A new life Sequel To A Kind Of Life CSI MIAMI fanfic

Eric

I entered the room with a cup of coffee and completely empty mind. What am I supposed to do now?
"Hi again. Sorry for that... storming. I didn't know that you two..."
"...easy Eric. It's just a kiss. I'm still attached to machines so no worries. "
"But you know, you shouldn't be doing it"
"Why not? Man, have you seen her? Wouldn't you take the opportunity? Look at me and then look at her. She's a chick, mate. And I'm almost 40. "
"But..."
"Yeah I know. She's young. Too young. So what? I don't have a wife or kids you said?"
"No you don't."
"A girlfriend?"
"Not anymore. "
"So why bother? I'm happy here and now. Why can't you?"
"You're right. Sorry.
I had a call from H. asking when are you coming back to Miami. "
"When will I be released?"
"It depends. You need to put some weight to start the rehab. "
"So....realistic date is?"
"The end of next week."
"Well...where will I stay? Where have I lived in Miami?"
"You had a condo. But it was given back by your parents."
"So they owe me..."
"They don't know. Until they get a call from H. But he needs the confirmation  from the FBI that Lee Jones is removed, and Tim Speedle is back. There's still ongoing investigation."
"Should I hire some place?"
"You can stay with me for some time. I'm staying in my parents' house as they left. So there's plenty of space. "
"Wife? Kids? "
"No no no... Not yet. So feel free. "
"Yeah. That's kind of you. As soon as I get back my condo money, I' ll pay you back."
"No need. They always treated you like a family, they won't mind. "
"It seems all families treat me better than my own..."
"Yeah...shit happens. Don't worry.
There's one more thing- I need to leave."
"When?"
"Tommorow."
"Why?"
"My free days are over. I can't take more now. "
"I'm sorry Eric you used all your free time. I'll make it up to you..somehow."
"Stop it , Speed...no free days is the tiniest price for getting you back."
"I'm not a man of words -I guess- but I feel obliged to say, that you saved me. My sanity. I was lost and confused when I woke up and with you here I feel better. Thank you for that, bro."
He hugged me gently with his left arm. I felt strange hearing that from Speed, he was very reserved, unemotional and usually he was hiding his feelings well. I realized that I'm a witness of new person being born. Will he recall everything?
And there was Alison again... I don't know what's going on between her and Speed. I don't want him involved with her, I want him back in Miami with us. I need to call H. That can't wait.
"Caine"
"H. He is probably gonna be released at the end of next week. It means he's moving in with me for now. What about the investigation?"
"Still on. No one knows. He can't come to the lab nor move around the neighbourhood. That comprises shops, bars and others. You understand me?"
"Yeah. I'm coming tommorow. Need to fix few more things here."
"Don't hestitate too long, OK? I need more men. We're in the middle of the huge case and I have no one spare. I need you here, Eric. Speed will manage. There's also the girl who worked with him- Alison. She will take care of him for a while if you ask her."
"Yeah...that's what Im afraid of. "
"Meaning? "
"She's involved with him. Widely involved. However apparently he isn't."
"OK Eric, be quick. What's your point?"
"I don't understand him. He's not this reserved, cool guy we knew, but completely different one. He told me today that he's happy she's interested in him, because she's beautiful and so sexy. And he's not gonna stop her if she likes him THAT much."
"Speed said that?" Horatio chuckled
"Yeah. Couldn't believe it. "
"Eric it's actually YOUR usual talk"- I heard H. smiling.
"I know... But..."
"But what?"
"But Cal.."
"Calleigh needs to figure it out for herself. Does Speed want to stay there because of the girl?"
"No. He wants to come back to Miami as soon as possible. "
"So what you can do, is to tell Calleigh after you're back here that she has a rival ;)"
"Funny, H. How am I supposed to do it? "
"You'll find the way . YOU are  the ladies' man in this duo."
"After what I saw today I'm not so sure anymore H...."
"See you tomorrow. Drive carefully."
I hang up and went back to the room.
"Hey. I'm sorry, but I drank half of your coffee."
"Don't worry I'll get ano... You did what?"
"I drank some coffee from your cup. Why are you so surprised? I'm not on a diet."
"Speed, you DON'T drink coffee. "
"I don't?"
"No. You've always said that my stomach will rotten"
"So...was I a fanatic of healthy food or sth?"
"Not quite. You drank water or cola. And energy drinks. "
"Really? That's gross...coffee's great. I start every morning with a flat white."
"Hah...just like Cal."
"Oh yeah? "
"Yeah. That's funny. "
"What about food?"
"Mostly junk like tortillas or sandwiches...you and Alexx, all the same. Though you can cook very well. If you have time and an inspiration."
"I can cook?"
"Very well actually. Especially Italian things and meat dishes.  I ate your lasagne once... Delicious".
"I CAN COOK??!"
"Yeah. You told me once that your dad insisted on your mum to teach you how to cook. She did that, so when you were 13 you could do most of pastas, noodles and so on.you told me, that if not this ability you would die of starvation. "
"Why did he..?"
"Cause you were an independant individual and a troublemaker, and he wanted to get rid of you. That's your version. Another may be the point that your dad is a restaurant owner. Few restaurants actually. "
"Oh..I didn't know that."
"I went once to one of them, when I was in NY. You were at hospital after the brain surgery. Unconscious, but stable. I NEVER told you. He was charming to his guests... A warm, nice man. When he approached me, he understood who I am. He said one thing: 'did he send you? I said no. Does he need money?'
"What did you say?"
"He needs a proper family. "
"...And?"
"He said that you abandoned the family a long time ago, and as far as he is concerned he's only got one son. "
"...splendid."
"Yeah. I saw your brother for the first time then. He looks just like you. And your dad. "
"Well... That's why I don't want any children. I'm probably a monster like him"
"I asked him one more question:
'Have you ever been proud of Tim? Four times Scientific laureate, Columbia graduate with two degrees? A police officer and a great public servant? '"
"What did he tell you?" Tim's voice got quiet.
"That he paid for your studies."
"Which is partially true as I got a scholarship in January, so he paid only for 3 months of it....
What did you say?"
"Nothing. I left 5 dollars for the coffee and left. He didn't even look back."
"That's why I don't want them to know. Tell that to Horatio. I can make such decisions. I was dead to them a long time ago, the funeral only let them to show off, I bet my mother took the flag crying after me...."
"Yeah. Actually Alexx should get it- that would be fair. Ok Speed I gotta go. I'll call tomorrow to talk. Can Cal or H call you?"
"Sure. But tell them not to feel offended if sth's wrong."
"Ok. I gotta go and pack. Take care."
"You too, bro. " He hugged me again. And thank you.
"No problem see you soon and - be a good boy. "
He grinned his 'old Speed' grin.
"I won't"
I left