Title: Revelations
Author: Bj Jones
Rating: FRM
Disclaimer: I don't own them. They are owned by people who have mean nasty lawyers that can and will eat me for lunch. Not making any money - just borrowing them for a moment or two... or three....I'll return them when I return them.
Summary: Stetler has some revelations.
Beta: Christina (Dino)
Series: A Second Can Change the World
Author's Note: Told from Stetler's POV
Warning: Slash *snort*, violence, a few *blink* whoa she went there.
Challenge: 12 Stories - CSI: Miami - Caine, Speedle, Stetler
Prompt: #2 - Minutes
Word Count: 1098

~*~

I sat in my office looking over the files that I had just acquired. I had used every single one of my connections to get them, but in the end it was worth the headache. After Caine left me kneeling on that hard floor, I had done some serious soul searching. In just a short period of time, a couple of minutes actually, my whole world perspective had been changed. I snorted, hell not just changed but shattered - completely and utterly destroyed.

How did he know? I had never told anyone about that one night so many years ago. Not a living soul. It was only in the dark of night when the nightmares returned; that even I would admit to myself it happened. And yet he not only knew but understood. He had looked at me and just …

I shook my head and got back to the task at hand, finding out the truth behind one Horatio Caine. Miami's self proclaimed Guardian Angel or is that Avenger.

So I did what I do best and focused on the stack of files on my desk. I had pulled Caine's and Speedle's official records and locked myself in my office. I seriously doubted they would tell me anything I didn't already know, but they may lead me to some clues.

There wasn't a lot of information on Timothy Speedle's background. Just that he had started working at the lab just out of college. He began with an internship and had worked his way up the ranks to CSI Level Three. His solve rate was one of the highest in the lab, just under Caine's. He was good at what he did, and there was little to no complaints in his file.

Actually, the only real complaint came from Human Resources.

"Timothy Speedle doesn't dress appropriate for his position as a high ranking officer and CSI. He needs to iron his shirts and shave. Plus, someone might want to tell him his smart ass comments are not appreciated by all."

I couldn't help but laugh. Speedle wouldn't be 'Speed' without the jeans, wrinkled button down, and scruffy appearance. And as much as it pains me to admit, those smart ass remarks can make my day.

I wondered when they had become lovers, or even more important, when they had become partners in the assassination business.

I closed Speedle's official files and pulled out the unofficial ones I had acquired from a friend up in New York. I glanced at the clock and decided coffee was needed before I ventured further.

I stepped into the break room and paused. Caine was sitting at the table reading the paper and drinking his coffee. I hadn't seen him since that night at the warehouse. He looked at me over the newspaper then focused back onto the paper. I poured myself a cup and leaned against the counter, waiting for him to say something.

I didn't have to wait for long.

"Find what you're looking for?" He asked not looking up from the paper.

"Still doing some background research." I remarked with a casual shrug.

"Smart man like you, should realize those official reports are just filled with crap." He folded his paper, putting it down before looking directly at me.

I just sipped my coffee and studied him. Trying to see the man I had seen that night. He was there, just under the fancy suits and sunglasses. I gave him a small smile and played along with his game. "Well then it's a good thing I ventured further back, and found those 'unofficial' files."

Caine gave me that annoying smirk of his as he stood up. Rinsing out his cup he patted me on the shoulder, “There's hope for you yet, Rick."

The man was infuriating. What does he want with me? I stalked back to my office. Does he want me to find out his big secret? Speedle's big secret. I sat back down at my desk and stared at the file. Part of me wondered if I really wanted to know.

I grabbed the folder and began to read, and the more I read the more I wanted to find Caine and pay him to do a job. The system had completely and utterly failed Timothy Speedle. The horror the young man went through sent shivers down my spine. It was a wonder he hadn't turn into a sociopath.

Then it hit me.

I leaned back in my chair and stared at the files.

It was clear as a bell.

Caine had saved him, and in return he had saved Caine.

~*~

The revelations that day still astonish me. The more information I dug up the more admiration I began to have for both men.

Horatio had no one. He faced the horrors of his childhood alone. Killing the man who had tortured him for years, as he tried to save his mother. Dealing with guilt and grief of that lost while trying to finish raising Raymond. And what a sorry piece of shit he turned out to be. My thoughts turned toward the younger Caine. Did Raymond really die at the hands of his dealer or did Horatio deal with the situation. I snorted just slightly. No loss there. Yelina and Ray Jr. were better off without the worthless asshole.

And somehow out of all of this, Horatio had found and saved Speed. Pulled him off the streets, gave him hope, a reason, and eventually love. I'm not sure why I didn't see it before. Okay so I was focused on my petty hatred toward him. So intent on proving I was better than him, that I didn't see that there was no competition.

I still had more questions than answers.

Why did he let me live?

How did he know about my darkest secret?

The most important question....

When did they become Horatio and Speed to me?