You all are very patient with me and I thank you for that.

Some With Arrows, Some With Traps III

Chapter One: Sleepy

"And here," Horatio yawned, "is the DNA result from the joint taken from the scene. If IAB doesn't clear you after they see what's in this report, I would be in shock".

"Thanks Horatio," Eric smiled wearily.

The redheaded lieutenant sighed, wondering if he was really doing right in clearing Eric's name again. He had been accused of smoking marijuana so many times that there may be a drop of truth to it. And although the evidence proved Eric was innocent, Horatio couldn't help but to wonder if there is always something that he overlooks.

"I'm going to deliver this to IAB now", Horatio said, organizing the papers back into the file, "anything you want to add?"

"Yeah, tell Stetler to go fuck himself".

"With pleasure".

oOoOo

Rick stood over his desk, papers were everywhere. His jacket was off and his sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He impulsively scratched at his head before he pressed play on the small voice recorder next to him.

"I'm worried about him," the recorder sighed, "I guess it started sometime after Buchberger's death, I had never seen anyone so broken up about anything before. Anyways, two days ago his dog is run over (I was there) and he barely even batted an eye"

"Are there any other changes in his behavior since Officer Buchberger's death that have you concerned?" Rick's recorded voice asked.

"We don't go fishing anymore. I invite him every Friday, but he always declines. Did I do wrong? I mean, I just want to help him feel a bit better-".

Rick turned off the recording and focused his attention to a large silver book in the middle of the desk. He flipped through the pages, muttering to himself and taking notes on a scrap piece of paper he found under the couch. He has to quit procrastinating when it comes to buying notebooks.

There was a soft knock on the door.

"Come in," Rick called, momentarily removing a pen from his mouth, only to replace it after he had spoken.

Horatio stepped into the room, Eric's file tucked under his arm. He smiled over at Rick, who gave a half-hearted wave in response. He enjoyed seeing Rick so intense and focused; he carries it from the interrogation room right to his office.

"Rick's reading his favorite book," Horatio noted, closing the door behind him.

"Yes he is," Rick grumbled in third person, "and if this cheap-ass department would spring for a real psychiatrist, then he wouldn't need to read his favorite book everyday".

"You love it and you know it," Horatio smirked, "you analyze everything".

Rick straightened up and put the pen down, he sighed as he approached the redhead.

"That's the Psych major in me, I can't help it," he smiled, "is that Eric's file?"

"Yup," Horatio nodded, handing it over, "He's clean, just as I knew he would be".

"We have to cover all of our bases, Horatio," Rick sighed as he paged through the file.

"He just feels humiliated whenever it happens".

"I have no control over what my witnesses tell me".

"You should tell them when they're being idiots".

"That would be mean," Rick smirked, reaching the end of the file "Anything else?"

"Eric wants you to go fuck yourself".

Rick looked up into Horatio's soft blue eyes. He looked tired, little dark circles were beginning to form under them. His face looked like it had aged a year in a day. It was then Rick noticed how upset the lieutenant was. He threw Eric's file onto his desk and pulled Horatio into a comforting embrace, the other man's head resting on his shoulder.

"What's wrong, love?" Rick whispered gently, his fingers lacing themselves in Horatio's silky red hair.

"I've been having the day from hell," the redhead muttered into Sergeant Stetler's neck, "and I've only been here for three hours".

"Me too".

"I don't know if I will be able to make it over tonight".

"What?" Rick pulled back, furrowing his brow as he looked into Horatio's tired eyes.

Rick gently coaxed his lover across the room and down onto the sofa between the bookcases. He guided Horatio down onto the couch and took the seat next to him. Horatio looked wearily into Rick's soft chestnut eyes as his pale hands were lifted to the sergeant's lips.

"Things must be pretty bad if you won't be able to make it tonight," Rick murmured against Horatio's fingertips after he kissed them.

"I know how important tonight is," the redhead said wearily, "but I'm pretty sure that I'll barely make it to five".

"Didn't you get any sleep last night?"

"Barely. I couldn't turn my brain off".

"You poor thing," Rick cooed, stroking his lover's hair, "What were you thinking about? A case?"

"No," Horatio sighed weakly, "You".

Stetler chuckled lightly, draping an arm over the lieutenant's shoulders. Although Horatio looked so tired, he still managed to have an incredibly sweet glimmer in his eyes. Rick leaned in and lightly kissed Horatio on the forehead, pulling a soft little noise from his lover.

"I've been building myself up to today…well… tonight, for the past two weeks," Horatio murmured, resting his head on Rick's shoulder, "I didn't even notice I was doing it. And now that it's here... oh God, I'm like a little kid on Christmas".

They sat there, cuddling for a few moments. Neither of them wanted to be apart, especially on a day that meant so much to them. But yet…

"Go home, H," Rick sighed softly, "You're too tired to get any work done here".

"And what work are you getting done?" Horatio retorted, feigning anger.

"As head of this IAB division, I am ordering you, Lieutenant Caine, to go home as you are unable to perform your proper duties. You are then to report to my place at six o'clock".

"Is that your official statement, sergeant?" Horatio smirked into his lover's shoulder.

"Yes," Rick smiled into the lieutenant's hair, kissing him lightly.

"But I don't want to go home. I just want to sit here with you all day".

"And nothing would make me happier than to spend the rest of my life cuddled up here with you, Horatio," Rick smiled, "but you should probably get going. We can't let anyone find us here like this".

Horatio chuckled quietly and wrapped his arms around Rick. The brunette sighed contentedly as he felt Horatio nuzzle against his neck and kiss him lovingly.

"What are you laughing at?" Rick purred, running his hand down his lover's back.

"You," Horatio said, the smile in his voice, "you only worry about us getting caught if were just sitting here like this. It doesn't seem to bother you when you have me half naked and bent over your desk".

"Would you like me to voice my concern when we're like that?" he smirked, "because I can start. I personally think it's a buzz kill, but if it turns you on-"

"Rick-"

"No, seriously, I can start tonight. I just wish you would have informed me earlier".

"Rick, don't," Horatio whined into his chest, "Forget I said it".

"I will not," Rick smiled, tussling his lover's hair, "tonight is your night as well as mine. If you want it, it's yours".

"I don't want it. Stop messing with me".

Rick chuckled as he sat Horatio back up, beaming into his tired but smiling eyes. Horatio slouched into the couch were the two men had so often made love. His eyes scanned over a little mended tear in the seam of a cushion, where Rick's nails had done some damage to the upholstery. Rick perched on top of the couch and lightly kissed Horatio's forehead.

"But now," he cooed gently, "you need to get some sleep. Go home, love. I'll see you around six".

"But I-"

"-Horatio," Rick said sternly.

As much as he loved the lieutenant, he knew that they couldn't sit around cuddling all day; not when there was still a full day of work ahead of him. Rick had tried to keep his private life as separate from his work as possible. And despite the steamy make out sessions and hot office sex they so often had, Rick had never once manipulated an investigation to fall into Horatio's favor. Nor has Horatio let his lover get away with giving his team too much crap. Rick would be surprised if the others in IAB didn't notice his ongoing affairs with Horatio, but they didn't do anything to endanger the department; so nobody brought it up.

"Alright," Horatio agreed, timidly ducking his head as Rick lovingly caressed his arms, "I'll go".

"Good boy," Rick purred, grasping onto Horatio's collar and pulling him into a kiss.

Horatio's eyes drifted shut as he felt Rick's tongue slide over his own. The sweet familiar taste of his lover's mouth was absolutely heavenly. The redhead moaned in want as he felt his lover coil his arms around his waist and draw their bodies together. Rick held the kiss for what could have been an eternity, stealing all the breath from Horatio's lungs. Eventually he broke it, smirking to himself as he watched and heard his lover pant for breath.

"Say you love me," Rick cooed as he helped the redheaded lieutenant off the couch.

"I love you," Horatio sighed, looking into the light brown eyes of his lover, "more than anything".

"And I love you," Stetler answered, giving Horatio a light little peck on the cheek, "But I really have to get back to work now".

Horatio nodded understandingly, "I'll see you at six".

"Bye, H".

As Horatio opened the door to leave, he almost ran right into Molly, Rick's assistant. He nodded hello to her before he made his way down the hall to the elevators. She grinned at the CSI, following him with her eyes until Rick quite audibly cleared his throat.

"Can I help you, Ms. Shomer?" Rick asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I just came to deliver the preliminary reports on the Eardman case you said you would spend most of today on," she said, handing a file to him.

"Thank you".

"How's Horatio?" she grinned.

"Cutting right to the chase now, aren't you?" Rick smirked.

Molly shrugged and grinned. She had caught onto her boss' affair with Horatio pretty early on. She almost walked in on Horatio giving him a blow job about a month or so ago; now knowing to listen before she knocks. Although Rick was a little unprofessional at times, she had to admit that she thought that his relationship with Horatio was the cutest thing she's ever seen. Before they started dating, Rick used to be incredibly moody all the time. He would often take out his frustration on her, chewing her out at any available opportunity. But after he started seeing Horatio, Molly got to know Rick's gentle and humorous side. They had become pretty close friends since then.

"He's really tired today," Rick answered, "I sent him home".

"And he agreed?"

Rick nodded. Horatio often had trouble sleeping or staying asleep, but not enough to really classify it as insomnia. Rick had suggested that Horatio go home early on several other occasions, but the lieutenant was pretty stubborn. Horatio was the sort of guy who would only call in sick if his limbs were falling off; which is why his early leave was such a shock.

"I need him for tonight," Rick smiled, knowing Molly was comfortable talking about this sort of thing with him.

"Anything special?"

"It's our anniversary," Rick grinned, "One full year to the day".

"Congratulations," Molly giggled, loving the thought of them in a solid relationship, "I hope he catches up on his sleep by tonight".

"I hope so too, Molly," Rick sighed, thinking of his lover's shining eyes, "I hope so too".