-Code Blue- UPDATE!!CHAPTER 20 IS UP!

[Cammie Moonites]

UPDATED!

Chapter Seven: Homecoming

Doctor Heming was back in Horatio’s room and she was talking to him about maybe going home, there wasn’t much they could do for him at the hospital- and they were running out of rooms for people who needed them. It wasn’t that Horatio didn’t need a room either it was that, he wasn’t going to get better or worse laying in the hospital. Cyanide worked its course and there was no treatment for it. Depending on how much he’d gotten laced with was the question and only time would tell anyhow. “Horatio, you’re going to go home and take it easy, I’ll get Ryan to watch you twenty four seven, since it seems he wants to badly anyways. I’ll also send a nurse in case Ryan gets called onto a case.” She explained.

Horatio just looked at her, too weak to move. “B- But I can hardly get up.” He said and shifted, his whole body was aching and he felt like he was on the edge of life and death. He didn’t even know where home was.. he couldn’t remember that – didn’t remember that. His mind was so sketchy. “H-Home..” he said, trying hard to remember but it never came.

Doctor Heming looked at him and sighed. “This’ll be over soon Horatio.” There was pain in her voice, and in her gaze. She called Ryan from the phone in Horatio’s room. Waited for him to answer.

Ryan answered on the sixth ring. “Ryan Wolfe” he said.

Doctor Heming took a deep breath. “Ryan its about time Horatio went home, and since you’re his next of kin I had to notify you.” She started to explain. “There’s nothing else we can do here, he’s going to have to wait this out there. We don’t know how much Cyanide he got in his system, and from the looks of it he was laced pretty good, but, I’ll be sending a nurse home with him as well just to be sure.” She said.

Ryan sighed, and shifted. “Alright Doctor, I’ll keep my eye on him.” He said.

About an hour later Ryan was at the hospital collecting Horatio.

Horatio slept the whole way home, to a home he did not recognize. To a place that was like a foreign country to him- he was scared, worried that maybe something was up, he didn’t recognize anything, he noticed pictures, of him and his – CSI’s together, but still it did not bring his memories back. Plaques on his wall of awards for lives he’d saved, people he’d helped, and yet he still didn’t recognize them, his name was on them, but he didn’t know why. He didn’t even know who he’d helped.

Ryan wheeled him into his bedroom, the wheel-chair they’d given them was rather clunky. Reminded him of his car in a way. “Alright Horatio, hang on, lemme get the blankets folded up.” He felt like a nurse himself, helping an old man in an old folks home. That’s what Horatio – sadly looked like, because of the cyanide, a old man with dementia. He’d never thought he’d think of Horatio that way – never. His body was so frail, so weak. A side of him that he would rather not allow Calleigh and Eric to see. And would make sure they didn’t until this was over. It hurt him too badly, how bad would it hurt them, he wondered.

Horatio waited patiently, hungry but he wasn’t going to voice his opinion, until about two seconds later after thinking it his stomach growled. “Thank you, Mister Wolfe..” he said – and offered a weak smile.

Ryan’s heart skipped a beat, his voice, had sounded like the Horatio he knew… There was a different pitch than the pitch he’d been talking in on the ride home. “H- - Horatio.. You remember.. now?” he asked and almost shuddered.

Horatio smiled a little wider. “Yeah, I am starting to remember you. I know – I call you Mister Wolfe instead of Ryan..” he said.

Ryan had tears of joy streaming down his face, but he hid them. “Sir.. I mean.. Thank God.” He said. “Here now lay down, it’ll probably feel better.” He couldn’t believe it. As long as Horatio knew who he was, it was going to be all right. He knew. Memories would slowly start to come back, and Horatio just calling him ‘Mister Wolfe’ like he’d always done, made his day even brighter.

Horatio allowed his smile to hang for a little while longer. “I’m hungry” he said lightly, and snickered. He did like being waited on.

The nurse that had been sent to Horatio’s home walked into the bedroom as well, she was small, short, and had long brown hair and husky blue eyes, she looked like she’d come out of a Sci Fi movie. “Mr. Caine I’m going to have to hook you back up to the things we had you hooked up to at the hospital, the IV and heart monitor.” She explained.

Horatio merely nodded. “Alright.” He said, as he leaned his back up against the pillows.

Ryan had left the room to go make Horatio some chicken soup, since it was the only thing he knew how to make.. in a short period of time. He waited for the microwave to beep-telling him it was done, and when it did, he pulled it out and burned his hands a little on the bowl. He laughed – Walked it into Horatio with one of those bed plates and a piece of buttered bread and a glass of tea.

Horatio smiled when Ryan walked in with the food ignoring the nurse who was poking and prodding him. “Thank you Mister Wolfe” he said and that smile returned to his face again. He took the bedplate that Ryan had made, the smell of the Chicken Noodle Soup flustering his nostrils. It smelled so good, and so did the tea. He waited for it to cool off a little. Took a sip of the tea, and he had to admit it felt awesome going down his throat.

Ryan just sat on the edge of the bed watching, making sure nothing happened, like a alpha wolf guarding its pack. And smiled when Horatio took a sip and he could see the pure pleasure that crossed his lieutenant’s features. “One of the first rules of being a CSI you taught me Horatio was being there for one another. No matter what happened.” He said totally out of the blue.

Horatio only smiled. He was too lost in the taste of the good food in front of him.

Ryan looked on, and was hungry himself but would wait until his shift was over to eat. He’d be staying the night at Horatio’s house, he knew, since it was already going on eight pm. He’d sleep on the couch. The nurse, poor nurse had to stay up twenty four hours – Ryan looked at her “You can go get some sleep while I watch him, I’ll wake you up when I’m going to bed.”

The nurse merely nodded, shifted a little as she stood and- walked out without saying a word.

Ryan watched her leave, sighed and looked back at Horatio who was still eating his soup. “I love the taste of Chicken Noodle when I’m not feeling well, although, what you’re going through- I didn’t know if it would help or not.” He said nervously.

Horatio just laughed lightly smiling still. “Mister Wolfe, I’m just glad I remember you now.. for a while you were just a stranger and I have to admit, I was afraid of you.” He said and allowed his head to go down for a moment.

Ryan looked at him and turned his head to the side.. “A-Afraid of me?” he said. And then he asked. “Do you remember Calleigh or Eric, yet?” He waited, and watched for a response.

Horatio turned his head to the side. “N-No I don’t.” he said and realized that he had a long way to go. His gaze turned somber. “It’ll come..” he murmured, finding the wisdom he’d always had.

Ryan sighed, at least he remembered him, he thought, so he wasn’t completely afraid. “How you feeling?” he said as Horatio finished off the Chicken Noodle.

Horatio looked at him. “Lost.” Was all he needed to say.

Ryan sighed, “It’ll come- Can I ask you a few questions?” he asked.

Horatio only nodded.

Ryan thought about what to ask him. “Do you remember going down to Rio?” he asked, trying to backtrack Horatio’s memory.

Horatio looked at him, and shook his head. “I went to Rio De Janiro?”

Ryan nodded. But didn’t explain. “How about your brother Raymond..?”

Horatio shook his head again. “I have a brother..”

Ryan looked at him and realized how far gone his memory was.. “You did.” He said deadpan. “He was – an undercover cop.”

Horatio’s ocean blue eyes widened. “Was…meaning he’s dead too.” He sighed.

Ryan just stopped himself, stopped himself from asking questions since he seemed to be horrible at it. “I’ll be right back I picked you up something on the way to the hospital and remembered just now.” He laughed a little. He needed a minute to get air, and to run to his hummer. Someone had already picked up the Hummer left at the hospital, patrol he figured. Probably the best day of whoever’s life – he sighed, and strode out to his hummer. Horatio’s shield and gun where in his glove box. He’d collected them, earlier, and hung onto them – cried with them in his hands. He took a deep breath of the Miami air, and walked back inside, held them behind his back, and walked into Horatio’s room.

Horatio watched Ryan walk into his room carrying something, he couldn’t quite place what though. He sighed, and set the food aside. “Mister Wolfe, what have you got?” he asked lightly.

Ryan only smiled and then snickered. “Surprise.” He said and lay the gold shield and gun on
Horatio’s lap. “These are yours- I’ve .. I’ve been holding onto them, to make sure no one gets a hold of them.” He murmured.

Horatio’s eyes widened as he picked up the shield, and for once in his life, he was afraid to pick up the pistol. “Lieutenant.” He read, “Miami – Dade Crime Lab.” He ran his thumb lightly over the texture. “I really am Lieutenant..” he murmured.

Ryan nodded and put the pistol aside. Noting that he saw fear in Horatio’s eyes. Something he’d never thought he’d see, after watching Horatio take human lives. He shifted where he sat, and smiled. “Yes, you are lieutenant.” He said, hoping that maybe holding his shield would dredge up some memory. “Remembering yet?” he asked lightly and playfully.

Horatio shook his head again. “N- no..” he said and saline tears ran down his face. He was no doubt frightened by his lack of memory.

Ryan rested his hand on Horatio’s covered up leg, “Its alright, it’ll come sooner or later. And I’ll be here when it does.” He smiled, and then looked at the time. “Well, H, I have to get going to bed or I wont wake up tomorrow.” He said and patted Horatio’s leg, grabbing the left over food. “I’ll put this in the sink and clean it in the morning.” He’d already packed his stuff and had to carry it in as well.

Horatio nodded and rolled over onto his side. He too would drift off into sleep. The question became, would he wake up from it…

[pinkyster]

OMG, poor Horatio. So lost and so hurt. I am glad to see he is starting to remember things, well at least Ryan and that's a start. Afraid of his gun? Hopefully that too will pass and he will be back to normal. Great chapter, another emotional one at that.

Jen

[Cammie Moonites]

Hehe thanks for the comment, That post right there is over 2000 words long, I came back with a vengance! xD

[Dr. Anna McBreadle]

poor horatio! at least he's home now and in his own bed!
great chap cassity!
luv
sam
x

[Cammie Moonites]

Thank you guys!

[Cammie Moonites]

Chapter EIGHT is here!

It looks a little shorter than normal but its because the paragraphs are longer XD

Enjoy!

Chapter Eight: Night-Runner

Horatio awoke in a cold sweat to nightmares he'd never imagined he'd have. His body was shaking, tears where streaming down his face. - He'd heard the screams, and pleas for life - of men, and women he'd shot, or taken the lives of. Which as he sit awake he didnt remember. Familiarity came to him though - Something, was working in the back of his mind to make him remember them. He wondered however, who they where. He didnt remember the cases, nor the reasons behind hurting them so badly. And then one person, he recalled - as he had held a pistol to their head, had molded themselves into Marisol. And he had killed her too. And that was what shot him awake, that image of him blowing her brains out. And as he sit panting, thinking about it, scared that that was really what happened he screamed. "Mister Wolfe!"

Ryan was sleeping peacefully for once in his life. He'd never found it easy to sleep with everything he saw day in and day out. Not dreaming - nor was he having nightmares, but he heard Horatio's scream in the distance and it shot him awake. Ran with his pistol in his hand to Horatio's room, slammed open the door- saw a man he did not recognize. Horatio- scared, shaking and defeated. "H-- Horatio.." he said and lay the pistol down on his dresser.

Horatio heard Ryan come in, heard the pistol hit the wood of his dresser. "M-Mister Wolfe..." he said again, this time his voice was shaking. "I - I- Killed Marisol." he said, his eyes closed as Ryan turned on the light.

Ryan looked at him, his form so old, and so beaten. It wasnt Horatio Caine. Not the Horatio Caine he knew. "No - H, you didn't. Someone else killed Marisol." he said, his words where shaking as well, he put a hand on Horatio's shoulder, and felt him shuddering. Fear that he saw in the eyes of a man people where afraid of shook his soul to the core.

Horatio looked away. "How do I know your not lying to make it easier on me." he said, and shifted a little.

Ryan just sighed. "You dont, but you have to trust me. You didnt take her life."

Horatio looked at him, and then closed his eyes. "I watched myself...blow her brains out.." he said and saline tears ran down his cheeks.

Ryan looked at him, and realized that this wasnt the Horatio he knew. That thought kept crossing his mind, and he also realized that he was going to have to play this different. He grabbed Horatio's shoulders and forced him to share his gaze. "Horatio. I have evidence, files- folders, reports that say she was murdered." he said and shook him a little. "You need to have faith in my words" he said.

Horatio looked at him, and saw a hint of anger behind his gaze. "You're angry that I dont remember, arent you." he said. "Its not my fault.... Mister Wolfe. You know that." he said, and narrowed his eyes.

Ryan looked at him, and then the nurse came in the room breaking the tension between them. "Horatio I'm not angry, I'm - I'm struggling." he said, and looked away, an admission that he'd never been able to actually voice his entire life. "I'll be right back" he said, had to get air again, this was hurting him in a way he didnt know was possible.

Horatio looked at his nurse and sighed. "I'm going to uhm... go into the living room." he said, but he had other ideas. Instead he was going to walk- for what he figured, through the night, trying to find himself. Horatio ripped the IV and heart monitor off of his flesh, and sighed.

"Mr. Caine I dont think that is such a good idea.." was all the nurse said, and she wasnt able to stop him.

Horatio started for the door, wondering where Ryan had gone. He wasnt anywhere to be seen, and he figured that a walk around the block would do him some good. He felt alright. He made it outside, and stumbled as he walked down the stairs, skinning his knee and palm, but he got back up. Walked passed the Hummer, and into the street, under the moonlight, and street lights, Fresh air seemed so good to him, that he just wanted to hang outside for a while. He kept walking until he realized that his home was on the edge of the water, and there was a beach just down the road from him.
---

Ryan came back into Horatio's room, and looked at the nurse, and then at the bed, "Where the hell did he go!?" he snarled.

The nurse looked at him. "For a walk.. said he needed air."

Ryan wanted to slap her so hard, but he held himself back. "Uhm, Miss, he isnt in the right state of mind! He could get himself killed out there, and your supposed to keep him inside!" boiling with anger for Horatio's saftey, and not directed at Horatio's actions because he understood them, he grabbed his pistol and shield and went searching for him..

Horatio had found his way down to the water, but wasnt in it, he was just staring at the moonlight reflecting off of it. So beautiful it was. Something he couldnt remember ever seeing before. He stood there, thinking to himself - trying to dredge up anything that would come. Anything that would direct him to who he was, what he'd done... He wanted more than anything to have his life back.
--

Ryan found Horatio down by the water just staring into nothing, and he approached slowly as to not scare him. "H.. Hey.." he said, and shook his head. The task at hand was going to be reeling him back into his house. "What'cha doing way out here?" he asked.

Horatio turned slightly and looked at him - "Trying to find myself." he said lightly and shook his head too. "I thought maybe if I got fresh air - maybe memories would come back to me." he said, and sighed, hanging his head on his shoulders. "I guess not."

Ryan felt for him, he really did. But Horatio was going to have to get used to the idea that it was going to take time, for things to come back. "H, you have to realize these things take time, You once told someone that you'd be thier memory for them - I'm going to do that for you. I'll be your memory." he said - He wrapped a arm around Horatio's shoulder, realizing that Horatio was still taller than him.

Horatio offered a little smile. "Okay." he said, "I would like that." He looked at Ryan and snickered. "Its rather nice outside tonight." he said.

Ryan smiled back, "Why dont we just sit here, and take it all in. I'll tell you what I know, and maybe it will help." he offered.

Horatio smiled wider. "I would like that too." he said.

Ryan of course wasnt going to remind him of the past he'd just learned about himself, instead he was going to tell him the good things that he'd done. The lives he'd saved, the cases he'd worked. The victims he'd faught tooth and nail for. "Where do we start..." he said and looked up at the sky. "How about, with your brother." he said.

Horatio nodded lightly. "Okay."

Ryan tried to keep himself from telling him the politics behind what his brother had done, and what Horatio had gone through, and the pain he'd felt, because he wasnt around - he decided that he would just tell him what he'd known about him when he'd heard it from other people. "Your brother's name was Raymond Caine, had a son named Ray Junior, and was married to Yelena Salas. He was an undercover narcotics cop who was a hero in his own right." Ryan paused.

Horatio smiled. "Thats good, so we where both cops. - well I still am, I guess."

Ryan snickered. "Yes, you still are." he waited a beat. "Raymond was killed in the line of duty, doing what he did best." he lied a little. He'd heard Raymond had been killed three times.. and came back and then finally when he was around - when they went down to Rio, that was when he'd really died.

Horatio looked at him. "Thats good. At least his son knows he's a hero."

Ryan changed the subject. "Now, uhm..." he started but couldnt find words. "Marisol." he said, and began. "You fell in love with her, and, long story short Mala Noche, wanted her dead to make sure they took everything you loved, and they did, you went down to Rio to hunt her killer down, and came back to Miami having murdered him. Almost a year ago, a woman named Julia found out about this, and had you extradited to Rio to serve prison time- but instead of doing that, they tried to kill you." he said, not wanting to explain who Julia was.

Horatio took it all in, and about four hours later, and the sun starting to rise, he had a good idea of who he was, but it didnt help in bringing his memories back. "Thank you Mister Wolfe." he said lightly. "Hopefully it will help."

Ryan just looked at him. "I know it will, and you're welcome. Now, lets get back to your house." he said -

And they walked together back to his house... without a fear in the world.
---

But he was still watching Horatio Caine, Casanova was, and saw from about one hundred feet away, that he hadnt killed him. Now, he was going to have to take a more drastic approach.

[NV Oracle]

Poor H. So confused, and can't remember anything. Hopefully, they will figure out who poisoned him with the cyanide.

Great story, Cassity.

Your friend
NV Oracle

[Cammie Moonites]

Thank you so much. I hope I'm doing it right...

[Dr. Anna McBreadle]

poor horatio, i feel sorry for ryan who's having to do this alone. at least he's doing what he can to help horatio find himself again!
great chap cassity
luv
sam
x

[Cammie Moonites]

Chapter NINE is gonna be HOT!
---

Chapter Nine: The Come-Back

After talking with Ryan, Horatio had quickly fallen asleep in his bed, and it felt good to be there. Awoken only a few hours later to realize he didnt remember ever being there in the first place. He remembered being at the lab working a case. Looked around sat up and went out into his living room and saw Ryan Wolfe laying on his couch. He cleared his throat, and sighed. Leaned over and tapped Ryan lightly. "Mister Wolfe - What do you think your doing in my house." he shifted his head to the side.

Ryan woke up, slowly and rubbed his eyes with his fists closed. "H- I uhm -" He stood up at attention rather quickly. "Horatio - Uhm, if you dont mind me asking -" He tried to think of a test question because he didnt believe he was back. "What was your first job - here in Miami." he shook a little, wondering what his response would be because that was the one detail he'd left out the night previous.

Horatio looked at him and widened his ocean blue eyes. "Mister Wolfe, you already know the answer to this." he said - and realized either he was confused or Ryan was. He answered anyway. "I worked the bomb squad..." his voice trailed off.

Ryan shrieked. A high pitch almost sob came from him as he wrapped his arms comfortably around Horatio. "Your back!" he yelled at the top of his boyish lungs.

Horatio looked at him, narrowed his eyes. "Mister Wolfe.. Excuse me.. I'm back?" he asked.

Ryan literally had tears going down his face. "Y--You.. and then, the...memory- and then.." he couldnt even speak he was so happy. "I thought we'd lost you!" he said, and didnt let go. He noticed the color and way Horatio held himself was back as well, the Horatio he'd known had returned.

Horatio still was feeling rather ill but he didnt voice it, thought he'd had a bug. "What are you talking about Mister Wolfe.. I dont understand." he said.

Ryan looked at him. "Think hard." he said letting Horatio go, but he really didnt want to. "What do you remember last." he waited a beat.

Horatio looked at him - shook his head. "I- Uhm well.. I remember driving to the hospital, and then - What happened to me?" he asked.

Ryan knew that he was going to have to explain everything now. "Sit down, Sir." he said.

Horatio looked at him again - almost doing a double take. "Ryan, you dont have to call me Sir in my own home." he listened though.

Ryan took about an hour to explain everything that had happened, and had his own questions. "Why did you make me next of kin - Horatio..?"

Horatio looked at him. "Because..." his voice dragged off and he looked away. "I - I didnt believe Eric could handle it." he explained.

Ryan looked away as well. "Well, H." he said. "Welcome Home."

Horatio still wasnt feeling like himself yet. After hearing what Ryan had told him he was still worried for his health, and he had good reason to be. Something was still up, his memory had fully restored itself, but -- He started to get dizzy - Felt like he'd drank too much alcohol. "Mis--mist---Wol--Wolfe.." he slurred. Out of nowhere.

Ryan's head shot back and he looked at Horatio. "Hey, H, Whats the matter, you dont look---" his words where cut off by what happened next.

Horatio fell out of the chair he'd been sitting in, slamming his head and the rest of his body onto the ground, limp he lay. Not moving.

Ryan fell to the ground with him, whipping out his cell-phone. "This is CSI - Ryan Wolfe I need an Ambulance at Horatio Caine's address. Now!" he yelled. "Stay with me, Horatio." he felt for a pulse but wasnt getting one. "Horatio- Please...." he said and rolled him over. Horatio was limp. And Ryan was worried, he started CPR on him, heaving his hands on his chest and breathing his life into him. "d**n Cyanide! d**nIT!" he yelled out loud. He breathed into him again, and again, and still nothing.

Paramedics arrived and saw the effort and pain that Ryan was showing. One of them walked to his side. "Detective Wolfe?"

The only response they got out of Ryan who was frantically trying to save Horatio's life was a nod.

The paramedic was evenly built with long brown hair, that was tied back, and his eyes where ocean blue- kind of like Horatio's. He was Caucasian, and had an accent which was interesting and Ryan filed it away for later. "Ryan, let me hook him up to a breathing machine." he said -

Ryan didnt want to stop, couldnt force his body to make him stop, but the paramedic pulled him off of Horatio. "No-- Oh god.." he threw his hands up and ran them through his short brown hair. "He was fine a second ago...well - kind of.." he said trying to go back to his training. "He was talking alright and then he started slurring." he said.

The paramedic looked at him. "He's back!" he said as he felt Horatio breath for himself.

Ryan looked down, his eyes narrowing. "Thank god- - Thank god." he said.

Horatio coughed, up blood and everything else that was in his stomach, he couldnt help it. He rolled onto his side, and just lay breathing deep breaths, feeling like someone had wrapped their hands around his throat.

The paramedic looked at Ryan. "He's alright.." he said and looked at the floor. "The floor may need to be replaced."

Ryan nervously laughed, still unsure of Horatio's condition. "He-heh..What are his vitals.." he asked.

The paramedic read them off, they where in normal range.

Ryan knelt down beside Horatio. "Dont--Dont do that to me again or I will put a bullet in your temple." His voice was all serious, but there was a joke only him and Horatio understood behind it.

Horatio coughed, and laughed. "Mis-Mister Wolfe.. I dont plan on it." he said slowly sitting up, aided by Ryan and the paramedic, he leaned against the couch. "I'm sorry." he said and looked down. His gaze was grim and nervous - something even the real Horatio never showed.

Ryan nodded and patted his shoulder. "Its alright."

Horatio looked at him. "Everyone and their brother is going to show up here - can you keep them out, including Calleigh and Eric... I'm not ready to see anyone." he said, his voice was horse but it was there.

Ryan nodded and decided that he'd just lock all of the doors and put a notice on the front door, when everyone arrived they would see it.

Horatio sat up a little higher on the couch, weak, but himself..

The paramedic looked at him. "That was your body getting the Cyanide out of your system." he said.

Horatio nodded. "Cyanide..?"

Ryan sighed. "I was going to tell you- you where poisoned before you blacked out." he said.

Horatio was a disaster if anyone had ever seen one. Disgusting looking, from all the stuff that had come up when he'd come back it looked like he'd been sick for a week. He sighed and shrugged. "I'm going to go take a shower. Test all that crap in the floor for Cyanide, maybe we can find my killer's signature." he said.

Ryan laughed, and then looked at him "Yes Sir." he said.

Horatio walked off to the shower.. upstairs.

Ryan watched still unsure he should let him alone. "Thanks..." he murmured to the Paramedic.

The paramedic nodded. "It was you who saved him." he said and started for the door, walking out.
----

About twenty minutes later, a wet and refreshed Horatio walked out from his upstairs bathroom. Dressed like the Horatio everyone knew, except he was wearing a Miami - Dade Sheriff's T-shirt and sweat pants. Something he was never seen sporting. He walked down the stairs. Noticed that the floor had been cleaned.

Ryan was sitting on the couch watching- Ironically 'Cops' - He looked up when Horatio walked down, he'd never seen him wet, much less not in a suit. "How you feeling H, you look a lot better." he said and then turned back to the decent sized TV. Wondering when Horatio found time to watch it. "These cops are stupid, I keep watching them break like a ton of laws - Some of them here in Miami! Can you believe it?"

Horatio looked at him, and turned his head to the side, and walked to see what he was watching. He laughed a little and a sly smile crossed his features. "That, Mister Wolfe, is because they aren't taught by me." he said and pat Ryan on the shoulder. "Thank you, for everything." he said. "I'm thinking about giving you a raise." he murmured.

Ryan had to do a double take. "Raise in money or raise in rank?" he asked.

Horatio laughed. "Both." he said. "To- Trace Supervisor. - Or something, same job, different title." he snickered.

Ryan sighed. "I like being called CSI-Wolfe."

Horatio nodded. "Then just the money. Thats just between me and you though." he said.

Ryan nodded. "Agreed. - Hey Horatio, are you still going to be taking days off.. on medical leave?"

Horatio looked at him and nodded. "I'm not entirely sure I wont black out again on duty. Mister Wolfe." he said. Horatio took his job very seriously, and something like what had just happened - shook him pretty good.

Ryan nodded. "Then it looks like I'm staying a couple more days."

Horatio laughed. "That, indeed you are."

[pinkyster]

Great chapter. Poor H, hopefully they can find out who is doing this and how and soon.

Jen

[Cammie Moonites]

Oh they will... They Will.

[Dr. Anna McBreadle]

wow, horatio is getting his memory back! hooray!
that paramedic seemed a bit suspicious to me but maybe thats just me!
again, great chap!
luv
sam
x

[Cammie Moonites]

Chapter Ten is going to be explosive!

Chapter Ten: Recuse Yourself

Casanova had been watching Horatio's house for a few days now, seeing that neither him or Ryan had left it. - He'd studied up on both men. But he wasnt the kind of man to use their weaknesses to get them to lose their jobs, instead he was the kind of man to use time, and values to kill them. At this point he'd realized that he was going to have to take both of their lives, for his job to be complete- so as he sat across the street, he was melding a bomb together. One that would take out a block if he messed up the manufacturing. Sly smile crossed his face when he completed it - Now when and where to place it, was the next question...
------------

Ryan sat on the couch after a long day of talking to Horatio - because thats all they could do since he didnt want to leave his house. He sighed and watched Horatio walk up the steps instead of go into the room he'd been sleeping in the last few days. He had another bedroom up there, one that was bigger, and Ryan figured maybe he needed more air. He shifted and heard the door close. Curious as ever, CSI blood in him, he went in the other bedroom. The one Horatio had left. Opened his drawers and instead of finding, clothes, he found case file upon case file - from five and six years ago. He pulled one out.

"Raymond Caine." - it read. He opened it, still more curious. Detective Raymond Caine was killed in the line of duty after a drug deal went south, wounds sustained where a bullet to the heart - His brother Horatio Caine is being questioned as a suspect. His partner is named Detective John Hagen. Ryan shook his head. Horatio a suspect - but Raymond died in Rio, Ryan thought. And thats what he'd been told. He set that case file on the bed. Pulled out another.

"Marisol Delko - Caine" - Ryan read, and realized Horatio had held onto it, even though technically they'd never found her murderer - Because he was killed out of revenge, so the case was closed, but IAB went and investigated. - He remembered. Marisol Delko-Caine was shot in the abdomen, and died from blood loss. Husband - Horatio Caine is being questioned as a suspect in the shooting, with means and motive. Ryan shook his head again. Means and Motive?! his head was screaming. Horatio doesnt even own a sniper rifle - or did he. Ryan wondered.

Ryan set that one down, and was going to take copies of it, pictures with his cell phone, and have them printed off so he could read more - He felt as though he was betraying Horatio but, Horatio had never told any of them about him being a suspect in any of these cases.
---

Horatio heard a sound down in the lower level that had woken him in the early hours of the night. Grabbed his pistol and walked down slowly, just like he would if he was entering a house holding a suspect. The door to his room was closed, which when he'd left it was open. He moved down the stairs carefully, and put his ear to the door. Instead of calling himself - he opened it slowly, and saw Ryan Wolfe going through his stuff. Cleared his throat again, and sighed. "Mister Wolfe.."

Ryan jolted, and turned - holding the case file on his brother. "H- I uhm......" he couldnt think of a response.

Horatio stepped forward. "You what?" anger broiled in his veins and his eyes narrowed. "Those are personal files, that I kept for myself." he said, and his voice was pent up with anger.

Ryan sighed, and threw the file down on his bed. "I wanted to learn more... how did you get away with being a suspect in three homicides - that in which we where investigating?" he asked.

Horatio looked away. "Someone wanted me to feel the pain. The anger of everything that I loved being taken away." he took a deep breath. "Antonio Riaz"

Ryan looked at him. "But your brother was shot in the heart, not ki--" and then it hit him. He knew the answer and it flicked in his vision.

Horatio only nodded - He walked out into the living room needing a drink, or something. Scotch would warm his throat, he figured. Not usually a drinking man, Horatio had some left over from a Police Funeral he'd gone to. Kept it for safe keeping.

Ryan sighed, and followed him, watching his every move. The way he moved, was just amazing to Ryan that someone such as him, could still - be walking after all of the pain, all of the hurt - all of the things that had happened to him.

Horatio poured Ryan a glass as well. "Here." he said and slid it across the counter.

Ryan had never drank before in his life- another dirty little secret that he would hide for later. He pretended to, but he'd never actually tasted alcohol. He watched how Horatio drank it, and then copied, nervously.

Horatio noticed that he was copying him and laughed a little. "Its warm going down." he said, and went to sit down in the living room. He was tired, - looked it, felt it. And it annoyed him. He shouldnt be this tired but then again he had every right to be. He'd almost died again, he'd realized as he sat sipping the Scotch. And there could still be Cyanide in his system for all he knew.
-----

Casanova was ready. Ready to make his move. Snicker crossed his features as he moved in on Horatio's house. Antsy - he walked through the back and up the stairs into the room. He could hear the two men talking in the living room not too far away from where he'd just passed them. It was that easy. Two cops and they didnt even notice him - He almost laughed but held himself silent. He walked into the bedroom that he'd seen Horatio occupy almost less than twenty minutes prior. Stood staring at it, and walked into the doorway. He was going to lay the bomb under the bed - and he did. Hit the switch, and smiled, casually walked out- down the stairs.
------

Horatio heard something- and out of the corner of his eye saw someone. Immediately his body went into Lieutenant mode and he took off like a bat out of hell towards whatever he'd just seen. Didnt have his pistol- so he was at a disadvantage. But he took off none the less, realizing that he was losing his breath faster than he'd ever lost it before. He wondered if the man who'd just tried to kill him was inside his own home. He got to the back door and realized that maybe he'd been seeing things. There in his back yard was a dog, whom seemed to have just walked out of his house.

Ryan caught up with him, and was panting as well. "What did you see H?" he asked.

Horatio looked at him. "I saw, a human." he said looking at the dog.

Ryan shook his head - "H, theres no way they could have turned into a dog."

Horatio sighed. "I know what I saw."
---

Casanova had realized how close he'd come to being caught, and thought for a moment about what he would have done. He'd been carrying a blade in the arm of his black hoodie, and would have probably been forced to take Horatio's head off with it. He was sitting not even two hundred feet away from the house, waiting for the right moment to hit the button.
---
Horatio sighed perturbed that he'd seen a human and Ryan didnt believe him-- Maybe it was the Cyanide making him see things, he wondered. Didnt say anything more as he walked back up the stairs to go back to sleep.

Ryan watched him, and nestled in on the couch - turned the TV on and started flipping channels.
---

Horatio was alone upstairs and now paranoia was getting to him. He sighed and sat down on the bed taking a deep breath, maybe he was losing his mind- He didnt think so. Move a little closer to the pillows and lay down, thinking about what he'd been through the last few years. Everything that had happened all at once.
--

Casanova hit the button. Waited two seconds, and then saw his work of art make contact with everything it was around.
----

Horatio didnt even know what hit him, and when the bomb went off, he was unconscious as soon as he hit the ground. His body rolled limp and slammed into a wall, and then because the bomb was so strong, it blew a hole in the floor, and Horatio's body was sucked back and dropped two stories into the basement. And there he rest until someone found him.

Ryan heard the blast, felt the blast and ran up what was left of the stairs to find Horatio. He wasnt hurt as badly since the bomb was centered around the room Horatio had - and was going to sleep in. "Horatio!" He yelled as he slowly faught flames and opened the door. He saw the edge of the hole that was now engulfed in flames and had just a split second of time to look down and see Horatio laying limp. Adrenaline surged in his system and he stormed down the stairs and down towards the basement, Debris falling from the ceiling now on fire, he ran for his life, as well as Horatio's. He couldnt believe this was happening, and again he couldnt protect the man he'd promised he would. Ryan was scared as well, afraid of what he may be walking into. He called it in, and heard sirens not five seconds later in the distance. But he had to save Horatio, or he'd be lost to the fire.

He finally found the stairs, but he was too late. As soon as he opened the door to the basement a huge piece of debris fell from the roof and landed square on Horatio's body, and Ryan watched it fall in slow motion. His eyes got wide, and now he knew more than ever that he had to get down there - quick. He wasnt going to let Horatio die like this, not after everything he'd been through. Flames where falling all around him, and he was worried rescue wouldnt come in time.

He slowly treded down the stairs, and made it to where Horatio had fallen, the smoke now causing him to choke- He moved where the piece of flaming debris had fallen and lifted it up, using almost the strength of a God to do it. He threw it aside and realized Horatio was on fire. Took off his hoodie that he'd borrowed from a friend and started slamming the fire out. He looked up for a split second and realized the whole roof was about to cave in around them. He grabbed Horatio up knowing he had more than one broken bone. And ran, with everything he could he ran up the stairs and outside.

He watched as the Fire Department finally arrived, and didnt see them outside yet. He was far enough away for them to be safe he knew - His ears where ringing from the blast which he couldnt help, and he was coughing, from smoke inhalation - but it didnt matter, the only thing that did was that Horatio was still alive. There was so much blood coming out of him, it looked like he'd been hit by a truck. And he wondered - as he moved his two fingers over to feel for a pulse, if Horatio was still even there.

He got one, it was weak but it was there, and now all they had to do was wait for someone to find them, Ryan would have run to someone but he was too weak and wouldnt have made it he knew. So he sat, watching all - of Horatio's possessions burn to the ground.
-----

Casanova was in the crowd. Watching from the front of the house as it burned - his piece of work, a masterpiece. Did exactly what he'd wanted it to do- He didnt see Horatio or Ryan anywhere. And that made him feel good as well. Mission accomplished - in his eyes. Horatio Caine, was dead.
----

Horatio started coughing and slowly came back, but he couldnt feel any of his body. For a moment and then sensation came back to him and he rolled on his side, feeling like he was still on fire. "Ry--ryan.." he said he didnt think - by the luck of God anything was broken, but his ears too where ringing.

Ryan was dozed off and then snapped back into reality when he heard - in the distance Horatio's voice. "H- Hey" he said, "How you feeling?"

Horatio was no doubt covered in blood but he sat up slowly and just stare. "I'm - I think I'm alright, my leg is a little sore, although I dont remember falling." he said and stare at his house - which was now nothing but flames. "My attacker did this, and that's who I saw in the house." he said. His eyes narrowing, hair - what was left of what he had, was fizzed and his eye-brows where coal black. "I'm lucky to be alive Mister Wolfe." he said. His back was hurting too.

Ryan looked at him. "If you would have been home alone I dont think you would have survived." he said, his eyes turning grim-

Horatio sighed, and pain surged up from his foot to his waist, "No, I do not either."
------

[Cammie Moonites]

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