Pairing: I'm not part of the H/C group for nothing! ;)

Summary: Sequel to Pursuit of Happiness. Just like the Hummer poster: "EXCESSIVE. IN A ROME AT THE HEIGHT OF ITS POWER SORT OF WAY", this story is excessively angsty and fluffy… You know, the good stuff grin

Disclaimer: Characters aren't mine. Darn- and I thought I could make them do what I wanted.

000

Bruised Inside

000

"Happiness is not having what you want. It's wanting what you have." –unknown

Now you and I, you and I

Not so little you and I anymore

And with this silence brings a moral story

more importantly evolving is the glory of a boy

–You & I Both by Jason Mraz

Chapter 1: Orange Sky

The best part was having this beautiful child, resembling his father like two drops of water; his eyes- blue like the sky, his hair- red like the burning sunrise.

Standing behind the glass patio door, Calleigh rocked Darian in her arms while watching the baby's father stare out from the beach, at the endless blue ocean. It worried her, to some degree, to watch him. He would always turn to the sea when he was angry or sad. It was Horatio's way of finding peace. She wondered why he was, at this moment, seeking it.

It was often that they had the chance to watch the sunrise with Darian now in control of their sleeping habits.

Calleigh wondered if her son would grow up to be like his father - there was no stopping Horatio when his mind was set on a goal; challenges intrigued him and he liked activities that required physical effort as well as mental ingenuity. Almost married to his job, he was, she thought. And this, coming from the workaholic. She smiled silently at her thoughts.

Holding her gaze in his direction, she continued to muse. The smile faded. She knew Horatio had a desire to systematize his life, but so frequently, he'd be taken into instability, change and new experiences with his job. And now, it seemed he was experiencing it in his personal life. She sensed that much.

The sun appeared at the horizon, rising slowly, creating a spectacle of light.

Gradually, the sea was lit in an orange glow. Rays of light danced on the gentle waves creating sparkling stars on the water's surface.

Horatio felt a hand touch his back. He turned slightly, lifting his arm over Calleigh to hug her to his side.

"Hey you," she sighed, leaning in.

"Hey," he said gently.

Calleigh closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of his embrace. "I came back to bed and you were gone." She'd gotten up to feed Darian. "I didn't think you were awake…"

Kissing her eyelid, Horatio's head tipped to the side at the sound of a gurgle followed by a whine.

Lifting an eyebrow, he looked at the baby monitor clipped on Calleigh's hip and muttered, "I think he misses his mother."

Calleigh, rarely at a loss for words, replied easily, "I can tell you who he's really missing: his dada," she smiled happily, "You gonna come inside anytime soon to have breakfast with your family?" She obviously wanted the association this morning - loneliness was out of the question.

There was another sound emitted from the monitor - Darian giving a warning before he started crying, frustrated that no one came to comfort him.

"That's your cue," Calleigh advised.

"Mm. Duty calls," Horatio acquiesced and, with an arm around her, he turned away from the lapping ocean and walked back with her to their home.

Calleigh had had the desire to move out of her old place shortly after her miscarriage, unable to stop tearing up when she remembered that awful night and what had happened in her bathroom. When Horatio had sensed this, he'd told her to move in with him. They were now comfortably settled in, never forgetting the loss they had endured, but able to move on in a place that only held good memories for them.

Horatio entered his second favorite room: his son's- his favorite being the master bedroom he shared with Calleigh.

"Daddy's coming-" he called.

Darian was fast passed fussing - crying loudly, red faced, and trembling from displeasure.

Leaning in the crib, Horatio scooped the small child up with two arms - one supporting his bottom, the other resting against his head. Immediately, the infant stopped sobbing. Whimpering falsely, his big crocodile tears were sucked back in.

"Hi, partner," Horatio smiled, holding Darian and kissing his head.

Laying Darian across one arm with his head in the crook of his elbow, Horatio used his free hand to pick the abandoned pacifier in the crib and offered it to the little boy who took it greedily.

Horatio joined Calleigh in the kitchen and came across Ella, the slightly oversized spoiled cat, which grazed his leg affectionately. Horatio crouched, Darian's eyes going wide from the loss of altitude, and stroked the cat's neck until she purred, eyes rolling in the back of her head. She fell back on her side in lazy content and Horatio smiled at the gently snoozing animal. Calleigh, standing by the stove, didn't miss a beat and said, "You sure know how to please her."

"Just her?" Horatio asked, a smile playing on his lips.

Calleigh left the eggs sizzling on the stove to come and kiss Horatio. "I can vaguely remember last night's encounter," she teased him.

"Is that right?" Horatio asked, nibbling her neck, causing her to laugh.

Darian, stuck between his parents, gently moved his head, wondering what had happened to his view.

Calleigh stepped back and rubbed her baby's cheek. Silently sucking on his pacifier, Darian closed his eyes at the touch.

"Here- I'll take him-" Calleigh held her arms out. "You have to get ready for work."

"Thanks, pumpkin," Horatio gave up Darian and took Calleigh's place at the stove, intending on getting dressed after breakfast. Wearing sweatpants and a tee shirt to work was out of the question, though mentally replacing the cotton pants for jeans, Speed's attire came to mind.

Calleigh nestled Darian at her neck for a while before settling him in his bassinet on the kitchen table.

She set the table while Horatio took plates out from the cabinet and served breakfast.

They ate in complete silence, enjoying each other's company, knowing very well that they'd be apart for the rest of the day. Darian watched, dozing off now and again.

Taking the last moments with him to straighten his collar, Calleigh said almost regretfully, "I wish I could go with you-"

"You'll be back in the saddle in no time," Horatio smiled, "and you'll wish you hadn't said that."

She nodded, looking back at the sleeping Darian, "I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm happy to be here to care for him-" This was her new life. Their new life. They were three now.

Horatio sensed something in her voice. "But?"

"But it scares me to think that things will never be the same again and I'll worry about him when I'm not around…" she hesitated before finishing, "like I do with you."

"Of course you'll think of him at work, but you'll get used to it." Horatio smiled tenderly. "I did." He wanted her to know he cared and thought of them throughout the day. The clock chimed in the background. "I better get going - call me if there's anything-"

"I will," she flashed him a bright smile that dimmed when she told him the two most important words, "Be careful."

"I promise," he kissed her, lingering a bit, his mind flickering to the image of last night.

Letting go of her hourglass figure, he told her, "If you get bored, go out and buy yourself something nice."

And then, he was gone.

TBC…