We would like to thank ALL our loyal readers for your support while we have been away. In the next few weeks, you will see our stories being reposted here for all of you to read along with several NEW stories we've written while we've been away.

We appreciate all the kind messages we've received for our readers...we didn't realize how many of you were reading our stories, lol. It has brought HUGE smiles to us and we hope you'll continue to stick with us as we re-post some old favorites and hopefully new favorites. Thanks again!

CaineSpeedle & Speedfanatic05

Now for the good stuff!

**WARNING: STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT AND LANGUAGE! You Are Warned**

DISCLAIMER: We don't own any of the Miami characters and we're NOT making any money off of them!

SEQUEL TO: "Legacy Of Madness"

Taking a look at the clock, Horatio then glanced to Harry, watching him move out of the office. He knew that Harry was putting himself on the line, and one day, Horatio was going to find a way to pay him back for all that he'd done for him. Giving him a nod, he then dialed her number and prayed that she would be the least bit receptive to what he had to say.

The line rung three may times before he heard her pick up, and he smiled at the sound of her voice. Catching his breath, he swallowed hard, "Um…Calleigh. It's me. Horatio."

Stopping mid stride on the way to the couch to relax, Calleigh took in a breath at his voice. After talking with Tim earlier in the day, Calleigh hadn't really thought Horatio would call her. Now that he had though, she decided to see what he had to say. Moving again, she came in front of the couch and sat down, "Hi, Horatio."

The tone of her voice was a precursor as to how this was going to go and he rubbed the bridge of his nose. Keeping his voice steady, he sighed, "Calleigh, I thought we needed to talk. There's some unfinished business between us."

Pulling her legs up under her as she sat in the corner of the couch, Calleigh reached for the tv remote and muted the sound, "I'm listening, Horatio."

Horatio propped his head on his hand and then closed his eyes, "I didn't… I didn't give us a chance. I screwed over everything you did for me for one high. Everything that you trusted in me, the faith you had in my recovery, I fucked because I wanted to get that fix." Breathing out, he clenched his fist in his hair, "The drugs clouded my thoughts. I wasn't able to think clearly. But I'm thinking now, Calleigh. I remember our time at the beach house. You're carrying our baby…it shows just how much we love each other."

Closing her eyes and rubbing her temple as she listened to him, Calleigh knew she had to stay strong. True, she did still love him, but something inside was still unsure of things. He'd broken there trust and love that they had once shared. Taking in a breath and releasing it, Calleigh finally spoke up, "Right now, Horatio…and I'm not sure what to believe anymore."

Keeping a tenuous grasp on his control, Horatio nodded and then sighed, "I understand, Calleigh. I've done nothing but destroyed your trust. I'll understand if you never want to see me again, but…I'll be responsible for the child I help create."

Biting her lip, Calleigh shifted some on the couch to get more comfortable, "How um…how is your recovery going?"

Finally on a subject he felt confident on, Horatio smiled and sat up, "It's going well, actually. We reassessed and I'm on track. Harry thinks it's a good idea for me to stay in the program a bit longer, just to make sure though. After that, I have the choice on whether to return back to Miami or go into a sober house. I've got a lot of thinking to do."

"It's a big decision," Calleigh replied as she looked around the room. Her eyes settle on a picture of the team and Calleigh sighed, "You have to do what is best for you."

"But I have to think about you as well," he answered quietly. He struggled with what to say but then settled with what he'd wanted to all along, "Calleigh, I love you. I've made some bad mistakes and I'm trying to fix them, but I need…help."

"Then you need to keep doing what your doing, Horatio. Right now, you need to concentrate on you." Rubbing her temple again to fight off a headache, she sighed, "You don't need to be worrying about anyone else right now."

The strain was evident in her voice, her tone growing weary. Horatio felt his heart drop even more for causing this undue stress. "I am concentrating on me, but I also need to concentrate on you. You're… you're important to me. I just wanted to let you know that."

Unsure of what to do or where to go, Calleigh raised her brow slightly, "There's a lot I need to think about still, Horatio. Too much has happened between us. I have my child to look out for now as well."

"I understand, Calleigh. I just wanted to let you know that you're not alone in this. I'm going to do what's right by you and my child." Rubbing his face roughly, he sighed, "I won't bother you any longer, Calleigh. Thanks for listening to me."

Biting her lip, Calleigh closed her eyes, "Horatio…if…if you want, you can call me again, if you want to talk that is."

Horatio smiled lightly and then nodded, "I'd liked that, but I won't call so much. You're working again and you have to take care of yourself. You've got an important job now. Don't worry about me, I'll make it."

"Just…just keep up the good work, Horatio," Calleigh replied softly as she wiped at a tear. "You're strong…you can do it."

"Because you believe in me, I can." Hearing the door open, he looked to see Harry coming in and nodded, "Look, I've got to go back to my room, but you…you get some rest, okay?"

"I will." Taking in a deep breath, Calleigh bit her lip before speaking, "Take care, Horatio…and call me again if you want to."

"Okay, and Cal," he paused for a second to take in a breath, "…I love you."

Calleigh's chin trembled and she nodded, "I know. Night, Horatio."

Noticing that she didn't say it back, he nodded and whispered, "Goodnight. Take care." Hanging up, he stared at the phone before shaking himself out of his stupor and then looking to Harry. Rising to his feet, Horatio gave Harry a small smile, "I can't thank you enough, Harry. At least now she knows how I feel."

"That's a good start then, Horatio. It might take a little bit for her to come around, but don't get discouraged about that part. Be happy she did talk to you," Harry said encouragingly. Giving Horatio a smile, Harry raised a brow, "Horatio…I uh…I wanted to talk with you about something. Have a seat."

Turning to take a seat, he settled in and then looked to Harry, "What's going on, Harry?"

Taking a seat on the edge of the desk, Harry sighed, "Horatio…there's been a man calling here and looking for you. Then, earlier this evening he stopped by…even flashed a Miami badge. Says his name was Sergeant Stetler. Do you know him?"

Horatio's expression dropped and he shook his head, "Unfortunately, I do know him. Did he happen to mention why he was asking for me?"

"Said it was part of an investigation. Horatio, is there something going on that I need to know about?" Harry asked as he looked at the man.

Squaring his sights with the man, Horatio shook his head emphatically, "There is no investigation. Rick Stetler is just looking for something to hang me with. He knows nothing about my addiction, but I think…I think he's getting an idea." Getting up, he paced the floor as he ran a hand through his hair, "He's snooping. Did you talk to him at length?"

Shaking his head and pursing his lips, Harry smirked "Nope. Told him I had never heard of ya. Then when he produced a picture, well, let's just say I've never seen you before either. Without a warrant, I give out no information about any client here…yourself included."

Horatio smiled and stopped pacing, "Thank god for privacy laws. But I don't think he's finished yet. Rick Stetler doesn't know when to quit, especially if he thinks he has me on the line." Narrowing his eyes, he turned to Harry and asked, "I'm scheduled for group outside tomorrow, is there any way that I can…skip it?"

"Horatio, you know the rules. If I do that for you, then I'll have to do it for others. Why, what's going on?" Harry asked, wondering what the red head was thinking about.

"Stetler is…well in a word, relentless. Just because you told him nothing doesn't mean that he's done here. If I'm spotted out in group, he's going to know that I'm here." Looking to Harry in earnest, he offered, "Why can't we have group inside?"

Thinking about it, Harry, moved off the desk, "Alright, Horatio…alright. We'll have group inside. I'm sure we can get the atrium and open the windows up in there." Pointing to him, he raised a brow, "Anything else I need to know about this guy?"

"Just that he's a trouble maker and he's not leaving here empty handed." Rubbing his chin, he sighed, realizing that there wasn't much more he could do. His survival and success was now left to fate.

Taking in a deep breath of fresh clean air as she got out of her car, Calleigh looked around some, making sure she hadn't been followed down from Miami. Since her conversation with Rick earlier in the week, Calleigh had been watching herself very carefully, making sure not to give away anything on the whereabouts of Horatio to anyone while at the lab. The only person she fully trusted had been Tim, and even he didn't encroach the subject there with her anymore.

Hurrying to get herself inside, she smiled as she went in, noticing a different face at the front desk. Walking over, she pulled out her wallet and ID, readying it to show and sign in. She hadn't talked to Horatio since his one and only call earlier that week and was hoping he'd be up to having a visitor. Coming to the desk, Calleigh handed over her ID and smiled, "Calleigh Duquesne, I'm here to see Ray Lancaster, please."

The attendant looked up to verify her identification and then smiled, "He should be in his room." Getting up, she moved away from the counter and then to the door, swiping the card. Smiling, she pushed the door open and looked down the corridor. "I'll get someone to escort you to his room."

Nodding silently, Calleigh slipped her ID back into her wallet as she waited and then looked around the reception area some. Seeing a painting on the wall, she walked over to it, admiring it and then smiling when she noticed the initials at the bottom right in the penmanship she knew all too well. Hearing the door open back up, Calleigh saw the escort and went over to him, giving him a small smile as he let her through the door first.

Walking down the corridor with Calleigh, he turned to her, his brow knit, "Ah…so you're here for Ray? He doesn't have many visitors, are you family?"

"Uh, well no. Just a friend he's known for years. I'm sure he'll be surprised to see me here," she replied softly as they walked down the hallway.

"Well, we all need friends. Ray's been doing good though, staying clean, productive. He's populated the walls of the facility with his art work. You ought to see him, he's so…in to it. I've never seen someone who thinks as hard as he does." Coming to the door, he put his arm out to stave her and then smirked, "Just in case." Knocking on the door he called out, "Tony! Ray! Coming in."

Hearing laughter from the other side of the door, Calleigh waited back. When the door opened and a dark headed younger man was revealed, she remained silent.

Seeing the blond from the photo above Ray's bed, Tony smirked and looked back behind the door, "Hey, Ray…you got a visitor." Walking out, he nodded to her and called back, "I'll give ya some privacy, man."

Stepping out from behind the door, his brow narrowed at the sight of Tony disappearing and then easing into surprise at the sight of her. Coming closer to her, but keeping his distance to allow comfort. Smiling, he offered, "Come on in, Calleigh." He looked beyond her to Randy and nodded, "Can we have a minute?"

"Yeah, but the door stays open, you know that, Ray."

"Yeah, we'll be good, won't we, Cal?" Horatio asked as he smiled more. He couldn't believe that she was there in the flesh.

Nodding and giving the other man a smile, Calleigh went in, her eyes moving around the unfamiliar room. Once inside, she turned back to see Horatio following and released a breath she didn't know she'd been holding, "I…I hope you don't mind me coming to see you."

"Not in the least bit, Calleigh. It's a wonderful surprise." Watching her go to the bed, he offered her a seat, "Please, sit. So…how are you, how are things going?"

Taking a seat, she set her purse aside and nodded, "Pretty good. Just working a lot. Tim let me pull a couple doubles this week so I could get the firearms lab back in order and all."

"You pulled doubles? You had to have been exhausted." A concerned tone surfaced as he looked away and he frowned, "You should be getting as much rest as possible." Realizing his words, he retained his sights on her and sighed, "Sorry, Cal. I didn't mean for it to come out like that."

Nodding, Calleigh looked down at her hands and raised a brow, "I'm fine to work. The doctor even said I could keep up my running 'cause it's good for me and the baby. He said I really didn't need to change anything, except adding the prenatal vitamins."

"Of course," he answered with a short nod. "Just as long as you're okay, Calleigh." Allowing his eyes to roam her body, he smirked as he averted them, "So…how did the doctor's appointment go? Everything okay?"

"Yeah. I uh…I have negative RH blood…so I'll be getting a shot of immunoglobulin when I'm twenty eight weeks along and then another once the baby is born," she said as she finally looked up at him. "Other then that, everything looked really good."

"That's…that's good." Horatio licked his lips and continued to stare at the floor, "I…I would like to be there when the baby's born. That is if it's okay with you?"

Already having thought about it during the week in case he asked, Calleigh nodded and tilted her head as she looked at him, "It's okay. I feel the baby should have both of us there when it's born."

A sigh of relief passed through his lips as he smiled more, "Thanks." Horatio continued to look at her and cleared his throat, "Uh…do…do you know the sex of the baby?"

"No, not yet. I won't have an ultrasound done until I go back which is in three weeks. But even then they said we might not be able to tell what the baby is yet." Pushing a strand of hair back she looked down at the floor, "I can send you a picture from the ultrasound if you want."

Feeling the tension growing, he nodded, "I'd like that." When he looked to Calleigh, he sighed, noticing that she wasn't looking at him. He could feel the shame as it heaped itself upon his shoulders and snickered lightly, "I've been doing better, Calleigh. I barely think about the drugs anymore. There's so much for me to do."

Remembering the painting she'd seen, she finally looked up, "I see you're painting more. I saw one of your paintings out in the lobby. It's was beautiful."

"It's a way to keep me busy. I can't exactly investigate crime scenes here, so I have to have something to do. I'm actually working on another one, and they allowed me to bring it in here. Do you want to see it?"

"Sure," Calleigh replied, interested in what he was currently working on. Watching as he got up, Calleigh got more comfortable in her spot and looked around the room, seeing another painting taped to the wall, "Did you do this one also?"

Horatio snickered and grinned, "Just about all the new stuff hanging around here is mine. I've been quite busy with the painting, usually when the cravings got to be too much." Uncovering the painting, he brought it to her. Taking a seat, he looked down on it, "It's…you. Or…how I see you. It's a work in progress."

Looking when Horatio turned it around to her, Calleigh's brow rose as she stared at the painting. Taking in the details he was working on along with the depth and soft tones, she shook her head, "Wow…it's…it's amazing." Looking at him, a small smile formed, "I like it."

"You do?" Horatio asked as he studied it. He smiled more and then glanced to Calleigh, noticing that she couldn't stop looking at the painting. "When I'm done, you can have it. I thought it would be a nice gift."

"Are you sure? I mean, I know this is taking you awhile to do and all…"

"I'm positive. I want you to have it. I want you to know how important you are to me." Silence fell upon them heavily and he nodded and then got up to replace the painting and covering it back up lovingly. Standing in front of the easel, he spoke softly, "I know I've made mistakes, Cal. I know I've hurt you too many times over. It would be foolish of me to think that you'd ever consider…" Dropping his head, he shook it slowly and then turned around, giving her a small smile, "One can wish."

Looking down at her folded hands, Calleigh bite her lip and then took in a deep breath. When he came back over and sat down again, she looked over at him, "I think for now, you still need to focus on yourself and your recovery. This place has been good for you, I can see that…but we both know you still have a ways to go."

"I'll give you that. But, Calleigh, can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah," she replied, her voice coming in a whisper.

"Do…Do you still love me?" The question seemed to be the hardest thing he'd ever spoken and as the silence cloaked them again, he allowed his head to dip and stare at the floor. In hopes of saving himself from utter ruin, he started, "You don't have to answer that, Calleigh…"

"I still love you," she replied softly and looked over at him. "I just don't know yet if we'll be able to have anything more then that though."

"What will it take, Calleigh? What do I have to do to have you back?" Horatio turned to her completely and pleaded, "Tell me what I need to do, and I'll do it, Calleigh."

Shaking her head, Calleigh sighed and looked down at her hands, "I…I don't now, Horatio. I mean…I have to think about this baby now and what's best for it." Looking back up at him, she saw the sadness in his eyes, "This is something I'm gonna have to think about."

Horatio nodded and attempted to smile, "I…I understand." Rising to his feet, Horatio asked, "Did…did you want something to drink? I can get you something to drink."

"No, I'm fine. I drank a couple bottles of water on the way down." Looking up at him, she shrugged, "Can we take a walk?"

The idea of a walk was good, taking him from the cramped space of his room and allowing him to think clearer. Once outside of the room, he nodded, "We can go outside, if you like?"

"Okay, I'd like that." Following alongside him, Calleigh glanced up at him and smiled a little, "I have to say, this is the most relaxed I've seen you in a long time."

Horatio smiled as they kept walking, heading for the doors. He could admit that he was at his calmest, but he also knew that it was only temporary. Once he was released back into society, that would be the real test.

"So…what's been going on other than the doctor's visit?"

Coming to the door, she waited as he opened it and then went through, "Nothing much really, just working really. Um…so you know, Rick's been asking question's…as to where you are and all. I haven't said anything, which I think has pissed him off more then anything."

Horatio chuckled and then sighed, "Oh, Rick's paid a visit here as well. Harry managed to throw him off the trail, but Stetler didn't find a thing. I had to hide out for a few days just to make sure he didn't spot me."

"Well, I uh…I kinda told him a white lie yesterday." Looking up at him and seeing his curious looked, she shrugged, "I told him last time we talked you were heading to New York. Rick had a fight out this morning from what I heard before I left."

"New York, huh? That should keep him busy for a while." Strolling easily, he sighed, "How's Tim doing? When I called he was complaining of the paper work."

Smirking some, Calleigh looked out towards the gardens, "He's still complaining. But, he was never the one that liked paperwork. Tim's doing a good job though, and everyone likes him. But, he learned from the best, so it's only natural that he knows what he's doing."

Horatio nodded and then smiled, "Tim's got a good head on his shoulders, he's going to do very well. Maybe he'll grow into the position, I've never known him to quit anything once he got started." Staring at the flowers, he sighed, "It's good that they like him, a leader is as good as his team."

"Everyone misses you though…even Tim. We all want you back, Horatio," Calleigh replied as they stopped and she turned to him. "Tim's done said that when you can come back he'll stand down from the position."

"The chances of that are slim, Calleigh. As you said before, I have a long road to travel, and I somehow don't see being the head of the Crime lab in that future."

"Then what will you do?" she asked as she reached over and touched one of the roses that were in bloom.

Horatio watched her as she admired the flowers in bloom and smiled widely. He was glad that she was doing well and that Tim was succeeding. Things were progressing in the way they should go. "I don't know, truthfully, but the city of Miami deserves someone who will be vigilant in searching out those who do wrong in the law. Suddenly, I find myself there."

"You know the Chief would take you back. Granted, you might not be able to work the drug cases…but there are plenty of us that can." Looking back up at him, she shrugged, "Just something to think about."

"Indeed," Horatio responded quietly. He'd already made up his mind that he wasn't going back, despite the familiar welcome he would receive. He was tainted and would forever be, and he didn't think he'd be an effective leader any longer. It wasn't a decision he came to lightly, he loved his job, he loved putting the victims at ease, but he just didn't think he could do it anymore.

Changing the subject, he forced a smile, "Tim tells me that they are done with the house. That's good, it's going to go high on the market."

"What?" Calleigh asked with a surprised tone. "Your…your not coming back to Miami?"

"I don't believe that I can, Calleigh. I don't have my job…I don't have you. There's nothing left in Miami for me." Turning to her completely, he took her hand, "The only thing that would keep me there would be you."

Looking down, Calleigh blinked slowly, "You have to do what you feel you have to then…just like I do."

"Yes, I suppose I do." His heart was breaking at the finality of her tone and he sighed, "I never thought that my life would turn out this way. I was always the one to do right, I was the one who could be relied upon, the one to trust, but one…one night changed that. Now my life's…in shambles." He looked up and gave her a smile, "I'm not regressing, but it's a truth, Cal. I've thoroughly ruined my life."

Shaking her head, Calleigh whispered, "It wasn't you, Horatio…it's was Adrienne and what she did to you. You didn't know what she was about and you didn't have control of what she did."

"I may not, but I had control over what I did after getting out of the hospital. I could've stayed away from heroin, but I chose to make a buy. Something as foolish as that could have ended my career. I could've just slept that night, but I chose to get my fix. I was being selfish…and now, I've lost everything."

"Not everything," she replied as she placed her hand on her stomach. "You still have our child and Kyle, Horatio."

Horatio nodded, "Yes, I do still have my children."

Silence came between them and Calleigh really didn't know what to say. Granted, she wanted to throw caution to the wind and give him a chance, but deep down, she knew she needed to think things out. Taking in a deep breath, she noticed their hands still together and brought his to her stomach. Placing it onto the swell, she looked up at him, "I won't ever deny you of this baby, Horatio."

"I know," he whispered as he felt the swell. His heart nearly leapt into his throat at the feeling and he smiled genuinely, "This…is special, Calleigh."

Nodding silently, she let his hand remain there, "Horatio…I'm not going to say everything will work out, 'cause we don't know that for sure. But, I will think about things, okay?"

"That's all I can ask, Calleigh. I won't force the issue. It's your decision to make." Removing his hand, he sighed, "I've not been fair to you, and so…I apologize."

Nodding, Calleigh took in a deep breath and released it. Looking around, she saw a bench and nodded towards it, "If uh, if you don't have anything else to do…you wanna sit and talk out here for awhile?"

"Sure," he said easily. Smiling, he started for the bench. It was his hope that talking would clear things up even more. As long as he had hope, he had enough.