Previous part of The Protector.

"So who is she exactly?" Eric asked glancing towards the DNA lab again.

"Megan was the supervisor before Horatio," Calleigh replied. "She left when her husband was killed but Speed and I always thought there was some other reason. She's pretty intense, Eric. Be ready for some battles between her and H. I can't believe they put them together on the same shift."

"She's not going to like being the second in command?" Eric said. "Why would the brass even try to mess with the team now? We've got a good solve rate and work well together. She could go on another shift."

"Who knows why the brass and the directors do anything they, oh boy, here comes Horatio," Calleigh said. "Try and look busy, Eric, and then we have an excuse to stay here."

"We won't be able to hear anything."

"That doesn't mean we can't watch."
********************

Horatio made his way quickly to the DNA lab after sending Speed to the morgue, knowing that Alexx would protect him no matter what. "Me-an," he said shutting the door behind him.

"Horatio," she replied.

"What are you doing here?"

"I decided it was time to come back to work and they offered to put me back on my old shift. Is that going to be a problem?"

"That depends; are you here as a CSI or an enforcer?" Horatio asked tilting his head to the right.

"Both. The others aren't happy with you and Finns and decided that a little more direct involvement is called for," Megan said. "We decided not to tell you about it."

"I thought Finns was going to talk with you all about sea-ball and Tim's connection to it," Horatio said. "And then come back to talk with me. I have some new information for him about the situation as well."

She smiled. "You won't be seeing Finns for a while," Megan said. "He's been ordered to stay with the others until the situation here is settled."

"If you harm Tim Speedle, Me-an, if you even think about harming him it will be the last thing you do," Horatio said softly, moving in closer to the enforcer. "And you can tell the others I said that too. Oh, and if I see any of the fish-faces around my house I will shoot first and ask questions later."

"This is exactly why the others don't want the protector to be involved with anyone," Megan said. "It skews your judgment badly and you can't do your job."

"I am doing my job," Horatio said. "Maybe its time to redefine exactly who and what the protector is, Me-an. Because I've been more settled since Speed came into my life than I have before and am able to help more people. And if the others think this is a bad thing then they should just kill me and bring in the next protector because I am not changing my mind any time soon."

"I'll make my own decision," Megan said. "And as second in command I can assign people where I want."

Horatio slipped on his sunglasses. "Only if you want to die more quickly," he said. "This is my team now, Me-an. You chose to leave to return to the others and it was passed to me by them. You cannot take it back on a whim. And you will not issue orders to any member of my team. If I hear you're doing that there will be problems."

"You're not my boss, Horatio."

"I'm the protector, Me-an," Horatio said. He slipped on his sunglasses. "And that means that I have more power than you do. Are you really that anxious to try and best me?"

"Speed was my student. I didn't hurt him before."

"When you were here last time Tim wasn't living with me and sleeping in my bed," Horatio said. "My words stand, Me-an. That's the last you'll hear me say on the subject and you won't bring it up again if you know what's good for you. And tell the others that keeping Finns from me is detrimental to my job."
********************

"What's going on, Timmy?" Alexx asked as she washed down one of the gurneys.

"Megan Donner is in the lab, Alexx," Speed said. "But you knew that already. I swear your mom radar went off the moment she stepped into the building."

"I'd think you'd be happy she's back, Tim. She was your mentor for so long."

"Things have changed," Speed sighed. "And this is not going to work out well, Alexx. Things are not going to work out well at all."

"Timmy, when did you start wearing a flashlight under your t-shirt?"

Speed glanced down and noticed the glow from the sea-ball was getting stronger. "I haven't," he said. "This means that there's trouble coming. I just hope it's not what I think it is."

The door to the morgue opened and Megan was framed in it for a second. "There you are, Tim," she said. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Yeah, well, I had some time and didn't want to go outside," Speed replied. "Why'd you come back, Megan? I thought you were done with the lab after your husband died."

"People can change, Tim," Megan said. "So you're working directly under Horatio now. How's that going?"

"Great," Speed snorted. "Horatio is probably the best boss I've had. He's always calm and in control of the situation and seems to always be able to find the right answer no matter how obscure the question is."

"What about at home?" Megan asked. "Is he as calm and collected there too?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Speed said.

"Oh sure you do," Megan said with a smirk. "You can't hide anything like that from me, Tim. I know everything that's been going on at Horatio's house. I'm guessing your precious team doesn't know about it though, do they?"

"Are you sure you passed the psych evaluation to come back?" Speed asked. "Because it sounds to me like you're either seeing things or the little green men have been lying to you."

Alexx snickered and turned her hose on the next gurney. She'd never really liked Megan Donner and always felt that the grief shown over her husband's death had been forced and fake. "You should get back to work, Megan," Alexx said. "I know DNA has a backlog from a case yesterday and they probably could use your help."

"This isn't over, Tim," Megan said.

"Sure it is," Speed replied. "I don't talk to crazy people."

"Are you sure antagonizing her is the best course of action?" Alexx asked once they were alone again.

"I was telling her the truth," Speed replied. "I don't talk to crazy people. Thanks for getting rid of her, Alexx. She was getting a little too close to something that Horatio and I don't want talked about here at the lab."

"I've known about it since it happened," Alexx said. "And I think Calleigh probably has too. You'd have to be blind to miss the looks that pass between you and Horatio at times. But I'm curious about that light under your shirt, Timmy."

"I can't talk about it, Alexx," Speed said. "You'll have to ask Horatio and I don't even know if he can really talk about it with anyone. It's kind of a secret."

"It's not much of one if people can see it glowing under your shirt," Alexx pointed out. "Well, some of the time anyway."

Speed glanced down again and saw that the light had gone completely out. "Huh, I wonder," he said. "I've got to do an experiment, Alexx. I'll see you later."
********************

"It was danger to me, Horatio," Speed said roughly half an hour later when he found his lover in his office.

"Tim?"

"The sea-ball," Speed said. "It was glowing because of Megan getting close to me. Alexx noticed it in the morgue and I had it under my shirt and Megan showed up not two minutes later. When she left the sea-ball stopped glowing. So I walked past DNA a couple of times with it cupped in my hand. Every time I got close to Megan it started glowing and when I was away from her it stopped. So what's going on?"

"Her real name is Me-an," Horatio sighed. "She's an enforcer for the others, hence the turtleneck. The sea folk have trouble with some of our letters so the "g" is added only by humans and Me-an when she's on land. I had a talk with her and she's been sent by the others to make sure you're not hurting my performance as the protector. They're keeping Finns from me which is why I had no warning of this happening."

"Is he okay?" Speed asked.

"They won't hurt him," Horatio replied. "I wouldn't be able to quit my job as the protector but the others know that I'd stop helping everyone if they did anything to Finns. They won't risk it. I'm more concerned about Me-an being on shift with us. She's already talking about how she still has power on the team and can do scene assignments."

"She asked me how it was working under you," Speed said. "I thought that was about as subtle as a kick to the head. And Alexx picked up on it too. She says she's known since our first night together and doesn't give a damn as long as we're both happy. And I don't think she likes Megan."

"What did you tell her?"

"That you're the best boss ever," Speed said with a smirk. "Its not like I could say how perfectly you fit in my body, hitting every spot every time to drive me crazy and feeling you inside me completes me."

Horatio groaned. "Don't tease, Tim," he said. "We can't risk it now that Me-an is here."

Speed turned and looked at the door and then at Horatio's desk for a moment. He got up and walked around behind the desk and squatted down, looking at the door from several different angles. "Put your legs here," he said. When he had Horatio positioned exactly as he wanted, Speed went and stood first by the door, then by the chair and finally directly in front of the desk. "That's what I thought," he finally said.

"What?"

"If I'm right here," Speed said, kneeling down next to Horatio's desk and tucking his feet under it, "then you can't see me even if the other person is right in front of your desk. In fact they'd have to come around the edge to notice I'm here."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"Oh Horatio, we really need to broaden your world view," Speed smirked. He licked his lips as he rubbed Horatio's legs through the black cloth. "I can do some wicked things with my mouth that you haven't discovered yet."

"Tim," Horatio moaned as his lover's meaning sunk in. He let his legs fall open and bit back and louder moan as Speed's hands undid his zipper and reached inside for his growing erection. Horatio wasn't sure if it was because he hadn't had a lover before or not but it seemed like he was constantly aroused around Speed. And the location didn't seem to matter either; he wanted to be able to claim his lover no matter what or where they were. And he wasn't sure that was entirely normal.

Speed grinned up at Horatio as he leaned in and licked around the head of Horatio's cock. It was the first time he'd had his lover's cock in his mouth, the first time he'd really been able to taste Horatio and Speed loved it. He was still in awe of how well he and his lover seemed to fit together no matter what and it really made Speed want to believe their working theory that the soul of the last protector split into two and now it was back together in them. Speed glanced up at Horatio and found his lover's blue eyes fixed on him as he took Horatio's erection into his mouth and back out again, using his tongue as well as his throat muscles to massage the leaking shaft.

Knowing they didn't have much time Speed worked a hand under Horatio's body and let his finger trace along the seam of the suit. Horatio bit his lip as his hips bucked up wildly and he came.

"We still have six hours to go," Speed grumbled as he licked Horatio clean. "And it's going to go by so slowly too."

"What about you, Tim?" Horatio asked.

"I'll hit the men's room," Speed replied. "And then get back to those trace samples. As we always say, the evidence won't process itself."

"I'm not going to be able to focus today," Horatio said. He pulled Speed in for a kiss and rubbed his erection through his black jeans. "Because you're going to be down in your lab where I can see you all day."

"H, these are my last clean pants here," Speed panted.

"Go," Horatio said. "Before I lose control and take you in here again. I'll keep watch over you today, Tim. Me-an will just have to sit and wait."

***

When they got home that evening Speed went to the kitchen to start cooking supper. Horatio changed into a pair of black swim trunks and went down to the beach. He settled to the sand just above the high tide mark and stared out over the water. Since Horatio had come to Miami and taken over as the protector he couldn't remember a time when Finns wasn't available to talk with. He hoped his message would be sent to the others sooner rather than later so his advisor would be returned to him.

The dolphin head popping out of the water startled him. "Finns," Horatio exclaimed. He stood and made his way out into the water. "Did the others release you?"

"They did and they are not happy with you," Finns replied. "Tell me exactly what happened at the lab."

"I put my foot down," Horatio said. "Just as I promised I would the last time we talked. They kept you from me, ignored the evidence I uncovered and sent an enforcer to Miami to hurt my lover."

Finns splashed some water at Horatio. "Your temper is going to get you in trouble one of these days," he said. "Horatio, you cannot kill the enforcer sent to Miami. That would cause more trouble than anything else you could do."

"We have more information regarding the sea-ball," Horatio said. "It started glowing at the lab today the moment Me-an stepped into the building. The glow increased in both light and heat whenever she approached him. It means danger to Tim, Finns. The sea-ball is still connected to me but it reacting to Speed as well. Tell me the truth, have you ever heard of something like this before?"

"You know I haven't and neither have the others," Finns said. He gave the dolphin equivalent of a sigh. "We also haven't worked with one so stubborn in many years. Horatio, there is no way the soul of the last protector could have split in half."

"How do you know that?" Horatio demanded. He turned towards the beach. "Speed, come join us, please."

The younger man made a face but waded into the water until he was standing next to his lover. "You know I'd only do this for you," he said. "And we are taking a shower as soon as we get back to the house."

"This is the reason I can be so sure," Finns said. "No protector would have such an aversion to the sea."

"I don't hate the ocean," Tim said. "I hate the stuff that the humans have dumped into it. But if you want an element that I have an affinity for it'd be the earth."

"Tim's a trace expert," Horatio said. "He can find information and evidence when no one else can. In fact, he has the same affinity for the earth that I have for the water. Wouldn't you think that proves that he's got the soul of a protector?"

"Horatio?" Speed asked.

"It's something we haven't covered yet," Horatio said. "I'll explain more when we get back inside. Finns, tell the others that they know what their options are but they are not to hurt me or my lover. Do you understand?"

Finns nodded, splashing Horatio. "I figured out a while ago that the two of you belong together," he said. "But I'm the only one who believes it from my end. I cannot guarantee that there won't be other enforcers sent to Miami to try and separate you."

"If the others try to harm either of us they'll find out exactly how much power I do hold," Horatio said. "Finns, I don't want you hurt. Is there any way I can help you?"

"Don't worry about me," Finns said. "I'll be fine, Horatio. You just take care of your lover."

Tim reached over and rubbed Finns' head. "Thanks, Finns," he said. "I haven't had a lot of friends in my life and I'd be honored to count you among them."

"Then do so," Finns said. "Take care of your protector, Tim Speedle. I'll go and speak with the others again, but I don't think it'll do any good."
********************

Speed was as good as his word and forced Horatio into the shower so they could both wash off the sea water before they ate. Horatio sat at the table and watched as his lover moved around the kitchen in nothing but a pair of loose shorts and the sea-ball around his neck. He couldn't help but smile. He wasn't sure how he'd gotten so lucky to get the younger man in his life but he did know that he would do everything in his power to protect Speed from harm.

"How about you come back to earth and tell me about that rather cryptic statement you made to Finns out there," Speed said as he put a plate down in front of his lover.

"The protector, historically, is linked to two elements although one is stronger than the other," Horatio said. He took a bite of his pasta. "For most of us, as near as I have been able to tell anyway, the link is always strongest with the water. But the other protectors have also had a link to the earth. In this instance, however, I don't link to anything relating to the earth. I think you do."

"So does that add to our theory that the most recent soul split in half and we're both the protector?" Speed asked. "And, if that's the case, why didn't anyone know it until now?"

"I wish I had the answer for that, Speed," Horatio replied. "The only thing I can think of is that your talents have been dormant up until the point you came to my bed. Then, when I gave you the sea-ball, something happened and it led to your powers coming to the fore. I want to train you, Tim. I want to teach you to use your powers and be the other protector. Then we can take care of Miami together."

"Horatio, what's going on here?" Speed sighed. "I haven't seen you so tense in a really, really long time."

"The fish-faces are coming," Horatio said. "I just don't know when they're going to be here and its making me nervous. You might get to see a display of my powers sooner than you thought."

"Power, Horatio?"

"I told you I'm not entirely human," Horatio said. "I don't like to use these powers, Tim. I really don't but if it'll keep you safe then I will. Promise me you'll stay close no matter what happens."

Speed scooted his chair around until he could rest his head on Horatio's left shoulder. "I'm not going to leave you, Horatio," he said softly. "I promise you that. I think that we can safely assume that we're linked on more than one level. Do you think we can learn to use that?"

"All we can do is try," Horatio said. He kissed the top of Speed's head. "All we can do is try."
********************

"Speedle, you're with me," Megan said poking her head into the trace lab the next day.

Speed just glanced up, snorted softly and went back to the analysis he was running on some soil samples for Calleigh. Megan walked over to him and grabbed his arm. "I said you're with me."

"Actually, he's not," Horatio said from the shadows, "because you haven't been cleared to go back into the field and there is still a backlog in DNA."

"You can't stop me," Megan hissed.

"You do not want to tell me that right now," Horatio said. He stepped out and put his hands on his hips. "You know exactly who you're dealing with, Me-an. I am not ashamed to let my co-workers know what I am and what I can do."

"We'll take the case," Speed said. "Just not with you involved in it."

Horatio bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing at the look on the enforcer's face. "Give me the slip, Me-an, and get back to work. I do not want to have to tell you this again."
********************

Horatio looked around the crime scene as he and Speed walked in. He didn't like the fact that they were on a dock and he didn't like the neighborhood they were in. It would have been all too easy to push Speed into the water or for the fish-faces to come up and grab him. Horatio realized that they would have to start their lessons that night because it would start to look suspicious if he and Speed were together constantly.

Being so close to the water was causing Horatio's senses to go crazy. He could sense every single gasoline and oil spills in the water and the fishes suffering. Time had taught Horatio how to ignore most of it but there was something bothering him that he just couldn't shake.

"Hey, you okay?" Speed asked coming up on Horatio's left.

"No, there's something," Horatio replied looking out over the water. "I can't place it, Tim. There's something wrong."

"Are you going to be able to work the scene?"

"How can I not?" Horatio asked.

Speed nodded and went back to Alexx. Horatio stayed where he was, his attention split between his lover, the crime scene and the ocean. That's why he was the first to notice the dolphin head pop up and sink down again. "Tim," Horatio called jumping into the water.

The younger man got to the spot on the dock just Horatio surfaced again supporting a very familiar dolphin. "Call the aquarium," Horatio gasped. "He's still alive."

"Horatio, what's going on?" Alexx asked joining Speed.

"I'll explain later," Horatio replied sharply. "Tim, he's been attacked and it wasn't by a shark. Alexx, get the victim back to the morgue and keep working on the case. Speed and I will be there as soon as we can."

"Protector," Finns croaked. "Enforcers."

"I know, Finns, I know," Horatio said. "We're going to get you somewhere safe and then I will deal with this. They have gone too far this time.
********************

The vet came up to Horatio with a clipboard in hand and a frown on his face. "This is one very lucky dolphin," he said. "If the shark had bitten a couple of inches deeper he'd be dead. How did you find him?"

"He came up to the dock where my CSI and I were working," Horatio replied. "What's going to happen to him now?"

"Well, if he lives we'll keep him here and put him one of the exhibits," the vet said. "He's still young and in fairly good condition. Would you like to see him before you leave?"

"If I could, please," Horatio said. It hurt him to think of his mentor and friend in an aquarium but if it would keep Finns alive then he'd do it. Horatio would try and set up something with the aquarium to let him visit Finns whenever he could.

"Do you have an affinity for dolphins?" the doctor asked. "The only reason I ask is that you seemed to be fairly comfortable in the water with him and also handling him until we got there."

"I've been around them in the past," Horatio replied with a smile. "I suppose my first instinct was to help because I could see he was injured. It's not unlike what I do at work every day."

"I think I've seen you on the news," the vet said. "Here he is."

Horatio knelt down next to the tank and put his hand in the water. Finns swam over slowly and bumped into it. The red head smiled softly. "I'll get them, Finns," he whispered. "I promise."

***

Speed was pacing back and forth by the Hummer waiting for Horatio to come out of the aquarium. He didn't know what it would do to his lover to have Finns stuck in a land-locked facility all the time. Did it mean that they would lose their somewhat already tenuous connection to these others that Horatio kept talking about? How would they know what was going on under the water?

"Get your hand off me, bitch," Speed snarled when Megan walked up and grabbed his arm. "You think you can just waltz back in and everything will be the same, but it won't. Horatio is going to kill you when he gets out here."

"Which is why we're not going to be here," Megan replied. "Let's go."

"No," Speed said. He yanked his arm free and turned on her. "You didn't listen to Finns, did you? No, he's just a dolphin, what does he know. You stupid fish-faces must hate all mammals or think we're stupid because we actually have feelings for each other. You and the others just sit there on your high sea-horses thinking you're better than us. You're not."

"You don't know what you're talking about and you're meddling in things you don't understand," she snapped.

"What, you think that's going to scare me off?" Speed snorted. "Please, I've heard better threats from strung-out junkies in the interrogation rooms. More creative too. I guess being a fish-face means you have a small brain too. How'd you ever get to be a DNA technician anyway? You have to be smart to do that. Huh, maybe we should go back and take a look at all your cases to see how badly you screwed them up."

"Tim," a soft voice said from behind him.

"H, how's Finns?"

"He'll live," Horatio replied. He moved in front of his lover, put his hands on his hips and looked over his sunglasses. "I told you what would happen if you crossed me, Me-an. You chose not to listen and so you leave me no choice."

"The others think differently," she said. "They believe that you've lost your effectiveness as the protector of Miami."

Horatio tilted his head to the right. "Then they are the ones who are out of touch," he said softly. He raised his right hand and pointed at Megan. Even though he was away from the water, his anger and sadness gave him the power he needed. Megan's mouth snapped shut and she toppled over. "Grab her feet, Tim; we need to head home."

"What did Finns have to say?" Speed asked.

"He said two words to me at the dock," Horatio replied. "Protector and enforcers. That means we're going to have more company and we need to get home to get ready. Speed, I need you to stay behind me no matter what happens, okay? I can protect you, but only if you're behind me."

"I promise," Speed said. "But what happens if they hurt you?"

"They won't have the chance to," Horatio promised.
********************

"So what exactly did you do to her?" Speed asked once they were driving towards their house. Megan was in the back of the Hummer, as still and silent as if she had been bound and gagged, but there wasn't anything on her.

"She's getting on my nerves," Horatio replied. "So I got her to shut up. It's a fairly easy thing for me to do, although I've never used it at work. No matter how much some of the suspects and witnesses bother me."

Speed glanced at his lover. "So what are you, a Jedi or something?"

"No, Tim, nothing like that," Horatio said with a small laugh. "The ocean is what gives me these powers and the further away from it I am, the less I can do. But if my emotions are running especially high for any reason, then it's the same as if I were standing in the ocean. I keep telling you, I'm not exactly human and I've been given the tools I need to keep Miami safe. I don't like them so I don't use them, much. I think the last time was when a five-year-old was drowning at the beach. She would've been dead by the time I reached her, but I was able to convince the ocean to support her weight rather than claim her."

"Yeah, like I said, a Jedi," Speed said. "Will I be able to do stuff like this too?"

"You already were, you just didn't notice it," Horatio said. "Its how I knew I had to get to you quickly. I could feel the ground trembling and the trees had started swaying, so I knew that something had you upset. I promise that as soon as we get rid of Me-an and the fish-faces I'm going to start your lessons. You need to learn some control."

"Can I hurt you?" Speed asked. "I mean tonight, if I get out of control again? Because I don't have your control, your temperament, and if they say or do something I don't like, it's probably going to make me mad."

"You can't," Horatio said. He reached over and took Speed's hand in his own. "You can't because I know how to counter anything that you could do. The fish-faced enforcer, however, won't. They don't spend much, if any, time on land and aren't as familiar with those powers. Try to keep your control for me, Speed. But if you lose it, you won't do anything to me."

"But I can hurt them," Speed said.

"Unintentionally, at this point," Horatio said. "You don't have control over your growing powers, Tim. You're basically a toddler learning all over again, taking small magical steps as your powers grow and develop. I'll help you train them, like your mother helped you take your first steps, but we have to deal with this problem first."

Speed looked back. "What about her?" he asked. "Won't she be able to warn them?"

"She won't be able to say or do a thing unless I want her to," Horatio smirked.

Speed did a double take at the very evil little smile on his lover's face and his body reacted. "Damn, Horatio," he said. "Who knew that you looking so evil would be so hot?"

"You, my love, haven't seen anything yet," Horatio said.
********************

When Horatio and Speed dumped Megan onto the beach, Speed noticed that the ocean was rougher than usual. He wondered, aloud, if there was a storm coming or if the ocean was reacting to Horatio's mood.

"There's a storm coming in," Horatio said. "Remember, the enforcers are basically fish with legs. They need water to breathe, which means they need rain or heavy humidity to survive up here on land."

"So what are you going to do?" Speed asked.

"Take away their water," Horatio replied. "It's something I've never done before so I doubt they know I can. Stay on the deck, love. I need to know you're safe."

Speed pulled Horatio in against him and kissed him fiercely. "I might just have to rethink my position on beach sex when this is over," he whispered. "Because I'm so turned on right now that we probably won't make it to the bedroom tonight."

"You might change your mind when you see what we're up against," Horatio said. "Here they come."

As Horatio made his way out to where they had dumped Megan, Speed noticed fins slicing through the water heading straight for the shore. At first he thought they were sharks, but had to quickly shake off that idea as no sharks would come in so intentionally when there was no obvious food source around. Speed had seen the videos of Great Whites hunting in the seal shallows of South Africa. Then he realized that someone in Hollywood had to have seen the enforcers at some point, because they looked like fish with legs. Almost literally. And they looked like something out of a very bad horror movie.

Horatio had stopped about halfway down the beach and was standing in what Speed had dubbed his classic pose – hand on hips, sunglasses on, head tilted slightly to the right and his feet shoulder width apart. Horatio's suit jacket flapped in the wind, but it didn't take away from the power surrounding him. At that moment, Speed realized exactly how powerful his lover was. It didn't scare him a bit. It just made him want to jump Horatio the first chance he got.

"You violate our law," one of the fish-faces managed.

"You broke our bond," Horatio replied softly. "You attacked my mentor for nothing more than bringing you new information. Just because you and the others don't like it doesn't mean that it's not the truth. Now take her and leave. The next time any of you sets foot on my beaches you will not like the consequences."

"Not without human."

"Speed stays with me," Horatio said. "Any more attempts on his life and I'll rethink my life as well. You've already broken the bond between the protector and the ocean. Why should I still honor it?"

"Miami must have protector."

"So you say, but you stifle the process and threaten the one person who makes my job easier, not to mention cutting off my line of communication with the council," Horatio said. He glanced up at the sky and the clouds parted almost instantly. "My powers have grown since you were here last. I suggest you take your failed enforcer with you and get back in the water before you die. And tell the others that Tim Speedle is the other half of the protector's soul. He is going to be trained to help me in my duty."

As one of the meaner, and sharkier, looking fish-faces pulled out a spear of some kind, the beach rumbled and split open. Horatio had been expecting something of the kind and leapt back, only falling when he was clear of the pit that had opened in their beach. He stood up and chuckled. "Speed," he said.

"Sorry, H," Speed replied. "I guess I just got fed up with them."

"Well we can't exactly leave them there," Horatio sighed. "Because then the others would just keep sending more and more enforcers and we'd run out of sand before they ran out of people."

Speed walked down and joined Horatio near the edge of the pit. It was about thirty feet deep and five across. Seven pairs of fish eyes, and one pair of moderately human eyes glared up at them. "So how do we get them out?"

"I think floating them out would be the easiest," Horatio smirked. He cocked a finger at the ocean, like he was calling it over, and pointed to the hole. Immediately waves rushed up the beach and poured down into the hole, filling it with water.

"Impressive, but a little showy," Speed commented.

"Oh, like opening a pit like that isn't," Horatio said. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you, Tim."

"Ravish me?"

"Not in front of the fishes." Horatio looked at the enforcers. "Leave. Now. Take my messages back to the others and add that I will not work with another mentor. They burned that bridge when they allowed Finns to come to harm."

"This not over."

"I'll be ready," Horatio promised.

"H, why do they talk like that?" Speed asked as they watched the fish-faces slink back into the ocean and swim off.

"No tongues," Horatio replied. "Me-an, you'd better leave too. I never want to see your face again."

"Not without Speedle," she said, lunging for the dark man.

Horatio reacted instantly, pulled Speed behind him and made a slashing motion with his hand. Megan fell to the ground gasping for air. Horatio just glared at her until she collapsed.

"What did you do?" Speed asked.

"I closed her gills as well as her wind pipe," Horatio replied. He glanced out at the ocean. "I'll get the waves to dump her on a beach down the coast a ways and it will look like she drowned."

"How? Horatio, there won't be any water in her lungs," Speed said. "Alexx will see through that in an instant."

Horatio smirked again. "You'd be amazed at what the ocean can do for me, Tim," he said. "Go get dried off, I won't be that long."

"You do realize you just killed another human being," Speed said.

"She wasn't human, Tim," Horatio sighed. "I don't know what they are, really, but they're not human. I feel bad for what I did, but I did warn her not to touch you. Go on, into the house. I'll be there in a minute."

"Shower before you come to bed if you're going into the ocean," Speed said. "Oh, Horatio, what about this thing?"

"You'll have to close it, Tim," Horatio said. "I can't. I can't talk to the earth like I do the water. I suppose, for now, we just have to remember that it's there. I wonder..."

"What?"

"Well, the ocean brings and takes sand to and from the shore," Horatio replied. "It might be able to fill this particular pit in for us. I'll give it a try and see what happened. If nothing else, the waves will just get a good workout tonight."

"The waves aren't the only ones," Speed said.

***

Speed looked down at his sleeping lover with a fond smile. The past few weeks had been hard on them both – between work, training Speed to use his new powers and Horatio just being Horatio – he knew his lover needed sleep. He had awoken several times and found himself alone in their bed, Horatio out on the beach standing guard against the almost constant threat from the enforcers. Speed was always able to coax his lover back to bed and wear him out enough to sleep, but he could tell that Horatio missed Finns. The aquarium vet had isolated the dolphin when his wounds became infected and wouldn't let anyone in to see him.

Carefully, so he wouldn't wake his lover, Speed kissed Horatio's forehead and put a note on the bedside table. Delko had been bugging Speed about going out to the clubs with him and Speed had run out of excuses not to join him. As much as he wanted to spend the evening at home with Horatio, Speed knew he had to go and spend time with Delko. And pretend to ogle the girls so Delko wouldn't guess about Speed's relationship with Horatio.
********************

Horatio dreamed...

He saw his lover in a crowd of people with Eric not far away. They were enjoying the music although Horatio noticed that Speed was checking his watch as often as he dared, like he didn't want to be there. Speed was watching Eric's attempt to pick up a girl and Horatio could almost feel Speed's amusement.

Horatio jumped and stirred when the sparklers went off, white sparks jumping and leaping into the air. He saw Speed's face cloud as his lover realized that the curtains behind the stage were on fire. Eric called someone, most likely dispatch, as Speed attempted to find another way out of the building.

Horatio awoke...
********************

The protector sat up in bed gasping for air as if he had been in the nightclub as it filled with smoke. "Tim?" he called hopefully. But he already knew the answer, the house felt different when Speed was home.

As he swung his feet out of bed, Horatio caught sight of a piece of paper on his table. He picked it up and flipped it open.

H – Eric is getting suspicious because I haven't been around much lately, so I'm going out with him for a bit. You're asleep and I don't want to wake you. Hopefully I'll be home before you wake up. If I'm not, I have my cell with me. I love you. Speed.

The note fell from Horatio's fingers as he lunged for his closet and a clean suit. Fortunately, Horatio knew the club and also knew several shortcuts to get there.
********************

The building was already engulfed in flames with people spilling out into the street when Horatio pulled up. He felt a surge of panic when he realized there was no water in the club beyond drinks and that the sea-ball was still inside. Horatio parked the Hummer and jumped out. "Eric," he called. "Are you okay? Where's Speed?"

"Inside," Eric replied.

"EMS is on the way," Horatio said as he made his way into the building. He could feel the sea-ball moving so he grabbed the first people he saw and pulled them out into the night air.

"H," Speed said, coughing. "It went up so fast. There was nothing I could do."

"I know, Tim, I know," Horatio said. He pulled his lover back as the fire engines moved in and, once the pair was in the shadows, wrapped his arms around Speed. "I saw it happen."

Speed pulled back and stared into Horatio's blue eyes. "One of your dreams," he whispered. "Why didn't we have more warning?"

"When did you decide to go out with Eric?"

"An hour before I actually left the house," Speed said. "Eric just wouldn't let up."

"The warning came once you made your choice," Horatio replied. "In a way I'm glad I was asleep, otherwise I wouldn't be here right now."

Speed pushed his face in tight against Horatio neck and inhaled deeply. "I was so scared, H," he whispered. "I saw the flames spreading and realized that I had absolutely no control over them."

"It's an element we can't control, like air," Horatio said. He ran his hands up under Speed's shirt and pulled him in close. "Our elements – water and earth – give and nurture life. Fire and air are actually alive. They're living elements. No one can control them and only a fool would try."

"I can't believe there's still more I have to learn," Speed said. "It seems like the past few weeks have been nothing but lessons. How close are we to finishing everything?"

Horatio chuckled. "A long way away. Tim, you need to remember that I grew up with all of this," he said. "So I have a good 26 year head start on the practical applications."

"So I get to be a student for the rest of my life?" Speed asked. "Well, at least I have the massive holes under control."

"Next comes building," Horatio said. "Do you think Eric is looking for us yet?"

"I don't know, he was pretty fixated on some girl and might be looking for her," Speed said. He shifted and looked at his lover. "Why?"

In reply Horatio moved them into a deeper shadow and leaned in, kissing Speed gently. He wanted nothing more than to take the time and tease his lover – his other half – but the location, the possibility of discovery and a crime scene waiting for them made Horatio realize that was the last thing he could afford to do.

Speed groaned when Horatio dropped to his knees in front of him, hands on Tim's belt. "Horatio," he whispered gazing down into deep blue eyes.

Horatio smiled gently as he exposed Speed's cock to the cool night air. Speed bit his lip as he was taken quickly, Horatio alternating between sucking and licking. Horatio's right hand left Speed's hip and slipped around to tease gently against the seam of the jeans.

"Take me," Speed panted. "Need you, H, need you now."

"I don't have any lube," Horatio replied. He lapped at the tip of Tim's erection, his left hand holding it steady. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"My pocket," Speed managed, trying to thrust.

Horatio fished the small tube out and glanced up at his lover. "Were you planning to get lucky tonight?" he asked.

"Yeah." Speed snorted as he was turned around. "Once I got home to you. I had plans to jump you the second I was inside." He moaned as fingers entered him.

"How very naughty of you, Tim," Horatio whispered as he slid into his lover's body. They both moaned at the feeling of completion that flooded them, as it always did, making both feel complete.

"Move," Speed whispered. He pushed his hips back as he braced his weight against the wall. Horatio groaned deep in his chest as he pulled back, the separation almost painful before he thrust forward again, managing to hit Speed's prostate on the first try.

It took a few minutes to fall into their rhythm as it was the first time they hadn't been in a bed, or at least lying down, when making love and Horatio found that he really didn't like the position at all as the only parts of Speed he could kiss were his nick and back. To compensate, he ran his hands up Speed's stomach to his chest and started to toy with his nipples. Speed moaned again and let his head fall back onto Horatio's shoulder.

"I love you, Tim," Horatio whispered as he started moving faster.

Speed braced his left hand against the wall and reached down with his right, fingers wrapping around his cock and stroking firmly. Horatio's head dropped forward as his climax hit, his body shaking. Speed felt heat fill him and the sensation was enough to send him spiraling into his own climax.

"Don't want to go to work," Speed muttered as the lovers caught their breath.

"We have to," Horatio said. "If only so I can believe the fire wasn't an intentional attack on you."

"Trust me, H," Speed said as he put his clothes to rights. "There was no one in there who looked like a fish-face or who was wearing a turtleneck. Hell, most of them weren't wearing anything."

"We need to find answers for the families as well, Tim." Horatio pulled Speed in for one more deep kiss. "They need to know how and why their loved ones died."

The lovers made their way back out and found that the fire department had only just shut off their hoses and were getting ready to start overhauling the building. They also located Eric. He was sitting in the passenger seat of Horatio's Hummer.

"Eric, are you okay?" Horatio asked.

"Yeah, but for awhile there I thought my number was up," Eric replied. "I feel so stupid right now, H. I'm trained to investigate crimes and remember details and right now I'm drawing a complete blank."

"We'll figure it out, Eric," Horatio said. "The building will tell us the story. Excuse me." He took out his ringing phone. "Horatio."

Eric looked over at Speed. "So where did you vanish to?"

"H and I were on the other side of the building and were just trying to stay out of everyone's way," Speed replied easily. "We came back over here the first chance we got."

"I knew you'd gotten out, but I was worried about you," Eric said.

"Thanks," Speed said with a smile. He glanced up and the smile faded when he realized that there were clouds gathering.

Eric followed his friend's gaze. "Looks like we're in for a storm," he said. "That's all we need to cap off the night."

"I'm not so sure," Speed said. He looked around until he caught sight of Horatio and he realized that it wasn't the lieutenant standing there anymore. It was the protector and the clouds were the result of Horatio's emotions. "I'll be right back."

Speed couldn't remember the last time he'd seen Horatio lose control. Even when they had faced down Me-an on the beach the red head had been in control of his emotions. It scared him. "Horatio?"

"That was the aquarium," Horatio replied softly. His blue eyes glinted in the flashing light from the fire engines.

"Finns?" Speed asked. His heart sank as he realized that the glint in his lover's eyes was from tears.

"He's dead," Horatio said.

***

"Do people ever get less stupid?" Speed asked as he curled up against Horatio in one of their larger deck chairs. "I mean, really, what the hell was that guy thinking setting a fire to prove he's good enough to be a fireman?"

"I haven't seen it happen yet," Horatio replied. "I'm just glad you weren't one of the victims, Tim. It would've killed me to lose you."

"I don't suppose we could go on vacation, could we?" Speed looked up at Horatio. "Get away from the fish-faces for a while so you can relax."

Horatio sighed. "I'm afraid not," he said. "I'm not allowed to leave Miami unless it's an emergency. Build me a sandcastle."

"Excuse me?"

"Build a sandcastle," Horatio replied.

Speed pushed up and put a hand on Horatio's forehead. "Are you feeling all right?" he asked.

"I feel fine," Horatio said batting Speed's hand away. "Why?"

"Because we're sitting here talking about vacations and you tell me to build you a sandcastle," Speed said. "There's absolutely no logical connection between the two."

"No, but there is a connection between the sandcastle and your developing powers," Horatio replied. "I'm not asking for Buckingham Palace or the Taj Mahal, Tim. I just want to see if you can manipulate the sand."

"I know something else I can manipulate," Speed said. He ran his fingers over Horatio's stomach and down the seam of his black swim trunks.

"You're not going to distract me, Speed," Horatio said. "Do you want a demonstration?"

"I thought you can't work with earth."

"I can't." Horatio cocked a finger and made a 'come here' motion at the ocean. A globe of water floated up and moved towards them until it was close enough that Speed could see through it. Horatio sat up a little so both hands were free and started shaping it until there was a castle in front of them.

"Show off," Speed muttered.

Horatio grinned and moved the castle so it was over Speed's head. "What was that?"

"You wouldn't."

"Who's a show off?"

"Delko." Speed sputtered as the castle broke apart and drenched him. Horatio was already on his feet and running towards the ocean by the time Speed wiped the salt water out of his eyes and jumped up to follow. He lunged at his lover and the pair went down, rolling into the breaking waves.

"I do love you, Tim," Horatio said. He had ended up on top and pushed up so he could gaze down into his lover's deep brown yes.

"I know," Speed replied. "It was still a dirty trick."

"It's the same one that Finns..." Horatio's voice broke as he trailed off and swallowed hard.

"Shhh," Speed said. He rubbed Horatio's back. They hadn't talked about the dolphin's death and Speed didn't know exactly how well his lover was handling it.

Horatio shook his head. "I have to," he said. "It's the same trick Finns pulled on me when I was learning how to sculpt water."

"What's going to happen to us, Horatio?" Speed asked.

"The others believe that I broke the ancient agreement first so they have no problem attempting to kill both of us and anyone close to us as well," Horatio said. "They want a Protector in place who will bend to their will and blindly follow their orders."

"Is there another protector waiting to take our place?"

"It's possible, but whoever it is would still be an infant and of no use to them for years," Horatio said. "We're far from safe, Tim, but they'll be reluctant to kill me because it would leave the city without protection."

"They don't have the same reservations about me, do they?" Speed asked.

"I swear to you, Tim, that no one is ever going to hurt you," Horatio said. He paused and tilted his head as if he were listening to something. "We have company."

"Fish-faces?"

The pair rolled to their feet and Horatio moved forward until he was waist deep in the water. "It's considered rude to listen in on another's conversation," he said. "Show yourself before I force you to."

A small dolphin head popped up near him. "Peace, Protector, I mean you no harm. I'm Conch."

"Finns' son," Horatio sighed. "I recall him mentioning you in one of our conversations. What are you doing away from your pod?"

"I'm looking for my father. The last time I spoke with him he said there was trouble here and, if he didn't come back, to find you. That you would help me."

"I'm sorry, Conch," Horatio said. "Your father was attacked when he attempted to bring me a message and he didn't survive it. I did everything in my power to help him, but the wounds were just too severe."

The dolphin sank below the surface for a moment. Speed waded out into the water and stood next to Horatio. "I didn't know Finns had a family."

"This is his only child," Horatio replied. "His wife, for lack of a suitable term, was caught by accident by some fishermen a few years ago and was killed. The pod has been raising Conch while Finns worked with me and the others."

"He wanted me to help you," Conch said, head popping back up.

"I thank you for that, but I won't have more innocent blood on my hands," Horatio said. "The best thing you can do to help me, Conch, is return to your pod and forget you ever knew about me. There is a battle coming between the others and myself and I won't have you or anyone else harmed if I can avoid it."

"Surely it's my choice," Conch said.

"How old are you?" Speed asked.

Conch rolled over and eyed Speed. "Old enough to make my own decisions, human," he said.

Horatio snickered. "Conch, you must not have spoken with Finns about the latest developments here," he said. "The Protector of Miami is housed in two bodies, not one. This is Tim Speedle, known as Speed, and he's the earth half of the soul."

"My apologies," Conch said. "Protector, it's my choice on who I serve. If you won't let me help you directly, at least let me gather information for you. You need someone who can be around the others to find out what's going on and help keep you safe."

"And if they find out, then what?" Horatio asked. "I won't have your death on my conscious, Conch. Go back to your pod. It's the best and safest thing for you to do."

Speed wrapped an arm around Horatio's waist as they watched the dolphin swim off. "So how old is he?"

"In human years, sixteen," Horatio said with a sad smile.

"He sounded like it," Speed said. "Horatio, do you want to talk about Finns?"

"Not right now, not when the pain is still so fresh," Horatio replied.

"You know you'll have to talk about it at some point," Speed said as they made their way back up towards the house. "If for no other reason than we really need to make those bastards pay for what they did to Finns and Conch. No one should have to grow up without a dad."

Horatio smiled sadly and looked back out at the ocean. "You're right about that," he said. "Come on, we have a busy day tomorrow, we should get some sleep."

"Is sleep all you have in mind?" Speed grabbed his lover's shoulders and turned him. "Shower, Horatio, I don't want any of this crap to end up in our bed."

"One of these days I'm going to make you so wild and frantic that you'll forget, Tim," Horatio replied with a smirk.

"Yeah, like I'm going to forget all the nasty things crawling on me and doing god knows what to my skin and immune system." Speed snorted and joined Horatio in the shower. "I don't know how you can stand to be in the ocean all the time."

Horatio grinned and pulled Speed in for a kiss before handing him the soap. "The biohazards and biologicals you seem so worried about never touch me," he said. "When I, or we, go in the water they all scatter so we're standing in pure salt water."

"You mean to tell me that I've been working up the nerve to get in the ocean for no reason?"

"No, you did it because you love me," Horatio said. "And I keep the water pure around you for the same reason. I'd never ask you to do something you so obviously hate."

Speed just stared at his lover for a long moment, trying to work out whether he wanted to hit or kiss him. Before he could come up with an answer the doorbell rang. "Are you expecting company?" Speed asked.

"No," Horatio replied. He stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist. "Stay here, Tim, until I'm sure its not fish-faces. I don't want any holes in our living room, okay?"

"Be careful, H," Speed said.

"I will."

Horatio didn't think it was anyone who wanted to harm either him or his lover, but he wasn't taking any chances. "Eric," he said when he opened the door. "Are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Connie died and I, I guess I just didn't want to go home yet," Eric replied. "I'm sorry, H; did I get you out of the shower?"

"Yeah, but you know what, its okay," Horatio said. "Come in. Let me get dressed and we can go out on the deck and talk."

Speed only just refrained from hitting his head against the wall when he heard Eric's voice from the front of the house. He knew that he'd have to stay in the bedroom, or office, hidden so the younger man didn't find out about him and Horatio.

"Do you mind?" Horatio asked.

"Nah, he needs someone and you're a good choice," Speed replied. "I'll just wait for you in here, wet, naked and hard. Maybe even have some fun by myself."

"Don't tease me, Tim," Horatio said as he slipped into a pair of slacks. "You don't want to make me hard and aching when I can't get inside you."

"At least I know you'll never look at anyone else," Speed said. "Go on, H. Eric needs you."

"Thank you," Horatio said. He kissed Speed softly and went back towards the living room. Eric was already out on the deck so Horatio grabbed a couple of beers and went out to join him. "How are you holding up?"

"I thought I'd found the perfect girl, you know," Eric said as he took the beer his boss offered. "I thought that Connie was the one I'd marry, and I'd only just met her. Have you ever felt like that, H?"

"Once," Horatio replied with a soft smile, thinking about the other half of his soul waiting in their bedroom. "You have good instincts, Eric. I know you did everything you could to help not only Connie, but everyone in that club. And I also know you'll find someone to spend your life with."

"Right now I'm doubting it pretty heavily," Eric sighed. He looked out at the ocean. "Horatio, is that a dolphin?"

Horatio followed Eric's gaze and frowned. "Stay here, Eric." He put his beer down and walked down onto the beach, aware of Speed appearing behind him. "Tim."

"I don't know, I just felt something was wrong," Speed whispered, aware of their co-worker on the deck.

"Good," Horatio said.

"Good?"

"Yeah, it means your powers are developing even faster than I thought possible," Horatio smiled. He waded back out into the water. "Conch, what are you doing back here?"

"I saw some enforcers making their way towards Miami," Conch replied. "I tried to follow them, but I lost track of the group so I decided to come and warn you rather than waste time trying to find them again."

"You did the right thing," Horatio said as he rubbed the dolphin's back. "Did you hear anything? Were they talking or just swimming?"

"They're coming for you," Conch said. "I don't know when, but they're coming for both of you."

Speed reached out and rubbed Conch's head gently. "Thanks for the warning," he said. "You go and get somewhere safe, you hear?"

"I can take care of myself," Conch said.

"I'm sure you can," Horatio said. "But so could your father and they were able to get him. Leave the enforcers to me, Conch. Go back to the pod. I won't have your death on my hands as well."

Speed moved over closer to Horatio as the dolphin swam away. "What are we going to do, H?" he asked. "And what are we going to tell Eric?"

"Leave it to me, Tim," Horatio replied with a smirk. "Leave it to me."

Speed caught the look on his lover's face and felt his blood rush to his cock. He didn't know what was so hot about a pissed off, scheming Horatio Caine. But, at that point, he really didn't care.

***

"So what are you doing here, Speed?" Eric asked when his friend was back on the deck.

"The paramedics said I shouldn't be alone for a couple of days because I was in the smoke so long," Speed replied. "So Horatio offered to let me stay in his guestroom."

"What's up with the dolphin?" Eric asked. "I've never seen one come up like that before, especially with people in the ocean."

"I don't know, you'd have to ask H about it."

Eric nodded and looked back at the beach. "Do you ever wonder about him, Tim?"

"About Horatio?"

"Yeah, about what makes him tick," Eric said. "I mean, how did he get to the club so fast? How did he know we were both there? I gave my name to dispatch, but when he came up he asked me where you were."

"Maybe he's not human," Speed said dryly. "Maybe Horatio is half-dolphin and chose to live among his human relatives and he has magical powers."

"Yeah, right," Eric snorted. "You could try being serious for once in your life."

Speed smirked and leaned back in his chair. Horatio had been right, again. People just wouldn't believe the truth if it bit them. "He's just Horatio. Does it really matter how he knows stuff, Eric?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right," Eric said. "Hey H, is everything okay?"

Horatio sat down between his friend and his lover and picked up his beer again. "Everything is fine, Eric; why?"

"Well, you were down on the beach for a while just staring out at the ocean. And like I was telling Speedle, I've never seen a dolphin come into the shallows like that before."

"He hangs around here sometimes," Horatio said. "I met him one day when I was out swimming and I guess we became friends. I was trying to convince him I couldn't go swim tonight."

Eric grinned. "He did seem pretty insistent about something. I could hear him clicking all the way up here." He drained his beer and stood. "I should go, I don't want to intrude."

"You're not, Eric," Horatio said. "You're more than welcome to the sofa if you don't want to be alone tonight."

"I think I'll be okay," Eric said. "Thanks for listening, H. Night, Speed."

"Well, that was strange," Speed commented.

"It was. He might be suspicious," Horatio agreed. "But you also might have scared him off when you told him I was half-dolphin. What a horribly dirty mind you have, Tim."

Speed grinned. "I wondered if you heard me say that."

"It's disturbing to say the least and biologically impossible," Horatio said. He cocked a finger at the ocean. "I think you need to have your mouth washed out, Tim, and maybe your brain too."

"How are you going to do that?" Speed asked. He glanced up at the floating globe of sea water. "I hate you."

Horatio laughed and started to spin the ball. "No you don't, Tim, you love me," he said. "Promise me you'll be good and I'll send this back."

Speed slipped out of his chair and knelt in front of Horatio. "Wouldn't you prefer me to be bad, H?" he asked as he moved his lover's legs apart and shifted forward. "Your own personal little bad boy?"

"Tim," Horatio moaned. "Tim, there's something I should tell you."

"Later," Speed said. He unzipped Horatio's slacks and reached inside, hand wrapping around the thickening erection. He pulled it out into the night air and licked the tip. Speed was just about to take the head into his mouth when water exploded over his head, soaking them both. "Horatio!"

"That's what I needed to tell you," Horatio said. He straightened out his clothes and stood, pulling Speed up as well. "I can't control things when you touch me."

"I guess its time for another shower," Speed sighed.

"It's just salt water, Tim. It's not going to kill you," Horatio said. "I promise you there was nothing bad in there."

Speed leaned in against Horatio. "But wouldn't you like to have me all hot and slick and wet just for you?" he whispered while nipping at Horatio's throat.

"I would, but in our bed, not the shower," Horatio replied. "Add in hard, aching and begging too."

"We're still going to rinse off."

"One of these days, Tim, one of these days."
********************

When Speed had gone into shower, Horatio stayed on the deck for a minute and just stared out at the water. The warning from Conch worried him more than he wanted to let on and he didn't want to scare Speed. Horatio knew that there was a very good chance enforcers were already in some hidden cove, maybe in the Glades, awaiting the signal from the others to attack. And Speed would be the primary target; Horatio had been serious when he said he wouldn't be killed until there was a protector old enough to take his place.

And he couldn't shake the feeling that he and Speed were being watched. What bothered him even more was that Horatio couldn't place where the feeling was coming from. He sighed and focused on the sea ball for a moment, just making sure his connection to it was still as strong as possible. He needed to know that he would be able to find Speed no matter what.

"Horatio, if you don't get in here and shower right now, I'm going to start without you," Speed called from the bedroom.

"I swear, Tim, one of these days I'm going to get you into the ocean and so distracted you won't notice it when we end up in bed," Horatio called back. He glanced at the dark water one last time and went inside.
********************

Speed knew that something was bothering Horatio and didn't think it had anything to do with the fact that Eric had almost worked out at least part of their secret. Speed didn't know what would happen if Eric found out that Horatio and Speed were living – and sleeping – together, but he had a feeling it wouldn't be pretty. Not to mention that his own powers were still developing and, until he had full control over them, Horatio would go out of his way to protect him. And, while Speed was more than willing to admit that his primary defense ability left a lot to be desired, but also thought that opening large holes under their enemies was pretty damn effective.

He glanced up when Horatio appeared in the doorway, a towel around his hips and a very evil smirk on his face. Speed moaned as his body responded to the look on his lover's face. Horatio's eyes darkened as he moved forward, letting the towel drop to the floor, and climbed onto the bed.

"Do you know how much you look like a giant cat when you do that?" Speed whispered as he reached out and ran a finger down Horatio's face.

"If you stroke me, I purr," Horatio replied. He carefully settled his weight on his lover and propped himself up on his forearms. "You seem to like it when I look so smug, Tim."

"That's not smug, Horatio, that's evil. Pure evil and it's hotter than hell," Speed said. "And you had better not ever smirk like this at the lab, otherwise we'll have to explain to everyone why I jumped you at work."

Horatio gazed down at Speed for a moment before he leaned in and kissed his lover softly. Speed opened to Horatio immediately, thrusting his hips up at the same moment Horatio's tongue slid into his mouth.

"Patience is a virtue," Horatio whispered as he feathered kisses on Speed's lips.

"I've been hard since Conch left," Speed replied as he tried to catch Horatio's lips again. "I'm surprised Eric didn't notice."

"Hmmm, I think this warrants further study," Horatio said as he started thrusting down against his lover. "Which of my expressions would make you the hardest the fastest?"

"All of them." Speed finally grabbed Horatio's head and held it in place long enough for a deep, searching kiss. Horatio melted down against Speed which allowed the younger man to flip them so he was on top. The red head wrapped around Speed and tried to hold him in place, but the younger man wasn't going to stay still without a fight. The lovers struggled for a moment, but Speed won in the end and pushed up, shifting around and sliding down again.

Horatio moaned as he slid into his lover's stretched and slick body. "I told you I'd start without you," Speed whispered as he started moving.

"Hmmm, don't scare me like that," Horatio replied. He moved his hands to Speed's hips as he brought his legs up, feet firmly on the bed so he could thrust back against his lover. "I never want to hurt you, Tim."

"You can't," Speed replied. He let his fingers tangle in Horatio's chest hair as he kept moving, trying to keep his thrusts as even and steady as possible. He wasn't overly fond of the position they'd ended up in, but Speed did enjoy being able to look down at Horatio's face as the stress lines eased and pleasure caused his pale cheeks to glow a faint red. "Open your eyes for me, H."

Horatio forced his eyes open and locked them with Speed's brown as they moved together, Horatio's thrusts growing more forceful and faster as Speed's movements grew erratic. A slight shift in the angle of penetration had Speed crying out as he came, Horatio's hand still on his hips, moving him as the protector thrust harder, searching for his own release. Horatio moaned in denial when Speed moved off him and rolled onto his side, leg forward. "Come on, H," he said. "I'm still ready for you."

"Tim," Horatio whispered as he slid back into the warm, welcoming body. He started kissing Speed's neck as he thrust, the pause having taken him back from the edge of climax, extending the pleasure but also making him all that more frantic for friction. Horatio rolled them slightly, so Speed was more on his stomach and kept moving, the soft cries from his lover telling him that the angle was still good. He didn't think that he'd be able to hold on long enough for Speed to get hard again, but wanted to be sure that he wasn't hurting the younger man.

"Tim," Horatio moaned as he came, his body shaking with the intensity of his climax. He wrapped an arm around Speed's waist to keep them together for as long as possible. "Love you."

"Love you too," Speed replied. "What are we going to do, Horatio?"

"We are going to fight back," Horatio replied. He kissed Speed's neck gently. "And they aren't going to know what hit them."

***

Horatio really hated Dispo Day more than any other day at work. The process of moving confiscated guns and drugs across the city to the incinerator was long and troublesome. The route had to be picked and run to make sure that nothing was there that could cause problems – such as ambush sites, a school or other overly populated area. The other massive headache was picking the team that would escort the contraband to the incinerator. And this year, Horatio had an additional problem. His lover had asked to be on the team to see what was going on. Part of him knew that Speed was curious – when wasn't he? But the Protector knew that his other half wanted, needed to be with him because they were still awaiting news that the enforcers had come into Miami. The tension was driving them both slowly crazy.

Conch hadn't been seen since the night he arrived while Eric was visiting. To his credit, the young CSI hadn't asked any questions after that night and just let things go. Neither Horatio nor Speed knew if it meant that Eric really didn't know that there was something going on between them, or if he just didn't care. They were reluctant to bring it up in case Eric really didn't know; they didn't want to place him in any danger.

Speed had been curious as to why Eric had only heard clicking while he'd always been able to understand the dolphins as if they were speaking English.

"That's just something else that proves we're right," Horatio said as they cuddled on their deck one night. Speed had been working on building sand castles and Horatio was proud of the progress he'd made. His control was improving. "No one but the Protector can hear the dolphin's clicks and whistles as English. I'm surprised Finns," he paused for a moment, "that no one picked up on it before. Even I missed it with everything that's been going on lately."

"You really miss him, don't you?" Speed asked.

"He was my friend for a lot of years," Horatio replied softly. "They shouldn't have done it, Tim. They shouldn't have harmed an innocent."

"We'll make them pay, Horatio," Speed said. "They'll find out exactly what they did wrong. I promise."

The next day had raised the question of Dispo Day and their conversation and lessons had fallen to the back as work pushed into their lives. Horatio agreed to let Speed come along, even thought he wasn't happy about it. He fell asleep every night almost dreading the warning dream that could come at any time, but it never did. Horatio was uneasy as they climbed into their vehicles – Speed as the guard in the main truck – and pulled out onto the road.

His connection with the sea ball was as strong as ever, and Horatio could feel his lover in the truck in front of him. He watched not only the traffic around them, but every single person they passed along the way, searching for any sign of the enforcers. He jumped slightly when his radio came alive and warned of a funeral procession approaching their location. His senses went into overdrive and his internal warnings flared up as the group passed – and Horatio noticed two thing; flack vests and turtle-neck shirts.

When the accident happened, Horatio was out of the Hummer in a second, neatly picking off as many of the enforcers as he could. His only thought was to get to Speed, although he had to help an innocent caught in the middle of the gun battle. Horatio's heart froze when he turned and saw an enforcer standing over Speed, gun pointed at his head. He'd just brought his own gun up when the ground rumbled and rolled under their feet, throwing off the angle of the gun. Horatio managed to fire one last time, catching the enforcer in the leg. His anger gave him the strength he needed to close off their gills and throats before they could escape, and yet some did. That told him they were humans who had been used by the enforcers to get to Horatio and Speed.

Speed was on the ground gasping for air by the time Horatio reached him. "Hold on, Speed," Horatio said as he frantically undid his lover's shirt. "The vest caught it, Speed. The vest caught it."

"H," Speed managed.

Horatio took his hand and squeezed it. "They're all dead, Tim," he whispered. "The humans are still out there, but the enforcers are dead."

"Good," Speed managed before he settled back to work on steadying his breathing.
********************

When Alexx arrived on scene, Horatio took her to the side and explained the basic facts about most of the corpses lying around and how certain things couldn't be placed in the autopsy reports. Alexx seemed a little shocked, but took everything in stride, especially when Horatio promised to answer her questions at a later time. He squeezed her shoulder in thanks and went to rejoin his lover.

"He'll be fine," the EMT said. "If one of his lungs had collapsed, he'd be blue by this point. The lady in the car kept asking about you, wanting to send you a cake. So I gave her my address."

Horatio smiled. "Good enough, thank you," he said. "Speed."

"That isn't my gun, Horatio," Speed said. "I noticed when I pulled it that something didn't feel right. I don't know where my gun is, but that isn't it."

"I know, Tim," Horatio said. "I believe we were set up by the enforcers. They paid for it, but this isn't the end. They're going to keep trying."

"What can we do?"

"We can solve the case and then go home to regroup," Horatio said. "I think its time that I sent a real message to the others."
********************

In spite of IAB's interest in the case, Horatio and the team were able to solve it fairly quickly. Both Calleigh and Eric noticed that there was something off about Horatio, that he seemed more intense than usual, but didn't comment on it. They both had a feeling that there was something else going on and knew that if he wanted them to know, Horatio would tell them. Speed stayed as close to Horatio as possible for the case, knowing that it would make it easier on his lover to relax and focus. They wanted nothing more than to take some time together in Horatio's office, but knew they couldn't risk it with IAB floating around.

When they finally made it home, Speed went to the kitchen to fix them some dinner while Horatio vanished into his home office for a bit. Speed looked up when Horatio finally came into the kitchen. "You've got to be kidding me. A message in a bottle?"

"Without Finns to relay messages, this is the best I can manage," Horatio said. "I'll go send it off and then we'll have to wait. The others will find out fairly soon that their enforcers are dead. I don't know if it will make them think twice about attacking us again, but I hope that it does."

"You're not telling them all of your secrets, are you?"

"No, merely that my powers have grown and changed," Horatio smirked. "I'll let them sweat out what that actually means. Maybe once they figure out that I can kill them from a distance, they'll think twice about coming onto dry land. And I certainly cannot do my job properly if I'm constantly worried about an attack."

"You know they're just going to blame me for this," Speed said with a sigh. "The others are going to say that you should've let me go when you had the chance. They're not going to care that I've developed mirror powers to you and can use them, or that the sea ball responds to me as clearly as it does to you. All they're going to care about is the fact that you broke the agreement first."

"Then that's their problem," Horatio said. "I'll be right back, Speed."

"Be careful."

"Always."

Horatio went out onto the beach and directly into the water. He had weighted the bottle so it sank just enough that he could convince the current to take it out to a pick-up point just off shore. By midnight the others should have his message. Then all he would be able to do was wait – something he wasn't good at anymore. Not if it meant that Speed would be in danger.

"So what were you whispering about with Alexx?" Speed asked when Horatio joined him at the table.

"I was telling her that most of our suspects had gills and wouldn't be normal," Horatio replied. "And requested that she keep those facts out of the official report. I need to keep the existence of the others and the enforcers hidden for as long as I can. Although, if they insist on attacking me like they've been doing, that's going to be harder than normal."

"I don't know why you would want to protect them in the first place," Speed snorted. "They're doing their best to kill us both."

"Habit," Horatio sighed. "I suppose it's more that I'd really like to keep the public innocent of the fact that there are monsters living in the ocean. Think what that fact would do to the tourist industry."

"Horatio, it would probably triple it," Speed said. "You know how fascinated humans are with the idea of sea monsters, Big Foot and all the other crap that's out there."

"Tim, how can you call it crap when you've seen some of them?"

"They looked fake to me," Speed said.

Horatio snorted into his milk and picked up his napkin. "Is there anything you're not sarcastic about?"

"I haven't found it yet. And when those stupid fake things want to kill me for loving someone, then I don't see any need to go easy on them."

"Thank you," Horatio said softly.

***

The sand castle was the biggest one Speed had tried to make using his new powers and he was determined to try every single thing he could think of to learn every possible trick he could. He'd found that it took more energy, but he was able to manipulate wet or damp sand as well - the water only dulled his powers a little - so he used that to sculpt the basic shape of the castle and then set to work. Horatio had shown him that it was possible to weave, for lack of a better word, his power through the sand. Speed had been using it only to keep the walls of the sand castle standing when using dry sand, but now he tried to build bridges between the outer castle wall and the inner building.

"Horatio!" he exclaimed when water swirled into the moat he'd dug a little way out from the wall.

"Sorry, Tim, but I couldn't resist," Horatio replied. He sat down next to his lover and studied the sand castle. "Very nice, but I think it needs more power in the bridges."

"I'm about at my limit," Speed said. "I don't know why you seem to have this, well, this ocean of power and I can still get worn out."

"It's because I've been doing this my whole life and you're still learning. You shouldn't push yourself, Tim."

"I have to, you know that the final battle, meeting, or whatever the hell those scale-faces have planned for us is coming, and I have to be ready for it," Speed said.

Horatio put an arm around his lover. "Hey, it's okay, Tim," he said. "It's true that I can't just close the others' gills like I can with the enforcers, but I don't feel like this is going to come to much of a battle. I seriously expect the others to stay in the ocean and watch for a while, hoping we'll let our guard down, and then try to kill us."

"Sure, nothing to worry about," Speed grumbled. "Is that why you asked Delko to stay out of the water for a while?"

"It is; I don't want to risk losing any of our family, or worse, having them taken hostage. Losing Finns," Horatio paused and took a deep breath, "losing Finns like I did showed me the rules have changed and what I believe may no longer be true. But they're wrong if they think I'm just going to die."

"These things really don't know you that well, do they?" Speed asked. He watched his castle fall apart. "Why don't we put a moat around the house?"

"I imagine the city would object."

"No, why would they possibly object to a fifteen foot deep ditch full of water and any animal the others can't control?"

Horatio laughed. "Do you really want pet alligators?"

"I wouldn't want to cuddle one, but if they'd hep keep us safe, then bring it on."

"I love you, Tim, but I draw the line at alligators," Horatio said. "Maybe we can get a cat."

"Please, they just shed all over everything and use humans for food and warmth," Speed snorted. "And unless you're thinking a tiger, a cat wouldn't be big enough to help us out."

"You're really worried about this aren't you?"

"Aren't you?"

"A little, but I've been holding back even when dealing with the enforcers," Horatio said. "So the others have no real idea of how powerful I am. Plus, they discount you and your growing powers, so you're a secret weapon for us. Yes, we're going to have to fight, but we have something they don't."

"I know; love."

"We can't kill them, Tim, but we can make sure that they never come back to our city again."

Speed looked over. "If they abandon Miami and break the ancient bonds, wouldn't that mean we're going to lose our powers too?" he asked.

"I don't think so, because we were both born with these powers," Horatio replied. "They're deeply a part of us and losing them would do us more harm than anything else."

"Good, because I'm kinda getting used to them."

"And you're growing into them well," Horatio said. "Now, the next step is to build something under the water."

"What?"

"Not in the ocean, not to start off, but in a bucket or bowl," Horatio said. "It will teach you not only power control, but help you fine tune things a little because you're working in an enclosed space."

"As much as I enjoy these powers, I keep hoping the lessons are going to end. What did you have to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"For your fine power control; what was your lesson plan?"

"Rain and ice," Horatio said. "I had to make individual rain drops do different things and then I had to push just enough heat into an ice cube to melt it enough to sculpt without destroying the cube itself."

"Okay, no more complaints," Speed said.

Horatio paused and cocked his head to the right. "We have company, Tim," he finally said. "I believe it's Alexx and Calleigh."

"Can I go fight the fish faces instead?"

"I cannot believe you think Alexx and Calleigh are scarier than the enforcers trying to kill us."

"H, have you ever had both Alexx and Calleigh interrogate you?" Speed asked. "I'll take uncertain death over that."

"Come on, Tim; if we present a solid front then they won't be able to get us."

"The enforcers or the girls?"

Horatio thought about it for a moment. "Both," he finally said seriously.
**************************

Speed sat with Alexx and Calleigh in the living room and tried not to fidget while Horatio got drinks for everyone. He hadn't been kidding when he said he'd rather face off with the others than face the interrogation he knew was coming.

"We'll talk about your living arrangements later, Timmy," Alexx said. "And debate the pros and cons, but right now I want to know why some of the men on my slab had gills on their necks and webbing between their fingers."

"Wait, are you saying you don't approve of me living with Horatio?" Speed asked.

"Tim," Horatio called from the other room, "the tree off the deck just fell over. Reign it in, please."

"Sorry," Speed called back. He tried not to blush. Not only had he thought he had better control over his powers, he liked that tree. Maybe they could replant it later.

"Was that code of some kind?" Calleigh asked.

"No, that was me being careless," Speed grumbled. He focused for a moment on the breathing exercises he'd been learning; the last thing he wanted to do was sink the house with everyone in it. He had to get better control over his powers than he had if he wanted to help Horatio face the others.

"That's better, thank you, Tim," Horatio called.

Alexx eyed Speed for a moment. "I'm starting to think I need to ignore the guys in the morgue today and ask what's going on with you," she said. "Does this have anything to do with that light under your shirt when Megan Donner was around?"

"I never saw anything like that," Calleigh commented.

And that was only because Speed had started wearing multiple layers so even if the sea ball did glow, no one would be able to see it. "It all links together, Alexx, and I'm still learning a lot of it myself," Speed said. "I can tell you that those fish-faces were sent here to kill both Horatio and me, and it really was only because of H that they didn't manage it."

"The men, fish, whatever they were, all died of either suffocation or they were shot," Alexx said.

"Horatio is the one who shot them," Calleigh added.

"But I assumed they suffocated because you can't breathe air with gills," Alexx said.

"They weren't using their gills to breathe when they attacked us," Speed said. "There wasn't enough water in the air for that. They were breathing like humans do, right up until they died."

Alexx and Calleigh exchanged a look. "How do you know so much about that, Tim?" Alexx finally asked.

"This isn't the first time they've attacked us," Speed replied. "I'm just lucky H knows how to deal with them, or I'd probably be dead by now."

"You mean you weren't trying to kill yourself by letting your gun get so filthy?" Calleigh asked.

"I told you repeatedly, Calleigh, that was not my gun," Speed said.

"Tim," Horatio called from the kitchen.

"Sorry," Speed said. "Are you almost done in there because I could really use some help out here, you know."

Horatio appeared in the doorway with a tray. "Sorry, Tim, but something came up and I had to step out for a moment."

"Conch?"

"Yeah, he says my message reached the others and there's actually a debate underway right now," Horatio replied.

"On whether or not to kill us?" Speed asked.

"Actually, no; on whether the soul could have split, who broke the code first, and what should be done if they were wrong."

"What do you mean if?" Speed asked.

"Tim, this is a big step for them regardless of who was right and wrong," Horatio replied. "This also means I was right and the final confrontation won't happen for a while yet, if at all."

Speed smiled. "So what happens now? We can't just forgive them for killing Finns."

"And we won't. That's something I will never be able to forgive, or forget," Horatio said. "But, for now, we'll answer as many questions as we can, focus on your training and await the official envoy from the others."

"Horatio, this all sounds like mumbo-jumbo," Alex said.

"Only because you don't fully understand what we're talking about," Horatio smiled. "But I promise that this is the first good news I've had in months."

***

Speed sat quietly next to Horatio while his lover explained as much as he could about the ancient agreement between the sea and the people of Miami, the role of the Protector, and how the most recent soul split into two bodies. He watched Alexx's face and could tell that she thought they were both crazy.

"You're the one who just finished autopsies on guys with gills," Speed commented during a lull in the conversation. He was still upset about her comment that he shouldn't be living with Horatio.

"We really need to work on your diplomacy, Tim," Horatio said with a soft smile.

"It's true," Speed said.

"I'm not debating the point, I'm just saying there might have been a more tactful way to phrase the obvious," Horatio said. He turned back towards the girls. "We're not crazy, Alexx; this is all the truth."

"Horatio, honey, you're talking about underwater kingdoms, talking fish, and magical powers," Alexx replied. "It's a little hard to believe."

"Hey Calleigh, does it look like rain?" Speed asked.

"It was clear when we came in and..." Calleigh broke off as rain started beating against the windows. "Now that's strange, the forecast didn't say anything about rain tonight."

"It wouldn't have." Speed looked at Horatio. "Now who doesn't have control of his powers?"

Horatio frowned. "This isn't me, Tim," he said. "I'm not that upset. Alexx, you and Calleigh stay here, please, while I go see what's wrong."

"What could possibly be wrong?" Alexx asked. "It's just a freak summer storm. We get them all the time."

"It's more than that, Alexx," Speed replied. "Some of these fish faces can't come talk with us unless it's raining."

"Why not?" Calleigh asked, puzzled. "Those guys in the morgue didn't seem to be having any problems."

"Only because they were enforcers and look fairly human, as long as they cover their gills," Speed said. "This group I'm talking about look like walking fishes from some low budget horror movies, and they're the ones who need extra water in the air. They're also the ones who keep trying to kill me for living here."

"What?"

Speed bit back a sigh. "That's what Horatio was trying to tell you," he said. "The Protector of Miami, by ancient accord, can have no family and no lovers. Nothing to distract him from his duty protecting the city. The others don't, or didn't, we're not sure what's going on now, believe that the most recent soul split and see me as a threat. I'm just lucky H knows how to deal with them." He looked at the doorway. "Anything?"

"Timmy, who?" Alexx broke off as Horatio walked back into the room.

"I think it's just a storm, but the fish faces could just be watching, waiting until we're alone. They wouldn't want to risk exposure."

Speed curled up next to Horatio once his lover was back on the loveseat. "How long until we don't have to keep looking over our shoulders all the time, H?"

"I wish I had an answer for that, Tim, but I don't." Horatio wrapped an arm around Speed and pulled him in closer, burying his nose in his lover's messy hair. "They won't get you though, I swear it."

"Um, guys, we're still here," Calleigh said clearing her throat. "And still really confused too."

"I think a demonstration is in order here," Horatio said.

"No," Speed said pushing back.

"But Tim, it's the easiest way," Horatio said.

"And what if you lose control like you did the last time?" Speed demanded. "We'd have sea water all over the living room."

"I wouldn't lose control, Tim, because you wouldn't be distracting me this time," Horatio pointed out. "It would be perfectly safe and reasonable for me to demonstrate some of my powers in here."

"No sea water in the house unless we get an aquarium, and even then, you'd be the one keeping it clean," Speed said.

"Says the man who wanted a moat with pet alligators in it," Horatio teased. He jumped up when Speed lunged for him and ran towards the kitchen, his lover not far behind him.

Alexx looked over at Calleigh. "I don't think I've ever seen either of my boys acting like this," she said with a smile. "I'm not sure if I should be happy or send them both in for tests."

"We both saw the guys with gills," Calleigh replied. "That kind of evidence is a little hard to overlook, even if there was a logical explanation for it."

"But magical powers and underwater kingdoms?" Alexx asked. "I just don't know if I can believe all of this."

"Maybe that's one reason Horatio didn't want to tell us," Calleigh said. "Because he knew we wouldn't believe him. I think we should go see where they got to, even if we see something we shouldn't."

"They're both good boys, they wouldn't do anything with guests in the house."

"Well I was talking about magic, but I guess I wouldn't mind seeing a little smooching," Calleigh grinned.

"Sorry to disappoint you," a dry voice said from the doorway.

"Timmy, you're soaked," Alexx said.

"Tell me about it; that lover of mine can control water and he wasn't paying attention when he ran out into the rain," Speed grumbled. "Normally he can keep both of us dry."

"Doesn't that cause awkward questions?" Calleigh asked.

"We don't do it in public. Come on, H wants to show you something in the kitchen."

Alexx and Calleigh glanced at each other, shrugged and followed Speed to the back of the house. Horatio was leaning against the counter near the sink, completely dry. "Tim and I reached a compromise, although I keep telling him its pure sea water with nothing in it if I'm around."

"Still not going swimming," Speed said under his breath.

"One of these days, Tim," Horatio smiled. "Ladies, this is one of the fastest ways to prove that I'm telling the truth."

Horatio turned and cocked a finger towards the door, which was open – rain thudding onto the deck. Both Alexx and Calleigh gasped as a globe of sea water came floating into the kitchen and over to the sink. Horatio moved his hand around the water, even though it wasn't really necessary, and shaped it into a dolphin. "Do you want to come and check for wires or other tricks?" he asked softly.

"Horatio, that's impossible," Calleigh said.

The water dolphin flicked its tail a couple of times, swam around everyone once before heading back out the door. "You want to take them outside?" Speed asked. "Now that you're focused."

"I was focused before, Tim," Horatio replied with a smirk. "I just thought you needed to cool off."

Speed started muttering under his breath and Calleigh was actually glad she couldn't hear him. She had a feeling that Horatio was teasing Speed on purpose and didn't really know what to think about it. Normally both Horatio and Speed were so serious and reserved at the lab, even when they were working together, that Calleigh never even really thought they were different away from the lab. It was something to think about at any rate.

"There's not much I can do to help, H," Speed finally said. "The sand will be too wet by now and I don't know that I've got enough power to work it."

"Weren't you working with wet sand earlier?" Horatio asked. "When you built your sand castle."

"Yeah," Speed replied. "I mean, I'm willing to give it a try, but I don't know what I can do."

"I'll go get you some sand in a pie plate," Horatio said. "I'll be right back."

"Horatio, you'll get soaked," Alexx protested as the red head walked out into the downpour.

"No he won't," Speed sighed. "Not if he doesn't want to."

"But that's..." Calleigh's voice trailed off when Horatio walked back in, completely dry, "impossible."

"Told you," Speed said sounding more like himself.

Horatio put the pie plate on the counter and glanced at Speed. "Do you want me to dry it out a little first?"

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

"Of course not." Horatio focused on the sand until there was a globe of water hanging over it and the sand was completely dry. For fun, Horatio shaped the water into an alligator before he sent it swimming out the door.

"Show off," Speed muttered. Horatio just smiled at him. Speed bit back a sigh and started weaving power into the sand, the sensations of magic flowing from him to the sand more natural and easier. It seemed like his practice was paying off after all. Slowly, because he was tired, the walls of a basic sand castle started to take shape in the pie pan. Speed wasn't trying for anything fancy, just something to show what he could do.

"Very nice, Tim," Horatio said. "Very smooth."

"Thanks." Speed looked at Alexx and Calleigh. "There, it's not much, but you have to admit there's no explanation for this but magic."

"It's just so hard to believe, Timmy. I think we both need some time to think about what we've learned."

"We understand," Horatio said before Speed had a chance to say anything. "But please, don't tell anyone about what you saw here tonight. Not only would it endanger Tim and myself, it could fatal for you both. No one is supposed to know about any of this."

"Who would we tell?" Calleigh asked.

"You never know what could happen," Horatio replied seriously. "The others have already killed a very good friend of mine, and I don't want the same to happen to either of you."

***

Next part of The Protector.

• Main CSI page
• The new stories
• Gil/Greg stories
• Gil/Nick stories
• Gil/Warrick stories
• Nick/Greg stories
• Nick/Warrick stories
• Greg/Warrick stories
• Nick/Bobby stories
• Jim Brass stories
• David Hodges stories
• CSI: New York stories
• CSI: Miami stories
• All f/f stories
• Other pairings & threesomes
• Gen CSI stories