Left Undone

Chapter 13 Movement

The next morning, Riley awakened slowly, the pain completely gone. She stretched as she sat up, seeing the bright skies of Miami through her window. She had grown to love it here, it being a stark contrast to what she was used to in New Jersey. If it was one thing that she had liked about being in the program, it was that she had gotten out of the one block radius of hell that was her life. She had new experiences here in Miami, and she had fallen in love, something she thought that she would never do. She knew, when she had first seen him, that she had liked him, but she could tell that he was going through some things and she couldn't help but recognize Speed in him. So she loved him from afar. That was until that fateful day in the shop. After she had gotten to know him better, her love for him blossomed. Now she couldn't fathom her life without him.

But here she was, preparing to say goodbye to him.

"How am I going to do this?" Riley said to herself as she swung her legs over the side. She was amazed at her own strength and determination as she got up and went to the restroom. She could hardly believe that she had been shot just yesterday. Coming out of the restroom, she saw Donnie sitting in the chair. As she sat on the bed, she saw that his eyes were tired but alert and his hair was disheveled. This told her that he had gotten no sleep. " Donnie, what are you doing here so early?"

"Time to go, Riley."

" What? I thought you said that I had two days..."

" It's been moved up. We leave at noon."

" Donnie, I can't, I can't leave him," Riley said as her eyes began to overflow . She thought that she could handle it, but now that it was happening , her iron stilled will was leaving her.

" I'm sorry Riley, but it can't be helped. If you want to keep on living..."

" I'm going to have to keep running," Riley replied with sadness. " Can I at least say goodbye?"

Donnie walked to the door and opened it. Riley watched as Timothy walked in on crutches, and sat down in the chair. Donnie left as silently as he came, leaving them alone.

" Tim," Riley said tearfully. He got up and maneuvered himself over to the bed, sitting in front of her. He was delighted to see that she was okay.

" Riley, it's going to be fine. You gotta believe me when I say that."

" They are taking me again. Tomorrow, I won't be Riley High smith anymore. Tomorrow, I won't have you."

Timothy looked into her light blue eyes, and gently put a hand on her face. His thumb lightly wiped the tear as it dropped .

" Do you trust me?"

" Yes, I do, Timothy. With all of my heart but it doesn't make a difference, I'm going to be leaving..."

" If you trust me, believe that everything's going to be okay. Can you do that?"

Riley nodded and smiled lightly before dissolving into a heap of tears, " It just hurts so bad, Tim."

" I know, Riley, but it will be all over soon. I promise," he said as he held her.

TSJ

Horatio walked into the layout room, with Eric and Wolfe following behind him. Last night, they had lost all evidence to the feds, but not before they could get one key piece, identification of the shooter. A fingerprint was left on the door knob of the home and it came up right before the feds swooped in and snatched it away from them, leaving them somewhat impotent. When there was nothing to be done, Horatio sent them home, and retreated to his home as well, thinking about his next step. He had tried to call Calleigh all night, but was unable to get to her. Standing at the table, he put his hands on his hips and looked at the one piece of evidence they had left.

" Was anyone able to reach Calleigh?" he asked sighing deeply.

" No, I tried all night and I couldn't even get her voice mail. Where do you think she is?" Eric asked, he had lost one good friend and he wasn't intending on losing another.

" I don't know, but what I do know is that we need to get to this Cooper Royston before he does any more damage."

" I got a temporary address from a credit card purchase. He's on 1st an 27th ," Wolfe said as he produced a printout. "Some times criminals can be so helpful."

Horatio looked at the piece of paper and committed the address to memory. This was going to end today one way or another.

Alexx pulled into her parking spot at the rear of the building and got out. Walking to the door, she noticed someone standing to the side of it, and her antennae went up. She put her hands on the mace that dangled around her key chain and readied herself to use it, just in case. As she got closer, she took in a ragged breath when he turned to face her. The shock caused her to drop the keys. He bent over to pick them up and handed them to her with a smile on his face.

" What's the matter , Alexx? You look like you have seen a ghost."

" That's what you are supposed to be Timmy. What are you doing here? Do you know what could happen if Horatio or Eric or worse, Calleigh, sees you here?"

" She already knows, Alexx. Things have been moving pretty rapidly. We need your services again."

" We? So you are working for the feds now?" Alexx replied as she opened the door. They both slipped in and headed straight for her office. When she got there, she closed the blinds and locked the doors.

" It's important, Alexx."

" Yeah, I remember you saying the very same thing when you approached me two years ago. Do you know how hard it's been to try and support your family, all the while knowing that you were alive?"

" I can't apologize enough , Alexx. My actions..."

" Has saved lives. Don't beat yourself up about it baby. Whatever it is you need of me, I'll do," Alexx returned, softening her voice.

" Thanks , Alexx. I'll owe you one." Tim said as he moved to hug her. She had been the only one to know of the entire operation, solely because he trusted her to stay quiet.

" I'm still waiting on the first favor," she said laughing slightly. " So when are you leaving?"

" Today, tonight, I don't know , but I don't think I'll be coming back."

"So this is goodbye then?"

" You can say that. I can't thank you enough for what you have done for me, Alexx. You have truly been a treasure," Tim said as he felt the tears rise inside of his throat. Where his mother couldn't be, Alexx Woods had been.

" The pleasures been mine, honey. And take care of yourself, Timmy. I'll miss you," Alexx said quietly.

" I'll miss you," he returned as he lingered in another hug. Alexx gently pushed him off of her and smiled.

" Now, go before someone else sees you."

Tim smiled and walked out of the door, leaving Alexx to ponder just what Tim and the feds had up their sleeves.

TSJ

Calleigh looked at Timothy and smiled brightly. He had come a long way in two years and she was proud of what she saw . As he had attempted to let go of the pain of his father's death and started to live again, he had become the son that she had feared she would never see. The anger diminished and the charm had returned, he being a carbon copy of his father. Now , as she watched him dress, she felt that everything was going to be alright, even as the fear of what was coming had hung about her.

" Are you ready for this, Junie?"

" Ready as I'll ever be, mom. Don't worry, we are going to be fine," Timothy said as he buttoned up his shirt.

" I know, I know, I'm just nervous. So many things can go wrong," Calleigh said as she touched his arm lightly.

"None of them will go wrong, mom."

Calleigh nodded and saw a touch of sadness in his eyes, " You said goodbye to Riley?"

" Yeah. That had to have been the hardest thing that I've ever done."

" That's what love's all about, son. Making choices..."

" I understand completely why dad did what he did," Timothy said as he gazed downward, a light smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

" I do too. He's looking out for our best interest."

" He loves us," Timothy replied as the door opened. He nodded to the man and finished buttoning his shirt and sat in the wheelchair. The movement had begun.

Tbc...