Previous part of Unstoppable.

***

Chapter 11

"Feeling better?" Speed asked later that night when he and Horatio were in bed. Horatio was on his stomach with Speed straddling his back giving him a massage.

"Not really," Horatio replied with a smile.

"That was really creative swearing. I haven't heard some of those words in well over a hundred years," Speed said. "You know as well as I do that there's probably no changing their minds on this one. I tried and they seemed like their minds were made up."

Horatio sighed when Speed hit a knot in his lower back. "If not us, then who?" he asked.

"Neither of them have many direct children left," Speed said. "You know, looking back on everything they've had us do over the years since we bonded, I think we may have been set up from the beginning."

"We both knew that the combining of the bloodlines was an experiment to the courts, and especially our kings," Horatio said. "I'm sure it's happened before, but not with such purity of blood in the vampires involved. At least they're giving us a chance to think about it rather than just dumping rule on us."

"That sounds like something I would say," Speed said. "Turn over, let me work on your front for a bit. What did you do to get so tense while I was gone? You haven't been this bad in years."

"I think it's a combination of concern over Jesse and worry about what we might have to do in Vegas," Horatio said. He used his knee to bump the plug that Speed was wearing. "How much longer are you going to last for me, Tim?"

"Not much longer if you keep that up," Speed said. "You be patient and you'll get a reward, otherwise I'm tying you to the bed and jerking off on your stomach."

Horatio laughed. "I'm at your mercy, Tim," he said, lowering his leg again. "What did you find today?"

"Megan is a transfer in, but from New York, not Vegas," Speed said. "Her husband was a firefighter and fell out of a window when he was working a fire. He was high enough up that he didn't make it and she came south to escape the memories or something like that. I thought that it was possible this was a story planted by the Vegas group to throw us off the scent so I called in a couple of favors with friends up in New York. They knew her and said she's never been very bright and doesn't like strangers."

"She doesn't like strangers," Horatio said.

"Yeah, there's a story there, I just haven't found it yet," Speed said. He leaned down and dragged a fang over Horatio's nipples. "So, for now anyway, I'm going to have to say that there isn't a connection to the Vegas group and she's just stupid."

"It makes me wonder how she got a job with the lab if she's afraid of strangers," Horatio said. "Can I touch you yet?"

"No. Behave." Speed shifted down and started working on Horatio's legs, ignoring the erection that was begging for his attention. "I talked with Danny Messer at the crime lab up in New York and he said she worked there for a while, but never liked being around Mac. It got to be such a problem that they had to let her go."

"You and Mac look a lot alike," Horatio said. "Then again, Eric's got dark hair as well and Megan has no problem working around him."

"Eric's taller than Mac and me," Speed said. He finally gave up the pretense and moved into position over Horatio and pulled out the plug. "Enough talking."

Horatio ran his hands up and steadied Speed as he slid into position, both of them groaning a little. Horatio was surprised his lover had held out as long as he had, especially when they'd been apart for a few days. Speed started to move slowly, teasing Horatio as best he could, knowing that the red head would flip them and take control very quickly.

"Want to come like this, Tim?" Horatio asked, pushing up into his lover as best he could.

"How?"

"Like this." Horatio caught one of Speed's arms and brought the wrist to his mouth, nipping a few times. "It'll be awkward, but intense."

"More intense than a neck bite?" Speed panted, trying to fight grabbing his own erection. He wanted to climax badly.

"Yeah," Horatio said. He braced his feet and pushed up sharply, hitting Speed's prostate dead on. "Want to try?"

In response, Speed grabbed Horatio's free hand and pulled it up until he could reach the vein on the side. He nipped it sharply, pulling a moan from his lover. "You come up with the craziest ideas, Horatio," he murmured.

"I try," Horatio said. "Are you close?"

"Yeah, do it," Speed said. He cried out and came when Horatio's fangs sank into his wrist. He bit down on reflex, feeling both Horatio's blood and climax filling him. His body went limp and he would have fallen over if Horatio hadn't caught and rolled him so they were lying side by side.

"Hey, you okay?" Horatio asked, checking both bite points to make sure they closed.

"Brain fried. Ask again later."

Horatio chuckled and pulled back to get a cloth to clean them up. It wasn't ever day he could get Speed's brain to completely shut down. He counted that as a good day. Now there was just the question of what to do with Megan.

***

Chapter 12

Horatio was walking to a crime scene down on the beach when his phone rang. "Horatio."

"Hey, it's me, I'm coming back and I've got three vampires seeking asylum," Jesse said. "They worked out who I am, H, and the asked for my help. They're in fear of their lives."

"Asylum?" Horatio asked. "Jess, what happened out there?"

"I think it'll be better if you hear it from them," Jesse replied. "Are you at a point you can meet me or should I take them to my place and hide them away until you're free?"

"I'm at a crime scene, but I'll be free as soon as I figure out what's going on here," Horatio said. "The new CSI who took your place is on borrowed time right now, Jesse. I'll be there in half an hour. Do they know who they're meeting?"

"Yeah, and they're all scared that you're going to kill them on sight," Jesse said.

"Okay, reassure them that I'm not and any vampire can request asylum at any time," Horatio said. "I'll need the truth from them, but if they're truly in danger from the leader out in Vegas, then I think hiding them away is the right decision. Even with the orders from the kings, this changes things."

Jesse sighed. "Sorry for making things so much harder for you, Horatio."

"You did the right thing, Jess. Just like I would expect you to. I'll see you soon, okay?"

"We'll be waiting."

Horatio tucked his phone back into his suit pocket and smiled down at Calleigh. "All right, what have we got?" he asked, trying to ignore Megan at the other side of the scene. He wasn't sure what her story was, but was waiting on Speed to fill him in before he made a final call to kill her. Firing her would be far less messy in the long run.
***

Horatio tapped on Jesse's apartment door in the code they had established back when Jesse was still a boy and hidden away in Italy. Jesse opened the door with a smile. "I'm glad you're here," he said. "There's only so much reassuring I can do before it starts sounding hollow."

"Who have we got, Jess?" Horatio asked.

"Gil Grissom, Nick Stokes, and Greg Sanders," Jesse replied. "Yeah, I know that Grissom is the child of the leader out there, but you need to hear their stories. I believe them, Horatio. I don't get any feeling that this is a trap for us."

"Jess, you were out there two days. Even if they knew who we were sending in, they wouldn't have been able to find you that quickly. Let me talk with Grissom first, okay?" Horatio said. "I'll use the kitchen so they can see that I'm not hurting anyone, but I need to talk to them alone."

"H, you should know that Greg's only about three months old," Jesse said.

"An infant?" Horatio asked. "Who's his sire?"

"A woman named Sophia, who is apparently another child of Brass' that we didn't know about," Jesse said. "The Vegas group is a little inbred for my tastes."

Horatio sighed. "That's because you're a baby of the two courts, Jess," he said. "Okay, Grissom first. You sit with Nick and Greg, make sure they know I'm not asking any hard questions, okay?"

"Yeah," Jesse said. "Hey guys, this is my sire, Horatio Caine. He's the one who can, ultimately, formalize your asylum, but you need to talk to him and tell him what you told me."

Grissom stood up. "Lieutenant Caine, I know you have no reason to trust us, especially knowing who my sire is, but please, if you can't keep me safe, keep Nicky and Greg safe," he said. "Neither of them asked for this and are still trying to adjust to life as a vampire. I didn't ask for this life specifically, but I've had enough time to come to terms with my new life. I just don't want them killed because they were humans and have been transformed."

"I'm not sure what you've been told about us, Dr. Grissom, about the two courts or my bonded, but none of us are in the habit of killing innocent children who have been forced to this life unless they start causing a security risk," Horatio said. "Secrecy is our biggest concern for our personal lives, but I'll be honest. Finding vampires who violate the rules put in place by my kings comes a close second for me. Forcing a human to undergo transformation is a form of rape and the children are the victims. You have asylum for now. My kings will have to formalize it in Europe, but for now, my word will keep you safe. I want to talk with each of you alone, but we won't be going far and never out of eye sight of the group, okay?"

"Thank you," Grissom said. "Anything we know, anything we can do to help you, we will. I'm not strong enough to go against my sire, especially not with my older sibling there with him, but I'm hoping that you are."

Horatio smiled. "I am," he said. "You heard the rumors about the vampires coming to America. You heard the names and know who we are, don't you?"

"I do," Grissom said.

"Then know that Brass is already on our watch list," Horatio said. "And his time is running out."

***

Chapter 13

Horatio sat down at the kitchen table. "Sit wherever you're most comfortable, Dr. Grissom," he said softly.

"Call me Gil, please," Grissom said, sitting down next to Horatio and facing the three other vampires. "What do you need to know?"

"Tell me how you came to this life," Horatio said. "You said you didn't ask for it specifically, but you've had time to adapt. We know that you were transformed prior to 1946, but only just. What happened?"

"I'm German by birth," Gil started. "I moved to England after the first World War and got a job in London helping others recover from the fighting. I was a trained medical doctor back then and, one night when I was walking home to my flat, I met Jim and Sophia. She was hurt and they'd been coming to the clinic where I was working. I was still trying to make amends for the violence of the war, of my home country, so I offered to treat her at my flat, which wasn't far off."

"Thus giving them both the ability to return," Horatio said. "We don't know why some homes keep us out without an invitation to enter and others don't. It's one of the mysteries the two courts are trying to solve."

Gil sighed. "I didn't realize it at the time, but yes. Jim kept coming back to see me, to talk about medicine and the recovery efforts and slowly started my transformation," he said. "It wasn't something I asked him for. I'd made the same comment so many humans has made before, that I would love to see what happens hundreds of years in the future. Would mankind eliminate war or kill themselves? He took that as permission to turn me into a vampire. It took years, he didn't finish until after the second war because I was gone so often helping out where I could. When I woke up and realized what had happened, I tried to leave him, but he told me about the kings of the two courts and what they do to vampires who aren't associated to them. He used you and your partner to scare me into staying with him and Sophia."

"Where were you raised?" Horatio asked. "The two courts keep strict records of children at the safe courts around Europe, and I don't recall seeing your name listed anywhere."

"He raised me in London," Gil replied. "I don't know when he told the kings about me, or even if he did, but he made me come with him when he moved to America. I started to study science and forensics, knowing that I would have to be able to make a living no matter if I stayed with him or risked going back to the courts to beg for asylum, but when Sophia transformed Nicky, I knew I wouldn't be able to leave."

"Are the two of you bonded?" Horatio asked softly.

"We want to, but Jim won't let us," Gil said. "He says that siblings aren't able to bond, and since my sister is Nick's sire, that makes him my nephew and close enough that we can't bond."

"You can," Horatio said. "You can and you'd be a good match for each other. He hasn't looked away from you the whole time you've been here, Gil. It's pretty obvious that he adores you."

"Why wouldn't they let us bond then?" Gil asked.

"My guess is that they want to control you for as long as they could," Horatio said. "Gil, life is very different in the two courts. You've been hurt so badly by your sire, and that's not right."

"What about Nicky and Greg?" Gil asked.

"You know what, I'll make sure you're all safe," Horatio replied. "Go tell Nick the news about being able to bond, okay? Let me make a couple of phone calls and then we'll talk again."

Gil sighed, tension leaving his body. "Thank you," he said.

"H?" Jesse asked.

"Keep them here and don't let anyone in until I'm back," Horatio said. "I'm just going outside to make a couple of calls."

"What's going on?"

"I think that Vlad and Constantine are going to get their wish, Jess," Horatio sighed. "I just have to talk with Tim first."

***

Chapter 14

Speed was in Horatio's office at the lab trying to track down more of a background on Megan than they had. He'd called Mac again and asked for any hints on problems in New York. He really liked both Mac and Danny, vampires of an off-shoot line from Constantine back in the middle ages. They were members of the two courts and in America by choice, wanting to work in New York, having spent previous lives there.

"Yeah, Speed," he said, not looking at the display before answering his phone.

"Hey, it's me," Horatio said. "Tim, I've got three vampires who were transformed against their will and are seeking asylum."

"I'm assuming you gave it to them," Speed said.

"I did," Horatio said. "There's a catch though, and I think that one of them might be forfeit should he return to Europe and the courts right now."

Speed sighed. "You've got Gil Grissom there, don't you?" he asked.

"I do, along with a child and an infant vampire," Horatio replied. "It seems that Brass has an older child that we didn't know about and she's not shy about transforming humans. Grissom grabbed them and ran when he realized who Jesse was."

"You want to accept rule for America so you can be sure that Grissom will be safe."

"Can you think of any other way to ensure it?" Horatio asked softly. "Tim, you know what the kings told us."

"Yeah, kill all adults and send them the kids of Vegas is guilty of transformations," Speed said. "Grissom wants asylum, are you sure that he hasn't been involved in any of these transformations?"

"I am," Horatio said.

Speed sighed again. "All right, I can think of worse places to spend the next thousand years of our lives," he said. "We are not building a court up north. It's cold."

Horatio laughed. "Here and, I think, California will work out for us, Tim," he said. "Thank you for trusting me like this."

"I'm getting too old to wander around all the time, might as well think about settling down," Speed said. "Fine, you call the two courts and inform them. I've been on the phone with Mac off and on all day. I'll let them know what's happening."

"You think they'll join us?"

"Even if they don't, we need to let them know that there's a royal bloodline being given rule here in the states," Speed pointed out. "There might well be a mass exodus when people find out who we really are, you know."

"I look forward to it," Horatio said. "Tim, I mean it, thank you. I love you."

"Yeah, I know, love you too. Now call back home. They need to know what's going on too."

"I will. See you tonight."

Horatio closed his phone and leaned against the wall for a minute. "Gil?" he asked.

"I couldn't help but overhear the last part of your conversation," Gil replied. "Jesse said it would be okay to come ask you a question, I didn't realize you were still on the phone. I'm sorry."

"It's okay, the conversation wasn't a secret," Horatio said. "The kings of the two courts have been talking about establishing a third bloodline and court here in America. Now, what did you need?"

"What's going to happen to Warrick?" Gil asked. "He's been given some of Jim's blood without him knowing it. I don't know how far along the transformation he is, but he's not fully human anymore."

"Did he ask for it?" Horatio said.

"Not that I know of," Gil said.

"I'll talk with him," Horatio replied. "It's possible that he doesn't know what's happening to him and, if we can get to him in time, the effects of the blood can be counteracted. I need to make one more quick call and I'll come back in and talk to you all again about your choices, okay?"

Gil nodded. "Thank you. I'm really sorry to have interrupted you."

"It's okay," Horatio said. "See you in a minute." He waited until he was sure he was alone before he opened his phone again and called a phone number that would connect him directly with Vlad. "It's me," he said. "We've decided to take you up on your most generous offer, if it's still on the table."

***

Chapter 15

"This is a sudden change of heard, Fia," Vlad said, reverting to Horatio's vampire name. "What has changed?"

"I have an adult from Vegas who was transformed against his will and threatened with Speed and myself to keep him with his sire," Horatio said. "I don't want to challenge your ruling on the Vegas group, but I also don't want one forfeit should he come back to Europe or England."

"An honorable reason to accept rule," Vlad said. "No more than we expected from you or, Timothy. We shall speak more on it when you come back to England for a visit, but I will speak with Constantine and see if we can't change our ruling on the Vegas adults. If there are those there who were transformed against their will, and live in fear of the two courts, then we do not want to harm them. Only those who violate our law deserve death."

Horatio sighed in relief. "Thank you, Vlad," he said. "I also have a vampire child and infant, both of whom were transformed against their will. I would keep them here with me, with your permission."

"You would have to establish safe houses for the infants your court will birth," Vlad said. "Keep them for now, they are used to each other and need the support. One of us will call with renewed instructions for you."

"I'll be waiting for the call, Vlad," Horatio said. "Thank you for not ordering their deaths."

"Many years ago, I would have," Vlad said. "When the wars raged and we could not be sure of those who weren't of our lines. Times change, Horatio. They make me feel my years."

"I know," Horatio said. "Tim and I feel them as well. Take care, Vlad."

He tucked his phone away and leaned against the wall with a sigh. Even if he did have to send the trio to Europe, at least until Greg was of age for a vampire, they would be safe. The two courts would accept his word on them. "Jess?"

"Becoming a king, H?"

"Apparently it's something the kings have been planning since Speed and I bonded, Jesse," Horatio said. "Come on, I want to talk with Nick and Greg and find out what their stories are. Then I need you to go back to Vegas and pull Warrick Brown out."

Jesse nodded. "Do you think we can get to him in time?" he asked, following his sire back into the apartment.

"If you leave tonight, I think so," Horatio replied. "Gil, I'm going to be honest with you now. My kings, when they learned of the possibility of transformations being done in Vegas sent my bonded and me here with orders to kill all vampires of age. We were operating on little information and I just got off the phone with my king, Vlad. He's rescinded the order and put in place one where only those guilty of transforming humans will die."

Nick and Greg both paled. Gil put a hand on each of their shoulders. "I've had nothing to do with transforming humans, Horatio," he said. "I hope you can believe me when I say that."

"I do, and my kings take my word on such matters," Horatio said. "For now, you'll stay here in Miami with me and my bonded, Tim. Jesse is going to go and get Warrick for you. Is there anyone else he needs to try and find?"

"No, just Warrick," Gil said. "Catherine's not in danger, Jim and Sophia don't like her, and there's no one else around that I've seen them watching. I think that Jim is planning to bond with Warrick."

"How does Warrick feel about that?" Horatio asked. "Jess, go ahead and get moving. Let's save a life if we can, okay?"

"You guys going to be okay?" Jesse asked gently.

"I'll take care of them," Gil replied. "I can see that the stories Jim told me about the legendary warriors of the two courts were greatly exaggerated."

Horatio smiled softly. "They might have been, but Tim and I are warriors and will fight when we have to," he said. "That will hold true if your sires try to come and find you. I would honestly feel better to have Nick and Greg start getting ready to go to one of the nursery courts in Europe. They're safe and well hidden. Gil, you would be able to be there as well, and you would all get a chance to learn about the two courts and the vampire world."

"Do Jim and Sophia know where they are?" Gil asked.

"I don't believe so," Horatio replied. "You would all be there as members of my bloodline, even if I'm not your sire. That alone would keep you safe."

Jesse paused on his way back through the living room. "They're good places," he said. "I was raised in one. I'm off, H. I'll report in when I get to Vegas."

"Be careful, Jess," Horatio said.

"Horatio, Jesse said you're his sire," Gil said. "He's not a transformed human, is he?"

"No, he's not," Horatio said. "He's a born vampire and he's also my only living child. It's one reason I worry about him so much. Now, Nick and Greg, if you're not too tired, I'd like to hear your stories as well."

***

Chapter 16

"Go ahead, Nicky," Gil said softly. "I know what you've been told, but I think we're going to have to ignore it all and focus on the evidence in front of us."

"Just, it's the thought of friends being killed for what they are, Gil," Nick said. "It shook me up."

"Nick, listen to me for a minute," Horatio said softly. "Constantine and Vlad put a ruling in place in 1946 stating that no humans could be transformed into vampires because they were concerned about exposure and the possibility of a population explosion. It's stated very clearly that the punishment for violating that ruling is death, to be carried out under the orders of the kings. As a member of the two courts, and no matter what Jim Brass told you, he was a member for a number of years and was well aware of the ruling."

Greg looked up. "Are all vampires members of the two courts?" he asked. "I mean, is it like one big family or something?"

"No, we're not," Horatio said. "I would estimate that around seventy percent of vampires on the planet are members of the two courts. If you're born from one of the royal bloodlines, then you're automatically a member, but we don't force you to stay if you don't want to. However, leaving the courts does not allow you to ignore the rulings. For vampires who aren't from the royal lines, or are just alone in the world, they can apply to join us and undergo a probationary period where they learn the rules and then become members. It's not required and, if a vampire isn't of the courts, we don't force them to follow the rulings, although it it highly encouraged to do so. Now, regardless of membership in the two courts, if a vampire starts calling attention to themselves, showing humans that there are vampires in the world, then they will be killed. None of us want to risk another Dracula problem."

"It seems like there's a lot of contradictions in there," Nick said. "I mean, you don't force people to be members of the court, but you'll kill them if they break the rules. How does that work?"

Horatio smiled. "We only kill them if they break the rule about showing humans there are vampires in the world," he said. "Unless there is a sudden population explosions, such as seems to be happening in Vegas, or we find out the transformations were against the person's will, such as happened to all three of you, the two courts will overlook a human transformation as long as the vampire has never been associated with the courts."

"They track this that closely?" Nick asked.

"We do," Horatio replied. "Nick, my bonded is a direct child from Constantine and has been alive for centuries. When he was born, his name was entered into a book that the courts keep on all children from the royal lines. The same with me, even if I'm a grandson of Vlad's rather than a child. It's how we know that Brass was at the court for a time, and also that he's weaker than myself or Jesse, even though we're from the same bloodline."

Greg groaned. "My head hurts," he said. "How do you keep all this straight?"

"You're an infant in vampire terms, Greg," Horatio said softly. "This shouldn't have happened to you, but in the old days when transformations were still legal, babies and children were hidden away in one of the remote courts to be raised to the age of majority, learning all the rules and histories of the courts. You've all been abused by your sires, and that's unforgivable. We don't have a safe court set up here in the states, yet, where we can hide you away, so you're going to have to just trust us to start teaching you as best we can until there's something set up."

"Why would anyone ask to be a vampire?" Nick asked. "I mean, no offense, but it seems like a crappy way to live."

"None taken," Horatio replied. "People who want to live like this are ones who feel strongly that they can do more good the longer they live. Those that want to see how people evolve and change and help guide them along. Speed, my bonded, and I have both lived so many different lives that it would take me days to tell you about everything we've seen and done. Unfortunately there's no way to reverse the transformation once it's complete, as it is for you. I'm hoping that we've managed to save Warrick and will be able to help him, but it depends on how far he's gone."

"I just don't see how you get used to it," Nick said.

"This is why we hide our children way while they grow," Horatio said. "So they can focus on learning and history without the added distractions of life, of what the old life was like, getting in the way. I am so sorry that all of you have suffered such an attack and, while I can't give your back your old lives, I hope you'll give me a chance to help you all see that you have rich, full lives waiting for you now."

Gil nodded. "We can give you a chance," he said. "You aren't sending us over to Europe, are you?"

"I might," Horatio said. "I'd send Jesse along with you so you would have someone there that you knew. It would be safer, and there's less chance that Brass would be able to find you there. The court I'm thinking of is where I raised Jesse. There are extensive libraries there along with teachers who would understand what happened to you."

"Do you think there's a chance that Brass might come looking for us?" Gil asked.

"There is. He went to such pains to keep you all with him, he has to have a plan of some sort that he needs you for," Horatio replied. "I also don't know if he truly fears Speed and me, or if he's just making up stories about us to try and keep you all under control."

"No one would hurt us if we went, right?" Nick asked.

"No one would hurt you," Horatio said. "I would make sure of that."

Nick looked at Gil. "I think I want to go, Gris," he said. "I mean, I still don't know about any of this, but I don't want to always be looking over my shoulder or worrying about Brass or Sophia finding us."

"Jesse will be back in the morning," Horatio said. "Come stay with Speed and me tonight and we'll keep you safe. The two of us together are not to be underestimated."

Gil looked at the two younger vampires and nodded. "All right, we'll come," he said. "I'd like to hear more about Europe though. The idea of really learning about who we are now, that's appealing. I never knew there were libraries that could tell me more about vampires and our history."

"You are who you were before you were transformed," Horatio said. "None of your personality changed when you did. Don't ever think like that, Gil. The only thing that changed is what sort of food you need and how long you'll live. Becoming a vampire doesn't make you a new person, it only enhances what you already have."

***

Chapter 17

"So, we have company," Speed said when he walked into the kitchen that night.

"We do," Horatio replied. "Gil, Nick, Greg, this is my bonded, Tim Speedle. Speed, it seems that Gil is a scholar."

"Where are you thinking about sending them?" Speed asked.

Horatio sighed. "I'd wanted to keep them here with us, but Nick is a child and Greg is an infant," he said. "Gil's an adult by age only. Brass didn't really teach him any history or lore. I'm leaning towards Italy. What do you think?"

"Yeah, Italy would be good. Constantine has a higher influence in that court, which means that Gil would feel more at home," Speed said. He noticed the puzzled looks on the younger vampires' faces. "My sire, Constantine, is a scholar and believes in research and fact most of the time guys. However, as he lived through the ages, he took on the idea that philosophy is a topic that can't be discussed in anything under a month. It's a good court and you'd be safe there."

"Safety is the key right now," Horatio said. "Tim, I think we're both going to need to be on guard until we can get them out of the country."

"Easy enough," Speed said. "I'll go get the weapons out of the safe and set the alarm and then we need to talk about what I found out today."

"Are we going to be in the way?" Gil asked.

"No, you're not," Horatio replied. "I'm in charge of the Crime lab, as you know, and we've been having issues with a new hire. Speed has been researching to make sure she is who she says she is. It wouldn't be the first time a vampire not associated with the two courts made an attempt on us."

"Is it true that you both have a mix of the royal bloodlines in you?" Gil asked.

"It is," Horatio smiled. "There are those who believe it makes us the two most powerful vampires in the world. Tim and I don't think so, we've both known vampires with far more power than we have, but we also have our reputations to help us out."

Greg shuddered. "From what little I've heard, your reputations are enough," he said. "Are you really the ones who go in and take out smaller clans for vampires for the kings?"

"We have, in the past," Horatio said. "Although the last one we eliminated was during the Second World War and was a nest of vampire Nazis. Not something we wanted to let loose on the world. We do try and keep the killing to a minimum."

"We fight smarter," Speed commented coming back into the room. He handed Horatio a sword still in a sheath and sat down at the breakfast bar. "You guys mind if we talk shop for a bit?"

"Not if it's not going to be a problem," Gil said.

"Nah, it's nothing sensitive," Speed said. "H, I finally found the breakthrough up in New York with Megan. Turns out that she was only half telling the truth about her husband and the accident."

Horatio sat down next to Speed with a frown. "Half truth?" he asked.

"Mac went back and took a look at the reports for me," Speed replied. "The guy's boots were tampered with so that he'd fall when he was at a fire. It wasn't fire damage, although it could have passed off as it easily enough, and it was just bad luck that he happened to be next to a window when he fell."

"Did Megan do the tampering?" Horatio asked.

"Mac said there wasn't any way to tell for sure, no usable prints because of all the soot and heat and everything, but if it wasn't Megan than he wants to know about it so he can start looking at the crew to see if there's a killer hiding there," Speed said. "So, given that Megan is scared to death of me, I thought it'd be better to have someone else ask her about this."

"How about Calleigh?" Horatio said. "Woman to woman.

Speed nodded. "That'll work," he agreed. "I'll talk with Cal tomorrow and fill her in. I know she's not fond of Megan, but she'll do it for us."

"So accident becomes murder," Horatio said. "I agree with Mac, this needs to be investigated. You'll take care of it, Tim?"

"Yeah," Speed said.

***

Chapter 18

Speed liked the ballistics lab. It was dark and, when Calleigh wasn't test firing, quiet. "Hey, got a minute?" he asked.

"Hey Speed," Calleigh grinned. "Sure, what's up?"

"H and I were wondering if you could talk to Megan about something for us," Speed said, leaning on the counter. "Turns out that her husband's boots were tampered with the day he fell out the window at a fire and we're wondering if she might have had something to do with it, or if there's a killer still running around loose up in New York."

"Wow, that's a tough one to bring up in casual conversation," Calleigh said. "Is this why she's so touchy around you boys?"

"We don't know," Speed said. "I talked to some friends up there in the crime lab and they said that Megan didn't like working with the lead CSI there, Mac Taylor. Something folks down here don't know, but Mac and I look a lot alike."

"And Megan won't work with you," Calleigh finished. "Sounds to me like she's got a type of man she fears. Wonder if maybe she's been abused in the past? Were you able to find any pictures of her late husband?"

"Nope, not a thing, and Mac never actually saw the man when he was alive. So whoever or whatever Megan is running from, it's a mystery," Speed said.

Calleigh smiled. "Well, maybe I'll ask her out to lunch and see if she wants to talk about anything," she said. "It can't hurt."

"Thanks, Cal."
***

Calleigh managed to convince Megan to go out for a late lunch at a restaurant down on the beach where they would be able to talk without worrying about anyone overhearing their conversation. Calleigh couldn't help but notice that Megan's eyes darted around constantly and she kept one hand in her pocket the whole time. "So, Megan, you seem a little nervous," Calleigh said, once they were tucked away in a booth. "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine," Megan said. "Just fine."

"I just couldn't help but notice that you kept your hand in your pocket the whole time we were walking through the parking lot," Calleigh said. "Like you were holding onto a weapon or something and wanted to make sure you aren't in trouble."

"No, it's a cross," Megan said, pulling out a gold cross. "It was my grandmothers and I had it blessed before I moved down here. I just, I can't Calleigh. You'll think I'm crazy."

"Megan, if you're worried about something, I promise that I won't think you're crazy," Calleigh said. "We've been working cases together since you came to the lab and I'd like to think we're friends. You don't have to tell me anything if you don't want to, but I'll listen without judgement if you do."

The other woman took a deep breath. "How would you react if you found out you'd married a monster?" Megan asked.

"I don't know," Calleigh said, blinking a couple of times. "I mean, it's not something you consider when you're dating. I'd like to say that I'd arrest him and bring him down to the department, but I don't know. Love can make people do odd things, can't it?"

"Yeah, it can, but I don't mean like criminal sort of monster," Megan said. "I mean like mythological creature."

"You mean like a vampire or a werewolf?" Calleigh asked.

"Yeah, exactly. A vampire," Megan replied.

"Well, I think I'd run right to the church and get blessed along with a cross or something," Calleigh said. "I mean, I've read Dracula and some other books, but I don't know what else could be done."

"Just killing them," Megan said. "Then running before any more of the monsters can track you down."

Calleigh reached over and took Megan's hand. "You're safe here," she said. "Those monsters hate sunlight, right? Where is it sunnier than in Miami?"

"You're not just humoring me, are you, Calleigh?"

"Of course not," Calleigh said. "I know real fear when I see it, Megan. Let's have lunch and then we'll go talk with Horatio. No, listen to me, he will believe you, Megan. He'll believe you and he'll help you stay safe."

"He will?"

"He will. Horatio Caine is the one man who will help the innocent no matter what the cost to himself," Calleigh said. "You just have to trust him."

"I think I'd forgotten what it was to trust," Megan said.

"Let me help you remember how," Calleigh said. "There's strength in you, Megan. I can see it. Use that strength to ask for help."

Megan nodded. "Yeah, okay. I can do that."

***

Chapter 19

Horatio was in his office at the lab working on reports for the monthly inventory and audits when Calleigh tapped on his door. "Got a minute?" she asked.

"Always," he replied with a smile. "What can I do for you, Calleigh?"

Calleigh walked into the office, followed by Megan, and shut the door behind them. "Horatio, Megan needs help and protection," she said. "It's just that what she has to say is going to sound a little weird."

"What's wrong?" Horatio asked, leaning forward. "Megan, who's trying to hurt you?"

"Monsters," Megan replied softly. "Calleigh said you can help me, but I don't know how to tell anyone about this and not sound crazy. It still seems like a nightmare to me and I lived through it."

Horatio nodded. "I'll listen to whatever you have to tell me without judgement," he said. "Calleigh's right that I can help, but I need to know what sort of help you need, Megan. Start at the beginning."

"I'm not even sure when it began," Megan said. She took a deep breath and looked up. "I met my husband at a crime scene. House fire with a suspect origin and they wanted us to make sure it wasn't arson. He was working overhaul and noticed me when I came up. Showed up at the lab that night and asked me if I wanted to go to dinner. He seemed like a nice enough guy, so I agreed and we started dating. Got married a year and a half later, and that's when I started to notice things."

"What sort of things?" Horatio asked.

"He never ate," Megan replied. "He had always eaten when we were dating, but once we were married, he was never hungry. He'd always had something at the firehouse or grabbed something on the way home. He switched to night shift and seemed to avoid going out in the sun. His juice, he said it was tomato, but it wasn't. It was blood."

It was all Horatio could do not to sigh. A very young vampire who thought they needed to be what people saw in the movies. It really didn't sound like he was a great loss to the world, but now he had a very traumatized woman who believed that vampires were real. He needed to call England and find out what they wanted to do with her. "He thought he was a vampire?" he asked.

"He didn't think he was a vampire, he was a vampire," Megan said. "I started to feel tired and run down all the time and the doctors told me it was low iron. It wasn't, it was my husband drinking my blood."

Maybe Horatio would be able to play it off as a medical problem. "Megan, you're correct that vampires exist," he said. "No, not like you're thinking. Not like Dracula or any of the movie vampires. There's a medical condition that causes health problems and the person suffering from them starts to believe they are a vampire. It's a debated condition, but one I believe is still being studied to see if it's possible that it could explain why some people drink blood."

"Porphyria," Megan said. "I did some internet research when I was trying to work out what was going on. He didn't have any of the symptoms though. I also looked into the vampire subculture to see if maybe he'd fallen into a group there and was starting to believe he was a vampire through some sort of ritual. None of it fit. Then he stopped going to church with me. What else was I supposed to believe?"

"I can see how you came to your conclusions," Horatio said. "What did his coworkers think?"

"They never noticed anything," Megan said. "I didn't dare mention my fears to any of them, but I asked if he was skipping meals, making it sound like I was worried about his health. They said he was fine."

Calleigh leaned forward. "Show Horatio what's in your pocket," she said softly.

"I started wearing this," Megan said, pulling out the cross. "He wouldn't come near me as long as I had it on. After he died, I had it blessed and haven't put it down since. There are other vampires out there and I know they'll want revenge for my husband's death."

"May I?" Horatio asked, holding out a hand. He took the cross and looked at it closely. "This is wonderful craftsmanship. Has it been in your family for a while?"

"My grandmother's," Megan said.

"Truly beautiful," Horatio smiled handing it back. "Megan, I don't think you have to worry about vampires here in Miami. Even with the nightlife we have, it's too sunny and bright for them to come here. Keep your cross close to you, but I think you'll be fine."

"I won't be. They'll find me."

"I'll make some calls and see what I can find out for you," Horatio said. "Stay on guard, okay?"

Megan nodded. "I will. Thank you for believing me," she said.

"Of course," Horatio smiled. "Calleigh, stay with her for the rest of the day?"

"Sure," Calleigh said. "Come on, Megan, let's go finish up our case and then I'll drive you home. Even vampires have to be scared of guns, and I always carry a big one."

"Thank you, Calleigh," Horatio said. He waited until they were gone and leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "Speed?"

Speed came into the office and shut the door behind him. "Okay, wasn't expecting that," he said.

"Neither was I," Horatio said. "So now, I need you to get in touch with Mac and let him know what happened while I call England. I think that we need to take action, I'm just not sure what course that action should take."

"Yeah, tell me about it," Speed said. "That was a nice touch, taking the cross like you did."

Horatio grinned. "It was, wasn't it?" he asked. "Go call Mac. I'll take care of things in here."

"All right, I'll let you know what they say."

"Thank you, Speed."

***

Chapter 20

Before he called England, Horatio took a moment to call north and talk with Mac. "So, Mac, first of all thank you for helping Speed so much these past few days," he said. "It turns out that you don't have to worry about a killer in your city."

"Megan did it?" Mac asked.

"She did, but there's a complication," Horatio replied. "Her husband was a vampire."

"You're kidding," Mac said. "Who and how old?"

"No idea," Horatio said. "I would be very surprised to find out if he was more than ten years old, however, based on the behaviors that Megan told me about. I really got the impression that her husband was someone who believed in the image of the movies and was either following them as a role model, or he was a very sick man who needed help."

Mac sighed. "You need us to try and work out which it was, don't you?" he asked.

"If you could, that would be a help," Horatio said. "Speed and I have a lot going on down here, and might be taking out our first nest in sixty years."

"Vegas?"

"You've heard the rumors too?"

"Speed's been filling me in as much as he could," Mac said. "Nothing that would hurt your plans, but enough information that I know to be alert for anyone running from you guys. I don't know why people are always so scared of you. I've seen you fight and I still know that you wouldn't kill someone unless they earned your ire."

Horatio smiled. "Not everyone can see as well as you do, Mac," he said. "Thank you for your help with this. I've got to call England and see if I can catch Vlad before he heads down to one of the other courts for the rest of the year. I'll be in touch."

"Or Speed will," Mac said. "I know how busy you guys are. Let me know if there's anything else I can do to help out."

"I will. Thank you, Mac."

"Anytime."

Horatio hung up his phone and leaned back in his chair with a sigh. He really didn't want to hurt Megan, and it was possible that her talking about vampires could be written off as the rantings of a woman driven crazy. There was always that small chance that someone would hear her and believe her. It had happened before, back in the mid-1700s. Horatio had been away from the court at the time, working on gathering information for Vlad from an area in western Russia that was showing an unusual increase in vampire activity, but he'd heard about it when he returned. A woman in a town near the court had been courted by a local vampire and not know the truth until after their wedding. When she told the priest of her fears, he dismissed it as hysteria, but one of the alter boys overheard the conversation and offered to take action. The resulting massacre of the town brought Vlad down on the local court, and several vampires were killed for revealing themselves to the humans.

The lesson taken away from the events was that it was always possible that humans who knew the truth could talk, and no one knew who all would be listening.

"H?"

"Jesse. Welcome home. Are you okay?" Horatio asked, standing up.

"Yeah, we're fine," Jesse replied. He led Warrick into the office by the hand and sighed. "He was like this when I got to Vegas, Horatio. I don't know what's wrong, but I grabbed him and ran."

"He's in a blood-induced trance," Horatio said. "I can bring him out of it because I'm stronger than Brass and Sophia combined, but it's lucky I am. Otherwise he'd be like this until his transformation was complete. At least we know, now, how they're giving him blood without his knowledge."

"What do you need me to do?" Jesse asked.

"Head to the store and grab some things for me," Horatio replied. "I'll make you a list. Then take Warrick to my place. The others are there and, while this will scare them, he'll need to go to Italy with you all to heal."

"Home sweet home, huh?"

Horatio nodded. "It's the safest place for all of you," he said. "Although I might need you again, Jess. There's a problem with New York that just came to my attention."

"The dangers of rule, Horatio," Jesse grinned. "Let me get the list and I'll stay at your place until you get home tonight."

"Sounds like a plan, Jesse," Horatio said. "I'm really glad to have you home again. I knew you would be fine, but I couldn't help but worry about you."

"I know," Jesse said softly. "See you at home."

"I'll fill Speed in," Horatio said. "He might be home before me, but he won't be able to help with this. The bloodline is wrong."

"Okay, see you guys later then."

***

Next part of Unstoppable.