Title: Shower, Food, and Sleep
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRT
Disclaimer: I don't own them. They are owned by various executives, producers, writers and studios who have more lawyers on retainer than I want to mess with. I'm not making any money and promise to return them.
Summary: The three essentials in life…
Author's Note: Takes place after 'Saving Love'
Genre: Slash
Beta: Star (Gil)
Challenge: 50 Elements – Gil Grissom/Timothy Speedle/Horatio Caine
Prompt: #43 - King
Word Count: 1617

~*~

The walk back to the hotel was quiet; neither of them knew quite what to say. Horatio kept his head down, letting Speed lead the way. He had full expected to die alone in some back alley of Rio. He wasn't lying when he said a part of him had died that day he walked away from Speed. The small part that was left he had given to Marisol so she could be happy, and the moment he slid that knife into Riaz's chest he had felt the last of the man he was die. He had told Eric to go home to Miami and disappeared into the busy streets. He should have known Eric would ignore him and search for him. What he hadn't expected was him calling Speed.

Horatio glanced up when they stopped outside the hotel.

"H!" Eric yelled out as he ran up to the small group, pulling Horatio into a fierce hug. "You scared the shit out of me, Horatio."

"I'm sorry," Horatio said sincerely. "My mind hasn't been in a good place."

Eric stepped back and looked at him. "Yeah, well I should smack the shit out of you, but it looks like Speed beat me to it."

The redhead grinned. "Who knew he had a good right hook?"

"Yeah he does." Eric shook his head rubbing his jaw. He had been on the receiving of that right hook a few times. Speed may seem calm, cool and collected, but damn if you piss him off, he can hit hard.

"Teach you not to piss me off," Speed muttered. "Upstairs. You're going to take a shower, get something to eat, and sleep. And don't even think of arguing with me." He glared at Horatio. "I'm still not happy with this whole wander off alone to die crap!"

Gil grabbed Horatio's arm and pulled him into the hotel. "Do as he says, or he'll just get riled and let the snark loose."

The redhead smiled. "Though if the rant is not directed at you it's quiet fun to watch."

"Oh yes, most entertaining." Grissom smirked then frowned at his lover's dark expression. "Let’s go."

Speed's eyes narrowed as Gil ushered Horatio into the lobby and up to their room. Eric watched the small scene and turned back towards his friend. "Speed?"

"Don't ask, I'm not quite sure I know what the hell is going on," he answered.

"I..." He paused. "Horatio and you are both my friends, and I don't want to see either of you hurt or worse."

Tim turned towards him a sad smile on his face. "At this moment getting Horatio back on his feet is the main focus; what happens after that... is wait and see."

~*~

Speed entered the hotel room to see Gil sitting at the desk. "Eric is getting Horatio's stuff and bring it here. Is he in the shower?"

"Yes, probably will be for a while; I doubt he's seen the inside of a hotel room for a while." He stood up and pulled the younger man into his arms. "I meant what I said on the beach."

Tim sagged in his arms. "What the hell, Gil? This whole thing is just..."

"Can you honestly look me in the eyes and tell me you don't love him?" he asked.

"That's not the point," Speed muttered into his lover’s shoulder.

"It is." Gil stepped back and cupped his cheeks. "Part of me will always love Nicky, as part of you still loves Horatio. Nicky isn't coming back, Horatio is here and needs you... hell he needs all the help he can get."

Speed leaned forward and gave him a deep kiss. "I love you."

"I love you, too. Now go in and help Horatio; I'm going to order food." Gil gave him a small smile.

He turned and headed for the bathroom. With a deep breath he opened the door and slipped inside. He could see Horatio under the water, his hands braced on the wall; shoulders sagged as if the weight of the world was sitting on them. Speed stripped out of his clothes and stepped into the shower. His heart leapt into his throat at seeing how thin and unhealthy H really was. The CSI in him knew this much weight loss wasn't possible in the short time Horatio had been in Brazil. They would deal with it later; right now Speed focused on getting Horatio clean, fed, and into bed.

Horatio stiffened when he felt Speed's hands on his sides. He knew what he looked like. "Speed."

"Shhh..." He kissed the back of his neck. "Let’s get this grime off you and have some dinner. We have plenty of time to talk."

Horatio turned around in the shower and looked at his once lover. "What are we doing?"

"I have no idea, but we'll figure it all out in time." He shrugged. "Focus on one thing at a time."

"Do you want this?" Caine asked sincerely. "I mean it, Speed; do you want to do this?"

Tim busied himself lathering up the soap onto the washcloth. He looked up into the serious blue eyes. "Yes."

Horatio held his gaze, searching for the truth; he gave him a short nod and took a deep breath. "It won't be easy."

Speed snorted. "Since when is anything in our lives easy?"

"Good point." Horatio laughed slightly. "I'm not the same man, and neither are you."

"Which is good, because this wouldn't work if we were." Speed smiled at him. "Let’s get you cleaned up before Gil thinks we've drowned."

Horatio had to admit just being clean again had him feeling a hell of a lot better. Speed and scrubbed every inch of skin, scrubbing away the dirt and grime. He had needed to do it, and Horatio relished the feel of Speed's hands on his body. When they stepped out of the shower there were fresh clothes sitting on the sink.

~*~

Horatio and Speed stepped out of the bathroom to see Gil setting the table with some simple foods. Horatio took a seat at the table, his stomach turning at the sight of all the food. He glanced over to the two men and quickly looked back down at their twin looks of determination.

"Just a few bites of food." Gil sat down next to him. "You're going to have to build your appetite back up." He set a bowl of soup in front of him, along with a roll. Horatio sighed and picked up the spoon. He hated this feeling, being treated like a child. "And Tim, sit down and eat your sandwich; don't think I haven't noticed you haven't been eating these past few days."

Horatio couldn't help but snicker. "Shut up, H." Speed sat down grumbling.

Horatio was surprised when he actually ate the full bowl of soup and roll, and was amazed at how calm and comfortable he actually felt. He had figured it would be uncomfortable with Gil, but it wasn't. He wasn't quite sure this would all work, but he sure as hell was going to give it a try. He looked between them and smiled. He was happy to know someone had taken Speed in and loved him. He deserved to be cherished, not dumped because of an over exaggerated sense of duty...

"Stop." Speed glared at him.

Horatio shook his head. "Forgot that you could read me so well."

Gil sighed; he knew this wasn't going to be easy. Hell they were three very stubborn men, all with series relationship issues. "It's been a long week, I suggest we all rest and then we can sit down and talk."

All three looked over at the king size bed. It was Speed who first started snickering followed by the other two. "Could we get any more awkward?"

"Probably." Gil stood up and walked towards the bed. He sat down and took off his shoes before lying down. "But I'm too tired to keep up appearances; in to bed, both of you."

Horatio wanted to protest, but a yawn cut off the argument in his own head. He followed Gil's lead and sat down on the opposite side of the bed. “Gil's right. Tomorrow we can figure out the dynamics of this situation, right now I really just want to sleep."

Speed rolled his eyes before crawling up the middle of the bed. "If I get smothered in my sleep, I'm haunting the two of you."

"What exactly are you implying, Speed?" Horatio lay on his side and grinned at the younger man.

"Both of you have a tendency to cuddle." He commented as he stretched out. "For some reason I've become a life size teddy bear."

"Well you are scruffy," Gil pointed out, scooting closer his arm draping around Tim's waist.

"And you do growl in the morning before coffee," Horatio added, his hand lying just above Gil's arm.

Speed grumbled as he settled into the bed, eyes drifting shut. Though he knew the situation was far from normal, he couldn't help but feel content. Gil felt Tim drop off into sleep and watched as Horatio soon followed him. He reached out and took Horatio's hand in his, before following them into slumber.

~The End~

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