Chapter 14 Down Time

Disclaimer: I do not lay claim to any of the characters as seen in CSI Miami, and my fic is written to be fun and enjoyable and not meant to offend the writers/creators of CSI Miami or the actors who play the different characters. I do ask that no one use my original character as she is my own creation. My fic is not to be posted anywhere else unless written permission is obtained from me.

July 4 – Independence Day. A day for barbeques and family gatherings, and Yelina's house served as the place to go this year. With invitations out to all the CSI lab personnel, she prepared for a huge group of visitors – including Susie and Madison. Despite her no longer working for the Crime Lab, Sara opted to kindly decline the offer feeling out of place – and still being very much at odds with Horatio. It had only been a week since she left the lab, and yet it felt like an eternity. And when it came to family, she would not get in the way. Yelina pressed on, however, not accepting the reasoning behind Sara's not wanting to join them. She wasn't going to stand for the petty bickering between her brother-in-law and Sara.

Horatio spun home after finishing his last report. The man was just too dedicated to his job and sometimes went in on his days off to catch up on paperwork. In record time, he arrived home, changed into denim jeans and a white "Gone Fishing" tee shirt, and arrived at Yelina's house before 4pm. He walked through the gate of the picket fence and immediately headed towards the back yard where everyone was hanging out. The smells of hot dogs and hamburgers cooking on the grill filled the air around the entire neighborhood, and darn it all if Horatio wasn't hungry enough to eat a horse. He slowly scanned the group seeing family and friends having fun – the children running around whooping and hollering as only young folks would – Frank and Eric argued over who was the better chef of the grill – Calleigh chatted sweetly with Ryan and Natalia – and Yelina ran here and there making sure everyone was happy or in need of a refill of her special fresh lemonade or iced tea, while Yelina's new love, Richard, brought out the next round of meats for grilling. Horatio smiled – this is what he needed – to be with his family and friends - the people he cared about the most. That's when he noticed her. The hairs on the back of his neck stood up as a nervous chill slid up his back. Yelina stepped over happy to see him.

"You invited her?"

"Yes, I invited her. She has no family, Horatio, and I thought… well, maybe you two could get to know each other a little better."

He hooked his shades around his neck, placed his hands on his hips and begun drumming his fingers against his leather belt as he stared at Sara.

"Yelina, why do you insist on my spending time with her?" he asked while putting his shades back on.

"Because she's good for you – that's why. You know it and I know it," Yelina said as she pulled him further into the yard.

Sara was running around with the kids, as Frank and Eric manned the barbeque. She was dressed in denim shorts and a tee shirt she tied up like a bikini top. Her hair was soaked from the sprinklers they were running through. Alexx and Susie were laughing uncontrollably as they all played. Then, the whole group stopped realizing Horatio had made it – everyone rushed over to greet him. Sara remained behind until she was prodded by Yelina.

"Miss Dolante," he said courteously.

"Lieutenant," she replied with equivalent courtesy. "Beautiful day."

Oh, how she wanted to comment on his wearing jeans and a tee shirt – she was so used to his professional attire.

"Yes, it is," he droned out. He peered over the rims of his shades – his deep blue eyes scanning the soaked waves of her hair. The sun was playing with the dried ends bringing out those metallic reds and golds.

"I'll make this easy – I'll stay on my side of the yard, you play on yours. OK?"

He wanted to agree but realized just how childish they had been.

"I think I can handle it without the artificial borders."

Then, Madison ran over to her uncle. He picked her up as she kissed his cheek.

"Hum, you are getting big, young lady," he said playfully.

After several fun exchanges, she got down and ran off to play with Ray Junior and Alexx's children again. That's when Ray Jr. walked over. He had a 'super soaker' in hand.

"Are you ready for the water guns, Miss Sara?" he asked.

"I'm going to warn you – I'm an excellent shot with one of these."

She took the water gun. No sooner did she have it in hand did all the kids douse her. She laughed heartily before taking revenge on them. Yelina walked over standing by Horatio's side.

"She loves the kids – and they love her," Yelina said before looking at Horatio.

He was silent studying Sara as she played. Yelina smiled knowing he was lost in thought and she could only imagine what was on his mind.

"What are you thinking?" she pressed.

"Nothing."

"Right. Tell me another lie."

His eyes focused on Sara again. Yes, his mind was preoccupied with thoughts of having his own family – of having his own home with youngsters running around – a dream he carried with him all the time but could never seem to make happen. He wanted to die a thousand deaths knowing he sired a son and had no knowledge of the boy until just months ago. Why was he constantly being punished? He did know why – this was penance for the sin he committed long ago.

"She'd make a great mom some day," Yelina stated.

Horatio couldn't help but smile. Yes, she would, as observed with her interactions with the children. Yelina called Sara over to give her the lemonade she had requested just before Horatio's arrival. Realizing she was soaking wet, she thought she would be cute and shake her hair to remove some of the water. It made Madison laugh very hard as Horatio stepped back to avoid the shower.

"Uncle Horatio, come play with us," Madison asked as she pulled his hand.

"Yeah, Uncle Horatio, come on! We have a couple more water guns we can fill up," Ray Jr, said.

Looking oddly at Yelina and then to Sara, he knew he was on the spot. Kneeling down to be eye level with young Madison, he smiled kindly.

"Ok, sweetheart. But, you have to be on my team."

"Oh, yay! Teams!!" Ray Jr. shouted with great enthusiasm.

Immediately, the group split up into two teams – Horatio, Madison, and Alexx's daughter on one and Sara, Alexx's son and Ray Jr. on the other. Horatio removed his tee shirt, lathered up with some sun screen, with Madison's help, and armed himself with a super soaker. It was quite the sight to see as the two teams vied for superiority at the hands of their sharp-shooting with a water gun. It was hard to beat Horatio with his eagle eyes and excellent marksmanship, but Sara was a superior opponent. It made the rest of the group laugh to actually see a completely different side to the red-haired Lieutenant.

When all was said and done – and Horatio was completely soaked from head to toe – the kids were ready for hot dogs and hamburgers. Sara was busying herself with a beach towel before pulling off her shirt to reveal the bikini top she had underneath. She changed into a fresh tee shirt as Horatio put his back on.

"I didn't know you could be such fun," she taunted.

"I'm full of surprises," he hissed.

He played with the arms of his sunglasses as Sara continued to dry her hair.

"Is something wrong?" she asked.

"Nope."

She eyed him suspiciously as he set his shades in place and peered over the rims.

"I could pose so you could take a picture – make the moment last forever, if it pleases you," she taunted again.

Looking to the ground, a big smile crossed his face. She couldn't help but smile herself. There was something just so endearing about the redheaded cop whenever he smiled like this. Sara likened him to a giddy school boy. Madison ran over interrupting the exchanging stares.

"Uncle Horatio, are you staying for dinner?"

"Of course, sweetheart." He looked over to Sara. "Are you staying?"

"I could be convinced to."

As Ray Jr. collected Madison, Madison giggled. "Oh, no, Cousin Ray, they are going to kiss!"

"Come on, Madison. Your hamburger is ready," Ray said trying to diffuse the situation.

"Hum, she's cute. I'd be a snot and lay one on you just to make her giggle again. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear she was your kid," Sara said.

"How did you find out she wasn't?"

"Yelina filled me in on Caine Family history."

Horatio sighed. This meant trouble for certain.

"I'm sorry – that makes you uncomfortable that I know so much more about you?"

"Yelina has a hidden agenda."

"I'm well aware of her trying to get us hitched. No worries, I'm not game."

"Good. Neither am I."

They were both lying and they both knew it. The revealing evidence came in the form of the stares of interest – the deep soul-searching stares that locked their eyes upon each other. The only thing that broke their concentration was an invitation from Frank for Sara sit by his side. Without further thought, Sara leaped at the opportunity to sit by the comical Sergeant. Horatio sat by Madison and Susie.

Yelina leaned close to her brother-in-law.

"You two seem to be getting along finally."

"We are dealing."

"Oh, Horatio. You think I'm not watching. You know she's a nice lady."

"When she's not being a smart ass."

"You like that about her."

Both Horatio and Yelina listened to Madison as she giggled loudly as Sara leaned over feeding Frank a piece of hamburger.

"Well, I think she's sweet. She's just like you – tenacious and determined. I think you like that playful side she loves to lay on you."

He didn't want to answer. Horatio knew damn well where conversation was going and he didn't want to go there. He wasn't ready for it. There was just too much going on in his life – too much confusion and complications.