Title: At a Glance

Author: Little Horatio

Summary: Sequel to "Dear God." Events that occurred during our little CSIs' childhood, along with our favorite IAB Agent, Rick. It's pleasant, funny, adorable, and explains how our favorite CSIs—and Rick—came to be. From little innocent children to the now successful adults. It keeps getting better…

Warning: For those who have read "All Over Again," some of the details presented in this story may as well be a spoiler for my first fic's proceeding sequels, but not to worry, I've only put bits and pieces, and I was clearly having seconds thoughts in posting this. Luckily, my make-your-readers-happy conscience overwhelmed me so, here it is!

Note: This fic is the continuation for "Dear God." I came up with this to let you, the readers, know my point of view in everything that goes on in the lives of our beloved CSIs. And for added spice, I brought in Rick. I'm sure he'll give us more than a few laughs. This fic lets you see what I see. It lets you know what I have deduced in watching the ever bright Calleigh Duquesne to the all serious redhead, Horatio Caine. And of course, the most hated and at the same time beloved IAB Ass—I mean—Agent, Rick Stetler.

I have waited a long time in sharing all of these to you, my soon-to-be readers, so I hope you guys like it. And better, yet, appreciate its innocence.

And, by the way. To all those lovely people who read "Dear God" and left me reviews that made me feel cherished and loved, I thank you. And this, my friends, is dedicated to all of you grateful people. I hope you like it. Enjoy…

Disclaimer: Don't own any…

Main characters: Horatio Caine, Calleigh Duquesne, Eric Delko, Timothy Speedle, Ryan Wolfe, Alexx Woods and Rick Stetler.

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Chapter 1: Nicknames

Horatio Caine and Rick Stetler

At the adorable ages of 8 and 9…

Every morning, little Horatio and his mother, Katherine, walked towards school, hand in hand. They had made this a part of their routine; one of the many forms of mother and son bonding. Though living in a bustling city that was New York, the two of them exchanged words as if they were the only ones around. They ignored everybody but themselves.

Luckily, Horatio's school was quite near from where he lived and that made it all the more convenient. After a few more steps, there they were, at Hopkin's elementary school, where other little boys and girls were just arriving, getting out of their cars, accompanied by their moms and dads, smiling and laughing.

Katherine bent her knees and gave her eldest son a bright smile.

"Ready for school, Angel?"

"Always am," replied the little boy and returned the smile with his own small one.

"That's my big boy," said Katherine, spreading her arms.

Horatio reached in for the embrace, wrapping his arms around his mother's neck. He could smell the soothing fragrance of her soft, wavy brown hair.

"How about a kiss for mommy?" she requested.

Standing on his toes, the boy gave his mother a peck on the cheek.

"Now be a good boy and behave, okay?" his mother told him, wearing a beautiful smile.

"Okay," Horatio nodded.

Katherine stood straight and said, "You promise?"

"Mommy," Horatio said in a playful tone. It was one of their routines.

"Only joking, sweetheart," she said, laughing. "I know you'll do fine."

Horatio giggled and smiled cheerfully. He loved it when his mother plays around with him.

Katherine bent forward and kissed her son lightly on the forehead, then said, "You better go before the bell rings."

"Okay," said the little redhead, "Love you."

"Love you too, Angel," she said affectionately. "Good-bye."

"Bye," Horatio said, waving his hand until he could no longer see his mother.

Before he could turn around, he heard a familiar voice.

"Angel?"

Horatio's eyebrows lowered and his bright smile vanished. Turning, he said, "Hey, Rick."

The little brunette with his hair cut short—bangs barely touching his forehead—and with brown eyes giving him a questioning look, the boy repeated, "Angel?"

"You do know that I'm not deaf, right?" said Horatio, shifting his shoulders, making himself comfortable with his backpack. "I heard you the first time."

"So why, 'Angel'?" asked little Rick, getting straight to the point. "I mean—"Starts to examine his friend, walking around him, eyes roaming everywhere."—Angels are supposed to be ALL white. You're, well, not that ALL white. If you ask me, you look more like a—"

"I get it, Rick," interrupted Horatio and starts to walk towards the building, annoyed that his 'friend' had pointed out his fiery red hair again.

"Hey, wait for me!" Rick shouted and walked beside him. "It's really stupid ,you know."

"What is?"

"Your nickname," the brunette simply said.

Horatio frowned. His mother gave him that nickname for as long as he could remember and, so far, he likes it. Whatever his mom liked, he liked, so who's he to say that it's stupid?

His temper began to rise and he was about to say something his mother would totally scold him for when…

"Duckie!!"

Horatio spun around and saw a woman running towards them, carrying a lunch box. He didn't know her so he turned to Rick, only to see him freeze on the spot.

"Duckie," the woman said, wearing a business suit and some make-up. "You forgot your lunch box, honey."

Rick turned around and said, already blushing, "Thanks, mom."

"Your welcome, Duckie," she said, delightfully, her dark hair bouncing. She turned her gaze to the boy standing next to his son. "This must be little Horatio, the one you told daddy and I about. Nice to meet you."

"You too, ma'am," replied Horatio, slightly bowing his head.

"Aw, aren't you sweet?" she said, preventing herself from pinching the little redhead's cheeks. She glanced from Horatio to her son. "You two are so cute!!!"

"Moooom!!" exclaimed Rick, going redder on the face.

"Okay, okay. Mommy needs to go anyway." She kissed her son on the cheek. "Bye, Duckie."

"Bye," returned Rick, letting out a big breath.

"Don't forget daddy," she told him and looked at the car at the far end.

Rick waved his hand sheepishly at the car and saw his father wave back with a smile on his face. He then quickly turned away, looking as red as his friend's hair, mumbling something that sounded like, "I told her to not call me that!"

Horatio smiled broadly and raised his eyebrows, giving Rick a look of utter amusement. He then walked in the school, quietly, saying, "Whose nickname is stupid now?"

Rick shot him a cold gaze, but eventually followed him inside, saying in a murderous tone, "Don't even go there."

Horatio, unable to stifle his delight any longer, laughed to his heart's content, clutching his sides.

Rick scowled and told him to shut up as they neared their classroom, going in as the bell rang and getting ready for their first period.

"Okay, I'm—sorry," Horatio said in between laughs. He gave his friend a look of utmost glee and mischief, then, added, "…Duckie."

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Little Horatio: Let me know what you guys think! Should I continue? I have loads more in-store!