Disclaimer: I don't own CSI:Miami in any shape or form – I am just borrowing for a little while and put them back when I am finished playing.

a/n – thanks for everyone who read and reviewed "A New Start for Mari" – this is a continuation of Mari's adventures with the Miami Crew.

a/n – also for readers information – words typed in "Italics" indicates that Mari is signing in ASL and words appearing in "Bold" text are text messages to and from Mari. Also Mari's character is loosely based on my hearing difficulties – like Mari – I wear hearing aids, lip-read and sign.

And the adventures continue….

Chapter 6 – Mexican standoff…who wins…

The minister informed Mari that Horatio was in the hospital chapel, and pointed towards the chapel. Mari was almost at the chapel when Horatio walked out of the chapel with Haywood walking beside him.

Mari backed out of sight so that the two men couldn't see her, and texted a message to Frank – requesting backup. Mari followed the two men outside to the hospital parking lot, noticing that Haywood had his gun pressed against Horatio's side.

"Where is she? You told me that she was meeting you here," demanded Haywood, pushing Horatio up against the Hummer, with his gun aimed at Horatio's head. Mari drew her gun and walked up quietly towards the two men, Horatio saw her, but didn't let his expression alert Haywood.

"Are you looking for me?"

Hearing Mari's voice, Haywood spun around with Horatio in a chokehold and his gun pressed against Horatio's temple. "Drop your gun, or I will shoot your boss in the head," ordered Haywood.

"I don't think so," replied Mari, drawing a bead on Haywood's forehead.

"Mari, take your shot," Horatio said calmly, as sirens were heard in the background.

"Quiet, not another word," ordered Haywood.

"I just want to know why? Why kill my parents? And why did you shoot Dean?"

"We needed the money, and you refused to marry Owen. And your lawyer was a mistake, I knew that you was at the house and I expected it to be you when the door opened for your lawyer. Now put your gun down and back away."

Mari looked at Horatio, who said silently, mouthing the words. "Do it, it's the only way."

Mari nodded as she watched Haywood's gun hand, watching as Haywood looked at her, and his gun started to turn in her direction. Mari squeezed the trigger, her aim sure and true, the bullet drilling a neat hole in Haywood's forehead. Haywood fell backwards with a surprised expression frozen on his face. Horatio jerked free from Haywood's chokehold, getting back up on his feet, holding his throat.

Mari stood there frozen, still aiming her Glock at Haywood's body, not noticing the uniformed officers surrounding her with drawn weapons.

"Miss, drop your gun," ordered one of the officers.

"Hold your fire, she's with me," Horatio ordered, walking up to Mari carefully, gently taking the gun from her hand. Blinking, Mari looked at Horatio. "Are you okay, sir?"

"I am, thanks to you," smiled Horatio.

"Is he dead?"

"Yes, your nightmare is over."

"I didn't want to shoot, but I had no choice."

"You had no choice," agreed Horatio. "Besides you were following my orders."

"I'll take Mari's gun," Calleigh walked up beside Horatio, and put Mari's gun in an evidence box for guns. "Horatio, where is your gun?"

"Haywood surprised me before I could draw it," Horatio admitted with a sheepish look.

"Horatio, that is not like you," Calleigh teased.

Tripp removed Horatio's gun from Haywood's jacket pocket and Calleigh put it into another evidence box. "The rat squad is going to be all over you two," Frank commented.

"It was a justifiable shooting," stated Horatio, before turning to Calleigh. "Calleigh, what was the result of the comparison of the bullet that was recovered from Dean Allan?"

"It was a perfect match to Det. Haywood's service weapon."

Ryan came up to them and reported that the trace evidence in the SUV came back to Owen Lucas, who had been sitting in the passenger seat.

They all watched as Alexx started processing Haywood's body, then as she finally told her assistants to remove the body to the morgue. Coming over to Mari, Alexx looked her friend in the face asking. "How about you sweetie, are you okay?"

"I think so," Mari looked up at all her friends and co-workers, blinking away tears. "It's gonna take time, but I'll be fine."

"Indeed it will," Horatio gently hugged Mari. "Thank you."

TBC…..