The Return
Chapter 7
A/N: I would like to explain to my readers that there is a one-shot recently posted on FanFiction which is similar in many ways to this chapter. My storyline and plot could not be changed to avoid duplication without taking the entire story down. My story's ending had already been completed, with this chapter being essential. Any similarities on my part are purely coincidental.
Eric looked over at Natalia where she was kneeling down next to the pool of Horatio's blood gathering a sample. They all knew whose blood it was. Sometimes though, the perpetrator can't resist checking to make sure they were successful, therefore leaving minute traces of DNA. He closed his eyes and hung his head. I can't believe this has happened. I've always been aware of how Horatio places himself in danger for the safety of his team, but this…
The sound of soft crying caused him to look up. His heart ached even more noticing Natalia dabbing at her eyes while whispering softly,
"I just can't believe this…"
"Makes two of us Nat," Eric answered mutely, struggling with feelings of helplessness then asked hurriedly, "You about through so we can get over to the hospital?"
"Um, yeah… yeah, that was my last sample," she answered as she closed the tube and placed it in her kit, snapping the box closed.
Both CSIs heard someone enter, Frank walked in from outside where he'd been directing his officers. The expression on his face told them he was suffering just as much as they were.
Everyone in the department was aware of the close friendship between Horatio Caine and Frank Tripp. The two men had worked closely together when Horatio worked homicide early in his career with MDPD, and Frank in patrol. During that time, they formed a bond realizing that they enjoyed some of the same things including – following local sports teams, mostly the Miami Heat. What had made their friendship stronger was the fact that Horatio had been there for his friend through three divorces, as well as girlfriend difficulties and Frank had always appreciated that. Now his friend was lying in a hospital, fighting for life.
"You guys ready to go? I want to get on up to the hospital, check on…" he abruptly stopped and blew out a heavy breath before finishing, "Horatio."
Eric walked over and placed his hand on the big man's shoulder.
"It's hard on all of us Frank. We're ready."
Frank responded by nodding his head in agreement before turning and walking out of the house ahead of the two CSIs.
When Calleigh heard the familiar voice, she slowly raised her head from resting in her hands. Looking over at the information desk she saw Daniel Caine. Anger quickly rose to the surface from deep inside and she jumped up so fast that it startled Alexx.
"Calleigh… what's wrong?"
Calleigh ignored her friend's question; her focus was on Horatio's father. Stopping just behind the older man, her voice taut with anger she called out,
"How dare you show up here."
Daniel Caine, accompanied by Luther, his assistant, spun around and found himself the object of the blond woman's wrath.
With a firm voice he answered, "I have every right to be here, Horatio is my son. He's been gravely injured…"
"Thanks to you," Calleigh blurted out.
The man's expression changed from deep concern to unbelief at her accusation.
"What are you talking about? I warned him… I was so afraid something like this would happen."
Alexx walked up, stopping behind Calleigh, attempting to understand what was going on. She'd overheard the man claim to be Horatio's father, now she was puzzled; she'd always thought his father was dead.
Calleigh snapped, "I saw you drop Deidra off at the house where the team found Ryan. You can't tell me that you had nothing to do with his kidnapping. It was your car. What did you do, use Ryan to lure Horatio into your trap?"
Daniel Caine looked shocked. He responded to her allegations angrily,
"How dare you accuse me of such a thing. I have no idea what you're talking about. I know nothing about any Deidra, or dropping anyone off at a house… I…" then suddenly he remembered that Luther had taken his car out earlier.
Turning toward the big man he inquired, "Luther… you took my car out to have it cleaned earlier today, where did you go?"
Instantly, the big man pulled a gun from under his coat, pointing it toward Calleigh and Daniel. Alexx gasped as she grabbed Calleigh's arm.
Daniel Caine stepped in front of Calleigh to shield her from any harm. Too much pain had already been inflicted on innocent people and while he had no particular feelings for the blond, he knew she loved his son.
"Put the gun down Luther… you don't want to do this!" Daniel angrily commanded.
Luther didn't move, just smirked and sarcastically began,
"You got to face facts old man. Miami doesn't belong to tired, old men in a family from the north. It's a different world… one that's moving fast. We're running this city now… the Bratva (brotherhood) is ready to make things happen. You were warned. Lieutenant Caine was the major obstacle in our way. With him out of the picture, no one will be able to stop us."
Calleigh stepped out from behind Horatio's father, firmly responding, "That's where you're wrong. We'll hunt you down and everyone else involved in this. You will pay."
Luther began backing up, still holding the gun on them. Laughing as he answered the brash police woman,
"No one will stop the Bratva… Caine couldn't, what makes you so sure?"
The man had only spit those words out when he suddenly stopped moving. The hard steel he felt pressed through his jacket into his muscular back, forced him to acknowledge that he wasn't going to escape.
Eric growled, "MDPD, you're under arrest. Put the gun down… NOW!"
Luther tightened his lips as he relaxed his grip on the gun, holding it out grip first. Two hospital security officers quickly took possession of the weapon and handed it to Frank who was standing on the other side of the man. Eric immediately reached out and roughly brought the man's arms back securing him in handcuffs. That done Eric shoved the man down the hall to waiting officers.
Alexx visibly sagged in relief that no one had been harmed. Calleigh quickly turned to Horatio's father and announced,
"Don't think shielding me from your man changes anything. You're mixed up in this some way and I'm going to find out how."
Daniel pulled in a deep, steadying breath before responding,
"My dear woman, the nature of my business breeds discontent among the underlings and at times, disloyalty for promises of a better life," then his voice took on an air of bitter anger, "but I can assure you that I did not come here to have my son gunned down."
Frank approached the pair, eyeing the man with suspicion, "You alright Cal?"
Calleigh diverted her attention from Daniel, to a solemn Frank before answering, "Not really…."
She reached out a shaky hand and squeezed the detective's arm, knowing he was just as upset about what had happened to Horatio as anyone.
No one noticed the man dressed in scrubs, his perspiration evident on the green material, exit the double doors headed toward the surgery waiting area. He began thinking how he dreaded the times when bad news about loved ones had to be brought to a family, but in this case, it was even worse. He'd rather have been anywhere else but here at this moment. Caught between what he knew he had to do, and what he should do, was weighing heavily on his emotions.
His deep, strained voice called out as he approached, "Family of Horatio Caine?"
Everyone in the group froze. Daniel spoke up and answered, "Yes doctor," the elderly man looked around at the painful expressions around him, "We're all his family. Please give us good news."
Frank stayed beside Calleigh as if to shield her from what the doctor was about to say.
Struggling to vocalize the words, which he realized was so uncharacteristic of him; he finally shook his head and softly said,
"I'm sorry. We… we just lost the Lieutenant on the operating table." Unable to look anyone in the eye, he hung his head and then quickly walked away before questions could be asked. He knew he would not be able to handle that.
Everyone stood stunned. The deafening silence that suddenly enveloped the group was only interrupted by the sound of Daniel collapsing into a nearby chair. The man's face reflecting the shock he felt at the news. The opportunity that I was given to correct the horrible mistakes I made with my son, is now gone forever.
Natalia's brown eyes darted toward Calleigh, then Alexx seeking verification that she heard the doctor correctly. She then looked at Eric who stood across the room, his tanned face going almost colorless with shock.
"This can't be happening," Calleigh softly responded as she clutched Frank's arm, her chin and lower lip trembled as she continued, "Horatio… can't be… He can't." She then squeezed her eyes tightly closed; covering them with her other hand.
Just as suddenly, her hand dropped from her face, while at the same time her large green, teary eyes opened and she cried, "They made a mistake… they…"
Alexx now stood in front of her distraught friend and pulled her close in a tight embrace, while at the same time, wiping back her own tears that slid down her cheeks.
Her trembling voice interrupted Calleigh's reaction,
"Sugar… doctors don't make those kind of mistakes. You know they did everything they could… You have to believe that," she pleaded. Alexx then felt Calleigh's body sag against her and the sobs that followed broke her heart.
Frank stood unmoving; his expression dazed … the painful words shaking him to the core like nothing he'd ever experienced before.
Eric's soulful; dark brown eyes locked with Natalia's and for several moments he couldn't breathe. His mind was struggling to come to terms with the doctor's announcement, then suddenly, he felt himself engulfed in Natalia's warm embrace. Holding her tight as she sobbed, he could only stare blankly beyond her.
All of a sudden Walter rounded the corner of the waiting area with great urgency, anxious for any news about his boss, failing at first to notice the devastating sorrow that his friends and colleagues were exhibiting, the tall young man blurted out,
"Got here as soon as I could, how's…" he abruptly stopped in mid-question coming to realize that all around the room, his colleague's expressions were grave. He squeezed his eyes closed and mumbled,
"Oh no… no. He…" unable to vocalize further, he immediately placed both hands on top of his head as his mouth dropped open in shock realizing what must have happened.
Daniel Caine stood, looking around and for the first time realized the tremendous impact his son's life must have had on everyone here and he felt proud. A pride albeit that was dampened by sorrow, sorrow in knowing that it took this devastating event to learn that his son made a difference in people's lives, something he could never claim. After watching the group for a minute, he turned and began an agonizing walk toward the nurses who were standing behind the counter, reverently standing by to help.
With a shaky and halting voice he asked, "When… um, can I see my son? I… need to… see him."
Calleigh heard Horatio's father ask the question she herself wanted an answer to. She had to see Horatio… she had to see for herself that he was really gone. Turning in Alexx's embrace, attempting to wipe her cheeks free of tears, she looked at the man whose shoulders were slumped from heavy heartache and for the first time since meeting him, she actually felt a pang of sympathy. Right now, she was so confused and devastated that she didn't know how she really felt. Her entire body felt numb.
It seemed to take forever before they could see Horatio. The hospital staff had transferred him to a room, affording his father and the team as much privacy as possible.
Calleigh gripped Frank's arm tightly as he escorted her into the room behind Daniel Caine. Frank felt protective of Calleigh, sensing her relationship with Horatio went beyond just boss and subordinate. As they and the rest of the team approached the bed that held their mentor and friend, gasps could be heard softly escaping with the hard realization of the truth… a bullet did cut their beloved leader down.
TBC…