Potent Snare
Chapter 1
Zoë woke one morning as her phone vibrated wildly on the bedside table. She pulled out of Horatio's loose grip and rolled over and picked her phone up, she felt an instant chill shroud her body as she moved to the cold area whereas Horatio was perfectly warm. She squinted as she read the caller ID. 'Natalia?' She thought to herself and then quickly accepted the call and put the phone to her ear as she laid back.
"Natalia, is everything okay?" Zoë asked as she rubbed one of her eyes as Horatio moved closer to her and wrapped his warm arm around her and pulled her over to him. She let out a small giggle as she playfully swatted Horatio's forearm as he moved his hand down to her shorts.
"I'm so sorry Natalia, don't mind me." Zoë apologised for giggling on the phone. "Behave" she mouthed silently to Horatio after he lifted his head and looked at Zoë, tiredly and squinting.
"I'm sorry to bother you Zoë and so early on a Saturday morning, but I've fallen down the stairs and I think I may have broken my wrist. I'm not sure though and I don't want to go to the hospital if I'm unsure." Natalia said softly, and then hissed in pain. Horatio lifted Zoë's top as he put is head back down on the cool spot on the pillow and exhaled softly and closed his eyes as his fingers skimmed from her belly button up to her ribs and back again.
"Not a problem Natalia, just stay right where you are, don't move. I'll be over in a few minutes, is there a spare key outside?" Zoë asked softly as she pushed Horatio's arm from her stomach and sat up, having pulled out of Horatio's grip. She pushed her hair back as it draped down the right side of her face. He opened his eyes and looked up at her just as she turned and climbed out of bed, he'd heard the seriousness in her voice when talking to Natalia, but was still in the slightly dazed sleep mode, so it didn't fully click.
"Yeah, it's under the middle plant pot, but I can answer the door to you." Natalia said softly.
"No, I don't want you to move Natalia, I'll find the key." Zoë said as she pulled underwear and clothes from the draws and wardrobe. She threw a pair of boxers at Horatio after he'd closed his eyes again, she saw that she'd startled him as his body jolted awake again as the boxers landed on his face. She pressed her lips together to stop a giggle escaping them as she turned around as Horatio pulled the boxers off his face and then lifted his head and looked down to Zoë.
"Okay" Natalia said quietly, just as Zoë looked back to Horatio and he saw that she was trying her hardest not to laugh. She took a deep breath and looked away from Horatio's sarcastically displeased face as he picked up the boxers in his right hand, because she wanted to laugh the more she looked at him.
"I'm just getting dressed and I'll be right over with Horatio, is that okay?" Zoë questioned as she pulled her shorts down with her left hand and then kicked them up into the air and watched them land in the washing bin. She glanced over to Horatio as he exhaled softly and slowly climbed out of bed.
"Yeah, thank you Zoë." Natalia said softly and they hung up, she turned to Horatio as she watched him wrap his arms around himself when his warm skin came in contact with the cold air. She then felt cold herself and she realised she'd left the air con on overnight.
"Sorry gorgeous" she apologised quickly as she walked past him as he changed into his boxers quickly. She pulled his clothes from the wardrobe and then threw some clothes to him, she then pulled some of her clothes from the hangers and changed as she walked out.
"Is it throw everything at Horatio day?" Horatio questioned sarcastically with a smile as he pulled on his trousers and shirt.
"Maybe" she smiled as she tied her hair up and glanced round to him.
"Why was I not informed?" He questioned while he did his buttons up, studying her as she tucked her shirt into her trousers.
"I like to surprise you." She said as she quickly applied a small amount of mascara.
"How about a different surprise?" Horatio questioned suggestively as he glanced down to her ass as she bent over slightly, closer to the mirror with a boyish grin.
"What sort of different surprise?" She asked innocently as she stood back up and looked round to him, sweetly and then applied a small amount of lip-gloss.
"Undressing again?" He questioned as he pulled his jacket on and she glanced back to him with a smile.
"That wouldn't be a surprise anymore though, would it?" She giggled softly as she threw the lip-gloss into her make-up box on the side.
A smile developed across his face as he glanced down and realised he hadn't done his cuffs up, so pulled his jacket sleeves up and did them up. "I guess you're right." He mumbled softly as he pulled his sleeves back down and sorted his jacket out.
She strolled into the bathroom after pulling some socks on and began to do her teeth.
"Why are we up and dressed?" Horatio questioned as he strolled into the bathroom and picked up his toothbrush.
"Natalia's fallen down the stairs." Zoë murmured as she tilted her head back so the toothpaste didn't fall out of her mouth.
Horatio squeezed the toothpaste onto his toothbrush. "Why didn't she ring for an ambulance?"
"She's unsure if she's broken her wrist. She said she didn't want to go to hospital if she wasn't sure it was broken." Zoë said after she spat the mouthwash out and Horatio nodded. They finished up in the bathroom and headed through to the bedroom.
"Let's go." She said as she walked out with Horatio following.
They arrived at Natalia's and got out of the car, Zoë quickly pulled the first aid kit from the back seat and walked up her path with Horatio as he placed his hand on her lower back. They got into the house and quickly closed the door and saw Natalia sitting at the bottom of the stairs. Zoë's eyes softened on Natalia.
"Oh Natalia, how did you manage that?" She questioned softly as she crouched in front of her as she placed her first aid bag on the floor. Horatio looked from Natalia and glanced around the house, studying the neutral décor.
"I don't know, I must have just slipped." She said as she glanced up at Horatio, Horatio looked back to her and gave her a silent, warm smile. Natalia then looked back to Zoë.
"Did you pass out?" Zoë questioned and Natalia shook her head.
"Okay, try and keep your head still, I want to just feel your neck okay?" Zoë asked as she moved closer and placed her hands on either side of Natalia's neck.
"Did you knock yourself out at all?" Zoë asked with a small frown.
"No." Natalia replied as she felt Zoë's fingers move about her neck.
"Okay, any pain or tenderness?"
"No, it's just my wrist that is hurting me."
"I know, I have to check though. I just want to shine this torch into your eyes, okay?" Zoë asked and Natalia nodded. Zoë quickly checked her eyes and then took her pulse. Zoë glanced up to Horatio and saw him peering around again as he set his hands onto his hips.
"I didn't disturb anything this morning did I?" Natalia whispered to Zoë and Zoë looked up at her and she remembered that she giggled on the phone.
"No, you'd just woke me up, don't worry about it." Zoë replied quietly with a sweet smile and Horatio looked back to them. Natalia gave her a nod as Zoë looked down to her wrist.
"Okay, I'm just going to look at your wrist okay? I'll try and be gentle." Zoë said and Natalia handed Zoë her left hand. Natalia hissed as Zoë felt the bones, she clenched her teeth together and glanced up at Zoë. Zoë's concentration was purely on the wrist, examining it closely and thoroughly.
"What sort of pain are you getting?" Zoë asked as she glanced up to Natalia.
"Just a sharp pain"
"Can you move your fingers for me please?"
Zoë watched Natalia move her fingers and create a fist. "Okay, I don't think it's broken or fractured. There's no discolouration or swelling and usually with fractures the pain isn't sharp, it's more of a burning aching pain. I don't think it's necessary to go to hospital, but we'll happily take you if you want?"
"I'm fine thank you, I just wanted your opinion."
"Okay, here's a support grip, it'll help. Keep it on for a few days, but don't stop moving the wrist as it'll seize up." Zoë said as she gently put the grip on her wrist.
"Thank you Zoë, I'm so sorry for bothering both of you so early on a Saturday morning."
"Don't worry about it, I'm happy you called." Zoë said softly and she then helped Natalia up.
"Are you sure you're okay Miss Boa Vista?" Horatio asked with his smouldering intensity, concerned about her.
"Yeah, I really am, thank you Horatio." She said softly with a nod as Zoë released her arm and let Natalia gently rub her wrist.
"Would you like a coffee or anything? It's the least I could do." Natalia said softly and Zoë gave her a smile and then nodded. She looked to Horatio as did Natalia and he silently nodded as he gave Zoë a small smile, then looked down to the sunglasses in his hands. He stepped back and allowed Natalia to pass, they then followed Natalia into the kitchen where she flicked the kettle on. Zoë frowned at Natalia.
"Natalia, how did you get that black-eye? That wasn't from the fall, was it?" Zoë asked as she leant on the side as Horatio stood just behind her and to her right. He looked from Zoë to Natalia, also noticing the faint black eye. He tilted his head at her, awaiting her answer.
"Oh no, I walked into one of the cupboard doors the other night." Natalia smiled softly at her and Zoë gave her a nod but didn't seem too convinced. Zoë tilted her head as her eyes fell to Natalia's left arm.
"Did you hit your arm too?" Zoë questioned when she saw bruising on her arm, Horatio's eyes soon followed where Zoë's had. Natalia let out a small chuckle and shook her head.
"Oh no, that was my nephew the other day, boys will always be boys." Natalia said softly with the same smile. Zoë bit her lip lightly and then studied the rest of Natalia. Natalia began to feel slightly uncomfortable and Zoë realised this so she stood up with a small smile.
"You have a nephew?" Zoë asked softly, changing the subject and Natalia nodded with a small smile.
"Nice apartment by the way." Zoë complemented with a smile as she glanced round with her hands on her hips.
"Thank you." Natalia said with a smile as she stirred the cups.
"Do you live alone?" Zoë asked softly noticing a few items that would belong to a male. Horatio placed his hand on her lower back, he knew she was being too inquisitive.
"Yeah, but my ex-husband still has some things here." Natalia said softly and Zoë lowered her eyebrows as another small frown developed.
"He hasn't had time to come and pick them up." She said softly and Zoë gave her a small nod. Zoë then smiled naturally when Natalia handed her and Horatio a cup and then sat down at the table with them.
"How's everything at work?" Natalia asked softly as she held the mug in between her hands.
"It's good, same old really." Zoë said with a natural smile, just happy to see Natalia again.
"How's Eric and Ryan?" She questioned and then saw the hesitance in Zoë's eyes almost immediately, but Zoë managed to quickly resolve herself visually as she gave Natalia the same set natural smile.
Horatio felt Zoë place her hand on his thigh while she continued to smile at Natalia. "Eric's good, we've not heard anything from Ryan. He's no longer working with us." She felt her heart rate accelerate slightly.
"How come?" Natalia asked softly as she sipped her coffee and Horatio looked to Zoë, he didn't want to say anything, so waited for her answer. He could see her thinking of something. Zoë took a deep breath to stall and then exhaled a smile.
"He wanted a career change I guess." Zoë said softly with a shrug as she sat back and sipped her coffee, Horatio could tell that she was now becoming uncomfortable while Natalia was none the wiser.
Natalia looked a little shocked, but not alarmed. "No kidding? What's he doing now?"
"We're not sure, we've not spoken to him since. We have a spot open if you'd like to join us again though?" Zoë asked softly as Horatio sipped the coffee and watched Zoë talk, they then looked to Natalia with a gentle expression, also telling her that she could have the job if she wanted it.
A quick frown appeared on Natalia's face, but it was quickly covered with a small shy smile. "Oh no, thank you though." Natalia replied softly and Zoë nodded. 'She's not spoken to him? I swear they were best friends?' Natalia thought. "Why haven't you spoken to him since he left? You guys were close." Horatio felt her hand tighten on his thigh, he quickly and subtly placed his hand over hers.
Zoë took another deep breath. "I guess we drifted apart." Zoë said softly with a shrug and then sipped her coffee again, feeling Horatio give her hand a quick squeeze.
Natalia frowned once again as she tilted her head. "That's got nothing to do with what happened between him and me, is it?" Zoë could feel the pressure, she just wanted to get out of the house.
"No, not really, he's just gone his separate way." Zoë shrugged as her grip tightened on Horatio's thigh again, he knew she was getting a little stressed. Zoë finished her coffee just after Horatio.
Zoë gave Natalia a sweet smile. "Sorry Natalia, I'd love to stay but I've got an appointment."
"Okay, well thank you so much for coming over anyway." Natalia said as she stood with Zoë and Horatio. Natalia looked down at their hands entwined together and then smiled up at them, she still found it a little weird that they were together, but could see that they were both very happy.
"Not a problem, if you need anything just give me a ring." Zoë said softly and Natalia nodded.
"Thank you, and I never got to really apologise for accusing you and getting it wrong the day of the apartment fire you got stuck in. I am really sorry Zoë." Natalia apologised for thinking Zoë was cheating on her fiancé with Horatio. Zoë chuckled a little as she completely relaxed.
"Don't worry, I found it amusing." Zoë said with a smile and Natalia nodded as she glanced down shyly. Natalia than walked out with them and opened the door for them and rubbed her wrist a little more.
"See you soon, hope it all goes well in whatever it is you're doing now."
"Thank you Zoë." Natalia replied with a nod.
"I'd be happy to hire you again, Miss Boa Vista. I hope everything goes well." Horatio said softly and Natalia smiled at him.
"Thank you Horatio, I'll keep that in mind." She replied with a genuine smile. He gave her a quick nod and then walked down the path with Zoë after saying bye.
Horatio and Zoë left and drove back home.
"You were very quiet." Zoë said softly as she looked round to Horatio. She flicked her fringe back and smiled warmly at him.
"You did all of the talking." Horatio smiled at her and Zoë gave him a smile and nodded with a small chuckle.
He glanced round to her a few more times and then placed his hand over her thigh. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I was just getting a little stressed so I had to get out of the situation. I feel really bad for just leaving like that but I don't want her to know what happened."
"I understand sweetheart, that's fine. How are you feeling now?"
She placed her hands over Horatio's lightly. "A bit better."
Horatio glanced around to her and thought. He gave her thigh a quick squeeze and glanced to her as she looked round to him. "May I ask you something?" He questioned and she nodded at him with a cautious smile.
"What did Natalia mean by it wasn't because of what happened between her and Mr Wolfe?" Horatio questioned.
Zoë exhaled and then placed her elbow on the door beside the window and rubbed her forehead. "It's a long story handsome."
"We have all day."
She exhaled and pulled the hairband from her hair and looked over to him. "You know that her and Wolfe started dating, right?" Zoë asked softly and Horatio nodded. 'I swear I mentioned it on the island? Perhaps he's forgot? There was a lot of information and emotions flying around that day.' Zoë thought to herself as she began to play with a strand of hair.
"Well, they had a problem… well not a problem as such I guess, but he upset her the first time they got into bed with each other."
"Why would that have anything to do with you?"
'Will he flip if I tell him? He must've forgotten' Zoë thought to herself, she pressed her lips into a hard line and then glanced down to his hand beneath hers.