Title: Color Blind
By: Bj Jones
Pairing: Horatio/Speed
Rating: NC-17
Summary: CSI Speedle’s world is bland and colorless – tell an artist opened his eyes.
Disclaimer: I think we all know I don't own them and the reasons why. They are owned by various executives, producers, writers and studios that have more lawyers than I want to mess with. I'm not making any money just borrowing them for a bit and promise to return them.
Beta: Kay (Joe)

~*~

Lieutenant Speedle looked down at the young victim. "What do we have, Alexx?"

"A young man, gone too soon from this world." Alexx smoothed back his hair. "From what I can tell, blunt force trauma."

He looked around the small apartment. "Artist?"

"Looks like it," Eric called from the other side of the room. "A sculptor to be exact I'm finding clay and various molds."

"Anything that could be used as a murder weapon?" Speedle asked.

"Not that I've found so far." Eric looked over at him. "Ryan is talking with the neighbors."

Calleigh walked into the crime scene. "Well, someone didn't like his work."

"Let's find out who his critic was." Speedle slipped on his sunglasses and headed out of the apartment.

~*~

Lt. Speedle rubbed his tired eyes as he leaned back in his chair. He had been reading reports for over three hours.

"I finished the autopsy report."

He smiled at her. "Thank you, Alexx."

"Blunt force trauma." She handed him the report. "It left an impression I made a mold of it and sent it to Ryan in Trace. Find the murder weapon and we'll probably be able to match it."

"Good." He glanced over the report.

"Honey." Alexx sat down in front of the desk. "You should go home and rest."

"After I finish these reports," Speedle said.

"Speed." Alexx got up and laid a hand on his arm.

"Don't." Speed looked up at her. "I know you're concerned..."

"It's been six months," she sighed. "You have to let him go."

"I have," Speed growled. "I just... the house is empty and... too many memories."

Alexx felt his pain. She had been, actually still was, pissed that Michael just upped and left. She had been the one Speed called. She had gone over to their house to find Speed slumped on the stairs. Michael's stuff was gone; he held a note in his hand. 'Tim, I'm sorry. I just can't do it anymore.' "Honey..."

"I'll go over this. Then I promise I'll go home," Speed said.

"See you tomorrow." She leaned over and kissed the top of his head.

"You mother me too much." Speed gave her a soft smile.

"Someone has to," Alexx pointed out as she headed out the door. She just wished Speed would find someone that would take care of him. If she ever got hold of Detective Michael Bernstein, he was a dead man. He had hurt her baby.

~*~

Speed sighed as he walked into the quiet house. He looked around at the drab walls. There was no life in the house. It had once been filled with music, laughter, joy, but no more, now it was colorless.

He had been one of the youngest Lieutenants. They had promoted him on Megan's suggestion. She wanted her position to go to someone she had trained. He passed all of the exams and got his gold shield. He recruited Ryan out of patrol and built one of the finest CSI teams in Miami.

He had actually been content with life. He had been with Michael for three years. He had thought he had found the one to spend his life with. Then he just left. No word. No reason why. Speed figured he had just had been too hard to handle. The job got to him sometimes, made his more cynical personality come out. Sometimes he would drop into his old habits of depression.

He tossed his keys, badge, and gun onto the dresser and stripped out of his suit. He missed the days of jeans and t-shirts. After a long soak in the shower he pulled on some sweat pants and sat down at the kitchen table. He pulled out the reports and started going over them.

His insomnia was back. He hadn't told Alexx, it would only worry her. The woman worried more for him than his own mother. He glanced through Ryan's notes jotting down some questions. He yawned and looked up at the clock; it was past two in the morning. He closed the files and headed to bed, hoping to get at least a few hours of sleep.

~ Morning ~

"Ryan?" Speed walked up to the young CSI.

"Yes?" Ryan looked up from the evidence he was processing. "I'm running the mold Alexx gave me, hoping to figure out what instrument was used. If we know what was used, maybe we can find it."

"Good, let me know how that goes. I have question from your notes." Speed looked up at him.

"About?" Ryan asked, concerned. "I took detailed notes..."

"I know, it's not that." Speed laid the report on the table. "This note here about neighbor in the apartment below the victim."

"He's blind." Ryan looked up at Speed. "He didn't see anything. I mean he couldn't... you know what I mean."

"Did he hear anything?" Speed asked.

Ryan blinked at him. "I didn't ask. I mean he's blind, so he couldn't give us a description."

"But he would know the noises from the apartment building, would recognize an off sound like a different car or shoes." Speed pointed out. "Just because he's blind doesn't mean he didn't see anything."

"I'm sorry..." Ryan hesitated.

"It's okay Ryan," Speed smiled. "I'll go out and talk with him. Let me know what you get on the mold."

~*~

Speed slipped off his sunglasses and knocked on the door. He could hear footsteps and waited as the front door opened. Speed hadn't been prepared to be stunned by the occupant.

"Yes?"

"Mr. Caine?" Speed asked, covering his surprised reaction.

"Yes, who is it?" Caine demanded.

"I'm Lieutenant Timothy Speedle with the Crime Lab." Speed held up his badge up and then promptly smacked himself. "My badge is near your right hand if you want to feel it."

Caine cocked his head slightly, his hand reached out to the badge. He gripped it lightly his thumb going over the gold shield. "How can I help you?"

"Do you know a Victor Thompson?" Speed put his badge away.

"Do you want to come in?" Caine opened the door wider. "I don't want to leave my paints out for too long, they dry out."

"Thank you Mr. Caine." Speed entered the apartment. Once again stunned, this time at the beauty and color of the place. He was speechless.

"Please, call me Horatio." Horatio walked by him and towards a section of the apartment that was set up as an art studio.

"Horatio." Speed admired the man. He moved with ease not letting his blindness handicap him.

"I do know Victor Thompson. He was a student of mine." Horatio sat down at the pedestal. His hands feeling for the paint brush. He picked up the brush and turned towards the canvas. His fingers lightly caressed it as if refreshing his memory of the painting. He paused, then brought up the paint brush and began painting.

"Do you have any idea who would want to kill him?" Speed asked, standing where he was watching him paint, mesmeroized by the fluid strokes.

"Lt. Speedle if you wouldn't mind moving out from behind me, I prefer to look at people while I talk with them." Horatio turned his head towards the CSI.

"Sorry." Speed moved to stand near by the artist. "Did he have any arguments with anyone?"

"He had a bad break-up with his ex-girlfriend," Horatio sighed, putting down the brush and feeling for another. Speed watched the elegant fingers slide over the brushes till he found the right one. "His brother and he always argued, but nothing really bad."

Speed took the moment and studied the artist. Vibrant red hair, lean frame, strong hands, he wondered what color his eyes were. He was very beautiful. Speed shook his head and concentrated on his job.

"Done studying me?" Horatio asked, turning towards Speed.

Speed blushed. "Sorry."

"I'm used to it," Horatio shrugged turning back to the canvas, his fingers once again ghosting over it. "People think that since I can't see, I can't tell when they're staring. I know the difference though between admiration and morbid curiosity."

"I was wondering if you heard anything out of place the night before last?" Speed got back on subject.

"Hear?" Horatio asked.

"You know the sounds of your building, your comfort zone," Speed pointed out, sitting down on a stool. "You would know if something was different."

Horatio frowned, his head slightly cocked as if concentrating. "I remember someone running down the back stairs. It was early morning before dawn. I thought it was odd at the time. But I don't remember a sound of a car."

"Heavy steps?" Speed asked.

"Hurried, almost as if skipping steps," Horatio informed him.

"How many people use those back stairs?" Speed questioned, pulling out his cell phone.

"Not many. it leads to the train yards behind us."

"Eric," Speed said into the phone. "I want you to grab Calleigh and Ryan and head back to the crime scene. Check the back staircase for shoe prints. And then check the train yard in the back. I'm already here." He hung up the phone. "Thank you, Horatio, this could be very helpful."

"Can I ask you a question Lieutenant Speedle?" Horatio asked.

"Sure," Speed shrugged.

"Most wouldn't consider me a witness since I can't see, but you did. Why?" he wondered.

"It's a known fact that when you lose one sense the others compensate. Being blind you wouldn't be able to visually comfort yourself to your surroundings, but you could by hearing. And if something was off you would know it," Speed answered.

"Thank you." Horatio was very sincere in his statement. "Most law enforcement wouldn't consider me an asset."

"I'm not most law enforcement," Speed said.

"True, a young Lieutenant, hand picked by your mentor." Horatio grinned knowing there was a shocked expression on the CSI's face.

"How?" Speed demanded.

"I used to be on the force, I worked with Megan before I went to bomb squad," Horatio explained.

"Wait, Horatio Caine. I should have realized, I'm sorry," Speed sighed. "You lost your sight when a flash bomb went off unexpected."

"Fried my optic nerves," Horatio shrugged. "I've moved on."

Speed looked around the apartment. "Artist? How? If you don't mind me asking."

"I can see it in my head." Horatio turned towards the canvas his fingers following the colors on it. "My paints and brushes are labeled with Braille, so I can keep them straight."

"It's beautiful," Speed said with awe. "The color is very powerful."

Horatio faced Speeds direction. "You sound as if ... your life held no color."

Speed turned to leave. "Thank you, Mr. Caine."

"Wait," Horatio called after him. "I didn't mean to offend you."

Speed paused at the door. He didn't know why, but what Horatio said affected him. "I have a case to solve."

"Who hurt you?" Horatio asked.

Speed turned around and looked at the ex-cop. "Everyone. Thank you for your help. I'll have one of my CSIs contact you for more information." He opened the door and left. He didn't know why, but it hurt more than finding Michael gone.

~ A Week Later ~

"Honey." Alexx looked at him with concern.

"I'm fine Alexx," Speed smiled.

"No, you're not." Alexx glared at him, her hands on her hips. "Eric told me you fell asleep in the break room."

"It's been a long week," Speed shrugged.

"Are you sleeping?" Alexx asked her eyes searching his.

Speed looked down. "Yes."

"Don't lie to me," Alexx demanded.

"I'm having some insomnia," Speed sighed. "And when I do sleep I dream."

"About?" Alexx asked.

"You wouldn't understand." How could he explain it to her, when he himself didn't understand? His dreams were in vivid color. He was surrounded by bright canvases. All he could see was vibrant red hair and piercing blue eyes. Eyes that saw him like no other. He had looked up Horatio's file when he had got back to the station, just to see a picture of his eyes. Now they haunted him.

"Speed." Eric walked up to the pair.

Speed thanked God for the distraction. "Yes?"

"Horatio Caine is here to see you," Eric informed him. "He's in your office."

Alexx watched the color fade from Speed's face. "Tim?"

"He helped with the Thompson case. It was his lead that helped us find the evidence," Speed explained. "I'll go see and what he wants."

Eric and Alexx watched him walk away. "Okay, what's going on?"

"I have no idea, honey. No idea," Alexx sighed.

~*~

Speed walked into the office and took a moment to admire the redhead. He was wearing a pair of jeans that looked worn and soft, a button down blue shirt, a simple pair of boots, and the ever present sunglasses. He stood by the window leaning on his cane just slightly.

"Done studying me?" He turned towards Speed.

Speed tried not to smile. "Just wondering why you're here?"

"I heard you arrested Victor's murderer," Horatio said.

"Yes, we did." Speed moved towards his desk. "With your information we found a shoe print on the stairs and tracks to the train yard."

"So it's true, she did kill him?" Horatio's voice dropped.

Speed sighed. "You knew she had a meth habit?"

"Lately, when the two would stop by, she had an off smell. It took me a while to remember where I had smelled it before." Horatio turned back towards the window. "He had broken up with her, but I never thought..."

"She wanted money," Speed explained. "She broke in to steal one of his pieces, he caught her and she hit him with a small awards statue."

Horatio shook his head. "He was a good kid."

"Is there anything I can help you with Mr. Caine?" Speed asked.

"Dinner?" Horatio asked. "And technically I'm not a witness, so you can't say it's inappropriateness because of the case."

Speed open and closed his mouth. "I..."

"Just dinner." Horatio reached out his hand towards Speed. "I would like to get to know you."

"Why?" Speed leaned into the touch.

"You intrigue me. I can hear so much emotion in your voice." Horatio trailed his hand up Speed's arm to his shoulder. "Plus, you're a good looking man."

Speed eyebrow rose. "And how would you know that?"

"I remember you vaguely from the lab; dark hair and eyes, scruffy looking. Do you still ride a bike?" Horatio asked, his hand moving to cup Speed's cheek. "Ah, still scruffy."

Speed smiled Horatio's hand warm on his cheek. "Yes, I do still ride a bike."

"That's good because I need a ride home." Horatio smiled. "And as a good police officer of Miami-Dade you wouldn't let a blind man fend for himself."

Speed couldn't help but be pulled into the warmth Horatio was offering. "What about the dinner you offered?"

"I can cook for you." Horatio didn't move, he didn't want to break the spell.

"A man of many talents," Speed whispered.

"I have a few more hidden." Horatio fingers ran along Speed's chin.

Speed swallowed his heart rate had sped up his skin was tingling at Horatio touch. "Can you ride?"

Horatio grinned. "Wrap myself around you and hold on."

Speed groaned at the image. He wanted nothing more than to taste Horatio's lips, he wondered if they were as soft as his voice. He stepped back still aware of their surroundings. Unfortunately, his office over looked the lab and was made of glass. "Let me change, I normally don't wear a suit while riding."

"Go ahead," Horatio stepped back. "It's not like I can sneak a peak."

Speed blushed. "Maybe not, but the lab would get an eyeful."

"Glass walls," Horatio smiled. "They might appreciate it."

Speed shook his head. "I have to keep some sort of dignity with them."

"I'll wait here for you." Horatio smiled.

"I'll be right back." Speed grabbed the bag by his couch and headed down to the locker room to quickly change.

~*~

Horatio knew that it would get around that he was at the lab, so he wasn't surprised when he heard the door open, not soon after Speed had left. He turned towards the door. He recognized that smell. "Alexx?"

"Horatio." Alexx closed the door behind her. "When Eric said Horatio Caine I knew it had to be you, there's only one Horatio Caine that I know of."

"God, I hope so," Horatio grinned. "How are you?"

"Good and you?" she asked, walking over and laying a hand on his arm before giving him a kiss on the cheek.

"Not too bad." He shrugged. "I sold a few pieces last year."

"A few?" Alexx chided. "Horatio you had a gallery open and are considered an up and coming artist."

Horatio blushed. "It's not much really."

"Your work is beautiful." Alexx's voice held a sense of awe. "If you don't mind me asking what are you doing here?"

"Trying to convince Lieutenant Speedle to have dinner with me." Horatio smiled.

Alexx frowned slightly. "Horatio...Speed's..."

"Speed?" Horatio smirked. "Nickname I take it."

"It fits him," Alexx agreed. "You should know that..."

"Oh, I see," Horatio said. "You've adopted him. Don't want me hurting your baby."

"No, I don't," she answered honestly. "He's just getting over a bad breakup."

"The person hurt him badly." Horatio said. "I can hear it in his voice. There's something about him, Alexx. I don't know what; just that he calls out to me."

Alexx looked at the redhead a smile gracing her face. "You'll be good for him."

"I think he'll be good for me also." Horatio turned towards the door.

Speed walked in, wearing jeans and a button down shirt. "Alexx?"

"Hey sweetie," she said as she headed for the door. "It was nice seeing you again Horatio. Don't be a stranger."

"I'll talk with you later." Horatio waved at her.

Speed waited till Alexx left. "You know Alexx?"

"From my days as a CSI, then bomb squad, she has a beautiful soul," Horatio said.

"Yes, she does," Speed agreed.

"So, Speed..." Horatio grinned.

Speed laughed. "So the secret, okay not so secret, nickname is out."

"Shall we?" Horatio held his hand out.

Speed hesitated before taking it. "Yes."

~*~

Eric looked at Calleigh. "Speed? Our Speed? Lieutenant Timothy Speedle? Head of day shift in the crime lab, Speed?"

"YES Eric! Speed." She glared at him.

"He left on his bike with the redhead?" Ryan asked, equally shocked.

"Horatio Caine." Calleigh grinned. "He used to be a cop till he was blinded while working on bomb squad."

"You think?" Eric asked smiling. "After Bernstein left ..."

Calleigh sighed. "I was really scared there for a while."

"He was smiling?" Ryan asked.

"Brightly," Calleigh nodded. "I swear, if this Horatio hurts him..."

"Alexx will kill him," Ryan finished.

"And we'll help hide the body," Eric agreed.

~ Horatio's Apartment ~

Speed wandered around the apartment, absorbing the essence of its owner. The whole apartment was rich with warm colors; browns, reds, and golds. He turned towards the kitchen watching as Horatio fixed dinner. He had been politely told to get out when he asked to help earlier. He watched from the living room. Horatio had everything labeled and in a certain spot. His movements were fluid with only a slight hesitation when searching for something on the counter. Horatio had not let blindness stop his life.

"Speed could you get a bottle of Merlot out of the cabinet? The 1996 would be best for dinner," Horatio called out.

Speed walked over to the wine cabinet and grinned. All the shelves were labeled in Braille just like the kitchen, library, and he suspected the closet and bathroom. "Where is it exactly? I'll have to pull out each one to read the label."

Strong arms came from behind him. Speed gasped at the sudden embrace. Horatio took his hand and ran it along the Braille. "Feel the dots?"

"Yes." Speed whispered.

He moved the hand along the label. "That spells Merlot." He moved the hand farther down. "Feel the pattern. Those are dates, only the last number changes."

"So then," Speed ran his hands along the shelf. "This one is the Merlot 1996." He pulled out the bottle and smiled. "You know if someone really wanted to mess with you they would mix up the bottles."

Horatio snorted. "Someone did."

Speed followed him back into the kitchen. "That's a bit low."

"It was an ex." Horatio shrugged. "Didn't like the fact that I was too independent."

Speed paused. "Too independent?"

"She wanted to take care of me." Horatio shook his head. "Except for the fact they won't let me drive I can pretty much take care of myself."

Speed laughed. "I bet you can drive better than some people out there."

"That's what I said." Horatio smiled. "Told them I memorized all the street lights."

"But no," Speed kept chuckling.

"No," Horatio pouted. "It really wasn't fair."

"So your ex took out their revenge by re-organizing your wine closet?" Speed asked.

"Not just my wine closet," Horatio growled. "My clothes, paints, kitchen, books - everything. It took me a week with help from..." he paused. "Victor actually helped me get everything re-organized.

"Just because you're too independent," Speed sighed.

"The problem was or is," Horatio said as he finished up with the stir fry. He fixed their plates and moved to the dining room table. "I've always been the one who helped others. My family, friends, lovers. What's been difficult since I lost my sight, isn't learning to adjust in this new world, but not being the one who was needed."

Speed quietly sat down at the table, taking the seat next to Horatio. "What happened to your family? I know you have a brother and didn't your sister-in-law work on the force?"

"My accident seemed to be the push Raymond needed," Horatio shrugged. "Ironic really, my blindness woke him up. He got cleaned, found a new job out west, and left."

"So they just left you in Miami?" The disgust in his tone was evident.

"I didn't want to go." Horatio smiled at Speed's defense of him. "They wanted me to come with them to Los Angeles, so they could take care of me."

"But as you said..."

"I don't need be taken care of," Horatio nodded. "I need to be needed."

"Can I see your eyes?" Speed asked suddenly. "I'm sorry..." he blushed, embarrassed he asked.

Horatio slipped off his glasses. "It's okay, most people don't ask."

Speed looked into beautiful blue eyes. There were signs of Horatio's blindness. The eyes were slightly clouded, but not much. The biggest sign was the slight movement; there was no focus on any particular object. "They're beautiful," he said without thought.

Horatio searched for, then grasped Speed's hand, he got up out of his chair and pulled Speed into his arms. The dark haired CSI cupped Horatio's cheek and pulled him into a sweet kiss. They were as soft as he had hoped and imagined. Horatio pulled him closer, deepening the kiss, his tongue seeking entrance. Speed groaned and opened up letting him in.

Panting softly from the emotional kiss they rested their foreheads against each other. "Let me love you."

Speed closed his eyes tightly his hands clutching Horatio's shirt. A sob escaped him. He had never felt emotions this strong before. They scared and excited him. Horatio held him close, his hand tracing soothing circles along his back.

Speed pulled back and looked at him. "I'm not easy to handle. My lovers have..."

"I'm not them," Horatio said quietly. "Let go and I'll catch you."

"Why?" Speed demanded. "You don't know me. How can you ask me to let go ..."

Horatio's hand moved around to his chest, stopping over Speed's heart. "I know you here. The moment you walked into this apartment I knew. I could feel your pain from across the room. You called out to me."

Speed's eyes went wide as he looked at the redhead. "I'm scared."

"Don't be." He kissed him softly. "I've got you."

Speed closed his eyes, his arms wrapped around Horatio's neck, and he buried his head in the crook of the redhead's shoulder and neck. He inhaled his scent, letting it wash over him. And for once in his life he let go. Horatio's arms tightened around him, holding him close.

Speed kissed up the long elegant neck, nibbled along the strong jaw, nipped at the full lips then took them into a deep kiss. His tongue licked along the bottom lip asking for permission. Horatio opened up, deepening the kiss. His hands moved under the shirt searching for hot skin. Speed moaned, arching into the touch.

Horatio pulled back, panting heavily. "Let's take this somewhere more comfortable."

Speed followed Horatio down the small hallway to the back bedroom. He looked around the room, not surprised at its appearance. Much like the rest of the apartment it was full of rich beauty and color. Horatio turned towards him.

Speed panted softly; the anticipation was thick in the air. He took Horatio's hands and placed them on his chest. Horatio slowly began to unbutton the shirt. His fingers caressing as he moved downward. Once the shirt was unbuttoned, he moved his hands back up, smooth skinned fingers sliding through dark chest hair, blunt nails scratching over erect nipples. He pushed off the shirt, the fabric sliding down strong arms to the floor.

Horatio cupped Speed's face and leaned in, taking his lips in a sensual kiss. The CSI's hands moved under the redhead's shirt, pushing the material upwards, his hands skating over soft skin. Horatio stepped back slightly, smiling as he took Speed's hands and mimicked his earlier actions. Speed grinned, but instead of following the path with his fingers he used his mouth.

Horatio moaned into the touch, his hand slipping into Speed's hair, caressing the soft dark locks. Speed dropped to his knees, his hands unhooking the belt and pants. He slipped the jeans and boxers down over lean hips and strong legs. With a tap on the foot Horatio lifted it so Speed could slip off the shoe and pant leg, then proceeded to remove the other.

He looked back up, at eye level with the hard leaking cock in front of him. Speed licked dry lips and kissed the swollen head. Horatio moaned, his head thrown back in pleasure. Speed licked the shaft, taking in the flavor that was Horatio Caine. He took the head into his mouth, sucking on it gently, his tongue swirling around it pulling delicious sounds from Horatio. He sucked, nibbled and licked his way up and down the hard shaft, enjoying the taste and feel of his new lover.

A tug on his hair got him to let the cock slip out of his mouth and look up into Horatio's face. "I want to come inside of you."

Speed moaned at the thought. He stood up and pulled Horatio to him, giving him a tongue tangling kiss. "I need you."

Horatio's hands traveled down Speed's chest once again, stopping to play with his nipples. The younger man groaned, leaning into the touch. Horatio reached down and unhooked the jeans and slid them ovwe his hips. Speed bucked into the redhead's touch. Horatio gently touched and caressed the erect member. Memorizing it by touch and feel. His thumb caressed the head and then slid back down the underside. Reaching further and cupping and rolling the balls in his hands.

Speed gripped Horatio's shoulders as pleasure rocked through him. The redhead pulled back, grinning moan that escaped from his new lover. He held his hand out towards him. Speed stepped out of his jeans and boots. He took the offered hand and let Horatio lead him to the large inviting bed.

Speed lay down on his back in the middle of the bed, looking up into Horatio's beautiful face. He leaned up and kissed him softly. "For someone who can't see – you saw what I needed."

"That's because you belong to me." Horatio leaned down and kissed him. "As I belong to you."

"I could fall in love with you," Speed whispered.

"I have." Horatio began to kiss down his neck. Following the path his hands had traced earlier. He took one nipple into his mouth showering attention on it, then moved to the other. Speed was quivering under his touch. Horatio lifted up. "I want you just to feel. Let go and trust me."

Speed spread his legs in open invitation. His hands gripped the bedspread as Horatio explored his body. The redhead knew how to touch to inflame, to soothe, to prolong the pleasure, to caress. None of his lovers had ever made him feel so worship and cherished.

When Horatio took Speed's hard cock into his mouth, he lost the little control he had left and with a shout he came hard down the redhead's throat. Horatio swallowed all of it. He moved back up his lover's quivering body. Speed grabbed his face and kissed him with passion, tasting himself on the redhead's lips.

"Please I want you in me." Speed reached down and grasped the hard cock. "I need you in me."

Horatio reached over to the nightstand and pulled the drawer open. He felt around, searching, smiling when he pulled out the lube and condom, handing them both to Speed. The dark haired man sat up and pushed Horatio back. He slipped the condom on him then lubed him up. He lay back down, pulling his legs up and apart.

"I don't have to see you to know how sexy you look." Horatio grinned. He grabbed the lube and squeezed some on to his fingers. He trailed a finger down the rising cock, over the balls, and down to Speed's entrance. He fingered the hole before slipping a digit inside. He quickly added a second and searched for that one spot.

Speed groaned as pleasure coursed through his body. He pushed onto the fingers, trying to get them further inside of him. Horatio obliged and added a third finger, stretching him as he moved them in and out.

"Please...oh God... now..." Speed panted.

Horatio pulled his fingers out and took Speed's legs into his hands as he lined himself up. He carefully entered his new lover. Speed groaned and tried to push back, but Horatio's strong grip on his thighs wouldn't allow him to move. After what felt like hours to Speed – Horatio buried himself balls deep inside him. Speed panted at the feeling of being full and whole.

Horatio took a moment to relish the tight heat around him. He slowly moved in and out pulling pants, moans, and sharp whines from his lover. Speed clenched around him as he moved. The thrusts became faster and harder. Horatio let go of Speed's legs, resting his hands by his head. Speed wrapped his legs around the redhead's chest.

Each thrust sent pleasure along his spine. Speed was once again hard and aching for release. He reached between their bodies and wrapped his hand around his hard cock. Matching each of Horatio's thrusts he reached for climax. Horatio panted, sweat pouring off him as he got closer to completion. His thrusts became more ragged, harder and deeper. His hand wrapped around Speed's, helping him jack off. The feel of Horatio's hand on his sent him over the edge. He screamed Horatio's name arching up and clenching around the hard cock inside him. The feel of Speed tightening around him set Horatio's own orgasm off. He thrust in deeply and came hard inside him.

He held Speed close, feeling the sobs wracking his body. He kissed along his neck and face, trying to calm the younger man. Speed clung to the redhead holding him close, not wanting to lose the connection they had with their bodies. He groaned in loss when Horatio slipped out of him. "No....please."

"Shhh... I've got you." Horatio held him close, his hands running up down the cooling body. Soothing touches of comfort. After a while he was able to let go and take care of the condom. He got off the bed and made his way towards the bedroom careful of the clothing littered across the floor. By the time he got them both cleaned up, Speed had fallen asleep. Horatio got them both under the covers and held the younger man in his arms never letting go during the night.

~ Morning ~

A chirping sound woke him up. Horatio knew it wasn't his alarm or phone. He heard it again and figured it was coming from the floor, realizing it was Speed's phone. He checked and felt that Speed's breathing hadn't changed so he hadn't woken up. Horatio eased out of the bed and listened for the sound again. Someone was determined to get hold of the Lieutenant and since he didn't know what time it was he didn't know if it was important.

He heard the chirping again and moved towards it. Tripping on Speed's boots, he grabbed the bedpost he knelt down, and felt around the floor until he found the vibrating and chirping phone. He looked down at the display, then laughed at the habit, even now, and opened it.

"Hello."

'Speed! Where are you? I've been trying to call you for the past thirty minutes.'

"Alexx?" Horatio asked, recognizing the voice. He felt around till he found his own pants, pulled them on, and used the furniture to guide him out of the bedroom

'Horatio?' Alexx asked, surprised.

"Yeah." He closed the door and moved down the hallway. He stepped into the living room and felt the sunlight on his face so he knew it was morning. "What time is it?"

'Nine in the morning.' Alexx stated. 'Why do you have Speed's phone?'

"It woke me up," Horatio answered.

'He stayed the night.' Alexx said.

"Yes," Horatio answered. "And he's taking the day off."

'But...' Alexx actually sounded shocked.

"Alexx he's asleep." Horatio knew she would see the importance.

'Asleep?' Alexx whispered. 'Really asleep.'

"All night." Horatio smiled. "See why he's taking the day off?"

'Yes. If we need him we'll call.' Alexx said. 'Thank you and take care of him. Bye.'

"Bye." Horatio hung up the phone and set it on the counter.

He went back to the bedroom, grumbling as he tripped over Speed's boots again. He stripped out of his pants and crawled back into the bed. Speed shifted and moved back into his arms.

"Who was on the phone?" Speed asked, yawning.

"Alexx, now go back to sleep. I've got plans for you later." Horatio kissed his neck.

Speed sat up and looked around. "It's morning."

"Yes, it is." Horatio smiled at him. "Sleep now."

"But..." Speed hesitated as he was pulled back down and into Horatio's arms.

"I know." Horatio kissed the top of his head. "Sleep, then later we'll talk about not leaving your shoes in the middle of the bedroom floor."

"I was preoccupied," Speed yawned.

"There are rules you need to know about living with a blind man." Horatio held him close.

"I love you," Speed said as he fell back to sleep.

"I love you, too." They had a lot to talk about, but they could do that later. Horatio followed him into sleep.

~ The End ~