{"id":7667,"date":"2017-05-20T22:21:13","date_gmt":"2017-05-21T05:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/?page_id=7667"},"modified":"2017-06-18T20:48:11","modified_gmt":"2017-06-19T03:48:11","slug":"clean-up-man","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/clean-up-man\/","title":{"rendered":"Clean Up Man"},"content":{"rendered":"

Title<\/strong>: Clean Up Man
\nAuthor:<\/strong> BJ Jones
\nRating:<\/strong> R
\nSummary:<\/strong> It\u2019s been two years\u2026<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Chapter One: Two Years Later<\/strong><\/p>\n

Horatio stared at the headstone, Timothy \u2018Speed\u2019 Speedle. \u201cHey, Speed.\u201d He took off his sunglasses and squatted down closer to the grave. \u201cIt\u2019s been two years. Two long years, I thought it would have gotten easier but it hasn\u2019t.\u201d He gave up pretense and sat down, not caring if his suit got dirty. \u201cThe two months I had with you, was not nearly enough. God, why didn\u2019t I ask in those two months if you had cleaned your gun? Why didn\u2019t you?\u201d Horatio leaned his head back against the headstone. \u201cYelina and Rick got married six months ago, is it me or is that just wrong? What\u2019s worse is I can actually stand to be in the same room with him without killing him. He\u2019s taking good care of her and of Ray Jr. Eric and Calleigh are dating; and they think they are hiding it. I know your laughing at that, Calleigh\u2019s good for him. Eric\u2019s family as been good for her, she needs that loving support.\u201d Horatio stood up and slipped on his glasses. \u201cThey all keep telling me to move on, find someone to love. How can I? The one I love lies here, because I forgot to ask one simple question.\u201d Horatio looked towards the parking lot to see Eric and Calleigh. \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

He walked away from the grave and headed towards the Hummer. Calleigh gave him a quick hug, he held her to him then stepped back a sad smile on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cH,\u201d Eric hesitated, knowing this day wasn\u2019t an easy one for him, in fact for all of them.<\/p>\n

Horatio looked over at him, \u201cwe have a call?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, The Residency, Penthouse Suite, maid found the guest dead in the foyer.\u201d Eric informed him as they climbed into the Hummer.<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficers on the scene?\u201d Horatio asked as he pulled out of the cemetery.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrank Tripp is on his way over, said he would meet us at the front lobby.\u201d Calleigh explained. \u201cRyan is on his way over with Alexx.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio stepped out of the Hummer in front of The Regency. Frank Tripp walked up to him, \u201cDidn\u2019t take you guys long?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were near by,\u201d Horatio stated as he walked into the lobby. \u201cWhat do we have?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaid found the body about nine this morning,\u201d Frank stated as they entered the elevator. \u201cShe called her supervisor, who contacted management. The Hotel Manager then called the police. No one has been in there except the maid. The manager was pretty smart and sealed off the floor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio just nodded his eyes focused on the doors. Eric gave a sad smile to Frank, \u201cSo your mother-in-law finally leave town?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, thank God.\u201d Frank grinned as he turned to Eric. \u201cThe funny thing while I was at the airport, I saw this guy I swear it could have been Spe\u2026\u201d He closed his eyes and sighed.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t stop on my account,\u201d Horatio stated.<\/p>\n

Frank glanced over at Horatio, \u201cI swear it could have been Speed, except in a suit and clean cut and shaved.\u201d<\/p>\n

That got a snicker out of Horatio, \u201cIf he could have he would have worn his jeans and t-shirt to court.\u201d<\/p>\n

Frank laughed as the group exited the elevators. They walked up to the Manager who was on his cell phone agitated. He looked up at the small group a confused expression on his face.<\/p>\n

Frank flashed his badge, \u201cDetective Tripp Miami-Dade police, this is Lt. Horatio Caine of the crime lab.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut your CSI is already here.\u201d He glanced at the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Horatio looked over at the door, pulling his gun.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said he was from the crime lab, had ID and everything.\u201d He clicked his phone shut, \u201cDid I do something wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Horatio stated nodding for Tripp to go forward, \u201cPlease step aside.\u201d Frank and Horatio preceded down the hall guns raised, Calleigh and Eric backed them up. Horatio reached out and opened the door. Frank went in first positioning himself next to the open door, Horatio came in eyes sweeping the room. The body lay out on the front foyer, a large pool of blood surrounding her head. They heard a movement in the back of the suite. Horatio moved forward, checking each room as he went.<\/p>\n

\u201cFreeze, Miami-Dade Police!\u201d Horatio yelled. He saw someone slam through another door. He followed the perpetrator through the door and back into the hallway, he glanced to see Calleigh come back through the front entrance. He raised his gun and got a shot off, just as the man slammed through the emergency exit.<\/p>\n

Horatio pulled up his radio; \u201cThis is Horatio Caine we have a suspect running down the back stairwell.\u201d He followed the man into the stairwell and began his flight down the stairs. He slammed the last door open into a back alleyway, no sign of the suspect.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio was fuming by the time he got up to the Penthouse. Eric was questioning the manager. \u201cEric?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eric stepped away, \u201cHe doesn\u2019t know who the guy was, and just that he had ID that it looked very real.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cName?\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, didn\u2019t look that close. I\u2019m sending him down to the station to do a sketch.\u201d Eric followed Horatio into the Penthouse. \u201cCalleigh found blood on the door, looks like you nicked him. She\u2019s dusting the door and stairwell.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHave Ryan go down and search the alley, see if our guy left a blood trail,\u201d Horatio walked into the hotel room. \u201cEric photos and process the whole suite. We need to know why our guy was in here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight on it H,\u201d Eric pulled out his camera and set to work.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlexx what do we have?\u201d Horatio asked the ME as he studied the woman.<\/p>\n

\u201cGunshot to the back of the head, no exit wound probably a small caliber. I\u2019ll give Calleigh the bullet once I get her back to the lab.\u201d Alexx looked down at the victim.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe wasn\u2019t dressed for company,\u201d Horatio squatted down. \u201cFlannel pajamas and a hotel robe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were just getting out of bed weren\u2019t you honey,\u201d Alexx smiled at the woman. \u201cLiver temp still high, no blood levity, estimated time of death around eight in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKiller woke her up,\u201d Horatio looked at the front door then to the back room. \u201cBut wait,\u201d Horatio stood up and walked into the dining area, \u201cBreakfast setting for two.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexx stood up as the ambulance crew prepared the body to be transported, \u201cSo she did have company.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComfortable enough to be in pajamas with,\u201d Horatio stated. \u201cAlexx, when you get her back to the lab check for sexual activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll get the report to you early afternoon.\u201d She paused then walked up to him, a hand on his arm. \u201cHow are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio looked down, \u201cI\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow about dinner tonight,\u201d Alexx offered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, that\u2019s okay.\u201d Horatio turned and smiled. \u201cThanks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexx gave him a pat and followed the body out of the hotel room. She glanced back; Horatio was in full CSI mode.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlexx,\u201d Calleigh walked up to the ME.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey Calleigh,\u201d Alexx turned towards the ballistics expert. \u201cGunshot wound, I\u2019ll get the bullet down to ballistics as soon as I retrieve it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Calleigh smiled as she headed into the hotel room. \u201cHoratio?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCalleigh, what did you find?\u201d Horatio turned towards the front door.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlood splatter, but no drops.\u201d Calleigh stopped in front of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrints?\u201d Horatio motioned her to follow him into the suite bedroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cMore than I want to think about,\u201d She laughed as she set her case down. \u201cI hate hotel bedrooms.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio smiled, \u201cOur victim had a guest for breakfast. Let\u2019s see if they were here for dinner the night before.\u201d<\/p>\n

Calleigh nodded as she went to work on the bedroom. Horatio left the room and found Eric in the suite\u2019s office. \u201cNice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Eric leaned over a laptop on the desk. \u201cThe Penthouse comes with two bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, study\/office and a balcony with a spa. And it\u2019s yours for five grand a night.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExpensive taste,\u201d Horatio looked over at the laptop. \u201cEric, what\u2019s that black substance on the edge.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eric flashed his light on it, \u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d He pulled out a swab, taking a sample.<\/p>\n

\u201cGet the laptop down to the lab, see if what she was working on,\u201d Horatio left Eric to finish up.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoratio,\u201d Frank Tripp stood in the foyer. \u201cI talked to the manager, it seems our guest has been here for a week. Had the full treatment; spa, room service, town car to go shopping, nothing but the finest.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExpensive bill,\u201d Horatio followed Frank back out to the elevator.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaid in cash,\u201d Tripp hit the elevator button. \u201cRegistered under, get this Jane Smith.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio stepped into the elevator, \u201cCameras?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRyan is getting them now,\u201d Tripp answered.<\/p>\n

The doors opened to revile Ryan standing there waiting. \u201cRyan what do you have?\u201d Horatio asked as he stepped out.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, blood trail in the alleyway.\u201d Ryan said as they walked down the lobby. \u201cI cataloged a few recent tire treads, but according to one of the bellboys that was taking a smoke he saw no one in the alleyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe doubled back into the hotel?\u201d Horatio stopped and went up to the front desk. \u201cExcuse me,\u201d He flashed his badge.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow my I help you,\u201d She smiled at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHas anyone checked out in the past hour?\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think he was a guest?\u201d Ryan looked between Horatio and the young lady.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe knew the layout of the penthouse and had an escape route,\u201d Horatio explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had seven guests check out, not uncommon this is our normal check out period.\u201d She looked up from her computer. \u201cThree were automatic check outs, which means they didn\u2019t have to come to the counter.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny of them sudden?\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had one guest cut his stay with us short by two days,\u201d She stated. \u201cHe said his business trip had been cut short.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio smiled, \u201cDo you have his name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTimothy Johnson,\u201d She informed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Horatio wrote down the name. He walked away from the registration desk, \u201cFrank?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Tripp answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want the name of everyone in this hotel,\u201d Horatio looked over the lobby. \u201cPlus I want a man here just in case our guy hasn\u2019t left and is waiting for everything to die down.\u201d He turned to Ryan, \u201cHave Taylor start going through the surveillance tapes, and talk to the bellhops see if anyone left in a hurry.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you thinking Horatio?\u201d Frank asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cExpensive suite paid in cash, a fake name.\u201d Horatio slipped on his glasses as they stepped outside. \u201cI think our guy isn\u2019t the killer but a clean up man. Its for who we don\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio walked into the Autopsy room, just as Alexx was sewing the victim back up. \u201cAnything?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing new,\u201d Alexx slipped the sheet over the victim\u2019s head. \u201cI sent the bullet to ballistics, clothes to trace, and I sent a DNA sample to be ran through Codis and her prints to be sent through AFIS.\u201d She handed her report to Horatio.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny sexual activity?\u201d Horatio looked it over.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Alexx leaned against one of the back corners. \u201cAs a matter of fact she was still a virgin.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio looked up in shock, \u201cHow old do you think she is?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEarly twenties at least,\u201d Alexx picked up an envelope off the counter. \u201cShe had this around her neck.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio dumped the contents into his hand, he looked at the crucifix, \u201cWhat is a good catholic girl doing at The Regency\u2019s Penthouse?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood question,\u201d Alexx smiled at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Horatio walked out of the room and headed up towards the lab.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio sat down at his desk and to look over the preliminary reports. He closed the report and leaned back in his chair.\u00a0\u00a0 This day was turning out to be a bad one. He could feel the headache coming on. If he closed his eyes all he would see was Speed bleeding on the floor, confusion and pain in his eyes. If he tried hard enough he could picture their last night together. Speed\u2019s head thrown back in ecstasy as Horatio moved with-in him. A secret relationship no one knew about, until he broke down at Tim\u2019s apartment.<\/p>\n

After the funeral Horatio offered to take care of Speed\u2019s stuff, his parents quickly agreed. They hadn\u2019t spoken to or seen Tim in ten years. His mother handed him the flag, stating she didn\u2019t want a reminder of the bad choices her son made. Horatio clutched onto the flag as if it was a lifeline.<\/p>\n

He had entered the quiet apartment the stillness had assaulted his senses. He walked down the hallway, kicked off his shoes and climbed into the bed inhaling Tim\u2019s scent. He woke up to soothing voice his hair being caressed. He opened his eyes to see the soft brown eyes of Alexx. They had come by to see if he needed help with the place. He broke down and told them about his relationship with Speed.<\/p>\n

He thought that each day would make it easier to go on, but sometimes it seemed harder. Calleigh tried to push him into getting rid of Speed\u2019s bike, but he couldn\u2019t. He only had two months with him, but it was the best two months of his life. He knew the moment Speed had kissed him; there would be no other.<\/p>\n

He was pulled out of his thoughts by yelling coming from the lab. He looked out his windows to see Valera in Ryan\u2019s face. He hurried out of his office and down to the lab. When he entered the DNA lab, Calleigh was standing in between the angry Valera and the shell shocked Ryan.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is going on?\u201d Horatio demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis twerp is playing a nasty trick!\u201d Valera yelled pointing at Ryan.<\/p>\n

Horatio looked at Ryan, \u201cI just came into ask about the results from the blood we found at the scene.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot funny!\u201d Valera glared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cValera,\u201d Horatio tried to calm her down. \u201cWhat is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

Valera turned towards Horatio, \u201cI ran that blood found at the scene. It, well the name that came up\u2026 it\u2019s impossible. And I don\u2019t think it\u2019s funny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat name?\u201d Horatio took the folder she handed him. He opened it up and looked at the name given. His hand gripped the counter keeping him standing. He looked up at Valera, \u201cAre you sure?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ran it five times; the sixth is in the damn machine.\u201d Valera glared at Ryan again.<\/p>\n

\u201cValera, Calleigh collected the blood evidence,\u201d Horatio\u2019s voice was strained.<\/p>\n

Calleigh looked between everyone, \u201cWhat the hell is going on?\u201d She had seen Valera screaming at Ryan and had come into find out what was going on. She had kept quiet and let Horatio deal with the irate DNA Tech.<\/p>\n

Valera paled, \u201cIt can\u2019t be!\u201d<\/p>\n

Calleigh took a step forward and grabbed the folder from Horatio, who looked at her with a stunned expression. She looked down at the sheet; eyes went wide as she dropped the folder.<\/p>\n

Ryan picked up the folder, \u201cTimothy Speedle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eric walked into the lab, his nose in a folder. \u201cH, that black substance was fingerprinting powder\u2026\u201d He looked up and surveyed the quiet shell-shocked room. \u201cWhat did I miss?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe blood we found at the scene,\u201d Ryan stammered his mind trying to wrap around the concept.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe guy that ran off, H nicked him right?\u201d He became concerned at Horatio\u2019s sudden pale face.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt pulled a match,\u201d Ryan began.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s good, right?\u201d Eric started to become worried. \u201cTell me it\u2019s not a cop?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not a cop,\u201d Calleigh stated. \u201cIt\u2019s Tim.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not funny,\u201d Eric\u2019s voice became hard.<\/p>\n

\u201dIt\u2019s not a joke,\u201d Horatio grabbed the folder from Ryan.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoratio!\u201d Taylor ran into the room, eyes wide. \u201cI have something you need to see.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio followed Taylor out of the DNA lab, followed closely by the rest of them. Taylor slid into his chair and turned toward them, \u201cI was going through the tapes from the hotel. First I checked the cameras from the alleyway, nothing. Your runner didn\u2019t exit the hotel that way. So going with your theory that he knew the hotel and possible guest I began scanning all of the floors around that time. I found one possible suspect.\u201d Taylor pulled up the scene. A man slipped into the hallway, his face obscured. He held something over his right upper arm. \u201cYour wounded suspect. He entered the room, and then came out not twenty minutes later, this time in a suit. You see?\u201d He pointed at the man coming out of the same room, carrying bags.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s avoiding the camera\u2019s,\u201d Ryan noticed. \u201cHe knew where they were.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcept one,\u201d Taylor clicks on his keyboard. \u201cThe Manager told me they installed a new one by the taxi service. A woman had been assaulted a week ago, and no one saw anything, come to find out there was a blind spot.\u201d Taylor hit enter. \u201cThere\u2019s your suspect getting into a cab, as he gets in he looks up giving us a clear shot.\u201d Taylor hits pause. \u201cNow you know why I wanted you to see this?\u201d<\/p>\n

They were all looking at a clean-cut, shaved Timothy Speedle in a suit.<\/p>\n

Chapter 2: Clean Up Man<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cMiami-Dade Police, I\u2019m with the crime lab,\u201d Speed flashed his ID and badge at the manager. Now there was something he never thought he would say again.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou guys got here fast,\u201d The manager looked shocked.<\/p>\n

Speed smiled, \u201cWould you believe, on my way in to work when they called it in. I was literally a block away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood for you,\u201d The manager opened the hotel door.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Speed entered the room. \u201cCan you close the door on your way out?\u201d<\/p>\n

The manager nodded as he closed the door, Speed slipped on some gloves and wiped down the door. Speed looked down at the body, \u201cAlice what the hell did you do?\u201d He slipped covers over his shoes, making sure not to leave any shoeprints behind. He eyed the body quickly, \u201cGot you from behind. Didn\u2019t see it coming did you. Of course you were in way over your head weren\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed wondered when exactly he picked up Alexx\u2019s habit of talking to the victims. He glanced over at the table. He grabbed his flashlight studying the glasses carefully looking for fingerprints. He dusted the coffee pot, coffee cups, and glasses. He pulled off two different prints then wiped the dishes down, including the silverware. He glanced into the bedroom, and proceeded to the office\/study. He sat at the laptop, pulled out his equipment and plugged it in. He quickly got through her security and went straight for the hard drive. He downloaded all the files onto his portable hard drive; he frowned as he scanned through the files.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d Speed tried to follow the trail of the person that was in the hard drive before him. \u201cIt\u2019s not here.\u201d He crashed the hard drive, wiped the memory, and then for extra caution ran a magnet over it. He dusted the laptop finding a print on it, pulled it. Then wiped it clean. He moved away from the desk and began searching the area for any files, or discs. He heard the voices before the door opened.<\/p>\n

\u2018They got here fast,\u2019 Speed grabbed his stuff, shoved it into his kit and headed for the back exit next to the second bedroom.<\/p>\n

\u201dFreeze, Miami-Dade Police.\u201d Speed smiled softly, it was Horatio.<\/p>\n

He got a glimpse of red hair, as he slammed through the back door, and into the hallway. He saw Calleigh enter the hallway from the front, as he slammed his shoulder into the emergency exit. He felt a sharp pain in his right arm. He quickly grabbed it, bunching the shirt around the wound to keep from leaving a blood trail.<\/p>\n

He ran down five flights of stairs, hearing Horatio two flights behind him. He quietly opened the door and snuck into the hallway. He ducked away from the cameras and entered his hotel room. He dropped his kit in the entryway and went straight to the bathroom. He pulled his hand away grimacing at the pain. The wound wasn\u2019t deep but he knew it left a blood splatter. He had to get out of the hotel.<\/p>\n

He jumped into the shower washing away the blood. Holding a towel to it, he scrounged through his suitcase and pulled the first aid kit. Wrapping it up tightly, he then changed into a suit. He packed his bags and set them by the door. He grabbed his kit and wiped down the hotel room, making sure all blood had been cleaned and every hair picked up. One of the reason he kept it so short now. He dumped drain cleaner down the drains and wiped the bathtub, counters and floor with bleach. It never ceased to amaze him how easy it was for him to clean a crime scene.<\/p>\n

He grabbed his bags, ignoring the pain and left the room. Avoiding the cameras he walked to the far elevator and proceeded to the lobby. He walked through the lobby, not hurriedly, didn\u2019t want to cause attention. He asked the bellhop to get him a taxi, and proceeded outside. The taxi driver took his bags and he prepared to slip into the backseat. He watched a young man walk into the hotel. He was carrying a kit, \u2018must be my replacement.\u2019 Looked young, but then again he was too at one point.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Speed entered the rented condo, at the marina. He dropped the bags in the living room, slipped off the suit coat, grimacing at the pain in his arm. He walked into the study and slumped into the chair clicking on the computer.<\/p>\n

He leaned his head back trying not to think about the consequence that will be coming from this morning screw-up. He knew when they would run the blood his name would come up, and he knew that Horatio Caine would stop at nothing to hunt him down.<\/p>\n

He closed his eyes remembering the intense look in Horatio\u2019s eyes as they had made love. That night when he kissed him for the first time, he expected to end up in the hospital with a broken jaw, not in Horatio\u2019s bed. Now his nights were filled with nightmares, with Horatio\u2019s pain filled eyes, as he watched Speed die.<\/p>\n

When he woke up in the hospital he thought everything was going to be okay. When he saw Haris instead of Horatio his world shattered. He had been in a Swiss hospital for six weeks recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The lengths they would go to, to recruit someone.<\/p>\n

He logged into the computer, downloading any new pertinent information. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the secure number. He hooked the phone up to the laptop, and settled in.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeedy,\u201d Haris’ face entered the screen.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow many times have I told you not to call me that?\u201d Speed growled at the man.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo hundred at last count,\u201d Haris smirked. \u201cHow did it go?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBadly,\u201d Speed hooked up the portable hard drive to the laptop. \u201cDidn\u2019t have time to search the room thoroughly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dWhat happened?\u201d Haris voice became concerned.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoratio Caine,\u201d Speed typed into the computer sending the downloaded files to Haris. \u201cHe interrupted my search.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere you seen?\u201d Haris asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I will be identified,\u201d Speed hit enter. \u201cYou should be getting what I could get off the laptop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow?\u201d Haris looked over at his own computer as the files downloaded.<\/p>\n

\u201cH shot me,\u201d Speed leaned back in his chair. \u201cBlood splatter on the wall. I kept it from dripping and leaving a blood trail and cleaned up the hotel room of all traces of blood. But they only need a drop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn it, you\u2019re supposed to be invisible,\u201d Haris glared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd who the hell\u2019s idea was it to send me to Miami!\u201d Speed glared back. \u201cAnd by the way I\u2019m fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haris sighed, \u201cDid you find the disc?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Speed said. \u201cTold you I was interrupted. It\u2019s probably at the lab, locked in evidence. If it was even there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you find out who killed her?\u201d Haris asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaven\u2019t run the prints I picked up. I did wipe the place down which should stall them.\u201d Speed commented. \u201cBelieve me once my name pops up on Codis they will be focused on finding me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haris looked at him, \u201cYou\u2019re not thinking of contacting Caine?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what? Explain how the CIA recruits new agents by shooting them,\u201d Speed stood up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re still sore about that?\u201d Haris laughed.<\/p>\n

Speed turned and glared at the computer, \u201cYou shot me Haris, to pull me into this little organization of yours. You didn\u2019t ask you took. I left Horatio behind, a man I loved and still do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI needed you,\u201d Haris voice was soft. \u201cYou\u2019re good at what you do. You have saved thousands of lives. Helped catch how many assassins, terrorists. We all make sacrifices.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe difference is that you chose to make it. I didn\u2019t,\u201d Speed yelled as he slumped back into the chair. \u201cLook I understand that what I, we do is important\u2026it\u2019s just being here in Miami, and seeing him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t do anything stupid,\u201d Haris demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI won\u2019t jeopardize the organization,\u201d Speed sighed. \u201cI\u2019ll have to lie low for a while, until I can get back into that room. Hopefully they didn\u2019t find the disc, but then they wouldn\u2019t be the team I know if they didn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you get into the lab?\u201d Haris asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re kidding right?\u201d Speed looked at him in horror. \u201cI can\u2019t sneak into the crime lab.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy not?\u201d Haris gave him a look.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s see, its full of cops, techs, and people who knew me.\u201d Speed mocked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNight shift?\u201d Haris pointed out.<\/p>\n

Speed rubbed his forehead, \u201cI\u2019ll get back to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know what\u2019s at stake,\u201d Haris voice was firm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do.\u201d Speed signed off and closed the laptop.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Speed stood on the balcony looking out over the Miami marina. He was having a hard time believing he was back in Miami. Two years was a long time, long enough to change a man. He wondered if Horatio would even like the man he had become. He had done things, seen things that has made him hard and cold. There were times at night he would closes his eyes, and dream of Horatio\u2019s arms around him protecting him from the harsh reality he was living.<\/p>\n

Speed closed the sliding glass door with a sigh. He didn\u2019t have time to dwell on the past; he had to find Alice\u2019s killer and the missing disc. He sat down at the computer pulling up the files that he had downloaded. He painstakingly went through her files, hard drive and email looking for the missing files.<\/p>\n

They had called him and told him to fly to Miami and check into the Regency. It seemed Alice had fled and was living the high life. Walking through the airport he had spotted Frank Tripp, he quickly ducked down and away from the detective and his family. He should have known from that moment, it was a bad idea for him to come back to Miami.<\/p>\n

He checked in and proceeded to scout out the hotel. He made sure his room was next to the emergency stairwell, and mapped out all of the cameras. He tapped into the hotel frequency and had listened on his scanner for anything suspicious. In the two days he was there, Alice seemed to be living the high life.<\/p>\n

At seven in the morning he heard the order for room service to be delivered to the Penthouse. The order was for bake goods, orange juice and coffee. Speed had looked at the scanner Alice didn\u2019t drink coffee. Two hours later, the maid found Alice\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

He grabbed his gear and proceeded to the Penthouse. He had a short window before the police and CSI\u2019s show up. He calculated that the room service arrived around seven thirty, the maid at nine, an hour and a half. Speed and followed the killers path in the computer, it had taken him about forty-five minutes.<\/p>\n

Finding nothing the killer then would have begun searching the suite. The maid entered at nine, seeing the body screamed and called her supervisor. Rule one in this game is not to get caught, rule two is not to leave witness, and rule three is not to get caught.\u00a0\u00a0 The killer slipped out the same way Speed had, through the second door and probably down the stairwell.<\/p>\n

Speed leaned back in his chair staring at the computer screen. There were two options; one the disc wasn\u2019t in the suite, but then where is it? Two, it\u2019s locked up in evidence at the lab. Either option wasn\u2019t good. He closed the laptop and walked into the kitchen to fix some coffee. He read through Alice\u2019s file, she was a secretary at the Agency, twenty-three, devoted Catholic. Her profile really didn\u2019t fit, the crime. Speed was hard pressed to seeing her pressured into stealing top-secret information.<\/p>\n

But then again appearances can be deceiving.<\/p>\n

Chapter 3: The Dead Has Spoken<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Horatio sat at his desk staring at a rare picture of just him and Speed. It was taken at a crime scene, both occupants unaware someone was photographing them. Speed was relaxed a slight smile on his face, he was explaining a piece of evidence he had found to Horatio. Horatio had his hands on his hips, glasses firmly in place. When he saw it in the newspaper, he called up the photographer and asked for a copy.<\/p>\n

He was numb; the shock of yesterday still hadn\u2019t worn off. The idea that Speed was alive had shocked him to the core. He had so many questions running through his head. The first being, where the hell has he been? The second, why?<\/p>\n

He pulled up the file folder and looked over the evidence they had so far. The victim still hadn\u2019t been identified. They had blood of a dead CSI at the crime scene. No prints on the dining table, dishes or silverware, laptop, desk, and only prints found on the doors were the maid and manager. All the prints from the stairwell came back pretty useless, they were either workers of the hotel or not in AFIS.<\/p>\n

He paused and looked up at the knock at his door, \u201cCome in.\u201d He sounded tired even to himself.<\/p>\n

Eric walked in with Calleigh, \u201cWe got a lead. Well sort of,\u201d Eric commented.<\/p>\n

Horatio stood up, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA hotel guest,\u201d Eric handed Horatio the list. \u201cChecked in one day before the murder, supposed to check out in two days, but the maid discovered this morning that all of his stuff was gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio looked at the guest\u2019s name, \u201cYou\u2019ve got to be kidding.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEric Caine,\u201d Calleigh smiled. \u201cNot very original.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe must have loved the irony,\u201d Eric rolled his eyes. \u201cWhat do you want to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSee if Mr. Caine left anything behind,\u201d Horatio headed for the door.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio walked into the hotel room and looked around, it was clean, too clean. Eric walked in behind him and set his kit down. \u201cDid the maid already clean?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe cleaned yesterday morning,\u201d Calleigh commented as she walked in. \u201cBut when she came in today and noticed everything gone she called the manager.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid she ID our guy?\u201d Horatio asked as he walked over to the desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Calleigh walked into the bathroom. \u201cShe said that was the man she saw when she cleaned the room yesterday morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t a speck of dirt in here,\u201d Eric flashed his light over the dresser. \u201cThis is the problem when hunting for a CSI, they know what not to leave behind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s for sure,\u201d Calleigh stepped out of the bathroom. \u201cIt\u2019s been wiped down with bleach and the towels are gone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe aren\u2019t going to get anything here,\u201d Horatio walked out into the hallway, he looked up to see the camera and behind it the emergency stairs.<\/p>\n

Eric looked up at the camera, \u201cI have one question?\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio glanced his way, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s in the grave?\u201d Eric looked between the two. \u201cIf this is really Speed, who the hell did we bury, two years ago?\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to get a warrant to have the body exhumed,\u201d Horatio stated as they walked up the steps to the station. He grabbed his ringing phone, \u201cCaine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m a bit surprised you have the same number,\u2019 a voice from the past.<\/em><\/p>\n

Eric and Calleigh looked back as Horatio stopped mid-step. \u201cSpeed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018There is no reason to exhume the body, cause you and I both know I\u2019m not in it.\u2019 Speed answered.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThen who is?\u201d Horatio wanted to know, who had been talking to these past years.<\/p>\n

\u2018No one,\u2019 Speed informed him<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d Horatio asked a bit shocked.<\/p>\n

\u2018H, let it go. This is way out of your league. Please just walk away,\u2019 Speed pleaded.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I can\u2019t do that,\u201d Horatio turned away from Eric and Calleigh and walked down the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u2018This can get ugly fast, and I don\u2019t want you in the middle of it.\u2019 Speed voice cracked. <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you gotten yourself into?\u201d Horatio asked concerned.<\/p>\n

Speed gave a slight laugh, \u2018I can\u2019t tell you.\u2019 Speed hesitated his voice now thick with emotion. \u2018I\u2019m sorry.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTim?\u201d Horatio looked down at the phone, he had hung up. \u201cDAMN!\u201d<\/p>\n

Calleigh and Eric looked over at Horatio with concern in their eyes. He ignored them as he walked into the building. It was one thing to see Speed\u2019s picture, but to hear his voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoratio,\u201d Ryan walked up a small smile on his face. He stopped short when Horatio turned towards him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ryan?\u201d Horatio tried to calm down.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a hit on the victims prints,\u201d Ryan handed him the folder. \u201cAn Alice Larson, after coming up bust on AFIS I ran it through every possible program I could find, and then some.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio looked at the folder, \u201cThanks Ryan.\u201d Horatio walked down the hallway towards his office.<\/p>\n

Ryan turned to Eric and Calleigh, \u201cI missed something didn\u2019t I?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calleigh gave him a smile, \u201cI\u2019m sorry. We haven\u2019t taken any consideration of what this means to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan smiled back with a small shrug, \u201cI didn\u2019t know him. He was your friend and co-worker.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoratio just got a phone call,\u201d Eric looked around to make sure no one was near by.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom him?\u201d Ryan asked a bit shocked that Tim would actually call.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe knows we would have found out.\u201d Calleigh looked at Eric. \u201cHe knew he left blood behind, so why deny it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why not tell us what\u2019s going on?\u201d Eric voice was angry.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe because he can\u2019t,\u201d Ryan stated calmly. \u201cAlice Carson worked for the CIA.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u2018Tim,\u2019 Haris voice was tight over the phone.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat now?\u201d Speed rolled his eyes as he walked down the hallway. He was heading back to the hotel.<\/p>\n

\u2018I just got a call from security,\u2019 Haris was definitely pissed.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what does that have to do with me?\u201d Speed hit the elevator button.<\/p>\n

\u2018Someone in Miami just ran Alice\u2019s prints through our system,\u2019 Haris growled out.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd this is my fault?\u201d Speed entered the elevator. \u201cThey probably printed her at the morgue.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Your problem is they know too much,\u2019 Haris voice was cold.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThey know nothing,\u201d Speed stopped the elevator in-between floors. \u201cThey know she worked for the CIA, that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018They know you are still alive,\u2019 Haris pointed out.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want me to do?\u201d Speed growled. \u201cYou sent me here. You must have realized that there could be a possibility I would be seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018I want that disc found,\u2019 Haris exclaimed. \u2018And I don\u2019t care what you do to find it.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHaris, I\u2019m not a field agent.\u201d Speed paced inside the elevator. \u201cI\u2019m your clean up guy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2019Then clean up your own mess,\u2019 Haris hung up the phone.<\/em><\/p>\n

Speed hit the elevator wall, took a deep breath and started up the elevator. This mission just got worse by the each passing second. He knew he shouldn\u2019t have called Horatio, but he needed to make sure they didn\u2019t dig up his grave. Timothy Speedle needed to stay dead.<\/p>\n

He walked into the back of the hotel through the shipping docks. Instead of taking the elevator he hauled himself up twenty flights of stairs. Even as good of shape he was in now that was not an easy climb with his gear. He entered the hallway, careful of the camera. He set his thick case down and stood on it as he reached for the back of the camera, putting the scrambler on the back he proceeded down the hallway and into the suite.<\/p>\n

The bloodstain was still prevalent in the foyer as he walked back to the office. He set his gear down on the table and began his search. He about screamed in frustration when after four hours of searching he came up with nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, Alice what the hell did you do with that disc?\u201d He sat down on the bed and looked around. \u201cAll your stuff is now at the lab, so if it was in there. Damn! How the hell am I supposed to get in there?\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed stopped and looked at the closet door. He stood up and slowly opened the door, behind the laundry bag was the room safe. He grabbed his gear, dusted the door pulling off two different prints. He pulled out a small drill, and set out to get the safe open.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was never good at this,\u201d Speed laughed two hours later when he finally got it open. He looked through the opened door. He pulled out an envelope looking it over he set aside. He then pulled out the black jewelry case. Inside laid a diamond necklace, he pulled up the casing to look underneath, empty. He sighed as he grabbed his gear and headed out the backdoor of the suite.<\/p>\n

He opened the door and came face to face with Horatio Caine.<\/p>\n

Chapter 4: Confrontations<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Horatio sat in his office and stared at the folder: Alice Larson, Secretary Level IV, Central Intelligence Agency. He leaned back in his chair this case just became a volatile situation. He quickly got up and walked down to the lab.<\/p>\n

\u201cEric,\u201d Horatio walked into the Trace lab.<\/p>\n

\u201dYeah,\u201d Eric glanced at the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you gone through the victim\u2019s stuff?\u201d Horatio walked up to the table.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet, I was still going through what we found at the suite,\u201d Eric looked at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is what I want you to do, grab Calleigh and Ryan go through everything,\u201d Horatio headed for the door. \u201cAlso, what news on the laptop?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dWhoever wiped it, did a good job,\u201d Eric commented. \u201cThey are having a hard time to pull anything off of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio gave him a small grin, \u201cWe\u2019ve got to be careful, thorough going through everything. Our victim had something she wasn\u2019t supposed to have.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cH?\u201d Eric paused, hesitant. \u201cWhy do you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dI have no idea,\u201d Horatio turned away. \u201cBut he wouldn\u2019t have unless there were extreme circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll go get Calleigh and Ryan,\u201d Eric left Horatio in the trace lab, knowing it was one of his spots to think.<\/p>\n

Horatio left the Trace lab a few minutes later and head down back to his office. He walked into see Rick waiting for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoratio,\u201d Rick greeted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want?\u201d Horatio walked by and sat at his desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd here I thought we were actually getting along,\u201d Rick sat down in front of the desk.<\/p>\n

\u201cRick, it\u2019s been a rough couple of days,\u201d Horatio looked at him. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWarning,\u201d Rick leaned forward. \u201cThe higher ups got a call, back off.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio eyes narrowed, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWarning bells went off when you ran the victim\u2019s prints,\u201d Rick leaned back in his chair. \u201cSomeone is not happy that your CSI hacked into their system to run the victim\u2019s prints.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRyan hacked into the CIA computer to check for prints?\u201d Horatio smiled.<\/p>\n

Rick glared at him, \u201cWell then a bigwig at the CIA called the bigwig here and basically said back off or else.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr else what?\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we want to know,\u201d Rick pointed out. \u201cLook your taking this case a little personal, I don\u2019t know why\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeed\u2019s alive,\u201d Horatio told him.<\/p>\n

Rick sat there stunned, \u201cHoratio? I know his death\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not loosing it,\u201d Horatio glared at him. \u201cThe perp at the scene\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dThe one that was in the suite, claimed to be CSI\u2026\u201d Rick paused, everything clicking into place. \u201cHow?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBlood evidence came back,\u201d Horatio explained, simply.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh God,\u201d Rick leaned back in his chair. \u201cHas he contacted anyone? Does he know what\u2019s going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe called me, told me to back off.\u201d Horatio slightly smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is bad, Horatio.\u201d Rick stood up and began pacing. \u201cLook, you\u2019ve got orders to back off. If this CIA related that means Speedle is in thick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think they are searching for something,\u201d Horatio watched Rick pace the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think we have it?\u201d Rick sat back down.<\/p>\n

\u201cPossibly, he didn\u2019t have time to search the suite before we got there,\u201d Horatio leaned back in his chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo if we have it, they will want it. Which means?\u201d Rick thought out.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are already in the middle of it,\u201d Horatio eyebrow rose.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio walked back into the layout room a few hours later, \u201cI sense frustration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Ryan looked up at Horatio. \u201cWe have her clothes, toiletries, Harlequin romance novel, IPod, and her bible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI checked the IPod for any download files, but she only used it for music,\u201d Eric informed Horatio before he could ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing unusual in the Bible or the book, no notes or hidden papers,\u201d Calleigh explained. \u201cWhat ever she has it\u2019s not here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat about from the scene?\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Eric shrugged. \u201cIf she had something either it wasn\u2019t on her, or the killer took off with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOfficially we\u2019ve been pulled off the case,\u201d Horatio told them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d Eric exclaimed.<\/p>\n

\u201cHigher ups got a call from Langley, back off was the official word.\u201d Horatio looked over at them. \u201cUnofficially I\u2019m going to go check out the hotel again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think it\u2019s still there?\u201d Ryan asked. \u201cWe went through that place, with a fine tooth comb.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio opened the door, \u201cNever hurts to comb again.\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio walked through the lobby towards the elevator. He smiled at a woman with her child, the child smiled shyly back. He stepped into the elevator and pressed the Penthouse floor. As he stepped off the elevator his senses went into full alert. Someone was in the penthouse, and his gut was telling him who that someone was. He stood in front of the back door and waited. His patience paid off, the back door opened to reveal Speed standing in the entrance. Speed stopped short and looked at Horatio.<\/p>\n

Horatio hauled back his fist and hit Speed in the jaw, causing the young man to stumble back into the suite his gear stumbling to the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, I deserve that,\u201d Speed held his sore jaw. He looked up into Horatio\u2019s blue eyes. Horatio reached for him, but instead of hitting Speed again he pulled the man into his arms and kissed him hard. Speed groaned at the contact partially from the pain in his jaw, the other from the pleasure that rocked through his body. Speed grabbed Horatio suit coat and pulled him closer opening his mouth under Horatio\u2019s assault. Horatio groaned as he slammed Speed into the wall, his hands slipping under the man\u2019s shirt. Speed\u2019s head fell back against the wall a moan ripped out of his throat as Horatio\u2019s mouth trailed a path down his neck.<\/p>\n

Wanting nothing more than to have Horatio take him against the wall, but knowing they shouldn\u2019t. He pulled Horatio\u2019s head away from his neck, but couldn\u2019t resist devouring his mouth, tasting all that he could. He pulled away, eliciting a growl from Horatio, \u201cH?\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio pulled back eyes blazing with lust, \u201cYou have some serious explaining to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed pushed himself away from the wall, \u201cI know. What are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSame thing I guess you are,\u201d Horatio looked around the suite. \u201cDid you find what you were looking for?\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed shook his head, \u201cNo. I take it you didn\u2019t find anything suspicious in nature in her things.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAny ideas?\u201d Horatio asked hands on his hips.<\/p>\n

\u201cStashed it some place else,\u201d Speed thought out loud. \u201cSomething isn\u2019t right about this, but I don\u2019t know what.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA secretary stealing information,\u201d Horatio commented.<\/p>\n

Speed smiled, \u201cI take it you got a call?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI was told under no uncertain terms to back off,\u201d Horatio grinned.<\/p>\n

\u201cYet, here you are.\u201d Speed eyed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t like being told what I can or cannot do,\u201d Horatio looked at him. \u201cSpeed?\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed closed his eyes his breathing hitched, \u201cNot here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio\u2019s hand reached out and stroked the side of Speed\u2019s face, \u201cI miss the beard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m less conspicuous this way,\u201d Speed leaned into the caress. \u201cOf course it means I have to shave about four times a day.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio laughed, \u201cI\u2019m not sure about the hair either.\u201d His hand slid into the short-cropped hair.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve missed you,\u201d Speed picked up his gear. His eyes full conveying emotion he just couldn\u2019t speak.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat can you tell me?\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

Speed stepped up to him, \u201cTonight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio watched Speed step out of the suite and disappear.<\/p>\n

Chapter 5: A Lover\u2019s Tale<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Horatio slipped behind the wheel of the Hummer. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back onto the headrest. His cell phone broke him out of his thoughts, \u201cCaine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018I really don\u2019t think it\u2019s wise for you to be still investigating,\u2019 the voice was cold.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cWho is this?\u201d Horatio demanded.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em>\u2018You\u2019re a smart man Lieutenant Caine you know who this is. Leave this alone.\u2019 It was a warning.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you threatening me?\u201d Horatio demanded.<\/p>\n

A small laugh, \u2018We don\u2019t threaten, Lieutenant Caine.\u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cThe citizens of Miami count on my to make sure their city streets are safe,\u201d Horatio looked out the window. Looking for any thing suspicious.<\/p>\n

\u2018The citizens of Miami are perfectly safe,\u2019 the caller was calm. \u2018Leave us alone and we will be out of your precious city. Do you not trust us.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve given me no reason why I should.\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

\u2018Well you should after all you practically trained him.\u2019 The phone went dead.<\/em><\/p>\n

Horatio tossed the phone into the front seat, and started up the Hummer. He looked around then pulled out of the driveway and headed back to the lab. There was nothing they could do; this case was out of their hands.<\/p>\n

He pulled up to the lab to see Eric, Calleigh and Ryan sitting on the front steps. He parked the vehicle and walked up to them. \u201cProblem?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Eric growled. \u201cSome suits showed up and collected all the evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio watched as two men in dark suits carried boxes of sealed evidence to a waiting SUV. He caught the eyes of one of them; the suit smirked as he closed the back door of the SUV. He nodded to the group, climbed into the vehicle. They watched as it drove out the parking lot.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo home, get some sleep.\u201d Horatio looked at them. \u201cTomorrow we come back here and do what we do best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCatch the bad guys,\u201d Calleigh stood up. \u201cI just got this feeling that one of them just got away.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan looked at the team as he stood up, \u201cThink of it this way.\u201d They all looked at him. \u201cYou know who\u2019s working the case, and you trust him. Let him do what he\u2019s supposed to do. We might not know why or who did this, but we do know that justice, maybe in their terms, will be served.\u201d Ryan shrugged and walked towards his car.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right,\u201d Eric sighed as he got up off the ground. \u201cI\u2019m going home, Calleigh can I give you a lift?\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio rolled his eyes, \u201cDo you two honestly think I don\u2019t know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Calleigh smiled. \u201cBut it\u2019s fun to pretend.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio waved as the two walked off to Eric\u2019s vehicle. He looked up at the building, and then decided to head home.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio pulled up into his driveway, he had moved here a little over a year ago. He had needed a fresh start away from all the memories. He got out of the vehicle and looked around. He didn\u2019t notice any strange cars, he wondered if he had imagined the whole episode that afternoon.<\/p>\n

He entered the darkened house, threw his keys on the side table, and walked into the kitchen. He opened the fridge and pulled out a bottle of water, grabbed some aspirins that had been sitting on the counter from the night before.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a nice place,\u201d Speed called out from the darkened living room.<\/p>\n

Horatio dropped the water onto the floor and reached for his gun, \u201cDamn it, don\u2019t sneak up on me like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d He shrugged as he entered the kitchen. \u201cThe place, it fits you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t stay at the other place,\u201d Horatio cleaned up the water and threw the rag into the sink.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe you kept my bike,\u201d Speed leaned against the counter.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kept a few things,\u201d Horatio shrugged as he stood in the middle of the kitchen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI take it you told Calleigh and Eric about us?\u201d Speed asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey found me asleep in your bed,\u201d Horatio gave him a sad smile. \u201cSort of had to tell them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy parents?\u201d Speed wondered. \u201cDid they even show up?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Horatio looked at him shocked. \u201cWhy wouldn\u2019t they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause they never forgave me for leaving Syracuse. I made too many bad choices or at least that\u2019s what they said. For one I preferred men, bad choice. I ran away after Greg died another bad choice. Stayed in Miami bad choice. Took a career as a cop even if it was CSI, bad choice. And of course I died a really bad choice.\u201d Speed\u2019s voice was riddled with sarcasm. \u201cI\u2019m actually surprised they did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey gave me your flag,\u201d Horatio walked out of the kitchen into the study. The flag was encased in a wooden frame a picture of Speed next to it with his badge. \u201cThey said they didn\u2019t want a reminder of your bad choices.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed reached out and touched his badge, \u201cThe irony is that I didn\u2019t have a choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio stepped up behind him, his arms slipping around Speed, pulling him close. Horatio buried his head into Speed\u2019s neck. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t have left you if I had a choice.\u201d Speed\u2019s voice was thick with emotion. He turned in Horatio arms, \u201cKiss me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio claimed his lips with passion. His hand slid into the now short-cropped hair deepening the kiss. He pulled Speed out of the office and towards the master bedroom. Speed pulled off Horatio\u2019s suit coat and tie leaving them in the hallway. Horatio shoved Speed onto the bed eyeing him with a predatory gleam. He straddled him, his hands unbuttoning Speed\u2019s shirt, removing it completely and throwing it off to the side. Horatio bent down kissing Speed breathless, he grabbed Speeds hands as they tried to slip into Horatio\u2019s pants. He pulled them over Speed’s head giving him a feral grin. Speed felt the cold metal and heard the click at the same time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI really should have seen that coming,\u201d Speed pulled on his wrists. He was handcuffed to the bed frame.<\/p>\n

Horatio sat back straddling Speed\u2019s hips. His shirt was an open, pants loose, \u201cNow we are going to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed eyed him from his position, \u201cI\u2019m at your mercy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhom do you work for?\u201d Horatio asked getting straight to the point.<\/p>\n

\u201cA small group inside the CIA,\u201d Speed answered honestly. \u201cDon\u2019t ask any more I can\u2019t tell you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you do?\u201d Horatio hands caressed Speed\u2019s exposed chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m their clean up guy. If something happens to one of our own I find out who did it. When we eliminate a threat I make sure the scene is wiped clean.\u201d Speed explained his voice hitching as Horatio ran his hands down his stomach. \u201cI make sure the agents that are behind enemy lines stay hidden.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Horatio eyes bore into him.<\/p>\n

Speed closed his eyes, and then opened them to see the pain behind Horatio\u2019s blue. \u201cI had no choice. When I woke up my first thought was did we find the boy? But when I turned my head I saw Haris and not you I knew my life as I knew it was over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s Haris?\u201d Horatio leaned back on his knees.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone I met when I traveled Europe,\u201d Speed shifted under Horatio. \u201cWhat my parents refused to admit or even understand was that my world stopped when Greg died. He was not just my best friend but also my lover. It was my idea to go on the snowmobile. He didn\u2019t want to go, he really didn\u2019t like them. I was the one with the need for speed.\u201d Speed gave an ironic grin. \u201cHence the nickname.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you took off,\u201d Horatio eyes showed compassion.<\/p>\n

\u201cI took off to Europe,\u201d Speed eyes took a distant look. \u201cWe had always talked about going, but after the accident it was pointless. So I went and explored, trying to come to terms with his death. That\u2019s when I met Haris.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere?\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cItaly,\u201d Speed shifted his hands. \u201cHe noticed I spoke fluent Italian and was intrigued. He thought I was a native at first, especially with my coloring. He was amazed at my ability to blend into my surroundings. Learn the language, culture to the point I could have been a native. After a while he found out that I also spoke Spanish and French. So he switched to Arabic refusing to speak to me except in that language. Once I figured it out, he switched to Hebrew.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dWait,\u201d Horatio looked at him shocked. \u201cYou speak five languages?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cActually a dozen now,\u201d Speed gave a shy smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere you ever planning on telling me this?\u201d Horatio glared at him.<\/p>\n

\u201dIt never came up,\u201d Speed responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on,\u201d Horatio gestured.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaris helped me, in a way he saved me.\u201d Speed tried to explain. \u201cHe showed me life goes on, that Greg wouldn\u2019t want me wasting my life. After a year had gone by I knew I had to do something with my life so I came back to the States. My flight landed in Miami, and I remembered Greg\u2019s uncle lived in the city. I went to go see him just to talk. I had no idea he worked in the lab, he introduced me to Megan and that\u2019s when I knew being a CSI would be my way of doing something. Went back to school finished my biology degree and moved to Miami.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo why all of the sudden was he back?\u201d Horatio wondered. \u201cDid you know what he did when you first met him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had no idea at that time he worked for the CIA,\u201d Speed answered. \u201cIt wasn’t until a few years later that he contacted me, he offered me a job working at Langley. I refused I liked Miami and told him that. Every once in a while I would get a call from him offering me the same job and each time I refused. It wasn\u2019t until 9\/11 that he started pushing me to accept a position. He showed up in Miami asking me to look over some photos, an agent had been murdered he wanted a CSI\u2019s perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey don\u2019t have CSI at Langley?\u201d Horatio smirked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess not,\u201d Speed laughed slightly. \u201cI noticed in the photo that the drapery cord was missing from the drapes. I pointed that out to Haris and he looked shock. None of the other agents working the case noticed that. By that alone they figured it wasn\u2019t a hit on the agent but an actual murder. An assassin wouldn\u2019t use something from the room that would be noticeably missing. But in an act of passion, the killer grabs whatever they can get their hands on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood catch,\u201d Horatio stated with pride.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it sealed my fate,\u201d Speed closed his eyes. \u201cHe became relentless in recruiting me. By that time I had fallen in love with you and no way in hell was I leaving.\u201d Speed grinned, \u201cI had plans to get you into bed. Little did I know they would actually work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio laughed, \u201cI couldn\u2019t resist you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe vacation I was going on,\u201d Speed began.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe one I called you off of, when the boat crashed into the bridge.\u201d Horatio closed his eyes memories assaulted him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was on my way to Langley to look over some photos,\u201d Speed voice became soft. \u201cI called him and told him a case came up and you needed me, that I would take a flight out later that night or the next day depending on the case. I had no idea Haris was going to go to such great lengths to recruit me into the program. After 9\/11 his department grew, we\u2019ve got agents deep behind enemy lines, so deep it\u2019s blurred. There is a war going on and it\u2019s not just being fought in Iraq, but in major cities through out the world, agent against agent. Agents were being found and killed and he wanted me to figure out how.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo they killed you?\u201d Horatio voice was thick.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe shot was real, very real.\u201d Speed muttered. \u201cHurt like hell. I woke up a week later in a hospital. I was pissed when I found out what he did, but I couldn\u2019t do anything. It took six weeks for me to heal from that wound. By the time I was able to move without fainting I found out I was in Switzerland with no passport. Timothy Speedle had already been buried, and a replacement had been found. I couldn\u2019t go back home and Haris knew it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlice?\u201d Horatio asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cStole secret files concerning location of agents,\u201d Speed told him. \u201cNow you know why we have to get them back.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dYou think the buyer killed her?\u201d Horatio wondered.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Speed mind raced. \u201cThis case hasn\u2019t been right since the moment they called and told me to go to Miami.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio looked down at the man handcuffed to his bed, \u201cAnd your gun?\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed smiled a sad smile, \u201cDid you even notice it wasn\u2019t mine?\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio eyebrows knitted together, \u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey switched my gun,\u201d Speed sighed. \u201cHaris knew everything, ironically except about us. He knew about Dispo Day and my very bad habit of not cleaning my gun. When it jammed at the scene I looked down, yes, a bad mistake, but that\u2019s when I noticed it wasn\u2019t mine. I looked up and felt woozy everything blurred the next thing I knew I was down on the floor you were kneeling over me telling me to hold on. I tried to tell you something was wrong, but I couldn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe gun wasn\u2019t yours?\u201d Horatio looked up away from the Speed. \u201cWe didn\u2019t even question.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed gave him a sad smile, \u201cHaris knew you wouldn\u2019t. That\u2019s why it worked. If he had known about you he probably would have changed plans, figuring you would have known I cleaned my gun regularly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I never asked if you did,\u201d Horatio looked back down at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo you didn\u2019t,\u201d Speed shrugged. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t see it as a bad thing, I figured you trusted me to have learned my lesson. It must have been hell on you. Wondering if you had just asked.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Horatio reached out to caress his cheek.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault, nor is it mine.\u201d Speed leaned into the caress. \u201cPlease lets just forget for tonight that any of this has happened.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio slipped his hands down Speed\u2019s chest, \u201cFirst I need to relearn this body.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed\u2019s eyes watched as Horatio glided his hands over his chest. Horatio stopped at as scar just to the side and above the left nipple. He looked at Speed who acknowledged the silent question, gunshot wound to the chest. Horatio caressed Speed\u2019s stomach, fingers slipping into the top of his pants sliding to the back. Horatio stopped at the feel of a long scar on the hip.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnife wound,\u201d Speed answered his voice breathless.<\/p>\n

Horatio sighed but kept on his exploration. He undid Speed\u2019s belt and pants, his hands then gliding down jean-covered legs, he reached over and slipped off Speed\u2019s shoes and socks. He gave Speed a grin and pulled off the jeans taking his boxer briefs with them. Horatio\u2019s hands traveled back up the body stopping on Speed\u2019s right thigh he looked back up at Speed.<\/p>\n

\u201cGunshot,\u201d Speed answered, eyes closed as Horatio stepped off the bed and removed the rest of his clothing. \u201cYour analysis?\u201d He asked with a slight moan as Horatio re-straddled him.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re leaner, but in a good way. Stronger muscles,\u201d Horatio\u2019s hands racked over tight hard nipples. \u201cI don\u2019t like the new wounds.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cComes with the job,\u201d Speed hissed jerking his hips into Horatio. \u201cWant to un-handcuff me now?\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio laid his body on top of Speed, \u201cI kind of like you this way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed kissed him, his legs wrapping around Horatio\u2019s waist holding him to his body. Speed dropped his head into this pillow, \u201cI want to touch you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio reached over to his nightstand pulled the key out, un-handcuffed him and threw the cuffs and keys onto the floor. Speed grabbed a hold of the red hair and pulled Horatio into a deep kiss. \u201cLove me.\u201d He moaned into Horatio\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

And Horatio did.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio woke up to an empty bed; he sat up quickly scanning the room. He saw Speed\u2019s shoes still on the floor next to his shirt. He pulled on a pair of sweat pants and padded back down the hallway towards the living room. He noticed the open patio door and stepped out into the cool night air. Speed sat on the back porch steps, wearing only his jeans. Horatio sat behind him wrapping his arms around the young man.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure about the tattoo,\u201d Horatio whispered into his ear.<\/p>\n

Speed smiled, \u201cI got it to cover the scar from the exit wound.\u201d Speed turned in Horatio\u2019s arms slightly. \u201cIt\u2019s a Celtic design, an eternity knot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s beautifully done,\u201d Horatio traced the pattern with his finger. \u201cBut isn\u2019t it distinct enough to identify you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo one except you has seen me with out my shirt,\u201d Speed leaned back in his arms.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel privileged,\u201d Horatio rested his chin on Speed\u2019s shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cH,\u201d Speed\u2019s voice became serious. \u201cI want you to find someone\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Horatio arms gripped Speed tighter.<\/p>\n

\u201cH, you deserve to be loved full time. Someone who will be there when you come home\u2026\u201d Speed voice was tight with emotion.<\/p>\n

Horatio stood up; he quickly pulled Speed up off the stairs and into his arms. Gripping the young mans chin Horatio forced him to look into his eyes. \u201cI was ready to live my life without you. I lived two years without you.\u201d Speed tried to pull away, but Horatio held onto him. \u201cI now have you back. Hell if you think I\u2019m going to give you up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut what type of relationship is this? I stop by between assignments. Sneak in the middle of night, a long visit over the weekend?\u201d Speed tried to reason with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s more than I would have had,\u201d Horatio kissed him hard. He pulled back eyes bearing into Speed\u2019s \u201cIf I only have one night, or a weekend with you that\u2019s all I need.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut is it enough?\u201d Speed eyes were sorrowful. \u201cI want you to be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dKnowing you\u2019re alive is more than enough to make me happy,\u201d Horatio whispered softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t know the things I\u2019ve done, the things I\u2019ve seen. I\u2019m not the same man I was two years ago.\u201d Speed once again tried to pull out of the strong arms.<\/p>\n

Horatio pulled him closer turning him until Speed was pushed against the glass door. \u201cI know who you are, better than you know yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed rested his head onto Horatio\u2019s shoulder, \u201cI hate this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know so do I,\u201d Horatio ran his hand through the short black hair. \u201cTim, the time I have with you will be cherished, there is no room in my heart for anyone other than you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed lifted his head; he stole a kiss and eased out between Horatio and the wall. He held out his hand towards Horatio, \u201cI\u2019ll be gone in the morning I don\u2019t want to waste any of the time I have with you freezing my ass off in your backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wouldn\u2019t want to do that,\u201d Horatio smiled as he took Speed\u2019s hand. \u201cAfter all it\u2019s a really nice ass.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed laughed as they walked back into the home. The lovers brought each other to the peak of pleasure. At dawn Speed dressed silently as he watched Horatio sleep. He soothed the red hair back kissing him on the temple, whispered his love and slipped out into the early morning light.<\/p>\n

Horatio watched him leave.<\/p>\n

Chapter 6: Inside Man<\/strong><\/p>\n

Speed set the envelope down on the table; it was from the hotel stationary. Speed had run the prints from the scene; all of them were Alice\u2019s except one smear on the laptop. The killer must have been wearing gloves, except, as Speed knows it\u2019s very difficult to use a laptop mouse pad with gloves on. The print wasn\u2019t very good, but he had at least a few ridges if he was lucky would get a hit.<\/p>\n

He laid out the letter next to the envelope quickly scanning the contents. He sat back in his chair head aching, it confirmed his suspicions it was someone on the inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaris,\u201d He held the letter in his hands. \u201cIt\u2019s an inside job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Who?\u2019 Haris asked voice hard.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAlice\u2019s boss,\u201d Speed answered as he pulled open the desk drawer and pulled out his gun. \u201cHe owns a warehouse down by the wharf. I\u2019m going to go check it out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u2018Careful, like you said you\u2019re not a field agent,\u2019 Haris pointed out.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m just going to look around, take some photos, and then let you do what you need to do.\u201d Speed said, and then clicked the phone off.<\/p>\n

Speed climbed into the truck and headed for the warehouse. It was registered to a Samuel King, who happened to be Frank King\u2019s brother, who just happened to be Alice Larson\u2019s boss. Frank\u2019s file stated that he had been working for the CIA for fifteen years. He moved up the ranks and became Head of the Department on Terrorism just five years ago. Three years ago agents started disappearing, two years ago Haris brought Speed in to figure out who and why. Two weeks ago Alice Larson disappeared with the disc of who and where agents were located. Two days ago she ended up dead.<\/p>\n

Speed pulled into the empty warehouse lot parking his vehicle towards the back out of sight from anyone who would be driving by. He grabbed his camera and kit, and started to search around the perimeter before heading into the warehouse. He noticed new tire treads by the shipping docks, and a fresh oil leak. He took photos and collected a sample of the oil. He could send it to the labs at Langley find out what type of oil used maybe identify the vehicle. He entered the building from a back side entrance.<\/p>\n

It was a typical abandoned warehouse, debris on the ground, empty offices in one corner. Except for one minor detail, there were modern working computers in the abandoned offices. Speed took photos and pulled on his gloves. He quickly checked around him and sat down at the computers. He hacked into the hard drives to search for the missing files. Instead of missing files he found bank records. Bank transfers from known terrorists fronts. He pulled out his own discs and began transferring all the files onto the disc.<\/p>\n

A noise alerted him to someone\u2019s presences in the building, he shut down the monitor and let the computer keep transferring the files. He pulled his gun and silently exited the office. He kept low and behind some crates eyes darting between the front and back doors. A figure entered the front door silent, his position indicating he was carrying a gun and surveying the land.<\/p>\n

Speed growled low in his throat when he recognized the figure, \u201cHoratio.\u201d He stood up and raised his own gun. \u201cWhat the hell are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio looked stunned to see Speed standing there pointing a gun at him. \u201cI followed a lead. You?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were supposed to stop working on this case,\u201d Speed lowered the weapon putting in at his lower back sitting it on the waistband of his jeans.<\/p>\n

\u201cAn idea popped into my head so I followed it, which led me here.\u201d Horatio holstered his weapon. He stepped closer to Speed, \u201cWhat did you find?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA letter from Alice stating why she had stolen the disc,\u201d Speed turned back towards the office. \u201cYou?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe disc,\u201d Horatio smiled as Speed turned on his heel.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere? Wait she mailed it to herself!\u201d Speed frowned sighing deeply. \u201cReally should have seen that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, you should have,\u201d A voice came out from the shadows. \u201cNow if you don\u2019t mind Lieutenant Caine, I\u2019ll take that disc.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio recognized the man, \u201cYou\u2019re the suit that collected all the evidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHoratio meet Frank King,\u201d Speed looked at the older man.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive me the disc,\u201d King pointed the weapon at Horatio.<\/p>\n

Horatio looked over at Speed question in his eyes. Speed nodded. Horatio reached into his jacket pocket and handed it out to King. A shot rang out; both men flinched as the body fell. Behind him stood an older gentleman in his fifties, graying hair, with piercing gray eyes. He stood about five eleven with a good build.<\/p>\n

\u201cHaris,\u201d Speed sighed in relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cDidn\u2019t I tell you to be careful,\u201d Haris holstered his gun. He looked over at Horatio then back at Speed. \u201cNot a good idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe found the disc,\u201d Speed stepped forward taking the disc from Horatio, then handed it to Haris. \u201cSo King convinced Alice to steal the information and when he showed up in Miami she didn\u2019t have it. Knowing I would be on the case soon, he killed her and waited for me to find it, so he could take it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell it\u2019s amazing what you can get a woman to do when she\u2019s sleeping with you.\u201d Haris smirked as the placed the disc into his pocket.<\/p>\n

Horatio paused then pulled his gun, \u201cPut down your weapon.\u201d Haris countered by pulling his.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeedy, tell your guard dog, I\u2019m one of the good guys.\u201d Haris demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeed,\u201d Horatio eye\u2019s never left Haris, but his voice held urgency. \u201cAlexx discovered that Alice was still a virgin during the autopsy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haris eyes narrowed at Horatio, shifting quickly the gun was now pointing at Speed, \u201cYou going to risk your lover?\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio\u2019s gripped his gun harder, \u201cKilling him will only make matters worse.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haris smirked, \u201cactually it would make it easier. Of course you will have to die also.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo you can finish framing me for your crimes,\u201d Speed voice was calm. Haris looked at him startled, \u201cHow many scenes that I cleaned up were yours?\u201d Speed asked. \u201cIt was a good set up, I mean really. You kill the agent, and then leave just enough evidence behind so I would implicate a terrorist agent. Of course you worked hard to make sure all the signs didn\u2019t lead to you, but to me. How much money did you filter into my accounts to make it look like it was me who was selling out the agents, and then cleaning up my own crimes?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you babbling about,\u201d Haris began to get nervous.<\/p>\n

Speed stayed calm, \u201cI figured it out six months in. The crimes had a pattern a small one but a pattern nonetheless. You would visit the agent, then two weeks later they were found dead, and I was always with in an hours calling distance of each of the murders.\u201d Speed paused, \u201cWhich worked for you two fold. One I cleaned up your mess, and two you could point out that I was always within the vicinity.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeedy,\u201d Haris looked at him a plastered smile on his face. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t do that to you. I brought you in, so you could help me find out who was killing them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you brought me to do your dirty work,\u201d Speed growled. \u201cYou destroyed my life so I could be your scapegoat.\u201d Speed stepped up to him, ignored the gun and pulled the disc out of his pocket. “You really thought you had me fooled. Big mistake, sending me back to Miami. You counted on me to contact Horatio. So after killing me you could explain that I had killed King and Alice. But that is where you went wrong, think Haris. I let Tripp see me at the airport,\u201d Horatio stayed silent listening to the men. \u201cHoratio shooting me played out better than me leaving behind my fingerprints. I purposely looked up at the camera near the taxi stand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t matter, as far as the evidence says. You came back to Miami to convince your lover to come with you. I found the two of you after killing King, and we fought. Both of you were killed.\u201d Haris smirked. \u201cYour accounts will tell the story, you left a paper trail a mile long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed laughed then glanced over at the computers, \u201cThe paper trail that I\u2019m sending to Langley as we speak?\u201d<\/p>\n

Haris frowned then turned his gun towards Horatio who pulled his up, \u201cIf I had known about you when I took him, I would have done things differently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh really in what way,\u201d Horatio demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would have killed you when I had a chance,\u201d Haris felt the cold steal of a gun muzzle against his temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t think for one second I wouldn\u2019t pull the trigger,\u201d Speed voice was low and deadly. \u201cIn this business the suits don\u2019t really care for trials. You taught me that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Haris looked at him out of the corner of his eye, \u201cYou were always more trouble than you were worth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201dYou wanted the best and you got it. Too bad you make a terrible criminal.\u201d Speed pushed the gun farther into his temple.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpeed?\u201d Horatio looked between the two men. \u201cDon\u2019t become him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you already are like me,\u201d Haris smirked. \u201cHave you told him about those agents you killed, how about that town that was destroyed because of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed stepped back a slight smile on his face, \u201cI\u2019m nothing like you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut I am,\u201d King\u2019s voice ringed out right before the shot. Haris fell dead to the ground a look of shock on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cTim,\u201d King turned towards Speed and Horatio. \u201cLieutenant I\u2019m sorry for the deception but we\u2019ve been after him for months. We were finally able to set him up when he sent Tim to Miami.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Alice?\u201d Horatio holstered his weapon.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, he got to her before we did.\u201d King\u2019s voice dropped. \u201cHer family will be notified that she died for her country and she\u2019ll get a star on the wall.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed turned to Horatio eyes full of emotion, \u201cI didn\u2019t use you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio looked at him a small smile on his face, \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s right though,\u201d King looked at the two men. \u201cIf we had known about the relationship we would have done things differently.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn what way?\u201d Horatio eyed the agent.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would recruited both of you,\u201d He smiled and walked towards the back of the warehouse. \u201cTim you\u2019ve got five minutes before the cops and the rest of the CSI\u2019s show up.\u201d He stopped and turned towards Horatio, \u201cLieutenant, as far as Miami-Dade police are concerned Alice Larson was killed because of a lover\u2019s spat. She wouldn\u2019t put out until he married her.\u201d He walked out of the warehouse leaving the two men alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe did kill her,\u201d Speed shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow what?\u201d Horatio stepped closer to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI disappear,\u201d Speed slipped into Horatio\u2019s arms. \u201cAnd you solved the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWill I see you again?\u201d Horatio buried his head into Speed\u2019s neck and shoulder.<\/p>\n

Speed lifted his head up devouring the redhead\u2019s mouth. Horatio opened his mouth under the assault, moaning in need as Speed memorized every inch with his tongue. He pulled back gasping for air, \u201cYes, I promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTim,\u201d King\u2019s voice called out. \u201cWe have to leave now!\u201d<\/p>\n

Horatio looked up, he could hear the sirens in the distance, \u201cI love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd I you,\u201d Speed kissed him, then turned and walked away.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Horatio watched as Calleigh and Eric entered the warehouse guns raised. He motioned for them that everything was fine. They ran up to him, Alexx and Ryan a few feet behind them.<\/p>\n

\u201cH?\u201d Eric looked around the warehouse.<\/p>\n

Horatio looked down at the body, \u201cAlice\u2019s killer.\u201d He looked back at the team. \u201cLover\u2019s spat. CIA didn\u2019t want the embarrassment of a department head being caught in a lovers quarrel.\u201d<\/p>\n

The three CSI\u2019s and ME looked at him nodded and began processing the scene for appearance\u2019s sake. Horatio wandered into the office, Speed\u2019s camera and kit lay on the floor. He squatted down and handled the items. He knew they would have to disappear. He flipped on the computer and looked at the screen. The box on the screen had told him the last of the transfers were completed, and memory wipe was in now in process. He watched as each screen disappeared taking away any traces of Speed being in Miami.<\/p>\n

The team walked out into the now busy warehouse lot. Horatio looked around at the chaos in the lot, \u201cWhat is going on?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were told there was a bomb threat in the area, that a CSI was being held hostage.\u201d Ryan answered. \u201cThat got everyone here.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fire department was on the street, cop cars were scattered through out the lot and on the street blocking anyone from coming into the area. The coroners van parked near the front doors as the ambulance crew rolled out Haris.<\/p>\n

He sighed and slipped on his glasses. He looked over at the three CSI\u2019s. \u201cCan you guys take care of this?\u201d He waved his hand around.<\/p>\n

Calleigh laid her hand on his arm, \u201cGo home and rest. We\u2019ll call if we need you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ryan shooed Horatio towards his Hummer, \u201cI see I\u2019m not wanted.\u201d He smiled at them. He stopped then turned back towards them. \u201cHow about you three come over on Saturday, we can barbeque.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be great H,\u201d Eric smiled at him. \u201cNow go get some rest. Tomorrow we’ve got to get back to what we do best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCatch the bad guys,\u201d Ryan finished smiling at the redhead.<\/p>\n

Horatio waved as he walked through the crowded lot, dodging cops and rescue. He noticed the media had gotten wind of a possible hostage situation and was now camped at the lot’s gates. He shook his head as he walked to his Hummer.<\/p>\n

The explosion rocked the warehouse lot.<\/p>\n

Chapter 7: A New Life<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2018We are gathered here today to lay to rest, Lieutenant Horatio Caine. A man who was dedicated not only to his job, but to his city.\u2019<\/em><\/p>\n

The priest stood over the mahogany casket speaking words of comfort. Words that weren\u2019t helping the distraught loved ones.<\/p>\n

Yelina sat graveside tears streaming down her face, Rick held her hand trying to give his wife comfort. Ray Jr. sat at the other side his face stoic, much like a Caine. Calleigh, Eric, Ryan and Alexx stood behind the family as they tried to come to terms with their grief, it was only two years earlier they had stood in this very spot when they buried a fallen comrade. Susie and Madison stood off to the side, not wanting to impose on the family but paying their respects to a man that gave them a better life.<\/p>\n

The flag was presented to Yelina who cried harder as she took it from the Police Captain. Rick helped her stand and walk away from the grave sight. The reports had been held back at a distance, a police blockade forcing them to give the family space and respect. The mourners filed out slowly heading back to the waiting town cars, cop cars, and departmental CSI Hummers. Only three CSI\u2019s and one ME stood and watched as the coffin was lowered into the ground.<\/p>\n

They were still there when the Priest gave them a small nod and headed towards the waiting car. The four friends turned to look at the grave sight that laid to the right.<\/p>\n

Timothy \u2018Speed\u2019 Speedle
\nBorn: June 24, 1973
\nDied: September 23, 2004
\nA Fallen Comrade<\/p>\n

Eric looked at everyone, \u201cDo you think?\u201d<\/p>\n

Calleigh ran her hand along the new gravestone.<\/p>\n

Horatio Caine<\/strong>
\n Born: April 7, 1960<\/strong>
\n Died: September 25, 2006<\/strong>
\n Miami’s Guardian Angel<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know,\u201d Alexx answered. \u201cBut for Tim\u2019s sake I hope so.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir not here,\u201d Ryan commented looking between the two graves. \u201cThey\u2019re together somewhere, we might not know where but we don\u2019t need to know. They\u2019re happy and that\u2019s what is important right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alexx looked at him, \u201cYour right.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBesides did you hear the rumors around the lab?\u201d Calleigh stood up. She took a deep breath a smile forming on her face. \u201cValera just got a job offer to the FBI labs in DC, she\u2019s already gone.\u201d Her smile became bigger. \u201cTaylor just got offered a visual\/audio specialist job at Langley.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eric grinned at the blond, \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSudden don\u2019t you think?\u201d She tilted her head and looked between the two stones. \u201cThe life they knew is gone. All we can do is wish them luck with the new one they will be living.\u201d<\/p>\n

They left the cemetery with a smile on their face; the two lovers had been reunited.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t believe they blew up my Hummer,\u201d Horatio sat outside on the balcony looking over the Swiss countryside.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey at least you didn\u2019t get shot,\u201d Speed handed him a cup of coffee. \u201cCold?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHell yeah,\u201d Horatio curled farther into the blankets.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ll get used to it Miami boy,\u201d Speed grinned at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo I won\u2019t,\u201d Horatio glared back at the dark haired New Yorker. \u201cIt\u2019s wrong to be this cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAt least you\u2019re not in Siberia,\u201d A voice called from the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not speaking to you, King.\u201d Horatio sipped his coffee.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid I not say I was going to recruit you?\u201d He looked between the two men.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Horatio looked at him. \u201cYou said you would have recruited me.\u201d<\/p>\n

King shrugged, \u201cNot much of a difference. I\u2019m here because I have some files I want you two to look over. It seems someone\u2019s decided that they could siphon money off one of our accounts, find out who.\u201d He walked back into the room and out the door.<\/p>\n

An agent looked over at King as he walked out of the suite, \u201cHow long before Caine takes your job?\u201d<\/p>\n

King smiled, \u201cOne year training, and a couple in the field. No more than five years if not sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speed watched him leave the suite; he turned back to Horatio and held out his hand. Horatio took it and let himself be pulled into the warm suite. Speed held onto his hand as he pulled Horatio into the master bedroom. The room was warm from the lit fire in the fireplace. He grinned at Horatio slipping his cold hands under the sweater. He laughed at Horatio\u2019s yelp. Horatio sought revenge by pulling the young man towards him and slipping his cold hands into the back of Speed\u2019s pants. Speed glared but it was lost as he began laughing.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo how long before you take King\u2019s job?\u201d Speed asked as he slipped off Horatio\u2019s sweater.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo years tops,\u201d Horatio grinned backing Speed toward the bed. \u201cThen I plan on recruiting three new employees.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you have different recruiting methods, though shooting Eric could be fun.\u201d Speed ground his hips into Horatio as the man laughed slightly.<\/p>\n

Horatio pushed him down into the bed. He looked down at the flushed younger man. His brown eyes were dark almost black with lust. His short hair tasseled and much to Horatio\u2019s enjoyment a five o\u2019clock shadow. He didn\u2019t like leaving his family behind, but he knew Rick would take care of them, including Susie and Madison. Horatio smiled getting a warm smile in return. Horatio\u2019s life was now focused on this one man, and he wouldn\u2019t have wanted it any other way. He leaned over and kissed him softly enjoying the soft lips, with the rough texture of the beard. He laughed as Speed slipped his now warm hands down his chest finding that one spot only he knew about, and began to tickle him.<\/p>\n

The two men laughed and loved through out the night and for the rest of their lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Title: Clean Up Man Author: BJ Jones Rating: R Summary: It\u2019s been two years\u2026 *** Chapter One: Two Years Later Horatio stared at the headstone, Timothy \u2018Speed\u2019 Speedle. \u201cHey, Speed.\u201d He took off his sunglasses and squatted down closer to the grave. \u201cIt\u2019s been two years. Two long years, I …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":7655,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-7667","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P2Da1M-1ZF","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":10236,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/postcard-series\/","url_meta":{"origin":7667,"position":0},"title":"Postcard Series","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"March 3, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Miss You in Miami Author: Bj Jones Rating: FRT Summary: The day after Speed\u2019s funeral a postcard arrived for Horatio Horatio Caine hid his pain-filled blue eyes behind his dark sunglasses. They had buried Timothy Speedle yesterday. His friend, colleague, lover. Except no one knew about their love affair.\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9038,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/visiting-hours\/","url_meta":{"origin":7667,"position":1},"title":"Visiting Hours","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"September 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Visiting Hours Author: Bj Jones Rating: PG-13 Summary: After a tough case Horatio stops by for a visit *** Horatio looked down at the headstone. He ran a hand along the smooth surface as he squatted down in front of it. \"You're probably wondering why I'm here,\" He looked\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9036,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/wake-up-call\/","url_meta":{"origin":7667,"position":2},"title":"Wake-Up Call","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"September 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Wake Up Call Author: Bj Jones Rating: R Summary: Horatio gets a wake up call *** Horatio tossed and turned, sleep evading him once again. He sighed as he rolled over and looked at the clock it was two in the morning. He rolled back onto his back and\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9049,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/ten-minutes\/","url_meta":{"origin":7667,"position":3},"title":"Ten Minutes","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"September 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Ten Minutes Author: Bj Jones Rating: MA Summary: \u201cPlease, all I need is ten minutes.\u201d *** Horatio held Speed in his arms, trying to soothe the wounded man.\u00a0 He wiped the blood gently away from Speed\u2019s mouth, ordering him to keep breathing. \u201cI can\u2019t feel anything,\u201d Speed\u2019s voice was\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9053,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/regrets\/","url_meta":{"origin":7667,"position":4},"title":"Regrets","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"September 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Regrets Author: Bj Jones Rating: PG-13 Summary: Fixing one\u2019s regrets. *** Horatio looked around the deserted beach, confusion etched on his face. He slipped off the sunglasses and looked down at his chest. He knew something wasn\u2019t right; the last thing he remembered was walking into the jewelry store.\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":9061,"url":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/the-generals-office\/bj-jones\/csi-miami\/meeting-the-speedles\/","url_meta":{"origin":7667,"position":5},"title":"Meeting the Speedles","author":"Nicolaus Meridius","date":"September 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Title: Meet the Speedles Author: Bj Jones Rating: R Summary: Horatio spends Christmas with Speed's family *** Speed watched with humor, as Horatio argued with the airline representative. He wasn't sure what was more enjoyable, a frustrated Horatio or the agitated representative. Neither were backing down, and the situation was\u2026","rel":"","context":"Similar post","block_context":{"text":"Similar post","link":""},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7667","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7667"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7667\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7655"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sylumclan.com\/sylumblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}