Title: Reconciliation Part 7
Author: Aeon Cole
Rating: FRT
Warning: Slash
Fandom: CSI Miami
Pairing: Horatio/Speed
Challenge: 20estrelships
Prompt: #5 Forgiveness
Word Count: 1425
Summary: Tim gets a phone call that changes his outlook on life and gives him the chance to reconcile with his father.
Chapter Summary: Tim and Michael meet face to face.
Disclaimer: Arya and Michael Speedle belong to me. The rest do not.
Author's Note: For the 20 Established Relationships challenge on LiveJournal.
Tim took a deep breath as he reached behind him for Horatio's hand. He reached out with the other and slowly turned the door handle and opened the door to his father's hospital room. After three days in intensive care, Michael had been taken off of the ventilator and moved to a private room. The doctors had been surprised by his resiliency and ability to heal. His recovery was progressing much more quickly than they had expected. His voice had returned to almost normal and he was able to sit up in bed. However, he would need oxygen therapy and he was still getting used to having something attached to his face all of the time.
During the past three days Tim had visited his father each day, even though Michael was sedated. He had sat with him trying to acclimate himself to being around him again. Horatio had said that it would make it easier in the end when Michael woke up for Tim to confront him if he spent some time with him beforehand.
Now, Tim finally had the chance he'd been waiting for, the chance to meet his father face to face after seventeen years. He walked into the room, not loosening the vice grip he had on Horatio's hand, and stopped near the end of his father's bed. Michael turned his attention from his wife to his son and they locked eyes. The room was silent and everyone was holding a collective breath. After a moment Tim released Horatio's hand and glanced over at his mother, silently asking for some privacy. Arya nodded and walked over to Horatio, who was reluctant to leave his lover alone. But Arya laid a comforting hand on his shoulder and he turned to follow her out of the room. But before he reached the door, he glanced back and met Michael's eyes with a look that warned the older man that he'd be right outside and nothing better happen to his partner.
Then, finally they were alone. Tim stared at his father, unable to find his voice. As he'd feared, when he finally had the chance to confront Michael, the only thing that flashed through his mind were memories of the last few days they'd spent together.
Michael broke the silence. "Just say what you want to say. You can't do any worse than God himself has already done to me."
"I hated you for a long time," Tim said in low and controlled voice. "I felt like you'd fucked up my life and all the plans I had for my future." Tim took a breath and started pacing the room. "I tried to kill myself," he added. "I didn't know how to deal with everything I was feeling and the only person I'd ever been able to talk to didn't want me around anymore." He turned to face his father. "Do you have any idea how that felt? What that did to me?"
Michael couldn't answer him at first. But he'd been ready for this. He'd known that just because they'd been cordial to each other over the phone didn't mean that Tim had forgiven him for what had happened.
He lowered his gaze and said, "No, I don't. And I realized saying that I'm sorry seems hollow right now, but I am." He looked up at his son. "But the past seventeen years haven't been easy for me either. What I did, it ruin my relationship with your mother. She never forgave me for driving you away. And it turned me into a bitter old man." They were both silent for a moment before Michael continued. "I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness so I won't. But I'd like a chance to get to know you again."
Tim nodded and sighed heavily, releasing what little anger he had left. "Horatio's made me think about some things the past couple of weeks. He's made me see that I had a role in what happened too." He moved a bit closer to his father's bed. "I should have talked to you when I was a kid, tried to explain what I was feeling back then. I keep thinking that if I had, maybe things would have been different between us."
Michael shook his head. "I wish I could answer that and I know things weren't always easy for you. What I can tell you is that despite everything that happened, you made a life for yourself, a good life."
Tim nodded his understanding. He knew that they couldn't go back, there was no point in trying. The past would never be forgotten, by either man, but they could start now to try to build something new. He reached out hesitantly and took his father's hand in his, a new beginning.
Tim sat on the edge of his father's bed and for the first time since he'd walked into the room, thought to ask, "How do you feel?"
"I've been better. They told me the cancer's spreading, worse than they thought. Right now the doctors are measuring me in months, if I don't go for the chemo."
"Have you changed your mind about that?" Tim asked.
Michael's reply surprised him. "I'm thinking about it."
"Really," Tim said hopefully.
Michael nodded and patted his son's hand. "I'd like to have some more time with you."
Tim smiled at him. "I think I'd like that too. Would you like to meet Horatio?"
Michael hesitated for a moment remembering the look he'd got before. "I don't think he likes me very much, from that glare I got as he left the room before."
One side of Tim's mouth quirked up, knowing that glare. "He doesn't know you yet," Tim said. "Horatio can be," he paused for a moment, trying to find the right phrase. "He can be a bit overprotective with people he cares about."
"I suppose I should be grateful for that. He's probably kept you out of some trouble." Tim just rolled his eyes. "That would be yes," Michael snarked. Tim couldn't help the smirk on his face as he got up and headed for the door.
Outside in the hallway Horatio was restless and it was beginning to get on Arya's nerves. He'd gotten up and sat back down no fewer than ten times and was pacing the floor in front of their chairs, occasionally walking over to the door.
"Horatio, you're making me dizzy," Arya said.
"Huh," Horatio muttered as he turned. Then seeing the look he was getting from her, said, "Oh, sorry." He sat back down and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees and absently picking at his fingernails.
Arya shook her head. "Relax, Horatio. I told you, Michael's attitudes have changed. You don't need to worry." Horatio glanced over at her without changing his position. "He's actually looking forward to meeting you." Just as he was about to say something she added, "And before you say it, he's expecting Tim to lash out, and he's ready for it. We've spent the past few days talking. In fact, we've talked more in past few days than we had in the past few years." She paused for a moment and looked down. "We've decided not to go through with the divorce."
Horatio sat up and looked at her closely. "Does Tim know?"
"Not yet," she answered. "We wanted to tell him together."
"Does Michael know about your plans to bring him to Miami yet?"
Arya shook her head. "I wanted to make sure you two had everything arranged first."
"I took care of it before we left. The place is nice and has apartments as well as assisted living. When he's well enough he can live in his own apartment in the facility, come and go as he pleases. Until then, he'll have round the clock care."
She patted his hand and said, "Thanks."
Horatio practically leaped out of his seat when he heard the door open. Tim stepped out and smiled at his mother. She knew from that, that everything was all right. Tim reached out a hand to Horatio. "He wants to meet you."
Horatio took Tim's hand and tugged him further out into the hallway for a moment. He pulled him close. "You okay?" he asked.
Tim smiled at him. "Yeah," he said and gave him a quick kiss. "By the way," he added. "Try not to glare. I think you scared him before."
Horatio pursed his lips and Arya laughed as they headed into the room.
TBC