Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, I've only borrowed them.

This is chapter 2, please read and

Tuesday

Around 10.30pm on Tuesday night, while having a last coffee before bed, Horatio- as was his habit- reflected on the day's events. He realised that he hadn't spent such an interesting day off for a while, and also, surprisingly, hadn't been worried about how his team were coping without him-, which was what usually happened on his day off!

Fiona had provided the catalyst, he mused. Her enthusiasm for what he'd shown her had made him see things he'd known- and taken for granted- for years with fresh eyes.

She had been waiting when he'd arrived to pick her up, and he was pleased to see that she'd had the sense to wear a sunhat. As he helped her into the car, she'd mentioned that Monica had been a bit annoyed when she was told that Fiona wasn't joining her on the beach that day, as had been originally planned.

They'd started the sightseeing at the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Fiona had been enthralled by the 16th, 17th and 18th century artefacts, explaining that all the large museums (where such things were usually displayed) were in cities a long way from where she lived and, because such trips could be expensive, she didn't see such beautiful things very often.

After that, they'd moved on to tour the Cape Florida Lighthouse, where he'd taken her right to the top, in order to show her the impressive view. Then, after lunching in the Lighthouse cafe, they joined an airboat tour in the Everglades Safari Park. There, she had been fascinated by the variety of differing vegetation and wildlife to be found in the 'Glades. She was, however, less sanguine about her first glimpse of a 'gator, remarking that she'd be entirely happy if she "never got any closer to one than she was now, Thank you very much!"

During lunch, amongst other things, conversation had some how turned to differing sports. Horatio had been to quite a few "live" events and had always enjoyed the atmosphere, so he was surprised to find that Fi had only ever seen sports on TV. Spotting a poster advertising a basketball match that evening, he had instantly offered to take her- if she was interested that was- so that she could experience the "buzz" of watching a live game for herself. Once she'd realised that he really did mean what he'd said, she accepted his offer and so, after an early evening meal, the day had culminated in a visit to an exciting basketball match, which the home team had won by one point and with only seconds to spare!

Horatio had then driven her back to the hotel and, knowing that he was working the next day, had not attempted to prolong the evening by suggesting drinks. He did however, having seen her gazing longingly at a poster for a recently released movie, offer to take her to see it the following evening. He'd had to coax her into it as (ever unexpected); she was worried he might think she was taking advantage of him! Once he'd managed to reassure her on that point, she had finally agreed, so in case he got held up at work, he'd asked for her cell phone number so that he could contact her. He also made sure that she had his number, in case she needed to contact him for any reason. He was finding her an intriguing companion, and thought that the least he could do was ensure that she had as good a vacation as he could manage- work commitments permitting- while Monica went off with her new boyfriend.

All in all, he decided, draining his coffee, it had been an extremely good day!