Title: Wake Up Call
By: Bj Jones
Pairing: Speed/Horatio
Rating:PG-13
Summary: Horatio gets a wake up call.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. Various Executives, Producers and CBS own them. I'm not making any money just borrowing them for a few and will return them to the lab in short order.
Beta: Calypso what more can I say but Thank you...

~*~

Horatio tossed and turned, sleep evading him once again. He sighed as he rolled over and looked at the clock it was two in the morning. He rolled back onto his back and stared at the ceiling. The sound of gunshots echoed through his mind, the smell of gunpowder burned his nose. He growled and climbed out of bed.

He stood in the bathroom staring into the mirror. He finally looked away, not even able to look at himself, he stripped down and climbed into the shower. The hot water soothed his sore muscles; he braced himself against the wall and let the water pound his back and shoulders.

'I can't feel anything.' Horatio moaned as the voice echoed in his ears. 'Speed!'

Horatio turned off the shower, grabbed a towel ran it through his hair, throwing it onto the floor. He stepped out of the bathroom grabbed a fresh pair of sweats and slipped them on.

'I've got plenty of time for that.'

He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall. He pushed himself away from the wall and into the kitchen. He pulled down a bottle of scotch and grabbed a glass. He poured himself a generous amount then walked into the living room. He set the bottle down on the coffee table, and kept walking to the patio door. He leaned up against the wall looking out into the moon lit yard.

"Do you really think that will help?"

Horatio turned and looked at the figure by the bay window. The moonlight surrounded him with a heavenly glow, making his black hair look midnight blue. His pose was casual, hands in pocket, head cocked to the side; his dark eyes solemn and intense.

"No, but it should knock me out," Horatio turned back around.

"With a killer headache in the morning."

"That's the morning, I'm more concerned about right now," Horatio tossed back the drink.

"The Horatio I know doesn't drown his sorrows."

Horatio turned from the door, "Knew. Past tense."

"Is it really?"

"What the hell are you doing here?" Horatio glared at the young man.

"You called me."

Horatio grabbed the bottle off the coffee table, and poured another drink. "I called you?"

"Basically."

"And why the hell would I call you?" Horatio downed the second drink.

"Only you know."

Horatio poured a third drink, "These one liners are getting a little old." Horatio growled when the man smirked. "So why do you think I called you."

"Remorse, regret, but for what, only you know."

Horatio slammed the bottle down onto the table, his eyes wide. "That's rich coming from you." They young man shrugged never leaving his spot, his eyes never leaving Horatio. "You're the one who didn't clean his gun."

"My mistake, my consequence."

"Fuck that," Horatio growled. "We are living with that mistake."

"You shouldn't. It was mine to make and mine to live with."

"But you're not living with it, we are." Horatio glared his blue eyes grew dark.

"I'm sorry for that."

"Well it's a little late," Horatio slumped back into the couch.

"Is it?"

"What do you want?" Horatio voice was thick with pain.

"For you to see the truth."

Horatio's head snapped up, "What truth?"

"You're pissed at me for not cleaning my gun..."

"Well yeah," Horatio folded his arms waiting for him to continue.

"But that's not why you're sitting in your living room drinking a bottle of scotch at two in the morning."

"So why am I?" Horatio demanded.

"Cause you're pissed at yourself."

Horatio stood abruptly, "Fuck you."

"Your pissed you didn't check to see if I was cleaning my gun. You're pissed 'cause you didn't see the two gunmen. You're pissed because you waited too long."

Horatio grabbed the bottle and threw it at the wall, tears streamed down his face. "Why are you doing this to me?"

"You can't live like this."

"I can't live without you," Horatio voice pleaded. "I love you. But every time I close my eyes I see the pain in yours. I see your blood flowing out of you. And even then I couldn't tell you."

"I knew. I saw it in your eyes."

"And you're here, why?" Horatio gestured around his living room.

"But I'm really not here, am I?"

~*~

Horatio sat up in his bed, his alarm blaring at him. He slammed his fist down onto the clock. He stumbled into the bathroom, groaned at the sight in front of him. He took a quick shower, and then dressed for the day. He slipped on his glasses as he stepped out into the early morning Miami sun. He sat behind the wheel of the Hummer; another day had started.

He cursed his subconscious when he drove past the lab and headed farther into town. He sighed even harder as he parked at the allocated spot. He debated whether or not to get out of the Hummer. The dream last night was so real, but the pain waiting for him outside was real. Nothing had changed, and it never will.

He gathered up his strength and stepped out of the vehicle. He walked down the pathway, his steps loud to his own ears.

"Lt. Caine," The nurse smiled at him. "Haven't seen you in a while."

"Work keeps me busy," He gave her a tight smile. "Miami never closes."

"Go on in," She gave him a friendly pat on the arm.

Horatio stood at the hospital room door. In all accounts Speed should have died that day, but somehow he survived only to slip into a coma. It's been three months and he still hadn't woken-up. The doctors weren't sure if he would. So the higher ups made him find a replacement at the lab Ryan was a great CSI, but he wasn't Speed.

Horatio slipped into the chair next to the young man's bed. The nurse must have shaved him recently, though it still looked like he had a five o'clock shadow. The doctors had told him, it was good sign that Speed was breathing on his own, but not to get his hopes up. Speed had suffered a severe trauma, and even if he did wake up there would be lots of physical therapy. He had visited every day for the first couple of weeks, then every couple of days, until he just stopped coming.

"Hey Speed." Horatio took his hand, softly caressing the back of it. "I dreamed of you last night. Not my normal style dream when you make an appearance wearing nothing but leather pants." He laughed softly, as he glanced around the room. "God, Speed...I don't know what to say. I've harbored these feelings for so long, but last night was a wake up call. I've been acting as if you were dead, and you're not. God, I'm so pissed at you, why didn't you clean your gun? Why didn't I ask?" Horatio leaned his head down onto bed. "Why is it so hard for me to tell you I love you?"

"You just did," A pained whisper reached Horatio's ears.

Horatio sat up and looked at the bed, brown eyes looked back. "Speed?"

Speed smiled, "I knew. I saw it in your eyes." His eyes shined as he looked at Horatio. He tried to speak, but his eyes began to droop.

Horatio reached up and caressed the scruffy face, "Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

Speed shifted burrowing into Horatio's hand, "I'm sorry."

"Shush," Horatio soothed him until his eyes closed and his breathing became even.

He wiped the tears from his face as he walked into the hallway looking for the doctor. The doctor and nurses rushed into the room, leaving Horatio in the hallway. He leaned against the wall a smile on his face. He knew he should call the lab, but right now he just wanted to enjoy the sensation of seeing those brown eyes open and full of love looking at him.

~*~

Speed sat outside on the patio covered with a blanket. He was released from the hospital a few days ago, but wasn't allowed to work for another month at least. Between the physical therapy, check-ups and therapy appointments he was exhausted.

"Who knew being a sleep for three months would make someone so tired," He mumbled.

He turned when he heard a soft laugh behind him, "Your body just needs the time to adjust to being used again. Just give it some time, the physical therapy is helping."

Speed smiled at him, "I can think of one activity that would help."

Horatio sat down in the chair next to him, "Don't tempt me."

"Isn't that the point?" Speed grinned, pulling the blanket up. "I can't believe I'm cold and it's what? Ninety degrees outside?"

"Doctors said you're circulation will adjust," Horatio rubbed Speed's arm, and then sat back in his chair.

"Great, I'll probably freeze to death in the lab," Speed muttered as he curled under the blanket. "So what do I have to do to get you into bed?" He grinned at the redhead. "I do have leather pants."

"Did you hear everything I said?" Horatio shook his head.

"I think I was already coming out of it." Speed's tone became serious. "I was dreaming or I thought I was. I was here in your living room talking with you, except I've never been here before."

Horatio eyes went wide, "I was drinking Scotch."

Speed's head shot up, as he looked over at Horatio. "Yeah, downing it pretty fast. I tried to get you to..."

"See that avoiding you wasn't the answer nor was avoiding the real issue." Horatio stood up and walked over to him. He pulled Speed out of the chair and into his arms. "I love you."

Speed leaned his head onto Horatio's shoulder, "I love you too."

"We still have something we need to talk about," Horatio held him close.

"I know, but can it wait? I just want you to hold me." Speed mumbled into his shoulder.

"I'll hold you forever," Horatio kissed the side of his head.

 

 ~*~

Speed's hand tingled as he processed the crime scene. He flexed it to get the blood circulating back in his hand. It had been six months since he woke up from his coma, six long months of physical therapy and seeing a psychologist to finally clear him to go back into the field. Today was his first case back in the field, and of course it couldn't be simple.

"You okay?" Ryan squatted down next to him.

Speed smiled at the new kid, he liked Ryan. It was weird at first, knowing he had been hired to replace him, but over the past few months the two had gotten to know each other. Ryan stopped by to ask questions about some of Speed's cases he was taking care of, and the two talked. Over time they became friends. "The hand is a bit tingly, but okay."

"Shoulder?" He asked concerned. He knew how much Speed wanted to be back in the field and was worried he might have pushed it.

"Fine," Speed shrugged. "Just the hand – sometimes it goes a bit numb. Lucky for me it's my left hand."

Ryan nodded the smiled, "I found something interesting."

"Really," Speed eyed him carefully. "Good find or bad find."

"Good find considering it could be a break in the case," Ryan pulled up an evidence bag up. "Bad find because it just made our life hell."

"NCIS?" Speed looked at the badge.

"Naval Criminal Investigation Services," Horatio answered the question. "Our dead man is an agent."

"That's bad," Speed stood up focusing on Horatio.

"I've already called NCIS, they're sending down a team." Horatio looked away from Speed.

Speed cocked his head, "Hey, what's going on?"

"Not now Speed," Horatio snapped as he walked away.

Speed watched as Horatio walked away. He looked back at Ryan, who shrugged and collected his gear. Speed sighed, it was going to be along day.

~*~

"How's your case?" Calleigh smiled at Speed as she walked into the break room.

"Fine," Speed shrugged. "On hold till NCIS gets here."

"Then what's the matter?" Calleigh leaned up against the counter.

Speed sighed, "Horatio's acting weird."

"In what way?" Calleigh asked.

"Just...that, I don't know. When he found out it was a NCIS Agent he just got all quiet and moody." Speed sat down at the break room table.

Calleigh sat down across from him. The shooting had changed him, good and bad. He was quieter if that was possible, but smiled more. Once he started recovering fully, he had come to her and asked her to teach him about gun safety and use. She discovered that he had barely known how to clean a gun. Now he was a crack shot, and could handle a gun with the best of them. She wasn't sure if she liked the new development. He had lost something in that jewelry store, a sort of innocence. They saw violence everyday, but Speed had always distanced himself away from using violence. And now he had no hesitation in pulling his gun.

The good development was his relationship with Horatio. Horatio settled him; she could see that he was content with his life, happy. The same with Horatio, Speed grounded him gave him a balance between work and home.

"He's probably just worried about jurisdiction and stuff." Calleigh assured him.

"I don't know," Speed looked out to the lab to see Horatio talking to an older man. Speed moved away from the table and towards the window to get a closer look at the unknown person.

"Who's that?" Calleigh stepped up next to Speed.

"I don't know," Speed watched the exchange. Speed's heart contracted when Horatio looked down and away, a small blush on his face. Horatio looked back up at the older man a bright smile on his face. "I got to go." Speed chocked as he left the break room.

Calleigh's eyes narrowed at the two men. She would find out what the hell is going on. After the shooting, Speed's confidence dwindled to almost nothing. He was now just starting to be confident in his work, but also in his relationship with Horatio. He had confided in her early on in the relationship, that he thanked God every day for Horatio, because he knew deep down he didn't deserve him, and one day he would be gone.

~*~

"Horatio," Ryan walked up to the two men.

"Ryan," Horatio smiled at him. "I want to introduce you to Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs, NCIS. He will be working the case with us."

"Pleasure to meet you," Ryan held out his hand. "Horatio have you seen Speed? I have some evidence I want him to look over."

"No, I haven't," Horatio shook his head. "Try the Trace Lab."

"I did," Ryan informed him.

"Page him and have him meet us in the Trace Lab; we can get NCIS caught up." Horatio turned back to Gibbs. "Your team near by?"

"Should be coming up any time now," Gibbs looked over at the elevator. The doors opened and two young men and a woman stepped out.

"You're good," Horatio grinned.

"But you already knew that," Gibbs smirked at Horatio, who blushed just a bit.

Ryan frowned at the exchanged. "I'll go page Speed." He nodded to the agents as they walked up to the two leaders.

"Boss," Tony gave Gibbs a hesitant smile.

"DiNozzo," Gibbs answered short and abrupt. "Kate, McGee – this is Horatio Caine. He's the day shift supervisor."

Tony looked the redhead over as he shook his hand, "Tony DiNozzo."

"Welcome to Miami," Horatio shook each of their hands. "My teams should be in the Trace Lab with the evidence. I can take you down to the autopsy room later so you can talk with our ME."

Horatio led the team into the labs, he was happy to see Speed in the room. He frowned slightly at Speed's closed expression. His eyes were dark and unreadable. He was also clear across the room with Ryan in between them, "Speed, Ryan – let me introduce you to the NCIS Agents." Horatio started with Gibbs, "Agent Jethro Gibbs, Agent Tony DiNozzo, Agent Kate Todd, and Agent Tim McGee."

Speed nodded in greeting, but nothing more. Ryan smiled and gave a quick wave hello. "What do you have so far?" Kate asked, sensing the tension in the room.

Ryan looked at Speed, who stayed quiet. Ryan shrugged. "The victim was found just outside the everglades. He had been there a while according to our ME, maybe a week or more." Ryan picked up a few pieces of paper. "We found a plastic type residue on his legs..."

"It's Polyurethane Resin mostly used in making molds," Speed interrupted. "There is a factory in the area that makes and sales the Polyurethane Resin. I've contacted them to get a contact list of customers; so far it looks like a large list, from large distributors to small artisans."

"That's odd," McGee spoke out loud. He looked over at Gibbs, "What would an Agent being doing with molds?"

"Depends on what the molds were of, McGee." Gibbs answered him. "DiNozzo check out what Agent Lawrence was working on. McGee, work with Ryan on the list of customers." Gibbs turned to Horatio, "Need to see Agent Lawrence's place of residence."

Horatio nodded, "I can take you out there." Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Speed's eyes darken.

"My ME needs to talk to your ME," Gibbs smiled. "Can you arrange that?"

"Speed," Horatio turned to the younger man.

"Sure, H." Speed walked out of the Trace Lab without a second glance. Horatio eye's followed him concerned.

"Kate look over all the evidence they have, give it another perspective." Gibbs told her as the two men headed out of the lab.

"My team is very capable, Jethro." Horatio informed him as they walked out. "No need to be checking over my shoulder."

"Just being through," Gibbs responded.

"And you wonder why other agencies don't like you," Horatio slipped his glasses on as they headed out toward the hummer.

"No, I don't wonder." Gibbs smiled, Horatio laughed.

~*~

Speed stepped out into the cool night air. He sighed and leaned up against the retaining wall. He hadn't seen Horatio all day, and his feelings were in turmoil. He could tell there was a history with Agent Gibbs and Horatio, a romantic one. Horatio only gets that slight blush when something truly personal is talked about. He had always found it endearing.

"You didn't know?" Kate's voice reached Speed's ears. Speed slipped farther into the darkness. "Gibbs has a thing for redheads."

"But..." Speed recognized McGee's voice.

"You have a problem with who the redhead is?" Kate asked. "You're dating Abby, you of all people shouldn't have a problem if the redhead is male."

"No...I thought...Tony." McGee stammered.

"Tony? You thought Gibbs and Tony?" Kate laughed slightly. "Tony is a skirt chaser."

"But have you ever seen him catch one?" McGee pointed out. "He's always glued to Gibbs, and the two almost have a secret code between them."

"I admit, Tony gets Gibbs, but there's nothing going on with them." Kate stated firmly, "Seems like Gibbs has got his eyes on Mr. Caine. There is definitely a history with them, the two ooze sexual tension."

"I think Mr. Caine is taken," McGee sounded unsure. "I mean he kept looking at Speed."

"What type of nickname is that anyway?" Kate wondered. "I bet he rides a bike."

"His name is Timothy Speedle," McGee informed her. "Hence Speed."

"Fine," Kate shrugged. "But why do you think there's something between Horatio and Speed."

"He called him H," McGee pointed out, "And just a vibe."

"The same one you have with Tony and Gibbs?" Kate smiled.

"I'm telling you something is going on between them," McGee stated firmly.

"All I know is Gibbs and Caine left hours ago..." Kate voice trailed off, Speed heard the side door closed with a loud bang then silence.

Speed tried to control his emotions, but was failing miserably. Speed turned the corner to see Gibbs talking to Horatio quietly next to his hummer. He watched in sick fascination as Gibbs pulled Horatio into a searing kiss. His world stopped, his heart shattered. The pain was worse than the gunshot wound to the chest. He turned and headed back into the labs, his life might be in ruins but a case still had to be solved. Calleigh and Ryan found him a few minutes later. He gave them a tight smile and tried to brush off their concern.

"Speed, honey," Alexx's voice filtered into his daze. "What are you still doing here?"

Speed looked down at the evidence, he closed his eyes trying to concentrate but only saw Gibbs and Horatio. "I..." His voice cracked.

"Honey, come on." Alexx pulled him out of the lab towards the locker room. "Go home, Horatio can..."

Speed jerked out of her embrace, "He can go to hell." Speed stormed down the hall.

Alexx eyes followed him, concern written on her face. She went to find the rest of the team. "What the hell is going on?" She demanded.

Calleigh and Ryan shrugged, "Don't know."

"Okay, what's up with Speed?" Eric asked as he walked in. "He just brushed past me; I asked if he was okay and he told me to get away from him. He got on his bike and took off."

Calleigh looked out the lab windows to see Gibbs and DiNozzo arguing outside.

~*~

"Boss," Tony voice was low almost a growl.

"DiNozzo," Gibbs looked at the agent.

"Look," Tony got up into his face. "I know you have a thing for redheads. I know you don't care if they're man or woman. And, I'm betting good money you have a history with Caine. But back off."

"What right do you have?" Gibbs demanded.

"Speed," Tony growled slightly. "You know Caine's lover. He saw you kissing Caine."

Gibbs looked down, "It's was two old lovers..."

"No, it was you being pissed at me!" Tony shoved a finger into his chest. "You've got it stuck in your pea-brain that I stepped out on you with Paul, so to punish me, your flirting with an ex-lover. Except you're not just hurting me, you've about destroyed an innocent bystander in your little vindication." Tony growled. "Did you know Speed had been shot nine months ago, and that he was in a coma for three months? That the past six months Horatio has never left his side? That this was his first case back in the field? No! You didn't." Tony took a deep breath. "I love you Jethro. I put up with your shit and your rules because I want to be with you. Nothing happened with Paul. He was an old friend, nothing more just a friend. But you wouldn't listen to me - you had it wrapped up neatly in your head that I cheated on you. And to punish me, you made sure I saw you kissing Caine. Well congrats it worked, it hurt, but now you might have ruined a perfectly normal relationship."

"Tony," Gibbs voice dropped, shocked at Tony's outburst.

The two had entered a relationship a couple of months ago. Gibbs never felt comfortable with Tony's love for him. He set rules and boundaries to protect himself. He knew Tony would find someone younger and leave him so he just prepared for the worse. When he had seen Tony at a diner with a nice looking younger man, he knew he had lost Tony.

The fight was huge. Tony walked into the house a small smile on his face, and Gibbs ripped into him, accusing Tony of cheating on him. Tony denied it, stating Paul was a friend from college – a happily married friend. Gibbs refused to listen, and pointed out that he was married at one point. Tony had thrown back three times to be exact. The argument had escalated only to be interrupted by a phone call from Horatio; a NCIS Agent had been found dead in the everglades and figured he would want in on the case.

He hadn't seen Horatio in years; the two had a small affair over four years ago, and had split on good terms. The distance put a strain on them, and their jobs had always came first. Seeing the redhead had brought back good memories. He didn't even ask if Horatio had moved on, he just pursued the redhead mercilessly. He didn't realize consciously that he was using Horatio to hurt Tony, and in the end he actually hurt Horatio. Tony's rant finally woke up something inside of him, something he buried. He knew his fears controlled his actions. He loved Tony and was terrified Tony would leave him. So he pushed first, and now he may have lost the best thing that ever happened to him, and destroyed a good friend and his relationship along the way.

"Look we have a case, and I..." Tony paused to regroup. "I'm sorry for doing this here..."

"Tony..." Gibbs rested his hand on Tony's arm. He was determined to fix this situation.

"Not now," Tony took a deep breath. "Kate might have a lead on the molds."

"We need to talk about this," Gibbs voice wavered.

"Yes we do," Tony acknowledged.

"Do we even have a chance to salvage this?" Gibbs asked honestly.

"Do you love me?" Tony asked his eyes bearing into Gibbs's eyes.

"Yes," Gibbs nodded, admitting it for the first time to himself and Tony.

"Do you trust me?" Tony asked his voice full of emotion.

Gibbs looked into Tony's eyes, seeing for the first time the love shining in his eyes. "Yes."

"Then we have a chance to salvage this," Tony nodded with a small smile. Gibbs heart did a flip-flop over that smile.

"Let's get this case solved, let me fix my mess, then you, me and a small cabin so we can talk." Gibbs whispered softly.

Tony gave him a true smile, "I do love you."

"It scares me," Gibbs was honest with him.

"That's a start." Tony turned and headed back into the lab.

~*~

Horatio walked up to his team, concerned at not seeing Speed, "Where's Speed?"

"Why don't you tell us?" Calleigh demanded. "He ran out of here like a bat out of hell."

Alexx stepped up to Horatio, hands on her hips eyes flashing, "When I began to suggest he go home, so you could take care of him; he got agitated and said that you could go to hell."

"He took off on his bike not ten minutes ago, and looked extremely upset. This is Speed we're talking about. He doesn't show his emotions so openly." Eric pointed out.

"Look it's obvious you have a history with Agent Gibbs," Ryan added to the conversation. "Speed's been agitated all day, then you disappear with Gibbs. How do you expect him to respond?"

Horatio looked at his team, there was a reason he hired them – they were good at what they do. They were also very protective of each other, especially of Speed since the shooting. And right now he was the threat and they were circling the wagons. "Are you four done?"

They just all glared back at him, "I'm going to go find Speed. Ryan, catch Eric and Calleigh up on the case. Go meet the NCIS team down in the layout room, Agent Todd might have found some information that could be useful."

Ryan nodded, he caught the other two CSI's eyes and they headed down into the labs. Alexx stayed behind hands firmly on her hips, stance indicating she wasn't going anywhere. "You better fix this."

"Alexx," Horatio cocked his head, a warning tone in his voice.

"Speed loves you," Alexx stepped up to him, ignoring the tone. "Don't let an old love destroy what you have now."

"What Gibbs and I had was over years ago. Speed is my life." Horatio informed her. "I need to find him."

~*~

Horatio found him where he suspected he would be, he could see Speed's bike parked at the foot of the small trail. A month after Speed had woken up; Horatio had brought him to this small hideaway. He could tell Speed had been getting antsy and felt enclosed at the townhouse. The small-secluded spot was a great place to get away – not too far for Speed to walk to, but far enough away that no one ever really stumbled upon it. They had sat and talked looking over the everglades. They talked about the dirty gun, Horatio's hidden feelings, their future, and their pasts. He had made love to Speed for the first time that night when they had gotten home.

He walked down the path his eyes focused on the dark hair highlighted by the moonlight.

"I know your there," Speed's voice filtered down the trail.

"What's going on Speed?" Horatio walked up to the young man.

Speed gave a short sarcastic laugh, "Do you love me?"

Horatio took a step back in shock at Speed's tone. It was filled with pain and laced with anger. "You're everything to me."

"What about Agent Gibbs?" Speed still hadn't turned around.

Horatio sighed, "I should have told you. We had a small fling, nothing really serious. It only lasted six months. It was over, years ago."

"Yet, you didn't tell me about him," Speed stated. "Do you still have feelings for him?"

"No," Horatio stepped up closer to Speed his hand resting on Speed's shoulder.

Speed jerked out of his reached. He turned around eyes blazing, "No? So the kiss by the hummer, was it a hello or a goodbye kiss?"

Horatio's arm dropped to his side. "It was neither, it was unwanted." Horatio reached out Speed stepped back. "I didn't tell you about him, because it wasn't important, or at least in my mind it wasn't. It was never really anything and had been over for years. I should have realized something was up; by the way he was acting with me. He just knows how to push my buttons."

Speed turned away, "How many buttons did he push?"

Horatio stepped in front of Speed, making Speed look at him. "I love you. When he kissed me I pushed him away, told him that I had someone in my life. Someone I love more than life itself. Speed, I'm sorry," Horatio voice was low and had a pleading quality to it that Horatio hated.

Speed looked into his eyes, "It hurt Horatio."

Horatio didn't look away from the pain filled eyes, "I swear it was nothing. My life is with you."

Speed searched the blue eyes as he reached up wiped the small tear that had fallen. Speed took a deep breath, his eyes flashed, "You're mine Horatio Caine." He pulled the redhead towards him, claiming his lips into a bruising kiss. Speed demanded entrance, Horatio opened up willing. Speed's tongue mapped out each section of his mouth reminding Horatio whom he was with, who he belonged to. Horatio pulled the younger man to him, moaning in pleasure as Speed sucked on his tongue.

Horatio pulled back breathing heavily, not used to this side of Speed, but enjoyed being dominated, "I'm yours." He felt Speed bite down on the juncture between his shoulder and neck, marking him for all to see. Speed stepped back admiring his work, a bruise was starting to form at the base of Horatio's neck. Horatio placed his hand on Speed's cheek, "I'm..."

Speed laid his finger across his lips, "You apologized. I should have just asked, but seeing...I thought I had lost you. I came out here to get my emotions into check. When I heard the hummer pull up, I knew I wasn't letting you go - not without a serious fight."

"I'm not leaving," Horatio pulled Speed back into his arms. "So how's your first case back in the field?"

Speed snorted, laughing into Horatio's shoulder, "Can I go back on sick leave?"

Horatio grinned at him, "You ready to go back?"

"Yeah," Speed smiled. "I had an idea about the molds."

Speed began to walk down the path; Horatio grabbed him and kissed him passionately. "We're okay?"

Speed kissed him softly, nibbling on Horatio's bottom lip, "Yeah, we're okay. Just don't expect me to be friendly with Agent Gibbs."

Horatio closed his eyes, a shutter passed through him. How close had he come to loosing the best thing in his life? He opened his eyes to see Speed's small smile, a smile he knew conveyed so much emotion – so much love. "I love you."

Speed smirked, his playfulness coming out, "I know."

Horatio kissed him again, a laugh escaping. "We need to get back. You want to leave your bike here?"

"Hell no, I'll meet you there." Speed mounted his bike, sensually running his hands along the handlebars. He grinned at Horatio's low groan. He revved up the engine, letting it idle softly. He gave Horatio a mock salute and took off down the street. Horatio watched him; he loved and despised that bike. He loved the way Speed looked on it, the way he rode it, but hated how dangerous it was, how much Speed enjoyed the wind in his hair. He got back into the hummer, a case needed to be solved – then he was going to have words with an old friend.

~*~

Tony smirked when Horatio and Speed walked into the layout room, the bruise on Horatio's neck clearly indicated where he belonged. His smirk got larger when he caught Gibbs's expression over the new mark. Speed stepped next to Horatio his eyes indicating to Gibbs to back off or else. Tony smiled at Speed; he really liked the Trace Expert.

Eric, Calleigh and Ryan looked between the two men and smiled. No words were needed. They knew everything was as it should be, "We got a lead on the molds." Ryan explained to Horatio.

"Agent Lawrence was working on a missing person case, when we think he stumbled upon a larger operation." Kate clicked on the project showing a picture of a small factory. "World Dolls is a small company that makes porcelain dolls that represent cultures from around the world. He tracked the missing Navy officer to the warehouse, where he stumbled upon a smuggling operation."

"Do we know what they are smuggling?" Horatio asked.

"Drugs," Tony and Speed said at the same time.

They both looked at each other, "Agent DiNozzo." Speed motioned for him to continue.

"Remember the movie Traffic?" He looked around the room. "Seems like someone figured out how to actually pull it off."

"DiNozzo," Gibbs voice was a warning. "What are you babbling about?"

"In the movie they found a way to dissolve cocaine into a moldable substance and smuggle it across the boarder undetected in the shape of dolls." Speed finished for Tony a smile on his face.

"What better way to smuggle drugs in and out of the country but with dolls that represent various foreign countries. The nationality of the doll reflects where the shipment is headed or where it came from." Tony continued explaining.

"What about the missing Navy Officer?" Horatio asked. "Is he involved or a victim?"

"Not even related," Kate clicked the picture. "They found our missing Navy Officer in the Keys – a woman on one arm and a bottle of rum on the other."

"Hey, my kind of guy," Eric grinned, Calleigh smacked him, a smile on her face.

"Then what was his connection to the factory that led Lawrence there?" Calleigh asked.

"His brother worked at the factory, but he was with his brother in the keys so he isn't involved." Ryan answered Calleigh's question.

"So Lawrence went to see our Navy guy's brother, stumbled into a cocaine ring and was killed for it, but both brothers were just out partying in the Keys?" McGee confirmed.

"Basically," Tony nodded. "Now all we need to do is get a warrant and raid the factory."

~*~

The sun was setting on the Miami skyline. The raid was a success; they had found evidence of not just to the cocaine smuggling but also to the NCIS Agent's murder. Horatio smiled contently as he watched the last of the swat team clear out the factory. Speed, Calleigh, Eric and Ryan were off to the side, basking in the glow of a job well done. Speed looked over at him and smiled. Horatio took a deep breath and smiled back, happy, content with his life. He had Speed and the bad guys were behind bars.

"You look like the cat that ate the canary," Gibbs commented as he walked up to the redhead.

"More like the cat that put the canary back into its cage," Horatio smiled. "I have a question for you?"

"Am I going to like it?" Gibbs paused a few feet from Horatio.

"No," Horatio turned to him. "What was last night?"

"My fears and stupidity," Gibbs acknowledged.

"You used me," Horatio cocked his head his eyes focusing on Speed.

"Yes," Gibbs answered honestly.

Horatio paused turning back to Gibbs, "I value you as a friend, Jethro, but if you ever do this to me again. It won't be a baseball bat upside your head."

"I'm sorry," Gibbs stated sincerely.

"It's not me you need to be apologizing to," Horatio walked away heading for his team. Speed watched the interaction but kept silent. They would talk about it later.

~*~

Speed mounted his bike, happy to be heading home. These past few days had been hard and grueling, he was tired and just wanted to go home. He felt a shadow fall on him. He looked up to see Agent Gibbs standing there patiently.

"Agent Gibbs," Speed's voice was calm and controlled.

"Can I have a moment of your time?" Gibbs asked. Speed nodded leaning back a bit in his seat. Gibbs paused; he hated these types of conversations. But ever since Tony entered his life, he seemed to be having more and more of them. "My behavior...I'm sorry."

"You're not good at this are you?" Speed smirked at the Agent.

"At what?" Gibbs asked annoyed.

"Apologizing," Speed grinned at the darkened look on the Agent. "Look, I don't care what your reasons where – just stay away from Horatio, matter of fact, stay out of Miami." Speed started up the bike then looked back at Gibbs, "Piece of advice Agent Gibbs." Gibbs raised his eyebrow in question. "Get your head out of your ass and see what's in front of you before you end up alone with your boat."

Speed smirked at the Agents expression. Agent Gibbs didn't need to know that Speed had a long conversation with one Tony DiNozzo that the two bonded over fish tacos and cold beer. Speed grinned; Gibbs was in for a surprise. Tony was not letting go of him easily, and Gibbs' life was going to change drastically.

In the mean time he had more important matters to deal with; he gunned the bike and took off out of the parking lot. He had a redhead waiting for him at home. One who promised to cook dinner while wearing the apron Speed had bought him, and only the apron.