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**

"But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch's high estate. (Ah, let us mourn!-for never morrow, Shall dawn upon him desolate !) And round about his home the glory, That blushed and bloomed, Is but a dim-remembered story, Of the old time entombed."

From "The Haunted Palace" by Edgar Allan Poe

Stepping into the lobby of the crime lab, Tim took a curious look around his concern running deep. He had returned to his home earlier with a sleep Emma in tow to find only Calleigh still there. It hadn't taken him much explaining to know that Calleigh and the red head had passed words and Horatio hadn't stuck around for coffee. Calleigh had been silent to the fact, only staring out into nothingness as he tried to get the details out. Sure that she would watch Emma, Tim had showered and dressed, certain that he could catch the older CSI at the lab. Now as he came to rest at the desk sergeant, he hoped he could talk some sense into Horatio.

Crinkling his brow, he gave Theresa a nod and then looked around, "Hi, Theresa, is H in yet?"

Looking up and smiling, Theresa shook her head, "No, he's not. Matter of fact, you're the third person that's asked. Apparently he cannot even be reached on his cell either."

"Can't be reached on his cell?" Tim asked, as he did a double take. Leaning in closer, he shook his head, "H is never late, and he's always reachable on his cell. Has anyone done a welfare check?"

"He never told anyone where he's staying. Detective Cardoza and Wolfe have both been trying to reach him all morning," she said as she looked up at him. "Even dispatch has tried paging him and got no response."

"That's not like him," Tim said as he stepped away from the desk. Gesturing to Theresa, he gave her a faint smile, "Thanks, Theresa." Just as he was about to turn and walk out he heard his name being called and looked in the direction from which it came. Seeing Wolfe and Cardoza, Tim started for them, the questions building. Nodding to them both, he asked, "Jesse, have you heard anything yet?"

"No and I've tried calling Calleigh to see if she knows where he's at and she's not answering either," Jesse stated as he stop in front of him. "You have any idea what's going on?"

"Not in the least bit, but whatever it is, Horatio's vanished and it's left Calleigh a virtual mute. I can't believe he's never told you where he's staying." Shaking his head, he centered on Jesse, "I think you need to find him as soon as possible, especially considering his problem."

"That's why we were trying to get hold of him." Shifting his weight and crossing is arms over his chest, Jesse continued, "We came across some letters addressed to Larken. When the school cleaned out his desk, they boxed up his things. We were able to get them yesterday…and there was about ten love letters in there to the professor from one of his students. Her name is Taylor Davis, she was a third year student of Larken's."

"A third year student," Tim said as he glanced in between Jesse and Wolfe, "Does she have any associates?"

"Not that we know of. Frank's out tracking her down right now so we can talk to her. Larken's assistant said that she'd sometimes hang out after class and talk to him, even over heard her asking him to have lunch with her," Ryan added as he slipped his hands into his pockets.

"So, Davis is very familiar. I think we need to move on this information." Tim glanced at his watch and shook his head, knowing that finding Horatio was top priority. "As soon as you get information on her, the better."

"You have any idea where H could be, Speed?" Jesse asked, his eyes crinkling some. "I know you and him are good friends, did he happened to tell you?"

"No, he didn't."Deciding it would be better that he didn't disclose much about Calleigh's relationship, he shrugged his shoulders, "The last I heard he was going home last night."

Glancing to Ryan and then back to Tim, Jesse sighed, "We'd better get an APB out for H, especially with him being stalked now. Last thing we need is for this guy to get the upper hand."

"You're right, Jesse. Meanwhile, someone should follow up on Taylor Davis. There's no telling if or how she is involved." Checking his watch, Tim looked to Jesse, "He's been gone for hours, it's in our best interest to find him, and quickly."

"I'll go get that APB out," Ryan said and walked off.

Taking in a deep breath, Jesse nodded to Tim, "I saw H with Calleigh yesterday…think they might be together and that's why they're not answering?"

Tim cleared his throat and scratched his head, "No, um….I've actually had contact with Calleigh. She's under the weather, and she doesn't know where H is." Tim could see the unspoken question in Jesse's eyes and continued, "Horatio received a threat against Calleigh and was assisting her with placing her somewhere where she wouldn't be in any danger."

Nodding thoughtfully, Jesse sighed, "Well, I'll see what I can find out from Ms. Davis. You gonna track H down?"

"Since I can't do much of anything else, I have the time to look for him. I'll keep contact with you and let you know if something comes up." Shifting his weight awkwardly, Tim took a cursory glance around and frowned, "This just isn't like H. He doesn't just go off on his own like this, no matter what."

Raising a brow, Jesse moved closer and whispered, "The last time H did he faked his death from what I've been told. He went underground to pull out some guy that was buying up so illegal ammo."

"Yeah, I heard something about that, but I don't think that this is what's going on. There's something wrong." Tim could see the dubious expression on Jesse's face and sighed heavily, "Yes, H and Calleigh are involved, but that's not something they want out in the open. Let's just focus on finding H."

"As soon as I finish up with Ms. Davis I'll come help you track him down. Two set's of eyes is better then one," Jesse said as he glanced over to see Frank coming off the elevator. "There's Frank now…call me as soon as you know anything, Speed."

"I'll do that," Tim answered back as Jesse left him. Turning himself, an idea came to mind and he walked quickly to the doors, hoping that she would be receptive to what he was going to say to her.

Sitting in the chair and watching as Emma sat on the floor playing with her dolls, Calleigh looked back over at the window, watching as the clouds passed by in the sky. Since the night before, Calleigh hadn't said too much, mostly keeping to herself. She had even been contemplating leaving Miami for good and moving back to Louisiana to get away from all the hurt and disappointments she'd endured.

The sound of the door opening pulled her from her thought's and she looked to see Tim coming in. Taking a deep breath, she stayed where she was as Emma got up, and ran over to him.

"Daddy, you're home!" Emma giggled as she latched onto his legs.

Laughing heartily, Tim bent to pick up Emma and held her close, taking in her infectious smile. No matter what was going on in his life, he could count on Emma to bring it all in perspective for him. Tickling her, he shot a quick glance to Calleigh and asked, "You were good for Ms. Calleigh?"

"Yep. I played with my dolls and didn't make a lot of noise like you told me," Emma replied as her small arms wrapped around his neck. Leaning to his ear, she whispered, "Ms. Calleigh look's sad, daddy."

"I know, kiddo. Can you go to your room for a few, I want to talk to Ms. Calleigh." Letting her down, he watched as she scurried to her room and paused for a second before approaching Calleigh. He could see easily, the sorrow that was hanging over her and exhaling heavily, he scratched his head, "Um…Calleigh, I think we need to talk."

Peeling her eyes from the window, Calleigh looked at Tim, her face expressionless, "I'm gonna go back to my place, Tim. There's some things I need to really think about."

"I can understand that, Calleigh, but we really need to talk." Coming even closer, he shook his head, narrowing his eyes, "I don't know what happened between you and H, but…Calleigh, he's missing. No one can raise him, the lab's tried, I've tried. Something could be wrong…"

"Then he doesn't want to be found," she said simply and looked back over towards the window.

Tim stared at Calleigh, feeling his level of annoyance rising. He knew from experience how much Calleigh loved Horatio, and for her to act as if his disappearance didn't bother her, just didn't seem right. Placing a hand on her arm, he asked, "What's wrong with you, Calleigh? I tell you that your boyfriend's missing and you act as if you don't even care. Am I missing something here?"

Looking at him, Calleigh shook her head and stood up, "He's not my boyfriend, Tim…he's nothing to me now." Moving to the window, she gazed out at the city, "I broke up with him…he's no longer in my life."

"What exactly happened between you two? First you can't be peeled from each other, now you're acting as if he's poison. I don't understand how that could happen so fast?" Putting up his hand, his brow furrowed and he shook his head in disbelief, "Horatio's being stalked by some crazed maniac, and you act as if you don't care. What if something's happened to him, Calleigh? What if his stalker has found him? Do you really hate him that much that you don't care if he's somewhere with a bullet in his brain?"

Raising a brow, Calleigh sighed as she turned and looked at him, "He's probably off sulking somewhere, Tim. That or down in the Keys at his place there," she replied. Shaking her head, she moved from him, "Can you call me a cab so I can go back home now please?"

Tim turned and walked away from her, stopping before going down the hall, "Emma and I will take you back home. I'm sorry to have assumed that you cared."

Ignoring his comment, Calleigh went to her room, gathering up her things. Once she was done, she headed back out, finding them waiting at the door for her. Slipping her purse over her shoulder, Calleigh looked at Tim, "Thanks for letting me stay here last night."

"No problem. You know if you need anything, you can always call on me, Calleigh. No matter what's going on, I'm your friend." Tim reached for her hand and took it, squeezing it lightly, "Things will work out in the end, even if he's not the one, Calleigh, you're going to be happy."

"We'll see…" she replied softly. When he let go of her hand, Calleigh knelt down to Emma, looking at the little girl, "And thank you, Emma. You were very good this morning."

Smiling, Emma moved to Calleigh, giving her a hug, "Don't be sad, Ms. Calleigh. Me and daddy love you."

Looking at the both of them, Tim nodded, "She's right you know, we do love you. We'll do anything for you. You'll always have a place to go, Calleigh."

Letting Emma go, Calleigh nodded her head and ran a hand over Emma's hair and then stood up. Taking a deep breath, she looked at Tim, "Thank you."

"You're welcome. If you want, we can stick around some, keep you some company? You probably shouldn't be alone right now." Tim moved for the door and opened it, allowing them past. Reaching for her bag, he took it from her and gave her a smile, "I've got it, don't worry."

Letting him take the bag, Calleigh nodded and then headed out the apartment. Feeling a small hand take hers, Calleigh looked down to see Emma's smiling face looking back up at her. Nodding, Calleigh wrapped her hands around the little girls. Even with the unconditional love she was being offered, Calleigh still felt the need to leave and start anew.