Title: Visiting Hours
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: PG-13
Summary: After a tough case Horatio stops by for a visit
***
Horatio looked down at the headstone. He ran a hand along the smooth surface as he squatted down in front of it.
“You’re probably wondering why I’m here,” He looked around the cemetery. “You’ve been in my thoughts lately. These past few cases have been difficult and somehow I found myself here.” He sighed looking down at his hands, “The impact you made on our lives may have seemed small to you, but it was life changing for me. Sometimes I wonder why the hell I do this,” Horatio chuckled darkly. “Ironic I know me saying that – but sometimes I wonder. Every day we’re out their busting our asses, putting our lives on the line for what? So the DA can make deals.” Horatio stood up looking down at the grave. “I know you’re wondering why I’m standing here rambling. I’m actually wondering that myself. I should be home, but I needed to talk and here I am.” Horatio looked over at the Hummer. “I should thank you – if it wasn’t for you I would have never known how great love can be.” Horatio slipped on his glasses cocking his head as he looked down at the grave one last time. “I’m sorry no one comes by – sometimes it’s just too painful to remember why you’re here.”
Horatio pulled up to the dark house. He was tired; it had been a long day, too long. He got out of the Hummer and headed into the house. He placed his badge, gun, wallet and keys on the entryway table. Slipped out of his shoes, laying his jacket and tie on the back of the arm chair. He padded softly through the house, towards the back bedroom. He slipped out of his pants and shirt, throwing them into the laundry basket. His watch, belt and cufflinks were now resting on the dresser. He sunk onto the edge of the bed, pulling off his socks, tossing and missing the basket completely.
As he slipped under the covers, he slipped his arms around the warm body that was already sound asleep. Horatio spooned up to the warm body feeling the stress of the day leave his body. The body shifted in his arms, turning to look at him. Horatio smiled as chocolate brown eyes full of sleep blinked up at him.
“It’s late,” Horatio soothed back dark brown hair. “Go back to sleep, you still need your rest.”
A tired yet concerned voice answered him, “Where have you been? Ryan called, he was worried about you.”
“I had to stop by and visit someone,” Horatio tried to explain.
“Who?” A stifled yawn couldn’t hide the curious tone.
“Wally,” Horatio smiled at the confused expression. His hands graced over the still present bandage, “I needed to pay my respects.” Silence answered him; Horatio looked down into the face of the man he loved more than life. “Speed,” Horatio whispered; his voice full of emotion. “If it wasn’t for his suicide you would have never come to me that night full of anguish and fury.” Horatio closed his eyes not wanting to think of what could have been. “You were so angry at him, at yourself, at the world. You slammed your gun down with tears in your eyes as you admitted not cleaning it. You were so close to the edge, your eyes pleaded with me not to give up on you like everyone had given up on Wally.”
Speed looked into emotional blue eyes, “And you didn’t – you took me in that night.” Speed smiled softly, “Forced me to clean my gun, and showed me that you hadn’t given up on me.”
“Yet your gun still jammed,” Horatio pulled Speed closer to him.
“But I had something to live for,” Speed curled into Horatio’s arms. “You never gave up on me and I refused to give up on myself. I wanted to live – I wanted a life with you. I had to survive, just so I could tell you that I loved you.”
“I love you,” Horatio kissed him deeply, the feel of a day’s growth of beard under his hands as he cupped Speed’s face.
Speed smiled up at him, “Ryan told me about the case, I’m sorry.”
“I’ll be okay,” Horatio settled down next to Speed. “You’re here and that makes all the difference in the world.”