Chapter 38

"What the hell do you think you're doing here?"

Calleigh and Ryan ran straight over to restrain Natalia from doing something she may regret.

"It was all your fault, you could have prevented this from happening but you had to be a stupid selfish cow," Natalia carried on shouting at Julia as Calleigh and Ryan continued to restrain her.

Julia looked towards Damien, "I'm so sorry, I didn't know this was going to happen."

Damien just glared at Julia, "no you're not."

Horatio ushered her through to one of the interview rooms. Eric helped Damien to the seating area as Calleigh and Ryan calmed Natalia down as she crumpled in a heap of tears on the floor. Calleigh sat next to her on the floor and held her to comfort her. Ryan crouched next to them. After a few minutes, Natalia started to calm down. Ryan helped Calleigh and Natalia to their feet. Calleigh walked with Natalia to where Damien was sitting. As soon as she sat next to him, she buried her face in his chest and cried. Calleigh stood up to leave and gestured to Eric and Ryan to leave them to it. Damien acknowledged them to thank them and held Natalia.

"Natalia, I'm sorry," Damien stroked Natalia's hair.

Natalia waited a few moments to calm down and looked up at Damien, "what for?"

"For being an ass," Natalia half giggled, "that's better. Look Nat, I am really sorry about teasing you all week. I know Horatio has been feeling bad about what happened and I've been making him feel even worse with me teasing you about it. My problem is, I tend to take things a little too far."

Damien placed his hand on Natalia's cheek and wiped away a stray tear, "we've been through a lot together over the last couple of months and I don't want to drive you away. In future, if I go too far with a joke, you have my permission to kick my ass and tell me to shut up. Horatio's very good at that but he can't be there all of the time to sort me out. But, I will try to change, just for you, I will try, okay?"

Natalia smiled, "Damien, I don't want you to change, I love you just the way you are. You just need to know where to draw the line."

Damien pulled Natalia close and held her.

In the interview room, Julia sat opposite Horatio and Ryan.

"Why Julia?" was the first thing Horatio said to her.

"Horatio, like I said before when you were in New York, he told me that he's a changed man."

Ryan shook his head, "Ron Saris doesn't become a 'changed man' just like that. He only said that to you so that you could help get his business started in New York."

Julia angrily retaliated, "no he didn't. He told me that he still loved me and he would come to Miami to take me to New York."

"Julia, he used you, just like he used the men who beat up Dammo," Horatio tried to reason with her.

Julia shook her head, she didn't want to believe what Horatio was telling her, "so what will happen to me now?"

"You'll be charged for harbouring a wanted criminal. You'll probably get community service," Horatio informed with a firm but soft voice, "Julia, Ron is no good and will always be no good. He uses people for his own personal gain and doesn't care who he hurts along the way, that includes Dammo and Natalia."

Julia nodded as she wiped away a tear. Horatio nodded towards a female officer that was stood outside to take her away.

"You know what Horatio? I really don't understand Julia's way of thinking," Ryan sat with his arms folded gazing aimlessly through the door.

"A woman's mind is a dangerous thing to understand, don't even try," Horatio stood up and left for his office to prepare for the press meeting outside.

That evening, the twins played in the corner of the room with their toys as Natalia helped Damien set the table. Calleigh was plating up the dinner. The front door opened and the girls ran to the door.

"Daddy!" they both chorused together as they pounced on Horatio.

"Well hello my beautiful princesses," Horatio knelt down and spread his arms out wide. As the girls pounced on their daddy, he fell over backwards taking the girls with him. The girls thought it was hilarious to sit on Horatio and bounce on him. Calleigh came running through to see what the commotion was about. She laughed at the sight she saw but decided to help Horatio.

"Come on girls, let daddy get up."

Calleigh lifted Daisy Jo off first and then Donna. Horatio sat up and caught his breath back and stood up.

"I think I'm getting too old for this," Horatio took off his jacket.

Calleigh gave Horatio a kiss, "don't be silly, they're just keeping you on your toes."

"Hmm more like knocking me off my toes."

"Anyway, you're just in time, dinner is ready."

The thought of dinner was a welcomed idea to his stomach. Calleigh told the girls to go wash their hands before they sat at the table. They went thundering up the stairs towards the bathroom. Horatio and Calleigh made their way into the dining room. Damien had sat at the table as Natalia made the finishing touches to setting the table.

Horatio looked at Natalia concerned, "are you okay now"

Natalia smiled slightly, "I'm fine, it was just a shock to see her there and I just got angry. I'm sorry for that outburst, Horatio. I didn't mean to."

Horatio lowered his head slightly, "you don't need to apologise for anything. I'm just glad you didn't do anything that you would have regretted later."

"Believe me, I would not have regretted anything," Natalia half joked, "besides, I'm sure she'll be dealt with."

"I don't want you to worry about that, I will deal with her."

The girls came running down the stairs and Horatio sat them both at the table. Calleigh came through with their plates and everyone sat down to eat.