Thanks for the reviews daxy and Wolfsong98 (FanFiction)

Thanks for the reviews lausi_gm, tbsavafob6, and ktrisha (LiveJournal)

I do not own or claim to own CSI: Miami characters. This is fanmade and I make absolutely no profit off of this. I do this for my own amusement.

***

Chapter Four: Friday

Rick stepped into the lobby of the MD-PD, about an hour later than usual. His entrance was hardly noticed, nobody saying a word or really looking at him. This was fine with him, it was better than Monday. That and he didn't really want Horatio to know that he had taken a few hours off on Wednesday to get tested for various STDs; the results of which he had just picked up, making him late for work.

He was clean, thank God, but Horatio's actions still concerned him. He was afraid that Horatio may have slept around a few times to relieve some stress. He wasn't quite sure how often he did this or if he even did at all. Either way, he knew he had to confront him about it at some point. Maybe he was just paranoid, but that wasn't about to stop him from opening his own investigation into every woman Horatio had gotten close to over the past several years, excluding Marisol and Yelina. Luckily, he had already made note of them as they popped up; there was a list in Horatio's file.

Stepping onto the elevator Rick opened his briefcase and placed his STD test results in one of its pockets. He sighed as he thought of Horatio.

How the hell can I be subtle about this? Rick pondered, I mean, I can't just go up and ask him; it would seem like I'm just suspicious. But it would be even worse if I tell him that I'm basing by questions on the findings of an investigation I have been running behind both his and the department's back. I'm pretty sure he's clean, that or else I just have been incredibly lucky. Either way, I'm going to have to get an answer out of him before we have relations again.

Ding. Third floor: Internal Affairs.

"Hi, Molly," Stetler mumbled, tossing the files Liz had handed him on her desk, "can you take care of these for me?"

"I will if you tell me what the hell has kept you so occupied the last two days," she said darkly.

Rick smirked at her. Molly had always been Rick's assistant, but he started off as a 'runner', bringing cases up from the Police department and evidence from out of its locker. Rick had always been a believer in "if you want something done right, you gotta do it yourself", and so was a little irritated with her at first and used her mainly as a gopher. Over a few months she has become a good friend of his and a truly functioning member of IAB. He usually dumps small cop investigations on her while he handles the science of the CSI cases.

"I can't tell you that because as of right now I'm still working on a hunch," Rick smiled.

"You're abusing your powers again, aren't you? Monica won't be happy to hear about that".

"Monica," Rick echoed, rolling his eyes at the name of his superior, "Monica can go fuck the wide end of a rake for all I care".

Molly's gaze shifted off of Rick to some point behind him. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped agape slightly. She tensed up and her eyebrows arched. Rick grew deathly pale, she was right behind him, wasn't she? Nervously he turned his head, expecting the worse. His mind began to scramble for an explanation for his behavior.

Finally he turned around, still without an excuse; but only to notice that nobody was there. His terror turned to anger as he heard Molly burst out laughing behind him. He spun the rest of the way around and glared at her, crossing his arms over his chest. She didn't notice; she was too busy being doubled over in laughter.

"I guess I deserved that," Rick sighed, giving up on the idea of sending her on a guilt trip.

Molly smiled and nodded happily. "You should have seen you just then," she giggled.

"Yes," Rick said dryly in a last ditch attempt to ruin her fun, "very amusing. I'll be in my office, if someone requires me I expect to be paged. I will go to them. Don't send anyone in".

She nodded again and got started on sorting out the files Rick had dropped in her lap. It wasn't until Stetler had rounded the corner that she remembered that someone dropped by earlier. Oh well, she'll bring it up later.

***

Rick's office was at the end of the hall, it was a spacious corner office with large windows, several bookshelves and a couch. It wasn't nearly as glamorous as Horatio's but it functioned quite well, and that was all Rick could want. He entered the office and flipped on the light.

"Hello gorgeous," spoke a familiar voice behind him.

Horatio watched Rick jump about a foot in the air. He closed and locked the office door behind them as he eyed up Rick hungrily.

"Jesus Christ, Horatio! You scared the hell out of me!"

"My my my… you are really high strung, aren't you?"

"Of course I am!" Rick snapped, "How long have you been waiting here in the dark anyways?"

"About fifteen minutes. Where have you been?"

"I just got here," Rick said quickly, trying to evade the question.

Horatio sensed an uneasiness about Rick, "are you okay?"

Rick turned his eyes from Horatio. He didn't know if he was ready to share what was really on his mind. After all, maybe he was worried over nothing. Horatio didn't really seem to have any one night stands with anyone since Hurricane Anthony. But one account was enough to make Rick worry.

"What's on your mind, love," Horatio cooed seductively, "I bet I can make it all better".

He pulled Rick away from the windows and kissed him deeply, backing away and handing the control over to Stetler. As much as the current situation was bothering him, Rick couldn't keep himself from Horatio's soft and loving lips. He pinned Horatio against the wall and began swirling his tongue around the redhead's. Horatio moaned and dug his arousal into Rick's thigh, begging for more.

"Actually," Rick sighed, breaking away from Horatio's lips, "there is something I need to ask you".

"What's that?" Horatio asked as he descended upon Rick's neck.

"I'm afraid to tell you because I don't want you to take it the wrong way. I really only have the best intentions in mind".

"Is it about my lab?" Horatio asked absently as he began nipping at Rick's chest.

"No," Rick sighed, lightly pushing Horatio away, "It's about us".

Horatio stopped, the lust fading from his soft blue eyes. He released his grip on Rick's clothing and backed up slightly. At first he wasn't at all sure of what to say.

"What is it?"

"I…" Rick took a deep breath before he could continue, "I know that you had relations with a woman you had never met before during hurricane Anthony". He nervously looked up at Horatio, who gave Rick a small nod, prompting him to continue. "And that because of the hurricane and your recent encounter with Clavo Cruz that you were under a significant amount of stress". Horatio nodded again. "Did you," Rick was finding it difficult to breathe but he pressed on, "did you have intercourse because it relieved stress?"

Horatio broke eye contact and slightly dropped his head. It was a secret that he wasn't necessarily proud of, but he knew that there was no use in denying it. He nodded.

Rick gently lifted his lovers chin and looked into his eyes, "how many times have you done this, Horatio?"

The redhead's eyes closed, Rick couldn't tell if he was counting or trying to remember. Either way, the answer would be more than 'one'.

"It's okay," Rick whispered, "You don't have to tell me".

"Would it make you feel any better," Horatio started, his voice shaking slightly, "if I told you that I didn't initiate any actions that lead to intercourse and that I refused offers from widows and anyone who should be in grief?"

"That does make it a bit better," Rick admitted, "But what has me concerned is if you took any precautions".

"I wore a condom and had myself tested afterwards".

"Every time?"

"Every time".

Rick nodded and backed away from his lover, not quite sure of what to say or do next. Horatio leaned against the wall, his gaze fixed on nothing particular. Horatio came to Rick's office to plan a date for the weekend and have a steamy office make out session. He never expected this to happen.

"I'm sorry," Rick whispered, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable".

"No harm done".

Stetler walked back over to the redhead and gave him a gentle peck on the cheek. Horatio turned his head and captured Rick's lips, kissing him passionately.

"However," Rick said, breaking away, "using sex as a way of managing stress is a practice that is at best psychologically unhealthy. I know you know when you're doing it; that's… well that's helpful. But Horatio, if you can't find some other outlet I highly encourage to go to that psychologist I've been telling you about".

Horatio nodded, wrapping his arms around Rick's waist and holding him close. Rick leaned down and lightly kissed his lover's neck. Horatio turned his eyes away from Rick again, sighing softly.

"I'm sorry," He murmured, "I… I don't know what's wrong with me. I don't know why I let myself get into such situations. And I certainly didn't mean to hurt you in any way".

"I'm fine," Rick said soothingly, "At least we're in agreement about the issue".

Rick kissed Horatio's neck again before he let go and took a few steps back, sitting on his desk. He smiled at his lover, trying to bring him gently back into his role.

"Now, Lieutenant," Rick started, "what was it you wanted to speak to me about?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you were at all busy Saturday night," Horatio admitted with a slight blush.

"I'm not. Do you want to go somewhere?"

"As a matter of fact, I do".

"Where?"

"My place".