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: Calleigh Duquesne, Eric Delko, Horatio Caine

Warnings: none

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 13 "Safe Harbor"

Author's Notes: For all those patient people who have been waiting for me to update this story! I hope you enjoy these last couple chapters!!!

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The outer perimeter of the Cruz owned building was only lit by a couple well placed wall mounted lamps. From the outside, it didn't look like anyone was inside, but they both knew that the whole building didn't need to be lit up for people to be inside. Eric had called for back up and Rescue. He figured that having Rescue already in route would not only ease Calleigh's worries, but would also help Horatio sooner.

With their weapons drawn, they approached the entrance and slowly opened the door. They swept the building section by section looking for Horatio and Clavo Cruz. They found no one. No clues. In the whole building all they found was undisturbed dust and spider webs. It looked like just another dead end. Another day lost.

"He HAS to be here," Calleigh told Eric as they slowly made their way towards the rear exit of the building. They kept their weapons up as they headed around the back of the building. Outside there were black containers lined up along the outside along where the water met the back of the building leaving just a small section of sidewalk for them to walk on.

"We'll have more light when back up gets here," Eric told her holding onto the flashlight that had been their only light source in their search.

Calleigh froze when she noticed something moving near the water. It was a slight, slow movement, but it was there. She reached out with a hand and tapped Eric before pointing out the position.

As Eric brought his flashlight's beam to the position Calleigh was pointing out just as the incoming sirens touched his ears. It was perfect timing, Eric knew, as soon as Horatio's limp figure half on the cement and half draped in the water was illuminated.

Calleigh quickly holstered her gun and got down on her knees to drag Horatio all the way out of the water. Carefully, she turned him over, so that he was lying on his back. She examined the bruising, the cuts, and the blood that covered his face. "We're here, Horatio," Calleigh whispered trying to hold back new tears. Her eyes were already protesting against the last waves that she had expelled since picking up her phone back at the lab. She was scared to touch his face. Both of his eyes were blackened and one was swollen shut. Tears rolled down her face just the same and realized that he had to be unconscious. The body movements were probably unconscious when she had spotted him. She could feel him breathing, so she knew he was still alive. Calleigh wanted him to say something, to look up at her, or even just to move his hand a bit.

Instead, Calleigh found herself being pulled up and away from Horatio's battered body. Arms turning her, she saw Eric's face briefly before burying her face into his chest and letting her tears continue to fall. Seeing him was far more painful than she'd prepared herself for. She could feel Eric's comforting arms wrap around her and then rub her back. "I want to ride with him," Calleigh said after pulling away from Eric, so that she could look him in the face. Her tears were cleared from her cheeks by using the back of her hand.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea, Cal," Eric said.

"Please," she pleaded as she watched Horatio being loaded onto a gurney.

Eric had his arm around Calleigh's back. He led her to the waiting ambulance as the EMTs pulled the gurney towards it. "He's going to be okay, Calleigh…he's just going to be sore and a bit discolored for a bit afterwards."

Once the gurney was loaded into the ambulance and it was secure, the EMPT walked to the back of it and called out, "Anyone riding along?"

Eric pointed to Calleigh, "She is." He walked her forwards helping her along. He watched as the EMT offered his hand, and Eric made sure she got in without a problem. "I'll see you at the hospital. I'll be right behind," he told her before shutting both doors to the ambulance. He gave them a tap before walking back to the Hummer.

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Calleigh held his hand in the ambulance and watched as the EMTs assessed Horatio's injuries. He had bruises, contusions, cuts, swelling, broken ribs, a couple gashes, a gunshot wound to his leg, and most likely a concussion. She sat back in her seat trying to stay out of the way, but she desperately wanted to hear his voice.

"He's just going to most likely have a long road to recovery in front of him," the EMT told the woman. He'd been watching her and had been grateful she'd kept calm and still. "You can talk to him."

Calleigh gave the EMT a smile before leaning over Horatio. She whispered, "We're goin' be at the hospital soon…" She ran her hands lightly through his hair, "Open your eyes for me, Handsome…" She felt his hand tighten in hers and she laid her forehead gently against his. "Horatio…please."

"I love you," Horatio weakly and barely whispered.

Calleigh stared at him as tears fell from her eyes. She watched as they hit his face and rolled down his cheeks. "Love you, too," she told him before dropping a kiss to his forehead.

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TBC…