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Chapter 14

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Calleigh walked back, overnight bag in hand, and opened the door saying, "Knock, knock, knock."

His eyes burned as he approached her and took her bag, leading her to the bedroom where he placed the bag on the floor next to his dresser.

He unhurriedly, pulled on her hair band and, with both hands, pushed her hair over her shoulders.

"I missed you," she breathed into his ear.

"Mmm. Me too. You left me with prospect."

"I did, didn't I?" She was enjoying this. "What have you got in mind?"

"Calleigh," he said in a gruff voice, "two words: us, shower."

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Lying on the bed together in minimal clothing, Calleigh broke the silence, turning on her side, propped up on an elbow, "I was nervous when we first met." She traced patterns on Horatio's chest.

"Why?" He caressed her hair.

She looked up at him, "You don't remember the interview?"

"Yeah."

"You were so self-assured, knowing exactly what kind of person you needed for the job down here in Miami."

"I hope I wasn't too condescending, because it wasn't at all my intention. I was... taken by you, and I might have exaggerated my role to keep a safe distance."

She rested her head on his chest, "You weren't condescending at all. We spoke for twenty minutes and you hired me right off the bat. How did you know I was going to do a good job? I was so nervous that I'm sure I didn't get anything I would have liked to say out properly."

"You were great. I loved you then and I love you now."

She shifted in bed so she faced Horatio, but kept her head on his chest.

"Don't you remember our conversation?" Horatio asked.

"Not really. Mostly feelings."

"Hmm. Well, I called you in your boss' office and you walked in steadily, practically owning the room."

"Actually, that wasn't confidence..." she recalled, "that was me holding my breath."

FLASHBACK
2 years ago. New Orleans crime lab.

Horatio stood offering his hand, "My name's Horatio Caine from Miami CSI. I've asked to speak with you."

Calleigh extended her hand and gave him a firm handshake, "Nice to meet you, Lieutenant."

"Pleasure is mine. How are you?"

"I'm fine," Calleigh answered too quickly to her liking, "No wait, honestly, I'm hesitant to know why you're here."

"I like honesty, Detective Duquesne - "

She interrupted, "Oh, please call me Calleigh, Lieutenant," she smiled.

"Only if you call me Horatio," he returned the smile.

"Alright."

"Please, have a seat," he gestured to the chair in front of the desk.

"Thank you."

"So, Calleigh," his way of saying her name made her heart pound faster, "Have they told you why I'm here?"

"They told me you were looking for a CSI - "

"Yes, that's right. I am. A ballistics expert to be precise," he looked over her file, "I'm very impressed." She had a spotless record, "You seem very knowledgeable when it comes to firearms."

"Well, I love my job. Bullets are like fingerprints without all the waiting."

"True," he liked her attitude.

"Tell me a little about yourself, Calleigh." He loved saying her name and this wasn't just to break the ice; he really wanted to get to know this woman.

"Well, I went to Tulane University - "

"No, Calleigh," he said softly, "I know that, I mean your personality, your interests..." He didn't want her to recite what was in her file, but wanted to know what she liked, what made her tick, where this passion for guns came from...

Calleigh's cheeks turned bright red, "I'm sorry, I thought you meant - "

"Don't worry about it." He decided to take a different approach, "Do you practice any sports or social activities?"

"I spend a lot of my free time at the firing range. I run, go out with friends once in a while, well, like everybody. I'm a perfectionist," she had her palms together gently pointing at him as she spoke, "and I always push myself and work hard because I think when you do work hard, you get what you want."

He was awed. "What would you say your best assets are?" Horatio asked, locking eyes with her. Except being drop dead gorgeous and extremely witty, he thought silently.

"Well, um," she crossed her arms, but used her right arm to point out her qualities, "I'm dependable, respectful and calm."

"Very well. Is there something you'd need to work on?"

"Hmm..." she thought for a moment, tapping her fingers lightly over her upper lip, "Yeah, I'm a little too impatient."

"Fair enough. How do you see yourself in five years from now?"

"Hmm. Good question. I've thought of that... Married, hopefully, with at least a baby or one on the way because I just love children," she smiled, "Doing my dream job as a CSI."

"How are you in handling working under pressure?"

"It's not a problem. I wouldn't have it any other way."

That made him smile.

"What qualities do like an employer to have?"

"Gosh, I think the most important thing is to be just."

He nodded, liking her opinion. "When would you be willing to start?"

"I'd need a little bit of time to think it through if I do get offered the job, but my decision would be made quickly."

"Would you rather work alone or with others?"

"One or the other... I don't mind."

"Well, you'll be doing both. You're hired," he stood and went around the desk.

"What? Really?" she was ecstatic, on the threshold of a dazzling career. "Oh my goodness, thank you, Lieutenant." He looked at her. "I mean, Horatio," she corrected.
"Thank you," she flung her arms around him, "You won't regret it."

He rested his hands on her back, murmuring, "I know I won't."
END OF FLASHBACK

Calleigh snuggled up to Horatio and brushed a hand through his hair, "Remember when I confronted you at work, in front of the whole team?"

"How could I forget?" Horatio asked.

FLASHBACK
One year ago. Miami crime lab.

"Here we are doing this dance again! Horatio, what is this?" Calleigh asked forcefully.
Eric's eyes went wide. The whole team went silent, standing around the coffee machine.
"Where is this going?" She gesturing between her and Horatio.

"Calleigh, this isn't the right - "

She cut him off, "Time?" she shook her head angrily, "No, I think it's the perfect time. It's now or never, Horatio Caine." She was using his last name, which meant that she was really angry.

Alexx motioned for Speed and Eric to leave, "C'mon boys, I think we should go."

"No," Calleigh turned to them, "No one's leaving, until he answers me."

Horatio's head was low and his eyes were to the ground, but his forehead creased in response.

"So, what do you say, Horatio?" Calleigh veered and asked him.

His eyes shot up, zeroing down on hers, "I say we speak privately about this." She was making it personal and it wasn't the place. He looked around Calleigh who was blocking his view from the others in the room and gave Alexx a nod. She pushed the door, making Speed and Eric walk out with her.

"Calleigh," he placed his hands on her shoulders and she almost jerked them away as a reflex to protect her heart, but his hold on her made her feel cared for and she wouldn't turn her back on him.
She wasn't going to ask him and he wasn't going to answer... whether or not she wanted to hear his answer.
"You know that I care about you," Horatio offered her some reassurance.

"But you love her," she shot back.

"I never said that. Calleigh," his tone went soft, "Don't be jealous."

"I am not!" she stared at him, "I trust you, but I want to understand why... why it can't be..."

"I care about Yelina, more than I care to admit and..."

"And you don't exactly work together... is that it? So, no problem there either, right?"

"I'm not acting on anything. I'm centered on my work and that's how I wish to keep it," he brushed back an errand strand and tucked it behind her ear, "for now."

"Fine," she downcasted her eyes and he took her hand, squeezing it gently.

She gazed at him.

"I'll wait for you, Horatio," she told him, then slowly walked away, letting their hands gradually part, "Our paths will cross," she uttered before walking out the break room.

She was so sure of it.
END OF FLASHBACK

"You were right. Our paths did cross," Horatio told her.

"And we made our own path wide enough for both of us." Calleigh remembered her comment to John about the lonely road Horatio was walking. That's why she was walking it with him.

"It wasn't easy to love you and not act on it except through innocent flirtatious remarks... the dance as you called it," he smiled. "You made it extra tough on me wearing those black pants and low neck shirts."

"Hey, I think we both had it hard... what with all those buttoned down shirts dying to be undone," Calleigh countered and Horatio chuckled.

Her face changed, all of a sudden.

"What?" Horatio asked.

"You know it's two in the morning, right?"

"We'll be needing coffee tomorrow," he grinned.

"Tim is going to comment on us being tired when all we've been doing is talking most of the night," she yawned.

"That could change," he leaned in, kissing her neck.

"You've got quite a sex-drive there, mister," she giggled as he tickled her neck with his breath.

"You're my sex-drive," he said throatily, kissing down her neck.

"No," she stopped him, "wait, you said you were going to talk to me...really talk to me about what's going on. I know it has something to do with Yelina. You've been talking to her a lot lately."

"Yeah," he acknowledged, "well, it's about Rick," he leaned on his side.

"What about him?" It was like prying out a tooth, "Horatio," she urged, sitting up.

Horatio moved away and sat on the edge of the bed, "I don't know what to do about it, Calleigh."

"About what? Horatio? It might help if you'd explain it to me - "

"He's abusing her," Horatio said dryly.

She bit her lip, holding back all the questions flowing through her mind. If Horatio was going to talk, she was going to let him.

"That's how he knows about Madison. He got that information from Yelina and he probably wants to use it against me for whatever reason..."

"Except that, when he finds out the truth, he's gonna realize he was wrong about you."

"He's also going to be very angry at Yelina."

"What do you suggest we do?"

"I don't think there's much we can do. I can't file an investigation on Stetler while he's investigating me; it wouldn't sit right."

"Maybe there's something I can do..."

TBC...