Author Notes: Hey all, I hope you enjoy the chapter, had to rewrite it to add in Horatio's point of views. It took sometime (the little I have between school and work, which is pretty much nal) but it's done so hope you enjoy it. Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving this passed Thursday, my US readers. Happy Readings to all.

Chapter 10

Running Scared

Calleigh readjusted her position on the couch and wiped the sleep from her eyes then scanning the living room, she spotted what she was looking for. The clock on the digital cable box read 10:30 am, She jump up, she was suppose to be work hours ago, she bolted to her room and grabbed her phone off the nightstand. 30 missed calls; she couldn't believe she didn't hear her phone, "How hard was I sleeping?" she wondered to herself.

She strolled down the list of missed calls there were a couple from Horatio, but a majority of the calls were from Ryan. She called Horatio as she hurried to dress, as it rung Calleigh mind raced "Did they find him? Is he alive? Or was he just calling because I didn't show this morning? God, how did I sleep so long?" her thoughts interrupted when Horatio picked up on the other line.

"Calleigh, is everything ok ma'am?" Horatio said through the phone.

"Um yeah, I'm sorry I-I over slept, I'm coming in now. Any news on Eric? D-did you find him?" she said in a rushed tone.

"We searched the glades and surrounding areas the entire night and side from the footprints, there's no sign of him, not even a trace of him. The cars already been" he paused, not sure if he should go into detail about the car, he decided it best to kept it short "processed, so now I'm going to see if I can get anything else from Sharova, right now those are the only leads we have."

"So how does it look?" Calleigh voice was small and little

"With no body on the scene, we can remain hopeful, for now. We've been searching the glades all night, they're doing a more thorough search of the water and see if anything turns up." He said

"Ok, I'll be there in 10" she replied

"Calleigh, really, didn't worry about it, take the day. I wasn't expecting you today anyways." Something was off about Horatio's voice, he was hiding something.

"No, I'm fine, really I'm need to work. I need a distraction. I'll go crazy if I don't get out this house, I have a job to do, just like everyone else. I need to do my part" she said firmly.

There was silence on the other line. Finally Horatio spoke. "Calleigh, there something else, Stetler on a witch hunter," He sighed heavily "His coming down on the team hard. We're all under review for recent behaviors and actions and he's claiming we break protocol on more than one occasion. He's threatened that some of you could be facing charges and your name is on the top of the list, after only Delko's. Ryan found guns in the trunk of his car. He's already managed to suspend Ryan and he's looking to charge Eric and possibly you with for a criminal crime."

Calleigh was too shocked to even speak. If it was someone who knew how to make a situation worse, hands down it was Rick Stetler. He been trying for a long time to break Horatio team apart, but this was the lowest blow he could ever throw. Right now the team in the middle of searching for a missing colleague, being under review would cause more stress and hinder them from doing their jobs effectively.

Calleigh remained quiet, so Horatio started to speak again.

"So why didn't you take the today to regroup and find the best way the deal with the situation, so you can be prepared to face Stetler in the morning. We're going to take this one step at a time" She wasn't sure if it was stress or uncertainty in Horatio's voice, but she knew the reason of the tone. Horatio know this wasn't one of Stetler idle threats or sly tricks. This time Stetler's threats, though they may not all be legitimate, they were back by powers greater than Horatio's and this time he was coming for blood. They needed to be prepared now more than ever.

"Take care of yourself ma'am" He said

"Ok, I will. Thanks Horatio, thanks for everything" she managed to whisper then ended the call.

Calleigh sit down to ponder her conversion with Horatio. She was freaking out. "He's threatened that some of us could be facing charges and your name is on the top of the list after only Delko's" he said. "Ryan found guns in the trunk of his car. He's already manage to suspend Ryan and he's looking to charge Eric and possible you with for a criminal crime" Those words cause her great stress; she raked her mind for a reason why her name was on the top of Stetler's list or why Ryan was suspended or how Eric or her could be facing criminal charges.

Of the entire team, Calleigh had the least blemishes on her record. Everything she ever did at work was above board. She always went above and beyond the call of duty. Despite the fact that her relationship with Eric was against department policies, she felt her job controlled too much her personal life and it was worth the risk and at work their relationship was nothing but, professional.

With the exception of casual harmless flirting, she was sure everyone in the lab was guilty of, she and Eric never showed a hint of intimacy on the job.

It made her wonder if Stetler was spying on her, but deem the idea paranoia, "that would be too electric, even for him." She thought. She decided to go for a run to clear her head. When she was stressed a good run always was a great outlet. She got dressed and grabbed a quick breakfast, put on her mp3 player and hit the road.

She started off with a walk then began to pace then broke into a run, she went around the block. The more she picked up her pace the more her mind ran rampant, this week was just overwhelming both mentally and physically and with Stetler on the prowl she was sure there was worst to come. Her worry for Eric was consuming her.

Her mind was a mixture of thoughts, thoughts of Eric, work, Stetler's reasoning or logic, her next steps and the team. The adrenaline rushing through her veins only made the situation worst, she felt like a rookie runner, normally she could run seven miles with breaking a sweat and now she barely even hit the two mile marker and she was breathless and fatigued.

She halted, bent over, put her hands on her knee and took in a few long breathes. Suddenly she felt a pair of eye watching her, she straighten herself and looked around there was no obvious surveillance. "Maybe Stetler is spying on us, he's such a creeper"

There was an elderly man sitting on the porch watching only the words on the morning New York Times, a couple kissing farewell before they went off on their separate morning commutes and a hand full of other people who were otherwise occupied with other thing than spying on Calleigh Duquesne.

She relaxed but couldn't shake the feeling. Out of the blue she saw a flash of color in the corner of her eye; it was some kind of large vehicle. It swiftly pulled alongside her. She thought surely she was going to be grabbed and thrown in the back of it. It startled her, she remembered the last time she was kidnapped and she had no intentions on repeating the incident.

Calleigh always was packing heat, even on a run. She quietly pulled out her gun and announced herself "Miami-Dade PD" she was panicking and was barely able to breathe. Aiming her gun at the window of the Passenger's side, but no one reached out to grab her. Slowly the passenger's window rolled down.

Horatio placed down his phone. The problems were stacking up and he wasn't sure which one to fix or if they were ever able to be fixed. He was operating on the little sleep he managed between searching the glades, however his naps where restless and unsettling. He took refuge in his office because he was sure Stetler was stalking the hall in search of him. He had managed to avid him thus far, but he wasn't going to press his luck, however he wasn't going to let the threat of running into Stetler keep him locked in the lab.

Natalia and Frank had taken over the search at the glades, so he could interrogate Sharova for any leads. So he collected himself and exited his office. He walked out without worry of Stetler spotting him and headed to the booking to retrieve Sharova to interrogate him.

He made it to booking without incident, he requested Sharova be brought to interrogations and made his way there. Halfway to interrogations his luck ran out, he spotted Stetler. Horatio spotted him before Stetler was aware of his presents: he was looking down at a file. Horatio did not let this change his course. He processed down the hall, he wasn't afraid of Stetler and his childish tactics. He may seem as if he was winning, but in the end he knew justice would prevail.

"Rick" Horatio greeted the man with a tilt of the head as he passed. Rick spun around to face him.

"Lieutenant Caine" he said with a big smile. "Looking a little under the weather, are we?" he commented about Horatio's tired appearance.

"Yes, it happens when you do actually work." Horatio snapped.

"Actually work?" Stetler laughed sarcastically "Actually work like you buddies Ryan and Eric do?" He remarked, smirking.

The people in the hall stopped, waiting for another show produced by Rick Stetler. Horatio just smirked. Rick was furious he wasn't getting a reaction other than a smirk from Caine, so Stetler continued, moving closer to Horatio.

"Criminal Work? Yes I got you this time, Horatio. You may feel protected as you sit on your high horse, but this time I've got you. I may not be able to take down you, but I can take down your team. Which will leaves you equally destroyed." He hissed quietly at Horatio.

"Rick, what is Criminal is that they give scum like you a badge. Take down my team? I'd like to see you try" H said calmly to him and walked.

Rick was steaming; he didn't even get to him. He didn't seem the least bit scared; he was unfazed by his words. He wasn't going to let Horatio have the last word.

"Well, well Ryan suspended so who's winning now, Horatio" he yelled after him.

Horatio stride didn't even falter, he continued on to the interrogation room. Stetler was furious.

"Hey, hey Calleigh don't shot, relax" it was Ryan. He was flailing his arms and scared, hoping Calleigh would lower the gun she had aimed at his head, she did.

"God Ryan, what the-" She started as she opened the door of Ryan's SUV and took a seat "Why are you doing here?" she snapped.

"Horatio said you weren't coming in today. I called you like 20 times this morning and you didn't answer and I got a little worried, ok? So I was in the area and I stopped by your house to check on you to make sure your ok, but you weren't there. I was preparing to pull out of the block when I noticed you running and then you point a gun at me, Calleigh" he shouted a little.

"Well Ryan, you know, I'm doing fine, just great. Yesterday, I accidently shot Eric and now he's missing. On top of that, every time I close my eye my mind replays the scenario in my head all over again and it haunts my dreams and today, today I get a morning call that I'm the most wanted in Stetler witch hunt and I could be facing criminal charges. I'm doing great." She yelled at him throwing her hand in the air, she leaned back on the seat and ran her hands though her hair.

The tension was high and they both were huffing and puffing. Ryan broke out laughing, Calleigh shot him a glare. "And what are you laughing about? Because I cease to see the humor in the situation" Calleigh said irritated

"You," she shot him a death glare, so he quickly he explained himself "or me, this exactly Stetler wants, right?"

She laughed, embarrassed by her unnecessary outburst of anger towards Ryan. "Yeah it is" she replied quietly. "Horatio told me that Stetler had you suspended" she quietly.

"Yeah, you heard" Ryan said, looking down "but I'm not afraid of his accusation, all my action are and will be justified to him, showing I did nothing wrong. I'm not going to let his "kick you when we're down" tactics work. Tensions are high right now, we need to be careful, we need to stick together more than ever and we need to stay strong. Ok?" He put his arm around Calleigh, smiling at her reassuringly "We're going to get through this, we'll find Eric, Stetler will make a fool out himself again and thing will be back to normal before you know"

Ryan thought words of reassure were necessary, not only to reassure Calleigh but to reassure himself. Although he know he was innocent he trying his best not to be scared to death about the suspension and the search for Eric weighted heavy on his mind. Though he was not as broken up as Calleigh, considering the fact that his relationship was on a totally different level than that of Calleigh and Eric's, he was still torn up and stressed about the whole situation. "So I'm sorry I raising my voice, Cal."

"Apology accepted, Ryan. I'm sorry for yelling" she hesitated then add quickly "and for pointing a gun at you, but don't you ever sneak up on me like that again, Ryan Wolfe understand? After being kidnapped and almost carjacked at gunpoint you get a little paranoid" she pointed her finger waving it in his.

"Yeah, something I'll most definitely take that into consideration in the future" he laughed, he know Calleigh was a force to be reckon with.

"Soooooooo, you're good?" he asked

"Yeah, I'm good" she smiled

"Well, unlike you" her laughed, wearing arrogant Wolfe smirk on his face "I'm on the clock, you want a ride home? You're looking a little run down Duquesne?"

It amazed Calleigh; despite the circumstances Ryan was still able to maintain a sense of humor. She smiled at him

"I thought you were suspended?" Calleigh asked looking at Ryan quizzically.

"Calleigh, as you know I work for the county and I'm not a department supervisor like you. I can't afford to not have a second job. I work security for time to time; I set up a couple of jobs to occupy my inconvenient extra free time" He said

"I can understand that and yes, I'd love a ride, Mr. Wolfe. What can I say it's been one of those weeks." With he pulled off toward the Duquesne residents.

"I know nothing" Alexander Sharova said to Horatio. Horatio had been interrogating him for the last hour and had gotten nothing. Horatio felt as if he was asking the same questions over and over.

"You mean you were in the car with Eric and you had no clue why he was there or how he found you? You know nothing?" Horatio said. The man was showing every sign of a lair, but he wouldn't break.

"Is Ivan Sarnoff still alive? Where is he body" Horatio questioned, Sharova said nothing.

"How is Eric involved? Do you care nothing for your son? He's missing and you don't even care. He saved your life and you're not even worth the air you breathe." Horatio hissed at him. Sharova looking at Horatio with frighten eyes, he remained silent. This was pointless Sharova cared more about keeping the secrets of Russian mobs than he care about his son.

"Fine, if I find you know anything and something happens to Eric, because you're afraid of the mob. You better pray they get to you first. Take him" he hissed at Alexander. He motioned for the two cadets to remove Sharova from the room. Sharova stood, looked bewilder into Horatio's eyes, as if he was sympathetic he couldn't help. The cadets cuffed him and grabbed his arms and hauled him toward the door. Right before they exited, Sharova halted, pulling against the cadet. He looked Horatio straight in the eyes.

"Your search for Eric is pointless, Eric Delko doesn't matter." The cadets tugged him back, yanking him out of the room.

Horatio seat there, pondering what was said. There was a certain look of terror in Sharova's eye as he spoke those words and it frightened Him. He worried if Sharova's words rung true.

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