Glad you're feeling better
Thanks. Funny thing was the whole feeling under the weather thing turned out to be a pregnancy scare for me. (think s4 Eric and Natalia... something like that) Not that I don't want another kid, just not yet. So I was all down and depressed, but thankfully I'm not. *breathes sigh of relief*
You know we should write this book on 101 Ways to Kill Stetler slowly and painfully. It'll probably fly off the shelves.
Ok, here we go, H working in the lab...
Horatio cocked the .44 Magnum, took aim and fired off a single shot. Satisfied he placed the gun on the counter, then removed his ear muffs and safety glasses. With his gloved hand he retrieved the bullet fired from the Magnum, a weapon found at the morning's crime scene. He placed the bullet on the microscope, and compared the stiations on the bullet to those on the bullet Alexx had fished out of the victim's body. It was a match. Horatio recorded his findings then proceeded to call Ryan with the results.
As soon as he finished the call he sensed someone watching him. He ducked his head and smiled. "You checking up on me now?"
He heard Yelina's familiar laugh as she walked towards him. "How'd you know it was me?"
"I just do." He tilted his head and smiled.
"Don't I have every right to check on my husband-to-be?"
"You do."
"Besides, you look real sexy in that labcoat." She teased.
Horatio blushed slightly. He placed a hand on her belly. "How's the baby doing?"
"He's quiet, probably asleep." Yelina replied.
"Could be a she." Horatio said.
"Could be." She smiled.
Horatio grinned. "She'd be as beautiful as you. I'll have a busy time keeping boys away."
Yelina laughed.
"I er, I was thinking, I was thinking, if we have a girl, I'd like to name her after my mother." Horatio continued.
"I'd like that." Yelina agreed. "You wanna grab lunch?"
"Yeah. Let me pack up the evidence. I'll meet you out front."
Yelina left the firearms lab and Horatio sealed the evidence in brown envelopes, signing his initials over the red evidence tape. He removed his labcoat and hung it up. As he reached for his blue jacket he noticed Rick leaning against the doorway, arms folded across his chest.
"Rick."
"Horatio. Didn't think you'd be back at work so soon."
"I was getting bored at home, and my team could use some help in the lab."
"I'm here to speak to Yelina, they told me she was here."
"What for?" Horatio asked. His instinct to protect her arose.
"She's under investigation." Rick replied smugly.
Horatio raised his eyebrows. "Investigation?"
"She threatened a suspect."
"I think you've been with IAB for too long. Every detective has his own way of getting information from a suspect. Most of us do issue threats." Horatio replied as he took a step towards Rick.
"With a gun? She pulled her service weapon on Antonio Riaz."
Horatio mentally kicked himself. He should have known better than to agree to her confronting Riaz.
"This will go on her record." Rick smiled.
Horatio placed his hands on his hips and approached Rick. They stood face-to-face and Horatio looked Rick in the eyes. "I have yet to speak to your supervisor about you hitting Yelina, or for giving me false information while I was in hospital... So if you want to play with me Rick, be my guest."
Rick took a step back . He knew Horatio had the upper hand. "I won't forget this."
"Neither would I." Horatio said as he brushed past Rick. "And Rick, don't even try to come between Yelina and me again."
------------------------
The nightmares came back The images that haunted the most part of Horatio's adult life played themselves out in front of him again. Awakened from his sleep and drenched in his pain, Horatio walked into the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. He glanced up at the mirror, the face that stared back at him was that of his father. The same shock of red hair, the same eyes and nose. He placed his palm on the cold glass, trying to block out the reflection of himself.
"You're having those nightmares again."
Horatio jumped. "I didn't hear you coming."
Yelina placed a hand on his bare back. She could feel his heavy breathing. "I'm sorry. Did mean to scare you.... Is it because of the shooting?"
Horatio shook his head. "I hate how much I resemble him."
"You're nothing like him. You've been a terrific father to Ray."
"I love Ray like he's my own, but my blood doesn't course through his veins." Horatio placed his hand on Yelina's belly. "I'm not sure if - "
"You're having doubts?" She realised now why when they got together, they discussed everything except the possibility of having a baby together.
"I don't want to repeat my father's mistakes."
Yelina placed her hand on his chest, gently rubbing the scar from the bullet wound. "Raymond had the same fears when I was pregnant with Ray Jr. but he was never like your father."
Horatio lowered his gaze.
"I know you will never lift a hand to us. You've been a great Dad to Ray and you will be to our baby." Yelina ran her hand down his chest and took his hand.
Horatio leaned forward to kiss her. "You're amazing."
"So are you." She smiled. "Come back to bed with me."
Feel free to post sexy pics of H in a labcoat if you have any. Credit to
cainesugar for the idea of naming their kid after H's mom... that baby's coming soon. Oh and I brought Stetler back cos you guys seem obsessed with him.