Title: Target Part Two.
Fandom: CSI Miami
Pairing: Horatio/Speed
Author: Aiden
Rating: FRT 13.
Warning: Fluff, angst, hurt/comfort, disability (blindness)
Beta: SRS/Silvia *hugs* As always thanks.
Disclaimer: I don't own them.
Summary: Eric and Speed are having words and not in the kind way.
Author's note: This is AU H is still with CSI but Speed is blind due
to congenital glaucoma and owns several nightclubs in Miami. This was
supposed to be just one story *headdesk* but when I started to write
my brain went haywire, so there will be more.

Alexx and Speed where sitting in the waiting area of the hospital,
waiting for news on Horatio's condition. She was holding the younger
man's hand and felt him tremble all over. "He's going to be fine," she
said, trying to calm him down.

"I can't lose him," he whispered.

"You won't. He's a strong man." Alexx reassured Speed.

Speed hung his head and sighed. "I know but I'm scared."

"That's understandable." Alexx stroked his scruffy cheek.

His head snapped up, "Oh my god, Butch."

Alexx patted his head, "When we were getting on the chopper I saw one
of the rescuers take him, he'll be okay."

"And he's already with a friend," Calleigh said as she walked in.

"Hi, sweetie." Alexx greeted her.

"Any news?" she asked, sitting down on the other side of Speed. "Don't
you worry about Butch, he's in good hands."

"Thank you." Speed smiled at her. "No news so far. They're still operating."

"Horatio is a strong man, he will be fine." Calleigh promised him.

"Where are Eric and Ryan?" Alexx asked.

"Eric had to take care of some stuff," she answered hesitantly.
Calleigh'd had an argument with Eric when he'd told her that he
couldn't be around Speed; he'd hinted that he would visit Horatio
later. "And Ryan will be here as soon as he can. He's still stuck in
court."

Speed smirked. "He doesn't want to be around the blind guy?"

"Speed, that isn't the case." Alexx tried to ease things down.

"I maybe blind but I'm not stupid. I can feel his rejection," he explained.

"Is anyone here on behalf of Lieutenant Caine?" A doctor walked in.

They all stood. "Yes, we are," Alexx explained. "How is he?"

"He's going to be fine. The bullet didn't hit any vital organs. It was
a good thing you where there, Mr. Speedle." The doctor addressed
Speed.

"Can we see him?" Speed asked.

"We gave him something for the pain, so he'll be out of it. But of
course you can see him. He's being moved to a private room right now.
I will have a nurse bring you to his room as soon as he is
comfortable."

"Thank you, doctor." Alexx smiled at him.

"Any time," he answered.

~.~

Speed was sitting in a chair next to Horatio's bed, holding his hand.
Calleigh and Alexx had left a half hour ago after making sure Horatio
was okay. Calleigh had promised to pick Butch up and take him home
with her.

Hearing a moan from the bed, Speed stood immediately. "Hey, there."

"Speed?" Horatio looked at him through sleep-filled eyes.

"How are you doing?" Speed put his hand on the redhead's cheek.

"I've had better days." Horatio leaned into the touch.

"Never scare me like that again." Speed tried to suppress the tears
that were threatening to fall.

"Oh, babe, I'm so sorry." Ignoring the pain that ran through his body,
Horatio reached up with his good arm and wiped away the few tears that
had fallen. "Come here."

Speed sat back down, and laid his head on Horatio's chest. "I've never
been so scared in my whole life."

Horatio moved his hand through Speed's unruly hair. "I'm still here."
He smiled when he heard a soft snore coming from his lover. "I guess
the day is catching up with you," he whispered.

A soft knock jerked him out of his thoughts. "Horatio?" Eric's head
appeared in the doorway.

"Eric, come in," he whispered.

He saw that Speed was still there, fast asleep. "Nah, I come back later."

"Why? You're here now, and I'm pretty sure not even a bomb could wake
him up right now." Horatio smiled.

The young Cuban hesitated for a moment before he walked up to
Horatio." How do you feel?"

"Like I've been shot," Horatio stated.

"That's not funny," Speed grumbled.

"You should be sleeping," Horatio scolded him lightly.

Speed lifted his head. "This is not really comfortable, even if it's
your chest," he smirked. "Hey, Eric," he greeted the young man,
turning his face towards him.

Eric looked at him. "Uhm, hi," he greeted back. "I'm out of here, H.
I'll catch you later, okay?"

"What is your problem?" Speed asked.

"I don't have a problem," Eric retorted.

"Yeah, you do… with me. Why? Is it because I'm blind?" Speed asked, puzzled.

"I'm… it has nothing… no, that's not." Eric's voice trailed off.

Speed snorted. "Yeah, right."

"I don't know how to act around you, okay?" There, he'd said it.

"What?" Speed asked, really surprised with Eric's statement.

At that moment, Ryan knocked and walked in. "Hey, guys, H. How are
you?" He walked up to them, feeling the tension in the air. "Is
everything okay?" Ryan looked at Horatio, concern shining in his eyes.

"Everything is okay, Mr. Wolfe," Horatio told him.

Speed snorted and Eric made a hasty exit. "Later guys," Eric said,
walking out of the room.

"What was that all about?" Ryan asked.

"Your friend thinks I'm some kind of a freak," Speed answered, getting
a little agitated.

"Speed, that's not true." Horatio tried to calm him down.

"You heard him, H. At least, I thought everyone on your team wouldn't
treat me like an invalid. I guess I was wrong. Ryan, would you please
take me home?" Speed turned his face towards the young man.

"Yeah, sure," he answered.

Speed turned his face towards Horatio and smiled. "This is not your
fault." He bent over, and kissed him hard and passionate.

Horatio cupped his cheek. "I'll have a word with him later, I promise.
Now, go home and get some rest. I'll see you in the morning."

Speed nodded and smiled. "I'll bring Butch."

"Only if he knows how to behave himself," Horatio stated.

"You hurt me." He said, grabbing his heart, "Butch always knows how to behave."

Witnessing the love and bantering between his boss and Speed, Ryan
realised that Horatio was trying to ease Speed's mind. Ryan sighed.
Speed was a really, great guy. Why did Eric have so much trouble
accepting him? "You ready to go, Speed?"

Speed gave Horatio one last kiss. "I love you."

"Love you, too. Now, get going." Horatio teased him.

After the two men had left the room, Horatio lied back on the pillows
and sighed, letting sleep take over.

THE END.