Another case closed, Alexx thought, and yet while Reyes was dead, there would be no solace for those whose lives he had destroyed. The case was over, but he would never be punished. Well, Alexx mused, fingering the cross at her neck, he wouldn't be punished on earth.

Weary of her job, the world, everything, Alexx unlocked her front door. The kids would be in bed already, but she hoped David would still be up. When she saw light flickering from the living room, she smiled. Her husband lay sprawled in front of the television, fast asleep. She quietly turned the TV off and sat beside him.

"Hey," she whispered softly.

David opened his eyes and his lips curved upwards in a lazy smile. "Hey."

All it took was that single word, and she broke. The tears she had been holding back all day were finally allowed release.

"Baby, what's wrong?" He pulled her into his arms.

"Let's just go to bed."

He gave no argument, for which she was grateful. As they passed Janie's room, she heard low voices. Janie and Brian were sitting cross-legged on the bed, whispering to each other.

"Shouldn't you two be in bed?"

The children looked up, their expressions guilty. "Sorry, Mom," they chorused.

"We were talking about the kids at that school," Janie said. "I saw Uncle Horatio on TV."

"Yeah," Brian added. "The newslady said lots of kids died."

Alexx gave each of the children a hug and a kiss. "I don't want you to worry about that, okay? Now, off to bed. And don't forget your prayers."

"'Kay." Brian hopped off his sister's bed and headed for his room. Janie turned worried eyes to her mother.

"Mom, do you think they suffered?"

Alexx sighed; Janie was too much like her, filled with compassion for people she had never met. "Some of them. But some didn't feel a thing."

"When I die, I hope it doesn't hurt."

Alexx hugged her again. "I don't want you to think about dying. You're too young to worry about things like that."

Even as she said it, Alexx realized it wasn't true. She held her daughter a moment longer, then kissed her forehead. "Now get some sleep. Tomorrow's a school day."

Janie nodded and climbed under the covers. Alexx left the door slightly ajar. As she passed Brian's door, she heard his innocent voice murmur a prayer.

"Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. God bless Mom and Dad and Janie and all the kids who went to be with You today . . ."

Alexx leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.

* * *

Horatio woke up with a not quite uncomfortable weight on his chest. It moved, mumbling something incoherent and he realized it was Calleigh. They had fallen asleep on the couch. Gently, not wanting to wake her, he shifted into a more comfortable position. Calleigh looked so innocent, so untouched, as she slept. He thought about what she'd told him and kissed her cheek.

He knew what it was like to lose a brother. Granted, he and Ray hadn't been as close as Calleigh and Clayton, but the pain was the same. He tried to imagine what it must have been like to be six years old and know your brother was in trouble, and too frozen in shock to do anything.

'It was my fault,' she'd said. 'Because I couldn't tell them what happened. And then Daddy started drinking and nothing was ever the same. I know now that nothing I could have done would have changed anything, but . . .'

His heart broke for her. Six years old, and all that guilt.

He realized he was clutching her tighter and forced himself to relax his grip. No more guilt for Calleigh, he thought, and as long as he was around, no one would hurt her again.

* * *

Calleigh and Horatio returned, exhausted, from the memorial service for Reyes' victims. It was worse than many others they had attended because the victims were so young. Halfway through the service, Calleigh had slipped her hand into Horatio's and shifted slightly closer to him. He had responded by putting his arm around her shoulder, and they had sat like that remainder of the service.

Calleigh was glad to be home now. She kicked off her shoes and collapsed on the couch. Her eyes closed, she could hear Horatio moving around. A few minutes later, he joined her in the living room. Smelling coffee, she opened her eyes and smiled.

"Thanks." She shifted, making room for him next to her. He handed her a mug and sat down.

"You okay?"

She nodded. "Yeah. I don't think I'll ever get used to seeing kids die."

He put his hand on her leg, letting her know he understood.

"If he hadn't killed himself, where do you think he would have gone next?"

"Who knows?"

Calleigh set her coffee down and moved closer to Horatio. "I don't want you to die without knowing how I feel about you."

"Calleigh, I'm not going anywhere."

"Shh." She took his mug and put it next to hers, then straddled him, her skirt riding up her thighs. She studied his face for a long moment, memorizing every line, every mark. She looked into his eyes, his pupils drawing her in, and cupped his cheeks, savoring the slight scratch of his stubble against her palms. Then, ever so slowly, she pressed her lips to his.

His hands moved to her hips and he pulled her closer. She deepened the kiss, letting go completely. She wound one hand through his hair; the other fumbled with the buttons of his shirt.

He caught her wrist. "Calleigh, are you sure?" His voice was strained, his desire barely held in check.

Calleigh nodded. They had not made love since she'd been back, both too afraid to ruin what they had, but Calleigh decided it was time to move forward. If anything, this case had made her realize they didn't have forever and she didn't want to live the rest of her life wondering what could have been.

Horatio released her arm and found a better use for his hands. He cupped her breasts as she resumed unbuttoning his shirt. Her fingers danced lightly across his chest, then her hands ventured lower.

A noise was intruding.

"Someone's at the door," Horatio murmured between kisses.

"They'll go away."

They didn't. The knocking continued until Calleigh reluctantly tore herself away from Horatio. She tugged her skirt back down to a decent length and quickly fixed her hair. Irritated, she yanked the door open.

Delko and Speed stood there, one holding two boxes of pizza, the other carrying beer. "Hi," Speed said. "Uh, we're not here at a bad time, are we?"

From the look on his face, he obviously knew it was a bad time, but they couldn't just leave.

"We come bearing gifts," Delko added.

"Well, then, come in," Calleigh said, making way for them to pass.

"Eric. Tim." Horatio didn't stand to greet them. Calleigh was glad to see he had re-buttoned his shirt.

She fetched plates from the kitchen then sat next to Horatio. When she saw how awkward the other two looked, she wanted to laugh. Instead, she took a slice of pizza and leaned back. Horatio put his hand on her leg.

"I forgot it was the memorial service today," Speed said. "How'd it go?"

"It was sad, but I'm glad we went."

"Yeah, uh, we didn't realize you'd be here, H." Delko's eyes were on the hand on Calleigh's leg.

She burst out laughing. "Oh, for Pete's sake, just ask."

Speed and Delko exchanged a glance. "Are you . . . ?" Delko began.

In answer, Horatio drew Calleigh against him and kissed her gently on the lips.

"Well, it's about time," Speed said.

* * *

When Speed and Delko finally left, Horatio helped Calleigh clear up. He came up behind her while she stacked plates in the dishwasher and placed his hands on her hips.

"You're distracting me," she said.

He chuckled. "No. This would be distracting you." He slipped his hands under her shirt, one holding her still, the other fiddling with the clasp of her bra.

"Well, I suppose the dishes can wait."

"I was hoping you'd say that." His breath tickled her neck, and she smiled. Suddenly he scooped her up and carried her to the bedroom. When he set her down, she started to unbutton his shirt.

"No," he said. "Let me love you."

She let her hands fall to her side and was silent as he slowly undressed her. "Lie down," he commanded.

Breathless, she did as he asked, her eyes never leaving his face. His fingers brushed the scar on her belly before he bent down to kiss it. She gasped as his lips met her skin. He slipped a hand between her legs as his mouth traveled upwards, teasing kisses branding a path from her navel, across her breasts, to her collarbone.

"Promise me you'll be here when I wake up," he said.

She laughed. "It's my house."

"Promise me anyway." He looked at her, his eyes dark with desire and something else—possession, Calleigh realized, and knew that if she promised, she would be his forever.

As if she wasn't already his.

"I promise."

He smiled and resumed his kisses; her collarbone, the valley between her breasts, down past her navel, her scar, and lower, lower . . .

She closed her eyes and let Horatio love her.

* * * * *

The end. Look out for the next part of the series coming soon.