racefh853629
Pathologist
I don't own any of the characters other than Hailey and Neil, and I don't own anything else you recognize. The story takes place during season 1 (NY) and season 3 (Miami). This chapter is the only one set in Miami, as the rest are in NY. It's first person POV from Hailey's perspective. I hope you guys enjoy the story. 
*~*~*~*
Prologue
I close my eyes as I feel the palm of his hand press against the small of my back. “Five more minutes,” I whisper through the tears.
“No rush,” he replies softly. I sniffle back more tears as I shiver, despite the warm Florida weather. His arm moves to around my waist, pulling me gently into his chest. I feel a sob climb throughout my body before finally escaping. All the words I wish I had said, the things I wish I had done and the ones I wish I had done differently, all come out in horrid, guilty sobs. He holds me closer, and I sink my head into his chest.
We stay this way for what feels like forever before I finally pull away, sniffling. I feel more exhausted than I ever imagined possible. I turn my head to him, and he gives me a sad, comforting smile. I nod, looking back to the casket one final time. I pull one of the flowers from the wreath before placing my hand on the smooth metal of the casket. Tears sting my eyes again as I take a deep breath and prepare my final goodbye.
“Oh, Timmy,” I whisper, my words catching on the tears waiting to fall. “I love you, bro, but… Nothing. It’s not important anymore.” I sniffle harshly. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do without my favorite big brother. I know you and Neil never made amends, but… I don’t know, I thought he’d be here. Mom said he wasn’t answering his phone. Well, anyway. I suppose none of that matters anymore.” I sniffle again as the tears flow freely down my cheeks. “I still can’t believe you’re gone. You’re my hero, my Superman. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I’m not sure how I’m going to last.” I pause, a sob escaping my lips. I run my hand over the smooth metal again, sniffling. “I love you, Timmy. Rest in peace.” I back away slightly, tears falling steadily down my face. “Goodbye, Timmy.” I turn away, crying hard as I walk back to my boyfriend.
He wraps his arm around me, pulling me close. He kisses my temple, and I rest my head against his chest. I start to walk away, and he comes with me. We climb into the limo with Mom and Dad, driving back to Tim’s place, where we are holding the after-funeral get-together. We walk inside to be greeted by the caterers.
“I can’t believe Neil’s not here,” Mom remarks. I sigh.
“I know,” I tell her. “I guess he felt too guilty about everything that he just didn’t come.”
“Still, though. It’s his twin brother. He should’ve been here.”
“It’s Neil, Mom. You shouldn’t be surprised.” Tim’s coworkers arrive before we can finish the argument.
“I’m so sorry again for your loss, Mrs. Speedle,” Horatio says.
“Same to you, Lieutenant Caine,” Mom replies, hugging him. I turn to him, extending my hand.
“Nice to see you again, Horatio,” I say as he shakes my hand. “You remember my boyfriend, Detective Danny Messer?”
“Yes, I do,” Horatio says, shaking Danny’s hand. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” he says softly. Calleigh steps forward and hugs me.
“Hang in there, sweetie,” she tells me. I sniffle.
“You too, Cal,” I say. She steps aside as Delko walks up.
“I’m so sorry, Hailey,” he says, hugging me tightly.
“I’m sorry too, Delko.” Alexx hugs both of us.
“Hang in there, baby,” she instructs me as she lets go of both of us.
“Never be afraid to call on us,” Horatio says.
“I appreciate that, guys,” I say. “2-way street.”
“Noted.” After a while of mingling, I excuse myself to go sit outside on the porch swing. Danny joins me a moment later, pushing the swing slightly as he sits down.
“Hey,” he says softly, resting his arm behind me.
“Hi,” I reply, moving closer to his chest. He says nothing, letting me get comfortable against him. I close my eyes, inhaling his scent and thanking God I have him. “How much time do I get?” He sighs.
“You know Mac’ll let you take as much as you need.” I nod slowly.
“I don’t even wanna get up in the morning.” He nods sadly, pulling me close. “I mean, I knew there’d come a day when Timmy wasn’t here anymore. I just… never imagined it’d be this soon.” He nods his understanding.
“I’m sorry, babe.” I nod.
“Thanks.” I sigh, sniffling. “And Mom won’t stop obsessing about the fact that Neil’s not here.”
“Tim and Neil had a falling out, right?”
“Yeah, years ago. After Neil got kicked out of school. Tim told him that he was throwing his life away, and Neil said that it didn’t matter. Neil was always kinda an outsider, and Tim was the good son. They were identical in looks, probably are still close, but when it comes to personality, they’re polar opposites. Tim was more quiet, more reserved, just a sweet guy. He has had so many girlfriends, and treated all of them with such dignity and respect. I loved him so much for that, and he was always so good to me. He was the only one in my family that fully supported my decision to become a CSI. Mom and Dad grew into the idea, though.
“But Neil… He was always the troublemaker,” I continue. “He was always the bully, always so bad in school, always causing fights. Tim was always cleaning up his messes until finally, he was just so sick of it that he told Neil off. When Tim refused to help anymore, Neil disappeared. He kept an active cell phone for Mom and Mom alone to call, just in case, but he apparently never answers, and no one knows for sure where he is. Rumor has it he’s in the City, but no one really knows.”
“I’m sorry,” he says.
“Don’t be. It’s okay.”
“I… really don’t know what to say.” I shrug.
“There’s not really much you can say. I know your own family has had its falling out, but… Sorry. I have no idea what I’m talking about.” He chuckles softly before kissing my temple.
“It’s okay. It’s tough losing family.” Flack walks out of the house, sitting on the other side of me on the swing.
“Hey, guys,” he says softly.
“Hey, Flack,” Danny replies. Flack takes my hand in his in a friendly gesture, and I squeeze it softly.
“How you holdin’ up?” I shrug.
“I just… I can’t believe he’s gone,” I say quietly. Flack nods, quiet. “I loved him so much.”
“Yeah," he says. "It’s tough.” I look over at him, and he gives me a sad smile. “But, you know we’re all here for you.”
“Yeah, I know.” The three of us fall silent, sitting on the swing. Every so often, Flack gives it a little push, and we swing gently.
“You talk to Mac much?” Flack asks after a moment.
“Not yet,” I reply. “He called me last night, though, to see how I was doing. He couldn’t talk much because him, Stella, and Aiden were kinda busy, but he wanted to touch base with me.” Flack nods.
“Aiden called me last night,” Danny says. “After you fell asleep. She’s worried ‘bout you.”
“Who isn’t?” He shrugs, contemplating that thought. “I don’t blame you guys. But I do love you guys.”
“We love you too, babe.” He kisses my temple, and Flack squeezes my hand. I sigh softly, sitting quietly with the two of them as Tim’s team comes outside.
“We... are heading out,” Horatio says, putting on his sunglasses. “Take care, guys.” I stand, hugging the team one by one.
“You too,” I say. “Give me a call if you need anything.”
“You too, hon,” Calleigh says. They shake hands with Danny and Flack before leaving. After they have gone, we sit down on the swing again, falling silent. Flack rests his arm on the back of the swing while Danny holds onto my shoulders. I rest my head against his shoulder again, closing my eyes. Slowly but surely, everyone leaves, and Mom and Dad come outside.
“I was wondering where exactly you’d disappeared to,” Mom says.
“Just needed fresh air,” I reply, giving her a small smile.
“We’re heading out. If you want, you’re welcome to stay here.”
“We have a plane to catch in a few hours, so we have to get back to the hotel.” She nods. “Flack drove here, though, so I think we’re gonna catch a ride with him.”
“Okay.” Dad hugs me tightly.
“You’re the only one left,” he whispers to me softly.
“Don’t say that, Daddy,” I reply, matching his tone. “Neil’s still out there.”
“Neil turned his back on this family. We still have you, our wonderful daughter, and I don’t want to lose you. Be careful.”
“I always am, Daddy. And you know Danny, Aiden, Flack, Stella, and Mac’ll take good care of me as well.”
“I love you.” I sniffle.
“I love you too, Daddy.” He lets go of me finally, and Mom hugs me.
“Be good, and be careful,” she tells me.
“I always am,” I reply. They leave the three of us alone at Tim’s house. I turn, looking inside briefly before sniffling and feeling tears start to well up. “Let’s go, guys,” I whisper. Danny nods his understanding, wrapping his arm around me and leading me to the car as Flack follows. We head to the hotel, silently packing our things before checking out and heading to the airport to make the journey back to New York, and back home.
*~*~*~*
Prologue
I close my eyes as I feel the palm of his hand press against the small of my back. “Five more minutes,” I whisper through the tears.
“No rush,” he replies softly. I sniffle back more tears as I shiver, despite the warm Florida weather. His arm moves to around my waist, pulling me gently into his chest. I feel a sob climb throughout my body before finally escaping. All the words I wish I had said, the things I wish I had done and the ones I wish I had done differently, all come out in horrid, guilty sobs. He holds me closer, and I sink my head into his chest.
We stay this way for what feels like forever before I finally pull away, sniffling. I feel more exhausted than I ever imagined possible. I turn my head to him, and he gives me a sad, comforting smile. I nod, looking back to the casket one final time. I pull one of the flowers from the wreath before placing my hand on the smooth metal of the casket. Tears sting my eyes again as I take a deep breath and prepare my final goodbye.
“Oh, Timmy,” I whisper, my words catching on the tears waiting to fall. “I love you, bro, but… Nothing. It’s not important anymore.” I sniffle harshly. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do without my favorite big brother. I know you and Neil never made amends, but… I don’t know, I thought he’d be here. Mom said he wasn’t answering his phone. Well, anyway. I suppose none of that matters anymore.” I sniffle again as the tears flow freely down my cheeks. “I still can’t believe you’re gone. You’re my hero, my Superman. I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I’m not sure how I’m going to last.” I pause, a sob escaping my lips. I run my hand over the smooth metal again, sniffling. “I love you, Timmy. Rest in peace.” I back away slightly, tears falling steadily down my face. “Goodbye, Timmy.” I turn away, crying hard as I walk back to my boyfriend.
He wraps his arm around me, pulling me close. He kisses my temple, and I rest my head against his chest. I start to walk away, and he comes with me. We climb into the limo with Mom and Dad, driving back to Tim’s place, where we are holding the after-funeral get-together. We walk inside to be greeted by the caterers.
“I can’t believe Neil’s not here,” Mom remarks. I sigh.
“I know,” I tell her. “I guess he felt too guilty about everything that he just didn’t come.”
“Still, though. It’s his twin brother. He should’ve been here.”
“It’s Neil, Mom. You shouldn’t be surprised.” Tim’s coworkers arrive before we can finish the argument.
“I’m so sorry again for your loss, Mrs. Speedle,” Horatio says.
“Same to you, Lieutenant Caine,” Mom replies, hugging him. I turn to him, extending my hand.
“Nice to see you again, Horatio,” I say as he shakes my hand. “You remember my boyfriend, Detective Danny Messer?”
“Yes, I do,” Horatio says, shaking Danny’s hand. “How are you?”
“I’m okay,” he says softly. Calleigh steps forward and hugs me.
“Hang in there, sweetie,” she tells me. I sniffle.
“You too, Cal,” I say. She steps aside as Delko walks up.
“I’m so sorry, Hailey,” he says, hugging me tightly.
“I’m sorry too, Delko.” Alexx hugs both of us.
“Hang in there, baby,” she instructs me as she lets go of both of us.
“Never be afraid to call on us,” Horatio says.
“I appreciate that, guys,” I say. “2-way street.”
“Noted.” After a while of mingling, I excuse myself to go sit outside on the porch swing. Danny joins me a moment later, pushing the swing slightly as he sits down.
“Hey,” he says softly, resting his arm behind me.
“Hi,” I reply, moving closer to his chest. He says nothing, letting me get comfortable against him. I close my eyes, inhaling his scent and thanking God I have him. “How much time do I get?” He sighs.
“You know Mac’ll let you take as much as you need.” I nod slowly.
“I don’t even wanna get up in the morning.” He nods sadly, pulling me close. “I mean, I knew there’d come a day when Timmy wasn’t here anymore. I just… never imagined it’d be this soon.” He nods his understanding.
“I’m sorry, babe.” I nod.
“Thanks.” I sigh, sniffling. “And Mom won’t stop obsessing about the fact that Neil’s not here.”
“Tim and Neil had a falling out, right?”
“Yeah, years ago. After Neil got kicked out of school. Tim told him that he was throwing his life away, and Neil said that it didn’t matter. Neil was always kinda an outsider, and Tim was the good son. They were identical in looks, probably are still close, but when it comes to personality, they’re polar opposites. Tim was more quiet, more reserved, just a sweet guy. He has had so many girlfriends, and treated all of them with such dignity and respect. I loved him so much for that, and he was always so good to me. He was the only one in my family that fully supported my decision to become a CSI. Mom and Dad grew into the idea, though.
“But Neil… He was always the troublemaker,” I continue. “He was always the bully, always so bad in school, always causing fights. Tim was always cleaning up his messes until finally, he was just so sick of it that he told Neil off. When Tim refused to help anymore, Neil disappeared. He kept an active cell phone for Mom and Mom alone to call, just in case, but he apparently never answers, and no one knows for sure where he is. Rumor has it he’s in the City, but no one really knows.”
“I’m sorry,” he says.
“Don’t be. It’s okay.”
“I… really don’t know what to say.” I shrug.
“There’s not really much you can say. I know your own family has had its falling out, but… Sorry. I have no idea what I’m talking about.” He chuckles softly before kissing my temple.
“It’s okay. It’s tough losing family.” Flack walks out of the house, sitting on the other side of me on the swing.
“Hey, guys,” he says softly.
“Hey, Flack,” Danny replies. Flack takes my hand in his in a friendly gesture, and I squeeze it softly.
“How you holdin’ up?” I shrug.
“I just… I can’t believe he’s gone,” I say quietly. Flack nods, quiet. “I loved him so much.”
“Yeah," he says. "It’s tough.” I look over at him, and he gives me a sad smile. “But, you know we’re all here for you.”
“Yeah, I know.” The three of us fall silent, sitting on the swing. Every so often, Flack gives it a little push, and we swing gently.
“You talk to Mac much?” Flack asks after a moment.
“Not yet,” I reply. “He called me last night, though, to see how I was doing. He couldn’t talk much because him, Stella, and Aiden were kinda busy, but he wanted to touch base with me.” Flack nods.
“Aiden called me last night,” Danny says. “After you fell asleep. She’s worried ‘bout you.”
“Who isn’t?” He shrugs, contemplating that thought. “I don’t blame you guys. But I do love you guys.”
“We love you too, babe.” He kisses my temple, and Flack squeezes my hand. I sigh softly, sitting quietly with the two of them as Tim’s team comes outside.
“We... are heading out,” Horatio says, putting on his sunglasses. “Take care, guys.” I stand, hugging the team one by one.
“You too,” I say. “Give me a call if you need anything.”
“You too, hon,” Calleigh says. They shake hands with Danny and Flack before leaving. After they have gone, we sit down on the swing again, falling silent. Flack rests his arm on the back of the swing while Danny holds onto my shoulders. I rest my head against his shoulder again, closing my eyes. Slowly but surely, everyone leaves, and Mom and Dad come outside.
“I was wondering where exactly you’d disappeared to,” Mom says.
“Just needed fresh air,” I reply, giving her a small smile.
“We’re heading out. If you want, you’re welcome to stay here.”
“We have a plane to catch in a few hours, so we have to get back to the hotel.” She nods. “Flack drove here, though, so I think we’re gonna catch a ride with him.”
“Okay.” Dad hugs me tightly.
“You’re the only one left,” he whispers to me softly.
“Don’t say that, Daddy,” I reply, matching his tone. “Neil’s still out there.”
“Neil turned his back on this family. We still have you, our wonderful daughter, and I don’t want to lose you. Be careful.”
“I always am, Daddy. And you know Danny, Aiden, Flack, Stella, and Mac’ll take good care of me as well.”
“I love you.” I sniffle.
“I love you too, Daddy.” He lets go of me finally, and Mom hugs me.
“Be good, and be careful,” she tells me.
“I always am,” I reply. They leave the three of us alone at Tim’s house. I turn, looking inside briefly before sniffling and feeling tears start to well up. “Let’s go, guys,” I whisper. Danny nods his understanding, wrapping his arm around me and leading me to the car as Flack follows. We head to the hotel, silently packing our things before checking out and heading to the airport to make the journey back to New York, and back home.
