A/N: Sorry to keep everyone reading this story hanging, but life comes along. I hope everyone enjoys!
The Bittersweet Taste of Victory
As Frank heard the first gunshot, he turned from the patrolmen he was talking with, in what felt like slow motion watching as Horatio was knocked off his feet and slammed to the pavement. Immediately drawing his weapon, Frank began running toward Horatio; Calleigh had drawn her weapon almost simultaneously with the gunshot and dropped the perp where he stood. Frank screamed at his officers to go after a second man who was running toward a dark blue car which was hidden among several other vehicles in the lot, just over at the edge.
Fear induced running had Frank on the pavement beside Calleigh and a prone Horatio in just seconds. Pulling his cell phone out of his jacket pocket Frank called 911 screaming, "Officer down, officer down at 11593 Hibiscus, we need paramedics NOW!"
Calleigh was sobbing and calling Horatio's name over and over as she was caressing his face and reached out and felt his neck feeling for a pulse. Horatio was out cold and to Frank it did not seem as if he were breathing, which greatly alarmed him.
"Cal can you feel a pulse? Cal…Sweetheart…does he have a pulse?" Frank asked her twice attempting to break through her evident shock, to get an answer.
"Frank…" Calleigh said almost screaming, "I…don't…think I feel anything PLEASE check for me…I am shaking so much I can't tell!" Calleigh pleaded through her tears.
At this time, the entire team came out of the building where the previous shooting had occurred with their weapons drawn after hearing the gunshots. They all looked concerned when they noticed Calleigh and Frank attending to someone lying on the pavement.
Eric was the first to realize who it was on the ground, "IT'S H…SOMETHING'S HAPPENED TO H!" and he began running toward them.
At Horatio's side, Frank exclaimed, "He has a faint pulse, Cal…thank God!"
Calleigh tore Horatio's shirt open to search for his wound and found he had in fact put on an armored vest. She felt a wave of relief wash over her, but she knew someone could still be badly injured from a large caliber bullet even with a vest on. In the split second she had been able to see the perp's gun, she knew it was a .45 Cal and probably loaded with God only knows what type of rounds.
"Thank the Lord for a vest Frank," Calleigh said through her sobs. She began to loosen the shoulder straps which were closed with Velcro.
Again Calleigh called, "Handsome…please Handsome wake up," she pleaded still caressing his face.
After reaching them, Eric just stood over his friend and mentor lying, on the pavement and just froze in shock and began sucking in deep breaths to keep his composure. He then noticed the uniform officers wrestling with a man on the ground across the parking lot and he knew he was part of what had happened to Horatio. Eric abruptly began running to help the officers because he couldn't wait to get his hands on the guy.
Eric screamed as he roughly pulled the man out of the officer's grip, with murder in his eyes, "You SCUMBAG…do you know what you have done? YOU just gave yourself a death sentence!"
The two young officers were attempting to calm Eric down when Ryan and Walter ran over to get Eric off the guy.
Walter shouted as he pried Eric loose, "Hey Man…he's not worth it…come on…let them handle him ok? C'mon let's go back to Horatio."
Ryan and Walter walked with Eric back to Horatio and still heard Calleigh pleading with Horatio to wake up and it was extremely unsettling to them.
Suddenly, Horatio's entire body jerked with spasm and his eyes flew open, but not seeming to focus on anything as he was gasping desperately for air.
Calleigh still trying to comfort him encouraged Horatio to start taking short breaths, "Can you hear me Horatio?"
Horatio looked up at Calleigh and then Frank with his eyes wide open as he struggled for breath. Calleigh was afraid to raise Horatio up to more of a sitting position, not knowing what further damage that could cause him, but it hurt her so much seeing the man she loved in this much distress.
"Where are the damn paramedics?" Frank inquired looking around their location. Just as soon as he had said those words, he heard a siren approaching, "About damn time guys!"
Horatio finally seemed to focus on Calleigh as he barely was able to whisper, "Ca…Cal," attempting to talk, caused him to gasp for breath even harder and suddenly he gripped his chest with one of his hands as he began to cough and Calleigh was alarmed even more when she noticed blood was now on his lips.
"Don't try to talk…ok…the paramedics are on their way…please hold on Handsome," Calleigh said trying to calm him as her tears continued streaming down her face.
"Ma'am let us have him…we need to have some room to work," a paramedic calmly requested.
Frank stepped across and began lifting Calleigh to her feet to move her back to give them room to work on Horatio. As Calleigh got to her feet she turned into Frank's arms and collapsed in sobs.
"Cal…come on Cal, you gotta stay strong Sweetheart…he is going to be alright, you know how tough he is…," Frank told her as he softly rubbed her back, but thinking to himself, he sure better be for all their sakes. Natalia also had walked over to Calleigh and quietly gave her words of encouragement.
As he held Calleigh, Frank scanned the team standing around watching their mentor and friend fight for his life with the identical look of fear and shock registering on their faces.
After a few moments, the paramedics were preparing to place Horatio on the stretcher, when Eric, Walter and Ryan helped them gently pick him up. Moving him to the ambulance, the paramedics quickly placed Horatio inside the back of the ambulance where they placed an oxygen mask on his face to help his breathing and started a drip in his arm. One paramedic radioed Miami-Dade General giving them an update on the condition of their patient. They then connected Horatio to a heart monitor so his blood pressure could be monitored.
Having stabilized Horatio, a paramedic told the group one person could ride with him to the hospital and Frank told them Calleigh was the Lieutenant's wife and she would go with him. He helped Calleigh into the back of the ambulance and closed and locked the doors. After slapping the doors signifying they were ready to roll, the ambulance began making its way on the 10 minute ride to the hospital.
As Calleigh watched the paramedic monitoring Horatio, it was disturbing to watch as he was still having difficulty breathing, even with the oxygen mask and she asked if that was to be expected.
"Yes ma'am, the paramedic answered, he shows all the symptoms of a punctured lung and until the doctors in the ER can aspirate the air in his chest, he will continue to experience difficulty breathing."
Calleigh suddenly was alerted to the heart monitor alarming as it showed Horatio's blood pressure dropping. She was holding Horatio's cool hand in hers and she began to quietly encourage him to hold on for a little longer as tears flowed down her cheeks.
In a couple of minutes, the ambulance reached the ER entrance and a nurse and doctor were standing outside waiting to take Horatio inside. They wasted no time getting him into a trauma room as the paramedic was giving them an update on his condition. Calleigh was running along with the gurney until they reached the large double doors and a pair of strong hands kept her from continuing. She turned to see who was holding her and she realized it was Dr. Woodall who had kept her from going in with Horatio.
"Mrs. Caine…what has happened?" the doctor asked in puzzlement.
"Oh, Dr. Woodall, I am so glad you are here…Horatio was shot this morning…" Calleigh's voice shakily told him.
"Shot…at home? He was not supposed to be back at work yet," the doctor exclaimed.
Calleigh managed a slight chuckle through her tears and replied, "Doctor, he went back to work barely a day after you saw him…you don't know how stubborn my husband can be. I have tried to keep an eye on him at work, persuading him to take it easy, but we are involved with a case right now that Horatio just can't stay away from. This morning he was shot at a crime scene, but thankfully he had an armored vest on."
"I am glad he did have on the vest, but I am sure you aware a person can still be seriously injured, especially in this case since his ribs had already suffered trauma. Is anyone here with you?"
"They won't be far behind us Doctor…"
"Calleigh," Frank called as he found her standing with a doctor, "any news yet?"
"Not yet Frank…they just got him into trauma; this is Dr. Woodall, he saw Horatio in the ER a few days ago after the incident with the thugs."
"Detective," the doctor said as he greeted Frank.
Frank returned the greeting and asked, "Are you working on his case?" Frank asked solemnly.
"No, I am not on duty at the moment, but I saw Mrs. Caine and stopped her to ask what had happened. Since you are here for her, I will go back and alert them to Horatio's previous injuries and come back to give you an update."
"Thank you doctor," Calleigh softly said in appreciation as Frank was holding her.
About 45 minutes later, Dr. Woodall came out of the trauma rooms into the waiting area and noticed there were now several people with Mrs. Caine, suspecting they were colleagues.
"May I speak freely on Horatio's condition Mrs. Caine?"
"Yes…please, we are all family."
"The doctors have him stabilized finally…they had a difficult time getting his blood pressure up and keeping it stabilized, but he has improved slightly after they released the air in his chest cavity by needle aspiration. The bullet which hit the vest, where one of his ribs was already broken, caused one rib to puncture his left lung. It compressed his chest by 38cm, but if it had been an impact of 42cm, he would not be alive right now. They are preparing him for surgery now to go in and repair the rib and a small rupture in his spleen. It will not be a major invasive surgery so he should recover faster."
Looking at Mrs. Caine trying to absorb this information he touched her arm and said, "Mrs. Caine…I can take you back and let you see him for just a few moments, if you would like."
As Calleigh walked with the doctor to the trauma rooms, she tried to regain enough composure to see Horatio. Reaching his room the doctor left to give her few moments alone with her husband.
Calleigh entered the room and saw Horatio lying in a bed with an oxygen tube under his nose, an IV in his arm and a monitor softly beeping by his head registering his heartbeats and blood pressure.
She walked to the side of his bed and softly whispered, "Handsome…" reaching out to tenderly take his hand.
Horatio opened his eyes and gave her a little smile, "Hey…Beautiful…you ok?"
"I am better now that I see you breathing easier Handsome. They are getting ready to take you into surgery to get you fixed up, but I will be here when you come out, ok?"
"I…love…you…Cal"
Through her tears she answered, "I love you Horatio."
The nurse approached and lightly placed her hand on her arm and told her it was time for them to take him into surgery, assuring Calleigh they would take good care of him. Calleigh then leaned over and gave Horatio a soft kiss and reluctantly let go of his hand and placed it back on the bed.
It had been over 2 hours since they had taken Horatio into surgery and after a while, Calleigh got tired of waiting and feeling the after effects of the morning, her eyes became heavy so she rested her head on the wall behind her chair, closing her eyes. Frank and Eric had stayed with her, Ryan and Natalia offered to return to the lab to begin processing the evidence from both crimes.
Suddenly Calleigh heard a familiar voice call out asking, "Somebody tell me why you guys are sitting in a surgical waiting area?"
Calleigh immediately knew it was Alexx. Jumping to her feet, Calleigh rushed to her dear friend and enveloped her in a tight hug.
"Oh, Alexx I am so glad you are here," Calleigh said as a few tears once again threatened to escape from her red, swollen eyes."
"Calleigh what's wrong baby…where is Horatio?" alarmed at Calleigh's appearance.
"He's…he's in surgery Alexx," Calleigh answered and could no longer contain her fresh tears.
Alexx was astonished with Calleigh's answer and motioned for them to sit down concerned about her friend's condition. Calleigh began explaining what had happened.
After a few minutes, Alexx shook her head in despair and then looked at Frank and Eric's concerned faces and said, "You hold on…I will go back into the surgical suites and check on what is going on with Horatio, ok?"
"Thank you Alexx…" Calleigh replied.
Alexx disappeared behind the doors leading to the surgical area and was gone about 30 minutes before walking back to the group. Calleigh was trying to read her face for any sign of what she found out as her friend approached.
"Calleigh," as she took her hands and then looked at Frank and Eric who had moved closer, "surgery was just completed…Horatio's lung gave the surgeons a bit of trouble as it kept leaking air into his chest cavity. They had to insert a tube into his chest to relieve the pressure of air accumulation and it will stay in until his lung heals more. They also had more than one rupture to repair in his spleen, but they were able to correct them without removing the organ, which is a blessing. Right now he is being taken to ICU for tonight so he can be monitored closely, but they expect Horatio will be able to be moved to a private room tomorrow."
"Can I see him?" Calleigh asked hopefully.
"Give the staff about 10 minutes to get him settled in his room baby, and then I will take you back, ok?"
Calleigh shook her head in agreement, but looked frightened.
"Baby, Horatio is a strong man…he will be alright," Alexx softly said as she rubbed Calleigh's shoulder.
Frank in his usual gruff voice said, "Well I am heading back to the station and begin arranging for this scum we have in custody to meet the judge in his cell to give his sworn statement. I am not about to let another SOB get eliminated by Vogel's rats…not after this."
Eric stood and said he would go with Frank, but before he left he gave Calleigh a hug and told her, "If you need me Cal, just call, ok?"
"Thank you Eric…I really appreciate it."
Alexx led Calleigh to the ICU and asked the nurses which room was Lieutenant Caine's. After entering the room, Calleigh saw him lying so vulnerable connected to machines and tubes. She softly began sobbing and Alexx quietly held her and shed a tear or two of her own.
Alexx broke the hug after a few minutes and said, "Hey now…let's not shed any more tears, ok? Horatio will be good as new in no time."
Alexx's comment brought a slight smile to Calleigh's lips and she began wiping her tears away.
"Baby, I need to go…my shift begins in a little bit, but I will check back with you later and see how you are both doing."
"Thank you so much Alexx for being here…I don't think I could have handled this without you."
"Baby, …the team is here for you too."
"I know…it just meant so much to me for you to be here."
"I wouldn't be anywhere else when something happens to one of my babies. You try to relax now it will be a while before Horatio wakes up."
Calleigh stayed all night in Horatio's room trying to sleep in a large chair by his bed that really didn't afford her a good night's sleep. For a time she watched as the nurses tenderly cared for him before her eyes got heavy and she drifted off to sleep.
The first rays of light were peeping through the small window behind her when she heard a woman's voice calling to her from what seemed to be far away. "Mrs. Caine…Mrs. Caine?"
Slowly opening her eyes, Calleigh saw a young nurse's face smiling at her saying something that didn't register with her at first, but then she plainly heard the most wonderful words anyone could say, "Your husband is awake and is asking for you!"
Calleigh shot up out of the chair, strongly reminded that a chair was not the best bed, but it didn't slow her down from reaching Horatio's side. Horatio was looking up at her and smiling.
"Hi…Sweetheart…kind of…early for you…?" Horatio slightly slurred and attempted to lift his hand to her face, but found he just didn't have the strength.
Calleigh gave him a radiant smile and tenderly said, "Hey there Handsome! How are you feeling?"
"Better…Cal…better," as his breathing quickened.
"Horatio Caine…you scared me to death…we are going to talk about this later…you understand?" she softly said as she placed her hand on the side of his face and gently caressed him.
Horatio just smiled at her and drifted back off to sleep.
The nurse informed her that he would be drifting in and out for a while longer as he came out of the anesthesia. She encouraged Calleigh by telling her all the monitors reflected improvement so, she was sure the doctor would move him to a private room later in the day.
Horatio had been in the hospital now for three days and was improving each day to the point the doctor told them he expected to be able to let him go home at the end of the week if there were no complications.
Calleigh was helping Horatio with his lunch when there was a knock on the room's door before Eric walked in followed by Frank and the rest of the team.
"There's the man of the year!" Eric said loudly and smiled.
Horatio looked confused at Eric and said, "What are you talking about?"
"The mayor sent a notice to the lab informing us that you are going to be honored for risking your life above and beyond the call of duty while saving a fellow officer." The rest of the team stood around and smiled at their boss.
Horatio looked down as his face slowly blushed…Calleigh smiled and reached over and lifted his chin and said, "You deserve this honor Handsome."
Horatio looked away and then turned back to Calleigh and softly said, "No…the only honor I need is for you to always be with me," he said as he sweetly smiled and looked deep into her sparkling green eyes that were welling with tears.
"How you say the sweetest things Handsome…now you are going to make me start crying again!" Calleigh responded as he gently pulled her down for a short, sweet kiss.
"Well when you are able, whether you want it or not…you are getting the commendation and we all feel it is well deserved because you have saved all of us at one time or another with total disregard to you own safety!" Natalia told him smiling.
Horatio enjoyed the team visiting him and he was able to inquire as to what was happening at the lab, but he knew they were not telling him everything.
That night, Calleigh thought it was as good a time as any and began, "Horatio, you knew I had on a vest, why did you step in front of me when that man appeared with a gun? I thought he had killed you…"
Horatio looked away from her, but she could tell tears were forming in his eyes, then he softly answered after turning back to her, "Sweetheart…I…l lost one wife to a shooter…I wasn't about to lose you." Horatio held her hand and looked down at their joined hands and said, "Cal…if something happened to you…I couldn't go on living." Looking up at his wife, there were tears streaming down her face and he reached out and wiped them off her cheek, ignoring his own.
"Horatio…you are the sweetest man I have ever known…I love you so much…but don't you ever do this again, you hear me?" she said as she began smiling through her tears.
Horatio returned her smile and only said, "Can't promise that Sweetheart," as he gently pulled her down against his chest and wrapped his right arm around and just held her. "I hope all of this hasn't hurt our chances with adopting Austin and Patty."
Calleigh looked up at him and said, "It's not our fault Horatio, it will work out."
It was the end of the week and he was told as soon as the doctor came by and checked him, they would discharge him home. Horatio thought it could not come soon enough, I hate hospitals he thought, I only stayed this long for Calleigh's sake. Since our wedding night, Cal has been taking care of me and it is time to be normal again. Plus, I want to be able to visit Vogel and tell him to his face he was finished…they had enough evidence to expose him for what he was…a criminal.
Dr. Thompson and Dr. Woodall came to the room as Calleigh had just finished helping Horatio dress to leave.
"Horatio, how are you feeling today?" Dr. Thompson asked.
"I'm good doctor and ready to check out," Horatio responded.
"We will see…I am going to check you out if you wouldn't mind lying down in the bed for a minute," the doctor said as he helped Horatio get situated.
Dr. Thompson lightly pressed on Horatio's chest and abdomen and could tell he was trying to control his response to the pain.
"Horatio, it is alright to wince…I fully expected you to feel some pain yet. Be honest with me, between one and ten what level is your pain today?"
Horatio responded, "Four."
"That's where it should be right now." Helping him to sit up he checked his lungs, "I want you to keep doing the breathing exercises they will help your lung to heal faster."
After writing some notes in his chart, Dr. Thompson looked up at his patient and began, "I think
I can release you today. Everything sounds good and I want it to stay that way. Horatio, you had a serious lung injury and your spleen was worse than when Dr. Woodall treated you in the ER about a week ago. I have spoken to your superior at the police department and he assured me that you will not report to duty until I clear you. Is that understood?"
Horatio looked down with dissatisfaction very evident on his face, but answered, "Yes Sir."
This did not escape Calleigh's attention as she thought you better behave Handsome…I am not going to be so lenient this time.
"You need plenty of rest and it will be very important for you to take easy, daily walks. NO overdoing, no exertion and no driving until I clear you…understood?" Horatio answered by shaking his head that he did.
"Ahem, now about sex…no restrictions as long as your pain is controlled. I think it will be up to you as to whether to hold off or not."
Horatio looked over at Calleigh and grinned as her face began blushing crimson, "I understand."
"I will see you back for an appointment in one week, the particulars are on your discharge sheet which the nurse will give you. Any questions from either of you?" he asked as he looked over at Calleigh. They both answered no.
"Take care Horatio, see you in a week," Dr. Thompson said before leaving.
Dr. Woodall told them he would be on duty tonight in the ER and if there were any problems, just give him a call. They thanked him and assured him they would.
As they entered the patient pick up location in the garage, Frank was waiting by his car.
"Thanks for picking us up my friend," Horatio said smiling.
"Glad to Horatio…you sure look hell of a lot better than when you came in this place!" Calleigh smiled at their friend's summation and heartily agreed.
"Feel a lot better too!" Horatio responded.
Frank helped Horatio into the house and told them if there was anything he could do, just give him a call.
That night in bed, Calleigh softly said as she lay by Horatio's side, "How I have missed lying beside you in our bed Handsome."
"Sweetheart, it seems like it has been years since I have been home in our bed!" Horatio pulled her close to his side and they drifted off to sleep.
The days went by and Horatio felt stronger as time went by and he was thoroughly enjoying his recuperation with Calleigh, especially their evening walks on the beach.
One day Horatio came out of the bedroom after lunch dressed as if he were going to work.
"Just where do you think you are going might I ask?" Calleigh inquired as she met him in the living room.
"Um, Sweetheart, Frank is coming by in a few minutes and he is taking me to the detention center to meet with Vogel."
"Horatio…" he placed a finger on her lips signaling for her to listen as he held her in his arms.
"Cal…I am not going to the lab, I am only going to see Vogel, ok? I promise I will take it easy and will be back before you know it."
Calleigh only glared at her husband, but then softening her expression, she knew there was no way to stop him so she said, "I hope you wipe the smirk off his face," she said.
Horatio leaned in and kissed her, almost taking her breath away and replied, "That's my plan Sweetheart."
Vogel was cuffed and sitting at the table when Horatio and Frank entered the small room.
"Well, well Lieutenant…you look no worse for wear," Vogel said as he smiled at Horatio as they entered.
"No thanks to you Vogel. I wanted to be the first to give you the news…" Horatio said as he stood near the man, "You…are officially out of business!" Horatio said as he watched Vogel's expression change immediately and smiled with pleasure.
"I don't know what you are talking about my good man."
Horatio responded, "Oh I think you do. We have one of your rats on ice and he has already squealed to a judge."
Vogel only sat there at a loss for words.
"I hope you like solitary confinement because that is where you will be for the rest of your days," Horatio growled. "Guard we are through with this garbage."
Horatio took as deep a breath as his lungs allowed and turned to Frank and said, "Let's go Frank."
TBC…