Horatio's Girl

Part 2

The first thing Roxanne noticed when she woke up was that she was lying on a bed. "How did I get here," thought Roxanne to herself as she sat up. She then remembered the events from the previous night.

"Dinner was great. It felt good to get out and not worry about anything," said Roxanne as she and Horatio entered Horatio's place.

"Yes. I have to agree with that. Would you like something to drink? I have tea, water, beer, and some sodas," said Horatio.

"No, Thank you. I'm good. Horatio. May I ask you a question," asked Roxanne as she looked at Horatio.

"Sure. You can ask me anything," said Horatio.

"What do you see in me," asked Roxanne as she looked intently at Horatio.

Horatio was taken aback by the question. He wasn't expecting her to ask him something like that.

"I don't get what you mean," said Horatio honestly.

"What makes me so special that you would want to be around me," asked Roxanne.

"I love your personality, your sense of humor. You don't let anything get in your way no matter what comes at you. You have a positive outlook on life that I have never seen in a person before. You're not afraid to show your emotions in front of people. You don't care what people say about you. Does that answer your question," asked Horatio.

"Yeah. It does. I thought nobody would ever love me because I was in a wheelchair. I thought people would look at me and all they would see is that I'm in a wheelchair and probably couldn't do anything for myself," said Roxanne as she started to cry.

"Shh...I love you no matter what. Wheelchair or not I love you for who you are. To me you are a strong person. Anybody who doesn't love you for who you are is stupid. If all they see is your wheelchair then they are just inconsiderate people. They don't want to look what's inside of you to know who you really are. They're intimidated by the fact that you're in a wheelchair and still capable of taking care of yourself," said Horatio as he tried to calm Roxanne down.

"He really does care about me," said Roxanne to herself. She was interrupted from her thoughts when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in," said Roxanne. When the door opened Horatio appeared on the other side.

"Good morning. I thought I'd check to see if you were awake. I didn't want to disturb you if you were," said Horatio with a smile.

"It's okay. I had a nice sleep. Thanks for letting spend the night," said Roxanne.

"It was my pleasure. I'm glad you're doing good this morning. I made breakfast if you want some," said Horatio.

"Breakfast sounds good to me. So, what are your plans for today," asked Roxanne as she got in her wheelchair.

"Nothing much. Just work basically," said Horatio.

"That sucks," said Roxanne as they made their way to the kitchen.

"It can sometimes. Especially if I have to deal with Rick Stetler," said Horatio as he fixed Roxanne a plate.

"Who's he," asked Roxanne.

"He's IAB Sergeant. He tries to find flaws in the lab. He's mad because I got the position that the both of us were up for," said Horatio.

"He's one of those types of people. He's trying to make your life miserable because you got the job and he didn't. Sounds like a jerk to me," said Roxanne.

"He gives a whole new meaning to the word," said Horatio.

"It sounds like he does. I hope I never meet him, and if I do he better not mess with me. I'll tell him off in a heartbeat," said Roxanne.

"I have no doubt in my mind that you would," said Horatio with a laugh.

After Horatio dropped Roxanne off at Calleigh's place, Horatio and Calleigh headed to work.

"So, how is Roxanne this morning," asked Calleigh.

"She's much better. She just need some reassurance that someone cares about her," said Horatio.

"She felt like nobody loved her," asked Calleigh.

"Yeah, but I assured her that there are people that care about her," said Horatio with a smile.

"Yeah, I already feel like I gained a sister. She's so funny and great to hang with," said Calleigh.

"Yes. She is great to hang around. She makes you look at life in a different light," said Horatio.

"You seem to have taken a liking to her. You've changed since you met her. She's good for you," said Calleigh.

"I like to think so too," said Horatio as he and Calleigh made their way to the break room. They were almost there when they heard a familiar voice.

"Horatio," said Rick Stetler.

"Rick. What can I do for you," asked Horatio as he turned around.

"I heard you're letting a victim of a crime stay at your place. Is that true," asked Rick.

"No. She's not staying at my place. She is staying at a safe place though," said Horatio.

"That's not what I hear," said Rick.

"Well, you heard wrong. She isn't staying at my place, and even if she were it's not of your business," said Horatio.

"It is my business. You know you can't get involved with victims of crimes," said Rick.

"I didn't see it in the handbook saying I couldn't. Unless it's written in the book saying I can't get involved with her than you can't do anything about it. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have work to do," said Horatio as he walked away.

"He better watch himself. He could get in trouble if anyone finds out about this," said Rick.

"Horatio can take care of himself. He knows what he's doing," said Calleigh.

"I hope for his sake he does," said Rick as he walked away.

"I can't believe Stetler found out about Roxanne this quickly," said Calleigh.

"It doesn't really surprise me. It would have come out sooner or later anyways," said Horatio.

"This is true. He may have a point though. You might want to watch yourself," said Calleigh.

"Don't worry about me. I have everything under control," said Horatio as he and Calleigh walked into the break room where the others were waiting.

"Mr. Wolfe. I see you're here bright and early," said Horatio teasingly.

"Wolfe boy here has me to think. I made sure he was up. I knew he got in kind of late last night because I also got in late," said Eric.

"Too much partying," asked Horatio.

"Not for me," said Eric with a smirk.

"Mr. Wolfe," said Horatio.

"I think I'm gonna be sick," said Ryan as he got up and ran to the bathroom. Horatio and the others just laughed.

Meanwhile Roxanne decided to take a little tour of Miami; so she grabbed her gloves and headed outside. Once outside she started on her way. As she made her way to the park her cell phone went off. She looked at the caller id and smiled.

"Hello," said Roxanne as she answered her phone.

"Hi. I just thought I'd check up on you and make sure you were okay," said Horatio.

"I'm fine. I'm on my way to the park. How is your day going so far," asked Roxanne.

"It's going good I guess. Not many cases today," said Horatio.

"That's good. Are you going to be home early tonight," asked Roxanne curiously.

"Yes. I should be home early tonight. Why? Are you planning something," asked Horatio with a smile.

"You never know. I could be planning something. I guess you have to wait and find out when you get home," said Roxanne with a smirk.

"You're not going to give me a hint," asked Horatio.

"Nope. You have to wait and find out. I promise, it'll be worth the wait," said Roxanne.

"I guess I'll have to wait then. What time did you want to come over," asked Horatio.

"That's my little secret. I'll be there when I'm ready," said Roxanne with a chuckle.

"Okay. You be careful," said Horatio. "Shouldn't I be saying that to you," said Roxanne.

"I'll be fine. Have a good time at the park," said Horatio.

"I will. See you later," said Roxanne.

"See you later," said Horatio as he hung up.

"So, how is Roxanne," asked Calleigh.

"She's doing good. She's going to the park. She asked me if I would be home early tonight. I think she has something planned," said Horatio.

"I wouldn't doubt it. She likes you very much. She's taken to you. I think it's because you saved her life," said Calleigh.

"All I did was carry her out of her house and bring her wheelchair to the hospital," said Horatio.

"Yeah, but to her that meant something. I don't think anybody really cared about her," said Calleigh.

"I agree. She has people to care for her now. That's all that matters now," said Horatio with a smile.

"Yup. She definitely has people who care about her. Well, I guess I should get back to work or lack there of. I'll talk to you later," said Calleigh.

"Okay. Talk to you later," said Horatio as he headed to his office.

"Was it me or does he seem different," asked Eric as he walked beside Calleigh.

"He is different. He's changed since he met Roxanne. I think it's good for him. He needs someone in his life to make him happy," said Calleigh.

"Who needs someone to make them happy," asked Ryan as he came from the bathroom.

"We were talking about Horatio. Eric said that Horatio seemed different. I said that he is different since he met Roxanne and that it was good for him. He needs someone to make him happy," said Calleigh.

"Yeah, he's been through so much over the years. He does deserve to be happy," said Ryan.

"So, barf boy, are you ready to work now," asked Eric with a chuckle.

"You're not funny," said Ryan.

"Oh, come on. I thought it was hilarious," said Eric laughing.

"You would think it's funny," said Ryan as he entered the trace lab.

"Eric. That was mean of you," said Calleigh.

"I can't help myself sometimes," said Eric.

"Boys," said Calleigh as she rolled her eyes and walked to the ballistics lab.

"Well, if it isn't Roxanne Claiborne," said a familiar voice. Roxanne turned around and saw a very familiar face to her. "Sammie! What in the world are you doing in Miami," asked Roxanne shocked.

"I came here on vacation with my wife. What about you," asked Sammie. "I live here. I can't believe it's really you. I haven't seen you in a long time," said Roxanne with a laugh.

"Yeah, it has been a while. The last time we saw each other is when you were undercover. Did the feds put you up here or did you just decide to live here," asked Sammie.

"I decided to live here. It's nice here. I've made some friends already, and you won't believe who they are," said Roxanne.

"Who," asked Sammie. "Lieutenant Horatio Caine and his team," said Roxanne with a smile.

"Seriously? I can't believe that. Isn't that a coincidence that you would become friends with the person who you followed to Brazil," said Sammie.

"Yeah, who would've thought that would happen. Obviously, not me," said Roxanne.

"He doesn't know does he," asked Sammie.

"No. I haven't told him yet. I was afraid he would find out though. They arrested Sanchez for beating me. If Sanchez had opened his big mouth I don't know what I would have done," said Roxanne.

"You're lucky he didn't open his mouth. Well, I hate to go so soon. I'm sure my wife is looking for me though. I'll see you around," said Sammie.

"See you around. You take care of yourself," said Roxanne.

"Always," said Sammie as he walked off.

"I know I should tell Horatio and the others soon about Sanchez, but I just can't at the moment. Hopefully I'll know when the time is right to tell him," thought Roxanne to herself as she made her way out of the park. She started to get hungry so she headed to a nearby restaurant. As she waited for a waiter her cell phone rang. She looked down at the caller id to see who it was.

"Hello," said Roxanne.

"Hi. I just wanted to check up on you and see how things were going," said a male voice.

"Things are going good I guess. I ran into some people you know," said Roxanne.

"How are H and the others," asked the male voice.

"They're doing pretty good. They seem to be very happy," said Roxanne.

"That's good. How's that guy doing that replaced me a few years ago," asked the male voice.

"He's fitting in nicely. I heard it was hard for him at first, but they came to accept him. They treat him like one of the family. I can't believe you're still hiding. You should tell them you're alive," said Roxanne.

"And how do you think I should go about doing that? It's going to be hard to explain to them that the body they saw wasn't me. That it was someone who had plastic surgery to look like me," said the male voice.

"I don't know, but I think you should tell them. Especially Horatio and Eric. Horatio still feels guilty about your "death", and Eric has been "seeing" you," said Roxanne.

"I'll tell them in time. I promise," said the male voice.

"Okay. I trust you. I'll talk to you later," said Roxanne.

"Okay. Talk to you later," said the male voice as he hung up.

"Oh, Speed. You can't keep hiding from them forever," thought Roxanne to herself.