Author note: Hi, here is part three! I hope you enjoy it.
The Ball, part 3
Horatio kept glancing over to Celesta. He had seen her laugh with Calleigh, talk with Kevin and watch the dance floor. He was walking back to her when he saw a young police officer ask her to dance. Waiting to see her reaction, Horatio was relieved to see Celesta decline. Horatio quickly walked to Celesta, when he stood behind her he casually said: "I hope you're not afraid to dance." Celesta turned around and lifted her eyebrow, a fast salsa number was just starting: "Afraid to dance? Me? I hope you can salsa, mister." Horatio silently presented his arm, with an exaggerated movement Celesta placed her hand on his arm, letting Horatio lead her to the dance floor. On the dance floor Horatio let Celesta spin to come to rest in his arms. Horatio placed his hand on Celesta's waist and tightened his hold on her hand, then he guided Celesta into a vast paced salsa. The dance may not have been of a contest worthy quality, it still managed to awe the surrounding public. On one of their precious dates Celesta and Horatio discovered that they could dance reasonably well and that both enjoyed dancing. Celesta had been pleasantly surprised by Horatio's dancing abilities. As they were dancing neither noticed the gradual clearing of the dance floor. When the dance stopped and Horatio held Celesta in the last stance, the audience applauded, effectively drawing Horatio and Celesta back to the presence. Shyly Celesta accepted the applause, while Horatio was proud and accepted the applause quietly. Celesta and Horatio stepped of the dance floor and Celesta immediately got an offer to dance with another officer. "Go ahead, I'm going to ask Calleigh to dance with me. Have fun." Horatio handed Celesta to the eager officer.
The next five numbers Celesta danced without pausing, one dance she shared with Frank Tripp, one with Eric, another with Kevin and tow other officers she didn't know. After the last dance with Tripp, Celesta announced she needed a break. Tripp brought her to a table and got her a white wine. She and Tripp talked briefly before Horatio came to dance a tango with Celesta. Celesta eagerly accepted, having missed Horatio. Once again the dance floor cleared for Celesta and Horatio, who danced a passionate tango. After the tango Horatio left Celesta to talk to the DA.
As Horatio said goodbye, he let his eyes wander the hall, searching for Celesta. He could find her. Horatio could feel the panic rising, he suppressed it. "She is on the balcony." The DA said. "Thank you." Horatio felt sure everybody in the hall knew who Celesta was, what had happened and what their relationship was. Celesta had made quite an impression in one night.
Horatio did find Celesta on the balcony. She was leaning over the railing, looking into the distance. "Hey, you." Horatio said, coming to stand next to her.
"Hey." Celesta briefly looked at Horatio and then turned back to where the ocean was. "I love listening to the ocean, it soothes me. The ocean was one of the reasons I came to live here. One day I would like a home overlooking the ocean with a porch. So I can eat, while I look out onto the ocean." Celesta said. Horatio laid his hand over Celesta's. He said nothing. In silence they listened to the ocean. After a while Horatio put his arm around Celesta's waist. "Shall we go to our room?"
"I'd like that." Celesta said, looking up into Horatio's calm face. He smiled, looking into her blue eyes, bending over her, capturing her lips with his own.