A/N: So far so good. Keep your fingers crossed that my dear, sweet muse keeps her head in the game.

Again, I'm lifting some dialog from "Man Down." However, since my world doesn't quite jive with the actual CSI: Miami world, you will find some changes. I also am keeping Eric's mother's original name. I know it changes later, the joys of TPTB rewriting people's back stories for the sake of drama. Consistency people! Ever heard of it? Guess not. Still making no money from this and the same people belong to the folks who aren't me and Annabel and some of the other folks are still from my own mind.

Thank you to TenFour, nonna99, olliebella for doing the click typeclick thing. You can do it too. Please R&R. Thanks!

Trevi pulled out his phone, punched a few buttons and spun it over the table toward Horatio. He picked it up, turned slightly and waited for Clavo to pick up.

"What took you so long?"

Horatio barely restrained a growl. "I was visiting someone in intensive care, Clavo."

"Lieutenant Caine. Now my parade has been officially rained on," quipped Clavo.

"I am here with Joseph Trevi, your biological father."

"And how is Dad?" He was still keeping cocky.

"Clavo, he has given you up and has no intention to contact you." Horatio made sure he carefully spelled out the situation.

Clavo's anger flared. "Nah. No. He wouldn't do that."

"As a matter of fact , he would, my friend. And do you know what that makes you? All alone." Horatio kept his voice low and sharp.

"Oh, yeah. I'm alone? How about you, Caine? That pretty little wife of yours is at the hospital visiting your CSI. Or is she?"

Horatio pushed down the sick feeling that flared up. "This is between you and me, Clavo."

"You take mine, I take yours. Isn't that how this game is played, Lieutenant?"

"Leave her out of this." Horatio looked around trying to find someone he could send to check on Annabel.

"Ah. Found your kryptonite, Caine. And this cat and mouse thing of ours is just going to get fun."

Horatio channeled his fear and anger. "Clavo, you need to listen to me. This is your opportunity to turn yourself in."

"Over my dead body, Caine."

The predator inside Horatio reared its head. "Then over your dead body it's gonna be." He snapped the phone shut. Horatio left Trevi at the table and strode out of the room. He spotted a uniform a short way away. "Lopez. I need you to contact Miami General. Check on the status of CSI Delko and have Detective McGinty-Caine contact me. Thanks." The uniform nodded and went to do what he requested. Horatio stood out in the hall a minute. He raked his fingers through his hair as he gathered his thoughts. He knew that Clavo Cruz was just trying to get a reaction by mentioning Annabel, but there was a small niggling doubt. He would feel better knowing she was still safe watching over Eric. Horatio pushed those thoughts back down and returned to questioning Joseph Trevi.

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Annabel found Horatio leaving Interrogation. He was caught up in his thoughts, but stopped dead when he spotted her. Several emotions flashed across his face. Annabel gave him a sad smile.

"Eric's parents just got there." She stepped forward. "I wasn't needed. So here I am instead," she shrugged.

"Bella, I..."

"What is the latest on the case? I saw Calleigh. She said the guard shot Eric," Annabel ground out the last bit. "Got the promise of a whole hundred grand." Annabel clenched and unclenched her hand.

Horatio looked down trying not to smile. Even in all the gravity of the situation she could get him to smile. "Yes. He's in lock up. I think he will have plenty of time to think on that deal." Horatio looked down at Annabel's hand which was back in a fist. "The hand?"

Annabel held her left hand up and turned it back and forth. "Stiff. Pale. But moving without pain." Horatio held his hand out for her. Annabel stepped forward. He took her hand in his, wove his fingers through hers and gave them a quick squeeze. Annabel smiled and squeezed back. "You were headed somewhere. Do you have a fix on Clavo's location?"

Horatio dropped her hand. "Nothing concrete. Trevi didn't have a lot of information on that front." Horatio looked at the floor and then back at Annabel. "You have to stay here."

Annabel nodded. "As much as I hate to agree, I know. I'm not cleared for a gun. Even if I could hold it, I..." Annabel let out a deep breath. "I'll man the computers." She stepped closer. She looked up at her husband and captured his gaze. "Finish this," she said quietly in a firm voice. Horatio checked her gaze. She nodded. "I know how this has to end. Be the last one standing." She brushed her fingers against his. "I will be waiting for you. Don't make me come after you. The devil can't have you."

Horatio nodded. "I'll let him know." He leaned down. Annabel placed her hand on his chest and shook her head.

"No. I will not kiss you goodbye." She turned and walked away. Horatio watched her go. Annabel stood tall with her back straight. He waited for her to turn the corner before he walked away.

Annabel sat at her desk staring at her computer and running her fingers over her rosary beads. She really had no reason to be there. She had talked to her captain and made a return to work plan. She had called her doctor and set up an appointment. Then called the physical therapist and scheduled a session. Made an appointment with Dr. Marsh. Her restlessness grew as she checked each item off her list. Eric's family was with him and he didn't need her there. Her presence would just distract Horatio and not in a good way.

A single shot rang out. Annabel's head snapped up. She resisted the urge to run to the scene. She fisted her hands on the desk. Clenching and unclenching them over and over. The rosary dug into her hand. Finally, she heard footsteps approach. Not the right footsteps. Her heart shattered. She struggled to pull herself back to together. She would not fall apart here.

"Annie?" It was Calleigh. Annabel choked. Not Calleigh. I can't hear it from Calleigh. Annabel slowly turned. Calleigh gasped when she saw the anguish on her friend's face. "Oh my God. You think..." Calleigh shook her head hard. She dropped to her knees and grabbed Annabel's hands. Annabel burst into tears. Calleigh hugged her. " Oh, Annie. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. Horatio's ok. He's fine. Clavo's dead." Calleigh rocked back on her heels. "He's with IAB. He couldn't come tell you..." Calleigh gave her another quick hug.

Annabel dug the heels of her hands into her eyes. "Thank God. I wasn't thinking. Of course IAB had to talk to him first."

"It's just that you heard the shot and then I came. Easy mistake to make." Calleigh stood up. "Come on. I know someone who really wants to see you. And if they sent Stetler to talk to him, he's definitely gonna need to see you as soon as he's done."

"If Stetler was smart he wouldn't be the one to debrief on this," grinned Annabel. She stood up and walked with Calleigh to Interrogation.

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Horatio left the interrogation room feeling very tired. As soon as he came into the hall Annabel pushed away from the wall. Horatio looked up the sound. He stopped in front of her. They stood with gazes locked, communicating without a sound, without a touch for several heartbeats. Horatio reached out and took Annabel's hand. He pulled her forward to an empty room and inside. He shut the door and dropped all the blinds. As soon as they had privacy, Horatio pulled Annabel into his arms and kissed her fiercely. He dug his fingers into her hair and anchored her head in place while he plundered her mouth. Annabel matched his desperation. She wadded her hands in his shirtfront, clutching him closer. Finally they broke off, both breathing hard. Horatio tilted Annabel's face up to look into her eyes. He traced his fingers over her cheeks.

"You were crying."

"You sent Calleigh."

Horatio's eyes widened as it dawned on him what she had thought. He tugged her closer and buried his face in her hair. Annabel could feel tears dampening her scalp. "Oh, Bella. Bella, I am so sorry."

Annabel squeezed him. "It is what it is. I should have realized IAB would need to get a hold of you first. I should have never have doubted you."

"I want to take you home right now and show you exactly how alive I am." He rubbed his hands up and down her back. "Actually, I almost want to show you right this second." Horatio cupped her backside and pulled her hard against him.

Wicked laughter bubbled up and out of Annabel as she looked up at her husband. "I think that we have caused enough excitement around here today." She ran her hand up his chest. Annabel stared at the deep blue cotton as she toyed with a button on his shirtfront. "And as much as I am half considering that idea, I think we need a place where there is no chance of interruption." She looked up at Horatio. His eyes were almost as dark as his shirtfront. She gasped as an answering heat burned through her, weakening her resolve. Annabel closed her eyes. Horatio leaned down kissed her earlobe. Annabel tilted her head so he could run his lips along her neck. Horatio sucked slightly at the pulse in her neck. Annabel moaned softly. She struggled to bring herself under control. This was a line they could not cross. "We...need...to go...see Eric. I know he's not awake yet, but he needs...to..know...it's...over." Horatio stilled as she talked about Eric. He straightened.

"We do need to do that." Horatio stepped away, linking his fingers through hers, not wanting to lose the connection completely. "When we're done..."

Annabel grinned. "I will make sure you finish what you started." Horatio just nodded. Annabel walked to the door, pulling him with her. They stepped out into the hall. Calleigh was waiting there for them. Annabel blushed scarlet.

"Did you check him over for injuries?" she teased. Annabel turned a deeper red.

Horatio glanced through his lashes at Calleigh. A slight smile played over his face. "We decided that this was not the best place for such...an examination. Or at least not a proper one." Calleigh colored slightly. Horatio chuckled.

Annabel grinned. "You asked."

Calleigh nodded. "I did." She cleared her throat. "Natalia and Ryan are back from Duncroft. You need to hear what they have to report. Frank is already down there."

Annabel squeezed Horatio fingers. "Call me when you're finished. We'll go..." She glanced over at Calleigh. "We'll go and see Eric." She sighed slightly at the pained look that passed over Calleigh's face.

"How is Eric?" Calleigh tried to sound concerned, but casual.

"The same. Still in a coma. Make sure you stop by soon. I know his parents want to see you." Calleigh just nodded.

Horatio squeezed Annabel's fingers. "I'll call as soon as I am free." Annabel nodded. She squeezed his fingers back.

"Later, Love." She walked away.

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Horatio and Annabel walked off the elevator onto Eric's floor. Horatio slowed, each step feeling heavier. Annabel looked up at him. His mouth was crushed into a grim line. She reached out and took his hand. Horatio looked over at her. She gave him a half smile and squeezed his hand.

"They don't blame you, Horatio."

Horatio stopped and looked at the floor. "They should. If Clavo hadn't come after me..."

"You didn't hire a hit. You didn't pull the trigger. You didn't put the bullet into Eric's head. You can't not take the blame." Horatio looked up at her through his lashes. "You can't control a madman. You can only stop him. Which you did."

"Not soon enough." Annabel didn't have a comeback for that one. She just kept her fingers linked with Horatio's as they continued down the hall.

Eric's dad and sisters looked up as they approached. Annabel paused. The last time they had all been together was for a backyard cookout. The contrast almost floored Annabel. She stepped forward and hugged the women. Horatio hung back. Annabel looked over her shoulder and motioned for him to come over. He stepped up next to her and she took his hand. Eric's father stood up slowly and looked at Horatio.

"Calleigh Duquesne called. She said that the man responsible was dead."

Horatio nodded. "He is, Sir."

"And you shot him," stated Pavel quietly.

Horatio ducked his head. "I did, Sir."

"I am sorry that you had to put that animal down. But I am not sorry he is dead," he said softly. "Thank you," said Pavel sincerely. Horatio was unsure how to respond. "I think you should let Eric know."

"Sir...I..."

"You should be the one to tell him. Come." Eric's father motioned for Horatio to follow him. Horatio walked behind Pavel. They went into Eric's room. His mother looked up from where she was sitting vigil. She gave Horatio a sad smile.

"I wish we were seeing each other again under better circumstances." She stood up and hugged Horatio. He stood stiffly for a bit then gave Clorinda a quick hug back. She stepped back and patted Horatio on the cheek. "You take too much on, my dear friend. Eric is still alive and the man who hurt him is gone. God will take care of the rest." She walked to her husband. "We will leave you to tell Eric the news. Perhaps this will bring him back to us." Horatio nodded slightly and the Delkos left him alone.

Horatio sat down in the chair Clorinda had just vacated. He looked over at Eric and then down at his hands. He looked back at his friend and watched Eric's chest rise and fall. Horatio got up and crossed to the window. He looked through the sheer curtain at the bright Miami skyline.

"We got him, Eric."

"H?" He tried to lick his dry lips.

"Yeah."

"I don't remember anything." His voice barely registered.

"You were shot in the line of duty, Eric." He crossed back to the side of the bed and sat down. "You're in the hospital." He looked at his friend as he struggled to put thoughts together.

"I can't remember. I don't remember being shot. What happened." A tear trickled down his cheek. "My family?"

Horatio looked toward the door and back at Eric. He smiled slightly. "Will be very happy to know you are awake." He stood up and touched Eric's arm. "I'll go and get them." Horatio walked out into the hallway. The Delkos all turned to look at him as one. Horatio smiled, his eyes getting damp. "He's awake. He was asking for you."

Eric's mother crossed herself and thanked God. They all stood and rushed toward the room, leaving Horatio and Annabel in the hall. Annabel stood up, walked over to Horatio and took his hands. He refused to meet her eyes.

"What aren't you saying?" she asked softly.

"He doesn't remember being shot."

"That's understandable. Traumatic experience. Head wound and all that."

Horatio pulled Annabel into his arms and rested his cheek in her hair. "I hope that's all."

"Only time will tell, Love," she answered.

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