After dinner Mac, "H" and Eric split up in different area's to find Thomas. As Eric checked the Mall's, he asked young kids if they had seen Thomas hanging around , when he recieved answer's of no's he checked other area's, but still came up empty.
"Meanwhile Horatio wasn't having much luck checking the Shelter's, all his response's were also no's. Not willing to give up, he started asking people on the street, if they seen him.
After talking with ten street people he finally got a reply. "
"Yes Sir", I've seen him hanging out at that empty warehouse down the street, alot of homeless kids hang out there".
"Thank-you, for your help. said "H".
Horatio gave the guy a $10 for his help, even though he knew he would spend on liquor, that was okay, because he had given him a lead.
Mac called Eric and Mac and told them to meet him at the warehouse. Once they all arrived they headed into the warehouse. Never had they seen so many lost and homeless children.
"Jesus, "H", what the hell is wrong with the world today"?
It's not the world Eric, it's the parents don't care", said "H".
"I know, let's start looking", said Eric.
As they walked along, they showed the picture to some of the kids that were willing to co-operate. After going through the whole Warehouse, they had no luck.
"Now what"? said Eric.
"Now we check his friends, if we have no luck, then we stop for the night and start again tomorrow", said Mac.
After 8 more hour's of searching and no leads they headed back to Mac's for some much needed sleep. When they got home, everyone was sleeping.
"I'll see you guy's in the morning, said Eric.
As eric got changed and showered he flopped into the bed, and just as he was closing his eyes he seen a light from someone opening the door.
"Uncle Eric, are you awake"? "It's Marisol".
"Yeah, I'm awake, What's the matter Mari"?
"I'm scared Uncle Eric"?
"Scared"? of what Mari"?
"Claire keeps waking up screaming and it's freaking me out, can I sleep with you please"?
"Sure, Mari, come on"?
As Mari clmbed into bed with Eric, he cuddle her.
"I love you, Uncle Eric, kisses please".
"Alway's for my Mari", "I love you too"
Ever since Marisol was a baby, she and Eric were inseperable, and no matter old she got, they never grew apart. They shared a bond, that even her father couldn't come close too.
After Mac and Horatio had discussed the plans for tomorrow, "H" went to check on his children before heading to bed. As he walked into Claire's room, HJr was in the bed where Marisol should have been. Talking to himself he said ...
"Must be with Eric again".
"H", was never jealous of the relationship Eric had with his daughter, because he understood how much pain he had suffered after losing Marisol, just like he had, until he found Calleigh to help him live again. As he opened Eric's door, there was Marisol cuddled up in Eric's arms. Walking over he covered them up and gave his daughter a kiss.
"I love you Angel".
"I love you too Daddy".
After leaving Eric's room, he went to check on Eric and Cody. He found both of them sound asleep. After giving them thier kisses, he went to cuddle with his wife. When he walked in thier bedroom, she was still up feeding Destinee.
"Their's my precious ladies", said "H".
Horatio walked up and kissed Calleigh upon her lips.
"I missed you love"?
"I missed you too Handsome".
As they looked down at Destinee, she was smiling.
"Look Handsome , she know's your voice".
Horatio called "Destinee"again, and sure enough she smiled. "daddy love's you Destinee", the baby smiled again.
TBC
Mac went in to check on Claire, he wasn't surprised to find HJr in Marisol's bed near his daughter.
Walking over Mac sat down and thought to himself, "Why doesn't she trust me enough to tell me what's going on in her life". "Where did I loose her"? After giving her kiss on the head, Claire whispered, "I Love you Dad", as he walked out of her room.
"Hi Mac, any luck tonight"? asked Stella.
When Mac turned to answer Stella, she seen the tears in his eye's.
"Mac"? said Stella, "What's wrong"?
"Where did I go wrong love, where did I mess up with Claire"?
"What are you talking about, you never messed up her life". "Mac where is this coming from"?
"I don't know Stella, she doesn't talk to me about anything anymore, she can't even trust me enough to tell me about this Shawn character". "I could have most likely prevented it from ever happening".
"You can't think like that Mac, you don't know what was going through this boy's mind".
"I know love, but it still doesn't make it any easier knowing she doesn't trust me".
"She does trust you Mac, she's just growing up, and thinks she know's best". "It's just part of the lifecycle, wanting to be adult, even though she's still a child". "The best thing we can do is be there for her, when she decides she needs us".
At that moment everyone heard the scream, AHhhhhhhhhhh! Mac ran out of the room into Claire's.
"Sweetheart, sweetheart", wake up love it's daddy"? "Come on Claire wake up".
Claire woke up, and grabbed her Dad in her arms.
"I'm sorry Daddy, *sob*, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, *sob*, I'm sorry, so sorry, I love you. *sob*, daddy".
Mac held his daughter tight while she cried and cried in his arms.
"Come on HJr, said his dad, let's go back to your own room son".
Once Claire had stopped crying, Mac laid her back down and climbed into bed beside her.
"I love you Daddy, I never meant to hurt you dad".
"I know sweetheart, and I understand". "Try and sleep now Claire Bear", I'll stay with you love".
"Okay dad, never leave me alone dad".
"Never Claire Bear, I'll alway's be here even when you feel you no longer need me, I'll be here".
Later in the morning Stella got up and noticed Mac wasn't in bed. Walking into Claire's room she found them cuddled together.
"That's the way it should be, Daddy and his little girl", said Stella to herself with tears in her eyes.
"Oh God! I'm going to be sick again".
Running to the washroom, Stella threw up with a smile on her face, because she knew Mac and Claire were going to be fine.