Title: Solace

Author: AllOverTheWorld

Shippers: Horatio/Calliegh

Summary: Calleigh takes solace in firearms, as strange as it seems to most; she finds comfort amongst Sig Sauers, Colts, Sniper Rifles, and Shot Guns, Machine Guns, exploding rounds and gun powder. Most, if not all, on the CSI team know where to find her after a particularly long or hard (most times both) case: her ballistics lab. What happens when that solace is shattered? When her one sanctuary is no longer what it was? Where will she go? Who can she turn to?

Authors Notes: Thanks to my reviewees (calleigh16, Pinkyster and muddpuppy19). Also another thank you goes out to Pinkyster for whom an idea for this story has come from. Also any name mix-ups are my own, so let me know!

"Right, Frank can you take care of the approvals for me. I won't be in until later but this has to get taken care of before-"Horatio, ever the master of multitasking, was cooking eggs while simultaneously talking on the phone and mixing pancake batter. However he couldn't finish his statement because he heard the soft padding of footsteps that could only mean Calleigh was awake "I'll talk to you later." He said and hung up.

"Who was that?" Calleigh asked as she entered the kitchen clad now in a pair of pajama pants and an extremely hold and rather large MDPD t-shirt.

"Frank." Horatio said and was relieved when Calleigh just nodded and said

"You didn't have to hang up on him just because I'm here."

Horatio smiled "It's okay, he wont mind." He said and watched as Calleigh walked up to island and sat down on a worn bar stool.

Silence filled the room, save for the sound of Horatio cooking but Calleigh's voice pierced the silence after a few minutes "I hate him." She said quietly

Horatio slid the last remnants of egg onto a large plate and put it in the oven before pouring a measured amount of batter into the still searing hot pan "That's understandable." He said slowly, allowing her to say what she needed.

"For years every time I closed my eyes it was his face that I saw. I didn't sleep for more than two or three hours at time for years. I would dream that he had broken out of prison and-"her voice broke "well you saw what happened. I'd been dreaming about something like that happening for years. I should have known he was going to do something like that. I should have gotten a spare gun."

All the while Calleigh had been talking Horatio had finished cooking and slid a plate full of eggs, strawberries and pancakes in front of Calleigh "Sweetheart" he started and put one of his hands over her own "You did nothing wrong."

She looked at him in disbelief "The IAB is going to eat me alive. I get my gun stolen and the very same day an ex-boyfriend with a grudge shows up at the lab and tries to kill me, Stetler is going to eat it all up."

"I will deal with the IAB." He said and his voice was laced with a slight menace "Eat." He urged "I'm not leaving until I've seen you eat something."

Hesitantly Calleigh took a mouth full of pancakes and swallowed, she paused for a moment not trusting her own stomach then smiled and took another bite. The minutes passed in silence broken only by the sounds of metal scraping plate as the duo ate. Finally there was the clatter of silverware on the counter as Calleigh set her knife and fork down "That" she started and at Horatio "was amazing. I didn't know you could cook."

Horatio laughed "Did you think I lived off of take out?"

She shook her head "No, I was picturing something more along the lines of bullets and bad guys for breakfast."

"I save those for lunch." He said and his heart soared when he heart that familiar laugh. His phone suddenly started to vibrate and he saw Calleigh jump ever so slightly "Horatio Caine." He said into the mouth piece "I am currently occupied but I will be in, in about half an hour. I'll see you then Rick."

Calleigh's heart plummeted, the IAB was already taking statements "You should go." She said "You don't want to give Stetler any more time to come up with his bullshit than normal."

Joining Calleigh on the other side of the island Horatio said "Stop worrying. Everything is going to work out. Now I want you to do something to relax this afternoon and I'll stop by after I'm done working."

She forced a smile on her face, a whole afternoon with nothing but her thoughts to be her companion, she wasn't sure she would make it until his return "Okay." She said simply.

Horatio kissed the top of her forehead and said "If you ever need me just call me and I'll be here."

She nodded and watched as he walked out of the room and out of her house. As soon as the door closed the silence became overwhelming, she rose and walked over to the drawer under the sink and pulled out her Glock 21 and held it in her hand tightly.

Deciding that the day would be better spent in front of the T.V. than sitting in her bedroom, paralyzed in fear. Settling on the couch she flipped on the TV and flipped aimlessly through the channels before deciding on Oprah, all the while the Glock never leaving her hand.

Horatio entered the interview room and sat down "Rick." He said by means of a greeting.

"Horatio, I reviewed both yours and Miss. Duquesne's reports of what happened and it seems all good except for one detail. The weapon that was used on Miss. Duquesne was her own correct."

"Yes."

"It was stolen from her yesterday morning?"

"Yes, at a crime scene. There was an altercation between a group of men and Miss. Duquesne went in to stop it. By the time she realized her gun had been taken it was too late."

"That doesn't strike you as odd?"

"What, that she went to stop a fight. If you're asking me that then you have been in IAB too long. Serve and protect, remember." He said

"That the weapon she allegedly got stolen appears later that day in the possession of her ex-boyfriend, doesn't that strike you as odd?"

"No." Horatio said, quickly getting agitated with where this line of questioning was going.

"He get's out of prison and comes to Miami just to take revenge on Miss. Duquesne? That seems extreme to me."

"What are you insinuating Rick?"

"I'm merely saying that the entire incident could just have easily been planned. How else would Mr. Matthews know when the night shift changed over or gotten the clothes to pass security?"

Horatio's mind flashed back to the night before, Calleigh sitting in his arms, terrified to close her eyes for fear that Gunnar Matthews would return "That's bullshit and you know it Rick. If you had even bothered to look at the file Gunnar Matthews purchased all of the items necessary from a cop shop downtown. He could not purchase a gun because he had no proper means of ID, they would have known he skipped parole and sent him back to prison."

Stetler sighed and then asked "Do you know where I can find Miss. Duquesne? I need to ask her some questions."

Horatio's eyes flashed knowing that Calleigh could barely handle talking to him let alone Stetler "She's not here, she's at home."

Rick sat up a little straighter "I see that as an attempt to evade questioning, suspicious isn't Horatio?"

It was all he could to contain his anger as he said "She's recovering."

"Well I need to ask her some questions. Talk to you later Horatio." He said and stood up, leaving Horatio worried and anxious about Calleigh.

Calliegh had just changed the channel to the Food Network when she heard someone coming up her front steps. Her heart pounding in her ears she waited, tense and shaking as the door bell echoed throughout her house. With one hand on her gun she walked towards the front door and peered out, the person on her doorstep was neither wanted not welcome, however she opened the door and said "How can I help you?"

Rick Stetler smiled "Sorry for the inconvenience, I just wanted to clear a few things up so we can get this mess out of the way."

She forced a smile on her face and tried to keep herself calm as he took a step forward, basically forcing himself inside her house "What do you need?" she asked

"Mind if we take a seat?"

Yes, I do mind. She thought but instead led him into the kitchen and stood while he took a seat and pulled out his recorder "Now, I just have a few questions regarding the, ahm, incident yesterday."

She nodded, trying not to think about "What do you need to know?"

"In your statement you said that your gun was taken earlier that day while you were breaking up a fight at a crime scene?"

"Yes."

"And you didn't see Gunnar Matthews there?"

"No."

"Then how did he get your gun, it's an awful big coincidence."

Taking a small breath to calm her, Calleigh said "I don't know. There were so many people there he could have taken it or gotten someone else to do it for him."

"But he doesn't know anybody here in Miami, except for you. Are you sure you didn't just slip him that gun amidst the mayhem."

"No, I didn't give my to Gunnar Matthews." She said and was relieved when her phone began to ring, pulling out she saw that it was Horatio. Glancing at Stetler she said "Pardon me." And walked out of the room "Horatio." She gasped

He knew something was wrong and Horatio was confident he knew what it was. Inwardly he cursed himself for not stopping Rick "Calleigh." He breathed "Are you okay?"

"For now. "She said and then with a hint of desperation she said "Horatio, I don't think I can keep it together much longer."

"Try for just a little bit longer sweetheart I'm on my way." As he spoke he was turning the ignition on the hummer.

Before Calleigh could respond the phone was taken from her grasp and shut by Stetler. Before she could whirl around she felt the tickle of his breath on her neck and all was lost. She tried hard to remain in the present but even as she fought it she could feel Gunnar's hand on her abdomen, the barrel of the gun pressing into her temple "Calleigh" Stetler said

She could move, paralyzed by the flashback.

"Miss. Duquesne, if you care to keep your job it would be wise to finish this interview."

She couldn't breath, she couldn't move, she didn't even hear that threat.

"Miss me Calleigh?"

His voice was sweet but it was unmistakably laced with venom, venom that she felt as he pushed the barrel of the gun hard into her neck "Come on Calleigh. I know that you missed me. You missed how I could make you feel." He was smiling, she could tell by his voice and the fact that he obviously loved every second of this.

"If you count making feel scared and alone as a good thing, then yes, I did miss that, though working here can do a good job of that sometimes." Calleigh said trying to keep her voice steady and calm as she reached for her gun. As her shaking hand reached the holster at her side, her blood froze as her hand touched an empty holster. She cursed her self for allowing her gun to be stolen and not getting a replacement. She was weaponless against her angry ex-boyfriend from thirteen years ago.

"Lies," He hissed "I remember when you would moan my name, begging me to come home so we could have some fun."

Calleigh swallowed "If you're here to shoot me Gunnar just do it already."

"I don't think so Calleigh. You see, I've been waiting thirteen years to do this and let me tell you it feels good to be the one holding the gun." He said and as he said this his unarmed hand snaked across her abdomen and towards the button of her pants.

The sound of a door banging open and Horatio's voice yelling something she didn't quite catch dragged her out of the flashback ever so slightly. It brought her back enough for her to realize that she was leaning against the floor in her hallway, tears rolling down her face and staring down the barrel of Stetler's gun. In her own hand she held her Glock however the safety was still on and her finger wasn't anywhere near the trigger.

Fear rolled through her and she closed her eyes as Horatio came within inches of Stetler's face "I told you she was recovering." He hissed, his cobalt eyes flashing dangerously

"I needed to clarify a few things." Stetler said, still not putting his gun down.

"Put your gun away Rick. She's not a threat."

Rick smirked "She reached for her gun first."

"Because you came in here and interrogated her."

"I could write her up for threatening an IAB officer."

Horatio's anger rose, if that was possible, to new heights spurred on by both Stetler's comments and the soft whimpers coming from Calleigh "Leave." He hissed and stood aside for Stetler to leave.

"This interview isn't over Miss. Duquesne." He said over his shoulder as he left but she didn't hear him.

As soon as the door was closed Horatio sunk to his knees and pulled Calleigh into him whispering softly "Shhh, it's over. It's over. You're safe."

She cried into his shirt for a few minutes before Horatio helped her up and asked her gently "Did he" Horatio paused letting Calleigh get comfortable on the couch before taking a seat next to her "try to do anything to you?"

Calleigh looked at him and then looked away "I was on the phone with you and he came up behind me and took my phone. I was angry at that but then his breath hit my neck and-"she trailed off as more tears spilled down her face.

At that moment Horatio wanted to do nothing more than to shoot Rick Stetler for what he had put Calleigh through "You did nothing wrong. It's against protocol for him to come to an officers home to collect a statement, he's trying to rile me up."

Calleigh looked away "I shouldn't have let him get to me."

Horatio shook his head "It's not your fault."

"He's going to twist everything, you know that." She said

"He won't get away with it." Horatio said "If he tries anything…" he trialed off and was content for a moment to let Calleigh just lean against him. He ran one hand through her hair and the other simple rested in his lap. To his surprise, and pleasure, she grabbed it with one of her own and intertwined their fingers. She fell asleep like that and Horatio turned his attention to Iron Chef America.

Whew. That was a long one. Anyway I hope you enjoyed that, although Horatio desperately wanted to hurt Stetler (sp?). Thank you so very much for taking the time to read this!

Question for the chapter:

Best episode of CSI: Miami?

AllOverTheWorld