Title: A Second Can Change the World
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRM
Disclaimer: I don't own them. They are owned by people who have mean nasty lawyers that can and will eat me for lunch. Not making any money - just borrowing them for a moment or two... or three....I'll return them when I return them.
Summary: A second change everything.
Beta: Christina (Dino)
Author's Note: Bob on crack... this is a series - each prompt will be part of the storyline. Each story will be told from one of the characters POV.
Warning: Slash *snort*, violence, a few *blink* whoa she went there.
Challenge: 12 Stories - CSI: Miami - Caine, Speedle, Stetler
Prompt: #1 - Seconds
Word Count: 765

~*~

I was seconds, mere seconds, from putting a bullet into his brain. I was paid to do this job, but I will be the first to admit this one sent a personal thrill up my spine. There he was on his knees begging for his life, reduced to tears, as my finger squeezed the trigger.

Speed placed his hand on mine and aimed the gun downward. I knew there was something wrong. He never interfered with my jobs, unless it was important. The fact he came here and got between me and the target showed how serious he was.

He looked up at me, those brown eyes full of trust, faith and love. He glanced toward the target then back at me, "They lied."

I growled and pulled the gun back and un-cocked it. I only did this if the victim deserved it... my own personal feelings set aside.

Rick Stetler just got a reprieve now lets see what he does with it.

~*~

"What do you mean they lied?" I demanded harshly.

"I checked their 'evidence'," Speed looked down at Rick. "He was actually doing his job, for once. His investigation destroyed an inside drug ring running through Vice."

I growled and stepped back from the situation. "They figured my personal reasons would just push me to finish the job."

"That's what I'm thinking," he agreed. "But despite being an asshole, he didn't do any good cops in, but instead took some bad ones down."

I looked over at Rick still kneeling on the ground, now what was I going to do with him. "Untie him."

Speed hesitated slightly, "H..."

"He did nothing wrong, like you said being an ass isn't a death sentence," I smirked lightly.

"But he can take you down," the young man said concerned.

I walked over and squatted down next to my nemesis. "I doubt he would."

Rick looked up at me, our eyes met, for the first time truly seeing each other. "Who would believe that the great Horatio Caine was a cold blood assassin,” he said.

Speed growled, but I held up my hand stopping him. "Not fully cold blooded or you would be dead."

Stetler stared into my hard blue eyes, "Why?"

"Why didn't I kill you?" I asked. "Or why am doing what I'm doing?"

"Both..." he tilted his head slightly and looked over at Speed.

"Because victims need retribution, because despite how good my team is criminals still walk, because sometimes death is the only answer." I answered as my thoughts went back to a time not long ago, when no one fought for my family. No one had fought for Tim. I swore to fight for the victims any way I could. I turned back toward him and smirked, "You don't deserve to die for being an ass." I growled lightly as I stood up. "And mostly I hate being lied to."

"Now what?" Rick asked.

"I let you go," I pulled a switchblade and cut him loose. "What you do is up to you."

Stetler stood up and wiped the tears from his face. "Speedle's right though I could take you down."

"But you won't," I answered slipping the gun into my holster.

"How do you know I won't? I've made it my goal to take you down, and you gave me the weapon to do it." He called out after me as I headed for the door.

I turned and smiled at him, "Because deep down you know why I do this and agree with what I do. And because at one point in your life no one had spoken up for you."

I left him behind contemplating my last words. As I slid behind Speed on his Ducati, I knew that something had changed. Not just for me but for Rick. Lives had been altered in just mere seconds.