Joe walked into the room and saw Stetler.

"Go with you where?" Calleigh's eyes narrowing on him now, questioning.

"Protocol, I need a statement from you and him." He nodded down to the bed Horatio laid on now.

"Well you can forget about him giving any statements right now and for the next few days, as well." Calleigh sassed. "I'll come down myself when I can get away and give you..."

"No, now. You'll come with me now! I want your statement now!" He insisted, arrogantly.

"I'm not going anywhere now! I'm not leaving... Why don't you come back in a few days?" She said, dismissing him.

"Do I have to have the officers escort you out of here, Duquesne?"

He glared at her. "Give me your gun."

She lifted it out of the jacket and handed it to him; she walked over to the small end table and took out Horatio's gun. She walked back over to Stetler and shoved it in his hand. Glaring up at him now.

"What's this?" He asked

"It's Horatio's, Claudia took it from his house, but you already know that, right? You being the officer on his case and all."

"How many rounds were fired and by who?"

"4 rounds fired by Claudia. Horatio saved us both." She nodded at Joe.

"Too bad he couldn't save himself. He grinned at Calleigh and went on. "I'm going to need to talk with you too." He now said to Joe.

Calleigh glare dangerously at him now. Alexx also becoming annoyed with him now, crossing her arms across her chest.

"Fine, but I have a few patients I need to check on first and I'm also going to have to ask you to leave now. He needs to rest now; this is not the place for an interrogation." Joe said, knowing something was not right. Just by the way Calleigh was acting and staring at this guy.

"Leave?... Your telling me to..." Stetler started to chuckle.

"That's right. I'm his doctor, I'm in charge of his medical care and right now that's my call. So let's go, everyone out." Joe walked over to the door and opened it, waiting for Stetler to move.

"Do I have to get security to escort YOU out of here." He said, getting back at Stetler for Calleigh now. She lowered her head and smiled, Alexx almost laughed out loud.

"So when will your patient be able to give me a statement?" Stetler asked, with an attitude now.

'Give him a few days and well see, alright? He's been through a lot and..." He cut Joe off.

"He wasn't shot right, just poisoned, so how many days does he need?" Stetler said again, with disregard.

Calleigh looked up now, her face getting red. Alexx saw her getting upset and stood in front of her now.

"C'mon Calleigh, lets sit down for a minute, ok. Take a breath honey." Alexx took her arm and lead her to the chair and sat down next to her.

"Stay calm; he'll be gone in a minute honey." She whispered to her now. Calleigh eyes drifted off, thinking now about Stetler's statement. He could have care less about Horatio, she knew.

"Ok, that's about enough... This is uncalled for. Get Out, now!" Joe said angry now. Seeing how Stetler did not care for Horatio and was talking down to Calleigh.

"Stetler started walking out and said, "This is not over, if I have to drag you to out, I will. I'll be back to question you as well doctor." And he left.

Joe stood by the door making sure he left. He then spoke to the officers at the door. He told them no visitors were allowed, unless he approved it. He came back in the room and checked on Horatio again. His vitals were good and the pain meds were keeping him out.

Calleigh and Alexx both got up and asked Joe how he was doing.

"He's doing ok, the only reactions we have seen so far, besides the swelling, are the shakes. It's going to take a couple of days for that poison to come out of his system completely. I want to get another CT scan of his ribs and lungs, just to make sure everything is ok still. It looks like he will be fine though, as long as we can get him to rest and stay down."

"So, you think he can go home soon then?" Calleigh asked, knowing Horatio wanted out of there.

"Well, how about this. Let's see how's he doing tomorrow, if he is better and his blood work shows improvement with the levels of toxin, I'll definitely consider it, ok?"

"What about everything else, his ribs, chest and head trauma? You really think if you let him out of here, he is going to rest with this Judge running around killing people?" Alexx asked, worried.

If we release him, who's going to stay with him and help him recuperate?" Joe asked now. I mean let me know, I'm not gonna release him so he can just run himself into the ground and end up back here. The trauma to his body is serious and he needs some real rest and looking after. He is also going to needs some follow ups, but I won't hold my breath there." He joked with them both.

"Me. That would be me, she smiled. I have plenty of vacation time and nows the perfect time to take it. Besides, he really wants to go home and if we tell him this, he may just listen to reason." Calleigh smiled.

"Reason, Calleigh? Horatio? You really think he will listen? We are talking about Horatio here, stubborn, think headed, mind of his own, man on a mission." Alexx stated all in one breath, grinning.

"Yes, I...think he might. You don't think, he'll agree to this Alexx?"

"Hmm, If you tell him he can get out of here and go home ... I think he may. Don't tell him, how much vacation time you are taking, though. He'll never let you give up your Vacation time for him, you know Horatio. I can come by and give you a hand, it won't be a problem. Besides, he is going to need re-bandaging of those ribs, right Joe?" Alexx asked.

"Yep, re-bandages and some cool soaks, a few times a day on those burn wounds. He will also need to take his pain meds and analgesics, if he plans on getting better and healing those ribs up. You need to make sure of that, the more he rests, the quicker he'll recover and heal those ribs up. I'll make sure to talk with him and let him know what he needs to do as well."

"Good luck, sugar. You're gonna need it, just make sure you point out that he needs to have someone with him. That will get his attention, especially if he wants to go home." Alexx said.

"I think he'll listen and I think he'll be fine with going home with me. We can even stay at his place, he'll probably be more comfortable there anyway."

"His place is a crime scene Calleigh." Alexx said.

"Right, like I said, my place is fine." She said, in a fog almost thinking, Horatio at my place!

"Well, why don't we wait till he wakes up and we'll see how's he's doing, ok?" Joe said.

They agreed and Joe's beeper went off. He checked it out and said he had to go, he would be by later again to check on things.

"I really like him, Calleigh, he's a great doctor, and he really cares." Alexx smiled to Calleigh.

"Yes, he does and he is really, taking good care of Horatio, did you see what he did to Stetler. That was too funny. It kinda reminded me of Horatio."

"Yes, I did. Alexx said with the tilt of her head to her now. He seems... protective of you Calleigh. I think Dr. Gannon has a crush on you my dear."

"Protective, Crush? Naaa. I think he just cares and that's a nice quality for a doctor, it's also a nice change for a doctor. We spoke the other day and he really does care, you know. "He, um,..." Calleigh leaned over to Alexx and whispered to her now, near her ear. "He um, asked Horatio what he was waiting for Alexx. Can you believe that? He knows how much I care for Horatio and he said he could tell."

"You're kidding me, Joe asked him."

"Yep, that's what he said."

"Did Horatio say anything to you about it?"

"Nope, but he did kinda... Well um,.. he asked me to sit with him on the bed and he held my hand and kissed it. He thanked me Alexx." Calleigh's eyes welling up from happiness.

"Calleigh, go slow, he's been through a lot and it may take him some time to get back to himself... He kissed your hand, it's about time girl." Alexx smiled and chuckled to her now.

"Joe's kinda been helping out and it's refreshing to know that a doctor really does cares.

"Excuse me Calleigh Duquesne?"

"Don't get me wrong now, I don't mean you Alexx, you don't count, you're one of a kind." Calleigh said in her southern voice, smiling now to her.

"Mmm-hum, that's right sugar, you had better suck up real good to me now, you're going to need my help with him." Alexx grinned at Calleigh, mischievously.

"Why Dr. Woods, I would never think of sucking up to you... Could you possible bring coffee when you come over? I get the feeling I am going to need it. Calleigh said laughing now, to Alexx.

It was getting late an Alexx took her leave and told her she would come in bright and early to see them. Calleigh got comfortable next to Horatio, she pulled her blanket up and just stared at him, watching him sleep. He seemed relaxed, his breathing even. His face calm, she could see he was sleeping peacefully. She leaned on his bed a bit and took his hand in hers now, watching him sleep. It seemed to relax her too and she finally dozed off herself.

Joe came in a while later and checked on Horatio, he was doing fine and Calleigh was asleep. He took notice of her holding his hand and smiled. He thought to himself. How in the world have they managed to stay apart till now? He turned around and left with a smile.

Horatio woke up early next morning, his eyes coming into focus. The head of his bed was lifted a bit so he quickly noticed Calleigh at his right side. He tilted his head, staring at her; she was sound asleep, on his hand. Her blond hair was laying over his hand and fingers, while her warm breath was tickling the hairs on his arm.

He gently tried to maneuver his hand out from under her and she began to stir. He stopped moving and waited a moment. He tried again and slowly removed it. His urge to brush the hair off the side of her face was too much. He slowly reached over with his fingers and gently slipped it back, off her face now. Another impulse now grew, he wanted to feel her hair and now he gently stroked it with his hand and fingers, the urge now pulling him in. He closed his eyes, sharpening his sense of the feeling.

He watched her, and gently ran his hand over her head of silk hair. Peace filling him now, just watching her sleep like this. Softly caressing her while she laid sleeping. He softly moaned, and caught himself, he was enjoying this. Taking a breath in and Feeling braver now, he put his fingers through her hair, slowly feeling the silky soft strands in between his fingers. Now his impulse wanted to reach down and grabbed her, feeling her hair in his hands, while kissing her deeply.

The door opened and Joe walked in smiling. He nodded to Horatio who still had his hand on Calleigh's head.

"She needed some sleep, glad to see she is finally getting it." Joe quietly said. "How are you feeling today?"

"Well, I think I had, quite enough sleep, thank you. What do you think doctor?" Horatio smiled at him now and relaxed his hand on Calleigh's head.

"Glad to see you doing better, I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out there for a while. You had us all worried."

"Mmm." Horatio looked down toward Calleigh now.

"Shall we take a look?"

Horatio motion to Joe with a nod of his head, "I'd rather... let her sleep a while longer, if that's ok with you, Joe?"

"Sure is. I'll come back later. Why don't you close your eyes too, it's early still."

"What time is it?"

"7:30 in the morning. Go ahead get some rest. I'll make sure you're both not disturbed." Joe said, leaving the room.

Horatio took a breath and felt a sharpness in his chest, he slowly let it out. He leaned back more, to get comfortable again and began feeling her hair again. His eyes slowly closing as he watched her sleep next to him, thinking, just how beautiful she was.

His eyes opened again and he realized he feel back to sleep, his hand still on Calleigh hair. He tilted his head and stared at her sleeping, wondering what kind of dreams she had. He slowly began feeling her hair again, sliding his hand down her head to her back. Removing the strands that fell forward each time he did this. He smiled, thinking now; he had her all to himself.

Calleigh stirred and moved her head forward more; his hand froze, his eyes wide, waiting to be caught.

She must be exhausted he thought. She went right back to sleep but now her head was twisted. He felt badly and did not want to wake her, but knew if she stood this way, she would wake up with a stiff neck. He took one last look and sighed, before softly calling her name.

"Calleigh... Calleigh..." His voice low and raspy. His hand still on her hair, stroking it still, feeling the silkiness of it.

'Calleigh..." She stirred and picked her head up quickly, calling out, "Horatio?" Looking right at him. His hand came off her head when she lifted it up but he just held it there, waiting a moment to hopefully put it back.

"She stared at him, eyes wide now. "You ok, Horatio? You need..."

"Shhh, Calleigh.. I'm fine." He said to her quietly. "Put your head back down, close your eyes, it's ok."

His hand reaching, now again, for the back of her head. He cupped her head with the palm of his hand and gently rubbed his thumb in her hair now. She slowly closed her eyes, and softly moaned, feeling relaxed in his hand. He gently directed her head back down to-wards the bed and she laid it down, sideways, looking right at him as he began stroking her hair again. His head tilted to the right, watching her relax again. His lips curled up into a small sincere smile.

Her eyelids heavy and half opened now, she smiled at him. "Mmmm, that feels so good, you're going to put me right back to sleep if you don't stop... Horatio." Realization hitting her hard now.

"Horatio? Horatio?" Her head shot up so quickly, she moved forward in her chair looking at him, her eyes wide, worried.

She moved so quick his head went back into the pillow; he was just staring at her in shock now.

"Calleigh, it's ok, you were sleeping and..." She cut him off. She leaned forward more closely to him now. Her hands on his shoulders making sure he was there.

"Your ok? I can't believe I fell asleep like that. Do you---." His hand automatically cupped the back of her head, and he pulled her in for one.. unexpectedly.. savaged... kiss.

Her eyes closed and her mouth opened and responded to his. He kissed her deeply, holding nothing back; she moaned into his mouth now and moved in closer. Her hands, finding their way into his disheveled hair. There breathing becoming ragged, neither one wanting to break it off.

Calleigh pulled back, trying to breathe. Horatio's mouth was still open, his head moving forward, wanting more. He gave her a moment to breathe and licked his lips, Tasting her for the first time. His hand still tangled in her hair, while looking her in the eyes.

Now she moved in fiercely and her mouth hungrily covered his. She grabbed his head and ran her fingers through his hair, her tongue, dancing with his, probing his mouth and licking his lips. Now, neither one was able to breathe again, and they didn'twant it to end.

It was Horatio who softened the kiss and Calleigh softly moaned. He gently pulled back, still holding her head in his hand. He looked her in the eyes and her eyes suddenly going wide with shock. It took a minute for it to process, she had just kissed Horatio. Horatio, oh my, she thought. Then she thought about it and thought to herself that wouldn't even count as a kiss, that was full blown sex... with their tongues? Her mind reeling, thinking about his mouth and how he just devoured her, took her completely by surprise. She was in shock and now in need, she thought. Her mouth moved to speak but she couldn't talk, just yet.

"Umm... Umm... umm...

" She was dazed, her eyes glassy.

"Calleigh, I.. didn't mean, I, I don't know... what happened there..."

He was also very surprised that he did that and didn't want to hurt her feelings. He removed his hand from her head unsure now, and ran it ever so slowly down her back, her eyes closed and she bit her lip gently.

Shit!... He thought, talking to himself. What are you doing? He just couldn't keep his hands off of her and he thought he didn't mean that either,.. or did he? His mind reeling now.

She slowly moved away and slid back down into her chair, her fingers on her forehead. She was thinking what to say to him now, still dazed by his kisses.

"Hor- a- tio... Umm, ummm." She looked at him and bit her bottom lip. I... I, Ummm."

Horatio's hand went up to his mouth and his fingers played with his top lip, he looked up at Calleigh and said, "It's my fault, I'm sorry... Cal, I don't know... what came over me, I just..."

She stood up now and Horatio looked at her worried, blinking his eyes a few times, not saying a word.

'So you...umm... You umm, didn't mean that, Horatio?"

"Calleigh I would never want to ..."

She put her hand up to him and sat down now on his bed, beside him. He looked up into her eyes and the next thing he knew he was pulling her down for a kiss again. This time, he kissed her softly on her lips, gently and she moaned to him now, completely overwhelmed by him.

Horatio backed off and looked at her. Her eyes glassy and her breathing increasing, he swallowed hard waiting, letting her make the next move. Her eyes looking at him but dazed for sure, he thought. She was trying to say something but nothing was coming out.

"Um... umm."

She moved forward slowly and now softly kissed him back. She moaned something, "Oooh" He smiled into the kiss and let her know how much he was enjoying it too, with a, "Mmmm" Of his own.

She pulled back a bit and startled him, "You have no idea... what you are... doing to me, do you? She whispered to his lips now, catching her breath, between words. Resting her head against his.

"Then.. you are... just going..to have... to tell me." He whispered back, as he kissed her between words, he kissed her face and cheek and neck, before she covered his lips once again with hers.

"Hor..atio, I can't believe we're..."

He groaned loudly now and she stopped, pulling back, realizing that was not pleasure, he was in pain.

"Cal...Your hanndd." He grunted, his left arm reaching for his ribs. Her hand leaned down and into his broken ribs on the left. His head going back onto the pillow, he was trying to catch his breath.

"Oh my god, Horatio, I 'm sorry, I, I,..."

"It's...Alright Cal, Just... give me... a second." He took a breath.

The door opened and Joe came walking in. Calleigh was leaning over Horatio now, all worried. Joe noticed something was wrong right away. He reached his bedside now.

"What happened, Calleigh?" Joe asked.

"I umm, I ummm..."

"Nothing... I just moved to quick ...again and got a pain." Horatio spat.

"What did I tell you about that?" Joe said, examining his ribs now.

"I... I know Joe. It, Ahh ..." Horatio gasped in pain.

"I can see I'm going to have to tape you up before you go home."

"Home? When?" Horatio asking now.

"How's today sound? Just need a few scans and I'm also waiting for your blood work to come back, if everything looks good, you're out of here mister." Joe smiled to him now.

"Are you sure Joe?" Calleigh said concerned. "He'll be ok?"

"Well, we do have a lot to talk about first. Like you taking your pain meds and staying down, that means resting, in case you forget." Joe joked with him now. Horatio grinned back and the door open and Alexx came walking in.

"Alexx it looks like he's going home today." Calleigh said, happily.

"That's Great Horatio, you feeling that much better?" Alexx asked, with a grin now.

"I feel fine Alexx." He looked over at Calleigh and wiggled his eyebrows now, smiling.

"Ok, let's talk." Joe pulled a chair up to his bed. "First things first." He looked at Calleigh. Horatio caught that and watched Joe carefully now, he knew something was up.

"Ok, I don't want you alone, someone needs to be with you all the time, you're gonna need help with the wound care and bandages."

Horatio smiled now and gave a small snort. "Ok, what are you three up to?" He eyed each one up, Calleigh eyes looking down.

"Well, this is the way it has to be or you just stay here!" Joe said.

Horatio raised his eyebrows to him and remained quiet; he knew he could sign out anytime he wanted.

Joe looking to Alexx and Calleigh again, waiting. Horatio picking up on the obvious.

"Ok, Horatio, ummm... I'm going to be staying with you for a while." Calleigh said, smiling. He just looked at her, taken back a bit.

"Excuse me, you're what?"

"You heard her honey and I'll be coming by too, just like Joe said. You're going to need medical help, someone who knows how to give injections and tape up ribs. So go ahead and say your peace now, we're waiting." Alexx stated.

Horatio remained quiet, thinking... Calleigh... Alone time... Mmmm.

"So this is the plan, I'm going to tape your ribs. You're going to get pain meds and analgesics for the swelling that you MUST take if you want to heal properly. You need to rest and you need to stay down. Do not put too much pressure on those ribs right away or you'll be back here real fast. Hmm, what am I leaving out?" Joe looked over to Alexx.

"Follow up, sugar." She smiled and Horatio gave her a smirk and she gave it right back.

"Right, I need to see you in a week. I need to check the ribs and lungs and get another CT scan to make sure you're healing properly." Joe stated, giving Horatio a questioning look.

Horatio began shaking his head now. "I'm fine and will be better in no time."

"So, I'll see you, right?"

"Yes, you will." Alexx stated. I will pick him up myself if he thinks of standing you up Joe." She gave Horatio a grin.

"Calleigh, you're awfully quiet?" Joe said.

"Hmm, what?"

Horatio chuckled, looking over to Calleigh, he knew why she was distracted, the same reason he was.

He thought to himself again... Alone time... for us! He grinned now and looked her way. She blushed and looked away from him now, all flustered.

Joe looked over at Alexx, "Did I miss something?"

"No sugar, I think you caught it all." Alexx said smiling now, knowing something was up with these two.

The door opened and Stetler came walking right in. Joe was up in and instant. Horatio took notice of his quickness and his eyes narrowed on Stetler now.

"Horatio."

"Rick. What are you doing here?"

"Officer involved shooting, you know I have to look into it, beside you look fine now and I waited long enough."

"Excuse me Rick?"

"You didn't tell him I was here?" He glared at Calleigh now.

"No I didn't, you're back aren't you?" I didn't feel I needed to bother him with such... NON-SENSE!" Calleigh said, annoyed now.

Horatio's eyebrows went up and his head shook back and forth in the nod of a no. Calleigh Duquesne, Um,..thinking, don't mess with Calleigh Duquesne, she just ripped...Stetler a new one! He grinned to himself, tucking his chin.

"Non-sense! I'll give you nonsense. How's this, you're coming with me today and that's final, I'm not letting this slide again. I let it go yesterday, now I want a statement, today Duquesne! Do you understand me! Stetler getting loud now.

Horatio sat up a bit and felt his ribs pull, his Jaw set now and steam beginning to build.

"Rick... Watch yourself Rick." Horatio eyes glaring at him now.

"Really Horatio, you need to stop being everyone's savior. Look at you man, you're a mess. You couldn't even fight off a woman." Stetler laughed.

"Well Rick, you should know all about that, right? That's something you're good at, hitting innocent women... Right, Rick? You would never, raise your hands to a man, now would you Rick? Because after all, THEY hit back!" Horatio's Jaw setting tightly.

"She's coming with me and you have no say in this Horatio!"

"TRY ME RICK..." Horatio voice dangerously low, deep, warning him now.

"Ok, I want you out of here, now!" Joe snapped, he kept his mouth shut long enough.

Horatio's eyebrows went up again, not understanding why Joe was getting involved in this. He began to sit up more now seeing the situation escalate. Calleigh saw him and went over to his bedside and whispered.

"Stay down, its ok." She gave him a pleading look, he stilled.Alexx came over also, now standing beside Calleigh, "Why does he always have to cause problems?" She said, nodding to Stetler now.

Stetler told Joe to back off, that he would have him arrested for interfering with a police investigation.

Joe laughed in his face, "Is that the best you can do Sergeant?" He answered.

Stetler walked over to Calleigh now and put his hand on her arm, she looked at him in shock now.

Horatio was moving to get up now, "Get your hands off her RICK, NOW!" Horatio said, through clenched teeth. "Pick on someone your own size, like me."

"Oh, the great Horatio Caine." Stetler said.

Horatio, stopped tilted his head a moment and asked him again, "What did you just say?"

He heard it before... From Jay!

Calleigh pulled away from Stetler now and Huffed. Horatio had to defuse this situation before Calleigh threw a punch. How he'd wished to see it but he couldn't let that happened. He could see the fire in her eyes now, quickly building more. Stetler walked to the door and called two officers in, telling them to restrain CSI Duquesne and put her in the car.

"Ok gentleman, if either one of you touches her, I'll get you both suspended for a month without pay, you understand! Horatio spat out. "You both know who I am. Now wait outside. They left the room.

Stetler glared at Horatio now, You're gonna pay for this! I'll get the statement one way or another; you're just making this harder on yourself."

Really Rick, is that a threat? Now, Get the hell out of here Rick! NOW! YOU COME BACK AND ..." Horatio's breath caught now, his hand covering his ribs. Joe was immediately at his side now.

Stetler laughed at him, "I'm going, but I'll be back! See you soon Horatio." He gave a chuckle.

Joe grabbed a hold of Horatio and laid him back down, "Just relax a second, let me have a look."

"I'm fin..." Horatio breath caught again, his ribs pulling now and causing him pain. He groaned. "Cal..leighh..your not to...go.."

"Stop trying to talk, will you." He felt around Horatio's ribs until he flinched. The same rib, Dam!" He said.

"Lay still will you. Alexx hand me that line." Sure Joe.His pulse ox dropped now to 90, this rib is slowly becoming a nightmare. Joe cursed.

"Ok, Horatio, listen. Umm, I 'm sorry but you're going to sleep." And Horatio felt a quick jab in his hip area. Joe was quick about it now.

"Wait! Ahhh... You don't have to... I don't need that, Joe!" He tired to move but Joe was already done. Horatio's breath becoming more labored now, his ribs were killing him. His head sunk down onto the pillow, feeling very heavy now. He tried to lift it again and Joe stopped him. Calleigh put her hand on his head now and told him everything was fine, to please rest, so he could come home! His eyes closed to her smile.

"Alright, he's out." Joe took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. "I don't know about letting him go home just yet. His ribs are a problem. No,... he's a problem, he doesn't listen to reason!" Joe said, agitated now and confused.

"And What's that other guy's problem? Does he know this is a hospital?"

"IAB" Alexx said.

"What's... IAB? Joe asked as he sat in the chair rubbing his head. "Internal Affairs Bureau"

"OR, you can call them, Idiots Acting Badly." Calleigh added, with a laugh.

"Ohhh, I see now."

"No you don't, he has it in for Horatio because he made lieutenant before him. Jealously gets you no where." Calleigh said surely.

Both Alexx and Calleigh were smiling at Joe now.

"What? What's so funny?" He asked.

"Well honey, he is gonna be real pissed at you when he wakes up!"

"I had to knock him out because of his breathing, his o2 dropped again and..."

"You don't need to explain it to me sugar, I know. Just figure out what you're gonna say to him, when he comes around again."

"I'll talk to him Alexx, he'll be fine, he saw Joe trying to help, he knows.

"Then good luck Baby." Alexx said laughing now.

Horatio woke two hours later with a headache and a half. Calleigh was with him and leaned over to him now.

"Hey, how you feeling?"

Horatio tried to lift his head now but he was still feeling groggy.

"Stay down Horatio, just rest ok. You're ok, Joe will be in soon." Calleigh reassured him now.

"Joe?" His voice ruff and raspy. "I'm gonna give him..."

Horatio he was only trying to help you, he cares about you. Did you see what he did to Stetler? Well he took care of him the other day too."

"What other ... day?

"When he first came in, I meant."

"Calleigh did he..."

"Stop, right now, Stop talking and relax. Everything is ok, nothing happened, Joe threw him out then too." She smiled to him and put her hand on his forehead.

"So then, I owe Joe a Thank You! Hmm. I'm going home still, right?" He said, pressing the button, lifting his bed now.

"Horatio, um... Joe has to check you out again to make sure..."

"I'm fine and I'm going home." He paused... looking down now, under his breath, he asked her, "You still... coming with me? You... really don't have to Calleigh... I--" His eyes looking down still.

"Stop! Horatio. Yes I am, and you're going with me, by the way." She smiled to him.

"Hmm?"

"Your place is a crime scene, remember?"

"Yeah, I do now." He smiled at her, shaking his head.

"Joe came in and taped up his ribs, talking with him about getting some rest and all. His tests came back good but Joe made sure to tell him it would be easy to re-injure the ribs again. He also told him, he could still have some reactions to the poison too. His blood-work showed the toxin still in his system but at lower levels now.

Horatio, was calm and relaxed just letting him talk and work. Alexx was holding the tape and Joe was directing her. He placed the tape all the way around to his spine, it helped to Anchor everything together.

"Ok so, you're good to go, Horatio. Joe said, smiling. "Please rest and take care, and I'll see you soon." He put his hand out and Horatio shook it.

Calleigh gave him a hug and Alexx gave him a kiss on the cheek. They thanked him and he told them both to call if they had any questions, any problems at all.

"One week, Horatio, ok?" Joe asked.

"Thank You Joe. Thank you for everything!" As a nurse pulled up with a wheelchair. Horatio gave a look and said No.

"Hospital procedure." She said and Alexx told him to get in. He shook his head and sat down.

Calleigh grinned now, thinking. They were leaving to go to her place. A thought crossed her mind... Horatio...in my bed!