Author note: the next chapter, Horatio visits Celesta.

Another bet

The complete silence was interrupted by the unexpected opening of a door. Shocked, Celesta turned around and saw Horatio standing in the gym hall. For a moment Celesta was at a loss for words, then she closed her mouth and said: "What are you doing here?" Horatio took a step closer, but Celesta held up her hand and then pointed to his shoes, without taking his eyes off of Celesta, Horatio took his shoes off.

"I was done in the lab and I thought I would visit you on my way home." Horatio had walked to Celesta, she raised her eyebrow: "I happen to know that this gym hall is a pretty far way out of your route." Celesta said and then turned around to take her sports clothes out of her bag. Then she started to change. "I know it is a large detour, but I wanted to see you." Horatio silently said as he watched Celesta change. She pulled a tight fitting top over her torso: "I see. " Celesta stepped out of her jeans, as he watched Horatio said: "Kyle told me you called yesterday. I'm sorry I wasn't home, I got called to a crime scene." Celesta turned around to place her jeans on the table next to her bag. Horatio had a glorious sight of her back and the back of her legs. Celesta bend down to pull her training trousers up. "There is no need to apologize. Kyle and I know it comes with you job. Miami needs you." Celesta turned around and found Horatio much closer to her. His nose almost touched her brow. Slowly she lifted her head so she could meet Horatio's eyes with her own. She could see the twinkle in his eyes, just like he could see the twinkle in her eyes. "I want to bet that the city of Miami can't go without you the coming two hours. And when it calls you won't be able to refuse it's call." Celesta said, holding his eyes with her own.

"What will I win if I am able to refuse the city's call?" Horatio seemed unmoved. Celesta softly breathed in through her nose, lifting her chin slightly and curling her mouth into a small smile: "If you can refuse the city's call I'll spend the night with you." Celesta saw the blue eyes light up. "But…" she continued: "If you cannot refuse the city's call you will have to come with me to the movie Bride Wars. And then spend the night with me, watching all the romantic comedies I own." Celesta winked and the turned to grab her shoes, but before she could Horatio's hand closed around her upper arm and tuned her to face him. He pressed his lips on hers, kissing her briefly, but passionately. As they parted Horatio looked in her eyes and said: "I'll take the bet."

"I thought you might." Horatio made to kiss Celesta again, but this time she stopped him: "I don't want my children to see a pda." Horatio could see and hear that Celesta was serious. "Okay." Horatio took a step back and let Celesta prepare for her lesson.


Halfway in the second lesson, Celesta heard the familiar ring of Horatio's cell phone. She watched as Horatio picked up his phone. Celesta could hear Horatio's comments: "Hi Frank." Horatio listened to Frank Tripp explain the situation: "I'm sorry Frank, but I can't come at this time. I'm in the middle of a rather interesting game." Horatio looked up and saw Celesta watching him.

"No Frank let graveyard handle this one, I clocked out." … "If there is a connection we will compare notes tomorrow morning." Horatio held Celesta's gaze with his. Then Celesta got up and placed her hand on the phone, so Frank couldn't hear her: "I didn't mean for you to disregard your work. I know it's important. If you have to go, you have to go. I won't hold you to your bet."

"Thank you Angel." Horatio said before he removed her hand from the phone. "Listen Frank, I can't come. Let graveyard do this, if it's really necessary they can call Eric, he's working the other case. I'll talk to graveyard and Eric tomorrow morning. Good night Frank." Horatio closed his cell phone and said to a shocked Celesta: "I win."

Celesta pursed her lips: "You win." Then she got up to continue with her lesson.

Half an hour later the gym hall was once again silent. All the children had changed and left for home. Celesta closed her bag and turned to Horatio. He put his arm around her shoulders and together they walked to the car park. He lead her to the Hummer: "Well, go grab your bike. I'll put it in the Hummer." Horatio looked into Celesta's shocked face: "…" Raising his eyebrow slightly Horatio nodded to her bicycle and said before he put on his sunglasses: "Go on, I think you don't want to leave it here. And I do believe I won a bet, Miss Mahoney."

"Now!" Celesta asked astonished.

"Yes, now. We were already going on a date today. I might as well cash in my bet today. I'm going to take you home and you'll stay the night." Slowly Celesta crossed her arms in front of her and looked at Horatio. Unwavering Horatio looked back. After a silent moment, Celesta dropped her bag before Horatio's feet and smiled before she turned around to get her bicycle. She could almost feel his smile as she heard him put her bag in the back of the car.

Author note: Thank you for reading! I hope you liked this chapter, once again: please review, let me hear what you thought.