Trapped

Chapter 1

Roughly 2 months had passed after the shooting and neither of them had received any more threatening messages, but they both knew he wouldn't give up so easily. Horatio and Zoë were still in their relationship, but they hadn't moved forward just yet, but were very happy at the stage they were at. The truth is that they were both afraid of pushing the other into something they didn't want to do, the both of them knew the other had been though a lot when it came to relationships and weren't sure where the boundaries were. They both wanted to move forward, it was just the initiation of that movement that they needed a nudge with. The communication between the two of them was usually faultless, but when it came to moving forward, neither wanted to suggest it. Despite that they both felt very relaxed around each other, which is something they had a problem with around others, they could completely be themselves around each other and not feel self-conscious.

It still hadn't been announced as they hadn't gotten round to it and no-one had asked. Not even Ryan had questioned, he'd noticed that they'd look at each other slightly differently every now and then, but thought nothing of it. Both Horatio and Zoë had decided that when they were on the job, their relationship would have to be professional only, they couldn't chance it getting in the way of the cases.

Horatio, however, was trying to overcome one of his greatest fears, losing Zoë; just like so many he's lost along the way. He was certain one more death in his life of someone he loved and cared for would push him over the edge. All he wanted to do was keep Zoë from working and protect her every minute of her life, but he knew that it was completely ridiculous and could never happen, even in the most ideal world. He often had thoughts on whether to suggest moving her to desk work just so she was out of the immediate danger that they come up against every single day, but knew that it wouldn't go down well.

When she was out in the field, it was the time Horatio's thoughts would grow wild, sometimes disrupting his thoughts on the case in hand so he could keep an eye on her and any potential threat that ever came close to her. But every time he thought of bringing the change of job up with her, he thought 'who am I to keep her from living her life?' but he always quickly combated the question with a barrage of answers, his need to protect her was overwhelming along with his need for her to be a part of his life. He knew that his obsession for protecting her was excessive, but even the thought of losing her would blow his emotions out of proportion.

She quite often asked him if there was anything bothering him when she saw this happening, but he blamed the job in fear of pushing her away. He knew that his thoughts were unreasonable and foolish; he couldn't share those thoughts with her because he thought she wouldn't understand his need to protect her so. Weirdly, these thoughts seemed to disperse when he was with her at home, although the worry still lay at the back of his mind, it wasn't half as influential on his emotions and thoughts. She had that special quality of easing his erratic thoughts or worries – something Horatio needed otherwise he'd think himself into oblivion. He knew that he had become physically more protective of her whether she had noticed he didn't know. He'd often place himself between her and any potential threat, be it that the threat is another man eyeing her up to a loud suspect or between her and a criminal yielding a weapon. She often stepped away from his attempt to shield her which stressed him out somewhat but he knew it was just her and that she probably didn't even realise she was doing it. She didn't like it when he stood in front of her, but liked to stand close to him and that was something he was very grateful for, he'd like to feel her close. What he didn't realise was that he was slipping into the sense that feeling her close was a given. He'd noticed that she'd stand close to him, but he also knew that she'd stand close to Ryan also. He'd noticed this a few months back and just assumed that she felt comfortable with them. Ryan hadn't noticed how she'd stand close to Horatio, he was more focused on the fact that she'd stand close to him. She didn't even realise she was doing it most of the time, however, Ryan took this as a signal that she was beginning to like him.

XXXXXXXX

The team had finished work for the day after a hot and busy Tuesday.

Zoë had gone for a run after work and then took a shower before she went out and got a Chinese. 'How healthy… at least my run has already eaten up some of those calories.' She thought as she drove back and parked up on Horatio's drive. 'I bet he's working still.' She thought to herself as she got out after picking her handbag up and the Chinese. She knocked on his door and he answered looking a little stressed.

"Hey handsome, everything okay?" She asked noticing the stressed look on his face.

"Hello beautiful, yes all is well. Come in." He said as a smile appeared across his face, all of his stress began to disappear just seeing her beautiful smile.

"I thought you'd be working, so I brought something to preoccupy you." She said with a happy grin as they walked through to the kitchen and placed the bag on the counter.

"Thank you." He whispered softly in her ear as he gently wrapped his arms around her waist as he stood behind her, his muscles all relaxed as he felt her in his arms. 'Already feel so much better, why can't I always just hold her?' He thought to himself as he inhaled. 'I love that perfume, if only she knew what it does to me.' He thought as he took in her fragrance as he hugged her tighter feeling her soft hair against the side of his face. She turned around in his arms and brushed his lips with hers as she whispered "no problem." She said as she wrapped her arms around him inside his jacket as they kissed passionately. Every single ounce of Horatio's worries disappeared and his thoughts calmed down to a minimum.

"I… need to… eat… I'm star…ving." She said between butterfly kisses and then broke from the kiss.

"Been for a run?" He questioned with his hands still firmly placed around her waist, he smiled sweetly at he glanced down at her lips briefly then back into her captivating brown eyes.

"Got it in one" she said with a smile and then she gave him one last kiss before they broke from the hug.

They sorted out the food and ate, discussing the day at work. They then finished and cleared up and walked through to the living room and put the TV on.

"Much better than work" Zoë said as she pulled her legs up under her as she sat next to Horatio.

"Most definitely" he said with a small boyish grin and she grinned back up at him and softly gave him a quick loving kiss. It had gotten dark outside and Horatio pulled the curtains and blinds too and then sat back down beside Zoë. A CSI program came on and they were both glued too it, they both enjoyed pointing out all of the mistakes.

"Always far too much drama" Horatio said as he chuckled.

"There's always far too much drama at work too!" She said as she turned to him with a massive grin. They gazed into each other's eyes.

"You're eyes are so beautiful" she said, mesmerised by them as Horatio smiled at her, they seemed to be almost like a stress ball, she'd look into them and her worries would just disappear. He knew how much she loved his eyes.

"You're so beautiful" he replied back with a small cheesy grin. "Little bit cheesy, but I'll take it." She said with a grin as he took her hand in his and tenderly played with her fingers. He smiled at her and leaned in, wanting another kiss from her perfect lips. 'I love you, I just wish I could say it without the worry of scaring you off. Is she ready to hear those words? Are her feelings as strong for me as mine are for her? Stop worrying and concentrate on the situation at hand, you're so beautiful Zoe. I just wish I could have you all to me and share you with no-one.' Horatio thought to himself as his mind wandered slightly. She saw him beginning to think and then placed her right hand behind his head as they began to softly kiss again, she felt him relax. Zoë turned her body to Horatio and leaned forward as he placed his right hand on her waist. He quickly ran his left through her silky hair.

She gently bit his lip as the moment began to heat up quickly, both feeling each other's passion for the other. She initiated a deep kiss as she parted her lips with Horatio following her lead. His tongue then slid between her lips and her tongue danced along with his. Their hearts began to beat faster and harder as their breathing increased and they still felt the same fluttering in their stomachs as they did the first time they kissed. 'She's so full of passion; she must feel the same way about me as I do about her. I just want to hold her and feel her soft skin beneath my fingers.' He thought, wanting more than just a sensual kiss, although, the sensual kiss was skin-tingly good.

Zoë placed her left hand on Horatio's chest as she pulled herself closer to him, knowing he was thinking. 'He's thinking again. Is he ready to progress to the next step? Or should I leave him to make the move?' She thought. 'He won't make that move; he'll be worrying about pushing me.' She thought, making her decision to be the first to move further. Her fingertips gently brushed down the back of his neck and around to the collar of his shirt where her other hand met at the collar. She slowly began to undo his buttons as they kissed deeply. It was the first time she'd gone to undo his shirt, in an intimate way, the last time being to look at the rash on his chest. Horatio's right hand slid down her waist and down her outer thigh, feeling the next stage was in order, he knew she felt ready and he did too. 'She is ready; I don't think I could have waited much longer. I'm glad she made the decision though, so I know she is ready.' He thought as he spread his fingers and thumb as he slowly glided his hand back up and held it at the top of her leg, their breathing increased more as their desire for each other grew. She managed to undo his shirt and her soft hand gently made contact with his chest as her right hand delicately ran through his hair again. He brought his left hand up and lightly threaded his fingers in her hair again. Horatio gently ran his hand down her thigh again and then up her inner thigh softly. She inhaled and broke from the kiss.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't expecting that." She said with a shy smile as she went back to kiss him again.

"I'm sorry." Horatio said as he broke from the kiss again, afraid that he'd taken it a step too far. She went back to lightly kiss him again, letting him know that she was okay.

"Don't be… it felt good… coming… from you." She said between kisses as she smiled while kissing, wanting him to do it again. 'Oh, Ryan and the crash. How could I forget?" Horatio thought to himself. Horatio moved his hand from her inner thigh and un-tucked her shirt, he very gently slid his hand up her side, taking in the incredibly soft skin, pulling her shirt up in the process. Her hand danced over his bare chest as she felt his warm skin beneath her fingertips. His fingers met with the side of her bra and he felt the intricate detail of the patterns. He slowly let his fingers coast across her skin as he brought his hand back down and on to her thigh as he slid his hand down and wrapped his hand around the back of her knee and pulled her over so she straddled him. She giggled a little as she broke from the kiss and brought her other hand up around his neck and then moved in closer to kiss him passionately again. He ran both of his hands up her thighs up let them disappear up her shirt as he swept his hands up her sides as she delicately ran her fingers through his hair. Her shirt was pulled up but she didn't care, she loved the feeling of his hands run over her skin. 'Do I dare to go a little further? She didn't mind me pulling her over onto me.' Horatio thought to himself, trying to judge what was best to do. 'I'll be the first one to move further this time.' He thought to himself as he ran his left hand down to sit at her waist while his other travelled around the side of her bra until he felt the underwire of her bra. She began to smile as she felt him getting closer to her breast, glad he was moving forward without being afraid of pushing her. He tenderly ran his fingers over her breast and then ever so lightly squeezed, enhancing both of their desires for the other. He very lightly squeezed again and a small moan left her throat, already feeling hot. Horatio felt himself stirring in his trousers, he tried to keep it under wraps as best he could for as long as he could, but he could no longer hold it back as his desires over took his thoughts.

Zoë's phone began to vibrate on the table, but she carried on kissing him as his fingertips gently slid around to her back and swept across her skin. The phone carried on vibrating.

"I'm so sorry handsome." She said as they broke from the kiss and Zoë reached over to pick the phone up. Horatio dropped his hand down to her waist, letting her shirt fall with it.

"It's Ryan…" She said looking at Horatio. 'Should I answer it? Why would he be calling now anyway?' She thought to herself.

"Answer it." Horatio said with a smile. Zoë gave him a nod as he withdrew his hands and she did the same and moved off him and sat next to him, snuggling up against him.

"Hello?" She said as she answered, calming herself down and pulling her shirt down.

"Zoë?" Ryan asked.

"Hi Ryan, yes, it's me." She answered.

"Can I ask a massive favour please?" He answered.

"Yes." She said as she listened intensely as Horatio took her free hand in his and began to play with her fingers and feel the soft skin on the back of her hand.

"Well, Delko and I went out to a few bars and we're a little out of town and no taxi's will let him in… he's had quite a few to drink you see." Ryan said hoping that she'd say yes. "I can't drive, I've had too much to drink."

"Okay honey, where are you?" Zoë said looking over to Horatio and softly bit her lip.

"We're at a nightclub called Fame." Ryan said loudly.

"Okay honey, I'll be right there." Zoë said softly looking at Horatio hoping he'd forgive her.

"Oh, don't tell H tomorrow, please?" Ryan said a little embarrassed, mainly for Eric.

"Erm… sure, I won't tell him." Zoë said looking at him with a small cheeky smile. "Hey! Delko, get back here!" Ryan shouted at Eric.

"Stay there, I'm on my way." Zoë said as she hung up.

"I'm sorry my lovely, I have to go…" She said as she sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"Where?" He questioned.

"I can't tell you that apparently." She said with a cheeky smile as she stood up and tucked her shirt back in.

"Sweetheart…" He said as he stood up with a boyish grin.

"To a nightclub called Fame, the taxi's won't let Delko in…" She said with a grin as she sorted her clothes out.

"I'm sorry; I wouldn't leave unless it was necessary…" She said as she gave him another kiss.

"I'll go with you; you can't be handling them both when they've been out… drinking." He said worrying about her.

"No, because you're not supposed to know. Don't worry handsome, I'll give you a call later."

"Okay sweetheart, be careful! If you get any problems, call me." He said as they went back for another kiss.

"I'll… see you… tomorrow." She said between kisses then planted her hands on his bare chest and stepped back, breaking the kiss.

"I'll see you tomorrow beautiful." He said with a smile. She smiled at him and they walked out of the living room as Horatio buttoned up his shirt. Zoë picked up her hand bag and got in to her car and drove over to this nightclub.

'I can't let her go on her own, can I? They've been drinking. What if they're difficult for her? What if they come on strongly to her? She can't deal with them on her own. They could make her crash, they're drunk, they're not going to care where their hands go.' Horatio began to worry.

'I'm not letting her go on her own, I can't.' Horatio said as he picked up his phone and went to pick up a jacket. 'What if I get there too late? Ryan isn't going to stop himself from coming on to her; he has enough difficulty with that when he's sober. He's too strong for her… he wouldn't would he? He cares about her, but his feelings mixed with alcohol…' Horatio began to panic. 'I'll call her she won't be there yet.' Horatio decided and pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialled for her.

'Pick up sweetheart' he thought as he heard the phone ring a few times.

"Hello?" She questioned, not knowing who was calling her as it came through the car speakers.

"Hello beautiful, it's Horatio.' He said softly, realising he was probably worrying a little too much.

"Hi handsome, is everything okay?" She asked, hearing the worry in his voice.

"Yes, I'm coming to meet you. You can't deal with them on your own sweetheart. They've been drinking and… well… they could be quite handsy." Horatio said quickly as he picked up his keys.

"No, don't worry about it handsome, they'll be fine. I can deal with them, it's only Eric that's a little too drunk." Zoë said softly.

"Sweetheart, I don't want you to have to deal with them on your own. It could be dangerous." Horatio argued slightly as he made his way to the door.

"Horatio, I'm fine, they'll be fine. You don't need to worry and you certainly don't need to come out too. It's alright, trust me." She said softly, hearing just how worried he was.

"Sweetheart–" Horatio said but was cut off.

"Handsome, I'll be absolutely fine. If I get any problems I'll call you, I really will. But you do not need to worry. Ryan sounded virtually sober anyway." She tried assuring him. She heard Horatio sigh on the end of the phone.

"I'll be fine." She said softly, reassuring him.

"Okay beautiful, but please call if you have any trouble with them at all." Horatio said, giving in to her.

"I will, I'll call you when I'm on my way home." She said softly.

"Okay, I'll speak to you later, be careful." He said softly.

"I will, speak to you later handsome." She said softly and then they hung up.

She pulled up beside Ryan and Eric and they both climbed in.

"I'm so sorry Zoë; I wouldn't have called if I didn't have to." Ryan said as he sat in the front passenger seat while Eric just slumped over the seats in the back.

"Delko, sit up." Ryan ordered as Zoë turned around to see him half in the car, lying across the seats.

"How much has he had to drink?" Zoë said looking back at Ryan, she could smell the alcohol on Eric from the front.

"I honestly couldn't tell you." Ryan replied looking back too. Zoë sighed and took her seatbelt off and climbed out the car and walked around to the still open door.

"Eric honey, sit up and get in the car properly for me please." Zoë said firmly as she leant on the door.

"Zoë?" He slurred as he pushed himself up turning to look at her.

"Yes, it's me; now get in the car properly please." She said as she bent down. Eric pulled his legs in the car and sat up and rested his head against the head rest.

"If you're sick in here, you'll be spending tomorrow giving it a deep clean, okay?" Zoë said sternly but with a small smile.

"Okayyyyy" Eric slurred, looking over to her with a drunken grin.

"Seatbelt?" Zoë questioned, backing away from him a little as the smell of alcohol was overwhelming.

"Yeah" Eric said as he reached for the seatbelt but didn't find it as he lifted his head. Zoë sighed and rolled her eyes at him.

"I've got it." Zoë said as she leant over him and pulled it across him.

"How… how about a good night kiss too?" Eric slurred loudly, watching her put his seatbelt on him.

"No honey, but if you ask Ryan nicely enough, he might…" She said with a grin as she shut the door. She walked around the car.

Meanwhile, Horatio was still worried sick. He was convinced something bad was going to happen and still contemplated driving over to meet them.

Zoë had gotten into her car and shut the door again.

"Why did you let him drink so much?" Zoë questioned as she put her seatbelt on and turned the ignition on.

"I didn't think he was that drunk, it all seemed to hit him at once." Ryan said with a small chuckle.

"How much have you had to drink then mister?" She asked as she pulled away.

"Not that much, just a few." Ryan said looking at her with a happy grin.

"Hmm… it looks like a little more than a few." She said grinning.

"Eric, you okay back there?" Zoë called.

"Yeah" he slurred as he lifted his head from a slumped position.

"I hope I didn't catch you in the middle of anything." Ryan asked as he rested his head back glancing at her. 'I should ask her out again. Or I could just gently place my hand on her leg? Ahh, I'd give anything to touch her.' He thought to himself.

"No, I had just eaten dinner." She said with a small smile. Zoë turned the radio on a little and Eric started to sing along to the words. 'No, don't do that, it could cause an accident! Why did I drink so much?" He questioned himself, not even realising she'd put the radio on.

"Now, that… that is worth coming out for…" She said as a massive grin appeared across her face. It was 'Every time we touch' by Cascada.

"I didn't have you down as liking this sort of music…" Ryan said looking over to her confused.

"It's on the radio for some bizarre reason, it's not my stuff, I'm more worried about the fact that he knows the words to it!" Zoë said chuckling to herself looking at Eric in the mirror. Ryan laughed as he put his head back.

"I don't think I should have had those last 3 shots…" He said softly, slurring slightly.

"You're not going to be sick are you?" Zoë asked growing concerned glancing over to him a few times.

"No, I can feel the effects though!" Ryan said with a grin appearing across his face.

"Oh no… I can only just deal with Eric… let alone you." She said with a smile.

"I won't be as bad as him." Ryan said smiling looking back at Eric who was singing quite happily in his own world.

"Are you sure pretty boy? Because I'm sure I'd have to video you." Zoë said with a cheeky smile.

"Oh yeah?" Ryan said. 'She's coming on to me, oh yes.' Ryan thought to himself.

"Yeah, I'd be filming him at the moment… but I've got to do a thing called driving your sorry ass's home." She said grinning as she pulled up onto Eric's road. Ryan's thoughts were quickly shattered, realising she wasn't coming on to him, it was just another of her innocent remarks. Zoë pulled up outside Eric's.

"Eric honey, we're here." She said as she got out and closed her door and walked around to open his. Eric tried to climb out but was restrained by the seatbelt.

"Hey, sit back." She said as she unplugged the seatbelt. She helped Eric out and kicked the door shut as Ryan climbed out.

"Are you going to be of any help or am I going to have to carry you as well?" She said with a grin as Ryan placed Eric's arm around his neck. Zoë did the same to stop him from falling flat on his face. They walked up the path.

"Erm… do you want to get his keys? They're in his front pocket…" Ryan said as they got to his front door.

"Can't you do that?" She said, really not wanting to root through his pockets, almost afraid of what she may find.

"Erm… it's less weird if you do it really." Ryan said grinning at her, swaying a little himself.

"Fine" Zoë said as she let go of Eric's arm and slipped her hand into his pocket and pulled out his keys as he looked up and grinned at her.

"Hey, that means nothing." She said raising an eyebrow, as she tried to stifle a smile. She put the key in the door and opened it and placed the keys on the table beside the door as they got in. Ryan kicked the door shut as they went to find his room. They sat Eric on his bed.

"Go to sleep honey." Zoë said as Ryan turned around and began to walk out but stumbled into a table and knocked off a glass which split.

Ryan looked up at Eric and they both just broke out in hysterical laughter. They were both absolutely hysterical and couldn't stop laughing.

"Eric, sleep. Ryan, out." She ordered to try and gain some control over the situation, Ryan had doubled over from laughter and Eric's head began to throb. She began to grin because of their laughter, but couldn't laugh because of principle. They were both bright red in the face; they eventually managed to calm themselves down after a few minutes.

"Ohhh aren't you coming to bed with me?" Eric asked as his face dropped.

"No, but I can leave Ryan here to keep you company?" She asked glancing over to him.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Ryan questioned as he stumbled over to Zoë.

"Eric, go to sleep. Ryan, get out." Zoë said with a smile as she turned around and picked up the broken glass and put it in the bin.

"Come on Ryan." She said as they both stared at her ass.

"Am I going to have to slap you both?" She questioned as she caught them both staring through the corner of her eye.

"No, I'm going." Ryan said as he began to walk out of the room.

"You, sleep. I'll see you at work tomorrow." Zoë said with a smile as she shut his door. She saw Ryan stumbling over to the stairs.

"Ryan!" She shouted quietly and he stopped and turned as she rushed over to him.

"You can't walk down those on your own." She said as she placed a hand around his waist as she put his other hand around her neck. She slowly helped him down. 'Would she freak if I touched her?' Ryan asked himself silently as his thoughts were no longer rational and thought he could do anything.

"I knew I'd be carrying you out." She said shaking her head with a grin.

"I'm fine." Ryan slurred slightly.

"Yeah, and I'm a Queen." She said sarcastically.

"But you are…" Ryan slurred a little.

"Yeah, sure" she said as they reached the bottom of the stairs, happy that he didn't fall and drag her down with him. They got out of the house and Zoë got Ryan to the car. He turned to her as she opened the door and took a hold of her waist as he stepped in closer.

"Ryan, think about what you're doing. Let me go, please." She said calmly, knowing it was the alcohol. He looked at her lips as they moved; he was too absorbed in watching her lips move to hear what they were saying. He began to move his hand up, going for her breast.

"Ryan, let me go. Please." She said a little more forcefully as she took hold of his wrists. He looked up at her and realised that she was being serious. He quickly withdrew his hands, realising that he was being completely inappropriate.

"I'm sorry Zoë." He said as he looked at her, shocked with himself.

"Just get in the car." She said as she backed off and walked round to get in herself. They put their seatbelts on.

"I'm really sorry Zoë, I didn't mean to… it's the drink." Ryan slurred a little.

"Just forget about it." Zoë said, letting him off lightly. 'I better not tell Horatio about that…' She thought to herself as she pulled away.

"I'm still really sorry." Ryan said softly, looking for some sort of forgiveness.

"Okay honey, just forget about it." She said softly glancing over to him.

They drove over to his as he began to doze off. She pulled up outside of his.

"I can't believe you're both this drunk and it's not even that late!" She said as she helped Ryan out of the car.

"We're not that drunk." Ryan said with a grin as Zoë closed the door. She helped him over to his front door.

"Keys?" Zoë questioned. Ryan put his hand in his pocket and pulled them out. He tried to open the door but was completely missing the lock.

"Pass them here." Zoë said as she took them from him.

"Thank you." Ryan said.

"Come on." She said as she helped him in as she placed his keys on the side. She found his bedroom and they walked in.

"Now you; sleep and I'll see you tomorrow." She said with a smile.

"Thank you again and I'm sorry." Ryan said slowly.

"Don't worry about it, good night." She said as she shut his door. She drove home and rang Horatio to let him know that everything was good.

The next morning Zoë turned up for work on time and got to work as Ryan stumbled in looking rough.

How are you feeling this morning?" She questioned with a massive smile.

"Fragile…" He answered as he sat down.

"Let's get you a coffee." She said as she dragged him back up and then Eric stumbled in too, looking even worse.

"You too" she said loudly getting his attention. He walked over to them and they went to the break room where they both slumped on the sofa. She made them a cup of coffee.

"And how are you feeling Eric?"

"mmm" He replied as he put his head back.

"I thought as much, how did you even manage to drive in?" She questioned.

"I don't know." Eric said lifting his head as she brought two cups over to them and handed them both to them.

"I didn't know you were a fan of Cascada…" Zoë said as she looked at him and stepped back. Eric looked at her confused.

"When it was on the radio last night you sang along to it, knowing all of the words…" Zoë said with a grin as she stifled a snigger.

"Oh lord…" Eric said putting his head back.

"What else happened?" Eric asked dryly.

"Well, you offered me your bed… and a good night kiss." Zoë said as she chuckled.

"Zoë, I'm so sorry. Really. I was out of my mind." Eric said as he lifted his head with wide eyes.

"Don't worry about it honey, Ryan joined you in bed." She said sincerely.

"WHAT?" He said looking over to Ryan wide eyed.

"He didn't really, I then took him home. Don't worry about it; I'm happy I can be of assistance." She said with a smile and a small chuckle. Eric smiled and put his head back down when Horatio came in to the break room and they both stood up and looked to attention. A small smile appeared across his face, seeing them looking worse for wear.

"Good night gentlemen?" Horatio asked as he put a hand on his hip.

"You could say that." Ryan said, a little embarrassed by the state they were in.

"We have a call out." Horatio said to them and then his eyes landed on Zoë.

"They're going to have to ride with us." She said with a cheeky smile looking from Eric to Ryan to Horatio. Horatio raised his eyebrows.

"Erm… we may have had a little to drink last night." Eric piped up sorrowfully.

"I see." Horatio said, hiding a small smile, he quickly walked out.

"Come on boys." She said with a smile as they gulped their coffee down.

The day passed quickly and both Ryan and Eric sobered up sufficiently to drive themselves home after feeling rotten all day.

Zoë went for a work out in her gym before having a soothing bath. She ate some pasta and then sat down and rested. She pulled her phone out and rang Horatio.

"Hey handsome" she greeted him sweetly.

"Hello beautiful" he replied, equally as sweetly.

"Have you finished your work?" She questioned.

"Yes, and just had dinner." Horatio said softly. "Is everything okay between you and Mr Wolfe? He seemed a little distant today, especially around you." Horatio said softly.