A/N: First, thanks to my beta, Lieutenant Caine. You continue to be an inspiring force in my work.
A/N: Because of a decent amount of readers want more (and I'm very interested in how this progresses), I am going to extend this story a bit further.
Chapter Two
An unsettling silence fell between Calleigh and Horatio as they stared at their respective mugs as though the dark liquid would reveal the answers they were both seeking. Calleigh was the first to break away from her mug, her eyes focusing on Horatio while he continued to gaze almost forlornly into his own mug, his expression a mixture of pain and confusion. For a moment, Calleigh regretted her decision to out Horatio's morning ritual of stalking her to the break room but that soon passed, encouraged by the desire that welled in her own heart. The moment she saw the towering red head in Louisiana, it was love at first sight, his piercing, yet soulful eyes beckoning her into his orbit. She remembered how her body had responded to the way his voice practically caressed her name. At first contact a sizzling current of attraction had arced between them and grew, spawning a burning fire that intimidated her. No one had ever affected Calleigh the way Horatio had; with just a mere touch and her name floating from his lips, Calleigh had entertained thoughts of a hot, sordid affair. Even now, years removed from that moment, Calleigh could still feel the effect of their first meeting, the familiar, pleasant sensation of molten heat pooling at her core forcing her to sharpen her focus. For years, they had flirted with the inevitable and now it was time to put up or shut up.
Calleigh reached for his hand and pulled it from the mug, threading her fingers through his in the hopes that the act would assure him that he wasn't in this alone. When he finally broke his gaze with the mug, Calleigh smiled brightly, squeezing his hand tightly as a confirmation of sorts. She was all in and despite the reluctance she saw swimming in his cooling blue eyes, she dug in and prepared to fight. She respected that he wanted to protect her from his demons but at the same time it saddened her to witness just how much Horatio didn't trust himself even though he held her heart in his hands.
Glancing at the clock situated above the sink, Calleigh noted that they only had about another half hour before the lab came to life, effectively ending any inroads to Horatio's thoughts. Caressing his roughened hand gently, Calleigh grinned, "Want to start from the beginning, Handsome? Why have you made me wait for so long?"
Silence hung between them and Calleigh averted her eyes, fearful that he would remain behind the wall he'd built between them. The years hadn't been kind to either of them but Calleigh had witnessed how the job had changed Horatio. The light in his eyes had been snuffed out by the horrors they encountered and she could easily see how it darkened his heart. Rage had encapsulated Horatio and forged him into a walking time bomb. She never knew when Horatio would unleash the beast of reciprocity born from the darkest corners of his soul and she would lose him completely.
Calleigh dipped her head in an effort to grab his attention, her smile never waning, "Horatio, for years, you've come in early just to watch me grab a cup of coffee. I think you owe me an explanation, mister. Like how could you not tell me how you felt?" Again, silence followed and she exhaled lightly, determined to be patient with him. Calleigh had witnessed how much the city of Miami, its criminals, and its victims had taken from Horatio. Giving him a few more minutes of introspection seemed reasonable.
"I can wait you out, handsome. I'm nothing if not patient." Releasing his hand, she picked up her own mug and took a sip, her eyes remaining on his still form, willing him to at least look at her. When he failed to do so, her heart fell but her determination remained the same. If he wanted to be stubborn, she'd show him stubborn. Finishing her coffee, she stood and went to him, kneeling at his side and placing a hand on his back. Tension rippled under her hand and she frowned even as she began to rub his back in a comforting manner, "Oh, handsome, what am I going to do with you? Don't you know, despite everything, how much I love you?"
Horatio lifted his eyes from his mug but did not acknowledge her, his body stiffening under her loving touch. Could he open himself up to her, knowing the darkness of his soul? Could he taint her with his despair? Was he even worthy of her proclamation of love?
"Why do you love me, Calleigh?" he asked, his voice a mixture of sorrow and pain. When he turned his head to meet her surprised expression, he swallowed hard, fearful of what she would say. He wouldn't be able to handle it if she'd been placating him with promises of love to coax him from the perilous edge he found himself on. What he wanted, what he needed was the truth.
Taken aback somewhat, Calleigh paused before answering him, taking in his haunted expression. His pain only confirmed her decision. "I love you Horatio Caine and no amount of questioning me as to why will ever change that." Calleigh lifted her hand to caress his cheek, her voice softening, "Years between us, Horatio. We have many years, much heartache, and many smiles between us. We are meant to be together. Trust me on this, handsome."
"Calleigh…"
"Do you trust me, Horatio?"
Horatio stared at her, his eyes widening in bewilderment, "Of course I trust you, Calleigh. I've put my life in your hands."
"Good, then have dinner with me." When he started to protest, Calleigh leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "You owe it to me and yourself to see where this goes, Horatio. Trust me to lead us there."
"Okay," Horatio offered quietly.
TBC…
