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Chapter 15

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"Calleigh, I don't want you getting involved in this," Horatio glanced back at her, from the edge of the bed.

"I can handle it," she said with conviction.

"I know you can," he veered and placed a hand on her bare knee, "but it's not your place to do so. It doesn't concern you."

"It concerns you."

"Calleigh, please..." he almost begged.

"Fine," she said gently. "I'll sleep on it."

He nodded approvingly.

However, her mind was already made up. She would talk to Yelina and get Stetler before he'd get to Yelina with the truth about Madison. Woman to woman, maybe she'd succeed where Horatio hadn't.
She scooted over and Horatio turned the side lamp off, feeling his way towards her in the dark. Carefully climbing in bed, he moved close behind her and surrounded her with his arm.

"I love you, Calleigh."

She veered in his embrace, nestling against his chest, "Me too, Horatio." The even thumping of his heart made her relax and sleep took over her tired body.

000

The next morning, Calleigh was still in bed as Horatio buttoned his black shirt. Tucking it in, he pulled on his dresser drawer, at the same time, to reach in and get a pair of socks. He stilled, coming across the handkerchief with a few washed-out blooddrop stains. He looked at it then looked up at his reflection in the mirror, looked at his badge clipped on his hip then shut the drawer.

Calleigh stirred in bed, "What are you doing up so early?"

Horatio smiled at her in the mirror, "Our kitten was making a racket in her box this morning."

Calleigh's lips blossomed into a smile, "Where is she now?"

"Running around playing with the toothpaste cap I dropped. She's been chasing it for a while now."

Calleigh shuffled over the bunched up comforter and climbed out of bed. Opening her arms to him, she waited for a hug and a good morning kiss - she didn't have to wait long.

"'Mornin' sunshine," he said throatily. She really did hold light, he thought.

"You look great, Handsome," she told him straightening his collar. He looked down at her scantily clothed, lifting his eyebrows, "I look good?"

She rolled her eyes and walked out purposely sashaying and heard him chuckle.

Entering the kitchen, she picked up the kitten who'd been ready to pounce on her foot, "Gotcha," she nuzzled her, "Now, what is all this fuss about this morning? Waking up daddy." She stroked the cat's neck and it purred.

Calleigh took the orange juice out of the fridge. Putting the kitten down, she poured herself a glass.
"How 'bout Ella?" she asked Horatio who had just entered the kitchen.

"What?" he came up to her, hand on each shoulder, kissing her head.

"Ella... as the kitten's name."

Head bobbing, he said, "I like it. Where does it come from?"

"Don't know. Just thought of it now. Want some juice?"

"No, thank you. Coffee will do."

"Suit yourself," she smiled.

They had breakfast together and, while she ate, Calleigh watched Horatio reading the Miami Herald. She loved the routine of waking up and seeing him every morning. She could live like this forever, she thought.

He waited for her as she finished getting ready and locked Ella for the day in Horatio's bathroom. The little devil couldn't be trusted alone with the leather furniture.

They had to drive off their separate ways as Calleigh needed to stop at her place and get her badge and gun she'd left at home.

Horatio leaned in her rolled down window and was overcome by the sweet scent of her car... was it a vanilla scented freshener? He glanced at the pale beige object attached to the air trap of her air conditioning system. She must really love that smell, he thought, and he loved it that much more.

"See you back at CSI," he said in his orotund voice and she nodded, blowing him a kiss.

Waving goodbye, she rode off and he hopped in the Hummer heading to CSI.

000

Yelina was walking down the hall when Calleigh stopped her that afternoon.

"Got a minute?"

"Ah, well, I'm going up to see Horatio."

"It's important," Calleigh insisted.

"I suppose I can spare a minute or two."

"Come this way," Calleigh leaded Yelina down the hall.

Taking a deep breath, Calleigh started, "Okay, this isn't easy to say... even Horatio wasn't able to tell you... well, not in so many words..."

"Wasn't able to tell me what?" Yelina leaned in to listen intently.

"I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but you're putting your son in danger by staying with Stetler - "

Yelina exhaled, crossing her arms impatiently over her chest, "Not you too. I told Horatio that Ray and I are fine."

Calleigh tried a different approach, "Do you know that Stetler started an investigation on Horatio?"

Surprised, Yelina replied, "No, I didn't know about that." She furrowed her brow, "When did this happen?"

"A few days ago. It's about Madison as you may have guessed."

"I, ah," her voice was shaky, "I told Rick about Madison..."

"Yelina, he's hurting you to get to Horatio and, while all of this is happening, your son thinks you love Rick more than you love him. He told Horatio he felt left out."

"He never said anything to me - "

"Maybe he tried to - Took some doing to make him admit it to his uncle," Calleigh's voice went softer, "You have to do what's right for you and Ray - "

"I just don't think I can stand up to him," Yelina eyes filled with tears. "I can't believe what I'm saying..." She finally realized that what was keeping her with him wasn't love, it was fear.

"You can Yelina. If you do, they'll probably drop the ongoing investigation on Horatio."
They'll probably be more concerned about Stetler's behavior and may think that it was to take light off his actions that he's investigating Horatio. "It's his private life."

"Calleigh, you're okay with this? Horatio had a daughter with a parolee... Susie, is it?"

"Yes."

"How can you trust him?"

It was easy to reply, Calleigh said simply, "Because it's Horatio."

000

Calleigh went up with Yelina to see Horatio, but what they didn't expect was to find him in his office arguing with Stetler.

Calleigh stopped dead in her tracks and Yelina did the same wondering why she had stopped so suddenly until she lifted her eyes and saw the two men.

"I think I'm going to go in," Calleigh said and Yelina held her back, "Three's a crowd, Calleigh. I don't think you should intervene." Horatio was leaning over his desk, the tips of his fingers spread out on the pristine surface to hold him up.

"Well, I'm not gonna just stand here," she walked up to the door.

"I'm going with you," Yelina followed and they both marched into Horatio's office.

Stetler took a step back, seeing Yelina, and pretended to adjust his tie. "Hi," he said lowly to Yelina with a faint smile.

"What is going on here?" Yelina asked Stetler.

"Nothing, just having a talk with Horatio. Isn't that right, Caine?"

Horatio stared at Stetler.

"It seemed to me like you were doing more than that - " Yelina started.

"Looked pretty heated to me from outside," Calleigh said without reticence.

"I'd ask your CSI to buckle down, if I were you, Horatio. This barge in is inappropriate."

"It's my office and my decision, Rick," Horatio countered, but Calleigh couldn't take it any longer.

"What do you know about appropriate behavior, Stetler?" Calleigh asked.

Horatio shook his head at Calleigh. This was all going to blow up. Though it was bound to happen sooner or later, Horatio wished it wasn't right here and now. He sensed Calleigh had had enough and she was going to give Rick a piece of her mind.

"Calleigh, no," Yelina interrupted, but it was too late. Stetler was now aware that a few people knew about the way he conducted himself with Yelina.

"No, that's alright Yelina... I wonder though, detective," he hissed at Calleigh, "why you didn't ask that very same question to Lieutenant Caine."

"Don't include him in this, Rick," Yelina said, trying to protect Horatio.

"Who are you choosing? Him or me? The person who lied to you or the person who loves you?" Stetler asked Yelina. And, suddenly, this was about jealousy.

"You don't love her, Rick," Horatio said.

"You see," Stetler continued, "Horatio here, isn't Madison's father. He knows who is, though," Stetler nodded, "Tell her, Horatio. Tell her the big secret you've been keeping from her - " Stetler pointed his finger at Horatio.

Yelina looked from one man to the other.

Horatio lowered his head, unable to look Yelina in the eye at the pain that was surely there.

Giving Horatio a voice, Calleigh explained, "Yelina, Horatio did it to protect you..."

Yelina still had a confused look, and then it dawned on her. Who else could be the father?

Raymond.

She needed confirmation, "Horatio," she addressed, "Raymond?"

Horatio felt his heartbeat in his cheeks. He gradually brought his eyes to her level and nodded.

"Well, the conversation was useless, wasn't it, Lt. Caine?" Referring to what they'd been talking about before the two women arrived. Stetler strode towards the door, looking back, "Yelina - "

She hadn't moved, still looking at Horatio who had nothing but pardon in his eyes.

Many different feelings had come over her... at first, disbelief, then pain, then embarrassment... Finally, pain and disappointment took over. She turned her head towards Rick at the door and Horatio looked down at his desk. He knew she was leaving. It was her reaction to any situation she couldn't handle or didn't want to handle. And so, she fled. With Stetler.

The door closed with a click and Horatio placed his hands on his hips, head still hung low. Calleigh knew he was trying to be strong, trying to keep it together, but he wasn't just furious at Stetler but also at himself for waiting so long to tell her, for telling her like this.

"Horatio - " Calleigh murmured, wanting to take his hand. She didn't have his consent as he kept his hand firmly on his hip. Truth was: he needed to be alone.
She sensed that and silently walked out.

When Horatio knew she was out of sight, he slumped back into his chair.

TBC...