***

Bam! You asked for it, you got it. I will now be updating twice a week, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

A thanks to Jessi84 for yet another wonderful review, you're so awesome. Keep em' coming, I enjoy your feedback (that goes to everybody).

Oh, and I should tell those of you (as I assume you exist) who rush to their computers in the Saturday and now Wednesday morning hours: my internet connection can be at best unreliable. It can go out for a few minutes to a few hours at a time. I just thought I may one day owe you an explanation (if, of course, you exist).

I do not own or claim to own CSI: Miami characters. I do not own or claim to own CSI: NY characters. This is fanmade and I make absolutely no profit off of this. I do this for my own amusement.

Sorry for the interruption. Back to the show.

***

Chapter Four: Nerves

Rick watched in horror as the object of his desire fell through the ice. All the beautiful images of Horatio his mind could conjure up flashed before him. Before he knew it he had shed his coat and his feet were flying across the snow towards the thin ice. He looked into the hole and saw a faint image of a gorgeous figure struggling deep underwater. There wasn't any room to dive, so Rick had to jump in and hope that he would be able to turn around quickly. His body was acting faster than his mind was able to plot; before he knew what he was doing he had already plunged into the frozen lake.

He spun around just in time to see Horatio's body fall limp and begin to sink. Stetler's eyes widened in horror as he approached his lover's weakened body, the lieutenant had managed to black out with his eyes open. Rick reached out and brushed his hand over the other's face to shut them. Stetler wrapped his arms around Horatio, embracing him as he started to pull him towards to surface. There was too much drag; knowing that time was precious, Rick managed to get Horatio's coat off of his body, letting it sink to the bottom. He could feel his own breath begin to run out as he and his lover reached the surface. His legs gave out for a moment when they were just a few feet away. Having no time to rest, Stetler pushed himself and gave them a few more strong kicks. Their heads were now both out of the water. Rick gasped for air, but Horatio remained lifeless in his arms.

Rick clambered back onto the surface of the frozen lake, catching Horatio before he was able to sink out of arm's reach. He pulled the other to the surface again, his breath catching in his throat to see that Horatio was still lifeless. Rick dragged his lover out of the water and carried him to shore without incident. He lay Horatio down and put an ear to his chest. To Stetler's amazement, he was still alive.

But he had to start breathing, and soon; before the lack of oxygen caused too much damage. Rick knew what he had to do and that if Horatio wasn't given proper CPR right away he could die. His hands trembling, Stetler held Horatio's nose and braced himself against the ground. Feeling a little short of breath himself he leaned in, hoping for Horatio's sake that he wouldn't get too lost in the sensation. But it was no use, once Stetler felt how soft his lover's lips were; he never wanted to release himself. He closed his eyes as he exhaled gently into Horatio's mouth. He drew himself back and put a hand on the redhead's chest. Rick trembled again as he once more leaned in and pressed his mouth against Horatio's. He pulled back and listened for breath, nothing.

"Please, love," Stetler whispered against Horatio's lips before he went down a third time. He slowly exhaled, but this time his desires got the better of him and before he released, he slipped his tongue into Horatio. He explored his lover's mouth, massaging Horatio's tongue with his own. Rick moaned slightly before he broke his passionate kiss. He didn't give himself any time to savor the moment, his eyes widened in fright. "Oh God, what have I done?" Stetler gasped. Rick looked helplessly down at the redhead, suddenly (much to his shock), he saw Horatio wince.

Horatio laid freezing on his back in the snow, he wasn't sure how he got there; but that wasn't as pressing an issue to him as getting the water out of his lungs. He threw himself onto his side and began to choke and cough violently. He felt the icy water slide up his throat and spill out of his mouth. The feeling made him horribly nauseous and he began to feel bile against the back of his throat. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he choked harder, he was in terrible pain, but at least he was breathing. He felt a hand on his arm and a soft breath down the back of his neck. It was comforting, soothing in its own mysterious way. Soon the coughing stopped and all was still. Horatio lay there, not having the strength to breathe more than short and shallow breaths. The comforting hand pulled him onto his back again. Blinking a few times, Horatio was finally able to see Stetler looking down upon him, surrounded by snow from the violent storm was still upon them. They locked eyes; in that moment Horatio had the faint memory of a passionate kiss. Realizing he was looking at his rescuer Horatio tried to speak, but was getting quite dizzy from the hyperventilating.

"It's okay, Horatio," Stetler whispered, "I'm here".

Weakly the redhead managed to whisper Stetler's name before he blacked out again.

***

Rick Stetler looked down with a soft smile at Horatio's sweet figure. He heaved a sigh of relief as he saw the other's body rise and fall gently with steady breaths. Rick leaned into Horatio's chest to listen for any wheezing in the lungs, there was none. Smiling again he began to stroke his lover, finally having the chance to run his fingers through Horatio's soft red hair.

There was a soft crunch as Stetler did this, that's when it hit him that patches of Horatio's hair had frozen. Looking him over Rick noticed that the lieutenant's clothes were starting to freeze. There were patches of already pale skin that had turned white with frostbite. Stetler ran his fingers through his own hair and realized that he was the same way. They needed to get inside before either of them began showing many more symptoms of hypothermia.

Once again Stetler picked up the redhead, this time carrying him into the cabin. He lay Horatio down on the floor next to the fireplace. He put another log on before he went to grab a towel and some blankets. When Rick returned he stood before Horatio in silence, he knew that nobody could warm up very quickly with frozen clothes. He knelt down, his hands trembling again as he unbuttoned Horatio's shirt, carefully removing it from his body. Before he could prevent himself from doing so, Rick pulled off the redhead's undershirt, throwing it in a heap next to the fire.

He had never seen Horatio wearing so little clothing before. Horatio tended to be a pretty private person, he didn't even use the lab showers, no matter how humid Miami got. But that wouldn't really be a problem because as long as Rick has known Horatio he has never seen him sweat. Stetler knelt there, looking over the lieutenant's pale skin that played so well with the freckles and red hair that covered his body. There were old and fresh scars across Horatio's chest and back, a few from bullets, most from knives. It was a shame that a body so perfect had to go though such a beating.

Stetler's eyes wandered down to Horatio's pants, moist and clinging to his legs. It would be a shame, Rick reasoned, if anything below his waist was rendered useless due to frostbite. If anything, I'm doing him a favor. He unbuttoned and unzipped the other man's trousers, pulling them down his legs and off of his body; they went onto the heap as well.

Rick surveyed the unconscious body before him, wearing nothing but a soft pair of powder blue boxers. According to the same logic, Stetler thought, removing these would be even more of a favor. Nervously he placed his hands on either side of Horatio's final article of clothing. He gently began to tug, working the boxers to the middle of the hips before turning away. Embarrassed, and just in case Horatio woke up, Rick covered the redhead's privates with the towel before removing the boxers completely.

Horatio lay on the floor, nude, only censored by a soft white towel. Rick looked down at him, smiling as various sensuous images flashed through his mind. Before his impulses could get the better of him he quickly threw the blankets on top of Horatio, stuffed a pillow under his head, and rushed into the bedroom.

Stetler leaned back against the door, letting his body slide to the floor. He couldn't shake the images of Horatio from his mind. He began to wonder how upset Horatio will be if he learns that he was undressed in his sleep. He began to wonder if Horatio felt the kiss that was slipped to him during CPR. His heart began to pound and his breath grew short with freight. His entire body began to tremble violently with intense fear and panic. He didn't care if the rest of the world knew he felt these things towards Horatio, he just didn't want Horatio to know. He was in terror just thinking about how the redhead would handle it. Tears of immense stress filled Stetler's eyes; he buried his face in his palms and breathed heavily until the panic attack passed over him.

After a few minutes Rick was able to stand, he silently walked over to his robe and slipped it on again. He laid his clothes over the radiator, picking up Horatio's sweater and laying it on the bed next to the earmuffs. The cabin was completely quiet except for the crackle of the fireplace and the howl of the wind. Stetler walked back over to Horatio and arranged the heap of clothes into an organized line next to the fireplace. Kneeling down he checked the lieutenant's vital signs and stroked his hair for possibly the last time.

"I'm going to make dinner now, okay?" Rick said quietly to Horatio's sleeping body. There was no response, none was expected. "Okay," Stetler whispered before standing up and making his way to the kitchen.

***

Horatio stirred quietly, digging his shoulder blades into the hard wooden floor beneath him. He could smell fish cooking and wood burning. He shifted around a little, sighing softly as he felt the blankets against his bare skin. He opened his eyes and looked around the softly lit cabin. He leaned into the pillow and asked why he was undressed, but only managed to emit a soft mumble.

"Ah, you're awake," called Stetler from the kitchen, "dinner is almost ready, I'll bring it to you".

Horatio opened his mouth to try to ask again why he was nude and lying on the floor, but decided to wait until he was able to get some more of his strength back. He closed his eyes, giving his body a mental once over. Nothing felt numb, he was able to move his toes, he was breathing easily, he was pretty sure he had been spared any permanent damage.

Then that memory of a kiss came back to him. What was it? A distant memory of a past lover? A gift from Marisol during his brush with death? He couldn't even place a face to it. He dismissed it as a mirage, his mind playing tricks with him during his fragile state. It was incredibly passionate, that was all he knew.

He felt his strength slowly begin to return; he arched his back and winced. It felt wonderful to be able to move again. He sighed again, loudly, just to see how much voice he had now. He smiled contentedly to himself. He then turned his head to see Stetler approaching with two full plates, a wine bucket, and two crystal glasses. He set them down carefully next to Horatio before sitting cross legged down on the other side of the food. Horatio turned onto his side, facing the food laid before him; he then adjusted his blankets before he sat up. He looked down at the food, then at Stetler to whom he gave a little half smile.

"Hey," he whispered to his rescuer.

"Hey there," Rick responded with a soft smile. Rick reached down with his fork and took a bit of fish off of his plate. He slipped the food into his mouth; he grinned at the taste before he looked back over at Horatio.

"How are you feeling? I mean, considering all you have gone through today?" Rick asked the redhead, who had begun eating.

Horatio waited a few seconds before responding. "Pretty good," he said with a satisfied nod. They were both quiet for a while; Horatio was the first to speak again.

"You saved my life, didn't you?"

Rick nodded in silent reply. An awkward silence fell over the room once more. Horatio bit his lower lip in thought before he spoke again.

"For what it's worth," he started, "I'm sorry for swearing at you earlier".

Rick looked up, his eyes meeting Horatio's. They stayed like that for a moment, Rick broke away as he felt his control begin to slip, for in that moment he wanted more than anything to lean in and kiss the other man.

"It's alright," Stetler finally said in response, "I should have just handed the map over to you to begin with". He smiled at Horatio lightheartedly.

The room fell silent once again, this time because both men were heavily engaged in devouring their fish. Horatio again broke the silence.

"Why am I naked?"

Rick began to choke on the wine he was so enjoying. He was defiantly caught off guard. Horatio chuckled.

"Is there something you need to tell me?" Horatio quipped, smiling sweetly.

Rick knew that if he looked at Horatio that he would get lost in his eyes. He smiled, playing along, before he responded.

"Because your clothes were frozen," Stetler quietly explained.

"Well I'm sorry if that made things at all difficult for you," Horatio continued. He was on a bit of a roll, and his light humor seemed to make him feel better. Stetler shifted, feeling a little uncomfortable.

"I couldn't let you get much colder than you already were"

Horatio looked down into his lap and smiled before he said "And I'm sorry if I disappointed you at all, but remember, I was quite cold".

"Jesus Christ! Will you let up on the gay jokes?!" Stetler exploded before he had time to catch himself. He stood up and began to walk away, "I mean I just fucking saved your life; don't you think that you should be at least a little grateful?"

Horatio was shocked; he blinked for a few seconds in surprise, wondering why Stetler was taking this so personally.

"Stetler, I-"

"No! Fuck you, Caine! I don't need to take any more of your shit!" Stetler could hardly believe the words that were flying out of his mouth. He turned his back to the redhead who lay on the ground behind him. Struggling to regain his composure Rick managed to stammer out, "I'm just going to turn in for the night. I'll see you in the morning".

"So that's it then?!" Horatio shouted at Stetler as he stood up, wrapping the towel around his waist. "You know what, Stetler?" the redhead started as he slowly approached Rick, "I thought for a moment there you changed. I thought that we were going to start this whole relationship or whatever the hell you want to call it over again but on the right foot. But no, we aren't. You haven't changed a bit, have you? In fact, you probably just saved me because it would make you look good. Because you're a selfish bastard who never gave a damn about anyone else and never will!"

Rick spun around to find himself face to face with Horatio. In a rush of frustration, anger, and desire he did the only thing he found himself able to do at that moment. He grabbed Horatio, threw him against the wall and slipped his tongue into his mouth again. Horatio stood there, pinned, he struggled and his eyes widened in shock. Then it slowly dawned on him what had happened and he recognized the kiss from the faint memory that was bothering him earlier. Before he knew it he was overtaken by the pure passion; his eyes drifted shut and he unconsciously leaned in, deepening the kiss. Horatio grew weak at the knees and began to tremble under Rick's powerful grip. Finally, Stetler broke away.

The two men stood there, unsure as to what exactly happened. Rick, terrified, backed away, took several deep breaths, and disappeared into the bedroom. Horatio slid down the wall and onto the floor. He lifted his hand and curiously felt his lips, unsure of what else to do or say or think.