A/N: I know some people think Horatio should be made to suffer (he was a bit of a jerk), but I can't help myself sometimes. I like happy endings, and everyone being happy. So, he will be grovelling in his apology, but Frankie isn't about to let him go. After all, who would want to make Horatio upset? The man's had it tough enough as it is. Plus, he's got a cute smile. I like his smile. We don't see it enough. Take note, Ann Donahue.
Horatio lost count of how long he sat there, just watching her breathe. According to a long procession of nurses, her vitals were getting stronger all the time, and she was a very lucky woman. Horatio disagreed. Lucky would mean she wasn't here in the first place. Lucky would mean she wasn't involved with someone as difficult and stubborn as him. When he did look up, he was surprised to see that it was dark outside. Another nurse came in, and made some notes on Frankie's chart.
"You really shouldn't still be here you know," she said conversationally. "Visiting hours were over hours ago. Your friends out there wouldn't let the doctors throw you out though." Horatio nodded, surprised. He hadn't realised Alexx or anyone else was still here. Gratitude to the ME flowed through him, she understood him better than anyone else. Except perhaps Frankie, he thought sadly, turning back to watch her sleep again.
The nurse left the room quietly, not wanting to disturb him further. She shook her head in wonder as she went on with her rounds. Eric was sitting outside Frankie's room, his head against the wall, deeply asleep while Calleigh's head was in his lap, as she slept. Alexx had left them to stand guard while she went home to her family for a few hours.
Horatio knew he was tired, but he was far from sleep. He had never felt so awake, remembering every moment he had spent with Frankie, running through every conversation in his mind. Replaying that argument again and again. He had long since come to the conclusion that he had been totally in the wrong. If only she would wake up, so he could tell her that, so he could beg forgiveness.
Horatio had given up on religion a long time ago, just after his mother's murder, but he turned back to it now. Closing his eyes, he bowed his head in prayer. It had been so long, he wasn't sure he remembered the words. They came naturally enough once he started. "Oh God, please, just let her be all right. Don't take her away from me, please God. I need her, I need her so much. I'll make everything all right, I'll do whatever it takes, just don't take her away. Let her be all right. Even if she doesn't want me anymore, just let her be all right. I'll even start going to church again! Please, God, just let her be all right!" His hands were resting on her bed, clasped together, and to his amazement he felt someone place their hand very gently on top of his.
He looked up into the beautiful grey eyes he remembered so well, darkened with pain though they were. Frankie stared at him in silence before a slow smile spread across her face. She reached up to touch his cheek gently, and he leaned into the touch wonderingly, hoping he wasn't dreaming. He turned his head to kiss her palm, before taking her hand in both of his. Neither spoke, both content just to look at the other, to reassure themselves of the other's presence.
It was Frankie who eventually broke the silence. "How long have you been here?"
"I'm not sure. Since this afternoon," he said, checking his watch. He blinked in surprise. "Nearly ten hours now."
"You must be exhausted."
"Don't worry about me; you're the one who was shot." He kissed her fingertips again. "How do you feel?"
"Like I just got shot," she replied with a hint of her old humour. She turned serious again. "Did you get them?"
"Yes, both of them. They'll never hurt you again. No one will," he promised.
"Why didn't you come to the hospital with me?" she asked softly, fearing an evasive answer as usual.
"It was my fault Chessie. I should have been protecting you. I didn't feel I could face you until I'd put that right. Or at least," he amended, "started to put it right by catching those responsible." Frankie stared at him in open disbelief at his honesty. This was exactly the sort of thing that usually made him withdraw from her. His eyes met hers, without any barriers, and she saw the agony that the last few days had cost him. Something had changed, but she didn't dare to hope just yet. Despite her best efforts, she felt her eyelids grow heavy again.
Horatio, of course, noticed instantly. "It's all right, Chessie, I'll still be here when you wake up. Go back to sleep. I'm not going anywhere this time." He leaned in and kissed her gently on the forehead. "Go back to sleep."
"I will if you will," she managed to say, and heard him chuckle softly as she drifted off.
