Well, since I got so many encouraging reviews, I decided to add one more chapter to this story! This is another song/chapter, and it uses the song "Life Ain't Always Beautiful" by Gary Allan. I love this song! And to those who reviewed, YOU ALL ROCK! This chapter is dedicated to you! Thanks! ENJOY!

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Life ain't always beautiful

Sometimes it's just plain hard

Life can knock you down

It can break your heart

BANG

"Marisol!" Eric shouted as his sister collapsed alongside of him, shot in the stomach. He frantically held onto her, and all he could think of for the next few minutes while an ambulance came and took her away was,

"She can't die. She just can't. How in the hell am I going to tell Horatio?"

But his shaking hands pulled out his cell, knowing that this was one heart-breaking call that he honestly, completely and totally did NOT want to make.

"Yeah, Horatio." Horatio voice said, and Eric swallowed hard, saying,

"H…"

"Eric? What's wrong, what happened?" Horatio said, thinly veiled concern leaking into his tone.

"It's, it's Marisol." Eric said, trying to control the vibrating fury and grief in his voice while his hands shook.

"What about her?" Horatio asked, his voice taking on a softer tone that Eric knew he used to cover up his grief.

"She, she was shot, downtown. I'm almost positive it was a sniper. Probably, probably…" Eric started to say, but Horatio cutting him off, saying deadly and lowly,

"Mala Noche."

"Probably." Eric admitted, and added, "She's on her way to Dade Mercy General, H, I don't know what else to do."

"Go be with her. Call me if anything changes."

"No, H, you're her husband, you should," Eric started to say, and swallowed, forcing the hard words out of his mouth, "You should be the one with her."

"I can't, Eric, I need to find her shooter. I will call you if anything changes."

"All right. I'll do the same. Do you need help with the ballistics?"

Life ain't always beautiful

You think you're on your way

And it's just a dead end road

At the end of the day

"No. I'm not going to do the ballistics. I'm calling in an expert."

"Like," Eric started to ask, but then a light bulb went off and he said instead, "Like Calleigh Duquesne."

"Right." Horatio said, and when Eric went to hang up, he said softly, "Hang in there, Eric. She'll be all right. She has to be." With that, the two men hung up, and Horatio took a deep breath, walking out of the crime lab.

He got into one of the Hummers, and drove to where Calleigh lived. He knew her address by heart, and a few years of not going there hadn't changed that. As he drove there, his mind automatically wandered to Marisol. She had been so vibrant, so full of life, though she had a death sentence on herself.

If he was being honest, he wasn't sure whether he had actually loved her the way she deserved to be loved. She had loved him with her whole heart, but he couldn't give her that. A piece of his heart did, and would always, belong to Calleigh Duquesne. That part he could never give to someone else, or forget about.

The next thing Horatio knew, he was standing on Calleigh's front porch. He took a deep breath and knocked. He listened, and heard the volume on the TV being turned down, and heard soft footsteps advancing towards the door.

The door swung open to reveal a tank top and shorts wearing Calleigh Duquesne, with her hair tied back in a bun and a pair of flip-flops on. Her face showed shock at seeing Horatio standing on her porch, and as she took one look at him, she wordlessly stood aside to let him in.

"Thank you ma'am." He muttered quietly as he passed her into Calleigh's house.

"What happened, Horatio?" Calleigh asked, as she stood in front of him, her eyes filled with concern.

"Marisol. Mala Noche sniper got to her." He said flatly, not looking her in the eyes.

"Oh my God. Is she going to be all right?" Calleigh said anxiously, and Horatio raised his gaze from her floor to her eyes, saying gravely,

"They don't know. She's in surgery. I don't know. I just, I just don't know." His voice broke off into a whisper at the end, and she wordlessly took his hand and squeezed. He tried to smile at her, but instead all he could think about was Marisol dying. "She can't die, Cal, she just can't." He said in a broken whisper, and Calleigh could take it no more.

But the struggles make you stronger

And the changes make you wise

And happiness has its own way

Of takin' it's sweet time

She wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him comfortingly, not knowing the words to say, but knowing what to do. His arms encircled her waist slowly, and then he crushed her body to his, his grief finally coming through. He let himself lean on Calleigh and her support for a few long moments, and then let her go, backing away.

"Thanks for that, Calleigh." He muttered, gently wiping his eyes. She just handed him a tissue and said softly,

"Anytime, Horatio. You know that." He nodded, and then remembered what he had come there for in the first place.

"Calleigh, I told you Marisol was killed by a sniper." He said quietly, sitting down on her couch. She sat down Indian-style next to him and nodded, looking at him intently.

"You did. Is that important?"

"Yes. I need, I need a top expert on ballistics to work this. I just can't let that, that…" Horatio said, anger starting to show in his voice, but he broke off as Calleigh put a comforting hand on his shoulder and said,

"It's okay, Horatio. Are you asking me what I think you're asking me?"

"Yes, Calleigh, I am," He said, pleadingly, and looked her straight in the eyes and saying, "Whatever the reason you left, can't you put it aside for one case? Just this once, please."

"Are you asking as a friend, or as a former coworker?" Calleigh asked softly, her eyes boring into Horatio's eyes. He held her gaze, and said quietly,

"I am asking you, as a friend, a friend who desperately needs to find the man who tried to kill his wife."

"Then I'll do it." Calleigh said, leaning back with a small smile. Horatio was a little surprised that she gave in that easily, and Calleigh twitched a grin, saying, "But you are the one who has to clear it with my boss, and then Stetler."

"Of course." Horatio said, mock-groaning. He stole a glance at Calleigh, and her eyebrows immediately bunched up, and she leaned forward, cocking her head as she said,

"Did you honestly think I wouldn't help you?"

"I, I honestly don't know what I was thinking." Horatio admitted softly, and Calleigh nodded, saying,

"We haven't kept in touch much, have we?"

"No ma'am we haven't." Horatio said, drawing his gaze up to her eyes. They held each other's gaze for a long moment.

No life ain't always beautiful

Tears will fall sometimes

Life ain't always beautiful

But it's a beautiful ride

Calleigh stood up and said, "Well, if you wanna catch the SOB that shot Marisol, I'm gonna have to change."

"Of course." Horatio said, and Calleigh disappeared in her bedroom, while Horatio allowed a few tears to slip through his emotional barrier. He let his head fall into his hands, flashing back to happier times with Marisol.

Their first date.

Their first kiss.

Their wedding day.

"I'm ready!" Calleigh said softly, and Horatio let his head shoot up, looking up at Calleigh. She saw the traces of tears on his face, but before he could go to wipe them away, she crouched down and pulled out a tissue, wiping them away. Horatio impulsively reached out when she made to draw away and put a hand on her hand, keeping her hand on his cheek.

"Thank you, sweetheart." Horatio said quietly, looking her straight in the eyes and meaning it completely.

"You are very welcome, Handsome." Calleigh said in a quiet, teasing voice, and Horatio smiled as they both stood up. They walked out together, and Calleigh locked the door as Horatio got in the Hummer.

He drove them to the crime lab, and when they pulled up, Calleigh closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Ready?" He asked softly, and she snapped her eyes open, saying,

"It's good to be back. I missed this place." Horatio laughed, and Calleigh flashed a grin at him before fire came into her eyes and she said, raising an eyebrow, "Now can I go kick out the incompetent idiot that is running my ballistics lab and get to work?"

"Be my guest. You have my blessing." Horatio said, his voice shaking with quiet laughter as they both got out of the Hummer, and Calleigh strode towards the crime lab, looking like a woman on a mission. Horatio followed her with a slight smile, enjoying seeing Calleigh firmly back into her element.

As he watched her work, his decision was made in his mind. He was going to do whatever it took to get Calleigh to transfer back to the crime lab. They all missed her, and needed her. He didn't care what it cost; he just needed her back on his team. They all did.

He heard Calleigh raise her voice, and strode down to her lab, seeing her shove the new ballistics expert out of the lab and shutting the door behind her. The guy just stood there, glaring at Calleigh before she turned to him and stared at him with a cold glare, and he finally walked away.

Horatio pushed open the door as she muttered,

"That's right, walk away, little prick."

"Down, girl." Horatio said quietly, and Calleigh sent a smile Horatio's way. As she opened her mouth to reply, his cell rang. He answered it quietly with the usual, "Yeah, Horatio."

Life ain't always beautiful

Some days I miss your smile

I get tired of walkin'

All these lonely miles

He listened for a short moment, and then said, "I'm on my way, Eric. If you have to, go back to the crime scene. We are going to get justice for Marisol, mark my words." With that he hung up, and turned to Calleigh.

"Go, Horatio. Go to her. She needs you more than I do now." Calleigh said, and with a nod Horatio walked out. Calleigh hit herself on the forehead and groaned, knowing that she had picked a horrible choice of words. Horatio probably knew what she meant, and that meant that he probably knew how she felt. She cursed herself under her breath as she went to work. She was going to find that sniper and, if she could, take him out herself. She would take anyone out that caused Horatio pain and/or suffering.

Meanwhile, Horatio got to the hospital and immediately went up to Marisol's room. He sat next to her, holding her hand tightly as she slowly came to.

"Hey." He said softly, and she tried to smile, replying,

"Hi."

They fell silent, until both of them exchanged loving, parting words. Horatio knew she was dying, Marisol knew she was dying. They both knew it, and Marisol had accepted it. Horatio was working to accept it, and as he watched the life slip out of Marisol, he knew that he had finally accepted it.

That didn't mean that it hurt any less.

As her hand slipped through his fingers, lifeless and dead, Horatio felt his heart shattering. He fought back tears as he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and got up, walking out. The real Marisol wasn't in there anymore. She was up in heaven, with the angels, where she belonged.

He went back to the crime lab just as Calleigh was rushing out of the lab. He walked up to her and she exclaimed, "Horatio! I was just looking for you! I've got the ballistics results, and I know who the sniper is."

Horatio scanned the results, and then said quietly, "Would you like to tag along?"

"Do you think I'm gonna say no?" Calleigh countered, and Horatio tried to smile, but failed.

"Then let's go catch Marisol's killer." He said quietly, and strode away to the Hummer. Calleigh stood there, shocked for a short moment, and then she hopped in the passenger seat. As Horatio sped away to the sniper's house, Calleigh took a deep breath and said,

"I know this doesn't mean much, Horatio, but I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Coming from you, Cal, it means more than you'll know." He said quietly, and she reached over, squeezing his arm.

And I wish for just one minute

I could see your pretty face

Guess I can dream

But life don't work that way

Horatio pulled up at the sniper's house, and Calleigh radioed for backup as Horatio went to the front door and knocked. The door opened of its own accord, and Horatio drew his gun, going in.

Calleigh ran up silently behind him, and he pointed towards the back, where sounds could be heard. They quietly stalked up the hallway, and heard the sound of someone packing frantically.

Horatio locked eyes with Calleigh, and nodded once. She nodded back, letting him know that she was ready. Calleigh kicked the door open and yelled,

"Miami-Dade PD, hands in the air!"

She caught a glare from the sunlight, and knew that the glare was coming off of a gun. She dived on top of Horatio, yelling, "Gun!" Horatio's free arm clamped onto Calleigh's waist as they stayed low. A barrage of bullets hit the wall where Horatio and Calleigh had been standing not moments ago.

"Get out of here or I kill you!" The man's voice said, and Horatio said,

"Too bad. We're not leaving. You killed my wife. Now I, I will kill you." He gently shoved Calleigh off of him and rolled to the left, trying to find a clear shot. Calleigh rolled to the right, and they both took cover behind some furniture, trying to get clear shots.

Time seemed to slow down for Horatio, as the blind fury that had been kept dormant came to life, consuming his every thought and his every movement, until the only thing that was on his mind was avenging Marisol's unnecessary death.

Horatio knew that Mari's death had been his fault, as he was the one who had gotten into the Mala Noche's heads and tried to take them down, and in return, they were going to kill off everyone that he loved, one by one, until it was just him, alone and miserable, and no one to blame but himself.

He didn't want that. Hell, he wasn't going to let that happen, let alone not want it. He knew that if anyone else died that was close to him, he wasn't sure how he would handle it.

He knew that he probably wouldn't be able to handle it.

But the struggles make me stronger

And the changes make me wise

And happiness has its own way

Of takin' it's sweet time

Suddenly, time sped back up as he glanced to his right, and locked eyes with Calleigh. He saw what she was about to do in her eyes, and he pleaded with her not to. He finally had to speak aloud, as too many years of not being together, therefore meaning that they weren't in sync with each other, not able to read her like he had been able to, and he said,

"Calleigh, don't. I'm ordering you, do not stand up!"

"You're not my boss anymore, Horatio." She said with a slight smile, as she knew what she was doing. In a quick movement, she stood up and aimed perfectly. Calleigh's one bullet that she had time to fire sailed towards the sniper, and landed in his shoulder. The sniper fell backwards, a barrage of bullets going upwards as the gun went off as the sniper went down.

"Calleigh!" Horatio said, as through the smoke from the gun going off, he couldn't see her. He ducked around the chair, and saw Calleigh keep the guy's gun in his hand. "Calleigh, what are you doing?" He asked, keeping his gun out. She glanced up at him, and 'accidentally' laid her gun down, making it look like she dropped it.

"What're you waiting for? My life is in danger here, Horatio! This guy is armed, I'm unarmed, and you're the only one who can save me!" She said urgently, and Horatio knew what she was doing. He just didn't know why she was doing it. He knew that this was costing her a lot, let him take the sniper out, when that was all she wanted to do. He knew that, so he said,

"Cal, don't, you don't have to."

At his words, she leaned against the wall, saying, "Hurry Horatio, he might kill me any second now!"

Horatio let the blind fury fill him again, and without hesitation he shot the sniper twice in the chest, watching as the life slipped out of the sniper, as it had with Marisol. But this time, instead of feeling anger or a sense of loss, he only felt gladness at what he had done. He had gotten revenge for Marisol.

Calleigh stood up, picking her gun back up. Horatio looked at her in thanks, and she shook her head softly, saying, "It's no big deal." She walked over to him, and laid a hand on his shoulder, saying, "Goodbye, Horatio."

With a soft kiss on his cheek, she was gone. Officers outside quickly took her statement, and as they knew where to find her, she was released and she drove off into the Miami sunset, leaving Horatio gazing after her.

No life ain't always beautiful

But I know I'll be fine

Hey life ain't always beautiful

But it's a beautiful ride

What a beautiful ride

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Wow. This was incredibly long! I was really encouraged by the reviews to continue this, so I added another chapter! I love this song, and I hope you liked this chapter and this story! Thanks so much for reading, and adios!