Federal Protection

Title: Federal Protection
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRAO
Summary: A hit has been placed out on Horatio

***

Horatio stood at the foot of the grave his eyes sweeping across the quiet cemetery. He pulled off his sunglasses as he looked down at tombstone and sighed, “Hey Speed.” He took a step forward and squatted down eye level with the marker, “We got him. Can you believe it, after a year we finally got the bastard.” Horatio looked down, smiled at the fresh flowers lying at the foot of the tombstone. “I see Alexx has been here.” He looked around the cemetery. “I wanted, no needed, you to know that Clavo is finally behind bars. I wish you were there to see it, you deserved to see that smug look wiped off his face.” He stood up and slipped on his glasses. “I miss you. It’s not the same at the lab without you.”

Horatio walked out of the cemetery back to his Hummer, and headed back to the lab. He parked in his usual spot and headed towards the stairs to the building. He stopped short when he saw Calleigh and Eric arguing. He cocked his head, gauging their body language to see if he needed to intervene. He moved towards them when Calleigh grabbed Eric’s arm forcing him to look at her. He could tell Eric was holding back, only because of who it was. If it had been anyone else Eric would have slugged them.

“Problem?” Horatio asked the two CSI’s.

“Nothing H,” Eric pulled his arm out of Calleigh’s grasp, “Just a small disagreement.”

Calleigh glared at Eric, but responded politely to Horatio, “We’re fine.”

“Care to explain,” Horatio demanded, his hands on his hips.

“Personal,” Eric eyes moved to Calleigh then back to Horatio.

“You two were fighting like cats and dogs in the parking lot,” Horatio pointed out. “It’s more than personal.”

“Alexx wants to dedicate a tree in Speed’s name, for that new park going up on the Westside,” Calleigh explained. “She’s been asking all of us our opinion on what type of tree. Eric snapped at her and walked away.”

“You can’t put Speed’s life into a tree,” Eric turned back towards Calleigh. “He wasn’t an oak, a maple or a weeping willow.”

“You didn’t have to snap at Alexx,” Calleigh stepped towards him. “You haven’t dealt with Speed’s death. You act like it never happened, and when someone talks about it you leave or get agitated.”

“I’m dealing with it, in my own way.” Eric practically growled. “I don’t need you or Alexx telling me how to grieve for my best friend.”

“GUYS!” Horatio stepped between them, pushing them apart. “Eric, snapping at Alexx when she wants to do something special isn’t like you.”

“I’m sorry H,” Eric stepped back head bowed. “I’ll apologize to Alexx.” Eric turned and walked off leaving the others behind.

Horatio watched him leave, then turned to Calleigh, “Calleigh we all deal with grief differently.”

“He acts like nothing happened,” Calleigh gestured in frustration.

“Let Eric grieve in his own way,” Horatio watched as his second CSI stormed off.

Sometimes he really felt as if his family was being torn apart, like they lost the bolt that had been holding them together. There were times that he really felt the hole Speed’s death had left behind. Eric worked with Ryan, but wasn’t friendly. Calleigh tried to be nice and a mentor, but wasn’t always welcoming. Alexx usually said only a few words to him. Horatio even caught himself a few times comparing him to Speed. It wasn’t fair to Ryan, he was a good guy, and one day he would be a great CSI.

Eric rarely talked with anyone any more. He did his job, and then went home. He didn’t remember the last time he saw his team have dinner or lunch together. Calleigh and Alexx usually had lunch and chatted, but he rarely saw Eric with them. He hadn’t realized how far the team had drifted, so caught up in his own emotions and life.

He figured the best course of action would be to invite them all over for a Sunday barbeque. Get them all talking and bonding again. He smiled as he walked back towards the front of the building.

The sound of screeching tires alerted him to the danger. He saw the muzzle of the gun, before it began firing. He dove to the ground, taking cover behind one of the planters. Gun fire echoed against the walls, Horatio could hear the sound of glass breaking, panicked voices, and then returned fire. Horatio looked up as the car turned the corner and took off down the street.

“H!” Eric ran up the steps towards Horatio. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Horatio stood up, wincing a bit.

“You’ve been hit,” Eric holstered his gun, and helping Horatio sit down on the stairs. “Looks like a flesh wound.” Eric pulled off Horatio’s jacket examining the wound on his upper left bicep.

“Horatio,” Alexx headed towards them from the side doors her kit in her hands. She had heard the gunshots and came running to see if she could help if anyone was wounded. “Let me look at the wound.” She put her kit down. She pulled out some gauze and put pressure on the small wound. “What happened?”

“They were aiming for Horatio,” Eric looked around the parking lot. “I got some shots off, only a few hit.”

“Did you get a look at the license plate?” Horatio asked letting Alexx work. Wincing slightly as she cleaned and bandaged it up.

Eric smiled, “Of course.”

“Run it,” Horatio looked at the bandage, “Thanks Alexx.”

“You should go to the hospital get everything checked out,” Alexx stated as Horatio stood up.

“I’m fine,” Horatio looked around the scene his eyes focusing on Calleigh and Ryan as they hurried towards him. “Process the scene. Nothing left unturned. Someone’s just declared war.”

***

Horatio looked over at the car from his spot next to the Hummer, watching as Eric processed the abandoned car. Once Eric ran the plates, they had sent an ABP out to all patrols car. The call had come in two hours later, they found the car abandoned near the everglades.

Eric snapped his kit shut and walked over to Horatio, a grimace on his face, “Nothing.” Eric looked back at the car, “Not one print or fiber, nothing.”

“Same car,” Horatio eyes swept around the deserted highway. “They dumped it here, so we could find it.” He looked up the road. The car was visible from the highway, a highway that was routinely patrolled.

“No tire treads in the surrounding area, or footprints,” Eric looked up and down the road. “It’s like they vanished.”

“No one just vanishes,” Horatio smiled over at Eric.

“These guys did,” Eric sighed. “My guess is they drove the car out here, dumped it, walked back up to the highway waited for the getaway car to show up.”

“Getaway car not sitting long so it didn’t leave any indentations; comes up slowly to an easy stop not leaving tire treads,” Horatio concluded. “But no footprints?” He looked down at the ground then towards the highway.

“Wiped as they went,” Eric suggested. “Or covered their shoes, either way they know enough to make it difficult for us.”

“More challenging, but not impossible,” Horatio turned towards Eric, “Anything else?”

“I pulled two bullets out of the bumper and trunk.” Eric held up two bags, “Probably mine.”

“Get those to Calleigh to confirm,” Horatio turned towards the Hummer.

“Who do you think it is?” Eric asked as he climbed into the passenger seat.

“That’s what we’re trying to figure out,” Horatio pulled away from the scene. Letting the tow truck pick up the vehicle and take it back to the lab.

***

“Confirmed, the bullets found in the car match Eric’s gun.” Calleigh handed Horatio the folder.

“So we have a shot up building, casings, the car, but no prints, no gun, and no suspects” Horatio looked over at his team.

“Could it be a hit?” Ryan suggested.

Everyone looked over at Horatio, “Possible.”

“Who would put a hit out on Horatio?” Calleigh asked contemplating.

“Could be anyone,” Eric pointed out. “I mean, H has made a lot of enemies,” Eric grinned at him.

“Meanwhile security is tighter,” Horatio explained. “No CSI will be left alone at a crime scene, double teams no matter what.”

“What about you?” Ryan asked concerned for his boss.

“I’ll be fine,” Horatio reassured Ryan.

“We have tighter security here, but if they are after you specifically what about at home?” Ryan pointed out.

“The department has a squad car parked outside my house,” Horatio informed them. “Let’s get back to work, the sooner we figure out who set this up, the sooner we get back to doing our jobs.”

***

Horatio walked down the hall towards the locker rooms. As he turned the corner Eric’s voice drifted towards him. He was about to call out when he heard what Eric was saying.

“There’s been an attempted hit,” Eric paced back and forth along the hallway. “Yeah, I’m thinking he’s behind it. Who else would it be…I can’t watch him 24/7 that’s your job remember…” A small snicker, “Well I guess that would be bad…freak the lab techs out though…Look I have to get back before they notice I’m not in the lab…” Eric closed his eyes. “I know, I hate this too…they put a squad car in front of his house so be careful…see you later, bye.”

Horatio ducked into a darkened corner as Eric walked by. He replayed Eric’s conversation in his head. It wasn’t suspicious, just odd. He filed it away in his mind for future evaluation. Meanwhile he continued his way to the locker room, and then proceeded home.

***

The sound of breaking glass woke Horatio up. He pulled his gun out of the night stand, eased out of the bedroom, and down the hall. With his back to the wall, he peered around the corner into the living room. A shadow fell across the far wall. He pulled back against the wall, his gun held out in front of him.

There was a loud crash just outside the living room window. Horatio moved across the room, gun raised. He saw two figures in the side yard. The first, taller man, swung at the second, smaller man. The second ducked, then came up with a right hook. The first man took off, jumping over the fence, followed closely by the second.

By the time Horatio got out to the yard, the uniforms showed up guns raised. Horatio rolled his eyes at them and went back into the house to make a phone call.

***

Eric looked up from the fence, “No shoeprints.” Eric stood up shaking his head. “These guys are good, yet not.”

Horatio smiled, “The second guy was fighting the first. So one of them was out to get me the other protecting?”

Eric eyebrows rose, “Who?”

“I have no idea,” Horatio shrugged as he looked over at Eric. “Who would go to the trouble to show up at my house and protect me from a hitman?”

Eric stepped into Horatio’s house, “You’ve made enemies and friends in a wide variety of circles.” Eric suggested, “I mean, maybe someone wants to help but not come forward with information.”

“Possible,” Horatio watched Eric move around the house. “But watching someone 24/7 can be a little rough, you would need at least two people.”

Eric looked over his shoulder at Horatio, “I guess.”

***

“We think its Clavo,” Calleigh explained as Horatio walked in that morning.

“It seems that when you put him away, you seriously shut down a major drug ring,” Ryan added to the explanation. “Clavo hates you, and the drug rings hates you.”

“Tripp is still looking into who ordered the hit exactly,” Calleigh took over the conversation. “But so far the whisperings are Clavo and his men.”

“Do you think it’s the General that’s trying to help?” Eric suggested from Horatio’s side. “Why he doesn’t want to say anything, but at the same time not want you dead.”

Horatio turned and looked at Eric, “Why don’t we go see him?”

***

“Why would I want to save you?” The General looked at Horatio. “It was because of you my family has been torn apart. My oldest is in jail, my wife has been dishonored.”

“You didn’t have to turn Clavo in,” Horatio pointed out. “But the disgrace was too much for you, so you punished your wife by taking her son.”

“I don’t know of any hit out on you,” The General sipped his scotch. “If I find out who paid for it, I’d send them a check, not save you.”

***

Horatio stepped out into the sunlight, he slipped his glasses on and looked over at Eric, “That answered a few questions.”

“So you think he knows Clavo is involved?” Eric asked as the two walked towards the Hummer.

“Not enough evidence,” Horatio clicked the alarm off of the Hummer. The explosion ripped the vehicle apart, throwing both men back.

Horatio shook his head; his ears were ringing from the explosion. He sat up looking for Eric through the smoke. He turned his head slightly to see Eric getting up off the ground. He followed Eric’s gaze to see two men heading up the driveway guns drawn – both wearing masks.

Horatio pulled himself off the ground, as he reached for his gun. Two shots rang out both men fell forward. Horatio shook his head, not believing his eyes. Eric grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the waiting car. Horatio stumbled a bit; he could feel the blood seeping down his leg. Eric pushed him into the back seat climbing in behind him.

Horatio sat back and he could actually say for once in his life he was truly stunned. The ring in his ears had finally stopped. He glanced between Eric and the driver. It was the driver that stunned him the most.

“Speed?” Horatio whispered in shock.

“What were you thinking?” Eric demanded. “You weren’t supposed to expose yourself.”

“What did you want me to do?” Speed turned and looked at Eric. “Let them shoot the two of you.”

“It was under control,” Eric leaned forward.

Speed mumbled something under his breath as he made a few turns, heading for downtown Miami, “Under control?” The sarcasm was thick in his voice, “Any more under control and you would have been a crispy critter.”

“That’s not fair,” Eric narrowed his eyes at him. “It was a warning; the bomb was triggered by the unlocking mechanism.”

“Are you sure about that?” Speed shot back.

“Why send two gunmen if we were supposed to blow up,” Eric countered back.

“Gentlemen?” Horatio questioned as Speed parked the car in an underground garage.

“Eric, if I hadn’t been there, they would have shot both of you,” Speed turned in his seat and glared at him. “Horatio didn’t even have his gun out, you barely had yours pulled.”

“Excuse me,” Horatio’s tone became more firm.

“Now there are two bodies at the General’s place, where our burned out Hummer is located,” Eric argued. “They will know someone else was at the scene.”

“The bodies have been cleared,” Speed got out of the car. “As for the Hummer, do you honestly think the General is going to admit the Hummer exploded in his driveway?”

Eric got out and leaned against the car, “You think he’ll move it.”

“Hell yeah,” Speed slammed the door shut, walking towards the elevators.

“Where to exactly?” Eric motioned his hands around. “It’s a Hummer.”

“Probably towards the everglades,” Speed shrugged as he turned back towards the car. “It will disappear.”

The passenger door opened, Horatio stepping out of the car, “and what about us?” Eric pointed towards Horatio and himself. “Just show up at the lab and say it disappeared?”

Speed smirked, “Now there’s a claim I wouldn’t want to fill out.”

“SPEED!” Eric growled at him.

“I think it’s time Horatio goes into hiding don’t you,” Speed suggested. “This is the third attempt; this one was a little too close.”

“Can someone explain to me what the hell is going on?” Horatio demanded looking between the two men.

“What you’re just going to stash him, or shoot him in the line of duty,” Eric remarked slamming the door shut.

“I HAD NO CHOICE!” Speed yelled back.

Eric shoulders and head dropped, he looked back up at Speed then walked up to him, “I’m sorry that was uncalled for.”

“Damn right it was,” Speed’s shoulders slumped. “I hate this. I hate that I have to hide to do my damn job.”

Eric cupped his cheek, “Once we figure this out, it will be over.”

“Will it really be?” Speed leaned into the caress. “I can’t come back to life.”

“If you two don’t tell me what’s going on,” Horatio stood next to the two of them. “I will call Alexx and you can explain to her what’s going on.”

“That’s just mean,” Eric turns towards Horatio.

“Really H,” Speed looked at him. “I mean, what did we ever do to you?”

Horatio looked at the two men, “died and covered it up?”

“He has a point,” Speed looked over at Eric.

“True,” Eric nodded in agreement.

“Guys,” Horatio warned.

“Lets get up stairs and I’ll explain it all to you,” Speed motioned towards the elevators. “I warn you Horatio, it’s a long complicated story.”

“I have time,” Horatio leaned up against the back of the elevator.

***

“What do you mean they are missing?” Calleigh yelled at Tripp.

“The Hummer was found out in the everglades, a burned out shell.” Tripp explained to the irate ballistics expert.

“Bodies?” Alexx swallowed afraid of the answer.

“None,” Tripp looked between the three members of Horatio’s team. “It was dumped out there; no evidence that the explosion took place in the vicinity.”

“Then where are they?” Ryan asked eyes furrowed in concentration.

“We don’t know,” Tripp sighed. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. As of this moment, Eric and Horatio are missing.”

“What about the General?” Ryan looked over at Calleigh. “Horatio said he was going over there.”

“Already stopped by, he said Horatio and Eric were there, accused him of wrong doing then left,” Tripp glanced around the lab. “The driveway looked as if it got a new fresh coat of paint.”

“So the Hummer was blown there,” Calleigh looked over at Ryan. “Do you think they dumped the bodies, or are holding them hostage?”

“Why hold them hostage?” Ryan countered. “If there’s been a hit put out on Horatio there’s no reason to hold him.”

“If someone took that much trouble to move the Hummer, why place the bodies some where else?” Alexx added to the conversation.

“We’re bringing in the Hummer now,” Tripp informed them.

“We’ll check to see if anyone was in it when it blew,” Calleigh swallowed. “Even if you remove the body, skin fragments would be left behind.”

“And if there is no evidence they were in it?” Ryan asked.

“Then we have two missing CSI’s,” Tripp sighed in frustration.

***

Speed led the two men into the apartment. “H, why don’t you sit down and let me look at your leg.”

Horatio looked around the spacious apartment. The view from the balcony was breathtaking. The apartment overlooked the harbor, with the city in the background. The living room was furnished with leather couches and dark wood tables. The entertainment system was advanced, full of new and sophisticated equipment. Off of the living room was a fairly large kitchen, he could see a table set up against large windows in the back of the kitchen. The hallway led to three rooms, all of the doors closed. The stairs led up to a loft bedroom.

Horatio sat down on the couch, facing Speed on the coffee table. Speed ripped his pant leg up the seam to access the wound. He gave it a critical eye, and then turned to Eric, “He scraped it up bad on the driveway.”

“I’ll get the first aid kit,” Eric walked down the hallway. He went into the bathroom and retrieved the kit.

Speed took it out of his hand, slipped on some gloves then cleaned and dressed the wound. Horatio watched with interest, it was obvious Speed was used to handling large scale wounds, if the first aid kit was any indication.

“I’ve got some aspirin in the kitchen, or do you need something stronger?” Speed asked getting up from the coffee table cleaning up the mess.

“Aspirin should be fine,” Horatio watched Speed dump the trash and proceed into the kitchen. He glanced over at Eric who had made himself comfortable on the love seat. “You want to explain what is going on?”

Eric glanced over at Speed, “I’m not sure where to begin.”

“How about the beginning,” Horatio took the water and aspirin from Speed’s hand. “You’ve been working as a CSI for almost ten years, was it a cover? Is Speedle actually your name?”

“Timothy Speedle is my name,” Speed began. “I’ve been a CSI all this time, I just happen to have a side job.”

Horatio looks at Eric, “and you?”

“Speed recruited me,” Eric answered honestly.

“Who the hell do you work for?” Horatio demanded, “And for how long?”

“DEA,” Speed informed him. “They recruited me straight out of high school. Sent me to Columbia, got my degree in micro-biology and chemistry…”

“So the whole, your best friend dying was a cover story?” Horatio asked trying to take everything in.

“No, well sort of,” Speed glanced towards the windows looking out towards the skyline. He smiled when he felt Eric’s hand slip into his. “He was my mentor, and was killed when a bust went seriously wrong.”

“Why are you here?” Horatio looked at the joined hands, wondering how long that had been going on.

“I wasn’t a field agent, more of a researcher. I followed paper trails, drug routes etc.” Speed continued with the story. “Jack died because I had faulty information. I told my boss I wanted out, I couldn’t stand the fact that a mistake I made got someone I cared about killed.” Speed paused, taking a deep breath, “They helped me relocate to Miami, and got me the job at the lab. Shawn was friends with Jack, so he set me up through Megan.”

“It wasn’t till a year later I was working on a case as a level one, when I ran across information about a drug dealer the DEA had been investigating,” Speed stood up and walked over to the window. “I contacted my old boss, and he explained that this drug dealer was moving up in rank in the Miami area. Rumors were he had connections in all aspects of government, judges, cops, statesmen, even senators.”

Horatio stared at Speed in shock, “And?”

“They re-instated me,” Speed didn’t turn around. “I began a slow methodical investigation into the drug trafficking here in Miami. Shawn and Raymond where my contacts in the force,” Speed’s head dropped.

Horatio shook his head trying to comprehend what Speed was telling him. “Ray was part of your operation?”

“He was deep undercover for the Drug Task Force for Miami-Dade PD.” Speed turned around, “Shawn was part of my operation. As deep as Ray got, he never got close enough to the main source of drugs in Miami.”

“So his death,” Horatio’s voice turned hard.

“Happened the way you found out,” Speed turned back towards the window. “His death had nothing to do with the DEA investigation. When I found out he was killed, I pulled every string I had to find out what happened, but through all my investigation I found no connection to the drug trade. He didn’t die a dirty cop; he was killed by a jealous lover.”

Horatio fought between his anger at Speed for not telling him, and his understanding as a cop, “So during that Meth case you kept telling me not to listen to the methhead’s ranting, because you knew.”

“Yeah,” Speed ducked his head down. “But I couldn’t tell you. I was in so deep any exposure could get me killed.”

“We had been close to finding out who the main contact was in the police force, when Shawn was killed,” Speed went back to explaining. “His death set the investigation back months. Shawn had covered me with Megan. She barely noticed that half the stuff I was doing was not case related. Then all that changed,” He smiled at Horatio. “I had to work harder to hide my investigation from you. If you got a whiff something was going on you would have been all over it.”

“You did good, because I had no clue,” Horatio commented a bit impressed. “How is Eric involved?” Horatio glanced over at the young man.

“I caught him buying drugs,” Eric grinned at Speed. “I had just started working at the lab. I had gone out with some friends to celebrate the new job when I saw Speed. As I approached him, I saw the drugs on the table and heard them making a deal. I was furious.”

“He walked right up to the table, and just laid in on me. Lucky for me he never said anything about me being a CSI,” Speed smiled at Eric laughing slightly. “He wouldn’t shut up so I hit him.”

“Which just pissed me off more,” Eric shook his head. “He ended up dragging me out side and handcuffed me to his bike.”

Horatio smiled, trying not to snicker at the image, “And?”

“I went back in and finished the deal. Told the dealer Eric was a concerned lover.” Speed shrugged making his way back to the couch. “It worked out for the best, solidifying my cover.”

“I was beyond furious, by the time he got back to his bike.” Eric took over the story. “He just looked at me, and asked ‘Do you really think I’m that stupid enough to take drugs?'”

“His response,” Speed grinned. “‘How the hell should I know? You’re a cynical asshole at work.'”

Eric smiled at the memory; he glanced over at Speed, “Speed had just laughed as he unlocked the handcuffs. He then told me to get on, for some reason I trusted him.”

Horatio couldn’t help the grin that crossed his face, “So I take it you explained everything to him.”

“I told him about the operation,” Speed leaned back into the couch. “Came to find out Eric had some connections from the Cuban community that could help weed out the main group behind the trafficking.”

“The DEA made me an agent,” Eric got up and headed for the kitchen. “Want anything?”

“No, I’m fine,” Speed called out, “Horatio do you want some more water or aspirin?”

Horatio shook his head, “When did you two become lovers?”

Eric stopped in the kitchen turned and looked at Horatio, “We weren’t obvious were we?”

“Not until now,” Horatio shook his head in response.

Speed answered, “It was right after Dispo Day.”

“Wait, if you’re a DEA agent…” Horatio interrupted.

“I switched the guns; it was a perfect opportunity we couldn’t pass up.” Eric sat back down a bottle of water in his hands. “When Calleigh wasn’t looking I changed Speed’s used gun with the dirty jammed one.”

“So, the investigation…” Horatio sat up looking at the two men.

“We had nothing to do with the actually heist, but we couldn’t have worked it out better if we tried.” Eric continued. “With the department suspecting Speed, it helped him make contact with the dirty cops in the department, but not the main one.”

“Does any of this have to do with Clavo?” Horatio tried to wrap his mind around everything.

“When we went after him for the model’s death, I found evidence that he was a major player in the trade,” Speed explained. “Since I couldn’t get him for her death, I would at least nail him for the drug trade or at least shut it down. By this time I had been working seven years of my life trying to get in. We were inches from coming down on Clavo, and his cronies. When…”

“Stetler figured Speed for DEA.” Eric continued.

“Stetler? He’s the mole inside the department?” Horatio asked.

“It was a perfect set up,” Eric took a sip of his water. “He would investigate ‘bad cops’ then black mail them into helping or giving up information. Police shootings, that were drug related? He made sure it was covered up. That’s why he was pissed at you…”

“You wouldn’t let Ray’s death go,” Speed finished. “He was worried you would stumble onto his operation.”

“So how did he find out you were DEA?” Horatio asked.

“I was set to meet with a high ranking member of the trade, someone with access to the shipment line,” Speed explained. “Fate would have it, Clavo was there. He of course recognized me from the case. I told him I do what I have to, who would suspect a CSI? I brought up Dispo Day and how it was ironic my career was practically ruined because I suspected for something I didn’t do. So why not?” Speed paused, “I don’t think he bought it. He contacted Stetler with his fears – saying no way would Horatio let a drug dealer work under him. Stetler had ironically suspected Eric as the DEA agent, that’s why he constantly under minded him.”

“But Eric is a DEA agent,” Horatio pointed out.

“Only a few people knew Eric was brought in,” Speed smiled, “My boss, me and Eric.”

“So Stetler’s attention is now on you,” Horatio motioned for Speed to continue.

“I figured he was on to me when I had gone to meet with one of my snitches, and found him dead.” Speed closed his eyes, trying not to remember. “That’s when I asked for a vacation. I had to go meet with some higher ups in DC, it was obvious my cover had been blown. You called me back in; it was a matter of time before I was taken out.”

“So you staged the jewelry store,” Horatio concluded.

“While you drove out there,” Eric explained, “I set it up.”

“The gun?” Horatio asked voice quiet remembering that day.

“Planted, no questions or concerns – faulty gun maintenance.” Speed looked down. “I didn’t want to do it, but it was easier for me to go completely underground and cover Eric than try to save my own cover.”

“We are inches from breaking this trade wide open,” Eric took Speed’s hand. “We took Clavo down by pure luck, and now we have evidence pointing to the head of the trade.”

“You have to understand H,” Speed leaned forward. “This is eight years of my life. This isn’t just putting one man away, this is shutting a whole system down – from the small pushers to the government officials smoothing the path.”

“Why couldn’t you come to me?” Horatio demanded hurt that they didn’t trust him.

“Stetler was too close,” Eric shook his head. “He’s dating Yelina. Any wrong word and both our covers would be blown.”

“He’s with Yelina to keep an eye on me,” Horatio stood up taking a deep breath.

“We almost approached you after Clavo, but it never panned out.” Speed looked up at him.

“And now?” Horatio turned towards them.

“Someone is behind these hits,” Eric pointed out.

“Do you know who?” Horatio asked concerned.

“The shark on top of the food chain,” Speed stood up, “The one who’s running the show. He’s the one that brought Clavo into the operation, the one who has enough cash to bribe judges, cops, and senators.”

“You pissed him off when you shut down Clavo, he had to re-route all of his shipments.” Eric looked between the two men. “Stetler hasn’t been able to shut you up, so there is only way to get you off their backs…”

“Kill me,” Horatio placed his hands on his hips as he studied the ground. “But you don’t actually know who exactly,” Horatio looked back at the two of them.

“The final piece to this puzzle we still do not have,” Speed sighed. “In the mean time I’m sorry H, but you have to stay here.”

“Why not use me as bait?” Horatio suggested not a man to hide from his enemies.

“It’s not going to bring him out,” Eric pointed out. “Just more attempts on your life.”

“By this time the Hummer probably has been found, and you two have been declared missing,” Speed walked over towards the kitchen. “It won’t take long for Stetler to hear about it. If he’s smart, he’ll catch on that Eric was DEA – and got you out. So they …”

“Will think Eric knows who is behind it, and is hiding me.” Horatio nodded in understanding.

“Speed is our ace in the hole,” Eric stood up and walked over to him. “Everyone thinks he’s dead.”

“So they won’t be expecting him to be investigating,” Horatio smiled. “How close until you figure out the last piece?”

“I’ve hacked into Stetler’s computer,” Speed smirked.

“With my help,” Eric smiled at him.

“Okay you downloaded the program into his computer,” Speed shrugged. “I’m tracing everything now, it’s taking a while.”

Horatio shook his head, as he took a seat on one of the bar stools at the breakfast bar. “Well it explains a few things.”

“Like,” Speed asked opening up the fridge to find something so he could prepare them something to eat.

“Why Eric never really showed any signs of grieving,” Horatio looked over at Eric. “You weren’t grieving because you knew he was alive.”

Eric slipped up behind Speed slipping his arms around him, “It was difficult watching everyone at the funeral. Many times I just wanted to tell everyone he’s fine, but there is a lot at stake here.”

“Calleigh, never mind Alexx – God Speed she did your autopsy.” Horatio paused, “How did you pull that off.”

“Look alike,” Speed leaned back in Eric’s embrace. “Didn’t check prints or DNA did you?”

“Why would we?” Horatio shook his head. “She’s going to hug you, smack you, yell at you, hug you some more, yell, then feed you.”

Speed closed his eyes feeling Eric tighten his grip, “I miss them.”

“Will you come back?” Horatio asked watching the two men relish in the feel of each other.

“I don’t know if I can,” Speed opened his eyes and looked at Horatio.

“Then what?” Horatio looked between the two men. “You stay dead, Eric stays a CSI?”

“We don’t know,” Speed gripped Eric’s arms.

Eric pulled Speed closer, “I do know that what ever happens we’ll be together.” He kissed Speed’s temple.

Speed turned in his arms, kissing him deeply. “We’ll think of something.” He rested his head on Eric’s shoulder. “Maybe I can come back as my twin brother?”

Eric laughed, kissing Speed’s hair, “Or we could retire down to Argentina.”

Horatio watched the two lovers, envious of their closeness, a sharp pain of loneliness coursed through him.

***

Ryan and Calleigh looked at the burned out shell of the Hummer. Calleigh steadied her nerves as she approached the vehicle. She pointed her flashlight into the driver area. Sweeping the light over the consol and into the burned out drivers seat. She looked up and over to Ryan who was copying her movements on the passenger side.

“It wasn’t a destructive bomb,” Ryan commented looking at the vehicle.

Calleigh swept her flashlight to the back of the vehicle, “I think your right. Everything is burnt beyond recognition but not a lot of damage structurally. The fire spread from the back, towards the front.”

“Rigged the tanks to blow?” Ryan knelt down and flashed his light under the Hummer.

“Possible,” Calleigh agreed, “Their kits are in the back.”

Ryan stood back up looking into the back of the Hummer, “But they wouldn’t have needed their kits talking with the General.”

“True,” Calleigh moved towards the front. She took a deep breath and pulled the door open. She meticulously went over the front seat with a fine tooth comb, “I see no skin fragments.”

Ryan looked up from his inspection his eyes moving to the steering column, “Do keys melt?”

“What?” Calleigh looked up.

“Can keys melt to the point of complete disappearance,” Ryan smiled at her. He flashed his light to the ignition switch.

Calleigh looked over at the steer column and ignition switch, turned and smiled back. “No keys.”

“Which means it didn’t blow on the start of the engine,” Ryan sighed in relief, “Unlocking mechanism?”

Calleigh stepped back from the vehicle, “Which means it blew with them outside it…”

“It wasn’t attended to take them out,” Ryan followed her train of thought. “Then where are they?”

“They were either knapped, or…” Calleigh placed her hands on her hips.

“Or hiding,” Ryan looked at her, “which means…”

“They know who it is,” Calleigh walked over to her kit. “But why not just call it in?”

“Why not come in,” Ryan asked walking around the car towards Calleigh. “Why not get police protection for Horatio?”

“Unless it’s the police they are running from,” Calleigh took a deep breath. “I think we stumbled onto something bigger than we thought.”

“You think one of us, a cop, is out to get Horatio?” Ryan’s mouth dropped in shock. “But who? And why?”

“And why run with Eric,” Calleigh picked up her kit then turned towards Ryan. “As far as we know, they’re just missing.”

“No mentioning our theories to anyone,” Ryan picked his own kit and followed her out of the garage, “What about Alexx?”

“I say we invite her out to dinner,” Calleigh smiled at him. “Let’s go talk with Tripp.”

***

Horatio woke up suddenly; he sat up eyes sweeping the room looking for a threat. He took a deep breath, as his memories came back reminding him where he was and why. He figured he was awake so he slipped out of bed, and headed into the kitchen for some water. Speed had loaned him some jogging pants to sleep in, until Eric could sneak over to his place tomorrow to get him some clothes.

He opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. He found himself leaning up against the sliding glass door, letting the cool air into the apartment watching the nightlights play across the harbor.

‘God Speed,’ Eric’s voice drifted down into the living area.

Horatio froze, so that was the noise that woke him up. Horatio closed his eyes, the soft sounds of the two men drifted slowly to him. Eric’s gasps, Speed’s moans – Horatio eyes tightened he didn’t want to imagine them together, but the images came in uninhibited. He had always found both men alluring, both with dark eyes and hair, but opposite in personality. Eric was always warm and caring, Speed mysterious and brooding.

‘Move damn it,’ Eric’s voice was low and guttural.

Horatio eyes snapped open, his hand drifted down his chest to his own aching erection. He could hear Speed’s deep pants, Eric’s low moans. His hand slipped inside the jogging pants wrapping around his now aching hard cock.

‘Come for me Eric,’ Speed’s voice was husky and deep. ‘Come on baby let go, let it all out.’

‘Speed, oh God Speed,’ Eric cried out, followed by Speed’s own deep moan. ‘Love you.’

‘Love you too,’ Speed’s voice was soft caring.

Horatio froze where he stood. He pulled his hand out of the jogging pants, a bit mortified that he even thought of jacking off listening to them during a private intimate moment. He would wait until it was safe for him to go back to the guest room, and take a cold shower.

He tried to get his body under control but his mind was working against him. Flashes of both men, imagining what they looked liked together. He groaned resting his head against the cool glass of the sliding glass door.

He jumped when he felt a warm hand slide down his chest. “Need some help with that?”

Horatio tensed at Eric’s voice against his ear, “Eric?”

“H,” Eric’s hand slipped under the waistband seizing Horatio’s hard cock.

Horatio moaned and leaned back against the slightly taller man. His body enjoying the sensations but his mind screaming how wrong it was, Eric was with Speed. Then things just got more surreal.

“It’s okay Horatio,” Speed stepped in front of him taking his face between his palms. “We’ve got you, let go.”

“Speed?” Horatio moaned as Eric’s second hand cupped his balls rolling them around as he stroked and squeezed, his thumb rubbing against the head. “I don’t….”

Speed silenced his doubts by kissing him, his tongue seeking entrance. Horatio opened up, taking Speed in, letting him explore and taste. He moaned into Speed’s mouth as Eric’s finger ran across that little patch of skin. Speed grinned nipping at his lips, chin, his jaw, and down to his collar bone. He licked a path up to Horatio’s ear, nibbling on it, “Come for us.”

Horatio dropped his head against Eric’s shoulder and came hard and long, tears in his eyes. Eric turned his head slightly, taking Horatio’s mouth, tasting Speed on him.

Horatio panted as Eric supported him. His eyes locked onto Speed, “Why?”

Speed gave him a shy smile, “We’ve wanted you for a long time, but couldn’t make a move for obvious reasons.”

“And tonight?” Horatio asked his gaze unwavering.

“You know everything,” Speed stepped up to him caressing his face. “And I, we, just couldn’t go another day without you.”

“So you knew I was down here?” Horatio stepped forward his eyes going between the two men.

Eric smiled, “yes.”

“Now what?” Horatio’s hands were on his hips.

Speed held out his hand, “bed tonight. Tomorrow we’ll talk.”

Eric took Horatio’s arm while Horatio placed his hand in Speed’s. Speed led them back upstairs; he stripped Horatio of the messy jogging pants while Eric got a warm wash cloth. Horatio pulled Speed to him, demanding entrance into his mouth. Speed groaned and let Horatio have control.

Eric stood by the bathroom door and watched, “damn that’s hot.”

“Bed,” Speed ushered Horatio in. “We’ve got a lot to do tomorrow.”

Speed curled up against Horatio, while Eric curled into Speed. Eric grinned at Horatio as he leaned over Speed kissing the older man soundly. Speed humphed, but just relaxed into Horatio’s embrace. The three men drifted off into a sound sleep. The new day would be faced with a new reason – each other.

***

Alexx looked over at the two CSI’s, “you think someone in the department maybe involved with the shooting?”

“Who else has access to the Hummer?” Ryan pointed out.

“Horatio keeps it at his house,” Alexx suggested.

“Neighbors would have noticed someone tinkering with it in the middle of the night.” Calleigh brought up, “But if someone was in a mechanic’s outfit down in the garage.”

Alexx set her coffee cup down, “Why? Who would do this? What did Horatio stumble across and why drag Eric into it?”

“I don’t know,” Calleigh sighed. “We’re going to go to Horatio’s then Eric’s to see if we can find any information.”

“Be careful,” Alexx warned them. She’d already lost Speed, and now Horatio and Eric were missing, she didn’t want to loose anyone else.

Calleigh reached over and squeezed her hand, “We will.”

***

Speed sat at the computer going through the files, one by one. He had left Horatio and Eric sleeping upstairs, they both needed the rest. He leaned back in his chair a smile on his face. Waking up surrounded by both men, was heaven. He loved Eric, and he knew Eric loved him, but it didn’t stop either of them from loving Horatio.

Dispo day — Speed shook his head. It was the beginning of a lot of changes in his life. It had opened the doors into the inner workings of the drug ring, and it ended with Eric in his bed. Eric showed up at his door in the early morning hours, Speed barely had the door closed when Eric had pounced on him. They barely made it back to the bedroom, before Eric sucked his brains out through his cock. As he laid dazed and confused in a blissful way – Eric had entered him. The two had been inseparable since.

It was not long after the case with Clavo that they both admitted to each other their attraction to Horatio. They had decided that if the opportunity ever arose where they could approach him, they would take it – unfortunately that opportunity never came.

‘Dying’ in front of Horatio had been the hardest thing he had ever done. Those blue eyes were full of misery, pain, guilt, and love. Speed had woken up pissed as hell. He hated lying to Horatio, and hated the haunted look that was in Eric’s eyes when he had finally come home. Their love making that night had been hard and almost brutal. Speed had apologized in the morning; Eric had smiled and said at least he looked haggard for the funeral.

He promised himself that when this was over, he would tell his friends the truth. He might not be able to live as Timothy Speedle again, but at least they would know everything. He missed Alexx, her kind words, and Calleigh’s bright smile. Eric said Ryan was a good guy, and that he bet Speed would have enjoyed working with him.

Speed looked back at the computer screen, concentrating on the task at hand. They had to find that final piece of the puzzle. If they could take down the head leader, and break up the trade all the hard years would finally pay off. He didn’t fool himself into believing it would take the drugs off the street completely but it would at least put a serious dent into the supply.

When he had come to Miami he was starting a new life, away from drugs – DEA. He had easily been sucked back into the thick of things, sometimes he wished he never said yes to the recruiters, and just gone to NYU and became a doctor like he planned. But then he would have never met Eric or Horatio. He wanted to wrap this up, tell the DEA to go to hell and shove it up their government ass, take Horatio and Eric and retire in Argentina, Brazil, hell anywhere.

He wondered if Horatio would go.

“Find anything?” Horatio’s voice interrupted his musings.

Speed looked up at the redhead, who was wearing Speed’s jeans and t-shirt. Speed smiled at him, “Actually take a look at this.”

Horatio stepped forward and leaned over Speed’s shoulder, “What am I looking for?”

“See these correspondences,” Speed pointed out a series of emails from Stetler’s email address to an unknown recipient, the user name hidden. “It’s written in code.”

Horatio leaned forward eyes following the lines, “Sounds like a normal email.”

“Except the fact Stetler doesn’t own a boat, and I doubt seriously that he has ever gone deep sea fishing before in his life,” Speed pointed out. Horatio’s face was a few inches from his own, he inhaled the man’s scent.

Horatio looked over at him, a smile on his face, “Have you broken the code yet?”

Speed blushed at getting caught, “I’m working on it.”

“Eric just left,” Horatio stepped back taking a seat in the chair. He examined the office with interest. Maps of Miami were on the wall with push pins, and notes written all over it. He recognized the mug shots on the walls – various drug dealers, cops, and high ranking citizens. Horatio stood up and began to examine the evidence Speed and Eric had collected. He began to understand how huge this was as he followed their line of evidence.

“Speed,” Horatio looked at the notes on the wall. “You’re telling me this high ranking guy you’re searching for has not just one judge, but four in his back pocket?”

“So far that we know,” Speed stood up. He pointed the direct line between four judges and a small drug ring, and then showed the small drug rings connections into the main clientele. “These four judges have dinner monthly with each other; sometimes Senator Williams will join them.”

Horatio stepped back looking once again around the room, “You’ve collected all this evidence?”

“Eight years H,” Speed reminded him. “Now you know why I didn’t have a girlfriend.”

“I thought Eric was the reason why?” Horatio smirked at him.

“That too,” Speed laughed.

Horatio looked at Speed, really looked at him. “All these years I’ve never heard you laugh, not carefree like that. How much of what I saw at work was a cover?”

Speed dropped his eyes to the floor, “Horatio.” He looked back up at him, “I never wanted to lie to you. You are one of the few people in this world I trust and respect.”

“But you had a cover,” Horatio stepped forward his hand cupping Speed’s face.

“Most of what you saw is who I am,” Speed leaned into the caress. “The dark brooding is a part of who I am, just not as much. No one asks questions of what you’re doing if you growl at them enough times.” Speed smiled, “Except you. No matter how much I growled, you would just smile and keep asking questions.”

Horatio smirked and shrugged, “Those late nights?”

“Some where the cases I was working on,” Speed looked Horatio in the eyes, “I never let this interfere with a case…”

“I know,” Horatio stepped closer his hands slipping into Speed’s hair. “Last night?”

“We meant everything we said,” Speed whispered. “We want you, we love you – I can’t explain why or how but…”

Horatio lips descended onto Speed’s, stopping his rambling. Speed sighed and deepened the kiss, dueling slowly with Horatio’s tongue. Horatio pulled back his blue eyes filled with unreadable emotion. Speed leaned forward kissing him softly, “Please Horatio, don’t doubt that we love you.”

“How?” Horatio asked a rare show of vulnerability.

Speed gave him a bright smile, “Because you’re you.”

Horatio let Speed pull him into his arms, resting his head on Speed’s shoulder. The past twenty-four hours had been rough on him – he grinned, chuckling softly into Speed’s neck.

“What?” Speed asked stepping back.

“Just amazed how twenty-four hours can change ones life,” Horatio nipped at the corner of Speed’s mouth. “I’ve been shot at, Hummer blown up, finding out that the two men I love very dearly are DEA agents, one who was supposed to be dead, and then said men want a romantic relationship with me – all while taking down a large drug cartel.”

“We never close,” Speed enjoyed the sounds of Horatio’s thick laughter.

***

Calleigh opened Eric’s front door, and entered her friend’s apartment. She paused at the doorway not remembering the last time she was here. She looked around the living room; it was comfortable, very lived in. She set her kit down on the dining room table, as she looked around the open area. The kitchen looked out to the living/dining room area. The small hallway led to two bedrooms and a bath.

She looked at the kitchen, something was off but she couldn’t place it – everything was organized. She frowned slightly, not remember Eric ever cooking. She wandered down the hall, stopping in the second bedroom/office. There were more books than she remembered, ranging from scuba diving to the history of Pompeii. She heard Ryan enter the apartment and walked back into the living area.

“Not what I was expecting,” Ryan stated looking around. “It seems homey.”

“What did you find in the garage?” Calleigh asked.

“His bike and car are still there,” Ryan set his kit next to Calleigh’s. “Eric cooks?”

“Bike?” Calleigh asked. “Eric doesn’t own a bike.”

Ryan turned towards here, “There’s a yellow bike in his allotted spot.”

“He has Speed’s bike?” Calleigh sat down at the table shocked by the news. She then looked up at the cookbooks, “My God – he has most of Speed’s things.” Calleigh stood up and looked around the room. She recognized a painting from Speed’s apartment, the amount of books, the organized kitchen, “Oh Eric.”

Ryan looked around, “So he has most of Speedle’s things?”

Calleigh nodded, “Lets see if we can find out anything while we’re here.”

“Should I dust for prints?” Ryan glanced around the kitchen. “Maybe see if someone’s been here?”

“I’ll check his computer,” Calleigh walked back into the second bedroom/office. The idea that Eric kept most of Speed’s stuff was heart breaking. To her it was a sign he wasn’t dealing with his friend’s death.

“Calleigh?” Ryan walked into the room a confused expression on his face. “Did Eric cook?”

“No, Speed did though,” She smiled at him.

“The fridge is stocked with cooking material, the cupboards also,” Ryan commented. “He must have been using Speedle’s pans and books. Plus I found two sets of prints on the kitchen counters, and a set on the pans.”

Calleigh was taken back, “That’s odd.”

“Anything on the computer?” Ryan asked.

“It’s encrypted,” Calleigh looked back at the computer. “I’ll take it in, but don’t want to hack into it just yet, they may show up today.”

“Should we check the bedroom?” Ryan looked down the hallway towards the closed door at the end.

Calleigh sighed as she stood up, “Give it a once over.”

Calleigh and Ryan stepped into the bedroom and stopped short. “Someone else lives here,” Ryan commented as he took in the room. The bed was obviously slept in by two people, items on both night stands. Clothes scattered around the room, Ryan picked up a pair of jeans, “And it’s not a woman.”

Calleigh picked up a t-shirt lying across the bed, “This is Speed’s, and I should know I gave it to him.”

“Eric and Speedle weren’t the same size,” Ryan pulled his flashlight looking through one of the night stands. “I got a fingerprint here; see if it matches the one in the kitchen?”

Calleigh nodded, but didn’t say anything as she looked around the bedroom. Something was going on – and she wanted to know what.

***

Eric stepped into the quiet apartment; he looked around seeing no one in sight. “You two better not be in bed,” He yelled out.

“Get your mind out of the gutter,” Speed’s voice yelled back.

Eric grinned as he walked down the hallway and into the office. Horatio looked up at him from the chair, where he was going through some files. “And here I thought I would find you two having hot sex.”

“Been there done that,” Speed commented from the computer.

Horatio snickered, “Do you have some clothes for me?”

“Nothing wrong with what you got on,” Speed looked over at him.

“It’s not me,” Horatio shook his head and went back to looking over the files.

“I’ll put your bag up in the bedroom,” Eric commented as he walked into the room. “The one upstairs,” Eric leaned over the chair his brown eyes full of mischief. “In case you forgot where you were staying.”

“I haven’t,” Horatio reached up and pulled Eric into a deep kiss.

Speed watched from his spot by the computer, “That is hot.”

Eric straightened back up, “Told you.” Then walked over and gave Speed a hello kiss also. “I stopped by Horatio’s first and got his clothes, but when I stopped by my place I had company.”

Speed turned in his chair looking at Eric concerned, “Who?”

“Calleigh and Ryan,” Eric pulled up the second office chair, “They left with my laptop.”

“Shit,” Speed threw his pen down onto the table. “Though we shouldn’t be surprised they would search the houses.”

“What’s on the computer?” Horatio asked.

“Research, it’s encrypted and encoded by some of the top government encrypters, but if they get into it…” Eric leaned back in his chair.

“How much of the operation will be exposed?” Horatio mind was racing with possibilities.

“Not much, lucky for us,” Speed looked between the two men. “Eric types all his research notes in code – a mix of Russian, Spanish, and French.”

“You speak French?” Horatio turned towards Eric.

“Speed taught it to me,” Eric shrugged. “I’m not worried about the computer. I’m worried that Calleigh is going to recognize the clothes, books, pans, and bike that happen to be lying around.”

Speed groaned his head resting in his hands, “My fingerprints and DNA are all over that place.”

“Could it lead them here?” Horatio asked as he set the files aside.

“I don’t think so,” Eric hesitated, “Nothing there mentions this place.”

“But if they figure out I’m alive,” Speed lifted his head up and looked at them. “Do you think they will stop until they find out what is going on?”

“I trust Calleigh and Ryan,” Horatio stood up looking at both men. “They will be discreet until they get the facts. They are probably working under the radar now, if they found the Hummer they are going to wonder why I just didn’t come in, possible scenario is I’m hiding from my own police force.”

“All we can do is wait,” Speed shrugged. “If Calleigh shows up at the front door, I’m hiding behind Horatio.”

Horatio snickered, then headed towards the office door, “Gentlemen I’m going to change into something more…” He looks down at the jeans and t-shirt, “respectable.” Speed just rolled his eyes as Horatio left the room.

Eric looked over at him, “What are we doing in here, when he’s upstairs getting naked?”

Speed turned in his seat and looked at Eric, “good point.”

The two men hurried up the stairs, and tackled a surprised Horatio Caine.

***

Ryan grabbed a stunned Calleigh and pulled her into an unused office space in the back of the lab. Calleigh glanced between an equally shocked Alexx and a worried looking Ryan.

“Ryan you want to explain why you dragged me away from my morgue,” Alexx gave the young man a tentative smile.

“I ran the prints found at Eric’s apartment,” Ryan took a deep breath. “They came back with a match.”

“Who?” Calleigh asked a bit concerned a Ryan’s actions.

“Timothy Speedle,” Ryan took a deep breath.

“What?” Alexx asked in shock. “That’s impossible…”

“Leftover prints from when he visited Eric?” Calleigh suggested.

“They were on the kitchen counter, fridge, nightstand, and bathroom,” Ryan pointed out. “Speedle has been dead for six months, prints wouldn’t have lasted that long in those places.”

Alexx sat down quickly, “What the hell is going on?”

“I don’t know,” Ryan shrugged.

“Speed isn’t dead and has been living with Eric?” Calleigh thought out loud.

“Not just living but sharing a bedroom,” Ryan looked between the two women. “Were Speedle and Eric lovers?” The two women looked back at Ryan in shock. “I guess this is a surprise to you as well.”

“We need to find them,” Calleigh paced in the small room. “This doesn’t leave this room.”

“What about Eric’s computer?” Ryan suggested.

“It’s encrypted,” Calleigh stopped and looked at Ryan. “I can’t get through it, and I don’t want to officially try to break into it.”

“Let’s go back to Eric’s place and see if we can find clues to where they may be at,” Ryan suggested.

“I know where they are at,” Alexx looked over at them. “And I think I know what’s going on.”

***

Speed let the hot water cascade over his shoulders and back. His body hummed from the effects of the passionate encounter between the three of them. Last night had been about comfort and security, this morning had been about passion and claiming. Horatio was as intense in bed as he was out of it, being wrapped around that man was intoxicating. Speed’s hands slid down to his awakening erection. He had felt loved and cherished with Eric, the two had a passionate sex life – giving and taking from each other. Adding Horatio had just blown both their minds.

Speed worked his erection, eyes closed as he leaned against the shower wall. Images of the last hour floating through his mind – watching as Horatio took Eric slowly driving the Cuban out of his mind with pleasure. Remembering the feel of Horatio’s mouth around his own aching cock as Eric slipped his fingers inside Speed.

Speed came moaning in pleasure; he paused when he heard a noise from downstairs. Eric had taken Horatio to meet with their DEA contact – no one should be home. Speed stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist. He slipped quietly into the bedroom pulling the gun out of the nightstand.

He eased down the stairs, gun raised, listening for any sound. He turned the corner and stepped into the living room gun raised.

“Tim?” Calleigh asked in shock.

“Calleigh?” Speed questioned as he looked between the three intruders. “Alexx?”

Speed shifted when he heard the front door open, gun raised at the new threat. Eric and Horatio walked into the room and stopped short seeing their visitors. Eric turned towards Speed, “Speed?”

“Don’t ask me, I heard a noise,” Speed shrugged lowering the gun.

“And decided to come down in a towel?” Horatio asked admiring the view.

Alexx ignored the gun and towel, and hugged the young man. Speed closed his eyes and hugged her back. She stepped back, eyes full of unshed tears, then slapped him. “What the hell is going on?”

“Good question?” Calleigh glared at him.

Alexx hugged him again, then forced him to sit on the couch, “Tim, sugar, tell me what’s going on.”

“Uh… Alexx,” Tim looked down at the towel.

“Honey I’ve seen it all – now I want to hear it all.” The coroner favored him with a foreboding look. “So, I want you to tell me, just how does one rise from the dead?”

Horatio and Eric stayed quiet; making sure Alexx’s wrath wasn’t turned on them and sat down at the bar. Both men had to admit a wet, barely clothed Timothy Speedle was a sight to behold.

“Not half naked,” Speed muttered darkly without any real heat. And he was not going to look back at Eric and Horatio. The appreciative and stunned looks his two lovers had favored him with when they thought the girls were too busy yelling at him to notice were bad enough in mixed company. One thing he didn’t need right now was a tent for a towel.

Calleigh sat next to Alexx, “So Tim, how does one rise from the dead and show up in a high priced apartment? Let alone suddenly become very confident with a gun?”

“Alexx, Calleigh – at least let me change?” Speed asked, ignoring Horatio’s heated stare.

“I vote we let him change?” Ryan says from the corner blushing as he glanced between Eric and Horatio’s hungry looks and Speed. Things had taken a serious turn for the twilight zone in his book – a dead CSI walking around in a towel and his boss and co-worker both were staring with lustful looks, and an ME who knew where said dead CSI was located.

“I’m with the new guy,” Speed stood up and walked over towards Ryan putting as much distance between the two irate women. “Hi, I’m Speed.”

“Ryan,” Ryan shook his hand blushing, “Nice towel.”

Unable to stop himself, Speed grinned; both for the blush and the guy’s ability to take all of this in stride; his counterpart’s sudden half-naked return from the dead, his normally sensible co-workers sudden lascivious behavior — Male and female. Not to mention his boss suddenly displaying that he does have a personal side with said very male counterpart wearing nothing but a towel.

“Thanks. Doesn’t leave much in the way of coverage but it’s comfortable.” Speed smiled at him easing the tension in the new CSI’s shoulders.

Ryan grinned back at him, suddenly liking the not so dead CSI, “Right. So I should hold off the mob and let you go change?”

“Want to borrow my gun?” Speed smirked at the raised eyebrows, mostly from the fairer sex. “You never know when it might come in handy.”

“I…don’t think so. Calleigh’s a better shot than I am.” The pair traded knowing looks. “And pissing off the ME who’ll probably be responsible for your autopsy? Not a good idea.”

“Yeah, good point.” Speed nodded noting a definite challenging glare to Alexx’s stare. “So…Everyone. Sit. Stay. Kitchen’s that way.”

“Speedle…” Calleigh stood up blocking Speed’s movement towards the stairs.

“Duquesne,” Speed returned firmly. “Clothes. Now.”

“And then?” she demanded, tapping her foot in impatience.

“Then I’ll answer anything you want to know,” Speed laid his hand on her shoulders giving her a small smile.

“Damn right you will,” Calleigh called after him as he headed back up stairs then turned towards the two men “you knew about this?”

Horatio looked at Eric, “I just found out…. Eric here…”

“Great get me in trouble,” Eric muttered.

“YOU KNEW!” Calleigh glared at Eric.

“I knew he looked good in a towel,” Eric deadpanned.

“Damn good in a towel.” Horatio muttered smiling down at the floor before looking up and meeting the twin glares being thrown him way. “Right. Ladies, Ryan…anyone care for something to drink before Speed gets back?”

“Too late,” Speed smirked, shuffling down the loft stairs, not quite in a rush, dressed in black jeans and dark blue pinstriped button up, barefoot.

Calleigh favored him with a surprised look. “That was fast.”

“Didn’t want to leave Eric and H alone down here with the wolves for too long,” Speed smirked only to grimace at the fist to his shoulder, “Ow.”

The ballistics expert only smiled sweetly. “You were in range.”

Alexx favored him with a knowing eye under raised brows. Her smile was pointed when she asked, “Isn’t that Horatio’s shirt?”

“Yes, it is.” Speed only smiled; a genuine one that lit up his eyes with good humor as he bent to kiss her cheek. “It’s good to see you Alexx.”

Alexx smiled and hugged him, “Good to see you sweetie.” Sat him down, “Now tell me why I did your autopsy, yet you’re here?”

Speed looked down not looking her in the eyes, “I’m sorry, if I had other options I would have gone with them.”

“Witness protection?” Ryan asked fascinated at the situation.

“No,” Speed looked over at everyone “I’m actually DEA and my cover was blown.”

Calleigh’s mouth dropped in shock, she had been thinking along the same lines of Ryan, and witness protection, “But…Dispo…”

“Eric planted the jammed gun,” Speed gave her a tentative smile. “We used the incident to help my cover.”

“OW!” Eric looked up at Calleigh who had just smacked him. “That’s going to bruise.”

“YOU knew he was DEA?” Calleigh looked at Eric. “All this time you never told us.”

“Cause he’s also DEA.” Speed informed them smirking at Eric.

“OW!” Eric got up and rubbed his sore arm hiding behind Horatio. “Thanks.”

“So how long have you two been lovers?” Ryan asked, smiling at the two men. He wondered if they were this playful at work.

“OW!” Speed glared at Alexx. “What was that for?”

“You didn’t tell me about you and Eric,” Alexx glared at him. “When did Eric join your operation?”

“Wait,” Horatio turned towards Speed, “Alexx knew you were DEA?”

“I don’t think I want to say – I might get hit again,” Speed muttered darkly looking between Calleigh, Alexx, Eric, and Horatio wondering which one would throttle him first.

“Speed…” Horatio looked up when his voice trailed off, letting the younger man know he meant what he as about to say “You definitely will get hit again if you don’t.”

“Besides,” Eric grinned from behind the redhead, casting an evil smile in his direction. “I’ll kiss it and make it better.”

Before he could do more than stare, Horatio denied with some good humor, “You most certainly will not. Punishment is supposed to hurt, Eric.”

“I’ll remember you said that, H,” Speed muttered, a little louder this time. And if Eric’s grin was evil, Speed’s smirk was doubly so. And the older man blushed so nicely. “In the meantime -”

“In the meantime…” Calleigh took the cue and ran with it. Arms crossed over her chest the blond set herself, and looked as if it would take a hurricane to move her. “I have questions.” The firm tone clearly stated everyone had better get comfortable. It was going to be a long day.

“I’m sure you do,” Speed muttered, then continued, “I was recruited out of high school, and worked for them through college. My mentor was killed during a bust that went wrong because of faulty information I received then provided. I wanted out, so I moved to Miami, met Megan and set up shop as a CSI. A year later, I stumbled upon a growing drug ring, called an old boss, and got reinstated – and here I am.”

“So how does Eric fit into this?” Calleigh asked eyes narrowing at Eric.

“He stumbled upon my investigation,” Speed ignored Eric’s snort.

“And Alexx since you seemed to skip over that explanation yesterday,” Horatio commented dryly.

Speed looked around a place to hide, knowing what he was about to say would piss off Eric to no ends. “She patched up a gunshot wound.”

“WHAT!??” Eric yelled at him “When the hell did this happen?”

“It was not long after you joined the operation.” Speed admitted when Eric moved out from behind Horatio, accusation and hurt in his dark eyes. “I’m alright, Eric. It wasn’t bad.” A gentle squeeze to the hand reaching for his, their fingers intertwined, helped to dispel the worry, though the accusation remained.

“Alexx?” Eric asked, his eyes never leaving Speed’s. Horatio looked on from nearby but didn’t interrupt.

With a soft sigh at the unconscious connection, Alexx agreed. “He’s right, sugar. It was little more than a slight graze to his left shoulder. A few stitches were all that was needed.”

Eric looked a bit pale. “The scar…”

Speed smiled a bit. “It wasn’t a bike accident.”

“You lied to me.” Eric’s voice dropped showing his pain.

“I didn’t want you to worry. It was all too new…” Speed sighed, insecure and worry shining through for a moment before he admitted.

“You should have told me,” Eric pushed.

“We weren’t even lovers yet, and you were still new to the investigation. It was a small meeting and one of the buyers got antsy and started shooting. I ducked and got out of there, the bullet grazed my shoulder.” Speed sighed; he leaned back in the couch, feeling a headache come on.

“How come we weren’t called to a scene?” Horatio asked.

“Night shift got it,” Speed smirked. “They labeled it drug deal gone bad and that was that.”

“Still,” Eric relented understanding Speed’s perspective. “Why didn’t you tell me Alexx knew?”

“Less people who knew about you or you knew about, the safer you were.” Speed voice was firm a tone Calleigh wasn’t used to hearing from him.

“And now? Why the set up? Why the hiding? And what does Horatio have to do with this?” Calleigh rattled off questions that had been plaguing her since they arrived.

“Who’s the bad cop?” Ryan asked at the same time.

“I see why you hired him,” Speed looked over at Horatio as he stood up. “Now,” Speed sighed, facing the entire group. “Now we have to make sure the cat doesn’t get out of the bag if it hasn’t already.”

Calleigh favored him with a sympathetic gaze as she took a seat on the couch. With Eric’s move to Speed both he and Horatio had migrated with the rest into the living area and now followed her lead, everyone took seats for what looked to be a fairly long strategy session. “I’m up for that,” she said simply.

“What about Stetler?” Ryan asked having taken the other end of the sofa, leaving Alexx the delicate, wing backed chair. “How did he miss this? I’ve only been there for a few months and that man is always sniffing around looking for dirt on Horatio.”

“You asked about the bad cop in all of this,” Eric sighed, sharing the loveseat opposite them with Horatio.

Speed stood leaning against the bar between the large open area and kitchen, preferring to be standing and ready. After all, they had found them. It might be a good idea to start scouting other places; this one may not be as safe as he had hoped. “For a rookie, you have good instincts.”

Three pairs of eyes widened at the implication.

“Stetler?” Calleigh leaned back into the couch. “Shit.”

It was Alexx who recovered first. Raising an eyebrow, the coroner commented quietly, “I’ll take that coffee now.”

***

“We should move our operation,” Speed leaned against Eric as they stood on the balcony over looking the harbor.

“Why?” Eric nuzzled his forehead.

“Did you not notice the company?” Speed chuckled he could hear Horatio going over some finer details with Calleigh and Ryan.

“They found us because Alexx had been here,” Eric tightened his grip, “When she patched you up.”

“I am sorry,” Speed stroked Eric’s arm.

“I know,” Eric sighed, “It just scares me sometimes.”

“Eric,” Speed turned in his arms, “If this goes wrong and I don’t make it,” Speed placed a finger of Eric’s mouth, “Don’t interrupt. I want you to empty the accounts and get out of Miami.” Speed looked over Eric’s shoulder at Horatio, “Take Horatio, live a stress free life.”

Eric cupped Speed’s cheek, “I’ll promise to do that, only because I know you will hound me until I do. But know this; I will do anything in my power to make sure all of us stay alive, that all of us live out the rest of our lives on a beach somewhere.”

“Do you think he will come with us?” Speed laid his head on Eric’s shoulder.

Eric held Speed close, “I don’t know.”

***

“I had no clue,” Calleigh shook her head as she watched the two men out on the balcony.

“No one did,” Alexx followed her gaze. “They hid it well.”

Horatio’s eyes were glued to the two men. He could see the love between them, knowing they loved him as equally sent a thrill through his body. He had no idea what was going to happen after all this was over.

“And how do you fit in,” Calleigh looked over at Horatio.

“Excuse me?” Horatio turned and looked back at Calleigh.

Ryan shook his head, “It’s a little disconcerting to not only discover your boss has a playful side, but with two others guys.”

Horatio shrugged, his eyes going back to Eric and Speed, “What can I say, they can be very persuasive.”

“I bet,” Calleigh laughed.

“Okay what secrets are being revealed,” Speed and Eric walked back into the room. Speed looked between Calleigh and Horatio, “or do I want to know.”

“Probably not,” Eric stated as he walked into the kitchen. “So what’s the plan?”

“Eric and Horatio stay in hiding,” Ryan looked at the small team. “While Calleigh and I try frantically to figure out what’s going on…”

“Maybe discussing a few things we’ve discovered at Eric’s house,” Calleigh smiled over at Ryan.

“Such as?” Speed asked leaning up against the bar.

“A phone bill, with mysterious calls to a DEA office in Miami,” Calleigh shrugged.

“Or the fact Eric has boxes of files that look like evidence in a drug bust,” Ryan added.

“And I take it Stetler will be walking by at the time,” Speed smiled at them.

“Of course,” Ryan shrugged. “If not we’ll walk by his office.”

“What about Yelina?” Eric asked from the kitchen.

“I’m going to talk to her,” Alexx stood up from the couch. “In the mean time I think it’s time the three of us get back to the trail we thought was a dead end.”

“Should we move?” Speed looked over at Alexx.

“I only knew of this place because you asked me here,” Alexx headed for the door.

“Your name isn’t on the lease, and the manager had no idea who you were,” Ryan followed Alexx. “He just saw our badges and let us in.”

“That’s not good,” Eric looked over at Speed.

“I’ll call our contact,” Speed headed down the hall towards the office.

Calleigh gave Horatio a quick hug, “Take care of them,” she whispered in his ear.

“I will,” he whispered back.

***

Horatio was going through Stetler’s email, working through the notes Speed had written out, trying to figure out what Stetler was up to. He heard the crash from the kitchen, and hurried out of the office into the living room. He stopped short and stared at the image before him. Speed was dressed in black leather pants, see-through silver silk shirt; you could see his nipple ring clearly through the fabric. He had leather cuffs on his wrists and a pair of knee-high laced leather boots on his feet.

Eric was glaring at him from the kitchen as he cleaned up the broken bottle, “Where do you think your going in that outfit?”

“I got a call from Thomas, we may have an in that I just can’t pass up,” Speed walked over to the closet by the front door and grabbed a leather trench coat.

“What lead?” Horatio asked.

“Rumor has it since Clavo is now in jail, Robert is moving up the ranks,” Speed slipped on the jacket, and grabbed his keys. “Stetler has gotten into Robert’s good graces by claiming to have taken out the DEA agent that had been investigating.”

“Stetler is stating he took you out?” Eric stepped out of from the kitchen area.

“There’s a big meeting with the council, to vote on whether or not to let Robert take over Clavo’s trade,” Speed continued.

“If you show up,” Horatio realized where Speed was going. “It will discredit Stetler and Robert.”

“Exactly,” Speed walked over to the two men. “I’m going to explain that I had been discovered by the true DEA agent and faked my death.”

“Get Stetler into hot water, not only did he not take you out like he said, he had fingered the wrong guy,” Eric nodded.

“And with you two missing,” Speed grinned. “It will be obvious that Eric was the DEA agent.” Speed locked eyes with Eric, “If this works, I can not only offer the DEA agent up, but also Horatio Caine to the head guy personally.”

“Use us as bait,” Horatio nodded hands on his hips.

“I don’t like it, but this is our way in, to finally bust this guy,” Speed slipped his hand into Eric’s hair leaning over and kissing him softly. “I should be home early morning.”

Horatio slipped his arms around Speed his hands running down leather clad thighs, “Just remember who you belong to.”

Speed moaned softly as he leaned back into Horatio, “I belong to you two.”

Horatio turned Speed around and kissed him hard, “return to us safely.”

“I will,” Speed untangled himself between the two men. He gave them a sultry look and headed out the door.

Eric watched the door closed, “I don’t like this. I don’t like him going out without back up”

“He’ll be fine,” Horatio pulled Eric into his arms, hiding his own worry.

“I can’t live without him,” Eric snuggled into Horatio’s embrace. “Just the thought of him being dead scared me; by the time I had gotten home I had convinced myself he was really dead. That night we both ended up with bruises,” Eric shifted burying his face into Horatio’s neck. “He couldn’t get your face out of his mind, and I couldn’t get the image of the body on Alexx’s table out of mine.”

Horatio just held him, his hand caressing the short black hair, “I have faith in him. He will get the information we need, and we will finish this.”

Eric nodded, “I just want this over. I want us to be together,” He lifted his head and looked at Horatio, “all of us.”

Horatio pulled the younger man to him, taking his lips in a soft deep slow caress. Eric pulled back, dark eyes locking with blue, “When it’s over will you stay with us?”

Horatio looked down; he didn’t know what to say, so instead he pulled Eric back to him. He claimed Eric’s mouth, devouring his very essence. Eric moaned and leaned into the kiss, letting Horatio lead – letting Horatio distract Eric by soothing his fears along with Horatio’s.

***

Speed walked into the club, easing through the crowded dance floor, heading towards the back rooms. By now his old contacts had seen him, and would be reporting to Ramon that a supposed dead DEA agent was waltzing through the club. Speed grinned slightly, when he walked up to the back room door, he eyed the bodyguard with ease.

“Tell Ramon that I’ve got a message for him from beyond the grave,” Speed nodded towards the camera above the door.

The door opened, to reveal a second guard; he nodded towards Speed and headed down the hallway. Speed followed at a small distance taking in his surroundings, covering his exits. The guard led him into a back banquet style room. An oblong table was in the center of the room. Ramon sat at the head of the table, his right hand man Mitch, sat on his right, two guards stood behind him. Speed recognized most of the men in the room; they were all part of the trade, men he had been investigating, including The General.

Speed stepped up to the end of the table, a cocky grin on his face, “Surprised to see me?”

“Looking good for a dead pig,” Ramon stared at him coldly.

“A little harsh, Ramon,” Speed gestured with his arms out. “I came unarmed and you can clearly see no wires.”

“What do you want pig, before I kill you.” Ramon gestured towards the guard behind Speed.

“I’ve got some info you will want to hear about Robert and his little pig,” Speed spat out when he said pig.

Ramon gestured once again, the guard backing away, “You’ve got five minutes.”

“Start off by explaining why you’re alive,” The General demanded.

“The DEA Agent inside the CSI was on my tail, I had to get out,” Speed shrugged. “I figured I should go into hiding.”

Ramon cocked his head listening, “You faked your death?”

“New Rudy pretty well,” Speed grinned. “Told him we were coming, asked him to make it look good.”

“Evidence?” The General mocked Speed. “You CSI’s live and breathe it.”

Speed smiled at the General, “Maybe you should answer one question for me. Where are Horatio Caine and Eric Delko at the moment?”

The General leaned back in his chair, “I’m listening.”

“Delko’s the agent,” Ramon glanced at a few of the other guests in attendance. “He had been suspected earlier on…”

“Because of that huge drug bust in Little Cuba,” Speed smirked. Of course what Speed wasn’t telling them, that neither men had anything to do with that particular bust – it just happened to go down when Eric was out of town. “I caught him digging into some of my old cases, and then he and Stetler were having a nice little conversation about money laundry and bad cops.”

Ramon’s eyes narrowed, “You have proof?”

“Call Rudy,” Speed shrugged. “He’ll tell you the shooting was a set up.”

Ramon motioned to one of the men behind him, “And now?”

Speed cocked his head and smiled, “I’ve worked too hard to end up ‘dead’.” Speed rolled his eyes, “So when I hear through the grapevine that little Clavo got nailed by Caine, I figured it was time to rise up and get back into the business – after all, who would suspect me, I’m dead remember.”

“What do you want?” The General growled.

“That’s easy,” Speed locked eyes with the man, “Clavo’s trade.”

A guard leaned over Ramon’s shoulder and whispered in his ear, “Rudy confirms the jewelry store was a set up.”

“You actually believed Stetler took me out,” Speed laughed quietly. “Ever consider why he’s never been able to take down Caine? I sat in that lab; there were many times Caine stepped over the bound. And what? Stetler can’t get it to stick?”

Ramon’s eyes narrowed in thinking, “Those are strong accusations.”

“He claimed he had me knocked off. I have a right to claim things back,” Speed shrugged. “Bring him in here; watch his reaction when he sees me.”

“You want my son’s trade?” The General growled out.

“You’re son?” Speed cocked his head smirking.

The General glared at him, “What are you willing to offer?”

“That’s easy,” Speed gave them a bright smile. “What everyone wants; Caine and Delko.”

***

“So I searched Eric’s place,” Ryan stopped next to Calleigh near the front receptionist.

“And?” Calleigh asked concerned, “Anything to state where he’s at?”

“No, but was he working on a drug case?” Ryan asked a bit confused. “I found boxes of files all connected to drug cases past and present associating with the Underground.”

Calleigh stepped back and looked at Ryan, “What?”

“Not just that,” Ryan looked around the small lobby pulling Calleigh closer. “I found Horatio’s suit, it was bloody and had soot all over it.”

Calleigh took a deep breath, “What the hell is going on?”

“I don’t know, but no one has heard from either man,” Ryan looked down the hall to see Stetler heading away from them.

“I truly think we deserve an Academy Award for that performance,” Calleigh smiled. “Let’s go see Alexx, figure out the next step.”

***

Speed slipped into the dark apartment in the earlier hours of the morning. He sighed as he leaned up against the door; it had been a long stressful night. In the end they believed him, but there were times he wondered if he was going to get out of their alive. He stopped by his contact with the DEA; they had gotten everything on tape, audio and video. He smiled, amazed at modern technology – who knew a camera could be small enough to become a nipple ring, and with the see through shirt a clear view of all the participants.

Speed leaned up against the bar and unlaced and slipped off his boots. He unclasped the wrists band laying them on the counter. He padded quietly up the stairs, stopping on the last step admiring the two men curled around each other.

“Why aren’t you in bed yet?” Eric sleepily called out.

“I want to get the grime of that place off of me,” Speed smiled as he slipped off the shirt.

“What happened to the nipple ring?” Horatio sat up in the bed.

“Left it with, Hopkins,” Speed stepped into the bathroom. “They wanted to test the camera later for the next meeting.”

“That little ring was a camera?” Horatio looked impressed. He looked Speed over, “need help with those pants?”

Speed grinned, “Maybe.”

Horatio stood up and stalked across the bedroom. He pulled Speed into his arms, kissing him soundly, re-claiming him. Speed moaned as he felt Eric’s hands caress his sides and a finger slipping into the waistband of the leather pants. Speed leaned back, his head on Eric’s shoulder. His eyes were dark with lust and love as he memorized Horatio’s now darkened blue eyes. He knew he would hold this moment in his memory. Horatio claimed Speed’s lip once again. Speed just went along for the ride, letting his lovers take care of him.

***

Speed set the phone down then dropped his head against the cool tile of the kitchen counter. It was finally going to be over, whether or not he lived through it was something else entirely.

He felt hands caress his back and begin to knead out the tight muscles in his shoulders, “What did Hawkins have to say?” Eric whispered.

“That wasn’t Hawkins,” Speed stood up relaxing into Eric’s hands. “It was Ramon. There’s a meeting tomorrow at the docks, I bring you and H, I get Clavo’s district.” Speed looked over at Horatio who was leaning against the small bar, “Plus the honor of shooting Stetler.”

Horatio’s eyebrow lifted a small grin, “Can I see that before you kill me?”

“Not funny,” Speed eyes closed as he leaned back down and rested his head on the kitchen counter.

“You just take some deep breaths,” Eric grabbed the phone off the counter. “I’ll call Hawkins and set everything up.”

“Speed,” Horatio stepped into the kitchen.

“In two days it’s all over,” Speed stood up, turned and leaned up against the counter. “Almost nine years of my life over.”

Horatio stepped up to him, “All your hard work will pay off.”

Speed took a deep breath, “Then what?”

Horatio startled stepped back, “What do you mean?”

“I’m dead,” Speed’s voice was mocking.

“We can work out an arrangement,” Horatio placed his hands on his hips lost in his thoughts. “Make something up, how you were helping, and your death exaggerated.”

“Even so,” Speed sighed in resignation. “I can’t stay here. We will get the top sharks, but there are a lot of smaller ones roaming around. Eric and I will be targets.”

“What do you want me to say?” Horatio demanded.

“I don’t know,” Speed crossed his arms in front of him. “I’m… God, Horatio I might not even live through tomorrow. It’s just…”

Horatio stepped up and pulled Speed into his arms, “You will live. I can’t go through that again.” Horatio kissed him hard devouring his mouth. He pushed Speed up on top of the counter, Speed’s legs wrapping around his waist. Horatio pulled back taking in deep breaths, “You will live do you understand me?”

“Yes,” Speed dove back in taking Horatio’s lips with his own.

Eric stood off to the side and watched his two lovers, knowing this was between them. Horatio’s way of demanding Speed to live. He leaned against the wall and watched as Horatio consumed Speed in passion.

***

“Nothing will be the same, will it?” Calleigh looked over at Alexx.

Alexx shook her head then turned and looked out the vans front window, “Nothing’s been the same since Speed ‘died’, and it’s likely that it’s going to change even more.”

“We’re going to lose Eric aren’t we?” She followed Alexx’s sight watching the DEA agents prep the three men.

“They will be targets,” Ryan’s voice came from behind them. “They will have to leave town.”

“What about Horatio?” Calleigh looked back at Ryan then back out the window watching the redhead.

“I don’t know honey, I don’t know,” Alexx shook her head.

***

Speed took a deep breath as he closed the van doors; this was it – the final climatic scene. He leaned up against the back doors getting his emotions under check, not thinking about the two men he loved the most in this world, who were tied up in the back of the van. He took a calming breath and slipped into a role he has been playing for too long. He walked around to the front and slipped behind the steering wheel ignoring his cargo.

An hour later he pulled up in front of the warehouse by the docks. He flicked his lights, letting them know he was here. He backed the van into the small warehouse stopping at the edge of the line of cars. He slipped out of the van and walked up to Ramon. He smirked at the man and lifted his arms out wide a gesture of trust. Ramon’s guards patted him down pulling out his gun, from his waist ban.

Speed gave Ramon a look, “Like I’m going to deal with anyone unarmed.”

Ramon nodded and the guard handed Speed his gun back, “You bring them.”

“Bound and gagged,” Speed smirked. “Just like a Christmas present.”

“How did you get a drop on them?” The General asked as he walked up.

“Let’s just say I took advantage of their stunned reaction to my sudden rise from the dead,” Speed smiled.

“I bet,” Ramon snickered. “Robert and Stetler should be here soon.”

Speed grinned evilly, “I’m looking forward to it.”

A black town car drove up into the warehouse stopping near the van. Speed kept his back to the car, knowing who it was.

“Roberto,” Ramon called out to the two men. “I see you brought your pet pig.”

Stetler growled slightly, but didn’t say anything. Robert smiled at Ramon, “He’s been invaluable to the operation.”

“Got rid of that pesky DEA agent,” The General called out, watching the approaching men.

“I don’t know about that,” Speed commented as he turned around staring Stetler in the face. “I say he’s working with him.”

Stetler’s mouth dropped, “Speedle?”

“Yep in the flesh so to speak,” Speed smirked at the cop. “So if I’m not dead, and not the DEA agent, then who is?” Speed snapped his fingers, “That would be one Eric Delko.”

Robert looked over to Stetler, “You said Speedle was the DEA Agent and you had him taken care of.”

“He also said he would take care of Caine,” Speed leaned up against the back of the van. “And where are Caine and Delko?”

Stetler’s eyes narrowed at Speed, “How do we know you’re not the DEA agent and this is a set up?”

“This coming from the man who claims he had me taken out,” Speed crossed his arms in front of him. “Besides I come bearing gifts.”

“Let’s see these gifts,” A new voice entered the arena.

***

“Oh my God!” Calleigh stated in shock as they listened in, “It can’t be?”

“Isn’t he in jail?” Ryan shook his head.

***

Speed laughed, “This is too good.” He glanced over at The General. “So the whole ‘he’s not my son so I’m throwing his ass in jail’ was a scam?”

The General smiled and nodded his eyes shining with pride at his son, “I can’t wait to show him his gift.”

“How did you get him out?” Speed turned and opened the door calming his nerves this wasn’t going to go down well.

“I never went,” Clavo shrugged.

“So you never revoked his immunity,” Speed nodded. “Good set up. Got Caine off your back.”

“So where is this gift?” Clavo stood next to his father.

Speed opened the door and pulled his gun aiming it at Horatio, “Get out of the van.” He shifted his gun, “you stay put.”

Clavo grinned when he saw Speed shove Horatio down onto his knees, “Nice.”

Stetler looked between Speed and Horatio, “You believe this?” He turned towards the men. “This is a set up.”

Speed rolled his eyes as he ripped off Horatio’s gag. “Jealous, Stetler? That I got Horatio on his knees and you couldn’t?”

“Speed?” Horatio looked up at his friend. “What’s going on buddy?” Horatio glanced around the warehouse his eyes landing and narrowing on Clavo.

“Sorry, H,” Speed shrugged. “You’re my ticket to the big league.”

“Speed,” Horatio looked back up at Speed. “Whatever trouble you’ve gotten into I can help.”

“Turn a blind eye,” Speed laughed. “You’ll throw my ass in jail as quickly as Clavo there.” Speed nodded over towards Clavo.

Horatio glanced over at Stetler, a snarl on his face, “I shouldn’t be surprised about you.”

“You never learned Caine,” Stetler took a step towards Horatio.

Speed moved between them, “He’s not for you.” Speed smirked, “Besides I think you’ve got your own explaining to do.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Stetler demanded.

“The fact you’re working with Delko,” Speed smirked.

Stetler turned towards Robert, “He’s lying.”

“I’m also supposed to be dead,” Speed reminded him.

“How do you explain that?” Clavo answered. “You told me you had him taken out.”

“I didn’t take Speedle down, but I’m not working with Delko,” Stetler figured the truth would be the easiest. “I suspected Delko at first, but,” he pointed at Clavo, “Insisted it was Speedle.”

Clavo turned towards Speed, “How do we know you’re not working with DEA?”

Speed opened the second door of the van and shoved Eric down next to Horatio, “Would I do this if I was,” his eyes went hard as he pulled the gun up and shot two shots point blank range into Eric’s back. Eric slumped down blood pooling around him.

“Oh God Eric,” Horatio eyes widen then settled on Speed, “I’ll will see you pay for this.”

Speed shrugged, and then squatted down in front of him, “You left me to the wolves on Dispo Day – and I was innocent then. Went to bat for Calleigh, but left me high and dry. Too bad it was the action that sent me into a life of crime.” Speed stood up and stepped over Eric his eyes focused on Clavo, “Evidence enough?”

Clavo grinned and nodded, “Dude you’re cool by me.”

Speed turned toward Ramon, “I know your boss wanted the pleasure but….”

“I couldn’t have thought of a better show of loyalty than that,” A voice Speedle recognized. “Welcome to the organization, Mr. Speedle or should we still call you Speed?”

Speed smiled, “I prefer Speed, Judge Williamson.”

***

“Now we wait until they show Speed the drugs,” Hawkins looked at the screen tension thick in the van.

“Eric’s alright, isn’t he?” Calleigh asked.

“He knew it was coming,” Hawkins answered eyes not leaving the monitor.

“That had to be hard on Speed,” Alexx closed her eyes praying her friends would get through this.

***

“You know this explains why I lost every case when I was in your court,” Speed smirked.

The Judge smiled, “Got to watch out for my investments.” Williamson looked over at Horatio, “I can’t give you Clavo’s trade obviously, but I can give you Roberts.” The Judge nodded and Clavo pulled a gun up and shot Robert one shot to the head.

Speed glanced over at the body, “And the pig?”

Williamson walked up to Stetler, “What should I do with you?”

“I’ve been loyal,” Stetler looked around nervously.

“You lied,” Williamson glared at him.

“I used a situation to my advantage,” Stetler responded back.

“I have an idea,” Speed looked over at the two men.

“And what would that be?” Williamson didn’t look away from Stetler.

“I have some experience with evidence,” Speed smirked. “Set him up for Delko’s and Caine’s murders. Everyone knows he hates Caine, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch.”

Williamson turned back towards Speed, motioning for two guards to grab Stetler, “I like how your mind works.” He slipped an arm around Speed’s shoulders, “Let me show you your merchandise and we’ll talk routes and pick-ups.”

***

“Okay, guys this is it,” Hawkins grabbed his gun and stepped out of the van. “Wait until Speed gives us the word, then move in.” He turned towards the three CSI’s, “Don’t move.”

Calleigh watched Hawkins head towards the warehouse, “Is he kidding?” Calleigh pulled her gun, and followed the man out. She turned towards the other two.

“Not a word,” Alexx grabbed her medical kit. “I promise to stay behind lines, and then move in when it’s over. Ryan will keep me company.”

“I was on patrol,” Ryan growled out, “And concerned as much as you.”

“That’s why you have to keep Alexx safe,” Calleigh stated as she slipped on her Kevlar vest.

***

Speed walked with Williamson, trying not to respond to Clavo walking towards Horatio. Williamson moved him to the back of the warehouse, “Leave Caine for now, Clavo.”

Clavo looked over at Williamson, “I will kill the bastard.”

“Oh you will,” Williamson smiled, “But first let’s finish our business.”

Clavo knelt in front of Horatio, “Looks like it’s closing time.”

Horatio just glared at him, “So how does it feel to be a bastard child?” Horatio took the hit with ease.

“Clavo,” The General stood up. “Leave the pig alone.”

Speed ignored the situation behind him, as he talked with Williamson. “Robert’s section isn’t as large as Clavo’s but a good starting point.”

Speed nodded, “I’ll have to bring in some of my contacts, can’t be walking the streets now can I.”

Williamson smiled, “It’s a good cover, you play your cards right you could work your way up the chain.”

“Beats working my ass for years getting no where,” Speed shrugged. “How much are we talking?”

“A steady stream of ten kilo’s a week,” Williamson looked over at Speed. “Can you handle that?”

“Take me a while to get my contacts up and going again,” Speed nodded, “But should be up and running in no time.”

“Good,” Williamson opened the back doors of a black SUV that was parked farther inside the warehouse.

Williamson unlocked the silver cases, and pulled out a bag of cocaine. He slit the bag and offered it to Speed. Speed took a small taste, “It’s going to be a pleasure doing business with you.”

***

“That’s the signal,” Hawkins yelled into his radio, “Move in, move in.”

A swarm of federal agents, swat, and Miami-Dade police officers raided the warehouse. The chaos outside escalated the chaos inside.

Eric jumped up from his position on the ground pulling out a weapon, “DEA freeze!”

Horatio at the same time flicked his wrists, the trick cuffs slipping off his hands; he pulled the weapon out from behind his back, aiming at Stetler, “You’re going down Rick!”

Speed slammed the truck door closed and pulled his weapon, aiming it at Williamson, “Don’t even think about it.”

Williamson smiled at him, “I’ll admit you’re good, but know this, I will seek my revenge.”

“I’m already dead, remember.” Speed kept his gun trained on Williamson.

The agents swarmed in, forcing everyone to the ground. Speed stood back as Williamson was handcuffed and escorted away, followed closely by The General and Clavo. Horatio smiled at Stetler as he was escorted out.

Speed stood next to Eric, and the two men watched the activity around the warehouse. The years of work finally paid off, they had taken down one of the largest drug trade in Miami – and it seemed so easy.

Horatio was talking with Calleigh, Ryan and Alexx. He looked over at the two men, a small smile on his face.

“I’m a bit shocked.” Hawkins stated as he walked up to Speed and Eric.

“Why?” Speed asked looking over at Horatio.

“Not one shot was fired, except for Williamson shooting Robert,” Hawkins watched as they carried out Roberts’s body. “We took down a major drug trade, got the head honcho, a bad IA cop, and not one shot was fired.”

“I’m pretty amazed myself,” Eric responded as looked over at Hawkins.

A helicopter landed in the warehouse parking lot. Hawkins looked at the two men, “You know you two can’t stay in Miami. They are going to try to get the state department to revoke The General’s immunity, but it might take a while. Too many sharks in the waters, and they will be looking for you.”

Speed nodded his eyes on Horatio, “Let’s go.” He swallowed as he turned towards the helicopter, knowing at that moment Horatio wasn’t coming with them. His home was in Miami.

Eric took one last look at Horatio and followed Speed to the chopper. He ducked his head as he climbed aboard, sitting next to Speed. He could feel his lover’s pain, it matched his own.

They would start over, together – missing a part of who they were. In one week Horatio had entered and left their lives. In that week they both gave him parts of their heart and soul.

Speed didn’t care about protocol or how it looked – he laid his head against Eric’s shoulder and closed his eyes. He felt Eric pull him closer to him, absorbing each other’s presence. Later they would cry for their loss.

 Epilogue

“He’s miserable,” Calleigh watched Horatio walk down the hallway towards his office.

“Well Yelina isn’t helping,” Ryan muttered. “She actually had the nerve to yell at Horatio for taking Stetler down for being a dirty cop.”

“Have you heard anything about the trials?” Alexx asked the two CSI’s.

“No,” Calleigh shook her head. “I wonder if they will be in town to testify, or if they will just give depositions.”

“I don’t know,” Ryan shrugged. “He should have gone.”

“Yes,” Alexx looked towards Horatio’s office, “he should have.”

***

Horatio sat at his desk, ignoring the file folders open on his desk. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. He knew he was being a hard ass and snapping at anything and anyone. He just watched them get in the helicopter and leave; he didn’t even make a step in their direction.

He rationalized that it was for a good reason, he had to be there for his family. Then Yelina had disowned him, and stalked out of his life with Ray Jr. Susie had met a decent young man who adored Madison and was moving to New York. His family had moved on, and he had let the two men he loved the most in this world leave.

He picked up the phone, “Caine.”

“Argentina,” a male voice answered.

“Excuse me?” Horatio leaned into the phone.

“Rio Gallegos,” the line went dead.

Horatio set the phone back into its cradle, staring at it. He leaned back in his chair; he was at a crossroads and needed to make a decision. Horatio opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out the white envelope. He dropped it on his desk, and headed out the door. He walked out of the lab, got into his Hummer and headed directly for the airport.

“He’s going isn’t he?” Ryan watched Horatio pull out of the parking lot.

“He’s going home,” Alexx confirmed.

***

Speed stretched out in the hammock reading a book. Or at least he would be if he wasn’t intently watching Eric in his tight wetsuit play in the water. Speed smiled at turned back to his book, his smile fading slightly when the thought of Horatio entered his mind.

Six long months and neither man had gotten over the loss of one Horatio Caine. The bed felt too big, the house too quiet, and anytime they heard a car come up the street they both paused and listened – pathetic yeah, they both knew it.

Speed looked up from his book, his eyes focusing on someone walking up the beach. Rio Gallegos wasn’t a tourist town, it was the reason they chose the place. The villa off the beach was breathtaking, Eric could scuba dive to his hearts content, while Speed just relaxed in the hammock and read.

Speed’s eyes narrowed as he tracked the figured walking towards their home. The forgotten book dropped out of his fingers as he got up out of the hammock. He took a few steps towards the approaching figure, he closed his eyes his breathing harsh in his own ears. He opened them, only to see his lover walking towards him.

He called out to Eric, before setting off down the beach. Eric looked up towards the house, his eyes tracking Speed moving down the beach. He swam ashore dumping his gear in the wet sand, his eyes focusing on the figure Speed was walking towards. Eric’s heart stopped for a few seconds before he took off after Speed.

Horatio stopped long enough to take in the sight of his two lovers heading in his direction. He had dumped the Hummer at the airport, bought a plane ticket, and came home. He still had his suit on, and no luggage, but he didn’t care. He opened his arms just in time for Speed to slam into him pulling him into a deep bone crushing hug. He felt Eric’s arms come around him not a few seconds later.

Horatio inhaled their scents, and absorbed their presence. He held onto them feeling the past six months disappear. He whispered he was sorry; he should have gone with them. Both of them hushed him and told him not to worry, he was home now with them and that was what was important.

They led him down the rest of the way to the villa, even as tired as he was he was impressed by the place.

“It’s not impressive, but its home,” Eric stated as he led Horatio back to the master bedroom. The French doors opened to a small patio that led back to the beach. It was beautiful.

“H,” Speed slipped his arms around his waist leaning his head on Horatio’s shoulder. “Let’s get you cleaned up and into some sweats.”

“I don’t have anything,” Horatio looked between them.

“We don’t mind if you run around naked,” Eric smiled at him.

Horatio rolled his eyes, but let them push him into the bathroom. He let them clean him up, put him into some sweats, and usher him into bed. His eyes began to close and he realized for the first time in months he was comfortable, safe, and warm. He burrowed farther into the blankets his head resting on Speed’s shoulder, wrapped up in Eric’s arms.
He was home.