Hey, guys, here's the new chapter. I was interrupted by real life, but I'm getting back into the flow. Upon rereading the story, I found some inconsistencies and grammar errors, but overall, I think it's fun to read. Please, please, let me know what you think. I'm lost without your feedback. I mean, are you even there?

Chapter 10

The Silent H

The women arrived at the restaurant and winded through the usual Saturday-night crowd.

"Caleigh, we're supposed to just grab a quick bite and return to the station," worried Emily. "The wait list here must be at least two hours long."

"No, we won't have to wait much," assured Caleigh. Then she told the hostess, "Lt. Caine's table, please."

"Right away, Miss."

J.J. couldn't help but let out a surprised chuckle.

"What?" asked Caleigh.

"Of course, Horatio would have an open table at one of the hottest restaurants in town."

Caleigh smiled knowingly and explained, "Horatio is very well-connected."

"Obviously," added Emily.

Within five minutes, the party of three was led through dozens of tables, flowers, and candlelight, through the clinking of silverware and glass and animated conversation. The wonderful smells of delicious foods reminded them of the fact that they hadn't eaten for hours and hours. Finally, they were seated at a table in the balcony, overlooking the marina.

"Wow! This is incredible," sighed Emily. "That view… Can you imagine how many women Horatio must have conquered in this very spot?"

J.J. giggled, " Caleigh, I have to admit, for a happily married woman, I have been thinking way too much about your boss!"

"It's not your fault!" laughed Caleigh. "Horatio is the sexiest, most interesting man I've ever met."

"He's also the biggest flirt," assured Emily. "I mean, he is not shy!"

"He has flirted nonstop with me since our arrival. What is that all about?" asked J.J.

"I'll tell you what it's about," explained Caleigh. "Look around; there are eligible bachelors everywhere. They have looks and they have money, but we won't even notice them because we'll be talking about…"

"Horatio!" finished the BAU agents in unison.

"Because he is that good," concluded Caleigh.

"I hope you don't mind my saying so," started Emily. "But the chemistry between you two is..."

The arrival of the waiter interrupted them. Fernando welcomed them and took their beverage orders. While he was expressing his regret that the women were on duty and couldn't enjoy a few drinks, Caleigh's thoughts drifted to a memory she seldom allowed herself to dwell upon. A very difficult day had ended with a rain storm and she was unwinding with a bottle of her favorite red. She glanced out her window and noticed the grey Hum-V parked out front. Then, in the faint light of dusk, she saw him.

She opened the front door and called out, "Horatio!" But he didn't budge. So she hurried out to meet him under cover of an umbrella. "Don't just stand here in the rain! Come inside."

"I'm afraid that wouldn't be appropriate," he hesitated. Always the gentlemen.

"Then, why are you here?"

"Caleigh, I can't let you quit. Sweetheart, you can't leave me too."

The endearment caused her eyes to moisten. "I can't go back to my lab, Horatio, not after… what happened."

"Then don't! Don't go back to the ballistics lab. Work the field with Eric and Wolfe."

"I don't know, Horatio."

He stepped closer to her and smiled, "But I do, Caleigh. I know. Let me be the one who knows. Because I need you."

His words filled the holes in her heart and for a moment she felt complete. "Oh, Horatio," she sighed.

Looking back, Caleigh couldn't be sure exactly who initiated the kiss. All she knew was that her body still longed for what she experienced during that brief moment, before her sixth sense kicked in. He had said, "You can't leave me too."

She withdrew and asked, "Horatio, why are you really here? What happened?" Upon his brooding silence, she asked, "Does this have anything to do with Yelina?"

At the sound of her name, he broke down. "She's gone, Caleigh. She's gone."

Disappointment and grief washed through her. His feelings, the passionate way he kissed her ̶ it had all been over another woman. But Caleigh pushed her pain aside and made an effort to be supportive, "I'm so sorry, Horatio. Is there anything I can do?"

He misread her response as an invitation and eagerly reclaimed her lips. She was tempted to comply, to just let go. How long had she dreamt of being with him? And he was finally there within her reach, so soft and warm against her lips, his strong embrace so comforting. But she immediately withdrew. "Anything, except this. I'm not her, Horatio. I can't be her replacement. I'm sorry."

"No, I'm sorry," he quickly replied. "I shouldn't have… I didn't mean to… I'm so sorry, Caleigh!"

"Just come inside, before you catch a cold, and tell me everything…"

"Earth to Caleigh!" teased J.J. "Where were you?"

Caleigh smiled ruefully and said, "I'm just tired. What are you going to order? Let me recommend the breaded steak with white rice and black beans."

"Oh, no you don't, CSI Caleigh Duquesne!" said J.J. with a mischievous smile. "Don't change the subject. You were going to tell us all about you and Horatio."

"There's nothing to tell. We're not together, and we never will be."

"Why ever not?! You two practically devour each other with your eyes!"

Caleigh blushed and said, "I never realized it was that obvious."

"It's not, but we're behavioral analysts," replied Emily putting the blushing blond at ease. "We're trained to see this kind of thing."

"Okay, so I have feelings for him." Caleigh had no idea where to begin. Exactly when had she fallen in love with Horatio? They had been dancing between friendship and flirtation for several years. But it all ended abruptly when Yelina arrived. It still hurt Caleigh to think about the way he handled it. On a Friday afternoon, Eric asked her out. When she politely said no, Eric said, "I knew you weren't interested, but H insisted that I had a chance." It felt like being stabbed, straight through the heart. Horatio had given her away… to Eric. The following Monday, Detective Yelina Salas joined the MDPD. And just like that, Caleigh was replaced.

"And…?" urged J.J.

"And Horatio has feelings for someone else," finished Caleigh. It felt surprisingly good to finally say it out loud. "That's why we'll never be together. You see, I'll always be second-best to him. And I deserve more."

"Absolutely! You deserve the best," said Emily. "But are you 100 percent certain he still feels the same way about that other woman? I mean, when he looks at you, Caleigh, I'm sure there's no one else on his mind!"

"Have you talked to him?" asked J.J.

"You guys don't know him the way I do," asserted Caleigh. "Look, Horatio isn't the type of man that needs to be encouraged. When he wants something, he goes for it, and nothing can stop him from getting it. So his silence is all the explanation I need. It means he doesn't want me."

"You should still talk to him," said J.J. "At least it will give you closure and you can move on."

"It would be nice to move on," agreed Caleigh and she decided it was time to let go of that little spot she reserved in her heart for Lieutenant Horatio Caine.

This chapter is for anyone who has ever been made to feel second-best. We deserve more! REVIEW!