Disclaimer: Once again, not mine people.

A/N 1: Hey everybody, so sorry for the wait -blame it on the muse. Like with the first chapter, I started out with one idea for this, then the muse took off and came back with something different. So, between class (and trying to reach a happy medium between ideas) it took me a little longer to type up/finish. That said, due to the new idea, this one will have yet another chapter (hopefully it won't take me as long to post) so keep a look out for it.


Entering her bedroom, Calleigh sighed and began to strip. Quickly trading her work wear for a soft forest green tank and matching pj pants. Exhaling, the blonde grabbed a hair band, easily weaving the silky mass into a braid then left room.

"Comfy?" he asked, his tone gentle; intimate.

Cal hummed softly, making her way towards him with a slight shrug. "Much as I can be I suppose, changin' my clothes doesn't change my emotional state." Horatio sighed, reaching over and rubbed her arms. "What?" she questioned, noticing a slight sparkle in his eyes.

"Not the color I was expecting," he answered, swiftly reaching over to pin a lock of hair behind her ear.

"If you're that set on it," she drawled with a knowing smirk, "I can always change."

In response Horatio chuckled –the sound low and warm. "Another night sweetheart," he answered, his blue eyes full of promise then placed a soft kiss to her lips. "I'll see you in the morning,"

"Horatio," she chided quietly, "When I said with me –I meant it." He hummed softly and scanned her eyes, her nickname leaving his lips in a warning tone. The blonde merely sighed, effectively cutting him off, "You know that's not what I'm asking."

For several moments the couple stood, staring each other down, Horatio finally relenting and loosening his hold on her. Calleigh smiled triumphantly, leaning in to place a soft peck against his lips. With a final glance, the ballistics expert stepped back, quickly moving to blow out the candles –while Horatio went to change.

MIAMIMIAMIMIAMIMIAMIMIAMI

The bedroom was dark, the only light coming from the bedside clock -an almost eerie shade of ice blue- which reflected the early hour . . . 4:10AM. Calleigh sighed contently, her head once again resting against Horatio's chest. "I've missed this."

H hummed, quickly placing a kiss to the top of her head. "Bring back any memories?"

"Our first overnighter," she answered; gently shifting to meet his eyes. "I still don't get what drove you to me –I barely knew Ray." She sighed, her speech halting as she felt him shift, her body of its own accord following suit and landing on her back.

"You never judged," he answered. "Despite everyone else thinking he was a lost cause . . . that he was dragging me down with him." Horatio paused, briefly tagging her gaze. "I couldn't face Yelina and Ray, couldn't comfort them –not when I was so conflicted." He sighed, pausing again to caress her cheek and simply relished in their emotional closeness. "Little did I know, huh?"

The blonde exhaled sharply, her own mind drifting back, "The one good thing to come of their drinkin' . . . high tolerance level, to never take anything at face value." She nuzzled her face against his palm, adding, "It wasn't hard to spot it in you; I wasn't high on the Brass's radar then . . . Hell, you were one of the few who'd openly welcomed me." Cal paused, once again tagging his eyes, "After three years, it seemed like the right thing to do."

Horatio gave her a ghost of a smile, his voice soft but honest. "I don't think I could've made it through the service without you."

****Flashback****

The Miami sun was high, with a soft breeze descending its way through a lush cemetery. Within it, a medium sized group stood gathered, some in uniform, some not –Yelina Salias at the forefront. Her dark brown eyes were red-rimmed, her mind practically numb, still trying to process the death of her husband and remain strong for their son. She sniffed, feeling Ray Jr. shift in her lap and automatically tightened her grip on her brother in-law's hand.

At the sound of gunfire, Horatio watched Yelina jump, as if the shots were penetrating her very soul and returned the squeeze. "Let's go," he whispered a while later. Knowing she was nearing her breaking point and would be better off at home. Once he got her to the limo, he left them in the care of her parents –knowing at least one of them should be at the wake.

"Horatio, we're so sorry for your loss; give Yelina our best will you?"

The redhead turned, the past hour of condolences having become a blur and smiled tiredly to his boss. "I'll do that, thank you Megan." His eyes met her husband's, whom he believed was named Shawn and nodded. Next up was Calleigh, whom he willingly opened his arms to and enveloped in a warm hug.

"How you holdin' up?" she asked, her emerald eyes truly concerned. An emotion he welcomed, having seen enough pity for two lifetimes that day.

"I'm . . . I'm ok," H replied, his voice surprisingly strong. His lips quirked, forming a ghost of his true smile and squeezed her forearm. "Thank you, for being here . . . I heard about the causeway shooting."

Calleigh nodded, gracing him with her trademark smile. "Yeah, it'll probably be a late night . . . Megan's already breathin' down my neck, but I wanted to come." She glanced over to her right, easily spotting more mourners approaching and gracefully slipped away. Horatio's blue eyes subtly following until she stepped out of sight.

Several hours later Horatio found himself outside the blonde's apartment –not entirely sure how or why. "Hey," he greeted, his eyes meeting hers as she opened the door.

"Horatio, hi," Cal replied with a warm smile.

"I hope I'm not interrupting . . ." he stated, motioning at her current state of casual dress. Though just by looking, he didn't think she'd been asleep. Thankfully, at least in his mind, she nodded no and moved aside to allow him entry.

The next thing either remembered . . . they were lying in bed together. Horatio having just bared his fears, or rather doubts concerning his late brother. Feeling like for the first time, he didn't have to hide his feelings and that Calleigh truly understood. The blonde however, remained mum on her own past, not ready to reveal it just yet and put all her focus into him. The pair eventually drifting off to sleep in the wee hours of morning (both fully clothed) and basking in their new found emotional bond.

****End Flashback****

"I don't even remember how we ended up there," Calleigh mused, realization hitting her almost immediately and quickly amended, "Here." She chuckled softly, her emerald eyes twinkling and met his gaze. "Do you?"

He smiled before tracing her cheekbone. "That stubborn hospitality streak of yours, you wouldn't let me leave."

"It was after midnight." She retorted, her memory snapping back and added. "What kinda person would I have been to let you drive home? Far as sharin' a bed . . . I just didn't want you sneakin' out while I was sleeping. At least not in the condition you were in."

"And I thank you for that, Sweetheart."

The blonde gave a ghost of a smile, her voice introspective, "You were the first you know –that didn't expect anything." Her gaze shifted downward as she continued, "That's something I've always been thankful for. That our relationship . . . even back then . . . was never so baseless as to rely on the physical."

TBC . . .


A/N 2: You guys know the drill. :)

*Hope everybody has a safe and happy Halloween (consider this my 'treat' to you. ;) )