Lost And Found

 

Title: Lost and Found
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A Lost Son is Found
Author’s Note: Okay this was my first CSI: Miami Fic … not necessarily my first Fanfic – but the first one I wrote for CSI: Miami.  I was still a bit hesitant in writing ‘slash’ so this and the sequel have a lean towards Calleigh/Speed.

Chapter One: Miami Rain

Horatio woke with a start. He sat up looking around the darkened room, trying to figure out what had woken him. He heard the sound again, a loud thumping. He pulled his gun out of the nightstand drawer, ears trained to the silent townhouse. Horatio eased his way down the stairs and towards the front door. The only sound was the rain beating against the windows, a flash of lighting showed a silhouette outside the door.

Horatio stepped up to the door gun raised, “Who’s there?”

He barely made out the pained, “H.”

Horatio laid down the weapon on the entry table, quickly unlocked and opened the door. He barely caught the rain soaked figure as it fell into the entryway. He pulled the barely conscious man into the house slamming the door behind him. Blood and rainwater dripped onto his tiled entryway, as he half dragged and carried the now unconscious man farther into the house. Making a quick decision he lifted the man onto his shoulder, wincing at the man’s pained groan, and carried him up the stairs. Laying him down gently on the bed quickly getting towels.

He noticed that the young man wasn’t wearing shoes; his feet were dirty, bruised and bloodied. He carefully slipped off the wet dirty jeans, setting them off to the side to be collected for evidence. He picked up a pair of scissors and cut away the soaked shirt, the blood was coming from a gunshot wound in the shoulder. He placed a towel on the wound to curb the blood flow. He grabbed a warm blanket out of the closet and covered the shivering form; he quietly stepped out of the room and headed back downstairs.

He picked up the phone, but couldn’t stop shaking. He stood there in the middle of his kitchen shaking. Emotions overpowering him, the last twenty minute he had been running on pure adrenaline. He gave into the emotions, leaned against the kitchen wall and slid to the floor. His world had been turned upside down, in one single moment. He closed his eyes, took a slow deep breath to gain some ounce of control and dialed.

“Alexx…I’m sorry to have woken you, but…no, actually I’m not fine.” Horatio paused, taking a deep breath. “I need you to come over here…bring your medical kit. No, I’m physically fine…just get here as soon as possible.”

He clicked off the phone, and then picked himself off the floor. He laid the phone down on the counter and walked to the cupboard where he kept the alcohol. He poured himself a generous glass of scotch, downed it, and then picked up the phone.

“Eric…get your kit and come to my house.” Horatio voice was now firm and in control. “I’ll explain when you get here, hurry.”

Sighing as he dialed the last number, “Calleigh…I need you…Grab your kit and get here…my house not the lab…don’t call in. I’ll explain when everyone is here. I already called Eric and Alexx…Please, Calleigh just get here.”

Horatio set the phone down and poured another drink. He sat down on the couch and waited for his team to arrive. He glanced up at the dark bedroom, listening to the rain outside. The loud knock startled him; he quickly looked at the clock noticing a good twenty minutes had gone by since he sat down.

He opened the door to a worried Calleigh, “You’re the farthest away, yet the first one here?”
“What can I say, when you said hurry I broke speed records.” Calleigh smiled, then faltered at Horatio’s serious expression. “What’s going on Horatio?”

“I’ll explain when Eric and Alexx get here,” Horatio motioned for her to come in.

“We’re here,” Eric ran up the stairs and into the house, Alexx right behind him.

“Horatio, what’s going on?” Alexx laid her hand on Horatio’s arm.

Horatio looked at his team, the three people he trusted the most in the world. His eyes darted upstairs all three following his gaze. “This can’t leave the house.”

Eric nodded with the others, “H?”

“It would be easier to show you,” Horatio turned and headed up the stairs.

He walked into the bedroom, crossed over to the bed, sitting gently next to the figure laying in it. When he turned on the lamp on the nightstand; he heard a gasp and a loud thud of a heavy case hitting the floor. He turned to see Calleigh standing at the doorway her hand covering her mouth, tears in her eyes. Horatio moved out of Alexx’s way as she removed the towel from the wound.

“H?” Eric’s soft voice sounded loud in the quiet room.

“I don’t know how,” Horatio, answered the unspoken question.

Alexx pulled her medical kit onto the bed, and then looked back at Horatio. “I’m going to need some wet towels to clean this wound. It’s not a through and through so I’ll have to dig out the bullet.”

Horatio nodded and stepped out into the hallway leaving the others in the bedroom. Calleigh walked up to the bed, her hand reaching out but not quite touching.

“Honey, what did they do to that untamable hair of yours,” Alexx cooed, her hand sliding over short-cropped hair. “What happened to you? What took you away from us? And what made you come back home?”

“God, how is this possible?” Calleigh kneeled on the floor next to the bed. She took his hand in hers, it was chilled but warm. Without thought she checked for a pulse and let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding when she felt the strong beat under her fingertips.

“I don’t know, but right now we have to get that bullet out of him,” Horatio stated walking in with towels and a clean sheet for Alexx.

“I might need help holding him down, if he wakes up while I’m removing the bullet.” Alexx took the towels from his hands.

Horatio nodded then turned towards Eric and Calleigh, “There’s blood in my entryway, and the clothes he was wearing are on the dresser. Treat it as evidence.” He paused making sure he had their attention, “Then I want you to go to the lab and pull all evidence from the shooting. Process as if it was a new case.”

”What should we say, when asked?” Eric asked his eyes never leaving the figure on the bed.

“You don’t. Keep this under wraps; do not go through proper channels. We don’t know what’s going on, and the less people that know the better.” Horatio stepped up to the bed and looked at the young man asleep on his bed. “As far as the world is concerned Timothy Speedle is dead.”

Eric nodded as he grabbed the clothes and bagged them. He walked over to the bed and looked into the face of his friend, emotions threatened to overwhelm him. He felt a tug on his arm, and looked down at Calleigh, she gave him a half smile and pulled him out of the bedroom.

“Alexx, after we get the bullet out, I need you to treat his feet. He wasn’t wearing any shoes.” Horatio laid his hand on the ME’s shoulder, “Are you okay?”

“No, Horatio I’m not, but I will be.” Alexx caressed Speed’s face. “Sugar, you’ve been through so much, but your home now.”

”Alexx?” A soft whisper came from the bed.

Alexx looked down into pain filled brown eyes, “I got you honey.”

“My shoulder…” Speed grimaced as he tried to move.

“Speed you need to relax, you’re safe and Alexx will take care of you.” Horatio leaned over the bed, trying to calm the young man down.

“Tim, I have to get the bullet out,” Alexx ran her hand along his forehead, “Hold onto Horatio, but try not to move.”

A slight nod, his hand reached out for Horatio’s, “I’m sorry.”

“Shhh, we’ll talk later,” Horatio gripped Speed’s hand looking him in the eyes. “You’re home.”

Calleigh and Eric worked quietly in the entryway, both lost in their own thoughts. A pained scream tore through the townhouse, both looked up the stairs with trepidation. Neither moved from their spot, until Horatio walked down stairs ten minutes later with two small envelopes in his hand.

“He’s asleep, Alexx is watching over him at the moment.” Horatio eased their worries, noticing they both looked pale. “Calleigh, here is the bullet from his shoulder,” He handed her one of the envelopes; her hands shook as she reached out. Horatio grabbed her hand and held on to it, “It’s going to be okay, we will find out what is going on.” She nodded, tears in her eyes. She gave him a strong smiled and took the envelope. Horatio turned to Eric, “We took some swabs of debris and dirt we found on his feet…”
“Has he said anything?” Eric asked; he still hadn’t fully dealt with loosing Speed let alone having him come back.

“Nothing much, just that he was sorry.” Horatio looked away focusing on the window, he closed his eyes. This was a lot to take in, no matter how strong the person. He turned back to the two CSI’s, “I’ll be in later, see what you guys can find with the evidence.”

“You’ll page us, if something comes up?” Calleigh asked as they walked to the door.

“I’ll keep you informed. Remember this stays here; don’t talk about it at work. It could mean his life.” Horatio grew serious, his blue eyes locked on to each of them.

With one last look up the stairs the two CSI’s left. Horatio closed the door, leaning slightly against it letting out a haggard breath. A soft hand made soothing circles along his mid-back. He looked back gave a small smile to Alexx.

“I left some clean bandages, antibiotics, and a few pain pills. Let me know if he gets a fever or the wound looks affected.” Alexx informed him, she stepped forward to open the door. “I’m going back to the lab, and pulling my autopsy report. I want to know who I examined.”

“I’ll be in later,” Horatio stepped back holding the door open. “Alexx…”

“Don’t worry, everything will be just fine.” Alexx patted his lower arm, turned and walked towards her car.

Horatio closed the door, letting the stillness of the townhouse wash over him. He ascended the staircase, stopping at the bedroom entry. Leaning up against the door jam he studied the young man.

Timothy ‘Speed’ Speedle was alive and sleeping in his bed. Horatio feared for the young mans safety, worried how he had come to be in this position, but more importantly relieved that his lost son had come home.

Chapter 2 – Evidence

Eric gave a tight smile to Calleigh as he walked into the evidence room and placed the evidence box on the table. They had commandeered an evidence room that was located in the back of the lab, one with no windows. He quickly cut through the evidence tape and opened the box. He pulled out the blue shirt that was covered with blood and laid it out on the table, followed by the black pants, belt, and shoes. His breathing sounded loud in his ears, compared to the stillness of the room. He pulled out the envelopes that held blood evidence collected at the scene, plus samples from the autopsy. He laid the gun box in front of Calleigh. Neither talked, the last couple of hours had taken their toll.

Eric worked on the blue shirt Speed had been wearing, that day, while Calleigh worked through the pants and shoes. He took a sample of blood from the front and back, labeled it and set aside. He turned the shirt inside out and took two more samples, setting them next to the others. Eric’s thoughts were in turmoil, chaotic.

He had been, and still was, pissed at Speed for dying. He was pissed Speed hadn’t cleaned his gun, hadn’t he learned from Dispo Day? He was pissed that his best friend would throw his life away so carelessly. He was pissed because he wasn’t there to save him. He was pissed he didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. And now he was pissed because he threw them all for a loop and showed up alive, with no explanations. He was plainly just pissed.

Calleigh glanced over at the fuming Cuban, knowing how he felt. When she had checked Speed’s gun after the shooting and saw it dirty, she wanted to strangle him. Then the clear image of him lying on the floor dead entered her mind, guilt flooded through her. She couldn’t understand why he had been so careless. Over time she had come to a realization that his gun was like his badge something he clipped on, never intending to use it. He had little experience with guns, and for as long as she could remember she had never seen him at the firing range. So did they fail him, as much as he failed himself?

“Calleigh?” Eric hesitated, he knew they shouldn’t discuss the situation at work, but he needed to make sure it was real.

“I’m not sure if I should be pissed or happy,” Calleigh’s normal infectious voice was soft and hesitant.

“At this moment, I’m numb,” Eric admitted. “But how are we going to run these tests through DNA?”

Calleigh looked up at him, eyes tired. “John Doe from a cold case. We really aren’t lying because we don’t ‘technically’ know who it is.”

Eric grinned, “I like how your devious mind works.”

Calleigh shyly smiled back, “Thank you.”

“I’m going to take these to the lab, are you going to be in ballistics?” Eric asked as he grabbed the samples and headed out.

Calleigh packed the evidence back into the box, “I’m going to go over the gun again, see if I missed anything.”

“What do you think you’ll find?” Eric asked as they walked down the hallway. Lucky for them the night shift was out on a new case so the halls were fairly empty.

“I don’t know,” Calleigh shrugged. “But, I won’t be surprised if I do find something.”

Eric nodded and turned into the DNA lab, “Laura what are you doing here?” He stopped short, a bit surprised to see the young woman.

“I could ask you the same. It’s one in the morning, and you’re not working on a case right now.” Laura asked concerned, Eric was normally more upbeat. He looked tired, very tired.

“Cold case, Horatio got a lead and wanted us to check it out. Can you run these DNA samples and then send them through Codas?” Eric asked, as he laid the packages on the table. “And I need it yesterday.”

Laura looked into his eyes and knew something was up. “Sure, Eric, I’ll page you when I get them done.”

“Thank you, I’ll be around.” He stepped out of the lab and went back to the small evidence room. He pulled out the items they recovered from Horatio’s house. He pulled out the jeans first; laid them out on the table studying them carefully. They looked brand new, not much worn wear on the knees or butt. He found traces of mud and debris on the pants cuffs and knees. Indicating Speed had fallen onto his knees at one point. He pulled a piece of debris looking at it closely; it looked like a casing of a palm nut.

‘I’ll get this to Speed…’ The thought entered his mind. He lowered his hand and closed his eyes to gain control over his emotions. ‘I swear when this is over I’m going to hit him, then never let him out of my sight again.’

He cataloged and labeled the debris and went back to studying the cuff. He swabbed some of the dirt off the cuffs, and set it next to the processed debris. He picked up the pants and felt around the pockets. He felt something in the back pocket, a folder piece of paper. He unfolded it carefully checking for any trace elements that could help tell them where Speed had been.

“Ah damn,” Eric sat down quickly, tears that had been threatening to fall, now overwhelmed him. It was a photo of the team, from the Annual Police Picnic on July 4th. “Damn it, Speed what have you gotten yourself into?”

He composed himself and slipped the photo into an envelope. He found nothing else in the pockets, so he set down the jeans aside and pulled out the torn shirt. He found the same mud and debris on the cuffs of the sleeves and the right elbow. ‘Fell to his knees puts right hand out to steady himself, but shoulder is wounded so it gives and he lands on his elbow?’ Eric took some samples of each, plus the blood that was soaked into the shirt. The shirt had also looked fairly new, the collar seemed stiff, hardly worn. He pulled out the rest of the collected material, setting aside the bullet for Calleigh. He walked back down to the DNA lab and just smiled at Laura as he handed her the swabs of blood.

“Give me another hour,” Laura stated, voice filled with concern. “Eric…”

”I’m fine, I just need those processed.” Eric tried to reassure her, but knew he was failing miserably.

He walked into trace and began analyzing the debris and photograph. Calleigh found him a couple of hours later, “What do you have?”

“Garden variety dirt, and I mean just that. It’s soil used by gardeners for planting flowerbeds, mostly residential homes. The debris are nuts from a standard Miami palm tree.” Eric sighed looking over at her.

“So basically any residential home in Miami?” Calleigh leaned against the table.

Eric nodded, “Yeah, narrows the search a bit.”

“I talked to Horatio, he wants to meet in his office in thirty minutes to give him the findings.” Calleigh looked around the lab; she had always felt like it was Speed’s lab. “Alexx got in not long after us, she wanted to go through the autopsy report. Last I saw her, she didn’t look happy.”

Eric’s pager went off, looking at it he quickly grabbed his folders and headed for the door. “That was DNA. Meet you up at Horatio’s office?”

Calleigh nodded, but didn’t move from her spot. Eric opened his mouth to say something, but then turned and left the lab. She looked around the lab, she hadn’t been in here much, mostly avoiding it, childish she knew but it held a lot of memories. She glanced at her watch, grabbed her folder and headed up to Horatio’s office.

Eric stepped into the DNA lab eyeing Laura carefully. Her eyes were wide and a look of confusion and concern etched on her face. “You got my results.”

“Yes,” She stated, but paused. “Eric what’s going on, you must know one of the samples I ran came back as one Timothy Speedle.”

“Laura, trust me, please.” Eric took her hand, his eyes pleading.

She looked into his eyes, nodding her head slowly. “Here are your results. I filed them in the computer under John Doe, along with the samples. As far as anyone is concerned these tests didn’t happen.”

“Thank you,” Eric kissed on the cheek. “I owe you lunch.”

“You owe me an explanation with that lunch,” Laura stated as he walked out the door.

He walked into Horatio’s office, to see Calleigh and Alexx already there. Horatio sat behind his desk looking extremely tired. All the blinds were closed, so no one could see or disturb them.

“What do we have?” He got straight to the point.

Chapter 3 – Horatio’s

Speed woke up disoriented, his shoulder hurt and he was cold. He looked around the room not recognizing it. As he tried to sit up the pain in his shoulder took his breath away, forcing him to lie back down. He closed his eyes as he tried to remember what happened.

Someone at the door.

Shot’s fired.

Running, a sharp pain in the shoulder.

Rain pouring down.

Cold. Tired.

No place to go.

One he could trust.

A soothing voice.

Home. Safe.

He opened his eyes and looked around at what must be Horatio’s bedroom. He wondered what was going through the redhead’s mind. His co-worker, who died in his arms, just rose from the dead and collapsed in his entryway. He looked at the bandages on his right shoulder realizing Alexx must have been the one soothing him. He sat up, grimaced at the pain, but worked through it. He leaned against the headboard trying to collect his thoughts.

‘I shouldn’t have come here,’ Speed sighed leaning his head back. ‘I’ve put him in danger; I’ve put the whole team in danger.’

He took in the room, it was very much Horatio. Simply furnished, sturdy furniture, modestly decorated – it screamed Horatio. Speed grunted as he swung his feet out of bed and onto the floor. He barely contained a whimper when he stood onto his bruised feet. Limping slightly he made it to the bedroom door. He leaned against the doorway and took a few deep breaths. ‘At least my feet aren’t too badly damaged,’ Speed’s own sarcastic voice echoed in his head. ‘Well Speed what did you expect? Running down paved streets barefoot can do that.’

He startled when he heard Horatio’s voice filter up the stairs. “He’s asleep at the moment.” Speed strained his ears to hear the one sided conversation. “Good idea, who’s on DNA tonight? Laura, she’ll be discreet…Run everything through every database that we have…I’m thinking along the same wavelength. Check up on Eric and meet me in my office in about an hour.”

Speed knew he had to get out of here, if they started investigating they would know everything. He looked down at his attire for the first time and realized he wasn’t wearing anything but his boxers. ‘Can’t leave wearing this.’ He turned back into the bedroom and limped towards the dresser.

‘Lucky for me, H, and I are roughly the same size,’ Speed grabbed a pair of sweats and a t-shirt. He leaned against the dresser to catch his breath; the walk across the room had tired him out. ‘I’m going to be a damn easy target; too bad I don’t have my gun.’ Speed straightened up and turned, then stopped dead in his tracks. Horatio stood by the bed, hands on his hips. He had seen that look before, and it was usually directed at suspects.

“Speed?” Horatio’s tone indicated lying wasn’t an option.

“I can’t stay here. I shouldn’t have come here in the first place.” Speed looked down at the floor, as he sagged against the dresser all energy sapped out of him. He hadn’t realized how tired he truly was, bone deep tired.

Horatio reached out to him, taking the young man into his arms, “Your safe here.”

Speed fell into the embrace, “But now I’ve put you and the team at risk.”

Horatio led the young man back to the bed and sat him back down. He kneeled in front of him taking the unshaven face in his hands. “Your home, safe and sound, I won’t let anything happen to you or the team. Trust me.”

Speed eyes bore into Horatio’s, “I trust no one more.”

Horatio nodded, and then cocked his head slightly giving the New Yorker a slight smile. “Lay back let me check that wound.”

“I’m sorry,” Speed settled back into the bed.

“Nothing to be sorry for,” Horatio checked the bandage; the wound had started to bleed. He grabbed the supplies Alexx had left behind and bandaged it back up.

“I should have told you the truth,” Speed flinched but stayed still.

Horatio looked at Speed’s face, “We have time for that later, you need to rest.”

Speed caught Horatio’s hand, “I’m tired, H. Tired of running.”

Horatio held on to his hand, “No more running. I have to go to the lab; you will be here when I get back.” Speed nodded, “I mean it Speed, I’ll hunt you down.”

Speed grinned, “I have no doubt you would.”

“The phone is by the bed; call my cell if you need anything.” Horatio motioned towards the bedside table. “If something happens, my spare gun is in the top drawer.” Speed indicated he heard, but his eyes were drooping fast. “Sleep, we will talk when I get back.”

Horatio got up, and covered the sleeping man. “I cleaned my gun,” Speed mumbled softly, and then drifted off to sleep. Horatio studied him for a few minutes, then turned and walked out of the bedroom.

He walked down the stairs, Speed’s mumbled words echoed through his head. He grabbed his badge, gun and clipped them on. Then he slipped on his coat jacket, picked up his keys and headed out the door. He set the alarm and closed the door. He slipped on his sunglasses to hide the bright morning sun. He had only gotten maybe an hour or two of sleep. The same with the guys back at the lab. After they had left, he had cleaned the floors and stairs. The rain had washed off the sidewalk and driveway, but he made double sure by hosing them both down, including the stoop.

He had checked on Speed a few times, made sure he had been sleeping peacefully. He had stood there just watching his chest rise and fall. Holding him, while he had died had ripped his heart out. Having him at his front door, tired, wet and bleeding shocked him to the core.

He pulled up to the lab, parked the Hummer in its allotted slot. Night shift was just leaving while his day had just begun. He had a feeling it was going to get a lot more complicated and difficult. His heart contracted a deep pressure in his chest, he knew he needed to release some emotions, but at the moment he didn’t have the time or luxury.

Ironic it was the same when Speed had died. He wanted to find a dark corner and cry for the young man, but he had a little boy to find. It wasn’t until after the funeral he released his built up emotions. Taking all of his frustration and pain out on the punching bag in his garage, as he slammed his fist into the bag, tears streamed down his face.

He took a deep breath, got out of the Hummer and headed for his office. He passed by members of the night shift, lab techs, and officers. His glasses hid his tired eyes. He slipped into his office, and closed all of the blinds. Before sitting behind his desk, he walked over to the cabinet and opened the bottom doors. Pulling out the gun cleaning kit he had bought Speed over a year ago. Calleigh had found it in Speed’s apartment and gave it to him. She had told him, that she hadn’t had the heart to open it, and neither had he at the time.

He studied it for a few minutes, before opening it. Quickly unclasping the case, he lifted the lid. His eyes hardened, as he closed the lid.

He set the kit next to his desk, and picked up a picture of his team from July 4^th. A knock at his door alerted him to his guest. Alexx stepped in files in her hand, eyes dark with emotion. She sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. Calleigh joined them soon after, taking the seat next to Alexx. Eric walked in not soon after, slumping into the last chair. Horatio noticed they looked tired, hell they all were tired.

“What do we have?” He got straight to the point.

Chapter 4 – The Lab Results

“What do we have?” He got straight to the point.

“CSI’s who failed miserably at their job,” Eric bitter voiced echoed in the room. “Damn it, Horatio we missed everything.”

Horatio glanced at Eric, “Eric, I want you to take a deep breath and calm down.”

Eric slumped further into this chair, tension radiated off him.

“Why don’t I start, since we are all a bit on the edge,” Horatio lowered his head, eyes on his desk. He looked back up at them. “He’s awake, he tried to leave…”

”What?” Three voices echoed in the room.

“He’s wounded, the boy needs to stay in bed.” Alexx reached for the phone, to call Speed herself and tell him to stay put.

“The hell he’s leaving, I’ll shoot him in the leg if I have to,” Calleigh stood up, all intent and purpose to go and do just that.

“I’m strapping him down to that bed,” Eric growled as he stood to follow Calleigh.

Horatio couldn’t help but smile a bit at their reactions, “Everyone calm down. He’s asleep,” He stated as he pulled the phone out of Alexx’s hand. “And has been duly informed if he leaves, I’ll hunt him down.”

The three settled back down into their seats, “Now if you would let me continue. He didn’t say much about what’s going on, but from the small fact he’s alive, not dead, and running, tells me…”
“Witness Protection,” Calleigh, Alexx, and Eric stated at the same time.

“Glad we are thinking on the same wave lengths. Now show me the evidence from the first scene,” Horatio looked over at Eric.

“The feds were hoping since he was shot and killed in front of you, that we wouldn’t dig deep in the investigation.” Eric began explaining. He pulled up a few file folders and handed them to Horatio. “The blood found on his shirt, and at the scene isn’t even human, it’s cow blood.”

Calleigh grabbed the folder and looked it over, eyes wide with disbelief. “We missed that?”

“There was no need for us to process any materials, it was an open and shut case.” Horatio tried to explain, even if he himself was annoyed that they missed something so obvious. “We just packed up the evidence and sealed it. We never processed it.”

“Oh, it gets better,” Eric handed them another folder. “The DNA inside the shirt matched his, but there was also an unknown donor, male. That DNA matched samples that were collected at the autopsy.”

“They must have given him something, to slow his heart rate down.” Alexx commented from the side. “Which means…”

“He knew it was coming,” Horatio finished for her. “What I remember that day, he stepped in front of me, took the lead, blocked my view.”

“It also means, they switched the bodies between the jewelry shop and the morgue.” Calleigh comments, “So who was driving that day?”

“We contract out ambulances,” Alexx stated. Then glanced over at Eric, “Remember when that one driver sold the body back to the father?”

“Yeah, we should be able to trace the driver,” Eric thought out loud.

“No reason to,” Horatio pointed out. “If its Witness Protection, that driver worked for them and is probably long gone.”

Eric nodded, “Then who did we bury?”

Horatio looked over at Alexx, “I have no idea, Codas and AFIS came up negative.” She paused for a few seconds, “I screwed up Horatio; I missed two major things that I should have noticed.”

“You can’t blame yourself Alexx, we all missed things,” Calleigh patted her arm. “I mean they were betting on the fact we would be emotional and miss things. It was an open and shut case. We had a CSI as a witness, and the shooter in custody.”

“Who confessed,” Horatio added. “No need for trial, no need for evidence, no need for the ME to do a full autopsy, we knew his cause of death.”

“Still, Sp…” She paused once again. “He had a scar on his upper hip area from a motorcycle accident from years back, when he first started here. There was no scar on the body. This body had a scar on his upper shoulder, a possible tattoo removal. He doesn’t, two major distinct characteristics that I missed. They did an excellent job on the body, he looked…” She swallowed, to upset to continue.

“You’re not the only one,” Calleigh looked over at Alexx, then back at Horatio. “I dusted the gun, there’s four sets of prints on it. His, yours, mine, and an unknown.”

Horatio didn’t look surprised, “Run the AFIS?”

“Nothing,” Calleigh informed him. “The print was located on the trigger mechanism, and on the clip. When I re-examined the gun, I decided to analyze the dirt from inside the barrel.” Calleigh took a deep breath. “Traces of oil that is specifically used in gun cleaning kits were found throughout the samples taken.”

“Conclusion?” He looked at Calleigh.

She glanced at Horatio, “His weapon may not have malfunctioned on its own.”

Horatio pulled up the kit from the side of his desk, “Right before I came here he muttered that he had cleaned his gun.” He paused as Calleigh stood up and grabbed the kit.

She settled back into her chair and opened up the lid. “DAMN!”

Eric stared at her then at Horatio, “What?”

“The kit is used, he was cleaning his gun.” Horatio informed them.

“They sabotaged his gun, they used Dispo Day as his way out, we wouldn’t investigate. IAB would say bad gun maintenance and that was that.” Calleigh looked up at Horatio.

“The question we need to ask,” Horatio looked at the three.

Eric closed his eyes, “Why is he asleep at your house, sporting a gun shot wound?”

“Exactly,” Horatio nodded. “And that is what we are going to find out. Now what did you find on the materials I gave you?”

Eric handed him the last folder, “The clothes he was wearing were new, barely worn. They probably didn’t let him take anything from his place. The dirt found on the jeans and shirt match the sample taken from his feet. It’s garden-variety dirt, potting soil used by gardeners in flowerbeds. The debris were palm nuts casings,” Eric informed them. “The blood matched Spe… his blood, there was no gunshot residue on the shirt. So he was shot from a distance.”

“Anything at all, pointing to where he might have been?” Horatio asked.

“No, just this in his pocket.” Eric pulled out the picture and laid it on Horatio’s desk. It matched the framed one he had been looking at earlier.

Alexx picked up the picture, tears falling from her eyes. “Ah sugar, you were left alone weren’t you.”

“He’s hiding, from who we don’t know.” Horatio leaned back in his chair. “This stays here…” He was interrupted by a knock on the door. “Come in.”

“Horatio, you’ve been locked in here for hours,” Yelina’s voice filtered into the room as she opened the door and walked in, stopping short at seeing he was in a meeting. “I’m sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“It’s okay Yelina, just going over some cases,” Horatio smiled at her. “What can I do for you, this day?”

“Shooting at Crystal Cove,” Yelina explained. “Home Invasion.”

Horatio nodded, “Let’s go.”

Chapter 5 – Crime Scene

Horatio pulled up to a large family home that was settled within a gated community. He could see the police canvassing the area, and questioning the residents.

He had sent the three members of his team ahead to the crime scene; he would catch up with them after he made a quick phone call. Horatio laughed when Speed informed him that he was still there, and was asleep until some rude person called and woke him up, then proceeded to hang up.

Horatio parked the Hummer, and stepped out into the bright Miami sun. He glanced around him, getting a feel for the terrain. Yelina walked down from the steps towards Horatio, she stopped a few feet away her eyes watching him closely.

“You look tired,” She placed a hand on his arm.

Horatio smiled down at her, “didn’t get much sleep.”

“Want to talk about it?” She asked concern filled her voice.

Horatio shook his head no, and turned towards the front door. “What happened?”
“Home invasion, wife shot at the front door.” Yelina informed him as they walked into the house. “Husband at the back kitchen door.”

“That’s odd,” Horatio looked at Alexx who was examining the wife. “Alexx what can you tell me.”

Alexx looked at the young woman, “she didn’t see it coming. The bullet is a through and through, looks like back to front. Didn’t know what you were turning you back on, did you, honey.”

Horatio looked at the body, then back at the door. “She must of known the killer, or at least trusted him enough to turn her back.”

“H,” Eric walked up to the two detectives, sat his kit down next to him. Camera held in one hand.

“Yes, Eric.” Horatio turned to the young man. He took in the tired eyes, and tense shoulders.

“I checked the downstairs, nothing seems to be missing.” Eric paused and looked at Horatio, “Kind of odd for a home invasion.”

“Thank you Eric, I want you to check the perimeter.” Horatio stated as he headed for the kitchen, leaving Yelina to talk to the uniformed officers.

“Sure thing, H.” Eric picked up his kit and headed outside.

Horatio noticed a broken glass on the floor as he walked into the kitchen. “Calleigh?”

Calleigh walked into the kitchen, “Yes, Horatio.” She gave him a bright smile, even if it didn’t reach her eyes.

“Bag this and dust the counters, our killer may have gotten careless.” Horatio bent over picked up a small piece examining it carefully. “Did you find the bullet from the wife?”

“Yes, it was lodged in the far wall, near the staircase, looks like a 9mm.” She set her kit down, and began to bag the glass. “No shell casings though, killer must have picked them up.”

Horatio nodded then cocked his head to get her attention, “How are you doing?”

She looked up, “tired.”

He stood up and looked over at Alexx, as she examined the husband. “Anything with the husband?”

“Except for the fact he died halfway out of the house?” Alexx looked up at Horatio. “Through and through, back to front same as the wife.” She turned and looked out towards the yard. “Bullet could be anywhere.”

“Have Eric look for it, while he’s out here.” Horatio turned and went back into the house.

Yelina thanked the officer, then walked up to Horatio. “Neighbors state that the couple moved in a few weeks ago.”

“Anything unusual?” Horatio asked as he headed up the stairs.

“One neighbor, a Mr. Sampson, stated, that he saw a few black SUV’s pull up one afternoon.” Yelina commented looking at the notes she wrote down. “He figured it was some mob guy.” Yelina smiled over at Horatio. “Could explain the home invasion.”

Horatio walked into an open room, “Looks like the guest room.” Yelina commented from behind him. “Clean, they must have a maid.”

“Who found the bodies?” Horatio asked, as he moved about the room. He opened the closet, hangers but no clothes, blankets folded neatly at the bottom of the closet.

”One of the neighbors,” Yelina looked out the window, a nice view of the backyard. “He was walking his dog saw the front door wide open. Called 911.”

Horatio tilted his head, he kneeled down to get a closer look. A magazine had fallen behind the nightstand. He pulled it out, and turned it over. His body tensed, “Yelina find Calleigh and send her up here.”

“What did you find?” Yelina asked, looking over his shoulder.

“Someone was in this room,” Horatio turned the magazine away, as he stood up. “And I want to find out who.”

Yelina nodded then headed out of the room. Horatio took a deep breath and looked back at the magazine, ‘Forensics Journal’.

“Horatio?” Calleigh stepped into the room. “Yelina set me up, what do you got?”

He handed her the magazine, “Dust the room.”

Calleigh looked down at the magazine and gasped, “Oh God.”

“Calleigh, I need you to do something for me,” Horatio looked at her. “This can’t be cataloged into evidence.”

She nodded her head quietly. “Eric wanted me to tell you, that it might take him a while to find the bullet.”

“I don’t think he’ll find it,” Horatio headed for the door. “I think we already have it.”

Calleigh took a deep breath and began processing the room. Horatio stepped out of the room, to find Yelina down the hall. “What is it?”

“Does this look like the room of a loving couple?” Yelina motioned around the room. Horatio walked around the bed, into the bathroom, woman’s toiletries, a woman’s robe, woman’s clothes.

“Looks like our loving couple, were having some marriage problems.” Horatio commented as he looked down at the vanity. “Her jewelry is still here.”

“Do you think this was more than a home invasion?” Yelina asked. She looked around the room. “The husband is running out the backdoor. Nothing is missing. Something is off here, Horatio.”

“Let’s see if we can find out which room the husband stayed in.” Horatio stepped into the hallway. The master bedroom was at the end of the hall. The guest room was in the middle of the hallway; there was a third bedroom was across the way from the guest room, but closer to the stairs. He opened the door and stepped into the room.

“Well we now know where the husband was staying,” Yelina commented as she looked around the room. “I’ll ask around, see if there were problems in the marriage.”

Yelina turned and headed down the stairs. Horatio turned around to see Calleigh looking back at him from the guest bedroom. Their eyes communicated what they couldn’t say; they had found their crime scene. They turned to see Eric run up the stairs, his eyes serious.

“The whole backyard has been recently landscaped. New flowerbeds with fresh soil are in the back; behind the fence is a wooded area, which opens up to a park.” Eric informed them. “Plus I found this, he held up an evidence bag with a gun in it. My guess it’s the husbands.”

“Anything else?” Horatio asked, following the charade they now had to play.

“The guest room is clean, too clean. No prints, no hairs, not even one little dust bunny.” Calleigh smiled, or at least tried to.

“Seems are lovely couple were living in separate rooms, and that they had a guest staying with them.” Horatio headed down stairs, his two CSI’s following him. “We need to find out who the guest was.”

“I’ll run the prints I found in the kitchen,” Calleigh stated, as she turned and headed for the Hummer.

“I took a mold of the footprint,” Eric informed Horatio. “I’ll dust the gun when I get back to the lab, and run it’s registration.” He followed Calleigh out.

“Yelina, check into their financial records. Find out if there were any situations on the job. Office gossip will tell us, if something was going on inside this house.” Horatio slipped on his sunglasses and walked outside.

***

Calleigh pulled the bullet they had removed from Speed’s shoulder out of the envelope, Horatio had handed her. She took a closer look, by placing it under the magnify glass. Blood specs were on the bullet. She took a sample from each side of the bullet, and set them aside for DNA, then began to compare the bullet found at the scene with the one from Speed.

She walked into the fingerprints lab over an hour later, to see Delko running fingerprints through AFIS. “How’s it going?”

“Well one fingerprint found a match,” Eric smiled, eyebrow raised. “One guess who it was?”

“Running his print didn’t send out an alert?” She was a bit surprised.

“I check it through the department database,” Erick smiled.

“I like how your devious mind works,” Calleigh grinned at him.

“Thank you, I learned from the best,” Eric laughed, getting rid of some of the tension.

She smiled back, “We found a forensics magazine in the spare room.”

“You know for sure it’s his?” Eric asked, as he leaned back in the chair.

“It had a mailing label on it,” Calleigh sat down across from him.

“Where’s the magazine now?” Eric asked, concerned that someone would find out.

“At the bottom of my kit.” Calleigh smiled, “Never thought I would withhold evidence.”

“Yeah, well, we’re withholding a lot of evidence.” Eric grumbled. “God, I’m tired, yet…”

“Wired, can’t sleep and itching for the shift to end so we can go see Horatio?” Calleigh finished for him.

He nodded as he glanced over at the computer. “Ballistics?”

“Same gun, I swabbed the first bullet.” Calleigh yawned, “But when I walked up to DNA I realized Laura had gone home, so I kept walking.”

“Hey,” Horatio walked into the lab. “How are you two holding up?”

“Holding,” Eric sighed. “How far are we taking this home invasion?”

“Until, evidence says it’s not.” Horatio turned and looked out towards the lab. “Yelina is talking to Mr. Brown’s employer as we speak.”

“They have to realize…” Calleigh stopped mid-sentence.

“We need to talk to our one witness,” Eric commented, as he tried to hide a yawn.

“Look, you two go home,” He held up his hand to stop the protest. “Get some rest, and meet me at my place around seven. One of you bring some take-out. I’ve got a feeling it will be a long night.”

“Sure thing, H.” Eric stood up, and headed out the door. “One question?”

Horatio turned towards Eric, “what?”

“Do you have enough alcohol to get us through the night. I think we might need it.” Eric commented as he opened the door.

“Plenty,” Horatio smiled. “I’ll keep you posted.”

Yelina found Horatio at the front desk, talking on his cell. “I’ll be home in a few,” Horatio turned to see Yelina standing behind him eyebrow raised, a small smile on her face. “I’ve got to go.” He snapped the phone shut and smiled at Yelina.

“Anything you want to tell me?” Yelina asked, grinning.

“Maybe later,” Horatio cocked his head to the side a small smile on his face. “What do you have for me?” He asked as he walked over to the elevator, hitting the call button.

“Inconstancies,” She sighed. “I feel like I’m running in circles. I talked to the employer but Mr. Brown only worked there for a few weeks. They only moved in a few weeks ago. And I can’t seem to find a previous address. I’m beginning to think that Mr. Sampson was on to something about the mob.”

“Keep digging, nothing can stay hidden, even if you bury it.” Horatio grinned, as he slipped on his glasses and stepped into the elevator. He had a witness to talk to.

Chapter 6 – The Witness

Speed gingerly walked down the stairs, and into the kitchen. He wanted to get something to eat, before taking the meds Alexx had left behind, last thing he needed was to be disoriented and weak. He opened the fridge, and closed it. “I see our industrious leader, doesn’t like to grocery shop.” He commented out loud to the empty house. He glanced up at the clock; it was now one in the afternoon, he had been asleep for seven hours.

He was beyond amazed how a simple twenty-four hours could change someone’s life. He had been getting sick of it, actually. He started rummaging through the pantry when he heard a key in the door. He panicked and pulled the gun out from behind his back. He aimed it at the door, and took deep breaths. His shoulder was beginning to hurt from the strain.

The door opened, Alexx stepped into the entryway to the sight of Speed holding a weapon on her. “Tim, you should be resting.”

Speed smiled at her, relaxing his arm. “I was hungry.”

“Let me fix you something,” She closed the door, turned off the alarm and locked it.

“Don’t bother, Horatio either doesn’t believe in a grocery store, or he had Delko here recently and he ate everything.” Speed set the gun on the counter, leaning up against it to catch his breath.

Alexx rubbed a soothing had along his back, “He probably hasn’t stocked up since the memorial service.”

Speed slumped into the counter, “I’m sorry.”

“Shhh, it’s not your fault.” Alexx pulled him up and led him to the couch. She sat the two of them down, laying his head into her lap. She stroked his hair, “There’s nothing to be sorry for.”

Speed closed his eyes, letting the caress ease his tension. “Isn’t there? I died, leaving you all to pick up the pieces.”
“Speedy,” She smiled at the soft chuckle that came from him. “I want you to answer me one question.”

Speed turned so he could look up at her, “What?”

“Did you want to go?” Alexx smiled down at him.

“No,” his closed his eyes, but the tears still fell. “This is my home.”

Alexx wiped away the tears, “And now your back home where you belong.” She placed her fingers on his lips, “And don’t you fret, Horatio takes good care of his family.”

Speed sat up, and pulled her into a hug, “I’ve missed you.”

“Oh, honey, I’ve missed you, too.” Alexx wiped the tears from her eyes, “Now lets get you something to eat. By the way, you were holding out on me.”

“What?” Speed asked as he stood up.

“Gourmet pans, cookbooks, Speed honey, when were you planning on cooking for me?” She asked, hands on her hips.

He smiled, “It’s a hobby, helps me relax.”

“Well then, let’s see if we can whip something up.” Alexx started rummaging through the kitchen, Speed leaned up against the counter and watched a small smile on his face. “I give up, there’s nothing here.”

“Told you,” Speed smiled at her, frustrated expression. “Take out?”

“No, I don’t want any delivery boy of any type even thinking he might have seen you.” Alexx sighed as she picked up her purse. “I’ll go to the store and pick up some groceries. Horatio’s been running himself ragged these weeks.” She paused, and looked at Speed’s clouded expression. “Honey, don’t get on a guilt trip. I want you to go back up those stairs and rest till I get back.”

“Yes, mom.” Speed headed for the stairs, “Thank you.”

Alexx caressed his face and smiled, “Get some rest.”

Alexx returned an hour later. She set the groceries down on the counter, and started putting them away, when she heard a sound coming from upstairs. She stood still and listened, she tensed when she heard it again. She pulled her gun out of her purse, and quietly climbed the stairs. She swallowed nervously and took a deep breath. She turned the corner into the bedroom, gun raised. Her eyes swept the room, no sign of Speed. Fighting the panic down she walked towards the bathroom.

The door opened, “Miami-Dade PD!”

The door jerked, followed by a muffled groan, “Alexx?”

Alexx sighed with relief letting the gun drop to her side, “Speed, what are you doing?”

He opened the door; he stood in the doorway wearing nothing but a towel. “Taking a shower.”

“Timothy Speedle, you probably got water into your wound.” Alexx set the gun on the dresser, and stalked over to the bathroom. “Let me see.”

He leaned up against the bathroom counter, “I was careful.”

She gave him a sideways glance, “You should have waited till I got back.”

“Sorry, I couldn’t sleep,” Speed’s voice was soft.

“Nightmares?” She asked as she bandaged the wound.

“Yeah,” Speed gave her a sad smile. “You finished, cause I’m cold.”

“Sure, honey, let’s see if Horatio has something more than suits in his closet.” Alexx grinned, “Though if I do say the view is nice.”

Speed blushed, “You just want an excuse to go through his closet.”

“So very true,” She responded, as she opened the closet doors.

Speed looked over her shoulder towards the closet, “Well it’s organized.”

Alexx looked over her shoulder grinning. “You do realize we have blackmail material for life.”

“Oh yeah,” Speed grinned back. “God, it’s good to be home.”

“And we plan to keep it that way,” Alexx assured him. She walked into the closet searching for suitable clothing. Emerging a few minutes later, she had a pair of jeans and button down shirt. “How’s this?”

“Should be fine,” He grabbed the clothes and went into the bathroom.

“Speed, I’ll be downstairs, putting the groceries away.” Alexx called out as she head down stairs. She was about finished when Speed joined her. “Why don’t you rest a bit, I’ll fix us something.”

Speed sat down on the couch, head resting on the back. “So when is everyone showing up?”
“Later tonight,” Alexx looked up from the counter where she was making sandwiches. “They got called to a home invasion.”

“Where?” Speed asked, voiced tired.

“Crystal Cove,” Alexx placed a plate on the coffee table.

“It wasn’t a home invasion,” Speed picked up the sandwich, and took a bite. Alexx took a seat across from him in one of the lounge chairs. “I take it they pulled the evidence?”

“Yeah,” Alexx just watched Speed eat.

“How pissed are they?” Speed finished off half the sandwich.

“At you or the situation?” Alexx asked her eyes catching his.

Speed took a couple sips of water and leaned back into the couch, “both?”

“I don’t think they are going to let you out of their sights for awhile,” Alexx smiled at him. “Lay down and rest.”

Speed shifted and lay out on the couch; Alexx grabbed a blanket and covered him. He gave a soft sigh as his eyes closed.

Alexx grabbed her phone, before it woke Speed up. He had been sleeping soundly for the past hour, and she wanted to keep it that way.

“Woods.” Alexx stepped out of the room. “Horatio how is everything? He’s asleep…I caught him in the kitchen when I got here. I stocked your fridge…hope you don’t mind but he borrowed some clothes…See you soon.” She stepped back into the living room; Speed was still asleep on the couch.

***

Horatio walked into the quiet townhouse. He locked the door behind him, and then proceeded into the living room. Alexx saw him, and signaled him to be quiet. He looked over the couch to see a sleeping Speed. He nodded then headed upstairs to take a quick shower and change.

Changing into a pair of jeans, and sweater he headed back down stairs. He found Alexx in the kitchen fixing some coffee, “How long has he been a sleep?”

“A little over an hour,” Alexx leaned up against the counter.

“Has he said anything?” Horatio looked over towards the living room.

“No,” Alexx followed his gaze. “He’s probably waiting to tell the story once.” Alexx looked back at Horatio, “How did we miss this?”

Horatio tore his eyes away from the sleeping form, “He hid well. Remember that case a few years back?”

“The young woman shot by the pool, she was in witness protection,” Alexx looked thoughtful. “Didn’t we loose the suspect?”

“Yeah, they pulled him to testify against a hitman,” Horatio eyes flashed. He hated loosing suspects, and not giving the victims closure. “Speed didn’t flinch, at anything. He just did his job.”

Alexx nodded, “Do you think he knew the agents?”

“No, I didn’t,” Speed’s voice startled them. He smiled at them from the couch, “I woke when Horatio came down the stairs. There are different procedures when guarding a witness. There’s twenty-four hour surveillance when a witness is going to testify, but when they are relocated afterwards to live out their life they are virtually left alone. The witness reports in once a month to an assigned Marshal. If there is a problem, then the witness will get re-assigned protection, and then a decision will be made if the witness will be removed to another location.”

“Does the witness have any control?” Alexx asked curious.

Speed gave a short bitter laugh,” No.”

Horatio’s response was interrupted by a knock on the door. Speed froze on the couch, eyes searching for a way out. “Speed, calm down its just Eric and Calleigh.”

Speed stood up from the couch, still looked very much like a scared rabbit. “Actually H, I’m more scared of Calleigh than of any hitman.”

Horatio couldn’t help but laugh, “I know what you mean.” Horatio stepped up to the door, gun pulled as a precaution. He cracked the door open, to see the smiling face of Calleigh. Eric stood behind her, a bag of take-out in his hands. He opened the door and let the two CSI’s into the house.

Calleigh turned the corner into the living and stopped short. She was, yet wasn’t prepared to see a standing Timothy Speedle in the living room. He gave her a hesitant smile; tears welled up in her eyes. She was across the room and in his arms, before he could say ‘hi’. He buried his head into her neck and hair, pulling her close. He looked up to see Eric watching him intently. He pulled back from Calleigh, and took a step towards Eric. Eric gave a small laugh of joy and met him half way and pulled him into a tight hug.

He pulled back when he heard Speed grunt in pain, “Sorry, man.”

Speed just smiled, blinking the tears away, “Its okay.”

Calleigh pushed him down into the couch, “You need to rest.” She then wiped her tears away. “God, look at me, I’m ruining my make up.”

“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” Speed looked up at her.

“Damn it, Tim, don’t make me cry even more.” Calleigh sniffed as she sat down next to him, he put his arm around her and pulled her close. “And if you ever pull this again…”

“We will personally hunt you down,” Eric finished for her.

“Look Horatio, our kids are home.” Alexx grinned up at the redhead, tears in her eyes.

Horatio smiled at the three CSI’s, “Yes they are.”

***

Alexx cleared the last of the take-out, while Calleigh fixed some coffee. She rummaged through the cupboards to find some Baileys Cream. “We’ll probably need it,” She muttered to Alexx who nodded appreciatively.

Calleigh set a cup down in front of Speed, who was staring intently at the floor. She sat next to him, rubbing his back soothingly. “Tim?”

“I just realized I’ve been hiding for ten years.” Speed looked over at her, he took the cup of coffee and sat back on the couch. He was sandwiched between Calleigh and Eric, while Alexx and Horatio took the two high back chairs directly across from the couch.

“Why don’t you start at the beginning?” Horatio suggested, taking his own cup from Alexx.

Speed sighed as he fiddled with the cup. “I try not to think about it, sometimes I actually forget I had a life before Timothy Speedle.”

“What is your birth name?” Eric asked. It was hard to imagine Speed with a different name.

He grinned and gave a short laugh, “You won’t believe me.” He glanced over at Eric.

“It can’t be that bad,” Eric smiled encouragingly.

“Joshua O’Malley.” Speed watched Eric’s face expression in fascination. “Told you.”

Eric’s mouth dropped, eyes wide, “Joshua O’Malley?”

“Yep, Irish born from New Jersey,” Speed let his slight accent out.

Calleigh looked at him stunned, she had always tried to place his accent. He stated he was from Syracuse, but it wasn’t quiet right. “Irish?”

“My father is Irish, straight off the boat. His parents came here when he was five.” Speed sat back, it was nice talking about his family. “My mother is Italian. She told me once I was named Joshua, because the moment my grandfather saw me, I broke through all of his walls.”

“New Jersey?” Alexx asked, amazed at the revelation.

“Paramus, New Jersey. My father owned a Irish Pub, mom took care of us kids.” Speed took a sip of his coffee, appreciating the bailey’s crème.

“Siblings?” Horatio asked, already seeing some similarities in Speed’s background.

“Two sisters, older.” He glanced at Eric, “That’s why I completely understood your mutterings about being the baby.”

Eric grinned, “I hate it.”

“So did I,” Speed gave a sad smile. Eric’s grin faded, “Hey don’t feel guilty. Yeah, I left my family behind, but I gained one here.” Speed tried to reassure his friend.

“So when they made your background, they kept some similarities,” Horatio pulled them back to the subject at hand.

“Yeah, Timothy Speedle has a father who owns a chain of restaurants, his mother a social worker, and a young brother. Its easy to slip, so if asked if I have siblings and I said yes without thinking, I could talk about my ‘younger brother’.” Speed explained.

“Do you miss them?” Calleigh asked, “I mean never getting to see them again.”

“Yeah, I do, but after ten years, it was easy to forget Joshua O’Malley existed. That is until US Marshals show up at your door.” Speed’s voice became low and bitter.

Alexx set her cup down on the coffee table, “What about your friend?”

“Danny,” Speed gave a sad smile. “He’s the reason I’m here.”

“The one that died in the snowmobile accident?” Calleigh watched Speed closely.

“He didn’t die in a snowmobile accident,” Speed voice dropped, becoming monotone. “He was executed, shot in the back of the head in front of my eyes.”

Chapter 7 – Lost

The living room was quiet, each of them taking in what Speed had just said. “Speed, start from the beginning.” Horatio’s soft voice filtered into the quietness.

Speed took a deep breath, “Danny and I were friends from birth. We did everything together, so it wasn’t a surprise that we enrolled in the same college, and followed the same career paths. We were going to be doctors,” He smiled at Alexx.

“Makes sense, considering your observations in the autopsy room, pre-med?” Alexx responded her expression reflective.

“Pre-med, minor in chemistry,” Speed nodded as he continued. “We attend NYU, living in New York, young and very stupid. We had just finished finals, and were getting ready to go back to New Jersey the next day. So we went out looking for a good time. What we found was something else entirely.”

~Flashback~

“Come on Josh, this pub looks promising.” Danny smiled at his reluctant friend.

“We have to leave at seven in the morning,” Josh exclaimed, as he was dragged into the Irish pub. It was fairly deserted, as far as Josh could tell they were the only customers. The bartender looked them over then went back to cleaning the glasses.

“You can drive, I’m having some Ale,” he walked up to the bar and ordered two pints. He grabbed both of the drinks and found a back table. “Drink up, another year closer to graduating.”

“Yeah, and then we have med school, residency in some county hospital, and if we are lucky in ten years we will have our own practice.” Josh took a sip of his drink sitting back into the booth.

“Mr. Gloomy,” Danny grinned downing the rest of his drink. “But it’s an adventure.”

Josh smiled, “Everything is an adventure with you.”

“That’s why you like me,” Danny pointed out.

“No, our parents placed us in the same crib and I’ve been stuck with you since.” Josh smirked back.

“You love me,” Danny leaned against the table grinning. “Life would be boring without me.”

“That’s true,” Josh drank down more of his drink. He set the glass down eyes focused on the front of the pub.

“What is it?” Danny leaned sideways towards the door.

“Something’s not right,” Josh focused on the older man that had walked into the pub.

The man took a seat at the edge of the bar close to the door. He looked around the pub as if checking to see if he was alone. Josh reached across the table and pulled Danny father into the booth, into the shadows, but giving them a clear view of the front.

“What?” Danny whispered as he looked over at his friend concerned.

“If he’s robbing the place I don’t want him to know we’re here,” Josh glared at his friend.

“I doubt he’s robbing the place, looks more like he’s waiting for someone.” Danny pointed out.

The door opened again and a young man dressed in a nice suit, walked in, flanked by two other men. The young man looked around the pub in disgust; his eyes focused on the back, but then turned to the older man. The two other men took different positions one blocked the door, the second stood next to the bar, the older man was sitting in the middle. The bartender asked if they wanted anything, they shook their heads then focused on the older man.

“What do you want?” The old man spat out, his Irish accent thick.

“We had a deal,” The young man spoke softly.

The older man laughed and spat at the young ones feet, “I don’t make deals with the likes of you.”

“It’s simple, pops.” The young man jabbed his finger into the old man’s chest. “You take the cash, and keep your mouth shut.”

The old man stood up, a snarl on his face. “Let me tell you something, kid. I’ve been a cop for thirty years and never once took a bribe from scum like you. So get out of my face.”

The young man shrugged, reached into his coat and pulled a gun. One shot in between the eyes, he quickly turned and shot the bartender. Josh slammed his hand across Danny’s mouth keeping him quiet.

The younger man put the gun back into his coat. He looked around the bar, searching. Josh and Danny held still every muscle tense. His eyes scanned the room one more time; he shrugged and motioned to the two other men, “Let’s go.”

~Present~

“Oh God,” Calleigh gasped hand over her mouth.

“Looking back sometimes I wonder if I was meant to be a CSI,” Speed reflected, lost in his memories.

Horatio looked over at him, “Why do you say that?”

~Flashback~

Josh couldn’t keep his eyes off the dead cop, lying in a pool of blood. He swallowed and looked over at Danny.

“We got to get out of here, Josh.” Danny moved towards the edge of the booth.

Josh grabbed him, stopping him, “We can’t. We have to report this.”

“Fine we will report it anonymously.” Danny got out of the booth and headed for the door.

“It doesn’t work that way. They will be able to track us down,” Josh stepped out of the booth once again grabbing Josh.

“How?” Danny turned on him.

“For starters our fingerprints on the glasses, table, door. And if you how do you expect to get to the door without tracking through the blood?” Josh pointed out. He pushed Danny back into the seat, “Stay here, I’m calling the cops.” Josh left a shaking Danny and called the police from the back room.

The cops showed up ten minutes later, followed closely by the crime scene unit. Josh stood next to the booth Danny was sitting in. It was hard to imagine that just thirty minutes before, they didn’t have a care in the world.

“Son?” An older man walked up to him, “I’m detective Briscoe, I have a few questions.”

“Sure,” Josh nodded, but kept his eyes on the criminalists, watching them work. “What do you need to know?”

“Name for starters,” Briscoe pulled out his notebook.

“Joshua O’Malley, I’m a student at NYU.” He informed the detective, “What are they doing?”

“Collecting evidence,” Briscoe looked back, giving a quick shrug, answered. “What were you doing here?”

Josh turned his attention back onto the detective; “We just finished finals so we were celebrating.”

“How old are you?” He asked watching Josh intently.

Josh looked over at Danny talking with another cop and sighed, “Twenty.”

Briscoe eyebrow rose at the answer, “Underage and in a bar.”

“We weren’t drunk. We just had a few pints of Ale to celebrate.” Josh rubbed his face with his hands, “It doesn’t change what we saw.”

“Why this place?” Briscoe gestured around with his hands.

“It was old and looked like the one my dad owns, back home.” Josh looked around the pub. “A place that doesn’t ask too many questions.”

Briscoe smiled, then asked. “Home is where?”

“New Jersey, we’re supposed to go home tomorrow.” Josh rubbed his tired eyes, “I don’t think that’s going to happen is it?”

“We will need to stay in touch with you,” Briscoe nodded. “What did you see?”

“The cop came in and sat at the bar. Soon followed by a young man flanked by two guards I guess. They argued, and then the younger one pulled a gun and shot the cop and the bartender.” Josh gestured with his hands what happened.

“How did you know he was a cop?” Briscoe asked his tone changing.

“He said he was, and I quote ‘I’ve been a cop for thirty years and never once took a bribe from scum like you.’” Josh slight Irish accent became more distinct.

“You heard and saw the whole thing?” Briscoe confirmed.

Josh nodded, “all of it.”

“Could you identify the shooter?” He watched as they carried the cop out on a stretcher.

Josh’s eyes followed the stretcher, and then turned back to the detective, “yes.”

“Josh, how do we get in contact with you?” Briscoe asked putting his notebook away.

“I’m staying with my parents until I go back to school in the fall.” Josh gave the detective his home address and number. “Can we go?”

“Yes, we will be in touch.” The detective walked out with his partner. A uniformed police officer escorted the two boys back to their dorm.

~Present~

“Twenty?” Alexx mouth dropped, “You weren’t old enough to be out cruising pubs let alone dealing with a murder.”

He gave a slight grin to Alexx, “I was raised in Irish Pub; I had been drinking Ale and Guinness since I was ten.” He dropped his head down and studied the carpet under his feet. “Danny and I were just looking to relax a bit, have a pint maybe two then head back to the dorms and go home in the morning. We picked the wrong place and definitely the wrong time.”

“What happened afterwards?” Eric asked, “I’m assuming they contacted you in Jersey.”

“Yeah, our parents didn’t want us to get involved. But we felt it was our duty as citizens to help them put away the criminals.” Speed explained, a frown on his face. “We went back to New York a week later, for a line up. We had no idea, what was in store for us.”

~Flashback~

“Okay, Josh I want you to take your time,” Detective Briscoe informed him, gave him an encouraging smile. “Tell me if you recognize any of these men, take a good look.”

Josh stepped up to the glass, looking at each of the men carefully. “Number four, he’s the shooter.”

”Are you sure,” Briscoe’s tone alerted Josh.

“Yeah, number four. Is there a problem?” Josh asked, concerned at Briscoe’s expression.

“No, son, there is not.” He looked up at the older man that was in the room. “You did good.”

“Can I go?” Josh asked, eyeing the two men. “My parents are outside.”

“Sure, but stay at the precinct we have some follow up questions.” The older man smiled at him.

Josh shrugged and headed out the door. He sat next to his parents, his eyes wandered the room; he felt like someone was staring at him. A sudden movement to his right caught his attention. When he looked and came within eye contact of a man he recognized. He looked back at his parents and gave them an encouraging smile. He patted his mom on her knee, and then stood up and walked over to one of the police officers. “Sir, that man over there in the gray suit,” The officer looked over catching the man looking at them. “He was one of the other men at the shooting at the Pub, on Sixth Street.”

The officer motioned to another; the man in the gray suit caught on and took off, uniformed officers right behind him. Briscoe came out of the room when he heard all the commotion to find out what was going on. He talked to the uniformed officer his eyes went hard. He yelled at the officers and ordered two uniformed officers to watch the O’Malley’s. Josh stayed by his parents, a sudden sense of dread filling his stomach.

They were escorted to the courthouse and ushered into one of the upper offices where they joined Danny and his parents. Josh sat next Danny, worried looks on each of their faces. They leaned closer to the door trying to hear what the detective was saying to an older gentlemen they both had encountered at the line-up.

“What do you mean his bodyguard saw them?” The older man agitated voice rose.

“The O’Malley kid alerted the police to his presence,” The cop explained. “By then it was too late.”

“Now they know we have witnesses.” The older man exclaimed. The door opened, startling the occupants in the room. “I’m sorry, I’m late.”

“It’s okay,” Mrs. O’Malley smiled at him. “I’m Maria O’Malley, this is my husband Liam, our friends Sean and Lisa Nelson.” She pointed at Danny’s parents sitting on the opposite side of the table. “What is going on? Is my son in trouble?”

“No, Mrs. O’Malley in fact I’m hoping both your sons will help me.” He smiled at the parents then locked eyes with Josh and Danny. “I’m Jack McCoy, Executive Assistant District Attorney.”

Josh nodded, “How can we help you?”

“I need you to testify.” McCoy explained hands folded on his desk. “You unknowingly just gave us a major break against the Carmel Family.”

“The crime family?” Josh asked, fear entered his eyes.

“The man you ID’d was Louis Carmel, nephew of Anthony Carmel.” McCoy informed them, watching the two boys.

“And you want us to testify?” Danny asked he looked over at Josh.

“No way!” Sean Nelson stood up. “My son is not testifying against the Carmel’s.”

“Sir, sit down.” McCoy snapped at the man. “First off, your boy is an adult and can make his own decisions. Second, this is our one shot to break this family. We’ve been after them for years. I can’t let this opportunity slip by; I have a duty to the citizens of New York to shut down the Carmel Family. If your boys testify they will be protected.”

“And after the trial?” Liam O’Malley yelled. “Send them away from their family, to hide.”

Josh sat straight in his chair, expression blank. Danny watched as both set of parents argued with the DA. He looked over at Josh, who looked back at him. “We’ll do it,” Danny stated. He looked over at everyone. “I can’t let someone get away with murder because I’m scared.”

“You’re doing the right thing, son.” McCoy picked up the phone and called the US Marshals office. “When you leave here you will be escorted to a safe house, for your protection there will be no contact with the outside world.”

“What about our families?” Danny asked as he looked over at his parents. “Mom, please don’t cry.”

“Daniel, you are not obligated…” She sniffled trying to control her emotions.

“Actually we are,” Danny interrupted her. “How can I sit here and let some guy get away with killing a cop and an innocent bystander. You both raised me to be conscious of my community.”

He glanced over at Josh, who nodded but stayed quiet. His eyes were focused on the floor; he didn’t want to look into the sad eyes of his mother.

“Josh?” Liam O’Malley looked over at his son.

He heard his father call him; he lifted his head up and locked eyes with him. “What do you want me to say?”

“You don’t have to testify,” He tried to reason with his son.

“Our life is already in danger, dad. They know there are witnesses. What’s stopping them from killing us, even if we don’t testify? At least we can put one scumbag behind bars. He’s a cop killer, dad. He killed an Irish cop. I can’t let that go. I don’t want to open the newspaper and see that this guy killed someone else. I’m sorry we were in that pub, but I have to testify.” Josh finished his small speech, and stared at the stunned expressions.

“Mr. McCoy if anything happens to my boy, I’ll personally hold you responsible!” Liam O’Malley glared at the district attorney.

“We will do everything in our power to protect him, both of them.” McCoy looked at the two boys, “You’re doing the right thing.”

~Present~

“That was the last time I saw my parents,” Speed leaned back resting his head on the couch.

“Are they still alive?” Alexx asked from the kitchen, as she fixed another cup of coffee for everyone

“Yeah, living in Boston. My Marshal keeps me informed.” Speed chocked with emotion.

“So they took you directly into the witness program?” Horatio asked, sitting forward in his chair.

~Flashback~

“That went well,” Danny muttered as they walked out of the back of the courthouse to the waiting SUV.

“Did you not like his attorney? I mean now you say you saw him pull a gun, are you sure it was a gun?” Josh mocked the Carmel’s attorney. “God this is just the grand jury. I’m dreading the trial.”

“At least he’s not there,” Danny watched the scenery go by.

“Though the two goons in the hallway were enough to worry me,” Josh sagged in his seat. “Facing him in court isn’t going to be easy.”

“Do you regret doing this?” Danny looked over at him.

“I regret walking into that pub,” Josh shrugged. “But, testifying…I don’t know yes, no. This wasn’t what I had planned to do with my life. I mean after this is over and they hide us in Kansas somewhere, can I still finish med school? Never see our family? Never see each other? There are just a lot of unknowns.” He turned and looked out the window. Studying his reflection as it stared back at him.

Josh was in the kitchen fixing a sandwich when he heard the front door open and close. He glanced at the clock; it wasn’t the normal time for the guard rotation. He set the sandwich down and headed for the living room.

“Danny?” He stepped into the living room and stopped short.

Josh stood stunned; an older man had a gun raised to the back of Danny’s head. The same two guards he saw at the pub were behind him. Danny’s eyes pleaded with him to run. Then he watched in horror as the bullet ripped through Danny’s head, blood splattered on the walls, floor and him. He backed up towards the kitchen, fear coursing through him. The older man pulled the gun back and took aim at him. Josh stumbled back hitting a side table knocking over a vase. He locked eyes with the man, holding his head up high as he waited for the shot. The gun clicked, then clicked again. Josh took the advantage and grabbed the vase threw it, and turned and ran. He slammed through the back door and hopped the back fence. Gunfire erupted behind him, one bullet grazing his arm. He didn’t stop, he just ran, and never looked back.

Chapter 8 – Witness Protection

“The gun jammed?” Calleigh asked. She tried to hide the smile, and failed miserably.

“Well, yeah, ironic isn’t it.” Speed muttered darkly. “You do know I cleaned my gun?”

“Yes, we re-examined the evidence,” Calleigh patted his leg.

“I was pissed, they decided to pull me out by having my gun jam.” Speed gave her a tired smile. “But, I also realized IAB would just label me ‘careless’ and that was that.”

Horatio set his cup down, not a bit surprised at Speed’s insight on the situation. “What happened after Danny was killed.”

~Flashback~

Josh walked into the precinct cold, wet and tired. He asked for Detective Briscoe, and sat down and waited. Briscoe ran down the stairs, into the lobby.

“Josh!” Briscoe ran up to him, “We’ve been looking all over for you.”

“Danny’s dead,” Josh looked up with pain filled eyes.

“I know son,” Briscoe sat down next to him. He noticed that Josh was shivering. “Sergeant get me some towels and a blanket. What happened?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” Josh snarled. “Where were the Marshals?”

“Both Marshals were found dead,” Briscoe grabbed the blanket from the sergeant laying it over the young man.

“Someone sold us out?” Josh stared at the floor fascinated by the water dripping from his hair.

“We’re investigating,” Briscoe put his arm around the kid. “Lets get you cleaned up and warm.”

~*~

Two days later, Josh sat across from McCoy in a suite at the Ritz Carlton. He sat quietly, not making eye contact. “Josh?”

“What?” He glanced up then back to studying the couch pattern.

“I’m sorry about Danny,” McCoy sighed; he felt a headache coming on.

“But?” Josh looked back over at him. “You still want me to testify.”

McCoy closed his eyes. When he re-opened them he was staring into the dark brown eyes of Josh O’Malley. “Can you identify the man who killed Danny?”

Josh stood up and walked over to the desk. He picked up the paper and threw it onto McCoy’s lap. “He haunts my dreams. I locked eyes with the bastard.”

McCoy looked at the picture of Anthony Carmel. He looked back up at Josh. “What do you want to do?”

“Take the son of a bitch down!” Josh snarled. “I want mine and Danny’s family protected.”

“Already done,” McCoy nodded. “The US Marshals have already moved them to a new location.”

“I’ll testify at Louis’s trial, for killing that cop, and Anthony’s for killing Danny.” Josh sat back down, eyes on the couch.

“We will have to put you in deep, afterwards.” A voice came from the back of the room.

Josh looked up and nodded at his personal bodyguard, “I know.”

“You can never contact your family, leave everything behind. Your life as you knew it is over.” The Marshal informed him.

“My life as I knew it, is already over.” Josh stated as he got up from the couch and walked over to the window, watched as people went about their daily lives.

“He’s a tough kid,” McCoy commented as he picked up his briefcase.

“Yeah,” The Marshal escorted McCoy out of the suite. After checking the perimeter he returned to the living room, sat down on the couch and watched Josh O’Malley.

~Present~

 

“How did the trial go?” Eric stood up from the couch, stretching out tired muscles.

“Oh you know the usual,” Speed yawned. “Defense attorney tried to state I was under duress because I lost my best friend. I was out for revenge. And then the all-dramatic climatic moment, that happens in all courtroom dramas. When the jury came back with a guilty verdict, Anthony Carmel stood up and I quote, ‘there is nowhere you can hide’. They escorted me out of the courthouse, into a plane, and I haven’t stepped foot in New York since.”

“Did you come directly to Miami?” Calleigh slipped her arm around him.

“No, I was moved around for about six months,” Speed glanced over at her. “They finally settled on Miami, putting me in the care of a local police officer.”

“Your Uncle?” Horatio smiled, shaking his head.

“He asked me if anything interested me. Which was a courtesy usually they just hand the witness their new job. I mentioned I was pre-med, he took me down to the lab and I met Megan.” Speed smiled. “I told the Marshal still assigned to me, that I would like to do CSI work, so he arranged me to finish my education.”

“How did that work?” Eric asked curious. “I mean according to you…you have a degree from Columbia.”

“They transferred me out of Miami, I told Megan I was going back to Columbia to finish my degree. When I was really going to Stanford to finish it under a different name. They took all of my transcripts forged new ones, gave me a diploma from Columbia with the name Timothy Speedle.”

“Why Columbia?” Alexx asked.

“New York accent,” Horatio answered, smiling at Speed.

“So they made up the snowmobile accident, to explain why you had dropped out of school, and had to go back.” Calleigh clarified.

”They were ready to just give me a diploma, but I didn’t want one with out earning it. So the story of my best friend dying on the table and my disappearance explained away my missing year. Also, explains why I don’t talk with my parents.” Speed explained, a small grimace flashed across his face.

“Honey, is your shoulder hurting?” Alexx stood up and walked over to the couch. Calleigh switched places with her taking the chair.

“A little,” Speed grimaced as she pulled back the bandage.

“It’s bleeding, let me get some new bandages.” Alexx left the room and headed up stairs.

“What made them take you out of Miami?” Horatio asked, leading up the Speed’s death and subsequent return.

“A couple of weeks before the shooting, a couple of US Marshals showed up at my door.” Speed leaned back resting his shoulder. “Needless to say I was surprised.”

~Flashback~

“Timothy Speedle,” The Agent held up his badge.

Speed looked it over, then at the agent. “Yes?”

“May we come in?” The second agent asked, taking off his sunglasses.

“After you tell me who you are,” Speed stepped in front of the two agents.

“US Marshal Thomas Ryan, and this US Marshal Gregory Hanson.” Agent Ryan gave the introductions.

“What do you two want?” Speed opened the door and let them in, his hand on his own gun.

“You’ve been found,” Agent Hanson got straight to the point. He looked around the apartment checking for anything out of place.

“What?” Speed world shifted and shattered, “How?”

“We don’t know yet, Mr. O’Malley,” Ryan took point at the window.

“It’s Timothy Speedle,” Speed corrected him; he hadn’t been O’Malley in over nine years.

“Not anymore, we have to move you now.” Hanson turned towards Speed.

“What? You haven’t answered my question.” Speed was frustrated he loved his life in Miami he didn’t want to leave. “How was I found out?”

“We don’t know…” Ryan began to explain.

“That’s helpful!” Speed voice was agitated he began pacing the room.

“Sir, you need to calm down.” Hanson took a step towards him, but Speed backed away. “The DA in New York got a call from a guard at Sing Sing…”

“Where the Carmel’s are being held.” Speed paced around the room.

“The guard over heard Anthony talking to Louis about a snitch that had located ‘the witness’ and for a price would take him out for payback.” Hanson continued with the explanation. “McCoy called us, here we are.”

“We can give you a few minutes to pack, before we leave.” Ryan pulled out his phone.

“Not going to happen,” Speed stopped pacing and laughed.

“Sir, I don’t think you understand…” Ryan glared at him.

Speed glared back, “No, you don’t. I can’t just disappear. I’m a CSI, I work with CSI’s if I disappear they will not stop until they find me.”

”They won’t find you,” Hanson smiled patiently.

“You don’t know Horatio Caine,” Speed simply smiled back.

~Present~

Horatio gave him a warm smile while the rest started laughing. “I was right,” Speed smiled, chuckling himself. “So instead they decided to kill me.”

“How?” Horatio asked he needed to know how they did it.

“I had to keep them informed of my cases, so they could find the right one to take me out. I called them about the jewelry store, came to find out they knew about Rudy’s operation. An agent showed up at the lab, to inform me they were pulling me out. They wired the blood packs, gave me a pill that would slow my heart rate, and jinxed my gun. The guards were agents. I took the lead, ‘explored’ the area, and well you know from there.”

Speed’s voice softened. “I hated doing that to you. I can’t get that image out of my head. When I awoke in the van, I lashed out gave one of the agents a black eye.”

“The body?” Alexx asked she still didn’t know whom she worked on.

Speed shrugged, shaking his head no. “I don’t know who he was, but it was scary how much he looked like me. They had me strip, and they placed my clothes on the body. They gave me new clothes, and whisked me away to a safe house in Crystal Cove.”

The room went silent, all lost in the memories of that day.

“I’m sorry.” Speed’s soft voice filtered into the room.

“Speed, there is no reason for you to be sorry.” Horatio stood up motioning Eric to move. “They were doing what they thought best, in protecting you.”

“Fine good job they did.” Speed stared at the carpet. “I was surprised they kept me in Miami, I figured they would fly me out to God knows where.”

“What happened at the safe house?” Horatio forced Speed to look at him.

~Flashback~

Speed walked down the stairs into the kitchen, smiled at Agent Samuels as he walked by. Agent Ann Samuels and Agent Paul Franklin were posing as a married couple that had just moved into the area. Her brother was just visiting for a few weeks, before going back home to Texas. Speed grimaced; he hoped they weren’t sending him to Texas. He grabbed a glass and filled it with water, he leaned up against the counter sipping it slowly. He missed his friends. At the lab he had grabbed a photo of the team, his only reminder. He pocketed it, right before he ‘died’. The last image he had of Horatio flashed through his memory. The grief stricken face, those blue eyes filled of pain will haunt him for the rest of his life.

He knew they were upset over his death, angry that he didn’t ‘clean’ his gun. He didn’t want to leave, he felt safe in Miami, and it was home. Timothy ‘Speed’ Speedle suited him, he enjoyed being a CSI. He turned back to the sink, setting the glass down when he noticed someone coming up the drive. ‘Its not time to check in.’ A sense of deja vu kicked in. He heard the door open, and the fire of a gunshot. ‘Shit, not again!’ Agent Franklin rushed into the kitchen, grabbed Speed pushed him out the back door. In the struggle the glass got knocked off shattering when it hit the floor, alerting the killer to their presence.

Speed turned as they hit the back door, he saw the killer pull his gun up. He tried to pull the agent down; instead he fell through the now open door a burning sensation in his shoulder. He scrambled away from the now dead agent, and once again he ran.

He climbed over the fence, and into the wooded area. Ignoring the pain in his feet, as he ran through the park, ducking into an abandoned building. He sagged against the wall, flinched when his shoulder hit the wall.

“What are the odds?” Speed tone was bitter and sarcastic. “How many agents have to die to protect me?”

He glanced down at his bare feet, wiggling his toes. “I wonder if H will get the crime scene. My fingerprints, and DNA are all over that place. Unless he cleans it?” Speed looked outside, the street was deserted.

He dug in his pocket and pulled out a few dollars and change. He walked to the nearest bus station, and waited. He smiled at the driver, paid the charge and sat in the back. “So far you have someone who can identify you. You’re leaving footprints all over the place, let alone trace elements.” He mumbled to himself. “Did I mention the blood?”

He knew there was only one place he could go, one place safe. He got off the bus, ignored the bus driver’s concerns. He got his bearings, and started walking. About a mile later, it began to rain. “Could it get any worse?”

He kept mostly to the lawns, chased by a dog once, his shoulder hurt, his feet hurt. He was tired, freezing, and in pain. He walked up to Horatio’s house, fell against the door. He couldn’t stop shivering; he was numb from the cold. He pounded on the door, ‘please be home.’

“Who’s there?” Horatio’s voice was demanding and it brought a smile to Speed’s face.

”H?” He barely croaked out.

The door jerked open, he stumbled into the house, caught by strong arms.

He was home. He was safe.

Chapter 9 – Investigation

Alexx helped Speed back up to the bedroom; he was exhausted after rehashing his past. Eric and Calleigh looked over at Horatio. He stood up and walked into the kitchen. “Number one priority,” He turned towards the two CSI’s.

“Keep Speed safe and hidden.” Eric answered eyes flashed with determination.

“We need to find out who sold him out and how.” Horatio leaned against the wall.

“It’s got to be someone associated with the first case, who else would recognize him?” Calleigh pondered, “Did they ever figure out who sold them out the first time?”

“If they did, Speed doesn’t know.” Eric looked over at her, “But if they didn’t it could be the same guy.”

“But how did he find him?” Calleigh wondered. “Do you think if it was a rogue Marshal that saw him when we were investigating that case a year ago?”

“Long wait time to pull him out,” Horatio commented. “Good start though. Okay, you two.” He smiled at them, “It’s late and we’re all tired. Go home, get some sleep. Meet me at the lab tomorrow. We’ll go over the evidence from the house.”

Calleigh yawned, rolling her eyes, “See you tomorrow.”

Eric followed her to the door. “Keep him safe.”

“I will,” Horatio closed the door. He turned to see Alexx coming down the stairs. “How is he?”

“Asleep,” Alexx picked up her bag. “I’ll get those autopsy reports on the agents tomorrow mid-morning.”

Horatio grabbed some blankets and pillow from the hallway closet. Laying his gun on the coffee table he made a bed out on the couch. He knew he had to find the rogue agent, or the next funeral he would attend, wouldn’t be a decoy.

~*~*~

Horatio Caine glared at the suspect in front of him; he had more important matters to attend to, than deal with this drug trafficking scum. “Now, Raphael tell me again how the drugs got into your car?”

“I have no idea, they just appeared.” Raphael eased back in his chair without a care in the world.

Horatio looked down, a tight smile on his face, “You see, that’s odd because they have your fingerprints all over them.” He glanced up at the suspect. “And the chemistry of those drugs are the ones we found next to Billy Johnson, along with a knife sticking out of his chest. But you wouldn’t know anything about that now would you?”

“Nope,” Raphael smirked at him.

“So you have no idea how the knife ended up with your fingerprints on it,” Horatio glared at the young man.

Raphael just shrugged, “Nope.”

“Get him out of here, book him for murder, and drug trafficking.” Officer Tripp pulled the guy up and led him out of the room.

“Horatio!” Yelina caught up to Horatio as he walked back to his office. “I got something interesting on our home invasion.”

He stopped and turned towards her, “What?”

“They didn’t own the place, they rented. The real estate agency they went through is actually a front for the Feds.” Yelina informed him. “Well it got me thinking, and remember that case, with the witness protection?”

Horatio paused, “Yeah, they stole our suspect.”

“I think they were hiding someone, our unknown guest.” Yelina’s smiled faulted at Horatio’s pained expression. “Horatio are you okay?”

“Good work, DNA is backed up so I’ll see if a name pops up on Codas.” He smiled at her, “Or at least bait an agent.”

“Horatio you’ve been distant these couple of days, are you sure you’re okay?” Yelina placed her hand on his arm.

“I’ll tell you someday,” He gave her soft smile, turned and headed for the lab.

He found Eric in the trace lab, looking very irritated. “Problems?”

“Yeah, the case I’ve been working on for the past two days,” Eric growled out. They all were all upset. It seemed Miami had been side swiped by a sudden crime spree.

“Eric, every victim needs our help,” Horatio stated, calming the Cuban down. “Now tell me about the case.”

“High priced lawyer had been complaining for the past six months that she was tired, down, just out of it in the afternoons.” Eric pulled out the file, “Last month she went on vacation and she was perfectly fine. When she got back to work, it started again like clockwork. One of her partners had found a threatening letter with in some papers, and called the police. When mentioning the odd behavior they thought poison so they called us in.”

“And was she being poisoned?” Horatio asked.

“Come to find out her secretary thought she was too hyper, and slipped a Valium into her coffee every afternoon.” Eric finished dropping the folder onto the table. “She thought she was helping.”

Horatio bowed his head down, “grab Calleigh meet me in my office.” He stepped towards the door, “Eric, good job.”

Calleigh and Eric sat down in the chairs in front of Horatio’s desk. “Yelina just informed me that, the house at Crystal Cove is a front for the Feds, used a safe house for Witness Protection.”

Calleigh eyes went wide, “Now what?”

“I think we bait some Marshals,” Horatio leaned back in his chair. “We can’t get any information on who was on the first case, we only have a description of the killer. We know he’s older, so it’s likely he’s connected to the first case.”

“How do we bait the Marshal’s?” Eric asked.

“We run his prints through AFIS. That should get someone’s attention.” Horatio grinned at the two.

Eric stood up and headed for the door, “I’ll run those now.”

Horatio turned to Calleigh, “Did you find anything out?”

“I called the prison bureau in New York, did some sweet talking, asked a few questions about the type of people who visit big name criminals. It seems a Mr. Smith came to see Anthony Carmel three days before two US Marshals came to Miami. The description of the guy matches slightly of the description we have. Could be the same guy or not.” Calleigh shrugged.

~*~*~

Horatio picked up the phone after Calleigh left. He had an idea, “I would like to speak to Mr. McCoy.”

“May I ask who’s calling,” The woman on the others side asked.

“Tell him, Lt. Horatio Caine from Miami-Dade Crime Lab is calling, and concerns an old case of his.” Horatio looked out the window into the labs, to see Yelina arguing with Eric, both looked agitated.

“What case?”

Horatio focused back on the phone, “O’Malley.” He hung up and headed down stairs.

He walked into the fingerprinting lab, “Yelina, Eric?”

Yelina turned quickly her eyes flashed, “What is going on Horatio?”

Horatio looked over at Eric, he nodded towards the computer. The screen showed Speed’s picture, but a different name, and a red phone number in the corner. Horatio took a deep breath, “Yelina…”
“Horatio,” Yelina folded her arms in front of her. “Explain to me, what Tim’s picture is doing on a different ID, with a fed number.”

“He was the guest,” Horatio explained in short order.

Yelina’s hand shot to her mouth, eyes wide. “What? But that means…”

“Yelina, this can’t go past this room.” Horatio stepped closer to her, his eyes pleading.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Yelina stepped back, eyes filled with betrayal. She watched Horatio’s expression, “Rick?”

“I’m sorry,” Horatio gave her a soft smile. “But his life is at stake and I won’t risk it.”

Yelina nodded, “Now what?”

“We wait for a Marshal to show up,” Horatio smiled. He turned towards Eric, “Pull that off the screens, and delete the search.”

Eric nodded as the record disappeared. “I don’t think he’s going to like the fact his new name is Frank Sands.” Eric commented as he walked out the door.

“Where is he?” Yelina asked the laughed, “Never mind.” She gave him a smile and a pat on the arm. “You did the right thing.”

“You’re not angry with me?” Horatio cocked his head and looked at her.

“Yeah, but I’ll get over it.” She smiled and walked out the door.

~*~*~
Horatio sagged into his chair, very unlike him. He leaned back in his chair, his shoulders were tense, he had a slight headache, and he was tired. The past few days had been difficult. Speed was healing nicely, but had become withdrawn. Horatio could understand, he would hate being cooped up even if it was for his own safety.

His cell phone rang, pulling him from his thoughts, “Caine.”

“H?” Speed’s voice was soft.

“Something wrong?” Horatio sat up in his chair, concerned.

“I just remembered something,” Speed responded.

“What?” Horatio listened carefully.

“An agent I met briefly when I was in New York,” Speed yelped and a noise clattered through the phone.

“Sp… What are you doing?” Horatio asked, a hundred thoughts going through his head.

“Cooking you dinner,” Speed mumbled. “Or trying to, your pans suck.”

Horatio smiled, “The agent?”

“Yeah, I think his name was Phillips not sure if it was his first or last. He moved Danny and I to the safe house.” Speed explained. “Then when they moved me into Crystal Cove I remember Agent Franklin talking on the phone to someone named Phillips. I’m not sure if it’s a connection, but it’s something right?”

“Yeah, it’s something,” Horatio wrote down the information. “Just to inform you, Yelina knows.”

“How?” Speed sounded nervous.

“We decided to bait a Marshal, by running your prints.” Horatio looked out his windows to the lab floor. “She saw the record that your print pulled up. Your face — different name.”

“What was my new name, they hadn’t gotten around to telling me.” Speed asked.

“Frank Sands,” Horatio smiled.

“You’re kidding,” Speed exclaimed. “I’m so not a Frank Sands.”

“No you’re not,” Horatio looked at the photo on his desk. He looked up to see a man in a black suit at his door. “I have to go, we just got a bite.”

“Have fun reeling him in,” Speed hung up the phone.

Horatio clicked the phone shut, then motioned for the man to enter. He wasn’t what Horatio expected. He was wearing jeans, with a buttoned up white shirt, black tie and suit coat. He was older, a face that had seen hard years.

“Horatio Caine?” He asked a slight smile on his face as he sat in one of the chairs in front of Horatio’s desk.

“Yes, how may I help you?” Horatio folded his hands on his desk.

“By giving me back my witness.” He stated straight forward.

“And you are?” Horatio asked without a flinch.

“US Marshal Gerard,” Gerard nodded at Horatio, “Now my witness?”

“I’m not sure I know what you’re referring to Agent Gerard.” Horatio smiled at the Marshal.

Gerard’s eyebrow rose, “Look we have the same goal.”

“Do we?” Horatio asked his lips in a smirk.

“Yes, to protect the witness, and hunt down the bad guy.” Gerard eyes furrowed. “I don’t have time, Lt. Caine.”

“Why do you assume I know where your witness is?” Horatio asked, as he leaned back in his chair.

“Are we going to talk in circles all day, or you going to hand him over?” Gerard leaned forward onto his knees.

“I will do everything in my power to protect the citizens of Miami, Marshal Gerard.” Horatio leaned onto his desk.

“Let’s be frank with each other,” Gerard leaned back a smile on his lips. His respect for Caine had gone up.

“Let’s.” Horatio smiled back at him.

“I guarded him personally after the safe house incident,” Gerard explained, his eyes searched out Horatio’s. “I stayed with him, until he got settled here in Miami. I was on my way here to escort him to his new location, when he disappeared.” Gerard paused, “I’ve kept in touch with him these past years. He gave up everything. He told me once that if anything were to happen to him, for me to contact one Horatio Caine.”

“Does the name Philips mean anything to you?” Horatio asked. The trust Speed puts into him, amazed him. And if Speed trusted this man, then so would he.

“Yeah,” Gerard voice became concerned. “Why?”
“I was just informed that Philips knew where the safe house was in New York, and also Miami.” Horatio informed the Marshal.

“Is he secure?” Gerard asked, concerned.

“At the moment,” Horatio cocked his head, a sense of dread entering his chest.

Gerard stood and leaned over the desk, “Are you sure?”

”Why?” Horatio eyes bore into Gerard’s.

“Agent Philips’s job is to acquire safe houses, and place witness in them.” Gerard informed him, he began pacing the small office. “I suspected him back in New York, but there was no proof. When I got here, I found out he had just recently transferred to the Miami office. He asked for this assignment.”

Horatio stood and was half way out the door, before Gerard caught up with him. He practically ran down the hall to the elevator. “Eric, I want you on stand by with the chopper… I think our shark is circling the waters.” Horatio ended the call and dialed another number. “Calleigh meet me at the Hummer, bring me a rifle with scope.” He ignored Gerard’s looks as he stepped out of the elevator. “Yelina…get everything you can on an Agent…” He looked over at Gerard.

“William Philips,” Gerard answered.

“An Agent William Philips, where he lives, eats, hangs out.” Horatio snapped his phone shut.

Gerard looked at him, “You have been hiding him.”

Horatio turned towards the Marshal, “He showed up at my house exhausted and bleeding. I will protect him with my life do I make myself clear.”

Gerard smiled, “Perfectly.”

Horatio got up to the Hummer, Calleigh and Alexx stood waiting. “Horatio what is going on?” Alexx asked as they piled into the Hummer.

“Speed’s been found,” Horatio slammed the Hummer into reverse.

Calleigh looked at the Marshal, “Are we sure?”

“Our rogue agent has been in Miami for a few months. The moment we ran his prints, we confirmed Speed was still in town. And if he’s been watching Speed for months…” Horatio began to explain.

“He would figure that Speed would come to one of us.” Calleigh exclaimed.

“He probably started with Eric, then you…” Alexx figured glancing over at Calleigh. “The last place to look would be Horatio’s.”

Horatio dialed his number again. “He’s not answering.”

“Is he supposed to?” Gerard asked.

“Caller ID, he only answers if it says my name.” Horatio pulled up to his driveway. The front door was open.

He jumped out of the car, and pulled his gun, followed by Agent Gerard and Calleigh. He eased his way into the house; eyes darted around looking for anything. He walked into the kitchen, motioned for Gerard to go upstairs, Calleigh the garage.

The kitchen was a mess. Food, utensils on the floor, a pan of boiling water sat on the stove, he turned off the stove and put his gun away. The other two came back into the room, Alexx walked through the front door.

“He was just here,” Horatio looked at the counter, blood drops.

“How do you know?” Gerard asked.

“Right before you walked in I was talking to Speed, he was cooking. The water here hasn’t boiled over.” He followed the blood droplets back to the front door and down the walkway.

“One of them is wounded,” Calleigh called out. “Looks like a handprint on the counter.”

“Why not just kill him?” Alexx asked she stared at the shattered kitchen.

“Speed escaped twice, its personal now. He will want to draw it out, make Speed suffer.” Horatio explained he slipped his glasses on. He snapped his phone out before it hit the second ring, “Caine…good work get patrol out there, and tell Eric to get that chopper up.” Horatio hung the phone up and headed for the Hummer.

“Calleigh, where does an outsider go to get rid of a body?” Horatio asked as they pulled out of the driveway.

”Everglades?” Calleigh looked at Horatio threw the review mirror.

“Seems Agent Philips has a fascination with the Glades, been going there every weekend since he got here.” Horatio guided the Hummer through traffic, out of the city and into the glades.

“Let’s just hope we get there in time,” Gerard looked out the window.

“We will,” Horatio voice was low and hard.

Chapter 10 – Josh O’Malley

Speed hung the phone up with Horatio. He tried to calm his sudden nerves, he trusted Horatio, but at the moment he didn’t trust the US Marshal services. He had been wracking his brain all morning trying to come up with new clues, going through memories he would rather forget.

He had then taken a step back, looked at everything not as the victim but as a CSI. He examined what he saw and heard while he was in New York, and then compared it with Miami. That was when Phillips had popped into his memory. He didn’t have much of a memory of him, more of a background figure.

He eyed Horatio’s pots and pans, and decided that he was getting him a new set for Christmas. He stopped in the middle of the kitchen, would he be here for Christmas? Would the US Marshals make him leave? He put the pan on the stove, and then measured out the appropriate water. He didn’t want to leave. He chopped up the vegetables, his hands working through them on autopilot. He set the vegetables aside, and grabbed the chicken out of the fridge. He lost one family, and now he was going to loose another. He cut the chicken in strips laying them out on a plate.

A knock on the door startled him, the knife dropping onto the floor. He cursed silently and picked the knife up, washed it off in the sink. He had no intention of answering that door. A louder knock, and then the person banged on the door. Speed eyed the door, knife gripping in his hand. He had left the gun upstairs.

“Timothy, its Agent Phillips, from the US Marshal service.” The voice called from behind the door.

‘To close of coincidence for me,’ Speed searched for a way out.

“Tim, open the door. Agent Gerard is meeting with Caine now, your safe.” Philips yelled.

The only way out was through the garage, or the back porch. He would have to cross the entryway to get to both. He gripped the knife in his hand and slowly with out making a sound headed for the garage. The pounding on the door got louder. Speed took a deep breath; if Phillips got through that door Speed would die in Horatio’s house. He couldn’t do that to him.

He looked at the door, and didn’t see a silhouette his eyes turned towards the back door near the garage. He ran for the front door when he was tackled in the entryway. He lashed out with the knife; he heard the yelp of pain as he scrambled for the door. He was grabbed by his shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain and was thrown back. He stumbled towards the kitchen. He was slammed into the wall, knocking a photo onto the floor, and then thrown into the kitchen. He quickly got up and lashed out with the knife, Philips caught his hand and the two struggled for control. Speed leaned in gaining leverage and slammed Philips hand into the counter, the pain shot up his own shoulder causing him to drop the knife. He kept the momentum and slammed Philips into the counter. Philips lashed back knocking Speed into the fridge. Speed looked up to see Philips’s gun trained on him.

“Why didn’t you just open the door, Josh?” Philips wiped the blood from his nose onto his pants, getting drops onto the floor.

“I didn’t need any Avon products.” Speed smart mouthed off.

“Let’s go,” He motioned with the gun for the door.

~*~
Speed stared out the side window, watching Miami skyline disappear into the distance, “You do realize this is totally cliché that you would dump my body in the Everglades?” Speed sarcastic tone echoed through the car.

“It fits, don’t you think considering you testified against a mob boss,” Philip shrugged not really caring.

“So instead of sleeping with the fishes, it’s alligators?” Speed turned and looked at him.

“Something like that,” Philips turned up a dirt road.

“How much is my life worth?” Speed turned and stared back out the window.

“Five Hundred Thousand,” Philips answered, honestly.

“How much was Danny’s?” Speed voice dropped.

“Two Hundred Thousand,” Philips glanced over towards the passenger side.

“Inflation?” Speed sneered.

“Something like that,” Philips stopped the car. “Get out.”

Speed got out of the car; he stood by the edge of the road and looked out over the glades. He loved it here; Miami was a great city. At least he would die here. He wondered if they would re-bury him as Timothy Speedle or ship the body home to New Jersey as Josh O’Malley.

“You do realize, Horatio Caine will hunt you down,” Speed glanced over at Phillips. “You thought the Carmel’s held a grudge, that’s nothing compared to H.”

“He won’t be able to find me,” Philips watched the young man.

Speed laughed as he turned and looked at him, “You left your fingerprints back at his place, the knife will have your blood on it, let alone the drops on the floor. He will hunt you down, and the one-day you forget, the one-day you don’t look over your shoulder he will be there.”

“You’re so confident in your boss?” Phillips pulled the gun up, “Then why isn’t he here to save you.”

“It’s not his job to save me, it’s his job to find you.” Speed stood still. “I’ve died once, go ahead and kill me.”

The sound of a chopper startled both men. A helicopter came in low and circled around. Speed glanced up to see Eric, motioning to the pilot to set them down. Phillips covered his eyes as the sand blew around the road. When he looked back up he saw Speed glance towards the chopper. Phillips recognized the other CSI. His eyes full with hatred as he took aim and shot at Speed. Speed dove behind the car, barely avoiding the bullet. He glanced up to see a Hummer and cop cars heading up the road. He breathed a sigh of relief, now if he could just stay alive long enough for them to get there. He heard Phillips boots crunch in the sand as he walked towards the back of the car, he crawled to the opposite side; he got up onto his feet but stayed low. He glanced through the window. Phillips was directly across from him.

Phillips looked up to see the Hummer getting closer; the chopper had landed up the road. Speed could see Delko and Frank Tripp headed his way. Speed took the advantage of Phillips distraction and sprung. He knocked Phillips to the ground the gun skidding a few feet away. The two struggled, Speed gasped as an elbow slammed into his chest. He twisted, pulling Phillips away from the gun. Phillips latched out with his foot, connecting with Speed’s shin, giving himself enough leverage to pull away. Speed rolled and grabbed Phillips foot pulling the man down once again.

Speed could hear the sirens; he just had to hold on a little longer. Phillip kicked out, getting loose from Speed. Speed got to his feet and rushed just as Phillips grabbed the gun.

“PHILLIPS, PUT THE GUN DOWN!” Horatio’s voice echoed over the road. His gun aimed at Phillips.

Phillip looked at Speed and pulled the trigger, the sound was closely followed by multiple shots. Phillips dropped to the ground dead, gun still in his hand.

Horatio lowered his gun, then watched in horror as Speed stumbled back, blood soaking his shirt. “H?” Speed called out in panic.

Horatio dropped his gun, and grabbed the wounded man as he fell to the ground. Eric, Calleigh and Alexx ran up as Horatio lowered Speed to the ground.

“Get me rescue!” Horatio yelled. He looked down at Speed, who was struggling to breath. “Breath Speed, come on hold on. You’re safe now.”

Alexx fell next to the two men, medical kit in her hand. She pulled out a pressure bandage and placed it over the wound, to stop the blood flow. She grabbed Horatio’s hand forced it onto the wound. She worked feverishly to save him; tears ran down her face as she listened to the haggard breathing.

Speed looked at him with sad eyes, “Take care of them.” His voice was soft and pained.

Eric pulled Calleigh into his arms, as they watched Alexx work to save their friend. Agent Gerard stood off to the side, yelling into his cell phone to get a medic flight out to the glades now.

Horatio held on to him, “Don’t do this Speed, I can’t go through this again.”

Speed closed his eyes, the panic of Horatio’s voice faded into silence.

Chapter 11 – Found

 

~New York~

McCoy stood by his office window, watching the rain pour down onto the gray streets of New York. A glass of whiskey sat next to the bottle on his desk. He heard the door open but didn’t look away from the window.

“I just heard,” Briscoe’s voice echoed in the room.

“Yeah,” McCoy responded. “Agent Gerard called me this morning, his body is being shipped home in the next few days.”

“What are you going to do?” Briscoe asked, his eyes on the bottle.

“Toast a brave young man. Then convict Anthony Carmel for his murder and make sure the bastard gets the needle.” McCoy looked over at the detective.

“Are you going to the funeral?” Briscoe sat in front of the DA’s desk.

“I don’t think we are wanted there,” McCoy sat down as he poured the detective a drink.

Briscoe took the drink, and held it up, “To Joshua O’Malley and Daniel Nelson, two kids who did the right thing and paid the ultimate price.”

“May we learn from them,” McCoy finished, and then downed the drink. “Godspeed.”

~New Jersey~

Maria and Liam O’Malley watched as the coffin was lowered into the ground. The moment they saw the US Marshals walk up their pathway, they knew. Their son had been found.

”At least he’s home where he belongs,” Maria looked at her husband. “He’s next to Danny, they can keep each other company.”

“Mrs. O’Malley?” Agent Gerard stepped up to the older woman pulling her aside away from the dwindling crowd. “I’m Agent Gerard, I was one of the Marshals assigned to guard Josh.”

“Fine job you did,” Maria spat out at the agent.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” Gerard took Maria’s hand, holding it tight. “He’s safe, now.”

He gave her a sad smile and walked towards the waiting SUV. Maria’s eyes followed him. She glanced back at the tombstone.

Joshua O’Malley

Born: May 5, 1973

Died: October 23, 2004

Beloved Son and Brother

His strength inspired us all

She kissed the tombstone and walked out of the cemetery, and never looked back.

 

~Miami~

 

Four CSI’s stood along the surf, quietly staring out towards the ocean. Each lost in their own thoughts, each dealing with a wide range of emotions.

Eric slumped down onto the ground, head down on his knees. Alexx sat quietly next to him, rubbing his back gently. “Do you think?” Her voice was soft.

“I don’t know,” Horatio answered, his eyes not leaving the water.

”He came back once, right.” Eric looked up and over at the two women. “How do we know the Marshal’s didn’t just whisk him away.”

“We don’t,” Calleigh looked around the fairly deserted beach. “And we probably will never find out.”

“So, as far as the everyone is concerned Timothy Speedle is dead,” Eric voice was bitter and angry.

Horatio glanced at Eric, then at the two women, “Let’s get some Irish whiskey and send him off with an Irish Blessing.”

Horatio held out his hand to help Alexx up, “That’s a good idea, Horatio.”

Eric stood up and dusted off the sand from his pants, “It just…”

”Sucks,” Calleigh gave them a teary-eyed smile. “We get him back only to loose him again.”

They walked up the beach headed toward the waiting Hummer, “Its like a bad Lifetime movie.” Alexx chocked laugh was bitter.

“Well in that case,” Speed’s voice filtered to their ears. “Now would be about the time for the hero to show up, banged up but bandaged with some stupid quip about escaping death.”

Speed was leaning up against the Hummer, his arm in a sling. He looked tired, but his eyes were bright and happy. Calleigh squealed as she launched herself at him. He braced himself against the Hummer and caught her with one hand. She sobbed into his chest. Alexx not to be left out wrapped her arms around both of them, tears flowing.

“I can’t breath,” Speed tried to pull away, Calleigh held on tighter.

“Face it honey, you’re not getting out of our sights for a long, long, long time.” Alexx slid her hand through his hair.

Calleigh pulled back, wiped the tears from her eyes, and then smacked his uninjured shoulder, “STOP THAT! I can’t take any more of this damn melodrama.”

“How do you think I feel,” Speed smiled as he pulled her into his arms again.

Horatio had a tight smile on his face, he was very glad for his sunglasses as tears sat on the edge of his eyes. “How?”

Speed looked over at the two men, gave them a warm smile. “When I woke in the hospital they were ready to send me off, and start a new life. I told them there was no way in hell I was going to be Frank Sands from Texas.” Eric laughed, tension eased up in his chest. “I demanded to see Gerard. I told him that considering the only reason I had to be moved was because Phillips sold me out, who was now dead why did I have to go?”

“Except for the fact, that you died in the line of duty,” Horatio pointed out.

“Yeah, that’s what he said,” Speed shot a look towards Horatio. “I told him, figure it out. I wasn’t leaving Miami.”

“Okay,” Horatio looked at him. “How do you explain this?”

Speed smirked, “Agent Gerard explained to the higher ups that he was sorry for the inconvenience of stealing one of their officers. He stated that I had this un-canning resemblance to a witness that they had been hiding down in Tampa. Over the past few years the Marshals knew there was a rogue agent, that had been selling out witnesses.” Speed paused, smiling at his captive audience, “They had gotten word that this ‘witness’ a Josh O’Malley was next. So they staged an operation and took me instead, making the rogue agent think I was O’Malley. Explaining that the jewelry store was a set up, and I hadn’t really died. Proof of course was the small fact I was actually standing there. Fortunately it worked, the rogue came after me and they caught him, the agent being killed in the process. Unfortunately O’Malley had been already been found in Tampa, by the mob. They discovered his body a few days ago, charred beyond recognition, only identified by his dental records. His body his being shipped back home to be buried next to his best friend.”

“And what does this mean exactly?” Eric asked, hope filling his voice.

“I got my job back, a recommendation from the US Marshal Service, and I have been official declared alive.” Speed smirked, “Of course I have no apartment, clothes, or any of my personal affects. I’m hoping H will let me still crash on his couch until I find a place.”

“Your welcome to stay,” Horatio grinned at the young man. “But, I expect you back at work Monday morning.”

Calleigh dug into her handbag and pulled something out. She held it out to Speed, “If you start back on Monday, you’ll need this.”

Speed looked down at his badge, “You kept it?”

“I needed to have a part of you with me,” Calleigh blinked away more tears. “Now stop that, I need to stop crying.”

Alexx smiled at Speed, “I have your photo albums, and cookbooks. But the only way you will get those back is if you promise to cook for me.”

Speed looked shocked, “Whenever you want.”

Horatio looked out towards the ocean then turned back at Speed. “There goes my idea of taking your bike for a spin.”

“You had my bike the whole time?” Speed turned and stared.

“You never went into the garage,” Horatio pulled the keys out of his pocket. “Now what do you say about getting some of that Irish whiskey.”

“Sounds good to me,” Calleigh jumped into the front seat of the Hummer.

Alexx opened the back door, “Sugar, I’ll need my own bottle.”

Eric pulled Speed away from the Hummer “Speed…”

Speed pulled the Cuban into his arms, “I missed you too.”

Eric held him tight, then pulled back and placed an item into Speed’s hand; he walked back to the Hummer and jumped in next to Alexx.

Speed looked down to see his mother’s rosary. Tears welled up in his eyes, it was the only thing he had of his past, and Eric had kept it safe for him.

He looked over to see Horatio looking at him, glasses off, his blue eyes full of emotion, “Welcome home, son.”

Epilogue

~*~*~*~*~

~Monday~

Speed stepped out of the Hummer apprehensively. He looked up at the police station and lab, a sense of coming home filled him. He glanced over at Horatio, who was watching him intently.

“You know the moment I walk in there I’m going to be inundated by every cop, lab tech, basically, everyone.” Speed gestured towards the building.

“Probably,” Horatio nodded. “I can guarantee you at least one or two body guards.”

Speed sighed and headed up the stairs, “You know this really isn’t my fault. Yet I feel like I’m under twenty-four hour surveillance.”

“It’s because we love you,” Calleigh opened the front door for him.

“Please, PLEASE, tell me there are no hidden balloons or welcome back thing happening anywhere?” Speed practically begged Calleigh.

Calleigh grinned, “Not today, most people don’t even know of your ‘return’.”

“Oh great so how many times am I going to have ‘explain’ my return?” Speed asked, “Couldn’t someone have typed up a memo?”

Calleigh and Horatio snickered, “Okay so memo, might not work. I mean can you imagine?” Speed smiled imagining the actual memo. “To all employees, this memo is to inform you that the demise of Timothy Speedle was a planned sting operation for the US Marshal Service. Please do not be alarmed by his presence in the labs, he is not haunting the place. Signed Horatio Caine.”

Horatio turned and walked down the hall, desperately trying to keep from the laughing outright. Calleigh just leaned up against the wall and laughed.

“It wasn’t that funny,” Speed mumbled a smile on his face.

Calleigh took a few deep breaths, “Have I mentioned lately I’m glad your back?”

“Not in the past hour,” Speed began walking towards the locker room. “It was either you or Eric that called at six this morning to make sure I was coming in.”

“I called at seven,” Eric stated as Speed and Calleigh entered the locker room. “Has anyone seen you yet?”

“Just the front receptionist,” Speed looked at his locker. “It’s still here?”

”No one had the heart to claim it,” Eric sat on the bench next to him. “How are you doing?”

Speed shrugged, “Ask me at the end of the shift.”

“What does Horatio have you working on?” Calleigh asked.

“I don’t know, probably should go up to his office and find out.” Speed put his stuff into the locker. “Want to come with, and see how many lab techs I scare.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Eric grinned, as he headed for the front door.

Speed stepped around the bend of lockers following Eric towards the front door, when he heard a scream and the next thing he was looking at the ceiling. “Oh God, I’m sorry.” Speed shook his head and looked up at a grinning Laura. “The rumor it’s true, you’re not dead.”

“Yeah that’s the rumor,” Speed smiled held up his hand for Eric to help him up.

She squealed again and pulled him into a hug. She stepped back then turned and smacked Eric. “Thanks for the warning. You promised you would explain. I had to hear it from the front receptionist.” She turned to Speed, “Who by the way is sitting at the front desk in shock.” Speed shrugged, and proceeded to head out the door. “What did you expect when you walk in after being ‘dead’ for a month and smile and say good morning?”

“You didn’t?” Eric laughed as they four headed down the hallway.

Speed looked up to see Valera run down the hallway. He braced himself for the impact. “I’m going to be bruised by the end of the day,” He mused as he embraced the lab tech.

Valera stepped back from the hug, “Welcome back.”

“Thank you,” Speed smiled, as he continued down the hallway. He turned the corner and stopped, everyone in the lab was standing in the hallway, and once they saw him they all started applauding. He stood dumbfounded, the outpour of emotion was almost too much for him to handle. He turned, but couldn’t escape past Calleigh and Eric they turned him back around. Calleigh whispered in his ear, “Everyone missed you.”

He nodded, too choke up with emotion to say anything. He was pulled into warm hugs, and slaps on the back, everyone just happy to see him. He stood in front of the Trace lab, not able to hide the tears; a plaque with ‘Speed’s Lab’ was placed next to the door.

~*~

“You know that’s the fourth time he’s walked by in the past two hours,” Speed commented as Horatio walked by the Trace lab.

“Face it Speed, no one is going to really let you out of their sights for a while,” Eric commented from the other side of the table.

“Is that why, you’ve gotten a sudden interest in Trace elements?” Speed smiled at his friend.

Eric just smiled back, “So started looking for an apartment yet?”

“Would love to. But between Alexx, Calleigh, and even Yelina inviting me over for dinner, or in Alexx’s case, cook dinner I haven’t had time to go look.” Speed pulled the shirt up for closer inspection.

“They just want to take care of you,” Eric set the slide onto the microscope.

“I know, but you try having dinner with Stetler and Horatio in the same room. The guy actually had the nerve to question me about my whereabouts.” Speed shrugged. “I thought Horatio was going to kill him.”

“He’s a jerk, what can I say?” Eric looked up, “Hey took a look at this, what does it look like to you?”

Speed walked over to the microscope, he studied it a bit, “Honey.”

“Hives?” Eric wondered.

”Not clean enough, this looks natural straight from a honeycomb.” Speed walked back over to the shirt he was studying. “Could be a transfer…” Speed looked up to see Horatio looking over at them from the fingerprints lab. “Five.”

Eric snickered.

~*~

“Eric, I’m not living with your parents!” Speed stormed into the break room.

“What?” Calleigh turned and stared at the two men.

“I’ve been looking for a place, and Eric gives me an address of a great place, cheap rent.” Speed glared at Eric, “It happens to be the apartment above his parent’s garage.”

Calleigh snickered, and then looked at Eric, “You didn’t?”

“He did,” Speed smacked Eric as he sat on the couch.

“Hey, it’s safe,” Eric, pointed out. “I mean just in case some Italian mob dude shows up the Cuban mob will take care of him.”

Speed glared at him.

“He has a point,” Calleigh high tailed it out of the break room when Speed turned and glared at her.

~*~

“H,” Speed knocked on the office door. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

“Sure, come on in,” Horatio motioned towards a chair. “How’s the new place?”

“Good, it’s nice being settled and on my own again. I appreciate you putting up with me for so long.” Speed smiled.

“No problem. So what can I help you with?” Horatio asked.

“Call off the cops.” Speed gave him a look, “And don’t even deny it. They drive by my place every four hours.”

Horatio bowed his head, “busted?”

“Oh yeah,” Speed leaned back in the chair. “I appreciate it, I do, and I understand. But my poor neighbors won’t talk to me. They think I’m some criminal the police are watching.”

“I’ll call it off,” Horatio picked up the phone.

“Thank you,” Speed left the office and head back to the lab.

~*~

“Horatio!” Speed glared at the redhead. “When I asked for you to call off the cops I meant for them to be called off, not transferred to unmarked cars.” Speed stormed off towards the crime scene.

“Busted,” Calleigh sang in a sing song voice as she walked by.

“And how many times have you driven by?” Horatio asked the blonde.

“I refuse to say,” She quipped and followed Speed into the house.

~*~

Speed walked up to Detective Johnson, “Hey Mike, I just found some trace elements on the victims clothing, that I have a hunch we will find at the suspects ranch.”

“Really, what?” Mike Johnson had just transferred to Miami-Dade Police a little over two months ago. He took an instant likely to the Trace Expert, though he didn’t understand the lecture from Lieutenant Horatio Caine when it came to Speed’s safety.

“Seems the victim’s pant cuffs were covered with a specific oat grain, a type of horse feed. So I was going to head back out to the ranch, check his feed supply, take some samples.” Speed had his kit in hand.

“I have to finish this report up, I’ll meet you out there.” Johnson held up the folder that was in his hands. “Should be no longer than an hour?”

Speed’s mouth dropped in shock. He quickly recovered, “Sure.” He gave a quick wave then headed towards the elevator. He had to get out of the lab, before anyone noticed he was leaving by himself.

Horatio walked into the Trace lab and stopped short, “Where’s Speed?”

The lab tech looked up from the microscope, “He left here about two hours ago, something about a lead in his case.”

“Thank you,” Horatio walked down the hall and into the ballistics lab, “Seen Speed?”

Calleigh looked up, “No, not all morning.”

“Who’s he working with?” Horatio asked.

“The new guy, Detective Johnson,” Calleigh looked over at Horatio, “Problem?”

“No one has seen him for a couple of hours.” Horatio sighed then went to look for Johnson.

He ran into Eric in the elevator, “H, have you seen Speed?”

“No, I was just looking for him, why?” Horatio asked.

“The suspect just made bail, wanted to know if he had anything new.” Eric stated as the elevator door opened. Detective Johnson was talking with Yelina next to the receptionist.

“Detective Johnson?” Horatio walked up, with Eric behind him.

“Yes, Lt. Caine.” Johnson turned towards the redhead.

“Where’s Speed?” Horatio asked his hands on his hips.

“He went back out to the ranch I was just leaving to join him.” Johnson informed him, as he pulled out the phone from his pocket. He looked back up, concerned at the dead silence that was hanging in the air. “What?”

“You let Speed go off to a suspect’s house, alone without back-up?” Horatio took a step forward.

”A warrant had already been issued, suspect is in custody, and I had to finish a report…” He glanced over at Yelina stepping back from Caine.

“Horatio, Detective Johnson has done nothing wrong,” Yelina stepped in front of the scared detective.

Horatio frowned, “For your information the suspect just made bail, Eric let’s go.”

Speed was bagging samples of grain from the feed bins when a shadow fell over him, “Wow, two whole hours…” Speed turned to see the suspect standing over him with a shovel. He dove to the side; the shovel just grazed his temple. He scrambled back, dodging the next swing. He got to his feet and pulled his gun, “Freeze.”

The suspect stopped short, shovel over his head, “Don’t make me shoot you.” Speed grumbled, as blood poured down his head. “I have enough reason to, believe me. Now, because you decided to take a swing at me, I will never ever be allowed alone on a crime scene again. Bastard!”

“SPEED!” The barn door opened, Horatio, Eric and Detective Johnson entered guns raised. “Drop it!” Horatio pointed his gun at the suspect. The suspect dropped the shovel and glared at the cops as they handcuffed and escorted him away.

Horatio walked up to Speed, placing a handkerchief over the cut on his forehead, “I’m not going to be out of your sight for awhile am I?” A dizzy spell came over him and he slumped against Horatio.

“Eric!” Horatio yelled for the Cuban. “Call rescue.”

A mumbled, “I’m fine” came from his shoulder.

Speed woke up to the concerned face of Alexx Woods, “Where am I?”

“Hospital, you took a bad blow to the head.” Alexx soothed is hair back.

“Damn,” Speed cursed.

“What is it sugar?” Alexx smiled at him.

“They were just starting to let me out of their sights,” Speed grumbled.

”Like I said, long long long time.” Alexx kissed his cheek. “Now get some sleep.”

~* ~

Speed stood in the ballistics lab, Calleigh wrapped in his arms. He was trying to calm her down, her sobs wracking her small body. It was the year anniversary of his ‘death’. When he arrived late to work, he had been informed a frantic Calleigh had been looking for him. He found her crying in the ballistics lab. “I’m here.”

She stepped back, sniffling and wiping away her tears. “I’m sorry, I had to see you.”

“It’s okay, you’re not the only one.” Speed leaned up against the counter. “Horatio showed up at my door this morning, while Eric actually had crashed on my couch last night.”

Calleigh smiled, “I don’t feel so bad.” She held her hand out, “Let me see you’re gun.”

Speed tilted his head, “Don’t trust me?”

“I do, but it’s just something I need to do,” Calleigh dismantled the gun, checking every part of it. She smiled as she put it back together and handed it back.

“It’s okay; I’m surprised I haven’t seen Alexx yet. Wonder where she is?” Speed wondered.

“Crime Scene,” Horatio’s voice interrupted them. “We have a case.”

“Let’s go,” Speed followed Horatio out the building. “H?”

“Yes, Speed.” Horatio slipped on his sunglasses as they exited and looked over at the young man.

“One favor,” Speed slipped his own glasses on as he walked by the redhead.

“What?” Horatio asked a slight smile on his face.

“No jewelry stores,” Speed, stated as he stopped by the Hummer.

Horatio responded by opening the passenger door, pulled out a Kevlar vest and handed it to Speed. Speed just grabbed it, sighed, and put it on. He got into the Hummer, turned and faced Horatio, “Just one question?”

“What?” Horatio asked as he pulled out of the driveway.

“How long exactly is a ‘long long long time’?” Speed relaxed into the seat.

“Ask me again when you retire.” Horatio glanced at the young man.