A/N: Sorry it took so long to update this. Everything in ( )'s is the underlying meaning of what is said.

Disclaimer: Nothing I own.

What the hell is wrong with you? Horatio mentally kicked himself. He didn't do what he swore he would. Yelina still didn't know how he felt and he hadn't faced his fears. If anything, all Horatio had accomplished was adding to his list of fears.

He had no idea where the lack of self control came from. It was like he was watching it happen. An outer body experience, if you will. The entire situation had put Horatio and Yelina in an awkward position.

I wonder what she was thinking.

That thought had to be left in the Hummer as Horatio pulled up to the crime scene.

"What have we got Frank?" Horatio asked, looking up at the massive home in front of him.

"Dead hooker." Frank replied simply. "Judge Banks hired a prostitute for his son's 17th birthday."

Horatio shook his head and sighed. High school sure has changed, he thought, following Frank inside.

After one of the fastest autopsies Alexx has ever performed and a full tox screen on the victim, Lana Ware's, blood, it was safely concluded that…

"She overdosed?" Judge Banks hadn't calmed down much since he'd heard his son screaming for help. "Do you know from what?"

"Her prescription medication didn't mix very well with heroin." Horatio said.

Judge Banks rubbed his face. "You must think I'm a terrible father."

"I've seen worse." Frank remarked.

Horatio wasn't really listening. He was making a mental checklist of things he needed to do before his shift started. Wrap up the paperwork on this case; shower; pretend to sleep.

"Horatio." said Frank, gaining his friend's attention.

The judge left and Horatio didn't even notice. "Frank."

"You gonna finish this up?"

"The sooner that's finished, the easier it will be to keep this low profile." Horatio said.

"Alright, I'll see ya." said Frank.

"Goodnight."

Horatio had completed his to-do list and even got to work early. He looked out his office window, watching Miami wake.

"So," Horatio turned to see Calleigh Duquesne standing in his office doorway. "I heard from Marcy, on grave, that you were here when she clocked in."

"It was…an interesting night."

Calleigh raised her eyebrows with curiosity. "Okay." (Continue.)

"I was requested." Horatio said. (Special case.)

She nodded her head with understanding. "Did you call Eric or Tim?" (You worked the case by yourself?)

Horatio smiled at his concerned friend. (Yes.)

"Are you okay?" Calleigh asked. (Did you sleep?)

"Mm hm." (Not really.)

Calleigh sighed deeply. "Horatio…"

"I'm fine." Horatio said. (Please just drop it.)

"Okay." Calleigh surrendered. "You're fine, but take it easy."

"I'll keep that in mind." he said softly. (Thanks for your concern.)

Calleigh smiled, and then ran off to tell on Horatio to Alexx.

Horatio was tired. It was the end of his shift and he'd been awake for over 36 hours. After Alexx had gone off on him about his health, Horatio decided to call it a day.

But upon approaching the elevator, Horatio saw the woman he had been trying to avoid all day.

"Horatio."

"Yelina."

"You look tired." she said softly. "Are you okay?"

"No," there goes that lack of self-control again. "I'm not." (We need to talk.)

Yelina frowned.

"But maybe…" Horatio stepped towards her. "Maybe this is a conversation we can save for later?"

"Are you sure…" Yelina asked. (… You're ready for this?)

"I am."