A/N: This is a "spot-the-difference" kind of chapter. See if you can find the variation … No, honestly, Horatio wanted to have a say in this, so I let him have it his way. Who am I to argue with the voices of fictional characters in my head?

Epilogue: Revived

We're in the shower again.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined sharing a shower with Calleigh. It's all the notion promises, and more. I finish disentangling some strands of her wet hair with my fingers, and she turns around to face me.

I can't help but seize her up again. Never will I ever get enough of looking at her in all her beauty. Never will I stop marveling at the fact that she's mine.

Of course she notices the look. My eyes are all over her.

"Taking an inventory, Handsome?" she teases with a smile.

"Hmm …" I offer, smiling as well. I'm not so much taking an inventory as letting my eyes start what my hands are sure to finish.

"Like what you see?" she sasses.

In place of an answer, I pull her towards me. Leaning into her, my lips are inches from her ear, so I lower my voice to a murmur, "I do." I can feel her tense in excitement at the sound of my voice, an effect I will never quite understand, but never question either. I know she's coming undone, I can feel her shiver against me, but I'm not ready to give in to the pleasure right yet. "Know what I like best?" I ask, and I feel her shake her head. Too excited to speak or not trusting her voice? I like either thought.

I allow my lips to brush against her cheek, then slowly kiss my way up to her temple. I plant a kiss on her forehead and answer my own question. "Your mind."

I know she's getting my meaning. I'm not diminishing her beauty, if such a thing were even possible. She's the most beautiful person on earth to me, but all the beauty in the world is nothing if it's not fuelled by a beautiful spirit. Such as hers: independent and vibrant, strong and intelligent, but also caring and gentle and giving.

I could not pinpoint the exact moment when I realized I was in love with her. I have always been fascinated with her. But with every day I spent with her, with every facet of her personality I discovered, with every glance and smile and touch between us I have become addicted to her. The last few months, it's been almost unbearable.

I've done a great job hiding it. At first, that is.

Last year, though, things almost got out of control. I remember occasions when we were on the job together when I almost felt the air crackle with electricity between us. It happened at the most inappropriate moments. I recall working on a sniper case with her. She joined the SWAT team when they charged, and I had to let her out of my sight. The moment she told me they had the shooter in sight, I walked right into the line of fire without hesitation. I had wanted the killer's full attention on me, not her. I wanted her to be safe, no matter at what cost.

It was probably later that day, when I had returned home alone, that I finally faced the fact that I was falling in love with Calleigh.

Still I never told her.

Reasons were plentiful. I was afraid she would reject me, of course, but in a way I was more afraid she wouldn't. So when feelings became too strong to hide, I decided to run.

All those past few months, I teamed her up with everyone but myself. I distanced myself from her, from the team, from everything that connected us. I spent less time in the lab, less time at headquarters. I tried to cut all bonds between us, I tried to find fulfillment in the little family I had left, but to no avail.

I couldn't have foreseen the way things turned out. I would never have imagined my feelings to be returned. Part of me still refuses to believe it.

So now I reassure myself by kissing Calleigh again. I was apparently right with my earlier assessment about the degree of her excitement – she responds passionately. We lose our precariously established balance and threaten to stumble against the tiled wall. Instinctively, I reach out for something to hold on to, and in doing so accidentally turn off the water. Calleigh lifts her head.

"Shower's over?" she asks, looking at me expectantly. I could love her forever just because of that look, full of love and eagerness.

"Mhm…" I growl in agreement, "I think we can find something else to do."

We manage to disentangle long enough to make it to the bedroom. I stop on the way to grab the bottle of wine we haven't finished earlier this evening. When I reach the bedroom, Calleigh has already taken possession of my bed. Sprawled across the covers, dressed in nothing but a towel, she is quite a sight.

She notices my approving smile. Playfully, she says, "Why don't you just tell me how beautiful you think I am?"

"Hm," I smile, "Why don't I just come over and show you?"

"I like the way you think, Handsome."

~ The End ~