A/N: I do not own CSI Miami or any of it's characters, affiliates...etc. This is just my imagination running with it! I hope you all enjoy!

Chapter II

Gallivanting

Slamming the hood of the Honda down, she wiped the sweat from her forehead. She'd been working non-stop since coming back from Maria's. The longer she'd stayed, the longer she'd worked, the longer she thought about everything he'd said. Why would this man just bring up memories? She thought every day about her chance to know her family. She would never know them. Because she had no family.

Rodrigo had told her over and over again that he'd been there when her father hadn't. That he'd been the one to watch her mother die after she'd been born because of complications and bleeding out. That he had been the one to raise her, even though she hadn't been his. She'd been lucky to have been born where she was. Because she would have been given to the local government under normal circumstances. He had lied about where she'd been born, giving her instant citizenship and she'd never argued with it. According to her birth certificate, her mother had been one Marisol Sanchez and her father had been listed as Rodrigo, even though he'd made it known that he wasn't her father.

Damn man had almost brought her to tears earlier. She didn't cry. Ever. Crying was such a waste of time and energy. So was complaining. And Rodrigo, used to smack her until she stopped when she was younger. He used to tell her that if she wanted to complain, he would give her something to complain about. After the last time, she never said a word. Never even let on she wasn't feeling good, which thankfully, wasn't often.

At the moment though, she was cut and raw. Her hand was swollen from being cut earlier in the day in the engine bay and while she pushed it out of her mind like she normally did, it still radiated at times when she was holding a wrench right or tightening down a bolt. At least her stomach had stopped hurting for the most part. One less thing she had to contend with.

Getting in and starting the car to make sure it ran after the work she'd done, she pulled it out of the garage and around to the back of the parking lot. Getting out, she sat against the hood for just a second, taking a break away from the confines and gray area of the garage. Not that she wasn't completely grateful for the ability to work and to make money, but sometimes, she got tired of the constant oppression of all of it.

Then she shook her head, irritated with herself. What in the hell did she have to complain about? She was just grateful to be working. Rodrigo had gotten her emancipation paperwork signed, and had even pushed her through home schooling so that she could graduate a year earlier. And even though he'd done it for his own selfish reasons, she'd been grateful for that. So she really couldn't say anything about him. Even if he did get angry sometimes.

Walking back around, she noted the familiar rental car that had been there all morning, was still there. Not really thinking about it until now, she wondered what they were still doing? Why they were still hanging around? Looking at the old Buick that was next in line for an alternator to be fixed she opened the car door, turned the key, and wasn't surprised to find that it didn't start. An alternator needed the battery, to start. If it couldn't pull a charge off the battery, it couldn't start, which told her that the battery had discharged, most likely because of the heat, or something...like the headlights had been left on, she discovered, irritated.

She noticed the switch in the on position and was ready to cuss someone out. Glad that it was a flat parking area, she turned the key, releasing the ability to put the car in neutral, turned the steering wheel in the direction she needed and then using the open door to brace herself, she started the car rolling toward the shop. It being the heavy ass car that it was, she was definitely struggling to push it and make it move. It was moving, just...slowly. Then as if hitting a low spot that she knew wasn't in the parking lot, the car started rolling easier. Knowing instantly someone had seen her struggling and followed to help push, she decided against finding out who it was and just continued until she got it in the shop and jumped in, hitting the brakes.

Looking in the rear view, she spotted a familiar suit tie and knew instantly who it was that had helped her. She threw the car in park, turned it off, and stepped out looking at the two men standing behind the car.

She stood there staring at him for a long moment before he opened his mouth to speak. "Don't!" she interrupted him before he said anything. "Do you have any idea what you did by even talking about..." and she stopped herself before she said anything else.

"Look." Eric said, putting his foot down. "We came all the way from Miami to talk to you. The least you could do is hear us out!"

"I didn't ask you to come anywhere did I? I don't owe you anything! I don't know you! And you're going to walk up in here like you're...my family? Screw you and the horse you rode in on! I'm not risking anything to talk to you! I don't have to listen to a damn thing you say!"

Putting his hand on his brother in law's arm, he squeezed gently. "No, you're right. You don't have to. I'm asking you personally, if you will."

"Why? Why do you want me to go to Miami with you so bad?"

"Because, we may have information about you and your family."

"What do you mean by may? Do you know how much trouble I would get into for leaving?"

"I thought you said you were emancipated?" Horatio asked, not liking where the conversation was leading.

"I am. But I still have people I have to answer to. My boss for one. My...well the only father I've ever known...people. I can't just go gallivanting across the country. And how long would I be gone for?"

"I don't know. It depends on how long you want to stay."

She studied him. What was the worst that could happen? It's not like Rodrigo would kill her. Right? Not to find out about her family and if she even had one. She still owed him for the emancipation, but she could pay it off when she got back. Seriousness taking over her features, she lifted her chin. "How fast can you get me out of here if I agree to this?"

Horatio shrugged. "I guess about as fast as you can get to the airport. We can catch the first flight back to Miami on a private jet."

Private jet. Holy cow. She'd never been on a jet before. She'd never flown before. Hell truth was, she had never been out of Laredo. Well, not that she could remember. Completely unsure of why she was even thinking about it, she took a deep breath. "Take your car and drive it around for about fifteen minutes then hide it around the block until after six. Go back to Maria's. As soon as I get out of here, I'll get a bag and meet you there. Make arrangements I guess. We can leave as soon as I get there. But you have to hurry. I don't want anyone knowing we're going."

"Alright."

"That way I don't have to make explanations. Truth be told I'm not sure why I'm going with you."

"Be that as it may, we'll see you soon. Alright?"

Nodding her head, she lifted the hood of the car, as if she'd just talked to him about his vehicle. Pushing herself, she was done by six and by her rat hole apartment. It was then that her heart faltered when she realized that Rodrigo was there. Her heart was beating a million miles a second as she walked into the door.

"Rodrigo." she said breathlessly.

"You look surprised to see me."

She shrugged. "I usually don't see you on Tuesdays is all. What's up?"

"I was just checking in on you. See how you were enjoying your freedom of technically being an adult now."

He sat there as sleek as a cat and as venomous as a rattle snake. He was lean, and worked out every morning to keep up his endurance. His almost black eyes sparkled when he was irritated, much as he looked now. The slight graying in the sides of his hair added to his look of mystery and power.

She shrugged again. "It doesn't feel too different I suppose. It's kind of nice, but kind of strange sleeping in my own apartment at night. But I don't mind it. I kind of like it to be honest. It's...different." then she stepped toward her bedroom. "I was just going to change and go to Maria's for dinner. You want to come with?"

She knew he would most likely turn it down. He couldn't stand Maria, and she had no idea why he hated her so bad. But hoping like hell he did, she wasn't disappointed. "I don't know why you like that place so much. The food's not even authentic."

"I like it. And it's nice to just sit in there sometimes and watch the traffic go down the road."

"Ugh. You and your sentimentality. You know I can't stand that shit."

Closing her eyes but not arguing, she disappeared into her bedroom, leaving him on the couch that he'd paid for. Knowing that any chance of getting some clothes together was gone, she grabbed every bit of cash she had in her drawer so that she could possibly buy some clothes from a thrift shop somewhere in Florida, and crammed it in her pocket.

Stepping out in her jeans and plain gray t-shirt with a pocket, she was met flat with a hard hand across her cheek, all the way back to her ear. Looking up into the angered face, she was confused at what she had done this time. "Rodrigo, why..."

"Who were the cops that visited you at the shop today? Juan told me about them."

"Some guy and his partner. I don't know. I called them Lincoln and Hannibal. I have no idea what their names were."

"What did they want?"

Thinking quickly she lied. "They were asking me about some murder that happened to our old neighbor Louise, like six years ago. Something really strange. I told them I couldn't help them and left."

"Juan saw them later."

"They came back to get their car after they asked a few more questions to Maria and some of the local people. They were coming to tell me that they got a lead and thanks for my help. For all the help I gave them telling them to get bent."

He laughed at that and she took a breath of relief that he'd fallen for it. Of course, she'd only lied to him one other time in her life, and had paid dearly for it. She didn't make that mistake again. "Alright." he said. "Sorry for the smack. I thought you'd told them something about me."

"About you, like what?"

"Nothing. Never mind. Get your ass to Maria's I guess. I will see you in the shop at seven."

Nodding her head, she hurried out the door, down the hall of the apartment and out into the night, grateful for the fresh air.

Walking quickly to the restaurant, she walked in, half expecting the men to not be there. She was surprised and relieved to find that they were both there, and they were both ready to leave by all accounts. In a rush to get to the side of the table, she didn't notice them both stand and the worried expression. "Are you ready?"

"Are you alright?" the redhead asked.

Looking up at him and nodding quickly, she stepped back when he reached his hand out to her. "I...I'm fine. Are you ready? We need to go now."

Maria turned around to her. Hugging her quickly, she pushed a bag toward her. "Go mija. Leave now. I will love you always."

"Thanks Maria. I'll call you when we make it. I'll be back."

She nodded, but in the back of her mind, prayed that the kid never set foot in Laredo Texas, ever again.

Jumping in the back of the car, she bounced her leg the whole way to the airport, which was the longest ten minutes of her life. She would be alright once they got on the plane.

Then, once they were on the plane, she bounced her leg again, until they were in the air. Then, for the first time in almost two hours, she took a deep breath, letting it out slowly.

Noticing the girl relax, he unbuckled his belt and went to go sit across from her. "Are you okay?"

She nodded her head, letting out another long breath she'd been keeping in. "I've never been on a plane before."

"You have been extraordinarily quiet since we left the restaurant. You didn't have any luggage. I half expected you to tell me you weren't going."

She closed her eyes and shook her head. "Rodrigo was in my apartment when I got home. I couldn't pack a bag." then she took out all of her cash and handed it to him tiredly. "If there's a thrift shop in Miami somewhere, I can get a couple of pairs of jeans and maybe a t-shirt or two. I don't know how long I'll be there so..."

"This will be enough." and he handed it back to her.

She took it, completely unsure of why he wasn't going to hold it. Hell he hadn't even counted it. Rodrigo wanted to know every cent she spent on things, so when she wanted something, she just gave him the cash and told him to grab it. Putting it back in her pocket, she looked at the still concerned gaze in his face. "What?" she asked, wondering why he seemed to be staring at her.

"What happened to your cheek?"

Looking away, her shoulders raised then fell. "I told you. Rodrigo was in my apartment tonight. He wanted to know why you were at the shop asking for me today. Juan tells him everything." she said softly.

"So he hit you, because we showed up." Eric asked from her side, out of nowhere.

She nodded her head then looked up at him. "It's not like it matters. It happens." then she shrugged again. "Sometimes he gets mad. It's not you guys. It just happens."

"Sweetheart, things like that don't just happen."

"They do to me." she said softly.

Wanting so badly to reach out and just hug the kid, he refrained, and shook his head toward Eric who felt the exact same way. The rest of the flight was just as quiet. He wondered a couple of times if she'd fallen asleep but realized she was still awake and aware of everything around her. The kid was wary. She noticed everything and she never let on to what she did or didn't know or think.

Maria had been right. She never outwardly complained about anything. He'd seen her shift and barely wince when her hand hurt or she shifted right, but it was as if she'd taught herself how to keep anyone from seeing or knowing what was going on with her. The more he realized, the more irritated he got with everything. This kid deserved so much better than what she was given. He was convinced now, there was no need for tests. She was his child. She was Marisol's. She was their daughter. And he was going to protect her if it killed him.

When they landed, she stayed where she was until she'd been told it was time to move. Watching the two men walk down the steps, she froze at the top. She was in Miami. "I'm not in Kansas any more." she whispered softly. Truth was, she felt like she was in a different country all together, even though she realized it was just a new state.

"You alright?" he asked, looking at the curious but cautious expression in her eyes.

She nodded, not really looking at him.

He smiled gently, trying to coax her on. "Well are you going to get off the plane, or are you going to stay up there for the next few days?"

Realizing how ridiculous she was being, she shook it off and stepped out of the door, walking down the steps slowly and onto the tarmac. She took in all of her surroundings and followed the men to the Hummer that was waiting. Arriving at the redhead's house, she got out after he told her she could stay with him until she decided what she wanted to do.

Deep down, she was scared to death. And he could see it. There was a lot to talk about and a lot to take in. But for now, it was almost midnight and he didn't know about her, but he was tired. He laid there in bed after setting her up a place to sleep in his spare bedroom, and looked at the picture of himself and his wife. "She's home Mari. I may not be able to make her stay, but she's home."