Title: Have a Beer for Me
Author:Bj Jones
Rating: FRM
Disclaimer: I don’t own them, they are owned by a variety of producers, executives, writers and studios who have more lawyers on retainer than I want to mess with. I’m not making any money and promise to return them sooner or later.
Summary: He just wasn’t ready.
Beta: White (Speed)
Warning: hands out tissues… did I mention the tissues
Author’s Note: I heard the song on the radio and after crying this damn bunny bit – hard - If I Don’t Make It Home by Tracey Lawrence
2nd Author's Note: Told from Tripp's POV
Challenge: [info]lover100 Timothy Speedle/Horatio Caine
Prompt: #81 - Heartache
Word Count: 1664



~*~

I stepped out of my vehicle as the hummer pulled up. I waited for Horatio to make his way to the front of the house. I couldn’t help but grin at the every present shades.

“What do we have Tripp?” Horatio rested with his hands on his hips.

“According to Mrs. Thompson,” I looked down at my notebook. “Jason here had problems with the victim.”

“What type of problems?” he glanced over at the house.

“Argued over the fact the victim was seeing his girlfriend.” I grinned as I put my notebook away.

“Well maybe we should go and talk with him.”

As Horatio moved towards the front door, shots were fired. I pulled my gun returning fire, as I made my way to Horatio.

“Shots fired, officer down I need assistance,” I yelled into my phone as I pulled Horatio away from the house.

Ripping off my coat and used it to try and stop the blood flow. “Stay with me, H.”

His hand gripped mine, “Frank…”

“NO!” I yelled at him. “Don’t do this. Hold on help is on the way. Damn it H, you’ve got to hold on.”

My mind flashed to a few years back. It was a few weeks after a similar incident. Horatio had asked me to have a few drinks with him…

We went out for beers and a couple of laughs
Knowin' full well that every bad joke that Jimmy told
Might be his last
So we laughed like the world wasn't at war
Said things to him we'd never said before
And he teared up as he held up his glass
He said, boys, if I don't make it back

~ Flashback ~

“Hey,” I sat down next to him at the bar. “What did you want to see me about?”

Horatio turned and smiled, “We’ve been friends for a while haven’t we?”

“Yes, since your time on bomb squad.” I looked at him a bit confused. “Horatio what’s going on?’

“I need to ask you a favor.” He looked straight at me, his eyes serious.

I nodded, “Anything.”

He turned back to his drink, fingering the glass a bit before continuing. “As you know in our line of work, anything can happen…”

“Horatio…”

“No let me finish.” He took a deep breath. “If that time comes I want you to do a few things for me.” I wisely kept my mouth closed and let him continue. “I don’t want tears or anyone to cry, instead take the boys out at the precinct and have a beer for me.”

I downed my own drink and let him continue.

“When we have the department softball tournaments against the firefighters, sit in their bleachers and cheer for our boys.”

I laughed lightly, knowing how competitive his team is during softball season.

He smirked over at me, “One day take the hummer out and let it fly down the everglades.”

“We should do that anyway,” I grinned back at him.

Then his smile disappeared and he laid a hand on mine. “Take care of Speed for me. You now how Tim can get, and he’ll need to be watched. And one day find someone who will take care of him and love him like I would.”

I could only clasp his hand in mind and nod. Speed was his life, and to ask me to take care of Tim meant he trusted me with his very soul.

Have a beer for me, don't waste no tears on me
On Friday night sit on the visitors side
And cheer for the home team
Drive my Camaro, 90 miles an hour down Red Rock Rock
With 'Born to Run' blastin' on the radio
And find someone good enough for Amy
Who will love her like I would have
If I don't make it back

~ Present ~

I walked into the lab my heart heavy, knowing the news I was bearing. I knew it had already hit the precinct and that every cop in the city knew we had just lost one of our own. But I was the one that would have to tell him.

I walked down the lab heading for Trace, my movements slow. Eric looked up and saw me. He turned and looked at Speed whose back was towards me, working on his case. I watched as he picked up his phone and no doubt in my mind dialed Alexx. I was thankful, for that I would need all the help I could get.

I stepped into the lab, the weight of the news pressuring my very soul. “Tim.”

He turned towards me. I watched as recognition crossed his face, and the sudden realization of why I was there entered his mind. He backed up from me, shaking his head, no.

“I’m sorry…” God it sounded lame even to my ears. “God Speed I’m so sorry.”

Alexx rushed by me and pulled Speed into her arms, holding him close. He fell to his knees sobbing in her arms. I moved closer and sat down next to the two of them. I let Alexx comfort and hold him, while I protected the two. That was what Horatio would have wanted.

~ Future ~

I gave the boys from the precinct a watery smile as we sat down at the bar and had a beer in Horatio’s name. Of course it helped that the softball team just pounded those firefighters into the ground, winning fifteen to one. It was good to see the firefighters here also, laughing and having a good time.

I noticed we were missing someone and slipped out the back to my car.

I wasn’t surprised to find Speed at the cemetery leaning against the marker talking softly to Horatio. I waited until the young man turned and kissed the top of the stone and moved off towards his bike.

I walked up to the marker and slipped off my shades. “Hey Horatio.” I squatted down to talk with him properly. “I just wanted you to know that the boys are celebrating our win over the firefighters and having a beer in your name. Eric and I took the Hummer out, and with the windows down, CD blaring we just hit the gas and let her fly.” I laughed lightly remembering as the two of us laughed and cried as the Hummer hit 100.

I stood up and slipped back on the shades hiding the tears. “As for Speed…well Horatio, he’s just not ready.”

And I doubt he ever will be; cos once you’re loved by Horatio Caine, no one could ever come close.

I walked back to my car, smiling when I saw the yellow Ducati waiting near by. Speed gave me a wave, before taking off down the street.

But I will hold to my promise and watch over him, because he is the other half of Horatio’s soul.

Well, Miller Lite ain't my brand
But I drink one every now and then, in his honour
And we ain't missed a home game yet
Had that Camero at 110 on Red Rock Road
When the speakers blowed
And I introduced Amy to a friend of mine from Monroe
He's a good ol' boy
But you know, she just ain't ready

~ The End ~