It started out innocent enough. Just a little project to celebrate both Halloween and Guy Fawkes Day with. It snowballed into this. Stay tuned. This isn't going to stop until the fifth of November.

I do not own or claim to own CSI: Miami characters. This is fanmade and I make absolutely no profit off

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Chapter One: A Thank You

Horatio leaned against the arm of the break room's sofa, waiting for the rest of his team. Calleigh was already there, perched on the countertop next to the coffee maker and talking to Natalia. Valera was relaxing on the couch, scrolling through her text messages; occasionally giggling to herself. They were just waiting for Ryan and Eric to pack everything up in trace.

Opening a small white envelope, Horatio thumbed through its contents, making sure that everything was in order. He closed it again, only to once again open it and check up on the contents once more. He repeated this action several times; it was one of his nervous habits.

Finally Ryan and Eric entered the break room, neither of them sure of what Horatio called them in for. Ryan yawned and rubbed his eyes, pulling a can of orange soda out of the refrigerator. Calleigh jumped off the counter and ran over to Eric, who gave her a quick kiss before turning his attention to his boss.

"Thank you all for coming," Horatio said softly, giving them a gentle smile, "I'm sure you all remember the Sean Blackwell case from last week?"

Members of the team exchanged glances and nodded, curious as to what the murder of an elderly shopkeep had to do with anything.

"Well, the late Mr. Blackwell's son is incredibly grateful that we were able to bring a guilty man to justice. So he has given us a small token of his and his family's appreciation".

Horatio pulled five ticket-like stubs from the envelope and handed one to each member of his team.

"He made these special, they are good for one free costume rental at Xoibit's Costume Supplies for the night of October 31st of this year, that's Saturday. He said that his father would be honored to help us continue the costuming tradition that inspired his store".

"Oh my God!" Valera gasped, turning the ticket over in her hands, "On Halloween too, that's very generous".

"Yes, I have already made our thanks known to him," Horatio smiled, "On a related note, I will be holding a costume party this Halloween over in Coral Gables. You're all invited to attend".

"Wow, thanks H," Ryan grinned, ideas for costumes flashing though his head.

"Keith Blackwell told me that he would prefer it if all of you come select your costume from his inventory tomorrow after your shifts," Horatio noted, "That way he can close the shop so you guys can have a private browsing".

The five other team members fell silent as they thought about what could unfold that weekend.

"And unless there are any more announcements or points of interest," Horatio said, "You're all free to go for the day".

The redheaded lieutenant watched as his team jabbered amongst themselves about the party and their costumes. The excitement was evident in all their voices. It had been quite a few years since they all got the chance to really enjoy Halloween night. They all definitely deserved the break.

Horatio leaned against the counter and fumbled with the envelope. There was just one more ticket he had to deliver.

***

Sergeant Rick Stetler sighed as he reluctantly signed another paper ordering an officer's dismissal. This one had been charged with sexual assault against a woman he was escorting to a holding cell. And although he had absolutely nothing to do with what happened, Rick knew that the entire Police Department will blame him for the officer's lay off. It seemed like Miami couldn't go a single week without some sort of internal conflict.

He didn't mind firing incompetent policemen who endanger the wellbeing of their respective departments. What really bothered him was how much everyone seemed to hate him for it. Well… almost everyone.

There was a soft knock on his office door.

"Come in".

Slowly, Horatio stepped inside his lover's office, looking almost timid and apologetic for dropping in on him. His soft blue eyes blinked as he adjusted to the low lighting Rick kept himself in. He smiled weakly.

"Horatio?" Rick gasped.

He set down his pen and paperwork and got out of his chair. He stepped on over to Horatio and pulled him into the room, closing and locking the door behind him. His light brown eyes looked over the lieutenant hungrily.

"Ready for round two?" Stetler growled, his fingers already pulling at the redhead's belt.

"Rick," Horatio sighed, lightly brushing his lover's steady hands away, "that's not what I came up here for".

"No?" Rick smirked, a slight twinkle in his eye. If he knew Horatio, they should be tangled on the office couch and making out within five minutes. Even if he really did have something else he wanted to discuss, they would distract each other soon enough.

"Well… not yet," Horatio smiled.

He could hardly keep his hands off of Rick when they were together. There was just something about a secretive and scandalous relationship such as theirs that excited Horatio in ways he had never experienced with anyone else. The secret seemed to heighten everything about their relationship; from how much trust they had in each other, to how hot their sex could get. And as uncomfortable as Horatio felt keeping things from his own team, just thinking about Rick's soft voice seemed to make it all better.

They had been playing this game with the team for a few months now. Actually, they were pretty surprised that they hadn't been caught yet. But then, with the exception of the office sex, they kept work at work and pleasure at home. There hadn't been a single conflict of interests regarding procedure or anything like that since the affair started. They walked the line for each other.

"Then what is this about?" Rick asked, plopping down on his couch, "If not the obvious?"

Horatio chuckled and sat down next to Rick, pulling the final ticket out of his pocket.

"Remember how Officer Thao was involved in that drug smuggling ring last week?"

"Yeah, an elderly man was gunned down by that officer. What about it?"

"Well… you broke that case, Rick (although my team would never admit it). So, the surviving family of Mr. Blackwell want you to have this," Horatio handed Rick the ticket, "It's a specially made coupon for a free costume rental for this Halloween".

"So… we're spending his weekend together, I take it?" Rick grinned, taking the ticket from Horatio.

"Actually…" the redhead blushed, "there's a little problem about that".

Rick's brow furrowed in concern "What's wrong?"

"I invited my entire team over to my place for Halloween night…they all got tickets too".

"Really? Oh that's good. Thanks for the clarification, for a second there I thought you were having an orgy".

"Can the sarcasm, Rick".

"I'm sorry Horatio," Stetler groaned, standing up and beginning to pace, "It's just that I really have no use for a costume if I can't be with you. I know that Halloween is always a busy night at the clubs, but I'm not the sort who goes out and parties with perfect strangers. And IAB isn't as touchy-feely as CSI; we don't throw parties or even know each other that well".

"You're invited to my Halloween party too", Horatio smiled, "it starts at 9 and goes to 3 in the morning. You just come at around 7 and leave sometime after breakfast"

"You know, Horatio," Rick sighed, "Sometimes I think that you forget how much everyone hates me. Your CSIs won't exactly be very gung ho to see me hanging around the punch bowl. And I'm not about to wait around your bedroom in costume for six hours (as much as I do love it in there), that's just ridiculous. Here, take this ticket back and give it to Frank or Kyle or just someone who your team can appreciate".

Horatio gently pushed Rick's hand away, he wasn't about to take a refund.

"Don't beat yourself up about this, Rick," the redhead sighed sadly, "just hear out my suggestion".

Rick thought, nodded, and sat back down.

"How about this?" Horatio started, "you grab a costume with me tonight. Get something that conceals you well, we can't have people guessing who you are. Then you come to the party and remain a stranger to the team. It'll be fun".

The sensible part of Rick wanted to inform Horatio how flawed the plan could be. Not only could he be found out, but their relationship could be exposed. If that information got out to the department, he could lose his job. And if that information got out to the public, they both could be in serious danger.

Rick, however, never defined himself as "sensible". He had always been the hopeless romantic at heart, although his occupation made people think differently. He could almost imagine the brushes with danger at the party, and how hot he and Horatio could get over them. This could definitely be a night to remember. Besides, he would be able to see the kinder sides of all the CSIs for the first time. They never felt comfortable being themselves around him.

"Are you sure they won't find out who I am?" Rick asked timidly, "I mean… they're paid to be observant".

"Believe me," Horatio chuckled, "Their senses are only acute when they're on the field or in the lab. Anywhere else and they can be a little slow on the uptake. Hell, they haven't even realized how often I sneak up here to be with you".

Rick looked down at the ticket and bit his lip in thought.

"You know," Rick sighed, "if we do get found out, you might lose your team's respect. I mean… because of me".

"I don't care about the opinions of people who can't accept who I am," Horatio shrugged, "I love you, Rick".

"And I love you too; which is why I'm telling you that this could go horribly wrong and make your life a living hell".

"Any life with you could never be a hell".

Rick grinned and pulled Horatio onto his lap. The redhead coiled his arms around the back of his lover's neck and looked lovingly into Rick's light brown eyes. He brushed his lips against Stetler's, pulling him into a deep and sensuous kiss. Horatio moved to straddle Rick's thighs as their tongues tangled and hands wandered. He moaned in want as he felt Rick's strong hands grope at his ass, his own fingers reaching down to open his lover's pants.

Rick suddenly broke away, the two men breathing heavily.

"Fine," Rick panted, "You talked me into it. I'll go to your little party".

"I knew I could convince you," Horatio smirked.