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**
"There is no just ground, therefore, for the charge brought against me by certain ignoramuses - that I have never written a moral tale, or, in more precise words, a tale with a moral. They are not the critics predestined to bring me out, and develop my morals: - that is the secret."
From "Never Bet The Devil Your Head" by Edgar Allen Poe
In what had been a couple of hours, Tim sat in the waiting room, watching the comings and goings of the people from all walks of life, but all of them having the same droll expression on their faces. There was nothing pleasant about a waiting room, if it were to either expect bad news or good news, the anticipation was something that Tim could live without, especially if it what he was waiting on was news of a friend.
Allowing his eyes to roam the room, Tim sighed and checked his watch, trying to keep his mind occupied. He wouldn't call back to Miami with the news of Calleigh's return until he knew for sure what was going on with her. Looking up to see Horatio coming, he stood and shifted his weight awkwardly, preparing himself for the news.
When the older man came to rest in front of him, he could see the anxious set in his eyes, knowing that this would be brief, "H…what's going on with her? Is she okay?"
Running a hand through his hair, Horatio released a long breath before placing both hands onto his slim hips, "She's resting right now. They gave her something to help her sleep. Her leg wound is infected as well so they have her on IV antibiotics and a regular saline drip to help with her dehydration."
"And the rape kit?" Tim asked hesitantly. He didn't know if he wanted to hear what had happened to her, but he steeled himself and looked to Horatio expectantly, "Did they find anything?"
Looking down and licking his dry lips, Horatio raised his brow, "She wasn't raped, but, she did tell me he fondled her and the doctors did find some vaginal bruising." Lifting his eyes briefly as a couple walked by them, Horatio lowered his voice, "When you call the lab, also get hold of Alexx and see if she can recommend a good therapist for Calleigh when we get back."
Nodding, Tim could see how anxious he was to get back to her and he glanced past him, "Go ahead and get back to her. I'll call the lab and then Alexx…" Stopping slightly, he turned to Horatio, "Do you think it would be okay if I saw her?"
"They'll be moving her up to a room for observation tonight. I'll call your cell as soon as she's in and settled, okay?" Horatio replied softly. Looking at his longtime friend, Horatio nodded to him, "Thank you, Speed…I couldn't have found her without your help…and keeping me focused."
Tim shrugged it off and smiled, "You would've done the same for me, H. I just wanted her back safe and sound." Fishing the cell out of his pocket, he held it up, "I guess I'll go and make this phone call." Watching as Horatio turned to leave, he called out, "Hey…tell her that we're pulling for her."
Turning back, Horatio nodded, "I'll make sure she knows, Speed." With that, Horatio turned back, heading towards the ER doors.
As he disappeared through the ER doors, Tim flipped his phone up and started dialing. His first call was to the lab, knowing that their fellow colleagues would want to know the outcome. Requesting the trace lab, Tim waited for someone to answer, hoping they weren't all on a call out. Relief flooded him when someone picked up and answered.
Looking over a report from the mass spec, Jesse slowly walked back towards the table as the phone for trace began to ring. Crinkling his brow and sighing heavily, he walked over, picking it up and continued to look over the results, "Cardoza."
"Tough time there, Cardoza?" Tim asked, arching a brow. The sound of irritability in the other man's voice piqued his interests and he continued to ask, "Things going okay?"
"Hey, Speed…I'm just working a case we had come in. How are things going there on your end? Any new information about Calleigh yet?" Jesse asked as he set down the readout.
Rubbing his neck, he exhaled lightly, "We found her, Jesse. She's fine, but she's going to spend a day or so here in the hospital. She's been through a lot."
Dropping his shoulders and releasing a breath he didn't know he'd been holding, Jesse let his head tilt back and he closed his eyes, "Thank God you guys found her." Lifting his head back, he crinkled his brow, "Please tell me y'all got Larken in custody too."
"Larken's another story," Tim replied as he looked out of the window. He remembered the image of his broken body as it lain on the boulders below them and the feeling of animosity over the outcome of it all. "Larken's in the morgue. He fell over a cliff just as we were arriving."
"Talk about small favors…" Jesse replied dryly. Shaking his head, he ran a hand through his hair, "But Calleigh's okay? She wasn't injured was she?"
"She's got some issues to overcome, but for the most part, she's fine. Horatio's with her right now. He's not going to leave her side for a moment." Checking his watch, Tim sighed and then refocused, "I don't know exactly how long she's going to be in, but I have to call Alexx next."
"Okay, just keep us informed of what's going on and let's me know if there anything yall need in the meantime." Smiling some, Jesse looked down, "Do me a favor, Speed…tell Calleigh…tell her I…that we miss her, okay?"
"I'll tell her, Jesse. See you in a few days," he said in conclusion. Once he was finished with the phone call, he ended it and then automatically dialed the number he knew all too well. She picked up on the second ring and smiled, "Alexx…it's me…We've found her."
Closing her eyes at the sound of his voice as she sat on her patio, Alexx sighed in relief, "Oh thank God. Is she okay? That bastard didn't hurt her did he?"
"She's got some issues, but with H around, she's going to be fine. I just wanted to let you know that she's in good hands and…well…H asked me to get with you about finding a therapist for her."
Sitting up in her chair, Calleigh reached for her drink, "Yeah, sure baby, consider it done." Having seen first hand before what abductions could do to a person, Alexx asked, "How is Calleigh really doing, Timmy? Has she said anything?"
"Not much to me, but she's been confiding in Horatio. He's been right beside her the entire time, but…Alexx…she's really shaken. She couldn't stop shaking when we got to her. I hope she's calmed down some." Taking in a deep breath, he released it slowly and then closed his eyes, "The guy who did this didn't survive, it's good because the way that Horatio was looking on the scene there could've been problems."
"I can only imagine what Horatio is going through," Alexx said lightly and then took a slip of her drink. Setting it back, she sat back again, "That man was pure evil. Calleigh's gonna need a lot of support when she comes home."
"She's going to have it, Round the clock if she needs it." Tim began to pace the images coming back to him fully. Even if he closed his eyes, he couldn't escape the images of Calleigh, lying, vulnerable to her own fears. Shaking himself, he sighed heavily, "Some serious damage has been done…but that's not my story to tell."
"Pushing back a strand of hair from her eyes, Alexx sighed, "I know, baby. Hey…how are you holding up with all this? You doing okay?"
"Doing as well as to be expected, I'm just glad that this is over and she's okay-for the most part." Rubbing his eyes, he added, "I'm just ready to get my little girl and come home."
Smiling some, Alexx raised a brow, "I can understand that. When do you think you and Horatio can bring her home?"
"Now that I don't know, I haven't even been up to see her yet. Horatio's been monopolizing her time, but that's understandable." Laughing, Tim shook his head, "She's got nothing to worry about from now on."
"Well, I'm sure as things start to settle down tonight you'll be able to see her. Calleigh knows and trust you just like Horatio." Smiling more, Alexx sighed, "So, when you get back are you gonna bring my baby to see me? I miss having her around."
"As soon as she gets back into town, but it won't be for long, we have a standing date to Disney World." At the thought of his Emma, he smiled more, "That's my next call, I'm sure she's going to be happy to hear that I'm coming to get her."
Chuckling, Alexx shook her head, "Oh I have a feeling that little girl isn't going to let you out of her sights for a long while. But, that's good you two are gonna spend some alone time together. She needs her dad."
"And I need my little girl," Tim answered steadily. His smile grew as he thought more and more of Emma, "I'll call you back with the specifics, I want to give Emma a call."
"Okay, baby. Tell Calleigh she's in my prayers…so are you and Horatio," Alexx replied softly, but with a motherly tone. "You two take care of her."
"We will."Tim sighed heavily and smiled, "Take care, Alexx..." Hanging up, he smiled and dialed another number. When his mother answered, he smiled, "Hi, Mom."
Placing the phone between her ear and shoulder, Miranda smiled as she finished up washing the dishes, "Tim, are you okay? Where are you? There was a thing on the news tonight about a manhunt for a missing CSI from Miami…but they didn't know any real details."
"Mom…I'm fine and the manhunt is over. We found her and we're coming home in a few days. None too quickly, I was starting to miss Emma a lot. Is she around?"
"Yes…" she smiled as she dried off her hands and went in search of Emma and her husband. "She and your father are playing one of her games. Oh, Tim…she's gonna be so happy to hear that you are coming home."
"No more than I am going to hear her voice," Tim answered succinctly. He smiled almost anxiously as he awaited the sound of her voice. Arching his brow, he asked, "What game are they playing, Mom?"
Chuckling, Miranda walked into the living room, "Monopoly…and Emma look's to be winning." Kneeling down next to her, Miranda ran her hand over her head and smiled, "Emma, someone is one the phone for you."
"Okay…" Emma said as she took the phone and placed it to her ear, "You owe me one hundred dollars, grandpa…Hello?"
"He'll never pay up," Tim said with a wide smile. The sound of her voice was like music to his ears and it had taken everything for him not to allow his emotions free range.
"Daddy? DADDY! Grandpa is daddy! Are you coming home, daddy?" Emma asked hurriedly, her excitement coming through her voice.
"Yes, baby, I'll be coming home, but not for a few more days. When I leave here, I'm going straight to you. I miss you…so…much…Emma," Tim said as he felt his throat tighten with emotion. Trying to gather himself, he smiled as he turned away from the waiting room, running his hand through his hair, "I really…miss you."
"I miss you too daddy," Emma said as her grandfather got up to leave her alone to talk. Smiling from ear to ear, she giggled, "Did you find the pretty lady…Ca…Calleigh?"
"Yes, we found her. She's being taken care of right now, soon, she'll be able to go back home. That's when I'm coming to get you." Coming to rest just outside of the waiting room he gazed out of the window and smiled, "I'll call you later to tell you when I'm coming, okay?"
"And then we can go to Disney World!" Emma said loudly as she giggled more. "Daddy, grandpa taught me how to make tuna fish sandwiches today. When you come home maybe I can fix you one."
"I would like that very much," Tim answered back wistfully. "I'm sure you've done a great job. I can't wait to taste, Emma."
Getting up off the floor and going to the big overstuffed chair her grandpa liked to sit in, Emma continued, "And daddy, I've been good, just like you told me to be. Even granny says so. She said if I keep being good I could get am allowance too."
"An allowance? That sounds big time, you must've been a really good girl." Tim's smile widened over his face and he chuckled, "We'll talk about it when I get there, okay?"
"Okay." Sitting in the chair, Emma's smile grew as she ran her hand through her hair, "Daddy, granny took me to have my hair done again…she says it'll help with all my knots and it's not as curly as it was."
Tim chuckled and shook his head, "Your hair is straightened? Aw….Emma…I kinda liked your curls." He smiled and then exhaled lightly, "No matter, I still love you, and I can't wait to see you."
"I can't wait to see you," she parroted as she got up on her knees. "How many more days, daddy? Will I have too wait til next week?"
The sound of her exuberance thrilled him, making him want to be there with her. Biting his lip, he closed his eyes, weighing the options. He wanted to be around for anything that Horatio needed, but at the same time , he needed to be there for his daughter. Making the decision, Tim smiled, "Two days, sweetie. I'll be there in two days."
Bouncing some in the chair, Emma's excitement could be seen and heard, "YAY! Daddy's comin' home!" As Miranda came back in, Emma stopped bouncing and giggled, "Granny caught me bouncing."
Tim nodded knowingly, "I'm sure Granny's not very happy at the moment, you want to give her the phone?"
"Okay." Covering the mouth piece as she got down, Emma whispered, "She's giving me the look she gives you when she's not happy."
"That's not a very good look, you better start being a good girl. Let me speak to Granny," he requested with a smile. Laughing slightly, he glanced to the door and then looked to his watch, "I love you, Emma, see you soon."
Smiling again as she reached Miranda, Emma giggled, "Love you more, daddy."
"That's impossible, I love you more, sweetness. Talk to you later." Listening to her giggles, he laughed lightly and then shook his head. Hearing his mother answer the phone, he smirked, "So you couldn't help yourself, could you, Mom?"
Crinkling her brow as Emma took off in search of her grandfather, Miranda chuckled, "Help what, Tim?"
"You had to go ahead and spoil her rotten, didn't you?" Tim's tone was merciless and he laughed, "I'm going to have to move you down to Miami now."
"Nonsense…I did nothing more then any other grandmother would do. Besides, she deserves all she gets, Tim," Miranda smiled as she took a seat. Turning some on the couch and getting comfortable, she smiled, "I take it she told you about her hair as well then?"
"She did, and from what it sounds like, she's loving it. She's happy, that's all I that I care about." Clearing his throat , he continued, "I should be home in two days, things are wrapping up here, I can see that I won't be needed much longer."
"Okay, Tim. We'll be here waiting…Emma I think will be on pins and needles til you walk through that door, so be prepared to be attacked," she chuckled again. Taking in a deep breath, Miranda smiled, "You did a good thing out there son, your father and I are very proud of you."
"I was only doing my job," Tim answered as he rubbed his eyebrow. Turning towards the door again, he started for it as he finished, "She's a special friend, I couldn't let her stay with that mad man. I'm just glad that she was found, safe."
Hearing something in his voice, Miranda raised a brow, "And how special of a friend is she to you, Tim? You sound as if you have some feelings for her."
Hesitating somewhat, he frowned and shook his head, "She's just a friend, that's all. She…she's got someone looking out for her now."
Raising a brow, Miranda nodded and pursed her lips with a smirk, "And if she didn't have that someone there…"
"Then it would take me more than two days to get back to Syracuse." Tim knew what she was doing and stopped it, exhaling roughly, "Stop speculating, she's taken with someone, and it's not me, and I'm not going to force the issue. So…I'll give you guys a call back when I get a better understanding on the schedule."
Noticing the change in subject, Miranda decided it best not to push the issue further and sighed with a smile, "We'll be here waiting on that call then. In the meantime, do you need anything?"
"Just to be there, that's all I need." Glad that she didn't push further, he ran a hand through his hair and allowed a small smile, "I plan on taking it easy after this."
"I don't blame you. I think you've earned it." Getting up, Miranda went to the window, looking out and seeing her husband out back with Emma playing, "You take it easy coming back, Tim and try and get you some rest, okay?"
Tim's heart swelled at the concern in her voice and he blinked slowly, conceding to his emotions for a second, "Thanks, mom. I'll be careful and I'll see you in two days."
"Okay. Love you, son…" she replied softly as she looked at her granddaughter, seeing so much of her eldest in the child.
"Kiss Emma for me, Mom," Tim replied, now hesitant to get off of the phone. He couldn't wait to get back home. He'd been gone so long, he didn't feel as if he were whole. Now that things were done, he could piece himself back together again.