Title: A New View of Hell
By: Tiffany F
Pairing: Surprise
Rating: AO
Summary: There's a werewolf in Miami and Horatio is trapped. Help comes from a young man named Sam Winchester who seems to know more than he's willing to tell. Surprise pairings. CSI: Miami/Supernatural crossover. I don't own them and I sure as hell don't claim them. I just like playing around in their world.

Sam stood next to the Impala in shock. In the deepest, most hidden parts of his mind; when he had jerked awake from a nightmare and lay in his bed gasping for air, sweat dripping from his face he had wondered if his brother would ever kick him out. For as long as he could remember Dean had been the one to take care of him. He’d never once doubted that his brother loved him. But Sam had often thought that Dean loved hunting more. And all Sam had ever wanted was a normal life. He knew he’d hurt Dean when he left for school but it was something Sam was good at and he knew it was the ticket he needed to get away from hunting. And he’d believed that until the night Dean showed up in his living room and sucked him back into the shadow life they’d always lived.
 
Dean had been putting up with Sam’s nightmares, his moods, his constant demands to find their father and even Sam’s visions from day one. He’d never said a word of complaint, just watched. They still fought but it was more out of habit at that point than anything else. And Sam had been wondering when Dean would finally have enough and kick him out. Wondering when that day would finally come.
 
And now he had his answer.
 
The last straw in Dean’s book had been watching Sam leave the run-down bar they’d been in the night before with another man. And then coming back to the hotel at dawn looking tired but more relaxed than he’d felt in weeks.
 
His older brother had been tense and silent through breakfast and all day as they drove east. But the end had finally come when Sam reached over and touched Dean’s arm. Dean had lost it, started lecturing Sam on how dangerous and stupid it was to leave a place with a strange man and put himself in harm’s way. Sam’s mouth had dropped open when he realized that, under all the harsh words flying his way, was fear. Dean was at the very least homophobic.
 
And then Sam was standing next to the Impala as his bags thudded at his feet and he only just managed to catch his computer bag as it sailed towards him. A gun, some ammunition, his knife set and a flask of holy water hit the ground with muted thuds and then the car door slammed and the engine fired up again. With a squeal of tires and smoke, Dean was gone. And Sam was alone.
********************
 
Lieutenant Horatio Caine of the Miami-Dade crime lab walked into the crime scene and looked around. Tim Speedle, Eric Delko and Calleigh Duquesne were busy processing the scene for evidence and Alexx Woods was bending over the body of a young woman in a tank top and shorts. “What have we got, Alexx?” Horatio asked as he slipped off his sunglasses.
 
“She was mauled, Horatio,” Alexx replied softly. Her voice dropped to a whisper so there was no chance the words would travel to the surrounding crowd. “And her heart is gone.”
 
“Is there any sign of a weapon?” Horatio knelt down.
 
“There’s so much damage I can’t say for sure,” Alexx said. “But baby-girl didn’t go quietly. I’ve got skin under her fingers.”
 
“Get that to DNA please,” Horatio said. He stood and slipped his sunglasses back on, moving carefully across the crime scene to Speed who was taking pictures. “What have you got, Speed?”
 
“Not a lot,” Speed replied. “There’s some gravitational blood drops that lead off in that direction and what I think might have been our victim’s over shirt.”
 
“Okay,” Horatio said. “I’ll check out the trail. Will you head back to the lab, please? I think Alexx will be sending some trace up soon and I want you on it, not one of the techs. Not this time.”
 
Speed grinned. “Sure H,” he said. “I’ll give you a call if I find anything we can use.”
 
Horatio nodded and knelt down again, this time to study the blood drops. Speed had described the direction perfectly. “Frank.”
 
“There’s no ID on the victim,” Frank Tripp said gruffly. “And no one saw anything, least no one’s admitting to seeing anything.”
 
“We have a trail, Frank,” Horatio said. “Why don’t we see where it goes?”
 
Frank nodded and followed Horatio along the narrow cement path to an alley. “Horatio, what happened to our vic back there?” Frank asked quietly.
 
“I’m not sure, Frank,” Horatio replied his keen blue eyes scanning the ground for blood drops. “I’m not sure, but we are going to find out. The trail ends here so our suspect must have had a car stashed back here. And no tire tracks or other trace evidence for us to use.”
 
“Don’t you just hate inconsiderate perps?” Frank asked with a weak grin. “It’s so rude not to leave us something.”
 
“Our victim took care of that for us, Frank,” Horatio said. “She took care of that.”
********************
 
Sam didn’t need to read more than a few paragraphs of the newspaper article to know that there was a werewolf in Miami. And there were only two more days left in the lunar cycle before the creature reverted to normal for another month. There was nothing for it, Sam had to get to Miami as fast as he could and kill the son of a bitch before it killed again.
 
He sighed and checked his meager weapons supply. Dean had left him with two silver bullets. Sam rubbed his eyes with his left hand and all but groaned. He had a long silver knife in his kit that he’d received on his fifteenth birthday. He could only hope it would be enough. And that he was up to hunting a werewolf alone.
********************
 
“Her heart was literally clawed from her chest, Horatio,” Alexx said when the red head joined her in the autopsy theater. “I don’t know what could have done this to her, H.”
 
“Can you take casts for me, Alexx?” Horatio asked. “It just might be possible that Speed will be able to find a match for me.”
 
“I can try but it’ll take some time,” Alexx replied. “I’ll let you know.”
 
“Thank you, Alexx.”
********************
 
“I’ve got hair that doesn’t match our victim,” Speed said not looking up when the door closed behind him. “They’re almost canine in appearance.”
 
“Did you find any other trace of a dog at the scene?” Horatio asked.
 
“Nothing,” Speed sighed. “Alexx sent the skin under the victim’s nails to DNA and we’re just waiting for it to come back because there’s nothing we can do with any of this.”
 
Horatio stepped up next to Speed and looked over his friend’s shoulder. “We’ll find the person who did this, Speed,” he said. “We’ll find him.”
********************
 
Sam wiped down the steering wheel of the stolen car he’d taken to get to Miami, looked around and left as casually as he could. He had some cash in his wallet but he’d cut up the fake credit cards and something told him to hang onto the cash. So it was with a heavy heart that he made his way to the beach and found shelter in a cabana close to a motel. He took out his laptop and turned it on to check the news. Sam had roughly 36 hours to find the werewolf and kill it. And he had no idea where to start.
********************
 
Horatio parked the Hummer beside the warehouse and slipped off his sunglasses for a moment. CODIS had kicked back a match and the most recent address had been the abandoned warehouse. Horatio seriously doubted his suspect was there or anywhere else in the area but it was something that needed to be checked out. He looked around as he made his way inside but he couldn’t see anyone hanging around.
 
The warehouse was dark and the power was shut off. Horatio pulled his gun and moved slowly inside. The empty room had some crates and boxes scattered around but nothing that a man would be able to hide behind. Horatio slowly made his way along the wall and scanned the room. He had a feeling he was alone in the building up until the moment that man with fangs sprang from a side room and knocked his gun to the floor. Horatio wasn’t much for fighting but he knew that his life depended on what he would be able to do and turned to face the man.
 
And took a step back in shock. The man’s eyes were the palest blue, almost clear in color. The pupils were black pinpricks in the iris. His teeth were bared and he had fangs. That’s when Horatio knew that he wasn’t dealing with anything human.
 
The man leapt and took Horatio backwards into the wall. Horatio felt his head hit the metal and his vision blurred for a moment. It was enough and the man lunged forward trying to bite Horatio’s neck.
******************** 
 
Sam’s hunter-trained hearing picked up on the sounds of a struggle before his eyes had completely adjusted to the dark. He ran into the warehouse just in time to see the werewolf jump on a red headed man in a black suit. Sam pulled his gun and knife and moved forward.
 
“Hey you ugly son of a bitch,” Sam yelled. “Why don’t you pick on someone your own size?”
 
The werewolf turned at the sound of his voice and that slight shift was all Sam needed. He raised his gun and fired, hitting the creature in the chest. As the werewolf fell the young hunter sprang forward and plunged his knife into the werewolf’s neck and then its chest, making sure to hit the heart.
 
Once he was sure the beast was dead, Sam turned to the next victim and froze. There was a badge on the red head’s belt.

The last thing Sam wanted to do after shooting someone in plain view of a cop was stick around but he had to check and make sure that the victim in this instance hadn’t been bitten or hurt in any way. He put his gun and knife down carefully and made his way over to the man slumped against the wall. Sam was amazed at how brilliant the man’s red hair was and quickly ran his hands through it, checking for any bumps or open wounds that would need to be treated at the hospital. There was a small lump on the crown but Sam’s hands were clean when he glanced at them. He bit his lip and unbuttoned the top two buttons on the dark blue shirt and pulled it to the side, almost afraid of what he would see. It was one thing to kill a werewolf; it was another to kill a cop.
 
The pale freckled skin was unmarred. Sam had gotten there in time. He huffed out the breath he’d been holding and moved back, only to have his right wrist grabbed. “What was that?”
 
“Do you really want to know?” Sam asked. “More importantly, what are you planning to do with me?”
 
Horatio frowned and rubbed his head. “I’m not sure what you mean,” he said. “My name is Horatio, by the way, Lieutenant Horatio Caine.”
 
“Sam. You just saw me kill someone, Lieutenant,” Sam said. “Don’t you think you should be arresting me?”
 
Intense blue eyes studied him for a long moment. “You just saved my life, Sam,” Horatio finally said. “As far as I’m concerned that man was dead when I got here. Let me call my ME and then I would like to know exactly what happened.”
 
“I need to salt and burn the body,” Sam said.
 
Horatio tilted his head to the side. “You know he killed a young woman yesterday,” he said. “And I need to be able to prove that he won’t kill again. To do that, I need the body.”
 
“It’s not safe for anyone,” Sam insisted.
 
“Okay, I’ll ask my ME to come alone and verify that the man is dead,” Horatio said. “And then the body can be stolen on the way to the morgue for the autopsy and you can do what you need.”
 
“Won’t you get in trouble?” Sam asked. “You’re breaking the law, Lieutenant.”
 
Horatio stood and looked around for his sunglasses. “Would you rather I put you in handcuffs and arrest you for murder?” he asked. “I might not know the truth of what’s going on here but I can tell that you’re telling me the truth. And I’d like to figure out a way to thank you for saving my life, if you’ll let me. Could I buy you dinner? Where are you staying?”
 
“No where right now,” Sam sighed. He ran a hand through his hair. “Damn, I don’t have salt.” He kicked one of the crates next to the wall.
 
“Sam, we can buy salt,” Horatio pointed out. “But I’d like for you to tell me the truth about what he was. Please.”
 
The young hunter looked down into the intense blue eyes and saw no fear, only interest and curiosity and had to smile. “Okay,” he said. “I think we can work something out.”
********************
 
The back hatch of the Hummer wasn’t the most comfortable place to sit but Horatio was starting to feel a little shaky, not that he would admit it to anyone, and the shade felt good. He slipped off his black suit jacket and looked over at the young man standing in front of him. Sam was no more than 24 and Horatio wondered exactly how a young man who should have been in college wound up not only knowing about werewolves but how to kill them. Not to mention being such a good shot.
 
“Sam, I promise I’m not going to arrest you,” Horatio said softly. “You’re free to leave any time you want and I won’t stop you. But tell me more about werewolves first, please.”
 
“I’m just impressed you believe me,” Sam said. He sat down on the tail gate, tucking his left leg under his body so he could turn and face the lieutenant. “Most of the time when we, I, save someone they don’t want to believe what they just witnessed, much less know more about it.”
 
“I’m a CSI and my co-workers tell me that I’m curious by nature,” Horatio replied. “I want to know things that will make me better at my job and protecting the people of my city.”
 
Sam nodded. “Okay, well it’s pretty obvious that werewolves are real,” he said. “But so are every other thing that goes bump in the night. There are ways to hunt them down and kill them, sometimes it’s not as straight forward as a silver bullet, but everything will die. I’m a hunter.”
 
“Which means what?”
 
“Basically that I go out and kill the sons of bitches before they can do too much damage to the innocent folks who don’t know any better,” Sam snorted. “It’s how I was raised. I tried to get out but got sucked right back in again.”
 
“How does someone end up a hunter?” Horatio asked.
 
“There are a lot of ways but mostly it comes down through families,” Sam said. “My dad’s a hunter and raised me to be one too. I was about to interview for law school when everything went sour.”
 
“And now you can’t go back or you don’t want to?”
 
“I can’t,” Sam replied. “In fact if you were to run my name through your computers you’d find the feds in your office pretty damn quick.”
 
Horatio studied the younger man. “Why?” he asked softly.
 
“Because of one of the monsters we were hunting,” Sam said. “He took on my brother’s face and killed some people. They think he did it and the feds want both of us. Hell, I shouldn’t even be telling you this, let alone hanging around. I’ve got to get to South Dakota, get some supplies and get back on the road.”
 
“Sam,” Horatio said. “Sam, look at me, please. Don’t leave just yet, okay? Let’s take care of the body in there, get cleaned up and go for some dinner. And then get a good night’s sleep and things will look better in the morning.”
 
“No they won’t,” Sam said. “I’ll go get my stuff, Lieutenant. I shouldn’t be here when your people are around. The fewer who see me right now the better.”
 
“Okay, Sam, okay; I’ll wait for you here.”
********************
 
Alexx walked up to the Hummer. “What’s going on here, Horatio?” she asked.
 
“I’m still not exactly sure, Alexx,” Horatio replied. “But we’re going to be bending a few rules with this one. The suspect is dead and has to vanish but we need to prove that he’s dead. So here’s what I’d like to do. Take a few pictures and a DNA sample for me. Then we’ll bag him and he’ll vanish. I’ll take the heat if it comes out that the body is missing, okay?”
 
“Why, Horatio?” Alexx asked.
 
“You’ll understand when you see him,” Horatio replied. He turned and led the way into the warehouse where the suspect was still lying in the middle of the floor.
 
“Oh my god,” Alexx whispered when she saw the man’s face. “Horatio, this is a loup-garou. He didn’t bite you did he?”
 
“He tried to,” Horatio said. “But he didn’t. Now do you understand why I want to keep this under the wraps?”
 
She nodded and took out her camera. “No one sees these pictures unless they absolutely have to,” Alexx said. “And if anyone asks he was on his way to a costume party.”
 
“Thank you.”
 
“Horatio, who’s going to take care of the body?” Alexx asked.
 
“The same young man who saved my life,” Horatio replied.
 
“Are you holding out on me?”
 
“Of course not,” Horatio smiled. “But the fewer people who know about this right now the better. I have a feeling things are going to be very complicated here soon.”
********************
 
Sam didn’t know what the hell he was doing spilling his guts to a man he didn’t even know, a cop; someone who could have him locked up before he knew what was happening. Sam’d be the first to admit that it wasn’t easy for him to truly trust people. Living on the road like he had, listening to his father rant and rave and then Dean with his ‘no chick flick’ moments and total withdrawing ability didn’t help any. But Sam just couldn’t shake the fact that not only did Lieutenant Caine believe him but every single thing he’d said was true. The man was really going to help him out. Sam sighed and used the key to open the rented beach locker where he’d stashed his gear. Maybe he was crazy for hoping but he had no where else to go, no one he could turn to. Maybe coming to Miami was one of the best choices he could have made.

Horatio had the body in the back of the Hummer and was waiting beside it when he heard foot steps and looked to his right. Sam was peaking around the corner of the warehouse. “There’s no one else here,” Horatio said with a small smile. “I wasn’t sure you were going to come back, Sam.”
 
“I thought about it but the job isn’t done,” Sam said. “Where’s the body?”
 
“In the Hummer and ready to go,” Horatio said. “You can put your bags in the back and we’ll go buy whatever you need. I know a nice deserted place in the Everglades where you can take care of business.”
 
“Why are you helping me with all this?” Sam asked as he settled into the passenger seat.
 
“Because I want to,” Horatio replied. He slipped on his sunglasses and started the engine. “And I’d like you to think about what you’d like for dinner too.”
 
Sam sighed. “I shouldn’t be seen by anyone,” he said. “So I thank you for that but I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
 
“Then we could always go to my place and I’ll cook something for you,” Horatio said. “I’d like to make sure you have a good meal in you before you hit the road again, if you’re really serious about leaving.”
 
“There’s nothing keeping me here,” Sam said. “The last time I tried to stay in one place was school and my girl friend ended up dead. It’s not safe for me to be around anyone. I just get them killed.”
 
“I don’t die easily,” Horatio said with a small smile. “Tell me what type of salt you need, Sam. I’ll run in and get it for you.”
 
“Rock salt and lighter fluid,” Sam sighed. “You don’t have to do this, Lieutenant.”
 
“I know I don’t,” Horatio replied. “I’ll be right back.”
 
Sam watched the older man as he walked across the parking lot and into the store. He still wasn’t sure exactly what he thought of Lieutenant Horatio Caine. But it would be nice to stay in one place for more than a couple of days when working a job or hiding from the cops. And it seemed like Horatio wanted him to stay for some odd reason. It wasn’t like he had anywhere else to go and it would probably be a good idea to take a day or two to research and see if there was a hunt close by. And Sam had to get a car somehow.
 
He jumped a little when his phone rang. Sam dug it out of his pocket and glanced at the display and grinned at the number. It was the one man he knew would still want to talk with him. “Hey Bobby,” Sam said.
 
“Sammy,” Bobby said. “I’ve got a lead on a hunt that’s right up your and Dean’s alley.”
 
“Then you should call him, Bobby,” Sam said.
 
“Why? Can’t you just tell him and you guys can get it taken care of and meet me at my house for some new supplies?”
 
“I’m not traveling with Dean any more,” Sam sighed. “And it was his choice, Bobby. He hates me.”
 
“There’s no way in this world that your brother hates you, Sammy,” Bobby said. “Tell me what happened.”
 
“He found out about me and left me on the side of the road.”
 
“He did what?” Bobby yelled. “Does that boy have a brain in that thick skull of his?”
 
“I don’t know, Bobby, but I’m in Miami finishing up a werewolf hunt,” Sam sighed. “And I’ll probably be here for a day or two looking for something else. But if you could find me a car I’d really appreciate it.”
 
Bobby sighed. “You Winchesters are too damn stubborn for your own good. Take care of yourself, Sammy and call me if you need anything.”
 
“Hunting supplies, Bobby. I have one silver bullet, no iron bullets and I have to make up some rock salt shells. I have one flask of holy water and my knives,” Sam said. “So I need whatever you can find or make for me.”
 
“I’m going to kill that boy next time I see him,” Bobby said. “And you say he did this because he saw you with a guy?”
 
“He saw me leave a bar with a guy,” Sam said. “And I guess I was pretty sated when I got back to the hotel because Dean was just looking at me funny the rest of the day and then flipped out when I touched his arm.”
 
“So he doesn’t know about your Dad?”
 
“I would doubt it,” Sam replied. “I have to go, Bobby. I saved a local Lieutenant’s life and he’s helping me out with some stuff.”
 
“Don’t do anything stupid,” Bobby cautioned.
 
“Don’t worry, I’m thinking with my upstairs brain,” Sam snickered. “Besides, he’s closer to your age than mine.”
 
“There ain’t nothing wrong with my age, boy,” Bobby said. “Age just means more experience is all. Call me tomorrow, you hear?”
 
“I’m not going to do anything and I’m sure as hell not giving you details,” Sam protested.
 
“I just wanted to make sure you were safe,” Bobby said. “But if you insist.”
 
Sam hung up on his friend’s laughter and tucked his phone away. He took the bag Horatio held out and looked inside. “That’s perfect,” he said.
 
“Then we’ll get this taken care of and then talk about what we want to eat for dinner,” Horatio said.
********************
 
They burned the body after Sam covered it with rock salt and watched as it turned to bone and ash. Then Horatio took Sam to an out of the way grocery store where they shopped for dinner. Sam couldn’t remember the last time he’d been in a real grocery store looking at food that wasn’t fried or full of sugar. Horatio told him to pick out whatever he wanted and Sam, used to living on a tight budget, dug around for the cheapest steaks he could find and went to get potatoes for baking. The red head took one look at the package and snorted. He knew that they’d be too tough to eat and put them back and picked out something more reasonable and caught up with Sam in the vegetable department.
 
“Sam,” Horatio said softly. “You don’t have to worry about money. I can afford it.”
 
“It’s not right for me to spend your money,” Sam said. “I’m used to living on a budget.”
 
“Okay, but I’m picking out breakfast,” Horatio grinned. “And dessert.”
 
The younger man turned and stared at Horatio. “You want me to stay overnight?”
 
“I have a nice guest room,” Horatio said. “And a laundry room if you want to wash your clothes. Plus I live on the beach so you can swim or lay on the beach.”
 
“You’re trying to tempt me to stay, aren’t you?”
 
“Is it working?”
 
“I’ll let you know,” Sam grinned.
********************
 
Horatio’s house was bigger than Sam was expecting and he had to wonder how much money the lieutenant made. There was no way that Sam would be able to salt every door and window and resigned himself to doing just the guest room and, after much debate, Horatio’s too. Then he grabbed his bags and went to the pantry where the washing machine was. Horatio was in the kitchen mixing up a marinate for the steak and starting a salad. The easy domesticity of the scene slammed into him and Sam wondered if he was crazy for wanting something so simple for himself.
 
“Dinner is going to be about an hour and a half from now if you want to swim,” Horatio said with a small smile.
 
“Could we talk?” Sam asked.
 
“Sure,” Horatio replied. “Why don’t you start a load of wash and then meet me on the back deck.”
 
“Okay.”
 
The back deck was bathed in the setting sun light. It caught Horatio’s hair and made it appear to glow a little and Sam felt the breath catch in his throat. He didn’t think it was possible for an older man to be attractive to him but it had happened. Sam was awed at how Horatio looked sitting in the deck chair staring out at the water. He picked up the beer bottle sitting on the table and sat down quickly. “Lieutenant, I wanted to thank you for all this,” Sam said. “Because I know you don’t have to do any of it.”
 
“You’re welcome,” Horatio smiled. “What did you want to talk with me about?”
 
“I put down some salt lines in your bedroom,” Sam said. “You need to be careful not to break them in any way. They’ll keep you safe tonight.”
 
“Why salt, Sam?”
 
“Because demons hate it,” Sam replied. “I need to make up some new shells before I leave but I hope you don’t mind me invading your privacy like that but there’s no way I can secure the whole house.”
 
Horatio put down his beer and looked at the young man sitting across from him. “Sam, what kind of upbringing did you have where the first thing you think of any time you’re in a new place is keeping out demons and other monsters?” he asked.
 
“Not the best one by any stretch of the imagination,” Sam sighed in reply. “And not one I really like to talk about. Not that I’ve had much chance; I didn’t even tell my girlfriend the truth and we were together for two and a half years. I haven’t even known you a day and I’ve told you quite a lot.”
 
“But I saw the werewolf,” Horatio pointed out. He moved over to the grill and started it. “So there wasn’t much choice in the matter. And I thank you for being so honest with me in this. I know you didn’t have to tell me about your world or your life.”
 
“I just had a feeling it wouldn’t be a good idea to lie to you,” Sam grinned.
 
“It wouldn’t have been,” Horatio agreed. “Sam, I’d like you to stay here as long as you want. I’ve taken the next couple of days off and put in a call to a contact of mine. He’s going to get me copies of the evidence in your brother’s case. I’m going to look through it and see if there’s anything I can do to help clear his name. And yours.”
 
“You don’t have to do this,” Sam said. “I don’t want to owe you anything.”
 
“You won’t. I’m doing this because I want to,” Horatio said. “I wasn’t able to help my family nearly as much as I would have liked to and if I can help you and yours then it will help ease my heart a little.”
 
Sam turned and looked at Horatio. “What happened?”
 
“My brother followed me into the police academy and then the job,” Horatio replied as he put the steaks on the grill. “And joined narcotics and went deep under cover to try and bust a Meth ring. I still don’t know if he was dirty or not but he died on the job and his wife is raising their son alone. I help when I can but I have a feeling it’s not enough.”
 
“You must be the older brother,” Sam said.
 
“I am,” Horatio said. “How did you know that?”
 
“Because you sound just like my brother,” Sam replied. “He says that family is everything.”
 
“And you don’t agree with him?”
 
“I love my brother and I love my dad but they’re so focused on hunting down every single evil thing in the world that there are times I wonder how they feel about me,” Sam sighed. “And I told my brother that if he really loved me then he’d be happy for me no matter what I wanted from life. Or who I wanted to spend it with.”
 
“You must spend a lot of time with your brother.”
 
“I did,” Sam said. He looked out towards the water. “We’ve been hunting together for a while now and were doing okay with it. He seemed to have forgiven me leaving the family business to go to school and was helping me deal with my nightmares but he found out something about me that I guess he just couldn’t overlook. And he turned me out at the side of the road. I came here.”
 
Horatio sat down next to Sam. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting your own life,” he said. “Or wanting to be your own person.”
 
“Try telling that to Dean,” Sam huffed. “He thinks we should be perfect clones of our dad and life for nothing but the hunt. And the occasional one night stand with a girl picked up in a bar.”
 
“That life might be okay for them but if you want something of your own then you should work for it,” Horatio said. He put a hand on Sam’s shoulder. “I can tell you’re smart, Sam. You said you were in school. Why not finish it and then find a job somewhere?”
 
“Because of my record,” Sam exclaimed. “There’s no way in hell I can do anything but hunt.”
 
Horatio grinned. “The evidence will speak and show that you and Dean had nothing to do with any of those crimes,” he said. “Once your name is clear then you’ll be able to do anything you want.”
 
“I don’t know what I want any more,” Sam said softly.
 
“Let’s start with dinner and then a good night’s sleep,” Horatio said. “You won’t be able to help me with any of the evidence but you’ve got a home here for as long as you want.”
 
“Thank you,” Sam said.

Dean was driving west to a hunt in Utah when he realized that his cell phone was ringing. He’d had the music up loud for the past few days more to avoid his own thoughts than anything else. And the only way he actually picked up on the ring tone was that it was one of his favorite songs blasting over the speakers and the cell ring tone was discordant. For a moment he debated letting it go to voicemail but picked it up. “Yeah?”
 
“It’s about time you turned that crap down enough to hear your phone,” Bobby said. “You hypocritical, no good, idiotic, stupid, egotistical…”
 
“Hey, hang on a minute, Bobby,” Dean said.
 
“I certainly will not,” Bobby continued. “Do you have an ounce of sense in your head? Do you ever think, Dean? And I mean before you go and do something stupid, not after it’s done.”
 
“Of course I think,” Dean said.
 
“You won’t make me believe it. I don’t give a damn where you are, boy; you turn your ass towards my house and get here pronto. You and me got things to talk about.”
 
Dean sighed. “I’m in Utah on my way to kill a spirit of some kind,” he said.
 
“I don’t care if you’re hunting the yellow-eyed demon himself,” Bobby snapped. “I’ll come hunt your ass down if I don’t see you on my doorstep in three days.”
********************
 
In Miami Sam put his fork and knife down with a small sigh. “That’s one of the best meals I’ve ever had,” he said. “Thank you.”
 
Horatio smiled. “You’re welcome,” he said. “Sam, I have to go to work for a couple of hours tomorrow. Do you want to stay here and finish your laundry or would you like to come along?”
 
“I’d really like to see where you work,” Sam grinned. “I took a couple of forensics courses at Stanford but I can’t risk it. There’s just too much of a chance that someone might recognize me and I don’t want you to get in trouble.”
 
“You’ll still be here when I get home?”
 
Sam smiled. “I can’t leave, Lieutenant. I don’t have any supplies to hunt,” he said. “How about this, I promise I won’t leave without telling you about it and saying good-bye.”
 
“Thank you,” Horatio smiled in reply.
********************
 
The next morning Speed was waiting in Horatio’s office along with two boxes and a letter. “So what’s going on, H?” he asked.
 
“I need your help, Speed,” Horatio replied. “There’s two young men who have been accused of murder and I don’t think they did it. So I called in a favor with some of my contacts at the FBI and they got me the evidence in the case, at a risk to their careers. We need to duplicate, process and get this back as soon as possible.”
 
“And not let anyone else know what we’re doing,” Speed said. “You know we could get into a lot of trouble for this, H.”
 
“But if we can keep two innocent young men out of prison then it’ll be worth it. You go ahead and get started on the trace and other evidence. Let’s save DNA for last because that will throw up the most red flags.”
 
“You got it, H,” Speed said. “I’ll wait until Calleigh’s out to check any ballistics and I’ll avoid fingerprints too.”
 
Horatio nodded. “Thanks, Speed,” he said. “I’m going to start through the documentation. Once I have it all copied I’ll come join you in the lab.”
********************
 
Sam still wasn’t entirely sure why he was staying in Miami. If he was smart he’d pack up his stuff and catch the next bus to Bobby’s house. He’d be able to lay low there, rebuild and assemble a hunting arsenal, get a car and hit the road. But, as he transferred a load of damp t-shirts from the washing machine to the dryer, Sam had to admit he was tired of living as a hunter. He’d never liked the life he was forced to live and, while he wanted to find and kill the demon that murdered Jess, it wasn’t as all-consuming a desire as before. Time had tempered the pain and Sam wasn’t nearly as driven to continue the hunt as he had been before.
 
And he was tired. He was tired of moving from one town to another, living in cheap motels, constantly breaking the law and eating bad food. Sam wanted a chance to sleep in a real bed for more than one night, eat real food that was cooked at home and to just be as normal as possible.
 
The difference between his life with Jess and now was that Sam had been able to explain about demons and other evils, the need for salt lines and the darkness of the world to Horatio. And the older man had understood in the end. He had questioned Sam but it was out of curiosity and not disbelief.
 
Sam knew he wouldn’t be able to stay in Miami forever but he’d enjoy it while he was there. And he’d do everything in his power to make sure Horatio stayed safe. He made his way back into the kitchen and picked up his cell phone from the table to call Bobby.
 
“Sam, are you doing okay?” Bobby asked when he answered.
 
“I’m fine, Bobby,” Sam laughed. “But I was wondering if you could include a couple amulets when you send me the basics.”
 
“Are you worried about possession or something else?”
 
“Just send me the most powerful ones you have, Bobby,” Sam replied. He rattled off Horatio’s address. “I’m going to be here for a while and I want to be sure Horatio and I are both safe.”
 
Bobby sighed. “It sounds to me like you’ve decided to leave the hunt, Sam.”
 
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Sam admitted. “You know how I feel about all this crap.”
 
“And old yellow eye?”
 
“Bobby, that demon killed my mom and Jess,” Sam said. “I want him sent back to hell so bad I can taste it. But Dad’s run off somewhere and Dean’s made it pretty clear how he feels about me. I think I may have to just leave the hunt to them and try to find a place for myself.”
 
“In Miami with a certain Lieutenant you saved?”
 
“I don’t know, Bobby,” Sam sighed. “I really don’t. Horatio is handsome but he’s older than me and this interest he’s showing could be more paternal than anything else. I’m half tempted to just keep my mouth shut and move on once everything settles down a little.”
 
“And what if this Horatio is interested in you?” Bobby asked. “Are you stupid enough to throw away a chance to be happy? Love is a special thing, Sammy. Hell, you know that. Don’t throw away a chance to be happy again.”
 
Sam snorted. “How about I promise to at least think about it?” he asked.
 
“That’s probably the best I’m going to get from a Winchester so I’ll take it,” Bobby said. “Your stuff’ll be in the mail tomorrow, Sammy.”
 
“Thanks, Bobby, I owe you,” Sam said.
 
“Hell kid, you don’t owe me nothing,” Bobby said. “I’m just glad you’re letting me help. You take care of yourself.”
 
“You too,” Sam said. He closed his phone with a small sigh and looked back towards the kitchen. Sam wasn’t much of a cook but decided to try and make something simple for dinner.
********************
 
Speed glanced up when he felt eyes on him. “This looks bad, H,” he said softly.
 
“What’s going on, Speed?”
 
“This evidence is a joke for one,” Speed replied. “I haven’t found any print or DNA evidence. The video tapes have obviously been tampered with and trace is practically non-existent. What the hell have they built their case on?”
 
“I found the folders with the wanted flyers in it along with the various reports,” Horatio said. “The boys are wanted for felony murder and robbery along with grave robbing and credit card fraud.”
 
“Well that’s quite an eclectic mix,” Speed snorted. “What the hell is going on?”
 
Horatio looked around. “I’m not sure, Speed. But I’m going to find out.”
********************
 
Horatio could hear Sam’s voice as he shut the front door quietly behind him. It sounded like his young house guest was on the phone out in the kitchen. His ears picked out his name, the first time he’d heard Sam say it, and Horatio had to smile at Sam’s description of him.
 
He waited for a few minutes after Sam started moving around the kitchen before letting his presence been known. “Sam.”
 
“Oh, hey Lieutenant,” Sam said turning around. “I’m, uh, not much of a cook but I thought I could at least try to make us dinner tonight.”
 
“I’m sure it’ll be fine, Sam, but I need to talk with you,” Horatio said. “I’m happy to say that there’s next to no physical evidence against you and your brother, at least not that my contacts were able to find. But I’m curious about the charges.”
 
“Which ones?”
 
“Grave robbing and credit card fraud,” Horatio said. “I remember what you told me about the shape-shifter and the murders.”
 
Sam sighed and joined Horatio at the kitchen table. “In my defense I never filled out one of the credit card applications,” he said. “In fact, until that shifter in Milwaukee I wasn’t even listed in any of the databases. I think I’m mainly listed as an accessory for the most part even now.”
 
“I haven’t checked because I don’t want to let the feds know you’re here,” Horatio said. “My best friend and most trusted team member, Tim Speedle, is helping me process what evidence there is and we’re avoiding databases until the last possible moment.”
 
“Why are you doing all this, Lieutenant?”
 
Horatio reached over and put his hand on Sam’s. “Because someone needs to,” he said. “And because you trusted me enough to tell me the truth.”
 
“My father and Dean justify the credit cards by saying they don’t get paid for hunting and its not their fault the credit card companies are stupid enough to send them the cards,” Sam said. “That’s their words, not mine. And Dean hustles pool and plays poker to make money. I don’t know what else Dad does. I’ve never liked any of it, Lieutenant, but hunting is really the only life I’ve ever known. I tried to get out once and my girlfriend died.”
 
“I’m sorry, Sam,” Horatio said. He gave the hand under his a squeeze. “The grave robbing must have something to do with hunting as well.”
 
“It does,” Sam said. “There are times when the only way to get rid of a ghost, spirit, poltergeist or other baddy is by salting and burning their body or bones. Both Dean and I have dug up a lot of bodies but we’ve never taken anything from the grave and, if we have time, will actually rebury the remains.”
 
“And we can’t tell anyone about this,” Horatio said. “I’m not a lawyer but it really sounds like the entire case is based on eye-witness testimony and heresy.”
 
“So what happens now?” Sam asked.
 
“Well I was going to go back in but I can call Speed and have the next two days off,” Horatio replied. “And I’ll do whatever I can to help you get ready to leave.”
 
“Trying to run me off, Lieutenant?” Sam asked with a small smile.
 
“Of course not,” Horatio said. “But if you want to leave then I want you to be prepared for anything.”
 
Sam turned his hand over and squeezed Horatio’s hand gently. “Thank you.”

Bobby finished packing up a box of basic hunting supplies and had just started digging for a pair of amulets that he could fix up and send to Sam when he heard the sound of a very familiar engine. He set the silver pendants down on the table and went outside. It was weird to see Dean without Sam and Bobby had to stamp down on the surge of anger that flashed through him.
 
“So what’s so damn important, Bobby?” Dean demanded as he stalked towards the house. “I was on a hunt after an evil son of a bitch that’s been killing….”
 
The older hunter couldn’t help it. His punch landed squarely and knocked Dean to the ground. “How could you just abandon Sam like that?” he snapped, hands still clenched into fists. “Don’t you have any common sense left in your head or has it all leaked out over the years.”
 
“What did he tell you?” Dean asked. He stood up slowly and leaned against the Impala.
 
“That you left him standing on the side of the road with barely enough supplies to complete a hunt, let alone protect himself,” Bobby snapped. “He had to take on a werewolf alone with two bullets.”
 
“Is he all right?” Dean asked sharply.
 
“Why the hell should you care?” Bobby said. “You threw Sam away like a piece of trash at the side of the road.”
 
“Damn it, Bobby, he’s my brother,” Dean snarled as he stepped forward.
 
Bobby snorted, turned and went back towards his house. He had never met anyone as stubborn as the three Winchester men and he knew that if he didn’t take a minute to breathe, he’d end up doing something he really didn’t want to do.
 
He paused when a hand grabbed his shoulder. “Don’t make me hurt you, Bobby.”
 
“What bothers you more, Dean? The fact that Sam’s bisexual or the fact that there might be another guy in his life that you think might take your place in Sam’s heart.”
 
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dean said.
 
“Bull. I’ve known about Sam’s preferences for about a year now and his biggest fear was letting you find out,” Bobby said. “Because Sam knew that you would freak out and abandon him. I told him he was stupid to even think such a thing, that you were his brother and would love him no matter what.” He finally turned around and looked directly at Dean. “I guess I was the fool on that one.”
 
“Where is he, Bobby?” Dean asked.
 
“Nope, not telling you that,” Bobby replied. “Sam’s still trying to come to terms with what happened to him and doesn’t need any more stress. You dumped him, Dean. You kicked him out and that’s something you’re going to have to live with for the rest of your life.”
 
“He left me first.”
 
“To go to school you stubborn bastard,” Bobby said. “He never wanted to leave the family forever. It’s you and your father that had the problem with Sam wanting to do something normal and just for him.”
 
Bobby’s rant want interrupted by a familiar voice. “What’s going on, Bobby?” John asked. “Where’s Sam?”
 
“You’ll have to ask your son about that, John,” Bobby said. “And you might want to explain a few other facts to him as well. I’ve got work to do.”
********************
 
Sam finished folding his laundry in the guest room and looked at the pile of clothes in front of him. He sighed and went towards the den. “Lieutenant, do you have any sewing supplies?”
 
“You can call me, Horatio you know,” the red head said. He put the folder to the side and stood. “And I do. What color thread do you need?”
 
“Black, mainly,” Sam replied. “And I’ve got some things that need to be patched too.”
 
“I might have some scraps of fabric,” Horatio said. “But I’m not sure. Here’s the sewing kit and I’ll go take a look for something you can make patches out of.”
 
“Thanks,” Sam said with a small smile. “I’ll go check on dinner.”
 
Horatio watched the young man leave and sighed. He still felt like Sam was skittish, about to run at the slightest provocation and that unnerved him. He made his way back to the bedroom and studied his shirt collection. “Hey Sam, what are you going to be patching?” he called.
 
“A couple pairs of pants and a hoodie,” Sam’s voice floated back from the kitchen. “I don’t care about the color.”
 
There was the black shirt that had lost a couple of buttons and torn at the crime scene when the perp decided that to fight was his best option. Horatio dug it out of the back of his closet and checked the label to make sure it was a cotton-mix rather than one of his more expensive shirts. He grinned and took it into the kitchen. “Will this work?”
 
“I can’t use one of your dress shirts,” Sam protested. He slid the baking dish back into the oven and closed it.
 
“Sam, this shirt was going in the trash anyway,” Horatio said. “I had a suspect try and fight his way out of an arrest a couple weeks ago and he ruined not only this shirt but the suit I was wearing that day too. Please, it’ll only be wasted otherwise.”
 
The young hunter walked over and took the shirt out of Horatio’s hands. “Thanks,” he said looking down into very expressive blue eyes. He dropped the shirt onto the table and reached out, pulling Horatio in against him. “Am I wrong?” he asked softly.
 
“No,” Horatio replied. He cupped the back of Sam’s head and pulled his mouth down for a soft kiss.
********************
 
“Where’s Sam?” John asked looking around Bobby’s yard. “Don’t tell me he’s inside buried in books again.”
 
“He’s not here,” Dean replied turning away from his father. “So what are you doing here? I thought we agreed not to meet up again until old yellow eye made another appearance.”
 
“Bobby called and said there were some problems I needed to deal with here,” John said. He walked around and leaned up against the Impala next to Dean. “So why don’t you tell me what’s going on and why you were yelling at Bobby.”
 
Dean looked down at his feet. “I screwed up, Dad,” he said softly. “Is that what you want to hear? I screwed up and now Bobby won’t help me fix it. Hell, I don’t even know if it can be fixed.”
 
“Most problems can be taken care of but you’ll have to let me know what’s happened.”
 
“I found out something Sam’s been keeping hidden,” Dean said. “And I didn’t handle it too well and kinda left him on the side of the road.”
 
“What?” John yelled.
 
“See, I knew you’d react like that,” Dean said. “I needed some time to think without him pestering me constantly and that’s the only thing I could think of. Aw hell, I wasn’t thinking when I did it. I just wanted to get away from him.”
 
John shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from hitting his older son and took a deep breath. “And just what was so damn bad that you dumped your baby brother on the side of the road?” he asked. “You’re supposed to watch out for him, Dean. That’s one of the few things I’ve asked of you in your life; watch out for Sammy.”
 
“You think I don’t?” Dean asked, shoving his father back. “That’s all I’ve done, even when he was at school, every chance I got I was there watching him, making sure he was really happy there. Hell, I would have been happy to leave him there alone if you hadn’t done your vanishing act. I needed his help and his girlfriend ended up dead because he wasn’t there to protect her. You think I don’t know that he blames me for that? You weren’t there for his nightmares, Dad. You didn’t get to hear what he said when he was dreaming. So don’t go all high and mighty on me like this, you’re just as much at fault as I am.”
 
“What this ass son of yours isn’t saying, John, is that he abandoned his brother with barely enough supplies to get to the next town, let alone hunt, because he saw Sammy leave a bar with another man,” Bobby said as he came out of his house. He had a box under his arm, wrapped in newspaper so the address wasn’t visible. “I have to go to the post office. If you’re going to kill each other, do it out here. Dean, you’re damn lucky your dad arrived when he did because I was one sentence away from beating you myself.”
 
“I’ll take care of it, Bobby,” John said. “These boys have always been my responsibility and, while I haven’t always done a good job, I’ll make sure this is taken care of properly.”
 
“Where’s Sam, Bobby?” Dean asked.
 
“I told you that I’m not telling you,” Bobby replied. He shut the door and drove away.
 
John took another deep breath. “I think your attitude is more the problem then where your brother is, Dean,” he said. “If Bobby ain’t upset then there’s nothing that’s going to harm Sam any time soon.”
 
“Sam’s my brother,” Dean said.
 
“And now you want him back?” John asked. “It doesn’t work that way, Dean. You know better than I do about how deeply Sam feels things. You may have just made the biggest mistake of your life and all because you were freaked out over who Sam wants to sleep with.”
 
“Oh don’t tell me you knew about this too.”
 
“I didn’t have a clue,” John said. “But it’d be hypocritical of me to object in this case. Honestly I don’t see why you have such a problem with it.”
 
“Not you too,” Dean said.
 
“Yes me too,” John snapped. “And don’t take that tone with me, Dean Winchester. I may be older than you but I can still beat you in a fight. In fact, that might not be such a bad idea seeing as how stupid and blind you’re being here.”
 
“I just want to find Sam,” Dean said.
 
“And I’m telling you it’s too late,” John snapped. “You made the choice, Dean. You left him in a situation that could have gotten him killed. And right now, I’m very disappointed in you.”
********************
 
It seemed a little strange to Horatio to have to tilt his head upwards for a kiss but he went with the flow, ran his hands up into Sam’s wavy hair and held him in place. The younger man moaned in the back of his throat and opened to Horatio’s questing tongue; arms wrapped firmly around the red head’s waist molding their bodies together.
 
The ringing of the door bell broke them apart. Horatio pulled Sam in for one more quick, reassuring kiss and moved towards the door. Sam grinned and went back to the meal he was cooking. He could hear voices in the hall and quickly tamped down the instinct that said to run. He had to trust Horatio.
 
“Sam, this is Tim Speedle, better known as Speed,” Horatio said as he came back into the kitchen. “Speed, this is Sam. He saved my life.”
 
“Is he one of the young men?” Speed started.
 
“Yes,” Horatio replied. “And I’m hoping you have some good news for me.”
 
“Actually I do,” Speed said. “Sam, the body buried in St. Louis, it has the same DNA as your brother. I found the report.”
 
The younger man frowned and left, heading back towards the guest room. Speed blinked a couple of times. “Was it something I said?”
 
“His brother is still alive, Speed,” Horatio replied. “Which means that the DNA sample didn’t come from the dead body, it came from something else the brother touched.”
 
“Okay, obviously I don’t know the whole story here,” Speed said. “So do you want to clue me in?”
 
“You might as well,” Sam called. “I’m going to be a few minutes checking on something.”
 
“Would you give me a hint on where to start?” Horatio called back.
 
“Good point. Okay, then hang on.”
 
Speed snickered. “You know the two of you are already like an old married couple, H,” he said softly.
 
“I don’t think he’ll be staying long enough for that to happen, Tim,” Horatio said. “Do you want something to drink?”
 
“Why do you always do this to yourself, Horatio?”
 
“It’s just the way I’m wired, I suppose,” Horatio replied. He glanced at the timer over the oven and raised his voice. “Sam, do you want me to take this out of the oven for you?”
 
“Thanks,” Sam called.
 
Horatio pulled on a pair of oven mitts. “Speed, you know how I am, how I work,” he said. “I’d love for Sam to stay with me. I feel a connection to him that I haven’t felt with anyone for a long time. But I’m not going to try and force him into anything.”
 
“Yeah, and you guys weren’t in here kissing when I rang the bell,” Speed said. “Your lips were swollen, H. Look, I’m not going to tell you how to run your life but I think you’ve set yourself up for more pain than you deserve.”
 
“And no one else would dare tell me something like that,” Horatio sighed. “Sam?”
 
“I called Bobby,” Sam said. “And I could hear my dad and Dean fighting in the background. It sounds like Dean didn’t know our dad is bisexual too. But Bobby said that the shifter shouldn’t have had Dean’s DNA after we killed it so he’s going to do some digging and see what he can come up with. And he just sent a package to me. I hope you don’t mind me using your address.”
 
“Of course not,” Horatio said with a smile. “Are these hunting supplies?”
 
“Yeah, just the basics that I can’t buy here,” Sam replied. “Here, let me do that. You go sit down. Speed, are you going to join us for supper?”
 
“You can’t run me off now,” Speed said. “I want an explanation and I’m not leaving this house until I get one.”

“Okay, so let me see if I have this straight,” Speed said, a plate of untouched mac and cheese in front of him. “Ghosts are real. Vampires are real. Werewolves are real and one attacked Horatio. More or less every single evil thing I can think of is alive and you, Sam, hunt them down and kill them.”
 
“More or less,” Sam said. “Although I don’t know if you can kill something that is already dead. Remove them from the face of the planet would probably be a better description.”
 
Speed leaned over and put his hand on Horatio’s forehead. “Are you feeling all right, H? Do you have a fever?” he asked.
 
Horatio batted Speed’s hand away and tried not to roll his eyes. Sam started snickering, “it’s okay,” he said. “I didn’t expect you to believe me.”
 
“Tim Speedle is the ultimate cynic,” Horatio said. “Although you could at least try to keep an open mind on this, Tim.”
 
“Yeah, tried that once and it got me slapped,” Speed snorted.
 
“Your dinner is getting cold,” Horatio pointed out. “Speed, you can see why I don’t want people to find out about this.”
 
“You don’t have to worry about me telling anyone,” Speed said. “So why did you guys freak out when I told you about the DNA, other than the obvious fact that your brother is still alive?”
 
“Because it wasn’t Dean who committed the crimes,” Sam replied. “It was a shape-shifter or skin-walker who had taken on other forms and committed other murders as well. He died in Dean’s form but he shouldn’t have Dean’s DNA.”
 
“What did your friend Bobby say?” Horatio asked.
 
“He cursed but that’s just Bobby,” Sam replied with a smile. “And it probably doesn’t help that he has Dad and Dean at his place and they’re fighting abut something. But he’ll call me back if he finds anything in his books. Bobby has a massive library on the occult and can usually find anything for us.”
 
“So you’re going to be here for a while, Sam?” Speed asked.
 
“Until we can get this all figured out,” Sam said. “Or at least until Horatio gets tired of me and kicks me out.”
 
“That’s not going to happen,” Horatio said firmly.
 
Speed pushed his chair back and turned so his legs were to the side. “That’s good because I really think you’ll be good for Horatio,” he said. “Especially in bed.” He bolted out of the room and the sound of the front door closing echoed through the house.
 
“Brat,” Horatio said fondly. “I’m sorry about that, Sam. He figured out what we were doing when he rang the bell.”
 
“How long have you guys known each other?” Sam asked.
 
“Close to ten years,” Horatio replied. “If there are answers to be found in this case, he’ll find them for us.”
 
“Even though he doesn’t believe me?”
 
“One of the rules at the lab is to let the evidence speak for itself,” Horatio said. He reached over and took Sam’s hand again. “And once it has we can fill in the blanks on the inconsistencies brought about by the undead angle.”
 
Sam looked down at their joined fingers. “What’s going on between us, Horatio?” he asked. “What do you want?”
 
“I’d love to have your name cleared and have you stay in Miami with me forever,” Horatio said. “There’s a good law school at Miami University that I’m sure you could get into without any problems.”
 
“I don’t know that I know how to do normal anymore,” Sam sighed. “And there’s more I haven’t told you about my past.”
 
“You can tell me whenever you want,” Horatio said. “I’m not going to push for answers.”
 
“It’s something you need to know, especially if you’ll be back at work before I leave,” Sam said. “Let me clean up the kitchen and we can talk.”
 
Horatio stared intently at Sam for a minute. “I’ll help,” he said. “It’s only fair since you cooked dinner tonight.”
********************
 
When they were done in the kitchen Horatio went to the living room to wait for Sam, who wanted to get a couple of things from his bag. He still wasn’t sure why Dean would have just up and abandoned his younger brother in such an abrupt and sudden manner but Horatio had a few things to say about family if Dean ever showed his face in Miami.
 
Warmth along his left side brought Horatio back to the present. Sam was sitting next to him on the sofa, close enough to have their bodies touching and Horatio’s first instinct was to wrap an arm around the younger man and hold him.
 
“When I was six months old my mother died,” Sam started. “And that’s what pushed Dad into hunting. Dean was only four. When we were old enough Dad started training us to fight and hunt. I’ve always been better at research and Latin so I was kept out of the hunts until I was fourteen and, even then, I was only included it they needed my skills. That’s also about the time I found out how Mom died and about Dad’s vendetta against demons. One demon in particular.”
 
“The demon that killed your mother.”
 
“The yellow-eyed demon,” Sam spat. “He pinned her to the ceiling over my crib, cut her gut open and then burned her up.” He handed Horatio a picture. “If it wasn’t for that I wouldn’t even know what she looked like. I think my Dad knows why the demon was there that night but he won’t tell me or Dean about it.”
 
“It sounds like he’s trying to protect you,” Horatio said. He gave in to his body’s desire and wrapped his arm around Sam’s shoulders.
 
“Yeah, maybe,” Sam sighed. “Do you know why Dean kicked me out, Horatio?”
 
“Only what you told me; that he found out something about you that he didn’t like or couldn’t handle.”
 
Sam laughed. “Ever since Dean came to get me at Stanford and Jess died I’ve been having nightmares,” he said. “And sometimes visions too. Dean put up with all of that but he totally freaked out when he saw me leaving a bar with another man.”
 
“He can’t accept that you’re bisexual?” Horatio asked.
 
“I guess not,” Sam replied. “Dean is the ultimate ladies man. He even hit on Jess not two minutes after he broke into our apartment. I think its more a habit now than anything else but his looks usually get him what he wants in the end.”
 
Horatio took the second picture and looked at it carefully. “You look like your mom, Sam,” he finally said. “Dean looks more like your father.”
 
“I know,” Sam said, almost visibly relieved that Horatio hadn’t given him any of the empty words about how he was better looking than his brother. “And that might be one of the reasons Dad kicked me out when I told him I was going to school. He told me if I was going to go then I should stay gone. And I was planning to do just that until Dean showed up and asked for my help. The yellow eyed son of a bitch showed up when I was gone and killed Jess and that’s what I need you to know. This demon takes away everything I love, everyone I care for and I don’t want you to die.”
 
“Will salt be enough to keep him out?”
 
“Honestly I don’t know,” Sam replied. “There’s other stuff I can do around the windows and doors, signs and sigils I can draw with a wax pen so they won’t show up, but we don’t even know who this demon is. And without a name we don’t know how powerful he really is.”
 
Horatio nodded. “Do what you need to do and then I want to learn how to help you,” he said. “You don’t have to face this alone, Sam. Not anymore.”
 
Sam turned and looked at Horatio. “For the first time in my life I really believe that,” he said.
 
The red head sat up a little and leaned over to kiss Sam softly. The pictures fluttered to the floor as Sam’s hands found Horatio’s shoulders and the pair slowly shifted around until Sam was lying on his back with Horatio over him. They exchanged lazy kisses, the control shifting slowly back and forth as they explored and learned.
 
“I don’t want to push you,” Horatio whispered when they broke apart to breathe.
 
Sam nuzzled Horatio’s neck. “We should be greedy,” he said. “And do what we want. I don’t want to leave you, Horatio, but we don’t know what’s going to happen.”
 
“Carpe diem,” Horatio grinned. “Come to my bed tonight, Sam?”
 
“Yes,” Sam said with such a bright smile that Horatio wondered how often his young lover really, honestly smiled.
********************
 
“Bobby, where is Sam?” John asked after Dean had stomped outside in a huff. “I don’t need a location; I just want to know he’s safe.”
 
“He’s safe and staying with someone he saved on a hunt,” Bobby replied. “And from what he’s telling me he’s gonna quit hunting, John. He asked me for supplies but I get the feeling it’s for his protection more than hunting.”
 
John sighed and rubbed his face. “I never wanted this life for either of them but Dean’s taken to it so easily,” he said. “And Sam has always hated it and I didn’t know how to balance them out. I thought that by leaving the way I did I could get my family back together again but even that went to hell. Jessica ended up dead, Sammy’s been pulled back into the life he hates and now Dean’s pulled this damned stunt.”
 
“They’re your boys, sure enough,” Bobby said.
 
“What do I do, Bobby?” John asked. “Dean’s already pissed as hell that I won’t help him track Sam down. How do I make him understand that we really need to leave Sammy alone this time?”
 
“We could tie him up here for a day or two,” Bobby grinned. “I doubt he’d see that coming and then maybe he’d listen to some sense. Sam’s in a good place right now, one that he could potentially stay in the rest of his life and the last thing I want is that dumb ass brother of his showing up and tormenting him.”
 
“You’ve got a way with words, Bobby,” John said. “Is Sammy really in a good place right now? Is he going to be as happy as he was when he met Jessica?”
 
It was Bobby’s turn to sigh as he turned back to the stove. “Who can say for sure, John? But I think there’s a damn good chance of it.”
********************
 
A trail of clothes led down the hall towards Horatio’s bedroom showing where the lover’s had bumped into the walls when they got too involved with each other or tangled up in whatever they were trying to slip off. They fell onto the bed together, only the fabric of their boxers separating them and rolled so Sam was on top. It still seemed a little strange to Horatio to have a lover who was taller and stronger than him but he wanted Sam in a way he’d never felt with another person before. “How?” he managed to gasp out as Sam’s mouth trailed down along his jaw to his neck.
 
“Just like this if you’ll let me,” Sam replied huskily.
 
“Supplies are in the drawer,” Horatio said. He ran his hands along Sam’s body, fingers tracing scars when they encountered the change in texture.
 
Sam lifted his head and grinned down at Horatio. It was more of a smirk Horatio thought before a warm, wet mouth surrounded his left nipple and started to suck as fingers twisted and pinched the right one. Horatio’s back arched a little as the sensations flooded his body and his hands scrambled for purchase. Sam licked down Horatio’s chest to his stomach and paused for a moment. “Do you have freckles everywhere?” he asked as his eyes roamed over Horatio’s pale skin.
 
“As far as I know,” Horatio smiled. He pushed his hips up in a silent request for Sam to get moving. The younger man kissed Horatio’s stomach and slipped his fingers under the waistband of Horatio’s white boxers and took them off.
 
“I’ve never been very good at this,” Sam muttered almost as if to himself and leaned in to lick the head of Horatio’s erection.
 
“Sam,” Horatio said. “You don’t have to. My recovery time isn’t good and I’d really like to climax with you if I can.”
 
“How am I supposed to learn?” Sam asked as he reached for the lube.
 
Horatio grinned. “Lots of practice later on,” he said. He let his fingers slide through Sam’s hair.
 
“Do you mind?” Sam slicked the lube over his index finger and reached down.
 
In reply Horatio spread his legs a little wider and tilted his hips. Sam groaned as he eased his finger inside of Horatio’s body, moving slowly enough so as not to hurt his older lover. Horatio’s eyes fluttered closed as the finger moved in him and moaned as the pressure was increased as a second finger joined the first to start stretching him. Sam took the time to make sure that Horatio was completely stretched and open before he rolled the condom on his now throbbing cock and helped Horatio shift up onto his side.
 
“I’m ready for you,” Horatio moaned as he felt the tip of Sam’s erection press into him. “Sam.”
 
The younger man slid forward slowly, pausing every time Horatio’s body tensed around him, hand rubbing both his lover’s stomach and straying down every so often to stroke his cock as well. Finally Sam was all the way in and took a moment to just enjoy the feel of what he had denied himself for so long. “No more,” Sam whispered, kissing Horatio’s freckled shoulder gently.
 
“What?”
 
“I’m not hiding what I want anymore,” Sam said as he pulled back and thrust forward, pulling a cry from Horatio. “And I want you, Horatio.”
 
“Want you too, Sam,” Horatio moaned as Sam started moving harder. Large hands held his hips in place as the younger man thrust into him and a mouth attached to his neck, sucking. Horatio reached for his own erection, wrapping a hand around it and stroking in time to the thrusts only just moving his hips in spite of the powerful hands on him.
 
They both moaned when Sam’s hand snaked down and covered Horatio’s, both of them stroking the leaking erection. Horatio could feel the pleasure and pressure combining in his body and he fought it. He didn’t want it to end too soon, he wanted to stay where he was with his lover forever, suspended on the cloud of pleasure that had wrapped around them
 
He cried out when Sam’s body spasmed behind him and teeth sank into his neck. Horatio came when he felt the throbbing of Sam’s erection and hoped, with the smallest part of his mind that could still function, that he’d get to feel that hot liquid fill him someday.

Sam awoke to the sensation of a warm mouth on his erection and two fingers inside his body. “Horatio?”
 
The warmth vanished. “Good morning, Sam,” Horatio said twisting his fingers. “Is this okay?”
 
“More than okay,” Sam moaned. He spread his legs a little wider and moaned as a third finger got involved in the proceedings and the mouth reattached to the head of his cock sucking. Sam tried to keep his hips from rocking; he didn’t know which way to move and came with a cry.
 
Horatio sat back and licked his lips. “How’s your recovery time, Sam?” he asked with a small smirk.
 
“You’ll just have to find out,” Sam replied. “How long can you hold out?”
 
“Let’s see,” Horatio said. He carefully removed his fingers and wiped his hands on a towel he’d put on the bed. Sam watched as Horatio opened a condom and rolled it on, adding lube and just thrusting into his own hand for a moment. Finally blue eyes fixed on him and Horatio pressed home, sinking into Sam’s body for the first time.
 
“Oh yeah,” Sam moaned wrapping his legs around Horatio’s hips. He held his lover in place for a moment, enjoying the small thrusts Horatio was able to make, the teasing motion starting to put an edge back on his arousal.
 
Horatio leaned in and kissed Sam, tongue gliding over the younger man’s lips. Sam’s mouth opened and welcomed Horatio inside as he loosened the grip he had on the red head’s hips. The older man took the hint and pulled back slowing before sinking forward again, not so much a thrust as a gentle glide of sensation sparking pleasure for both of them. Horatio kept his thrusts as even and gentle as he could wanting to bring Sam back up towards the sharp edge of arousal so they could come together. And as he moved he could feel Sam’s cock growing harder between their bodies.
 
Sam’s hands were on Horatio’s back rubbing up and down before one vanished suddenly. Horatio started when two fingers suddenly slid into his body and he moaned, leaning in to kiss Sam again. He pushed back onto the fingers trying to get them deeper and then forward again into Sam’s body. When the invading fingers nudged his prostate Horatio cried out into Sam’s mouth and started moving faster and harder. Sam’s head fell back with a loud cry and Horatio took the chance to get acquainted with Sam’s long neck. When he felt teeth graze his skin Sam’s body tensed and he came a second time. He shoved his fingers into Horatio’s ass and pressed down on the red head’s prostate. Horatio’s body froze and clamped down as he came.
 
“I’m sorry, Sam” Horatio said lapping at the mark on Sam’s neck once he was a little more alert. “I didn’t mean to bite so hard.”
 
“It’s okay,” Sam grinned. “I kinda like the thought of having your mark on me.”
 
“You keep saying things like that and I won’t let you out of bed any time soon,” Horatio said.
 
They both laughed as Sam’s stomach joined the conversation. “There’s always kitchen sex,” Sam said with a grin.
********************
 
John’s eyes snapped open when he heard the Impala’s engine and he started swearing. Maybe he should have listened to Bobby and tied his older son up the night before, or at least tied him to a bed. John got dressed as quickly as he could and went downstairs to find Bobby standing by his desk scowling.
 
“That brat broke into my personal notebook and took Horatio’s address,” Bobby said. “That means that he’ll be hounding Sam again in a couple days.”
 
“I’m guessing Horatio is the guy Sam saved?” John asked.
 
“And Sam’s likely setting up house with as we speak,” Bobby replied. “Horatio is a CSI lieutenant in Miami and offered to help Sam before he knew anything about him. And he’s trying to clear both boys’ names from the FBI database.”
 
“What’s going to happen if Dean finds out that his brother is living with another man?” John asked.
 
“World War Three,” Bobby said. “They’re your boys, John, and both of them got your temper and your stubborn streak. You know that neither of them will back down if they think they’re right.”
 
John sighed. “Maybe we should just let them work this out on their own,” he sighed. “But can you at least call Sam and let him know that his brother knows where he is? I don’t want Sammy hurt any more if I can help it.”
 
“You call him,” Bobby said. “I think its time you quit hiding in the shadows where your boys are concerned. I’m going to give Dean a call and tell him exactly what I think of him right now.”
********************
 
Sam moaned as Horatio’s fingers thrust into him, the kitchen counter taking his weight. “The, the eggs,” he panted.
 
“They’re fine for another minute,” Horatio replied glancing over towards the stove. “So that means you need to let go for me, Sam. Come on, come for me.”
 
“Horatio,” Sam moaned, his climax just as strong as the last one that had hit him in bed. He slumped down against the counter and panted. Horatio kissed his lover’s sweaty neck and went to the sink to wash his hands. “God, Horatio, I don’t remember the last time I felt like this.”
 
“So turned on?” Horatio asked. He fixed to plates and put them down just as he was gathered into a hug, his mouth claimed by a hungry and demanding kiss.
 
“So at home,” Sam replied lapping at the corner of Horatio’s mouth.
 
A knock at the door distracted them. “We had to leave our clothes in the bedroom,” Horatio sighed. “Go get dressed, Sam.” He slipped on his robe and went to the front door. “Tim.”
 
“Sorry to interrupt, H,” Speed said. “It looks like you guys took my advice. The feds just called and wanted to know why we were looking into this case.”
 
“What did you tell them?” Horatio asked.
 
Speed snagged a piece of toast off of Horatio’s plate and dunked it into the yoke of the egg. “That they’re on drugs and we’re not looking into anything involving their cases,” he said. “They didn’t think it was funny.”
 
“I wonder why,” Horatio said with a sigh. “One of these days, Speed, that sense of humor of yours is going to get you into trouble. When are they going to get here?”
 
“It sounds like there’s one agent working the case and he’s out west at the moment so most likely tomorrow,” Speed said. “So I think that maybe we should get Sam out of town before they get here.”
 
“Can you bring me the evidence folders, Speed?” Horatio asked. “I’ll get in touch with Jeffrey and ask him to take over from here. The case is a joke and needs to be stopped now.”
 
Sam joined them at the table. “Hey Speed,” he said. “It sounds like the feds don’t like your turn of a phrase.”
 
“If you’d seen the so-called evidence they have against you then you’d agree with me,” Speed said. “I’ll get you the information by this afternoon, H. I guess now that the feds know we’re working this I can go ahead and work the print and DNA evidence before getting it to you.”
 
“The prints are all going to be Dean’s from the last two crime scenes for the murders,” Sam said. “The skin-walker takes on all features of their target.”
 
“Well then all I need to do is find foreign prints,” Speed said. “That shouldn’t be too hard as long as the feds did their job.” He popped the last bite of toast into his mouth and frowned. “Why am I so damn optimistic about them actually doing their job when they have a suspect in mind they want to put the blame on? I’ll be in touch, H. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
 
“Is there anything you wouldn’t do, Tim?”
 
“I’ll get you a list,” Speed smiled as he left. Horatio and Sam were just moving towards each other when he poked his head back into the kitchen. “Make sure he eats, Sam.”
 
“Tim,” Horatio growled.
 
“I’m going, I’m going,” Speed said. “Can’t blame a guy for wanting a free show.”
 
“Out or I’m taking the key back,” Horatio said.
 
“Key?”
 
“We all have keys to each others houses,” Horatio said. He heard the front door shut and lock. “It’s for safety as much as anything else.”
 
Sam took another bite of his eggs. “So is there anything between you and Tim other than friendship?”
 
“No,” Horatio said. “Tim’s straight as an arrow. Although he has been known to watch gay porn on occasion. I keep trying to point out that means he’s probably at the very least bisexual but he won’t listen.”
 
“Why do people have such trouble with sexuality?” Sam sighed. He frowned and looked around. “Do you see my phone anywhere, Horatio?”
 
“Where was it last night?”
 
“In my pocket, I thought,” Sam said.
 
“I think your pants are still in the hall,” Horatio said with a smile.
 
“I’ll find it later,” Sam said as he leaned in to kiss Horatio.
********************
 
The new lovers finally managed to separate for a couple hours in the afternoon. Horatio started through the files that Speed brought over and Sam managed to track down his phone just before he put in a load of laundry. There were two voice mail messages from his father both saying the same thing. Dean was on his way to Miami.

Dean sat in the Impala and stared at the house across the street. He had no idea how or why Sam would want to be staying in such a fancy place but he intended to find out and then drag Sam back out on the road with him.
 
An older red-haired man opened the door in response to Dean’s knock. “Hello, Dean,” he said. His expression was almost completely blank.
 
“How do you know my name?” Dean demanded. “How the hell do you know who I am?”
 
“How do you think?” Horatio asked calmly. He still wasn’t sure how he felt about his lover’s brother showing up unannounced and uninvited but he was going to do everything in his power to keep Sam from getting hurt.
 
“Where’s Sam?”
 
“At the moment he’s in the kitchen making dinner,” Horatio said.
 
Dean tried to push past Horatio and was surprised when the leaner man didn’t budge. Horatio tilted his head to the right and looked at the younger man. “Before you come into my home, Dean, I want you to know something. Family means more to me than anything in this world and my family now includes Sam. If you hurt him in any way I will make you leave. Do you understand?”
 
“Just who the hell do you think you are talking to me like that?” Dean asked. “Sam’s my brother and I would never do anything to hurt him.”
 
“My name is Lieutenant Horatio Caine and you need to think over your actions concerning your brother,” Horatio said. “The kitchen is down the hall, Dean.”
 
Sam looked up from the stove when he heard footsteps in the hallway. “Hey Horatio, who was at the; oh, hey Dean,” Sam said. “I didn’t think you’d get here until tomorrow. H, can you taste this and tell me what you think? Tim gave the recipe over the phone.”
 
“That’s all I need, the two of you conspiring,” Horatio said. He took a bite of the rice. “I think Tim normally puts in a little garlic but *that* is very good, Sam.”
 
“So was that an add garlic or no?” Sam asked.
 
“Are we having fish or pork with it?”
 
“I thought fish but if you want pork we have both.”
 
“Fish is perfect, do you want me to start the grill?”
 
“Please.”
 
Horatio glanced back towards the hallway. “Will you be staying for dinner, Dean?”
 
“Yes he is,” Sam said. “He eats too much junk food and needs a good meal.” Sam nabbed Horatio as he went past and pulled his lover in for a kiss. “You never told me if you wanted garlic,” he whispered.
 
“Leave it out,” Horatio said, thumb rubbing Sam’s cheek softly. “I’ll use some garlic butter on the fish.”
 
“Okay,” Sam said. He kissed Horatio again and turned to his brother. “Did you swallow a lemon or something, Dean?”
 
“What are you doing here, Sam?” Dean demanded.
 
“At the moment, cooking,” Sam replied calmly. “What are you doing here?”
 
“I came to get you,” Dean said. “So let’s go.”
 
“No,” Sam said. He opened the fridge and pulled out the makings for a salad. “Horatio, did you grab the red peppers?”
 
Horatio came back in from the deck. “No, did we use them up yesterday when we attempted those omelets?” he asked.
 
“I guess we did,” Sam replied. “I’ll add them to the list.”
 
“You’re turning out to be quite the cook, Sam,” Horatio commented. “Have you ever thought about studying chemistry?”
 
“Is that an offer, Lieutenant?” Sam teased.
 
“Probably the best one you’ll get until your brother leaves,” Horatio replied with a grin.
 
“Sam,” Dean snapped in the tone that demanded instant obedience, “let’s go; now.”
 
“I said no, Dean,” Sam said. “You made your choice and now I’m making mine.”
 
“So what, you’re going to stay here and set up house?” Dean asked. “You’re going to be the toy for some old guy? What about our business, Sam? You’re just going to throw it all away for this? I got news for you, this isn’t normal Sam.”
 
“Horatio isn’t old,” Sam said as he started chopping the lettuce.
 
“He’s old enough to be your father, Sam,” Dean snapped.
 
Sam snorted. “Then he’d be a better father than Dad was,” he said. “You decided you didn’t want me around you any more, Dean. You kicked me out, just like Dad did. I had to take on a werewolf with two silver bullets and the bastard was attacking Horatio. He offered to let me stay here as long as I wanted and has shown me more love than anyone else ever has, and that includes Jess. He understands how I was raised, what I did and he’s trying to help us clear our names. And then you come in here and start insulting both of us without a thought of what you did to me.”
 
Horatio reached around and took the knife away from his young lover. “Sammy,” he said softly. “Remember what I told you?”
 
“Yeah, I know,” Sam sighed. “I can talk until I’m blue in the face and he won’t listen to me unless he wants to. It’s scary you know more about my brother than I do, H.”
 
“Many years of observing human behavior will do that,” Horatio smiled. “Do you want him to leave?”
 
“He’ll just sit across the street and try to grab me as soon as I leave the house,” Sam said. “And if Hendrickson is on his way then it’s too dangerous for Dean to be out there.”
 
“What the hell are you talking about?” Dean demanded. “I thought you said he was trying to help us and I sure as hell don’t think that calling the feds is the way to do that.”
 
“The feds found out that I had the evidence in your case,” Horatio said. “Fortunately the evidence is a joke and the case should be able to be dismissed without too much trouble. But it does mean that the agent involved in the case has to come to Miami. He’s not going to get Sam.”
 
Sam kissed Horatio’s neck. “Don’t you have fish to tend to?” he asked.
 
“You mean you don’t like blackened fish?”
 
“No, I don’t,” Sam laughed. “And I don’t think burning it accidentally counts as making blackened fish, H.”
 
“You can’t blame a guy for trying,” Horatio sighed. He leaned in to whisper in Sam’s ear. “Do you think your brother would object to me claiming you right here and now?”
 
“Yes,” Sam replied only half serious. “But we can definitely deal with that later.”
 
Horatio snickered as he left to go attempt to save the fish he had on the grill. Dean only just managed to hang on to his outburst until he was alone in the kitchen with his younger brother. “Okay, just tell me what’s going on here, Sam.”
 
“I should think it’s obvious,” Sam said. “I’m happy, Dean. And I’m staying. Horatio is going to get our names cleared and I’m going back to school here in Miami. He treats me as an equal, Dean. He loves me.”
 
“You belong with me,” Dean said.
 
“Yeah, well you messed that option up when you kicked me out on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere,” Sam snapped. “You told me you never wanted to see me again and didn’t give a damn if I got killed on a hunt or not. Face it, Dean; you and Dad are just alike. All you care about is the hunt and you don’t care who you hurt in the process.”
 
“I never said anything like that.”
 
“You didn’t have to, your actions said it all,” Sam said. “Think about what you left me with, Dean. I barely had enough hunting supplies to manage a poltergeist, let alone a werewolf. And that’s what I ended up facing. How would you have felt if the son of a bitch killed me? Because that could’ve happened, Dean. If the creature hadn’t been so caught up in trying to bite Horatio, it could have killed me. Then what would you have done?”
 
“I don’t know,” Dean exclaimed. “But I sure as hell never said I never wanted to see you again.”
 
“Sure you did. I could see it in your eyes from the moment I came back to the hotel,” Sam said. He turned and started to dish out the rice. “You’ve got problems with same sex relationships and couldn’t stand to be around me any more. I’m not going to suffer because of your problems, Dean. I made that decision last night. I’m not going to be ashamed of who I am or what I want just because my older brother can’t stand the thought. I love Horatio and I know that he loves me.”
 
“And what happens when the yellow eyed demon shows up, Sammy?” Dean hissed. “You know as well as I do that son of a bitch likes to take away everyone you care about.”
 
Sam huffed a little. “I’m not stupid, Dean,” he said. “I’ve got salt lines and protections up to keep him out. Bobby’s mailed me some stuff too and I’m going to do everything in my power to keep Horatio safe. That son of a bitch isn’t going to be able to touch Horatio is I have anything to say about it.”
 
“And if he wants Sam he’ll have a fight on his hands,” Horatio added. He passed the plate to Sam and walked to the fridge. “I’m afraid I don’t have any beer, Dean. What would you like to drink?”
 
“You told him?” Dean demanded.
 
“And what was I supposed to do?” Sam asked. “I lost Jess because I was too scared and too stupid to tell her what was out there. I’m not making the same mistake again. Horatio knows what to be on the look out for. I’ve taught him a few tricks that’ll help keep him alive.”
 
“And now you expect me to sit here and eat with you guys and pretend there’s nothing wrong?” Dean asked.
 
“I expect you to show respect in my house,” Horatio said firmly. He put down three cans of diet Pepsi and turned to face the older Winchester brother. “And not only to me but your brother as well. Decisions made in the heat of the moment are often the most damaging, Dean. You made a mistake. It’s a mistake you’ll have to live with for the rest of your life.”
 
Sam put his hand on Horatio’s shoulder. “You couldn’t have done anything to save him, Horatio,” he said softly.
 
“I know, but there are days when I think I could have,” Horatio sighed. He took his plate and pop and went out on the back deck.
 
“What’s he so upset about?”
 
“His younger brother was killed while working undercover,” Sam said softly. “And Horatio still blames himself for it. You can eat in here, Dean, if you think you can’t stand to be around us. But Horatio is right, if Hendrickson is in town you need a place to hide and here is probably the best spot for you. I want to forgive you for what you did but right now I don’t know if I can.”

Sam put his plate and drink down on the deck table and followed Horatio out onto the beach. “Hey,” he said as he wrapped his arms around his lover. “Don’t let Dean upset you.”
 
“I’m not; I’m upset at myself and my reaction to your brother,” Horatio replied. “I wanted to hit him, Sam. I wanted to hit him so badly to try and make him see how stupid he’s being. You should never throw away your family because you don’t know what the future holds.”
 
“We’ve never really been a family,” Sam said. “Come on, H. I worked hard on that rice and I want you to at least try it. Look, one of Dean’s favorite expressions is no chick-flick moments. After a while you just give up trying to talk with him about anything other than hunting.”
 
“He’s still an idiot for what he did to you,” Horatio said. He saw Dean standing at the sliding glass door and paused. “Sammy, he’s welcome to stay until we get your names cleared. Please don’t think I want to place him in danger.”
 
“I know and thank you.” Sam wrapped Horatio in a hug and leaned down to kiss him. Horatio moaned softly and deepened the kiss, his hands tangling in Sam’s messy hair. “Let’s eat,” Sam whispered. “You’ll need your strength for later.”
 
“Promise?” Horatio grinned. He pulled Sam’s head back down and traced the younger man’s lips with his tongue, gaining entrance to Sam’s mouth. Both men groaned and pressed together, hips pushing for friction.
********************
 
Dean still couldn’t believe that not only did Sam stand up to him, his brother refused to even consider leaving. Sam had never made it a secret that he hated hunting and wanted to give it up as soon as possible but Dean had been under the impression that being wanted by the FBI had changed Sam’s outlook a little.
 
He watched as Sam pulled the older man in and kissed him. Dean shuddered. It was just wrong on so many levels. He had to do something to convince Sam that he didn’t belong in Miami. He had to drive a wedge between his brother and that lieutenant.
 
“Hot together, aren’t they?”
 
Dean jumped, cursing that he’d let himself get so wrapped up in his thoughts that someone was able to sneak up on him. “That’s not the word I’d choose.”
 
“What would you call it?”
 
“Disgusting,” Dean snapped turning away. “Who the hell are you?”
 
“A friend who has news.” Speed opened the door. “Knock it off you two or I’m getting the ice water and a bucket.”
 
“You need to work on your timing, Speed,” Horatio grumbled. He forced himself to take a step away from Sam. “What’s wrong?”
 
“The feds are at the lab,” Speed replied. “And I think it’s only a matter of time before they work out where these guys are.”
 
Horatio nodded. “I refuse to be chased out of my own home, Speed,” he said. “If they work out where we are then they do. We’ll deal with it when it happens.”
 
Sam stepped up next to Horatio and put an arm around his lover’s waist. “You don’t have to do this for us, H,” he said. “Dean and I can run.”
 
“Do you really want to?” Horatio asked.
 
“No,” Sam said. “I want to stay here but if you’re going to be in danger then I want to do what I can to help you. If that means leaving then I will. I can always come back once they’re gone.”
 
“Sammy, your brother won’t let you go if you leave with him,” Horatio said. “Let me worry about the feds, okay? I have a few ideas that we can use; starting with that painting you wanted to do in the hallway.”
 
“Really?” Sam’s face lit up.
 
“Go get what you need,” Horatio said. “Tim, they’re going to be here as soon as they work out that I’m still in town. I want you to go back to the lab and throw them off the trail as much as you can, okay?”
 
“Sure thing, H, but can I talk to you for a minute?” Speed asked. “Outside?”
 
Horatio followed Speed out onto the front porch. “What’s wrong, Tim?”
 
“Sam’s brother says that you’re disgusting together,” Speed replied. “I think he’s planning something, Horatio. And it’s something that will likely hurt not only you but Sam as well.”
 
“Thanks for the warning,” Horatio sighed. “I’ll deal with that as soon as I can. Sam’s got enough going on right now to worry about his brother and Dean’s reactions to our relationship.”
 
“Okay, call if you need me,” Speed said.
 
“I will, thank you.”
 
Sam looked up when Horatio walked back in. “I told Dean he could have the guest room and he went to unpack,” he said. “He’s really upset, H.”
 
“I can tell,” Horatio said. “What can I do to help with this, Sam?”
 
“Just leave me to it for now,” Sam said.
 
“In that case, I’ll go clean up the kitchen and put the leftovers in the fridge,” Horatio said. He leaned in and kissed Sam gently. “And then I think we need some quality time together.”
 
“With Dean here?”
 
“Let him listen if he wants,” Horatio replied. He kissed Sam again. “Because right now I feel a need to reconnect with you.”
 
“Is it too early to say I love you?” Sam asked.
 
“Probably, but I love you too.”
********************
 
Dean sat down on the bed in the room Sam had shown him to and looked around. He supposed he could see why Sam would want to stay in Miami as it was very obvious the lieutenant had money. And if Sam was the toy for the older man then it was very likely that he’d spend money on Sam. But it was just wrong to think of his baby brother sleeping with another man. It was Dean’s job to protect Sam and, to do that, he had to break the two of them apart.
 
A noise in the hall distracted him and he realized that it was the sound of two bodies hitting a wall. Dean peaked out into the hallway just as Sam and that lieutenant vanished through a door into another room. Dean was shocked that they’d behave like that when their lives were on the line and hurried to his bag. He wanted to get his headphones on and music playing before he heard anything else. Dean needed the quiet to plan.
********************
 
Horatio stood in the hall and watched as Sam put the finishing touches on his painting. “Is that all?” he asked.
 
“Yeah, it just needs to dry and no one will be able to see it,” Sam replied. “Bobby likes this paint for warding houses because no one knows the runes and wards are there.”
 
“You’ve done this before,” Horatio said.
 
“A few times,” Sam sighed. He climbed down off the ladder and stretched. “But I’d rather paint on the floor than the ceiling.”
 
“Come here and I’ll make you feel better,” Horatio said with a smile.
 
Sam grinned and moved closer to Horatio, leaning down to kiss Horatio and pull him in close. Horatio opened to the kiss and started moving them down the hall towards their bedroom. Sam grunted softly when they bounced off the wall and worked to steady both of them. Horatio broke out of the kiss to gasp for air and snickered at the same time. Sam huffed a laugh and kissed Horatio again.
 
He pushed Horatio down onto the bed and stood for a moment. “Strip for me, Horatio?” he asked.
 
“You should have left me on my feet then,” Horatio replied. He started to undo his shirt and sat up to pull it off and worked on his slacks. By the time he dropped his clothes on the floor Sam was naked as well and joined his lover on the bed. Horatio grabbed Sam’s head and pulled him in for a deeper kiss, running his tongue through his lover’s mouth with a soft moan. Sam used his heavier weight to press Horatio into the bed and deepened the kiss as much as he could, hand groping for the lube and condoms they’d left out on the bedside table. Horatio managed to spread his legs and lift them so Sam settled in closer against him.
 
“Can I?” Sam whispered against Horatio’s lips.
 
“Now,” Horatio moaned.
 
Sam smiled and kissed the tip of Horatio’s nose before bending in to suck on Horatio’s neck. Horatio’s moan was deeper this time and became a little more steady in both pitch and volume as Sam’s lips trailed down along his collar bone, down his chest to his nipples. “Sam,” Horatio cried out as teeth sank into his nipple followed by a sharp suction. Sam glanced up and met Horatio’s eyes as he nibbled and then shifted over to the other one. As he bit down he grabbed the lube and slicked to fingers, sliding them into Horatio’s body to start stretching him.
 
Horatio cried out again. His legs fell open and his hips angled up trying to get Sam’s fingers in deeper. Sam pulled back and moved down on the bed a little so he could lean in and lick the tip of Horatio’s erection. He really wanted to improve his technique but figured that when he had Horatio so anxious beneath him really wasn’t the time to try anything new. So he pulled his fingers out carefully and wiped his hand off on the sheets. He opened a condom and rolled it on, slicking his erection with lube. “Ready?” he asked as he moved Horatio up onto his side and settled in behind him.
 
“Yes,” Horatio whispered. He slid his left leg forward for balance and pushed back as he felt Sam start to slide into him. Sam stilled for a moment to wrap his arm around Horatio and they stayed still for a moment, just enjoying the feeling of closeness between them. It was Horatio who pushed back, asking Sam to move. Sam pushed up on an elbow so he could kiss Horatio’s neck as he pulled back and slid forward again, hand holding onto Horatio’s hip. Sam’s elbow slid under Horatio’s neck, causing his head to tilt so Sam had better access to his lover’s neck. Horatio started pushing back as Sam thrust forward, setting an easy rhythm. “Feels so good, Sam,” Horatio panted.
 
“I know,” Sam replied. He moved up as Horatio let his head roll back and their lips met in a gentle glide. Sam started lapping at Horatio’s lips as he changed the angle of his thrusts and Horatio cried out again.
 
They kept moving together, Sam’s thrusts increasing in both speed and pressure. As the thrusts grew more erratic Horatio reached down and wrapped his hand around his cock, stroking as quickly as he could. When Sam’s hand joined his, Horatio cried out Sam’s name and came, his body clamping down on Sam’s cock. Sam buried his head against Horatio’s neck to muffle his own cry and came as well.
 
Once they were cleaned up the lovers curled up together under the covers. “Sam, Tim told me that Dean’s planning something,” Horatio said.
 
“It doesn’t surprise me,” Sam sighed. “I don’t want to say it, H, but once this is over I don’t know that I ever want to see them again; Dean or my father.”
 
“Don’t close that door just yet,” Horatio said. He kissed Sam’s shoulder gently. “We’ll get through all of this together.”
 
“Together,” Sam agreed.

Dean uncovered his head long enough to glance at his watch and groaned. That old lieutenant had to be taking pills or something because there was no way they could still be going at it after three hours without some kind of help. Hell, even Dean couldn’t and he was still young.
 
He stuffed his head back under his pillow to block out the sound of a loud moan and the bed hitting the wall. He knew it was his brother who was moaning and that just made him madder. Dean wasn’t sure what he was going to do to break them apart and get Sam back out on the road with him, but it would have to be something drastic and it would have to be soon.
********************
 
It was around midnight when Horatio finally managed to find the energy to get up and head towards the kitchen for water and some food for his lover and himself. He had slipped on a worn pair of blue sleep pants and was glad he did when he found Dean in the kitchen. “Hey, you got any junk food around here?” Dean asked.
 
“No,” Horatio replied softly. “But the leftovers from lunch are in the fridge and you’re more than welcome to make yourself anything you can find. Sam and I have to run to the store in the morning, if we can, so I’m not sure exactly what’s here.”
 
“You know, the last time I saw Sam this happy was back in California,” Dean said. He dug around and found a lone bottle of beer. “When he was with Jessica. Man, she was a looker and so perfect for Sammy. I think he had the ring bought and everything, just waiting for the right time to pop the question.”
 
“He still has nightmares about losing her,” Horatio said softly. “It’s hard to lose someone you love, someone you care for deeply. But he’s talked about her a lot and I think its helping him.” He put a container down and moved quickly, pinning Dean with barely an effort. “I know what you’re trying to do and it won’t work. You need to grow up and realize that your brother is able to make his own decisions and choices. And I know you might not agree with them, but if you love him as much as you claim to, you’ll accept them and let him live his life the way he wants to.”
 
“What do you know?” Dean demanded. “You don’t even know half of what Sammy’s been through. Or what our family has been through. So don’t you talk to me about duty or making choices because everything I’ve done in my life has been to make Sammy’s better.”
 
“Until the last,” Horatio said. “When you kicked him out of your life because you couldn’t handle one very important fact about him. Who your brother chooses to love does not define him, Dean. He’s still the same man he was before you knew that he likes men as much as he likes women. There’s no shame in it, only the shame that you choose to feel. If you truly love your brother then you’ll open your eyes and see that he is happy here, there is a chance for him to have what he’s always wanted and let him enjoy it.”
 
“I can’t do that,” Dean said. “My job is to protect Sammy.”
 
“And mine was to protect Raymond,” Horatio said sadly. “We don’t always do our jobs well, Dean. Older brothers sometimes need to know when to step back and let the younger fly on his own. It’s the only thing we can do.”
 
Horatio picked up the tray he’d been preparing and went back down the hall to the bedroom. He smiled down at his young lover, mentally noting that he’d have to take Sam to meet Artie and buy a couple of toys so he could keep up with Sam. “Hey, Sammy,” he said softly. “Come on, you need to eat.”
 
“Did I hear Dean fighting with you?” Sam asked sleepily.
 
“You did,” Horatio replied. “I let him know that there’s no way he’s ever going to be able to break us up, no matter what he tries. He decided to throw Jessica in my face, and the fact that you were going to marry her. I diverted him by talking about Raymond.”
 
“I wish you didn’t have to,” Sam said.
 
“Dean has the right to know that older brothers aren’t always perfect and can make mistakes,” Horatio sighed. He handed a plate to Sam and settled back in next to him. “He seems to believe that his only job is to keep you safe.”
 
Sam snorted. “Yeah, that’s what Dad always told him,” he said. “And over the years it got to the point where I couldn’t even go to the library without him right there watching me. Going to school helped, but I know that he still showed up to keep tabs on me whenever he could. I know he loves me, H, but he’s so much like Dad that I just don’t know if I want him around. Especially if he can’t accept you in my life.”
 
“I still think we should give him time to think about things,” Horatio said. “Maybe your friend Bobby and your father can talk some sense into him.”
 
“Yeah, maybe,” Sam said. “So do you think the feds are going to get here tomorrow, Horatio?”
 
“I’m not sure,” Horatio admitted. “I really hope I’m wrong about why Agent Hendrickson is so obsessed over this particular case.”
 
“I don’t think you are,” Sam said. “And I’m a little embarrassed that Dean and I didn’t come up with it on our own. Do you remember what I told you?”
 
“I do and I’ll be ready,” Horatio grinned. “Do you have everything else set up?”
 
“I’ll finish it in the morning,” Sam said. “My priority right now, is you and making sure that you get some sleep tonight. I’m a little giddy thinking that tomorrow could really be the end of hiding, that I could go back to school and get my law degree or anything I want and then have a life here with you.”
 
“What about the yellow-eyed demon?” Horatio asked.
 
“He wants me for some reason,” Sam replied. “And I wish I knew why the hell it was, but he’s not going to ruin this for me. He’s not going to be able to get to you and I’m not going down without a fight. I’m done running, Horatio.”
 
“Then I’ll be right by your side,” Horatio said. He kissed Sam’s cheek. “For everything. Now, I think we should try and get some sleep because I’m exhausted.”
 
“Am I putting too much stress on you?” Sam teased.
 
“I’m just going to need some time to build up my stamina,” Horatio said. He kissed the tip of Sam’s nose. “A friend of mine runs an adult store and I was thinking we could go pay him a visit. Maybe get some toys for those times that you do wear me out and still want more.”
 
“Hmmm, tempting,” Sam grinned. “I’ll have to let you know.”
 
“Sleep, brat,” Horatio said. He kissed Sam and settled down against the pillows. “We have a big day tomorrow.”
 
“Yeah, we do,” Sam agreed.
********************
 
In spite of their late night, Horatio and Sam were both up early and out on the back deck by the time Dean made an appearance in the kitchen. He stood at the door and glared out at the man holding his younger brother like he had every right to. It wasn’t his fault Horatio hadn’t been able to protect his younger brother but it didn’t mean that Dean was going to give up on his job and stop taking care of Sam. He got a mug of coffee and walked out onto the deck. “So who was that guy who just waltzed in here yesterday?”
 
“His name is Tim and he works with Horatio,” Sam answered. “Isn’t he supposed to call when Hendrickson shows up at the lab today, H?”
 
“That’s the plan, but he might not be able to,” Horatio replied. “Dean, both Sam and I are well aware of your plans so you might as well stop before you make a complete fool of yourself. We’ll get this threat taken care of and you’ll be able to leave and return to the hunt.”
 
“I’m not leaving without Sam,” Dean said.
 
“Then you’re going to be in Miami a long time, Dean,” Sam said with a sigh. “Because I’m not going back. I’m not hunting again. I’m going to stay here and finish school and help people that way. And if I have to, I’ll call Dad and Bobby and get them down here to get rid of you.”
 
“You can’t do that,” Dean said.
 
“Watch me,” Sam said. “Dean, you’ve always acted before you thought things through. What did you think would happen when you left me on the side of the road? Did you think I was just going to stand there and wait for you to come back? Or were you expecting me to find a hotel and wait for you to call with whatever story you’d managed to come up with? I’m my own person, Dean, and I can function without you glued to my side.”
 
He was interrupted by the phone ringing. Horatio squeezed Sam and reached for the handset. “Caine.”
 
“Hey H,” Speed said. “Our fed just left and he’s mad as hell. I think he’s on his way to you.”
 
“I wouldn’t be surprised,” Horatio said. “Thanks for the heads-up, Speed. He didn’t hurt anyone at the lab, did he?”
 
“It looked like he wanted to, but you know how Calleigh gets that look in her eye when she’s stroking one of her guns?” Speed asked.
 
“She didn’t.”
 
“Oh hell yeah, she did,” Speed said. “The dude booked not long after that. But now I owe Delko ten bucks.”
 
Horatio snorted. “That’ll teach you to bet against Calleigh,” he said. “I’ll give you a call when this is all over, Speed. Thank you.”
 
“Take care of Sam,” Speed said. “I could care less about that jerk of a brother, but I know what losing Sam would do to you.”
 
“I will,” Horatio said. “Here, talk to him for a minute while I go get something.”
 
Sam took the phone. Horatio got up carefully and made his way into the house. Both he and Sam were wearing the amulets that Bobby had sent but he wanted his young lover to have one other protection. Horatio had kept it hidden since his mother’s funeral and had been planning to give it to Yelina to pass on to Ray Jr. someday but now it would serve a better purpose.
 
“Horatio, what’s going on?” Sam asked a couple of minutes later as he joined his lover in their bedroom.
 
“Will you wear something for me, Sam?” Horatio shut the drawer and turned, a small box in his hand.
 
“What is it?”
 
Horatio took Sam's hand and led him over to the bed. They sat down and Horatio handed over the box. “This was my mother’s,” he said. “She wore it every day and, after she died, it came to me. I’ve never been able to wear it because it holds too many painful memories for me, but I would be honored if you would wear it.”
 
Sam opened the box and took out a gold cross. “This looks old,” he said. “How long has it been in your family?”
 
“Generations,” Horatio replied with a smile. “Please, Sam?”
 
“Fasten it for me?”
 
Dean appeared in the doorway just in time to see Horatio press a kiss to the back of Sam’s neck. “There’s a black car outside,” he said.
 
“Show time,” Horatio said.
 
“I’ll stay back until the time is right,” Sam grinned. “Horatio, are you sure you want to try this?”
 
“I think it’s the best way to find out for sure,” Horatio said. “I’ll see you in a bit, love.”
 
“Be safe,” Sam said and kissed Horatio.
 
Horatio ran his fingers through Sam’s hair and smiled. He nodded to Dean and made his way down the hall just as the knocking started on the front door. Horatio licked his lips and took a deep breath before opening the door. “Are you Agent Hendrickson?” he asked.
 
“Yes.”
 
“Lieutenant Horatio Caine, one of my CSIs called and said you were on your way over,” Horatio said. “What can I do for you today?”
 
“You’re hiding two fugitives and I want them now,” Hendrickson said. He pushed his way past Horatio and managed five steps before he was brought up as if by an invisible wall.
 
Horatio grinned and moved around the FBI agent. “Then it is as we expected,” he said. “Sam asked me to tell you something, Hendrickson. He asked me to say, christo.”
 
And the agent’s eyes went a solid black.

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