Authors Note: Thanks for the support guys. I wasn't sure if the plot would stick. And the same thing goes for my Love and Demand fic, I appreciate people having my fics on lets but I appreciate it more if they are reviewed. So if I get only one or two people reviewing, then I'll probably post less frequently. Now on with the show!
Daxy: Thank you very much.
LA Cali: Awh I just loved the way you put that! So cute!
TenFour: Yep, just keep reading.
Meeeee: As ya wish. Lol
Bandit: Thank you.
b-d75: Yeah I want to bring something that hasn't been done a million times with this fandom so I'm trying.
D-B-L: Thank you.
Disclaimer: See previous chapter, please.
My Love for you is a Journey
Calleigh stepped into Horatio's office. "I finally finished the work." She said to him and set it on his desk, careful not to mess anything up. Horatio looked up from his paperwork and smiled a bit.
"Thank you."
"It's my fault for taking so long." She said and looked around. "You know…I hardly see you up here." Cali commented.
"I am usually out and about; but it's not so bad taking a seat and doing some work of my own." He replied lightly.
"Well I should leave you to it then." Cali said to him and turned to go. Horatio watched her go and wondered why he was pining for a friend who was engaged.
Soon lunch came around and Eric knocked on H's door. "Hey H. Let's head out." He said and opened the door. Horatio stood up and nodded, still wondering why Eric wanted to talk to him. The two then took Eric's hummer to a local Chinese restaurant.
."So what is it that you needed to discuss?" Horatio asked as they were seated with some water for the time being.
"I know you don't like Calleigh and Jake together." Eric started.
"What makes you say that?" He asked.
"Well when they started going out, you became distant to Cali." Eric said.
"I was giving her space." He defended.
"No you weren't. And I've seen the way you look at her. I mean maybe I'm crazy but…do you love her?" Eric finally came out and asked.
"Eric…I think you are crazy." Horatio said and sipped his water. "She is just a longtime friend and the change is something I need to get used to. I think you're reading too much into it." But it seemed like Eric wasn't buying it.
"Yeah well I think you should stop dragging your feet and do something before it's too late." Eric said.
"I think this discussion is over." Horatio started to say as someone entered the restaurant.
"Not quite, hey Cali…over here." Eric waved over the blond who smiled.
"Hey I didn't know you guys would be here." She said and looked to them, wondering what they could be talking about by them selves. H shot Eric a glanced.
"Yes well…why don't you have a seat." Horatio smiled and moved his chair a bit for her to sit.
"Thank you."
"So why aren't you with Berkley?" Horatio found him self ask, but he soon realize it might have come off a bit rude.
"Oh I don't know." She shrugged as she picked up a menu to look at. "I mean, I don't need to hang off of him every second of everyday." Calleigh said and decided on getting the lettuce wraps.
"I see…" Horatio said slowly and looked off as Eric sat back to observe. "Well you are independent and I've always admired that about you."
"Oh?" Cali was more then happy to receive such a compliment from him. "Thank you…I just learned from past mistakes that it's better to be who you are and not compromise your self." She smiled and soon ordered her food. Eric and Horatio followed suit. "someone who you love should be able to understand that."
"Spoken so well." Horatio said to Cali.
"I agree…I'm still looking for that certain someone." Eric smiled and looked between H and then to Calleigh.
"Well enough about all that…" Cali said, feeling like she wanted to change the topic and Eric seemed to pick up on that too.
"So…how's your father, Cali?" Eric asked as H went silent.
"He's alright, doing fine…he doesn't really like Jake but any father is protective of their daughter." She said.
They all soon got their food and were eating, hoping to not be too late. Though it might not look too bad if all there of them were late. H stood up and took care of the check, Cali looked to him.
"I don't mind paying my share." She said.
"I know. And I don't mind treating my favorite CSI." He said as he started to go. She smiled a bit and watched him leave with Eric. Calleigh had decided to just go to her car and head back a bit later.
"So Eric…you planned that didn't you?" He asked as they were out of range.
"No, actually that could have been fate." Eric smirked.
"Well as you can plainly see, she isn't interested in me."
"No…I think she is. And you should take a chance."
"I really don't see that ending well at all." Horatio said as they got into the car and he drove back to the lab.
"How about this…" Eric started. "you ask Cali to stay late tonight and if you really don't feel anything between the two of you, I'll shut up." Eric smiled. Horatio glanced to his Cuban friend as he yielded to a red light. "Promise." He said and held up his hands.
"Alright." H replied, a bit of a smile in his eye, somehow the lieutenant was so sure that this was going to fail that he wasn't worried. They reached the lab and Eric looked to see the object of their conversation park near them.
"Go." Eric said and nudged H who just rolled his eyes. He thought this was all rather silly, they were acting like they were in high school.
"Calleigh…" H called to her as she was locking her car up.
"Yes?" She turned to him as Eric stood back by the other car.
"I need to you stay late tonight and assist me with some data logging. Can you do that?" He knew that she and Jake were planning something, so he wondered what she would say.
"Sure." She smiled, so quickly that Horatio wondered if his question came out alright.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I can't turn down work." She smiled and started for the lab. "You coming?"
"In a minute…" Horatio told her and looked to a pleased Eric. H knew he wouldn't hear the end of it. But it was still bothering him as to why she would pick him over Jake. He just told him self that it was the 'work' factor.
"See, what did I tell you?" Eric smiled as he walked over to H. "Now you two play nice tonight." Eric teased, he had to do it all he could because it wasn't everyday that you could help your socially challenged boss out.
"Eric…I can make you work a lot harder then you already are so watch it." H said back as the two walked in the doors.
( A/n: I'm guessing my chapters will be a bit short for this story so I'm sorry. This has been planned out to have a lot more action later on. R and R please and tell me what you think. )
