Title: Life has it's reasons

Author:Chickee1

Rating: PG-13, language

Summary: Marisol has news for Horatio, but with obstacles in her way will she be able to tell him in time.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything or anyone from CSI Miami. I am only a fan who enjoys writing stories that take an interest in the show.

Authors Note: This is my take on what should happen after the episode 'Driven'. Spoilers included. I am a H/C fan, but H/M makes for an interesting story line. H/C later on...possibly.

"Frank, what do we have here?" asked Horatio as he walked up to him. "Shootout, we got all 3 suspects. Thought you guys would want to exam the bodies we have inside." Said Frank, leading the way for Horatio and Eric. "That we would, what we would", Horatio said as he placed his sunglasses on his neck and hands on his hips. "Eric flashlights will be needed. Thanks Frank." Horatio and Eric headed into building, being as dark as it was, even their lights weren't helping that much. "Horatio, talked to witnesses says there's one more in there", Frank said over the radio. "Eric you catch that, be aware."

Placing his hand on his holster, Horatio began to check room for room, as Eric did the same down the hall. "Miami Dade Police. Come out with your hands on your head" yelled Horatio, as he pulled his gun out in front of him, aiming to where his light was. Eric heard shouting and hurried back to where he had left Horatio, suddenly he found himself falling down on the floor. 'Way to go Delko', he thought to himself, as he rose to his feet, only to find himself quickly getting down again as shots were fired. Quickly grabbing his gun, Eric returned fire. Within moments, all shots stop.

"Delko, Delko where are you, what the hell is going on in there?" yelled Frank, as he entered the building. "Shots fired", Eric yelled back. "H...H are you okay...H where are you?". Grabbing his flashlight that he had dropped, Eric searched for his boss. He quickly spotted something just in front of him laying on the ground. "H...oh my god...I need rescue in here", Eric yelled. "What happend" asked Frank, as he kneeled beside Eric and Horatio. "He's been shot Frank, looks like a through n' through." Eric quickly applied pressure to Horatio chest, trying to stop the bleeding. "Come on H, your gotta stay with me. Your going to be okay".

Minutes later, the EMT's arrived, along with Calleigh and Ryan. "Eric what happned?" asked Calleigh. "H and I were searching the building...I tripped and shots were fired. I lost my light" started Eric, "You lost your light, so you didn't see where you were shooting"? Ryan asked. "I thought I knew where H was...it happened so fast". "Well let's get to work so that we can find out what exactly happened."

Calleigh said as her and Ryan headed into the building. "Horatio is on his way to the hospital, they lost a pulse just before they left, its going to be a tough one." said Frank as he walked up to Eric. "You okay?", he asked. Eric shook his head, "I couldn't see where I was shooting...what if..." "Delko don't even finish that sentance. We won't know anything till Calleigh gets the ballistics done. You know that Stetler is going to be involved in this..because it's an officer involved shooting." Eric nodded his head, "Yah I know. I'm going to wait around, see if I can help Calleigh."

"Calleigh have you found anything yet?"asked Eric as he came into the crime scene. "The suspect here has a gun shot to the head. Horatio is a good shot. I found a bullet here, looks like a 9mm, has blood on it." Calleigh said as she pulled the bullet out of the wall. "Calleigh, if that has Horatio's blood on it...that means that my gun is the one that shot him...I killed him..." whispered Eric.

Before Calleigh could say anything Eric hurried outside, heading after him she ran into Frank. "Frank do you know where Eric went to?"she asked. "He said something about having to go and talk to Marisol, had to do with Horatio he just handed his gun into me and left, What's up?". "The bullet that was a through n' through on Horatio, looks like it came from Eric's gun, which means..." "Which means if Horatio dies...Eric would be charged with murder".

It was the hardest thing Eric thought that he'd ever have to do. Driving up to Horatio's house, he looked up and could see the lights still on. As he started to get out of the hummer, the front door swung open. "I was beginning to think that you weren't coming...home" Marisol called. "Eric what are you doing here?" she asked, shocked to see her brother coming out of the hummer. Stepping closer into the light, Marisol saw that the front of Eric's shirt was covered in blood.

"Oh my god Eric, are you okay?" she asked as she ran to her brothers side."Marisol...it's not my blood..." Stepping back, Marisol looked up at Eric, and into his eyes. "Horatio", she said in barley a whisper. Dropping his head, Eric nodded. "He...Marisol...I'm sorry". Tear began to flow down Marisol's face uncontrollably. "How...Eric...he promised me he wouldn't be long...where is he", she cried. Pulling his sister into his arms, smoothing her hair in his hand, he kissed her head. "Marisol, I need to tell you something...about tonight..."he said as he pulled Marisol back, looking into her eyes, he could see the pain in them which made it so much harder to tell her.

'If I tell you, your going to blame me...for all of this', he thought to himself as he continued to stare into his sisters pain filled eyes. "Eric tell me what happened" she cried. "The building was dark. H and I split up...shots were fired...I...I shot him" he whispered. "Everything happened so fast...I don't know how it happened. I found him...bleeding. I tried to help him..." he couldn't finish. "You what? How could you do that Eric...Why didn't you look..have a light with you.." she screamed. "I dropped it..I'm sorry". "Sorry, your sorry. Sorry won't bring him back will it...Eric, I hate you I..." Before Marisol could finish she dropped to her knees in pain. "The baby", she cried. 'Baby...' thought Eric.