A/N: I know this is a short chapter compared to my usual long ones. Sorry about that but we thought you would all rather a short one than none at all. I was a bit delayed this week but promise to make it up to you all this weekend. Yes, the fluff scene will be here so you can all smile. Thank you Suzie for proofing. Thank you Angie for taking care of this so quickly and finding a way to make the readers happy! More humor coming up and next chapter will have you all wondering and on edge.

Enjoy!


III

They arrived at Joe's home. Horatio secured the premises prior to allowing Joe and Calleigh to enter. Calleigh chose to stay for the day and Horatio agreed knowing she could rest if needed. He called Frank and updated him on the change of plans.

Joe walked directly to the couch and collapsed. He gently ran his hands over his aching face and eyes.

"Why don't you get some rest?" Calleigh said, softly looking down at him.

He smiled and blinked looking up at her beautiful face for a moment. "Right about now that sounds pretty good to me. Just the thought of my own bed makes me want to close my eyes." He paused. "Hey you two make yourselves comfortable all right. The coffee's in the fridge and there's cream, sugar and sweetener near the machine on the counter. I have bottled water and soft drinks in the fridge as well, feel free to help yourselves. I'll leave out a few menus so you can order up some food if you get hungry. I have delivery accounts set up so just have them bill me."

"We're fine, Joe," she said smiling, "but thank you."

Horatio came walking out from his thorough inspection. "So, we have 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a den and a gym. Two entrances in and out and I don't think anyone will be coming in through the windows." He pointed towards the balcony.

Joe chuckled, "I'd say you're right. Being thirty floors up definitely has its advantages."

Horatio shook his head back and forth, "And it's disadvantages too."

Joe's smile faded and he frowned.

Calleigh chuckled.

The bell rang and the officer outside opened the door looking at Horatio. "Sir, she said she's his dog sitter."

"She is," Joe answered, nodding at the officers.

"Let her in gentleman," Horatio ordered.

Kelly entered letting go of the leash. Gus ran in wagging his tail wildly. He zeroed in on Joe jumping up on the couch eagerly licking his face. He was whining low as his tail smacked against the couch over and over again.

"Good boy, Gus!" Joe chuckled, "Good boy. I missed you too pal."

Calleigh smiled when Joe grabbed Gus by the back of the head and began massaging his neck and floppy ears. Gus relaxed and slowly oozed into a down position moaning letting his head rest in Joe's lap.

"Thanks for taking care of him Kelly. Did he give you any problems?"

"Of course not Joe, Gus is a sweetheart. He's was no trouble at all. You know I love him," she smiled, looking at Horatio and Calleigh, then back at Joe. "Should I pick him up like usual, Joe?"

Joe exhaled softly looking toward Horatio who gave him an approving nod. "Um, yeah, that would be great Kelly if you can. Thank you."

"Sure Joe, I'll see you later. Bye Gus," the young teenage girl said heading for the door.

Horatio escorted her to the door watching her leave. He walked over to the two officers. "Gentleman, from now on knock on the door, don't use the bell, understood?"

They both nodded, "Yes, sir."

"Okay, let's be cautious," he said, turning around walking back inside. He closed the door quietly behind him.

Joe's eyes were closed and his head was resting back against the couch. His hand rested on Gus's head.

Horatio's eyes slid over to find Calleigh, who gave him a tender smile with her index finger covering her lips. Joe was sleeping. Horatio smiled and nodded in understanding. She walked over to him and whispered, "Hey, why don't you go home and get some rest too. I know you're exhausted."

Horatio shook his head side to side whispering, "I'll rest later, but right now I just want to make sure he's safe."

She lifted her hand and tenderly cupped his cheek, "Horatio you're exhausted and I know you haven't been sleeping much lately. I know the dreams are back."

He locked onto those gorgeous green eyes and leaned into her soft hand wanting nothing more than to just close his eyes but he resisted that thought. He lifted his hand to hers and held it looking deeply into her eyes whispering, "Joe needs us now. I can rest later. I'm fine, and thank you sweetheart."

She shook her head knowing he was avoiding the subject and smiled. "Horatio," she barely whispered looking into his tired blue eyes, "Thank you."

His brows furrowed, "For what?"

She whispered, "For being there yesterday, for protecting me, and for saving Joe… for everything. Thank you for being the compassionate, caring man that you are. For being you," she said, smiling through teary green eyes.

He smiled squeezing her hands gently, at a loss for words. He nodded his head up and down with a shy smile, "Always sweetheart, always." He lifted his hand and softly caressed her cheek losing himself in those adoring emerald eyes.

A sudden knock pulled them back to reality. Horatio turned for the door. Gus bounded off the couch and joined him. Calleigh watched Joe who lifted his head groggily looking around in confusion.

She walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "You're fine you just dozed off for a moment. Why don't you go lie down and get some rest."

Horatio walked to the door and cautiously opened it while his other hand was at the ready on his sidearm. Gus was alert and standing on Horatio's left side ready for action.

The officer gave him a grin and took a step back. "Umm, Lieutenant, she said she knew the doctor and needed a favor."

Horatio's brows arched seeing the tall brunette in nothing but a red short silk kimono and spiked heels. She gave him a seductive smile as his eyes gradually reached hers again.

"Can, I… help you?" He asked softly.

She licked her lips, leisurely looking him over from head to toe and smiled, "That depends, honeybun."

The officers smiled and one chuckled. Horatio quickly shifted glaring at the two of them. They backed away. Horatio concentrated on her eyes trying not to focus on her wet hungry red lips.

"What is it you need exactly," he asked in a chilling tone.

She gave him a disappointed look and smirked. "I need to talk to Joe, if he's home, if that's all right with you!" She said, with an attitude holding up a small glass bowl, "I need to borrow some sugar!"

Horatio almost chuckled at her abruptness; she was clearly one pissed off lady. "Are you a neighbor of Joe's?" he asked, letting his voice soften again.

She nodded throwing her hand out, "Yes. What? Do you think I walk around like this all the time?" she announced, gesturing to her inappropriate attire.

Horatio's lips subtly curved up as he turned and opened the door allowing her to enter.

"Joe, baby," she said, giving Horatio a glare as she breezed right past him.

Joe swallowed hard. His tired eyes literally popped out of his head and he sat forward on the couch almost falling off. "Um-- Umm-- Shelia…." He stuttered surprised seeing her in a thigh high red silk robe.

"Joe, I ran out of sugar again baby, and was wondering if you could spare a little for your favorite neighbor?" She asked seductively, while giving him the come hither look. She glimpsed past him and over to Calleigh smugly giving her the once over.

Joe rubbed at his blurry eyes and she quickly sat down next to him. She put her hand on his thigh, "Baby, what happen to your face? Are you okay, sweetie pie?" She said, running her fingers up and through his hair.

Calleigh rolled her eyes. Horatio chuckled quietly to himself seeing her reaction.

Joe sprang up and answered quickly, "I'm fine, Sheila. Sure, let's go to the kitchen and get you some sugar," he said, hurrying off with Sheila right on his heels.

Calleigh walked over to Horatio. She grinned and elbowed him in the side playfully. "You had better not have any neighbors like Shelia," she said, with conviction.

Horatio grinned looking at her with a low, "Mmm."

She gave him a quick glare returning her eyes to the kitchen and mumbled, "Sweetie pie?" She rolled her eyes, "Please, I think I'm gonna barf."

Horatio quietly chuckled until her elbow made contact again causing him to groan outloud.

"Thanks Joe. You're a life saver baby," she said, putting her hands on his shoulders massaging lightly. "I can come by later if you want and—"

"No--" He quickly cut her off, "No-- no Shelia, that's fine," he said rattled.

She smiled at him suggestively putting a hand on her hip. "Are you still with that lady doctor friend of yours? Hmmp," she scoffed, "We'll have to see what we can do about that honey." She chuckled as she seductively ran her soft fingertip across his cheek and down to his chin leaning in to kiss him full on the mouth. Her warm tongue slowly slid into his mouth sliding along his making him moan low.

She backed off with a chuckle watching as Joe opened his eyes stunned. She licked her lips suggestively sliding her fingertip along his jawline. "Baby, you don't know what you're missing," she said, provocatively wiggling her brows at him.

Joe's mouth hung open. "Uh-huh," he muttered still in a daze. She grinned and turned shaking her hips, walking away. Joe swallowed as his eyes clandestinely scanned up her long, bare, sexy legs. He mumbled, "Oh yes I do."

She suddenly turned back to him and smiled, "Are you coming Joe?"

He closed his open mouth and shook his head walking toward her, leading her to the front door.

Calleigh and Horatio stood by taking in the scene clearly amused.

"If you need anything… anything at all Joe, you have my number," she said, smiling at him suggestively.

He nodded almost in a fog, "Umm-- yeah--I mean, I'm fine, Shelia."

"Sure you are sweetie pie. I'll see you later," she said, looking back over at Horatio with another seductive smile.

She turned and left. Joe exhaled and closed the door shaking his head back and forth.

Horatio grinned unable to help himself and was quickly elbowed once again by a smirking Calleigh.

"Ugh," he softly gasped and Calleigh gave him a look walking away.

Joe turned and saw Calleigh near Gus and Horatio standing with his hands on his hips with a very amused look on his face.

"It's not what you think," Joe said.

Horatio's lips curved up at the corners. "And just what do I think?" He asked with a hint of humor in his voice.

Joe opened his mouth and let his words die on his tongue. He shook his head, "Forget it; I'm too tired to try and explain her to you. I need my bed."

Horatio nodded with a grin. "You um, you have something on you're… lips." He pointed with a smirk.

Calleigh looked at Horatio and gave him a glare shaking her head at him in disbelief. Joe was exhausted and he was taunting him.

Joe smoothly wiped his thumb over his lips looking down at the red smudged lipstick on it. He sighed shaking his head and looked back over at Horatio. "Thanks," he said a little embarrassed.

Horatio chuckled bouncing on his toes, "Anytime."

Joe gave Calleigh a smile and walked over to her and Gus. "If he bothers you just lock him out on the terrace," he said, looking down at Gus but thinking of Horatio.

"Never, he's a good boy," she said, crouching down as she patted him. "How could you put him out on the terrace all alone?"

Joe smiled, "Well I can't have him bothering my guests."

"He's no bother Joe, and we're not guests."

Joe chuckled and reached down lifting Gus's chin up to him. "You be a good boy, all right. Go lie down and leave Calleigh alone."

Gus licked Joe's hand and walked over to the couch. He jumped up and dropped, lying down with a groan.

Calleigh smiled, "I see you have him well trained."

Joe chuckled, "Don't let him fool you, he's just waiting for me to walk out of the room and he'll be all over you again."

"Go get some rest and leave Gus to me," she said smiling.

Joe nodded and walked away. "Goodnight," he said, over his shoulder.

"Night," Calleigh said walking over toward Horatio. She whispered, "If you miss behave maybe we'll lock you out on the terrace.

He chuckled looking down while Gus jumped off the couch and headed right for Calleigh again. He moved closer and sniffed Horatio. His tail suddenly began banging loudly on the coffee table and Calleigh laughed.

Joe bellowed from inside, "Gus settle!"

The dog put his head down and walked over to the couch jumping up on it again lying down with a resigned look in his eyes.

Calleigh chuckled, "Aww, he is too cute.

"Yes he is," Horatio said, smiling, seeing how much she loved the dog.

"Want to go over some files together?" She asked, turning back to him.

"Yes, that sounds like a plan," he answered, wrapping his right arm around her waist possessively, pulling her flush up against him.

She almost yelped and her eyes widened in surprise, her hand reflexively braced itself on his chest. She chuckled and whispered, "Down boy, down."

Horatio's lips curved up. "That won't work on me sweetheart," he whispered, looking into her soft emerald eyes.

Gus's head came up and his ears snapped to attention as he stared at them, Horatio in particular.

Calleigh smiled seeing him, "Oh, I think it will handsome. It seems I now have another protector and his name is Gus."

III

All was quiet as nightfall came upon them. Joe was sound asleep. Calleigh made a pot of coffee knowing her and Horatio were in a desperate need for a caffeine fix. Horatio was staring at the laptop screen reading when she placed two cups down on the round table and sat down sliding a file closer to her.

"Thank you," He said, lifting the steaming cup to his lips.

She smiled and reached for his hand. "Why don't you close your eyes for a few hours and let me take the first shift?"

He smiled and squeezed her hand lightly. "I'm okay, and I know this coffee is going to help, thank you."

"All right," she said, letting go of his hand. She slid another piece of paper in front of her looking down at it. "So far we have Dr. Ted Nolan, Dr. Benjamin Grover and Joe. The three of them always work together as a team in the OR."

"That's correct and I have a feeling Dr. Grover, is hiding something. We need to find out what that is," he said, looking at the file in front of him. Eric and Ryan are still processing the evidence and I'm sure we'll get something from the explosion. I'll also have Frank do a background check on Dr. Grover and see if he comes up with anything else."

"Good idea," Calleigh said with a smile. "What if we also check into the patients that died on the table this week? One autopsy was still pending; it could point us in the right direction."

"Sound's good and let's make sure to check on the patients families too," he said, rubbing his bloodshot eyes. He exhaled heavily and pinched the bridge of his nose feeling his head throb.

Calleigh shook her head side to side reaching for his hand again. "Horatio, go sit on the couch and just put your head back for a little while please?" She asked pleading.

He squinted and rubbed his eyes again putting down the coffee cup. He looked over to the couch and could feel himself slipping, barely able to keep his eyes open. Calleigh was up in a second and standing at his side as she tugged on his arm making him stand up.

"C'mon handsome, just for a few hours, okay? I'm right here and the officers are outside," she said, reassuring him while leading him over to the couch.

He looked down at his watch. "Just a few hours all right?" he said softly.

She smiled. "All right, now rest," she said grabbing the throw blanket. She covered him as he smiled. "Wake me in a few hours, Calleigh, I mean it."

"I know," she replied with the tilt of her head. "Now rest," she ordered, cupping his cheek but directing his head back on the couch.

He closed his eyes trying to relax. She went to the front door and opened it checking in with both officers. Everything was quiet. She closed the door and came back in as Horatio rumbled with one eye open.

"Coast all clear?"

"Yes handsome, now get some sleep," she chuckled, sauntering back in Horatio's direction seeing how lonely he looked on that couch all by himself. Her thoughts ran wild on what she could do to that man but unfortunately duty called and she headed for the table to examine more files.

TBC…


Okay so this should have you all laughing-- Shelia and Joe.

Also smiling at Calleigh's very naughty thoughts. Did someone say fluff? Hahaha