Part 3

Once inside his home, Horatio sensed Calleigh's restlessness and led her to his Terrace overlooking the Ocean, hoping the view would help to soothe. Silently he left her alone as he went to hang up his jacket.

Looking out at the Ocean, Calleigh was in awe of the beautiful view and what a stunning day it was in Miami, with the sun shinning its usual brilliance. It suddenly struck her that this was wrong, it shouldn't be this nice on the day she buried her best friend.

The tears began to fall again as she thought of the man he was and how she would miss his presence in her life. You should stop this Calleigh she berated herself you need to be strong. Calleigh hated showing any weakness especially in front of Horatio; she wanted him to see only the best in her.

The tears continued to fall as sobs racked her body, afraid to ask for help she remained leaning against the railing hoping that Horatio would not see her, this out of control.

Horatio having shed his jacket returned to see how Cal was doing; it hurt him to see her beautiful figure so obviously in distress.

"Calleigh" he called softly as he quietly approached and reached out to touch her shoulder "are you okay?"

Realizing she couldn't hide from him any longer Cal turned to the man of her dreams and looked up into his blue eyes with her own tearstained ones and uttered one word "No"

"Come here" he enticed, opening his arms to draw her into the warmth of his body, he hugged her close uttering words of comfort as he gently stroked her back "shh baby, I'm here, your not alone, try and relax or you'll make yourself ill."

"Oh Horatio" was all she could manage, as she finally accepted his offer of comfort and succumbed to the warmth and strength that was his body, where she held on tight.

After a while Calleigh's tears dried up but she felt physically drained, her knees were week, without H to hold onto she would most likely collapse on the floor.

Horatio, in tune with his colleagues as usual, sensed that Cal was exhausted and could hardly stand so he led her over to the comfy sofa strategically placed on the terrace to offer the best view of the Ocean. But he didn't relinquish his hold, she was where she belonged and felt too perfect in his arms to let her go.

Horatio sat down taking Calleigh with him, encouraging her to curl up against his side so he could hold her. "Cal "he said, reaching out to gently touch her chin, silently asking her to look into his eyes "How are your doing?" he asked softly

"I know I've said this before but I can't believe he's gone H"

"I know honey, and I wish I could go back in time and change events so that we can keep him with us"

"Oh H, I'm sorry there's me crying all over you, being selfish, only thinking of myself when today will have been extremely hard for you as well. I'm sorry. How are you doing" she looked intently into his eyes seeing pain there, she almost reached up with her arm to touch his cheek, but stopped herself realizing that it may not be welcome.

"Calleigh don't be sorry, yes we're all hurting, but its you I'm worried about , today is the first time I have seen you shed a tear, you've been trying to be strong since it happened to support me and Eric and I appreciate it but now is your time. "

He looked intently into her eyes hoping that he was getting through, he loved this southern beauty but sometimes she could be so stubborn. Sweeping a stray lock of hair back behind her ear he continued quietly

"You are the last person who could be considered selfish, you've been attending to mine and Eric needs and never once considering yourself so please let me do this for you. Do you want to talk about it?"

Settling against his chest she realized she would not win this argument "I just miss him so much, I know he could be a pain in the ass occasionally but he was a really great friend."

"I know Cal, and I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better, but I can't, I can only assure you that I am here for you."

Calleigh looked up into his eyes trying to read the real meaning behind his words, she hoped to see feelings of love that mirrored her own, the love was there but she just wasn't sure if it was the romantic kind she wanted.

He continued "You know you can talk to me about anything, however silly you feel it might be, you know I won't judge you I just want to make you feel better. It's been a hard day, I don't expect you to just brush it aside, talk to me if you like or we can just sit here"

Calleigh didn't know were to start so she just settled herself comfortably against his chest listening to the strong heartbeat assuring her that he was alive.

They sat there in companiable silence wrapped in each others arms for quite some time before Calleigh took a deep breath and started talking.

"Did you know Tim and I dated for a little while?"

"No" he was a little taken aback and a little jealous "No I didn't" although, he thought it made sense, they had always been very close.

"Yeah, it was just after I started working for you, it didn't last very long, we both realized that, although we loved each other, we were friends not lovers."

Horatio hugged her closer realizing that today must have been even harder for her that he thought.

Calleigh quietly continued "for me, I realized he was not the man I wanted, oh I loved him, as best friends do, but he was not the person who held my heart in his hands"

Horatio's heart stopped a beat, could this possible be what he had wanted to hear since he first watched her all those years ago, when she captivated his heart. He didn't want to push and looked directly into her beautiful green eyes which he could swear were turning blue, reflecting his own. With his eyes he encouraged her to continue and see that she was safe with him.

"Horatio can I talk freely?" she asked a little unsure of herself, but it was now or never.

"Always"

"The person who holds my heart is you" she blurted out quickly hiding her face in his chest once again as if afraid of the answer, she was also hoping she had not overstepped any boundaries and that she wasn't making a fool of herself.

Horatio's arms tightened at this statement as his heart beat faster gently cupping her cheeks in his palms he lifted her face to his own and very slowly and irreverently touched her lips with his own and kissed her. "Calleigh, sweetheart do not be afraid you have been the centre of my world ever since we met, I love you with everything I have. If one thing the last few days has taught me is that life is too short."

He kissed her gently again "I'm yours if you want me"

"Oh Horatio I can think of nothing better" as she kissed him back "I love you too."

With that the two CSI's settled back onto Horatio's sofa wrapped in each others arms holding on tightly. Silently they watched over the Ocean a feeling of contentment washing over both of them, thankful that they had finally found each other.

Neither of them saw the smile on their friend's face as he saw them finally admit their love for each other; he was pleased that it had finally happened, they both deserved to be happy. Now he was finally at peace he could move on to the space in heaven that had been set aside for Timothy Speedle, he just wasn't sure he could handle the white suit and wings, he'd probably have to shave too.

Rest in Peace. Timothy 'Speed' Speedle beloved friend and Trace Expert.