Chapter Twenty-eight: Never Gone

Speed looked down at the table at the stack of paperwork that sat there. All of his work was done. All the evidence had been tested and identified. And he was tired. His eyes were sore and itchy, his back aching, and his mind ready to shut off for the next few hours. Thanks to the new glass walls he was able to gaze out at the hallway into the room across from the way and out the window; where the sun was currently bringing light to the early morning Florida sky. All night he had been sitting in the Trace Lab intent on keeping himself from thinking about the protesters outside, the fact that they weren't any closer to finding Hagan, and all the other problems that had been mucking up his life. Now his work was complete and he wanted nothing more than to crash somewhere comfortable for a few hours of sweet sleep. Unfortunately, he knew his chances of actually sleeping were slim. The minute he laid down his mind would start working overtime, bringing up all the grisly 'what if's' that were starting to take control of his life.

What if the militia decided that a peaceful protest wasn't their thing anymore? What if they were unable to find Hagan in time? What if they could find Hagan in time? What if he got hurt during this investigation? What if one of his colleagues and friends got hurt during the investigation? What if he finally gave into the advances of Delko?

He covered his mouth somewhat lazily as a yawn came upon him. When it passed he gathered up the stack of paper. There were quite a few detectives that would be happy to receive the information he currently held in his hands. And since nobody had been able to leave the building he figured it wouldn't hurt to get the reports handed out as soon as possible. That meant a trip down to one of the lower levels. Did he really want to put himself closer to the outside world and the anti-law enforcement protesters? Did he really want to be that close to harm's way? It was either that or remain sitting in the Trace Lab with nothing to do but bore holes in the wall with his steady gaze. On shuffling tired steps he started out into the hallway, heading for the elevator. Once again he passed by the AV room but this time the place was surprisingly quietly, the computers off. He noticed that the DNA Lab was empty, too. In fact, most of the rooms looked as though they had been vacated. Probably because the lab techs wanted to get some sleep, something he couldn't blame them for but he was envious. As he drew closer to the reception area and the elevator he heard a cacophony of voices.

Rounding the next corner he saw that most of the lab's employees were once again standing there gazing out the windows. What had the protesters done this time to gather their attention? He spotted Delko and Calleigh standing by one of the windows and made his way toward them, the stack of papers pressed against his chest as he crossed his arms. Calleigh smiled when she saw him.

"What the hell is going on?" he asked, another yawn sneaking up on him.

"Our favorite group is dispersing," she told him. "Horatio must have called the mayor or some friend that owed him a favor because the National Guard is outside."

He peered through the window to see that indeed she was telling the truth. The parking lot was full of uniformed officers of a different kind, their weapons high-powered and trained on the protesters. The parking lot was emptying out at an amazing rate. He smiled. "That means we can finally go home."

"Not really…" Calleigh muttered in dismay. She didn't even glance at her watch. "With Hagan missing…"

"What's with all the paperwork?" Delko asked, joining the conversation.

Speed looked down at the white sheets of paper pressed against his chest. "My work. I finished all the tests I needed to run…"

"All of them?" Ryan echoed as he came upon the group.

"There was nothing else to do."

Delko was smiling, a twinkle in his eye. "You could have caught some shut eye like the rest of us."

"Sleeping in the lab doesn't appeal to me," Speed was quick to lie. He didn't want them to know he wouldn't have been able to sleep here. Not with the group outside in the parking lot making him feel claustrophobic.

"Eric, I would like you to take Speed home for the day," Horatio spoke. The others hadn't even realized he was within hearing range of their conversation. He held out a hand. "I'll make sure that all your hard work gets to the proper people. You go home and get some sleep."

"I…"

"That's an order, Speed."

He relinquished the paperwork to his boss and let Delko lead him back through the labyrinth of the lab to the locker room so that he could gather his things. Before he could even fully register what had just happened he found himself outside in the morning light, a cool breeze caressing his skin. Members of the National Guard were still poking around the parking lot to make sure that things remained peaceful. He followed Delko to his truck, functioning almost completely on autopilot. Now that he was out of the lab he realized just how tired he was. On the drive to his apartment he fought hard to keep his eyes open, the music streaming through the speakers not enough to keep his mind awake. And Delko wasn't much help sitting behind the steering wheel in silence. When they reached his apartment he opted to take the elevator for once because he didn't have the energy to make it up the stairs. He wouldn't have told anyone but he was thankful to have Delko with him every step of the way, case his exhausted body just couldn't take it anymore.

Somehow he managed to get the key into the lock and open his apartment door. He stumbled inside, leaving his stuff in a heap off to one side. Mite was more than happy to see him, greeting him with a wagging tail and kisses. He gave the dog a half-hearted greeting, the bed in the next room calling his name. Without saying anything or even checking to make sure he closed the door he wandered into his bedroom where he promptly fell onto the comfortable mattress, his head hitting the pillow.

But sleep eluded him.

As he had feared the minute he was in bed his mind began to go on a rampage of fear, horrible thoughts flying around at great speed. He could feel his chest constricting as a panic attack tried to take hold of him. Then he felt a comforting hand on his shoulder as the bed dipped under added body weight. He opened his eyes to find that Delko had settled on the bed in front of him, a concerned look on his face.

"Let the fear go, Speed," he said quietly. "I'll be right here. Nobody is going to hurt you. I promise."

"You have to get back to work," he muttered.

"Horatio will understand." Delko patted him soothingly on the shoulder. "Get some sleep. I'll be out in the living room if you need me. I promise not to leave." He stood and walked toward the door.

"Eric," Speed called. He watched as his friend stopped in the doorway, his left hand resting on the frame, looking back over his shoulder. "Thank you."

Delko didn't say anything. He just smiled, slipping out into the living room.