Much later that evening Horatio helped Calleigh into her robe. Then taking her hand, he walked her downstairs. Heading into the living room he turned on the fireplace, poured them each a glass of wine and sat with her between his legs.
"Are you happy I came handsom?" asked Calleigh as she took a sip of wine.
"I'm very happy Calleigh. Very happy. Always in my heart I thought you'd be a dream. Yet now... now here you are in my arms, with your beautiful soul and passionate smile filling my heart with love."
"Horatio..." she sighed out as she turned in his arms and kissed him anew.
Both lost in their passion, Horatio lowered her to the pillows and loved her once more.
xxxxxxxxxxx
Across the water, Ramon was making his way over to the island. He knew using the motor was out, leaving him to use an oar. Nearing the docks of the island, he hid his boat in the back of the trees where it wouldn't be seen. Climbnig onto the shore, he made his way into the boathouse, and sifered out the gas. Now knowing Horatio and Calleigh had no way off the island, Ramon waited for the right moment to extract his revenge.
xxxxxxxxxxx
The following morning, Horatio and Calleigh decided to take the boat out on the water. Walking down to the boathouse hand in hand Horatio realized he forgot the boat keys.
"I'll be right back sweetheart. I forgot the keys."
While Horatio rushed back to the house, Calleigh set their scuba gear into the boat. Waiting for what seemed like hours, she decided to check on Horatio. Opening the door, she walked in and seen him sitting in a chair, tied up, gagged, and knocked out cold. Using extreme caution, she walked through the house checking each room. Not finding anyone, she turned to go back downstairs and that's when she felt the metal hit against her head.
Waking a short time later, Horatio tried to focus on the room. Opening his eyes, he seen Calleigh tied up and gagged in front of him. Realizing her was also tied, he wondered who, or what the hell was going on.
"It's been a long time Lt Caine. Time that I've been waiting for. Do you know why Caine?" asked Ramon.
Focusing on the shadow Horatio seen him come to life.
"Ramon. Ramon Cruz. Clavo Cruz's blood brother." said Horatio.
"That's right, horatio. That's right. It's payback time. You killed my brother, you broke my mothers heart, and you killed my father." said Ramon.
Horatio looked at Ramon with a sense of disbelief.
"Oh... I guess you hadn't heard. A few months after you destroyed our family. My father died of an heart attack. One you caused with all your self rightiousness. So now... now it's my turn. Now I will take what you love. I will make you watch, while I torture your CSI Duquesne. Then when I finish with her, I will start on you," said Ramon.
Taking a glass of water, Ramon tossed it in Calleigh's face waking her. Slowly opening her eyes, she seen Ramon.
"Bout time Miss Duquesne. I could get old waiting for you." said Ramon. "Tell me Miss Duquesne, do you have any idea why I'm here?"
Not saying anything, Calleigh looked over at Horatio making sure he was alive.
Feeling like he was being ignored, he pinched her chin and turned her to face him.
"Did I tell you to look away from me?" asked Ramon with anger. "Maybe you are hoping to make me angry, so I will hurt you and drive Horatio crazy with need to help you. Is that it? Would you like to watch your Horatio suffer?"
Still not giving Ramon the satisfaction of a response, he stood behind her, took his knife and sliced the buttons down her tank shirt, revealing her beautiful full breasts.
"Mm... those are lovely Calleigh. I never realized how full and beautiful your breasts are. I bet you did though, didn't you Horatio. Makes me wonder how many nights you dreamed about caressing them like this..."
Taking his hands, Ramon cupped and squeezed, pinching her nipples as Calleigh closed her eyes and swallowed back her tears.
Ramon knew he was hurting her as he pinched, but she needed to understand how serious he was when he asked her for a response.
"Now let's try this again Miss Duquesne. "Do you have any idea why I'm here?"
"Yeeeees..." she hissed. "To kill Horatio and avenge your family."
"Good girl. Now was that hard?" asked Ramon. "Now I'm going to run upstairs and get you a new shirt. So you two behave till I get back."
While Ramon ran up the stairs, Calleigh tried struggling against her ropes. Feeling them slightly loosen, she pulled again. This time twisting her wrists, rubbing them raw from the rope. Then she felt it, the freedom as her left wrist slipped through the knot.
"Horatio... I'm loose."
Hearing Ramon come back down, Calleigh sat perfectly still.
"I think I found one that will be to your liking, Calleigh. It's black. Here, let me help you." said Ramon as he caressed his fingers across her breasts again. "Mm... I may just have to taste you, before I leave."
Placing the shirt over her head left him exposed to attack, and as Calleigh grabbed his knife, she stabbed him in an upwards motion making sure she didn't touch his organs. Then rushing to Horatio's side, she cut his ropes.
"Grab me the rope over on the table Calleigh, hurry." said Horatio.
Bringing back the rope,Calleigh tied Ramon's hands behind his back, followed by his feet. Then calling the police, Horatio waited for them to arrive.
"How is he sweetheart? Is he still breathing?"
"Yeah... he's fine Horatio. I've just rechecked his dressing." said Calleigh as she heard the police boat pull up.
Rushing inside with an EMT, the officers sat down with Calleigh and Horatio while they gave their statements. With everything complete, the officers informed Horatio that he would be sent to their holding area till proper papers were transfered through for his return to Miami.
With the island now quiet, Horatio called Miami and spoke with Eric. After informing him what had happened. Eric sent the papers for Ramon Cruz to be transfered back to Miami. Once he was safely returned and locked away, Eric called Horatio back to let him know.
"Hello."
"H... it's Eric. Ramon has been safely locked away, so you and Calleigh can rest easy and enjoy the rest of your trip."
"Thank you, Eric." Horatio said. "Eric..."
"Yeah H?"
"How do you feel about my relationship with Calleigh?"
Horatio was hoping that Eric would give him the okay. He knew it would be good to go home and know there would be no tension between the three of them.
"I think it's great, H. I guess deep in my mind I always knew there was something missing from our relationship. At times, it was like an loneliness that crept up on you. It became obvious that we both moved to quickly into something, we both thought we wanted. I'm very happy we figured it out now, instead of later. So don't worry, H. Everything is fine." said Eric.
"Okay Eric. Okay. We'll see you in a few days."
Hanging up the phone, Horatio walked down to the beach. Seeing Calleigh looking at the sunset he wrapped his arms around her.
"I love you, handsom."
"I love you too, sweetheart. How are your wrists?" he asked as he eyed the dressing."
"They're fine Horatio. Don't worry. I'm strong." she smiled as she softly kissed his lips.
"Of course you are, sweetheart. That's why you're my bullet girl. Now... shall we go for that boat ride?" he asked.
"Mhm. That would be lovely." smiled Calleigh as they headed to the boat. Knowing that they could now live each day, in the warmth and love of each others arms.
End.
Epi
Three years had come and past. Horatio and Calleigh were still enjoying each moment as if it was their first. Sitting in the doctors office, Calleigh was grinning wildly. She had a feeling her and Horatio were with child. Now waiting to be called in, she crossed her fingers and prayed she was. Afterall... her and Horatio had a bet that if she was, he'd marry her. Which Calleigh thought was about time anyway. Even the team had asked Horatio what he was waiting for. Yet all he did was smirk and walk away.
"Miss Duquesne, you can come in now." said the nurse.
Walking into the room, the nurse passed Calleigh a cup.
"If you could leave me a urine sample in the bathroom, that would be great." said the nurse as she left the room.
When Calleigh was done leaving her sample, she walked back into the room and seen Horatio standing there.
"Hi sweetheart, I know this may not be the right time, but to me it is. You see... this is a very important piece of information we are about to recieve. So before we get the news, I'd like to ask you..."
Getting down on one knee, he took her hand in his and said... "Miss Calleigh Duquesne, will you marry me?"
Calleigh felt her eyes mist, she could feel her heart swell with Horatio's love.
"Yes Lt Horatio Caine. I will marry you."
Slipping the ring on her finger, Horatio passionately kissed her as the doctor walked in.
"You two do realize this is what got you both in trouble in the first place right?" she said with a smile.
"Oh my god... we... we're... the two of us..." said Calleigh.
"Yes Miss Duquesne. You and Horatio are about to be parents. Congratulations."
Taking Calleigh back into his arms, Horatio swung her carefully. Then placing her down, she whispered...
"Thank you Horatio. Thank you for forgiving me for being so wrong.
End