Final Chapter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Figured I'd let you guys know that. Loud and clear. Final chapter! Alright, now that's out of the way, I'll actually let you read it...

The breath of the ocean was the only noise inside Charlie's ears, besides the calling of gulls and the wind in the palm trees. But even those were beginning to fade as she walked slowly down the beach, heading farther and farther away from the more populated areas of sand.

She hadn't meant to be so angry with Horatio. She knew it wasn't his fault. She knew that if he could, he'd kill Grant himself. But it didn't stop the wave of hatred and rage that threatened to overwhelm her self control.

She had to admire the man's cleverness. That wasn't what she had expected. She had expected him to go down in a hail of raging fury because he'd finally been found out. She hadn't expected him to come up with a way to weasel out of his punishments.

Three years hard labor. Hardly any compensation for what he'd done to her. He'd spend his days doing whatever it was they told him to do, and his nights in a sort of half way house that was minimally secured. People who had committed identify theft and fraud were sent there. Prison ought to be reserved for those like Grant.

The sand was warm against her feet and the ocean breeze tussled her long hair. She'd rolled her jeans up to her shins so she could walk in the lapping tongue of the ocean. The white frothy foam licked her ankles gently. The smell of salt and sand drifted to her nose.

This was paradise for most. She wondered what life was like for those whose parents loved them and took care of them. She briefly imagined coming down here with her non existent family, enjoying the evening sunlight and the sounds of the ocean.

That was all fantasy. Only a dream. A dream she couldn't have. She sighed, and thrust her hands into her pockets and kept walking.

She was coming to a rocky cove that was deeply shaded. The sand was cool here because the sun couldn't reach the ground because of the shielding rocks. Here, in this small cove, she collapsed down to the dry, white sand.

What would she do now? Would Grant come after her after his sentence was up? She had three years. Enough time to get settled down and comfortable in Miami, and then have that monster loose again. She was sure he wouldn't give up looking for her. There really was only one thing to do. But she didn't know if she could bare to do it.

She lay on the sand for a long time, watching the sky above the ocean as the sun set. The sky, so blue and clear before, now flamed colors of pink, gold, and deep orange. Fingers of sunlight stretched across the never ending canvass, as if trying to flee the hues of indigo and midnight blue that were rapidly darkening the sky.

Stars were slowly emerging. Tiny diamonds in the sky. Charlie briefly wondered if they were put there so those who couldn't afford the real jewel could see a mirror of the beauty. But these were better. There were thousands, and all free to see.

The alabaster moon rose above the ocean. Full and perfectly round, it gave the ocean water a silver sheen on the tips of the tiny cresting waves far beyond those that were beginning to break on the shore.

Charlie lay still on the sand, wondering if she should get up. She raised one knee but decided that she would rather stay here. Her thoughts drifted to Horatio. Would he be worried about her?

He acted like he would. Did he truly care about her, like the way he'd said? Charlie wanted to believe. And in a small corner of her heart, she did believe. She just didn't know what that meant. Love wasn't something she was familiar with, or what it could make people do.

Tiredness was seeping into her bones. She curled up in the sand and pressed herself to the dry rock face, stretching her head out on her arm for a pillow. It was actually comforting, feeling the sand around her, the ocean water gently lulling her to sleep.

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When Charlie hadn't returned to the apartment by nightfall, Horatio was beginning to feel concerned. He knew she wanted space, time to figure everything out. But it wasn't safe for anybody to be roaming Miami at night, especially a defenseless fifteen year old girl.

He left the apartment, keeping his cell phone on and in his pocket. Which way would she have gone? One thing he did know, he wouldn't need his Hummer. She wouldn't have been able to go that far on foot.

He had no trail to go on, only his gut instinct. He tried to think back when he was a kid, and he had run away from home. Where would he have gone?

"Some place no one would find me. Some place quiet where I could think."

That ruled out the city. Charlie had, had enough of the noise. That he was sure of. That left one option. The beach.

He started towards the beach, less than half a mile from his building. Walking quickly down the concrete path that snaked its way towards the ocean he began to have a sense of relief.

By the time he reached the sand he was sure he was in the right direction. He saw small flecks of sand that had been displaced from a footstep. The print itself was gone, but in the manner that they were scattered, it was consistent with a small foot moving steadily. He was sure she'd come this way.

He followed the beach's trail north. Soon, the lights of the city, and the noise, was far behind. He had moonlight to guide him, and he kept going, wondering how far Charlie would have gone.

Ten more minutes rewarded him with a rocky cove. He could only just barely hear the city's nightlife. In fact, the ocean drowned it out. The waves hitting the shore were the only sound he could hear.

He stepped into the cove, feeling the sand give way under his feet. It was loose and dry here, and, ten feet away, curled into the cove, was Charlie. Asleep.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Instinct had told him she'd be ok, but in the flesh, he felt better. He stepped forward and knelt down to her, putting a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Wake up, Charlie," he whispered.

Her eyes snapped open. They registered who he was and he heard her sigh.

"You're not mad at me, are you?" she asked. Her voice was soft, still thick with sleep.

"No, no I'm not mad," he said gently. "Come on, let's get you home."

He helped her up to her feet. She gripped his shoulder tightly for a few steps till she got her balance back. Pushing her hair out of her face, she looked towards him.

"What gave me away?" she asked.

"Not what gave you away. I just knew where to go."

"How?"

"Because you and I have a lot in common, Charlie. Much more than you realize."

Charlie swept her hair back behind her shoulders and thrust her hands into her pockets. She looked towards the ocean, watching the waves come steadily.

"They always come back to the shore," she said quietly.

"Yes, that they do," he said, starting to lead her back towards the trail that would take them back to the building.

"I'll always come back," she said gently before letting go of his hand and walking back into the building.

It was predawn when Charlie rose from her bed. She dressed in jeans, a T-shirt and her sneakers before pulling out a notebook and pen from the desk drawer beside the bed. Taking it with her, she slowly crept past Horatio's room before slipping out onto the balcony.

She sat down in the chair and held her knees up to her chest and began to write. She took her time, making pauses and thinking carefully before she continued. The handwriting was neat and smooth across the paper. When all was finished, she quickly tore it out of the notebook and set the pages onto the table, paper weighting it down the notebook and pen.

She crept back into the house and rifled in the closet till she found a large, green travel bag. In the main part, she put clothes that Horatio had been kind enough to buy her, along with a map she'd downloaded and printed off the internet just after Horatio had gone to bed.

She didn't bother with food. She still had the money from the security guard's that she'd stolen. And Horatio had left about thirty dollars on top of the washing machine, which she grabbed up and put with the rest inside the bag.

Satisfied, she swept a brush through her hair and very slowly unlocked the door. She didn't cry as she left and closed the door. Her heart was sad to see this go, but it wasn't forever.

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When Horatio woke, he had a sense something was wrong. Usually he could hear Charlie moving around. She was up to all hours, sleeping occasionally in between. But this morning, the house was dead silent.

He dressed and left his room, noting her door was open, something she never did. The bed was unmade and the covers thrown back. Her shoes were gone.

He walked back into the hall way. He noticed the money he left was gone. He'd soon learned that Charlie had a klepto habit. Any money he left around was gone. She'd give it back if he asked, but only if he asked. He'd learned that after he'd left a five dollar bill on the kitchen counter, turned around, and it was gone. When he asked Charlie if she'd seen what he did with it, she gave it back without a fuss.

The TV was off, and nothing in the kitchen had been disturbed. Odd. Generally if Charlie was up in the morning, she'd usually get herself something to eat and then curl up with the remote.

He did notice the balcony door was open. That was very strange. He knew for sure he had closed it before he went to bed. When he stepped outside, it was barren of Charlie. But he saw a piece of paper fluttering underneath a black notebook.

Removing its weights, he rapidly scanned his eyes over it. It was in Charlie's hand writing.

Horatio,

I wish it didn't have to be this way. Know that my choice has nothing to do with anything you have done. Do not beat yourself up over this. This was my descion, and I will stick by it. It had nothing to do with you.

I decided to leave because while I know you could provide me with everything I need, there is one thing you can't do for me. There are things in my mind, and my heart, I need to sort out for myself. Try as you might, you're no mind reader, and these mysteries must be solved on my own.

I'll always be eternally grateful for what you've done for me. Never in a thousand years would I forget you. You've saved my life in more ways than one. You didn't just save me from my father. You saved my heart. You may not realize it, but you have helped to pick up the pieces. Now, I have to finish the job you started. I have to find what can make the pieces mesh together. But you picked them off the ground. I'll never forget that.

Sometimes there is no official closure for cases like this. Maybe my father didn't get what he deserved, but its time to move beyond that. I need to seek my own closure. My own ending. Because of you, I can finally start rebuilding what my father broke.

This isn't goodbye, Horatio. This is… I'll see you around. You might not see me. But I'll see you. And I'll see behind those shades of yours. I'll know what it really is in your heart. Just like you know what's in mine. You were right yesterday. You and I are very much alike.

I want you to know that you'll always be in my thoughts. And if you ever need my help, just ask. How do you find me, you want to know? I'm not leaving a forwarding address, because I'm not sure where I'll be going. But one thing's for sure, I'll know when its time to come back. How, I don't know. Sometimes you just have to trust your heart.

So, Horatio, just keep your eyes peeled. You'll see me, maybe sooner, maybe later. But you will see me again. Whatever I might become, whatever I might do with my life, always know, it was because of you.

I've never said this before, and the only thing I regret is not being able to say it to your face. But I knew if I tried, I'd of never been able to leave. And staying here with you isn't what I need right now. So, you'll just have to contend with this short, simple message in writing.

I love you, and I hope you know its sincere. I discovered something else about love. It makes people do crazy things. Maybe you think I'm crazy for leaving like this. But its out of love, Horatio. I'd be miserable if I stayed in Miami right now. But please believe me when I say, I love you.

I'll let you go now, its getting light out, and I have my roads to take. Remember what I said in the beginning. This had nothing to do with you. This is because of me, and I am sorry for what pain it causes you. But I think you, out of all people, will know that sometimes the best thing for someone is to let them figure it out on their own.

I find it hard to close a message I already said I needed to. Maybe because I'm afraid of goodbyes. But, like I said, this isn't goodbye. I'll see you around, Horatio. I'll see you around.

Love,

Charlie

Horatio sank into the chair. He wasn't so much stunned as he was disappointed. He'd had a feeling all along Charlie would want to leave. He just thought he'd be able to change her mind.

He held the letter in his hands, not sure whether to be upset, angry, or maybe even a tiny bit relieved. Charlie was going somewhere to figure out what she needed to understand. But he was scared for her. A fifteen year old girl like her out on her own like that? He shivered.

"She'll take care of herself," he said quietly. "This is her journey. She needs it."

He sat still for a long time, just gazing out to the waters. Faintly, he heard his alarm clock buzzing in the other room. Time to get ready for work. Heal and go on, heal and go on. Standing order for his job.

But he'd never forget. He'd never forget Charlie. Never. And, he was confident he'd see her again.

As he walked into the lab, he was met with Calleigh and Eric. They hadn't expected him in, so their eyes were concerned. In his hand, he held the letter.

"Where's Charlie?" Calleigh asked.

He handed her the letter, and she and Eric quickly read over it. Their eyes went wide as they looked back up at him.

"She didn't say where she was going?"

"No," Horatio said quietly. "Just only that she was."

"Do you want us to round up a search party? I doubt she could have made it out of Miami yet."

"No," he spoke firmly. "She needs this. Forcing her back here would make her bitter. She's healing now. I don't want to ruin that."

"You know how dangerous it is on the streets!" Eric said, his voice shocked. "And you're going to let her run?"

"She'll be alright, Eric," Horatio soothed. "She's not looking for trouble. And I really don't feel trouble is looking for her."

"Maybe, but I still say we should look for her."

"No," Horatio said shaking his head. "She'll come back to us."

"When?" Calleigh asked.

"All in good time," Horatio said, slipping on his shades. "All in good time."

The End

First off, I want to say what gave me the inspiration to write this fic. My second completed chaptered fic. It was half to challenge myself as a writer. Working with a character like Horatio is harder than you might expect! Lol... Anyways, and, also, because I wanted to see if I could make a story both believable without it being boring, or having a traditonal ending. Not that a good happy ending is anything bad, but I wanted to see what else I could do. The characters I used in this story fufilled what I wanted to acomplish, and now, I have to start the thank yous, because without these people, I could never have finished this story.

Addie: I cannot thank you enough for the reviews you gave me. They kept me going when I was just about to give it up. And also the critics you offered beyond the site review box was extremely helpful. I know you'll always be there, whenever I need help. Thank you, so so much.

Daxy: Reviewing so faithfully with praise and welcoming comments, it gave me the drive I needed to push through to the end.

Quiz: You too faithfully reviewed, if not every chapter, then almost, and you were also the first reviewer, kudos to you!

lilmisChistian: You gave me encouragement where I didn't expect to find it. Thank you so much! And yes, I know you are also The Caged Sparrow, the same thank you is applied here.

And to everyone else who reviewed THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Each and every review mattered to me, and I have never deleted them out of my e-mail inbox. And I never will. I value every word written and will always look back on them whenever I need encouragement.

So, I suppose its time to say goodbye to Horatio, Charlie, Grant, and the other characters of this tale. You never know what the muse may turn out with, so, who knows, maybe this really isn't the end. Like Charlie said,

"Just keep your eyes peeled."

Thank you so much for reading and reviewing. I'll never be able to say it enough, so I guess I'll just wrap it up with a...

THANK YOU!