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**

"Yes! Breathless. I am serious in asserting that my breath was entirely gone. I could not have stirred with it a feather if my life had been at issue, or sullied even the delicacy of a mirror. Hard fate! - yet there was some alleviation to the first overwhelming paroxysm of my sorrow."

From "Loss Of Breath" by Edgar Allan Poe

Glancing over at Tim as he worked at fixing her leaky facet, Calleigh took another sip of her drink and then set it down onto the counter. Most of the morning had been spent at Doctor Macy's office, rehashing her life once more to the woman and finding some peace with her words of advice. She'd even come back home and tried calling Horatio to see if they could talk, but instead had to leave messages at both the front desk of his hotel and on his voice mail.

When Tim had arrived with lunch in his hand she welcomed him in, needing some company with her to help her through the day. Slowly she was realizing how much she needed Horatio in her life and how much she truly loved him.

Running a hand through her short hair as he finished up, she gave him a small smile, "Thanks for fixing that for me, Tim. It was starting to drive me crazy with the dripping."

Tim wiped his hands in the cloth and smiled, shaking his head, "You didn't know that I had skills like that did you?" Laughing slightly, he threw the towel down and closed the cabinet and then looked back at her, seeing the evidence of concern in her eyes. No one had heard from Horatio and he could imagine that it was starting to wear on her. Arching his brow, he asked, "You tried to call H today?"

Nodding her head, Calleigh took in a deep breath and sighed heavily, "Yeah, I did…but no luck. I left messages on his cell and with the front desk at the hotel. They said they hadn't seen him."

"You still think that he's in the Keys? I would've thought that he would've tried to give you a call by now, Calleigh. I mean, this is Horatio we're talking about, he just doesn't disappear."

"He does if he doesn't want to be found…and he's done that before, Tim." Picking up her drink, she shrugged, "There's no phone at his place in the Keys…so, he'd have to use his cell if he was to call from there."

"I just don't have a good feeling about this, Calleigh. I've never known Horatio to act so rash." Taking a seat his brow furrowed and he shook his head as if trying to gain an understanding, "He's always been so…straight forward. This…seems like evasion."

"Tim, if Horatio wanted us to know where he was, he would have left word. For all we know he could have left the state." Taking a seat next to him, she sighed, "Maybe I pushed him too far this time."

"I just think if you can talk to him, things can be sorted out. It's never too late, Cal." Tim reached for her hand and squeezed it, "We just have to find him."

"And if we can't…" she said as she looked down, taking in a shaky breath, "What if he doesn't come back, Tim?"

"Then we go and find him." Lifting her chin, he stroked the side of her face, watching her eyes shimmer with unspent tears. He could see that regret was weighing heavily on her and he brought her closer, "H just needs time…"

Leaning into him, Calleigh closed her eyes and whispered, "I hope so." The sound of the doorbell ringing caused Calleigh to lift her head, looking at Tim before getting up quickly and heading to the door. Wiping at her tears, she quickly unlocked the door, and swung it open. Seeing a delivery lady, Calleigh crinkled her brow, "Uh, yes?"

"I'm looking for a Ms. Calleigh Duquesne. I have a delivery just for her." Handing her the package, she smiled widely and handed her a clip board, "Just sign right here and we'll be set."

Taking the board and pen, she signed her name and looked back at the woman, "Thanks…" Closing the door back, Calleigh looked at the large envelope in her hands and headed back towards the kitchen. Going in, she noticed there was no return address and sat down, "Wonder who this is from."

Tim took in the envelope and came closer, "I have no idea, do you want me to open it?"

Shaking her head, she sighed, "No, I got it, Tim. With my luck it'll be something I forgot to pay or do." Opening the top, she reached in, pulling out the contents. Turning them over, her eyes settle on the photo and the man in it. Time seemed to stand still as she stared at it, almost forgetting to breathe. Handing the top one to Tim, she looked at the second, seeing Horatio in bed with another woman and tears filled her eyes as she dropped them onto the table.

Tim stared at the photograph for a moment before lifting his eyes to see Calleigh staring at the table, her eyes spilling over with her tears. He dropped the picture and reached for her, his voice strained, "Cal…this…this is a mistake, it's not him. I don't know who…This can't be right."

"It's him…" she whispered as her tears slipped down her cheeks. Shaking her head, she moved from him, leaving the kitchen and unable to look at the photo's any longer.

Left in the wake of her sorrow, Tim slung the remaining photographs across the table and growled, "Dammit, H." Taking a moment to breathe through his fury, he went in search for Calleigh, sure that she didn't need to be alone. Finding her on the couch, he stood at the entrance of the living room, gauging her emotions. Her lip trembled as she stared out, her eyes over pouring with her tears and the sight tore a fresh hole in his heart and he cringed, wanting to destroy the man he once called friend.

Approaching hesitantly, he spoke softly, "Calleigh…"

"Tim…can…can I be alone please…I…I just…" she said as she began to break down and covered her face with her hands.

Going to her side, he slid her into his embrace wordlessly and held her as she broke into pieces. Her cries ate at his resolve and he tried to quell the anger that seemed to bubble up inside of him, breathing in deeply before attempting to speak. "Calleigh…there's nothing I can say that will take this pain away, but…I want you to know, I'm here. Do what you need, cry, hit, curse…Whatever you need to do to me, do it. Get it out."

Crying into his shoulder, Calleigh's arm's went around him, anchoring herself into his warmth. Never had she dreamed Horatio would hurt her like this, but the truth was in the photo's, he was seeing another woman. Her body shook with each sob, and she felt as her heart broke more, the thought of the man she loved in another's arms too much for her to bare.

Tim tried vainly to hold her together, making a promise to himself that if he ever saw Horatio again, he would make him pay for hurting her. Rubbing her back, he whispered, "It's okay, Calleigh, I'm here. I'll always be here."

"I…I thought he…loved me…" she cried, her emotions flowing over. Holding onto him more, her world seemed to spin out of control, her life meaning nothing now.

Tim listened and held her tighter, with each sob, his heart breaking even more. He had gone to bat for Horatio too many times, vouched for him even when his own heart was on the line. The thought of that made his blood boil and he resisted the urge to growl as he continued to rub her back to calm her, the attempts falling flat, furthering his determination to make this right. If it was the last thing he did, he would see Calleigh's face light with happiness again.

Watching as Emma and Calleigh prepared breakfast together, Tim smiled faintly, thankful that Calleigh had agreed to letting them stay. After she'd spent herself crying over the deplorable pictures of Horatio and another woman, Tim had decided to let her rest. He sat by her side while she slept in her own bed, and was there to calm her when she woke up in near hysterics, the sobbing pulling at his every being. He'd never seen Calleigh so unhinged, so totally destroyed and it was tearing at his very soul. He loved Calleigh with all his heart, and to see her going through each pain seared moment with the images to stoke her despair, he felt as if he needed to take action. He needed confirmation.

Crossing his arms, he shook his head at Emma's antics, glad that she was along for the ride as well. Emma had a way of making people forget about the bad things in life, her incessant smile and infectious giggles were a powerful weapon to wield. He explained everything carefully when Alexx had dropped her off, and warned that she would see Calleigh crying, but he could tell that it didn't deter her. Emma was in the business of making everyone happy and for the most part, it was working very well.

Clearing his throat, he entered into the kitchen fully and chuckled, "Sounds like some serious work going on in here. Need any help?"

Looking up from the batter they were mixing, Calleigh shook her head, "I think we got it, but thanks, Tim. Emma's been a big help."

Tim gave her a smile and walked closer to them, patting Emma on the head lovingly, "She learned from her grandpa. He's passing the traditions down." Looking to Calleigh intently, his smile dropped slightly, and he asked, "How are you, Cal?"

Taking in a shaky breath, she looked down at Emma and then to him, trying to hold it together in front of the little girl, "I've been better."

"You need a moment? I can take over for a moment before I have to go." Tim glanced to Emma and then back to Calleigh, "I'm sure Emma won't mind if we switch places for a second."

"No. I…I need to do this, Tim." Looking at him, she nodded and then looked back, as Emma stirred the batter. Looking back at him, she reached for his hand, giving it a squeeze, "I'll be okay."

Making sure, he returned her squeeze and smiled more as he arched his brow, "You think this will be done in ten minutes, I'm sorry to eat and go, but I've got to take care of something." Seeing her expression, he amended, "I won't be gone long, I'm just going to the lab."

"Yeah, we can get yours first," she replied as Emma finished up. Giving her a smile that didn't make it to her eyes, Calleigh got the pan ready and set it onto the stove and turned it on.

Turning, Emma smiled, "Daddy, can we go to the park and play later?"

Shooting Calleigh a quick glance, Tim sighed and knelt to her level. He could see that she understood his expression and smiled warmly, "Maybe, we'll have to see how Ms. Calleigh's feeling, because we don't want to leave her out, do we?"

"No." Turning to Calleigh, Emma smiled up at her, "Would you like to go with us, Ms. Calleigh? I could show you my favorite swing there and let you have it."

Wiping her hands off, Calleigh's eyes went to Tim and then Emma, seeing the light in her eyes and smile. Forcing a smile, Calleigh nodded, "I might be up for that."

"See, kiddo? We'll have to see how it goes from here, okay?" Garnering an enthusiastic nod, he laughed and stood up, his focus all on Calleigh, "You'll be okay for a while, Cal?"

"Yeah…" she replied as she turned back and got the batter, pouring some into the pan. "How many you want, Tim?"

"Just a couple, I'll eat more at lunch." He glanced quickly at his watch and then back to Calleigh, watching as she concentrated on her task. The far away look she had in her eyes told him that she was still in the throes of despair, the hint of tears glimmering in her eyes. The acrid smell of burning pancakes began to waft and he walked up to her and placed a non assuming touch on her shoulder, bringing her out of her stupor as he moved the pan, "Cal, let me get this…"

Nodding silently, Calleigh moved out the way, wiping at her eyes again and whispered, "I…I'll be in the bathroom. Be right back." Moving, she left out the room, heading for the bathroom so she could have a moment alone to gather herself again.

Tim watched after her and then turned his attention to the pan. Going for another, he winked at Emma, "Let's make her some special pancakes. Now, you have to make sure that she eats this while I'm gone, okay? It's important that she stays strong."

Smiling up at him, Emma gave him a firm nod, "I will, daddy. Can we put chocolate chip in hers too? Like you do mine?"

"Sure, I think she'll love that. Go get the chips," Tim answered as he nodded to her. Making short work of his own pancakes, he looked down at Emma as she handed him the bag of chips. Smiling, he asked, "How many for you, kiddo?"

Thinking, she smiled, "Uh, two." Watching him, she tilted her head, "Daddy, will Ms. Calleigh stop being sad soon?"

"I hope so, but Emma, she's been through something very hurtful. She could be sad for a while, but we will try and do everything we can, won't we?"

"Yeah." Seeing him place the batter for hers into the pan, she looked back at him, "Maybe I could draw her a flower picture. Maybe that will help her feel better."

"I'm sure it will. I think she'll love it." Looking up to see her entering in the kitchen, Tim gave her a wide smile and a quick wink, "I think if you could draw her a tulip, that would make her feel tons better."

Going over and pouring a glass of juice, Calleigh felt a tug on her shirt and looked down to see Emma looking back up at her. Placing the glass down, Calleigh focused on the little girl, "Yes, Emma?"

Giving Calleigh a hug around her legs, Emma smiled, "I'll draw you a tulip Ms. Calleigh."

Taken by surprise, Calleigh hesitantly placed her hand onto Emma's head, "Thank you, Emma. I'm sure I'll love it."

Tim could see the surprise in her eyes, and reached for Emma, "Go and set the table for me, sweetie?" When the little girl pulled herself away from Calleigh, Tim offered an apology, "Sorry, Cal. She's a feeler. I hope she didn't offend you."

Shaking her head Calleigh reached to pour another glass, "No, it's okay, Tim…really. I uh…I guess I'm just not usta it. It's fine though."

"Still, she shouldn't have. I'll talk to her and make sure she's a little less…forward." Finishing with the pancakes, he turned to her, "Emma thought chocolate chips would make you happy."

Turning to him more, Calleigh nodded and gave him a small smile, "I happen to like them that way…so yeah."

"Emma would love that. She adores chocolate chip pancakes, so you two have something in common." He looked to his watch again and sighed, "I'm going to have to swallow these and run. I'll take the bike, that way if you need to go somewhere, you'll have the car."

"Okay…but, we'll probably just stay here 'til you get back. I need to get some laundry done," she replied softly and then took the glasses of juice to the table. Placing Emma's in front of her, she looked back at Tim, "Why do you need to go to the lab?"

"I wanted to check up on some things, mainly those um… pictures. I want to confirm, so I'll know my next step. If this is true, then Calleigh…I'm going to kick his ass. I'm going to find him and I'm going to kick his ass."

"Tim…" Calleigh said moving to him and lowering her voice, "do not do this. Just let it go. He's made his decision…I…I just need to move on."

"No, Calleigh. He's hurt you, and he needs to pay. He can't just get away with doing this to you." Thinking about the pictures, he cringed, "And he won't get away with it."

Feeling her temper rise, she spoke softly through clenched teeth, "And what is that gonna prove, Tim? Beating the hell out of him isn't gonna make him come back to me."

"Okay…alright, so beating him black and blue won't bring him back, but it will serve as justice." Knowing she wasn't going for it, he amended, "And what if it's not authentic, Cal? What if this is all made up…wouldn't you want to know?"

"How else would they get pictures like that Tim if that wasn't him? No one knows about that scare he has but myself and a couple others…and you can see it clearly in those pictures." Shaking her head, Calleigh sighed, "It's him in those…"

Tim could see that this was taking a toll on her and sighed, "I want to know for myself, Calleigh. We were taught to follow the evidence. If it comes back that it's legit, then I'll leave it alone."

Staring at him, Calleigh shifted her weight, "Fine…but you'll see…they aren't fixed. Just…just get rid of them afterwards for me please."

"I'll destroy them as soon as I'm done." Tim exhaled and moved to her, "Cal, I don't want you to be upset."

"I…I'll be fine. I've just got to move on now," she replied softly. Pointing to the plates, she sighed, "We'd better get those ate before they get too cold."

"Yeah, you two need to get to it." Moving to the door, he looked to the both of them, "I'll be back really soon. Maybe then we can go to the park."

Taking one off the plate and rolling it up, Calleigh walked over to him, handing the pancake to him, "Thank you, Tim…for everything."

"Don't worry, it's what friends do." Taking the pancake, Tim leaned to kiss her cheek and smiled, "Don't work too hard, I'll be back soon."

Looking up at him, Calleigh nodded slightly and whispered, "Okay." Watching as he left out he door, Calleigh locked it behind him and then went back to the kitchen to eat her breakfast with Emma and try to move past the hurt.

Outside, Tim mounted the canary yellow bike and walked it out of the drive. Pointing it towards the city, he started the engine and then shot off, the intent wearing on him. As he drove deftly through the streets, he thought about the ramifications of what this test would mean, gunning the engine to match the feeling of anger that welled. How dare Horatio do this to Calleigh…after everything they've gone through?

Trying to eliminate any vestiges of anger that might be of a detriment to him, Tim came to rest at the parking lot of the lab. Dismounting, Tim pulled the envelope out of his jacket and made his way up the stairs and into the atrium of the lab. Signing in, he smiled at the desk sergeant and then glanced around before moving through to his location.

Sitting on a stool and gazing into the lenses of the microscope, Jesse adjusted the eye piece, the sample coming into focus better. Pulling away, he made a few note as he gazed back at it and heard the door open. Without even looking up, he sighed, "Whatever it is, find someone else to do it…like Wolfe."

Clearing his throat, Tim held out the envelope and arched a brow, "And here I thought I could come to the expert in just about…everything." Tossing it on the table next to him, he exhaled, "I need facial recognition and authentication, all within two hours. That is if you can spare the time."

Looking up and then down at the envelope, Jesse reached for it, "I didn't think you were working any current cases, Speed. What one is this for?"

"It's personal. Like confidential personal, understand?" Tim glared at the envelope and then looked to Jesse, seeing the need for clarification. Crossing his arms, he leaned against the work station and kept his eyes on the floor, his voice now low, "They're…um…they're of Horatio in a compromising position. I just want to know if they are fakes, or if they are real, where did they come from?"

Raising a brow, Jesse placed the envelope down and took off his gloves. Getting a fresh pair, he slipped them on and then opened it, pulling out the photos. Looking at them, his brow raised more, "Uh, Speed, do I want to know where you got these from?"

"They were sent to Calleigh yesterday. She opened them and… well…she's destroyed. She didn't want me to come, but I needed to know if these are real. She also didn't want me to kick his ass, but the jury's still out on that." Tim nodded towards Jesse, "I would appreciate if this is done quickly, and quietly."

Nodding, Jesse slipped the photo's back in, "Yeah. Come on, we'll get it done now." Turning off the microscope and then securing the evidence, Jesse and Tim then headed out of trace and towards the AV lab. Finding it empty, Jesse went in, closing the door behind them and went over to the computer console. Pulling the photo's back out, he placed the first one onto the scanner, "Any idea who the girl is?"

"None, I've never seen her before." Keeping his eyes averted, he frowned, "I've been trying to understand why he would do something like this if he loved Calleigh so much. This is…it's not him."

Running the program he needed, Jesse then enlarged the photo, "Okay, let's see what we can see…" Crinkling his brow, he moved the mouse and went over the photo, clicking and enlarging the woman's face. Cocking a brow, he shook his head, "Well, I can tell you who the woman is…Taylor Davis. She was one of Larken's students and the one we brought in for questioning yesterday."

"What the hell?" Tim leaned in more and narrowed his gaze, then turning to Jesse, "Did anything turn up on Davis? What could she possibly want with Horatio?"

"No clue…but, she was the one that had written those love letters to Larken. Frank ran a background on her and it came back clean, except for a few parking tickets she got," Jesse said as he looked to Tim.

"Clean. Just by the fact that she wrote him love letters, Jesse….This could be our stalker." Tim ran a hand through his hair and asked, "Is there anyway you can authenticate it?"

"Yeah…" he said turning back to the keyboard. Typing, he shook his head, "It'll take a few minutes though." Finishing up, Jesse sighed as the program started to run, "We've got her current address…if this is real, what are you planning on doing, Speed?"

"Destroy them and then find him." Tim's voice was deadly and he shook his head, "I'll know when I cross that bridge. But I will find him."

"Speed, just remember you have a daughter to take care of. Don't go doing anything rash," Jesse warned, concerned for his friend.

"Trusted Horatio to take care of Calleigh, and now…" Feeling his anger coming, Tim shook his head, "He's got some questions to answer."

Turning fully to him, Jesse tilted his head, "I thought him and Calleigh were doing okay…least they were when I saw them out front the other day. When did all this go down?"

"Within the last two days. Calleigh and…Horatio," he seethed openly, scowling, "they were staying at my place. Calleigh had a threat made against her life by the stalker and Horatio wanted her safe. I offered my place, and in order for them to see each other, I gave them my place for the night and I spent it with Emma at his hotel room. When I got home that morning, Calleigh was…not Calleigh anymore. She was quiet, withdrawn until I got her to talk and that's when she told me what went down."

Shaking his head, Jesse sighed, "Must have been one hell of a fight for H to just leave like that. I've seen him with her…there is no way he'd cheat on her. Any man would be a fool to." Glancing back to the computer, he then looked back at Tim, "There has to be a mistake here."

"For his sake." Tim was still clearly angry at Horatio, but he also was intrigued of Taylor Davis' presence. Thinking more on that, he nudged Jesse, "Tell me what you know about Taylor Davis. Did you determine if she were the stalker or not?"

"Frank and I both agreed that she wasn't…but, who's to say were wrong. But, we checked everything with the school…where she works. No one even knew she felt anything for Larken. And when we questioned her about him, she all but shrugged it off. Said that it was a crush and knew nothing would come of it because of his love of his dead wife."

"Maybe this is because of that. Taylor might be taking this out on Calleigh by using Horatio. That's a question we will ask Taylor once again. Don't you have the contact information on Davis?"

"Yeah," Jesse said as he stretched his arm and rubbed his shoulder. "Once this is done running we'll go over and get it for you. Want some company being you're not on the clock?"

"Yeah, I might need someone to calm my ass down." Looking up at the screen, Tim sighed, "They were perfect for each other, and Calleigh was devoted. I tried everything I knew to get her to respond to my advances, but she was adamant about loving Horatio. I just don't understand."

"Well, we won't be able to tell when these were taken being there is no time stamp on them…but, let's hope this was before H and Calleigh hooked up."

"Somehow, I don't think it is, Jesse." Silence fell between them and he took his eyes away from the screen, moving quickly, "Look, I'll be right out here. I can't look at these things anymore."

Nodding his head, Jesse watched as Tim left out and then turned back towards the screen. Shaking his head, he sighed heavily and whispered, "For your sake, H…let's hope this was before Calleigh."