DISCLAIMER: see chapter one. Looks Like Love is by Dean Martin.

A/N: Hey here is eight! Thank you for the wonderful reviews, I think that is most I've ever gotten for one chapter!! Ya!! The song I used here is one of my favorites, I always liked Dino over Blue Eyes…(too much listening to my parents record collection I think….) lol Well I hope you all like it! :-) -RaeAnne

CHAPTER EIGHT

The day was finally there, the day everyone dreaded, the wedding day. The entire second floor was crawling with cops, all in suits hopping to keep all telltale signs of their profession secret. The garden and patio of the Golden Beach Resort was set up for the ceremony that would take place a few minutes before sunset. The crowd was a modest forty-five person guest list. White chairs adorned with roses and baby's breaths were in rows facing the beach. A tall white arbor with intertwining ivy would hold the couple as their 'vows' were said.

How long do we have?" Calleigh asked flustered as she tweaked her hair.

"Not long, and stop playing with your hair!" Alexx laughed, placing a few more pins into Calleigh's twisted hair.

"Hello, Ladies," Speed grinned stepping into the room from the hall. He received two penetrating glares.

"Okay…well I drew the short straw so I'm here to tell you that they are about to start," Speed thumbed to hall.

"I think they'll wait for the bride," Alexx clicked her tongue pulling on her silvery purple high heels.

"Did you bring what I asked?" Calleigh held out her hand.

"Yep, got it right here," Speed handed her a brown paper bag.

"Thank you," she smiled opening the bag and pulling out a 22. with thigh holster.

"Yep right here," he replied handing her a small bag. "Ya know, H is gonna get a surprise when it comes time to remove the garter…" he grinned as he watched Calleigh take a thigh holster from the bag.

She with utmost grace hiked up the side of her dress and with her foot balanced on a chair she strapped the gun on. "We didn't have this much fun at the bachelor party!" Speed grinned.

"OUT!" both Calleigh and Alexx pointed to the door.

"Okay, okay," Speed held up his hands as he backed out.

Calleigh turned to the mirror with a sigh, her hand running down the side of her slim form fitting dress that was straight across the shoulders, sleeveless and had a mid length train falling behind her.

"One day sugar you will do this for real and it will be for forever," Alexx bit her lip placing the soft veil on Calleigh's blond locks.

"Yeah maybe," she nodded bring down the front part of the veil, grabbing her bouquet and with Alexx following headed to the wedding, her wedding.

"Wow," Speed mumbled as she neared. She blushed slightly taking his arm.

"Thank you for walking me down the aisle," Calleigh said as she and Speed took their place behind Alexx.

"Not a problem," he grinned.

"Got your ear piece in?" Speed asked.

"Yep, lets do this."

Tall white double French doors were opened to allow in Alexx who walked down the flower petal covered aisle, wearing a lavender dress carrying a bouquet of dark blue tulips. Calleigh had to regulate her breathing as she took hold of her large bouquet of Sterling roses and tulips surrounded by baby's breath and ferns, this was it. The people rose and the Bridal March started to play.

"Here we go," Speed smiled and they stepped out into Florida's fading sunlight.

The sunlight played across her and Horatio's heart stopped. He couldn't breathe, couldn't move his eyes from her majesty. He couldn't see her eyes through her veil, but she walked with regal grace head high and shoulders back, she nearly glowed. This stunning woman was putting her heart and life on the line and he was left speechless. A day that should have been bourn from love and a lasting relationship, a day that should have been happy and glorious for her was being turned into a cheap imitation that left Horatio with a bad taste in his mouth. He watched her near and he felt guilt, and he felt jealousy. He was actually jealous of the man that would one day truly wait in the place that he now stood to claim this woman's heart. He felt a protectiveness and possessiveness that warmed him. But then there she was offering her hand… her heart—to him.

She felt her heart thudding, he was gorgeous, those stunning blue eyes taking in every detail, and she could almost feel the caress his gaze possessed. Like the day they sat at the picnic table the sun was starting to set behind him and she held her breath. One of the many things she loved about him was his presence. You knew when Horatio Caine entered a room; he took it over with gentle unassuming power. With subdued strength and sincerity he took you over, the fire in his eyes, the way he held his shoulders the wide strong sturdy shoulders that seem like they could carry the weight of the world, and most times did, bowled you over. His hands, the hands that were slightly calloused from a honest days work, the hands that delivered justice turned soft as he cradled the innocent, and rough as he took in the criminal. This was Horatio Caine, the man who carried the world, the man who locked away his heart for fear of hurt, the man who lived for justice, and survived by truth.

Her hand was in his, warm and gentle as he directed her beside him, Speed taking his place as best man.

"Ladies and gentleman we are gathered here today to witness the union of Calleigh Duquesne and Horatio Caine…" the minister began but words were lost of them.

Lost in each other's eyes yet constantly aware of the talking in their earpieces.

"Do you Calleigh…" Calleigh looked at the minister realizing she hadn't a clue to what he just said but quickly leaned that this was her part, "I do," she beamed.

"And do you Horatio take Calleigh to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her, and honor her, forsaking all other, in sickness, in health, for richer or poorer till death do you part?"

Horatio looked at his Bullet Girl and gave a half grin, even if this wedding wasn't real, he was truly pledging himself to this woman, a woman he would forever belong to, even if no one but himself, knew it. He was pledging himself eternally to her. He would protect her, stand beside her, cherish her, and love her afar till the day he died. All for her happiness, her safety wanting nothing in return.

"I do."

"Then by the power invested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife—" the minister couldn't help but smile. "You may kiss the bride." All words spoken before might have been partially ignored but those last words hit them like a ton of bricks.

Horatio tried to look passive as he lifted the filmily veil but it didn't work well. He let a hand find its way around her waist and the other pulled her near. The kiss was soft and searching, but neither could deny the power.

The people cheered as the couple headed back down the aisle.

Once inside the privacy of the hotel door the storybook romance was broken.

"Okay, we haven't seen anything, though we thought we had. There was a car circling the hotel perimeter about ten minutes ago, it turned out to be a man waiting for his mistress to show up…" Eric announced.

"Fine, we've still got the reception, lets keep things rolling, we knew that he might now show up but he will show himself soon. We've got to get back out there…keep me posted!" Horatio trailed putting a hand on the younger man's shoulder. Eric nodded and went back up with surveillance team.

"You did good out there," Horatio nodded awkwardly.

"Thank you," she said and started outside, she couldn't be with him right now, not when every emotion in her contradicted. Not when she was terrified that Truman would make a move unseen, not when all she wanted to do was tell him everything she had in her heart. Standing with a man that you have to appear to be in love with all while pretending not to leaves you pretty much hating him, and Calleigh never wanted to resent him like she knew she would.

There had been a dance floor constructed on the beach, lanterns strung high gave a warm glow, to the side was a large white tent where guests were filling their plates with appetizers and getting glasses of champagne.

"There is the new bride and groom!" a man announced and the crowd clapped respectfully as they came to their own party.

"Try and look happy," Calleigh whispered harshly into Horatio's ear as she donned a large thousand-watt smile.

Horatio looked down at the woman on his arm and wondered how he could be anything else.

"Let's get the dancing going, the first dance of course belongs to the new couple!" Speed beckoned Horatio and Calleigh to the dance floor. They looked at each other then to the band then glaring at Speed.

"I guess he means us, huh," Calleigh laughed and let Horatio lead her to the dance floor.

"Mr. and Mrs. Horatio Caine," Speed led the applause as they went to the dance floor.

The song was slow, and its sound spoke of time passed, gentle and soothing a deep strong male voice filled the air with the classic song.

It looks like love
It feels like love
And I confess it's got me rocking on my heels like love
How else can I account for that unexpected glow
That turns the night to day each time we say hello

Calleigh trembled in his arms, tears pooling, ready to spill. His arms held her so tight, so tenderly, she knew that she was safe that she would never fall…if that is, he never let her go…Like he would someday surely do.

It looks like love
Ah it could be love
But if it's not it's so darn wonderful it should be love
There's a lot more I can tell you but you take my breath away
Yes it looks like love is here to stay

He saw the tears spill onto her cheeks and he wanted so badly to tell her. Tell her that his life lit up every time she was near or he thought of her, he wanted to tell her that he… that he…

It looks like love
It could be love
But if it's not it's so darn wonderful it should be love
There's a lot more I can tell you but you take my breath away
Yes it looks like love
Is here to stay

"Calleigh…" he started hardly able to watch her cry, her head on his shoulder.

"Shh… not like this…" she murmured putting fingers to his lips. She waned to hear him say all those things that her heart had dreamed of, but not now, not when everything else about this night had been a lie.

The music slowly faded and he led her off the dance floor. She leaned heavily on him unaware that she did so. The crowd clapped once again.

"My word do they applaud for everything?" Calleigh grimaced trying to stop her tears.

He led her to a small table before he went to find Eric and Tim.

"I just wanted to congratulate you again! You two make the perfect couple!" a woman approached her, a woman she did not know.

"Thank you, we are very happy," she put on her best smile.

"I am sure you will remain so," the lady said then left.

A string of other well-wishers continued till Alexx broke through and ushered them away.

"Well how is the blushing bride… how do you feel?" Alexx grinned sitting next to her friend. Calleigh glared at her. "Wo there, I was just playing around," Alexx laughed.

"I'm not amused," Calleigh folded her arms.

"Well you wont have to play happy bride for long, I heard Horatio talking to Eric and Tim, he is going to be taking you home soon," Alexx patted her friends hand.

"Good, then I can put this nightmare behind me," Calleigh's words lacked conviction.

"This wasn't all a nightmare…if I could get my husband to look at me like Horatio did you tonight we would never leave the bedroom! He loves you Cal, he just doesn't know how to tell you…" Alexx said.

"You just open your mouth and say…" Calleigh started.

"Talking about me ladies?" Horatio popped in hand extended.

"Well not exactly what we were hoping for… but oh well," Alexx laughed. Horatio looked a little baffled.

"We were. But haven't you heard that if you eavesdrop you'll never hear anything good about yourself?" Calleigh cast a flirty look up to him.

"Indeed my dear, but I decided to risk it," he leaned down to kiss her forehead.

"Are you ready to go?" he asked gently.

"Yes," she put her hand into his.

"Tim is going to make our apologies, we'll see you later Alexx, good work on the wedding by the way," Horatio added before the headed off.

The Hummer had been 'decorated' with shaving cream and toilet paper with "Just Married" across the back window. He led her with a hand on the small of her back.

"Not exactly the horse drawn carriage I had always imagined… but then again I wished for a dark haired prince charming…never imaging that I'd fall for a forensic testing-red headed-blue eyed-six foot tall-ultra sexy-Hummer driving- CSI!" she thought with a giggle as he helped her in, despite her melancholy mood she managed to find something to smile about. Even if this fairytale wasn't traditional or real for that matter it was perfect in her eyes.

"What is so funny?" he questioned after getting in.

"Nothing," she answered.

"Well Mrs. Caine, shall we head home?" he asked dryly casting a dark glance towards her.

The name felt foreign and though he spoke it in jest she felt a warm prickling along her spine…"maybe one day…for real he say it," she thought before nodding her answer to him.