked as they were getting ready. Horatio had called them a day early to a call out.

" Because, I don't want to get it dirty, it's my favorite." Tim replied as he glanced at her brushing her hair.

" You never wear it, Tim. I would like to see you in it before you die," Calleigh said humorously.

Tim walked over to her and embraced her from behind, " If you want it, you got it, but you have to iron it."

Calleigh sighed heavily and smiled in the mirror at him. What a perfect life she had.

" The things we do to get what we want..."

"Calleigh!"

" Huh? Oh, Alexx, I'm sorry," Calleigh said as she came out of her thoughts. She didn't notice as she had put her hands on the man's face.

" You shouldn't be touching him, Calleigh, not until I have processed him," Alexx reminded her gently.

Calleigh dropped her hand and moved slightly so Alexx could begin. Alexx opened the shirt and saw the bullet hole in the man's chest. Then she saw something that perplexed her, his chest was rising slowly. She quickly felt for a pulse and found a weak one.

" Horatio, this guy's alive!" Alexx shouted. Horatio made a bee line to where they were from the clerk's counter.

" What?" Calleigh asked in shock as she bent down.

" He's breathing and he's got a faint pulse. Get a medic in here!" Alexx called out again.

All of a sudden , the man's eyes opened and he fixed them on Alexx and Calleigh, gasping for air. Alexx grabbed his hand and squeezed it as Calleigh pushed on his chest to stop the blood.

" Breathe , honey. Help is on the way," Alexx said frantically.

Trent stopped gasping and gazed from Alexx to Calleigh. Something was familiar to him.

TBC...