Title: Vendetta

Author: innocent choir girl (ff-dot-net), shannyfish (From Out of the Lab/Miami Heat/LJ)

Summary: Clavo Cruz escapes from prison and goes after those Horatio holds dear in order to really get back at him. Clavo sees that there's more between Horatio and one of his co-workers, and takes Calleigh... (takes place before current season - I swear this was thought up before "Man Down")

Category: Ship Ahoy! Calleigh/Horatio

Genres: Angst, Drama, Episode Related, Established Relationship, Friendship, Hurt Comfort, Suspense

Characters: Horatio Caine, Calleigh Duquesne, Frank Tripp (Other), Clavo Cruz (Other)

Warnings: none

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 5 "Clavo Cruz to the Rescue?"

Author's Notes: none

…………………………

They were still no closer to finding Calleigh, and Horatio found that they were at a dead end. The others had tried to help, but no one could help him find Calleigh… He sat in his office, looking out the window at the rest of Miami. The sound of vibrations followed by his cell phone's ring tone brought Horatio around to his desk, he looked at the caller ID and was surprised to see Calleigh's name across the screen. It was her cell phone. A slight spark of hope rushed through him as his fingers brushed the metallic plastic of his phone. Opening it he put it to his ear and hoped for the voice he longed to hear on the other end of the line, "Calleigh, Sweetheart, where are you?" Cruel laughter was what greeted him instead of the sweet southern voice of Calleigh Duquesne.

((Awww Caine, it's nice to hear that you're so worried about your CSI.))

"Clavo," Horatio found himself saying, his brain registering the voice quickly. "Where is Calleigh Duquesne?" he asked wondering if he was calling him about a dump site. Like Kerner, if he found another body he swore he was going to kill the man with his bare hands.

((Safe…with me… She's just another CSI though, isn't she? Just like the others…))

"Calleigh is not apart of this, Clavo… Tell me what you want in exchange for Calleigh," Horatio said wondering exactly why Clavo had saved Calleigh instead of dumping her like he had with Eric, Natalia, and Ryan.

((She's very pretty, isn't she?))

"I said she isn't apart of this… It's between you and me, Clavo," Horatio reminded. He could tell that Clavo hadn't dropped Calleigh off somewhere, he was keeping her for a reason, and fear was rising inside of him at the thought of the reason. Did he know how much Calleigh meant to him?

((What would you do to get her back, Caine?))

"Anything," Horatio found himself saying naturally. He realized, though, that it was the truth. He'd do anything for Calleigh...especially when it came to ensuring her life. "Let me go in her place, Clavo… Me for Calleigh…"

((She means that much to you? Does she, Caine?))

Horatio stayed quiet for a minute thinking about how best to respond. He didn't want him to use Calleigh against him, or harm her because of their relationship. "She's one of my CSIs…"

((I'm sure I could find much better use for Miss Duquesne in other ways… She's a woman, after all, and they are used in far better ways using all of their qualities rather than science…))

"Clavo, listen to me. Don't you dare touch her," Horatio said slowly and angrily. "I will meet you and I will do what you want. Just don't touch Calleigh…"

((Deal, Caine…))

…………………….

Horatio was on a mission, a mission to save Calleigh… He was heading for his Hummer when he heard his voice. He had merely told Claudia at the desk that he'd be out, and out of contact. It was Frank…and he knew that he'd want to know exactly where he was going and why. But this time Frank couldn't help him…

"Horatio! Where are you going in such a big hurry?" Frank asked as he jogged to catch up with his friend.

Stopping, Horatio put his hands on his hips as he turned to face Frank. He pulled his sunglasses from his face; Frank was someone with whom he could show his true nature and feelings to. "Clavo Cruz called me… I'm going to get Calleigh."

"Well, I'll go with you," Frank immediately volunteered without a thought.

Shaking his head, Horatio looked down for a minute, "I might need you though," Horatio told him as his eyes raised back to look directly into his friend's. "I'm not sure exactly what condition Calleigh is in…or what will be allowed… I need you to stay here; I'll call you if I need you."

"Tell me the meeting point at least," Frank pushed. "That way I can be nearby in case you need me." He didn't like the thought of his friend going alone when he surely could use back-up.

"I can't tell you that, Frank. I can't risk it."

"It's dangerous going alone… You're going to need back-up."

Horatio smiled a bit as he slipped his sunglasses back on, "That's why I have you…just in case." He turned and took a step towards the Hummer.

"And what if Calleigh's hurt? If she needs medical care?" Frank pushed not liking the situation at all. He knew that it was far too dangerous for Horatio to go alone, but he also understood why he needed to do it. He would go alone, too, if it involved anyone that he cared for.

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that, Frank," Horatio said before looking back over his shoulder at his friend. "I can't even risk for Alexx to come along with a first aid kit…"

Frank frowned, "I promise to answer my phone. You just promise to call if you need help."

"I promise, Frank…" he said quietly before heading back towards the Hummer again. He needed to go, he couldn't risk missing Clavo. He still wasn't sure how far Clavo would go this time…what he was capable of doing to Calleigh. He knew things…he knew that he and Calleigh had a relationship…he could tell that from how Clavo had talked about Calleigh. He wasn't sure if that meant that Clavo knew from other sources or if he had gotten it straight from Calleigh. And if he got it from Calleigh, what could Clavo have done to her to get that information? He knew that Calleigh would never give something like that that could mean both of their lives and careers up so easily.

……………………..

Horatio was halfway to the location that Clavo Cruz had instructed him to meet him at when his phone started to ring. He picked it up as he kept his eyes on the road. "Horatio."

((Horatio, you're running late, my friend… I didn't expect you to keep me or your Calleigh waiting…))

"I'm almost there," Horatio told him. "A couple miles down the way…"

((You better hurry, Caine.))

"I want to talk to Calleigh," Horatio said quickly. He had been thinking about what Frank had said about Calleigh possibly being injured. If he talked to her, then at least he could get a better idea about how Calleigh was affected. It would also let him be able to call and prep Frank if Calleigh was injured.

((Calleigh can't talk at the moment. Maybe if you hurry you can talk to her when you get here.))

"Is she okay?"

((As well as can be expected…))

"Clavo—"

((You better hurry, Caine. Calleigh and I are getting tired of waiting…))

The sound of the other line clicking made his heart sink. He pushed his foot down farther on the gas determined to make it down the road quicker than he had originally planned. "I'm coming, Calleigh," he whispered a bit nervously.

TBC…