Thanks very, very much for all the reviews! And a big thanks to my editor, Alisa!

One month later

Breakroom:

"So who do you think it is?" Ryan asked.

"What?" Eric asked.

"Who do you think the girl is that H is dating?" Ryan asked.

For the last month, this had been the most talked about topic in the entire lab. Everyone had someone in mind and their own theory, of how their boss and his secret lady had met. Cooper had even suggested it might be Erica Sykes, claiming that she and the Lieutenant were polar opposites and that opposites attract.

"I think it's your sister." Calleigh said.

Eric choked on his coffee and looked disbelievengly at her. Marisol and H? Well, maybe. He knew his sister and the redhead had seen a lot of each other lately. He also knew Horatio had accompanied her to several of her chemo sessions. But if it was because of love he wasn't sure; Marisol claimed it wasn't because of love. She said they had quickly become friends, and Horatio was the only one suggesting that she should do the things she had always wanted despite being sick. Unlike her friends and family whom seemed to be filled with negative energy by constantly nagging her to just rest and get better; the lieutenant tried to make her feel happy and alive rather than depressed and sad about being sick.

"Nah... Mari says they're not." Eric said.

"And you believe her?" Ryan asked, with a raised eyebrow.

"Why shouldn't I?"

"Because she might be afraid to tell you the truth, about her dating the boss." Ryan said, "I thought you knew exactly what girls were like?" He teased.

Eric considered himself to be very good at knowing how and what women were thinking, and pointing out that Ryan was not very good at that.

"Women." Calleigh said, "We are women."

"Sorry." Ryan said, "Anyway, I think the boss is dating someone in the lab. Maybe Valera."

"Valera?" Eric and Calleigh chorused.

"What's wrong with her?" Ryan asked.

"You think he's dating Valera? No offense to Valera or H, but they would be so wrong for each other." Eric said.

"Come to think of it, not really. They both like science, have the same type of humor and get along really well with each other, I mean really well." Ryan said.

"Okay, so your theory is that Valera and Horatio have fallen in love with each other?" Calleigh asked and Ryan nodded, "My money is on Marisol."

"How about you Eric?" Calleigh asked.

Eric thougth for a moment. He wanted to go with the Marisol- theory, but then again... there was the possibility that Horatio was dating one of the new homicide detectives as well. Or...

"Stella Bonasera." He said, "H went up to New York to chase after Henry Darius and he and Stella has a great connection with each other."

"Isn't that kind of far fetched?" Ryan asked.

"And the theory of Horatio dating Valera isn't?" Eric countered.

"Good point." Ryan said.

Eric didn't really believe the in the Stella-theory, but he didn't want to go the same way as Calleigh. Besides, Horatio's new good mood had started after the Henry Darius case. Ergo, The lieutenant had met someone in New York and fallen in love. One thing everyone in the lab agreed on, was that their boss was much happier than before and they hoped that it would last. Their leader had been through much heartbreak over the years and he deserved someone who loved him.

Outside the break room Alexx had been listening. She hadn't meant to eavesdrop but when she had, yet again, heard the subject of Horatio's love life come up, she thought it was a good opportunity to see if anyone would even mention Horatio possibly dating a guy and if so, what their reaction to it would be. She laughed silently at how wrong the team was. If they had paid any attention when Mac had been in Miami, they would have noticed the way the New York CSI and Horatio had looked at each other, and had silently been communicating.

Alexx and Frank were the only ones in Miami who knew that Horatio was dating Mac. Since they had caught Henry Darius their dating had only been via phone. Frank and Alexx had seen the impact it had on Horatio. It was clear that he put his heart in Mac's hands and if he ever broke it, the tough ex-marine would have to deal with Alexx and her tools down in the morgue.

She entered the break room, had a quick chat with the team and then grabbed a coffee cup and headed to Horatio's office. The man had been working non-stop with a triple murder for three days. Only sleeping a few hours every night. She knocked on the door and entered.

"Alexx, good morning." Horatio smiled.

"Good morning sugar".

Alexx could see how tired he looked.

"How many hours of sleep did you get tonight?" She asked.

"Four."

"Horatio, you have to take a break or you're going to make yourself sick."

"I know. It's just this case. We're close to a break. In fact all we need is a suspect to match to the evidence." Horatio said, "I have a feeling, that if we just look harder we'll find one."

"Well, today is Friday and I want you to relax this weekend." Alexx said, with a tone that made it clear she wasn't taking "no" for answer.

Horatio smiled and nodded. Alexx was a real mother-hen, especially with him. He was her "oldest" boy and her most special one, she used to say. He knew he could come to her with anything. It was why Horatio trusted her and Frank to keep his relationship with Mac a secret. He knew they would guard it with everything they had if necessary.

"So talk to Mac lately?" Alexx asked.

Horatio smiled at the mention of his name. The last time he had felt like this for someone it had been with Gabriel. He had realized it a few weeks before his father had killed him. He wasn't ready to admit that he was in love with the brunette yet, but he was damn close to it.

"No, he has a triple murder to solve as well." Horatio said, "I'll call him tonight."

"Good. Jamie keeps calling me for details about the two of you." Alexx said.

Horatio laughed. It was just a few weeks ago that the team had met Jamie. He had been the witness of an attack on a girl. He had intervened and ended up with a broken wrist and stitches in his face. Alexx and Jamie had instantly hit it off. Alexx, taking Jamie under her wing, like she did with everyone she felt needed it. Although, the two of them were far from close friends, it turned out that when Jamie couldn't get Horatio to tell him about Mac, he called Alexx.

"And what did you tell him?" Horatio asked.

"That I know as little as he does, which is true." Alexx smiled, "Don't worry honey, I don't demand that you tell me anythig. Just make sure you tell me if you're hurting."

"I will."

The team had of course been curious to know how their Lieutenant knew a young gay-guy. Surprisingly there had not been any gossip about Horatio possibly being gay. Probably since everyone were too focused on finding out who his mystery lover was.

"Well, I got a body to tend to." Alexx said, "You take care now Horatio and remember to go home and relax when the shift is over. Maybe even go home early."

"I promise." Horatio smiled, although he had no intentions on going home early.

-I-

Ryan and Eric were sweating and panting, as they dug up bodies in the sand. It was a hot day and just to tease them Frank sat on chair with a bottle of water. They had finally caught their triple murderer, only to find out that he had killed more people. Eric and Ryan, as the two young and strong men that they were, had been given the job of digging up the other bodies in the killer's backyard.

"You know, it wouldn't hurt you to help out." Ryan said to Frank.

"Actually it would. I could get a heart attack climbing down into the hole." Frank smirked, "And why are you two complaining?... You have all the female officers eyeing you."

Eric and Ryan looked around and saw no female officers looking at them. They scowled and glared at Frank.

"You fell for it." Frank chuckled, "It would have made you work faster if it had been true, right?"

"No." Ryan said and then mumbled, "A little maybe."

"So, who do you think H's mystery woman is?" Eric asked.

Frank tensed at the question, but the boys didn't notice. He shrugged.

"Oh come on Frank. You must have a woman in mind." Eric pressed on.

"Marisol." He shrugged.

"Yeah, more and more people seem to think it's her." Eric sighed.

"That bothers you?" Ryan asked.

"No, it's just... well, I want her to concentrate on getting better. She says she's tired of everyone nagging her to do just that. Says Horatio doesn't do that, he just wants her to do as she wants." Eric shrugged, "It's just weird... H and Marisol..."

Frank sighed in relief. Hopefully, everyone would stick with that theory or other crazy ones they could come up. He just hoped they didn't find out the truth until Horatio wanted them to.

"There is something we can do to stop the gossip." Ryan said.

"What?" Frank asked.

"Find out who it is of course." Ryan grinned, "We spy on H. Maybe steal his phone and read his texts and see who has called him the most."

"That's mean." Eric and Frank snapped.

"Yeah, you're right." Ryan said shamefully, "How about this? We follow him next time he goes on a date."

"We're not even sure who he is dating, so how are we supposed to know when he goes on a date? The man won't tell us anything." Eric said.

"Okay." Ryan sighed, "Uh... we could just try to listen when he talks on the phone with someone? Or trace his calls."

"And then find out who lives at the place the calls come from." Eric said.

"Stop it!" Frank snapped, "You should respect his Privacy. If Horatio wanted you to know who he was dating, he would have told you. What you two are planning is disrespectful and very wrong. Don't you have any moral in you?"

Eric and Ryan stared at the Texan. Frank threw his water bottle down the whole and walked away. The two younger man glanced at each other and felt very ashamed. They knew Frank was right.

"We leave it alone." Eric said, "H will tell us when he's ready."

"I agree." Ryan said quietly.

Inside the killer's house Frank was cooling off. It was typical Eric and Ryan to be so curious and nosy, but they should know better. Horatio was their boss and their friend and they needed to respect his privacy. When Frank went back outside to them the subject had changed to something completely diffrent. Eric and Ryan were even a little afraid to look Frank after his outburst.

-I-

Later at night

Mac laughed as Horatio told him about his team's crazy theories of the woman he was dating. Erica Sykes was so far the most unbelieveable one. Horatio chuckled as he listened to Mac ramble on about how funny the Stella-theory was.

"Wait 'til she hears this!" Mac grinned, "She'll be so thrilled."

"You know, it's not such a bad idea for a cover." Horatio said, "If they ever get to close to finding out the truth and we're not ready to tell the truth, we could use that as a cover."

"True. Stella will agree to it." Mac said, "Who would react the worst, if they found out that we're dating?"

Horatio thought for a moment. He was pretty sure that Calleigh wouldn't mind, in fact she was a supporter of gay rights. Ryan he wasn't so sure, he didn't know him well enough yet, but he didn't strike Horatio as someone that would mind that Horatio was gay. Eric on the other hand... he had been brought up in a strict catholic home, his belief was quite strong. It wasn't easy to break away from that.

"Eric Delko." Horatio said.

"Well, if he becomes a problem I hope he will realize that his friendship with you is worth more than just giving it up because you like guys." Mac said, "Although, who has the right to tell him his beliefs are wrong?"

"No one." Horatio sighed, "But let's no talk about it. Maybe Eric will be fine with us. I just want to talk about something other than work or the gossip at the lab."

"Fair enough. How about a trip?"

"Where?"

"You have a secluded beach house right?" Mac asked.

"I have two. One in Miami where I live and one for vacations in Key West." Horatio said.

The house in Key West had been bought together with his brother Raymond, but since Raymond had passed away it belonged only to Horatio. He didn't go there much anymore, as he had no one to join him. Only after really tough cases he went there for the weekend.

"I'm thinking about the one in Key West. I've never been there." Mac said, "And you told me it was really, really secluded."

"Yeah?" Horatio asked, sensing Mac meant something special with it.

"So I'm thinking that I can come down for a few days, and we can go to Key West. Be all alone and do anything we want. Run around naked, skinny dipping, getting to know each other better."

"Mac..."

"No sex Horatio. But we have to get comfortable being nude around each other and just easy, first base exploring." Mac smiled.

"In two months?"

"Yeah, I can't get any earlier vacation time." Mac said.

"I like that idea." Horatio smiled, "I'll make sure to put in some vacation time for myself as well."

"Great. Two months from now." Mac smiled.

"I uh... I'm not very comfortable being naked though."

"Well, that's what we're going to practice being." Mac smiled, "To be honest neither am I... I uh... I've only been really comfortable being completely naked with one other person than you."

"Claire?"

"Yes." Mac sighed, "I know you're not very proud of your body and neither am I of mine. But, we can do this."

"I don't think there is anything wrong with your body."

"You haven't seen me naked yet." Mac laughed, "It's not that it looks weird, but... well, let's just say at our age I've become kind of shy."

Horatio laughed, "Me too."

"But apart of getting to know each other, we will relax and not talk about anything involving work." Mac said.

"Wow, you really need a vacation huh?" Horatio asked.

"Desperatly. And also well... I miss you."

Horatio smiled timidly and then said quietly, "I miss you too."

Mac chuckled. The two men talked some more about what was happening in their cities before hanging up. When Horatio went to bed he had no trouble falling asleep; because of exhaustion but also because of the coming vacation with Mac.

Please Review!

* Editor's Note: I 2nd the reviews, thanks. ...what do you think, of this one?...were eric and ryan out of line?...please let us know, but remember to be NICE. til next time, Alisa123 *