Trouble with Friends

Chapter 12

After covering a large area, Calleigh reluctantly ended the search, finally conceding to the fact that the second man had obviously gotten away.

"He must have gone in the water since the dogs lost the trail. Not the best thing to do out here," Ryan commented as he scanned the marsh while Calleigh and Eric stood contemplating their next move.

"Well, the Glades will give him a tough time. It'll be dark soon…and we all know gators feed in the evening," Eric reminded everyone as they walked back to the vehicles.

"I'm tired of only getting the hired help…we need to find Miller," Calleigh replied in a weary, but stern tone as she approached the Hummer.

Horatio gradually opened his eyes. The light coming into the room, through the window, was fading and as he glanced around he realized he was alone, the only sound was the steady beat of a heart monitor.

Where is Calleigh? I thought she'd be here. I can't blame her if she doesn't want to come…I'd rather not be here myself. Why would she want to be with a man that can't talk right, can't keep anything straight? A Dr. Green came by and told me earlier that my trouble would only be temporary, but how long will that be…weeks, months…too long for Calleigh to deal with and work too.

He cringed when another thought crossed his mind. What if someone comes to visit me…oh God, please don't let that happen. It's bad enough that Calleigh has to see me like this, much less anyone else. He squeezed his eyes closed again.

Horatio heard the door open and then his ears picked up on the sweetest voice in the world.

"Hey Handsome, how are you feeling? I tried to get here sooner, but we've been busy trying to find Miller." She leaned down and softly kissed his lips.

The smell of her was intoxicating. The softness of her lips on his was indescribable. He tried to muster a smile, wondering if he was actually successful – he couldn't even tell.

"Ummm, love…you," he slurred. His facial expression became exaggerated, as he struggled to form the words he wanted to say, "You…better…things…do…don't…neeed to sta…stay here."

Calleigh reached out and gently stroked his cheek, "I love you Horatio. I'm not going anywhere. You're going to get through this. Dr. Green said your problems would be short-term…you'll be back to yourself in no time."

Horatio turned away from her and sighed before he posed the questions aloud that were going through his mind, "How…long…burden…on you? What…ifff…stay…like this?"

Calleigh cupped his face and gently turned his head back toward her, and then she saw the tears that welled in his sad blue eyes, threatening to spill down his cheeks.

Fighting back her own tears, she sternly admonished, "Listen to me Horatio Caine, don't you lay up here and start feeling sorry for yourself, that you're not worthy of being loved. You're the same man I fell in love with years ago. Yes, you've had a setback, but you're stronger than it is. You've fought against major odds before and won, this time won't be any different."

Slowly he reached up, cupped the back of her head with his hand and then gently pulled her down to his chest, burying his face in her silky golden hair as his body began to wrack with deep sobs. It was more than Calleigh could stand; her heart broke hearing his pain and she could no longer hold back her tears. There was just something about a man crying; especially a man like Horatio who rarely, outwardly, displayed raw emotion and it evoked deep sorrow deep within her.

Finally recovering enough to move, she pushed up to where she could see his face, her voice rough with emotion she whispered, "You're the strongest man I've ever known and I'll be with you through this, every step of the way. I know you and I know you'll get better."

Reaching over to the cabinet next to his bed, she picked up a box of tissues and took one out and wiped the tears from his face. Some strong man I am, laying here crying like a baby. I've never let my guard down like this before, but I couldn't stop myself. I realize I can trust Calleigh with my feelings…a relief I've never felt with another woman.

Later, she walked out to the desk and asked if she could possibly stay in the room with Horatio overnight, explaining to the nurse how Horatio's emotions were so frayed that she felt she shouldn't leave him. The nurse called Dr. Green and told him about Calleigh's request and the situation and he gave permission for her to stay. The nurse ssaid that she'd order a roll-away bed and it should be brought up to the room after a while.

Calleigh was glad the doctor had allowed her to be with Horatio, she could tell he didn't want to be alone. After helping Horatio with dinner, they both enjoyed Frank's company when he stopped by for a visit. At first Horatio seemed bothered by someone else being there, but Calleigh smiled as she watched and listened as the big man helped bring Horatio out of the depression that he'd slipped into earlier. Horatio needed this. Frank is talking to him like nothing is wrong and telling him funny stories about his life and about his time in the hospital in Georgia. He really did have some funny experiences! Frank even has Horatio smiling from time to time.

Three days had passed since that evening when Calleigh had found Horatio in a depressed state of mind. He was now in a regular room, but the visitors were still limited to the few closest to him. His speech and physical therapy sessions were going well and he was pushing himself hard to return to normal and was making marked improvement. His head was no longer bandaged; just a square pad over the drain on the side was all that was necessary now.

Calleigh was growing more discouraged as each day passed due to the fact that they were no closer to finding Miller than they were days before. Even with the tips from the captain, it was as if the man had disappeared into thin air.

As she drove to the hospital to be with Horatio after the shift was over for the day, she decided that he had enough presence of mind now that he might be able to help with the investigation, or at least get them out of the quagmire they seemed to be stuck in.

Opening the door to his room she jumped at the noise of something hitting the floor on the other side of the door. Alarmed, she rushed in to find a book on the floor and Horatio sitting up in bed, his face flushed red with anger.

"Handsome…what's going on?"

She picked up the book and walked to his bed holding up a sack that contained two lemon bars from their favorite bakery then placed it on the tray. He turned and looked out the window not responding. She laid the book down on the bed next to him.

"I brought you one of your favorites – lemon bars from Quigley's. I thought they'd be better than the hospital's dessert."

"I…can't…do…this," he grimaced and wiped his face with his hand,"…speak…right," he finally admitted. I've been reading aloud out of that damn book for what seems like an hour…my brain knows what to say, but my mouth won't cooperate.

"Horatio…I know all of this must be discouraging, but it just isn't going to come back over night. You've been pushing yourself hard the last few days…maybe you ought to relax a little. If you feel up to it, I could use your help with the investigation," she tentatively said as she raised her eyebrows. She noticed his angry expression dissipating a bit and a small glimmer of light flickered back into his eyes as he turned and looked at her.

"I'll try…" he said as he reached out and took her hand, bringing it to his lips, kissing it tenderly. "Sorry…I got mad."

Calleigh smiled, "That's ok you deserve to be able to let out a little steam now and then." He seems to be lucid enough tonight, but will I contribute to his discouragement if he can't help? I've got to try, if for nothing else but his safety.

Horatio listened as Calleigh explained what had happened so far. She could detect he was growing agitated before finishing relaying all of the information and wondered if this was doing more harm than good.

She became alarmed when she realized he seemed to suddenly drift into another world, his eyes took on a fixed stare.

"Horatio…"

In his mind, Horatio was back in that warehouse at the dock, slowly walking through the stack of containers. Beads of sweat began to form on his forehead as he rapidly began blinking his eyes. As he crouched down behind a large container waiting for the firing to stop, his eyes fell on a label on the side of the huge box. It was an address in Cutler Bay, odd he thought, but the street address reminded him of his childhood address in New York City, 3786 Haygood Avenue. The address on the label was 3876 Hayward Avenue.

Weakly he whispered, "Cutler Bay, 3876 Hayward Avenue."

"Horatio, is that an address connected with Miller?"

Horatio squeezed his eyes shut and breathed out, "yes."

Calleigh immediately stood and pushed the button on her cell connecting her to Eric. He answered on the second ring.

"Hey Cal. Is Horatio ok?" Her call being after hours unsettled him immediately considering Horatio's condition.

"He just remembered an address connected with Miller. Are you still at the lab?"

"Yeah, I am; Walter too."

"Take Walter with you plus, notify the uniform division for back-up and go to this address in Cutler Bay, 3876 Hayward Avenue."

"Um Calleigh, that's out of our jurisdiction."

"Call the PD there and have some of their officers meet you at the location. Miller could be at this address, which may explain why he seems to have disappeared."

"Are you coming with us?"

"I'll meet you there."

She disconnected the call and turned back to Horatio. His eyes were closed and she put a cloth under cold water in the sink and wiped the sweat off his face, and then leaned over and kissed his forehead.

"I'll be back Handsome," she whispered before standing and turning to walk out the door.

Calleigh was waiting for the elevator around the corner from Horatio's room when she thought about her car keys and the fact she'd failed to pick them up off the tray next to the bed. She turned and quickly headed back to the room rounding the corner just as a tall man dressed as an orderly passed the two police officers with a nod and lifted his clipped on ID to where they could see it, and then disappeared into Horatio's room.

Horatio sensed someone walking into his room and whispered, "Calleigh."

Opening his eyes and turning to look in the direction of the door, his breath caught. It was the man he saw in the warehouse. He reached for the call button, but the man grabbed Horatio's wrist and slung his hand back away from the remote, then jerked the device out of the wall and threw it on the floor. Noticing the syringe in the man's hand, Horatio pushed up off the bed attempting to stop him from injecting the contents in the line,

"NO…" was all Horatio managed to say before the man's fist connected with Horatio's jaw slamming him back against the bed.

That's strange. Why would there be an orderly going in Horatio's room? Horatio wasn't going to be taken anywhere this evening. Speeding up she reached the door and when she opened it, the tall man was about to inject something into Horatio's IV line. Horatio was frantically reaching for the man's arm.

"Who are you? What are you doing?"

TBC…