Chapter Sixteen: Midnight in Miami--Part 1

**Hey everyone, good to know that there's a few who are still following the story, and some who are getting back into it (Marmo: 3 reviews in 15 minutes, lol!). I'm aiming for a more stylish chapter this time around, with a more obvious 'romantic aura' between Horatio and Robin. The restaurant is a real place, but I have no idea what it looks like…so I'll leave it up to my imagination once again! And now…what you've all been waiting for!!!**

…You're hopeless 'cause you tell the truth…The stars are jealous of your shine…If you were mine, There's not a thing I wouldn't do… (TRAIN, 'Your Every Color')

Robin stood in front of the long mirror, which was part of a small vanity against a stretching wall in her hotel room. Her reflection revealed a young woman of about 5'5'' in height, dressed in a beautiful, draping black dress. She accompanied the gown with equally gorgeous and strappy, stiletto heels--used to boost her slightly closer to Horatio's six-foot frame. Turning from side-to-side, she began to wish that she had the long legs and beautiful hair that Calleigh possessed. But maybe that's what Horatio seemed to like about Robin--even though her style wasn't always original, she always managed to wear it as her own.

There was a light knock at the door, and Robin--knowing it was Horatio--smiled to herself...she then took a deep breath, ready to answer the door.

"Horatio, hi! Come on in…I'm almost ready."

Horatio followed her instructions, closing the door behind him. He was also very formally dressed--an expensive-looking, well-tailored black suit over a hazy blue shirt and a simple, dark blue tie. The nicely-dressed man sat himself down on the bed behind her, watching Robin lightly apply her mascara.

The tone was low, "…I haven't seen that dress for a while. You actually kept it…"

Robin looked at his reflection--observing that he was looking at the floor. She glanced over her shoulder while struggling with the hook of a dainty necklace, trying to smile, "Of course I kept it! Horatio, I bet you paid a month's salary for this thing…it's beautiful…and it gives me good memories."

Horatio, noticing she was still fussing with the necklace, got up to assist her. He fastened the small, silver hooks, running his warm hands across her shoulders and then down her arms, "…me too."

She faced him, looking into his vibrantly blue eyes…noticing that even over the period of a few years, time had caught up with him--and it showed. His features, overall, still gave off certain childlike qualities…almost as if Horatio wasn't ready to let go of his youth--but who ever is? Or maybe it was just that he never really had a youth…with what he had told Robin about his mother and his brother, it sounded like Horatio had had a rough life…and maybe she could be the one to make it just a little bit better.

In Horatio's eyes, he was seeing a young, attractive, and intelligent woman. He loved every single thing about Robin--but never exactly showed it. True, he flirted when given the chance, and even spent a night with her years ago…however, there was always the fact that she was over ten years younger than him that kept him from completely expressing how he felt for her.

…And there she was, back in his life…just how Horatio remembered her. Dressed in the same dress he had given her…wearing the same shoes, the same smile…nothing had changed. And it's possible that that was the problem… she was the exact same wonderful person he had met years ago, and he…well, he was also the exact same person, only now he was weighted with the memories of so many cases he had experienced since she had left…and weighted with the memories that she had left.

His hands were still softly touching her arms, with Robin playing around with his tie. Horatio suddenly brushed his hand lightly against her face, lowering his head slightly to kiss the unsuspecting woman. He felt her soft skin, tasted her strawberry lips…feeling her respond effortlessly with a kind flick of her tongue. In pulling away from it, he saw her face was blushed, but also saw her lips peak into a smile.

She put her arm around his, speaking quietly and breathlessly, "…c'mon, we can't be late for dinner."