Title: Love Apart

Disclaimer: Slash. Angst. Violence.

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POV: Horatio

Chapter Fifteen: Into the Crypt

I close my eyes. Outside the traffic flies by. I can hear only the sirens of the emergency vehicles as we rush toward the shooting scene. The only thing on my mind is Speed. I wonder where I went wrong. What did I do to send him away? If only I had let him know that he could tell me anything and everything. Maybe he would have come home.

I sigh. I sound like Danny. Speaking of which; I glance over my shoulder. Danny is resting his head on Nick's shoulder, his eyes are closed. Nick gives me a look that says so much. He's worried; not only for Speed but also for Danny. I can tell he's mad that things went down this way. And I know that he wants to get revenge on the man responsible.

Responsible for what, I ask myself. Speed is still alive. I have to believe that. I know that he's a fighter. He always has been. It's one reason I wanted him for my team. I know he'll be back.

Agent Malone wipes around a corner. In front of us is an array of emergency vehicles, lights all flashing. The area is washed in red and blue. All for Speed. We will find him. We will.

"A house?" Nick asks. His question goes unanswered.

The building outside is indeed a house. A white-two-story house with immaculate grounds. It was set apart from all the other houses on the street. A large van is parked in the drive-way. All the curtains on drawn on the windows and there is no visible movement from anybody other than the officers and agents.

We all follow Agent Malone out of the car and toward another man in a suit.

"What's going on here?" Malone inquires.

"We followed the suspect here, to his house. We have given him numerous attempts to give himself up. All have been ignored."

"Okay. Are you sure the suspect is in the dwelling?"

"Well, sir, we aren't sure. There hasn't been any movement."

"Then send in the SWAT team. There's no reason to be sitting here doing nothing."

I glance back behind myself. Danny is sullen and his eyes downcast. Nick stands beside him holding his hand. Nick looks my way and our eyes meet. I read the sorrow and the dying hope in them. Part of me feels like giving up too. And yet, I just can't. I know for a fact that Speed is a fighter.

A large group of men in full armor jog pass us. The SWAT team. Will they find Speed inside?