Talleigh RP! All are welcome!

Alexx listened as Christine explain her feelings. She wanted

"Christine can I give you the best encouragement I have. I know you and Horatio will both be around for your wedding day. Horatio is one the most strong and stubborn men I've ever met. When he startes something, or when he cares about something, he won't quit until it's safe. Christine, Horatio loves you with all of his heart and love is one of the most powerful things on earth. It helps people to survive the most impossible situations. Yes it was tragic what happened to Marisol. Yes Horatio does still carry scares with him from that. However, there is the ONE for everybody. The ONE and only one. Christine, you are Horatio's one, just as he is yours. I can tell in his eyes Christine. He loves you with all of his heart. This is nothing. You both will get through this and go on to live happily ever after."

Alexx then gave Christine a hug seperating when Calleigh began to approach Christine.
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Raymond listened to Christine as she began to explain her feelings to Alexx. When the two of them began to talk, Raymond listened as he stood there. He then stepped away as Calleigh approached Christine. He was suprised when Calleigh turned and extended her hand to him.

"Hello Calleigh, I'm Raymond Caine. I'm glad I can be of help here. Not to say though that my older brother needs any help." He emphasized the sarcasm in his voice. He had a history of living in his brother's shadow.

Raymond was caught offgaurd when Calleigh fell into Raymond's arms. "Calleigh, are you okay? Maybe you should go lie back down?" He almost laughed as Calleigh tried to quickly coverup an awkward situation. "Well Calleigh, is that your way of saying hello to everyone?" he asked as he began to laugh. Trying to make a joke to coverup this awkwardness.

"Oh and Calleigh I wanted to tell you, I will be staying here with you and everyone else when Horatio leaves to begin work on this case. I will be make sure nothing happens to you guys. I know enough about the gang, that I will be able to keep you guys safe." He tried to reassure Calleigh and Christine that everything was going to be okay.

He then turned to his brother "You can trust me, nothing bad is going to happen to these people Horatio." He wanted to show his brother that in the end, he was going to trust his judgement of how Raymond could help the most.
 
Horatio listened to Calleigh. He wished he could agree with her about not protecting her, but that wasn't possible. He couldn't just let this mysterious guy get to her. He couldn't just hand her over to him, which he knew he would be doing if he continued to allow her to work the case, and proceed as though nothing had happened. He wanted her to know that he respected her wants, but he couldn't let her follow through with anything. She had to stay safe.

He would have to discuss the pressing matter at hand more in depth with her later. She purposefully climbed off of the bed to avoid any confrontation that she most likely assumed would be coming from Horatio.

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Christine listened as Alexx tried to reassure her about her and Horatio's bond. But, Christine already knew how close she and Horatio were, and she knew he loved her. She was just being a typical worried fiancee. She gratefully hugged Alexx, and then, by the time they pulled apart, Calleigh was standing in front of her. She gave her a heart-felt thanks and a tight embrace to go with it.

Then, Calleigh moved on to Ray. There was an awkward moment where Calleigh almost toppled over into him. Christine automatically shot her hands out to catch Calleigh, but Ray had it under control. She looked on as the two got acquainted. While they were talking, she went over to the bed that contained two uncomfortable looking men. She helped Horatio down and they started to walk past everyone.

He had to get back to his own room. He was glad that his brother was finally taking responsibility for the people he cared about... but then, that made Horatio wonder why he hadn't asked about Yelina or Ray, Jr. yet. He shook his head, repressing the thoughts until he could get Raymond alone. Maybe things were just too crazy for him right now, or maybe he was waiting for the same thing, to get Horatio alone to talk about his family. Again, Horatio shook the thoughts away, as they crept back into his mind. He held onto Christine as she carefully escorted him back to his room, where he could get away from all of the comotion and get some rest. He lied down in his bed and almost as soon as his head hit the pillow, his eyes closed. He fell asleep looking in Christine's eyes smiling at how lucky he was to have her in his life.
 
Alexx worried for a moment as Calleigh fell into Ray's arms. "Are you alright?" Alexx worried about Calleigh and the rest of the team. The other members of her team were so banged up that she woried if they would be able to recover from this. The team was weaken, and she worried that someone was going to prey on that.

When Christine took Horatio back to his room, Alexx quietly followed. She knew that Calleigh needed some rest.

As Christine enter Horatio's room with Horatio Alexx waited outside patiently. Alexx waited for Christine to come out so she could talk to her. She wanted to tell Christine that she would be staying with her at all times now. Alexx wanted to do her part, and she knew that she could by making sure that Christine stayed safe. Alexx took a seat out in the lobby to wait for Christine.
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When Calleigh began to walk back to her bed, Raymond fell back and stood back by Alexx. Christine then helped Horatio out of the room. Raymond followed behind Alexx.

He wanted to talk to Horatio. He still had what seemed like a millon questions. He wondered if the feds thought he was dead, and more importantly, he wondered what happened to Yelina and Ray, Jr. He wondered how they were doing. He wanted to ask before, but he knew it wasn't a good idea with everything else that was going on.

Ray decided to go for a walk while Horatio rested. He headed to the cafeteria downstairs to get a cup of coffee.

He stepped into the gray elevator. He hit the "down" botton and then waited. Just before the doors closed another man got into the elevator. A man in a suit. He glaved over and happened to see the man had a gun. He figured he was some form of law enforcement. He then saw his badge. He was a fed. He couldn't believe it. He began to sweat bullets. He thought to himself, 'Oh no, I'm going to get arrested right here on the spot.' The elevator ride seemed like eternity. Finally the elevator ride ended and the doors opened. Raymond took off out into the lobby and into the cafeteria. He had to go to the Men's Room to collect himself. Finally he entered back into the Cafeteria to get a cup of coffee.

Ray approached the man behind the counter. "Can I get a coffee with cream and sugar? He waited for a moment while the man got him his order. He then handed him the cup of very hot coffee. The total came to $1.25. He paid the man and turned to leave. He wasn't even paying attention to curtosy at this point.

Raymond then approached the same elevator. He looked around for a moment to make sure no one was coming. He didn't see anyone. He then entered the elevator. He pressed the button, looked up and noticed a man walking towrds the elevator. He made sure the doors closed before the man could get there. He couldn't have a repeat of last time. The elevator started up and then stopped on the next level up.

Raymond got out and noticed that Horatio's door was still shut. He knew Horatio wanted to rest. He decided to sit down out in the lobby. He noticed Alexx out there. He went to sit next to her to hopefully talk to her. He had grown fond of her.
 
Calleigh laughed a little as Ray tried to make the conversation more relaxed. She was glad for it, since she didn't want it to be awkward. He told her that he was staying with them to protect them, and she smiled a little. "Thank you," she said lightly before giving his hand a light squeeze.

After that, Calleigh went back to her bed. Horatio had moved back into his bed, and Speed was now waiting for her. She climbed in effortlessly and slipped into Tim's embrace. She snuggled her head into his chest and took in his scent. She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek before looking him in the eyes. "My hero," is the last thing she muttered before she slipped into her blissful sleep yet again.
 
Tim smiled at her as Calleigh gave him a kiss on the cheek. As she looked him in the eyes, his smile only grew wider. Everytime he looked at her, he found himself nearly drowning in her stunning emerald green depths. He wrapped held her tom himself just a little tighter and pretty soon, he followed the same path as Calleigh did, drifting off to a peaceful sleep.
 
((OMGoSH! I'm sooooo sorry that I haven't posted on here in a while guys. I've been crazy busy with class, work, and play practice for the past two weeks.. I'm sorry.. :( :(

Super post, by the way Joe.. I like what you did with the fed.))

Christine watched Horatio as he fell into a long anticipated sleep. He seemed so content while he slept, she thought. He didn't have to worry about anything while he dreamt. Christine smiled at him and bent down to kiss his cheek. Then, she straightened the blankets around him. She gave him one last look before turning and going out the door.

Ray was standing there waiting. She wasn't sure if he was waiting for her or for Horatio, so she decided to start with some small talk just to see.

"So... what made you decide to- Ray, are you okay?" Christine asked, with a little alarm. His face was red, like Horatio's got when he was nervous about something but wanted to show bravado. He was also casting nervous glances around. Ray was acting much more different than when she first met him. She gently reached for his arm and he jumped. "Ray, what's going on?" she asked him gently.
 
Alexx sat in the lobby waiting for Christine to come out. She wanted to reassure Christine that everything was going to be alright. She figured now would be the best time for her to tell Christine that she would be staying with her to make sure she is safe.

Alexx idly sat. She would occasionally pick up a magazine to glance at. Finally she saw Ray. He was coming from the elevators. He however seemed disheveled. It was like he had seen a ghost. He headed towards Alexx. "Raymond, are you okay?" Alexx desperately asked him. She sat to listen as he only briefly described the situation that had occurred.

As Alexx listened to Raymond, she noticed his eyes glance over towards Horatio's door. "Raymond, this sounds like something you need to talk to Horatio about. He would know much better this situation. It sounds however, like the feds are hot on your trail." She saw the panic on his face when she said that. Alexx reached over and gave him a hug.

With that Alexx sat back down as Raymond went to Horatio's door to wait.
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Raymond enter the lobby, trying to get away from the elevators. He saw Alexx and headed toward her. Alexx asked him if he was okay. "Yeah Alexx, I think so. In the elevator, I saw a fed." He knew that Alexx knew the history that Ray had with the feds.

Even though he was talking to Alexx, he knew that Horatio was the man to talk to. Alexx noticed this too. She reached out and gave Raymond a hug. He then headed toward the door to Horatio's room.

Ray waited for a moment in front of Horatio's door. He every so often looked around to see if there was anyone coming. Ray then heard the door begin to open and he spun around. Christine appeared from behind the door.

"I'm not sure Christine. " He began looking around again. Without him knowing it, Christine reached out for his arm. Ray immediately jumped. He could tell Christine knew he was really upset. He carried a lot of the same mannerisms that his brother did.

"I went to the elevator to go down to the cafeteria to get a coffee. I was joined in the elevator by a man in a suit. When I looked over at him, I noticed he had an F.B.I badge. He was a fed." As he told Christine this story, he continued to look around every so often."

Raymond paused for a moment, to continue looking around. He looked toward the other side of the lobby and saw the same man that was in the elevator. He quick hit in one of the doorways so the man wouldn't see him. He stood there looking around the room. He noticed Christine standing there and waved at her. He saw him head over towards her. He could hear the fed asking Christine about him.

After a minute or two the fed finally headed off. After waiting to make sure he was gone, Ray came out. "Ya see Christine. I have to talk to Horatio about this. Also Christine, I need to talk to him about Yelina and Ray Jr. I have to know if they are both okay. Christine, is he sleeping now? Can I talk to him?" Raymond showed his desperation in his face as he waited for Christine to respond.
 
((My goodness gracious, I'm so sorry it took this long for me to post.. I've been so busy with work and school...))

Christine became imediately alarmed after hearing the feds were after Ray. She wasn't sure what to do. She asumed the agent didn't know exactly who Ray was, or he would have taken custody of him in the elevator. Maybe the two were just being paranoid and the fed wasn't after him at all.

All of those thoughts vanished when she saw him around the corner. He was walking down the hall, clad in a blue uniform and he was exiting the elevator that was down the hall. He was wearing a blue baseball cap that was set low on his forehead. His dark, empty eyes darted in every direction. They stopped when they got to Christine. She motioned for Ray to walk away and then she tried to make a subtle escape, but he was already on his way to her. He called to her to stop, and she had no choice but to oblige. The fed quickly caught up to her and he did a quick once over, his hollow eyes searching her. A chill ran up her spine. He was hardcore and very serious about what he was doing.

"You're Caine's soon-to-be wife, correct?" he asked sternly. Christine simply nodded. The fed went on, "I'm going to safely assume that you know about his brother. Is that also correct?" Christine repeated her curt nod. "Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you a few questions. It won't take long."

"My fiancee is in the hospital. I'm not leaving him. Whatever you want to ask me, you can ask me here. What reasons do you have to want to know about his dead brother, anyway?" Christine asked, with annoyance.

The feds had a lot of nerve to approach her while Horatio was in the hospital, and with the rest of the CSIs also under the care of the nurses and doctors.

"Alright, let's start at the beginning. What do you know about Raymond Caine?" he asked, bluntly.

"Not much. I've never seen any pictures of him, it's too painful for Horatio to keep them around the house. Horatio doesn't often talk about him. All I know is that Raymond was a cop that was put undercover in narcodics and he allegedly became a user and a dealer. Then, he died in an officer involved shooting a little while back," Christine said with annoyance. She tried to act angrily toward the fed, but on the inside, she was terrified. She knew that she could get into big trouble for omitting evidence from a federal investigation, but Christine wasn't lying about what she told the man. Horatio didn't keep pictures around and he didn't often talk about his younger brother.

"I see. Are you sure you don't know anything else about him?" the fed asked, staring intently at her. "You wouldn't happen to know that he was still alive, would you?.. and that there are rumors that he was heading toward the hospital to visit an injured brother?"

"I haven't heard anything about that, nor have there been any strangers visiting Horatio. But, I will be sure to let you guys know if I see anything suspicious around here," Christine said, feigning surprise when the fed said Ray was still alive. The brooding man studied her, trying to decide whether she was lying or not. Christine spoke up again, "Look, do you really think I would try to screw you people up? I am going to marry a man of the law, you realize," Christine said.

"Yes, but I also know that the lieutenant has a habit of taking things into his own hands when the situation suits him. I have to be wary that you aren't doing the same," the fed replied, suspiciously.

"Well, I don't have any reason to lie. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an injured loved one to attend to," Christine nodded sharply before she walked into Horatio's room.

The fed watched her go in, and then stood there for a second, as if contemplating following her in. He must have thought better of it, because he turned back toward the elevator.

Christine stood by the door, glancing at Horatio every now and then. He was so peacefully asleep that he looked almost content. She sadly watched him. Christine hated what happened to him. He was such a good man and he didn't deserve what that guy did. Neither did any other member of the team. Then, his brother sprung on him like he did, bringing more stress into Horatio's already stressful mind. She couldn't let Ray in there to destroy the small amount of peace that Horatio was finally allowing himself. He hadn't slept well in almost a week, Christine knew, between work and the nightmares he often had. No, Ray would have to wait for Horatio to be ready to talk to him, she couldn't let him interrupt Horatio's temporary relief.

She waited several minutes before slowly opening the room door. She peeked out and didn't see the fed. She let a deep breath out, as she left the room, glancing back at a sleeping Horatio before she closed the door.

She was met in the hallway by Ray, who still wanted to talk to his brother. Christine shook her head at him saying, "I'm sorry Ray, but he's so calm right now. Please, just leave him alone. Let him have a while of rest without stress and worry." Her eyes pleaded with him. Then, her eyes fell and she started looking down at the floor. She awkwardly fixed her blouse and then looked back up at Ray. "I'm going to go visit Calleigh... please, be careful. They're onto you." She put a caring hand on his shoulder and then turned to go down the hallway to Calleigh's room.

When she got there, she knocked carefully on the door. Then, she stood there, waiting for Calleigh to permit her entrance.
 
Calleigh heard a rousing knock in her dreams, but that knock became more pertinent as she woke up. She stretched a little and looked over to see Tim, still sleeping. She reached over and gave him a light kiss on the forehead, as not to wake him. She then looked up at the door and yawned a little. She called for whoever it was to come in, and when she saw Christine there, she smiled big. "Hey girl, I'm glad to see you," she whispered, so that Tim wouldn't wake up.
 
Christine entered the room quietly upon the request of her dear friend inside.

"How are you doing, sweetheart?" Christine whispered, seeing Tim asleep in the chair next to Calleigh's bed. She walked over to the opposite side and sat down on the edge of the bed. She leaned over to give her blonde friend a gentle squeeze.

After the women exchanged greetings and the usual small talk to get a conversation started, Christine went in for it.

She had to tell her best friend what was going on with her right now. "Calleigh, I think we're in trouble. The feds are after Ray, but surely, if he is going to try to 'protect' us, like he says he is, that's going to draw some kind of attention from the feds. I mean, even if they don't know he's involved, the matter as a whole is going to piss them off. A fed just tried to interrogate me about Ray's whereabouts and I acted like I never met him! Horatio is going to be so mad when he finds out that I kept stuff from the feds. Now, Ray wants to talk business with Horatio and I know how much Ray has already stressed Horatio out by just being alive. Horatio needs his rest if he's ever going to get out of here. Ray asked me to let him see his older brother a few minutes ago, and I refused to let him in there. Do you think that was wrong?"

Christine made her way to the top of the bed and sat next to Calleigh, turning her torso so that she was facing her, "What should I do, Calleigh? I'm so stuck on this one. Can't we just be associated with normal people? Can't we just go to a hospital, get fixed up, go home, and not have to worry about the 'bad guys' anywhere in between? Is that too much to ask? Help me, Cal. I don't know what to do." By the end of her rant, Christine was sobbing like a kid, but was trying to keep it quiet due to Speed still sleeping. She put her head on Calleigh's shoulder and buried her face in her hands.
 
Raymond's heart seemed like it was going to explode out of his chest. His mind was racing at the thought of being captured by the feds. Even worse yet, not being able to see his wife and son. Ray knew though that Christine was going to play it cool, so that the fed would have no idea that Raymond was just around the corner.

When Raymond heard the conversation end and Christine retreat to Horatio's room, he knew it was okay to come out. He stood by the door, waiting for someone to come out. When Christine came out, Raymond asked once again to see his brother. "Christine, please, now with the feds on my trail, I have to talk to my brother." When Christine refused, Raymond didn't know what he was going to do.

As Raymond was trying to figure everything out, Christine told him that she would be going to visit Calleigh, leaving Ray by himself. The thought suddenly hit Ray. Christine walked away towards Calleigh's room, raymond politely seeing her off as to not give up what he was about to do.

After Ray knew Christine was far enough away, he quietly opened the door to Horatio's room. He had to know what happened to his wife and son, espeically now with the feds after him and if Christine wouldn't let him in, he would just have to sneak in.

Raymond walked up to Horatio and tried to wake him up. "Horatio... hey Horatio... Comeon bro I need to talk to you."
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Alexx recognized from the uniform that the man Christine was talking to was a fed. She just wasn't sure who it was. She had never seen that man before. She figured he was a new member of the team.

Alexx didn't want to interrupt the conversation they were having so she sat back and watched. When the man left, and she saw Christine head towards Calleigh's room, she decided to follow her to see what that was about.

Alexx noticed that Raymond was going into Horatio's room. She didn't give it a second thought. She walked towards Calleigh's room. When she got there, she heard Calleigh and Christine talking, so she wanted to wait, as to not interrupt anything.
 
His father was chasing him through the house, screaming obsenities and curses out at him. Horatio ran around the corner and into the closet. He clutched his knees and squeezed his eyes shut. His dad never found him in the closet. Then, he heard him go after Raymond. Ray was screaming, and crying out Horatio's name. Then, his voice got softer. His little brother opened the closet door, holding his hand out, still distantly calling his name.

Horatio's eyes fluttered opened. He hoped to see Christine, instead, he saw the image of a full grown Raymond reaching out to him, calling for him. He tried to regain composure as quickly as possible. He didn't want his little brother to see him in a weak state of mind. As much as Ray didn't want to admit it, Horatio knew his younger brother envied him, and Horatio didn't want to do anything to lessen that admiration Ray held for him.

Horatio cocked his head to the side and looked at his brother questioningly. "Yes, Raymond, what is it?" he said, in his serious, lieutenant voice.
 
Raymond could tell there was something on his brother's mind. He just couldn't tell what it was. He saw his brother trying regain himself, as if he'd had a horrible dream or something.

Raymond sat next to Horatio's bed. "Horatio, the feds are after me. I went down to tlhe cafeteria to get a coffee and there was a fed in the elevator with me. The same guy then talked to Christine about me. They are trying to get me bro." Raymond stood up and started to pase around the room.

"Horatio, especially now with the feds after me, I have to know something. How are Yelina, and Ray Jr. I have to know Horatio. I didn't want to ask before, because of everything that was happening, but Horatio, I have to know." Ray knew he was giving his hand. He knew he was giving off his desperation, but he didn't care. He had to know what happened to the two most important people in his life.
 
Horatio studied Ray for a second before replying. The feds were on to him, already? They must be getting better. Horatio unknowingly smiled at the thought. It was a cocky smile though, not a pleasant one. His eyes even squinted a little in anger.

"So, the feds are after you?" Horatio asked, rhetorically. Then, he pondered on the idea, "Hmm... I'll see if I can make a phone call or two." Horatio got on his cell and left an anonymous tip that he had seen someone that matched Raymond Caine's description. He told the operator that the location was across the city from where the he actually was.

"That should buy us a while, anyway..." Horatio said, looking at his younger brother. He suddenly felt very old and washed out. For the first time in his life, he wished he could sleep and not wake up. He wished he could have the silence of sleep and the comfort of rest forever. But, for him, that would be impossible. He had too many to protect, too many to save... He refocused his attention.

In that matter that dealt with Ray's wife and son, he didn't know whether or not to tell his younger brother that she was trying to get over him by dating Stetler. And he definately didn't have the heart to tell his younger brother that there was a time in his life that Horatio himself had been in love with Yelina.

"They're doing fine," was Horatio's short and simple reply. He wanted to tell his brother everything, but he couldn't.
 
"Horatio, comeon!" Ray wanted more than anything to know exactly what's going on with his family. Ray became desperate. "Horatio, you know more. I can tell there is something more than what you are telling me. SPILL IT!" Ray mond was getting exceedingly anger at his brother. " How dare you keep information from me about my family? I can tell you are brother. I know you."

He snapped out of it, realizing that it means nothing to get mad at his brother. Raymond sat down next to Horatio and slumped down. He felt so defeated. "Horatio, please.If it's something bad, then tell me. I have to know. No matter what, I have to know. I love Yelina with all my heart."

"At least tell me what your plan is involving the feds." Raymond's voice became very monotone. We need a plan, before they figure out where I am."
 
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