Title: Protected
By: Bj Jones
Pairing: gen
Rating: PG
Summary: She was never alone.
Disclaimer: They are owned by various executives, producers and CBS. I'm just borrowing them for a few moments. I'm not making any money and I'll be sending them back to the lab where they belong. Because we all know if I owned them Speed would be very much alive.
Beta: Calypso – once again thank you
Author's Note: I saw this episode and just had the thought – Speed would have not left her alone – it just had to be written – even if Speed's still dead. Since the episode is still new the dialogue may be off – I apologize for that.
Archive: Just tell me where.

~*~

Alexx froze, fear coursed through her veins. The cold steel of the gun pushed against her temple. She tried to take deep breaths, to calm down. She knew she had to stay focused to get through the situation alive.

"Hand me your badge," Alexx's hands shook as she handed Kendrick her badge.

"1145 Ocean way," Kendrick pulled out her license and the picture of her two children.

"We moved," Alexx tried to divert attention away from her children.

"Sure you did," Kendrick smirked at her. "You do as I tell you, or I will go there and kill your children."

"I'll do anything," Alexx stammered. Fear for her children out weighing her own.

Kendrick grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the van. She stumbled out, barely keeping her footing. Kendrick pulled the side doors open, sitting on the edge, leaning against the door.

Alexx stood there shaking, fear gripping at her heart – wondering if Horatio will be finding her body next. Would she see her kids again? Tears forced their way to the surface. Would she be next in their small family to be laid out on her table?

Kendrick demanded that she patch up his wound. Once that was finished he wanted her to drive him out of there, and after that she suspected he would force her out of the van, onto the ground and then he would shoot her. Her hands began to shake again as she reached for her kit.

A breeze caught her hair, brushing it out of her face. A sudden calming influence settled around her. A comforting warm presence surrounded her, a soft whisper, 'stay calm – I'm here.' She took a deep breath settled her shaking hands and pulled on her gloves – she wasn't alone.

"Don't even think about killing me," Kendrick hissed in pain as she pulled back his shirt to examine the wound.

"It wasn't even a thought, I took the oath." Alexx pulled bandages out and dressed the wound.

'Leave evidence behind, it will help H find you,' a soft whisper against her cheek and ear.

She threw the bloodied glove onto the ground as Kendrick pushed her back into the van. She settled back behind the wheel, "I told you I would do anything."

Kendrick settled into the passenger seat. He held the gun up to her temple, "Now drive, I'll give you directions."

"I have to check in," Alexx pulled back out onto the highway. "They will know if I don't and wonder where I am."

"They won't notice with all the commotion going on," Kendrick waved his gun at her. "Just drive."

'H is on his way. Trust me. You'll be home before you know it, holding your kids. I promise you.' Alexx believed the soft voice in her ear. She knew he would protect her.

Alexx kept her gaze straight ahead as she followed Kendrick's directions. She glanced at the review mirror then took a second glance: dark eyes, dark hair, five o'clock shadow. Kendrick narrowed his eyes at her; then looked towards the back of the van.

"I'm sure our good actor isn't moving around, I made sure of that," Kendrick eyes swept over the body. "I don't know why everyone is upset he's dead. He was a child molester."

Alexx glanced over at him, "We don't choose the victims."

Kendrick grinned, "Funny thing is – I do." He settled into the passenger seat quiet for the rest of the ride. Alexx looked back at the rearview mirror – dark eyes looked back.

~*~

"Why are we here?" Alexx asked as she was pulled up the walkway towards the back of the house.

"Nothing that concerns you, just keep thinking 1145 Ocean way. That's all you should be worried about." Kendrick held her close to his body as they entered the back of the house.

Alexx gasped at the sight of a young boy, "He's just a boy, leave him out of this."

"Hey, Joey," Kendrick called out ignoring Alexx. "I know your father."

Alexx struggled against Kendrick's hold. 'Now is not the time.' Alexx stopped her eyes searching the room. 'Concentrate on getting the boy.'

Alexx pulled Joey to her as Kendrick rifled through the desk drawers. "You got what you came for, now let us go." Alexx held Joey close to her, not letting him go.

"Come on," Kendrick pulled both of them outside back towards the van.

"Please, let him go," Alexx pleaded with him.

Kendrick opened the back doors of the van, "Hey kid, come take a look, this should make you happy." He threw back the sheets to show Ty Radcliff.

Joey screamed and buried his head against Alexx. "You bastard," Alexx growled at him.

"You should be happy, kid." Kendrick closed the doors of the van. "He's dead."

Alexx backed up taking Joey with her. Kendrick followed, gun in hand, "Get on the ground."

'You're safe. I won't let him harm you.'

Alexx shook her head, "No please."

"DOWN on the ground!" Kendrick forced the gun into her face.

A sudden wind shift startled Kendrick, he was momentarily distracted. Alexx took the advantage and knocked the gun away and pushed Kendrick back. "RUN JOEY!" Joey took off running away from the house, while Alexx struggled with Kendrick.

He pushed her down to the ground, gun aimed at her head. Kendrick suddenly froze. He took a step back, looking startled. He shook his head clearing his thoughts, when the sound of sirens filtered through the haze. He took a second look at Alexx, raised his gun, then stepped back and took off running.

She shifted onto her back, and looked up into soft brown eyes, 'he's gone you're safe. H is just around the corner.'

Alexx pulled herself off the ground, and walked down the drive way. She was in a state of shock. She just wanted to go home hold her children, and think about it all tomorrow. Horatio held her arm, making sure she didn't fall. "Are you okay?"

"I will be when I see my kids," Alexx told him.

"Officer, take her home," Horatio handed her off to the waiting officer. "Go home, get some rest."

Alexx looked back up the driveway, she wondered if she had imagined the whole thing. She glanced over at Horatio whose eyes were focused farther up the street. She followed his gaze. She could have sworn she saw a dark haired man wearing black pants and a blue shirt take off on a yellow bike. He looked back and flashed them both a smile.

The car door closed next to her, she was heading home to be with her kids like he promised.

~*~

"Horatio?" Alexx stepped into his office. It had been a couple of days since the ordeal with Kendrick.

"Hey," Horatio smiled up at her. "How are you doing?"

"Better," Alexx stopped in front of his desk. "Knowing he's dead helps."

"I'm sorry," Horatio stood up and walked around his desk pulling her into his arms. "I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"Can I ask you something?" Alexx stepped back, arms folded around herself.

"Sure anything," Horatio lifted her chin up and gave her a small smile.

"Do you believe in guardian angels?" She asked looking into his blue eyes.

Horatio looked down then back up at her, "yes I do."

Alexx took a shuttering breath, "It was Speed."

"I know," Horatio pulled her back into his arms.

"You saw him," Alexx whispered her grip tightened around him. "I wasn't seeing things. The bike..."

"He was there for you," Horatio held her close, "Protecting you."

"I miss him," Alexx let the tears fall.

"We all do," Horatio looked down at the lab, sometimes he swore brown eyes looked back. There were times when he heard the small laugh, the roar of a bike, the smart ass remark – and in those times he knew Speed would never really be gone.

'I miss you too,' a whisper breezed through the room.