Previous part of Who wrote these orders.***
Horatio, Grant and Barton had supper alone that night while watching the news. "Wish I could see what the sea monster looks like," Barton commented with a sigh. "I've always wanted to see one and now I'm totally missing the chance."
"It's large, green and slimy," Horatio replied. "It also really seems to hate Iron Man for some reason."
"Tony's probably got his sonic relays going," Barton said. "Those things, if you don't have your earplugs in, they can really give you one hell of a headache. Okay, that was Thor there. I recognize the crack of his lightning. Did he score a hit?"
"He did, but it didn't seem to do any good," Grant said. "I wonder if this isn't a distraction for something else."
"Calleigh has the lab standing by just in case," Horatio said. "I'm on call, so I might have to go out and help should things grow to be too big."
Barton turned towards Horatio. "That reminds me, Pop, how's Eric taking all this?" he asked. "JARVIS mentioned you ran into him at the lab today."
"He's not happy with anything right now," Horatio sighed. "I was too focused on finding the spec binders and wasn't able to give him my full attention. I don't know, Clint, it might be too late to repair anything with Eric. Not talking with him back when you first told me how he feels, I think that was my mistake, but I couldn't risk Grant. I should be used to impossible situations, but I'll admit I panicked and made the wrong choices."
Grant wrapped an arm around Horatio. "I think he'll come around if you give him time, Horatio," he said. "You two have been friends a long time and as hard as it'll be for him to understand why you were keeping secrets, I think he's thinking about it. Did you ever push him to tell you anything personal that didn't relate directly back to work? I know there's been times when his personal life intersected with a case."
"No. In fact, I've overlooked a few problems when work and personal became entangled for him," Horatio said. "I'm not sure if he's remembering those times or not. I guess it's just hard for him to have developed personal feelings for me and then have to deal with the fact that I have a whole hidden life he's known nothing about and isn't involved in. I've always guarded my personal life closely so I'm not sure I understand how this is such a problem all of a sudden."
"One word, Pop; secrets," Barton said. "You talk more with Eric than you do anyone else at the lab and he probably thought that granted him some sort of exception the others didn't have. A pass into your personal life or something."
"Clint has a good point," Grant said. "I know you want to talk with them all, Horatio, but it might be better to let Phil or Steve talk to your team first. Let them know that you're busy setting up a new federal department and you'll be in as soon as you have time, but asked them to handle the basics."
Horatio sighed. "I don't think that's a good idea," he said. "Clint, Natasha is on the monster's head with a sword."
"She would be," Barton snorted. "I'm willing to bet she's been carrying that sword for just such a fight, too."
"Natasha is remarkable," Grant said. "I could have used her in a few battles."
Barton grinned. "A lot of people feel like that," he said. "We're really lucky to have her. She makes baby agents cry, but they come out of her classes stronger than when they went in. You should have her teach your new team a few things, Pop."
"We'll see," Horatio said. "I'm not sure I want my people knowing much more than basic self-defense and weapons. That's something I still need to talk with Nick about, guards for crime scenes while the investigation is on-going. I don't want my people left alone for any reason."
"That's a good point," Barton agreed. "He'll make it happen for you, even if the guards aren't going to be too happy about it at first."
"They never are," Horatio said. "They come around in the end though."
"Especially with you there glaring at them," Grant said fondly. "I've seen you make Marines cry, Horatio."
"I think I'm going to enjoy having you both in SHIELD," Barton said. "If only to see how badly you shake the agents up."
***
Horatio looked at his team and the various lab techs filling the meeting room. They were good people and, while he knew he was leaving them in good hands, it was still hard to do. He'd done a lot to get the lab up to standard and then pass that standard. There was one CSI he was going to try to take with him to SHIELD, much to the department's disgust. Losing Horatio was bad enough. Adding in one of his team just made them grouchy.
"All right everyone, good morning," Horatio said. "Thank you for coming in for your shift early this morning so we could have this meeting. I'm sure you've all heard by now that I'm leaving the lab for a federal position. It wasn't an easy decision for me to make, but I talked it over with my family and we've decided that this is the best choice for me at this time. Calleigh will be taking over leadership of the lab, and I expect all of you to give her the same support and loyalty you've given to me."
"What federal group are you going to, Horatio?" Calleigh asked. "That's one thing I haven't been able to figure out, given your past."
"It's called SHIELD, Calleigh," Horatio replied with a fond smile. His hatred of all things federal was well known in the lab. "I have family working for them already and, when I was approached to create and staff a new department for them, I just couldn't say no."
"You could have," Eric commented.
"I asked myself an important question," Horatio said, "do I want to stay at the lab with my team family and keep the city of Miami safe, or do I want to leave and help to keep the world safe? When I realized what I would be able to do with SHIELD, there really was no question as to what I needed to do. You'll still be seeing me around the lab for the next six months or so. The department I'm heading is in the process of staffing and purchasing equipment, so the lab directors and chief have agreed to let me use the lab here to start training my people. I expect you to treat them with the same respect you would show to me, okay?"
Frank sighed. "I hate to see you go, Horatio," he said. "I know why you are though. Hell, if I was younger, I'd be right there with you."
"I know you would, Frank," Horatio said. "I'm hoping that you'll be willing to be a contact for myself and Grant."
"Try and stop me," Frank said with a smile.
"Thank you," Horatio said. "Calleigh, you're going to be seeing Tony in a few times. He's ordering different things to try and improve them and wants to see what we have standard in the lab and what else he can build or buy to play with."
"I'll do whatever I can to help him out if you're not around," she said. "Horatio, I'm going to need some help getting things taken care of with staffing and schedules. Do you have time to walk me through your system today?"
"Absolutely," Horatio said. "I also want to meet with everyone individually once I have your quarterly reviews done. That way you know exactly where you stand as you move into a new era at the lab. At that time, we can also talk about any issues, problems, or hopes you have. Those I do reserve the right to pass along to Calleigh if I think it's something she's better suited to help you with in the future. You all know that I won't tell anyone anything you tell me in confidence. I'm going to be doing the reviews over the next two days and then we'll schedule meetings around my new duties with SHIELD."
"It's going to be weird not having you here at the lab," Natalia said.
"I know it will be," Horatio said. "I'll still be in Miami and if any of you need me for anything, call. I don't care what time it is, give me a call, okay? They aren't posting me away from here, at least not long-term. It's possible I might be gone randomly, but still call. You are my family and I want you all to know that me leaving does not change that. That's everything. Go ahead and get to work. Mr. Wolfe, if I could talk with you for a moment, please?"
***
"What's up, Horatio?" Ryan asked when they were alone in the room.
"Come take a walk with me," Horatio replied. "I don't want anyone hearing what we're talking about."
Ryan shrugged and followed Horatio out of the lab and down the street a little. He was puzzled when they were met by a plain man in a suit. "H?"
"Agent Coulson, this is Ryan Wolfe," Horatio said. "Ryan, Phil is my primary link to SHIELD right now and he wanted to meet you."
"It's a pleasure, Mr. Wolfe," Coulson said. "I've been reviewing files for the lab, seeing if there's anyone suited for teaching other than Horatio, so we can get our CSI department up and running that much faster, and I was very interested when I saw your files."
"That's a little creepy, but thank you," Ryan said. "What's going on, H?"
"I need a second in command, Ryan," Horatio said softly. "Someone I know, someone I trust, and someone that will do the right thing no matter what. You can say no, but I'd like for you to come with me to SHIELD and help me set up this new department."
"Wow, that's, okay, uhm, thank you," Ryan said, blinking. "It's not what I thought we were going to talk about, Horatio. Can I maybe have a little time to think about it?"
Horatio smiled fondly. "Of course you can, take a week and rate the pros and cons of transferring into a new department," he said. "Just, Ryan, don't mention this to anyone else in the lab, okay? You've probably noticed that Eric and I are having a difference of opinion right now, and I don't want him to know about this just yet."
"He'll want to know why me and not him," Ryan said. "That's a fair question, actually. Why me and not Eric?"
"He's as sharp as you said, Horatio," Coulson said. "I'm going to go, I've got to get Clint to the local medical office for a check-up. Will you be home for supper tonight? Grant said he'd be cooking."
"I wouldn't miss it for anything," Horatio said. "I'll see you all at the house."
"It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Wolfe," Coulson said. "Whatever your choice, I feel confident that you will make the correct one."
Ryan waited until they were alone. "Is he for real?" he asked.
"He's a very good actor," Horatio replied with a smile. "He's been dating Clint for years now, so Phil is very much a part of my family. Come on, Ryan, let me explain everything to you. We can walk for this, I really just wanted you to meet Phil."
"Yeah, I'm totally lost," Ryan admitted.
"You remember Clint, the young man that helped with the arrow shootings?"
"I won't forget him any time soon," Ryan said. "I looked him up online. One of the Avengers, which is pretty cool."
"It is. I brought Clint into my home when he was a teenager in need of shelter, food, and guidance," Horatio said. "I consider him my son, and he calls me his father. We've always had a close relationship, so you can imagine why Eric would think that Clint and I were dating. Given that Clint calls me Pop no matter what, I'm a little disappointed in Eric for not listening to the evidence there, but that's in the past. When Clint and Phil started dating, I welcomed Phil into my family as well. Grant is my partner. He's military and I kept our relationship secret so he would be safe on deploy."
Ryan nodded. "So Eric's upset that you've been hiding things from him," he said. "It's your life, Horatio, I don't blame you for keeping things to yourself, especially if others were involved."
"Thank you. Now then, the reason I picked you instead of Eric for my second is simple, Ryan," Horatio said. "I know that you will do whatever needs to be done to help me keep people safe. Yes, Eric would do the same, but he's followed me down some dark paths, and I don't want to risk him any more than I already have. I also know that you will not question me if I ask you to do something. It's a matter of trust, Ryan."
"So if you and Eric weren't having this fight, would you have picked him instead of me?"
"No, you would still be my choice no matter what. Don't think that you are second pick here, Ryan," Horatio said. "You need a certain mindset to work for SHIELD, and you have that. Eric and the others, they don't. I don't know that I'm explaining this very well. Do you understand what I'm not saying here, Ryan?"
"I think so," Ryan said. "Give me a couple of days to think about it. You're right though, Miami vs. the world, there's really no question there, is there?"
"No, there's really not," Horatio said. "Let me know, Ryan. Do what's best for you."
Ryan nodded with a smile. "I will, H."***
"Where's Tony?" Coulson asked, looking around at everyone gathered out on the deck.
"Inside with JARVIS talking about slides," Bruce replied. "He's really looking forward to the challenge of helping to outfit the new SHIELD CSI department with equipment that will help them with the more super beings in the world. Want me to go get him?"
Steve stood up. "I'll go, Bruce. I wanted to grab some milk anyway," he said. "Anyone else need anything while I'm up?"
"I think we're all okay, Steve, but thank you," Horatio said. "Clint, what did the doctors have to say to you today?"
Barton sighed. "They want me to start swimming twice a day to try and build up my stamina for when I'm able to walk again," he said. "I'm all for swimming, but I'd kinda like to be able to see where I am and what's around me."
"We'll go in with you, Clint," Natasha said. "It'll be fun. You know that Tony will turn it into some sort of competition for all of us."
"Of course I will. Competitions are fun," Tony said, sliding into the seat between Horatio and Barton. "What are we competing for this time around?"
"Swimming," Barton said. "You and Rogers to see who can swim faster."
Coulson sighed. "Behave, Clint," he said. "Horatio, the doctors are cautiously optimistic about Clint's recovery. His bones are about finished knitting, but they want to give it an extra week to be sure his pelvis is fully healed before they let him put his full weight on it again. Physically, his body is healing as well as can be expected. His eyes are the continued concern."
"It's only been a week, Clint," Horatio said. "They said a month. I know it's scary for you, but I'm positive you will get your vision back again."
"It's just, I rely on my eyes for my work, Pop," Barton said. "I know Director Fury said I still have a job no matter what, but I don't know what I'll do if I can't go down to the range and shoot every day."
"Let me think about it, Clint," Horatio said. "Okay, give me a day to think about this."
"Sure," Barton said. "So, Tony, what's up with these slides you're so excited about?"
Tony lit up. "JARVIS and I are working on different materials for slides that will show different types of trace materials differently," he said. "There will be the standard glass ones for general work, but when you have something corrosive, like that slime monster we ran into, you need a slide that isn't going to dissolve while you're working with it. There's also different lights that can be used for different things. I never realized how much science there could be with trace from mutants and super-beings."
"I'd say you have a good helper here, Horatio," Grant commented. "How did things go at the lab?"
"Not as well as I'd hoped, but better than it could have," Horatio sighed. "I don't know what to do about Eric. I've made so many mistakes dealing with this situation and I don't know what to do next."
"Let me talk to him?" Tony asked. "Seriously, I was going to be at the lab poking around to see what else you have there that I could make better for you. Let me talk with him for a bit. I promise I'll be good."
"Stark, you are never good," Natasha sighed.
"You wound me, Widow," Tony said. "Want me to take Bruce along? You know he'll make me behave."
Coulson glanced over. "That might not be a bad idea," he said. "If Bruce wants to go."
"Sure," Bruce said with a shrug. "Maybe I can think of a few things to help the new department too."
"Calleigh will be expecting you," Horatio said.
Tony nodded. "Awesome," he grinned. "Tomorrow, Bruce, we're going to make history."
Bruce rolled his eyes and went back to his dinner. He knew better than to even try to comment on that one.
***
Horatio called Calleigh to give her a heads-up that two of the Avengers would be at the lab and that they had clearance to look at any piece of equipment they wanted to. She was ready when Tony walked in at nine exactly. "Good morning, Tony," Calleigh said with a smile. "It's good to see you again."
"Calleigh, you are a ray of sunshine," Tony said. "This is Dr. Bruce Banner, my partner in all things science. Bruce, this lovely lady is Calleigh, Horatio's former second-in-command and now head of the crime lab."
"It's nice to meet you, Dr. Banner," Calleigh said. "What can I show you two today?"
"Everything," Tony said. "We need to see and make note of every piece of equipment you have here in the lab from top to bottom, serial numbers or spec numbers, so I can make a comprehensive list of what needs to be adapted for our purposes and what can stand as is. Bruce is here to make sure I behave, mostly. I was also hoping to talk with Eric about something, if here's here and I won't interrupt anything super important."
Bruce sighed. "Tony, why don't you let JARVIS and me get started on the equipment list," he said. "I imagine a lot of it is standard Chemistry equipment, am I right, Calleigh?"
"Sure is," she said. "Come on, I'll show you guys a place you can work and see if I can find Eric. Our equipment inventory is on the computer, so you'll be able to print out a copy. I'm surprised Horatio hasn't, honestly."
"He's got a lot on his mind," Tony said. He clipped the visitor badge onto his suit jacket and followed Calleigh into the lab, Bruce right behind him. "They're starting light physical therapy for Clint today, along with meetings and planning for the new department. I'm sure he would have given me a list if he'd been able to."
"I can only imagine," Calleigh said. "Here you go, let me get a list printing out for you, and then, as long as there's no work going on, you two have free run of the lab."
"We don't want to interfere with any on-going cases," Bruce said. He pulled out a stool and sat down. "This is a lovely building, Calleigh, but doesn't it get hot in here?"
"We have mirrored tint on the windows, it helps a little," Calleigh said. "There's no way to keep a building totally cool in Miami, especially in the late summer. There we go, it's several hundred pages, so let me go find Eric while this prints out for you."
Tony smiled. "Thanks for the help, Calleigh, we really appreciate it."
"No problem," she said.
"I think I see what Horatio meant," Bruce commented. "This is a good place with good people. It'll be a good training facility until SHIELD is up and running."
"Yeah, you're right, and I think a lot of it is Horatio's influence and talent for picking people who work well together," Tony said. "So, we're looking at a lot of glassware, that's a given. Do you think we should plan on having some made of the other materials just to be safe?"
"It might not hurt to put the idea out there," Bruce said. "Especially if they do happen onto another slime monster. That slime was pretty nasty and ate through everything. Trying to work with samples of that could be dangerous without melt-proof glassware."
"Make a note, JARVIS," Tony said. "We need to plan for science with different types of materials. Let's color-code the glassware. That shouldn't hurt anything, we could just do the rim so the container itself is clear. Red for biohazard, orange for heat, yellow for corrosive, green for normal, blue for water, and purple for solids. Black could be used for anything that doesn't fit into one of the other categories."
"You do realize we'll have to try and create the glassware for those categories," Bruce pointed out.
Tony looked up with a grin. "It'll be fun," he said. "There's Eric. Good morning, Eric, how are you this fine morning?"
"Busy," Eric said. "Calleigh said you wanted to talk to me."
"I'd hoped to be able to talk with you and have you hear what I was saying," Tony said. "It seems like you've got it in your mind that we're these bad guys coming in and kidnapping your boss, Eric. Let me ask you something. Do you have a secret that you guard so closely that no one ever guesses that it's there?"
"What?"
"I think most people do," Bruce interjected. "I know I have one that I kept hidden for a few years. Tony and the team know it, now, but for the longest while I held onto that secret like it was the only thing keeping me alive. I told them because they needed to know to keep them safe, otherwise it would still be my most closely guarded thing."
"Still happy you trusted us enough to share, big and green," Tony said softly. "In my case, I do have a secret, it's just hard to tell because I talk constantly. No, that's not true, but I can. Sometimes the only way to shut me up is to give me something to work on, a puzzle or research. This isn't something I would tell anyone though, not even my science brother here. Because I'm not the only one involved and my telling could hurt someone else. Just like Horatio, really. Sometimes keeping secrets is the only way to keep the ones we care about safe, and we have to way the pros and cons of telling vs not telling and someone is always going to end up hurt. But just because we're keeping secrets doesn't mean that we don't care about our friends and family. It just means we want to keep them safe. Bruce, is that a scanning microscope listed there? How old is that thing? I can totally make them a better one. JARVIS, make a note of that, too. We also need to upgrade all the computers and make sure they're up to standard for what Horatio's going to be doing."
Bruce waited until Tony took a breath and then broke in. "Eric, the point here is that blaming someone for keeping a secret about their life isn't fair," he said. "Being close friends with someone doesn't entitle you to learning their deepest thoughts, no matter how much you might want to. Keeping friends and family safe is sometimes more important than making them happy."
"Horatio asked you to talk to me?" Eric asked.
"Nope, we offered," Tony replied. He looked up from the list he was reviewing as it printed. "Different perspective and all that. I think, until you can look past the bruised feelings and really talk with Horatio, you're not going anywhere."
"You shouldn't steal lines from Pepper," Bruce said.
"Why not, it's a good piece of advice," Tony said. "Here, Bruce, this is what's puzzling me. How can we adapt the superglue tank for other uses?"
"Trial and error," Bruce said. "That's how the technique was discovered initially. You have candyland, Tony. Put them to the task and see what happens. Eric, would you like to come over for supper tonight? Just hang out with the family and talk with Horatio?"
"No, but thank you," Eric said. "I can't stand to see him so happy with Grant and Clint."
Tony looked up, suddenly serious. "They're his family, Eric. Just like you are, and fights in families are the most damaging you can ever have," he said. "The family is the one place you are supposed to be safe no matter what, but we're all just human and we fight. You're hurting Horatio. He's questioning himself badly right now, and I don't know that it's fair of you to do that to him when he's been as honest as he possibly could with you. Consider what you would have done if the situation was reversed and then come talk to us again. I don't like closed-minded people. They can't see the world as it truly is."
Bruce sighed. "Bit harsh there, Tony, but your point is valid," he said. "Eric, you're not the only one hurting right now, and you need to realize that. I think Horatio would let you sit there and yell at him if it would help solve this issue between you. Think about what we've said and come find us if you have any questions. We're going to be here all day. Maybe even into tonight if I can't drag Tony out for supper."
"What do you think, Bruce?" Tony asked softly when they were alone in the lab.
"I think he's hurt and not seeing past the bruises to his feelings and possibly his ego," Bruce replied. "Time might be the only thing that helps here, Tony."
"I hope not," Tony sighed. "Horatio's hurting more than he's letting on. I've seen the pain in his eyes before, usually when I look in the mirror. I wish there was something else I could do, but I don't know what there is left."
"Patience," Bruce said. "Here, take a look at this. We're getting into their DNA equipment. Do you think we can create a mutant DNA database?"
"Not easily," Tony said. "Not easily at all."
***
"I still don't know how you don't burn," Grant said as he spread sunblock onto Horatio's back. "You're out in the sun all day and you never burn."
"I never tan either," Horatio sighed. "When I'm in a suit, Grant, I can manage to get sunblock on so I don't burn. Swimming is a little harder for me."
"I'm still amazed you're coming in with me, Pop," Barton said. "I thought you didn't swim anymore."
Horatio smiled fondly. "Only when Grant is home," he said. "There aren't many people I trust to put sunblock on my back. I know he's not going to let me burn."
"Of course not," Grant said. "I'd kiss you, but this stuff tastes terrible. Phil, you're up."
"Come on, Clint, let's go on into the water and Phil can join us in a minute," Horatio said. He helped the younger man up and they started down across the sand. "I don't think I've had a chance to say how happy I am that I'm getting to spend time with you, Clint. I wish you hadn't been hurt so badly, I'd do almost anything to change that for you, but it feels like our first time in years to really get a chance to talk."
"I know what you mean, Pop," Barton said. He hissed when the cool water hit his bare feet. "That's chillier than I was expecting it to be."
"You'll warm up quickly," Horatio said. "Come on, I'm going to sit you just past the wave break while you adjust to the temperature and then we'll work on swimming."
"How, exactly, are we going to do that?" Barton asked, sinking into the water. "I'd better not take a wave to the face, Pop. It's not like I can see the goals or anything."
"That's why we're here," Natasha said, appearing next to him. "You need to get better so we can spar again, Clint. Steve is going easy on me."
Barton turned his head towards Natasha. "I didn't think he was that stupid."
"I didn't either," she sighed. "I've told him repeatedly that he can hit as hard as he wants and he won't hurt me, but he says it's too much of a risk and he won't do it no matter what. It's frustrating."
"I was going to ask you a favor, Natasha," Horatio broke in. "When my new team is assembled, would you be willing to teach all of us some basic self-defense? I know they'll have gone through some basic training with SHIELD, but I want to be sure each one of them can take care of themselves in the field no matter what the situation."
"It'd be my pleasure, Horatio," she said. "Here come the others, Clint."
"I can hear them," Barton said. "We need to work on Cap's ability to sneak, Nat."
"Yes, we do," she said with a small smile.
Horatio didn't want to know. "Swimming therapy," he said. "I'm going to be the start and Grant the finish. Steve, Natasha and Phil, if you'll walk along side Clint to help keep him going in the general direction, please. Grant and I will also be talking, so Clint can use our voices to hone in on."
"Not bad, Pop," Barton said. "Get me speaking targets next and I'll be the first blind marksman in the world."
"You'll get your eyesight back, Clint," Horatio said. "I know how frustrating this is, but you'll get there. I promise you that."
"I know."
"How far are we doing, Horatio?" Grant asked.
"Let's start fifty paces apart and see how this works," Horatio replied. "Clint, you tell us when you start getting tired, okay? No lying to us about this. I don't want you risking any reinjuries."
"I promise," Clint said. He reached out and Coulson took his hand. "I guess we'll see how good my sense of direction is here."
Coulson kissed the top of Clint's head. "You'll be fine. We'll all be here every step of the way."***
Horatio was in the shower when arms wrapped around him from behind. "Hey."
"You wet is something that should be kept from the general public," Grant said. "Do you know how hard it was for me to keep from jumping you out there?"
"I don't think anyone would have minded," Horatio said. He turned to face his partner and smiled softly. "They know we haven't seen each other in far too long."
"Some things we should keep the kids from seeing," Grant murmured. He leaned down the short distance and caught Horatio's mouth with his own. Horatio moaned softly and tilted his head to deepen the kiss. "Let's get this sunblock off and go to bed for a nap."
"I like the sound of that," Horatio said. He reached out for the soap and started on Grant's back. "What do you think?"
Grant sighed. "It may be a lost cause, Horatio," he said. "From what Tony was telling us, Eric hoped to have more with you without checking to see if you wanted the same, and now he's running hurt and blind."
"Turn so I can get your neck," Horatio said. "I don't know what to do. He's been my best friend for so many years, one of the few I felt truly comfortable with, and now he can't stand to see me happy. Did I miss something, Grant? Did I let myself be blinded to something obvious because I was too close to it?"
"It's possible you might have, but you didn't miss anything," Grant said. "You never do."
"I didn't see his changing feelings for me."
"From the sounds of it, Clint is the only one that did," Grant said. They shifted around to wash the soap off Grant's back while Horatio started on his front. "What would you have done if Eric had asked you out, Horatio?"
"Probably just what I did at the mall," Horatio said with a small sigh. "Although I might have been so shocked that I said something even more hurtful to him. I really hate no-win situations."
"I know you do," Grant said.
"Lieutenant Caine," JARVIS said. "Do forgive the interruption, but Agent Barton wishes me to tell you that Eric Delko is here."
"Thank you, JARVIS," Horatio said. "Something tells me this is not going to be good, Grant. Help me finish up quickly?"
"Yep."
****
Horatio and Grant emerged from the back of the house twenty minutes later, both dressed in polos and jeans with their hair still damp. "Eric, sorry to keep you waiting," Horatio said. "What's up?"
"The news just broke at the lab," Eric said. "You're taking Wolfe with you."
"SHIELD offered him a position, yes," Horatio said. "I hadn't heard an official conformation on whether or not he was taking it. Phil?"
"The call came through while we were all out swimming," Coulson said. "He'll be doing his paperwork tomorrow."
"Then I guess the answer is yes, Eric, Ryan will be coming with me to SHIELD," Horatio said. "Although I have to say I'm disappointed that the lab heard about it before I did."
Coulson nodded. "As am I," he said. "I think, Horatio, that it wouldn't hurt to have me go down and double check that everyone at the lab understands the words top secret and non-disclosure."
"I'd pay to see that," Barton muttered. "Ouch."
Natasha shifted her elbow away from Barton's ribs. "Behave."
"Don't attack the invalid," Barton said. "Phil, Nat's being mean to me again."
"I'm sure you deserve it," Coulson said absently.
"Phil."
"Enough, children," Horatio said. "Natasha, don't elbow Clint. Clint, I know you find your lover in lecture mode extremely hot, but there is a time and a place."
"Your dad is scary," Tony whispered to Barton.
"Yep."
"Eric, I didn't really have a say in who they picked for the new department," Horatio said. "I provided the files and made my recommendations, but it really was Phil that made the final call."
"So you didn't recommend me for the new department?" Eric asked.
Horatio sighed. "Honestly, no, I didn't," he replied. "Ryan has what the new department needs. I know the two of you have been at odds in the past, but I had hoped you worked past that."
"You've always said it was you and me together, Horatio," Eric said. "Was that a lie?"
"No. I would never lie to you about work, Eric," Horatio said. "Not when I need to know your head is in the game so you don't get hurt. Working for SHIELD takes a special type of person, and right now, Ryan is the only other one in the lab that fits the qualifications. It's possible that, in the future, there will be others, but I need to know that you'll be there supporting Calleigh to keep the lab running at the same level it has since the team came together."
"You make it sound so easy," Eric said. "Like this is all a story and you get the happy ending while the rest of us are left behind to pick up the pieces."
"Eric, I am sorry I hurt you so badly," Horatio said. "I wish there was some way I could change this, but I can't. My life, my family, is what it is and was before we ever met. I know that no one can help how they feel, but hanging onto the hurt is only going to hurt you in the long run. You can blame me for as long as you want to, that's fine, but you need to let go of the bitterness or you could risk losing everything you care about."
"I think I already have."
"No you haven't Eric. No you haven't. You still have your family, and friends at the lab who care about you a great deal," Horatio said. "Open your eyes and see what's happening around you so you don't lose them too, Eric."
***
"Phil, are you going to the lab tomorrow?" Barton asked later that night when the pair was soaking in the bath together.
"I hadn't planned on it, no," Coulson replied. "Even though I said I wanted to be sure everyone understood what was at stake here, Horatio is starting his quarterly reviews tomorrow morning and said he would take care of it for me. Why?"
Barton sighed. "I want to talk with Eric," he said. "One on one. He's hurting and he's hurting Pop. I might be the only one able to get through to him."
"Or you could do more harm," Coulson said. "Clint, think about it for a minute. As far as Eric knew up until a few days ago, you and Horatio were lovers. Now, I happen to agree with the others that I don't know how he came to that conclusion, but jealousy can make for unusual assumptions. We both know that."
"Don't we just."
"Then Eric finds out that not only does Horatio have a family that he doesn't talk about, suddenly Horatio's long-time partner is back in the picture, as is a son that Eric didn't know about," Coulson continued. "Eric has said that he can't stand to see Horatio happy with you and Grant. What does that tell you?"
"That's Eric's an idiot that isn't seeing clearly right now," Barton said. "Phil, I know all of this, but I have to try. You know I see more clearly than most. I think that maybe I can get through to him when everyone else is having problems doing it."
Coulson turned his head to look at his lover. "Okay, I'll ask. Why?"
"Because I've been right where he is and can understand where he's coming from," Barton said softly.
"Clint."
"No, I know you love me and nothing in the world will change that. We survived aliens, bombs, insane coworkers, those doughnuts," Barton said.
"We agreed never to talk about those again."
"My point is, Phil, I was in love with you for years before I was brave enough to say anything," Barton finished. "I was convinced you were in a relationship, that part is different, but the rest of it is almost a parallel. I know I could make this ten times worse, but right now Eric is ready to walk and lose everything. Calleigh is going to need him at the lab. I want to try."
"All right, we'll go to the lab tomorrow," Coulson said. "I want it on record as being a bad idea, however."
"Duly noted, Sir," JARVIS said.
Coulson glanced up at the ceiling. "There are many days I wonder where the hell you got that dry sense of humor, JARVIS."
"Living with Mr. Stark, one picks up on certain things, Agent Coulson," JARVIS said. "He programmed me to learn, and so I have."
"You're a good AI, JARVIS," Barton said with a grin.
"Thank you, Agent Barton."
"All right, come on, Clint. Let's get you out and to bed. We've suddenly got a busy day ahead of us."
****
"You're sure," Coulson said as he wheeled Barton into the fingerprint lab where Eric was working.
"Yep," Barton replied. "You go check on Horatio, I'll be fine, Phil."
Coulson kissed the top of Barton's head and left. He wasn't going to go far, not when his lover couldn't see, but he needed to be out of sight. That didn't mean he wouldn't be able to hear everything.
"Morning, Eric," Barton said.
"No offense, Clint, but you're probably the last person I want to see right now."
"Yeah, I can believe it," Barton said. "You've been hounded by everyone but Cap, haven't you? The problem with that is, no one knows where you're coming from. I do."
"No, you don't."
Barton grinned. "You want to bet on that one, Eric? Seriously?" he asked. "Because I would win and then you'd owe me lunch of something, so let's just skip that part. Look, I know where you're coming from because I've been right there with you, only I didn't have anyone trying to talk to me. I couldn't talk with Pop, Grant was overseas on deploy. I had to work it out on my own. You don't."
Eric put down the paper he was working with. "Clint, what part of I don't want to see you didn't you get?" he asked.
"I could go out in the hall and call your phone," Barton replied. "Face it, Eric, you've suddenly got an ally and you're scared."
"I'm not scared."
"Then you're angry because something is making you shake hard enough to rattle the table. Yeah, my ears are good too. Look, I'll be brief and then you can get back to your wallowing," Barton said. "First time I saw Phil was when I was still in basic. Twenty years old and fell head over heels for him in one look. I knew nothing about him, not even his name. He was just a guy in a suit, but I was gone. Scared me to death and I tried to hide it. Then I ended up with him as my handler. The highest rated handler at SHIELD and known for seeing everything. Somehow though, he never saw how I felt about him. I don't know if I was just that good at keeping it hidden or if he saw and chose to ignore because I was his asset. He was also dating someone back then, so that made me feel extra guilty for my feelings."
"This isn't relevant because you got him," Eric pointed out.
"Eric, there is a guy or girl out there for you," Barton said. "Yeah, I somehow was lucky enough to win Phil's heart. I don't know how, given my past, but I know exactly how lucky I am. So you fell in love with someone that's taken. It happens. It's embarrassing as hell, you want to go crawl in a hole and not come out again until the end of the world. You lash out, hoping to make him hurt as much as you are. Guess what, it worked. Pop's hurting so badly right now that he's turning all quarterly reviews over to Calleigh and leaving the lab early. Way to go there, big guy, you just ran your best friend off because you can't accept that he didn't share every single deep, dark secret he had with you. Pop has given you every chance to stay friends, to be a part of the larger family he's introduced you to, but all you can do is see your own hurt feelings. You're so blind right now, it's a wonder they're still letting you work."
Eric pushed back and stood up so fast the table rattled. "What do you know about it?" he demanded.
"I know that if you don't get over the shame you feel you're going to ruin everything for yourself," Barton said. "Love hurts, Eric, that's all there is to it, but it's so worth it in the end. I almost lost Phil during a battle up in New York. He almost lost me when a building came down on top of me. Pop's almost lost Grant five times. What are we supposed to do, bundle the other up and keep them hidden at home until love sours and turns to hate and resentment? If you truly love someone then you are there for them no matter how much it might hurt you to be. It's time for you to grow up, learn that life isn't fair, and move on. There's still a chance you can make this right with Pop, but it's going to take a hell of a lot of work on your part."
"I'm done with this," Eric snapped and stalked out of the room.
Barton sighed and closed his eyes. "Sorry, Pop."
Horatio came into the room and pulled Barton into a hug. "He needed to hear it, son," he said softly. "Thank you."
***
Horatio walked up to the building and took off his sunglasses. "I think this will work," he said, looking at the open area and other buildings. "Old military base?"
"It is," Coulson said. "SHIELD has held the rights to it since the end of the Cold War, we just haven't had a reason to use it before this. Grant will have ten officers under his command traveling around Florida and reporting in. You'll have your lab staff and we'll be stationing guards and four pilots with some jets here for you as well. Give us six months, Horatio, and you won't even recognize the place."
"This cluster of buildings could be connected into one big lab," Ryan said, turning in a full circle. "With specialists in each building. You know, like we have different labs, H, we could have different buildings with several labs per so we can investigate more cases easily."
"Very good point, Ryan," Horatio said. "Phil, is there a chance we could build a few more structures while the others are being renovated?"
"I'll check, but yes, it should be possible," Coulson said. "There's a landing strip two miles south of our position. The base is twenty square miles, and will be secure. Director Fury has been looking for a reason to station a few squads here. They'll be under their own command, but you will be the commander for the base, Horatio. This location's mission is science first."
"More paperwork, less field work," Horatio sighed. "I suppose that's what the government is."
"Yes, it is," Coulson said. "You'll find there's less paperwork than you think, Horatio. Come on, let's look over the rest of this part of the base and you can see if there are any changes you want to make. Most of our forms are on the computer with software written in so that once it is saved, if any changes are made to that form without the proper authorization, it flags and then Nick's office is notified. He's never happy when people mess with paperwork."
"I imagine not," Horatio said with a small smile. "My office will be in one of the lab buildings, Phil. I don't want to be cut off from my people. Ryan, would you be willing to have your office in a different building from mine. That way people can seek us out more easily."
Ryan nodded. "Sure, that sounds good," he said. "I'll be honest, H, I'm still not entirely sure what's going on, but to help keep the world safe, I just couldn't say no."
"We appreciate the sentiment," Coulson said. "You both will be fully briefed before anything officially happens here on the base. There, that's the building I'm thinking of for Grant to use as his base. It's not that far from yours, Horatio, so you two can have lunch together if it's at all possible."
"I think Grant will agree, but you'll need to bring him out here too," Horatio said. "Those are the staff buildings and hangers there in the distance?"
"They are, and we're going to add in a gym and sparring area," Coulson said. "Natasha will help train your people, but we're going to be sending down other trainers at various times to teach other methods of self-protection and firearms."
"That sounds good, thank you," Horatio said with a smile. "I think, Phil, that you couldn't have found a better place for us to be calling home."
"We try our best," Coulson said. "You'll be supplied with SHIELD cars as well. While we do try to keep a low profile when we can, the Battle in New York brought us out into the light a little more than we wanted. The cars have lights installed and everyone will have to pass driving classes before they are authorized to take one off base."
"That sounds a bit more like the military there," Ryan commented. "So I just want to be sure sure I have this right. We're going to begin training the new CSIs at the crime lab and move them here as the facility is ready."
Coulson nodded. "Exactly right," he said. "Horatio, I've had the first set of files sent down. There's a few that I would like to have work with you for a year or so before they are reassigned to their final posting. I know it's hard to have staff changes, especially when you're still getting used to working with people, but the people I'm thinking of need more confidence training than anything else. Fury has plans for them."
"I'll do whatever I can," Horatio said. "Nick has given me a wonderful chance here. I'll do whatever he needs me to, within reason, to get SHIELD up to the best it can be."
"With that mind-set, Horatio, I think you're going to be a surprise to a lot of people," Coulson said.
"Not really," Ryan said. "That's how he always is."***
"Clint has news," Grant said when the group got home from the base. Ryan was going to stay for supper and get to know the Avengers.
Horatio sat down next to the younger man. "What's going on, son?" he asked.
"I can see shadows," Barton replied with a grin. "Nothing firm, but I can tell how far you are away from me, Pop." To prove the point, he reached out and touched Horatio's face.
"That is fantastic news." Horatio hugged Barton tightly. "It'll only get better from here, Clint. Only get better."
"I think I'm starting to believe it," Barton said.
"We need to alert medical to this development, Clint," Coulson said. He waited until Barton was leaning back in his chair again and then kissed the top of his head fondly. "They might want to take another look at you tomorrow."
"I did and they do," Barton said, making a face. "I hate them poking and prodding at me, especially when I can't see it coming."
"I'll be right there with you and will break the fingers of anyone that tries to hurt you," Coulson said. "Grant, we need to arrange a chance for you to tour your new base and meet the agents you'll be commanding. Your department is a little easier to set up and put into action."
Grant nodded. "I'm open to whatever day you guys want me there," he said. "My final paperwork from the Army came through today, so I'm all yours."
"Maybe tomorrow afternoon, when I'm back from medical with Clint."
"Sounds like a rough plan. We'll see how the day goes," Grant said.
"Spoken like a man who has had too many surprises in his career," Horatio said fondly. "Ryan Wolfe, this is my partner, Grant."
"This is Ryan?" Grant asked, standing up. "Pleasure to meet you. Horatio's told me about you in our weekly talks."
Ryan shook Grant's hand with a wry look. "That's a little unnerving," he said.
"Only good things, I promise," Horatio said. "Grant, Ryan had some ideas for the base. If you and Phil don't mind, I think we'll tag along with you and talk over a few things."
"Works for me. Coulson?"
"That's not a problem, Horatio," Coulson said. "In fact, it's probably one of the best things we can do at this point. You and Ryan do need to review the files that I've had sent down to select the first scientists or agents you want to have in this department. The file on top is a pair of scientists that are marked for another program, but they need a chance to be out of the lab first. They are, unique, even in SHIELD."
Barton snickered. "If it's who I think it is, that's putting it mildly, Phil," he said. "Do I smell supper?"
Steve and Bruce appeared from the house carrying pizza boxes. "You do," Steve said with a smile. "Tony is brining the drinks, and Natasha is watching him."
"Ryan, this is Steve Rogers and Dr. Bruce Banner," Horatio said. "Gentlemen, Ryan is going to be my second-in-command at the lab."
"Welcome to the family," Tony said, appearing with two bags. "Cap, I still maintain that the beer would have been okay."
"No alcohol until Barton is off-meds," Steve said. "Clint, plate is in front of you, four inches back, pop open and eight inches in."
"Tell them," Coulson said, nudging his lover.
"I can see shadows, Cap," Barton said. "Not much, but enough to make out very vague shapes around me."
"See, told you we needed alcohol," Tony said. "Birdy's vision coming back is reason to celebrate."
Horatio sighed fondly. "We can have ice cream sundaes after supper to celebrate, Tony," he said. "I'm sure that will be enough for you all to make a mess with."
"What?" Ryan asked.
"We've got a newbie here," Natasha said from somewhere. "We'll behave tonight, right, Tony?"
"Sure, whatever," Tony said. "Seriously, Clint, that's awesome news. You'll be back on fighting form in no time."
"Hope so," Barton said.
***
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