A few weeks passed since that court day. And true to his word Horatio and the others worked over time trying to catch the real killer. Arya had helped as much as she could, telling them what she saw, what she saw of the attacker. They had gotten some DNA from between the teeth of her mother and were now running it through codus. Other than that as far as the court was concerned, either Arya did it or the case would go unsolved. Speed paced angrily back and forth in front of valerya. She looked up. "Speed pacing isn't gonna get these results any faster." Tim sighed stopping for a moment. "I can't help it! We need this guy." Valerya rolled her eyes as a beep of a match sounded. "Well looks like your guy is.. A Zuko Decklen." He nodded and ran up to catch Horatio. He knocked over and startled people in the halls but he didn't care. He ran into Eric and Eric laughed catching him. "What's the rush!" Tim shook his head and disentangled from Eric, already starting to run. "No time! Get a warrant for a Zuko Decklens' arrest!" Tim crashed into Horatio's office startling Arya and the lieutenant. He panted resting on his knees. Horatio's eyebrows shot up to his hairline as he got up from his desk. "Speed. What's up." Speed groaned. "Zuko...Decklen...killer..." Horatio growled getting his keys. "Ok. Let's go pick him up." He walked past Tim and lead Arya to frank for him to watch her. He kissed her head and made his way out of the lab to his hummer. As he got in he smiled grimly. They finally had their man.
In the interrogation room Horatio stood in his normal stance. Sunglasses in hand he stared at Zuko. Everyone, even Arya was watching outside. And everyone could see how close to losing his temper Horatio was. Except for, of course Zuko. Horatio spoke his voice a dark growling rumble. "So.. You know this family.." He put out pictures of them never breaking eye contact. When Zuko looked at the picture and his eyes widened and relaxed, Horatio knew, Zuko had killed them. "Why'd you kill them?" Zuko shook his head. "I went over a few times..saw some problems." Horatio stared at him. "So you decided to end those problems by taking their lives." Zuko swallowed hard. "Come off it lieutenant.. I didn't. They would have done it themselves." Horatio's eyes flashed. "You left an 8 year old girl...an orphan." Zuko growled slowly. "I just put her out of her misery. I saw what her parents were like. I was doing her a favor." Horatio looked down for a moment and walked to Zuko, forcing him to stand, he got right in Zuko's personal space, intimidating with his demeanor and proximity. "Mr. Decklen.." His voice held nothing but anger and power. "That was not for you to decide." He met Zuko's eyes letting the anger and disgust show on his face. Zuko stared back at Horatio, a mixture of fear and anger on his face but he did not respond. For a moment Horatio wished Zuko would take a swing. So he could swing back, harder. Much harder. "You know.. Mr. Decklen. You really picked the wrong family for this..." His mouth pulled back in a snarl. Zuko swallowed and tried to hide his fear behind fake confidence. "You can't prove anything!" Horatio turned and set his glasses and jacket down. Not looking up he pulled out the buttons on his sleeves rolling them up his arms. "You are...resisting arrest." He could hear the blood rushing in his ears. His mind and body screamed for justice. Not the kind you achieved in a courtroom. The kind that left the blood of the weaker opponent on his knuckles. The beast inside Horatio screamed for the feeling of flesh hitting flesh. All for the sake of the girl who couldn't do it herself. He would gladly use police brutality. Zuko's voice rang out in his blood haze. "Damn right I am!" Horatio smirked slowly. "Let's see how long that lasts..." In a flash Horatio had him pinned to the wall, his forearm in Zuko's throat. With a feral growl he kept increasing the pressure until a lucky blow hit Horatio square in the mouth. He stumbled back a bit for show letting Zuko think he had an advantage. He rushed Horatio trying for an uppercut. With lightning speed Horatio grabbed Zuko's wrist and spun him around jerking his arm behind him until Zuko yelled in pain. He growled and whispered in Zuko's ear. "Justice." Horatio snarled and threw Zuko forward onto the table corner. The man crumpled face bleeding. Horatio shook his head and cuffed him hard. Two uniforms watched with fear as he threw Zuko to them. "Get him out of my sight." Horatio rolled down his sleeves as Zuko was lead away, a satisfied smile on his lips. Justice was definitely served...
Arya waited patiently in the break room for Horatio. She was on Speed's lap and the others were talking quietly to each other. Stealing glances at the door, at her. As if they were waiting for Horatio to burst in. And not in a good way. How could that be? Her Horatio wasn't a bad man. But they had whisked her away from him really quick. That's ok, she got to be with speed. The only other one she was truly comfortable with. Him and that blond woman, or maybe that doctor woman. As Arya focused on her thoughts everything slowed down and blurred. Voices seemed faraway. Until he walked in. His voice was a blur but his smile wasn't. "...Aryas...free." He snapped into focus. "Arya. You're free!" He grinned. Arya screamed and jumped up and down. Tim laughed along with the others as Arya tackled a very happy Horatio. He laughed holding her as she kissed his face, said thank you and climbed him like a tree. She grinned and jumped from Horatio to speed. He caught her and laughed as he was given the same treatment as H. She hugged the others and grinned finally going back to Horatio. "I'm free? My momma daddy and bubbies can get peace?" Horatio nodded tearfully. Arya kissed his cheek and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his chest. "Thank you..." Horatio choked on emotion and held her to him. She was freed. That was one obstacle down. Now reality had to be dealt with.