Title: The Little Princess

Author: innocent choir girl (ff-dot-net), shannyfish (From Out of the Lab/Miami Heat/LJ)

Summary: New York is working a case in Miami; it brings Calleigh back to Horatio. But when Calleigh meets Isabel Caine, she knows that no matter what that she and Horatio can never be together. Sequel to "Smile".

Category: Crossover with CSI: NY

Genres: Angst, Drama

Characters: Calleigh Duquesne, Mac Taylor, Stella Bonaserra, Danny Messer, Lindsey Monroe, Sheldon Hawkes

Rating: PG-13

Chapter: 1 "Morning Coffee"

Author's Notes: Okay, so this is my first time writing for any CSI: NY characters, so please bear with me! Check my youtube profile (shannyfish) for the trailer for this story and its sequel "Last Wish".

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Starbucks on Monday mornings had started as merely something that Calleigh took to be 'team bonding' with her joining the New York CSIs nearly five years before, but it had been something steady that hadn't been forgotten. Calleigh was the first one there and had pulled together chairs to a table off to the side. She was normally the first, and she took the chance to check her e-mail on her laptop while she waited. Normally it was what she did while she waited, and Calleigh was never surprised when Danny instant messaged her to let her know that he and Lindsey would be late. As her desktop situated and signed into messenger and e-mail, Calleigh stared out at the New York morning skyline. It was one of her favorite times. The Starbucks was propped up giving a beautiful view even if the walk up sometimes could take a toll on you. The familiar ding brought Calleigh's attention to her screen.

Danny: We're on our way, Cal

Calleigh: Alright, I've already got the table. I'll be waiting.

Danny: See you soon

Calleigh smiled to herself as she closed the messenger window. She already assumed they'd be late, but Danny still always messaged. She opened her e-mail window and scanned the senders. Some of them were from family. Her dad e-mailed her at least three times a week and she'd return the e-mail or call him. He'd offered to move to New York with her, but he was finally doing well in Miami, and Calleigh hadn't seen any reason to drag him away from it. Her brothers would occasionally e-mail her with updates. But one stuck out to her and made her eyes fill up tears. She forced her gaze away from the screen as she blinked her eyes a few time willing the tears away. She clicked on the e-mail opening it. It was from Marisol. She got an e-mail from her occasionally just updating her on what was going on in Miami. It was always good news, but she still thought about Horatio and how Marisol was married to him. She'd never have their happy ending. The month before she'd received one letting her know that there had been promotions in the lab. Horatio had been promoted to captain, Speed had been promoted to lieutenant, and Eric had been promoted to sergeant. It was exciting, but she still felt a pang of sadness. This month's e-mail was about something entirely different. Isabel Caine, Horatio and Marisol's daughter, would be turning five and would be entering kindergarten in a couple weeks. There were new pictures attached and Calleigh didn't miss the fact that the girl carried Horatio's eyes. She'd gotten pictures since Isabel was born, but she was always surprised by the eyes. People moving her way caught her attention and she looked up to see Danny and Lindsey entering with Sheldon.

"Look who we found!" Danny told her pointing to Hawkes as Lindsey and Sheldon headed for the line and he diverted his course to Calleigh. "So, what's up with you?"

"Nothing," Calleigh told him closing the windows on her desktop and powering down her computer.

"C'mon now, I thought we agreed you'd tell me stuff like you tell Speed," Danny told her. "I am better lookin' than he is," he said batting his eyes.

Calleigh laughed, "You're so nice to him!" She shook her head.

"Hey, whatever to get you to talk…it's either me or Lindsey and Stella. Though, if it's shoppin' therapy you need…then I guess you'd need them."

"I got another e-mail from Marisol," Calleigh told him quietly as she diverted her eyes downward.

"They all didn't get promoted again, did they?" he asked. "Cuz then I'm gonna feel bad. Maybe we should all hit Mac up for promotions."

Calleigh's smile brightened, "I'm sure he'd appreciate that."

"So, what was it about?" Danny pushed.

"Isabel's birthday and how she'll be startin' kindergarten…" Calleigh told him a bit sadly.

"You know what this means? You need to get yourself a guy."

Calleigh rolled her eyes, "No, I'm fine without dating…"

"What about Speed? Doesn't he stay over at your place when he visits?"

She smacked his arm, "That's none of your business!" she told him and shook her head. "Next, you're gonna be tellin' me I need to have a baby, too."

"Well, as long as you know what I'm goin' say," Danny said shrugging.

"You know, I think you need to go Calleigh told him turning around the subject on him. "She deserves it. You guys act like you're married. Why not just make it official?"out and buy a ring for Lindsey and finally propose,"

Danny looked nervously over to the counter where Lindsey was waiting for coffees with Sheldon. He looked back at Calleigh with a slight smile, "Don't go pushin' it, Cal… Let us do it at our own time."

Calleigh shrugged, "Just as long as you let me do it on my own time, too."

"C'mon, Cal. Can you blame me for bein' concerned?" Danny asked.

"Where did you get that line from? Speed?"

"You should really return his calls, by the way," Danny said innocently as he got up and walked away to help Lindsey with the coffees.

Calleigh sighed and packed her laptop away in its case, she noticed that the rest of the crew was there also. Mac and Stella gave her a little wave before heading over to order coffees. "This is gonna be a long day," she mumbled as she folded her arms over the table and let her head fall into place in them.

Lindsey and Danny sat to her left while Sheldon sat across the table from her. "Didn't you sleep, Calleigh?" Sheldon asked concerned.

"Oh, she's fine," Danny said and pushed a coffee in her direction, "Just ask her."

Calleigh raised herself up and leaned back in her chair sending a glare in Danny's direction before reaching out and pulling her coffee in front of her. "Be nice, Danny."

"I am nice, aren't I nice, Linds?" Danny asked trying to look as hurt and offended as possible as he looked from Calleigh to Lindsey.

Lindsey patted his arm lightly, "Be nice, Danny."

Mac and Stella joined them shortly later with their coffee. They sat in the empty chairs between Hawkes and Calleigh. "How are we doing this morning?" Mac asked as he looked around the table at his team. He got smiles, nods, and shrugs. It was the normal response without any prodding. "I got a call this morning," Mac said deciding not to beat around the bush. "From Miami. Horatio is asking for our help on a case. He's got a serial killer down there that matches ours from last year."

"Which one?" Lindsey asked interested.

Calleigh stayed quiet, just listening. She knew that they wouldn't all be going, and she just hoped that Mac would be nice enough to let her stay behind in New York rather than dragging her to Miami.

"The razor blade killer," Stella spoke up. "The killer down in Miami has killed five people in a matter of a week. They've got no leads, but the signature is all the same…everything matches."

"So," Danny said. "Who gets to go down to sunny Miami?"

……………………

TBC…