Title: Misdemeanors
Author Note: Important notices on profile.
Disclaimer: Language, violence, angst, and slash.
POV: Speed
Chapter Ten: Out of this World
I awake in my bed the next morning. Why and how I got here presses on my brain. I had been outside the hospital only hours ago, so says my alarm clock. I roll over to let the red numbers stare into my back. I'm troubled by trying to remember how I got home. I remember the coughing and the passing out. The shrill ringing of the phone rouses me from bed. For the umpteenth time I swear about not having a phone in my bedroom. I walk across the carpeted floors in my bare feet. I'm clad in just my boxers. I came home, changed, and got into bed? The mystery deepens. I answer the phone on the fifth ring, nothing like an annoying persistent ring.
"What?" Not the best way to answer the phone but it works.
"I'm sorry did I wake you?" Delko asks.
"Yes," I mumble.
"Oh," he says, "I'm trying to get used to how things are now. In days past you would have been up before now, to come to work. Speaking of which, it's not as much fun here without you. Last night I got to thinking, everything you said was right. I guess I just wanted to get to know the new blood in the lab, see if he was worth hanging out with, but I never expected things to go down this path."
"Shut up, Delko," I interrupted.
"Excuse me?"
I lean back against the counter. "I don't want your apology. You've only come to this conclusion because I had to point it out to you. Say what you will, but it wasn't just about getting to know the new guy. It was more than that. I'll be stopping by the lab later this afternoon to give Horatio my two week notice."
"I think you're blowing this out of proportion, man," he replies.
"I'm hanging up the phone now," I say and do just that without waiting for a reply.
Delko never mentioned bringing me home last night. He was the last person I talked to before I passed out. Why can't I remember anything after that point of time? I busy myself with making some coffee and put a piece of bread in the toaster. Reflecting on the conversation I can't believe that I actually said that I was giving my two week notice. The thought had not crossed my mind before that moment. Do I really feel like leaving the crime lab? Horatio has been an amazing boss. He does his best to help and most of the time he gives his team the benefit of the doubt. However, when it came to my recent actions it seemed to me that he was all ready to peg me guilty. What changed, besides the new recruit? The toaster pops, tearing my mind away from the troubling thoughts. In my heart I know that it's true, I'm done with the lab. It's time for me to move on.
I sit under a tree outside the crime lab, my bike parked not too far away. I can't get this feeling of fear to leave my chest. For the second time today I find myself questioning reality. For the second time today things had gone from dismal to horrible. The sun hides behind a cloud and a cool breeze stirs the leaves. There is no way to put my troubled mind at easy.
I think back to earlier in the day, after Delko's phone call. I had eaten my breakfast of one piece of toast and drank down a cup of coffee. From there I went to take a shower, to get myself ready to come here. That's all I remembered doing. I don't remember getting out of the shower or getting dressed. Never mind hoping on my bike and driving to the lab. When I had realized what happened I'd climbed off my bike, hands trembling. It all started falling into place. Finally, I know the answer to why I can't remember.
I've been blacking out.
I can only guess that it has to do with my gunshot wound. Though that's healed it's the most recent major injury that I've acquired. Maybe I'm sick and need to see a doctor again. If something is truly wrong with me I'll most likely end-up back in the hospital. No thank you. Knowing these facts makes me happy that I've decided to quit my job. I will no longer be under the watchful eye of Horatio Caine. He won't be able to say anything about my deteriorating health. Perhaps when all is said and done I'll move up north somewhere. Whatever I have can take its toll on me and can die. Right now that doesn't seem like such a bad idea. My world's been turned upside down and I can't take much more of this shit.
With renewed strength, from the anger that continues to run through my veins, I march into the lab. The receptionist is taken by surprise. The look on her face is a mixture of fear and alarm. I see her reaching for the phone when I glance over my shoulder. I breeze passed the Trace Lab and Ballistics. All is quiet, no one is around. They're all most likely at crime scene or picking up a late lunch. Horatio will be in his office, I can sense it.
When I reach the door to his office I knock once, wait a second and just sort of barge right on in. He looks up; there is no surprise on his face. That damn receptionist ruined my shocking entrance.
"Are you okay, Timmy?" His voice is calm and collected, like nothing could possibly be wrong.
"Fine and dandy, H. I just wanted to drop in and tell you that I've made up my mind," I reply.
He frowns. "Made-up your mind about what?"
"Right here and right now I'm giving you my two week notice, I'm done with this job and I'm done with this lab," I say bluntly.
There's the surprised-look I want. "Are you sure this is what you want? Take a few more days off and think about this, Speed. You and I have worked closely together for many years. You were the first one I wanted on my team. This job is in your blood."
I shake my head. "Nope, I've made up my mind."
"You always were a bit headstrong," he sighs. "If this is what you truly want then I won't stand by and stop you. Though I can honestly say that the lab won't be the same without you."
I didn't want to stick around any longer for fear that he might change my mind. I said my goodbye and hastily made my way out of the lab. The sun is hanging a smidge lower in the sky. The night life of Miami will be out soon and people will be partying. They'll be listening to music, going to clubs, drinking alcohol, and just having a grand ole time. It's part of the charm of this deadly city. Tonight I feel like living it up. Tonight I want to be one of the millions of people who stay out all night long enjoying what the nightlife has to offer. It's not like I have a job to go to in the morning.
I step out onto the sidewalk and hum a little song to myself as I walk along. I wonder how long before Horatio will tell the others of my departure and as soon as the thought crosses my mind I no longer care. I'm finally free of the hell this world has been showing me. Tomorrow I'll start looking for places to move to; maybe this time I'll choose a place that isn't so hot. I guess I really wasn't paying attention to the world around me. I've been warned that I do that too often, getting lost in my mind. This time I truly regretted my actions. Because this time, when I stepped off the curb it hit me.
That fiery red sports car.