Title: Tales by a Grave
Author: Bj Jones Rating: FRM
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
Summary: Horatio talks to Speed.
Beta: Star (Gil)
Warning: Slash – if you don't like it – don't read it
100 Challenges: lover100 Timothy Speedle/Horatio Caine
Prompt: #97 Writers Choice - Family
Word Count: 1410

~*~

Horatio stared down at the grave. It had been six weeks since they had buried Speed. Buried his lover. No one had known about their relationship. Horatio had to be the strong one for the team. Help them go on. Accept someone else in Speed's place. While inside he was screaming NO! He didn't want to go on. No one could replace Speed in the lab, in his life, in his heart.

All alone, I didn't like the feeling
All alone, I sat and cried
All alone, I had to find some meaning
In the center of the pain I felt inside

"Hey Speed." The redhead sat down next to the tombstone. "I don't know who to talk to anymore." He looked out over the quiet cemetery. "They all come to me. Eric is so angry, Calleigh is too quiet, and Alexx seems lost…and they expect me to fix it. The new guy isn't too bad; he's eager, maybe too eager." He wiped a tear away from his face. "God, irony is a cruel bitch. You clean your gun and it jams on you. Faulty firing pin. I want to lash out and hurt something, someone – they took you away from me. My faith in justice has been shattered." He stood up and looked down at the marker. "I love you. I won't stop loving you. One of these days I'll join you…"

All alone, I came into the world
All alone, I will someday die
Solid stone is just sand and water, baby
Sand and water, and a million years gone by

Two years had gone by. Two years of trying to hide his feelings for the man he loved. Living a life he didn't want to live. He had tried to find happiness or a form of it, but life had a twisted sick sense of irony.

"Hey Speed." Horatio sat down next to the tombstone. "I have a favor to ask of you. Though if I know you...You've already met Marisol; could you watch out for her up there?" The redhead choked back the tears. "She was the only one that got it. The moment she heard me say your name, she knew. Knew how much I loved you. For once I didn't have to hide." He laid his head back against the tombstone. "We were there for each other…I just wanted her to have some happiness. Take care of her and…" Horatio let the tears fall as he stood up. "I don’t know how much more I can take… Why am I still here?"

I will see you in the light of a thousand suns
I will hear you in the sound of the waves
I will know you when I come, as we all will come,
Through the doors, beyond the grave

Another year alone; time seemed to pass by slowly. Horatio walked up to the gravesite, a small smile on his face. He now knew why he was still there. They didn't understand, none of them did. But he did. It was a gift, a beautiful gift, sent by two very precious angels.

"Hey Speed." Horatio squatted down next to the tombstone. "I can't stay long. I promised Alexx I would pick up Tim at five. But I had to come by and talk to you." The redhead grinned and looked up into the sky. "You have a son. He's five and just like you, curious about everything and he wants to know how everything works and why. He's beautiful, Speed. He has your gorgeous black hair and brown eyes full of mischief. I wish you could have met him." Horatio stood back up. "His mother didn't want to burden you with a night she said was about comfort. She showed up at the lab looking for you. The moment I saw him, I knew. He's so young and already knows the pain of losing someone you love. The cancer took her a few weeks ago. I'm betting you've already taken her in your arms and told her it was going to be alright." He paused. "I know now why. I'm here to raise your son…it’s a precious, precious gift and I thank you for it."

All alone, I heal this heart of sorrow
All alone, I raise this child
Flesh and bone, he's just
Bursting towards tomorrow
And his laughter fills my world, and wears your smile

Thirty years have come and gone. The cemetery was still well kept up, the once small oak trees now large and covering the stones in a cool shade. Thirty years of school projects, baseball games, first loves, first heartbreaks, graduations, marriage, and children.

"Hey, Dad." Tim Speedle stood above the old grave. "I wanted to stop by and introduce you to your grandchild." He held up a small infant. "His name is Horatio; I knew you would be pleased. He's got his mothers red hair, so it's very fitting. I just wanted to let you know that he'll know about you and the love between you and Papa." The younger Speedle wiped a tear away from his eyes. "He's home now. You were there to take him weren't you? I saw it in his eyes; they were full of love and hope. He raised me well. I grew up in awe of the love the two of you had, and I am so lucky to have found one of my own. She's home resting, probably waiting to smack me for taking little Horatio out so soon, but he needed to know about his grandpas." Tim looked up to see his wife walk up the path. "I love you." His wife slipped her arms around the two Speedle's. "Keep watch over us. As Papa so enjoyed saying, I'm a Speedle and attract trouble; God knows what this little one will attract as a Caine and Speedle."

All alone, I came into the world
All alone, I will someday die
Solid stone is just sand and water, baby
Sand and water, and a million years gone by

Two men stood under one of the old oak trees, watching the family walk off. The dark haired one leaned into the others embrace. "You did a good job."

Horatio looked down at his love. "He had good genes."

Speed snickered. "That little one is going to be trouble."

"Good thing I'm here to keep an eye on him."

The two men smiled at the young woman. "I though you were watching Eric's rugrats."

Marisol grinned. "The higher ups agreed; Caine and Speedle – needed extra guarding."

Speed smiled. "That's my boy."

Horatio laughed as he held Speed close. "I love you."

The brunette looked up into soft blue eyes. "I love you, too."

Tim looked back at the grave. He gasped when he saw two men locked in a close embrace. He looked over at his wife, who wiped away a tear. They were together, and that's the way it always should have been.

~ The End ~