The first thing Calleigh did when sunlight woke her from a deep slumber was smile. She ran a hand over her eyes and blinked a few times before she stood up. Her shorts and tank top clung to her as she walked to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. She saw a note on the kitchen table and was reminded of last night's magical atmosphere. She picked it up and scanned it, her smile growing as she put it back down and went into the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for work.

Beautiful,

Last night was amazing. (Even if you couldn't stop laughing long enough to notice) ;) Anyways...I was thinking tomorrow night at seven? If all pans out well it should be quite memorable...let me know?

Love,

Horatio

The jolt from firing the bullet would have knocked anyone else down, but Calleigh held her ground. The target shook as the .22 lodged itself into the center ring. A whistle from behind her made her turn slowly, laying her goggles on the counter and taking the gun apart to set them together.

"Hello, Handsome," she quoted happily. He chuckled and handed her an evidence package.

"I need you to run this." His eyes twinkled, giving his serious prescence away to no one except her. As he turned to leave after her nod, her voice stopped him.

"Yes."

"Yes?"

Yes," she repeated. His smile blossomed.

"Great. Keep me posted."

The next day Calleigh didn't think she would be able to stand, let alone go out dancing. Her legs were cramped from crouching down all day, and her mood wasn't the usual chipper mood she had. Two-hundred must-collect bullet casings from a drive-by had taken five hours to collect, and over eight to process. Nonetheless, she had gotten herself dressed up and ready as she laied on the couch. The knock on her door made most of her pain dissapper instantly. She stood and reached for the knob, smiling at the man standing shyly on the other side. She grabbed her purse and followed him out wordlessly.

"You look great, Calleigh," his silken words flowed over to her during the drive. She smiled and returned the compliment. As they pulled into the parking lot of another fancy restaurant, she managed to blurt out,

"I don't think I'll be able to dance tonight, Horatio." He laughed.

"We won't be dancing."

The walk up to the building suddenly had her stomach filling with butterflies. She hadn't been nervous before, but she had picked up on new emotions swarming from Horatio and she was suddenly apprehensive. He pulled out her chair for her, and she sat down looking around the building at the chaundeliers and golden silverware. Their dinner came and she looked over at Horatio, shocked.

"I ordered ahead of time. Hope you don't mind," he explained. His eyes betrayed his nervousness, causing Calleigh to ask him cautiously,

"What's going on?" He smiled and took a bite from his plate before standing up and walking over to her. She looked up at him, tears filling her eyes as he knelt in front of her. Taking her hand, he spoke gently.

"I love you, Calleigh. I have for a long time, and you don't know how much I love the feeling of being able to tell you that now. I've already talked to a...few people...and they cleared it with IAB and other officers. Work won't be a problem. A human can only go three minutes tops without air, and thats how I feel about you. When you're away from me I feel like I can't go much longer without seeing you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Calleigh."

Her tears had started flowing freely in the middle of his speech, and she closed her eyes for a second only to feel his fingers wiping away her tears. She leaned forward and kissed him, moving away to look him in the eye.

"Yes," she whispered. He tilted his head and she nodded. Both of their smiles let each other know they were the happiest couple in the world.

In the midst of the darkness they work with everyday, they had found their silver lining.

END