Title: Rescue Me

Author: innocent choir girl (ff-dot-net), shannyfish (From Out of the Lab/Miami Heat/LJ)

Summary: Based on the original Season 5 Finale where Horatio was supposed to be on a plane with a convict. When the plane crashes in the Everglades, there are memories of an old case ("Golden Parachute") along with a need to get to the plane and Horatio. Will Calleigh and the team be able to make it out to him in time and catch the convict?

Category: Ship Ahoy! Calleigh/Horatio

Genres: Angst, Drama, Episode Related, Established Relationship, Friendship, Hurt Comfort, Suspense

Characters: Horatio Caine, Calleigh Duquesne

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 1 "Command Orders"

Author's Notes: I'm ba-ack!!!!!!! That's right, people! The laptop has returned complete with new motherboard and hard drive! This will make my life not only more bearable and easier, but also bring the Miami goodness quicker! And it's also given me time to ponder storylines! So! Be prepared!

………………………

The man was a monster hiding behind a mask, one which Horatio had seen right through. They had been investigating the deaths of a woman and her two small children. All were tortured, not only physically, but sexually as well. They'd found the 'boyfriend' in the bed injured, but they had ruled it as a self inflicted injury. Calleigh had tested the theory and had gone back to the house with dummies and lasers. There was no doubt.

When Horatio had gone with Frank and his men to arrest the 'boyfriend' from his hospital bed, the bed had been found empty. He'd just walked right out. It wasn't just the woman he'd killed and her two little children, but there was a string of murders he'd been able to link to him from Georgia. And Horatio now had the evidence to convict him in two states. At the very least anyways. He was sure that there were other cold cases out there that he'd committed as well. The problem was having the evidence to prove it and the man himself to convict.

His name was James Willmington.

James Willmington was an average looking man, average height and weight. He was forty-two with dyed brown hair to hide the grey and brown eyes. In his lifetime he'd lived in a good number of the fifty states. He was a man no one would ever suspect without cause or reason of the heinous crimes he was in fact guilty of.

He was finally found at a park mingling with some single moms. A neighbor who lived near the park had called it in after seeing Willmington's face on the news. Miami Dade Police Department didn't take long in arriving to the park and apprehending him. Horatio knew that the people in Miami would sleep a lot sounder with the serial killer off the streets.

………………………..

"I can't believe we're handing him over like that!" Jake said not seeing the logic. "He's here now, let's try him first!"

Horatio shook his head, "Those who have been suffering from the loss of their family members in Georgia should have closure first. Some of the crimes were committed more than five years ago… Miami can wait for justice."

Sometimes Horatio confused Jake, he figured that maybe Horatio liked to comfort the grieving and that's why Willmington was going to Georgia for trial first. "You know I can handle the transport, right?" Jake said not needing or wanting to be a wingman. Jake Berkeley was a solo kind of guy.

"I'm going, too," Horatio told him. "I've already put in a call for more men."

"We're just flying him up to Georgia," Jake blurted out and then went on, "He's going to be cuffed and shackled. How much damage can he do?"

"I don't think we should offer it to him that way," Horatio told Detective Berkeley. Tilting his head a bit, Horatio went on, "James Willmington is a serial killer and one who has slipped through the hands of authorities in different states for years, if not decades. I wouldn't underestimate him."

"I think we would have been fine just driving up to Georgia," Jake said. "It's not like he's Houdini."

"Mr. Berkeley, you will learn in time the things people will do when they're desperate."

…………………

Calleigh smiled when Horatio entered the room. "Y'know Jake was just in here ranting about how you're paranoid and how he can handle the convict transport on his own." She, of course, had agreed with Horatio. She and Jake had been dating off and on, and she thought that the reason for that was because they were both so different.

"Did he now?" He smiled and walked closer to her at her ballistics workstation. "Well," Horatio said and then paused before continuing, "I promise not to rant to you."

"He just likes to do things his way," Calleigh apologized.

"And that's where we butt heads."

She smiled, "Well," Calleigh started. "Just for the record…I agreed with you. Which, I think actually made things worse."

"Well, I appreciate it just the same."

"Jake doesn't have the same experience you have," Calleigh explained. "He really doesn't like people pointing out that either. I guess sometimes people have to be forced to learn from experience. Jake is one of those people."

"I'll keep that in mind," Horatio told her. "The reason I came down here was because I need to leave someone in charge of the lab."

"Me," Calleigh said flatly. It wasn't an unexpected choice. She'd watched the lab before and she had not only seniority, but experience as well.

"That's right," he said. "I don't plan on being gone long, but just in case."

"Understood."

He gave her another smile. He could always count on Calleigh. They didn't need many words and sometimes it felt like she could read his thoughts. Though, he knew that working together for so long had made it so that Calleigh knew exactly what he would do.

…………………

Horatio was overseeing Willmington being loaded onto the plane. Jake wasn't there yet. Horatio wasn't bothered by it, though; he hadn't expected him to supervise. He'd make sure that everything was done correctly.

It was true that Willmington was in shackles and cuffs. The bindings were all connected by chains that hooked to the chain belt around his waist. Horatio still thought that the guard detail that was escorting Willmington into the plane could have been larger. He'd be cuffed to the seat for the safety of everyone on board, but things still didn't feel right to Horatio.

A car pulling up grabbed his attention, and he watched as Jake Berkeley exited the vehicle. The vehicle left him standing there with a smirk on his face.

"Don't believe they know how to load and secure Willmington? Or do you just have a thing with ordering people around?" Jake asked walking over to meet Horatio.

Horatio knew that the trip was going to be interesting. He was determined to try to help Jake. Jake might not know it, but Horatio wanted to really help get him back on the straight and narrow. Jake Berkeley reminded him a lot of Ray, but he hadn't been able to save Ray. Jake seemed at least a tiny bit important to Calleigh, which made it all worth the while. He just hoped Jake was willing to keep from stepping over to the dark side. "Why don't we board?"

"So, Calleigh's in charge of the lab while you're gone?" Jake asked as they stepped up the steps.

"Always," Horatio responded.

Jake smirked, "She probably drives them all nuts."

"Actually," Horatio commented. "They may like her better."

Jake's smirk widened into a grin as he entered the plane, "Well…she is better to look at."

The main guard greeted Horatio with a confidant smile. "I think this is going to be a quick flight, Lieutenant."

"How's the prisoner doing?" Jake asked placing his hands on his hips, his jacket draping over his hands.

A shrug was the beginning of his response, but quickly added a verbal response. "He's been quiet and calm. It's a bit eerie…actually."

Jake turned to Horatio, his face filled with arrogance. "See. I told you that everything was going to be fine. We could have just driven the van up to Georgia." Jake shook his head as he pushed past the guard and made his way to his seat. He plopped down and stretched his limbs. "Might as well make good use of this time and take a nap." He tucked his weaved fingers behind his head trying to relax.

…………………..

TBC…