Author's Note: I've been repeatedly requested to continue this particular story, which was begun quite a while ago. So… by popular demand… here goes! As always, R & R… And thanks for reading!

Chapter 2

Dade Memorial Hospital, ICU

Two weeks floated by for Cassie, who remained in a comatose haze for most of that time. Horatio would stop by to see his dear love as often as his Doctors would allow, but she hadn't been anywhere near conscious enough to respond to him when he was there. Countless bundles of tubes and wires connected her to banks of machines, all carefully beeping and clicking, measuring and monitoring all her vitals and keeping her heavily sedated and breathing smoothly. He had asked the Doctors if she could hear him, and their answer was that that they didn't know. It was unlikely, but possible. So he would speak softly to her when he visited, gently holding her hand, reassuring her in quiet soothing tones. Telling her that he was there by her side, and how much he loved her.

HHHHH

Horatio himself was recovering from his injuries quickly. He had given multiple statements to all the various Departments recounting his kidnapping and vengeful beating by escaped killer Carlos Montigo. And how he had learned that Cassie had also been brutally attacked by the same madman, and had been hellishly beaten and left for dead. But Cassie had miraculously showed up and managed to shoot and kill their attacker, saving both of their lives, before collapsing in a bloody heap on the floor.

Cassie had suffered major trauma and severe blood loss in the savage attack. Doctors had spent the past 2 weeks struggling to get the massive internal hemorrhaging under control, as well as treating the bruised kidneys, collapsed lung, stitching up deep lacerations, and setting several broken bones. Her condition was still serious, but no longer critical, and the Doctors were calling her a very strong woman, a true fighter, and extremely lucky.

Horatio was immeasurably glad that she was beginning to recover and strengthen physically. But he knew the hard part would be her psychological recovery. He had been told, in detail, everything she had endured in the attack. Even though there had been no sexual assault, the traumatic event was certainly going to deeply affect her, probably for a very long time. He only hoped that their relationship and their love for each other would be strong enough to get her through it all.

HHHHH

Finally after nearly 15 days, Cassie struggled to open her eyes. They felt like they were taped shut with lead. She began to slowly become aware of her surroundings. She was lying on her back, in a bed. She could hear soft, faint beeping noises. Finally, she was able to flutter her eyes open, and slowly bring the room into focus. Her throat felt hoarse and raw, and her mouth was as dry as a dust bowl. She moved her head slightly, further taking in her surroundings. And then she saw a set of beautiful blue eyes gazing back at her. She managed to smile slightly, grateful to see the loving face of Horatio Caine. He reached out and gently covered her hand with his and flashed her a brilliantly warm smile.

"Hi sweetheart," he said softly. "Welcome back."

She attempted to respond, but all she could manage was a soft moan.

"Shhh, don't talk. It's OK," Horatio continued with his soothing tone. "You're in the hospital. You're safe. And you're going to be all right."

He gently squeezed her hand with his.

"And I'm going to stay right here with you," Horatio spoke quietly as he reached out and lightly ran his fingers across her forehead and down the side of her face. It felt so good to once again see the warm gaze of the woman he loved so dearly. "You just relax, and get some rest. OK? I'm right here."

She moaned softly again, and nodded ever so slightly, before closing her eyes again and drifting back into a hazy sleep.

HHHHH

More weeks passed, and Cassie slowly improved and got stronger. Her condition was upgraded again, and she had been moved from ICU to a private room on the 4th floor, overlooking a small wooded park.

Morning sunlight was streaming into the room, which was crammed full of cards, flowers, balloons and cuddly little stuffed animals.

Horatio Caine sat in the easy chair next to her bed, chatting softly with her. She still had several casts on various limbs, the largest one was a plaster-covered leg, which was elevated on a short stack of pillows. Horatio had long since been discharged after recovering from his injuries, but with the full support and backing of his CSI team and the entire Department, he had decided to take some of the Leave of Absence time he had amassed, so he could be with Cassie 24-7. She was the one who needed him the most right now, and he was grateful that he could be there for her.

"Lunch will be coming around soon," Horatio offered.

"Ugh, more hospital food," Cassie grumbled. "Medallions of cardboard with lawn mower sauce. I'm so not hungry."

Horatio chuckled softly, then gave her an understanding smile. "You know have to eat. You need your strength."

Cassie turned and smiled back at him. "I know, I know," she sighed. "I will. I just these people knew how to cook some real food."

The lunch tray came and Horatio helped her eat. She stiffened and winced a few times during the meal, as little bolts of pain would crop up and make themselves known. So once the tray was taken away, the nurse gave her a pain killer and within 10 minutes Cassie had drifted off into a comfortable afternoon nap.

Horatio picked up the TV remote and settled into the big chair next to her.

So far, her physical injuries were healing nicely. But what struck him as rather odd, is that Cassie appeared to have no psychological issues. None whatsoever. Horatio had been right there with her when she had given her statements, anticipating some kind of emotional trauma or possible breakdown at any moment. But aside from some very tearful recounting of events and a slight tremble in her voice, Cassie had bravely verbalized everything that had happened to her, in specific detail. Horatio marveled at her strength, but he had to admit to himself that the apparent emotional detachment was worrying him.

She had been visited by a shrink, a psycho-therapist, and a trauma counselor who was a specialist in post-traumatic stress. She had spoken and shared her experience with them all, at length. And they had all given her a completely clean bill of mental health. It was nothing less than astounding. Cassie had not even experienced so much as a bad dream.

Horatio was happy that she seemed to be coping so incredibly well, but a part of him was still more worried than ever. He would watch her closely at times, looking for any wavering or instability, but never saw anything except the same sweet Cassie he knew and loved. But, in the back of his mind, he was waiting for it. He didn't know when or how it would manifest itself, but at some point, the other shoe had to drop. And he vowed to himself that he would be there, to help her through it.

HHHHH

More time passed. Two of Cassie's casts came off of her wrists and arms, and her ribcage had healed enough for to lose the back brace. She still had that big clunker of a cast on her left leg, which ran from her toes all the way to her hip. She would get frustrated with her lack of mobility, but she was delighted that at least with her newly found upper body freedom, that she could now feed herself, brush her own hair, and wield control over the TV remote. Things were going very well, and the Doctors decided on releasing her at the end of the week.

Things were going so well in fact, that Horatio briefly considered going back to work. But, he decided he would wait until Cassie was stabilized and comfortable at home. He talked it over with her, and they both agreed that when she was released, she would stay with Horatio at his place until she was fully healed. It made sense, and besides, they had been talking about moving in together anyway, only a few weeks before the attack. She was visited again by the shrink as well as the PTSD specialist, and still, there were no signs of any emotional issues.

Horatio had seen so many trauma victims, and while it was true that every individual dealt with it differently, he had to admit that he had never seen anything like this.

So despite being happy and excited for her to be released, there was still a small voice of worry nibbling at him…