DISCLAIMER: see chapter one
A/N:
Gomes: thank you so much for the praise, it's truly flattering. I must confess though, I have another story that is a Law and Order SVU/Profiler crossover that runs along the same vein as this story. I wanted to put in a few things that had bounced in my mind while doing my other story, but it wasn't going in a way that I could use them. But anyway this story is different and isn't as plot driven as my other story was, this story is an excuse to write some fluffy Horatio/Calleigh moments that I couldn't use in my other story, but I still wanted to use the same plot idea. So the reason why this bad guy reminds you of the Jack of All Trades guy is because, well he is the inspiration…in a round about way.

Thanks again for reading and reviewing everybody :-)
-RaeAnne

CHAPTER FOUR

He waved to the patrol car who returned the wave and started his car. Horatio scanned the building and parking lot before he focused on the darkened window of Calleigh's apartment.

He knew that he wouldn't sleep, he had tried but not being able to see Calleigh was keeping him up. He would not let her get hurt. If he could not see her blond hair and blue-green eyes her window would have to do. Sleep was second thought next to her, breathing was hardly necessary if he could possibly loose her. So in the Hummer he sat mind only on her.

"Good morning Officer Davis," she chirped happily as she entered the squad car coffee cup in hand, which she offered him.

"Thought you could use this," she laughed with a shrug and the officer accepted it gratefully as he prepared to pull out of the parking lot.

"Calleigh… we've got something!" Speed stuck his head into the lab where she was working.

"All right," she nodded following his quick steps toward the conference room. Her heart quickened.

"This just arrived," Horatio lifted an evidence bag off the table and showed it to everyone to see. No one was close enough to see clearly what was written on the sheet of paper. "It was delivered by DHL, no return address and they have no record of who sent it," he continued as he called up the paper on the large screen behind him.

"I saw that. You think I didn't? I am warning you CSI man, keep your
hands off her. I will not hesitate to take you out of the picture the next time
I see you touch her."

"Anyone care to explain?" Horatio moved his hands to his hips the light catching on his badge causing a shadow to play on Calleigh's face.

The room was silent for a second then it all made sense to Eric and Calleigh.

"He means me," Eric replied.

"Uh, huh," Horatio encouraged him to go on.

"I walked Calleigh to her door last night… per your request," he paused trying to figure out the best way to describe what had happened.

"I was upset, I hugged him goodnight," Calleigh shrugged though a slight flush threatened to creep up as Horatio wanted it further elaborated.

"That's it?" he questioned face straining to remain neutral.

"No, I kissed her on the forehead," Eric saw Calleigh's struggle.

"Okay," Horatio nodded, "Let's get back to work, Speed you are still working with the surveillance guys right?" Speed nodded. "Good, keep going over the tapes, he's watching her from somewhere, get camera's set up facing out as well as in maybe we'll catch something," Tim gave the thumb's up and headed out. "Eric go through Truman's file again see if you can find someone that might live in the same neighborhood as Calleigh that would be willing to house our guy, also canvas the electronics stores I think that he has to have a camera up somewhere!" Horatio dismissed them, all but Calleigh.

"What would like me to do?" she asked.

"You are coming with me, we've got another case to work on, no too involved but looks are deceiving," Horatio answered.

"You're taking me off the case?"

"No—you are the case, but there isn't anything for you to do at the moment, and unless you want me to force you to take leave then you'll come with me."

She raised her chin in indignation. He suppressed a laugh and held the door for her.

Again it's late and again Tim, Eric, Calleigh and Horatio were gathered in the now deemed "Command Center One" conference room where all planning and discussion went on concerning the Truman case.

"I have been thinking over the letter sent about Eric… we can use this," Horatio started to speak eyes not focused on anything in particular.

"Don't forget the four flat tires on my car… really tore them apart," Eric said his mouth turned to pout. No one really listened.

"How?" Speed asked.

"To lure him out. He wants Calleigh, and no one else can get close to her without getting him upset, and what happens when someone acts out of anger?" Horatio put both hands on a chair and stared straight ahead, answering his own question, "They—mess—up."

"Eric, I want you to be around Calleigh as much as possible, put your arm around her what ever, lets see what he does. Be careful though, always be aware of what is going on around you," Horatio continued, his words were strained and he tried to remove any hindering emotion that might try and wedge its way in.

"You want Eric to put himself in danger? That's crazy!" Calleigh replied.

"He's not in danger, there will always be someone around to watch, it will be a structured scenario, we have to bring him out!"

"Can I say something?" Eric interjected.

Every set of eyes fell on him.

"I'll do it. I want to do it, anything to get this guy off the streets and keep Cal safe," Eric said with much sincerity.

"Then it's settled. Eric drive her home tonight… you can use one of the Hummers," Horatio nodded.

The team spread out to finish up their tasks leaving again Horatio and Calleigh.

"We've got to quit ending these meetings this way…" Calleigh smiled, "I always feel like I am getting in trouble with the principal."

Horatio grinned. "Come on I have something for you.." he headed toward the door.

"What?" she was bewildered.

"Come on," he waved his hand at her with a smile and beckoned her to follow him to the elevator.

"Horatio, you are acting strange, what is going on?" she laughed as they both entered the elevator.

"Just be patient," he answered.

The doors opened into the parking garage, she followed him out and to his Hummer.

"Please tell me!" she begged laughing.

Horatio went to the back door of the vehicle and just watched as she laughed, he missed her laughter, and he hadn't realized how much till he heard her now.

"What?" she asked as he stared at her.

"Nothing," he shook his head and opened the Hummer.

"Ohhh!" she cooed as Horatio brought out the cutest puppy she had ever seen out of a small cardboard box, kicking and giving out small yelps.

"Horatio!" she gushed as he handed her the puppy that had a large blue ribbon tied around his neck. The poor puppy was indeed cute, but at the same time he was one that only a mother could love.

"He's an English Bull dog…" Horatio stated.

Calleigh held him with both hands and giggled at the rolls of much too large skin folds. "He's adorable, I love him! He's so cute!" she laughed as the puppy licked her face.

"He's not supposed to be cute, he's supposed to scare off any would be predators," Horatio smiled as he watched her make over the large, sloppy, wrinkled puppy.

"Oh he might be a little gruff on the outside… but this puppy, I can tell, has a heart of gold!" she smiled.

"What are you going to name him?" he asked leaning against the Hummer, arms folded over his chest.

She thought for only a moment as she ran a hand over the puppies golden-red fur and his white paws and only one name came to mind, "Horatio!"

"What?" he sputtered.

"Horatio, you gave him to me, and can you think of a more fitting name for my protector?" she grinned happily as the dog who seemed perfectly content with that name licked her fingers.

"Horatio, it is then… I am not sure if I should be offended or honored," he held her gaze for a long moment.

"That's up to you… but I meant it as a compliment Handsome," she smiled shyly and leaned in to kiss his cheek.

He reached for her free hand and gave it a squeeze, "I want you to be careful."

"We will," she nodded.

"Where in the world did you get that thing?" Eric laughed as Calleigh, Horatio, and Horatio exited the elevator.

"This guy is, Horatio," she declared with a happy smile as she showed them the puppy.

"Now what did this puppy do, to get the name Horatio? He seems pretty nice to me?" Eric shrugged with a sly smile towards his boss.

"Ha, ha, now finish up work so you can get this lady and her puppy home," Human Horatio answered quickly.

"Sure, but it's going to be a couple hours, we just got a call that needs a diver. I've got to go…" Eric said back to business.

"Isn't there someone else?" Horatio asked impatiently.

"Sure, but I am the best diving CSI you got, if I say so myself," he grinned.

"You're the only one," Horatio deadpanned.

"True, but doesn't that automatically make me the best then?"

Horatio cocked an eyebrow and Eric held up his hands in defense and headed to get his gear.

"Come on, let's get that guy in my office, before someone catches us," Horatio turned to Calleigh.

"Do you think they would believe he was my seeing eye guy?" she said a smile breaking through her facade of professionalism.

"No," he answered quickly taking the lead up the stairs and into the office.

When the door was safely closed behind them Calleigh moved to the long black leather couch where she sat with Horatio in her lap.

"Really Horatio, thank you… I mean it," her voice was soft.

Horatio smiled hanging his suit jacket on the back of his desk chair before pulling another in front of Calleigh.

"Not a problem. I saw this guy at a pet store today, and I thought of you…" he rubbed the dog's ears.

"Now who should be insulted?" she asked. He laughed.

"He will be a good companion for you, keep you company and scare away…" he trailed as he watched a fly land on one of puppies front paws, and the puppy did nothing but yawn and snuggle closer against Calleigh. "Well I guess we know he wouldn't hurt a fly…" Horatio huffed though there was tender smile spreading.

"Horatio, if we are still waiting for Eric, I was thinking that maybe if you wouldn't mind we could go the pet store, I have nothing for a dog!" she announced all of sudden.

"Sounds like a plan, we'll go that Pet Smart down the block," he answered standing. Offering her hand to help her up.