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Chapter 3: Meeting the Team
"Good morning, sweetheart."
Peyton's head shot up as a large smile graced her features. "Good morning uncle Horatio. Sleep well?"
He took a seat in front of her at the table and nodded. "Actually, I did. I'm a little surprised you're up before I am, though." It was really early… five in the morning, actually. No one around here was ever up before he was.
He also knew one of Peyton's favorite activities was sleeping in, which was why he was curious.
The brunette giggled and shrugged. "I know, I'm usually not an early bird, but I must have slept enough to last me a week." She pointed at her plate, eyebrows raised. "Breakfast?"
Horatio glanced at her plate and nodded. He wasn't used to eating homemade breakfasts, but everything did smell really good. He watched her as she took a clean plate and filled it with eggs and toast. "So what are your plans for the day?" he asked her.
She filled a tall glass with orange juice and came back to the table, setting the plate in front of her uncle before sitting back down. "Well, since you're abandoning me, I think I'm going to sit on your beach and enjoy the sun." She took a bite from her plate and pointed her fork at him. "There's no way I'm leaving this town without a tan."
Horatio smiled and picked up his fork, digging into his breakfast. "You have a month to get that tan, sweetheart."
Peyton rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I can't believe you're still calling me sweetheart. Makes me feel like I'm eight years old." She mumbled, finishing her juice.
"Well, I think you'll have to get used to it." He grinned and took another bite from the omelet she had made for him.
She sighed irritably and looked away from him, trying to hide her grin from him. "Fine." She mumbled. "And what's your crazy schedule for today?"
Horatio sighed and looked down at his plate. "I'm sorry if I can't spend your first day in Miami with you."
Peyton shook her head and smiled. "It's fine, Horatio. We talked about it yesterday."
He nodded slowly, grinning. "Yes. Well I promise I'll make it up to you." He thought for a second, slowly chewing on his food. "Would you like to come to work with me? I could give you a tour of the crime lab."
She nodded her head eagerly, clearly excited about the idea. "I'd love to see where you work! You spend so much time there; I can't wait to see what it's like!"
"I'll let you get ready. We can leave in… an hour?"
"I'll be ready in half that time." She stood from the table and half ran towards her room. She stopped half way and turned around, a shy smile on her face, the same smile he had seen on her face the day before. "By the way… I like it when you call me sweetheart."
He smiled and watched her disappear down the hall. He stood from the table and took their two plates to the sink, rinsing them before dropping them in the dishwasher.
XXXXX
"It's incredible." Peyton mumbled, slowly following her uncle through the lab.
Horatio nodded, a small grin on his face. "It is. I'm very proud of this place."
She shook her head, her large curls flying in every direction. "No!" She paused and shook her head. "I mean, yes, you should be proud. But I just can't believe that so many people are already working. It's only 6:30!!!"
He glanced at her, still grinning. "There are people working here 24 hours a day."
Peyton rolled her eyes. "I know. It's just… I spend so much time sleeping that I almost forget the world is still turning when I'm not awake."
Horatio grinned and turned his gaze to look through the nearest glass wall, noticing that part of his team was getting ready to start the day in the break room. "Come on. I want to introduce you to my team."
She nodded and followed him into the room, suddenly feeling a little self-conscious. 'Maybe I should have fixed my hair or something…' she plastered a smile on her face, getting ready to meet some of the most important people in her godfather's life. He didn't talk about them a lot… well, Horatio didn't talk much at all… but she knew he really cared for them.
"Good morning everyone."
Everyone turned their heads towards the door and smiled, welcoming their boss. They all looked over his shoulder, noticing the woman standing behind him.
Horatio turned his head and grinned at her. "I'd like to introduce you to someone." He put his hand on her back, pulling her closer to his team. "Peyton, this is Calleigh Duquesne, Natalia Boa Vista, Eric Delko and Frank Tripp."
The brunette shook their hands, trying to look as friendly as possible. She'd probably get to meet them often during her stay in Miami, so she really wanted to give a good first impression. "Hello! Nice to meet you all!"
"Everyone, this young woman is Peyton Manner. She is my goddaughter. She is visiting from Boston."
Peyton saw many surprised faces and raised eyebrows. Seems her uncle had never told them about her.
"I didn't know you had a goddaughter, Horatio." Frank commented, slightly surprised.
The redhead simply grinned as Peyton answered for him. "Mr. Tripp, you of all people should know my uncle is a very private person."
Frank laughed and nodded, clearly understanding what she meant. "Don't I know it! And please, call me Frank."
Peyton nodded. "Alright, Frank." She smiled at the group. "You all seem like a fun group to work with!"
Eric laughed and wrapped his arms around the two women who were standing next to him. "Oh, that we are!"
Calleigh smiled at Peyton. "And you still haven't met every one of us!"
Horatio nodded and glanced at his watch. "Mr. Wolfe usually gets…" His cell phone interrupted him. They all stayed quiet as he answered it. His face soon became really serious and he quickly told the person on the other line he was on his way.
Peyton smiled and shrugged. "I guess… I'm gonna get going. You guys have to work. And I still need to start working on that tan!"
Horatio nodded and turned to the tall dark man. "Eric, would you mind driving Peyton back to my house? You can join us at the crime scene afterwards."
The brunette shook her head, clearly not wanting to be any trouble. "Oh, I can take a cab…"
Eric held his hand up, stopping her. "Hey, it's no problem, Peyton."
She nodded. "Alright… thanks." She waved at everyone. "It was nice meeting you!"
Calleigh waved and smiled. "It was a pleasure meeting you, Peyton. Are you in Miami for a long time?"
Peyton grinned. "About a month." Seeing their surprised look, she answered the unasked question. "Long vacation."
The blonde nodded her head. "Great! So we'll see you later, then!"
"Sure will!" Peyton waved one last time, kissed her uncle on the cheek and followed Eric back towards the elevators. She grinned up at him as they waited for the doors to open.
"Have you had a chance to visit Miami yet?" he asked.
"Oh, I've been here before. It was just a long time ago." She paused, thinking. "The people I've met 'til now are pretty nice." She wasn't lying. The first person being that guy she had met at the airport. Ryan. He was pretty fun to talk with. Cute too. When she had asked him what he liked to do for fun, he had told her he worked in the law enforcement and didn't have that much time for himself.
Eric smiled. "Well, you seem pretty nice too. Some of us like to have a few drinks after work once in a while. You should come with us sometime. You could even drag Horatio with you… he's not really into socializing."
Peyton laughed as the doors in front of them finally opened. "Sure. That would be fun!" She answered. They took a step back, letting two people walk out of the lift before finally stepping in.
XXXXX
Ryan walked out of Valera's lab just as the elevator doors were closing. Actually, he had actually made it on time this morning, but Max has grabbed him and forced him to listen to her rambling about her night. Valera could be a blast to have around… or she could be the most annoying woman on earth. He glanced at his watched and winced as his cell phone started ringing. He looked down at it and sighed. It was Horatio. He went to answer it but stopped when he noticed his boss walking towards the elevator, followed by Frank, Natalia and Calleigh.
"Hey, H! We got a case?"
"Indeed, Mr. Wolfe. You can ride with Calleigh and Natalia." Him and Frank walked passed him and got onto the waiting elevator, not even bothering waiting for the others.
Ryan frowned and looked at his two female co-workers. "Alright. What's going on?"
Natalia answered his question first. "Five bodies were discovered about an hour ago in the everglades. We're all going to investigate."
Calleigh nodded. "Looks like a big one."
Ryan frowned. "Let's go then." He looked around, noticing he hadn't seen his male partner anywhere. "Where's Delko?"
"You just missed him. He'll join us at the crime scene. He has to drop Horatio's niece at his place." Natalia told him, smiling at the person who was getting off the elevator.
Ryan's eyebrows lifted as he followed his two friends onto the lift. "Horatio has a niece?"
Calleigh pushed the button and turned to him, nodding. "Yeah! She was here with Horatio right before we got the call. She seems nice!"
He smirked. "Horatio's family seems to be popping up one after the other, lately."
Natalia rolled her eyes. "Funny."
Sorry for the short chapter... back with more real soon!!!!
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