Title: Tomorrow Never Comes

Disclaimer: Major angst and violence. Slash.

POV: Horatio

Chapter Seven: Wanting More

"Delko, I called you in here for a reason," I say. He looks uncomfortable sitting across from me. Why? He's never been like that before. "Do you know why we need to talk?"

"No," he answers. Is he being honest? I can't believe I'm questioning my own CSI, my own friend. This is wrong.

"I need to know what is going on with you, Delko."

"What do you mean?"

I decide now is the time to get it out. It all needs to be said. I need to know everything. "Your black eye, where did you get it?"

"I told you."

"You lied to me," I say getting up. "You didn't receive that from a bar fight. You didn't get this from a bar fight either." I pull up the sleeve of his shirt. On his upper arm is a large purple bruise. Something Calleigh had told me about.

"It's nothing."

"If it's nothing, then why are you living at Calleigh's?"

Delko stands. "Where do you get off asking me all these questions?" He turns and leaves the office, slamming the door behind him. I sigh. An indescribable feeling buries itself deep in my soul. I know what I have to do. And I don't want to do it.

I glance around the room. Alexx steals a chip from Calleigh's bag. Hagen sips from his soda and Frank takes a bite of sandwich. I feel bad for interrupting their lunch. But it's time for a conference. Valera and Yelina walk through the door laughing and talking. At my somber expression they quite down and Valera closes the door.

"Alright, H, why are we here?" Hagen asks.

I perch on my desk. Lucky for me Speed is out to lunch and Delko at a crime scene. "An issue has come up that needs that serious attention."

'This is about Speed and Delko, isn't it?" Frank questions.

I eye him. Frank was the one who reacted oddly to the coming-out of Speed and Delko. Now things in the lab had changed. Was he responsible? No, I tell myself, that's not possible.

"I need to know right now if anyone has seen anything strange going on between Speed and Delko," I say.

"Strange like what?" Valera inquires.

"Have they been arguing? Maybe ignoring each other. Perhaps you've seen something that appeared normal at first, but it doesn't anymore."

Alexx sits up straighter. "What are you getting at, Horatio? Are you suggesting that there is war in lover's paradise? They were so happy at the barbeque."

"I'm suggesting something outside a quarrel. Something I don't even want to think." I sigh. It's time to tell them. I can't hide it anymore. "I'm sure you have all heard about how Delko got his black eye." They nod. "It's a lie. On his upper arm is a nasty looking bruise to match. He's also staying with Calleigh."

I pick a piece of paper from my desk and hand it to Hagen. He looks at me and reads it aloud, "'People are going to take notice. It's fun having you under my thumb. Say a word to anyone and things will get worse.'" All eyes are on me.

"That was on the table beside Delko in the lab earlier. Now, read this." I hand Hagen a second piece of paper.

"'Delko, I'm sorry. Please don't say anything to anyone. They can't know.'"

"I found that in the trash can this afternoon."

"Wow…sounds like you might have been right," Alexx says. "But I still can't believe Speed would hit Delko."

"He did suffer a traumatic event. Maybe he needs to get some help."

"This brings me back to my first question, has anyone seen anything weird between the two of them?"

No one says anything. They all look at each other. I know they're wondering the same things as me. Frank throws his sandwich in the trash and leaves, slamming the door behind him. He knows something. And I know it's up to me to find out what it is.