DISCLAIMER: CSI: Miami is © Anthony E. Zuiker, Carol Mendelsohn & Ann Donahue the show’s creators and CBS. The song “See Me In Shadow” is © the band Delain and its creator Martijn Westerholt. No copyright infringement is intended whatsoever nor is any profit being made from this fanfic; i.e. it is purely non-profit. The song "Bye Bye Beautiful" is © the band Nightwish and its creator Tuomas Holopainen.

CLAIMER: This fan-fiction is my own creation and about the only thing I own in this document.

RATING: T

TIME SETTING: Season 6.

Pale

By: Christie Redfield

Horatio Caine fumbled blindly in the early morning light for his phone, knocking over a lamp in the process as he did. He had three guesses who’d be calling him this early in the morning and that was either Alexx or Frank to report the latest victim in the latest crime committed in Miami. Or it could be his son Kyle; he saw much of himself in the younger man right down to the smallest mannerisms. Though he cherished the time he spent with Kyle he hoped it was the latter. The last thing he wanted was a D.B. call in regards to his own kin being killed on the inside.

“Caine.”

“Horatio I’m sorry I know it’s early, did I wake you honey?” Alexx Woods’ soothing voice spoke to him from the other side of the receiver. Horatio cleared his throat noting it was thicker than usual.

“I was just getting ready to head out for an early morning jog before work, but you know how fast plans can change in Miami Alexx.”

“Mmmhmm, I sure do,” She replied a slight suspicion in her tone not quite buying his story entirely. “Anyway I’m calling to tell you we have a D.B. over on South Beach that was found this morning by a young woman out taking her dog for an early morning run; suffice to say the pooch made an interesting find. Suspicious circs.”

“I’ll see you there in twenty five give or take morning commute.”

Hanging up the phone on the receiver, Horatio rolled out of bed grimacing at the pain in his bones wondering if old age was creeping its way up on him or if it was finally time to turn in his mattress. Scratching his head he picked up his watch taking note of the time. 5:43 AM.

Rising from the bed he walked slowly made his way to the bathroom and shivered rubbing his arms for warmth. It was unusually chilly this morning and he wondered if he closed the windows prior to bed. A hot shower should fix that, it would also help cover for lack of coffee. Grabbing some fresh towels Horatio stepped inside the bathroom turning the water to hot and laid his face against the cool tiles closing his eyes…

“Poor baby, how did you wind up all alone here on the beach by yourself in such an awkward position?” Alexx Woods spoke soothingly as she knelt hunched over a young brunette woman who lay sprawled amidst the tall grasses of the beach, the ocean’s waves lapping lazily nearby. Standing near her a petite blonde stood snapping pictures with a camera examining the scene carefully looking for any evidence that would help them in IDing the unfortunate victim’s demise. Calleigh Duquesne lowered her camera and pointed at the woman’s feet.

“Hiking boots, odd footwear for a beach don’t ya think? Not many hiking trails for miles from here.”

Frank Tripp nodded shaking his head grimly. “Probably a body dump. Killer went out of his way to dispose of the evidence, probably figured he’d let nature do its work and turn her to fertilizer.”

Alexx tenderly tucked a stray strand of hair behind the dead woman’s ear as she checked her eyes. “She’s wearing contacts, look like colored lens too.” She remarked picking up the soft, delicate contact lens with a pair of tweezers before dropping it into a water filled glass vial.

“Hopefully if we’re lucky we can find out who prescribed them to her, there outta be a serial number on the lens.” Calleigh remarked as she snapped another photograph noting the victim’s different colored eyes.

“Man I just barely escaped the morning commute on the way here, what a way to start the day.” Frank nodded at Eric Delko who walked up to the scene, Forensics Kit in hand. “Has H been notified yet?” Eric asked looking over the scene before looking back over to Calleigh and Alexx.

“I called him this morning, but that was about…” Alexx glanced at her watch. “...a half hour or so ago.”

“Maybe he got caught in traffic.” Eric remarked setting down his kit on the sand next to his feet.

“I’ll give him a call, Alexx are you about finished here?” Calleigh asked.

“Yeah I think so; I won’t be able to find out much more about what happened to our lady friend here until she’s on my table.” She stated somberly pulling off her latex gloves.

“Has anyone spoken to the woman who found the body yet?” Eric asked as Calleigh pulled out her cell phone and began dialing. Frank shook his head. “I was just about to, but you’re more than welcome to join me, Eric.”

Stepping out of the wind Calleigh pressed her cell phone to her ear and was greeted with Horatio’s voicemail. Sighing she hung up and then tried his home phone only to again be met with similar results. “Come on Handsome where are you…” Calleigh muttered under her breath as she called the lab. From a distance Alexx watched as the Louisianan paced back and forth looking downcast and worried.

“Calleigh is something wrong honey?” Alexx asked as she walked over to where she was standing after she hung up her cell phone.

She shook her head. “I tried Horatio’s cell phone and his house phone but I got no answer, I even tried the lab but they say he hasn’t come in yet. How did he sound when you talked to him Alexx?” Alexx noted her Southern drawl was more apparent then usual, a telltale sign when she was upset.

“Tired, but I figured that was due to the early hour, baby if you’re that concerned about him why not go see if he’s at home…maybe he overslept…though for Horatio that would be a first in the books.”

Calleigh gave a half hearted chuckle. “I hope you’re right, you sure ya don’t need a hand here Alexx?” Patting her on the arm Alexx chided Calleigh. “Just go baby don’t worry about me.”

“Thanks Alexx, I’ll see ya back at the lab.” Turning the two went their separate ways, Calleigh hoping that all that had happened to Horatio was that he had indeed overslept.

Hopping into her Hummer, Calleigh fired up the engine and pulled onto the now busy roads. In an attempt to quell her anxiety she turned on the radio, a powerful and moving melody played over the waves as a woman sang mournfully.

Standing in the shadow of our lies
To hide our imperfections
Doing anything we can to hide
Eyes wide open but still blind
To see what really matters
And insecurity won't go
See me in shadows

Another woman began singing the next verse of the song, her voice a carried a lighter more airy lilt, as Calleigh continued to listen she couldn’t help but feel a hauntingly familiarity with the lyrics.

Standing by the ruins of your soul
That cries for some more meaning
Wondering when you have
Become so cold

A tear streaked down Calleigh’s cheek as she watched the roads in front of her blankly as she continued driving, was it her imagination or did her and Horatio seem to see less and less of each other each day? True they worked in the same building but she couldn’t recall the last time they shared a coffee or a one on one with the other. The most they saw of each other was in passing back at the lab but even then it felt like a scene from an old silent film.

Hitting the skip disc button Calleigh changed the CD, unable to listen to the last of the song’s heart wrenching words. Instantly she was greeted with the thunderous chords of guitarist Slash as the song Let It Ride by Velvet Revolver began playing. She shook her head laughing. It had to be one of Jake’s CDs she wagered. Was that all he thought of her? Just another pretty face for him to take advantage of and to help him work his way up the ranks? Stabbing the off button to the radio with her index finger Calleigh gunned the accelerator. Never mind her and Jake she had to see if Horatio was okay.

Pulling up the driveway to Horatio’s two storey town home Calleigh tore off her seatbelt and leapt from her Hummer and approached the back door, hand at the ready on her gun. “Horatio?” Rapping loudly on the door, Calleigh tested the handle and found it to be locked. Fishing in her pocket she pulled out a spare key. She remembered years ago after Speed’s funeral when Horatio gave it to her, telling her if she ever needed someone to talk to come see him no matter what the time or how urgent. She never expected to use it in a situation like this.

Pushing open the door Calleigh looked around noticing nothing was out of order, Horatio’s keys lay thrown down upon the kitchen counter, and his trademark black sunglasses lay nearby in a black leather case. Everything else in the kitchen itself was spotless, nor were there any signs of Horatio having eaten breakfast. The sound of running water coming from the direction of the bathroom met her ears.

“Horatio?” Holstering her weapon Calleigh opened the door of the bathroom and looked around for the source of the noise. “Unh…” Shower. Rushing over to the shower Calleigh pulled back the shower curtain and gasped. “Horatio!” Horatio lay on the floor of the shower at an awkward angle; a large welt on his forehead, his hair a deeper shade of red lay pasted on his skin. Turning off the water Calleigh grabbed a large cotton bath towel off a nearby wall rack and knelt down wrapping it around Horatio’s shoulders. He shivered as she wrapped an arm around his waist helping him stand. “Handsome, what happened?”

“Slipped…I lost my balance…so cold…can’t get warm.” Weakly he fell against Calleigh causing her to stumble backwards before then tightening her grip around his form as she regained her footing. She pressed a hand to his forehead tenderly. “Your forehead feels like its on fire, what on earth we’re you thinking even coming in today?”

“It’s only a cold, nothing I couldn’t handle.” Calleigh shook her head leading him out of the bathroom. “Horatio, what’ll ever do with you?” She looked up and down the halls trying to locate the source of his bedroom. “Who’s our vic? Did you find out anymore information?” He questioned as she began walking down the hall.

“Never you mind work; you should be in bed of all places right now, which is where you’re going.”

“Together or alone sweetheart?” He asked chiding.

She blushed and pushed the door open to what she wagered had to be his bedroom, evidenced by the king size bed in the middle of the room. “Alone.” Helping him to sit down on the edge of the mattress Calleigh then knelt in front of him, looking into his eyes carefully before gently touching the bump atop his head. He hissed in response. “You stay here I’m going to get you some ice okay?” He sighed and nodded, his body shaking again from coldness. Grabbing the quilt off the foot of the bed Calleigh threw it around his shoulders. “Better?” He nodded.

“Stay put.” She tutted him before leaving his bedroom, making a straight beeline for his kitchen. Digging through the drawers Calleigh eventually found what she was looking for a large Ziploc baggie. Filling the bag to the brim with crushed ice cubes she returned to Horatio and sat down on the bed next to him and pressed the compress to his wound. “Here this will make the swelling go down.” Horatio’s hand brushed over Calleigh’s smaller one as he took the compress from her and held it in place.

“Shouldn’t you be back at the lab?” Calleigh shushed him, “It’s alright Eric’s got me covered.” Horatio closed his eyes and moaned at the pain circulating through his body. “You’re both so close, closer than I have ever been with you in years…since Speed…” Biting her lip Calleigh only nodded.

“Calleigh?”

“Yeah Horatio?”

“What happened to us since then?”

She shook her head not sure of what to say. “I don’t know Handsome.”

At this he opened his eyes looking into her green eyes. “Sweetheart,” He reached out with his free hand that held onto the quilt and brushed a long strand of blonde hair out of her eyes, he couldn’t remember the last time she had worn her hair long and straight and like this it accentuated her eyes. Calleigh stood feeling her cell phone buzz to life on her hip. “You going to get that?”

“It’s probably just Alexx checking up on me, I mean you…” She glanced down at the caller ID and bit back a groan at the name and hit the button that would forward the call to her voicemail. “You should put something on, stay here I’m going to get you something to eat.”

Stopping in midstep Calleigh turned around. “I don’t mean to sound very forward but I want you to change while I’m in the room with you. I mean I’ll turn around and all so I don’t see anything but…” Horatio smiled reassuringly at Calleigh understanding completely. “It’s okay Calleigh I understand you don’t want to leave to come back and find me on the floor again.”

“Here?” She asked gesturing to his dresser. “Third drawer.” Opening said drawer Calleigh reached inside pulling out the first articles of clothing her hands touched and quickly closed the drawer. Turning she pressed the articles of clothing into his hands and promptly turned her back to her supervisor. Horatio couldn’t help but smile at her pink tinged cheeks. “Promise not to look?” Calleigh rolled her eyes smiling. “I promise.”

“Well I’m already done.” Turning around Calleigh stepped forward and took the damp towel from Horatio, their hands brushing. “It was Jake wasn’t it.” Freezing Calleigh looked into his eyes. “What?” A beat. “Oh, my phone earlier. We’ve been having problems it’s nothing.”

His eyes held hers as he studied her features. “Don’t let Stetler get to you he’s only out to get my neck for his own personal gain up the career ladder.” Calleigh tightened her gaze and shook her head. “Horatio…Jake and I…” Ducking his head he sat down upon the bed. “Calleigh, I know you know it is in my best interest to look out for my team and you I am concerned for. Ever since I’ve met Jake he’s screamed nothing but trouble to me…he reminds me far too much of my brother Raymond…he’s too smooth and I don’t think I trust him especially with you.” Calleigh felt her heart thudding in her throat.

“Horatio…I…I don’t know what to say…ever since that day that Speed died, the distance between us grew further and further apart. The only time I remember you talking to me was when I nearly drowned in the Hummer. But now it feels like that distance between us still continues to grow, I don’t know maybe my reasons for getting involved with Jake was because it was all on whim like you and…and…” She stopped daring to not finish her sentence.

“…Marisol.” He finished for her closing his eyes in solemn remembrance. “I wonder now if I chose to marry her because I knew her life was on the verge of just ending and I wanted her to make the most of it with me or if I myself thought I would never fall in love again.” Calleigh stood watching him quietly, her eyes glimmering with the promise of tears. Stepping forward she slid her slender arms around his neck, pulling him close to her in a protective embrace.

“I won’t dare let you walk that lonely road alone.” Dropping a kiss on his cheek Calleigh tenderly ran her fingers over his hair, tears running freely down her face. “I’ll keep walking along it with you.” Horatio felt Calleigh’s frame tremble as she continued crying silently.

“Cal?” Pulling back Calleigh wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her blouse. “It’s okay, I’m okay handsome.” He couldn’t help but smile at the use of the pet name she had given him years ago. “If you say you are sweetheart, then I believe you. But I don’t.”

Horatio gently pressed a hand to her face catching a stray tear with his thumb causing her to jump. “I’m sorry.” He ducked his head down out of shyness. She laughed nervously. “No, no it’s not you, it’s just your hands are cold they feel like ice! You should really be in bed.” She stated piping up, grateful for the sudden distraction. Reluctantly Horatio lie down on the bed and let her pull the blankets over his body. “Better?”

“Yeah, thanks.” Shivering he pulled the quilt snugly to his chin grateful for the warmth. Sitting on the edge of the bed Calleigh sat watching him for several moments. “Do you want something to eat? You should really have some warm fluids it’d help you.” Nodding he nuzzled into the pillow. “Something light. I’m not sure I can keep anything down…or not…”

Calleigh patted his shoulder reassuringly before standing. “I’ll be right back.”

“Calleigh?”

She stopped at hearing the sound of her name. “Yeah Horatio?”

“Thank for you taking care of me.”

She smiled. “Anytime.”

Scouring the cabinets in Horatio’s kitchen, Calleigh fished out a small pot and a can of chicken soup. She set the pot on the stove dumping the can’s contents inside before then turning on the heat. Leaning against the counter she stood watching the soup careful not to burn it. Calleigh nearly jumped feeling the phone on her hip vibrate to life shortly followed by the chorus of Nightwish's “Bye Bye Beautiful”. Sighing she saw it was Alexx.

”Hey Alexx, what’s up?” She spoke softly as to not wake Horatio who slept quietly a few doors down the hallway.

“I thought I’d call and see if everything was alright, since didn’t hear back from you for awhile now.”

“Damn, sorry about that Alexx I was planning on calling you; Horatio’s fine he slipped in the shower and bumped his head.”

“He doesn’t have a concussion does he?”

“No I checked his eyes; he’s sleeping soundly right now. He keeps shivering though and saying he feels lightheaded, I think he has the flu.”

“That’s probably what caused him to slip and fall; the symptoms of influenza include weakness and chills.”

“Do you think I should still come in to the lab? I would really hate to leave Horatio by himself.”

“Baby to be honest with you we have just barely enough evidence to work with back here at the lab, at this point all we know is it was a body dump. You stay and keep on eye Horatio he needs you more than you think.”

“Alexx…I…”

“Don’t have to worry about a thing; I’ve got your back baby; if anyone asks I’ll just tell them you had a family emergency.”

“Thanks Alexx. I gotta go now before I burn the soup, bye.” Closing the phone shut, Calleigh couldn’t help but smile; she was blessed having friends like Alexx back at the lab, then again she was one of few friends who could read her or just about anyone else for that matter like an open book.

Seeing that the soup was done Calleigh turned the stove off and poured the broth into a cup before returning to Horatio’s bedroom where he lay sleeping soundly. Smiling she sat down in the chair next to his bed, setting the cup of soup down on the night table. Several moments passed before she begrudgingly decided to wake him, knowing he should eat something.

Groggily Horatio opened his blue eyes to see Calleigh smiling warmly at him. “Hey, do you feel a little better now?”

He nodded, sitting up slowly. “I feel a little better, just hungry now…did you make tea?” He asked gesturing to the cup.

“No it’s chicken broth I thought it’d be just the right thing to ease your hunger pains.” Cradling the cup with both of her hands Calleigh gave it to Horatio who took a tentative sip before drinking a larger amount of the broth. Sighing he closed his eyes.

“Y’alright there?” She asked teasingly.

Taking another sip he faced her smiling weakly. “Just feels good to have something in my stomach, I didn’t even touch breakfast let alone a cup of coffee this morning.”

“Don’t you ever eat?”

Taking another long drink of broth he shook his head. “Not if it’s a hot case early in the morning, I can manage.”

“You really should take better care of yourself.” She prodded. Seeing that he was finished with the soup she set the cup down on the nightstand, and then pressing her hand to his forehead.

“Your forehead feels really cool and clammy, how do you feel?” She asked looking into his eyes.

“Sweetheart I’m okay, it is just the chills.” Shivering he watched as Calleigh bit down on her lip before standing and then turning away from him. “Calleigh?” His mouth fell open as he lay watching from his bed, his ballistics expert strip down to her skivvies before him. “What are you doing?” Turning around she pulled back the blankets then grabbing the bottom of Horatio’s t-shirt, Horatio’s hands instantly stopped hers. “Calleigh what in the world are you doing?”

“Trying to help you get warm, now let me take your shirt off.” He caught her eyes and held her gaze. “Calleigh I only need another blanket you don’t have to do this for me.”

Daring to not avert his gaze, she gave a tug at his shirt. “I don’t have to, but I want to, now shirt off Lieutenant.”

“If you’re trying to get me warmer shouldn’t I leave my shirt on?” He asked questioning her.

“Skin on skin contact helps generate more body heat, cotton layers would just get in the way.” She stated avoiding his gaze.

“Then technically we should be both completely naked for it to be most effective shouldn’t we?” Blushing a deep shade of red Calleigh finally freed his hands loose tugging his shirt over his head. Using his shirt so that their hands were now both intertwined behind his head, Horatio pulled Calleigh close so that their noses were nearly inches apart. “Well am I right or aren’t I?” He asked, her green eyes mirroring his cerulean pair.

“Shut up Handsome.” Before he could get the opportunity to retort Calleigh pressed her lips soundly to his not caring if she caught his cold, too long and too late she stood by waiting for this moment, now she intended to capture it by the horns. She nearly jumped feeling his hands rest on her ribs as he held her gently kissing her in return. Breaking for air the two couldn’t help but laugh despite themselves.

“Too long I wanted to do that.” Calleigh stated blushing. Horatio chuckled. “You have no idea, Calleigh...I…” Pressing a finger to his lips she shushed him. “You don’t have to say anything Horatio, I was the one who should have said something sooner, too long we danced this dance…I love you I always have.”

“So have I.”

“Now lie down and let me help you get warm.” Doing as told Horatio lie down letting Calleigh hold him close as she did. Within minutes the pair soon drifted off to sleep together, bodies and minds finally free of their ailments, more particularly though that of the heart.