"You said you were going to help me?"
"And I'm going to. But don't expect to walk away Scott free from all this. You're just as guilty as he is, for not saying anything! You're a criminal judge in out court system, how could you let this happen? You took an oath... Where's your honor,... JUDGE?" Horatio becoming more agitated by the second.
"He... threatened my life and my family...you know..."
"Yes... and here you are now, telling me, how this is for MY GOOD, you want to help me! Tell me something else judge, did you know about this,.. about his plan? Didn't he offer to bring you in on it,... Your Honor!" Horatio's breath caught and he gasped, holding his ribs.
"No! I said no to him! I wanted no part of it, he's crazy, why the hell do you think I am risking my life now?
"So,...you did know!" Horatio glared at him.
"I... I... I didn't know what to do; he said he would kill my family and make me watch. He said he would burn them all alive; he came into my office and dropped a file on my desk. He said we had a big case to handle, I opened it and saw your picture and realized what he was going to do. I had no idea Joseph was capable of that lieutenant, he told me Donna Scott was an accident, I believed him!
"Who else is involved in this? Is Claudia dead, did she kill Jay?"
"I have no idea, when I told Joseph I was not getting involved in this he shut me out and threatened me. I know of a few... That may have helped him, I can find out for sure..."
"No, No phone calls, talk to no one right now, you understand?"
"Yes, but..."
"Is this how Jay got out of jail, judge? Did judge Ratner help him out?"
"Yes, on a technicality, he got him released."
"You knew,.. and said nothing..." Horatio shook his head in disgust at the judge. He clenched his jaw and gave him a look that could kill.
"You know what!... Get him out of here Frank, Get him out of my sight! Take the back way out Frank."
"Judge Greenhill, I want you to tell detective Tripp here, whatever you can remember and he can relay it back to me. You understand?"
"Yes, I understand! What about my criminal cases coming u..."
"Judge forget the cases, you want to live, right? So listen and no phone calls in or out and don't tell anyone where you are. If we keep this quiet, he may actually think your dead, and then make his move. Do you understand everything I am telling you? No phones judge."
"I understand, but what move are you talking about lieutenant?"
Horatio just gave him another intense look and the judge looked away now.
"Ok H, I'll make sure the good judge here complies." Frank said with a smirk now.
"Frank I want you to touch base every three hours, ok? Call Calleigh or Eric and check in, ok? This guy is bad news Frank, watch your back and take Jessop with you."
"What about you H? I'm on for tonight, I'm supposed to stay with you and Calleigh tonight?"
"Not now Frank, I want you with the judge, ok? We need him protected; he's our only witness right now and I'm depending on you to do this."
"Ok, I got it H, I'll talk to you later. Be in touch Calleigh." Frank left.
Horatio took a deep breath in and coughed holding his ribs now. He clenched his jaw in pain now.
"You done now?" Joe asked sarcastically and began examining him again. Calleigh walked around and asked him if he was ok.
"Horatio?"
"Hmm. I'm fine Calleigh, just a little...sore..AHH!" Joe found that sweet spot again and held his finger on it.
"Hold on a minute Horatio."
Maria came walking into the room with the Dilaudid now and handed it to Joe. Horatio realized that Calleigh was holding his hand in hers now. He smiled up to her, trying not to worry her.
"Maria, I'm going to need a stat X-ray on him, get them up here. I think he may have started that internal bleeding up again. We need to make sure."
"Ok doctor Gannon, I'll get them right up here." She walked out of the room.
Horatio opened his eyes and found Calleigh staring at him.
"You know, you should have let Frank handle it from the beginning Horatio. You really need to rest." She said softly, worried now.
He saw the look on her face and knew she was just concerned for him. He tried to make her feel better about the situation.
"I'm ok Cal, really, and Frank is taking care of it now." He gave her a small smile trying to reassure her he was ok.
He coughed again and groaned. Joe asked him to lean forward to listen to his lungs now. He groaned some more sat back and closed his eyes now.
"Joe?" Calleigh called, worried. She pointed to his face and Joe saw it. There was blood on his lips. Joe eyed up the area and took his finger and rub it along Horatio's lips, it was wet. Horatio opened his eyes now in question.
"What are you doing?" More blood showed on his lips now as he spoke.
"Stop talking, you're bleeding!" Joe said.
"I must have bit my lip..." And he wiped it off, looking at the blood on his hand.
"No, you didn't bite your lip, now be quiet." He pressed on Horatio's stomach and he groaned and coughed again. This time he coughed up blood.
"Horatio, Oh my... Joe?" Calleigh was frightened.
"He's alright Calleigh. It's alright, hang on Horatio, I'm giving you the shot right now, just try to relax and be still." Joe stuck him quickly in the hip area. He told Calleigh to get Maria; she just started at him now confused.
"Calleigh?" Oh,... ok,... And she let go of Horatio hand. His eyes were closed but he was still awake, Joe knew.
"You with me still, Horatio?"
"Ummm, I am..."
"Ok, just give it a moment to work, ok?"
Horatio didn't answer this time.
"Horatio...Horatio?" Joe took his pulse and listened to his heart, he was ok, but out cold now. X-ray came walking in and so did Maria and Calleigh.
"Ok, Maria I gonna need some more Dilaudid."
"I'll get it right now Dr. Gannon." And Maria quickly left and returned. He gave Horatio the second injection to help with the pain and keep him resting longer.
They did the X-ray and Joe made sure Horatio was not moved around to much. Alexx came walking into the room.
"Calleigh, what's wrong?"
"He knocked his rib out of place, I think. He started bleeding again and Joe is doing an X-ray now to see exactly what's the damage is."
"Joe?" Alexx called, concerned.
"He's ok, I just want to make sure that rib is not near his lung again. The bleeding will stop on its own, I think it's minor. He has to take an easy, his body needs time to heal and all his moving around is going to hurt that process. He'll be fine if he just gets some rest." He nodded to them both and helped the Tech lift Horatio to slide the plate under so then could get the X-ray.
"Everybody needs to step out for a moment please." The tech said.
"C'mon." Joe led them out of the room and into the hall.
"What happened Calleigh? He was doing better I thought?" Alexx asked.
"I should have thrown them out of the room, I know better..." Joe mocked himself.
"Joe, it's not your fault, Horatio had to finish talking with the Judge and Frank. He would have fought you all the way if you did..." Calleigh started but now Alexx cut her off.
"Wait a minute, hold a second. What Judge and where is Frank?"
"We may know who's doing this but we need evidence against him. Horatio has Frank protecting our witness and his family. They just blew up his car outside Alexx, so Horatio is hoping that they will think the judge was in it and now is dead."
Alexx gave her a confused and shocked stare. Joe just took it all in and listened, annoyed that he let Horatio talk him into this still. He was feeling guilty and worried, for Horatio.
They walked back into the room and Joe put the films on the board.
"Well, the bleeding minimal... I am going to have to set that rib again and then maybe tie him down to the bed!" He shook his head to Alexx and Calleigh now.
"He's fine ladies,... very think headed, but fine, non-the-less!"
"I tried to warm you about him Joe..." Alexx started.
"Well let's just be happy he's ok, alright?" Calleigh sassed.
Joe told them he would be back in a while and left. Alexx and Calleigh sat down and caught up on the case and Horatio's health.
"Eric checked the DNA sample from Jay. It belongs to Horatio, Calleigh."
"Really, well it does make sense. Jay had his hands all over him Alexx, and I'm sure he must of caught some of his skin under his nails. Horatio gave him a hard time and Jay kept holding him down." She closed her eyes remembering. Alexx continued.
"So far Eric is coming up empty on the phone. He's trying to see if he can get anything off the baton now."
Alexx got a call and had to leave and go back to the lab. She told Calleigh she would be back later, to make sure Horatio was ok.
Calleigh walked to the window and stared out, Joe walked in and handed her a coffee.
"Here ya go; this should perk you right up." He smiled.
"Aw, thanks Joe. I really appreciate everything you are doing for Horatio and me." She held the coffee cup up to him and smiled.
They sat down and started talking, each with a cup of coffee in their hand.
"So how you holding up, Calleigh? You doing ok, you need anything?"
"I'm doing ok."
"Your wrists look a lot better now." She looked down and began to clam up; he noticed but gently went on.
"You may feel better if you talk about it; I have a great ear ya know, being a doctor and all." He laughed and now she smiled.
God he thought... She's beautiful.
"So how long you a doctor?" She asked.
"10 years and climbing." He chuckled.
"What about you, how long you a CSI?"
"4 years now going on 5 soon, that's how I met Horatio, transfer, he's my LT."
"LT? You have to teach me the language Calleigh." He joked.
"My lieutenant. He made a call; he needed a ballistics expert at the time. There I was ready to go, but I didn't expect to..."
"Fall in love?" Joe said with a smile.
Calleigh blushed and look down shyly.
"Well, yeah... he he's just so... wonderful. He's always there for everyone who needs help and he always puts them first. He never thinks of himself first. He's honest and compassionate and caring, he's...he's Horatio." She smiled a big bright smile again.
Joe looking into her eyes now, could not stop thinking how beautiful she was. He'd only meet her a few days ago but loved everything about her. Her smile, her giggle and the way she looked at Horatio, giving him all her heart with just one stare. He loved how she would get snappy sometimes, he thought it was cute. He listened and tried to stay focused on helping her.
"Have you told him how you feel about him?"
"No, we work together and... I am so afraid it will ruin our working relationship. I mean, sometimes I swear I will, but then, I am just so happy to be working by his side, being close to him. Sometimes though it's not enough and I think he knows, but then I am never sure."
"He knows."
"Hmm, excuse me?" As she was zoning out now, thinking .
"He knows Calleigh."
"What are you talking about Joe, how can he know?"
"I asked him, he knows."
"You what! You asked him! You asked him what, Joe?"
"I asked him what he was waiting for." He smiled to her now.
"Oh my god-dd!... Noo you didn't?" Her eyes wide.
"Oh, yes I did! Don't worry, he didn't get a chance to answer me, that Detective Tripp walked in on us."
"He cares about you too Cal, can't you see it in his eyes, when he looks at you? I can, hell, everyone can, you two are putting off the inevitable. Well maybe this is what will bring you both together, huh?"
"I don't know about that Joe."
"You helped save him, you were his lifeline, you think he doesn't know that. Oh and by the way he remembers some of the time you both spent in ICU. He said he remembered you talking to him."
"Oh my godddd, he...remembers, what? What did he say he remembered me saying Joe, oh my godddd."
"Don't know Cal, you're just gonna have to take it up with him, when he wakes." Joe said chuckling now. She shook her head at him.
"See, I told you he knows!"
"JOE!" She scolded.
"Do you think he remembers what they did to him?" Her eyes becoming serious, the smile disappearing.
"That, I really don't know, but if he remembers you in the ICU, then I would have to say yes, he may. It may come back after, I am not sure, everyone's different."
"Yeah well, I wish I could forget." She looked down again now, her eyes welling up. She began talking to Joe in detail now. How she called Horatio's home and then when she was taken, what they did to Horatio and then she clammed up again.
The tears beginning to fall now, she was softly crying. He pulled his chair right up to hers and took her hands; he held them and told her it was ok.
"Look Calleigh, look at him, he's right there, he's ok, alive and well. Its ok to cry, you have to let it out, you'll make yourself sick this way. How can you help him if you're sick?"
"I.. just.. I'm sorry Joe, it's... I thought he was dead, what they did to him." Her voice becoming shaky now.
"It's ok, he's ok Calleigh." And he gave her a hug. She hugged him back so tightly; all her anger, her grief and her sorrow came out.
He held her and told her it was ok as she cried in his arms now.
Joe's beeper went off; she realized she was still hugging him, holding on tightly. She slowly realized and backed away, looking down now, not able to face him.
"Hey, you,... ok Calleigh?" He peaked, tilting his head down to see her eyes.
"Your ...beeper..is"
"Yes, I know, it's ok, not an emergency. You ok, maybe feel a little better you talked that out some?"
"Yeah, yes...thank you so much Joe." And she picked her head up to look at him now.
He took his finger and wiped the tear from under her eye, thinking just how beautiful she was and cupped her face in his hand now. She closed her eyes relaxing into it as his fingers slid into her hair. He leaned forward and softly kissed her on the lips. It happened so quickly they both backed off in shock.
"I... I'm sorry, Calleigh, I ..." Joe stood up and walked away from her.
"Oh my godd, what the hell is wrong with me... Joe I never..." She stood up and backed away now.
"It's my fault Calleigh, you just needed a shoulder to lean on, I never should have done that. " He shook his head looking down. "Um, I'll umm, get another doctor to take the case over and..."
"What! No Joe, I want you! You have to stay on, please! Let's just forget it happened ok, can we do that?" She was looking at him hoping he'd say yes.
"You sure Calleigh, I don't want to... upset you more."
"Let's just forget it, ok...Joe?"
"Ok, as long as you're ok. I am really sorry, I apologize Calleigh." He said scratching his head.
"Ok, friends?" She asked.
"Friends?... yes ok." He smiled to her now, feeling better but still out of sorts. His beeper went off again and this time he took his leave.
"Ill be back in a bit to check on you... I mean him." He shook his head and took a breath, still confused over what happened.
"Thank you Joe, for everything, you really are a big help. I just wanted to let you know that I am feeling better now that I spoke with you. You helped me to realized it and let it out, Thank you so much for being his doctor." She smiled now.
"Your welcome Calleigh, I'll see you in a bit."
He left and she collapsed in shock, into the recliner chair near the window, trying to figure out what the hell just happened.
How could I have let that happened, she thought to herself. It just felt so good to be held she thought and told that everything was ok. She had someone to lean on and someone to listen. She couldn't believe she opened up that much to him, she hardly knew him but she did like him... as-a-friend, she thought. She closed her eyes and began to fall asleep in the recliner chair.