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Federal Protection	By : solokid Category: 1 through F > CSI: Miami Views: 3521 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own CSI: Miami, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-Federal Protection
- 1
Title: Federal
Protection
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: MA
Disclaimer: I
don�t own them. Various Executives,
Producers and CBS own them. I�m not
making any money, just borrowing them and will return them back to the lab in
short order.
Cast: Horatio
Caine, Timothy Speedle, Eric Delko
Beta: Calypso
can't say enough great things about her
Special Warnings:
Slash � if it's not your cup of tea � don't read
Second Special
Warning: This started off just another nice story with Eric/Speed *sends glare towards Sam* she corrupted it�
seems she doesn't like Speed without Horatio � so it turned into a threesome.
Timeline: Through
season three � though we all know in my universe
Summary: A hit
has been placed out on Horatio
Author's Note:
This started off as an idea that Clavo wouldn't go away quietly � and ended up
way more complicated.
Archive: Just let
me know where

~*~

Chapter 1: Questions

~*~

Horatio stood at the foot of the grave his eyes sweeping
across the quiet cemetery. He pulled
off his sunglasses as he looked down at tombstone and sighed, "Hey
Speed." He took a step forward and squatted down eye level with the
marker, "We got him. Can you
believe it, after a year we finally got the bastard." Horatio looked down,
smiled at the fresh flowers lying at the foot of the tombstone. "I see
Alexx has been here." He looked around the cemetery. "I wanted, no
needed, you to know that Clavo is finally behind bars. I wish you were there to see it, you
deserved to see that smug look wiped off his face." He stood up and slipped on his glasses.
"I miss you. It's not the same at
the lab without you."

Horatio walked out of the cemetery back to his Hummer, and
headed back to the lab. He parked in
his usual spot and headed towards the stairs to the building. He stopped short when he saw Calleigh and
Eric arguing. He cocked his head,
gauging their body language to see if he needed to intervene. He moved towards them when Calleigh grabbed
Eric's arm forcing him to look at her.
He could tell Eric was holding back, only because of who it was. If it
had been anyone else Eric would have slugged them.

"Problem?"
Horatio asked the two CSI's.

"Nothing H," Eric pulled his arm out of Calleigh's
grasp, "Just a small disagreement."

Calleigh glared at Eric, but responded politely to Horatio,
"We're fine."

"Care to explain," Horatio demanded, his hands on
his hips.

"Personal," Eric eyes moved to Calleigh then back
to Horatio.

"You two were fighting like cats and dogs in the
parking lot," Horatio pointed out. "It's more than personal."

"Alexx wants to dedicate a tree in Speed's name, for
that new park going up on the Westside," Calleigh explained. "She's
been asking all of us our opinion on what type of tree. Eric snapped at her and walked away."

"You can't put Speed's life into a tree," Eric
turned back towards Calleigh. "He wasn't an oak, a maple or a weeping
willow."

"You didn't have to snap at Alexx," Calleigh
stepped towards him. "You haven�t dealt with Speed's death. You act like
it never happened, and when someone talks about it you leave or get
agitated."

"I'm dealing with it, in my own way." Eric
practically growled. "I don't need you or Alexx telling me how to grieve
for my best friend."

"GUYS!" Horatio stepped between them, pushing them
apart. "Eric, snapping at Alexx when she wants to do something special
isn't like you."

"I'm sorry H," Eric stepped back head bowed.
"I'll apologize to Alexx."
Eric turned and walked off leaving the others behind.

Horatio watched him leave, then turned to Calleigh,
"Calleigh we all deal with grief differently."

"He acts like nothing happened," Calleigh gestured
in frustration.

"Let Eric grieve in his own way," Horatio watched
as his second CSI stormed off.

Sometimes he really felt as if his family was being torn
apart, like they lost the bolt that had been holding them together. There were times that he really felt the
hole Speed's death had left behind.
Eric worked with Ryan, but wasn't friendly. Calleigh tried to be nice and a mentor, but wasn't always
welcoming. Alexx usually said only a
few words to him. Horatio even caught
himself a few times comparing him to Speed. It wasn't fair to Ryan, he was a
good guy, and one day he would be a great CSI.

Eric rarely talked with anyone any more. He did his job, and then went home. He didn't remember the last time he saw his
team have dinner or lunch together.
Calleigh and Alexx usually had lunch and chatted, but he rarely saw Eric
with them. He hadn't realized how far
the team had drifted, so caught up in his own emotions and life.

He figured the best course of action would be to invite them all over for a
Sunday barbeque. Get them all talking and bonding again. He smiled as he walked back towards the
front of the building.

The sound of screeching tires alerted him to the
danger. He saw the muzzle of the gun,
before it began firing. He dove to the ground, taking cover behind one of the
planters. Gun fire echoed against the
walls, Horatio could hear the sound of glass breaking, panicked voices, and
then returned fire. Horatio looked up
as the car turned the corner and took off down the street.

"H!" Eric ran up the steps towards Horatio.
"You okay?"

"Yeah," Horatio stood up, wincing a bit.

"You've been hit," Eric holstered his gun, and
helping Horatio sit down on the stairs. "Looks like a flesh wound."
Eric pulled off Horatio's jacket examining the wound on his upper left bicep.

"Horatio," Alexx headed towards them from the side
doors her kit in her hands. She had
heard the gunshots and came running to see if she could help if anyone was
wounded. "Let me look at the wound."
She put her kit down. She pulled
out some gauze and put pressure on the small wound. "What happened?"

"They were aiming for Horatio," Eric looked around
the parking lot. "I got some shots off, only a few hit."

"Did you get a look at the license plate?" Horatio
asked letting Alexx work. Wincing slightly as she cleaned and bandaged it up.

Eric smiled, "Of course."

"Run it," Horatio looked at the bandage,
"Thanks Alexx."

"You should go to the hospital get everything checked
out," Alexx stated as Horatio stood up.

"I'm fine," Horatio looked around the scene his
eyes focusing on Calleigh and Ryan as they hurried towards him. "Process
the scene. Nothing left unturned. Someone's just declared war."

~*~

Horatio looked over at the car from his spot next to the Hummer,
watching as Eric processed the abandoned car.
Once Eric ran the plates, they had sent an ABP out to all patrols
car. The call had come in two hours
later, they found the car abandoned near the everglades.

Eric snapped his kit shut and walked over to Horatio, a
grimace on his face, "Nothing." Eric looked back at the car,
"Not one print or fiber, nothing."

"Same car," Horatio eyes swept around the deserted
highway. "They dumped it here, so we could find it." He looked up the road. The car was visible from the highway, a
highway that was routinely patrolled.

"No tire treads in the surrounding area, or
footprints," Eric looked up and down the road. "It's like they
vanished."

"No one just vanishes," Horatio smiled over at
Eric.

"These guys did," Eric sighed. "My guess is
they drove the car out here, dumped it, walked back up to the highway waited
for the getaway car to show up."

"Getaway car not sitting long so it didn't leave any
indentations; comes up slowly to an easy stop not leaving tire treads,"
Horatio concluded. "But no footprints?" He looked down at the ground
then towards the highway.

"Wiped as they went," Eric suggested. "Or
covered their shoes, either way they know enough to make it difficult for
us."

"More challenging, but not impossible," Horatio
turned towards Eric, "Anything else?"

"I pulled two bullets out of the bumper and
trunk." Eric held up two bags, "Probably mine."

"Get those to Calleigh to confirm," Horatio turned
towards the Hummer.

"Who do you think it is?" Eric asked as he climbed
into the passenger seat.

"That's what we're trying to figure out," Horatio
pulled away from the scene. Letting the
tow truck pick up the vehicle and take it back to the lab.

~*~

"Confirmed, the bullets found in the car match Eric's
gun." Calleigh handed Horatio the folder.

"So we have a shot up building, casings, the car, but
no prints, no gun, and no suspects" Horatio looked over at his team.

"Could it be a hit?" Ryan suggested.

Everyone looked over at Horatio, "Possible."

"Who would put a hit out on Horatio?" Calleigh
asked contemplating.

"Could be anyone," Eric pointed out. "I mean,
H has made a lot of enemies," Eric grinned at him.

"Meanwhile security is tighter," Horatio
explained. "No CSI will be left alone at a crime scene, double teams no
matter what."

"What about you?" Ryan asked concerned for his
boss.

"I'll be fine," Horatio reassured Ryan.

"We have tighter security here, but if they are after
you specifically what about at home?" Ryan pointed out.

"The department has a squad car parked outside my
house," Horatio informed them. "Let's get back to work, the sooner we
figure out who set this up, the sooner we get back to doing our jobs."

~*~

Horatio walked down the hall towards the locker rooms. As he turned the corner Eric's voice drifted
towards him. He was about to call out
when he heard what Eric was saying.

"There's been an attempted hit," Eric paced back
and forth along the hallway. "Yeah, I'm thinking he's behind it. Who else
would it be�I can't watch him 24/7 that's your job remember�" A small
snicker, "Well I guess that would be bad�freak the lab techs out
though�Look I have to get back before they notice I'm not in the lab�"
Eric closed his eyes. "I know, I hate this too�they put a squad car in
front of his house so be careful�see you later, bye."

Horatio ducked into a darkened corner as Eric walked
by. He replayed Eric's conversation in
his head. It wasn't suspicious, just
odd. He filed it away in his mind for
future evaluation. Meanwhile he
continued his way to the locker room, and then proceeded home.

~*~

The sound of breaking glass woke Horatio up. He pulled his
gun out of the night stand, eased out of the bedroom, and down the hall. With his back to the wall, he peered around
the corner into the living room. A
shadow fell across the far wall. He pulled back against the wall, his gun held
out in front of him.

There was a loud crash just outside the living room
window. Horatio moved across the room,
gun raised. He saw two figures in the
side yard. The first, taller man, swung
at the second, smaller man. The second
ducked, then came up with a right hook.
The first man took off, jumping over the fence, followed closely by the second.

By the time Horatio got out to the yard, the uniforms showed
up guns raised. Horatio rolled his eyes
at them and went back into the house to make a phone call.

~*~

Eric looked up from the fence, "No shoeprints."
Eric stood up shaking his head. "These guys are good, yet not."

Horatio smiled, "The second guy was fighting the first.
So one of them was out to get me the other protecting?"

Eric eyebrows rose, "Who?"

"I have no idea," Horatio shrugged as he looked
over at Eric. "Who would go to the
trouble to show up at my house and protect me from a hitman?"

Eric stepped into Horatio's house, "You've made enemies
and friends in a wide variety of circles." Eric suggested, "I mean,
maybe someone wants to help but not come forward with information."

"Possible," Horatio watched Eric move around the
house. "But watching someone 24/7 can be a little rough, you would need at
least two people."

Eric looked over his shoulder at Horatio, "I
guess."

~*~

"We think its Clavo," Calleigh explained as Horatio
walked in that morning.

"It seems that when you put him away, you seriously
shut down a major drug ring," Ryan added to the explanation. "Clavo
hates you, and the drug rings hates you."

"Tripp is still looking into who ordered the hit
exactly," Calleigh took over the conversation. "But so far the
whisperings are Clavo and his men."

"Do you think it's the General that's trying to
help?" Eric suggested from Horatio's side. "Why he doesn't want to
say anything, but at the same time not want you dead."

Horatio turned and looked at Eric, "Why don't we go see
him?"

~*~

"Why would I want to save you?" The General looked at Horatio.
"It was because of you my family has been torn apart. My oldest is in
jail, my wife has been dishonored."

"You didn't have to turn Clavo in," Horatio
pointed out. "But the disgrace was too much for you, so you punished your
wife by taking her son."

"I don't know of any hit out on you," The General
sipped his scotch. "If I find out who paid for it, I'd send them a check,
not save you."

~*~

Chapter 2: Answers

~*~

Horatio stepped out into the sunlight, he slipped his
glasses on and looked over at Eric, "That answered a few questions."

"So you think he knows Clavo is involved?" Eric
asked as the two walked towards the Hummer.

"Not enough evidence," Horatio clicked the alarm
off of the Hummer. The explosion ripped
the vehicle apart, throwing both men back.

Horatio shook his head; his ears were ringing from the
explosion. He sat up looking for Eric through the smoke. He turned his head slightly to see Eric
getting up off the ground. He followed
Eric's gaze to see two men heading up the driveway guns drawn � both wearing
masks.

Horatio pulled himself off the ground, as he reached for his
gun. Two shots rang out both men fell
forward. Horatio shook his head, not
believing his eyes. Eric grabbed his
arm and pulled him towards the waiting car.
Horatio stumbled a bit; he could feel the blood seeping down his
leg. Eric pushed him into the back seat
climbing in behind him.

Horatio sat back and he could actually say for once in his
life he was truly stunned. The ring in
his ears had finally stopped. He
glanced between Eric and the driver. It
was the driver that stunned him the most.

"Speed?" Horatio whispered in shock.

"What were you thinking?" Eric demanded. "You
weren't supposed to expose yourself."

"What did you want me to do?" Speed turned and
looked at Eric. "Let them shoot the two of you."

"It was under control," Eric leaned forward.

Speed mumbled something under his breath as he made a few
turns, heading for downtown Miami, "Under control?" The sarcasm was
thick in his voice, "Any more under control and you would have been a
crispy critter."

"That's not fair," Eric narrowed his eyes at
him. "It was a warning; the bomb
was triggered by the unlocking mechanism."

"Are you sure about that?" Speed shot back.

"Why send two gunmen if we were supposed to blow
up," Eric countered back.

"Gentlemen?" Horatio questioned as Speed parked
the car in an underground garage.

"Eric, if I hadn't been there, they would have shot
both of you," Speed turned in his seat and glared at him. "Horatio didn't even have his gun out,
you barely had yours pulled."

"Excuse me," Horatio's tone became more firm.

"Now there are two bodies at the General's place, where
our burned out Hummer is located," Eric argued. "They will know
someone else was at the scene."

"The bodies have been cleared," Speed got out of
the car. "As for the Hummer, do you honestly think the General is going to
admit the Hummer exploded in his driveway?"

Eric got out and leaned against the car, "You think
he'll move it."

"Hell yeah," Speed slammed the door shut, walking
towards the elevators.

"Where to exactly?" Eric motioned his hands
around. "It's a Hummer."

"Probably towards the everglades," Speed shrugged
as he turned back towards the car. "It will disappear."

The passenger door opened, Horatio stepping out of the car,
"and what about us?" Eric pointed towards Horatio and himself.
"Just show up at the lab and say it disappeared?"

Speed smirked, "Now there's a claim I wouldn't want to
fill out."

"SPEED!" Eric growled at him.

"I think it's time Horatio goes into hiding don't
you," Speed suggested. "This is the third attempt; this one was a
little too close."

"Can someone explain to me what the hell is going
on?" Horatio demanded looking between the two men.

"What you're just going to stash him, or shoot him in
the line of duty," Eric remarked slamming the door shut.

"I HAD NO CHOICE!" Speed yelled back.

Eric shoulders and head dropped, he looked back up at Speed
then walked up to him, "I'm sorry that was uncalled for."

"Damn right it was," Speed's shoulders slumped.
"I hate this. I hate that I have to hide to do my damn job."

Eric cupped his cheek, "Once we figure this out, it
will be over."

"Will it really be?" Speed leaned into the caress.
"I can't come back to life."

"If you two don't tell me what's going on,"
Horatio stood next to the two of them. "I will call Alexx and you can
explain to her what's going on."

"That's just mean," Eric turns towards Horatio.

"Really H," Speed looked at him. "I mean,
what did we ever do to you?"

Horatio looked at the two men, "died and covered it
up?"

"He has a point," Speed looked over at Eric.

"True," Eric nodded in agreement.

"Guys," Horatio warned.

"Lets get up stairs and I'll explain it all to
you," Speed motioned towards the elevators. "I warn you Horatio, it's
a long complicated story."

"I have time," Horatio leaned up against the back
of the elevator.

~*~

"What do you mean they are missing?" Calleigh
yelled at Tripp.

"The Hummer was found out in the everglades, a burned
out shell." Tripp explained to the irate ballistics expert.

"Bodies?" Alexx swallowed afraid of the answer.

"None," Tripp looked between the three members of
Horatio's team. "It was dumped out there; no evidence that the explosion
took place in the vicinity."

"Then where are they?" Ryan asked eyes furrowed in
concentration.

"We don't know," Tripp sighed. "That's what
I'm trying to tell you. As of this moment, Eric and Horatio are missing."

"What about the General?" Ryan looked over at
Calleigh. "Horatio said he was going over there."

"Already stopped by, he said Horatio and Eric were
there, accused him of wrong doing then left," Tripp glanced around the
lab. "The driveway looked as if it got a new fresh coat of paint."

"So the Hummer was blown there," Calleigh looked
over at Ryan. "Do you think they dumped the bodies, or are holding them
hostage?"

"Why hold them hostage?" Ryan countered. "If
there's been a hit put out on Horatio there's no reason to hold him."

"If someone took that much trouble to move the Hummer,
why place the bodies some where else?" Alexx added to the conversation.

"We're bringing in the Hummer now," Tripp informed
them.

"We'll check to see if anyone was in it when it blew," Calleigh
swallowed. "Even if you remove the body, skin fragments would be left
behind."

"And if there is no evidence they were in it?"
Ryan asked.

"Then we have two missing CSI's," Tripp sighed in
frustration.

~*~

Speed led the two men into the apartment. "H, why don't
you sit down and let me look at your leg."

Horatio looked around the spacious apartment. The view from the balcony was
breathtaking. The apartment overlooked
the harbor, with the city in the background.
The living room was furnished with leather couches and dark wood
tables. The entertainment system was
advanced, full of new and sophisticated equipment. Off of the living room was a fairly large kitchen, he could see a
table set up against large windows in the back of the kitchen. The hallway led to three rooms, all of the
doors closed. The stairs led up to a
loft bedroom.

Horatio sat down on the couch, facing Speed on the coffee
table. Speed ripped his pant leg up the
seam to access the wound. He gave it a
critical eye, and then turned to Eric, "He scraped it up bad on the
driveway."

"I'll get the first aid kit," Eric walked down the
hallway. He went into the bathroom and
retrieved the kit.

Speed took it out of his hand, slipped on some gloves then
cleaned and dressed the wound. Horatio
watched with interest, it was obvious Speed was used to handling large scale
wounds, if the first aid kit was any indication.

"I've got some aspirin in the kitchen, or do you need
something stronger?" Speed asked getting up from the coffee table cleaning
up the mess.

"Aspirin should be fine," Horatio watched Speed dump the trash and
proceed into the kitchen. He glanced
over at Eric who had made himself comfortable on the love seat. "You want to explain what is going
on?"

Eric glanced over at Speed, "I'm not sure where to
begin."

"How about the beginning," Horatio took the water
and aspirin from Speed's hand.
"You've been working as a CSI for almost ten years, was it a cover?
Is Speedle actually your name?"

"Timothy Speedle is my name," Speed began.
"I've been a CSI all this time, I just happen to have a side job."

Horatio looks at Eric, "and you?"

"Speed recruited me," Eric answered honestly.

"Who the hell do you work for?" Horatio demanded,
"And for how long?"

"DEA," Speed informed him. "They recruited me
straight out of high school. Sent me to
Columbia, got my degree in micro-biology and chemistry�"

"So the whole, your best friend dying was a cover
story?" Horatio asked trying to take everything in.

"No, well sort of," Speed glanced towards the
windows looking out towards the skyline.
He smiled when he felt Eric's hand slip into his. "He was my
mentor, and was killed when a bust went seriously wrong."

"Why are you here?" Horatio looked at the joined
hands, wondering how long that had been going on.

"I wasn't a field agent, more of a researcher. I followed paper trails, drug routes
etc." Speed continued with the story. "Jack died because I had faulty
information. I told my boss I wanted
out, I couldn't stand the fact that a mistake I made got someone I cared about
killed." Speed paused, taking a deep breath, "They helped me relocate
to Miami, and got me the job at the lab.
Shawn was friends with Jack, so he set me up through Megan."

"It wasn't till a year later I was working on a case as
a level one, when I ran across information about a drug dealer the DEA had been
investigating," Speed stood up and walked over to the window. "I
contacted my old boss, and he explained that this drug dealer was moving up in
rank in the Miami area. Rumors were he
had connections in all aspects of government, judges, cops, statesmen, even
senators."

Horatio stared at Speed in shock, "And?"

"They re-instated me," Speed didn't turn around.
"I began a slow methodical investigation into the drug trafficking here in
Miami. Shawn and Raymond where my
contacts in the force," Speed's head dropped.

Horatio shook his head trying to comprehend what Speed was
telling him. "Ray was part of your operation?"

"He was deep undercover for the Drug Task Force for
Miami-Dade PD." Speed turned around, "Shawn was part of my operation.
As deep as Ray got, he never got close enough to the main source of drugs in
Miami."

"So his death," Horatio's voice turned hard.

"Happened the way you found out," Speed turned
back towards the window. "His death had nothing to do with the DEA
investigation. When I found out he was
killed, I pulled every string I had to find out what happened, but through all
my investigation I found no connection to the drug trade. He didn't die a dirty cop; he was killed by
a jealous lover."

Horatio fought between his anger at Speed for not telling
him, and his understanding as a cop, "So during that Meth case you kept
telling me not to listen to the methhead's ranting, because you knew."

"Yeah," Speed ducked his head down. "But I
couldn't tell you. I was in so deep any
exposure could get me killed."

"We had been close to finding out who the main contact
was in the police force, when Shawn was killed," Speed went back to
explaining. "His death set the
investigation back months. Shawn had
covered me with Megan. She barely noticed that half the stuff I was doing was
not case related. Then all that
changed," He smiled at Horatio. "I had to work harder to hide my
investigation from you. If you got a
whiff something was going on you would have been all over it."

"You did good, because I had no clue," Horatio
commented a bit impressed. "How is Eric involved?" Horatio glanced
over at the young man.

"I caught him buying drugs," Eric grinned at
Speed. "I had just started working at the lab. I had gone out with some friends to celebrate the new job when I
saw Speed. As I approached him, I saw
the drugs on the table and heard them making a deal. I was furious."

"He walked right up to the table, and just laid in on
me. Lucky for me he never said anything about me being a CSI," Speed
smiled at Eric laughing slightly. "He wouldn�t shut up so I hit him."

"Which just pissed me off more," Eric shook his
head. "He ended up dragging me out side and handcuffed me to his
bike."

Horatio smiled, trying not to snicker at the image,
"And?"

"I went back in and finished the deal. Told the dealer Eric was a concerned
lover." Speed shrugged making his way back to the couch. "It worked out for the best,
solidifying my cover."

"I was beyond furious, by the time he got back to his
bike." Eric took over the story. "He just looked at me, and asked 'Do
you really think I'm that stupid enough to take drugs?'"

"His response," Speed grinned. "'How the hell
should I know? You�re a cynical asshole
at work.'"

Eric smiled at the memory; he glanced over at Speed,
"Speed had just laughed as he unlocked the handcuffs. He then told me to get on, for some reason I
trusted him."

Horatio couldn't help the grin that crossed his face,
"So I take it you explained everything to him."

"I told him about the operation," Speed leaned
back into the couch. "Came to find
out Eric had some connections from the Cuban community that could help weed out
the main group behind the trafficking."

"The DEA made me an agent," Eric got up and headed
for the kitchen. "Want anything?"

"No, I'm fine," Speed called out, "Horatio do
you want some more water or aspirin?"

Horatio shook his head, "When did you two become
lovers?"

Eric stopped in the kitchen turned and looked at Horatio,
"We weren't obvious were we?"

"Not until now," Horatio shook his head in
response.

Speed answered, "It was right after Dispo Day."

"Wait, if you�re a DEA agent�" Horatio
interrupted.

"I switched the guns; it was a perfect opportunity we
couldn't pass up." Eric sat back down a bottle of water in his hands.
"When Calleigh wasn't looking I changed Speed's used gun with the dirty
jammed one."

"So, the investigation�" Horatio sat up looking at
the two men.

"We had nothing to do with the actually heist, but we
couldn't have worked it out better if we tried." Eric continued.
"With the department suspecting Speed, it helped him make contact with the
dirty cops in the department, but not the main one."

"Does any of this have to do with Clavo?" Horatio
tried to wrap his mind around everything.

"When we went after him for the model's death, I found
evidence that he was a major player in the trade," Speed explained.
"Since I couldn't get him for her death, I would at least nail him for the
drug trade or at least shut it down. By this time I had been working seven
years of my life trying to get in. We
were inches from coming down on Clavo, and his cronies. When�"

"Stetler figured Speed for DEA." Eric continued.

"Stetler? He's the mole inside the department?"
Horatio asked.

"It was a perfect set up," Eric took a sip of his
water. "He would investigate 'bad cops' then black mail them into helping
or giving up information. Police
shootings, that were drug related? He made sure it was covered up. That's why he was pissed at you�"

"You wouldn't let Ray's death go," Speed finished.
"He was worried you would stumble onto his operation."

"So how did he find out you were DEA?" Horatio
asked.

"I was set to meet with a high ranking member of the
trade, someone with access to the shipment line," Speed explained.
"Fate would have it, Clavo was there.
He of course recognized me from the case. I told him I do what I have
to, who would suspect a CSI? I brought up Dispo Day and how it was ironic my
career was practically ruined because I suspected for something I didn't do. So
why not?" Speed paused, "I don't think he bought it. He contacted
Stetler with his fears � saying no way would Horatio let a drug dealer work
under him. Stetler had ironically
suspected Eric as the DEA agent, that's why he constantly under minded
him."

"But Eric is a DEA agent," Horatio pointed out.

"Only a few people knew Eric was brought in," Speed smiled, "My
boss, me and Eric."

"So Stetler's attention is now on you," Horatio
motioned for Speed to continue.

"I figured he was on to me when I had gone to meet with
one of my snitches, and found him dead." Speed closed his eyes, trying not
to remember. "That's when I asked for a vacation. I had to go meet with
some higher ups in DC, it was obvious my cover had been blown. You called me back in; it was a matter of
time before I was taken out."

"So you staged the jewelry store," Horatio
concluded.

"While you drove out there," Eric explained,
"I set it up."

"The gun?" Horatio asked voice quiet remembering
that day.

"Planted, no questions or concerns � faulty gun
maintenance." Speed looked down. "I didn't want to do it, but it was
easier for me to go completely underground and cover Eric than try to save my
own cover."

"We are inches from breaking this trade wide
open," Eric took Speed's hand. "We took Clavo down by pure luck, and
now we have evidence pointing to the head of the trade."

"You have to understand H," Speed leaned forward.
"This is eight years of my life.
This isn't just putting one man away, this is shutting a whole system
down - from the small pushers to the government officials smoothing the
path."

"Why couldn't you come to me?" Horatio demanded
hurt that they didn't trust him.

"Stetler was too close," Eric shook his head.
"He's dating Yelina. Any wrong
word and both our covers would be blown."

"He's with Yelina to keep an eye on me," Horatio
stood up taking a deep breath.

"We almost approached you after Clavo, but it never
panned out." Speed looked up at him.

"And now?" Horatio turned towards them.

"Someone is behind these hits," Eric pointed out.

"Do you know who?" Horatio asked concerned.

"The shark on top of the food chain," Speed stood
up, "The one who's running the show.
He's the one that brought Clavo into the operation, the one who has
enough cash to bribe judges, cops, and senators."

"You pissed him off when you shut down Clavo, he had to re-route all of
his shipments." Eric looked between the two men. "Stetler hasn't been
able to shut you up, so there is only way to get you off their backs�"

"Kill me," Horatio placed his hands on his hips as
he studied the ground. "But you don't actually know who exactly,"
Horatio looked back at the two of them.

"The final piece to this puzzle we still do not
have," Speed sighed. "In the
mean time I'm sorry H, but you have to stay here."

"Why not use me as bait?" Horatio suggested not a
man to hide from his enemies.

"It's not going to bring him out," Eric pointed
out. "Just more attempts on your life."

"By this time the Hummer probably has been found, and
you two have been declared missing," Speed walked over towards the
kitchen. "It won't take long for Stetler to hear about it. If he's smart, he'll catch on that Eric was
DEA � and got you out. So they �"

"Will think Eric knows who is behind it, and is hiding
me." Horatio nodded in understanding.

"Speed is our ace in the hole," Eric stood up and
walked over to him. "Everyone thinks he's dead."

"So they won't be expecting him to be
investigating," Horatio smiled. "How close until you figure out the
last piece?"

"I've hacked into Stetler's computer," Speed
smirked.

"With my help," Eric smiled at him.

"Okay you downloaded the program into his computer," Speed shrugged.
"I'm tracing everything now, it's taking a while."

Horatio shook his head, as he took a seat on one of the bar
stools at the breakfast bar. "Well it explains a few things."

"Like," Speed asked opening up the fridge to find
something so he could prepare them something to eat.

"Why Eric never really showed any signs of
grieving," Horatio looked over at Eric. "You weren't grieving because
you knew he was alive."

Eric slipped up behind Speed slipping his arms around him,
"It was difficult watching everyone at the funeral. Many times I just wanted to tell everyone
he's fine, but there is a lot at stake here."

"Calleigh, never mind Alexx � God Speed she did your
autopsy." Horatio paused, "How did you pull that off."

"Look alike," Speed leaned back in Eric's embrace.
"Didn't check prints or DNA did you?"

"Why would we?" Horatio shook his head.
"She's going to hug you, smack you, yell at you, hug you some more, yell,
then feed you."

Speed closed his eyes feeling Eric tighten his grip, "I
miss them."

"Will you come back?" Horatio asked watching the
two men relish in the feel of each other.

"I don't know if I can," Speed opened his eyes and
looked at Horatio.

"Then what?" Horatio looked between the two men. "You stay dead,
Eric stays a CSI?"

"We don't know," Speed gripped Eric's arms.

Eric pulled Speed closer, "I do know that what ever
happens we'll be together." He kissed Speed's temple.

Speed turned in his arms, kissing him deeply. "We'll
think of something." He rested his head on Eric's shoulder. "Maybe I
can come back as my twin brother?"

Eric laughed, kissing Speed's hair, "Or we could retire
down to Argentina."

Horatio watched the two lovers, envious of their closeness,
a sharp pain of loneliness coursed through him.

~*~

Ryan and Calleigh looked at the burned out shell of the Hummer. Calleigh steadied her nerves as she
approached the vehicle. She pointed her
flashlight into the driver area.
Sweeping the light over the consol and into the burned out drivers
seat. She looked up and over to Ryan
who was copying her movements on the passenger side.

"It wasn't a destructive bomb," Ryan commented
looking at the vehicle.

Calleigh swept her flashlight to the back of the vehicle,
"I think your right. Everything is
burnt beyond recognition but not a lot of damage structurally. The fire spread from the back, towards the
front."

"Rigged the tanks to blow?" Ryan knelt down and
flashed his light under the Hummer.

"Possible," Calleigh agreed, "Their kits are
in the back."

Ryan stood back up looking into the back of the Hummer,
"But they wouldn't have needed their kits talking with the General."

"True," Calleigh moved towards the front. She took a deep breath and pulled the door
open. She meticulously went over the
front seat with a fine tooth comb, "I see no skin fragments."

Ryan looked up from his inspection his eyes moving to the
steering column, "Do keys melt?"

"What?" Calleigh looked up.

"Can keys melt to the point of complete
disappearance," Ryan smiled at her. He flashed his light to the ignition
switch.

Calleigh looked over at the steer column and ignition
switch, turned and smiled back. "No keys."

"Which means it didn't blow on the start of the
engine," Ryan sighed in relief, "Unlocking mechanism?"

Calleigh stepped back from the vehicle, "Which means it
blew with them outside it�"

"It wasn't attended to take them out," Ryan
followed her train of thought. "Then where are they?"

"They were either knapped, or�" Calleigh placed
her hands on her hips.

"Or hiding," Ryan looked at her, "which
means�"

"They know who it is," Calleigh walked over to her
kit. "But why not just call it in?"

"Why not come in," Ryan asked walking around the
car towards Calleigh. "Why not get police protection for Horatio?"

"Unless it's the police they are running from,"
Calleigh took a deep breath. "I think we stumbled onto something bigger
than we thought."

"You think one of us, a cop, is out to get
Horatio?" Ryan's mouth dropped in shock. "But who? And why?"

"And why run with Eric," Calleigh picked up her
kit then turned towards Ryan. "As far as we know, they're just
missing."

"No mentioning our theories to anyone," Ryan
picked his own kit and followed her out of the garage, "What about
Alexx?"

"I say we invite her out to dinner," Calleigh
smiled at him. "Let's go talk with Tripp."

~*~

Chapter 3: New
Developments

~*~

Horatio woke up suddenly; he sat up eyes sweeping the room
looking for a threat. He took a deep
breath, as his memories came back reminding him where he was and why. He figured he was awake so he slipped out of
bed, and headed into the kitchen for some water. Speed had loaned him some jogging pants to sleep in, until Eric
could sneak over to his place tomorrow to get him some clothes.

He opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water. He found himself leaning up against the
sliding glass door, letting the cool air into the apartment watching the
nightlights play across the harbor.

'God Speed,' Eric's voice drifted down into the living area.

Horatio froze, so that was the noise that woke him up.
Horatio closed his eyes, the soft sounds of the two men drifted slowly to
him. Eric's gasps, Speed's moans �
Horatio eyes tightened he didn't want to imagine them together, but the images
came in uninhibited. He had always
found both men alluring, both with dark eyes and hair, but opposite in
personality. Eric was always warm and
caring, Speed mysterious and brooding.

'Move damn it,' Eric's voice was low and guttural.

Horatio eyes snapped open, his hand drifted down his chest
to his own aching erection. He could hear
Speed's deep pants, Eric's low moans. His hand slipped inside the jogging pants
wrapping around his now aching hard cock.

'Come for me Eric,' Speed's voice was husky and deep. 'Come
on baby let go, let it all out.'

'Speed, oh God Speed,' Eric cried out, followed by Speed's
own deep moan. 'Love you.'

'Love you too,' Speed's voice was soft caring.

Horatio froze where he stood. He pulled his hand out of the jogging pants, a bit mortified that
he even thought of jacking off listening to them during a private intimate
moment. He would wait until it was safe for him to go back to the guest room,
and take a cold shower.

He tried to get his body under control but his mind was
working against him. Flashes of both
men, imagining what they looked liked together. He groaned resting his head against the cool glass of the sliding
glass door.

He jumped when he felt a warm hand slide down his chest.
"Need some help with that?"

Horatio tensed at Eric's voice against his ear,
"Eric?"

"H," Eric's hand slipped under the waistband
seizing Horatio's hard cock.

Horatio moaned and leaned back against the slightly taller
man. His body enjoying the sensations but his mind screaming how wrong it was,
Eric was with Speed. Then things just
got more surreal.

"It's okay Horatio," Speed stepped in front of him
taking his face between his palms. "We've got you, let go."

"Speed?" Horatio moaned as Eric's second hand
cupped his balls rolling them around as he stroked and squeezed, his thumb
rubbing against the head. "I don't�."

Speed silenced his doubts by kissing him, his tongue seeking
entrance. Horatio opened up, taking
Speed in, letting him explore and taste.
He moaned into Speed's mouth as Eric's finger ran across that little
patch of skin. Speed grinned nipping at his lips, chin, his jaw, and down to
his collar bone. He licked a path up to
Horatio's ear, nibbling on it, "Come for us."

Horatio dropped his head against Eric's shoulder and came
hard and long, tears in his eyes. Eric
turned his head slightly, taking Horatio's mouth, tasting Speed on him.

Horatio panted as Eric supported him. His eyes locked onto Speed, "Why?"

Speed gave him a shy smile, "We've wanted you for a
long time, but couldn't make a move for obvious reasons."

"And tonight?" Horatio asked his gaze unwavering.

"You know everything," Speed stepped up to him
caressing his face. "And I, we, just couldn't go another day without
you."

"So you knew I was down here?" Horatio stepped
forward his eyes going between the two men.

Eric smiled, "yes."

"Now what?" Horatio's hands were on his hips.

Speed held out his hand, "bed tonight. Tomorrow we'll
talk."

Eric took Horatio's arm while Horatio placed his hand in
Speed's. Speed led them back upstairs;
he stripped Horatio of the messy jogging pants while Eric got a warm wash
cloth. Horatio pulled Speed to him,
demanding entrance into his mouth.
Speed groaned and let Horatio have control.

Eric stood by the bathroom door and watched, "damn
that's hot."

"Bed," Speed ushered Horatio in. "We've got a
lot to do tomorrow."

Speed curled up against Horatio, while Eric curled into
Speed. Eric grinned at Horatio as he
leaned over Speed kissing the older man soundly. Speed humphed, but just relaxed into Horatio's embrace. The three men drifted off into a sound
sleep. The new day would be faced with
a new reason � each other.

~*~

Alexx looked over at the two CSI's, "you think someone
in the department maybe involved with the shooting?"

"Who else has access to the Hummer?" Ryan pointed
out.

"Horatio keeps it at his house," Alexx suggested.

"Neighbors would have noticed someone tinkering with it
in the middle of the night." Calleigh brought up, "But if someone was
in a mechanic's outfit down in the garage."

Alexx set her coffee cup down, "Why? Who would do this?
What did Horatio stumble across and why drag Eric into it?"

"I don't know," Calleigh sighed. "We're going
to go to Horatio's then Eric's to see if we can find any information."

"Be careful," Alexx warned them. She'd already lost Speed, and now Horatio
and Eric were missing, she didn't want to loose anyone else.

Calleigh reached over and squeezed her hand, "We
will."

~*~

Speed sat at the computer going through the files, one by
one. He had left Horatio and Eric
sleeping upstairs, they both needed the rest.
He leaned back in his chair a smile on his face. Waking up surrounded by both men, was
heaven. He loved Eric, and he knew Eric
loved him, but it didn't stop either of them from loving Horatio.

Dispo day -- Speed shook his head. It was the beginning of a lot of changes in
his life. It had opened the doors into
the inner workings of the drug ring, and it ended with Eric in his bed. Eric showed up at his door in the early
morning hours, Speed barely had the door closed when Eric had pounced on
him. They barely made it back to the
bedroom, before Eric sucked his brains out through his cock. As he laid dazed and confused in a blissful
way � Eric had entered him. The two had
been inseparable since.

It was not long after the case with Clavo that they both
admitted to each other their attraction to Horatio. They had decided that if the opportunity ever arose where they
could approach him, they would take it � unfortunately that opportunity never
came.

'Dying' in front of Horatio had been the hardest thing he
had ever done. Those blue eyes were
full of misery, pain, guilt, and love.
Speed had woken up pissed as hell.
He hated lying to Horatio, and hated the haunted look that was in Eric's
eyes when he had finally come home. Their
love making that night had been hard and almost brutal. Speed had apologized in
the morning; Eric had smiled and said at least he looked haggard for the
funeral.

He promised himself that when this was over, he would tell
his friends the truth. He might not be able to live as Timothy Speedle again,
but at least they would know everything.
He missed Alexx, her kind words, and Calleigh's bright smile. Eric said Ryan was a good guy, and that he
bet Speed would have enjoyed working with him.

Speed looked back at the computer screen, concentrating on
the task at hand. They had to find that
final piece of the puzzle. If they
could take down the head leader, and break up the trade all the hard years
would finally pay off. He didn't fool
himself into believing it would take the drugs off the street completely but it
would at least put a serious dent into the supply.

When he had come to Miami he was starting a new life, away
from drugs � DEA. He had easily been
sucked back into the thick of things, sometimes he wished he never said yes to
the recruiters, and just gone to NYU and became a doctor like he planned. But then he would have never met Eric or
Horatio. He wanted to wrap this up,
tell the DEA to go to hell and shove it up their government ass, take Horatio
and Eric and retire in Argentina, Brazil, hell anywhere.

He wondered if Horatio would go.

"Find anything?" Horatio's voice interrupted his
musings.

Speed looked up at the redhead, who was wearing Speed's
jeans and t-shirt. Speed smiled at him,
"Actually take a look at this."

Horatio stepped forward and leaned over Speed's shoulder,
"What am I looking for?"

"See these correspondences," Speed pointed out a
series of emails from Stetler's email address to an unknown recipient, the user
name hidden. "It's written in code."

Horatio leaned forward eyes following the lines,
"Sounds like a normal email."

"Except the fact Stetler doesn't own a boat, and I
doubt seriously that he has ever gone deep sea fishing before in his
life," Speed pointed out.
Horatio's face was a few inches from his own, he inhaled the man's
scent.

Horatio looked over at him, a smile on his face, "Have
you broken the code yet?"

Speed blushed at getting caught, "I'm working on
it."

"Eric just left," Horatio stepped back taking a
seat in the chair. He examined the
office with interest. Maps of Miami
were on the wall with push pins, and notes written all over it. He recognized the mug shots on the walls �
various drug dealers, cops, and high ranking citizens. Horatio stood up and began to examine the
evidence Speed and Eric had collected.
He began to understand how huge this was as he followed their line of
evidence.

"Speed," Horatio looked at the notes on the wall.
"You're telling me this high ranking guy you're searching for has not just
one judge, but four in his back pocket?"

"So far that we know," Speed stood up. He pointed
the direct line between four judges and a small drug ring, and then showed the
small drug rings connections into the main clientele. "These four judges
have dinner monthly with each other; sometimes Senator Williams will join
them."

Horatio stepped back looking once again around the room,
"You've collected all this evidence?"

"Eight years H," Speed reminded him. "Now you
know why I didn't have a girlfriend."

"I thought Eric was the reason why?" Horatio
smirked at him.

"That too," Speed laughed.

Horatio looked at Speed, really looked at him. "All
these years I've never heard you laugh, not carefree like that. How much of
what I saw at work was a cover?"

Speed dropped his eyes to the floor, "Horatio." He
looked back up at him, "I never wanted to lie to you. You are one of the
few people in this world I trust and respect."

"But you had a cover," Horatio stepped forward his
hand cupping Speed's face.

"Most of what you saw is who I am," Speed leaned
into the caress. "The dark brooding is a part of who I am, just not as
much. No one asks questions of what
you're doing if you growl at them enough times." Speed smiled,
"Except you. No matter how much I
growled, you would just smile and keep asking questions."

Horatio smirked and shrugged, "Those late nights?"

"Some where the cases I was working on," Speed
looked Horatio in the eyes, "I never let this interfere with a case�"

"I know," Horatio stepped closer his hands
slipping into Speed's hair. "Last
night?"

"We meant everything we said," Speed whispered.
"We want you, we love you � I can't explain why or how but�"

Horatio lips descended onto Speed's, stopping his
rambling. Speed sighed and deepened the
kiss, dueling slowly with Horatio's tongue.
Horatio pulled back his blue eyes filled with unreadable emotion. Speed leaned forward kissing him softly,
"Please Horatio, don't doubt that we love you."

"How?" Horatio asked a rare show of vulnerability.

Speed gave him a bright smile, "Because you're
you."

Horatio let Speed pull him into his arms, resting his head
on Speed's shoulder. The past
twenty-four hours had been rough on him � he grinned, chuckling softly into
Speed's neck.

"What?" Speed asked stepping back.

"Just amazed how twenty-four hours can change ones
life," Horatio nipped at the corner of Speed's mouth. "I've been shot
at, Hummer blown up, finding out that the two men I love very dearly are DEA
agents, one who was supposed to be dead, and then said men want a romantic
relationship with me � all while taking down a large drug cartel."

"We never close," Speed enjoyed the sounds of
Horatio's thick laughter.

~*~

Calleigh opened Eric's front door, and entered her friend's
apartment. She paused at the doorway
not remembering the last time she was here.
She looked around the living room; it was comfortable, very lived in. She set her kit down on the dining room
table, as she looked around the open area.
The kitchen looked out to the living/dining room area. The small hallway led to two bedrooms and a
bath.

She looked at the kitchen, something was off but she
couldn't place it � everything was organized.
She frowned slightly, not remember Eric ever cooking. She wandered down the hall, stopping in the
second bedroom/office. There were more
books than she remembered, ranging from scuba diving to the history of
Pompeii. She heard Ryan enter the apartment
and walked back into the living area.

"Not what I was expecting," Ryan stated looking
around. "It seems homey."

"What did you find in the garage?" Calleigh asked.

"His bike and car are still there," Ryan set his
kit next to Calleigh's. "Eric cooks?"

"Bike?" Calleigh asked. "Eric doesn't own a bike."

Ryan turned towards here, "There's a yellow bike in his
allotted spot."

"He has Speed's bike?" Calleigh sat down at the
table shocked by the news. She then
looked up at the cookbooks, "My God � he has most of Speed's things."
Calleigh stood up and looked around the room. She recognized a painting from
Speed's apartment, the amount of books, the organized kitchen, "Oh
Eric."

Ryan looked around, "So he has most of Speedle's
things?"

Calleigh nodded, "Lets see if we can find out anything
while we're here."

"Should I dust for prints?" Ryan glanced around
the kitchen. "Maybe see if someone's been here?"

"I'll check his computer," Calleigh walked back
into the second bedroom/office. The
idea that Eric kept most of Speed's stuff was heart breaking. To her it was a sign he wasn't dealing with
his friend's death.

"Calleigh?" Ryan walked into the room a confused expression on his
face. "Did Eric cook?"

"No, Speed did though," She smiled at him.

"The fridge is stocked with cooking material, the
cupboards also," Ryan commented. "He must have been using Speedle's
pans and books. Plus I found two sets of prints on the kitchen counters, and a
set on the pans."

Calleigh was taken back, "That's odd."

"Anything on the computer?" Ryan asked.

"It's encrypted," Calleigh looked back at the
computer. "I'll take it in, but don't want to hack into it just yet, they
may show up today."

"Should we check the bedroom?" Ryan looked down
the hallway towards the closed door at the end.

Calleigh sighed as she stood up, "Give it a once
over."

Calleigh and Ryan stepped into the bedroom and stopped
short. "Someone else lives here," Ryan commented as he took in the
room. The bed was obviously slept in by
two people, items on both night stands.
Clothes scattered around the room, Ryan picked up a pair of jeans,
"And it's not a woman."

Calleigh picked up a t-shirt lying across the bed,
"This is Speed's, and I should know I gave it to him."

"Eric and Speedle weren't the same size," Ryan
pulled his flashlight looking through one of the night stands. "I got a fingerprint here; see if it
matches the one in the kitchen?"

Calleigh nodded, but didn't say anything as she looked
around the bedroom. Something was going
on � and she wanted to know what.

~*~

Eric stepped into the quiet apartment; he looked around
seeing no one in sight. "You two
better not be in bed," He yelled out.

"Get your mind out of the gutter," Speed's voice
yelled back.

Eric grinned as he walked down the hallway and into the
office. Horatio looked up at him from
the chair, where he was going through some files. "And here I thought I
would find you two having hot sex."

"Been there done that," Speed commented from the
computer.

Horatio snickered, "Do you have some clothes for
me?"

"Nothing wrong with what you got on," Speed looked over at him.

"It's not me," Horatio shook his head and went
back to looking over the files.

"I'll put your bag up in the bedroom," Eric
commented as he walked into the room. "The one upstairs," Eric leaned
over the chair his brown eyes full of mischief. "In case you forgot where
you were staying."

"I haven't," Horatio reached up and pulled Eric
into a deep kiss.

Speed watched from his spot by the computer, "That is
hot."

Eric straightened back up, "Told you." Then walked over and gave Speed a hello kiss
also. "I stopped by Horatio's first and got his clothes, but when I
stopped by my place I had company."

Speed turned in his chair looking at Eric concerned,
"Who?"

"Calleigh and Ryan," Eric pulled up the second
office chair, "They left with my laptop."

"Shit," Speed threw his pen down onto the table.
"Though we shouldn't be surprised they would search the houses."

"What's on the computer?" Horatio asked.

"Research, it's encrypted and encoded by some of the
top government encrypters, but if they get into it�" Eric leaned back in
his chair.

"How much of the operation will be exposed?"
Horatio mind was racing with possibilities.

"Not much, lucky for us," Speed looked between the
two men. "Eric types all his research notes in code � a mix of Russian, Spanish,
and French."

"You speak French?" Horatio turned towards Eric.

"Speed taught it to me," Eric shrugged. "I'm
not worried about the computer. I'm worried that Calleigh is going to recognize
the clothes, books, pans, and bike that happen to be lying around."

Speed groaned his head resting in his hands, "My
fingerprints and DNA are all over that place."

"Could it lead them here?" Horatio asked as he set
the files aside.

"I don't think so," Eric hesitated, "Nothing
there mentions this place."

"But if they figure out I'm alive," Speed lifted
his head up and looked at them. "Do you think they will stop until they
find out what is going on?"

"I trust Calleigh and Ryan," Horatio stood up
looking at both men. "They will be discreet until they get the facts. They are probably working under the radar
now, if they found the Hummer they are going to wonder why I just didn't come
in, possible scenario is I'm hiding from my own police force."

"All we can do is wait," Speed shrugged. "If
Calleigh shows up at the front door, I'm hiding behind Horatio."

Horatio snickered, then headed towards the office door,
"Gentlemen I'm going to change into something more�" He looks down at
the jeans and t-shirt, "respectable." Speed just rolled his eyes as
Horatio left the room.

Eric looked over at him, "What are we doing in here,
when he's upstairs getting naked?"

Speed turned in his seat and looked at Eric, "good
point."

The two men hurried up the stairs, and tackled a surprised
Horatio Caine.

~*~

Chapter 4: Discovered

~*~

Ryan grabbed a stunned Calleigh and pulled her into an
unused office space in the back of the lab.
Calleigh glanced between an equally shocked Alexx and a worried looking
Ryan.

"Ryan you want to explain why you dragged me away from
my morgue," Alexx gave the young man a tentative smile.

"I ran the prints found at Eric's apartment," Ryan
took a deep breath. "They came back with a match."

"Who?" Calleigh asked a bit concerned a Ryan's actions.

"Timothy Speedle," Ryan took a deep breath.

"What?" Alexx asked in shock. "That's
impossible�"

"Leftover prints from when he visited Eric?"
Calleigh suggested.

"They were on the kitchen counter, fridge, nightstand,
and bathroom," Ryan pointed out. "Speedle has been dead for six months,
prints wouldn't have lasted that long in those places."

Alexx sat down quickly, "What the hell is going
on?"

"I don't know," Ryan shrugged.

"Speed isn't dead and has been living with Eric?"
Calleigh thought out loud.

"Not just living but sharing a bedroom," Ryan
looked between the two women. "Were Speedle and Eric lovers?" The two women looked back at Ryan in shock.
"I guess this is a surprise to you as well."

"We need to find them," Calleigh paced in the
small room. "This doesn't leave this room."

"What about Eric's computer?" Ryan suggested.

"It's encrypted," Calleigh stopped and looked at
Ryan. "I can't get through it, and I don't want to officially try to break
into it."

"Let's go back to Eric's place and see if we can find
clues to where they may be at," Ryan suggested.

"I know where they are at," Alexx looked over at
them. "And I think I know what's going on."

~*~

Speed let the hot water cascade over his shoulders and back.
His body hummed from the effects of the passionate encounter between the three
of them. Last night had been about
comfort and security, this morning had been about passion and claiming. Horatio was as intense in bed as he was out
of it, being wrapped around that man was intoxicating. Speed's hands slid down to his awakening
erection. He had felt loved and
cherished with Eric, the two had a passionate sex life � giving and taking from
each other. Adding Horatio had just
blown both their minds.

Speed worked his erection, eyes closed as he leaned against
the shower wall. Images of the last
hour floating through his mind � watching as Horatio took Eric slowly driving
the Cuban out of his mind with pleasure.
Remembering the feel of Horatio's mouth around his own aching cock as
Eric slipped his fingers inside Speed.

Speed came moaning in pleasure; he paused when he heard a
noise from downstairs. Eric had taken
Horatio to meet with their DEA contact - no one should be home. Speed stepped out of the shower and wrapped
a towel around his waist. He slipped
quietly into the bedroom pulling the gun out of the nightstand.

He eased down the stairs, gun raised, listening for any
sound. He turned the corner and stepped
into the living room gun raised.

"Tim?" Calleigh asked in shock.

"Calleigh?" Speed questioned as he looked between
the three intruders. "Alexx?"

Speed shifted when he heard the front door open, gun raised
at the new threat. Eric and Horatio
walked into the room and stopped short seeing their visitors. Eric turned towards Speed,
"Speed?"

"Don't ask me, I heard a noise," Speed shrugged
lowering the gun.

"And decided to come down in a towel?" Horatio
asked admiring the view.

Alexx ignored the gun and towel, and hugged the young
man. Speed closed his eyes and hugged
her back. She stepped back, eyes full
of unshed tears, then slapped him. "What the hell is going on?"

"Good question?" Calleigh glared at him.

Alexx hugged him again, then forced him to sit on the couch,
"Tim, sugar, tell me what's going on."

"Uh� Alexx," Tim looked down at the towel.

"Honey I've seen it all -
now I want to hear it all." The coroner favored him with a foreboding
look. "So, I want you to tell me,
just how does one rise from the dead?"

Horatio and Eric stayed quiet;
making sure Alexx's wrath wasn't turned on them and sat down at the bar. Both men had to admit a wet, barely clothed
Timothy Speedle was a sight to behold.

"Not half naked,"
Speed muttered darkly without any real heat.
And he was not going to look back at Eric and Horatio. The appreciative and stunned looks his two
lovers had favored him with when they thought the girls were too busy yelling
at him to notice, were bad enough in mixed company. One thing he didn't need right now was a tent for a towel.

Calleigh sat next to Alexx,
"So Tim, how does one rise from the dead and show up in a high priced
apartment? Let alone suddenly become very confident with a gun?"

"Alexx, Calleigh - at
least let me change?" Speed asked, ignoring Horatio's heated stare.

"I vote we let him
change?" Ryan says from the corner blushing as he glanced between Eric and
Horatio's hungry looks and Speed. Things had taken a serious turn for the
twilight zone in his book - a dead CSI walking around in a towel and his boss
and co-worker both were staring with lustful looks, and an ME who knew where
said dead CSI was located.

"I'm with the new
guy," Speed stood up and walked over towards Ryan putting as much distance
between the two irate women. "Hi, I'm Speed."

"Ryan," Ryan shook
his hand blushing, "Nice towel."

Unable to stop himself, Speed
grinned; both for the blush and the guy's ability to take all of this in
stride; his counterpart's sudden half-naked return from the dead, his normally
sensible co-workers sudden lascivious behavior -- Male and female. Not to mention
his boss suddenly displaying that he does have a personal side with said very
male counterpart wearing nothing but a towel.

"Thanks. Doesn't leave much in the way of coverage
but it's comfortable." Speed smiled at him easing the tension in the new
CSI's shoulders.

Ryan grinned back at him,
suddenly liking the not so dead CSI, "Right. So I should hold off the mob and let you go change?"

"Want to borrow my
gun?" Speed smirked at the raised
eyebrows, mostly from the fairer sex.
"You never know when it might come in handy."

"I...don't think so.
Calleigh's a better shot than I am."
The pair traded knowing looks.
"And pissing off the ME who'll probably be responsible for your
autopsy? Not a good idea."

"Yeah, good
point." Speed nodded noting a
definite challenging glare to Alexx's stare.
"So...Everyone. Sit. Stay.
Kitchen's that way."

"Speedle..." Calleigh
stood up blocking Speed's movement towards the stairs.

"Duquesne," Speed
returned firmly. "Clothes. Now."

"And then?" she
demanded, tapping her foot in impatience.

"Then I'll answer anything
you want to know," Speed laid his hand on her shoulders giving her a small
smile.

"Damn right you
will," Calleigh called after him as he headed back up stairs then turned
towards the two men "you knew about this?"

Horatio looked at Eric, "I
just found out.... Eric here..."

"Great get me in
trouble," Eric muttered.

"YOU KNEW!" Calleigh
glared at Eric.

"I knew he looked good in
a towel," Eric deadpanned.

"Damn good in a
towel." Horatio muttered smiling
down at the floor before looking up and meeting the twin glares being thrown
him way. "Right. Ladies,
Ryan...anyone care for something to drink before Speed gets back?"

"Too late," Speed
smirked, shuffling down the loft stairs, not quite in a rush, dressed in black
jeans and dark blue pinstriped button up, barefoot.

Calleigh favored him with a
surprised look. "That was
fast."

"Didn't want to leave Eric
and H alone down here with the wolves for too long," Speed smirked only to
grimace at the fist to his shoulder, "Ow."

The ballistics expert only
smiled sweetly. "You were in
range."

Alexx favored him with a
knowing eye under raised brows. Her
smile was pointed when she asked, "Isn't that Horatio's shirt?"

"Yes, it is." Speed only smiled; a genuine one that lit up
his eyes with good humor as he bent to kiss her cheek. "It's good to see you Alexx."

Alexx smiled and hugged him,
"Good to see you sweetie." Sat him down, "Now tell me why I did
your autopsy, yet you�re here?"

Speed looked down not looking her
in the eyes, "I'm sorry, if I had other options I would have gone with
them."

"Witness protection?"
Ryan asked fascinated at the situation.

"No," Speed looked
over at everyone "I'm actually DEA and my cover was blown."

Calleigh�s mouth dropped in shock,
she had been thinking along the same lines of Ryan, and witness protection,
"But...Dispo�"

"Eric planted the jammed
gun," Speed gave her a tentative smile. "We used the incident to help
my cover."

"OW!" Eric looked up
at Calleigh who had just smacked him. "That's going to bruise."

"YOU knew he was
DEA?" Calleigh looked at Eric. "All this time you never told
us."

"Cause he's also
DEA." Speed informed them smirking at Eric.

"OW!" Eric got up and
rubbed his sore arm hiding behind Horatio. "Thanks."

"So how long have you two
been lovers?" Ryan asked, smiling at the two men. He wondered if they were this playful at
work.

"OW!" Speed glared at
Alexx. "What was that for?"

"You didn't tell me about
you and Eric," Alexx glared at him. "When did Eric join your
operation?"

"Wait," Horatio
turned towards Speed, "Alexx knew you were DEA?"

"I don't think I want to
say - I might get hit again," Speed muttered darkly looking between
Calleigh, Alexx, Eric, and Horatio wondering which one would throttle him first.

"Speed..." Horatio
looked up when his voice trailed off, letting the younger man know he meant
what he as about to say "You definitely will get hit again if you
don't."

"Besides," Eric
grinned from behind the redhead, casting an evil smile in his direction. "I'll kiss it and make it better."

Before he could do more than
stare, Horatio denied with some good humor, "You most certainly will
not. Punishment is supposed to hurt,
Eric."

"I'll remember you said
that, H," Speed muttered, a little louder this time. And if Eric's grin was evil, Speed's smirk
was doubly so. And the older man
blushed so nicely. "In the
meantime -"

"In the meantime..."
Calleigh took the cue and ran with it.
Arms crossed over her chest the blond set herself, and looked as if it
would take a hurricane to move her.
"I have questions."
The firm tone clearly stated everyone had better get comfortable. It was going to be a long day.

"I'm sure you do,"
Speed muttered, then continued, "I was recruited out of high school, and
worked for them through college. My
mentor was killed during a bust that went wrong because of faulty information I
received then provided. I wanted out,
so I moved to Miami, met Megan and set up shop as a CSI. A year later, I stumbled upon a growing drug
ring, called an old boss, and got reinstated � and here I am."

"So how does Eric fit into
this?" Calleigh asked eyes narrowing at Eric.

"He stumbled upon my
investigation," Speed ignored Eric's snort.

"And Alexx since you
seemed to skip over that explanation yesterday," Horatio commented dryly.

Speed looked around a place to
hide, knowing what he was about to say would piss off Eric to no ends.
"She patched up a gunshot wound."

"WHAT!??" Eric yelled
at him "When the hell did this happen?"

"It was not long after you
joined the operation." Speed
admitted when Eric moved out from behind Horatio, accusation and hurt in his
dark eyes. "I'm alright, Eric. It wasn't bad." A gentle squeeze to the hand reaching for
his, their fingers intertwined, helped to dispel the worry, though the
accusation remained.

"Alexx?" Eric asked, his eyes never leaving
Speed's. Horatio looked on from nearby
but didn't interrupt.

With a soft sigh at the
unconscious connection, Alexx agreed.
"He's right, sugar. It was
little more than a slight graze to his left shoulder. A few stitches were all that was needed."

Eric looked a bit pale. "The scar..."

Speed smiled a bit. "It wasn't a bike accident."

"You lied to me."
Eric's voice dropped showing his pain.

"I didn't want you to
worry. It was all too new..."
Speed sighed, insecure and worry shining through for a moment before he
admitted.

"You should have told
me," Eric pushed.

"We weren't even lovers
yet, and you were still new to the investigation. It was a small meeting and
one of the buyers got antsy and started shooting. I ducked and got out of there, the bullet grazed my
shoulder." Speed sighed; he leaned back in the couch, feeling a headache
come on.

"How come we weren't
called to a scene?" Horatio asked.

"Night shift got it,"
Speed smirked. "They labeled it drug deal gone bad and that was
that."

"Still," Eric
relented understanding Speed's perspective. "Why didn't you tell me Alexx
knew?"

"Less people who knew
about you or you knew about, the safer you were." Speed voice was firm a
tone Calleigh wasn't used to hearing from him.

"And now? Why the set up?
Why the hiding? And what does Horatio have to do with this?" Calleigh
rattled off questions that had been plaguing her since they arrived.

"Who's the bad cop?"
Ryan asked at the same time.

"I see why you hired
him," Speed looked over at Horatio as he stood up. "Now," Speed sighed, facing the entire group. "Now
we have to make sure the cat doesn�t get out of the bag if it hasn�t
already."

Calleigh
favored him with a sympathetic gaze as she took a seat on the couch. With
Eric�s move to Speed both he and Horatio had migrated with the rest into the
living area and now followed her lead, everyone took seats for what looked to
be a fairly long strategy session. "I�m up for that," she said
simply.

"What
about Stetler?" Ryan asked having taken the other end of the sofa,
leaving Alexx the delicate, wing backed chair. "How did he miss
this? I've only been there for a few months and that man is always sniffing
around looking for dirt on Horatio."

�You
asked about the bad cop in all of this," Eric sighed, sharing the loveseat
opposite them with Horatio.

Speed
stood leaning against the bar between the large open area and kitchen,
preferring to be standing and ready. After all, they had found
them. It might be a good idea to start scouting other places; this one
may not be as safe as he had hoped. "For a rookie, you have good
instincts."

Three
pairs of eyes widened at the implication.

"Stetler?"
Calleigh leaned back into the couch. "Shit."

It was
Alexx who recovered first. Raising an eyebrow, the coroner commented
quietly, "I'll take that coffee now."

~*~

"We should move our
operation," Speed leaned against Eric as they stood on the balcony over
looking the harbor.

"Why?" Eric nuzzled
his forehead.

"Did you not notice the
company?" Speed chuckled he could hear Horatio going over some finer
details with Calleigh and Ryan.

"They found us because
Alexx had been here," Eric tightened his grip, "When she patched you
up."

"I am sorry," Speed
stroked Eric's arm.

"I know," Eric
sighed, "It just scares me sometimes."

"Eric," Speed turned
in his arms, "If this goes wrong and I don't make it," Speed placed a
finger of Eric's mouth, "Don't interrupt. I want you to empty the accounts
and get out of Miami." Speed looked over Eric's shoulder at Horatio,
"Take Horatio, live a stress free life."

Eric cupped Speed's cheek,
"I'll promise to do that, only because I know you will hound me until I
do. But know this; I will do anything
in my power to make sure all of us stay alive, that all of us live out the rest
of our lives on a beach somewhere."

"Do you think he will come
with us?" Speed laid his head on Eric's shoulder.

Eric held Speed close, "I
don't know."

~*~

"I had no clue,"
Calleigh shook her head as she watched the two men out on the balcony.

"No one did," Alexx
followed her gaze. "They hid it well."

Horatio's eyes were glued to
the two men. He could see the love
between them, knowing they loved him as equally sent a thrill through his
body. He had no idea what was going to
happen after all this was over.

"And how do you fit in," Calleigh looked over at
Horatio.

"Excuse me?" Horatio turned and looked back at
Calleigh.

Ryan shook his head, "It's a little disconcerting to
not only discover your boss has a playful side, but with two others guys."

Horatio shrugged, his eyes going back to Eric and Speed,
"What can I say, they can be very persuasive."

"I bet," Calleigh laughed.

"Okay what secrets are being revealed," Speed and
Eric walked back into the room. Speed looked between Calleigh and Horatio,
"or do I want to know."

"Probably not," Eric stated as he walked into the
kitchen. "So what's the
plan?"

"Eric and Horatio stay in hiding," Ryan looked at
the small team. "While Calleigh and I try frantically to figure out what's
going on�"

"Maybe discussing a few things we've discovered at
Eric's house," Calleigh smiled over at Ryan.

"Such as?" Speed asked leaning up against the bar.

"A phone bill, with mysterious calls to a DEA office in
Miami," Calleigh shrugged.

"Or the fact Eric has boxes of files that look like
evidence in a drug bust," Ryan added.

"And I take it Stetler will be walking by at the
time," Speed smiled at them.

"Of course," Ryan shrugged. "If not we'll
walk by his office."

"What about Yelina?" Eric asked from the kitchen.

"I'm going to talk to her," Alexx stood up from
the couch. "In the mean time I think it's time the three of us get back to
the trail we thought was a dead end."

"Should we move?" Speed looked over at Alexx.

"I only knew of this place because you asked me
here," Alexx headed for the door.

"Your name isn't on the lease, and the manager had no
idea who you were," Ryan followed Alexx. "He just saw our badges and
let us in."

"That's not good," Eric looked over at Speed.

"I'll call our contact," Speed headed down the
hall towards the office.

Calleigh gave Horatio a quick hug, "Take care of
them," she whispered in his ear.

"I will," he whispered back.

~*~

Chapter 5: Set Up

~*~

Horatio was going through Stetler's email, working through
the notes Speed had written out, trying to figure out what Stetler was up
to. He heard the crash from the
kitchen, and hurried out of the office into the living room. He stopped short and stared at the image
before him. Speed was dressed in black
leather pants, see-through silver silk shirt; you could see his nipple ring
clearly through the fabric. He had
leather cuffs on his wrists and a pair of knee-high laced leather boots on his
feet.

Eric was glaring at him from the kitchen as he cleaned up
the broken bottle, "Where do you think your going in that outfit?"

"I got a call from Thomas, we may have an in that I
just can't pass up," Speed walked over to the closet by the front door and
grabbed a leather trench coat.

"What lead?" Horatio asked.

"Rumor has it since Clavo is now in jail, Robert is
moving up the ranks," Speed slipped on the jacket, and grabbed his keys.
"Stetler has gotten into Robert's good graces by claiming to have taken
out the DEA agent that had been investigating."

"Stetler is stating he took you out?" Eric stepped
out of from the kitchen area.

"There's a big meeting with the council, to vote on
whether or not to let Robert take over Clavo's trade," Speed continued.

"If you show up," Horatio realized where Speed was
going. "It will discredit Stetler and Robert."

"Exactly," Speed walked over to the two men.
"I'm going to explain that I had been discovered by the true DEA agent and
faked my death."

"Get Stetler into hot water, not only did he not take
you out like he said, he had fingered the wrong guy," Eric nodded.

"And with you two missing," Speed grinned.
"It will be obvious that Eric was the DEA agent." Speed locked eyes
with Eric, "If this works, I can not only offer the DEA agent up, but also
Horatio Caine to the head guy personally."

"Use us as bait," Horatio nodded hands on his
hips.

"I don't like it, but this is our way in, to finally
bust this guy," Speed slipped his hand into Eric's hair leaning over and
kissing him softly. "I should be home early morning."

Horatio slipped his arms around Speed his hands running down
leather clad thighs, "Just remember who you belong to."

Speed moaned softly as he leaned back into Horatio, "I
belong to you two."

Horatio turned Speed around and kissed him hard,
"return to us safely."

"I will," Speed untangled himself between the two
men. He gave them a sultry look and headed out the door.

Eric watched the door closed, "I don't like this. I don't
like him going out without back up"

"He'll be fine," Horatio pulled Eric into his
arms, hiding his own worry.

"I can't live without him," Eric snuggled into
Horatio's embrace. "Just the thought of him being dead scared me; by the
time I had gotten home I had convinced myself he was really dead. That night we both ended up with
bruises," Eric shifted burying his face into Horatio's neck. "He
couldn't get your face out of his mind, and I couldn't get the image of the
body on Alexx's table out of mine."

Horatio just held him, his hand caressing the short black
hair, "I have faith in him. He will get the information we need, and we
will finish this."

Eric nodded, "I just want this over. I want us to be together," He lifted
his head and looked at Horatio, "all of us."

Horatio pulled the younger man to him, taking his lips in a
soft deep slow caress. Eric pulled
back, dark eyes locking with blue, "When it's over will you stay with
us?"

Horatio looked down; he didn't know what to say, so instead
he pulled Eric back to him. He claimed
Eric's mouth, devouring his very essence.
Eric moaned and leaned into the kiss, letting Horatio lead � letting
Horatio distract Eric by soothing his fears along with Horatio's.

~*~

Speed walked into the club, easing through the crowded dance
floor, heading towards the back rooms.
By now his old contacts had seen him, and would be reporting to Ramon
that a supposed dead DEA agent was waltzing through the club. Speed grinned slightly, when he walked up to
the back room door, he eyed the bodyguard with ease.

"Tell Ramon that I've got a message for him from beyond
the grave," Speed nodded towards the camera above the door.

The door opened, to reveal a second guard; he nodded towards
Speed and headed down the hallway. Speed
followed at a small distance taking in his surroundings, covering his
exits. The guard led him into a back
banquet style room. An oblong table was
in the center of the room. Ramon sat at
the head of the table, his right hand man Mitch, sat on his right, two guards
stood behind him. Speed recognized most
of the men in the room; they were all part of the trade, men he had been
investigating, including The General.

Speed stepped up to the end of the table, a cocky grin on
his face, "Surprised to see me?"

"Looking good for a dead pig," Ramon stared at him
coldly.

"A little harsh, Ramon," Speed gestured with his
arms out. "I came unarmed and you can clearly see no wires."

"What do you want pig, before I kill you." Ramon
gestured towards the guard behind Speed.

"I've got some info you will want to hear about Robert
and his little pig," Speed spat out when he said pig.

Ramon gestured once again, the guard backing away,
"You've got five minutes."

"Start off by explaining why you're alive," The
General demanded.

"The DEA Agent inside the CSI was on my tail, I had to
get out," Speed shrugged. "I figured I should go into hiding."

Ramon cocked his head listening, "You faked your
death?"

"New Rudy pretty well," Speed grinned. "Told
him we were coming, asked him to make it look good."

"Evidence?" The General mocked Speed. "You
CSI's live and breathe it."

Speed smiled at the General, "Maybe you should answer
one question for me. Where are Horatio
Caine and Eric Delko at the moment?"

The General leaned back in his chair, "I'm
listening."

"Delko's the agent," Ramon glanced at a few of the
other guests in attendance. "He
had been suspected earlier on�"

"Because of that huge drug bust in Little Cuba,"
Speed smirked. Of course what Speed wasn't telling them, that neither men had
anything to do with that particular bust � it just happened to go down when
Eric was out of town. "I caught him digging into some of my old cases, and
then he and Stetler were having a nice little conversation about money laundry
and bad cops."

Ramon's eyes narrowed, "You have proof?"

"Call Rudy," Speed shrugged. "He'll tell you
the shooting was a set up."

Ramon motioned to one of the men behind him, "And
now?"

Speed cocked his head and smiled, "I've worked too hard
to end up 'dead'." Speed rolled his eyes, "So when I hear through the
grapevine that little Clavo got nailed by Caine, I figured it was time to rise
up and get back into the business � after all, who would suspect me, I'm dead
remember."

"What do you want?" The General growled.

"That's easy," Speed locked eyes with the man,
"Clavo's trade."

A guard leaned over Ramon's shoulder and whispered in his
ear, "Rudy confirms the jewelry store was a set up."

"You actually believed Stetler took me out," Speed
laughed quietly. "Ever consider why he's never been able to take down
Caine? I sat in that lab; there were many times Caine stepped over the
bound. And what? Stetler can't get it
to stick?"

Ramon's eyes narrowed in thinking, "Those are strong
accusations."

"He claimed he had me knocked off. I have a right to claim things back,"
Speed shrugged. "Bring him in here; watch his reaction when he sees
me."

"You want my son's trade?" The General growled
out.

"You're son?" Speed cocked his head smirking.

The General glared at him, "What are you willing to
offer?"

"That's easy," Speed gave them a bright smile.
"What everyone wants; Caine and Delko."

~*~

"So I searched Eric's place," Ryan stopped next to
Calleigh near the front receptionist.

"And?" Calleigh asked concerned, "Anything to
state where he's at?"

"No, but was he working on a drug case?" Ryan
asked a bit confused. "I found boxes of files all connected to drug cases
past and present associating with the Underground."

Calleigh stepped back and looked at Ryan, "What?"

"Not just that," Ryan looked around the small
lobby pulling Calleigh closer. "I found Horatio's suit, it was bloody and
had soot all over it."

Calleigh took a deep breath, "What the hell is going
on?"

"I don't know, but no one has heard from either man,"
Ryan looked down the hall to see Stetler heading away from them.

"I truly think we deserve an Academy Award for that performance,"
Calleigh smiled. "Let's go see Alexx, figure out the next step."

~*~

Speed slipped into the dark apartment in the earlier hours
of the morning. He sighed as he leaned
up against the door; it had been a long stressful night. In the end they believed him, but there were
times he wondered if he was going to get out of their alive. He stopped by his contact with the DEA; they
had gotten everything on tape, audio and video. He smiled, amazed at modern technology � who knew a camera could
be small enough to become a nipple ring, and with the see through shirt a clear
view of all the participants.

Speed leaned up against the bar and unlaced and slipped off
his boots. He unclasped the wrists band
laying them on the counter. He padded
quietly up the stairs, stopping on the last step admiring the two men curled
around each other.

"Why aren't you in bed yet?" Eric sleepily called
out.

"I want to get the grime of that place off of me," Speed smiled as he
slipped off the shirt.

"What happened to the nipple ring?" Horatio sat up
in the bed.

"Left it with, Hopkins," Speed stepped into the
bathroom. "They wanted to test the camera later for the next
meeting."

"That little ring was a camera?" Horatio looked
impressed. He looked Speed over, "need help with those pants?"

Speed grinned, "Maybe."

Horatio stood up and stalked across the bedroom. He pulled Speed into his arms, kissing him
soundly, re-claiming him. Speed moaned
as he felt Eric's hands caress his sides and a finger slipping into the
waistband of the leather pants. Speed
leaned back, his head on Eric's shoulder.
His eyes were dark with lust and love as he memorized Horatio's now
darkened blue eyes. He knew he would
hold this moment in his memory. Horatio
claimed Speed's lip once again. Speed
just went along for the ride, letting his lovers take care of him.

~*~

Speed set the phone down then dropped his head against the
cool tile of the kitchen counter. It
was finally going to be over, whether or not he lived through it was something
else entirely.

He felt hands caress his back and begin to knead out the
tight muscles in his shoulders, "What did Hawkins have to say?" Eric
whispered.

"That wasn't Hawkins," Speed stood up relaxing
into Eric's hands. "It was Ramon.
There's a meeting tomorrow at the docks, I bring you and H, I get
Clavo's district." Speed looked over at Horatio who was leaning against
the small bar, "Plus the honor of shooting Stetler."

Horatio's eyebrow lifted a small grin, "Can I see that
before you kill me?"

"Not funny," Speed eyes closed as he leaned back
down and rested his head on the kitchen counter.

"You just take some deep breaths," Eric grabbed
the phone off the counter. "I'll call Hawkins and set everything up."

"Speed," Horatio stepped into the kitchen.

"In two days it's all over," Speed stood up,
turned and leaned up against the counter. "Almost nine years of my life
over."

Horatio stepped up to him, "All your hard work will pay
off."

Speed took a deep breath, "Then what?"

Horatio startled stepped back, "What do you mean?"

"I'm dead," Speed's voice was mocking.

"We can work out an arrangement," Horatio placed
his hands on his hips lost in his thoughts. "Make something up, how you
were helping, and your death exaggerated."

"Even so," Speed sighed in resignation. "I
can't stay here. We will get the top sharks, but there are a lot of smaller
ones roaming around. Eric and I will be
targets."

"What do you want me to say?" Horatio demanded.

"I don't know," Speed crossed his arms in front of
him. "I'm� God, Horatio I might not even live through tomorrow. It's just�"

Horatio stepped up and pulled Speed into his arms, "You
will live. I can't go through that again." Horatio kissed him hard devouring his mouth. He pushed Speed up on top of the counter,
Speed's legs wrapping around his waist. Horatio pulled back taking in deep
breaths, "You will live do you understand me?"

"Yes," Speed dove back in taking Horatio's lips
with his own.

Eric stood off to the side and watched his two lovers,
knowing this was between them.
Horatio's way of demanding Speed to live. He leaned against the wall and watched as Horatio consumed Speed
in passion.

~*~

Chapter 6: Take Down

~*~

"Nothing will be the same, will it?" Calleigh
looked over at Alexx.

Alexx shook her head then turned and looked out the vans
front window, "Nothing's been the same since Speed 'died', and it's likely
that it's going to change even more."

"We're going to lose Eric aren't we?" She followed
Alexx's sight watching the DEA agents prep the three men.

"They will be targets," Ryan's voice came from
behind them. "They will have to leave town."

"What about Horatio?" Calleigh looked back at Ryan
then back out the window watching the redhead.

"I don't know honey, I don't know," Alexx shook
her head.

~*~

Speed took a deep breath as he closed the van doors; this
was it � the final climatic scene. He
leaned up against the back doors getting his emotions under check, not thinking
about the two men he loved the most in this world, who were tied up in the back
of the van. He took a calming breath
and slipped into a role he has been playing for too long. He walked around to the front and slipped
behind the steering wheel ignoring his cargo.

An hour later he pulled up in front of the warehouse by the
docks. He flicked his lights, letting
them know he was here. He backed the
van into the small warehouse stopping at the edge of the line of cars. He slipped out of the van and walked up to
Ramon. He smirked at the man and lifted
his arms out wide a gesture of trust.
Ramon's guards patted him down pulling out his gun, from his waist ban.

Speed gave Ramon a look, "Like I'm going to deal with
anyone unarmed."

Ramon nodded and the guard handed Speed his gun back, "You bring
them."

"Bound and gagged," Speed smirked. "Just like
a Christmas present."

"How did you get a drop on them?" The General
asked as he walked up.

"Let's just say I took advantage of their stunned
reaction to my sudden rise from the dead," Speed smiled.

"I bet," Ramon snickered. "Robert and Stetler
should be here soon."

Speed grinned evilly, "I'm looking forward to it."

A black town car drove up into the warehouse stopping near
the van. Speed kept his back to the
car, knowing who it was.

"Roberto," Ramon called out to the two men.
"I see you brought your pet pig."

Stetler growled slightly, but didn't say anything. Robert
smiled at Ramon, "He's been invaluable to the operation."

"Got rid of that pesky DEA agent," The General
called out, watching the approaching men.

"I don't know about that," Speed commented as he
turned around staring Stetler in the face. "I say he's working with
him."

Stetler's mouth dropped, "Speedle?"

"Yep in the flesh so to speak," Speed smirked at
the cop. "So if I'm not dead, and
not the DEA agent, then who is?" Speed snapped his fingers, "That
would be one Eric Delko."

Robert looked over to Stetler, "You said Speedle was
the DEA Agent and you had him taken care of."

"He also said he would take care of Caine," Speed
leaned up against the back of the van. "And where are Caine and
Delko?"

Stetler's eyes narrowed at Speed, "How do we know
you're not the DEA agent and this is a set up?"

"This coming from the man who claims he had me taken
out," Speed crossed his arms in front of him. "Besides I come bearing
gifts."

"Let's see these gifts," A new voice entered the
arena.

~*~

"Oh my God!" Calleigh stated in shock as they
listened in, "It can't be?"

"Isn't he in jail?" Ryan shook his head.

~*~

Speed laughed, "This is too good." He glanced over
at The General. "So the whole 'he's not my son so I'm throwing his ass in
jail' was a scam?"

The General smiled and nodded his eyes shining with pride at
his son, "I can't wait to show him his gift."

"How did you get him out?" Speed turned and opened
the door calming his nerves this wasn't going to go down well.

"I never went," Clavo shrugged.

"So you never revoked his immunity," Speed nodded.
"Good set up. Got Caine off your back."

"So where is this gift?" Clavo stood next to his
father.

Speed opened the door and pulled his gun aiming it at
Horatio, "Get out of the van." He shifted his gun, "you stay
put."

Clavo grinned when he saw Speed shove Horatio down onto his
knees, "Nice."

Stetler looked between Speed and Horatio, "You believe this?" He
turned towards the men. "This is a set up."

Speed rolled his eyes as he ripped off Horatio's gag.
"Jealous, Stetler? That I got Horatio on his knees and you couldn't?"

"Speed?" Horatio looked up at his friend.
"What's going on buddy?" Horatio glanced around the warehouse his
eyes landing and narrowing on Clavo.

"Sorry, H," Speed shrugged. "You're my ticket
to the big league."

"Speed," Horatio looked back up at Speed.
"Whatever trouble you've gotten into I can help."

"Turn a blind eye," Speed laughed. "You'll
throw my ass in jail as quickly as Clavo there." Speed nodded over towards
Clavo.

Horatio glanced over at Stetler, a snarl on his face,
"I shouldn't be surprised about you."

"You never learned Caine," Stetler took a step
towards Horatio.

Speed moved between them, "He's not for you." Speed smirked,
"Besides I think you've got your own explaining to do."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Stetler
demanded.

"The fact you're working with Delko," Speed
smirked.

Stetler turned towards Robert, "He's lying."

"I'm also supposed to be dead," Speed reminded
him.

"How do you explain that?" Clavo answered.
"You told me you had him taken out."

"I didn't take Speedle down, but I'm not working with
Delko," Stetler figured the truth would be the easiest. "I suspected
Delko at first, but," he pointed at Clavo, "Insisted it was
Speedle."

Clavo turned towards Speed, "How do we know you're not
working with DEA?"

Speed opened the second door of the van and shoved Eric down
next to Horatio, "Would I do this if I was," his eyes went hard as he
pulled the gun up and shot two shots point blank range into Eric's back. Eric slumped down blood pooling around him.

"Oh God Eric," Horatio eyes widen then settled on
Speed, "I'll will see you pay for this."

Speed shrugged, and then squatted down in front of him,
"You left me to the wolves on Dispo Day � and I was innocent then. Went to bat for Calleigh, but left me high
and dry. Too bad it was the action that
sent me into a life of crime."
Speed stood up and stepped over Eric his eyes focused on Clavo,
"Evidence enough?"

Clavo grinned and nodded, "Dude you're cool by
me."

Speed turned toward Ramon, "I know your boss wanted the
pleasure but�."

"I couldn't have thought of a better show of loyalty
than that," A voice Speedle recognized. "Welcome to the organization,
Mr. Speedle or should we still call you Speed?"

Speed smiled, "I prefer Speed, Judge Williamson."

~*~

"Now we wait until they show Speed the drugs,"
Hawkins looked at the screen tension thick in the van.

"Eric's alright, isn't he?" Calleigh asked.

"He knew it was coming," Hawkins answered eyes not
leaving the monitor.

"That had to be hard on Speed," Alexx closed her
eyes praying her friends would get through this.

~*~

"You know this explains why I lost every case when I
was in your court," Speed smirked.

The Judge smiled, "Got to watch out for my
investments." Williamson looked over at Horatio, "I can't give you
Clavo's trade obviously, but I can give you Roberts." The Judge nodded and
Clavo pulled a gun up and shot Robert one shot to the head.

Speed glanced over at the body, "And the pig?"

Williamson walked up to Stetler, "What should I do with
you?"

"I've been loyal," Stetler looked around
nervously.

"You lied," Williamson glared at him.

"I used a situation to my advantage," Stetler
responded back.

"I have an idea," Speed looked over at the two
men.

"And what would that be?" Williamson didn't look
away from Stetler.

"I have some experience with evidence," Speed
smirked. "Set him up for Delko's and Caine's murders. Everyone knows he hates Caine, it wouldn't
be much of a stretch."

Williamson turned back towards Speed, motioning for two
guards to grab Stetler, "I like how your mind works." He slipped an
arm around Speed's shoulders, "Let me show you your merchandise and we'll
talk routes and pick-ups."

~*~

"Okay, guys this is it," Hawkins grabbed his gun
and stepped out of the van. "Wait until Speed gives us the word, then move
in." He turned towards the three CSI's, "Don't move."

Calleigh watched Hawkins head towards the warehouse,
"Is he kidding?" Calleigh pulled her gun, and followed the man
out. She turned towards the other two.

"Not a word," Alexx grabbed her medical kit.
"I promise to stay behind lines, and then move in when it's over. Ryan
will keep me company."

"I was on patrol," Ryan growled out, "And
concerned as much as you."

"That's why you have to keep Alexx safe," Calleigh
stated as she slipped on her Kevlar vest.

~*~

Speed walked with Williamson, trying not to respond to Clavo
walking towards Horatio. Williamson
moved him to the back of the warehouse, "Leave Caine for now, Clavo."

Clavo looked over at Williamson, "I will kill the
bastard."

"Oh you will," Williamson smiled, "But first let's finish our
business."

Clavo knelt in front of Horatio, "Looks like it's
closing time."

Horatio just glared at him, "So how does it feel to be
a bastard child?" Horatio took the hit with ease.

"Clavo," The General stood up. "Leave the pig
alone."

Speed ignored the situation behind him, as he talked with
Williamson. "Robert's section
isn't as large as Clavo's but a good starting point."

Speed nodded, "I'll have to bring in some of my
contacts, can't be walking the streets now can I."

Williamson smiled, "It's a good cover, you play your
cards right you could work your way up the chain."

"Beats working my ass for years getting no where,"
Speed shrugged. "How much are we talking?"

"A steady stream of ten kilo's a week," Williamson
looked over at Speed. "Can you handle that?"

"Take me a while to get my contacts up and going
again," Speed nodded, "But should be up and running in no time."

"Good," Williamson opened the back doors of a
black SUV that was parked farther inside the warehouse.

Williamson unlocked the silver cases, and pulled out a bag
of cocaine. He slit the bag and offered
it to Speed. Speed took a small taste, "It's going to be a pleasure doing
business with you."

~*~

"That's the signal," Hawkins yelled into his
radio, "Move in, move in."

A swarm of federal agents, swat, and Miami-Dade police
officers raided the warehouse. The
chaos outside escalated the chaos inside.

Eric jumped up from his position on the ground pulling out a
weapon, "DEA freeze!"

Horatio at the same time flicked his wrists, the trick cuffs
slipping off his hands; he pulled the weapon out from behind his back, aiming
at Stetler, "You're going down Rick!"

Speed slammed the truck door closed and pulled his weapon,
aiming it at Williamson, "Don't even think about it."

Williamson smiled at him, "I'll admit you're good, but
know this, I will seek my revenge."

"I'm already dead, remember." Speed kept his gun
trained on Williamson.

The agents swarmed in, forcing everyone to the ground. Speed stood back as Williamson was
handcuffed and escorted away, followed closely by The General and Clavo. Horatio smiled at Stetler as he was escorted
out.

Speed stood next to Eric, and the two men watched the
activity around the warehouse. The
years of work finally paid off, they had taken down one of the largest drug
trade in Miami � and it seemed so easy.

Horatio was talking with Calleigh, Ryan and Alexx. He looked over at the two men, a small smile on his face.

"I'm a bit shocked." Hawkins stated as he walked
up to Speed and Eric.

"Why?" Speed asked looking over at Horatio.

"Not one shot was fired, except for Williamson shooting
Robert," Hawkins watched as they carried out Roberts's body. "We took down a major drug trade, got
the head honcho, a bad IA cop, and not one shot was fired."

"I'm pretty amazed myself," Eric responded as
looked over at Hawkins.

A helicopter landed in the warehouse parking lot. Hawkins looked at the two men, "You know
you two can't stay in Miami. They are
going to try to get the state department to revoke The General's immunity, but
it might take a while. Too many sharks
in the waters, and they will be looking for you."

Speed nodded his eyes on Horatio, "Let's go." He
swallowed as he turned towards the helicopter, knowing at that moment Horatio
wasn't coming with them. His home was
in Miami.

Eric took one last look at Horatio and followed Speed to the
chopper. He ducked his head as he
climbed aboard, sitting next to Speed.
He could feel his lover's pain, it matched his own.

They would start over, together � missing a part of who they
were. In one week Horatio had entered
and left their lives. In that week they both gave him parts of their heart and
soul.

Speed didn't care about protocol or how it looked � he laid
his head against Eric's shoulder and closed his eyes. He felt Eric pull him closer to him, absorbing each other's
presence. Later they would cry for
their loss.

~*~

Chapter 7: Six Months
Later

~*~

"He's miserable," Calleigh watched Horatio walk
down the hallway towards his office.

"Well Yelina isn't helping," Ryan muttered. "She actually had
the nerve to yell at Horatio for taking Stetler down for being a dirty
cop."

"Have you heard anything about the trials?" Alexx
asked the two CSI's.

"No," Calleigh shook her head. "I wonder if
they will be in town to testify, or if they will just give depositions."

"I don't know," Ryan shrugged. "He should
have gone."

"Yes," Alexx looked towards Horatio's office,
"he should have."

~*~

Horatio sat at his desk, ignoring the file folders open on
his desk. He sighed as he leaned back in his chair. He knew he was being a hard ass and snapping at anything and
anyone. He just watched them get in the
helicopter and leave; he didn't even make a step in their direction.

He rationalized that it was for a good reason, he had to be
there for his family. Then Yelina had
disowned him, and stalked out of his life with Ray Jr. Susie had met a decent young man who adored
Madison and was moving to New York. His
family had moved on, and he had let the two men he loved the most in this world
leave.

He picked up the phone, "Caine."

"Argentina," a male voice answered.

"Excuse me?" Horatio leaned into the phone.

"Rio Gallegos," the line went dead.

Horatio set the phone back into its cradle, staring at
it. He leaned back in his chair; he was
at a crossroads and needed to make a decision. Horatio opened the top drawer of
his desk and pulled out the white envelope.
He dropped it on his desk, and headed out the door. He walked out of the lab, got into his Hummer
and headed directly for the airport.

"He's going isn't he?" Ryan watched Horatio pull
out of the parking lot.

"He's going home," Alexx confirmed.

~*~

Speed stretched out in the hammock reading a book. Or at least he would be if he wasn't
intently watching Eric in his tight wetsuit play in the water. Speed smiled at turned back to his book, his
smile fading slightly when the thought of Horatio entered his mind.

Six long months and neither man had gotten over the loss of
one Horatio Caine. The bed felt too
big, the house too quiet, and anytime they heard a car come up the street they
both paused and listened � pathetic yeah, they both knew it.

Speed looked up from his book, his eyes focusing on someone
walking up the beach. Rio Gallegos
wasn't a tourist town, it was the reason they chose the place. The villa off the beach was breathtaking,
Eric could scuba dive to his hearts content, while Speed just relaxed in the
hammock and read.

Speed's eyes narrowed as he tracked the figured walking
towards their home. The forgotten book
dropped out of his fingers as he got up out of the hammock. He took a few steps towards the approaching
figure, he closed his eyes his breathing harsh in his own ears. He opened them, only to see his lover
walking towards him.

He called out to Eric, before setting off down the
beach. Eric looked up towards the
house, his eyes tracking Speed moving down the beach. He swam ashore dumping his gear in the wet sand, his eyes
focusing on the figure Speed was walking towards. Eric's heart stopped for a few seconds before he took off after
Speed.

Horatio stopped long enough to take in the sight of his two
lovers heading in his direction. He had
dumped the Hummer at the airport, bought a plane ticket, and came home. He still had his suit on, and no luggage,
but he didn't care. He opened his arms
just in time for Speed to slam into him pulling him into a deep bone crushing
hug. He felt Eric's arms come around
him not a few seconds later.

Horatio inhaled their scents, and absorbed their
presence. He held onto them feeling the
past six months disappear. He whispered
he was sorry; he should have gone with them.
Both of them hushed him and told him not to worry, he was home now with
them and that was what was important.

They led him down the rest of the way to the villa, even as
tired as he was he was impressed by the place.

"It's not impressive, but its home," Eric stated
as he led Horatio back to the master bedroom. The French doors opened to a
small patio that led back to the beach.
It was beautiful.

"H," Speed slipped his arms around his waist
leaning his head on Horatio's shoulder. "Let's get you cleaned up and into
some sweats."

"I don't have anything," Horatio looked between
them.

"We don't mind if you run around naked," Eric
smiled at him.

Horatio rolled his eyes, but let them push him into the
bathroom. He let them clean him up, put him into some sweats, and usher him
into bed. His eyes began to close and
he realized for the first time in months he was comfortable, safe, and
warm. He burrowed farther into the
blankets his head resting on Speed's shoulder, wrapped up in Eric's arms.

He was home.
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