Once again there are some suggestive themes in this chapter, but nothing bad enough I would change the rating to M. However, if anyone thinks I should change it just shoot me a massage and I'll think it over again.

"Greg it's your mother. I need to talk to you. Grandpa Maher died today and there's something really important I need to tell you. Please give me a call as soon as you get this. I love you peanut."

Greg listened to the other end of his phone ring, waiting for his mother to answer. She had called him in the middle of the night, which would have only been like eight o'clock at night in California, and left him a voicemail.

Greg hadn't cried at the news of his grandfather's death. In fact he really didn't seem to care. He had never really cared for his Grandpa Maher. Grandpa Maher, his mother's father, always seemed to have a distaste for Greg when he was growing up. He would give Greg dirty looks and talk down to him. He refused to acknowledge Greg's presence when he entered the room and would sometimes make up an excuse to leave the room. Greg wondered if somehow his grandfather had known about his curiosity and uncertainty about his sexuality when he was growing up, but that didn't seem like a reasonable idea.

Greg sighed and dialed his mother's number. The phone rang a few times before his mother answered.

"Peanut, how are you?" his mother's voice sounded.

"I'm good Mom." Greg answered, "How have you been?"

"I've been better, a little stressed and shaken but I'll be ok."

"Mom, what did you want to tell me?" Greg asked, getting straight to the point.

"Greg, this is really hard to say and I would prefer to tell you in person but I know that's really not possible right now." His mother said. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Greg when I got pregnant with you I promised your grandfather that I would never tell you who your father is. I told him I would keep it secret to his deathbed. Well I think that because that's come and gone you deserve to know the truth."

"Mom," Greg said, cutting in, "I already know."

Rochelle Sanders sat there silently on the phone. "You know who your birth father is?"

"Yes," Greg answered.

"How did you know?"

"Mom I met someone." Greg began, "I met a man who looks just like me. We work together now and we started noticing similarities between us, both physically and personality. So we did what I've been doing for years and tested our DNA against each others. Turns out we have the same father, Horatio Caine."

Greg's mother didn't speak right away. Greg sat there listening to Rochelle breathing. "Have you met him?" she quietly asked.

"Mom, I work for him."

"Horatio's your boss?"

"Yes, he's the Lieutenant at the Miami Dade Crime Lab." Greg said, "Mom, how did you meet him?"

"Peanut I think you need to talk to Horatio about it." Rochelle said, "It's something you need to hear first hand."

Greg sighed and hung his head. "Alright Mom, I'll try calling him again."

"Have you talked to him since the test?"

"No, we haven't seen him in a week. We're starting to get worried about him. Not just because he's our father but because he's our boss and part of our team."

"Greg, what's your brother's name?"

"Ryan Wolfe; he didn't know either of his birth parents. He was abandoned on a doorstep and adopted by the woman that found him." Greg chuckled, "It's kind of funny because his entire family is really, really tall and broad framed and black and he's kind of a little white guy."

Rochelle chuckled lightly on the other end of the phone. "That does sound rather interesting." She sighed and Greg listened to her breath. "Greg I'm sorry I kept this from you. I've wanted to tell you for so long, but I couldn't go against your grandfather's wishes."

"It's ok Mom, I understand." Greg said in a comforting tone, "I know Grandpa Maher wasn't the easiest man to live with."

"Do you still love me peanut?"

Greg smiled into the phone. "Of course I still love you Momma. Nothing could make me hate you."

"Thanks peanut, I needed to hear that. Will you be coming home for Grandpa Maher's funeral?"

"You know even though I'm pretty sure that man hated me I think I can fly out to pay my respects."

"That's good," Rochelle replied, "And bring that handsome husband of yours and that adorable little girl, Lucy, right?"

"You sure that's a good idea Mom?" Greg asked, knowing how his mother's side of the family felt about same sex couples.

"Yes, those high class snot heads need a taste of reality." Rochelle said, making Greg laugh. "Besides what are they going to do? Make you leave your grandfather's funeral?"

Greg chuckled and smiled. "Thanks Mom, for loving me for who I am."

"Well that's what a parent is supposed to do- love their child no matter what they are."

Ryan pulled up in front of Horatio's beach house with Greg in his Jetta. He cut the engine and they sat there staring at the house.
"What are you thinking?" Greg asked him.
"I still hate this car," Ryan replied.
Greg laughed and shook his head. "About to confront your biological father and all you can think about is your damn car."
"Well it's the only thing that's keeping my mind off what I'm about to do."
Greg looked at him and gave him a weak half smile. "Shall we?"
"It's now or never." Ryan replied.

Horatio's face was a mixture of shock and shame when he saw Greg and Ryan standing on his doorstep. He nodded at them and stepped aside so they could enter. They followed him into the house and into the spacious living room. They sat together on a couch while Horatio choose an armchair across from them.

The room was silent for several minutes as all three tried to think of where to begin.
"Alright," Horatio finally said, "What do you need to know?"

Greg looked at him. "My mother called me today." He said, "She told me my grandfather's dead and she decided to finally break the promise she made to him and told me who my birth father is."

Horatio somehow didn't seem surprised. "What did you tell her?"

"I told her I knew already." Greg said, "I explained the test to her and our suspicion."

Horatio sighed and leaned back in his chair. "I knew your mother Greg," he said, "I met Rochelle Maher one summer while she was visiting from California."

The young woman was beautiful as she tied up her motorboat. She smiled at the older man she was walking with. He was much older than her; her father or possibly her grandfather. Horatio watched her from where he sat in the willow tree on the beach. It was a small private beach, members only from the lakeside neighborhood. The girl must have been visiting from somewhere else, just like he was.

Horatio crawled across the large tree branch, trying to get a better look at her. She was beautiful with brown hair and a long slender body. Her skin was a golden tan color, contrasting beautifully against the blue bikini and green sarong she wore. He crept to the end of the branch. It was broken at the end; the tree had been struck by lighting during a thunderstorm a few days earlier.

Horatio laid on his stomach with his legs curled up against each side of the branch. She walked along the beach with the man, laughing and talking. She was so close to the tree Horatio could see the caramel color of her eyes. He leaned to the side as he watched her walk by, trying to get a second look at her.

The ground hit him hard and the sand did little justice to break his fall. He laid there on his side, trying to regain his breath after having the wind knocked out of him from the fall. He didn't dare move. He hoped she hadn't seen him fall.

"Are you ok?" Horatio opened his eyes and looked up. The young woman knelt over him, looking down at him.

Horatio tried to take another breath but his lungs didn't seem to work. "Roll onto your back." she said, pushing on his shoulders. "And hold your arms above your head, it will open your airway."

Horatio laid there on his back with his arms raised. The feel of oxygen rushing back into his lungs was a relief. After a few good breaths he looked at her again. "Thank you," he managed to choke out.

She smiled at him and brushed sand from his forehead. "I'm Rochelle," she said.

"Um, Horatio," he managed to remember.

"Horatio? That's an interesting name."

"Uh, thank you," Horatio said, still slightly lost for words.

"Why were you in the tree Horatio?"

"I like to climb trees," Horatio said, "More specifically that tree."

"Why that tree?" Rochelle inquired, sitting down in the sand next to him.

"I've been climbing it since I was a kid."

"Really? Do you live here?"

"My grandparents do," Horatio explained, "I visit them every summer. I live in Miami with my parents usually."

"Is Miami far from here?" Rochelle inquired.

"No, only like twenty miles," Horatio answered.

Rochelle smiled at him. "So do you always hang out in the tree Tarzan?"

Horatio finally smiled at her. "Only when I want to be alone."

"Is that often?"

"Not really, I just like my alone time, that's all."

"Do you fall from it often?"

"Only when something beautiful gets my attention."

Rochelle blushed and leaned forward towards him. "Are you just going to lie in the sand all day or are you going to try and kiss me?"

Horatio smiled and began to sit up. "Well I thought it would be rude if I just tried to kiss you."

"Well now you have my permission," Rochelle said with a smirk.

"Good, because that would be rude if I didn't," Horatio said as his lips tentatively met Rochelle's.

III

The sunset was beautiful. Horatio and Rochelle watched from the willow tree together. They were lying across several branches that had grown close together, creating a solid platform. They had a blanket spread across the branches and they laid on their stomachs with Horatio's arm around Rochelle's shoulders.

She leaned her head against his shoulder and kissed his neck. "This has been the most amazing summer I've ever had." Rochelle said, "I wish it didn't have to end."

"I know, me too," Horatio said. "Do you really have to go back to your parents? Can't you just live with your grandparents?"

Rochelle sighed and leaned against him. "I wish I could but my father would never allow it. He's kind of a control freak. He even picked the college that I have to go to so I would be the third generation to graduate from there."

Horatio leaned his head against hers and kissed her forehead. "I'm sorry, I would never do that to you."

"Horatio, would you wait for me?" Rochelle quietly asked.

"Wait for what?" Horatio asked confused.

"Would you wait for me to finish college and come back to you?"

Horatio was silent for a long moment, not really sure what to say. "I couldn't make that promise Rochelle. I only have a year left of college and then I'm going to the police academy. I don't think I could wait around for someone that long. You're seventeen and just starting college, I'm twenty, I have a plan for my life, and I know where I'm going. I'm sorry to say but you're not in that plan."

Rochelle looked at him with her caramel eyes. Horatio could see the hurt in her eyes. "I'm sorry Rochelle," Horatio whispered, "I know it sounds selfish but I'm not planning on starting a family right now."

"It's ok Horatio," Rochelle said, "I understand. I don't even know where I'll be in four years. I shouldn't put that on you. I mean I might not be able to come back. I'm sorry I suggested that."

Horatio leaned over and gently kissed her. "It's ok, I'm sorry, too. I'm not sorry about meeting you though. This has been the best six weeks of my life."

"Horatio," Rochelle quietly said, "Would you be willing to do something for me?"

"Well it depends, what do you want?" Horatio asked.

"Will you…will you make love to me?"

Horatio looked deep into her eyes. "Are you sure? I thought you were waiting until marriage?"

"Yes, I'm sure, and no, my father wants me to wait until marriage. I want someone I love, and I think I might be in love with you. Maybe not full blown true love, but I love you on some level."

Horatio looked at her and ran his hand through her hair. He gently kissed her and felt chills run down his spine as their noses grazed together. "Are you sure you want this?"

"Yes, I want my first time to be with someone I care about, and you are the most incredible person I've ever met Horatio Caine." She quietly said, "Please, let's make love."

Horatio leaned over and kissed her. Rochelle rolled onto her back and Horatio settled between her legs. "Alright," he whispered, "Let's make love. If you want to stop just tell me."

"I swear Horatio," Rochelle quietly said, "I'll tell you because I trust you."

Horatio kissed her passionately as he carefully unzipped her jeans.

Horatio watched as Greg processed the story. "You knew my mother all these years," he quietly said.
"Yes, and had I known she got pregnant I would have done something." Horatio said, "But it sounds like William Maher forbid her to tell me."

"Grandpa Maher was really strict." Greg said, "He had all sorts of rules. He told my mother she wasn't allowed to tell me who my father was."

"How did Rochelle do?" Horatio asked, "After she went back home."

"From what she's told me Grandpa Maher went ballistic when she told him she was pregnant." Greg explained, "He tried to pull her out of college but she refused to listen. She ended up leaving the school and moving to Sacramento. She went to school there and eventually I was born so she started juggling going to school part time and a child and a full time job. She eventually earned her degree in early education and got a job as a kindergarten teacher." Greg chuckled, "She was actually my kindergarten teacher, because by then it was time for me to enroll in school."

Horatio smiled and looked at the young man who was his son. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm glad she didn't wait around for someone to take care of her. I never did think Rochelle would be that kind of girl."

Horatio leaned back in his chair and looked at Ryan. "I suppose you want to know about your mother now."

Ryan nodded his head nervously. "Yeah, if you can remember."

"Well I have to be honest with you Ryan I'm not completely sure I know but I have a very good hunch as to who she is." Horatio said, "Going by your age you were conceived probably when I was still at the police academy. And there's only one girl that sticks out in my mind around that time."

The room was packed with people. The lights flashed and pulsed in time with the music. It was dark and Horatio was having a hard time seeing. He didn't understand why he agreed to go out with his friends from the academy that night.

Smoke hung thick in the air and Horatio coughed lightly. He made his way to the bar and ordered a beer. As he walked around the room with his stein trying to find his friends people bumped into him and drunkenly stumbled off. The same girl kept coming up and clinging to him, joking that she thought he was her boyfriend. He pulled away from her and continued his path around the club.

Brian and Frank laughed when Horatio finally joined them at their booth.

"Having fun there red?" Brian asked.

"Only if you call girls crawling all over you fun." Horatio retorted, drinking his beer.

"Come on chief," Frank said, "Lighten up. Let's get a pitcher. Hey waiter!"

Horatio sat with his friends and drank, watching everyone else dance. One girl kept looking over at Horatio, eyeing him as she danced in time to the music. She wasn't very tall with short brown hair that hung around her chin and eyes the color of caramel. Her body was slender the short blue halter dress she wore clung to her curves nicely. Horatio smiled at her and she blushed and looked away.

"Go after her," Brian said.

"Who?" Horatio asked, playing dumb.

"That chick, she's totally into you."

"No, she must be looking at someone else."

"Nope, she's checking out you chief," Frank said.

Horatio sighed and shook his head. He stood from the table and walked towards the girl. His footing felt a little uneven, which was understandable since he and his friends had already gone through two pitchers.

He walked over to the girl and smiled at her. She returned the smile and placed her hands on his hips.

"Well hey there big guy," she said as she began to rub her hips against his. "Who you looking for?"

"Well I wasn't looking for anyone in particular but you caught my attention," Horatio said, placing his hands on her shoulders. She spun around and began grinding her backside against him. "Well I'm glad I did," she smirked.

She bought him shots of tequila and whiskey and they continued to dance. Horatio became more and more drunk as the night dragged on. The girl's name was Maya Taylor and she was a student at Dade University.

She pulled Horatio out the backdoor and into an alley. She giggled as she pressed his back against the wall and kissed him. Horatio smiled and kissed her back.

"I want you Horatio," Maya said. "I want you right here right now."

"Fine with me," Horatio said, pulling at his belt buckle.

He pinned Maya against the wall and she wrapped her legs around his waist. He slid in between her legs under her short blue dress. It was hot and heavy and Horatio panted with effort. Several people walked by and caught sight of them but no one seemed to care, since they were also drunk.

"Oh god," Maya moaned, "I'll never forget you Horatio Caine."

Ryan sat there on the couch and sighed. "Go figure, I'm the result of a drunken one night stand. A one night stand in an alley behind some sleazy club nonetheless."

Horatio looked at him, pain running through his deep blue eyes. "I'm sorry Ryan," he whispered, almost inaudibly.

"Well I guess it makes sense," Ryan said. "When Taylor took me to the hospital the doctors told her the reason I had a fever and I wouldn't stop crying was because I was going through withdrawal."

"From what?" Greg quietly asked.

"Valium and alcohol," Ryan said, "The doctors said it was a miracle that I was alive, seeing as that combination is deadly for an adult, let alone a baby still in the womb. They suspected my birth mother might have been attempting suicide while she was still pregnant. I also have a very mild case of fetal alcohol syndrome."

"Is that what the doctors think caused the OCD?" Greg quietly asked, trying to comfort Ryan the best he could.

"No, that's just a behavioral thing." Ryan said, "My childhood psychiatrist thinks that it might have been triggered by the FAS but it's really because she thinks I have a desire to control my environment after being abandoned."

Greg rubbed Ryan's back and smiled at him reassuringly. Horatio looked at the young man and felt his heart twist in his chest. He stood from his chair and walked over to the couch. Ryan looked up at him. Horatio held out his hand and Ryan slowly accepted it with a shaking one of his own. Horatio pulled him up and into his arms and held him close. Tears suddenly flowed from his eyes and down his cheeks as he truly held his son for the first time.

Ryan wrapped his arms around Horatio and cried. He didn't know why he was crying. There were so many things going through his head that he didn't understand what he was feeling anymore.

"I'm sorry Ryan," Horatio quietly said, "I'm so sorry I wasn't there for you all these years. If I had known you existed I would have done something more."

"It's ok," Ryan choked out, "I'm not mad at you. She never told you. You probably never heard from her again after that anyways."

"No, I never saw her again."

"There was nothing you could do." Ryan quietly, "But don't blame yourself." He said as he looked into Horatio's eyes. "Don't think you ruined my life in anyway. I love my adopted family. They saved me from dying. My birth mother leaving me on Taylor's doorstep was probably the best thing she could ever do for me."

Horatio felt more tears pour down his face as he pulled Ryan back into his arms. "I can't believe it, I have another son."

"Well…" Greg quietly said, standing from the couch. Horatio chuckled lightly and looked at Greg. "I'm sorry, I have two more sons." Greg smiled at him as Horatio pulled him into his arms.

They wandered into the kitchen where Horatio poured them each a glass of iced tea. "Have you told Kyle?" Ryan quietly asked as they drank their tea.

"No, not yet," Horatio said, "I haven't told anyone."

"I told my Mom and Nick." Greg said, "I haven't broke the news to Lucy yet though."

"What about you Ryan?" Horatio asked.

"Well here's the thing with the Simmons family," Ryan said with a small smile on his face, "You can't tell just one. I talked to Mary Ellen about the DNA test and the possibility of Greg being my biological brother but I haven't told her the result yet. I figured it would be better to just tell them all at once to avoid confusion and mayhem."

"Does Walter know?" Horatio asked.

"Nope, I didn't even tell Wally."

"Ryan, when you tell them, could I go with you?" Horatio quietly asked.

Ryan looked at him. A small, shy smile appeared on his face. "Yeah, I think I would like that."

"Can I go too?" Greg asked.

Ryan chuckled lightly. "Sure, why not? Come meet my crazy black family."