A/N: First and foremost thank you for the reviews I didn't know people had such an interest in this story as there are so many other good ones like it. Secondly this was a very hard chapter for me to write. I might have to adjust a wee bit if any of you can spot something that's not quite right, just let me know.
Early morning was breaking as Horatio pushed the hummer along the country road. He slowed as he saw the intended target up ahead and slowly pulled up behind the car and signaled for it to pull over. The car obliged and pulled to the edge of the road. Horatio got out of the car and approached the driver's window.
"Are you the man that called her in" Horatio asked
"Yeah I was driving home from a bingo match in town saw her walking along the road, I've tried to get her to stop but all she keeps on saying is Horatio, nothing else she won't stop, so I thought I'd follow her until you got here" the man replied.
"Thankyou" was all that Horatio got out before starting in a steady trot up the road away from the vehicles. Alex was already getting her medical kit out of the hummer. Horatio reached her in a matter of seconds he managed to place a hand on her shoulder. She didn't slow she just kept on walking, causing Horatio to get in front of her. Her eyes were locked onto her feet and the road ahead. He slowly stopped her and lifted her head towards him noticing her flinch at him touching her. She took him in with eyes full of exhaustion, pain and fear, but most importantly her eyes locked onto his.
"Horatio" was all she managed to choke out from her bruised throat as she crumpled to the ground. Standing so close Horatio managed to break her fall and slowly brought her into his arms. "Alex" Horatio emotionally cried as he held Calleigh in his arms "Its ok I have you" he whispered as he held her pale shivering body. Alex stopped abruptly beside the two of them "Oh baby" was all she managed to get out before covering her mouth with her hand to stifle back a sob. "Horatio we need to get her back to the hummer" Alex requested as he lifted Calleigh's body in his arms. Following Alex at a steady pace but trying to minimize any jarring of her injuries he walked with Calleigh back to the Hummer.
"I'll get some blankets" Alex commented realizing that there was no way Horatio was going to let Calleigh go.
Horatio peered down at her small frail form, she looked so much smaller than usual, he wasn't sure if it was from her treatment over the last few days or just the lack of her normal spark. He kept talking to her in soothing tones, telling her it was going to be alright, that she was with him, meanwhile he had never felt such a mixture of anger and pain. Her eyes were half open and her shivering had increased, large purple bruises marred her perfect features, what sort of treatment had he'd subjected her to? Horatio wondered with an anger like he'd never felt before even, when his brother had died or Speed it had been unjust but with this was something so much deeper, he was broken out of his thoughts with Alex calling his name.
Alex had retrieved several blankets out of the hummer and laid one down on the road.
"Horatio, we need to move her onto the blanket I need to take a look at her" Alex requested.
Horatio did as Alex requested and laid her down on the blanket.
"I know this is hard for you honey, but can you call for a medivac on the hummer radio while I check her out." Alex was giving him an opportunity to calm himself down and get his composure for Calleigh.
When Horatio went to remove his hand from hers, she little out a small whimper and opened her eyes wider trying to take in his presence beside her.
"It's ok Cal, I just need to get you some help I'm just going to the hummer, Alex is here she just needs to check you out ok" he reassured her as he got up from beside her.
He heard Alex gently talk to her as she checked for injuries; he ran a hand over his face as he reached the hummer, trying to get a grip on the situation. Reaching inside he started to relay their location over the radio.
Alex didn't know where to start, here was her friend lying beaten and bruised and who knows what else in front of her. Taking a breath she started at the top.
"Honey, you have to stay with me ok, I'm going to check you out, I'm sorry if I hurt you" Alex looked into her eyes to make sure she understood.
"Hurts" Calleigh croaked out
"I know honey, I know, But help will be here soon" with that Alex started to take notice of her injuries, most were obvious due to the bruising which there tended to be a lot of, what she was more concerned about was about any internal ones that she may have sustained, that on top of shock and hypothermia (from the lack of clothing) just added to her fears they needed to get her to a hospital sooner rather than later. She reached the top of Calleigh's legs, there her deepest fears were confirmed the amount of bruising that was present was consistent with that of rape victims, closing her eyes she took a breath and continued, she had just reached Calleigh's bloodied feet when Horatio rejoined them.
"Poor baby must of walked miles, her feet are all torn up" Alex commented as Horatio placed himself at Calleigh's head stroking her hair gently, talking to her softly.
"They're going to be here soon Calleigh, you just wait with me ok, let me see your beautiful eyes".
Calleigh felt like the whole world was sitting on top of her. She was so cold, the only warmth she felt was Horatio's hand on her head. Horatio, she had to tell him something, but her head wasn't co-operating. She was trying so hard to remember.
"Tell..yo..u ." Calleigh started trying to force the words out her bruised throat
"Shhhh, take it easy, can you hear that Calleigh there almost here" Horatio commented on the helicopter sound in the distance.
"Fa..i..r Ma..r..i.'" Calleigh tried to get out again, getting slightly agitated when she didn't think Horatio was listening to her. "Boat" Calleigh said as forcefully as she could which started her into a coughing fit.
"Whoa, Calleigh listen to my voice concentrate on my voice, is he on a boat? The Fair Mari, just look at me, look into my eyes" Horatio asked as she continued into her coughing fit.
She couldn't get it under control her body was just wasn't co-operating, soon she was out of air, the last thing she remembered before blacking out was Horatio looking into her eyes with such pain but also with such love.
"Calleigh, no don't do this, Calleigh?" Horatio's voice went up a notch when he realized she'd passed out.
"Horatio, the paramedics are here you have to move, they'll take good care of her," Alex touched his shoulder and tried to guide him toward the hummer where she sat him down. Everything from that point was a blur the paramedics soon had her on a backboard and in the chopper.
"I want to go with her, Alex" Horatio requested almost like a little boy
"I know, but there's no room, I'm driving" Alex closed the door on Horatio grabbing the discarded blanket off the road before climbing into the hummer herself.
"It's going to be ok" Alex tried to assure him, if that was so true then why did she have a terrible feeling in the pit of her stomach, Trying to push it aside she started the engine and started to follow the path of the disappearing helicopter.