A/N: Okay this story was written for a challenge on the DC Board. The basic requirement was to write a story that has some Undercover Work in it and I came up with this idea. :) It is AU and doesn't really follow up a concrete time line from the show.

It is rated M because of language and adultish behaviour. Nothing really explicit though. I just want to be on the safe side.

As always, the characters don't belong to me, except fort he one or other OC.

Reviews are, like always, very much appreciated.

Chapter 1

Frank Tripp gave his companion a rather annoyed look. At first the other man had demanded to meet in this god-forsaken hot spot in the middle of nowhere and now they were (once again) running in circles. Frank didn't like running in circles at all that was for sure. "Really Julian," he sighed for at least the hundredth time today, "just tell me when the ship will arrive."

"I don't think so Francis," the other shook his head. "What do I get from giving you such information?"

"I can tell you what you don't get," Frank growled, "a heat-stroke."

Julian just laughed and took another pull on his cigarette. "I don't feel all that hot and I'm the one who has the dark hair here," he grinned.

Frank just shook his head. Seeing his friend with short black hair was still odd, though it was only one part of the many changes the other man had gone under. There was the hair, yes, but his eye-color as well. Instead of sparkling blue, they were now a rather deep brown, almost black color. A few scars were visible on his face and Frank wasn't sure if they were fake or real and to be honest, he didn't want to know. Plastic surgery had altered his facial structure in a very subtle way and just because Frank knew who he was dealing with, he was able to see through the fakeness. "Well maybe you don't sweat in your fancy Armani slacks and dress shirt, but I sure do," he grunted.

"Armani? Francis...please…," the other smirked cockily, "those are hand made, not from the racks. But enough of fashion talk, what will I get from you when I tell you about possible shipments?" he asked and turned his head to the car that was waiting a couple of meters behind him. "I fear my friends are getting restless and to be frank, so am I."

"Interesting choice of friends," Frank snorted.

Julian just shrugged. "Be that as it may, you know the drill. Give me information and I might give you some as well."

Frank took a step forward, so he could whisper his response. "You're taking this a lot too serious. You do remember whom you're working for, don't you H?"

Without thinking Horatio grabbed the taller man's collar and pulled him down so they were face to face. "It's my ass on the line and I do whatever I please to keep it intact. And if you ever utter this name again," he hissed threateningly.

"What's then? You'll kill me?"

"No, that'll be too merciful," Horatio snarled.

"Hey Evans!" a voice came from the car. "It's time to leave."

Without letting go of Frank, Horatio turned around to face the two men that were slowly coming closer. "I'm not finished here yet."

"You don't have to soil your hands with him," Terry nodded in Frank's direction. "We'll do that for you."

"Yeah, that's no problem," Charlie agreed. "It's quicker if we two do it anyway, we don't have that much time."

"And why is that?" Horatio asked curiously.

"He called the cops. We heard them via police radio."

"Oh he told the others about our friendly gathering, did he?" Horatio raised a questioning eyebrow at Frank. "How interesting." With a small shove he let go of the other man and waved his hand dismissively. "Do have some fun," he said nonchalantly, "but don't kill him, he's very dear to me."

"Of course boss," the two hulks grinned.

Horatio took the time to lid another cigarette and did his best to keep a stoic look on his face when his two minions used poor Frank as some kind of punching bag. He didn't stop them until he heard other cars approaching from the distance. "That's enough, get in the car," he ordered them and took a subtle look at Frank. He'd surely have a black eye and the one or other bruise, but nothing life-threatening. As dumb as his two minions were, they surely knew how to inflect major pain with little effort. "Until next time, Francis," he nodded his farewell and got into the car. "I really don't feel like being the special guest on a cop party, so let's get home."

"Yes, Sir," the driver nodded and swiftly turned the car so they'd leave in the same direction they'd been coming from.

When Horatio looked out of the window, he couldn't help but notice the bulky outline of a Hummer stopping at the same spot he'd been standing a few minutes before. With an inward sigh he closed his eyes and tried to relax. It didn't do him well to dwell on things that he couldn't change. This would only drive him mad at the end and this would lead into death. And being dead wasn't very high on his current to-do-list.

tbc