Imperfect Interval
an interval one a semitone less than perfect; as, an imperfect fifth (a)
Calleigh looked around her apartment and wondered why it suddenly felt so empty. Nothing had changed since the last time she was home, and yet she could not set aside the feeling her home was less.homey. She frowned and shook her head, damp hair falling forward. After being dropped off by Horatio, she had taken her shower, and now she was getting ready to do a little light reading before turning in early.
Calleigh fought off the thought that if she had not been so self-conscious or uncertain earlier, she could have been enjoying a relaxed evening of ice cream and conversation with the Horatio. She had not known what to make of his offer, nut sure how to interpret his question. Had he asked her as a friend? Or as something more?
This was different from when they worked together on a case. Then, she instinctively understood everything about Horatio- what his was thinking, what he needed from her- half the time she anticipated his questions before he could even ask them. The connection they had when processing a crime scene had even flowed over into the office. A little light banter, a couple flirtatious remarks, private moments of friendly concern, all of these had become standard and comfortable elements of their otherwise professional work relationship. Except Calleigh was no longer as comfortable as she used to be.
Horatio kept throwing her off-balance with his attention. He had taken their previous level of camaraderie and stepped it up a notch, almost as though he hoped for something more from her, but Calleigh was not sure what it was Horatio wanted. Now he had asked her out for ice cream; it could be an innocent activity between friends or it could be something more, closer to a date.
A big part of Calleigh hoped Horatio was trying to show her he had feelings that mirrored her own. She knew she felt more for him than merely friendship, but the depth of his feelings was still unknown to her. Caution had quickly become Calleigh's approach to this particular relationship; there was no way she was gong to let mixed signals destroy the most important friendship in her life.
She had declined, deciding it would be better to figure out what kind of offer Horatio had been making before getting her hopes up and embarrassing herself. Besides, she had been sweaty and covered in sand; not exactly the best way to make a good impression. If the offer was intended as a date (God, please let it be a date!), she could arrange the ice cream outing for a night when she could dress up a little and cut a more impressive figure.
Thinking of impressive figures, Calleigh allowed herself an appreciative whistle at the memory of what Horatio had looked like that afternoon. Relaxed was definitely a look he should try on more often. Her body had reacted primitively to the combination of his athletic prowess and easy demeanor, screaming at her to get closer to the man. In the car, she had been completely engulfed by Horatio's presence, his distinctly masculine scent, and she had allowed herself to sneak admiring glances at him, thinking about the power and agility he had displayed during the volleyball game.
Calleigh sighed and sat down on the couch, grabbing her book from the side table and pushing more wanton thoughts about Horatio aside. Taking one last glance around her quiet apartment, Calleigh realized why it felt so empty. There was no one here to share it with her.
Calleigh looked around her apartment and wondered why it suddenly felt so empty. Nothing had changed since the last time she was home, and yet she could not set aside the feeling her home was less.homey. She frowned and shook her head, damp hair falling forward. After being dropped off by Horatio, she had taken her shower, and now she was getting ready to do a little light reading before turning in early.
Calleigh fought off the thought that if she had not been so self-conscious or uncertain earlier, she could have been enjoying a relaxed evening of ice cream and conversation with the Horatio. She had not known what to make of his offer, nut sure how to interpret his question. Had he asked her as a friend? Or as something more?
This was different from when they worked together on a case. Then, she instinctively understood everything about Horatio- what his was thinking, what he needed from her- half the time she anticipated his questions before he could even ask them. The connection they had when processing a crime scene had even flowed over into the office. A little light banter, a couple flirtatious remarks, private moments of friendly concern, all of these had become standard and comfortable elements of their otherwise professional work relationship. Except Calleigh was no longer as comfortable as she used to be.
Horatio kept throwing her off-balance with his attention. He had taken their previous level of camaraderie and stepped it up a notch, almost as though he hoped for something more from her, but Calleigh was not sure what it was Horatio wanted. Now he had asked her out for ice cream; it could be an innocent activity between friends or it could be something more, closer to a date.
A big part of Calleigh hoped Horatio was trying to show her he had feelings that mirrored her own. She knew she felt more for him than merely friendship, but the depth of his feelings was still unknown to her. Caution had quickly become Calleigh's approach to this particular relationship; there was no way she was gong to let mixed signals destroy the most important friendship in her life.
She had declined, deciding it would be better to figure out what kind of offer Horatio had been making before getting her hopes up and embarrassing herself. Besides, she had been sweaty and covered in sand; not exactly the best way to make a good impression. If the offer was intended as a date (God, please let it be a date!), she could arrange the ice cream outing for a night when she could dress up a little and cut a more impressive figure.
Thinking of impressive figures, Calleigh allowed herself an appreciative whistle at the memory of what Horatio had looked like that afternoon. Relaxed was definitely a look he should try on more often. Her body had reacted primitively to the combination of his athletic prowess and easy demeanor, screaming at her to get closer to the man. In the car, she had been completely engulfed by Horatio's presence, his distinctly masculine scent, and she had allowed herself to sneak admiring glances at him, thinking about the power and agility he had displayed during the volleyball game.
Calleigh sighed and sat down on the couch, grabbing her book from the side table and pushing more wanton thoughts about Horatio aside. Taking one last glance around her quiet apartment, Calleigh realized why it felt so empty. There was no one here to share it with her.