The Return

Chapter 11

The stinging of Horatio's cheek was not as painful to him as Calleigh's reaction. Knowing it would be a tremendous shock to her finding him alive; he never expected such an angry response. Her slap had stung more than his cheek, it stung his heart even more.

She immediately recalled how he'd staged his death a few years ago, to flush Ron Saris out in the open, automatically thinking Horatio was guilty of doing the same now.

Staring in shock at the woman shaking in front of him, her pain-laced voice came through loud and clear as she spoke through clenched teeth,

"You had them drug me, kidnap me and bring me here just so you could reveal that your death was all a hoax?"

Hearing how she'd been treated, instantly changed his demeanor into one of seething anger.

Firmly setting his jaw he retorted curtly, "They did what?"

Calleigh stood silently before him with tears now flowing freely down her cheeks. His mouth twitched as he turned away and walked to the door, jerking it open, he saw the two FBI agents down the hall and began walking briskly toward them. One was the agent in charge.

Never slowing, Horatio approached; his fist made contact with the agent's jaw, successfully knocking him to the floor. But, Horatio paid a price; the move caused sharp pain to instantly shoot across his chest from his wound sending him down on one knee.

"YOU PROMISED!" Horatio spat through gasps, attempting to override the pain, "you… wouldn't use drugs or force…"

The agent quickly pushed to his feet, wiping away the blood that trickled from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand as he looked down on Horatio.

"I could put your ass in prison for assaulting a federal agent, but I'm going to let you slide this time Caine. But I warn you; if you give us any more trouble… I won't be so inclined."

The man looked up noticing Calleigh standing just a couple of feet away, her faced damp with tears as she stared at them in bewilderment. Then both agents walked away.

"Horatio…" she called out as she stepped closer. "I didn't know…"

Finally, his breathing becoming more normal he countered, "I'm ok… just… just give me a minute."

Pushing himself up to his feet again, he turned toward her, his heart aching thinking about what she'd been put through. Breaking eye contact, he hung his head and stared at the floor, clenching his jaw over and over. I never intended for Calleigh to be hurt. Now, I've done nothing but cause her more pain. Perhaps it would have been better for her to go on thinking I was dead.

Raising his eyes back to her he tilted his head to one side and softly began, "This was a mistake. I don't blame you for hating me. I should have let you go on thinking I was dead… you'd have been better off." Unable to continue the contact, he turned away and added, "I'll have them to take you back… so you can get on with your life."

He moved to step around her, but she reached out and grasped his arm. "I'm… I'm sorry I…"

Turning his head he answered, "I'm the one that's sorry. I just want you to know… I had nothing to do with any of this. By the time I woke up it was all done. This entire situation is for the benefit of the FBI and my father."

His words shocked her. "Why?"

He let out a half-hearted chuckle, "To take down Deidra and the Russians in Miami. My father's joined with the FBI, seeing it as a way his family can regain control… and the FBI… well, you know, it would help them PR wise after the scandals they've had recently.

"I shouldn't have brought you into all this… that's why it's safer for you to not know where we are, so you can go back. I see now it was selfish on my part… wanting you to know I was alive." He took in a deep, painful breath and added, "It'd be better for you if…" he found that he couldn't complete the sentence without his voice breaking.

Calleigh had already released his arm, and he walked away a few steps before she turned around and quickly exclaimed,

"I have no life without you."

Her heartfelt words stopped him in his tracks. Squeezing his watery eyes tightly closed, he tilted his head back then slowly turned around and the sight of her standing there with fresh tears slowly sliding down her cheeks, her bottom lip trembling touched him deeply.

"Are you sure Calleigh?" His voice rough with emotion, he added, "You can go back…"

She closed the distance between them with a few quick steps and fell into his arms sobbing. He wrapped his arms around her tightly, ignoring the pressure she was putting on his still tender wound, feeling a tear of his own making its way down his cheek as he pressed his head against hers. She feels wonderful. Oh how I've missed her warm embrace.

He then whispered in her ear, "I've missed you so much."

As all of her pent-up emotions poured out, her thoughts were only focused on one thing, how wonderful it felt to be held in his strong arms once again, something she thought she'd never experience again.

Hearing her tears slowing, he leaned back slightly and said as he gently pushed her hair from her face, "I know where there's a warm, roaring fire just waiting for us."

She began wiping the tears off her face, but stayed in his embrace as he guided her back to the room they'd left.

Daniel Caine sat in his condo, staring blankly out across the Manhattan skyline. He had returned for a meeting between the regional heads of the Calabria Family to discuss the situation in Miami.

The doorbell rang, interrupting his thoughts. His expression quickly hardened as he turned his attention toward the entry hall. Who could that be? I'm not expecting anyone. He listened as his housekeeper, Helen, answered the door.

After a minute, she appeared at the opening of the living area to announce the caller. It was Harold Bremmerman, a trusted friend in the family.

Daniel started to get up, but Harold waved his hand for him to sit back down as he approached.

"I'm not staying Daniel. I just wanted you to know that our informants in Miami intercepted a few messages about something that's piqued the Russian's interest in Montana."

Daniel stared at his friend for a few moments, Montana? He thought silently, trying not to show his surprise.

"Want me to check it out?"

Daniel felt concern ripple through his body. How could they have possibly found out where Horatio is hidden?

As silence went on between them, Harold added with a grin, "Maybe there's a market for buffalo. Who knows, eh?"

Daniel finally answered, "No - that's ok; I'll look into it myself. We have enough problems in Miami. Why don't you get back down there and I'll join you soon."

Harold looked curiously at him, but knew better than to question any of his friend's decisions.

"Sure Danny, anything you want."

They discussed a couple of other things, then the man offered his goodbyes and left.

Daniel eased back in his chair and closed his eyes. Two months ago, when my doctor told me I only had six months to live… the first thing I knew I had to do was talk to my only remaining son - set everything straight. Then that opportunity was cut short, or so I thought. When that agent from the FBI met secretly with me after viewing Horatio… the proposition he made seemed highly suspicious. But, finally after further explanation, it made sense that we could help each other and upset the Russian's plans to take over Miami. I had nothing to lose by secretly making the deal. I figured it would help the family in the long run and by the time they found out what I had done… I'd be dead. It wouldn't matter.

Then when they told me Horatio was alive, I questioned it. I couldn't understand how he had looked dead, but actually be alive. They explained the drug Tetrodotoxin was used to cause the effect of death. Said it comes from the puffer fish and slows down the heart rate and breathing to a point that it can make a person seem dead. I thought they were crazy! Then a couple of weeks later, they let me talk to him…

Daniel picked up his cell phone and punched in the number. When he heard the voice at the other end he began, "We've got a serious problem."

Deidra stared out the small, oblong window of the plane at the top of the clouds below. Her days in the KGB had taught her nothing if not patience. But, her patience was wearing thin about her inability to secure Miami for the Bratva. Those higher in the Brotherhood were beginning to lose faith in her and that worried her. The main obstacle in her way had been Lieutenant Horatio Caine.

That afternoon after arriving at the place where they were holding the young CSI, hoping to use him to lure Caine into a trap, she could hardly believe their luck. They were given a gift – Caine appeared before they even put their plan in motion, and on top of that she was the one given the opportunity to take him out. At least she thought she had.

If our mole in the FBI is correct, Caine is supposedly still alive and being kept hidden away in Montana, near Kalispell in fact. It's just a matter of finding him and completing the task of eliminating him once and for all.

She rested her head against the seat back, closing her eyes beginning to think back to a day not long ago when she had discovered the connection between Daniel Caine and the police lieutenant. She smiled at the thought. Daniel Caine is a dinosaur. He's from an almost forgotten time. The day has come for the old to step back and let the new, younger generation take control of the business, only the old goat is stubborn – seemingly not one to relinquish control easily. They need to face the facts that the Calabria Family has lost its touch. After a little digging, I almost couldn't believe what I found. Horatio Caine was Daniel's estranged son! I finally found the leverage I needed.

This time, I'm making damn sure Horatio Caine is dead, never to return to Miami. Then I'll take care of Daniel. I want him to know the price one pays for going against us.

Kallispell, Montana is a small town situated a few miles west of Glacier National Park. Actually, containing the largest population in the northwest part of the state, it serves as a regional center for a large surrounding area, but more importantly, due to its proximity of the park, it is a prominent starting point for those who wish to do some hunting and exploring.

Frank and Walter arrived in Kallispell just before dark. After securing rooms at one of the local motels, they found the Flathead County Sheriff's Department and hoped the top man would still be there. He was.

Ushered into his office, the tall, rugged middle-aged man stood up from his chair behind the desk and shook hands with them.

"Jared Buckley," the man introduced himself. Frank and Walter introduced themselves. Then the sheriff asked,

"Gentlemen, what brings you all the way from Miami to our neck of the woods?"

They explained their reason as the sheriff listened intently. After they were through, Jared tightened his lips and looked greatly affected by their story.

"I'm sure you know the first place to look is the municipal airport for any arrivals today. I'll call and check on that. Meanwhile, I'll put out a BOLO to local law enforcement with the description of your missing CSI and alert the officers to check around to see if anyone noticed strangers in town today. If the kidnappers intended on taking her into the mountains, they would have had to stock up on supplies and this being a small town, the store owners would remember."

Frank responded, "That'd be great. We'd like to do some poking around of our own, if that's ok?"

"Sure," the sheriff responded quickly. "The more folks looking, the better our chances. But, if the kidnappers are Russian, they're going to stick out like a sore thumb around here."

Frank and Walter looked at each other before Walter added, "Not necessarily. For the most part, members of the Russian mafia in Miami look more European. Not Slavic."

Frank soured thinking how they were at a disadvantage by not having good descriptions of the two men who took Calleigh.

The sheriff picked up the phone and called the tower at the local airport. His conversation sounded positive at first, but quickly changed. Frank and Walter anxiously sat waiting to hear what he'd found out.

Hanging up the phone, Jared looked up at the men and said, "A plane landed about an hour ago, but the passengers didn't fit your description. There was a woman onboard alright, traveling with six men, but she was not blond, and they were geologists; had all the right credentials."

TBC…