A month later, Calleigh was peering through a microscope when she felt Horatio's presence in the lab. Smiling to herself, she slowly straightened and turned around. He was leaning against the doorframe, his arms folded across his chest.

"Hey," Calleigh said.

"You got a minute?"

"For you, always."

Horatio glanced around to make sure they were alone in the lab. He quickly crossed the room and enveloped Calleigh in a hug.

"What's this for?" she asked.

"Just because."

Calleigh didn't argue. She closed her eyes and reveled in his warmth.

"You've been using my shampoo again," he observed, chuckling.

She laughed. "May I remind you that you were the one who washed my hair."

"Umm." Horatio undid her clip and her hair tumbled loose. He combed through the silken strands with his fingers. "I love your hair."

Calleigh tilted her head upwards and placed tender kisses along Horatio's jawline. "Is that so?"

"I should let you get back to work . . ."

"You started this."

"It wasn't my intention. I did have a purpose in coming down here."

"Right. I've heard that one before."

Horatio smiled. While it was true that he often visited the ballistics lab to get a glimpse of Calleigh at work, he really did have a reason today. "Would I lie to you, Cal?"

"Only at your peril."

"Do you have an answer to everything?"

"Yep."

He allowed himself one more kiss before stepping back. "There's been a change of plan for tonight."

Calleigh's face fell; she'd been looking forward to a quiet night in with Horatio. She tried to keep the disappointment out of her voice as she asked, "A case?"

"No. We still have a date. I'll pick you up at seven-thirty. Wear something fancy." He tucked a lock of her behind her ear, adding wistfully, "And wear your hair down."

As he left the ballistics lab, Calleigh twisted her hair and reclipped it. How was she supposed to get back to work now? she wondered. Her body was still humming from Horatio's presence, and there was the added anticipation of the mystery date.

* * *

Calleigh stared at her reflection in the mirror and applied the finishing touches to her make up. She smiled and realized she'd been smiling a lot in recent weeks. There was only one person to blame for that and he was currently on his way over.

Calleigh stepped back and studied herself critically. She'd chosen a simple black dress (for Horatio's benefit, of course), a touch of elegance added by the diamanté bracelet on her wrist. Its matching clips held her hair away from her face.

"You look lovely," Horatio said from behind her.

She let out a small shriek and turned around, her hands on her hips. "Good Lord, Horatio. You startled me. And you're early," she accused.

He shrugged and stepped closer to her. Catching her waist, he drew her against him. "God, you're beautiful. I'm tempted to stay in after all."

Calleigh stepped out of his arms. "I did not get all dressed up for nothing. You can have your fun later."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

Calleigh smiled and picked up her bag. "So, where are we going? And what's the occasion?"

"That's on a need to know basis."

She laughed. "Okay. Fine. Let's go, then. The suspense is killing me."

When they walked into the foyer of the Miami Shores Theater, Calleigh squeezed Horatio's arm in delight. He bought her a program, then, his hand on her elbow, moved towards the doors.

"How on earth did you manage to get tickets for the gala?" Calleigh asked. 'The Love of the Nightingale' had been playing to packed houses since it opened, and attendance at the gala performance was strictly invitation-only.

"I have my sources." He smiled and refused to say more.

Once they found their seats, Calleigh scanned the program and snickered when she saw a familiar name. "Tanya Risi's playing Philomele. Let me guess, your source wouldn't happen to be Eric, would it?"

"Shh," he said. "It's about to start."

The house lights went down and Calleigh leaned back in her seat to enjoy the show, her hand comfortably resting on Horatio's thigh.

Philomele traveled, fell in love, and had her heart broken. Tereus fell in lust, murdered the captain, lied to Philomele. Raped Philomele. Silenced Philomele. Interval came and passed. Philomele refused to stay silent and found a way to tell her story and avenge herself. She turned into a nightingale, finally free, and the curtain came down.

"Horatio, that was beautiful," Calleigh said as they walked back to the car. "Thank you."

She spoke about it as they drove back to her place, mentioning her favorite parts, saying how wonderful the end was, and wasn't Tanya terrific?

Horatio kept stealing glances at her, enthralled. Without a second thought, he turned the car around and headed to the beach. At this time of night, it would be practically deserted. When he stopped the car, he pulled off his socks and shoes and Calleigh followed suit.

"I don't think this evening could get more perfect," Calleigh said.

Hand in hand, they walked along the beach. The night wind whipped Calleigh's dress around her legs and her hair danced in the breeze. She laughed and turned her face to Horatio. If he could freeze one moment in time, it would be this one, he thought. The moonlight playing on the waves, the gentle sound of the water lapping the sand, and Calleigh. Only Calleigh.

Always Calleigh.

"I don't know what I ever did right to have you in my life," he said.

She shook her head. "I'm the lucky one."

Horatio, usually so eloquent, was at a loss for words. He stopped walking, and held her close as he kissed her. Her body was soft and warm against his. Inviting. He cupped her face tenderly in his hands. When she smiled at him, he came undone.

"Marry me." His voice was low, husky, straight from his heart. He had intended a more romantic proposal, over dinner with candles and roses. He had wanted to wait until he was absolutely sure that she would say yes.

She didn't say anything, and for an instant his heart stopped beating.

Then she pulled his head down and kissed him fiercely. "Oh, God, yes, Horatio!"

And he knew he couldn't have timed it better or made it more perfect than it already was. Alone on the beach, under a canopy of stars, Calleigh Duquesne agreed to be his wife, and Horatio was complete.

* * * * *

The end, for now. Look out for the next story, where an old enemy reappears just when everything is going right :o)

Notes: This story is based very loosely on something that actually happened. Three years ago I was in a play and a fellow student chased our director into the theatre just before the second act began. He shot him in the leg then ran off. Fortunately, no one else was injured (but it was pretty damn scary for those of us hiding in the wings!). He handed himself in to the cops but the case never made it to trial (you gotta love the SA justice system ::sigh::) The circumstances surrounding that incident were far less controversial than in my story – our director is fine, the stage floor was repainted and we were back on stage the very next night. Who knew Shakespeare could be so exciting? ::grin::

That said, the theatre is a magical place and if you ever get a chance to see "The Love of the Nightingale", you shouldn't pass it up. Thanks for reading and for indulging two of my passions :o)