A/N: So here's the next chapter in one regret. I'm sorry it took longer than I expected, but I'm still dealing with computer problems. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter One
Horatio made his way down the hall of the crime lab on his way out to a crime scene, when his cell rang. He picked up. "Caine."
"Lt. Caine it's good to hear your voice again."
"Who is this?"
"I'm ashamed you don't remember who I am. I know about your son and I'm not talking about the trouble maker. I'm talking about your Goody Two Shoes, his names Nathaniel right? Or its was, but you put him up for adoption at three, now his name's Donald Flack Jr. isn't it. He's a detective with the NYPD right?"
"How do you know about Nathaniel?"
"Oh Lt., you should know all about that. There's always a paper trail. I'm going to make you pay for what you did. I'm going to make you watch you're your first born die and after that I won't even give you time to grieve before I kill everyone you care about. I hope we keep in touch Lt." said the man on the other line and than the phone clicked.
Horatio closed his cell and stood there in disbelief for a moment, think of his son Nathaniel. He than pulled out his cell and made a call to one person he knew could help him out until he got to New York himself and explained things. The line rang two times before it was picked up. "Detective Taylor."
"Mac, it's Horatio Caine from Miami."
"Horatio it's good to hear from you."
"I'm going to cut to the chase. I need you to do me a favor."
"What kind of favor?"
"I need you to keep an eye on Detective Flack for me; I just received a call from someone that was threatening to kill him."
There was silence for a few seconds before Mac spoke again. "Do you know why this guy called you to threaten Flack?"
"I believe I do, but I rather not talk about it over the phone. I'm going to be in New York as soon as I can."
"Alright, I'll do what I can, but he's stubborn and won't like the idea of needing an escort."
"Thanks Mac," replied Horatio and hung up.
Horatio made his way through the lab looking for one of team members, Calleigh in specific. He found her in the ballistics lab. "Calleigh I need you to take charge of the lab for awhile."
"Okay, how long? A few hours?"
"I'm not sure yet. I have to go up to New York, so it may be a few days. I was on my way to a crime scene, so I need you to go out instead. Eric's already on his way and it's Mr. Wolfe's day off."
"Alright Horatio, I got you covered."
Mac Exited his office, he was going to go over to the precinct to talk to Flack. He got lucky when he saw him talk to Danny and Hawkes and then leave towards the elevator. "Flack."
He turned around to face Mac. "Yeah, Mac."
"I just got a call from Lt. Caine down in Miami."
"Yeah, we got similar cases, look to be same MO or something?"
"No he told me he had just received a call from someone only they were threatening your life."
"What?"
Mac could hear that nervous confused laugh that Flack sometimes had when he was surprised by something. "Mac I can assure I haven't been getting any threats."
"I want you to get some sort of protection."
Flack shook his head. "No, no way. Mac I perfectly capable of taking care of myself, I don't need a babysitter."
"I realize how you feel Don, but we don't know how bad the situation is and it's better that were safe then sorry."
"I'll get protection the day the guy starts calling me instead of someone else."
"If I have to I'll stick Danny with, you can see it as just hanging out with a friend Don. Horatio is on his way up and I'm sure he'll explain things in more detail."
"That's great Mac, but I'm not going to have a babysitter."
"Alright, but please be careful Don."
"Always am."
Calleigh pulled up to the crime scene and got out of the Hummer. She made her way towards Eric, Alexx, and the body. "Hey Calleigh, where's H. I thought he was going to be here."
"He had an emergency to attend to. I'm in charge until he gets back."
"I like it when you're in charge," said Eric.
"I'm sure you do, what do we have though?" asked Calleigh.
"Male victim. ID says his name Joseph Travis. Now his ID says he has brown eyes, but Alexx here says his eyes are blue."
"Someone put blue contacts in his eyes?" asked Calleigh.
"That's not always weird," said Alexx. "He has writing carved into his back, I'm not quit sure what it says. I'll know when we get him back to the morgue and clean him off."
"Thanks Alexx," said Calleigh.
Once Alexx had left, Eric started talking to Calleigh again. "So H had an emergency. Did he tell you what it was about?"
"No not really, but it most be pretty serious, he's gone up to New York."
"New York?"
Calleigh nodded her head. "You know Eric he did start his career as an officer there, maybe and old friend of his needed help."
Horatio sat on the plane bound for New York, tuning out all the noise surrounding him. He closed his eyes thinking if he got a little rest that time would seem to go by faster and he'd be in New York sooner. He was brought back to memories of Nathaniel when he was three as he slowly drifted off to sleep.
Horatio pulled up outside the school, parking his car and heading to his son's classroom. He entered the room and saw the teacher first. She smiled at him than turned away. "Nathaniel, guess who's here."
There was a clatter of toys and a scream of joy. "Daddy!"
Horatio bent down as Nathaniel ran at him. Nathaniel wrapped his arms around his neck. He lifted his son up, holding him in his arms as the teacher approached him. All the other kids had already been picked up by their parents. "How was your day?" he asked his son.
"Fun."
Horatio turned to the teacher who had been a friend of his wife's and was always willing to watch Nathaniel for awhile longer until he picked him up her had Monica pick him up. "How was he today?"
"My best behaved, as always. There was a small problem with some of the other toddlers making fun of him sneezing, but he didn't let them get to him, did you Nate?"
Nate shook his head no. Horatio smiled at how fast Nathaniel shook his head back and forth. "Well that's good."
"I don't think it's wise to take three year olds to the zoo, but the school thought it was and I was out voted. I only wish I had, had more chaperones."
"Not enough parents came through?"
She shook her head, "but that's alright, we dealt."
"That's good, thanks Marry for watching him."
"It wasn't a problem; he's a joy to have around."
"Bye Mrs. Brook."
"Bye Nathaniel, see you on Monday."
Horatio carried his son out to the car placing his son in the car seat in the back and buckling him up, than going around front and getting in the drivers seat and taking off. "So you had fun at the zoo today?"
"Yeah, I saw all the naminals."
"Which one was your favorite?"
"I liked the jaffes and the ewephants and the famingos and, and..."
"Did you like the tigers?"
Nathaniel scrunched up his nose. "I don't like the 'igers, they make me 'neeze."
"The tigers make you sneeze."
Nathaniel nodded his head. "All the kitty cats make me 'neeze."
"Well, we'll have to look into that won't we?"
"The other kids thought it was funny that I 'neezed around the kitties, they laughed."
"Well that wasn't very nice of them was it?"
Nathaniel shook his head and Horatio smiled. "Daddy, I want to go to the zoo with you,"
"You want to go with me, but you just went today."
"I know, but I want to go to the zoo with you, it be more fun and I can show you all the naminals, like the 'ipotamesses."
"The Hippopotamus."
Nathaniel nodded his head. "Yeah the 'ipotamassess
"We'll see about going this weekend okay," he replied.
"Okay," said Nathaniel, there was moment of silence. "Daddy?"
"Yes."
"Why's your hair orange?"
"Why's my hair orange? Well I was just born that way."
"Why is my hair black?"
"Because that's the way you were born."
The memory faded and another one came.
Horatio held Nathaniel's hand as he was pulled around the zoo paths. Suddenly Nathaniel stopped and turned around, pushing on Horatio who had stopped as well. "What's the matter?"
"Can't go that way," replied Nathaniel.
"Why can't we go that way?"
Nathaniel's eyes widened. "The 'igers are over there an I don't wanna 'neeze."
"Alright we won't go see the Tigers. Where do you want to go?"
"The zoo store."
"The zoo store it is than."
Nathaniel started pulling Horatio again towards the zoo store, when they reached it Nathaniel let go of Horatio's hand and ran towards the store. "Nathaniel be careful."
"I will."
Horatio followed Nathaniel into the store and found him by the stuff animals. Nathaniel ran up to him holding a tiger stuffed animal. "I want this one."
"I thought you didn't like tigers?"
"That's because they make me 'neeze, but 'iger doesn't make me 'neeze at all."
"Alright, let's get you this tiger," said Horatio picking up his son and walking to the register.
"I'm getting this 'iger kitty because it don't make me 'neeze," said Nathaniel when they came to the woman who was working the register.
"Really," she said to Nathaniel as he vigorusly nodded his head, she turned to Horatio. "Will this be all?"
"Yes."
"Would you like a bag?"
"No! I wanna hold 'iger," said Nathaniel.
"No thanks, we'll be fine," said Horatio.
The woman handed him his receipt and he took it. Holding his son they left the store as Nathaniel held on to his new stuffed tiger. "What are you going name it?" asked Horatio.
"What should its name to be?"
"I don't know that's up for you to decide."
"Central"
"Central, huh."
"Cause that's the name of the zoo I got him at," said Nathaniel.
Horatio went to set down Nathaniel, but Nathaniel just held on tighter. "No!"
"What's the matter?"
"I'm tired."
"Do you want to go home?"
Nathaniel nodded his head against his father's chest. "Alright let's go home."
Nathaniel fell asleep clutching his stuffed tiger before the even reached the car.
The memory faded as he was woken up by a flight attendant telling him they were about to arrive in New York. He sat up in his chair and took a deep breath.
Don Flack lay in bed asleep after an odd day at work. He wasn't one who normally had dreams or at least ones he remembered, but tonight was different, it was an odd dream though there were no images or at least no clear image it was mostly black with voices floating around.
"Daddy I don't want you to go."
"I have to go."
"Why can't I go with you daddy."
"It's too dangerous."
"Than why can't you just stay daddy. I don't wanna lose you."
"I can't stay Nathaniel it's to protect you from stuff like what happened with the bad man at preschool, this nice family will take good care of you. Remember daddy will always love you."
"I always love you too daddy," said the little voice a fuzzy image of little boy hugged an older man who was squatting down.
Don woke up from his fuzzy imaged dream and got out of bed. He went to straight to his desk and turned on his computer, waiting impatiently for it to boot up. He went straight into a search he typed in HORATIO CAINE, NATHANIEL and hit search. A list of three things popped up.:
CAR ACCIDENT KILLS WIFE OF NEW YORK DETECTIVE
PRESCHOOLERS HELD HOSTAGE
DID NATHANIEL CAINE DISAPPEAR?
Don clicked on the first one; it was also the oldest one, an article clipping popped
up and he began to look over it. "CAR ACCIDENT KILLS WIFE OF NEW YORK DETECTIVE. Date: Jul.6.81. Yesterday morning July fifth an accident occurred. One of the victims in the car that was hit was Gina Caine, wife of Detective Horatio Caine. The other victim who died in that car accident was Detective Caine's brother-in-law Anthony Bianchi. The only survivor in that car was Caine's son, three year old Nathaniel Caine. The driver from the other car was not at the scene upon arrival of police. Police are looking for the owner of the vehicle and looking to charge him with hit n' run and Vehicular homicide.
Don clicked out of the article and clicked on the next one down. PREESCHOOLERS HELD HOSTAGE. Date Oct.29.81. Yesterday preschoolers were held hostage with their teacher within the confinments of their own classroom. One of the preschoolers was Nathaniel Caine, son of Detective Caine. It is rumored that the man holding the preschoolers hostage wanted something from the Detective, but it isn't being released exactly what it was. All preschoolers were returned safely.
Don clicked out of that article and clicked on the last one. DID NATHANIEL CAINE DISAPPEAR? Jan.15.83. It has been a little over a year sense the hostage situation that involved preschoolers, but since than we haven't seen Nathaniel Caine, son of Detective Horatio Caine. Rumors are coming in vast ranges, from that he actually was killed during the hostage situation, to he was injured and died later, to he was put up for adoption, to he just disappeared. No one will confirm what has actually become of the boy who will be turning five today if he is still alive. Although most people do not think he is dead. No death certificate has ever been filed under that name fitting the boys description and old news footage of the hostage situation reveals the little boy being reunited with his father. It is still up to the imagination to New Yorkers what has actually happened to the boy.
Don clicked out again and sat back in the chair. His dream tonight the name Nathaniel had been mentioned as if the person was talking to him. Lyle Bianchi had called him Nathaniel. Bianchi that was Horatio's now deceased wife's maiden name. Lyle's daughter's middle name was Gina. In the dream he had, had there was a mention of a bad man and preschool. "Jesus Christ," Don said in realization. "Horatio Caine's my dad. I'm Nathaniel Caine."
In his mind it all fit, it had to, it made sense. He would be the same age as Nathaniel Caine, his birthday was the same day as Nathaniel Caine and Horatio Caine had gotten a call about guy threatening Don's life, but Horatio hadn't told Mac apparently was that it was threat to Horatio as well, this guy was trying to get to Horatio, this wasn't about him. This guy was playing games with Horatio and using him. He was brought out of his thoughts when there was a knock on his door.
He got up and went to it, looking through the peep whole before actually answered the door. He saw it was Lindsay and opened the door. "Hey Lindsay, Mac sent you didn't he?"
"Yeah, I was done with work and he wanted me to swing by. Did I wake you?"
"Na I was already up, I was doing some research. Have you worked things out with Danny?"
Lindsay let out a sigh. "I really don't want to talk to him Don."
"You need time."
"Yeah, so what were you researching?"
"Nothing, really something was bugging me. I know Mac sent you to baby sit me."
"No he didn't I came to visit, to talk to."
"Mac threatened to send Danny to hang out with me and if Danny was working I know he wouldn't give a second thought about sending you."
"What's the problem if I come here to visit. I'm not really babysitting; we're just hanging out with friends."
"Well I need to run an earned, so you can either come with or go home and get some rest for work tomorrow."
Don inwardly hoped that Lindsay would decide to go home, but the two of them had been hanging out more sense Lindsay had found out about Danny cheating. "I'll go with."
Don sighed. "Alright, come on."
Don pulled up outside the Bianchi house. Lindsay looked at the house and than at him. "Isn't this the Bianchi house? Don this case was solved a little over two years ago. What are we doing here?"
"I need to talk to Lyle Bianchi."
"Why?"
"I need to talk to him."
Don got out of the car and made his way to the front door, he hoped Lindsay would stay in the car, but knew she wouldn't, it was confirmed when he heard the car door open. He knocked on the door to the Bianchi house as Lindsay came up and stood next to him the door opened. Lyle Bianchi looked surprised.
"Detective Flack, Detective Monroe, what are you two doing here?"
"I'm sorry to bother you Mr. Bianchi. I know it's late," said Flack.
"Is there a problem Detective?"
"No, well at least I don't believe so; it has nothing to do with the man that hurt your daughter."
"Why are you here than?"
"When I first arrived, you called me Nathaniel, why?"
"Oh that, it's nothing really, you shouldn't be worried about it."
"I know and I normally wouldn't, but it's been bugging me lately."
"Alright, when I first saw you, you reminded me of someone, my sister's son, only he was three the last time I saw him, he would be about your age now."
"Was your sister's name Gina Caine?"
"Yes, how'd you know?"
"Her husband was Horatio Caine?"
"Yes, you know him?"
"Sort of."
"Horatio has never talked about Gina much sense she died, he told you about it?"
"No, I a... someone threatened my life through him."
"Don, be careful what you say," said Lindsay.
"I've never been too great with my memory before I was three, but I was adopted and I've been having these weird vocal dreams. Look I was just looking for an explanation when I was looking into some information, but I think I',-"
"Oh God you are, you're Nathaniel aren't you?"
"I think so."
"I knew it, I could just feel it in my gut when I first saw you something told me, and something told me that I knew you. That you were him. Horatio, he never told us who adopted you. He didn't want us to know where you were so we could find you and give you away to people he feared were after him. It's been difficult he's all around stopped talking to me. Horatio's always been a selfless person, caring for others before himself and after Gina died he did just about anything he could to protect you and if that ment making you disappear, he'd do it."
"Wait a minute. Don, Horatio Caine, are you saying you think he's your biological father?"
"I think so Lindsay, that's why Horatio got the call he did. Mr. Bianchi thank you."
"No thank you it's been so long, it's good to know you're alright, that you're doing good in the world. I know you're use to the name you have now and that you probably won't change it now, but when you feel comfortable you can always call me uncle, for now Lyle is fine no more Mr. Bianchi."
"Okay, say hello to Natalie for me."
"I will."
Lyle Bianchi closed the door, Lindsay and Don made there way down the porch and to the car. "Don?"
"Gina Caine was Horatio's wife, but she died in a car accident in July of '81 with her brother Anthony Bianchi, they were Lyle Bianchi's brother and sister. The accident happened the day after the fourth of July and it was in the morning. Gina and Horatio's son Nathaniel Caine was in the back seat in his booster, and was the only one to survive in that car."
"And you think you're Nathaniel."
"I have this feeling yeah, the weird vocal dream I had, someone was talking to me as if I was Nathaniel and I think the dream was more of memory, a memory with no images."
"So this call that Horatio got is it more about him than you."
"It might be. Lindsay can we just keep this between us, not let anyone else know."
"Of course, but Mac may find out if Horatio's already called him the meeting my take place in Mac's office."
"Will you come with me, when I go in tomorrow."
"Sure of course. Now do you want to head home or go do something."
"I'm kind of tired, let's just go back to my place."
"I kind of have to my cars there."
"You can stay the night if you want it's late."
"Thanks Don," replied Lindsay.
She realized after she had said that, it felt weird to call him Don, especially after everything that was just talked about, but did he want to go by the name he was use to or go by name he was given at birth. Lindsay wasn't going to ask him right now, she'd save it for another day.
A/N: Well there it is a long chapter with abunch of stuff shoved in it. My favorite part is Horatio's memories. I don't know if that's really how three year olds talk, but my parents said it's probably different for everybody. Anyways so far I've gotten three opinions through review and one from my dad.
2 For Nathaniel(Don)/Miami CSI (Which I've decided will be Natalia)
1 For Nathaniel(Don)/Lindsay Monroe
1 For Nathaniel(Don)/New OC (Her name will be Bailey Abbott and she'll be in the story no matter which way the votes go.)
Thanks for reading StoryDreamer
