DISCLAIMER: see chapter one
A/N: Hey all, ta-da new chapter! Thank THANK YOU, for all the kind reviews, keeps me writing :-) Hope this one garners as much kind praise. Ta ta for now ;-) -RaeAnne

CHAPTER FIVE

"Okay… dog food?"

"Check"

"Dog bed?"

"Check"

"New leash?"

"Check"

Horatio went over Calleigh's prepared list. They were walking through Pet Smart the puppy in the basket, in the place where a baby would normally go, he was perfectly happy there, he was oblivious to everything around him. Their cart was starting to look a little full. The puppy chow was on the bottom with a round padded bed and fluffy dog blanket. In the top there was a new leash and matching collar with magnifying glasses and Sherlock Holmes like caps, they were as Calleigh put it "The closest thing to CSI." There were toys galore, special treats, food and water bowls, everything a puppy might need or ever want.

"We need to get him a name tag!" Calleigh announced as they were winding down their spree. Horatio nodded as he watched her push the loaded basket to the a machine that engraved tags,

"What kind?" she asked as she looked over the screen. He stood next to her shoulder to shoulder.

"What's the matter with the standard one?" he asked.

"For my puppy? No, there are so many cute ones… pick one, you get to pick it out," she nodded then added, "But not that standard red round one, no, not that one," she made a face.

"Okay. How about that one? It matches the leash and collar," he pointed to a blue heart.

"Perfect, it isn't girly, it's just perfect," she nodded with approval. She tapped the screen selected the tag and filled in the information.

Moments later a freshly engraved tag slid into the hand of Horatio.

"Here is Horatio's heart," he announced handing it to her. Their hands brushed for a split second.

"Now if it only came with a key…" Calleigh though.

"You didn't need to buy all the stuff Horatio, I was going to get it," Calleigh said as they rode back towards the lab.

"I know, but I get you a dog, then nothing to go with it? Wouldn't be very nice of me now would it?" he laughed.

"I hope Eric is about ready to go, I think the puppy is getting restless," she commented glancing back to the puppy.

"I'll call him," Horatio answered pulling out his cell phone.

"Eric, it's Horatio, where are you?"

Calleigh listened to the conversation without much interest.

"Okay, he's going to be a while longer. So I told him that I would take you home, we'll try the plan another time, is that okay with you?" he asked.

Her eyes brightened at the thought of Horatio taking her home, the last few hours they had spent had been blissful, and if she was getting her hopes up based on false evidence she didn't care, she had Horatio now, and that is what mattered.

"Of course I don't mind…" she tried to hide her blush.

"Good, let's go," he turned the Hummer around and headed for her apartment.

"Let's get you in the house!" Calleigh cooed as she picked up the puppy and a couple bags from the pet store.

"That dog has legs, Cal, why don't you let him use them?" he chuckled.

She only shrugged and put him down and fastening his new leash to his new collar. She started up the steps Horatio following, a bag of puppy chow on one shoulder and a couple of plastic bags in the other.

"You are such a good boy!" she patted the dog's head as they entered the apartment.

"Where do you want these?" Horatio called as he saw her head into the kitchen.

"Oh anywhere!" she laughed as she rushed to help him unload the things into the living room. She couldn't help but see the way the muscles in his arms and chest flexed as he lifted the dog food from his shoulder, truly stunning.

"Do you think we forgot anything?" he scratched his head taking in the bags and their contents.

"I hope not, the store closed a hour ago!" she laughed trying to shake away the thoughts and feelings the previous tight materiel of Horatio's shirt had conjured up.

"Where are we going to put the bed?"

She looked at him blankly for a moment replaying the question in her mind, what she interpreted as "Do you want to go to bed," really wasn't, he was asking about the dog bed, she realized with a small pout. "In here," she showed him to her bedroom. She paused for a second, her hand on the handle, her bedroom was hers, in there she could let every emotion, every thought go without worry, she wasn't sure if she wanted to let him in, if she did he would never leave… at least his presence wouldn't and that might send her over the edge.

"We'll put the bed in here, there is a perfect place right by my bed," she let him in and he put the blue dog bed where she pointed.

"I think he'll like here," Horatio gave the nod of approval.

A half hour later with the puppy sleeping between Calleigh's feet and all his stuff put away Calleigh and Horatio sat on her sofa a comfortable silence falling between them.

There wasn't a man that Calleigh felt more at ease with, or a man she trusted more. She felt like they could just sit like this forever, she almost forgot about Truman, almost. She wished Horatio would hold her, she wanted to be held so bad she ached, and she wasn't sure why, she never needed a man before, she never craved love and caress from a man, wanted them sure, but never needed them. Then again he wasn't just any man, he was Horatio Caine, and she needed him.

"I better get going, it's getting late, and you need your sleep," Horatio said breaking the spell and quickly stood.

"Oh… okay." She stood with him and followed him to the door. "Thank you for my puppy… and for driving me home…. For everything," she added hopping that he would get her meaning.

They stood in her open doorway the slight breeze swirling around them.

"Sure, Eric gets a hug and I get a thank you," he grinned.

Her mouth opened prepared to argue but instead she smiled and dropped her eyes demurely. I comment such as that from a man such as him wasn't a common thing. She moved toward him and embraced him. This hug wasn't like the one she Eric shared, that was one that a sister and brother would share, this one was far different.

Horatio's hands pressed her tighter his fingers spreading trying to touch all of her. She pressed her cheek against his shoulder, her lips inches from his neck. She loved his cologne, everything about him, she moved in a little closer.

"Thank you…" Horatio whispered sinking his face into the silky threads of her hair, breathing in her warm inviting vanilla and jasmine sent. His heart about broke when she pulled away slightly.

"What for?" she asked huskily.

"For being you, for the smile that seems to make the sun look dim…" he stopped and let her go before he said something he couldn't take back. "Sleep well," he finished and with a small tap on her nose he left.

It was almost two in the morning, the officer waited in the parking lot keeping an eye out on everything in the apartment complex. He waited for the silver Hummer to pull in to relieve him, as he usual did every morning. It was only for a few hours but it was helpful to both him and Officer Davis who would take over when Calleigh Duquesne would leave for work. He was never really sure why that silver CSI logo clad Hummer always pulled in, but he had his own theories, and one of them included something of feelings between the two CSI's, but he wasn't sure. Either way he wished the Hummer would show up he was rather tired.

"Horatio! Horatio, come here puppy!" Calleigh called as she emerged from her bedroom looking for the puppy. She had been woken up by something, she wasn't sure what but she found that the little puppy who had been sleeping beside her in her bed was now missing. "So much that expensive dog bed of yours," she laughed still searching for the dog.

"Horatio? Come here puppy!" she called again this time panic starting to kick in. She searched the place up and down, no sign of him. She pulled her robe tight and raced out of the door, not even thinking of shoes.

Down the elevator and into the main parking lot, she called again and again for him, nothing. She raced to the patrol car, it was a little after three in the morning, still dark. She raced to the patrol car and knocked on the window.

The officer shook himself awake. Calleigh saw he had been asleep and felt her stomach turn.

"Were you sleeping?" she breathed angrily. The man didn't even bother to answer he knew better then to try and give a lame excuse that would further anger this fiery Southern blond.

"My dog some how got out of my apartment, I need help finding him!" she demanded. The officer didn't argue.

"I found him!" Officer McIntyre called out from behind a bush. Calleigh raced over and saw that he had indeed found him.

"What… what…" she could hardly make out her words, tears sprung quickly and she fell to her knees and picked up her bloody puppy. "Oh baby…oh puppy….shh it's okay," she whispered holding him close and feeling a faint pulse.

"Take me to the hospital now!" she demanded. He nodded calling for another car to the Duquesne residence so he could escort her to the vet.

The ride seemed to drag on and she squeezed her eyes shut just praying that the puppy would make it.

The arrived with sirens and lights whirling, it wasn't standard for the police to do so for an animal, but after a death glare from Calleigh Duquesne you would do just about anything she said, it was in your best interest.

"What happened?" a vet asked as they rushed through the double doors of the Veterinary Emergency Hospital.

"I don't know… we found him outside…he's breathing… please…" Calleigh stuttered slightly her accent further hindering her words.

"We will do everything possible, ma'am. What is his name?"

"Horatio."

The doctor nodded and a nurse took the puppy back. Calleigh felt the weight leave her arms and she felt empty.

"Can I use your cell phone Bret?" she asked the officer. He nodded and handed it to her.

She dialed the number she knew as well as her own. It rang, and rang…and rang. "That's strange," she said hands shaking tears falling.

"What?" Officer McIntyre asked.

"He didn't answer his phone. He always answers," she said eyes narrowing.

"Who?"

"Lt. Caine."

She dialed Speed's number, hating to wake him up. "Hi, it's Calleigh… I can't get a hold of Horatio. I am a little worried. Yes… would you? Oh thank you! You are best! Thank you…. Uh huh let me know as soon as you know something." She hit the end button and gave the phone back.

"You didn't tell him about your dog," the officer commented.

"No, there was no reason to worry him further," she answered just realizing that she was barefoot and still in her nightgown and robe. "I suppose I should have paid better attention to my attire," she forced a sad smile.

Time passed slowly and finally the doctor came out.

"How is he?" she stopped her pacing and met the doctor.

"He had many stab wounds, not too deep, he will be fine. He just needs to rest and let the stitches heal," the doctor said cautiously.

"How did he get those wounds?" he asked.

"I don't know, really I don't. I discovered he had gotten out my apartment and when I couldn't find him I searched outside and Officer McIntyre found him behind a bush… but I will find out who," she stated breathing a sigh of relief that her puppy would be okay.

"I will have to take your word on it Miss Duquesne, but I want to see him in a week, and if I see any signs of abuse I will have animal control assume responsibility for the animal," with that the doctor went back into the back.

McIntyre's cell phone chirped, "Officer McIntyre, … yes she is right here." He handed Calleigh the phone.

"Duquesne,… Speed did you find Horatio? …yes… What?" the words that Tim spoke fell on deaf ears after those words "he's been shot". The phone fell from her hand and her knees felt week. She was barely caught before she pooled on the floor.

"This is McIntyre, I will take Calleigh to the hospital now."