Authors note:

I do not Own CSI: Miami!

This is NOT a Horatio/Marisol paring, or any other paring that includes someone from the show. It is a Horatio/OFC. Deal with it, or don't read.

Pilot

Crack! Slap! Smack! Hit after hit lands on Melody's face and body. "You stupid Bitch! You can't even cook dinner right." The man yells as he threw another punch. "I-I'm s-s-sor-ry."

Melody puts her arms up to cover her face as her legs give out from under her. The man notices and gets angrier, making his blows come harder and faster. "Don't pretend, Bitch!" He puts two more kicks into her ribs. "Just go get me something to eat that you didn't cook." The man walks away; going for a beer, in the kitchen.

Melody picks herself up, slowly, so as not to reopen the gash on her right ride, heading to the bedroom. She cleans up and changes her clothing. She then heads out of the house toward her car. As she drives away, Melody thinks about running again. 'He found me last time, what is the point.' She thinks to herself. Melody drives slowly to the farthest twenty-four hour grocery store, gently putting her car into a parking spot. She carefully gets out, heading inside. As she crosses the parking lot, she walks by a large Hummer with a lone man getting out of the front seat. They both head to the only open door of the store.

Melody heads toward the pharmacy section of the store, grabbing: large gauze pads, triple antibiotic ointment, Bactine, and an ace bandage. She then heads to the isle with the beer, knowing Johnny would be out of beer by the time she gets back to the house. Melody then heads to the deli section to get Johnny a sub sandwich, when she bumps her right side into something. Melody looks up to realize she had ran into someone with cobalt eyes, flaming hair, and pale skin. He had to be at least six feet tall; he towered over Melody, who was five even, but his height didn't frighten her. His thin mouth was in a warm smile that faded when he noticed her side.

Blood had soaked the gauze bandage that she had applied before leaving the house, staining her shirt. "Ma'am? Are you hurt? You're bleeding."

"I-I am fine. I'm fine." Melody finishes firmly. She tries to move past him, but he blocks her path.

"Ma'am, why don't you tell me what happened." The tall man steps forward, slightly, moving his suit aside, showing his badge. Melody goes pale in an instant. "Oh shiitake mushrooms!" she hisses, half in pain half in fear. The cop gives a small smile at the phrase she used.

"Let's get you into a seat, then we'll talk, okay?" the red head guides Melody to the seating area cautiously. "Can you tell me what your name is?" He asks after they sat down. Melody nods. "My name is Melody."

"Horatio." He looks at Melody, sitting with her arms wrapped around her side to hide the blood. "Are you hurt anywhere else?" Horatio asks, knowing the answer, but having to ask anyway. She nods her head yes.

"Johnny, he punched me in my face and stomach. He also kicked me twice in the ribs." She never meets Horatio's eyes when she tells him this. Horatio nods along.

"That's just from tonight, right?" He looks her in the eye when she finally meets his. "Yes." Melody faintly whispers. She looks down, tears starting to fall. "Once, Johnny broke my arm in three places. He's given me a concussion, twice. I've ended up with several cracked ribs from trying to hide away from him." She sobs into her knees.

"I can help you get away from him if you want, do you have some place to stay at least for tonight." Horatio offers Melody; gently putting his hand on her shoulder. Melody hiccups, nodding her head. "Okay, I need to get you to the hospital, to get checked out. If that's okay with you." Horatio stands, holding a hand out to Melody. Melody tenses, staring up at Horatio's hand. "I-I have to tell you something, before we go." Horatio tilts his head.

"Go ahead."

"I'm a doctor; a pediatrician at Miami-Dade Hospital. I work on the pediatrics floor and in the E.R." Melody looks down, ashamed.

"Hey, it's all right. It's not your fault." Horatio kneels down in front of Melody. "The only person at fault is the one who thought he had the right to hit you. Now I get that you're scared but I won't let anyone hurt you, okay?" Melody looks deep into Horatio's cobalt eyes while he reassured her softly. A lone tear rolls down her cheek, before she wipes it away and stands. Horatio smiles up at the strong woman in front of him and says, "Here we go." He rises before leading her to his Hummer, shopping forgotten.