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**

"Yet I am not more sure that my soul lives, than I am that perverseness is one of the primitive impulses of the human heart - one of the indivisible primary faculties, or sentiments, which give direction to the character of Man."

From "The Black Cat" by Edgar Allan Poe

Moving slowly through the corridor, Horatio nodded to the techs that still roamed, catching their stares. Everyone thought that he'd been off his rocker to sign himself out of the hospital after being through an ordeal like his, but he had reason. Calleigh had been missing for more than fourteen hours, and she was in the clutches of a mad man. If that wasn't motivation enough, he couldn't think of anything else that would move him. The mere thought of Calleigh suffering caused him to shiver, his ribs reacting in protest and he stopped moving, closing his eyes to take a cautious breath.

Feeling Walter coming next to him, he waved him off and spoke breathlessly, "I'm alright, Walter. I'm…I'm okay. Did you say that Ryan and Frank got some background on our suspect?"

"Yeah. Jesse said they all be in the layout room," Walter replied as he watched his boss carefully. "Hey, H…if you want, I can get your stuff collected for you, that way you can rest those ribs."

"No, I can rest on the flight to New York. Let's get to the layout room, I can sit there." Steadying himself, Horatio began to move again, slower this time in order to not disturb his wounds. Even with his torso taped, he was going to feel the effects for weeks to come. Eyeing the distance to the layout room, Horatio sighed, "So…what did we find out about the professor?"

Walking alongside him, Walter looked around, "Seems that he had a wife a one time from what Jesse said. She died about a year ago…been working at the college for twelve years. No tickets, warrants…nothing until he started this crap with Calleigh."

"So…it's safe to say that the death of his wife is a stressor? Do we know what the late wife looks like?"

"Not sure, Jesse said Ryan and Frank were still digging up some stuff." Coming to the door, Walter pushed it open, letting Horatio go in first and then following behind him. Nodding his chin to Jesse, he then went over, grabbing his lab coat.

Giving Horatio a small smile, Jesse raised a brow, "How ya holding up, H?"

"I'll be fine," Horatio grumbled as he came to the lighted table. Surveying what they had, he frowned at the minimal information, "This is all we have on the professor?"

Raising a brow and picking up a small remote, Jesse shook his head, "Not quite." Hitting a button, images began to pop up on the screen, "We found this on his deceased wife, Evelyn Michelle Larken…formerly Evelyn Frasier. Wolfe was able to access some things on her and…he said as he brought up a photo, "it seems we've might have found our reason as to why he was stalking Calleigh."

Staring at the photograph on the screen he felt his heart drop, seeing the vast similarities between the two women. Both shared long, blond hair, both had the same alluring green eyes, but the similarities ended there. Where Evelyn's smile was muted, demure, Calleigh's was bright and alluring. Walking tenderly, he closed the distance between him and the screen, reaching out, "She looks just like Calleigh. It's…it's…" Unable to finish, he dropped his head and then took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Once he gained his composure, he spoke, although he didn't lift his head, "Do we know where he's taking Calleigh?"

Raising a brow, Jesse looked over at Walter and Natalia and then back at Horatio, "That's gonna be the tough one, H. We've found that him and Evelyn married in Flagstaff, Arizona…but they also lived in a few other place before settling in Miami…Austin, Texas…even Carson City, Nevada. Ryan's doing a search to see if he can find where they could have met."

Stepping forward, Frank opened a folder and cleared his throat, "PD in Saint Petersburg's got six of there men dead because of this guy. He's also killed in a little town called Spring Lake…it's North of Saint Pete's and where he nabbed Calleigh from. I've already contacted them and they're sending up the ATM tape that Speed got the license plate from."

A quiet river of despair ran through him as he kept his back to them. He couldn't let them see the toll this was taking on him. His voice didn't seem to be his, it's quiet tone betrayed his desire to portray strength, cracking slightly, "Has anyone talked to Speed, has he made it to New York yet?"

"His flight leaves within the hour. I'd just hung up with him before you came in," Jesse replied as he watched Horatio with his back to them. "NYPD Crime Lab has a car meeting him at the airport and Mac Taylor's already called and said he and his team will assist in any way that they can."

"That's good," Horatio said as he finally turned. He didn't look into the eyes of his team, but he did address them, "Everyone's doing a great job, I'm sure Calleigh would appreciate the efforts." Starting for the door, he stopped and looked to them all, "I'm leaving to go to New York, Jesse's going to be the point man on this. Everyone should follow his lead."

Coming into the room with a file in hand, Ryan looked around and nodded to Horatio. Going to the table he opened the file up, "I just found this…seems Evelyn Larken died two years ago in a car accident on I-95. Her vehicle was hit by a drunk driver which caused her to hit the divider wall and the vehicle rolled a few times. She was three months pregnant when it happened."

Looking at Horatio, Ryan raised a brow, "I also found out the couple met at some big fundraiser out in Reno, Nevada…married about six months later and then moved around til they landed here." Pulling out DMV photo, he handed it to Horatio, "This is what Mrs. Larken looked like right before the accident."

Taking the photo in hand, he sighed heavily, "He's going to change her appearance." Turning the photograph around, he let everyone see it, "He thinks that Calleigh's Evelyn, and he's going to change everything about her until she becomes her." Looking at the picture again, Horatio nodded, "She doesn't have time to waste. He's going to recreate to the very last detail, which means…"

"Even possibly impregnating Calleigh," Jesse said, the sound of his own voice almost foreign to himself. Looking around at the information they collected so far, he pursed his lips, "I'll get one and get a nationwide BOLO going for Calleigh and Larken…that way, if anyone see's them we'll know."

"That's a good idea. The more people know, the better our chances at finding them." He gave the picture back to Ryan and sighed heavily, "I'll be leaving as soon as I get some things together."

"I'll go get on the horn and get the media involved," Ryan said as he handed the file over to Jesse.

"H…if you need any help out there…we're here for ya," Jesse said as he set the file down and looked to their boss.

"Thanks," he responded with a small smile. He nodded and started to walk, forcing himself to keep it together. Right now, Calleigh needed strength to bring her back and as the despair fought to overcome him, he pushed it back knowing that he still had a chance to find her.

Stopping at the door, he turned to them, "If there's any updates, call my cell."

"Will do, H…and Tassi will have your flight information up here shortly. I'll call you with it," Jesse replied and then felt as his phone started to ring. Looking at the ID, he sighed, "I've got to take this…I'll call, H."

"I'll be up in my office until I have to go. Keep up the good work," Horatio responded as he walked out of the door.

Watching him leave, Natalia looked at Frank as Jesse talked on his cell. Crossing her arms, she sighed, "I think I'll go down to the locker room and get some things together for him. Got anything you want to donate?"

"I've got some t shirts that I can give. Anyone know where he's staying when he gets back into town?" Frank asked as he watched his old friend make his way."This can't be easy for him in the least bit."

"He's lost just about everything…his home, vehicle…now Calleigh's missing. I'm not sure how much more he can take," Natalia said as she pushed back a long stand of hair from her eyes. "Why don't you come with me? You can at least get his suit from his locker and whatever else you think he'll need. I'll see what else I can round up."

"I'll see if anyone at the PD has anything they want to contribute," Frank said as he walked beside her. He couldn't believe all that had happened to him and the sacrifices that he'd made throughout the years, only to be faced with more pain and despair. It was a true testament to how strong he really was.

The soft sound of a talking made way to her ears and Calleigh stirred some as she laid on the bed. Slowly opening her eyes, she awoke to find herself in a room, the light's on low and the tv on some movie. Looking around, she blinked hard, trying to clear her head, remembering why she was there. A cloth gag had been placed around her mouth, preventing her from yelling out again and her hands and ankle's were still tied.

Seeing a door open and hearing water running, Calleigh knew he was in there, unsure of what he was planning for her. Moving around some, she tried to loosen the bind but stopped as they seemed to cut into her skin. Movement from the corner of her eyes caused her to look, seeing him come out the bathroom wearing only his black trousers.

Looking to her, he smiled and sighed, walking towards her, "I'm glad that you're up, Evie. I've got breakfast, if you want, I can help you bathe and dress. I'll have to look at that leg too. How are you feeling?"

Trying to move her body towards the other side of the bed and away from him, Calleigh glared at the man as he approached more. Feeling the edge of the bed, Calleigh couldn't go any further without falling off and possibly hurting herself more.

Frowning, he moved closer, shaking his head, "Why are you moving away from me? Stop being silly and let's get you in a shower. After that, we can eat and then we'll be on our way." When she didn't move towards him, his anger began scratch at the surface. His tone turned cold as he reached over the bed, pulling her back towards him, "You're not being very productive, Evie. We've got a lot of ground to cover, so let's get moving."

Crying out from under the gag as he pulled at her, she began to struggle in his grasps. There was no way she was going to let him undress her or see any part of her body if she didn't have to. Kicking her tied legs out, the back of her injured calf hit the side of the bed and she cried out in pain.

Annoyed with her antics, Christopher reached back and struck her across the cheek, glowering, "You didn't have to make this hard, Evie. I've seen you undressed before, so it's nothing new." Surveying her wound, he sighed, "And it looks like you've aggravated your wound. Are you going to sit still while I take care of you?"

Stunned from the slap he'd given her, Calleigh laid still, tears filling her eyes. Remembering her training, she then slowly nodded, the cloth of the gag making her thirsty. The bed dipped as he sat down next to her and she could feel his hands on her leg near her wound.

Christopher caressed her skin and sighed heavily, looking to her as he lifted a finger to trail from the side of her face to her chin, garnering a flinch. Taken aback by her response, he narrowed his brow, "It would do you some good, Evie to realize that I'm here to help you, to love you. Don't make it so hard."

Eying him, Calleigh knew if she could gain his trust there might be a chance she might be able to get away or at the very least get help for herself. Deciding to play along, she hesitantly nodded her head, and tried to soften her gaze.

Seeing her become receptive, he smiled more, "Good, it isn't hardly as bad as you think it is. I'll just wash you and take care of that leg, and it's going to take no time at all."He began to take away her garments, marveling at her body as he tossed the disregarded clothes into a pile. Sliding his hand downwards, his fingers tickled her flesh. Rounding over her breasts, Christopher took in a deep breath and exhaled, licking his lips, savoring the touch.

Cringing inwardly, Calleigh then looked away, trying desperately not to let her resolve slip and end up in a far worse situation with him. Closing her eyes, she moaned through the gag, trying to get his attention so he'd know that she wanted to say something. Looking back up at him, her eyes met his and she made another noise.

Enthralled with her, he barely heard the low moan through the gag, looking up to see that she wanted to say something. Taking the gag away, he continued to caress her skin, asking, "You wanted to say something, Evie?"

Nodding slightly, she closed her eyes, not wanting to make him angry again, "I…I'm thirsty."

Lifting his hand, he nodded, getting up to get the glass of juice he'd prepared for her. Returning to her side, he offered her the drink, placing the straw at her lips, "Here, sweetie…drink."

Taking the straw between her lips, she drunk down as much as she could, quenching her thirst, but, also knowing it help build her strength back. When she could take no more, she released the straw and breathed heavily. Looking back at him, she then lowered her eyes, "Thank you…"

Pleased at her calmer demeanor, he smiled and caressed her face, "Is there anything else that you needed? Are you hungry?" He stared at her as she smiled lightly, his heart nearly seizing in his chest. Inching closer, he sought to feel her warmth and he placed a hand on her hip, lightly tracing patterns on her skin. "I'm here to provide for you, Evie, to take care of you."

Not wanting to endure anymore at the moment, Calleigh sighed and nodded, "I need to use the bathroom. I…I promise, I won't run from you again." Lifting her eyes to his, she blinked slowly, "I'd like to freshen myself up for you."

Christopher smiled and stood, leaning down to take her up. Standing her up completely, his eyes roamed her body and he licked his lips, fighting the desire to touch her again. As he saw it, there was going to be more than enough time for that. Right now, they had to concentrate on getting on the road. Leading her to the door of the bathroom, he nodded, "There's a cloth on the sink the soap is there as well. Sadly, I'll have to leave you tied up, but call out for me when you're ready."

"Can…can I at least have my feet untied…so I can use the bathroom and wash a few areas, please?" she asked, her voice staying soft and low. "I promise I won't do anything you don't want me to."

Weighing her request, Christopher gazed into her eyes to see the truth in them. Bending, he untied them swiftly and smiled, "I knew I could trust you, Evie, but you'll have to be quick about it, we have to get going."

Limping some towards the door, she crinkled her brow and asked, "Where are we going? I thought you liked Miami."

Watching her move towards the bathroom door, he sighed, "I do like Miami, but I thought we'd want to go back to where it first started. To rekindle what we had. It's not going to take us long to get there, I just thought we needed to get away from all of the distractions."

Unsure of where he was talking about, Calleigh turned her head, looking back at him, "How long will it take to get there? I…I don't remember."

"It's going to take two days to get to Nevada, but we're going to stop once more. As much as I want to get back to where we started, I don't want to run the risk of killing us." Waving her in to the bathroom, he smiled, "Now get going, we need to get moving today."

Nodding silently, Calleigh moved into the small room, pushing the door closed behind her. Looking around she tried to find something that she could use to get a message out for help. Not seeing anything, she cursed silently and shook her head. Getting an idea, she moved to the wall noticing it's surface was just smooth enough to leave good prints. Looking back at the sink, she saw a small curiosity bottle of lotion and went for it. Struggling to open it, she heard a knock at the door and reached for the faucet and turned it on. "Yes?" she called out over the running water, gently placing the bottle down.

"Do you want some coffee, Evie? I can run out and get some before we leave," Christopher chirped as he pulled out the knife and gun. He checked the gun, chambering a round, his thoughts instantly going to the red head. A devious chuckle left his lips as he shook his head, calling out again as he got up, "I make a great cup."

"Uh…sure," Calleigh replied as she looked towards the door. "Coffee sounds good." Getting an idea, she licked her lips and then asked, "What is for breakfast here? I'm a little hungry too."

Approaching the door, Christopher placed the gun behind his back and opened the door slightly, peering in. He saw her standing at the sink with the water running and smiled widely, "And before you have any thoughts of running or such, I want to remind you of something, sweet." Pulling out a device, he showed it to her, "It's how I found you in that hick town, and how I will find the little girl and kill her if you try anything. I'll be going now, be smart about this, Evie."

Seeing the tracking device in his hand, Calleigh then looked up at him, his eyes wild looking. Her hand went to the wash cloth at the edge of the sink, her fingers gripping it, "I said I wouldn't try to run…and I won't."

"Keeps you honest," he responded glibly, tilting his head. Closing the door back, he retrieved the chair from the small table and placed it under the knob of the door, tilting it. Calling out once more, he grinned, "I'll be right back, and I'll have a surprise for you."

Looking at the door and rolling her eyes, Calleigh again reached for the bottle of lotion. Fumbling as she tried to open the bottle, she finally got the cap off and moved to the wall. Getting some onto a finger, she reached her arms up some, her index finger going to the wall with the lotion on it and began to press her print there. She kept going, spelling out where they were heading, the task taking longer then she wanted being he had left her tied at the wrists. Stepping back as she finished, she moved around, making sure he wouldn't be able to see it and smirked.

Knowing she didn't have much longer before he returned, she moved back to the sink, taking the washcloth again and began to wash herself off. Looking up into the mirror, she saw the darkened rings around her eyes from lack of sleep and too much worrying and the bruises to her cheek. Taking in a deep breath, she whispered to herself as she lowered her head, "Hurry, Horatio…please hurry."

Outside, Christopher meandered through the streets of the small town confident that she had no way of getting away. Slipping his hand in his pockets, he whistled as he walked, the long dormant feeling of happiness now bubbling under the surface. For once, the sadness that ruled his life was dissipating and he could honestly say that he was sure of the path he was taking.

"I have my Evie back, that's all that matters." Passing by a storefront, he smiled even wider, the memory of her vivid in his mind. Stopping, he eyed the wig and sighed heavily with a nod, "This will complete it."

Finishing up in the bathroom, Calleigh tried the door, her brow crinkling as she pushed on it and it didn't budge. Trying again, she then hit it with her hand and stood back, shaking her head. Running a hand through her hair, she then grabbed up the towel, wrapping it around her and covering herself. Taking a seat on the toilet, she sighed, her eyes closing as she whispered, "Don't let him get to you…stay strong, just keep pretending til Horatio gets here."

After a few minutes, Christopher entered into the room with his arm full of items. Gently placing down the coffee and the breakfast, he then admired the blond wig, turning it from all sides. His intentions were to make her as close as possible to what he remembered, but he didn't want to screw it up. He would practice on the wig to get it to perfection.

Striding with a proud gait to the bathroom door, he knocked on it with his knuckle and asked, "Are you about done, I brought some breakfast."

Finishing up rubbing the lotion onto her neck, Calleigh looked up at the door and took in a deep breath, releasing it slowly. Licking her lips, she called out from the other side, "I'm done." Hearing some noise from the other side, she stood slowly as the door opened, keeping the towel around her chest. His eyes gleamed as he looked at her, and Calleigh inwardly cringed. Holding onto the counter, she took a step forward, her limp apparent, "Am I allowed out of here?"

"Certainly, breakfast's on the table and you need to get dressed. The day is going to pass us by if we're not careful." Walking back to the small table, he watched her expression as he smiled, "I know you're asking yourself about the wig, but I promise, I'll explain later."

Limping over to the chair, Calleigh held onto it as she took the cup of coffee in hand. Taking a drink, she winced at the heat of it and then took another. Looking around and seeing her top, she went over, grabbing it and turning her back to him. Taking off the towel so she could put the shirt back on, she asked, "What time are we leaving?"

Watching intently, he sighed heavily, "Um…as soon as I'm done, we can go. I want to make sure I have it perfect. Can't make a mistake."

Crinkling her brow, Calleigh sighed, "What do you mean?" Seeing she couldn't get her shirt on without her hands being untied, she turned her head looking back at him, "Can I get my hands untied? So I can dress, please."

Taking the shirt, he smirked, "Sure, as long as you let me dress you. I'm not stupid, Evie, you're gonna want to do something to take me by surprise, and leave." Sliding out the gun, he pressed it against her forehead as he began to untie, "Move even an inch and this will not end pretty."

Staring into his eyes as he pressed the gun to her head, Calleigh spoke softly, "I wasn't gonna run…I…I just couldn't get it on…I…I swear."

"Keeps you honest," he responded, handing her the shirt. "Get dressed, breakfast won't be edible much longer." Once she was dressed, he shook his head and sighed, "If only I could trust you more."

Looking at him, she shook her head and turned, walking away from him. Rolling her eyes, she groused, "That'll never happen."

"That's a sad fact," he answered back, cocking the hammer back. Steadying his hand he shook his head, "I think it's time that I tied you back again. If you would, Calleigh…" His eyes were devoid of any emotion as he tilted his head, his voice clear and lacking warmth. When she was like this, she wasn't like his Evie.

Stopping, she released a breath and then turned back to him. Staring at him and the gun, she shook her head, "Why don't you go to hell?" Having had enough, she cocked a brow, "Go ahead, shoot me. Then you'll have nothing again."

Unable to understand her sudden defiance, Christopher's brows knit and he steadied his hand even more, "You…you defy me? Even when I can kill everyone that you love? Even as there's a gun to your head? You still feel like you're in charge?" Pressing the gun against her temple, he requested again, "Calleigh…if, you would…"

Closing her eyes, she breathed out, "Do it you coward. Shoot me! That's probably what you did to your Evie…DO IT!"

Emotion overran him and he shook as his teeth clenched. The accusation stung and he gripped the butt of the gun roughly in his hand, his voice dark with anger, "You don't know anything but what you assume. You assume that I killed my Evie…I DIDN'T…" Pressing the gun harder, he demanded, "Calleigh…you're going to let me tie you back up."

Opening her eyes slowly, she stared into his and raised a brow, speaking slowly, "Screw you." With a sudden burst of energy, she shoved him away from her, making a break for the door as he stumbled back. Reaching it, she tried to get the chain unlatched, but was stopped as his body slammed into her, pinning her to the wooden door.

Snarling with fury, Christopher, roughly turned her to face him and then swung the pistol, watching as she went limp almost instantly. Allowing her to crumple to the floor, he spat at her, "I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T WANT TO HURT YOU! Why couldn't you just listen?" Seeing her move minutely, he went for the rope and then returned to her, snatching her up roughly. The time for gentleness was over and he shoved her body into the wall as he sat her up, crouching in front of her. His rancor coursed through his body as he continued to talk while he tied, refusing to look at her directly, "I asked nothing of you, just that you cooperate. Evie wouldn't have done this, she loved me…I wouldn't have had to do this…" Glancing up at her, his expression became pained, seeing the stream of blood coming from her hair line, "You wouldn't have gotten hurt, but now…Now I can see that you're not going to come easy."

Dazed from the blow she had taken, Calleigh felt as if everything was moving in slow motion around her. Barely able to open her eyes, her head lulled from right to left and she mumbled, "Don't…love…you…"

Pulling back once more, he struck her again, putting her out cold. Heaving from the exertion, he gazed at her, shaking his head. This wasn't how he wanted things between them. Now, he had no choice. In order for her to realize and to know, he had to take her back to where it started.

Sure that she was out, Christopher slipped the gun in his pants and reached for her, sitting her in the chair. As her head lulled back, he looked to her in disgust, ready to make her his completely. Taking the scissors in hand, he pulled at a long strand of her hair and began to snip. The more he cut, the more he felt the calm returning. Soon they were going to be in Nevada, and she would learn. She had said that she didn't love him, she now had no other choice.