Nocturnal Fears

Rating: M

Warnings: Violence, language, explicit sexual activity.

Genre: Supernatural/ Romance

A/N: Sequel to Nocturnal Desires. None of the CSI Miami characters are mine; I am simply borrowing them for a time.

Chapter One

"There are two bodies — the rudimental and the complete; corresponding with the two conditions of the worm and the butterfly. What we call "death," is but the painful metamorphosis. Our present incarnation is progressive, preparatory, temporary. Our future is perfected, ultimate, immortal. The ultimate life is the full design."

From "The Mesmeric Revelation" by Edgar Allan Poe

Satisfaction. That is what this sensation is. Having not had the chance to experience it in life, Horatio wallowed in it as he watched her from afar, tending to her home oblivious to his presence. The warmth bloomed inside of him at the knowledge that even if he wasn't physically with her, she was safe, ever under his watchful eye. A smile inched its way over his lips as he continued to watch her engaging in everyday tasks, tasks that were now foreign to him. He found great joy in the fact that she could still live her life as a normal mortal, able to function around others without the crippling hunger coursing through her veins. The life he was thrust into wasn't one he wanted for her, but in the deepest crevices of his mind, he wished for something that wouldn't make her such a vulnerable, easy target. As strong in will as she was, she wasn't impervious to death and every second she walked the earth still a mortal, was a second Horatio was losing to fate.

Shaking himself out of his quandary, Horatio concentrated again on her graceful movement throughout the home, his mind traveling to what could've been and what was still to come. She endeavored to understand who he was now and he had hope that she would come to accept what was before them. Her smile reminded him that their future still lain ahead, bright with possibilities as well as trodden with obstacles. Despite this, he was content with his place in her life at the moment. Even if he couldn't walk in the sun with her, he would move hell and earth to be with her.

The sudden change in her expression alerted him and his easy smile morphed into a tension filled gaze, watching as her body stilled. Eerily, she stood, her eyes vacant as much as they were haunted, the glimmer long gone from her heart stopping gaze. There was something wrong, Horatio could feel it deeply, but without her welcome, he couldn't intercede. His only option was to wait at the door in the event that she would leave.

Before his very eyes, he watched as she disappeared out of his view, compelling him to trace hastily to her door. As the door flew open, he stared at her, the brief image of someone else's face covering hers. For a second, he thought he'd recognized the image, but as fast as it had appeared, it was gone, leaving an expressionless Calleigh in its wake as she stared into nothingness. The lack of emotion in her visage was disturbing to Horatio and as he stepped forward, he reached out to her, hoping his touch would pull her out of it.

"Calleigh….what's wrong?" The words were barely off his lips before she'd disappeared again and then returned, her hand filled with her service weapon. He watched as her hand gripped the firearm, well aware of her abilities, his tone full of caution, "Calleigh…what are you doing?"

"This is the only way," she responded absently. Her arm raised and she tilted her head sullenly, as if she'd recognized that what she was doing was wrong, but couldn't be helped. "This is the only way…"

Before he could react, the report of the gun sounded in his ear and he felt the briefest of pain before darkness began to shroud him. Her words echoed in his mind as she hovered over him, studying him to make sure the light went out of his eyes. Again, he saw the flickering image of a familiar face before she disappeared quickly, his own sight filtering with complete darkness…

"CALLEIGH!" Horatio bellowed as he shot up from his bed, the anxiety eating at him. Out of habit, his chest rose and fell frantically, the dream still clutching to him tightly. He'd come to know that his sightless dreams were only a precursor to what would happen, but they never gave a specific place or time, just an event.

And this one was of Calleigh shooting him.

Striving to gather himself, Horatio flung the covers off of the bed and swung his gaze to the clock, groaning at the time. The sun still held its sway over the land, and keeping Horatio under the safety of darkness of his own home even as his instinct was burning inside of him, telling him to protect her at all costs.

As his mind cleared, he recognized that she hadn't been herself in the dream. Her eyes were devoid of life, her movements stiff with hesitation. Not only that, but he had the slightest apprehension that she wasn't alone. With almost two hours left to the day, he was forced to stew in his apprehensions, his blissful peace shattered. The thought of Markus still out there plotting furthered his worry and irritation and caused him to move hastily out of his bed. With the intentions of taking his first drink of the evening in mind, he traced to the kitchen and began preparations, his thoughts centered on her. She was left to her own devices, even as evil descended. In what form, he didn't know, but as soon as he was released from his temporary prison, he was determined to find out.

/Nocturnal Fears/

His time was up, and he knew it as he glanced out of the window to see the sun questing for the western horizon. All day, he'd watched her as she expended nervous energy, bouncing from one task to another even as her mind was a million miles away. He'd never seen Calleigh like this; she'd always been the steadfast one of the team, her thoughts and intentions clear, even if no one saw her coming. But now, he saw indecision, worry… fear.

Perhaps she already knows that Markus is after her he thought solemnly, continuing to watch as she slept fitfully. Hours of her frantic energy had finally taken its toll and she'd fallen off to sleep on the couch, her eyes darting behind her lids, pulling at Tim's consciousness. Already, he was hesitant to do what he'd come here to do, but he knew to circumvent the pain that was awaiting him if he'd failed, he would have to. Possessing Calleigh was the only way he could get her to Markus.

"How you came under his target, Cal, I'll never know. But I am sorry," he said softly as he knelt at her head. In this form, she couldn't hear him or see him and conversely, he couldn't affect her physically. He wished he could explain to her what was going on, but it was unlikely that she would understand or even give credence to the existence of vampires, phantoms, and whatever else was lurking about.

Closing his eyes, he concentrated on his hand stroking her hair, a smile easing on his lips as he perceived the heaviness of the silk strands. Taken back to better times, Tim stroked her hair even more, unaware until the last moment that she was stirring out of her slumber. When she gasped and sat up quickly, Tim pushed himself away, waiting in the thick silence as she peered around, clutching the throw around her. Wariness wafted off of her in waves and it pained him to know that within a matter of minutes, she was going to be introduced to a world she knew naught of.

"Who's there?" Calleigh called out into the dimming light of her living room. Moving slowly off of the couch, she continued her measured sweep of the room, certain that she wasn't losing her mind. The day had been filled with uneasiness as she attempted to quiet her mind from the events of the previous night. Among her frantic need to get everything done she perceived that she was being watched. That feeling followed her throughout the expanse of her home, making her uncomfortable. Even as she fell into a fitful slumber, she could still feel the eyes on her, the sensation akin to bugs crawling under her skin.

Garnering no answer, she exhaled heavily and held her forehead as she began pacing, her thoughts again running rampant. After the revelation of Horatio being a vampire, she'd struggled to understand and accept although the fear and wariness warred within her. But with the realization that she loved Horatio, the fear and trepidation waned and she knew ultimately, that she wanted to be with him.

Stopping her pacing, she glanced at her watch and smiled at the hour, knowing as soon as the sun was down completely, she'd be able to call him and he'd be ready for her. Despite the fear, she longed to see him to feel his strong arms wrapped around her. His strength was what she was going to need to get her through this.

The sudden shrill of her cell startled her and she gave a nervous laugh as she moved in search for it, her voice cutting through the thick silence, "Cal, you're losing it girl. Just calm yourself it's just Horatio." Finding her cell in the kitchen she saw his number on the ID and smiled as she flipped it up giddily, her voice singing, "Horatio! You're up…how did you …"

"Calleigh…are you alone?"

Calleigh's brow frowned as she took a glance around her getting the feeling that she truly wasn't alone, but shrugged it off, "Um…yeah, it's just me. Why do you ask?"

"I'm coming over. I won't be long. I-…"

The abrupt end to his voice caught Calleigh by surprise, her brow furrowing in confusion. The air seemed to prick at her, her apprehensions rising. As she stared into the gloaming that was now filtering into her home, she could make out an emerging form materializing right before her very eyes.

Stumbling back, the phone flew out of her grasp and skittered across the floor, her heart hammering in her ears. She couldn't help but stare as the form approached, the swift pang of recognition and loss hitting her in the chest. Standing in front of her was a man she saw lying on the cold cement floor of that jewelry store, his eyes vacant with death. He was pale, and his eyes lacked the warmth that they held in life, now dull and desolate, his intense gaze sending shivers down her back. For seconds, she endeavored to speak but could not as she tried to process the sight before her. Timothy Speedle died, but yet, here he was, looking at her… peering at her. To be under that intense of a gaze further unnerved her and she forced herself to move back, keeping her eyes on him.

"This…this isn't real," she said as she shook her head. "You're dead."

Tim's expression slackened as he continued to approach, realizing that there was no way around possessing her. In order for him to do so, he'd have to take her over completely, forcing her consciousness deep within her, trapping her. It was debilitating for him to use the energy needed, but petrifying for the cursed soul whom he took. He could only hope she wouldn't descend into insanity before he had to relinquish her.

"I am real, in a fashion," he told her as he stopped his progression. He attempted a smile as he reached for her. Having concentrated to become corporeal, he could feel the frantic energy coming off of her as his hand neared her cheek, the sensation of flesh under his touch causing his eyes to slide close in bliss. It had been so long since he'd felt the warmth of a living body, he reveled in the solidity that he longed for. As his smile grew, he took another step forward, his proximity of an intimate nature, "I'm not here to hurt you, Calleigh. I could never hurt you."

Tears welled in her eyes as she bent her lips in, striving to keep her cries at bay. Losing Tim had been the light to the fuse, his demise thrusting so much change into play. She still thought of him often, realizing just how much she had missed him.

At his comforting touch, she smiled faintly, nodding, "I know, Tim. I know you won't hurt me."

"That's right, Cal." He knew he was treading unsteady ground, not wanting to spook her before he could gain entry. Glad at least that he hadn't materialized in his real form, he pulled her closer, his body transforming slowly, easing into her. "Just close your eyes, Calleigh. This is all going to be over soon. Don't fight it."

Her apprehensions were up once again and despite the desire to do as he told her, she fought against his hold, feeling the slightest sensation of coolness starting to invade her. There was something wrong with this and as she became more aware, the sensation seemed to increase tenfold.

"Tim…what are you…"

"Don't fight it, Calleigh. Just let it happen," Tim answered stiffly. Holding on to her tightly, he eased more into her, "This won't be bad if you don't fight it."

"Let me go, Tim!" The desire to be released rallied in her and she began to struggle. He was powerful and she could feel her body conceding to his efforts. A shriek left her lips as she pleaded with him, "Please…let me go, Tim!"

Arriving just outside of her door, Horatio heard her shriek and cringed, knowing he couldn't enter until she welcomed him. As if pushed back by an invisible field, he groaned as he tried to force his way to her door, his fangs shooting out in a rage. A helpless feeling came over him as he stood, the anger flooding him completely. If someone was attempting to kidnap her, they were about to meet their doom if they chose to step out of her door.

The swiftness of the door flying open startled him only for a moment before he gained his bearings once more, his body aching to move into action. The sight of Calleigh approaching the door slowly stopped him in his tracks, feeling ill at ease. As he looked upon her, he could see that her eyes were now vacant, lacking the shimmering glitter that entranced him so. Her body moved as if by remote, taking away from the natural grace that she possessed. There was something amiss, but Horatio didn't know what it was.

"Calleigh?" Calleigh tilted her head slightly, her brow furrowing before they slackened completely, her expression one of forlorn. It was as if she were reticent to face him at all. Reaching out for her as she stood just inside the home, he attempted to move, only to find that he couldn't. Disbelief rang within him as he attempted to make sense of this, "Calleigh…what's wrong?"

Her hand rose steadily, revealing her service weapon, her finger already on the trigger. When she spoke, her voice came out hauntingly, "This is the only way…"

Recognition flared seconds too late as the report of the gun met his ears, the impact of the bullet sending him reeling. Darkness began to claim him as he perceived her coming above him, locking her dead eyes onto his. This was definitely not Calleigh.

"My master bade it to be so," she finished as she bent to lift him up by his collar. Slipping the gun to his temple, she exhaled sullenly, "It must be done."

The deafening sound of the bullet leaving the weapon sounded in the darkness, with no one to bear witness. An overwhelming fear encroached upon him as his sight dimmed, fighting to remain conscious. Calleigh was in trouble and again, he was helpless to save her.

TBC…